Yesterday I had a follow up appointment at my local hospital eye department to assess the progress of my eye condition. The outcome was that the damage it has caused in the left eye will be permanent with little chance of any improvement. My right eye has improved slightly but has still got problems.
As you can imagine this was not what I wanted to hear. Regular readers of this blog will know one of my passions is photography. One of the results of this condition is that I cannot focus through the viewfinder of my Nikon SLR and I have to rely on the autofocus function in the camera, I actually don't know if I have taken an in focus photo until I see it on my computer.
I am sorry if this is a bit self indulgent and I do realise that it could be an awful lot worse, my distance vision still seems OK so I can still drive, but it is so frustrating not being able to do things you used to take for granted and enjoyed doing.
As a photographer too I really feel for you as there is nothing worse than not being able to focus properly. I do hope that things will improve. Perhaps a diet of carrots? :-) Val
ReplyDeleteReally sorry to read this Gary, and can understand how frustrating this must be. My near vision is useless, but at least wearing glasses when I need them overcomes the focusing problem. Your pictures are still wonderful despite the problem. Hope you find a way to cope with it soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear your news, Gary. You are such a creative, enterprising person, I'm sure you'll find a way to cope. But bad news like this always comes as a blow, and you have all my sympathy.
ReplyDeleteGarry, so sorry to hear your news.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine the frustration you feel.
K
I'm really sorry about that. It feels so unfair when someone gets a condition that directly conflicts with something that matters to them. Thank goodness at least cameras can autofocus, but I can imagine that's really not the point. I hope your condition is stabilised, and maybe indeed the right will get better. I particularly enjoy your pictures.
ReplyDeleteMaddening. Frightening. Frustrating. Horrible. It must be very lowering. I hope you manage to sort things with work / computers so it doesn't get worse. I'm sure you will still take photos to be proud of. Though that isn't exactly the point.
ReplyDeleteWith ordinary, non-dslr digital cameras, it's often impossible to see the little screen when in sunlight, yet there are more and more good photos to look at. I expect one gets the hang of it. So, don't despair . . . don't let it get worse if you can help it . . . and much empathy - which isn't the right word but I hope it expresses something.
Esther
P.S. And photography is a bit like treasure hunting; sifting through the possible but rejectable photos until you find the 'right' one.
P.P.S. I like your new distinguished looking image in your icon.
E.
I'm so sorry to hear about the vision problem being permanent. Thank goodness your one eye improved. It must be very frustrating in your everyday dealings, not to see properly. Can glasses in any way compensate for the problem? Is there any surgery for it?
ReplyDeleteGary, sorry to hear this - from browsing your blog I know how important photography is to you. Keep your chin up
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for your kind thoughts and comments. The good news is that the eye that is improving is my right eye, which is the one I use for photography. Sadly glasses and surgery can't do anything to help as the damage is scaring on the retina.
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