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Mentor

Low Vision: Let's share about coping day to day

Posted by Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor @dsh33782, Mar 5, 2019

Hello, I just joined. I have low vision due to glaucoma for over 25 years. I no longer drive, need extra light to read anything, and have a lot of trouble with glare. At age 38 in 1983 I was diagnosed with nuclear cataracts at Bascom Palmer and had natural lenses removed without implants due to young age. In 1988 and 1989 I had detachments in both eyes with buckle surgery. Then came the glaucoma. I'm now on 4 different drops – dorzolimide, combigan, lumigan, and rhopressa to keep pressure at 13-14. When the drops quit working, it will be time for more surgery to put in drains. At last visit to Bascom Palmer, they through GATT surgery would probably work. I have lost all central vision in left eye, and have just lower half of field left in right eye but still 20-40 with perfect lighting. I wonder if I can get an IOC thrown in to improve vision for my remaining 15 years or so?

Are there other members of this group interested in discussing "Low Vision" and what it means in terms of coping with day to day challenges as well and the underlying medical causes such as macular degeneration or long term glaucoma as in my case. Today I came across this interesting annoucement about an aware for research in the field of low vision: (Since I can't post link here is the full title of article you can find via Google: ARVO Announces Oberdorfer Award for Low Vision Research Winner
Distinguished award presented to exceptional low-vision researcher "

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Eye Conditions Support Group.

realitytest | @realitytest | May 4, 2022
In reply to @dsh33782 "Latest low vision feedback on event. I went to funeral with my wife Charlotte on Saturday...." + (show)
@dsh33782

Latest low vision feedback on event. I went to funeral with my wife Charlotte on Saturday. The church was dim and I had trouble seeing much at all. Then we went to reception which was also dim so I had trouble recognizing people. I would have been happy to stay home, but I put on a suit and tie and went to honor the family who lost a good husband and father who was only a year older than I am. I wonder how people are totally blind handle such events.

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Or even how YOU would have managed attending without your wife's accompanying you!

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Mentor
Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | May 4, 2022

I would have chosen to not go to funeral or reception if my wife was not going with me. The funeral was for the spouse of a friend of hers that I did not know well. If the funeral was for a good friend or relative and Charlotte was not available, I would consider taking Uber and using my white cane. If I had to fly, I would only go if I could find someone to go with me, as I find airports the absolute worst places to navigate due to glare from large windows making it hard to read signs and gate numbers.

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cmbg | @cmbg | May 26, 2022
In reply to @mazeppabob "I just started following this group. I have had dry MD in both eyes for years...." + (show)
@mazeppabob

I just started following this group. I have had dry MD in both eyes for years. My right eye just turned to wet and I had the first injection a month ago. I get the second this week. So far the injection has not improved anything. I fear getting wet in both eyes and not being able to read or putz with stuff. So far with one half ways decent eye I can still see the computer screen and expand stuff. I sit 8 feet away from a 55 inch TV. I have already given up driving.
I have looked on-line for devices to help with reading and doing everyday tasks. Anything electronic seems extremely expensive. Stronger reading glasses help some but you have to have your face a few inches away and still use a magnifying glass. I have a magnifier app on the phone and tablet which help some. I would really like to know what others do to cope?

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I would love to talk about coping with daily living and low vision. I have dry AMD in both eyes and wet in left, have had injections in left for a year and a half. I’m at a 6-7 week interval. I’m working on getting more high contrast items in my environment. I have a lot of prism in my glasses and that seems to help. What I wonder about, is how people cut their nails. Is there some special fingernail cutting device that helps?

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 18, 2023

Member Spotlights feature interviews with fellow Mayo Clinic Connect members. It's an opportunity to learn more about members you’ve connected with and some you haven’t met yet.

I know many of you in the Eye Conditions support group have exchanged posts with Don, so I thought you'd like to see today's featured Spotlight:
– Everything is as it should be: Meet @dsh33782 https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/everything-is-as-it-should-be-meet-dsh33782/

Find out what Don does in his free time, what brings him to Connect, and other fun facts.

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