A strange visit

[fayeno1]

Hi, I'm new here and would like any advice .I'm a 69-year-old male and I've suffered from. scleritis in the past. On a recent visit to the optician at the end of the examination, she handed me an Amsler Grid graph and told me to keep checking my eyesight.

Should I be concerned or is this just normal practice when you get older.

Geoff

[Ayayay80]

Hi Geoff

It is quite possible that your optician has detected signs of dry Age-related Macular Degeneration or some other eye condition. AMD is a very common eye condition as one gets older, and many people are not even aware of it apart from finding reading more difficult and needing stronger specs and brighter lights. Some people start with it at a much earlier age. Dry AMD usually progresses very slowly. In your case the condition may possibly be a little more advanced, hence the Amsler Grid. You need to check your eyes regularly, just in case the dry AMD turns to wet, in which case you will need treatment as soon as possible. If your eyesight suddenly worsens or if the grid lines become distorted you need to go back to the optician, or better still, to A&E if the changes are drastic. Don't wait for it to go away, it won't. I do not wish to alarm you, only 10 to 15% of people with dry AMD develop wet AMD, but we all need to take care of our precious eyesight.

Wishing you all the best.

[fayeno1 in reply to Ayayay80]

Thank you Ayayay80.

I do suffer from lupus-like symptoms and have to be subscribed Hydroxychloroquine 200mg tablets two to be taken daily. On my recent visit to the opticians, I was tested on the AMD chart and I was wearing my varifocals. When I got home and looked at the chart and read the small print, it did state that varifocals must not be worn. I checked my eyesight without wearing my glasses and noticed that the chart was blurred in both eyes. But I assume that this may be caused by my poor eyesight.

[Ayayay80 in reply to fayeno1]

I am not aware that varifocals should not be used on the Amsler Grid. I always have my eyes checked at the clinic and at the optician with my varifocals on. I am intrigued. Will check it out. When your eye sight is really bad it is better to wear separate specs for long and near vision. Without glasses the grid would be blurred, if you are used to wearing them.

[Hollyg]

it may just a precaution s/he is taking with us over 60. You could ask..?

[Macular_1]

Hello Fayeno1,

Did your optician mention that you had signs of 'dry' macular degeneration (AMD)? If he/she didn't, I would ask for clarification.

An Amsler grid is a tool to monitor your sight on a weekly basis for changes when you have dry AMD. Any noticeable changes such as wavy lines suddenly appearing could indicate that 'wet' AMD has occurred.

Dry AMD cannot be treated and is a condition that progresses slowly, usually over a period of years. The wet type of AMD is bot slow but can be treated if caught early.

Please have a look at our booklet called 'Your Guide to Age Related Macular Degeneration' at the following link;

macularsociety.org/sites/de...

May I suggest that you give the Macular Society Helpline a call on 0300 30 30 111 (9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday) so as to discuss further.

Best wishes

Helpline

Macular Society