Macular Degeneration: The Blindness You Can Prevent

Keep Your Eyes Healthy and Working: Stop Macular Degeneration

I go for yearly eye checkups and no one has ever suggested I get tested for Macular Degeneration. I have asked for the simple test and gotten it, but learned that while insurance companies pay for other tests, they don't pay for this one. Here is my story about why this is wrong.

I have three loved ones who suffered from this. My uncle, who died blind, my aunt who is just starting to get treatment and my Dad who had never heard of it, until at 83 he was lucky enough to have a doctor who tested him. He's 91 now and still struggling, but we are grateful for the care he has. However had he been tested earlier he would be better.

This lens will tell you what macular degeneration is, how to prevent it and what you can do to keep it from getting worse.

Three Stories About Macular Degeneration

My uncle died at 93, both deaf and blind. The deafness was probably excellerated by damage from years as a railroad man. The blindness came from Macular Degeneration, a disease that strikes over 300,000 people every year, and is a growing cause of blindness.

My Dad was diagnosed with both kinds, wet and dry, one in each eye, 8 years ago. It was almost an accident that he went to the doctor he did for glasses. He happened to go to one who knew something about it and diagnosed him. That doctor sent him to an expert who has watched Dad's eyes like a hawk, so to speak. Dad has a lot of problems with his eyes, has to go for frequent treatments, but he can see; at 91 with MD in both eyes, he can still see.

Uncle Orval was Mom's brother. His wife, Aunt Elaine and my Dad are the only two left. She is in Iowa and he is in North Carolina, but they talk a lot on the phone.

One day he was very worried about her. She was told she might have Macular Degeneration, but hadn't scheduled and appointment. She didn't think it was a big deal. She is a lovely person, but that tends to be her reaction and even though her husband went blind, Dad couldn't convince her. Now, Dad is not the kind of guy to tell people what to do, so he probably didn't push, but he was worried.

I got on the phone to my cousin and explained what medical treatment had done for Dad. My cousins didn't know anything about it. She has since been to the doctor's. Hopefully one as good as Dad's.

Three stories, all different; two with happier endings. Thinking of my friendly, gregarious uncle as deaf and blind is not a happy thing.

Please get yourself tested.

Fritz Arrowsmith Talks About His Macular Degeneration, Treatment and Helpful Aids

Fritz Arrowsmith, 91, my dad, has been dealing with AMD for 8 years. He had not heard of the disease, but was lucky to go to an optimitrist who recognized it and sent him on. He has some very important information to share.

Macular Degeneration I

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Macular Degeneration II

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The Human Eye

What Is Macular Degeneration?

AMD Strikes Blue Eyes More Than Brown

This is a disease which results in loss of vision in center of the visual field due to damage to the retina. It usually strikes older adults.

"The inner layer of the eye is the retina, which contains nerves that communicate sight, and behind the retina is the choroid, which contains the blood supply to the retina.

In the dry (nonexudative) form, cellular debris called drusen accumulate between the retina and the choroid, and the retina can become detached. In the wet (exudative) form, which is more severe, blood vessels grow up from the choroid behind the retina, and the retina can also become detached. It can be treated with laser coagulation, and with medication that stops and sometimes reverses the growth of blood vessels".

Dry Macular Degeneration

Testing Can Save You From Blindness Through Macular Degeneration

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Wet Macular Degeneration

Five High Risk Issues for Macular Degeneration

1. Age - the risk increases with age
2. Cigarette smoking
3. A family history of macular degeneration
4. Excessive exposure to sunlight
5. High blood pressure and/or cardiovascular disease

And What To Do About Macular Degeneration Risks

Well you can't do anything about your age or your genetic history, but you can insist on Macular testing each and every time you go to the eye doctor for glaucoma testing. Heck, you can do that even if you don't have a family history.

Dad, aunt and uncle were of a generation that didn't wear sunglasses. However, the sun wasn't as harsh then as now. Don't go out without sunglasses!

If you smoke, stop. You know a million other reasons, but you if think it won't kill you, think of living to a blind old age.

A doctor once told me that Macular Degeneration came from the same things that caused people to need heart bi-passes. Makes sense since we have learned that the blood vessels are what affect the middle vision and can make that area stop working. Doing what is good for your blood vessels will also help your eyes. Thus you can take care of your eyes with good nutrition and exercise, just like your heart.

Normal Vision from National Eye Institute

With Macular Degeneration NEI

I Just Saw the Scariest Picture About Macular Dgeneration!

Must Take Action!

1. I am going to call the doctor and get tested!

2. Oh, and call an EFT expert to help me quit smoking.

3. And finally look into that heart healthy, now also eye healthy eating plan!

4. Oh, and find my sunglasses and wear them!

Lutein Suppliments Fight Macular Degeneration

More and more doctors are recommending eye supplements with Lutein. They really help stave off AMD. There are lots of great products besides these, just be sure to get them from a good health food store. Just get some! And a good (not expensive) pair of sunglasses! And did I say that you should be tested?

Eating heart healthy is also eating eye healthy.

TwinLab - Ocuguard Plus with Lutein, 60 capsules

Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)

Nature's Plus - Ultra Lutein, 20 mg, 60 softgels

Amazon Price: $32.95 (as of 07/12/2009)

Still Not Movitated to Get Tested This WeeK? Come On, Its Easier Than Glaucoma Testing, Just Do It!

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Macular Degeneration Can Be Prevented; It Can Be Slowed---IT CAN'T BE REVERSED---GET TESTED NOW!

Your Thoughts About Macular Degeneration Are Always Welcome

I would love to hear your comments on the lens, stars appreciated!

Lensmaster

Margo_Arrowsmith wrote...

in reply to julcal Well, we'll pray that it is a false alarm, but regardless, I am glad this got you to the doctor.

I am also angry that your doctor never suggested it. This shows that we have to take our health care into our own hands. Doctors are great, but obviously its also up to us.

Posted March 11, 2009

Lensmaster

julcal wrote...

What the ??? I do have a vague grayish spot in the center of my field of vision. I thought it was residue from my 24/7 migraine state where I used to have very vivid 24/7 aura. I'm off to the eye doc pronto and telling him I have this blind spot and I'm sure he'll take action.

thank you once again Margo for an important, informative lens, 5*, FAV, twitter, you name it!

Julie

Posted March 11, 2009

Lensmaster

Stazjia wrote...

My best friend was diagnosed with wet MD last year. She's lost some vision in one eye and is receiving treatment and regular check-ups. She's only 63 but has a chronic illness called myasthenia gravis which the doctors think could have made her more prone to MD. She is so upset at losing the central vision in one eye and scared of it happening in the other eye. She's a strong person so, on the surface, seems to cope well.

This is such a great, informative lens an I feel I know a lot more about it now.

Posted February 14, 2009

Lensmaster

webnh wrote...

thanks for sharing this important information..a Blessing from a SquidAngel

Posted October 20, 2008

Lensmaster

monarch13 wrote...

Great Reaearch! Thanks for joining the Healthy, Wealthy and Wise Group. 5 stars.

Posted October 15, 2008

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Important Books About Macular Degeneration To Read

Some of them are for the patient, some for the family, some for prevention. This is something that can be preventing or treated. As of today it cannot be cured.