Drusen

[Berni61]

Recently a loved one has been diagnosed as having Drusen in his eye (not sure if one or both eyes)  he is fearful of going blind in the very near future due to this condition.  He is 55 years old in good health.  Everything I have been reading indicates that he may be over reacting a bit.  So my question is, will the Drusen found in his eye (s)  get worse and if so won't this take usually a VERY long time to occur, will this lead to Macular Degeneration & am I correct that you can have Drusen for years & years and never suffer vision loss.  He has no vision loss at this time,  he is 20/20 for distance but needs reading glasses.  His opthomologist wants him to return in a year instead of the standard 2 years for a routine eye exam.

[Nancy T]

I was worried about this, too, when my optometrist told me I had a couple of drusen in one eye. She said it can lead to macular degeneration "many years down the line" and encouraged me to eat a lot of spinach (which has lutein, good for the eyes).

However, when I went to an ophthalmologist about another problem, he never mentioned the drusen until I asked. He said he wouldn't even have mentioned them to me and he didn't seem worried about them nor say anything about macular degeneration. I don't think they INEVITABLY lead to macular degeneration. And I don't think mine have changed in the five or six years that I've known about them.

So I would tell the person not to worry too much, but just to take care of his eyes as the doctor suggested.

Nancy T.

[pufferandy]

A related discussion, Cataract surgery was started.

[pufferandy]

A related discussion, Cataract surgery was started.

[5234]

I have some drsens in my eye that has caused some eye sight changes,like some lines look not stright. He said that drusens some time will cause this problem,he said I need not have macular degeneration. Has any one with drusens have this problem also

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

It sounds like you have done some research already and have a decent understanding already.  Drusen are extracellular deposits that build up under the retina mostly due to problems with the retinal pigment epithelium.  WIth a patient with drusen, I usually recommend a eye vitamin supplement with plenty of vit a,c,e, zinc, lutein, and zeanthine.  A product like I cap Lutein and Zeanthine formula, or Ocuvite Extra are nice examples.  Omega 3 fish oil 1000mg twice a day should also be helpful.  No smoking, limit alcohol, closley  control blood pressure and cholesterol, exercise regularly, eat healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and fish.  In this way you can do everything within your  control to reduce the progression of macular degeneration in the future.  Genetics play a large role also and there is some part of this that is outside of your control but still you should do whatever possible in a proactive way to slow down the degeneration.

MJK MD