Klarinet Archive - Posting 000117.txt from 2001/07

From: "John J. O'Neill" <avodah@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Macular Degeneration
Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2001 01:22:19 -0400

The following subject is not directly related to the clarinet, but it is
related to the eyes, and should therefore be of interest to those on the
list. Last year my sister had quadruple bypass surgery; while she was
recovering, she talked frequently about her eyes and how dim her sight
was becoming. She attributed this to the fact that she had cataracts,
and would have to visit her ophthalmologist in the near future.
Unfortunately, her recovery from the heart surgery stretched the 'near
future' into four or five months. One day near the end of this period,
she awoke with a new symptom: There was a large black blob in the
center of her vision -- it prevented her from reading and from viewing
anything straight ahead. She finally got to the ophthalmologist, and
was given a series of elaborate tests both at the doctor's office and at
the hospital. The diagnosis was Macular Degeneration, or AMD
(Age-Related Macular Degeneration.) Briefly, the macula (latin word
meaning spot or stain) is a small central area on the retina where
images are focused by the cornea and lens. Damage to this area results
in a blurring of things seen directly ahead. Hence reading and any
detailed work become difficult or even impossible. Looking at music,
with all its dotted notes, multiple flags, etc., would certainly be a
challenge! By the way, peripheral vision is usually not affected.

There are two kinds of AMD: wet and dry. The wet type, which my sister
has in one eye, is more insidious, since it advances rapidly, and
creates an excessive amount of blood vessels that leak and form a web
beneath the retina. Eventually, the macula may be severely damaged,
and the patient may become legally blind. The dry type, which my sister
has in the other eye, is less insidious (if that's possible), since it
advances at a slower rate. It affects cells of the macula, and can
result in loss or impairment of the central vision. Neither type is
very friendly! Laser surgery has been the only treatment option for the
wet type, but it often destroys the surrounding tissue.

I didn't intend this email to take up so much space. Please bear with
me for a few more lines as I attempt a conclusion. Here are two final
items, and then I will be gone! First, there is a grid that you can use
to test for AMD. It is called the Amsler Grid, and it is found
at <
http://www.vrmny.com/amsler.htm>
This grid is very easy to use, and it will tell you if you are in the
early stages of the disease. Second, there is an excellent book called
'Living Well With Macular Degeneration' by Dr. Bruce P. Rosenthal and
Kate Kelly. It is well worth the price of $12.95. This book, which
covers the subject thoroughly, includes risk factors related to age,
gender, light eye color, race, genetics, far sightedness, smoking,
cholesterol, circulation, sun exposure, and nutrition. It also contains
the very sad story of a general practitioner in North Yorkshire,
England, age 48, whose career was halted by AMD. ( Oh yes, I have no
financial interest in this book.) Now I'm outta here and back to
lurking!

J. O'Neill

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