Macular Degeneration (just diagnosed)

[EmNetta]

Is there anything I can do to improve/slow this down please?

www.bausch.com/reference/lutein-for-eyes#.VbocTHCkqrU You need to start taking this as a supplement.

Thanks, BualadhBos. Optician didn't mention seeing GP, so I'm glad there's something available over-the-counter and will get some soon.

No Alpaca, but I did get a leaflet.
Had far too many scans at opticians but no advice Footle, so with your info, I think I'd better make GP appointment.

Good idea to compare notes Footle, but "urgent" was not mentioned to me, just "Have you heard of..." then the leaflet. I've problems getting to appointments these days, but can hopefully make GP appointment on Monday, usually a 2-week wait, so I guess you might have news before I do. All best wishes anyway, and I plan to try the AREDS 2 (Lutein) when I'm next in town.

Definitely get to your gp and get an ophthalmologist referral. I don't know about the UK, but there's a very good patient group in Ireland which has some info here - Fighting Blindness. Early referral is very important to hopefully minimize and slow deterioration of your condition. Best of luck.

You do need a referral urgently . One form is more treatable than the other , and it is developing all the time, but it may mean regular reviews and possibly injections where appropriate. Although typically age related it is occurring more frequently in younger people.

You're welcome, Footle. No, I don't have amd, but I worked a while back with some patients who do, and they were involved with that patient group. I'm afraid I can't be more help than that.

footle, definitely grumble! You could have another 30 good years in you (you are allowed slow down and feel the twinges after that!) and keeping your sight as good as possible for as long as possible is a huge part of that.

EmNetta if your Optom didn't refer you then it's likely that there's no need for you to be seen at the hospital. Contact your Optom to check whether it's wet or dry amd.

As for slowing it down: don't smoke, good diet, and possibly areds2 supplement

Hi Footle dry amd wouldn't normally warrant referral, as there's no treatment at present. Wet amd does need referral for treatment to stop the blood vessels leaking. Wet amd usually comes on quickly, and usually people describe a dark patch in their vision, maybe distortion too ( a kink in straight lines eg door frames).

OCT scans give a much more detailed view of the macula, and any swelling (causing distortion and decrease in vision), not many optoms have access to this, so I would imagine your Optom feels there's a benefit to referring you.

I would encourage anyone who isn't sure about the outcome of their eye test to ask their Optom for clarification (they won't mind!), without automatically going to their GP for ophthalmology referral. Different areas have different referral guidelines and protocols.

Thanks so much for all the info, with some reassurance from Pupstar - had decided on AREDS2 after some (other) research. Footle, I'm glad to have you involved on the thread, particularly as you're a bit younger than I am and likely to ask more intelligent questions/remember more answers/get more info from HCPs.
Optom was new to me, ( parking difficulties locally) so you could well be right.

as mentioned, 2 kinds

wet - develops quickly but there is some treatment
dry -develops slowly, no current treatment.

you need to find out which as if it is the wet kind you need treatment yesterday.

if dry, just eat good varied food, with plenty of leafy greens. No supplements needed.

www.rnib.org.uk/eye-health-looking-after-your-eyes/nutrition-and-eye

ps remember those 'two bowls of raw spinach' cook down to not very much. And it is available frozen too, 2 mins in microwave and chuck on your dinner.

specialsubject, I did check the RNIB info, but couldn't get to the details of diet/2 bowls of spinach. I did actually eat half a bag of the stuff (with an egg, lovely) just last week, but could you tell me please, how often for the recommended two bowls ?
Right with you about kale, Footle. Friend with a market garden gave me some years ago, along with information that it was animal food in her native Holland. I've not eaten it since.