Flashes, mRNA, lasers, AI, and theories.

[ironbrain]

For some time, consultants had suggested treat and extend, while I elected to stay with PRN. After a couple of returns of fluid, I conceded to treat and extend.

After one injection on the new treatment regime, I see floaters. Consultant says not to worry if there are no flashes.

Three weeks after second injection on regime, I flop back in bed and there's a very bright flash. It's not the curtains blowing open, the flash is whiter than daylight, and it's the middle of the night. I'd describe the flash as looking like a piston ring with more lugs encompassing most of what my vision would be if it weren't pitch dark.

At the next hospital appointment, the consultant confidently asserts that he wants to continue with treat and extend, and says he can't see any tearing of the retina, or any evidence of anything tugging on it.

So, what is happening, and why are the flashes so perfectly circular?

The flashes, only visible in the dark, are now generally just tiny pieces of arc. They also appear to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction.

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I gather that, on the back of COVID work, the possibility is now being considered of using a virus to deliver mRNA to repair retinas. Any ideas how best to keep up-to-date on this?

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Is laser technology now reaching the level where it can be used to burn off retinal scarring, ready for, for example, stem cell treatment?

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I came across this TED talk not so long ago:

youtube.com/watch?v=FaCqULg...(Not working as expected?)

Wondering what the chances of the NHS joining it are.

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I read that photoreceptors use more ATP than brain cells. I'm wondering if CNV might result from trying to get enough ATP to the receptor when doing work that requires both high levels of mental concentration and detailed visual activity. Does anyone know of any research in this direction? I know CNV/AMD is considered an autoimmune condition, but could there be anything in this ATP idea that's occurred to me.

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I haven't logged into Health Unlocked for some time, so if there are posts I might read on these topics, I'd be very glad of the links.

[Paul_MacularSociety Administrator Macular Society]

Good afternoon,

flashes or floaters are quite normal however if they are concerning you I would advise you speak with your clinician, it is a good sign that they have checked your retina and there is no damage. It may be a good idea to keep a record of when they appear, what you are doing, how you are feeling (physically and emotionally) and how they present.

I would like to direct you to our webinar on laser treatment as Dr Liam Sullivan can explain better than I.

@macularsociety.org/support/...

Regarding AI research, we can not comment on if or when the NHS will get involved in this however it is likely they are just as interested in any developments as we are.

As for ATP theory, If you email your query to [e-mail] we can involve our research team in answering.

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