I’ve only had two eye exams in my adult life. One was around 15 years ago when I thought I had scratched my eye (it was fine), and the other was last Wednesday.
Two factors combined to inspire the visit: One, I recently renewed my driver’s license, and some of the letters were a bit fuzzier than I remembered. I’ve always had great vision, so this worried me. Two, I shared with some friends that I hadn’t gotten an eye exam in 15 years, and they told me that there are reasons to go beyond vision concerns (eye doctors check for cataracts, glacoma, swelling, etc).
So I booked an appointment at a nearby optometrist. In addition to the standard test of reading small font from across the room, I looked into a machine that blew a puff of air onto my eye. Instead of dilation, they took a super high-res photo of my eyes.
The technician said that I still have 20/20 vision, but I have a touch of near-sightedness (more in my left eye than the right), and they encouraged me to look at frames while I waited for the doctor. I checked my email instead–I can still see well at a distance. It’s just a little fuzzy.
So the biggest surprise–and the most convincing moment–happened when the doctor had me look through a device with bunch of lenses while looking at small letters from across the room. When he thought he had found the best lens, he had me look at the letters one more time (they were crystal clear), then he took away the device so I could see the difference.
It was like a magic trick: Without the lenses, I could see the letters, but they were so blurry! I realized in that moment that I’ve probably experienced this for a year or so without realizing that being able to see or read something from a distance isn’t the same as seeing or read it clearly (or without additional effort).
So I’m getting driving glasses! And probably glasses for reading subtitles on the TV from across the room. I’m genuinely excited to get them, though I’m not 100% sure I made the right choice on frames. Which of these do you like more?
Once I reached my 40s my reading vision started to get fuzzy, I’ve heard that is common around that age. And then about 4 years ago I realized my 4K TV was looking a bit fuzzy and I’d been struggling with the green highway signs, so now I have 2 pairs of bifocals. One set is for distance and reading the other is for computer screen distance and reading. Choosing frames can be fun. RayBans make a lot of fun frames. My current distance frames are mostly blue and when exposed to UV light black stripes appear. Welcome to clearer vision!
That’s great! I’m glad they’re working well for you.
I like the first frames! They look dashing. Also, I really like that shirt.
Thanks Trev!
Hi Jamey, welcome to the club 🙂 I have had glasses since I was 11 years old, and am both long and short sighted. (Like you say, things are a little fuzzy without glasses). Thankfully I don’t need to wear them for driving and my short sightedness has improved over the past 5 year which has been good. I only wear my glasses for work (being a teacher, always looking at the board, back of the classroom, on my laptop, means they are a lifesaver). I think the first frames are the best, they do a great job of framing your face, and you might find they are a little sturdier in everyday use.
Cheers
Dan from Australia
Thanks Dan! It’s neat to hear that your vision has improved–I didn’t know that could happen naturally.
I started wearing prescription glasses for work (I stare at a lot of screens), reading and board gaming. They have helped a lot! I hope they help you, just be aware that it does take some adjusting to get used to wearing them!
Thank you! I currently wear sunglasses when I drive, so I’m hoping the shift to normal glasses won’t be too big of a change. 🙂
Welcome to the club of cool people who wear glasses. I’ve been wearing them since I was 6. I like the first photo better. (where the frames go around the entire lenses)
Thanks Asa! I appreciate the invitation to the club. 🙂
Contrary to others here, I like the partially rimless.
I’ve worn glasses or contacts for 60 years. In a way I’m lucky that I need them all the time, so there’s never a time when I’ve misplaced them.
I have two different sets of bifocals – one for the office (monitor/desk) and the other for everyday use. I never could get used to progressives (too much motor racing experience, where your eyes are constantly going from one mirror to the next; progressives made that a nauseating experience).
I do have transitions lenses – so I don’t have to use sunglasses over the top except in very bright sunlight.
Thanks Andy! I also opted for the transition lenses, and I’m curious to see how they work out.
I’m a +1 for the partially rimless glasses. They’re light looking and sporty!
Also true story… one Friday I was playing Words with Friends when half the screen on my phone went gray. My husband said it was not gray. The color came back but I went to the eye doctor the following Monday anyway. After they did all the vision tests she told me I should go to my doctor because she thought I’d had a stroke. So I did and I had! Who knew an eye doctor tor could tell that. The test for peripheral vision showed I’d lost some in both eyes which was the tip off. It was called a lacunar stroke. All is fine now, but I tell people if they ever have a vision problem like that go to the ER!
Wow, Kelly, I’m so sorry, and I’m glad you’re okay! I appreciate you sharing that in case others experience it too.