Purpose:
Spontaneous remissions from age related macular degeneration (AMD) suggest the human retina has large regenerative capacity, even in advanced age. In 2009, we reported resolution of 5 measures of visual function in an 80-year old male with dry AMD placed on a stabilized low-dose resveratrol (RV+) based supplement: (Richer SP, Stiles W. Molecular Medicine in Ophthalmic Care. Optom 2009; 80: 695- 71).
Methods:
The OTC supplement RV+ was suggested to multiple patients with dry and wet AMD, who progressed on AREDS II type supplements or refused intra-vitreal injections. Patients were clinically followed with high resolution 10 raster SD OCT (OptoVue) & vision function tests:
Results:
We present 3 notable observations of short-time-frame dramatic improvement in retinal anatomy.CASE 1 (Top): 75 y/o with AMD L foveal occult mb with better VA in 5 days and a driver’s license after 7 days.CASE 2 (Middle): 86 y/o with medically unresponsive L retinal edema , reads at 21 days and has 7 lines better VA.CASE 3 (Bottom): 88 y/o w AMD refusing Lucentis® and sees faces and reads magazines at 14 days.
Conclusions:
RV+ is used in cardiology to prevent reperfusion injury. It was suggested to retinal patients because its components are known to ↓ Inflammation (COX-2, CRP); ↓ HIF-1 & VEGF genes (microRNA 21, 20b, 539); ↑ Nrf2 endogenous antioxidants (glutathione); ↓ Blood clotting (platelet stickiness); ↑ Vasodilation (nitric oxide); ↑ Metal chelation (iron, copper); ↓ Oxidation, peroxidation; ↓ Cell adhesion (platelets, microbes, tumor) and ↓ Calcification (i.e. Bruch’s membrane). Octogeneraian AMD patients who take 1 oral capsule of RV+ per day often quickly demonstrate anatomic retinal regeneration as well as bilateral improved vision.
Keywords: regeneration • retina • age-related macular degeneration