Hi, My 86 year old mother in law has AMD (dry) & is apparently at the worst end of the scale. Will this eventually lead to total blindness?

[ece1]

She also has glaucoma and cataracts but apparently they are not bad enough to treat.

[andy1955 Macular Society]

Hi Ece,

I am sorry to hear about your mother-in-law.

Macular Disease alone will not lead to complete blindness; it will always leave some useful periferal vision behind. You can learn to make the most of this with some one to one training which can be provided by the Macular Society. Call their helpline 0303 30 30 111 for more details.

Cataracts do in their advanced stages cloud someones entire field of vision. The time will come when it is worth having the cataracts operated on. The operation will not give great improvement in sight for someone who has advanced macular degeneration, but it will allow more light to be let into the eye and will thus improve periferal vision and improve colour clarity.

Glaucoma can unfortunately lead to the loss of periferal vision, but it can usually be successfully controlled with eye drops.

Best wishes

Helpline

Macular Society

[ece1]

Thankyou Andy, you have been very helpful

[blink1822]

Hi Ece.

Andy is correct.. My Grandfather has had AMD for 8 years and, well, AMD never leads to total blindness. At it's worst, it destroys the central vision completely, leaving bits of peripheral in tact..

The disease can also be slowed by using supplements with the vital carotenoids, or perhaps injections. Discuss options with a doctor to gain clarity.

[ece1]

Aw thanx Guys. It's because she lives on her own I'm so worried as we (her family) live 400 miles away from her.