posted on April 11, 2007 11:03:00 AM
I saw the last few seconds of a feature about a new eye treatment. It was an older man talking about how he had had only 20% vision in one eye and after the treatment, he now has about 90%. I know it was NBC and it MIGHT have been on the Today Show. Did anyone see it? My mother has macular degeneration that has been stabilized. I think that is all they are normally able to do. But if there is a treatment now where your can regain a part of the vision in that eye, I would like to hear more. I searched the Today Show on their website and can't turn up the article. Anyone else see this news spot? It was on either Monday or Tuesday morning. Thank you!
posted on April 11, 2007 12:24:20 PM
If it is what one of my customers had done, I can only swear that it's a miracle. I'm afraid that I don't remember the details (wet/dry macular?).
When he first came in, I needed to point to the line where he had to sign the contract, and almost had to guide his hand there. He could barely walk around without bumping into things.
When he came back, he DROVE himself to the shop. It really was nothing short of miraculous.
posted on April 11, 2007 01:21:00 PM
Thank you, Lucy! I think that is it. What is odd though is my Mom was given a shot of Lucentis in that eye. When I took her back in for her second check up on it, she told the doctor that she thought she could see a little better. He never answered her! I thought he probably figured it was her imagination. She probably does see better out of that eye now. Can't wait to tell her that she isn't crazy! Thanks so much!
posted on April 11, 2007 01:23:13 PM
Some thoughts:
ARMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration) is a real heart-breaker, but, if you think it through, if ya had to lose a portion of one's vision, tis the better evil to lose the CENTRAL VISION (as in ARMD) as opposed to losing one's PERIPHERAL VISION...
Why? Well, if ya lose yer CENTRAL VISION, yes, you do lose yer ability to READ -- think of a smear of vaseline dead center in yer glasses...Real mess, RIGHT?
BUT! And this is a BIG BUT! YOU STILL CAN WALK AROUND! because yer PERIPHERAL VISION is intact!
There are nasty conditions (such as RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA) which destroy yer PERIPHERAL VISION & leave ya cripled--virtually unable to walk around without a cane...
So...Thankfully...ARMD oftentimes progresses SLOWLY, but leaves yer PERIPHERAL VISION intact, leaves yer ability to walk around essentially OK...
Last time I read the literature, the last theory was that if one has a history of tobacco smoking sometime in one's past, one has a SIGNIFICANT probability of developing ARMD in one's later years...
After 20 years of pushing VITAMINS on ophthalmology patients, the last studies kinda dumped on the benefits -- I don't think OPHTHALMOLOGISTS are all that GUNG-HO on OCCUVITE, etc, anymore...
Anyhoo: tis important to have a DILATED EYE EXAM at least upon one's 50th birthday, and a GREAT IDEA to keep an AMSLER GRID taped to the FRIDGE for a quick daily check of one's central vision (INDIVIDUALLY, please), looking not only for BLIND SPOTS, but also for ANY DISTORTIONS, wavey lines, etc...
posted on April 11, 2007 01:37:10 PM
Very helpful information, Tom!
I think I saw that segment on TV, and as I recall they said the "dry" macular degeneration is treatable but the "wet" type is much tougher or nearly impossible. Not sure I'm remembering that right.
_____________________
Dogs have owners, cats have staff.
posted on April 11, 2007 01:39:20 PM
Hi Tom! I think that is a great idea about having the eye grid on your refrigerator. Mom never smoked but Dad smoked like a steam engine. We've heard about the connection to macular degeneration and she has repeatedly told my brother that he can't smoke in her house. The ass still comes in asking for an ashtray. Some people are morons.
My Dad's sister has had macular degeneration for several years and has no problem cooking or playing cards. She just figures if she wants to do it that she'll find a way to do it.
posted on April 11, 2007 01:41:00 PM
Well, "dry" cannot be treated by laser surgery...The OPHTHALMOLOGIST watches and hopes that a FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAPHY don't show "leaks" -- which is far more serious & requires treatment with the laser...
posted on April 11, 2007 01:45:27 PM
They used the lazer on Mom's eye to cauterize? the leaky blood vessels. It has been staying dry with just one lazer treatment. She has only had one shot of the Lucentis. I don't know if they will do more of them since it has stopped leaking. I understand that the shot wasn't as bad as it sounded. Her eye ached the rest of the day just a little, but bufferin took care of that.
