Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Dry Macular Degeneration at 22yo. Anyone Relate? (self.Blind)
submitted by unicornsandkittens99
Hi, I’m looking for others that may be experiencing this because it seems to be uncommon at my age. My eye doctor discovered that I had dry macular degeneration in my left eye recently. He showed me pictures, and there were about 4 ‘yellow’ spots in my macular. It was not there a year ago, and he said that he has only ever really seen it with one other patient my age.
He stated that they would just watch it and scheduled me 6 months out. However I am wondering if I should get a second opinion. I feel like I can’t find much when I google it and I’m pretty petrified. I currently wear glasses for near-sightedness and so far no distortions (other than astigmatism in the same eye.)
Can anyone relate or have any advice? It sucks not being able to find much on it.
He stated that they would just watch it and scheduled me 6 months out. However I am wondering if I should get a second opinion. I feel like I can’t find much when I google it and I’m pretty petrified. I currently wear glasses for near-sightedness and so far no distortions (other than astigmatism in the same eye.)
Can anyone relate or have any advice? It sucks not being able to find much on it.
KillerLag 3 points 1y ago
Mac degen is usually age related (it is usually called age-related macular degeneration), but it is possible for it to show up in younger people. Smoking and cardiovascular disease can increase the risk, as well as genetics/family history.
Has your doctor suggested amber sunglasses or ocular vitamins? Those are two common steps to try to slow down macular degeneration. Check with your doctor regarding the vitamins.
Has your doctor suggested amber sunglasses or ocular vitamins? Those are two common steps to try to slow down macular degeneration. Check with your doctor regarding the vitamins.
unicornsandkittens99 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Yeah it was kind of a shock because I don’t smoke and have no current health issues, I guess genetics could play a roll!
I asked my doctor if there was anything I could do about it, and he said ‘take vitamins’ so I’ll have to do some research on what kinds. Are Amber sunglasses something I can order online knowing my prescription numbers? Thank you!
I asked my doctor if there was anything I could do about it, and he said ‘take vitamins’ so I’ll have to do some research on what kinds. Are Amber sunglasses something I can order online knowing my prescription numbers? Thank you!
KillerLag 1 points 1y ago
You can get fit over Amber sunglasses, that fit over prescription lenses. This is the pair I personally wear.
https://www.amazon.com/Solar-Shield-Fits-Over-Polycarbonate-50-15-125mm/dp/B000LWJCJW/
If you don't wear glasses, there are ones that are much more stylish, that also work.
Look up ocular vitamins. They usually suggest ones with lutein, although I'm surprised your doctor wasn't a bit more specific.
https://www.amazon.com/Solar-Shield-Fits-Over-Polycarbonate-50-15-125mm/dp/B000LWJCJW/
If you don't wear glasses, there are ones that are much more stylish, that also work.
Look up ocular vitamins. They usually suggest ones with lutein, although I'm surprised your doctor wasn't a bit more specific.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Don’t let vision loss be the end of your world. It isn’t! Blind people whatever may happen can live fulfilling lives.
unicornsandkittens99 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thank you for the encouragement:)
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Not a problem. Totally blind here and I live a very fullfilled life and don’t let anything stop me. I’ve traveled to 6 different states all by myself and independently with minimal help. Did a lot too that was 3 years ago. I have been serving and representing for years now. I live a fulfilled life. Do advocacy work, and going through school to get a degree in computer science I have done a lot of things in assistive tech. So yeah. Don’t let people tell you you can’t.
Dry_Director_5320 1 points 1y ago
I also am in my 20’s and have macular degeneration. From what my doctor told me when he found it, at least in my case, it seems like it can be a result of the eye muscles being very over worked? I honestly don’t understand it very much. He said it is usually seen in much older patients but the way he talked about it made it seem like more of a symptom than a diagnosis itself. I think there are medicines and vitamins you can take to help slow the degeneration, and I’ve heard that there are some experiments with stem cells that may be able to reverse it in the future. I think one of the more common symptoms are lowered visual acuity and “floaters” in the eye. It is actually quite a common thing for people to develop, just not until they are elderly.
unicornsandkittens99 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thank you for your reply! Yeah my worry is since it’s uncommon for people our age, is that there isn’t much data on it so it’s difficult to find what the progression is like. I wonder if electronics could play a roll (I work on the computer all day.)
I’ll do some research on the vitamins. I am hopeful and it’s great to hear that there are possible cures in the future.
I’ll do some research on the vitamins. I am hopeful and it’s great to hear that there are possible cures in the future.
SpekSpeaks 1 points 1y ago
Also, no on the electronics.
The cause is likely genetics. There have been correlations with “lighter colored eyes” due to a lack of pigment therefore more direct sunlight.
But there’s young people with dark eyes that can also get it.
The cause is likely genetics. There have been correlations with “lighter colored eyes” due to a lack of pigment therefore more direct sunlight.
But there’s young people with dark eyes that can also get it.
SpekSpeaks 1 points 1y ago
Eat a lot of green leafy vegetables, don’t smoke tobacco, start taking AREDS2 vitamins, and use an amsler grid at home to check and make sure those “spots” don’t start to cause any distortions in your visual field.
Dry is WAY better that wet so at least there’s that.
Dry is WAY better that wet so at least there’s that.
Dry_Director_5320 1 points 1y ago
Definitely use blue light blocking glasses while you work! Besides that, it does seem to be effected by eye strain so avoid over taxing your eyes often, but it isn’t a very fast developing thing in my understanding.
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