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| I've spent countless hours in waiting rooms like this. © Lloyd Lemons |
I haven't been writing lately, and I feel like I should explain why. For 16 years I have been nursing some fairly serious vision problems. It started in 2007 with a torn retina and progressed into full retina detachment, then to glaucoma. First one eye then the other. My doctors have kept me from going blind, but it's been a challenge.
The vision in my left eye is only about 5%. The vision in my right eye is a grainy 20/20 made possible by radical surgical procedures and corrective lenses.
Then, two months ago I was given a new brand of eye drops. I had a bad reaction.
The new drops distorted my remaining vision and made it impossible for me to read anything. For the past three weeks, I have been using drops that will hopefully correct the situation. They seem to be working, but it's a slow process.
My Band-Aid solution
I have enlarged my computer display to 160% and can now resume writing for short periods of time. I'm also learning to use Google accessibility features, specifically Dictation mode to write with my voice, and Select-to-Speak to listen to what I've written. It's a little awkward for a keyboard guy like myself, but hopefully, I won't be forced to use it long term.
If you were a regular reader of my Substack newsletter, I apologize for dropping out as I did. I hope to be back on track real soon.