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maybe I've completely lost the plot, but I think I know why I can't see

12 replies

wannaBe · 04/11/2007 21:39

I have been blind since birth. When I was diagnosed as being blind I underwent a huge amount of tests. My parents were told that there was nothing wrong with my eyes, in short they were tol that "the eyes see, but the message is lost somewhere between the eyes and the brain.". But they were never able to establish why.

Since joining mn I have read about people whose children have delayed visual maturation, and having read a thread about it earlier today, it's hit me like a bolt of lightening that that could be what I had. no reason for no sight, just that messages not getting through etc...

I lived in Africa back then, so in all reality it was probably unheard of, maybe even unheard of here as medical science has improved somewhat since then.

And if it had been diagnosed, I could have had therapy perhaps and things might have improved...?

just for the record, I am perfectly happy with the person I am, and not being able to see has never stopped me doing anything, but it just feels suddenly weird to think that things could have been different.

OP posts:
WhizzFizzBadKitten · 04/11/2007 22:58

Thats a big thing to discover. It must be weird to find out your life could be so different.

As a personal point, After needing cataract surgery this year and having some complications, I find using the computer more difficult than I used to. I need more surgery on one eye, but not sure to what extent yet. Although I think things will be ok in the end I tend to be a worrier sometimes. Can I ask what tools you use to manage the computer please?

Thanks!

wannaBe · 05/11/2007 11:37

I think in reality there's no point dwelling on it really. After all it's the way it is and what if wouldn't really achieve anything. Besides I could be totally wrong, after all, it would seem a bit too much of a coincidence that no specialists were able to diagnose a problem and I did so on my own after doing a bit of reading on the internet?

WhizzFizzBadKitten I use a screen reader called jaws for windows, it's a synthesiser as I have no sight at all. If you're struggling to read the screen there are several screen magnification programmes out there, have a look

here

OP posts:
RGPargy · 05/11/2007 11:47

Just out of interest, wannaBe, would some sort of treatment for visual maturation not work NOW or is your condition so well established that nothing, but NOTHING, will change it now?

wannaBe · 05/11/2007 11:55

tbh I honestly don't know although I would imagine probably not as the pathways for nerves have to be formed quite young don't they?

If I'm honest, the thought of being able to see is somewhat terrifying to me, it would almost be like me gaining a disability as this is the way it's always been for me, iyswim?

OP posts:
EffiePerine · 05/11/2007 12:00

I think it's less likely that new neural pathways can be formed but not impossible IYSWIM. Would it be worth contacting a consultant to find out if there are new treatments?

FioFio · 05/11/2007 12:05

This reply has been deleted

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LoveMyGirls · 05/11/2007 12:11

Wow wannabe thats really clever!

LoveMyGirls · 05/11/2007 12:12

Might be worth finding out if it's possible for them to help you see before you decide if you would like to or not?

WhizzFizzBadKitten · 05/11/2007 12:16

awww, your a star, thanks Wannabe At the moment I use ctrl + to increase the font size on the screen but often that mucks up the website. Its nice to know I've got other options.

wannaBe · 05/11/2007 12:30

fio if I recall it's something to do with people that have retanitis pigmentosa, an implant that essentially does what the retina should do - although i don't remember the ins and outs without reading about it, but as far as I recall it was being trialled.

OP posts:
saggarmakersbottomknocker · 05/11/2007 19:44

My nephew is blind WannaBe. He was very prem and it was something to do with problems when he was ventilated, too much oxygen rather than too little I believe but don't really understand the mechanism. He's just started living independently

It mus be strange to contemplate the 'what ifs?'.

Pruners · 05/11/2007 19:50

Message withdrawn

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