No news is good news

[Kwaker]

Just an update on my AMD (dry) at the moment there is no change in the condition, although after my last eye examination I've needed a stronger prescription so more expenses. Its not cheap having AMD as its suggested you need reactive tint glasses. I'm still having the black discs in my vision at night time in poor light after opening my eyes suddenly. And at the moment I've got no strange vision on the ansler grid. So all good at this time.

[rollerboy]

Hello Kwaker, that's good! Don'y know where you are (maybe posters should say where they are?) but what prescription? I live in France, and basically I'm on my own with dry AMD. No help or suggestions whatsoever. The Surgeon just told me and tough luck, goodbye. Said nothing about AREDS2 - I had to find those for myself. No dietary suggestions, it's trial and error. I have normal prescription glasses treated against ultra-violet, with 'fitover' amber anti-glare glare sunshades on top. Works well.

This site would be massively improved if professionals read it and answered our concerns with informed advice or comment. Self-support is alright, but doesn't actually help with our daily battles. I seldom read it as it is often depressing ...

[Kwaker in reply to rollerboy]

Hi i had to go back to my optician a few times until i got someone to answer my concerns. As I've said in earlier posts my dad was totally blind for the last few years of his life due to wet amd and his mother (my grandmother) was blind from the age of 30.. so obviously i was worried for my sight

[FarmersDaugher in reply to rollerboy]

Hello Rollerboy,

Your response resonated with me as I, too, find entries on this site difficult to read. I am in the US and have found that anything outside the realm of administering eye injections such as nutritional or lifestyle advice is absent from my therapy as far as my doctors are concerned and is up to me to discover those on my own.

One recommendation, though, is brightfocus.org where I get the occasional dose of optimism through reading their quarterly newsletters on the latest breakthroughs in AMD. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the opening page, hit "newsletters", select AMD and you will find the current release and an archive of previous editions.

Be well.

[rollerboy in reply to FarmersDaugher]

Hello FarmersDaughter (nearly married one of those ... ) and thank you, but one of the things I find depressing is reading about 'breakthroughs' that may be available in about 20 years time. I need it NOW, see? There is absolutely nowhere I can ask a question and get an informed answer.

As to diet, my dry AMD seems to react to various things the following day. Always I find that increasing light produces increasing 'mistiness' and certain foods such as red meat, cheese, and apples seem to make it worse. On the other hand, I have recently found that a glass of red wine with a light supper produces an improvement the following day - the light supper is also new. I used to have just an apple or a banana, now I have a little duck paté on toast with the red wine. However, there is no consistent pattern. For example, I can't read a book any more, even with glasses - but if I interpose a magnifying glass it sharpens the edges without magnifying it much and I can read it easily. Why is that? If the macula is faulty how can any lens help? This sort of question goes ignored and unanswered.

[Hidden]

Good news. If you're in the UK I can recommend Asda opticians for reactolite specs. My friend took hers back from specsavers as they were too slow to change when she came indoors but I can see through mine easily, don't even realise they're dark.

[Kwaker in reply to Hidden]

Unfortunately i haven't got an Asda in my town, nearest one is twenty miles away in Bury St Edmunds. But thanks for the info though

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear Kwaker,

Please contact us if you would like to discuss spectacle lenses and anti-glare protection filters.

The Macular Society Advice and Information Service is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.

Alternately, you can contact us via:

[e-mail]

Kind regards,