Here’s how AMD can affect your life.
Picture the best moments of your life: family celebrations, dinner with friends or vacations at the beach. Imagine reading your favorite books, watching a beloved show or driving to a special place.
All these experiences rely on the gift of sight. Unfortunately for many Veterans, especially those 50 and older, risks for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increase with age and can contribute to declining vision and the inability to rely on your eyesight.
What is AMD?
AMD is a progressive eye condition and is the leading cause of low vision. Low vision is a general term for a range of vision problems that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, surgery or medications. It can make everyday activities like reading, cooking and driving difficult. Understanding and addressing AMD and low vision is crucial to maintaining your independence and quality of life.
Recognizing symptoms
There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. Depending on the type of AMD, symptoms can vary. Either dry or wet AMD may show the following vision changes:
- Blurred vision.
- Straight lines appearing wavy.
- Colors seeming less bright.
- Difficulty seeing in low lighting.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. A dilated eye exam can identify if you have either type of AMD. Timely care makes a big difference in managing these conditions.
Health conditions and risk factors
AMD is not the only condition that can cause low vision: Cataracts, diabetic retinopathy (leading cause of low vision in working age adults) and glaucoma, and many others are also known contributors. Prevention and early detection are key to managing low vision, so it’s essential to get regular eye exams.
Annual visits to an eye doctor can help detect vision problems before they become more severe and catching these conditions early can help slow the progression of diseases impacting your ability to see.
VA support and resources
For Veterans diagnosed with conditions causing low vision, VA offers visual rehabilitation services, ocular telehealth services and optical and non-optical aids to improve quality of life and help you learn strategies to make daily activities easier.
Early action is key. Get tested, stay informed and seek help if you notice any changes in your vision. Your sight is valuable and, with the right support, you can keep enjoying the moments that matter most.
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10 months to 50 years; I guess I gotta start paying attention to this stuff.
I am very worried that the Trump administration will set their sights on the VA as a place to drastically cut funding. They seem to be cutting randomly without regard for the impact of the cuts they propose. I feel it is likely they will soon go after our beloved VA.
I have found President Trump’s administration to be positive toward veterans. So far, his cabinet has discovered a lot of waste in several areas of our government: monies going to places that they shouldn’t, veterans left out of much-needed funds that previous administrations have ignored, and rerouted to unrelated organizations. So, I would not be too worried about losing anything right now. Don’t be a chicken little if the sky isn’t falling.
VFW, DAV,PVA, IAVA, American Legion the only lobbyist worth a damn, fighting for things we shouldn’t have to fight for in the first place. I will not be impressed with the Trump administration until something is done about Veteran suicide because as of this moment, those of us who served during GWOT were safer at war than we are here at home. Yeah I get it. Money is important, but I’m 49 years old and I have very few friends left already none of whom should be gone this soon.
I retired in 1988 after a 24 year career in the USN. I never used the VA until a clinic was built in Springfield, MO a few years ago. I have been quite pleased with the care I receive. I have made 7 cruises to Nam from 1965 to 1973 and 4 of them were boarding and searching fishing boats from 1 to 5 miles off the coast. I will continue to use the VA.
Key point! If you see any of the listed symptoms, get your eyes checked ASAP. I’ve seen most of them for many years. I have been seen by the both the Optometry / Ophthalmology doctors, As my vision worsened, I was also referred to the Low Vision Clinic where my AMD is checked by a Retina Specialist doctor. AMD, also termed diabetic retinopathy for T1 diabetics like me can change your life. I had many injections in both eyes over a period of several years. This stabilized my eyes and slowed the AMD considerably. But, after 3 years, my vision has still gone down to where I can no longer get a driver’s license. I prepared for that and, though disappointed, I thank God I still see well enough to do most things. After 38 years as diabetic and 73 years of life, I’m satisfied with this and many other medical services I’ve received from the VA.Health system.
As far as the political grumping from the left, I trust President Trump to continue support for Veteran services while cutting “pork barrel, unending slush-fund” spending. No worry for Social Security of Medicare either, I think. .
I am personally quite satisfied with all the services I have received from the VA and continue to get my health are at the VA. I am a 66 / 67 Vietnam Veteran. They have sent me to community care when they are short of doctors or time is of the essence.
Dick
Lots of questions but no answers for public consumption in the comment section.
If this article went to Vets who do not use VA medical services (I don’t, so suspect this went to all Vets), it would have been nice if the article noted who can use VA eye care services.
Please Contact your nearest VA Medical Center, Clinic/facility, and ask to speak with a “Patient Advocate” regarding this question.
You should be informed and reference this article.
Or in the alternative you can contact VA with the phone number they provide, and they can place you in direct contact with a person who would know. God bless you.
I have VA 100% disability and in the healthcare system.
I have had a sticky eye when I wake up in the morning, it turns crusty dry on the corners of my right eye! Should I go to ER or try an Optometrist outside of VA, since it takes so long to schedule and get one with VA, Especially now that they are trying to get all our docs to quit!
Is an exam by an Ophthalmologist (MD) included with a routine VA eye exam for seniors or do we need to go elsewhere?
Good luck getting a TIMELY visit with a VA optometrist much less a specialist at the VA. Current time just for a vision exam 75 days or longer at Iowa City VA. Opted to schedule a local specialist in early March at my expense.
No doubt, in my mind, things are going to.get a lot worse. I feel terrible for the average hard working VA employee, their employment could be terminated at the drop of a hat, ELON MUSK HAT!!!!!!! Don’t believe the CRAP, with current access the Musk minions can see every veteran’s private info.
I agree, get the help while you can. VA centers here today, gone tomorrow. If the billionaire thinks he can save money for another tax cut to the rich he will.
I am taking Areds 2, twice a day. Three weeks ago the frames broke on my reading glasses. VA was sorry for inconvenience but new frames have to be made and they will call me when they come in. The clerk said two weeks. I can not read anything without my reading glasses. I found an old pair and I may do more damage to my eyes,. At least I can read.
I suggested that the VA have extra frames so if anyone else has a problem like me, the frames will be changed and they person can leave still being able to read. Can you pass this suggestion to the right person, or let me know who to write to? Thanks
Thanks, excellent advice and will act on it!
Thank you for the reminder and information about this serious issue.
As a surviving spouse, I have the Aetna-Eagle plan, and that has been quite valuable.
Do all retired VA recipients have eye health issues covered?
How about active duty personnel?
(My husband died in 2004 when I was 63, so I know a lot has changed. )
Thanks for bringing this topic up,
as I think most people aren’t aware of it.
I am currently receiving shots in both eyes for wet age related macular degeneration. I would like to get low vision glasses.
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