SIGHT by Alexandria Clarimond, Macular Degeneration, and Advocacy for the Visually Impaired

Last month, our team at CDFCO released one of our lang-standing projects, SIGHT, by first-time author Alexandria Clarimond. Clarimond's literary debut is a work of contemporary fiction centering 81-year-old Elora's reflection on past loss, love, marriage, and spirituality, all underscored by the slow loss of her central vision to macular degeneration.

Taking place in a not-too-far, dystopian future, Ellie explores what true sight is as she recounts how she's navigated vision-loss amidst military service, painful relationships, global travel, road trips, and love. Older women are rarely centered in narratives such as these, and it isn't often that stories are heard from the voices of disabled populations. No matter who you are, SIGHT is a worthwhile read.

Photographed by Dare Artworks

What, exactly is macular degeneration, though? And how does Clarimond advocate for affected people in this novel?

There are two types of macular degeneration. Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration, the more common variation, and Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration, which is typically more serious (Boyd). Both types entail damage to the retina and loss of central vision over time. With Dry AMD, the macula---the center of the retina which process central vision as well as fine detail and color---thins and grows clusters of protein called drusen, leading to the gradual loss of central vision. Wet AMD occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow underneath the retina, potentially leaking blood or other fluids which cause scarring of the macula. Wet AMD is considered more severe because vision loss occurs at a more rapid rate (Boyd). AMD is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in adults over 60, and common risk factors include smoking, poor diet, and genetics (American Macular Degeneration Foundation). Despite the retention of peripheral vision, those with advanced macular degeneration are often considered legally blind.

The progression of macular degeneration, provided by the American Macular Degeneration Foundation

Despite the prevalence of macular degeneration as a cause of blindness, its little spoken about. As this is a condition that greatly affects not only a patient's vision, but also their mental health, socialization, and independence, advocacy is important (Sugue). Advocacy can come in many forms. Public policy, education, and research, but also simply starting conversations. This is precisely what Alexandria Clarimond has achieved in SIGHT. She begins a dialogue, above all else, that implores her audience not only to independently seek out information on the condition, but she also shares what it's like to lose what many of us take for granted. This insight creates a necessary empathy that we can use to make change and greater accessibility for those living with blindness in a world which is not built with them in mind.

October is blindness awareness month, which means it's important to listen to the stories and voices of those affected. This month, take the opportunity to experience true vision through the lens of a woman whose physical vision has been lost. Experience SIGHT!

Sources:

American Macular Degeneration Foundation. “What Is Macular Degeneration? - AMDF.” American Macular Degeneration Foundation, 2025, www.macular.org/about-macular-degeneration/what-is-macular-degeneration.

Boyd, Kierstan. “What Is Macular Degeneration?” American Academy of Ophthalmology, 10 May 2019, www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amd-macular-degeneration.

Sugue, Mara. “Age-Related Macular Degeneration Statistics 2025 - Vision Center.” Vision Center, 25 Apr. 2024, www.visioncenter.org/resources/amd-prevention-statistics/.