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THE MACULAR
DEGENERATION COMMUNITY

 

Colen
photo

Name
Colen Benfield

Born
Oct. 7, 1929

Home
North Carolina, US

Diagnosis
Dry AMD that progressed to Wet AMD.

Eyes Affected
Both.

Eye Color
Hazel

Age at Diagnosis
67

Visual Acuity
No central vision in left eye. Right eye has 20/80-minus corrected acuity with small blind spot.

Treatment
7 unsuccessful laser surgeries on left eye. Submacular surgery on right eye.

Prognosis or Current State of Vision
Right eye has been stable since submacular surgery in October 1998.

Family History
Brother has wet MD.

Impact on My Life
I no longer trust my vision well enough to drive even though my visual acuity qualifies me for a restricted drivers license. Losing my independence and learning to depend upon others has been the most difficult for me.

Positive Effects
Elaine and I joke that the most positive effect is that she will always be young to me - I can't see her wrinkles.

Adaptations
A 21" monitor has enabled me to continue to enjoy my computer. I have sunglasses of different colors that actually help me see better. I have learned to do many things by "feel". And I have learned that if I use patience and preserverance I can still take care of almost all the jobs on my "Honey-Do" list.

Working
I was retired at the time of diagnosis so was fortunate that I did not have to worry about working.

More About Me
I have 3 children: Denyse, Sonya, and Cathy.



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