I recently had eye surgery—nothing as “hip” as LASIK or as routine as cataract removal. I was born with a genetic disease of the cornea. There are cells in the cornea that pump fluid away, keeping it clear. When these cells don’t work correctly, fluid builds up and vision becomes cloudy or hazy. It’s like looking through fog.
I’ve known about this condition for several years but recently, it began to impact my vision more noticeably.
–I often couldn’t see what my husband pointed out in scenery.
–Street signs were blurry until I was almost on top of them, so driving to new places was nerve-wracking.
–I didn’t feel safe to drive at night.
Then at my yearly eye exam, the vision in my right eye was borderline legal for driving with glasses. That’s when I knew it was time to do something about it. After consultations, screenings, and lots of education about what to expect, I had surgery. In a very delicate operation, the doctor removed the diseased part of my cornea and replaced it with healthy tissue. Barely a week out from surgery, my vision continues to improve daily—but it is already so much clearer!
At a post-op checkup, I remarked to the doctor about the amazing difference in my vision. I used to think my left eye was my “good” eye, because the right eye was so fuzzy. Now the right eye is crystal clear, in stark contrast to the blurriness remaining in my left eye. I said, “I can’t believe I put up with that for so long!” The doctor replied, “the blurriness happens so gradually that you don’t realize how bad it has gotten until you get it fixed.”
That’s true about a lot of things. Things build up little by little, gradually blocking our sight. 1 Cor. 13:12a “We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist.” (MSG) Until the fog is lifted and we look through a clear lens, we don’t recognize that our vision has been obstructed. We need the clarity that comes from God’s Word. Because we need clear vision.
I’m grateful that the surgery has helped me more clearly view my surroundings. And I’m grateful for God’s Word–the Lamp to my feet and the Light to my path.