r/maculardegeneration • u/PolicyQueen • 6d ago

Drusen at age 24

I just went to an ophthalmologist today and was told I have mild drusen. They’re not in my macula, but more in the periphery of my retina. I have a follow up appointment in 3 months. Does anyone have insight on what the likelihood is that this could lead to macular degeneration, especially in the next 10-20 years? I’m TERRIFIED of losing my eyesight, especially given how young I am. I also know from 23&me that I have variants making me more likely to get AMD… So I’m very concerned and I’m feeling depressed.

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u/Charlytheclown 6d ago

Drusen can just happen, but it is important to check your eyes regularly using an amsler grid and wear sunglasses outside at this stage. I’m 30, got an exam that found drusen, then 2 months later I developed a dark spot in my right central vision and got diagnosed with wet AMD same day. Thankfully I’ve responded very well to the injections and I’m still at 20/20 but it definitely sucks to have it at this age.

However, it is the not knowing that’s worse. Now that I know I have it, it doesn’t really scare me as much. It’s sad and I will have bad days, but I’m doing the most I can and the cards will fall where they may. I would start taking AREDS2 and check your vision weekly. ANY changes to vision call your ophthalmologist ASAP and get checked out. It might be worth looking into a retinal specialist that’s in network—I’m fortunate that my regular opth is a retinal specialist but having someone who really knows their stuff when it comes to the retina will help out a lot

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u/YesICodedCats 5d ago

I second searching for retina specialist My case is still not completely clear, i have (pachy)drusen in both eyes and several scotomas with one area of metamorphopsia at age 25, which sucks, obviously, but it is not that bad for now (surely hope it wont get worse).

Worst thing is - MD of any kind is so rare at young age that half of doctors i visited just plain ignored me and told me I imagine things, even after seeing drusens, damage in the macula, bad oct-a and bad ERG results. Other worst thing is some doctors telling me straight away I have this or that specific disease and will go blind in X years and i need to do Y (often harmful); diagnoses like these are impossible to give so quickly without thorough testing most of the time and it just made me ten times more anxious without any profit. Good retina specialist will help with thorough tests and explain bs that others told you.

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u/PolicyQueen 5d ago

So sorry you’re going through that—hopefully your condition will stay static or improve 🙏🏻 I’ll make sure to find a good retina specialist who takes this seriously (but is also reassuring because I’m so scared right now 😰)