I’ve suffered from myopia (short-sightedness) ever since I was 10. Practically all the male folk in my father’s side of the family had this, so I guess this was a hereditary thing. And my mom’s side wasn’t too good either. So I had to wear glasses during my school days, and the lenses got progressively thicker and thicker and thicker. Being young and naive then, I just shrugged it off.
Then while I was on Summer vacation in 1981 my dad recommended me to see an optometrist friend of his, and he encouraged me to wear soft contact lenses. Wow, what a difference! No more glasses perched on my nose, and vision was excellent. I wore contacts for close to 20 years. However, I felt like my vision was deteriorating again after 1998. A visit to the ophthalmologist confirmed the reason—I had cataracts developing in both eyes.
Fast forward to the present and for the past year or so I’ve been having difficulties again, especially with seeing far distances. People would be calling me before I could even recognize them, and I absolutely hated the Coke bottles perched on my nose. Fortunately I could still drive, but I had to exercise more caution while driving at night. Enough was enough, and I made an appointment to see the eye doctor at one of the private hospitals here.
Mr. Lee (my ophthalmologist) recommended that I have my cataracts removed, one eye at a time. However, the surgery in my case was going to be a little more complicated, as I had severe myopia. Firstly, he’d have to order the artificial lens from the US (so guess I’ll have something American implanted in me after all). Secondly my eyeballs measured about 10mm bigger than normal eyeballs, so he’d have to dig deeper to get at my cataracts. And the third issue is so complicated that I won’t write it here and risk everyone giving up reading this post. Suffice to say that he recommended I have GA (general anesthesia) due to these circumstances.
I’m scheduled to have my first surgery on June 17, 2009. Hopefully all will go well, and I should “see” an immediate improvement in my vision. Wish me luck!
Tags: cataracts, glasses, Myopia, ophthalmologist, short-sightedness, surgery
Must be tough for you…..I am truly sorry about your plight. Yes I wish all goes well for you in your opt….will pray for you. Take care….hope after you will get your 20/20 vision again. Maybe when we meet you’ll recognise me at a distance. Cheers.
Thanks for the well-wishes, Doreen.
I understand the curse of the bad eyes. I’ve had glasses since I was 2. According to my mother, I was allowed to pick my own, and I chose a lovely plastic frame of red, white and blue. Someday I’ll tell you all the things wrong with my eyes, but not today. All will be fine with your surgery. I know things – and I’m sure of this!!! And a few other things but we’ll talk about those later…
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Doris, thanks for your comment and especially your friendship. Take care.
I’m so glad you are going to have your eye surgery done, and I feel confident that all will be well. I will be praying for you as you wait for and undergo the procedure. Talked to my sis today and she said it is common for patients to be placed under general anesthesia for this type of surgery, at least in the U.S. They knocked my bro-in-law out for his, and he is a “tough guy”.
I appreciate those encouraging words, Crystal. I’m a “tough guy” too, but when the doc says I should have GA, I can only nod my head in agreement.
If you are a “tough guy”, you are one with a soft heart.
Dear Philip, I shall pray for your surgery to be successful. Take good care of yourself because we all need
you to continue your good work to society.
Hey Philip,
We’ll be praying for a safe and successful surgery for you. Everything will be just fine.
Michelle and family
Hi, Poh Lin and Michelle:
I appreciate your prayers. Thanks so much!