Check Your Medications for Vision Loss..Let's Save our Vision!

by Kathleen Sullivan
(Scottsdale, Arizona)

I am a 60 year old artist,recently diagnosed with macular degeneration. I called my brother, a physician, who had recently developed glaucoma and cataracts himself.

My brother and I were both taking the same ulcer medication. My brother, an MD, advised me to Google all of my Prescriptions for vision loss.

He told me that before I take any medication in the future I need to decide "Is it worth going blind?"

He told me the next time an MD prescribed any medication for me to politely say," No Thank you it isn't worth the Risk!"

This week I received a PDR 2010 from my brother, 8 out of 10 medications I was taking listed vision loss as a side effect.

I went off all my medications except thyroid. I can live with CIDP.

I've changed my life to save my vision. My diet is full of organic meats, green leafy vegetables and fruits.

I have HOPE.

Please check all of your medications!

Controlled Hypertension & Risk of Developing AMD

by Ronnie
(New Jersey)

The recent article I received in my inbox stated that even controlled hypertension doubles the risk of developing macular degeneration.

I don't understand that statement...if one is on medicine that effectively controls their high blood pressure, why isn't their risk for AMD reduced to the same level as a person who has normal blood pressure?

Is it because of possible side effects of blood pressure medicines?

REPLY

Hi Ronnie,

Thanks for your question. This is rather disturbing information since so many people as they age develop high blood pressure.

My guess is that those with high blood pressure, even though it is now under control, have already experienced some changes in their blood vessels -such as the artery walls thickening, loss of elasticity and some rigidity.

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Cause of Macular Degeneration

by Dolly
(Phillipines)

What is the cause of macular degeneration? What will I do to cure it?

REPLY

Hi Dolly,

There is usually not one cause of macular degeneration but rather several factors from family history, to diet and lifestyle that can lead to the development of AMD.
Some of the more common risks are smoking, having parents or siblings with AMD, sun exposure and aging.

But many times people who don't have the common risk factors still develop it.

To learn more about the causes of macular degneration click here:

Cause of Macular Degeneration

Although there is no cure for macular degeneration there is treatment depending on they type of macular degeneration you have - dry or wet.

To learn more about treatment options click here:

Macular Degeneration Treatment

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Wet Macular Degeneration - Caused by Glucosamine/Chondroitin?

by Razia
(Rawalpindi, Pakistan)

I have wet AMD diagnosed one year back when I had already lost centre vision of my left eye. My right eye is safe and am trying to keep it safe by using eye vitamins.

I like to know whether Glucosamine & Chondroitin (Herbal supplements) can be the cause of this problem as I have been using it for the last about 12 yrs for prevention of joint pains? If so, I would like to stop it now?

There is no family history of AMD in our close relatives. Can it be due to only age factor; age related macular degeration as I am now above 70?

REPLY

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate nutritional supplements have been widely used for joint pain for many years, and are considered very safe supplements.

It is unlikely that these nutrients would have contributed to your macular degeneration.

If you are a diabetic or are diabetic prone, and/or have GI issues, then you should consult with your doctor regarding whether to continue with these supplements. They can contribute to these health concerns.

The most common side effects that have been reported are gastrointestinal in nature, such as upset stomach, nausea, heartburn and diarrhea. Taking glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate with food seems to reduce the incidence of the above side effects.

We believe that compromised circulation and poor nutrient absorption through the GI tract are major contributors to the onset macular degeneration, particularly Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), and continue to play a role in loss of vision.

Along with what your eye doctor recommends, the more you can do to include daily cardiovascular exercise, a healthy diet and targeted nutrient supplementation, the better your chances of preserving healthy vision over the short and long run.

Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac.

Natural Eye Care

AMD and Dementia

by Henry

I have read a news item suggesting, that AMD could be used for early diagnosis of dementia
by examining how the blood vessels are
getting blocked, which interfere with the nerves leading to the brain.

Have you any knowledge of this?

Also, I have been told by my doctor, that by drawing, what one imagines to be a straight line with a pencil on the Amsler Grid chart, one can
measure the AMD condition, again, have you any thoughts on this technique.

Yours most sincerely,

Henry

Answer
Hi Henry,

Yes, I have read about associations between AMD and dementia and blood vessel blockage - and it makes sense.

My by-line is Better Health for Better Vision - in other words your eye health is a reflection of the health of the rest of your body.

If you have circulation problems in one part of your body, you will have it other places as well.

The degeneration or dying of the cells in the macula is due to the lack of circulation or transportation of nutrients and oxygen to the macula and the removal of built up waste products out of the macula.

There are different types of dementia, but vascular dementia is one of the most common. This dementia is again due to poor circulation and the lack of blood supply carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain - most likely due to blocked or diseased blood vessels.

A recent study published in May 2009 on PubMed by Archives of OphthalmologyEarly is called Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Cognitive Function, and Dementia: the Cardiovascular Health Study.

This is the conclusion:

"CONCLUSIONS: In this older population, cognitive impairment may share common age-related pathogenesis and risk factors with early AMD."

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Macular Degeneration - In My 40's

Why do I have macular degeneration?

Isn't it a retinal disease that old people get? I am only 46yrs old?

REPLY

Hello Reader,

The majority of people with macular degeneration do have the age related form of this retinal disease. Meaning that as one get's older different factors affect the ability of the eye to remove waste products and to provide needed nutrients and oxygen to the eyes.

However, macular degeneration is really a broad term that encompasses many different diseases that affect the macula - a tiny spot located in the middle of the retina.

There is a strong genetic component to macular degeneration. Much of today's research is focusing on this so there are not a lot of answers at this time.

For general information on some of the common causes of macular degeneration visit:

Causes of Macular Degeneration

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN