Late to this party, and Lucky obviously didn't have this same problem I did. However, if I had followed this one little tip, I would not have lost 25% of sight in my right eye.
See a retina-vitreous specialist after you turn 50. Have one on your speed dial; talk to them about their policies...become a patient if you need to. You want to make sure that you won't have to wait 3 - 4 weeks when you need him/her.
If you see a cobweb GO to that specialist immediately for a check up. It could be vitreous detachment--a normal occurrence, until it goes wrong. We all get it at some point, but my vitreous detached earlier than most and started several points of internal hemorrhaging in my eye.
One moment I could see perfectly (except for the cobweb) and the next moment everything was red and I could not see anything but blood.
I had been to the optometrist that day before the bleeding started because of cobwebs floating through my visions the previous day. My optometrist dilated my eyes and looked at it carefully -- said he saw nothing to be worried about but I could follow up with a ophthalmologist if I wanted to.
Went to lunch with the office mates. It started bleeding there.
I went to the local ER. It was a Friday. No one was working that afternoon in this entire area who was willing to look at an internally bleeding eye.
They sent me by ambulance to Houston after calling around to several hospitals. Houston's Hermann Memorial promised to have a specialist ready to meet me...there was an intern who took pictures of my scopes and ultrasound with her iPhone and texted them to the doctor. He complained that there was too much blood so they could not do anything.
They sent me home. Said it might clear up...told me to drive 90 miles back in two weeks. They would look at it again. I was incredulous.
I came home and called the local ophthalmologist on Monday who agreed I should come in. Upon exam: too much blood...would need to see someone else -- another doctor in this area...he would know more about my retina and vitreous detachment. That office said that I needed to come to the office, fill out paperwork, and get my picture taken just to get an appointment. Bring my ID card and my Insurance Card. I did that. They gave me an appointment for 4 weeks in the future...I stared. Please give me something sooner?
"We will call you if there is an opening."
On Day 16, I felt like time was running out...there was no sight...no red...just nothing. I called the specialist and begged them to see me. "Dr. is on vacation."
They told me if I had an emergency I should go to the ER.
What a nightmare. I begged them to give me a few numbers to call because I couldn't cold call eye specialists and I didn't know WHO to call...they would say to come in in 3-4 weeks or tell me to go to the ER--the same routine I had been through. No.
Okay...tell me who the doctor would go to if he had an emergency!
They gave me a specialist's number in Houston. I called. He would see me the next day...he was meeting patients in Brenham, just 55 miles down the road. Dr. Rahman working me into his schedule saved my sight. My retina had been detaching and withering for over 2 weeks. He was mortified at how I had been to five medical facilities and spent thousands of dollars yet no one had made time to help me.
He set me up for surgery immediately.
I gained 75% of my sight back eventually...but it took a year. I sure do miss that other 25%. My right eye's sight is always missing things. Words jump around on the page when I try to read like animated neon lights. Pieces of pages are missing like they have been torn and taped back together.
But, I'm grateful for what I have. Had I been sent to Dr. Rahman at the Retina-Vitreous Hospital in Houston (http://www.retinatexas.com/doctors/rahman) that first day, I would have lost NO sight. They took me immediately.
So, that's why I am telling you to have a connection with a retina-vitreous specialist before you need one. Your ophthalmologist is not going to be able to help if your vitreous tears the eye when it detaches. Or, if you have a retina detachment for another reason. They do cataracts...they do not know how to handle retina issues.
I am very nearsighted--my eye is like a football. That's what caused mine. Once the bleeding started, it dislodged my retina.
Diabetics also have trouble with detachments.
Another problem is that you can also have a super thin retina -- that can be a huge problem that you want to fix before it detaches if possible.
Have one of these guys in your corner or know how to get into see one quickly. You always read about how you need to go to the ER immediately if you have a problem like I have described. It's not that easy to get help. |
