Dry Macular Degeneration Got Me Quicker Than I Thought

by Beth
(Nashville, TN USA)

My mother had dry macular degeneration in her late 70's. Apparently, my grandfather had it also but it was not something that had a name in the little town he lived in back in the 50's. Last year, I was diagnosed with the beginnings of dry AMD. I thought it would take years and maybe I was in denial. It has progressed in one eye significantly.

I, now, realize that taking the vitamins recommended isn't enough. My diet was terrible and my exercise level was non-existent.

I have begun to eat better and exercise more. I hope that someone will develop a cure soon.

Thank goodness for this site!! It has given me so much information that my doctor didn't.

Dry Macular Degeneration Prognosis

by Jack

I have several questions about dry macular degeneration.

Do all people with dry macular degeneration eventually lose their central vision?

If not, what percent would eventually lose central vision?

Considering Dry AMD is progressive, over what period of time does it typically take before the disease destroys central vision?

Is it possible that some affected people never lose central vision?

What percent might never lose central vision if they are diligent about taking the recommended ocular vitamins?

Answer

Jack, the goods news is that not all people with dry macular degeneration will lose their central vision.

According to Dr. Lylas Mogk, author of Macular Degeneration: The Complete Guide to Saving and Maximizing Your Sight, "If you have soft drusen, which is usually considered a sign of early onset AMD, you may never develop late stage macular degeneration and significant vision loss."

Your risk,however, does increase as you get older and if you have a history of smoking, a poor diet or family members with it.

What percent would eventually lose central vision?

Central vision loss with dry AMD is usually slow and gradual, over many years. It is not as severe as wet AMD.


Patients who have developed late stage dry AMD called geographic atrophy do experience central vision loss.

According to the Macular Degeneration International website, "Only about 15 to 20% of those with the dry form progress to the geographic atrophy and measure 20/200 to 20/400."

What percent might never lose central vision if they are diligent about taking the recommended ocular vitamins?

The results from the Age Related Eye Disease Study state that the study "found that taking high levels of antioxidants and zinc can reduce the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by about 25 percent."

NIH News Release Friday, October 12, 2001

However these statistics supporting macular degeneration vitamins is not saying you can then eat whatever you want.

Taking some macular degeneration supplements is no substitute for a diet rich in lutein, antioxidants, and omega-3s.

If you are serious about wanting to reduce your risk of your dry macular degeneration progressing, please read Macular Degeneration: A Complete Guide for Patients and Their Families.

The retina specialist, Dr. Michael Samuel provides very specific diet suggestions along with sample meal plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN
Better Health for Better Vision

Dry Macular Degeneration - Thinking Ahead

by Mary
(Post Falls, Idaho)

I am a 67 year old woman living in Idaho. I was diagnosed with dry macular degeneration two years ago. So far it has not developed to the really serious vision problems that others have.

I am sensitive to light and have to wear sunglasses over my prescription glasses and the crossword puzzle is getting to be a bit blurry. Since I have the time to prepare, so to speak, although one cannot really prepare for what seems like such a bleak future, I have tried to plan ahead as best I can.

First of all, I got a short, easy to care for hairstyle so I don't have to do much to it in the morning. I am putting matching blouses with my skirts or jumpers so I will not have to try to do any matching. I am putting my kitchen into a bit more order so I will know where things are without having to dig through clutter.

I am also taking eye vitamins so as to put off the real vision loss. Reading about the best kinds of light on this forum has been helpful as well as learning about the various kinds of reading devices.

My future vision problems do not seem quite so impossible to manage now that I have decided to become more proactive and plan for the future.

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