myopic macular degeneration treatment?

[snackingmiss]

Hi,
I was diagnosed with  myopic macular degeneration.  Is there any option to prevent loss of vision in the future or futher damage?  Schelral buckle surgery was recommended, but I am interested in finding out what other options there may be.

[west98671]

I wouldn't give up hope - what visual acuity do you have now?

[Saratogasue]

Thanks for the insight. I'll ask my Rs. Unfortunately, this doesn't give me much hope.

[west98671]

Probably because you have the "dry" or atrophic form of MMD, as opposed to the "wet" form which responds well to anti-VEGF shots.  You really should ask your RS though, since he or she knows your specific case.

[Saratogasue]

Hi,
I'm 58 and have myopic macular degeneration in my right eye since age 30. I have it at a slower rate in my left eye but the left has gotten worse now. My Rs says thre is no cure or treatment other than potential stem cell research going on. When I read these notes about others getting avast in shots or surgeries to stop the progression, I'm questioning why these have never been suggested to me or have been told they don't work for MMD. Does anyone have any insight to this? I did go to another ophthalmologist a few years ago and he said there was nothing that could be done either. The optometrists who work with low vision have not suggested it either.  Should I be looking for another opinion? I've been resigned to the thought of just going blind but now am questioning what is available. Just looking for some type of hope.

[Mori1]

Hi guys,
My mum has been diagnosed with "myopic chorioretinal degeneration", anybody has any information about this disease and is there any treatment for that?

Thanks
Morteza

[flossy93]

It's great that the Lucentis injections have helped with your vision impairment.  Be sure to continue being monitored regularly for your glaucoma, as sometimes the injections like Lucentis can cause temporary elevation of pressure inside the eye (IOP).

FYI there is a new drug under investigation now that may help patients with CNV who are not responding as well to anti-VEGF agents after repeated use.  It's called Fovista and has a complicated method of action, but is thought to help impede the growth of new blood vessels in the retina in a similar but different way than Lucentis and Avastin.  

I don't mention this because I think you will need it, but just to give hope to patients with myopic macular degeneration like you and me that there is more help in the pipeline.  Keep up with your eye doctor visits and good luck!

[Miopia]

Hi I have wet M D in both eye's I also have Glaucoma . I have had lens replacement surgery 5 years ago because of Cataract's . Im 55  my Miopia before the surgery was -12 & -13  My vision is vastly improved due to Lucentis injections it's tough to get shot's in your eye but it's  been a Godsend!

[pervezchaghtai]

i have a choronic disease myopia degeneration so there is a problem to read and write  
     I am a qualified person  i have experience of chemical lab about 27 years.Sc in chemistry and ;M.A economics

[DLitz]

What is CNV?  and is there a dr I can call to discuss.  I am losing vision in the left eye quickly. the right eye has myopic degeneration also, but has been stable for the past two years.  I need to do something. DLitz

[DLitz]

Why is the treatment not accepted?  Have you heard of Dr. Brian Ward in CA?  He tells me he has had very positive results.  Do you know of any other drs. that are treating myopic degeneration.  I am quickly losing sight in my left eye and want to save it.  DLitz

[DLitz]

I have myopic degeneration in both eyes.  I am losing vision in the left eye quickly.  I have heard of Dr. Brian Ward, in CA and his studies and research.  Do you have any other surgeons that are offering treatments that have proven successful in stopping the progression.  If so, please let me know.  DLitz

[RJM777]

I have myopic degeneration.  I was 29 when it showed up in the form of retinal hemorrhaging in my right eye.  I had x3 PDT which left a massive central scar tissue.  This past December I experienced same symptoms in my left eye.  I had one Avistin inject. and it has helped a little, but the wavy lines and some of the paracentral shadowing is still there.  

I have researched acupuncture and have found several acupuncturist that states they can help with decreasing the scar tissue and the other symptoms?  I am 37 yrs. old now and never expected my other eye would do the same.  I have been naive.

[taurus10900]

Hi, i am 33 years old female with high myopic. May I know how is your eyes condition now after 4years? I was informed by my eyes specialist that both of my eyes have dry type macular degeneration due to my high myopic. I am very worry and depressed as doctor told me that it will get worse and worse but he just told me it took years and do not specifically tell me the estimate time frame. I do not how to handle my future as I am only 33 years old and I don't know how much of time I still have before i turn blind.

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

No responses since 2011 so not active at this time.  Recall I have told you myopic and age related macular degeneration do not make a person completely blind. It is a threat to your central vision but not your peripheral vision and 'dry' is better than 'wet'.

[kory366]

Did you have surgery performed by Brian ward or not becuase I see that you do not reco
mmend it here and in another blog you did with spookey

[berrywoo]

CNV = Choroidal Neovascularization

If you want more info start by searching the archives here and also doing a google search.

The anti-vegf injections are really the only treatment available right now for macular degeneration (wet not dry).

[mjr112]

Hi. My 27 year old daughter was diagnosed last year with myopic macular degeneration in her right eye. She had Avastin injections, which at first seemed to work and improved her vision, but then the condition returned. Subsequent injections have had no apparent affect.

Now, my daughter's vision in her left eye is also beginning to have the same symptoms. Today, she had her first injection in her left eye. Help! Can someone guide me to relevant information? I am reading everything I can. BTW, what is "CNV?" Any information would be appreciated.

[AnnaE]

I reas some on it, befor I asked you, but I though something was missing. Glad I asked. I want to lear all I can, so that I can protedt the vision I have.

What you say is thrilling news for myopes. I will also get this to my daughter.

However, unless my good eye has CNV, it is not relevant. Yet maybe it is. Because my good eye  is vulnerable to RD. It might even have too much laser, so it might be more vulnerable.

I have lattice degeneration, myopia, retina problems 3 times in the family, Can you say that CNV might be relevant to my condition. Could it also help RPO?

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

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[dukey]

Well we are talking about myopic degenration, not AMD. They are completely different diseases regardless of what some might say. Most of the vision loss from myopia can be traced back to CNV, either directly or indirectly. It is true that CNV is also a feature of wet AMD but the underlying process is different (biochemical vs mechanical). In myopia, CNV is much less severe and often all it takes is one or two Avastin (anti-VEGF) shots to pin it back and reduce the chances of vision loss. As long as it is caught early, of course. Like I said there are many other serious issues in myopia. For example, a posterior staphyloma is a bad sign and can lead to severe visual loss, but CNV is still essentially the culprit at the end of the day.

I would expect the much hyped claim that myopia is "the seventh leading cause of blindness" to dissappear over the next 5-10 years with the new treatments of CNV. I think it is that good. Every single study on anti-VEGF in myopia has outstanding results. I cannot find one single study where it has not RESTORED sight in a significant proportion of subjects and I have looked.

Combine this with many of the new experimental surgeries (RPE-choroid graft, RD surgery, macular translocation) and I think things are looking better for myopes.  

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

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[AnnaE]

Are the effective treatments you mention, the ones that Berrywoo mentions? Are these effective witheither wet or dry AMD?

Marianne

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

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[dukey]

"Hi, I'm curious-- where did you find data on the scleral buckle reinforcement for MMD?  All I could find on the internet were papers by the Dr. that does the surgery.
"

EXACTLY!!!! That should tell you all you need to know about the success of this surgery. Trust me, forget about it.

[snackingmiss]

Hi, I'm curious-- where did you find data on the scleral buckle reinforcement for MMD?  All I could find on the internet were papers by the Dr. that does the surgery.

Julie

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

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