myopic macular atrophy

[HelenP442]

Hello, I'm a new member here. I've recently been told I have some patches of macular atrophy (mild, I was told) because of long retina and myopia in my left eye, and have been scaring myself reading all kinds of things on the Internet. I've got symptoms of visual distortion (straight lines seem wavy and things look bigger in my bad eye). I've had an eye dialted exam and been told I've no fluid in my eye but I'm concerned about CNV causing the problem -  I'm so scared I'm going to go blind in the next few weeks, and haven't been able to sleep or eat. I'm due to have another check up in 4 weeks, and to see a retinal specialist (I'm in the UK and thinking of speeding up the appointment to go private). The eye doctor said my right eye looks fine, but I'm worried this will also become affected soon. Any advice and support you can give me would be much appreciated.

[ValveJob]

I have progressive myopia which has caused a myopic degeneration of the retina.  Long story short, I was diagnosed by a retinal specialist with retinoschisis when I went in and said I saw wavy lines.  He saw it on the OCT he did.  In any case, he said generally retinoschisis (which is a separation of certain layers of the retina without being a true retinal detachment) usually stays stable.

I suggest you see a retinal specialist.

[Homesuite]

You might be scaring yourself unnecessarily. As we age some of the vitreous material in the eye can shrink and pull loose leaving 'floaters' or a piece of material that moves as you move your eye back and forth. You can't quite catch up with it if you try to see it as it moves in advance of your trying to see it. I've been told that it is normal with age and there really is no good way to eliminate them- so you are supposed to live with it. I find it very annoying but it is good to know that it is no more than that. I experienced flashes now and then shortly before the floater appeared. Mine is almost like a windshield wiper moving back and forth. I generally move my eye around a few times and it seems to get out of the way most of the time. As far as wavey lines I don't know. Things looking bigger one eye as opposed to the other is also okay. Each eye sees a little differently. Together they coordinate. Not a doctor, but have 'looked' into a lot of what you are worried about.

[HelenP442]

I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my post. Could you clarify what you mean by 'most patients with this condition do well.' All the information that I've read on myopic macular degeneration and the posts on this forum suggest the worst - that my eyesight will deteriorate, very possibly to the extent where I might go legally blind, and that the same condition is likely to affect the other eye - all within a very short space of time.
I've also noticed that I get slight blurring from time to time in my left eye - I thought this was perhaps due to my contact lens, but wondered whether it could be a sign of PVD, as it seems to come the following day after I've experienced a flash of light in my left eye.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Wait to see what the retinal specialist says.  Most patients with this condition do well.

Dr. O,