hello to everyone

[John F Collier]

Hi all I hope all of you are well, I had the cataract removed and a ocular lens implant fitted in my right eye last week all is going well and my eye is adjusting to the new lens, it's not straight forward as I've got AMD in my eye and although I've slowed down it's progress it is beginning to affect my central vision, I can see better now and I'm hoping that new glasses will help to make it better still. My problem first showed about 14 years ago when I started to get a white light flash in my left eye and straight lines became wavy. I was referred to the hospital and was diagnosed with age related wet macular degeneration (ARMD) in my left eye and dry ARMD in my right eye, At that time there was no treatment for ARMD and I was given regular appointments for monitoring, each time I went I was told there is nothing to be done. After two years of this, one morning on waking I opened my eyes and saw a black blob like an ink splash, it was a shock and has stayed with me
ever since. Back to the hospital where "nothing to be done" became nothing can be done, as the macular at the back of the eyeball had scarred and my left eye was kaput. Although dry ARMD is not as aggressive as wet ARMD eventually it does the same damage, I bought books on it and devised a formula of supplements and diet and this has helped to slow the progress for some 12 years although it is showing itself in my central vision. I am completely deaf now and rely on lip reading, so I'm hoping for a treatment to be found for this condition, I know I've given it my best shot I was told to keep up with what I'm doing as it is helping, so fingers crossed for the future. Thank you all for your good wishes I'm looking forward to getting more involved when my glasses are done, best wishes to all. John Collier.

[eric fisher]

Take Heart John, If you have good family and friends behind you, you will be well looked after and well thought of I'm sure. My hearing is reasonable but living alone isn't too good. Will still stay afloat as long as I can. All here are wishing you the very best, keep your spirits up, your fortitude will help yourself and many others. 'Sides, don't spill the wine, beer, whisky or some bugger will lick it up. Good Luck, Eric

[John F Collier]

Thank you Eric that is much appreciated, I will always give it my best shot I've never given up on anything in my life as of yet, like yourself I live on my own as sadly I lost my wife of 48 years 6 years ago but I am very lucky to have a brilliant son who looks out for me. It's great to be back on the site again as it is really
my only means of interacting with people that live in the real world "unlike the TV for instance". Glad you are doing well Eric keep up the good work, all the best.
John Collier.

[happy daze john in oz]

John mate just make sure it is still 'the window to watch' and you will be OK.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Johnf
Keep at it mate, I have trouble with my eyes, having dry macula in my left eye, my only worry is that my Dr told me I might fail the eyesight test for my driving license in July, we have to drive long distances here and i can see everything that comes along from a long way off, I went to see a specialist who wrote my Dr a letter to say I should have no trouble driving, hopefully he will take notice. We have to keep at it.
Cheers Des

[John F Collier]

Hi Des, I can understand your concern with the driving, I'm sure you'll be ok if the specialist backs you and if you have one good eye you should ok with the test, fingers crossed for you mate. All the best, John C.

[j.sabourn]

Welcome back John. What does the real world look like now, or have you bought a pair of rose tinted glasses just to be on the safe side, haven't read all the posts on here yet so don't really know your results, if however have better vision in one than the other, believe they also sell monocles rose tinted. Have just looked at post before this and see it is Des with problems with one eye, so Des may be after a monocle. I went for an eye test yesterday as having trouble with night driving she says will be at least another year before she can defer me to an eye specialist, don't know if that's good or bad news. Anyhow take care, looking forward to your contributions to us would be rulers and runners of all political persuasions and guardians of the Universe. Cheers JS

[Richard Quartermaine]

John F. I was listening to a study interview with Macular Disease Foundation Australia - Home on Australian Broadcasting Corporation the night before last about Blackmore Macu Vision product. The foundation found that this product was beneficial but only if macular degeneration was already evident. They slated Blackmore for not pointing out that it was not effective as a preventative. They happened not to mention this fact as it was too lucrative staying quiet.

Keep strong mate and all the very best.
Richard

[John F Collier]

#48 Hi Richard, I joined the Macular Society when I first knew I had ARMD so I can keep up with the latest research news as you never know what is around the corner, I saw an advert from a Harley Street firm that says they have developed a lens implant that is for ARMD and is supposed to move vision away from the
impaired area to unaffected areas, and of course this is exclusive to this company. I'd need to hear a bit more about that before I was hooked, Harley Street had
a great reputation years ago but today it's just a commercial enterprise.They have learned a lot about ARMD and seem to think sensible diets can help to prevent
it, my nan was blind when she died and so was my mum also my sister had problems but fortunately she was able to be treated in time, so you have to think it can
be in the genes as well. I can see a bit better every day now as my eye adjusts to the new lens and I am feeling more optimistic about the future than I was. The eye consultant said he is going to remove the cataract from my left eye and fit a new lens as well, so I'll have to wait and see if that does anything as I've seen the photo's of the scarred macular, so I won't hold my breath on that. Thanks for your encouragement Richard, it means a lot, all the best. John C

[John F Collier]

#47 Hi John, I stopped night driving long before I quit driving altogether as I really felt uncomfortable with it my eyes got very sensitive to bright lights and the shadows seemed to be even darker, when I stopped it was because I knew that it was time to go, with eyes and hearing problems combined it was getting harder
and my driving was no longer relaxed, I found I was worrying about it all of the time, I had held my license for 55 years and also was driving all types of vehicles for BT for 30 years without accident so I felt I wanted to go out with a clean license and a clear conscience and now I have peace of mind. I would think that if you've got at least another year before referral to a specialist that is a good sign as she doesn't see you as an urgent case, also you have to ask yourself are your night time trips really necessary, "stand by for a dodgy comment from cappy" . Not sure if you're pulling my leg about the monocle, my dad used to hold a penny in his eye and muck about doing a Jerry clicking his heels and a bit of German he had picked up in the war, a fore runner to Freddy Starr. RE: the rose coloured specs I
think we all need a pair of those in todays world, just saw today that 5 year olds are taking knives to school and have even attacked teachers, thats got to be down to their upbringing and their parents attitudes. I really don't understand what's happening to the human race, they can and do, behave worse than animals. Thanks for the welcome back John it is appreciated, all the best. John C