Vision Through The Years

by Evelyn Horan

Ever since I told my mom when I was ten years old that trees looked like big lollipops, I have been a constant wearer of eyeglasses for the need to correct my near-sightedness. At one time, when I was a young woman, I tried to wear contact lens, but for me, it was an unsuccessful attempt. I had problems inserting them. They felt strange. My eyes watered, and I could not accept a foreign object in them, so I went back to my familiar lens.

Blue Eye Glasses Isolated

I have faithfully worn my glasses and have had eye check and exams yearly. I have become quite obsessed that I have a correction to 20/20 vision, as near as possible. Therefore, any time lettering on signs or captions that move across the bottom of the TV screen seem “blurry,” I grow agitated, and feel I need a correction to my glass lens as soon as possible.

I can often read street signs as we approach them in the car, much sooner than my husband or other folks riding in the car, and I am sometimes teased about my “superior vision”. However, I feel comfortable in being able to see well. But it’s difficult now to get a quality adjustment with bifocals to meet the vision needed with I sit back from the screen. It’s also awkward to have to raise my chin to adjust the good vision needed as I view the screen through bifocals.

I’ve been told there is a three-vision lens adjustment, but I don’t want to experience them. Two are enough for me at this time. As I grow older my vision is improving for my near-sightedness as that is an occurrence that is expected by vision doctors. I can read and see well up close, but I don’t often remove my glasses to do so.

I have tried various lens styles and frames through the years, from small to large, from narrow to wide, but my favorite frame is eight years old, is blue, and is of moderate size. I have had my favorite sunglass frames for ten years, but I continue to use them as well. These frames seem best for my face, and I no longer follow the frame and lens fads that occur almost yearly.

I am writing the article as I sit in the doctor’s office, awaiting my yearly eye exam. I am “keeping an eye” on a slow-growing cataract. The end results of my exam are the following:

1. On a scale of 1-10 my cataract is 1 ½   and I should have no concern.
2. My vision has only changed a “wee bit” so for now I will keep the same correction and will check back again within a year.

This is all great news. Now I can happily continue my efforts to age with a cheerful attitude!

About the Author

Evelyn Horan is a former teacher/counselor. Her articles and stories have been published many times in periodicals for children and adults in both secular and religious publications. She holds General Elementary, General Secondary, Pupil Personnel, and also School Psychologist life credentials in the state of California. Horan is the author of a number of books including Aging Requires a Gentle Attitude. Learn more about her work at http://www.authorsden.com/evelynhoran.

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