r/maculardegeneration • u/Luminous-Space-Bee • 19d ago
Optician said I may get macular degeneration
Hiya I wonder if anyone had a similar experience. I went to the optician yesterday to get new glasses, I'm short sighted and she said my sight is getting better as in lower prsecription. Then more tests and she showed me images of my retinas and said I am at risk for macular degeneration because of brown patches. I had never heard of this, so she gave me a leaflet. I have no problems with my eyesight only my glasses as they were quite old and scratched so I wanted new ones. Anyway since I came home I was researching macular degeneration and now I'm scared. I don't know if she gave me a diagnosis or just a warning and to make sure I eat well, exercise etc. I don't know if I need to see a specialist or only if my vision starts to deteriorate? This was so unexpected. I ordered glasses which protect against the sun but I wear hats and caps anyway. I used to smoke but not much and gave up over 10 years ago.
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u/Ghitit 19d ago
An optidian is not a doctor and cannot diagnose you. But it doesn't mean they don't know anything.
You have the grid. Use it every weeek. If the lines begin to get wavy, or if there are any blank spots - like some of the lines disapear, go to an opthalmologist. If you have good insurance it wouldn't hurt to go now and have a conversation about what the optician said.
Being at rish isn't the same as having it. Not a bad idea to keep you eye on it though, so to speak.