I'm sorry, but what is your background? Everything you've written contradicts all of the research I've done and every specialist I have seen including The Wilmer Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
There is a genetic factor in my family. My father had this disease but wasn't diagnosed until he was 83 and with technology and research being nowhere close to where it is today there's no telling when his developed. I didn't know anything about it until recently. My dad passed in 2021 at 90. My aunt, his sister, also has it. I'm the 7th of 8 kids and so far the only one with drusen.
I do a whole lot more than just take AREDS2 vitamins. I also eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, nuts and seeds (chia, flax, pepita's, sunflower) fresh fish, Omega 3, on a daily basis I eat a mixture of these things. Plus add pure Acai and Aronia berry powder in my fresh fruit smoothies with almond milk that I drink for breakfast. I intermittently fast as well and I get daily exercise. I also take turmeric pills, vitamin c pills and a multivitamin every day. I'm in good health and s good weight. Plus I protect my eyes and skin from the harmful rays of the sun. I'm taking this very seriously. My specialist told me to eat for my eyes as I would for my heart. There is a close correlation.
I have conversations with a lady who works with Brightfocus, one of the research agencies for this disease, and she told me, don't quote me, but she said something along the lines of many people lose their vision because they do not take their diagnosis seriously.
I have met so many people through this support group who have been diagnosed in their 50's and older and their doing just fine. Some have advanced and are getting shots, some have had it for 15 years and haven't advanced. We're all different. I met a lady who told me her dad had wet AMD at 63, that means he must have been in his 50's at onset. He's been getting injections for 18 years and still drives, reads, watches TV, recognizes people. He was an avid golfer, never wore sunglasses, still smokes here and there. I've read so many stories on this support group. When I read stories about someone who was diagnosed with wet or didn't know they had it until they say straight lines wavy, that makes me think they didn't get regular eye check ups.or they didn't take it seriously and blew it off.
This is an "Age" related disease. It's considered young to be diagnosed in your 50s but not unheard of, and it doesn't progress as quickly as it would for someone in their 70s & older it usually worsens as you age (JHU).
I hopeful a better, less invasive treatment will come along before I'm that age, or maybe a cure, or stem cell therapy. As a matter, it's also possible to never progress at all.
All I can do is continue praying and staying positive.
As far as testing, I'm not interested in going that route. I would also think it would have been recommended and it hasn't. I believe I have a good grip on things right now.
I'll be seeing my retina specialist on March 11th, I'll make sure to let him read your message so I can get his feedback on it. I also keep a list of questions that I take to my visits.
We've come a long way with treatments and research even over the past few years. I'm staying positive through this.
Someone told me recently, "This is not a death blind sentence". I believe that.
Had I read your message a few months ago if probably be very upset right now and thinking of ways to take myself out so I never have to live in a world of darkness but I have done a ton of research and I have been seen by excellent retina specialists and believe I have a great team of doctors now. I feel good.
You never mentioned if you have Macular Degeneration or if you're getting genetic testing to if you are a candidate. Do you have it? Which stage? How old are you? And how long have you had it?
I hope to continue this chat. TTYS