Diagnosed with wet AMD In young age..

[astralii]

I'm 33 and was diagnosed with wet AMD 7months ago. I received 3x Avastin injections in my left eye what improved my vision little bit but still cannot digest why it happed. I've always been eating healthy and working out so I do not understand what triggered it

Does anyone know if they are any new treatments available??

I'm very worried. Hope it will stabilize and vision keep improving..

[Ayayay80]

Hi astraliii

It is always sad to hear when young people are afflicted by ths dreadful eye condition. Not that it is easier to come to terms with it at an older age range, but at least it is a little more understandable.

There are a number of underlying eye conditions which determine the treatment and its effectiveness.

If you study the medical reports, the fact is that the exact cause is not really as yet known. There are numerous suggestions what might cause it:

1) Genetics. Do any members of your family and extended family have any eye problems? Of course, in days gone by your grandparents may not even have been aware of the cause for loss of vision except old age.

2) Ageing process, which hardly applies to you.

3) Shortsighted people are more prone to neovascularisation, but this condition is not usually called MD.

4) Heart problems and high blood pressure.

5) Lifestyle. Unfortunately there is no guarantee that even with a healthy diet and plenty of excercise you may avert MD, though you may lower the risk if you are healthy.

6) Obesity

In the UK we usually receive eye injections of lucentis or eylea. Has your condition stabilised after the injections? I wish you all the best. Keep up your spirits as stress can make matters worse.

[astralii in reply to Ayayay80]

Hi Ayayay80

Thanks for your reply. We don't have any eye related problem records in the family and my vision was 100% before.

I was given Avastin in the UK Kingston Royal eye unit. I've been told that due to my age they would not use Lucentis or Eleya. I don't know why they had to use off label medication However it is stabilized for now and I'm getting check ups every month..

[Ayayay80 in reply to astralii]

It is difficult to say what triggers off the condition. There are numerous variations of MD and AMD, though the result is usually the same. In some conditions Avastin is preferred as teatment. Added to that comes the enormous difference in cost of the medication, Avasin being only about a tenth of the cost of lucentis and eylea, athough this should really not be the criteria. I am glad that your condition has stabilised. Long may it continue!

[astralii in reply to Ayayay80]

Thank you very much Ayayay80 for your replies . I hope my condition will keep improving.

Would you have any tips what else than healthy diet and lutein supplements could possibly help??

[Ayayay80 in reply to astralii]

One other tip I can give you: wear sun glasses as much as possible, but make sure they have the UV protection. That is important. Not all sun glasses bought over the counter have this. Polarised glasses are not the same. Also: the larger ones, but not necessarily the darker ones, give better protection, especially those with broad arms to prevent rays from entering your eyes from the side. Sun hats with broad rims are also helpful. If you already wear prescription glasses you can buy over-glasses at a reasonable price. Mine cost £10.00 at our local Low Vision Charity Office. As the description says, you just wear them over your existing glasses. Everything is worth trying.

[astralii in reply to Ayayay80]

Many thanks Ayayay80

I hope there will be some new treatments in the future.

[Hidden in reply to astralii]

There are at least 2 new anti-VEGF drugs commencing trials in the USA. One is by Novartis who produce Avastin and Lucentis.

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear astralii,

Please contact us on the Macular Society helpline to discuss your diagnosis and related issues further.

Just to make you aware, we do have groups termed as W@M groups (working age and macular). These are an important source of information and support. If you let us know where you are based then we can provide details of the closest group to you.

Just to make you aware, we are currently offering free 6 month membership. This is a good way to keep up with current developments. Please ring us if you would like to benefit from this, or join via the following link:

macularsociety.org/6months

The Macular Society helpline is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.

Alternately, you can contact us via:

[e-mail]

Kind regards,

[astralii in reply to Rosalyn-helpline]

Thank you Rosalyn-helpline for your reply.

I'm already a member.

It is great support.

Regards