NeoVista

The NeoVista, Inc. Procedure

NeoVista, Inc. is developing a novel therapy to treat wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) utilizing a Strontium-90 isotope. The delivery is made through a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The NeoVista, Inc. procedure involves a single treatment therapy of approximately 45 minutes in length. The therapy has an expected durability of 24 months or longer and is safe for patient and physician.

The particular attractions of the NeoVista, Inc. procedure to the target market are:

It is a surgical procedure that takes approximately 45 minutes to perform.
The doctor would only have to treat the person once during the year.
The doctor will spend a fraction of the time with a patient than required to inject new-age pharmaceuticals. This will permit the physician to see more patients, perform more procedures, and/or provide more time for such activities as clinical research.
The patient will not have to come back for monthly or quarterly injections.

Although new to retina therapy, Strontium-90 has been used in Ophthalmology in the past to treat Pterygium, a raised, wedge-shaped growth of the conjunctiva.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is one of the leading causes of adult visual loss in the developed world. AMD occurs in a non-neovascular, atrophic "dry" form or neovascular "wet" form. Patients with "dry AMD" have subretinal deposits (drusen), pigment changes, and some retinal atrophy, but their central vision is either preserved or deteriorates slowly.

How Patients See with Wet-AMD

Initial Symptoms

6 - 12 Months Later

Approximately 10% of patients with the "dry" form of AMD progress to the "wet" form, characterized by neovascularization, or overgrowth of new blood vessels under the retina. These vessels leak fluid that causes scar tissue to form, which in turn compromises vision - typically the central vision that is essential for reading and functioning. Patients who manifest the neovascular form of AMD represent the majority who develop legal blindness (defined as best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better-seeing eye). Loss of vision has a major impact on the quality of life and independence for those afflicted, causing both economic and personal hardship.

Dry AMD

In the dry type of macular degeneration, the deterioration of the retina is associated with the formation of small yellow deposits under the macula, known as drusen. This leads to a thinning and drying out of the macula, causing it to lose its function. The amount of central vision loss is directly related to the location and amount of retinal thinning caused by the drusen. Vision loss in the dry form of AMD is usually gradual. People who develop dry AMD must carefully monitor their central vision, since this form can change into the more damaging wet form of AMD.

Dry AMD Symptoms:

Development of drusen
Slightly blurred vision
Difficulty recognizing faces
More light is needed for reading and other activities

Wet AMD

Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels begin to grow underneath the retina. These new blood vessels may leak fluid or blood, thereby blurring or distorting central vision. Vision loss from wet AMD may occur faster and be more noticeable than from dry AMD. The longer these abnormal vessels leak or grow, the more detail vision will be lost. The earlier wet AMD is diagnosed, the better the patients' chance of preserving some or much of their central vision.

Wet AMD Symptoms:

Difficulty recognizing faces at distance
Blurred spot or blind spot in center of vision
Rapid loss of central visionStraight lines appear wavy

Monitoring Your Vision with the Amsler Grid

If you have been diagnosed with dry AMD, you should use a chart called the Amsler Grid every day to monitor your vision, as dry AMD can change into the more damaging wet form. This is a simple vision test in which you will look at a chart resembling graph paper:

Cover one eye and look directly at the point in the center of the grid, observing the pattern of vertical and horizontal lines in your peripheral vision. You will look for any visual abnormalities, such as areas of distortion, darkness or blurriness. If you detect any changes when looking at the gird, you should notify your ophthalmologist immediately.