by Nancy Alberts
I have early dry AMD in both eyes. I always knew I would get it because all of my mother’s brothers and sisters as well as her mother had it and all eventually had to give up reading and driving. I am 75. I regularly asked the eye doctor about it. I was always myopic and in my forties developed presbyopia. I have worn progressive lenses for many years.
About a year ago my left eye became suddenly much worse and my eye doctor didn’t know why. He sent me to a retinologist who gave me the bad but expected news. I have been seeing the retinologist every three to four months and things have remained stable. I also have floaters which are very gradually fading.
I got new glasses, but the optician could only correct my left eye to 20/40. I have been seeing double since then. I see better if I close my left eye. I’m glad I learned to wink my left eye, but I never could close my right eye. This is difficult to write because I keep seeing the line above. Everything is blurry probably because I am seeing two different images. I am going to ask the retinologist about seeing an optician more experienced in this problem to find out if there is a better solution.
I have early cataracts, but the doctor says surgery will not improve my sight at this point.
I am still driving even though street signs are a little more difficult to read. I’m thinking that I should be planning for transportation problems for the rest of my life. I can’t bear the thought of being housebound.
I am trying to do whatever I can to maintain my eyesight, but I am discouraged and confused by ‘scientific’ studies which conflict with one another. Some are obviously supported by companies that want to sell their product.
I am taking an AREDS2 supplement, eating avocados and eggs and even some fish (which I hate). I eat dark green leafy salads with olive oil which I should be eating anyway.
I have other health problems, including cancer and had a hysterectomy over two years ago. So far, I am in remission, but the cancer competes with the AMD for my worries. I check in with this group every day waiting for the magic bullet to cure AMD.
Nancy Albert is a member of the Facebook Group My Macular Degeneration Journey/al. She is 75, a retired attorney who has 3 children and 7 grandchildren. She rides her horse Rider regularly. She says “I have had cancer and several other health problems which I am learning to live with. I pray every day for a cure for AMD. ”