RYL Forums - Vision problems = stress.

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Vision problems = stress.

Sorry to post yet again.

I have a visual processing disorder including visual vertigo, scotopic sensitivity and issues with cortical processing. I also have problems controlling my eye muscles.

It's getting worse steadily but my GP was dismissive and the neurologist referred me to a neurophysiologist (which still hasn't come through) and then said "see you in six months".

I am getting to the point that using a computer is hard and I had to increase the font sizes quite a bit and bold everything. Being dyspraxic and ataxic as well means that typing a simple email or post takes a huge effort with frequent typos that I have to correct.

In fact as I'm typing this, my eyes are diverging so muh that I see one screen about 8cm lower than what the other eye is seeing.

Firstly, how can I get my GP / neurologist to understand that this is really affecting me and that I am struggling with computer usage now, as well as not being able to cross roads or go out alone (visual problems + sensory issues + vertigo = meltdowns + challenging behaviour).

I am doing voluntary work from home, helping sort out the Image Store on the UCL website. It is bloody difficult entering in the titles, captions, keywords etc when I have two images in my vision, I've had to zoom in, and my typing is so crazy that it exhausts me.

Secondly, do I tell the university disability services about this visual problem? As it is worse now than it was a few months ago. I am affected by my vision in lectures, I have to wear prescription sunglasses in them, and I always sit at the back due to paranoia which means that sometimes I cannot read the slides. I cannot at all make notes in lectures as I cannot handwrite almost at all due to dyspraxia and ataxia. They wouldn't give me a note taker last year, should I try again asking?

I have to stop typng now because my eyes are going mad and my hands have stopped.

Also can you recommend any computer apps I could use to help me type. I use Windows 8 goingto Windows 10.

I saw a neurophthalmologist but she was crap. I almost said to her "you were crap" when she asked if I had anything to say.

Most of my lecturers put up the slides literally two hours before the lecture. Maybe one hour or even not at all before lectures at times. I cannot type notes in lectures as I cannot type and hear clearly at the same time (some sort of autistic sensory processing issue). I will ask for a note taker early this time, next week I'll email them with medical evidence and my care coordinator to back me up, hopefully this time they'll do it.

I had Dragon on a laptop that DSA gave me but it wouldn't install on my computer. I'll get my IT friend to help. Failing that I'll have to go back to the DSA assessor.

I have tried recording lectures and going through them when I got home, but it took 4+ hours to transcribe one lecture, as I have trouble with hearing and typing simultaneously. I also have a poor auditory memory (as opposed to my reading and visual memory, which are both advanced).

Thanks. I'll ask them.

Yes, ask for a transcriber. They will make notes during your lectures, and in exams they will write down what you say.

Another idea- are you eligible for a guide dog for your visual issues? If you cannot safely go outside alone due to your vision then I would think you would be able to have a guide dog which could give you independence back.

Hi Oly. I have a severe sight impairment so understand some of what you're saying.
My lecturers used to print enlarged copies of the slides they used onto blue paper for me which really helped as I could make notes on them.
I would second the guide dog idea or maybe an autism assistance dog (they may even be able to train one as both).
I had my guide dog for only a few months before he had to retire to health problems, but he boosted my confidence so much that I never needed another! Seriously he was fab and cued my social phobia :-)
Let me know if I can ever help you out at all, even if you just need some empathy. Take care x

Thanks you both.

Where do I go for an autism assistance dog that could help me vision wise too? Because my friend contacted one charity for me and they came back saying that they only do autism dogs for children.

Try contacting the guide dog association.

http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/services...g#.VZpa5vlVhBc

There's information about their dual purpose dogs here (dogs who help you with vision and other things. They are usually for vision and hearing loss, but they do also train dogs in helping with other issues too)

http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/services...s#.VZpbFflVhBc

Thank you, I will have a look.