Eye Didn't Know!

New approach to macular degeneration treatment

Did you know? Researchers at the University of Florida are testing a new compound, Compstatin, for its effectiveness in preventing complications of macular degeneration. This small protein blocks complement, which promotes inflammation in the body. It is believed that complement is involved upstream in the process which eventually leads to abnormal blood vessels forming and bleeding in macular degeneration.

Three volunteers with macular degeneration have had their eyes injected with compstatin, and they are now being monitored for side-effects. I am very interested to know the frequency that these medicines would be needed, as it is not pleasant to have medicine injected into the eye!

Did you also know? The drugs Avastin and Lucentis, both produced by Genentech, have revolutionized treatment of macular degeneration. These compounds, unlike any previous treatment, can cause regression of bleeding in the eye and improvement of vision!

Happy Birthday Louis Braille

Did you know? Louis Braille (1809–1852), invented the braille system of writing for the blind and visually impaired. Braille became blind at age four when he accidentally stabbed himself in the eye with his father's awl. This caused inflammation and eventual blindness in the other eye as well, a condition called sympathetic ophthalmia. Braille's system uses six raised dots to represent letters of the alphabet. Later he extended the system for use in music and mathematics.

Did you also know? The Braille Institute of America is a private, non–profit organization whose mission is "to eliminate blindness and severe sight loss as a barrier to a fulfilling life."