Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) refers to a family of genetic diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of the retina. RP commonly causes progressive night blindness, loss of peripheral vision, and eventually can lead to loss of color perception (particularly blue) and day vision. Most RP patients become legally blind before age 60.
The disease is estimated to affect 1 in every 4,000 people. RP expert Dr. Weidong Yu explains that, in Western countries, retinitis pigmentosa is the most common cause of premature blindness. Though the root cause of this rare disease is currently unknown, Dr. Yu believes that it may be an inherited condition.
At present, there is no effective treatment for retinitis pigmentosa.
Enter The Wellspring Clinic
Dr. Yu and the Wellspring Clinic have been at the forefront of holistic RP treatment and research since 1999. Their clinical experience in treating retinitis pigmentosa has shown Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, may be effective in treating the symptoms of RP. Dr. Yu claims that this natural remedy can improve patients’ visual field, night (and day) vision, and overall quality of life. He developed the Wellspring Vision Improvement Protocol (WVIP) to harness the combined power of these unique treatment modalities.
Further research is needed to fully understand and affirm the efficacy of WVIP. The Wellspring Clinic welcomes feedback on its treatment methodology from other professionals in the field, and the team hopes to cooperate with international ophthalmologic research associations to design a prospective study and advance this revolutionary method.
The Next Stage of Treatment Research
Dr. Yu explains that there are a few things that still need to be investigated and verified through further research before the Wellspring Vision Improvement Protocol can set the standard for holistic RP treatments. First, they’d like to determine WVIP’s efficacy against different subtypes of retinitis pigmentosa. They hope to test their method on all types of RP in patients of different ages, genders, levels of severity, and length of the disease. This will allow them to tailor more effective treatment measures for various types of RP in a wide variety of patients.
The clinic also hopes to develop a testing process to objectively monitor RP patients’ progress. Their proposed series of tests involves a retinal exam and photography, ERG (electroretinogram), Humphrey visual field test, visual acuity test, dark adaptation test, and color vision test.
Developing WVIP: A New Way to Treat Retinitis Pigmentosa
The Wellspring Vision Improvement Protocol combines three proven techniques – acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and antioxidant supplements – to provide a comprehensive path to vision wellness.
Once the clinic determines which subtype of retinitis pigmentosa the treatment is most effective against, they can gather a sizeable sample for a more thorough study of the mechanism through which WVIP works. They would then divide the test into four groups to study the modalities of the treatment - acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and antioxidants - both individually and as the combined WVIP course.
The Power of Traditional Chinese Medicine in RP Treatment
The anti-mutagenic effects of Chinese herbal medicine are supported by a plethora of pharmacological research and evidence. Going forward, the Wellspring Clinic hopes to determine whether or not Chinese herbal medicine can be used to effectively alter the expression of genes in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. Dr. Yu believes that this particular area of research holds much promise, and is worthy of exploration.
Tackling the Untreatable
With unparalleled expertise in Traditional Chinese Medicine and decades of experience in the vision wellness industry, Dr. Yu and the Wellspring Clinic team have what it takes to tackle this unique problem. Furthermore, they are ignited with a passion for finding better ways to treat this rare, “untreatable” disease. With a spirit of innovation, dedication, and collaboration, the Wellspring Clinic is on track to accomplish its goals.
Learn more about the Wellspring Clinic and their revolutionary treatment for retinitis pigmentosa on their website. Don’t forget to follow the clinic on Facebook.
