Experience with Macular Degeneration?

[redstatebluegirl]

I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I have been really good about getting checked every year by my regular eye doctor and the retinologist that they sent me to. Last week I had an appointment with my eye doctor and he told me he had never seen anyone's MD as stay static as mine has. In fact he showed me on the mapping that it looks like it is a bit better. He reminded me it will never be cured, but I was over the moon happy after that appointment. He told me if it stayed that way until I was over 70 years old, it most likely would never progress to the loss of sight my Dad experienced.

Is this normal? Has anyone else heard this? I don't want to get over confident and then have it go south right away. My husband says I read like I'm afraid I won't be able to anymore.

[northoftheborder]

1. I was diagnosed with that in January, and...

....started on eye shots. Mine has slightly improved, but basically about the same. I was told the same thing as you that this treatment cannot cure it, but can keep it from deteriorating further. I too am slightly anxious about it as I use my eyes to craft, quilt, and sew! I am a good bit older than you so have limited years to enjoy my hobbies!

As far as my other favorite thing to do, reading, I do almost all of that with Audible! Very tiny print and numbers are what are most effected by my condition.

Good Luck with your treatments! I feel fortunate to have this new technology, and my insurance pays for it all. (It is very expensive.)

[redstatebluegirl]

3. I have not needed the eye shots yet.

I have dry MD, of which I am grateful. My Dad and my Uncle Paul had wet MD. My Dad almost totally lost his sight within 2 years of his diagnosis, Uncle Paul's took a bit longer but he finally lost most of his sight. I pray every day I won't go that route. I do what they tell me to do. I am 65 almost 66.

Good luck with your treatments too!

[Gothmog]

8. I had a series of shots to my eyes about 8 years ago

One eye has small leaks that they attributed to use of ACTOS which I immediately stopped using. I did two or three rounds of shots and now wee the doctor twice a year.

[safeinOhio]

2. My brother was a pharma researcher

and he says those vitamins for MD really work. He almost never recs any otc vitamins. Do you use any?

[northoftheborder]

5. They recommended Preservision.

[JudyM]

14. Do you know which vitamin?

Curious because my mom has it and it’s ruining her vision

All she takes for it is preservation 2 AREDS.

[CountAllVotes]

4. 2003

This is the year that my husband was DX'd with wet AMD.

He lost the sight in one eye. The other eye was holding up well until he got the shingles. That almost blinded him and it set it off badly.

He has been getting injections into the one eye ever since 2008.

So far, his eyesight is holding up but he can no longer drive and he has a lot of difficulty reading.

My father also had wet AMD and he too was blind in one eye. When he passed away, the wet AMD was beginning to affect his other eye as well but he didn't live long enough for it to take over.

I wish you the best of luck with this problem as it is a very serious one to have.

Take care redstatebluegirl.

[redstatebluegirl]

6. Thank you.

I think going through it with my Dad and my uncle it terrified me when they diagnosed me. I am very fortunate that it is still dry MD and not wet.

Hoping your husband is handling it well. I am not sure how I will handle it, if I end up losing my sight. Of all of my senses that is the one I value the most.

[CountAllVotes]

9. It is truly heartbreaking

It is very sad.

It runs in his family and of the 10 kids, just about all of them had/have it, esp. the ones with blue eyes it seems.

He used to enjoy reading and the like. I have to read things to him and fill out forms, etc. for him.

I hope he doesn't lose the sight in the eye. Every 3 mos. he goes for a shot and he is constantly thinking the eye he has left is going out on him (which is not the case).

They've come a long way since his DX. At that time, there were no shots and they told me that they might as well hand him a white cane! I failed to buy into this line of thinking and not long after this occurred, the shots came out. The shots don't work for everyone but they are working for him.

He's tried many vitamins, etc.

Again, take care!

[Gothmog]

7. I have been static for 8 years now

I had a bleeding issue in one eye due to ACTOS. Since then I have been very stable I see my retinologist every six months. I have been shown scans that show some improvement but I am happy with being told that I am stable

Are you taking Presservision vitamins. They seem to help

[redstatebluegirl]

10. Thank you! Yes I am taking the Presservision vitamins, along with Resveratrol an anti oxidant.

The Resveratrol was suggested by my eye doctor. I figure it can't hurt me so I take it.

[Gothmog]

11. I have not tried the Resveratrol

My specialist recommended presservision and I was told about a year ago that it would be taking this vitamin twice a day. It seems to help.

I will ask about the other drug.

Again I see my doctor every six months

[Wawannabe]

12. My grandfather had it.

Never completely lost sight but was nearly blind. Last year I was referred to a retinologist. Haven't made that appt yet...

I am pretty sure with my dry eye issue that they will tell me I have it. The vitamin info in this thread is positive.

Good luck to ya redstatebluegirl.

[redstatebluegirl]

13. Thanks! It can't hurt to begin taking the supplements.

I get the Alreds II (Presservision) when they go on sale at Walgreens, buy one get one. There are also some coupons out there.