Common Post-Diagnosis Questions
Practical and emotional considerations for caregivers
It looks like you are using an older version of Internet Explorer which is not supported. We advise that you update your browser to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, or consider using other browsers such as Chrome, Firefox or Safari.
When a friend, spouse or family member is diagnosed with wet macular degeneration, it can be overwhelming. What does this mean for their future? What does it mean for your future as a caregiver? How much support will this person need from you? There are many thoughts that can pop into your head, and we have collected some of the common questions you may have at diagnosis and during early treatment visits to help you along.
At diagnosis
What is wet macular degeneration, and how does it affect vision?
What can and can’t someone diagnosed with wet macular degeneration do anymore?
Why did this happen?
First treatment visit
Will someone receiving wet macular degeneration treatment be in pain during the injection? Will the injections get easier?
How can we monitor wet macular degeneration progression from home?
Will my loved one ever no longer need treatment?
Second treatment visit
What can I do to make sure someone diagnosed with wet macular degeneration can continue to pursue the hobbies and activities they love?
Where can we look for more help? Are there any support groups for those with wet macular degeneration?
This is hard on me as a caregiver. Are there resources that I can turn to?
For additional guidance, including questions you may have for your eye care team, click here.
----------------
References
1Kim R. Introduction, mechanism of action and rationale for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs in age-related macular degeneration. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2007;55(6):413-415.
2National Eye Institute. Facts About Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Available at https://nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts (link is external). Accessed May 2020.
3Cheung CM, Laude A, Yeo I, et al. Systemic, Ocular and Genetic Risk Factors for Age-related Macular Degeneration and Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in Singaporeans. Sci Rep. 2017;7:41386.
4Risk Factors for Macular Degeneration. American Macular Degeneration Foundation website. Available at: https://www.macular.org/risk-factors Accessed May 2020.
5Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, and Fleckenstein M. Recent developments in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. J Clin Invest. 2014;124:1430-8.