Unable to read - update p34

Can I just take a few minutes to rant about eyes, the HNS and not being able to read? Sorry I haven't been formatting the reviews recently, but I'm only on the PC for a little while a day now.

My eye trouble started in June, which eventually lead to going to a GP and being sent straight to the Moorfields (specialist eye hospital for anyone overseas). Two trips there because it didn't improve, and I'm now a clinic patient because I apparently removed part of my cornea...

After months of restricted PC use, blocks on close work like reading, and no bloody sleep (2 hours a night) because everytime I close my eyes or blink my eyelid rubs the scab resulting in me jumping out of bed swearing, I am going absolutely batshit.

And now they've put my appointment back to September. GRR!

 

Well I am sorry to hear about these issues that you have with your eyes, and I would not be pleased if they were pushing my appointments back. I cannot say I have ever dealt with something like that, but I imagine it takes a lot of strength and fortitude to do so, so well done on your part. I hope that everything turns up better for you as you deal with this, and hope to see you back and better than ever soon. Good luck and God Bless, and thanks for sharing.

 

Oh Ouch! That sounds horrible. Would you have more luck going private if the NHslow are going to drag their feet?

 

Damn, that sounds nasty. For that, take as long as you like to rant away.

How long's it gonna take to heal up cos I'm guessing you don't want this lasting another few months?

 

Sorry Kindler, it is going to last at least another month, (worst case? it is permanent). I'm typing with my font size set to largest now as after a trip to A&E yesterday I now have a bandage lens on my eye and yet more drops. PC time is limited.

The rough description of what my eye has done? Imaging sticking a piece of sticky plastic onto acetate and getting an airbubble. The slice has healed round the sides but formed two layers that don't quite meet. If this treatment doesn't work, they have to open the injury again and see if it heals right this time.

My mood is all over the place right now.

Good news? I got a full night's sleep last night, so the bandage lens is good for something.

 

Words that will live in my nightmares. Thank you so much.

Take care and get well soon.

 

Guess what popped up in my inbox.

TLDR? It's not good: Moorfields referral level not-good. Both eyes are affected. Four months of treatment, followed by possible surgery, and they can only do one eye at a time due to infection risk. (The Moorfields is fantastic BTW)

The long version? It's not good but it's better than it was. I've been in and out of A&E, and now have a specialist seeing the case. If it is under treatment, I shouldn't lose my sight. I'm finally getting most of a night's sleep so I'm a little more rational than last time you saw me. The bandage lens has been a lifeline and it will be in for months to let the thing heal underneath it. If it doesn't heal, they laser off the affected tissue and bandage it again to hope it regrows properly. The problem is in both eyes, possibly because I favoured the injured one so badly the other one dried out, but they can't put a bandage lens in both at once due to the risk.

My screen time is really limited, and I've got eyedrops, but seriously it's such an improvement to only feel like I have an eyelash in my eye all the time compared to razorblades trying to take the eye out you wouldn't believe it. I can actually function. Basically though I have to avoid screen use, close-work including reading, air-conditioning, cold, etc. Using large-text helps a bit, but not much.

And as a public service announcement daytime radio is not much better than daytime TV. I'm listening to podcasts and bored out of my mind.

 

Got a review on Friday, so things nearly normal? Got any good eye pictures to share?

 

Share them by PM please!

 

I'm sorry to hear that you are having such problems with your eyes. I know I would go crazy too if I couldn't read even if just for a day. Why don't you try focusing on listening to audiobooks instead and give your eyes a rest for a while? It might help to take some of the stress off not being able to read while you get the help you need. Good luck with your treatment. I really hope everything goes well for you.

 

How are you doing?

 

I'm glad Tregaron asked that. I came back to this thread to check how you are doing, too. I certainly hope that you are getting all the treatment you require and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

 

Thanks. It will be December before we find out if the first treatment worked, and then its either fix the other eye or surgery on the first one. I'm just getting frustrated by lack of sleep and the fact I'm meant to avoid reading & PC use when I have a heavy web addiction (and am a programmer).

Unfortunately, this means it will be six months out of work with no pay before we know anything definite. ARGH!

 

Damn, that still sounds nasty. Is that six months in total, or six more?

It must be driving you nuts.

 

I've only just caught up on this. Ouch! I hope you feel better soon.

 

Get well soon @tirial ! Might I recommend using audio recorders for "writing". I mean you don't even need complicated software, just record your thoughts and get the thing transcribed. OR if you want to, you can always get the Dragon software. I used it when I had a little carpel tunnel 'irritation'. Its really handy because it learns about your way of speaking pretty quickly and then you can dictate anything you want.

 

Sadly speech transcribers are bloody awful for coding or anything that isn't standard english. They'll work for forums (guess how I'm writing this?) but not the coding work I need to do or controlling FTP etc. Still I got the credits sytems in for someone else to play with.

Hopsital this afternoon for my second checkup. I've been OK for the past few nights - stuck eyes but no major erosions - so hopefully it is getting better. I'll check in later.

I'm actually more worried about the side-effect (hidden for gore)

Spoiler

sometimes when they take the bandage lens off, the outside of the cornea will come with it, exposing the nerves. It's a known problem, but if it happens at that point I'm in hospital tranquilised for several days while it regrows.

 

Yeah, speech transcribers aren't meant for that kind of writing. Just for writing regular literature and all. Also, about the side-effect - OMG! I didn't know that could happen. The only thing I can say is that you should try to get this fixed asap.

 

Let us know how it goes, assuming all goes well.

And pics if it goes badly...

yes, I'm hoping it goes well.