vision impairment (injury?)

I am 21 yrs. old and a med student.  I read constantly but never noticed a problem until I renewed my driver license.  I could not see the picture in the machine.  They told me I am legally blind in my right eye.  I have peripheral vision but minimal (fuzzy) central vision.  I am also a gymnast and I teach gymnastics.  I don't remember an injury that would affect my eye.  I had surgery at 4 to correct lazy eye, in that same eye, but have had no problems.  I'm very worried.  Could it be macular degeneration?  Detached retina?  Thank you.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

I remember being a medical student and I always thought I had the worse diseases.

You probably need glasses.  A lot of reading as in medical school can worsen your myopia.  

See an ophthalmologist.  Go to the resident eye clinic and let them know you are a medical student.  I am sure one of the residents will exam you as a courtesy.



Dr. O.