wp85256201.png

   
   Macular
  Degeneration
  Recovery

CASE STUDY

HIGHLY UNUSUAL MACULAR RECOVERY

 www.macular-degeneration-recovery.com
            

 subsequent to treatment by MAHARISHI AYURVEDA

Case details for non-clinicians

 

 APR- JULY 2004

 

LEFT EYE

My vision plummeted from 6/9 to 6/60 (20/30 to 20/200).  Lost all central vision and diagnosed as having (Myopic) Macular Degeneration of the dry type (no bleeding) - a view expressed by several retinal specialists.

 

Further tests confirmed the diagnosis and indicated that in my case the macular had been penetrated by a tear in the retinal lining, which was most likely related to my short-sightedeness.

 

(Myopic macular degeneration is related to the stretching of the retina and associated tissue as a result of elongation of the eyeball from short-sightedness).

After the first angiogram in June, my ophthalmic consultant wrote to my referring doctor informing him that  “We have discussed the various treatments for macular disease but unfortunately none of them is particularly relevant to Mr. Amsterdam’s condition”.


After my second angiogram in July, another ophthalmic specialist informed me that “The angiogram did not show any problems that could be repaired or treated” and my referring doctor was informed that  “unfortunately in his case there is no treatment available to restore his vision”.

 

RIGHT EYE

Early stage macular degeneration diagnosed. I was warned of future ongoing vision loss of the slow ‘dry’ type.  This turned out not to be the case - the loss was due to sudden onset of the wet form in Dec 04.

 


 

 AUGUST 2004 (1st residential Ayurvedic treatment in Delhi, India)

 

Began taking daily Ayurvedic herbs after an Ayurvedic consultation in London, and shortly thereafter travelled to Delhi, India for 21 days residential Ayurvedic treatment under the special guidance of Dr. Raju at Maharishi Ayurveda Hospital. (I also began taking daily doses of a Lutein based neutrical).  Upon my return to the UK, I continued to take daily Ayurvedic herbs and the neutrical, which I continue to do.

 

 

 

 LATE 2004 - FEBRUARY 2005

 

LEFT EYE

Observable improvements begun Oct / Nov 2004.  By Feb 2005, vision had improved to 6/18 (20/60). The central dark grey impenetrable cloud continued to thin and dissipate, and central images were now beginning to be seen.
 

RIGHT EYE (1st bleed)

Vision deterioration and examination in February 2005 revealed what is believed to be my first bleed in this eye.

 

Thus, while my left eye was recovering, my right eye had its first bleed.

 

 MARCH 2005 (2nd and 3rd bleed; one PDT laser treatment)

 

RIGHT EYE

Further deterioration in vision (2nd. bleed).  In the hope of preventing further bleeding, I had a photodynamic therapy (PDT or so-called ‘cold laser’) treatment, followed by an acutely distressing and dramatic loss of vision the next day, which gradually improved to pre-laser treatment level by the end of week two.

 

By the end of week three there was a slight improvement in vision relative to the pre-PDT laser treatment level, but this lasted only two days, when a further (3rd) bleed occurred, eliminating the improvement.

 

Having considered the risk / benefit ratio of further PDT laser treatments, I decided not to have any more PDT (which would have been administered every 3 months or so in the hope of stopping new blood vessel growth).

 

 

 

  JULY 2005

 

LEFT EYE

Atypical recovery back to 6/9 (20/30).  This is equal to my previous vision.  Interestingly, in spite of worrying subjective impressions of vision fluctuation over the previous month, ocular examination revealed everything as Ok (“the optic disks … pink and healthy”).

 

RIGHT EYE

Further vision deterioration to 6/24 (20/80)

 

 

 

 SEPT/OCT 2005

 

LEFT EYE

Further recovery to 6/6 (20/20) in Sept.  I now am seeing better than before the macular break. For example, my standard eye test for prescription glasses in April 04 measured 6/9  (20/30).

 

RIGHT EYE

Recovery to 6/18 (20/50)

 

Further 23 days of residential treatment at Maharishi Ayurveda Hospital.

 

 

 

  MAY 2006

 

LEFT EYE

Holding at 6/6 (20/20)

 

RIGHT EYE

Holding at 6/18+2 ( better than 20/50)

 

 

 

 DEC 06

 

LEFT EYE

Holding at 6/6 (20/20).

 

RIGHT EYE
Improvement to 6/12 (+3) (20/35).  Marked improvement in colour perception, though there is still substantial distortion (straight lines appear wavy) and inability to see fine detail.

 

 

 

 MAY 2007 (discharged by my consultant)

 

LEFT EYE

Holding at 6/6 (20/20).

 

RIGHT EYE

Now showing at 6/12 (20/40).

 

 

Notes:

1.  Left Eye: degree of short-sightedness has changed (from 6.5 to 7.0 to 6.75 to 7.0)


2.  Left Eye: although initial diagnosis (June, July 04) was ‘dry’ macular degeneration, I
    believe my later consultant expresses the view that leakage had to have occurred.
    To the extent I understand it, I believe he arrives at this view with reference to his
    belief  that recovery of the magnitude I exhibit is simply not explainable any other
    way .
 

3.  Right Eye: in June 04, consultant measured value was 6/5.  As this is inconsistent
     with the previous dispensing optician measured value at 6/9 (20/30), it would
     appear to be anomalous and is omitted from the graphed data set.

 

4.  Over-sensitivity to light has improved, but is still troublesome.
 

5.  Visual Acuity values are Snellen and some were taken in uncontrolled conditions
    relative to each other.

the recovery > details for non-clinicians