Physician & Medical 2022 Fall & Winter Guide
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1483155
adno=3865966-1 Retina Specialists are learning to harness the ancient immune system to provide new therapies for dry macular degeneration by Jesse T. McCann MD PhD Retina Associates of Sarasota Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in adults over 60. Around 200 million people are aff ected by AMD worldwide. Deterioration of the central retina (called the macula) which gives us the ability to read, watch television, drive, distinguish fi ne objects, and work with our hands is the defi ning feature of this illness. This disease is divided into two categories – about 85% of patients have dry (or atrophic) macular degeneration and 15% have wet (or neovascular) macular degeneration. A revolution in medication for anti-VEGF that started in the early 2000s greatly increased the prognosis for patients with wet AMD degeneration and has dramatically reduced the rate of blindness from the wet form of AMD by directly inhibiting the growth of unhealthy blood vessels in the macula. Despite signifi cant improvement in technology to treat wet AMD in the last twenty years there has been little progress made in the treatment of dry AMD which represents the vast majority of patients. The end stage of dry macular degeneration — called geographic atrophy for its visual similarity with the edges of continents on maps — can be disabling and cause legal blindness. Over the last twenty years the development of optical coherence tomography imaging (OCT) and fundus auto-fl uorescence (FAF) have allowed retina specialists to catch AMD in its early stages and initiate therapies before signifi cant vision loss with wet AMD. Unfortunately with dry AMD therapies have been limited to preventative care with vitamins such as AREDS2. Scientists have been suspicious that the complement system – an ancient immune system that can be found to exist in horseshoe crabs and which has been unchanged for over 500 million years – has a role in the pathology of dry AMD. To this end there has been research into manipulation of the complement system to help the prognosis of patients with dry AMD. Doctors at the Retina Associates of Sarasota are currently participating in two cutting-edge NIH and FDA approved clinical trials to slow the progression of dry AMD: The GATHER2 trial (NCT02686658) is a phase III clinical trial testing a medicine called Zimura(TM) or avacincaptad pegol, a medicine which inhibits the complement C5 protein. The medicine is injected directly into the eye (intravitreal injection) once every month. This is similar to the treatment regimes experienced by patients with wet macular degeneration. The ARCHER trial (NCT04656561) is testing an anti-C1q antibody fragment for its effi cacy in slowing the progression of dry macular degeneration. The medication is delivered by intravitreal injection as well. Using OCT and FAF imaging retina specialists can gauge the improvement after these therapies. If these trials are successful there's great potential for improving vision in patients with dry AMD and improving quality of life. The Retina Associates of Sarasota have offi ces in Sarasota, Venice, Port Charlotte, and Bradenton. New offi ces are also under construction in Lakewood Ranch. You can reach the doctors at 941.924.0303 or via the internet at http://RetinaSarasota.com/Appointments. adno=3865259-1 There are a variety of conditions that require skilled nursing care, from wound care to diabetes management. Our nursing team has experience with a wide variety of diagnoses. Whether you are planning elective surgery, or looking for care for yourself or a loved one, contact us today to see how our team can fulfi ll your needs during your stay. Our nursing staff provides 24-hour care for residents, including physician and nurse coverage. Services include: • 24/7 easy admissions • 24-hour skilled nursing care • Case management • Discharge planning • Fall prevention • Individualized treatment plans • Infection management • IV therapy • Long- and short-term care • Medical director • Medication management • Post-surgical care • Pre-admission program • Social services • Wound care REHABILITATION A skilled team of physical, occupational and speech therapists evaluates the rehabilitation needs of each patient and designs an outcome oriented treatment program. The goal of specialized rehabilitation programs is to help residents attain their maximum potential and restore the abilities and confi dence essential to independent living. We off er unique inpatient and outpatient programs with the latest rehab technologies to help our patients reach their maximum level of independence. PHYSICAL THERAPY Physical therapy fosters each patient's independence and enables functional mobility skills following acute or chronic disease processes. This is accomplished through individual evaluations and treatment plans that address defi cits through customized interventions. Occupational Therapy Occupational therapists work with patients to achieve independence in activities of daily living. Therapists help patients refi ne their motor skills, hand and upper extremity function, and bladder and bowel control for incontinence. SPEECH THERAPY Speech and language therapy helps patients improve their communication skills in speaking, problem solving, reading, writing and verbal expression, and resolving problems with swallowing. Life Care facilities are designed with the patient in mind. Each Life Care facility maintains a unique personality and off ers amenities that represent the needs and interests of the local population. • 24-hour security and fi re safety systems • Beauty salon and barber shop • Bedside and bathroom call lights • Certifi ed dietitian • Community re-entry program • Complimentary wireless Internet • Daily activity schedule • Family/resident councils • Fine dining program • Flat-screen TVs • Flexible visiting hours • Full-time, certifi ed activity director • Homelike setting • Housekeeping and laundry services • Landscaped grounds and courtyards • Library • Non-smoking facility • Pet visitors allowed • Private and semiprivate rooms • Private bathrooms • Religious services • Patient/family education program • Telephone and cable television hookups • Transportation services SKILLED NURSING & REHABILITATION IN PUNTA GORDA, FL S K I L L E D N U R S I N G | S H O R T - T E R M T H E R A P Y 941.639.8771 • 450 Shreve St. • Punta Gorda, FL 33950 • LifeCareCenterOfPuntaGorda.com anspo tat o se v ces PHYSICIAN & MEDICAL GUIDE FALL & WINTER 2022 34