You dont have AMD if Wilmer says its pattern dystrophy. It’s a completely different disease and it does take decades to get worse according to chatGPT:

Advanced diagnostic tools, such as fundus autofluorescence (FAF), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and genetic testing, can aid in distinguishing between the two conditions. For instance, pattern dystrophy often presents with specific patterns of pigment deposition and may show characteristic findings on imaging studies that differ from those seen in AMD. Genetic testing can identify mutations associated with pattern dystrophy, providing a definitive diagnosis.
NCBI.NLM.NIH.GOV

In summary, while pattern dystrophy and AMD share overlapping features, careful clinical evaluation combined with advanced imaging and genetic testing can help differentiate between the two, ensuring appropriate management and