Dr. Nancy Tilson-Mallett’s life took an unexpected turn 23 years ago when she received a diagnosis of glaucoma. At the time, she was a 46-year-old doctor of internal medicine with specialties in geriatrics, hospice, and palliative care, as well as a dedicated mother and artist. 

For Dr. Tilson-Mallett, learning that 80% of her optic nerves were irreversibly damaged was devastating, but she refused to let her diagnosis define her life. Learn more about her story.

Facing challenges head-on

“I was bumping into things; in my car, I had some side-swiping experiences while driving,” she wrote in a recent column. Depressed but undaunted, she finally underwent surgical procedures on both eyes and sought assistance from therapists to learn how to negotiate the world with diminishing vision.

“I knew I had lost a lot of vision and I was having a hard time navigating. But it took five years after my diagnosis before I knew I could do something about it. That was when I went to an occupational therapist who taught me all about dim vision and how to cope with it. It totally changed my life. Unfortunately, I hadn’t gotten that help earlier.”

As she grappled with her condition, Dr. Tilson-Mallett found solace in her role as an artist. “Once I learned that I had glaucoma, I really concentrated on color and objects, and memorizing what I see because I know I might lose it,” she said. “I try to memorize my first impression so that’s what I remember without the dimness.” 

Slowly, she began to channel her experiences with glaucoma into her artwork.. 

Art as a tool for healing and advocacy

For Dr. Tilson-Mallett, however, art is not just a form of personal expression and documentation of her journey; it’s a way to raise awareness about visual impairments and the resilience of individuals living with such conditions. 

“My passions for the love of nature, color and patterns, biology, and medicine are expressed in my artwork,” she wrote. “Even in medical school, I saw the beauty in microscopic images. I’m fascinated with science and art and medical imagery.” 

In fact, she added, “The technical images of my retina and optic nerve were fascinating to me. The artwork is my interpretation of these diagnostic studies – mostly silk paintings.”

By translating diagnostic studies into captivating pieces of art, Tilson-Mallett invites viewers to experience the beauty and complexity of the human eye and the challenges faced by those living with visual impairments. 

Through traveling exhibitions such as A Physician/Artist’s Visual Journey, she continues to shed light on the impact of glaucoma while also celebrating the resilience of individuals like herself.

Inspiring others through resilience

Despite the limitations imposed by her condition, Dr. Tilson-Mallett remains committed to sharing her story and inspiring others to embrace resilience in the face of adversity. Through lectures, and presentations such as Vision Quest, she encourages medical students to hone their observation skills and recognize the importance of empathy in patient care. 

She also emphasizes the power of creativity and adaptation in overcoming life’s challenges.

She loves doing outdoor landscape painting, for instance, but hasn’t been able to do that since the brightness of the natural light has to be just so. Instead, she wrote, “I’ve learned to do a quick sketch, do a color scheme, and take it back to my studio where there’s perfect lighting. I’ve learned how to pace myself.”

As she continues to navigate life with diminished vision, Dr. Tilson-Mallett serves as a beacon of hope, proving that with determination and perseverance, one can find beauty and meaning in even the most difficult circumstances.

*Tilson-Mallett, N. (2024, March). Living With Glaucoma: Meet Nancy Tilson-Mallett, MD. The Glaucoma Foundation Newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/glaucomafoundation/read-julys-newsletter-10687159?e=09d6041ed4