The Day I Noticed Something Was Wrong: My CSR Story
It was 2013. I had taken on the challenge of managing a massive $150 million project. High stakes, lots of moving parts, and enormous pressure. And to be honest, my younger self wasn’t fully equipped for what was coming.
I was stressed—mentally and physically.
To cope, I did what I knew best: I trained hard. Kickboxing, CrossFit, powerlifting—high-impact workouts that gave me a release. On top of that, I loaded up on pre-workouts packed with caffeine and other energy boosters. At the time, it seemed like the perfect formula for handling stress.
I remember the day it started like it was yesterday.
I was wrapping my hands for a kickboxing session, about 30 minutes into my pre-workout. My heart was racing. My breathing was shallow. Adrenaline was flowing. I felt pumped and ready to hit the bag.
And then, I saw them.
Little speckles. Tiny “stars” and blurry fireworks flashing across my vision. I shrugged it off. Too much caffeine, I told myself. No big deal.
I went on with my workout. I threw punches and kicks, convincing myself that I was “letting the stress out” with every strike. But then—after a hard punch into the 150-pound heavy bag—I saw it. A pea-sized spot in my left eye. Just a blur at first.
I brushed it off again. “It’ll go away,” I thought.
But it didn’t.
Day 2
The next morning, I rushed through my usual routine. I didn’t notice anything—until lunchtime. The spot was still there.
I started to worry. Had I injured my eye during training? Did I punch myself without realizing it?
But like most guys, I did the classic move: I ignored it, hoping it would disappear.
Days Later…
A few days later, I was watching TV. Everything looked blurry. I closed one eye, then the other. My left eye was seeing things smaller, more distorted.
“Eh,” I told myself. “It’ll probably go away.”
But it didn’t.
Then Things Got Worse…
At work, we were looking at a door frame. It looked wavy. I closed one eye, then the other. My left eye saw the straight line as crooked.
“What the…?”
Again, I ignored it. I had a mountain of work to focus on, and pushing it to the side was easier.
But the spot kept getting bigger. Colors started to fade.
The Wake-Up Call
I finally mentioned it to a colleague. He told me he had nerve damage in his eyes and urged me to see an eye doctor immediately.
That freaked me out.
I rushed to the eye doctor. After a thorough exam, I got the diagnosis: Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR).
What I Learned
If I could go back and do it all over again, I wouldn’t have waited. Ignoring the symptoms was a huge mistake. I was lucky to catch it when I did—but it could have been much worse.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait If You Have CSR Symptoms
Ignoring CSR can lead to serious, long-term consequences:
- Permanent Vision Loss
- Chronic CSR Development
- Increased Risk of Recurrence
- Difficulty with Daily Tasks
- Limited Treatment Options
Final Thought
I’m grateful I spoke up when I did. If I had waited any longer, the outcome might have been very different. If you’re noticing any strange symptoms, don’t delay. Get checked. Protect your vision.
