Before I go any further, I am fine. My pupils are dilated…huge actually, like back in the day ?…but otherwise I’m as I should be.
It started on Tuesday when I noticed an increase in the amount of floaters in my eyes…little dots that drift back and forth across your field of vision. They are generally harmless, so I didn’t think much of it, other than to wonder about the frequency.
On Wednesday morning, I experienced bright flashes of light at the periphery of my right eye. I got a little nervous about this as I know that both are symptoms of a detached retina, so I found an optical shop down the road and went to see them. Unfortunately, they only perform vision tests for glasses, but the guy gave me the name of an eye doctor in Margao. The flashes eased in the afternoon so I decided I was overreacting.
Thursday…no issues.
Friday, floaters back along with a haze that slid back and forth my right eye like a curtain being drawn. So I called and got an appointment for this (Saturday) morning.
Margao is about 45 minutes away by taxi. (The guy next door gave me the name of a fellow he uses…always appreciated to know your driver isn’t a cowboy).
The waiting room was filled with bare-footed people as you have to take your shoes off to enter. I waited about 40 minutes before seeing the eye doctor and her four assistants (two of whom seemed to be there to hold my head in place). Eye test, drops to dilate, a further examination and a referral to a retinal specialist which she arranged to take place right away so that I wouldn’t have to make another trip. Three hundred rupees…$6.
Across town to the eye hospital where I saw the specialist immediately. It was like no other eye examination I’ve ever had, but he was thorough and reassuring. He suspected a small retinal tear but couldn’t actually see one, only the presence of blood. One thousand rupees ($20) and instructions to come back for follow up in three or four days just to be sure.
Cab ride to and from Margao and 90 minute wait time…$36.
It’s not completely over, but I have a good feeling about the whole thing. Fingers (not eyes) crossed…