INTERIOR HEALTH MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 18, 200

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

 

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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

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

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

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.