She's losing her sight!! Any advice?

In response to the idea of getting your mother a well-trained dog, it may not be the best idea for your mother or the dog. Unless you can find someone to take the dog for regular daily walks, to the veterinarian, etc., I think owning a dog would just be an additional burden for your mother to cope with. There are groups who have pets that are trained as therapy dogs who visit libraries, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. You could try contacting them as some of their members may be willing to bring their pet to visit your mother regularly.

There are many innovative resources available to individuals losing sight. The most important thing is to maintain confidence and try to stay positive. It sounds like you are doing a great job with that already.

The Low Vision Learning Center (non-profit and non-sponsored) runs a free hotline that might be able to help you with ideas and services. (301) 951-4444 (Covid hours are 11-5 weekdays, except Thursdays).

I don't know if your Mom could be a candidate, but there is a procedure where stents are surgically inserted which allows the fluid to drain and the pressure to be kept under control. It won't improve her eyesight but it can keep it from getting worse. My mother had this done when she was 90 (she is now 99). Just make sure you get a great surgical opthalmologist who has done many of these procedures.

My 97year old mom is legally blind because of macular degeneration and glaucoma. Her ophthalmologist sent her to a low vision specialist, several years ago, where they gave her lots of free stuff, like magnifiers, tv remotes, large print calendars, alarms, assistive devices. They showed her devices available to purchase (none were useful for my mom), but yours seems more technologically savvy, so worth a try. It was through a program in our state (NY), and she’s eligible for more free stuff every 3 years or so. I believe they can even send someone out to her home to assess her needs, and offer advice for improving her situation. (Could be something as simple as putting large print stickers on microwave buttons.)There are also programs through your state that send books on tape (well, it’s digital now) and provide a player for them. Best wishes to you and your mom.

My mother in law has glaucoma and macular degeneration, she is 94, has had deterioration for over 10 years, is now legally blind. When she lived near me, I got in touch with Braille for aides that could help her as much as possible, many of them are free. Braille is not in all states so contact the Lions group.
Google "Help for the blind elderly" there are many groups that can help you be more prepared and help her with everyday living.
My MIL has been living in a senior apartment alone for many years only recently getting help from house keepers, bathing, etc.
You need to remove any loose carpets and other trip hazards, go through her living areas and look for anything that can trip her. Good luck!!

I read your question and answers in reply as I have macular degeneration in both eyes, one worse than the other. I have also been doing art silk embroidery for 35 years and know that one day I will have to stop it. Please tell your Mom she is not by herself in learning to deal with future vision loss. Also reading has been a large passion of my life in the past, especially now that my husband has passed. I was not aware of all the hints and helps that others has stated in their answers so I am saving them in my computer. Your mother is fortunate that you are such a help to her. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers so I know I am not alone in my future. Stay well and tell her someone says hello.

Looks like you have gotten a lot of helpful answers. I had one more thought - if you mom likes animals perhaps you could arrange for someone to bring a car or do to visit with her regularly. I know animals are comforting for many people. Just having something to love on and cuddle with eases stress.

Government Independent Living Centers have low vision grants and specialists, and the National Library Service has free Braille materials and a Talking Book Library with free audio sent by mail. It publishes and regularly sends catalogs of book topics.

Imho, here are some suggestions:
#1 She should get an appointment with a retinologist.
#2 Audio books.
#3 Magnifiers.
#4 Count number of walking steps to elder's bathroom/kitchen and other rooms and memorize same (if possible for elder).
#5 Make print LARGER.
#6 Make print bolder.
#7 Purchase large screen TV.
#8 Seek help via the COB (Commissioner of the Blind).
#9 Aides for pouring water into teacup are available.
#10 Eliminate scatter rugs.
#11 Eliminate ALL trip hazards.
#12 Always block UV light from your eyes by sunglass protection.
#13 Breathe and SMILE.

I think it would be good to seperate out issues connected to vision loss into 3 areas.
1) Eye health or eye condition
2) The emotional aspect of vision loss
3) Low Vision Rehabilitation - making the most of remaining vision and using tools and strategies to maintain function and independence

Available services, or help, is going to depend on your geopraphical location. It is more common than not there is no one stop shopping ......
Often Opthalmogists or eye care providers do not have medical professionals or staff who specialize in low vision rehabilitation.
Knowing the right professional and/or agency to go to for the right issue is key to success.
Sadly, there well may be nothing that can be done to prevent further vision loss, or improve vision - in other words there is no medical solution such as meds or surgey or lenses that can preserve vision or stop further vision loss.

However there are usually many things that can be done to help people maximize their remaining vision by using tools, devices or strategies to maintain function and continue doing daily tasks or pleasurable pastimes.

Hadley - hadley.edu is a great resource

Here is a link - free download of a caregiver’s manual to help families of folks with low vision https://hadley.edu/LowVisionBinder_register.asp

Please research carefully in connection with "computers for the blind" as this term is often misinterpreted. My opinion is that there is no such thing an actual computer which is made specifically for people who are blind. But there are organizations who adapt and supply computers for the blind, and there are apps and software that make computers accessible to the blind.

There is also no such thing as a "talking computer" per say - voice enabled or voice activated are confusing terms open to interpretation, which in turn often lead to unrealisitic expectations.
Software such as Jaws is a computer screen reader program for Microsoft Windows that allows blind and visually impaired users to read the screen with a text-to-speech output. This means that the text on the screen is converted to audio. However, the user cannot give voice commands to the computer, and there is no magic switch which makes the computer talk. The process requires the user to use key strokes to operate the system. Learning to operate any new technology always requires training, time and practice - it doesn't happen overnight and when people have memory loss it can be even harder if the process is complicated.

The cost of Jaws is considerable - if you are interested in trying out free screen readers for windows then first try Narrator - built into windows program - activate by ging to Ease of Access. Also free is NVDR screen reader - download at https://www.nvaccess.org/

Most things which seniors do on a computer can in fact be achieved with an iPad, but again it depends on a person's level of comfort with technology, capacity for learning, memory, and hearing.

My Dad has Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration in both eyes. He is totally blind in one eye, and other is 20/500. He went to a Low Vision Specialist and was fitted for Binocular Eye Glasses, but just for the eye that has a little vision left. It truly is like looking through a set of binoculars. He uses them with his computer and to watch TV. They been a huge help!

There have been an abundance of good advice to your question. Isn’t this such a wonderful bunch of people!

Hello, my stepdad Gillmore is now blind after a bit of a battle with glaucoma as well . I knew that he would eventually totally lose his sight so I did the following
●established with him prior to the total blindness where certain things were in the house his towel rack , soap , toiletries, toothbrush etc and made him locate them by feel .
●I had Gilly count steps to certain areas , for example , getting up from the bed to the bathroom is 20 steps straight. To the living room is 5 straight , 4 left, 35 straight . I had him memorize these combinations so now he can get around fairly well by himself .
●I bought him a night chair for his room so that if he doesn't feel like going to the bathroom in the middle of the night he has it for his convenience .
●I had him use a cane while he still had sight to tap out doorways and the edges .
●All of my carpets are tacked solidly to the floor so no edges get him unawares. There is shaggy carpet in this room , the corridor has none and then sisal carpet in the living room , the verandah has none . That way he can feel / hear the change in texture / sound when he is walking about to know where he is .
He was stubborn about learning where doorways were and where one room was in relation to another and in denial a little bit , but I simply let him know that he was going to lose his sight no matter what , and that preparation would be the best way to empower himself and keep some form of independence.
He agreed eventually and is now very glad that he did .
● I hung wind chimes on the verandah for auditory stimulation , and it also lets him know he is in that room too . ( our verandah is enclosed , I think you guys over seas call that a porch )
●I have purchased a few audio books for him as he liked to read as well , so now he just listens to them . I started him on them before he totally lost his sight so it wouldn't be sudden or weird for him . They are kept in one spot all the time, I simply ask him if he wants to listen and he tells me what . He needs me for this step . I was lucky enough to find quite a few at a garage sale but I'm prepared to purchase more from Amazon or eBay when the time comes . You can also ask your nearby bookstore if they have anything available for the sight impaired .
●I have a CD player on his room and I play a lot of cds , classical etc for him to listen to. He also likes having the radio on to the news in the morning .
●I do not move furniture at all in the areas where he likes to be to keep placement constant . So his bedroom , the bathroom , the living room and the verandah stay the same . If I am bored with a table I replace it with another table of similar height from another part of the house and I also replace chairs with chairs etc . So I can redecorate without changing what is where.
● I keep breakable objects to a minimum , most of the fragile items I now keep in a display case and I don't let anything that could topple or hurt him be on the tables in his walk path .
●I have given him his own shelf in the fridge, 2nd shelf , and I have liquids on the left , snacks in the middle, fruit and water on the right .
● I gave him wet wipes to use in the toilet , this is touchy but ...we do tend to wipe ourselves using some sight so a wet wipe is just added insurance I suppose that he's not missing anything if he goes #2
●His wardrobe is set up , left to right t shirts , dress shirts, ties , dress pants . I have his jeans on a shelf below and his underthings and socks are in a basket on the shelf so he can find them easily . I made sure he took note of the textures so he could tell them apart by ,material , sleeve length etc . ● how I figured out what needed to be done was quite simple , I closed my eyes and attempted to do certain things " blind" . That gave me a lot of insight into what needed to move and what would be a help in his feeling around .
I hope some of this helps, and I really wish you and your mom the very best .

MaxiAids has many adaptive products for people with “low vision”. Internet: www.maxiaids.com, Phone: 1-800-522-6294, Mail: Maxi-Aids, Inc. 42 Executive Blvd, Farmingdale, NY 11735

They have talking devices, such as talking clocks and watches, devices to tell them when to stop putting liquid into a cup, devices to help them watch television and so much more!

To stretch her ability as far as you can, go buy the largest screen/monitor possible so that she can see better. TV;s are cheap these days and can double as computer monitor.

There are some great suggestions here. The audio tapes caught my attention because Mom would listen to music or books and it did help her. It is amazing that your Mom is still on the computer at 95. That is wonderful. Mom had a cornea transplant that deteriorated 6 years later and her eye had to be removed (got 2nd opinions and everything). She never could see anything much out of her other eye except some light. It is hard on the parent and whole family. Seek suggestions from the experts in schools for the blind for a 95 year old lucid patient who lost her sight late in life. Anything to occupy her because she will get stressed. Anybody would. My mother was 81 when she list hers. She begged for “better glasses” and nothing helped. The music tapes helped a lot. Mom was never a tv watcher so I could not entertain her with old shows she use to know and remember in her mind’s eye. That also helps if they are receptive to it. Mom was having dementia episodes anyway so that got worse. Get expert advice along with some suggestions on here. I understand what you are going through. It is heartbreaking. Good luck to you and your Mom.

Hello 898. My mom is 79 and has suffered 5 strokes and thank God survived them all. Her eye sight was going bad due to glaucoma and of course extremely scary for your parent. So sept 2019 she had another small stroke that i feel was brought on after she started laser surgery because she had the surgery shot and a few hours later she had a stroke rt above her eyes, now her eyes are much worse. My 2 sisters and i care for our mom after this. She needs 24 hr care, she has a glaucoma that is aggressive but we continue her eye drops and keep her glasses on. At one pointe she said that she only see a white cloud. Things are better, we make sure to keep a light on when she sleeps because she did say if its complete darkness she feels blind. She scared. We comfort her and keep her eye drops up and make sure sunshine or light is kept on. Its scary and sad watching your parents go through such. I hope you and your mom both feel better.

i have a lady I clean for who has problems seeing. She has audio books she listens too. She has a floor lighted magnifying reader and also some computer type devise she puts her mail under that enhances what she’s trying to read. She has macular degeneration, 92 lives alone and is as happy as can be!

Not sure how active your mom us but ask her opthamologist to refer you to the Division of Blind Services in your county. There will be able to train and help her find with some simple skills to help her adjust to her diminishing vision. Accessibility software is available for her computer.

Start now: If you haven't, introduce her to recorded books either commercial or free through your state commission for the blind. From one of the blind associations get her lessons in using the computer as well as any sighted person. Your local library may be able to aid with this also. And a place like the Lighthouse can train her to manage everyday living. It isn't the same as having sight, but it can be fun to learn how well you can manage.

You have some great suggestions here. As annoying as technology can be at times, it can be a great asset in a moment like this. Use it to your advantage!! Check in with the assn for the Blind to learn more about all the adaptive technology that is available and increasing each day. Find the many associations for the visually impaired to check out membership pricing. Years ago (when I worked with Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, now known as Learning Ally) you needed special equipment to listen to their digital books but we've come a long way. Now with adaptive technology and voice recognition you can download books from many sources and write letters and emails. It's reading and communication in a different form and requires some adjustment but it definitely works. Good luck in your journey.

My Mother is 85 and has severe macular Degeneration. While she is still able to read, she has great difficulty. I bought her a Kindle and signed her up for Audible.com, Great Courses and Great Courses Plus. She listens to podcasts, audible narrated books and takes all kinds of lecture courses on everything from the roots of religion to how the solar system works. She can't get enough of them. I also automated the lights in her house and installed Amazon Alexa echo dots, shows, and pluses around the house. Setup timers for lights to go on and off and simple voice commands that control one or a group. She hasn't had to find a light switch or lamp in 2 years. Visit many of the low vision websites. They will give you plenty of options. She can but software to dictate emails. Use Alexa to dial contacts on phone. Automation is your friend. Good luck.

So sorry to hear this, my mother is 101 yrs old and has had this problem for 6 years, as you say, it is VERY upsetting. We looked everywhere for information and help and found nothing, no group could help us. We finally hit someone who REALLY gave us info and direction, we are now "coping" and doing well. One thing we found that helped...especially in the beginning, is the book, "Making Life More Livable" (Simple adaption for living at home after vision Loss) by Maureen A. Duffy. I'm not sure if it is on Amazon or Barnes & Noble but if you go by Maureens' name you should find it and be able to order it. It IS very simple instructions for adapting your house, clothes, food etc so your mother will be able to live alone. There are two catalogs of products for handicapped people, "Independent Living" and "MaxiAids" both also online. My mother is VERY independent and....we'll call it "strong willed", she is doing GREAT, but it does take A LOT of changing everything you do and how you "used to live", but is well worth the work! I wish you well, looks like you've gotten lots of great advice here, this site is WONDERFUL in every concern we caregivers/caregetters have!
Hang in there, you will see it fall into place one step at a time.

My aunt has glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa so she went blind a lot earlier in life. She switched from reading Agatha Christie novels to books on tape. She used to sew on sewing machine and knit and switched to hand projects. She has friends that take her grocery shopping. She listens to the radio. My mom painted her a painting of her backyard with lots of textures so she can visualize everything by touch. the The family has talked about gifting her with and Alexa of Siri voice-activated device. The only thing I wish she would do is get rid of some of her clutter which is a tripping hazard.

You can get a low cost computer from Computers For The Blind. Visionware.org
There are monitors that will enlarge
And I have seen advertised software that is voice enabled.
Along with the suggestions to have her see a Low Vision Specialist I hope these help. I can imagine how frustrating this can be as well as scary. I have had eye problems for the past 2 years and I keep telling myself....be happy that you did not loose the vision in your eye!

I too am a glaucoma patient. There is a lot of information and discussion group on the website, FitEyes.com.

898luvmymom - Hi, my Mom is 92. She has glaucoma and macular degeneration in both eyes. She also has a great ophthalmologist. However, several years back the ophthalmologist recommended that she see a glaucoma specialist. We would not have known about that type of specialist had the ophthalmologist not brought her to our attention. It has been a few years, so unfortunately, I don’t remember too many details, but I know that she added an additional eye drop for both eyes. (Ultimately, she determined that nothing additional could be done and my Mom no longer sees her but does still take the additional eye drop.) The ophthalmologist also sent her to a retinal specialist, possibly due to bleeding in the eyes. (Again, she started seeing him years ago so the details are a little foggy.) He started her on injections into the eyeball. She receives an injection in one eyeball about every five months to help prevent her from going totally blind in that eye. His office, I believe, does more advanced imaging than her ophthalmologist had the capability of doing. Also, you might want to contact the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in your area. You might need a referral from the ophthalmologist. They can help with vision aids and adapting to loosing vision before it is lost entirely. Best of luck to you and your Mom. I know how hard it is. My Mom can no longer read (which she used to love), can barely see TV, stopped driving a long time ago, has difficulty getting around, etc. It’s devastating.

Get her on mirtogenol. You can order it on Amazon. The glaucoma drops work from the outside, but this will work from the inside. There are many types of glaucoma and they don't all progress the same way. Has Mom had a trabeculotomy? Are her other medical conditions under control? If she has poor or weak control of diabetes all other conditions will be more difficult to control. Migraines? There is a link between migraine and glaucoma. Glaucoma can be complex and some patients have continuous loss of sight despite the best treament possible. It is an optic nerve disease, and can be affected by anything that affects neuropathy. Clemastine is a possible treatment but has not been proven for glaucoma. Loss of sight is terrible at any age, and much more difficult to compensate for in the elderly. You both have our love and prayers!

Resources, such as low vision specialists, vary widely according to where you live. My mother is legally blind due to macular degeneration. She has had good doctors, but none have been helpful in using her existing sight. Many years ago we traveled to see a low vision specialist, but it was a one-time visit that did not go well and I could never get my mother to travel anywhere else to try again. Actually reading and using a computer are two activities that are very accessible using different technologies, so hopefully you can locate help with that, or do research on your own.
A first step might be the association for the blind in your state.
I am not sure what your mother does most on the computer. She might enjoy listening to podcasts or having an Alexa to do certain things by voice command.
Although a more expensive option, my mother has benefited greatly by purchasing a video magnifier. The Davinci by Enhanced Vision is the model my mother has and has enabled her to stay in her own home for the last few years.

Luv, does your mother use glasses with blue light protection?  

I agree with JKM about the different foci of the two eye specialists.  I had a top notch ophthalmologist, excellent and outstanding at cataract surgery, but he just ignored questions I had about related eye issues.   

Try to get your mother to take breaks from computer work; even with blue light protection in eyeglasses if for no other reason than that), it's still hard on the eyes.   I notice a distinct difference when I don't use a computer or watch tv; even one day makes a difference - my eyes aren't strained.

JKM, your answer is very, very helpful and knowledgeable.  I learned a lot from your post.    And congratulations to your father for his long term endurance!