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Macular Degeneration Geographic Atrophy
My dry macular changed to GA in April and my vision has changed drastically. I only have limited sight on right eye due to amblyopia as a child but had 20/20 vision in left eye.
Doctor is recommending Iversay injections but I am so skeptical of the risks. I have also read about Valeda light therapy and saw an eye specialist that has been using it since it was approved by the FDA. I go to Wills Eye and they are not using the Valeda which troubles me. I have read it can change the condition from dry to wet and of course has some other side effects.
Has anyone used the Iversay or Valeda therapy. I need to pay $1800 for the Valeda bc Medicare will not pay until I lose more sight. Seems ridiculous since it is to stop the progression.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
At a lose what to do and see my vision changing daily.
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I have been doing the Valeda for a year and twice out of pocket and medicare covered my third treatment and reimbursed me for the previous two. I have 20-200 in one eye but 20-30 in the other one. I had wet in one eye prior to the valeda treatments and did develop wet in the other one since beginning the treatments .
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1 ReactionThank you do much for your information.
I was scheduled for the three week program of Valeda the 1st week of June and canceled bc I had read that participants were going from dry to wet.
Now that you have the wet you are unable to benefit from Valeda. Is that correct? Are you getting injections.
I was also offered Iversay injections but skeptical of them as well bc of changes from dry to wet, detached retina, etc
Just don't know which steps to take. They all have risks.
Correction
Izervay
@triciabliler
I get injections in both eyes for the wet and about two weeks later one for dry (Syfovre) in by the better eye only. They still have me do the Valera 9 treatments . Even with all the treatments, I can tell my good eye is slowly turning worse . Just the nature of the beast . There is a clinic in Serbia that does stem cells for glaucoma that I’m investigating.
Thank you for the info. I really appreciate your taking the time to correspond. Please keep me informed and pray that you see some positive progress. Japan is also experimenting with stem cells for dry maculsr and a Doctor Schwartz in California.
I am getting injections of Syfovre in both eyes every 8 weeks for dry AMD with GA. Injection discomfort varies as it affected my light sensitivity and my wet eye last injection. So far, I am tollerating the injections.
Dr. now has Valeda machine and I am considering once I can get some additional info like will it affect light sensitivity and for how much and how long. Also have to check if Medicare will pay in my case but since I am already getting injections, I am guessing it will pay. None of this is easy but we push on. Anyone out there who has had the light therapy and can describe process?
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1 ReactionThe process is 35 seconds with that eye open and then 90 seconds with both eyes closed. You repeat twice for each eye. I also get shots for both wet and dry .
Did light sensitivity increase with Valeda treatments? I have light sensitivity in both eyes and do not want to make it worse.
No it did not for me
@woodcreekwoman
Do you feel the injections have slowed the progression?
Have the injections caused either eye to change from dry to wet?