Visual field

Carolynn · Post by **Carolynn** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:51 am

I had been bumping my head on unseen obstructions (edges of cabinets, open cabinet doors, tree branches and other low hanging objects) and couldn't understand why I was suddenly so clumsy. My optomlogist as part of her annual exam of my eyes (Gluacoma) had me do a visual field test. The upshot of the test was that the upper third of my visual field (including peripheral vision) was very poor. She looked back at my visual field tests over the past 10 years and saw that my vision had been gradually decreasing in that I had been seeing less and less in that 1/3. So another visual field, this time with my brows and eyelids lifted with tape. WOW. All the difference in the world. She said that the loss of the field of view was due to genetics, age, gravity, and fatty deposits over the eyelids that were pushing the upper eyelids down. It was present to some degree even in the late 80s when I was trying to wear contact lenses that had to be weighted due to astigmatism. The weight of the upper lids and the deposits would push them out of position and I had to give them up.

So on Dec 8, I had a Blepharoplasty and brow lift. The procedure took less than an hour, and involved taking a bit of the lid and some minor liposuction of the fatty deposits that were bearing down on the lid, sliding a couple of thin wires from behind my hairline to my brows and gently lifting them up. So you wind up with sutures in your scalp (they need a good run to make a shallow groove in the frontal bone. For about 4 days you have swollen eyes (but not bad) nicely developing black eyes, swelling around the eyes and the sutures above the hairline, and not really wanting to see yourself in the mirror for awhile

. I am still recouping (still some slight swelling and numb areas associated with the swelling, and some remaining "self dissolving stitches, and oh yeah, some black eyes and some other minor bruising), but the difference in brightness in the world, and in the size of the area I can see are amazing.

A nice side effect is that I now have upper eyelids and lashes again, my eyebrows are lifted and gently arched and my forehead is nice and smooth!

So if you happen to be over 50, and notice in the mirror that you seem to have no upper eyelids and your lashes fit flush with some upper lid bagginess, have a visual field and see if you are losing your upper visual range to it.

There is a solution.

Carolynn

Post by **DonnaT** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 1:10 pm

My eyelids are like that, but no visual loss, yet.

My mother had to have her eyelids worked on, so I'll probably need it sometime as well.

Bernice · Post by **Bernice** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:17 am

This is an interesting and valuable thread, but how does it belong in the "Coping for CDs" forum instead of "off-topics"?

Hugs,

Bernice

Carolynn · Post by **Carolynn** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:55 am

As we age, we have physical changes that can affect not only our health but our self image. Not only has the surgery improved my vision, there are psychological benifits that help one cope with the physical effects of aging. Thus my choice for the location of the entry. If a mod disagrees with my choice, they are free to relocate it, of course.

Virginia · Post by **Virginia** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:12 pm

Hi Carolynn,

This should keep the post where it is!!!!

Since I assume that this was some form of plastic surgery? or not!? Were you given options on how you would look afteward? I mean like more feminine, arched eyebrows? That would be so neat! Maybe more almond shaped eyes? Just curious. It could have its benefits for a more feminine appearance!

Virginia

Anita · Post by **Anita** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:46 pm

Hi Carolyn--
I'm glad you and the doctors were able to identify the problem. That's half the battle. That you were able to do something about it is great.

Carolynn · Post by **Carolynn** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 12:15 am

Hi Virginia. Yes there is some nice cosmetic side effects. As I said, now I have eyelids and my eyelashes actually get some benefit from mascara. The surgery opened my eyes and I look more "rested". The lift part of the brows did put a bit of arch into them (I think he did have some discretion so he used it

), but have to wait until the last of the swelling goes down to see how much. I can tell they are more like they were before gravity took over.

A lot of the lines in the forehead are smoothed away too, and the frown lines are gone. As far as recovery, the last of the stitches from the lipo incisions in the eyelids (in the crease of the lid) came out this morning (a great relief), The ones in the scalp for the brow lift will remain for awhile, and one of those is right in a nerve which is very tender and can nearly give me a headache if I bump it (not inflamed, just a stitch through a nerve (OUCH).

I would not have been able to afford this at this time but for it being a medical procudure for my vision. Medicare is expected to pay 90% or more of it, and my secondary insurance should pick up the remainder. Medicare cost for the procedure here in Oklahoma is about $1400.00, about $2000 if not medicare covered, just for information purposes.

Carolynn

Absaroka · Post by **Absaroka** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:48 am

I'm glad it went well Carolynn.

You've always been very helpful in providing information about medical/bilogical stuff, and it's quite appreciated.

Zari