Skip to main content
Macular Disease Foundation Australia
  • My Cart
  • Text Only
  • Listen
  • Print Page
  • Language
    • English
    • Arabic
    • Chinese
    • Greek
    • Italian
    • Portuguese
    • Spanish
    • Vietnamese
  • Search form

Check My Macula Check My Macula Join the Community Join the Community Order Free Information Order Free Information Call our helpline at 1800111709 Helpline
1800 111 709
Donate Donate
  • Home
  • Macular Disease
    • Macular Degeneration
      • About Macular Degeneration
      • Check My Macula
      • What Happens?
      • Risk Factors
      • Prevention
      • Detection
      • Diagnosis
      • Treatment
      • Charles Bonnet Syndrome
      • Cataracts and Macular Degeneration
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
      • About Diabetic Retinopathy
      • About Diabetes
      • What Happens?
      • Risk Factors
      • Prevention
      • Detection
      • Diagnosis
      • Treatment
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Low Vision
      • Living with Low Vision
      • Carer and Family
      • Aids and Technology
      • Slips, Trips and Falls
      • Legal blindness
    • Other Macular Diseases
      • Best Disease
      • Macular Hole
      • Macular Pucker
      • Macular Telangiectasia
      • Myopic Macular Degeneration
      • Retinal Detachment
      • Retinitis Pigmentosa
      • Retinal Vein Occlusion
      • Stargardt Disease
      • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC)
      • Posterior Vitreous Detachment and Floaters
      • Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome
    • Visit Eye Health Professional
      • Eye Injection Costs and Rebates
    • Macular Disease
      • Anti-VEGF injections for macular disease
  • Research
    • Research Grants Program
      • Research Grants Awarded
      • Research Grant Recipients
      • Apply for the MDFA Research Grants Program
      • Research Grants Panel
    • Support Research
    • Latest Research
      • Research News
      • MDFA Research
      • Macular Diseases
      • Understanding Research
      • Social Impact
    • Research Updates
      • Annual Research Update
      • Weekly Research Updates for Professionals
    • Research studies
  • Resources
    • Order Publications and Resources
    • Find a Healthcare Provider
    • Audio and Video
      • Audio
      • Podcasts
      • Patient Voices
      • Videos
    • Macula Menus
    • Check My Macula toolkits
    • Aged care resources
  • News & Events
    • Newsletters
      • Vision Voice Newsletters
      • Subscribe to Newsletters
      • Archive
    • News
      • 2021 news
      • 2020 news
      • 2019 News
      • 2018 News
      • 2017 News
      • 2016 News
      • Archived News
    • Events & Activities
      • Community Events
      • Education Sessions
      • Events Calendar
      • Watch past webinars
    • Media Centre
      • Media Releases
  • Foundation
    • Organisation
      • History
      • Objectives
      • Guiding Principles
      • Annual Reports
      • Whistleblower Policy
      • Financial Statements
    • People
      • Patron
      • State Patrons / Representatives
      • Ambassadors
      • Foundation Board
      • Committees
      • State Chairs
      • National Research Advisor
    • Our Work
      • Awareness
      • Education
      • Support Services
      • Research
      • Representation
    • Support Us
      • Donate
      • Bequests
      • Fundraise
      • Volunteer
      • Friends of the Foundation
      • Sponsors and Supporters
      • Professional Friends
    • Contact Us
Listen
Macular Disease Foundation Australia
Check My Macula Macula Join the Community Join Us Order Free Information Free Info Donate Donate
Menu
  • My Cart
    • Language
      • English
      • Arabic
      • Chinese
      • Greek
      • Italian
      • Portuguese
      • Spanish
      • Vietnamese
    • Home
    • Macular Disease
      • Macular Degeneration
        • About Macular Degeneration
        • Check My Macula
        • What Happens?
        • Risk Factors
        • Prevention
        • Detection
        • Diagnosis
        • Treatment
        • Charles Bonnet Syndrome
        • Cataracts and Macular Degeneration
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Diabetic Retinopathy
        • About Diabetic Retinopathy
        • About Diabetes
        • What Happens?
        • Risk Factors
        • Prevention
        • Detection
        • Diagnosis
        • Treatment
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Low Vision
        • Living with Low Vision
        • Carer and Family
        • Aids and Technology
        • Slips, Trips and Falls
        • Legal blindness
      • Other Macular Diseases
        • Best Disease
        • Macular Hole
        • Macular Pucker
        • Macular Telangiectasia
        • Myopic Macular Degeneration
        • Retinal Detachment
        • Retinitis Pigmentosa
        • Retinal Vein Occlusion
        • Stargardt Disease
        • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC)
        • Posterior Vitreous Detachment and Floaters
        • Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome
      • Visit Eye Health Professional
        • Eye Injection Costs and Rebates
      • Macular Disease
        • Anti-VEGF injections for macular disease
    • Research
      • Research Grants Program
        • Research Grants Awarded
        • Research Grant Recipients
        • Apply for the MDFA Research Grants Program
        • Research Grants Panel
      • Support Research
      • Latest Research
        • Research News
        • MDFA Research
        • Macular Diseases
        • Understanding Research
        • Social Impact
      • Research Updates
        • Annual Research Update
        • Weekly Research Updates for Professionals
      • Research studies
    • Resources
      • Order Publications and Resources
      • Find a Healthcare Provider
      • Audio and Video
        • Audio
        • Podcasts
        • Patient Voices
        • Videos
      • Macula Menus
      • Check My Macula toolkits
      • Aged care resources
    • News & Events
      • Newsletters
        • Vision Voice Newsletters
        • Subscribe to Newsletters
        • Archive
      • News
        • 2021 news
        • 2020 news
        • 2019 News
        • 2018 News
        • 2017 News
        • 2016 News
        • Archived News
      • Events & Activities
        • Community Events
        • Education Sessions
        • Events Calendar
        • Watch past webinars
      • Media Centre
        • Media Releases
    • Foundation
      • Organisation
        • History
        • Objectives
        • Guiding Principles
        • Annual Reports
        • Whistleblower Policy
        • Financial Statements
      • People
        • Patron
        • State Patrons / Representatives
        • Ambassadors
        • Foundation Board
        • Committees
        • State Chairs
        • National Research Advisor
      • Our Work
        • Awareness
        • Education
        • Support Services
        • Research
        • Representation
      • Support Us
        • Donate
        • Bequests
        • Fundraise
        • Volunteer
        • Friends of the Foundation
        • Sponsors and Supporters
        • Professional Friends
      • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Macular Disease
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Detection
  • Early Signs
Back

Macular Disease

  • Macular Degeneration
    • Check My Macula
      • Is your practice registered for Check My Macula?
      • Order your Check My Mac pack
    • About Macular Degeneration
      • How The Eye Works
    • What Happens?
    • Risk Factors
    • Prevention
      • Lifestyle
      • Nutrition
        • Nutrient Content of Foods
      • Supplements
    • Detection
      • Early Signs
      • Changes to Vision
      • Professional Testing
      • Amsler Grid
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment
      • Early and Intermediate Macular Degeneration
      • Wet Macular Degeneration
      • Dry Macular Degeneration
    • Charles Bonnet Syndrome
    • Cataracts and Macular Degeneration
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • About Diabetic Retinopathy
      • How the Eye Works
    • About Diabetes
      • Diabetes and the Eye
    • What Happens?
    • Risk Factors
    • Prevention
    • Detection
      • Testing
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment
      • Diabetes Care Team
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Low Vision
    • Living with Low Vision
      • Causes
      • Impact
      • Challenges
      • Just Diagnosed
      • Maintaining Independence
        • Reading
        • Driving
        • Lifestyle
      • Low Vision Assessment
        • Visiting a Low Vision Service Provider
      • Coping Strategies
      • Depression
      • Charles Bonnet Syndrome
    • Carer and Family
      • Guide for Care
      • Becoming a Carer
      • Care Plan
      • Support Team
      • Effective Communication
      • Guiding
      • Caring for the Carer
      • Entitlements
      • Impact of Caring
    • Aids and Technology
      • Ten Step Action Plan
      • Living Aids
        • Lighting
        • Reading Aids
        • Optical Magnifiers
        • Spectacles
        • Organisation
        • Writing Aids
        • Talking Aids
        • Leisure
      • Mobility Aids
        • Guide Dogs
        • Canes
        • Electronic Mobility Aids
      • Technology
        • Mobile Phones
        • Television and Radio
        • Audio Technology
          • Computers and Software
          • Electronic Magnifiers
        • Subsidy Programs
      • Slips, Trips and Falls
        • Reducing Risk
          • Around the Home
          • In the Community
          • Your Health
            • Mobility and Strength
            • Medicines
          • Mobility Training
        • Falling
          • Why We Fall
          • Planning For Help
          • After A Fall
          • Fear of Falling
      • Legal blindness
    • Other Macular Diseases
      • Best Disease
      • Macular Hole
      • Macular Pucker
      • Macular Telangiectasia
      • Myopic Macular Degeneration
      • Retinal Detachment
      • Retinitis Pigmentosa
      • Retinal Vein Occlusion
      • Stargardt Disease
      • Posterior Vitreous Detachment and Floaters
      • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC)
      • Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome
    • Visit Eye Health Professional
      • Eye Injection Costs and Rebates
    • Macular Disease
      • Anti-VEGF injections for macular disease

    Early Signs

     

    It is possible to have the very early signs of macular degeneration without even knowing. This is why it is vital to have regular vision tests by an eye care professional, particularly if you are at risk of macular degeneration due to age, lifestyle factors or family history. An eye care professional can look at the back of the eye and identify early symptoms, such as the presence of drusen.  

    Noticeable symptoms

    • Difficulty in reading or any other activity which requires fine vision
    • Distortion where straight lines appear wavy or bent
    • Difficulty distinguishing faces
    • Dark patches may appear in the centre of your vision
    • Additionally, the need for increased illumination, sensitivity to glare, decreased night vision and poor colour sensitivity may also indicate something is wrong.

    Never ignore any changes to your vision or attribute changes to just a part of getting older. A rapid referral should be arranged from the optometrist or GP to an ophthalmologist if any sudden changes in vision or any symptoms of macular degeneration are noticed. 

    If you are already seeing an ophthalmologist a referral will not be required. Contact the ophthalmologist and explain the symptoms. Ask for an appointment within one week of any changes being noticed. 

    Regular follow-ups according to your ophthalmologist’s recommendations are imperative.

    Early detection is critical to save sight

    For both wet and dry macular degeneration the earlier a diagnosis is made, the earlier steps can be taken to slow disease progression. Conversely, delayed treatment increases the likelihood of losing sight.  

     

    Share this article
    Select Your Type?
     
     
     
    • Home
    • Macular Disease
    • Research
    • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Foundation

    Contact Us

    1800 111 709
    [email protected]
    Suite 902, Level 9, 447 Kent Street, Sydney 2000

    Follow Us

    acnc_logo_reverse.png


    Helpline 1800 111 709

    Donate

    Macular Disease Foundation Australia ABN 52096255177
    • Privacy Policy
    • Site Map
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Disclaimer