Colleen, I do not have wet macular degeneration, I have Dry macular degeneration. Kathryn

I was diagnosed with dry AMD in both eyes and wet AMD In the Left eye in 2019. I’ve been getting Avastin injections since then which helps with the wet AMD. What helped me the most was talking to a woman in Washington DC who was able to tell me how she manages day to day tasks. When I was first diagnosed I had no idea what this really meant. I wanted to know how I would be able to do things like pour coffee, make food, clip my nails. Until I found this 92 year old mother of a friend no one said much more than “your vision is okay now. You can talk to vision rehab when you need it.” What I needed more than anything was someone who, from experience, could tell me that chances are good I will be able to function. Everyone is different and disease progression is individual but at that moment I needed someone to help me keep from sliding into serious depression and fear. I was lucky to find that. The doctors are doing a good job treating my eyes, I needed someone to give me real hope.

My "tip" is go to the best retinal specialist you can access. (I'm going next week to a specialist at the John Hopkins Wilmer eye clinic instead of relying on a specialist who serves Central PA.) That's where I have the misfortune to live. Wilmer is three hours away and I have to pay a driver as I figured it was too risky to drive myself, especially on the way home in the dark and after the dilation and a possible injection.

I say misfortune because we are markedly "medically underserved" - i.e., many specialities are scarcely available and that with very lengthy waits, while those we have are just plain overall not as good. (I've read in many places that patients who live in rural areas have much worse mortality rates from COVID than in large cities or near teaching facilities. I provide this as an example of how prevalent this phenomenon is - that is, the disadvantage medically of living in an underserved rural area. Cancer outcomes among others, are worse too.

Preserve your vision if at all possible, even if it costs you more!

Good morning Colleen-
I have wet AMD in both eyes...have been getting injections in the right eye for about 6 years now, and the left eye for +/-2 years. I currently get Eylea injections every 6-8 weeks, and I'm grateful for the research being done for the disease, and I've heard mention of stem cell research (some good/some bad results). Wondering if anyone has success with Regenerative Medicine for AMD? Any new Trials out there that you have experience with? My only tip for someone who has been recently diagnosed with wet AMD is get to a quality Retina Center-if you are seeing an ophthalmologist, have them refer you to a Retina Center.