Embarking on My Health Journey Part 1: First Stop, Eye Troubles

Introduction: The Beginning of My Health Journey

Health is often taken for granted until an issue arises that forces us to confront our well-being head-on. My health journey began with a seemingly small but profoundly impactful issue: eye troubles. My aim in sharing this experience is twofold. First, I hope that others dealing with similar challenges might find solace and guidance in my story. Second, this blog serves as a therapeutic outlet to articulate my frustrations and progress.

Recognizing the Problem

Like many, I ignored minor symptoms— intermittent blurred vision, and mild discomfort. I chalked these up to my intense screen time at work or getting older. However, the problem escalated, quickly. I went from intermittent blurry vision at night, to unable to read signs until I was almost next to it. (I.e. speed limit signs were a blank white signs until I was almost passing it and then the numbers appeared.) Despite my attempts to ignore these issues, it got even worse from there. Upon waking one day to sharp pains in my eyes, it became evident that I could no longer dismiss the issue. The discomfort stemmed from light sensitivity, reaching an extreme level that necessitated retreating to a darkened room even during meal times. To mitigate the intense pain caused by light, my family had to forewarn me before entering my room at night, allowing me to shield myself under covers from the piercing brightness.

Seeking Professional Help

Realizing the gravity of the situation, I finally consulted an optometrist. The examination revealed that my eyes were inflamed. To combat this, I needed to take steroid drops and was referred to a specialist. The diagnosis was daunting, uveitis.

What is uveitis? Uveitis is a condition where you have inflammation of the uvea, which includes the iris, ciliary body and choroid. It’s common, and vision loss is one of the possible complications (especially when uveitis is severe or goes untreated).

The realization that a seemingly trivial issue could have such a profound impact on my quality of life felt overwhelming. If I didn't take care of the inflammation I could go blind.

Adapting to Lifestyle Changes

My health journey didn’t end with getting a prescription. In fact, it was just the beginning. My initial visits with an eye specialist resulted in a cortisone shot in one of my eyes. The other wasn't as inflamed so I only used prednisolone drops (steroids). This started in 2022. After a year, the need for a second shot in the other eye became apparent. For two years, I underwent a fluctuating treatment regimen under the supervision of an eye specialist. Initially, I frequented weekly appointments, which gradually transitioned to biweekly and then monthly visits, all while consistently using steroid drops. Occasionally, there were moments of respite when the inflammation receded, allowing me to discontinue the steroid treatment. Regrettably, the relief was short-lived as the inflammation swiftly returned, prompting a revisit to the specialist's office. Consequently, the initial diagnosis of intermediate uveitis evolved into chronic uveitis.

Emotional and Mental Adjustments

The physical adjustments were accompanied by emotional and mental challenges. I had no answers. Why is this happening to me? Why do my eyes constantly get inflamed? Is there a cure? What can I do to prevent this without constant use of steroids.

I had nothing. No answers. Many times a cause cannot be identified.

Conclusion: Moving Forward

Eye troubles were the first stepping stone in my broader health journey, acting as a catalyst for a more comprehensive approach to well-being. This experience taught me the importance of paying attention to the seemingly minor aspects of health before they escalate into larger issues. I hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire others to take proactive steps toward their health and view such challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement. Stay tuned as I continue to navigate and document my health journey, confronting new challenges and celebrating victories along the way.