Wet Macular Degeneration

[WEDWDW]

My Uncle has been diagnosed with this condition in his right eye.

Does anyone have any experience in dealing with this condition-treatment options,etc.?

Thanks.

 

[macraven]

wet is rarer and more severe
but more treatable than dry

I take daily drops for mine

 

[Skippy918]

My grandma had it. her’s progressed and she was nearly blind. But she was also in her late 90s.

 

[AustinTink]

My mom had it. She was almost fully blind when she passed. Now they have eye injections that really help with MD. My aunt gets them and it has saved her vision.

 

[WEDWDW]

He has already lost some central vision.

Am I correct that this lost vision cannot be fully or even partially restored but treatments may stop or significantly slow progression.

 

[AustinTink]

He has already lost some central vision.

Am I correct that this lost vision cannot be fully or even partially restored but treatments may stop or significantly slow progression.

That is correct.

 

[WEDWDW]

He got his first injection and did well with it.

He goes back in a month for a second injection.

Is that the usual pattern-once a month indefinitely?

He also was told he has Dry MD in his left eye.

Would having injections in his right eye prevent it from progressing to Wet MD?

 

[rndmr2]

My MIL has been getting the injections in her Left Eye for about 12 or 13 years. She goes about every 5 or 6 weeks. She has it in her Right eye now too, has been getting them for about a year or less. It has really helped her and greatly slowed progression; she is still able to drive at this point. She is 78.

 

[Simba's Mom]

My DH has dry macular degeneration and he sees an ophthalmologist every 6 months to have his condition followed and possibly changed. His mother has wet macular degeneration and has had injections for several years. But she's in her mid-90s, and has dementia now, so assessing her progression is not easy. Fortunately DH just takes a non-prescription eye vitamin (Areds or Areds II) and the ophthalmologist hasn't found any progression of his symptoms in several years.

 

[WEDWDW]

My MIL has been getting the injections in her Left Eye for about 12 or 13 years. She goes about every 5 or 6 weeks. She has it in her Right eye now too, has been getting them for about a year or less. It has really helped her and greatly slowed progression; she is still able to drive at this point. She is 78.

Thanks,that is encouraging.

The Dr. even told him there is a chance,although not a guarantee by any means,he could even see a little improvement with the injections.

 

[WEDWDW]

My DH has dry macular degeneration and he sees an ophthalmologist every 6 months to have his condition followed and possibly changed. His mother has wet macular degeneration and has had injections for several years. But she's in her mid-90s, and has dementia now, so assessing her progression is not easy. Fortunately DH just takes a non-prescription eye vitamin (Areds or Areds II) and the ophthalmologist hasn't found any progression of his symptoms in several years.

He has started taking this for his left eye.

He had never heard of Areds before.

I wonder why it is not recommended to all people past a certain age that they should start taking them as a preventative measure.

Could that possibly stop DRY MD from starting in the first place?

 

[AustinTink]

He had never heard of Areds before.

I wonder why it is not recommended to all people past a certain age that they should start taking them as a preventative measure.

Could that possibly stop DRY MD from starting in the first place?

AREDS are sold over the counter. Brand names are Occuvite and Preservision among others. Because my mother had MD my doctor recommends that I and my siblings take AREDS as a preventative measure. It can’t hurt.

 

[Simba's Mom]

He has started taking this for his left eye.

He had never heard of Areds before.

I wonder why it is not recommended to all people past a certain age that they should start taking them as a preventative measure.

Could that possibly stop DRY MD from starting in the first place?

AREDS are sold over the counter. Brand names are Occuvite and Preservision among others. Because my mother had MD my doctor recommends that I and my siblings take AREDS as a preventative measure. It can’t hurt.

You guys have me thinking about that now. Although I realize that there's no genetic link with MD, I am "of a certain age".

 

[AustinTink]

You guys have me thinking about that now. Although I realize that there's no genetic link with MD, I am "of a certain age".

It’s weird that it isn’t considered genetic. Both my mom and her mother had it.

 

[lanejudy]

DH has diabetic retinopathy, which is similar to wet AMD. He's had 4 injections this year about 6 weeks apart. His first injection was excruciatingly painful for the first 24 hours, the follow-ups haven't been any problem. The doctor also did a couple of laser treatments interspersed with the injections. The laser treatments may not be common for wet AMD, but it negates the need for regular injections. He goes back in a couple of months to make sure all is well, and hoping he's done with treatments for a while.

 

[WEDWDW]

You guys have me thinking about that now. Although I realize that there's no genetic link with MD, I am "of a certain age".

With eyesight being so critical,I just remain surprised that Doctors don't at least mention AREDS to ALL their Patients routinely.

 

[lanejudy]

With eyesight being so critical,I just remain surprised that Doctors don't at least mention AREDS to ALL their Patients routinely.

Because there isn't any proven benefit to taking it prophylactically unless the patient already has an issue. That doesn't mean it won't benefit someone who takes it in that manner, but to routinely suggest everyone over a certain age take it "just because" would not be good practice.