Macula Vision Research Foundation

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Staying Active After the Diagnosis of Macular Degeneration

Life changes and the changes that accompany the diagnosis of macular degeneration are striking. Although it is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over age 55, surprisingly is not yet a word in every day language. When most people are diagnosed, they are hearing the words for the first time and do not know people who have the disease. People can still:

• Entertain. You can’t bake the pie – buy the pie; can’t roast the turkey, buy it roasted: but have all the people you love in one room at special times.
• Do things with your grandchildren. Large Scrabble, large playing cards, large chess and checkers. Use bird-watching binoculars to find that kid that you love on the baseball diamond, soccer field, etc.
• Keep in touch with family and friends – It costs about $6,000 - $8,000 per year to run your car! Once you cannot drive it is devastating, but please consider what you are not spending and use some of that money for a cab if you cannot get a ride. If someone picks you up with great regularity, take that person to lunch, fill up a family member’s gas tank every once in a while.
• Volunteer at your church or synagogue Answer the phone, welcome people at an event, separate clothes at the clothing drive – you can see the difference between a pair of pants and a dress. According to The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research, volunteers “help” themselves to better health while helping others. There was a significant connection between volunteering and good health.
• Sing in the choir, play with your chamber music group by taking the music to Staples, Office Depot, etc. and blowing it up on their large photocopy machine - you can make it darker on those machines, as well.
• Buy a small tape recorder and record stories from your childhood for your family members.
• Take courses Continuing education, non-credit courses or classes taken after “formal education” are available at a wide variety of settings: universities, community colleges, non-profit agencies, Elderhostel, etc. Course descriptions are available in large-print and books or materials for courses are often available in large-print editions.
• Join a gym Research has consistently shown that physical activity can help prevent cardiovascular disease, keep weight, blood pressure, cholesterol in check and maintain strength – exercise is also good for your “eye-health,” the social interaction at a gym is also very healthy.
• Stay a member of your book club You may not be able to read the book, but you can listen to it on tape and stay a participating member of the group.
• Do puzzles There are large-print word-search and puzzle books. Sudoku is published in large print, too.
• Play bridge Use large playing cards and hang a magnifier around your neck. Your partner only has to tell you what is in the dummy.

This time of your life is not an ending; instead it is a new beginning. Recognize the transition period as a time of exploration. Loss of sight does not prevent “loss of vision” in exploring and learning about what’s out there. Give yourself the opportunity to develop confidence and feel excited about the possibilities ahead.

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