Wellness

[Kachina624]

@Flatbush.  Every state should have an agency to serve the visually impaired.  My state provided all sorts of recorded books and devices to make life easier at little or no cost.  Check your phone book or online under "state government".  The even have a store in Albuquerque. 

Both my parents had AMD and eventually became legally blind.  I retired and moved close to them to help and drive them since the lost their driver's licenses.  Now both my sister and I have both been diagnosed with macular.  We've both taken Presser Vision Areds2 for years and it seems to be staving off serious vision problems, at least so far.

[We rescue cats]

I have Diabetic Macular Edema in my left eye, I was diagnosed over 2 years ago and started treatments for it, my shots were just changed from Avastin to Vabysmo 4 months ago and the difference has be staggering. I also take the Presser Vision Areds2, my vision has improved tremendously with the Vabysmo.

[Flatbush]

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@colleena wrote:

@Flatbush  Arent libraries wonderful w/what they offer.  

Are you able to get the shots to help w/your macular degeneration?  A friend of mine has been having them done in her one eye for about the last 6 months & they are working.

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Yes, they are certainly keeping up with the times and then some. So helpful in so many ways.

I do get the "eye jabs" from  the Retina Specialist.

Unclear exactly what they actually do tho.

That was like crossing The Rubicon for me .

I couldn't even imagine what that would be like.

I still try to NOT think about it...ugh.

Glad they are helping your friend.

That is good news.

[Flatbush]

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@AngelPuppy1 wrote:

@Flatbush 

I am so glad that you found these services!  I don't know what kind of macular you have - the wet kind or the other one.  I forget which one is worse.  My mother had the worst kind.  She got shots for her eyes and they helped for a long time.  I wish you the best!  

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I have wet ( the kind that has "progressed" from dry ) in one eye and the other is still at the moment dry.

I  have Myopic Mac.D. Sounds like some kind of a ham burger... :-)

Glad the shots helped your Mother live her best life.

For now, I am managing.

Thank you.

[Flatbush]

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@Eileen in Virginia wrote:

A friend of mine recently found out that she now has macular degeneration in her second eye, making reading very difficult. She's gotten a lot of support from the National Lighthouse for the Blind. Her ophthalmologist also lent her a scanner for her desktop that magnifies the screen, enabling her to read her emails. Her son bought one for her for Christmas and it has really helped her. Hope this helps.

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It sounds as if your friend may now be considered legally blind.

So glad she is getting help and a wonderful Christmas present.

How kind of her ophthalmologist!

It must be so hard for her to reach this point in the disease.

It is the point we all dread.

I am amazed at the fighting spirit of so many, even if they suffer the full brunt of it.

[Flatbush]

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@CelticCrafter wrote:

Wet Macular Degeneration is treatable, not curable.  The shots slow the progression.

Dry/Age Related is not treatable.

Be mindful of the shots, they can cause cataracts.  My husband has Diabetic Macular Edema in one eye.  That's they eye that had the cataract that went from "you're starting to get a cataract to him not being able to see out of that eye within 6 months.

His other eye is fine and no cataract.

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How awful that the surgery would cause him such eye damage in a relatively short time.

Glad he has good vision in the other eye.

Wishing him stability that allows him decent vision.

.

[Flatbush]

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@bmorechick wrote:

@Flatbush  Both of my parents had macular degeneration - dad wet, mom dry.  Mom never received any treatment for the dry.  She died at 92 with decent eyesight!  

Dad was diagnosed at 90 with wet MD.  He received the shots until about age 96, until his overall health failed and he could no longer tolerate them. However, he would get them every 3 to 6 months and his eyesight was pretty good.  My parents never wore glasses all the time.  Both would wear cheaters to read and both had what they called "my tv glasses."  The shots do help so yes, there is help and hope!

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Good to hear that your  Dad had good eye sight in spite of his diagnosis, and your Mother too.

No glasses, now that is amazing.

My wet eye has really caused me the worst problem so far. Everything I see out of that eye is wonky. That's the simplest way to describe it i.e. a cartoony view of the world.

[Flatbush]

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@chessylady wrote:

I have early macular degeneration which has not affected my vision yet. My Dad had wet macular degeneration and received shots in his eyes. I have my eyes checked annually and have retinal scans in both eyes. The treatment for me is to eat colorful vegetables and take Preservision which is the only eye vitamin scientifically proven to slow macular degeneration. I am 75 years old and if need be in the future, will take the shots.

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It seems common that a factor in this disease is genetic. Good that you are keeping up with getting your eyes checked. It never entered my mind tho.

I believe my Mom had it in her later years. Also I see where light eyes are more vulnerable. I have green eyes and Mom had blue.

Hope you continue to have healthy eyes.

Yes, taking the shots when recommended is the only thing to do. I mean what other choice is there?

[Flatbush]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@Flatbush.  Every state should have an agency to serve the visually impaired.  My state provided all sorts of recorded books and devices to make life easier at little or no cost.  Check your phone book or online under "state government".  The even have a store in Albuquerque. 

Both my parents had AMD and eventually became legally blind.  I retired and moved close to them to help and drive them since the lost their driver's licenses.  Now both my sister and I have both been diagnosed with macular.  We've both taken Presser Vision Areds2 for years and it seems to be staving off serious vision problems, at least so far.

Sounds like a strong genetic factor here. Glad to hear that what actions you both are taking seem to be keeping you well.

I hope it continues.

Your parents were so fortunate to have you there to help them, esp. since they could not drive.That is only one of the dire results of the disease. It breaks my heart when I go to some of my forums re this to see what impact this has had on their lives and their families and friends.

Yes, there is help in my state too, even the Library of Congress !

I am not legally blind, just impaired at thsi time, so  I will wait to see what happens in my future before applying.

So far I am managing albeit limping along...

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[Flatbush]

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@Still Raining wrote:

Best wishes for successful treatment.  I know I treasure my sight.

I love Libby for all my down loads but have not ventured into audio.  A round of applause for our local library services.

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Yes Libby helps many, not only the impaired.

I was talking to some people who use it and listen to books on the car radio or ear buds.

Thank you for the Best wishes too.