I see you

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 01:02 am
caddyman: (Default)
[personal profile] caddyman
So this evening it was early from work and straight to the opticians for an eye test. Two years ago I went to Specsavers and came out quite promptly with a prescription for mild long sight and an order for two pairs of glasses. I didn't argue at the time because it had been nearly six years since my previous eye test when I had been told that I was mildly long sighted. Mum has tremendous long vision so I assumed that it was hereditary and that was that.

Over the past two years, however, I have found myself looking with hindsight at that diagnosis and sale and have had the disquieting feeling that I was prescribed reading glasses I didn't need. I have worn them on occasion when the light has been poor and I have had very small print to read, or from time to time when my eyes have been tired, but generally, my glasses languish in their case unused.

I have been worried over the past twelve months that after being in the office all day, I find it hard to focus on anything past the middle distance, which seemed odd for someone with long sight. I have to rub my eyes to make them focus.

I find that this is called presbyopia: as you get older, the eye muscles and cornea are less elastic and once in a position simply wish to stay there. The rest of me has had this for years, particularly where a comfy bed or armchair is concerned. Nothing to worry about. My peripheral vision is fine - I didn't miss a single speck of light on the strange flashy-lighty thing they have these days. Once the various less than decorous lenses and contraptions came out and my eyes had been strained through them it turns out that I have not and never have had long vision - if I had, I should not have been able to read anything close up without spectacles. As it is I can read size 9 aerial letters at any range from about four inches to well past arm's length away from my eyes. I do have a slight astigmatism, which is why, apparently my eyes occasionally mimic a type of long sight because of the way they focus. I don't quite follow how it works, but then I'm not an optician.

Astigmatism aside, I seem to have 20-20 vision in my left eye - the one that was worrying me, and better than 20-20 in my right eye. I have been getting worried because at times I see the world as poorly as most people.

Mind you, this hasn't stopped them (they being Dollond & Aitcheson) from prescribing me new glasses. This new set will be for a much milder lens than Specsavers gave me and are only for use when using the computer, to prevent eye strain. They also lifted £187 from my credit card and said they'd phone when the prescription is ready. Happily since the glasses are for use when using a computer and I use one for upwards of six hours a day at work, the Department will cough up the lion's share of the cost.

Twenty-twenty vision, eh? Were it not for my sloth-like reflexes and flabomorphic body type I could have been a fighter pilot.

What a waist waste.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-02-06 02:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bluesman.livejournal.com
Nope, just the glarses. I pay ten bucks for the eye test (at the health insurance place) and of course one can pay two or three hundred for a pair of "designer" (ho ho) frames at LensCrafters etc, but Wal Mart is cheaper and has a decent selection. Still, I just get them to pop the prescription lenses in the existing frames.

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