We just finished our ICC module in ophtha last week. and it was the first super benign module that we had since june. with the emphasis on super since ICC is really a benign year relatively.
In this module, I learned a lot about the eye, not as much as what we were supposed to learn last year, but enough of what i need for my practice sooner or later. I also learned a lot about my eye. You see, I have ambylopia or what is commonly known as the lazy eye. the reason for my right eye being lazy is that my two eyes vary in their grades and my dominant left eye functioned well thus dubbing my eye condition as anisometric ambylopia.
I started using glasses when I was 3 years old, I remember always being at the ophthalmologist and fearing the snellen chart as I grow older. I have in my subconscious the words refract and prisms which may have been done to me during my early childhood years. I remember there was one time that I cannot read my exam test paper and I have to rely on my classmate to read to me the contents of my exam and that I have to answer orally (maybe it was one of those pupil dilators). And of course I tried patching, although I was not very compliant. because it was really difficult for kids to patch their clear eye and be left with a blurred vision of the world. I used to have what they call exotropia or pagbabanlag and I am just so blessed that I have none now. although my right eye's visual acuity is 20/200 with correction and difficulty.
from this module, I was also assessed objectively of my depth perception aka stereoacuity, best at 400 arc seconds, with the normal as 40 arc s. That was a poor result, giving me no choice but to rule out specializations which require a good depth perception and those which require both visual fields such as ophtha (which would have been a nice specialization) among others. I cannot even properly use an ophthalmoscope, since my right eye is so dysfunctional, i have to practice using my left eye in looking at patient's right eye. even develop my own technique (or I would risk having to kiss patients :o)
and then there was the question of whether I do appreciate 3d films, well I do appreciate those with the most obvious effects, although it has always been a question to me why people bother so much on 3d films, when the 2d version actually nice already without the headache. I guess I need to watch a 3d movie with someone who would give a running commentary of all the 3d effects so I will fully understand.
there was also the question of how it is to see with one eye. and so I ask back, how is it to see with both eyes? I grew up having one fully functioning eye and I like what I see. Will it have a great difference having both eyes see well?
I sought consult at an ophthalmologist here in medschool and she assured me of not having problems with my visual acuity as it is. insert sigh of relief. although there is no therapy/treatment available yet. I can still try and do patching, they say. From this module, I was informed that there was a possibility that I would have weaker muscles, poorer accomodation once I turn 40 years old and that my pagbabanlag may come back. which is scary. but then again, surgery for cosmesis can already an option. So to my future ophtha friends, I rely on you :p
although i am praying fervently for it to not happen.
I still feel blessed, having one fully functional eye, although with decreasing visual acuity, thanks to the stress that medical school is giving me. We discussed a patient, a 6 year old kid with a visual acuity of 20/100 with both eyes, even with correction. surgery can be done to correct the esotropia (pagduduling), but according to our consultant, the visual acuity is less likely to be corrected. and that was just so sad.
anyway, we'll be having ORL this week. :)
In this module, I learned a lot about the eye, not as much as what we were supposed to learn last year, but enough of what i need for my practice sooner or later. I also learned a lot about my eye. You see, I have ambylopia or what is commonly known as the lazy eye. the reason for my right eye being lazy is that my two eyes vary in their grades and my dominant left eye functioned well thus dubbing my eye condition as anisometric ambylopia.
I started using glasses when I was 3 years old, I remember always being at the ophthalmologist and fearing the snellen chart as I grow older. I have in my subconscious the words refract and prisms which may have been done to me during my early childhood years. I remember there was one time that I cannot read my exam test paper and I have to rely on my classmate to read to me the contents of my exam and that I have to answer orally (maybe it was one of those pupil dilators). And of course I tried patching, although I was not very compliant. because it was really difficult for kids to patch their clear eye and be left with a blurred vision of the world. I used to have what they call exotropia or pagbabanlag and I am just so blessed that I have none now. although my right eye's visual acuity is 20/200 with correction and difficulty.
from this module, I was also assessed objectively of my depth perception aka stereoacuity, best at 400 arc seconds, with the normal as 40 arc s. That was a poor result, giving me no choice but to rule out specializations which require a good depth perception and those which require both visual fields such as ophtha (which would have been a nice specialization) among others. I cannot even properly use an ophthalmoscope, since my right eye is so dysfunctional, i have to practice using my left eye in looking at patient's right eye. even develop my own technique (or I would risk having to kiss patients :o)
and then there was the question of whether I do appreciate 3d films, well I do appreciate those with the most obvious effects, although it has always been a question to me why people bother so much on 3d films, when the 2d version actually nice already without the headache. I guess I need to watch a 3d movie with someone who would give a running commentary of all the 3d effects so I will fully understand.
there was also the question of how it is to see with one eye. and so I ask back, how is it to see with both eyes? I grew up having one fully functioning eye and I like what I see. Will it have a great difference having both eyes see well?
I sought consult at an ophthalmologist here in medschool and she assured me of not having problems with my visual acuity as it is. insert sigh of relief. although there is no therapy/treatment available yet. I can still try and do patching, they say. From this module, I was informed that there was a possibility that I would have weaker muscles, poorer accomodation once I turn 40 years old and that my pagbabanlag may come back. which is scary. but then again, surgery for cosmesis can already an option. So to my future ophtha friends, I rely on you :p
although i am praying fervently for it to not happen.
I still feel blessed, having one fully functional eye, although with decreasing visual acuity, thanks to the stress that medical school is giving me. We discussed a patient, a 6 year old kid with a visual acuity of 20/100 with both eyes, even with correction. surgery can be done to correct the esotropia (pagduduling), but according to our consultant, the visual acuity is less likely to be corrected. and that was just so sad.
Comments
Post a Comment