wet macular degeneration??

mikeassured

Hi

My mum has been diagnosed with wet macular degeneration in her eye. She had complained that she was no longer able to read, see keys on the telephone/ alarm pad etc, this has happened over a very short period of time. She was sent to a consultant who diagnosed the condition and said she could have injections into her eye which is still in trials. It is going to cost her in the region of £8000 for the first three injections with more possibly to follow:eek:

Does anyone have any experience of this disease or know anyone who has and how they coped with it. She is more distressed that she can no longer see our faces and that it is only going to get worse.

Thanks for any comments

Sue

Ted_Hutchinson

Information on Wet/dry macular degeneration.

People who eat fish more than 4 times/week have a lower risk of macular degeneration than those who consume it less than 3 times/month. This is especially true for Tuna fish. People who eat canned tuna more than once per week are 40% less likely to develop macular degeneration as compared with those who consumed it less than once per month.

RNIB information this suggests you may be able pressure your local health NHS authority to consider funding this new treatment. Perhaps if you wrote to them explaing the situation and asking politely and copy the letter to your MP it may encourage them.

Do take note of the fact that "genetics" is a risk factor. There are many other health benefits from eating plenty of oily fish. Nettos do sardines in tomato sauce for a mere 18p so there's no need to go short. Do be aware that the omega 3 1000mg capsules contain only a third of a gram of EPA+DHA=omega 3 So to get the same amount of omega3 as in one 18p tin of sardines you would need to take 7 X 1000mg omega 3 fish oil capsules.

Fish Provide Significant Protection against Macular Degeneration

DebtphobicDeirdre

I work in an opticians as a receptionist and am familiar with this as it is the major cause of sight loss in the UK. MD comes in 2 forms- wet and dry. Fortunately for your mum the wet is treatable in its early stages by laser at the hospital. ARMD(age related macular degeneration) causes loss of central vision so its like hving vaseline rubbed on the middle of your field of vision and you canonly see clearly around the edges. Moving your head around can help, as can glasses with extra visual aids such as lamps etc. which the profesionals willadvise on.
My FIL has the dry kind and it was very difficult at first- especially as his was untreatable but he has slowly adjusted. the worst thing was giving up driving and golf. However he can still walk about with his peripheral vision to hep, he can still enjoy the tv and follow what is going on and he still enjos family,good food and good wine- he loves a party!
P.S eat your greens-they contain lutein which helps this condition and give up any fags- they make it worse.

DebtphobicDeirdre

I have just seen Teds post. He is right about the condition running in families. I make mine eat thir greens- especially Kale as it is the best source of lutein and we eat our omega 3 products too- usually linseed and salmon but incresingly sardines since Ted has been promoting them. Make sure all the family get their eyes tested regularly from middle age on and that they mention the ARMD is in the family. there is a test at the opticians which consists of a grid that they use to spot signs of central vision loss. I think we will all learn more about this condition soon as many more people reach a great age an d new treatments are being developed so don't despair. I think there is a support group- try Googling