Category






FACTS AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT:
AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (ARMD) AND
MICROCURRENT STIMULATION (MCS)

FACTS:

  1. MCS is used primarily to improve dry ARMD.
  2. MCS is a rehabilitative therapy that may help improve vision in both wet and dry macular degeneration.
  3. Wet macular degeneration patients may use MCS while taking Lucentis or Avastin injections, because each therapy works differently.
  4. Eye injections with Avastin or Lucentis keep new vessels from developing and MCS helps pre-existing blood absorb.
  5. MCS increases normal choroidal blood flow and causes a vasodilatory effect which allows more oxygen to reach the retina, which may improve vision.
  6. ATP (energy molecules) are created by MCS that helps remove congestion in outer layer of retina, thereby giving a chance for normal blood flow to increase.
  7. MCS is used in an off-label application and is FDA approved for symptomatic relief of chronic pain as a transcutaneous electric nerve unit stimulator (TENS unit).

Results:

Brighter color perception, greater contrast sensitivity, and improved vision without magnification are all possible.

Other Possible Uses:

a. MCS may assist in the therapy for glaucoma patients, by creating an increase in blood flow, while at the same time using eye drops to reduce eye pressure. Clinical investigative studies would be necessary to prove this.

b. MCS can help the body and the eye absorb diabetic hemorrhages as well as drusens in the retina, whereas retinal laser treatments coagulate retinal vessels which stops them from leaking.

Questions & Answers:

  1. Why won’t my eye doctor know about this form of therapy?
    Microcurrent stimulation is not included in the formulary of pharmaceuticals under which he is trained.

  2. How will I know if MCS can help me?
    Dr. McGehee can tell by evaluating your recent eye records and then customize a treatment plan.

  3. Will my insurance or Medicare pay for this machine?
    No, not at this time.

  4. How often do I use it?
    The MCS should be started at 2-4 cycles a day. Each cycle lasts 6 minutes.

  5. When will my vision improve or stabilize?
    The vision is rechecked after using the MCS three weeks after beginning treatment. Improvement may be seen at this time, but follow-up vision evaluations are absolutely essential to determine the number of cycles needed on a daily basis.

  6. Can I use MCS if I have a pacemaker?
    Yes, in most cases because pacemakers in the last 5 years have been coated with a protective shield against magnetic waves. Patients should of course check with their cardiologist. Specifications of the electric current power are available upon request.

  7. Are there any additional therapies that can help slow the progress of the degeneration?
    Yes, there are supportive therapies while using MCS. They include evaluating for blood cell anemia, blood viscosity, and hypoxia (lack of oxygen) by using a pulse oximeter. Oxygen testing and blood work can be done to reinforce the improvement of using microcurrent stimulation. Also sex hormone testing by saliva if low may help ARMD by prescribing bio-identical hormones.

If you are interested in MCS or if you have concerns please call for more information 936-661-3697 or email your questions to:

Dr. Frank O. McGehee Jr., M.D. at drmcgehee@hotmail.com