I Was a Carpenter

By Nick

1 min read

I bent over to pick up my saw and when I stood, my vision went solid gray. It lasted only seconds before my sight returned. I went to get the diagnosis of wet-type AMD, both eyes.

With the injections over the past 2 years, I finally have been given the all-clear. No bleeding and the macula is laying flat, and he increased the injections to every 3 months.

What is your AMD story?

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Sharon Moore Moderator
<inline-mention username="Nick" user-id="4133285"/> That must’ve been a very scary moment when you’ve bent over and your vision went gray. I’m glad that the injections have been successful treating your wet macular degeneration. It’s really nice when the visits for injection can be extended. I hope you continue to do very well in the future. Thanks for sharing, Sharon Moore Advocate
Nick Member
Fortunately, I don't scare easily. I started to ignore it since it was so hot that day, but wisdom took over and I stopped on the way home at a optometrist. He did the exam for glasses and then cleared his throat. He didn't give me the bad news, but he told me to go to Brown Retina Institute ASAP. Dr. Brown then gave me the news and told me about the shots and the Preservision vitamins. That was when scared came into play...a needle in both eyes...made me pucker just imagining it. At any rate, 2 and 1/2 years later, my sight was saved, but somewhat dimmer. Do these injections stop the progression or just delay the inevitable? 
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Nick" user-id="4133285"/> every case is different. The studies show improvement in vision in a third of cases. <a href='https://www.aao.org/eye-health/drugs/anti-vegf-treatments' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.aao.org/eye-health/drugs/anti-vegf-treatments</a> It works well in most cases to slow down the progression. Many in the community report good vision after years of treatment. My sister has wet AMD for ten years and still has 20/30 vision. It’s important to remember there is reason to hope new treatments may result from clinical trials. Best wishes, Sharon Moore Advocate
Nick Member
I would be interested in participating in a trial if you know of any near San Antonio, Texas.
Brown Eyed Girl Moderator
<inline-mention username="Nick" user-id="4133285"/> I have dry macular degeneration and I recently had the same experience as you, in that the sight in my eyes totally went gray. It happened twice. Both times I had just got out of bed in the night to go to the bathroom. I went to my retinal specialist and had a thorough examination. There was nothing showing except my dry amd. In my case they tested my blood pressure and I had my carotid arteries checked by ultrasound. All was good. We are all different, but I just mention this because you are the first person I have heard who has had this experience before. Best wishes, Wendy, Advocate.
Nick Member
Proves just how different folks are. I had the good fortune of my sight going gray...otherwise, I wouldn't have known to have the eyes checked and have the problem diagnosed early. I have the wet type, which as off last appointment, has gone back to normal.
1. Brown Eyed Girl Moderator
 Yes, you were "lucky" in a way that you had that experience which sent you off to the doctor. It's very pleasing to hear that the shots have been successful for you and that your sight is back to normal. Best wishes, Wendy, Advocate.
Nick Member
Thank you! I hope your journey goes as well. Maybe when things get back to normal with this nation and the world, the science will again try to find a cure for this dreadful condition