The Wonders of Technology
I have learned, again, to never say never when it comes to the progress of science and technology. And, being the optimist that I am, my heart is warmed with the knowledge that somewhere, out there, someone is working on the solution to so many of life's little problems; being the capitalist that I am, my heart is warmed knowing that where there's a market, there's a way.
I have worn glasses to correct my nearsightedness since I was 8 yrs old. Well, to be more accurate, I should say mostly since I was 8. I remember 'accidentally' losing my glasses at least one time and vehemently resisting wearing them for quite a spell before I gave in and realized how wonderful life could be in clear, sharp focus.
More times than I could count, friends who were similarly afflicted with faulty focus would come to school without their glasses and could miraculously see! Contact lenses... Being from an extremely humble situation in life, my mom struggled to pay for the glasses I had - contacts were for people in better economic condition.
I remember as a teen, one of my best vacations in my life was a 2 week backpacking trip in the Sange de Cristo mountains in my beloved Colorado. "Everyone needs sunglassess!" was a constant refrain from those helping to outfit us for the excursion. To those who have good enough vision a quick trip to K-Mart and $3.00 allowed them to cross that requirement off the list but, to a myopic teen of limited means one pair of prescription glasses every 2 or 3 years was quite a feat and since those were needed for school work and, well, walking, they needed to be clear lenses. I too, went to a store, I think it was Wards, an bought some sunglasses - aviator style (they've become all the rage, again!) with the oil slick-looking coating. They were cool and I looked great in them. They protected my eyes but not the rest of my body when I kept tripping on the things I couldn't see.
At various times through the years, as my economic prospects brightened, I'd ask the optometrists I would see about contact lenses. For the first few years the answers were, "No, because you have an astigmatism.); then the answer was, "Yes, you can get toric lenses for $300 each lens."
Two days ago, I asked the latest eye doctor about options. He said laser surgery was an option that would run me "three grand" (note to self, research the history of the word grand and how it came to mean thousand dollars) but, he asked if I had ever thought about contacts. I snickered to myself, "Had I ever thought about contacts? Of course, I had you silly young thing!" Out loud I said, "I understand toric lens are quit costly." Not so much anymore, it turns out.
So, I my go get ready for work by sticking a piece of plastic to each of my eyeballs. Tomorrow, I will go to the mall, thinking fondly of ZZ Top.."go get yourself some cheap sunglasses..."
I have worn glasses to correct my nearsightedness since I was 8 yrs old. Well, to be more accurate, I should say mostly since I was 8. I remember 'accidentally' losing my glasses at least one time and vehemently resisting wearing them for quite a spell before I gave in and realized how wonderful life could be in clear, sharp focus.
More times than I could count, friends who were similarly afflicted with faulty focus would come to school without their glasses and could miraculously see! Contact lenses... Being from an extremely humble situation in life, my mom struggled to pay for the glasses I had - contacts were for people in better economic condition.
I remember as a teen, one of my best vacations in my life was a 2 week backpacking trip in the Sange de Cristo mountains in my beloved Colorado. "Everyone needs sunglassess!" was a constant refrain from those helping to outfit us for the excursion. To those who have good enough vision a quick trip to K-Mart and $3.00 allowed them to cross that requirement off the list but, to a myopic teen of limited means one pair of prescription glasses every 2 or 3 years was quite a feat and since those were needed for school work and, well, walking, they needed to be clear lenses. I too, went to a store, I think it was Wards, an bought some sunglasses - aviator style (they've become all the rage, again!) with the oil slick-looking coating. They were cool and I looked great in them. They protected my eyes but not the rest of my body when I kept tripping on the things I couldn't see.
At various times through the years, as my economic prospects brightened, I'd ask the optometrists I would see about contact lenses. For the first few years the answers were, "No, because you have an astigmatism.); then the answer was, "Yes, you can get toric lenses for $300 each lens."
Two days ago, I asked the latest eye doctor about options. He said laser surgery was an option that would run me "three grand" (note to self, research the history of the word grand and how it came to mean thousand dollars) but, he asked if I had ever thought about contacts. I snickered to myself, "Had I ever thought about contacts? Of course, I had you silly young thing!" Out loud I said, "I understand toric lens are quit costly." Not so much anymore, it turns out.
So, I my go get ready for work by sticking a piece of plastic to each of my eyeballs. Tomorrow, I will go to the mall, thinking fondly of ZZ Top.."go get yourself some cheap sunglasses..."
posted by OurayDreamer at 5:19 AM
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