Macular Degeneration AMD Treatment Advances Mark Awareness in Maine

Portland, Maine (I-Newswire) February 1, 2012 - “As we begin the 2012 National Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month we are continuing to feel even better about the prospects for treatment of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD),” stated Maine Retina Specialist Scott Steidl, M.D. of Eyecare Medical Group in Portland, Maine. “Although AMD is not curable, the data from the clinical trials that we monitor continues to strengthen our ability to choose treatment options for patients that can at a minimum prevent further vision loss from the disease and in many cases actually help recover lost vision,” commented Dr. Steidl. “By carefully reviewing the data from the Comparison of AMD Treatments Trial (CATT) as well as the FDA approval of the VEGF-Trap treatment we have been able to further refine the treatment protocols that help us get the best results for our patients,” relayed Retina Specialist Jackie Nguyen, M.D.

Affecting more than two million people, AMD causes central vision to blur, but leaves peripheral vision intact. It is progressive and painless. There are two types of ARMD: dry and wet. Approximately 90 percent of people with ARMD have the dry form which results in gradual vision loss. Although only 10 percent of people with AMD have the wet form, it generally progresses much quicker than the dry form. Wet AMD is characterized by the growth of abnormal retinal blood vessels that leak blood or fluid, causing rapid and severe central vision loss. Patients can often reduce the risk of developing AMD by not smoking as well as working to eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, fruit and green leafy vegetables, avoiding foods with trans fats, exercising and controlling blood pressure and weight.

Patients older than 50 are encouraged to have a comprehensive, dilated eye examination every one to two years to ensure that AMD is detected and treated early. The key to successful treatment is early detection and intervention.

Eyecare Medical Group is a leading ophthalmology practice in Portland, Maine staffed by a team of eye care specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained glaucoma specialists, retina specialists, cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants, (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

To learn more about Eyecare Medical Group in Portland Maine you may visit http://www.eyecaremed.com or http://www.facebook.com/eyecaremedicalgroup
For additional information, contact:
Kathy Brackett, Eyecare Medical Group, 53 Sewall Street, Portland, Maine 04102, kbrackett@eyecaremed.com, 1-888-374-2020

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.

About Eyecare Medical Group:
Our eye doctors pioneered Laser Eye Surgery in Maine for the correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism as well as being among the first to perform LASIK in Maine. They were among the first to bring advanced small incision “no stitch, no patch, no injection” Cataract Surgery to Maine as well as near vision presbyopia correcting lens implants such as Crystalens®, Tecnis® and ReSTOR® Lens Implants. We are proud that thousands have trusted EMG to enhance their vision with LASIK Eye Surgery and Near Vision CK vision correction. And we are proud that thousands more turn to us for the latest treatments for cataracts, corneal diseases and corneal surgery including cornea transplants, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, vitreous and retinal conditions and other eye diseases. This Maine eye center is a special place, where excellence is always part of the prescription.

Eyecare Medical Group serves the eye health and vision correction needs of patients from throughout Maine and is conveniently located for patients from Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Biddeford, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Old Orchard Beach, Kittery, Scarborough, Freeport, Lewiston, Augusta, Bangor, Waterville, Bath, Wiscasset, Bridgeton, Cumberland Center, Yarmouth, Topsham, Brunswick, Auburn, Gardiner, Winslow and Skowhegan Maine.

Company Contact Information
Eyecare Medical Group
Kathy Brackett
53 Sewall Street
04102
Phone : 1-888-374-2020