Question 1

which medication should you take for age-related macular degeneration?

Accepted Answer

AREDS Vitamin: The most common form of macular degeneration - the usually milder "dry" form has no effective medication currently. However, a specific formulation of vitamin a, c, e and zinc known as the areds formula has been shown to slow down its progress in certain high risk individuals.  Other nutrients such as lutein are thought to help, but have yet to be proven in a large study.

Question 2

how long does it take for permanent damage to be done with macular degeneration?

Accepted Answer

Varies: Each individual patient can progress at different rates. See your retina specialist. The appropriate use of areds vitamins can lessen your risk. Also, stop smoking if you smoke since that worsens the disease.

Question 3

how long does it take for severe damage to last if you have macular degeneration?

Accepted Answer

Very variable: Macular degeneration can come rapidly within days or it can take years to affect vision. There is a dry macular degeneration that takes years to affect vision but is more common. The more infrequent condition is wet macular degeneration that cause vision damage literally overnight and needs immediate attention.

Question 4

how long is it supposed to it take for severe damage to be done with macular degeneration?

Accepted Answer

Varies: Macular degeneration is variable from case to case.  Prediction of the course of the damage is not easily done and is likely to be wrong.  Just make sure you are seeing a retinal specialist in ophthalmology who can monitor this and give you treatment when needed.

Question 5

how long will it take macular degeneration to cause blindness?

Accepted Answer

Variable: In the most common version of macular degeneration, vision loss is slow taking many years to cause blindness.  However in the less common form, vision loss can be rapid, occurring in hours to days.

Question 6

if a parent has age-related macular degeneration, can the children take lutein as a precaution?

Accepted Answer

No one knows: Lutein is a strong anti oxidant that preferentially accumalates in the macula and protects against damage from uv light. It is being studied as we speak in a big study by the national eye institute. Until now there have been anecdotal stories that it may have protective value but no studies to prove its efficacy. There is no evidence that it is valuable in children of patients.

Question 7

is it safe or beneficial to take prolensa a day prior and the day of  an avastin (bevacizumab) shot for macular degeneration?

Accepted Answer

Bromfenac: Prolensa (. Bromfrnac,Xibrom) is a NSAID. It is used to reduce pain and inflammation following eye surgery. 
I prefer to have patients start a day prior to procedure and continue after the procedure as needed twice daily.  Usually for two weeks but could be longer. Taking it on the day of the procedure is also recommended.

Question 8

if a parent has age-related macular degeneration, should the children take lutein or other prevention?

Accepted Answer

Other prevention: The main risk factors for macular degeneration are smoking, age, high blood pressure and having minimal pigmentation (blue eyes, blond hair). Supplement for macular degeneration have only proven to be preventative when certain levels of damage already exist. Before that, use sunglasses, eat healthily, exercise and don't smoke.

Question 9

what is macular degeneration ?

Accepted Answer

See below: Age-related macular degeneration (amd) is a retinal condition which  affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula). There are “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a top cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults (>50 years) in industrialized countries.

Question 10

is macular degeneration curabr?

Accepted Answer

No: Macular degeneration cannot be cured.  Certain vitamins and fish oil can slow the progression of the disease.

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How many mg of lutain should i take for macular degeneration

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Which medication should you take for age-related macular degeneration?

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How long does it take for permanent damage to be done with macular degeneration?

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How long does it take for severe damage to last if you have macular degeneration?

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How long is it supposed to it take for severe damage to be done with macular degeneration?

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How long will it take macular degeneration to cause blindness?

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If a parent has age-related macular degeneration, can the children take lutein as a precaution?

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Is it safe or beneficial to take prolensa a day prior and the day of an avastin (bevacizumab) shot for macular degeneration?

A member asked:

If a parent has age-related macular degeneration, should the children take lutein or other prevention?

A member asked:

What is macular degeneration ?

A member asked:

Is macular degeneration curabr?

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