Prevention of Blindness Society...

Macular Degeneration

Your New Vision

With macular degeneration, the central portion of your vision has been affected. The side or peripheral vision is clear. In order for you to use your vision efficiently, you can benefit by learning some new techniques. You have spent most of your life looking directly at something to see it more clearly. Now, some of the detail may be missing or smudged. The following technique encourages you to direct your attention to the side of that missing or smudged part. REMEMBER, THIS TECHNIQUE TAKES PRACTICE AND TIME TO LEARN.

1. Sit 2-3 feet from the TV set. Move only your eyes to look at the right side of the TV screen. Now, the left side.

2. Now try half way between the center and the sides. Can you find a spot where you see the screen better if you look slightly to one side or the other?

3. If not, try again; this time slightly higher or lower. Do this until you find the spot where things seem clearer. This is where you need to look to see things most clearly.

4. Now try this technique with someone. Instead of looking directly at them, look at their cheek, ear, chin or forehead.

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