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Medical Issues
Okay, so here's the thing. I'm like a man when it comes to the whole doctor thing. I put off going to one until it's actually medically needed. In fact, I was really bad and didn't go to a gynecologist until two years ago. (I have a regular one now and go every Sept. 11.)
Well...I've been having a problem. With my vision. The kind of problem that has actually scared me into making a doctor's appointment.
I've had glasses since 3rd or 4th grade. I'm nearsighted with an astigmatism. I also have droopy eyelids (which aren't quite causing vision problems yet, but which can, as my mother can attest since she had an eye lift that was medically necessary).
My uncle has glaucoma.
My grandmother has had cataracts.
My mom has chronic dry eye. My sister may have that too.
I've had problems with depth perception at night for years (just ask my college friends who I scared witless one rainy night). And a few years ago I discovered that when I'm sleepy and trying to read, my vision blurs. But these are things that are kind of normal and not something to get worked up over. The optometrist (who has since retired, so he was old) once said I had double vision, but it wasn't a diagnosis that came with treatment. (I've since realized that you actually have to be treated for dv.)
A few months ago I started noticing that I'd get blurry/cloudy vision when I was reading at times that weren't late at night (I'm a proofreader at work, so this is more often). Especially when I was reading at my desk. So I requested a lamp for better lighting. That helped.
Then I noticed that I'd get blurry/cloudy vision when driving. And then one time it happened as I was walking down the street at lunch. I tend to zone out a lot when driving/walking, so I'm not sure how long it could have been going on, but it's getting more common that I'm having trouble actually focusing my eyes.
Another thing I've noticed that has happened with greater frequency, though, that's more than just blurry vision at inopportune times is that bright lights hurt my eyes and colors are duller. Even though I'm nearsighted, that doesn't affect sharpness of colors. Now everything is softer.
It's beyond normal eye changes. I have to actively concentrate to focus my eyes. And looking at the symptoms and solutions for eye strain, I've done all the things recommended.
This seriously freaks me out. Partially because the mind goes in the wrong direction and automatically I start thinking worst case scenario (and believe me, if I lost my eyesight...the only thing that would be worse would be to lose the ability to walk or the ability to hear). Partially because I can't help but think of how badly this could go with the optometrist, who I pray is going to listen to me. I'm going to insist on testing for various things. The cloudiness and colors losing their intensity is a bad sign, and I refuse to let him ignore it because I'm 31. In fact, it scares me like this because I'm 31.
More than not wanting to lose my eyesight, I don't want to have problems that are going to be life-long. Problems that will cause me to have to seek out help or specialists. Problems that will cause me to have to get *help*. I'm freaking independent for a reason.
The appointment is on the 20th. I'm collecting family medical history from my parents so I can go in armed. I've been staring at my eyes in the mirror, but I can't tell. Everything is just dim these days, and I don't quite know how it was before.
Okay, so here's the thing. I'm like a man when it comes to the whole doctor thing. I put off going to one until it's actually medically needed. In fact, I was really bad and didn't go to a gynecologist until two years ago. (I have a regular one now and go every Sept. 11.)
Well...I've been having a problem. With my vision. The kind of problem that has actually scared me into making a doctor's appointment.
I've had glasses since 3rd or 4th grade. I'm nearsighted with an astigmatism. I also have droopy eyelids (which aren't quite causing vision problems yet, but which can, as my mother can attest since she had an eye lift that was medically necessary).
My uncle has glaucoma.
My grandmother has had cataracts.
My mom has chronic dry eye. My sister may have that too.
I've had problems with depth perception at night for years (just ask my college friends who I scared witless one rainy night). And a few years ago I discovered that when I'm sleepy and trying to read, my vision blurs. But these are things that are kind of normal and not something to get worked up over. The optometrist (who has since retired, so he was old) once said I had double vision, but it wasn't a diagnosis that came with treatment. (I've since realized that you actually have to be treated for dv.)
A few months ago I started noticing that I'd get blurry/cloudy vision when I was reading at times that weren't late at night (I'm a proofreader at work, so this is more often). Especially when I was reading at my desk. So I requested a lamp for better lighting. That helped.
Then I noticed that I'd get blurry/cloudy vision when driving. And then one time it happened as I was walking down the street at lunch. I tend to zone out a lot when driving/walking, so I'm not sure how long it could have been going on, but it's getting more common that I'm having trouble actually focusing my eyes.
Another thing I've noticed that has happened with greater frequency, though, that's more than just blurry vision at inopportune times is that bright lights hurt my eyes and colors are duller. Even though I'm nearsighted, that doesn't affect sharpness of colors. Now everything is softer.
It's beyond normal eye changes. I have to actively concentrate to focus my eyes. And looking at the symptoms and solutions for eye strain, I've done all the things recommended.
This seriously freaks me out. Partially because the mind goes in the wrong direction and automatically I start thinking worst case scenario (and believe me, if I lost my eyesight...the only thing that would be worse would be to lose the ability to walk or the ability to hear). Partially because I can't help but think of how badly this could go with the optometrist, who I pray is going to listen to me. I'm going to insist on testing for various things. The cloudiness and colors losing their intensity is a bad sign, and I refuse to let him ignore it because I'm 31. In fact, it scares me like this because I'm 31.
More than not wanting to lose my eyesight, I don't want to have problems that are going to be life-long. Problems that will cause me to have to seek out help or specialists. Problems that will cause me to have to get *help*. I'm freaking independent for a reason.
The appointment is on the 20th. I'm collecting family medical history from my parents so I can go in armed. I've been staring at my eyes in the mirror, but I can't tell. Everything is just dim these days, and I don't quite know how it was before.
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