No longer able to read

[Sfen]

My husband has had PSP for about 5 years. I just noticed that he is no longer able to read the newspaper. Can anyone share experience with special glasses etc?

[LeeBeeUSA]

We've gone through the same process - ours over the last six years. Based on a thorough exam, a good optometrist should be able to tell you if something like prism glasses can help (in our case, not) if even for a short while.

My wife was an avid reader. Now she's an avid listener to audio books and the news on radio and TV.

Hang in there and be safe.

lb

[daddyt in reply to LeeBeeUSA]

You might consider a tablet and an online news subscription. You can enlarge the font - it works for me.

Tim

[Sfen in reply to daddyt]

Will try tablet . He has trouble with anything with “buttons” remote etc

[Sfen in reply to LeeBeeUSA]

Thanks so much. Helpful to take with someone with same experiences

[Beads0122]

Sven,

My wife who had CBD had the same problem with reading. She loved to read and was an avid reader. Initially, she had a problem with finding the next line when the text wrapped to the next line. So she started reading more on an electronic device where we could reduce the column width. This worked for a short time. The optometrist could not find any issue with the function of the eyes, but it appeared to be the increasing cognitive issue where the signal from the eyes to the brain garbled the words. She switched to watching more tv, as she also struggled with books on tape.

You are doing the right thing, being sensitive to him and his capabilities. Enjoy him, love him, and cherish every moment you have albeit difficult.

Blessings,

Bobby

[Sfen in reply to Beads0122]

Thank you. Encouraging to talk to others about these issues.

[fishponds]

My hubby has CBD he can not read or write he has had eye tests and they say his vision is ok so it’s cognitive issues he can not see side vision in his right eye he listenes to audio books He can not even sign his name and it’s been like that for a couple of years now x Maggie

[Sfen in reply to fishponds]

Yes, I expect this is happening. Still says he “sees” TV well. Have really not noticed cognitive issues yet

[Uscarol]

My husband now only can watch tv. I should have made the connection when he stopped reading 6 years ago. He was then going to the ophthalmologist and there was nothing wrong with his eyes. Not long after all he entertained himself with was doing solitaire on his phone. The progression was to a larger tablet. Now it's only TV. I had to get a really large TV 65". That and his recliner is his whole world. Lately he's been having trouble with the controller.

Short story long. If he can glasses that would be helpful, by all means. But much of the time it may not be helpful or the progression of the disease catches up and the frustration with vision shows up. Good luck.

[Gambee19]

I have PSP and reading is getting a bit tougher for me. I had cataract surgery in May and a couple of weeks ago I got my new glasses with prisms. They’ve solved my double vision problem🥳 I read almost exclusively on my iPad and it works out well when I can enlarge the print. My eyes do water constantly so that causes my biggest problem with reading. My eyes get blurry...probably from eye strain. I’m just glad I can still read,although I also watch a lot of tv...it’s easier than reading.

I think the prism glasses help. But not every ophthalmologist can prescribe them correctly. I went to a specialist at Mayo Clinic in Florida. Try to find somebody who is familiar with PSP and CBD eye issues. Good luck and stay safe.😷🥰💕💕💕💕

[SewBears]

One of the many diagnoses that hubby has is called Posterior Cortical Atrophy. It's a dementia that effects the visual center of the brain. Spacial awareness issues.

Before diagnosis of Posterior Cortical Atrophy, the dementia specialist sent us to an ophthalmologist, to confirm that his eyesight was okay. It was. Then the dementia specialist came up with dx of PCA.

The doctors tell me there’s nothing that they can do for this and it’s possible that he will continue to deteriorate and possibly go blind. Trying to find a bright side to this, so far the progression is slow.

We have also moved up television sizes. Captions were a must for help with understanding, but he can no longer read. Now we spend time listening to music. It brings back some lovely memories.

I hope that you can experiment with prisms or that you can find something that works. Good luck and please keep us posted on what you find out.

❤️ SewBears