It’s Like I’m a Pirate, But a Lot Less Cool

on June 13, 2009

Well, I went to bed last night at 8 PM because my eye hurt so much. I woke up at 5:00, drove to Wal-Mart in tears, and bought an eye patch. Please keep the pirate jokes to a minimum!

This is definitely a situation requiring medical attention. I’ve scratched my eye before (haven’t all contact wearers?), but this is excruciating. I have a high pain threshold, so that’s saying something. I am going to try to get a 9 AM appointment. Better to be safe than sorry with your eyes — I’ve only got two and I need them both! 🙂

Of course, I’m freaking out because the Metric Century bike race is tomorrow and I really don’t want to miss it. I’m not sure how feasible it is to ride a bike with one eye, though. :( We will see — hopefully the doctor can give me some miracle eye drops!

Food photography has been temporarily put on hold. Flashing lights = torture. I had a bowl of cereal with a sliced banana this morning. Last night, I had yogurt and granola and triscuits with PB before going to bed.

Thanks, as always, for your support. I haven’t been responding to comments but I have been reading them all. I appreciate your eye advice!

Be back later with a diagnosis.

{ 31 comments }

Julie June 13, 2009, 4:25 am
Aw I hope your eye is okay for tomorrow…riding with an eye patch seems doable, no? I can't even imagine how bad it hurts, feel better!!
sloank June 13, 2009, 4:33 am
No eye advice here…. just hoping that you get better as soon as possible!!! Feel better Caitlin!!!
Tami June 13, 2009, 4:39 am
i hope you figure something out. you have inspired me, i am going out for the first bike ride in a long long long time!
havefaith4ever June 13, 2009, 5:10 am
I hope your eye feels better!!
<3 jess
healthymadison June 13, 2009, 5:14 am
I am so sorry about your eye! Believe me, I know us contact wearers, we need to stick together! haha.

I hope you get better in time for the race. 🙂
amy. June 13, 2009, 5:22 am
Wishing you the best of luck with your eye! I hope you get things all fixed up before the race. I love you!
Susan June 13, 2009, 5:24 am
Ohmygoodness, I am sending you all the good vibes I can that the doctor will help you out and your eye will be okay for tomorrow!!!!
Mica June 13, 2009, 5:28 am
Yikes, I hope your diagnosis is a good one!

(Not to freak you out–my friend had a weird problem where she woke up with a swollen eye and lots of pain. As it turns out, she had SOMEHOW, by walking near a construction site, gotten a huge metal splinter in her eye that the doctors had to extract. Maybe you got something stuck in it? I hope not!)
SweetPea June 13, 2009, 5:40 am
I hope the eye doctor has some miracle drops for you! Fingers crossed!
Anna June 13, 2009, 5:47 am
AGHH that sounds terrible! I hope it gets better before your ride, you've worked so hard!
Brandi June 13, 2009, 5:51 am
I hope the appointment goes well and you get some good news!

If you have to wear the eye patch today, just throw out a couple of "argh, mateys" and you'll be a cool pirate.

or, just sit around a pool and drink rum? Either way.

I hope everything goes well!
Rebeca @All Vegged Out June 13, 2009, 6:12 am
Feel better! Good call on the doctor appt. Take care of yourself!
Adi (oatonomy.com) June 13, 2009, 6:15 am
I feel awful for you – that must be painful. I bet you make an eye patch look good though! 🙂 Good luck at the doctor's!
healthyfitmama June 13, 2009, 6:22 am
I hope you feel better for your race!!
Danielle June 13, 2009, 6:26 am
Aw hun, get well soon! I'm so sorry you're in pain 🙁
Kath June 13, 2009, 6:48 am
Ouch! Wish I could do an ET finger on you. Get well soon!
Anonymous June 13, 2009, 6:49 am
I've never commented before, but I just wanted to tell you that I'm completely blind in one eye and have no problem biking. I'm sure it just takes some getting used to – I would wear your eye patch on a short practice ride today so you can get used to having less depth perception, but you should be fine. Hope you feel better!
TurtleRunner June 13, 2009, 6:56 am
I've been reading your blog for a several weeks now but this is my first comment! 🙂

Just wanted to say that I had a very similar thing happen last fall. Come to find out some how I managed to get a wood sliver/splinter stuck up in the underside of my eyelid. It kept scratching my eyeball everytime I blinked. Ouch! But the eye doctor just pulled it out with tweezers and gave me some antibiotic drops – and good as gold! I hope it's that simple for you.

Good luck with the race tomorrow!
K from ksgoodeats June 13, 2009, 6:58 am
Awwww hope it goes well!!
Sara June 13, 2009, 7:04 am
So sorry your eye isn't feeling better yet – I defintely feel your pain. About a year ago I was told I have extreme dry eye which prevents me from wearing contacts because when I do (which I kept trying for a bit despite the painful after-effects) there is literally no moisture to prevent them from scratching against the cornea and causing tons of corneal abrasions. It was insanely painful and worse in one eye so I wore an eye patch when this happened. Definitely a good idea to see an opthamologist if you can (should be covered by normal health insurance). Every time I went though the main piece of advice was "well your eyes are a mess…but all you can do is rest and let them repair themselves". After a few days they did begin to feel better and the redness went down but I still cant wear contacts (grrrr).
I would maybe try an easy little bike ride with your patch to see if you feel comfortable/balanced enough to do it tomorrow. Good luck!! Wishing you all the best.
Megan June 13, 2009, 7:05 am
Ah! I work for an eye doctor and this sounds serious hun! I hope you got into see someone this morning…You may have to leave the contacts out for a while, hate to say it!
Katherine June 13, 2009, 7:06 am
If anyone can rock an eye patch, it's YOU! Good luck with your appointment and I hope everything is okay!! Take it easy today and what will be will be 🙂
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 13, 2009, 7:35 am
anon – wow!! you inspire me! i am so impressed that you can ride a bike with one eye — YOU GIVE ME HOPE!!! 🙂
Ada June 13, 2009, 7:38 am
I hope your eye feels better soon! Eye problems are such a pain 🙁
Anonymous June 13, 2009, 7:44 am
I think you might have anterior uveitis or iritis. Good luck!
Jenny June 13, 2009, 8:03 am
aw girl i'm sure you rock that eye patch! i hope it heals soon though love <3
Matt June 13, 2009, 8:27 am
Oh no! I hope your eye gets better for tomorrow!
Serena June 13, 2009, 8:28 am
Caitlin, do NOT feel badly if you can't bike tomorrow. 60 miles is a long way, and it could be stressful riding that distance after only having one day to get adjusted to the eye patch. You are strong and can accomplish a LOT, but just do not feel bad at all if you have to sit this one out, as hard as that will be! And get better!
Kelly June 13, 2009, 8:28 am
I hope the doctors appointment goes well today, let us know!
runnerskitchen June 13, 2009, 8:38 am
Feel better Caitlin! I scratched my eye a few years ago and my eye doctor was able to give me a "bandaid" contact to wear 24/7 until the scratch healed. It really helped!
Megan June 13, 2009, 8:46 am
Feel better! Hope all goes well at the doctor!

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