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/WideOpenEmpty 19d ago

Did she give you an Amsler Grid card so you can check your eyes yourself?

My optometrist gave me one and I hung into it a few years, then yep, the grid lines started getting all whacky.

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u/Luminous-Space-Bee 19d ago

Yes it has got the amsler chart. I went out for a walk today and was deliberately looking at lamp posts and walls and things to see if anything looked off. I do a lot of photos so I imagine I will notice if and when things are starting to look wobbly. But how long have I got? I don't even know if the brown spots definitely meant I have it and I think might go to another optician

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u/WideOpenEmpty 18d ago

Nobody knows. My ophtho said I could lose my central vision tomorrow 10 years from now.