Clinic in the U.S. to Offer Novel Therapy That Reduces Vision Loss Caused by Brain Injury
University of Miami Department of Neurology Is First in Network of Clinics to Provide FDA-Cleared, Computer-Based Vision Restoration Therapy for Vision Loss Once Considered Untreatable
NovaVision, Inc. announced that NovaVision Vision Restoration Therapy (VRT), a novel computer-based technology that reduces vision loss caused by stroke and brain trauma, is now available to U.S. patients for the first time. Cleared for marketing last year by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), NovaVision VRT is initially available to patients at the University of Miami Department of Neurology. NovaVision is collaborating with leading medical institutions to build a nationwide network of centers that offer VRT, and plans to increase the number of sites that offer the therapy each month.
Approximately 1.5 million stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) victims in the United States suffer from major visual field deficits that have historically been considered untreatable. This number increases by more than 90,000 new sufferers each year.
According to Jose G. Romano, M.D., Department of Neurology, Cerebrovascular Division, University of Miami School of Medicine, "It was once thought that after a brief period of spontaneous recovery, improvement in visual function was no longer possible. However, clinical data shows that VRT improves visual fields even after many years after the original cerebral insult. We may now have the potential to improve visual function and quality of life for many stroke and TBI patients. The University of Miami School of Medicine is excited to be at the forefront of this new era in vision rehabilitation therapy."
VRT is performed by patients at home with a specially designed computerized device. With the patient's eyes focused on a fixation point displayed on the screen, specifically engineered stimuli are applied to the identified areas that show potential for recovery. Repeated exposure to these stimuli over a period of six months activates neurons and helps improve vision. Clinical results of VRT are positive: 65 percent of more than 500 patients who underwent VRT for an initial six month treatment period showed measurable improvements in their vision.
VRT is based on the principle of neuroplasticity--the ability of partially damaged neurons in the brain to compensate for injury and adjust their activity in response to stimulation from the environment. After stroke or TBI, an area of residual vision exists between regions within the brain's vision-processing areas. Within this zone, there are areas that can be improved using precise patterns of stimulation.
VRT: the Fourth Pillar of Rehabilitation
While speech, physical and occupational therapy have been established for many years as mainstream treatment regimens for victims of stroke and brain trauma, VRT is the first clinical application of rehabilitation for vision loss. Originally developed by Dr. Bernhard Sabel and perfected in clinical studies conducted throughout the 1990's at the University of Magdeburg in Germany, VRT enables stoke and TBI patients to restore an area of function that dramatically improves their quality of life.
"NovaVision is excited to collaborate with leading neurologists, neuro-ophthalmologists and ophthalmologists at leading institutions, such as the University of Miami, in establishing broadbased access to VRT therapy," said Navroze Mehta, president and chief executive officer of NovaVision, Inc. "Today marks two significant milestones. For one, it is a major first step toward improving vision for more than a million stroke and brain trauma patients. Today's milestone also begins the process of establishing Vision Restoration Therapy as the fourth pillar of rehabilitation, joining speech, physical and occupational therapy as modalities that offer enormous clinical promise, while increasing our understanding of the brain's resilience and capacity for recovery."
The University of Miami, Department of Neurology is offering VRT today. Patients and physicians interested in learning more about VRT call 888.205.0800 or visit www.novavisiontherapy.com for additional information.
