Living with Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration doesn't affect peripheral vision and rarely results in total blindness. It does however, affect your central vision which affects driving and reading skills. Living with macular degeneration can be quite challenging especially in the more advanced stages. An occupational therapist can help you to adapt to your changing vision, enabling you to lead a full and productive life.

The following methods can help you cope with vision loss due to macular degeneration:

Magnifying glasses can help you to read and perform other activities involving close-up work like embroidery. Special magnifying glasses that can be worn like spectacles are available from vision rehabilitation specialists.

Adjusting the font size setting on your computer monitor can help you read better as can the contrast settings.

Select appliances made for low vision. Some appliances like clocks and telephones have extra large numbers enabling you to read them better. A larger TV may be easier to watch than a smaller one.

Use brighter lights in the house.

Avoid driving, but if you must, then drive cautiously. Avoid driving at night, in heavy traffic or in conditions of reduced visibility.

References

Albert H. Soloway, Robert W. Curley Jr., Scott M. Soloway, Macular degeneration: A possible biochemical mechanism, Medical Hypotheses, Volume 76, Issue 5, May 2011, Pages 729-732, ISSN 0306-9877, 10.1016/j.mehy.2011.02.009.
Pradeep S. Prasad, Steven D. Schwartz, Jean-Pierre Hubschman, Age-related macular degeneration: Current and novel therapies, Maturitas, Volume 66, Issue 1, May 2010, Pages 46-50, ISSN 0378-5122, 10.1016/j.maturitas.2010.02.006.
Thomas J.W. Stokkermans, Treatment of age-related macular degeneration, Clinical Eye and Vision Care, Volume 12, Issues 1–2, 1 March 2000, Pages 15-35, ISSN 0953-4431, 10.1016/S0953-4431(99)00043-0.