At the Senior Center we have had a macular degeneration support group for some time.

Macular degeneration is caused when part of the retina deteriorates. The retina is the interior layer of the eye consisting of the receptors and nerves that collect and transmit light signals from the eye into the optic nerve, then to the brain for interpretation as our sense of vision.

The macula is the central portion of the retina and is responsible for detailed vision and color vision, the vision we use to read, thread a needle, sign a check, or recognize faces.

The macula is a highly specialized part of the nervous system and the eye in which the photoreceptors that react to light stimulus and the neurons that interpret and transmit these signals are precisely organized and densely compacted. It is the macula that allows humans to have 20/20 vision or an eagle to spot a small rodent on the ground hundreds of feet below.

Dry macular degeneration usually develops gradually and painlessly. You may notice these vision changes:

•The need for increasingly bright light when reading or doing close work.

•Increasing difficulty adapting to low light levels, such as when entering a dimly lit restaurant.

•Increasing blurriness of printed words.

•A decrease in the intensity or brightness of colors.

•Difficulty recognizing faces.

•Gradual increase in the haziness of your overall vision.

•Blurred or blind spot in the center of your visual field combined with a profound drop in the sharpness (acuity) of your central vision.

Your vision may falter in one eye while the other eye remains fine for years. You may not notice any or much change because your good eye compensates for the weak one. Your vision and lifestyle begin to be dramatically affected when this condition develops in both eyes.

See your eye doctor — particularly after age 50 — if:

•You notice changes in your central vision.

•Your ability to see colors and fine detail becomes impaired.

At 10 a.m. on Wednesday you are invited to join us for the macular degeneration support group.

Don’t forget our coffee shop where every day you can have homemade soup for $1 and a sandwich for 50 cents. Tuesday we are having tuna noodle hotdish for only $2. You are always welcome at the center.

 Upcoming Events

Monday: Bone Builders, 9 a.m.; Blood pressure checks, 9 a.m.; Naps, 9 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Exercise with Evie’s Friends, 1 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evies Friends, 9 a.m.;

Grief Support 10:30 a.m.;

Tuna noodle, 11:30 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge) 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Walking Club, 9 a.m.; Tai Chi 9 a.m.;

Macular degeneration support group, 9 a.m.; Ron’s Massage, 10:30 a.m.;

Weight Watchers, 12:15 p.m.; Cards (Duplicate Bridge, Pinochle, Cribbage) 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.;

Weight Watchers 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Silver Sneakers 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evies Friends, 9 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle), 12:30 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.; Hearing aid checks, 3:15 p.m.

Friday: Bone Builders, 9 a.m.; Pinochle, Cribbage), 12:30 p.m.; Ping Pong, 3 p.m.

 Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

No Results

Tuesday Duplicate Bridge

July 27, 6.5 tables

1st Joyce Crowe, 1st Millie Seiver; 2nd Ray Schmidt, 2nd Gail Schmidt; 3rd Loren Cleland, 3rd Dave Ring; 4th Vande Newman, 4th Bud Higgins; 5th Quentin Fiala, 5th Teresa Baldus

Tuesday 500

July 28, four tables

1st Barb Dickman, 2nd Tom Lerum, 3rd Ella Rouhoff, 4th John Karnes

Wednesday Cribbage

July 29, two tables

1st Barb Dickman, 2nd Val LaVallie, 3rd Hilton Henschen

Friday Bridge

July 31, three tables

1st Anne Dvorak, 2nd Dave Solomonson, 3rd Mary Johnsen, 4th Carolyn Higgins, 5th Teresa Baldus

Pinochle

No Results

Friday 500

July 31, four tables

1st Barb Dickman, 2nd Arlys Spurlin, 3rd Wayne Chilson, 4th Romans Kikuts

Friday Cribbage

No Results