I wondered whether or not to post this, but decided I would so here we go, the background is that I was an optician's receptionist for 14 yrs and born with glaucoma, 4th generation, later on in this tale both facts will become relevant, bored yet? No, OK here's my cataract story, having attended the local eye hospital for glaucoma checks for 40 yrs when I needed cataract surgery at the end of 2015 I had no worries, surgery was really successful, after a couple of months I was half way down the reading chart with no glasses on!!! Then I noticed probs with my vision went to A&E, was diagnosed with a Cornea Odema where the fluid builds up on the front of the eye, lots of drops and appts and eventually it sorted itself out, I was told that I'd end up having glaucoma surgery which never happened, December 2016 another Odema same again lots of drops and appts, this now is one year after successful surgery and each Odema destroys part of the cornea, had a third one August 2017 and in October 2017 less than 2 yrs after successful surgery I was registered blind. In my 14 yrs as an optician's receptionist I never came across anyone who had one never mind 3 in just over a year, having been born with glaucoma I've always known I could lose my vision, didn't think it would be after successful cataract surgery though.
I haven't posted this to scare anyone as I know the majority of cataract surgery are really successful, I've just put it out there as sometimes either the surgery doesn't go well, or other issues occur which affect the outcome of the surgery. It took me a long time to accept that I was in the right place, wrong time/wrong place right time
With the glaucoma I normally go 2 or 3 times per calander year, between December 2015 and October 2017 I was probably there once every 3 weeks, a cataract changed my life, I don't drive any more, can't read my paper books, lost 95% of my independence, have to pay a chiropodist to cut my toe nails as I can't see them properly
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Jennymary
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Yes it is bloody unfair when things don't work out as expected isn't it?
Sadly in life nothing is guaranteed to anyone which is something I have accepted myself over time after I left the toxic job last year which I have accepted now as part of my life and that management did me an accidental favour when they bullied me as it got me out of that ill suited job but still it's wrong to bully though.
Now time has passed by I feel that I did the right thing in leaving even though it hurt at the time and what it was that hurt was when that door slammed shut so did plans and dreams I had for the future but nowadays I feel that if I was meant to have had those things I would have and now I feel by that door slamming shut it has opened up other ones to places that are meant for me and that place was a place that wasn't meant for me.
Now time has passed by I feel relieved that I don't have to go to that job and be miserable all day every day I am there but it hurts when things don't work out as your dreams are shattered and you have to grieve for the lost opportunities as there there was a colleague who had ended up blind in one eye due to having a corneal ulcer caused by a contact lens and she was only in her 40s when that happened but she is fine now in herself after she had grieved for the loss of sight in that eye but over time your brain compensates for the loss.
Many years ago there was a 3 legged cat that lived near us as it had had cancer but it's brain had adjusted to the loss of the leg same as we do.
It's always hard to take when things don't go as planned isn't it and it always feels so unfair as well like Jerry says and there's nothing you can do about it!
I enjoyed the whats anyone done today posts that you did over lockdown though.
Like Jerry I think it's great the way you get out and live your life the best you can as long as you know you are doing your best then that's all that matters.
I am so sorry this happened to you Jennymary, things can go wrong, it is a rare occurrence but unfortunately for some this rare occurrence will turn someones world upside down for good. I must say, I admire your strength because from your post's over the months, you seem to get on with things and are now back at work. The ability of you to have adapt and maintain a functioning life for your self after loosing most of your sight is outstanding. Sight is very important and to loose it, most of us would never feel or understand emotionally what that must be like. You are a shinning example of someone who is overcoming their disability and determined to have some life. Thanks for sharing your story. 😊👍💐
When I was at sixth form college there was a blind girl who was in my sociology class and she was very brave and determined that she was going to have an OK quality of life and she would get her course materials blown up in large print and extra time in exams due to her impairment.
Then she got her first proper boyfriend and got targeted by the college bullies who would shout at her up the street and one day at college things had come to a head when the bullies had put condoms in her locker and a note in large print saying use these blindy and the ringleader of the bullies had ended up thrown out of the college after that!
I may postpone my cataract surgery. I have other eye issues called corgentivacholasis I think that’s what you call it and I’m not sure which needs to be done first my doctor wants to do cataracts. But he doesn’t do the other surgery that is a specialty. Sometimes they care more for the money and think less about the what if‘s. My eyes are A problem which I think was caused by extreme dry eye and steroid combination.
If you are not sure which surgery needs to be done first, it sounds like you have had some unclear information. You must always make sure you understand and have confidence in the information being given to you. Otherwise it is difficult for you to make the right choices and informed decisions. Get more information and maybe the opinion of the specialist for your other condition. 😊🌼
Oh, I feel for you, Hope you can read our emails, or have them read to you. No life promises nothing, some get lucky, some don't. I was born very far sighted, with astigmatism and a lazy eye which was not caught at an early age!!! I also have other body problems. Like you I cope with them the best I can. I am glad you are out of the job that did not help keep you happy. I am proud of you for not feeling sorry for yourself, and as you say other doors are opening. I have macular degeneration and am afraid of loosing my sight, my Mother lost most of hers, had to give up driving which was a Big upset for her. I see my ophthalmologist every year, this year he said to me keep doing what ever it is you are doing and see the eye specialist, which I do twice a year, he told me in July my sight is holding. I am 78, live by myself have no family here, so I have to be able to drive. We are strong, and as I said I am proud of you, Keep us up to date, we are pulling for you, we love you and offer support, I send you peace, happyness, strength, love and big virtual hugs.......
You have cheered me up immensely. I too have astigmatism and macular degeneration, and I was my mums guardian for over 30 years when she was declared blind from the same. She was very brave and we enjoyed our time together. I am also in my 70’s.
I am also waiting for cataract surgery and am saddened by JennyM’ s experience, have an opticians appointment soon and am frankly dreading it. I love to drive and apart from using night glasses which I recommend have had no problems to date.Sopsx
I may postpone my cataract surgery. I have other eye issues called corgentivacholasis I think that’s what you call it and I’m not sure which needs to be done first my doctor wants to do cataracts. But he doesn’t do the other surgery that is a specialty. Sometimes they care more for the money and think less about the what if‘s. My eyes are A problem which I think was caused by extreme dry eye and steroid combination.
Oh Jenny, that is so truly devastating for you. You are so brave about it, as you say, very very unlucky.
I have a cataract that I can see(!?) is worsening due to the steroids, but will now defo make sure I have all the facts in place before I decide which way to go. So thank you so much for sharing, lots of love, Laurie xx
Thank you for your kind thoughts. It’s just that I will be headed towards Florida and there is a clinic there come on Bascom Palmer I Institute that is the best in the country. And my doctor here is questionable. I do have major I problems and it is a more complicated surgery so I was just thinking about Waiting until I got to Florida and so I would put it off a little longer my vision is still OK and I can drive
Hi Jennymary
Thank you for posting your story. Sharing your story just goes to show how strong you are. But I'm so sorry though the amount of independence you've lost but very brave of you to share your story.
I'm glad you have your sister and such understanding employers.
Take care🙏
You were so unlucky Jennymary. It's worse than disappointing when surgery doesn't work out as hoped and planned and it's made your life so much more challenging. But on the other hand you've done marvellously at overcoming the many difficulties life's sent your way because of this. 🙏
So sorry to read your story Jenny. It must be very difficult to lose your independence like that. Life can be very cruel as we know. Very pleased you have your lovely sister to help you. God bless. x
I have glaucoma and due to have my catterac done after ur story I'm going to cancel first thing Monday although Moorfields is the best no thank you cancel
If you read it through you'll see that I didn't post it to scare anyone , also I worked as an optician's receptionist for 14 yrs and never came across anyone with these issues, I am 4th generation with glaucoma and lived all my life knowing I could lose my vision so I'm sorry if I scared you that wasn't my intention
Well not just me I just think u need to be careful what we say people have triggers I only have the one good eye so I won't be having no more opps on my eyes
I'm due to have catterac surgery as I also have glaucoma after reading this I shall be contacting. Moorfields on Monday and cancel wow scared the life out of me
Sorry to hear this. Must be hard for you to manage. I've got cataracts and make some things difficult. But not bad enough for surgery yet. Although I find it hard to read and trip over a lot. Hope life improves for you. Take care xx
Thank you for posting and sharing. I have an eye problem caused by the cold sore virus in my left eye. As a result of steroid drop I have mild cataract. At the moment it doesn’t need surgery but I also have autoimmune thyroid problems which can cause eye bulging and inflammation. The cornea is scarred due to the virus. I am quite reluctant to have surgery when the time comes.
I think you are handling this about as well as anyone can. I have been very hard of hearing since I was four years old due to measles. Doctor told me I would be deaf by the time I reached 21 years old, yet here I am at 73 years old and can still hear some with hearing aids. I always said if I had a choice of being hard of hearing or poor eyesight, I would prefer poor eyesight. Unknown to many, hearing aids actually will damage your hearing. Given a choice of being deaf or blind, I would pick deaf. I am sure you will find new found endeavors to fill your life. Blessings.
I don’t know how I’d react with the “End Result” you’ve been handled as gracefully as (I feel) you have. To tell you “I’m so sorry” doesn’t feel appropriate (because everyone will tell you that.) But I am telling you that you’re in a good place to VENT. We all understand ANGER towards what we’ve been delt. We understand SORROW, and screaming and crying towards what we have been delt in life. And we feel your
PAIN with each word you shared with us.
Personally, I offer my friendship. I’m one hell of a listener!
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