You may have been diagnosed with AMD by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. But there are other types of eye care professionals who you might see at various stages of AMD.
An optometrist gives vision tests and can dilate your eyes to examine your retina. He or she may also treat certain eye conditions. Most optometrists can competently monitor and advise a patient with early-stage dry AMD
An ophthalmologist is an MD who may use more sophisticated tests to diagnose monitor eye diseases. These doctors can also perform eye surgery. If you’re AMD is intermediate or advanced, or have other medical condition diabetes, you may want to see an ophthalmologist
A retina specialist is an ophthalmologist who has done specialized training. Retina specialists have the most sophisticated equipment and tests available for examining the retina and can perform injections for wet AMD
A low-vision specialist is an ophthalmologist or optometrist who is trained to help patients manage advanced vision impairments. These specialists can teach you how to make the best use of the vision you have
Knowledge is power. The more you know about your condition and your options, the more successful you will be to take charge of your life with AMD. Here are questions you should consider asking your doctor at your next visit. They might not be relevant to your condition right now—it depends on your symptoms.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends an eye exam every year or two for everyone 65 or older. If you have AMD, more frequent checks may be important for 3 reasons:
Your eye doctor will tell you how often he wants you to be checked. This could be anywhere from monthly to every 12 months, depending on your diagnosis. The important thing is to follow a schedule of visits that your doctor recommends as closely as possible.
Make several appointments before you leave the doctor’s office and put them on your calendar right away. That way, even if you have to change an appointment, it’s on your radar. If you use a calendar on your mobile phone or computer, set an alarm to sound a week before the appointment and on the day of. Another option is to use an appointment-reminder app.
Changes to your central vision can happen suddenly and signal a progression to wet AMD, which must be treated promptly to avoid vision loss. A good way to spot these often subtle changes is by using an Amsler grid between doctor visits. This tool is a simple square printed with a grid of fine black lines and with the black dot in the middle. It has been used by AMD patients successfully for more than 50 years to detect changes in vision.
In one Swiss study, 1 in 5 people who had a positive Amsler grid test progressed to wet AMD.
Your doctor will give you an Amsler grid or you can print one yourself. Put a magnetized grid on your refrigerator to make weekly checks simple. You can also download Amsler grid apps for Android and Apple devices
Having an annual physical is as important for preserving your vision as keeping your regular eye care exams. That’s because certain chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, diabetes and obesity can affect your eyes and contribute to AMD progression.
In diabetes, for example, too much sugar in the bloodstream damages the microscopic blood vessels of the eye, causing them to leak fluid, which makes the macula swell. If blood sugar is not controlled, further injury to the retina may occur, seriously affecting your central vision.
If you have a chronic disease that is linked to AMD, work with your primary care physician or specialist physician to manage it. Besides taking medications, many of the lifestyle changes that may help you guard against AMD progression can also help you control a condition like diabetes.
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