“I know different people use different tools,” said Anita Chamberlain. “So I keep my eyes and ears open for ideas because at some point I’ll probably need to use those as well.”

Anita, a wife, mother, grandmother, and nurse, lives with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). She first noticed changes in her low-light vision about three years ago. None of the changes she’s experienced has been sudden, and she has learned to adapt over time. She explained, “It’s annoying at first, but then you learn to live with it.”

Everyday Habits for Safer, Easier Vision

One of Anita’s most important habits is paying attention to lighting. “In low light, I make sure I turn on the lights more often,” she said. “I’m very careful when I’m going up and down stairs. I think my depth perception is a little off … especially at nighttime, if I get up to go to the bathroom, I want to make sure that I’ve got enough light to see where I’m going.”

She also uses an Amsler grid about once a week to monitor changes in her vision. Even on days when she doesn’t check her vision using the Amsler grid, she uses household objects to check for changes. “Almost daily, I find myself closing one eye and looking around … and then I’ll close the other eye and look around to see how things look.”

Tools That Make a Difference

Anita has found a few vision aids especially helpful. She uses a makeup mirror with a 10-times magnifier and a ring light for tasks that require fine detail — though she jokes that sometimes she needs makeup help, asking her family, “Are my eyebrows straight?”

For portable magnification, she uses small glasses with adjustable lenses. “I’m still getting used to these, but I can’t take that magnifier with me everywhere I go. So they’re helpful.”

She also relies on blue-light-blocking lenses. “I use blue blockers on everything. I have blue blockers on my prescription glasses.”

Tech Adjustments

Anita has customized her phone for easier reading. “I do use the dark background on my phone, and I use the larger font on my phone so I can see better,” she said.

These small changes help reduce strain and make information more accessible.

A Personalized Approach

For Anita, living with AMD means finding what works for her — and respecting that others may do things differently. “Everybody’s different. What works for you is not necessarily what’s going to work for me and vice versa,” she said. “It’s more important to do your own research and know your own body.”

Anita refuses to let AMD conquer her spirit. “Macular degeneration does not define me. … It’s just part of who I am, part of something that I will have to deal with — but it’s something that I can do something about.”

Connect With Others Who Understand

On myAMDteam, people share their experiences with age-related macular degeneration, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What tools or tech have made your daily life with AMD easier? Let others know in the comments below.