January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. As we age most of us notice a definite change in our ability to see clearly. I know I certainly have. I wear contact lenses and I keep telling my Doctor I think I need a new prescription. I just can’t see as well as I use to and oh, what’s with the lights at night? Why are they a little blurry? It seems I have the beginning of a cataract in one eye, according to my Doctor, nothing worth doing anything about – yet. Aren’t I too young for that? No, I’m not, statistically most cataracts develop in people over the age of 55, I passed that milestone a while ago, but maybe I’ll be like Mom…
My wonderful Mother passed away a little over a year ago. She was almost 94 and in wonderful health. She swam in the lake that summer, hiked, made pies, entertained her bridge club and began each day with a cup of coffee and the New York Times Crossword puzzle. I remember not that many years ago, Mom was already well into her 80’s, I looked at her doing the puzzle and said “Mom, you don’t have your glasses on, how can you see?” She looked up at me and said, “I haven’t worn my glasses in several years now.” “And you can read without them?” I asked. She went on to say that she saw perfectly ever since she had her cataracts removed. Now in my defense, I did not see my Mom every day since she lived in New York State and I’ve been in Florida for going on twelve years now. She came to visit me in the winter and of course I visited her several times a year. However I had not noticed she no longer wore glasses.
How fortunate my Mom was, aside from the cataracts which were for her very successfully surgically removed, she never had any other vision problems. Some folks are not that fortunate, especially those who are diagnosed with glaucoma. With cataracts, which are a more common condition, you do have symptoms – usually your vision becomes blurry or cloudy. If you need surgery, the surgeon actually removes your lens and replaces it with a man-made one! It’s an outpatient surgery and from what I’ve read, there is little or no down time afterward. For my Mom, it gave her almost perfect vision and she never wore her glasses again. Unfortunately glaucoma is not that easily treated.
Glaucoma, according to Wikipedia, is a group of eye diseases which result in damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. The definition goes on to say there are several types of glaucoma, the most common type being open-angle glaucoma which begins slowly over time and has no pain associated with it. High blood pressure, obesity, history of migraines and genetics can all play a role in who gets the disease. The good news, according to the National Eye Institute, is that even if you have no symptoms, your eye Doctor can detect the disease early on and, while there is no known cure, there are treatments that delay the progression of the disease and save your vision.
I know as I get older I am more aware of my eyesight and seeing well is extremely important to me. I am sure it is to you as well which is why we have to add something very important to our New Years’ Resolutions -schedule a complete eye exam, even if you have no symptoms. Don’t forget to wear your sunglasses – every time you’re outside. If you wear eyeglasses, a pair that that darkens automatically when exposed to sunlight, called transition lenses, is a great solution.
Here’s to seeing clearly in 2017 – and if you see a new home in your future, please give me a call. I’ll see you through the process from start to finish taking care of every detail. I wish you and your family a very happy, healthy new year!
Sue Ellen Mathers
Licensed Professional Realtor® since 2005
MBA, CNE, SRES, ABR
Prior to moving to Florida in 2005, Sue Ellen Mathers was involved in commercial real estate for over twenty years in New York State. As a Vice President of Marketing and Development she was involved with the day-to-day operations of a variety of businesses including shopping centers, hotels, restaurants and apartment complexes. Sue Ellen, who holds an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s School of Management, successfully assisted a client in turning a fledgling business around through a program that combined exceptional customer service with intelligent cost cutting methodology. Once profitable, she then brokered a deal to sell the business and the real estate.
Working in residential real estate in North Naples and Bonita Springs since 2006, Sue Ellen utilizes her communication and organizational skills coupled with strong financial and negotiating know-how to benefit her clients. A strong believer that knowledge is power, she knows and understands this challenging market and has confidently handled many successful transactions for both sellers and buyers.
Sue Ellen has received numerous letters from clients praising her skills, her caring nature and her above and beyond work ethic. She is proud of the many referrals her clients have sent her.
Sue Ellen is from Saratoga Springs, NY. She has a daughter and two grandchildren in Maryland; a daughter and three grandchildren in Illinois; and a son and grandson in Boca Raton, Florida. She travels often to see her children and their families.
2013, 2014, 2015 Golden Bear Recipient
2013, 2014, 2015 Recipient of the Gulfshore Five Star Award in Real Estate
Royal Shell Real Estate
239-877-2726
Sue Ellen Mathers has been recognized by Gulf Shore Magazine as a Five Star Realtor for the past several years and is a Top Producer for Royal Shell Real Estate. She is very proud of the great reviews her clients write and equally proud of the large number of referrals she receives. You may reach Sue Ellen at 239-877-2726 or email sueellen@royalshellsales.com.