AMD

I only went for an eye test and look what they told me! Macular Degeneration. The good news was that I had the dry version. AMD stands for age-related macular degeneration so why was I so surprised when told the good news? Nevertheless, I was able to walk away with a new pair of specs... see above. They were the first pair I was shown and I fell in love with them straight away. To hell with the cost, I thought, enjoy them while you can.

I chose a new place to have the test when I became dissatisfied with the old one. I was frustrated with the last pair of spectacles, the eye test, and the service offered by a different optician and a new manager. The previous manager was on the ball where dispensing specs was concerned; he never stopped talking which drove me mad but he knew his job. So off he pops to be a stay-at-home dad and leaves the practice in poor hands. Not his fault, I guess, since he didn’t own the place, nevertheless it caused problems for some customers.

It was only after the event that I discovered there was a difference between opticians and optometrists. One can test the eyes, the other can test the health of the eyes. 2.5 hours I was there, being photographed, measured, talked to, having things explained, learning about the future, getting reassurance. I was given a book in which there is a do-it-yourself test so I can keep an eye on things. Oh wow, is that an appropriate expression or what?

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that affects the retina situated at the back of the eye – the area known as the macula. It is a painless condition that can lead to distorted vision or blank spots when concentrated at a single object. The condition normally appears later in life and is a common occurrence in those over 50 years of age.

There are two types of macular degeneration, the ‘wet’ and the ‘dry’. This is not a description of how the eye feels but rather what an ophthalmologist can see when inspecting the inside of the eye.

Dry AMD is generally more common but as it isn’t painful and can go unnoticed for some time – hence my wait of thirty years haha. Many people find their vision slowly deteriorates by gradual central blurring and colours fade away like an old photograph. It doesn’t affect the peripheral vision so cannot lead to total blindness.

Well, thank the Lord for that! I don’t mind the ageing process so long as I can see where I’m going. Imagine a life without blogging, watching birds, or chasing squirrels. It doesn’t bear thinking about, does it? I mean there would be no such excitement like there was when goldfinches land on the feeders, or the frantic unwrapping of presents on a birthday, or sitting down to a scrumptious meal. But it is food for thought and it makes me realise how lucky I am to have come this far in reasonable health, a bit doddery but the brain is reasonably good. At least I think so, others may want to differ. So long as I can enlarge the words on the computer screen I’m laughing!