Never Fear Requesting a Second Opinion

by Margo
(Flint, Michigan, USA)

I went for my usual routine annual eye examination as I had done for years at age 70.

I had previously seen dark spots in my central vision when in a very low lit room. This had happened periodically for many years.

Summer of '10, I was seeing these every night after going to bed when I looked around the room.

For this reason, I asked my ophthalmologist two times if he saw any signs of age related macular degeneration.

His reply was "I'm not seeing it." After two times with this answer I requested a second opinion as these dark spots in my central vision was of much concern to me, though it was gone in day light.

My first appointment with the retinal specialist, she quickly diagnosed macular degeneration in both eyes, the dry form.

I was devastated to receive this news. (I had had a retinal vein occlusion about ten years prior and had laser surgery on that eye.) She said we would not do anything for the AMD, but gave me an injection of Avastin and later laser surgery on vein occlusion eye.

I was upset that my long time eye dr. who could not see AMD, neither mentioned any problem with renewed bleeding from the vein occlusion.

I need cataract surgery in that eye but am now afraid to do so, as it may quicken the worsening of the AMD.

I was diagnosed in sept. 10 and am to go to retinal specialist again in a few more months. My mom had it, my three older sibblings have it and two first cousins whose mom was a sister to my mom. I have a large family that haven't had it. I did not realize when my mom had it that it was genetic. Very scary thing.

The unpredictability of this disease is frightening.