Mom's Story: My mom had been having issues with her sight, especially with reading and nighttime driving, for a few years. It had gotten to the point that she made sure to be home or settled in for the day before nightfall, no matter where she was. She used to love to read but has been very limited lately. She has been faithful in having her annual eye exams and getting stronger prescriptions in her glasses with each visit. None of us thought anything of it...she just attributed the dimness in vision and sensitivity to light to working behind a computer screen every day and getting older.
That's normal, right?!
She comforted herself with statistics that most everyone develops cataracts as they age, and some are even born with them. So she never considered that, even though there's a family history, her seeing/focusing/halos/light flashes were anything more than simply 'getting a little older!' We never thought that 'Cataracts' may be the issue ... glaucoma, maybe! But not CATARACTS!
The Diagnosis: It started on March 8th, 2022. She woke up that morning, and her left eye was bloodshot, irritated, and beginning to swell. She thought it was because of her seasonal allergies (pollen has never been her friend!) So, she took her daily dose of allergy meds and eye drops, went to work, and did her best for the day.
The eye got worse. On March 10th (the day before her birthday), She ended up at her eye doctor. He put her on a steroid drop for the left eye. During the examination, he began asking questions about her sight and whether she had been diagnosed with glaucoma. Family history? ...etc. She answered all questions and started telling him everything she had been experiencing. He then showed her the pics of her eyes. ..... pointed out cataracts in both eyes, and her eye pressure was also up! He explained what that meant and immediately told her surgery was needed. He told her to come back in 10 days for a follow-up on the left eye. Instead, she ended up back in his office in 4 days because the eye got even worse. She woke up with pain in the eye so bad that it made her cry (Mom does NOT cry easily). Her pressure was 2 points higher...the appointment with the Ophthalmologist was being made. She has seen her Optometrist 4 or 5 times since March 10th. Her doc said, "cataracts are not unusual as we age, but it is unusual for someone YOUR age to need surgery. I'm usually having this conversation with 70 or 80-year-olds". That, of course, made us more nervous than I'd like to admit because there is a family history of blindness. So we thank God that it was caught, and I honor him for the healing that will take place through the hands of the doctors that He placed in her path.
Medical Need: Cataract Surgery to include Glaucoma Kahook procedure (both eyes)
Out of Pocket Expenses: Her insurance coverage, Specialist-INN copay, is $120 per visit and her deductible-INN is $7,000.
The surgery cost is between $3,000 - $7,000 per eye. The (IOL) Intraocular lens that has been recommended for her to receive will be an approximate additional $6,000 out of pocket ($3,000 per eye).
The Ask: Her first Ophthalmologist visit was Thursday, April 28th. We believe that God will provide the resources to finish this journey and be better on the other side.
She WILL have the surgery but currently does not have the funds needed to meet the deductible or to cover the lenses that the doctor recommends. Without a doubt, I believe that with your help, God will provide what is needed.
We humbly ask that you would donate as your heart desires. No donation is too small!
Thank you in advance, as we hope to get momma a new set of eyes. ♥️