This seems to be a pretty rare condition, of which I have been diagnosed. I thoguht I'd see if there are any others out there with the same condition.
About 3-4 years ago I was at LensCrafters having an eye exam and the optometrist started asking me a bunch of questions about blindness in the family. He indicated he saw drusen and referred me to an opthamologist.
I went to the opthamologist and after some long looks he said it looked like basal laminar drusen rather than macular degeneration. At that time I was 49 yo and have no history in the family.
I went to a second opthamologist and he concurred in the diagnosis. He suggested I see a retinal specialist.
I went to the retinal specialist and he did a bunch of tests, and confirmed the diagnosis. He said not to worry, usually this condition does not lead to blindness, don't read the internet or it will scare me, and just eat lots of green vegetables and come in immediately if there are any changes.
My vision has remained pretty stable at about 20/50 in both eyes, before correction. I have watched the Amsler grid carefully over the past 4 years, with no visual disturbances. About 9 months ago I noticed a small amount of waviness in the lines for the first time in both eyes. Since then it has gotten slightly worse (I also am progressing to needing reading glasses, so sometimes it is hard to be sure what is what). In the past few weeks I'm noticing a slight visual curve in my left eye's field of vision, just below the center point.
So while I still see fine for now from an acuity perspective, it is disconcerting to know you have this and you don't know where it is going to go. I've begun wondering if my wife and I should start scheduling our dream vacations in case I won't be able to see a lot in a few years......
There is no need to start replanning your future. This condition is not the same as AMD (age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness if left untreated). However, new treatments for both conditions promise to regress or even cure them.
Researching these things on the Internet is up to you. If you are easily frightened by medical talk, then keep away from it. On the other hand, it can be a very good way of informing yourself and helping you to prepare for the treatment that will probably be necessary in time.
For example, I have recently had two retinal operations (not the same condition as yours) and am now undergoing a course of injections into the eye. It sounded scary at first but I researched in advance, knew what was coming and can now say that it is far easier than a visit to the dentist.
There is no need to start replanning your future. This condition is not the same as AMD (age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness if left untreated). However, new treatments for both conditions promise to regress or even cure them.
Researching these things on the Internet is up to you. If you are easily frightened by medical talk, then keep away from it. On the other hand, it can be a very good way of informing yourself and helping you to prepare for the treatment that will probably be necessary in time.
For example, I have recently had two retinal operations (not the same condition as yours) and am now undergoing a course of injections into the eye. It sounded scary at first but I researched in advance, knew what was coming and can now say that it is far easier than a visit to the dentist.
TopGeek, thanks for the reply and good luck to you and your condition. I understand that BLD is not the same as AMD and the prognosis looks to be much better. It's just weird to see some small visual disturbances creep in - you wonder how far it will go, and how fast it will progress.
And yes, I'm obviously on the internet! Knowledge is always a good thing.
Last year (2011) on July while reading, and I read a lot, I suddenly noticed a distorion on my left eye.
I went to the ophtalmologist who referred me to the retina specialist, last March (2012) a new distortion appeared on my left eye. I went to the retina specialist again and he said it is related to the same condition (Cuticular/Basal Laminar Drusen).
What I don't understand is why the doctors (I have seen four) keeps saying I am going to be fine, I mean, in less than one year two distortions have appeared on my left eye.
What additional information about this condition and the prognosis can you share with me?
