Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
13
↓
A follow up and request for advice. (self.Blind)
submitted by telefromhelle
After having a few near misses with cars back at uni this summer, and a reddit post here, I decided to go back to my optometrist to check up on my eyes.
Short and skinny, my central vision is a little worse, but correctable, and my peripheral vision, which I was most worried about, was at the "far low end of normal", so not good, but according to him, not enough to warrant the issues I've been having with peripheral vision. He suggested that I may have a neurological issue, stemming from him noticing my eyes "weren't working together" and "had trouble focusing quickly". He said I could go to a specialist, but with neurological disorders, there's not a lot you can do but put a name on it.
While it was slightly frustrating not to have an immediate, oh yes, I can totally see why you'd have issues seeing things from your peripheral vision, the way he suggested my eyes weren't working together did describe my experience pretty well, I feel like I'm only getting info from one eye at a time, usually my right.
Is this something anyone has experience with? Do you think it would be worth seeing a specialist, or just jump straight to O&M and getting working on the symptoms instead of worrying too much about the problem itself.
Short and skinny, my central vision is a little worse, but correctable, and my peripheral vision, which I was most worried about, was at the "far low end of normal", so not good, but according to him, not enough to warrant the issues I've been having with peripheral vision. He suggested that I may have a neurological issue, stemming from him noticing my eyes "weren't working together" and "had trouble focusing quickly". He said I could go to a specialist, but with neurological disorders, there's not a lot you can do but put a name on it.
While it was slightly frustrating not to have an immediate, oh yes, I can totally see why you'd have issues seeing things from your peripheral vision, the way he suggested my eyes weren't working together did describe my experience pretty well, I feel like I'm only getting info from one eye at a time, usually my right.
Is this something anyone has experience with? Do you think it would be worth seeing a specialist, or just jump straight to O&M and getting working on the symptoms instead of worrying too much about the problem itself.
SiriuslyGranger 6 points 11m ago
I think the doctor is right. Pragmatic action is always better.
OldManOnFire 6 points 11m ago
*He said I could go to a specialist, but with neurological disorders, there's not a lot you can do but put a name on it.*
There's tremendous power in knowing the name of something. That's one of the reasons we loved dinosaurs when we were kids - they're huge and scary but once we can say "Brontosaurus" we have a type of power over it. It's our dinosaur now, and somehow it's not as scary anymore.
In some cultures a thing's very existence is called into question unless it has a name. When I lived in Arizona the Navajo were like that. If a word for something didn't exist in the Navajo language the thing was like Darth Vader or Captain Kirk - it doesn't exist in the real world.
Ever wonder why so many religions are obsessed with the name of their deities?
I don't want to go all Noam Chomsky on you but knowing the name of what's happening to your eyes and your mind will bring you a sense of peace. Mysteries are exhausting - find the name and feel some closure.
There's tremendous power in knowing the name of something. That's one of the reasons we loved dinosaurs when we were kids - they're huge and scary but once we can say "Brontosaurus" we have a type of power over it. It's our dinosaur now, and somehow it's not as scary anymore.
In some cultures a thing's very existence is called into question unless it has a name. When I lived in Arizona the Navajo were like that. If a word for something didn't exist in the Navajo language the thing was like Darth Vader or Captain Kirk - it doesn't exist in the real world.
Ever wonder why so many religions are obsessed with the name of their deities?
I don't want to go all Noam Chomsky on you but knowing the name of what's happening to your eyes and your mind will bring you a sense of peace. Mysteries are exhausting - find the name and feel some closure.
[deleted] 1 points 11m ago
[deleted]
zeligzealous 4 points 11m ago
Yup, I have this. I'm partially blind (visual field defects in both eyes, in other words my field of vision is like looking through a piece of swiss cheese) and have had a lot of problems utilizing the vision I do have remaining, including not using peripheral vision, eyes not working together, etc. O&M is a great idea--the more skills and ways to do things you have, the better. I would absolutely see the specialist, just in case, but don't hold your breath. I still don't have a diagnosis and I've had vision issues from birth. Specialists have documented my condition but have never helped me in any way, lol.
In addition to O&M, if possible, try to see a behavioral optometrist, neuro-optometrist, and/or an occupational therapist with experience with vision issues. Those are the people who can help you use the vision you have to the fullest extent. After my vision deteriorated further a few years back, I lost so much functionality, it was demoralizing and horrible. I worked with a behavioral optometrist and it was a game changer. She gave me an Rx for $1, which really helped, and worked with me on balance, scanning for information, and other skills. Now I can use the computer, ride the bus, etc. with no issues!
In addition to O&M, if possible, try to see a behavioral optometrist, neuro-optometrist, and/or an occupational therapist with experience with vision issues. Those are the people who can help you use the vision you have to the fullest extent. After my vision deteriorated further a few years back, I lost so much functionality, it was demoralizing and horrible. I worked with a behavioral optometrist and it was a game changer. She gave me an Rx for $1, which really helped, and worked with me on balance, scanning for information, and other skills. Now I can use the computer, ride the bus, etc. with no issues!
telefromhelle [OP] 4 points 11m ago
I think that you've kind of nailed what I was looking for, and expecting out of a specialist for diagnosis. Maybe they'd give an answer, which could be nice and validating to know, but that wouldn't change the next step.
On the other hand, a therapist who specializes in vision is something I didn't know existed and I am extremely happy to learn does. I'll be looking into that.
I also am part of the prism gang #represent
On the other hand, a therapist who specializes in vision is something I didn't know existed and I am extremely happy to learn does. I'll be looking into that.
I also am part of the prism gang #represent
JessConstantino 4 points 11m ago
O&m will be good to know but if it was me I would go to a specialist you never know if there is a treatment plan they could give you
derangespoo 4 points 11m ago
I have the same problem but I have keratoconus. Due to thinning of my cornea , the shape of my eyes are different and thus don't work together to process info. Both of my eyes are affected but the condition progressed differently on each. Are you sensitive to light ?
telefromhelle [OP] 4 points 11m ago
At night, light streaks like crazy, but not what I think you're talking about. No issues during the day or anything.
razzretina 4 points 11m ago
I don't Personally have this issue but a local friend does and as far as I know once it's in your brain there's not much to be done about it. I would start O & M regardless, it's good to know
Gavin_Runeblade 3 points 11m ago
I think that if your vision is going to get worse then start o&m training and take it seriously.
telefromhelle [OP] 4 points 11m ago
On paper it's not. I test on the low range of fine, and the doc says it's about the same.
In practice, I don't know... I feel like I'm missing more things. I think training early will help if it gets worse, and if it doesn't, well, better safe than sorry.
In practice, I don't know... I feel like I'm missing more things. I think training early will help if it gets worse, and if it doesn't, well, better safe than sorry.
Gavin_Runeblade 4 points 11m ago
I didn't mean how you test today. I mean is it going to get worse over time. What about next month or next year?
If you are having this much trouble now, will it get worse? If so, start training.
I have coworkers who kept avoiding it until they got hurt. It's not worth it.
If you are having this much trouble now, will it get worse? If so, start training.
I have coworkers who kept avoiding it until they got hurt. It's not worth it.
telefromhelle [OP] 5 points 11m ago
Yeah, that's the idea here. My vision, according to the doc, hasn't seen a big jump in change since the last test, but who knows if something will flip.
Gavin_Runeblade 3 points 11m ago
Ah ok. Then it really comes down to how safe you feel.
If you're worried enough to ask, then think about whether having some cane skill will make you feel safer. If so, then it is probably worth it.
If not, then give it time and see.
If you're worried enough to ask, then think about whether having some cane skill will make you feel safer. If so, then it is probably worth it.
If not, then give it time and see.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.