Any Optometrists/Opthalmologists plain simple eye experts here? I have Drusen - and am scared of them developing into AMD...

[snailsontour]

At a recent routine eye test, my Optometrist identified the presence of Drusen in each eye - none presenting in the macular. He advised me to increase the amount of Greens I eat and also said that an Omega 3 supplement may help.

This was a total curved ball, as the only shock I was expecting was the bill lol.
So I've googled... Yeh yeh I know, Dr Google is a dangerous beast...

But, the biggest worrying factor I found for my personal risk of these Drusen progressing into AMD is that because my dad has AMD (wet), I have a 50% chance of getting AMD myself. 50%!!!!

I would have said I was fit and healthy (despite having/had breast cancer), I am not overweight, I do not smoke, I eat healthy and I take exercise - so what else can I do?

Now obviously I am worried shit scared And I'm eating that much spinach I'm at risk of turning into Popeye!

I guess I'm looking for a little reassurance, a little help, I'm not sure really...

[snailsontour]

Bumping this in hope someone has some words of wisdom...

[digerd]

I have dry AMD diagnosed 20 years too young, I was told. The only symptoms that were found before the diagnosis, apart from my failing eyesight, were bleeding behind the eyes and misshapen blood vessels. This was said to be usually caused by high blood pressure but didn't have high blood pressure.
Wet AMD symptoms are also bleeding in the eyes and prompt treatment now is available to stop it worsening.
As your dad had Wet AMD you can be theoretically at risk, and should be closely monitored by a specialist yearly imo.
Don't know about the advantages of loads of Spinach for the eyes, but is supposed to be good nutirition.
I was advised to take Lutein for my dry AMD and GP has a theory that my highish Cholestertol is a contributory factor< although it was not high when diagnosed?>

[snailsontour]

Thanks for your input Dig! My eyes have been a bit dodgy over the last year - but I had put it down to the chemo I was having for bc, and to be fair, I feel my eyes have improved since I finished. And of course I'm at that age (55) when everything is... - well aging - plus the menopause...
Spinach contains high levels of Lutein, plus other good things for eyes but I've not been told to take any other specific eye care supplements - my dad took icaps.
Which supplement do you take? I've been looking at Preservision etc..., but I've held off as I'm on Herceptin so don't want to upset the mix!
I'll have another chat with my optician when I pick my new glasses up, and then maybe see my GP with a view to getting my cholesterol checked etc.

[digerd]

They do not know what causes AMD only suspect it is hereditory < again nobody in my family had it>. But with the WET, my optician told me she had referred urgent cases when symptoms are seen.
Mine is developing slowly so is not the WET, and there is nothing they can do.
I am on statins to reduce cholesterol. < + HRT and Thyroxine, both since my 50s> Big grimace face to ageing.
Good Luck

[snailsontour]

Scary stuff isn't it!
Ageing is a bugger isn't it - although the alternatives are far worse!
Slow changes we like! I will ask my GP about statins.