CLAY AND WATTLES

The Eyes Have It

IOP (pressure) was great this morning! Ten and twelve - don't remember which - twelve in the left I think. Dr. Mitchell said go back to Xalatan in both eyes at night just as before the surgery and see how it does this week. Next week I'll be ready for glasses! Never thought I'd be so excited to get glasses! Actually, I can see better now without them than I could before with them, but the vision needs to be sharpened up. (Everything is clean and clear, but not sharp. I haven't forgotten how "muddy" everything appeared!) Mid-vision is okay - seeing the console numbers in the truck, or the computer screen - but I've used reading glasses (just 1.00) for near sight. When driving, objects in the distance are not sharp. Still better than before - I wouldn't have attempted to go two months without glasses and drive before! I'm a little - not hugely - but somewhat disappointed that the glaucoma procedure didn't work - or doesn't seem to have. This is something Dr. M. said we'd keep a watch on - maybe stay off Xalatan for a bit later and see. But since this procedure was done at the same time as the cataract, and I knew going in that it isn't 100% successful, I'm glad I at least tried it. I would have wondered if it would have corrected that problem if I hadn't had it done. Dr. M. and his whole staff - Donna, Ailene, Clarice, Stella - have been great!

I told Dr. M. this morning that Paul has really good genes! His eye exam Monday was so good - no cataracts, no glaucoma. Minor vision correction could be done, but nothing Paul wanted to have to wear glasses, other than reading ones. Makes us old folks feel great to get good reports! I'm glad he went for the exam, just to be sure nothing's amiss. Glaucoma is a silent resident - it just moves in and gradually takes your sight, and it can't be reversed; stopped/controlled, but not reversed. The gray spot I saw more than a dozen years ago - that was glaucoma showing up - and I waited three months to see about it. Don't wait! Even if you have 20/20 eyesight, get check-ups to be sure nothing else is going on! And wear sunglasses to protect against sun damage!