Okay, let's chat about my contact lens abuse.
I have worn contact lenses since 10th grade...so it's been around 15 years or so now. And for all of that time I have been shamelessly abusing these disposable contacts. I sleep in them every night and usually wear them for a good month before throwing them out. Doctors have told me not to do this before, but did I listen? Nope. Partly because they never tell you WHY. Partly because I was 14 at the time...but what's my excuse now?
So I visit the eye doctor last week for my annual eye exam and as he stared into my eye with the beam of light he suddenly stops the exam and gives me the bad news. My blood vessels surrounding my cornea are growing into the cornea. Why? Because my eyes have been deprived of oxygen for about 15 years. That's why.
And now, as a 31 year old adult, I am faced with the very real moment of feeling like a complete butt dog in front of my Optometrist. So, here's the deal. If I continue, as I always have, eventually my blood vessels would cover my corneas completely and I would go blind. Fun news eh? Well, there's good news too. It's early and I can fix it.
Next week I pick up new glasses, which I will be wearing 24/7 for three months, along with using special eye drops with flax seed oil to fix my eye problems. Then a check to see if I corrected or at least halted the damage. After that, I may get lasik surgery. And all because I wouldn't listen.
Hey Mom, you can call me anytime this week, in the early afternoon preferably, and say "I told you so".
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15 comments
Oh my gosh, Emilie! That stinks! Hope the intervention works!
YIKES! I worked for an eye doctor for 12 years and we were forever telling patients not to do that. On the bright side, glasses are SO darn cute now ~ and lasik surgery will change your life if you decide to do it [I was 'blind' and I've had 20/20 vision for 9 years now!!]
Dude. That really bites. I don't know what's more unreal to me, the fact that you could go blind from this or that you're actually ASKING your mom to say i told you so. Eeep!
I had the same thing told to me about 6 months ago. I have yet to pick up my glasses :(
Oh my goodness. I've only worn glasses for the past, oh, 6 years or so, but when I was wearing contacts I always abused them like that. (My eyes never HURT, and I'd never been told anything concrete on why I shouldn't.) I've been thinking of getting contacts again - thank you so much for this warning!
Hmm, that should say above, "I've worn only glasses". I've been wearing glasses or contacts since I was six years old. :)
I'm so sorry to hear this Emilie, but so glad you caught it in time to stop the problem. I've worn glasses since the fifth grade and am so fearful of having vision problems. Since I can't see 6 inches in front of my face without my glasses/ contacts, the idea of being blind scares the patootie out of me!
I'm certain that the reason that I have to wear glasses (besides bad genetics) is that as a kid I used read books in bed after lights out by the glow of the electric blanket indicator. Not such a "bright" idea in hindsight!
Good luck - we'll be hoping for the best and looking for pics of your super cute new glasses!
P.S. My optometrist is big into nutrition and recommends taking a multi-vitamin if you can't get 7-9 servings of whole fruits and veggies every day to help protect your eye health. Since ketchup doesn't exactly count, I'm taking the multi-vitamin.
I shared this news with Dave and he said "Luckily I wear the only FDA approved disposable contact for 24-hour use." Butt dog.
You know, I used to wear my lenses for too long, too, although never overnight. After about 10 years I couldn't wear lenses at all-- after an hour I wanted to scratch my eyes out, they felt so dry. Now, I can wear them every now and then for a day or two, but I can't imagine wearing them every day again. Could you get laser surgery???
Ack! That's scary news. I could never wear my contacts overnight - it kinda just bugged me out like they would disappear into my head when I was sleeping or something. LOL I am a huge fan of Lasik though and if you can get it I highly recommend it. It's an amazing thing to be able to wake up in the morning and see the clock on your nightstand (and for you WITHOUT having those contacts in). Good luck with the glasses - I hope you got some really CUTE ones!
oh man.. makes me want to take better care of my contacts!!! yikes.
can't wait to see the new specs!
Oh, man! That's crazy. I hope that this treatment works...and works well.
Oxygen...work...work, oxygen, work.
Yikes. My contact habits are eerily similar to yours. You've inspired me to take them out.... if I can find my contact case. I think I still own one. LOL
Ouch!!
Have been a lensuser for almost 20 years myself, and never knew *that*. Using lenses specifially made to be worn 24/7 for a month at a time tho. Hm. OHwell, glad you caught it early, good luck :)
Yikes! Contacts can be dangerous if not used correctly. A similar thing just happened to my sister. She had corneal ulcers in her eyes and they told her to wear glasses for 3 months and a few other things so she wouldn't lose her sight. Scary! Hope everything works itself out!!
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