The macula is a place. It is the functional center of the retina. The term macular is an adjective. "Macular" is not a disease. Too many patients also believe that "macular" and macular degeneration are synonyms. They are not. Definition - The macula is the most sensitive area of your retina. It is approximately 1.5 mm x 1.5 mm. It provides us with our central vision, best color … [Read more...]
Intraocular Drug Delivery – It’s About Timing
September 29, 2009 By 2 Comments
Ok, maybe a little pun in the title. Yesterday, I wrote about Alimera's study using Iluvien™ for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. As we have been commonly using intraocular steroid injections to treat this condition (see previous posts under "treatments"), it only makes sense that there are now products (Ozurdex/Allergan and Iluvien/Alimera) that have been designed for long-term … [Read more...]
Company Hopes Injectable Implant Cures Diabetic Macular Edema
September 28, 2009 By 6 Comments
Alimera Sciences hopes that its Iluvien ™ insert will be effective against diabetic macular edema. Iluvien™ will release a steroid called fluocinalone acetonide (FA) after insertion into the eye. The Iluvien™ system will deliver the steroid for up to 3 years. It is anticipated that intraocular steroid release may control macular edema and improve vision. The company has a study … [Read more...]
Floaters, Are They Normal or due to Diabetic Retinopathy?
September 25, 2009 By 3 Comments
Floaters are generically defined as black spots in your vision. They move to and fro with eye movement. Most of the time they are small, tiny and black, but really can be large and translucent, too. From a doctor's standpoint, size does not matter. New floaters can mean a retinal tear and the development of a retinal detachment. Floaters can develop from a variety of causes such as a … [Read more...]
Laser Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Still The Best: True Cases
September 24, 2009 By 1 Comment
I saw two patients (RJ and JR) yesterday that have the same "problem." They both are patients with diabetes and both have advanced, or proliferative, diabetic retinopathy. Both have had diabetes for over 20 years, are on insulin and have been treated with pan-retinal photocoagulation to control the proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Both still have 20/20 vision. Neither have ever … [Read more...]
Macular Degeneration And Your Diet: Part 3
September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Good morning! This is the last post, of 3, regarding your diet and how it may effect macular degeneration. Part I: What has been proven to be effective; the AREDS vitamin formula. PartII: What has yet to be proven to be effective; omega 3 fatty acids. Part 3: The AREDS Diet The Age Related Eye Disease Study (ARED 2) is presently underway and should complete in about 5 years. It is … [Read more...]
Does Your Diet Affect Macular Degeneration? Part II
September 18, 2009 By 2 Comments
Foods That May Slow Down the Disease Last post (Read Part I) was about vitamins and their role as defined by the AREDS 1 study. In short, a vitamin formulation containing antioxidants (vitamins C and E), beta-carotene and zinc have been proven to be effective in patients with intermediate or advanced macular degeneration. This AREDS formulation reduces the chances of a patient with macular … [Read more...]
