In a roughly roundabout ascending timeline order ☺ …
⚫ Macular Dystrophy.
⚫ Pigment epithelial detachment (ped). Small. Both eyes.
⚫ Astigmatism.
⚫ Photophbia (extreme light sensitivity).
Will update this later if needs be.
How my Macular dystrophy was diagnosed
How I was diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy.
The first time I had an inkling something was wrong before my diagnosis, In my case, it wasn’t a big fancy opticians, wasn’t a specialist. The answer may surprise you ☺.
After suddenly finding myself not being able to read the newspaper one day, and only being able to read the headlines, after being completely fine the week before. It was whilst I was shopping in Asda that I saw they had an opticians in store.
Years ago I had been to specsavers, because I felt I needed an eye exam as I hadn’t had one for years. The dystrophy would have been in there, but wasn’t found.
I had my eye test and she explained that my macular was thin for my age. This needed looking at. She referred me to the eye centre there and then.
I went to that appointment. Had the tests beforehand, then went to see the consultant that explained I had Macular Dystrophy and was born with this condition.
So, there you go.
If you are worried about your eye health in anyway, best get yourself an appointment to be on the safe side as you never know what’s happening and sight is taken for granted.
Thank you to the lady who referred me that day, it set in motion a diagnosis for me.
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Misconceptions about VIPs and blind people
Misconceptions about VIPs
(Visually Impaired Persons) and blind people.
What people may not realise is…
⚫ You don’t have to be totally blind to have a guide dog.
⚫ Not everyone with a symbol cane is totally blind.
⚫ You can say… Figuratively.. ‘I see’… Or ‘I see what you mean’. It’s all part of speech and conversation. They won’t think you are taking the mick.
⚫ People with low vision…. Don’t always… ‘Look like they have low vision’ or have any sight loss at all. If you maybe watched me long enough you would maybe guess. To look at me you would never know.
⚫ Can wear makeup and will have adapted how they have put it on and taken alot of time.
⚫ May have sunglasses on when nobody else has, due to photophobia (severe light sensitivity)
⚫ Those yellow glasses you see? They are to block blue light, subdue glare and give more definition.
⚫ Don’t want help unless they ask for it.
⚫ Be patient. It maybe frustrating whilst waiting for a VIP to look at something, pay by cash, look for something on their phone to show you, you may even want to do it for them… but believe me… It’s much more frustrating for us. Especially if we can sense that impatience.
⚫ My hearing hasn’t improved… Yet. Although I’ve always had superman like hearing. I do rely on my hearing more when I’m crossing the road as I don’t trust my eyes like I used to completely.
⚫ You might see someone with a guide dog look on their phone. Don’t be surprised. It’s not that they’re pretending to be blind.
⚫ Ask questions if you don’t understand. I personally would rather you ask than think… How can she see that.. But then not that. Maybe even ‘why can\’t you see very well?’ Than that old pearler… ‘you need glasses’.
⚫ Talk. Not just to their sighted friend instead if they are with one. Unless they have the symbol cane with red stripes (deaf & blind) they can hear you. Just lightly touch them on their arm and get chatting.
⚫ Please don’t touch or stroke the Guide dogs while they are working. They are the eyes of the person handling them. They are focused and concentrating to help the VIP or blind person get around safely. Wait to have a chat with the person and a fuss of the doggo if at a cafe for example. When they are off duty.
⚫ Don’t refuse if they link arms with you. Might be especially struggling that day or even want to let that part of the brain to shut off for a bit so they can relax, without concentrating most of the time.
Feeling you can fall any minute isn’t nice. Just an extra bit of reassurance.
⚫ Someone most likely don’t … ‘You need glasses mate’… If they seem to have their phone at the end of their nose whilst reading it. It’s the best way for them to see, for them. They probably haven’t… ‘forgot your glasses?’ either. It’s not funny also if your see someone do this.
⚫ This isn’t just ‘bad eyesight’ that can be corrected ultimately by glasses.
⚫ Glasses don’t correct blind spots.
⚫ We don’t wear our sunglasses all the time to… ‘look cool’ 😎
⚫ Leave them to cross the road on their own unless they ask you. Ask by all means. Don’t grab someone or tell them to run. Leave us to just do what we normally do on our own.
We will probably be the last over the road, have patience.
⚫ Just have patience ☺
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