Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group My eyes are driving me crazy

I went back to the eye doctor for the blurred and double vision and he said that I have a muscle imbalance caused by all the pain. He prescribed a prism rather than more exercises this time (not sure why he didn't do that in the first place so I wouldn't have to buy a second set of lenses).

My eyes are driving me crazy though. The glasses won't be ready for three weeks and its hard programming when your near vision is double. On top of that I'm studying for an exam I have next week. I'd fallen behind due to my eye problems and the exam itself aught to be real fun.

I'm thinking of asking for an extension, but his syllabus says he doesn't grant them. Maybe it'll be hard to turn someone down who says they are seeing double though.

I'm hoping this helps the equilibrium problems I have too, but I won't find out until I get the new lenses.

Jeff

I see your occupation is programmer...me too. Well, can you close one eye while you are waiting for the glasses and does that help? I had reoccurring iritis that turned into an edema in the back of my eye. This swelling distorted my central vision in the one eye making it useless. I ended up closing the one eye for sometime while typing at the monitor.

I'll try this and see. An eye patch could work too...but then I'd have to put up with a million pirate jokes.

ADA is in effect in the USA, so if your doc says you have a disability ~ temp or permanent ~ the school has to make allowances for you!

Sorry you have to wait so long for your glasses.

Peace

I agree with EricaK -- your teacher/school has to make a reasonable accommodation thanks to ADA legislation. If not, they can be in deep dodo. Though I've witnessed subtle discrimination against individuals with disabilities, usually assumption making by those who equate disability with an assistive device or deformity, most schools and administrators are quick to comply. Does your school provide a disability office or liaison? If a public school, it's the law (unfortunately, some private schools do not have to comply if they can prove that an accommodation or such services are a financial hardship). Wishing you the best

sorry to hear about your eyes. hope the prism helps.

first i'd talk to the teacher. i know a lot of times we have to set very strict rules in our syllabi to protect ourselves, but are actually a lot more lenient than the syllabi might indicate, certainly if someone is having real issues.

and if this professor does not bend, then as others said, get the university to work with you for ADA arrangements.

I'll send him an email first thing tomorrow explaining the situation. I'd really like to wait until I get my glasses to take it since words look like a jumble, but that might be too long to ask for.

Jeff, I'm so sorry you are going through this.
First, I'd ask your doctor about a patch. Does he think it would help? You could try it. I think it would help.
Pirates are hot. : )
Second, you have rights regarding your test and coursework. Are you in college? Head on over to the disability students department, get a not from your eye doctor, whatever it takes. Your professor needs to understand that you are unable to access the curriculum right now. ADA!

I very much doubt my doctor will give me a patch since he wants me to strengthen my eyes. I'm actually not in college...I graduated, but had to go back to community college as an educational tie in with my job.

I had similar eye problems in college, though not as bad. I think since I read and write code all day its exacerbated an issue I already had.

I'm kinda upset that none of the three eye doctors I saw (including my current one) mentioned anything about using a prism while I was in college...if it work, it would have made life so much easier. But back then I was able to struggle through it. I think that as my pain has gotten worse, so have my eyes.

I'll send a message to the professor and let you know what he says.

Jeff

I sent a letter to the professor explaining how the autoimmune disease led to the hip problem which, according to the ophthalmologist, is causing a muscle imbalance. I also told him that I couldn't drop the course or I'd lose my job (all of which is true).

It made me realize how screwed up my life really is. Hopefully he'll give me until the glasses arrive, but any extension would be helpful.

I wish everything was just easier. This disease never causes just one problem. It causes problems that lead to other problems and so on. At times it feels like there's too much to handle and no one knows/understands what you are going through...

I went into more detail with him than I usually do, but everything seems so absurd. If I withdraw from the class, or finish it to soon (which would finish my certificate), I loose my job.

I guess if I did have to drop the class I could pick up a fall class, bu then I'd have the exact same problems.

Its a catch-22.