Coronavirus and Your Macular Degeneration Care

Reviewed by: Johanna M Seddon MD, Rahul Khurana, MD

If you have macular degeneration, you may feel worried about catching the coronavirus or maintaining your eye care during the pandemic. Experts at the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) have assembled the following advice especially for you. This article has been adapted from an AMDF publication.

What you might expect at the clinic 

AMD clinics are taking precautions to ensure the health and safety of patients by reducing the potential for virus transmission and enforcing social distancing. Though each office will have their own variations on protocols, the general guidelines they are following are: 

• Having patients wash their hands immediately upon arrival
• Decreasing the number of patients in the waiting room 
• Regularly disinfecting surfaces 
• Having staff members wear masks and gloves
• Having patients wear masks
• Having doctors and nurses wear ocular and oral shields to prevent virus transmission during close examinations
• Informing patients that the ophthalmologist will speak as little as possible during parts of the examination, and requesting that the patient also refrain from talking in these moments.

Additional precautions being taken at clinics:

• Telling patients with cold, flu, and allergy symptoms to stay at home
• Positioning a sentry at the door to screen entering patients 
• Screening patients with questions about fever, cough, travel history, and the travel history of family members 
• Rescheduling the visits of those who are sick, have a cough or fever, have been exposed to COVID-19 or have recently traveled outside the United States
• Referring patients and staff members with a temperature above 99.5º to their primary care providers
• Asking anyone accompanying a patient to remain outside the building, where they will be contacted by text message when the patient departs
• Positioning chairs in the waiting room 6 feet apart from each other 
• Removing magazines and beverage areas from the waiting room

What you can do to maintain your vision health during these difficult times 

For patients with early, dry AMD: talk to your ophthalmologist on how to safely continue examinations, maintain home monitoring and continue making healthy lifestyle choices.

“Patient – physician conversations are the most important element of establishing a patient’s course of action under today’s circumstances,” says ophthalmologist and Academy spokesperson Rahul N. Khurana, MD.  “Any change in your vision should be reported to your eye care specialist.”

At home, you can track changes in your vision by using the Amsler Grid. It is advised to monitor at least once a week. 

If your doctor has advised supplements with lutein and zeaxanthin, continue with those, as well as an eye-healthy diet (which is also good for your heart and general health). However, if you are taking a supplement for AMD that contains zinc (which is included in the recommended AREDS and AREDS2 formulas), ophthalmologist and AMDF spokesperson Johanna M. Seddon, MD, ScM, advises that taking additional zinc lozenges for cold or flu prevention may lead to zinc toxicity. Check with your doctor, as your AMD supplement may already supply all the zinc you need to maintain your immune system.

Common Questions About AMD and Coronavirus

I have dry AMD that has, so far, been relatively stable. I have an upcoming eye appointment to monitor my condition. Should I keep or postpone the appointment? 

Ophthalmologists have devised new office procedures to protect their patients and staff from COVID-19. Read more about the many ways they’ve made it safe to come to the office. If you have questions or concerns, give your ophthalmologist a call.

I have dry AMD and have noticed a sudden change in my vision. I’m also at high risk from complications due to COVID-19 and am worried about going to see my doctor. What should I do? 

Most offices are taking extreme precautions to keep patients and staff safe. Ask your ophthalmologist what precautions they are taking to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and spread.  

“Don’t assume that a clinic is closed due to the coronavirus pandemic,” says Dr. Khurana. “Check with your doctor. Some areas are harder hit by the virus than others, but most offices are still open and trying to see patients in the safest manner.  Guidelines for AMD clinics have been established, and each clinic has established their own version of these protocols, so please do not become concerned if circumstances at the clinic differ a little from those you have heard or read about.”

You can also ask if they have a private area to wait in rather than a crowded waiting room, or perhaps that they offer an appointment time when they know there will be low traffic. If you are extremely concerned about maintaining proper social distancing, you might also request that they contact you by cell phone as you wait in your car for your appointment.  In this scenario you'd have to let them know that you have arrived and that you are waiting nearby.

Not every office may be able to accommodate special requests.

I have wet AMD and receive monthly eye injections. I’m also in a high-risk group for COVID-19. I feel I’m having to decide between my vision and my health/life. What should I do? 

This is a tough decision. Studies confirm that maintaining a regular schedule of eye injections is important in retaining the vision you have, and missing even one appointment can have a negative effect. 

Remember that clinics are making special accommodations for high risk patients, as described above. Call ahead of your appointment to make sure that these are in place. 

According to Dr. Khurana: “Seniors should not sacrifice their sight to fear. Anti-VEGF injections are essential for those who require them, and should not be skipped – even in a shelter-in-place scenario.  If you must come in for essential care, take appropriate precautions like handwashing and social distancing, and come in.”

That said, there’s no question that your health and life are most important. 

Call your retinal specialist’s office and request a phone appointment to discuss your options. Based on how long you’ve been receiving injections and how stable your vision is, your doctor may be comfortable with stretching the time between injections -- but that is a determination that must be made by your doctor. 

“The ophthalmic community considers our seniors and everyone in a high-risk group to be a valuable part of our society,” says Khurana. “We want to perform essential care to preserve your sight.”

I’ve spoken with my doctor and feel the office is accommodating high risk patients safely. However, my transportation there feels risky (public transport, or a driver). What should I do? 

Many people are suddenly working from home and may have more flexibility to give you a ride. If you have a friend, neighbor or family member who can drive you, and who you trust has been extra careful with their own exposure, this would be a better option than any type of public transport, ride-share, or public service transportation. 

Ask that they wear a mask, and don’t be embarrassed or shy in asking about their exposure and what measures they’ve been taking to stay isolated. 

If you must take public transportation, you can use anti-viral wipes to disinfect your seat and any grabs bars, and wear latex or similar gloves which you can also cleanse with hand sanitizer if you cannot access a washroom.  Once at the clinic, you may be asked to dispose of the gloves and to wash your hands.