Dr. Randall R. Peairs of the Northeastern Eye Institute in Scranton exams the left eye of Shirley Townsend.Vision Is So Precious To All Of Us
Sometimes we just don't realize how important our vision is to us until reality strikes home and you are told "legally you are blind in that eye."
We use our column this week to write about a personal family tragedy in hopes that our experience can be of help to others.
The story I'm about to tell you is done so that everyone can get a better understanding of how important your eyes are and to remind everyone to have eye examinations on a regular basis.
In mid-November of 2006 my wife, Shirley, went to her local optometrist to get new glasses and during the routine examination she was told that it looked like she had a cataract and she was referred to an ophthalmologist who said is was not a cataract and she was again referred this time to a retinal specialist.
An extensive examination by a retinal specialist revealed that Shirley was legally blind in her left eye and that she had a macular pucker in the left eye. The retinal specialist suggested she get a second opinion.
A search and recommendation by Livingston Manor Medicap pharmacist Mark Wegener that he fills a number of prescriptions from the Northeastern Eye Institute took us to Dr. Randall R. Peairs, F.A.C.S. at the main office building of Northeastern at Scranton, Pa. An extensive examination revealed that Shirley had 20.25 vision in her right eye and 20/200 in her left eye which also had a macular pucker with significant traction and retinal edema. The examination said there was cystic retinal changes with significant fluid in the left eye, an indication it had been chronic.
We consulted with the retinal doctor who performed the original examination in Middletown and he asked about Dr. Peairs and as soon as we noted that Dr. Peairs had 17 years of surgical experience and was also a teaching professor the strong recommendation was that Dr. Peairs should be the doctor to perform any vitrectomy surgery.
After some serious thought and prayer Shirley and I felt that we had nothing to lose by having the surgery done. It should be noted that there is no guarantee that any eyesight would be obtained with this surgery.
Vitrectomy surgery is a type of eye surgery that treats disorders of the retina and vitreous. Shirley's needs involved the wrinkling of the retina called macular pucker.
Doctors told us that women are more prone to eye disease than men especially during pregnancy and after menopause., the doctor warned us about the sun and women should wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection whenever they're in the sun. A good suggestion for all of us.
These type of eye problems are caused by genetics, age, nutrition, smoking and sunlight exposure..In Shirley's case the doctor said age (which she didn't want to hear) and the sunlight exposure was most likely the reason for her eye problems.
There has indeed been a lot of frustration and strain in our family with Shirl's surgery in June followed by two minor Lazar surgeries the past two month. Some progress has been noted with vision not being as sharp and clear......but there is some vision so that's a plus.
We hope that our experience will give others an early warning to have your eyes checked on a regular basis and we also offer our sincere thanks to Dr. Peairs and Dr's Jordan and the very professional and caring staff at Northeastern Eye Institute in Scranton.
Sometimes we just don't realize how important our vision is to us until reality strikes home and you are told "legally you are blind in that eye."
We use our column this week to write about a personal family tragedy in hopes that our experience can be of help to others.
The story I'm about to tell you is done so that everyone can get a better understanding of how important your eyes are and to remind everyone to have eye examinations on a regular basis.
In mid-November of 2006 my wife, Shirley, went to her local optometrist to get new glasses and during the routine examination she was told that it looked like she had a cataract and she was referred to an ophthalmologist who said is was not a cataract and she was again referred this time to a retinal specialist.
An extensive examination by a retinal specialist revealed that Shirley was legally blind in her left eye and that she had a macular pucker in the left eye. The retinal specialist suggested she get a second opinion.
A search and recommendation by Livingston Manor Medicap pharmacist Mark Wegener that he fills a number of prescriptions from the Northeastern Eye Institute took us to Dr. Randall R. Peairs, F.A.C.S. at the main office building of Northeastern at Scranton, Pa. An extensive examination revealed that Shirley had 20.25 vision in her right eye and 20/200 in her left eye which also had a macular pucker with significant traction and retinal edema. The examination said there was cystic retinal changes with significant fluid in the left eye, an indication it had been chronic.
We consulted with the retinal doctor who performed the original examination in Middletown and he asked about Dr. Peairs and as soon as we noted that Dr. Peairs had 17 years of surgical experience and was also a teaching professor the strong recommendation was that Dr. Peairs should be the doctor to perform any vitrectomy surgery.
After some serious thought and prayer Shirley and I felt that we had nothing to lose by having the surgery done. It should be noted that there is no guarantee that any eyesight would be obtained with this surgery.
Vitrectomy surgery is a type of eye surgery that treats disorders of the retina and vitreous. Shirley's needs involved the wrinkling of the retina called macular pucker.
Doctors told us that women are more prone to eye disease than men especially during pregnancy and after menopause., the doctor warned us about the sun and women should wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection whenever they're in the sun. A good suggestion for all of us.
These type of eye problems are caused by genetics, age, nutrition, smoking and sunlight exposure..In Shirley's case the doctor said age (which she didn't want to hear) and the sunlight exposure was most likely the reason for her eye problems.
There has indeed been a lot of frustration and strain in our family with Shirl's surgery in June followed by two minor Lazar surgeries the past two month. Some progress has been noted with vision not being as sharp and clear......but there is some vision so that's a plus.
We hope that our experience will give others an early warning to have your eyes checked on a regular basis and we also offer our sincere thanks to Dr. Peairs and Dr's Jordan and the very professional and caring staff at Northeastern Eye Institute in Scranton.
