I have a confession to make.
I don’t always visit the optician as often as I should, even though I’ve been a devoted contact lens wearer since I was 16.
I often forget to book my annual eye test before realizing it’s been three years since my last appointment. But I won’t do it again.
Because what I thought was just a routine checkup led to emergency surgery that saved the sight in one of my eyes.
In June, I noticed that I started seeing occasional white flashes in my right eye, especially when looking to the side.
This doesn’t happen that often, maybe once or twice a day, and although it seems a bit strange to me, I’m in no rush to get checked.
I googled the symptoms – it seemed like something that could happen with age or perhaps retinal detachment.
As my 52nd birthday approached, I thought nothing of it and assumed that this was one of the joys of growing old.
lose your eyes
A few weeks later, when the flashes continued randomly, I realized that I had lost both pairs of glasses.
Slightly concerned that I was wearing contacts too often, I made an appointment with an optician in my neighborhood and determined to invest in some new glasses. And I thought I’d also mention those silly white flashes at the same time.
When I went to see the eye doctor, I still had no worries.
Can’t I read any letters on the chart? This is not a big thing.
But I noticed the eye doctor kept examining my right eye, looking at it with a bright light and looking inside with a powerful magnifying glass.
He explained to me that my retina was in the process of detaching and that the flash of light was a sign.
He told me that it was possible that the retina could detach very quickly and that if this happened, there was nothing that could be done to repair it. I would lose sight of those eyes.
It was very surprising.
Emergency operation
One moment I wish I had new glasses and the next I’m in danger of losing my vision.
The eye doctor called the hospital and arranged an emergency appointment. They told me they had to have surgery the next day.
My mind was racing. It’s all very difficult to process.
If it doesn’t work, how do I solve it? Can I still work and read? Faced with the prospect of losing my sight, the sight I had taken for granted suddenly seemed invaluable.
The operation takes approximately 40 minutes and I was in and out of the hospital within hours.
I had to spend the next week lying on my side and then had to wait until my vision returned to normal.
In the end it all took about three months. I felt disoriented and couldn’t leave the house for about the first six weeks.
But as my vision improved, my confidence in getting back up and walking around increased.
The main thing my sight has returned.
The only thing I can think about now is how lucky I am. How lucky I was to go to an optician when I did and they were able to intervene so quickly.
What is retinal detachment?
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) says that when the retina, the thin layer at the back of the eye, detaches, it should be treated immediately.
Symptoms of retinal detachment include:
- “Floating” dots and lines or flashes of light in the eyes
- A “curtain” or dark shadow in your vision
- Vision changes, such as blurred vision
The NHS says surgery will usually stop vision damage and “most people can return to normal activities”.
In Wales, the government has now launched a campaign to encourage people to have their eyes checked.
Starting in October, optometrists at optical stores will be able to treat and control more types of eye diseases.
The aim is to help reduce pressure on hospital eye services and reduce waiting times and increase demand for eye care.
This means that patients can have eye examinations more quickly, comfortably and closer to home.
The main change concerns the recipe. An ophthalmologist who has obtained additional qualifications will be able to prescribe medications, such as steroids and antibiotics, that are used to treat common eye conditions such as uveitis and conjunctivitis.
Vision tests are also possible identify more serious health conditions, such as diabetes, glaucoma, and myopia.
If people routinely have their eyes checked, it is hoped that it can be detected early and prevented.
“Internet trailblazer. Troublemaker. Passionate alcohol lover. Beer advocate. Zombie ninja.”
