Continued from page 1.
A sponsor called VFO is a distributor of CCTVs and other low vision aids that are sold through eye care professionals. They did a very short introduction and had a display table in the sponsor area at the back of the room with lots of magnification aids.
A Patient Ambassador – Larry – was sponsored by Regeneron. He has wet AMD and is a retired Physics teacher. His mother and six of her siblings had AMD. Sunglasses and annual eye exams were the only advice his mom got. Larry has to use a magnifying glass when he plays Euchre (card game popular here in the midwest) to tell hearts from diamonds and clubs from spades. He still cuts firewood and mows his lawn. Life with AMD is like a physics science experiment – when things go wrong, you just make changes.
He checks his Amsler grid and calls the doctor for changes. He wears sunglasses and continues treatment and regular eye exams. Larry says you don’t have to be afraid. Keep doing the same activities and keep traveling while you can.
Dr. Rathod then gave his presentation on AMD. He says there is a new diagnosis every 3 minutes. Most of what he talked about has been thoroughly covered here and in the group, so I will just highlight things of special interest.
Dry AMD makes up 85-90% of those with AMD and affects one in ten people after age 70. Wet AMD makes up 10-15% of those with AMD and has a sudden onset. Dr. Rathod says to ask for a referral to a Retinal Specialist (RS) as soon as you are diagnosed. Call your RS for any sudden change. Keep going to your ophthalmologist because your RS doesn’t really want to deal with your other eye issues like dry eye, cataracts, etc. (I asked this question in the Q & A)
Dr. Rathod recommended genetic testing to know your risk for progression to advanced AMD and to know which vitamins you can take safely. He talked about the AREDS2 studies and findings.