Macular Degeneration care at home during COVID-19

All routine appointments in eye clinics have been, and will likely continue to be, postponed. However, treatment injections for wet AMD, and other conditions which would cause severe visual loss if not treated, are still going ahead. Please get in touch with your eye doctor regarding this if you are worried.

However, if you think you have the coronavirus it’s important you do not go to your local hospital. Should you have an appointment, give your eye clinic a call and they will rearrange your treatment for when any symptoms have subsided.

If you do not have any reason to suspect you may have coronavirus, then we would advise all patients receiving injections to attend their appointments as usual, unless told otherwise by their eye clinic.

For more information on this visit important coronavirus update from the Irish College of Ophthalmologists.

I have dry AMD and have noticed a change in my vision, but I’m in a high-risk group for COVID-19. Can I still see my eye doctor?

Yes. Contact your eye doctor if you have one, or local Specsavers optometrist if not, by phone in the first instance, and they will provide further advice and guidance.

For both conditions, you should continue to monitor any changes in your vision and notify your eye doctor or local optometrist by phone, in the first instance.

However, at home, an Amsler chart can be used to monitor changes to your central vision.  

An Amsler chart checks for signs of inflammation or fluid leakage in the central area of the retina. It works by making any distortion in your central vision more obvious. If you have been advised to monitor your vision for signs of distortion, you should test yourself with this chart regularly.

These are the instructions on using the chart, as stated by the Association of Optometrists:

1. Wear your reading glasses
2. Hold the chart 15 inches away from your eye
3. Close one eye and look at the central dot
4. Note any wavy lines, distortion or fuzziness
5. Repeat with the other eye
6. For people with existing macular degeneration, the lines may already be wavy, distorted or broken, you are looking for changes to that pattern
7. For those without diagnosed macular degeneration, any wavy, distorted or broken lines are a reason to contact your optometrist

You can view an Amsler chart home test here.

Of course, as at any time, you should continue to adhere to general health advice to reduce the risk of macular degeneration from getting worse. This includes:

• Stop smoking
• A healthy, balanced diet
• Avoid UV exposure by using appropriate sunglasses when outside

If you have AMD and have noticed a recent change in your eyesight, speak to one of our experts via our RemoteCare service. They can discuss you symptoms in detail and book an appointment with your optician if needed.

For more information regarding COVID-19 and eye health, please visit our care page here.