Eye Issue

po18guy said:

Truly sorry to hear this my friend

I certainly had cataracts, and a torn retina several weeks post cataract surgery. But, my tear was on the periphery, so my central vision is fine, but when I first wake up, there is a shadow in the left corner of my left eye. It goes away after a few seconds (so far), but is a result of the tear. I am taking an AREDS supplement sold by the retina surgeons to help slow everything down. If you need surgery, this is one of those emergent situations in which a consult on Friday might have you in the O.R. on Sat or Mon. Age-related, at least we have some hope of slowing it.

I'm thinking that in the case of macular degeneration, you might well consider a clinical trial, as progress against this condition is badly needed. Odd that micro veins are involved. I don't know if that is a type of angiogenesis in which vascular growth is triggered by some factor or not. The really odd thing is that steroid use can cause avascular necrosis, in which veins - normally to the hips or knees - wither and die. 

Is there a way to decrese the size or number of veins behind the macula? A question begging an answer. Do you know if it is at all related to inter-ocular pressure? I am prescribed nightly drops to decrease that pressure. So many questions. 

Po,  as the news agencies would say, this is a 'developing story.'   The usual causes of m.d. are not known, except that it virtually never occures in anyone under age 50, and most cases begin only after 60.   As I noted, the O.D. stopped the exam about as soon as he began, realizing that my case was out of his realm.  I will note for clarity to the readers that I never took Prednisone, which R-ABVD does not use.  He did get far enough to say that no perscription could currently better my vision beyond about 20-50. And he repeated that I have pretty bad cataracts -- something I have known for about seven years now.   My vision has been like looking through a sheet of wax paper for a few years.  I do not yet have any center-of-field blindness.  It is interesting but likely not etiologically relevant that the night of my severe auto crash decades ago, I was totally blind the whole night, but could see the next day.  No doctor has ever had an explanation for that. About four years ago I began having 'lighting bolts,' and the only known cause for those is retinal detachment, but I went to the doctor at that time, and she said I had no trace of r.d.  The flashes quit about a month later, and have not returned.

The eye MD/surgeon's office called today.   Regarding decreasing the size of the veins behind the macula, yes, there are needle injections which address this, and I understand that they are most often at least partially effective.  My appointment is not until August 16.

Thanks to all responders.   I have a cousin who developed acute leukemia several years ago, and one of the chemo drugs she took left her almost totally blind within a few months.  I do not know which drug, but will ask her to look into it.  In general, I do not recall mention in the past of a chemo agent that causes blindness.   She can make out blurry grey shapes, so is not in total blackout.  And she is N.E.D. today.

Shady, the bomb blast experience was interesting but very unfortunate.  In the submarine service, there were certain things that at times (but rarely) produced dangerous decible levels.   I did not have known head injury when admittted to ICU following the wreck, but 10 weeks later, my ear itched, and I pulled out a hunk of windshield glass, so there was definite head impact.  I later asked how a person could be in the hospital for eight weeks (mostly in ICU), and not have someone look in their ears, but never got an answer.  I recently re-met my old friend severe vertigo, which I have had off-and-on since the wreck.  My G.P. told me yestereday that I likely suffered a microfracture somewhere near the inner ear canal.

po18guy said:

Pressure changes

Submarine service and pilots. Is there any correlation to MD?

PO,

M.D. is not linked to pressure, based on what I have read so far.  It is not even linked to glaucoma, so I doubt there is a link.    Interesting is the fact that to be admitted into the submarine force, you must undergo ear-equalization tests.   Put inside a large white cylinder at Submarine School New London (Connecticut), that looks about like an PL gas tank.  The cylinder seats about a dozen guys at a time.  It is sealed, and the air pressure is jacked way up, so high that if you cannot equalize pressure, your ear drums will rupture.    In other words, no way to fake an ability to equalize !  Pressure increases dramatically as a sub goes deep, such that if a string is tied taut from one side of the hull across to the to the other side, by the time the boat is way deep, the string is hanging loose.....

Greatest song regarding 'pressure' ever, and even has a line about '....like a blind man.'   Also rated as one of the greatest-ever basslines in rock history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoDh_gHDvkk

I can relate, obviously, Coupe.    M.D. is one of the leading causes of blindness, but is the only common eye disease that is totally non-operable.  Glaucoma, cataracts, retna detachment -- all operable.

I have been reading a bit, and the vitimans apparently are fairly effective.  Read the "ARES-2" information online.   I see the doc on the 16th, and will relate whatever I learn.

Sandy Ray said:

Password reset

Max,

Sorry forgot my password and was lazy getting around to reset. Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. You will be in my prayers.

Thank you Sandy Ray; it is what keeps me going.   I am not a pessimist or a secularist, despite my academic training and occasional bouts of dispair.

I 'do' lazy -- so I can well relate.