Living With Monocular Vision Losing vision in one of your eyes takes some adjustment, both physically and emotionally. It takes time, so be gentle on yourself during this adjustment period. Some patients who require more extensive surgery, like orbital enucleation, may be offered a prosthetic eye. This is something to be discussed with your ocular oncologist and they may refer you to an ocularist.
Depth perception might be affected in some of the following ways:
l Judging distances while walking and using the stairs l Catching objects in the air
l Judging the heights of steps and the widths of entrances l Pouring liquids into containers
l Judging how close people are as they move in and out of your field of vision
Double vision may also become a challenge and is a known side effect of radiation therapy. Your brain will eventually start to assist you in compensating for the change in vision. Most day-to-day tasks and activities should fall back into place after an adjustment period. Be sure to work with your optometrist if you use corrective lenses to ensure your remaining eye is receiving the assistance it needs. Driving is still an option but be patient as you adjust to your new condition. Take the time to use your mirrors, become comfortable with the size of your vehicle and the blind spots that may occur while driving. Stopping, turning and changing lanes could be more challenging than they were before.
Questions to ask your doctor l W hat is my risk of the melanoma spreading? l H ow will you determine if the cancer has spread? l A re there any symptoms I should
be aware of that could signal that the cancer has spread?
l A re there changes to my diet or lifestyle that will make a difference in my cancer journey? l S hould I consider adjuvant therapy or explore clinical trials? l D o I need scans on a regular basis? If so, what type of scans do you recommend? l What should my follow-up plan be? l W ill I be able to continue my normal, daily life? l Should I seek a second opinion? l H ow often should I see my ophthalmologist and medical oncologist for follow-up?
23
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator