Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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4th year medical student might go blind. What is your advice? (self.Blind)
submitted by Big-Attorney5240
Hello everyone,
I am a 4th year medical student with very high myopia. I have recently developed floaters and flashes. The progression to PVD is inevitable and would eventually suffer from eyesight risk complications.
Medicine is everything to me.
What would be your advice if I ever go blind?
I am a 4th year medical student with very high myopia. I have recently developed floaters and flashes. The progression to PVD is inevitable and would eventually suffer from eyesight risk complications.
Medicine is everything to me.
What would be your advice if I ever go blind?
Glomerulus 10 points 1y ago
A PVD is not blinding. Establish care with a retina specialist that you trust for routine exams.
Big-Attorney5240 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
How dangerous are the retinal tears which are associated with PVD?
Glomerulus 1 points 1y ago
I understand that you are concerned, but you should try to take a step back and think about this objectively like your medical training thus far has taught you.
A quick search on pubmed shows studies and even meta-analysis that show that retinal tears don’t occur in most PVDs even if they are symptomatic. Furthermore, retinal tears themselves do not have any significant effect on your vision if they are found early and treated because they occur far out in the periphery (vitreous base).
If you are having concerning symptoms then you need to see an ophthalmologist for a dilated exam or a retinal specialist.
A quick search on pubmed shows studies and even meta-analysis that show that retinal tears don’t occur in most PVDs even if they are symptomatic. Furthermore, retinal tears themselves do not have any significant effect on your vision if they are found early and treated because they occur far out in the periphery (vitreous base).
If you are having concerning symptoms then you need to see an ophthalmologist for a dilated exam or a retinal specialist.
niamhweking 8 points 1y ago
You can still practice medicine so don't think you have to give it up
If it is a definite that you will loose sight, start preparing now, get O&M training, learn all the tech/IT skills you might need etc. Better to have them and no need them, then not have them when you need them!
If it is a definite that you will loose sight, start preparing now, get O&M training, learn all the tech/IT skills you might need etc. Better to have them and no need them, then not have them when you need them!
Big-Attorney5240 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks a lot! I will definitely look into it!
homeschooled 5 points 1y ago
Can you consider psychiatry? I think much of that is based on evaluations that can be completed verbally and not so much visually.
Big-Attorney5240 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I think psychiatry is definitely the only plausible speciality. But even then I think it will still be difficult to secure a spot :/ they will always prefer a sighted person.
octoberforever2017 2 points 1y ago
Not necessarily. You can specialize in low vision/blind patients! That is very niche for sure but if you practice remotely there is more than enough. A lot of us would prefer a blind psychiatrist. I feel the guy is freaking out a bit too early, I was also highly myopic (-9) before my low vision right now and I was very well aware of the pvd rate, but it usually doesn't happen until later in life for highly myopic people anyway so he is freaking out a bit early unless he is something like -15 or -20
CupcakeFlower76 2 points 1y ago
I also have high myopia and refractive amblyopia. I fear some day I might go blind but I’m doing best to get routine exams.
Big-Attorney5240 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I think we just have to stay strong and hope for the best.
DrillInstructorJan 2 points 1y ago
I think there was at least one person who was qualified as a doctor who continued practising - naturally in appropriate fields - after serious sight loss. I think they've been resistant to qualifying people without good sight but if you can get your degree (and don't quote me on this) I think there is precedent for people to keep practising.
Big-Attorney5240 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I really do hope to get my MD before any serious complications
Reasonable-Author-63 1 points 1y ago
I'm not sure this is allowed.
Maybe try reaching out to Dr. Tim Cordes at University Health Services at UW Madison. He's currently the director of Psychiatry Services. I have really enjoyed working with him as a patient. He has a really cool story and has been very helpful to me. Being in the medical industries and blind, he might have more insight to how to approach this.
Maybe try reaching out to Dr. Tim Cordes at University Health Services at UW Madison. He's currently the director of Psychiatry Services. I have really enjoyed working with him as a patient. He has a really cool story and has been very helpful to me. Being in the medical industries and blind, he might have more insight to how to approach this.
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