INDEX TO PREVIOUS ISSUES

Previous issues of the AMDF Newsletter are available
for $10.00 each ($15.00 Foreign).

Fall 2006. Vol. VIII, No. 1.

Feature Article - Living with "wet" macular degeneration - an interview with Yvette who has had both laser treatments and intra-ocular injections.

• Nanotechnology finds chemical photoswitches may re-activate rods and cones in rats.
• British study finds exercise may protect against developing "wet" AMD.
• Embryonic stem cell tissue implanted in rats with rodent form of macular degeneration.
• Night vision may be a key to predicting vision loss from "dry" AMD.

Spring/Summer 2006. Vol. VII, No. 4. - Vol. VIII, No. 1.

Feature Article - Lucentis – the first drug approved by the FDA which may improve vision in some patients.

• New Study AREDS2 seeks participants.
• Living with genetic macular degeneration – one young person’s experience.
• Is there a connection between loss of memory and loss of vision?
• Report on Quinn Baumberger’s “Line of Sight” bicycle ride for AMD research.
• Macular pigment density may indicate risk of developing macular degeneration.

Winter 2005/2006. Vol. VII, No. 3.

Feature Article - A small study of a drug designed for colo/rectal cancer, Avastin, used “off label” may improve vision of those with "wet" macular degeneration.

• Genetic variants of factors which govern the immune system may lead to increased risk of developing AMD.
• Not only a risk factor for heart disease, waist circumference to hip ratio may be an indicator for the progression from the "dry" to the "wet" type of AMD.
• What is Ocular Coherence Tomography?

Summer/Fall 2005. Vol. VII, Nos. 1-2.

• The AMDF DVD Hope & Cope - Living with Macular Degeneration took the place of a double issue.

Spring 2005. Vol. VI, No. 4.

Feature Article - A large clinical trial of a new anti-angiogenic drug, Lucentis, may show that vision for those with “wet” macular degeneration MAY improve, not just be preserved.

• Part 2: Seeing Beyond The Eye - What doctors should know about the emotional effects of vision loss on their patients.
• New Video/DVD produced by the AMDF, Hope and Cope — Living with Macular Degeneration, features prominent physicians and individuals coping with the disease including actors Dabney Coleman and Don Knotts, and Olympic runner Marla Runyan.
• What is Charles Bonnet Syndrome?
• Melanin lenses may reduce the risk of macular degeneration.

Winter 2004/2005. Vol. VI, No. 3.

Feature Article - In December 2004, the FDA authorized the first ophthalmic anti-angiogenic drug, Macugen, for the treatment of neovascular ("wet") age-related macular degeneration.

• Part 1: Seeing Beyond The Eye - What doctors should know about the emotional effects of vision loss on their patients.
• The NEI is sponsoring a clinical study of DHA dietary supplementation on macular function in patients with Stargardt macular dystrophy and Stargardt-like macular dystrophy.
• A company will customize books for the low vision community.
• Recipe for a low-carb scallop spinach supper.

Summer/Fall 2004. Vol. VI, Nos. 1-2.

Feature Article - Researchers and clinicians are adding a new dimension to understanding the impact of macular degeneration on a patient's quality of life.

Other Articles -

• A report on drugs in the pipeline to treat macular degeneration.
• Would you like to participate in a clinical trial? An introduction to what they are and how they work.
• A listing of companies that provide products for the visually impaired from talking watches to lighted magnifiers.
• What is intravitreal Kenalog?
• An interview with the AMDF's scientific advisor.
• Readers questions and answers.

Spring 2004. Vol. V, No. 4.

Feature Article - Lutein antioxidant supplementation trial (LAST) shows nutritional supplement may aid in slowing "dry" macular degeneration.

Other Articles -

• Time to stop smoking? Quitting smoking has important implications for people with AMD.
• Donated eyes help scientists improve treatment of macular degeneration.
• New procedure may prove to be simpler and safer for patients with submacular bleeding.
• New drug slows growth of blood vessels and may reduce further damage to the retina.

Winter 2003/2004. Vol. V, No. 3.

Feature Article - Treatment for cancer has potential for macular degeneration. Drugs, which target proteins that cause the growth of new blood vessels in cancerous tumors, may prove to be valuable in treating "wet" macular degeneration.

Other Articles -

• Low vision devices are much improved - helping those with severe vision loss to function better.
• Laser treatment for "dry" macular degeneration may be on the way.
• Submacular surgery to remove the lesions caused by choroidal neovascularization is being tested.
• Editorial on CMS coverage for Photodynamic Therapy to treat macular degeneration with occult lesions.

Fall 2003. Vol. V, No. 2.

Feature Article - Too Much of a Good Thing? Taking too many vitamins may not be good for your health. A related article on dietary supplements says that taking them may cut the risk of vision loss due to macular degeneration.

Other Articles -

• A Clinical Trial studies the prevention of depression in patients with macular degeneration.
• Letter from a Spotlight reader describes the benefits of magnification reading machines.
• Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) may prevent macular degeneration.
• Visually impaired artists "see" with photography.

Summer 2003. Vol. V, No. 1.

Feature Article - Why people may not like vegetables and why its important that Americans learn to eat more veggies.

Other Articles -

• Possible settlement of lawsuit against Federal Dept. of Health & Human Services regarding Medicare Coverage of Ocular Photodynamic Therapy with Visudyne® for the treatment of AMD with occult lesions.
• Until recently, no one thought of blindness as a women's issue. But it is.
• Update on an on-going Clinical Trial for "wet" macular degeneration.
• The solution to the AMDF's Crossword Puzzle, "The Eyes Have It."

Winter/Spring 2002. Vol. IV, Nos. 1 - 2.

Feature Article - AREDS Study – A clinical study sponsored by the National Eye Institute found that high levels of antioxidants and zinc can significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration.

Other Articles -

• Part II - Transpupillary Thermal Therapy.
• Research Update - Alcon Clinical Trial for "wet" macular degeneration.
• Health and Human Services breaks promise to provide Medicare coverage for use of Visudyne® for AMD with occult lesions.
• The painter Bill Wiggins and his "Macular Degeneration Series."
• A fun crossword puzzle entitled "The Eyes Have It."

Fall 2001. Vol. III, No. 4.

Feature Article - BiOptic Driving - a miniature telescope that works with conventional glasses may help those with macular degeneration continue to drive.

Other Articles -

• Transpupillary Thermal Therapy.
• Research Update - Telescopic Intraocular Lens Implants.
• Recipe - Kale Soup from Justus Conant, Chef and Captain.
• Readers Want to Know - Answers to Your Questions.

Summer 2001. Vol. III, No. 3.

Feature Article - Snack Foods May Increase Your Risk of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Eating Fish May Decrease Your Risk.

Other Articles -

• Straining at the Computer Screen.
• Research Update - Dr. Papermaster's search for the cause of macular degeneration.
• Recipe - Goldilocks' Gourmet Spinach Soup by Diane Mott Davidson in her book Dying for Chocolate, a culinary murder mystery published by Bantam Books, copyright 1992.
• AMDF News - Sprint for Sight held in Wichita, Kansas in August 2001.

Spring 2001. Vol. III, No. 2.

Feature Article - New Glasses Can Help Extremely Poor Vision - a report on The Jordy.

Other Articles -

• Let's Live Longer - National Survey of Attitudes Toward Aging.
• Will "Zeaxanthin-Enhanced" Produce be Marketed Soon?
• Seeing Software - Government agencies using new software to make Web sites more accessible to the visually impaired.
• Singapore Device Helps Blind Hear Their Way Around.
• Book Review - My Friend You are Legally BLIND - A Writer's Struggle with Macular Degeneration by Charles Champlin.

Winter 2000/2001. Vol. III, No. 1.

Feature Article - "Caution: Blue Light May Be Harmful to Your Eyes" by George Torrey, Ph.D.

Other Articles -

• "My Christmas Wish - An Interview with [Golfer] Dottie Pepper" by Henry C. Hallas.
• An Interview with Dorothy Woodcock, Dottie Pepper's Grandmother.
• "Voting & Macular Degeneration!" by Henry C. Hallas.

Fall 2000. Vol. II, No. 4.

Feature Article - Smoking and Hypertension Linked to Severe AMD.

Other Articles -

• Trials to Start - Implantable Miniaturized Telescope for AMD.
• Research Council Forum.
• Is Viagra™ a Potential Treatment for AMD?
• Recipe for Mediterranean Spinach Pie by Elva of Bayside, CA.

Summer 2000. Vol. II, No. 3.

Feature Article - Legally Blind Runner with Stargardt's Disease Qualifies for the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games. Californian Marla Runyan competes in the women's 1,500 meter race.

Other Articles -

• "LUTEIN - Information for Everyone" by George Torrey, Ph.D. Includes chart of foods showing amount of Lutein per serving.
• "Conversation with Gwynne" by Henry C. Hallas. Personal story of a woman learning to cope with AMD.
• Recipe for Sorel's Corn Kugel.
• Dr. Sidney Schreiber's Helpful Hints for People with Visual Impairments.

Spring 2000. Vol. II, No. 2.

Other Articles -

• Visudyne™ Approved For Treatment of Wet Macular Degeneration.
• Book Review - Twilight, Losing Sight Gaining Insight by Henry Grunwald.

Winter 1999/2000. Vol. II, No. 1.

Other Articles -

• "Partners for Life - The Promise of a Guide Dog" by The Reverend Lee McGee.
• Book Review - Overcoming Macular Degeneration, a Guide to Seeing Beyond the Clouds by Dr. Yale Solomon.

Fall 1999. Vol. I, No. 4.

Other Articles -

• "Depression and Macular Degeneration. Part II." An Interview with Arnold Wyse, M.D.
• Legislative Alert regarding proposed increased funding for the National Eye Institute (NEI).
• FDA Approves Rheopheresis Blood Filtration Study. By Richard C. Davis, Jr., M.D., President of OccuLogix Corporation. (Multi-center Investigation of Rheopheresis for Age-related Macular Degeneration).
• Research Update, Part III.
  • Discussion of Retinal-Cell Transplants and Gene Therapy.
• Recipe for Creamy, Spicy Sweet Potato Soup. From Barry Steeves, co-owner of La Cazuela Restaurant in Northampton, MA.

Summer 1999. Vol. I, No. 3.

Other Articles -

• On-Going Research, Part II. Experimental and Research Treatments of Macular Degeneration.
• Discussion of Radiation Therapy and Photodynamic Therapy.
• Nutrition - Good Sources of Lutein and Zeaxanthin.
• Six Reasons Why to Visit the AMDF Web Site.

Winter 1998/Spring 1999. Vol. I, No. 2.

• Discussion of Laser Treatment of Drusen; Antiangiogenic Drugs; Surgical Excision; and Macular Translocation.

Other Articles -

• Book Review - Macular Degeneration: Living Positively with Vision Loss by Betty Wason and James J. McMillan, M.D.
• "Leafing Out: Forget Popeye ... spinach has gone upscale" by Rick Nichols. Reprinted with permission from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan.11, 1998.
• Recipe for Rotolo.

Fall 1998. Vol. I, No. 1.

Other Articles -

• "Medical Research, Education, & Activism: A New Model" by David Kriebel, Sc.D.
• Recipe for Collard Greens by Louise L. Hallas, Esq.
• Brief Obituary of The Honorable Maxwell Heiman, a former Trustee of the AMDF.

Previous issues of the AMDF Newsletter are available
for $10.00 each ($15.00 Foreign).