AMD and Red Spots in Vision?

[SuzanneS911]

I just found out my father has AMD, which he's known for a long time.  Last night he asked me to look into a eye supplement suggested to him by his eye doctor.  It's called ICaps.  Anyway - he said after he started taking it he began noticing disturbing spots in his vision.  He says at night he would get bright white spots in his vision and when he woke up he had dark red spots in his vision when he opened his eyes.  He said the red spots looked like they could be spots of blood and they would prevent him from seeing for quite a while after waking.  This continued while on the meds.  He quit the ICaps a while ago for another medical reason but now is suppose to go back on them.  He says the spots slowly decreased when he quit the supplement and are now gone.  He wonders if the supplement could cause this?  I just started searching the web for "red spots in vision" and found this is frequently a symptom of "Wet" AMD and it sounds like this could be very serious.  I noticed the ICaps did have red dye and a large amount of gelatin.  I thought maybe his body was not able to process the red gelatin, which is what he may have been seeing.  Help?

[SuzanneS911]

Dr. Hagan,   Thank you so very much for taking the time to provide me this much-needed information to help my Dad.  I really appreciate your time and knowledge.  Looks like I'm headed to the fruit and veggie isle at the store.  Thanks to your prompt response yesterday we now have an appointment with his eye doctor!  I now understand the importance of staying on top of this.     With much appreciation, Suzanne

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

It is not true that ARMD cannot be helped or chances of getting reduced. We have a who program in our office:

Diet: fruits, veggies, fiber, fish, berries, nuts,  LOW in fats and processed carbs (donuts)
Lutein rich food: spinach, kale, collards, broccoli, rommaine lettaace, etc
DON"T SMOKE,
Protect skin and eyes from bright sunlight (UV protestion) sunglsses, hat, sunscreen
Daily or weekly amsler grid testing
2 or 3 Omega Fish oil/day get enteric coated type start with one day with evening meal for 2 weeks then add second with breakfast.    take two or three day.  This type of fish oit enteric coated and start with one/day usually prevents fish belching and fishy back taste  if still a problem free fish oil capsules and take frozen.

If have ARMD      take a multivitamen per day and two Preservision with Lutein OR two ICAP with lutein or two Occuvite with Lutein.

Any sudden change in vision of amsler grid is an emergency get in same day.

Have eyes checked by eye MD every 6 to 12 months.

JCH MD

[SuzanneS911]

Doctor -  Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to my concern.  My father says when he went to a Kaiser eye doctor who gave him a list of supplements to choose from - the doctor told him it is what it is and there's nothing that can be done about it and basically treated him like it was just another part of getting old and not a big deal.  My father wasn't told anything other than to get checked once a year.  This seems different than what I am reading about it can be serious and, like you said, he needs to be seen right away (which is also the impression I get from the research I did last night).  I thought I would take the Amsler grid over to his house that I printed on the computer last night and enlarged.  From what I understand, if he stares at the middle spot and starts to see wavy or distorted lines there is a good chance it is now wet AMD and if that is the case the sooner he gets treatment the better chance he has of slowing it down or possibly reversing some sight loss with treatment.  So I thought if he sees wavy or distorted lines when looking at the grid I will find a doctor who cares more than the last guy and make sure someone gives him a Fluorescein angiography ASAP.  From what I read last night that seems the way to go.  Does this sound right to you?

Again, thanks so much for taking the time to assist me.
Suzanne

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Any change in central vision in a patient with AMD needs checked quickly by an Ophthalmologist.

As for the supplement ICAPS are an excellent brand and would never cause AMD to get worse. However he can switch to Preservision with lutein (2/day) or Occuvite with Lutein (2/day) and get the same benefits as the ICAPS

JCH MD