Florida Woman Claims Pickleball Saved Her Sight: Linda Corcoran, a 79-year-old pickleball enthusiast from Florida, experienced a life-changing discovery thanks to her favorite sport. An avid player and great-grandmother, Corcoran has been hitting the courts three times a week for the past four or five years. However, in 2021, she noticed a troubling change: the lines on the court began to look wavy and distorted.
“I was really worried about what these symptoms meant for my vision and overall eye health,” Corcoran shared with Fox News Digital. Her concerns were compounded by the appearance of floaters and distorted lines, both on and off the court. Texting became problematic as letters on her screen seemed tilted—a symptom linked to fluid in her retina.
A visit to her eye specialist revealed the issue: wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). This condition, which affects 1.5 million people in the U.S., is a leading cause of vision loss in those over 65.
Dr. Matthew Cunningham of the Florida Retina Institute explained, “For Linda, the wavy lines on the pickleball court were a crucial indicator of her vision problems. Noticing these changes can prompt an important eye exam.” Wet AMD symptoms include blurred vision, blind spots, difficulty distinguishing colors, and wavy lines.
Other signs of wet AMD include distorted window blinds and difficulty reading in low light. The condition can impede face recognition, reading, writing, and driving.
Early detection is essential to prevent significant vision loss. Dr. Cunningham emphasizes the importance of annual eye exams, even in the absence of noticeable symptoms. “If untreated, wet AMD can lead to rapid and severe vision loss.”
Treatment options for wet AMD include medication injected into the eye. Historically, these injections were needed monthly, but recent treatments extend the interval to 12-16 weeks. Corcoran began a new treatment, Vabysmo, after her previous medication proved ineffective. Vabysmo, developed by Genentech, is designed to block two causes of wet AMD and is administered every 10 weeks.
Despite initial apprehension about the injections, Corcoran now appreciates the treatment’s effectiveness. “I dreaded the shots, but my commitment to this treatment has allowed me to continue enjoying pickleball and other activities,” she said.
A year into her Vabysmo treatment, Corcoran’s vision has improved significantly. “It has successfully kept the fluid out of my retina and positively impacted my vision,” Dr. Cunningham noted. Corcoran feels fortunate to have found a treatment that has preserved her quality of life.
Common side effects of Vabysmo include cataract and conjunctival hemorrhage. Dr. Cunningham advises adults to get comprehensive annual eye exams, especially for those over 55 or with conditions like diabetes or hypertension that can affect eye health.
With more than half of pickleball players in the U.S. over 55 and nearly a third over 65, regular eye exams are crucial for maintaining vision and overall health.
News in Brief: Florida Woman Claims Pickleball Saved Her Sight
Linda Corcoran, a 79-year-old pickleball enthusiast from Florida, discovered she had wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) after noticing wavy lines on the court and distorted text. This condition, affecting 1.5 million U.S. adults, leads to vision loss and requires early detection. Corcoran’s eye specialist, Dr. Matthew Cunningham, emphasized the importance of annual eye exams.
Corcoran started treatment with Vabysmo, a drug administered every 10 weeks, which has improved her vision significantly. Despite side effects like cataracts, Vabysmo has helped her continue enjoying pickleball and daily activities. Regular eye exams are crucial, especially for those over 55.
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