Part of the transition process for separating from the Navy includes lots of different medical appointments. Today, I did my optometry exam. Whenever I get my eyes or hearing checked I like to treat it like a game and have fun with it. They were testing my peripheral vision with these flashing lights. I felt like I was crushing the test. After it was over I was patiently waiting for the technician to pull up my name on a top-10 all time leaderboard. I could enter my initials “LUK” and see how I compared to past performers. Alas, that was not the case.

I completed all my different tests and they gave me some potent eye drops that stung my eyes. Then I did find out some new information. For most of my life I have thought my natural vision did not have any serious issues. But the doctor today told me I have astigmatism in my left eye. I may have had it for a while or it may have developed recently. Essentially, my left eye is slightly misshaped and that distorts some of the visual information that I am constantly gathering.

It is a minor issue and nothing that needs any immediate action. I can still see pretty dang well out of my left eye. I think so, at least. The doctor recommended that I start wearing glasses while I am working at a computer or spending a long time at a screen. This is supposed to help the stress on my eye as well as just ease the transition to a more computer/screen lifestyle. I have no real intent to be on a computer screen eight hours a day but the advice was still warranted. 

In summary: my eyesight is failing, my depth perception still is not great, and I might start wearing glasses. But I drove home without getting into a car crash so I think I am still fine for now.