Losing the ability to recognize certain colors was what brought me back to reality. Black and dark blue slowly began looking the same, and then I couldn't distinguish any difference between orange, pink or red. I lost green and blue after that. I work with color every day with my art and sewing and quilting, so I couldn't pretend everything was okay anymore.
To give you something of a visual, this approximates what I was seeing from my left and right eye, without glasses, when I finally realized I had a problem:
Six months later this is all I could see with my glasses on:
If you're wondering how much better I am post-surgery, here is the same view with what I can see now:
Other than being able to see colors again and focus, I think the most startling difference is that I can see white again. I don't think I have in a couple of years. Now the world seems dazzling, as if I've been transported to another planet where everything is bright and beautiful.
I also had no idea my bathrooms were so clean, either. What do you know, I am a good housekeeper.
All kidding aside, if you are having problems with your eyes, go and get them checked as soon as you can. I actually procrastinated a bit with mine, first thinking I was just depressed, and then blaming menopause and age. On some level I knew something was seriously wrong, but I didn't want to think about it. I had to go almost blind before I went to the doctor, and now that I can see clearly again, I know I was a complete idiot to put it off -- so don't make the same mistake.
Wow, that is significant, isn't it? How lovely to be able to see so clearly now. I don't have a problem so much with my eyesight, but my glasses could do with being changed. I've got cracked coating on my work & home ones and its usually OK, but when I'm tired, it's so hard to see clearly. I'll have to invest in new glasses. I found a bump / lump under my armpit and put off doing something about it, but thankfully, in the end it turned out to be a "reacted" lymph node. Now I'm going to stick to getting issues dealt with as they arise, no more putting it off.
ReplyDeleteI'm now firmly on the side of getting things attended to sooner rather than later, Fran, and I'm glad the lump turned out to be harmless. Now get those glasses fixed! Ha.
DeleteOh man. Those before pictures are sad. I'm so glad you can see everything beautiful again. :hugs:
ReplyDeleteThey are, aren't they? And yet you can get used to it until you really don't notice it at all. The weirdest moment was when I could see a bit after the first surgery and realized how bad my vision was in the pre-op eye. I about fell on the floor.
DeleteI'm so glad your surgery went well. It looks like it made a huge difference for you! :)
ReplyDeleteIt really has, Lydia -- honestly, I feel like I have a whole new view of everything.
DeleteSo glad you're back - I love your blog. And so glad you have the joy of a big, bright world again. To this day (nearly 40 years later) I can still recall getting glasses in grade 5 and being totally blown away by everything I could see on the drive home. It was so AMAZING - I could see license plates! And everything looked so sharp and clear. That happy feeling still is with me. I can only imagine what relief and joy you must be experiencing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheri -- it has really blown my mind, too. Who knew trees had thousands of green things on them called leaves? Lol.
DeleteI can too Sheri. I was 10 or so and we had to go to the city for it. Once my eyes had been tested the doctor took me to a big window and asked me to tell him what I could see. I told him. Then he fixed temporary glasses for me, put them on and told me to look again! Wow! Bricks on walls, clouds in skies, it was fantastic.
DeleteI'm glad the surgeries were so successful and that the great wide world is in focus again!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nico. I'm wallowing in relief now, but it's been a scary eight months.
DeleteWhat a huge difference! I'm so glad you went when you did. I have migraines that do that to me, but it's an immediate change and impossible for me to function when they hit. When it happens more slowly, like it did with you, as appalling as those pictures are, I can see how you wouldn't realize how bad it was because you grew accustomed to the changes. Give that surgeon a hug next time you see him!
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing him tomorrow, Theo, and I plan to. :) He's a great doc, immensely skilled, and a super nice man, too -- pretty rare combination.
DeleteI'm so glad you could get it fixed! I've had 3 detachments and now have an oil inside my one eye that makes my sight look blurry like that. I may have to show your pictures to illustrate to my family what I see. ^_^ I did learn that your sight is a precious and delicate thing. If something seems strange, go and see an eye doc for a medical appointment immediately-it isn't worth the possible damage to hesitate! I always love your pictures and your artwork and it is amazing how much you did with such limited vision! You are unstoppable!
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