Internship diaries - Troubled emotions
I was always a curious and hyperactive intern during the internship. Especially, I was intrigued by patients who needed multiple diagnostic procedures and got worried if something went wrong. One fine day a 13- year old girl with an autoimmune disorder came for an eye checkup. I performed an Amsler grid assessment and found that there was asymmetry in the squares on both sides. Her mother started crying. The girl questioned her mother “Amma, can I be cured or Is it a serious condition? ”
I did not know what to answer, and suddenly I started crying by looking at the situation. I tried to control my emotions and finished the workup. After the OPD, I met my seniors and discussed the situation. After speaking to them about their experiences in similar situations I felt better. Since then, I have attended numerous patients, but I still get tears in my eyes when I remember the girl’s emotions and mother’s pain.
Treating patients and watching them smile is still the happiest moment of being in eye care.
I am happy to share optometry internship experiences through this platform.
Thank you.
Bhuvana kalyani choday.