Questions & AnswersLatest Questions and Answers I have been diagnosed with dry macular degeneration and have had double vision for at least 3 years. That symptom stopped oddly enough; however, my "close-up" vision is now very bad. Does the fact that the double vision went away mean that the macular degeneration is getting better or worse? [ 06/17/09 ]
It is possible for double vision to improve as macular degeneration worsens because the vision is no longer good enough for the brain to perceive two separate clear images. Your eye doctor can provide you with more specific information concerning your particular symptoms. I have pseudoxanthoma elasticum and had photodynamic therapy and laser treatment to my right eye, but still lost central vision. I also have had many episodes of bleeding in my left eye. After seven injections of Avastin over a period of 3 years, it is still bleeding. Is there a limit to how many injections a patient can have, and how does the number of injections impact the risk of developing side effects? [ 06/17/09 ]
It sounds like you have choroidal neovascularization (formation of abnormal blood vessels in the choroid) from angioid streaks, which are often associated with pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Avastin works by causing the regression of abnormal blood vessels that are prone to bleed. There are risks to any intraocular injection, including the risk of infection. The risks remain the same with every injection you receive. Avastin has been associated with increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular events, but these have primarily occurred with higher doses of the medication given for chemotherapy. Currently, there is a clinical trial comparing the safety profile of Avastin and a related medication, Lucentis, which are both used for the eye condition that you have. The results of this trial are still pending. Unless you have previously had an adverse event from an Avastin injection, there is no clear-cut limit with regard to how many injections you can receive. Your ophthalmologist can provide you with more detailed information concerning your specific medical circumstances. I am only 44 years old and have macular degeneration in both eyes. My father was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration at age 72. I had a severe case of psittacosis when I was much younger and my eye doctor believes that it may have caused the macular degeneration. Could my macular degeneration be genetic even if my father did not have it until later in life, and/or is there any connection between this eye disease and psittacosis? [ 06/03/09 ]
Psittacosis has not been linked to macular degeneration in any studies that I am aware of. However, there have been some suggestions in the medical literature that prior infection with organisms such as cytomegalovirus or chlamydia pneumonia, may be linked with a higher rate of wet macular degeneration. Are cortisone shots in the eye used to treat macular degeneration? [ 06/03/09 ]
Corticosteroids have been used to treat macular degeneration. Triamcinolone acetonide, a synthetic corticosteroid, has been used as an intravitreal* injection in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat wet macular degeneration. Recently, a clinical trial designed to assess the effect of anecortave, a steroid administered as a periocular** injection, was ended, as preliminary results did not show efficacy in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. Can macular degeneration be caused by Tamoxifen, a drug used to treat breast cancer? [ 06/03/09 ]
There is no clear clinical evidence linking Tamoxifen to a higher risk of macular degeneration. I was diagnosed with macular degeneration about 5 years ago when I was 38 years old. I also have very dry eyes, which are not problematic. My doctor is very concerned about this and is placing plugs in my eyes. He said the dryness could be making my macular degeneration worse. Is that true? [ 06/03/09 ]
Dry eyes can contribute to make your vision worse, but the condition does not have any direct effect on the progression of macular degeneration. If you are having difficulty with blurry vision, your doctor is likely trying to help you optimize your vision by treating your dry eyes. I am an ex-smoker with dry macular degeneration. I was told to take vitamins that have lutein instead of vitamin A because ex-smokers have an increased chance of developing lung cancer if they take large amounts of beta carotene. However, in the April issue of the Journal of Epidemiology there is a study claiming that lutein supplements increase the risk of lung cancer in ex-smokers two-fold. Do you have any suggestions about vitamins for ex-smokers with macular degeneration? [ 05/20/09 ]
This is fairly new clinical evidence, and has only been reported in one study thus far. Other studies actually suggest that lutein, at least in natural, non-supplement form, is associated with a lower risk of lung cancer. Currently, the smoker's AREDS formulation for macular degeneration contains lutein instead of beta carotene, as the latter has been proven in multiple studies to be associated with a higher risk of lung cancer in smokers. Since clinical evidence is contradictory at this point, you should ask your doctor for advice specific to your situation. I have read that there have been research studies in Germany using stem cells to correct macular degeneration. Is this true? Why would this not work for retinitis pigmentosa and other eye diseases involving the retina? [ 05/20/09 ]
This is true. Not only is research being conducted in Germany, but scientists worldwide are exploring the use of stem cells in treating diseases such as macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and other retinal diseases. Search for a Question
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