slowpoke

[Breau]

I am new here. And I have dry AMD but when I cover my right eye I can see quite well. Is it a good idea to use a patch over my left eye and has anyone tried this.

[Hidden]

Hi Breau

The short answer is, no. Covering the good eye is only beneficial in "lazy eye" to encourage the weaker eye to focus better. It does not work for dry AMD. I have slightly reduced vision in both eyes, each one for a different reason, but together they work better. What one eye doesn't see the other does.

You didn't say whether you had dry AMD in both eyes. The best way to protect both eyes is by wearing sun glasses in bright light to keep out the harmful UV rays. A good diet with plenty of greens and a generally healthy lifestyle may help.

All the best

[Breau in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for the info. I was told by my optholmologist that there was nothing to be done but live with my dry AMD so I assumed it was in both eyes. I will ask my optometrist . God bless!

[Hidden in reply to Breau]

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for dry AMD even though it can be as debilitating as the wet type. It just takes usually longer to reach that stage. Wet or dry - if and when the stem cell treatment eventually gets underway there is hope for all of us.

Best wishes.

[Bobbie915]

I know what you mean. I have wet AMD in both eyes and have lost the central vision in my right eye. When reading on my Kindle I find that with both eyes, the print is not as clear as when I close the one with loss of central vision. Also, on my Mac laptop, I find it difficult to close a program as the curser is not exactly where I see it on the red dot. I can get the curser nearer where it should be by closing my right eye.

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear slowpoke,

It may be worth posing this question to your optometrist. They may be able to advise.

Just to make you aware, we are currently offering free 6 month membership. This is a good way to keep up with current developments:

macularsociety.org/6months

Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any potential help. The Macular Society helpline is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.

Alternately, you can contact us via:

[e-mail]

Kind regards,