Macular drusen

[AleksM]

Hello everyone. Im 30 years old female. Two years ago optometrist saw in my eyes photography that I have drusen.told me that’s unusual to have them in my age and just to check them in time. So I have macular drusen. Is that mean that I have/will have macular degeneration? I think that is time go check again now. But Im so terrified that i would have MD. Can’t stop thinking about it,you now... im nearsighted and wearing lenses and now I have some problems with them,my right eye is little blurry because of wearing lenses and as my doc said “the eyes can’t breathe “... so now Im thinking about the drusen every day...

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear AleksM,

If an individual is identified as having drusen, then they do not necessarily go on to develop a macular related condition, particularly if they have small hard drusen, without any other pigmentary changes.

It sounds like it would be worth getting another check up now, as it sounds like your eye test is probably also due anyway and also discussing the presence of drusen then.

You are welcome to contact us direct for further discussion.

Kind regards,

Macular Society Advice and Information Service

0300 3030 111

[e-mail]

[AleksM in reply to Rosalyn-helpline]

Thank you so much. Im scared for my eye exam. So sometimes drusen are not associated with Md? Can i upload a photography here of my eyes? Thank you again

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner in reply to AleksM]

Dear AleksM,

No, drusen does not necessarily lead to macular degeneration.

In terms of uploading a photograph of your eyes, unfortunately we would be unable to assist with diagnosis. It really is a case of you need to see your optometrist to discuss how your eyes are presenting and related concerns.

Let us know how you get on..

Kind regards,

Macular Society Advice and Information Service

0300 3030 111

[e-mail]

[Me2too1]

Hello! We are in a similar situation the one difference our age. I am 39 female who was told this time last year during a regular exam drusen was spot "hard" ones. I went on to a retina specialist who said, "Yes Dry Macuclar"! I saw her 6months later no or very small changes. It hard to say when your doctor seems to be in and out of every room in 5mins. I just recently visited another specialist he said he doesn't think its Macular at all. I'm scheduled to have genetic testing done in April. I think I will have a clear answer in April. I think its a guessing game to the doctors if it's something they typically see in older people. I am also extremely nearsighted been wearing contacts since high-school. I start wearing both contacts out and glasses at home 3 years ago. I am also Terrified of what it could be but I have to be strong I have 2 children.

[AleksM in reply to Me2too1]

Hi, I wish you all the best. So the second optometrist told you there no mD? You have drusen ,right? i also have almost 4 years old kid ,hope everything will be ok

[Me2too1 in reply to AleksM]

Thanks for a reply! Yes! I have drusen more than a few "both eyes" but hard. So in all I have seen 3 doctors. Regular optometrist who initially wanted to keep a watch on the drusen bc he hadn't seen them in someone my age 38 last year and asked if I wanted to see a specialist. I saw flashes of light in my right eye a couple times freak me out. He said my retina may detach bc of nearsightedness and thts when I decided to see the specialist. I had a few tests my retina is stretched but haven't detached. This first specialist said dry md but didn't say anything but Drusen. No other good reason but Drusen! So after talking to other doctors I got a second opinion. This new doctor said Not Md. He wants to find out through genetic testing. I have a 10yo and 3yo he will be 4 in June,they are our world ...I just pray whatever it is ends with me. I have No family history of md. Wishing you the best!🙂

[AleksM in reply to Me2too1]

Thank you. I hope that we both will get positive news after eye exam and forget about it.Fingers crossed

[magicman229]

I understand your concern. But things in life are usually not as bad as we imagine they will be. If I were you, my immediate next step would be to find a good ophthalmologist (not an optometrist or oculist), repeat, ophthalmologist, and tell them of your concerns. Even if it costs more than you can pay right now, it will be worth it to get an exam from an opthalmologist who specializes in the retina to find out for sure what's going on, what to expect or not to expect and get that worry monkey off of your back. Knowledge is power.

[AleksM in reply to magicman229]

Thank you.I will do exactly what you say.its not about the money,health care is everything and more than money. Thank you again

[magicman229 in reply to AleksM]

👍

[Shimano]

Hi aleksm, I totally u derstAnd how scary it is to get this sort of information and what a shock it is. I am much older than you and now have wet macular in one eye. However, this took many years to develop from dry macular and my other eye has hard drusen or dry macular which, to dAte, does not affect vision in that eye at all. Don’t panic. It could be years before you have real cause for concern. Good advice given above. Would endorse regular optical scans. Cost about £20/30 from some opticians who can refer you very quickly if need be. All the very best and hope you get reassuring news.

[AleksM in reply to Shimano]

Thank you very much for answering me. I will go to specialist even not one,just to be calm. I hope that drusen not always means MD,am only 30 and have little kid. How many years took you to have wet md? And how you were diagnosed with md,just they saw drusen or what? Hope that your vision is still good ,I don’t know how older you are but wish you to have good vision in future.

Please sorry (to all) for my English, if its bad ,i don’t live in English language county:

[Shimano]

It is so different with everyone. You can have dry md for years and never know or have any symptoms. If the dry turns wet wavy lines in your vision are the usual clue. You don’t say you have this. Try not to worry. It may be nowhere as bad as you are imagining. Good luck.

[AleksM in reply to Shimano]

Thank you for answered me again . I appreciate that. I was stop in worrying about the drusen till weeks ago when i have a little blurred vision in my right eye (because of overwear lenses i get cornea wound,already treated), when finally think that already the eye is okay i return to my lenses and few days later my doctor say that i still can’t see perfectly clear because of dry eye😳... will see..Thank you again,wish you all the best really

[magicman229 in reply to AleksM]

Keep us informed, we are here to help.

[AleksM]

Hello again I forgot to ask something ,as I say I have blurred vision in one eye (right),my doctor sad that I have corneal wound,done treatment. But still blurry after that,she told that eyes are dry,but inly right eye is little blurred. Can I ask what’s the blurred vision(if i hav md,nope not) with md? Is it blurred far and near too? Or the vision is blurred the same way in far and close viewing?

[Hidden in reply to AleksM]

Hi, if you go to the Macular Society website you'll find info on how dry and wetmd affect vision. They have pics which will help you better than words I think. There's lots of info on the site too.

Has your doc treated your dry eye? It may be a result of the corneal wound treatment. Has she said the wound has healed? If not that might be why still blurry. Best if you speak to her as she can see what is going on in your eye.

Best wishes and try not to worry, doesn't help, doesn't change anything, as someone else said, get information from specialist eye doc to allay your concerns.

[eyes-alive]

Hi I know when you start on this journey how scary it all is and that fear of loosing your sight. From being told by an optician almost 5 years ago that although I was very young for it I had Md, having seen several different eye doctors with different opinions my eyesight is still not noticeably worse. I spent a lot of time having panic attacks initially but with hind sight I would just have tried to stay calm and waited until I’d seen a specialist. Things are not often as bad as our worst fears. Take care.

[btyauch]

drusen is an early sign of a future possible impairment of MAC but many people live many years before that gets worse. Eat a lot of dark green veg like kale. AND TAKE bILLBERRY . THESE ARE ONLY RECOMENDATIONS THAT HAVE PROVEN TO BE HELPFUL

[AleksM]

Hi to all of you.My latest update is there no drusen. In March i have oct and detailed review. They saw on OCT these things looked like drusen,but aren’t. They are not in the part of the eyes that drusen must be if they exist. Most possible reason for this “ spots” could be some drugs that I used,dr dont know the reason 100%,but he say there not drusen. So i want to tell everyone if something worried you don’t panic (i know its hard),not always things are bad. Good luck to everyone and be healthy. Thank you