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Tuesday 2 October 2018

AMD Problem

I have not done much in the way of painting or gaming in recent days as I have detected a problem with my left eye. My left eye vision is fine, but there is a misty effect in the centre when I look at things. After several trips to the doctor, opticians and the hospital it seems that I have AMD - Age-related Macular Degeneration, which is what it says on the tin.  At the moment my right eye is OK, but has signs of the same issue.  It would appear that this problem will increase as time goes by and will likely affect both eyes.  There is currently no cure or medication for this.

For the time being I have reduced my painting as I was having terrible headaches, caused I think by the strain of trying to work with the one good eye.

I hope this is not the end of my painting 20mm/25mm figures, but I am going to give it a rest until I know a little bit more about AMD and how to cope with it.

16 comments:

  1. Hi Bob,

    Sorry to hear the news er your eyesight and I hope you can find a good way to manage it. In the meantime though rather than painting why not use the opportunity to get some games in? It would be good to see the Crimean collection in action again!

    All the best,

    DC

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    1. Thanks David, the pause in painting has certainly given me time to plan some wargaming scenarios. I will play out some of these as soon as my mojo returns!

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  2. Hello Bob,
    I feel for you and pray that the condition does not worsen. I'm a Diabetic and have regular Macular Checks with the Opthomologist - I even have my Macular Checked to extend the use of my Car Licence each year as well. Keeping my fingers crossed for you Bob. Best Wishes. KEV.

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    1. Kev, the one thing that I have learned since being diagnosed is that there are loads of people worse off than me who are getting on with life and that give me encouragement. I am now working on ways to adapt to the problem.

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  3. Hello Bob,

    That really is rotten news. Very sorry to hear that. Best wishes, Matt

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  4. Sorry to hear that, Bob. It's especially hard-hitting when your hobby involves so much artistry. I hope you work out how to manage it; meanwhile I'll second David's comments above to enjoy the work you've already done by playing some cracking games!

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    1. Hi Jeffers, I think that once I have sorted myself out I will finish off some incomplete projects in slow time and turn towards some wargaming scenarios. I am investing in some better lighting and magnifiers to see if that helps.

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  5. Very sorry to hear this.

    My eyes have deteriorated sufficiently in the last few years that it has had a serious impact on my enjoyment of painting but nothing THAT serious YET for me, thank goodness. At this point there are enough big figures on the shelf that I should be able to play games till the lights go out all together.

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  6. Sorry to read about this latest development. Best of luck.

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  7. Bon courage, Bob. What a rotten turn of events.
    Best regards
    Matthew

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  8. Yep, that's bad news, and something I worry about happening to me in the future. In the last few years I have been collecting and painting 54mm figures which is a lot easier on the eyes, so that may be an option, but also it's worth remembering a lot of people (perhaps more so in the USA) collect and play with unpainted plastic figures as I dare say you did as a child (I certainly did). Here's a blog where the writer often displays/games with armies simply painted one colour for each opposing side..... http://ilikethethingsilike.blogspot.com/

    anyhow, good luck and best wishes
    Mike

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  9. Hi Mike, I don't think I could play with unpainted figures, although that may be the way ahead as this thing progresses. That said the idea of 54mm gaming is a good idea and something that I have dabbled in before. I have used Britains ready painted plastic figures, which may indeed be the solution. Most of all, thanks for the encouragement which is warmly received.

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