Through Darkness, Light Shines.

During my early years I had perfect 20/20 vision. I used to read at night in bed hidden away from my parents view, using only a flashlight to read mu favorite books in the dimly lit room I slept in as a child and teenager. I remember distinctly my mother saying " You're going to ruin your eyesight reading in the dark " I don't know if reading in a dim room had any thing to do with my keracotonus but it seemed as she spoke words into my life, in reference to my vision.

When I reached my thirties I began to notice a big change in my vision I had little to no vision coverage so I did the Walmart, Pearl Vision ophthalmology department (not saying they don't have qualified optometrist ) whatever company had a sale on glasses and eye exams is where I went, never really thinking that I had a serious eye disease.

About 7 years ago I went to see about having the procedure called Lasik to correct what I thought was a basic eye issue.

The doctors were whispering to each other and checking my eyes over and over again. They called me into their office and explained they could not give me Lasik surgery because I had what they believed to be keracotonus.

That's where my journey into darkness began. I was had 20/200 vision in both eyes. I had a procedure called Intacs which I paid 5000.00 out of pocket (honestly it was a waste of money to me personally )and I have had a corneal transplant in my left eye.

It has been a journey with my eyes to say the least. I have experienced many scary moments, such as my hard contact popping out of my eye while driving on a major highway.

Some disappointing moments such as being taken advantage of in legal situations due to not being able to see. I have had issues in school and little to no assistance with prosthetics needed for clearer vision. but no matter what, I keep pushing through this.

The above story was shared by Tamlyn Nesmith, one of our readers.