Radiation sounds like frightening technique to treat macular degeneration. But scientists are now exploring it as a way to bolster the treatment for MD and so far, the results have been positive.
Judie Janes, for example, is one of those who went through the clinical trials and came out with two thumbs up. Her handiwork used to keep a long list of friends and family in style. Last year, she thought she made her last stitch."I couldn't thread a needle, couldn't see the needle to thread it on my sewing machine," Janes said.
She was diagnosed with wet macular degeneration. Abnormal blood vessels growing under her retina were bleeding. "Vision is not something you can take for granted," she said.
Traditionally, doctors inject a drug into the eye that stops the vessels from growing, but it doesn't last.
"It's a big impact on lifestyle for the patients," said Dr Peter Sonkin, a retina specialist at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. "They have to come in once a month, sometimes for a year or two or longer."
In a clinical trial, doctors use a small probe that delivers targeted low-dose radiation to the eye. The goal -- damage abnormal the blood vessels without affecting the healthy parts of the eye.
"The amount of radiation exposure to the body from going through this procedure is less than one would get flying from New York to Los Angeles in a plane," said Dr Carl Awh, also a retina specialist at Baptist Hospital.
Then surgeons inject a dose of the traditional medication. They say the radiation-drug combo is more powerful, lasts longer and could eliminate the need for monthly injections.
"Nothing's blurry," Janes said. "I passed the eye test, and you know you can't fake an eye test." Janes checks her vision every morning. She went from nearly legally blind - 20/100 - to 20/20 after surgery.
"Every morning after I do my little grid test, I look at that prayer and it lets me know how blessed I really am," she said. A grandma who has too much going on to spend her golden years in the dark.
Patients are sedated for the outpatient surgery which takes about an hour. The technique is in the final stages of approval in Europe and should be available there in August. If the trial is successful in the U.S., the treatment could be available in less than two years.
Judie Janes, for example, is one of those who went through the clinical trials and came out with two thumbs up. Her handiwork used to keep a long list of friends and family in style. Last year, she thought she made her last stitch."I couldn't thread a needle, couldn't see the needle to thread it on my sewing machine," Janes said.
She was diagnosed with wet macular degeneration. Abnormal blood vessels growing under her retina were bleeding. "Vision is not something you can take for granted," she said.
Traditionally, doctors inject a drug into the eye that stops the vessels from growing, but it doesn't last.
"It's a big impact on lifestyle for the patients," said Dr Peter Sonkin, a retina specialist at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. "They have to come in once a month, sometimes for a year or two or longer."
In a clinical trial, doctors use a small probe that delivers targeted low-dose radiation to the eye. The goal -- damage abnormal the blood vessels without affecting the healthy parts of the eye.
"The amount of radiation exposure to the body from going through this procedure is less than one would get flying from New York to Los Angeles in a plane," said Dr Carl Awh, also a retina specialist at Baptist Hospital.
Then surgeons inject a dose of the traditional medication. They say the radiation-drug combo is more powerful, lasts longer and could eliminate the need for monthly injections.
"Nothing's blurry," Janes said. "I passed the eye test, and you know you can't fake an eye test." Janes checks her vision every morning. She went from nearly legally blind - 20/100 - to 20/20 after surgery.
"Every morning after I do my little grid test, I look at that prayer and it lets me know how blessed I really am," she said. A grandma who has too much going on to spend her golden years in the dark.
Patients are sedated for the outpatient surgery which takes about an hour. The technique is in the final stages of approval in Europe and should be available there in August. If the trial is successful in the U.S., the treatment could be available in less than two years.
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