Eye Surgery on Monday!

It's been a long time!  I wanted to take a moment to give everyone an update, and thank you for your support and patience, as my creative and computer time has been limited over the last few months.  Many of you know I have been struggling with my vision over the last couple of years.  Well, after MANY, many visits to the doctor, a ridiculous number of prescription changes and specialty lenses, they finally figured out what was going on with my eyes.

I have an unusual form of convergence excess esophoria and strabismus... A lot of words (and there's more) to basically explain that my eyes cross, and the closer the object I am viewing, the worse they cross --to infinity and beyond!  As I have gotten older, their ability to uncross and refocus has slowed down, causing blurred and double vision.  The more close-up stuff I do, the worse it is, as it stresses my eyes having them crossed for long periods of time.  Driving, being on the computer, watching TV, looking across the table at someone, and simple things became difficult as I can not focus well, I lose my depth perception, and then my eyes start freaking out.

So, I am scheduled for surgery this coming Monday (August 6th).  I wish there was an easier, more affordable, way to correct the problem, but I have tried everything, and this is the last chance I have to restore my vision.  They will be suturing the muscles in both eyes, adjusting how they work, limiting their ability to cross.  If all goes well, it takes 8 weeks to completely heal and get fitted for new glasses, to fully restore my vision.  I will have my sight back much quicker, but I have no idea how much I will or won't be able to do right away (especially close-up).  So, custom orders and creative time are on hold for a bit until I get my new eyes ---or these old eyes fixed!  I am not one to have idle hands, so I'm hoping I can create soon after surgery.  I bought bigger stones and supplies, so I can create bigger pieces if my ability to do fine detail is impaired for awhile.  :)

The thought of eye surgery is slightly scary, and yet, I am kind of excited.  The doctor said I have had this defect all my life (and I just learned of it at 40 years old).  Who knows --I might see better than ever.  I may open my eyes and go ...OH MY GOSH, I can't believe how much better everything looks ...or I may see the way I was always supposed to for the first time!  What I think is normal might not be "normal" at all.  That's a pretty wild thought.  I will be sure to keep you updated through my surgery, as best I can.

Please be sure to take care of your eyes!  Don't take them for granted, particularly if you do lots of fine detail work, like I do.  Wearing out of date, or drug store glasses, is not good for your eyes.  They can cause you many problems and hardships down the road and it's not fun.