Wet MD, Macular Pucker, and Cataract Diagnosis

1 min read

About five years ago I was diagnosed with epiretinal membrane (macular pucker) in my right eye.

Amsler grid test

Two years ago, after I turned 54. I started having blurred vision in my left eye, so I decided to do the Amsler grid test and noticed there was a pucker on the grid similar to the right eye. I check the grid daily, and a few weeks later I noticed the pucker was gone but the center of the grid was dark and blurred.

Wet macular degeneration diagnosis

I went into a bit of shock and called my specialist's office. After doing her tests and eye scans she said "I am so sorry to say you have wet macular degeneration in your left eye."

She sent me to Iris Eye Institute at the hospital to double-check and see if I would be eligible for injections. Unfortunately, there was nothing they could do to help my left eye. My central vision was gone.

New cataract diagnosis

This year I was diagnosed with a right eye cataract and the right eye macular pucker. I don't know what's next! I'm a bit scared of going blind. My doctor advised me that the next year will be tough because of the two conditions affecting the same eye. I'm not sure if I will be eligible for cataract surgery. The big question is, will I get wet MD or dry MD in my not-so-good right eye.

Still trying to do things I love

I am trying to do the things I love to do, like sewing. I know I will have to give up driving soon. I do very short trips to the grocery store and back home once every two weeks.

I wear a fit-over Solar Shield and I wear a wide brim hat to help with the sun and glare when doing my gardening and I wear an amber-colored lens for watching TV.

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Sharon Moore Moderator
<inline-mention username="sunshine52" user-id="3127682"/> thanks for sharing your story with this community. Having one serious eye condition is difficult to manage. I can’t imagine having to deal with all that is going on with your vision. While you wait to find out about potential cataract surgery it’s good to hear you are still finding ways to enjoy life. You mentioned your concern that your dry eye might progress to wet. Did your doctor recommend eye vitamins? Many of us take AREDS2 eye vitamins as recommended by our retinal specialist. Best wishes, Sharon Moore team member
Sharon Moore Moderator
@Sunshine56 I am happy to hear that you have the support of your husband and also your four-legged friend. I am also bothered by glare and wear wraparound sunglasses anytime I’m outdoors. I take my eye vitamins without fail as they are the only thing proven to help slow the progression of dry macular degeneration. I Sharon Moore advocate
mrsbedbug Member
Hi Sunshine, I appreciated your post. I am 55 and was diagnosed with macular degeneration two years ago (likely was present ten years prior). Anyway, I had a bleed that was very obvious, that was when I was diagnosed. Since then I have been diagnosed with a macular pucker and an epiretinal membrane, all of which affect my vision in that eye. I had cataract surgery a year and a half before my MD diagnosis. I will always be grateful for that since I loooove not having to wear glasses most of the time! But the cataract surgery did not improve my ability to see at night so I have stopped driving at night. Thankfully my employer has been supportive about changing my schedule. But I know that more lies in my future. At first I was afraid and upset, but now I embrace the opportunity to learn a new language (Braille) in the future. Thank you so much for sharing your story. ❤️🙏😊

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