Macular Degeneration Treatment NYC by Marc Bystock L.Ac.
"Macular degeneration is a disorder of ocular oxidative stress, inflammation, and insufficient blood perfusion. Using Micro Acupuncture, my patients reported seeing with brighter contrast and clearer vision after the procedure. Some patients reported their vision improved within days."
-Marc Bystock L.Ac.
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Treatments for Macular Degeneration by NYC Acupuncturist in Midtown Manhattan NY 10016
What is Macular Degeneration?
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the United States and affects over 10 million people. It occurs when the retina in the eye becomes damaged, causing loss of vision over time.
If you compare the human eye to a camera, the macula collects detailed central vision and forwards it to the brain via the optic nerve. When the macula tissue becomes inflamed and oxidized, images cannot be received appropriately.
At the onset of the disease often are no symptoms. As a progression of the disease occurs, blurry vision may begin to set in. Finally, during the late stages, the patient may completely lose their central vision. Peripheral vision can continue because the rest of the retina may remain intact. Peripheral vision is significantly less clear than central vision.
- Dry AMD - There are two basic types. Dry macular degeneration is most common. Almost 80% of people who have macular degeneration have the dry type. In dry macular degeneration, the macula can become very thin and small protein clumps termed drusen will form. The patient's central vision is ultimately lost.
- Wet AMD - Wet macular degeneration is far less common and a much more severe condition than the dry type. Blood vessels grow under the retina. These blood vessels can no longer contain their fluids. As they leak, their fluids, cause scarring of the macula. Vision loss is significantly faster with wet AMD than with dry AMD
Chances are you could be at higher risk and more likely to develop macular degeneration if you:
- Currently, have a high LDL or total cholesterol level
- Are obese
- Smoke tobacco
- Are over 55 years of age
- Have a genetic predisposition to macular degeneration
- Have a history of cardiovascular disease
Causes of Macular Degeneration
Eye physicians detect small white, and yellow spots in the retina termed drusen. Drusen are waste deposits that are made from lipids and proteins that have failed to be excreted from the eye.
Having higher amounts of drusen are associated with an increased risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and loss of vision.
The causes of Age-Related Macular Degeneration may in part be genetic, but also may involve high levels of oxidative stress and eye tissue inflammation.
Oxidative stress, inflammation, and the lack of sufficient retinal and optical nerve blood perfusion are all significant contributors for macular degeneration.
Poor nutrition, bright light, the lack of antioxidants may all be causative factors.
Symptoms of of Macular Degeneration
- Blurry vision
- Decreased central vision
- Blind spots (scotomas)
- Distorted vision (Metamorphosia)
- Difficulty seeing in dim light
- Seeing objects as smaller in one eye
- Contrast sensitivity loss
- Difficulty discerning dark colors from light ones
Diagnosis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
There are several methods for your eye doctor to test for AMD. Drops may be placed into the eye to dilate them. Then a unique instrument will be used to look into the back of the eye to search for drusen. Drusen are the yellow and white fatty deposits mentioned above. An Amsler grid can be used as part of the examination. Straight lines may appear wavy and distorted with macular degeneration.
Fluorescein angiography can be used. During this procedure, a colored dye is injected into the patient’s arm, and the physician looks for detailed blood vessels in the eye for abnormalities and changes in the retina. Indocyanine angiography may be used. In this procedure, a dye is injected directly into the eye to confirm the results of the fluorescein test and to determine the type of macular degeneration.
Conventional Medical Treatments
- Dry type: There are no reported treatments for Age-Related Dry Macular degeneration.
- Wet type: Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
- Vascular endothelial growth factor supports new blood vessel growth.
- The blood vessels grow under the retina leaking fluids and cause scarring.
- The anti-VEGF is injected into the eye to slow the growth of blood vessels.
Acupuncture Treatments for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
In the 1980s, Micro-acupuncture was conceived in Denmark. Micro-acupuncture is a unique acupuncture procedure that treats degenerative eye disorders.
The discovery of 48 new acupuncture points on the palmar surface of the hands and soles of the feet have not been associated with other acupuncture systems. These points may improve the vision of people who are suffering from Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
Macular degeneration is a disorder of ocular oxidative stress, inflammation, and insufficient blood perfusion. Micro Acupuncture was initially experimented with to improve arthritic conditions, but, patients reported seeing with brighter contrast and clearer vision after the acupuncture procedure.
It is thought that this acupuncture system may stimulate the visual cortex in the brain sending signals to the optic nerve and retinal structure of the eye. This neuro-functional stimulation increases blood flow, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the starved tissue of the eye.
Holistic Acupuncture Vision (HAV) Program of New York City
By combining this innovative 48-point acupuncture system with whole food nutrition, bioelectric magnetic therapies, and specific stimulation techniques around the eyes, I can obtain the best results. Some patients report that the Holistic Acupuncture Vision program improve vision within days, while others require repeat treatments for longer durations. Treatment frequency will depend upon the patient condition, age, and length of time they have had their degenerative eye disorder.
The standard Holistic Acupuncture Vision protocol is to receive two treatments per day for a period of one to two weeks. Other programs may be successfully implemented and are dependent on the frequency of the treatments as well as the individual needs of the patient.
Eye diseases should not necessarily be isolated to the eyes themselves. The eyes are part of the whole body that they are housed in. The health of the eye is dependent on the general condition and health of the entire body. To obtain optimal results, I treat the causative factors of the disease as well as the symptoms. My Holistic Acupuncture Vision program treats both the eyes and the condition of the whole body simultaneously.
Contact NYC Acupuncturist Marc Bystock L.Ac. for Free Consultation Regarding Macular Degeneration Treatment
The long-term health and vision capabilities of your eyes is not something to take lightly. Allowing this condition to worsen only minimizes the time and change of healing and recovery.
I offer new patients a free consultation so I can meet with you and learn more about your individual condition and needs. I will be able to tell you what I think I can, or cannot, do for you. From there, you are free to decide how you wish to proceed.
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