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MACUGEN®
The Newest Way To Treat Macular Degeneration
In December, The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approved the newest treatment for Macular
Degeneration. MACUGEN® is
a drug, injected into the eye, that will attempt to slow the
vision loss in people suffering from the debilitating eye
disease, specifically people with wet age-related macular
degeneration (AMD).
AMD, a retinal disease causing
severe and irreversible vision loss, is the major cause of
blindness in individuals older than 55 years. Untreated, the
majority of eyes affected with wet AMD may lose their central
vision. Wet AMD is caused by the growth of abnormal leaky
blood vessels that eventually damage the area of the eye responsible
for central vision, which is essential for most fine detail
visual activities, including reading, driving, and recognizing
faces.
As of January 24, Retina Consultants
of Southwest Florida began administering MACUGEN®
by intravitreal injection. An intravitreal injection is a
small needle inserted into the side of the eye. An eye drop
for anesthesia is administered first to numb the eye.
Florida Medicare is reimbursing
patients for the MACUGEN®
treatments. Other insurance providers are slowly following
Medicare in creating payment policies. However, at Retina
Consultants, we will assist patients in obtaining information
from their insurance providers about MACUGEN®,
and will work with patients regardless of their financial
situation.
Retina Consultants is proud to
be one of the first to offer MACUGEN®
to Floridians. If you feel you may be a candidate for this
treatment, please contact our offices and we will be happy
to schedule an appointment. For more information on the treatment,
visit the Internet website www.macugen.com.
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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