Confused about diagnosis Early Dry MAC Degeneration by Optometrist. She didn’t say I should see an eye specialist? . I’m 56 .

[LuvmyGodnotAMD]

What are the injections I’m reading about on this site. Should I be given them or because I don’t see any wavy lines, and glasses still help me is that why I’m not told to see a Consultant? Thanks

[StokeySue]

I think you should actually discuss with the optometrist in question

But injections into the eye are for wet not dry macular degeneration, so you would be unlikely to be referred for them

[Qashqai-2015_ in reply to StokeySue]

Oh gee that’s a big relief. How do u know when ur disease goes from dry to wet?

Thanks darl as I’m scared shitless!!

[2468G]

Hi LuvmyGod

The injections are for leaks in the eye for conditions such as wet macular degeneration or CNV (which I have).

Your optometrist can't be concerned about your condition at present but I would ask him for more details of your condition and why he doesn't feel the need to refer you at present.

Best of luck 2468G

[Sallybones]

Hi LuvmyGodnotAMD. It's a shock to hear your eyesight is beginning to fail isn't it. My dry macular was apparently diagnosed in 2008 but I wasn't told!! I Could have taken all sorts of precautions if I'd been told, that may have helped, who knows. Also have a slow growing cataract. So I'd be about 50 then.

My worse eye is on my migraine side and the muscles around the eye have never worked properly. No-one was interested or could tell me why & maybe unconnected but!!!

Anyway I started to see wavy lines about 3 years ago, with my left eye. Like the frame edge of my computer screen, doorway frames and crosswords. Crosswords look like the amsler grid that keeps getting mentioned.

Was referred on again to consultant who just announced to me 'well the good news is, its the better of the two conditions, the bad news is there's no cure'. And that was that! No niceties no breaking it kindly. Still gets to me now which is why I come on here for reassurance & ring Macular Society very occasionally. Nobody I know around me has this and it's not in my family.

The positive, well suppose it took nearly 10 years for me to actually notice real vision problems so it did progress slowly till then.

My local optician was more helpful with advice. Gave me a pad of amsler grids. Told me to look at one and draw round the bits i couldn't see. Then do it again say a month later or sooner if I felt sight was really changing. Then put the second one on top of the first (they are a bit like tracing paper) and see if they are different ie has more vision disappeared.

If there were changes I'd have to ask for re referral via GP.

That just helps me to fee a little bit in control.

Peoples real life stories help me a lot and I then I don't feel so alone with this.

I don't think you are in the UK?

Hope this helps a little bit. Love and hugs from Sallyb xx

[Qashqai-2015_ in reply to Sallybones]

Oh shit!! Sorry I’m an Aussie and that’s the first thing that came to my mind lol. YES OF COURSE YOU HELPED AND CERY INFORMATIVE. USING CAPS AS EYES SORE AND ITCHY... DID U GET THAT? GEE WE HAVE GOT SAME STORY. WITH ME THE OPTICIAN THOUGHT I KNEW AND SAID THAT I HAD DRY AMD THEN OH U HAVE CATARACTS ALSO BUT URE YOUNG . WELL I FELT MY KEGS GO TO JELLY AS I HAVE NOONE IF I GO BAD ENOUGH TO NEED CARE THEN WHAT WOULD I DO.

I CANT BELIEVE THAT THERES NO CURE , DO U FEEL LIKE U HAVE A TIME BOMB READY TO GO OFF? LIKE CANCER BREWING IS HOW IT FELT TO ME.... SOMETHING I CAN DO BUGGER ALL I FELT.

SO TEN YEARS AND NOW WHAT ARE THEY DOING FOR YOU DARL? OH HOW I WISH YOU THE BESTEST OF LUCK. ITS A SHITHOUSE DIAGNOSIS 😢😢😢😡😡😡❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[Catseyes235]

No treatment for dry macular . .just have to keep an eye out for changes. One of my eyes was dry and is now showing early signs if change to wet. It's normal for most folks 'of a certain age' to have some dry macular and it is not inevitable that this will change. (My other eye which has wet Mac is being very successfully treated. Hopefully you were given an Amsler grid to check if straight lines looking wavy. That's when you need intervention and until then just enjoy life !!

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear LuvmyGodnotAMD,

Dry AMD is primarily related to the ageing process and is more common in individuals over the age of 55 years. The deterioration is generally slow and over a period of months and years. However, how fast and how far the condition deteriorates is variable between individuals. There is currently no treatment for it, however, we talk about the importance of lifestyle considerations which can hopefully have a positive impact on eye health and potentially slow down the deterioration a little. Therefore, for instance, exercise is good for eye health in addition to general health. It is important to try and maintain a healthy weight, keep blood pressure under control and avoid smoking. Research indicates that being careful with regard to nutrition can also potentially have a positive impact on eye health as well as general health. It is also important to consider protecting the eyes from the harmful effects of the sun. Optometrists do not generally refer individuals to an ophthalmologist for the dry type.

10-15% of people with the dry type go on to develop wet AMD in the same eye. Therefore it is important that if an individual does notice any sudden eye changes, that they act rapidly and go to the optometrist so that they can check behind their eyes. Alternately, they can attend the emergency eye clinic usually located within the hospital. If the optometrist identifies possible wet AMD, then the Royal College of Ophthalmology guidelines indicate that they must do a fast track referral on the day of the appointment, via fax or email, straight through to the eye clinic, so that the individual can be seen and treated by 2 weeks. This therefore indicates the urgency of the situation. Treatment is usually via injection. It is important to check an Amsler grid weekly to help gauge any sudden changes.

Please contact us if you would like us to send out an Amsler grid.

I am copying links to our booklets on Nutrition and Protecting your eyes. Please contact us for suppliers details:

macularsociety.org/sites/de...

macularsociety.org/sites/de...

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

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,