More than 250 community members attended the Age-Related Macular Degeneration Town Meeting on March 2 at Sibley Memorial Hospital. Moderated by Emily Chew, M.D., the meeting addressed past therapy, current treatments, future research, low vision rehabilitation and patient perspectives.

Among future research initiatives, bringing hope to those at risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), included prevention strategies such as clinical and genetic screenings, dietary supplement research surrounding macular pigments and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), and decreasing body inflammation. While no present treatment exists for advanced "dry" AMD, current studies underway include antioxident eyedrops, Copaxone (a drug used for multiple sclerosis), CNTF (growth factor eye implant), complement inhibitor eye injections, Fenretinide (a drug that binds vitamin A) and selective RPE laser treatment. Research for "wet" AMD faces the challenge of achieving long term disease control and disease regression. In an attempt to help restore sight for those with longstanding advanced AMD, current studies include a retina chip, retinal transplantation, and high- and low-tech vision solutions.

“This was a major public outreach event for the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington,” said Michele Hartlove, executive director of POB. “It provided attendees with the opportunity to better understand current research and the effects of AMD, and to explore technological innovations that can be used for adapting to possible vision loss.”

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans age 60 and older. More than 1.75 million Americans have AMD. It is a disease that blurs “straight ahead vision,” adversely affecting the ability to drive, read and recognize faces. Experts predict that by the year 2020 incidents of AMD will reach epidemic proportions.

About 90 percent of people who develop AMD have the “dry” or nonvascular form of the disease, which progresses slowly and may even stop advancing, said Murphy. However, the “wet” or neovascular form can cause loss of central vision as tiny blood vessels at the back of the eye grow and leak fluid, scarring the macula.

Community resource materials and an adaptive technology exhibit reinforced low vision rehabilitation. Low vision rehabilitation is a model of treatment that encompasses different teams of care, including prescription of lenses, optical aids and lighting; training of different viewing strategies to maximize visual function; and education and training for modifications of daily living skills. The town meeting was co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington and the Senior Beacon.

For more information on the Macular Degeneration Network, please call (202) 234-1010.