Macular degeneration

I am sad to say that I was diagnosed with this issue today along with cataracts.  The cataracts are not a issue but the other issue is a major issue with me.  Mamaw Smith who many of you know has had both these issues.  The cataracts were corrected but macro degeneration was not and cannot.  It is hereditary.
I am 70 years of age and I can see perfectly although recently I have noted some blurring of vision.  This issue lead to my visit to my MD. and he diagnosed my issue.
Mamaw Smith is 90 years of age and I stopped her driving about five years ago.  I take her every where she needs to go and now I see the future where my daughter and Roz may have to do the same with me.
I am sorta depressed because I can see the future
What the hell.  I guess that getting old is not all the pleasent??
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I'm just guessing but I suppose the getting older not being pleasant depends on the person - just in my circle of friends, relatives and acquaintances it's all across the board.  The spouse is will soon be 68 and is somewhat of a hypochondriac but the only real health issues are high blood pressure and arthritis.  I'm 56 and have never had anything - so far - wrong with me except for being extremely near sighted and not being able to see to drive at night.  We're very fortunate, I think, to be as healthy as we are. 
 
My mother is 86 and has had health issues all of her life but has kept on going until just recently  - she started retaining fluid in her legs and is having difficulty walking.
Sometimes I think for me it's just a matter of time before I begin falling apart - but then I look at a brighter side - my friends mother is 94 and still drives, shops, cleans, cooks and occasionally drinks beer and goes to the casino to play the slots....
 
 
 
 
 
 

Paul, sorry to hear about your condition.  Does it always progress or is there a possibility that it will never get worse?
 
That's what I'll hope for.

My grandmother had it, but I have high hopes that if you listen to what your doctor says and actually do the things he suggests might help, that yours will progress very, very slowly. Just about the only regret I have about never having children is the part where I won't have anyone to take care of me when I get old should I need it.
 
Just remember, you're not being a burden on them unless you get quarrelsome and whiny. Simply asking them to do things you cannot any more (such as driving) isn't being a bother. Well, they might think it is since it'll interfere with their lives a little, but it really isn't. It's your turn to inconvenience them a little after umpteen years of putting yourself behind their needs.
 
Good luck!

I worked with an 85 yr old lady that had severe macular degeneration  and then dealt with my sister who also suffered from it.  As I understand it, there are 2 types.  Not sure which you have, but the 85 yr old could not have surgery to correct while my sister, then 69, did and hers was corrected.  Make sure you get a 2nd opinion............and I wish you well

I'm sorry to hear this, Paul.
 

My eye doc says there are things you can do to slow down the process. He gave me a sheet of paper with hortizonal and vertical lines on it to observe regularly. If the lines start to get wavy, I'm supposed to get in there that day!
It's called Metamorphopsia and is a type of distorted vision in which a grid of straight lines appears wavy and parts of the grid may appear blank. People with this condition often first notice this when looking at mini-blinds in their home. It's a stage of Macular Degeneration.
I had my cataracts removed at age 70.

Yeah, it sucks.  But there is hope. 
 
Seven years ago AMD presented in my left eye; ten months later my right eye "went".  By July of 2006 I couldn't even read the "big E", drive, read, golf, or even recognize faces.
 
Since, I have had periodic injections of literal "miracle drugs" - Avastin and Lucentis - performed by my retinal specialist here in Dallas .  Along the way I also had cataract surgery on both eyes.
 
Today, my "far" vision is near-normal; I drive, golf, etc.  For close work I use readers purchased at Sam's Club (they are "distributed" all over the house).  For reading, even though the daily paper is a thing of the past, a regular computer display set at 125 - 150% or my I-Pad work great.
 
Even though I am sure Knoxville/Nashville have excellent professionals a highly skilled retinal specialist is not exactly something you go to the Yellow Pages to find.  Nor is a cataract surgeon; you want one who also does corneal transplants/ fixes the occasional "mess" left by those dime-a dozen LASIK guys.
 
My advice:  take the day's drive (or the short flight) to Northern Virginia and consult http://rgw.com/ .  They are world class and will identify the "best" profesionals for you to see in Knoxville.  They recommended both my retinal specialist and my corneal surgeon here in Dallas.  By my own devices I would not have identified either. 
 
I'll write you a PM about the two particular docs you should see in NOVA. 
 
Good luck and God Bless!

Sorry to hear that Paul.  My mother has it and she is 84 and had to stop driving about 3 years ago.  She now has difficulty reading Reader's Digest large print edition, even with a magnifying glass.  I hope yours will progress very, very slowly.

Hi Paul,
I too am dealing with this also. I have the 'wet' version in one eye and the 'dry' in the other. I am also receiving the injections into my 'wet' eye.

As MPJ said, get to a reputable Retinologist, only, no other type of eye MD. There are all manner of tests that determine just where you stand, and what you will be dealing with in the future.

The thought of loss of independence is rattling my birdcage too, but I am also beating the fact that this condition is hereditary into my kids and G-kids heads.

There are all sorts of drug studies and testing going on, maybe we can do something now to further education and treatment, so that the next generation won't have to deal with what we are going thru.
That gives me a measure of comfort.

I forgot to mention "eye vitamins".
 
My retina specialist recommends Bausch & Lomb's PreserVision.
 
Both Sam's and Costco carry them.  I take the recommended two a day.

For information re: AMD, here is a site produced by the Macular Degeneration Center of the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine:
 
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer/services/mdc/

MetroplexJim


I forgot to mention "eye vitamins".

My retina specialist recommends Bausch & Lomb's PreserVision.

Both Sam's and Costco carry them.  I take the recommended two a day.

 
So do I.  Two different types.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Sorry to hear the news Paul, I am also fighting some bad eye problems. Bummer!

I'm sorry to hear your news, Paul.  I wish you the best.

I'm sorry to hear your news, Paul.  I wish you the best.