Emory has made a profound commitment to studying age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in Americans over age 55, affecting about one-third of all Americans over age 65. Located in the center of the retina, the macula is the size of this “o” and is the critical area we use for reading and central vision. The disease leads to loss of central vision and can make it impossible for affected individuals to drive, read and care for themselves.
Because older people make up the fastest growing segment of our population, macular degeneration has become a significant public health issue.
Over the past 12 years, Emory has developed a nationally recognized team of physicians and scientists who work closely together on the study of and treatments for this blinding disease. These physicians work hand-in-hand with a team of research scientists who have expertise in molecular genetics, immunology, drug delivery, cell biology, ocular pathology, pharmacology, and biochemistry.
Emory is tackling the problem of age-related macular degeneration on every possible front, including clinical treatment and basic science research:
Antioxidants - The Eye Center is involved in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), a National Institutes of Health-sponsored study evaluating whether antioxidants and zinc can slow or arrest progression of age-related macular degeneration. In addition, Eye Center basic scientists and physicians are studying the effects of antioxidants on retinal cells. They have particular interest in glutathione, which is found in broccoli and leafy vegetables.
Intravitreal injections - Emory is enrolling patients in a new study determining whether an experimental new drug can safely and effectively block a chemical factor in the eye that promotes the growth of abnormal blood vessels. The drug is injected directly into the vitreous, the jelly that fills the eye.
Laser treatment to prevent vision loss - Researchers here are enrolling patients for the Complications of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Prevention Trial (CAPT) to determine whether laser treatment is effective in preventing the abnormal blood vessel growth that causes severe vision loss from wet macular degeneration.
Photodynamic therapy - Emory is one of a number of centers worldwide participating in the Verteporfin in Photodynamic Therapy Trial (VIP). Photodynamic therapy is an experimental outpatient procedure during which researchers inject a dye that concentrates in the abnormal blood vessels of the choroid. A red laser light shone onto the retina activates the dye. The purpose of the VIP trial is to determine whether this procedure is safe and effective in preventing new blood vessel growth and halting vision loss.
Retinal cell transplantation - Emory is currently developing and refining special instruments and techniques for transplanting healthy cells in the damaged retina and looking at ways to keep the body from rejecting these cells once they are transplanted. This research is in the laboratory stage, with human clinical trials possible in the next few years.
Retinal macular translocation surgery - Retinal macular translocation is an experimental new treatment involving two procedures. First, a surgeon lifts and shifts the retina after detaching it, moving the critical vision zone away from underlying leaking blood vessels. A few days later after the area has healed, the doctor uses a laser to seal the leaking blood vessels.
Submacular surgery - The Eye Center is participating in the national Submacular Surgery Trials (SST), which are sponsored by the NIH. An alternative to photocoagulation laser therapy, which can cause blind spots, submacular surgery involves removing the leaking area of the choroid that extends into the center of the macula. The goal of the trials is to determine whether submacular surgery can stabilize or improve vision.
IRBP and vitamin A - Basic scientists at Emory are studying the role of IRBP, a protein that transports vitamin A within the retina. This cellular transporting process is essential for vision. Defects in IRBP may be responsible for genetic retinal diseases, including macular degeneration.
Gene therapy - Researchers in the Eye Center’s laboratories are studying gene therapy, a treatment that may replace defective genes responsible for retinal degenerations.
Drug delivery systems - Researchers are studying new ways of delivering drugs to the retina through the sclera, the white part of the eye, to treat macular degeneration. By combining drugs with various polymers—similar to the nicotine patch—the researchers have found that this type of delivery can provide continual treatment for months.
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