AMD

Cataract Surgery and AMD

The AREDS study, funded by the National Eye Institute, showed that cataract surgery improved vision in AMD patients. 1,939 eyes were evaluated for visual acuity after cataract surgery. After one year, the 865 eyes that were still available for study, showed significant statistical gains.

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Stopping AMD at the Molecular Level

Researchers at the University College London report that for the first time that they have discovered how a common blood protein is involved in inflammation and damage to the eye. They studied two proteins involved in drusen formation. Uncontrolled C-reactive protein activity causes damage to the retina and the debris of broken up retinal cells is deposited as drusen.  C-reactive protein prevents Factor H from clumping and initiating drusen formation.

Funding for Retinitis Pigmentosa and AMD Research at Harvard Medical School

Schepens Eye Institute at Harvard Medical School received an unrestricted grant to develop human retinal cell based therapies for eye diseases.  Although the initial focus is on retinitis pigmentosa, the program will have applications for age-related macular degeneration as well.

Stem Cells and AMD

Research at the Casey Eye Institute at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland showed that putting stem cells near the retinas of rats, that had a form of macular degeneration, helped delay the disease.  Ray Lund, researcher, said that he suspects that when immature nerve cells are placed near the retina, they produce growth factors that protect the cells from damage.  This may protect some people from developing wet AMD as well.

B Vitamins Could Lower Risk of AMD For Women

B vitamins could lower the risk of AMD, according to a study of 5,442 women age 40 and over.  Daily supplementation showed that these women were 41% less likely to develop macular degeneration.  They were followed up for seven years.

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Trans Fats May Increase Macular Degeneration Risk

Trans Fats may increase macular degeneration risk.  A recent Australian study checked macula photographs of 6,734 participants’ eyes for signs of early and late AMD.  Late AMD risk was higher in people who ate a lot of trans-unsaturated fats (hardened fats).  Fatty acids and olive oil seemed to reduce the risk of AMD.

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Vitamin B and AMD

A seven year study of 5,200 women showed that daily B vitamin supplements could lower the odds of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in women.  4l% of the participants taking the B vitamins were less likely to develop the disease.

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AMD and Trans Fats

A study of 6,734 participants, as reported in Archives of Ophthalmology, showed that late AMD (age related macular degeneration) risk was higher in people who ate a lot of trans-unsaturated fats. Fatty acids and olive oil seemed to reduce the risk of AMD. Fish, butter, and margarine did not show significant associations with AMD.

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Saffron and AMD

Saffron can improve the function of the retina in patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a team of scientists from Italy and Australia.  At a conference in Sydney, Australia, Professor Bisti, from the Unversity of L’Aquila, and Professor Falsini, from Catholic University in Rome, reported their research findings.

Implanted Telescope for End-Stage AMD Approved

A new device for people who have blind spots associated with end-stage AMD has been approved by the FDA (July 6, 2010). The tiny telescope is implanted in the eye, magnifiying an image more than two times. As a condition of approval, California-based VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies will conduct two follow-up studies of the device.

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