THE MACULAR
DEGENERATION COMMUNITY

Name
Latunza Everett

Born
5/12/1974

Home
Jackson, Mississippi

Diagnosis
Stargardt disease

Eyes Affected
Both

Eye Color
Brown

Age at Diagnosis
8

Acuity
20/200 and 20/400

Treatment
None

Prognosis or Current State of Vision
Stable

Family History
None

Impact on My Life
I found out at a young age. At first, it was nothing really abnormal to me. Life was not really harder or different than other kids around me, but as I got older, my vision deteriorated more and more. By the time I was in high school, I couldn't see the chalkboard without standing right in front of it, or read a book without almost touching my face with it. I have never really had a problem with colors or blurred vision. Having to be very close to anything I'm trying to read, even large signs, has always been a problem for me. The main thing that bothers me now is not being able to drive.

Another difficult challenge with having Stargardt's is that I have never met or heard of another person who even had this disease until tonight. I never knew there were support groups where you could talk to other people dealing with the same hardships. I have always felt like no one in my circle really understands what its like.

Positive Effects
Stargardt's has not stopped me from leading a fairly normal life. I got married and I have two daughters. We do all the same things other families do, except we always have to get a ride.