What Changes with a Macular Degeneration Diagnosis?

Person hiking and looking at a map
Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    Perspective and Perception with Macular Degeneration

    March of 2019 was the beginning of my new way of living. That is, of course, when I found out I was living with myopic degeneration. There had been signs a few years prior, signs I did not heed (as I discovered – and now regret).

    Constantly struggling with the right lighting to be able to read comfortably was one sign. Nighttime driving was slowly becoming more and more uncomfortable. I just could not see clearly, both in my immediate surroundings and in the case of my vision health.

    That hidden trail of breadcrumbs was showing me the path of things to come all along, and I had no idea until it was almost too late.

    The “Ah-ha” moment

    When it became obvious that something was amiss, other than loss of vision due to age, when the wavy lines and cloudy vision appeared, I knew there was more to this story. The proper diagnosis reaffirmed my suspicion, and the “ah-ha!” moment made itself known. The lifetime of extreme nearsightedness directed me to where I am at this time, and then the curtain was pulled back.

    The awareness of just what was wrong is somewhat reassuring after all. Not that I am glad I have this diagnosis, but that it had a name and there are resources to work through it and hopefully maintain my current vision.

    Day-to-day

    I do not have a lot to complain about with regards to where my vision is. I can do almost anything I need or want to do. Oh, but night driving, nope, avoid that most times, but I always have.

    I spend my time reading and creating art, be it painting or drawing. I enjoy walks and am in the process of rediscovering yoga and stationary bike riding. There is the love of cooking and baking that I have always enjoyed (and passed on to my children). And, of course, the deliciousness of eating my creations as well.

    My days are filled, and I can honestly say all is well.

    The challenges

    Lately, I have started to see some challenges in those day-to-day activities. I am starting to be very cautious with my steps when doing simple things like hiking or walking. What I see to step over or down may not actually be as true as it appears. With regards to my art, I have added more lighting to my workspace that in years past would have been overkill.

    Recently I was cooking and what I saw when I went to strain the pineapples from the juice was almost disastrous. The small strainer was clearly upside down, but not clear to me. Not anything super frightening – just gives pause, to take a minute and discover how this new world is coming together.

    It is all about perspective and perception

    My perception of any given thing is clearly my ability to see it, hear it, or to be aware of something. When you take away a part of the ability to see any given thing, it presents challenges, and your perception can change entirely.

    Side note: Just to make things interesting, of course, I also wear hearing aids. Adding another complication on top of that can always mess with your perception of any situation as well. Using one’s senses is how we navigate through our day, and I am juggling issues with two out of five. Not a great fraction.

    Perspective, for me, relates to the attempts to give the right impression of height, width, depth, and position in regards to the world around me. It can be something as immaterial as a particular attitude towards a task or a way of regarding something: a point of view.

    In other words, struggling with poor vision while trying to navigate the world and create art as I once did can hamper my perspective of any given task. Frustrations can arise easily while I struggle to keep the world easily perceived and my art aesthetically accurate.

    My view

    These are my views presently, my look out of the world from my little world. More lighting, be it at my art space or in the kitchen. Walking sticks for hiking and slowing down the pace to ensure safety. It also entails relinquishing my night driving to a husband that really does not mind it. All things considered, not such a bad view after all.

    This article was published on April 1, 2021, by MacularDegeneration.net and authored by Debbie Havens.  To read the original article, you can visit this link – https://bit.ly/3uVpn97

     

    If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, we have created this free resource to help <click here> to download your copy.

    About New England Low Vision and Blindness

    New England Low Vision and Blindness uniquely brings hope through technology, training, and care.  We are a full-service assistive technology rehabilitation training provider. We offer nearly 100% of all major electronic low vision, blindness, and software products. and have two (2) assistive technology showroom centers – one in Worcester, MA, and a second in Shelton, CT.

    At each of our technology showrooms, we provide ‘patient choice’ showcasing numerous technology options from the world’s most respected suppliers, all in line with one’s individualized budgetary limits and personal, educational or professional goals. We also provide custom training solutions and troubleshooting support.

    Widely known, tested, and trusted throughout New England, our team brings 75+ years of low vision experience. Our talent, technology, and training offerings are unmatched and highly respected. We are an extremely unique and extraordinary resource for anyone suffering from vision loss in New England. We are here to help.

    Through our free demonstrations – either at one of our conveniently located assistive technology showrooms or in their home, office or school – clients experience a relaxed 2-hour free personal demonstration of almost 100% of all low vision and blindness technologies available on the market.

    To learn more about how we Bring Hope to people who are blind or with low vision, contact a Technology Specialist at New England Low Vision and Blindness please call our toll-free number 888-211-6933 or email us at info@nelowvision.com.  You can also use the form below to request information about our services or a free demonstration on any of our products:

    Post Page Form
    Address (Required if requesting a brochure)
    City
    State/Province
    Zip/Postal

    Request Information

    Post Page Form
    Address (Required if requesting a brochure)
    City
    State/Province
    Zip/Postal