Shortly after being treated for vertigo around 12 years ago, Ed Siegel–writer, arts critic, and editor–sought treatment for a torn retina in his right eye. In response to his question concerning whether or not the vertigo and the eye damage could be related, the intern said no. When Siegel pressed her for an answer that could explain both, she told him, “Age.” She was right. And wrong.

Getting a Diagnosis

A couple of weeks later, Siegel found himself back at the hospital. Unfortunately, his problem wasn’t just age; it was age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that can lead to blindness if not treated appropriately. It can also cause vertigo.

Siegel was treated, and his vision remained stable for 10 years until it suddenly grew blurry. His “dry” AMD (a common condition in people over 50) had progressed to the much more serious “wet” AMD, in which blood vessels grow beneath the retina and start leaking. 

Treatment and Questions

Siegel’s doctor at Harvard Vanguard told him that he needed monthly injections of Avastin (the brand name for the drug bevacizumab, injected into the eye to slow vision loss in people with “wet” AMD). He was informed that blurriness might not improve and that he could possibly lose vision in his left eye, as well.

The prognosis forced Siegel to face some tough questions. He wondered about his career. Should he transition from theater to music criticism? What other adjustments might he need to make? He started learning as much as he could about the disease and made some changes in his lifestyle habits. 

Taking Action and Seeing Results

He set aside his beloved books, took out a subscription to Audible, and started using a Kindle so he could adjust the brightness and font size. He also took up walking for about 30 minutes every day and embarked on a diet makeover, concocting tasty, eye-healthy meals using recipes from the cookbook Eat Right for Your Sight.

As for the injections, they seem to be working. Siegel’s vision improved from 20/60 to 20/35 after the first injection and from 20/35 to 20/25 after the second one. The blurriness cleared up, though how long that can be sustained is not certain. Siegel feels confident that his lifestyle changes, which are good for his overall health, provide strong support for his eye treatments.

The Journey Continues

In the meantime, Siegel lives for the moment, enjoying being able to read physical books again and learning new cooking tips from YouTube. His AMD journey has been a catalyst for personal growth. He writes and has made him more philosophical. “We should pay attention to the knock on the door that time is of the essence,” he advises, “and ask ourselves how we want to spend it.” 

*Siegel, E. (2021, Aug. 31). A Macular Degeneration Odyssey: Books, Bill Russell and Beethoven. WBUR. https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/08/31/macular-degeneration-food-art