Discover how to thrive while living with geographic atrophy (GA).
Although your vision may have changed, GA won’t cause total blindness. By adapting and making a few adjustments, you can still lead an active and independent life.
How Initial Feelings
When diagnosed with GA, it’s natural to feel sad or anxious.
“I was completely devastated after the diagnosis,” says Jill Adelman, a GA patient and advocate for the visually impaired from Turnersville, NJ.
For Adelman, coming to terms with the GA diagnosis was a process. “Thankfully, the changes I’ve experienced have been gradual. The hardest parts were accepting my vision loss and the changes that came along with it,” she says.
Dr. Matt Starr, an ophthalmologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, notes that many people with GA remember a loved one who struggled with vision loss. “I remind them that GA will never lead to complete vision loss and many people are still able to lead fulfilling lives. They just need a little bit more help,” he says.
The Realities of GA
When you have GA, you’re legally blind, but many people misinterpret what being legally blind really means. “GA doesn’t turn the lights off, but it does reduce central fine detail vision,” says Dr. Sam Dahr, director of the Retina Division at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.
In addition to blind spots in your central vision, you may notice a loss of sharpness or a lack of vibrancy in colors. It may be hard to see in low light. It may be challenging to recognize faces. Daily activities like driving, reading, crafts, and hobbies might be difficult.
“Driving or reading may be compromised, but you can typically maneuver around your house, go to the mall or restaurants, exercise in the health club, and stay physically and socially active,” Dahr says.
Adaptations to Improve Your Life
Thankfully, tools and technology can help you remain active and independent despite GA.
Magnifiers and high-quality lighting can improve your vision. Computers, tablets, and smartphones can help you navigate your home and surroundings, recognize objects, and perform everyday tasks using voice commands.
Of course, adapting to life with GA might require some changes, like special lighting, magnifying glasses, and large-print fonts or audiobooks. Even small changes like using light- or dark-colored cutting boards for better contrast and applying bright tape to measuring cups can keep you safe and independent in the kitchen.
