Dilation

This morning turned out to be fascinating. An early morning eye appointment led the way. Well not quite; before my appointment started, an ear splitting siren heralded a fire drill that evacuated the medical facility. Things eventually returned to normal and my Ophthalmologist was a delight.
The doctor is a retired Viet Nam-era F-4 fighter pilot and an avid aircraft buff. I am trained on F-4s myself (ground support; not a pilot) and it was delightful to relive our young and “fearless” bygone days. Things like Martin Baker ejection seats and J-79 jet engines mean little to others but gave us a lot of pleasant memory jogging. We traced a lot of geography beyond Viet Nam- the Philippines, Okinawa, Japan, Guam, Midway, Hawaii, and even many continental United States assignments. It’s amazing how much I have in common with a formerly total stranger.
Once we got down from “the wild blue yonder,” it turned out to be mainly questions and examinations with just an occasional flight of fantasy. I find it amazing that someone can externally clarify my vision with all those dials and gadgets and a series of questions. I want to do well on any “test” and this is no exception. My eyes apparently don’t understand and “we” don’t do as well as I would like.
That leads to plan B. Soon I tilt my head back to have some special drops trickle into each of my eyes “to get a better look.” Then, a waiting period and more war stories to fill the time. Eventually, my eyes are dilated or at least I am told they are. I feel a bit of uncertainty because the last time I heard that term it involved a lot of pain (for someone else) and I am not ready to share that kind of experience. Fortunately, this is different even though I am virtually blind. I sit helplessly with my head immobilized while the doctor shines a tiny focused light into my eyes.
As I sit reflecting on my morning, I am struck with the significance of the events. Until this morning my personal “expert” diagnosis of my vision is normal; based on all I can see. Fortunately, someone who’s an expert on perfect vision sees things differently. In order to have my vision brought up to his standards and expectations, I have to give up my vision. The dilation and the resulting helpless inability for me to focus are a necessary part of his plan. He peers behind my dilated pupils to diagnose and restore the renewed “perfect” vision that he knows is possible. All I have to do is to give up my vision and be immobilized and defer to the vision expert. He takes it from there with amazing results. No longer do I think I can see; I have vision thanks to an expert.