MacuMira

Improving quality of life for dry AMD patients is now possible

MacuMira Vision Therapy restores vision for people living with dry AMD, empowering them to take back their lives and embrace many of the activities of daily life they once enjoyed.

The daily challenges of living with dry AMD

Living with dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD) has a negative impact on patients’ quality of life, as the vision loss caused by dry AMD affects so many of the activities of daily living — such as mobility, driving, facial recognition, scene perception and computer use.[1]

Patients with dry AMD often experience difficulties getting around their homes, commuting for social activities and daily errands, seeing and distinguishing faces, reading, using their computer to access news, services and entertainment, and performing other activities of daily living, such as cooking or fixing things around the home. The vision impairment caused by dry AMD is unfavourably life-changing in a multitude of ways.

Innovative treatment for dry AMD: MacuMira Vision Therapy

Fortunately, an innovative new therapy is improving quality of life for patients with dry AMD, enabling them to do these activities once again. MacuMira Vision Therapy is an effective, convenient treatment that uses non-invasive eyelid surface neurostimulation to deliver a patented microcurrent through patients’ closed eyes. It is the first and only treatment proven and clinically approved for dry AMD in North America.

A new hope for dry AMD patients

“We finally have a treatment option for patients with dry AMD,” says Dr. Wes McCann, an optometrist at Central Optometry (an AMD Centre of Excellence) in London, Ont., and CEO of Doctors Vision Group. “With dry AMD, the challenge that we’ve all faced in primary care is that most of the time, all we can offer patients are some nutraceuticals to try to slow down the disease and maybe some lifestyle changes. It is amazing that we now have this innovative technology within our practice — and it has meaningful results, as shown in the clinical study. It’s going to make a world of difference for patients.”

The landmark clinical trial of MacuMira Vision Therapy was conducted on patients with intermediate dry AMD. The treatment was shown to improve patients’ visual acuity by an average of eight letters after they underwent treatments over a six-month period. Patients were further asked to fill out a lifestyle questionnaire reporting on how the treatment had directly impacted their lives.

“The results of our study were very optimistic,” says Dr. Kevin Parkinson, an ophthalmologist based in Coquitlam, B.C., and the principal investigator in the study. “All patients in the treatment group showed improved vision, and what I noted was what the patients told me as they returned for their visits: improved function, improved quality of life, and their ability to use a computer and to watch television and read the subtitles.”

Non-invasive, pain-free treatment

MacuMira Vision Therapy is non-invasive and pain-free, with no downtime for patients. “For the first time, we’ve got something that can help to improve vision and quality of life for patients with dry AMD,” states Dr. Parkinson. “And I think the nicest part about it is that it’s easily deliverable, it’s painless and comfortable for the patient, and there are no known risks associated with it.” 

Transformative results: restoring vision and quality of life

This revolutionary treatment can help restore vision for dry AMD patients, allowing them to resume performance of the activities of daily living and the hobbies they enjoy.

“My early experience with MacuMira Vision Therapy has been really amazing,” says Dr. Trevor Miranda, an optometrist, co-founder of MyDryEye and the Dry Eye Summit, co-owner of Cowichan Eyecare, and host of the Optometry Unleashed podcast. “All the patients who have gone through the first cohort had a really good experience. They’ve all experienced improved visual acuity and all reported happiness and joy that their dry AMD could receive some treatment and their ability to see could be improved. All of our patients booked back — they’re all feeling happy about the treatment and the investment in the treatment.”

Dr. Miranda recounts the story of one patient who received the MacuMira Vision Therapy treatments and reported back how ecstatic she was to be able to better read the clock on her wall. “She expressed that there was hope for her now,” he says. “She’s lost her driver’s licence, and we know how traumatic that can be. And for me, as her eye care provider, being able to hear the joy and hope in her voice really was heartwarming.”

MacuMira Vision Therapy offers easy, accessible and pain-free treatments coupled with meaningful results and improved quality of life for patients living with dry AMD. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or know someone who might be, read our blog posts to learn more about MacuMira Vision Therapy and how it can help restore vision and improve the quality of life. Find a physician and join the many patients who have experienced the life-changing benefits of MacuMira Vision Therapy. Contact us today to see how we can help you.

Disclaimer: Always speak to your primary health care provider and/or eye care provider before making any changes to your lifestyle, activities or diet.