on going blind

[miriam_e]

If you wake up in the morning and the first thing you see is what appears to be an afterimage, similar to what you'd see after looking at a light, but you know it can't be that because you've been asleep and not looking at any lights, don't ignore it. You may have macular degeneration. It doesn't make you totally blind, but almost. You lose the central part of your vision and all that remains is the peripheral vision. Not good.

I found out I have the early signs of this today. Bummer.
Wonderful news for a half deaf artist. :(

How can I cure it?
Can't.

How can I slow its progression?
Eat lots of green leafy veges, fruit, and seafood, avoid fats (olive oil is OK thank heavens), avoid ultraviolet light.

Hopefully I can slow it sufficiently that I eventually drop dead from old age before this shit blinds me... if I play my cards right. [groan]

Bloody annoying.

Comments

[sealwhiskers.livejournal.com]

Oh, that really was bad news... :(

My Geeks dad has it, but he's significantly older than you, and by the age of 75 he's really starting to notice it.
He of course smoked two packs for a long time and never ate any vegetables, so...

[miriam-e.livejournal.com]

Yep. I find it more annoying than anything. I have an awful lot I want to do and this is like some moron with power over me saying "You can't" without giving any reason.

I never smoked, except for marihuana in my 20s and part of my 30s which I consider one of my bigger life mistakes -- it was such a waste of valuable time. I love vegetables, though I don't eat enough green leafies. Unfortunately I love my fats and oils and they are very bad. I'm going to have to cut them out, except for olive oil thankfully.

Smoking and drinking alcohol are two no-nos. I don't do either. Not because I'm good, but because I don't like them.

[patchworkkid.livejournal.com]

Goddamn, that just blows. On the upside you're smart, and you take care of yourself. I'd say that puts you ahead of the averages. :)

[miriam-e.livejournal.com]

:) Actually one thing I'm constantly being told by my family and my ex- is that I don't look after myself. I don't eat enough of the right things and I don't exercise enough.

One of the good things about living in Melbourne, oddly, is that I got lots of exercise. Melbourne has such a terrific public transport system I walked to bus stops and train stations and didn't need a car. Here there is almost no public transport and I drive everywhere (it costs me a mint!). The only road is narrow with no footpath and cars drive much too fast along it, discouraging walking. I could walk in the bush like I used to when I was a kid, but I always have a lot to do on the computer, so somehow don't.

So I don't look after myself like I should. :/
But I am smart (my one saving grace) so I should be able to work out a strategy.