Today's advances in medicine means that more and more older Americans will be able to maintain good vision as they age. Since many serious eye condition are treatable when detected at an early age, it is important to have periodic eye examinations, especially as one approaches the sixth decade of life.

How you can help to find a cure for Macular degeneration Unfortunately, not enough is known about macular degeneration at this time to provide effective treatment in most cases. Research today may help find cures of tomorrow. Below are listed two ongoing studies which are currently recruiting patients with macular degeneration.

Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study Little is known about why some patients develop he advanced sages of AMD and why some lose vision. Another program conducted at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear In Infirmary seeks to find out who is at high risk for these problem and why. Ultimately researchers hope to find ways to treat AMD effectively in its early stages.

Prospective participants in this study must:

1. have macular degeneration;
2. have some central vision remaining in one eye; and 
3. be between 40 and 85 years of age and be in good health.


Participants will receive one eye exam per year as part of their regular eye care for AMD, as well as special vision tests to monitor closely the progression of AMD. They will also be given the latest information about the treatment of this condition. Johanna M.Seddon, M.D., Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and retina specialist at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, is the program director.

FAMILY GENETIC STUDY OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

The Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School, Boston, M.A. USA with the generous support of the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, need volunteers for a research study into the causes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

There is evidence that AMD runs in families. However, the exact nature of this familial tendency has not been clarified. The goal of this study is to determine whether there is an underlying gene or genes that predispose people to develop AMD. These genes will also be identified.

In this new project, researchers hope to discover how to identify people at risk of developing AMD and to explore new ways of preventing the disorder. Families are needed to participate I this study. Participants can be seen by an ophthalmologist near their home and to not need to travel to Boston.