I've been living with a "lazy eye" since childhood. The technical term is amblyopia. 20 years ago, an opthamologist recommended to my mother and I that I get corrective surgery. At that time there were significant risks involved, including possible blindness. My mother said, "no way", and I've been sufficiently scared of the surgery ever since. The surgery would have been primarily cosmetic since I had lost vision in the bad eye due to it not being corrected while my vision was developing.
The surgery would still be largely cosmetic, but I do retain some peripheral vision, and there is discomfort that I try to accomodate by tilting my head to one side, then leading to a stiff neck and sometimes headaches.
If you followed my previous blog, you may remember one solitary post about this topic, where I expressed fear and ambivalence about the surgery. That continues to stick with me like a bur on a fuzzy sweater, but today I opened my mouth, asked for a referral, and I now sit here with a surgeon's name on a little white card who I plan to call tomorrow.
This blog will document the process and I intend for it to serve multiple purposes. First, to generate moral and emotional support among family, friends, and yes, even strangers. Second, to keep me on track in moving forward with the process. Third, to educate others about the condition, how it affects those afflicted both physically, and psychosocially. Fourth, to offer guidance and support to others out there who might find their way here. And finally, to fulfill my personal need to write, and the growing urgency to write about even those things that have up until now been impossible for me to write about, even in my own personal journal.
Blessings!
The surgery would still be largely cosmetic, but I do retain some peripheral vision, and there is discomfort that I try to accomodate by tilting my head to one side, then leading to a stiff neck and sometimes headaches.
If you followed my previous blog, you may remember one solitary post about this topic, where I expressed fear and ambivalence about the surgery. That continues to stick with me like a bur on a fuzzy sweater, but today I opened my mouth, asked for a referral, and I now sit here with a surgeon's name on a little white card who I plan to call tomorrow.
This blog will document the process and I intend for it to serve multiple purposes. First, to generate moral and emotional support among family, friends, and yes, even strangers. Second, to keep me on track in moving forward with the process. Third, to educate others about the condition, how it affects those afflicted both physically, and psychosocially. Fourth, to offer guidance and support to others out there who might find their way here. And finally, to fulfill my personal need to write, and the growing urgency to write about even those things that have up until now been impossible for me to write about, even in my own personal journal.
Blessings!
6 comments:
YAY!!!!! This is great! The surgery will be easy peasy and you will be so happy to have this done! I am so proud of you for asking for the referral!
-Lauren
Thank you L, of course you have been one of the few I have let in on this while it was still just a thought. Your support means a great deal to me.
Thank you for doing this. I had the surgery done almost three years ago at the age of 43. So I understand totally.
No need to thank me. Glad you found me. How did your surgery go?
DO not let people tell you this is "cosmetic". You are having surgery to correct an abnormality (strabismus) that is caused by poor vision. This surgery is reconstructive. Many studies have shown the value of reconstructive strabismus surgery for adults.
Good luck.
In my case, it is mostly cosmetic, and only partly reconstructive. Thanks for the advice though.
blessings.plieades
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