By admin (Admin) on Tuesday, October 10, 2000 - 08:58 am:
Posted by Lisa on August 30, 2000 at 20:10:40:
Hi, My mother has dry MD which is worse in one eye. It hasn't progressed much sincce it was discovered about 6 years ago. However, in the eye which isn't as affected by the MD she has developed a cataract, which has gotten to the point where it is really affecting her daily life (which has always involved alot of reading, sewing, etc.) Her ophthmalologist said he wanted to wait as long as possible to operate on the cataract, because he'd had another dry MD patient who hemorrhaged & lost all sight in his eye after having a cataract removed. Does anybody out there have any experience with this? It's driving her crazy, because if there was a problem, then she'd have only the eye that's more affected by MD left. Any help will be greatly appreciated!!

By Anonymous on Wednesday, October 25, 2000 - 11:48 am:

My dad basically has the same problem except the eye with the cataract does not have MD and his doctor is afraid that once he removes the cataract MD will begin.

Is there a specialist I can talk to who specializes in dry MD patients and the removal of cataracts? I live in Alabama but travel anywhere to get the help my dad needs.

By Anonymous on Wednesday, March 14, 2001 - 02:42 pm:

My dad has Macular Degeneration in both eyes. He is 77 years old and is almost blind. What if anything is new that could possibly help him to see better at the very least.

He thought he heard of a new treatment, but did not catch who or where to inquire.

Please help!

By Anonymous on Thursday, May 10, 2001 - 08:47 pm:

My dad is 82 years old and has been diagnosed with MD the wet kind just recently March 2001. He had had a cataract removed in 1998 which improved his sight. He is only sighted in one eye. He had lost the vision in that eye as a result of childhood measles. He is going to undergo the Photodynamic Treatment in Will's Eye Hospital on May 11,2001. Of course he is very concerned. He is such a funloving active person and this has really hampered his mobility. He cannot drive anymore, cannot read the newspaper or basically handle his bill writing or other correspondence. His prognosis is not good, they have said there won't be an improvement of what was lost, but rather a halt to further progression of vision loss. Has anyone heard of someone who has undergone this treatment? What have been the side effects if any? What kind of vision aides are available to help his central vision loss? Will reading ever be possible again?

By steph-ken on Sunday, December 02, 2001 - 09:37 pm:

3/12
Hi! My Mother is 83, has had macular degeneration for some years, it is now getting worse. Her eye surgeon thinks operating on her cataracts dangerous, so she is thinking of what she can do in a dietary way. She has a reasonably good dietary intake, could be better in the fish/veg line. Does anyone have any brilliant suggestions? Mum does not get a daily paper any more, but can read a little, and as yet does not have problems with banking etc., but I fear this is going to become a worry for her. I look forward to any suggestions. Thank you. Stephanie Cocks. South Australia.

By RAY TITUS on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 07:50 pm:

I'LL BE PRAYING FOR ALL THE ABOVE, AS WELL AS FOR MY OLDER SISTER. LET'S ALL HOPE FOR MAJOR BREAKTHROUGHS SOON.

By SOULSWINDOW on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 11:18 am:

HELLO ALL, MY MOTHER HAS ALSO JUST BEEN TOLD SHE HAS MACULAR DEGN. AND OF COURSE IS MOST STRESSED ABOUT THIS. WE WANT TO HELP HER ALL WE CAN. AS I AM SURE YOU ALL FEEL, WE ARE ALSO SADDENED BY THIS TURN OF EVENTS AND ARE PRAYING FOR SOME HELP IN THIS DISEASE FOR ALL WHO SUFFER FROM IT. IT IS HARD ENOUGH GETTING OLDER, MUCH LESS ALL THE THINGS ONE CAN DO TO ENJOY THE LATER YEARS BE TAKEN AWAY....BUT WE HAVE HOPE AND ITS ALL WE CAN DO UNTIL THERE ARE MORE MEDICAL BREAK THROUGHS.....BEST REGARDS TO ALL OF YOU AND YOUR PERSON WITH THE DISEASE, GOD BE WITH YOU. RUTH

By Nationallowvision on Thursday, August 08, 2002 - 01:15 am:

August 6, 2002

For Immediate Release

National Low Vision
8209 SW 52nd Lane
Gainesville, FL 32608
1-888-820-1322


“TV Eyes” is helping the 20 million Americans with low vision conditions watch television, DVD’s, VCR tapes, and computer images without limitations.

Gainesville, FL, August 6, 2002 – National Low Vision has introduced “TV Eyes”. It is a state of the art technology to help visually impaired individuals access television, and all other video outputs. Of all the activities of daily living, watching television and movie videos has been one of the most frustrating task for people with Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, and all other types of visual impairments. “TV Eyes” is a head mounted display not much different than a pair of sunglasses. It will provide a display equal to that of a 62” inch monitor but in a portable package. The device can be used anywhere or anytime. This wireless component, complete with stereo audio output, provides ultimate freedom and independence.

“I have got to have it, this makes a world of difference, I have got to have it to watch TV and movies”, said Mary H. of Atlanta who has macular degeneration.
“This product, the TV Eyes, is a wonderful product that is improving the quality of life for millions of Americans that suffer from low vision” stated Christopher Cooley, M.D. University of Florida Ophthalmology Department.

A major obstacle for the visually impaired has been hurdled. National Low Vision and “TV Eyes” have made a giant step toward creating a more enjoyable and independent lifestyle for the visually impaired.

By Nancy Free on Wednesday, August 06, 2003 - 03:52 pm:

I have dry AMD in my left eye which also developed a cataract. I had the cataract removed.

Before the operation, the eye chart was a just fuzzy gray rectangle. I couldn't even see the big E at the top of the chart.

After cataract removal and lens implantation, I could read the E and the line below it. I had no retinal detachment and no problems afterwards. The vision in this eye has improved but, due to underlying AMD, it's not great.

My right (good) eye has a drusen (beginning of AMD) and recently developed a ripe cataract. I had difficulty reading road signs and required a magnifying glass to read and use the computer. I was miserable for several months.

I had the right eye operated on also (07/07/03) and a lens implanted. I can now see 20/20 (distance vision). For reading, a pair of drugstore reading glasses suffices.

It's essential to find an opthalmologist who is very experienced with this operation and to follow instructions faithfully as to taking eye drops to prevent swelling and infection.

Retinal detachment IS a possible side effect of cataract surgery, but it's not very common and if you can't see with the eye anyway, why hesitate? Any chance of improvement is better than none. Retinal detachment can often be fixed surgically.

By Lester Gediman on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 10:40 am:

I was diagnosed with dry AMD in my right eye about 8 years ago. It has slowly degraded from wavy lines in the Amsler grid to greater distortion of letters read only with my right 'bad' eye. With both eyes open I see very well, thank God. But less than 2 weeks ago, I noticed the central vision of the bad eye became dark and fuzzy. As my wife and I were planning a trip south in the near future, I made an appointment with my opthalmologist to evaluate my declining right eye vision. After his tests, he recommended seeing my retinist before we leave.

Three days later, the retinist gave me a new retinal exam. The last one he gave was only 4 months ago which showed no remarkable changes from the previous year. He ordered fluorescein angiographs taken the same day to confirm his evaluation that I’ll need surgery to 'correct' the newly discovered hole in my macula. Next Tuesday, he’ll give me his findings and recommendation after studying Thursday’s fluorescein angiographs and tell me whether the surgery will be needed, and when. He told me this week that surgery will include the injection of a gas bubble into the eye and I will have to keep my head down for a prolonged period of time. I thought he said 4-6 *weeks,* but most literature say much less time. Also no air travel for 3 months.

The retinist also said I’d need a cataract operation 2-3 weeks before his surgical procedure on the same eye. Has anyone heard that a cataract operation on the same eye is required as a prerequisite for his operation on the macula that includes a gas bubble. What’s strange is my opthalmologist told me several times, over the past 2-3 years, that I have a slight cataract in both my eyes, but never mentioned any urgency to remove them, even last Monday. The combination of two successive operations seems to me to be an extra stress on the eye, and doubled my chances for complications. Does anyone know if there is a dynamic inter-relationship between these two eye problems that require a double operation, i.e. a cataract operation first followed by macular surgery a few weeks later? Has anyone had it done in this manner and if so, what were the results and/or complications? BTW I’m 77 years old

I'd appreciate any information or suggestions from the readership of this outstanding and helpful bulletin board.

By Tacy West on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 06:21 pm:

Boy, reading these messages was helpful. I just got the diagonsis today. I do not know what kind of a progression of vision loss I can expect. Good doctor but she did not give me much info on what to expect in the future. Does anyone know how long it takes for the vision to get to it's worst? Also have a retinopathy problem plus the MD.
I am thinking of opening a new business and do not want to invest the cash if I will not be able to see to do my work.
Thank you all

By Anonymous on Wednesday, February 09, 2005 - 12:47 pm:

Has anyone had a laser treatment for dry macular called PTAMD. It is supposed to destroy Drusen.
I had the treatment in Florida three years ago and my vision is much improved.
I have moved to Virginia and I cannot find a doctor in the mid Atlantic states who gives this treatment.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

By Anonymous on Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 11:02 am:

My Father is 91. Last November he had his good eye operated on for cataracts and had an implant. One month later he had the cataracts taken of his MD eye. Everything was going great until his good eye was getting fuzzy and he needed a magnifing glass to do his crossword puzzles. We went to his eye doctor and was sent for ultra sound. They showed that he has a leaking retina, and now must travel to another province to have it looked at. Has anyone ever had lazer to fix a leaking retina and what is the success rate? This is really upsetting him because he thought once he had the surgery he would be fine. And if this is only a stop-gap measure he isn't sure if he wants to travel that distance for a temporary fix. And how long does this procedure take? Can it be done in one day?

By Alice on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 08:58 am:

Could those of you who had cataract surgery please tell me what kind of surgery was done that deteriorates into macular degeneration? Was it phacoemulsification? I am going to have that cataract surgery on my left eye in autumn this year. I have lost the central vision of my right eye due to severe AMD. I don't know if it is better to remove the cataract in its early stage though the doctor said that it will not affect AMD. On the other hand, I was afraid that if I don't remove the cataract, it will interfere with the PDT treatment in future in case I need to do it. Could someone enlighten me on this matter?

By Miki Bilinkoff on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 11:44 am:

I an scheduled to undergo cataract surgery shortly and my opthamologist has suggested I have a crystalens implant. Any information about this?

By Carlton Stoddard on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 01:16 am:

Carlton Stoddard, October 10, 2005
For the past two years I have been involved in a research study conducted by the University of Arizona Ophthalmology Department, headed by Dr. Robert Park. I have wet macular degeneration in my right eye and have had a cataract removed from my left eye which has improved my sight in that eye.
In the research study, I had twenty three injections in the macular eye with what I believe was lucentis. Dr. Park stated that the macular degeneration has been "arrested". The black spot I had originally has been replaced by a gray spot, improving my peripheral vision, but not my general eyesight in that eye. I do not know, but wonder if lucentis would be administered after early detection, if the eyesight could be improved and the degeneration stopped. I believe that I will never have any further improvement, based on discussions with Dr. Park. I am now registered with Dr. Park for a continuing study in which each meeting with Dr. Park will provide an individual assessment and treatment as opposed to the study regimen that treated all persons alike.
This is a volunteer program; I was recommended by Dr. Obert of the Arizona Veterans Administration Hospital ophthalmology department.

By Marlys Tobias on Friday, October 14, 2005 - 01:34 pm:

I didn't find any discussion about treatment other than laser. I want to know about ocuvite and preservision made by Bausch & Lomb. They are basically vitamins with lutein. A good multivitamin has the exact same vitamins as ocuvite. So why do doctors recommend it? It feels like a rip off to me

By L. A. Talero on Sunday, October 16, 2005 - 04:12 pm:

I have read about the success of Avastin, Macugen and possibly Lucentis in treating Macula Degeneration. I suffer Main Vein Occlussion in the right eye, which makes my vision very much like MD, with only peripheral vision.

How can I find out if any of the above new treatments would be effective with the MVO?

By Americo on Friday, October 21, 2005 - 03:03 pm:

I have a daughter, she is 21 years old, when she had 15 years old appear in her eye right a scar in the macula and she lost the vision central. The doctor didn`t know the disease of her. The doctor every year was checking the eyes and the scar doesn`t increase. Last year in december appear the disease in left eye, We went to see the doctor and his opinion was that she has macula degeneration, and the doctor recommend the photodynamic in other that the scar doesn't increase. In July 10 of this year the doctor made the photodynamic to my daughter, but the scar is increasing and she is losting the central vision and she only see by the peripehral vision of both eyes.

I wish to know if there are in Mexico one Institution in order to evaluate my daughter.

I appreciate all the information that you give me.

By sandra on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 11:10 pm:

I had toxoplasmosis as a child in both my eyes.
By the age of 13, I lost the central vision in my left eye. My vision was 20/200 in the left eye and 20/40 in the right eye.
At the age of 54, I now have cataracts in both eyes.
My vision is very poor and I am very fustrated.
My eye doctor does not want to operate since I have proper vision in only one eye (the right eye). He is waiting until I can no longer see in the eye.
I work and i am very independent. This lack of vision is having serious implications on my quality of life and my mental state.
Can anyone help me?

By Marian Olszewski on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 02:49 pm:

I have Wet MD in my right eye and had Phodynamic treatment a month ago. My doctor had advised me to have cataracts removed in two months. My left eye is also becoming close to if not already in a wet condition. I only want to know if the cataract surgery is dangerous. My MD in right eye is only stable at the present moment. Somebody please advise as I have heard some horror stories although I do have complete faith and trust with my doctor.

By Vijay Madan on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 09:28 pm:

Dear friends i am not a doctor but i work for an eye hospital in india which is doing revolutions in cataract surgeries. i can try to get you answers from doctors in the hospital iam working for. I would be proud if i serve even one of your purposes.

pls email me your querries in dhupai@yahoo.com and also mention your name, & which part of the world you belong to so that i can respond to your querries through my doctors (ophthalmologists)

thanks & regards
Vijay Madan

By Annabelle Knight on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 03:49 pm:

Has anybody there got wet macula? My mother has this sort and is getting very depressed as there does not seem to be anything out there to help her see television. She had it in her left eye about 8 years ago and the other eye went 3 years ago. She can now only see out of her left eye although the right eye is now 'drying up'. She would love to be able to see television but although I have bought her a 32" plasma she is still unable to see it properly and wonders if telescopic glasses would help. Any information gratefully received.