Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), leaves many older people unable to carry out normal daily activities like reading or driving, and eventually leads to loss of sight in one or both eyes. Professor John Marshall, Frost Professor of Ophthalmology and Chairman of the Academic Department of Ophthalmology, at St Thomas’ Hospital, UK, discussed a potential cure for AMD at Sight 2009, the region’s premier ophthalmology event currently running at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
During his lecture “An update on Age-Related Macular Degeneration”, Professor Marshall spoke about ground-breaking laser treatment that has the potential to eradicate the most common cause of blindness that affects over the over 60’s.
“We are all going to suffer from problems with our eye sight as we age but for those who possess a defective gene, their eyesight will inevitable suffer at an earlier stage and can eventually lead to blindness,” says Professor Marshall, speaking at Sight 2009. “Clinical trials have indicated that the new-to-market 2RT laser can greatly reduce the otherwise intractable problem of how to help the eye’s waste disposal system do its job after it has been weakened by age.”
According to Professor Marshall, some people are more at risk because of a number of factors in addition to their age. These include genetics such as a family history of AMD, behavioral factors such as smoking and also environmental factors such as exposure to ultraviolet light.
“A retina has to cope with a life time of radiation bombardment – light being a form of radiation,” adds Professor Marshall. “There are some genes that can interfere with the process of the retina trying to process light which can eventually lead to photoreceptor cell death.”
Professor John Marshall has developed a way of “cleaning” eyes which, due to the ageing process, have accumulated tiny particles of debris which start to cloud their sight. The technique works by rejuvenating a thin membrane behind the retina, called Bruch’s membrane.
There is currently no treatment for the most common form of AMD - known as "dry" AMD which the new laser technique could prevent. The more aggressive "wet" form of AMD, where new blood vessels cause bleeding and scarring behind the retina, can be stabilised with drugs.
Organised by IIR Middle East, the team behind Arab Health, Sight Exhibition & Congress continues on 12th November 2009 with a series of workshops designed to provide education and support to medical professionals working within ophthalmic healthcare. Running beside the conference is an exhibition showcasing a wide range of products from leading regional and global suppliers.
For more information on Professor John Marshall’s lecture series at Sight 2009, please call +971 4 4072 743 or visit www.sightme.com for details of this event.
