Eyes - Dry AMD
Discussion
Hello all - i am after any feedback and general input. An elderly relative has been provisionally diagnosed with Dry AMD, and the doctor wasn't very sensitive, he informed her she would lose her vision and then laughed his way through the rest of the appointment, We are seeking a second (private) opinion ASAP.
Does anyone have any experience with this condition?
Does anyone have any experience with this condition?
Yes, with my mother. She started with it when my dad was on his last legs and he it. When she eventually went, it was too late for the treatments available and had she gone early enough there are injection into the eyeball that could have potentially arrested things. She now has limited (10-20%) peripheral vision. She went private to our local Nuffield (Shrewsbury). She is now 98 and sits 3ft from a 65” TV with audio descriptions turned on.
Dry AMD is distinct from wet AMD, which is what the injections in the eye are for (mentioned above).
Re dry AMD there is no treatment from NHS as such but there’s lots of research and injections may be used for specific subtypes in the future. And the spectrum of disease is huge. Some people will have mild forms with minimal symptoms, others can have huge scarred patches that are highly significant.
Main practical things: it can convert to wet AMD which should be treated promptly so watch out for new worse distortion or missing patches (over days). Dry AMD deterioration is generally over months.
And look up AREDS vitamins which have been shown to reduce conversion to wet of specific types of dry AMD. Can’t get these on the NHS.
Re dry AMD there is no treatment from NHS as such but there’s lots of research and injections may be used for specific subtypes in the future. And the spectrum of disease is huge. Some people will have mild forms with minimal symptoms, others can have huge scarred patches that are highly significant.
Main practical things: it can convert to wet AMD which should be treated promptly so watch out for new worse distortion or missing patches (over days). Dry AMD deterioration is generally over months.
And look up AREDS vitamins which have been shown to reduce conversion to wet of specific types of dry AMD. Can’t get these on the NHS.
redhotsheep said:
Dry AMD is distinct from wet AMD, which is what the injections in the eye are for (mentioned above).
Re dry AMD there is no treatment from NHS as such but there s lots of research and injections may be used for specific subtypes in the future. And the spectrum of disease is huge. Some people will have mild forms with minimal symptoms, others can have huge scarred patches that are highly significant.
Main practical things: it can convert to wet AMD which should be treated promptly so watch out for new worse distortion or missing patches (over days). Dry AMD deterioration is generally over months.
And look up AREDS vitamins which have been shown to reduce conversion to wet of specific types of dry AMD. Can t get these on the NHS.
Pretty much what our baaing friend said. Don't smoke, stop now, eat a good selection of green leaved vegetables, see if the local low visual aid clinic can be accessed if things deteriorate (not yet) and the suppliments from AREDS II do make a difference. Quite pricey for those that meet the recommendations fully, macushield gold I think does. We use optase lutein as a compromise between cost and cost and formulation.Re dry AMD there is no treatment from NHS as such but there s lots of research and injections may be used for specific subtypes in the future. And the spectrum of disease is huge. Some people will have mild forms with minimal symptoms, others can have huge scarred patches that are highly significant.
Main practical things: it can convert to wet AMD which should be treated promptly so watch out for new worse distortion or missing patches (over days). Dry AMD deterioration is generally over months.
And look up AREDS vitamins which have been shown to reduce conversion to wet of specific types of dry AMD. Can t get these on the NHS.
Print this off https://www.macularsociety.org/media/hsyfbwe3/amsl...
and stick it on the back of a cupboard door and monitor changes PERIODICALLY. I've seen people get very obsessive about it but weekly at most is all that is needed.
Rate of change can be variable but probably your GP isn't necessarily the best person to go through it with them. Find a decent independent optometrist.
Oh and don't smoke, did I mention that?
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