September 20, 2013 -- MD Stem Cells announces new stem cell study for blinding eye diseases – most extensive thus far- to determine effectiveness of stem cells in ophthalmic disease.
For many patients with serious eye disease, going blind is a constant fear. The loss of vision experienced from retinal or optic nerve problems may be progressive with devastating impact on a person’s ability to live a full life. Treatment with Bone Marrow Derived Stem Cells may hold the key to reversing blindness and restoring vision. But the concern has been whether such stem cell treatments have enough published reports and studies to show effectiveness in a convincing way. MD Stem Cells hopes to help provide that evidence.
MD Stem Cells has been named Collaborator for the new Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study, abbreviated as SCOTS. Dr. Steven Levy, President of MD Stem Cells, will function as Study Director for the clinical trial expected to continue through August 2017. The Retinal Associates of South Florida is the study Sponsor and Dr. Jeffrey Weiss, retinal surgeon and physician, is the Principle Investigator and provider of the ophthalmic stem cell treatments. SCOTS is being conducted in Florida.
“We are extremely pleased to have helped design and implement this broadly encompassing retinal and optic nerve disease study” Dr. Levy exclaimed. “We believe ours is the largest, most comprehensive registered ophthalmology stem cell study to date. We have taken great care in powering the study and expect to obtain statistically meaningful results. SCOTS is being conducted under an Institutional Review Board whose evaluation was rigorous. We have satisfied every requirement for their approval.”
Conditions eligible for the new study include retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), myopic macular degeneration, hereditary retinopathies such as Retinitis Pigmentosa and Stargardts, as well as selected inflammatory, vascular and traumatic conditions. Optic nerve diseases considered eligible include glaucoma, ischemic optic neuropathy, optic atrophy, optic neuritis and some trauma. The study is focused on the ocular tissue that has sustained damage and its potential for improvement rather than a specific disease entity.
SCOTS is registered with the National Institutes of Health and listed on their website www.clinicaltrials.gov with identifier NCT01920867. Patients interested in whether they may participate and healthcare providers may reach Dr. Levy at info@mdstemcells.com or 203-423-9494 Eastern Time USA.
“We hope that the treatment will be shown to improve vision in the vast majority of individuals who are enrolled in SCOTS. However patients considering treatment should understand that this is clinical research and individual responses cannot be predicted “stated Dr. Levy. He added, “Our previous anecdotal experience with eye disease treated with stem cells has been positive. With SCOTS we hope to provide strong evidence of the effectiveness of these treatments to the medical community. “
MD Stem Cells is a trusted and valued source of the latest information regarding clinically available adult stem cell treatments for patients in a number of diseases. MD Stem Cells coordinates patient referrals and manages the treatment process for patients and providers. MD Stem Cells is now Collaborator and Dr. Levy is Study Director for the new SCOTS Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study. Please see www.mdstemcells.com and follow us on Twitter @mdstemcells.com
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