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Slow degradation of my vision. Seeing a retina specialist

Eye Conditions | Last Active: Jan 19 10:38am | Replies (154)
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@darby01

Thank you for your comment and description which you have thoroughly researched. I’d like to clarify my treatment. I do indeed have wet macular degeneration for which I have received injections. Generally I have a series of a total of 3 injections, spaced 6 weeks apart. At the end of these 3 injections, I am thoroughly evaluated for the need for further treatment. Additionally, at each visit I receive an eye exam, eye pressure check and evaluation of any changes in my vision and health status. My retina is routinely scanned. While my condition has stabilized and improved over time, I have not yet progressed to the point of not needing the injections to preserve my vision. All of this relates to my right eye only; so far my left eye shows no signs of deteriorating conditions. My retinal specialist is well-regarded and I live in an area where high quality medical care is readily available. Fortunately, I have good health insurance that covers these treatments.

I also take Preservision Areds 2 twice daily. It’s certainly a good idea to monitor your vision on a daily basis by using an Amsler Grid; it seems that it would be especially important if there is a significant hiatus in treatment and appointments.

I was particularly interested in the posting of the party who mentioned laser treatment for floaters prior to the development of her problem. I, too, received laser treatment for a film that developed over my eye and shortly thereafter, the wet macular degeneration was detected. Prior to that, I had an eye exam every 6months
during which my retina was thoroughly examined.

Thank you for your interest in my comments and condition. I appreciate your attention and your very valuable information; I know that anyone who reads your post will benefit from your extensive knowledge and experience. I wish you continued good health.

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Replies to "Thank you for your comment and description which you have thoroughly researched. I’d like to clarify..."
realitytest | @realitytest | Sep 25, 2022

Thank you very much for your detailed response to my comments about advice I've gotten from specialists re whether to indefinitely receive injections in an eye(s) affected with wet macular degeneration. (Also for your very kind remarks about the utility of my sharing!)

Perhaps I've gotten lost in our extensive exchange of details so that I am not understanding the basic answer to my question about indications for continuing injections. (And chances are it wasn't easy to "tease out" my question because I wrote in excessive detail!)

I'll try again. I DID understand that your doctors did a detailed evaluation of your affected right (same as me!) eye at your check-up interval - that is, after three injections taking three months in all. (They certainly are thorough!)

However, do I understand that you are continuing to receive injections in your right eye just as a precaution even if it is NOT showing symptoms of wet macular degeneration? That is, more leakage from the abnormal capillaries (and on-going scarring, probably including fluid beneath the macula)?

I AM confused! I have been told the antiVEGF injections are only useful if ones macular degeneration is still "wet". If not, what symptoms are your doctors using to justify the continued injections in your right eye?

I've been trying to research if there are different injection rationales apart from active leakage. Specifically, do some doctors give injections "prophylactically - to ward off new leakage even if your right eye has dried up?

I read about various clinical trials comparing when antiVEGF injections are given, and outcomes from using different ones. One thing that stood out, was that the researchers all commented that in "real life practice", patients were UNDERTREATED!
That is, patients in the trials received more injections and/or other treatments.

Naturally, I don't want to permanently lose more vision because of under-treatment. It sounds like "treat and extend" is under-treating.

Could you please compare your doctors' injection reasons with mine? Do they inject even if your right eye has stabilized (isn't actively "wet")?

Thank you! Hope my question is clearer this time.
(How many injections have you gotten so far, and in what period of treatment?)
How has your vision progressed? (Worse, the same, better?)

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