Macular Degeneration (just diagnosed)

[EmNetta]

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

Apologies Footle, I was looking at the wrong week on the calendar, and not due at surgery until 24th.

I was a bit slow checking your name on Hackergate (mine's not there either, but have changed password and have two more to go - what a time-waster, literally).

Mentioned to a friend who's Mum was into Alternative medicine that I was trying Saffron while supply lasted, and she's offered to send more from Turkey, via mutual friend visiting soon, so I have fingers and toes crossed.
Do you have any more news?

My memory's terrible these days, (you did tell me about another appt due) but saffron might help that too, along with other old-age symptoms.
I'm just soaking a few strands in about a tab of warm water, which I drink 2xdaily, a tiny dose about half amount required for a cake. Different kind of crocus, the expensive kind grown in Iran, so not possible to grow-my-own (or I would have tried in the days when we had a proper garden and used to sell food.

Did you read that we have to change passwords yet again; after a few minutes we won't be able to log in, head's spinning with passwords already...
Stay well.

Hello Em ! I've finally managed to get back on to the site. I wasn't banned, but I stupidly asked to have my history deleted , in a panic about the even stupider hacker. I hadn't known I would get the stern Post Removed Notice against my name.

Your appt must be today. I hope you get what you need from it, and post to let us know. I have another month to wait to see the consultant,Mexico I hope means they don't think it's urgent.

Hello again Footle, nice to be back. Tried to post yesterday pm and today after lunch, could hardly believe Mnet was down again.
I've just changed a few passwords/emails, and cancelled one website as it was just too complicated and three attempts were enough. I did wonder what you'd posted to have it removed....

Good news from GP, who asked a few questions then said nothing to worry about, they'll be checking again for AMD at my next eyetest in the usual 2years, meanwhile to let them know if eyesight alters when I check it weekly on the chart they gave me. I think this is the next-best thing to what you were hoping for!

Footle, I think it's likely that your eye condition is not urgent either, or you'd have an earlier appointment. Hope all's well as can be.

Mexico ? For Mexico read "which".
Your GP sounds reassuring - shame you had such a long wait to be reassured.

Well, I'd never have guessed "which" could be transposed to "Mexico" so thanks for explanation.

With such a long wait to see GP, my list of enquiries had got longer, so no time to ask about saffron, but I plan to continue present small dosage and save extra from friend in case I need more at next exam, meanwhile enquiring at next GP appointment (and hoping I don't need help earlier). I'm just happy the injections have receded into vague future.

Just an update - Have now arranged to see a different optician next month, (closer to home), when I shall hopefully find out more about my condition and when I should make the next appointment.
Do let me know how your next appointment goes Footle, hope all's well until that date.

Did anyone see the news yesterday about the stem cell surgery trials on wet amd at moorfields hospital? It sounds very hopeful.

here's a link if you missed it:-
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34384073

Thanks so much for the link var123, the news report I saw was very brief (by the time I'd focussed), and will definitely have a look.

Hope all's well with Footle, who's probably still awaiting appointment - brother was at eye hospital last week, and horrified by crowds/wait times.

I'm back !
I saw the macular consultant ten days ago. It's definitely not AMD. Cataracts coming along in both eyes, and the right macular is distorted by scarring, the cause of which isn't known, but there's no reason to think it will get worse.
"Treasure your left eye" said the consultant poetically. He advised me to avoid cataract surgery if I can, as it can be risky in itself. He has referred me for discussion of surgery to try to remove the scarring, and I want to have that discussion, but I'd take some convincing.
Could be better, but could be a great deal worse.
Em, hope you're ok.

Good to have your news Footle, "not AMD" being just what you were hoping for! Shame about the other problems, but your consultant does inspire confidence and I'm sure you'll be able to look forward to some improvement, without the original possible diagnosis.
OK here thanks, but can still feel where I had 3x"Puffer" exams on right eye, which is why I've postponed next exam with new optician (and am having saffron when I remember/until it runs out).
Which reminds me, time to have another look at the chart to check for any alterations in sight. I plan to have next exam before Christmas, ie 3months from last one, assuming no big changes with chart.
I would be interested in hearing how your eyes alter/consultant's opinion, assuming you don't mind discussing this, maybe via PM?
All best wishes anyway, I'm so pleased you don't have AMD after all.

Thank you, Em , and I'm sorry you have got it. I've heard of two other people being mistakenly told they had AMD by an optometrist, and then told they hadn't by a consultant, so maybe the optometrists are being a bit gung-ho with the shiny new equipment. My optometrist, whom I've trusted for years, isn't well at the moment so I can't go back and discuss it with him, but I know he must have been sure of his ground or he wouldn't have said it.

Have you got cataracts too ?

No-one mentioned cataracts Footle, so am guessing I'm ok, but am not impressed with first optician, and didn't enquire about her qualifications either. Second ones do have parking choices nearby, so hopefully I can get myself to and from as necessary and without discussing shortcomings of first one with friend who drove me there.
Been lucky so far, not needing much attention since I got first glasses when starting to drive and only slow alterations until this year, when age has caught up with me. (My first glasses were Nana Mouskouri-type, which appear to be coming into fashion again, then I've two more I've kept, just because I like them).
Hope all goes well for you, and that you'll be able to have a useful chat with usual optimetrist before too long.

Apologies for long delay, but no news until this week (apart from about a month recovering from something like 'flu, despite having usual injection).
New optician very impressive, tells me I don't have AMD, although almost everyone does get it with age, but previous optician seems to have missed a couple of pointers for possible Glaucoma. (Can't spell haemorrhaging, but did see it).
Letter now sent to hospital requesting tests for this, and have been reassured that there is now plenty of help for this condition if necessary.
First opticians had told me to make next appointment after a year/after two years, unless any change occurred, but just before I made appointment with second optician, first one sent letter mentioning 3-months since last appointment and suggesting another one soon!

Hope everyone's keeping well, with no further deterioration in condition. Seems it will be a few weeks/months until I get hospital appointment, so probably another delay before writing here again.
Wishing everyone a lovely Christmas and a good year in 2016.

I doubt this thread is still active, but just in case - my hospital appointment was last week, seems I have glaucoma in right eye and am now having daily drops for rest of my life. I've written to DVLA as suggested by consultant, but he says I'm still ok to drive. Could be worse.