My dad might be going blind

[SilverPrince offline]

A few months ago, my father had surgery on one of his eyes to try and correct the retina, which was almost detatched. After the surgery, he never regained sight in that eye. Well now, he's had surgery on the other eye, and is currently blind. According to his doctor, this eye shows signs of improvement, because the surgery was much less major than on his other eye.

He doesn't know if he'll be able to regain sight in that eye. I don't think he'll ever regain sight in the other eye. I can't remeber exactly what caused the retinas to become so damaged, although I think it might have something to do with his diabetes, if that's possible. I don't live with my father, but I couldn't imagine him not being able to see. Not able to see his children grow up, severly limited in job opportunites in an already bad economy, he'd have to learn how to read all over again.

He's been going through so much lately, the death of his mother, he lost his house and had to move in to an extension on his wife's parents' house, he's lost his job... I'd hate to see this happen to him and make things even worse. I just talked to him over the phone, and he was able to joke about it, and he seems happy, which is good, but I'm really worried for him. I rarely see my dad, and it makes me guilty because he might never see me again, literally.

[phantasm offline]

Going blind sounds like one of the most terrifying disabilities to gain, so I feel for your dad. If there's nothing medical you can do about it make sure he has the best time that he can before it really takes hold. Even if he's going through a lot of crap, talk to him, take him places, even when he's blind! It's important that if he does lose his sight that you don't stop hanging out with him, because that may make him feel useless and awful to be around. There's not much else you can do so do your best to support him, even if you're going through sadness and stress to see him. Maybe you can help each other out in that regard.

[Rail Runner offline]

I am in that situation, I had retinal detachment surgery in 1997, I may go blind eventually, but so far my right eye is holding steady. I had to recover for 3 months after that surgery, so it may take a bit for his eyes to go back to normal after something like this. Its not an easy situation, but I have been there. If you want to talk more about it, feel free to pm me.

[Phoenix Wolf offline]

Wow sounds terrifiying I hope something like that never happens to my Dad. However there are three things I have to say about this. One your dad must be extremely brave. Two I actually went to school with someone who lost their sight to I forget what it was, but she said that all of her other senses were heightened, and her seeing eye dog was her eyes. Also when she got mad at me lets just say I ended up on the wrong side of the stick. She said losing her sight was hard at first but her friends and family helped her through. Third thing I have to say is just be there for your Dad, and your support will make this go much easier for him. PM me if you need to talk, although I don't know much about it I am always glad to lend a helping hand and I am always here to listen.

[levicampbell offline]

I've been blind my whole life, so I've got a few suggestions for the OP and whoever else needs it.

1. get in contact with your local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, they've helped me in more ways than I can count.
2. enroll your dad in one of the three training centers for the blind run by the NFB, I went to the Colorado Center for the Blind, and there are two other such centers, but I don't know their names or locations.
3. if your dad likes to read, get him signed up for your local talking books and braille library in your state, your eye doctor should have the phone number and/or an application.

if you need any assistance or have any questions, please PM me.

EDIT: a list of state affiliates can be found at http://www.nfb.org/nfb/State_and_Local_Organizations.asp?SnID=1996252476.

[Carth]

That's horrible! Especially with all that other stuff you say is going on with him... Well, like everyone's been saying, keep in touch with him, help him out, go and visit him sometimes...make sure he knows he really does have people who care about him.

Oh, and levicampbell- You're blind? How do you read the forum? For that matter, how do blind people read that website? Do you have some sort of voice mechanism, or...? (Sorry if I'm asking too many personal questions...just curious, is all.)

[Phoenix Wolf offline]

I believe that there are special computers that speak and say what is on the screen. I know that there are some that speak while you type.

[Rail Runner offline]

Yes there are, I am familiar with both programs. One is known as Jaws, which has different features to it, it can talk while you type, and then read everything back to you *like a paragraph*. There is another program called Eyes, its like Jaws, the only big difference is the choice in speech recognition. There is also another program known as ZoomText, it can enlarge computer interfaces to where those with less vision can see them, it will even enlarge the desktop. That, along with Jaws, is a good combination. Although Jaws can be a bit annoying at times.

BG, its not a computer, its just a program that can be installed on any computer. Being that I may go blind eventually, I have been trained on these programs, I dont use them currently, as I dont have the need, but if I do, then I know how to use them.

[levicampbell offline]

Oh, and levicampbell- You're blind? How do you read the forum? For that matter, how do blind people read that website? Do you have some sort of voice mechanism, or...? (Sorry if I'm asking too many personal questions...just curious, is all.)

I've been blind my whole life and I know how to use screen readers like JAWS for windows and Orca for Linux but to be honest, I prefer high contrast because it's less intrusive.

[Phoenix Wolf offline]

Interesting I am always interested in learning something new.. Although my friend in elementary school didn't have those programs... We had to do a unit on Hellen Keller where we had to experince what it was like for a whole day.. After that I will never take my eye sight for granted... However my eye sight is not perfect by any means... I am really near sighted... And without my glasses or contacts I can only see vague and blurry things unless they are right in front of my face... I actually went a day with out either glasses or contacts and boy that was not fun... It was actually rather scarry, because I couldn't see much of anything... In ireland I lost one of my contacts and so I couldn't see out of one eye I had to keep it closed most of the day. And my friend Jeremy was worried and basically kept a hold of my arm... levicampbell I am interested in learning more if you would like to share any more information...

[SilverPrince offline]

I haven't checked this in a while. Thank you all for the advice. My father's vision has been coming in and out in the corner of one eye. It's not much, but it does mean that some of his vision may come back.

[Phoenix Wolf offline]

Thats wonderful that is good to hear.. That is something, at least it may come back a bit... Your dad is still in my prayers L422

[Malkmusian offline]

I hope your dad can see again.

And my guitar teacher is legally blind. He can still see.

[Sithking Zero offline]

Same with my best Friend. His vision sucks, but thankfully, a cure for Stargard's Disease may be coming soon, so he'll be able to see again!

Freaky thing is, he's STILL better at Halo than I am. And I'M the one who's not legally blind! What's up with that?

Though he does use a text-enlargening software, and also uses books on tape.

[SilverPrince offline]

The family has, at this point, resigned themselves that my father is pretty much blind. He can see in the morning, but by the end of the day he is blind. Whether or not he regains any anysight permanantely, he is going to be legally blind.

I really haven't had much contact with my father... for quite a while. For the least few years I've seen him at holidays and a few other times. Although part of me is sad that he literally isn't going to see me grow into adulthood, or recieve a high school diploma, I'm not particularly distraught. It's not the end of the world, plenty of people have lived wonderful lives with little or no eyesight.

Thank you all, for your help and support. It means a lot.

[Rail Runner offline]

You are welcome. We are here if you ever need support.

[SilverPrince offline]

I have some great news. Apparently, my news is out of date. I called my dad for Father's Day, and he says that his vision is still pretty iffy, but he can actually function now. His vision doesn't fade over the day, and although he can't make out faces very well, or see really close or far away, he can watch TV or make food or whatever. He goes to see his eye doctor for another checkup soon.

And I just learned that my stepfather is legally blind, and he can see perflectly fine with glasses, so "legally blind" is a very, very broad category as it seems. Although he might end up being technically "disabled", at least he can see enough to do some of the things he likes to do without having to learn how to do everything all over again. That really cheered me up.

[Phoenix Wolf offline]

I have some great news. Apparently, my news is out of date. I called my dad for Father's Day, and he says that his vision is still pretty iffy, but he can actually function now. His vision doesn't fade over the day, and although he can't make out faces very well, or see really close or far away, he can watch TV or make food or whatever. He goes to see his eye doctor for another checkup soon..

That is great news I am glad that your father's vision is improving that is awesome...

And I just learned that my stepfather is legally blind, and he can see perflectly fine with glasses, so "legally blind" is a very, very broad category as it seems. Although he might end up being technically "disabled", at least he can see enough to do some of the things he likes to do without having to learn how to do everything all over again. That really cheered me up.

Technically I am leagally blind, I have been since fourth grade when my eyes decided were going to stop working, I can see perfectly fine with my contacts and glasses (currently broken) I can also see things vaguely but they are extremely blurry. I can also see when things are right in front of my face... But other wise no nada...