Monday, June 30, 2025

Eye Update: Vision Worsens

Digital pen and ink drawing of an eye by Thomas Starnes

Since my last update, vision in my right eye had peaked around 20/30. However, at last doctor visit, vision in both eyes was hovering around 20/40. Since then, vision has worsened, especially in my right eye. It’s somewhat anticlimactic, not to say disappointing, to still be experiencing vision problems after undergoing cornea transplants in each eye. However, my situation is actually pretty good and there is much to be grateful for. My doctor believes my current vision problems are caused by the cataracts, which progressed much faster than expected following the cornea transplants. This is good news, since cataracts are relatively easy to address. My situation could be much worse. For example, I’m not experiencing any retinal detachment (previously I had a retinal tear, but it was addressed long before it could lead to permanent blindness). I don’t have glaucoma or high eye pressure. I don’t have keratoconus (bulging of the corneas). My biggest fear was graft detachment, or rejection of the donor tissue in my eyes, but both cornea transplants are fully attached and functioning properly. Aside from the cataracts and some corneal scarring from the Fuchs Dystrophy, my eyes are relatively healthy. My doctor thinks that with cataract surgery, my vision might reach 20/25 or better.

I’ve been living with blurry vision for so long. It seems normal now. I was very hopeful when vision in my right eye reached 20/30 and I was able to see textures and details with such clarity, but now I’m back to fuzzy edges. I confess, it’s easy to lose patience with the healing process, but on the positive side, I’m not living in the fog as I was before the surgeries. Hopefully the cataract surgeries will enable me to see the fine details again. 

No comments: