My mother, Mieke, has lived with macular degeneration for more than 20 years. I have seen her struggle with this disease and wanted to spend a day seeing the world as my mother and more than 15 million Americans do – with vision impaired by macular degeneration.
During my day without sight, I used a special pair of eye glasses to simulate what a person with macular degeneration sees on a daily basis. Macular degeneration affects the central eye sight and forces people to rely on their peripheral vision in order to see.
I struggled to complete the daily activities that make my life rich and full as it was extremely difficult to view things in front of me unless I was very close to them. I am a passionate artist and take great pride in spending time in my art studio working on different pieces. With macular degeneration, I was unable to see my own painting unless my nose virtually touched the canvas, severely altering my ability to sketch. I realized that if I had macular degeneration, continuing to paint would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.
As the day progressed, I became increasingly more frustrated trying to complete simple tasks, including walking down a flight of stairs, watching television, dialing a phone and knitting.
Not being able to walk down a flight of stairs properly or dial a telephone in case of an emergency was absolutely dangerous. I was very unsure of my balance walking down a slippery flight of stairs and had to closely grip the side banister as I moved, tapping the end of each step and using my peripheral vision to ensure I did not fall. To think of my mother going through this was very scary for me as I am always concerned for her safety.
While not being able to complete these tasks was very upsetting, nothing compared with inability to recognize the face of a friend. As I was walking through the garden, I encountered a friend. I was unable to see her face until I was literally nose-to-nose with her. This is when, more than ever, I realized how this disease is absolutely devastating. I cannot imagine being unable to truly see the faces of my children, husband, relatives and friends.
To experience macular degeneration for yourself, you can use a test that my mother showed me. Cover your left eye with one hand and create a fist with your other hand. Place the fist directly in front of your right eye. This is what people with macular degeneration are forced to see. Your central vision is mostly if not completely obstructed and only the peripheral vision remains intact. This is what more than 45 million people may experience by 2025.
Don't Lose Sight – take the tests on this website, visit your eye doctor once a year and learn about how proper nutrition and supplements with omega-3 and lutein can help you or a loved one arrest the development of macular degeneration.
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