Macular Degeneration Progression

By Godwin

1 min read

My eye doctor recognized drusen or aging spots in my eyes when I was about 60. He sent me to an ophthalmologist who knew about the research that led to Preservision. That specialist prescribed me a mix of vitamins, etc. that was already showing results in slowing dry AMD in a significant number of people that helped them avoid Wet-AMD for a number of years.

Noticed a change in vision

About 10 years after my dry AMD diagnosis, I noticed a marked decrease in the sharpness of my vision and went right to my eye specialist. He diagnosed wet AMD with no hope other than slowing my path to legal blindness, even though peripheral vision would likely remain to some degree.

Fortunately, the cold laser machine was broken before I was to have my first treatment. Fortuitously, that delay let me still meet the criteria for a just-announced Lucentis study seeking patients.

I still see well in both eyes

I fit the criteria and had three injections in my right eye in 3 months. And what had been legal blindness of something like 20/200+ turned to about 20/35 or better. Last Friday, I received about my 150th injection; and I still see well in both eyes, but better in my left, untreated eye.

From age 69 to 85, my vision and productive lifestyle have found rescue in Lucentis and with a few anti-VEGF injections of another brand. I'm grateful--and also faithful to stay with my injections.

How has your vision progressed?

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Linda Hoopes Moderator
For sure, everyone’s experience is different. I, too, had dry AMD & took Presser Vision for years but did not have the same outcome. My doctor told me eye vitamins MAY help up to 25% so I took them. My vision continues to decrease. Neither mine - nor my mother’s - ever turned wet. Evidently, fewer than 10% of dry AMD turns wet. Although there is no cure, I’m hopeful with the recent studies for dry AMD. Finally they are starting to do more studies on dry AMD, which the majority of us have. Thank you for sharing your personal experience. Linda Hoopes, Advocate
Brown Eyed Girl Moderator
<inline-mention username="Godwin" user-id="4550509"/> I'm very glad you shared your story. It is encouraging to others to hear how well you've managed to retain your vision with the Lucentis injections. My father had Lucentis shots until he was 97 and he retained enough vision to function independently as far as his sight was concerned. I take the AREDs2 supplements, too. With one parent having dry amd, and the other having wet, I need all the help I can get. So far (eight years) my progression has been slow. I hope things continue to go well for you. Warm wishes, Wendy, Advocate.
Godwin Member
Winding Wendy, you're a winner! Way to go. June 30, 2006 was when Lucentis got the FDA Approval, about noon. My retina specialist had asked me to be with him for a TV interview; and I got both interviewed and examined and was on a metro TV station that night. I love for folks like you to give things straight as they can. Others, still, often give anecdotal information as if it were the gospel--not yoou. But mostly dry vs wet confusion. 
1. Brown Eyed Girl Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Godwin" user-id="4550509"/> thank you. I speak from my personal experience, and I know that each case is individual, so we can't give any medical advice at all. But I think it's great that we can hear each others' stories. It widens our knowledge base on the whole condition, and we just might pick up something extra to ask our doctors about. You were a tv star for a day! And for such a great purpose! Warm wishes, Wendy, Advocate.

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