Changing Medicine for Good

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
Jennifer Lim, MD
Norman Blair, MD
Michael 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

A Multicenter, Randomized, Single-masked Study Comparing Reduced-fluence Visudyne-Lucentis Combination Therapies and Lucentis Monotherapy in Subjects with CNV Secondary to AMD (RADICAL)
Investigator: Jennifer Lim, MD
Sponsor:  Qlt. Inc.

Ranibizumab Therapy for Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Angoid Streaks
Investigator: Jennifer Lim, MD
Sponsor:  PI Initiated.

An Experimental Approach to Maculopathy
Investigator: Jennifer Lim, MD
Sponsor:  PI Initiated.

An Open-Label, Dose Escalation Study of the Safety and Tolerability of 20089 (Triamcinolone Acetonide Intravitreal Injection) in the Treatment of Patients with Cystoid Macular Edema Associated with Retinal Vein Occlusion or Cataract Surgery
Investigator: Jennifer Lim, MD
Sponsor:  ICON Bioscience, Inc.

Age Related Eye Disease Study 2 ( AREDS2)
Investigator: Lawrence Ulanski, MD
Sponsor: NIHM

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