I don’t know how it works, but my brain still processes reality in 3D. Every now and then, I overlook a low curb, causing me to stumble awkwardly, and when I’m running in the woods, I’m extra vigilant about anything close to the ground, like tree roots and branches—but that’s more to prevent a fall than because I have trouble perceiving depth.
Return it?
Does that mean you don’t have to compromise on vision in one eye? Not really. My good (Arends) eye has 100 percent vision. Admittedly, not on its own, but with correction from a lens; still, I can see just as well as anyone else. I just have to use my head a little more because the width of my field of vision has narrowed by about 30 percent—especially on the right side—and with one eye, you automatically turn your head back and forth more.
Change
Has absolutely nothing changed?
That’s for sure.
I’ve become night-blind; I definitely see worse in the dark than I used to. When it’s raining and dark, my vision is even worse. If you’re meeting me in the evening, you’ll have to look for me instead of me looking for you. I simply can’t see you.
Minor Blunders
There are still a few minor differences from before.
I’ve gotten clumsy when pouring drinks—I often end up spilling half of it. Ever since I learned to touch the glass while pouring, it’s been back to normal.
Putting household items on a shelf or in a cabinet can sometimes go wrong. As a result, a few things have broken over the past few years. It’s no big deal, just a shame.
When I have to grab something—for example, because someone is handing it to me—I sometimes miss my mark. Then I suddenly find myself clutching at thin air, even though I was absolutely sure I was reaching for the scissors, paperclip, banana, etc., that were offered to me.
All of these issues are caused by a change in eye-hand coordination. Nothing serious—just a bit clumsy.
Furthermore, the trend toward releasing more and more movies in 3D will pass me by. With only one eye, a 3D movie is like pearls before swine. Too bad for me, but that’s all there is to it.
Unknown Persons
Then there’s that awkward situation where strangers who don’t know anything about me notice that I have to lean in really close to a computer screen to read something. What do you say in situations like that? I don’t always feel like giving a whole explanation.
This week, I suddenly heard myself say to a new acquaintance, “I have to sit close to the screen because my eyesight is bad.”
And with that, this last little hurdle was cleared as well. I can leave out the whole “Blindian” story and just keep this interpretation in.
From now on, my eyesight is bad.
Nothing more and nothing less.
This column also appeared on Rita‘s website , also known as Blindiaan.
