WHAT'S NEW

1. No. 39. In the Spotlight includes:

   • Researchers at the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London and Moorfields Eye Hospital may have stem cell treatment in seven years.

   • Diabetes vision testing device may also detect AMD 10 years before a person is diagnosed.

   • Sharp rise in AMD expected. New treatments could reduce related blindness by 35%.

   • Schepens Eye Research Institute creates multidisciplinary “Centers of Excellence” to study eye diseases.

   • Mind’s Eye Travel – hosted tours for the blind and visually impaired.

2. Wet macular degeneration treatments updated

3. Hope & Cope
   Living with Macular Degeneration

   New DVD/Video production from the AMDF

   Interviews and helpful advice from prominent research doctors and people living with the disease — featuring actors Don Knotts and Dabney Coleman, and Olympic track star Marla Runyan

   “Hope is the word. Today, there is a tremendous amount of hopeful information, hopeful treatments and hopeful outcomes.”
   - Steven D. Schwartz, M.D., Chief, Retina Divsion, Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA

   “Outstanding...an excellent resource...”
   - Joan W. Miller, M.D., Chief and Chair of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

4. Software & Screen Readers (February 6, 2003)

5. Low Vision Resources (September 6, 2002)

6. Information about clinical trials seeking participants and researchers looking for information about macular degeneration. (August 20, 2002)

7. Nutrition & Age-Related Macular Degeneration (January 4, 2002)

   • Researchers theorize that lutein and zeaxanthin protect the macula. This is important information for everyone, not just those diagnosed with macular degeneration.

8. Care & Services Directory (December 11, 2001)

   • Assistance in finding professional eye care across the country.

   • An alphabetical list of state agencies that provide services to the blind and visually impaired. The services include vocational rehabilitation and job placement services, financial assistance or referrals to other agencies/organizations that provide similar services in the community as well as orientation and mobility training, and transportation.

   • An alphabetical list by state of sources that provide reading services to the blind and visually impaired. Among the services provided are: libraries that have talking books and large print books; radio stations offering reading services; and recordings for the blind.

   • An alphabetical list by state of low vision centers that provide services to the blind and visually impaired that include training in how to adapt one's lifestyle to accommodate visual impairments and vision rehabilitation services. Many also provide assistance in obtaining products which make life easier for the visually impaired.

9. Depression In People With Macular Degeneration (October 11, 2000)

10. FDA Approves New Treatment for “Wet” Macular Degeneration (April 27, 2000)

11. The original AMDF Privacy Policy Statement was added to our Web site on this date. (March 15, 2000)

12. We now have a secure online form if you wish to make a donation to the AMDF with your credit card, or you may mail your contribution to us. (February 16, 2000)

13. AMDF Bulletin Board Archives Updated. The Archives consists of messages the AMDF has received on various topics that we wished to preserve for our readers. (February 1, 2000)

    • Photodynamic Therapy
    • PKC-412
    • Proton-Beam Therapy
    • Rheotherapy/Rheopheresis

14. Research, wine and macular degeneration. (June 20, 1998)