durens

[5234]

I had a 2 year check-up by a MD ophthalmologist physician. He said my eye sight had not changed in 2 years and everything looked good. He did say I had 5 to 10 very small drusens in each eye, but said not to worry that he sees this sometimes in people at my age (60).But I looked drusen up on the internet and it talks about macular degeneration. Now I am really worried that I will lose my sight. Should I see some one for a second check up ? THANKS

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

There are different types of drusen in the eye. Optic nerve drusen require no treatment only knowing they are there and following to see if they increase.  Macular drusen come in two types. "hard drusen" which are small, round and don't over-lap. They are generally felt not to be due to ARMD. However soft drusen which are large irregular in shape and over-lap are signs of ARMD and require a programe to slow down ARMD including AREDS supplements. Use the search feature and look for previous posts on this. Also use Google and search "dry macular degeneration" and "Amsler Grid)

Call your Eye MD back and ask what type of drusen you have if soft then yes it is a precurson to ARMD

JCH III MD

[5234]

He said they were very small hard drusens(10).He had me look at a amseler grid and  some small parts were missing with a bump on some of the lines.He took pictures of my eye and put a dye in my arm and took more pictures,said tests looked good.He said drusens some times will cause irregular vision.Do you agree with this? Would you get a second appt.with a doctor, should I take supplements ? THANKS

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

I don't think you need a second opinion since it looks like you had a thorough evaluation. You should learn a lot more about ARMD.  Read this article completely:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/macular_degeneration/article_em.htm

Also go to Google IMAGES and enter the term Macular Drusen to see what they look like.

Do a daily Amsler Grid test.

Consider taking a good multivitamin plus an AREDS supplement (the dose varies with product but all are 2 per day or 4 per day). For my patients I suggest PreServision WITH LUTEIN (two / day) plus a multivitimin.

JCH III MD

[5234]

Are You saying I have ARMD? My doctor said he would not class my eye as having ARMD.with so small and number of drusens. I wanted to know have you ever saw drusens cause irregular vision.THANKS,As you can tell I am getting more up-set.thinking the worse.

[5234]

To: JCH III MD
Are You saying I have ARMD? My doctor said he would not class my eye as having ARMD.with so small and number of drusens. I wanted to know have you ever saw drusens cause irregular vision.THANKS,As you can tell I am getting more up-set.thinking the worse.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

I am saying that there is no completely accepted definition of what the earliest stage of ARMD is. You should rely on your Eye MD for the re-assurance I think you need. If you still are unsettled get a second opnion.

JCH III MD

[5234]

one last thing,  Have you ever saw drusens cause irregular vision.My doctor says he has only seen it 2 times in 33 years.But says he thinks that is my problem in that eye.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

My last comment.

You seem intent on worrying yourself silly. Your Eye MD did all the right tests and did not find a problem.

Since you seem not willing to take that Eye MDs opinion then see a retinal specialist for a second opinion. Find one at www.aao.org

JCH III MD

[supermom266]

Any luck with optic nerve drusen responding to a holistic approach? What vitimans and supplements would you recommend and how much. How about other lifestyle changes?