Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Scared of Going Blind (self.Blind)
submitted by tace8
Hi everyone, I had a retinal detachment years ago in my right eye that made the vision very poor. Since it was caused by an injury, I thought I would be in the clear and that my left eye would be fine for life. I'm 22 and about two years ago I got sudden onset floaters in my left eye. Since I've been to dozens of retina appointments the symptoms of retinal issues (floaters/flashes) are drilled into my head. Needless to say I freaked out, then about a year ago it happened again, more floaters in my left eye. Both times I stupidly didn't see anyone since I was afraid they would make it worse (I got the first set of floaters the morning after a retina exam so I linked the two). A few months ago I got a bunch of floaters in my right eye which while not very concerning on their own since my right eye is already compromised made me think this might be a genetic issue that makes my retinas prone to detaching in general. The fact that I've been having flashes in my left eye for the first time this year does not help my anxiety.
Well, recently I had an eye appointment and during the exam my doctor told me that I had an 'old' retina tear in my left eye that had since healed on its own. This had to have happened sometime in the past two years (since my last retina exam), almost certainly as a result of one of the two sudden onset floater events I've had. Needless to say this terrified me, I came way too close to becoming blind and never even knew it. She recommended me to see a retina doctor to see if they want to laser it (it's already scarred around by my body) but I'm afraid he may cause another tear like I suspect he did may had done during that eye exam two years ago via vitreous detachment (new, sudden onset floaters).
The last few days I've been in complete terror. It feels like an inevitability now that I will go blind. I've been planning so much for the future lately and the thought that I could go blind at any moment is terrifying me. How do I cope with this? Does anyone have similar experiences to me? Should I keep seeing retina doctors or not let them exam me anymore in fear of them making the issue worse? Thanks guys, I'm just really terrified right now.
Well, recently I had an eye appointment and during the exam my doctor told me that I had an 'old' retina tear in my left eye that had since healed on its own. This had to have happened sometime in the past two years (since my last retina exam), almost certainly as a result of one of the two sudden onset floater events I've had. Needless to say this terrified me, I came way too close to becoming blind and never even knew it. She recommended me to see a retina doctor to see if they want to laser it (it's already scarred around by my body) but I'm afraid he may cause another tear like I suspect he did may had done during that eye exam two years ago via vitreous detachment (new, sudden onset floaters).
The last few days I've been in complete terror. It feels like an inevitability now that I will go blind. I've been planning so much for the future lately and the thought that I could go blind at any moment is terrifying me. How do I cope with this? Does anyone have similar experiences to me? Should I keep seeing retina doctors or not let them exam me anymore in fear of them making the issue worse? Thanks guys, I'm just really terrified right now.
BrailleNomad 7 points 3y ago
If it were me, I would go see a retina specialist- a different one than your last. Explain your fears; lay it all out there. Talk about your previous detachment and the new finding. They will understand and hopefully explain things to give you peace of mind. I work with people who have had detached retinas and there are procedures to save the retina, as you already know. My stepfather has had both of his detach at one point or another and he Still has relatively okay vision- he wears prism lenses and goes about his life. And if the inevitable is that you are heading for another detachment, I would at least try to save it first, even though it’s a scary prospect. You could also try posting this in the ophthalmology subreddit; I don’t recommend posting in the optometry sub because they are not the most kind bunch of folks a lot of the time. I know all of this is easier said than done, but right now the anxiety is consuming you. You won’t worry about this forever, that I can guarantee. Find out whether your worry is justified, and if it is, cross that bridge when you come to it.
spunkybabyminx 4 points 3y ago
While I am not blind I have a husband with RP and he is really going blind now. He is 40. He can still "see" just differently.
Learn all you can now. Get a job you love and you could do should your vision worsen. Get some new skills your right eye being the way it is it wouldn't hurt. Stay calm. I know its hard right now.
We can't control the future and that sucks. You can however control how you see it even if say you did lose more vision. There are many people who will help and the resources! So many! I know so many blind/ VI people that are just happy to be living life independently which is way easier now. I know it can be done. You just get to experience life differently and whose to say we all see it the same anyways?
For now, just take 10 deep breaths and try to relax. :)
P.s. my husband and his brother have the same eye condition and his brother works for MIT and my husband is an engineer along with a business degree. Anything is possible.
Edit: trigger happy send finger
Learn all you can now. Get a job you love and you could do should your vision worsen. Get some new skills your right eye being the way it is it wouldn't hurt. Stay calm. I know its hard right now.
We can't control the future and that sucks. You can however control how you see it even if say you did lose more vision. There are many people who will help and the resources! So many! I know so many blind/ VI people that are just happy to be living life independently which is way easier now. I know it can be done. You just get to experience life differently and whose to say we all see it the same anyways?
For now, just take 10 deep breaths and try to relax. :)
P.s. my husband and his brother have the same eye condition and his brother works for MIT and my husband is an engineer along with a business degree. Anything is possible.
Edit: trigger happy send finger
razzretina 3 points 3y ago
Yes see a retina specialist. At least every six months to a year and every time you see floaters or flashes. I don’t know exactly what flashes are, but floaters are usually blood leaking into the eye from an internal source, probably a tear since that seems to happen a lot. I hate to sound so grim here, but trying to run from this is only going to make things worse. If you see a specialist regularly they’ll be able to catch trouble early and you have a decent chance of fixing a problem before it costs you more or all of your vision.
As for the fear of going blind and thinking it will ruin your future, unless your dream is to be a truck driver or something like that, it’s not going to stop you unless you let it. There will be adjustments you have to make and that can be frustrating, but humans are highly adaptable. I would recommend gathering resources just to ease your mind. You might never need them but, if you do, then you’ll have them. Hiding from reality doesn’t do you any favours, it just makes things a lot worse and you end up being more anxious all the time because you won’t let yourself figure out what to do.
As for the fear of going blind and thinking it will ruin your future, unless your dream is to be a truck driver or something like that, it’s not going to stop you unless you let it. There will be adjustments you have to make and that can be frustrating, but humans are highly adaptable. I would recommend gathering resources just to ease your mind. You might never need them but, if you do, then you’ll have them. Hiding from reality doesn’t do you any favours, it just makes things a lot worse and you end up being more anxious all the time because you won’t let yourself figure out what to do.
roamtheplanet 2 points 3y ago
This is great advice. I can sense you are an amazing person. Respect
razzretina 1 points 3y ago
Haha thanks. :) Just passing along what I've picked up over the years. :)
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