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CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Life felt dark when I began losing my sight. A stranger opened my eyes to a brighter future
Social Sharing This First Person column is written by Deepinder Singh, who goes by the name Deepi, and who lives in Regina. For more information about First Person stories, see the FAQ. I couldn't see what was right around the corner as I sat at the doctor's office, with the optometrist running through some vision tests. I'd booked this appointment after a long time noticing it had become a struggle to see parts of words and sentences. Google had told me the symptoms were similar to cataracts, so I didn't feel there was a big worry or hurry. "Well doctor, is it cataract?" I asked, with the cocky attitude of a kid who trusts Google more than a scientist or doctor. "No," he answered, explaining that I was experiencing macular degeneration. "To put it in simple words, you have holes in your retina." He went on to tell me there was no treatment. My wife and I were stunned. I had a healthy lifestyle and was on no medication. How could this happen to me? As she drove me home, I looked out the window and saw the vast stretches of land that had lost all their colour in the short time we had spent at the optometrist's. I stared at the endless sky — so much like my seemingly never-ending life, which would be restricted now by failing eyesight. Anita, my wife, broke the silence, saying, "Don't worry, I'll be your eyes." She had always been supportive and encouraged me in everything, through all our moves and work in countries from India to Muscat, to our decision to come and join our daughter in Canada in 2018. But despite her support, she could not help me here — eyes were not something we could share. The spectre of total blindness haunted me. I did not want to be dependent on others or be an object of their pity. Then one evening after a visit with friends, my wife was driving us home while I admired the golden sunset and the green fields with a few buildings in the distance. It occurred to me that if the buildings were closer, they would block my view of the beautiful evening sky. In that moment, I had an epiphany: if I could see my vision loss as something in the distance, I would still be able to see the beautiful landscape of my life. I had been blessed with good health to that point. I'd had the good fortune to have seen the living skies of Saskatchewan, the unending stretches of sand when travelling by road from Muscat to Dubai, the quaint town of Winchester in England, the Valley of Flowers In India where the sweet intoxicating smell of the flowers made some people faint. Yes, I had been blessed! I began talking to people more and started using the bus frequently. It was on the bus one cold wintry day when I struck up a conversation with a young man, who sat down near me with the help of his dog and his white cane. "I've seen you a couple of times on this bus before, but there used to be a lady with you," I said, striking up a conversation. "Yes," he replied, "she's my wife. She generally comes with me, if she's free." As we continued to talk, he told me he had been born blind and was very good at using assistive technology, which helped him to continue working. His confidence was an inspiration for me. The world might have seen him as having no sight, but this stranger provided me with hope and a vision for the future. I am now in touch with some organizations that help the visually impaired and people with other disabilities to get jobs or to start their own business. I know there are many rivers to cross — my advancing age, my continual vision loss, and the fact that my past work experiences had been in countries like Dubai and India, rather than in Canada. However, I am hopeful. Very hopeful. When the time comes, I will find employment or start my own business. While I work hard and wait for that to happen, I will enjoy the heavenly beauty around me throughout the year — the colourful leaves of fall, the pure white blankets of snow and the icicles on the trees shining like diamonds in the bright sunlight. I will enjoy the beauty of summer nights with its sparkling stars. I won't let the possibility of the obstacles in the distance ruin my joy in the beauty around me, or the life I am capable of living in the here and now.
CNET
22-05-2025
- CNET
Traveling With Contact Lenses for Memorial Day? Never Do These 5 Things
I have a confession to make that I am not proud of, but I know I can't be the only one to do this. More often than not, I sleep in my contact lenses and I wake up with blurry vision and dry, sticky lenses that won't budge. My eye doctor wouldn't be pleased if they knew this because I was not prescribed the type of lenses for sleeping in. Actually, sleeping in my contact lenses puts me at a higher risk of an eye infection. Yikes! This can be a major problem when traveling on a plane or car and trying to remove my contacts. Thankfully, after speaking with my coworker, they gave me important time-saving tips for removing my contacts safely and effortlessly. The trick is to do things in advance, before you get sleepy or busy. These tips are too good not to share, but you should know that these are for reusable contacts and not daily disposable lenses. Read more: An Optometrist Shares 13 Mistakes You're Making With Your Contact Lenses 4 items you should never travel without when you have contact lenses Grab some contact cases, hand sanitizer and contact solution. Katie Teague/CNET Contact lens case This is a must-have when you're traveling anywhere. When you're out, the last thing you want to risk happening is your contact lenses dry out or stay in your eyes too long. Contact lens solution Packing your solution is equally important. Contacts aren't cheap, and ruining them can be a huge hassle. Not to mention, you'll be wasting money as you replace things. Hand sanitizer If you're in a pinch and can't wash your hands before removing your contacts, you can bring a bottle of hand sanitizer to clean your hands before pinching the contacts out of your eyes. Especially since you'll be touching surfaces on the plane or while stopping for a snack or gas on the road. Even after the sanitizer has dried, however, you still may have some residual alcohol on your fingers, so if you have the option to wash your hands with soap and water, I recommend doing that. An extra pair of prescribed glasses "Airplanes have quite dry air and even the most comfortable of contact lenses can become dry and irritating, especially on those long-haul flights," Dr. Mika Moy, a clinical professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of California, Berkeley, told me. Instead, she said, "wear glasses on airplanes for better comfort and so you don't have to worry about napping with your lenses on." You can put your contacts back in when you've arrived at your destination. Read more: 10 Eye Protection Hacks You Need to Know Before Spring and Summer Trick for prepping contact lenses for travelBefore leaving for your trip, prep your contact lens case by cleaning it. Then fill each side about halfway with contact lens solution -- or the amount you usually use to fill up your case. Close the lids tight to avoid any leaks, and store the case in a Ziploc bag inside a backpack or purse, where you'll have easy access. You can fill multiple contact cases so that you'll have a backup if anything goes wrong, and you won't have to pack a huge bottle of solution. When it's time to remove your contact lenses from your eyes, just grab your case and place your contacts inside. Make sure your hands are as clean as possible. This simple solution is clever because it saves time and will keep your eyes feeling fresh. Read more: Yes, You Can Save Money on Travel Despite Inflation Dos and don'ts for your contact lenses When it's time to remove your contacts, be careful. After all, you only have one set of eyes. Try these recommendations. ❌ Don't: Remove your contact lenses during turbulence on the airplane. Contact lens solution may spill, your contact could go flying and you might jab yourself in the pupil. ✅ Do this instead: Wait until the plane is steady to avoid poking your eye. Or better, instead of wearing contacts, wear your glasses during the flight to avoid your contacts drying out. ❌ Also, don't do this: Take out your contact lenses while driving or if the road is bumpy. ✅ Do this instead: Wait until you stop at a gas station to wash your hands and remove your contacts. ❌ Don't do this: Only bring one pair of contact lenses with you. Anything can happen when handling your contacts, including ripping a lens or dropping one onto the floor (ew). ✅ Do this instead: Always bring an extra pair or two of contact lenses with you as backup. Or consider bringing one-day disposable lenses instead. "If you wear one-day disposable contact lenses when traveling, you can avoid needing solutions or cases at all," Moy said. "One-day lenses are typically more comfortable and healthier for the eyes because they are only used once and do not need to be disinfected at all." ❌ Don't do this: Put contacts in when you have red eyes. ✅ Do this instead: Always bring a pair of glasses in case you develop an eye infection while traveling. ❌ Don't do this: Sleep in your contacts. Eye doctors will tell you it can cause an infection and even result in permanent vision loss. (I admit, I need to take this advice.) ✅ Do this instead: Place the case filled with solution next to your bed so you can easily remove your contacts without getting up -- whether you're traveling or at home tucked into bed. For more life tips, here's how to make distilled water for free, how to cut cake like a pro with floss and how to end junk mail for good.
CNET
08-05-2025
- CNET
Avoid Contact Lens Damage by Never Doing These 5 Things
I have a confession to make that I am not proud of, but I know I can't be the only one to do this. More often than not, I sleep in my contact lenses and I wake up with blurry vision and dry, sticky lenses that won't budge. My eye doctor wouldn't be pleased if they knew this because I was not prescribed the type of lenses for sleeping in. Actually, sleeping in my contact lenses puts me at a higher risk of an eye infection. Yikes! This can be a major problem when traveling on a plane or car and trying to remove my contacts. Thankfully, after speaking with my coworker, they gave me important time-saving tips for removing my contacts safely and effortlessly. The trick is to do things in advance, before you get sleepy or busy. These tips are too good not to share, but you should know that these are for reusable contacts and not daily disposable lenses. Read more: An Optometrist Shares 13 Mistakes You're Making With Your Contact Lenses 4 items you should never travel without when you have contact lenses Grab some contact cases, hand sanitizer and contact solution. Katie Teague/CNET Contact lens case This is a must-have when you're traveling anywhere. When you're out, the last thing you want to risk happening is your contact lenses dry out or stay in your eyes too long. Contact lens solution Packing your solution is equally important. Contacts aren't cheap, and ruining them can be a huge hassle. Not to mention, you'll be wasting money as you replace things. Hand sanitizer If you're in a pinch and can't wash your hands before removing your contacts, you can bring a bottle of hand sanitizer to clean your hands before pinching the contacts out of your eyes. Especially since you'll be touching surfaces on the plane or while stopping for a snack or gas on the road. Even after the sanitizer has dried, however, you still may have some residual alcohol on your fingers, so if you have the option to wash your hands with soap and water, I recommend doing that. An extra pair of prescribed glasses "Airplanes have quite dry air and even the most comfortable of contact lenses can become dry and irritating, especially on those long-haul flights," Dr. Mika Moy, a clinical professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of California, Berkeley, told me. Instead, she said, "wear glasses on airplanes for better comfort and so you don't have to worry about napping with your lenses on." You can put your contacts back in when you've arrived at your destination. Read more: 10 Eye Protection Hacks You Need to Know Before Spring and Summer Trick for prepping contact lenses for travelBefore leaving for your trip, prep your contact lens case by cleaning it. Then fill each side about halfway with contact lens solution -- or the amount you usually use to fill up your case. Close the lids tight to avoid any leaks, and store the case in a Ziploc bag inside a backpack or purse, where you'll have easy access. You can fill multiple contact cases so that you'll have a backup if anything goes wrong, and you won't have to pack a huge bottle of solution. When it's time to remove your contact lenses from your eyes, just grab your case and place your contacts inside. Make sure your hands are as clean as possible. This simple solution is clever because it saves time and will keep your eyes feeling fresh. Read more: Yes, You Can Save Money on Travel Despite Inflation Dos and don'ts for your contact lenses When it's time to remove your contacts, be careful. After all, you only have one set of eyes. Try these recommendations. ❌ Don't: Remove your contact lenses during turbulence on the airplane. Contact lens solution may spill, your contact could go flying and you might jab yourself in the pupil. ✅ Do this instead: Wait until the plane is steady to avoid poking your eye. Or better, instead of wearing contacts, wear your glasses during the flight to avoid your contacts drying out. ❌ Also, don't do this: Take out your contact lenses while driving or if the road is bumpy. ✅ Do this instead: Wait until you stop at a gas station to wash your hands and remove your contacts. ❌ Don't do this: Only bring one pair of contact lenses with you. Anything can happen when handling your contacts, including ripping a lens or dropping one onto the floor (ew). ✅ Do this instead: Always bring an extra pair or two of contact lenses with you as backup. Or consider bringing one-day disposable lenses instead. "If you wear one-day disposable contact lenses when traveling, you can avoid needing solutions or cases at all," Moy said. "One-day lenses are typically more comfortable and healthier for the eyes because they are only used once and do not need to be disinfected at all." ❌ Don't do this: Put contacts in when you have red eyes. ✅ Do this instead: Always bring a pair of glasses in case you develop an eye infection while traveling. ❌ Don't do this: Sleep in your contacts. Eye doctors will tell you it can cause an infection and even result in permanent vision loss. (I admit, I need to take this advice.) ✅ Do this instead: Place the case filled with solution next to your bed so you can easily remove your contacts without getting up -- whether you're traveling or at home tucked into bed. For more life tips, here's how to make distilled water for free, how to cut cake like a pro with floss and how to end junk mail for good.
