Had my annual check up with Dr Song from Mass Eye And Ear in Lexington. Traffic was light and I arrived at my 1PM appointment with time to spare. After checking in I didn't wait too long before being called.
As usual, I have a variety of tests performed with the results ready for Dr. Song. After the first one which didn't take too long I was asked to go into the 'special' waiting room to wait and be called.
A reasonable amount of time transpired and I was called by Patrick. He instructed me to go into the bowels of the building and once arrived, I was told to sit in the big chair. He accessed my case file and reviewed some things to ensure everything was up to date. He then gave me a card with various sized printing and ask me to read the smallest print I could see. I looked at the smallest font and rattled off what I saw. He exclaimed, "Correct". he then turned on the screen that had more letters to read using one eye at a time. My right eye did great. He said, "20/20'. My left eye (which has a reading lens implant) had a tough time. I recall last time I had the same issues. He gave me a 'strainer' to try and I did much better. I thought I heard him say, "10/150". Sounded ominous.
Finally he swung over the big eye machine and began flipping things and asking which looked clearer. He did both eyes and repeated my reading the letters. My left eye did better, but that one is for reading, not distance. I surmised that if I was having trouble seeing/reading, I could get a prescription. But I don't have problems reading the newspaper, or the smallest print on my prescription bottles.
Patrick then initialed another test for eye pressure. When he did my left eye he was hemming and hawing and tried a few more tests. Apparently the pressure in my left eye was elevated. He excused himself to consult with Dr Song before dilating my eyes. He returned and said the doctor wanted them dilated. So the drops, the wait and it seemed quite a bit before Dr Song arrived.
Dr Song exchanged pleasantries and reviewed my various test results. He said the retina and ocular nerve looked good. He used some machines that were very bright and said things look good. He returned to the computer file and said, "The pressure in the left eye had gone up. Since my last visit we had it under control". Although I'm taking Timolol daily in both eyes, he wanted to prescribe Latanoprost for nightly instillation in both eyes. He did say that there might be side effects, but the most common with prolonged use is a change in eye color (darker) and skin darkness around the eyes. He said a way to combat this it to make sure any residual is wiped up after instillation.
So he said he would order the new prescription (which he did and I picked up). He wants to see me in 2 months. So I'll be back at the end of January.
Given the time of the day, traffic was quite heavy coming home. Situation normal.
Later that day I got a notice that my medical file had been updated. I read the visit summary and it said "routine". So I guess the workings of the eye etc, were all routine but the pressure was elevated. It's always something.
More to come!
