Dr. Siwoff presents RIT Retinal Image Translocation Therapy
December 9-12, 2005
Millions of people who are legally blind as the result of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa and other retinal diseases can have hope, because of a new form of rehabilitation therapy called RIT (Retinal Image Translocation) therapy. Dr. Ronald Siwoff, an internationally recognized specialist in the field of low vision, presented his pioneering work at the annual conference of the American Academy of Optometry in Tampa on December 12.
RIT therapy is a non-surgical, noninvasive method of changing the way patients see the world. In patients whose retina is damaged, a new type of spectacles can now correct the effects of lost central vision.
"RIT therapy was not possible until now because it requires high resolution, digital, retinal photography to locate healthy areas of retina," said Siwoff. Once these "windows" of peripheral vision are located, custom prismatic lenses can move the retinal image to a healthy spot and away from retinal scar tissue.
Prisms have been used for years, but with limited success, because doctors have had to rely on the patient himself to align a prism to tune it in to make the image clearer. The problem with this technique is that it takes time for the brain to adapt to new input from retinal areas that are not central vision. A person may not even be aware of their "island of vision." Most clinicians did not find this subjective technique helpful.
RIT therapy relies on an objective measure of retinal health. It sets a new retinal focal point and allows the patient to learn to use his new retinal location. "What we discovered after analysis of our data was truly amazing. Vision continues to improve with most patients, even months after receiving the RIT prism spectacles."
In Siwoff's study of 68 patients, both distance and near vision improved an average of 200%. Two patients had initial vision so poor that they could only see hand motion close to the face. With RIT, one patient improved to 20/120 and the other improved to 20/50.
The theme of the AAO conference this year is "Today's Research, Tomorrow's Practice: Technology's Impact on Standard of Care." Doctors from all over the world will attend this meeting at the Tampa Convention Center, December 9-12, 2004. Doctor Siwoff will speak at the Low Vision Section's "What's New Symposium" on Sunday, December 12.
Dr. Siwoff, a member of the National Physician's Advisory Board, has received many awards for his service to the blind and visually impaired community, including the award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement, by the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians. He was Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He directed the low vision clinic at UMDNJ, as well as The Gerald E. Fonda Low Vision Center at Saint Barnabas Hospital, before opening the Siwoff Low Vision Center in Denville, New Jersey. Dr. Siwoff holds several patents for technology to improve vision and has conducted NIH-funded research in low vision.