Sunday, March 16, 2008

I've seen the light!!

Literally!
Yesterday I paid a much needed visit to my eye doctor. I've worn glasses since I was 10 and contacts since I was 15. Needless to say I can't see a thing without them. My right eye is a -11.0 and my left is -9.75 if that means anything to anyone.
Since my last visit three years ago, I've had to resort to reading glasses, even for using my computer. One night when I arrived at the restaurant where I'm a waitress I panicked when I realized I'd left my reading glasses at home because there was no way I could work without them. Luckily the front desk had a bag full of them and I actually found an old pair of mine that I'd left behind one night.
So at my appointment yesterday I asked if there was anything that could be done. The thought of bifocal contacts didn't sound like something I could adjust to very well so we opted for this; a weak contact in my left eye and my regular prescription in my right.
The theory is that the left eye will take over when reading and the right will be for distance. I didn't scoff out loud, and I do know people who've done this, but I didn't think for one minute that it would work for me.
I couldn't try it out yesterday since part of my procedure was having my pupils dilated. Have you ever had that done? After numbing eye drops for the glaucoma test comes more drops for the thrilling experience of pupil dilation.
I went out and sat with Hans for a spell while the drops took effect and the waiting room lights were blinding (no wonder!). After looking deeply into my eyes Hans didn't tell me how stunning and beautiful I was, instead he said, "Wow, you look like you're on some kind of trip."
I couldn't kick him as he was my ride home, and driving after pupil dilation is not to be encouraged.
Back in the exam room, blinding lights were beamed into my eyes and it felt as though they were boring deeply into my brain. Luckily all was well and there appear to be no holes or tears in my retina although I can't say the same for that thing that's supposed to be my brain.
I will admit that the procedure went better than the last time and while I still had to wear sunglasses the rest of the day, at least when we went to breakfast afterwards my eyes didn't constantly stream giving everyone around us the impression that Hans is a bully!
But today, I read the Sunday Paper and even as I type this, I'M NOT WEARING READING GLASSES!!!!!! Oh happy day! You have no idea how liberating this is for me.
So now that I've 'seen the light' I wonder if my sewing will improve. Hmmm, we'll see.

1 comment:

Katie Alender said...

Wow, yes, those numbers mean something to me, and you should be very impressed with yourself as I spent summers in high school and college working for my dad, an optometrist, and rarely came across anyone that badly visioned. You go, girl!

I'm glad the one-weaker-contact thing is working for you. I've heard very good things about that technique!

My verification word is: "kepowdia", which is maybe the coolest word ever.