Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Major Breakthrough in Macular Degeneration
Consumer Affairs ^ | June 16, 2009

Posted on 06/17/2009 7:39:04 AM PDT by greyfoxx39

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults, a growing problem as the population ages. Now a team of researchers at the University of Kentucky has raised hope for early detection and preventive treatment.

Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati and colleague have discovered a biological marker for AMD, a receptor known as CCR3. They say it shows strong potential as a means for doctors to lesson the impact of the much-feared condition.

The findings were reported in an article published online Sunday by the journal Nature.

"This is a major paradigm shift in macular degeneration research," said Ambati, a professor of physiology, professor and vice-chair of ophthalmology and visual sciences, and the Dr. E. Vernon and Eloise C. Smith Endowed Chair in Macular Degeneration at the UK College of Medicine. "With CCR3, we have for the first time found a unique molecular signature for the disease. This brings us closer than we have ever been to developing a clinical diagnostic tool to discover and treat the disease early, before vision is lost."

Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/06/amd.html#ixzz0IhLWMYP8&C

(Excerpt) Read more at consumeraffairs.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: amd; blindness; health; healthcare; senior
AMD is a major health threat for the aging population. One wonders if the research and development we are seeing today will be curtailed if ObamaCare is inflicted upon the nation.

It already appears that rationing care to senior citizens is one of the primary goals of this plan.

1 posted on 06/17/2009 7:39:05 AM PDT by greyfoxx39
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: greyfoxx39

“One wonders if the research and development we are seeing today will be curtailed if ObamaCare is inflicted upon the nation.”

Only if we continue sitting on our asses and doing nothing but whining.


2 posted on 06/17/2009 7:54:23 AM PDT by GatĂșn(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: greyfoxx39

It already appears that rationing care to senior citizens is one of the primary goals of this plan.

Seniors vote! This fact alone may very well generate a mountain of resistance to both the social med and nobama overall as folks see that nobama’s loyaly is a one way street and his promises aren’t worth the news channels reporting on them.


3 posted on 06/17/2009 8:09:49 AM PDT by dusttoyou (Remember the Alamo Tea Party - CHENEY-PALIN 2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: greyfoxx39
Though I don't notice any symptoms yet, my eye doctor diagnosed me with MD in one eye last year. Taking double doses of Lutein a day hoping to ward off the progression. I am praying for a cure someday that does not involve multiple injections into the eye with a needle.
4 posted on 06/17/2009 8:16:21 AM PDT by NavyCanDo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NavyCanDo
I had a scare following cataract surgery when I developed inflammation of the macula. I was told that if the drops were not effective the next course of treatment would be the injections. Thankfully the inflammation cleared up with the drops.
5 posted on 06/17/2009 8:18:57 AM PDT by greyfoxx39 (All the boxes are gone: soapbox, ballot box, jury box, bullet box. History of the future with Obama.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: dusttoyou

Seniors vote! “

I think that the majority of seniors vote Republican. Another reason for NObama to eliminate us.


6 posted on 06/17/2009 8:28:43 AM PDT by ridesthemiles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: dusttoyou

Seniors also worship at the altar of AARP, and AARP is backing the obambi plan. Go figure.


7 posted on 06/17/2009 8:29:58 AM PDT by WVNan ( (Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.: Sun Tzu))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: greyfoxx39

What about that “High Health” supplement that Paul Harvey used to flog on his radio show? I thought that was the where-all and be-all for MacDeg.


8 posted on 06/17/2009 8:50:09 AM PDT by CTOCS (Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WVNan
Seniors also worship at the altar of AARP

Just the ones who are uninformed about the AARP's agenda.

9 posted on 06/17/2009 9:16:19 AM PDT by greyfoxx39 (All the boxes are gone: soapbox, ballot box, jury box, bullet box. History of the future with Obama.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: greyfoxx39

This is a very serious problem. I have it in both eyes; but worse in my right eye. Last year I had to have surgery to repair a “macular hole” where I lost the central vision. Fortunately it was successful and I have pretty decent vision now and take those eye vitamins but this is a very, very serious problem. Anyone interested in this subject should look on the internet for an Amsler eye grid and if any of the lines are bending you have it and should get on top of it. Diabetes and high blood pressure are contributing factors. Do not take this lightly; unless you want to get used to a seeing eye dog and white cane.


10 posted on 06/17/2009 9:26:07 AM PDT by RichardW
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: greyfoxx39
My mother has wet MD in both eyes. The Avastin series of injections were successful in one of her eyes but not the other. It is a devastating disease.

Eye vitamins are very important.

11 posted on 06/17/2009 10:31:18 AM PDT by BlueAngel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ridesthemiles
After nobama took office and started to do his crazy stuff, I was pretty paranoid, seeing America sinking like the Titanic and expecting his jackboot thugs to come banging on my door at any moment.

Gradually it became clear that the only difference between nobama and all the other slick black hustlers is that he's conspiring with a bunch of leftists who also really are not smart enough or lucky enough to take down America.

If he was going to confiscate our guns, lock us all up and throw out the Constitution then he waited too long. Now there are so damn many of us armed to the teeth and he is alienating our patriotic military on a daily basis, that if “they” did decide to take us on “they” would be run into the sea. The only chance he had to really take over was this last Spring, but he DID NOT have the military on his side. Now so many are seeing through all his BS as no more than BS, that things are beginning to slowly fall apart for his socialist theft ring and the dems.

The Single Payer Nationalized Health Care BS ain't going anywhere. Nobama has lost his momentum. America has gone through worse times and not only survived but flourished. "Right now" just looks to us as the worst, only because the only other serious threat in our lifetimes was the USSR. Obama will not be able to destroy our America. He will be relegated to the ash heap of history with the likes of Jimmy Carter.

12 posted on 06/17/2009 1:13:07 PM PDT by dusttoyou (Remember the Alamo Tea Party - CHENEY-PALIN 2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: RichardW

I didn’t know there was a surgery option...guess I better get to my eye doctor.


13 posted on 09/04/2009 11:04:30 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (Support Geert Wilders)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

You have a macular hole? Yes, that is surgically repairable. Basically, they remove the jelly like material and other matter from inside the eyeball and it refills with natural aqueous fluid. A gas bubble is inserted into the eyeball and the patient has to lie face down for the better part of two to three weeks. That’s the tough part, but my eyesight went from about 20/60 back to 20/20 after the procedure. The gas bubble slowly dissipates but allows the eyeball to repair itself. If that is your question, yes, it is repairable.


14 posted on 09/04/2009 9:32:11 PM PDT by RichardW
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson