Get my new Windows 7 eBook (PDF) for $7 with 70+ Tips. Download Now!
Macular Degeneration
Oh boy. If'n this wasn't a great way to start my Friday… a message from my mom:
I had mentioned to Ponzi that I had been to a Retina special last week but really didn't elaborate on what was discovered. I have a dead spot in each eye so, like [grandma] I will probably eventually lose the sight in the center part of my eye. The dead spots will eventually reach into my retina causing the sight loss. The doctor said it could be five, ten or twenty years; nothing is certain. There is nothing known right now that will prevent or cure this. It is a “type” of macular degeneration but it is caused from my nearsightedness unlike macular degeneration that is caused by age. That type they are having progress with in terms of treatment. When you visit your eye doctors, you should tell them macular degeneration caused by nearsightedness is hereditary. And you should go to an eye doctor that will take pictures of your eye so they can watch for this. Maybe in the future they will find a preventative measure for it.
I don't know which is worse: knowing my mom will lose her sight, or knowing that the possibility is there for me to (eventually) lose mine.
Optimize 3.0 is a powerful tool that will allow you to easily manage multiple computers. You can schedule Optimize to run remotely from any computer - anywhere in the World! Save yourself, the IT person, time and money by letting Optimize do the work for you.
7 Comments
Anonymous
March 18th, 2005
at 12:08pm
…..And your children (If you choose to have any)
Anonymous
March 18th, 2005
at 1:32pm
It's unfortunate, especially for those of us who prefer to feel that we have some CONTROL over our own lives, to have to deal with hereditary disorders. However, we quickly learn that there really IS no control over the genetic stuff. It doesn't help to get angry…it doesn't help to get depressed. What DOES help is informing yourself about the disorder and accepting the possibility that you MIGHT be next in line.
I have a genetic neurological disorder that I happened to pass along to all three of my children (beating the odds) because little was known about the disorder when I was a child…a teen…a young adult. Many people who have this disorder these days undergo genetic counseling and are urged to make choices about bringing children into the world based upon current information. However, looking back, if I'd had the chance to to be informed and make a decision…I still would have had all three! They're a joy I would not miss for the world. :)
So, inform yourself and talk to people who HAVE the disorder before making any life-altering decisions.
As far as your headaches go…try this: Feel for the indentations just below the bone and to the right and left of where your spinal column meets your skull. Place your thumbs in the indentations (simultaneously if possible) and apply steady, strong, pressure and hold for at least 20 seconds. Then pull your thumbs away, quickly releasing the pressure. Within a few minutes, you may notice that your headache has eased considerably, or has even disappeared entirely.
Best of everything to you…
Robin
sniesen
March 18th, 2005
at 2:38pm
Take heart. My father suffers from macular degeneration also. It's a slow process. He's nearly 80 and gets around fine.
Lisa
March 18th, 2005
at 6:27pm
My dad has it too and is still seeing fine, etc. On my last eye exam (a month ago) everything was good.
Anonymous
March 20th, 2005
at 1:29pm
http://www.blindness.org
Anonymous
April 24th, 2005
at 7:02pm
Chris, I want to say, first of all, I am legally blind, it is a scary thing to go blind, but if you can get past the fear you will be doing well, I myself have been a fan of yours for almost 4 years, take care and good luck to your Mom.
mschrief
August 1st, 2005
at 5:57am
I was diagnosed 15 years ago with dry MacD. My vision is a bit less than the average person, but I still work/drive/ski/read.
Yep, you'll probably get it, but you can't let it mess your life up.