Chapter 18 - The Corneal Scar
My right eye never returned to what it was.
The transplant improved clarity.
But scar tissue and surface damage left chronic dry eye and irregular astigmatism.
Some mornings vision blurred until medication.
Bright white light hurt.
I carried preservative free drops everywhere.
Night headlights became starbursts.
I stopped driving interstate after dark.
At first these accommodations felt like Daniel winning.
Therapist challenged.
“If you use sunglasses, does Daniel receive trophy?”
“No.”
“Then stop giving sunglasses moral meaning.”
Annoying.
I bought good lenses.
Then left eye.
Mostly recovered.
20/25 with glasses.
No surgery.
I could read.
Work.
See faces.
That was enormous.
Dr. Greene discharged from intensive follow-up to annual corneal specialist after five years.
“Any advice?”
“Wear eye protection around chemicals.”
We stared.
He winced.
“Sorry.”
I laughed.
“Dark humor allowed.”
Then I asked:
“Will right get worse?”
“Possibly age changes, graft lifespan. We monitor.”
No final guarantee.
Bodies do not close cases.
Then I volunteered? User doesn't like public advocacy. Keep ordinary. I did not become domestic violence spokesperson.
I once donated to hospital eye care fund anonymously.
Not career.
Then one afternoon at hardware store I saw same brand cleaner.
My body froze.
I left cart.
Went outside.
Called therapist.
Years after.
Trauma can stay ridiculous.
Later I returned and bought dish soap.
Small exposure.
Eventually label was just label.
May you like
Not fully.
Enough.
