Early symptoms include distorted lines and blurring of images. As it worsens, imagine seeing a big, dark spot smack in the middle of your vision, no matter where you look. Eventually, sufferers may be unable to see faces, drive or read. While they rarely go completely blind from macular degeneration, they would lose most of their usable vision.
Given the high incidence of myopia in Singapore, anecdotal accounts from the support group Macular Degeneration Society of Singapore (MDS) suggests a larger proportion of such macular degeneration sufferers here compared to other countries. The risk of developing myopic macular generation depends on the severity of myopia, and the risk increases with age.
AMD SUFFERERS PREFER THE INVISIBILITY
It is estimated that a quarter of Singapore’s elderly population are affected by AMD – but this is a rough estimate due to lack of formal research.
But even as the patient’s vision deteriorates, he is a picture of normalcy to others. Some prefer such invisibility and will not tell or indicate to others that they are visually handicapped. Often, they are afraid of the stigma that comes with it, potentially hurting their employment and career opportunities.
When they step into lifts and cannot see the numbers on the buttons, neighbours do not offer to help. When they are confounded at bus stops because they are unable to read the bus numbers, fellow passengers ignore them. Some ask for assistance; others prefer not to out of embarrassment.
Many settle into homebound lives with little mobility. Social circles shrink quickly and their mental health invariably suffers. Depression is common among macular degeneration sufferers, based on findings by KTPH’s clinical psychologists.