The Government of Nova Scotia is growing its treatment for vision loss-causing chronic retina disorders, which represents good news for people diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), reported The Province on October 24.
Darrell Dexter, premier for the provincial government, said in the article that the the Cape Breton District Health Authority will starting early in November begin offering Avastin and Lucentis treatments to for those with AMD.
According to the article, the government’s decision will mean that patients who require the treatments will no longer have to shoulder the cost and time commitments required to get their treatments in Halifax.
According to the article, the eye clinic at the Glace Bay Hospital will provide the treatments as soon as, firstly, district ophthalmologists have been taught how to properly perform the injections and, secondly, diagnostic equipment has been improved to meet the new standards.
The article explained that AMD, an eye ailment that can cause blindness, generally impacts only people who are 50 or more. The ailment cause fluid and blood leakage that, once it gets into the eye, can lead to blindness.
According to the article, Nova Scotia has since January 2011 funded the treatments via its Pharmacare program.
Meanwhile, previous reports have noted that the AMD situation worldwide is expected to get worse in the years ahead. Already a primary cause of vision loss around the globe, AMD will likely become more prevalent as populations age due to factors such as better health care. While AMD generally impacts older people, growing older doesn’t mean having to contend with AMD. In fact, research has demonstrated that there are lots of things that people can do to reduce, if not eliminate, their odds of getting AMD. Getting lots of exercise, staying away from tobacco, steering clear of alcohol, eating lots of leafy green vegetables such as kale, consuming seafood containing omega-3 fatty acids, keeping blood pressure under control and maintaining an ideal weight are things that can promote eye health.
Annual eye tests or exams are recommended, according to previous reports. People who have a family history of AMD should consult their eye doctor and consider getting their eyes checked more frequently.