I Have GA

By GenieGirl

2 min read

Doesn’t “geographical atrophy” sound like it means the world is getting smaller?

Well, in a way it does. GA is advanced MD. And I’ve given up night driving on my own. I used to drive almost 100 miles every week to chorus practice. Now I’ve found other organizations closer to home. And Zoom is a great invention.

Saving vision

I love to drive. It scares me that I may have to be totally dependent on someone else eventually. I’m an avid reader. Thanks to my right eye, which is “saving me” right now according to the doctor, I can still read even the smallest print. But when I do crossword puzzles, I’m often filling in a four-letter answer when it’s actually a six-letter answer.

Writing troubles

I can’t see what I have written while I’m writing it. Needless to say, this leads to some strange handwriting. Luckily, I’ve never had very nice handwriting anyway. When I watch television, I find that sometimes to see an entire face I must look to the side a little, rather than directly at it. The same way when I’m reading the eye charts. Looking straight on with my left eye, I’m not even sure of the “E”! But to look slightly to the right (which I believe is called eccentric vision) I can make out a couple of lines.

My right eye is getting worse

Although to do this, I’m reading the lines backward sometimes. My right eye, which is getting worse, still can read enough that I can drive legally. On the last visit to the specialist, he showed me how bad my vision was allowed to be before I can’t drive.

In a way, it was a relief. But I really don’t think I want to be out there putting myself and others in danger with vision that bad. Just the original diagnosis of AMD probably about ten years ago terrified me. The optometrist told me I’d be blind, and wouldn’t be able to drive, read, watch tv, or recognize faces!

Choose specialists wisely

This disease requires specialists and definitely someone with a little more tact! But he was right. To a point. I’m finding along the way that I have to make some adjustments. I’m used to all strait edges looking a little askew now.

But I’m still me. And I still enjoy my life, even though my “geography” has “atrophied."

Do you have geographic atropy?

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Sharon Moore Moderator
<inline-mention username="GenieGirl" user-id="3111859"/> i appreciate so much you sharing your story about having geographic atrophy. I can see how this diagnosis shrinks your world. My retinal specialist told me at my last visit he thought a treatment for geographic atrophy might be available next year. I am not yet to that point but it’s great to know a treatment is on the horizon if I should need it. I am restricted to daytime driving and I limit daytime driving to familiar areas. I am having difficulty seeing the color green on traffic lights. Luckily there are only two lights in the entire rural county I live in. Warm wishes, Sharon Moore Patient Leader
Mary573290 Member
Five years ago I was diagnosed with AMD. Very myophic from a very young age, but back at that time children often did not get the eye care needed. Did not get glasses until 11. Now after 5 years my vision has declined quickly. My right eye developed wet AMD, but after a year of injections the wet AMD became dormant and is now my good eye. However, both of my eyes have developed GA. In the last 6 months my vision has become worse. I have avoided driving after dark for over a year, expect to surrender my license after my next appointment, cannot read books and newspapers, and all the other classic symptoms of advanced AMD. I try to educated myself on how to live my new life that is coming and reach out for help. Frankly, I struggle to accept my loss of independence from both the small and large things that were a part of life. Just keep praying and put one foot in front of the other each day with a smile!
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Mary573290" user-id="6690574"/> it’s really difficult when one’s vision worsens quickly. For most iOS us the progression is slow allowing us to adapt as it goes along. A good attitude as you have goes along way in helping you cope. If you haven’t already visited a low vision clinic, it’s the perfect time to do so. There are so many visual aides out there to assist you. My retinal specialist thinks the treatment for GA will be available soon. You may be a candidate when it’s available. Warm wishes, Sharon Moore patient leader 
2. abbyschmidt Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Mary573290" user-id="6690574"/> I really admire your optimism, Mary. I can understand that declining vision (quickly!) can be really scary, but I'm glad that you're here to share your experience with others who may be experiencing the very same thing. Here are some articles that I think you may find helpful - <a href='https://maculardegeneration.net/living/driving' target='_blank'>https://maculardegeneration.net/living/driving</a> (an article regarding giving up driving with MD), <a href='https://maculardegeneration.net/video/living-alone-interview' target='_blank'>https://maculardegeneration.net/video/living-alone-interview</a> (an interview with an MD patient who lives alone), <a href='https://maculardegeneration.net/caregiver/ebooks' target='_blank'>https://maculardegeneration.net/caregiver/ebooks</a> (information on electronic books for those with low vision). I hope these are helpful! Wishing you well and please keep us posted on how you continue to feel. Best, Abby (Team member).