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Author Topic: Eyes and eyesight.  (Read 4576 times)

Bryan Young

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Eyes and eyesight.
« on: July 18, 2010, 08:29:17 pm »

I suppose it's blindingly obvious that to be a model maker in any shape or form (apart from the "catwalk" sort) that decent eyesight is a pre-requisite.
Many members of this forum are, to put it bluntly, past the days of youth. Most are highly skilled and some are more ...shall we say, "learning the ropes".
But there comes a point where the ageing eyes don't seem to work so well any more.
The interest in model making may well be as keen as it always was, but no matter how hard one tries....the inescapable fact is that the quality of your modelling goes down. Not brain-power. That remains, and adds to the general sense of frustration.
I'm now going to address the problems caused by something called ARMD. (Age Related Maticula Degeneration).
And I'm sure that I'm not the only person on this forum that's afflicted by it.
One sort is kind of curable (the "Dry" version), but the "Wet" sort isn't. The "Wet" is a progressive type thing and will eventually lead to a sort of blindness in one eye (if you're lucky) or both eyes.
At the moment I'm kind of lucky that it's only affecting one eye....but it doesn't half "xxxxx" up binocular vision, which makes model making more of a chore than a pleasurable pursuit.
The "end result" of this deterioration of the eye  is very odd (to the the afflicted brain). Verticals tend to lean one way or another for a starter. Then the bit you are trying to focus on just disappears, literally. But peripheral vision remains unaffected. All very strange.
If only one eye is affected (like mine) then driving is no problem. But Model making sure as hell is.
Close one eye and paint a small component and see for yourself where the paint finishes up.
The main point of this post is really to find out if any other forum members are suffering from this rather nasty affliction, and what they are doing about it. For myself I'm taking some sort of remedy that seems to slow down the rate of degeneration, but getting used to it is a very difficult and life changing condition for someone who has enjoyed superb vision for so many years
Does the forum have other members who are similarly afflicted? BY.
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barriew

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2010, 08:54:19 pm »

Bryan,

You have my sympathy. I don't (yet) suffer from this condition, but three of my female relatives did, including my Mother. They all went totally blind.  For this reason I have now been taking a Lutein supplement for a number of years. This was  confirmed as being possibly of benefit by an optician, but the research is inclusive as to its effectiveness.

At the moment I am told there is no sign of the problem in my eyes, though I do suffer fro an excessive number of 'floaters' in my eyes, which on some days and in some lights can be a problem.

Barrie

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Colin Bishop

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2010, 09:21:49 pm »

Bryan,

Sorry to hear about your problem. Mine is the opposite, a form of Glaucoma which means that peripheral vision is gradually lost instead of central vision as in your case. Glaucoma can be controlled reasonably well but not cured as such. I have significant reduced peripheral vision in one eye but it isn't very noticeable in everday life. It runs in the family apparently.

My understanding of your condition is that dry macular degeneration cannot be cured but progresses quite slowly and is unlikely to lead to total loss of vision. The wet type is quicker acting but can be treated to to some extent if identified in time. I go to a private surgeon once every few months to check on my situation, it cost around £100 per consultation but I reckon that to be a small price for retaining my eyesight - especially as I am already deaf!

Interestingly, one of the possible causes of your condition is extended exposure to sunlight which sounds appropriate given your career.

Best wishes,

Colin
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PMK

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2010, 09:40:09 pm »

Bryan, before you berate me for suggesting what I'm about to suggest, first a boring bit of history...

The quacks found a tumour behind my eyes waaay back when I were a kid. Too risky to remove, and after many differing medications later - all of which proved fruitless - the damn thing, and all the grief it causes, is still there. Some days are just fine and some days are a real killer. When these attacks occur it's like having your hands tied behind your back, feels like someone is kicking a football in your face and you can't do anything with your hands to prevent it. It's not exactly painful, but it is very, very uncomfortable. You find yourself for the next several days just burying your head in your hands, rubbing your eyes/your brow/your temples until it passes over.
All the medical pills and potions only makes things worse. BUT, my suggestion...
Have you considered cannabis? I know this will probably sound abhorant to your ears, and I can see your doctor squirming in his chair at the very idea of any such 'alternative' medicine. But for me, leastways, cannabis does ease the discomfort for a while.
I have never told anybody this before; I've always been too embarrassed because it makes you feel like some sort of freak. And blokes don't ordinarily discuss their aches and pains, right?
I think you've got a lot of balls for broaching the subject in the first place.
I think I'm trying to say "thanks".

You're probably wondering about the side effects of whacky baccy, but, in my case, none at all. If I'm being rude, then simply forget I mentioned it.
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Shipmate60

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2010, 09:44:17 pm »

Bryan,
My father has this and there are tablets that can reduce or arrest the symptom.

Bob
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2010, 10:24:34 pm »

PMK,

I think it's true that cannabis can alleviate the symptoms and particularly pain and discomfort of certain conditions and I think it should be made available for medicinal purposes where the patient derives benefit from it. But the problem with these eye conditions is that they don't give rise to physical discomfort as such, your vision just stops working properly. If your eyesight is not allowing you to see straight then I doubt if cannabis is going to straighten things out much - probably the opposite.  %) OK, maybe it will take your mind off it for a bit but that doesn't really help in compensating for the condition. The key thing is to have whatever treatment might be appropriate to arrest the progress of the disease, the prospects of curing it as such are not great.

My Mother suffered from glaucoma for many years but the eye drops controlled it pretty well and she could still read and watch TV etc. up to her death at 74. If I can get away with that then I'll think myself lucky - after all, there are plenty of other things which can can come out of left field and carry you off before your time.

My Dad was deaf too (other side of the family  :(() but he tried to conceal it which just made him look like a fool. I make no bones about it and tell people up front. If that causes a problem then it's their problem, not mine.

Colin
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Peter Fitness

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2010, 11:05:51 pm »

My wife and I both have checks for macular degeneration on our annual visits to the optometrist. He uses a camera that takes a photo of the retina, which can than be studied for evidence of MD, or any other defects. Fortunately, neither of us are showing any signs of it yet.

Some interesting info on the problem can be found here http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts.asp

here http://www.blackmores.com.au/health-topics/macular-degeneration?247SEM

and here http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/stories/2006/09/29/1831375.htm

Peter.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2010, 11:11:03 pm »

Must be even worse if you suffer from it in Australia Peter - what with everything appearing upside down as well....  ;)

Colin
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Peter Fitness

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2010, 11:14:13 pm »

Must be even worse if you suffer from it in Australia Peter - what with everything appearing upside down as well....  ;)
{-) {-) You get used to walking around upside down after a while, Colin. So far, no one has fallen off - that I'm aware of, anyway. AND, the water goes down the plug hole in a different direction  :D

Peter.
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Bryan Young

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #9 on: July 19, 2010, 05:32:21 pm »

Bryan,

You have my sympathy. I don't (yet) suffer from this condition, but three of my female relatives did, including my Mother. They all went totally blind.  For this reason I have now been taking a Lutein supplement for a number of years. This was  confirmed as being possibly of benefit by an optician, but the research is inclusive as to its effectiveness.

At the moment I am told there is no sign of the problem in my eyes, though I do suffer fro an excessive number of 'floaters' in my eyes, which on some days and in some lights can be a problem.

Barrie


That could perhaps be an early symptom of the "wet" sort....have it checked often!
By the way, sorry for the spelling mistake. For "Matricula" read "Macula"! BY
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Bryan Young

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #10 on: July 19, 2010, 05:38:06 pm »

Bryan,

Sorry to hear about your problem. Mine is the opposite, a form of Glaucoma which means that peripheral vision is gradually lost instead of central vision as in your case. Glaucoma can be controlled reasonably well but not cured as such. I have significant reduced peripheral vision in one eye but it isn't very noticeable in everday life. It runs in the family apparently.

My understanding of your condition is that dry macular degeneration cannot be cured but progresses quite slowly and is unlikely to lead to total loss of vision. The wet type is quicker acting but can be treated to to some extent if identified in time. I go to a private surgeon once every few months to check on my situation, it cost around £100 per consultation but I reckon that to be a small price for retaining my eyesight - especially as I am already deaf!

Interestingly, one of the possible causes of your condition is extended exposure to sunlight which sounds appropriate given your career.

Best wishes,

Colin
Thanks Colin. Tropical sunlight and glare from th sea could well have played a part. Bright lights such as those ruddy Zenon headlights actually cause physical pain now. As another rider: both my parents had Glaucoma (mother went totally blind), but so far I'm not showing any signs of it. Be a bit of a swine if I got both, wouldn't it! Bryan.
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Bryan Young

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #11 on: July 19, 2010, 05:46:39 pm »

Bryan, before you berate me for suggesting what I'm about to suggest, first a boring bit of history...

The quacks found a tumour behind my eyes waaay back when I were a kid. Too risky to remove, and after many differing medications later - all of which proved fruitless - the damn thing, and all the grief it causes, is still there. Some days are just fine and some days are a real killer. When these attacks occur it's like having your hands tied behind your back, feels like someone is kicking a football in your face and you can't do anything with your hands to prevent it. It's not exactly painful, but it is very, very uncomfortable. You find yourself for the next several days just burying your head in your hands, rubbing your eyes/your brow/your temples until it passes over.
All the medical pills and potions only makes things worse. BUT, my suggestion...
Have you considered cannabis? I know this will probably sound abhorant to your ears, and I can see your doctor squirming in his chair at the very idea of any such 'alternative' medicine. But for me, leastways, cannabis does ease the discomfort for a while.
I have never told anybody this before; I've always been too embarrassed because it makes you feel like some sort of freak. And blokes don't ordinarily discuss their aches and pains, right?
I think you've got a lot of balls for broaching the subject in the first place.
I think I'm trying to say "thanks".

You're probably wondering about the side effects of whacky baccy, but, in my case, none at all. If I'm being rude, then simply forget I mentioned it.
Why on earth do you think I would berate you?
I suppose all of us at one time or another have wondered what choice we would make given the option of deafness or blindness. Not in the slightest way am I belittling the Bishops problem....but until loss of sight becomes a real possibility it remained a rhetorical question. It sure isn't now.
You seem to have suffered your problem for an awful long time....have there not been any further advances since you were first diagnosed? BY.
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Bryan Young

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #12 on: July 19, 2010, 05:49:10 pm »

Bryan,
My father has this and there are tablets that can reduce or arrest the symptom.

Bob
Quick, quick, quick....don't leave me swinging in the wind like that! What are they, and where do I get them? I only hope they are for the "dry" thing and not the "wet". Bryan.
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Mankster

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #13 on: July 19, 2010, 07:40:53 pm »

Its well worth picking up or printing out an Amsler Grid and checking your central vision once a day. This is the only real way to catch the 'Wet' type early (at a managable stage) )and get yourself down to your doctors.

Shipmate60

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #14 on: July 19, 2010, 09:35:16 pm »

Bryan,
Sorry to take so long to reply.
My father cant remember which one he has, it is the incurable one.

He takes "Occuvite" tablets daily and says his eyesight hasn't got worse but hasn't got any better either.
It seems to be holding the degeneration at bay though.
They are available 9over the counter at pharmacy.
Might be worth doing a bit of research on them.

Hope they can help.

Bob
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PMK

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #15 on: July 19, 2010, 10:23:26 pm »

Why on earth do you think I would berate you?

Two reasons:
1) I'd spouted something which was maybe a tad against something you said a little while ago - ergo am not exactly flavour of the month.
2) As soon as cannabis rears its ugly head most folk automatically think of some 2-bit waste-of-skin junkie.

Besides, Mr Bish' had correctly pointed that my ailment is a million miles removed from yours, so all I said previously is probably just a moot point now anyway.
You asked if there has been further advances.
The thruth is, I use the word 'tumour' very loosely, for even the quacks aren't sure what that lump on the x-ray is. Some wag even suggested it's some sort of alien implant. All I know is that it looks pretty mean and that it's there all the time - 24/7........ whinge, blah.
It's only the fact that I'd read "eyes" in your thread subject title that spurred me into spilling the beans - else I should have just kept quiet because, after all, I'm waaaaay off track.

For what it's worth, if this doesn't sound too cheesy, I truly hope you get your problem sorted. Or at least, some sort of relief from it.
Good luck.
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Damien

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #16 on: July 20, 2010, 02:16:44 am »

While I don't have MD other eye problems can also cause distress and extreme difficulty modelling, following surgery for a grape fruit sized Pituitary tumour in '94 I received Radiation treatment and was required to have yearly Visual fields tests which show an ever increasing dead patch in my left eye not affecting sight yet however about 5 years after radiation I started getting double vision it took 3 years to diagnose a weak muscle in my right eye that unless i keep my head upright looking straight ahead I loose stereo vision and get two different images one appears at an angle slightly higher than the other. This limits my modelling to around 30 mins a day it is also why I voluntarily gave up driving even though the Eye specialist assured me I was safe to drive. Radiation removed the tumour surgery couldn't but the after effects can be debilitating.
Like the rest of you I can relate and continue modelling as best i can.  

 
Damien.
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MikeK

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #17 on: July 20, 2010, 08:57:39 am »

Bryan,

You have my sympathy. I don't (yet) suffer from this condition, but three of my female relatives did, including my Mother. They all went totally blind.  For this reason I have now been taking a Lutein supplement for a number of years. This was  confirmed as being possibly of benefit by an optician, but the research is inclusive as to its effectiveness.

At the moment I am told there is no sign of the problem in my eyes, though I do suffer fro an excessive number of 'floaters' in my eyes, which on some days and in some lights can be a problem.

Barrie



First off I'm so sorry to hear of your problem, Bryan. From a selfish point of view I hope the theory about bright sunshine holds no water as I guess you and I have spent a similar number of hours squinting across sunlit oceans various.
As to your problem re 'floaters' Barrie, I started to get a 'hard' black floater a few months ago which gave the effect of seeing what I thought was a bird out of the corner of my eye. Of course when one looked for it the 'bird' kept moving away ! This deteriorated over a few days to blurry shapes moving over both eyes (the 'bird flew off !) I went to the GP who said I was the ideal age (69) for a condition I still cannot remember the name of - very long and technical sounding - which he explained by the analogy of the eye being like a raw egg and with age bits of the 'white' started breaking off and floating about. He made an appointment with an eye specialist to confirm his diagnosis, which he did a few days ago. The floaters are gradually disappearing, but as said in another post I was warned that if the floaters became numerous, or if white flashes became frequent to get myself to either the doctor or A&E as it could be the sign of a detached retina which is not good.
As you say Bryan, some of us are starting to reach the falling to bits stage........best of luck to all of us !  :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))

Mike
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barriew

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #18 on: July 20, 2010, 09:16:07 am »

MikeK

Yes - I had the same experience - Doctors then specialist. I was already aware of the possibility of a detached retina as this happened to my Uncle (other side of the family) and my cousin developed Glaucoma as he did. So the odds are probably stacked against me as far as eyesight is concerned. A history of AMD on my mother's side, and Glaucoma & detached retina on my Father's :((


Barrie
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MikeK

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #19 on: July 20, 2010, 02:57:50 pm »

Just hope you beat the odds Barrie  :-)) O0 O0

Mike
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Bryan Young

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #20 on: July 20, 2010, 06:16:11 pm »

I must admit to being more than a little surprised at the response to my original post. As soon as I posted the first one I thought "Oh, my good life, someone is going to come snapping back at me with accusations of garnering some sort of sympathy".
The level and quality of response has been eye-opening (no real pun intended...but apt). For some odd reason, even though the various afflictions are somewhat disparate, it's nice in an awkward kind of way to know that others that I read, "listen to", argue with and so on have similar problems. Thank you all for your morale boosts. Regards. Bryan Young.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #21 on: July 20, 2010, 06:36:35 pm »

We're all falling apart gradually Bryan, just different bits at different times.....

Colin
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Nordsee

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #22 on: July 21, 2010, 09:00:52 am »

Just a related comment. I have been getting a "Wobbly" hand, my right one, of course!! It is apparent when pouring a drink or trying to do up a small screw or solder a component. As I concentrate my hand begins to shake, getting more extreme as I try to prevent it. Been to the Docs, it is not Parkinsons, but an inherited problem. My Father had it and also my Elder Brother, younger brother, not yet. Older brother has found relief with Beta blockers, I do not want to go that route, because of unwanted side effects. However my Doc suggested Cannabis as well. I live only 20 Miles from Holland and have Dutch Friends, so getting some was no problem, and you know what ? It works !! If I smoke about 3 a week the effects are to lessen, not stop, the shake. I only smoke maybe a few puffs before going to the Shed and I can paint a straight line or similar, no real problem. Magic!! Upto now no adverse side effects, just could be dodgy if I had to have a Drugs Test!
 I am not suggesting you become Criminals, just relating my experiences!
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bigfella

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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #23 on: July 21, 2010, 01:05:41 pm »

Hi All

I can only guess what it must be like to start to lose your sight and can only say that anyone who does has my sympathy as sight is very precious. However I have two friends one has 2% sight and the other just over 3%. They are two of the most out there people I know. George is a computer whiz and both assembles them and installs the softwhere as well as trouble shoot. He has had slowly diminishing sight from a child when he had only 15% eyesight. He not only used to ride a motorcycle as a kid he even used to drive a car (not legally and not in traffic). He does things in his life that I would shy away from he is a hero. I thought I had a disability but Knowing George has taught me that there is no such thing as a disability. You have to look at the glass half full and not half empty.

Regards
David
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Re: Eyes and eyesight.
« Reply #24 on: July 21, 2010, 04:13:47 pm »

B.Y.
So sorrry to hear of your problem, it is a scary thought of what we can end up with. At least you have the slight consolation that the RVI in Newcastle have some aces working for them. The eye department are something out of this world. Having had dealings with them over the last few months (not personal but via my Aunt) they are very good at their jobs.
Yes, I know how daunting the propect is to have vision problems. Some weeks back my eyes went out of sync with each other. As I was driving at the time I was really panicing. Turned out to be an infection caused by a bug. Ironical really, as a diabetic (type2 with no effects) I  have to have yearly retinal scans and eye tests. These were done about four days before my eyesight went wobbly.

Nordsee,
Could the source of your hand tremble be "Benign Intent Tremor"? I'd never heard of it before and started a real panic over possible Parkinsons. Medic solved that one - benign doesn't get any worse, Parkinsons on the other hand definitely does.
Like the thought of your drug use to steady up. 8)   
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