Diabetic mother was dianosed with early macular degeneration, how long before her vision is significantly compromised?

Depends: Macular degeneration (amd) can have a varied course of progression and severity. Most will only experience mild to moderate vision impairment over a lifetime. About 10% will have severe vision loss. Most amd is dry, which tends to progress slowly. Wet amd can be very rapid, but there are treatments. Regular f/u with an ophthalmologist (if possible, a retina specialist) is recommended.

Depends: With good preventive care and monitoring for conversion to wet amd, it may be possible to preserve much of the vision. The diabetes may affect the eye also. Treatments for the diabetic retinopathy or diabetic changes of the retina have improved substantially in the last ten years. Many diabetics with retinopathy can enjoy normal vision. See a retinal specialist.

Difficult to predict: Age related macular degeneration (amd) can often be diagnosed a long time before the vision is affected. Milder changes have a lower likely hood of vision loss. Progression is generally slow, but at any time the faster moving "wet amd" can occur as a complication of the dry type. Diabetes does not accelerate amd. Diabetes in itself can have retinal problems that can cause blurry vision.