asking for a friend

My dad is part of a study group looking at several drugs. He is getting injections into his good eye about every six weeks. It has slowed the progression and has cleaned up some of the debris left behind.

He is very pleased that he still has one good eye.

appreciate any details you might share re meds, etc.
My email is listed here.

Wet macular degeneration per my SO whos an eye doc:
They continue to treat macular degeneration by targeting the signal for new blood vessel growth and blocking it. They've been doing that since 2006. The newer drugs are smaller and can penetrate the retina better so they've moved the injections from every 4 weeks to up to every 8 weeks for some patients. We actually have a fairly good handle on wet macular degeneration with these injections. We target the new blood vessels because they're the problem. They grow in the wrong places and they tend to leak blood and fluid in the middle of your vision which is harmful to the retina long term.

Lucentis, Eyelea or Avastin injections if warranted. Could be from every 4 weeks to every 8, 12, 16 weeks or more, depending on severity and response. I’m not sure if they’re using Beovu yet. There are implanted devices available, but I don’t know enough about them; likewise possible gene therapy, which I don’t know enough about.

Your friend, I would assume, is under the care of a retinologist. If so, that is the best resource.

LASER *can* be used, but it seems the surgeons I refer to prefer the injections.

Hope this helps; if nothing else, it’ll give you some fodder for searching.

thanks for the timely information gents; I'll see it gets to the right hands.

I can tell you from personal experience, the injections are not painful.

Last info my my doctor was no real progress. The injections will stabilize the condition. No cure as of now. I had about eight injections over a course of about two years. Not sure which drug my doctor uses but have had no injections for a couple years. The injection are not painful but makes my eyes water really bad. Only have 200 vision in left eye. My side to side (can't spell the other word) vision is ok but not forward. Wish your frien good luck.

Both of my brothers are retina specialists. If you have any specific questions I would be glad to pass them along.

I just found out that I may have Age-based Macular Degeneration (Wet). I go to the Retina Specialist later this afternoon.

IF you get the shots, how long does it take to clear up? Or is there no pat answer to that question?

According to my brother, a few days.

Friend has had 2 Avastin shots with encouraging results. 3rd scheduled in a month. A bit of corneal bleed 1st shot that cleared up.

Thanks for responses.

anybody with anything on Dry macular?

Yep, it is Age Based Macular Degeneration. They are treating it with shots. Got the first one today. Let me tell you, a shot in your eye HURTS, but it is worth it to see.

Dad gum it Rolan! Those other posters wrote it didn’t hurt. Now, you post it does hurt, I was hoping it didn’t.

quote:

Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps:
Yep, it is Age Based Macular Degeneration. They are treating it with shots. Got the first one today. Let me tell you, a shot in your eye HURTS, but it is worth it to see.

Quick search shows metformin as a possible treatment. If that is the case, then insulin resistance is a possible root cause. IR is probably the world's most prevalent chronic condition.

https://www.touchophthalmology...acular-degeneration/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/dis...-causes/syc-20351107

quote:

Originally posted by recoatlift:
Dad gum it Rolan! Those other posters wrote it didn’t hurt. Now, you post it does hurt, I was hoping it didn’t.

Recoatlift: Don't discount the fact that I could just be a giant pussy!

SigSentry: I've been on Metformin for over 10 years.

quote:

Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps:
Recoatlift: Don't discount the fact that I could just be a giant pussy!

Or the other guys had folks who were handier with a needle. You didn’t say anything to piss your doc off before you got your shot did you?

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:

quote:

Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps:
Recoatlift: Don't discount the fact that I could just be a giant pussy!

Or the other guys had folks who were handier with a needle. You didn’t say anything to piss your doc off before you got your shot did you?

Actually he was a real nice guy!

Update on 3rd shot Re: Avastin/wet macular degeneration;

very improved; can read "most" of the 20/20 line in visual acuity test; marked improvement in the retinal scan exam. Next exam scheduled 5 weeks out.