Perspective               

Medicare To Cover Blindness Therapy

Within six months, Medicare will cover ocular photodynamic therapy with verteporfin as a treatment option available for people with Medicare who have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of blindness among older adults, affecting nearly 1.7 million Americans over 65.

Ocular photodynamic therapy works only in patients with wet AMD, the cause of most cases of severe blindness. The procedure involves the slow introduction of verteporfin, a light-activated drug that was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, into the body followed by the use of a laser. The drug then starts to treat the symptoms of wet AMD.

Medicare coverage of this breakthrough therapy will offer new hope to the many people with this condition. There is also another option available if you are not in a Medicare HMO. If you are over 65 with eye problems and are not currently under the care of an ophthalmologist, you may qualify to receive medical eye care under the National Eye Care Project (NECP). NECP makes medical care available to people who suffer from one or more of the following: presbyopia, floaters, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye problems. Call 1-800-222-EYES for more information.

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