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Drug
developed to treat cancer showing promise in macular degeneration
patients
Treatments
for age-related macular degeneration continue to evolve and
improve. There are many studies currently taking place on
new medications and some of the information regarding those
studies may be confusing.
Recently there has been favorable
news regarding a compound called Avastin.
Avastin has received FDA approval for treating problems such
as colon cancer. Now, it is being used on some cases of “wet”
macular degeneration. Avastin was selected because it is very
similar to another medication that appears to be quite successful
in treating wet macular degeneration in clinical trials. The
other medication, called Lucentis, has not yet been FDA approved.
Avastin treatments for “wet”
macular degeneration have been used in a relatively small
number of people for a fairly limited amount of time. Some
people feel that it has great potential. That may be the case,
but as of now, there are significant uncertainties. As a cancer
treatment, Avastin carries the possibility of serious side
effects. Although the method of delivering the drug is different
from cancer treatments, and the dosage would be much smaller
for patients with wet macular degeneration, the precise side
effects are uncertain at this time.
Retina Consultants of Southwest
Florida has Avastin available and may recommend it as a course
of treatment for some patients. Due to the uncertainties of
side effects and the limited “track record” for
Avastin as a treatment for macular degeneration, we recommend
that you consult with your Retina Consultants’ doctor
and discuss the risks and benefits of this treatment program.
Together, we can plan a course of treatment created specifically
for you, our patient.
Best Regards,
Joseph P. Walker, M.D.
Glenn L. Wing, M.D.
Paul A. Raskauskas, M.D.
Tom Ghuman, M.D.
Don C. Fletcher, M.D.
Retina
Consultants of Southwest Florida, P.A.
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