Surprise Diagnosis!

I was 75 years old at the time and had never noticed any unusual issues with my vision other than needing glasses/contacts to improve vision. I had skipped my annual eye exam during the pandemic, after all my prescription had not changed for years. When that had passed I scheduled an exam.

I couldn't read the eye chart

At the beginning of the testing, the test was being done by covering one eye, then the other, and reading a typical eye chart. After covering my right eye and being told to read the chart I couldn’t see anything.

It seemed like a joke; I laughed and said, “Are you kidding?” Red Alert: They weren’t kidding! I had lost the vision in the center of my left eye and not noticed anything wrong.

A diagnosis of macular degeneration

My doctor confirmed that I had macular degeneration in my left eye. To say I was stunned would be a huge understatement!

It's been 4 years since then, and I do notice low vision, but just normally going about my daily routine and wearing glasses, I see very well. My doctor said that sometimes the good eye takes over and vision seems ok.

How my life has been impacted

Now that I’m aware of my condition, I can tell something is “off.” Fortunately I’m legal to drive thanks to the “good” right eye.

The ways my life has been affected include compromised depth perception, inability to adjust to change in light (coming inside from bright sun to a more dim area), inability to tolerate very bright sunlight, no driving at night, and just knowing that I’m compromised.

I'm still thankful

I am hugely thankful for the vision I have and realize that it could be worse. I get injections in my good eye every 6 to 8 weeks in an effort to keep what I’ve got. Not fun, but it’s the only way I can possibly retain my present vision.

That’s my story, and I tell everyone I speak to: “Don’t EVER skip your annual eye exam!”