Colorado Educator Fights Vision Loss with New Treatment

When Cathy sat down to read at her Colorado kitchen table one afternoon, the words began to blur and fade. The 73-year-old educator had spent years caring for her husband Scott through his battle with multiple sclerosis, but now something was changing in her own body.

Her eye doctor diagnosed dry age-related macular degeneration. At first, Cathy brushed it off as just another part of aging. But soon, threading a needle became nearly impossible and reading piano sheet music turned into guesswork.

During a routine exam, her ophthalmologist noticed something new. A retina specialist confirmed that Cathy had developed geographic atrophy, a late-stage eye disease affecting 1.5 million Americans. Many don't realize they have it because symptoms start subtle but can progress quickly.

The diagnosis hit hard. Colors appeared washed out, blank spots emerged in her central vision, and reading in dim light became increasingly difficult. Cathy suddenly understood how much of her daily life depended on her eyesight.

She started researching online and saw images of how the condition could progress. Instead of giving up, Cathy decided to fight back. Her doctor outlined a treatment plan with prescription eye injections designed to slow the disease and protect healthy retina cells longer.

After discussing potential side effects and risks with her specialist, Cathy began treatment. Her doctor says recent scans show the progression has slowed. Clinical trials showed the treatment slowed disease progression by 18 to 35 percent in one year.

Shortly after starting treatment, Scott passed away. Cathy faced redefining her life without her role as caregiver while navigating her own vision challenges. Friends and family rallied around her, helping her find a new sense of independence.

She made thoughtful adjustments to keep doing what she loves. An automatic threader helps with sewing projects. She retrained her fingers to play piano by touch rather than relying on sheet music. She still drives, committed to staying behind the wheel only as long as it's safe.

Why This Inspires

Cathy wishes she had addressed her diagnosis sooner, realizing that early action might have slowed progression even earlier. That insight transformed how she thinks about self-care. It's not selfish, she says. It's essential.

Looking back on years spent focused on others, Cathy now prioritizes her own health alongside her adventurous spirit. The same woman who once moved across the country on a whim is still chasing life, just with different tools.

Today, she savors simple moments: coffee after doctor appointments, walks with her dog, and quiet time to dream about her next adventure. Through unexpected challenges and profound loss, Cathy discovered that growth comes from meeting change with resolve, not avoiding it.

She remains the same curious, resilient person she's always been, still ready to step confidently into whatever comes next.