Do you know anybody with a visual impairment?

[DustyC]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 12:21am

Hey guys, so a little back story first. So yesterday I had an appointment with the top retinal disease specialist in the country up in Chicago. I have always had a vision problem all my life, but it was manageable up until a couple of months ago. I have always been legally blind in my left eye with 20/300 vision, but up until a couple of months ago my right eye was decent with 20/70 vision. Back in May I noticed my vision was changing in my right eye, so I had to bug my mom to get me into the local eye doctor as soon as possible. From there they did a bunch of test and told me that there is something wrong and referred my to the specialist up in Chicago. Yesterday was my appointment at The Chicago Light House for the blind and visually impaired. They did some more test, and diagnosed me with something called a cone dystrophy. Now both eyes are at 20/200.

Now both eyes are rendered legally blind. I have trouble seeing words and colors, but luckily objects are just fine. I use a magnifier to read and type on the computer. And now I have to use an electronic magnifier to read print.

I am a little scared because I really do not know what to expect. The doctor said it may get worse throughout time, and currently there are no treatments.

I guess my question is do any of you know anyone with a visual impairment? If so how do they deal with it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

DustyC

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 6:54am

First of all, I am sorry you feel that way. Have you searched for any online or in-person support groups? I don't have a serious visual impairment (other than I wear glasses/contacts), so I can't really relate, but I can understand how difficult it must be for you to not know what to expect. The support groups will have more readily available resources for you.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 7:05am

[suestorm]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 10:12am

i had very bad eyesight as well, not as bad as yours but i got LAZEREd and now i can see 20/20. have you looked into that?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 1:54pm

Suestorm, I'm not a doctor, but I'm sure that won't solve the problem. The original poster has an issue that doesn't sound like something that can be corrected with laser eye surgery. Otherwise, I'm sure people with severe visual impairments would be flocking to get laser eye surgery.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 2:05pm

hey, did anyone see what happened to my post? I actually wrote several paragraphs for the op. how odd.

[suestorm]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 2:23pm

i thought that might be the case MILLIE. but wasnt sure what her ailment was

[SNAFU]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 2:25pm

The OP has an appointment with a Retinal Specialist, guss they didn't teach reading comprenhsion in Russia.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 3:52pm

"but wasnt sure what her ailment was"

Cone dystrophy, per the original post. A Google search will explain what it is, and it doesn't sound like something that can be solved with laser eye surgery.

Dramamama, I noticed that too, and have noticed that on some other random threads too (don't remember which ones). At first, I thought you erased your post, but there is no note indicating it was updated with the time stamp. Rob?

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 3:53pm

i once knew a girl with one eye.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 8/23/13 at 4:31pm

I once typed a "girl" with one i

Updated On: 8/23/13 at 04:31 PM