Do you have Macular Degeneration (dry kind)

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I was diagnosed with MD in 2007. It hasn't bothered me all that much and progressed only very slowly until a few weeks ago. In the past few weeks there has been a rapid deterioration, reading is much harder as the horizontal lines now go "wavy" as well as vertical lines, and the overload gives me headaches. I am shocked at how much it has deteriorated lately and am worried about losing my central vision to the point that I can no longer read nor drive. I know there is no cure, (as yet) but if you have had MD beyond this point, have you been able to find any treatment that helped? On the net there is some research about lutein, or taking HRT (the latter risky though and especially for me as I have had cancer in the past) - the studies seem to be very contradictory as to whether supplements can slow it down.

If you have some experience with advanced macular degeneration, I would be grateful to hear of anything that seemed to help, how it helped and what you did.

OMG....You have so much to give. I'm sorry you're going through this. I wish I could offer advice.

The only thing I could advise: stay positive.

Thanks Kraftie, just knowing that makes me feel a bit better.

What have the doctors said?

Up until now all they have said is that they were surprised at how slowly it had progressed. I haven't seen them recently to report what is happening now as it is so recent. The medical specialists go on holiday over January (although you can go to the emergency eye dept if it is really urgent). I'll try to arrange to see someone privately next week or so, unless it gets rapidly and suddenly even worse again.

I shouldn't really be surprised by what is happening though I had sort of filed it away at the back of my mind and hoped that the progression would be so slow that it wouldn't really affect my life much. So I am still getting over the shock really.