Terry Goes to the Eye Doctor: An ADD Nightmare

Saturday, December 22. 2007

Terry Goes to the Eye Doctor: An ADD Nightmare

Is it just me, or is going to the eye doctor an ADD nightmare?

First, oh my...here it comes- the...EYE DROPS FROM HELL. With my sensory issues, they feel like blow darts hitting my eyeballs. I want to duck, to run, but no, I try to stay still. Inevitably, the tech has to re-do them because sure enough, I can't stop from blinking.

As the exam begins, and the doctor presses the metal gizmo to my face, I get totally distracted from the view outside my peripheral vision; so much so, that I can't concentrate on looking at the letters in front of me. It's more than a little awkward to use the side of your hand to block out the visual distractions off the side of your eyes. But hey, I have no choice.

Then comes the biggest nightmare: --Opthomology Bingo--

Doctor: Which is better, 1 or 2?

Me: 1!

Doctor: Which is better: 2 or 3?

Me: 2!

Doctor: Which is better:1 or 2?

Me: Er...umm...can you do it again?

Doctor: Sure, which is better?

Me: I think 1. But I'm not sure- can you do it one more time? I'm really sorry...

Doctor: <trying to remain patient> Ok, no problem- WHICH IS BETTER, 1 or 2??

Me: <lying> 2! Yes, 2 is much better. Mmhmm!

Doctor repeats same torture on other eye.

Me, sweating now: Doctor, I was just, er..wondering...are there some placebos in this exam? I mean, sometimes they just all look the same. (What I'm really saying is, "After the first "1", they ALL look the same)

Doctor: Smiles evilly.

Exam is over. I drag myself out of the chair- exhausted from the ordeal- eyes dilated, and miraculously drive home without slamming into the back of a truck. (shouldn't there be a law against dilated driving?). Once home, I know that I'll be back at least twice for re-exams because for the life of me, I cannot tell the difference between 1 and 2 or 2 and 3.

You too?

Posted by Terry at 21:56 | Comments (7)

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How true about getting flustered trying to choose. You reminded me about the time I was stopped for drunk driving after having my eyes dilated. As the officer said I was "all over the road". Luckily, after a brief conversation, he could tell I had not been drinking. It probably would be better to have a designated driver when having our annual exam.

#1 TC on 2007-12-23 17:24

I have the same problem with the eye doctor.I have had a pair of glasses.for the last year that to be honest I can see better without them. And contacts were even worse.I thought I was the only one with this problem.

#1.1 Angela Preslar on 2008-01-22 22:48

Yes how very true for my experiences with the eye exam too, only I have to ask several times for the examiner to go back and THEN I still do not give a clear response, because I am just not POSITIVE which one is clearer. I am usually way overdue for an appointment and have entended the wear of my contact lenses way beyond their intended use because of this, and my vision has not been that clear which further complicates my being able to Choose. My indiciveness however in the past did help me as once when returning to view portraits of our daughter, I took so much time in trying to decide that the man allowed me to purchase all or most of them for a LOWER price, needless to say I left that appointment very pleased!

#2 Angie Calvert on 2008-01-27 21:03

Hi Angie,

Yes, I can relate!
And you just reminded me of something-
7 years ago was my younger daughter's Bat Mitzvah. When I got the proofs back from the photographer, I could NOT decide which ones to pick. I had familiy and friends give their input, wrote down everyone's favorites, lost them (of course). then forgot about the whole thing.

I STILL have them sitting in a box (and I think I paid for them; I'm not sure) and will be very embarrassed when I call the guy to see if I can still order them. Sheesh.

Terry

#2.1 Terry Matlen (Homepage) on 2008-01-27 23:36

Hi Terry,
Believe it or not I have had the same type thing happen to me in which I forgot to order pictures when my daughter was about 2 or 3 (she is almost 11 now). I am just so thankful that we have DIGITAL cameras now, as another problem I've had is taking pictures of "everything" and then forgetting to get it developed. I still have probably over 30-40 rolls that need developed not to mention a few disposable cameras, and I do PLAN to get these developed one day........ Does this sort of thing happen to you?

#3 Angie Calvert on 2008-01-29 05:09

I feel your pain.
About 3 years ago, I came upon my old standard camera and was shocked (well, not REALLY) to find film in there from at least 5 years ago, maybe more. Now hmm...I can't remember if I finished up the roll or if it's still sitting in there.

There are always disposable cameras laying around the house, but mainly from my daughter. I pack her a ton when she goes off to camp but don't remember getting any developed.

This would be a great ADD task/chore for us- to get some of these developed.

So yes..to answer your question. These kinds of things happen to me all the time. : )

Terry

#3.1 Terry Matlen (Homepage) on 2008-01-29 07:50

You described my experience exactly. I still don't know, though, whether non-ADD people have the same problem distinguishing!

#4 Mary Pelham on 2008-02-15 13:37

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