Tips from MDS members

Some 20 members of Macular Degeneration Society attended our first event of the year last Saturday - an intimate sharing session of our personal strategies in coping  with the disease.

Here's a list of the suggestions offered: 

• Settle on a doctor. It is tempting and common to look for a second, a third or even a fourth opinion. But the sooner you settle on one, you can build a lasting and trusting relationship with your physician, allowing him to know your condition better.

• Don't be afraid to try new things. If it doesn't hurt, give it a shot. We do not know what might work, so don't be too fast to close doors on possible options, be it Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture or vitamins, meditation etc.  

• Be honest and open. It is part of the acceptance which will bring more calm and peace. There is nothing to be ashamed of.

• Doctors are not god. They do not know everything. Do your research so that you are in a better position to discuss with them your best treatment.

• Join MDS so that you can share information with fellow sufferers and get useful tips.

• Take multi-vitamins

• Do things in moderation. Wolfberries may be good for eyes but too much of a good thing may be counter productive. 

• Your eyes are related to your whole physiology. You have to look after the other parts of your body because they are all related.

• Enlarge fonts on your computer and read under bright lights. Don't strain your eyes.

• Expect mood swings. You can never completely get rid of macular degeneration and things can get bad and you will feel depressed. Be conscious and aware of it. 

• Share your condition with others. Most people look at the sufferers of macular degeneration and think that we are normal. But we are not. So we must let people know so that they will give us the space. This is especially so for family members, who must be reminded to put things back where they are and not shift furniture.

• Buy a range of magnifiers. 

• Avoid MSG.

• Do a morning check of your eyes every day.

• Don't let work stress and pressure affect your health.

• Alert bosses and colleagues to your condition so that they will understand if you need help, such as taking time off for eye appointments and even bed rest. 

• Prayers.