Damn near blind

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Time for an update on my health issues. I had my third cataract surgery on Tuesday. No, I don't have three eyes. The first on my left eye didn't line up correctly, and had to be redone. I can now see perfectly ... at things that are more than five feet away. My close up vision currently sucks, and I can barely read my iPad.

This has delayed my productivity, although I did manage to do my part in getting The Wildcats chapter posted today. And I managed to get 5000 words written on River, my own story. (Wildcats is by Leslie Moore).

I still want to get another few thousand words done on this chapter, which sets things up for a couple really action packed ones back in ever evil Toronto.

So River fans can be happy knowing that the story is in progress and will be continued once I wrap up the writing, then an edit pass, and finally send it off to Eric to make it shiny and perfect.

Dawn

Comments

Happy indeed

Beoca's picture

Exciting times ahead? Well, the River flows on - even if the course may change.

I hope the sight improves

Angharad's picture

unless you're only using an iPad, you could use a remote keyboard with almost any other sort of computer and possibly be able to see it.

Angharad

Only a reading problem

The problem is only on reading the stories here, including your wonderful saga, Ang. I can't write on the damn thing, other than the occasional comment. I have three desktops down here in my dungeon and have been able to get some writing done on them.

Dawn

assistive and adaptive iOS iPad programs that might help

tigger's picture

Huge advances are made daily in making computer/digital resources useful for folks with vision difficulties.

Of particular interest might be using siri to access Speakscreen (To read the screen to you) and Dictation (for voice or verbal keyboard entry). Ipad is a particular favorite of educational assistive technologists because of the functionality already built into the device by apple.

A good starter lesson can be found HERE.

Your local school offices should have someone who specializes in helping students with visual challenges and might have more up-to-date ideas for you.

Hope it gets better soon! Warm furry hugs!

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Tiggs

Welcome to the World of ...

Sara Selvig's picture

Presbyopia! As with older folks whose eyes lose their ability to focus "up close," so, too, do those of us who get cataract surgery. While waiting for "things to settle down" following my surgeries, I go a cheap pair of "drug store readers". These are typically +1 or +2 lens with no cylindrical component to correct for astigmatism. The cost was on the order of $15 USD, but the extra few weeks of reading time was worth it. And, you might not need to get an Rx tailored to you. It costs nothing to try on some at your local drug store! (Just like dress shopping without having to run to a fitting room!)

Sara


Between the wrinkles, the orthopedic shoes, and nine decades of gravity, it is really hard to be alluring. My icon, you ask? It is the last picture I allowed to escape the camera ... back before most BC authors were born.

Reading glasses up to +6.0

Sometimes very high corrections might be needed. Amazon has reading glasses up to +6.0, FWIW.

Kris

{I leave a trail of Kudos as I browse the site. Be careful where you step!}

Good info!

Sara Selvig's picture

But a girl has to try 'em on ... see what looks good as well as sees well! :) This is the time to "buy local."

I think it unlikely that the Dr would set her up with IOL's that required such extreme reader correction, though. I needed about +2 for reading, and I drive comfortably (and legally) without correction.

Sara


Between the wrinkles, the orthopedic shoes, and nine decades of gravity, it is really hard to be alluring. My icon, you ask? It is the last picture I allowed to escape the camera ... back before most BC authors were born.

Cataracts

I came from the factory nearsighted, and when I asked my optometrist about lasik he said I was a good candidate, but that afterwards I would need reading glasses. I passed on it, figuring it was much easier to keep track of my glasses when I was always wearing them, rather than having to keep track of a pair of readers I would be constantly putting on and taking off. When cataract surgery came up he assured me it could be done without affecting my "normal" vision. We're just waiting for medicare to kick in before doing the cataract surgery.

One downside to waiting though, I currently have triple-vision. My left eye has my normal vision. My right eye has double vision due to the cataract. Problem is, neither of the visions in my right eye due to the cataract syncs with my left eye. This is a problem when driving, especially at night where each light is surrounded by a double halo. I don't leave town anymore, and won't travel more than a few blocks at night. :-(


"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin

Could be

I wonder if I got lazik. The surgeon tried to talk me into it when I was diagnosed for cataracts. I said no, willing to take the free (Ontario medicare) option. But I wonder if when he botched the first eye, if he did the second try, and then the other eye with lazik. My long vision is near perfect now, for the first time since age 7. I intend to get a new set of glasses as soon as he passes off on the surgery. I assume they will clear up the problem with near vision.

Dawn

Since your distance vision is good without corrective lens ...

Sara Selvig's picture

... you should do well with temporary "off the shelf" readers. Deciding whether or not depends on the relative value (to you) of a few weeks of reading vs. the nominal cost of "drug store readers." Take along something printed to try to read, or just browse the product warnings (the fine print) on the drug packaging!

Sara


Between the wrinkles, the orthopedic shoes, and nine decades of gravity, it is really hard to be alluring. My icon, you ask? It is the last picture I allowed to escape the camera ... back before most BC authors were born.

Depending on what equipment

Depending on what equipment you have and your living situation, you may be able to use TV screen as a monitor or project onto a wall.

Younger here but...

Have you tried anything herbal to help like Eyebright? Supposed to help your eyes and I swear when one of my eyes has gotten irritated with one of my contacts(possibly getting red or whatever), that the Eyebright helps speed the healing.