Question about macular degeration?

Question

Someone in my family has suddenly quit his job, claiming he has MD and cannot see. But we have our doubts.
He claims that his MD symptoms pretty much "come and go." When he first wakes up in the morning, it takes him an hour to get his eyesight. And though he says he is too blind to drive, he drives himself around when he feels like driving.
So my question is, specifically what are the symptoms of this condition? Does it come and go? Is it worse first thing in the morning? He says he can't see because everything gets dark. Is that a symptom?
I need help with this, to see if we're overreacting.

Answer 1

Fortunately, there is a very clear-cut way to prove or disprove macular degeneration. Have him get a dilated retinal exam from either his optometrist or (even better) an opthalmologist. It will show spots on the retina, specifically on the macula (hence the name), that are damaged.

However, if he is self-diagnosing it as such and it turns out he is wrong, there could be something different going on, and unfortunately many optical symptoms are very hard to explain as far as physical reasons. It's often a combination of optical, neurological, and psychological triggers and conditions that combine into specific symptoms. He needs to get tested, sorted, and screened to see what treatment is appropriate.

He needs to start tests and screenings ASAP. Start with his regular eye doctor and he should be able to refer him to specialists as needed, such as opthalmologist, neurologist, or neuro-opthalmologist. Because the eyes are so interconnected to the brain (in seven different areas) any problem that affects the eyes can be directly neurological. These can be quite expensive, so be sure he knows this ahead of time, just in case he is exaggerating or faking it. One of my MRI's cost roughly three thousand dollars before my insurance paid their part. My brain surgery was over $100,000.

As far as quitting work, he was a bit premature. He needs to contact your local RSC office (see link) to help him get and/or maintain employment by providing visual accomodations. His driving habits raise a bit of concern, but there could be a reasonable explanation. Are there only specific times and conditions that he drives? (I can only drive during the day on clear, dry roads and only locally to places I know well.) The come and go aspect of his symptoms are not MD related, but they could be disabling regardless.

As far as specific symptoms of MD, he will have dark spots in his field of vision that are always there and eventually get larger. These are spots on the retina that are degenerating, or being destroyed.

Get his eyes checked and get the tests done that your doc recommends. Visual disability is very hard to accept and live with. For both the patient and family members. Eyesight is the one sense we depend on the most. Trust me, nobody WANTS to go blind, unless there is a serious mental issue that needs to be resolved. Either way, he needs to seek professional help.

I wish you the best of luck.

Blessings

Answer 2

My Dad had this good peripheral vision bad in the center gradually getting worse There is no cure symptoms do not come & go that I know of He should go to the eye doctor