New treatment helps man's faltering sight (macular degeneration)

Hendersonville Times-News ^ | October 17. 2003 | Jennie Jones Giles

[Nov3]

Botched Lasik Procedures are fairly common. Ones botched like mine (misassembly of the tool leading to penetration of the cornea) are fairly rare. There are a lot of complications. The vast majority of them are not reported to the FDA. Here is mine. Read the BS at the bottom. It was only reported after a lawsuit was posted. The people who manufacture this tool were soulless bastards. They stood by while 13 people that I know of had their vision destroyed and did NOTHING. You think that everyone has a conscious and will react like you. That is just not the case. There are some people who will sit around for a good paycheck and allow people to be blinded.

[Gritty]

There are some people who will sit around for a good paycheck and allow people to be blinded.

Yikes!

I hope you have your sight back by now.

[null and void]

Bump!

[Peace4EarthNow]

Bump up & THANK YOU for posting this!

My mom has MD, and none of the conventional treatments work for her.

I'll forward this to her, so she can ask her doctor to hopefully get this for her (if that's possible, since it's "experimental"?).

Worth a shot, anyway!

Thanks again...

[Mini-14]

Me too.

[Mini-14]

The web site owner of http://www.lasikmemorial.com wishes to publish your story.

[Mini-14]

I got a cornea transplant after 4 laser surgeries in my left eye.

[FairOpinion]

I found more info and I thought you would be interested.

Note that this article mentions the name of the drug: "Echothiophate iodide", they say that this drug has been used to treat glaucoma, the dosage for use against macular degenaration is much lower, than the dose used for glaucoma and that this medication is no longer manufactured in the US.

I did a search -- found that it is available in Europe, and that it can possibly be gotten via ophtalmologists in the US. This article also mentions the drug can cause cataracts ( in the dose used for glaucoma).

I think one should find out the dose used by Dr. Nolan (mentioned in the original posted article).

Anyway, here is the link the this second article (with a phone no. ophtalmologists can call on how to get it):

Echothiophate iodide shortage leaves US specialists struggling to find alternative for acute cases (march 2003)

http://www.escrs.org/eurotimes/March2003/echo.asp

Mr Petkus said the company has informed ophthalmologists about the availability of the drug through the IND process. The AAO received a statement from the company in early January and it is now posted on the AAO website www.aao.org.
“I didn’t see the statement until recently, while the shortage has been going on for about a year,” Dr Bizer said.

Mr Petkus estimates that the facility in Gosport will have FDA approval within the next 30 to 60 days from the time of writing. Then, the company will begin marketing the drug in the US again.

“It will be available to ophthalmologists without going through the IND process,” he said.
There is no shortage of the drug in Europe. To obtain an information pack with directions on how to get echothiophate iodide through an IND process, US ophthalmologists can call 1 800 666 7248 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST.

[BlessedBeGod]

Thank you so much!

[The Westerner]

Are you glad that you did?

[Gritty]

Thanks for the additional information. I also have forwarded it on to somebody who needs it.

[dennisw]

bttttttttttttt

[Quix]

THANKS TONS.

Will pass the info on.

[nmh]

Thank you soooo much for going to the trouble of listing this information. My Mom has the problem and slowly going blind. I'd like to help her if I could.

Many hugs and love you way!

Thanks,

Nancy

[Mini-14]

I got rid of about 75% of the visual distortions with the transplant. My best corrected vision is significantly improved. However, there is noticeable pain in my eye at times that makes it difficult to wear contact lenses. It's a mixed bag.

[The Westerner]

Ok. Thanks, that's what I want to know. Will pass the info on to my friend who's been told to have the transplant. Pain is not good to live with.

[null and void]

bump

[null and void]

Monday bump for the weekend warriors...

[Gritty]

Here is a personal follow up to the posting of this article.

I relayed the information of your post and mine to my Mother, who relayed it to her sister (around 90), who has the problem and whose eyeight is badly failing.

Here is the upshot of the latest e-mail (11/04) from my cousin (her daughter):

Mom had her first appointment with Dr. Nolan yesterday. He ran all sorts of tests etc. and said he thought she could be helped with the drops. One drop was put in worst eye last night before bed and this morning I took her back to Dr. Nolan's so he could repeat the simple sight tests and note any improvement. She could definitely see and read more than yesterday on both eye chart and color tests. More so with good eye but also improvement in bad/worst eye. She is thrilled...we are excited....all are praying that improvement continues. Can't tell you how thankful we are to you for forwarding the information.

She will have one drop placed in bad eye Sunday night and see Dr. again on Monday. After that he will most likely see her at two week intervals.

Dr. Nolan is a graduate of Georgetown, M***'s Alma Mater as well. We liked him. He is what I would describe as a very intense person----very focused on finding the "cure" for visually impaired. He seems a very warm and caring person. Excited about good things that are happening. I would also guess that he is a man of faith. His office is busy but efficient. Read a number of letters sent to him by patients from all over, thanking him for his help and their improved vision. They were pinned to wall in hallway. Met a family from Tenn. today--very happy!

Keep my Mom in your prayers. Will stay in touch and keep you posted.

Needless to say, we are thrilled! In speaking with my Mom this morning, my Aunt last night read 4 pages in the Reader's Digest, somthing she has been unable to do for a long time.

Such a blessing all our family!

[FairOpinion]

Well, you are the one who found and posted the original article -- I am glad I could post some additional info.

Thanks for giving the update.

It is fantastic news to hear your story, that it really has such miraculous effect.

Please keep me informed -- I also hope and pray that the improvement continues.

I do hope Dr. Nolan is in touch with the manufacturer and hopefully this will be available to more doctors.