An AMD diagnosis — or even a concern that AMD might be developing — can feel overwhelming. Optician appointments can go quickly, and it’s easy to leave without the information you actually needed. Knowing the right questions in advance changes that.

Here are seven questions worth raising at your next appointment.

“Do I Have Any Signs of AMD?”

AMD is detectable before any symptoms appear. During a routine eye test, your optician can see the earliest signs — small yellow deposits beneath the retina called drusen — using a fundus camera or OCT (optical coherence tomography) scan.

If you’re 50 or over, or if AMD runs in your family, ask this directly. Don’t assume silence means all is well. Early detection changes the options available to you.

“What Stage Is My AMD?”

AMD progresses in stages: early, intermediate, and advanced. Knowing your stage is not a minor detail — it determines what action, if any, is appropriate.

The AREDS 2 formula is recommended specifically for people with intermediate AMD or advanced AMD in one eye. It hasn’t been shown to benefit people with early AMD or healthy eyes. Getting a clear stage diagnosis means you can make the right decision about supplementation — not too early, and not too late.

“Am I at Higher Risk Because of My Family History or Lifestyle?”

AMD has a genetic component. If a parent or sibling has AMD, your own risk is meaningfully higher. Tell your optician your family history explicitly — they can use this to advise on monitoring frequency and whether closer investigation is warranted.

Modifiable risk factors are also worth discussing: smoking (by far the most significant), high blood pressure, cardiovascular health, diet, and UV exposure. Your optician can help you understand where you stand and what would most reduce your personal risk.

“Should I Take AREDS 2 Supplements?”

This is the key question — and it has a specific, stage-dependent answer that only your optician can properly give. If you have intermediate AMD or advanced AMD in one eye, they will likely discuss the AREDS 2 formula. If you have early AMD, the evidence doesn’t currently support supplementation. If your eyes are healthy, there is no AREDS 2 evidence base to draw on at all.

Don’t self-prescribe without knowing your stage first. And if your optician does recommend AREDS 2, make sure the product you buy matches the specific formula — lutein and zeaxanthin, not beta-carotene.

“How Often Should I Come In?”

For most people with intermediate AMD, monitoring every six to twelve months is typical — but your optician will advise based on your specific situation and how stable things look. For wet AMD under treatment with anti-VEGF injections, monitoring is much more frequent and managed by a hospital ophthalmology unit.

If you have early AMD or are at elevated risk, annual eye tests are sensible once you’re over 50. Don’t wait until you notice changes.

“What Warning Signs Should I Watch For Between Appointments?”

Ask this question specifically, and ask for your optician’s personalised answer for your situation. Generally, the signs to act on promptly include:

• Sudden new distortion — straight lines appearing wavy or bent
• A new dark or missing patch appearing in your central vision
• Any rapid, unexplained change in how you see

These could indicate wet AMD developing, which can progress within days. Any of these warrants an urgent optician appointment or, if you can’t get one quickly, an A&E eye unit. Don’t wait.

Ask about the Amsler grid — a simple printed grid you can use at home to check for central distortion between appointments. Your optician may be able to give you one.

“What Lifestyle Changes Would Genuinely Help?”

The evidence-backed short list: stop smoking (the most impactful single change by a considerable margin); eat more leafy greens and eggs for dietary lutein and zeaxanthin; manage blood pressure and cardiovascular risk; wear UV-protective sunglasses outdoors. A diet broadly rich in antioxidants — leafy greens, oily fish, colourful vegetables, nuts — supports eye health throughout life.

Finally: ask whether a referral to a hospital ophthalmologist is appropriate. If your AMD is at intermediate or advanced stage and you’re not already under specialist care, it may be time.

More answers to common AREDS 2 questions in our FAQ.