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Finally, a non-invasive and painless treatment for dry AMD has hit the market. MacuMira Vision Therapy, the first and only treatment clinically approved for dry AMD in North America, offers a non-invasive and painless option for patients.
Overview of traditional dry AMD therapies
Historically, clinical therapies for patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD) — that have been used to attempt to slow the progression of macular degenerative eye disease — have been quite invasive.
These macular degeneration treatments include cell-based therapies, complement inhibition, gene therapy, visual cycle modulators, neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory therapies, photobiomodulation and prostheses — all of which include varying rates of success, and most of which involve eye surgery or injections.[1]
MacuMira Vision Therapy: Transforming dry AMD treatment
By contrast, MacuMira Vision Therapy uses eyelid surface neurostimulation to deliver a patented microcurrent through patients’ closed eyes. Patients sit comfortably and are fitted with an adjustable headset module, disposable cap, headband, headset cable, return electrode connectors and vertical adjustment strap. The device is designed so that only the stainless-steel eye cups and the disposable return electrode pads are placed against the patient’s skin. The headband uses a Velcro fastener and a magnetic mount to anchor the eye cups in place.
The benefits of non-invasive treatments
This therapy for macular degeneration is easy, relaxed and convenient for patients. It’s painless and non-invasive, meaning that it doesn’t involve any tools that break the skin or physically enter the body[2] (the way that surgeries and injections do, for example). Other non-invasive procedures include X-rays, eye exams and CT scans, all of which are comfortable experiences for patients that typically cause no stress or anxiety, don’t result in hospital stays, include zero or minimal recovery or downtime, come with little risk of complications and don’t leave patients with any stitches, scars or incisions.
When it comes to medical treatments, the other benefit of non-invasive treatments or procedures is that they’re more likely to result in optimal patient outcomes and improved quality of life. This is because invasive treatments such as injections often result in patient drop-off because of the pain endured. When a macular disease treatment is uncomfortable or painful for patients, or when it has adverse side-effects[3], patients are less likely to finish their course of treatment.
Sticking with a MacuMira Vision Therapy course of treatment is easy for patients and can produce excellent results. Improved visual acuity and improved quality of life have been demonstrated through a clinical trial of this AMD disease treatment and also anecdotally via doctors administering this innovative new therapy to their patients.
Expert insights on MacuMira Vision Therapy
“With the patented MacuMira microcurrent delivery device, for the first time there’s something that we can offer [dry] AMD patients that can help to stabilize and even improve their vision,” says Dr. Kevin Parkinson, an ophthalmologist based in Coquitlam, B.C., and the principal investigator in the MacuMira Vision Therapy clinical trial. “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.”
A new hope for dry AMD patients
The clinical trial was designed to show whether the MacuMira microcurrent device could be an effective cure for macular degeneration and improve patients’ vision. “We selected patients who had intermediate Dry Macular Degeneration — their vision ranged from 20/50 to 20/200,” says Dr. Parkinson.
“The treatment group underwent treatments over a six-month period. The results of our study were very optimistic. We used the ETDRS chart for our visual acuity measurements and the placebo group lost an average of two letters throughout the study, whereas in the treatment group, 48 per cent of all patients gained at least 10 letters on the ETDRS chart, which is very significant. All patients in the treatment group showed improved vision and the average overall of the treated eyes was a 25 per cent increase in vision, which equated to about 8.8 letters on the ETDRS chart. We also tested contrast sensitivity, and the contrast sensitivity measurements echoed those of the ETDRS visual acuity results.”
These impressive results are excellent news for dry AMD patients, their loved ones and the health-care practitioners providing them with care and hope for better outcomes. And because MacuMira Vision Therapy for macular degeneration is easily deliverable and pain-free, there are no drawbacks for patients. “For the first time, we’ve got something that can help to improve the quality of life and vision in patients with Dry Macular Degeneration,” says Dr. Parkinson.
Ready to experience the benefits of MacuMira Vision Therapy?
Visit our website to learn more about this innovative AMD treatment, or speak with your eye care professional to find out how MacuMira can help you or a loved one manage Dry AMD effectively and comfortably.
References
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8720345/
[2]https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002269.htm#:~:text=Noninvasive%20procedures%20do%20not%20involve,%2C%20external%20splints%2C%20and%20casts.
[3] https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/life-sciences/our-insights/improving-patient-adherence-through-data-driven-insights
Disclaimer: Always speak to your primary health care provider and/or eye care provider before making any changes to your lifestyle, activities or diet.
