Very early stage.

[Brave77]

I’m new here. I was just diagnosed with macular degeneration. Very early stage on my right eye. I’m 44 and with almost perfect vision. Dr said. Just wear sunglasses for now and I’ll see you in a year. Is there something I can do at this early stage to avoid getting to a more advance stage. Just wear sunglasses may not be the only advice he can give me.

[kevinaki]

OK wear sunglasses....but also take an eye vitamin like B&L Preserv-

Vision AREDS2....See MacSoc suggestions below...

macularsociety.org/sites/de...

macularsociety.org/news/res...

macularsociety.org/sites/de...

Get serious....what happened to your right eye can also happen to your left eye...

[springcross]

Hi Brave 77 and welcome to the forum. Can I ask whether you have wet or dry macular degeneration?

[Pumpkin71]

I was diagnosed with early stage dry AMD and told the following:

1. eat salt water fatty fish and a lot of dark leafy greens,

2. take an AREDS 2 supplement,

3. wear sunglasses and limit time outside between 9 and 4,

4. don't smoke, and

5. don't gain weight (my weight is normal. If I was overweight I would have been told to lose weight.)

[Frances888]

I was diagnosed with early, mild, AMD in both eyes, 3 years ago aged 45. I have very very slight symptoms which have remained stable. I see the specialist every 3 years( and annual eye checks/scans with my optician too) and the ophthalmologist advised me progression can be very slow in people diagnosed early in their fourth or fifth decade and to not worry. Everyone has a difference experience of course but just to say he has been right so far and it is not all worst case scenario. Apart from wearing sunglasses, eating greens and taking macushield gold (generally being healthy) and checking amsler grid, there is not much else one can do. I have no family history and never smoked etc It may be worthwhile seeing a specialist rather than an optician if you haven’t already.

[Benhol2118 in reply to Frances888]

Thank you I was diagnosed 3days ago with early AMD at a routine opticians appt I had no idea and it’s hit me hard I have already had some low moments but this has given me hope that I might keep my vision for a while yet. at present my sight is ok

[Frances888 in reply to Benhol2118]

Hello, you can have the Drusen but not have dry amd at all, and it may never develop if you have no symptoms now. It is worth seeing a specialist and please don’t worry.

[Benhol2118 in reply to Frances888]

Don’t know how to go about seeing a specialist as Optitian didn’t tell me much only to keep looking at the chart he gave me and he will see me in a year.

[Frances888 in reply to Benhol2118]

I don’t think you should rely on the optician alone, especially if you are young. Speak to the macular society who can give you more info. Plenty of people may have macular Drusen but if you are young it doesn’t mean you have the condition necessarily, or that it will develop in the next few decades. I saw three separate specialists before there was a consensus of what was going on. Hope this helps, it is rare for people to develop before their 50s but a specialist would know more than the optician.

[horseaddict]

Hi..sadly there is no treatment to cure macula..the only thing available I'm told..is taking an eye supplement.namely AREDS2...nobody even has scientific evidence that taking these helps much. I'm advised they could? SLOW IT DOWN?. Like you..I have early onset of this disease. It's scary and I feel totally that I'm standing alone like all others with it as there is no cure. Yes..protect your eyes with sunglasses and take eye vitamins it's your only comfort blankets that's available. You can of course eat lots of green leafy veg etc .I'm very scared too. The opticians dont really spend much time on this explaining....we haven't got any choices..good luck..you join many people in this position and I wish you well.

[RP1944 in reply to horseaddict]

No there isn’t any treatment for DRY macular but we have injections

For WET macular which help .

Stem cell treatment is on its way, but won’t be available for a while I guess.

It’s not all doom and gloom.

[horseaddict in reply to RP1944]

Wet is worse than dry AMD...and yes injections keep those folk going..dry on the other hand..has no positive help..if that sounds negative it's because I cannot think of a positive....nobody can even explain how much sight your left with after the central vision has gone..will we be blind..will we be as limited as a blind person..will us active folk be resigned to an armchair doing nothing..theres no explanations.

[springcross in reply to horseaddict]

Yes, I have wet AMD and the injections do help a lot of the time but it is far more serious than dry AMD as it worsens rapidly.

[Weepie]

All of the above plus I have heard that coconut oil is a good substitute for other fats

[Shimano]

Hi brave 77. I remember how devastating it was to get a diagnosis of dry md but in fact I was about 7 years and two cataract ops later before my left eye went wet and till then I had very little change in my vision. I have several friends with dry md who also have little change in vision. So don’t dispAir and use sun glasses and supplements. The telephone counselling service at the macular society is excellent for emotional and practical support. advise you to contact them. All the best and welcome to the forum.

[Hallas24 in reply to Shimano]

Thank you it’s good to hear positive comments. I was devastated to be diagnosed with dry macular three years ago. I dread the thought of going blind.

[rosyG]

hi

I have had dry AMD for many years and have only just started with wet AMD There is new research ongoing re drops/ re-fillable implants etc to replace injections so I would be very hopeful if I were you as would be surprised if you still need injections by the time yours changes- and that's only if you are in the minority group that does have changes.

[Benhol2118 in reply to rosyG]

Thank you I was only diagnosed a few days ago at a routine eye test wasn’t told much by the optitian reading this gives me hope I might keep my sight a bit longer as it’s so precious. I am trying to keep positive but the unknown can be scary x

[Hallas24 in reply to Benhol2118]

Yes I agree, same here.