Many children with juvenile macular degeneration function very well, performing routine school tasks with only a minimum of help. Glasses and low vision aids have been helpful in improving vision for patients with juvenile macular degeneration. Laser surgery is usually not effective in treating this condition. The MDF is currently structuring a controlled clinical trial to evaluate whether this effect is statistically significant or not. The macular degeneration foundation has commenced a fund-raising drive to raise the necessary money to support a research project to develop the improved technology for gene delivery.
Gene therapy enables one to deliver active proteins to the defective macular tissues.
This technology offers the greatest promise for a cure for these debilitating visual diseases.