- Joined
- Dec 13, 2017
- Messages
- 8,287
my name is jazzy, im late 60s and am legally blind with wet macular degeneration and cataracts having mostly peripheral vision left to work with. my eyes started going bad in 2009 and steadily got worse. cantbe repaired or fixed, been to specialists and told to learn to live with it. it. ive learned a few things over the years that have helped me cope and deal with things.
1--dont wait to have an accident to give up driving. if you cant distinguish well eventually someone will get hurt. i live very rural on dirt road and had to drive about an mile to the paved street where the street mail boxes are. i told myself im fine as its just a straight dirt road with pot holes and i can still get the mail. years ago i got in my beloved jeep cherokee and drove the dirt road, got the mail and was driving slowly home. lots of big trees shade the road and i had problems with dark and shadows. i came to where i knew from memory was a large pot hole that everyone just drives around to the left. i was about to do that and i felt some inner warning not so so i stopped. in seconds someone zipped by on my left very fast passing me on a 4wheeler. if i had ignored that little warning i would have hit that guy and hurt him. i deep down inside Knew i needed to stop driving. after that never drove again and sold my jeep. i can be stubborn. especially when someone tells me i cant do something, lol so for those who know they will get worse, mentally prepare for when you cant drive and lose some independence. it is an adjustment i still struggle with.
2--one of the BEST eye supplements that impressed my eye docs is jarrows vision optimizer. check around for the best price. also can check ingredients and see if theres a less expensive brand but it has delayed the deterioration of my vision. if im lazy and skip a day or 2 i know a real difference, so ive tried to stock up on them along with extra lutein and MSM powder
3--MSM powder - good for joint pain and other problems but you can make your own eye drops. if you got floaters that are irritating and distracting this helps reduce or eliminate them. very cool. i first boughtsome MSM eye drops then learned to make my own, my eyes are very damages and the little i can make out i hated the floaters and the 'flare' that happens like a old time cameras flash---the MSM eye drops got rid of about 90% of floaters and cut the flares by 2/3s or so.
recipe to make your own MSM eye drops:
MSM eye drops
boil 8 oz distilled water
dissolve 1/2 tso sea salt
strain and put into quart jar
dissolve 2 1/2 tsp MSM powder
store in sterilized dark bottles
dose is 2-3 DROPS in each eye once or twice a day
i do 2 x a day
4--Get a Cane now
i know, it might feel like 'giving in' or you might feel embarrassed. i did until a disability trainer told me it was very helpful in getting aorund and it also alerts people to give you space. since i couldnt make my way without holding on to someone as i cant tell if the ground is flat or a step or a step getting a cane actually gave me some independence. i prefer the red and white folding cane, they run around $13 on amazon i think. some are all white but i like the red and white casue i need contrast to make things out. get a backup if you can, its worth it. and actually i got a heavy duty folding walking stick for when i want to walk around the yard--the ground is uneven, i have to have a good stick to help me maneuver and find my way back to the porch. get your cane now, it WILL be a help . i like this one but theres other models. also often with vision problems can come vestibular problems with balance. i have vestirbular damage and feel like im on a boat all the time. a cane really helps alot. youtube has vids on how to use them the best way, its worth watching them now and practicing.
5-- bright colored duct tape
i cant live without my neon colored duct tape. my vision is darkish, i need bright colors to mark things. for me, neon colors like orange, green and yellow are a big help. i put tape on the edge of steps so i know where the step edge ends on the porch steps and the stairs inside the house. r (ive fallen off steps several times, the tape fixed that) . i use it also to color code pill bottles, flashlights, anything to help me find things and make things stand out for me. i alwasy keep some extra rolls around it seems i need to replace the tape on the porch steps once a year. ive tried orange spray paint but it seems to not last as long. the darker the vision gets, this will help you find things
6--Make a RULE and get people used to it now becofre eyes get worse, to end frustration.
EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE IT BELONGS FOREVER AND NEVER EVER MOVE IT. ALWAYS PUT IT BACK.
tyou want to prevent the growing frustration of not being able to find anything cause you cant see. ex-the salt alwasy stays on the counter in THIS spot. the cheese is alwasy on the left side of shelf #2 on the right, etc. it helps to get started now training yourself and the other people in your home. they tend to need a bit more reminding. this gets to be critical.
7--hat and glasses. my eyes are extremely sensitive to bright sunlight, it causes me pain and gives me more blind spots. i never go out without a wide brim boonie hat and special super dark sun glasses, both from amazon. if your eyes are also sensitive might want to add some room darkening curtains. at a certain time in the afternoon the sun pours in my kitchen window that all but really blinds me, i cant handle it, so i have a pull down shade that says DONT TOUCH ON PAIN OF DEATH and darker curtains
8--Count Steps--learn to count steps. memorize your home. how many steps from your chair to the bathroom? how many steps from front door to porch, how many steps from front gate to your door, etc, etc. this becomes a big help. memorize your surroundings might feel silly but count them out loud, it helped me to remember more easier.
1--dont wait to have an accident to give up driving. if you cant distinguish well eventually someone will get hurt. i live very rural on dirt road and had to drive about an mile to the paved street where the street mail boxes are. i told myself im fine as its just a straight dirt road with pot holes and i can still get the mail. years ago i got in my beloved jeep cherokee and drove the dirt road, got the mail and was driving slowly home. lots of big trees shade the road and i had problems with dark and shadows. i came to where i knew from memory was a large pot hole that everyone just drives around to the left. i was about to do that and i felt some inner warning not so so i stopped. in seconds someone zipped by on my left very fast passing me on a 4wheeler. if i had ignored that little warning i would have hit that guy and hurt him. i deep down inside Knew i needed to stop driving. after that never drove again and sold my jeep. i can be stubborn. especially when someone tells me i cant do something, lol so for those who know they will get worse, mentally prepare for when you cant drive and lose some independence. it is an adjustment i still struggle with.
2--one of the BEST eye supplements that impressed my eye docs is jarrows vision optimizer. check around for the best price. also can check ingredients and see if theres a less expensive brand but it has delayed the deterioration of my vision. if im lazy and skip a day or 2 i know a real difference, so ive tried to stock up on them along with extra lutein and MSM powder
3--MSM powder - good for joint pain and other problems but you can make your own eye drops. if you got floaters that are irritating and distracting this helps reduce or eliminate them. very cool. i first boughtsome MSM eye drops then learned to make my own, my eyes are very damages and the little i can make out i hated the floaters and the 'flare' that happens like a old time cameras flash---the MSM eye drops got rid of about 90% of floaters and cut the flares by 2/3s or so.
recipe to make your own MSM eye drops:
MSM eye drops
boil 8 oz distilled water
dissolve 1/2 tso sea salt
strain and put into quart jar
dissolve 2 1/2 tsp MSM powder
store in sterilized dark bottles
dose is 2-3 DROPS in each eye once or twice a day
i do 2 x a day
4--Get a Cane now
i know, it might feel like 'giving in' or you might feel embarrassed. i did until a disability trainer told me it was very helpful in getting aorund and it also alerts people to give you space. since i couldnt make my way without holding on to someone as i cant tell if the ground is flat or a step or a step getting a cane actually gave me some independence. i prefer the red and white folding cane, they run around $13 on amazon i think. some are all white but i like the red and white casue i need contrast to make things out. get a backup if you can, its worth it. and actually i got a heavy duty folding walking stick for when i want to walk around the yard--the ground is uneven, i have to have a good stick to help me maneuver and find my way back to the porch. get your cane now, it WILL be a help . i like this one but theres other models. also often with vision problems can come vestibular problems with balance. i have vestirbular damage and feel like im on a boat all the time. a cane really helps alot. youtube has vids on how to use them the best way, its worth watching them now and practicing.
5-- bright colored duct tape
i cant live without my neon colored duct tape. my vision is darkish, i need bright colors to mark things. for me, neon colors like orange, green and yellow are a big help. i put tape on the edge of steps so i know where the step edge ends on the porch steps and the stairs inside the house. r (ive fallen off steps several times, the tape fixed that) . i use it also to color code pill bottles, flashlights, anything to help me find things and make things stand out for me. i alwasy keep some extra rolls around it seems i need to replace the tape on the porch steps once a year. ive tried orange spray paint but it seems to not last as long. the darker the vision gets, this will help you find things
6--Make a RULE and get people used to it now becofre eyes get worse, to end frustration.
EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE IT BELONGS FOREVER AND NEVER EVER MOVE IT. ALWAYS PUT IT BACK.
tyou want to prevent the growing frustration of not being able to find anything cause you cant see. ex-the salt alwasy stays on the counter in THIS spot. the cheese is alwasy on the left side of shelf #2 on the right, etc. it helps to get started now training yourself and the other people in your home. they tend to need a bit more reminding. this gets to be critical.
7--hat and glasses. my eyes are extremely sensitive to bright sunlight, it causes me pain and gives me more blind spots. i never go out without a wide brim boonie hat and special super dark sun glasses, both from amazon. if your eyes are also sensitive might want to add some room darkening curtains. at a certain time in the afternoon the sun pours in my kitchen window that all but really blinds me, i cant handle it, so i have a pull down shade that says DONT TOUCH ON PAIN OF DEATH and darker curtains
8--Count Steps--learn to count steps. memorize your home. how many steps from your chair to the bathroom? how many steps from front door to porch, how many steps from front gate to your door, etc, etc. this becomes a big help. memorize your surroundings might feel silly but count them out loud, it helped me to remember more easier.