I thought I’d wait again until this weeks check up and see what new developments I got on the eye front…
It’s a strange life indeed when the doctor tells you they’re going to put another 20 or so (laser) “stiches” in your eye (here, right now) just as a precaution, and that’s the good news!
Well I suppose the “good news” is really that I didn’t need further (immediate) surgery. Nothings much better, nothings any worse. The official policy on (squinty view) left eye is lets see if it heals itself, sadly a months to years process. The only real alternative is full surgery, to remove my retina and put it back again in a “straighter” line. Since this carries it’s own set of risks, and will still be working around my “artisan lens” it doesn’t carry any promises of a better outcome, no-one – including me – is particularly keen to go there.
I must therefore resign myself to be “One eye’d dog” for a while, (and maybe buy some more patches).
Working forward from this result, I find that (very much to my surprise) I am passed to drive with my right eye only (optician and hospital), am -astonishingly -passed to drive with my left eye only (hospital) – although the desire to lean to the side and “straighten the world up” is overwhelming. But NOT to drive with both eyes.
What is even more remarkable – troubling and delighting in equal measure – is that my insurers (well, Lucy in the South African call centre) have said “fine” go and drive.. (Lucy said she did go and check…). No paperwork, no email, no hospital letter! just my say so on the phone.
Advice (quite matter of fact) from the surgeon, “just close your left eye while driving…..”
….”NO officer, I can assure you my left eye was thoroughly closed all the time….”
I am not altogether comfortable with this outcome, and hugely concious that with left eye shut (or patched – which seems safer but must surely be much more alarming for other road users), I could easy miss some random careless pedestrian (or more likely – fail to miss), a car pulling out, or a run a way articulated lorry at a crossroads.
That being said, although outside my personal circle of acquaitance, friends are aware of two people who drive with only one eye, and presumably it is not that rare a condition, and one simply has to learn to adapt.
Accordingly I hope to get out and practise in an empty supermarket car park (will post times so you can stay indoors).
Speaking of adaption, I find that I must wear a patch (or at least close my eye) to navvigate in any crowded situation, and to type, write, and generally read a screen/book/map, but am simultaneously to do as much as possible without it, in order to encourage my brain and eye to adapt.
I’m thinking perhaps a patch with a hole in it?
Next week on Iadl – so you want to order a book online from an ethical tax paying independant store? (Just buy it from Amazon, you’ll get it before you can finish the complaint about the other delivery)
Dalmallyfest the Asylum 