/sci/ - Science & Math

Hello /med/

I’m in a bit of a pickle. I believe I have some form of vision deterioration in my left eye, the symptoms of which are appearing more frequently. I come to /sci/ because I fear I may not be able to disclose my concerns to a doctor. I am a flight instructor; I hold a first class medical certificate and have at 20/15 uncorrected vision (last time I was evaluated). If I disclose a medical issue requiring significant evaluation, it may jeopardize my medical certificate and my profession.

My symptoms are similar to what I’m reading for macular degeneration: center-vision distortion in left eye consisting of small defined spots (usually 1 or 2) or a slightly larger smeared area. Text can be difficult to read and straight lines can appear distorted. Here’s the issue though: symptoms can vary with fatigue (more common in evening), but the spots aren’t necessarily consistent. Same general area, different size and severity. I’m 25 years old with no known genetic predisposition for MD, not diabetic, reasonably healthy, non-smoker.

Any suggestions or ideas? Should I bite the bullet and get evaluated?

Hello /med/

I’m in a bit of a pickle. I believe I have some form of vision deterioration in my left eye, the symptoms of which are appearing more frequently. I come to /sci/ because I fear I may not be able to disclose my concerns to a doctor. I am a flight instructor; I hold a first class medical certificate and have at 20/15 uncorrected vision (last time I was evaluated). If I disclose a medical issue requiring significant evaluation, it may jeopardize my medical certificate and my profession.

My symptoms are similar to what I’m reading for macular degeneration: center-vision distortion consisting of small defined spots (usually 1 or 2) or a slightly larger smeared area. Text can be difficult to read and straight lines can appear distorted. Here’s the issue though: symptoms can vary with fatigue (more common in evening), but the spots aren’t necessarily consistent. Same general area, different size and severity. I’m 25 years old with no known genetic predisposition for MD, not diabetic, reasonably healthy, non-smoker.

Any suggestions or ideas? Should I bite the bullet and get evaluated?