WHY LOWERING INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE IS NOT ENOUGH TO PREVENT VISION LOSS

Glaucoma – a leading cause of blindness – is a group of eye diseases that progressively and, in many cases, silently damages the optic nerve causing gradual and permanent vision loss. Generally, glaucoma is associated with increased fluid pressure within the eye – or intraocular pressure (IOP). At present, further damage to the optic nerve - or glaucomatous optic neuropathy - is avoided by lowering IOP, and the effectiveness of glaucoma treatment and management is measured by how well IOP is controlled. Reducing eye-fluid pressure in the eye through medications (eye drops) or surgery is a standard approach for treating glaucoma.  But even with IOP lowered and in control, vision loss is not preventedOptic nerve damage can also occur when the eye’s internal pressure is normal. Several co-factors can damage the optic nerve and lead to further vision deterioration, including nocturnal hypotension (or low blood pressure at night), low intracranial pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, low blood pressure or peripheral vascular dysfunction.
Glaucoma Vision Loss Fedorov Clinic Restore Vision Germany

Not Just Eye Disease

Regardless of the cause of glaucoma-related vision loss, recent studies have shown changes in the brain of many glaucoma patients, potentially suggesting complex structural damages behind the eye. This means that changes in the brain might contribute to a glaucoma patient’s steady loss of vision. Increasingly, scientists and physicians are accepting that glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disorder rather than simply a disease of the eye - meaning that treatments focused solely on the eye don’t work.

 

Glaucoma Vision Loss Fedorov Clinic Restore Vision Germany

Visual Symptoms Caused By Glaucoma

The symptoms associated with glaucomatous optic neuropathy are varied and include:

Missing areas in field of vision 
(Blindspots/ holes in your vision)

Foggy, hazy vision
(Difficulty distinguishing contrast)
Severely decreased contrast
(Difficulty distinguishing contrast)
Increased sensitivity to light
(Glare is a very frequent problem )

Vision loss from Glaucoma can be slowed and partially reversed.

Fedorov Therapy slows Eyesight Loss caused by Glaucoma

It’s widely accepted that optic nerve damage caused by glaucoma is irreversible. The knowledge, however, that vision loss due to glaucomatous optic neuropathy can be regained is less widespread. Like all areas of science, advancements are made every day and we continually expand our body of knowledge. With the widening acceptance that the brain plays a role in glaucoma-related vision loss, the opportunity to consider new treatments that do not focus solely on the eye increases. Fedorov Restoration Therapy helps regain lost vision by electrically stimulating retinal cells, and by activating brain regions which help compensate for areas in the eye damaged by glaucoma.  By applying treatments to both the eye and brain, we can improve the potential for both managing the progression of this disease and for regaining any associated vision loss.

Treatment Benefits

Considering that the severity of optic nerve damage and stage of glaucoma will affect the level of improvement in a person’s vision, we know that our treatments result in:

We also know that when a follow-up evaluation at three or four months confirms that a person continues to respond favorably to treatment, repeated treatments can lead to continued improvements in sightFedorov Restoration Therapy – a treatment we developed and patented – is a relatively new technology developed in the 1990s and used clinically since 1991. It’s a non-invasive and non-surgical way to naturally restore visual function, accomplished by applying weak electrical currents to areas around the eye. Electrical stimulation doesn’t replace damaged cells; instead it increases the functionality of preserved neurons on the retina and enhances the activity of the visual system overall. Since 1993, we have helped improve the vision of over 700 patients suffering from glaucoma.

What Our Patients Are Saying

FAQ

How does Fedorov Restoration Therapy work?
Fedorov Therapy is based on a relatively new technology developed in the 1990s and used clinically since 1991. Repeated transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS) doesn’t require an operation or the implantation of electrodes in the eye. Fedorov Therapy isn’t aimed at the replacement of damaged cells, but instead is focused on increasing the usefulness of preserved neurons on the retina and on the improvement of conductivity along the optic nerve. Research has shown that, if such stimulation is performed over a period of several weeks, there’s significant activation of the visual system at all levels and throughout the brain. This new, functional state of the visual system is referred to as “induced plasticity.” Such plasticity is strongly needed to restore sight when there’s deterioration as a result of optic-nerve damage.
Has the effectiveness of Fedorov Therapy been clinically proven?
This technology was proven in large, multi-center trials conducted at clinical centers like Charite in Berlin and other major universities in Germany. These trials were designed as randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled evidence class Ib studies.
How safe is Fedorov Therapy?

The safety of this therapy was confirmed in clinical trials conducted in Germany in 2007 to 2013, and in a large group of patients treated in Russia in 1991 to 2004.

Side effects from Fedorov Restoration Therapy may result when a patient has contraindications. If such contraindications are excluded, there is no risk of adverse effects on vision or any other functions. Some undesired effects such as tiredness, weakness, a short-lived headache and sleep disturbances have been observed, but do not require treatment.
I have advanced optic nerve damage. Is there any chance my vision will improve with therapy?
The expected results of Fedorov Restoration Therapy depend on many individual factors. Advanced optic-nerve damage requires several courses of therapy in combination with visual training to produce improvement. More than half of our patients have advanced damage, and, with our collective experience, we’ve been able to help them. Severe optic-nerve damage limits the possibility of significant improvement, but doesn’t exclude it. After your request, we’ll provide you with the list of medical records that we need to review your case.
When can I expect to see a positive change to my vision?

Initial positive changes can be observed during the first 10 sessions of Fedorov Therapy. With repeated visual-field tests, the degree of change can be estimated after two weeks. In most cases, you should see a stable improvement within four to eight weeks after the treatment. In the case of progressive vision deterioration (e.g., glaucoma), Fedorov Therapy is able to significantly slow down the progression of the condition or even stop it.
The resulting improvement is typically stable. Follow-up results one year after treatment have shown 80% to 85% stable improvement. Instability can take place if there are factors that affect vision negatively, like elevated eye pressure for glaucoma patients

What can I expect my treatment to include?
  1.  Before treatment begins, we have a comprehensive discussion with you about your options, and we perform a vision exam. Once we have the test results and understand the condition of your eyesight, we’ll provide you with a treatment plan. The possible results of the Fedorov Therapy are discussed with you at that time.
  2. Treatment sessions are performed over a two week period, from Monday to Friday. Each session’s duration is 60-90 minutes.
  3. Once your course of therapy is complete, you’re thoroughly examined and your results are discussed.
  4. We provide you with a Findings Report that includes the results of your ophthalmological exam. We also develop a Personalized Care Plan with possible strategies for the upcoming months, and customized for your specific needs.
How do you determine if Fedorov Therapy will help improve my vision?

To determine if Fedorov Therapy will benefit you, we need to review your relevant medical records. Before doing so, however, we need to first rule out possible contraindications to our therapy. For that, a checklist must be completed; only after we review the information in your checklist, and confirm there are no contraindications, will we start a thorough review of your medical records. 

Usually, our review of your medical condition is processed within two to three working days. At the very least, we’ll want to assess the following:  (a) ophthalmological reports with detailed results of eyesight evaluation; (b) visual field charts. In cases of extremely low vision, this may not be available; (c) other relevant records and test results such as optic nerve and retina OCT, brain MRI, or CT reports; (d) a narrative of the history of the vision problem written by you.

If you don’t have copies of your history, we’ll ask you to obtain copies of your medical files from your healthcare provider. Our referral form will be provided on demand.

If you aren’t able to send us the required package of medical information, but you feel that you are a candidate for Fedorov Therapy, we can still help. We will help to collect the required evaluations, ophthalmological tests and exams to determine if our treatment is right for you. You will be charged for that service.

We have found that our services are not typically covered by insurance. We suggest that patients should be prepared for the out-of-pocket expense for the treatment. We can provide upon your request the cost of our services, testing and therapies.

Does Fedorov Therapy improve quality of life?
The improvement of quality of life is our main goal. We reach this through a combination of different medical approaches, such as Fedorov Therapy, visual training, and medications. Once the vision restoration treatment starts, many of our patients have a positive response. Keep in mind that increased quality of life can be achieved only if the patient follows our prescribed recommendations. If you entrust your treatment to us, a Personalized Care Plan will be provided; following our tested guidelines can increase your chances of significant vision restoration.

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