Eye Can See Clearly

Cataract Surgery Likely in Six Months

Despite all the hype surrounding self-driving cars, my Prius knows how to get to specific places with little or no input from me, especially places I’ve been to before. Today, I had an appointment with my optometrist, whom I have known for twenty years. When I arrived early, I found the door to his office locked, with a sign indicating that a real estate agency was now in that location. After checking the list of firms in the building, I tried looking for my doctor’s office. A quick call confirmed that they had moved to a new location. So much for the self-driving car; this time, I drove the half-mile to the new location using Apple Maps.

As I arrived at the new location, I parked in the back and made my way up a set of stairs. Unbeknownst to me, I ended up on the first instead of the second floor, where I was supposed to meet him. When I finally found my way, I was pleasantly surprised to encounter Angela, his aide. However, before I could complete the required forms, Angela interrupted me to take photos of my eyes.

Together, we can and will end homelessness!

Dr. Sagalow greeted me and ushered me into his office. As I sat down, I apologized for being late when I went to the old office. I wondered why you were late, as you have always been on time,” I asked when he moved, and he looked at Angela for confirmation, as he had said since January. I instinctively shut my eyes when he approached me with a squeeze bottle. Sensing my anxiety, he said we no longer dilate as we have new equipment. Although I relaxed, my eyes remained half closed.

Toward the end of the exam, he checked my eye pressure. I am amazed that your pressure is so good, and you can still see 20/20.” I was wondering why. Dr. Sagalow explained. “On a cataract scale of 0 to 5, where 0 means your eyes are clear and five means blind, you are a 4.” I braced for him to say I needed to walk across the hall and set up an appointment with Dr. Klein, who had done my wife’s cataracts.

Dr. Sagalow adjusted my prescription after noticing that one of my eyes had improved while the other had weakened. He mentioned that we should plan another appointment in six months, expressing confidence that I would need cataract surgery. The positive news was a welcome relief, especially considering my ongoing dental and ear issues. Since my eyes were not dilated, I felt confident enough to drive myself home. Parking the car reminded me that the priority in life is not eyesight but a vision to engage with others unlike ourselves and to consider paths we forge together to repair the world and to make our community, the world, a better place.