Macular Hole

After waited for one month, we met with a retina specialist today. We were happy when we received the appointment in the mail. "Great! You are seeing the specialist so and so told us about."

The doctor was friendly as he conversed with James about his symptoms. He examined the dialated eyes and told his assistant to run some tests and get some charts. Afterwards, he told us, "You have a hole in your macular" and explained further.

"The macular is the pin-head sized center of the retina. It controls the central vision of the eye." He held up a tissue paper, fold it into half, and tore out a tiny piece along the side. When he unfolded the paper, there was a hole in the middle. "You have a hole in the macular. This is why you miss something in the center when you use your left eye ... When you look at a word, you may miss one or more of the alphabets in the center."

My mind jumped to "How about a car on the highway?" although I didn't say it. I heard James asked, "So what can be done?" The doctor described a surgery with a strange name with phrases like ... Taking out fluids ... Replaced it with a gas bubble ... Face down after surgery ... Complication with high myopia. He handed James a piece of paper. "Here, you can read about this online. Do some research. It is so easy with the Internet nowadays." Then he recommended us to get second opinion.

Instinctly I replied, "Second opinion? But you are the expert!" "Well, it is his eye. And if I were him, I would get second opinion." James asked, "Who can we see?" The doctor gave us two choices. "One is a Dr. L within the network but at a different location. Another is the inventor of this procedure. He is in private practice in Sacramento." James said, "Within the network."

The doctor asked his nurse to write down the name and phone number for us to call. I dreaded at the thought of having to call and wait for appointment. We were walking towards the exit with heavy hearts when the nurse called after us. "James, come back. Let me try to get you onto Dr. L's calendar . . . How about 1:30 p.m. on Monday?" Only four days away? Could you believe that?