I have been blind in my right eye for a very long time. I was born with Glaucoma, but not diagnosed until I was 5. After many operations to release the pressure, the doctors decided to remove my eye. At the age of 12, losing an eye was pretty devastating. My parents were not educated and they never even thought of getting me counseling. They always acted as if nothing was different about me. In some ways I think it helped me to not focus on what I was missing, but on what I had to offer. I do not know any other females who have an artificial eye and was surprised and thrilled to find this web site! In our society, I think a lot of attention is placed on how a woman's eyes look, i.e., make-up. I am self-conscious about how mine moves when I am talking and people are looking at me. Anyway, it is nice to know that there are others out there like me, having some of the same uncomfortable and sometimes funny moments. Thanks Jay for this web site!

Hello Rayna, Welcome to the site. You don't say where you are from. I am in USA and live in NY. I appreciate your story and know that it must have been difficult for you losing vision in your eye at age 12. I am 56 and find it a long process in learning to adapt to monocular vision. I also can identify with your thoughts on how we as females feel as physically accepted or rejected with our appearance. I have not been fitted with a prosthetic eye and am apprehensive as to how things will be once I get my "fake eye" .... I read a lot of positive and some not so good experiences. I wonder how old you are and if you have had a good experience with your artificial eye. I hope you keep coming back. This site has been very supportive and enlightening for me as I hope it is for you.

Pam

Hi Rayna; glad u found us and I hope u enjoy reading and chatting with us all; Big welcome from Australi; cheers Vera

Sorry, I forgot to mention where I'm from. I live outside of Lakeland, Florida, USA. I am 52 years young. NYPam, it has been a long time since I got my first eye. I remember it felt strange and very large at first. I had worn a patch or dark sunglasses for a while in middle school and that brought lots of unwanted attention. So when I got my new eye, not so many people noticed and I liked that a lot. After I got used to wearing the eye - I can't remember how long it took - it felt weird without it. I used to sleep with it out - but after my divorce and re-marriage, I only take mine out to clean in the mornings or as needed. My new husband has never seen me without it. I haven't gotten past the whole vanity thing yet. Vera, thanks for the welcome! I am so happy to have found this web site!!!

Thanks so much for your posting and telling about your eye. I feel insecure of course that it is going to look as I "imagine" it will and have one more week til I get fitted. It seems that is has been forever since I had the surgery but it has only been 8 weeks. Time moves so slowly when you look to have something happen! I agree with you about this site. I am not sure how I would be doing if I did not have this place to feel less "alone", even if it is just virtually speaking.

Pam

Hi Rayna

Have you ever been to a shuttle launch? thats i sight i would love to see.

I made one trip to Cocoa Beach, to see the shuttle launch and a couple of hours before the lift off, it was canceled. Kind of a let down. Spent the night and came back. But, I have climbed to the top of a building in Lakeland and seen the shuttle when it was going up. The sky was clear and it was really easy to see. I have also seen one at night from my roof and it was even better. Now I am thinking about it again and it makes me want to try one more time.

Welcome aboard!