DRUG HELPS RESTORE SIGHT: Relief for wet macular degeneration (miracle alert!)

South Florida Sun-Sentinel via MontereyHerald.com ^ | 8/5/2006 | NANCY MCVICAR

[bitt]

i am praying for some good news for you tomorrow.

[grey_whiskers]

Some research is being done in animals using embryonic stem cells in the hope of being able to grow replacement tissue that will restore sight, but experts said clinical trials in humans are likely years away.

Typical know-nothing vermin. Try adult stem cells.

No cheers, unfortunately.

[grey_whiskers]

Your tagline did NOT go with your photo in post #20.

The photo is fine, please change the tagline.

Cheers!

[Coldwater Creek]

Thanks, so much.

U am also having my evalation for my second catarac surgery .

Maria

[codercpc]

This article hits home for me also. Not that I will benefit in any way, but the hope of treatment for sufferers.

I am 37 years old, and 2 weeks ago, I was diagnosed with normal tension open angle glaucoma. In my left eye I have already lost some sight, in my right eye, it seems to be in the preglaucoma stage. To say the least, for the past two weeks, my thoughts have been constantly on the idea of being blind in the coming years. So any hope for anyone is a plus to me.

[Coldwater Creek]

My husband has had glacoma for many years. He is blind for the most part now. He can see light and some movement.

Medical technology is so good now, that if you will just do what the Dr. says and be really faithful with your meds, the prospect of having a long eyesight lifetime is great.

I don't know where you live, but get yourself to the best specialist that you you can find.
My husband is 71 and has had a host of other eye problems not glacoma related. So, you should be in good shape. One other thing, if you have children have them tested often as this is a hereditary disease. The good thing is that our children are in their forties and no sign.
If I can be of any help in any way feel free to freepmail me.

[EyeGuy]

Hopefully in your left eye you had only minimally lost peripheral vision. That is the case with many of my early glaucoma patients; we are able to arrest progression of the disease before additional peripheral vision is lost. The all important central vision is of course, in glaucoma the very last thing to be affected. It sounds like you are a LONG way from that happening.

These days, with timely and proper care it is rare for patients to lose their sight entirely from glaucoma. NTG formerly was somewhat of a more unusual diagnosis than it is today. Technology had advanced and has allowed us to obtain a much greater understanding of early damage to susceptible anatomy of the eye.

Obviously, I do not know the particulars of your case, but if you follow your doctor's instructions, chances are you will suffer no additional vision loss.

The post below yours suggests that you seek the best specialist you can find. Quite frankly, in the vast majority of cases, that is wholly unnecessary, as nearly all glaucoma cases can be efficiently and successfully managed by an optometrist or general ophthalmologist. A responsible doctor will certainly refer you for more specialized care if your case is a complicated one.

Best wishes on your future ocular health.

[EyeGuy]

"Medical technology is so good now, that if you will just do what the Dr. says and be really faithful with your meds, the prospect of having a long eyesight lifetime is great."

That is absolutely correct.

We can thank God for some significant technological advances that have provided us much greater insight into early damage from the elevated pressure (or sometimes, so-called normal pressure), of glaucoma. These same technologies also allow us to much better MONITOR for progression of the disease.

[codercpc]

Thank you for your reply, I am now medicated eye drops, and the advice you gave is almost identical to that of my optometrist. My NTG was diagnosed through the GtX? screening, and with no other risk factors, (including having normal IOP's) no family hx, etc. I am one of the lucky ones.

For all others Freepers reading this, please get screened. It takes only a few seconds, is not in anyway invasive, and is very inexpensive. It literally maps the thickness of your optic nerves and compares it to the rest of the population in your age, gender, and ethnic group. If it comes back normal, that's it, if not you then advance to other tests, and it could save your eyesight by catching it early.

[FreeKeys]

While I have no doubt these drug therapies work for many people, I'm dismayed that so few doctors demand their patients with failing eyesight ALSO take vitamins A, C, E, amino-acid-chelated zinc, beta carotene and lutein. Some should also benefit from the herbs eyebright, bilberry, gotu kola, pycnogenol and possibly, grape seed extract.

D'oh! Almost forgot: American MDs have taken no more than 5 hours of nutrition classes in med school, if any at all, while they're subjected to dozens and dozens of presentations by pharma reps every year. I musta forgot to take my memory pills...

[FreeKeys]

vitamins A, C, E, amino-acid-chelated zinc, beta carotene and lutein. Some should also benefit from the herbs eyebright, bilberry, gotu kola, pycnogenol and possibly, grape seed extract.

And the amino acids taurine and glutathione.

[TomasUSMC]

Gooseberry any good? I thought the chinese were doing something with it.

[FreeKeys]

Apparently so! And I hadn't even known about it until your question prompted me to look it up. In fact, it seems to be a good all-around anti-oxidant and free radical scavenger. See: http://snipurl.com/uvid

[NavyCanDo]

I got some bad news from my Optometrist at my annual eye exam last week. He has spotted the early stages of Macular Degeneration in my right eye. Up until the visit I had no clue what the disease was.

So far taking using the eye exam for it, I have symptoms. Can anyone tell me how fast it progresses? I am 48, and dang I don’t want to lose vision this early, even if it is only one eye.

He did suggest adding dark leafy vegetables to my diet ,like spinach.