Eyes and light

 

Yesterday afternoon, a lady shot me in the eye with a high-powered laser, burning part of the back of my eye. This went on for several minutes, firing the laser repeatedly as she moved it around.

In my GOOD eye - the one that has the best vision after glaucoma damage.

And I let her do it.

Not only that, I PAID her to do it.

OK, so it wasn't just any lady; it was a highly-trained doctor of ophthalmology at the UofU Moran Eye Center. This is the same "lady" who did my cataract surgery a few months ago. The process today was called a "YAG laser capsulotomy" - a common follow-up procedure after cataracts are removed. A protein film, similar to what created the original cataract, had formed on the back wall of the capsule that surrounds the lens of my eye. Using a laser the doctor effectively burns a hole through the film, allowing more clear passage for light into the inner eye and the receptors of the optic nerve.

There are a number of wonders and miracles in this scenario that make me #GiveThanks for the time we live in. If I had been living in the days of my great grandfather, I would likely be fully blind by now from the ravages of glaucoma, not to mention cataracts. Even my myopia was harder to deal with then.

It's utterly fascinating to me that with minor numbing drops and dilation, I can sit in front of a machine that enables the doctor to direct a powerful beam of light (the exact right wavelength, 1064 nanometers) through the outer parts of my eye without damaging them - cornea, dilated pupil, and lens - and target the focus of the laser so precisely that it affects only the protein buildup on the back lining of the capsule that encloses the lens. Most of my eye is totally unaffected, but that unwanted film is burned away! The tiniest variation in the depth targeting of the laser would likely cause irreparable damage. But this is so precise, so effective, that it's considered a simple and routine operation for the doctor. AMAZING!

The human eye is utterly astonishing in its design and function; our ability to experience the world around us through our vision is an unequaled gift. But isn't it interesting to think how easily light can be obstructed from entering in where it can work its miracle. Sometimes things go wrong and the light is blocked, or is not focused properly, or other anomalies occur. In these cases we must use the miracles of science and technology to clear the path for the light to come through in the right way.

This has spiritual application as well. There is Light available to each of us, as long as we maintain the path clear and open for that blessing to enter our souls. If there are things that obstruct the Light, such as confused priorities, doctrinal misunderstanding, or unwillingness to submit in humility - then we must take action to clear the path and allow the Light to return. We are so fortunate to know that the source of Light has an unending goal of giving and sharing the gift with us, and helping in any way we allow to reopen the paths of communication.

"And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;

"Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—

"The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things."

D&C 88:11-13