About Age Related Macular Degeneration, Wet and Dry

SeaBreeze

SeaBreeze

Endlessly Groovin'
Location
USA
My vision has been getting worse in my old age. For years I just used over the counter readers, and the eye doctor said that was just fine. Several years ago they said I had the beginning signs of cataracts and macular degeneration, but nothing that needed to be addressed.

Two years ago, I posted about it here, I got my first pair of prescription glasses. They were Progressives, and I struggled to get used to them and it was a big strain on my eyes, so I switched to a bifocal for computer and reading only, since my distance vision wasn't bad at all. I haven't been happy with these either, there is distortion in the lens and blur.

Yesterday I had an eye exam, and my doctor told me my cataracts haven't gotten any worse at all, but my macular degeneration has progressed. I currently have the Dry, since there is no bleeding. He said there is no treatment for the Dry, to just keep taking the vitamins that I have been taking. The one good thing he said was he was impressed with my optic nerves, they looked good and strong.

He gave me a new prescription. My vision has worsened in the past couple of years, I wonder if it had to do with wearing these types of glasses. Anyhow, I ordered a separate pair of glasses for each prescription, one for general distance in a supermarket or around the house (not needed for driving), one for computer and one for reading. Will get them in a few weeks and hopefully the eye strain will be lessened without a multi prescription lens.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the top cause of vision loss in people over 50. Dry AMD can lead to gradual visual impairment, while wet AMD tends to cause rapid vision loss. People with AMD lose their central vision and can’t see things directly in front of them. AMD doesn’t cause total blindness, but it can greatly affect everyday life.

More than 10 million Americans have macular degeneration. It’s the leading cause of vision loss. The disease affects more people than cataracts and glaucoma combined

There are two types of AMD:
  • Dry (atrophic): Up to 90% of people with macular degeneration have the dry form. It develops when tiny yellow protein deposits called drusen form under the macula. The built-up deposits dry and thin the macula. Vision loss with the dry form tends to occur gradually. Most people don’t completely lose central vision. Rarely, the dry form leads to the wet form.
  • Wet (exudative): This condition occurs when abnormal blood vessels develop under the retina and macula. The blood vessels leak blood and fluid (a condition called choroidal neovascularization, or CNV). Because of fluid buildup, a bulge forms in the macula. You may see dark spots in your center of vision. About 15% of people with macular degeneration have the wet form. This type is more severe. It can quickly lead to total loss of central vision.
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https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15246-age-related-macular-degeneration
 

My old Dad had MD in his later years, and it really hampered his ability to get around...no driving, etc. As a result, years ago, I mentioned that to my eye doctor, and he recommended a daily Fish Oil capsule, and a 6MG Lutein pill. I began taking these every day after breakfast, and so far, so good. I had my annual eye exam last week, and the Macula seems to be doing ok. Another good option is taking a daily Preservision Areds 2, which contains these ingredients, and a couple of others...my wife takes that.

I'm going back to regular bifocals, instead of the progressive lens I've been using for the past few years. I find myself having to bob my head up and down with the progressives, so I'll try the regular bi-focals this time. The eye doctor also said I should consider cataract surgery, so I may think of getting that done after the first of the year.
 

Don M. said:
My old Dad had MD in his later years, and it really hampered his ability to get around...no driving, etc. As a result, years ago, I mentioned that to my eye doctor, and he recommended a daily Fish Oil capsule, and a 6MG Lutein pill. I began taking these every day after breakfast, and so far, so good. I had my annual eye exam last week, and the Macula seems to be doing ok. Another good option is taking a daily Preservision Areds 2, which contains these ingredients, and a couple of others...my wife takes that.

I'm going back to regular bifocals, instead of the progressive lens I've been using for the past few years. I find myself having to bob my head up and down with the progressives, so I'll try the regular bi-focals this time. The eye doctor also said I should consider cataract surgery, so I may think of getting that done after the first of the year.
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Thanks Don for your reply. I've been taking Lutein and Omega 3 fish oil for many years now. I don't take the Alreds, but I take each vitamin in that formula. I reviewed all the beneficial eye vitamins I am taking with the doctor, and he said my routine sounded great, to keep it up. I don't think my parents had this, but they did wear glasses as they aged. I think part of my problem was going with no eye protection for many years in my youth, like sunglasses or hats..I would have been more careful with my eyes and skin if I knew then what I know now, too late to change that, can just move forward.
 
Any chance that you also have dry eyes? It’s very common. I thought because my eyes were watering a lot that I didn’t have it. My RS said I need drops for dry eyes. Not sure that they help but they do may my eyes feel better when I put them in.
 
Oh dear SeaBreeze, I am saddened to read this, eyesight is precious
and needs to be maintained if possible!

I haven't had new glasses for about 8 years now and the reason
is that I use, Photo Bio Modulation Therapy (PBMT), you have seen
my posts about this subject and it is so unbelievable that many don't
believe that it works, but it does.

March 2020, I was speaking to a cousin of mine who had to sell his
taxi business because he was going blind, I told him about the UCL,
University College London, findings about the red light therapy, they
state that staring at a deep red light for 3 minutes per day will help
to improve your eyesight, link below.

My cousin decided to try it, a couple of months ago he posted a
picture on Facebook of him driving a Golf Buggy in St Andrews,
where he was also playing golf, you have to drive on the public
roads up there with a buggy.

Here are some links that I would like you to read as they will give
you hope that there is a solution!

UCL Report Here.

An American site about Macular Degeneration and Red Light.

A suitable lamp from Amazon, also in America

I am hoping that this helps.

Mike.
 
My dry Macular Degeneration was discovered about 6 years ago when I had cataract surgery, I take the Areds 2 daily....I think my eyesight is getting worse but not too bad, I need to go have it checked but keep putting it off....sorry to hear you have it Seabreeze, hopefully yours will be the very slow progressing type like mine...

MD definitely runs in my family.
 
Jules said:
Any chance that you also have dry eyes? It’s very common. I thought because my eyes were watering a lot that I didn’t have it. My RS said I need drops for dry eyes. Not sure that they help but they do may my eyes feel better when I put them in.
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I don't officially have dry eye, but I do have seasonal allergies like hay fever that have always made my eyes itchy and red. For years I've been using Refresh Optive drops and Refresh Tears in he evening. Doctor said that's a good choice. Thanks Jules.
 
Jackie23 said:
My dry Macular Degeneration was discovered about 6 years ago when I had cataract surgery, I take the Areds 2 daily....I think my eyesight is getting worse but not too bad, I need to go have it checked but keep putting it off....sorry to hear you have it Seabreeze, hopefully yours will be the very slow progressing type like mine...

MD definitely runs in my family.
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Thank you Jackie. 💚 I''m glad your progression is slow, that is the only thing to hope for.
 
SeaBreeze said:
Injection treatment for Wet Macular Degeneration, I know someone asked about this in the cataract thread here.

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That's the exact way I get my shot in the right eye for wet M.D. Been doing it for 7 years now. My Dr brought my vision from 20/80 back to 20/25 by changing to different shots at times. I usually go 7 weeks between shots. I never feel a thing.
 

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