Eye Patients get New Stem Cell Treatment by American Retinal Surgeon

Margate, FL (PRWEB) June 05, 2012

An American Retinal Surgeon from Florida has just finished treating 7 patients with a new technique he developed for administrating adult stem cells for eye disease. MD Stem Cells, a consultancy helping patients access leading stem cell providers in both the US and Europe - http://www.mdstemcells.com - made the announcement. "Our affiliate retinal surgeon traveled to Vienna, Austria to provide the new treatment to an international group of patients", explained Dr Levy, Senior Consultant at MD Stem Cells. " We are extremely pleased that this new procedure is now available and being provided on a routine basis". Patients came from the United States, Austria and Romania to obtain the adult stem cell treatment. They ranged in age from 2 years to 87 years old and suffered from a variety of eye diseases including AMD or Age Related Macular Degeneration, Myopic Macular Degeneration, Bulls Eye Retinopathy- a type of hereditary retinal disease , Retinitis Pigmentosa, and Optic Nerve Disease. All the patients did well and were very pleased with the treatment.

Adult Stem Cells are stem cells taken directly from the patients own body avoiding the problems associated with embryonic or fetal stem cells. They are typically obtained from the bone marrow where there is a high concentration of specific types of stem cells found to be useful for many diseases. At times they are obtained from the blood directly. Adult Stem Cells are now used to treat a number of different medical conditions including diabetes, renal failure, strokes, cerebral palsy, autism, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, COPD, heart disease and liver disease- in addition to ophthalmology problems.

Previously the stem cells were injected behind the eye to treat ophthalmic problems but the exact location and how far they might be from the targeted retinal or optic nerve tissue was not always known. In part, the variability in visual response to stem cell treatments has been thought to be from the difference in positioning of the stem cells and how far they were from the diseased area of the eye itself.

"Now with the new technique the stem cells can be placed precisely adjacent to the eye in a very safe manner," relayed Dr Levy. As an analogy, if your hand was the eye and a glove the surrounding tissue, the new technique allows the stem cells to be injected at the top of the glove and directed down to the exact fingertips the surgeon chooses. The doctor has performed retinal surgery previously to inject stem cells, but believes the risk-benefit for many patients now favors his new non-surgical technique. " Our surgeon notes that his approach avoids the risks of surgery yet allows him to precisely place the stem cells adjacent to the diseased part of the eye or the optic nerve for best effect", relayed Dr Levy.

The operating room at the Vienna International Medical Clinic Hospital was crowded with other physicians and health professionals from Vienna, Austria observing and recording the procedures. All the patients did well and were very pleased with the treatment.

"We're fortunate to be working with such an experienced retinal ophthalmologist," remarked Dr Levy. "He completed two retinal fellowships at Harvard, MIT and New England Deaconess Hospitals. His strong training and prior experience with stem cell treatments inspires confidence in patients and reassures physicians who may be referring or supporting their patients."

MD Stem Cells is a stem cell consultancy working directly with leading physicians and surgeons as providing stem cell treatments both in the United States and Europe. Many conditions can be treated and MD Stem Cells is available to discuss options with patients and interested or referring physicians. Their website is http://www.mdstemcells.com and they may be reached at 203-423-9494.

Originally posted here:
Eye Patients get New Stem Cell Treatment by American Retinal Surgeon