Hi Stella,

Firstly I want to communicate how sorry I am that this is happening to your sister-in-law. All the adaptive aids in the world can never take away from the fact that there's no substitute for actual eyesight, and its loss is life altering in direct proportion to the speed and severity with which it takes place.

My problem isn't macular degeneration, but I do know a bit about it from my work as a medical language specialist and my general interest in vision loss. The bad news with age-related macular degeneration is that it's progressive. It isn't a matter of whether vision loss will occur but how quickly and to what degree. There are two types:

Dry macular degeneration - characterized by degeneration of the part of the retina that affects central vision (macula) without leaking of the normal blood vessels of the eye. The dry form is usually slower to progress and less likely to lead to serious or complete vision loss.

Wet macular degeneration - characterized by growth of abnormal and leaky blood vessels in the affected eye. The wet form progresses more quickly and can lead to significant vision loss. Sometimes the dry form evolves into the wet form.

As you can see, these are not glad tidings. However, early detection can be quite helpful in slowing down the progression of the disorder. Macular degeneration is so common that any ophthalmologist will be well versed in preserving vision for as long as possible. Unfortunately, medicine doesn't yet know how to fix a broken retina. My suggestion would be not to stop seeing the eye doctor, as he or she knows how to slow things down, which is pretty much the only defense available.

Again, please accept my deepest sympathy here. This is going to be a personal journey of pain and loss for your sister-in-law. I've always believed that vision loss is much harder to cope with when it occurs in an adult accustomed to the blessings that eyesight affords. If it turns out that she has the wet form of AMD, it will be that much more difficult for her, but there is plenty of help available to cope with vision loss. I can work, read, surf the web, use a mobile phone, etc.  There are people with no sight at all doing all kinds of things from programming to gourmet cooking. Good cases in point are Saqib Shaikh, and Christine Ha.

My situation is a bit different, as I've been coping with vision loss all my life, but there was a time when I could see pretty well, and I know what it means to lose that. She can learn to cope. The human spirit is more resilient than most realize. She may not have to worry about total or even significant vision loss, depending on what form of AMD she has.

I wish I had better info than that. I'm so sorry.

Hi Stella,

I am so sorry to hear about your sister-in-law's diagnosis.  It is hard to feel so helpless when you badly want to help someone.  Sometimes I wonder if it is worse to be the person with the affliction or the person caring for them.  Especially after I see what the last year and a half has done to my husband and my mom.  :(  I'm sure it means a lot to your sister-in-law that you are there for her to encourage, support and pray for her.

My grandma had Macular Degeneration.  She never lost her sight totally, but one of her favorite things was reading and she wasn't able to do that anymore.  But then she discovered a company which did talking books, so she adapted that way.  And it meant so much to her that when she passed, my mom asked people to donate to that company in lieu of flowers.

My mom, 13 years ago, had a macular hole in her eye, which was really scary.  She had a major surgery on her eye to repair it.

So, with that in my family, I make sure I go annually to the eye doctor, and make sure they know that history.

Thank you so much Tony and Liza for all the information (I didn't realize that there were two types of macular degeneration.)  and your support - especially since Tony, you have experienced vision loss and Liza, you have had personal experience because of your grandmother and mother. It is hard on those of us who love and know Judy. But you have given me the inspiration to do as much research as possible so that I can understand what she may be going through. 

 Thanks again and God bless,

Stella

Stella, send me a PM if you ever have questions related to vision loss or need clarification on anything like that. That goes for all of you. Blindness is one of the most feared disabilities. In my experience, folks don't fear to the same degree deafness or even paraplegia or most other disabilities that don't involve vision loss, with the exception of quadriplegia, because of the prevalent misconception that if you're blind you can't do anything. The cure for fear is reassurance, and information and education have great power to provide that.

Thanks, Tony. I certainly will do so.

I started doing my research and have come to understand more fully what this disease does. The one thing I have learned to my amazement was that the same anti-inflammatory foods I eat to help fight off cancer, are also used to help slow down the progression of macular degeneration. In this way, I might be able to help my sister-in-law with some recipes. The interesting thing is that by combining certain foods, the body receives even more benefits - both in helping to stave off  cancer and macular degeneration. 

Have a great day!

Stella

Hello Stella...I'm so sorry.  I could read most of this enough at the time you posted it, but the inflammation in my eyes made it difficult to look at the screen. Tony is right, I for one fear blindness as the worst thing to deal with in life, right next to being widowed too young.  I love colours and would dread loosing the ability to see them, not to mention the faces of children. The only consolation would be for me is that I do know what colours look like and can compare them to things we eat too. I would so miss the fall colours.  Tony, I think of  and the other fellow here, you often about these things.  Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for the sight I do have.

Stella, I cannot say - how sadly I feel for your sister in-law.  She has a road to travel & your support will be important to her in many ways. I hope she is a believer as well,  God has led me thru many horrid things in life and I know He can help her too if only to bring comfort.  My dear friend has six children and now many grands.  She has had MD and three of her children do also. I was with her the day she was refused renewal of her drivers license because of this.  She was in such emotional pain &  it impacted me deeply.  She teaches music and choir & home schooled every one of their children.  

Things for her changed when she contacted the  "The  Canadian Institute for the Blind". Her eye specialist should be able to give her contact info for one in your area and hopefully State. I believe Knowledge Is Power and the key to tossing fear to the side as much as possible.  My friend has a special  magnifying glass she can wear as a necklace & she used it often and loved the help it provided, they taught her many things to help her , and her family also, to cope with her individual issues. I along with other friends stepped up to help drive so the kids activities were not interrupted & wherever else we could, and in time she was able to accept not being able to drive anymore, but it was a very difficult issue for her, and very understandably so. Penny still teaches music & sings like a bird, she even now has a few Church related CD's out.

About those recipes and foods, I would sure be interested in trying anything that would help with inflammation, especially for my eyeballs. If its okay with Eric, would you consider posting a few here and the foods too. I have read the book, Foods that Harm & Foods that Heal, not sure if that's the actual title,  a long time ago, but I don't remember a lot.  I do the best I can with the info I have and really love Blueberries and Turmeric. Please give your sister in-law a hug from me and tell her I am praying for her too.  

Linda