Differentiating Eye Symptoms
How can you tell the difference between visual symptoms that could be caused by retinal deterioration due to wet amd and a cataract on the same eye? I have wet amd but since the original onset, I no longer see distorted lines, the vision itself is not bad. What I do see is colors are less bright in the affected eye and there is occasionally a very pale grey tint, like I am looking through very very pale grey gauze.
That is a great question but only an eye doctor could tell you whether or not you are developing a cataract in addition to the wet macular degeneration. I can tell you that faded colors happens in the progression of macular degeneration. I’m not sure about the gray tint you mention. I do see a dark smudge in one eye. If you have not already, you may want to mention it to your retinal specialist. Warm wishes, Sharon Moore Patient Leader
Sharon, I should have been more clear! I do have a cataract in the same eye, described to me as small. I have asked whether the effects are from the cataract or due to macular degeneration and I have not received a clear answer. From what I have read, it could well be the cataract. Unfortunately, I have not found that retinal specialists are very informative or particularly caring. I have asked good questions, gaslighting prevails. I myself had a long career in science-related work and a PhD. It does not seem to matter, they see someone over 70 and immediately assume you have brain fog. I do not have a dark smudge. In the beginning, when this first happened, I had edema on the retina and that did cause wavy lines. The wavy lines are gone now, 5 injections of Avastin so far and starting to have 90 days between injections. I am beginning to suspect that the visual effects now are caused by the cataract.
Cataracts can cause a variety of symptoms that impact your vision especially at night when driving. The retinal specialists I have experience with were not interested or helpful with any eye condition other than macular degeneration. I switched to a new retinal specialist within the same practice that is a DO rather than a MD. Their training is holistic in focus and I have found the new specialist helpful with my chronic dry eye condition as well as macular degeneration. Do you see an optometrist for annual eye exams? I have found optometrist helpful both in the diagnosis of cataract surgery and referral to a good surgeon if needed. I hope you get it all worked out so that you can see better soon. Warm wishes, Sharon Moore patient leader
Thanks Sharon, I agree. There is little to no continuity for eye treatment and the retnal specialists do not even inquire how you are doing, what you are doing, what may be causing you a lot of problems. Everyone is only interested in driving sales/revenues. After I posted this question on here, you would be amazed how many posts showed up almost immediately on my Facebook feed about this very question! Privacy? What a joke. But you make a good point, maybe I need to find a DO now. I am working hard to maintain my vision but it is all research I did myself, not anything that my specialist has ever mentioned or emphasized. I am seeing better right now, btw. I have scleral lenses and they were just adjusted. I am so happy these can still help me and the improvement is pretty dramatic.
I am glad an adjustment in your scleral lenses improved your vision. I educated myself about AMD and especially what I might do to slow the progression. This website has been especially helpful. Sharon,Patient Leader
