Mind Games

Today I had to make an emergency visit to the Eye Hospital.  For the past couple of days an oblong picture   of some pretty red and blue flowers and dots on a yellow background such as you might see on a summer dress or a cushion cover had appeared at the edge of my vision.in my left eye.  Very disconcerting.  I struggled to read or watch TV or indeed do anything but the picture persisted.  I was told at the clinic to contact them if anything changed or was worrying me so this I did and was told to come straightaway.  So Mike and Amanda took me this afternoon.  Of course I had to choose a day when my clinic was closed because the doctors were doing their exams.  However, though working under pressure, I was treated with the usual quiet efficiency and after a short wait saw a doctor, a charming man.
I was greatly relieved to be told it was just a side effect of macular degeneration and not harmful.  In fact the doctor, after a thorough examination said my condition was stable and not getting any worse.. He explained what was happening.  It is called Charles Bonnet syndrome,  Because the brain is missing pictures and words as my sight gets less it fills in the blanks with other images such as flowers, gardens, people animals etc. It might in time go away, meanwhile I shall just have to get used to it.  What a marvellous thing the brain is even if it doesn't always behave as you would expect.
I was so relieved I went home and celebrated with two cups of tea and a piece of cake.