I'm finally getting new eyeglasses!

[ronknights]

I got my last pair of prescription eyeglasses in 2003. I'm now 65, and just know my vision has changed in those years. I always found a way to forget about getting new eyeglasses. Last year I got close when I signed up with Humana, but failed to book an appointment.

I have an appointment with the eye doctor on Friday January 7. I've had some extreme difficulties getting myself out of the apartment over my lifetime. It's been even harder in the year or so since I moved from Maine to Minnesota. I am determined to make Friday's appointment.

My appointment is at Pearle Vision. I might even get my new eyeglasses the same day?! I will likely need bifocals for "walking around," and "computer glasses." for sitting at the computer. I look forward to new eyeglasses because I can barely read the text on my computers now!

 

[sanbie]

I have my computer glasses...my TV glasses...reading glasses and my driving Glasses...at night when watching TV I like to sit and Crochet...as I don't have bifocals I put my TV glasses on the top and my reading glasses underneath...so when I look up I can see the TV clearly...and when I look down I can do my crocheting lol ...It works...but I do keep promising myself that I will get bifocals...

 

[Pendraia]

I have multi focals and they drive me crazy...being able to read is important.

 

[sanbie]

Yeah I am worried that bifocals may be hard to adjust to....what I do works...so I am thinking if it ain't broke don't fix it!

 

[Pendraia]

Reading in bed and steps are the biggest issues. Mine are graduated multifocals though rather than bifocals."

 

[Lorraine]

I spend most of my life wearing just my reading glasses, only putting on my distance if I go off the boat or I'm being nosey about something happening near me. The reason being I don't mind blurry far away but I hate blurry close up, and I really don't like eating blurry food

 

[ronknights]

Yeah eyesight is important. I never had any trouble adjusting to "no-line" bifocals. A few years ago I admitted they weren't working for reading the computer screen. I've spent hundreds of dollars on cheap "reading glasses." They usually fall apart at the most inconvenient time. Lately, it appears my eyesight has improved. But then sometimes my eyesight appears to change without any rhyme or reason. Many times it's like I'm looking through a fog. I'm using my 27" iMac, and am using a really low resolution just to read the screen.

Eyeglasses might be inconvenient at time, but I'll never consider contact lenses. I just don't want to fiddle about, sticking stuff in my eyes.

Take care, my friends. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have new eyeglasses and see the world in a whole new light!

 

[Alisa]

Ron, if it feels like you're looking through fog, you may have cataracts. (not diagnosing, but I suggest you mention it when you go in)

And when you have them removed, it can make a huge difference for you.

I've got er, very challenging eyes. Was so nearsighted and with extreme astigmatim that I couldn't see beyond my nose clearly (literally) without my contact lenses (gas perms - couldn't wear soft ones). Didn't own glasses as the only time I tried them as an adult it felt like I was looking through a fishbowl (through about 1" thick lenses) and the whole world just was spinning. I had my contacts set with one distance and one for close up. The plus side was that I could see without my lenses REALLY close up if I stuck my nose into something so I could see splinters pretty well .

Had Cataract surgery 2 yrs ago (wow, can't believe it's been so long) and now..NO lenses, no glasses (if I have to see REALLY teensy stuff I can use a magnifying glass. I have the same setup with one eye set for distance & one for closeup. Unfortunately, the combination of my eyeballs still being a football shape instead of baseball shape and a condition I developed around the same time that causes me to see straight lines as wavy (and in the opposite way in both eyes) makes it so my eyes don't work together, so I use the computer with my right eye mostly closed and look at street signs (though I drive very little) with my left one mostly closed. But it's STILL amazing to me to wake up and be able to see...anything

Hope all goes well tomorrow and that you get glasses you like that will help you see better!!

 

[ronknights]

Alisa, wow, that must be have tough going all those years with eyesight difficulties. I'm impressed that you've been able to pursue graphics interests with those difficulties.

I have some near-sightedness, astigmatism, and need a little help reading. Well that's what I knew till now. The fogginess seems to come and go. Sometimes I just get confused. i'm determined to make my appointment Friday. I've encountered some physical and emotional challenges in recent months. I have extreme anxiety attacks any time I think about doing something important to me. My life would literally be off to a new & good start with new eyeglasses!

Take care!

 

[Alisa]

Actually, with my contact lenses, I could see perfectly til this other issue popped up. I'm just not a good person to ask if something is straight lol

Hang in there!!!!

 

[Satira Capriccio]

Dry eyes also impacts vision and is extremely common what with all the hours most of us spend on computers (not blinking). I have days when I leave work and everything is a blur. My doctor has me doing eyedrops four times a day now (after every two hours). But, I have an awful time remembering to use them. Was easy when it was every two hours.

For sure keep your appointment. Whatever is going on, they should catch.

 

[Miss B]

I've been wearing glasses for reading since my 20s, mainly for astigmatic correction. My eyesight actually didn't change 'til my mid-40s, and one thing my current Ophthalmologist indicated was, the astigmatism has lessened over the years.

I wore contacts back in the mid- to late 80s, and since contacts with astigmatic correction weren't that common back then, I had to go to a specialist to get them, and they were expensive!!! I had to give them up when I went back to school for another degree, mostly because I couldn't see anything on the blackboard while I was wearing them.

Now that I'm 2 yrs past my RVO procedures, and I no longer have to use special anti-inflamatory eye drops any more, I can go back to wearing contacts, though probably part of the day, wearing my glasses later in the day, at least until I'm used to wearing the contacts again.

I don't know how you can use one eye for near viewing and one for distance. That would probably give me a migraine. Luckily, even after my eye changes over all these years, I don't need glasses for distance.

I've got er, very challenging eyes. Was so nearsighted and with extreme astigmatim that I couldn't see beyond my nose clearly (literally) without my contact lenses (gas perms - couldn't wear soft ones). Didn't own glasses as the only time I tried them as an adult it felt like I was looking through a fishbowl (through about 1" thick lenses) and the whole world just was spinning. I had my contacts set with one distance and one for close up. The plus side was that I could see without my lenses REALLY close up if I stuck my nose into something so I could see splinters pretty well .

Had Cataract surgery 2 yrs ago (wow, can't believe it's been so long) and now..NO lenses, no glasses (if I have to see REALLY teensy stuff I can use a magnifying glass. I have the same setup with one eye set for distance & one for closeup. Unfortunately, the combination of my eyeballs still being a football shape instead of baseball shape and a condition I developed around the same time that causes me to see straight lines as wavy (and in the opposite way in both eyes) makes it so my eyes don't work together, so I use the computer with my right eye mostly closed and look at street signs (though I drive very little) with my left one mostly closed. But it's STILL amazing to me to wake up and be able to see...anything

Hope all goes well tomorrow and that you get glasses you like that will help you see better!!

 

[ronknights]

Yeah I doubt I'd be able to easily adapt to using one eye for near and one for far. It's really interesting to hear you share your own eye experiences.

My Dad is 88. For most of his life, he was legally blind in one eye. Over the past few years he had cataract surgery and actually came out with improved eyesight. Then he had some weird thing wrong with the fluid in his eye(s). It took at least two visits back to the doctor to supposedly get that straightened out. Now he's experiencing night blindness, which is getting worse and worse.

I moved back to MN to be near family. My brother and I are 27 miles away from my parents. Dave & I don't have cars. David can't really travel well since he's a big man and uses an extra-wide wheelchair. My parents have to come over here to visit. It's hard too since Dad needs to have a nap about every 3 hours. We're all near together at long last, but are ruled by our own health concerns, etc.

It's always good to hear from you all! Maybe I'll share a new photo of me with new eyeglasses tomorrow?!

 

[Alisa]

Dry eyes also impacts vision and is extremely common what with all the hours most of us spend on computers (not blinking). .

I've got that, too. But not as bad as when I wore contacts...

I've been wearing glasses for reading since my 20s, mainly for astigmatic correction. My eyesight actually didn't change 'til my mid-40s, and one thing my current Ophthalmologist indicated was, the astigmatism has lessened over the years.

Wow - nice! Mine just got worse and worse. I got contacts in the late 60s - yes, expensive. My mom got them only because the eye doc explained they'd help prevent my vision from getting worse (as they put pressure on the cornea) worked for a bit, but then over the years....

I don't know how you can use one eye for near viewing and one for distance. That would probably give me a migraine.

It's not fun .

Yeah I doubt I'd be able to easily adapt to using one eye for near and one for far. !

If all else is right, your brain makes your eyes adapt so you use both eyes, but when you look close up you see close and when you look far, you see far. I never had to close one eye or another till this other condition I developed, and it's because of the waviness that's opposite on each eye.

That said, some people's brains adapt to what's referred to as "Mono-vision" - having one contact set to near and one to far. I don't know that it works for glasses.

That's challenging, Ron - but it is nice that you're at least near . Look forward to seeing you with some new glasses

 

[ronknights]

I'm retired, living off Social Security Disability and have Humana for supplemental medical insurance. I know Medicare doesn't cover cataract surgery. Not sure if Humana does. I may not need to worry about that. It's important, just getting checked out, and maybe getting new eyeglasses!

I'm feeling a bit stressed & lazy, so I hope you don't mind I neglected to add your names for a more personal touch. I truly care, and appreciate you sharing your time & experiences! Now it's almost 9 PM, and this old guy feels a need to get some sleep.

 

[sanbie]

Dry eyes also impacts vision and is extremely common what with all the hours most of us spend on computers (not blinking). I have days when I leave work and everything is a blur. .

Doctor says I have this too...but I can't see how as my eyes leek all the time...it's horrible when it dries it goes white and hard so my glasses are so hard to clean as when I blink my lashes hit my glasses with this fluid on them!

 

[ronknights]

Sandbie, that sound really difficult & annoying!

My nose drips constantly. I don't know if it somehow affects my eyes as well.. Ok it's time to get my tired posterior to bed.

All my best to you all!

 

[Alisa]

I know Medicare doesn't cover cataract surgery.

Sure it does - for when/if you need it

Cataract surgery | Medicare.gov

 

[sanbie]

Sandbie, that sound really difficult & annoying!

My nose drips constantly. I don't know if it somehow affects my eyes as well.. Ok it's time to get my tired posterior to bed.

All my best to you all!

It drives me nuts just quietly...

 

[ronknights]

Alisa, wow, that is a relief. I must have previously inquired about Lasex surgery?! Maybe that was an elective laser surgery?!