Podcast 67: Community Q&A

This episode answers questions related to wet macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome, the side effects of Cataract surgery, what to do about melanoma in the eyes, and what to do if a retinal detachment surgery went wrong. Question 1 0:42 - 12:40 Dear Dr. Berne, I’m 78 years old male residing in Denmark. About four years ago I underwent cataract surgery in both eyes. Since then I’m troubled with oversensitivity to light and diminishing peripheral vision - especially the left eye, which was always my “weak” eye. The sensitivity to light is so strong that I need a long time, instead of some seconds, to adjust to the shade of the staircase after coming in from the sunlit street. Now the reduction of the peripheral vision is, according to the eye doctor, caused by mild glaucoma and setting in of macular degeneration. I’m not very convinced because the pressure in my eyes has stabilized a year ago and is perfectly normal now, but the reduction of peripheral vision continues – though at a slower pace. My question to you is whether you can recommend, besides MSM drops, something designed specifically to counter the loss of peripheral vision.    As for oversensitivity to light, it can be toned down with sunglasses, so of course, it’s not as important as slowing down of the loss of the peripheral vision. Thank you! Question 2 12:40 - 18:23 I have a dear friend that has melanoma in her eye and while she has done the radiation treatment, she is also looking for something natural that might help. What would you recommend? Thanks so much. Question 3 18:23 - 26:00 My Mom (80) has never had eye problems. She just had cataract surgery in both eyes. The day after the left eye was done, she was alternating closing eyes to see how much better she could see and noticed a blind spot with her right eye. She went to a specialist yesterday and was diagnosed with wet macular degeneration. She is now getting monthly injections. Would supplements help? Should she wear blue blockers? What do you suggest? Thanks in advance, from Kansas! Question 4 26:00 - 29:46 My 17-year-old daughter has severe dry eyes as well as convergence and accommodation problems. Everything is getting worse. What do you recommend? Would your eyedrops help? Question 5 29:46 - 35:48 Good Morning Dr. Berne! I developed a retinal detachment 1 1/2 years ago. Unfortunately, where I went to get care was not ideal, and a resident performed the surgery accidentally cutting a vessel. I now have a hole in the macula. No matter how corrective the lenses on my right eye (my dominant eye) I see a clear blurry. And now I have a severe cataract in the affected right eye. Any holistic treatment for this?