Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEmotionalPhysicalSocialPracticalFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Macular Degeneration GuideWhat Is Macular Degeneration?
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Frequently Asked Questions
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If you have been diagnosed withmacular degeneration(AMD), you are probably feeling worried about your future vision. Living with vision loss requires making lifestyle adaptations. Important aspects of life that are impacted includedriving, reading, and conducting fine motor tasks that require a full range of vision, such as sewing and using tools.Support and small changes can be helpful, not just to help you adjust but also to assist you with day-to-day tasks.Jacques M. Chenet / Getty ImagesEmotionalA diagnosis of possible vision loss can be devastating at first. You might imagine a life of social isolation and a loss of independence. You may be frightened that you will lose the ability to engage in activities and hobbies you enjoy. You may feel scared and confused about your future.However, researchers are making rapid progress in many areas of vision support and disease prevention. Some types of macular degenerationcan be treatedwith certain injections into the eye, with photodynamic therapy, or with laser surgery.While none of these treatments will cure the disease, it is comforting to know that each may slow the rate of further vision loss.Can Macular Degeneration Cause Visual Hallucinations?PhysicalMacular degeneration usually causes a slow, painless loss of vision. In some cases, however, vision loss can be sudden.Early signs of vision lossfrom AMD include shadowy areas in central vision or unusually fuzzy or distorted vision. Your eye doctor may have you look at anAmsler gridto see if there is any distortion or lines missing.While no cure exists for macular degeneration at this time, sometreatments are availablethat may delay its progression or sometimes even improve vision. Your healthcare provider may suggest taking a multivitamin, which may helppreventits progression to the wet, more severe form.Some studies also suggest that a diet rich in salmon and other cold water fish may help prevent the disease or reduce the risk of its progression.Macular Degeneration Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.SocialThe American Academy of Ophthalmology recognizes the month of February as Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month.Macular degeneration, or AMD, is one of the nation’s leading cause of vision loss.Each February, Americans over the age of 60 are encouraged to learn the warning signs of AMD and schedule an annual dilated eye exam. Eye doctors throughout the country try to suggest tools and resources that can help their AMD patients live a more independent life.PracticalOne thing you can do to help adapt to vision loss is to learn new ways of doing the things you do every day. Although your vision loss cannot be restored, your healthcare provider will help you find ways to adjust and function better with your remaining vision.Youreye doctorwill ask you about any physical limitations you are experiencing, then prescribe optical devices to help you. An example of a helpful device is a magnifier, which enables you to increase the size of objects to help you view them more easily.Your healthcare provider may also refer you to a vision rehab center or an eye clinic in order to work closely with a low vision therapist. A low vision therapist can help you adapt to your changing vision and help with solving specific problems you might encounter with decreased vision.A therapist might also help you to modify your environment to make it easier to navigate. In addition, he or she might help you to maximize your senses of hearing and touch, tweak your peripheral vision, and learn how to make use of low vision aids to help with daily living activities.What You Can DoYou can also make modifications to your home. Try these options:Use overhead lights, task lights, nightlights, and extra lights on stairsMark the edges of steps with bright tapeInstall handrails on steps and stairsMark light switches and electrical outlets with bright tapeKeep walking areas open and clearUse skid-free mats and grab bars in bathroomsUse contrasting colors to mark the toilet seat, floor mat, bathtub, etcLabel medications with large-print stickers or tapeRemove interior doorsMake thresholds flush with the floor or carpetMark thermostat, oven, and refrigerator with large-print stickers or tapeMark computer keys with raised labelsIt may take some time to get used to doing things in a different way, and you may understandably feel frustrated. Talk to somebody about these and vent if you have to. Eventually, you will figure out how to continue doing everyday tasks and hobbies.Frequently Asked QuestionsTreatmentfor AMD depends on the type that you have. Vitamin supplementation may be used to help slow the process of dry AMD. For wet AMD, anti-VEGF drugs can reduce the abnormal blood vessels in your retina and slow leaking from blood vessels.You may or may not have significant vision loss with AMD. Dry AMD usually takes a long time to progress, while wet AMD can cause vision loss to happen more quickly. In some cases, you may not notice a change in vision, and in some cases, it may be severe enough for you to be legally blind.
If you have been diagnosed withmacular degeneration(AMD), you are probably feeling worried about your future vision. Living with vision loss requires making lifestyle adaptations. Important aspects of life that are impacted includedriving, reading, and conducting fine motor tasks that require a full range of vision, such as sewing and using tools.
Support and small changes can be helpful, not just to help you adjust but also to assist you with day-to-day tasks.
Jacques M. Chenet / Getty Images
A diagnosis of possible vision loss can be devastating at first. You might imagine a life of social isolation and a loss of independence. You may be frightened that you will lose the ability to engage in activities and hobbies you enjoy. You may feel scared and confused about your future.
However, researchers are making rapid progress in many areas of vision support and disease prevention. Some types of macular degenerationcan be treatedwith certain injections into the eye, with photodynamic therapy, or with laser surgery.
While none of these treatments will cure the disease, it is comforting to know that each may slow the rate of further vision loss.
Can Macular Degeneration Cause Visual Hallucinations?
Macular degeneration usually causes a slow, painless loss of vision. In some cases, however, vision loss can be sudden.
Early signs of vision lossfrom AMD include shadowy areas in central vision or unusually fuzzy or distorted vision. Your eye doctor may have you look at anAmsler gridto see if there is any distortion or lines missing.
While no cure exists for macular degeneration at this time, sometreatments are availablethat may delay its progression or sometimes even improve vision. Your healthcare provider may suggest taking a multivitamin, which may helppreventits progression to the wet, more severe form.
Some studies also suggest that a diet rich in salmon and other cold water fish may help prevent the disease or reduce the risk of its progression.
Macular Degeneration Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
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The American Academy of Ophthalmology recognizes the month of February as Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month.Macular degeneration, or AMD, is one of the nation’s leading cause of vision loss.
Each February, Americans over the age of 60 are encouraged to learn the warning signs of AMD and schedule an annual dilated eye exam. Eye doctors throughout the country try to suggest tools and resources that can help their AMD patients live a more independent life.
One thing you can do to help adapt to vision loss is to learn new ways of doing the things you do every day. Although your vision loss cannot be restored, your healthcare provider will help you find ways to adjust and function better with your remaining vision.
Youreye doctorwill ask you about any physical limitations you are experiencing, then prescribe optical devices to help you. An example of a helpful device is a magnifier, which enables you to increase the size of objects to help you view them more easily.
Your healthcare provider may also refer you to a vision rehab center or an eye clinic in order to work closely with a low vision therapist. A low vision therapist can help you adapt to your changing vision and help with solving specific problems you might encounter with decreased vision.
A therapist might also help you to modify your environment to make it easier to navigate. In addition, he or she might help you to maximize your senses of hearing and touch, tweak your peripheral vision, and learn how to make use of low vision aids to help with daily living activities.
What You Can DoYou can also make modifications to your home. Try these options:Use overhead lights, task lights, nightlights, and extra lights on stairsMark the edges of steps with bright tapeInstall handrails on steps and stairsMark light switches and electrical outlets with bright tapeKeep walking areas open and clearUse skid-free mats and grab bars in bathroomsUse contrasting colors to mark the toilet seat, floor mat, bathtub, etcLabel medications with large-print stickers or tapeRemove interior doorsMake thresholds flush with the floor or carpetMark thermostat, oven, and refrigerator with large-print stickers or tapeMark computer keys with raised labels
What You Can Do
You can also make modifications to your home. Try these options:Use overhead lights, task lights, nightlights, and extra lights on stairsMark the edges of steps with bright tapeInstall handrails on steps and stairsMark light switches and electrical outlets with bright tapeKeep walking areas open and clearUse skid-free mats and grab bars in bathroomsUse contrasting colors to mark the toilet seat, floor mat, bathtub, etcLabel medications with large-print stickers or tapeRemove interior doorsMake thresholds flush with the floor or carpetMark thermostat, oven, and refrigerator with large-print stickers or tapeMark computer keys with raised labels
You can also make modifications to your home. Try these options:
It may take some time to get used to doing things in a different way, and you may understandably feel frustrated. Talk to somebody about these and vent if you have to. Eventually, you will figure out how to continue doing everyday tasks and hobbies.
Frequently Asked QuestionsTreatmentfor AMD depends on the type that you have. Vitamin supplementation may be used to help slow the process of dry AMD. For wet AMD, anti-VEGF drugs can reduce the abnormal blood vessels in your retina and slow leaking from blood vessels.You may or may not have significant vision loss with AMD. Dry AMD usually takes a long time to progress, while wet AMD can cause vision loss to happen more quickly. In some cases, you may not notice a change in vision, and in some cases, it may be severe enough for you to be legally blind.
Treatmentfor AMD depends on the type that you have. Vitamin supplementation may be used to help slow the process of dry AMD. For wet AMD, anti-VEGF drugs can reduce the abnormal blood vessels in your retina and slow leaking from blood vessels.
You may or may not have significant vision loss with AMD. Dry AMD usually takes a long time to progress, while wet AMD can cause vision loss to happen more quickly. In some cases, you may not notice a change in vision, and in some cases, it may be severe enough for you to be legally blind.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Vitamins for AMDAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye Health ObservancesAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology.Macular Degeneration and Low Vision: Making the Most of Low VisionBoyd K.What is macular degeneration?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cleveland Clinic.Age-related macular degeneration.Additional ReadingBoyd, Kierstan. “Macular Degeneration and Low Vision: Making the Most of Low Vision.” American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Vitamins for AMDAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye Health ObservancesAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology.Macular Degeneration and Low Vision: Making the Most of Low VisionBoyd K.What is macular degeneration?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cleveland Clinic.Age-related macular degeneration.Additional ReadingBoyd, Kierstan. “Macular Degeneration and Low Vision: Making the Most of Low Vision.” American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Vitamins for AMDAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye Health ObservancesAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology.Macular Degeneration and Low Vision: Making the Most of Low VisionBoyd K.What is macular degeneration?American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cleveland Clinic.Age-related macular degeneration.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Vitamins for AMD
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eye Health Observances
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Macular Degeneration and Low Vision: Making the Most of Low Vision
Boyd K.What is macular degeneration?American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Cleveland Clinic.Age-related macular degeneration.
Boyd, Kierstan. “Macular Degeneration and Low Vision: Making the Most of Low Vision.” American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
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