macular degeneration

[nita543]

I went for an eye exam last month January 2010, because my vision was getting worse and I was having pain in my eyes, I am 61.  I would notice that in the mornings I would not be able to focus at all for about 15 minutes to half hour after getting up and I was not able to drive at night either because I was not able to focus.  I had Lasik about 10 years ago so I figure that my Lasik was wearing out. My doctor told me that I had drusen on both eyes one worse then the other, he said I have macular degeneration. He had just gotten a new machine so when he showed me the picture and told me my condition, I was in shock.   I don't understand because two years ago I had an eyes exam and nothing showed up.  I am beside myself wondering how long before my eyes will get worse to where I can't see. The doctor also told me that it’s inherited or sun damage.  I don't understand no body in my family has this; I am not a diabetic even though it runs in my family.  What should I do?  

[nita543]

I don't recall what the machine was called but takes photo of your retina and that is when we noticed the yellow spots in both eyes. He called them Drusen and my were in the early stage.  He wants my eyes checked now every 6 months to see it gets worse. What is the outcome of this and how long does it take for my eye sight to get worse?  I am going to use your link to find a local doctor, I was going to set up an appointment to Bascom Palmer to see what they would tell me but I have been avoiding it until I heard from you .  

[Sandra M Brown, MD]

Was the "new machine" something called an Optomap? If so, it is not very helpful.  I would suggest an evaluation by an Eye-MD.  You can find one near you at www.aao.org.  Also, your symptoms are not at all consistent with macular degeneration.  You may have something else wrong (like dry eye) that can be improved so that your morning and night driving vision is better.