Eye changes with low vision

[Cajun040862]

I have low vision. I have an underdeveloped macula . It has been hard to see right all my life but it has changed in the past few months. I hate to go to the Dr. cause there is nothing they can do for me. It seems useless. What is going on I call the boo factor. It is like something is really there but I do not register it when I see it, like if a big wall is in a certain spot and I pass it every day and I do not notice it then all of a sudden I might see it months later and I ask where did that wall come from and it has been there all the time. It can be that big or as small as a can of food. It is taking me longer to do normal things, like grocery shopping and house work. It is not that I am slower or any thing it is like I am not seeing right any more. It is like things are just not the same old fuzzy I normally see but it is like things are disappearing and they are right there in front of me. It is like a mad magician is playing a bad trick on me. Help! What do I do? Go to the doctor and have him tell me again " Face it you just have crappy eyes." I feel like a fool. But he does not have to live with all this stuff. I do. So what is a person to do?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

With patients like yourself - every little bit of vision is so very important.  I understand that completely.  I don't know all your specific details - but I can tell you are troubled with these recent changes.  All I can tell you is that  you need a compassionate AND skilled ophthalmologist to work with you to determine if there are any new problems and anything that can be improved or fixed.  Now if there is nothing that can be physically improved through medications or laser or surgery - then you will need to simply  make the most of what you have through low vision training, low vision glasses and magnifiers, low vision reading machines, and adaptation.  Please don't feel like a fool.  If your doctor doesn't give you a worthwhile evaluation and at least listen to you - then find one that will.

MJK MD

[Cajun040862]

Thank you.

[Cajun040862]

A related discussion, eyes was started.