Free Eyes by Joanne Fluke

the first pad of gauze in place, Dr. Varney walked over to flick on the lights. Then he went back to the bed and patted Neil’s shoulder. “Do you have any questions, Neil?”
    â€œJust one.” Neil grinned. “Everyone’s been great, but when can I get out of here? I want to go home and have a big slice of Jill’s pot roast.”
    Dr. Varney laughed. “I can understand that. I eat in the cafeteria occasionally, and I know hospital food isn’t exactly gourmet fare. I want to keep you for three more nights, just to be on the safe side. If everything’s normal, I’ll release you on Wednesday, right after I’ve made my rounds.”
    â€œOkay.” Neil started to nod, but he caught himself. “No sudden head movements, right?”
    â€œThat’s right. I’ve got to run, Neil. I’ve got surgery in an hour.”
    Since Mary Ellen was still bandaging her husband, Jill stepped out into the hall with Dr. Varney. “What time are your rounds on Wednesday, Dr. Varney?”
    â€œBetween three and four. Is that a problem for you?”
    â€œI don’t think so. I have to be in court at ten, but we should be through by three at the latest.”
    â€œI’d forgotten you were a lawyer.” Dr. Varney frowned slightly. “Since you work, we’ll have to discuss some arrangements for Neil. Your insurance provides a day nurse for the first two weeks, but I think you should start looking for someone after that.”
    â€œBut . . . Neil will be able to see by then, won’t he?”
    â€œNot well enough.” Dr. Varney looked very serious. “Your husband will be able to distinguish between dark and light, but I had to do considerable muscle repair. Eye muscles can be retrained. That won’t be a problem. But it’s only fair to tell you that it’ll take time.”
    Jill nodded. “How much time?”
    â€œIt depends on the individual. During the first month, I’ll want Neil to come in three times a week for therapy. Once he learns the exercises, he’ll be able to do them at home, but he’ll experience episodes of double vision for at least six months.”
    â€œI see.” Jill tried not to frown. Neil’s recovery would be a lot slower than either of them had anticipated. “How about an eye patch? Would that help to correct the double vision?”
    â€œAbsolutely. But he has to remember to switch it every four hours. We don’t want one set of eye muscles to become lazy, while the other set grows stronger.”
    â€œThat’s it?” Jill’s relief was short-lived when the doctor shook his head.
    â€œDo you remember our discussion on tunnel vision?”
    â€œOf course.” Jill nodded. “Right before the operation Neil could only see in an arc of twenty degrees. You told us that between one-sixty and one-seventy degrees was normal.”
    â€œThat’s right. For all practical purposes, Neil’s back to square one. I wouldn’t expect any big changes right away. In time the arc will widen, but it could take a year before his peripheral vision is fully restored.”
    Jill began to frown. “Neil’s not going to be happy about that!”
    â€œI guessed as much. I have patients who manage to cope with this type of visual difficulty, but to be quite frank . . . I don’t think your husband is one of them.”
    Jill’s eyes widened. Even though Neil had been perfectly charming, he hadn’t fooled Dr. Varney.
    â€œAnd since we’re speaking frankly, I don’t think Neil will get along well while you’re at work.”
    â€œBut I can’t take time off right now.” Jill’s frown deepened. “Should I hire a nurse for him?”
    â€œYou don’t need a nurse. A housekeeper or a companion would do just fine. All she has to do is fix his meals, drive him in for therapy, and make sure he changes his eye patch. The