“GLOBALLY AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION IS THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF BLINDNESS IN INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES.” – WHO.

JOHN ROSE IS THE WORLDS FIRST OPTOMETRIST TO OFFER A TREATMENT FOR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.

What is AMD?

“Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition affecting older people, and involves the loss of the person’s central field of vision. It occurs when the macular (or central) retina develops degenerative lesions. It is thought that circulatory insufficiency, with reduction in the blood flow to the macular area, also plays a part. Several forms of AMD exist.” -WHO

It is a condition where the back of the eye (the retina) deteriorates. AMD is highlighted by the presence of compounds called “drusen” which are yellow deposits of fatty proteins. Drusen are mainly present in the layers under the retina but can also occur in the optic nerve.

Clinical Designations

There are two types of AMD; Dry, and the more acute type – wet (or neovascular). Both of which lead to symptoms such as blurring vision, light sensitivity, poor night vision and central vision loss. The difference being that Wet AMD includes the presence of leaking vessels into the vitreous (fluid) of the eye with more severe atrophy. Usually, dry AMD is only diagnosed in early stages due to regular eye health examinations as symptoms don’t appear until AMD has progressed and retinal integrity has significantly declined. Statistically, only 10-15% of those with Dry AMD will progress to Wet AMD.

AMD is not just caused by natural ageing; influential factors include genetic inheritance and race, even the degree of iris pigmentation, with lighter coloured eyes being at higher risk. More recent studies have shown that environmental and lifestyle factors can affect the likelihood of developing AMD. Ultraviolet Rays, high levels of exposure to vehicular pollution, smoking, abnormally high cholesterol levels and arterial hypertension are also thought to influence AMD development.

Innovative Treatment

To date, treatment options for Dry AMD have been limited to dietary supplements and lifestyle interventions. However, the new and only approved treatment for Dry AMD is here, using a safe, non-invasive and painless therapy – photobiomodulation. The Valeda Light Delivery System (LDS), developed by LumiThera, provides a direct treatment for Dry Age – Related Macular Degeneration.

How it Works

Photobiomodulation therapy, or cold laser therapy as it has been known previously utilises wavelengths of red, yellow and near infra-red light to rejuvenate on a cellular level. Within our cells are mitochondria which are found by the thousands, these organelles are responsible for producing the chemical energy component ATP, which our body uses in every process.

These wavelengths of light remove a limiting factor in the production of this chemical energy, increasing the amount of ATP in our body temporarily, giving a boost to these processes. Furthermore, mitochondria are thought to activate cellular cascades and pathways associated with anti-inflammation, pain dilution and fortify neurology.

Application

Currently, the Valeda LDS is the only equipment approved to specifically target the retina and slow down the progression of AMD. Given that the retina is one of the most energy-hungry parts of our body and is subsequently packed with mitochondria, with promising results from the clinical studies to date, and the two clinical studies ongoing in the UK alone.

Having tracked the progress of this therapy and equipment for over 15 years at John Rose Eye Care; we have established a protocol within our diagnostic suite using equipment from Cambridge Research Systems, so that we can monitor and track progress, providing quantitative data to support the Valeda treatment. Furthermore, this new treatment is non-invasive, easy, and completely safe (approved by NIH/NICE) without any pharmaceutical engagement or surgery.

YOU CAN NOW BOOK THIS TREATMENT COURSE ONLINE INLCUDING AN INITIAL SUITABILITY ASSESSMENT AT WWW.JOHNROSEEYECARE.CO.UK , EMAIL US AT INFO@JOHNROSEEYECARE.CO.UK, TELEPHONE 02085469292.