I See, I See, Said the Blind Man
As he picked up his hammer and saw . . .
(No, I do not get tired of that joke. Yes, I know it’s not particularly funny.)
Had an eye exam today. Got off to a good start when the doctor took a look at my glasses and said “I had forgotten how nearsighted you are.” Went downhill from there, as my prescription had to get stronger – again – as my vision had deteriorated to 20/50 with my old glasses. Walked home in the sunlight, and even though I had the protective shades, I am stunned I did not walk right into a moving car. When I could keep my eyes open, I saw the whole world through a haze.
Then my first attempt to get new glasses failed when the closest LensCrafters’ machines were broken. So we drove to another one and discovered that my current health insurance doesn’t cover glasses. Unfortunately, I had already donated blood earlier in the day, so trading plasma for the glasses was impossible. Visa is very happy with me tonight, lemme tell ya.
On the other hand, when I finally did get the glasses, I was amazed by how much clearer things seemed, and by how light the glasses were – lenses have apparently gotten even thinner in the last few years, which is great. I hope that lens-thinning technology manages to at least keep pace with my deteriorating vision for years to come.
So, long story short, if you haven’t replaced your glasses in a few years, and have a spare kidney, check out what’s available.
Oh, and if you can at all persuade your optometrist not to have Rachael Ray’s talk show on in the waiting room, go for it.
About Dave Thomer
Born and raised in Philadelphia. Studied philosophy at Fordham University in the Bronx, where I made many great friends and met my wonderful wife. We moved back to Philadelphia, where I studied philosophy some more and became a teacher. Online and off, I'm looking for ways that we can be better citizens and build stronger communities.