Could you share what your first symptoms of macular degeneration were? How did you realize that something wasn’t quite right with your eyes?
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I was looking at an Excel spreadsheet at my job and realized the gridlines were looking warped.
I didn’t actually have any symptoms. My optician referred me to an ophthalmologist who diagnosed me with wet MD that Friday. By the next Tuesday, I was already starting the Eylea injection program.
I’ve always been bothered by bright lights—I’m the one at the BBQ who won’t take off their sunglasses no matter what. That sensitivity just seemed to intensify. I also found I needed much more light when working on computer parts or motherboards. That was my first clue; I went for an exam and, sure enough, I have MD.
I don’t have MD myself, but Dry MD is in my family history. My doctor advised me to always wear sunglasses outdoors and take fish oil supplements with EPA and DHA.
At first, I thought I saw a quick swarm of tiny insects, but they disappeared. Shortly after, I noticed that straight lines were looking a bit warped. It turned out I had wet AMD in one eye and dry in the other!
When I was stargazing, focusing on a specific star would make it vanish. It would only show up again in my peripheral vision when I looked away.
I suddenly noticed a spot in my vision that looked like the afterimage you get after looking at a bright light. It was there every time I blinked. Since macular degeneration runs in my family, I knew to see a retina specialist immediately. I also started using VisiSharp to help target the root causes of the vision decline.
My symptoms began quite mildly about three years ago. As a frequent Photoshop user, I noticed a bulge in straight lines right where I was focusing. It would come and go for long periods. Recently, at age 46, it returned and is much worse with more distortion. I used to eat a lot of pumpkin seeds but stopped a year ago; I tried them again recently but they didn’t help. I’m a smoker, and right before it flared up, I was eating more sugar and being less active. Since my late mother went blind in one eye, I assume it’s genetic. I’m just thankful my other eye still sees well.
I was diagnosed with dry MD six months ago despite having no symptoms, as I was referred for a different issue. Following my specialist’s advice, I started taking AREDS2. At my check-up today, she said there was no progression. I’m not sure if it’s the pills, but I’m never stopping them. She also recommended eating fish, taking fish oil, and eating leafy greens. I’ll do whatever is necessary to save my sight.