My grandmother was diagnosed with this Macular Degeneration, though she never went totally blind even when she died at 87. I understand it is caused by a lifetime of wearing glasses. See http://www.myopia.org/ for more information. If this is true, then I'm doomed too. I'm 54 and still no symptoms, yet. My aunt also has this and is nearly blind. Both women wore glasses all their lives. I say find an eye doctor that isn't afraid to treat it...go down fighting, as they say. Our sight is too terriby important to lose, especially for artists. However, it's not the end of the world, either. I told my aunt there is always music to listen to, and things like that. If it happens to me, I'll be listening to Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, etc., a LOT more. Best wishes to you!