Our Dry Macular Degeneration Experience

by Helen Ireland
(Nelspruit, South Africa)

Seven years ago at the age of 70 my husband had a macular hole operation but, as we had been warned, the macular hole repaired and the degeneration didn’t.

Two years ago in a period of less than 4 months the second eye went from 85% vision to not being able to see well enough to drive.

I of course, not being of the same gene pool, didn’t for a moment think I would have a problem. I am now 75 and when I went to have cataracts sorted recently I was diagnosed with age related macular degeneration (AMD). It was a great shock to us both.

We have been very fortunate to have been given a video magnifier which my husband has learned to use to read books and do crosswords.

He watches television through a pair of double glasses – Magnatel which claims to be the ultimate hands-free magnifying system. They can be focused depending on how far away you sit from the television. He also uses binoculars to look at the birds and see the wonderful view from our deck.

It is a great comfort to us to know that there are so many others in the same position and that there is a wonderful person like Leslie working to pass on as much information to us as she can. After searching many sites I was very fortunate to find this one.