I have myopic degeneration in one eye and have, in the past, had series of Avastin shots as needed. They have worked well. Last year about this time the eye went bonkers again and I needed only about 3 shots to bring back my best sight. Myopic degeneration is similar to macular degeneration but not age related. And yes, each treatment is enormously expensive as is the every couple month screenings I regularly do. Once I reach my out of pocket maximum, however, insurance pays for the rest. Have you tried Avastin?

Thank you for your wonderful post, Anne. No, I do not pay for most of mine out of pocket...I am on Medicare as well. However, with so little benefit, I question whether Medicare or my supplementary Blue Cross/Blue Shield should be paying thousands of dollars. Normally it only costs ME about $80, but right now I had not yet made my Medicafe deductible for the year, so it is about $150 more than usual. I think with new treatments, they all like to rush on to the bandwagon. I have not been offerred any other treatment. Perhaps I should ask since these are definitely not working.

Have you ever thought of taking Lutein supplements? My father, who is in his 80's, started taking Lutein and is noticing a big improvement in his eyesight. I think he takes something else, too, and after I talk to him, I'll post back.http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/lutein.htm

Here's another website [below] with more treatment info included in it. Perhaps, Dee, you're thinking of OTC AREDS. It's the latest and if I could tolerate the Vitamin A and Zinc that's included in the pill formula...I would give it a chance. Unfortunately...I have one of those overly sensitive physical symptoms and after a few days of the use of AREDs...I had an unhealthy reaction to it. I was a smoker in my younger days and am unable to tolerate Vit. A...but beyond that...I've never been able to tolerate Zinc. However...that being said...I did have a brief positive sight reaction to it. The AREDS formula includes Lutein. And...returning to the straight form of Lutein has continued that improvement. I'm about 5 years behind your father in age...and I agree with him. Lutein is wonderful. And...from the looks of what manufacturers are putting on the market these days...I think someone has finally discovered the same thing. Provided the user doesn't have any allergic reactions to the contents...it's also the safest, least invasive form of treatment.

http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/macular-degeneration/age-related-macular-degeneration-overview

I had written a much longer informational post, Redcurls...but it disappeared into thin air. LOL The gist of it was...IMO...to avoid any type of laser treatment if you do go looking for another form of treatment. The laser actually kills the spot that it's directed at and eventually...after enough laser-ed spots...the retina will be dead/scarred and useless. You will have been blinded by the treatment. Personally...I think it should be banned. Also...Avastin and Advantis are what are referred to as a cross-over drugs. They're both cancer/chemo drugs. I believe Advantis has been discontinued as a macular treatment. So...be very careful about what you decide to do treatment wise. The market is flooded with new "ideas" and one really has to be on ones toes these days.

Anne

The Lutein my father takes is from a quality supplement from the local health food store. It is lutein from marigold flowers, along with zeaxanthin from marigold flowers.