How to find Macular Degeneration Studies

by Elizabeth Ross
(Bensalem, PA)

What is the latest research that has been done to help people with dry macular degeneration?

Answer

Hi Elizabeth,

Great question. The latest clinical trials for dry macular degeneration can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

It has the most comprehensive international list of current clinical trials going on and ones that are recruiting for new participants.

The best way to access this information is to type "dry macular degeneration" into the search field. You will see a list of:

1. Completed studies

2. Active not Recruiting studies

3. Recruiting studies (meaning they are still looking for participants)

To be a participant you must meet all of the eligibility requirements listed. If any of them interest you there will be contact information provided for each study.

There is also extensive information provided on the Macular Degeneration Support website that was posted Oct 11, 2008 called a Guide to Research in Dry AMD written by Dan Roberts, the author of The First Year - Age Related Macular Degeneration. Here is the link:

http://www.mdsupport.org/library/treatments.html

Thanks for your question.

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Clinical Trial Phases

by Chris
(Mississippi)

Hi Leslie,

How do you feel about the stem cell clinics & other clinical studies?

Do you think it would be worth it to me to try to enroll in one of these or is it just wishful thinking of maybe regaining my eye-site?

Thanks Again Leslie for your time!

REPLY

Hi Chris,

Clinical trials are how traditional medicine and treatment for diseases progresses. There are different phases to clinical trials, starting with Phase 1 - which is strictly looking at the safety of a study - not it's efficacy.

To learn more about clinical trial phases click here:

Clinical Trial Phases

Many clinical trials are double blind randomized placebo controlled - meaning that some patients get the new treatment others get a placebo.

Deciding to participate in a clinical trial is a very personal choice and depends alot on why you want to get involved and what your expectations are.

Normally, most clinical trials whether they are for macular degneration or other diseases like cancer, that show some success in treating the disease are usually in small increments - i.e. patients have a change of 3 lines in visual acuity or the patient with cancer has a 6 month better survival rate.

To learn more about macular degeneration clinical trials click here:

Macular Degeneration Clinical Trials

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN