Retired Optician And AMD Patient's Story After Taking Macushield Eye Supplements, UK

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Article Date: 04 Feb 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Harry Marsland is a retired Optometrist who developed Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) seven years ago. Although there is a lack of unawareness of AMD in the UK, it is the leading cause of blindness in the world today. AMD currently affects 30 million people world-wide1 and this figure is expected to double in the next 20-30 years. Being the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 60,once detected, steps can be taken to prevent the condition and/or future eyesight deterioration.

There are two types of AMD referred to as 'wet' and 'dry'. This is not how the eye feels, but rather what an ophthalmologist will see when looking at the macula, which is a very small area in the centre of the retina. 'Dry' AMD, the most common, develops very slowly causing gradual loss of central vision. 'Wet' AMD develops quickly and is usually manifested by lines of vision appearing to be distorted. The condition causes new blood vessels to grow behind the retina causing bleeding and scarring, which eventually leads to sight loss.

In 2001, Harry Marsland developed AMD. He first noticed a change in his vision while on holiday in Assisi. Within 10 days of returning from holiday Harry had visited two ophthalmologists, and it was at this point that he realised he had AMD. The tests revealed that Harry had a double misfortune, having developed 'Wet' AMD in his right and in his left eye the potential to develop either 'dry' or 'wet' AMD.

"The statistical odds for retaining my eyesight were not good," said Harry Marsland. "It was thought that my left eye would become severely affected within five years and in 2001 there appeared to be little I could do apart from learning Braille".

Unlike 'dry' AMD, 'Wet' AMD causes the body to respond by constructing extra blood vessels to supply the retina with extra nutrients and it is these extra blood vessels that can cause severe damage. Treatment so far has been aimed at destroying these vessels, but laser treatment failed to work on Harry and eventually AMD killed the central vision in his right eye.

"Although I used to be an optician, when I retired 23 years ago little had been discovered about AMD. At that time, I believed the two varieties of AMD had little in common apart from the name, but it would now appear that they are in fact two facets of the same underlying defect, light from the blue end of the spectrum damaging the retina. This left much uncertainty to which of my eyes would lose all central vision completely".

Within 12 months Harry experienced further deterioration in his left eye; he had lost a significant amount of his vision and was advised to change his diet and flood his body with anti-oxidants, such as, blueberries, green vegetables and oranges. Despite changes to his diet, two years ago Harry was no longer able to see outdoors at night, the central vision in his left eye had gone, except in extremely good light, he also had to buy a high intensity reading light to help him read.

A light at the end of the tunnel

In the early stages of his condition Harry tried various supplements, such as, VisionAce but he didn't notice any physical difference and no improvement of his vision, that said, things did not get much worse. In April 2007 Harry heard about Macuvision and a new instrument based test called Macuscope, which aids the early detection of low macular protective pigment by measuring the density of the pigmentation in your eye.

"In my case that protection had been woefully inadequate, but if I had been screened earlier, prevention may have been possible. The Macuscope allows healthcare professionals to properly identify pigment density deficiency, which leads to AMD, it also helps the ability to prescribe and monitor other health problems", said Harry Marsland.

Through Macuvision I heard about Macushield with MZ, a unique supplement that contains all three antioxidants Meso-zeaxanthin, Lutein and Zeaxanthin found in the macula, necessary to combat AMD. It is the only supplement to contain all three antioxidants Meso-zeaxanthin, Lutein, Zeaxanthin which help protect tissues against potentially damaging effects and designed specially to support macular health", he continued.

Harry started taking these supplements in April 2007, in the hope it would arrest any further deterioration in his eyes. It actually did more than he could have hoped for. His vision actually started to improve, and for the first time in six years he is now able to drive in the dark. He claims he is physically aware of the improvement, but can't scientifically prove it. He no longer needs extra light to read and this has been the result of Macuvision's supplements, Macushield(MZ) has improved his vision allowing him to change his lifestyle.

Harry Marsland concludes: "I had a screening on the Macuscope in September 2007 and then again in November 2007. In that short space of time, the density of macula pigmentation in my retina had actually doubled and I know for certain it is due to the supplements I have been taking. Each day I am seeing more and more".

1 Macuscope 2005

About Macuvision

Macuvision is leading the way in macular screening with the introduction of MacuScope, a machine designed to detect levels of individuals macular pigment, which is now seen to be a major risk factor for developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in later life. The device will show early signs of AMD. MacuScope™ is commercially sold instrument in the UK that accurately measures Macular Protective Pigment Density (MPPD) allowing healthcare professionals to identify MPPD deficiencies, which can lead to AMD. Macuvision has also developed a unique carotenoid eye supplement Macushield™ specially designed to support macular health. Macushield™ is a patented formula that combines all three known carotenoids including meso-zeaxanthin (the only carotenoid found exclusively in the macular), lutein and zeaxanthin. These compounds are known by scientists for creating the yellow pigment inside the macular that helps to protect the eye by absorbing blue light and neutralising free radicals, thus maintaining eye health in later life.

Macuvision works with world-wide distributors who solely deal with opticians and eye healthcare specialists and has offices in the UK and Ireland. Visit http://www.macuscope.com or http://www.macushield.com for further information.

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