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Thursday, December 11, 2008

Rounding up the "Usual Suspects"..

A few months ago I had gone to an ophthalmologist to get my eyes checked. He noticed something odd about my optic nerve and asked me to come back for a check-up.
Yesterday, I had a 9:00 AM appointment to see a glaucoma specialist. It had snowed quite a bit in Chicago on Tuesday, and despite my leaving at 8:00AM, a trip that usually takes less than 30 minutes took much longer. I arrived at the hospital at 9:15 AM and signed in.
By the time a nurse actually took me inside, it was 10:30 AM. Sara was very nice and professional, and after going through my records told me that the doctor might think I am a "glaucoma" suspect. After she did some tests for eye pressure, I had to wait for another twenty minutes or so for a "visual field test" where I had to click a button whenever I saw a star flashing. After completing the test I asked the professional how I did, and he responded that he did not have the right to tell me- only the doctor could.
After waiting for another twenty minutes or so, the glaucoma specialist eventually came in and looked at my eyes and concluded that I was a 'glaucoma suspect.' After explaining what it was and so on, he concluded that he would put me under observation. He also explained that I might have to go through a laser surgery to relieve pressure buildup in my eyes to help drainage. I had never realized that I was "suspect"ed of something...
By the time I got out it was past 12:30 PM...
The productivity of individuals would increase quite a bit if only health care was managed better, and used technology more effectively. We will get there, but slowly...

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