Two Years Stable and Holding!

Starting in 2015, my journey with Eylea injections began. I would see my specialist at Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Clinic and regale him with my research and my progressive attempts to get a handle on my wet AMD. I must admit he was impressed that I had found Professor Hugh Taylor's work on Aborigines' super vision (<40 yrs) and how their eyes/brain are supposedly wired.

Signing up for clinical trials

I signed up for every clinical trial tissue sample test that came across my path. More than once, I am sitting in an exam chair and a resident pops his head in the door and asks if I would donate eye tissue during the injection. You'd best believe I signed that form.

Doing all I can

For every gain we can make in eye medicine, it's a win for all of us. I kept charts on vitamin and food intake, seeing if it would make a difference. Yes, I gobbled down AREDS and Lutein as soon as I read the studies out of Emory. I stained my butcher block table with greens and beets, trying to consume fresh veggies that would help improve my eyes. I prayed. I got on everyone's prayer list, and yet every month I would get an injection.

Receiving monthly injections, then spacing them out

I will admit the first 2 years were like a roller coaster of emotions. I mean, I was working overtime to help my eyes and yet, I was still getting monthly injections — would the retina ever heal, stabilize?

After 2 years, the eye stabilized and my appointments were moved out to every 8 weeks.

A diagnosis of glaucoma

Adding to the AMD appointments were glaucoma checks since I was diagnosed with wide-angle glaucoma. With this diagnosis, I added a new set of specialists monitoring the eyes.

Adopting a more positive outlook

I also changed my outlook and started appreciating colors and beautiful natural moments more in my life. I started looking at sunsets and appreciating the array of colors.

No eye bleeds since 2023

Starting in 2020, I had a change in specialists, and the new one stated we needed to focus solely on fluid buildup — bleeders — and not trying to heal scarred areas. We went to 12-week intervals and no bleeding occurred.

In June 2023, I had my last injection. Why? Because my retina stabilized and I had no bleeding/fluid buildup.

If we see any changes, the injections will restart

I have scarring that has not experienced any changes and am monitored every 8 weeks with computerized ophthalmic imaging performed along with pressure and vision testing. Should things change, I know an injection will be given and the clock restarts.

Hoping for medical breakthroughs

I refuse to say that I am going to lose my vision, which is 20/25 in the affected wet AMD eye. Instead, I am very optimistic in retinal medical breakthroughs. Within the next decade, I hope that we see: stem cell therapy for the eyes being stable and safe; a long-term injection that exceeds 6 months; and a topical solution that is FDA-approved.

Vision care has so many talented scientists and medical professionals constantly looking for new, improved treatment protocols, and as one impacted by 2 vision issues, I am looking forward to seeing and experiencing good vision into my 90s.