My mom caught German measles before she was aware she was conceiving me, and I was born with Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). Mother always claimed I was her ‘wonder child’ since I been freed from the hearing problems which impacts 58 percent of CRS babies, plus the heart problems that 50 percent suffer. I also dodged autism, mental retardation, along with a variety of additional health conditions. Nonetheless, I had been born along with cataracts in both eyes.
Laser eye surgery on infants can be a high risk proposition, so I was four years old when doctors at the Melbourne Laser Eye Surgery Clinic felt it was time. I wasn’t sightless, nevertheless I truly do not forget that everything appeared hazy at that time, as though I had been looking from a sream window all the time. The surgeons decided to perform surgery treatment on my left eyeball first, that was considerably worse as opposed to the my right eye. When I was five, the right eye was repaired. I was delighted to face the mirror and view that both my eyes look identical after both surgery. My dad informs me I used to be really excited to talk about my ‘matched set’ of eyes to every person on base!
I entered school at 6 years of age and quickly was on the level of the reading and writing abilities of my class mates because of the diligence and patience of my parents, who have been equally exceptional teachers to me during my schooling. I was also behind my age group with hand-eye coordination, and so I was motivated to enjoy video games and sports activities to help. Imagine, a kid who is required to play video games and sports activities! I put up no grievances. I enjoyed softball and football throughout school, and even had some volley ball in high school.
Now I am a 26 year old resident of Florida, I recognize how fortunate I actually am. My eye-sight is perfectly normal as a result of those surgical treatments as a child. I drive, read, and live life devoid of the demand for corrective lenses. Although the cost of laser eye correction has drastically become more affordable compared to the time I had it, my surgery then was covered by the insurance of my parents.. My dad, an Army sergeant, regularly told me how lucky that was, as I would not have obtained my eyesight repaired so swiftly if they had to pay for it from their own pockets.
Almost always, I’m very happy that my own Congenital Rubella Syndrome’s effects on my eyes were able to be repaired through laser eye surgery. It provided me a comfortable, regular living without any eyeglasses and perfectly fine vision.