Hello everyone,

I’m Chinazo Ifeanyi, and I’ve decided to share some of my journey here.

I am not a medical professional, but I want to write about a condition called retinal detachment. See, I was diagnosed with bilateral retinal detachment, and it has significantly impacted my way of life.

What is Retinal Detachment?

Retinal detachment occurs when the retina—the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye—pulls away from its normal position. Since the retina is responsible for processing light and sending visual signals to the brain, any separation can cause partial or total vision loss if not treated quickly.

Living with this condition comes with challenges that many might not consider. Reading handwritten or printed text is impossible for me. Digital text is accessible because I can zoom in and embolden it, but even then, it’s a hassle—it takes much longer, and I have to take frequent breaks to rest my eyes. I also struggle to recognize faces unless someone speaks, and navigating stairs safely requires extra caution. Simple tasks like grocery shopping require assistance, and social interactions can sometimes be awkward because people assume I can see them and expect me to respond accordingly.

Despite these difficulties, I am determined to live as independently as possible. Writing has become an outlet for me—both as a way to process my experiences and to connect with others. If you’re reading this, I hope my story resonates with you in some way. This is just the beginning of Beyond the Blur, where I’ll be sharing more about vision health, personal experiences, and the realities of living with a visual impairment.

Stay tuned, and feel free to leave a comment or share your thoughts.