Assessing the State of My Vision
I’m a 26-year-old male, standing 5'10" and weighing 155 pounds. I vape and have a past with substance use, but I'm currently clean. To give you some context, I struggled with a "lazy eye" during my childhood, which a doctor had attributed to astigmatism. At the age of 12, I began to experience double vision, where I saw a primary image accompanied by a secondary, slightly offset one. Interestingly, I found that I could manipulate my focal point at will—an ability I thought was intriguing. Fast forward to the years 2023 into 2024. I fell into a cocaine addiction, and I made the unwise decision to apply cocaine directly to my eyes since it’s said to reach the veins there. The burning sensation felt like a signal of success to me. Additionally, during my usage, I often had to shut my right eye in order to see clearly, as my right eye, which is my "lazy" eye, would noticeably drift inward. In the year 2024, my eyesight took a turn for the worse. The instances of losing focus became more frequent and harder to control. I eventually consulted with an eye specialist who diagnosed me with binocular diplopia, which brought me some clarity about my situation and introduced potential treatments. Now that I'm sober, the unfortunate event of my car being robbed left me without my glasses. I am currently in the process of sorting out insurance details, but without my glasses, my vision has deteriorated significantly. I find myself constantly needing to shift my gaze to keep my surroundings from turning blurry and the double vision has intensified. When objects are close, they almost align into a single image, but as they recede, the distortion increases. Furthermore, I've observed that when my head is held straight, the secondary image is offset upwards and to the right. I fully acknowledge that my past choices have led to this decline in visual ability. My primary concern now is whether my vision can ever recover from this damage. I am hopeful that I will secure new glasses in the next couple of months.
Answers (1)
2/3/2026, 8:00:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
You’ve shared some complex issues regarding your vision, especially with a history of double vision (binocular diplopia) and the added challenge of being without your glasses. It’s good to see that you’re focused on improving your situation, especially now that you’re sober. Here are the main points regarding your concerns:
- Current Vision Concerns: The absence of your glasses has exacerbated your double vision and overall clarity. Given your history of "lazy eye" and recent issues, this requires careful management.
- Potential for Recovery: While some vision problems can improve, especially once corrected with proper eyewear, complex issues like binocular diplopia may require ongoing treatment.
Explanation:
- Binocular Diplopia occurs due to misalignment of the eyes, preventing one clear image from forming. Factors including past substance use and childhood conditions could have contributed to this, but being sober is an important step forward.
- The ability to manipulate your focal point can indicate some level of visual adaptability, but persistent double vision and increased blurriness are indications that your eyes need assistance—like glasses—to help them work together effectively.
Next Steps:
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Priority Action: Obtain New Glasses – As quickly as possible, finalize your insurance details to acquire new glasses. Even temporary replacement lenses might provide significant relief and help reduce double vision.
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Symptom Journal: Begin keeping a record of your visual symptoms (when they occur, their severity, any triggers). This will be helpful for your next appointments and in understanding your patterns.
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Eye Exercises: If recommended by your eye specialist, engage in some targeted eye exercises that could help strengthen your eye muscles and improve alignment. For example: Focus on a near object and then a far object, keeping track of how your vision changes between the two.
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Avoid Strain: Limit activities that require intense visual focus without corrections (like reading or screen time) until you have your glasses back. This will help reduce fatigue and strain.
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Follow-Up: Once you have your glasses, schedule a follow-up with your eye specialist to assess how your vision changes with correction and discuss further treatment options if needed.
It’s understandable to feel concerned about your vision. Focus on acquiring the proper tools (like glasses) to manage your condition, and don’t hesitate to seek support along the way. Your vision can improve, especially with correct interventions and continued attention to your eye health.
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