“I’d been noticing when I watched TV in the evening that the
faces were a little distorted, like caricatures,” says Norm Thurston. “Also, I
started noticing that it was getting a little bit difficult to read some of the
street signs when I was driving at night.”
Norm realized it was something he should tell his eye
doctor.
“I happened to mention it to her during an exam,” he
recalls, “and she said,
It looks like you
have a touch of macular degeneration. I would like to send you to Dr. Moscoso
at the Manatee Eye Clinic.
That was about four years ago.”
Walter E. Moscoso, MD, is a board-certified
ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained retina specialist on staff at Manatee
Sarasota Eye Clinic. He notes that there are two basic types of macular
degeneration: “dry” and “wet.”
“Dry macular degeneration is the most prevalent,
accounting for about eighty percent of cases and involving the deterioration of
macular tissue over time,” he explains.
The macula is the central area of the retina that makes it
possible to distinguish fine detail. When the retinal tissue in the macula
degenerates, either because the tissue itself begins to deteriorate, or because
new blood vessels form beneath the tissue and threaten its integrity, it can
have a significant impact on a patient’s vision.
“In the presence of macular degeneration, some people will
notice a gradual loss of their ability to see objects clearly, especially
noticing a blurring of areas of type on a page of print, with dark or empty
spaces that may block the center of the field of vision,” describes Dr.
Moscoso.
In some patients, the dry form of macular degeneration
gives way to the wet form. Wet macular degeneration, while comprising up to 20%
of cases, poses a more immediate and dramatic threat to vision.
Wet macular degeneration develops when new blood vessels
form beneath the retina and begin to leak and/or bleed. Eventually, they
develop scar tissue that distorts and can damage the retina, and can also cause
detachment of the retina from the eye wall.
Importance of treatment
Anti-VEGF drugs inhibit the function of
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
,
interrupting this process. Also, keeping blood pressure normal and cessation of
smoking are very important.
“The mainstay of the management of dry macular
degeneration is diet,” notes Dr. Moscoso. “Antioxidant diets include nuts,
berries, and cold water fish like salmon, halibut and haddock.
“For wet macular degeneration, the injection of anti-VEGF medications
such as Lucentis®
and Avastin®
is typically the main treatment. However, in a small percentage of patients who
meet certain criteria, we can actually get rid of or destroy the macular
degeneration in a permanent fashion with laser treatments. In Norm’s case, one
of his eyes was treated with injections, but we have used laser on the other.”
These treatments are both fast and easy for the patient,
explains the doctor.
“Most of the time, injections are the way to go, but every
once in a while the laser is an option. Regardless of whether you require one
or the other, we make sure patients are comfortable throughout their treatment.
“The most important thing to remember,” emphasizes Dr.
Moscoso, “is that early detection and treatment are the keys to better vision.
Any treatment – old or new – is most effective if applied soon after the
development of redundant blood vessels. That means it’s essential to have
regular follow-ups and keep appointments, even if you’re not getting injections
regularly, because missing an appointment can mean losing vision.”
No more distortion
Norm confirms that the treatments have indeed been both
easy and quick.
“They make sure you’re comfortable when you go in and have
them done,” he reports, “and I had hardly any discomfort at all. They give you
something so you aren’t feeling any pain, and they prop your eyes open and use
the laser, and it’s just a matter of a few seconds and they have taken care of
it.
“For the injections, they do a slight numbing, so you
really don’t feel any pain when they do that, either. And it only takes a
second for the injection.”
Now that he has received regular treatments, Norm’s
improved vision is a marvel.
“It sure has helped. My eyesight is
normal
now,” he assures. “I no longer have any problems with
distortion. I can even read a novel with no problem.”
Norm is especially appreciative to Dr. Moscoso for the
care he put into finding just the right solution for him.
“All my doctors are good, but Dr. Moscoso is excellent,”
he emphasizes. “He’s a real gentleman, he’s very knowledgeable, and he takes
great care of me. I couldn’t ask for a better doctor.”