Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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New here, poor vision questions (self.Blind)
submitted by AlwaysLilly
Hi everyone,
I came to this subreddit because I have a host of eye issues and figured this would be the most helpful community to talk to. I apologize for the long post.
I am fortunate that for now, I am able to see fairly well, though my vision issues are frustrating. I have ROP that was discovered about 12 years ago. Despite minor detachments, I haven’t lost any central vision and have had a fair amount of laser procedures.
I am quite nearsighted (-14/15 in glasses) and wear contacts.
Three years ago I developed strabismus. Thankfully if I sleep enough it doesn’t get too bad most of the time.
My questions are — has anyone dealt with ROP long term and maintained their central vision? The projections I’ve read seem to suggest I’m more likely than not to lose my vision eventually especially with how misshapen my eyes are (more oval shaped as my retina dr says).
Second, how do I calculate my -14 prescription in terms of acuity? I thought I was told that my vision is 20/400 but I’m not sure if that’s correct.
Lastly, I noticed recently when driving at night (on a highway I’m not familiar with) that when a car in the opposite lane was about 1-2 miles away it looked like it was in my lane. Only when it got within 1000 or so feet did it look like it was in the proper lane. Has anyone else experienced this?
Thanks in advance for any insight you may have. I’m fortunate to have a lot of support from family/friends but no one really understands the challenges my vision issues bring.
I came to this subreddit because I have a host of eye issues and figured this would be the most helpful community to talk to. I apologize for the long post.
I am fortunate that for now, I am able to see fairly well, though my vision issues are frustrating. I have ROP that was discovered about 12 years ago. Despite minor detachments, I haven’t lost any central vision and have had a fair amount of laser procedures.
I am quite nearsighted (-14/15 in glasses) and wear contacts.
Three years ago I developed strabismus. Thankfully if I sleep enough it doesn’t get too bad most of the time.
My questions are — has anyone dealt with ROP long term and maintained their central vision? The projections I’ve read seem to suggest I’m more likely than not to lose my vision eventually especially with how misshapen my eyes are (more oval shaped as my retina dr says).
Second, how do I calculate my -14 prescription in terms of acuity? I thought I was told that my vision is 20/400 but I’m not sure if that’s correct.
Lastly, I noticed recently when driving at night (on a highway I’m not familiar with) that when a car in the opposite lane was about 1-2 miles away it looked like it was in my lane. Only when it got within 1000 or so feet did it look like it was in the proper lane. Has anyone else experienced this?
Thanks in advance for any insight you may have. I’m fortunate to have a lot of support from family/friends but no one really understands the challenges my vision issues bring.
[deleted] 3 points 5y ago
[deleted]
AlwaysLilly [OP] 1 points 5y ago
Interesting thanks! I’ve been meaning to ask about what my corrected acuity is anyway. I️ am due to see my retina doctor soon. The one true detachment I️ had was without symptoms. Thanks for sharing. :)
pokersnek 3 points 5y ago
My bad. Lol. The vision field has too many acronyms.
ROP is tricky. I work with adult twins (nearing retirement age) who both have ROP. One drives while the other has had further vision loss over time. They use a cane or guide throughout the work day, but can read things written in sharpie marker.
ROP is tricky. I work with adult twins (nearing retirement age) who both have ROP. One drives while the other has had further vision loss over time. They use a cane or guide throughout the work day, but can read things written in sharpie marker.
Amonwilde 2 points 5y ago
I'm always confused by people who drive but use canes to walk around. But I suppose everyone's situation is different. I don't use a cane (though perhaps I should) and I would never in a million years consider driving.
AlwaysLilly [OP] 1 points 5y ago
That’s interesting. I️ guess it just goes to show how individual everyone’s experiences are. :)
BeardedJerry 2 points 5y ago
Maybe it's been answered. Idk my eyes are tired so no more reading. But my acuity is said to be 20/400 corrected. And google tells me that 20/400 translates roughly to -5 in diopters.
Maybe the rules are different in other parts of the world but I don't think it's even legal to drive with eyesight this bad in Canada. 20/200 is considered legally blind.
Maybe the rules are different in other parts of the world but I don't think it's even legal to drive with eyesight this bad in Canada. 20/200 is considered legally blind.
AlwaysLilly [OP] 2 points 5y ago
I’ll update when I see my eye doctor next. If I understand correctly, in the states legally blind is defined as not meeting a certain benchmark for vision (I’m sure acuity wise it’s similar if not the same 20/200 rule) even when corrected.
I’ve never been told my vision is bad enough or approaching bad enough not to drive, but it’s nice knowing the numbers to give a frame of reference for people.
I’ve never been told my vision is bad enough or approaching bad enough not to drive, but it’s nice knowing the numbers to give a frame of reference for people.
pokersnek 2 points 5y ago
The night driving issue is common. I have no documented eye diagnoses, but I have issues with glare from headlights at night. I can’t tell what lane a car is in, even I’m familiar roads. I just try to stay on my side and hope for the best.
As far as your prescription lenses go, I found this article that may help. https://www.iblindness.org/3564/converting-vision-between-diopters-and-20xx/
My follow up question is, do your glasses correct your vision to 20/20? If not, the chart in the article is useless.
People with RP have varying degrees of vision loss. Some people lose a little, some people lose all of their vision. I would ask you your age and the degree of peripheral vision you have lost, but I’m not sure I could give you an answer either way. As a person with high myopia, you should probably avoid high impact sports like football, soccer, and wrestling. Blows to the head can cause retinal detachments. But RP acts differently on the retina than a detachment. It’s more like the light receptor cells die even though they are attached. Most people with RP lose peripheral vision first, and then possibly central vision. Some lose a little, and some lose a lot. There is a form called Stargart’s where people lose central vision first, but rarely progress to total blindness. I would encourage you to do some research on the progression of RP, onset of vision issues, and the statistics on the progression of vision loss. I don’t know it off the top of my head, but I hope something I’ve said helps.
As far as your prescription lenses go, I found this article that may help. https://www.iblindness.org/3564/converting-vision-between-diopters-and-20xx/
My follow up question is, do your glasses correct your vision to 20/20? If not, the chart in the article is useless.
People with RP have varying degrees of vision loss. Some people lose a little, some people lose all of their vision. I would ask you your age and the degree of peripheral vision you have lost, but I’m not sure I could give you an answer either way. As a person with high myopia, you should probably avoid high impact sports like football, soccer, and wrestling. Blows to the head can cause retinal detachments. But RP acts differently on the retina than a detachment. It’s more like the light receptor cells die even though they are attached. Most people with RP lose peripheral vision first, and then possibly central vision. Some lose a little, and some lose a lot. There is a form called Stargart’s where people lose central vision first, but rarely progress to total blindness. I would encourage you to do some research on the progression of RP, onset of vision issues, and the statistics on the progression of vision loss. I don’t know it off the top of my head, but I hope something I’ve said helps.
Amonwilde 2 points 5y ago
Think he has ROP, which is something you get as a premature baby, not RP, the genetic degenerative disorder. But what you said still applies.
AlwaysLilly [OP] 2 points 5y ago
That’s correct, I️ have Retinopathy of Prematurity. I️ was asymptomatic until treatments started in ‘05.
AlwaysLilly [OP] 1 points 5y ago
I️ honestly don’t know if my corrected vision is 20/20 but I’d be surprised. It certainly isn’t with contacts as I️ only wear -11s and “get by” as my doctor put it.
I️ do avoid high impact sports. That was one of the first things they told me. Thankfully that was just before I️ was going to join a rugby team.
I’m 33, female so I’ve been pretty lucky.
I️ do avoid high impact sports. That was one of the first things they told me. Thankfully that was just before I️ was going to join a rugby team.
I’m 33, female so I’ve been pretty lucky.
Amonwilde 2 points 5y ago
I think you're best off getting it checked on regularly and not obsessing over whether or not you will have changes in your vision. Do know that vision loss and even total blindness are not the end of a productive and happy life and that, if the worst does happen, you'll still enjoy your life, though your experience of it may be different.
Good luck!
Good luck!
AlwaysLilly [OP] 1 points 5y ago
Thanks and I️ agree, if something major happened I’d learn to adapt. I️ definitely don’t obsess like I️ used to in the first few years after diagnosis. I️ just like to see what others experiences are just incase something does happen.
Cheers!
Cheers!
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