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INTERIOR
HEALTH MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February
18, 200
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New
Funding Allows IH to Improve Access to Treatment
of Macular Eye Degeneration |
KAMLOOPS:
The Thompson Cariboo Shuswap Health Service Area has
received one-time funding from the Ministry of Health
for the treatment of macular degeneration in residents
throughout all Interior Health communities, announced
Stella Black, Director Acute Care, Royal Inland Hospital.
Macular
degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in
people over 55. Using photodynamic therapy, also known
as Visudyne therapy, a specialized form of laser treatment
effective in the management of some forms of macular
degeneration.
"It is important to understand that this is not
a new treatment," says Dr. Peter Hopp, Retinal
Surgeon. "The good news here is that access to
the treatment has now dramatically improved for BC residents
in the Interior. We are very fortunate as this will
be available in Kamloops, enabling people to stay in
the Interior rather than travelling to Vancouver for
treatment."
Prior to this funding award, treatment in BC was only
available on the coast, compelling patients throughout
BC to visit clinics in Vancouver and Victoria for treatment.
Dr.
Hopp explains that this funding is available to primarily
treat newly diagnosed patients, and cautions that only
a small number of patients with macular degeneration
will be eligible for this treatment due to varying forms
of the disease. Individuals with treatment plans already
set-up should continue with the plan as laid out.
The
funding will be used to enable Kamloops-based Dr. Hopp,
Interior Health's only Retinal Surgeon, to perform 175
treatments from Royal Inland Hospital over the next
year. Equipment generously donated to RIH by the Lion's
Club will be used to test patients for treatment eligibility.
Wendy
Heshka
Communications
Interior Health
250-572-1818
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Interior Retina, Kamloops, B.C.,
Canada, Dr. Peter Hopp, argon laser treatments for diabetic retinopathy,
branch retinal vein occlusions, clinically significant macular edema,
central serous retinopathy, lattice degeneration, macular edema
and retinal tears, retinal detachments, vitreous hemorrhages, dropped
nucleuses, macular holes
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laser treatment of the retina,
laser treatment for glaucoma, laser treatment for diabetic eye disease,
laser treatment for certain types of macular degeneration,surgery
for cataracts, retinal detachment, macular hole, epiretinal membrane,
diabetic retinal disease,vitreous hemorrhages, chalazion excision,
entropion, other miscellaneous retinal and vitreous disorders
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Interior Retina, Kamloops, B.C.,
Canada, Dr. Peter Hopp, argon laser treatments for diabetic retinopathy,
branch retinal vein occlusions, clinically significant macular edema,
central serous retinopathy, lattice degeneration, macular edema
and retinal tears, retinal detachments, vitreous hemorrhages, dropped
nucleuses, macular holes
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Interior Retina provides treatment
and management of glaucoma, iritis, scleritis, vein/artery occlusions,
diabetic eye diseases, corneal abrasions, double vision, floaters,
optic neuritis, uveitis and after-cataracts.
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