sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Age-related macular degeneration: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Flashes, many new floaters, or a curtain over the vision is an eye emergency.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Report new distortion, a central blind spot, or sudden vision change promptly.

    New central distortion or sudden vision loss requires urgent assessment.

    Severe pain, redness, light sensitivity, or worsening sight after an injection also needs urgent care.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Follow-up depends on the AMD stage, symptoms, imaging, and treatment plan.

    Early or intermediate dry AMD may be monitored through routine dilated examinations, while geographic atrophy and wet AMD often require more frequent visits and imaging.

The article also says

Keep appointments even if vision seems unchanged because OCT may detect changes before symptoms develop.

Between visits:

Check each eye separately as instructed.

Use an Amsler grid if recommended.

Continue prescribed injections and monitoring unless your clinician advises otherwise.

Bring an updated medicine and supplement list to appointments.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Age-related macular degeneration. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.