8/27 August 2013 Update: Holding Pattern

I finally had LASIK enhancement surgery on July 23, 2013 on my left eye, the same eye that had the cataract surgery and retinal detachment.  I was looking forward to getting ALL the procedures planned for this eye DONE once and for all with the first year anniversary of my entire saga looming close.  The surgery was uneventful, although my vision is still stabilizing.  I seem to gave lost some visual acuity in my distance vision, while gaining limited but improved near vision.  At least i can read and see the computer with my left eye now.  As i was told to expect, it is good but not great.

So at my final post-op appointment with Dr. Regillo of Mid Atlantic Retinal Specialists on August 13, 2013, i was glad to get the "all clear" on both eyes with respect to the health of my retinas and readiness of the right eye for cataract surgery.  I was told that chances for retinal detachment are still at 1/100 for the right eye, and that a followup appointment with them post surgery would not be a bad idea to plan for.

At my August 14, 2013 post LASIK appointment with Dr. Siepser however, i was advised not to consider the cataract surgery until my right eye had deteriorated to the point that my left eye could see better than my right and further correction with lenses was not possible nor helpful.  The doctor did not want to do the procedure, stating that with all the cataract surgeries he has performed, retinal detachment was rare, but with my history he was virtually certain i WOULD have retinal detachment if we operated on my right eye, as the 1/100 odds given by Dr. Regillo are higher than his statistical record for retinal detachments.

So what does this mean?  I am years away from my next surgery.  I am waiting on the left eye to stabilize further and will look into getting new lenses for both eyes, glasses and a contact lens to replace the battered one my right eye sees fairly well out of.  We are not rushing into the next step for sure, although i had thought that was the best course to take.  All in due time.  I can see pretty good now, considering my long saga.  I feel very blessed and lucky indeed, and happy to wait before we go under the knife again.

I will be "seeing" you around....

5/23 Another Unexpected Setback...

So I was all excited about finally having the last procedure done on my left eye today before I can finally proceed to getting my right eye cataract surgery completed.  I even wrote poetry while waiting, which I posted on FaceBook...

They repeated a couple of tests before the procedures and had me complete all the disclosure/CYA forms.  Dr. Jordan even tested my eye sight and let me know that I was seeing better than when they last saw me in January after my YAG laser capsulotomy.  Dr. Siepser walked in with two crutches, saying his hip was not great, but that he was glad he could still "operate" otherwise. When Dr. Siepser started looking at my test results, he seemed concerned, and it started sounding like having the LASIK today was not a good idea.  Upon looking into my eye, he realized that the test results were not optimal coz I still had sutures in my left eye from when he performed my cataract surgery in September of last year.  Apparently the suture was tight and had caused some distortion in my cornea which showed up in my test results.  He then indicated that I will need to have the sutures removed today, let the eye heal for a couple of months then have a couple more tests done before the LASIK enhancement can be performed.  What a bummer, more delays. 

Interesting enough, while sitting in the same chair where I had my eye exam and the doc had looked into my eye with his scope of sorts, he added a couple of numbing drops in my eye, took a sterile needle out, and then while holding my eye lids open with one hand and looking into my eye with his scope, he proceeded to nip out the sutures in my eye with the needle.  Spur of the moment eye surgery: not for the faint of heart!  I was inwardly freaking out, willing my eye to be still and focus straight ahead.  He must have really steady hands for this type of work!  After popping a soft contact lens into my eye for a "bandage" and handing me eye drops to use four times a day, I was discharged to return tomorrow for the already scheduled post-operative check-up.

It has been six hours and my eye feels tired and scratchy, nothing a good nap can't fix.  I was told to not rub the eye vigorously for the next month or so, but to expect some improvement in my astigmatism as the eye heals.  So my revised timeline may now be LASIK for left eye sometime in August, then cataract surgery in September, and hopefully nothing more after that, apart from maybe the YAG and/or LASIK for the right eye.  No more retinal detachment drama, hopefully...  Still very thankful and hopeful coz just like Dr. Siepser said, I have had a lot done but can actually still see pretty well.  

So my journey dodging darkness continues, until the next episode....

5/19 Left-eye LASIK this week

Looking forward to the fourth and last needed procedure on my left eye this week. I have LASIK enhancement scheduled on Thursday, May 23.  Should be uneventful, especially since they told me i could drive myself to my 24-hour post-procedure appointment on Friday.

When Left Eye is all set, Right Eye is next.  Said i would get cataract surgery on it done this summer: can't believe how time has flown!  Need to get it on the schedule sooner rather than later.  As always, i am hopeful it will be uneventful, without the retinal detachment drama my left eye went through.

I AM at higher risk of having detachment with the right eye now too, but i will take care not to take the same risks i took after the last surgery: no dancing, no bowling, just rest and recovery.  I will behave, I promise!  

Hoping for the best....  Take care, y'all!

1/30 Post-YAG, Pre-Lasik: Laserific!

I am doing pretty well after my YAG laser procedure on my poor left eye on January 11.  In my follow-up on January 25, I was told that the procedure was successful, no capsule left, but that I am now a candidate for LASIK enhancement, which they will bring me in for after another month, to allow my eye to completely heal. 

So I have a follow up (my last one!) with my retinal specialist on February 12, and my LASIK evaluation on March 1.  I am between two laser zapping procedures, how surreal!  But my vision IS improving.  My left eye actually sees pretty clear, but lazily still defers to the right eye when I have my contact lens on.  Without the contacts, the left eye is dominant especially for distance.  But it is blurred for reading, where the right eye still works best. 

Not much to report, but I am extremely glad to be able to say that progress is slow and steady.  Till next, everybody take care and enjoy the scenery!

1/12 YAG laser poetry + update

Had my YAG laser capsulotomy with Dr Siepser at Vision One at Exton yesterday morning. The poem below was written during the almost two hour wait time between checkin, eye dilation and when the very short procedure was done.

The laser apparatus that was used looked like one of those machines at the eye doctor office, where you sit, rest your chin and forehead, and the fun ensues. Very anticlimactic, my eye was zapped (while i stared at a green light trying not to blink) for about a minute, then i was done.

Thank goodness it was a rainy day coz my eyes stayed dilated till the evening, and even today my vision is brighter (hallelujah!) but still a little blurry. Interesting that now i can see how much more "yellow hued" the uncorrected vision is on my right eye with the cataract, compared to my left eye with the Crystallens after YAG laser. My right eye has been the one tired in the past two days, probably from doing all the work! But things are looking good. I am doing three more days of fluorometholone (FML) eye drops then i just wait till my postops and my LASIK appointment.

So here is the waiting room poetry, enjoy!

I am sitting here waiting
Left eye dilating
Sipping a cup of joe

Got okey to go bowling
With a little cajoling
So tonight i am ready to go (somewhat)

Holding back makes me anxious
But I need to be cautious
After everything that i've been through

I try to do what i'm told
AND not put life on hold
But it's sometimes not easy to do

So i'll see how things go
I WILL take it slow
Got to give this eye time to heal

My plans can wait
Can't tempt fate
The chips will fall where they will

It's one more step in this mission
To better my vision
Uneventful may this one step be

I slowly draw near
To vision more clear
Surgery after surgery

1/9/2013 Almost in the clear in the new year

Happy New Year, everybody!

So I welcomed the new year with a visit to Dr. Siepser on January 2, on the recommendation of Dr Regillo, my retinal specialist.  Dr Regillo had indicated that I was healing really well but may require a laser procedure to address the obscured vision out of my brand new Crystallens in my left eye, which was cased by my vitrectomy procedure to correct the retinal detachment. 

Dr. Siepser agreed that I need the laser procedure but also indicated that he may perform additional LASIK if needed, to give me the best vision possible out of my left eye.  I am scheduled to have Dr. Siepser perform the YAG Laser Capsulotomy procedure this coming Friday, January 11, at the Exton Vision One facility.   It is an outpatient procedure that will result in my eye being dilated, but they did indicate that I can drive to and from the facility for the procedure, and since the facility is less than a mile from my house, I am doing just that.  We will see how it goes!

My post op with Dr. Siepserfor the YAG procedure is on January 25.  After that, I have what may be my last post-op appointment with Dr. Regillo on February 12, where I expect to get an all-clear on my left eye.  Something to look forward to!

I am on the fence about when to schedule the cataract lens replacement surgery for the right eye, after all the drama I had with the left eye.  I will at least wait until the summer or early fall, IF I will get it done this year.  The end result with my left eye is really not bad, I can actually already see pretty well, not perfect but will only get better with the additional procedures planned with Dr. Siepser.

I am still having to deal with a little bit of "cross-eyed"-ness, as the vision out of both eyes are not aligned.  Dr. Siepser urged me to exercise the eye muscles by looking at peripheral extremes, like a visual ping-pong game, and also to focus on my finger or any object as I bring it closer to my face.  I also noticed that I need to exercise focusing on objects that are far then near, and vice versa, so the muscles of the eye get used to the action and focus faster.  Talk about a weird workout!  At least my eyes can play ping-pong...not sure if I can still blame my eyes for my cross-eyed bowling sickness (can't seem to hit my target).  More work needed, like many things, it can only get better!

I am truly looking forward to even better vision and hopefully no more eye drama in 2013.  Wishing y'all the best in this new year as well!

12/13 Happy Holiday Healing!

It's been a while since I posted. My healing continues, my progress and prognosis are good.

It has been almost three months since my retinal detachment surgery and I got the "all clear" last week. It is a great Christmas present to no longer have any restrictions: Zumba here i come!

This is worth some "eyeball" poetry:

Not been blogging much
Been real busy and such
But i do need to say
How my left eye is today

November 29 dawned
With no gas bubble to be found
My eyes still sometimes cross
Eye muscles still need to adjust

December 5 the doctor saw me
Said that i have healed quite nicely
No more restrictions need apply
But i need some laser work in my eye!

My brand new lens was affected
But with laser can be corrected
Need an appointment in January
To get an all clear by February

When my left eye heals completely
I'll still need right eye cataract surgery
But I will wait a little bit longer
And pray the second time goes much better

So may your holidays bring delight
With glorious visions so merry and bright
May our eyesight be ever clear
Dodging darkness with no fear

Happy Holidays and wishing you all the best in the new year

11/20 Tiny Bubble

Eight weeks after my retinal detachment surgery and the gas bubble is now really tiny, small as a button on a dress shirt. For those who know the Hawaiian Dance Song "TINY BUBBLES" here is my version:

Tiny bubble
In my eye
Makes me see double
Makes me see twice

Tiny bubble
Your days are numbered
Soon you will be gone forever
And I will be seeing fine


No more eye patch for me, I am doing good. Thank you for all the prayers and good wishes. Take care, and happy thanksgiving!

11/7 Doing good 6-weeks postop

Time flies, and time heals.  It's been 6-weeks since I had my vitrectomy operation to repair retinal detachment in my left eye.   I am off the eye drops now, though, and am also no longer required to wear the flourescent green bracelet warning folks of the gas in my eye.  While looking straight ahead, I look like I just have tired red eyes, especially on the side of my left eye.  The redness on the incision point at the left side of my eye is very slowly going away.  I saw Dr. Regillo from MidAtlantic Retina on Tuesday, November 7 at Newtown Square for my 6-week appointment, and he said I was healing really well, no scarring, and that the redness in my eye should eventually disappear.  I am still not allowed to bounce and jump up and down, not until the gas is completely gone from my eye, so Zumba and running are still out. I have returned to dance classes and am bowling about as much as I used to before, so I can't complain. 

The vision in my left eye is pretty good, I can see better with my left eye than my right eye when I take the contact lens out of my right eye.  Dr. Regillo had indicated that Dr. Siepser may need to do a procedure with a YAG laser to clear up the vision from the new Crystallens in my left eye - the lens appears to have been affected by the vitrectomy.  Since I already see quite well out of that eye, it is exciting to consider that my vision can get even better.  It is good to be able to look forward to better things.
 
My gas bubble is greatly reduced in size, maybe a little bigger than a quarter now. There are still distortions in my vision from the gas bubble but they are not as pronounced.  There is still some misalignment and double vision, but it is much improved, such that I have not needed to use my eye patch to drive to work this week.  It was a gloomy and rainy day today, and just a few weeks ago, the psychedelic starbursts would have driven me crazy and made driving quite dangerous without the eye patch, but today there were no more starbursts so this is a great improvement! 

The days of my gas bubble are numbered.  It's current size reminds me of the size of the "dark shadow", the "little friend" out of the corner of my left eye, that eventually ended up to be a retinal detachment.  It is so small now that when I am driving, it is lower than the lights of the dashboard and does not obscure my field of vision  - I hardly realize it is there! 

Not sure if I will miss the gas bubble, but I may miss rocking the rhinestone eye patch.  I found a Halloween costume that matched the eye patch, figuring I might as well keep the darn thing on and have fun with it!  It was a good excuse to indulge my love for sparkly things.

My next appointment with Dr. Regillo is a month from now in early December.  Until then, take things easy, be well, and never take your vision for granted.

10/23 Status report one month post-vitrectomy

Time flies, it will be four weeks tomorrow from when I had the vitrectomy operation to repair my retinal detachment.  I am recovering well, it is slow progress but it is progress!  Taking stock of how I am doing, here is my status report.

Things I can do:

1. Work on computer, read, watch TV, blog ;)
2. DRIVE with an eye patch
3. Walk briskly - good exercise!
4. Weights - I am going slowly on this one, starting at 5-8 lbs when i used to do 15lbs (i have clearance to do 10 lbs)
5. Bowling - doing maximum of 3-4 games, when i used to do 6-7 a night
6. Dancing - slow dances and lessons only, nothing bouncy.  Was back at class at Carousel Ballroom tonight and really enjoyed being back!

Things I cannot do yet:

1. Zumba - I can't jump and do bouncy exercises yet, and I can't do Zumba without bouncing...  I know how to "cheat" and do low impact (option one), but when the music plays, it's hard to avoid doing what I should not do!
2. Running - I'll stick with the brisk walking, and need to remind myself that breaking into a quick jog is NOT allowed!
3. Sit-ups - the doctor specifically called this out as a no-no.  I'm doing slow crunches instead.
4. Driving at night - I can do short distances but am not risking long drives, much too strenuous on the eyes.
5. Fast and bouncy dances - no chachas, jives,  swings, viennese waltzes, sambas and quicksteps for now!
6. Flying - thank goodness i have no flights scheduled this year, no flying for a while here.  And my neon green "eye gas" bracelet is still required in case something happens to me and I need to be MediVac-ed - no can do, ground transport only!
7. Roller Coasters and Sky Diving - not doing it anyway, so there!

The gas bubble is at around 20-30% now, getting smaller, and the distorted vision above the miniscus is quite clear although still out of sync with my good eye.  There are starbursts and other distortions from the gas bubble, which are more annoying at night, but nothing that my rhinestone eye patch can't help.  The driving is getting better now, I am getting used to driving like a pirate (arghh!), but am looking forward to using both eyes eventually.

So overall I am doing well, happier now that I have clearance to bowl and dance again, but taking it easy since I still am recovering.  Still on the slow lane but gearing up for a little bit more speed here.  Getting back to where I was, but pretty happy with the ride, where it has taken me and where I am now.  It's all good, and getting better every day. 

Take care and be well!

10/18 Back in the Game!

I had my three-week post-operation appointment at MidAtlantic Retinal Specialists in Newtown Square today.  Saw Dr. Garg at around 9 am.  Here are the highlights:

• The gas level in my eye is down to around 50% after three weeks.  It may take another month for the gas to completely disappear.  I recall that the gas dissipated to around 60% level after the first week, so the rate of gas dissipation is much slower now, and may actually take longer than one month if current trend continues.
• I am doing really good, healing according to plan.  My left eye actually sees pretty good but there is distortion because of the gas.  I asked  my vision when I look straight up is obscured, and was told that this was because the gas bubble is up against macula.  I was told to still always be watchful for any blurring of my current good vision above the miniscus, and to call them right away if I see any dark shadows and flashing lights.
• I have clearance to lift up to 10 lb weights, to bowl with my 11 lb bowling ball (as long it is not a strain) and to dance, again if not a strain. No jumping up and down allowed yet, but more strenuous activities can be done with care.  The stress was on not to overdo and to watch out if I sense strain in my eyes!
• I am to continue the 2x per day schedule on my prednisolone eye drops for another week, then taper down to one drop per day for another week.  By then I no longer need to wear my bright green bracelet warning folks of the gas in my eye.

So I am back in the game!  I am a happy girl, like a caged animal set free....  I will need to slow down and pace myself, always in moderation, not to strain.  I will be seeing Dr. Regillo in 3 weeks (November 6) for my 6-week post-operation appointment.  Well on my way to recovery here, rocking the eye patch, and ready to slowly ease myself back to the ballroom and the bowling lanes...whoo hoo!

 

10/11/12 Back to work + rhinestone eye patch!

It is day 15 post-vitrectomy and I had my first full day back at work. It was great to see folks face to face.  Overall it was very productive, very busy but it felt good to be back! The ~40 minute drive each way from Downingtown to Fort Washington, PA was the worst part of my day from an eye strain ("pain in the eye"!) perspective. I really needed the eye patch, and so my poor good right eye had to work doubly hard as I drove. Takes some getting used to but I did okey overall. Should be even better tomorrow. I should continue to have a real early start, coz I enjoyed less traffic and got a prime parking space!

The gas bubble is at about 40% right now, the miniscus still annoyingly right in the middle of my field of vision. The bubble is not getting lower in a straight line, rather the sides are getting lower and a circle of gas is floating on the lower part of my field of vision. I can see the whole circle when I look down. My vision right above the miniscus is pretty clear, which is wonderful! I can actually cover my good right eye and watch TV with the bad left eye (and not see the bottom half of the TV as nothing is visible under the miniscus of gas bubble, oh well). I am optimistic about my vision as the bubble dissipates further, the way things look right now. I can't see well with both eyes together though, they are not in sync and so I get double vision:

double vision

+ "underwater" vision

= psychedelic world! 

Too funky, I'm glad it is temporary...

Apart from the usual black floaters, there is a new round black floater (that I need to watch closely) that has appeared right at the edge of the gas bubble miniscus on the left side. It tends to move around as I blink and look around and from left to right, and I just need to make sure it does not grow. It is a little speck right now, but I am suspicious of every black spot in my vision now, as my last "little friend" of a black spot turned out to be a retinal detachment! No more "little friends", no more, no more!

For your enjoyment, I have to share with you the fruits of my search for a sparkly and festive eye patch. Thank goodness for Halloween costumes, Amazon and Paypal: I get instant gratification with a rock star rhinestone eye patch! Love this one coz it has an adjustable chain like a necklace, and so there is no annoying elastic that makes a mark on my face and irritates my ear (hate that). Just got it today so I will test drive it tomorrow, could be blindingly distracting to oncoming traffic, oh well! Rock the eye patch, baby!

Should be early to bed tonight. I will do my brisk daily walk and call it a day, the eyes need a good night's rest... One more work day till the weekend - TGIF, everyone! Be safe and seize the day!

10/9 Poetry for Day 13 Post Vitrectomy

I have been working full-time from home this week, and plan to go to work starting on Thursday, October 11 (two days from now).  It truly is frustrating standing in the sidelines and not being able to do many of the things I already want to do, but I have to be patient to protect my eyesight.  All in due time....

I am sharing some poetry today. Enjoy!

Been thinking of writing some poetry

Ever since I had my vitrectomy

Although it's almost two weeks since my surgery

It's a slow and steady race to my recovery
 

I am healing nicely, just like I should

My vision was saved, my prognosis is good

But my poor battered left eye still can hardly see

For much longer a one-eyed gal I'll have to be

The gas bubble's getting smaller day by day

The miniscus is lower to about midway today

The vision is blurry but at least i can see

And it's getting better very, very slowly

Not quite 100% but I am getting there

For my anxious soul, the long waiting's not fair

While I may compliantly do what I am told

I somehow I feel like my life is on hold

So many things to do and places to be

But I need to slow down and take things easy

There's much I can do but I should not get all wired

I don't want to strain, and my eyes do get tired

 

To want to dance, to bowl, is a heartbreaking yearn

Patience is a lesson hard for me to learn

But the restrictions are a sacrifice I have to make

The risk to my eyesight is one I cannot take

 

I can read, I can work, I can write poetry

I can drive, I can do many things happily

So I'll take my brisk walks, they are good for my soul

Till in due time, when I'm able to once more do it all!

Warm regards to all!

Jing (as in Jingle Bells)

10/4 One-week Post-Op: Stepping on the Brakes

Had my one-week post-op appointment this morning, bright and early.  Papa Joel drove me to the MidAtlanticRetina center in Newtown Square to see Dr. Garg.  I am glad he was able to come with me, as it was an ugly rainy day.  It took about 1.5 hours for us to get done though, so our 8 am appointment lasted till 9:30 am....

So here's the good news:

• Everything looks "perfect", I am healing well and on schedule.
• I still can't see much, but should not worry.  It is healing and will get better.
• Only 60% of gas remains in my eye (which is why the miniscus is near the middle of my field of vision).  I should be seeing most of my field of vision by middle of next week.  Hopefully this also means that what I see will clear up (right now it is VERY blurry) - we shall "see".
• I now am down to one eye drop 3x a day, which tapers down to 2x a day next week and then down to once a day the week after.  Good change as I was doing three meds four times a day before.
• I am cleared to work as much as I feel up to, and can drive as much as I am comfortable doing. 

Here's the bad news: NO EXERCISE except for brisk walking.  So, no dancing, no weight training, no Zumba and, how can i stand it, no bowling.  Not yet, anyway, and at least not for the next two weeks.  My next doctor's appointment is on October 18 (I will get to see Dr. Regillo, who actually performed my vitrectomy).  Hopefully the vision in my left eye will be much improved by then, and I can get clearance for more activities than brisk walking, driving and computer work.

My eyes still do get mighty tired, so the "doing as much as I can" is nowhere near being 100%.  I know I should be patient, time is on my side, but progress is slow and waiting is wearisome business.  I should recognize the precious gift, the sign to slow down, but it is difficult when I feel like I am putting my life on hold....  What a lesson to learn!

Be well, y'all, every day is a gift....

10/3 My Poor, Blind, Lazy Eye

My poor left eye hardly sees anything, but I know it is trying coz, boy, does it get tired and fatigued.  I took a lot of rest time today - taking it easy on my last planned day of leave and easing into work, before I am back full-time at work (remotely).  The non-convergent vision sometimes makes me dizzy, and my eyes (both of them!) get tired easily.  You would think I would be used to my weird vision by now.  I guess I keep hoping to open my eyes to find I magically have clear vision again, which, of course, has yet to come (patience...).

From the picture, you can tell that the left eye is still a bit swollen and appears smaller than my other eye - looks like "lazy eye", although it is really blind which makes it seem lazy!  There is still some pain so I am on Tylenol or Motrin.  There is still a blodshot area under my pupil, so the eye drops continue 4x a day. 

My dear friend Agnes told me that a friend of hers that had the same surgery as me felt like a human "level" - yup, I do to!  The miniscus in my left eye has moved to almost the middle of my field of vision when i look streaight ahead - good progress!  But the vision above it is somewhat blurred and hazy (almost like it has a cataract).  This basically means that I still have very limited vision from my left eye even with the gas bubble dissipating. 

My one-week post-operation doctor's appointment is tomorrow morning, very early (8 am).  Need to sleep early tonight, and wakeup and leave early tomorrow morning to get there in time.  I am looking forward to good news in terms of returning to some of my regular activities (dancing, bowling, weight training and Zumba) in due time, and maybe some answers on why my vision is still blurred on the left eye.  I'll let you in on the news tomorrow.  Be well, everyone!

10/2 Driving like a pirate, argh!

I had mentioned that I drive around with an eye-patch, like a pirate, argh!  So here is my photo with the "pirate gear".  I really need a smaller eye patch.  With "one size fits all" from the pharmacy, I have to be content with covering not just my eye but also most of my face.  You'd think I'd have luck finding a better eye patch at the Halloween costume shops, but the eye patches there are not any smaller, and the "sequined" ones only cover the right eye!  Hopefully I never need it for the other eye.... 

Actually, I think I "see" to drive better without the eye patch.  While the "underwater" vision from the left eye can be a tad distracting to my good right eye, on a rainy day like today, everything just seemed dimmer with only one eye working.  So the eye patch came off.  I am happy to be able to drive short distances, and to be able to "practice" during the day when the traffic is not bad.  I truly need to work myself up to my long commute.  The typical "instantaneous calculus" the brain does when fed photos by both eyes needs recalibration when pictures are only coming from one eye!

I am slowly working up to a full day of working as well.  My eyes were tired after yesterday, and I had only worked a couple of hours!  So I started late today and tried to concentrate on critical stuff only.  I will see how I do tomorrow and what my doctor says on Thursday morning.  I am planning to work full days starting on Thursday but if i am not really up to it, I will need to scale down.  All in good time.... 

The miniscus of my gas bubble has moved even lower today.  It is visible around 1/3 from the top of my field of vision when looking straight ahead.  I am disappointed that my vision above the miniscus (and when I look straight up, which I am not supposed to do so much!) is blurry, I was expecting this to be crystal clear.  I will have to discuss that with my retinal specialist.  I am worried that my vision as the gas dissipates will not be great and that "other" enhancements may be needed for my poor eye to see better.  I pray not, we shall see....  I still see relatively "better" when i look right down under the miniscus of my "underwater" bubble.  This has not changed from before, I can discern things that are within a handspan away from my face in brighter light.

Healing is slow and taking its time.  I will be one-eyed for a while, it seems.  I am happy to SEE and very grateful that my vision was saved.  It is a work in progress, I just have to be patient. 

10/1 Sleeping post-surgery

Sleeping is a big production number for me this first week after vitrectomy.  My eye needs a shield and my head needs to be elevated.  

Who knew positioning an eye shield would be an art form? It needs to be just right so as not to hit any part of my sensitive eye, but still cover it enough so there is no threat of me scratching it while I sleep.  And boy, does it itch!  That means it is healing, so I can't complain....  On my first night, my eye was so swollen I wore the hospital-issue sunglasses to bed instead of the eye shield.  I realized that it did not allow me to sleep on my side, not a good problem to have.  I am glad I could put the eye shield on now: good, restful sleep is priceless.

I also have an arm band that I need to keep on, that warns folks that I have gas in my eye and should not fly.  Nice fashion statement in the neon green, safety first!

I have a cool wedge pillow that has gotten a lot of use this week.  It does a nice job keeping my head elevated without putting a lot of pressure on my back-end.  Regardless, I still look forward to not using it anymore after Wednesday night.

The swelling and redness on my left eye has gone down quite a bit.  There is a bloodshot area under the pupil that is visible when I look up (as I did in my picture in the red sweater), but when i look straight ahead or down, it is not as noticeable.  What I see out of the eye is still distorted, "underwater"-ish, relatively clearer on the bottom and sides but more distorted in the center and in the upper range of my vision.  The miniscus on the upper part of what I see is slowly getting bigger, although the vision above the miniscus is very blurred.  As I was told to expect, my central vision is the most distorted, and I may need to get used to looking at the world sideways from my left eye.  As long as I can still see the world any which way, I can't complain. 

I am easing myself back to work this week, checking my emails and preparing to work from home full days by end of the week.  I am also hoping to drive back to work by October 15 - good target to work up to, I think.  In the meantime, I am taking it easy, as my eyes got tired reading 150 emails.  Wasn't even a full day's work!  Easy does it, gotta take it easy... 

On my way to recovery, it is day 5 after my vitrectomy operation and I am doing fine.  Life is good on the slow lane...

9/29 Welcome to Dodging Darkness

I dodged darkness this week when I went under  the knife following retinal detachment.  All my left eye could see prior to the surgery was a sliver, shaped like a crescent moon on my upper field of vision.  The darkness seemed to be closing in...  But that was three days ago, and now I am in day 3, post-vitrectomy, and slowly getting my vision back.

I have been nearsighted for as long as I can remember.  I needed 4.50 diopter glasses when I was in Grade 4, and had 8.50 diopter glasses by the time I wore contact lenses in high school.  By the time I had LASIK surgery in 1999 my eyes had deteriorated to 12.5 diopter.  Even through I enjoyed close to 20/20 vision after LASIK, I was always warned that my eyes would always be severely myopic and at risk for retinal detachment.  But, of course, I always thought that those things happened to other people...

So around 3-4 years ago my eyes post-LASIK had deteriorated to the point that I needed to wear my glasses all the time.  I was up to around 2.5 diopter so it was nowhere near where I was prior to LASIK.  When I went back to where I had my LASIK performed, in the hopes that an enhancement procedure could be performed, I was told (after a battery of tests) that I had the beginnings of cataracts, and hence would be like a "moving target".  Having just hit my 40s this was a little disturbing to hear, and also disappointing in terms of my getting my vision corrected.  As my vision started deteriorating to the point of needing my glasses redone almost every month, I switched to using gas permeable contact lenses upon the suggestion of my ophthalmologist, same type of lenses as I had used prior to LASIK, to stabilize my vision.  And it worked out pretty well for me until early this year.

By March of this year, my eyes had gotten so much worse that it was last year that my ophthalmologist referred me to see Dr Siepser, who specializes in post-LASIK vision correction.  I finally went to see Dr. Siepser in August.  The diagnosis of cataracts on both eyes, to the point that my eyes could not be refracted for glasses, was not a surprise, but was still surprising - cataracts happen to OLD people, not to gals in their mid forties!  My ophthalmologist cousin suggested that my cataracts are most probably congenital, as LASIK does not cause it.  Doomed to bad vision, I accepted my fate.

I had cataract surgery on my left eye on Friday, September 14.  Through a small incision in my eye, the old lens was taken out and replaced by a Crystalens, which would allow me to have good near and far vision once I heal, although additional LASIK enhancement may be required, which was included in my treatment.  Straight out of the outpatient operating room, I could see so clearly out of the left eye that I asked why both eyes were not done at the same time.  I found out why later that night, when my vision darkened in that eye, as I was told to expect.  In bright lights, my left eye saw really clearly but indoors and in darker settings, vision was obscured.  My post-op appointments on Saturday and on Monday were good, I was healing as expected and could resume normal activities, although i was warned that things may get worse before they got better.

By Wednesday, September 19, I was seeing so clearly from my left eye that I had the cataract surgery for my right eye scheduled for the following week, Friday, September 28.  By Thursday I was thinking I had jinxed myself coz somehow my left eye seemed blurry, but I was not worried coz I WAS told that things may get worse before they got better.  By Friday, my left eye was still blurry, and there was a small blind spot or dark circle forming on the lower left corner of my field of vision.  I was not sure if this was normal, but over the weekend, I actually got more concerned coz the blind spot was apparently growing, and covered the entire lower left quadrant of my field of vision by Sunday.  To make things worse, my right eye was somehow irritated or infected, maybe tired from being the dominant eye for so long, and was painful and red.  So I stayed home on Monday and made an appointment to be checked out, not optimistic about having the right eye operated on that coming Friday.

The afternoon of Monday, September 24 was when I was found to have retinal detachment on the top part of my left eye, which corresponded to the black spot (my "new friend" who was always there) on the lower left quadrant of my field of vision.  I was immediately referred to a retinal specialist and was told to prepare to go into emergency surgery the following day.  The blurriness I had observed from Thursday the previous week was most probably the onset of the retinal tear and eventual detachment, so it was encouraging that over the course of a few days, it had not progressed so quickly.

I saw the retinal specialist on Tuesday morning, September 25, and was scheduled to have surgery at Wills Eye Center in Center City Philadelphia early the next morning, following completion of bloodwork and medical clearance from my family physician.  I was already told by the retinal specialist that the detachment was big and was on the upper part of my left eye, and that even after reattachment my central field of vision may be distorted since my macula was affected.  By that evening, my "friend" had grown to the point that there was a dark mountain covering the lower half of my field of vision, and I could barely see above it.  I prayed for calm, and for strength, for faith that my vision would be saved, that my eye would not go completely dark before I went under the knife.  It really felt like the darkness was closing in.

The following morning, my dear friend Chelo who had taken me to all my doctor's appointments this fateful week, once again bravely took the trek with me into Center City for my surgery.  We were at Wills Eye by 6:30 am and I was being prepped for surgery an hour later.  I was thankful that my vision had not worsened from the night before.  I underwent vitrectomy, my vitreous layer replaced by octaflouropropane (C3F8) gas and my retina reattached with a laser. As with the cataract surgery, I was awake the entire time, although i felt like my eye was actually closed but I was seeing lights and not feeling anything in my eye. 

Boy, did my eye feel badly beat up after the surgery, like it had gone through 12 rounds with Manny Pacquiao!  I was told to take it easy, no bending or lifting.  I could read, watch TV, and be on the computer but no one activity for more than 45 minutes at a time, with 15 minute breaks.  I was also to keep my head elevated at least 45 degrees when i slept for a week, since I had gas in my eye, no airplane flights or sky diving, for laughing out loud!  I also was not to have water or soap on my face or near my eye for 72 hours, no baths for 24 hours, ugh, lovely, I'll be both blind AND smelly....

I posted my post operation pirate look on Facebook.  Looked much better than after I took the patch off that evening, talk about "Halloween" eyes, bloody hell.  It looked about as bad as it felt.  The eye drops, Tylenol and ice packs helped, and still do.  I was told post-surgery to expect to see mostly light but little else out of the operated eye, but i could readily discern colors and shapes which were more defined in bright light.  The day after (see me in my green shirt), my eye still looked horrible but I could actually discern more things the closer they were to my eye, and a miniscus of clearer vision seemed to be present on the upper part of my field of vision.  It is like my eye is under water, seeing all swirls of light and color, very distracting and psychedelic!  It has been getting a little clearer day by day, although it may take 6-8 week for the shroud to completely disappear, and at least two weeks for me to see clearly at least the upper half of my field of vision.  It is legal for me to drive with one good eye (!), whether I am confident about doing it is another matter....

One day post-op, I started walking as the one allowable form of exercise, being careful to go really slow so as not to sweat, since I could not wash my hair!  By Friday, day 2 post-op, I walked about two miles and was just worrying about not straining too much as to feel it in my eyes.  I had joked with Chelo about bathing with goggles on, but i was serious, and with my daughter's scuba goggles on, i was finally able to wash my hair...  Ahhh, wonderful to feel fresh again but keep my eyes dry. 

Another milestone for me today, day 3 post op, to be able to wash the gunk out of my eyes with soap and water, and finally I will be able to wash my face in the shower, little joys I take for granted.  My eye is still a little swollen and bloodshot, so i keep my shades on when I can, or have my eye patch. Looking a little better today (see below), the redness is going away and is barely discernable when I am smiling (and my eye gets smaller). 

A bigger milestone was driving my daughter to her voice lesson, a short trip which I took with an eye patch on my left eye, to lessen the distractions of my distorted vision.  I think I will stick to these short driving trips for now, my right eye does get tired easily, and I do not have good depth perception or good peripheral vision with just one eye, but at least I have mobility and can get around.  I am also able to see things a little bit more clearly on the lower part of my field of vision - I can discern the figures on my keyboard when my eyes are about a handspan away from it, I can see my palm, the floor, my feet. How amazing to be so happy to see this much, this little...  I am very grateful, I am very blessed and oh so lucky!

I still need to work up my eye strength towards being able to work again from home, and I plan to take the time I need to then work towards being able to drive 40 minutes each way on the turnpike to get the work.  I should be able to work from home a little but more each day next week, and maybe i'll be driving back to work in 2-3 weeks.  I vow to take things easy coz I am still not out of the woods, and am still at risk for re-detachment until I completely heal after three months.  Needless to say I am delaying having my right eye cataract operated on until maybe sometime next year.

I will be posting on my progress on this blog,please stay tuned!  As I work myself back to being able to bowl, I will continue posting on my bowling blog, JingGalBowls! (http://jinggalbowls.blogspot.com).  Right now I am not optimistic about being able to bowl at all in the next couple of months, but of course once I get the go ahead, I would love to bowl, ballroom dance and do Zumba and weight training again.  But all in good time, dodging darkness takes time, and for now my focus should be on healing and getting my eye healthy and seeing really well once more.  Till next, remember to never take anything for granted!