Do I go out on disability now or wait or wait?

Laura

November 4,2023 at 2:42AM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Do I go out on disability now or wait or wait? In June I had cataract surgery and had the tri lens put in. In Sept and Oct they had to go back in and remove secondary cataracts. I am still have extreme dry eye that is causing me to see halos around lights and I still do not have have 20/20 vision. Right now it is around 20/40 because of my lenses I can not wear glasses. The last doctor said if I do not improve next year they might have to do sugery again and replace these lenses.

Until last month when the insurance finally approved a new medication, I had a constant migraine for 3 months solid. This entire time I have worked. I have tried to talk to my new boss but her attitude is such that I should have taken a few days off in the beginning and I would be fine now. This week I missed a deadline of switching our accounting system, she will not allow me to have my assistant work any overtime, she told me it is my job to pick up the slack. I physically cannot stare at the computer any more than I am, it is physically impossible and is making me sicker.

Should I just go out on disability now or wait till I have the next surgery? Do you think she is trying to push me into quiting or screwing up enough that she can fire me?

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

9 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

9 Comments

Join the conversation

Melissa NobileNovember 4,2023 at 12:26PM UTC
Get a doctor’s note that says you can only work X hours on the computer, can’t drive at night, etc. tThey will have to accommodate you.
Corinne CarabasNovember 4,2023 at 12:56PM UTC
First of all I used to work for an Ophthalmologist office and used to counsel people on cataract surgery options. Your doctor should have talked through your options better. Not everyone is a good candidate for Multifocal lenses. In fact, most people aren’t. Halos are common with a Multifocal lens. Most people learn to adapt and not notice them after awhile. Apparently that’s not you.
This might be a big step but if you go to your eye doctor to ask for a note like the other person suggested, be adamant about asking for your consultation notes. See what they were putting in for why they recommend those lenses for you. And this is really important: they should have been documented BEFORE the surgery. And if they are not, I believe you may have a potential case to get a lawyer involved for them causing you to have additional health issues/migraines, additional surgery (perhaps 3 times which is outrageous), and it was impacting your work so much to the point of almost losing your job. Also “secondary” cataracts in my experience are very rare. I’m not sure if that means that you had additional film develop over the natural lens of your eye, or just straight up, the doctor didn’t get it all the first time. Either is likely, both never happened to any of the hundreds of patients I helped consult over a 3-cataract surgeon practice.
I’m no eye doctor, I just worked closely with cataract surgeons for 2.5 years. And all I’m saying is get your doctor to produce the documentation and get them to take some responsibility. What good is a doctor that can’t take care of their patients. I hope they’ve been eating the cost on these additional surgeries as well. Facility and anesthesia fees.
I’m sorry this is happening to you, but just know that it’s not all on you. Lean on your doctor. And like the other person suggested once you have that note just go to HR. Your supervisor obviously has no empathy so time to go past them and perhaps get FMLA accommodation. Which you’ll also need your doctor’s sign off for.
Best of luck and I hope you get what you need soon.
AnonymousNovember 4,2023 at 1:35PM UTC
You have had some excellent advice from the other posters. I would add that this is your eyesight and your health. You are not blind yet, but if your boss keeps pushing you beyond the safe limits, it won't end well for you OR them. Get the doctor's notes and recommendations for maximum continuous computer time and request a formal ADA accommodation. This is to keep you from going blind. Do this through your EEO representative in HR, as they are the ones who know the company should make sure your accommodations are met, or they will face legal issues if anything goes wrong.
Kim TurnerNovember 4,2023 at 4:11PM UTC
Try putting castor oil on a cotton swab and patting it on your eyes at night before bed.
BeaBoss297442November 5,2023 at 1:59PM UTC
What are the benefits of doing this? I am very interested because I had a torn retina and had laser surgery to repair it. I’ve already had one bleed and want to do everything I can to prevent that from happening again.
Kim TurnerNovember 6,2023 at 12:54AM UTC
Reduction of inflammation and helps retain moisture when applied topically to the eyelid. They help improve the stability of tears and lipids in your eyes. By thickening the lipid layer, the drops keep your eyes healthy, preventing infection and easing symptoms. Less tear evaporation. Eye drops with castor oil in them also help improve symptoms of dry eye.
AnonymousNovember 5,2023 at 2:44PM UTC
I am in HR. If you are in the US and your company has an HR department, reach out to them and ask for an ADA accommodation. They might ask for a medical recommendation from your doctor but you may be able to ask for a reduced schedule, more break times, etc. There are several ADA websites that will explain to you your rights. It would probably be a good idea to do a little research on that. You could start short term disability now, but if you’re wanting to continue working for awhile or you’re wanting accommodations when you come back from leave, you’ll want to look into this.
LORI-ANN BURLINGAMENovember 5,2023 at 6:32PM UTC
You sight anf health are important and I would want to get a second opinion from an independent doctor. In adition, have you reached out to human reachers? Do you have short-term or long-term disability? You may want to look into FMLA.
This is a good time to start reviwing your options. In addition, I would submit a doctor's note to your human resources department. It sounds like your manager is insensitive and a real SOB.
AnonymousNovember 6,2023 at 3:36PM UTC
Yes, this situation is exactly when disability should be chosen.