[Carl in Tampa]

If you or someone you know is experiencing the eyesight problem of difficulty seeing things in the center of the field of vision, the problem might be AMD; Age-related Macular Degeneration.

An immediate visit to an ophthalmologist is warranted. The disease cannot be cured, but its progress may be slowed.

It was AMD that prompted Barbara to move from The Villages to a Western state where she could be near her children as her case of AMD progressed. It was first discovered by my ophthalmologist in Tampa, who treated it for a while before Barbara transferred to a specialist in The Villages. The treatments did seem to slow the progress of the disease.

But, in her new home Barbara got some GREAT NEWS. Apparently, an ophthalmologist there discovered that she had another problem, which could be improved by Laser treatments.

Today, after the treatments, she can again read the small print trailers that run across the bottom of the TV screens, and has no trouble reading the playing cards, which is a great blessing for a person as dedicated to card games as she is.

There is still a very small dot in the center of her vision where she cannot see, but this is not debilitating.

I post this as a message of hope for those with AMD type of eyesight problems. Even if you have complete confidence in your doctor, as she did here, a second opinion might be worthwhile. It took a doctor in a different state to revive Barbara's vision.

Best wishes.