Eye Conditions

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration affects the macula, the tiny central area of the retina. The macula provides central vision, which is essential for seeing fine detail, looking straight at an object, reading, and driving. Although patients with macular degeneration retain their peripheral, or side vision, the absence of central vision can be a severe handicap. Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of legal blindness, one of the criteria being central vision of 20/200 or worse in the better eye with corrective eyeglasses.

Signs and Symptoms

• Vision becomes blurry or distorted

• Words seem to crowd together, declined reading ability

• Eyeglasses do not help

• Diagnosis made using an Amster grid

Treatments and Prevention

• Laser Treatment

UIC Specialists
Norman Blair, MD
Michael Shapiro, MD
Lawrence Ulanski, MD
Any Vitreoretinal Specialist

Treatment Clinic/Service
Vitreoretinal Service

Clinical Treatment and Trials
AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Phillip J. DeChristoper, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator
Jose Pulido, MD, MS; Steve Sossler, PhD, Co-Investigators

SPONSOR: Apheresis Technologies, Palm Harbor, Florida
TITLE: A multicenter, prospective randomized double-masked study comparing the safety and efficacy of membrane differential filtration to a placebo treatment in patients with non-exudative age-related macular degeneration
Study Coordinator: Maria Tousa

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.