macula degeneration

[horseaddict]

Has anyone tried spirovital therapy? they advertise it as helping macula degeneration. These machines oxygenate the body and start at £3000.

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner]

I am afraid that there is no hard evidence to back up their claims that it helps people with AMD. We (The Macular Society) actually spoke with a representative from their company a few years ago and recommended that they contact a reputable UK hospital such as Moorfields, or University College London Ophthalmology department in order to discuss possible clinical trials on their product to prove its effectiveness.

They appeared reluctant to do this and we therefore treat their claims with great scepticism.

If this treatment was successful, it would undergo rigorous testing and trials and then become available on the NHS .

Therefore It is NOT something we could recommend this as a form of treatment, however if you do want to try it, make sure you get a trial period or a money-back guarantee.

[horseaddict in reply to Becky_MacularSociety]

thank you for this response. It was advertised on live television that it did help with AMD. The program was aired this year so maybe clinical trials have been proved recently?. the machines are very expensive so yes I err on caution with their claims but surely? if we can oxygenate our bodies doesn't that help the macula? in some way? extra oxygen. Smokers and ex smokers are guilty of starving themselves over the years of oxygen and smokers/ex smokers are the highest risk group of getting AMD.

Thankyou so much for checking this out for me. I am desperate to help slow this dreadful disease in any way I can. im taking AREDS2 at the moment..is this proven to slow it down, and also saffron has been mentioned?

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner in reply to horseaddict]

Good Morning Horseaddict,

Unfortunately they still haven't undergone any trials to prove the effectiveness of their machine. Also as StokeySue has commented, what is "energised air?"

It is widely agreed that if you eat a healthy diet including at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, you should not need a supplement.

While we believe that taking supplements that follow the AREDs 2 may be beneficial to eye health, we do not endorse any brand. There has been a lot of research into whether nutritional supplements can make up for the lack of lutein, zeaxanthin and other antioxidants in people’s diets. While it is important to eat a wide range of foods, the vegetables that have the highest amount of lutein are kale, spinach, broccoli etc.

[horseaddict in reply to Becky_MacularSociety]

Thank you Becky.im taking supplements on top of dietary recommendations as I'm desperate to slow this disease. Can we over dose? On supplementing?

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner in reply to horseaddict]

Yes you can overdose on supplements, if you take too many it can cause the formation of crystals in the eye and lasting damage, it is best that you stick to the recommended dose that is given.

Side effects can vary on you and other medication you take so it is best to speak to your GP about these.

[horseaddict in reply to Becky_MacularSociety]

hi becky, where can I gleem more info on macula degeneration the dry type..bewfore my eyes don't allow me to see to write these messages. im trying to get an answer of sorts to see how long it takes before my central vision goes..it seems very vague for most questions asked and as roller boy says on here..he feels pretty much left on his own with this after seeing his eye doctor etc. which site..if any..can answer all questions scientifically. thanks in advance.

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner in reply to horseaddict]

Hi horseaddict,

You can either call us on 0300 3030 111, we are open Monday-Friday 9-5pm, outside of these times you can leave us a voicemail and we will get back to you within 48 hours

Alternatively you can email us at [e-mail]

We can give information directly and then provide you with our information booklets/factsheets about different subjects which you can keep for reference

Thank you,

Becky

Advice and Information Service

Macular Society

0300 3030 111

[e-mail]

[Painting567]

Yes I've tried using this spirovital machine, saw it recommended by Dr Steele on this morning tv ! I have AMD I'm both eyes plus two cataracts ..... I have now endured monthly & sometimes 6 weeks eye injections over a period of nearly 5 years ,& unfortunately I'm one of the patients who suffer with excruciating pain on the point of injection.... despite all efforts that my Consultant has tried including extra anaesthetic, different anaesthetic, everything you can think of all to no avail in desperation I bought one of theses machines & followed the recommended program plus continuing with my eye injections, as when I asked my Consultants opinion..he said don't waste your money!!!! Well I did waste my money,it had no effect at all ...... I would pay anything to prevent loosing my Central sight, but I assure you this machine did nothing to improve my vision or to prevent fluid/ bleeds behind the retina,of course the decision is yours ... good luck with whatever decision you decide to take.

[horseaddict in reply to Painting567]

Thank you so much for that. I believe you. 3k is an awful lot of money for a non result. sorry to hear you have had 5 years of injections. that makes me even more scared now.. Has anyone on here got any further tips/food suggestions to slow this process down. its just the most scary thing.

[StokeySue in reply to horseaddict]

The Spirovital website suggests that it works by using a process similar to photosynthesis to produced “energised air”. As someone with a background in biochemistry, that really doesn’t sound like something helpful, words like “energised” are often an indication of pseudoscience. If you want to increase the oxygenation in your blood, a walk in the park is likely to be more helpful.

[horseaddict in reply to StokeySue]

thanks for that sue