A new wrinkle

[aadler]

I went in today for what would be the last medical appointment (eye exam, in this case) before Susan and I were to fly out in June to start visiting our son in China, and possibly our daughter in Ireland on the trip out.

Slight complication.

Some years ago, when I wanted to get new glasses, the preliminary eye inspection showed cataracts that needed to be cleared first. When I went to that, by referral through the VA, they also spotted an irregularity at the back of my right eye, which further was found to be a small pit in the cornea itself, making a tiny area of blurred vision. Because of the nature of the thing, I’ve been directed back to the eye clinic every six months to see if extra measures would need to be taken. The results always showed the condition of the eye was holding steady.

Today, the same inspection found that the small pit was now a macular hole, and they immediately started lining out options for the next step.

The problem is, the next step is surgery, ‘vitrectomy’. And, once the surgery is performed, one of the follow-up requirements is that I stay below a set altitude — which absolutely does include avoiding air travel — for a minimum of three months.

Our new grandchild is expected to arrive, in Shenzhen, between the end of June and the beginning of July. So, either Susan and I delay our trip until months after the new arrival, or delay the surgery until after we get back from the visit.

Or, possibly, travel by ship. But we’ll probably just go for surgery on return, toward the end of August.