Took Mom to the Eye Doctor

I was very upset when I took Mom, age 90, to the eye doctor last week. She was told to read the chart with one eye covered as usual and could not see the big "E" with her left eye. She could see it with her right eye but then could not see the second level of letters. She had her eyes checked last Fall but wow...they have gotten much worse. They can be corrected somewhat with new glasses (which are being made as we speak) but I feel so bad that this is happening. I know everything begins to go at her age but when you cannot even read the daily newspaper, live alone and only watch TV all day, life becomes very depressing. I feel so bad for her and for all other elderly home-bound folks. Wish I could do more.

my parent's eyes are both failing, too. Cataracts and glacoma.

My grandmother was legally blind for the last few years of her life. All of her life I remember her watching tv (the world's greatest invention, in her mind) and playing cards. As she got older and after my grandfather died, these were all she had in her life that really made her happy. Then she couldn't even do that anymore.

I wish, also, that we could make life easier for older people. It seems so unfair to have lived for so long and have so much taken from you.

If any of you have wuestions about eyes, my hubby is an eye doctor and would gladly answer your questions.

He says that there are certain types of metal frames that have very thin temples that will interfere minimally qith the cannula.

Anno, I have thought so much about getting old lately because of waht we are going through with an elderly family member. It it so sad what can happen near the end of life. I've decided that's why we need to live each day to the fullest.

Anno, speaking of haing things taken from you. I haven't been able to drive since my surgery and I am a long way from being able to do so. I can't bend my right knee. Anyway, I haven't felt like going anywhere, but I imagine in a week I will feel better, but still won't be able to drive. I am not looking forward to this. IT really takes away my independence. And I know I will be driving within a month. I feel terribly about taking cars away from the elderly, but it has to be done.

I agree about living life to the fullest. Dennis has parkinsons and one thing we have decided is to do as much travel as possible in the next few years. If he can travel later, great; if not, well we did as much as we could, when we could.