Beware of Ocala Eye

[JwizChick]

I’ve recently had several very bad experiences with Ocala Eye. I’ve been seeing the same Ophthalmologist in their Villages office for years… with supposedly no signs or symptoms of Macular Degeneration. In May, I noticed some blurry and wavy vision, as well as decreased vision, which are signs/symptoms of Macular Degeneration. I called to see my Ophthalmologist, but could only see an Optometrist. After a thorough exam and scan, he said I DO NOT HAVE Macular Degeneration, but have dry eyes. He recommended some drops and vitamins. My yearly appointment with my Ophthalmologist kept being put off because their new office was not ready. Finally, two months later, I saw my Ophthalmologist who told me I have Macular Degeneration, dry in one eye, already progressed to wet in the other, and that I needed to see a retina specialist within 24-48 hours. Really? In less than two months?

Was sent to Ocala office to see their retina specialist who was a total jerk. I got my first injection there, but will not go back to them. I have already switched to another practice.

There is no way I developed Macular Degeneration so severely in less than two months. It has probably been overlooked for years. My lost vision will never be recovered.

Just a warning.

[golfing eagles]

I’ve recently had several very bad experiences with Ocala Eye. I’ve been seeing the same Ophthalmologist in their Villages office for years… with supposedly no signs or symptoms of Macular Degeneration. In May, I noticed some blurry and wavy vision, as well as decreased vision, which are signs/symptoms of Macular Degeneration. I called to see my Ophthalmologist, but could only see an Optometrist. After a thorough exam and scan, he said I DO NOT HAVE Macular Degeneration, but have dry eyes. He recommended some drops and vitamins. My yearly appointment with my Ophthalmologist kept being put off because their new office was not ready. Finally, two months later, I saw my Ophthalmologist who told me I have Macular Degeneration, dry in one eye, already progressed to wet in the other, and that I needed to see a retina specialist within 24-48 hours. Really? In less than two months?

Was sent to Ocala office to see their retina specialist who was a total jerk. I got my first injection there, but will not go back to them. I have already switched to another practice.

There is no way I developed Macular Degeneration so severely in less than two months. It has probably been overlooked for years. My lost vision will never be recovered.

Just a warning.

First of all, sorry you developed MD and are going through this and hope your disease progression is slowed by injections of Avastin or similar medication. Also, there is no excuse for any physician to be "a jerk", if that was truly the case.

As far the statement "No way" goes, I'm afraid that is not true. While most people go through the 3 stages of MD slowly over years, some have rapid progression over weeks. It is not all that uncommon, I've seen it at least half a dozen times. Below are two excerpts from web sites for non-professionals, but they convey the concept clearly:

"Wet AMD involves the abnormal growth of blood vessels under the retina that leak or burst, causing visual distortion, blank spots, and rapid decline in vision. Some people develop severe visual impairment within days or weeks of the onset of wet AMD."

"On average, it takes about 10 years to move from diagnosis to legal blindness2. However, there are some forms of macular degeneration that can cause sight loss in just days."

So it is possible that at the time of the optometrist visit there were no signs of MD, and yet it was discovered to be fairly advanced 2 months later.

[JwizChick]

That is very true of wet Macular Degeneration, but it usually starts with dry Macular Degeneration and I had the signs and symptoms when I went in May. The second opinion specialist said the dry Macular Degeneration has probably been there for years. It is unlikely that I developed dry Macular Degeneration in one eye and dry-to-wet Macular Degeneration in the other in less than two months. Possible, but unlikely.

Since many of the readers on this sight are at the age they could develop Age-Related Macular Degeneration, I wanted to make them aware. I went in for signs and symptoms of Macular Degeneration, was told I didn’t have it. Luckily I had an appointment for my yearly check-up or I would still be undiagnosed and untreated. I wish I had gotten a second opinion in May before I lost more vision.

[golfing eagles]

That is very true of wet Macular Degeneration, but it usually starts with dry Macular Degeneration and I had the signs and symptoms when I went in May. The second opinion specialist said the dry Macular Degeneration has probably been there for years. It is unlikely that I developed dry Macular Degeneration in one eye and dry-to-wet Macular Degeneration in the other in less than two months. Possible, but unlikely.

Since many of the readers on this sight are at the age they could develop Age-Related Macular Degeneration, I wanted to make them aware. I went in for signs and symptoms of Macular Degeneration, was told I didn’t have it. Luckily I had an appointment for my yearly check-up or I would still be undiagnosed and untreated. I wish I had gotten a second opinion in May before I lost more vision.

And you are correct in that is the most likely scenario. But I was simply pointing out the other possibilities. In any case, good luck with your ongoing treatments

[ThirdOfFive]

I’ve recently had several very bad experiences with Ocala Eye. I’ve been seeing the same Ophthalmologist in their Villages office for years… with supposedly no signs or symptoms of Macular Degeneration. In May, I noticed some blurry and wavy vision, as well as decreased vision, which are signs/symptoms of Macular Degeneration. I called to see my Ophthalmologist, but could only see an Optometrist. After a thorough exam and scan, he said I DO NOT HAVE Macular Degeneration, but have dry eyes. He recommended some drops and vitamins. My yearly appointment with my Ophthalmologist kept being put off because their new office was not ready. Finally, two months later, I saw my Ophthalmologist who told me I have Macular Degeneration, dry in one eye, already progressed to wet in the other, and that I needed to see a retina specialist within 24-48 hours. Really? In less than two months?

Was sent to Ocala office to see their retina specialist who was a total jerk. I got my first injection there, but will not go back to them. I have already switched to another practice.

There is no way I developed Macular Degeneration so severely in less than two months. It has probably been overlooked for years. My lost vision will never be recovered.

Just a warning.
I've been going to Ocala Eye annually ever since we moved here and have received what I assume to be adequate service. My only complaint (other than the sky-high cost of glasses through their optical shop) is that the ophthalmologist I see always seems to be in a hurry.

[golfing eagles]

I've been going to Ocala Eye annually ever since we moved here and have received what I assume to be adequate service. My only complaint (other than the sky-high cost of glasses through their optical shop) is that the ophthalmologist I see always seems to be in a hurry.

Wow---you get to see the ophthalmologist???

After my first visit 10 years ago I was farmed out to the optometrist. I have no problem since I can take care of myself, but I think their ophthalmologists want to conserve their time to do surgery.

[ThirdOfFive]

Wow---you get to see the ophthalmologist???

After my first visit 10 years ago I was farmed out to the optometrist. I have no problem since I can take care of myself, but I think their ophthalmologists want to conserve their time to do surgery.
Don't know about the time-conserving thing, but I requested (and got) annual ophthalmologist exams because of a history of bilateral cataract removal and two bouts (so far) with detached retina.

[golfing eagles]

Don't know about the time-conserving thing, but I requested (and got) annual ophthalmologist exams because of a history of bilateral cataract removal and two bouts (so far) with detached retina.

I'm pretty sure I could see an ophthalmologist for no reason other than professional courtesy. But the optometrist I see is probably just as good or even better at routine eye care and assessment.

[Stu from NYC]

Over the years medical asst does more and more of exam and opthamologist less and less

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

When I decided around age 50 that I needed something better than dollar-store readers, my very first visit was to an opthamologist. I wanted the full eye treatment, a baseline exam that explored everything, and tell me about the health of my eyes and sight. I also wanted to establish a dr.-patient relationship in case some time in the future I'd need an opthamologist.

Did the full monte - took over 2 hours including waiting for the dilation and paperwork. Said my astigmatism from when I was a little kid needed addressing again, and that my mid-range and far-sight were okay but could use some tweaking. I definitely needed near-range assistance.

So he sent me to an eye-glass shop across the street, and this guy was AMAZING. Infinitely patient with me. He hooked me up with top of the line progressive lenses, with the Cristal and UV and anti-glare and the whole shebang. Set me back around $500 but this was my first pair since I was 11, and I was just happy to get it right the first time.

Now I get them at BJ's. But at the exam, it was an assistant who did the exam and she Skyped the meeting with the actual doctor, who simply said hello to me and that all the information the assistant e-mailed to him was correct.

I never met the doctor in person, he wasn't even in the building.

But the glasses are great and I'll go back probably this coming year for a new prescription. I don't get them renewed yearly, my sight doesn't seem to change that often. I go when I notice that I'm squinting more than usual.

[mraines]

I’ve recently had several very bad experiences with Ocala Eye. I’ve been seeing the same Ophthalmologist in their Villages office for years… with supposedly no signs or symptoms of Macular Degeneration. In May, I noticed some blurry and wavy vision, as well as decreased vision, which are signs/symptoms of Macular Degeneration. I called to see my Ophthalmologist, but could only see an Optometrist. After a thorough exam and scan, he said I DO NOT HAVE Macular Degeneration, but have dry eyes. He recommended some drops and vitamins. My yearly appointment with my Ophthalmologist kept being put off because their new office was not ready. Finally, two months later, I saw my Ophthalmologist who told me I have Macular Degeneration, dry in one eye, already progressed to wet in the other, and that I needed to see a retina specialist within 24-48 hours. Really? In less than two months?

Was sent to Ocala office to see their retina specialist who was a total jerk. I got my first injection there, but will not go back to them. I have already switched to another practice.

There is no way I developed Macular Degeneration so severely in less than two months. It has probably been overlooked for years. My lost vision will never be recovered.

Just a warning.

I have been seeing Dr. Maizel at Mid Fl Eye for about 12 years and I am happy with him. Not sure about how fast it can come on, however, I had a leak in my left eye many years ago I was an accountant working on an excel spreadsheet when I noticed wavy lines. That was my first symptom. There was no treatment at the time and I lost the center vision of my left eye. You are right, once it's gone, it's gone. I now receive regular injections to save my right eye.

[dtennent]

When we first came here, we both saw an ophthalmologist (Dr. Polack) at Ocala Eye for our first visit. At the end, he turned to my wife and said that her eyes were 20 years younger than his usual patients. So he referred her to an optometrist for future appointments. He then turned to me and said that I was to see him from then on. He was the first to tell me that I had macular degeneration and needed to be seen 4 times a year to monitor it. I have been very happy with the care I have received through this practice.

[Boomer]

I think everyone at retirement age should know about the Amsler Grid. It is available online, with a Google, to look at to see if any of the lines are wavy or broken or blurry. If so, get to an eye doc as soon as possible.

The shots can have an amazingly positive effect. Avastin I think came out of Hopkins research - - not sure. Anyway, I read that it had been a colon cancer drug.

There are a whole lot of people who are very grateful that brilliant scientists figured out it was a very good idea to put that drug in a needle and stick it in people’s eyes.

Avastin has been used off-label for years to save vision. After Avastin’s off-label success was well documented, the company that held the patent then tweaked some molecules or whatever they do and brought out a very similar drug that they patented and branded. No generic exact match. $$$$

Avastin injections are widely used and cost around a hundred dollars. Branded costs 20 times as much.

There are now other companies with newer versions of eye injections, like Eylea, that docs might use if they think a change from hundred-dollar Avastin is needed. The newer drugs are in the thousands per shot.

You can bet that certain types of insurance plans can get their greedy noses in any switch to branded though. But, I assume that retinal docs will be documenting the cases and the progress, or lack of it, in case they need to use one of the more expensive drugs. (I sure hope insurance companies leave it up to the doctors.)

There is also something called myopic degeneration which can affect highly nearsighted people. The injections work for that, too, and often reverse the vision loss in about a year and then no more injections. BUT sometimes myopic degeneration can show its symptoms again. In some cases it can show up within 5 years after stopping the injections — and then injections can begin again and can be successful again, maybe with one of the newer drugs or Avastin might work again, too. The doc will be aware of the differences in the drugs and will follow through accordingly — I hope so anyway.

Dry macular degeneration can be a lot slower than wet, but wet can mean that shots can work. I think there are now new drugs that maybe can help with certain kinds of dry.

We have a family member who many years ago did post-doc research on AMD, but did not get anywhere.

The changes since then have been truly encouraging and in many cases seemingly miraculous. A friend with myopic degeneration told me, after getting shots for a year, “It was like watching my vision being knit back together.”

OP, please do not give up on getting improvement in your vision after a number of the shots. You might be surprised. But if it does not come back like my nearsighted friend’s did, it should hold off getting worse. But I think you can hope for the best. It happens. :)

Your post is important because it will increase awareness for some readers.

Boomer

[Stu from NYC]

I think everyone at retirement age should know about the Amsler Grid. It is available online, with a Google, to look at to see if any of the lines are wavy or broken or blurry. If so, get to an eye doc as soon as possible.

The shots can have an amazingly positive effect. Avastin I think came out of Hopkins research - - not sure. Anyway, I read that it had been a colon cancer drug.

There are a whole lot of people who are very grateful that brilliant scientists figured out it was a very good idea to put that drug in a needle and stick it in people’s eyes.

Avastin has been used off-label for years to save vision. After Avastin’s off-label success was well documented, the company that held the patent then tweaked some molecules or whatever they do and brought out a very similar drug that they patented and branded. No generic exact match. $$$$

Avastin injections are widely used and cost around a hundred dollars. Branded costs 20 times as much.

There are now other companies with newer versions of eye injections, like Eyelea, that docs might use if they think a change from hundred-dollar Avastin is needed. The newer drugs are in the thousands per shot.

You can bet that certain types of insurance plans can get their greedy noses in any switch to branded though. But, I assume that retinal docs will be documenting the cases and the progress, or lack of it, in case they need to use one of the more expensive drugs. (I sure hope insurance companies leave it up to the doctors.)

There is also something called myopic degeneration which can affect highly nearsighted people. The injections work for that, too, and often reverse the vision loss in about a year and then no more injections. BUT sometimes myopic degeneration can show its symptoms again. In some cases it can show up within 5 years after stopping the injections — and then injections can begin again and can be successful again, maybe with one of the newer drugs or Avastin might work again, too. The doc will be aware of the differences in the drugs and will follow through accordingly — I hope so anyway.

Dry macular degeneration can be a lot slower than wet, but wet can mean that shots can work. I think there are now new drugs that maybe can help with certain kinds of dry.

We have a family member who many years ago did post-doc research on AMD, but did not get anywhere.

The changes since then have been truly encouraging and in many cases seemingly miraculous. A friend with myopic degeneration told me, after getting shots for a year, “It was like watching my vision being knit back together.”

OP, please do not give up on getting improvement in your vision after a number of the shots. You might be surprised. But if it does not come back like my nearsighted friend’s did, it should hold off getting worse. But I think you can hope for the best. It happens. :)

Your post is important because it will increase awareness for some readers

Boomer

well said

[Bogie Shooter]

When we first came here, we both saw an ophthalmologist (Dr. Polack) at Ocala Eye for our first visit. At the end, he turned to my wife and said that her eyes were 20 years younger than his usual patients. So he referred her to an optometrist for future appointments. He then turned to me and said that I was to see him from then on. He was the first to tell me that I had macular degeneration and needed to be seen 4 times a year to monitor it. I have been very happy with the care I have received through this practice.
Another vote for Dr Polack.

[Boomer]

well said


Thank you. I am committed to helping with awareness of vision issues. Sometimes people try to ignore the symptoms of AMD. One guy I know first noticed phone poles were looking wavy. Another friend told me that faces looked like they were melting on one side.

The Amsler Grid can be easily found online and looked at in minutes to see if those lines look reassuringly straight.

I have talked a couple of people through the fear of getting a needle in the eye for their wet AMD. Obviously, it’s not the most pleasant thing to think about, but those shots in the white of the eye can save vision. The white of the eye does not have a lot of feeling. The shots are said to be felt more as a pressure.

Awareness of macular degeneration symptoms is especially important as we age. Those who are (highly myopic ( -6.00 diopters or more) might find themselves, at a regular optometrist exam, being referred to a retinal specialist if potential problems are spotted in the retina.

When that happens, the referral might be simply because conditions exist for future problems — that might never happen. But if a retinal doc could be needed eventually, it is good for a high myope to already be in the loop. Sometimes the retinal doc will take over the regular dilations and the optometrist prescribes the glasses. Retinal docs have sophisticated equipment for taking photos of the retina to track changes. Being sent to a retinal doc because the retina has appeared to have potential for serious problems is kind of like the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. It’s about awareness because conditions exist.

(Remember that big model of the eye in school when we were told that the cornea is like the lens of a camera and the retina is the film. . .I wonder what they tell kids now that most of them have never seen or needed film.)

Anyway, treatment for macular degeneration has come a very long way. But never ignore symptoms.

Boomer

PS: And, no, I do not carry a printed Amsler Grid in my purse to pass around at parties……anymore. ;)