Fields of Gold

[Pete Askew]

An unusual photo from me but I saw this the other week while driving south from Winchester to pay a visit to Phonography (Audio Equipment in Winchester : Phonography). So when I went back on Saturday I made sure I had a camera with me and hoped for a chink of sun through the clouds. My wishes were partially fulfilled and some hazy sun lit the scene looking East across the downland to the south of Winchester.

As an interesting record, I also decided to process the image in another way. As some of you will know I had a sudden onset of a a problem with the vision in my left (focusing) eye. This has been improved dramatically by urgent treatment but is still not good as they are keeping the iris permanently dilated to prevent the iris sticking to the lens and thus causing further damage. They are still investigating some inflammation at the edge of the retina but hopefully the iris can be left to relax soon. So this version of the above scene is what I was seeing a few days ago and still do but to a much lesser extent. I wanted to record the effect it had while it was both fresh in my mind and was still at least partially present. The condition came on in seconds with no warning and, if it had been left untreated, would have claimed the sight in that eye, possibly within a week or so. So this post is also a warning that if you ever get any symptoms that cause any deviation to your vision even slightly similar to what you can see below. Get it checked. Get the pressure measured (mine was three times too high) and make sure you find someone who knows what they are doing (my experience with A&E was pitiful). Anyway, here it is. The blurry-cam version!!

 

[Brian Moore]

Both are wonderful photos, Pete. The first as a photo, and the second as a public service announcement. I did not know about the eye problem, and now I'm feeling a little bad about all the "hawk-eye" remarks I've made. However, those were intended as complimentary of course and I'm hoping you took them that way. Good to know you're on the mend Pete. RPF wouldn't be the same without your eye on it!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Good luck, Pete! Hopefully you caught it in time. You must be really worried about it. I'm sure everyone here is right behind you.

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Brian. Absolutely no offence or sensitivity experienced due to any comments. I have been quieter than usual and not posted much either ('cos focusing isn't that easy - these were near infinity and f1:8.0) as I can only look at a computer screen for about 20 minutes before needing to rest my eyes for half an hour or so. Plus up until the last couple of days I had to put drops into my eyes every hour (for the first day or so that really was every hour). I have four sets of drops and one is now 6 times a day while the others are 1 and 2 times. You cannot imaging how intrusive this can be - I have been doing this for getting on for 2 weeks now! Still, it worked and so was certainly worth it and I have to praise the opticians in Odiham (The Optician Odiham near Basingstoke Hampshire) and the consultant, John Greenwood, at The Hampshire Clinic. As for Basingstoke A&E...

I will be seeing a specialist on Tuesday as the inflammation on the edge of the retina is not responding and is very unusual. He is an expert in this area and hopefully will be able to identify the cause and initiate a suitable treatment. I'm still hoping to fly to Berlin on Thursday although I am fully expecting to be back in a few days rather than a few weeks as normal.

 

[Pete Askew]

Good luck, Pete! Hopefully you caught it in time. You must be really worried about it. I'm sure everyone here is right behind you.

Thanks Rob. Yes, I was (and still am) but the consultant called me yesterday on my mobile to see how things were going (I was surprised and impressed by his concern) as the appointment with the specialist was taking a couple of days longer than he'd hoped. To put my, and his, mind at rest he arranged to come into the clinic this morning (a 45 minute drive for him) to check to make sure all was OK - it was (although the patch of inflammation on the retina was unchanged). But it did ease my mind hugely.

I think the biggest lesson I have learned (and hope anyone else unfortunate enough to suffer something similar can learn) is how quickly this can come on and how much damage it can do if not treated with urgency. I at first thought it might be glaucoma as my mother had that (9 operations over 15 years!) as well as some aunts - I get my pressure checked but not as often as I should (that will all change from now on I can tell you). Also my maternal grandfather was completely blind by the age of 55 (this was in the mid 30's). We all assumed this was due to glaucoma but who knows, it certainly was not as a result of an accident even though he was a wood and stone carver. Diagnosis is key and rapid treatment is vital.

 

[Lesley Jones]

I was thinking about you earlier Pete and trying to find a suitable place to ask how you are getting on. If Ron appears (and I'm sure he won't mind me saying) he is an eye doctor in Alabama. I really hope they can get you back to normal as soon as possible. Take care

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Lesley. It will be interesting to see what Ron makes of my attempt to illustrate the effects of my condition.

 

[Lesley Jones]

You aren't the only one. Someone in the forum I came from also tried to illustrate an eye problem like this. I always thought high eye pressure and drops meant glaucoma, but whatever it is, you did the right thing by acting quickly. I'm sure you will be posting as normal very soon, but in the meantime...

... GO AND REST!!!

 

[Kev Pugh]

Nice shot Pete and hope the eye gets better and back to full on 'Pete's Eye' I now how frustrating it is I too have a similar problem with my left eye which leaves it with soft focus for much of the time especially when concentrating hard, they say mine will settle but if not may require surgery so take it easy,..

Note to everyone else, there is a chance, albeit a slight one, but Pete might miss that occasional OOF

 

[Pete Sykes]

The first one is ace Pete ............

Here's all the luck with the eye problem mate. Fingers an all crossed for you.

Pete

 

[Davie Hudson]

Christ !! best of luck with the eye Pete, and almost as an aside crackin shot indeed

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Davie, thanks Peter. I will know more on Tuesday.

 

[Gavin Robert]

What you're going through realises the most important tool in which to enjoy each others photography Pete, our eyesight. As a fellow image creator you have my unreserved wishes for a full recovery.

One thing I wanted to ask you Pete, how are you applying your eye drops? Are you literally dropping them in with your head tilted back?

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Very nice landscape Pete - and sorry to hear about the eye issues

Somewhat unnerved by how quickly it happened, and the potential dire consequences!

Fingers crossed for a successful diagnosis and full recovery

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks both. Yes Gavin, head back. Drop into lower part of eye. Bit of a roll open. Bit of a roll closed. Then wipe off any that escapes. Sitting / standing upright would work but this is the easiest way to do it yourself.

 

[Glen Roberts]

Hope you get back to 20/20 vision soon Pete.
I know what it's like loosing your sight, except mine was slowly over time rather than quickly like yours.

 

[Pete Askew]

Sad to hear that Glen. I guess rapidly means at least you notice rather than an insidious creep. What was the cause, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Glen Roberts]

Well with me I thought it was just my eyesight starting to go as I was in my late thirties and needed glasses. Then driving home down the back street I didn't see a little kid on a small bike until he was at the side of the car and instantly stopped driving and went for an eye test.
To start the eye test I was told to press the button when I see the coloured dots. The assistant said that's the button there I said I'm waiting to for you start then I'll press the button. She said the test had already started and you've missed ten coloured dots.
Anyway the Optician sent a letter to my doctor who sent me to the Eye hospital who confirmed I had cataracts in both eyes which was unusual for someone still in their thirties. Over the next four months until the operations my eyesight got worse, I even had to have one of my work mates watch me across the road which wasn't ideal for a man working at the back of a Bin Motor.
So after the operations and following laser treatment I needed all's well and I only need glasses for reading and close up work..

 

[Pete Askew]

Thanks Glen. And I'm pleased there was a good outcome even if it took some time. I have a customer who, I guess, is in his early 40's. Like you, he has / had early onset cataracts. Scary stuff isn't it?

 

[Glen Roberts]

It certainly is scary, especially when you come within a few feet of running over a child.