When I was in third grade, my entire class had our vision tested. Most of my classmates passed with 20/20 vision. But when it came to me, I couldn’t even see the big E on the chart. Maybe if I’d known it was supposed to be an E I would have “seen” it, but at that point in my life, I knew nothing about eyecharts.
So my parents promptly took me to an eye doctor, who confirmed it: I was incredibly nearsighted. Now, I have no idea what my vision was in comparison to the 20/20 ideal, but I do know it was bad. I got glasses, and in those days, you really could have lenses as thick as Coca-Cola bottles. For those of you not familiar with soft drink bottles, once upon a time such beverages came in glass bottles, which were recycled.
I was incredibly shy back then, and having the other kids tease me about my “four eyes” was painful. Not to mention I never looked good in glasses. Ever. People have since tried to tell me I was just self-conscious about them, but my family and teachers agreed, glasses were not a good look on me. Kind of mean of them to say so, but that’s another story. Once I learned about contact lenses, I couldn’t wait to get them. Of course back then you had to be an adult to wear contacts, so the wait seemed like forever.
Today I wear contacts with glasses as a back up. I don’t look so bad in glasses anymore, as long as my hair is okay. If my hair’s a mess, I’m definitely a “before” picture in my glasses. I know the day may come when contacts aren’t practical. At least, I think that happens when you get older.
I’m not legally blind, but I need my eyewear. It’s something I can’t live without. I’m so used to it now I hardly think about it, except when I need to shell out money for a new pair of glasses or a set of contact lenses. Both are expensive. The contacts because contacts just are expensive, and the glasses because I need a special kind of lens since my eyesight is so bad.
Of course as I’ve gotten older it’s become harder to see things up close. So even with my contacts I need to wear readers sometimes. But that’s a small price to pay for the gift of sight, and I’m glad I live in an era where glasses and contacts are readily available to me.
Image Credits: Cat in Glasses © Moriom12–stock.adobe.com Girl in glasses © Al–stock.adobe.com
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