Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Just got home from seeing my eye dr + Other stuff (self.Blind)
submitted by blazblu82
And my left eye has progressed since the last time I was there. Acuity isn't too bad at 20/60, but worse since last time, too. She talked about scar tissue and the overall health of the eye not looking so hot. Going back in 2 weeks for laser work. Shots are not on the table; so, only other option is surgery. Not thrilled about having surgery since I lost right eye to a vitrectomy in Jan of 2021. She made things sound as though if we don't do something now, left eye will fail like the right eye did. It's hard making decisions when I have one good eye left and worried about premature failure from a bad surgery or medication. As for the light sensitivity, I guess nothing can be done about it, so stuck with it.
I had asked her tech/nurse about prescribing something to help me stay calm while going thru laser and she said she would ask about it. Photophobia out right sucks. Can't hardly sit still when she's looking into my left eye. The light from the laser is a million times worse, especially the flood light, ugh!
I had the SSDI eye exam last week and the Dr I saw didn't say anything afterwards. Did get a "hmm" while he was checki9ng out right, though. The Goldmann test was a flop, though. With the flashy spots in left eye, I couldn't tell if I was seeing the machine lights or my lights, so was basically guessing with a ton of misses. It's been a week and haven't heard anything new from SSDI, yet. Last time I spoke with them, they made it sound like SSI would kick in very soon (which I won't get due to unemployment) and I should see first SSDI payment in June. SSDI website sitting at 44% complete yesterday.
That's where everything stands for now
I had asked her tech/nurse about prescribing something to help me stay calm while going thru laser and she said she would ask about it. Photophobia out right sucks. Can't hardly sit still when she's looking into my left eye. The light from the laser is a million times worse, especially the flood light, ugh!
I had the SSDI eye exam last week and the Dr I saw didn't say anything afterwards. Did get a "hmm" while he was checki9ng out right, though. The Goldmann test was a flop, though. With the flashy spots in left eye, I couldn't tell if I was seeing the machine lights or my lights, so was basically guessing with a ton of misses. It's been a week and haven't heard anything new from SSDI, yet. Last time I spoke with them, they made it sound like SSI would kick in very soon (which I won't get due to unemployment) and I should see first SSDI payment in June. SSDI website sitting at 44% complete yesterday.
That's where everything stands for now
carolineecouture 3 points 1y ago
Thanks for the update. I get it. I worry about the next steps too and what happens.
Hoping for good outcomes for you.
Hoping for good outcomes for you.
SpektrumKid 2 points 1y ago
For someone who's considering a vitrectomy for floaters, how did you lose your eye to a vitrectomy?
Also, I sympathize with your decisions. Obviously, I'm not in anyway form or shape in the same predicament as you, so I feel bad for even asking.
Also, I sympathize with your decisions. Obviously, I'm not in anyway form or shape in the same predicament as you, so I feel bad for even asking.
blazblu82 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
My right eye had several tractional detachments from scar tissue and that's what prompted the surgery. However, the retina did not reattach. I still have the oil bubble left in that eye from the surgery. Doesn't cause problems except being able to look up.
SpektrumKid 2 points 1y ago
Oh ok. That sounds all kinds of awful. I’m sorry.
blazblu82 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Yeah, the vitrectomy is a pretty intense procedure depending on what needs to be done. I went in thinking it was going to take a couple hours and it ended up taking 4 or more hours to complete. If I get it done on left eye, I'll be blind for about a day since left eye would be bandaged up. The worst part of the surgery is post-op and having to look down 90% of your day and eing forced to sleep in certain positions.
QuentinJamesP89 1 points 1y ago
Yeah, I've actually had several vitrectomies and they're not fun. If they use silicone oil that can affect vision too until it's out. It's hard to deal with so many fluctuations in vision with all the surgeries -- I've had like thirty eye surgeries over the course of my almost 33 years. Tons of scar tissue from laser also. I'm blind in my right eye and my left eye has had one issue after another for the past few years. I still have some vision in it though, and I get so nervous about surgeries and what the outcome will be. I have bleeds every so often as well. There are so many different things affecting what I can see at any given time. It's tough.
SilvrHrdDvl 2 points 1y ago
That sucks but it is nice to meet another cyclops. Does anything make yoir good eye better? Like a contact or glasses or anything? My left eye is the blind one and the right is not great. I have an appointment with my eye doctor next week and I am going to bring up the potential for me to get disability. I hope things go well for you.
blazblu82 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I do wear glasses, always have. The level of acuity my good eye sees highly depends on how stressed it is. Since it's photophobic, being under bright lights for extended periods causes the acuity to dwindle.
The SSDI process hasn't been too bad. It's overwhelming at first due to all the paperwork they need, but if they feel there is a strong case for you, it should go fairly easily. I'm not on SSDI, yet. Hoping to they say something very soon.
The SSDI process hasn't been too bad. It's overwhelming at first due to all the paperwork they need, but if they feel there is a strong case for you, it should go fairly easily. I'm not on SSDI, yet. Hoping to they say something very soon.
SilvrHrdDvl 2 points 1y ago
Same with my good I eye. I wear a contact in it and glasses as well. It gets strained really easily and sometimes I feel it just gives out. My vision will get blurry in it and have to constantly try to clear it. Having really bad depth perception also really sucks. I hate being out (especially driving) at night since my already shitty vision gets worse.
Do you have a lawyer for your SSDI?
Do you have a lawyer for your SSDI?
blazblu82 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
If you can drive, you might not qualify for SSDI.
I quit driving due to the unpredictable nature of retinopathy. Never know when a hemorrhage will happen. Plus, last August, left eye was seeing much better and decided to start driving again and bought a car. 2 months later had a bad bleed in that eye and gave up driving altogether. Every bleed sets me back 6 months or so. I could drive now, my acuity is good enough, but only during the day and with doctor approval. 20/70 is the cut off in my state and on days where left eye is stressed, I easily see worse than that. Even then, I have a blind area at the center of my vision with more developing near the lower edge. So, it's best I don't drive, lol!
I did not hire a lawyer. I wanted to try w/o one first and if denied, then get a lawyer. They'll take a certain percentage up to a maximum of your back pay. SSDI has been telling me 6 months before a decision is made. I filed in Feb, but went on short term last November and that's where they'll start the back pay once approved. So far, everything is pointing to low vision disability which wil be SSDI base benefit of 1350 a month.
I quit driving due to the unpredictable nature of retinopathy. Never know when a hemorrhage will happen. Plus, last August, left eye was seeing much better and decided to start driving again and bought a car. 2 months later had a bad bleed in that eye and gave up driving altogether. Every bleed sets me back 6 months or so. I could drive now, my acuity is good enough, but only during the day and with doctor approval. 20/70 is the cut off in my state and on days where left eye is stressed, I easily see worse than that. Even then, I have a blind area at the center of my vision with more developing near the lower edge. So, it's best I don't drive, lol!
I did not hire a lawyer. I wanted to try w/o one first and if denied, then get a lawyer. They'll take a certain percentage up to a maximum of your back pay. SSDI has been telling me 6 months before a decision is made. I filed in Feb, but went on short term last November and that's where they'll start the back pay once approved. So far, everything is pointing to low vision disability which wil be SSDI base benefit of 1350 a month.
akrazyho 1 points 1y ago
What is the laser work for is that for the scar tissue? I ask because I got some scar tissue over one of my retina‘s but my doctor says there’s nothing that can be done about it.
blazblu82 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
In my case, the laser is used to "burn out" bad blood vessels. Unfortunately, scar tissue can form from the procedure.
A vitrectomy can help remove scar tissue. Your dr would use tools to scrape the tissue off the retina. Although, I'm not sure if new scar tissue would grow or not. The other problem with getting scar tissue scraped out is the direct contact the dr will have with the retina and the potential for it to fully detach and stay that way. That's pretty much what happened to me and why I lost my right eye.
I would suggest finding another dr and getting their opinion. Scar tissue can be dealt with; however, your dr may not be comfortable dealing with it.
A vitrectomy can help remove scar tissue. Your dr would use tools to scrape the tissue off the retina. Although, I'm not sure if new scar tissue would grow or not. The other problem with getting scar tissue scraped out is the direct contact the dr will have with the retina and the potential for it to fully detach and stay that way. That's pretty much what happened to me and why I lost my right eye.
I would suggest finding another dr and getting their opinion. Scar tissue can be dealt with; however, your dr may not be comfortable dealing with it.
akrazyho 1 points 1y ago
I have one of the best retina specialists in my area he’s as legit as you can get and I’m not saying that just because he’s my doctor trust me. I’ve also had two other opinions from two other retina specialist in the past two years they’ve all pretty much said the same thing. My retinas were welded in place and that’s why scar tissue has grown on them and continues to grow. My doctor says the scar tissues like duct tape and The Retina‘s like tissue paper and yes you can remove the tissue paper from the duck tape but you’re gonna destroy it in the process. I asked my question because can’t you use a laser to eat away at the scar tissue at least that’s the way I see it in my head?
blazblu82 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
No, I don't think the laser can deal with scar tissue. My Dr has lead me to believe the scar tissue is a side effect of the laser work.
QuentinJamesP89 1 points 1y ago
Exactly. That's kind of the point of laser surgery. It basically creates scar tissue to seal leaking blood vessels or retinal tears or holes.
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