IT’S NEVER NORMAL!   I’m speaking, of course, of Amaurosis Fugax which usually presents itself as “Flashes” to the side of one’s vision.  It is not uncommon for patients who are experiencing these “flashes” to not take them seriously.   It is also not uncommon for physicians to downplay the importance of “flashes” with their patients.  But let me impress upon you right now that these “Flashes” or distortions that occur in one’s vision are ALWAYS serious!  All cases of flashes should be investigated.  These flashes are frequently the first warnings of the onset of Macular Degeneration.  At the very least, they indicate poor circulation of blood to the Retina in the back of the eye and may be the earliest indications that Macular Degeneration is developing.  Poor circulation to the retina is one of the leading causes of the development of Macular Degeneration.  Be sure to bring these flashes to the attention of your medical eye physician.

If you are experiencing “flashes” in your side vision, it is also extremely important that you get a blood test looking for some very basic alterations in your Lipid Metabolism.  And while you’re getting these blood tests for your lipids, be sure to include other very essential measurements such as your Low Density Lipoproteins (so-called “Bad Cholesterol).  You’ll also want to get your Homocysteine and Cardiac-reactive protein levels checked as well.  The latter two are probably the best indicators of an impending macular degeneration condition.  If any of these tests are abnormal, be sure to make an appointment with your medical eye physician as soon as possible.

As I have said earlier, some of the earliest indications of Macular Degeneration are very silent.  They will not give you any warning.  The absolute best test to determine not only if you have Macular Degeneration but to also tell you if you are at risk to develop this potentially  blinding condition.  This simple office test is called a RETINAL FLUOROSCEIN ANGIOGRAM. 

Well, what can one do once the medical eye physician has diagnosed Macular Degeneration?  Macular Degeneration comes in two varieties…..so-called “DRY” type and so-called “WET” type.  Your fluoroscein angiogram will tell you whether you have the dry or the wet type.  Most cases of Macular Degeneration (80%) tend to be of the “DRY”type although dry and wet type macular degeneration are really just different stages of the same disease.  It is VERY important to treat dry type macular degeneration aggressively in order to prevent its progression into the wet type degeneration.  DRY type Macular Degeneration is treated with the ARED’S FORMULATION of certain vitamins and supplements.  This formulation was the result of 10 years of study of patients with early dry type macular degeneration.  After the study, it was determined that there was a 54% LESS chance of the dry type progressing into the wet type with the use of this ARED’S formula……MORE LATER

John Colombo, M.D.