How did I know I needed help?

I have a macular hole in my right eye as the result of a childhood injury. When I was in my 50s, my eyesight changed. I needed cataract and laser surgeries in both eyes. I depended on my left eye and lived an active lifestyle.

When I turned 70 and my eyesight changed again. The first indication was when I was leaving the store when I was stopped by a glass door. I thought nothing of it; anyone could make that mistake. But the next day, a friend called out to me after I walked right past her. She looked puzzled when I told her the room was not very bright. But a few days later, as I tried to sit on the bench at the bus stop and landed on the ground. I felt as if these were warning signs that things had changed.
I made an appointment with my optometrist, and she told me that my eyesight had indeed changed. She made a referral to an ophthalmologist. After several tests, the ophthalmologist gave me the sad news. I have wet macular degeneration and there was no cure. He told me that he would refer me to a retina specialist if my eyesight got worse.

I have lived long enough to know that I would find strategies to adjust. My optometrist gave me an over-the-counter prescription that is working fine. Although I love to read, I listen to books on tape. I feel the bench at the bus stop to make sure I do not end up on the ground. I feel counter surfaces when reaching for objects. I use the rails when walking up or down stairs. I copy and paste text into documents and make the text bold. I print and enlarge the text for recipes and articles I want to read. I wear bifocal sunglasses when I go outside.

My life has not changed very much since I got MD; I just altered my activities. As a result, I feel confident, I have supportive friends and family members, and I am an independent senior.