Patient has lost permanent vision in both eyes due to doctor error, McCoy wrote on his PADD in his office. He stopped typing and buried his head in his hands. Sometimes he really hated being a doctor. On the Enterprise, what was required of him was always complicated, important – and dangerous. The bigger the task, the higher chance he would make a mistake.
Of course, no one blamed him for the mistake, but Bones would never forget the look that Jim gave him after they'd discovered Spock was blind.
God, you've really gone and done it this time, Leonard, he thought to himself.
He gave up on the notes and went back to Spock's bed. Spock was still lying down. For what felt like the tenth time that hour, he grabbed his medical penlight and shone it into the Vulcan's eyes.
Bones would need a specialist to determine whether Spock's vision could be corrected by surgery of some kind. The chances were slim but worth looking into...
Spock blinked as his pupils dilated for the first time since the procedure.
Dr. McCoy's jaw dropped as Spock said, "It appears my vision is coming back, Doctor."
Bones was absolutely flabbergasted. "This doesn't make any sense at all!"
Spock sat up and explained the Vulcan ocular system at length; Bones considered taking notes but figured he could leave that until later.
Bones shook his head once Spock was done speaking. "So you're saying you could have told me that this was going to happen and you didn't?" The anger in his tone was betraying him.
"I apologize, Dr. McCoy, I simply did not wish to give you what could be considered 'false hope.' You see, I did not know if my vision would return for certain, only that there was a mere possibility that it could."
Bones had to admit he had a point. "Well, I guess the important thing is, is that you're alright," he said at last. "Anything else I should know about Vulcans that you've been hiding from me?"
"If anything comes to mind, Doctor, I'll let you know."
Bones shook his head and motioned Spock to get up. "Come on now, we gotta let Jim know that you're okay." And they both left sickbay to head to the bridge.