Blind in right eye

Posted by 545769 on 6/30/2012 at 11:17 PM

Hi Im new to this site. Im 28 and have had bad vision all my life. May 15 I went to get my vision checked due to a shadow in my right eye. I found out my retina detatched. Since then Ive had 3 ventricular surgeries, and.at least.3 gas injections in my eye, a buckle put on my eye, lasering, and so much more. Last week my retina detached again. I had surgery Thirsday an it was a sucess. However I am supposed to be seeing light in that eye and all I see is black. So needless to say i dont know whats going to happen and if i will get my vision back. It has been.a month but feels like 3 months. I try to.stay positive. That is my.story and it is nice to meet you all. Any informstion or sites people.can give would be helpful

There are currently 11 replies

Re: Blind in right eye

Hello and welcome 545769: This is Maureen Duffy, the social media specialist for VisionAware. It sounds as if you've been having a difficult time with your detachments – and you've had a number of interventions. Have you had any improvement since you wrote?

When you say you are looking for sites and/or information, can you tell me a bit more specifically what kind of information you might be looking for? Support groups? Medical information? That will help me direct you to the best source(s) of information.

Re: Blind in right eye

I am currently 38, getting ready to turn 39. I have been blind in my right eye since birth from an eye disease called Congenital Toxoplasmosis. I used to have some side vision in the right eye however, lost it completely in 1992.

In March 1993, I was also diagnosed with Hydrocephalus. A side effect to the Toxoplasmosis. In August 1993, I had a VP Shunt inserted to help with the Hydrocephalus.

As of today, I now have less than 4 feet of vision in my left eye due to an increased eye pressure event in 1997.

Since attending a school for the blind from September 1992 - April 1993, I have picked up some additional Braille experience with some International Braille Codes and currently use them with a company I started in 1996 called Shadows in the Dark.

Shadows in the Dark offers a great line of Braille Pictured Greeting Cards with an additional Braille Picture Design. For more information visit: www.shadowsinthedark.com

Re: Blind in right eye

To PMBlind and MaureenD, since I have last wrote, I have had another surgery. It was.supposed.to be to get the water taken out. However the water didnt hold my retina in place like it was supposed to and as soon as they took it out, the retina detatched in some places. I also developed these membraine things on the retina again. They put silicone oil in my eye and said they have done pretty much all they can with this last surgery. After the surgery the nurse kept hintimg the reason for all my detatchments was my fault. I started to cry and told her I wouldnt be blamed for this and that I was doing what the doctor asked me to do and told her to get away from me. That was my 6th or 7th surgery in a 2 month time span. I went for a checkup today and the oil is close to my.cornea. Monday i go in and tjey may take some of the oil out. The.doctor is going to try to use a needle so I dont have to go back into another surgery. I was interested in learning tobread braile and get info on any benefits i may be entitled to (help with transportation if needed,.ssi, braile classes,.etc) i live in maine. I am having a hard time with this. On the outside i still smile and laugh because i dont want to bring people down but im slightly depressed. I feel like this has taken away my life. I cant clean, read,.write,.i.can barely.do college work,.and i cant play.with my kids. My passion is writing and i write childrens books and i feel like my dream is dead. I know i will eventually adjust but for the time being this sucks.

Re: Blind in right eye

PMBlind, thank you for the link. :)

Re: Blind in right eye

So after my last surgery and them puttong silicone oil in my eye, the oil is now near my cornea and fluid under the retina again. There is nothing that can be done. My doctor knows someone in Boston that may be able to do something. Im considering going to talk to him. However I have come up with a plan Im excited to start. I am going to finish my english degree, take classes and learn to read braille, then find out how I can become nationally accredited to teach braille, get a job helping visuallt impaired people and writie childrens books in braille. :) Sorry for the typos.

Re: Blind in right eye

Hello 545769: This is Maureen Duffy again. While I do not know the specifics of your eye/medical issues, I am quite certain that your retinal detachments are not your fault, despite what the nurse may have hinted. A retinal detachment is a complex medical situation, and, from what you have said, it sounds as if you have done everything you should have.

I would also encourage you to have a second opinion, as your doctor is suggesting. Professionally, I cannot recommend a specific physician, but the city of Boston is home to some very fine retinal specialists. A second opinion would be time well spent. If you have additional questions or concerns, please write again. I'm always happy to help.

Re: Blind in right eye

Thanks Maureen. ;)

Re: Blind in right eye

Hello, I am legally blind out of my right eye. I was born 3 months early. Recently, about 3 days now, it's gone worse. I used to see colors, now I see almos nothing. I am worried and going to see my doctor in two days. I need to know if someone has had the same problem and why is this happening. Thank you. My email is gabecaban@gmail.com

Re: Blind in right eye

after going through many detachments myself I visited the eye doc today. I have had the silicon oil in my eye for almost a year. I was hopeful/and thought the doctor was wanting to remove the oil and I was excited I may gain some vision back. But I was told today, I would be better off leaving the silicon oil in my eye. Every time it is removed my natural eye fluid cause multiple tears in my retina. I found this site looking for all kinds of info. Besides the loss of vision how else has it affected your life?

Re: Blind in right eye

Hello all,
I am 24 yrs old and have been blind in my right eye since i was about 2yrs old. My blindness was caused by and accident where glass cut my eye and left me blind. I have become used to seeing from one eye and have lived a normal life. I was feeling curious today and decided to do some internet searching about latest medical treatments/advancements for treating blindness and came across this site. Does anybody know of any other web sites with information that I can go to? Thanks

Re: Blind in right eye

Hello 545769,
I really relate to much of your story and concerns. I have retinopathy due prematurity, ROP. My history is far too long to write but my heart went out to you just reading your fear, anxiety and general sense of "unknowingness" at the time of your posts. Though always visually impaired, I could drive andmade it through grad school. Since birth: 20+ surgeries, including mostly retinal detachments, tears, holes, plus cataracts, high pressure, keraticonis, high myopia, astygamatism, ect. Today i have permenant silicon oil in both eyes. Total blind in one eye & 20/400 in other with only central vision. I went from fashion statement to fashion crime and cannot seem to make my clothes match my cane. Despite all this I still work full time as Licensed Clinical Social Worker and my sense of humor has flourished. I have a lot of material to laugh at now. Hang in there friend. When life gives you lemons, make margaritas! So you have a road block... Find another way around it. Peace!