Laser Loose

Read for full context:
• Waiting Eyesight • Laser for John • Laser not so fun after all

It all started a few days ago when John said he thought he saw new floaters. He would lie in bed and stare up at the white ceiling, trying to determine if these were old ones or new. I encouraged him to push the appointment in July to as soon as possible.

Today we went to Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. I accompanied John all the way. We took the MRT, made a lot of train changes and ended up in Newton. In Newton, instead of going one more station, we got of and walked for twenty minutes. We had plenty of time and it was a pleasant walk - even though it was awfully humid. There were some extra hard moments when we needed to ascend an overpass over the six lanes road. At least it was freezing cold inside the hospital. John went to buy an ice-latte while I headed over to Guardian to buy two Nuva-rings. I really need to get a new contraceptive, they are so expensive! Or perhaps I am spoiled as a Swede.

At eleven o'clock we sat in the all too familiar waiting room with only a handfull of chairs. This time there were a lot more people there, so much so one man had to stand before another chair was brought out. After a while John went into one of the rooms and got some of that liquid in his eyes that makes the pupils expand. While they did that, it took some time, we sat waiting and entertaining ourselves with games. Talking was not forbidden, but nobody did and even the two ladies behind the counter whispered (or just had naturally low voices). John came and went around three times.

Verdict:
John is among the 5% that the laser surgery did not work for. He has no new holes, but there are similar things to stretchmarks around his eye. This could lead to new holes and, since John already are in the 5%, it is a great risk that happens. Another surgery will be booked later this week, as soon as possible. If things does not go well even after this second time, there might be a chance that he will get a sort of "belt" around his eye to prevent it from stretching his retina. Worst case scenario - he goes blind in his left eye.

These were some pretty heavy news. The doctor said that retinal detachment usually happens around the age of fifty, thirty at worst. John is only twenty three. The insurance will only cover a portion of the operation. We all hope this goes well and he will keep his vision.