Macular degeneration

[Speedster]

Got the news from the eye doctor this week I have macular degeneration. Bottom line is there is no cure and you essentially will go blind (peripheral vision only). Right now it is only in one eye - my shooting eye, but most likely will eventually appear in the other eye. I looked online and the prognosis is a 10 year average between diagnosis and blindness. Anybody here have this and how has your experience been?

 

[Pheroze]

My 79 year old hunting partner has it. He complains about floaters. So, hopefully the change will leave you hunting a long time yet!.

 

[thriller]

Just curious it only affects peripheral vision?

 

[CJW]

Just curious it only affects peripheral vision?

It mostly affects your direct field of vision and will leave most people with only or at least stronger peripheral vision than direct forward vision. Your main field of focus will be very blurred or completely gone but it varies person to person.

My grandfather was diagnosed in both eyes in his mid sixties I believe. He lost the ability to do some things effectively but learned to live with it. A few years after it began to affect him he still managed to pick off a groundhog between the pickets of a fence. I guess he turned to my grandma and said, "and they say I can't see". He really was limited of course but somehow compensated to line up those sights and was very pleased with himself, as he should have been.

Sorry for the crap news but stay as positive and as healthy as you can. I know there are some treatments available and of course they advise vitamins but what kind I don't know. It's always been a concern for the later years in my family but maybe it will skip a couple generations.

 

[TOBY458]

Very sorry to hear this. I hope you are able to get out there and do everything you want to do. And hopefully with all the modern technology, they will be able to cure it, before it affects you. Praying for you my friend!

 

[thriller]

It mostly affects your direct field of vision and will leave most people with only or at least stronger peripheral vision than direct forward vision. Your main field of focus will be very blurred or completely gone but it varies person to person.

My grandfather was diagnosed in both eyes in his mid sixties I believe. He lost the ability to do some things effectively but learned to live with it. A few years after it began to affect him he still managed to pick off a groundhog between the pickets of a fence. I guess he turned to my grandma and said, "and they say I can't see". He really was limited of course but somehow compensated to line up those sights and was very pleased with himself, as he should have been.

Sorry for the crap news but stay as positive and as healthy as you can. I know there are some treatments available and of course they advise vitamins but what kind I don't know. It's always been a concern for the later years in my family but maybe it will skip a couple generations.

Thank you for the information.

 

[Tucketed]

@Speedster, do you have wet or dry MD? There are large efforts in correcting right now. I would find the most advanced treatment. If you have to travel you should do it. Like cancer there are places working cutting edge treatment.

 

[Tucketed]

I know Bascom Palmer eye institute at university of Miami is the top eye center in the US

 

[koodoo62]

As a surgeon I can tell you it never ever hurts to get a second opinion. Make sure it is with a fellowship trained retina specialist ophthalmologist. There are many of those across the US and Canada.

 

[YancyW]

I know it is antidotal, but my mother has had it for about 18 years and she can still drive.

 

[R.M.C.]

Sorry about the news!!! You never know it might take 40 more years to really affect anything. Gotta stay positive!!

 

[Vintageguy]

My mother was diagnosed with it at least 15 years ago. She's now 89 and it really hasn't advanced much. She still drives and has little trouble. She wouldn't know she had it if she hadn't been told. Also a work friend of mine was diagnosed probably 20 years ago and he has had the same experience. He's retired and still plays a mean round of golf plus shoots. Both were pretty down when they were told as anyone would be but their condition really hasn't advanced in all this time. I hope your experience is the same.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Do everything you can, and after that be happy. I will send prayers.

 

[flatwater bill]

Speedster........sorry to hear that it is in your dominant eye first. Bummer. A good friend has had to shoot left handed......has given him a few more years of hunting..............best of luck............FWB

 

[Speedster]

Very sorry to hear this. I hope you are able to get out there and do everything you want to do. And hopefully with all the modern technology, they will be able to cure it, before it affects you. Praying for you my friend!

Very much appreciated.

Speedster........sorry to hear that it is in your dominant eye first. Bummer. A good friend has had to shoot left handed......has given him a few more years of hunting..............best of luck............FWB

I already shoot left handed! LOL.

 

[Speedster]

@Speedster, do you have wet or dry MD? There are large efforts in correcting right now. I would find the most advanced treatment. If you have to travel you should do it. Like cancer there are places working cutting edge treatment.

It is dry eye.

 

[Speedster]

Thanks everyone for all the replies.

 

[Tucketed]

@Speedster dry is better than wet. I still recommend a good doctor of opthomology as a second opinion.

 

[Tucketed]

@Speedster what state are you from?

 

[Speedster]

Indiana