Discover 2RT
2RT is a non-invasive laser treatment that stimulates a natural healing response of the eye, stopping or slowing down the processes which cause progression of age-related macular degeneration and reducing macular edema
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What is macular degeneration?
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What are the causes?
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What are "dry" and "wet" forms?
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Who is more at risk?
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Age-related macular degeneration is a chronic eye disease that can cause distorted vision and loss of central vision.
The first cause of blindness in industrialized countries is the most widespread (ie, non-hereditary) acquired maculopathy.
Age-related macular degeneration (DMS) is a chronic disease and can cause irreversible loss of central vision over time. Early signs of the disease include deposits of waste material under the macula, the noblest part of the retina responsible for viewing the details, called drusen.
Age-related macular degeneration can be diagnosed with a regular eye examination, periodic check-ups with your eye doctor can identify the disease before complications that threaten your eyesight occur.
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Age-related macular degeneration is caused by multiple factors including age, genetics and environmental factors.
In the healthy eye, the retina is supported by an underlying cellular layer called the pigment epithelium which supplies it with nourishment and removes waste substances, immediately below it is Bruch's membrane.
As it ages, Bruch's membrane thickens, reducing the ability of the pigment epithelium to provide nourishment and remove waste, causing deposits of substances under the pigment epithelium called drusen.
This is the initial or intermediate form of age-related macular degeneration, characterized by the number, size and appearance of the drusen.
In the healthy eye, the retina is supported by an underlying cellular layer called the pigment epithelium which supplies it with nourishment and removes waste substances, immediately below it is Bruch's membrane.
As it ages, Bruch's membrane thickens, reducing the ability of the pigment epithelium to provide nourishment and remove waste, causing deposits of substances under the pigment epithelium called drusen.
This is the initial or intermediate form of age-related macular degeneration, characterized by the number, size and appearance of the drusen.
Initial macular degeneration can develop into the most severe "dry" or atrophic and "wet" or exudative forms.
Over time the drusen compromise the health of the pigmented epithelium, causing atrophy and death of the cells of the central portion of the retina ("dry" or atrophic).
In some people, cell death stimulates the production of a protein (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor or VEGF) that promotes the growth of new blood vessels in the retina in the "wet" or exudative form of macular degeneration. These blood vessels can bleed suddenly, changing the shape of the retina and creating areas of scar tissue, causing rapid and potentially permanent damage to eyesight. |
Age is an important risk factor for age-related macular degeneration. The incidence of the disease increases with age and is greater in the over 50s. Other significant risk factors are:
Familiarity. People with a family history of age-related macular degeneration are more at risk.
Smoke. Research shows that smokers are twice as likely to develop macular degeneration.
If you are over 50 and particularly if you have a family history of age-related macular degeneration, we recommend talking to your eye doctor.
Familiarity. People with a family history of age-related macular degeneration are more at risk.
Smoke. Research shows that smokers are twice as likely to develop macular degeneration.
If you are over 50 and particularly if you have a family history of age-related macular degeneration, we recommend talking to your eye doctor.
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What is 2RT?
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How does it work?
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What next?
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What about side effects?
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2RT is an innovative laser therapy that uses extremely short duration light pulses to stimulate a natural healing of the eye, stopping or slowing down the processes that cause the progression of age-related macular degeneration and reducing macular edema.
2RT applies a low-energy laser pulse lasting three nanoseconds to specific cells of the pigment epithelium, a structure that nourishes the retina and removes waste substances.
Compared to traditional 2RT lasers, it uses pulses 500 times less intense to induce the desired therapeutic effect without damaging the delicate structures of the eye A recent clinical study on a group of patients with initial age-related macular degeneration has shown its effectiveness in slowing the progression of the disease to more advanced forms. |
2RT is an outpatient therapy lasting ten minutes and does not include any form of hospitalization or convalescence.
Before the treatment, eye drops will be instilled to prepare the eye, then the ophthalmologist will place a lens on the eye and perform laser treatment using a specially designed microscope, similar to that used during a normal eye examination.
During the procedure you will hear sound signals and you may feel light flashes, this is the light beam used by the eye doctor to visualize the area to be treated.
2RT is a completely painless procedure, you may feel a slight pressure on the eye caused by the lens but not the actual laser treatment.
Before the treatment, eye drops will be instilled to prepare the eye, then the ophthalmologist will place a lens on the eye and perform laser treatment using a specially designed microscope, similar to that used during a normal eye examination.
During the procedure you will hear sound signals and you may feel light flashes, this is the light beam used by the eye doctor to visualize the area to be treated.
2RT is a completely painless procedure, you may feel a slight pressure on the eye caused by the lens but not the actual laser treatment.
You can resume your daily activities immediately after the treatment. It is important to remember that age-related macular degeneration is a chronic disease and even after treatment with 2RT it will be necessary to undergo periodic visits with your eye doctor every three to six months.
Clinical studies have shown that the side effects associated with 2RT are very rare and transient.
Small retinal haemorrhages and persistent images that have resolved spontaneously have been reported.
Before undergoing 2RT treatment it is recommended to discuss the possible risks and benefits with your eye doctor.
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What is diabetic macular edema?
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What are the causes?
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Who is more at risk?
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Diabetic macular edema is a chronic eye disease associated with diabetes that can cause severe and rapid visual impairment.
Changes in diet and lifestyle, the increase in obesity and an increase in average life expectancy have caused a marked increase in the incidence of ocular complications related to diabetes.
All diabetic patients are at risk of developing diabetic macular edema, on average 30% of those who have suffered from diabetes for 20 years or more.
Age-related macular degeneration can be diagnosed with a normal eye examination. Periodic checks can identify the disease before complications occur that put the eyes in danger.
Changes in diet and lifestyle, the increase in obesity and an increase in average life expectancy have caused a marked increase in the incidence of ocular complications related to diabetes.
All diabetic patients are at risk of developing diabetic macular edema, on average 30% of those who have suffered from diabetes for 20 years or more.
Age-related macular degeneration can be diagnosed with a normal eye examination. Periodic checks can identify the disease before complications occur that put the eyes in danger.
Diabetic macular edema is a form of diabetic retinopathy that causes swelling of the central part of the retina.
Macular edema is caused by fluid loss from small blood vessels within the macula.
Macular edema is a chronic disease and vision loss can occur at any time.
The main risk factors of diabetic macular edema are:
Duration of diabetes
Poor blood glucose control
Hypertension
Hypercholesterolemia
Cigarette smoke
Duration of diabetes
Poor blood glucose control
Hypertension
Hypercholesterolemia
Cigarette smoke
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2RT is produced by Ellex, a leader in ophthalmology lasers since 1985. https://www.ellex.com/ |