I do a bit of business travel, and I always ask for the isle seat.  I also carry a small overnight bag and laptop bag, checking anything else.

Since my corneal transplant, I have become acutely aware of the hazard to my eye/graft caused by inconsiderate passengers coming through the isle or packing their luggage into the overhead bin.  The problem has gotten out of control with the airlines charging $25-50/bag for checking.  People are bringing everything they can onto the plane – even knowing that they’ll likely not fit (and require *free* gate checking, possibly delaying the flight.)

Twice in a recent trip did I get hit on the head by the bottom of a roll suite case, a laptop and in one case, some kind of strange musical instrument.

So, if you have a graft, I suggest that you cover your eye while people lumber down the isle with all manner of luggage.  I actually put my head down on my recent flight – taking a hit to the back of my neck!  I’m considering wearing my safety glasses!

photo: USA Today

I’ve been so busy at work lately that I’ve not been able to breathe…. but when I saw this article, I just had to share it with my readers especially since I work in this industry (user interface.)  I’m sure the low vision audience already knows this – but the others may find it very informative.

“… I started using a screen reader to see (I suppose I should say “experience”) how a blind user navigates a website..”

Read the entire post here.

http://corneanews.com/about-kerataconus/chronology/

Postscript:  Apparently these lenses are now making their way into the child pageant circuit.  Unbelievable!!!

FDA issues warning about decorative contact lenses

Silver Spring, MD – People who use decorative contact lenses as part of their Halloween costumes should consider risks such as an eye infection, cornea damage, vision loss and blindness, according to a consumer update released Oct. 12 by the Food and Drug Administration.

Classified as medical devices, decorative lenses must be specially designed and fitted to a patient’s eyes and are not “one size fits all,” according to FDA. The agency warns consumers to be wary of vendors that do not require a prescription or provide thorough instruction for the lenses.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H45GYPAuTdg]

FDA recommends the following for people wearing decorative lenses this Halloween season:

• Schedule an appointment with a licensed eye doctor, who can properly measure your eyes and provide a valid prescription.
• Follow up with a doctor if you experience redness, pain or a decrease in vision.
• Practice proper usage and storage instructions.
• FDA also warns consumers about anime-inspired lenses, which typically are larger than normal contact lenses and not FDA-approved.

“Despite the technically challenging aspects of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, the big-bubble technique can and should be mastered, a presenter said here.  “Corneal surgeons must add DALK to their surgical scope,” W. Barry Lee, MD, FACS, said during a presentation at Cornea Day, which preceded the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting. “Get familiar with the big-bubble DALK steps.”   Dr. Lee discussed Anwar’s big-bubble DALK technique, stating that the main goal is to place an air injection posteriorly into the stroma to provide contrast between residual stroma and Descemet’s membrane. The surgeon should create a paracentesis to release pressure and inject a small air bubble to confirm the successful placement of the big bubble, according to Dr. Lee.”

I hope to ask Dr. Holland how the event went – and perhaps even get a copy of the transcript.