Living With Wet Macular Degeneration

Understanding Wet Macular Degeneration

In the earlier stages of age-related macular degeneration, vision loss happens slowly. But if it progresses to wet macular degeneration, it can suddenly become rapid. Wet AMD means that abnormal blood vessels have started to form behind your macula in your eye. They leak fluids and damage it.

You might start to notice:

• Normally straight lines looking bent or wavy
• Gaps or shadows appearing in your vision
• Words disappearing when you’re reading

If you notice these changes, see your eye doctor right away.

Managing Wet Macular Degeneration

Treatment for wet AMD reduces the blood vessels that form behind your macula. Most people need regular doctor visits to prevent vision loss. You might need to ask for extra support from family or friends to make sure you can get to all your appointments and get the care you need.

It’s also very important to check your vision daily with your Amsler grid. Put it somewhere you’ll see it every day, like your fridge or bathroom mirror. Be sure to tell your eye doctor if you notice vision changes. They might want to try a different combination of medicines, or a different schedule.

Self-Care

Here are some things you can do to help make living with wet AMD easier:

• Adapt your home. Add extra lighting and remove tripping hazards to make your home more vision-friendly. Use color contrast on stairs, corners and edges to help them stand out.
• Consult a low vision specialist. Even mild vision impairment can make everyday activities difficult. A low vision specialist can suggest helpful aids and devices to make tasks easier.
• Reconsider driving. Blind spots, color distortions and hallucinations are just a few ways wet AMD can complicate driving. Consider sticking to sunny days and familiar destinations.
• Attend to your overall health. Eating a vitamin-rich diet, quitting alcohol and tobacco and getting good sleep will all help to minimize the negative effects wet AMD has on your life.
• Cultivate your support network. Whether it’s family, friends or professionals, you may need to seek and accept a little more help from others. That’s okay — it’s your turn.

Maintenance Mode

Wet macular degeneration can be aggressive. But if you’re in treatment, your outlook is good for maintaining the vision you have. What’s important now is keeping up with your self-care routine.

When your vision isn’t what it used to be, life already feels harder. Add on daily vision checks, regular doctor visits and other lifestyle changes, and it can all feel like a lot to manage. But soon, it’ll become your new normal. With a little extra patience and support, you’ve got this.