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Name
Dan Roberts (Director, MD Support)
Born
7-21-46
Home
Kansas City MO
Diagnosis
Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR)
Eyes Affected
Both eyes.
Eye Color
Blue
Age at Diagnosis
48
Visual Acuity
20/200 (left), 20/40 (right).
Treatment
Taking antioxidants and zinc. Following all known precautions for protecting retinas. Keeping stress level as low as possible, since hyperadrenalism is a cause of CSR.
Prognosis or Current State of
Vision
Complete loss of central vision within 5-10 years. Blind area
covers macula in left eye. Right eye shows beginnings of same
problem.
Family History
Paternal great grandmother blind from unknown causes. Maternal great grandmother lost vision from cataracts, and may also have had undiagnosed retinal degeneration. Mother had cataracts and showed symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa, but died at age 59 before it was diagnosed.
Impact on My Life
This disease motivated me to retire from public school music
teaching and church music ministry to run my own performing arts
academy. This has allowed me to devote time to public awareness of
macular degeneration and related diseases.
Positive Effects
Building the Internet MD Community and making its resources
available to the general public has been my successful
self-imposed therapy. I have also learned to prepare for the worst, expect the best, and live in the present.
Adaptations
Increased lighting, magnification, extra pairs of glasses with
different prescriptions for different needs, limited
driving, use of text-to-speech software when eyes get tired.
Working
Retired in 1995 after many years in public school teaching and church music ministry. Now teaching classes in drama and music at my performing arts academy. Web
site: www.academyinfo.net . Also teach music and drama for developmentally disabled adults at two local colleges and try to keep four publishers happy with plays and musicals.
More About Me
Married since 1968 to Christina. Three grown children and four
grandchildren. Favorite pastimes: playing the piano and writing. Also love to travel
around the country meeting my MD Friends.
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