Hello! My name is Zachary and I am an artist based in Arizona. On Sunday I was in LA with some friends attending Taemin's concert at the KIA forum. I began noticing a dark grey curtain start to obstruct a huge part of my vision in my left eye. Unfortunately after the show I was rushed to the hospital where they were able to rule out the extremities such as a brain bleed/tumor and any sort of corneal damage.

After calling my insurance (Arizona Medicaid), they let me know the only type of visit they will cover out of state its an emergency visit, and if I needed to be seen by a specialist, I would have to come back home.

Thankfully my amazing friends were able to rush me back to Arizona, where I went to an optometrist 15 min before close to get retinal photos done. After the doctor reviewed my photos, she expressed great concern, seeing a large central retinal tear. The incredible doctor called around and was able to find a reitnal specialist to get me in for testing the next morning.

After doing some tests that morning, the specialist let me know I have a severe cental retinal tead that has caused a complete retinal detachment, and that in order to stop me from going completely blind, they needed to get me into surgery immediately.

After looking at both eyes, they saw my right eye is also on the verge of detaching, and would need to do lazer treatment to prevent it. They're main concern was my left eye, so after pretesting I went to Scottsdale where I underwent a very terrifying surgery. I was awake the whole time and overly aware of everything that was happening because my body was fighting the anesthesia.

Overall the surgeon was very pleased with the results and he let me know the operation went very well.

Unfortunately, I have most likely permanently lost vision in my left eye.

As an artist, this is devastating to me.

I am so heartbroken and truly feeling defeafed, but I know I have to push through. Unfortunately due to the severity of the injury, and the type of procedure they did (a scolera buckle) I will be unable to work, lift anything over 20 lbs, bend down, or do any sort of strenuous activities for the next few months.

During my recovery, I will have no way to get income to pay for groceries and my bills. Any bit of support is so incrediblely appreciated to get me through this long recovery period.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story! I'm truly unsure what this injury will do for my future, but I have to stay optimistic. I truly appreciate all the support, and will continue to update on my recovery process!