Optic Neuritis

So, as a doctor, you think you're prepared for lots of medical problems. However, when you suddenly lose vision in your left eye, it takes you by shock. I was diagnosed with optic neurotis (see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/optic-neuritis/DS00882 or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optic_neuritis) and one brain MRI, two ophthalmology appointments, two optometry appointments and one neurology appointment later everything is fine. Or not. They still don't know what caused it but I don't have mutiple sclerosis (thank goodness) or cat cratch disease (can't blame my cats). And my vision's back to normal, so I'm very thankful for that.

Through this experience, I:

1. Have been strengthened in my belief in God (I had to go immediately back to work after my MRI (which was looking for signs of multiple sclerosis) but my first three patients no-showed, allowing me more time to relax and breathe)

2. Found out that being in medicine allows you to get appointments faster but that some medical professions lack compassion when one of their one is sick/injured

3. And learned how valuable depth perception is (The first couple days, I couldn't figure out why I kept missing the small test tube when I was trying to place a swab in it!)

I'm very glad to have my vision back now. The only thing I still notice is that my vision gets hazy when I excercise (see below; just an example of what it looks like to me. Despite the label, I don't have MS).

I am actually somewhat thankful to have been able to see (or not see :) ) what my patients go thru, but I hope not to have to be a patient again anytime soon!