My family doc referred me to an Ophthalmologist in 2008, after a Walmart Optometrist told me I had cataracts. I’ve been going to this eye doc annually and he told me to take AREDS2 and use over the counter lubricating eye drops. He started mentioning that I had drusen and this August, I asked him point blank – “Do I have AMD?” I don’t know if he would have given me an official diagnosis if I hadn’t forced the issue. He saw blood in my left eye, so did Fluorescein Angiography and referred me to a Retina Specialist. I had doubled up on my Aleve (naproxen) because of pain from a dental procedure and told him that was probably the cause. He thought I had developed high blood pressure or diabetes, or possibly Wet AMD.
Two weeks later, I had my first appointment with the Retina Specialist. By then, I had cut back on the Aleve and the blood had almost disappeared. He did an OCT of my macula for both eyes and said I had dry AMD but was fine otherwise. No wet AMD. I also went back to my family doc who agreed with me that it was probably the Aleve.
Neither of my eye docs ‘believes’ that my DNA could affect the how eye vitamins work or don’t work. The retina specialist thinks future research will debunk the research that showed zinc being harmful to some of us. If AREDS2 is the only recommended eye vitamin, they refuse to consider alternatives. And they refuse to prescribe the ArticDX genetic testing. Although I am a rookie with AMD, I feel like I am more educated on AMD than either of my specialists, thanks to Lin and Sue and all of you.
Until I can figure out my DNA, I am taking the Walmart Vision Formula 50+ which has only 9 mg of zinc. I was already taking extra zinc every time I caught a cold – or thought I might catch a cold – and I have cut back on that and take an extra 25mg with the meal when I am not taking the eye vitamins. (That magic potion to strengthen my immune system also includes 500MG of Ester C and Echinacea.)
I’ve been using an Amsler Grid for a few years now and try to eat healthy. I never smoked. So for now, I think I am doing all that I can. I feel like I am ‘in training’ for a future with AMD. I will follow the research, donate to the foundations supporting research, and let Lin and Sue be my coaches. Knowledge is power.