How bad will this get? What to do about lighting?
Dear Friends
I am new to the group and have not written beyond my initial contact because using my computer is difficult. I have multiple eye conditions which include advance dry AMD and GA. I was under the impression that my condition was so advanced, it would not get much worse. Well, to say that was wrong is an understatement. In the past few months, my vision has declined from week to week. Things I could see the prior week, I could not see the following week. Each week has fewer things within my vision. I thought I was coping and learning to live with this condition but the last few weeks have been really tough on my state of mind. I keep flirting with depression on top of the extreme frustrations I normally encountered. I have to talk myself into refusal to get depressed.
My retina specialist keeps telling me more light and magnification. That is the answer.
Let’s talk about magnification first. That seldom helps with anything. The assistance derived from magnification is minuscule in most cases. I now have a collection of magnifying lens in every power imaginable.
Light – there is never enough light or too much light. I have experimented with just about every type of light, various lumens, various kelvins, and combinations of them. I have purchased more flashlights, task lights, floor lamps, in the past two years than I have in my lifetime and I am 75 years of age. I have had an electrician come out and changed overhead lighting and nothing has worked. I feel like I am in a dark cave all the time with only a candle for illumination.
Using my desktop computer, . . . . .
That is like looking at very light gray type on a white background. No matter how BIG the type, I can’t see it on the white background. I have tried using Windows 11 accessibility tools with just new frustrations and they don’t work inside the programs I use the most in my daily life. I still use AOL, yes, and I use a black background and that helps. I also use “Read Aloud” often but again, it is not available inside some programs.
The biggest problem using the computer is seeing icons, menus, pull-down menus, etc. The body is usually affected by the tools I have found but they don’t have any effect upon the menu bar and other menu items.
The computer is a big part of my daily life due to being a “shut-in”. I order my groceries online, my prescription drugs, pay my bills, email my out of state friends, etc.
I would love to hear from the community not only about the specifics I mentioned above but also what you can and can no longer see. What are your biggest obstacles?
I would list some of mine but it would make this post much too long. Here is just one.
Television in my house is now “radio”. I can’t see anything so I listen to old shows where I can recognize the actors voices.
Hi
. Welcome to the community! My heart goes out to you. This must all be a very difficult adjustment. Do your other eye conditions also impact your vision? For instance, do you have cataracts? I ask because some solutions for people who only have macular degeneration won't be effective in combination with other conditions. So, it might help to know, especially if we have other members with the same combination.
Are you happy with the treatment plan from your current retinal specialist? Even if you are satisfied, it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion about treatment. Sometimes, a different perspective can be helpful and it's often appreciated by the primary doctor.
Here is a link to information about the National Federation of the Blind: https://maculardegeneration.net/living/national-federation-blind-services. They might have services that can help. I hope others who are struggling with similar issues jump in here with their own experiences. Please know that we're here for you. Gentle hugs. - Lori (Team Member)Hello Light my Way,
I'm also in advanced AMD, Had cataracts removed from both eyes; first eye went great but second wiped out its central vision. On a vision test all I see with that eye is a blank white screen.
For reading, I have a full size video magnifier and a handheld video magnifier. They're not cheap ($4,000 for full size that also reads and $800 for the handheld with a distance camera; that let's me read the hanging aisle signs in grocery stores. Amazing. You can google "Clover 6 video magnifier" for info. (There are cheaper versions that do less) The Low Vision store in St. Paul, MN has them in case you're in that general area. Great store.
I also have something called a bookmark light - got it at Target in the book section (under $20). Little handheld thing, or you can clip on the book. Don't know what kind of light they use in these video aids, but they work better than any of the bulbs in lamps, overhead lights, or flashlights. Nothing irritates me more than these digital things that have black print on a gray background - couple of thermostats that I was absolutely unable to read, even using one of the little flashlights that I have everywhere. One day, happened to grab the little bookmark light & was shocked that the thermostat was easily readable, so use that all the time now for that as well as reading large enough print. Also discovered, again accidentally, that the light from my 2 video magnifiers is sometimes sufficient to enable to read from the book itself without looking at the magnifier screen.
For computer:
I'm glad you've discovered color inversion (white print on black background). That and touch screen magnification have been my biggest help with the computer. I make sure I have the brightness as high as possible for the white print. Only time I use full color is for photos/movies I want to watch. Watching movies on my computer is MUCH clearer - better than watching on a TV. It's the one time smaller is better than larger.
For sizing on toolbars, that can be enlarged. It requires going into the settings. For the longest time I had trouble finding the little cursor arrow. Finally googled one day to see if it could be enlarged, and voila, I now have a large arrow! With your vision as poor as it is, can you get someone to do it for you? They can google "how to change print size of toolbars/cursor arrow on my ________ computer" (you'll need to fill in the blank. I have a Chromebook so that's different from the type of computer you have).
So far my peripheral vision is holding up, so walking around is no issue. But have to renew my driver's licence this month & am really worried I may not pass the vision test. I drive very little anymore.
Another fairly recent development is difficulty seeing food on my plate clearly. And couple that with shaking hands (I'm 86 yrs old) and it can get embarrassing. I like finger food in a restaurant!!! Good old hamburger and fries 😀
I use bump dots several places - eg. on the computer's "a" and "p". Once I get my pinkies there, the rest of the fingers are off and running. Always liked typing.These are some great recommendations! Thanks for sharing what works for you. Best wishes. Lori (Team Member)
