Monday, March 21, 2016

Medical Update

Some of you are aware that I've been having eye problems over the past few months, and I finally got in to see the ophthalmologist today after a few insurance snafus. Turns out I may have glaucoma in my right eye. I knew something was going on with it. They did two tests today that turned out inconclusive, and I'm supposed to go back in a couple of weeks for a more definitive test. If it is glaucoma, they've caught it early and it's treatable with eye drops. So the prognosis isn't as good as "Hey, you're fine!", but it's not too bad. I'm also getting not only new glasses, but some special computer glasses as well to wear just while I'm working. If this will eliminate the frequent headaches where it feels like my skull's fixing to crack open, I'm all for it. If the computer glasses don't help, I may have to try to cut back some more. I'm already spending less time on-line than I used to. I can't cut back on the writing time. He also said that I'm starting to get cataracts, but that I'm years and years away from having to do anything about them.

10 comments:

Adventuresfantastic said...

While not the best news, it sounds rather positive compared to what it could be. I'm it wasn't anything worse.

Ed Gorman said...

I agree with what Keith said. BTW I've had cataract surgery in both eyes and it wasn't a big deal at all, James.

mybillcrider said...

"Treatable" is a good word. Eye drops aren't bad at all. As for the cataracts, you're still a youngster. You probably won't have to worry about that for a long time. I hope those new glasses do the job on the headaches.

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

I'm glad it was caught early and that it's treatable. They say it's important to look away from the screen every few minutes and blink, to relieve the strain on the eyes.

Steve Lewis said...

Good news in the sense you caught this early, James. Good news.

Richard Krauss said...

Glad to hear it's at an early treatable stage. Take care.

Scott D. Parker said...

At the day job, there's a poster on the wall about the 20/20/20 Rule: http://discovervisianicl.com/blog/the-20-20-20-rule-preventing-digital-eye-strain.

Every 20 minutes, look at something more than 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

To help with that, you could always set up a timer.


Also, have you ever considered dictation?

Charles Gramlich said...

I was told I'd get cataracts too, but nothing to worry about immediately. That Glaucoma sounds more concerning but sounds like they have a plan for it. I hope all will be well. I don't want to miss out on any possible Reasoner pubs.

Cap'n Bob said...

During my recent trip to the eye doctor he told me I'd need cataract surgery eventually, but probably not for 10 years. Glad your current problem can he treated with eye drops.

Kent Morgan said...

I had a floater in my left eye years ago and when they did a full check they discovered I had glaucoma in my right eye. The answer was eye drops. A few years later I had cataract surgery on that eye and later my doctor said I no longer needed to use the eye drops for the glaucoma. Apparently that occasionally happens. A year later I had cataract surgery on my left eye. Now my vision is excellent with no issues and I see the doctor once a year. No problems since my surgery and I recommend to anyone who needs it done to have the surgery as soon as they can. Nowdays I can read those Interstate signs from a very long distance, which was great when I was travelling around Florida the past few weeks watching spring training games. The improved eyesight also makes it easier to read the titles of books on the bottom shelf in stores.