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  • Macular Disease
    • Macular Degeneration
      • About Macular Degeneration
      • What Happens?
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    • Diabetic Retinopathy
      • About Diabetic Retinopathy
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      • What Happens?
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Macular Disease Foundation Australia
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Menu
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    • Home
    • Macular Disease
      • Macular Degeneration
        • About Macular Degeneration
        • 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
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        • 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)
        • Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome
      • Visit Eye Health Professional
        • Eye Injection Costs and Rebates
      • Macular Disease
        • Anti-VEGF injections for macular disease
    • Research
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        • Research Grants Awarded
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      • Research studies
    • Resources
      • Macula Month 2019 Toolkit
        • Christmas Macula Menu
      • Order Publications and Resources
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Macular Disease

  • Macular Degeneration
    • 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
      • Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC)
      • Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome
    • Visit Eye Health Professional
      • Eye Injection Costs and Rebates
    • Macular Disease
      • Anti-VEGF injections for macular disease

    Just Diagnosed

    Being diagnosed with an eye disease can be distressing for the individual, their family and friends.

    The following tips should be considered in the first instance:

    • Don’t make any quick decisions regarding current employment, activities, future plans or lifestyle
    • Seek advice from all available sources including low vision service providers
    • Take time to calmly sort out the pathway that will lead to the best outcomes
    • Stay engaged with social and recreational networks, especially if you have been recently diagnosed. This is when networks may be at greater risk of breaking down.
    • If you experience any feelings of withdrawal, anxiety or depression, seek immediate support and help from a local doctor.

    "One of the most difficult things about being diagnosed was the uncertainty. How much vision would I lose and how long would it take? I made some decisions about life and work that were probably more reactive than positive. Since then I think I’ve learnt that I’m in control. I’m vision-impaired, not life-impaired.”

    Take control

    The more a person knows about their condition, its effects and options for dealing with the challenges presented by low vision, the more in control they will feel.

    Because different eye diseases or conditions result in vision loss to varying degrees, it is important to complete a low vision assessment before pursuing available support services, low vision aids and technology.

    Begin by speaking to an eye health professional about individual concerns and needs.

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