Macular Degeneration Study

A randomized, controlled study is being conducted by scientists at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Wills Eye Hospital to determine if Problem-Solving Treatment (PST) can improve the day-to-day functioning of patients with vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Funded by a $4 million grant from the National Eye Institute, the five-year clinical trial will include 240 AMD patients from the retina clinics of Wills Eye Hospital. Wills Eye Hospital serves as Thomas Jefferson University's department of ophthalmology.

"Improving vision function is the major goal of therapy," said lead investigator Barry W. Rovner, M.D. "Vision function" refers to one's vision-related ability to perform daily living activities. Dr. Rovner is professor of Psychiatry and Neurology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and director of Clinical Alzheimer's Research at the Farber Institute for Neurosciences of Thomas Jefferson University.

The trial, known as the IF-AMD (Improving Function in AMD) Trial, will determine if patients with AMD can benefit from receiving PST, a brief, standardized, cognitive-behavioral therapy that teaches problem-solving skills. By incorporating problem-solving skills into daily activities (both necessary and recreational) and addressing current difficulties, the scientists think that quality of life and vision function can be improved.

Did you know?
A randomized, controlled study is being conducted by scientists at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Wills Eye Hospital to determine if Problem-Solving Treatment (PST) can improve the day-to-day functioning of patients with vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).