Patient Stories

• Limited knowledge of AMD: Not all people with AMD are aware of the importance of dilated eye exams beginning at age 40, even if a person has no symptoms
• Cost of care: Treatment can be expensive, and out-of-pocket costs to get to your appointment can add up. Your insurance company may have certain requirements for therapy. Ask your eye doctor what programs are available to reduce your cost
• Difficulty buying and locating vitamins (AREDS or AREDS2): Ask your eye doctor what vitamin is right for you, take a picture of the bottle, or enroll in a subscription service that sends vitamins directly to your home
• Fear of treatment: Speak with your doctor before your appointment if fear may prevent you from going to the appointment. Pain with eye treatment is mild for most people
• Time: It may be necessary to take time off work or other responsibilities to attend regular visits to receive treatment, and the time devoted to going to the eye doctor, waiting for your appointment, the treatment, and recovery time can all be considerable
• Transportation challenges: If you don’t drive, or your eye clinic is not close to your home, it may be challenging to get to the office
• Comorbidities: Other health conditions can impact your eye condition, and conflicting health appointments can impact your ability to receive timely treatment

Talk to your doctor about things that make caring for your eyes a challenge. They may be able to offer support or recommend a treatment to better fit your life.