27 yrs old with macular degeneration
by Viviana M
(Phoenix, AZ)
I am only 27 yrs old and the week of my daughters 2nd birthday I had a huge headache. I didn't think anything of it, I thought maybe it was stress from getting the party' planned. Then on the day of her birthday I couldn't take the pain anymore and I noticed when I cover my one eye the color red looked pink?!
I was very scared and made an eye appointment immediately. While at the eye appointment ( the next day!) I lost about 90% of my vision in my one eye. I was shaking as I was getting my exam. I couldn't read anything and I could see the concern in my doctors face. She then began to say what she thought it could be and called the retina specialist and said I would have to be seen today. I drove by myself crying the whole way. Scared & alone & very confused.
As soon as I got there I was seen immediately. After a several eye exam test they specialst told me I had Idiopathic Chorodial neovascularization and I would need to get a injection in my eye to stop the bleeding. She was concerned because she couldn't give a reason as to why a younger person would get this and also how the medicine from the injections will affect me later if I try to have more children.
I left crying and did not get the shot that day. I was freaked out and had no idea what was going on. I did get another opinion the next day and he agreed with the diagnosis so I started the injection process.
It will be a year on April that I have started treatment. I go every 4-6 weeks for an injection (it's still scary to me each time) I have shown improvement. But I live everyday with fear that the bleeding will come back and that I won't be able to see my daughter grow up. I would love some support? Is there anyone else who was diagnosed at such a young age?
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