Comments on: About http://www.retinaeyedoctor.com Randall V. Wong, M.D., Retinal Specialist Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:41:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Creating Hyperlinks and Using Anchor Text http://www.retinaeyedoctor.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-2087 Creating Hyperlinks and Using Anchor Text Sun, 08 May 2011 18:51:35 +0000 http:/?page_id=2#comment-2087 [...] V. Wong, M.D. Retina Specialist Fairfax, [...] [...] V. Wong, M.D. Retina Specialist Fairfax, [...]

]]> By: Randall V. Wong, M.D. http://www.retinaeyedoctor.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-1767 Randall V. Wong, M.D. Sat, 05 Feb 2011 05:07:35 +0000 http:/?page_id=2#comment-1767 Dear Rachel, I wish more docs would do something like this! Thanks for your comment! Stay well. Look forward to hearing from you again. Randy Dear Rachel,

I wish more docs would do something like this! Thanks for your comment!

Stay well. Look forward to hearing from you again.

Randy

]]> By: Rachel http://www.retinaeyedoctor.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-1752 Rachel Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:04:05 +0000 http:/?page_id=2#comment-1752 Dr. Wong, Thank you for putting this site together. I'm 29 with many hard drusen, and have been to four Drs. without any of my questions answered. Therefore, I've been stressed about future blindness for a while now. Your site helped me very much in terms of to the point, readable descriptions and replies of common eye health issues, even that many doctors and retina specialists hadn't pointed out. Thank you. Rachel Dr. Wong,

Thank you for putting this site together.
I’m 29 with many hard drusen, and have been to four Drs. without any of my questions answered. Therefore, I’ve been stressed about future blindness for a while now. Your site helped me very much in terms of to the point, readable descriptions and replies of common eye health issues, even that many doctors and retina specialists hadn’t pointed out.
Thank you.

Rachel

]]> By: Ethel Wagner http://www.retinaeyedoctor.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-1585 Ethel Wagner Sat, 01 Jan 2011 01:50:45 +0000 http:/?page_id=2#comment-1585 Hi Randy, Thank you so much for your very thorough reply. And on New Year's Eve-I didn't expect that! I am relieved to know treatment is available without FA. I suppose I will be okay with focal laser if I can find a doctor who gives me confidence he knows what his is doing and shows some understanding of my feelings. I have started to read about lipoproteins. I have also read some medications may have something to do with macular edema. At this time I am taking 160 mg of Diovan-this for the past 3 years. Also 20 mg of Lipitor, 2000 mg of Glucophage and 8mg of Amaryl as well as 100mg of Januvia every day. I live in Yardley, PA. I have seen Dr. Mark Montag and Dr. Jeffrey Lipkowitz. Someone suggested Dr. Edward Deglin. Thank you in advance for any names you may be able to suggest to me. Can you please tell me how long the actual focal laser procedure takes? Thank you very much. I appreciate your kindness. Happy New Year to you! Ethel Hi Randy,

Thank you so much for your very thorough reply. And on New Year’s Eve-I didn’t expect that!

I am relieved to know treatment is available without FA. I suppose I will be okay with focal laser if I can find a doctor who gives me confidence he knows what his is doing and shows some understanding of my feelings.

I have started to read about lipoproteins. I have also read some medications may have something to do with macular edema. At this time I am taking 160 mg of Diovan-this for the past 3 years. Also 20 mg of Lipitor, 2000 mg of Glucophage and 8mg of Amaryl as well as 100mg of Januvia every day.

I live in Yardley, PA. I have seen Dr. Mark Montag and Dr. Jeffrey Lipkowitz. Someone suggested Dr. Edward Deglin. Thank you in advance for any names you may be able to suggest to me.

Can you please tell me how long the actual focal laser procedure takes?

Thank you very much. I appreciate your kindness.

Happy New Year to you!

Ethel

]]> By: Randall V. Wong, M.D. http://www.retinaeyedoctor.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-1576 Randall V. Wong, M.D. Fri, 31 Dec 2010 15:08:08 +0000 http:/?page_id=2#comment-1576 Gotcha. No worries. Randy Gotcha. No worries.

Randy

]]> By: Randall V. Wong, M.D. http://www.retinaeyedoctor.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-1574 Randall V. Wong, M.D. Fri, 31 Dec 2010 15:05:35 +0000 http:/?page_id=2#comment-1574 Dear Ethel, 1. Find another doctor if yours doesn't like answering questions. We need to "chip" away at the ivory tower/pedestal image of doctors. Too many of my colleagues hold themselves too highly. You can quote me, too. 2. Shellfish and iodine have nothing to do with a fluorescein angiogram. There is no crossover. We (ophthalmologists) are the only ones in medicine that utilize fluorescein. While you may still have a reaction, there is no correlation with iodine reactions. 3. The second doctor's comments aren't too accurate either. Treating is possible without the FA. 4. The macular edema almost never goes away by itself. It is the most common "complication" of diabetic retinopathy and I tell my patients that all of them will develop some degree of macular edema in their lifetime. 5. BS, HA1C look great, but don't prevent the development of the disease. There is some evidence that lipoproteins correlate with macular edema, but the evidence is not conclusive. I'd recommend trying the laser. Injections are an option, too. 6. I don't know anyone off the top of my head, but you named a pretty large area. Can you give me a more specific area where you live? Happy New Year. Randy Dear Ethel,

1. Find another doctor if yours doesn’t like answering questions. We need to “chip” away at the ivory tower/pedestal image of doctors. Too many of my colleagues hold themselves too highly. You can quote me, too.

2. Shellfish and iodine have nothing to do with a fluorescein angiogram. There is no crossover. We (ophthalmologists) are the only ones in medicine that utilize fluorescein. While you may still have a reaction, there is no correlation with iodine reactions.

3. The second doctor’s comments aren’t too accurate either. Treating is possible without the FA.

4. The macular edema almost never goes away by itself. It is the most common “complication” of diabetic retinopathy and I tell my patients that all of them will develop some degree of macular edema in their lifetime.

5. BS, HA1C look great, but don’t prevent the development of the disease. There is some evidence that lipoproteins correlate with macular edema, but the evidence is not conclusive. I’d recommend trying the laser. Injections are an option, too.

6. I don’t know anyone off the top of my head, but you named a pretty large area. Can you give me a more specific area where you live?

Happy New Year.

Randy

]]> By: Ethel Wagner http://www.retinaeyedoctor.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-1563 Ethel Wagner Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:59:18 +0000 http:/?page_id=2#comment-1563 PS I am allergic to Penicillin & Sulfa drugs. PS I am allergic to Penicillin & Sulfa drugs.

]]> By: Ethel Wagner http://www.retinaeyedoctor.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-1561 Ethel Wagner Thu, 30 Dec 2010 01:41:34 +0000 http:/?page_id=2#comment-1561 Dear Dr. Wong, I came upon your blog as I have been searching for information. You seem to be a very sensitive, caring person. I was recently diagnosed with macular edema. I am 66 years old and have had type 2 diabetes for the past 16 years. (I'm told I probably had it before the official diagnosis.) I don't notice any difference in my vision. I have seen two retina specialists in the past month. The first did not like answering any of my questions. He said I needed to have Fluorescein angiogram and then focal laser treatment. I am allergic to shell fish, iodine and have reactions to many antibiotics and other medications. I had an OCT done while at the office. I then had an appointment with another retina specialist. His comment when I said I would rather not have the angiogram was, some people do get very nauseated from it, but nobody has ever missed the bucket! He said the laser cannot be done accurately without an angiogram. (with only the OCT) I did have an OCT done at that office as well. I would like to know your opinion about this. And is it possible for you to please give me a name or two of retina specialists in the Philadelphia PA/Princeton NJ area? Also, is it ever the case that the edema lessens without treatment? I very much appreciate your input. This is a scary situation for me. (BS numbers are in tight control, Ha1C was 7.2 at my last lab work up, I am on BP and cholesterol medication, and oral meds for the diabetes- I use the treadmill everyday...working on lowering daily stress!) Thank you. Sincerely, Ethel Wagner Dear Dr. Wong,
I came upon your blog as I have been searching for information. You seem to be a very sensitive, caring person. I was recently diagnosed with macular edema. I am 66 years old and have had type 2 diabetes for the past 16 years. (I’m told I probably had it before the official diagnosis.)
I don’t notice any difference in my vision. I have seen two retina specialists in the past month. The first did not like answering any of my questions. He said I needed to have Fluorescein angiogram and then focal laser treatment. I am allergic to shell fish, iodine and have reactions to many antibiotics and other medications. I had an OCT done while at the office. I then had an appointment with another retina specialist. His comment when I said I would rather not have the angiogram was, some people do get very nauseated from it, but nobody has ever missed the bucket! He said the laser cannot be done accurately without an angiogram. (with only the OCT) I did have an OCT done at that office as well.
I would like to know your opinion about this. And is it possible for you to please give me a name or two of retina specialists in the Philadelphia PA/Princeton NJ area? Also, is it ever the case that the edema lessens without treatment?
I very much appreciate your input. This is a scary situation for me. (BS numbers are in tight control, Ha1C was 7.2 at my last lab work up, I am on BP and cholesterol medication, and oral meds for the diabetes- I use the treadmill everyday…working on lowering daily stress!)
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ethel Wagner

]]> By: Randall V. Wong, M.D. http://www.retinaeyedoctor.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-1350 Randall V. Wong, M.D. Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:41:24 +0000 http:/?page_id=2#comment-1350 Dear Laura, This is a frustrating disease. How well does your dad see out of the eye receiving the injections? Regarding the pain, I sometimes have patients with similar complaints and I've found it is related to the iodine solution we use to clean the eye before the injection. Some people are very sensitive to this. This is my first guess. Randy Dear Laura,

This is a frustrating disease. How well does your dad see out of the eye receiving the injections?

Regarding the pain, I sometimes have patients with similar complaints and I’ve found it is related to the iodine solution we use to clean the eye before the injection. Some people are very sensitive to this. This is my first guess.

Randy

]]> By: laura riggle http://www.retinaeyedoctor.com/about/comment-page-1/#comment-1348 laura riggle Thu, 18 Nov 2010 04:13:53 +0000 http:/?page_id=2#comment-1348 Dr. Wong, My 77 yo father was diagnosed with wet AMD a few months ago. He has received three Lucentis injections. Each time he has had intolerable eye pain for the remainder of the day/night that is significantly improved by morning. Is this typical? Is there anything that he can be given or do to lessen this pain? It is so bad that he isn't sure he can endure having these treatments monthly. He was not considered a candidate for laser as his eye was "too occult." He was a college professor and still lectures, so reading is very important to him. He was also concerned about the varying practices within the same clinic in terms of how many/often injections should be given. I'll give him you article. His MD literally comes in for a minute and allows no time for questions. HELP! I hate to see him suffer. Thank you Dr. Wong, My 77 yo father was diagnosed with wet AMD a few months ago. He has received three Lucentis injections. Each time he has had intolerable eye pain for the remainder of the day/night that is significantly improved by morning. Is this typical? Is there anything that he can be given or do to lessen this pain? It is so bad that he isn’t sure he can endure having these treatments monthly. He was not considered a candidate for laser as his eye was “too occult.” He was a college professor and still lectures, so reading is very important to him. He was also concerned about the varying practices within the same clinic in terms of how many/often injections should be given. I’ll give him you article. His MD literally comes in for a minute and allows no time for questions. HELP! I hate to see him suffer. Thank you

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