Not me, I'm too Young to have Macular Degeneration

by Claudia Wilkerson
(Marathon, FL)

At the age of 50, I was diagnosed with dry macular degeneration in both eyes.

I didn't know anything about MD, and since my vision at that time was fine, I pretty much continued my life without thinking about it. Then when I was 64 I woke up one morning and the horizon was wavy. Everything was wavy. This happened in my right eye. The vision in my left eye is at this point good. I couldn't drive.

I made an appointment with an optometrist who recommended that I make an appointment with Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, FL. which I did immediately.

My first visit to Bascom Palmer resulted in an injection of Avastin. About every two months I continued to receive injections. For about a year I have enjoyed better vision after the injections.

I am 65 today and I see my doctor tomorrow. Since my last injection my vision has gotten worse where the central part of my sight has gotten darker. This is new and I am concerned when I see my doctor tomorrow that we may be a point where there is nothing else that can be done for me.

I am optimistic and praying for a cure. Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband that I can lean on through this journey.

P.S. My 98 year old mother has MD in her right eye too.