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Fuchs's Cornea Dystrophy Questions
Re: Fuchs's Cornea Dystrophy Questions
This is a long shot Ray and may not work for you but I had a very similiar
vision problem for a number of years. Vertical dipoplia Quite by accident I
found that wearing a sleep mask basically eliminated the problem. I have no
idea why this worked except to suggest that because I have a orbit
deformation(depressed bone) on the side of my good eye, when sleeping my
cornea is
subject to pressure from the pillow and the mask relieves this. It would
take about an hour each morning for this vision problem to recede, until I
used the sleep mask.
I repeat: it's a long shot and it took a number of weeks for the vision to
stabilise. Cheap and good for your sleep anyway so try it. I can't even say
with certainty that the sleep mask made the difference but I did go without
the sleep mask for a few weeks and the problem returned so I am loathe to
try that little experiment again.
PS: same problem as you, saw a number of doctors who offered no solution or
diagnosis.
Mike T., if you would be so kind, I would appreciate your opinion on this
wild idea!
"ray" <spammers@do.not.reply,com > wrote in message
news:nifo24tr0orbhlfduttg76a42ld9k33nn0@4ax,com ...
> On Wed, 14 May 2008 19:04:44 -0700, "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net >
> wrote:
>
>>>>multiple images I do not have.
>>>
>>> A traffic stop light will have 2 red lights spaced the same distance
>>> apart as the distance between amber and red. A cross road (black
>>> cross on yellow sign) will have 2 black crosses bars with yellow in
>>> between the thickness of a crossbar. From 10 feet a 1/8" green LED
>>> will be a series of dots about an inch high. Normal text in a book
>>> will have a readable ghost image 1/2 the height of text. I am getting
>>> used to it.
>>>
>>> My corneal pressure is 16, with 12 to 21 normal.
>>
>> For a "standard E" (20/20 vision) the subtended angle is 5 minutes or
>> 0.083
>>degree. Your 1 inch at 10 feet is 0.48 degree. These are remarkable
>>offsets. All caused by deformations in the cornea? (Or in the lens??).
>>Seems like they should be able to nail down the cause.
>>
>>Don W.
>>
>
> You are talking about medical people. I have read on the average it
> takes 6 diagnosis to get it right. That was how many it took to find
> a torn rotator cuff in my arm. For my vision the first doctor said
> cataracts, the second said wrong glasses, the third said Fuch's. They
> all used the same examination procedure. Others with Fuch's have said
> it took more than 6 doctors to find it. I think it highly likely that
> I have Fuch's as the major problem and cataracts. I am not sure that
> with my symptoms that it is a complete explanation. The vision is not
> as bad as the numbers would suggest because the distortion is only
> vertical, the vision waxes and wanes and what I described it when it
> is at its worst.
This is a long shot Ray and may not work for you but I had a very similiar
vision problem for a number of years. Vertical dipoplia Quite by accident I
found that wearing a sleep mask basically eliminated the problem. I have no
idea why this worked except to suggest that because I have a orbit
deformation(depressed bone) on the side of my good eye, when sleeping my
cornea is
subject to pressure from the pillow and the mask relieves this. It would
take about an hour each morning for this vision problem to recede, until I
used the sleep mask.
I repeat: it's a long shot and it took a number of weeks for the vision to
stabilise. Cheap and good for your sleep anyway so try it. I can't even say
with certainty that the sleep mask made the difference but I did go without
the sleep mask for a few weeks and the problem returned so I am loathe to
try that little experiment again.
PS: same problem as you, saw a number of doctors who offered no solution or
diagnosis.
Mike T., if you would be so kind, I would appreciate your opinion on this
wild idea!
"ray" <spammers@do.not.reply,com > wrote in message
news:nifo24tr0orbhlfduttg76a42ld9k33nn0@4ax,com ...
> On Wed, 14 May 2008 19:04:44 -0700, "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net >
> wrote:
>
>>>>multiple images I do not have.
>>>
>>> A traffic stop light will have 2 red lights spaced the same distance
>>> apart as the distance between amber and red. A cross road (black
>>> cross on yellow sign) will have 2 black crosses bars with yellow in
>>> between the thickness of a crossbar. From 10 feet a 1/8" green LED
>>> will be a series of dots about an inch high. Normal text in a book
>>> will have a readable ghost image 1/2 the height of text. I am getting
>>> used to it.
>>>
>>> My corneal pressure is 16, with 12 to 21 normal.
>>
>> For a "standard E" (20/20 vision) the subtended angle is 5 minutes or
>> 0.083
>>degree. Your 1 inch at 10 feet is 0.48 degree. These are remarkable
>>offsets. All caused by deformations in the cornea? (Or in the lens??).
>>Seems like they should be able to nail down the cause.
>>
>>Don W.
>>
>
> You are talking about medical people. I have read on the average it
> takes 6 diagnosis to get it right. That was how many it took to find
> a torn rotator cuff in my arm. For my vision the first doctor said
> cataracts, the second said wrong glasses, the third said Fuch's. They
> all used the same examination procedure. Others with Fuch's have said
> it took more than 6 doctors to find it. I think it highly likely that
> I have Fuch's as the major problem and cataracts. I am not sure that
> with my symptoms that it is a complete explanation. The vision is not
> as bad as the numbers would suggest because the distortion is only
> vertical, the vision waxes and wanes and what I described it when it
> is at its worst.
Re: Fuchs's Cornea Dystrophy Questions
"John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote
> Mike T., if you would be so kind, I would appreciate your opinion on this
> wild idea!
You didn't say specifically that your diplopia was monocular. If that's what
you mean then yes, it's certainly reasonable to try a sleep mask.
Monocular diplopia can arise from the cornea, where dips and peaks form
images that aren't exactly coaxial. It can also arise from the lens, where
wedge-shaped areas degrade and their refractive index changes and those
areas start to form independent images.
As you might imagine, in the first case, corneal molding and surface
distortions could be affected by a sleep mask. In the second case, changing
the cornea will have no real effect.
Fuch's dystrophy doesn't usually cause topographical changes in the cornea
without real pain. Ray hasn't described any pain and AFAIK has never had
corneal erosions.
That, and his age, lead me to suspect that his diplopia is lenticular. If he
put on a gas-perm contact lens and the diplopia remained, we could be sure
that it's lenticular and would be "cured" by cataract surgery. OTOH, if it's
corneal, it will disappear with a rigid contact lens. This isn't worth the
trouble unless they're considering surgery or other major treatment.
-MT
>
> "ray" <spammers@do.not.reply,com > wrote in message
> news:nifo24tr0orbhlfduttg76a42ld9k33nn0@4ax,com ...
>> On Wed, 14 May 2008 19:04:44 -0700, "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>>>multiple images I do not have.
>>>>
>>>> A traffic stop light will have 2 red lights spaced the same distance
>>>> apart as the distance between amber and red. A cross road (black
>>>> cross on yellow sign) will have 2 black crosses bars with yellow in
>>>> between the thickness of a crossbar. From 10 feet a 1/8" green LED
>>>> will be a series of dots about an inch high. Normal text in a book
>>>> will have a readable ghost image 1/2 the height of text. I am getting
>>>> used to it.
>>>>
>>>> My corneal pressure is 16, with 12 to 21 normal.
>>>
>>> For a "standard E" (20/20 vision) the subtended angle is 5 minutes or
>>> 0.083
>>>degree. Your 1 inch at 10 feet is 0.48 degree. These are remarkable
>>>offsets. All caused by deformations in the cornea? (Or in the lens??).
>>>Seems like they should be able to nail down the cause.
>>>
>>>Don W.
>>>
>>
>> You are talking about medical people. I have read on the average it
>> takes 6 diagnosis to get it right. That was how many it took to find
>> a torn rotator cuff in my arm. For my vision the first doctor said
>> cataracts, the second said wrong glasses, the third said Fuch's. They
>> all used the same examination procedure. Others with Fuch's have said
>> it took more than 6 doctors to find it. I think it highly likely that
>> I have Fuch's as the major problem and cataracts. I am not sure that
>> with my symptoms that it is a complete explanation. The vision is not
>> as bad as the numbers would suggest because the distortion is only
>> vertical, the vision waxes and wanes and what I described it when it
>> is at its worst.
>
>
>
"John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote
> Mike T., if you would be so kind, I would appreciate your opinion on this
> wild idea!
You didn't say specifically that your diplopia was monocular. If that's what
you mean then yes, it's certainly reasonable to try a sleep mask.
Monocular diplopia can arise from the cornea, where dips and peaks form
images that aren't exactly coaxial. It can also arise from the lens, where
wedge-shaped areas degrade and their refractive index changes and those
areas start to form independent images.
As you might imagine, in the first case, corneal molding and surface
distortions could be affected by a sleep mask. In the second case, changing
the cornea will have no real effect.
Fuch's dystrophy doesn't usually cause topographical changes in the cornea
without real pain. Ray hasn't described any pain and AFAIK has never had
corneal erosions.
That, and his age, lead me to suspect that his diplopia is lenticular. If he
put on a gas-perm contact lens and the diplopia remained, we could be sure
that it's lenticular and would be "cured" by cataract surgery. OTOH, if it's
corneal, it will disappear with a rigid contact lens. This isn't worth the
trouble unless they're considering surgery or other major treatment.
-MT
>
> "ray" <spammers@do.not.reply,com > wrote in message
> news:nifo24tr0orbhlfduttg76a42ld9k33nn0@4ax,com ...
>> On Wed, 14 May 2008 19:04:44 -0700, "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>>>multiple images I do not have.
>>>>
>>>> A traffic stop light will have 2 red lights spaced the same distance
>>>> apart as the distance between amber and red. A cross road (black
>>>> cross on yellow sign) will have 2 black crosses bars with yellow in
>>>> between the thickness of a crossbar. From 10 feet a 1/8" green LED
>>>> will be a series of dots about an inch high. Normal text in a book
>>>> will have a readable ghost image 1/2 the height of text. I am getting
>>>> used to it.
>>>>
>>>> My corneal pressure is 16, with 12 to 21 normal.
>>>
>>> For a "standard E" (20/20 vision) the subtended angle is 5 minutes or
>>> 0.083
>>>degree. Your 1 inch at 10 feet is 0.48 degree. These are remarkable
>>>offsets. All caused by deformations in the cornea? (Or in the lens??).
>>>Seems like they should be able to nail down the cause.
>>>
>>>Don W.
>>>
>>
>> You are talking about medical people. I have read on the average it
>> takes 6 diagnosis to get it right. That was how many it took to find
>> a torn rotator cuff in my arm. For my vision the first doctor said
>> cataracts, the second said wrong glasses, the third said Fuch's. They
>> all used the same examination procedure. Others with Fuch's have said
>> it took more than 6 doctors to find it. I think it highly likely that
>> I have Fuch's as the major problem and cataracts. I am not sure that
>> with my symptoms that it is a complete explanation. The vision is not
>> as bad as the numbers would suggest because the distortion is only
>> vertical, the vision waxes and wanes and what I described it when it
>> is at its worst.
>
>
>
Re: Fuchs's Cornea Dystrophy Questions
"Mike Tyner" <mtyner@mindspring,com > wrote in message
news:Ce-dnRu6CrIgG7HVnZ2dnUVZ_trinZ2d@giganews,com ...
>
> "John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote
>
>> Mike T., if you would be so kind, I would appreciate your opinion on this
>> wild idea!
>
> You didn't say specifically that your diplopia was monocular. If that's
> what you mean then yes, it's certainly reasonable to try a sleep mask.
Definitely monocular. I can sympathise with Ray because when I was dealing
with this problem it proved to be very frustrating. The visual distortion
became so severe at times I markedly reduced my driving and I couldn't work
for a long time. I have resolved this problem but am stuck with visual
confusion, sometimes my brain, particularly when driving, won't resolve the
image. Makes for some interesting driving. I have residual binocular vision,
strabimus and amblyopia, ptosis in my good idea, optic nerve damage in my
bad eye from surgery. My visual acuity in my good eye remains very strong,
even as I approach 50 years of age, that is probably a legacy of many years
of post surgical visual therapy *when I was very young(4-7 years)*, just
young enough to boost VI function perhaps. I still don't need reading
glasses but do have v. slight fluctuating myopia. I am an ophthalmologist's
nightmare, which probably explains so many have tried to hurry me out the
door ... .
Thanks Mike.
> Monocular diplopia can arise from the cornea, where dips and peaks form
> images that aren't exactly coaxial. It can also arise from the lens, where
> wedge-shaped areas degrade and their refractive index changes and those
> areas start to form independent images.
>
> As you might imagine, in the first case, corneal molding and surface
> distortions could be affected by a sleep mask. In the second case,
> changing the cornea will have no real effect.
>
> Fuch's dystrophy doesn't usually cause topographical changes in the cornea
> without real pain. Ray hasn't described any pain and AFAIK has never had
> corneal erosions.
>
> That, and his age, lead me to suspect that his diplopia is lenticular. If
> he put on a gas-perm contact lens and the diplopia remained, we could be
> sure that it's lenticular and would be "cured" by cataract surgery. OTOH,
> if it's corneal, it will disappear with a rigid contact lens. This isn't
> worth the trouble unless they're considering surgery or other major
> treatment.
>
> -MT
>
>>
>> "ray" <spammers@do.not.reply,com > wrote in message
>> news:nifo24tr0orbhlfduttg76a42ld9k33nn0@4ax,com ...
>>> On Wed, 14 May 2008 19:04:44 -0700, "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>>>multiple images I do not have.
>>>>>
>
>
"Mike Tyner" <mtyner@mindspring,com > wrote in message
news:Ce-dnRu6CrIgG7HVnZ2dnUVZ_trinZ2d@giganews,com ...
>
> "John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote
>
>> Mike T., if you would be so kind, I would appreciate your opinion on this
>> wild idea!
>
> You didn't say specifically that your diplopia was monocular. If that's
> what you mean then yes, it's certainly reasonable to try a sleep mask.
Definitely monocular. I can sympathise with Ray because when I was dealing
with this problem it proved to be very frustrating. The visual distortion
became so severe at times I markedly reduced my driving and I couldn't work
for a long time. I have resolved this problem but am stuck with visual
confusion, sometimes my brain, particularly when driving, won't resolve the
image. Makes for some interesting driving. I have residual binocular vision,
strabimus and amblyopia, ptosis in my good idea, optic nerve damage in my
bad eye from surgery. My visual acuity in my good eye remains very strong,
even as I approach 50 years of age, that is probably a legacy of many years
of post surgical visual therapy *when I was very young(4-7 years)*, just
young enough to boost VI function perhaps. I still don't need reading
glasses but do have v. slight fluctuating myopia. I am an ophthalmologist's
nightmare, which probably explains so many have tried to hurry me out the
door ... .
Thanks Mike.
> Monocular diplopia can arise from the cornea, where dips and peaks form
> images that aren't exactly coaxial. It can also arise from the lens, where
> wedge-shaped areas degrade and their refractive index changes and those
> areas start to form independent images.
>
> As you might imagine, in the first case, corneal molding and surface
> distortions could be affected by a sleep mask. In the second case,
> changing the cornea will have no real effect.
>
> Fuch's dystrophy doesn't usually cause topographical changes in the cornea
> without real pain. Ray hasn't described any pain and AFAIK has never had
> corneal erosions.
>
> That, and his age, lead me to suspect that his diplopia is lenticular. If
> he put on a gas-perm contact lens and the diplopia remained, we could be
> sure that it's lenticular and would be "cured" by cataract surgery. OTOH,
> if it's corneal, it will disappear with a rigid contact lens. This isn't
> worth the trouble unless they're considering surgery or other major
> treatment.
>
> -MT
>
>>
>> "ray" <spammers@do.not.reply,com > wrote in message
>> news:nifo24tr0orbhlfduttg76a42ld9k33nn0@4ax,com ...
>>> On Wed, 14 May 2008 19:04:44 -0700, "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>>>multiple images I do not have.
>>>>>
>
>
Re: Fuchs's Cornea Dystrophy Questions
I vaguely remember you Don. Were you the one involved in a discussion about
Stargardts? If so, I hope your treatment for AMD(?) is helping.
Nah, that was a typo, rushing too much but I am a terrible proof reader and
I hate reading spreadsheets!
"Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
news:ka9Xj.2303$hJ5.1256@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc,com ...
> John,
>
> Like "in my good idea".
>
> Don W.
>
>
I vaguely remember you Don. Were you the one involved in a discussion about
Stargardts? If so, I hope your treatment for AMD(?) is helping.
Nah, that was a typo, rushing too much but I am a terrible proof reader and
I hate reading spreadsheets!
"Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
news:ka9Xj.2303$hJ5.1256@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc,com ...
> John,
>
> Like "in my good idea".
>
> Don W.
>
>
Re: Fuchs's Cornea Dystrophy Questions
John, what is this "vaguely" stuff?? Yup, it was me, but it was about
tossing zinc into some equation. Understand about typo's, but have adopted
it! Hope, besides everything else, you are doing ok, status quo on this
end.
Don W.
"John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
news:AKOdnQnNJLM-u7DVnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
>I vaguely remember you Don. Were you the one involved in a discussion about
>Stargardts? If so, I hope your treatment for AMD(?) is helping.
>
> Nah, that was a typo, rushing too much but I am a terrible proof reader
> and I hate reading spreadsheets!
>
>
> "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
> news:ka9Xj.2303$hJ5.1256@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>> John,
>>
>> Like "in my good idea".
>>
>> Don W.
>>
>>
>
>
John, what is this "vaguely" stuff?? Yup, it was me, but it was about
tossing zinc into some equation. Understand about typo's, but have adopted
it! Hope, besides everything else, you are doing ok, status quo on this
end.
Don W.
"John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
news:AKOdnQnNJLM-u7DVnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
>I vaguely remember you Don. Were you the one involved in a discussion about
>Stargardts? If so, I hope your treatment for AMD(?) is helping.
>
> Nah, that was a typo, rushing too much but I am a terrible proof reader
> and I hate reading spreadsheets!
>
>
> "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
> news:ka9Xj.2303$hJ5.1256@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>> John,
>>
>> Like "in my good idea".
>>
>> Don W.
>>
>>
>
>
Re: Fuchs's Cornea Dystrophy Questions
Don,
I think during our prior discussion I mentioned the below but just in case.
This seems to be a promising approach and I hope there have been some follow
up studies on this:
Ophthalmologica. 2005 May-Jun;219(3):154-66.Click here to
Improvement of visual functions and fundus alterations in early age-related
macular degeneration treated with a combination of acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3
fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10.
The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
was to determine the efficacy of a combination of acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3
fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10 (Phototrop) on the visual functions and fundus
alterations in early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). One hundred and
six patients with a clinical diagnosis of early AMD were randomized to the
treated or control groups. The primary efficacy variable was the change in
the visual field mean defect (VFMD) from baseline to 12 months of treatment,
with secondary efficacy parameters: visual acuity (Snellen chart and ETDRS
chart), foveal sensitivity as measured by perimetry, and fundus alterations
as evaluated according to the criteria of the International Classification
and Grading System for AMD. The mean change in all four parameters of visual
functions showed significant improvement in the treated group by the end of
the study period. In addition, in the treated group only 1 out of 48 cases
(2%) while in the placebo group 9 out of 53 (17%) showed clinically
significant (>2.0 dB) worsening in VFMD (p = 0.006, odds ratio: 10.93).
Decrease in drusen-covered area of treated eyes was also statistically
significant as compared to placebo when either the most affected eyes (p =
0.045) or the less affected eyes (p = 0.017) were considered. These findings
strongly suggested that an appropriate combination of compounds which affect
mitochondrial lipid metabolism, may improve and subsequently stabilize
visual functions, and it may also improve fundus alterations in patients
affected by early AMD.
PMID: 15947501 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
"Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
news:pMiXj.1068$BL6.776@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc,com ...
> John, what is this "vaguely" stuff?? Yup, it was me, but it was about
> tossing zinc into some equation. Understand about typo's, but have
> adopted it! Hope, besides everything else, you are doing ok, status quo
> on this end.
>
> Don W.
>
>
> "John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
> news:AKOdnQnNJLM-u7DVnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
>>I vaguely remember you Don. Were you the one involved in a discussion
>>about Stargardts? If so, I hope your treatment for AMD(?) is helping.
>>
>> Nah, that was a typo, rushing too much but I am a terrible proof reader
>> and I hate reading spreadsheets!
>>
>>
>> "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
>> news:ka9Xj.2303$hJ5.1256@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>>> John,
>>>
>>> Like "in my good idea".
>>>
>>> Don W.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
Don,
I think during our prior discussion I mentioned the below but just in case.
This seems to be a promising approach and I hope there have been some follow
up studies on this:
Ophthalmologica. 2005 May-Jun;219(3):154-66.Click here to
Improvement of visual functions and fundus alterations in early age-related
macular degeneration treated with a combination of acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3
fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10.
The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
was to determine the efficacy of a combination of acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3
fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10 (Phototrop) on the visual functions and fundus
alterations in early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). One hundred and
six patients with a clinical diagnosis of early AMD were randomized to the
treated or control groups. The primary efficacy variable was the change in
the visual field mean defect (VFMD) from baseline to 12 months of treatment,
with secondary efficacy parameters: visual acuity (Snellen chart and ETDRS
chart), foveal sensitivity as measured by perimetry, and fundus alterations
as evaluated according to the criteria of the International Classification
and Grading System for AMD. The mean change in all four parameters of visual
functions showed significant improvement in the treated group by the end of
the study period. In addition, in the treated group only 1 out of 48 cases
(2%) while in the placebo group 9 out of 53 (17%) showed clinically
significant (>2.0 dB) worsening in VFMD (p = 0.006, odds ratio: 10.93).
Decrease in drusen-covered area of treated eyes was also statistically
significant as compared to placebo when either the most affected eyes (p =
0.045) or the less affected eyes (p = 0.017) were considered. These findings
strongly suggested that an appropriate combination of compounds which affect
mitochondrial lipid metabolism, may improve and subsequently stabilize
visual functions, and it may also improve fundus alterations in patients
affected by early AMD.
PMID: 15947501 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
"Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
news:pMiXj.1068$BL6.776@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc,com ...
> John, what is this "vaguely" stuff?? Yup, it was me, but it was about
> tossing zinc into some equation. Understand about typo's, but have
> adopted it! Hope, besides everything else, you are doing ok, status quo
> on this end.
>
> Don W.
>
>
> "John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
> news:AKOdnQnNJLM-u7DVnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
>>I vaguely remember you Don. Were you the one involved in a discussion
>>about Stargardts? If so, I hope your treatment for AMD(?) is helping.
>>
>> Nah, that was a typo, rushing too much but I am a terrible proof reader
>> and I hate reading spreadsheets!
>>
>>
>> "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
>> news:ka9Xj.2303$hJ5.1256@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>>> John,
>>>
>>> Like "in my good idea".
>>>
>>> Don W.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
Re: Fuchs's Cornea Dystrophy Questions
Don,
Decided to see if there were any follow ups: again good results. Given the
high safety profile of these compounds I think anyone with AMD should think
seriously about these findings. Ask your doctor. Any bods here who would
care to give an opinion? Second abstract from BMC ophthalamo, freely
available. Go to pubmed, key in PMID number, follow links on right hand
side.
I still don't understand why they don't add R Lipoic Acid to the mix. To
understand why look up Professor Ames at www .juvenon,com . CF. PNAS, Feb
19,2002,
Feeding acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid to old rats
significantly improves metabolic function while
decreasing oxidative stress
Thanks,
John.
[Metabolic therapy for early treatment of age-related macular degeneration]
[Article in Hungarian]
Currently, age-related macular degeneration is one of the most common eye
diseases causing severe and permanent loss of vision. This disease is
estimated to affect approximately 300-500 thousand Hungarians. While earlier
no treatment was available, in the recent decade an antioxidant therapy
became very popular using combinations of high dosage antioxidant vitamins
C, E, beta carotene and zinc. Based on theoretical concepts and mostly in
vitro experiences, this combination was thought to be effective through
neutralizing reactive oxygen species. According to a large clinical trial
(AREDS) it reduced progression of intermediate state disease to advanced
state, but did not influence early disease. This original combination, due
to potential severe side effects, is not on the market anymore. However, the
efficacy of modified formulas has not been proved yet. Recently, the
metabolic therapy, a combination of omega-3 fatty acids, coenzyme Q10 and
acetyl-L-carnitine has been introduced for treating early age-related
macular degeneration through improving mitochondrial dysfunction,
specifically improving lipid metabolism and ATP production in the retinal
pigment epithelium, improving photoreceptor turnover and reducing generation
of reactive oxygen species. According to a pilot study and a randomized,
placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial, both central visual field
and visual acuity slightly improved after 3-6 months of treatment and they
remained unchanged by the end of the study. The difference was statistically
significant as compared to the base line or to controls. These functional
changes were accompanied by an improvement in fundus alterations: drusen
covered area decreased significantly as compared to the base line or to
control. Characteristically, all these changes were more marked in less
affected eyes. A prospective case study on long-term treatment confirmed
these observations. With an exception that after slight improvement, visual
functions remained stable, drusen regression continued for years. Sometimes
significant regression of drusen was found even in intermediate and advanced
cases. All these findings strongly suggested that the metabolic therapy may
be the first choice for treating age-related macular degeneration.
Currently, this is the only combination of ingredients corresponding to the
recommended daily allowance, and at the same time, which showed clinically
proved efficacy.
PMID: 18039616 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
TOZAL Study: an open case control study of an oral antioxidant and omega-3
supplement for dry AMD.
Vitreo-Retinal Associates of New Jersey, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450, USA.
franciscangemi@aol,com
BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this prospective study was to measure
the change from baseline in visual function--Best-Corrected Visual Acuity
(BCVA) via the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart,
contrast sensitivity, central 10 degree visual fields and retinal imaging
(angiograms and photographs) at 6 months in subjects with atrophic (dry)
age-related macular degeneration treated with a targeted nutritional
supplement. METHODS: 37 mixed gender patients with a mean age of 76.3 +/-
7.8 years were enrolled at 5 independent study sites and received standard
of care with a novel formulation of a nutritional supplement. Results were
compared to a placebo cohort constructed from the literature that was
matched for inclusion and exclusion criteria. A paired t-test was used to
test a null hypothesis and a two-sided alpha level of 0.05 was used to
determine statistical significance. RESULTS: 76.7% of subjects receiving the
nutritional supplement demonstrated stabilization or improvement of BCVA at
6 months. Subjects gained an average of 0.0541 logMAR or one-half of a line
of visual acuity (VA) over the 6-month period. There was a statistically
significant improvement in VA from baseline with P = .045. The results
provide strong evidence that the treatment being studied produces an
improvement in VA. CONCLUSION: Treatment with this unique nutritional
supplement increased VA above the expected baseline decrease in the majority
of patients in this population with dry macular degeneration. The results of
the TOZAL study agree with the LAST and CARMIS studies and are predictive
for positive visual acuity outcomes in the AREDS II trial. However, patients
will likely require supplementation for longer than 6 months to effect
changes in additional visual parameters.
PMID: 17324285 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
"John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
news:pPqdnWVey-UaybPVnZ2dnUVZ_gadnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
> Don,
>
> I think during our prior discussion I mentioned the below but just in
> case. This seems to be a promising approach and I hope there have been
> some follow up studies on this:
>
> Ophthalmologica. 2005 May-Jun;219(3):154-66.Click here to
>
> Improvement of visual functions and fundus alterations in early
> age-related macular degeneration treated with a combination of
> acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10.
>
>
>
> The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical
> trial was to determine the efficacy of a combination of
> acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10 (Phototrop) on the
> visual functions and fundus alterations in early age-related macular
> degeneration (AMD). One hundred and six patients with a clinical diagnosis
> of early AMD were randomized to the treated or control groups. The primary
> efficacy variable was the change in the visual field mean defect (VFMD)
> from baseline to 12 months of treatment, with secondary efficacy
> parameters: visual acuity (Snellen chart and ETDRS chart), foveal
> sensitivity as measured by perimetry, and fundus alterations as evaluated
> according to the criteria of the International Classification and Grading
> System for AMD. The mean change in all four parameters of visual functions
> showed significant improvement in the treated group by the end of the
> study period. In addition, in the treated group only 1 out of 48 cases
> (2%) while in the placebo group 9 out of 53 (17%) showed clinically
> significant (>2.0 dB) worsening in VFMD (p = 0.006, odds ratio: 10.93).
> Decrease in drusen-covered area of treated eyes was also statistically
> significant as compared to placebo when either the most affected eyes (p =
> 0.045) or the less affected eyes (p = 0.017) were considered. These
> findings strongly suggested that an appropriate combination of compounds
> which affect mitochondrial lipid metabolism, may improve and subsequently
> stabilize visual functions, and it may also improve fundus alterations in
> patients affected by early AMD.
>
> PMID: 15947501 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
>
> "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
> news:pMiXj.1068$BL6.776@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>> John, what is this "vaguely" stuff?? Yup, it was me, but it was about
>> tossing zinc into some equation. Understand about typo's, but have
>> adopted it! Hope, besides everything else, you are doing ok, status quo
>> on this end.
>>
>> Don W.
>>
>>
>> "John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
>> news:AKOdnQnNJLM-u7DVnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
>>>I vaguely remember you Don. Were you the one involved in a discussion
>>>about Stargardts? If so, I hope your treatment for AMD(?) is helping.
>>>
>>> Nah, that was a typo, rushing too much but I am a terrible proof reader
>>> and I hate reading spreadsheets!
>>>
>>>
>>> "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
>>> news:ka9Xj.2303$hJ5.1256@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>>>> John,
>>>>
>>>> Like "in my good idea".
>>>>
>>>> Don W.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
Don,
Decided to see if there were any follow ups: again good results. Given the
high safety profile of these compounds I think anyone with AMD should think
seriously about these findings. Ask your doctor. Any bods here who would
care to give an opinion? Second abstract from BMC ophthalamo, freely
available. Go to pubmed, key in PMID number, follow links on right hand
side.
I still don't understand why they don't add R Lipoic Acid to the mix. To
understand why look up Professor Ames at www .juvenon,com . CF. PNAS, Feb
19,2002,
Feeding acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid to old rats
significantly improves metabolic function while
decreasing oxidative stress
Thanks,
John.
[Metabolic therapy for early treatment of age-related macular degeneration]
[Article in Hungarian]
Currently, age-related macular degeneration is one of the most common eye
diseases causing severe and permanent loss of vision. This disease is
estimated to affect approximately 300-500 thousand Hungarians. While earlier
no treatment was available, in the recent decade an antioxidant therapy
became very popular using combinations of high dosage antioxidant vitamins
C, E, beta carotene and zinc. Based on theoretical concepts and mostly in
vitro experiences, this combination was thought to be effective through
neutralizing reactive oxygen species. According to a large clinical trial
(AREDS) it reduced progression of intermediate state disease to advanced
state, but did not influence early disease. This original combination, due
to potential severe side effects, is not on the market anymore. However, the
efficacy of modified formulas has not been proved yet. Recently, the
metabolic therapy, a combination of omega-3 fatty acids, coenzyme Q10 and
acetyl-L-carnitine has been introduced for treating early age-related
macular degeneration through improving mitochondrial dysfunction,
specifically improving lipid metabolism and ATP production in the retinal
pigment epithelium, improving photoreceptor turnover and reducing generation
of reactive oxygen species. According to a pilot study and a randomized,
placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial, both central visual field
and visual acuity slightly improved after 3-6 months of treatment and they
remained unchanged by the end of the study. The difference was statistically
significant as compared to the base line or to controls. These functional
changes were accompanied by an improvement in fundus alterations: drusen
covered area decreased significantly as compared to the base line or to
control. Characteristically, all these changes were more marked in less
affected eyes. A prospective case study on long-term treatment confirmed
these observations. With an exception that after slight improvement, visual
functions remained stable, drusen regression continued for years. Sometimes
significant regression of drusen was found even in intermediate and advanced
cases. All these findings strongly suggested that the metabolic therapy may
be the first choice for treating age-related macular degeneration.
Currently, this is the only combination of ingredients corresponding to the
recommended daily allowance, and at the same time, which showed clinically
proved efficacy.
PMID: 18039616 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
TOZAL Study: an open case control study of an oral antioxidant and omega-3
supplement for dry AMD.
Vitreo-Retinal Associates of New Jersey, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450, USA.
franciscangemi@aol,com
BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this prospective study was to measure
the change from baseline in visual function--Best-Corrected Visual Acuity
(BCVA) via the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart,
contrast sensitivity, central 10 degree visual fields and retinal imaging
(angiograms and photographs) at 6 months in subjects with atrophic (dry)
age-related macular degeneration treated with a targeted nutritional
supplement. METHODS: 37 mixed gender patients with a mean age of 76.3 +/-
7.8 years were enrolled at 5 independent study sites and received standard
of care with a novel formulation of a nutritional supplement. Results were
compared to a placebo cohort constructed from the literature that was
matched for inclusion and exclusion criteria. A paired t-test was used to
test a null hypothesis and a two-sided alpha level of 0.05 was used to
determine statistical significance. RESULTS: 76.7% of subjects receiving the
nutritional supplement demonstrated stabilization or improvement of BCVA at
6 months. Subjects gained an average of 0.0541 logMAR or one-half of a line
of visual acuity (VA) over the 6-month period. There was a statistically
significant improvement in VA from baseline with P = .045. The results
provide strong evidence that the treatment being studied produces an
improvement in VA. CONCLUSION: Treatment with this unique nutritional
supplement increased VA above the expected baseline decrease in the majority
of patients in this population with dry macular degeneration. The results of
the TOZAL study agree with the LAST and CARMIS studies and are predictive
for positive visual acuity outcomes in the AREDS II trial. However, patients
will likely require supplementation for longer than 6 months to effect
changes in additional visual parameters.
PMID: 17324285 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
"John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
news:pPqdnWVey-UaybPVnZ2dnUVZ_gadnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
> Don,
>
> I think during our prior discussion I mentioned the below but just in
> case. This seems to be a promising approach and I hope there have been
> some follow up studies on this:
>
> Ophthalmologica. 2005 May-Jun;219(3):154-66.Click here to
>
> Improvement of visual functions and fundus alterations in early
> age-related macular degeneration treated with a combination of
> acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10.
>
>
>
> The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical
> trial was to determine the efficacy of a combination of
> acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10 (Phototrop) on the
> visual functions and fundus alterations in early age-related macular
> degeneration (AMD). One hundred and six patients with a clinical diagnosis
> of early AMD were randomized to the treated or control groups. The primary
> efficacy variable was the change in the visual field mean defect (VFMD)
> from baseline to 12 months of treatment, with secondary efficacy
> parameters: visual acuity (Snellen chart and ETDRS chart), foveal
> sensitivity as measured by perimetry, and fundus alterations as evaluated
> according to the criteria of the International Classification and Grading
> System for AMD. The mean change in all four parameters of visual functions
> showed significant improvement in the treated group by the end of the
> study period. In addition, in the treated group only 1 out of 48 cases
> (2%) while in the placebo group 9 out of 53 (17%) showed clinically
> significant (>2.0 dB) worsening in VFMD (p = 0.006, odds ratio: 10.93).
> Decrease in drusen-covered area of treated eyes was also statistically
> significant as compared to placebo when either the most affected eyes (p =
> 0.045) or the less affected eyes (p = 0.017) were considered. These
> findings strongly suggested that an appropriate combination of compounds
> which affect mitochondrial lipid metabolism, may improve and subsequently
> stabilize visual functions, and it may also improve fundus alterations in
> patients affected by early AMD.
>
> PMID: 15947501 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
>
> "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
> news:pMiXj.1068$BL6.776@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>> John, what is this "vaguely" stuff?? Yup, it was me, but it was about
>> tossing zinc into some equation. Understand about typo's, but have
>> adopted it! Hope, besides everything else, you are doing ok, status quo
>> on this end.
>>
>> Don W.
>>
>>
>> "John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
>> news:AKOdnQnNJLM-u7DVnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
>>>I vaguely remember you Don. Were you the one involved in a discussion
>>>about Stargardts? If so, I hope your treatment for AMD(?) is helping.
>>>
>>> Nah, that was a typo, rushing too much but I am a terrible proof reader
>>> and I hate reading spreadsheets!
>>>
>>>
>>> "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
>>> news:ka9Xj.2303$hJ5.1256@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>>>> John,
>>>>
>>>> Like "in my good idea".
>>>>
>>>> Don W.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
Re: Fuchs's Cornea Dystrophy Questions
John,
Got your references. Will digest.
I did get a big kick out of "0.0541 logMAR" for being the results of that
one study. I think that is well within the variance of one patient
successively reading the chart.
Lutein is not mentioned. I do know there is some effort to show increases
in macular pigment density by ingestion of this. But.... they don't carry
it forward to show changes in visual acuity, far as I can see (hmmm).
Thanks, good luck to you in everything.
Don W.
PS. Yeah, I do get the freebies of off BJO. Am registered. Nice of them.
****
"John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
news:UvednSBXottFSLPVnZ2dnUVZ_vWdnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
> Don,
>
> Decided to see if there were any follow ups: again good results. Given the
> high safety profile of these compounds I think anyone with AMD should
> think seriously about these findings. Ask your doctor. Any bods here who
> would care to give an opinion? Second abstract from BMC ophthalamo, freely
> available. Go to pubmed, key in PMID number, follow links on right hand
> side.
>
> I still don't understand why they don't add R Lipoic Acid to the mix. To
> understand why look up Professor Ames at www .juvenon,com . CF. PNAS, Feb
> 19,2002,
>
> Feeding acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid to old rats
>
> significantly improves metabolic function while
>
> decreasing oxidative stress
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> John.
>
>
> [Metabolic therapy for early treatment of age-related macular
> degeneration]
>
> [Article in Hungarian]
>
>
>
> Currently, age-related macular degeneration is one of the most common eye
> diseases causing severe and permanent loss of vision. This disease is
> estimated to affect approximately 300-500 thousand Hungarians. While
> earlier no treatment was available, in the recent decade an antioxidant
> therapy became very popular using combinations of high dosage antioxidant
> vitamins C, E, beta carotene and zinc. Based on theoretical concepts and
> mostly in vitro experiences, this combination was thought to be effective
> through neutralizing reactive oxygen species. According to a large
> clinical trial (AREDS) it reduced progression of intermediate state
> disease to advanced state, but did not influence early disease. This
> original combination, due to potential severe side effects, is not on the
> market anymore. However, the efficacy of modified formulas has not been
> proved yet. Recently, the metabolic therapy, a combination of omega-3
> fatty acids, coenzyme Q10 and acetyl-L-carnitine has been introduced for
> treating early age-related macular degeneration through improving
> mitochondrial dysfunction, specifically improving lipid metabolism and ATP
> production in the retinal pigment epithelium, improving photoreceptor
> turnover and reducing generation of reactive oxygen species. According to
> a pilot study and a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical
> trial, both central visual field and visual acuity slightly improved after
> 3-6 months of treatment and they remained unchanged by the end of the
> study. The difference was statistically significant as compared to the
> base line or to controls. These functional changes were accompanied by an
> improvement in fundus alterations: drusen covered area decreased
> significantly as compared to the base line or to control.
> Characteristically, all these changes were more marked in less affected
> eyes. A prospective case study on long-term treatment confirmed these
> observations. With an exception that after slight improvement, visual
> functions remained stable, drusen regression continued for years.
> Sometimes significant regression of drusen was found even in intermediate
> and advanced cases. All these findings strongly suggested that the
> metabolic therapy may be the first choice for treating age-related macular
> degeneration. Currently, this is the only combination of ingredients
> corresponding to the recommended daily allowance, and at the same time,
> which showed clinically proved efficacy.
>
> PMID: 18039616 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
>
>
> TOZAL Study: an open case control study of an oral antioxidant and omega-3
> supplement for dry AMD.
>
> Vitreo-Retinal Associates of New Jersey, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450, USA.
> franciscangemi@aol,com
>
> BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this prospective study was to measure
> the change from baseline in visual function--Best-Corrected Visual Acuity
> (BCVA) via the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart,
> contrast sensitivity, central 10 degree visual fields and retinal imaging
> (angiograms and photographs) at 6 months in subjects with atrophic (dry)
> age-related macular degeneration treated with a targeted nutritional
> supplement. METHODS: 37 mixed gender patients with a mean age of 76.3 +/-
> 7.8 years were enrolled at 5 independent study sites and received standard
> of care with a novel formulation of a nutritional supplement. Results were
> compared to a placebo cohort constructed from the literature that was
> matched for inclusion and exclusion criteria. A paired t-test was used to
> test a null hypothesis and a two-sided alpha level of 0.05 was used to
> determine statistical significance. RESULTS: 76.7% of subjects receiving
> the nutritional supplement demonstrated stabilization or improvement of
> BCVA at 6 months. Subjects gained an average of 0.0541 logMAR or one-half
> of a line of visual acuity (VA) over the 6-month period. There was a
> statistically significant improvement in VA from baseline with P = .045.
> The results provide strong evidence that the treatment being studied
> produces an improvement in VA. CONCLUSION: Treatment with this unique
> nutritional supplement increased VA above the expected baseline decrease
> in the majority of patients in this population with dry macular
> degeneration. The results of the TOZAL study agree with the LAST and
> CARMIS studies and are predictive for positive visual acuity outcomes in
> the AREDS II trial. However, patients will likely require supplementation
> for longer than 6 months to effect changes in additional visual
> parameters.
>
> PMID: 17324285 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
>
>
> "John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
> news:pPqdnWVey-UaybPVnZ2dnUVZ_gadnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
>> Don,
>>
>> I think during our prior discussion I mentioned the below but just in
>> case. This seems to be a promising approach and I hope there have been
>> some follow up studies on this:
>>
>> Ophthalmologica. 2005 May-Jun;219(3):154-66.Click here to
>>
>> Improvement of visual functions and fundus alterations in early
>> age-related macular degeneration treated with a combination of
>> acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10.
>>
>>
>>
>> The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical
>> trial was to determine the efficacy of a combination of
>> acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10 (Phototrop) on the
>> visual functions and fundus alterations in early age-related macular
>> degeneration (AMD). One hundred and six patients with a clinical
>> diagnosis of early AMD were randomized to the treated or control groups.
>> The primary efficacy variable was the change in the visual field mean
>> defect (VFMD) from baseline to 12 months of treatment, with secondary
>> efficacy parameters: visual acuity (Snellen chart and ETDRS chart),
>> foveal sensitivity as measured by perimetry, and fundus alterations as
>> evaluated according to the criteria of the International Classification
>> and Grading System for AMD. The mean change in all four parameters of
>> visual functions showed significant improvement in the treated group by
>> the end of the study period. In addition, in the treated group only 1 out
>> of 48 cases (2%) while in the placebo group 9 out of 53 (17%) showed
>> clinically significant (>2.0 dB) worsening in VFMD (p = 0.006, odds
>> ratio: 10.93). Decrease in drusen-covered area of treated eyes was also
>> statistically significant as compared to placebo when either the most
>> affected eyes (p = 0.045) or the less affected eyes (p = 0.017) were
>> considered. These findings strongly suggested that an appropriate
>> combination of compounds which affect mitochondrial lipid metabolism, may
>> improve and subsequently stabilize visual functions, and it may also
>> improve fundus alterations in patients affected by early AMD.
>>
>> PMID: 15947501 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
>>
>> "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
>> news:pMiXj.1068$BL6.776@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>>> John, what is this "vaguely" stuff?? Yup, it was me, but it was about
>>> tossing zinc into some equation. Understand about typo's, but have
>>> adopted it! Hope, besides everything else, you are doing ok, status quo
>>> on this end.
>>>
>>> Don W.
>>>
>>>
>>> "John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
>>> news:AKOdnQnNJLM-u7DVnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
>>>>I vaguely remember you Don. Were you the one involved in a discussion
>>>>about Stargardts? If so, I hope your treatment for AMD(?) is helping.
>>>>
>>>> Nah, that was a typo, rushing too much but I am a terrible proof reader
>>>> and I hate reading spreadsheets!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
>>>> news:ka9Xj.2303$hJ5.1256@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>>>>> John,
>>>>>
>>>>> Like "in my good idea".
>>>>>
>>>>> Don W.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
John,
Got your references. Will digest.
I did get a big kick out of "0.0541 logMAR" for being the results of that
one study. I think that is well within the variance of one patient
successively reading the chart.
Lutein is not mentioned. I do know there is some effort to show increases
in macular pigment density by ingestion of this. But.... they don't carry
it forward to show changes in visual acuity, far as I can see (hmmm).
Thanks, good luck to you in everything.
Don W.
PS. Yeah, I do get the freebies of off BJO. Am registered. Nice of them.
****
"John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
news:UvednSBXottFSLPVnZ2dnUVZ_vWdnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
> Don,
>
> Decided to see if there were any follow ups: again good results. Given the
> high safety profile of these compounds I think anyone with AMD should
> think seriously about these findings. Ask your doctor. Any bods here who
> would care to give an opinion? Second abstract from BMC ophthalamo, freely
> available. Go to pubmed, key in PMID number, follow links on right hand
> side.
>
> I still don't understand why they don't add R Lipoic Acid to the mix. To
> understand why look up Professor Ames at www .juvenon,com . CF. PNAS, Feb
> 19,2002,
>
> Feeding acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid to old rats
>
> significantly improves metabolic function while
>
> decreasing oxidative stress
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> John.
>
>
> [Metabolic therapy for early treatment of age-related macular
> degeneration]
>
> [Article in Hungarian]
>
>
>
> Currently, age-related macular degeneration is one of the most common eye
> diseases causing severe and permanent loss of vision. This disease is
> estimated to affect approximately 300-500 thousand Hungarians. While
> earlier no treatment was available, in the recent decade an antioxidant
> therapy became very popular using combinations of high dosage antioxidant
> vitamins C, E, beta carotene and zinc. Based on theoretical concepts and
> mostly in vitro experiences, this combination was thought to be effective
> through neutralizing reactive oxygen species. According to a large
> clinical trial (AREDS) it reduced progression of intermediate state
> disease to advanced state, but did not influence early disease. This
> original combination, due to potential severe side effects, is not on the
> market anymore. However, the efficacy of modified formulas has not been
> proved yet. Recently, the metabolic therapy, a combination of omega-3
> fatty acids, coenzyme Q10 and acetyl-L-carnitine has been introduced for
> treating early age-related macular degeneration through improving
> mitochondrial dysfunction, specifically improving lipid metabolism and ATP
> production in the retinal pigment epithelium, improving photoreceptor
> turnover and reducing generation of reactive oxygen species. According to
> a pilot study and a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical
> trial, both central visual field and visual acuity slightly improved after
> 3-6 months of treatment and they remained unchanged by the end of the
> study. The difference was statistically significant as compared to the
> base line or to controls. These functional changes were accompanied by an
> improvement in fundus alterations: drusen covered area decreased
> significantly as compared to the base line or to control.
> Characteristically, all these changes were more marked in less affected
> eyes. A prospective case study on long-term treatment confirmed these
> observations. With an exception that after slight improvement, visual
> functions remained stable, drusen regression continued for years.
> Sometimes significant regression of drusen was found even in intermediate
> and advanced cases. All these findings strongly suggested that the
> metabolic therapy may be the first choice for treating age-related macular
> degeneration. Currently, this is the only combination of ingredients
> corresponding to the recommended daily allowance, and at the same time,
> which showed clinically proved efficacy.
>
> PMID: 18039616 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
>
>
> TOZAL Study: an open case control study of an oral antioxidant and omega-3
> supplement for dry AMD.
>
> Vitreo-Retinal Associates of New Jersey, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450, USA.
> franciscangemi@aol,com
>
> BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this prospective study was to measure
> the change from baseline in visual function--Best-Corrected Visual Acuity
> (BCVA) via the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart,
> contrast sensitivity, central 10 degree visual fields and retinal imaging
> (angiograms and photographs) at 6 months in subjects with atrophic (dry)
> age-related macular degeneration treated with a targeted nutritional
> supplement. METHODS: 37 mixed gender patients with a mean age of 76.3 +/-
> 7.8 years were enrolled at 5 independent study sites and received standard
> of care with a novel formulation of a nutritional supplement. Results were
> compared to a placebo cohort constructed from the literature that was
> matched for inclusion and exclusion criteria. A paired t-test was used to
> test a null hypothesis and a two-sided alpha level of 0.05 was used to
> determine statistical significance. RESULTS: 76.7% of subjects receiving
> the nutritional supplement demonstrated stabilization or improvement of
> BCVA at 6 months. Subjects gained an average of 0.0541 logMAR or one-half
> of a line of visual acuity (VA) over the 6-month period. There was a
> statistically significant improvement in VA from baseline with P = .045.
> The results provide strong evidence that the treatment being studied
> produces an improvement in VA. CONCLUSION: Treatment with this unique
> nutritional supplement increased VA above the expected baseline decrease
> in the majority of patients in this population with dry macular
> degeneration. The results of the TOZAL study agree with the LAST and
> CARMIS studies and are predictive for positive visual acuity outcomes in
> the AREDS II trial. However, patients will likely require supplementation
> for longer than 6 months to effect changes in additional visual
> parameters.
>
> PMID: 17324285 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
>
>
> "John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
> news:pPqdnWVey-UaybPVnZ2dnUVZ_gadnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
>> Don,
>>
>> I think during our prior discussion I mentioned the below but just in
>> case. This seems to be a promising approach and I hope there have been
>> some follow up studies on this:
>>
>> Ophthalmologica. 2005 May-Jun;219(3):154-66.Click here to
>>
>> Improvement of visual functions and fundus alterations in early
>> age-related macular degeneration treated with a combination of
>> acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10.
>>
>>
>>
>> The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical
>> trial was to determine the efficacy of a combination of
>> acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10 (Phototrop) on the
>> visual functions and fundus alterations in early age-related macular
>> degeneration (AMD). One hundred and six patients with a clinical
>> diagnosis of early AMD were randomized to the treated or control groups.
>> The primary efficacy variable was the change in the visual field mean
>> defect (VFMD) from baseline to 12 months of treatment, with secondary
>> efficacy parameters: visual acuity (Snellen chart and ETDRS chart),
>> foveal sensitivity as measured by perimetry, and fundus alterations as
>> evaluated according to the criteria of the International Classification
>> and Grading System for AMD. The mean change in all four parameters of
>> visual functions showed significant improvement in the treated group by
>> the end of the study period. In addition, in the treated group only 1 out
>> of 48 cases (2%) while in the placebo group 9 out of 53 (17%) showed
>> clinically significant (>2.0 dB) worsening in VFMD (p = 0.006, odds
>> ratio: 10.93). Decrease in drusen-covered area of treated eyes was also
>> statistically significant as compared to placebo when either the most
>> affected eyes (p = 0.045) or the less affected eyes (p = 0.017) were
>> considered. These findings strongly suggested that an appropriate
>> combination of compounds which affect mitochondrial lipid metabolism, may
>> improve and subsequently stabilize visual functions, and it may also
>> improve fundus alterations in patients affected by early AMD.
>>
>> PMID: 15947501 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
>>
>> "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
>> news:pMiXj.1068$BL6.776@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>>> John, what is this "vaguely" stuff?? Yup, it was me, but it was about
>>> tossing zinc into some equation. Understand about typo's, but have
>>> adopted it! Hope, besides everything else, you are doing ok, status quo
>>> on this end.
>>>
>>> Don W.
>>>
>>>
>>> "John Hasenkam" <johnh@goawayplease,com > wrote in message
>>> news:AKOdnQnNJLM-u7DVnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@westnet,com .au...
>>>>I vaguely remember you Don. Were you the one involved in a discussion
>>>>about Stargardts? If so, I hope your treatment for AMD(?) is helping.
>>>>
>>>> Nah, that was a typo, rushing too much but I am a terrible proof reader
>>>> and I hate reading spreadsheets!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Don W" <dwilgus@prodigy,net > wrote in message
>>>> news:ka9Xj.2303$hJ5.1256@nlpi068.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>>>>> John,
>>>>>
>>>>> Like "in my good idea".
>>>>>
>>>>> Don W.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
Re: Fuchs's Cornea Dystrophy Questions
On 15 May, 00:10, ray <spamm...@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
> On Wed, 14 May 2008 15:06:53 -0700, "Don W" <dwil...@prodigy,net >
> wrote:
>
> >Interesting about too much fluid in the cornea. I always got the impression
> >the it was my cornea (outside) surface that needed a few blinks to become
> >more "optically smooth".
>
> >How far apart are your multiple images? Degrees, minutes? Those types of
> >multiple images I do not have.
>
> A traffic stop light will have 2 red lights spaced the same distance
> apart as the distance between amber and red. A cross road (black
> cross on yellow sign) will have 2 black crosses bars with yellow in
> between the thickness of a crossbar. From 10 feet a 1/8" green LED
> will be a series of dots about an inch high. Normal text in a book
> will have a readable ghost image 1/2 the height of text. I am getting
> used to it.
>
> My corneal pressure is 16, with 12 to 21 normal.
>
>
>
> >Xalatan is a glaucoma drug that reduces eye pressure, namely the anterior
> >chamber (hopefully the posterior tracks), before higher pressure affects the
> >optic nerve, which affects blood flow to the eye. The drug, goes thru the
> >entire cornea (and that would include the endothelium). (As far as I
> >understand it -- no medical type).
>
> >Don W.
>
> >PS. What is funny about the usage of that drug is that I squeeze out as
> >much moisture as possible from the eye and then apply the drop. So that I
> >can get the maximum use out of a singular drop. One is advised not to
> >double drop since it tends to wash out the medication from the eye.
> >Interesting, I thought.
>
> >"ray" <spamm...@do.not.reply,com > wrote in message
> >news:hflm24hs4fqcgvk7llnc9aujlqun5c9iea@4ax,com ...
> >> On Wed, 14 May 2008 12:56:02 -0700, "Don W" <dwil...@prodigy,net >
> >> wrote:
>
> >>>Thanks.
>
> >>>How might the cornea react to Xalantan with this kind of condition?
>
> >>>Also, is the morning "fuzziness" granular or just overall "fuzzy"? (If
> >>>that
> >>>is clear?).
>
> >> For high contrast items such as point source of light or black print
> >> on white background it is multiple images. In my case sometimes it is
> >> as many as 6 images smeared vertically. For lower contrast it just
> >> looks fuzzy. Removing excess water from the cornea with salt water or
> >> a hair dryer improves vision. What is Xalantan?
>
> >>>Don W.
>
> >>>"Mike Tyner" <mty...@mindspring,com > wrote in message
> >>>news:BN6dnQqrkNPHO7rVnZ2dnUVZ r6rnZ2d@giganews,com ...
> >>>> The corneal stroma swells and loses transparency if water isn't actively
> >>>> pumped out.
>
> >>>> The endothelium contains the pump.
>
> >>>> When the lids are closed overnight, oxygenation drops.
>
> >>>> Healthy endothelium has enough reserve to keep the cornea clear
> >>>> overnight.
>
> >>>> -MT
>
> >>>> "Don W" <dwil...@prodigy,net > wrote in message
> >>>>news:AkNVj.3320$nW2.1546@nlpi064.nbdc.sbc,com ...
> >>>>> Just exactly what causes the "morning fuzziness"?
>
> >>>>> Don W.
The illusions seen in imperfect sight are very strange and funny.
It seems they are completely unique in every single individual, which
shows just how many ways a mind at strain can manifest itself on one's
vision.
On 15 May, 00:10, ray <spamm...@do.not.reply,com > wrote:
> On Wed, 14 May 2008 15:06:53 -0700, "Don W" <dwil...@prodigy,net >
> wrote:
>
> >Interesting about too much fluid in the cornea. I always got the impression
> >the it was my cornea (outside) surface that needed a few blinks to become
> >more "optically smooth".
>
> >How far apart are your multiple images? Degrees, minutes? Those types of
> >multiple images I do not have.
>
> A traffic stop light will have 2 red lights spaced the same distance
> apart as the distance between amber and red. A cross road (black
> cross on yellow sign) will have 2 black crosses bars with yellow in
> between the thickness of a crossbar. From 10 feet a 1/8" green LED
> will be a series of dots about an inch high. Normal text in a book
> will have a readable ghost image 1/2 the height of text. I am getting
> used to it.
>
> My corneal pressure is 16, with 12 to 21 normal.
>
>
>
> >Xalatan is a glaucoma drug that reduces eye pressure, namely the anterior
> >chamber (hopefully the posterior tracks), before higher pressure affects the
> >optic nerve, which affects blood flow to the eye. The drug, goes thru the
> >entire cornea (and that would include the endothelium). (As far as I
> >understand it -- no medical type).
>
> >Don W.
>
> >PS. What is funny about the usage of that drug is that I squeeze out as
> >much moisture as possible from the eye and then apply the drop. So that I
> >can get the maximum use out of a singular drop. One is advised not to
> >double drop since it tends to wash out the medication from the eye.
> >Interesting, I thought.
>
> >"ray" <spamm...@do.not.reply,com > wrote in message
> >news:hflm24hs4fqcgvk7llnc9aujlqun5c9iea@4ax,com ...
> >> On Wed, 14 May 2008 12:56:02 -0700, "Don W" <dwil...@prodigy,net >
> >> wrote:
>
> >>>Thanks.
>
> >>>How might the cornea react to Xalantan with this kind of condition?
>
> >>>Also, is the morning "fuzziness" granular or just overall "fuzzy"? (If
> >>>that
> >>>is clear?).
>
> >> For high contrast items such as point source of light or black print
> >> on white background it is multiple images. In my case sometimes it is
> >> as many as 6 images smeared vertically. For lower contrast it just
> >> looks fuzzy. Removing excess water from the cornea with salt water or
> >> a hair dryer improves vision. What is Xalantan?
>
> >>>Don W.
>
> >>>"Mike Tyner" <mty...@mindspring,com > wrote in message
> >>>news:BN6dnQqrkNPHO7rVnZ2dnUVZ r6rnZ2d@giganews,com ...
> >>>> The corneal stroma swells and loses transparency if water isn't actively
> >>>> pumped out.
>
> >>>> The endothelium contains the pump.
>
> >>>> When the lids are closed overnight, oxygenation drops.
>
> >>>> Healthy endothelium has enough reserve to keep the cornea clear
> >>>> overnight.
>
> >>>> -MT
>
> >>>> "Don W" <dwil...@prodigy,net > wrote in message
> >>>>news:AkNVj.3320$nW2.1546@nlpi064.nbdc.sbc,com ...
> >>>>> Just exactly what causes the "morning fuzziness"?
>
> >>>>> Don W.
The illusions seen in imperfect sight are very strange and funny.
It seems they are completely unique in every single individual, which
shows just how many ways a mind at strain can manifest itself on one's
vision.
