Supporting a Loved One with Dry AMD | Canada

When someone you care about is diagnosed with dry age-related macular degeneration, you step into a new supporting role.

By understanding the disease and its progression, by offering practical and emotional support, and by exploring proactive treatments, you can empower your loved one to live more fully with dry AMD.

First, Know the Basics of Dry AMD

When you support a loved one, it helps to understand what they’re going through. Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common causes of age-related vision changes, affecting the central vision needed for sharp, straight-ahead sight for tasks like reading, driving, and recognizing faces.

What Is Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

As part of living with AMD, your loved one may experience changes to their central vision. Common signs of dry AMD include:

Blurry or wavy central vision
Difficulty with fine details
Colours that appear less vivid
A dark or empty spot in the centre of vision
Trouble recognizing faces

The 3 Stages of Dry AMD

Your loved one’s eye doctor will describe their condition as early, intermediate, or advanced. Each stage has different symptoms and different effects on the eyes.

What Is the Prognosis for Dry Macular Degeneration?

Dry AMD usually progresses slowly over several years. Regular check-ups with an eye care professional are key to monitor changes and progression. These appointments help your loved one discuss the best course of action for their specific situation.

Provide Practical Day-to-Day Support

Simple adjustments at home can make a big difference in your loved one’s independence and safety. Focus on what they can do and find ways to adapt household tasks.

Make the Home Safer & More Accessible

You can make small changes at home to help your loved one and improve their confidence and safety.

Improve lighting with bright, even lights—especially for tasks like reading or cooking.
Keep walkways clear of clutter and secure any loose rugs.
Use high-contrast items, like a black toilet seat in a white bathroom or bright tape on the edge of steps.
Label items with large, bold letters or colour-coded stickers.

Explore Low Vision Aids & Technology

Many tools and low vision aids can help with daily activities. Talk with your loved one’s eye care provider about options that might work for them.

Handheld or stand magnifiers for reading
Large-print books, calendars, and keyboards
Audiobooks and voice-activated devices
Smartphones and tablets with built-in accessibility features

Can You Drive with Macular Degeneration?

Because dry AMD affects central vision, it can make driving unsafe. This can be a difficult change. Offer help with transportation for errands and appointments to relieve stress and keep your loved one connected.

Offer Consistent Emotional & Social Support

Living with vision changes can be frustrating and isolating. The emotional and psychological effects of AMD can be significant, so your support is just as important as your practical help. It shows your loved one they’re not alone on this journey.

Encourage Open Talks About Vision Changes

Create a safe space for your loved one to share their worries and frustrations without judgment. Ask them what they can see and how you can best help. Their needs may change from day to day.

Validate Their Feelings & Frustrations

Acknowledge that it’s normal to feel angry, sad, or worried. This shows that you understand and support them. Focus on what they can still do and celebrate small successes.

Connect with Support Groups & Networks

Connecting with others who have similar experiences can reduce feelings of loneliness. Look for local or online support groups. Your loved one can share advice and find community there.

Help Manage Medical Care & Appointments

Staying on top of medical care is key to managing dry AMD. You can help your loved one track their eye health and follow their eye doctor’s advice.

Schedule & Attend Regular Eye Exams

Scheduling and attending regular comprehensive eye exams helps monitor the progression of dry AMD. Offer to go with your loved one to appointments. You can help take notes and remember important information.

Use an Amsler Grid for Daily Vision Checks

The Amsler grid is a simple tool to check for changes in vision at home. Encourage your loved one to use it daily. Help them report any new waviness, blurriness, or dark spots to their eye doctor right away.

Know When to Contact an Eye Doctor

A sudden change in vision requires prompt attention. Help your loved one recognize signs that need an immediate call to their eye care provider. This could signal a shift in their condition.

Explore a Proactive Dry AMD Treatment

There are ways to manage dry AMD. A proactive approach can help preserve vision. This can support your loved one’s quality of life.

Learn About a New Dry AMD Treatment

It’s helpful to know about all the options available. One approach is MacuMira therapy. This is a non-invasive dry AMD treatment designed to help preserve the vision your loved one has.

How This Treatment for Age Related Macular Degeneration Works

The MacuMira treatment involves a series of microcurrent applications to the eye area. The goal is to improve the function of the retina, giving patients with dry AMD a way to support eye health without injections or surgery.

Discuss All Options with an Eye Care Professional

Bring a list of questions about different treatments, including MacuMira, to your loved one’s next appointment. An eye care professional can discuss which options might be most suitable for your loved one’s needs.

Remember to Look After Yourself Too

Supporting a loved one is rewarding, but it can also be demanding. It’s important to take care of your own well-being. This allows you to continue to provide the best support.

Build Your Own Support System

Don’t be afraid to lean on other family members, friends, or your own support network. Sharing responsibilities can make the journey more manageable for everyone involved.

Take Breaks to Avoid Burnout

Make sure to help yourself by taking time for your own hobbies and interests. A short break can help you recharge. You can return to your loved one with renewed energy and patience.

Supporting someone with dry AMD is a journey of partnership and care. By staying informed and exploring the options, you can provide meaningful help every step of the way. If you and your loved one are interested in a proactive approach, we invite you to find a MacuMira provider to learn more about the treatment.

Real Patient Experiences

“The treatment itself was wonderful; I was not fearful at all. I walked out from my first treatment, and I could see the TVs and the actual printing on the ads.
I couldn’t believe it, I could see across the street, I could see in the other person’s living room. I wanted to be able to drive to places and get to places, and I can do that now.
I felt self-limited because I knew my sight was disintegrating, and now I’m going out. I’m going to my grandkids’ soccer games, and I can see who is who.”

Edith – Alberta

“After my first session, excellent, I took my phone, I could not believe how clear and bright everything was. Just try the treatment, because for me it does wonders.
It was relaxing, no pain whatsoever, none. Everything is just clear!
I do a lot of knitting and crocheting, and now I have no problem; everything is much clearer, much easier. I’m not scared that I’m going to lose my eyesight. I am so much more relaxed.”

Ingrid – Alberta

“When I took the headset off, it was so much brighter in the room, I just couldn’t believe it. Everything blurred before, but things were sharper already. I’m very pleased with what I can see. I can even see the hummingbird at my feeder.
It’s brightened me up quite a bit. I am very excited about the rest of my life now. I am just so pleased with this treatment, I am over the moon.
We went out for dinner, and I could read the fortune in my fortune cookie. Before, people’s faces had halos around them. I could not recognize them, now I know who they are.”

Frances – Ontario

“Life before MacuMira was pretty scary for me. Before doing this treatment, I couldn’t see anything on somebody except the outline of their hair.
I had serious heartaches every day, now I don’t
It’s painless, nothing. For 30 minutes? Why wouldn’t anyone do it?
That’s how I knew it was working, because it wasn’t that prominent black mark in the centre of my eye. I’m not full of fear anymore, I’m not worried that I’ll wake up tomorrow and not be able to see.
I found before I was already worried, I was always afraid and scared – and now I’m not. You have to go for it, you got to try it. I’m proof that it’s working.”

Laura – Ontario

“I was 10 points away from losing my driver’s license. For me, MacuMira was a godsend, quite frankly.
Not invasive in any way, it was relaxing for me. I didn’t have any problem with it at all. I couldn’t take the chance not to do it, if you know what I mean.
There was a moment after my first treatment where I was able to read street signs a lot more clear. When they had reviewed my vision and I had dropped 20 points, I thought, this is well worth the money spent.
It was emotionally amazing to me to have that clarity again. The biggest change is the lack of anxiety of losing my driver’s license; emotionally, it was very freeing.
I thought if this changes anything, I’m in. If this can change your life and your ability for independence for a little bit longer, it’s worth
the money, every penny! The biggest thing is the feeling of independence, and being able to drive for a lot longer than I thought I was going to be able to. It was a freeing experience, and I’m looking forward to continuing my MacuMira treatments.”

Supporting a Loved One Through Dry AMD