Originally published September 29 2005
New device offers hope to stroke victims who have lost vision
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
NovaVision has developed a non-invasive device called Vision Restoration Therapy (VRT) that can help those with partial loss of vision caused by a stroke regain their site to a degree by training the brain's partially-damaged neurons to work better, The Electric New Paper reports.
NovaVision's Vision Restoration Therapy (VRT) is a non-invasive device which works on training the brain's partially damaged neurons to work better.
Mr Vijaya, an operations manager of a security company, suffered a stroke seven years ago and is now unable to see anything from the top left corners of his eyes.
For his left eye, the part closer to his ear is visually impaired.
For his right eye, the part closer to his nose is visually impaired.
Said Dr Goh Kong Yong, senior consultant neuro-opthalmologist at the Department of Ophthalmology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital: 'You need some residual vision because that shows some areas of functioning neurons left in the brain.
We can use stimulation to increase their function.
Above right, shows that after VRT the patient's visual field has expanded.
Of the 9,000 patients admitted to hospitals every year with stroke-related illnesses, 20 to 30 per cent are estimated to have suffered strokes involving the visual processing parts of the brain.
Before VRT, no treatment was possible,' said Dr Goh.
Said Mr Navroze Mehta, the president and chief executive officer of NovaVision in the US: 'Researchers found that 65 per cent of patients who completed VRT benefited from it.
First a clinical assessment and diagnosis is carried out at TTSH.
Said Dr Goh: 'The diagnostic tests help us to have a working map of the brain on which areas are seeing and which are non-seeing so we can customise the training module for each patient.'
The patient undergoes therapy at home using the VRT device.
Every month, this stick is sent to NovaVision through TTSH and a new module sent to the patient.
The cost of treatment for six months is $8,000.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml