A slight setback...

[Shotgun]

They say growing old ain't for sissies.  I'm 75, and here's an example.

I woke up recently with a rather severe vision problem in my left eye and my wife insisted that I get an  immediate appointment with our ophthalmologist.  I managed to secure a same day appointment. After he examined me, took a bunch of pictures, and gave me several tests, he made an appointment for me to get two MRIs.  I got the MRIs within about 30 hours, commencing at 3:45 am   .  No tumors, and things looked normal there.  After some more tests, the option was to see a neuro-ophthamologist(N-O), which are relatively few in the U.S.  I asked him to move on getting me an appointment with an N-O.  Within six hours we had scheduled an appointment with an N-O at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI (a 4 1/2 hour drive from home) the next morning at 8:45 am. Drove down to Ann Arbor that same evening.

The neuro-ophthalmologist examined me and gave me several more tests and read the MRI, which I had brought with me.  Bottom line, I had suffered a mini-stroke of my optic nerve and only have peripheral vision in that eye at the moment.  My direct vision is lost.  N-O tells me that some of my vision may (?) return over time (6 months), but it will probably never return to my normal vision.

It is what it is. Needless to say this is disappointing, however, life goes on.  My depth perception is pretty much shot.  I play tennis 3 to 4 times a week, year around, and the lack of depth perception in tennis (and other things) is a real problem.  At least it wasn't my predominant eye, and I can still shoot without switching.

I'm going to get prescription safety glasses to protect my remaining eye from external injury.

If you have vision in both eyes, take care of them.  Safety glasses are important around the types of things that we all do, but this shows that even then, trouble can sneak up on you.

Norm

[Jeff]

Let me know if you need a driver when you go to Florida this year Norm. ;) 

Take care of yourself my friend.

[thecfarm]

I have prescription safety glasses,with progressive lenses and tinted,I think about $300. My second pair and I like them. No need to put something over them,I'm all set to go. They come with side shields that can be removed when not needed. Glad to it was no worse than that,but still too bad to hear of it.

[sprucebunny]

Sorry to hear that, Norm.
Hope you have some exercises to try and improve your vision.

[Magicman]

Wow Norm, that is scary stuff.  I was anxious to get to the bottom of your post to find the answer to the question.  You take care my Friend and you know that I am only a click away.

[WDH]

Oh my, that has to be very disconcerting to be able to see clearly only out of one eye.  Kinda like being lopsided.  I hope the next 6 months pan out and you get your vision restored.

When I saw the title to this thread, I was trepidated.

[thecfarm]

trepidated,I had to pull the big dictionary out,but I learned a new word. may not be able to pronounce it right,but I know what it means.

[drobertson]

I reckon it really is one day at a time, glad your health is still with you, take care man,  thinking of you, david

[Ron Scott]

Norm,
Let's hope that the vision problem straightens itself out soon. I also agree with what they say about old age. Take care.

[Shotgun]

My thanks for each and every response, and the encouragement they provided.  It's just a bump in the road and I'll either get over it, or get used to it.  A little disconcerting, but still pretty small in the bigger scheme of life.

Thanks again.

Norm

[beenthere]

Just read this Norm. Hang in there, and great that you are doing well and dealing with it. If it isn't one thing to tolerate, it is another. Sometimes one is just a bit better or worse than the other. Never perfect (although the weather today was pretty darn close to "perfect").

[Left Coast Chris]

I have a friend with just one eye.  He is a very good basketball player and we played a lot of intermural ball at lunch time.  He can drain the 3 point shots like anyone's business.  The only set back I can detect is I can get a step on him on his blind eye side.  Amazing how he can drain long shots though. 

[trapper]

Lost my right eye at 5 but haved lived a prety normal (in my opinion) life inspite of it.  Like you say depth perception is gone but you get used to it.  Good luck and enjoyed meeting you at the pig roast.

[Shotgun]

Thanks 'beenthere', 'Left Coast' and 'trapper'.  I appreciate your comments also.  The high road is my goal, KMc.  I know that I'm not alone with my little problem, and that there are lots of others similarly affected.  I even know a couple. I'll be getting periodic testing to learn if there's any improvement, so I'll know what the changes are, if any.  This type of problem makes recognizing improvement a little subjective, but the testing machine will show any changes.

Thanks again, all.

Norm

[doctorb]

Sorry to hear about this.  I would try and emphasize prevention of a more damaging stroke.  This would be individualized between you and your Doc.  ????? Baby aspirin, anticoagulation, more aggressive control of blood pressure, heart valve issues, carotid artery examination....... etc.  While nobody want to lose sight, and yours still has a chance of return, make sure you do everyhting to prevent losing something else.  Best of luck to you, Norm.

[Roxie]

So sorry to learn of your vision problems.  Yes, getting old is not for wimps! 

Take care of yourself, and follow doctors orders. 

[Onthesauk]

It may recover Norm.  I had a stroke just 3 years ago.  A couple of months later a little mini stroke took my peripheral vision when I got up in the morning.   A couple of hours later it began to come back and was normal a day later.  It's all a crap shoot.

[Shotgun]

doctorb - Thanks for the suggestions. I will follow up with my ophthalmologist and my primary care doc.  I appreciate your comments and interest.

Roxie - You're right for sure.  I had a bit of the feeling over the years that I was infallible. This is my comeuppance, I guess.  Thanks for the response.

Onthesauk - Thanks for your reply.  I am hopeful that I will recover.  The more, the better, eh?  A crap shoot, it is for sure.  Glad that you recovered, and thanks for the comment.

Norm