Wellness

[Flatbush]

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@We rescue cats wrote:

I have Diabetic Macular Edema in my left eye, I was diagnosed over 2 years ago and started treatments for it, my shots were just changed from Avastin to Vabysmo 4 months ago and the difference has be staggering. I also take the Presser Vision Areds2, my vision has improved tremendously with the Vabysmo.

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Good to know that another med has been of help to you.

It must be such a relief to know  that the new meds have been positive and brought you such a dramatic difference.

I will remember this if  the R.S, decides to change my med.

I am currently on Avastin.

[shelbyshelbyshelby]

The vaccine will only delay the Macular degeneration when you have the "Wet Macular Degeneration" . I know this because I have been experiencing this medical situation for many years . It has taken away my independence . I will say that live goes on and I have learned  to make the best of my situation . One day  hopefully in our life time the Medical Field will find a solution.

[FLtricia]

I also have dry macular in both eyes.  No impact on my vision yet.  I get a newsletter from a nurse with macular related information.  In it I read an article that they are in the process of clinical trials for stem cell treatment.  So far the results have been promising.  They use your own stem cells and alter them to help with vision.

I plan to discuss this with my Retina Specialist at my next appointment.  I do know that Mayo does Stem Cell therapy, but I don't know if they are participating in the clinicals.

If I find out anything I will come back and post about it.  You can find information by googling stem cell therapy for macular degeneration.

[Flatbush]

@shelbyshelbyshelby 

Yes, I agree with you on this issue. Too bad it doesn't seem to be a cure at all, or even an improvement to our sight. I am hoping for a slow down, but not even sure about that.

I see  many on MacD forums who would disagree tho.

[Flatbush]

@FLtricia 

There appears to be quite a bit of research going on. I never knew how prevalent this disease was until I was diagnosed.

Hopefully you will maintain good eye sight for a long time.

Will look forward to your report,

[Growing]

So glad you have some good resources. My husband has a different degenerative eye disease and there is a lot of resources. He uses his iPhone and it talks to him and he talks to it. He uses finger gestures on the iPhone and uses command keys on the computer not a mouse. The main thing is one can learn to use a computer with what is called accessibility features. He prefers the Mac for its better accessibility features and he sometimes uses Jaws which is a program you buy and install for blind people or low vision people. 

Look and see if you have a nearby non-profit that helps the blind. Sometimes they are called Lighthouses for the Blind. Sometimes they are a big company that has bought several called Envision. They usually have a technology specialist that will help you learn it.

And get your home "blind friendly" as we call it. Get rid of those trip hazards like throw rugs and applicances that are totally a touch screen one has to read. If one can. So many appliances are not tactile now which means one can't touch or feel where the buttons are. My husband puts soft stickable bumps on where the non-tactile buttons are on some of our appliances but he can no longer cook. He simply can't see a smooth top cook top to know where to put the pan. He can't see what is in the pan either. 

There are free resources like BARD which is a national books on audiotape for the blind. You have to fill out some forms or have a letter from your eye doctor stating your eye issue. My husband uses a device called a Victor Reader Stream to listen to audiobooks which they all call reading.

My husband does a lot of computer trainings on zoom with a group call BITS with the American Federation of the Blind (I think that is the correct name). He also does zoom meetings with a group called Accessible World. We do a book club on there. Everyone has some form of visual impairment but they have learned to use the zoom app and they do things together. He also does a group that loves Old Time Radio and does meeting twice a week on zoom to listen to the old shows. Half the people are visuually impaired and some are not. 

Don't try to manage your life from seeing. Learn to manage your life by tactile means and using modern technology on your phone and computer. You will see you are not alone and will open a whole new world. There is life after diagnosis with eye disease!

I wish you the best.