Wet AMD at 32

I started wearing glasses for myopia when I was 9. By the time I was 17 my prescription was about -13 in both eyes. It wasn’t a problem; I found a great contact lens doctor who was able to find lenses in my rx. As with most myopics, my vision kept getting worse but it was always correctable. Then, I was skiing and noticed some wavy lines in my peripheral vision. I thought I just needed a new rx - I usually did every 6 months or so.

Lucky with healthcare options

I lived in a big city and was lucky to have access to great specialists. So, I went to my contact lens guy who took a quick look, presented me with an Amsler grid, called the nearby university hospital ophthalmology department and got me there in 30 minutes.

Diagnosed at a young age

I was examined by at least 6 different doctors who performed a bunch of tests. I didn’t even know what a macula was! I overheard “senile macular degeneration” but they were all so puzzled because of my young age. They finally sent me home with a script for Prednisone and told me to come back in a week. Well, by the next week things took a turn for the worse and everyone agreed it was hopeless and I was legally blind in that eye. Of course I continued to be followed closely over the years and, as long as the vision in my good eye was correctable, I didn’t worry. Obviously, I was left with no depth perception but I adjusted - just no more tennis.

Time went on and in my 40’s I needed reading glasses over my contacts. No big deal.

Diagnosed with cataracts

In my 60’s my eye doctor diagnosed cataracts so I had the good eye done first. It was a miracle! With the new lens implanted I was now about 20/40. I wear distance glasses for driving and the movies. It’s my first time without contacts since I was 15! I’m not going to have the bad eye done - why bother?

I’m now 71 and happened upon this site. I didn’t know what GA was and didn’t know that there was a separate category for myopic md. Thank you for the education. I’m glad to see all the advances since I was diagnosed in the early 80’s for those of you who are new to this.

By the way, I’m a serious needlepoint addict and continue to stitch on very small canvases. There is always hope.