Name
Jim Gamble
Born
1947
Home
Lewistown, Montana
Diagnosis
Wet MMD / Pathological Myopia
Eyes Affected
Both
Eye Color
Blue
Age at Diagnosis
(6) Extreme Myopia, (57) PMD
Acuity
20/200+ Left, 20/80 Right and deteriorating
Treatment
PDT - 06/04, 08/04 & 12/04 in Left eye, 1568 hot laser shots
to seal five holes and tears in right eye - 08/05 (damaged nerve that
controls the pupil). Largest hole was right above the nerve.
Prognosis or Current State of
Vision
The right eye was fairly stable until May 2007 with onset of distortion. RS said the vitreous gel was pulling in
or tugging on the retina causing swelling and distortion ("wait and see").
Distortion continued intermittently until the day after Christmas. I woke
up with pain in the "good" eye and more distortion. Today is February 3,
2008. Over the past five weeks my vision in the right has gone from 20/40
to 20/80. Optometrist checked eye on Friday and found a hemorrhage. Will
see RS sometime this week, but vision is going fast/font>
Family History
Uncle (mother's brother) had similar problems, suspected
passed down from maternal great grandmother. Strangely enough, we have
three children, and the oldest girl is slightly near sighted. The younger boy
and girl are both far sighted, thank God!
Impact on My Life
Huge impact this past six months. I had to stop
working in August due to the distortion and stress. Blood pressure went sky
high. I have to take off my glasses to read a book, newspaper and computer
from an inch away. Then my right eye blurs out after a short time. Central
vision in the left eye has been gone for a long time now. I'm new to this.
It sucks, but I will go on the best I can. I am upgrading my computer so I
can use JAWS. I guess I need advice on many things. I will have to consult
the low vision people. I wish there was some miracle cure.
Positive Effects
When I was a boy, I used to watch Oral Roberts "curing"
people on TV. I prayed and prayed that God would heal my eyes and give me
normal vision. I guess He said "No." Now I just thank Him that I have had
60 years of a fairly normal life. I have driven hundreds of thousands of
miles and been to 47 states, Canada, and Mexico. I have four wonderful
children and seven grandchildren. My son, a Magna Cum Laude graduate of
Notre Dame, is a Major in the USAF with a Master's Degree in Aerospace
Engineering. My "baby" girl is one of the youngest female bank presidents in
the U.S. at 29. She was nominated for the JFK Award of Academic Excellence
at the University of Massachusetts a few years ago and received her MBA from
Arizona State last year. How could one ask for more?
Adaptations
I'm in the process. I don't know yet quite what to do. I
may not be driving long. That will be the toughest adjustment. It's
happening right now, so I'll have to let you all know how it works out. I
know I will need help, probably magnifiers or whatever. I'm open to any and
all advice. It's kind of difficult when one lives "somewhere in the middle
of Montana". . where do you go and what do you do . . . ?
Employment
I stopped working last August (07) as a manager at
a local supermarket. I've been in the insurance and financial planning
business for 31 years, but sort of semi-retired in the nineties. I still
keep my license and do my CE, but haven't done much business the past year.
It's a real pain when you can't see.
More About Me
I went back to college eleven years ago at age 49 and
graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2000 with a B.S. Degree in Business and
Marketing. Last, but certainly not least, is my beautiful wife. She has
been my "rock" for more than 34 years. Thank you, Honey!
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