Two years ago today - June 20th

Pinky said:
I have a friend in NYC who has had macular degeneration for a very long time. She gets shots for it. Hopefully, this can also help with your situation, Deb.
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I'm sure the doctor will let me know when that time is. Do you happen to know the name of the medication? Thanks for that info.
 

I only know that hers was dry, not wet .. also, I don't recall how often. Unfortunately, we are no longer in touch.

There is a fair amount on info online.
 
VintageBetter said:
I'm sorry. That's really tough to deal with. Do you mind saying what your symptoms were?
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It started with a black area along the bottom of my vision. Not knowing what was happening, I waited hoping it was something that would resolve on its own. The next day the bottom half of the vision in that eye was black, so I went to an urgent care. They told me what it was and said there was nothing they could do and referred me to a hospital ER.

By that time it was night and with compromised vision, I didn't want to drive to an ER, so I waited to the next morning when all the vision I had was a narrow band in the upper field of vision. All the hospital did was refer me to a retinal specialist, then it was a week before they could schedule the surgery. So it was 9 days from occurrence to the first surgery which is probably why it detached again. It also detached after the second surgery. After that they put oil behind the eye and it's still there. The surgeon said it helping hold the retina in place, although my vision is very bad in that eye.

My greatest fear is that it will happen in the right eye - then I will have some real trouble. The vision test I had this week indicated I have 20/40 vision in the right eye with a corrective lens.
 
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In my area the bus transit system offers very inexpensive rides for the disabled within 5 miles to doctor appointments. I'll bet if your doctor completes the DMV form you can get a handicapped parking sticker for your car, and might also help you qualify for any transit services for the disabled.

Do you ever use Uber, Lyft or a taxi? In my area the Community Center offers big discounts for taxi rides for Seniors. I think it's only for doctor appointments though. Both Uber and Lyft have become quite expensive these days. It's about $10 for 3 to 5 miles where I live. Quite pricey, IMO.

I wonder if you could qualify for any home health care aid? My late brother qualified for that and someone came to help him with cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping about once a week. You should see if you can get that status. Surely you can if the other eye goes out.
 
Pinky said:
I only know that hers was dry, not wet .. also, I don't recall how often. Unfortunately, we are no longer in touch.
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Rats! I got so excited to hear that you had friend NYC. Immediately hoped you might visit her, then WE could meet!!
 
VintageBetter said:
In my area the bus transit system offers very inexpensive rides for the disabled within 5 miles to doctor appointments. I'll bet if your doctor completes the DMV form you can get a handicapped parking sticker for your car, and might also help you qualify for any transit services for the disabled.

Do you ever use Uber, Lyft or a taxi? In my area the Community Center offers big discounts for taxi rides for Seniors. I think it's only for doctor appointments though. Both Uber and Lyft have become quite expensive these days. It's about $10 for 3 to 5 miles where I live. Quite pricey, IMO.

I wonder if you could qualify for any home health care aid? My late brother qualified for that and someone came to help him with cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping about once a week. You should see if you can get that status. Surely you can if the other eye goes out
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Living in a semi-rural area of upstate NY, there are few transportation options. I don't believe I qualify for an aide either financially or physically since I can see fairly well in the right eye, maybe, like you mentioned, if I develop a problem in the other eye.
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Pepper said:
Rats! I got so excited to hear that you had friend NYC. Immediately hoped you might visit her, then WE could meet!!
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My friend was someone I met on another forum, many many years ago. She stopped communicating when her sight became compromised. She's 91, and quite a character.

I have visited NYC a couple of times, though many many years ago. There's no place like it :)
 
Pinky said:
My friend was someone I met on another forum, many many years ago. She stopped communicating when her sight became compromised. She's well into her 90's, and quite a character.

I have visited NYC a couple of times, though many many years ago. There's no place like it :)
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How interesting. I am friendly with a character who is 96! Wouldn't it be nice if........nah! Too much of a coincidence!
 
I just looked her up, and changed her age in my previous post. Her details are online. She's 91. I don't know for sure, but, wouldn't be surprised if she is still giving tours of her synagogue.

For some reason, New Yorkers seem to have a lot of chutzpah!
 
debodun said:
A life changing event - retinal detachment in left eye. Three surgeries and I might as well be blind in that eye because all I see are blurry patches. I was at the surgeon's office earlier this week and she said I am starting to develop macular degeneration, but "Nothing to worry about at this time."
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I get a needle injection with Lutein in my right eye every two months for macular ( mine was wet, the worst kind) and it does a good job of keeping it clear. You can also take pills with Lutein on a daily basis to help stop the degeneration.

LUTEIN: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews
 
debodun said:
Pills seem better than injections.
Cross my heart and hope to die.
Stick a needle in my eye.
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The needle is used for advanced macular which I have thanks to six months of chemotherapy.

Within a year of the chemo I had needed cataracts done and got the wet macular.
My eye specialist was absolutely flabbergasted.

If I were you I would start taking the vitamin pill since you are already showing signs of it.
You are nowhere near the needle status.
 
My optometrist recommended Areds2.

  • 500 mg of vitamin C.
  • 400 IU of vitamin E.
  • 2 mg of copper (cupric oxide)
  • 80 mg of zinc.
  • 10 mg of lutein.
  • 2 mg of zeaxanthin.
 
debodun said:
By that you mean Lutein?
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The pill does contain Lutein......Vitalux 5mg and Areds2 10mg which @Jules has just posted.

Vitalux has exactly half of the same ingredients which a friend of mine takes regularly
as the the other ingredients and coating in Areds2 were not agreeing with her.

For me it was too late for right eye but Doc suggested I take for left eye which is in normal stage for my age.
 

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