NovaVision’s New Distribution System Allows All Eye Care Professionals Nationwide to Prescribe VRT to their Patients
Boca Raton, Fla. – September 22, 2008 – NovaVision, Inc., the company that developed Vision Restoration Therapy (VRT) to help restore lost sight in stroke and brain injury survivors, announced a new business model that impacts ophthalmologists and optometrists in two ways:
- Initial exams by eye professionals are now required before beginning treatment
- Eye doctors nationwide now can prescribe VRT to appropriate patients, regardless of location.
Until now, VRT has been available only at the nearly 50 certified centers in the United States; however, the new model provides increased access for patients across the country. Moreover, this model brings more patients in to see ophthalmologists and optometrists where doctors can make assessments about candidacy for VRT and also detect any co-existing vision conditions which may require additional attention or treatment. This change in process underscores the important role eye care professionals are in the medical care team for stroke or traumatic brain injury. “A thorough, initial eye exam tremendously assists the team of medical professionals treating a stroke or brain injury patient with vision loss to better understand the potential for vision improvement with VRT,” said Rudy Mazzocchi, president and CEO of NovaVision, Inc.
Patients will need to have two forms completed to begin treatment with VRT; one needs to be completed following a comprehensive eye exam by an eye physician and the other candidacy form can be completed by any prescribing neurologist, physiatrist or eye care professional. The forms are available at www.novavision.com/prescription.pdf
Using the science of neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to repair itself - VRT is an at-home rehabilitative therapy that uses light-based stimuli to gradually reorganize the portions of the brain responsible for vision. Each patient receives a program that is entirely customized to their own unique visual field deficits. Every month, the patient receives an advanced program to correlate to individual progress. Clinical experiences have shown significant improvement in vision following therapy, regardless of how long ago their stroke or TBI occurred. |