Rachel Leland, who often posts on social media about her Lyme-related experiences, recently visited the Padula Institute of Vision Rehabilitation. She posted the following account of her appointment on Instagram.
What I knew before this week
My eyes have been hurting every single day for quite some time now. The muscles behind my eyes felt a constant pain and strain. I had daily headaches around my eyes and temples.
In college, I had a rare eye condition for a 21 year old that no one should be getting until they are elderly. That specific problem resolved a long time ago. But, my eyesight has been getting significantly worse over the past few years. My contacts prescription is only good for a few months before I need a stronger one.
What I thought before this week
Everything I was experiencing was normal and that everyone’s eyes probably felt like mine, but they just weren’t talking about it. So I should just keep taking Advil each day to manage the pain and keep smiling through everything, like always. If you pretend everything is fine, then it’s fine…right?
What I know now after my appointment
My eyes should not be in pain every day. The muscles behind my eyes should not feel constant pressure and pain just from turning them slightly left and right, or up and down. My eye muscles are spasming each time I try to focus on something, causing me to sway between double vision and seeing just one thing.
My eyes and brain have to work too hard to correct this, which is causing my eyesight to rapidly deteriorate. I should not be slamming my shoulder into the door frame multiple times a week when I walk through doors. My eyesight should not be getting worse every few months.
Spatial visual processing dysfunction
Extensive testing yesterday shows I have spatial visual processing dysfunction and the problems I’ve been experiencing aren’t just with my eyes, they are with how my eyes communicate the information to my brain.
I was originally going to schedule this appointment during the summer, so as not to miss work. But after a phone consultation with the doctor, we learned that this couldn’t wait. I’m so grateful that we listened.
There is no quick fix. A number of changes are coming my way, and it’s been a lot to process and it all feels overwhelming right now. If you have Lyme and are dealing with issues with your eyes, here’s an interview my mom did with this doctor a few years ago:
Rehabilitating your Lyme-impaired vision
Rachel Leland is co-author of Finding Resilience: A Teen’s Journey Through Lyme Disease. On Instagram, she’s @ResilientlyRachel. For more information about Lyme-related eye problems, see the website of the Padula Institute of Vision Rehabilitation.
Melinda
Reference:
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
lookingforthelight.blog 
There is so much that needs to be learned about Lyme. I believe it’s so much more debilitating than most traditional doctors realize.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Traditional doctors don’t have a clue, it’s hard enough for a Lyme Literate doctor to wrap their head around what type of Lyme & co-infections you have and what treatment is needed. The Spirokets find an organ as their host and that is usually where you’ll find the most damage.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post, Melinda. Is it your eyes? Ugh.. my daughter is 35 who had Lyme at 9 which you probably remember. Don’t as why they had a full body dexa scan at her age but she and her husband did. Turns out she is very high in osteopenia which is soooo rare at this age. I’m wondering if it was the Lyme that created the leeching of vitamins and inflammation that’s created it when in fact it should be high. Much appreciated if you have any research to throw me on that.. xo 🙏🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have not heard of a DEXA Scan, maybe the terminology name is different but I didn’t have any scans. Lyme has continued to affect my life, the cognitive impairment is the worst. I do question if other issues are related to Lyme but I’ll never know. I’m dedicated to sharing all the Lyme information I find or do because it’s preventable. I heard of people getting divorced, going bankrupt, it’s crazy. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a scan for bone density… unrelated to Lyme. It can be so debilitating! I’m sorry you still have to deal with it!
🩷
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here they call it a bone density scan. I would not have thought about that, maybe that is more common today. The biggest ongoing issues are my cognition and balance. They are limiting but we have to make the most of each day. Have a great weekend. How’s your dog doing? I still recall his blue eyes. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s just the company that does it I believe. It’s good to have a baseline and even with all I do, mine is not good so I’m boning up on everything! It’s good you work on it and you’re so right… it’s a daily experience. Awww thanks for asking .. he’s good but still has to stay quiet and drugged (against my nature) till the toenail grows in. That means I’m more of a slug at the moment. He does have beautiful eyes but not quite as aqua as he ages.. 😇
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s had a rough go at times. I bet that hurts. Sending you both hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He has and he seems out of pain TG.. thanks dearest💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
glad she’s on the mend; the eyes, like cars,, are prone to all sorts of malfunctions — but respond to treatment and care —
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so thankful for my eyes.
LikeLike