OT? Macular Degeneration and Photographers

[george_b1]

Although many of us �later-middle-aged� photographers would like to

avoid the issue, Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) can catch up

with most of us as we grow older. This is a separate from any loss of

vision due to cataracts.For those on the forum who haven�t heard of

AMD, it�s the degeneration and loss of the macula - - - a *very* small

section of the retina that provides us with our central vision. This

central vision enables us to read books and newspapers, focus and use

our cameras, drive, read road signs, recognize faces, etc. It does not

affect peripheral vision.

 

Macular degeneration usually begins with the appearance of drusen - - -

small spots that develop between the exterior of the retina and the

inner wall of the eye in the vicinity of the macula. These are

precursors.

 

So far, medical science has not found a way to *reverse* degeneration

of the macula once it starts; however, a recent ten-year major study,

conducted under the auspices of the National Eye Institute, had proven

that certain combinations of high-potency vitamins and mineral

supplements can slow down and perhaps even stop early-stage and

intermediate stage AMD.

 

The study was conducted in several of the leading eye institutions

throughout the United States. Known as AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease

Study), several thousand men and women participated over the ten-year

period. Each participant was provided with study medication (placebo,

vitamins only, minerals only, or the combination vitamin-mineral mix).

It was a classic double-blind clinical study.

 

Every six months, each participant was given a thorough eye examination

by an ophthalmologist assigned to the study. The eyes were

photographed, and the participants answered detailed questionnaires

about diet, lifestyle, and physical activity. Fasting blood samples

checked for cholesterol levels and hemacrit.

 

At the end of the study, the physicians were able clearly to prove that

the vitamin-mineral supplement did, in fact, provide the first known

way to retard AMD.

 

I was in the study, at the Wilmer Eye Institute in the Johns Hopkins

Medical Institution, for the entire ten years. I entered with an early

-state AMD in my right eye that had been detected a year before the

study began I was one who received the �good stuff,� and, twelve years

later, I can still focus and frame a photo in an M series.

 

The principal investigator physician at Wilmer told me to continue to

use the supplement, which now is available �over the counter� in most

pharmacies and drug stores. For those interested, it�s Bausch&Lomb

�PreserVision.�

 

IMHO, if you�re approaching the �older geezer� years, you should have a

thorough eye examination by a board-certified ophthalmologist, and if

you have drusen or emerging AMD, check with your personal physician to

see of the supplement os OK to take in your case.

 

BTW: My wife has developed drusen, and her ophthalmologist at Wilmer

has placed her on the supplement. She�s still the better shooter in

the family!

 

Maybe Dr. Knapp can add his opinion?

[MTC Photography]

George, CibaVision multivitamins tablet Vitalux ( containing Lutein) seems to be quite effective.

[igor_osatuke]

George,

This may not be of much practical use but there is a Russian drug called Taufon that does the same thing, and is regarded very well, plus is very cheap. But of course it is not available in the US.

[iván]

Thank you, George.

 

I don't think it's OT: what more on topic than our vision ? Even if our eyes bear no red circle :-)

 

I'm 55. I'll make an appointment with our family ophthalmologist tomorrow. Yes, I will. And thanks again, George.

 

-Iván

[tse_sung_wu7]

I know that Genentech, the biotech company, has a product in Phase II development to address (wet as opposed to dry) AMD. For more info:

<p>

<a href="http://www.gene.com/gene/pipeline/status/opportunistic/amd/index.jsp">rhuFab</a>

<p>

[doug_landrum]

Thanks George,

As an aging Myope (extreme near-sightedness), I am aware of many vision problems that can develop as I age - retinal detachment, floaters and other problems). My Dad with the same myopic problems has developed Macular degeneration. I just got home from my annual physical - a pain in the rear - and with your post, I am making an appointment with my ophthalmologist.

Doug

[mark-j]

George:

This is certainly ON TOPIC. I have a macular adema. Any idea if this medication/therapy will help to maintain the current state of the eye. Mine shows up as wavy lines in the upper right center of the central vision. Driving down the road and looking at a power line, the power line appears to droop in a small section in the center. The problem is diagnosed and is stable, but would this help to keep it from spreading. I understand a macular adema is a swelling of the tissue and I do not know if this is related to the AMD you describe.

 

Thank-you for the concise report.