macular degeneration

My father had macular degeneration start at 27. At the time he was told he was the first know case in North America. They used a laser on one eye as it was still in the experimental stage.The laser did work, but he still went legally blind by the time he was about 37.

My brother wore glasses for near sightedness since he was a teenager and when he turned 37 he got macular degeneration. He was told that it was too close to the retina to use a laser. He had his driver's license taken away, but when he went for a check up, probably 6 months or more later, the doctor was stunned to find that his eyes were actually healing themselves.  He had never seen this before and could not explain it. My mother did have everyone praying for him, so that might explain it. He was given his license back as his vision returned enough to allow it. He still has some problems though will bright sunlight hurting his eyes and having to have a lot light to read.

My questions are:
1. Have you heard of eyes repairing themselves?
2. Are there any new treatments being used successfully?
3. Are there any vitamins or supplements that would help slow progression?
4. Have you heard of this type of macular degeneration being hereditary?  If so, what are the chances other siblings or future generations will get it?
5. Are there any medical trials being done?
6. What are my chances (never needed glasses) of getting this?
7. I heard if one parent carries the gene and the other parent has near sightedness it's more likely the children will get MD.  Is this true?

Thank you for your time.