I’ve been thinking about writing this post since the start of the week. What delayed my writing was that I simply wasn’t sure where to start. It came to me this afternoon, so here goes.
- Last summer, while innocently watching TV, I suddenly noticed that I had double vision in my left eye. After seeing several doctors, I was finally referred to a true specialist who handles foldable intraocular lenses. He would operate, remove the old lens, and replace it with a new one. Surgery was scheduled, and my cousin, Janet, was there to stay with me at the hotel next door. The next day, she would drive me home, and all would be well.
- When he opened the eye to retrieve the folded lens, he found so much scar tissue that he could not remove it. Since removal was not possible, he was able to unfold it and tack down the edges.
When we spoke in the recovery room, I could tell he was not pleased. However, under the circumstances, we all crossed our fingers that all would be well.
- Janet and I went to the hotel, rested, watched some TV, and had a takeout supper. I was tired and fell asleep, but woke in the night when I felt dampness on my face. I got up and went to look at the bathroom mirror, where I could see blood coming down my cheek. I tried not to panic, but when I saw him the next morning and the packing was removed from my eye, I could not see anything in the eye. Everyone in the office didn’t quite know what to say. My doctor looked into my eye and told me I’d had an intraocular bleed. I was put on 5 different eye drops, every four hours, and also given medication (a pill) to bring the pressure down. He told me that we needed to give it time. He didn’t want to open the eye again to drain it, if he could help it.
- The days went by, and then the weeks. I would wake in the morning, open my eyes, and hope that somehow the sight had returned. It didn’t. I wondered if my vision would ever return. About the time I had given up all hope (October), I woke up and could see. Not well, but the blood had drained from my eye. I remained on a lot of eye drops, but with each passing day, things were getting better.
- In January 2026, I went in to see my Optometrist. Yes, the left eye’s vision was very poor. About 20/200. But with time, he was able to get that eye to 20/40. I selected new glasses frames and off I went. They came in, and I went down to pick them up. I put them on, and it felt like the first time I got glasses back in seventh grade! I could see leaves, twigs, and absolutely everything! I am grateful for so much!
Me with my new glasses!