Articles

Since I began working as an advocate and writer for the Macular Degeneration community, I have blithely written about the progressive nature of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). I say "blithely"...

Essence Johnson, OD, FAAO, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. Inside and outside of the office, Dr. Johnson...

When I had my last dogs, we were walking and the coyotes were howling on the hillside. When the coyotes started excitedly barking and yipping, my dogs both did a...

Ask questions — lots of questions. Never be reluctant to share your experiences about age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or to voice your fears and concerns. This lesson was reinforced by...

In 2017, I went to my optometrist for my annual exam. I wasn’t experiencing any symptoms. After peering into my eyes, he said he saw something that didn’t look normal...

"No one ever injured their eyesight by looking at the bright side of things.” - The Celtic Sage Grey Wolf (UK) Macular degeneration is a lot of things. It is...

At a very early age, I knew that I saw things differently than most. I vividly remember going to the school nurse’s office each year to complete the vision test...

Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by my optometrist. I was about 60 at the time. At this memorable visit, the optometrist advised me...

It's my 10-year anniversary with macular degeneration! It’s hard to believe it’s been over 10 years since I was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). There have been many highs...

We asked our Health Leaders what they wish someone had told them when they were first diagnosed. After looking back on their journeys, they offered their best advice. My advice...

When I was diagnosed in 2019, the word "lucky" never entered my mind. I am sure my first thoughts were, “Why me” and “Now what”, among other seemingly other doomsday...

Are you interested in starting a support group? Figuring out how to begin may feel daunting. It may take you outside of your comfort zone. But anyone can step in...

I am no stranger to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). When I was diagnosed 8 years ago, my mom and sister remarked how lucky I was to have the dry form...

I was diagnosed with myopic macular degeneration (MMD) in 2019. That was the beginning of my new way of living. I began learning about life living with this disease. Early...

Or is it something else? Before retirement, I never seemed to have enough time to do everything I wanted. There was always some fun or interesting activity I just couldn’t...

Living with my wet AMD (age-related macular degeneration) has been a time of adjustment and acceptance. The shock of the diagnosis. The acceptance of the reality of the injections. The...

The famous Impressionist artist, Monet, had serious vision challenges, yet he created masterpieces from what he saw. Following is an excerpt from a poem written about his challenges, which he...

Whether it's the support of loved ones or encouragement from online support groups like this one, asking for help is difficult for many of us. We feel like we should...

I was diagnosed with early dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at age 66. It didn’t come as a big surprise since both my Mom and sister had wet macular degeneration...

My good buddy Jodi took me to Wills Eye Hospital in Philly Tuesday. No worries. It was a good thing and, even though I have not written that page yet...