Thank you, Susan. That's one helpful contribution I haven't heard/read about...but will now that you've supplied the link.

I have my eyes examined faithfully every year and aside from a few pesky catarats...I've shown no signs of MG. I like to think that I'm "over the hump" now that I've reached the ripe ole age of 70. According to everything that I've gleaned over the years...if one hasn't shown signs of MG by this age...one may be safe from the demon.

My father was a Floridian for about half of his life span and never wore sunglasses. I know that contributed...in part...to his MG. He spent countless hours on the ocean as well as the inland waterways of Florida. I can't see my hand in front of my face in the glare of sun light. I don't know how he did it without benefit of dark lens. He was a brilliant man...but very careless health wise...who learned far too late in life that he'd squandered many of his God given gifts.

Thanks again for your kindness, Susan.

Anne

The eye dr said I have the beginnings of macular degeneration, My eyes are very dry, I had to stop wearing contact lens and get glasses, have had the contact lens for 47 years.
I take ICaps, Thera tears, Lutein 20mg and use Blink eye drops all per Dr.s orders.
I will buy Bilberry for sure, thanks for the tip.

DH has had macular degeneration for many years, but it seems to be "under" control that is, it has not changed for a very long time according to the ophthalmologist he has. He has taken both Bilberry and Lutein for years also. Their is several brands of Bilberry, but the one he likes the best is from Vitamin World called Bilberry Fruit, 1000mg, 1 a day. On the label they say it is a relative to Blueberry. As to dry eyes, his Dr. recommends Refresh as a lubricant. Are you going to an ophthalmologist? But then he does not have 'true" dry eyes.
I wish you the best.

"Are you going to an ophthalmologist?"

Yes, Marie...religiously. Several years back I was diagnosed with Type 1.5 diabetes [Confusing #...I know. But I spent the first half of my life with hypoglycemia...then suddenly had it turn to hyperglycemia. Thus the medically labeled #1.5.]...and have been very careful with my eye care as a result of that problem as well as my father's MD. I've taken Lutein for years and that may be one of the reasons I've not shown any MD symptoms. I'll be adding the Bilberry Fruit tab as soon as I find it. I've conquered the diabetes and hopefully...I'll be able to keep a lid on any eye problems.

Thank you for mentioning "Refresh". I've been looking for a new lubricant. I've been using "Systane" when needed...but I'm not 100% satisfied with it. I'll look for the Refresh...along with the Bilberry...on my next trek to the pharmacy.

Anne

Good! I'm glad this was useful.

An older professor at the university where I work is a big fan of Bausch & Lomb's Soothe (Preservative Free) Lubricating Eye Drops, an over-the-counter dry-eye product recommended by her doctor. I haven't had reason to try it yet.

Anne, how did you conquer the diabetes? (And good for you for doing that!)

"Anne, how did you conquer the diabetes? (And good for you for doing that!)"

The diagnosis scared the daylights out of me, Susan, as I have a genetic predisposition for severe kidney problems...so I "hunkered down" the day I received the news. Back then...my self-imposed diet regimen was very strict. Absolutely no sugar or white "stuff". These days it's not as limited thanks to the new found wisdom of many food producers/manufacturers...but then I counted carbs in everything...keeping my intake as low as possible without jeopardizing my health. I've always been a healthy eater...but I did so love ice cream...and French fries. ;-)

I adopted..and adhered to...an exercise regime that I knew I could live with on a daily basis no matter what the weather...or other life demands. I gave up my night owl habits...making sure to get at least 7 hours of sleep/night...and...I quit smoking...cold turkey.

But...all that considered...perhaps the greatest contributor...IMO...to my good health these days was learning how to distress my life. That was no easy task as I was the sole care giver during my late husbands bout with pancreatic cancer. However...like I've read you to say...I don't respond well to any form of medication...so I knew I had to adhere to the perimeters I'd set or pay severe consequences.

I'm happy to report that the hard work and dedication paid off. Today...I still test every morning...just to keep on the safe side...and because that glucose # is a warning sign for so many other physical maladies that it gives an early "heads up" that's very helpful. But it's no longer a necessity.

Thanks for asking...and...for the compliment.

Anne

Thanks, Anne. You sound like a gal after my own heart. I did something similar with my diet 14 years ago when I discovered my triglycerides were five times normal (a big heart risk for women). But giving up smoking at the same time, as you did, must have been quite an experience.

My dad gave up smoking and saturated fats when I was an adolescent. No more cigarettes . . . and no more cheese, sausage, ice cream, etc. I didn't appreciate at the time what a tough move that must have been for him. He never complained, and his health improved hugely.

Glad yours did, too!

Susan

fil ia recieving shots for his...but like your dad, anne, is very careless with his health. got himself sent to the er last month cause he "forgot" to take his bp meds..i guess the good thing is, his age 85.

dh just got new glasses and the dr said he wants him to come in once a year now to have his eyes checked...(based on his dad's condition)

My father spent most of his life waving red flags at bulls...and...IMO...paid dearly for his "attitudes". He lived into his mid 90's but the quality of the last several years of his life was severely lacking. He spent years traveling the globe, trying to find a cure for his MD...and then...finally...trying to survive a massive stoke...finding himself completely dependent on others. That, of course, had been his greatest fear. Sigh.

I received the same advice your DH was given...and have followed it to the letter for the last several years. And...I have to say that since I started taking Lutein...my eye sight seems to have stabilized. Perhaps...even improved. I've had no signs of the MD...but my few cataracts had begun to give me problems. My last exam...a few months ago...produced a report similar to one I'd received 5 years ago and I am currently [successfully] wearing a lens script I was given then. I'm anxious to see what taking the Bilberry may produce.

Anne