I visited my optometrist yesterday due to some issues with my sight, and I was told I have early-stage macular degeneration. I have an appointment with a specialist in February for a deeper look, but my current doctor, who has three decades of experience, is certain about the diagnosis. My understanding is that I’ll eventually lose my sight in the relatively near future. Does anyone have tips on how to start getting ready for that? I’m feeling quite down about the news right now. Most of my interests and the activities that keep me going—like reading, gaming, and knitting—rely heavily on my eyes. I believe taking a proactive approach and planning ahead will help me cope better than just sitting around waiting for my condition to decline. Thank you.
This might seem a bit unusual… but I’m dealing with an eye condition that could potentially cause blindness, and one thing that eases my anxiety is ensuring I’ve memorized the spelling of my favorite writers and musicians. That way, if I ever had an emergency surgery and required audiobooks, I could easily let my partner know what to get for me. I haven’t started purchasing them yet since I don’t find them very re-listenable and I’d prefer to have fresh choices later on.
Try to start leaning into and appreciating your other senses. Once you’ve mastered knitting or crocheting, those are lifelong skills you can do by feel. You might want to switch to thicker yarn and larger hooks or needles. Regarding reading, try getting into audiobooks. It’s also a good idea to study braille now while you can still see, as it’ll be much simpler to learn; even just using it for simple labels is helpful. Focus on activities that engage all your senses, such as gardening or cooking, and find friends to join you for walks or runs.