What is the very first symptom of macular degeneration?

What is the very first sign/symptom of macular degeneration? What does a drastic change in vision in one eye mean?
What are the symptoms of macular degeneration? Can macular degeneration, caused by arthritis medication, be stooped?
If it can be detected early, and is caused by an arthritis medication, can it be reversed when the meds are discontinued, or will the degeneration continue once it starts?

Thanks!!

swollen testacles

I have "wet" macular degeneration, and the symptoms for me progressed very rapidly. Unfortunately, they coincided with my yearly eye exam and prescription change, so my doc missed them for a couple weeks, thinking it was the new prescription giving me trouble. It looked like there was an air bubble between my eye and contact lens at first, slightly distorting the center vision. Then, my center vision started to get "wavy" like looking at things through water. I thought it might be allergies or dry eyes causing it, but then the colors in my center vision started to fade, and I went into the doctor and was treated the same day with an Avastin injection (into the eye - not as bad as you think, really). Two years later, my vision has returned for the most part. My center vision is distorted, but I can see colors and make out words by moving my head or eyes slightly. Not sure about the medication-related symptoms reversing. You need to see a retinal specialist as soon as you notice any symptoms.