[misc.handicap] Glasses #2

David.Postler@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (David Postler) (10/24/90)

Index Number: 11257

Sorry all the BBS dropped me off and I had to go to work.  Here 
is the full message text:
Hi Again,
> I think there is no one who is nearsighted and has improve 
> their vision. I realized that I'm stuck for life wearing 
> glasses and being nearly blind.  The one good thing, most near-
> sighted people do not lose their close vision as quickly as 
> normal people. Most likely I won't need bi-focals until I'm 
> 50's or 60's probably.
 
Your  vision may improve slightly as you get farsighted when  you 
get older.  Bifocals usually come in your 40's, I'll let you know 
when  I  get there.  Some alternative to  glasses  are  contacts, 
hard,   soft,  disposable.   There  are  also  some   alternative 
treatments  such as the radial keratotamy eye surgery.   Talk  to 
you  eye doctor about this.  Bear in mind that  these  treatments 
are expensive and do have some risk of blindness.
 
> Every time I have to use more and more my glasses. 
 
I  know, I recently lost the ability to read a clock from  across 
the room, without my glasses.  
 
>  Many  people say if I wear glasses all the time,  my  eyesight 
> will deteriorate FASTER than if I do not!  Is this true?  
 
It  could be.  Eye problems are caused by your eye going  out  of 
round.   Your muscles can force your eye closer to a  sphere  and 
correct  your  vision.  This is why you may notice that  you  see 
worse when you are tired.
 
> When I put my first pair of glasses I realize that my eyes  
> are quite a bit worse now.
 
Your  eyes tend to adjust to your current prescription.   If  you 
wear your old glasses for a longer period they will work better.
 
> What do I do with the old ones? I can start a collection. If my
> eyes change like they are changing I'm going to have 10 pairs 
> of glasses in five years from now. 
 
Usually  you  only need to change the lenses.  You can  keep  the 
frames.   Also several charitable organizations  recycle  glasses 
contact the local Lions club for details.
 
> Who out there has the biggest collection?
 
I  believe Elton John does.  Last I heard he has between 300  and 
500  pairs of glasses.  Boy, I sure hope he gets a discount  when 
he needs a new prescription.  
 
I'm not complaining about my eye problems.  Believe me there  are 
quite  a  few people on this echo who would willingly  trade  for 
your or my eye problems.  Many are blind and their problems  make 
ours look distinctly minor.  
 
> Thanks Monica
 
Your welcome, David Postler

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778!David.Postler
Internet: David.Postler@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org