Randall V. Wong, M.D., Retinal Specialist
VEGF-Trap (aka aflibercept), another anti-VEGF drug, moves closer to FDA approval as it received "priority review" status. This status means that the FDA process will be accelerated and the drug can be reviewed in 6 months versus the usual 10 month period. Alfibercept is another injectable drug that may have an effect on choroidal neovascularization in wet macular … [Read more...]
Eating fish and other sources of omega-3 fatty acids may lower the risk of developing macular degeneration in women. A new study reports a lower incidence of AMD in those eating one serving of fish per week compared to those who did not. Omega 3 May Reduce Eye Disease The study was to evaluate the potential benefits of eating fish and certain fatty acids with … [Read more...]
Macular degeneration, also known as ARMD, is a retinal disease that typically affects both eyes. It is not a disease that has typical inheritance patterns, yet there is a racial bias for developing the disease. Also, certain habits, such as smoking, seem to increase the risk. Are you at risk for developing the disease? Northern European Ancestry Typically, … [Read more...]
Prevent Blindness America has declared February as "Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month." Making the diagnosis of macular degeneration is usually very straightforward and is based upon your age, your vision and the appearance of your retina. The "Age-Related" in Macular Degeneration Age related macular degeneration, or ARMD, certainly increases in … [Read more...]
The prevalence of macular degeneration may be decreasing in the United States! A study just released indicates that the rate of this blinding eye disease has decreased by about 15-20% compared to 20 years ago. Survey Says.... The results of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) included data collected from over 5500 individuals, age 40 and … [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...]
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...]
Unlike the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy, a patient with macular degeneration must have symptoms of the disease for the diagnosis to be made. In most cases, the retina should have characteristic "damage," and, most importantly, the patient must be having symptoms, i.e. decreased vision and/or distortion. In Whom We Make the Diagnosis Patients afflicted with macular … [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...]
