KEEPING AN EYE ON VISION - NEW TOOLS TO PRESERVE SIGHT AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE - A ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION .2.

Research is pointing the way to new therapies for the eye diseases of aging. A gene that appears related to glaucoma has been identified, an d a safe and effective inhibitor for aldose reductase is being sought for patients with diabetic retinopathy. Refinements in cataract surger y continue to improve the high success rate of this procedure. Physici ans can educate their patients to participate in vision protection, th rough control of blood sugars, compliance with glaucoma medications, a nd the use of the Amsler grid by those at risk for macular degeneratio n. When vision cannot be corrected to the normal range, low vision reh abilitation offers magnification and new high-tech devices for optimiz ing independent patient function.