January 28, 2004. By John J. Vander Meer, They hang like dark
clouds in the windows on the world for millions of Americans.
For area residents such as Arney Chapman, the loss of mobility
has been one of the worst parts of having macular degeneration
-- the leading cause of blindness for those age 55 and older in
the United States. "At first it was very traumatic," he said. "I
don't think people realize how difficult it can be to not be
able to get around." Chapman has had macular degeneration for
two years, a condition which has rendered him legally blind.
Consequently, he's unable to read, write, drive a car or do many
of the things most people with proper vision take for granted.
According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, more
than 10 million Americans are affected by this condition -- more
than cataracts and glaucoma combined. The condition is caused by
a deterioration of the central portion of the retina -- the
inside back layer of the eye that records the images we see and
sends them via