Advice for Seniors with Vision Loss

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This is great. More stem cell information. This is becoming big news.

Tara Deck of TX 11:56AM October 26, 2009

As both a board certified ophthalmologist and president of a company that manufactures macular degeneration vitamins, I have had to be extraordinarily careful when evaluating whether to include nutrients in our newer formulas to treat Dry Macular Degeneration (wet macular degeneration has not been shown thus far to respond to nutritional supplements). For example, Lutein was shown to be beneficial in the Lutein Antioxidant Treatment Study, and is therefore in all of the newer VisiVite formulas. And Omega-3 fish oils continue to show promise for many systemic diseases and macular degeneration.
But the B Vitamin widely quoted was problematic. You can read a summary of the findings at http://blog.visivite.com/?p=236, as well as my personal assessment of the study findings at the bottom of the page.

Paul Krawitz of NY 2:30PM September 08, 2009

I have had mac degneration for quite a few years. lost my 20/20
vision while having PDT in the left eye and have a large scotoma there now. But that was not the case for the right eye.
after 6 injections of Lucentis, one every 4 weeks I have remained at 20/20. I can still work, drive, and do my everyday activities, which is a good thing.
while my experience with Lucentis was not pain free, it has bee worth the while of receiving it.
the first injections I did feel, the lidocaine gel was not suffiecient.My doctor gave me a lidocaine injection with the last shots. They were much more comfortable.rinsing of the eye with sterile NS after ward, is important to help clear out some of the betadine, which stings. I do have that sandy gritty feeling and sometimes a very sore eye for a few days afterward, but I can tolerate that knowing my vision is being preserved for now.
In my particular case, the recomendations are an injection every 4 weeks. After loosing my vision in the left eye before Lucentis was available that too is a small issue to deal with to maintain my visual acuity at 20/20.
I can now hope that thru scientific research I will be on the receiving line for, " The Cure" to this blinding disease.Lucentis has given me that hope.

Mary of MD 12:44PM September 08, 2009