MACULAR DEGENERATION & DIMMED VISION

My Dad is 97 and has dry macular degeneration, which we've been treating for several years.  He seems to be in a holding pattern, but this weekend, he insists that the lights have been dimmed in his apartment.  I've spoken with all his caregivers, who say the lights are fully bright.  Could this be an incident of wet macular degeneration adding to the dry?  Do we need to get him to the doctor today. . . or can we wait until Monday?  He does have a retina specialist that he's seeing.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I would call his ophthalmologist and talk to him in person to see what to do.  Depending on his particular condition and all the factors it might be appropriate to see him today or Monday - but it is not my call to make.  You need to call his doctor.  And yes, this could be from macular degneration or something else like an optic nerve problem or a vascular occlusion or even a stroke.  Don't assume it is macular degeneration.

MJK MD