Lost Reading Skills

Most of my low vision patients request my help with reading.  They've enjoyed reading all of their life and now, thanks to macular degeneration or some other eye condition, they are unable to read.  In most cases I am able to prescribe low vision glasses that allow them to read very small letters or numbers.  Most of these people can read their Bible, magazines or newspapers with the glasses and they order them.  Sadly, some of them have lost their reading skills.  Due to lack of practice, even though they can read small letters, they can't read the words.  I feel very bad for these people.

Last week I saw a patient like that.  A very sharp gentleman in his 80's who'd retired from the Army as a Lt. Colonel.  He wanted to read the Wall Street Journal and was unable to.  Macular degeneration had damaged his vision and he'd not been reading for over a year.  He and I were pleased when he read the smallest letters and numbers on my reading card.  When I flipped the card over and asked him to read the sentences he was unable to read the largest.  He couldn't recognize the words.

From experiences like this I've learned how important it is to continue reading.  If you don't think that you are ready to see a low vision optometrist then get books with large print, use a magnifying glass.  What ever it takes don't give up reading.  It is very hard to relearn to read.  Don't allow yourself to give up.  If you just can't manage to read the things you'd like call a low vision doctor like me.  You will probably do well with low vision glasses but don't wait too long.