Hi all:

I feel weird setting this up, since I have a hard time asking for help.

Here's the situation:

1. I've been experiencing vision problems in my left eye for about a year - I sometimes see black spots if I turn my head too quickly, and I have floaters.

I've been concerned about this potentially being a retina detachment situation (e.g. my left eye is my weak eye with VERY bad vision, and these symptoms are common with retina detachment), but I've seen multiple doctors who have told me my retina is fine.

However, my current optometrist did tell me during our first appointment that I have fuzzy margins in the retina scan for my left eye, and we would monitor the situation. It wasn't cause for immediate concern just yet.

2. I started experiencing migraines recently, and initially thought it was just because my prescription had gotten worse.

But after I went back to my optometrist last Friday, they did another scan. The margins are now fuzzier, and they're now concerned enough that I need to see a retina specialist ASAP. They're worried there is fluid leakage or potentially, a tumor, which could explain the migraines.

It's not an urgent emergency room situation yet, but I was told today by my optometrist (2/20), that I need to be seen by a specialist within the week.

3. I currently work at a non-profit with health insurance that is not sufficient for covering this level of medical care. I've been paying for my vision insurance out of pocket, and am now worried about having to pay for this as well.

Any money raised will go directly toward medical bills, paying for insurance costs out of pocket, and treatment/recuperation. I'm lucky that I live near a university in Southern California with excellent doctors, and am forming a game plan for reaching out to specialists in the area.

The $5000 is a rough estimate based on what might potentially need to be done and associated costs (e.g. do I need to buy secondary health insurance? TBD.) I'll update and post bills as they come in.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and it's so appreciated. Please send any good vibes possible, that this is something that can be medically resolved.