New treatments coming for macular degeneration

[melaniej65]

No Kudzu~

I know that you have been fighting for your sight for such a long time. I also know the pain of straining to see and having the worst headaches because I was so very afraid of the coming darkness.

If you haven't already been in contact with the NLB ( National Library for the Blind and Handicapped) you should do so. It does take some getting used to going from the written word to the spoken word, but it has saved me from so many long, long hours without books. The books are now digital and can be downloaded instantly from the library site. You can have a machine for your nightstand or you can download the app for iOS or android.

Have you played around with the screen reader that most tablets or computers have under their accessibility functions; this allows me to function online and helps to keep me connected to the outside world.

There are so many things that can make our lives easier and that can help you to save your precious remaining sight. I am totally blind and the difference between what was available when I started losing my sight in 1995 and what is now available is simply amazing. Nothing can ever make up for the loss of vision, but there are things that can make things easier.

Regards,

Melaniej65

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

Strange to see this thread more than 3 years after I started it. Guess I'm going close to 8 years now getting injections in my eyeballs every 4-6 weeks.
My eyes burn and itch all the time and the floaters are terrible...that or I have the busiest flies in the world hanging around my head.

I really have to limit my computer time. Eyes get really painful and vision is shot. Haven't driven in almost 3 years as I just don't feel safe. I hate the lack of independence!

But I can still see and my Kindle means I can read. I can't see anything smaller than size 18 font which means no large print books. If kindle doesn't increase its font size soon I'm up the creek.

My doctor tells me I will more than likely receive shots for the rest of my life. I'm 70 now. Each visit is between $5-$6k depending on which drug they use. Medicare and BCBS Federal are my lifeline. I'm more fortunate than most.

It sounds terrible. I should never complain about the negative outcome of my cataract surgery again--at least I can still see during the day with glasses. My cousins's friend with Macular Degeneration is in his early 80s now and will have to stop driving, which will be a distinct hardship since his wife is 100% dependent on him. And he lives very close to Boston where those stem cell studies are being done. I guess he must know about them but maybe he doesn't qualify.

He's had the shots for quite a few years and they have somewhat delayed it from getting worse.

[Tantalust]

Implantable telescopes may be available soon.

Implantable Telescope - Macula Vision Research Foundation

[no kudzu]

so scary

Doctors say Florida stem cell clinic left 3 women blind - CBS News