Macular degeneration, often called AMD or ARMD (for age-related macular degeneration), is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness, affecting 1.6 million Americans age 50 and older. Low vision is a term commonly used to mean partial sight, or sight that is not corrected with contact lenses or standard glasses. Vision is still functional but the degree of loss interferes with the ability to perform daily activities. The severity of the loss can be moderate to almost total blindness. Low vision aids can make the most of remaining vision. Information on eye disease warning signs and treatment are available. Low vision can be caused by an eye injury or various eye diseases. Common causes of low vision include:
The National Parkinson Foundation provides research, clinical studies, patient and caregiver services, public and professional education, literature, manuals, and physician referrals and also assists support groups worldwide.
Javon and Jakayla 8 and 3 years old Diagnosis: Javon was discovered to have acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2003 and his sister Jakayla was found to suffer from ALL in 2008. Javon and Jakayla's Story: When Javon was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. He underwent three years of chemotherapy at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Javon and Jakayla 8 and 3 years old Diagnosis: Javon was discovered to have acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2003 and his sister Jakayla was found to suffer from ALL in 2008. Javon and Jakayla's Story: When Javon was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. He underwent three years of chemotherapy at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Near the end of his treatment, doctors discovered Javon had suffered a relapse and would need more chemotherapy, as well as radiation. Javon began his new course of treatment at St. Jude, and was nearly always accompanied by his mom, Lisa, and baby sister, Jakayla. In fall 2008, about a month before Javon finished treatment for a second time, Jakayla became sick. She had the symptoms of a cold, and then she stopped eating. Lisa took her to their local doctor, who did blood work. The results of those tests were troubling, and the doctor quickly referred the family to St. Jude. At
Faced with the possibility that not one, but two, of her children were suffering from cancer, Lisa was devastated. "I thought I was in a dream, and I'd wake up," she said. But she trusted the medical experts at St. Jude. St. Jude doctors quickly determined that, like her brother, Jakayla suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She began an intense chemotherapy protocol. Lisa says that it was hard for Javon to learn that his little sister had cancer too, but the Child Life specialists at St. Jude explained to him that he could help her get through it, and that made him feel better. The two children couldn't be closer. They like to sing together and play Gameboy™. "Jakayla loves Javon," Lisa said. "She wants him always by her side." And although Jakayla still has two more years of treatment to go, Lisa is happy to report that her little girl is in remission.
Javon and Jakayla 8 and 3 years old Diagnosis: Javon was discovered to have acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2003 and his sister Jakayla was found to suffer from ALL in 2008. Javon and Jakayla's Story: When Javon was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. He underwent three years of chemotherapy at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.