Sunday, September 6, 2009

Vision and visas

I had forgotten how intense going to the eye doctor can be! Everyone was very kind, but it was disorienting. Meanwhile, the drops dilated my pupils so much that I could barely see to check out (even in glasses). And they stayed that way the rest of the day. I could not think of anything to do that didn't involve reading, writing, or drawing. Even cleaning my room is sight-intensive because I have to sort through a lot of papers. My pupils were still huge at 10:30 pm and I decided to just go to bed early. They were fine in the morning.

The doctors did not feel that my prescription had changed. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. It's good that I don't have to buy new contacts or glasses. It's bad that I don't know why I've been having trouble seeing! The contacts specialist was trying to think of possible solutions, and gave me some aspheric lenses to try, with the prescription slightly tweaked. They are comfortable so far, but I am still having trouble focusing. I'm not sure if it will be worth to buy some more or not. Meanwhile, I want to see if I can get my glasses fixed up without actually buying a whole new pair. +/-



It is really hard to make myself rest my eyes. I cannot think of anything to do. I could take a walk, but it's not on my to-do list!

Next topic...

I had e-mailed the university asking about my invitation, and they finally got back to me on Friday, asking for my mailing address. So I'm guessing they won't get my response until Monday. I am hoping to get the invitation by Tues. -Wed. so I can have it in the Consulate by Friday in order to get the visa a week later since I 'm leaving the following Monday.

In other words, there's no room for error at this point!

6 comments:

  1. I haven't had my eyes dilated in a long time, but I dread the puff of air each year!!!

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  2. I don't remember having the puff of air. I looked it up and it looks like they are two different variations of the test for glaucoma. That would explain why you haven't had your pupils dilated and I haven't had the air puff!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can sympathize with your eye challenges. Considering how much time I spend reading and on the computer, I am lucky that I don't need glasses. still, my vision is frequently blurry and strained. I know that "something's gotta give" or I will be wearing glasses for the rest of my life. I'm not sure what I can give up, though, considering I do much of my school work on the computer and reading is a big part of my life that I'm unwilling to limit.

    One step I have been taking is to always bring my shades with me wherever I am going, in case I will be spending time outside.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks, Arleen. So frustrating! I'm sure I abused my eyes while I was a student, but I don't remember ever having trouble seeing like this. It is definitely hard to think of something to give up.

    I rarely wear sunglasses, so I'll have to think about that one. Of course, in Russia it's not too much of a problem. ;)

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  5. I have vision problems off and on.... Recently I've been having them when I use the computer. Am I not blinking? I can't figure it out.

    Usually eye drops help for a bit.

    But I also have "monthly" problems with my vision. No one has been able to explain how female issues impact vision...but it seems to.

    Stess? Anxiety?

    And then I always think it must be some sign from God. Seeing and or blindness is always such a sign in Scripture of knowing God's will; being open to His message....

    ReplyDelete
  6. That's interesting, I had never heard of "monthly" vision problems.

    In all my years as a student, I had plenty of sleepless nights, but never any related eye problems! Just some times when the eyes didn't really want to open. And the contacts would get dried out, so I would switch to glasses.

    It's certainly an important organ!

    ReplyDelete

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