Joel Corwin, M.D. - His Cure for My Sudden Loss of Vision in One Eye

Joel Corwin, M.D. - His Cure for My Sudden Loss of Vision in One Eye Mike Taylor December 17, 2013 Dr. Joel Corwin at Miramar Eye Specialist Medical Group is my new best friend. I woke up unable to see the clock. A week later, I couldn’t read, drive or work. Dr. Corwin restored my sight. If you’re my age and in Ventura Co., he may save your sight, too.

(Newswire.net -- December 17, 2013) Ventura, CA -- One morning I couldn’t make out the time on the bedside digital clock very well. The numbers were fuzzy and I had blurry vision in one eye. Something had happened overnight.

Dr. Joel Corwin, Saving Eyes

I made an appointment with my optometrist to have him take a look. I thought maybe I had scratched my eye. The fuzzy area was getting bigger.

Then the lights started. Little, fluttery lights like mosquito wings. The fuzzy area grew and was covered with flashes, first just little blinks of red or white. By the time my appointment rolled around, those little blinks turned to pulsating blobs of light.

The light show was a Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion, or BRVO. The optician who looked at my eyes gave me the diagnosis, and told me I would never get my vision back. The optician did not give me any hope, but he did refer me to Dr. Corwin.

Dr. Corwin explained what had happened, “BRVO often occurs when retinal arteries that have been thickened by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) cross over and place pressure on a retinal vein. When the vein is blocked, nerve cells within the eye may die.”

(Image left shows my eye undergoing a blood flow examination)

In my case, a vein in the retina was blocked, and my eye wasn’t getting the blood flow it needed. It was also swollen so what light landed on it was out of focus.

The reduced blood flow affected my eye act like a hand or foot when it goes to sleep. My optic nerve was experiencing that same feeling, that buzzing, burning, foot-asleep sensation. My sudden loss of vision left me with a non-stop light show, without depth perception, unable to read and deeply confused.

Dr. Corwin explained that mine was a not-uncommon problem and “not rare enough”. As my Boomer generation ages, more of us will see this problem.

That is what promoted me to write this - to warn you what to watch out for.

(Image right shows the blockage. The little red splash is me being blind.)

Retinal occlusions become more common for those over 50 and those with high blood pressure. In addition, people with diabetes are at increased risk for BRVO. About 10 percent to 12 percent of the people who have BRVO also have glaucoma.

People with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and women who took oral contraceptives are also more likely to develop BRVO.

This condition usually occurs in only one eye.

In looking at internet search data, I saw about 3 times as many questions about blurred vision in left eye vs. questions about blurred vision in right eye.

(Image right shows the bulging or edema. No wonder the light landing on the retina was out of focus.)

The loss of vision in one eye can be devastating. For me, it made it impossible to work, drive, or read. The loss of confidence, mobility and income was unthinkable.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “Because there is no cure for branch retinal vein occlusion, the main goal of treatment is to stabilize vision by sealing off leaking blood vessels. Treatments may include laser treatment and injections”.

Untreated, there is a 1% chance vision may return, but a 96% chance of permanent blindness.

Dr. Corwin has been performing and publishing research on eyes since the 1970s. I prefer my

doctors to do the research, not read about the research. His staff promises, “Miramar patients receive the newest therapies for glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and vascular occlusions.”

Miramar Eye Specialists lead in research and participates in F.D.A. trials of the most promising modern treatments. Participating in an F.D.A. trial is generally safe, says Renata Watts, Miramar Eye Specialists spokesperson.

(Image left shows my eye's dramatic recovery)

“By the time the procedures are being tested by the F.D.A., they are already in use in Europe and Japan”, said Ms. Watts. “These trials allow us to provide treatment for those who might not otherwise have access to treatment”.

I benefited from the results of one of the trials. An ‘off-label’ use of a medication cut the price of each injection from thousands to less than $100. My recovery has been “remarkable” and after my third treatment am back at work, editing, writing and taking back control of my life.

Miramar is enrolling qualified patients in the following clinical studies:

Diabetes New medicines for diabetic macular edema are studied.

New laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy is studied.

New medicine for diabetic macular edema is studied.

Macular Degeneration New treatment for wet macular degeneration is studied.

New treatment for wet macular degeneration is studied.

Retinal Vein Occlusions Edema associated with central and branch retinal vein occlusions is studied.

Glaucoma New drugs for difficult Glaucoma are studied.

Miramar Eye Specialists participates in more Phase III Drug studies than many University Centers.

They are the only center in Ventura County to offer so much cutting-edge care. Miramar Eye Specialists group is one of the five largest Ophthalmology groups in California, with 16 doctors representing each of the eye surgery and medical eye care specialties.

If you or anyone you know has any of the above serious eye problems, please contact Lisa Jue, Director of Research, or Joel Corwin M.D., Founder and Principal Investigator, for an evaluation.

Telephone: 805-648-3085 Email: lisaj@mesmg.com

Miramar Eye Specialists Group 3085 Loma Vista Road Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 648-3085 lisaj@mesmg.com http://www.miramareye.com/ ###