Eyes & Eyesight
How To Avoid Invasive AMD Treatments
Date: 08/12/11
Keywords: Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Ageing, Eyesight Disorders, Alternative medicine, Natural remedies
Anyone who's 50 and over is considered to be at high risk for developing age- related macular degeneration (AMD) — the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50.
When you suffer from AMD, chances are your doctor will treat you with Lucentis or Avastin, the two leading mainstream treatments for this dangerous condition...
Lucentis was specifically developed as an AMD drug, while Avastin is a popular cancer drug that's used off-label to treat AMD. Apart from that, there's one more huge difference between the two: Lucentis costs $2,000 per dose, while Avastin costs only $50.
There's that stunning quote from the 1950 film, Sunset
Boulevard: "There's nothing tragic about being 50, except
when you act like a 25 year old."
That's probably not the case for most people when they enter the realm of quinquagenarians (those between the age of 50- 59), like George Clooney, Barack Obama, Nastassja Kinski, Boy George, Meg Ryan, and Dennis Rodman — who are all turning fifty this year.
Did you know that once you are 50, you've also reached an important medical milestone? That's because, anyone who's 50 and over is considered to be at high risk for developing age- related macular degeneration (AMD) — the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50.
Prickly pears
When you suffer from AMD, chances are your doctor will treat you with Lucentis or Avastin, the two leading mainstream treatments for this dangerous condition...
Lucentis was specifically developed as an AMD drug, while Avastin is a popular cancer drug that's used off-label to treat AMD. Apart from that, there's one more huge difference between the two: Lucentis costs $2,000 per dose, while Avastin costs only $50.
If you're Meg Ryan, a monthly Lucentis treatment won't make a huge dent in your pocket... but for the majority of us the budget-friendly choice, Avastin, looks like the only option.
Slim pickings
However, Avastin was recently suspended for use in the elderly because it has been linked to serious eye infections that led to blindness in some patients...
Results from a study (coincidentally sponsored by the manufacturers of Avastin), showed that Avastin increased the risk of dying during treatment by 11 per cent, compared to those being treated with Lucentis.
Not that Lucentis is any better... According to the drug's website, some users experience eye pain, small specks in vision, headaches, and respiratory infections. That's apart from the really serious stuff: A few patients have had detached retinas and infections inside the eye, "eye-and non-eye-related blood clots (heart attacks, strokes, and death)"... Not really what you want from an AMD treatment.
Even if you are prepared to cope with the side effects of Lucentis and Avastin, you'll still need to brace yourself, because both Pharma concoctions are injected into your eyes!
A much better option
If it was me, I would certainly explore all other treatment options before allowing someone to turn my eyes into a pincushion!
Previously, we told you about the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) — an on-going clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute. In this study, a supplement formula (known as the AREDS formula) has been proven to help prevent AMD. The AREDS consists of:
• Vitamin C — 500mg
• Vitamin E — 400IU
• Beta-carotene — 15mg
• Zinc (as zinc oxide) — 80mg
• Copper (as cupric oxide) — 2mg
According to the Macular Degeneration Research website, the AREDS formula may also help prevent intermediate AMD from progressing to the advanced stage.
Following a diet rich in lutein and zeaxanthin — antioxidant-rich carotenoids, has also been shown to reduce AMD risk. Colourful fruits and vegetables and egg yolks are the best sources of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Now if that is not a safer option than having a needle stuck in your eye, I don't know w
Sources:
"VA Halts Avastin for Eye Disease Over Infections" Ed Silverman, Pharmalot, 9/21/11, pharmalot.com hat is.
Back to topThat's probably not the case for most people when they enter the realm of quinquagenarians (those between the age of 50- 59), like George Clooney, Barack Obama, Nastassja Kinski, Boy George, Meg Ryan, and Dennis Rodman — who are all turning fifty this year.
Did you know that once you are 50, you've also reached an important medical milestone? That's because, anyone who's 50 and over is considered to be at high risk for developing age- related macular degeneration (AMD) — the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50.
Prickly pears
When you suffer from AMD, chances are your doctor will treat you with Lucentis or Avastin, the two leading mainstream treatments for this dangerous condition...
Lucentis was specifically developed as an AMD drug, while Avastin is a popular cancer drug that's used off-label to treat AMD. Apart from that, there's one more huge difference between the two: Lucentis costs $2,000 per dose, while Avastin costs only $50.
If you're Meg Ryan, a monthly Lucentis treatment won't make a huge dent in your pocket... but for the majority of us the budget-friendly choice, Avastin, looks like the only option.
Slim pickings
However, Avastin was recently suspended for use in the elderly because it has been linked to serious eye infections that led to blindness in some patients...
Results from a study (coincidentally sponsored by the manufacturers of Avastin), showed that Avastin increased the risk of dying during treatment by 11 per cent, compared to those being treated with Lucentis.
Not that Lucentis is any better... According to the drug's website, some users experience eye pain, small specks in vision, headaches, and respiratory infections. That's apart from the really serious stuff: A few patients have had detached retinas and infections inside the eye, "eye-and non-eye-related blood clots (heart attacks, strokes, and death)"... Not really what you want from an AMD treatment.
Even if you are prepared to cope with the side effects of Lucentis and Avastin, you'll still need to brace yourself, because both Pharma concoctions are injected into your eyes!
A much better option
If it was me, I would certainly explore all other treatment options before allowing someone to turn my eyes into a pincushion!
Previously, we told you about the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) — an on-going clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute. In this study, a supplement formula (known as the AREDS formula) has been proven to help prevent AMD. The AREDS consists of:
• Vitamin C — 500mg
• Vitamin E — 400IU
• Beta-carotene — 15mg
• Zinc (as zinc oxide) — 80mg
• Copper (as cupric oxide) — 2mg
According to the Macular Degeneration Research website, the AREDS formula may also help prevent intermediate AMD from progressing to the advanced stage.
Following a diet rich in lutein and zeaxanthin — antioxidant-rich carotenoids, has also been shown to reduce AMD risk. Colourful fruits and vegetables and egg yolks are the best sources of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Now if that is not a safer option than having a needle stuck in your eye, I don't know w
Sources:
"VA Halts Avastin for Eye Disease Over Infections" Ed Silverman, Pharmalot, 9/21/11, pharmalot.com hat is.
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