A photographers worst nightmare?

[zombiemann]

I had to go to the Doctors office this evening. I've been having lots of trouble with my right eye. Back in Feb I was treated for a scratched cornea (that was fun... not). Lately I've been getting floaters and little sun bursts of light in my vision. Doc said it could be any number of things so they are referring me to an ophthalmologist for more tests. One of the things mentioned was a retinal tear, which could permanently effect my vision. My left eye has been very weak since I was a child. If I am not wearing my glasses I can't even see the lines of text on the computer with my left eye. My right eye used to be 20/20 or better, but today at the doc I could read line "4" with my right eye, the last time, I read line 8.......

I honestly can't think of anything worse than loosing my eyesight. Sure there is cancer and stuff like that.. I'm already disabled and have lost some of the freedom I enjoyed in the past, so photography is kind of a life line for me. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. A way of saying "See, even though I have this stuff going on, I can still make something beautiful. If my eyes go bad...

If a moderator feels as though this topic is inappropriate in any way please let me know (I'm still kinda new, so I don't know what is and isn't verboten) In part I needed to vent to an audience that could really understand where I'm coming from. I am also curious how you the reader would feel in a similar situation

 

[JoshuaSimPhotography]

I know! Even though me eyes are still young, I have been recently losing focus in my eyes, I'm not sure if all my all-nighters have been making me tired or I rally am losing my sight, So all I can do is to not look at digital screens

 

[Jaemie]

Well, I can totally relate to this. I've been seeing an ophthalmologist for suspected glaucoma since 2009, and last month she made the diagnosis and recommended I start medication to control the pressure. So, it's going to be daily drops for me for the rest of my life. At least it's treatable. Still, I've had recurring cold chills from the fear of possible diminished eyesight (I'm already useless without my contacts or glasses). It's terrifying to consider, even when the disease is totally treatable and controllable.

I wish you the best and hope it doesn't affect your eyesight any more than it might have, already.

 

[Kazooie]

So you all are going blind and starting to dress up like pirates?

 

[JoshuaSimPhotography]

Wait a minute Kazooie! I thought you wore glasses!

 

[Kazooie]

Wait a minute Kazooie! I thought you wore glasses!

I do! To be honest, I didn't read past the 2nd or so sentence in the OP so I have no idea what this is about!

 

[Jaemie]

So you all are going blind and starting to dress up like pirates?

I rarely wear shoes, but I'd make a lousy pirate. They wear too much clothing and have horrible hygiene. I'd be a really, really neat and clean pirate - LOL!

(sorry to hijack) :3

 

[Kazooie]

Yarr, we be hijacking yee thread, Zombimannn!

 

[zombiemann]

Ahoy Mateys..... the scurvy wenches and yeller bellied land lubbers at ye ophthalmologists office gave me peepers a clean bill o health Tis only migraines (never thought I would be glad of migraines lol)

 

[rexbobcat]

I look at it in a positive way.

Con: I get glaucoma and go blind

Pro: I get "medical marijuana"

 

[MLeeK]

I am a half full kind of girl when it comes to these things. My theory is that you have to be: You can't fix it by worrying but worrying can make you much sicker in many other ways in the meantime. So, on that note...
There are MANY MANY MANY things it could be and MANY MANY of those are fixable right back to where you were.

I take my mother-in-law every month to see an amazing ophthalmic specialist because she had diabetes for years and did not care properly for it. We had been to several specialists before seeing this one and they tried all kinds of laser surgery and other things with no hint of saving her eyesight. She was beyond being able to drive, see the TV or read ANYTHING even with a magnifying glass. This new doc has worked on her eyes with some new drugs/shots and other things and she is now driving again and reading her own mail.
I am sharing this with you because of 2 things. First-Hope! We had lost all hope that there would be ANY improvement and just wanted to keep her from being totally blind. We never dreamed she'd be able to drive again.
Second-don't take what one doc says as the gospel. Especially with your eyes. When they say laser surgery or anything remotely invasive get a second opinion. Preferably from someone who is the "go to" doc for eyes. Had we done that before they did laser after laser surgery she'd be nearly at full eye sight. However the first specialist caused some damage with all of that laser surgery.
I am not saying Laser surgery is bad-TOTALLY NOT!!! But make completely sure you are exploring EVERY option out there!


*EDIT* I probably should have read the whole post, eh? LOL! SO glad it was only migraines for you! Good reason to drink more caffeine!

 

[Designer]

After reading your diagnosis, I am happy that it appears to be treatable. I quit my job because I was experiencing temporary episodes of complete blindness that lasted only a few minutes, but I was concerned that I might lose my vision sometime while driving. I haven't had any of those episodes after quitting my job. Probably stress related.

 

[zombiemann]

SO glad it was only migraines for you! Good reason to drink more caffeine!

lol, yea like I need an excuse. My blood type is "Caffeinated"

 

[molested_cow]

Perfect eye sight here, and I want to stay this way! I can't imagine having to wear something to see all the time, let alone having problems with seeing clearly. I think that's scary.

 

[MTVision]

Perfect eye sight here, and I want to stay this way! I can't imagine having to wear something to see all the time, let alone having problems with seeing clearly. I think that's scary.

Must be nice. I am so blind w/o contacts or glasses. I've always wondered what it'd be like to wake up in the morning and being able to see!