Is it possible to be a nurse with inheredited gradual macular degeneration?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have an eye condition that will one day lead to blindness yet i wish to become a nurse. Would it be a good idea?

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

Why not? There's a possibility that any of us might one day develop a disease or injury that leaves us unable to work. Why should that stop us from living and working in our desired career in the meantime?Provided you are currently safely able to perform the duties of a nurse, follow your dreams until you are unable to do so anymore. Don't let the threat of a future complication stop you from living your life fully as long as you are able.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

One day....as in the future. Don't let the potential future dominate your present potential. If nursing is your desire, go for it.

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Are there any tasks that blind nurses can perform? My main fear is being out of a job once i lose my vision.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.
Are there any tasks that blind nurses can perform? My main fear is being out of a job once i lose my vision.
Telephone triage, maybe. But honestly, what job are you going to get now that you will still be able to hold while you are blind? It seems like you would be out of most jobs if you lose your sight. And you never know what treatments will exist in the future. There may be better treatments for macular degeneration. You might never have to worry about losing yor sight completely. I'll echo what I said before- live your life to the fullest and pursue your dreams while you can. Worry about the future when the future gets here.
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How do the other family members with the eye condition manage?

This same condition runs in my family too, but it is a slowly progressing blindness that might not become signifigant during your working years.

The truly legally blind relatives I have are elderly.

I have an uncle in his late 50's who has enough vision to go to work in engineering every day.

Unless your vision is in a bad way now, go ahead and be a nurse.

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It is autosomal recessive, so no one else in my family has it. The rate in which it progresses is impossible to predict. I agree with what Ashley said about a person being limited some way or another with blindness so i think i will keep looking into nursing as a possible career choice.

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If you see a future in nursing why do you have FutureMD in your user name?

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yes tat was pointed out in a previous thread, please ignore it.

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Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.

My sister in law has same eye disease.....she's in her 50's and was diagnosed probably 20yrs ago. She can still see just fine with glasses.

Go for it!!!

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