I’m 64 and was diagnosed with dry AMD in my 50’s. I can’t remember exactly when.

But I remember being very upset, too. I was so scared that I would go blind any day. But my sister-in-law, who works in the medical device industry (pacemakers, laser tools that do eye surgery, etc) sent me some info on it that made me realize that it wasn’t as dire as I feared.

My vision is affected in that I do see straight lines as wavy, particularly when I’m using just my right eye, which is more affected than my left. And things are just not as sharp. Although, that is probably also due to having to wear contacts/glasses as I’ve aged. I never needed them until I was in my 40’s.

My optometrist actually diagnosed me. So I went to my retina specialist and he confirmed the diagnosis. He was not worried at all and told me that maybe in my 80’s I might start having trouble seeing. That doc retired and I started seeing another retina specialist in the same practice. He watched me very closely for a couple of years. First every four months, then twice a year, and now yearly. He was watching for any changes in the spots on the macula and making sure I wasn’t in danger of going wet.

I’m due for my yearly appointment now. But last year, both my optometrist and retina specialist told me that my AMD was very slightly better. I didn’t even know that was a thing. I thought AMD only got worse.

I haven’t done anything different that I know of. I had even stopped taking the AREDS2 six months prior because I discovered the vitamins were making me very sick.

I consider myself to be very healthy. I have celiac disease, so am on a gluten free diet. I don’t take any kind of meds. I’ve never smoked and I don’t drink alcohol. I have a retinal detachment disease in my family, which is why I already had a retina specialist. And I also had acute angle glaucoma, which was treated with a quick laser surgery and I’ve had no problems.

I’m living my life normally and hope to do so for years to come.

I know there are people out there working diligently on a cure/treatment for AMD. And I actually have a friend who invented a device for people who have lost their central vision. Right now, even though it works, it is not an ideal solution. Last time I talked to him about it, it was basically a pair of goggles that a cell phone was mounted on. I couldn’t see myself walking around with a cellphone stuck to my face. 😂
But with the way technology is, I expect that, if he hasn’t already, he will find a way to put the device in what looks like a regular pair of eye glasses.

So there is hope on multiple fronts and I am no longer afraid of going blind at this point.