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• Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-08-27 00:21:56 By TEY K
• Dear all,
  
  I am 33, male and severely myopic (L-18D R-20D). I was just diagnosed with lacquer cracks in my both eyes, and a small retina hemorrhage in my left eye. That happened a few months back when I first noticed waviness when I look at straight lines and a light greyish blood patch on my left eye central vision. Both has since disappeared and my RS said the blood has resolved and there's no scarring on the macula.
  
  However, I do noticed a slight drop in visual acuity in my left eye and sensitiveness to dimly lit surroundings after what happened.
  
  My eye doctor said this was due to the thinning and stretching of the retina, RPE and chloroid due to the high myopia. I understand that the effects on the thinning of the RPE for myopic degeneration patients acts on about the same way as that for ARMD, and ultimately abnormal blood vessels will grow and retina will be damaged.
  
  Anyone who has the same situation as me, maybe you would like to share your experiences?
  
  So far my RS has not found any CNV leakage, but it came across to me that patients with lacquer cracks are highly predisposed to CNV.
  
  I read that lacquer cracks and breaks in the Bruch's membrane typifies the early stage of the disease.
  
  Besides that, my RS also said I got some slight lattice degeneration and mild posterior staphyloma on my left eye and chlorioretina atrophy on my both eyes.
  
  Does anyone know from personal experiences typically how long it takes for lacquer cracks to progress to CNV and eventually loss of central vision?
  
  Will the progression of myopia stabilised for pathological myopia? I feel that my myopia has not been increasing much (perhaps an increase of 2D-3D each eye) over the last ten years prior to this incident.
  
  I am really very fearful and feel so helpless and uncertain of what the future lies ahead after learning about my condition. It has never occur to me so many medical complications can arise as a result of being high myopic.
  
  Any advises or sharing of experience will be greatly appreciated!
  
  Thanks!
  
  

• Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-09-22 15:07:10 By Amy R
• Tey,
  I'm 36 and have severe myopia. I've had lacquer cracks for several years. After a couple of years of no issues I had what I think sounds similar to your experience -- my doc called it a Fuch's spot - where I had some bleeding in one eye that caused big grey spots and wavy lines - but then took care of itself. About a year later, my other eye started really going downhill. I had a CNV that was rapidly deteriorating. Unfortunately, I had just become pregnant so could only treat with Kenalog (steroid) shots. That held it at bay a bit, but after the 3rd shot it continued to deteriorate. My bad eye is somewhat worse than 20/400 now - and continuing to degenerate. However, if I hadn't been pregnant, my RS felt that I would have been a great candidate for Lucentis. As soon as I have the baby in November, they plan to aggressively treat me. I'd say in your situation, even if you do get a CNV there is a good chance treatment will be effective. I'm hoping that I have a chance of a good result even after waiting 8 months...
  

• Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-09-25 13:00:00 By TEY K
• Hi Amy,
  
  Thank you for sharing! I though I wasn't going to receive any reply :-)
  
  I am very sorry to hear about your CNV. I pray that vision in your bad eye will improve after treatment after your pregnancy. Persevere on and keep going and I really hope things will get better for you!!
  
  Did your RS say the blood patch likely resolve by itself in your affected eye just like the first bleeding you had in your good eye?
  
  Just to add some info, mine is a very small bleed which leaves a very small light greyish blood patch in the central vision and after a few months, gradually resolved by itself with seemingly little or no effect on vision. My RS did not propose any treatment, nor did she give me any hint the timeframe when CNV will eventually develope in both eyes. I just knew that I had lacquer cracks in both eyes, that's about it.
  
  I was quite devastated at first, but after awhile, I kept telling myself to be optimistic, and who knows things aren't going to be so bad afterall. But, after hearing from you, to be honest, I felt quite demoralised and it seems like it's just a matter of time for CNV develope.
  
  Btw, how high is your prescriptions?
  
  Anyone knows what does dry myopic macula degeneration means?
  
  Anyone out there who has similar experiences are also welcome to share.
  
  And I hope everybody who reads this and who also has problems with MD, persevere on and don't lose hope!!
  
  
  
  Regards,

• Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-09-25 14:32:33 By Amy R
• Hi Tey,
  Don't be demoralized! I don't think you will necessarily develop a CNV. To be honest, I'm not quite sure the difference between the Fuch's spot and the CNV -- but they are different. I don't think the CNV in my left eye will resolve itself like the Fuch's spot in my right eye did. Also, it sounds to me that you just had a Fuch's spot which happily resolved itself -- and there is no reason to think you will develop a CNV. Sounds like you don't have any active bleeding or lesions so you may be totally fine forever! I'm really hoping that even though I had a Fuch's spot in my right eye (that's my good eye) that I will NEVER get a CNV in that one... Of course, I do think that those of us with myopic macular degeneration are predisposed to that... Regardless, my understanding is that Myopic Macular degeneration (I've been diagnosed with that as well) doesn't necessarily mean severe vision loss. I had that diagnosis long before any real problems - I just had the cracks and other issues that were caused by my extreme myopia... My contacts are prescribed at -14 I think.
  I'm seeing my RS today -- I'm going to ask him the difference b/w Fuch's spots and CNVs and whether one indicates that you may get the other.
  Chin up!! It sounds like your eyes are really hanging in there. Also, if you do develop a problem, my RS has told me that folks with myopic macular degeneration generally respond very well to treatment. Of course, waiting 9 months for treatment doesn't help your odds - but I'm still very hopeful.
  

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-09-26 11:51:48 By TEY K
• Hi Amy,
  
  Thanks for your encoragements!!!
  
  How's your visit to your RS? Is everything ok?
  
  Feels so sad that you are not able to undergo active treatment due to your pregnancy. Does your RS say the chances your vision will improve once treatment starts? How long more do you have to wait before your pregnancy ends?
  
  My RS said through regular retina checkup, if there's clinical suspicions, they will put you through FFA and ICG to detect whether growth of new vessels exist and once detected, have it treated using PDT before it starts leaking.
  
  My RS didn't even suggest FFA or ICG during my bleed. She just said it was lacquer cracks and it will resolve by itself in a few months, which is quite true anyway.
  
  I also don't know the differences between CNV and Fuch's spot. For mine, the area blood patch is very small and not fully opaque (translucent) but it affects the central vision. During the few months it takes to heal, it was quite torturous, as I often suffer from headaches.
  
  Is it for CNV, there is active bleeding and the blind spot tends to be bigger and more opaque?
  
  I don't think my eyes can hold out too long before CNV takes over, though I hoep so, as there are also some atrophies and lacquer cracks. I asked my RS about my future visual prognosis, but she is non-committal.
  
  Below are some links to a MD forum which I find quite informative and new drugs that are currently on clinical trials and also existing drugs to treat wet MD. Maybe you will find that helpful, if you're not aware of.
  
  http://www.mdsupport.org/library/anti-angio.html
  http://www.mdsupport.org/mdforum.html
  
  
  
  

• Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-09-26 13:21:05 By Amy R
• Hi Tey,
  My RS visit went fine, of course my left eye continues to decline. Can't really make out the Big E anymore which is a bummer.
  My RS doesn't know if treatment will help me, but said it is certainly possible - he's seen it help before.
  I asked him about the difference b/w Fuch's spots and CNV - Fuch's spots are normal blood vessels that break and bleed - it happens often with people with severe myopia and stretched retinas. They almost always self resolve. The CNVs are new, abnormal blood vessels - and those do not resolve on their own.
  With CNVs, they can be active or inactive. Over the past 8 months or so of having this, sometimes it is bleeding actively, sometimes it is not. Currently, its inactive - which is good because its not getting bigger - but bad b/c I don't know if treatment will help-- the anti-vegf treatments mostly help active CNVs.
  I should be having the baby around Nov 7 -- and then I'm going to get my first shot around Nov 21. I am SO hopeful. I'll be sad if it doesn't help at all, but I'm still so thankful that my right eye is hanging in there --- corrected I can get to about 20/30 or better.
  Can you tell me what FFA and ICG are? I'm not familiar with that.
  Also, I'm not sure why your RS would have told you that lacquer cracks self-resolve. Perhaps she was referring to the Fuch's spots. If not, I think she's pretty off-base so you should consider changing your RS! Where are you located? I've been to a couple here in the Bay Area and also visited Bascom Palmer in Florida --they are leaders in the field.

• Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-09-28 01:38:56 By TEY K
• Hi Amy,
  
  Good to hear that your leaking is no longer active!!
  
  I read that red blood cells will die after a few months, which I guess that means they will resolve by themselves (??), unless leaking is active.
  
  FFA is Fluorescein angiography (fluorescein sodium) and ICG is Indocyanine green angiography (contains iodine). Both are non-toxic dyes injected through your body (normally through the veins in the wrist) and then they travel along the blood vessels to your eyes to be photographed by specialised cameras for the RS to examine the blood flow and dye leakage in your eyes. It is used to examine adnormal blood vessels and whether there are any leakages.
  
  Your RS didn't ask you to do that when your first Fuch spot occurs in your good eye?
  
  My doesn't. But I went to two RS and the other one asked me to do FFA and ICG. The first one was probably more experienced, and she confidently said it was a lacquer crack and no need for any ICG and FFA. She just took for me the OCT and said the blood will resolve by itself and asked me to wait and come back few weeks later, and non chalantly pointed out that I have lacquer cracks in my both eyes before and because they did not affect my macula, that's why I didn't notice any changes previously. So upon hearing her words, at first I thought, hmm.. lacquer cracks not so serious afterall, until I researched further and realised there's more implications to lacquer cracks.
  
  I think I phrased it wrongly. She didn't say lacquer cracks will resolve by itself. It was the blood will resolve by itself. According to what I read, lacquer cracks are healed ruptures in the Bruch's membrane-RPE-chloriocaprillaries complex. If I am not wrong, it also said that any such lesions and healing process will possibly trigger the growth of adnormal blood vessels (CNV). I don't know how high the percentage are, but it seems that those with lacquer cracks are more predisposed to CNV :(
  
  I hope your good eye will hang in there and you need to get it examined regularly for any clinical suspicions of CNV, and if there is, there should be some treatment to have it sealed using PDT before it starts leaking (I think so, that's roughly what my RS advised me).
  
  I also take fish oil supplements (contains DHA and omega 3 fatty acids) and steamed green veges (kailan) everyday. I read that it may help to maintain healthy blood vessels and maybe inhibit growth of adnormal vessels (??). I don't know how true it is, but there's no harm trying anyway.
  
  I am based in Singapore and I don't know if there's any access to the newer drugs developed such as Avastin, Lucentis and Visudyne yet. Next time when I visit my RS, I will ask about it.
  
  It's a joy to hear that your baby is going to deliver soon :) Congrats!!! Hopefully you can get access to treatment very soon and your condition will improve.
  
  What was your profession previously?
  
  I think the worst part of this disease is that so many of us are affected in our prime (30s and 40s) and more likely than not, you're going to lose your financial independence once you got it, as for my case, I am unlikely to continue with my work (I work as an Accountant) if I do not have functional eyesight.
  
  
  
  Cheers!
  
  
  

• Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-09-28 13:26:47 By Amy R
• Hi Tey!
  Thanks for the info. I did have the flourescein angiography with my fuch's spot. I just didn't know the acronym - but I don't think I've done the ICG. My RS definitely would choose to do an FFA if I ever have leaking, but because of my pregnancy we've decided to skip it. We have continued to take pics and do the OCT. (Nice LONG visits to the RS). It sounds like the FFA will be more sensitive to picking up the leaking but you can definitely see it on the OCT and just regular pics as well.
  Just as a random piece of info, my grandmother got age-related macular degeneration many years ago - sadly before there were ANY treatment options. She's pretty much gone to black in her left eye, but she hasn't got it in her right eye (and she's over 90 now!). NO ONE can tell me the probabities of getting a CNV in one eye if you've gotten in in the other - or just the probability of getting a CNV if you have lacquer cracks. I don't think anyone knows. You are right, we are certainly predisposed, but I think there is a good chance that I won't get it in both eyes - and for you, you won't get it in either! The key I think is to be vigilant watching for any signs and taking advantage of all the exciting new treatments.. You clearly don't need Lucentis at this point - but you should ask your RS about it - from everything I've read its one of the most promising treatments for a CNV... If you ever need it, your RS should certainly be considering it along with the rest of your options. I've read that PDT can be great as well - and my RS agrees, although he generally seems to favor Lucentis --Some of the risks of PDT include scarring - My RS said he usually will combine a shot of steroid (Kenalog, I think) with a PDT treatment -- and I THINK that's to minimize scarring... Something to keep in mind should it come up for you or anyone else reading this...
  Take care and keep me posted!
  I'll do the same.
  Almost forgot - I work at an investment bank- - having the one bad eye really isn't a problem at all - you only need one good eye to read, drive etc. I'll be taking some time off when I have the baby, but expect to be back at it by February or so... coincidentally, I used to work as an accountant...
  Amy
  

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-02 04:48:44 By TEY K
• Dear Amy,
  
  Thank you for your encouragements and sharing!
  I am very impressed and touched by your positive attitude and optimistism.
  
  I wish I could be like you, so positive and forward looking. But at this point of time, I still find it rather hard not to constantly think about what the future holds and eventually how bad will the condition becomes.
  
  It's just not easy for me to come to terms with this.
  
  I really hope your condition will improve once treatment starts.
  
  Let's keep in touched, keep praying and keep posted about our conditions.
  
  Cheers!!

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-09 14:40:39 By Wendy C
• Hello there,
  I was reading your posts about myopic macular degeneration. I am 32 and have had it since I was 26. Do you know what it feels like when you do have bleeding or how long you have to get to the doctor once your eye starts to bleed? My left eye is at 4/200 and I never felt anything when it bled. My right eye is still okay with glasses. My nre RS is about an hour away with light traffic. Is that too far in case anything were to happen?
  
  Amy, congrats on the baby. I am newly married and often wonder about having children with MMD. Yours is a story of hope.

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-15 10:18:54 By TEY K
• Hi Wendy,
  
  For your info, my bleeding happened very suddenly. There's no symptoms, pain nor anything. It happened while I was on the bus. I was using the handphone when I realised the keypad and the text looks distorted when looking through my left eye.
  
  I went to the GP the next morning, and it was in the afternoon then I am able to see the RS.
  He saw me, then said the front of my retina looks fine. Then he referred me to another senior RS and I only managed to see her (who is my present RS) one week later.
  
  Fortunately for me, it was just a small bleeding from lacquer crack which managed to resolve on it's own few months later, leaving no scar or distortion now.
  
  However, my RS diagnosed that I have the so called dry myopic degeneration, due to the extensive stretching and thinning of the retina due to my high myopia (-18D,-20D). No CNV yet, but I feel really depressed and uncertain of my future now.
  
  Wendy, may I ask you how high is your prescriptions? You mentioned that you have it since you were 26, so do you start with the dry myopic degeneration before it turns wet? How long after then it turns wet?
  
  I am very sorry to hear about your condition. I guess most of us here in this forum are more or less in the same boat. Very sad :(
  
  I understood from reading that there are drugs available like Lucentis, Avastin and Macugen, and laser treatment like PDT which can be useful to slow down or arrest the progress of the wet type. Have you tried them? Maybe you should ask your RS what are the available treatments for your left eye and to consider them, and hopefully can regain some vision lost.
  
  
  Best wishes!!
  
  Kelvin
  
  
  

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-15 11:14:08 By Wendy C
• Hi Tey,
  Thank you for your reply to my message. It is somewhat comforting just to know that there are other people in this same situation. You had asked how high my myopia was when it happened. It was -10, and over the years it has increased to -15 in my seeing eye.
  
  Thank you for telling me of your experience with it. When I accidentally realized the damage to my left eye, I also did not have any pain either. My retinal surgeon said it could have even happened in my sleep.
  
  I know it is so hard to be hopeful about your future, but it is encouraging to know that there is active research being done, and that medications are even coming out to treat the disease. As far as I understand, the drugs are only applicable if you are bleeding.
  
  Thsnks again for the post,
  Wendy

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-17 00:13:50 By TEY K
• Hi Wendy,
  
  Thank you for your message and sharing!
  
  My myopia was also increasing all these years. Twelve years ago when I was 21, it was
  -13D,-15D, and now it was -18D,-20D.
  
  Did you find out from your RS what was the cause of the bleeding in your bad eye? Did you try to get treatment to resolve the blood?
  
  I was worried when my next bleeding will come and will it be a big one this time round. The feeling is just like living in an area full of volcanos and not knowing when the next one will erupt.
  
  Does anybody has any advices to share what should we do or not to do to minimise such bleeding from occurring?
  
  According to my understanding, correct me if I am wrong, the bleeding can be due to breaks in existing blood vessels leaking through cracks into the retina or due to growth of abnormal blood vessels (CNVM), which is fragile and bleeds easily.
  
  Is there any normal frequency such bleeding will occur?
  
  I guess we probably have to be vigilant like what Amy has said and to have our eyes checked on a regular basis. Now I go to the RS once every six months to have my eyes checked. Previously I didn't bother at all, not knowing I had the condition, and my last eye checkup was like more than ten years back.
  
  
  Regards,
  Kelvin

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-18 07:55:58 By Wendy C
• Hi Kelvin,
  How are you? Thanks for your reply. As far as the bleeding, I think there is very little you can do besides being dilligent about your checkups, Amsler Grid, and eating your veggies. I unfortunately have also been diagnosed with glaucoma and I think it is a complication of having mypoic degeneration.
  
  Funny, I went to eye exams yearly and all I was ever told is that I had a high prescription. No doctor ever mentioned myopic degeneration as a risk. I just attended a medical lecture looking at genetics and forms of vision loss. It was very interesting and helped my husband understand a little what I deal with.
  
  Take care,
  Wendy

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-18 16:35:24 By Amy R
• Hi guys,
  Diligence is very important, regular checks, the amsler grid is critical, and of course, keeping up with the new drugs. I have heard they are working on medication for dry MD -- Wendy, what have you tried? I have occasional flare ups of bleeding but honestly, I'm afraid my condition is mostly dry. Regardless - I've already got a Lucentis shot on the calendar. For, November 12th! I can't wait. My baby is scheduled to arrive on November 6th. I've decided on a c-section b/c I think that pushing is too risky with all my leaky blood vessels. I'll let you know if I get any improvement from the shot. My eyes continue to get worse so I'm anxious to get treatment of some sort.
  I'm still trying to figure out what to do about breast-feeding. If anyone has seen anything about breast-feeding and Lucentis, please send it my way. I'm running out of time to figure it out - and none of my docs seem to have a clue...

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-18 16:36:44 By Amy R
• Hi guys,
  Diligence is very important, regular checks, the amsler grid is critical, and of course, keeping up with the new drugs. I have heard they are working on medication for dry MD -- Wendy, what have you tried? I have occasional flare ups of bleeding but honestly, I'm afraid my condition is mostly dry. Regardless - I've already got a Lucentis shot on the calendar. For, November 12th! I can't wait. My baby is scheduled to arrive on November 6th. I've decided on a c-section b/c I think that pushing is too risky with all my leaky blood vessels. I'll let you know if I get any improvement from the shot. My eyes continue to get worse so I'm anxious to get treatment of some sort.
  I'm still trying to figure out what to do about breast-feeding. If anyone has seen anything about breast-feeding and Lucentis, please send it my way. I'm running out of time to figure it out - and none of my docs seem to have a clue...

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-19 23:37:51 By Brenda I
• I just found this message board quite by accident and was surprised to find people with experiences similar to my own. I had never actually met anyone with the type of macular degeneration that I have, the kind that is caused by severe myopia.
  
  I have been severely nearsighted since childhood. My glasses prescriptions have been -12 to -14 for many years. When I was about 37 or 38, I had a sudden hemorrhage in my right eye. I had no idea what it was. I just noticed some bright flashes of light, and after that I had a blind spot in my central vision. I waited about 3 weeks before seeing an ophthalmologist. By that time, I already had scarring on the macula and a loss of visual accuity in that eye. About 2 years later, the same thing happen to the left eye. I called the ophthalmologist immediately that time, and he sent me to a retina specialist who performed a laser treatment to stop the bleeding and reduce the amount of scarring. I now visit my ophthalmologist every year, but thankfully there have been no changes since that happened. I am now 56 years old, so I have lived with this for about 18 years now. I just want to encourage all of you who are just now experiencing this problem. Life does go on. I continue to work full time and I can still drive on a limited basis. I don't drive at night, and I avoid driving in unfamiliar settings since I have difficulty reading road signs. Basically, I drive back and forth to work, church, and shopping.
  
  When I visited my ophthalmologist this year, he reminded me that I am almost at the age where age-related macular degeneration is a concern. He did tell me that my vision most likely will deteriorate even further if that happens. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
  
  Good luck to all of you and thanks for posting these messages. Up until now, I thought I was the only one. It is hard to describe to people what it is like and what exactly I can and cannot see. Some people wonder why the eye doctor can't just prescribe stronger glasses. I've even had people suggest that to me. Others ask why I wear the glasses at all, if they don't help me see. I've had people tell me that they have those thin lenses for strong prescriptions these days so I don't have to have such thick glasses. I have to tell them, "Yes, I know that. These ARE the thin lenses. If I didn't have them, I probably couldn't keep the glasses on my face, they would be so heavy."
  
  Sorry this post is so long. I just felt like sharing all of this with people who probably understand.
  

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-20 14:41:12 By Amy R
• Brenda,
  Thanks so much for your message. It is great to hear about someone who has been able to manage the condition for so many years. When you said the same thing happened to your right eye 2 years later my heart dropped - but I'm very happy to hear that you've been able to preserve much of your vision. One eye is manageable -- its that second eye that is so scary. My left eye is at 20/400 or thereabouts and I feel it is still getting worse. I panic if I even get an eyelash in my right eye b/c I want to protect it so closely. Where does your vision stand right now? Are you able to maintain your drivers license with only one good eye? I'm going to have to figure that out when mine expires...
  I'm sure you are terrified about getting to an age where ARMD can strike - but the treatments keep getting better. Have you had any treatments to date?
  
  Good luck to you.

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-20 22:49:33 By Brenda I
• Hi Amy,
  
  I'm not sure what my vision was in my right eye when the first hemorrhage occurred. By the time I had it checked out, 3 weeks later, the bleeding had stopped and I only had the scarring. It didn't bother me too much since I still had one good eye. When the left eye hemorrhaged a couple of years later, I really panicked. My vision was about 20/400 in that eye when it was checked by the retina specialist the following day. He did the laser treatment, then I had a follow-up visit about 2 weeks later, and amazingly, my left eye was about 20/50. The right eye is much worse, but I'm not sure what my vision is in that eye. I feel very fortunate that I have had no further change in my vision in the past 16 years, except that I have had to start wearing bifocals.
  
  My state does not require a vision check for drivers license renewal, and my ophthalmologist has never questioned my driving ability (he asks me each year if I still drive). If the state ever takes my license from me, I'm not sure what I will do. I guess I will find an alternative method to get to work or try to get on disability.
  
  I have never had any sort of treatment for my problem, other than the laser treatment on that left eye. My ophthalmologist has never mentioned any treatment to me. I assume he would if he thought it would help me.
  
  Congratulations on the new baby. I hope everything goes well, and that your eyesight will improve.

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-20 22:54:10 By Brenda I
• Amy, Somehow my reply ended up above your post. Sorry.

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-20 23:02:06 By Amy R
• Hi Brenda,
  Thanks for the update!
  Wow - your vision was impacted so quickly. Thank goodness the laser treatment was so effective - and you were able to get it done right away. I'm glad you're still able to drive! All the best to you.
  Amy

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-29 23:41:18 By TEY K
• Hi Brenda,
  
  Thank you for your wonderful sharing!!
  
  Your story is a tremendous encouragement for all of us here who are suffering from this condition.
  
  I am surprised that you are holding it well for so many years. I hope you will continue to do so. As far as I understand, you can reduce your chances of getting ARMD through diet (ie; by eating lots of veges rich in lutein, fish oil etc) and reducing your exposure to sunlight. As it seems like the chances of getting ARMD is not directly correlated to the degree of myopia. I read it somewhere. Can anyone correct me if I am wrong about this?
  
  You mentioned that you experienced flashing light and then you got a blind spot in your central vision. For mine case, there is no flashing light. The bleeding just came suddenly, but it was very subtle until I didnt notice it immediately until when I was texting some messages in my mobile phone then I realised how come the keypad looks wavy with my affected eye. :(
  
  One question. Does your doctor diagnosed you to have lacquer cracks when you had your bleeds?
  
  Sorry for the long post.
  
  I hope you will continue to maintain your present eyesight and really wish that a cure for retina diseases can be found within the not too distant future.
  
  
  Regards,
  Kelvin
  
  
  

• Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-10-30 20:56:37 By Brenda I
• Hi Kevin,
  
  I think my doctor mentioned age-related macular degeneration because I am approaching the age where it becomes more common.
  
  I have an older brother, age 64, who was recently diagnosed with macular pucker, something I had never heard of. He has had surgery for the condition and his vision has improved some. It has affected only one eye so far.
  
  The doctor has never mentioned lacquer cracks to me. I had never heard of the condition until I read this board. I was diagnosed with vitreous opacity many years ago, when I was in my 20s. I think it mostly means that I have floaters, another condition common in people with severe myopia.
  
  Thanks for the well wishes. I hope your condition improves. Not to get political or anything, but I do think it is sad that our country can spend billions of dollars on high tech weapons to blow people up, but we still haven't come up with a cure for so many diseases and disorders that affect the lives of ordinary people like us.
  
  I guess I'll get off my soapbox now.
  
  Brenda

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pathological myopia
• Posted: 2007-11-20 07:27:55 By TEY K
• Hi Amy,
  
  How are you? Guess you must have delivered a cute baby by now. Congrats!!!
  
  Have you gone for your Lucentis treatment? Was it good?
  
  I hope it'll be good for you. Keep us posted yeah!!