It appears to be a small subconjunctival hemorrhage said thedoctor. My left eye few years before with a strong sneeze caused a nastyfloater while I was shaving early winter morning at Jammu. Eye Floaters thatlook black wispy threads are caused by age related changes, and can cause tinyshadows on one’s retina, and often go away on their own in few weeks or months,said the doctor.
Examination of retina (fundus examination) confirmed thetiny rupture, which did not come as a surprise. The left eye was an angry redand clearly crying for some R&R. (Rest and relaxation). The big shocker wasthe big bill that I received, after the diagnosis. By the time I was throughwith the doctor and the chemist, I was a few thousand rupees poorer.
There was a time, not so long ago when treatment for anocular surgery constituted a cast, eye drops, pain medications, and large dosesof patience. It takes 4-6 weeks for a cataract eye surgery to recover fully,and probably no medication can hurry it up. So what constituted my 4000 rupeeBill? The doctor’s fee eye scan, and drops amounted to no more than Rs. 1900.But the medication prescribed included Vitamins, A,E,C, Niacin, etc on theassumption that my eyes have age related weak muscles) and a protein supplement(As a support while the eye is healing, said the doctor.
My statement that my diet did not lack vitamins or proteinwas brushed aside. So I accepted the prescription quietly (that is me, Anchorof TV health programnes over 45 years) and got it filled up at the pharmacy. Itshot up to couple of thousand rupees.
Now I can afford to enjoy doctors whim’s once a while. Butwhat about thousands of patients who take it for granted that their doctor hastheir best interests in his mind when he’s writing out a prescription,forgetting the fact whether his patient has the capacity to pay for thetreatment. And we lay folk often too much in fear or wonder or the doctor toquestion his prescription. The shock comes out soon after the chemist handsover the bill. And even then few of us dare to go back to the doctor and askfor substitutes. We feel shy to admit that we can’t afford the drugs.
What puzzles me why nearly every prescription written outthese days recommend a tonic or a vitamin tablet that has little or no bearingon the ailment in question (my protein supplement, for example). It is best toget the vitamins our body need eating a variety of healthy, unprocessed foodsrather than by taking supplements.
Of course, a supplement may be valid, if your conditionwarrants it. However, you can and should gather the courage to ask your doctorfor a rough estimate of how much the medication prescribed will cost you. Andif it’s more than what you expected or can afford, find out whether any of theprescribed branded drugs can be substituted with generic ones which are oftencheaper. Ask which of the drugs prescribed can be dropped or at leastpostponed, without fear of a setback in your condition. At least this firm andgentle attitude will compel your doctor to think before he hands out theprescription to you.