World Sight Day

Today is World Sight Day. So today, I shall try to talk about my sight.

I have a visual impairment. And no, I don’t just mean that my sight is terrible. I mean that my retinas are screwed. I stare through a sea of sparkling dots that flood my vision every day. I see flashes of light, that drift around my vision at random, usually in yellow or green. Sometimes they form circles of light so intense they make me dizzy but are gone in minutes.

I would tell you which eye condition it is. But Moorfields are still unsure about that one. It could be Stargardts, but they’re not sure and I don’t think they ever will be now. So instead, I will tell you what I see and dont see.

I struggle with small things. Things like restaurant menus, for example. They’re too small to see, and I often have to read them through a magnifier, or get my boyfriend to read it. Its better if it’s colour inverted, put on black card or a black screen, and I always get excited when I find places that do that. But they are few and far between.

Finding items in shops, is another one. Again, the font is too hard to see on most food packaging and clothes labels. I’m often magnifying items, or finding foods by colours on the packaging. Sizes is a bit easier, as most places make sizes different colours on the hangers, but it’s still tricky and I usually end up doing it online. I’ve bought wrong sizes and wrong flavours of food in shops so many times.

Another one is with public transport. I don’t see cyclists coming, and by the time I do its too late. Some have been really rude when I have misjudged this while trying to avoid them. The edges of things such as steps or the gap between train and platform are often blurry. The same applies with escalators. I have misjudged the edge of an escalator once, and nearly fell and died. It was frightening, and I take escalators slowly ever since, even if I annoy people on the Underground. Its easier if the edges are painted to mark them, which includes pavements and curbs.

I prefer the train, as they announce the stops for you, even if it means walking. Buses are meant to do that, but I’ve only had that once. I can’t see bus stops and have got lost so many times, and have had to ask drivers where I was.

Out at night. I have terrible night vision. Sometimes, it’s so bad I wonder if I have gone blind. I usually carry a torch, which helps a bit, but I will still walk into things, not seeing they are there. Its better if it’s a route I know, as my brain fills in the gaps for me automatically, and I usually make it home in one piece.

Seeing my computer screen is another big one. Happily, most devices come with accessibility features these days which make a world of difference. I love colour inversion, as it makes everything easier to read, and have it on all the time. I have the magnifier set up on my laptop to 200% which helps a lot. I use read aloud sometimes, when reading larger documents. I recently got these large print stickers for my keyboard, and I’m loving them as I can see the letters and enjoy writing more. With Internet browsers, I have the accessibility features set up with extra large font.

And with my mobile, there are so many apps for accessibility at the moment. There’s always more being added, and I always like trying them out. In particular, there is one called SuperVision, which magnifies pretty much anything, and is great for when out and about. There’s NewsBack, which reads out news articles for you, which I like using. I also love Audible, which has helped me rediscover my love of reading.

At home, again it is the small things. I have these sticky dots which stick on most things, so I can find items easily. I just got these liquid indicators from RNIB, which tell you when you reach the top of mugs, so I don’t spill coffee as much. I have these great pens from Paperchase. They’re a Pilot G7 rollerball, and are a little more expensive, but have super thick ink which is really easy to see. I have a new lamp by my desk, to help me with my computer work. I did try one from RNIB, but it was so bright it hurt. But you never know until you try.

I’m still relatively new to the visual impairment world, and am always learning. But I like learning, so that’s okay.

I try to not let things frustrate me, when they are inaccessible. I try to not let the anxiety and uncertainty bother me, even if Moorfields never find an answer. For now, I have accepted my visual impairment, and am living life as best I can.