Vitimin Supplements

[ANGIEIRISH]

My eyes are deteriorating quite fast and I am rapidly losing the sight in the eye with the WMD. I am told it is stable so no injections are possible. I have been taking VitEyes Supplements for about 3 years now on the suggestion of my last consultant but is it worth continuing? They are not cheap and I'd be glad to stop taking them.

[ironbrain]

I buy Time Lutein 30mg – Meso-zeaxanthin 10mg – Zeaxanthin 6mg (about £25 for 120); Now Advanced Gamma E Complex (from about £12 to £25 for 120); plus a full range of other minerals and vitamins including copper (about 5mg), zinc (about 30mg), vitamin A, selenium ....

I haven't needed an Eyelea injection for over a year now (but had umpteen between 2018 and last year) ...

I'd been taking 6mg of lutein a day for years before I got WMD (which does not run in the family) ... so I don't know ...

[ANGIEIRISH in reply to ironbrain]

Thank you. My eyes seem to be deteriorating at a fast pace - especially the one with WMD and I'm really scared, I don't know if the vitamins will help to stop the progress of the WMD or if they merely help when things are normal.

[Hrosie in reply to ironbrain]

Hello - my history is very similar to yours i.e. been having Lucentis injections for 4 years now at varying time gaps from 4 weeks onwards. Over past year I've had injections every 8 weeks, now extended to 10 because eye scans each time have not shown any fluid leakage . I've been taking Macushield for many years, before I developed AMD, as there is a history of AMD in the family and optician advised it. Whether or not this has helped I don't know but wonder if I hadn't taken it my condition could have been worse. Over past 4 years I've stuck rigidly to my injection program (as you seem to have also done) & wonder if that's the length of time it takes to get the results I have today. Best wishes.

[Hrosie in reply to Hrosie]

Further to my reply above. After each scan my opthalmologist shows me the scan on monitor screen and discusses it with me, which I find very reassuring. I think this is important.

[ironbrain in reply to Hrosie]

I had a few psoriasis patches getting on for 20 years ago and a wet eczema patch about 15 years ago. As they have come and gone, so I hope the CNV has. They are sort of on the same "autoimmune circuit". Restless leg syndrome is too but just continues and continues for nearly all sufferers. The only associated cancer is a skin cancer, but one always fears the autoimmune system might develop in other ways.

[fed12]

To take expensive vitamin supplements, or not.... that is the question. Some people take the attitude belts and braces; it can't hurt. Others say it just gives you expensive urine; and if you're eating a really good diet supplements are unnecessary.

I too have had umpteen injections, but now thankfully my eye is stable.

I did start out taking vitamin supplements especially for the eye, but then the price went up and I stopped.

I don't think they made any difference.

However it's worth getting all the fact sheets from the Macular Society re vitamin supplements and nutrition, and ask their advice.

What do others say,? Extra eye vitamins or not? xx

[ANGIEIRISH in reply to fed12]

Thank you for your input. It's helpful to know how others feel about spending money on expensive vitamins. I'd prefer to spend it on helpful aids for my computer! My consultant tells me the eye is stable for now but that only means that injections are of no use, it does not mean that the eye is getting better. It can't. It can only deteriorate and that is my big worry. I do with consultants had more time to sit and talk to their patients and re-assure them, but hey, we're lucky to have NHS services that do their best to look after us.

[rosyG in reply to ANGIEIRISH]

if it's stable you shouldn't be noticing it getting worse I would question this and point out it seems lot worse.

[ANGIEIRISH in reply to rosyG]

thank you. I will do. The sight in definitely much worse and I cannot read, watch tv or work on the computer for more than about an hour at a time. Also, i have to reach for dark glasses in the morning before I can go into my bathroom which gets very bright early light (I'm luck enough to live in an area where we have a lot of sunshine),

[Hammiepaeroa in reply to fed12]

I read in the paper yesterday that orange capsicum are very good for the macula eat one a day but not the red yellow or green ones and spinach is very good.

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear ANGIEIRISH,

During periods of stability, when you have been told that no injections are needed, then it is important that you check an Amsler grid on a weekly basis. If you see any changes on the grid, then this indicates that you need to contact the eye clinic straight away, in case another rapid injection is needed.

In terms of supplements, I have copied a link to one of our virtual clinics. It may be useful for you to listen to it. It is called 'Eat for your eyes:'

macularsociety.org/support/...

I have also copied a link to our nutrition booklet:

macular-2020071509040861370...

Viteyes 2 is an AREDS 2 formula supplement. These are referred to in both our booklet and in the virtual clinic.

Kind regards,

Macular Society Advice and Information Service

[ChesterfieldChap]

I take visionace max as an extra insurance that I'm giving my eyes their best chance on top of a healthy diet. Do they work well who knows but it makes me feel a bit better. They're always on 3 for 2 in boots so don't cost that much really. I hope your vision keeps stable and wish you all the best.

[Lai-ney]

Could it be cataracts that's making your visi worse?Worth checking on as they ar easily treated .... good luck going forward.

[ANGIEIRISH]

Thank you, but no, that is not the case. I can cataracts in both eyes removed about two years before the AMD struck. I also had anothe process done that removed the jelly-like substance in the eye and replaced it with gas, and on the WMD eye I had calcium deposits removed. Over the past 7 years my eyes have been through a lot!

[Georgie_M]

The Macular Society has very helpful information, so definitely check it out. Personally, I wouldn't want to risk losing my eye sight and so I have been taking an AREDS 2 formula supplement as mentioned in the Society's leaflets. My understanding is that the AREDS 2 research shows it can help. Certainly, my eyes have been stable for the last few years and so I'm happy! I am taking Vision Defender AMD supplement and have no problems.