injections in both eyes-myopic mac degeneration

I am 55 and have myopic wet macular degeneration. I developed it in the right eye about 9 months ago, my left eye almost two years ago. my vision is a -8, -9 or so in both eyes. I have needed glasses since early childhood. What is concerning me and I don't seem to see anything regarding the frequency and how long will I need these injections. Every month the leaking behind the macula is there. The doctor has done the Intravenous fluorescein each month and we see the leaking. I am discouraged by the continued necessity for the injection, but grateful that my vision appears to be stable with the monthly injection. My vision did improve in both eyes initially with the greyish/brown spot in the center of my vision disappearing. The distortions are still in both. The vision is not getting worse and seems stable. I am just curious. Will I have to have these injections into perpetuity. Also, I am getting Lucentis and one time Avastin. Should I just ask the doctor to switch to Avastin? He seems to be open to it. This is all very concerning, as I am worried about losing my vision and want to do everything possible to hold on to it.

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

Avastin is much less expensive. Don't be discouraged. Without those injections you would likely be legally blind in both eyes. Those injections are one of the great medical success stories in Medicine.   It is almost like bringing a dying eye back to life, it doesn't usually restore normal vision but 75% of the times prevents progression.

JCH MD

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

Avastin is much less expensive. Don't be discouraged. Without those injections you would likely be legally blind in both eyes. Those injections are one of the great medical success stories in Medicine.   It is almost like bringing a dying eye back to life, it doesn't usually restore normal vision but 75% of the times prevents progression.

JCH MD

[friendleye]

Thanks so much for your quick response and encouragement. i will talk with my doctor about switching to Avastin.  I notice one week away from my next injection a small deterioration occurring. (a little harder reading words on a book in a darker room, when I have had no problem a week ago in the same setting.) I have noticed an almost immediate improvement after the injections in the past. i will look for this.

I went to a retinal specialist initially, who wrote my condition off, saying it was dry and there was nothing to do. One year later, I requested a referral to a different retinal specialist. His equipment was much more state-of-the-art and was able to detect the Wet macular degeneration. We who have myopic macular degeneration are not considered treatable by some older retinal specialists. If I had not found the second specialist i would be going blind by now. i hope this is an encouragement if someone hears they have dry macular degeneration and to wait. In myopic situations (which the first doctor did not tell me) the chances of progression is likely and can be quick. I went from 20/20 to 20/80 in one year.  I am very fortunate to have my vision in very good shape at this time. 20/30 (with correction) and holding.

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

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