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THE MACULAR
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Name: Susan Gerhart Born: WWII, Utica Ohio Home: Prescott Arizona (100 mi NW of Phoenix) Diagnosis: Myopic (-16) degeneration, macular hole, detachments, cataracts. Eyes Affected: Right loss of central and some peripheral vision. Left shows myopic degeneration but no damage as yet. Eye Color: Grey/green Age at Diagnosis: 50 Visual Acuity: 20/30 Left, ?? right. Treatment: Scleral buckle, vitrectomy, gas injections, laser, cataract removal. Prognosis or Current State of Vision: Get along with one good eye, no longer near-sighted after cataract lens removal. Family History: Early onset cataracts, no known MD or blindness. Impact on My Life: Many weeks of down-time, but renewed energy post-cataracts. Added medical costs due to pre-existing conditions on private health insurance. Inability to maintain career mobility and competitive edge. Positive Effects: Slowed me down! Stopped taking certain risks. Had to make a career choice toward family. Adaptations: Self-imposed driving limits (avoid speed, night). Black background on computer screens, experimenting with speech-text/text-speech. Working: Software engineering professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, developing education and training in computer security; web software packages and services at www.twurl.com. More About Me: Live with brother and co-parent middle school niece & nephew, very concerned about gender and disability opportunities in science and engineering. |
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