My vision was compromised on my recent vacation to Alaska and Canada. The appointment with an ophthalmologist was finally here. Of course, I had a plan. I would drive to my friend’s office and my other friend, Linda, would take me to the appointment and then drive me back to the office to get my car. Good Plan, right? Ahhh those pesky’ best laid plans’ . . . Want to make God laugh? Make Plans . . .

I was all ready and left for my friend’s office. There was even enough time to pickup a cup of iced coffee on the way! I parked and looked around for Linda. We must have arrived at about the same time because I didn’t see her when I drove by. I was texting her just as she was calling me.

“Where are you?”

“I’m in the parking lot near the sidewalk.”

“Oh, I see you now, I was in the other lot.”

She picked me up and we headed to the doctor’s office.

I checked in with the receptionist and waited for my name to be called. About 15 minutes later, I heard my name. I followed the ‘Patient care specialist’ into a room. She proceeded to ask a number of questions and then gave me a typical vision test. You know the one . . . Big letters then the next line of letters is smaller and on and on until you cry ‘uncle’ and give up.

After the eye test, I was given drops to dilate my eyes for another test. I followed my ‘Patient care specialist’ out of the room into another waiting area. I sat in this space for about 20 minutes or so. A few people were called and they went to another small room for yet another test involving photographing the eyes. At last it was my turn to have the photography test done.

Upon completion of the last test, I was shown to a patient room to wait to see the doctor. In a short time the doctor came in and began to examine my eyes. He asked me a few questions and then sat back in his chair and said “Well, I see a few things. Your vision has changed a little. Yes you have a cataract but you also have a partially detached retina as well. The cataract will have to wait.”

SAY WHAT?????

“How long has your eyesight been blurry?” he asked.

I related how I was on vacation in Alaska and woke up with the cloudy vision on the 3rd day of my trip. I had called his office to make an appointment but July 2nd was the earliest that I could get in to see him.

“I need you to go immediately to a retinal specialist. We will call and let them know you are coming. This is an emergency and I want you to leave right now.”

Emergency???

Well, you can imagine my shock and dismay.

I said “okay” and followed the Patient Care Specialist to the next desk to check out. I must have looked a bit concerned as the woman made a couple of calls to arrange the appointment for me.

“Can you be at the Retinal Health Center in an hour?” she asked.

“Yes” was my prompt reply.

She handed me a folder and said “filled these out as soon as you can. The other office will keep us informed of your progress and we will schedule another appointment with the doctor when your eye is healed.”

I thanked her, took the folder and went out to the large waiting room to ask if Linda could drive me to Fort Myers for another appointment. Luckily she was able to take me.

At the next office, I went through almost all of the same tests again. INCLUDING having my eyes dilated AGAIN. Were my pupils ever going to go back to normal?

I finally saw the doctor and after looking at my eye he said, “What you have Ms. Graziano, is a partial tear in your retina. I will be able to do a laser procedure to stop the tear from increasing.”

Next I was shown into another special room and seated in a very comfortable chair which was tilted back a little. Numbing eye-drops were placed in my right eye. After about 15 minutes another employee came in and added some more numbing drops. When around 15 more minutes had passed, the first girl came back in and added some more of those numbing drops.

Subsequently, the doctor came in. He began saying numbers which the assistant typed into a computerized chart. Next he put this thing on my right eye, held my eyelid open and began counting. 1,2,3,4. I thought we were all finished. Oh no, next he said “Look up to the right” zap, zap, zap. “Look down to the right” zap, zap, zap, zap. “Look up to the right” zap, zap, zap, zap zap. etc. On and on this was repeated.

It is not as if it hurt but I did feel pressure each time he zapped. Boy was I glad when he said “Okay. I believe I’ve got it. I’d like to see you again in a week. Take it easy for the next few days, no lifting, nothing strenuous, no exercising.”

With that, I was directed to the check out desk. I made an appointment for a week later and walked out to the waiting room to my friend. I told her that I was all done and that the doctor was able to do laser surgery in the office and I should be fine.

We drove to where my car was parked. My vision was still a bit hazy so I just sat in my other friend’s office until it cleared up enough to drive home.

What a Day! My first appointment started at 8am and I didn’t finish with the second doctor until after 1:30. I was so blessed that I was able to get in, get it taken care of and hopefully I will regain all of my vision.

I saw the doctor a week later and I’m happy to report that my eye is healing nicely. I go back in another 7 weeks.

We shall see when the cataract will be addressed. Don’t worry, I’ll let you know all about that experience as well.

Frances Graziano Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved