Eye History

 I have the dates in my files but will tell the basic story:  At one of my then regularly-scheduled appointments at the ophthalmologist's the technician reviewing my chart read off my history, including a diagnosis of Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy, which I had never heard of until that time. The appointment proceeded as usual. 

  When I got home, I looked up Fuchs' and found it is a hereditary disease, which was once a leading cause of blindness, depending on if and when it progresses. The symptoms can be similar to those of glaucoma, and the 2 conditions can sometimes even overlap. At some point in time, I decided to seek more information, as my present office had not even bothered to mention it, evidently assuming it had not reached a significant stage. 

  The place to seek another opinion is the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, so, being still young enough to care, I made an appointment there. No urgency, I didn't even need a referral. My visit there would rank as a very enjoyable vacation. Joanne C. offered to accompany me there, and with Danny's help we procured train tickets, including handicapped access, as both of us had wonky knees. We had special seating in a waiting area at the train station, and ushers came to escort us to priority seating and carried our bags for us. Dan met us at the station and drove us to our appointment, a very impressive structure with world-class doctors. My eye exam showed the presence of fuchs' but no diagnosis of glaucoma, as my local doctor had diagnosed. I was advised to have regular check-ups, there if I so wished. 

 The rest of our trip was awesome, staying at Danny's house, going out to eat, touring Fells Point, and after several days being driven back to the station for our homeward trip to Rensselaer. But I digress. 

My next appointment was with Dr. M. and as she read ny report, she was visibly impressed by my encounter with the top specialist at Wilmer, but since her diagnosis had differed, she felt she should transfer my care to another doctor in the practice. That was ok with me. I continued there for more years, with Dr. Sax and no mention of Fuchs' until Dr. Z. said he would take the special precautions necessary during cataract surgery, where all went very successfully.

Time went by, doctors retired, and my appointments were with a new to the practice Dr. F. for several years. No significant vision  changes UNTIL:

 My care was transferred yet again, this time to a youngish  glaucoma specialist, Dr. U., who, at our first meeting, entered the room, and announced, loud and clear:  "You now have glaucoma." I started to explain that I had fuchs dystrophy, with overlapping symptoms. But she asked if I was questioning her diagnostic ability. I said of course not, continued with the appointment, but have not returned there.