Macular Degeneration AMD Treatment Advances Mark Awareness in Maine

    PORTLAND, ME, February 02, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Eyecare Medical Group in Portland, Maine raises awareness about Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) as being the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in Americans older than 50.

"As we begin the 2012 National Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month we are continuing to feel even better about the prospects for treatment of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)," stated Maine Retina Specialist Scott Steidl, M.D. of Eyecare Medical Group in Portland, Maine. "Although AMD is not curable, the data from the clinical trials that we monitor continues to strengthen our ability to choose treatment options for patients that can at a minimum prevent further vision loss from the disease and in many cases actually help recover lost vision," commented Dr. Steidl. "By carefully reviewing the data from the Comparison of AMD Treatments Trial (CATT) as well as the FDA approval of the VEGF-Trap treatment we have been able to further refine the treatment protocols that help us get the best results for our patients," relayed Retina Specialist Jackie Nguyen, M.D.

Affecting more than two million people, AMD causes central vision to blur, but leaves peripheral vision intact. It is progressive and painless. There are two types of ARMD: dry and wet. Approximately 90 percent of people with ARMD have the dry form which results in gradual vision loss. Although only 10 percent of people with AMD have the wet form, it generally progresses much quicker than the dry form. Wet AMD is characterized by the growth of abnormal retinal blood vessels that leak blood or fluid, causing rapid and severe central vision loss. Patients can often reduce the risk of developing AMD by not smoking as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables, avoiding foods with trans fats, exercising and controlling blood pressure and weight.

Patients older than 50 are encouraged to have a comprehensive, dilated eye examination every one to two years to ensure that AMD is detected and treated early. The key to successful treatment is early detection and intervention.

Eyecare Medical Group is a leading ophthalmology practice in Portland, Maine staffed by a team of eye care specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained glaucoma specialists, retina specialists, cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants, (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

To learn more about Eyecare Medical Group in Portland Maine you may visit http://www.eyecaremed.com or http://www.facebook.com/eyecaremedicalgroup.

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.

Kathy Brackett, Eyecare Medical Group, 53 Sewall Street, Portland, Maine 04102, [email protected], 1-888-374-2020

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