New Treatment for Macular holes
Recent approval of Jetrea (Ocriplasmin) to treat symptomatic VMA (Vitreo Macular Adhesion) has opened up a new era in non surgical management of macular holes. Previously only a hospital based surgery was able to reverse the process of macular hole development but now a new drug can be injected into the eye painlessly in the office and within a few weeks the process reverses back to more normal vision levels.... more
FDA Approves ASRS Leader's ArgusŪ II Artificial Retina
On February 14, the FDA approved the Argus II artificial retina developed by ASRS Executive Committee and Board Member Mark S. Humayun, MD, PhD.
This breakthrough technology is the first ever to offer limited vision to patients with late-stage retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
Second Sight Medical Products (Sylmar, CA) manufactures the Argus II implant, which has 60 electrodes and a tiny camera mounted on eyeglasses to capture images.
The FDA approved Argus II for adults age 25 years or older with severe to profound RP. About 10,000 to 15,000 of the 100,000 Americans with RP will qualify for Argus II. Up to 4,000 patients a year can be treated with the device.
Macular degeneration and Aspirin?
Aspirin and Macular degeneration... is there an increase in the wet form of macular degeneration in those patients taking aspirin? The wet form develops quicker than the dry form. It may only be related to the fact that you are more likely to take aspirin if you have medical problems like stroke or heart attacks in the past and these conditions are more commonly associated with wet age related macular degeneration. ... more
Dr Peter Van Houten's Blog
New Treatment for Macular holes
Submitted by Dr Peter Van Houten on Sun, 03/17/2013 - 15:53
Recent approval of Jetrea (Ocriplasmin) to treat symptomatic VMA (Vitreo Macular Adhesion) has opened up a new era in non surgical management of macular holes. Previously only a hospital based surgery was able to reverse the process of macular hole development but now a new drug can be injected into the eye painlessly in the office and within a few weeks the process reverses back to more normal vision levels.FDA Approves ASRS Leader's ArgusŪ II Artificial Retina
Submitted by Dr Peter Van Houten on Fri, 02/15/2013 - 07:00
On February 14, the FDA approved the Argus II artificial retina developed by ASRS Executive Committee and Board Member Mark S. Humayun, MD, PhD.
This breakthrough technology is the first ever to offer limited vision to patients with late-stage retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
Second Sight Medical Products (Sylmar, CA) manufactures the Argus II implant, which has 60 electrodes and a tiny camera mounted on eyeglasses to capture images.
The FDA approved Argus II for adults age 25 years or older with severe to profound RP. About 10,000 to 15,000 of the 100,000 Americans with RP will qualify for Argus II. Up to 4,000 patients a year can be treated with the device.
Digital eye sight checking
Submitted by Dr Peter Van Houten on Sun, 07/22/2012 - 13:05
Eye tests come into the digital age.
Welcome to the digital age! We have electronic medical records and digital diagnostic imaging, which have been developed and refined over the past 20 years. Now home monitoring of your eye health comes of age. The introduction of the SightBook "app" from digisight.net on the iPhone brings monitoring your eye health in partnership with your eye care physician to the digital age.
Drink water not sodas
Submitted by Dr Peter Van Houten on Sun, 03/25/2012 - 05:21
The Soda StoryIt has long been thought that drinking sodas was not good for you and now here is the proof. This information was acquired slowly over 15 years of observation with high resolution cameras and 19 years of electronic medical records...
Age Related Macular Degeneration treatment options
Submitted by Dr Peter Van Houten on Mon, 02/20/2012 - 17:52
Treatment options for wet macular degenerationhave advanced greatly in recent years. Before 2005 treatment option for wet ARMD was a laser treatment that created a moderate scar in the back of the eye and closed the new vessel that was developing there. There was a 50% recurrence rate with straight laser treatment. .... Now we have enter the age of drug therapy...