Michell’s LHON Blog

Eye Doctor’s Appointment-Nov.25th

December 19th, 2009

Christmas day will be exactly one month since I’ve been to the eye doctor. It’s so strange how time passes so quickly during the holidays and when your just busy. But I didn’t forget about my blog and knew I’d find the time to update it, since everyone is so eager to hear about the good and/or bad results.

I had a pretty early appointment, and was so ready to go to hear all the good news the doctor would give me. This is a different doctor than I went to see a few months ago. Now, I see the first eye doctor I went to, even before I got diagnosed. It was qutie an experience I must say. I did every test they had it seemed like, which was pretty much the same tests they do at that eye clinic in downtown Qingdao. It was neat to actually experience those same tests and procedures in the United States.

Well, my dad and  I both wait anxiously in the room awaiting the doctor and his results. We weren’t sure what the outcome would be. As usual he did the eye chart test, which was hard for me actually at first. Since I haven’t been there in so long, I honestly wasn’t used to the chart being so far away. So, I coudl only read the first row in both eyes, which was the same as the last time. It was at least good to know things were stable or whatever.

And then he started off with trying different lenses and magnifiers, asking if I could see the chart with them. Surprising enough, I was able to read the second and third row with these lenses. And just to make sure I wasn’t just fooling myself or him, we tested this at least 5 times. Everytime I got it correct. This might not seem like a big deal to many, but it is because patients who have an optic nerve problem are usually not able to get it corrected with glasses. And just to see slight improvement slike that made my dad, because it could probaly help me in readying, studying, etc. Maybe one day it might even help me in driving! That would be the best Christmas EVER, if that happened, and I believe someday it will. I have no doubt what so ever.

So, I had the oppurtunity finally to be prescribed with glasses that would help some, but I’m hoping it will help more in the future when I see mor eimprovements. Therefore, I decided not to purchase glasses just quite yet, since they are kinda costly and will probaly be more of a benefit once I see mor eimprovements or what the entire time. So, maybe after my next eye doctor’s appointment, I’ll consider the fact whether or not I want glasses.

I was so excite dto visit Dr.Terry Cole again, since he did such a tremendous job of explaining every possiblity I had or could do. He was super patient and tried to help me come up with the best thing tjo do for the meantime. It seems as though he works alot with low vision patients , since he knows so much about it and had a good variety of low vision equipment. He had things like magnifiers, CCTVs, etc. Since I’ve had LHON for 6 years, I was qutie familiar with all of this equipment, but it was neat to see a doctor so familiar and explaining all of these thigns to me. He explained how helpful they were to his other patients and reccommended certain things or what not.

Overall, I would say it was a useful and worth while doctor’s appointment. It went so well this time, I just can’t wait until next time. As of now, I’m not sure when my next appintment will be. It will either be in 6 months or a year, but I’ll be sure to let you all know for sure.

Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season!

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