Author: Linda Moore

Low Vision/Macular Degeneration Awareness Month February 2017

February is Low Vision and Macular Degeneration Awareness month. I’m asking members of our Facebook group – and now YOU – to write a short statement with advice as to how to deal with the diagnosis. I have these so far.  I would LOVE to have our other countries represented. You can put your advice in a reply to this page or email it to me at light2sight5153@gmail.com.
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When I was diagnosed with dry AMD, my eye doctor had me look at an Amsler grid, and asked me if the lines looked wavy. They didn’t look wavy to me, but he proceeded to tell me I had early stage AMD in my right eye. He also said it was a slowly progression eye disease and maybe in 20 years there would be more treatments to help me. That was it. Nothing to tell me what to do, how to live with AMD or anything. I have since done a lot of research on my own which has helped me understand AMD better. LH Hot Springs, AR

If you are diagnosed with wet MD, don’t delay, start injections immediately, the slight discomfort and inconvenience are well worth saving your vision! If it’s dry MD, take the eye vitamins your dr. recommends, don’t forget! Do your research. PE Montgomery, Texas

Check your Amsler Grid regularly, it’s often your first indication that something is wrong. JR, Ontario, Canada

Don’t get depressed! Eight years after diagnosis, with the right lighting, I can still do almost everything, I did give up needlepoint, but it was boring. Life is good! JZ, North Carolina

Give yourself time to accept the diagnosis. A punch in the stomach takes your breath away but with time you will be able breathe again for throughout the world there is unbelievable research, support and hope. You are not alone. SH Chicago

Highlight: Things You Didn’t Know About Your Peepers!

Thanks to Amy with Paul Gill Optician, Dublin, Ireland for this.

[Note: There’s a line in our disclaimer that says “The My Macular Degeneration Journal/ey website does not endorse any medical or professional service obtained through information provided on this site or any links to this site.”]

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD or ARMD) has become a leading cause of sight loss in most countries including the US and the UK. This disease is a deterioration of the macula, a yellow-pigmented structure at the back of the eye, which enables us to see color and gives us our sharp vision. In this infographic from Paul Gill Optician, you see the UK statistics as well as “15 Eye-Opening Stats You Didn’t Know About Your Peepers”.

A 2010 survey reported that in the US, 2.07 millions were suffering from advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration and it is expected to increase to 5.44 million in 2050 (statistics are from the National Eye Institute). Learning more facts about our eyes can help us to protect them better.

Sue’s New Page 1/31/2017

On January 26th, we had this comment on the website: “Hey, Sue: Why will there be a time you will have to leave your job? Could you do it if you knew braille, for instance? There must be more modifications and more technology that can come to your assistance to keep you employed. And doesn’t the ADA require your employer to provide you with needed assistance and training (braille classes)?”  (Thanks for this Melinda)

Here’s the first of 2 pages with her response.

About the ADA

Highlight: Here’s a GREAT website especially for those with wet AMD

Lin/Linda here: Every once in a while I find a website and/or Facebook page that stands out.  Here’s one of those.

The website and Facebook page are called The Science of AMD: Our vision is to save your vision.  It is presented by the Amgiogenesis Foundation. Their headquarters are in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Click here to go to the website. From there, you can connect to Facebook, Twitter or YouTube using icons in the upper right corner.

What is angiogenesis? From the website: “Angiogenesis is the process used by the body to grow blood vessels. In healthy adults, normal angiogenesis occurs in healing wounds and reproduction, but in all other situations, it is abnormal.”

It’s what causes wet AMD: “Wet AMD is caused by abnormal angiogenesis, when new vessels grow under the macula, disrupting the central region of the retina. These new blood vessels bleed and leak fluid, causing the macula to bulge or lift up from its normally flat position, impairing central vision. If left untreated, scar tissue can form, and central vision is irreversibly lost.” 

What’s so special about the website?
  • From a design standpoint, you can change the size of the font and the color of the font & background, you can choose a version of the site in any of 7 languages as depicted by flags, it’s easy to navigate.
  • Format of content includes printed text, videos, audio, graphics, PDF files and more.
  • This is not just for the US, there are resources available for other countries as well.
What information can I find there?

There’s a menu with Learn, Treat, Resources, Connect, About, Donate.  I suggest you start at Learn!   The emphasis is on how angiogenesis causes wet AMD and what can be done to treat it.

OK, now go and explore! Let me know what you think!