Dear Cyndy,

Thank you for your letter.

The development of blurring in your left eye is worrisome.
I have had many patients with macular degeneration all of
whom have been treated by a retina specialist. The retina
specialist often feels constrained to DO something, but I
can't remember any patient who was benefited by treatment.
Currently various new treatments, some very expensive and
dangerous, are being promoted. These are experimental, with
unproved benefits. If you want my advice, telephone me.
The Belmont number, 617-484-8109 will be call forwarded
to the Virginia number 276-388-3111 through Wednesday, July 22.
On Thursday, July 23, we drive to Massachusetts, non-stop,
to arrive sometime after midnight. While in Virginia, I use
the telephone for the Internet connection; if you want to
talk to me and get a persistent busy signal, send me an e-mail
and I'll return your call.

This morning, at 9 a.m., we buried Margrit's ashes in the 
cemetery at the foot of White Top Mountain. Nathaniel, Benjamin
and Leah played Beethoven's Trio Opus 87, for two oboes and horn,
substituting trumpets for the oboes.  Klemens read Psalm 121,
and I read Numbers 6, 24-27. The mourners consisted of about a
dozen of Margrit's friends, a family having a reunion in the
nearby village, Green Cove. Klemens and his family will be 
returning to Belmont on Sunday.

I will be thinking abour you and your eye problem. If only it
would do some good.

Jochen