Many eye care providers may not catch macular degeneration

Came across this recently, and all of the above proved true for me. First warning was a swift curtain or spider's web of thin red lines falling inside my left eye. In focus!

Luckily the local optician I chose at random told me honestly that he could not see properly and advised me to go immediately to the eye hospital. Under dilation and huge madgnification they spotted the problem. The retina is tearing near the edge, they said. Several rounds of green laser followed and eventually I was given the all clear. It was a close thing, and my eye is still not quite right today. No fun growing old, as my father once said.

Lesson learned. I should not have left it for a week. See a specialist immediately.