www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Prayer I think I'm going blind in one eye...

Do not fear the financial complications. Eye doctors want to help, especially when not intervening may mean the condition could get worse. Some eye conditions can be stopped before they are irreversible, some can be completely fixed. I had cataract surgery on both eyes a year and a half ago, and was amazed at the strides opthalmology had made since my mother's cataract surgery in the 1960s. I used to wear bifocles- now I wear Walmart magnifiers for reading only.

Thank you all for your prayers and reassurance. I went to the optometrist today (I got two orders last night so I had the money to pay! Yay!). He said he thinks there is fluid between the layers of my retina. He wanted me to see an opthamologist TODAY but Kaiser can't get me in with their opthamologist for another week. So please keep me in your prayers! Thanks.

Tammy

I seem to be going through the same thing. It happened all of a sudden in mid-September, but the ultimate decision was just to let it be and wait for it to heal itself. The Dr. said this happens and the eye eventually pumps the fluid out on its own in a month or two. Sure enough, I went back two months later, and there was only a microscopic problem visible to instruments but which I couldn't notice.

On the other hand, last week I thought it was coming back, and then one day, BAM!, there it was again. This week it seems to be slowly on the mend again.

Let's hope that what you have is also not very serious, and let's keep each other in our prayers!

-- Ed

Tammy, We will remember your intention today in our poor prayers, that the Lord heal you and restore your sight completely.

May she whose sight is perfect, Our Most Pure Mother and who beholds Him face to face intercede for you before her Son and our God!

In His great mercy,
+Fr. Gregory

Ed,

Did the doctor say what causes it, or what to do to prevent it? Were there any suggestions as to what to do/what not to do while it healed? Since I don't see the opthamologist till the 30th, I'm wondering, should I avoid computer screens and TV in the meantime; what about reading; should I pamper the eye or exercise it?

Tammy

Tammy,

Bear in mind that I am NOT a doctor, and you might have something entirely different, but in my case he basically just said to get on with life as best I could and the eye would probably take care of itself. Nothing special was required. He was right - up until a few days ago.

He also said in that small percentage of cases where the eye doesn't seem to want to put itself back together again, laser surgery is an option, but lasers don't work as well as the body's own healing mechanisms.

Ed

Thank you, Ed. I've pretty much just tried to go on with life, but spent less time looking at a computer monitor. Don't want to add eyestrain to the problem! :rolleyes:

Have you been back to the doctor since your relapse? Perhaps it is something that will come and go throughout your life. I injured my knee when I was 18 and nearly 20 years later it still can flare up, especially if I 'overdo it'. Maybe the delicate eye tissue is the same way.

Tammy

Dear Tammy:

I add my prayers for the improvement in your eyesight as I nearly failed my vision test during my driver's license renewal last week. My left eye vision has degraded considerably.

I have been prescribed with eyeglasses almost 30 years ago but wore them off and on during these years. My wife's sister, an Opthalmologist, initially suspects that I might be developing retinopathy because of my type 2 diabetes. This may result in blindness, she says.

An appointment with her has been set for the new year for an in-depth anlaysis with the aid of her machines. It's dangerous to rely on the "opinion" of an Optometrist as this professional is not trained to diagnose the onset of eye diseases.

Amado

P.S. Or, as my wife volunteers, it is part of MY aging!

Prayers continue....

My eye doctor appointment was today. He couldn't find anything wrong with my retina or optic nerve using his equipment (and he said he did a very detailed scan). As a last resort he had me take a "Visual Field Test." Then he came in and said the visual field test told him what his equipment couldn't - that I had several significant blind spots in that eye. DUH!

He says for people my age that condition is usually caused by optic neuritis, or inflammation of the optic nerve, which he said often heals on its own. However, since he couldn't see any inflammation in his scan of my eye, he scheduled me for an MRI next week to rule out anything more serious, and he wants to see me in two weeks.

Thank you all for your prayers, and please continue to keep me in prayer.

Tammy

Prayers for the vision concerns of Tammy, Ed, and Amado. I often believe that, other than the loss of the ability to consciously and coherently think, as occurs with Alzheimer's and dementia, that the loss of sight is the most frightening prospect that the average person encounters as a health concern - I know that it is for me.

Prayers for your next appointment and well being.

james

Prayers continue!

Gaudior, in prayer that the coming New Year bring health and peace to all