Welcome to the VDM Project
VDM is the new name for the condition commonly known as ‘eye floaters’. VDM stands for Vision Degrading Myodesopsia: it is a new term that recognises this eye floaters as a disease.
If you were told that ‘eye floaters’ are benign, and that you do not require treatment, please read on.
The VDM Project exists to support you in changing the attitudes of medical professionals and the eye health industry – and aims to find new treatment options for a condition that we understand can be life-changing.
Living with VDM
Has VDM changed your life? Can you no longer enjoy things the way you used to? Do you find it more difficult to concentrate when studying or at work?
This can become frustrating.
You are told there is no problem, and that you need to get used to it. You are told the situation will improve with time, but your experience is different. Other people do not understand your frustration, your relationships are affected.
It’s a domino effect. So psychological problems can be related to VDM, but they are a consequence of an eye disease which was the ‘first domino’ in a chain reaction.
The VDM project aims to get to the root of this problem by finding new methods to diagnose and treat the vitreous so that clear and healthy vision can be restored: once this is achieved, any psychological difficulties linked to the disease will disappear.
Are you, or is someone you know, affected by VDM?
Everyone has a different experience of VDM – and everyone has a different way of dealing with their experience.
Perhaps it has created problems with concentrating at work, or perhaps you find it harder to enjoy things like sport or creative hobbies. Perhaps all of the above.
At the VDM Project we appreciate that these difficulties are not trivial – everyone deserves an equal chance for the best quality of life.
We aim to change attitudes amongst medical professionals who do not currently understand the quality of life problems that VDM can cause.
We also aim to create awareness of the fact that the current invasive treatment options available (vitrectomy and YAG laser) need to be significantly improved or replaced altogether.
Ophthalmic doctors need to appreciate the sensitive and important role of the vitreous in a person’s health – from both a visual and psychological point-of-view.
The VDM Project and VMR Research
The term VDM was coined by Professor Jerry Sebag who is an internationally recognised expert on the treatment of – and research into – the vitreous. Professor Sebag has founded a new non-profit organisation named VMR Research, based in California.
The VDM Project is the link between you and VMR Research: we report on the research goals and the funding aims of VMR Research, and bring you updates from Professor Sebag and his teams.
He is collaborating with researchers around the world to work towards the goals of VMR Research. A PDF with an outline of these goals is available on this website.
Joining the fight – why and how?
We set up the VDM Project so that you can join the fight and become an active supporter of our goals, and the hope for new treatment options.
You can do this in a number of ways. You can share the link to the website with anyone you know you who is affected, and their friends and families. We would like everyone to sign up to the newsletter – it’s the best way for you to stay updated and also, using this community, we can then build a pressure group that can start to influence industry-led research.
And finally, to officially Join the Fight there is the option to offer monthly donations. You will join a special group of supporters and we will bring you additional resources and updates.
The VDM Project – Unite for Clear Vision
Thanks for taking the time to read this short introduction to the VDM Project. We know there are challenges ahead but we believe that with a strong community and the right leadership from our team and Professor Sebag we can find the solution we are looking for.
Let’s stay positive, let’s join the fight, let’s Unite for Clear Vision.
