Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Boo

Something you should know about me: I used to be really, really blind. So nearsighted that I couldn't see my hand if it were two inches in front of my face. I never knew what it was like to wake up and be able to see in the middle of the night...or the morning...or ever, really. I started wearing glasses when I was five, and switched to contacts in eighth grade.

And then, a miracle! In April of 2005, I had lasik surgery. It has been truly amazing - I mean, I can see! After the surgery, I was 20/20 in one eye and 20/15 in the other. For a long time after my surgery, I would be amazed every time I would wake up in the morning...and be able to see. Now that the years have passed, I have started taking my eyesight for granted.

Bad, bad Mrs. Smith. Over the last few months, I've had a lot of difficulty seeing at night while I'm driving - issues with auras around streetlights/headlights, depth perception issues, etc. When someone brakes in front of me...I can't exactly tell where they are. Not good! I'm also getting a lot of tension headaches behind my eyes during the day as I stare at the computer. Also, not good.

This afternoon after work, I went to the eye doctor. What she told me made me cry a little bit (don't worry...it was in my car, afterwards, not in front of her!). I need glasses again. Not all the time, but for driving at night, and probably some reading during the day. I am slightly nearsighted (again) and show signs of having astigmatism in both eyes (again).

Needless to say...I am crushed. When I had my surgery, my opthamologist told me that I shouldn't need reading glasses until I'm in my 40s. I just turned 27.

Blindness is something that has always scared me - especially having eyesight as bad as mine. I can't help but wonder if, in a few years, I'll be back at square one again, blind as a bat?

Until then...I'm off to figure out how much of my glasses my vision insurance will cover.

8 comments:

losing in lulu said...

OH MY GOSH! I grew up in Bedford, too! I'm sure your husband and I know the same people - Bedford is that kind of small town. When did he finish high school?

We are going to Siesta Key in Florida right after the wedding. I haven't been to the beach in forever, and am SO looking forward to going.

katie said...

I worked for an ophthalmologist for 3 years as an ophthalmic assistant... so here's my expert advice: everyone who has LASIK eventually needs glasses again... whether it be bifocals or glasses with a little distance in them. Don't freak out... its no biggie and a lot better than where you were. LASIK doesn't last forever and anyone who tells you different is wrong... they just don't realize they need glasses yet as you did. So no worries!

Jackie said...

Oh no! My mom had this done like 15 years ago and had to get glasses again about 2 years ago. She was sad too, but her vision isn't nearly as bad as it was prior to the surgery. Keep your chin up, I am sure you will find some super cute glasses that will make you feel better. Have you looked into that cheap place online? It's called Zenni Optical. I have heard good things about it, although I haven't tried it myself.

Taryn said...

No no no- don't say this to me! Chris just had PRK last year and we are loving it that he can actually see!

Sorry you are back to glasses- but I hope your insurance covers them and you find some super cute ones!

jenn said...

look at the bright side. you can get a super trendy pair of glasses. some cute D&G's maybe? bummer about the LASIK though. i've been contemplating this because i too (of course) am blind as a bat, but the eye doctor tells me i can't get it yet because my prescription keeps changing (aka i keep getting more blind) and it needs to hold for a full year before i'm a candidate. :(

Lisa said...

This is sad. :( But I think glasses are kind of cool and you only have to wear them SOME of the time, so there's that. For some reasons your posts are not showing up on my Reader today. boo.

Lucky in Love said...

I can't believe this! I have horrible vision as well... I'm talking -7!! I've been terrified of getting lasik because of the like 1% that go blind because of it! I know that's stupid...but I'm super scared of it.

I also didn't want to have it done if I was going to need glasses anyway. What's the point you know?? I'm so sorry this happened to you! Hopefully they don't slip back to where they were. I would be really surprised if they did that...

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure that with glasses your vision won't be as bad as before the Lasik! I, too, have issues driving at night and I'm only 25. I just don't drive at night anymore which is kind of limiting, but safer!