03/05/2024
Some of you on here have known me for decades and are aware my eyesight is not ideal. some may remember me wearing sunglasses in high school (in school during classes), other have seen me struggle to read something. Well, I have an eye disease (Keratoconus) which causes the cornea (the windshield protecting your eye) to get thin and ripple or become misshapen. I remember my eyesight getting blurry when I was around 8 or so. Anyway, had a transplant at 13 once my left eye could no longer see anything clearly. So, a couple of weeks ago I was reading about a new procedure designed to halt the progression of this disease, which could mean keeping what vision I have in my right eye (my "good eye") so I reached out to a specialist in this procedure and had an appointment yesterday morning. My expectation was that, at best, I could retain what sight I have in my good eye, which has begun to deteriorate slightly, or worse case, nothing would change. My left eye when I was 12 could not see the big "E" on an eye chart but after the transplant I can read the date on a dime provided I hold it within about two inches of my eye, so I can read with it but I need to hold the material really close. So this opthalmologist looks at my eyes, takes all these images and measurements then asks what brought me there and I say, I saw some info about what is known as Corneal Collagen Crosslinking. He tells me I am not a good candidate for it as my eye is not bad enough. However, if better sight is my goal, there is a new option, made specifically for those who've had a corneal transplant and have Keratoconus. I said "I'm in!" He gave me the name of a local doctor who makes these lenses that cover your cornea completely like a phone screen cover might and they are made with prescriptions so they can possible correct my vision. And then he told me the best news I've heard in years, it could work for both eyes! I may be able to see well from both eyes for the first time in over 50 years and have actual depth perception, too! I realize this has zero effect on anyone else really, but it made my month, maybe my year if it works out. I could hardly sleep last night from the excitement. so next Wednesday I see the guy and get measured.
