Micro Current Stimulation (MCS) Therapy
Micro Current Stimulation (MCS) Therapy is perhaps the most promising treatment currently being investigated for dry age-related macular degeneration. It is a non surgical procedure which involves stimulating the macula and nerve fibers with a very low intensity current using a FDA approved battery operated device. The current is delivered at different electrical frequencies through electrodes applied over closed eyelids. The treatment causes no discomfort or pain and is administered twice each day. While a very effective form of treatment, MCS Therapy is not a cure for macular degeneration and must be continued for the life of the patient. Overall, no side effects or adverse reactions related to this procedure have been observed. Micro Current Stimulation technology has advanced to the point where individuals can learn to apply their own Micro Current Stimulation therapy with a home unit. In many cases, a patient undergoing MCS Therapy will experience an improvement in vision in as little as four days. For individuals with a more severe form of the disease it may take several months.
Human cells are not unlike batteries. They sometimes have low energy stores or are unable to hold energy. Micro Current Stimulation Therapy provides the cells with the “energy” it needs, similar to recharging a battery. Studies have also shown that MCS Therapy increases microcirculatory blood flow, increases ATP concentrations and stimulates amino acid and nutrient concentrations into cells.
Every living cell in the body has an electrical charge. It is theorized that part of what causes macular degeneration is a loss of the energy source in the cell, or loss of the electrical charge. Just like a flashlight will not work without a charged battery, the photoreceptors in the retina will not function without an energy source. MCS Therapy is believed to increase the energy source within the cell.
The Macular Degeneration Foundation determined in preliminary pre-clinical trials by pioneering ophthalmologists and researchers that micro current stimulation therapy can improve visual acuity, sharpness and color perception in 68 percent of patients with dry macular degeneration and 58 percent of those with the wet form. Reports from Russia suggest similar benefits.
A study published by Dr. Merrell J. Allen and Dr. Leland D. Michael entitled Nutritional Supplementation, Electrical Stimulation and Age Related Macular Degeneration showed that 60 percent of patients showed an improvement in visual acuity following a combination of micro current stimulation therapy and nutritional supplementation.
Drs. Grace Halloran and August L. Reader studied thirty individuals diagnosed with typically untreatable eye diseases including macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, CMV-retinitis, and diabetic retinopathy. The patients were treated with a combination of micro current stimulation therapy and nutritional supplementation. Overall results showed remarkable increase in visual function in visual acuity in most and clearly established the safety of the combination of MCS therapy and nutritional supplementation.
Frequently Asked Questions About MCSTherapy …
How Does MCS(TM) Therapy Work?
In general, the electrical current gently wakes up the cells from sleep and stimulates the healing process. Simply put, cells are like batteries. When the energy level runs low or runs out, the light goes out. MCS Therapy replaces the electrical charge within the cells of the eye to promote healing and regeneration.
The second way the therapy works is to boost the cells’ ability to rid themselves of waste products. A cell with “stuck” waste products becomes a dead cell and interferes with cellular communication throughout the area where it is located. Cells need to take in nutrients and eliminate waste like all other living organisms. The energy supplied by MCS Therapy stimulates the cells to become vital and less sluggish.
The third way MCS Therapy works is by increasing blood supply to the area stimulated. By increasing blood flow to the area cells and tissues are nourished, refreshed and oxygenation is increased.
Is MCS Therapy Safe?
No side effects or adverse outcomes related to this treatment have been seen. No increase in the conversion to the wet form of AMD has been seen to those who have been treated.
What Is The Treatment Like?
MCS Therapy can be administered in a doctors office or through a home treatment unit. Even if you start your therapy in a doctors office, continued therapy with a home treatment unit is necessary in order to retain any vision improvement and to keep AMD from getting worse.
After learning how to self-administer treatment, you will perform treatment in the convenience of your home with the home treatment unit. This is easy to learn and apply. Once starting with the treatments you will need to continue with treatments twice daily. Each treatment takes 6 – 12 minutes. Those who have discontinued therapy have had their vision deteriorate.
How Much Improvement In Vision Can I Expect With MCS Therapy?
The results have been remarkable, with over 68% of the people treated with Dry AMD showing statistically significant improvement in one or both eyes and 58% of the people with Wet AMD showing improvement. 52% of patients experience an improvement of two or more lines as measured with the standard Snellen visual acuity chart.
Why Doesn’t My Optometrist or Ophthalmologist Know About MCS Therapy?
The majority of eye doctors in practice today were told that macular degeneration was an untreatable disease and that nothing could be done to restore a damaged retina to a healthier state. It is also interesting to note that most of the doctors in practice today were also trained to believe that nutritional supplements were a waste of time and money. After 20 years, they have finally admitted they were wrong regarding vitamins. Medicine, as a profession, is slow to change or admit its mistakes.
Micro current stimulation therapy is currently viewed by most doctors the way vitamin supplements were viewed 20 years ago, as an “unconventional” therapy. While small studies have been published in the literature showing the effectiveness of MCS Therapy, admittedly, there have not been any large-scale scientific studies published in the traditional journals. These large-scale studies are what most doctors depend on to guide them in their recommendations to patients.
Several large scale studies are either underway or are currently being developed and they should prove MCS Therapy’s effectiveness once and for all. However, it will take 2 – 4 years and millions of dollars in research funds to complete the studies. In the interim, there is no reason that this option should be withheld from patients. The early reports are showing positive results in 65 to 90 percent of patients treated, there are no known side effects or contraindications, the treatment is relatively inexpensive, and there is no alternative treatment. Why should a patient with an otherwise “incurable” disease not try this option?
Scientific Facts For Doctors On MCS Therapy …
How Does MCS Therapy Work?
MCS Therapy works by increasing intracellular ATP (adenosine triphosphate) concentrations, enhancing protein synthesis, and stimulating the cells ability to absorb nutrients (Ngok Cheng, M.D.). It is theorized that through these mechanisms, MCS Therapy improves RPE efficiency and thereby may restore and/or improve macular function.
ATP is synthesized in the mitochondria process known as the Kreb’s Cycle, the sequence of reactions in the mitochondria that complete the oxidation of glucose in respiration. Kroll and Guerrieri have shown age related changes in mitochondrial metabolism resulting in a decrease of the ATP synthase activity. Guerrieri has gone further to show functional and structural differences of the mitochondria F0F1 ATP synthase complex in aging rats. It is theorized that many retinal diseases, at least in part, is due to a decrease in mitochondria function and the subsequent decrease in intracellular ATP. This decrease in mitochondria function results from free radical damage and the mutation of mtDNA (mitochondria DNA).
It is interesting to note the genetic link between ATP and retinal disease. ATP Synthase (ATPase) is an enzyme which catalyzes the synthesis of ATP. A genetic defect in the ATPase 6 Gene has now been implicated in Retinitis Pigmentosa.
What Is The Difference Between The Micro Current Simulator And Other Devices On The Market?
Research by Cheng demonstrated a very significant difference between the types of electrical stimulators known as TENS devices and those classified as micro current stimulators. The research showed that by treating with currents below 1000 micro Amps (less than 1 milli Amp), there was a 75% higher amino acid uptake and up to a 400% increase in intracellular ATP concentrations. In those treated with more than 1000 micro Amps (more than 1 milli Amp), there were actually depressed levels of these substances, often less than the non-treated controls. It is critically important to note that the less expensive TENS devices do not treat in the safe and effective milli amp range and treat at much higher levels, some as high as 80 milli Amps. This is dangerous and can potentially deplete intracellular ATP and shut down the Kreb’s Cycle, having the reverse effect of MCS(TM) Therapy. A micro current stimulator has 10 times the circuitry of a standard therapeutic electrical stimulator and is regulated to prevent treatment above the safe milli amp range. Furthermore, make sure any device that you may use is FDA approved. Many on the market are not.
What Is The Legal Status Of MCS Therapy With The FDA?
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the sale of medical devices (an example is the use of the lasers used for LASIK surgery). Before a medical device can be legally sold in the U.S., the person or company that wants to sell the device must seek approval from the FDA. To gain approval, they must present evidence that the device is reasonably safe and effective for a particular use, the “indication.” Micro current stimulators were generally approved for the following indication: the symptomatic relief of chronic intractable pain and as an adjunctive treatment in the management of post surgical traumatic pain problems. Once the FDA has approved a medical device, a doctor may decide to use that device for other indications if the doctor feels it is in the best interest of a patient. The use of an approved device for other than its FDA-approved indication is called “off-label use.” MCS Therapy is considered an “off-label use.”
Dr Edward Paul – America’s Eye Doctor – http://www.DrEdwardPaul.com
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