I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME.......

(picture from webmd.com)

MACULAR DEGENERATION

I wrote about this before - see here - when I first discovered there was a problem so I guess this is an update of where I am now.  

I want to explain about the problem I have with reading blogs that have coloured or white text on black or very dark background. Actually it’s the background that’s the problem. Anything black or navy defeats me... clothing, for example. When I wash and dry dark coloured items I can’t see to fold them ready to be put away. The light always has to go on so I can see what I’m doing. It never used to be so; I always prided myself on having good eyesight.

Never take eyesight for granted. We don’t appreciate it until it starts to decline, as in my case. I thought Macular Degeneration was something that happened to other people, not me. I’m only just starting down the path but already I’ve stopped laughing. It’s so inconvenient, as well. If I’m shown something by someone I have to back off because it’s a strain to the eyes to focus close up. Fortunately I can enlarge the font for most computer work but typing figures in columns is beyond me since enlarging tends to throw columns off screen. I had to resign as Joe’s secretary because of it. 

One of the hardest things is trying to read blogs with dark backgrounds and I was very pleased when one of my blogging friends changed the colour of his font. Thank you, Larry. I appreciate it. Sometimes it’s a struggle but at the moment I’m coping. However, I dread to think what it will be like in future. I hope bloggers will understand if I disappear from their blogs. It won’t be for any reason other than being unable to follow what they’ve written.

(picture from vwmin.org)

It has its funny side, though. When I type email messages I have to check and recheck that there are no errors ... even then I miss some. You see I used to be an ace typist with an official high speed of a hundred-and-something wpm (words per minute). I forget the exact figure but it was high, nearer 200 if my memory serves me right. Well, I still have that speed but the brain interferes with my decision of where to place fingers on keyboard. I have told it to stop interfering but I’m ignored so I’m stuck with typing and reading and fervently hoping I spot all the errors. 

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!