Uloop Blog ? Being Able to See is Pretty Great

Texas A&M

Flickr / Chris Martino

Have you ever realized how often you use your eyes? It?s a dumb question, I know. Obviously we use our eyes for everything we do ? to see where we?re going, what we?re doing, and how we?re doing it. But I recently had eye surgery which involved several days of very poor vision and I must say it was a humbling experience.

First, there are some things you clearly can?t do when your vision isn?t in full operation. You can?t drive (at least you shouldn?t) which means small everyday errands and simple tasks require dedicated assistance. Checking email pretty much had to go on hold for almost a week and texting became a massive struggle to remain social (auto-correct became excessively creative with my inaccurate typing). I?m sure you can think of other ways that we use our healthy vision to accomplish regular tasks.

But there are a few things you may not have thought of. I found myself putting far too much toothpaste on the toothbrush, or missing the brush altogether. Getting the proper amount of your preferred condiments on a burger is a hopeless task without some assistance (jalapenos look similar to pickles, and come in jars that look identical except for the labeling). Try walking across campus and saying hi to your friends when you can?t see people?s faces well enough to recognize anyone. Even things that you thought you did by muscle memory you may discover to be impossible without clear and acute vision.

The lesson I learned by getting eye surgery is that I need good eyesight to do just about anything. It?s something we all take for granted, and I never knew how much I would struggle without being able to see clearly. I?ve realized that I probably ignore many other things that make my life so much easier. So the lesson of this article is not just that vision is good, but that we should appreciate all the little things that we?re able to do as healthy individuals. Watch the sunrise, learn to play an instrument, treat yourself to a good meal ? because you never know when the senses that allow you do those things may not be so helpful anymore.

About Bryce Buchmann

Major: Political Science
Graduation Date: 2014
Bio:

Bryce is the Texas A&M Uloop Campus editor and currently studies political science and communication at A&M.

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