[Guest]

Hi Dreamer,

I have a question for you. You responded to Monkeydusts post re:vision symptoms. In it you revealed that you had eye surgey for a detached retina many years ago. I have always wonderd if there was any correlation between my laser iridotomy for narrow angle glaucoma and my derealization.

The laser iridotomy creates a little hole in the eye so that fluid may drain properly. It also let's in more light. I always wondered if my eye was suddenly interpreting the world differently after the surgery and causing derealization.

The anxiety theory would also work in this situation because I had a few traumatic life events all in the same time period as the eye surgery.

By the way my eye has never felt quite the same. It is weaker then my other eye and it looks half way closed in pictures because it is reacting to the flash.............I believe. I need to do my other eye but would rather not especially if it would cause even further deralization episodes.

Anyway I thought you might have some insights on this matter.

Thanks,

Sassy

 

[Dreamer]

Dear Sassy,
Interesting question.

I have always wonderd if there was any correlation between my laser iridotomy for narrow angle glaucoma and my derealization.

The laser iridotomy creates a little hole in the eye so that fluid may drain properly. It also let's in more light. I always wondered if my eye was suddenly interpreting the world differently after the surgery and causing derealization.

How can I answer this properly without sounding like an idiot, LOL?

I believe the experience of derealization is not strictly a visual disturbance. I think it is far more complex. From what I have read of odd bodily sensations and dysphoria, etc. I believe both DP and DR have something to do with poor processing of incoming stimula to the brain, and of course one place we get input is through the eyes.

Also, I believe we have a low tolerance of novel stimuli of all kinds -- we become overstimulated too easily, we have a lower threshold where we go out of homeostasis.

I'm curious, are you saying the DR started after the surgery?

I could THEN say that perhaps anything from the stress of the laser work itself (I was a wreck after numerous sessions as the green afterimage was in my vision for so long -- it seems like days), this could have exacerbated a pre-existing anxiety-related DR?

Again I could be full of hogwash, but my best guess in this case is that a change in vision is not going to change the way you "experience" the world. It will change the way you see, but not your .... that look of unreality, etc.

The question would be, what of many people who have diabetic retinopathy, all manner of eye disorders ... do they complain of or understand DR? (unless they already have it.) I doubt they do. I don't think there is a correlation.

What is interesting to me (and I used to think of this as a child) -- what if I were blind? Would I feel more "comfortable". But of course closing my eyes when I felt badly DP/DR didn't change my discomfort. It lessened it as it was a "distraction", like taking off my glasses to see a blur, but I still felt "wrong"/"odd".

I can say the same today. When doing Yoga with my eyes closed, I sometimes feel overly DP. Obviously I can't say I "feel" DR as it is more visual, but I know it is still there, as when I open my eyes, things still look 2D, flat, dimmer etc.... except in the evening when things seem a tad more real to me. More "alive."

I hope this answers your question. I don't have the vocabulary to express this, but I don't that the quality of one's vision, vision disabilities or illnesses would affect DR one way or another.

I always wonder about someone born blind. I also wonder about someone born DEAF and BLIND such as Helen Keller -- who seemed to be so damned sane. Go figure. I don't think Helen Keller would have understood DP. Her book "The Story of My Life" is one of an amazing, positive outlook on life.

Best,
D
Interesting question 8)

My experience with my detached retinas and also with pretty severe myopia, I am legally blind w/out contacts or glasses, is different from the DR.

I would say that the laser iridotomy has nothing to do with your DR.

 

[agentcooper]

[quote name="Dreamer"]
I believe the experience of derealization is not strictly a visual disturbance. I think it is far more complex. From what I have read of odd bodily sensations and dysphoria, etc. I believe both DP and DR have something to do with poor processing of incoming stimula to the brain, and of course one place we get input is through the eyes.

Also, I believe we have a low tolerance of novel stimuli of all kinds -- we become overstimulated too easily, we have a lower threshold where we go out of homeostasis.

What is interesting to me (and I used to think of this as a child) -- what if I were blind? Would I feel more "comfortable". But of course closing my eyes when I felt badly DP/DR didn't change my discomfort. It lessened it as it was a "distraction", like taking off my glasses to see a blur, but I still felt "wrong"/"odd".

quote]

dreamer, i looked on your website and found it fascinating. you have such a great way of putting your dp/dr feelings into words. it has helped me to explain my dr to my friends and family because honestly, no matter how hard i try, i can't explain why it's so damned scary to have dr. i have used some examples from you to better explain it...which in turn, helps me because i feel like if i do anything strange they will understand. so thank you for being so clear.

a few years ago, when my dr was much more severe than it is now, i actually did think of blinding myself. i doubt i would have done it but i thought it would help. now that i read your post i realize that you are probably right. it is sounds and body perception as well as vision that is scary. however, if i take off my glasses or contacts, it helps to calm me down usually. i'm pretty blind as well.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Dreamer,

That was an informative, and interesting post.

Thank you,

Sassy

 

[person3]

dreamer I heart the location you put under your avatar!