Randall V. Wong, M.D., Retinal Specialist
There are several causes of flashes. The most common cause is a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), but a retinal tear, migraine and inflammation can also cause the same visual symptoms. In other articles, a PVD and retinal tear have been well covered. Flashes Due to Migraine Without getting too specific, there are visual migraines that yield a scintillating … [Read more...]
It is not uncommon for the symptoms of flashes to persist after a posterior vitreous detachment, or PVD. Flashes and floaters, common symptoms of a PVD, may also be warning signs of a possible retinal tear. Retinal tears can cause a retinal detachment. Do persistent flashes mean increased risk for a tear or retinal detachment? Ways to Stimulate the Retina There are … [Read more...]
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc., received FDA approval for starting Phase I/II clinical trial to use stem cells for the treatment of Stargardt's disease. Stargardt's disease is an inherited type of macular degeneration affecting individuals at age 10-20. There is no cure. Similar to other macular diseases, the photoreceptors, and the layer of cells just beneath, call … [Read more...]
Happy Thanksgiving! I had a great weekend and hope you did, too. This year, I am thankful for my friends and family ...and especially my eyesight. Turkey Day As with many of you, we had a marvelous feast. We celebrated with our parents, friends and the kids. Amy did a wonderful job with roasting a turkey, stuffing from scratch and her famous garlic mashed! I … [Read more...]
VEGF Trap-Eye (aflibercept) is another treatment for wet macular degeneration. The sponsoring pharmaceutical companies, Bayer and Regeneron, just reported favorable results in their own Phase III studies. Basically these studies compared aflibercept against well known Lucentis (ranibizumab). They report that VEGF Trap is just as good as Lucentis. Funny Name, But … [Read more...]
VisionCare's implantable telescope for patients with advanced macular degeneration was FDA approved in August. Since then, little information has been available, but I received an update from the company last week. Telescope is Not Being Shipped Though FDA approval has been received, VisionCare, the parent company, has not started shipping this implantable device. … [Read more...]
Preceeding the AAO, retina specialists have a 2 day meeting of their own. It's a time for me to take classes or instructional courses on subjects related to my sub-specialty of retinal disease. Other sub-specialists (cornea, pediatic ophthalmology, glaucoma) do the same. Our meeting is focused on all things retina...naturally. Not much new information was presented … [Read more...]
I am a retina specialist (ophthalmologist) practicing in Fairfax, Virginia, just about 20 minutes from Washington D.C. I started this blog about 3 years ago and use it for educational purposes to … [Read More...]
