Best questions to ask your doctor about macular degeneration

Best questions to ask your doctor about macular degeneration

Finding out that you have age-related macular degeneration is difficult. At this point, your best options are to learn as much as you can about the condition and to prepare for what lays ahead. Here are 10 questions that you should ask from your doctor:

  1. What type of macular degeneration do I have?  Macular degeneration comes in two types; wet and dry. The wet variation is much more advance in comparison to the dry one. Therefore, it would help to know what you are diagnosed with so that you can learn more about the treatment and care options.
  2. What stage of macular degeneration do I have?  This is applicable if you have dry age-related macular degeneration. It comes in early, intermediate, advanced and end stages. If you know which stage you are at, you will be able to determine your next step.
  3. What can I do to prevent further vision loss?  At this stage, macular degeneration cannot be cured. However, with the right lifestyle choices, nutrition and care, the progress of the condition may be slowed down. Be sure to ask your doctor about your options.
  4. How can I monitor my vision for any changes in the future?  It would definitely help you to monitor how your condition is progressing if you are aware of how you can monitor your current and future vision loss. Your doctor may have some suggestions of easy vision tests that you can do yourself.
  5. What diet changes can I make to slow down the condition’s progress?  If you are at an early stage of macular degeneration, you may be able to slow down its progress by making some diet changes. Removing junk food and processed food from your meals and including more leafy greens, healthy fats, vitamins and complex carbohydrates can help slow down your condition.
  6. What treatment options do I have?  Macular degeneration can be slowed down with certain treatments such as eye injections. Your doctor will let you know what you can choose as per your condition.
  7. Is the rest of my family at risk of developing macular degeneration?  In some cases, macular degeneration can be hereditary. Be sure to ask your doctor if your siblings, parents and children should get tested.
  8. How often should I get my eyes examined?  If you have macular degeneration, your eyes will have to be examined more regularly than usual to keep track of the condition’s progression.
  9. Should I lose my vision, what can I do to stay independent?  Macular degeneration eventually causes blindness. If you are at risk of losing your vision sooner, be sure to ask your doctor about what you can do to stay independent and to cope with the change.
  10. Can you recommend any support groups?  Macular degeneration patients have to deal with many complications in addition to losing vision. Obtaining support from a support group can help them cope with these issues and to adjust their lifestyle accordingly.