Workshop to focus on vision for new Ansonia Middle School

 

Recuperation journey 2.0: The eyes have it

 

Eight days ago I was startled by an ocular event while working at my computer.

Out of nowhere I felt a goosh in my left eye. It was a sensation I had never felt before. I got up and looked in the mirror. I looked like a monster out of a horror movie. There was no visible white in my eye. I tried to tell myself not to panic, but I did. 

I thought I should go to the emergency room. Since I'm still not driving I called a friend who has been driving me to medical appointments, etc. and told her I needed to go to the ER.

It was after 9 p.m. when she came over and took a look at my eye. She reassured me that although it looked terrible, she had had a similar issue a few years ago and that it would eventually fade away. 

I wasn't in pain and the bloodiness wasn't affecting my vision so we decided to wait until the next morning for our ER visit. The physician there told me I had a  subconjunctival hemorrhage - a broken blood vessel in the eye and that there really is no treatment; I would just have to wait until the blood was absorbed into my body.  Fortunately it looks much better today.

Posting this not for sympathy, but as a public service announcement because apparently it can happen at any time. 

I thought I'd be kind and not post a photo of how it looked. You're welcome! ☺

Griffin Hospital, Lions Club slate free forum on low vision

Griffin Hospital and Lions Club of Connecticut will host 'Taking a Look at Low Vision' Feb. 25./Contributed phto

DERBY - Griffin Hospital and Lions Club of Connecticut will present “Taking a Look at Low Vision,” a free talk about Low Vision, its causes, and therapy options at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Low Vision is a chronic medical condition affecting one in six adults over 45 years of age in which an individual has a degree of vision loss that can no longer be corrected by eye glasses, medicine or surgery. 

Individuals with low vision are not blind; however, they often have difficulty using their remaining vision efficiently and effectively enough to complete needed activities.

Dr. Joseph Sokol of Connecticut Eye Specialists in Shelton, will explain Low Vision and its causes, including macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. 

Staff from Griffin Hospital’s Occupational Therapy Department will present rehabilitation options for those diagnosed with Low Vision, and representatives from the Lions Club will talk about Lions Low Vision Centers which provide free adaptive equipment and devices.

Griffin Hospital recently opened a Lions Low Vision Center at 350 Seymour Ave.

Free educational forums
This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community.

To register or for information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

For information about the Lions Low Vision Center at Griffin Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services Department, call 203-732-7445 or visit griffinhealth.org or lionslowvisioncenters.org.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials. 
The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.