Medical history for macular degeneration

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Answers to the questions below help your doctor determine whether you might have a macular problem, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Have you found that you need more light to read than you have in the past?
Is it getting harder to recognize people's faces until they are close up?
Do bright colors appear dim or faded?
Is there is a "blind" spot in the center of your vision? How long have you had the blind spot?
Do straight lines look wavy? Do objects appear distorted or smaller than they used to?
How quickly have these changes in your vision developed? Over several months or weeks? A few days? A few hours?
Have changes affected just one eye or both?
Do you smoke? (Smoking increases your risk of AMD.)
Do you have high blood pressure?
Has anyone else in your family had macular degeneration?
Are you taking any medicines? Which ones? (Certain medicines can cause temporary vision problems.)

Credits

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Author	Robin Parks, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology
Last Updated	August 13, 2007

Last updated:	August 13, 2007
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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