Has AMD been impacting your mental health?
How has your mental health been lately since your AMD diagnosis?
Do you feel stress or worry about your condition progressing?
How do you manage the tough days? Feel free to share any self-care tips for our community!
I am by nature a positive person. Even so, I have my anxious times because of my diagnosis. I recently had my annual eye exam by my optometrist. I was anxious the day of the exam. My biggest fear is the loss of my drivers license. Whenever I feel fearful or anxious I turn to my faith in God. I read the Bible, spend time in prayer, & sing hymns. This always restores my peace of mind. I know I will be okay. Sharon Moore 
I too get anxious on “regular” check ups for the very same reason. Renewal of my drivers license is in 2027. Worry and wonder how I will be seeing then…
I am going in to try to get a driver’s license again. I passed the DMV vision test, despite the fact that the vision in my left eye is 20/600. The right eye is thankfully 20/25. A vitrectomy a year ago resulted in a premature cataract developing in the left eye. If I somehow pass the driving test, I will not drive at night. I have very poor night vision in both eyes. After cataract surgery this summer the vision in the left eye might be much better. The lack of night vision is not going away.
I will never be able to drive to my appointments for the shots I get in my eyes for macular degeneration. I can’t see properly after the shots for at least 8 hours.
I also get headaches from how bad the vision in my left eye is. I can’t read with my left eye. I am very limited in what I can do with tools or anything requiring binocular vision at close range, so I am unable to fix anything small that gets broken. For example, I dropped my glasses and a lense fell out. Although I had a jeweler’s screwdriver and an extra screw, I could not put my glasses back together. I used to be able to do that. My workaround is to never leave home without a spare pair of glasses.
When I first learned I had dry AMD, 8 yrs ago, it didn't impact my life in any way. But time marches on and it is a progressive disease. I developed GA in the last 2 yrs and that's when life impacting changes occurred. Handing over my car keys occurred last August. I knew my depth perception was not first rate and felt that if any animal, or heaven forbid a person, darted out from the right side (my bad eye) I might not see in time. My driver's license doesn't expire for two years, but for safety purposes, I knew it was time. Being dependent changes one's mood for certain.
As luck would have it, we moved to an independent senior living community 8 months ago. If my husband isn't able to take me somewhere, there is a transportation service. They provide weekly trips to the grocery store and anywhere else you may need to go...a nice safety net! When dealing with progressing GA, I think you have to find the things that lead you into a state of contentment. It's very challenging for me to read. If I choose to do that, I need lots of extra light and a lighted magnifier. Audio books (magazines too) hae been a saving grace and they are free through the National Library of Congress. I also like to do artwork which I can still manage with lots of light and magnification. If I could convince myself to go 'abstract' with art, I wouldn't even need that help...LOL!
I have suggested starting a support group here in our new community for those with low vision. This idea came to me after a recent function where I shared a table with 8 residents, 4 of them having AMD. Medically, I can only address GA with my retinal specialist's guidance, but personally, I can take control over the activities which bring a smile to my face😀Adjusting to all the changes is still a daily challenge and some days I feel more adjusted than others! Finding something to do that you enjoy is the key to a certain level of contentment. It's always a work in progress. I'll be interested to hear about your talking scale. We have a digital one with a 1" neon green read-out which is very easy for me to see😀 I plan to write an article about the challenges making sourdough with vision loss. I will definitely talk about the talking scale. Warmly, Sharon Moore patient leader
, , Good for you, girls! Keep positive and adapt and adjust! So happy there are 'new fangled' products our there and new solutions and opportunities such as changing your painting style! Matisse changed his art after his vision went. ( what Matisse came up with was revolutionary, a completely new form! ) Good luck to you both, keep painting and baking. 👩🍳👩🎨❤ thank YOU for your encouragement. It’s been a frustrating week trying to learn something new when I can’t see. I am so excited about getting a talking scale. I love the new technologies we have now with more on the horizon. Warm thoughts, Sharon Moore patient leader
