scholarly journals An overview of multidisciplinary rehabilitation for age-related macular degeneration at the Henry Ford Center for Visual Rehabilitation and Research

2012 ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Deol
2004 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 157-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keila Monteiro de Carvalho ◽  
Gelse Beatriz Martins Monteiro ◽  
Cassiano Rodrigues Isaac ◽  
Lineu Oto Shiroma ◽  
Marcela Scabello Amaral

PURPOSE: To determine the causes of low vision in an elderly population attended by a university visual rehabilitation service and to check for the use of prescribed optical aids. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out on patients aged 60 years or over attending for the first time a university low vision service in 2001. Ophthalmic reevaluation and interview were performed by means of a structured questionnaire in 2002. RESULTS: The sample comprised 50 subjects aged between 60 and 90 years. Severe low vision (<FONT FACE=Symbol><</FONT>20/200) was present in 68.0% of patients. The main cause of low vision was age-related macular degeneration (44.0%). Regarding literacy, 16.0% were illiterate and 72.0% had completed fundamental schooling. Thirty-one patients (62.0%) had been prescribed optical aids; 54.8% of these patients stated that they use them. A majority (70.6%) held a favorable opinion of these aids. CONCLUSIONS: The main cause of low vision was age-related macular degeneration. Approximately half of those receiving prescriptions reported actually using the aids in their daily activities. Making best use of residual vision in the elderly population with visual impairment is a priority, given the social context, if the independence necessary for enhanced quality of life is to be achieved.


2015 ◽  
Vol 08 (02) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Charles C Wykoff ◽  

End-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects approximately 1.8 million Americans and limits older adults’ ability to perform activities of daily living. No current pharmaceutical options exist for visual improvement in these patients. The telescope implant is the only Food and Drug Administration approved intraocular device for visual rehabilitation in end-stage AMD patients, with either bilateral geographic atrophy or disciform scarring, who are phakic (in at least one eye) with best spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/160–20/800 or worse in both eyes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 56-60
Author(s):  
M. M. Bikbov ◽  
O. I. Orenburkina ◽  
A. E. Babushkin

This review presents the characteristics and results of clinical studies of patients with age-related macular degeneration implanted with the developed for this purpose first macular IOL – intraocular macular telescope (IMT). This lens was designed specifically for patients with the most severe or terminal form of age-related macular degeneration and is designed for monocular implantation to provide central vision while maintaining peripheral vision of the paired eye, which is important for maintaining the balance and orientation of patients. This device allows patients to see both in dynamic and static situations in the near, intermediate and far ranges. The disadvantages of this lens are a decrease in the visual field and depth of focus (which excludes its bilateral implantation), the need for a large (10–12 mm) incision for implantation, which can cause an increase in corneal astigmatism and the risk of complications, in particular, the pupillary block with an increase in intraocular pressure. There are also difficulties in the study of the fundus after its implantation to assess the small changes in the macula or to identify possible postoperative complications after cataract surgery (macular oedema, etc.). Also after the implantation of this lens, there is need for special programs of visual rehabilitation. The patient’s commitment to the rehabilitation measures for the adaptation of the central visual field of the operated eye with the peripheral vision of the second eye is crucial for success of the IMT macular telescope implantation procedure.


2010 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Winfried MK Amoaku ◽  

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible visual loss in the developed world. There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but is thought to result from interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Smoking, hypertension and low intake and/or low levels of serum antioxidants are known risk factors for both forms. As yet there are no treatments available for the dry form of AMD. Smoking cessation and healthy lifestyles are important in the prevention of progression of AMD. Progression of early stages of AMD to advanced forms is slowed by regular intake of ocular nutritional supplements as found in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) Study. Recently, there have been significant breakthroughs in the treatment of wet or neovascular AMD, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs, including pegaptanib, ranibizumab and bevacizumab. Newer agents including aflibercept and anti-platelet-derived growth factor (anti-PDGF) compounds are under investigation. The current gold standard for treatment of wet AMD is intravitreal injections of ranibizumab. Combination therapy with PDT and anti-VEGF agents is useful especially in idiopathic polypoidal choroidopathy (IPCV) or when anti-VEGF monotherapy has failed. Rapid referral of patients with neovascular AMD is important as the visual outcome is dependent on the visual acuity at treatment. Diagnostic confirmation with retinal imaging, particularly fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherent tomography, are required before treatment commencement. The new treatments for wet AMD are repetitive, and have significant service implications. These implications occur irrespective of which anti- VEGF agent is adopted. Visual rehabilitation is still important in the management of AMD.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. RPO.S12364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippo M. Amore ◽  
Stefania Fortini ◽  
Valeria Silvestri ◽  
Marco Sulfaro ◽  
Alessia Pacifici ◽  
...  

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the rehabilitative process and visual rehabilitation outcomes in patients with central vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Ninety-five subjects with AMD selected from the attendees of the National Centre of Services and Research for the Prevention of Blindness and Rehabilitation of Low Vision Patients—International Agency for Prevention of Blindness—IAPB Italia Onlus, were evaluated for this retrospective study. Low vision examination included psychological counseling, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), near visual acuity, Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity, and fixation stability analysis. Once the clinical assessment was completed, patients attended a low-vision rehabilitative pathway based on visual stimulation, devices training and, if needed, psychological support. Required magnification and reading speed were also evaluated. Results For the whole sample, the mean BCVA of the better eye was 0.7 (±0.2) LogMAR and of the worse eye was 1 (±0.2) LogMAR. Restoring reading ability was the most important focus for the patients examined as it was requested by 85% of the whole sample. Mean power of optical magnifying aids for near activities was 10.6 (±9.1) positive spherical diopters. Mean reading speed for the whole sample was 33.1 (±18.2) words per minute (wpm) before visual rehabilitation sessions and increased to 55.2 (±33.1) wpm after visual rehabilitation path. To cope with distance difficulties, 78 distance refractive correction, 10 Galilean telescopes, and 7 Keplerian telescopes were prescribed. For intermediate distance activities, 22 compensation lenses and 10 Galilean telescopes were suggested. Moreover, PC magnifier softwares were prescribed to nine patients. Sixty-five polarized medical filters were prescribed to reduce glare of sunlight. Because of unstable fixation in their better eye (32.3% (±19.7) within 2° circle and 54.8% (±22.9) within 4° circle) and visual acuity < 1.2 LogMAR in the fellow eye, 38 subjects, before starting the devices training sessions, attended a bio-feedback rehabilitation session with flickering pattern stimulus. In these subjects, fixation stability increased significantly to 75.6 (±14.9) within 2° and 89.4 (±19.5) within 4° ( P < 0.05), respectively. Conclusions Attending a customized low-vision intervention based on a multidisciplinary approach seems to be effective for improving visual functions in AMD. Both optical/electronic magnifiers and specific visual stimulation program can enhance visual performances.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Verdina ◽  
Stefania Piaggi ◽  
Vanessa Ferraro ◽  
Valeria Russolillo ◽  
Riccardo Peschiera ◽  
...  

AbstractAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive and degenerative disorder of the macula. In advanced stages, it is characterized by the formation of areas of geographic atrophy or fibrous scars in the central macula, which determines irreversible loss of central vision. These patients can benefit from visual rehabilitation programmes with acoustic “biofeedback” mechanisms that can instruct the patient to move fixation from the central degenerated macular area to an adjacent healthy area, with a reorganization of the primary visual cortex. In this prospective, comparative, non-randomized study we evaluated the efficacy of visual rehabilitation with an innovative acoustic biofeedback training system based on visual evoked potentials (VEP) real-time examination (Retimax Vision Trainer, CSO, Florence), in a series of patients with advanced AMD compared to a control group. Patients undergoing training were subjected to ten consecutive visual training sessions of 10 min each, performed twice a week. Patients in the control group did not receive any training. VEP biofeedback rehabilitation seems to improve visual acuity, reading performances, contrast sensitivity, retinal fixation and sensitivity and quality of life in AMD patients.


2008 ◽  
Vol 102 (10) ◽  
pp. 581-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marja Mogk

This article suggests that approaching vision loss from age-related macular degeneration from a sociocultural perspective, specifically considering perceptions of aging, blindness, disability, and generational viewpoints and norms, may be critical to understanding older adults’ responses to vision loss and visual rehabilitation.


The Eye ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 125 (2019-1) ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
Alexander Myagkov ◽  
Maria Kovalevskaya ◽  
Oksana Pererva

Low visual acuity, loss of the central visual field, metamorphopsia, distortion of lines and decreased contrast sensitivity cause reduced quality of vision in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Currently existing methods of visual rehabilitation for patients with AMD, such as telescopic intraocular and scleral lenses, are functionally and cosmetically unacceptable. The use of intraocular telescopic lenses is limited by the high risk of postoperative complications, low functional parameters, as well as by difficult ophthalmoscopy and lasting adaptation of patients. Telescopic scleral lenses have а low resolution, contain impermeable to oxygen parts and require wearing special switching glasses. However, scleral lenses have potential in developing an optimal method for vision correction in patients with AMD due to the presence of following advantages: wide optical zone, gas permeability, correction of refractive astigmatism in presbyopic patients and alleviation of dry eye symptoms. In conclusion, further clinical researches are required to develop a method for improving the quality of vision in patients with AMD by using scleral lenses with an objective test for evaluating the effectiveness of correction – the 3D computer-automated threshold Amsler grid test (3D-CTAG).


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1S) ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
M. M. Bikbov ◽  
O. I. Orenburkina

Currently, the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) includes: intravitreal injections (bevacizumab, ranibizumab, aflibercept, pegaptanib, etc.), photodynamic therapy, surgical treatment (subretinal surgery, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator + gas, macula translocation) and etc. Rehabilitation of these patients is carried out using special optical tools (glasses, magnifying lenses, loupes, electronic devices). Classic external devices for the correction of very poor eyesight are not convenient to use: they are often lost or forgotten at home, not adapted for constant wear, people are embarrassed to use them in public places. This review presents the characteristics and clinical results of the implantation of two intraocular lenses, the Lipschitz Macular Implant (LMI-SI) and the Scharioth Macula lenses, in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These IOL can be implanted during standard phacoemulsification with the implantation of usual posterior chamber IOL or years after the cataract extraction, which makes them unique among other lenses that are implanted only during the cataract extraction procedure. The Lipschitz Macular Implant (Israel, 2013) is a rigid IOL made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), implanted in a capsular bag, it requires an incision up to 6 mm. A positive feature of the Scharioth Macula lens (1stQ GmbH, Germany, 2017) is the smallest incision needed for implantation — no more than 3 mm. This lens consists of a biocompatible hydrophilic acryl with a UV filter, the peripheral zone of the lens is optically neutral, the square design excludes its free rotation. Also, this lens can be used as therapy for progressive macular dystrophy of various etiologies. The additional macular IOLs do not affect peripheral vision, reduce binocularity when reading, and require complex visual rehabilitation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document