Macular Degeneration - Astronomer's Curse

glend (Glen) · #1 21-12-2015, 10:09 AM

I found out a few weeks ago that I have the early stages of macular degeneration in my right eye. I had known there was something wrong with my vision in that eye for a while, and thought I just had one eye better than the other for astronomy. As I wear glasses I thought perhaps I just needed a script change, and sure enough the script had changed for that eye, but it was the retina photo that revealed the true nature of the problem. So now I have to see a specialist in the new year to get a prognosis on this problem. Of course there is no 'cure' once you have it, and it is responsible for something like 70% of vision impairment in us older folks (it is not related to Cataracts - which is the clouding over of the eye lense which can be repaired by surgery). The macular is responsible for the fine detail you can see looking directly at something, as opposed to averted vision, or peripheral vision. It means, for observational astronomy, a gradual loss of ability to see the detail in the eyepiece. Luckily for me, I still have a good left eye - for now; but in most cases if it happens in one eye then eventually the other eye will be involved as well.
Once I see the specialist I will know more about the timeframe I can expect for the degeneration, for now the lost of detail in my right eye is only a minor issue as I don't have the dreaded grey spot in my central vision, just the slight blurring/distortion of the detail there.
I have already shifted to mainly imaging, which is not as demanding as eyepiece sessions. Last night I went out to the observatory at 2:30 for a visual session with Jupiter (with my left eye) as I now know that every opportunity must be utilised.
Just wanted to ask if there are any other IIS members adapting to this problem and what they are doing to continue with astronomy.

jenchris (Jennifer) · #2 21-12-2015, 10:24 AM

My doc is keeping a weather eye out for a slight change in shape of my right retina - like a small lump really which distorts straight lines slightly in one region of my vision. Fortunately not in the centre
Hasn't changed in a couple of years, so I'm not over worried.

xelasnave · #3 21-12-2015, 10:32 AM

I just found out I have cataracts.
No worries.
I got over moto cross I missed it but at least I had my time.
Astronomy will change for me.
Be happy.
merry xmas

Larryp (Laurie) · #4 21-12-2015, 11:37 AM

Cataracts for me, too

raymo · #5 21-12-2015, 02:35 PM

Had my left cataract done 8 yrs ago, and have just had my right one done [still doing the eye drops]. I also have macular problems in one eye,
but as I am nearing 80 I think other physical problems will probably put a stop to me setting up a sizeable rig before my eyesight does.
raymo

xelasnave · #6 21-12-2015, 06:00 PM

Is the opperation easy?
I don't know where to start.

Akwestland (Andrew and Kim) · #7 21-12-2015, 06:14 PM

Alex,

The operation is very easy. i have not had it (yet) but my wife has (both eyes). A simple procedure, you do not feel it, but you are sedated and need a driver (my duties) to take you home. Drops are needed for a little while as is a return visit the next day.

My wife had hers done and whilst he did a great job I did remark to him afterwards that "she still cannot see what I am talking about", he had a good laugh.

Andrew.

glend (Glen) · #8 21-12-2015, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymo

Had my left cataract done 8 yrs ago, and have just had my right one done [still doing the eye drops]. I also have macular problems in one eye,
but as I am nearing 80 I think other physical problems will probably put a stop to me setting up a sizeable rig before my eyesight does.
raymo

Raymo, what about an observatory, then you don't have to setup? Works for me..
Re you macular problem, how long have you had it and how bad is it? Any concerns about the good eye?

raymo · #9 21-12-2015, 07:02 PM

Alex, You can choose between topical anaesthetic [drops in the eye] or the traditional injected local type. For some reason unknown to me, the
surgeon prefers the latter. Either way it is a little odd being aware of things happening in the eye, but not feeling anything at all. You can converse with the surgeon if you need or want to. My first one took about 20 mins, and the second 17 mins. Nothing to it, unless you're a
hospitalphobe. [new word].

Glend, an obs would be nice, and my children offered to build one for me,
but SWMBO won't have a bar of an "ugly thing" in the back yard. One of my daughters has an undeveloped 1hectare block which would be good,
but I'm loath to risk leaving my gear in an unattended paddock.
My macula is swollen, and has needed an injection in the eye, and ongoing drops every day to try and fix it. Don't know how long, it was
discovered during cataract treatment. The other eye is fine.
raymo

Shiraz (Ray) · #10 21-12-2015, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glend

I found out a few weeks ago that I have the early stages of macular degeneration in my right eye. I had known there was something wrong with my vision in that eye for a while, and thought I just had one eye better than the other for astronomy. As I wear glasses I thought perhaps I just needed a script change, and sure enough the script had changed for that eye, but it was the retina photo that revealed the true nature of the problem. So now I have to see a specialist in the new year to get a prognosis on this problem. Of course there is no 'cure' once you have it, and it is responsible for something like 70% of vision impairment in us older folks (it is not related to Cataracts - which is the clouding over of the eye lense which can be repaired by surgery). The macular is responsible for the fine detail you can see looking directly at something, as opposed to averted vision, or peripheral vision. It means, for observational astronomy, a gradual loss of ability to see the detail in the eyepiece. Luckily for me, I still have a good left eye - for now; but in most cases if it happens in one eye then eventually the other eye will be involved as well.
Once I see the specialist I will know more about the timeframe I can expect for the degeneration, for now the lost of detail in my right eye is only a minor issue as I don't have the dreaded grey spot in my central vision, just the slight blurring/distortion of the detail there.
I have already shifted to mainly imaging, which is not as demanding as eyepiece sessions. Last night I went out to the observatory at 2:30 for a visual session with Jupiter (with my left eye) as I now know that every opportunity must be utilised.
Just wanted to ask if there are any other IIS members adapting to this problem and what they are doing to continue with astronomy.

you are not alone Glen. looks to me like imaging is the way to get a few more years

rrussell1962 · #11 21-12-2015, 10:16 PM

Pressure tests and photos every 6 months to keep an eye (no pun intended) on the glaucoma. I hate getting old and dread the day when I will have to take up imaging!

castor · #12 22-12-2015, 03:46 PM

My grandfather had macular degeneration. He was still able to read the newspaper shortly before he passed away last year at the age of 90.

I just hope that my eyes can last until the next edition of Halley's Comet, I will be 81 then.

Shiraz (Ray) · #13 22-12-2015, 03:57 PM

Glen, there seems to be some sound evidence for dietary supplements slowing the progression of AMD - have you considered that?
https://nei.nih.gov/areds2/PatientFAQ

multiweb (Marc) · #14 22-12-2015, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiraz

Glen, there seems to be some sound evidence for dietary supplements slowing the progression of AMD - have you considered that?
https://nei.nih.gov/areds2/PatientFAQ

Funny that. My grand mother always told me to eat my carrots to have good vision like the rabbits I could never catch.

astroron (Ron) · #15 22-12-2015, 05:29 PM

I have the onset of a cataract in my right eye which is my good eye.
I have a lazy left eye,and though everything is lovely and bright,I struggle to focus on the smaller objects us galaxy and Supernova observers need to do.
No sign of said cataract at all in left eye.
Could be a few years till operation is required on right eye,so will put up with the slight greying in my vision until the op is a must.
Imaging is not an option that I will take up.
If I cannot do visual the the astro gear will be sold.

I get my eyes tested very regularly and except for the cataract have not changed the script in over 40 years.
Cheers