Living With Vision Loss - Blindness
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I'm Jim, I'm in my 40's and became legally blind in 2021 after several vitrectomy surgeries in both eyes due to multiple bi-lateral retinal detachments that have been complicated by Cataracts and Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy, PVR,
PVR is an aberrant process whereby epi/subretinal membranes form following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), ultimately leading to retinal traction and recurrent retinal detachments. Intraretinal PVR is caused by glial tissue that is activated to proliferate within the retina and can cause retinal shortening. PVR arises in an estimated 5-10% of RRD cases and therefore represents a major complication of retinal detachment.
I'm raising money to purchase a wearable digital magnifier device called eSight4. This device is not covered by insurance and I have been encouraged to use the Go Fund Me platform to raise funds for this device.
eSight4 could help maximize my remaining vision through video magnification by utilizing the parts of the retina that are still usable.
The personal expense of this device is too high and risky as the functional parts of my retina may not remain functional in the future, making this purchase more painful and risky as it may or may not work in the long term. But, at the same time, it could.
While further vision loss that may not be salvageable with eSight4 is possible as I undergo future vitrectomy surgeries, it will help today and the foreseeable future, allowing me to see the world while it's still possible. To enjoy the simple things in life, like seeing people's faces and expressions. watching my daughter play sports, or safely crossing a busy street.
Anything helps in my journey to maximize what little vision remains before the window of opportunity for vision through magnification closes.
Technical Details of eSight4:
https://esighteyewear.com/low-vision-device-for-visually-impaired/
PVR is an aberrant process whereby epi/subretinal membranes form following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), ultimately leading to retinal traction and recurrent retinal detachments. Intraretinal PVR is caused by glial tissue that is activated to proliferate within the retina and can cause retinal shortening. PVR arises in an estimated 5-10% of RRD cases and therefore represents a major complication of retinal detachment.
I'm raising money to purchase a wearable digital magnifier device called eSight4. This device is not covered by insurance and I have been encouraged to use the Go Fund Me platform to raise funds for this device.
eSight4 could help maximize my remaining vision through video magnification by utilizing the parts of the retina that are still usable.
The personal expense of this device is too high and risky as the functional parts of my retina may not remain functional in the future, making this purchase more painful and risky as it may or may not work in the long term. But, at the same time, it could.
While further vision loss that may not be salvageable with eSight4 is possible as I undergo future vitrectomy surgeries, it will help today and the foreseeable future, allowing me to see the world while it's still possible. To enjoy the simple things in life, like seeing people's faces and expressions. watching my daughter play sports, or safely crossing a busy street.
Anything helps in my journey to maximize what little vision remains before the window of opportunity for vision through magnification closes.
Technical Details of eSight4:
https://esighteyewear.com/low-vision-device-for-visually-impaired/
The photo below shows the areas of the retina that have been destroyed (green and yellow). The small pink areas are what remains of my functional retinas. The retina is like film in an old fashion camera, generating the images we see. As you can see in the image, most of my retina is gone. The entire area should be pinkish. And the Cataract further obstructs my remaining vision and Cataract removal surgery puts me at additional risk for more detachments and PVR.
Organizer
Jim Milligan
Organizer
Reno, NV