Year 7 Since Diagnosis

My AMD was caught by a smart optometrist 7 years ago. I started vitamins, wore dark sunglasses and a visor on sunny days, and was seen yearly by an ophthalmologist.

Macular degeneration progression

It wasn’t until year 3 that I started seeing wavy lines in the left eye only, on the Amsler Grid.

In year 5, I met a new RS, and was told I was in intermediate stage of dry AMD. In year 6, straight lines of freeway signs and door jams became intermittently crooked, and I had the start of some vague patchy blurriness in my vision. I also started seeing black spots in both eyes at night while I laid in the bed and looked at the wall.

Adapting to a new normal

This year, I had pink vision for 10 minutes after staring at a white page in bright light, and then purple spots while driving late at night. I am planning for when I have more serious vision loss, and can no longer drive: take Uber, have groceries delivered, maybe move closer to my daughter.

Thankful for this community

I am told the vision loss absolutely will progress, and articles suggest an average of 10 years from diagnosis to serious vision loss! I am thankful for this website, and hear stories from other people with this disease.

Thank you everyone!

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