u/Dry_Director_5320

I’ve been seeing the same optometrist for 5 years, since my vision became very bad. I recently asked him to fill out the vision forms for my guide dog program applications.

Despite acknowledging that my average visual acuity is 20/300, and despite my telling him that I have not been able to see and have not tested above 20/200 in at least 2 years, he wrote No when asked if I am legally blind on my applications. But then under where he had to write down my acuity it clearly shows that my vision would be considered legally blind! I’m curious if anyone has any guesses how the guide dog programs will respond to that or if they have any similar experiences. I don’t understand why he seems so reluctant to declare me legally blind, even if my vision issues are unknown- or “unqualified”, as he put it.

I need a new eye doctor, and not an optometrist. Any recommendations for a good ophthalmologist taking new patients?

I (USA 30 female) feel like I’m going to scream! Went to an appointment with the Optometrist I’ve been seeing for the last five years to discuss him declaring me largely blind after all this time and filling out my application to guide dog programs.

For context, we haven’t been able to find the cause of my vision loss but we do know it’s neurological. I have debilitating photophobia, highly contrasted and blurry vision, and terrible eye pain.

So basically I get to the office today and he basically accuses me of having hysteria. “Are you sure you haven’t just been really stressed the last few years?” He asked.

He said he want to make a note of non-organic vision loss on my paper work.

I’m so beside myself. I can’t believe I’ve been allowing someone who thinks I’m either malingering or crazy to treat me all this time. And now he has the power to block me from getting help and services?! It’s not even like I’m trying to get money since I already work full time for a good wage. I’m just so shocked and hurt. Has this happened to anyone else? I don’t know what to do from here. I need to find a new doctor obviously but I’m so scared of starting over from square one only for them to maybe also turn out like this after years of investment.