Vision Loss - Sunday, September 24, 2006

Sunday, Sep 24 was a reminder of last Wednesday. We got to Bush airport to catch our flight to New York and got to the gate with only 15 minutest to departure with delays in baggage check and security. Then we noticed our flight was delayed and went to the Presidents Club for juice and a toasted bagel. The delay was shortened and by the time we returned to the gate, everyone was aboard the plane and they were paging us. We got our seats and pushed back from the gate. After a long taxi time we got out by the runway when my vision turned to S___. Donna pushed the call button and the flight attendant declared a medical emergency. They asked for medical people on the plane and a doctor came up but was not an eye specialist. The plane made the long taxi back to the gate and paramedics came aboard and hauled me away in an ambulance with red lights and sirens. We spent about 5 hours at Houston Northeast Medical Center, the closest hospital in Humble, but they did not have an eye doctor and could not get one called in. At the point they were to transport me by ambulance to Herman Hospital in the medical center, Donna got the eye doctor on call at Houston Eye Associates to agree to meet us at their office in the medical center and our son retrieved our car from long term parking and we drove.

Dr Kevin Jung, Houston Eye Associates, said he would have suggested that Donna get me to the office sooner but though the hospital would have a eye doctor on call. Anyway, it turns out that I have macular degeneration in my right eye. It is the wet vs the dry as he could see two spots of blood in my eye. This is better as they now have shots that will help regain part of your eyesight with wet macular degeneration. AMD is classified as either wet (neovascular) or dry (non-neovascular). About 10% of patients who suffer from macular degeneration have wet AMD. Anyway, it is Monday and Donna and I are going to see a specialist on AMD at Houston Eye Associates as I have been using this group for over 30 years and they have all my records on eye problems. Our trip to New York is on hold until we find out more and a treatment schedule. I have very limited eye site at this time.

Our bag that was checked got to NYC but was picked up by another passanger in error. I hope it will be returned on Monday.