TALES OF COURAGE: I almost went blind

All Tracy Kipkorir wanted when she went to see an optician in 2010 was to get a pair of spectacles because she thought they would make her look cool. Instead, she walked out with a diagnosis that changed the course of her life.  

“I was only 17 and a first year student at Kenyatta University. My complaint was that I wasn’t able to see what the lecturer wrote during classes. For those who have been to an optician, and a good one at that, know you can’t get spectacles just like that. There are a number of tests that have to be done, so I started mine. After I was done, I remember seeing the optician that had the tests done on me and another four members of staff, gathered almost two meters away from me speaking in hushed tones. They looked disturbed. The only thing I overheard was, 'But she is only 17.’ And all I

could think was: ‘just prescribe the glasses, it’s the only thing I came here for.”

Tracy was diagnosed with glaucoma. She didn’t understand the condition at the time. Consequently, she visited two different ophthalmologists for a second opinion.

After a series of consultations, her doctor decided that the best thing would be for her to have a surgery done. The operation was done on her right eye. Ironically, the glasses were also prescribed.

BLURRY SIGHT

Fast forward to 2018, February, Tracy would woke up one Sunday morning, my with her sight blurry on the left eye.

“I didn’t think much of it. The previous night I had a night out so I thought it was the effects of a hangover. But when it hadn’t improved the following day, I decided to go and see the doctor.”

The results were not anything the 25-year-old had anticipated.

“I recall crying when I realised how bad it had become; that the nerves on my left eye were 90 per cent damaged, my pressures were at 50. What does this mean? Blood pressure? 50 over what? Looking back now, I shudder at how I was able to cross the roads on my way back from the hospital”

 CONSTANT EYE DROPS

“I am now on constant eye drops. I have just undergone minor laser surgery that creates an outlet for the liquid, hence reducing the eye pressures  even then; I am stuck with the drops. But what I am grateful for, is the fact that I can still see, at least for now and in the near future.”

Her medication is expensive. A bottle of the drops sets her back approximately Sh2800.

Her biggest lesson from all of this is that procrastination is a thief if left to thrive. She urges others to be proactive and have at least a check-up annually rather than be reactive when the damage has already been done.

Tracy is a mother of a three-year-old boy whom she says is going to have a check-up when he turns five.

“I am told that my grandfather woke up one morning completely blind. The likelihood of the condition being hereditary cannot be ruled out.”

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What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a condition where the optic nerves in the eyes are damaged over time due to high eye pressure and if left untreated can lead to blindness.

The high pressure is caused by lack of a proper outlet for the aqueous humor (liquid produced in the eye).

Research shows that this is the number one cause of irreversible blindness. They have even nicknamed it “sneak thief of sight.” If earlier detected it can be managed- there is no known cure.

There is no way of regaining the lost sight; you can only protect whatever eyesight is left.

The condition hardly exhibits any symptoms.