My Story

“I am a 25-year marketing veteran. After working in TV, radio, out-of-home media, direct mail, and public relations, I decided to open my own boutique advertising agency to better serve the small business community. While my business was growing, I started noticing that my vision wasn’t quite right. Something was off. I went to an optician to have my vision checked, but was told my vision was fine. Several months later, whatever was wrong was getting worse. I went to another optician and heard the same thing: my vision was fine. This time, I said no, something is not right. That’s when the doctor had me take the Amsler Grid Test. And yes, there was something wrong — the doctor suspected macular degeneration.

The optician referred me to a retina doctor. After a series of tests, he confirmed I had dry macular degeneration. There was no known cure or treatment. I would slowly lose my central vision, my ability to see things directly. This meant I would no longer be able to read a newspaper, watch TV, drive, or successfully run my advertising agency. I’ve had a lot of health issues in my life, but this was the first time I cried because of one. And yes, I was depressed.

I closed my business and applied for disability, which meant I would no longer control my income. I just took each day as it came. Then my mother saw an advertisement in her local newspaper about Dr. Huggett, a low vision specialist, and how he could help those with low vision. I called him for a phone consultation, then went to see him. After testing, he told me all was not lost — he could help me see the things I wanted to see by enhancing the vision I had left. Dr. Huggett gave me hope.

Dr. Huggett recommended bioptic glasses. These allowed me to do many of the things I thought I’d have to give up. And what a difference! Using my bioptic glasses along with many of the other vision-enhancing tools available for low vision, I was able to go back to doing advertising, just out of a home office instead. I also don’t smoke, and I’ve been taking AREDS 2 eye vitamins ever since my diagnosis, which I credit for the slow progression of my condition. And I’ve trained myself to rely on my peripheral vision — sometimes it’s almost like I don’t have macular degeneration at all.

When Dr. Huggett was looking for someone to help him with his marketing and website, he didn’t have to look any farther than one of his own patients — someone who understood firsthand what it’s like to live with low vision.

I know it’s scary to realize you’re losing your vision, but there really is hope. You just need to see a low vision doctor. I am proof.”

Start Your Own Path Forward

If Loretta’s story sounds familiar, you don’t have to navigate vision loss alone. A comprehensive low vision evaluation can help determine what’s really going on and what options are available to you, whether that’s specialized low vision glasses, low vision rehabilitation therapy, or another approach from our full range of low vision treatments. Learn more about the eye diseases that commonly cause low vision, or read about another patient’s personal experience with rehabilitation therapy. If you’re ready to take the next step, visit our New Patient Center to see what to expect.