Jennifer 23 Aug 2010, 16:40
Anderson, thank you for sharing your story with us. You've had to live an extraordinary life. I can understand how you are very mature beyond your age. I always enjoy reading your updates. Your English is great!
Good Luck!
Flaine 23 Aug 2010, 08:40
LauraC,
Hey i cr8ed a email for es seParately for easy organisation so yeah...
flaine.es@gmail.com
Me and my sis Natasha would be sharing this acc so feel free to ask and i will reply asap if possible. Hopefully there is no spammers here:)
LauraC 23 Aug 2010, 02:18
Flaine:
it would be very interesting to speak about your sister's attitude towards glasses (that looks so like mine!) and even more to speak directly with her! Maybe we can exchange our e-mail adress? You can use laura.cavicchi2@yahoo.it to contact me.
Bye.
I appear rarely on lenschat, with the same nick I used here. Is it your nick still the same there? Bye.
Flaine 22 Aug 2010, 19:01
Anderson,
Wow amazing story! Haha i bet u felt that the glasses were magic when u first got them as they totally transformed what u saw?
And btw, whr r u from? U speak good english...and very mature for a 18 yrs old guy! Just curious, but what field of job r u looking for or interested in?
Thanks:)
4eyes 22 Aug 2010, 15:01
Hello you guys and girls.
Be warned about my Bad English.
I am sorry I take too long returnig to this site.
Hi Flaine… Hi Jennifer… Anderson’s here.
My story is a lot more weird than nice.
The first day I put a glasses on I hardly took them off but to sleep only. Every other kid would trick me or play with me about my eyes every day and I always thought I was picked up just like any other kid because I’d never understand I’d different eyes. Even when kids would shout about my eyes being aligned and would I run off bumping into things I didn’t know what I were looking for when staring at mirrors ‘cause I didn’t know my own features and I never cared about it. And when my peers said my eyes would go real wacko on trying to see my image in the mirror reflection I would simply dismiss them silly laughing. Until my fourth anniversary I though I was as ordinary as any other kid in the orphanage and, never did have any different treatment nor would I accept any. The shame of being different attracting attention was something I could or would avoid at any cost. No way, thank you Sir.
The first time I got eyeglasses I was about four years old and I was living in an orphanage here in São Paulo. I think I will never forget the moment I put them on. The world was full of little details. The faces I saw had features I’d never imagined existed. It is true I always looked at my face on mirrors but I was content in my bliss ignorance when seeing my blurred reflection back. When kids teased me because of my eyes back then, I didn’t know what to look for so I will remember forever the first time I saw a face. I remember clearly the nurse was laughing and crying for some silly reason or I’d have made the funniest face when looking at the optician place mirrors. I didn’t want him to take my glasses back even for fitting adjustments, but one of the nurse took them from me. When I went to sleep that day, I slept hold them. From that day, I’d never take them off ‘till I got them stolen when living in streets already. I’d never told my dad about my earlier life in orphanages because I was scare he would drop me out, but nevertheless he founds out my first eyeglasses was about + 10,00 when I was four. Somehow he’d find out where I lived… and I hated him for awhile.
Jennifer, while in London last July doctors tried to fit me into some new lenses called trifocal… For me to get used to Bi-focal took ages and tons of patience because I have difficult moving my eyes correctly due to missing muscles and several movement limitation on both eyes that causes nystagmus when I force them to move several direction.
I think doctors were trying to fit me with some new “try-on” lenses that trigger nystagmus and “that” is what causes me not sickness, but serious discomfort. “That nystagmus” and a nasty strabismus that won’t go away. Now, how come a strabismus go away only when you have “double vision” thingy? Thanks God I don’t have that.
Also, although I can not speak English, I have the funny feeling Doctors also can not speak English but another language only them can speak and understand. And I suspect they are all deaf. They never listen to you, never. I tell them I don’t care about not being able to see well but to get rid of the eyes crossing thing, but they seems not to listen to me and keep trying new things on me.
Jarred, I would love to have a shity life but some very ordinary eyes, I must say.
Doctors usually don’t listen to me, but… I hate to say so; they find my eyes the most interesting thing to mess up with. They says I learned to use them, my eyes I mean… to my most advantage. Actually they say I should be severely impaired due to over 90 DP of eyes deviation “in primary straight position” whatever that means. Remember I said doctors speak in “ancient tongues.” It tooks me years to get used to bi-focal only, last July they tried some new “eyeglasses formulas” with stronger Add On Fresnell prisms and tri focal but to my dismay they did more harms than benefits.
Hopefully I’ll be eighteen soon and all those trying outs will be past things. Finally I’ll be out of school and I’ll try and get some job. Maybe then I’ll get some respect I think I deserve.
Tchau… FIU. Anderson.
PS.: CJ, you're good when explaining things; much better than any doctor I've seen.
Jarred 09 Aug 2010, 13:04
I have followed 4eyes posts on Eyescene for a while now. He's certainly someone with a very interesting life story to tell even without his eyesight issues.
Not that I'm in the same league as 4eyes but I have a total of 18 base out prisms in my prescription. Without my glasses on I find it quite difficult and it does make me feel a little ill. So based on personal experience having a fair bit of prism doesn't help either. I can't imagine having to walk about with +30 on top of all that as well!
Much respect to 4eyes, and I look forward to the next post.
Jarred
Cactus Jack 09 Aug 2010, 09:50
Jennifer,
It is closely related to motion sickness. Motion Sickness and nausea are often caused by a mismatch between what your semi-circular canals in your inter ear are sensing and what your eyes are used to seeing. All this is part of your balance system.
Often, when there is a sudden major change in vision, nausea will occur. This is caused by a major change in apparent rate of motion when you move your head. For example, people with significant myopia experience a DECREASED apparent rate of motion than normal. This is caused by the minification of the image and the wider field of view caused by vertex distance effects. People who wear high plus lenses experience an INCREASED apparent rate of motion caused by the magnification of the image and narrowed field of view caused by the vertex distance of the high plus lenses. (You can experience something similar by looking through a pair of binoculars and panning from left to right.)
In Anderson's situation, to improve accuracy of his exam, he was required to go without his very high plus glasses for a period of time. The apparent effect to him was that images suddenly became very small and very blurry and there was a very significant change in the apparent rate of motion as he moved his head. Often, the same thing happens when a person tries high minus GOC for the first time, except if the glasses/CL combination is a good one, the images are clear.
Given time, the nausea goes away as the brain grows accustomed to the sensation of motion from the inter ear and the new images from the visual cortex.
C.
Jennifer 09 Aug 2010, 08:43
What causes Anderson to get ill when he doesn't wear his glasses? Sorry if this sounds stupid, but trying to understand. Thanks!
Cactus Jack 08 Aug 2010, 18:37
Flaine,
Anderson can answer this better than anyone, but perhaps I can answer your question.
Anderson has been posting here as '4yes' for several years. He was born without crystaine lenses probably because of Rubella (German Measles) during his mothers pregancy, but no one is really sure. His current Rx is a bit over +30 in each eye with very high prism correction. He needed full time glasses from the day he was born.
C.
Flaine 07 Aug 2010, 19:46
Anderson,
Wow nice story! Btw what was the rx when u started full time?
4eyes 07 Aug 2010, 13:34
I know this all sounds silly… but.
I think I can not afford vanity since the day I got my first eyeglasses and they were funny looking and bulk AND that happened when I was about 4 years old. In fact I used to go to sleep with them every night until I got them stolen. But back then, I was already living in street for almost a month so the missing glasses concern didn't last for a week maybe, because I realized I was earning much more money without them... LOL. ActuaIly I don’t use them at home only, if I am not playing or using computer or watching TV or something, but that is not vanity, I just “don’t” get them the first thing.
But few days ago, while in London while in SAFE ENVIRONMENT”, that is… in the hotel rooms, I played the hotel Xbox video fairly well at a 72” TV in our room bare eyed, but I started feeling ill after awhile and had to stop and then I hated those four hours daily I would need to stay bare eyed by doctors order so they could get the best of my shit eyes for data measurements. On the second day I felt real sick after playing less than a hour and regretted very much I was without my glasses as the world began spinning the moment I moved my eyes from one point to another. Because of that “Safe Environment” stated, we went, me and my daddy to Hyde Park just across the hotel we were staying. Some kids were playing soccer and one of them asked me to return the ball ahead back to them when one of them began to laugh at me and then he pretended he was coughing when he saw my daddy returning with some snacks. I got the ball and returned it the kid when one of them, recognizing me from our last trip asked me about my glasses. As we’d played together before I knew him and I’d recognized his voice asking for the ball. I told him I’d have to stay bare eyed for few hours the next two days before returning to Moorefield Hospital.
I briefly feel like a piece of s#*@... and silently returned to my place under the tree. But then… there is nothing I can do, I am what I am. I refused joining them in their game so I just lay down at grass doing absolutely nothing for some time. Next day we were playing in a LAN HOUSE and that same boy “Lester” something, would stare at me every now and then that I HAD TO LAUGH at him. In the Music Shop Mall where I played synthesizers for fun everyday, I gave up, I just wouldn’t bare to keep a real head aching thing I’d never cared years before so I returned back to hotel. At that time I was really begging for my eyeglasses.
Lately, the first thing I pick up is my eyeglasses… my maiden lay down at my bedside. I don’t even realize I go to sleep with them almost every night. HEHE, HEHE
Tchau… Thanks for listening.
Anderson
Flaine 06 Aug 2010, 21:01
LauraC,
actually u are not very different from my vain sister:) i think she should be around -4 and -4.75 as estimated by soundmanpt here. And she is like you who dont wear her glasses at all... Her designer frames r like still brand new but her current prescription of -3 is too weak for her eyes...and she is refusing to get new lens..maybe i can tell you more if i see u on lenschat someday...
Puffin 05 Aug 2010, 02:36
Laura C - I imagine the optician was quite surprised when told you'd forgot your glasses.
miuns 4 seems to be the cut off for nearly all really stubborn glasses-resisters I've met. At that point they need correction for some things too much not to have some glasses available.
Flaine 05 Aug 2010, 02:22
LauraC
O.o i see... That is quite long ago....my last check up is also around there actually dec 2008hah! Btw how can you tell that it has increase? I find it the same or at least the same in my right eye!
LauraC 05 Aug 2010, 01:03
minus 5 who luvs gwgs
If I understood you didn't wear regularly until -4, so you can confirm that life is still quite manageable with such a vision.
Flaine
My last (and only) check was spring 2009 and I was -3 in one eye and -4 in the other with some astigmatism. I'm afraid it has increased recently.
PS the optician asked me where my glases were and I lied that I forgot at home...
Flaine 03 Aug 2010, 06:55
Johnny,
interesting haha what was ur rx when u accepted glasses?:0
Johnny 03 Aug 2010, 06:38
The last time I went without glasses was when I was eighteen. I'm a forty-something now (still the right side of fifty).
Back then, I tried to fool myself into believing I could cope without glasses. Denial back then was big time.
For those who are interested, I am a higly myopic male; Left eye -7, right eye -9.
Going without glasses is not an option. Denial has long since been replaced by acceptance. And reliance!
All the best.
Flaine 03 Aug 2010, 00:10
LauraC,
Hey laura just curious when was ur last eye check?
minus 5 who luvs gwgs 02 Aug 2010, 11:00
Laura I too hated wearing glasses which I first got at 8 years old was only told to wear for the blackboard and TV so tried to do without wore them for lessons only when threatened by a teacher who was in communication with my parents .Was rather embarrassed by them so never wore them socially I did go on holiday with the school at age 17 and did wear them it was rather a relief to see but still I held off and it was only when I got to my thirties I started to wear them all the time by this stage I was about minus 4 in my worst eye the stupid thing is i am very attracted to girls with glasses and all my serious girlfriends both my wives and my girlfriend are all myopes and they look so lovely in glasses especially my sexy minus 6 girlfriend
And 02 Aug 2010, 10:48
LauraC, how did your friend get on in the pool without her -4.50 lenses ? And how about you yourself ?
And 02 Aug 2010, 10:13
LauraC, some of the much older posts on this thread include comments from folk with various prescriptions who have done various things bare-eyed eg swimming, shopping, going on dates etc. How do you get on in these situations ?
Curt 02 Aug 2010, 10:02
LauraC: No offense intended, and I am not (and could not) force you into glasses even if I wanted to. But what I said before stands...I am just curious why you are against wearing glasses, when most of us here on Eye Scene enjoy wearing glasses and the clear vision that comes with it.
I would never try to force someone to do something against their wishes - I am just trying to understand your perspective. Having glasses and not wearing them is one thing, but to completely reject the idea of wearing glasses entirely is another...to each their own.
And 02 Aug 2010, 09:42
LauraC, it should be totally your choice to wear glasses or not. Why not go for an eye test and try on a few frames. Even if you got a pair you could still choose not to wear them unless you felt you 'needed' them for a particular function. My gf looks great in glasses but is still never seen in them but with her prescription she couldn't function without contacts.If your eyesight stabalises perhaps you will never need full-time correction.
LauraC 02 Aug 2010, 09:32
Curt: I was attracted on eyescene by the possibility to share my troubles with you and to discuss with something who also experiences or have experienced some blur (otherwise this thread shouldn't be called going without glasses...). But it seems that you'd prefer this thread not to be populated at all since you are all forcing me to move to glasses. Will see.... Franlky, I hoped to find more people refusing to use glasses as I'm doing here around in the thread, but this doesn't appear to be the case. I'm sorry if I have bothered you with my own troubles.
Soundmanpt 01 Aug 2010, 17:44
Cactus Jack
Your comments are always welcome. Do not hesitate to add information at any time.
Cactus Jack 01 Aug 2010, 16:29
Astra & Soundmanpt,
Please forgive me for adding my commenting to your conversation.
I have often thought the title of this thread should be Inducing Strabismus and Presbyopia. Particularly, where moderate to high myopes are concerned.
It is necessary for the eyes to converge to maintain fusion when looking at something close. However, reading or using a computer at a distance of 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) requires significantly more convergence - about like wearing 15 to 20 diopters of Base Out prism in each eye for hours on end - than normal.
You can Induce Esophoria (one form of strabismus) much more easily than you can Induce Myopia. Over time, the inward turning can become permanent. When that occurs, the only solutions are prism glasses or muscle surgery. Contacts CAN NOT correct strabismus.
The British have an expression “Too clever by half” which I think covers the situation quite well. It would be ironic if some of the posters who are so proud of not wearing needed vision correction - so they don’t become “dependent” on glasses - wound up absolutely dependent on wearing high prism tri-focals with very thick outside edges, undergoing surgery, or having to patch one eye to keep from seeing double.
Vision involves much more than the simple biological camera and lenses called the eye. It also involves the brain with its visual cortex, a muscle control system and the 3 pairs of muscles attached to each eye to control its position. All vision functions such as focus, convergence, and tracking are interconnected and can be “programmed”. Within a normal range, the eyes track together, converge and focus effortlessly. Curiously, your eyes can converge to read, but the cannot normally diverge beyond parallel unless there is some exophoria or exotropia present. Even though the eyes cannot diverge, they can look side to side as long as both eyes are moving in the same direction.
My suggestion is to listen to what your eyes are telling you, and wear your glasses so you read at around 14 to 16 inches (36 to 40 cm) and position the computer display 20 to 25 inches (50 to 60 cm) away.
C.
And 01 Aug 2010, 07:07
My gf would usually sleep in her cl's or put them in as soon as she wakes but she has recently delayed putting them in. Yesterday she tried watching tv from about 4ft away but admitted it was blurry. She was fine getting a shower though.
Astra 31 Jul 2010, 22:42
Soundmanpt,
One of the risk of reading at short distance is that, doing so may cause double vision for some individuals. Some of the high myopes noticed the problem. I also notice the problem.
Double vision is intolerable I assume.
For me, after 10 min of rest, the double vision does disappear. It happened to me before.
In 2010.7. the situtation deteriorates significantly. Getting eye strain, blur (looks like defocused) and double vision before the blur. Apparently I see two different images, one from each eye. They don't seem to coordinate well for short distance now.
I get these eye problems by reading too close just for about 5 min. Then I have to rest for 5-10 min to recover. It's unrealistic to tolerate this.
If I try to read from 20" or above with correction lenses, then I can read comfortably for hours without strain/double vision.
Flaine 31 Jul 2010, 18:44
Haha good point by the annoynomous poster
31 Jul 2010, 18:21
Actually wearing glasses is a step in the WRONG direction. Remember, there are those of us who are still fond of the folks choosing to remain in a blurry world. Hence the "Going without Glasses" theme of this thread.
Clare 31 Jul 2010, 11:29
Flaine - I'm happy to sit about 12" from my PC so it's not that unusual I suppose for uncorrected myopes ...
Soundmanpt 31 Jul 2010, 08:44
Flaine
Remember your her big sister, even if she will never admit it she is going to follow her big sisters lead. She knows you have glasses and avoid wearing yours so she thinks she should do the same thing. The problem is her eyes are worse than yours, but she doesn't understand that. If she sees that your wearing yours more I think she may start wearing hers more to.
Glad to hear you are wearing yours at school now, it's a start in right direction. Did you notice that little was made of it by school mates.
Flaine 31 Jul 2010, 07:39
"Soundmanpt"
ok i made sure i used ur code name...:)
Anyways you said it is not normal for some 1 to use computer @ 10"? I think my sis dont even have barely 8" from the monitor!
And after reading the previous posts in this website, she says those who look from 20" is nuts LOL i think shes nuts:)
Flaine 31 Jul 2010, 07:36
ephc
im feeling a little down these few days... just received a demerit from school for no reason:( but besides thats, everything is good! How about you? Wearing my glasses more:)@ school
cya guys
31 Jul 2010, 07:18
The irony in this thread. Everyone thinks the girls who post their stories here are really guys, yet when some guy attacks someone, and another guy tells him to shut up, they are immediately both called girls.
LOLOLOL
ehpc 29 Jul 2010, 18:33
Secretary frames perfect for you Flaine :) Big black rectangular plastic frames with wide sides:)
Pete
Puffin 29 Jul 2010, 14:05
Karynnina,
I mean caring in the sense that if they look after you a bit, they might get more work out of you, instead of in a more unconditional sense.
LauraC,
I wonder what might happen if you meet up/become friends with someone similar to yourself, can't see and hiding it. Each of you would be waiting for the non-visual clues that would be otherwise quite idly and unknowingly dropped ie "which way are we going?" feigning ignorance instead of admitting fuzzy vision. Could be fun to watch.
Karynnina 29 Jul 2010, 13:28
Puffin,
An interesting point. On my first day of my present job, so many years ago, all of us beginners had a bit of a physical, although all I remember is the eye test and the blood pressure taking. This being a public-sector position, where perfect eyesight is not a requirement, doesn't mean that the particular government cared about us. They sure don't now.
Karynnina
Curt 29 Jul 2010, 08:42
I find all this discussion about LauraC interesting. Eye Scene has always been about people who LIKE glasses, who like WEARING glasses, and discussing glasses and vision. LauraC has admitted that she does not see well, needs glasses (probably in the -3/-4 range), but is steadfastly refuses to get them or wear them. I wonder what attracted her to Eye Scene in the first place? I can't imagine on missing out on so much of the world around me just because I am worried about becoming dependent on wearing glasses. There are far worse things that could happen...
Puffin 29 Jul 2010, 08:34
In my experience those employers who do eyetests are those that care more about their employees and treat them as assets rather than something to be exploited and tossed aside when they don't suit.
Astra 29 Jul 2010, 08:12
Excellent commentaries from soundmanpt and others.
It's acuity that matters.
20/40 is the borderline acuity acceptable for tasks that require decent eyesight. Such as driving, or reading normal fonts comfortably. Otherwise you will notice blur easily.
Better than 20/30 is strongly recommended for such tasks.
Good acuity also leads to higher productivity, and safety.
Soundmanpt 29 Jul 2010, 07:11
Flaine
Yes it is true, if 2 people apply for the same job with the similar work experience, the one wearing glasses will more likely get the job.
Be careful with using real names as it can be confusing because for example the Jim you were commenting with a few posts ago about predicting Laura C will wind up needing -10 glasses is not me. In the past we have had several Kates, Katies or Katy's in here and recently a Dan and a Daniel. I have no problem with people knowing my real name as I have told several over on "lenschat" my name including you. We use special tags to avoid confusion.
Flaine 29 Jul 2010, 06:44
Jim,
really? Does wearing glasses to work make them think ur more serious? I shall try that in future.. Maybe et some of those secretary fames haha
Soundmanpt 29 Jul 2010, 06:22
Laura C
Like Lenses and Flaine ask very interesting questions of you. Now that you have finished school what type of work do you plan on going into? It is also very possible that an employer may require a physical upon being hired, and like driving rules if they find you can't read the eyechart it will be manditory to wear correction. I really can't think of any jobs that you won't need decent eyesight for. Even an office job straining at 25cm for 8 hours a day will soon be more than you can tolerate. Remember the work force is different than school, you won't be able to stop co-workers all day long for help, as they have their own jobs to do.
Something else to consider, wearing glasses when you go looking for work will make employers take you to be more serious.
Flaine 29 Jul 2010, 00:18
Good morning to those in the uk!
Anyways, Jim,
According to you, Laura's rx may progress to -10...so mean i may be under that category too since im only 16 and im almost -3 in the bad eye?
As for ur estimation, there would be some spectaculation over it as in the past 5 yrs, mine has just increased from -1.5 to -2.75 in the bad eye so maybe u have over done in laurac's case.. If shes ever to reach -10, she would be -6 or -7 now as myopia would stablise in 5 yrs time approx for her..
And laura, jim asked a question i wanted to ask you but it seems that he has got ahead of me! How r u going work in a specific field without correction? Unless u r working at computers the whole time...accountants or graphic design, u will probably need at least a bjt if not full correction right? Like waitress too... As they need to see the customer across the room.. And i think 10" is okay.. Not many people sits very far away.. It seat at Around 14".. Not much more from you.. The comp text would be blurry after 19" maybe? Approx...
And jim, i have been missing you
on lenschat several times lately it appears that u always log out shortly before i sign in haha:)
maybe laura u can join us @ lenschat.. Will be pleased tk chat with u fellow shy mate!!:):)
Like lenses 28 Jul 2010, 16:41
Laura C
25 cm equals 10 inches. If even there is is slightly defocuse you have major myopia. Whatever your prescription would be you will need to wear full time to include reading.
You worry that glasses will worsen your vision,but reading this close is going to increase your myopia more. I was serious when I said that you could end up in minus 10's.
You mentioned that you had left school,and would be seeking employment at the end of summer. Has it occured to you that many employers require a physical exam,which includes a vision test. Depending on the type of work you could be denied employment unless you got glasses.
lentifan 28 Jul 2010, 15:35
Dearie me! Girls! Girls! Behave yourselves, please.
eye scene 28 Jul 2010, 15:24
post deleted - personal attack
Crusader 28 Jul 2010, 14:51
post deleted - personal attack
Puffin 28 Jul 2010, 14:32
now now RDI that's not really the tone we should be striking here. If LauraC doesn't want to listen to advice then that is her choice. no scolding please.
Soundmanpt 28 Jul 2010, 13:48
Laura C
Due to accommodation it is too hard to tell what your true rx is by what you describe here. Just a crazy idea, do you have vision insurance? If so the cost for an eye exam is anywhere from free to $15.00 in most cases depending on your insurance. Just go get an exam and then maybe just for fun order a cheap pair of glasses on-line just in case you really want, or need to see something someday. You might find that it is some of the best money you ever spend.
Trust me it is painless! Really!
RDI 28 Jul 2010, 13:27
post deleted - personal attack
LauraC 28 Jul 2010, 13:21
With normal font I can read PC screen at 25 cm (just tried with a ruler!). It is still a little bit defocused but ok. Does this give a better indication?
Anyway, believe it or not I can function despite the blur!
Astra 28 Jul 2010, 02:24
Therefore in conclusion the appropriate viewing distance is 30 to 45 inches. Depends on your font size.
Astra 28 Jul 2010, 02:21
Relevant to my previous post,
Jaschinski-Kruza (1988) compared work performance with subjects working at viewing distances of 30" and 40". The task was to find mistakes in a database and he found better performance at the 40" distance. The character heights were doubled as the viewing distance doubled. In another part of the study he increased viewing distance without making the characters larger and performance suffered. To take advantage of the productivity increases with farther viewing distance, you must ensure that the user can easily read both the screen and the hard copy.
Astra 28 Jul 2010, 02:12
To have an idea about how is "normal eyesight".
The resting point of vergence (RPV) is the distance at which the eyes converge when there is nothing to look at, such as in total darkness. It varies among individuals,
Averages about
55" when looking straight ahead
45" with a 30° downward gaze angle.
Astra 28 Jul 2010, 01:59
I refer from the same source,
It states that viewing distance closer than 25 inches is not recommended.
15 inches guess I've made earlier was just my guess.
Astra 28 Jul 2010, 01:20
Problem for eyes viewing shorter than 15 inches can include:
Strain caused by having to focus at short distance.
Which may cause other eye problems.
Astra 28 Jul 2010, 01:11
Therefore I don't think it's recommended for anyone reading from less than 15 inches. It is a BAD habit, unfortunately quite common amongst some people.
Remember,
There is a threat of neck/back/arm/leg injury if your viewing distance is shorter than 15 inches. Or 18 inches if you are about 180 cm tall.
Astra 28 Jul 2010, 01:07
According to ergonomic guideline,
Eye-to-screen distance: at least 25", preferably more.
Astra 28 Jul 2010, 00:50
Flaine,
Moreover vision can be very subjective. rx alone doesn't tell how someone sees without their glasses.
Astra 28 Jul 2010, 00:48
Flaine,
It's uncertain whether she enlarged the font size !
Flaine 28 Jul 2010, 00:35
LauraC
Laura, juding from ur descriptions, i dont think that ur prescription is -3.50 or so... A person with that rx will fnd it difficult to read the com from 15" as it is almost 40 cm away..
Astra 28 Jul 2010, 00:17
I think you should take the "-10 statement" by like lenses as a compliment. Obviously we would like to see others progressing in their rx. :) :)
LauraC 27 Jul 2010, 23:50
Anonymous: I can read (slighlyt defocused but ok) the PC screen from about 15 inches. And I don’t see why should I need to read a book several tens of inhces from my eyes e.g. on the floor... seems quite an unusual way to read, doesn’t it?
Soundmanpt: I never had comments on my eyesight by my friends or parents, so I assume they don’t know I can’t see. Some time I was in troubles with friends (e.g. because I didn’t recognise someone or something): I just explained that I was absent-minded or looking in the wrong direction... I don’t squint unless I’m sure no one can see me doing that.
Flaine: I left high school this year (one year more than needed, I know...) and coped quite well by copying the board from my mate’s notebook. I don’t think I’ll go on the university, maybe I’ll try looking for a job after the summer.
All: I hope you are all wrong in stating that I’ll be –10 in few years! It’s not so kind of you... As you can see it seems that even in this thread there are people that don’t understand going without glasses, although others do.
Anonymous 27 Jul 2010, 18:46
Laura C, how far are your eyes away from the computer when you try to read this thread?
Puffin 27 Jul 2010, 16:44
The poster below has a point: I can only wonder how blind or partially sighted cope without the option of going to a shop and buying something that will sort out their problem.
Yet cope they do, using what they have to "see" what everyone else sees or else managing without seeing it.
Saying that, I'd love to play LauraC at pool or perhaps darts. Who knows - I might win!
27 Jul 2010, 13:07
The speculators here really crack me up. A couple years ago my glasses got broken and I was forced to spend almost a year without them. When I finally got glasses again, my prescription had made its way to -5.25. Yes there was a significant amount of blur, but not too bad during the day and you begin to adjust after time. I got used to seeing certain things blurry beyond a few feet, but at night I could not see well and that was the hardest time. Your eyes will start to accommodate over time and when eventually I got glasses again, I was very shocked at how much clearer things were because I think mentally you forget that.
pippo 27 Jul 2010, 08:05
Laura C
Where do you live in Italy? I'm italian too.
If you want to talk, you can find me on lenschat.
bye
Astra 27 Jul 2010, 07:18
Soundmanpt,
I believe it's hardly enjoyable going to a garden / park uncorrected... unless the place is largely without features. Simply sky, and pasture, with wide roads.
Otherwise it seems very uncomfortable. She would have to walk around in all sort of extreme blur. Yes, I believe around -4.00 she would start notice she can't even see the pavement properly. What if there's some object on the pavement? It can be real hazard for her if there's any.
Soundmanpt 27 Jul 2010, 07:06
Laura C
You stated that if anyone were to discover that you can't see proper you would be humiliated, I am sure any friends you have that know you very well knows you can't see. Any of your friends that wears glasses would know quickly. You said you have even asked a total stranger to borrow their glasses to read a sign in the past. What do you do when your with a gf and she asks you what you think about something in the distance such as a guy or clothes someone is wearing. If it more than a few feet away you simply can't see it.
By the way even though your rx is most likely more than -3.50 if you got glasses and ordered high index lenses your glasses would not be thick at all. They would be no thicker than some of your friends that only wear glasses for driving. You are correct that if you got glasses you would quickly become dependent on them and things would seem much more blurred without them then they are now. But they will not make you more myopic, if anything what your doing now is likely to do that. I'm sure you have female friends that wear glasses, your attitude about refusing to wear glasses is kinda an insult to them. Your saying that wearing glasses makes one less attractive.
As others have said in here, it is totally your decision and it's your eyes, so all we can do is point out how much you are missing each day. You can't enjoy the sights of simple things like going to a garden or the park or looking out at a lake.
John L 27 Jul 2010, 06:37
Astra / Like Lenses
You seem to think that putting off wearing glasses may result in LauraC who appears to be around -4 at present reaching -10 if she continues uncorrected.
I must have passed through the -4 stage sometime before I received my first pair.
After my first couple of prescriptions my right eye dropped below -6 though I did then start to get a cylinder correction in this and my left eye.
There appears to be some thought that early correction of myopia results in the need for more powerful lenses.
I sometimes wonder what prescription I would have now if I had started wearing glasses from the moment I detected I was going myopic?
John
Puffin 27 Jul 2010, 06:28
LauraC
Whatever happens, it's all quite fascinating: will the myopia increase or not? If so how much? We could do a sweepstake :-)
John L 27 Jul 2010, 06:28
Interesting to read of LauraC's attempts not to depend on glasses and reminds me of my own.
I started to become myopic when I was around 12 and it progressed quite rapidly. I developed various coping strategies at school, chosing seats carefull, moving closer and closer to the front.
After school I went on to college. In my third year I decided to stay on and do a teaching course. There was a compulsory medical for this. I realised I would fail the eye test and took myself off to the optician by now I was 21!
My first rx was R -6.00 L - 5.75 I went to full time wear immediately and marvelled at what I was missing. I also decided to learn to drive. Today my rx is R-5 Cyl -0.75, Axis 180. L -4.75 Cyl -1.00 Axis 180. (With +2 for reading)
I had made excuses in the past that using public transport was fine - but was having great difficulty seeing bus numbers or reading timetable displays and secretly always wanted to drive!
I did find a temporary "fix" which prolonged my bare-eyed struggle I found that if I gently pressed the side of my right eyelid I could force that eye into focus for brief periods. Today I am unable to do replicate this.
John
27 Jul 2010, 06:19
LauraC, what you are doing with your eyes makes you an incredbly sexy lady in my opinion.
i get very turned on by women who walk around and experience life with uncorrected vision, and am very attracted to that "i can't see very far away" wandering look as well as squinting. please stay away from glasses as long as possible.
different strokes for different folks around here.
i vote +1 to no glasses!
Astra 27 Jul 2010, 03:35
Like lenses,
About acuity, typically anything worse than 20/200 to 20/400 would be all blur when she try focusing objects farther than about 2 or 3 feet.
It's quite meaningless to have any acuity worse than 20/200 vision.
Therefore I suppose what matters more is her corrected acuity.
Uncorrected acuity is a total blur, without doubt.
Imagine, vision worse than 20/40 are not eligible for driving, or start to pose problems reading boards.
Astra 27 Jul 2010, 03:28
Like lenses,
There's also risk of detached retina for high myopes...
Astra 27 Jul 2010, 03:27
Julian,
It can be an interesting experience for her though... Think about it, inducing more myopia by not wearing glasses.
Doesn't sound too bad, especially it's not your eyes trying to induce myopia that way.
Astra 27 Jul 2010, 03:21
Like lenses,
Sounds cool for LauraC... Hopefully LauraC will be in -10 lenses after some years...
Like lenses 27 Jul 2010, 02:28
Astra
Most likely minus 10 or there about.And that is if she started wearing fulltime now. If she puts it off it will be higher yet due to the strain she is putting on her eyes.
Julian 27 Jul 2010, 02:23
Is it REALLY worse to see well wearing glasses and be dependent on them, even increasingly dependent, than to live in a blur and boast about managing without?
Like lenses 27 Jul 2010, 02:22
Flaine
Minus 4 is about 20/400 to 20/500 vision on the eye chart.
The top line on the chart is usually 20/200,so that means she could read nothing on the chart at all.
If her vision is 20/400 that means that what she can see at 20 feet ,a normal person would see at 400 feet.
When you get to the range of -3.00 or more there is another thing to consider. And that is that the retina of the eye is not seeing properly at any time without glasses on. If that goes on too long the retinas can become desensitized and then glasses will not even give good 20/20 vision.
Astra 27 Jul 2010, 02:10
Flaine,
I would assume rx of LauraC when she was at school age was better than nowadays...
Too bad myopia just get worse and worse with age.
Astra 27 Jul 2010, 02:05
It would be quite impressive for a first pair of glasses to be -4.5
Let's think, what will be the rx of LauraC or myself after 5 years... haha.
Flaine 27 Jul 2010, 01:59
Just a thing to clarify...
If laura is like -4? If i remember correctly, actually without glasses is still very managable right? Coz im slight below -3 in my bad eye with a little astig and i feelt aht if it goes -1 hgher, i would be able to function fine withoutthem as long as medium and short distance is concerned..i dont know about the cinemas though...i dont understand how people get so dependent on glasses that when at -3 they r lost without them...
Btw laura, i am curious how doyou manage in school without glasses? Like the board?
Thanks
Like lenses 27 Jul 2010, 00:51
Laura C
There is another thing,uncorrected myopes have a distant vacant look in their eyes,and have to squint to see. Have friends or family called this to your attention? Also their ares are quite prominent.
It sounds as though you are already exstreamly myopic,and your glasses will be very strong for a first pair,and that is not easy to get used to.Sometimes the doctor will give you a reduced prescription,and have you come back in a few months for your full strength pair.
Like lenses 27 Jul 2010, 00:38
Laura C
There are some theories among eye doctors,that state that uncorrected myopia advances faster and to a higher degree than if it is corrected early on.
Only being able to read at 10 inches is not normal. If you go around uncorrected much longer you may get a first correction of bifocals.
Also since you have put this off so long,it will be harder to explain to friends,and family why your first pair of glasses are so strong,and thick,and that you need to wear them all the time right off the bat.
Astra 27 Jul 2010, 00:03
LauraC and others,
Personally I don't think 10 inches is really that usual for reading. Typically, normal young adult eyes can read books from 20-30 inches with ease.
I had a friend who has perfect eyesight. He sometimes place books on the floor, and reading a book while he is sitting there. It is about 40 inches I assume! I asked about his vision, he said his vision should be 20/20, but he's not sure if it's slightly better than 20/20. Anyway, he can copy the words at such posture to another notebook. Doing so without glasses, I think it's a feat that would not be imaginable for myopes !
So, think about that!
Astra 26 Jul 2010, 23:53
LauraC,
I don't think wearing glasses would cause increase to myopia condition.
I am very doubtful not wearing glasses would be better for your acuity without glasses. If this is your concern, I suppose it is invalid.
It's of course very enjoyable if you are trying without glasses for fun.
LauraC 26 Jul 2010, 23:19
It is possible that my eyes will go on becoming worse and worse each day for years, although I really hope they'll stop as soon. But I cannot imagine where I will be in the position to need glasses to survive. For the moment I know I can do without and I still prefer to do so than putting a pair of thick lenses in front of my face, becoming dependent on them and accelerating the increasing of myopia (contacts do not change so much the scenario). Only major restriction is that I cannot get a driving licence, but for the moment I could not even afford a car, so I can cope without and rely on my boyfriend.
I can read ok up to 10 inches or so, that is very much like the distance anyone usually reads a book. People with a good eyesight can read much more far away while I can't, but do you think I really need? I don't think so ;-)
PS For sure if anyone should discover that I cannot see properly I would feel so humiliated and maybe should definitely move to glasses... but it hasn't occurred so far and I'm doing my best to delay this as much as possible!
Soundmanpt 26 Jul 2010, 17:18
Laura C.
Your putting up a brave fight against getting and wearing glasses. The problem is that your only 20 and your vision could well continue to get worse for 5 years or so. You indicated that you can tell yourself that this is steadily happening now. At some point you are going to have no choice but to give up. How much longer do you think you can hold out?
Honestly it would have been much easier if when you first need a small correction you would have only needed them for certain things and you could have slowly wore them more and more until you were full time. Now when you finally give in your you will have no choice but to go full time from day one. I know this seems like your worst nightmare, but it really isn't. When you finally do start wearing them you will be kicking yourself for not doing it much sooner.
Karynnina 26 Jul 2010, 14:12
LauraC,
Based on what you have posted thus far, I can't figure out how you resist wearing glasses. I've worn glasses over 38 years now, full time from the beginning, and I do like how well I can see with them, even with my reduced rx from 2008.
Karynnina
Astra 26 Jul 2010, 13:19
LauraC,
I wonder how close you have to be when reading books.
I would guess if the required distance for reading is too close, then it's gonna be somehow uncomfortable? For eyes, and for necks/back.
Astra 26 Jul 2010, 13:12
LauraC,
Must have been an exciting experience for you.
Unlike you, I prefer wearing glasses when I am with other people around. I assume most people would find it strange for not having good corrected eyesight.
JC 26 Jul 2010, 07:43
The water park outing was great, meaning the park was fun regardless of weather or not we were in glasses. We both did okay without them, but it was interesting trying to read some signs or see where particular rides were. In the middle of the day while we took a 10 minute break we put the glasses back on -- wow it was amazing to see the park we had been wandering around for the first time. Afterward she mentioned how great it had been to have them on for a few minutes.
Laura: I think it was harder for her then it would have been for you because she is not used to being without her glasses at all. They sit by her bedside and go on first thing in the morning. I'm sure it's different as she's been in glasses as long as she can remember.
Phil 26 Jul 2010, 06:05
LauraC. Go on Laura, get a test and then buy some nice black plastic frames with thin lenses. You know you really want to. And I bet you'll look stunning and be showered with compliments.
LauraC 26 Jul 2010, 05:37
JC, you gf vision is very much like mine in the better eye, she will not have any trouble in the park, as I don't usually have. Unless you want her to read a far sign or recognise a friend across the pool! Why did you find so interesting going in a small blur like that?
LauraC 26 Jul 2010, 05:34
I'm back from two weeks holidays with friends and definitely realised that my eyesight is still deteriorating! This is because 1) I had much more troubles than last summer also in daylight e.g. in recognising people and find my way around in unknown places (last year I was in troubles mainly in the night) 2) I shortly tried a friend’s glasses while she was having a bath and found I saw ok with them, later I realised she is –4.50! Anyway, I don’t still intend to give up with a damned pair of glasses! At least as soon as some one else will discover than I cannot see, because I can still manage without. Don’t understand why people around –3 state that are not able to functyion without glasses, because that is not my eperience! The owner of the glasses I tried asked for some help to reach the pool bare eyed, while I can see more than enough for a trivial task like that!
JC 13 Jul 2010, 04:55
Soundmanpt:
I will defiantly let you know how it goes. I'm sure her RX has only changed trivially since then; it was only 1 pair of glasses ago. She has worn glasses since she was a toddler and is now 30. As far as me -- I am naturally about -4 each eye with insignificant astigmatism, but I wear stronger glasses and contacts so she believes I am -6.75.
Soundmanpt 12 Jul 2010, 22:55
JC
The only question, what was her rx back then. You said it was several years ago, it could be a much bigger challenge if her rx has increased much since then. I'm sure you will let us know how that goes??? It may be wise to at the very least have glasses handy if needed.
You didn't say, what is your rx?
JC 12 Jul 2010, 14:47
Can't wait for 9 days from now when I am going to a water park with my GF. I convinced her that both glasses and contacts are prone to being lost on rides so we will both leave our glasses behind in a locker and be bare eyed all day! She says she has done it before years ago before we knew each other and is confident in her ability to navigate the park. This will be by far the longest time I have seen her without.
She is:
OD -3.00 -.75 X 180
OS -5.50 -2.25 X 180
Julian 11 Jul 2010, 18:48
I'd have thought your estimate of the proportion of myopes in the population in the 'old days' is a bit low, Astra. But in those days people just had to take the jobs they could see to do. Those who could only see what was close up naturally went in for clerical work (and probably became more myopic as a result); those who couldn't see close up used their distant vision. But of course we hyperopes can usually accommodate a good deal till presbyopia sets in. But then again, ISTR one of the 'heroes' in Brokeback Mountain was 'farsighted enough not to like reading anything but saddle catalogs' (I'm quoting the book from memory.)
And 11 Jul 2010, 12:31
More going without contacts - my gf got up and made a cuppa without her -7.50 contacts this morning.She does have a lovely pair of glasses but they are usually found in their case at the bottom of her bag.
Astra 10 Jul 2010, 20:25
Soundmanpt, stingray,
Remember the prevalence of myopia back in those days are low, apart from some monks. Probably 0.5-1% people worldwide had myopia back those days, Compared to much higher rate of hyperopia and presbyopia.
It was not until 1950s-80s (depends on regions), myopia became more prevalent than hyperopia, even among young people.
Soundmanpt 10 Jul 2010, 19:47
Stingray
I would guess that even after glasses were invented few probably even worried about needing them for distance. Mostly for reading is my guess. Back then not much need to see a sign far off or the cows in the field so long as you could read the paper. Probably many a gun battle was fought with both parties unable to see well enough to hit each other???
Stingray 10 Jul 2010, 10:43
Along the same lines, imagine how it was say in the 17th century or before. There were no eyeglasses. I'm sure there were those with all degress of myopia. All of them were handicapped with no hope of any visual correction. I wonder how monks who wrote manuscripts and bibles coped without reading glasses as well. Imagine your life like that! There wasn't even a Starbucks back then.
Clare 10 Jul 2010, 07:52
I think it's one thing having but not wearing glasses full time at -3, but not to have them at all must be very limiting, bordering dangerous in some situations. I can understand how it must be easier if you've never known what it's like to see clearly all the time, but imagine that at -3 even if you've never worn glasses it must be very difficult/embarrassing some of the time. And that reminds me of something a friend of mine said to me years ago about contacts - "you get used to them and then you can't go without them ...". Not strictly true I'd argue, but definately an 'eye opener' (pun intended) when you get them.
Hollie 08 Jul 2010, 23:11
Charles
I did without full time at that sort of rx- however I think that's very different to not owning specs at all! I certainly wore them for some activities, and especially at night. I do look back now and wonder why I just didn't wear glasses. I guess it was in a period where I couldn't wear contacts and felt self conscious.
Heather 08 Jul 2010, 15:45
And - Yes, I put them on once I wake up and leave them on until I go back to sleep. Apart from the shower, I am wearing them for everything, swimming included.
And 08 Jul 2010, 09:33
So Heather do you put them on as soon as you wake and leave them on until bedtime ? Do you go swimming, how are you in the shower etc ? My gf is ok going to the loo bare-eyed but is really glad she can wear contacts for everything else.
Heather 07 Jul 2010, 20:22
I agree with Charles, I find it amazing how some people seem to able to go without glasses at -3 or -4. I have never been able to do that. I am now -4.25 and -5.00 and I am unable to do anything without glasses, I cannot even read without them unless I hold the text really close to the eyes. I could never imagine leaving the house not wearing glasses.
Astra 07 Jul 2010, 17:02
Charles,
For me I don't watch TV or drive.
also ... I'm not sure about the visual acuity of other posters without their glasses. rx alone can't tell the exact visual acuity.
Charles 07 Jul 2010, 14:19
I find it almost incredible to believe that anyone whose prescription is -3 and -4 could do without glasses at all. Watching TV unless a foot or so from it, likewise driving and recognising anyone in the street - almost impossible. Do I imagine it or are there lots of people posting imaginery scenarios here??
07 Jul 2010, 12:46
She could always be a World Cup Soccer referee from Mali.
Puffin 07 Jul 2010, 02:19
I think the issue is that LauraC is holding off from the glasses because she thinks - to an extent rightly - that they might make her vision worse, and put up with quite poor vision now to avoid complete dependence later.
It's just that if they're going to get worse naturally anyway - and it seems they are - then this is a bit pointless if the vision goes from being just about to cope with workarounds to considerably worse and being prevented from doing whatever she might find herself wanting to do, like drive a car, get a job where good vision is needed, etc. That depends on whether she wants or needs to do such things.
I think she just wanted to know if there was some physical damage being done by not wearing glasses. Beyond that, I don't think she's really listening anymore.
Hollie 07 Jul 2010, 00:35
LauraC
I had a period when, like you, I had an rx of about -3.5 and tried to wear glasses as little as possible. I did own some and always wore for driving, lectures and quite often the computer too. At the time I was not able to wear contacts. What I found was that, in the morning my eyesight seemed ok, but in the poorer light of the evening I would find myself constantly squinting to make stuff out. No one can tell you when to wear glasses, but having been there myself I'd say it would be really helpful to at least own some. Then if you are in a situation where you can't get closer to what you are trying to look at (I had that sort of coping strategy too!) at least there's an option to see. Are you not interested in getting contacts? Again you might not want to wear all the time, but would be useful in situations where you know itsgoing to be difficult for you to see.
I did actually miss a bus a couple of times through not being able to read the number! Now I have a stronger prescription and can't even really read properly without glasses/contacts. Whereas when I was around -3 I used to think, do I really need glasses all the time, now I do little without them. I guess the choice gets made for you if your rx gets much higher.
Soundmanpt 06 Jul 2010, 23:16
Simple solution to anyone that doesn't like my posts, "Don't read it!"
Astra 06 Jul 2010, 22:20
ehpc,
I was reluctant to wear lenses when I was in teenage. But about 2 years ago, it turns out I start to think being gwg would be nice,
A reason is that I do need glasses.
but I also think gwg do look attractive. around those years, my uncorrected eyes would like to have minus lenses in front. At first I'm more interested about thinner lenses, because my rx was lower than nowadays.
Now I really don't mind the lenses being a little bit thicker.
ehpc 06 Jul 2010, 10:12
Astra - you have such a PERFECT understandign of the male appreciation of GWG :) Pete
ehpc 06 Jul 2010, 10:11
Quite so Puffin, although you put it much more politely than I would.I can't be the only one getting thoroughly sick of the excruciatingly patronising 'advice' being endlessly given out to every female poster here..................
Astra 06 Jul 2010, 09:58
LauraC,
I think it's hard to resist glasses when you really need them to see...
Astra 06 Jul 2010, 09:53
soundmanpt,
If LauraC simply wants to try glasses,
I guess she can simply order some rx glasses online.
LauraC,
You may simply copy your previous rx to see how it goes for you.
Astra 06 Jul 2010, 09:45
to anonymous,
well said ! I have the same feeling.
Soundmanpt 06 Jul 2010, 09:37
Laura C
Would it not at least be a good idea to get an exam and get your own glasses? At least then even if you choose not to wear them you could at least have them in your bag if you need them? I would think it is far more embarising to be asking someone to borrow there glasses than to be wearing glasses.
06 Jul 2010, 09:26
To each his own: A woman asking me if she can wear my glasses because she can't see well is just as arousing as a woman asking if she can stimulate me with a hand job.
Astra 06 Jul 2010, 09:09
LauraC,
don't know why I have some strange impression about people asking whether they should wear glasses or not.
you know, it's all up to you.
LauraC 06 Jul 2010, 08:10
Actually it happened just once that I asked the help of someone to see (and I didn't ask him to see for me, but to to borrow me his glasses, that were quite strong but ok to read the train station board)! All the other times I just manage getting closer or.. pretending to see. It seems you are underestimating my eyesight. I'm far from being blind although cannot see most details, and can manage quite ok in the blur...
Soundmanpt 06 Jul 2010, 07:45
You are correct, it is something she will have to figure out for herself. Maybe as her vision increases she will have no choice. The one that should be lecturing her is her friend that has to keep letting her borrow her glasses to see with. I think you will agree I doubt anything I have to say will make any difference to her anyway.
I am curious what she does when her friend isn't around and she needs to see something and can't see it? Does she just go up to a stranger and ask them to read it for her? That would seem more embarrising than wearing glasses.
Puffin 06 Jul 2010, 02:25
Not sure we should be lecturing people we barely know about their lives. Suggesting, encouraging - yes. Commanding, dictating? I don't think so.
Nazma 05 Jul 2010, 15:38
Everyone has different perspective on the issue. I find it quite arousing when I know a woman needs glasses but does not wear them, and love hearing stories about how difficult it is for her to see well. I love watching that soft doey look of her eyes and that blank myopic stare when they are looking off in the distance. And yes, I do also enjoy squinting very much.
So glasses fetish has different aspects. Some like it that you wear them. Some like it that you need them and don't wear them. That's me.
Soundmanpt 05 Jul 2010, 13:48
Laura C
Your 20 years old, not a kid anymore. It is time you start making good decisions in life. First, it is apparent that you need glasses somewhere around -3.00 since you can see well with your friends. Your friend should not have to keep taking her glasses off for you to borrow so you can see something when it's just you two. Also it can be very annoying for you to make your friend a seeing eye dog like someone suggested.
Go get your eyes examined and make up your mind that your going to wear them whenever your eyes are open, meaning full time. Stop walking around in a blur, that is just crazy all that you miss seeing for yourself. Second, if your so said bf has a problem with you wearing glasses show him the door now that you will be able to see it. Like the others have said if he has a problem with your wearing glasses he doesn't have any feelings for you. No one should expect their gf to walk around in a fuzzy world of blur. If your already attractive wearing glasses will only make you that much more attractive even sexier.
By the way do you mean he makes bad comments about girls wearing glasses not being attractive? If so, kick he to the curb, because even if you had perfect vision that is not a nice thing to say about someone, and he is clearly not worth your time.
And 05 Jul 2010, 09:30
LauraC,
If your bf loves you/fancies you/likes you a lot/finds you physically attractive etc, then wearing glasses should make no difference. He will get plenty of opportunity to see you with and without them. Just like he might say he prefers to see you in skirts rather than jeans or with long hair rather than short etc how you dress and look should be up to you. My gf looks fab with contacts, bare-eyed or with glasses.
John S 05 Jul 2010, 08:53
Laura,
So what you are basically saying is, you don't think your boy friend would like you for what you are? I would be shopping around...Does not sound like a tight relationship to me.
I would like to hear what others think also.
LauraC 05 Jul 2010, 08:34
Flaine: no my bf does not know I'm shortsighted and I'm sure he will not like me in glasses at all. Unfortuntaly he often makes comments at other girls wearing glasses.
And: I had in troubles several times, most embarassing was when I get on another's boy car, instead of my bf's! It was parked right out of my house (and identical to my bf's one) and I could not recognize the face of the driver in the darkness. I explained him I was tremendously absent minded that evening, luckily my bf did not see me in the wrong car since he was in his car reding a newspaper while waiting for me, on the other sied of the street... what an embarassing moment! I thgought I was capitulating on the eyesight subject with my bf but for my luck he did not see me making the terrible car exhange!
Clare 04 Jul 2010, 07:03
Phil - not for another 6 months, and I don't really think so - I just think the TV inset was verrrrry small!
ehpc 02 Jul 2010, 14:28
Flaine...................you gotta get the black rectangular plastic frames with wide sides................:) Pete
And 02 Jul 2010, 14:00
LauraC,
What are the worst situations you have been in without your glasses ?
Puffin 02 Jul 2010, 09:48
I wonder if anyone realises they are being a guide dog. Kinda amusing that people don't notice.
Flaine 02 Jul 2010, 09:03
Laura,
does ur bf know u need specs?
He may find u good in specs too u know..
LauraC 02 Jul 2010, 08:22
As Flaine explained, life without glasses may be challenging sometime, but still manageable. I had some troubles in some occasions in the past, but was able to survive without admitting that I could not see, just saying that I'm always absent-minded or dreamy so I often did not pay attention to signs etc... (although I well know that the real issue is that I'm not able to read or clearly see thing at distance).
I found the TV to be one of the most challenging tasks, not so the cinema since the screen is really large and as far as you don't have to read subtitles (we don't have in Italy since all movies are translated in Italian) it's quite ok.
I found that my friend's glasses are so helpful to me and I often rely on them, but only when we are alone. It never happens to me to be alone in unknown places, I'm always with friends of with my bf, so I have just to follow them to find my way. It may be not so easy if I lost visual contact with them (as in the disco), but with some practice it is not hard to avoid.
I'm accustomed to my vision and I don't find it so low as the prescription may suggest.
Puffin 02 Jul 2010, 03:42
Yes night time is the worst time for the uncorrected myope.
just as well humans aren't nocturnal or like vampires. thankfully there's two things to sort that out: daylight and correction. :-)
Flaine 02 Jul 2010, 01:36
And:
yes And, there r some occassions that i have encounted that required me to have good vision although i did not have my glasses with me. For example, when i go window shopping, i have to be quite close to the shop to be able to see the price tags... Another instance was when i was in the car with my father and he asked me tolook out for a certain road here in London..that was quite impossible as i could only see them when the car gets quite near it and my father would have seen it by then. So i tried squinting in the car and guess what? He caught me and he almost brought me to the opician thinking that my eyes had deteriorated when the reason was bec i did not have my glasses on.. Luckily i managed to persuade him by saying that my biannual eye check was due in december...what a close shave!!
I would not consider contacts as i do not find them very realistic right now...wearing contact=glass so why not wear the latter?
But may consider them next time.
And about the frustration part, you can sort of say that im quite accustomed to see my surroundings without correction and usually its not too bad in the day. But night life without would be quite challenging but still managable.
:)
Astra 01 Jul 2010, 22:15
soundmanpt, the public holiday was a real joke for us.
The traffic is bad in the city, so we decided to walk nearby instead of going to the city.
Worse still, it's a usual summer day... not exactly enjoyable outdoors.
Indoors we have air-conditioner full blast...
Astra 01 Jul 2010, 22:03
soundmanpt,
no... I almost wanted to get my plano sunglasses on. I have the sunglasses ready, along with a 1 Litre water (for 1 hour use, eventually we only had a 40 min walk)
but eventually it's still tolerable (as long as you don't look at the up-north) so I abandon the plan.
Astra 01 Jul 2010, 21:58
ehpc, I don't like TV either.
My family don't have TV at home, since year 1994.
ehpc 01 Jul 2010, 19:11
.........detest television...................:)
And 01 Jul 2010, 15:53
Flaine,
Do you ever wish you had your glasses on when you haven't ? Do you fancy getting contacts ? Do you get frustrated when you can't see things clearly ?
Flaine 01 Jul 2010, 15:41
Laura
i have tried on ther peoples glasses b4 bt mine r still d best... And to what And said, how do you see when ure in cinemas? I usually wear mine for cinemas at least? And how did ur friends -3 felt?
Flaine 01 Jul 2010, 15:40
Laura
i have tried on ther peoples glasses b4 bt mine r still d best... And to what And said, how do you see when ure in cinemas? I usually wear mine for cinemas at least? And how did ur friends -3 felt?
And 01 Jul 2010, 15:28
LauraC,
Is it not frustrating when you can't see signs. How do you manage tv or concerts and the cinema ? What about when you go somewhere you don't know well - holidays/shopping etc.
Why don't you go for a new eyetest and then see if you can go straight to contacts.
Soundmanpt 01 Jul 2010, 14:43
Astra
So do you only go without your glasses on public holidays? Very interesting!
PS Tomorrow is national save the soap day. So I guess no glasses tomorrow???
(I'm sure i'll pay for that joke)
Melyssa 01 Jul 2010, 13:15
Dahlia,
I have no digital camera, but whenever I have seen a picture of any of my frames on the Internet, I have posted links to them. Unfortunately, a lot of the links vanished, even the ones for the frames I got from bleudame.com this year. But these 2 are still on as of 4:00 p.m. on 7/1:
http://www.bleudame.com/product_info.php?cPath=96&products_id=12653
http://www.bleudame.com/product_info.php?cPath=96&products_id=13640
Melyssa 01 Jul 2010, 13:10
And,
Once I went full time, that was it. I liked seeing things clearly, even though it would be a dozen more years before I would like wearing glasses themselves. If a boy didn't like my wearing glasses, I would tell him that someone else would.
Astra 01 Jul 2010, 09:49
today is a public holiday here.
It was about 11:00. we had a walk along the coast & in a small public garden/pasture nearby.
I went without glasses.
the road is nice. It is a private concrete road. there are no cars on the road at all.
This is a fine summer day. almost without clouds on the sky.
Then we came to the pier. It is a large one.
There was a man painting the scenery of the coast, from the pier. Not exactly interested us. We then back to the garden... we got tired quickly because of heat.
The downside is heat & sunlight. I would advise wearing sunglasses. Otherwise even if you have good corrected acuity, the light-gray concrete road under almost direct sunlight is slightly too intense for your eyes to enjoy. The pasture slope is okay, being bright yellow-green in color, not too intense.
This is not a famous scenic route though. But it features a private, concrete road for cars, and wonderful shrubs on the slope.
As I have said elsewhere, the best time to visit here is during any dry, sunny days in Nov-Apr.
Then back to the house I see the pasture slope again... 12:00
The pasture appears much darker because the pasture slope is facing south. That only happens around mid-summer time when direct sunlight comes from north instead of south. This is from Hong Kong. 22 North. Typically this pasture slope appears bright during mid-day for all sunny days.
JJwGlaSSeS 01 Jul 2010, 09:15
Hi Laura, i understand very well what you living, i pass all my teenages seeing blur with a rx similar as you`re, but for reason of works i have to start to wear when i was 25, but it happened like you said once you get used to glasses no way back, but at least i`m so happy with my glasses now, you must know that in one moment of your life you will need good vision, so i recommend you that you get your glasses, and wear them anytime you want, but if they are necessary you already got them, a simple advice nothing more...good luck.
PD: A question... Do you like when you try your friend glasses???
LauraC 01 Jul 2010, 08:51
Flaine: I'm 20 an live in Italy. I don't have glasses at all! I know my prescription as of last year because I went with my very best friend to the optician to get new contacts for her and she forced me to have my eyes tested. Actually she is the only one person who knows I don't see well. I always ask to her if I need some help (e.g. to recognize someone) and she often let me use her glasses e.g. for TV. But only if we are alone since I don't want to be spotted with glasses on! She is -3 and don't understand how I can cope without correction, but actually I can!
BTW Did you ever tried other people's glasses? Those of my friend work ok for me, while those of my sister are far too strong. On time I tried glasses of a very astigmatic girl and I could not see a thing through them!
Flaine 01 Jul 2010, 08:26
Oh ya laura, did you get ur -3 and -4 prescription filled? If yes, mean u havent touched those at all?
Flaine 01 Jul 2010, 08:24
Laura
hmm laura seems ur coping well with vision withiut glasses? Btw u mentioned that ur eyes deteriorated in previous post? How do u know that ? And so my observation is true huh? Start wearing when young and get blind as a bat when ur older.. Btw laura im 16 from london, how about u? Whr u from?
Its actually rather rare to find people like you and me who resist wearing glasses when unneceesary.. However u mentioned that none of ur friends or relatives knows u have specs, so only ur parents know? Do they ask why you do not wear them?
LauraC 01 Jul 2010, 07:29
It is obvious that I don't drive, I could neither get the license with my poor eyesight! I have been driving scooter for years despite the blur, but when it begun to be unsafe I immediately gave up (couple of years ago).
None of my friends or relatives knows that I'm nearisghted, I should be able to lie since no one never asked and I always manage without too much difficulties. The only few times where I didn't recognise someone or so I simply said that I was tired or distracted (do you say so in English?) by something else, that's all. It is not impossible to cope as far as you are able e.g. to distinguish things and people from their shape or color even without seeing the details.
On the matter of myopia progression wearing glasses, my sister was found to be slightly nearsighted during primary school, she was immediately told to wear glasses full time and now (age 25) she is blind as a bat. I don't know her prescription, but their glasses are so thick and if she try e.g. reading something without them she had to place the paper at a couple of inches from her eyes! I tried her glasses once and couln hardly focus very distant things with much struggle, but I couldn't e.g. read with them and they gave me headhache in few minutes. Poor girl, moreover she cannot wear contacts since she cannot tolerate them. Become like her is the last think I want on Earth!
phil 01 Jul 2010, 04:20
Clare, I reckon you may be on for an extra 0.5 or so of minus! When's the next test due?
And 30 Jun 2010, 15:21
Melyssa,
When you went full-time did you still take off your glasses on dates or nights out etc ?
Dahlia 30 Jun 2010, 14:49
Melyssa,
Would you consider posting photos of all of your glasses? You don't need to wear them since you would want to protect your identity, of course. Just the glasses themselves would suffice. I'm sure many of us would love to see these wonderful frames of which you speak while respecting your privacy!
30 Jun 2010, 14:31
ehpc... welcome to 1985!
And 30 Jun 2010, 14:07
LauraC, how do your friends react, do you struggle to join in conversations in situations like disco's ie 'look at him over there' etc. Would you even be able to find then when you've been to the loo etc.
My gf doesn't like to wear glasses either but wears contacts so she can function properly.
Melyssa 30 Jun 2010, 13:06
Laura C,
A prescription generally has about as much chance of stabilizing at age 20 as the 76ers have of winning the NBA title next year. For most people, their RX seems to level off by their mid-to-late-20s, but lucky me, mine kept rising until I was 36, to its current -9.00.
I started out at -1.75/-1.50 at age 8, going full time at 16 (it was about -3.00 or so), because I knew I would need glasses to drive; and in the last 6 months or thereabouts beforehand, I was wearing glasses a lot more because my vision was deteriorating a tad too quickly.
Also, I have known some people whose distant vision RX actually decreased as they got past 40-45, even if their adds went up.
Of course, everyone is different, but I would recommend your wearing glasses to see this wonderful world (cough, cough) we live in, and especially if you drive.
Rayray 30 Jun 2010, 12:31
In my experience avoiding wearing glasses around -3 as a teen actually acclerated the progression of my myopia to its current level of almost -9. My sister on the other hand, though she got myopic younger (5 yr old) has ended up with -5.5 prescription. Since wearing correction fulltime the rate of change slowed for me.
With -4 at 20 years old its unlikely you will get more than -6 if you wear your glasses fulltime as your eyes will be likely to stop changing in your mid 20s. On the other hand if never wear them you won't realise what you are missing. I always felt i could see fine - until i wore for a couple of days...
Clare 30 Jun 2010, 12:24
Soundmanpt - you're right, I should have said right there and then that I wear contacts. I was a little surprised at his direct question so my response is to be understood, and it wasn't a lie so being in denial isn't the issue here. A couple of other colleagues know I'm a contacts wearer, I'm just not used to people posing such direct questions about that sort of 'personal' matter I suppose.
SteveB - actually, none. That episode when I conjunctivitis is a few years back now and I've since left that organisation. Yes, I've changed frames several times since then but I guess that question is academic given my first response.
Soundmanpt 30 Jun 2010, 10:38
Laura C
I'm sorry but your not just being silly, your being foolish as well. It's one thing when the board is a bit blurry from the back rows of class, but not able to see it from the first row and almost falling down stairs, that is dangerous for you. Not wearing glasses seems to have done little in keeping your eyes from getting worse. Did it occur to you that maybe the opposite could have happened and maybe your vision wouldn't be this bad now had you been wearing them? You are correct at this point you should be wearing them full time, and so even if your eyes got worse what difference would it make so long as you have proper glasses to allow you clear vision? There are many things far worse that could happen to you than wearing glasses. Look around you, have you noticed that about 70% of people wear correction these days. If you are dead set against glasses then get fitted for contacts, i'm sure many in here don't want me to say that, but for your sake that is better than going bare-eyed. I order glasses for ladies your age about every 2 or 3 weeks that just want them for fashion. I assume you don't drive, because you cannot avoid wearing glasses then. The things you are missing because you can't see is hard to believe. By now you must not even try to see much knowing it would be nothing more than a blur.
I am sorry for going off on you, but I was shocked to see what your last rx was and then you said it is probably even worse now. You should really think hard about getting a current exam and some new fashionable glasses and wear them. You would be amazed at all that you have been missing.
Puffin 30 Jun 2010, 10:18
If you are wearing glasses - assuming that you get any increases corrected within at most a few months - it won't really matter if your myopia jumps - your effective RX will still be zero unless by some very strange circumstances it goes up to the dizzy heights of -20 or above - don't worry about that it is very unlikely to happen, if it was going to happen you'd be wearing something like -15 or more right now. Getting back to realistic scenarios, say you went full time now, your myopia might go up something like 6 (?) dioptres in 10-15 years, basically thats about 2-3mm extra thickness in the glasses, is that so much? Or nothing noticable if you go with contacts?
Conversely, without correction, if you're "just about" coping now, another small increase is going to add to the problem and bring you closer to the point where glasses aren't optional anymore - it's not far off. Perhaps going without glasses will slow it down, maybe not (you did say it's changing quickly now without correction).
Up to you of course, but most glasses-resisters I've seen hereabouts tend to give up soon after -3 is reached. The workarounds and restrictions just seem to get too tiresome.
LauraC 30 Jun 2010, 09:37
After what you have said, I still think that tolerating some degree of blur is much better than have my myopia to jump up after the use of glasses. I'm wondering if there are other people that think and do the same with a similar or even higher RX than I have. After all Flaine's eyesight is still better than mine. And I understand her decrease is slower since I lost 3 diopters in the last 6 years or so. I manage the board at school just by reading on my mate's notebook because the board itself is all a blur even sitting in the first row! It has been working quite ok since now...
Flaine: last time I went to the disco I lost visual contact of my friends right before going downstairs (it was such a crowdy evening!) and I almost fell down since I didn't see the stairs right behind me! This is one of the challenges in going bareeyed. Luckily my friends did not see me in troubles and when I joined them downstairs they did not realize the panic I had a few seconds before...
Eyestein: I do hope you are right and I will stabilize as soon because my actual feeling is that my nearsightedness is still increasing very fast.
ehpc 30 Jun 2010, 09:19
'aren't'
ehpc 30 Jun 2010, 09:16
Three televisions in one house????????????????? There aen't any in my house and there are never going to be.
Puffin 30 Jun 2010, 07:35
That's one way around a small part of the problem - buy a bigger TV! Doesn't help much with other stuff though.
Flaine 30 Jun 2010, 07:01
Laura,
on the tv part, i am generally fine with it as my tv is 46" in my rm and 52"in the hall and 72" in the entertainment room..
Well u should decide when u need glasses as theres no fixed prescription of when to wear them or not..it depends on ur accomodation too!!
I have i have learnt so much from eyescene that i am using terms such as accomdation etc!
Flaine 30 Jun 2010, 06:56
Hi laura,
actually im a rather shy girl and firstly, im -2.75Land -2.25R... I use my glasses for about two things only..,whiteboards in school(including projectors) and cinemas... Somethings a little bit extra secretly...:) i cope well with shopping as im a person who knows what i want so i go to that soecific shop or place...at night, its scary butty its still managable as london is a crowded place and the people around u sort of give you some comfort...
Well, Laura i feel the same way as you.. Once u start fulltime, i guess theres no way back. And i dont wanna be dependent on them... Based on my own interesting study, i need glasses at 10, first pair..which i didnt even wear them at all...it was -1.5L and -1.5R... Now, almost 6 yrs later, im only in my second pair of glasses over a yr old still wearing for those 2 things only..but i noticed that some friends of mine who started fulltime on their first pair are well into at least -4's now.. And there really dependent on them that even when we go swimming, they would wearr theirs until they reach the edge of the pool..i cant imagine thAt!!!
Hafta go now...hope to hear from u laura since ur the same type of girl as i am...!!!
SteveB 30 Jun 2010, 06:55
Clare - how many of your current colleagues saw you in glasses when you had to wear them a few years fulltime ? Was this bloke one of them ?
Have you got new frames since then ?
Jim 30 Jun 2010, 04:49
Laura. I have to say I do agree with Puffin. As I wrote below my wife has worn glasses since she was a girl of 8 and although she has gone through the contact-lens fad, she is now extemely grateful for her glasses and loves me tp help her to choose new style frames each year. Although this is quite an expensive excercise with her high minus rx I feel she deserves it. Also the odd small increase in her prescription each time really helps the sharpnes and clarity of her vision which she adores. To be honest if I were you, I should simply pop your glasses on each morning before you get out of bed, and take them off again just before you go to sleep at night. (But remember to slip them of for a few minutes when you wash you face!!)
Eyestein 30 Jun 2010, 04:44
LauraC
Since you are already 20 your eyesight has probably stabilized. Therefore you are unlikely to need stronger and stronger lenses whether you start wearing glasses or not.
Puffin 30 Jun 2010, 04:27
LauraC
Most people give up trying to avoid full time wear by about minus 4. There is the odd hardly soul who struggles on with minus 5 or 6, before they accept the inevitable - they just can't see well enough. Often they develop workarounds, ways of doing things that allow them to cope.
It's just that the workarounds are never quite as good as seeing things clearly - more likely, nowhere near as good.
It's okay struggling but succeeding, but as it gets harder, you'll find yourself struggling and failing (and being seen to fail) more and more. It's not necessarily something that can always be easily shrugged off. People implicitly expect other people to be able to see reasonably well - and people who can't to wear correction of some sort.
No doubt you are considering what to do and hoping that what seems like an inevitable decision can be put off a while longer. I don't wear glasses and 20/20 vision but I must confess I'm not sure that I'm going to like wearing them if I did have to (I'm in my 40's) I don't even like sunglasses. I do have some back & joint pain which like your vision is likely to get worse and although it varies, comes and goes, I know sooner or later I'll be on serious pain relief - the idea of dependence on drugs for the rest of my life doesn't appeal to me at all. I might end up needing a stick to walk or worse - I seriously don't want that. Like you I am carefully evading an inevitable decision about pretty much inescapable facts of life.
Now I think about this, I feel a little bit silly doing so.
Maybe you can go and have a chat with a local optician - he should be able to demonstrate modern comfortable fashion frames - ask about contacts too. It doesn't hurt to explore your options as fully as possible, and you can do this without telling anyone.
btw - I don't work for a glasses company - just someone who's spent far too long talking, reading and thinking about glasses, eyes, etc.
Jim 30 Jun 2010, 02:44
LauraC. I admire your persitence in managing without glasses for so long! However, you must be finding it extremely difficult now, especially when you go out in the dark at night. A good light always makes it easier to see, even when you are quite short-sighted(which you are now, by the way!!)By the time most people reach -3.00 they capitulate and start wearing glasses all the time. But as you say, then their eyes get dependent on glasses, which tends to weaken them, and then they keep needing stronger and stronger lenses. As my wife tells me, once you start with glasses, its like being on a slippery slope, your sight only goes downhill. And she should know because she started wearing glasses at 8 years old and her rx has now reached -12.50 and -11.00 so she's pretty helpless without them. Which of course being a gwg lover, I don't mind at all. Best of luck Laura, but I feel sure that you will have to give in to the inevitable soon and get yourself some attractive glasses to pop on now and then, when you are unable to make out things you want to see. Please don't go down the contact lens road like my wife did. For ahwil her eyes didn't change, but now she's had to stop wearing contacts and go back to glasses fulltime her rx has shot up by about -3.00
LauraC 30 Jun 2010, 00:28
Ok, I’ll tell you more about myself. I started having some troubles with my distant vision in my early teens. I thought I was just tired but the things were becoming worse and worse every year, then I realised I was becoming definitely nearsighted. Last year my RX was –3 in the left eye and –4 in the right plus some astigmatism, but I’m afraid it has increased till then since I fell my eyesight is still deteriorating in the last months. I’m now 20 and never wear glasses. The reason is that I don’t like glasses on my face and I think they are stressing the eyes even more, so once you have started wearing them regularly, you easily become dependent on them and need stronger and stronger lenses... this is why I prefer to struggle (well, just occasionally since I don’t want everyone to recognise that I don’t see...) or come closer to what I need to see or... just pretend to see!
Flaine: do you use your glasses but for the board? I found a few other things that are not easy to do without, e.g. looking at the shop windows, watching TV, recognising people or simply go out alone esp. in the night. How do you manage?
By the way, guys: which is the maximum nearsightedness one can tolerate without needing glasses? Which was your first prescription?
Soundmanpt 29 Jun 2010, 16:19
Clare
The answer is very simple. If you were a fair distance away and the screen is not that big you were probably squinting a bit and he saw you. No, I am not saying you need an increase in your contacts. If it is as you described it, even with perfect vision one might find it hard to see and would need to squint to see a small screen. If you were unable to make out the score then I am sure that is why he asked you if you wear glasses. That being said, shame on you for being less than honest. You should have said, "actually I wear contacts why do you ask?" You are worse than I even thought, you are in complete denile. You better hope you don't ever have a problem where you can't wear contacts for a couple of weeks. That will be very uncomfortable for you then to suddenly have to come to work as a full time glasses wearer. Good luck with that!
I think you should go up to that guy and ask why he asked you that. Then you can come clean and admit to wearing contacts.
Be brave.
And 29 Jun 2010, 13:34
Clare, does he know you wear contacts ? Perhaps he was hoping you would say 'sometimes' and start a discussion about glasses.
Clare 29 Jun 2010, 12:41
Not really sure if this is the right place for this post but it is technically about Going Without Glasses ...
As I've mentioned, we have a TV screen in the office. Well actually it's a huge PC screen on which a colleague superimposes a small window of the sport of the day, be that football or tennis, whatever's on - it seems we're a bit spoilt this summer. As I pass I'll often check in to see the latest score. Today it was tennis and the Williams sisters were playing different opponents. I'd had a look, although it's pretty small, and my (male) colleague called out to me just as I'd moved on 'Clare, do you wear glasses'. I was surprised, so answered no but asked why. He said because I was peering at the screen. I was quite taken aback: it is a very small screen and HE IS SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO IT! Go figure. But I'm wondering now, why he wondered ... ;)
Clare 29 Jun 2010, 12:34
Laura C - I can certainly emphathise with you. I didn't seriously consider that I should wear glasses much before my Rx got to about -2.25. What is your prescription?
Flaine 29 Jun 2010, 09:45
Sounds like laura is another person like me!!
Soundmanpt 29 Jun 2010, 09:40
Laura C
Before I can tell you if I think you are silly or not, I need to know more about you. It seems clear that your female, but what is your age, do you know your RX, do you currently have glasses in your proper prescription, do you wear them when you need to see something in the distance or never wear them? If your RX is mild enough then not wearing them full time is not a bad thing at all. On the other hand if you are unable to see even a few feet in front of you and everything is a constant blur, then I am sorry to say but you are silly. As Puffin said there are things that you will not be able to avoid without correction, driving will not be a choice, if your vision is worse than 20/40 without glasses you will be required to wear them to drive. Certain jobs may also require that you wear correction as well.
As you know they are your eyes and you can choose to do whatever you wish. I doubt that you will destroy your vision by not wearing correction, but your vision will continue to get worse with or without correction. Personally walking around straining to barely see things, if at all, makes little sense.
Puffin 29 Jun 2010, 01:51
LauraC/Eyestein:
It's kind of a tradeoff if you're young and have mild myopia, without glasses now you can't see too well now but later in life need less strong lenses to see, with glasses now, you can see well now but will probably need stronger glasses in future.
It's just that it's almost certain people will need access to good distance vision in school and then for driving, some employers also test for it. It's very difficult to avoid having correction completely, whether it is necessitated by someone else or by you needing to see something. The worse your vision is of course the greater need for correction in terms of how often, eventually people take their optician's advice to stop mucking around taking their glasses off every 5 minutes.
Eyestein 29 Jun 2010, 01:38
Laura C
Don't listen to anyone who says you will destroy your eyesight by not wearing glasses/contacts. That's nonsense. I knew two sisters who were both diagnosed as mildly nearsighted when they were kids. One of them always refused to wear glasses while the other wore glasses all the time. Both are now middle-aged. The sister who always wore her glasses cannot now see a thing without them. The other sister still manages quite well without them - she has much better eyesight. BTW, what is your Rx?
LauraC 29 Jun 2010, 01:19
Hi everybody! I’m really excited in reading your posts since it is so difficult to find and chat with nearsighted people who don’t use glasses, as I’m doing. Everytime I try raising this subject on forums and I describe my situation they just say I’m silly, I’m destroying my eyesight and I should do wear full time glasses or contacts! I hope you will not think the same, since I think I’m just a girl which is trying to live a normal life although not seeing perfectly far things and to hide her defect as fas as possible...
Adalle 28 Jun 2010, 16:15
Yesterday I bumped into an old girlfriend of mine and I remembered our story which is a bit of "going without glasses".
About 10 years ago, some friends and I spent a week at another friend's beach house for holiday. One day her older sister showed up just to visit us. I had only seen her 3 times till then and I had a bit of a crush for her. I knew she had terrible eyesight, as one of the times I had seen her, she had shown up wearing a pair of huge golden rimmed glasses.
This time she wore contact lenses and she was to go back home at night. After a few glasses of wine she decided to stay for the night and leave the next day, so she took off her lenses that bothered her and stayed bare-eyed for the whole night. She had a very old pair of glasses from high school in her bedroom but only wore them for 5 minutes. As she couldn't see a thing, I started a conversation with her about her eyesight, which revealed a -11 prescription and kept her company for the whole night. She was moving with ease around the house, so she must have been bare-eyed before.
All these nights I was sleeping at her bedroom and all my clothes were in there too. So later on that I decided to take a bath, a surprise waited me. She was lying on her bed ready to sleep and trying to read a book with her old glasses. I moved towards my bag to take my clothes and go the living room to sleep, but she stopped me, took off her old glasses and told me: "You know I am almost blind. You can put your clothes on in front of me". Of course I didn't leave from that room until the next morning... We only stayed together for about a month but it was a night to remember.
OttO 28 Jun 2010, 15:59
It seems to me that the younger a myope is when they begin wearing glasses, the more likely they are to wear them full time (including for reading) as they get older, regardless of Rx. Maybe it's habit and/or acuity. Of course, there will always be the exceptions who are stubborn enough to walk around in the fog!
And 28 Jun 2010, 14:22
If my gf couldn't wear lenses then she would definitely be bare-eyed if that was an option. I wish she'd give her lenses a rest sometimes but her specs are only for 'emergencies'
Clare 28 Jun 2010, 14:17
And - hi. Yes, I know and we're not unalike (apart from our Rx of course). I just got to thinking about the times I've been prepared to go without my glasses/contacts and accept less than 20/20 vision when for some people that's not an option. Just trying to rationalise my behaviour I suppose ...
Clare 28 Jun 2010, 14:15
Anonymous poster - my current prescription is -3 and -2.75
28 Jun 2010, 14:13
is there anyone here with high prescription like minus 25 or more than that
And 28 Jun 2010, 14:07
Clare,
My gf has a great pair of designer frames, I'm sure they won't have been cheap, but they stay in the bottom of her bag and it would definitely be a last resort for her to wear them so you are bot alone !
28 Jun 2010, 13:43
what is your presription clare?
Clare 28 Jun 2010, 13:42
I was talking to some colleagues today prompted by someone who brought in their new glasses so that they could see the football across the office on the TV (!)and got to considering my apparently high tolerance to the *not-wearing* of glasses in my past. I wondered whether it was because I came late to glasses wearing, at around 26. Is it possible that I got a bit more accustomed to not having perfect vision? It makes sense to me but I don't know if it has any basis in scientific fact. Especially, I suppose, if one were to argue that as soon as I saw the real world my perception would change? Anyway ...
And 28 Jun 2010, 12:12
My gf got up to use the toilet bare-eyed but soon put her -7.50 contacts in when it was time to get up properly.
Peter 28 Jun 2010, 09:24
A girl I dated did sometimes go without, and she was -6,75.
But she neaded to hold my hand then.
Obsessed 28 Jun 2010, 08:43
A friend of mine did try walking outside with -10 + mild astigmatism.
Jim 28 Jun 2010, 05:07
What is the highest minus rx anyone has tried to go without glasses at?
Bobby 05 Jun 2010, 18:01
Nope, FIST eye exam is always performed by Steven Seagal.
05 Jun 2010, 13:19
wtf is a FIST eye exam? something given by Ralph Kramden or Chris Brown? if your eye swells when i hit it, it's ok?
Aubrac 05 Jun 2010, 01:14
smudgeur
I think my wife has this as before she got glasses, she always said she had only half vision in her right eye. I remember when we were using a telescope by the sea, she used her left eye saying she couldn't see anything with her right eye.
It may be the result of her uncorrected childhood strabismus. I was suprised after her fist eye exam (and later exams) to see the right eye sphere was +0.25 less than her left while vision was still worse with the right eye, and so assume amblyopia is the reason.
smudgeur 05 Jun 2010, 00:05
Here's an explanation on Amblyopia ( which is what I have in my right eye)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amblyopia
Even when the eye is fully corrected, my brain chooses to ignore it.
Smudgeur 05 Jun 2010, 00:02
My glasses have -1.75 -0.25 180 in the left eye and just a balance lens in the right.
I can only see the big E once the right eye is fully corrected - meaning it is only marginally better than not being corrected at all.
Clare 04 Jun 2010, 12:35
Smudgeur - thanks, I didn't realise. What prescription do you have in your glasses? If you're only able to see the E with your + eye then that's alot worse than the -1.75. I can barely make out the E at -2.75.
Smudgeur 04 Jun 2010, 03:57
Hi Clare
Yes I wear contacts probably 5 days a week and glasses for the other 2. I'm -1.75 in one eye, the other eye is amblyopic (lazy) so not corrected. The optician can correct it perfectly during an eye test but I still can't see more than the big E on the chart. I think it's technically about +2.5 but it makes no difference.
Like you, I was fine travelling but couldn't pick anyone out in a crowd.
Thankfully I have a spare pair of specs in the car, so the short drive home was fine.
Clare 03 Jun 2010, 11:56
No Wei, a few years to go yet!
Wei 03 Jun 2010, 11:53
Clare-you wear of bifocal now i think?
Clare 03 Jun 2010, 11:49
Sorry, last post to Smudgeur from me!
03 Jun 2010, 11:49
Smudgeur - I didn't realise you wore contacts, you kept that quiet ;)
From your post I'm not sure if you just wear -1.75 or two. I've done my journey home a few times, not driving of course, after I've taken out contacts for the same reason and its fine. What I wouldn't have to want to do is try and find someone in a crowd!
smudgeur 03 Jun 2010, 08:08
An interesting and rare bare-eyed excursion for me this afternoon. Contact lens been bothering me all day, so I ditched it at the station on the way back from a business meeting.
I have no specs with me so will travel bare-eyed (inc. 2 train changes).
I'm only -1.75 so hardly functionally blind, the worst bit so far is not being able to check out all the GWGs from a distance.
Melyssa 27 May 2010, 12:49
And,
Actually, I had absolutely no idea I needed glasses until I had an eye exam during spring break of 3rd grade. I do not recall having had any vision problems beforehand, except for being able to see how ugly my teachers were. :)
Tom 27 May 2010, 04:38
Astra & Chrissie
I'm only -5 but I had similar experience a few times, usually when there's 'something in my eye' or I have more liquid in the eyes due to just waking up or very tired... must be the lens effect in the liquid that breaks the light so you can see more clearly. Never lasted long :)
Tom
Astra 26 May 2010, 21:43
Chrissi,
I have no clue about that. Your phenomenon is interesting too.
I never had similar experience before.
Chrissi 26 May 2010, 16:07
Astra,
although my script is not that weak, I have strangely been able to see the numbers on a digital clock (about one inch high letters) without my glasses, but this is very rare and does not occur often. At the time, I was standing about five feet away from the clock, which is way too far for my eyes to normally see. (I'm about -13 and -14.) I'm not quite sure how to describe it...all I know is that I was able to make out the numbers, although, obviously, not crystal clear.
I have no idea how it happened!
And 26 May 2010, 15:23
Melyssa, is that how you knew you needed glasses in the first place ?
Melyssa 25 May 2010, 12:46
A whiteboard? Things must have changed since I graduated from high school, because we had blackboards, with the teachers using white chalk on them. And they were not easy for me to see sans glasses once I began wearing them -- even less so with teachers with poor penmanship skills. :)
antonio 25 May 2010, 06:11
Flaine,
I think it´s ok if you only wear yours for reading far,that´s what weak glasses are used for mostly. It´s entirely up to you that decision.
best regards, antonio
antonio 25 May 2010, 06:00
Hi Flaine,
well, seems you still see quite ok without them then,
I think a first step would be to wear them more at school, perhaps even sometimes in between lessons.
you could come to
http://www.lenschat.com/lenschat/index.php
and discuss with other glasses wearers there.
best regards, antonio
Flaine 25 May 2010, 05:16
minus 5 who luv gwg
Hey minus 5, i think when i reach that prescription, i have to weaer it alr...i will not have a choice..
Flaine 25 May 2010, 05:11
antonio,
I dont wear them all the time at school...i only use them to see the whiteboard or the projector and take them off immediately after seeing with it!
Well actually ive read a few posts whr ppl say they gradually got onto the habit of not taking it off after class but somehow i always feel consicious about it and takes it off
antonio 25 May 2010, 02:49
Well, Flaine, years ago I had the same problem too,
I just started to let my glasses stay on after wearing them for the whiteboard. That way I started to wear them always at school and then it happened I forgot to put them off when going home.
So all people started to get to know I wore glasses more and more often.
Do you wear glasses already all the time at school or at your job ?
best regards, antonio
minus 5 who luvs gwgs 25 May 2010, 02:41
Having been the same reluctant wearer I got to the stage -3.00/-4.00 when I said just go for it I did and no comments at all so much easier to see people signs etc so just do it
Flaine 25 May 2010, 02:11
hey guys im not sure if i should be asking this but i have the same problem with reluctant wearer!!I JUST CANT PUT MY SPECS ON! Well im -2 right and -2.75 right...so its quite difficult for me to see now that i believe my degree has gone up again!!i only use glasses for whiteboard but i really want to wear full time!!
Reluctant wearer 19 May 2010, 15:34
Puffin
wow that would be quite an increse! In fact its double her current prescription and she only needed glasses last year! Btw, as i have mwntioned below, she did it with her glasses on..
Judging from my point of view, -1.5 is alr quite bad as i was at that point a few yrs ago..
Puffin 19 May 2010, 09:17
Reluctant wearer - I am assuming that the nurse tested your sister with glasses on, otherwise her claim that her vision had got worse seems a little thin. If this is the case, we are talking about 1.5 in one eye, up to 2 in the other. Large but not unexpected increases at that age.
Reluctant wearer 19 May 2010, 06:50
Hi everyone, interestin though my sister went to the nurse to had her eyes tested..which i told her to and came back with 20/80 left and 20/100 right with her glasses on! Does that mean that her eyes has gotten worse by -0.80 and -1.00?
The nurse also wrote a note for our parents although she had thrown it away..
Astra 17 May 2010, 10:18
Cactus Jack,
I have met a person on a forum with rx -1.50,
She mentioned when she feels her eye relaxed, she can see distant object looking very sharp at first when without glasses.
But when she try to focus the distant object, the object looks blurry again.
With glasses, she can see the distant object clearly at any time, as normal person does.
Is the phenomenon related to the ciliary muscle?
Are there any probable reasons behind this phenomenon? I never had such experience before.
Reluctant wearer 17 May 2010, 06:42
Hi cactus..yeah both of us tried before..i didnt like the feeling of the lense in my eyes while my sister simply cant put hers in lol..so what the suggestion haha i think im becoming a pain by asking so many questions haha!
Cactus jack 17 May 2010, 05:54
Reluctant wearer,
Have either of you considered contact lenses?
C.
Puffin 17 May 2010, 01:36
btw, the Bates method is at best controversial, at worst possibly a con job. It probably isn't suitable for eyes that are undergoing growth changes. Best not to mention it.
Puffin 17 May 2010, 01:33
Reluctant wearer:
It's quite unlikely your sister's vision will go back to where it was. Growth and changes in the eyeball might be slight but will continue for 10 years quite easily. As you have myopia too there is genetic disposition. I can see why she's not keen on saying anything, because her current prescription is bordering on full time wear and like you is "reluctant". I imagine if she did go she'd be into a full time wear situation.
However if you can persuade her - or else not being able to see the blackboard might do the job - it's better to get this resolved.
Reluctant wearer 17 May 2010, 01:24
Apparently she has no astig..correction
Reluctant wearer 17 May 2010, 01:22
Thanks cactus...btw my sister just told me that she is struggling to see the board in class with her current glasses from the 3rd row! However, she does not dare to raise the issue to my mother and had ask me to post if anyone knows how to make the eyes return to the former prescription..as far as i know, there isnt..dont mention the bates method as she would not have the determination anyway..so anyway to tell her coz i really dun wanna to upset her as she too, has this vanity issues and is worst then me...btw she is 12 this yr and no precription is L-1.75 and R-2.00 apparently with astig.
I say shes worst den me bec she doesnt even wear her glasses that all and they look brand new...although its almost a year ago when both of us got our new glasses...somehow i still see well and clear while her eyes have became worst!
Thanks
cactus Jack 16 May 2010, 16:28
Reluctant wearer.
It is also possible that your ciliary muscles are rebelling slightly at having to work a bit harder than they are used to. If you need an increase of -1.25 in sphere, that means that with your old glasses, you have, in effect, been wearing +1.25 reading glasses. This means that to read at 40 cm, your ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses have only had to supply +1.25 of accommodation and the ciliary muscles have become a bit de-conditioned. Without your glasses, you have been wearing +2.25 reading glasses full time and our ciliary muscles have had to supply only +0.25 to read at 40 cm. Now with your new glasses, the ciliary muscles are having to go to work and squeeze the crystaline lenses a full +2.50 to read at 40 cm and they may be complaining.
It is possible that the cylinder correction is causing some problems if it is incorrect. Low values of cylinder are very difficult to measure because the measurement depends to a great extent on the skill and experience of the patient in identifying relative levels of blurriness.
-0.25 cylinder is not very much and I would not suspect that as being the problem unless the axis is seriously in error. I would suggest trying to wear your new glasses full time for a few weeks to let your ciliary muscles get used to doing their job again. If, after two weeks, they still bother you, I would go back to the examiner, report the problem, and see what he suggests. If your ciliary muscles get too de-conditioned, it can lead to early symptoms of presbyopia.
We recently had a 17 YO poster from Greece who had avoided wearing glasses until he needed an Rx of a little over -3.00 for distance. He discovered that he could not use the computer or read with his new glasses. He went back to the examiner and he was informed that his ciliary muscles were extremely week and he would need to wear tri-focals to function until his ciliary muscles were re-conditioned. Myopes who do not wear their distance correction are not necessarily doing themselves a favor.
C.
Reluctant wearer 16 May 2010, 15:42
Clare: i really cant see a difference as i have two glasses with the same prescription but ones without astig.
Puffin: when i wear my second glasses of the same prescription but no cyl correction, i dpnt really get headaches but when i wear the one with cyl, i get a slight(not major but feel it) headaches. Im not sure if its bec of the astig or wat...
Thanks
Puffin 16 May 2010, 14:18
Clare/Reluctant Wearer:
Astigmatism correction at that level is hard to pin down: it might actually be .10 dioptres or just about zero. It depends on whether the optician prefers to try correcting it or not (not all agree it is worth it unless necessary). By necessary, I mean can you cope without, do you get a headache/tired eyes without. Perhaps your optician has done it on a "suck-it-and-see" basis, if you come back later or go elsewhere it might be zero
Clare 16 May 2010, 07:26
Reluctant wearer - not a huge amount I'd imagine. I've heard that -0.25 of cyl is pretty tiny. Although I'm not sure if the axis would make any difference, perhaps for some people but not all. Cactus may have a better answer.
Reluctant wearer 16 May 2010, 07:20
Hi guys, can anyone tell me what difference can a -25x100 cyl and -25x65 cyl make with the smae sph but no cyl. My complete rx is -2.25, -25x100 right and -2.50,-25x65 left..
Btw when my sis tried on my glasses, sye said she could see better than her -2s and-1.75 but still not that clear! I think hers has increased and her second spex will be soon on the way!
Reluctant wearer 16 May 2010, 07:14
Hi guys, can anyone tell me what difference can a -25x100 cyl and -25x65 cyl make with the smae sph but no cyl. My complete rx is -2.25, -25x100 right and -2.50,-25x65 left..
Btw when my sis tried on my glasses, sye said she could see better than her -2s and-1.75 but still not that clear! I think hers has increased and her second spex will be soon on the way!
OnLooker 15 May 2010, 01:01
My wife (+1 hyperope and some astygmatism) has got into a phase of denial. She normally wears glasses for close up vision, especially reading and computer. Today, she was reading a book at almost arms length with slit eyes. When i suggested he wears her glasses on she said she's fed up with them...My guess is that from now on she will be struggling more and more and trying to hide that she needs correction to see clearly. She's now 37 and presbyopia is lurking in addition to her stablished mild hyperopia...I'll be watching but i will never suggest that she wears her glasses again otherwise i'll be tagged as an o-o obsessive which she already has in mind!!
ehpc 14 May 2010, 21:17
The glasses sound great Dee :) Might have been me that suggested black rectangular plastic frames with wide sides :)
Reluctant wearer 14 May 2010, 18:53
Im a boy lol but my sis alao dun wear hers and she squints when someone in our family talkto her at a distance..
Julian 14 May 2010, 09:10
Reluctant wearer: Thanks for that information. So are YOU Chinese? And are you a boy or a girl? Either way, I'd say the increase in your myopia is below average for your environment - but I think it's time you came out and became a full-time wearer!
Dee 14 May 2010, 08:31
I wear a plastic frame with wide temples as was suggested from this site. As to what I do without glasses is not much although I have no problem getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom without glasses, get a glass of water, etc. My eye doc called it Myopic Memory. Being in the same situation with glasses then without I still function. In a new surounding that I had not seen before with glasses, I would be helpless. As to real things like even reading a book I cannot without my glasses on. Actually I can get the book close enough to see with one eye but not both eyes but that gets old after a minute or two.
As to the statistics, my eye doc told me once only .2% of the population in the US is -10 or higher.
Reluctant wearer 14 May 2010, 08:04
Julian, im a teen of 14...nearly 15 and racial background is singaporean and race here mainly is chinese? Is that watcha looking for?
Julian 14 May 2010, 02:30
Reluctant wearer: in the light of all that's been said, and especially that link Yoyo has given us, it would be interesting to know your racial background and your gender. (Now somebody denounce me as racist and sexist!)
Yoyo 13 May 2010, 18:27
The facts actually do show that there is a higher incidence of myopia in East Asian countries, particularly in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore. Also, Asian children born in the United States show a higher incidence of myopia than that of other ethnicites (meanwhile, whites showed the highest rate of hyperopia).
http://www.agingeye.net/myopia/3.1.php
I don't think you can call that a racist claim; the statistics back it up.
Cactus Jack 13 May 2010, 17:51
Reluctant wearer,
Thank you and others, my comment was absolutely intended as a statement of accepted fact. There are also areas of the world where there is a higher number of hyperopes than would be expected from a "typical" distribution. It has been said that proving a negative is impossible. In that regard, until we learn the exact cause of myopia there is no way to know if wearing glasses to correct myopia ultimately causes it to increase or if the increase is being caused by overactivity of the same mechanism that causes the eyeball to grow as the head grows. And conversely, if not wearing needed correction slows the growth process. We just don't know yet how it works.
Millions have been made by people promoting the "Bates Method" and the "See Clearly Method" which, for the most part advise not wearing or only occasionally wearing vision correction. In general, supposedly impartial governmental agencies have determined that these "methods" primarily benefit the promoters rather than the clients.
The nice thing about glasses is that you, fundamentally, can wear them when you want to. There are only rare circumstances where you HAVE to wear vision correction for the safely of others - driving for instance. You don't even HAVE to be able to see the white/black board in a classroom clearly. Your grades may suffer or your friends may tire of reading things for you, but they are really your grades and your friends to do with as you please.
As I said, how myopia is actually caused is an unplowed fertile field of study. It is likely a biochemical process with genetic and environmental components. If you can figure out how (perhaps a pill) to positively prevent it and how to positively cause it, you can probably win the Nobel Prize in medicine and make Billions beside. Some of our members are probably good for a few hundred thousand if you can positively cause it.
C.
And 13 May 2010, 16:33
Wow Dee, with that prescription I don't expect you do much bare-eyed do you ?
Reluctant Wearer 13 May 2010, 15:29
Haha yup guys that totally not an racist comment..i think its bec we play lits of computer games that all and ruin our eyesight...3 in 4 teens at the age of teen nEeds correction for myopia...i noe its pathetic!! And those 25% ones r really lucky coz although they play lot of com but still remain perfectly okay!?!
ehpc 13 May 2010, 14:09
What frame style do you wear, Dee? :)
ehpc 13 May 2010, 14:09
Exactly. ABSOLUTELY nothing whatever racist about it. A statement of fact. Like saying there is a higher proportion of diabetics in Trinidad than in any other country in the world, which there is. Just statistics.
Dee 13 May 2010, 13:08
Astra
-12.25 right, -12.75 left.
Julian 13 May 2010, 13:06
Nothing racist about it (though maybe it could have been better put). Singapore is well known to be the myopia capital of the world and there are several articles about the high incidence of myopia in Asian cities.
OMG AT RACIST COMMENT 13 May 2010, 13:02
"Many asians are genetically disposed to myopia"
OMG. That is such a RACIST statement. I would love to see your statistical FACTS that back this up.
jo 13 May 2010, 03:33
HI Wei,
If you need translation for your questions, you can email me in chinese and I'll post the question on your behalf. Indeed, no offence to you, it's sometimes rather difficult to understand your questions. I can be reached at wucks22@gmail.com.
Wei 12 May 2010, 20:41
Vision seeming worse until adjusted for no glasses i think
Astra 12 May 2010, 19:08
Dee,
Certainly most glasses wearers are used to having clear corrected vision. So when you try to see without glasses, the blurry image can be surprising for you.
What prescription do you have?
Dee 12 May 2010, 16:23
On another note I went shopping with a friend yesterday. She wears glasses basically for driving and watching TV. We started this conversation about my new glasses and as we were driving she asked me how close to the big green highway signs I had to be to see them without glasses. I took my glasses off and realized I could not see them at all. I also realized as cars passed us they eventually just disappeared. I had never tried that before and I found it shocking and somewhat amazing that cars just disappeared.
Dee 12 May 2010, 16:16
About taking someone's glasses.
Rude and wierd unless you know the person real well and have done it before in private. My husband still asks ALL the time before he takes mine off especially now that I wear glasses full time.
Reluctant wearer 12 May 2010, 15:40
Hi cactus,
i will definitely do some research since i have just finished my rxams and have since loads of time..however i do notice some sorts of pattern over the years in school..most friends of mine in school who wears their glasses all the time seem to get increase almost every year and the increase is about -0.50- -1 usually.. And some friends i know who wears glasses at the same time that i did, at 10yr old, has risen to around -4..i am not sure if this is because they have worn their glasses from the start and that i've put off wearing glasses might have help meymyopia to increase slowly through the yrs..do u reckon that is one reason?
Thanks
Cactus Jack 12 May 2010, 09:44
Reluctant wearer.
Many asians are genetically disposed to myopia and there is not much you can do about it. Your myopia is mild compared to some and a -1.25 increase is pretty close to -0.25 to -0.50 per year for a typical teen without really aggressive myopia anywhere in the world. I doubt your myopia will get higher than -4 or -5 by the time you are in your 20s, but there is no way to predict where it will stabilize. Your genes are the dominant factor and your visual environment is secondary.
You may experience some reading discomfort when you start wearing your glasses full time. The problem is that with your level of myopia, you actually have built in plus reading glasses like you find in the stores. Your ciliary muscles are not used to doing their normal job of focusing your crystaline lenses and they are very likely weak. It may take a few weeks for them to get conditioned so they can focus effortlessly as they should.
There are a lot of different opinions about wearing or not wearing glasses of the correct Rx affecting the rate of change of myopia. Overcorrection may cause it to increase more rapidly than it ordinarily would, but there is also some evidence that not wearing correction when you need it may also stimulate an increase in myopia. You are not doing yourself any favors by not wearing your glasses.
I would suggest doing some research and study on how vision develops from infancy. Almost all babies are born hyperopic because their eyeballs are small to fit the size of their heads. There is a mechanism that controls the growth of the eyeball to fit the eyesocket as the head grows. Myopia is caused by excessive growth for the optical power of the cornea and crystaline lens combination. Do some research and learn, it is not too early to start. It is fascinating. Who knows, you may be the one who discovers the secrets of the biochemistry involved in making it happen. When the process works right, the result is perfect 6/6 vision. When the eyeball grows too much, myopia. When the eyeball does not grow enough, hyperopia. Astigmatism is another, unrelated mater.
C.
C.
Reluctant wearer 12 May 2010, 07:18
Hi cactus,
Thanks for the encouraging words! Maybe i would leave my glasses on when i have my next increase i suppose! I will give it a try...and for my classmates, they find it not a surprise for me to wear them during lessons as in Singapore, 21/25 people including me, needs to wear glasses and all are myopic!
And i assume that no one knows which prescription my myopia will stop increasing..but apart from Astra, anyone else thinks that -1.25 for a teenager is normal or bad?!
Thanks
Cactus Jack 12 May 2010, 06:30
Reluctant wearer.
You need to ask yourself - and answer honestly - why you don't want to wear your glasses. Apparently, for whatever reason, you prefer living in a world where everything beyond about 50 cm is blurry. You need to understand that you do not wear vision correction for the benefit of OTHER people, vision correction is for YOU.
Your mother has to KNOW that you need glasses. I assume that it was she that took you to the opticians and paid for your glasses. The very best thing is to just start wearing them. Today if possible. There will be a few questions, but just answer that you can see better with them and leave it at that. No further explanation is necessary. After a few days, the questions will stop and there will be no further comment unless you change frame styles. People generally do not notice the lenses in glasses, they notice the frames.
If vanity is REALLY the problem, you need to get over it. If you can't get over it, consider contact lenses. However, remember if you are worried about your looks with glasses consider that glasses are to some extent facial jewelry and like jewelry or make-up, less is more if done well. Choose your frames to enhance your attractiveness. Most opticians know or have people on their staff that can help you choose attractive frames.
BTW, do not think that your classmates do not know that you need to wear vision correction. It is obvious to others that you are having problems seeing well. They will be very happy to see you wearing your glasses.
C.
Astra 12 May 2010, 02:16
reluctant wearer,
1.25 over a span of 4 years sounds normal to me, for a teenager.
and, usually it's not possible to estimate exactly when myopia stops increasing.
Reluctant wearer 12 May 2010, 01:41
Question 2: can anyone tell me how to tell my mom....
Sorry for the typo..
Reluctant Wearer 12 May 2010, 01:39
(Part 2)
Well..so at that time, ithough it was for my benefit to get new glasses so thqt i could see properly as secondary school was getting harder to cope when one is not able to see the projector! So of i went to the opticians and at first, he went through an never ending test and finally got a prescription of -2.75 x25 on left and -2.25 x25 right and omg! I could see the room so clearly with the test set! However, when i got the glasses a few days later, i wore it at the opticians and got a awesome feeling.. However, as soon as i was about to go,i snatched the glasses of my face and off it went into the plastic bag.
Now, a year later, i still can see brilliantly when i wear them in class and in the cinema with my friends. However, these are the only time i wear them..i wear the glasses in the house secretly too when my parents arent around too! Sometimes i wonder why i dun dare to wear my glasses around my parents but yeah..some people may know why..
So, here are my questions!
1. Is an increase of 1.25 in my left and 1.25 on my right considered alot in the span of 4 years?
2. Anyone can suggest how to tell me my that i need to wear glasses coz i just dont have the guts to tell her that my vision is bad and so on and that i will wear in front of her..
3. Will anyone estimate when i will get an increase again and how long more b4 my eyes stop geting more myopic?!
Thanks
Astra 12 May 2010, 00:51
Keep sharing, reluctant wearer.
Reluctant wearer 11 May 2010, 23:48
Hi people
sorry..the last post was fom me..
Ok so ive beenlurking around here for a few months now and i thought i ought to post...i hope my post isnt so boring...
I first got glasses when i was 9or 10 i cant remeber and i did not really kinda use it coz of vanity..my rx at that time was -1.5 left and -1 right. However i was pretty much a decent student and managed to cope well in school. However, i noticed that after every year i go back to school, my vision got worse and worse. My vision with glass(forced to wear during eye tests) were 6/9p and 6/9 when i was 11.. Well.. At 12, i told the nurse that ive left my specs at home although i had it... When i went to grade 7 at 13, i cant even see the board from the first row anymore..
So i decided that since no one knows me except for 2 or 3 students as we went on from primary school,i might as well wear my glasses since i got them at 10..but i noticed that even with them on,i struugle with the board from the 2nd row...so i gave up and copied my way through mid years again..not surprisingly, i flunked my eyetest..got 6/18 for both eyes with my old glasses on during the test...
TBC..
Sry is it boring? Coz at tje end of my next part i wanna ask some questions...
Thanks
Guest 11 May 2010, 23:34
Hi
Astra 11 May 2010, 21:02
Otto, Puffin and others,
It's certainly very abusive, inappropriate behavior to do that in public. Glasses is like, a part of the eye, like clothes to body, for glasses wearers.
ehpc 11 May 2010, 19:32
That would be amazing fun, Astra :)
Astra 11 May 2010, 13:04
ehpc
I agree with you, it would be better to play this in a quiet room each other, and both are glasses wearers.
ehpc 10 May 2010, 15:51
Could be very sexy if there were just the two of you in a quiet room and both parties already knew they fancied each other.Very sexy indeed, in fact.
ehpc 10 May 2010, 15:46
Interesting question. PROBABLY with a sense of humour, at least if I found the woman attractive. And it would open up a great opportunity for glasses-related conversation.I think it would wholly depend on the circumstances. I agree it is a little odd.
Jennifer 10 May 2010, 15:44
How would you take it, ehpc, if a female co worker took your glasses in such a manner??? and then put them on the floor for you to search for???
ehpc 10 May 2010, 15:40
Perhaps she enjoyed playing 'dom' and was letting the chap know. As I say, it could be very upsetting and humiliating for the wrong person, however.
Jennifer 10 May 2010, 15:38
I don't agree with taking someone's glasses away without their permission. With permission, changes everything.
ehpc 10 May 2010, 14:52
A rather PC sense-of-huomour failure going on here.That is the sort of experience which could be humiliating and upsetting for some people, but almost certainly there was a strong element of sexual liking on the part of the woman. Most definitely.
Jennifer 10 May 2010, 09:29
I don't consider taking a guys glasses away and then telling him to look for them as a form of flurting. She was into seeing him suffer and get anxious because he couldn't locate his glasses right away. I think the girl is a weird.
OttO 10 May 2010, 08:25
The woman is controlling and manipulating.
Tim 09 May 2010, 22:06
I should have remarked that it is the last sentence of Ddenmont's post that colours my judgement in this incident. Take that away and it might indeed appear to be harrassment.
Tim 09 May 2010, 22:02
All joy, fun and humour seem to be banned nowadays by the "politically correct" gestapo, particularly in the so-called Land of the Free.
OttO 09 May 2010, 14:10
This has nothing to do with gender or sexuality or even morality. This is bullying and should not be tolerated. It also probably violates all sorts of workplace rules. Putting ones hands uninvited onto another person's glasses is intolerable. Most people would probably want to keep their distance from such a bully.
PrO-Ogressives 09 May 2010, 12:00
Puffin: You hit the bull's eye. That behavior is abusive, regardless of the gender(s) involved
Puffin 09 May 2010, 08:36
Has to be said, reverse the sexes in the situation below and it can more likely be seen in a more uncomfortable light.
Julian 09 May 2010, 00:47
RDI: I am homosexual, and I can tell when a women 'likes' me as you put it - or at least I could when I was young enough to be attractive ::) It could be a terrifying, or at least worrying, experience. I don't see why you find it necessary to be so offensive.
Love and kisses, Jules.
RDI 08 May 2010, 15:14
To the spineless jellyfish who deleted my previous post:
Just so I understand correctly, you will allow people to post links to teen porn and other disgusting photos, but when I call someone out for failing to recognize when someone is flirting with him, you censor me? I stand by my assertion that only a homosexual would not know that this woman in question clearly liked him. You never heard of a chick playing with a dude's glasses, or vice versa?
Whatever. You people all deserve each other. I'm sure this post will be deleted too. God forbid I offend anyone. Have a nice day.
RDI 07 May 2010, 13:38
post deleted - troll
DDenmont 07 May 2010, 11:09
Had a weird experience a few weeks ago. I was eating lunch at work today, and one of my (female) co-workers happened to be eating lunch with me. Some bubbles from my Coke sprayed on my glasses, so I took them off to wipe them off. She snatched them and giggled. I asked her to please give them back, as I am severely nearsighted and can't see without my glasses. I have -18 in my left eye and -17.75 in my right. She said "Awww, you can't see?" and giggled. She then said "Your glasses are on the floor... go find them". I had to get down on my hands and knees and feel around for them. She was giggling and laughing the whole time. It took me a good 2-3 minutes before I could find them. Once I found them, she gave me a big hug and a wink.
I have no idea what to make of it.
John S 07 May 2010, 10:43
I was at a social club I belong to last night. A friend of mine asked "are those reading glasses?". I handed them to him to read his cell phone. He figured out real quick that they had a high add, and held the phone a little closer. He seemed satisfied with the rx. They are progressives +1.50 with a +3.50 add. He had them on for about 10 minutes.
All4Eyes 07 May 2010, 00:13
You were laying bricks bare-eyed in the heat? You didn't happen to be wearing jeans and a white t-shirt did you? Sorry, I've just got this image in my head and I'm rather enjoying it. ;8-) Would also have been hot if you'd had your glasses on and they kept sliding down your sweaty nose.
I ALWAYS make passes at guys who wear glasses, Marie 8-)
AK-47 05 May 2010, 21:39
I am a work-freak, with -5.00 and -5.25. I had been working with bricks, and it got on the warm side so to speak (Oklahoma weather) so I took off my glasses. The bricks looked like they were layed in an earthquake! But it was fixed with a lot of embarassment and a large mallet.
Wei 27 Apr 2010, 15:05
Is mysodisc of bifocals? Is lens good but small print blur i think
ehpc 27 Apr 2010, 06:03
That is much stronger than you used to wear, Marie :) As I never tire of saying, providing you have perfectly healthy eyes and can see perfectly wearing glasses, the more minus a girl has the better:) But the crucial question is..........................what frame style do you wear?????????? :) Black rectangular pastic frames with wide sides? :) Pete
All4Eyes 26 Apr 2010, 22:35
And this is a very cool example of what I can see!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtuoJBP9b78&NR=1
All4Eyes 26 Apr 2010, 22:07
Antonio: I wear R -4.50 L -4.00
I ALWAYS make passes at guys who wear glasses, Marie 8-)
antonio 26 Apr 2010, 14:24
thanks for your reply, All4Eyes,
how strong are the glasses you wear if I may ask ?
best regards, antonio
All4Eyes 25 Apr 2010, 21:30
Antonio: I do wear full-time, except for the odd occassion when I have a bare-eyed fun day, but I don't do those very often.
Sum1wholovesgwgs: No increases for several years, I think I'm due for an increase now though. I know I'm wayyyy overdue for an exam.
sum1wholovesgirlswithglasses 25 Apr 2010, 20:51
All4Eyes Marie have you had any signifiant increases .or do u still need the same rx ? its always a joy reading your postings^^
ehpc 25 Apr 2010, 13:55
Hey Marie :) Come and entertain all of us - me especially ha ha :) Pete
antonio 25 Apr 2010, 03:07
All4Eyes, do you wear your glasses all the time now ?
best regards, antonio
All4Eyes 24 Apr 2010, 21:04
EHPC: I'm good, finally got Internet set-up in my room, so I can come on and aggravate everyone here everyday now!
I ALWAYS make passes at guys who wear glasses, Marie 8-)
ehpc 24 Apr 2010, 10:37
Hey Marie! :) Haven't heard from you for absolutely ages! How are you? Pete
All4Eyes 23 Apr 2010, 22:46
Phil: I had the same thing, attracted to members of the opposite sex with glasses, but embarrased to wear them myself. I think because, when glasses are a sexual thing for you, wearing them in public feels a bit like going out in public in your underwear or something! I've since gotten over it though and even enjoy my public image as a glasses wearer.
I ALWAYS make passes at guys who wear glasses, Marie 8-)
Luke 22 Apr 2010, 17:00
Clare -- I'm confused. Did I say you were strange? I didn't intend to.
benn 22 Apr 2010, 14:08
I think everyone reacts to eyesight on their own terms. I cannot understand anyone who would accept anything but "as perfect as posible".
But my wife cannot tell if she has her lens in or not. And I know she sees better with glasses or lens. But it is no big deal to her.
I have many friends who are up to -5 who do not where glasses on a regular basis. My grandmother who was about -3 always said she put her glasses on to "look" but took them off to "see". She felt "confined" with them on.
I think astigmatism can be a "game changer". But it is in all cases an individual thing.
Clare 22 Apr 2010, 13:44
Phil - hello. A lot going on here, welcome! No sexual attraction for me, I find men who do/don't wear glasses equally attractive as long as they are well chosen.
I was with a male friend today who was being given the eye by a GWG across a train carriage. We laughed and I made a joke, partly to test whether he'd be attracted to a GWG, and he declared her 'quite attractive'. Interestingly, he's one of my 100% contacts wearing friends with a prescription of -2 (don't know exactly where on the -2 scale or if he ever wears glasses at the weekend). I find him attractive anyway but can't imagine him with glasses. He knows I wear contacts but we never discuss, only with female friends. Not sure why. Although he did once ask my prescription and of course I asked his!
Clar 22 Apr 2010, 13:40
Luke - I'm not so sure that we're strange, there are so many people I know like me that I think you might not realise we're there! In addition to the friends who always wear contacts I can think of two colleagues (one plus, one minus) who never wear glasses. I don't think it's so unusual, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a female thing but I know it isn't. As to what we might be hiding from, for me it may be a conditioning thing - glasses were always 'bad' in my family so maybe that may be a subliminal issue for me, other than that it's about whether (or not) I look attractive in the frames I've chosen, and the idea that wearing glasses, no matter how trendy, still means advertising a vision defect.
So, that's it - deep, or demented?!
Phil 22 Apr 2010, 00:44
There's a lot of theorising going on here! So I'll do my bit! Not wearing specs when one needs to may appear simply irrational. But I suspect there's more to it. And I should know! I've had a significant minus rx, always more than -2 but never more than -4, for over 30 years but have never worn my glasses fulltime. I can't fully explain why. But I'm convinced that it has something to do with the fact that I'm so attracted to gwgs. I think there may be a psycho-sexual side to the behaviour. The importance to me of glasses-wearing by members of the opposite gender means that I attribute undue significance to it. Many people get first-time glasses and go full time at once. I, on the other hand, wore my first glasses only at night when I was alone! Do others here who resist wearing specs themselves have a sexual attraction towards members of the opposite sex who wear them?
Luke 21 Apr 2010, 22:45
By the way, this has been linked to on another thread, but somehow seems relevant to this discussion. And I think it's amazing:
http://www.youtube.com/user/thegirlswithglasses#p/a/u/1/UGPL4J6IIJY
Luke 21 Apr 2010, 22:42
Clare,
You wrote "from a practical point of view I think that contacts make sense, most people with an average prescription like mine wear them because they find them very comfortable and they avoid the hassle of glasses, I think that’s more the reason than because they don’t like glasses. I don’t think many people think of them as like/dislike"
Maybe I mis-stated my point. I wasn't talking about people who *only* wear glasses...frankly, I think that's kind of weird in most cases. I was talking about people who, like you and your friends, go out of their way to avoid wearing glasses even when glasses would be more convenient in that particular instance than contacts: eyes hurt, glasses are sitting right there and I'm in a rush, or I'm on my last pair of contacts and they are past their 'replace-by' date but I'm still wearing them because the alternative would be to wear glasses.
I guess what I'm curious about is *whose* judgment of you are you worried about when you are uncomfortable at the thought of wearing glasses instead of contacts. I thought your friends would be key candidates. So, if not, do you think it is 'men' or just people in general? I'm assuming that you do wear glasses at home sometimes and that it doesn't really bother you there, only when you go out...in other words, it is the perception of others, not *just* yourself that is the worry. (True?)
Clare 21 Apr 2010, 12:11
Soundmanpt – I love your creativity although I’m not sure it would catch on amongst my friends! Although we talk about contacts, usually when we have a problem, and that may lead to someone talking about their Rx, it’s not a regular thing. Given my contacts wearing friend is still stranded overseas I’ll be interested to hear how she got on – whether she resorted to wearing glasses or went to the extent of getting a prescription faxed across so she could collect some new contacts.
Luke – from a practical point of view I think that contacts make sense, most people with an average prescription like mine wear them because they find them very comfortable and they avoid the hassle of glasses, I think that’s more the reason than because they don’t like glasses. I don’t think many people think of them as like/dislike, I just think there are people who think they couldn’t wear contacts. As to what I’d do if my friends wore glasses more, I don’t think it would change my view, I may not be a trend setter but I’m not that much of a follower ;) For me, and I suspect another friend, the issue is more about us not recognising ourselves as glasses wearers because we migrated to contacts before our prescriptions got to the point where we’d be recommended to full time wear, unlike another friend of mine who did wear glasses but now loves the freedom she gets from wearing contacts.
And – yes it’s true that I’m not so bad as your girlfriend when it comes to wearing glasses, although it’s usually only at home. I’m okay with wearing glasses for travelling if I need to, like long haul flights. But I suspect our reasons are different.
Pete – I’d be surprised if your wife doesn’t have problems with distance vision after dusk. I’m only a bit more than her and I really would.
soundmanpt 20 Apr 2010, 07:43
Peter
When was her last eye exam? She will first need to get an exam for proper fitting. The doctor will be able to recommend if she should have 2 contacts or if only 1 will work for her. If she wants to read a book, can she sit and read for a long period without her glasses? My guess is they will suggest using one for distance and one for close work. If she is talking about doing this I would think that it is bothering her going without glasses.
Peter 20 Apr 2010, 03:35
Hi soundmanpt. I know she's worn -2.50. I have no idea of her add and no idea where now to find her script. She started wearing progressives about 10 years ago. Does this add any indight?
soundmanpt 19 Apr 2010, 20:16
And
It would seem that your gf and Clare would get along real well. But to be fair I think Clare is even better about being seen in her glasses. In fact I know she is. If I recall from back a few months you said your gf's rx was in the -7.00 range? I'm sure she feels much more safe wearing contacts than her glasses. My guess is that her thought is that it would be much easier for something to happen to her glasses, breaking, losing or getting them knocked off and not being able to see well enough to find them. This would be very embarrising to have to ask for help to find them. Contacts rarely pop out these days and don't break. The only thing that could happen is sometimes they rip when removing. You should try and talk with her about her vision and why she refuses to wear glasses in front of you. You and her have been together long enough now that she should trust you by now, if she doesn't she never will. You should tell her she should feel safe with you around if anything were to happen that you would be there for her. Tell her she should feel comfortable about wearing her glasses if she chooses that you would like to see her wear them sometimes.
soundmanpt 19 Apr 2010, 19:57
Clare
What Luke was saying made me think of something, if you and your friends and co workers can sit and discuss vision and contacts, why can't you introduce the idea of glasses into the conversation? Maybe bring up an "All Glasses Day" where you all must wear glasses the same day. That way no one should feel uncomfortable, out of place or less than confident. Who knows it might even be fun. Maybe even put up posters or signs to advertise that day in advance. Somehow I bet you are laughing very hard at that idea? But think about it, it could be fun. Maybe you would be starting something that could catch on to other companies as well. Like Luke said, you are a good sport for putting up with our gentle pushes at you to wear your glasses more. Maybe gentle isn't the right word?
And 19 Apr 2010, 16:51
Clare, you are certainly not alone. My gf recently got new glasses ( for emergencies ) but it's very unlikely anyone will see her in them, including me ! Her rx is too strong to go bare-eyed so she's never without her contacts.
Luke 19 Apr 2010, 15:53
Clare - thanks for the reply. So, this makes me wonder: do you think that your friends' attitudes have a lot to do with how you feel about wearing glasses (yourself)? I mean, they are all saying, by their actions, that glasses are a bad thing. So even if you wanted to feel differently, you would sort of be going against them to wear glasses voluntarily. I'm curious if you think this is a dominant influence on your feeling. Like another post mentioned, it's really common to feel uncomfortable wearing glasses at first, but most people stop feeling uncomfortable after they've worn glasses a while. You have generally been a contact lens wearer, but it seems like you have worn glasses enough that, if you were going to get comfortable with it, you probably would have. Something is preventing that, and it's clearly a concern about *someone's* perception. Do you think it's largely your friends, or is it really everyone?
So, you haven't really talked with your friends about this. I'm really curious what they would say if you asked them why they are so reluctant to wear glasses publicly. Is it the same for them as it is for you, or is their outlook on it different?
By the way, it's pretty great that you've kept reading and posting on this forum for so long. You have a very different point of view from most of the posters on here, and it makes the site a lot more interesting.
soundmanpt 19 Apr 2010, 12:57
Peter
Actually mono-vision is interesting. Many people can adjust to it rather easily and some just can't do it. Your wife seems very determined so she may do well. I looked back in the posts and you said she was wearing progressives and that she was around 2.50 however you didn't say if that is -2.50 or a plus, also I never saw her add listed. You said she is only wanting one contact so I assume that would be for her distance? It is all based on making the brain work so when she needs to see in the distance she doesn't even have to think about it. I am not sure why she wouldn't want a contact for close as well if it would help her? Has she said anything about that? Is her add very slight?
soundmanpt 19 Apr 2010, 12:40
Clare
I in no way would think that you are being stupid. You have stated your case well. You just have a confidence issue, the only difference is that usually happens with first time wearers. My only intentions is to try and bolster your confidence level to a point where you will one day not have any problem just going with glasses more often. I do wonder if you worked on a daily basis with the ladies you mentioned that do indeed wear glasses most often if you to soon would feel more comfortable about wearing yours. My guess is you would not have the same lack of confidence as you do now. Something like the old saying "birds of a feather shall flock together"
Kinda odd that you and your group do seem to compare notes about each others vision and prescriptions, so you all seem to know what and how much each of can see with and without correction. That is more often going to happen with glasses wearers. Like when someone would come in with new frames or if someone just got glasses for the first time. That is when women will be wanting to try each others glasses and comparing etc.
Clare 19 Apr 2010, 11:34
Peter - people appear to have different tolerances, although you're wife's change of wearing habits is a puzzle. My friend mentioned below will generally always wear correction of some sort; I'm a fraction more than her but am prepared to tolerate not being able to see someone across a room if we're just having a chat.
I don't have any practical experience of mono vision but used to work with someone who found it very successful. I wonder what your wife's motivation for it is, it suggests she might be thinking that having more regular vision correction would be helpful ... you might be lucky ;)
Peter 19 Apr 2010, 03:04
Hi Clare. I understand how you feel and react as a result of my wife effectively abandoning her glassses after 25 years plus. She still manages to function effectively without them, only wearing them to drive or watch TV but never when friends are around. She is so much happier and seems so much more confident in the presence of others. I have no doubt she is missing out to some extent with her poorer vision but that seems not to concern her. Whilst I loved her wearing glasses I'm now so happy that she's happy. She's never been interested in contacts but recently spoke about monovision as that would only require her to insert 1 lense. Does anyone follow this approach and what are the pro's and con's. Any information would be appreciated.
Clare 18 Apr 2010, 22:18
Luke - we generally rarely talk about glasses though we might about contacts, most likely if we have a problem. There seems to be a divide between my friends and my colleagues - amongst my friends we would all wear glasses as a last resort not by choice, although I'm sure most would make a trip to the supermarket with glasses on a Sunday. Only one of my friends has expressed a real desire to do anything possible to avoid having to go back to wearing glasses, this friend is around -4 and over a holiday or a weekend I never see her wear glasses. Another friend is currently unable to fly back home from Hong Kong because of the volcano ash, if she hasn't taken enough disposable contacts with her it will be interesting to see if she goes to the effort to get some more while she's away or go back to wearing specs. Though we don't much discuss glasses we do sometimes talk about our Rx so I know hers is -3 and -2.50.
Soundmanpt - it's okay, I'm not offended. I realise my attitude is pretty stupid. I'm not sure why I happen to have a circle of friends who prefer contacts to glasses! Who knows, in 20 years time we might all have decided that contacts are too much of a hassle. I'm sure though that my friends would generally only change their view if they had an infection or something at the moment. I was recently working with a group of people who were very much gwgs, I wonder what makes their attitude different. Of course glasses are much more fashionable nowadays and I'd be the first to admit that they can look sensational if the person picks the right frames. I don't think I'm the only person to have expressed a lack of confidence about wearing glasses, possibly though the most consistent over time! I'm sure if I had to people would get used to it quickly enough.
soundmanpt 18 Apr 2010, 17:57
Luke
What you said is very right. I don't know where you reside, but here in the US we have young ladies fashion assc. stores. I swear this is the truth one of the largest is called "Clair's" and the other is "Icing" both are owned by the same company and both have several racks of glasses with clear (non-prescription) lenses in them. In chatting with the girls that work their they tellme they sell a ton of them daily. By the way they call them "attitude glasses" interesting name.
So as you say I too am surprised that Clare works with so many that none want to be seen wearing their glasses? You would think they would want to for fashion sake if nothing else? Were guy's so I guess it's "like what do we know?" kinda thing.
Luke 18 Apr 2010, 15:10
Clare -- You've posted quite a few times over the years about your feeling less than fully comfortable wearing glasses, but this was the first time I remember your noting that your friends don't (apparently) feel comfortable in glasses either. Has this ever come up much in conversation with your friends, about how they feel and why they aren't excited about wearing glasses? Obviously the Eyescene crowd doesn't represent the mainstream, but I think it's pretty clear that the general population's stigma about glasses has pretty much gone away over the last 15 years or so (since glasses designs started reflecting a little bit of fashion sense). This shift hasn't changed your feelings, though, and I was just curious what your friends have said on the topic.
soundmanpt 18 Apr 2010, 14:39
Clare
I can understand the confidence thing, but I would think that to be a bigger issue with a new wearer being seen for the first time wearing glasses. That is most understandable. The thing I do disagree with you on is that you and your friends feel less attractive wearing your glasses. I have never heard anyone say that "________ she just isn't as attractive since she started wearing glasses" It is reasonable that since the others in your group choose not to wear glasses that you would not want to be different. The only thing I think is that when contacts become more of a hassle than they are worth it may be time to be confident and don the glasses. Fighting your eyes is not good either you know. Sometime down the road you most likely will need correction for close work, meaning of course the dreaded bifocals, when that day comes will you try mono-vision or they do make bifocal contacts (I don't think they work real well) or just continue with contacts for distance and wear plus glasses over the contacts for reading etc? I'm sure you don't even want to think about that last part of my post? We will both hope that is way way down the road.
Clare I enjoy posting with you and my comments are for debating only, I would never mean to be argumentive with you. Your far too nice.
Clare 18 Apr 2010, 12:00
Soundmanpt – I think it all revolves around the fact that my friends and I feel more comfortable not wearing glasses, probably because we think it makes us look better (I know people here will disagree!) and that means that our habits will only be changed if there is a problem that means we can’t wear contacts. And yes, that can happen – it happened to me 6 years ago, I had conjunctivitis and was banned from wearing contacts for a month which meant of course that at least some times I had to wear my glasses at work and elsewhere. I did get compliments, at the time I was wearing some European-style angular rimless, and I was surprised but I still felt very self-conscious, even though some people thought they looked good. So I guess it all comes down to confidence. Sometimes it would be nice to feel comfortable choosing to wear glasses, especially when those dratted contact lenses are playing up, but it takes a lot of courage to change from ‘someone-who-doesn’t wear glasses’ to ‘someone-who-does-wear-glasses’.
As to why I take them off a lot, it’s probably related to the confidence issue. I suppose I’m used to taking them off if I specifically don’t need to see something - stupid I suppose when you sit, as I did this weekend, across the room from a friend who is definitely very blurry without my contacts.
soundmanpt 17 Apr 2010, 08:44
Clare
By all means it is always going to be your choice, unless for some reason you can't tolerate contacts anymore. You make a great point about all your female friends that need vision correction all choosing contacts rather than glasses. You don't seem the type to create change. When you have had to wear your glasses did you not get all positive comments? Even someone saying you look smart is by no means an insult. Think of it this way does that mean you don't look smart wearing contacts? I bet your quite attractive with or without glasses, so be confident. If I recall hasn't everyone friends and co workers sen you from time to time in glasses? So if you were to go into work on Monday and wear them why would that be so strange. Think of it this way, your friends that all wear contacts, if they wear them everyday I am sure they are dependent on vision correction now as much as you or more. someday one of or you will be told that contacts are out for a long period of time and glasses will be the only choice.
So maybe you should break the mold, or not?
Clare 16 Apr 2010, 23:23
Soundmanpt - my determination to wear contacts is largely based on a number of things - not being confident in how I look and obviously wanting to look my best. It doesn't help that of all my female friends we all wear contacts, not one who needs to is seen out with glasses, and finally because never having worn glasses much it seems strange to. I also think people get used to someone as they usually see them so to make a significant change to one's appearance often generates comment. I find it interesting how people are very different on this.
However one of my CL wearing friends is currently stranded in Hong Kong because of the volcano and I'm wondering if she took enough disposable contacts with her to cover an extra 4-5 days, otherwise she will be back to glasses of course!
Clare 16 Apr 2010, 23:23
Soundmanpt - my determination to wear contacts is largely based on a number of things - not being confident in how I look and obviously wanting to look my best. It doesn't help that of all my female friends we all wear contacts, not one who needs to is seen out with glasses, and finally because never having worn glasses much it seems strange to. I also think people get used to someone as they usually see them so to make a significant change to one's appearance often generates comment. I find it interesting how people are very different on this.
However one of my CL wearing friends is currently stranded in Hong Kong because of the volcano and I'm wondering if she took enough disposable contacts with her to cover an extra 4-5 days, otherwise she will be back to glasses of course!
Clare 16 Apr 2010, 23:15
Hollie - yes I sometimes have issues with the air con. Several people have noticed it and moaned about it, one of my colleagues was complaining this week of sore eyes which gets blamed on air con. I had two days this week where at least one of my contacts was playing up, although I probably can't blame that on the a/c. I carry some of the eye drops for CL wearers which usually helps.
Hope you find a great pair of new frames!
Wei 15 Apr 2010, 14:24
I recconend mysodisc! Is lens very nice and diferrent!
Hollie 15 Apr 2010, 14:12
Soundmanpt
I am well aware, even as someone who held off full time wear until almost -4, that I don't really have the bare eyed option now. My eyes seem to have slowed right down in changing, so I don't mind spending a bit more on some designer frames I really like. In total, there are 19 people on my team. 10 are full time glasses wearers- all minus. One (plus me) wears contacts all the time. 2 are part time wearers, both minus, another wears readers. There are only 4 people who have perfect eyesight! I know at least 2 of these have gotten glasses since becoming accountants.
soundmanpt 15 Apr 2010, 12:52
Hollie
Your prescription will not allow you to go much bare eyed anymore, sorry I think those days are over. The conditions in your office seems like contacts are not a good option either. So I am sorry to tell you your going to make Phil a happy man.I think as I have said before, have fun with it. Get several pairs, not necessarily designer styles they are too expensive in case your eyes change again. Get different colors and styles. Semi rimless and full plastic frames (Phil will love that) or whatever your heart desires. I have told you about several ladies that have done this and don't even bother with contacts anymore. One of these girls is even a model and wears her glasses full time except for modeling. She can see okay without her glasses.
You work in an accounting office? That would seem a haven for glasses wearers? Of the other 4 girls in your area how many only got glasses or contacts since working there? Just a guess, but I bet they are all pretty much full time now?
Wei 15 Apr 2010, 11:43
A vision of mysodisc today wear no glasses 10 minute and walk in door!
Phil 15 Apr 2010, 11:24
Hollie, it sounds as if the conspirators are very accomplished! I'm not sure that I could do my sums in that environment! Simply to think that such a heavenly place exists just up the road from where I work is enough to set me all a- wobble! Some of the fashionable dark plastic frames around at the moment are gorgeous. I sat on the train yesterday next to an attractive young woman wearing a black and purple squarish Prada pair with nice minus. It quite cheered me on my way! Maybe we'll bump into each other one lunchtime!
Emma 15 Apr 2010, 10:59
I know that's a low RX for myodiscs but I'm sure you could get them somehow. You will AMAZED how much attention you get wearing myodiscs!!
Hollie 15 Apr 2010, 10:52
Phil
Only 0.5 and 0.25, so small! Am thinking black/brown plastic statement frames, might as well be stylish if I will be wearing them so much! A girl at work who is a part time wearer just got some amazing prada ones- she jokes that she ought to wear them more to get her value for money!
On the air con, me and another cl wearer had a discussion today where we decided our employer wanted to project a geeky image by forcing us into specs! Accountancy stereotypes and all....you would love my work- today of the 5 girls in my team in the office today, we were all in specs, all low- medium minus.
Phil 15 Apr 2010, 10:38
Hi Hollie. How much of an increase was that? I bet you think that air conditioning is part of a conspiracy by OO chaps to get you into specs! The reality, of course, is that (just like Clare) you really enjoy being a gwg! Good luck with frame choosing. What have you got in mind? And don't worry about the prospect of having to leave your specs on the bedside table. Nothing comes sexier than that!!
Hollie 15 Apr 2010, 10:25
Yes, am rapidly becoming a full time wearer at work- eyes are so much more comfortable. Had an eyetest last week and got a new rx so I can get some glasses I really like. New rx is -6.50 -1 and -5.25 -1.25 - I wonder if I will finally become one of those people who puts on their glasses the minute they get up?!
Emma 15 Apr 2010, 10:03
Oh wow! I got myodiscs and they are cool!!! Lots of attention in these I can tell you!!!! They are no ordinary glasses that's for sure so girls, why not get more attention and get yourself some myodiscs......
soundmanpt 15 Apr 2010, 07:12
Hollie
That is the thing that amazed me the most is that these girls, young ladies only ever wore contacts in all conditions, wore the same pair far longer than recommended before replacing with a new pair and had no problems. The 12 year girl was around -5.50 in both eyes and the other -3.50 both would have been in trouble if they had come up with an infection. I have had other cases where someone had glasses but broke them and didn't get them replaced for a long time. Also many that their glasses were way weaker than their contacts because of cost they only stayed current on contacts.
It would seem that your tolerance level is not what it used to be? If you struggle in air conditioning and all buildings are air conditioned these days, what are you going to do? It would seem to be a hassle to change from contacts to glasses in the middle of a work day. It would seem that you have little choice but to wear glasses most of the time and wear contacts if you chose when you go out or special occasions. From past posts it is clear that you and Clare both are having issues with your contacts too much. I know Clare has even trird several different types with no difference.
Hollie 14 Apr 2010, 23:19
Clare/soundmanpt
I always had great tolerance for contacts at uni, wearing them for up to 20 hrs a day sometimes. I barely wore glasses except for a period I couldn't wear contacts. However my eyes don't do so well in an air conditioned office. Have just been away from work for a week and a half on hol and wore my contacts whilst I was away all the time. Tried contacts for work yesterday- sore eyes- so back in specs today!
Does the air con bother you at all clare?
Wei 14 Apr 2010, 13:55
With no mysodisc i -17d! Much blur! And not find glasses!
soundmanpt 14 Apr 2010, 11:19
Clare
It would seem that your eyes are very sensitive. Your probably not the best candidate for wearing contacts. In last couple of years I have come across a few that shocked me. one young lady has been wearing contacts for 12 years and never owned even one pair of glasses. She was even bad about caring for them, sleeping in them and not cleaning them like she should. She finally broke down and got 2 pairs from me thru zenni. She said it felt funny wearing glasses, but said hers eyes did feel better. Another kinda the same thing never had glasses, contacts for 6 years. She only got one pair and insisted she would not wear them in public. She had them for about 6 months and finally one day I saw her at work wearing the glasses, she was so glad that I convinced her to get them because she had a problem and couldn't wear contacts, I got a hug for that. They both could tolerate contacts very well to go that long.
What I am surprised by you is that it seems all your co-workers and other friends know you wear contacts and glasses. But when you are forced to wear your glasses you keep taking them on an off. I could understand if no one knew you needed glasses that you would try to not wear them in public or at work. Is it just finding something you like? The thing I find interesting is that ladies will spend hours changing their hair color or style, even different makeup. You would think that they would want to wear glasses again just to change their look. I have a young lady now that I am helping get colored contacts (no rx) I told her if she wanted a reaction to try wearing glasses for a day, she did and got a lot of comments. She is going to compare comments when the contacts come. She said if she doesn't get as many comments on them she will wear the glasses more often.
Sorry long post.
Emma 10 Apr 2010, 01:12
Clare, that's interesting because in can wear my RGP contacts pretty much as long as I want without any ill effects either in comfort or eye health (not sleeping in them though lol!). I sometimes get the impression that other people think my contacts *should* be uncomfortable if I leave them in all day but never are unless a bit of dust gets under a lens (v unpleasant but rarely happens). Opticians are sometimes surprised as well because they can't see any signs I've even been wearing contacts. BUT............ just occasionally I like to wear my thick, thick glasses to see what reaction they get lol!!
Clare 09 Apr 2010, 12:21
soundmanpt - it amazes me that some people are able to wear contacts for such a long time. I must have a fairly low tolerance as I can only get by for about 15 hours max but friends of mine can go into the early hours without any discomfort. I've recently come back from a 2 week holiday when I wore my contacts every day and I am certainly feeling the after effects - eyes are a bit sore sooner.
For comfort I once had the O2 Optix Night & Day, not that I ever intended to wear them 24/7, but I didn't find them any more comfortable for extended periods than the regular monthlies.
Melyssa 09 Apr 2010, 11:40
Nostolgic,
When it comes to computer programmers, "I'm the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. And if you don't believe it, ask me." :)
nostolgic 08 Apr 2010, 19:51
@Mel
big_smile("brilliant code")
;-)
Melyssa 07 Apr 2010, 12:48
As a computer programmer, I make sure to get up from my window-view cube and take a bit of a walk about every half hour, not just to refocus my view of the computer which contains such brilliant code (if it's mine -- lol), but for the lower extremities.
soundmanpt 06 Apr 2010, 23:31
Jennifer
It is a good idea to allow your eyes a chance to sorta re-focus without your glasses for a brief moment, I did NOT say for an extended period. It's of the same idea as people that work 8 - 10 hours a day starring into a computer monitor, it is recommended that you should take frequent breaks if only to get a drink of water or use the rest room.
This allows the eyes to re-focus. My point being wearing contacts doesn't allow for this. Too many rely for too much on contacts. In the last year and a half I have come across 3 young ladies that only had contacts and had never even owned a pair of glasses.
Clare 06 Apr 2010, 11:40
soundmanpt - I remember being -1.50 and an optician telling me that my vision without glasses was just 60% of optimal and that I should wear my glasses more. At the time I think I only wore them for driving and exceptions like movies or presentations at work, I was pretty surprised at that recommendation but understand why the optical profession believes that everyone should see as well as they can.
soundmanpt 05 Apr 2010, 21:44
Clare
The doctors I know and have worked for do recommend people should wear there glasses full time at around -1.50 for good vision. It is of course not a law or rule. Mellisa just said it "she could see rather well" when she was around -1.50 / -1.75. At that level many things are a blur, and every time you look away from your desk etc you would be straining to see things just across the room. Yes I know people that are at that -1.50 and refuse to wear their glasses, but even that person admits that she should wear them a lot more. I in no way meant to imply that it was impossible to function without correction at that rx.
By the way the code in my state for needing vision correction to drive is an "A" under restrictions.
If you were to get laser surgery done they give you a card to indicate you had vision surgery done in case you were to be pulled over by the police. Of course you could always go back to the testing station and redo the vision test and get a new license without the "A" code.
Melyssa 05 Apr 2010, 13:24
I started out at -1.75/-1.50 just 46 years ago, and I was able to function rather well without my simply gaw-juss glasses, unless I was trying to watch TV or movies, or seeing what was on the blackboard at school. Now at -9.00, I've just seen the Phillies pound the Washington Nationals 11-1 on Opening Day.
Clare 05 Apr 2010, 10:42
And another question for you soundmanpt - why do you believe it's best to wear full time at -1.50? I can understand why someone would want to at around -3 or so.
Jennifer 05 Apr 2010, 09:32
Soundmanpt,
Explain to me why it's beneficial to let the eye muscles work on their own without correction. Just curious. My rx is high enough that I can't take my glasses them off for an extended period of time. It seems pointless because it's impossible to see anything and I hate to just see blur. I can't read without my glasses, either. So that's out, too.
soundmanpt 04 Apr 2010, 13:02
Clare
What you say is correct. Everyone sees differently. You can have two people with the same rx and one will barely ever wear their glasses and the other will swear they can't go without theirs. Personally it is my opinion that most should consider wearing correction near full time after -1.00. At -1.50 I do recommend full time. You said that when you wear your glasses they are on and off a lot, that is fine, actually good. It never hurts to make you eye muscles work a bit on their own. The problems I have with contacts is that they go on and depending on the type you have can stay on for days at a time. I think this is really bad for the eyes. Even the dailies that are removed at night aren't great. The norm for a glasses wearer is that they will be removing their glasses quite a few times during the day, to clean the lenses, wipe your eyes, and sometimes while talking on the phone, etc.
The comment about "only wearing them when you need to see" well unless you close your eyes when you have your glasses off is the only way most wouldn't want to see?
soundmanpt 04 Apr 2010, 12:37
Hollie
I have no idea what your colleague is trying to prove, but I am sure her distant vision is not clear at all and even with only -.75 cyl reading would be uncomfortable at best. You are correct that you can still see well enough to do some things uncorrected, but after a bit your eyes should feel very strained. It is odd because everyone around your colleague knows she has glasses, so what is the difference if she wears them full time or just for short periods? Back when you were in the -2.50 range how much did you go around bare eyed? As you know most people see a bit better first thing in the morning, before they put glasses on or contacts in. It is much harder to do later in the day.
By the way I am sure you probably said it at some point, when did you get your first glasses and do you know what the rx was?
Clare 03 Apr 2010, 23:06
soundmanpt - I think there's some sort of psychological hurdle associated with accepting, or maybe it's admitting, that you are/should be a fulltime glasses wearer. Hollie's
colleague, like me, has an Rx that means she can avoid wearing them some of the time at least. For those of us like her, especially if we've worn contacts, making the transition can be tricky. A couple of my friends are good examples - one, a guy, took to fulltime wear without any issues at around -1.75; the other, female, is around -2.50 and a contacts wearer rarely seen with glasses, would she be a fulltime wearer if she was unable to wear her contacts I wonder, I don't think she'd wear them for everything (I've seen her on the train bare-eyed) either.
When I'm not wearing contacts I'm one of those who takes them on and off rather than leaving them on too.
I remember the advice given to someone which was - 'wear them when you want to see'. That seemss pretty sensible advice I suppose ;)
Hollie 02 Apr 2010, 02:18
Soundman
I know she does have some cyl because when she was wearing contacts I saw her opening a fresh pack - only -0.75 though so probably not enough to affect reading? Also her prescription is about -2.5 or so. She did go through a wearing full time phase after being told by an optician he was surprised she went without them so much. I didn't wear full time at her prescription and I realise how much I must have been squinting! Even at -3.75 I didn't wear completely full time - now I do purely out of necessity. I have tried putting my glasses on top of my head when I'm talking but not being able to make out faces is quite off putting!
soundmanpt 31 Mar 2010, 16:21
Hollie
It seems that what you are thinking about your work colleague is right on the spot. She certainly needs them for even short distances, and if she has some cyl. (astig) I am surprised she can rad well without glasses. It is interesting that after wearing contacts that she can do much without correction. It would seem she would be pretty dependent by now. How long did she wear contacts before all this started?
I just met someone today that sounds something like your colleague. She wants me to see what I can get her a certain pair of D&G glasses for. She was wearing plano sunglasses and I asked if she had her rx. She did not but insisted that even though she used to wear contacts her eyes have gotten better. I didn't say anything but she is around 20 years old and I think she most likely ran out of contacts and didn't have a current rx to get new ones, so she went without and after a few days her eyes began to compensate. I doubt that her eyes improved, if anything they probably got worse. We will see if I can find the frame she wants.
Hollie 31 Mar 2010, 14:20
Work colleague still very on-off. Went for after work drinks today, specs went on top of her head, on when she went to the loo, off when she sat down, on again when leaving the bar. It seems like she knows she needs them, but unwilling to keep them on! Whether this is a vanity thing or she has been reading/hearing that short sighted people should remove glasses for close work, I don't know. She did squint at a rather large picture on the wall which led a (incidently very myopic, I'd say about -10) colleague to tell her to put her glasses on!
Dan 30 Mar 2010, 14:53
A number of years ago I had an employee who used to wear glasses all the time. I knew her before as glasses wearer. But, she started working, she stopped wearing her glasses at all. At one time, she told me that she
was -3, and previously could not tolerate being without her glasses for more than few seconds. Then she got into one of these "go without glasses" of snake oil sellers and started exercising it daily. After a short while she managed to be without her glasses. At the time she was not driving at all, so the problems she may have experienced were of the sort of standing a bit closer to a projected slide.
She went on, and after a while she mentioned her vision was one diopter improved but the optometrist would not acknowledge that.
I just met her again recently, and again she was without glasses. I mentioned that, and she said that she had to redo many of her school exams, and take part in lectures again.
She could afford missing anything so she started wearing her glasses again. It was all downhill then, and she now wears contacts to see.
Peter 30 Mar 2010, 02:48
Little has changed since I last posted. My wife has continued to function wihout glasses other than to drive and watch tv. At all other times her glasses are not to be seen. She makes no complaints and has proved that she doesn't need them for any other activity. It's got to the point that she now looks "different"when she wears them. I am fast approaching the realization that she will never return to wearing glasses "24/7".
Any news Hollie about your work Colleague?
Peter 11 Mar 2010, 18:44
Thanks for all the recent comments. Over the last week I have hardly seen my wife in glasses. If we go out during the day she wears her non prescription sunnies. She leaves her glasses at home. At night away from home she goes bare eyed again leaving her glasses at home. Around home she remains bare eyed only reverting to glasses if she sits down to watch tv for the night. She squints from time to time but manages as if she never wore glasses. She is happy and occasionally comments to the effect that she wished she had thrown her glasses away years ago. I will let you know what developed
Clare 11 Mar 2010, 13:37
Peter - your wife's sudden behaviour is very strange, I'm sure you'll let us know if you get a better insight into her motivation!
I have a prescription not so much higher than your wife's and am surprised that she doesn't appear to find it much of a challenge when she's out and about. Of course we can all find our way around our local supermarket at around -2.50 to -3 but for navigating public transport, or somewhere that we don't know, it's not too much fun.
Aubrac 11 Mar 2010, 12:25
Peter
When was your wife's last eyetest? Prescriptions do change and at less than -2,50 she could certainly function without glasses especially for reading and close work.
If a person does not really, really need glasses, there can be a time when as a result of vanity, or comments others have made, they just want to try without them.
Buying a really expensive pair of sunglasses is statement enough - chill out and go with it for a while. Going on about bifocal contacts, prescription sunglasses etc can only make matters worse - be patient.
Hollie 11 Mar 2010, 10:27
Peter
I have posted both below and on the Vision thread about my colleagues glasses wearing habits. She was a contacts wearer who was bare eyed about a day a week, which gradually started increasing. Then she switched to full time specs wearing. Most recently she has taken to taking them off when reading, and the past couple of days has come into the office without them. Today she put them on for a pesentation, then they came off again, then she has not worn for the rest of the day. Prescription similar to your wifes but I know she has a bit of astigmatism too. Maybe this is some sort of trend! However unlike your wife she does squint without specs! I would have thought getting used to being fully corrected then managing part time would be pretty annoying- but both my colleague and your wife must be coping!
DaveG 10 Mar 2010, 17:28
I am -12 in both eyes. I only wear glasses and I have 5 pairs plus 2 pairs of sun glasses.
antonio 10 Mar 2010, 15:14
Hi Dave, interesting story,
how strong are your glasses, if I may ask?
best regards, antonio
DaveG 10 Mar 2010, 14:50
A couple of weeks ago I was traveling north and stopped at the Burlington Mall in MA. I had realized my wire frames had loosened so I stopped at Lenscrafters. This woman came right up to me, I explained the issue after taking my glasses off, and she took them and apparently tighened the screws but I could not make out anything but a blur. She asked if my etyes were stable and I said yes. She then said she was going to clean them and stepped away. I turned and realized I had no idea where she was. It was an odd feeling as I thought I got around my house fine bare eyed but in a new situation I realized I am indeed helpless with such powerful myopia and no glasses and the wierd thing is I really liked it. She came back, gave me my glasses and started telling me about all the specials while looking directly at me. I am not sure if it was being polite or she was trying to memorize my cut in. I was afraid to say more and left. I thought the experience was great.
Peter 06 Mar 2010, 02:34
Over the last 2 days my wife has not worm her glasses or prescription glasses at all. Inside she us bare eyed and has started watching tv sitting closer to the screen. Away from the house she wears her non prescription sunglasses and doesn't even take her glasses with her. She never complains about not being able to see anything although I see her strain from time to time. I fear thisay be a permanent move given her determination and her success so far. The only time she says she needs her glasses is when she drives. How do I convince her that she is missing out on a lot without her glasses?
Peter 04 Mar 2010, 03:07
Thanks for your thoughts Optix. My wife has worn progressives for about 10 years and has never complained. She has for sometime taken them off to read for long periods. Again that has not concerned her. I think it is vanity. She said she feels free without her glasses She loves her new non prescription sunglasses. Big wrap around lenses that I must admit are very fashionable. Over the last couple of days she's worn her glasses for less than 2 hours. She makes no complaints and seems very happy with her new look. I wish I was as happy although I could get used to the sunnies. No way a prescription lense could be fitted to the frame. If she keeps this up I might have to suggest contacts. At least that way she would have to wear readers regularly unless she got bi focal contacts. Does anyone know how successful they are?
optix 04 Mar 2010, 02:08
Peter
Maybe your wife never really learned to use the progressive lenses or in her most resent pair the add is not enough.
So maybe she just hates to have to take off her glasses for reading and prefers to leave them off all the the time (with exeptions)
Its a fact, that presbyopia makes people feel old!
Maybe she just feels younger witout glasses, because she can read without takeing off her glasses or looking through the bottom...
Anyway, everybody can funktion for most tasks with -2.5!
There have been people on eyescene who did not know they were myopic before they got even higher first prescriptions and there have been people with much higher prescriptions going around bare eyed and enjoying the blur!
Sometimes its nice not to see every piece of dust...
soundmanpt 02 Mar 2010, 08:17
Peter
It is very odd that she would want non-prescription sunglasses when distance is all she would wear sunglasses for. She admittedly knows she needs correction to drive, so these new sunglasses will be useless to her for that. Even sitting in the yard and looking out at the sunset will be a blur to her. You would think because wearing rx sunglasses no one except the wearer would even know she needs them to see. Seems like a real waste of money for something that will not benefit her at all.
Peter 02 Mar 2010, 02:29
I haven't noticed a vacant look but will now take particular notice. I have been amazed at her ability to function and keep her eyes fixed when taking to people. Apart from the occasional squint one would never imagine she was limited in her vision and unable to clearly see the person she is talking to. I noticed tonight that her new sunglasses (non prescription) are Fendi which cost (aus)$455. At that price she must be determined to wear them a lot and confident in her ability to adequately function with them. I did ask her whether she proposed putting a prescription lense in them to which she said she wanted a more fashionable pair with a "normal" lense.
Like Lenses 02 Mar 2010, 00:38
Peter
Although her prescription is not really strong,the fact that she has worn them full time as long as she has,could result in a kind of vacant look in her eyes when she is not wearing glasses. Have you noticed this look?Most myopes have it.
Peter 01 Mar 2010, 19:35
In recent days my wife has only worn glasses in doors to watch tv at night. At all other times she is bare eyed and apart from squinting when trying to see across a room appears able to function quite well. A friend arrived on Sunday night which resulted in my wife taking her glasses off (when she went to freshen herself up) and leaving them off for the duration of the stay. Our friend made comment to the effect that she couldn't recall seeing my wife without her glasses to which my wife replied by saying that she felt she had over relied on them for many years and was happy to wear them now only for driving and tv. Today she went out and purchased a pair of sunglasses (non prescription) with a view of wearing them as much as possible. I think i am faced with a wife who is extremely determined to be a very part time glasses wearer. How long it will last remains to be seen but up until now she seems very happy with her new "look".
Anon 28 Feb 2010, 22:20
I attempted today to go without glasses in our living room with company while watching the Olympics. I lasted for about 10 seconds as I couldn't see if people were looking and talking to me at ~6 feet away. Very unnerving so went back to glasses... (now -5.75 SD, -3.75 OD). 1.5 astig in one eye and 1 in the other.
hoffide 26 Feb 2010, 17:57
hi ???
the prism are "base in 20" and on the left eye a "base in 10" prism plasticfoil too.
Cactus Jack 26 Feb 2010, 16:21
Peter,
The very best thing you can do is be patient and keep your mouth shut. Let her make the decision to do something about her vision. Almost anything you do or say will be counter productive.
C.
Peter 26 Feb 2010, 14:57
Hi all. I'm certain my wives vision has not improved. She had a test 9 months ago and reported no change. She continues to wear her prescription sunglasses outside ( still summer ) but inside goes without her glasses until she sits down to watch tv. I do see her squint quite often. Perhaps having worn glasses full time for half her life vanity has appeared.
I guess I can only wait and see if with the passage of time she returns to normal. Any ideas as to how to get her to "see the light". Do I mention the squinting or will that perhaps make her more determined to do without glasses? Any thoughts?
Peter 26 Feb 2010, 14:49
26 Feb 2010, 08:39
hoffide, what type of prism is that and how much?
hoffide 26 Feb 2010, 07:36
sorry, the url: http://community.webshots.com/user/hoffide?vhost=community
hoffide 26 Feb 2010, 07:35
a little look on my prism glasses...
Anon 25 Feb 2010, 21:54
I've just heard you and other talk in the past about prisms and never knew what they were all about. And...I know you know what you're talking about. :)
Cactus Jack 25 Feb 2010, 08:00
Anon,
The optical reason for prism correction is to bend the light rays so that ideally, each eye sees almost the same image so the two images can easily be fused into one 3D or stereoscopic image in the brain.
That being said, there can be several reasons for prism. The most common is muscle imbalance where the eyes converge (cross) or diverge. Prism is also sometimes used for hyperopes where the act of trying to focus causes convergence. For convergence, base out (BO) prism is used to help fusion. For divergence, base in (BI) prism is used.
There is also a less common condition where one eye points up and the other down. It those cases base up (BU) is used for one eye and base down (BD) is used for the other. For those cases where there is an oblique displacement, combinations of BO, BI, BU, and BD can typically get the images close enough together to permit the muscle control system in the brain to adjust the eye position enough to cause fusion.
Because of how a prism works, the base of the prism is always away from the direction of the pointing error of the eye.
I hope this helps. May I ask what caused you to ask the question?
C.
Like Lenses 25 Feb 2010, 01:30
Peter
It would be best for her to get an eye exam.,as a sudden change like that could indicate something else, such as cataracts,or glacoma
Anon 24 Feb 2010, 23:04
Cactus -
What are prisms for in a prescription?
Thx
Clare 24 Feb 2010, 22:36
Peter - you said earlier that you're sure she's -2.50 in each eye. Would it be possible to get her to go for an eye test, then you'd know if her prescription has decreased at all - which could explain a few things.
As to recent behaviour, eating dinner without glasses would be no problem as would finding her way back to the car with you, but what seems strange is then to put them on in the car and, as you describe, when her friend leaves. I'm sure around the house she is fine until she needs to do something that requires reasonable vision but I suspect she may have been 100% full time in the past from what you say which does make the change seem strange.
Keep us posted!
Peter 23 Feb 2010, 02:25
Since I last posted my wife has continued to avoid her glasses. On the weekend we went to dinner and then a concert with friends. She wore her prescription sungasses to the restaurant, went bare eyed during dinner, put the sunnies on as we walked to the theatre (still daylight) and inside swapped to her normal glasses. The minute the concert ended she took her glasses off and walked with me back to the car pasing many shops. The moment we got in the car she put her glasses back on. Tonight I returned home to find her having a wine with a friend. Her glasses were in the bathroom and reappeared once the friend left. She told me aagain she didn't need them all the time. When I asked about contacts she said she wasn't interested in them as she couldn't imagine putting them in her eyes.
I wonder how long this "new look" will last and to what extent she will seek to function without hwr glasses.
Cactus Jack 20 Feb 2010, 10:44
Guest,
If you are not confused yet about computer glasses, perhaps I can help.
A typical glasses prescription has anywhere from 1 to 5 parts for each eye
The possible parts are Sphere, Cylinder, Axis, Add and Prism.
The first part, Sphere, corrects for near sightedness with minus lenses and farsightedness with plus lenses. The second part corrects for irregularities
in the curvature of the cornea and can be either minus, plus or none if the cornea is perfectly curved. If there is minus or plus cylinder correction an axis or direction is also specified. If a person needs help reading or using a computer, an ADD is specified. It is always plus and the amount of plus depends on the distance they need to focus at and the amount of help they need. Prism is sometimes specified if they need some help to make their eyes work together.
Everything starts with the distance prescription even if the glasses are for using the computer or reading. After the distance prescription is determined (sometimes none is required) a formula developed by Isaac Newton around 1700 is used to determine the amount of add required for the task. The formula is 100 cm or 39.37 inches divided by the distance to the computer screen or to the reading material. The answer will usually be between +1.00 and +3.50 depending on the preferred distance for the task. Computers are typically around +1.25 and +1.50 reading is usually around +2.50 to +3.00. The above formula always applies, but depending on a persons age, they may be able to provide some of the plus focusing power themselves using their internal lenses. In those instances the ADD or glasses prescription will have less plus sphere than the formula would indicate.
BTW, The cylinder and axis correction is the same for all distances. Only the sphere power changes for computer glasses or reading glasses and they always have more plus than the distance prescription.
If this explanation did not make the confusion complete, please let us know and we'll keep working at it. Just kidding, this stuff is not all that complicated once you learn the basics.
C.
soundmanpt 20 Feb 2010, 09:14
guest
The easiest way to describe it is if you wear progressive lenses and the add (reading segment) is +2.00 the area between your distance segment and the add would be around +1.00. Hope that helps.
minus 5 who luvs gwgs 19 Feb 2010, 22:41
Mid distance would be an RX part way between a distance rx and a near add for a myope less minus than distance but more than reading: for a hyperope vice versa a bit more plus than distance but less than reading
Guest 19 Feb 2010, 18:28
Otto: What is a mid-distance prescription? Is that a plus or minus?
OttO 19 Feb 2010, 16:51
Guest: Computer glasses are normally single vision glasses with a mid-distance Rx, arms length if you will, for use with the computer. It's the same as mid distance lenses in trifocals or varifocals.
Bob W. 19 Feb 2010, 15:18
Hi Peter,
Sometimes at her age, myopia might have decreased a bit, so the prescription she needs might be a little less than before. While not wearing her glasses as much, her visual system can learn to improve the blurred image without glasses somewhat, so she may notice some mild improvement in her vision without glasses. Some may call that 'blur tolerance' here.
I would be worried if she showed some other changes in behavior, such as being more withdrawn from friends and family, or being more irritable and talkative than usual over time. If no other changes in behavior, maybe joining her a little in this change might be useful, rather than being alarmed, such as asking if she has noticed some mild improvement, or what she feels comfortable doing without glasses.
I don't really know the situation with the both of you, but I just wanted to look a little bit more widely.
Best regards,
Bob W.
Guest 19 Feb 2010, 13:26
Can anyone explain to me what exactly are "computer glasses?" I have heard so many people say they have them, but don't understand what they are. Is it simply a mild plus or a mild minus prescription? Is there special anti glare tinting? Maybe I need computer glasses and don't even know it!
Hollie 18 Feb 2010, 23:06
Peter
Is your wife not giving you any reason at all for her behaviour? Although her prescription is not very strong, most people would wear it full time I think. I didn't wear full time at that sort of prescription- however I did have contact lenses which were very useful for socializing etc when I wanted clear vision but didnt want to wear my glasses. I also held off full time wear far longer than most!
I would have thought being in a restaurant without them would be mildly irritating as she'd struggle to see people from a distance and any specials boards etc printed on the walls would probably be a blur.
Danbert 17 Feb 2010, 02:56
A friend of mine recently acquired some pinhole glasses to "improve" her vision but has quickly realized that the only one benefiting was the quack who sold them...
I don't understand how these remedies persist given that they contradict basic biology.
Of course, I'll happily accept that certain practices may improve one's vision if it's pseudomyopia, weak ciliary muscles, etc. that are to blame.
Peter 17 Feb 2010, 01:54
Hi Like Lenses. I don't believe she is undertaking any exercise to strengthen her vision. In the past she has rejected such beliefs and has also voiced a strong objection to laser surgery. I arrived home today to again find her bareeyed. She only put her glasses on when she sat down after dinner to watch tv. She's made no complaints of discomfort or headaches and appeared to operate around the house wwithout any problems. The mystery deepens.
Peter 17 Feb 2010, 01:51
Hi Like Lenses. I don't believe she is undertaking any exercise to strengthen her vision. In the past she has rejected such beliefs and has also voiced a strong objection to laser surgery. I arrived home today to again find her bareeyed. She only put her glasses on when she sat down after dinner to watch tv. She's made no complaints of discomfort or headaches and appeared to operate around the house wwithout any problems. The mystery deepens.
Like Lenses 16 Feb 2010, 19:08
Peter
Perhaps someone has told her, or she has read about one of the programs such as the Bates Method, that is supposed to rid you of your glasses. Their big thing is to quit wearing your glasses,combined with exercises to cure myopia.
Peter 16 Feb 2010, 14:37
Thanks Clare again. Yesterday my wife left her glasses off all day whilst in the house. Only when she sat down to watch tv did she put them on. Her explanation was that she didn't need to wear them in the house. When I asked why she had needed them in the house for the last 25 years she changed the subject. I wonder whether at some point people get tired of glasses and try and rebel. Any thoughts?
Clare 16 Feb 2010, 11:32
Peter - I agree, it seems strange after 25 years, especially as she must have got used to wearing them and seeing well all the time. I think there's some difference though in just going out to a restaurant and going the whole day without her glasses. If she went down the contacts route she'd need reading glasses I imagine.
Peter 15 Feb 2010, 22:08
Thanks Clare for the insight. I guess I'm surprised by the sudden change and would have thought that after so many years she would have struggled to operate without them. I wonder wether she might yet go down the contact path.
Clare 15 Feb 2010, 21:10
Peter - think about it like this, in the situations where your wife is going without her glasses she is in an environment where she is quite 'safe' - indoors in a non-visually challenging situation, if she were to go shopping or have to use public transport to get there it would probably be different.
As to driving, that's a definite no without glasses, and I'd expect her to struggle to watch TV for any length of time, at least if she wanted to follow what's on!
Peter 15 Feb 2010, 20:12
Thanks for all the replies. My wife is aged 53. I'm not sure of her full script other than i'm certain she is -2.50 in each eye. Can't guess what the add component is. The mystery deepened over the weekend with her again leaving her glasses at home when we went to a dinner party. She was without her glasses for at least 5 hours and made no complaint. She hardly appeared to even squint but did put her glasses back on soon after we returned home. Her explanation is that she just wants to wear them less. I thought perhaps she was wearing contacts She said she wasn't. Is there a way to check if someone is wearing contacts? Could she drive or watch a movie without glasses? More importantly, how do I encourage her to return to full time wear. Any thoughts?
Cactus jack 14 Feb 2010, 20:35
Tom,
You can begin to get an idea of what your friend sees without his glasses by stacking 2 or 3 pairs of -5 (or so) glasses, but to get a really good idea, ask your Eye Care Professional to let you see what -20 would be like in a trial frame. -5 to correct you to about 20/20 and the extra -15 to simulate what a person who needs +15 would see without his glasses.
One of our members, Golden Man, who is in his early 20s, was able to wear about -15 overcorrection in an effort to induce additional myopia, but that is rare. If your friend has exceptional accommodation he may be able to overcome some of his hyperopia, but probably not all of it.
C.
Tom 14 Feb 2010, 19:42
@Cactus Jack, I'm only a humble -5 but I can grasp the principle of short sightedness and what it means, however I heard of long sighted people saying I can't read, or complaining about headaches without glasses but otherwise being fine.
But I have a clearer picture now.. thanks :)
Cactus Jack 14 Feb 2010, 15:10
Tom,
May I ask your Rx.
In many ways, +15 would be like you being overcorrected by about -15 diopters more than your present Rx. Puffin mentioned that for hyperopia, farther away is better. In your friends case, farther away would mean somewhere beyond the star Alpha Centarui. Mathematically, his eyes focus beyond infinity.
C.
Tom 14 Feb 2010, 14:14
Thanks guys, -15 I can imagine how it feels but +15 I had no idea. Much appreciated!
RL 14 Feb 2010, 13:18
I am -15 and things sart going blurry at around 2 1/2 inches from my eyes.
Puffin 14 Feb 2010, 11:39
with -15 you should get possibly up to 6 inches or so of seeing/recognizing things that are not too small. Astigmatism will reduce this. Trying to read normal print is probably pointless unless you're desperate - perhaps a few words, reading say an entire novel might be possible but hardly a pleasure.
I would say even this limited utility would not exist with +15. In the distance say at 20 feet things would be better
(as in, better than close up and better than a myope) but it would depend if you had any residual accomodation to help out (most people wouldn't have enough accomodation to make a worthwhile dent in +15 of hyperopia). Things would still be pretty fuzzy and on top of that, things being 20 feet away rather than near your nose doesn't help.
So all in all pretty much the same except the myopes can hold things close. Problem with that is, many things cannot be held close or got close enough to. Thus, I would say there is probably no better vision either way.
14 Feb 2010, 03:47
+15 probably feels the same as -15 - you can't see a thing without correction.
Tom 13 Feb 2010, 22:47
Hi all
I myself am shortsighted but I have a friend who is wearing +15 plus glasses with add-ons for reading. He says he obviously can't read a thing without them, and is wary walking around without them. I know very well how nearsightedness feels, but can anyone describe how it feels when you're +15 and don't wear glasses?
Thanks guys
Rachel 13 Feb 2010, 08:29
Peter.
I forgot to tell you, I'm up at -13.00 now, but I first started with glasses at 7 and because I really liked wearing them, I kept them on most of the time. I also "enjoy" having increases.
Rachel 13 Feb 2010, 08:26
Peter. Short-sighted people can usually "manage" with glasses, if necessary, until they reach around -3.00. Then it becomes a lot harder. In fact by then, if you have been trying to do without glasses as much as possible, you usually decide to "give in" and go fulltime. Then its usually a case of stronger and stronger lenses every year, until you get into your twenties and even beyond.
Clare 12 Feb 2010, 22:19
Peter - my prescription is not far from your wife's (I'm assuming it's -2.50 both eyes?). It should be easy enough for her to see across the average restaurant table, but she'd not be able to see any menus from a distance. Not everyone gets a headache if they don't wear their glasses, if she has astigmatism she may, and if she stresses her eyes by straining to see at a distance for a long time.
soundmanpt 12 Feb 2010, 09:10
Peter
I think more details will be needed to better answer your question. I assume the 2.50 is the top segment and thatb it is a minus number? That being the case and having worn glasses for 25 years I would think she can see okay for about 3' to 6' without her glasses. Reading should not be too bad for her uncorrected. Her age and full rx would help.
Peter 11 Feb 2010, 20:53
My wife has worn glasses for at least 25 years. Over the last 5 years she has worn progressive lenses. I recall her prescription is 2.50. Recently she has tended to take her glasses off in restaurants. Last night she left home without them. In all she was bare eyed for about 4 hours. My questions are: (1) is she likely to suffer from headaches by not wearing her glasses for such periods (2) what is her vision like....can she distinguish faces and features across a dinner table and (3) Is this a new trend for long time glasses wearers?
Hollie 11 Feb 2010, 12:38
Different colleague. Hyperopic colleague still not in specs! He seems to be managing ok- must have good accommodation!
nostolgic 10 Feb 2010, 15:51
@hollie,
Where are you guys from?
Lately I've taken to wearing -4 contacts fulltime, right away I have to sit 2/3 meter from the monitor for 20/20 clarity (1.5D for a total of 5.5D of accomodation) but within 20 min I can shove my face within 40 cm with no blur -2.5D - 6.5D total! Not bad for a 42 year old but also a stroke of luck. I didn't get into this 'til early 30s. I did measure with 2pt text in my early 20s - could read it at 9cm (11D) - without warming up in dim light - I wish I'd had the guts to order -9 contacts, darnit!!
Being an aging accommodation junkie is not a good thing. That's why I'm always happy to see a young person (ab)using theirs. waxing,
nostolgic.
nostolgic 10 Feb 2010, 15:40
@Hollie,
I was wondering if you ever heard from your 27 year-old farsighted coworker that you mentioned on 19 Sep 2009 who stopped wearing his glasses? I notice of this college you say 'her' but the farsighted one was a 'him.' Did he start wearing them again?
I myself would love nothing more than to be 27 and farsighted +5 my whole life (assuming I got to keep my accommodation until the end!)
Because if he is that farsightedhe is accommodating a lot all the time. Jealous me!
Clare 09 Jan 2010, 06:32
Hollie - that's good news for your colleague, I always felt I needed to be advised to wear glasses till I got contacts. I remember when my rx was around -2.25 asking the optician how much someone of my prescription would wear glasses if they didnt wear contacts, and he said it would be most of the time. Your colleague, like me, has probably long felt that her rx isn't too strong and as she can function without them for basic tasks that she only wear them when she absolutely has to.
It will be interesting to see if she does wear these more, and if her rx is the same. Perhaps she also has some frames that she likes better too!
And 08 Jan 2010, 11:16
Hollie, what prescription does she now have ? Is she wearing full-time do you think ?
Hollie 08 Jan 2010, 10:26
My colleague turned up in glasses today! And didn't take them off. Another colleague asked her if they were new and complimented her frame choice. She replied that she was really struggling to see at work as she doesn't like wearing lenses with the heating and aircon in the office. She also said when she had her eye test (presumably the one the other day) the optician had told her that 'he was surprised she managed without her glasses so much' - I think that this 'permission' to wear them must mean she's now decided to.
Has anyone else at a similar prescription received this kind of advice? I remember being about -2 with about -0.75 of cyl and the woman fitting my glasses seemed surprised I didn't wear them all the time, but the optician himself never gave me any advice about when I should be wearing them.
And 07 Jan 2010, 11:42
Clare, think you're right. My gf probably wouldn't manage bare-eyed so she leaves her lenses in even when her eyes look dry or she's rubbing them a lot and will even sleep in them unless she's home alone. I know she carries her glasses in her bag but I bet they never come out ! Have you and your friends all got trendy glasses in your current scripts ?
Clare 07 Jan 2010, 10:21
And - I have one friend, stronger rx than me who's worn glasses since she was 11 or 12, she certainly wouldn't/couldn't go for too long without glasses but does admit that she is very keen to avoid having to go back to wearing glasses full time at all costs; another - similar rx to me - appears happy enough to wear them at home or in the gym but never seen wearing glasses for work (even on one occasion with no contacts). Fairly typical attitude I think dependent on the prescription - higher than me and there's a limited choice.
Hollie - how did your colleague get on with her appointment, did she say?
Chrissi 06 Jan 2010, 21:00
Thanks everyone for your input!
So I guess I could just get some swim goggles and disposable contacts and be good to go?
Thanks again! lol :)
And 06 Jan 2010, 14:16
Hollie, a good time to ask her about her vision perhaps ?
Hollie 06 Jan 2010, 14:14
Clare
Today I was working from home due to snow, but my colleague sent an email round saying she had an opticians appointment! I wonder if it was a contacts thing or maybe we will see her in glasses, although I doubt it!
And 06 Jan 2010, 14:07
Clare, really, all with similar scripts ? Are any of your friends like my gf and would go to any lengths to avoid being in glasses or bare-eyed ?
Clare 06 Jan 2010, 13:48
And - of course! All of my friends are contact lens wearers, strangely ... !
And 06 Jan 2010, 12:58
Clare, is she another who much prefers contacts and avoids glasses ?
Clare 06 Jan 2010, 12:25
And - yes my friend is -4, and does sometimes wander around the house without correction.
And 06 Jan 2010, 11:03
Thanks Clare, does your friend have a higher script than you ? I wonder if anyone has lost contacts when swimming, I would imagine water parks, slides, rapids etc might be a challenge. My gf certainly made sure she didn't get her face soaked for fear of losing them.
Clare 06 Jan 2010, 01:02
And - no I don't generally take my contacts out for swimming, nor does a friend of mine, though I've heard you should. I don't generally swim with my face submerged so I don't think it's a huge issue for me. Of course I could swim without them but if I've already put them in it seems there's little point in taking them out just for a swim.
Clare 06 Jan 2010, 00:25
Hollie - it's kind that you wouldn't want to embarrass her, I wonder if maybe she didn't realise that people notice. I wonder if it's that she doesn't like how she looks in glasses (I know that feeling), or that she thinks that it's silly to wear them when there's not something specific to need to see (I know that feeling too). If she minds not seeing well without her contacts it might help that someone who's been there, ie you, could tell her a) she looks fine and b) it's okay to wear them - and that people notice that she struggles without them! It's embarrassing to know that people notice, I remember being in the gym when someone noticed me squinting at the TV and commented, I was mortified!
Clare 06 Jan 2010, 00:19
And - no I didn't wear full time at that rx - I'd have been bare-eyed if I didn't have contacts in! With hindsight I'm not sure why we put ourselves through it, I know it's not a strong rx but there's an argument for wearing them when they're needed not just for the obvious.
EyeTri 05 Jan 2010, 15:17
Crissi
I swim in a pair prescription goggles made by Hilco. These not made to an exact prescription (no astigmatism correction), so they are inexpensive. The pair I have cost about $30.00. My prescription is R: +2.50 -0.25 @ 30, L: +3.25 -1.00 @ 140. A pair of +3.00 goggles work well for me. Your optometrist should be able to tell you if Hilco makes anything that will work for you.
Hollie 05 Jan 2010, 14:33
Clare- no, I'd be too worried about embarrassing her! She must feel pretty self conscious as without contacts she clearly doesn't feel comfortable in specs. I have seen them though and from what I remember they were fashionable thick frames and suited her. I remember at the time being relieved she'd put them on. I'd never seen her in glasses before and after she squinted at the lift buttons to see the floor numbers I was a little anxious about getting in the car with her!
This afternoon I noticed her rubbing at her eyes a few times so I'm guessing she doesn't have amazing tolerance to lenses.
When I was a similar rx I had a waitressing job and always used to wear them for work as I'd struggle to see table numbers and if customers at the other end of the restaurant had finished eating. I'm not sure what I'd have been like in an office job, whether I'd go bare eyed and bite the bullet and worn glasses at work. There are a few people in our office who wear full time with a lower minus ex than my colleague.
And 05 Jan 2010, 14:32
Clare, do you remove your lenses before swimming ?
And 05 Jan 2010, 14:30
Clare/Hollie, I suppose her script isn't so strong that she can't manage daily tasks bare-eyed except for those you've mentioned - driving/presentations. Were you fulltime at that kind of script ?
Clare 05 Jan 2010, 13:35
Hollie - did you tell your colleague that you can tell she's without her contacts? If it were me and you told me it'd make me think, I think!
Hollie 05 Jan 2010, 12:24
I guess a little bit- I wouldn't choose to go without contacts in the vast majority of situations as it is far too difficult.
And 05 Jan 2010, 11:02
Tut, not very nice of him ! My gf says she would feel very vunerable without her contacts - probably explains why I've never seen her without them. Have you ever felt like that ?
Hollie 05 Jan 2010, 10:09
And- I can see shapes and people- just not the detail of their faces or read any signs- finding which lanes are slow and fast is something of a challenge. Last time I asked the lifeguard, who pointed at the signs, helpful! Had to tell him I couldn't read them and he said, really, they're huge, loudly. Way to make a girl feel embarrassed about being pretty short sighted!
And 05 Jan 2010, 09:36
My gf swam on holiday with her contacts in but kept her head above water ! Hollie, must be difficult bare-eyed not just to find your locker, could you see anyone ?
Cactus Jack 05 Jan 2010, 08:40
Chrisi,
You really should learn to swim. I would suggest contacts AND swim goggles. That would be a lot less expensive than getting Rx swim goggles.
Contacts depend on tear films (water) to keep them on the cornea and if you open your eyes underwater with contacts, they might just float off your cornea. Ric is very fortunate to not have had problems opening his eyes underwater with them. Hopefully, he changes them after swimming to get rid of any contamination (chlorine, etc.) from the pool.
C.
Hollie 05 Jan 2010, 08:17
I have posted before here about a colleague of mine who is a contacts wearer but doesn't wear them all the time and goes bare-eyed. I've seen her in glasses about 2 or 3 times I think- once when driving and other days at work where we've had presentations which she can't see without correction. It has always been obvious to me when she's bare eyed as she squints at people who are talking to her from a distance away, and I've seen her struggle to read other peoples computers when she's stood behind them.
Anyway, yesterday she was squinting a bit in the morning and I ran into her in the loos just before lunch. I noticed she was ripping open contacts packets so I lingered a bit so I could get a glance at her prescription. She has toric cls, -2 and -2.25 with -0.75 cyl in each eye. Managed to get chatting with her a little about them, she said they dry out in the office air con but she was struggling without them today. To be honest she quite often looks like she is struggling without them, but obviously I didn't say anything!
Ric 05 Jan 2010, 02:49
I ever wear disposable contacts for swim. Never had any problem even opening eyes in water.
Hollie 05 Jan 2010, 00:40
Chrissi
I sometimes wear contacts to swim. I use daily lenses and throw them away afterwards. The optician told me if I was going to wear them to swim that would be the best solution. I wear goggles over them so not had the problem of losing one! I believe you can have prescription goggles made too but they might be expensive- particularly for your high rx I expect. I would have thought it would be difficult to manage without for you. I do sometimes, I'm about -6, and finding your locker again is difficult!
Chrissi 04 Jan 2010, 18:49
Hi guys! I'm fourteen, almost fifteen (I've posted here before if any of you regulars have seen me here before) and my parents are thinking about letting me get some swimming lessons. I know I'm at an unusual age to get lessons but I used to be really scared of water and swimming. Now that I'm less scared, I realize it's probably practical for me to learn how to swim.
But I'm really apprehensive about it because I can't really see without my glasses or contacts, but I was wondering how well you need to be able to see? My rx is about -13 in my left eye and -14 in my right. Do you think I should get goggles or can I just wear my glasses? Or do I have to...?
Thanks for everyone's opinions in advance!
VFL 03 Jan 2010, 15:34
I am real. Really!
And 03 Jan 2010, 15:04
Hollie, good to hear it. It must be good to be able to wear either with confidence.
Hollie 03 Jan 2010, 13:42
And
Yes I am, eye infection cleared up. The time off made my eyes feel less dry, so I'm now trying to make a conscious effort to wear glasses sometimes.
Puffin 02 Jan 2010, 14:33
Now I'm starting to wonder how much of this site is fakery.
It may not just be those with multiple login names.
Hansel 02 Jan 2010, 13:41
From my point of view, I would commend Wurm for his approach.He also makes very pertinent points about log ins which could deter posters. Carry on the good work, Sir.
Just as a final point, don't forget, there is no dark side of the moon.
specs4ever 02 Jan 2010, 10:47
I think that you are doing a great job Wurm. You are correct in saying that the regulars don't bother responding to most of the "poser's" I used to respond to most of them, but as time went on I began to realize that the stories were boringly similar, and that the chances were that the poster was attempting to create still another fictional character. You are the only one who can tell from the ISP address who is posting multiple posts, however I am grateful for this web site, and I don't want the administrative duties to become so great that you get tired of running the site. So, I wait for a while to see if the poster is removed before I post any comments.
Thanks for running the site Wurm.
Happy New Year to all.
Wurm 02 Jan 2010, 09:25
It's a quandary, Puffin. My current method of letting them run a bit and then wiping their recent 'work' does create confusion.
A basic username/password system doesn't help - people just register multiple accounts. That only really addresses the problem of multiple people using the same username, and even then people will spoof.
A small pay barrier (US $5 an account or something) would thin it out I'm sure. But we'd certainly lose some of the regulars and it would discourage casual drop-ins too.
You could have some sort of system that clarifies who is a trusted user - after someone has a solid posting history they can be leveled up to a higher status. A 'novice' grade user could still flood the system with characters, unless there were some kind of limit on posting by new users. The problem I see with a posting limit is that it's often the drive-by newbie who has an involved question that needs a bit of back-and-forth to answer. You could pen them up in a Newbie Questions thread or something but that would quickly just become the troll zone.
One site I know of has a code phrase for trolls. When someone identifies a troll, the code phrase is posted as a signal to ignore the posts. The idea would be that instead of deleting the posts, I would come into the thread and say "the lunatic is on the grass" as a signal that fakery is afoot.
Puffin 02 Jan 2010, 08:44
After all I was talking to "Rachel" about eating the pattern off her plate, suddenly it all vanished - it makes you think twice whether it's worth saying hello or give any advice if it's all going to disappear the next day. If someone pops up on here claiming to be "Rachel" I have no way to know if they are Rachel or not, especially if they say something plausible or consistent with the established "Rachel". Is it worth the bother replying at all?
To me this is a cause of "saying bye" if every other time you reply to something in all innocence, it all gets suddenly removed.
Perhaps in future I will only reply to people who have unique names, never having posted before, and also with very routine problems, nothing remotely outlandish or the slightest possibility it's made up nonsense like going from nothing to -10 in a few weeks, all in an attampt to ensure replies only go to genuine posters.
That sounds a bit "boring" to me, but how else do I prevent replies getting chopped?
Puffin 02 Jan 2010, 08:29
In that case why can't we have a registration and password system, otherwise some of the pleasant exchanges with people get rudely cut off and vanish without a trace. it's rather irritating & confusing.
Melyssa 02 Jan 2010, 07:32
I agree with Wurm as well. It's like, "Your post looks familiar, but I don't know where to put it."
Galileo 02 Jan 2010, 03:07
I'm with Wurm. I think the fakes make the site boring. They follow the same story lines with monotonous regularity. I get the feeling "here we go again" every time a new high myope with fantasy inducing circumstances appears. I've followed this site for 10 years and I don't intend to leave. I'm happy that Wurm 'cleans up' every now and then. It is a reminder to the innocent not to believe everything they see here.
Ric 02 Jan 2010, 00:50
These make the site bored. Is one cause for say Bye.
Wurm 01 Jan 2010, 23:00
If the 'fake' percentage gets too high, some of the real people get disgusted and stop posting, which drives up the 'fake' percentage even more. This happened on the original polls site years ago. Before we moved to the UBB forum around 40% of the posts were by trolls (or serial fakes, if you prefer).
That's why I won't change my behavior. Perhaps some of our long-time fakers can explain why they don't give up playing charades and join the real conversations.
Puffin 01 Jan 2010, 17:07
I wonder if it is so terrible that some "people" here are fictional but have realistic but fake problems.
What difference does it make? All it means that advice and support is unnecessary, but if the fake ie left alone, then the advisors and supporters never know.
unless of course they are impersonating someone else?
Wurm 01 Jan 2010, 16:53
Yes, I've been more aggressive in deleting posts from people using multiple usernames to run fictional characters. I'll probably back off again eventually.
01 Jan 2010, 12:39
you can call it (im)moderate moderating
And 01 Jan 2010, 07:46
Is there a problem with this thread ? The index suggests people have recently contributed but I can't see any updates since I last posted on 24/12 ?
And 24 Dec 2009, 05:48
Hollie, are you back in contacts now ?
21 Dec 2009, 14:13
here is how anyone can go without glasses:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA1CFm3U8jY
And 15 Dec 2009, 09:58
Rachel, I was asking about your vision, don't know where the messages have gone ! With a contact script of -7.50 would my gf be able to distinguish people, objects etc.
Puffin 15 Dec 2009, 09:11
I remember (I think) asking about Rachel trying to eat the pattern off her plate, but its seems to have gone. Very odd.
guest 15 Dec 2009, 09:05
No, it was no trolling. It was Rachel describing her experiences where she was going with her friend through the streets bareeyed.
Galileo 15 Dec 2009, 07:57
I guess there was even more trolling going on than I thought!
Belgian Bril 14 Dec 2009, 12:16
The last message I see today here is with date 22 Nov 2009 ; I remember having seen more recent messages the days before ...
???
And 14 Dec 2009, 11:10
Just testing - for some reason I can only see messages from Sept and earlier on this thread !!!!!
Susan 22 Nov 2009, 09:32
And:
No, I didn't loose them and I didn't have any problems actually. Unless there was a time, where I had to wear my glasses 4 one month, because I had an eye-sickness. the problem was, that I couldn't see with my glasses more than 40-50%, means: I really had problems to ride a bike or focus to things which were more far away than say 3 meters. this was really hard for me, because I didn't want somebody to know - and it worked ;) but it was a big challenge!!! I went fulltime since I'm at primary school, I guess... (around -1?). Don't remember...
Yes, I usually sleep in my lenses - just take them out for 1 or 2 nights a week.
Rachel:
Thanks a lot for sharing! It's great to hear some stories from people with a simulary problem. I know exactly how it is to NOT recognise a person in a room, if her/he doesn't move. That's why I always take my glasses to check the surroundings in my flat, befor I take them off and make a "going without my glasses- session".
What did your dad say afterwards? Does he also have high myopia? How old are you? Did you also have some "going-without-glasses-stories" from outside?
For me: I don't have... It would be to dangerous and to embarrassing, but it would give a cick, I'm sure. Are there other "inside-stories" you can tell? Do you also wear contacts? I do. That's why - if I checkt the surroundings with my glasses, I sometimes go bare-eyed, because the others won't know I'm bare-eyed right now. (Of course I won't stay for long... ;)) Great to "meet" somebody with the same "problem"
Susan
22 Nov 2009, 07:48
rachel, can you upload or send to my email a picture of your glasses?
i am so curios to see hoe these glasses looks like.
thank you
my email is dsuk124@walla.com;
Rachel 22 Nov 2009, 04:11
Susan. Once I was downstairs without my glasses on and I took a drink into the conservatory and my Dad was sitting there reading quietly. Guess what? I didn't even know he was there until he spoke to me and said where are your glasses Rachel? God I felt SO embarrassed!
Rachel 22 Nov 2009, 04:02
Susan. I'm -13.25 and -14.00 now and sometimes for laughs I go downstairs without glasses first thing in the morning to make a drink. My mother nearly goes spare when she sees me putting everything so close to my eyes to see them, but I just tell her she's lucky not to need glasses. Its amazing how much you can achieve without glasses when you know where everything is kept and as long as some idiot hasn't moved them. Nice to know you find it amusing as well Susan.
And 20 Nov 2009, 14:55
Hia, I just meant had you lost them, had problems with them etc When did you go full-time, what rx ? Do you sleep in your lenses ?
Susan 19 Nov 2009, 21:47
And:
Yes, I usually wear contacts (nearly always). I don't anderstand your other question - what do you mean "involving them"?
Susan
And 19 Nov 2009, 15:27
Susan, do you usually wear contacts ? If so have you ever had any episodes involving them ?
Susan 19 Nov 2009, 09:52
Like lenses:
Hmm.. I think it doesn't do any kind of difference if I squint, so I usually don't. But if I have to focus - or TRY to focus on something special, I squint and try to recognise... but usully it's useless. I love the feeling to not be able to see something... but I just love it, when I'm alone and no-one is around. Otherwise I HATE it!
Chrissy:
Why didn't you take your glasses at night? Do you also love the special feeling to feel somehow helpless? Do you have some experiences where you felt this feeling?
Some other stories of others with high myopic?
Susan
Susan 19 Nov 2009, 09:27
Like lenses:
Hmm.. I think it doesn't do any kind of difference if I squint, so I usually don't. But if I have to focus - or TRY to focus on something special, I squint and try to recognise... but usully it's useless. I love the feeling to not be able to see something... but I just love it, when I'm alone and no-one is around. Otherwise I HATE it!
Chrissy:
Why didn't you take your glasses at night? Do you also love the special feeling to feel somehow helpless? Do you have some experiences where you felt this feeling?
Some other stories of others with high myopic?
Susan
sourgrapes 18 Nov 2009, 18:21
Tell us more chrissi. Do you have any other bare eyed experiences?
Chrissi 18 Nov 2009, 16:48
Susan, R Ed is right, I have a similar prescription to yours. I am at -13 in my left eye and -14 in my right.
Actually this morning my friend called me when I was still half asleep to get help on her homework and I had to go all the way to the other room to pick up the phone...without my glasses. lol I was kinda worried I'd kick over something but I made it alright.
I don't tend to do much without correction although sometimes I will talk on the phone bare-eyed. lol
I also like how everything looks without my glasses too. It's like a whole new world, seeing things in a different perspective almost.
And 18 Nov 2009, 14:47
Wow Susan, do you carry your glasses around with you or leave them in a particular place ? My gf has -7.5 contacts but wears them 24/7 so I still don't know how she'd cope bare-eyed.
Ian 18 Nov 2009, 12:50
Hi Susan
My girlfriend is -7.25L and -8.50R, with astigmatism in her right eye also. Until 2yrs ago she still managed fairly well without her glasses at home, but since then she's got amost 100% dependent on them.
Showering and going to the toilet at night are the only activities I can think off that she does without glasses. She used to take her glasses off when we walked hand-in-hand until recently, but last time she almost stumbled and quicky put them back on.
I don't mind her being in glasses at all, since she sees better with them and looks very sexy in glasses also! And yes, she likes to keep them on during foreplay, as they have become a toy for us during the deed :)
R Ed 18 Nov 2009, 07:13
Chrissi,
Your Rx is similar to Susans. Could you make some comments to Susan.
Like Lenses 17 Nov 2009, 20:44
Susan
Do you tend to squint when you are enjoying the blur?
Minus 10,one of my favorite prescriptions.
Do your glasses lenses have flat fronts?
Susan 17 Nov 2009, 13:55
Hey all!
I'm -10 both eyes and without my lenses/glasses I'm in a big blur.
But sometimes I just love this feeling and so I'm trying to do the dishes, brush my teeth, walking around (in my house), trying to recognise things in a distance, etc. without my glasses/lenses. I kind of love the feeling to loose the control.
If you are also a high myopic (more than -10): Do you know this feeling? Do you also have some experiances without your visual help? Could you write some down? Did you meet some people without glasses and they didn't know you^re without lenses? Have you some stories to tell? Did some things happen to you in such a situation which made you feel ashamed?
Thanks for sharing.
Susan
nostolgic 09 Nov 2009, 17:20
@Hollie - if you're still here! I just caught your post back to me from a few months ago. Has your hyperopic coworker got new glasses or contacts yet? My guess is if he has not started back on, he's worked his cilliary muscles back into shape (plus glasses make them lazy) and won't be back in glasses until presbyopia sets in (which it does early for hyperopes).
Would be cool if you could find out his script! I've been wearing -3.5 contacts lately (they make me +3.5 hyperoptic), and after a week of consistent wear, the constant accommodation does get a little tiring - but not as bad as I thought it would at my advanced age of 42!
Sometimes I just relax my eyes and let things blur. It's not like I can take them off when my eyes get tired! But I do have a pair of reading glasses to put on when somebody sneaks me some fine print. Nobody asks questions.
sometimes I wish I were a young medium hyperope. Just stare off into space and let things blur, accommodate them into focus, let them blur again. Ahhhh.....
Have you gone without glasses lately, are you still -5, -6? That's quite blurry. Have you tried inducing myopia?
regards.
Like Lenses 12 Oct 2009, 19:51
Ghrissi
I would go with the script that your regular doctor prescribed. It doesn't make sense that with that strong a script, that it would go down.
Chrissi 12 Oct 2009, 17:58
Hi Rachel! It seems like it's been a long while since you've been posting things! This is kind of the wrong thread, but when did you get new glasses?
At this point in time I'm kind of in a dilemma because I got a new script in July that was -12.50 and -10.75 (although my old script was -11.25 for both eyes so I'm confused about that) and then from my regular ophthalmologist a month later I got an rx of -13.75 and -12.75. I have yet to fill either of the prescriptions as I normally wear my contacts (I got new ones) and glasses only at home and I can see well.
So I think I will wait a while...
What do you guys think?
Again, wrong thread, I apologize.
Rachel 11 Oct 2009, 04:51
Hollie and Amy. Going without glasses is definitely a no brainer for me with my rx. I hardly dare risk walking around the house now without them in case some idiot has left something in the way. If they have I would probably bump into it. It's pathetic really at my age. I'm currently looking through R -13.25 and L -14.00.
Amy 10 Oct 2009, 03:31
Hollie. I don't know why I've written this under "Going without Glasses" It's really nothing to do with it.
Amy 10 Oct 2009, 03:29
Hollie. They always tell you that the teenage years are the worst for myopia increasing rapidly. I'm certainly finding that at the moment. You can either worry about it or simply accept it as the norm. What I find most annoying is choosing some new glasses I really like and getting used to wearing them and then I realise I'm already needing stronger. I've tried having new lenses put in the same frames on a couple of occasions, but somehow the glasses never feel just the same afterwards. Like the lenses don't fit as well or stick out more round the edges and stuff.
Astra 05 Oct 2009, 02:34
(Continued from my last post)
My friend then tried to read some texts without glasses. Occasionally I see her getting really close (less than 15 cm from the text) to read the text, which is expected, given her prescription. But she don't seem necessary to get that close, she seem to be able to read at about 20-25 cm from the text.
Hmm... seeing this rare opportunity of her without glasses, I decided to trick her. I asked her to put her text a bit further away to read. She can't read the text at about 35 cm away, unless she squints. I think this seems quite normal for -2.0 to -3.0 , and a bit over expected for -3.5 .
I found that interesting. After several hours, I decided to play more tricks on her in order to for me to know more about her uncorrected vision. (or undercorrected vision)
(To be continued)
Astra 05 Oct 2009, 02:18
A close friend of mine visited my home yesterday, who have been going bare-eyed for a few days because the lenses of her glasses were slided off from her frames. Her prescription was about -3.50. I don't seem to know her exact prescription, but it is about that range. I have little idea about her uncorrected vision before, though I knew that was her first prescription ever got. She seemed to get by easily, didn't bumped into anything.
I was trying to get an external hard disk drive in order to use the program within that particular hard disk drive. The external hard disk drive was put on a large suitcase, I opened the suitcase and got the external hard disk drive. My friend was nearby, standing over the table about 2.5 metres away from the suitcase which was lying on the floor.
Then she told me she spotted a glasses case on the suitcase. I don't know how she could spot my glasses case on the suitcase over that distance. I was sitting in front of a computer and I saw a very blurry black round object on the suitcase, and that's the glasses case. That glasses case holds my second pair of glasses which I was got at age 10. She tried that pair of glasses on for a while. Then commented they were much weaker than hers.
(To be continued on my next post)
Astra 05 Oct 2009, 01:49
Re Sadeyes: It is quite normal for women wearing contacts, why stop them being so if they prefer contacts rather than glasses?
Sadeyes 04 Oct 2009, 18:55
My wife having worn glasses for 30 years plus (now progressives) started wearing them less and less over the last year or so. She would take them off at restaurants or in a social setting. Much to my horror she came home from an eye examination last week with a packet of trial contact lenses. How do I discourage her from wearing them? Any thoughts?
Hollie 04 Oct 2009, 00:44
Amy
I'm 24, but only started wearing glasses at the age of 15. Hopefully have almost stopped increasing now. I was only about -2.25 when I was 18!
And 03 Oct 2009, 08:32
Amy, my gf has a -7.50 contacts script and I've never seen her without them, can you describe how she might see / function without them.
Amy 03 Oct 2009, 04:28
Hollie. Sorry, I have just read your post further down that you are -6.00 and -5.00. May I ask your age? I'm almost 18 now and my myopia is still on the move! Like my mother keeps telling me, once you start on the slippery slope of wearing glasses all the time there's no going back!
Amy 03 Oct 2009, 04:24
Hollie. What prescription are you? You sound pretty close to mine from the way you describe what it's like going without glasses. My current one is RE -7.00 and LE -7.75 with a little bit of astigmatism.
Astra 02 Oct 2009, 12:46
About Reading text with monovision... well it seems quite difficult for me to accommodate that, I would just close one eye for that.
Astra 02 Oct 2009, 12:44
Astra 02 Oct 2009, 12:41
Re Phil, Hollie:
"attach something to wearing glasses which most people don't"... This is quite amusing, even though I am probably one of such individuals.
I think most people either see wearing glasses is for seeking correction to normal eyesight or for decoration. They rarely have particular feelings about people wearing glasses, tend to either prefer or not prefer wearing glasses, and that's all.
For me, I tend to notice females with glasses on, try to look for the cut-ins. If I am sitting at the sideway-back, I like to look through their glasses from that position, tempting to have a rough guess of her prescription.
I surely doubt most people would be that curious about others' prescription. Surely I had started that habit since the age of 7 or 8, when I realise I needed -2.00 correction. Back then I have no idea about how bad my eyesight are compared to others. Back then I have already heard stronger prescriptions usually means worse eyesight, and vice versa. And strong prescription usually goes with thicker lenses. I started to notice my classmates. At younger age there are not many classmates with glasses, most of them looked either quite strong (more than -5) or very weak (-1 ish) to me. As time progress I realise prescriptions does change, and that arouse my curiosity. Most people would not be so curious about that, just viewing it normal. But I was actually reluctant to see myself having too fast increase on my minus prescriptions. Actually that never really happened to me. (say, -1.00 increase every year, so I must be -10 or worse if that happened to my prescription, or even accompanying awkward cyl--- for others I surely don't mind, it is interesting to see others having those increases)
Phil 02 Oct 2009, 04:14
Angela, how are things going with the glasses?
Dieter 01 Oct 2009, 06:44
Guest,
The reason one eye sees distance uncorrected is because it had a lens replacement a few years ago. I wore glasses mostly full time removing them to read. Or, I often wore contacts doing monovision with a +1.75 difference.
Guest 30 Sep 2009, 22:06
Dieter
What did you do before presbyopia, did you wear glasses - full or part time?
Dieter 30 Sep 2009, 13:30
Clare/And,
I have one eye that requires no correction while the other needs a -3.25 lens to see 20/20. Since I live in the Land of Presbyopia, I do most activities uncorrected so I essentially function as Clare with one contact. It is an extreme amount of difference for monovision but I have adapted to it. Monovision seems to be quite suitable to some people, but completely unacceptable to others.
30 Sep 2009, 13:14
One lens? That would be Colonel Klink and his monocle.
Clare 30 Sep 2009, 12:58
And - I'm not sure in terms of cm but I'd say its arm's length, for sure I couldn't read anything at more than that. I mean if there's something written, of course larger objects are more easily identified.
As for the one lens thing, its not great! Its funny how the eyes figure it out - I can see generally well enough to get by but I find that detail blurs so at near distance I can't read what I'd expect to. I think the eyes get confused by the two images. But oddly its easier than going bare-eyed.
I have driven like it but had a near miss so don't think its advisable and won't do it again!!
Hollie 29 Sep 2009, 15:39
And
To see things in focus, about 7 inches or so? Maybe less...Squinting doesn't help very much, sometimes I can recognize things by their shape, but to be honest I need glasses to read- a book, a wine lust, whatever at a comfortable distance. I'd have to hold stuff close without correction, which draws attention in a social situation!
And 29 Sep 2009, 15:36
Clare, one lens, does that mean you keep closing one eye, what happens to your vision when you have only one lens ? I'm sure you would not choose to go bare-eyed but you'd probably manage ok if necessary eh ?
29 Sep 2009, 15:17
And 29 Sep 2009, 14:02
Hollie, Clare, how close would each of you have to get to be able to see these things clearly ?
Clare 29 Sep 2009, 13:45
Hollie - good question! Actually I don't, because I can't? Not really I suppose. I've gone out with one contact lens before when I couldn't wear both, which isn't so easy!
Hollie 28 Sep 2009, 11:51
Clare
Very true. I went out with them on and took them off when we were sat chatting. Walking round at night without them is a bit of a nightmare. Re drinks available... I meant beer pumps as well, they are just a blur to me. I do remember going out at a similar rx to you bare eyed and trying (in vain) to squint to see what drinks they had in the fridges! Do you ever socialize without lenses in?
Hollie 28 Sep 2009, 11:47
Phil
I am fulltime- out of necessity though- not by choice, I don't feel like I have a choice to go without anymore.
It's very true- I know people in the -1s who happily went fulltime as soon as they got glasses. Whereas I either wore contacts or went without for a long time. I can distinctly remember being -3.50 or so and not having my glasses on, and a friend with a similar rx calling me 'crazy and vain'. If only it were so easy as he found it to just wear them!
Clare 28 Sep 2009, 11:17
Hollie - if it's any consolation, most people, even those with a lower Rx like me, would find they'd need their glasses to see the tv, drinks in a bar (I presume you mean behind the bar), the only thing that probably differs is reading the wine list! I suppose beyond a certain distance, not sure what that would be, anyone above -3 is dependent to some degree.
Phil 28 Sep 2009, 01:45
Hollie, I think that your observation that you "attach something to wearing glasses which most people don't" sums up how I feel perfectly. I think that, if one finds glasses a big thing when it comes to members of the gender to which one is attracted, one overestimates the significance of wearing them oneself. Most "normal" people just put them on and get on with life. Look at Angela here who didn't wear specs until she was 50 and then became a fulltime gwg overnight! What a role model! I wish I could be as rational.
Cactus Jack 27 Sep 2009, 15:22
Obsessed,
Also, your complete Rx and when you got your last eye exam?
Perhaps we can help.
C.
Cactus Jack 27 Sep 2009, 15:20
Obsessed,
Are you seeking permission or justification to wear glasses full time?
May I ask your age and where you live?
C.
And 27 Sep 2009, 15:14
Hollie, what was your fulltime trigger ?
Obsessed 27 Sep 2009, 14:55
Hey guys -
my RX is only -1. I am not a full-time wearer... I want to only be able to see through my glasses...
Hollie 27 Sep 2009, 14:16
Astra- I had some increases at uni and another since finishing 2 years ago. My rx now is -6 and -1 cyl, and -5 and -1.25 cyl in other eye.
Clare- Wearing them on my head only makes me realise how I've become more dependent on them. I had to keep putting them on frequently to see the tv, drinks available in a bar, even to read the wine list! I was quite happy sitting chatting without them but found it uncomfortable/annoying not being able to make out facial expressions. Made me feel depressingly dependent- I want my contact lenses back!
And- She wears glasses or contacts full time. Did wear lenses continually then switched to glasses only. She's been travelling the world for a year and switching between both, but fancies going back to contacts full time now. She has worn full time from -1 or thereabouts, says she decided to wear them all the time when she couldn't recognise someone at the end of a corridor. Funny how people's full time triggers are different. I was walking around with no correction at about -3.50 and couldn't recognize people until they were very close- never occurred to me to wear glasses! Think perhaps both Clare and I attach something to wearing glasses that most people don't. Even now I still hate to think of myself as a 'full time wearer'.
And 27 Sep 2009, 13:04
Hollie, does your -5 friend have the same attitude towards glasses as you ?
Confident/shy, fulltime, contacts ?
Clare 27 Sep 2009, 12:51
Hollie - your comments about wearing glasses on your head make me think about how much my friends would wear glasses if, like you, they had a little while when they couldn't wear contacts. One friend is -4 and was staying last weekend, though did get up to make tea first thing without glasses or contacts. I have a couple of other friends, both around -2.50/-2.75, who wear contacts. I'm not sure how much they'd wear glasses, probably most although maybe not all of the time. Then I have another friend, it's hard to estimate his prescription although I knew it was -1.75 a few years ago, now wears them fulltime - I think they're not that much stronger but he's always been inclined to wear fulltime since he got them around -1.
Astra 27 Sep 2009, 12:41
Re Hollie: You must have got quite rapid rx increase over your college years then...
regarding your hyperopic colleague, certainly he can't accommodate with your prescription lol. Actually most low myopes (below -3) wouldn't be able to accommodate with yours either, unless they have really good accommodation. I assume what he would see with yours would be super-diminished texts, so small that would never be identifiable.
and it is he that should ask how you cope with such "weak" glasses (by his perception), because he heard you finding difficult to read the text, and he probably expected the "weak" glasses would be sufficient to magnify the text for him. In fact, your rx is really far too weak in plus prescription for him. Not only no magnification is provided, but even diminishing the already small text for him.
After trying on your glasses, he may have thought, "no wonder you find it hard to see the text, you must need a stronger (+) rx"
He would find it hard to imagine how myopes struggles with magnified but completely off-focused images if myopes are left without glasses.
Astra 27 Sep 2009, 12:01
Re Angela: As far as I recall, I have very few instances feeling the clear vision "new" to me. When I got new prescription I just thought, the distance things are looking a bit smaller / the close things are looking larger. But rather I find the blur without both "interesting" and "disruptive".
If I can't see an object I would consider the object being too small. Yep, even with glasses when I really see the object I feel, "wow, that's such a tiny object far away, forget about it." But I would feel the blur being disruptive when the object is actually large.
Astra 27 Sep 2009, 11:43
Re Fred: It is more interesting to see gwg have their glasses slided down (whether deliberately or accidentally), then stare over you at a distance with their big eyes, amidst the blur.
I am a gwg, but I have unattractive slit-like eyes. So I won't be interested in seeing myself doing that, or placing glasses on top of my head. I look somehow squinty either with/without. :)
Astra 27 Sep 2009, 10:57
Re Obsessed: If you'd like to be fully dependent with glasses, try induce myopia. There is a thread dedicated to induce myopia on this site.
Hollie 27 Sep 2009, 02:47
And- one of my friends is -5 so just a little less than me. She commented that I was wearing glasses at all- she is used to me in contacts and said the last time she'd seen me in glasses was in the 6th form at school! I only wore them for lessons back then- seem to think I was about -2.25 when I left.
Hollie 27 Sep 2009, 02:44
Obsessed- what's your rx?
And- only a few minutes really, I guess I am a little more dependent than I'd like to be! Not completely useless though- made tea this morning for everyone bare eyed.
And 26 Sep 2009, 15:57
Hollie, ha I'm sure you're not useless without them. What's the longest you kept them on your head ? Did your friends pass comment ?
Obsessed 26 Sep 2009, 13:16
I would like to be fully dependent on my specs :)
Hollie 26 Sep 2009, 10:23
I used to do it a lot more when my rx was lower but not so much now. I like the look of glasses on top of your head : )
fred 26 Sep 2009, 05:10
Hollie, I always love to see gwgs doing exactly that :-)
Hollie 25 Sep 2009, 17:02
I suppose I am odd in my own way too. Currently with friends who are staying and I'm constantly putting the specs on my head and back down again to see stuff. I think I still want to prove to myself I'm not hopeless without them.
Phil 25 Sep 2009, 10:38
Angela, it's a good job that Mr Plod never stopped you and asked you to read a number plate at 25 metres! I bet driving is a lot more comfortable now. Did you ever catch the wrong train or bus? I've done that when I've been bare-eyed and a bit dopey.
Like me you are probably used to sitting very close to the computer monitor. You are right that it's better for one's posture to sit further away. On the other hand you'd probably do best with a somewhat weaker rx for computer work. Why don't you try a pair of specs at the sort of rx that Nostolgic advocates. As it would be a bit in the way of an experiment I wouldn't spend too much. If you are in the UK, Glassesdirect are excellent: a great range of frames (some very daring!) at very reasonable prices. And they'll make them up to any rx.
Angela 25 Sep 2009, 03:39
Phil,
Yes, I was driving, always managed OK with a bit of quinting at road signs or whenever necessary. I've never had an accident but I now realise I should have had glasses for driving at least.
I'm still getting used to wearing them all the time, I just noticed that the house accross the road from my window is made of bricks, not just terracotta paint! Looking at the PC monitor is Ok if I sit well back, I've moved the monitor towards the back of the desk and the keyboard towards me, that helps a lot, I'm no longer hunched over it!
Angela
Phil 25 Sep 2009, 00:04
Hollie, You know me. Still not entirely full-time 30 years later! At Oxford law lectures rarely involved anything written on a board. And, when they did, I managed. I used to wear the hornrims when I was alone, especially in the evenings. I didn't have a car in those days but I did put them on on the odd occasion when I drove. My college friends never saw me in them-most of them haven't seen me in glasses to this day! I know I'm 'odd'. It's all down to what a big thing specs are in my life.
Hollie 24 Sep 2009, 12:40
Nostolgic
He's 27 and still not wearing- been over a month now! Bizarre I think- you would think he'd at least be wearing them for work which is surely very visually-demanding staring at a laptop all day.
We were chatting through some work yesterday and he had printed off some documents in a very small type. I joked it was difficult to see even with my glasses on- he asked to try them- he couldn't see a thing which is obvious, given our different prescriptions. "even worse than with no glasses" was what he said- I had to bite my tongue not to ask how we was coping as thought it would give my knowledge about rxs away!!
Hollie 24 Sep 2009, 12:29
Phil
That seems pretty high to not be wearing any correction at all- I presume you never took the advice to go full time?
Whether you have a real 'need' for them or not I presume depends on your lifestyle. I was about 15 and realised I couldn't see the board properly at school, though I'm sure I could have coped without- my rx was minimal at -0.75 sph with -0.75 cyl.
Did you not find lectures at university an enormous challenge at -2.25?
Phil 24 Sep 2009, 08:59
Angela,
When I first got glasses (at 21) I think I was -2.25. The optician was shocked that I hadn't had any before: he said that I should immediately wear them fulltime. I'd had an eyetest at 18 but the optician had concluded then that the case for correction was marginal and that I'd probably do best without glasses. But the next three years at university sealed my fate!
I can still remember the amazing clarity when I put the specs on. They were brown hornrim! I could read shop signs and numberplates and see leaves. It was astonishing. It must have been the more so for you.
Had you been driving before you got the glasses? That must have been a challenge! And how did you cope at train stations and airports?
angela 24 Sep 2009, 07:44
Phil, I just got a basic frame as I wasn't expecting them to become a permanent fixture or fasion accessory, I didn't see any point in spending a lot of money on a pair of glasses that I wasn't going to wear much! It would seem that I was wrong, maybe I now need to get something more special since I've become a full time wearer. I have had a few comments, like "I never knew you wore glasses" or "I've never seen you wear glasses before", generally nice comments though. I must admit, I don't particularly like wearing them yet, they still seem a bit allien on my face but I do like the fantastic clarity, I just can't imagine being without them now, when I take them off everything is so fuzzy. I never realised my vision was so poor before, now I feel lost without them. I think I only have a weak prescription but it certainly makes a tremendous difference, I should have done this years ago!
Angela
Phil 24 Sep 2009, 06:02
Angela
Now that you are used to being a gwg, do you enjoy wearing glasses? What frames did you choose? Did you get complimented on how you look in them by friends, colleagues and family?
nostolgic 23 Sep 2009, 15:49
guest/Angie:
Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyeglass_prescription.
At 50 you pretty much can't focus up close at all. The reason you can is because, being farsignted, seeing close is your eyes' 'unfocused' default.
So with single vision glasses, you don't know half the benefit. Why? Because there is something else wrong with your refraction, 'astigmatism', that causes blur at ALL distances. So the other half of the benefit is actually how much better things will look up close - you'll be able to see the pixels on your monitor!!!
If your current script then is:
-3.50 +1.00 x 40 R -3.50 +1.00 x 175 ADD +2
A single-vision 'computer only' script would be:
-1.50 +1.00 x 40 R -1.50 +1.00 x 175
If you work 1/2 meter away from your computer, or:
-2.00 +1.00 x 40 R -2.00 +1.00 x 175
If you work 2/3 meter away from your computer.
This is for single vision only, you have to take swap your other glasses in for distance.
Also get progressives as the others say; they're good for general purpose use. You MIGHT get used to them at the computer; some of my coworkers have. However, you can't beat a pair of big single vision computer-only glasses to leave at work if you do more than 80% of your job on the computer!
Of course the optician would be able to tell you all the same. Might be worth another trip. But of course if you understand the wikipedia article and what I said, and you plan for 2 pairs, and you have the patience to wait for shipping (the hardest part), you can save a couple hundred bucks and up ordering on line.
If you're anyting like me you'll soon appreciate the beauty of having at least a liter of glasses (although I've never actually tested that...)
guest 23 Sep 2009, 14:00
Yes, the ones i need for distance, they never suggested bifocals only progressives, nor did they really explain that it would be impossible for reading with them. I didn't really understand what the progressives were or why I'd need them. I suppose I was rather negative or off hand with them as I didn't really believe my eyes were bad enough to actually need glasses full time. Anyway it's not too much of a problem, I can just remove them for reading and sit close at the PC like before! The main thing is my distance vision is now just amazing, especially in the poor light in early evening.
I dont actually understand those figures in the prescription that I posted on here earlier, I assume they are the strength of the lens required for me to see at a distance? Anyway they work just fine for me!
Angela
myofan 23 Sep 2009, 13:20
Angela,
When you say "standard ones", do you mean that you did not get either progressive lenses OR bifocals? If not, that would certainly explain your reading difficulty. The "Add" part of your prescription is intended to help you to read with your glasses. If you don't have either progressive lenses or bifocals, then you don't have the "Add" portion at all. No wonder you can't read with your glasses.
guest 23 Sep 2009, 11:28
Yes, they did suggest "progressives" but since I'd never worn glasses before I thought I'd just get standard ones as I never expected to wear them full time or even wear them at all. I didn't realise they'd be no good for close work or even looking at the PC monitor. I really expected to just wear them occasionally when I needed some help with distance but it seems that what I thought was distance is actually anything more than 18" away!
Angela
Curt 23 Sep 2009, 07:36
Given that these were her first pair of glasses at age 50, they may have been made up without the add to make it easier for her to get used to them.
If the problems close up continue, I would go back to the doc and explain the problems that you are having.
Phil 23 Sep 2009, 07:27
Angela, you have a very similar rx to me, though I have a slightly higher add and no astigmatism. Yes, it is amazing for an uncorrected myope to get a first pair of specs. One can see leaves, blades of grass etc! And the difference is particularly astounding at night.
On the other hand, I think that doing close work with correction after years of going bare-eyed takes a bit of getting used to.
I imagined that you had been prescribed progressives. With them you ought in theory to be able to see clearly through the bottom of the lenses to read and through the intermediate portion to see the computer. But progessive lenses can be distorting, especially if they are fashionably small, and opticians are sometimes a bit mean on the add they prescribe. Try getting a pair of single vision lenses with lenses around -1 for reading or -2 for the computer.
Bifocals 23 Sep 2009, 06:09
Angela, I am surprised your optician did not suggest a pair of progressive or bifocal lenses. The computer is a nightmare for mid-range vision problems. With progressive lenses there is some midrange clarity, which sounds like your problem. With multifocal lenses you will have clarity in all ranges, and its a real pleasure not removing glasses, for close work. With multifocals you will be more confident with your glasses, and be a much happier person
guest 23 Sep 2009, 04:57
Hi everyone, this is my first post on here, I found this forum recently by accident after finally giving up and getting some glasses!
I failed a medical for a new job as they found that my eyesight wasn't up to scratch.. I always knew I was a bit short sighted but it never really bothered me, I only considered it to be very mild and not worth having to wear glasses for. So, I finally went and got an eye test and the optician confirmed I was short sighted and that I really should wear glasses all the time, in fact they couldn't understand how I had managed without for so long (I'm 50).
The presicription I received said L -3.50 +1.00 x 40 R -3.50 +1.00 x 175 Add +2.00 both.
I reluctantly got some glasses made up and got the shock of my life when I put them on in the shop, I really couldn't believe how much difference they made, everything became crystal clear and so sharp. I kept them on in the shop and on the way home and have since become a full time wearer, it's been over a week now and I'm still totally amazed.
I still cant beleive the difference they make, the lenses are only quite thin and they don't look very strong but the improvement in my distance vision is absolutely amazing and I keep peeping underneath the lens to remind me of what it was like without them and I really cant beleive how much I cant see and what I've been missing all these years!
I just have one problem now, I cant see to read or to see the computer screen with them on so have to remove them and get close. I noticed though that when wearing them I can see the the small print on the computer screen when sitting back in my chair compared to being hunched up over the screen like when typing this, maybe I'll have to get some different ones for close work?
Angela
Astra 22 Sep 2009, 03:23
Re And:
I never really been a full-time wearer. For most instance I wear them outdoors, but indoors I rarely wear glasses. When I wear them, mostly for looking out of my windows, or simply for fun looking straight through the rooms, which is about 6-10 metres long, so it is impossible for me to identify the object clearly within the room at that end without glasses. I enjoy the contrast of the clarity with glasses and the blur without glasses. After all it could be interesting.
My current script is -2.5, +3.25 add for reading, no astigmatism. So at what prescription would I go wearing fulltime. Hmm, probably about -4, I guess.
So far my distance script have not been changed significantly for 5 years. My first prescription was -2.0 at age 7, so it was 14 years ago. I never wear glasses outdoors until I was age 17.
Astra 22 Sep 2009, 03:04
Modification: Now I found that my bathroom is actually not that small. The actual distance I was looking at that window frame last night was about 2.5 m away from the window frame, instead of 1.5 m.
Under good light conditions, I could figure the window frame at ease at such distance, though a bit blurry.
And 21 Sep 2009, 14:03
Astra, have you experimented outside at all - supermarkets, shops, work etc. At what script did you go fulltime ?
Astra 21 Sep 2009, 12:41
(Please read from my older post on this thread one by one to this post)
So that toy for children is easy to operate. It is used for starting the router (Magenta-colored light), and the air-conditioner (Orange-colored light) respectively. Looks like a red-orange mess (or toy for children?!) for me, 4 metres away. Can't really tell the color: A mix of colors... I can't really tell unless I walk near them.
Walking near the bathroom again, step just 1.5 metres away from the tiny, dimly-lit window.
Somehow blurry. But that's okay, the glass window is in fact decorating glass with a stone-like texture. Hey, the window frame appears missing! It has one, just I can't see the window frame at such distance, under such light conditions particularly. The contrast is enough, but ironically it was the dim ambient light outdoors that was defocused (exactly the same phenomenon as the slit of the door, but this time the narrow part is the dark frame instead of bright slit) , so I can't see the window frame under such conditions. Well, I can if I walk closer to the window frame, or see it through the distance glasses.
This can be the closest experience to visual blindness for me. The window frame itself is about 1 inch thick, so imagine NOT being able to see it just 1.5 metres away under mild, but adequate light outdoors. I can identify the window frame 5 m away with my distance glasses, as far as I recall. (I imagine that sounds more like the experience for -3.5 to -4 under better light conditions)
Now you should have known more about how is it like for me walking around in my house, at night, without glasses.
Astra 21 Sep 2009, 12:16
So I have described 3 of that 6 bright lights. You may guess all of them are due to the reflection of the glass table. 2 of them are indeed reflection of the glass table, but the orange one is not.
The 4th one was the 3 parallel lights from the router, which looks like 3 overlapping fireworks (It looks like one, but I could still identify 3 different sources) for me.
The 5th one was the telephone. That telephone has a vertical red-lit slit. For me over the door, I just see a ring instead of the slit.
Back to the 3rd one. You may wonder why the 3rd one is beneath the table while the others are above. That is because the light source comes from the 6th bright spot, which appears like "magenta? red? orange?" blurry, woolly plastic toys with a light on it for children for my eyes.
Astra 21 Sep 2009, 12:08
I find myself being somehow fetish about blurry eyesights. When I was typing my last post, my nose got excited (and sneezed) when I was typing "myopic eyes". Well, I even got one handle in a game forum named "myopicblur", and another with the same name in an online application.
Back to the trip in my house, in the dark, without glasses. In my bathroom I could see the 3 lights on my router blinking, with huge halos. Then over that door again, I would see an even more interesting scene. There are only 3 bright sources of light in my living room, but they produces 6 bright spots of different colors.
All the 6 bright spots are blurry. There are faint-colored lights over the glass table, one is faint red, and the other is faint yellow-green. Did I have christmas lightings in my living room on my tables? Yes--- according to my eyes. There is another orange colored light under the glass table, but I have no light sources underneath that table.
Astra 21 Sep 2009, 11:56
I just had another walk within my own apartment, without glasses. I rarely wear distance glasses at home anyway. It is 2:30 am here. Under the low light condition I still could wander around my home with ease. Walking between rooms is even more enjoyable than daytime.
The corridor of my apartment is well-lit at night. The door of the living room faces the well-lit corridor. I walked from my bedroom to bathroom, and always get close to that door. Nothing interesting there, just the well-lit gap between the door and the door frame. I stand 50 cm over the door, clearly seeing a slit of about 5 mm.
Then I walked towards the bathroom, which is 4 metres away from that door. I look at the door again. The slit grows into almost one-fifth of the door's width. Can't identify the 5mm slit anymore, but the slit looks WIDE in width, appears more like 15 cm than 5 mm for my myopic eyes. In well-lit conditions, I may just cannot see the slit at all. But at dark conditions, I see a wide, blurry edge.
nostolgic 20 Sep 2009, 21:36
Hollie,
How old is your coworker? That would make a huge difference in how much he could accommodate. Also it depends on what percentage of his accommodative amplitide (AA) he's using to see. Most people can comfortable accommodate up to 50% of their amplitude almost indefinitely; others get eyestrain just accmmodating 20%.
Some, like myself, can handle more; In fact, like to wear lenses with too much minus to force extra accommodation. I can handle about 75% of my AA indefinitely, and almost 100% for about 3-4 hours (although after that I have to take a break for a few days). I also LOVE glasses and an excuse to wear them.
So if your coworker is, say, 24, he may have an AA of 11. Let's say he's a +6 hyperope (officially very thick glasses, his eyes would look strangely large thru them, but extremely rare, I think).
Then for distance viewing he'd need a little over 1/2 his AA, very comfortable, especially for a hyperope, as they are used to it. If he likes accmmodating as much as I do, he could easily stare at a computer screen 1/2 meter away indefinitely. AND he could read very fine print (2pt or less) at 20cm (the remaining 5D of AA).
So if I were him, I'd probably wear -2 lenses part time (and go without other times) just to push it a bit and enjoy both accommodating and glasses! Plus the benefit of not having to bother with glasses when you don't want to.
Unfortunately, due to Adam's teeth on a bad fruit 1000 generations ago, our eyes are programmed to lose that power entirely by the mid 50's. You could be an old marathoner or a weightlifter but your cilliary muscles will be useless! If I were that coworker, I'd enjoy accommodation while it lasts.
Hollie 20 Sep 2009, 10:12
Nope- he wasn't wearing contacts, nothing at all. His lenses are pretty thick too. Conversation came about as I'm not wearing contacts at the moment and showed up at work in glasses. I commented that I'm not very keen on wearing them but had to for a while. He asked if I really needed them badly and then commented about having left his at a hotel and not having worn any correction for 3 weeks. He is away on holiday at the moment so we shall see if he comes back to work wearing specs.
Cactus jack 20 Sep 2009, 08:53
Hollie,
Just because it is possible for a hyperope to accommodate doesn't mean that it is comfortable to do so for long periods. My only purpose was to help you and Astra understand a bit more about how the optics of the eye works and explain how it is possible for a hyperope to see clearly without correction where a myope can only see clearly up close. If he usually wears glasses, he might have been wearing contacts for comfort, but the only way to tell for sure is o ask.
Also, because of the interconnection between the focus mechanism and the convergence mechanism in the brain, SOME hyperopes can have problems with their eyes trying to turn inward when the try to focus without external correction. The strength of the interconnection varies with individuals.
C.
Hollie 20 Sep 2009, 05:24
Thanks cactus jack. I guess I'm just surprised at full time wearers suddenly going without any correction at all. I'd presumed the guy in question was wearing contacts.
Astra 20 Sep 2009, 04:09
Thanks CJ for the explanation of the accommodation.
Astra.
Cactus Jack 19 Sep 2009, 12:35
Astra and Hollie,
The ability of a hyperope (+ glasses) to focus close depends on three things. Their Rx, how much they can accommodate, and the distance of the text or object from their eyes. Typically, the younger a person is, the greater the ability to accommodate. Most babies are born hyperopic because their eyeballs are small for the optical power of their corneas and crystaline lenses. Young children have very flexible crystaline lenses and can accommodate as much as +20 diopters. The ability to accommodate is called Amplitude of Accommodation. There is even a formula for calculating the average ability to accommodate based on a persons age in years. The formula is: 18.5 - age/3 = Amplitude of Accommodation. The actual ability depends to some extent on actual stiffness of the crystaline lenses (it can vary with age and body chemistry) and the condition of the ciliary muscles.
Hyperopes typically have a mismatch between the length of their eyeballs, which did't quite grow enough, and the optical power of their corneas and crystaline lenses and images of distant object focus behind the retina. Images of close objects focus even farther behind. To move the focus of the images up to the retina requires additional internal plus power from the crystaline lenses or external plus power from external lenses. Myopes have the exact opposite problem that their eyeballs grew too much and the images focus in front of the retina. Unfortunately, crystaline lenses can only relax so much and no more. That means that myopia MUST be corrected by external minus lenses to move the focus back to the retina or some form of surgery to reduce the plus power of the cornea (lasik) or crystaline lens (IOLs as in cataract surgery).
C.
Astra 19 Sep 2009, 11:19
Hollie,
I don't know much about + prescription either.
I would not be surprised to know some moderate hyperopes can drive without correction. But moderate hyperopes without correction can stare at computer screen for an hour, able to reading small texts (say 10-12px)... this sounds strange to me.
I can't read such small text (10 px) without approx. +3 add over -2.5. (My add rx is +3.25)
It would be hard for me to imagine a hyperope with say, +3, can read small text comfortably without.
Hollie 19 Sep 2009, 04:48
I don't know much about + prescriptions, but can't children accommodate for a certain amount of farsightedness? My other half's brother, who is 20, has + glasses that look strong to me, and magnify his eyes lots. He wears them all the time. Recently we were talking about going diving and I was wondering whether to get a prescription mask rather than wearing contacts underneath a normal one. I asked what his brother did (thinking as a full time wearer he'd wear them to dive) but apparently he just goes without. I asked him if he could see without them and he said yes, fine, I just need them for the computer and reading really.
A similar thing with guy at work- strong looking + prescription, full time wearer. Left his glasses at a hotel he was staying at, and is now not wearing any correction at all. Given we stare at screens all day, I was surprised. He seems to be able to read very small type without them too.
I find it confusing as for myopes, when you remove your glasses everything beyond a certain point is blurry- and if you need to see something you generally have to put your glasses back on- is it not the same for hyperopes?
Jennifer 18 Sep 2009, 11:34
Dieter, you are right about parents forcing their children to wear glasses full time. I saw a 4 year old come in wearing plus glasses. One lens was stronger than the other. The boy would purposedly let his glasses slide down his nose and preferred to look over the glasses to see distance things. His mother kept pushing his glasses back into place, eventually getting the child angry. He took his glasses off and threw them on the floor. The mother picked them up and put them away. After a while, the grandmother asked for the glasses and forced the child to wear them. It didn't take long before the glasses had slid down and he was looking over them. How awful for the boy that he would have to go through this over and over again.
Dieter 17 Sep 2009, 14:40
Clare,
I think most children are told to wear their glasses by doctors and parents and the assumption is they will miss something at school or damage their eyes if the don't. Sometimes parents almost seem to want to "get their money's worth" so to speak.
designereyez 17 Sep 2009, 14:32
Actually, I think that teens aren't the most reluctant, rather it's adults in their forties (maybe late thirties to early fifties). At that point when you need glasses it's a sign of getting old. I see teens and early twenty-somethings (college age) almost showing off their glasses sometimes. Like now with massively oversized frames with thick lenses falling down the cheeks.
Hollie 17 Sep 2009, 14:16
Clare
I have always thought that part of my reluctance to wear glasses full time even when needed them was due to getting them at the age of 15. I guess teenagers are a lot more self conscious about their looks than younger children. I had an rx of only -0.75 with -0.75 cyl then, so I had no need to wear them constantly, but I only wore them when I absolutely had to see. It doesn't make much sense to me when people get their first, very low minus ex and immediately start wearing it full time, even though they have never worn glasses in their life before. I have seen this happen a number of times with friends and work colleagues.
Clare 17 Sep 2009, 11:50
Dieter - what you say about your colleague having worn her glasses fulltime since 16 makes me think about younger children who wear an obviously weak prescription full time. I've never known if that's because it's presumed the rx will get stronger and they'll need to or whether they're just told they should. A friend of mine, now in her 30s and a -4, has worn glasses fulltime (well contacts since her late teens) since she was about 10 years old. I'd assume at that age she'd only have been about -1 maybe and, again, wonder why you'd have a child wear -1 fulltime ... if not for my theory above. So, perhaps your colleague was instructed to on the basis they expected her rx would progress but it hasn't and she still does. Anyone else have any thoughts, particularly on my kids & glasses comments?
Dieter 16 Sep 2009, 14:33
Puffin,
It wasn't that my co-worker was suffering from the astigmatism, though. She was having difficulties dealing with the correction.
Puffin 16 Sep 2009, 14:21
I seem to remember reading here or elsewhere that some people's experience of astigmatism, at certain angles, can be like viewing things slantwise. If this is at odds with the rest of a person's senses, particularly if they have a sensitive sense of balance (I think) they may well have the problems described. It's not so much the amount but the angle that might cause the trouble.
Dieter 16 Sep 2009, 12:04
Clare,
That’s why nothing added up. From what I’ve seen, she wears fulltime except occasionally working at her desk, and has so since getting glasses in her teens. When she showed me her prescription, I had to really hold back my knowledge to avoid outing my OO’ness. ;)
Hollie,
I have -.50 astig in one eye. I can see the difference at night by the halos around lights but I can’t feel any difference. My co-worker said that with the correction in her lenses everything was bent (with only -.25?), hurt her eyes, and made her seasick. She did get used to it this second time around and seems to be happy now.
Clare 16 Sep 2009, 11:28
Dieter - interesting that her prescription is so low given that she got them at 16. I'd have expected her to be in the upper -2s at least 20 years later ... Isn't that the way it usually goes?
Dieter 16 Sep 2009, 11:28
Katy,
I didn't mean to infer that her lenses were real thick, but since that pair of glasses were rimless, the lenses were not thin either. Anyway, they appeared more stout than -1.50.
Katy 16 Sep 2009, 11:12
Dieter - interesting that her lenses are quite thick - are they very big frames? It does sound like she wants people to think she's more myopic than she is.
Hollie 16 Sep 2009, 10:42
Dieter
I would have thought she'd have got by without for most of the time, especially if she doesn't like them, or get contact lenses? I agree re the astigmatism - I only started getting it in my contact lenses when I got up to -1 or so.
Dieter 16 Sep 2009, 07:11
David/Hollie,
I observed that recently through a co-worker that wears full time. She doesn’t appear to be an OO because she hates glasses on men and has complained about having to get glasses at age sixteen and being forced to wear them for the last twenty years. Her lenses are relatively thick and I would have guessed her prescription to be in the -3 to -4 range. After seeing a neurologist for headaches and dizziness, she was encouraged to get an eye exam and was complaining that she had been diagnosed "with an astigmatism”. She'd had that once before but had her lenses replaced without that correction because she couldn't get used to it. This time she was encouraged to get used to it to help resolve her neurological problems. She showed me her prescription and it was: OD -1.50 -.25, OS -1.50. How could she possibly "feel" a quarter diopter of cylinder in one eye? Why does she wear full time with only -1.50 sphere if she doesn’t want to do so? All I can figure is she is either extremely sensitive to her visual acuity or she is a closet OO.
Hollie 16 Sep 2009, 00:33
And
I have the temptation to take them off quite a bit, but if I do, quickly find I need to see something and put them back on! Can't read without them without getting uncomfortably close.
David, I'm about -6 with astigmatism. I don't get when people with a similar rx say stuff like that either- a girl at work around -6 said she would be run over by a car without them. I think I would struggle, but wouldn't be run over- you'd still see the car,it would just be blurry!
Bob W. 15 Sep 2009, 15:06
Hi Astra,
Thanks for the observation. That appears valid. I assume it was relatively dark outside. It isn't the kind of observation that I expected, but from what I know about physiology, it certainly rings true. It certainly is a very significant effect, too, almost twice the size of blur.
Thank you,
Bob W.
andrea 14 Sep 2009, 17:20
well actually she said i was seeing 20/20 with both eyes! didn't say anything at all about wearing them all the time. this is why i asked what i asked about driving and tv!
Karen X 14 Sep 2009, 15:47
Andrea - Is it just me but it sounds like you've been told in a rather round about way to wear your glasses all the time as what your Dr said covers all distances (Reading - Close up, Computer work - intermediate and Driving + tv + movies - distance)
andrea 14 Sep 2009, 14:49
hi,i am +1.75 in both eyes with a little astigmatism. last month i saw a new doctor, she told me i should wear my glasses for reading, computer work, driving, tv, and movies. so i tried what she said, but i don't understand the driving (daytime) and tv recommendation. during the day in daylight i see a little better without glasses. (though at night it's the opposite.) for tv it makes almost no difference unless i am trying to watch on a really small screen. just wondering why driving with glasses was advised...
Astra 14 Sep 2009, 05:02
Bob W, I haven't replied your older post about vision in "daylight" when compared to "dusk".
"daylight" means high ambient light intensity. "dusk" means low. The effect does not change in artificial conditions. Only ambient light intensity that matters.
The visual acuity in dusk is typically lower than daylight. The pupils dilate more in dusk than in daylight, making images even more off-focus when without correction.
I have tried comparing my acuity under daylight and dusk conditions. I tried to focus distant lights (at night, apart from those lights the ambient light intensity is low enough to cause differences in visual acuity) from 30 m from my apartment. When my room was illuminated by indoor lightings, the off-focused rays appears dilated to a "ring" with a certain radius because of my myopia.
Then I switch off the indoor lightings, and keep focusing on the distant lights. The lights gradually appears more dilated. The radius of "ring" grows until it reaches about 2 times of its size under daylight conditions.
Therefore I assume myopes tend to have much lower visual acuity under dusk than daylight, as the dilation of pupils would dilate the image formed.
Bob W. 13 Sep 2009, 11:48
Hi Astra,
It seems that your attention is on switching glasses to function for what you are doing at the moment, rather than noting how blurry things are, which makes sense.
Best Regards,
Bob W.
Astra 13 Sep 2009, 01:33
Bob W, shopping would never be funny for me.
First off, my distance vision aren't great, but usually I could still managed to navigate around. But, I actually require +3.25 add to read.
I suppose if I managed to get the correct distance vision with -2.5 when I am navigating the shop, then the objects would be minified to the extent that I have to remove the glasses to see.
Some shops have quite narrow aisles, I can't even identify a thing next to me with -2.5 , and I have to remove glasses to simply identify the objects nearby.
Astra 13 Sep 2009, 01:17
Dave, I assume it is sometimes difficult to compare vision with simply the prescription alone. Mild prescription does not mean the acuity without would be great, but strong prescription normally indicate low visual acuity without.
Moreover, some individuals may find more difficult to accommodate the blur than others do even with the same visual acuity.
Imagine when you are driving in an unfamiliar place. I assume a higher visual acuity would be required than when you are walking around familiar places.
Puffin 12 Sep 2009, 16:01
I imagine somewhere less familiar would be harder.
David 12 Sep 2009, 14:17
Hi all, first time poster.
One thing I don't understand is how some people without correction saying they "can't see at all" or "always bump into stuff." I'm only -5 with no astig, but around my own house, I can pretty much do anything - just any detail is blurry. After getting up, there's obviously a dresser there, a wall here, a door there. Even if your sight is quite blurry, why wouldn't you see that there is in fact an obstacle there, even if it is blurred?
And 11 Sep 2009, 00:10
Hollie, do you find yourself taking them off at all or are they comfy enough to forget about ? Have they made any difference to what you do/don't do ?
Hollie 10 Sep 2009, 23:58
And
It's going ok, although can't wait to be back in contacts! Hardly any comments at work to be honest, except a few close friends- a couple of whom wondered if I was dumping the contacts on a permanent basis.
Bob W 10 Sep 2009, 13:22
Hi Astra,
I read my post from yesterday and realized it was a little dumb. First, your vision is probably somewhat indistinct even with your glasses outside because you usually wear your -1.5 glasses. At -2.5, your vision is blurry, and probably hard to quantify if by going ourdoors, you mean walking around your neighborhood. You probably don't go shopping without glasses.
I wanted some description of your experience, but didn't think through the situation very well.
Oh well,
Bob W.
Bob W 09 Sep 2009, 11:44
I meant out in the daylight. Got in a bit of a hurry.
Bob W
Bob W 09 Sep 2009, 11:42
Hi Astra,
What is it like for you going around outside without your glasses? If I recall correctly, you did this briefly, maybe at dusk, around your neighborhood, and things were very blurry. Have you been you in daylight, and was this different? Are things so much blurry as indistinct if you are already used to being without glasses from inside?
Sorry if I'm being too pesky for details. I don't think we hear as much from mild myopes about this.
Best Regards,
Bob W.
Astra 08 Sep 2009, 10:04
Recently I have a habit of going without glasses outdoors, even though my distance vision without glasses aren't great (nor close to blind either).
I used to insist wearing distance glasses outdoors, because I intended to give a false signals to my friends that I really need them to navigate around.
A couple of years ago, I even have a friend commented me having wearing an "inpenetrably thick" eyeglasses. That particular friend has a -1.5 prescription, but apparently she did not realise mine was exactly a -1.5. Perhaps she thought full-time wearers should have quite strong prescriptions.
(I actually need -2.5 for the best distance vision. But when it comes to walking around indoors, the walls/friends are often so close to me that my eyes feel strained)
She once commented my prescription should be around -6. I told her they are not that strong. Then another friend who actually needed around -3 (I knew because she got glasses later that year) by then tried my glasses. She commented she could see much better with them, and she thought her required prescription should be the same as mine. By then it could be true, but her myopia progressed real fast that year.
And 07 Sep 2009, 17:31
Hollie, how's the glasses wearing going ?
JR 02 Sep 2009, 08:58
Lisa J.
For me, I have astigmatism, any time without my glasses gives me at first an eyeache and then a headache. It can be a little as getting up in the night to go to the bathroom.
Without my glasses everything looks like I am looking through a wet glass. Not real blurred but not in focus. My Rx doesn't look like much.
I do GOC and the more plus I go in contacts the less the atigmatism bothers me without glasses. I don't really understand why. I do know that in the old days of hard contacts, they would over correct in the minus to compensate for the astigmatism.
Phil 02 Sep 2009, 07:25
Oh Lisa J, it's a geat pity that someone who wants to be a gwg as much as you obviously do has been denied their wish. Are you sure that you cannot convince an optician that you need just a little correction? If not, have you ever considered wearing plano lenses? Or ordering online specs with very weak minus lenses?
Lisa J. 02 Sep 2009, 06:41
As someone who has always wanted to wear glasses but always had good vision, I would love to hear what it is really like without glasses from people here. Does it make you dizzy? Do you have problems finding your friends? Do you get headaches? What is the longest you have gone without glasses? I understand that the longer you are away from your glasses, your eyes begin to adjust and you see less blur, is that true?
I am fascinated by this subject and would love any insight you can offer.
Hollie 02 Sep 2009, 00:36
And
Yep, it was, but not as difficult as it would have been at my current prescription!
And 31 Aug 2009, 16:19
Hollie, the evening when you were -3.5 must have been difficult wasn't it ? Glad you got a good reaction this time.
Clare 31 Aug 2009, 08:50
Hollie - I can imagine it must feel very odd! Great that you got some compliments though and nice for them to see you looking slightly different yet just as good.
Hollie 30 Aug 2009, 02:56
I went on a night out with glasses last night- first time ever I think! Last time I was forced out of contacts my rx was around -3.5 and I just squinted- can't do that anymore unfortunately! Did feel weird with my specs on dancing in a club- but got a couple of compliments from male friends who liked the look!
Hollie 28 Aug 2009, 00:39
Phil
Surely you must be forced into wearing at work sometimes??
Would really hate to give up contacts- glasses are annoying me already! It's mainly having to move your head to see anything rather than just your eyes! Although I don't mind the way I look in glasses at all, contacts are so much more convenient and I guess make me feel more confident.
Phil 27 Aug 2009, 01:47
Well Hollie! I'm due a test. At the moment I'm -3.75 and I think that's about right. I may need just a little cylinder though. I will report back after I've had the test!
I now wear pretty much fulltime except at work where I find my nose getting closer and closer to the computer!
One change that I have noticed is that, whereas I used to be fine reading bare-eyed, I now find that when I look through the lower portion of my progessives (I have an add of +2.25) the print is so much clearer. I think I may start wearing some -1.5s for close stuff.
Your frames sound nice. Maybe you should give up the evil contacts. Your rx is significant but, with high index lenses, the appearance must be just perfect. Is your rx still inceasing? It must be all those numbers that you have to study! I suspect that you are now at the age where things should slow down or even stop (though I have had a few random increases over the years).
Hollie 26 Aug 2009, 22:53
And- no, I mean I will just go bare eyed. I went yesterday and was fine, except finding my locker afterwards was difficult!!
And 26 Aug 2009, 14:43
Hollie, when you said you'd still swim did you mean you'd wear your glasses ?
Hollie 26 Aug 2009, 10:48
Hey phil, not bad- how are you? Yes- worst eye is -6 with -1 cyl on top! Not great- would like my eyes to stop changing, I can't go without them really now in any situation. Have high index (although not the highest) in this pair at the moment. They have thick sides so you wouldn't notice the thickness in any case.
I take it you are still not wearing fulltime? What's your rx now?
Phil 26 Aug 2009, 03:04
Hi Hollie! How's life among the bean counters? I hadn't realised that you'd crept up to -6. What sort of lenses do you have in your frames?
And 25 Aug 2009, 16:17
Might be a good opportunity to speak to the girl in your office who goes bare-eyed. Wonder if she can see through your glasses ?
And 25 Aug 2009, 16:10
Hollie, as you don't usually automatically put them on when you wake up etc do you think you will wear them non-stop or will they keep coming off.
Hollie 25 Aug 2009, 10:55
And- I do swim but sure I'll be fine without. Won't be able to wear sunglasses unless I don't need to see clearly as I don't have any prescription ones.
Ehpc- brown plastic sides, bronze metal fronts.
Clare- worn for 4 days in the office and only a couple of comments- that I look 'businesslike' and my manager asked me if I was having contacts trouble- she wears them herself.
Hollie 25 Aug 2009, 10:55
And- I do swim but sure I'll be fine without. Won't be able to wear sunglasses unless I don't need to see clearly as I don't have any prescription ones.
Ehpc- brown plastic sides, bronze metal fronts.
Clare- worn for 4 days in the office and only a couple of comments- that I look 'businesslike' and my manager asked me if I was having contacts trouble- she wears them herself.
Clare 24 Aug 2009, 22:15
Hollie - I hope you get lots of compliments (as I did when the same happened to me). Hopefully your occasional wear in the office will mean it won't be too much of a curiosity!
ehpc 24 Aug 2009, 20:45
Don't know where that '2' came from.............it was my post.
ehpc2 24 Aug 2009, 20:44
What frame style do you wear, Hollie? Pete
And 24 Aug 2009, 15:45
Hollie, wear them with pride. Will you do anything bare-eyed ? Will not having contacts mean you have to change anything in your lifestyle ? Swimming, sports, wearing sunglasses etc
Hollie 24 Aug 2009, 14:49
Looks like I'm going to be with glasses for the next month- optician says my left eye is irritated and needs a break from contacts. A month seems a bit extreme though! : (
Puffin 22 Aug 2009, 23:23
Suppose if it the lighting isn't good (likely in bed) you won't see much anyway. Dim light tends to make colour contrasts go muddy and indistinct and blurred vision just adds to it.
Galileo 22 Aug 2009, 23:13
Thanks Melyssa, sorry I spelled your name wrong. I guess it is back to Cactus Jack's saying "vision is in the brain, not just the eyes".
Melyssa 22 Aug 2009, 07:15
Galileo,
Without my -9 glasses, I can't even see these letters 2 feet away from me. But in bed last night, I was able to tell that my husband had his eyes open -- but that was due to the 2+ hours of practically nonstop thunder and lightning. :) Actually, from the distance you mention, I can make out if his eyes are open or closed, unless it's too dark.
Puffin 21 Aug 2009, 13:56
Sounds plausible to me.
Galileo 21 Aug 2009, 09:50
I should have said she was not wearing her glasses!
Galileo 21 Aug 2009, 09:49
I've been dating a woman who is -9 for the last couple of months.
We were laying facing each other no more than 30 cm apart and she had a very intense expression so I asked her what she was looking at. She said she was trying to work out if I had my eyes open or closed.
I didn't think things would be that bad at that distance. Melissa - you have a similar prescription, what is it like for you?
Hollie 20 Aug 2009, 22:58
And
I'd be ok at recognising someone pretty close to me, but not much chance if wandering around the streets bare-eyed.
And 19 Aug 2009, 14:50
Hollie, how would you go on recognising people without your glasses ?
Hollie 19 Aug 2009, 14:27
Clare
I do wear glasses around the house, but have never (even at -6) put them on as soon as I woke up- have seen friends with much lower rxs do this. Exception being if I read the papers in bed, then I put the specs on whilst still in bed : )
To be honest i'm rarely without glasses or lenses long enough to know if I'd get a headache without them. I'm not sure if I would but definitely would struggle with all that blur!
Clare 11 Aug 2009, 22:55
And - I really don't know. I think it's possible to recognise someone even if you can't see all the details. Looking out of the window the other day my -2.5 friend could see enough of someone walking down the street with a dog to say that she didn't know them, yet she'd probably have strugged if asked to describe them. I think we recognise people by different things, shape, walk, clothes, I used to do that if I was shopping with someone.
And 11 Aug 2009, 14:21
I suppose you would have looked pretty blurry rather than invisible, how far would someone have to stand from you for you not to recognise them ?
Puffin 11 Aug 2009, 13:59
I suppose that's possible if the room isn't well lit and the person being seen is well "camoflaged" ie wearing clothes similarly coloured to the background.
Clare 11 Aug 2009, 09:36
Aubrac - I guess there's an element of what I find strange going on here, and that is that even at the same Rx people can have different acuity. I went out with a guy who was -5 and apparently he couldn't even see me across a 12' room.
Aubrac 11 Aug 2009, 09:02
At -5.00 I find it ok going about the house without glasses, and looking out of the window can see cars, people etc.
Think it is easier if in a familiar place although in the swimming pool the other day I didn't seem to have too many problems.
Clare 11 Aug 2009, 08:21
Hollie - I'm guessing that it's only at home that you'd wander about the house without correction? It's not a problem for me generally, I'd find it a bit irritating if I had to take out my lenses in the evening though. Last week it was fine but had I had problems with my contacts I'd have worn my glasses around the house. Does it give you a headache if you go too long without contacts/glasses?
Hollie 10 Aug 2009, 22:51
I don't put my glasses on first thing, usually go to bathroom and make a cup of tea without them. Then I will put my lenses in if it's a weekday or I'm off out. If I'm just in the house, I'll put glasses on to see the tv. Still never reached for specs as I'm getting out of bed!
Clare 09 Aug 2009, 22:38
And - no I didn't. I generally wander around the house bare-eyed anyway till either I need to see something or go out.
Millhouse - I guess that's quite difficult for you so presume you don't do it that often.
And 09 Aug 2009, 14:53
Clare, did you put your lenses in the minute you got up on both occasions ? I've never yet seen my gf for even one minute bare-eyed but of course her rx is far higher than you or your friends.
Millhouse 09 Aug 2009, 09:18
-Clare,
I often go around my flat (apartment) first thing in the morning bare eyed , I'm ok with most things,avoid furniture etc,just no detail though,cus I know where everything is it feels safe to do that. At my rex of -7.00/ -6.5 seeing anything out the window, tv etc is a no- hoper.
Taking a shower is ok though.
When I have a gf though I keep my glasses on as much as I can cus I dont like to be seen with that kind of vacant eye gaze that comes with no correction with a high rx. Funny I know but thats me!
Clare 08 Aug 2009, 21:59
Last post was from me ...
08 Aug 2009, 21:58
Like Lenses comment got me thinking. I was away with a friend this week, she's minus 4 and used to wear RGPs but now she's got soft contacts is never seen wearing glasses. On the first morning we were peering out of the window to see if it was raining and she said she couldn't see if it was raining or not because she didn't have her contacts in. She wandered around like that for a while, long enough for tea and to read the newspaper. I'm guessing at minus 4 it was a bit of a challenge but she didn't seem to mind.
Then yesterday I stayed over at another friend's who's about -2.5 and always wears contacts or glasses. Again, to my surprise, she didn't put her glasses on to come downstairs first thing which urprised me as I'd expected she would.
People's attitudes to wearing glasses at home are fascinating!
Like Lenses 08 Aug 2009, 14:26
I am wondering if anyone else here has the habit that I have. When ever I change from one pair of glasses to another, wheather it be Rx sunglasses, or just a different pair with my same Rx, I automatically close my eyes prior to removing the one pair, and open them when the other pair are on.
If I make a conscious effort to keep them open, I have an uneasy feeling with the blur.
Thinking back on this,I believe that I began this with my first pair of glasses.
Another thing that I do is always wear another pair of glasses when I as cleaning the pair that I usually wear.
I guess that I am uncomfortable being uncorrected. I wear glasses from the moment I awake, until I go to bed.
Like Lenses 08 Aug 2009, 13:55
Clare
The unfocused, or dead eye look is not there with contacts in, only with no contacts ,or glasses.
I am sure you have it ,as I have it with -2.50, and I know of several with -1.75 that have it and many around -3.00.
I think it is an alluring look on women.
Clare 06 Aug 2009, 22:36
Hollie - the girl in your office probably knows the train routine so well she can get by without great vision. She may only come unstuck if there's a problem on the concourse!
Clare 06 Aug 2009, 22:34
Hollie - I'd always wear contacts to go out, even if I have to take them out on the way home!
Clare 06 Aug 2009, 22:18
Like Lenses - no-one's ever mentioned that my eyes look unfocussed but I'd only really associated that with much stronger minus Rxs than mine. I presume people don't notice if I'm wearing contacts but may be wrong!
Hollie 02 Aug 2009, 03:24
I usually wear contacts, and so the other week when I was wearing glasses and someone went to take a picture, I whipped them off. I see what you mean about the unfocused look- I don't quite look as if I'm looking at the camera lense, which you don't notice with contact lenses.
Chris 02 Aug 2009, 01:19
Like Lenses, I know exactly what you mean when you write about the "dead look" of people's eyes when they are not wearing correction. There was a phase when I refused to accept the need to use correction, even though a combination of myopia and astigmatism meant that my vision was quite poor. For years I had a passport picture which had the look you described. I wasn't exactly squinting, but my eyes looked a bit glazed over. I guess it came about from not being able to focus properly on the camera in the booth.
Astra 01 Aug 2009, 10:36
It is now 1:10 am here, and I was walking around my house without glasses, and without lighting, cause I was supposed to sleep. I woke up and walk around, and I discovered a bright object. I thought, what could that be? I gotta have a closer look at it.
I didn't aware of my myopic eyes (around -3 both eyes), so I expected something interesting (or perhaps scary) over there.
The bright, roundish object suddenly became 2 thin pointers of a clock, showing 1:10 am-ish as I walk closer to the object, which is located behind a cupboard at reading distance from me when I recognised it. Now I realised how bad my current eyesight are without glasses!
Anyone had similar experience?
Galileo 01 Aug 2009, 07:45
Hi Like lenses, I love that look you describe, it is very sexy, soft focus, vulnerable.
You've given me the opportunity to brag - I met a high myope a couple of months ago and had dinner with her a couple of times. Today we went a lot further than dinner and I had that look for my personal attention for several hours, after the -9 glasses came off! Best day I've had for a long time. :)
Like Lenses 31 Jul 2009, 14:30
Clare
Hollie's post reminded me of something when she spoke of squinting when not wearing correction.
Something I have observed is that if someone is myopic,and not wearing glasses or contacts,and not in the habit of squinting,that their eyes have a kind of dead look. It is probably due to not being able to focus.Their eyes seem to come alive when thy put their glasses on.
I can recognize an uncorrected myope,by this look,even if I do not know them.
I am wondering if anyone has called this to your attention,since you are signifigantly myopic when you are going about uncorrected.
I even see it in the mirror on myself when I remove my glasses, but usually I have to squint to see myself in the mirror.
Clare 30 Jul 2009, 00:37
Hollie 29 Jul 2009, 10:11
Clare
If you don't wear glasses in the office and can only wear contacts for 12 hours, do you wear specs if you are socislising in the evenings or go bare eyed?
The girl in our office who is bare eyed when not wearing contacts was without them again today. Much squinting! She catches the train to work- no idea how she reads the boards. Maybe she has glasses in her handbag!
Clare 24 Jul 2009, 07:59
And - your girlfriend is really lucky that she can wear her contacts for so long. I can tolerate up to around 12 hours but I have friends who can wear theirs for 16+.
Hollie 22 Jul 2009, 01:30
And
Not so bothered, but still feel less self confident than wearing contacts. I don't really ever wear glasses for social things but I do sometimes to work, the air con tends to dry out contacts and make your eyes sore so about once a month I end up wearing specs for a day!
And 19 Jul 2009, 15:17
Good, I'm sure you will have picked out frames that suit you so shouldn't be surprised that people say nice things. I hope my gf thinks the same if she ever has to wear hers. Of course she looks fab in her contacts but glasses don't make folk ugly, far from it, as people on here report, they are a great fashion accessory too.
Clare 19 Jul 2009, 11:29
And - possibly but less so than a few years ago. Five years ago I had conjunctivitis and had to admit that I needed to wear my glasses at least for some things. When I wore them at work I got some compliments which really surprised me and, of course, gave me some confidence. If it happened now I wouldn't be so proud or vain as to go without glasses when I needed them. I think I've also become a bit more used to the idea too.
And 19 Jul 2009, 10:51
Hollie, how do you feel now if you have to wear your glasses ?
And 19 Jul 2009, 10:47
Clare, I bet if you couldn't wear contacts you'd still be a part-time glasses wearer now ! Not a criticism, as I've said before it's a personal thing if you can manage ok.
Clare 19 Jul 2009, 10:10
Hollie - you're right, that's about the time people migrate to contacts I think. One thing that made me realise I might be missing something was being out on a scenic walk with a good friend of mine. A few things she pointed out I couldn't see and she, having worn glasses since childhood, was surprised that I didn't wear my glasses as I obviously couldn't see things in the distance. I was probably only about -2 then but I felt so foolish that I always made sure I wore my contacts when we met up. It was easy from then on just to accept it was easier to wear them more.
If I hadn't had contacts at that time I'm not sure if I might have hung on till I got to nearer my current prescription before admitting openly that I kind of needed them.
Hollie 19 Jul 2009, 04:42
Clare
I thought similarly to you when I was about -2.5 or -3. I could see to walk around streets without being run over but it's annoying being out with friends and having to try and make excuses for not being able to see stuff, like signs etc. It's part of what made me get contacts- a couple of times I had to put my glasses on just when walking about. Perhaps most people would start wearing them all the time at that point so must be a common time to get contacts if you don't fancy being a full time glasses wearer.
And 19 Jul 2009, 02:38
Clare, yes she got glasses and would put them on in class and then automatically put them back in their case at the end of lessons so she still probably missed all sorts in between but as you say she could easily function without them so never got used to wearing full-time.
Clare 18 Jul 2009, 23:19
And - I used to hate discussions about eyesight too but I seem to have got over that. Children are so unkind aren't they? What happened, did the girl get glasses while she was still in your class?
I got sort of fed up with people pointing things out and not being able to see them and I guess even as adults many people go through that if they are, like I was, in a situation where they start wearing glasses relatively late (ie in their 20s). That's the dilemma really - if you can see alot but not some of the detail, should you wear your glasses fulltime? I have a friend whos -2 max and he always does.
As to whether I feel okay in public if I'm not wearing my glasses, well yes because I'd never do anything like drive without them, and though finding my way in somewhere large like an airport would be difficult, most other things would be possible. Having said I always wear my contacts out so don't do it that often
And 18 Jul 2009, 15:59
Ben, asking her if she could see the clock on the wall, headlines on a magazine, posters around the classroom, that kind of thing. When our class were in the library we would hold notes up to each other and that was a game she couldn't play !
ben 18 Jul 2009, 03:55
And - as a side note, please tell us more about how people 'tested' your nearsighted fellow at school.
And 18 Jul 2009, 03:07
I remember a friend at school who began to struggle a bit and as soon as others realised, they were always 'testing' her. My gf tends to squirm at the mention of eyesight and I'm guessing she'd not be able to see anything bare-eyed anyway. Do you still feel comfortable in public Clare ?
Clare 17 Jul 2009, 22:03
And - it depends on the environment. I think most people of my rx would be able to manage getting themselves from the car to the shop without their glasses. If you put them on the concourse of Victoria Station or Gatwick Airport then they'd have difficulty. And as to whether my friends would notice, I don't think so as I don't tend to squint alot, the only time they'd know is if they pointed something out that I couldn't see. This used to happen a few years back and that's quite embarrassing!
And 17 Jul 2009, 12:49
Clare, sure you're right, it's how you feel as an individual. My gf would surely have to wear her glasses but I suppose if you can manage ok without then you choose. Would your friends notice you were bare-eyed I wonder ?
Clare 17 Jul 2009, 12:22
And - yes of course! But given no real requirement to see well at distance, why not? I met a good friend on the train recently - same rx as me - complaining she couldn't see anything (slight exaggeration maybe) because she didn't have her contacts in, so I'm not alone. The reason is that I feel more attractive and confident without glasses - a bit like your girlfriend I suppose.
And 17 Jul 2009, 12:14
Clare, ha not stupid just a bit quirky perhaps. Is it not quite strange going bare-eyed in public when you are so used to contacts though ?
Aubrac 17 Jul 2009, 08:05
And
Soft lenses if properly fitted cause little or no pressure on the eyeball. In the old days of hard lenses and has been said with rigid gp lenses, it is necessary to take them out in order the eyeball, which tends to be flattened by them, can resume it's normal shape.
I must admit I've always had contact and lens check-ups done at the same time.
Clare 16 Jul 2009, 22:34
And - I've done both but being me I'd probably wear my glasses to drive into town then put them in my bag. I'm not so blind that I can't walk down to the shop without them. Stupid I know!
And 16 Jul 2009, 12:50
So Clare, do you wear your glasses to go in or do you take your contacts out when you arrive ?
Clare 15 Jul 2009, 23:15
And - yes, unless its a contact lense check up. Sometimes they're done in the same test but mine never seem to coincide!
ric 15 Jul 2009, 16:14
Hi And, well, we have to take the contacts off 24 hours if the contacts are soft, but last time, the doc told me i should have to go 3-4 days or better a week cause now i wear rgid permeable lenses. Of course we can wear the glasses.
And 15 Jul 2009, 15:19
Do contact lens wearers have to be bare-eyed for their eye test ?
Rachel 12 Jul 2009, 23:47
Chrissi. Lets go st the Strong Glasses Thread the.
Chrissi 12 Jul 2009, 14:47
Rachel, same, I hate it when doctors only bump you little by little and it makes me feel so embarrassed because I end up feeling like I should have been able to see those letters by these many clicks. And yes, we are on the wrong thread probably. Lol!
Plus, I also hate it when I can't distinguish letters that look somewhat alike. Very annoying.
Rachel 12 Jul 2009, 11:25
Melyssa. Yeah it really depends how much your eyes have changed between check-ups. Like sometimes with me at the moment its really embarrassing, cos even with my current rx in, some of the letters are indistinguishable after the first 3 lines. Then she starts increasing the rx gradually and I feel like saying for goodness sake bump me up a lot and give me a break. She seems scared of giving me too much somehow, I just can't undersatnd why when it's really obvious I need it. I feel so embarrassed.
Melyssa 12 Jul 2009, 07:53
Rachel,
I know what you mean. It used to be that way for me. Nowadays, they tell me to read the last line I can see with my current glasses and go from there. Of course, there can still be problems with letters or numbers that look basically the same (such as 6, 8, 9).
Rachel 11 Jul 2009, 09:52
Melyssa. It's not good at all without when i go for my check-ups now. Just nothing until she puts some minus in front of my eyes. i can usually get down to the fourth line with my old rx then its all a blur after that. The she starts "screwing" me up until i can get down the the third line from the bottom.
Melyssa 11 Jul 2009, 07:22
And,
That's exactly what I do. I don't take my glasses off until the [fill in job title here] tells me to. And they usually keep the lights off by the chart so I can't memorize it, not that I would ever want to.
ehpc 11 Jul 2009, 05:56
You are so cool Rachel :) Pete
Rachel 11 Jul 2009, 04:09
Pete. You really are a naughty guy. LOL
Rachel 11 Jul 2009, 04:07
Chrissi. I think we're on the wrong thread. We should be on Post Your Prescription not Going Without Glasses!! Anyway I suppose you will keep increasing quite a bit yet at only 14. It's inevitable really. But like you say you just have to accept it and take what comes with myopia. I think by September I'll definitely need my prescription increasing before we go back to school for the Autumn Term. Maybe another -1.00 or so which isn't all that much really considering where I am now. I think you may need that too Chrissi.
And 10 Jul 2009, 15:31
Melyssa, I guess now you leave your glasses on until you're sat down in the chair and then can't see anything much bare-eyed, is that the case
ehpc 10 Jul 2009, 14:40
Tell us all what happens in early September Rachel :) Pete
Melyssa 10 Jul 2009, 12:47
Generally when I have an eye exam, the prescription of my current glasses is checked, then my reading of the eye chart starts with that amount on the phoropter. But I always try to see the chart without my glasses when I first park it in the chair.
Chrissi 10 Jul 2009, 12:25
Rachel: Yes, I need a new rx for the new school year, so I will be probably getting an increase.
I don't mind if it's too much higher or if it's a small jump--I know that my eyes will get a lot worse eventually anyway! I'll just let nature take its course, accept the myopia that may come my way. lol. What do you think your new rx will be?
Rachel 10 Jul 2009, 02:10
Chrissi. I've not heard of that be4. Sounds weird. Is your next test for a prescription or not? Or will that be at the end of August. I go again at the beginning of September. By then I think my eyes will have deteriorated again hopefully! Yes I think I'll need a fairly big increase all being well. And you Chrissi? Do you want one too?
And 09 Jul 2009, 13:22
When you are already really shortsighted does the eye exam start at your current script ? As Melyssa says, bare-eyed I assume looking at the chart would be pointless.
Melyssa 09 Jul 2009, 13:01
I think that without glasses I saw the big "E" once during an eye exam in the last couple of decades.
Chrissi 09 Jul 2009, 12:29
Rachel, with my eye doctor, the lines show up on the screen individually, so I don't know which is the second or fourth or something. lol sorry.
My eye exam is next Friday. Time passes so quickly hm? And soon it will be time to see my regular ophthalmologist at the end of August and then it's school again!
Do you want a large increase?
Rachel 09 Jul 2009, 11:18
Chrissie. I could see right down to the 4th line last time I went so i was really pleased. I can never get the really bottom one though can you? I hope your check up goes well in 2 months. I go again in September, so fingers crossed.
Chrissi 09 Jul 2009, 09:47
Rachel: I go to the ophthalmologist twice a year because I'm at risk for an eye disease called "uveitis." But I only get a new script once a year. Usually at my six-month check-up, I'm at 20/30 or better so the doctor doesn't give me a new rx. Oh, and this year, my check-up is two months late because of disrupting school and all that lol.
Rachel 09 Jul 2009, 05:59
Chrissi. At least -12.50 I should think, but it depends how long it is since your last check up. Do you go every six months now, like I do? At least going so often, helps to keep you reasonable well corrected. Like my auntie once told me, once you start on the slippery slope there is no going back.
Chrissi 08 Jul 2009, 13:20
Andrew, my friend's roommate had a similar experience at a training camp.
At 3 AM my friend her name's Candy, awoke to hear the fire alarm ringing and the intercom blaring to go down to the first floor immediately.
She attempted to shake her roommate awake but the other girl was already on the floor.
In the commotion, the roommate had knocked her own glasses down from the nightstand and was on the ground patting the ground for them.
How scary that must be--to know that there's a fire (on another floor, but still) and not being able to find your glasses to leave the room!
Andrew 08 Jul 2009, 12:24
I guess it's everyone's nightmare when the 'phone rings at 1.20 a.m., which is what happened to me this morning. You know it's never going to be good news. On this occasion, it was my wife, whose car had broken down, and she had not got her AA card with her.
"It's in my handbag" was the message, and the handbag was somewhere downstairs. Why I did not stop to put my glasses on, I do not know, but I ended up having to identify it by the feel from among the other black bags stored in the same place. I was just grateful it was where I thought it would be...
Chrissi 08 Jul 2009, 11:43
Rachel, yes, I am undoubtedly still increasing. My eye exam is next week!
I wonder what my new rx will be.
Rachel 08 Jul 2009, 07:50
Chrissi. -11.75 is a really high rx for only 14 I reckon. I was only -7.75 and -8.50 at that age I everyone thought I was very high. I suppose its a silly question to ask if you are still increasing?
JP 07 Jul 2009, 23:49
Oops.... I missed my link!
And here's another case "without glasses", although using orthokeratology to "Wake up to 20/20 vision": http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jul/07/contact-lenses-vision
ehpc 07 Jul 2009, 13:58
However, Tanya, you will understand I needed some consolation and relaxation after that absurd experience. And the curry was free.
ehpc 07 Jul 2009, 13:56
Curry very calorific. And I am 12-14 pounds over my proper BM1 weight.................
ehpc 07 Jul 2009, 13:55
Hey Tanya :) XXXXXX How are you?
Tanya 07 Jul 2009, 13:06
ehpc,
That's a really fun story!! You managed to compose your thoughts without resorting to your usual trademark stereotypes in wide black frames, although for one split second I did expect the police woman would be wearing a pair.
Do you know the saturated fat content in a typical curry, or it's calorific value?
JP 07 Jul 2009, 12:15
And here's another case "without glasses", although using orthokeratology to "Wake up to 20/20 vision".
fred 07 Jul 2009, 09:49
Perhaps an interesting case of going without glasses here. Nicky Hambleton Jones seems to go without glasses in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAbUdu9-Qco. I wonder if she's really going bare eyed. She is said not to be able to wear contacts, but I wonder if she really went uncorrected in this case.
ehpc 06 Jul 2009, 16:12
Chrissi - I own a lovely home in my 'home country' of Scotland although I am not in fact living there at the moment. Pete
ehpc 06 Jul 2009, 16:10
In fact I would have liked it best of all, Jennifer, if the blonde Policewoman had been wearing black rectangular plastic frames with wide sides and minus lenses and it had been me checking out her chest ha ha
ehpc 06 Jul 2009, 16:07
Thank you Jennifer. The Policewoman was not GWG but I think I had probably already blown my chances on that occasion :) Pete
Chrissi 06 Jul 2009, 15:16
And. Yes, that's true...
And 06 Jul 2009, 14:21
No need to apologise, I suppose your rx increased rather quicker than some who would try and manage bare-eyed.
Chrissi 06 Jul 2009, 13:52
And. I actually can't remember the last time I was bare-eyed. Maybe that one elementary school play I talked about earlier...sorry, I don't have very many interesting stories about going without glasses...
And 06 Jul 2009, 12:52
Chrissie, what rx were you when you did last go bare-eyed, do you remember ?
Chrissi 06 Jul 2009, 12:12
Omigosh Pete, you must have had a crazy time there...lol.
Do you live near Scotland?
And: It was a fourth grade class production for the elementary school! lol. And I don't have a job yet, seeing as I'm only 14. And I can't go bare-eyed anymore...it's been a while since I have been able to go bare-eyed, seeing as I'm -11.25.
All4Eyes: That is exactly how I feel when people ask me to try my glasses. I feel helpless and nervous...
Jennifer 06 Jul 2009, 09:27
Pete, thanks for sharing such a story with us. You are so courageous to go swimming in the ocean without any correction. I recall you telling me about you love of swimming in the ocean. I can see that you have a desire to stay physically fit. Had no idea that you had heart surgery, but glad to see that you have recovered well. You were left without your glasses for quite a long time. At least your eyesight is good enough to see the the blonde policewoman checking out your chest. I'm sure you would have liked it more if she wore black framed glasses with wide sides.
Dieter 06 Jul 2009, 08:12
Pete,
That is the most amazing "going without glasses" story. I have experienced the difficulties of swimming with the blur at -3.25 but can't imagine how you can even find an ocean at -7.00. Worse yet, being forced to explain yourself to the police. Outstanding!
ehpc 04 Jul 2009, 10:45
.........................that she was staring at the massive scar which runs right down my chest which is a legacy from quadruple heart bypass surgery 10 years ago - NOT a sob story,as I never tire of telling people - Glasgow Royal Infirmary gave me a 100% physical recovery and although I am not in any sense a religious person it really is like having a New Life, being re-born. I am 54 now and feel better than I did when I was 30 - indeed better than I have at any time in my Life.Anyway, the blonde Policewoman evidently clocked that I must have had heart surgery, and her incredulity that I could have gone swimming far from the shore' in the quickly-advancing dusk, not being able to see, evidently conveyed itself to the three chaps.They nodded to each other, as the Police do, and in order to get the truth out of me one of the chaps said 'That's quite a scar you have there, sir. Did you get that seaswwimming?' Of course he knew that was complete bollocks, but he just wanted to get the truth out of me. So I volunteered the information that I had had quadruple heart bypass surgery some years previously. The four of them looked at each other in disbelief. Eventually, one of the chaps said 'I think you'd better come with us,sir.' They then got me to sit in a locked Police car, wearing only tiny swimming trunks and no glasses, whilst I made a statement.When this was all finished I had of course to ask them where my car was, as naturally I was unable to see it. They took me there,and I unlocked the car with the key which I had tied to my swimming trunks. I got dressed, and then went into the nearby curry house, from which people had been watching this event with hilarity. I was greeted with a round of applause and got a free curry. Pete
ehpc 04 Jul 2009, 10:31
Previous post from me. Continued above.................. Pete
04 Jul 2009, 10:31
I am about minus 7 and I go for long seaswims all the time with no glasses. I have had several pairs of prescription goggles made but I can never got used to them from the swimming angle. Frequently it takes me for ever to find my clothes when I eventualy wade ashore.On one occasion I was swimming off the West Coast of Scotland in the deepening gloom and I could vaguely hear voices on the shore calling me in. Naturally I just waved vaguely i their direction and ignored them. When I swam into the shore about half-an-hour later I realised (when I was about two feet away from them) that they were four members of the Strathclyde Police Force. Three men and one very attractive blonde woman. I learnt that some idiot and panicky member of the public had telephoned 999 thinking I was intent on committing suicide!!!!!!!!!!!!! How can people be so stupid???? The Police asked me why I didn't swim ashore when they asked me to half an hour previously. I said I was shortsighted and couldn't see them. They looked at each other with increasing despair. 'Not only does this chap go swimming in the dark, he can't see either' sort of looks.By this time there was a large audience streaming out from a nearby curry house pissing themselves laughing. I had no clothes on, obviously except for my trunks. I was however delighted that the very attractive blonde Policewoman was staring intently at my chest. being a chap, I naturally thought 'Wow, I'm in there!!!!' However, in due course I realised....................
All4Eyes 04 Jul 2009, 10:23
On this subject of "handing one's glasses over" I love it when people let me play with their glasses for a minute, and I especially loved it when I didn't have any of my own to play with. But now I'm not particularly interested unless the rx is at least as strong as my own, and since I'm -4 it's a bit hard to find such people, let alone convince them to "hand 'em over". But I understand too that people are nervous when they're standing there blind and you're holding their precious, fragile "eyes" in your hands, I even get a little nervous when people hold my glasses, but I enjoy it.
On the subject of "At what rx is going bare-eyed no fun anymore?" I've been wondering this myself. I went bare-eyed half of last Saturday, but it wasn't much fun this time, and then I had to do something on the computer and of course it was a blur. I could have squinted my way through it, but I broke down and got my glasses instead. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it that day, but I wonder if I may be starting to cross that "this isn't fun anymore line". It's a shame, I used to have so much fun in the blur, as I've documented here. But then sometimes I just get in moods where I just want to wear my glasses all the time.
I know I've brought this up before without replies, so maybe I'm the only weird person who experiences this, but have any of you other bare-eyed myopes noticed "reverse accomodation", where you can make your vision clearer by what feels like sort of pushing your eyeballs out of your head? I can but it hurts and I can't hold the focus more than a few seconds before things go blurry again. And I know I'm "accomodating" for my myopia because I don't have any astigmatism or prism or anything else.
Melyssa 04 Jul 2009, 10:20
They're jealous. Well, at least in my case, they're jealous of my big, bold, and beautiful frames, not so much the thickness of my lenses.
And 04 Jul 2009, 07:52
Lol, Rachel, I just know that many folk who don't wear glasses are fascinated by how they work and perhaps your friends like to try them.
happy 04 Jul 2009, 07:34
I agree Rachel, -7/8 really is no fun going bare eyed. I have recently learned to SCUBA dive. The pool sessions were fine, as everyone in the small group knew to leave my glasses where I left them at the side of the pool. The first dive in the big out doors, we kitted up & walked to the waters edge, I swapped my glasses for my prescription mask, and we did the dive. When we got out, no glasses! I had visions of me having to wear my dive mask to the cafe for lunch, and on the way home! Imagine the looks! Thankfully my friend located my glasses that some kind person had moved!
Melyssa 04 Jul 2009, 07:28
If I were ever to hand over my glasses to anyone, it would be to my husband, or someone at the ophthalmologist's office who has to check the glasses, or at the optician's to fix them. And outside the home, I would naturally have another pair or three with me.
Rachel 04 Jul 2009, 06:33
And. Around the -7/-8 mark probably. That's when it gets a bit scary without. No I don't hand my glasses over to other people. Don't make silly suggestions.
And 04 Jul 2009, 05:45
Rachel, was there a prescription when things as you say became 'scary' ? If someone now asks to see your glasses do you hand them over ?
Rachel 04 Jul 2009, 04:25
Hollie. We should be on this thread.
And 04 Jul 2009, 03:04
Chrissie, did you often do things bare-eyed ? How about now ?
And 03 Jul 2009, 15:39
Chrissie, ha don't give up your day job ! How did you find your way onto stage ?
Chrissi 03 Jul 2009, 10:57
Wow, that was a long post...sorry...
Chrissi 03 Jul 2009, 10:48
Hey everybody, I know this will sound absolutely incredulous, but it's true.
Once, when my rx was -6, my class had a drama production of Oliver Twist, and for both performances, I went on stage bare-eyed. (I didn't have a big part at all--no speaking parts, lol) Of course, it wasn't as bad since we had been rehearsing for almost three months, but now that I think back on it, I wonder why I ever performed without my glasses! What difference did it make...it's not like I looked any better without them but at least I could have seen better!
Hey, that reminds me of a joke, if you don't mind me telling it...
Man 1: So are you sure this horse does good field work?
Man 2: Yes, I am sure, but he don't look good.
Man 1: I don't care what he looks like, as long as he's a good worker. I'll take him.(Gives $$ to Man 2)
later....
Man 1 discovers that the horse is blind
and is at court suing Man 2.
Man 2: But Judge, I told him that the horse no look good.
Can you figure it out from there?
lol I'm so bad at explaining jokes.
Rachel 03 Jul 2009, 05:59
Brian -16 you should try and talk to Emily in Lenschat. She is now approaching -16.00, according to her own calculations, and seems perfectly happy with her single vision lenses despite the minification. In fact she much prefers them to bifocals. Also she has virtually 20/20 vision when she is fully corrected.
Cactus Jack 26 Jun 2009, 06:46
Brian- 16,
Sometime, as an experiment, you might try a form of GOC by wearing a significant portion of your minus correction in sphere only contact lenses and the balance - cylinder, prism and add - in glasses. The reduced minus in your glasses would minimize the reduced image size caused by high minus lenses and vertex distance.
With your complex Rx, you would want to work with your ECP and do a refraction with the CLs in place and stable. It might get you closer to 20/20.
C.
Brian-16 26 Jun 2009, 04:32
Like Lenses
I have 20/25 overall with my specs.More correction makes things smaller.I have an rx of -15 and prism correction.
Like Lenses 25 Jun 2009, 23:49
I only have 20/25 vision with glasses. The optometrist tried stronger lenses, but the minification made it worse,could only read the 20/30 line.
Like Lenses 25 Jun 2009, 00:57
Even though my glasses are not that strong -2.50 both eyes, I wear them constantly ,for distance, and reading.They go on even before I get out of bed, and stay on until I go to bed. Even with my previous -1.25 I was very uncomfortable with out them. Vision without is 20/350. And my eyes do get red and irritated if I take them off , especially for near work.
I always carry a back up pair.Even if I take them off for cleaning, I put the back up pair on .
Rachel J 24 Jun 2009, 05:05
It's not me with them Carlos junior. It's the other Rachel that posts here.
Carlos, Jr 24 Jun 2009, 03:56
Rachel, how are the new bifocals?
Rachel 24 Jun 2009, 01:52
And. She's probably something like -9.00 or -10.00 but it's difficult to say exactly
And 23 Jun 2009, 11:10
Ha, no I meant my gf's.
Rachel J 23 Jun 2009, 10:55
And. Whose scrip? mine? Yeah mine are, especially my pair with CR39 lenses.
And 23 Jun 2009, 10:06
Rachel, with her script they will be thick won't they ?
Carlos, Jr 23 Jun 2009, 03:38
Rachel, did you pick up your bifocals yesterday? How do you like them?
Rachel 22 Jun 2009, 22:31
And. I've heard contacts can be addictive especially if you are quite myopic. Like your gf was dead keen to get another contact in her eye as soon as she could. She was probably pretty blind in that eye I reckon. She would probably let you see her in glasses if they were not very thick. have you thought of that?
And 22 Jun 2009, 15:10
Rachel, my gf had to replace a contact as a speck of something was irritating it so I took the opportunity to ask her about her vision. I think she played it down a bit as she did say she would feel vunerable without correction but talked about not really being able to watch tv rather than the whole world being a blur. I didn't want to push it & she inserted a new contact immediatly.
Rachel 22 Jun 2009, 12:00
Clare. That's quite low really.
Clare 22 Jun 2009, 08:20
Rachel - I'm -2.75 & -3. Small amount of cyl.
Rachel 22 Jun 2009, 06:51
Clare, What rx are you now?
Clare 21 Jun 2009, 07:00
Adalle - I'm pretty close to your girlfriend's Rx. It's not difficult to go without glasses/contacts if it's a bright day but a gloomy day makes it much worse. That would explain why she absolutely needed them as soon as dusk came. If I don't have my contacts in I'm happy enough to wander around the house with no correction, but if I need to see the TV or someone/something across the room obviously I can't.
Rachel 21 Jun 2009, 06:59
Galileo. What rx was she?
Galileo 19 Jun 2009, 22:16
Adalle - your girlfriend would see better in bright sunlight without glasses since her iris would close down to a smaller aperture increasing the natural depth of field of her eye and therefore improving her vision. Once out of the sunshine her iris would open up and she would experience the full blur of her prescription.
rachel J 19 Jun 2009, 11:30
I can't remember who she was but she was talking about skin tans on breakfast TV
Adalle 19 Jun 2009, 11:23
eyespy : -3 in both eyes
Rachel J 18 Jun 2009, 23:14
Melyssa.
It feels like we are in the wrong thread for this topic of conversation.
Rachel J 18 Jun 2009, 23:13
Melyssa.
I must admit they did look pretty cool and I could see there were some power rings showing down the outside edges. I reckon they must be on the cards to come into fashion again. When was it they were fashionable before? 1960s or something??
18 Jun 2009, 13:36
who was this fashion expert and what show was this on, i am in uk too
eyespy 18 Jun 2009, 13:25
Adalle
How low minus are your girlfriend's glasses? She seems do well with and without them ;)
Melyssa 18 Jun 2009, 12:53
Rachel J,
Send that fashion expert to the U.S. And if she can throw a baseball, the Phillies need some pitchers. LOL
I wouldn't mind having a butterfly-shaped frame if it were big enough, regardless of color. And when I have interest in someone's glasses, it's the frame, not the lenses, as not too many women have prescriptions like ours.
Adalle 18 Jun 2009, 11:21
I was on vacation with my girlfriend during last weekend. She has a low minus prescription and she wears her glasses constantly. But this weekend, it was very sunny, so during the day she wore her sunglasses, which have no prescription. I was amazed at how well she could function without them. Until sunset she never felt the need to wear her glasses. Whenever she couldn’t see something, she was just asking me.
During the night it was totally different. She switched to her red-pink plastic frames, which I had bought to her last week, and she was never taking them off. At one moment I got curious and using the pretext of a romantic and passionate kiss I slowly removed her glasses. After the kiss, I kept them for a while (asking for more kisses to give them back ;-) ), but she kept asking for them. She said she couldn’t cope without them because the lights of the street seemed blurry and were making her feel dizzy. Of course I gave them back, but it was a bit weird.
And a small “going-with-glasses-without-needing-them” story. Last night I was at her place watching a movie. During the movie she started kissing me and quite intentionally she smudged her glasses on my face and asked me to clean them. Of course it was the perfect chance for her to stop the movie, saying she couldn’t see a thing without them and as I was cleaning the glasses, she … started the foreplay. When I tried her glasses on, she laughed and teased me but urged me to keep them on as we were having sex. She even got up later and put her old glasses on, so that we would both be bespectacled.
All4Eyes 18 Jun 2009, 10:59
Oh, Susanne, it is so good to see you again! Or barely see you again, as the case may be. You have been such an inspiration to me in my own bare-eyed adventures. I'm spexy at the moment, but in your honor I may just do another bare-eyed Saturday (who knows, maybe I'll even hold out till Sunday this time?).
Susanne DK 18 Jun 2009, 02:17
Thanks for encouraging me to write about my bareeyed experiences. (FYI I'm around -3,75).
I remember having exchanged glasses with my friend for fun, she is around -8,00, so none of could see very well. But we always enjoyed playing around with our glasses. As it so happened, we were going to meet with some other friends and go away for the weekend. One of the guys were quite hooked on my -8 friend wearing my glasses, and as we were sitting on the train for our tour, she asked to have her glasses back whilst the 2 boys were gone to the restaurant car for a moment. When they came back with sandwiches, her new friend (they only met the weekend before, I think) told her to put her own glasses on again. I.e. mine... And so the whole weekend went on as he was very insiting, and she wanted to obey. We both were blind as bats, but decided to keep the show going. But by Sunday before lunch we gave in. We both had horrific headaches, and simply couldn't cope any longer. As if this was not bad enough, when I took my friends glasses off, and wanted to give them back to her, she missed grapping them because she couldn't see, and her glasses fell on the ground and broke on the middle.
She had to keep my glasses for the rest of the weekend, and I was forced to try to function without any glasses on. We still talk about this episode, and in the back mirror it is quite funny. But trust me, our eyes were so sore and red for days after.
Rachel J 18 Jun 2009, 01:34
Melyssa. I'm just slightly worse than you, so i have to get nearer the screen. On TV in the UK this morning a fashion expert came on wearing big plastc framed glasses like butterflies. You would have loved them, except her lenses didn't look all that thick.
Melyssa 17 Jun 2009, 12:46
Rachel J,
I can see the letters properly when I'm within about 6 inches of the screen, not exactly very comfy.
In my case, my world is contained within two thick BIG pieces of plastic. LOL
Melyssa 17 Jun 2009, 12:44
Susanne,
Other than when sleeping, the longest I'm ever without my glasses is about 20 minutes or so when I shower and then dry my face first so I can put my glasses back on. Since becoming a fulltime wearer I don't recall having had my eyes hurt or redden.
Rachel J 17 Jun 2009, 01:49
Susanne DK. My eyes feel really dry and weak if I go without glasses for any length of time. It's like they want some really strong lenses to look through. I think with wearing glasses permanently for almost ten years, they just feel like spare parts without them.
Rachel J 17 Jun 2009, 01:45
Melyssa. Yes I know what you mean. To see the computer screen properly and actually read the letters, I more or less have to put my nose on it. It's pathetic I know, but that's how bad I am now. It's like my whole world is contained in two thick little pieces of plastic. You never think it will come to that when you first start with glasses do you?
sum1wholovesgirlswithglasses 16 Jun 2009, 15:10
I agree with R Ed.Susanne DK it would be great to read something about your bareeyed related experiences,i and many others really loved enjoyed your older entries
R Ed 16 Jun 2009, 14:11
Susanne DK,
Some time ago you posted amazing "going without glasses" stories. In one, didn't you and some friends fly from the UK to Denmark for some going without glasses adventures?
Have you had any more recent experiences you'd like to share?
Thanks for posting today.
Susanne DK 16 Jun 2009, 10:08
Melyssa and Rachel,
Do your eyes hurt and get red when you don't wear your glasses for a little while?
And 16 Jun 2009, 09:59
That's kinda what I meant - if you were sat together bare-eyed and someone approached would M be able to see them before R ?
Melyssa 16 Jun 2009, 07:50
Rachel J,
Sitting about 2 feet from the computer screen, looking over my glasses (when not typing), I see colors and blurred text. And it's not something I would want to do for more than a few seconds.
Rachel 16 Jun 2009, 07:12
Melyssa. You are dead right, to be honest. If I try to putting on my old -9.00 glasses, everything looks pretty blurry now. But what I meant was that without glasses, both you and I would barely be able to recognize anything unless it was really close. If you see what I mean. lol
Melyssa 16 Jun 2009, 06:53
I'm sure there's a big difference between -9.00 and -12.00, even though Rachel and I both struggle to see bare-eyed. I've tried wearing 2 pairs at once, which should theoretically make me -18.00, but I can't see anything, much less twice the distance.
Rachel j 15 Jun 2009, 22:21
And.
I'm not sure if Melyssa's are as strong as mine. I think she's around the -9.00 mark, whereas I'm around -12.00 now which is obviously three dioptres more myopic. Usually by the time people reach -3.00 they definitley start fulltime wear, as things have got pretty blurred without glasses. I have heard of some people holding out until they reach -4.00 but most have given in by -3.00. That should give you an idea of the the differnece between Melyssa's helplessness and mine.
Glenn 15 Jun 2009, 16:53
Hi And, No she does not like to take them off and let others try them on. Many people have asked because her glasses are so thick
And 15 Jun 2009, 14:21
Is there much difference between your script Rachel J and Melyssa's. You both describe the world as being a blur without your specs, is there a point when being bare-eyed is kinda the same ?
Rachel 15 Jun 2009, 11:12
And.
Not really no. My mum would have had to have come and picked me up, if they had been totally smashed. It's easy to forget to take spare glasses with you. I know I should, but I still don't very often. Except when we go away on holiday, then I have my tinted prescription sun glasses.
And 15 Jun 2009, 08:56
Rachel J, you were lucky they weren't rendered useless, could you have coped ? Carry some spares !
Glenn, does your gf ever let anyone try hers / take them off anytime etc
Glenn 15 Jun 2009, 01:40
Hi Rachel, My girlfriend has to wear thick glasses to see.When her glasses fall off she cannot see enough to find them.She usually has to grop for them or call ut for someone to help find themif no one helps right away.One time sking they came off and got crushed .She was helpless and the ski patrol had to help her down to get her spare pair from her car.
Rachel J 14 Jun 2009, 22:54
And.
I did once actually. About 3 years ago playing hockey at school my glasses got knocked off in a tackle. Well I couldn't find them could I. Then this other girl said are these your glasses Rachel? Oh my God you should have seen them. Someone had actaully todden on them and they were all bent. Fortunately the lenses were ok but I looked so ridiculous in them I could have cried. I couldn't ait to get home and dig my old pair out for the next few days until I got some new ones.
And 14 Jun 2009, 11:32
Rachel J, I assume you've never had an incident when you wish you had spare glasses. My gf wears contacts and always carries spare cl and glasses
Melyssa 14 Jun 2009, 07:18
Rachel J,
I have been "stuck on" -9.00 since 1992, which is fortunate in that I don't have to spend zillions of dollars to update all of my lenses. You should always carry a spare pair with you, even if it's your glasses from your previous RX. Maybe you can find a 2-pair deal next time you need new glasses.
Rachel J 13 Jun 2009, 22:57
Melyssa. Is -9.00 your current rx? I never bother carrying spair glasses most of the time. Maybe I should.
Melyssa 13 Jun 2009, 08:06
And, Rachel J,
I used to have prescription sunglasses, but it would be a slight problem having to change from/to regular glasses while driving. I was eventually able to get those big wraparound shades that fit over regular glasses, those sunglasses being easier to put on and take off.
I always carry a spare pair or three of regular glasses in my pocketbook, and one day at work, I swatted at an insect, my big black-framed glasses fell off and hit the asphalt of the parking lot, so I just put on another pair. That black pair was broken and could not be repaired.
Melyssa 13 Jun 2009, 08:02
And,
For p.e., I did not want to wear my old plastic frames, due to them being likely to fall off following a prolonged period of perspiring -- or having a volley ball or field hockey ball smack right into it. As for lunch, I always sat at the same table with my cl'osest friends, so we'd know where we were.
Melyssa 13 Jun 2009, 07:58
Rachel J,
Whether you wear your glasses a lot or hardly at all when starting out doesn't really affect how nearsighted you'll be. I've known some people who wore glasses right away and their RXs are less than mine. It's mostly genetics and what you use your eyes for (such as lots of reading, etc.).
And 13 Jun 2009, 04:44
Melyssa / Rachel(s) do you have prescription sunglasses and have you ever had any incidents when you've had to call on your spare glasses ?
Rachel J 12 Jun 2009, 23:22
Melyssa. I went fulltime form the start Melyssa. I really wanted them on, and my mother used to do everything she could to persuade me not to wear them a lot. Now she says that's why my eyes are so bad. lol I don't reckon it is though, do you?
And 12 Jun 2009, 14:24
I would think p.e. would be difficult enough at -3, not to mention trying to spot your friends in the dining room.
Melyssa 12 Jun 2009, 12:37
And,
I would guess that my prescription was somewhere in the -3 range or so. I knew I would have to wear glasses fulltime in order to be able to learn to drive, and in the last few months of 11th grade I was wearing my brown hexagon glasses between classes, just taking them off for physical education and lunch (which fortunately were consecutive that year).
And 11 Jun 2009, 14:14
Thanks Melyssa, do you remember your rx when you went full-time. Was it a difficult decision at 16 ?
Melyssa 11 Jun 2009, 12:56
And,
I did everything bare-eyed for about the first 8 years of my life. LOL Seriously though, since going fulltime with glasses (and fortunately, plastic lenses by then) at 16, shoveling snow and mowing the lawn are/were about all I do/did bare-eyed.
Melyssa 11 Jun 2009, 12:54
Rachel,
You can say that again. Besides, if I wore my glasses during the nighttime activity, I'd see too well and be too awake. To see the moon, maybe. To see my husband sawing wood in bed, probably. Other than that, I'll keep my referee-like vision at night.
And 11 Jun 2009, 09:54
Rachel, have you ever been in a position that you describe - bare-eyed and having to get around ?
Phil 11 Jun 2009, 09:12
Rachel, I'd love to see you try!! Do you squint or are you beyond squinting?
Astra 11 Jun 2009, 08:39
Rachel, can you read texts without glasses within a very short distance, say, 10 cm ?
Danbert 11 Jun 2009, 01:37
Astra, that simulator isn't mine - I just found it. Thanks for the comments though.
Rachel 11 Jun 2009, 00:42
Astra. All I know is when I take my glasses off everything is a total blur now. The colours are really of no consequence at all. It's the images that are important when you are trying to find your ay around in a strange place. Like a chair or something, you might end up walking in to. Even a glass door is a pain to see. Going without glasses is hardly an option for me now.
Astra 11 Jun 2009, 00:01
Danbert, thanks for making the "simulation". But the simulation looks a bit awkward, especially at the lower end. I suppose the distant images for -2 to -3.5 is slightly more blurry, brighter and less grayish. I suppose -4 is about right, but slightly brighter, and I am not sure about -4.5 and beyond.
Your simulation appears like a simulation of fog... and kind of similar to a simulation of cataract instead of myopia. For myopia, I suppose with your original image, light just diffuses from 0 to -4. I am not sure about high myopes, though.
Rachel 10 Jun 2009, 23:39
Melyssa.
Well I'm the same. Who can be bothered groping for glasses in the night when you are deperate for the loo and then want to get back to sleep again. Some of these guys here have no consideration when they ask questions like they do. lol
Rachel 10 Jun 2009, 23:38
And. Surely if get to you know her pretty well (your gf I mean) she will take you into her confidence about how bad her eyes really are. She may be quite worried about how bad her myopia is going to get and not want you to see how helpless she is without glasses. Kind of a pride thing. We not just try introducing the subject now and then sympathetically and see how she re-acts?
And 10 Jun 2009, 16:49
Oops sorry my last was directed to Melyssa
And 10 Jun 2009, 16:48
When your rx was less did you do anything bare-eyed ?
And 10 Jun 2009, 16:11
Rachel, yes when I first realised my gf wore contacts I asked about her vision and realised she wasn't comfortable talking about it. She said she was 'blind as a bat'. Her myopia started in college and she began wearing contacts straight away, perhaps that's why she doesn't like glasses now.
Melyssa 10 Jun 2009, 12:47
Rachel,
I've never paid any attention to gray patterns or any other color(s) while going for "office visits" during the night. I did see a blurry, white, almost-full moon last night. If I wasn't so tired then, I would have put on my last glasses from the evening and looked at it better.
Melyssa 10 Jun 2009, 12:45
And,
Since way back then, the closest I've come to swimming was when my husband's family lived by the beach in the Carolinas, and he and I would walk along the ocean's edge. I wore glasses for those escapades, matching my swimsuit whenever possible.
Rachel 10 Jun 2009, 10:42
Danbert. Yeah, it sounds like you've got the correct explanation for the greyish forms I see without my glasses. It's like all the bright colours have just got washed out kind of. Obviously my retina is not receiving a perfect coloured image when it is not corrected by a concave lens. Yeah, if there is no cloud or anything in the sky and it's all blue, without glasses it does look blueish like. It's dead weird without glasses to be honest and I don't really like being without them now.
Puffin 10 Jun 2009, 07:57
It has to be said there's a lot of grey in that photo to start with. To me it's more muddy than grey, a bit like an impressionist painting gone mad.
Danbert 10 Jun 2009, 07:50
According to the simulation, -3D is about the limit of being able to appreciate objects in the far distance. Even at -4D they look pretty grey and shapeless.
It would be lovely if people of varying prescriptions were able to tell us what their actual distance vision is like without glasses.
Bart 10 Jun 2009, 07:32
isn't the -6/-9 simulated vision too bad?
The binoculars just in front cannot even be seen... Someone with this rx can tell something about?
Danbert 10 Jun 2009, 07:13
Rachel, the grey phenomenon you mention makes perfect sense, although I haven't found a concise explanation / interpretation on the web.
This is my understanding. Feel free to point out any problems with it:
1. Light entering the myopic eye refracts in such a way that it does not converge to the correct point on the retina.
2. For someone with low myopia, light hitting the retina "misses the mark" by a small amount. The result is that colours are slightly misplaced and a blurry image results.
3. For someone with high myopia, light hitting the retina "misses the mark" by a large amount. This effectively randomises the colours (wavelengths) of light which hit the retina. The result is a view of the world more or less in blurry shades of grey
4. If the light entering the eye in an extremely high myope was of an even distribution of all colours (wavelengths) in the visible spectrum, then that person would simply see white and not grey at all. In reality, there is not an even distribution and so the person is likely to see grey.
I found a little simulator written in Flash which ranges from 0 to -9D. It wouldn't be accurate at all I'm sure but hopefully gives a basic idea of the effect that one would expect in the myopic eye:
http://www.muldenblick.de/lif/swf/nymyopia.swf
Rachel, if you look up at a completely clear blue sky without your glasses, I assume that it appears somewhat blue and not too grey to you :)
Rachel 09 Jun 2009, 23:20
And. I dunno really. It's just that all the colours seem greyish lind of. I'm sure your gf will experience that too. It's not a problem really, cos like Melyssa says when you have lived in a house a long time and everything stays where its always been you can cope to find you way around more or less. It's just the stairs that are the worst, cos you can't actually see them, and if someone has moved soem furnoture around or something stupid like that. Then you tend to walk into it and bang you legs kind of. Why don't you ask your gf about these things. is she very self-conscious or something?
And 09 Jun 2009, 15:54
Rachel, what did you mean about not seeing colours ? Would that be the same for my gf ?
And 09 Jun 2009, 14:13
Oops excuse the mis-spelling of your name
And 09 Jun 2009, 14:13
Malyssa, thanks. Do you still swim now ?
Melyssa 09 Jun 2009, 13:51
And,
I don't squint with my current prescription, and I can't recall the last time I'd done it. I am able to find my way to a very important place during the night sans glasses, because I know where everything is after many years in my house.
Rachel 09 Jun 2009, 11:36
And. Sometimes. lol. Most of them can't see a thing with them. Wow Rachel, they say, you must be so blind. Actually last time I had my eyes tested, when the optician had finished testing me, he forgot to give me my glasses back and I had to ask him for them before I could move an inch. Oh I am sorry Rachel, he said, that was most unthinking of me. It's ok, I said as he put me them on, It's just that I'm pretty blind without them.
And 09 Jun 2009, 11:08
Thanks Rachel, do your friends still like trying your glasses and 'testing' your eyes ? When you go to the opticians are you ever left bare-eyed ? There were some intersting posts on that subject a while ago.
Rachel 09 Jun 2009, 10:50
And. To be honest I can barely make anything out now without my glasses. Only sort of blurred grey shapes and outlines and stuff. No colours. Sometimes if I waken up early in the morning in the summer and it's daylight I try squinting to see if it still make things any clearer, but really and truthfully its barely noticeable now. In the end I just thankfully reach for my glasses. No I manage the loo ok in the night if I need to go, really because I don't want to waken up properly. Luckily it's just next to my bedroom so I can feel my way ok.
And 09 Jun 2009, 10:27
Rachel/Melyssa, is there a point when your prescription means that you don't bother squinting when without your glasses ? If you get up in the night do you put them on ?
Rachel 08 Jun 2009, 21:57
And. I have actually still got 7 pairs of old glasses in the bottom drawer of my bedside table. Yes like you say, when I take my glasses off before going to sleep, I just stick them still opened on top of my bedside table, ready for putting straight back on, more or less as soon as I waken up next morning. Sometimes I lie in bed and try looking around my bedroom for a few moments without them but I soon reach out for them and stick them on because everything looks so ridiculously blurred. If someone were to secretly move them during the night, I would definitely have a big problem finding them. lol
And 08 Jun 2009, 14:39
Rachel, stick to glasses if you're happy, that's what counts. How many pairs do you have ? Ages ago a few people commented on their glasses bedtime/morning routines, do yours sit on the bedside table ? I know my gf keeps hers firmly in the bottom of her bag but perhaps one day I'll see them.
And 08 Jun 2009, 14:30
Your rx at that time would be similar to my gf's so it's interesting to know what her vision is like. Did you do anything else bare-eyed ?
Melyssa 08 Jun 2009, 12:42
And,
Having made that trip hundreds of times from the table (or even a beach chair) to the pool and back (not more than 10 feet, I'd say), and looking down most of the time so as not to step on an uneven surface the wrong way, it wasn't too bad. My mother was always there with me (it was her first cousin's place, so my mother always went along and drove), and on rare occasions she'd say, "Melyssa, this way." Naturally I would start to turn "that way" just for fun.
Rachel 08 Jun 2009, 11:45
And. I don't know. I've never heard of them actually. Well like I said before if I'm being honest I like wearing glasses best. It's only my mother that keeps nattering about me trying contacts because my lenses have got so thick now. Like last time when I came home in my new glasses she said to me "Oh no rachel, not thicker again!" So I just replied, "Well Mum I really need." What else could I say.
And 08 Jun 2009, 08:57
Rachel, there are lenses you can keep in overnight aren't there ? Perhaps you could just have them as an alternative but hey specs are brill. I often wonder what my gf will look like in hers.
ehpc 08 Jun 2009, 08:45
Stick with your hot glasses, Rachel :) Pete
Rachel 08 Jun 2009, 06:59
JC. Well she couldn't because she could hardly see a thing. Although she's not as bad as me she's pretty myopic.
JC 08 Jun 2009, 06:50
If I ever had a doctor get "really mad" with me I'd leave the office immediately and find a professional to help me.
Rachel 07 Jun 2009, 23:23
And. Yeah, I bet she has daily disposables. It's just that I hate the thought of having to put them in and pull them out before I go to sleep at night. A girl I know at school has some and she once went to bed and forgot to take them out and fell asleep with them in. When she woke up next morning her eyes were in a terrible state. All dry and red and they felt so sore she daren't get them out. So she had to go to the opticians for them to do it. They were really mad with her and told her if she did it again she would have to go back to wearing her glasses fulltime like me. That's why I think contacts are a bit scarry.
And 07 Jun 2009, 15:48
Melyssa, was it a bit scary, did you have company, was it not difficult to even find your way back to the table ?
And 07 Jun 2009, 15:32
Rachel, she has said that she gets better vision from lenses than glasses and that she hates ever having to wear them, although I know she owns a pair -personal preference I suppose but in the time I've known her I've not known her have any problems, I think she changes them daily.
Melyssa 07 Jun 2009, 08:07
The last time I went swimming in a pool (as opposed to my car during Hurricane Floyd's 7-inch rainstorm, ha, ha), my prescription was -8.50. It was the pool at my cousin's house. I would change into my swimsuit inside, and walk out to poolside, put my glasses in my pocketbook on a table, and alternate swimming and catching some rays, all without glasses, but using little oval items on my eyes to keep the sun out from there. When I was done swimming for the day, I'd dry my face off and put my sexy glasses back on.
Rachel 07 Jun 2009, 07:39
And. BTW is your gf comfortable wearing contacts? My mother keeps wanting me to try them and so far I have resisted, being a glasses fan. But with my eyes getting so much worse recently, I wonder if they would help me to see things better. I hate it when my distance vision gets blurry and simply long for stronger glasses again. There's nothing like it when you look through thicker lenses for the first time, everything becomes so crisp and clear.
Rachel 07 Jun 2009, 03:44
And. Oh my God no! At -7.50 she would be really struggling and feel very vulnerable. It's one thing groping around home without correction at that rx, but quite another when you are in strange surroundings. Please watch out for her and don't let anything like that happen to her. Also she should keep her glasses handy in case it does and she needs to wear them in an emergency.
And 07 Jun 2009, 02:30
Someone joked to my gf about pushing her in the pool on holiday and she said she'd be really worried her lenses might pop out.At -7.50 would she be ok to find her way back to her sunbed ?
Rachel 06 Jun 2009, 22:45
Galileo. I'm not at all surprised at -8.50. She must have been unable to see hardly anything clearly at all. I hated swimming at school by the time I had reached -6 to -7 so I can understand what she was going through. And if she had kept her glasses on all the splashes make it a pain etc.
Galileo 06 Jun 2009, 22:11
My ex girlfriend regularly went swimming without correction. Her Rx was -8.5. She had worked out the big landmarks between the corner of the pool which had a ladder into the water and the doors to the changing rooms. She always took a locker just inside the door on the end row and the first thing inside the locker door was her glasses. However the first time I went with her I realised she was breaking all the pool rules because she didn't realise there were any - she couldn't see any of the signs by the pool.
And 06 Jun 2009, 18:24
Chat on another thread about swimming - what's the strongest script anyone has had and still gone swimming bare-eyed ?
14 Apr 2009, 02:11
http://tirol.orf.at/stories/347603/ google.com/translate With glasses and fall orientation verlorenIm Zillertaler has Lanersbach Tuesday morning a young woman initiated a search. The 19-year-old highly myopic locals had a walk in the woods completely the orientation verloren.Junge woman has four diopter is a strange story, which Tuesday morning officials of the police in Mayrhofen represents. The 19-year-old was referred to its own data against a clock early visit by a local come home. Shortly before four clock was then one more round left. In the forest they had lost their way and fallen. In so doing, they lost their glasses. With four diopter is the wife severely short-sighted and it has obviously after the fall of the orientation is lost. On all fours she crawls toward Tal.Unterkühlt but unverletztNachbarn have fortunately the cries of the girl, and the police. When four mountain rescuers arrived, the young woman was already found. She was unhurt, but had to be subdued and hospitalized after Schwaz treatment.
marsh 13 Apr 2009, 04:01
ASTRA, Yes, I have many other interesting things to share. More of same and ...... Look at some of my other posts in SG, GWG etc.many more, what do you want to talk about. Come to Lenschat 11:30am EDT or 430pm edt. If not, you say when and we'll discuss it. ciao
Astra 13 Apr 2009, 01:55
marsh, that's interesting. do you have more to share?
13 Apr 2009, 01:35
babelfish translation In the case of fall eyeglasses and orientation verlorenIm Zillertaler Lanersbach released Tuesday-early a young Mrs. a search action. The 19-jährige strongly short-sighted native ones had lost orientation with a walk in the forest completely. Young woman has four DioptrienEs is a strange history, which presents itself Tuesday-early to the official of the police in Mayrhofen. The 19-Jährige had home come to own data against clock early from a restaurant visit. Shortly before four o'clock went it then again a round. In the forest it got then off the way and fell. It lost its eyeglasses. With four diopters the woman is with difficulty short-sighted and her obviously after the fall orientation lost. On all four she crawled toward valley-undercooled however uninjured neighbours then fortunately the cries of the girl finally heard and the police informed. When four mountain rescuers arrived, the young woman was already found. It was undercooled uninjured, but and had to be admitted in the hospital after Schwaz.
13 Apr 2009, 01:28
a very nearsighted girl who lost her glasses in the forest http://tirol.orf.at/stories/347603/
marsh 28 Feb 2009, 04:25
lets do it
I had a gf, -8 herself, who would not wear glasses in her house, she made me leave my -8's (or -11 by then, forgot long ago) by the door and she had tv close to everything and tables high to see to read and eat etc.. she would get mad if i went to put my coke bottles on. maybe there is something to it ??
marsh 27 Feb 2009, 12:09
I did not know this was a thread. I POSTED A CHALLENGE TO HIGH MYOPES TO GO WITHOUT ON STRONG GLASSES SITE. IM NEW HERE. I had coke bottles since 7 and until jr hi and -5.5 did not wear them, things were different when i was kid. as my eyes stretched (became more myopic) i could not get around anymore. lenses were v e r y thick then - even -8's by 11th grade. Now I have lenses -11 and -4.5 that is combination where I can get to 20/40 with correction. I had retina ops too and scar tissue.. any others, ciao marsh
IC 27 Feb 2009, 11:22
Why not tell us about your experiences, "And" ?
It'd make a change from the usual tedious questioning that typifies your contribution to ES.
And 27 Feb 2009, 10:39
Ages since anyone posted to this thread - is there no-one out there who has glasses but still goes without sometimes ?
MJ 28 Jan 2009, 14:51
Dan
Are you still wearing full time and if so what's the reaction been? Good I hope.
Cactus Jack 28 Jan 2009, 07:07
Eye Tri,
Apparently, I can't do math early in the morning or late at night for that matter. For 40 mm the numbers should have been -25 glasses and +25 readers. Not considering vertex distance effects.
C.
Cactus Jack 28 Jan 2009, 05:36
Eye Tri,
If you can read something at 40 mm (about 1.6 inches) you either have incredible accommodation, you should be wearing -22 glasses, or you are wearing +22 reading glasses. I meant 40 cm (about 16 inches) measured from the eye. Lens power in diopters = 100 cm divided by distance in cm or = 39.37 inches divided by distance in inches.
C.
Like Lenses 28 Jan 2009, 03:22
5 - Rx is -1.50 with -1.50 cyl. each eye. Vision without glasses is 20/300 each eye, and blurring at all distances due to the astigmatism.
Wear glasses full time, and always have a back up pair.
EyeTri 28 Jan 2009, 02:38
Cactus Jack:
I'm assuming you mean 40mm (not cm) reading distance for an "add" of + 2.50. Is that 40mm measured from the eye or the surface of the lens?
27 Jan 2009, 22:01
typo should read +2.50 not _2.50
Cactus Jack 27 Jan 2009, 22:00
Astra,
Normal is what you prefer. Typical is 40 cm which requires _2.50 to focus, thus an add of +2.50 is very common in bifocals, but some people like to read closer. I like to read in bed with a +3.00 add to my distance Rx.
eyespy, it depends on the quality of the image from the best eye for the situation. The brain will choose the best image and use information from the blurrier image to supplement if possible. That is why monovision works for some people, One eye is set for distance and the other is set for close. The brain selects the best image for the situation.
The key word there is SOME. Some people can't tolerate monovision, others love it.
C.
C.
eyespy 27 Jan 2009, 20:54
Cactus
You mention that people without a big difference between their eyes or significant astigmatism can happily read without their glasses. How much difference does there need to be (eg I diopter or more) before reading without glasses with a low prescription becomes uncomfortable? Ditto astigmatism, is it 1D or more and does + or - cyl make any difference?
Astra 27 Jan 2009, 20:30
Re Cactus: I do think so... But I would like to ask, what's the normal reading distance for normal eyes? I think it's around 60 cm?
More about my roommate: She almost never squint for distance, with or without her glasses.
Is it true that given the same amount of blur, there are slightly different tolerance of blur between individuals in their brain? I have seen an individual with just -1 squints a lot for distance without glasses, while another individual with more than -7 (very strong minus... not sure about his script) doesn't squint at all without. (Cleaning his own glasses but looking around...)
JC 27 Jan 2009, 19:57
I'm -4.00... 4th category but even some things at home would be difficult.
Astra 27 Jan 2009, 19:52
My prescription is -2.50. No significant astigmatism.
Astra 27 Jan 2009, 19:49
I'm probably at category 2.
Dan 27 Jan 2009, 17:52
I'd fall in category 1...my entire family has bad vision and I end up with only a mild prescription...weird haha
Wurm 27 Jan 2009, 17:15
At around -3.75, I'd fall in the 3rd category, although a number of my regular activities would be quite problematic.
new GOC 27 Jan 2009, 16:53
I just tried GOC, increasing my usual -2.00 or so to -6.50. WOW! I had no idea how bad some people's vision could be! Which made me think, if you lost your only pair of glasses and had no contacts, which of the following would apply to you. Please state your prescription with your choice.
1. wouldn't make that much difference
2. only wear them part-time, so would make some activities tough
3. wear them full time, so it would be very annoying but I'd be OK
4. would be ok at home, going anywhere would be a problem
5. Would be an extreme hardship, but I guess I'd survive - I'd squint my way around
6. would not be able to function, might as well just stay in bed
If you want, make up your own description.
At my usual -2.00, number 3 would apply to me but at -6.50 I'd say number 6!
Cactus Jack 27 Jan 2009, 04:11
Astra.
People with myopia, like your roommate, have permanent, natural, built-in reading glasses that they wear all the time. You just can't see them. If they do not have much astigmatism or too much myopia and their eyes have about the same degree of myopia, it is very comfortable to read without any correction.
However, reading at 15 cm would actually indicate about -6.50 to -6.75 of myopia. 28 - 30 cm would be about right for -3.50. Maybe, there is something more at work here.
C.
Astra 27 Jan 2009, 02:44
Re Cactus: "Young people automatically assume that what ever they see is normal."
I have a roommate who is now around -3.5 for both eyes. She assumed her eyesight normal, as she is practically a book nerd, until she can't even see the pavement bricks just 1.45m below her eyes. Even after she got the glasses, (distant eyesight 20/20), she feel it's more comfortable to read books without them--- but at circa 15 cm from her eyes for several hours.
Cactus Jack 24 Jan 2009, 18:30
concerned,
I would like to suggest that wearing both contacts and glasses would not be appropriate. She might have sharper vision, but the additional accommodative stress could lead to a more rapid increase in her myopia than will naturally occur. If you want to discuss this aspect further, please contact me at cactusjack1928@hotmail.com
C.
shakes 24 Jan 2009, 17:59
Dear Concerned, your daughter can also try wearing her glasses over her contacts when she wants really sharp vision like driving at night. The sphere power will be easily be accomadatef and the cylinder will correct the astgmatism without having to take her contacts out.
shakes 24 Jan 2009, 17:59
Dear Concerned, your daughter can also try wearing her glasses over her contacts when she wants really sharp vision like driving at night. The sphere power will be easily be accomadatef and the cylinder will correct the astgmatism without having to take her contacts out.
Cactus Jack 24 Jan 2009, 12:57
concerned,
With her Rx, I would have been surprised if the glasses were NOT better. If her contacts are sphere only, they are a compromise and likely do not fully correct her astigmaism. If they are torics, they may have the cylinder needed, but torics are notorious for moving around on the eyeball as you blink and if they don't maintain the correct axis, they can be worse than no correction. The cylinder axis in glasses is fixed by the mounting of the lenses correctly in the frames, so they can't move around.
C.
concerned 24 Jan 2009, 11:40
My daughter picked up her glasses today and is wearing them around the house claiming that she can see even better with the glasses than the contacts. Is this unusual?
concerned 21 Jan 2009, 21:46
Thanks CJ, I live in the southern suburbs of Chicago, IL. My daughter seems to have adjusted well to her reliance on correction for proper vision. She has accepted the fact that she should wear her glasses when she takes her contacts out. I'm sure it's going to cost me for some stylish frames, but if that's what is necessary for her to feel comfortable wearing her glasses in public than it's definitely money well-spent from a concerned parent's perception.
Cactus Jack 21 Jan 2009, 21:21
concerned,
Genetics plays a big role in high myopia, but visual environment has an effect also. I suspect genetics didn't play a big role in her mild myopia, more likely it was the eye's response to a lot of reading and close work.
There is some evidence that some peoples eyes respond to a lot of close focusing by producing a growth hormone that causes the eye to grow a little and become longer. The optical effect of this elongation of the eye is to make close work easier at the expense of distance vision. If you do the math, -1.25 diopters of myopia means that the eyeball is about 1.25 mm longer than it should be for the optical power of the cornea and relaxed crystaline lens. In her case, the cornea and crystaline have a little too much plus power for the length. The result is that distant images actually focus in front of the retina. The minus lenses neutralize the excess plus power and cause the distant images to focus clearly on the retina.
Astigmatism is caused by irregularities in the curvature of the corneal. Instead of being a perfect section of a sphere, it has a cylindrical component where the curvature is greater (more plus power) in one axis than it is in the other, We do not know the reason this occurs and there is no known way to prevent it from occurring. The problem with astigmatism is that images with lines that go in several directions (letters for example) focus at different distances on the retina. If you looked at a E for example, the vertical line might be in focus while the horizontal lines would be fuzzy and the diagonal lines of a W might all be fuzzy. It would depend on the axis of the astigmatism and the orientation of the letter. Of the two, astigmatism causes the most vision problems, because nothing fixes it except a corrective lens.
I hope this explanation helps a little. The important thing is that you should not feel guilty. Mild myopia does not usually have overt physical symptoms like headaches. In fact, mild myopia, by itself, makes reading easier and less tiring. There simply was no way for you to experience what she was seeing.
Young people automatically assume that what ever they see is "normal" and it just doesn't get any better. Occasionally, putting on a first pair of glasses reveals that trees have leaves and there really are stars in the sky to great delight. I got -1.50 glasses when I was 14 and was very surprised that you were supposed to see individual bricks in the house across the street from our house. I knew there were bricks, but to be able to see and count them from so far away and recognize people from a distance was delightful.
Please let me know if I can be of additional help.
By the way, may I ask where you live?
Cactus
concerned 21 Jan 2009, 20:35
BTW, isn't it unusual for her to have such bad eyes when my wife and I both see very well?
concerned 21 Jan 2009, 20:33
Wow, I never imagined her eyes could actually be that bad. My wife and I feel very guilty that we let this go on for so long without noticing the problem earlier as I'm sure this didn't happen overnight. Her performance in school has been less than her capabilities up to this point. Maybe the contacts and soon to get glasses will help her become a better student. Thanks for all your help. We're taking her in tomorrow to get fitted for the new glasses. I'll keep you guys updated.
Cactus Jack 21 Jan 2009, 20:00
concerned,
Oops! I meant +1.25 with +1.00 cylinder in the trial lens frame.
Cactus
Cactus Jack 21 Jan 2009, 19:57
concerned,
If you want to get an idea of how she sees without glasses, try on a pair of +1.75 or +2.00 readers and note how distant things look.
A person who is nearsighted (myopic) actually has built in natural reading glasses. In her case, +1.25.
Because of her astigmatism she would actually see a little worse than with +1.25 pure sphere readers, which is why I suggested the stronger readers.
You might ask her Eye Care Professional (ECP)let you see what +1.50 with +1.00 cylinder and the same axis as hers looks like using their trial lens set.
By the way, she absolutely should have glasses in her prescription so she can rest her eyes occasionally from the contacts. The only source of oxygen for the cornea is from the air. Modern contact lenses have excellent oxygen transmission, but the corneas need rest also. She absolutely must care for the lenses properly and should not sleep in them unless the lenses are specifically approved for day/night wear. Your instructions and cautions of your ECP should be followed to avoid infection or discomfort.
Cactus
still 21 Jan 2009, 19:36
I will defer to Cactus Jack, but IMHO she will have a restriction, which will say that she can only drive if she wears corrective eyewear. And of course, for her sake and ours, she should, regardless. Also, she should have glasses as a back up, this should require very little talking about, dear concerned.
concerned 21 Jan 2009, 14:46
Thanks for the insight. I recently stumbled upon this site when I realized the eye problems of my daughter. We will be taking her for her driver's license soon. Do you think she will have a restriction on her license? I'll be talking to my wife about getting my daughter a pair of glasses to go with her contacts. I'll check back in with questions as they come as this is a brand new experience for my wife and I. We are both 20/20 in our late 30s.
guest 21 Jan 2009, 14:37
I think she needs glasses for sure but would only estimate her visual acuity as 20/100, being around -1.75 if converted to sphere. When I say only, I mean that figuratively as that's bad enough of course. Do get her the glasses.
Like Lenses 21 Jan 2009, 12:29
concerned
Your daughter is only mildly nearsighted, but has a fair amount of astigmatism, so things at all distances are blurred without the lenses. Her uncorrected vision is probably about 20/200.
She should have glasses for backup, and wear them to give her eyes a break from the contacts.
Being nearsighted her prescription will certainly increase ,most likely yearly till she reaches early twenties.
dave 20 Jan 2009, 15:31
The previous post reads very much like the "hsparent 20 Jan 2009, 14:35" entry in the Post Your Prescription thread.
concerned 20 Jan 2009, 15:10
My daughter has been squinting her way through life until recently when we "forced" her to go for an eye exam. She was given a perscription of sph-1.25 cyl -1.00 for both eyes. Now that she's wearing her contacts full-time she refers to herself as "blind as a bat without them." How bad are her eyes really? Should we get her glasses for when she's not wearing her contacts? Will this have an effect on her eyes either way? She just turned 16, will her perscription change in the coming years? Anyone with insight please share with my wife and I.
Glasseswearer 20 Jan 2009, 02:34
Louise - try squinting with your glasses on to see if you can see more clearly. or borrow a stronger pair from a friend. from how far off can uou read a car numberplate? i suspect you will get a stronger prescription.
Louise 20 Jan 2009, 02:05
Hi Emily.
Now that I've seen that maybe I need to wear my glasses a bit more I'm going to assess how I see with them because I still think I see well with them. I should get a test as you say as 5 years is probably too long!
j dogg 20 Jan 2009, 01:10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE3qZoOuzAk&feature=channel
Simon 18 Jan 2009, 21:19
And what is your new bifocal prescription? I was wondering whether the add portion of your Rx increases as well.
Simon 18 Jan 2009, 21:17
Oh my, Emily, another increase, how well can you see with the maximum amount of correction? How concerned are you about your myopia progression?
Emily 18 Jan 2009, 14:15
Hi Louise. I'm much more myopic than you (-15.50) but I recognize the symptoms you're describing -- I need stronger glasses every year. It sounds as though your eyes have also gotten more myopic and you need a stronger prescription. Besides, it's good eye hygiene to get an eye exam more often than once in five years. I'll bet you need stronger lenses.
Louise 18 Jan 2009, 13:42
I wouldn't consider myself a reluctant glasses wearer - I figured I wore them when I needed them! I think my prescription is still okay since I see well enough with my glasses. I'll be checking it all out now of course ...
Hansel 16 Jan 2009, 11:34
Perhaps after five years your prescription might also have changed.
Phil 16 Jan 2009, 04:06
Louise, the tube's a nightmare for me too: I'm -4 and not a fulltime glasses wearer. I use it only rarely but when I do I'm forced to wear specs. Similarly with roadsigns in strange places. I would have thought that you'd be struggling bare-eyed at -2.5.
Why are you a reluctant glasses wearer?
Louise 16 Jan 2009, 03:40
I have had a prescription of -2.50 and -1.50 for distance vision for the last five years. I’ve never considered my vision to be bad and mostly use my glasses for driving and watching tv. Yesterday I went to London and was surprised that I found it quite difficult to navigate the London Underground and see street signs without my glasses. I guess it’s probably because in familiar areas I don’t need to see so well. First I had to find my way across town from Paddington to Holborn, I could squint to see which line I needed to follow and found it easier to follow the colours rather than the signs. Out in the street I really struggled to see street signs and office numbers, which meant I was late for one appointment. It has really made me think I need my glasses more than I thought. Does this seem sort of normal for this prescription?
Like Lenses 12 Jan 2009, 18:32
My Rx is only -1.50 but also have -1.50 cyl in each eye. My uncorrected vision is 20/300, but vision at all distances is blurred ,so wear the glasses constantly from the time I get up, till I go to bed.
Melyssa 12 Jan 2009, 12:52
Katy,
You're right, it is the -9.00 version that I have. I'm glad your boyfriend didn't set anything on fire with his "experiment." And since my breakfast always consists of cereal from the box, I don't have to worry about making a mess before sunrise. :)
Aubrac 12 Jan 2009, 01:30
All
I'm -5.00 in both eyes get up, make breakfast, etc, bare eyed without any problem. I think however, it is possible if it is your own house and you know where everything is, in a totally strange house I would most likely have problems
Katy 11 Jan 2009, 14:47
Melyssa - lol, that sounds more like the -9 version than the -6! I've watched my -6 boyfriend do it, he squinted non-stop and had real problems trying to grill some muffins, he had to keep getting them right out to see whether they were cooking. I was a bit worried about how close he got to the boiling water from the kettle too! Oh, and then he tripped over the cat :-)
Diane 11 Jan 2009, 08:15
I think the "challanges might be finding things on the top shelf of the cupboard and bottom shelf of the fridge.
Melyssa 11 Jan 2009, 07:52
What's so hard about making breakfast bare-eyed? "That was the sink? I was wondering why the cereal bowl looked so big!" Hmmm. Maybe I should try making my breakfast that way at 5:45 tomorrow morning. LOL
As for clothing, I'll just wear a red blouse, green skirt, purple pumps, and blue glasses to work. No wait, that might be my April Fools Day outfit.
Katy 11 Jan 2009, 04:11
I agree, she could probably go to the bathroom but would struggle to find the right clothes and to make breakfast :-)
Clare 11 Jan 2009, 04:05
And - I doubt it. I went out with a guy who was -5 and he couldn't see me across a 12' room.
And 11 Jan 2009, 03:54
Thanks. How about just getting around the house. I know she has glasses which she doesn't like wearing so if she got up in the morning bare-eyed would she be ok.
Aubrac 10 Jan 2009, 08:16
And
With the -5.95 she would would have her nose about six inches away from a computer screen to read, and would not recognise anyone across the street.
With the -7.50 eye she would need be about three inches from a computer screen or book, and wouldn't recognise anyone on the other side of the room. As for driving, if bare-eyed she probably wouldn't be able find the car!!
Diane 10 Jan 2009, 05:58
And:
Multiple moments and one neighborhood party.
Ric 10 Jan 2009, 00:33
Well, she have a strong prescription, so sure is hard to see for her without her contacts. I mean she cant drive, recognise people in street or read if her nose is not close to prints.
And 09 Jan 2009, 14:23
I would like to know what my friend's eyesight is like uncorrected. She wears contacts with a prescription of
-7.5 and -5.95 but never goes without and I feel uncomfortable quizzing her. Does anyone have a similar rx ?
And 09 Jan 2009, 14:20
Diane, did you go bare-eyed throughout or did you just take your glasses off to enjoy the moment ?
Diane 09 Jan 2009, 11:50
The following quote is from an earlier post: “Christmas Tree lights look fantastic bare eyed.” I am in total agreement and add that I found outdoor displays in the neighborhood to be an equally spectacular bare eyed experience.
Cactus jack 01 Jan 2009, 15:07
Claire,
Happy New Year to You also.
I don't think there is any explanation except personal preference.
Amazingly, some people like sharp vision under all circumstances, even if it involves bravely overcoming their natural VANITY and courageously wearing dreaded GLASSES without apparent regard for the public embarassment!
Remember, even without astigmatism, if he needs -2.50, everything beyond 16 inches or 40 cm is fuzzy.
C.
Clare 01 Jan 2009, 11:36
Hi & a happy new year to everyone.
This is in response to Rick's post - I'm interested in the different motivations that influence how much people wear their glasses. I have a friend, apparently -2.50 but wearing 2-.75 CLs 99% of the time so I suspect a bit of astigmatism, who is never without correction. When not wearing contacts he's rarely without glasses. Even on Christmas morning he wore glasses to undo presents and generally mooch around the house. I'm similar and generally don't.
Cactus - is there anything scientific to explain it?
John L 31 Dec 2008, 09:41
Anyone who drives should keep a spare pair of specs and / or contacts in the car in the event of a glasses mishap.
Two years ago I was out taking photos during high winds.
Wind whipped my almost glasses off my face and blew them into the river!
Fortunately I had a spare pair of glasses and contacts in the car.
I just wouldn't even contemplate trying to drive!
Annoyed Visitor 31 Dec 2008, 08:59
Dave, you're an idiot! What you did is at least the equivalent of and probably worse than drink driving. If you had an accident you would have gone to jail for a long time. Someone with -6 would not even be able to see the speedo to see how fast they are going let alone other cars and people on the road. If you did actually do this, you're an absolute moron.
Dave 30 Dec 2008, 15:39
Later on the morning I recalled a story of a -6 female friend of mine, who broke her glasses at work. She had to drive home with no correction. Incidentally, this scary drive was in the same part of town as my drive from the office home.
She described the experience with: real real slow, concentrating on the car in front of me.
I placed the +2 lenses in on the morning and the drive to work was a real pleasure with the -2 sunglasses.
Dave 30 Dec 2008, 15:34
Listen to this scary experience. A couple of weeks ago, I was working out of town, and decided to do a GOC experiment. I have a set of +2, +4 and +6 CLs. I placed a pair of each in my pocket just before going there.
When I left the office, I put in the +4 contacts, and decided to drive to the hotel with a pair of -2 sunglasses I had. I figured it would not be too bad, with only a partial correction.
It turned out to be very difficult. I could not see a thing, with or without the glasses. I could not stop to take the cls out, so I just drove very slowly. I could not believe how tough this was.
At the hotel, I tried to use my laptop computer, but this was impossible. I could not read a word on the screen unless I put my nose to it.
Only in the morning I found out that I had the +2 and +4 pairs in my pocket untouched. This means I was doing my bare eyed experience with the equivalent of -6 myopia.
I am glad I survived the adventure to tell you about it.
try 30 Dec 2008, 15:26
JR 26 Dec 2008, 13:45
That's funny, my grandmother did a simular thing, said that outdoors the sharpness hurt her eyes.
sourgrapes 26 Dec 2008, 12:54
"For your reference, I have -2.5 for both eyes, but I usually use -1.5 for outdoors, and leave the -2.5 at home."
why?
Astra 26 Dec 2008, 11:01
Sorry, I mean your wife's case could be similar to mine.
Astra 26 Dec 2008, 11:00
Rick- I would say most would agree that one would need full-time wear between with prescription -2 (20/100) to -3 (around 20/200). That's roughly when one cannot see clearly the second row of a typical eye chart at 20 feet away. At indoor environment, one normally focus on objects within 6 feet, so even for -3 it is still manageable. So you are perfectly normal to say the -1.75 difference is little. But you said your wife wears her glasses fulltime with -1.5, perhaps she insists to do so (there are many who insists wearing mild prescription fulltime), or she might not actually having the best correction vision for her eyes. For your reference, I have -2.5 for both eyes, but I usually use -1.5 for outdoors, and leave the -2.5 at home. And your wife could be similar to mine.
All4Eyes 25 Dec 2008, 15:45
Squinty Christmas to all and to all a blurred night!
Melanie 24 Dec 2008, 15:29
Hey John. I am 45 and started having trouble focusing close. When I couldn't read the letters on the Blackberry, I decided to get my first eye exam. He asked if I had any problems and I told him just reading small print. I went through the whole exam and asked him to confirm if I needed readers, and he told me I should wear bifocals because my distance vision wasn't clear enough to drive. I didn't believe it. He thinks that I have needed glasses for years. I got them, and am very surprised at how clear things are, especially at night! When I put them on things are so bright and crisp I don't know how I didn't know what I was missing! Walked in thinking a light reading prescription would be recommended and now find I need glasses full time! Surprise!
Rick 24 Dec 2008, 15:23
I always wondered what my wife's vision is like. She wears -1.50's and NEVER takes them off. I had -1.00's glasses for a while and now have a +2 add, and was told that if I want to try contacts I can go the monovision route. The Dr gave me -.75 for my left eye, and +.75 for my right, and it actually works out pretty well. Yesterday, I made the mistake of putting +.75's in to each eye, and didn't notice the soft blur in the distance till I left the house, so went the whole day just wearing the +.75's. As I understand it, that means my vision all day was the equivalent of -1.75, about the same as the wife. When I drove I wore my distance glasses so I could read signs, but mostly made it ok through the day with the blur. Still can't understand why she can't go 5 minutes without hers.
Clare 22 Dec 2008, 09:44
VFL - yes, bless him if he's totally gorgeous with well-chosen frames ... that you'd really like him to wear more than contacts ;))
VFL 20 Dec 2008, 14:38
You know what is really endearing? When your lover (who wears contacts)and is spending the night at your place, gets out of bed in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and bumps (gently, not enough to get hurt) into the doorframe.
You call out, "You okay?" and he replies sheepishly, "Yeah, I just forgot to pack my glasses. Guess now you know how blind I really am."
Heaven.
Astra 20 Dec 2008, 10:42
I am 19. I first noticed myopia at age 7, and I got my first specs at 10. I did not use the specs often until I was 16, when my prescription was around -2.5 and somehow stable for the recent 3 years. So I may not have experienced anything close to what John said in previous posts, just some sort of blur usual for mild myopes.
Just wake up from sleep, and it's now 3:00 at midnight, so I've just walking around my home without glasses. Out of the windows of the kitchen, there are some sort of rather dim, quite uniform lighting, and a plain wall 2 m away from the kitchen, and I can't really see the frame of the windows until I was around 1 metre away from it. That sort of dim lighting erases those slight details that I can only see them with glasses beyond a metre.
John - L 20 Dec 2008, 05:19
Clare / Phil
I had made excuses about not bothering to learn to drive claiming to be committed to public transport!
But almost as soon as I could see clearly I was off to take driving lessons.
What really amazed me after 9 years was the clarity of things and how much detail I had missed!
The benefits of clear vision overcame any fear of being self concious about wearing glasses.
Though about five years later I did get contacts. However, of late my use of contacts has declined since being given an add for reading at my last eye test.
I just find wearing progressives much more convenient than getting out readers to use with my contacts.
Phil 18 Dec 2008, 08:49
I think John just beats me. I started noticing myopia at about 13 and got specs when I was nearly 22: -2.25 ish I think. Like Clare I only just scraped through the driving test at 17; and, like John, it was a job medical that drove me to the optician. He was horrified that I had not been prescribed specs before: he insisted that I put them on and kept them on. As all here know, I took not the slightest notice and am still not a fulltime wearer 30 years later (despite now being -4)!
Clare 18 Dec 2008, 07:20
John L - no, just about 8 years I think! I managed to pass my driving test at 17 though the signs were there -a couple of gos at reading the number plate from 20m, then moving forward to read it a bit closer. I do remember being concerned that he might fail me but I didn't get glasses till I was 25. In my early driving years I remember not feeling entirely comfortable driving at night in unfamiliar places but it wasn't till I was doing alot of long distance driving that I decided to get it checked out. I came away with a -0.75 for each eye and was told to wear them without fail for driving. Whether I actually needed them at 17 or if it was only years later, I'll never know!
John - L 18 Dec 2008, 03:25
I was wondering just how long people went without glasses after realising they needed them to actually getting their first pair. At school I tended to sit near the front of the class and did not become aware of the usual problem of not seeing the blackboard until the start of the autumn term of 1972 shortly before my 13th Birthday.
A new science teacher decided to allocate seats rather than members of the class to sit where they wished so that she could learn our names. I ended up seated towards to the middle of the room and realised when she started writing on the board I couldn’t see a thing!
Fortunately I managed to get by for a couple of weeks in this lesson copying the notes and work of the person sitting next to me. By now she had learnt everyone’s names and we could sit where we wanted to – therefore my problem was solved and I gravitated back to the front row.
My increasing myopia meant that by the time I was 16 I was starting to have problems seeing the board even from the front. During this time several of my classmates had become spectacle wearers – however I still resisted.
At this stage I discovered that touching the side of an eyelid and resting my head on my hand I could exert a little pressure which would sort of click my eye into focus.
This technique saw me through my remaining two years of school and into a degree course at college.
However, during my final year I decided I would take up a post graduate teacher teaching course. To enter this course a full medical was required and I realised I would not pass any eye exam. Therefore there was no escape – I had to see an optician which I did at the age of 22 in December 1981. I had gone just over 9 years without glasses. My first prescription was -6 right – 5.5 left!
Looking back now – I just don’t know how I managed to go so long parents, family and friends had long suspected a problem – but I had managed to convince them otherwise.
Over the years my prescription has changed a little and now stands for glasses at the age of 49 at Right -5 Cyl -075 Axis 180 and Left -4.75 Cyl -075 Axis 180 with +1.75 for progressive first prescribed almost 2 years ago.
For contacts my prescription is Right -4.75 and Left - 4.5 with a suggested +1.5 for reading specs though I am sure my reading add will increase next time.
I sometimes wonder if I had worn glasses from around the age of 12 when I first needed them would I have now needed a weaker or stronger prescription as there appears to be a suggestion in some quarters that early correction of myopia when younger can induce further deterioration.
One of the first wearers of glasses in my form group who started wearing them around the time I noticed I should have been wearing them had very thick lenses by the time we left the 6th form – I don’t know what his prescription had reached but I recall him saying that he could only see clearly to a range of three inches from his eye.
Is there anyone out there who can break my 9 year 3 month record for going without glasses?
Jose 01 Dec 2008, 14:36
Lucker, it`s obvious you need glasses so much, and the way you tell your story seems you enjoy a lot with the glasses that you found, maybe they haven`t the right correction for you, but, it seems your eyes are so much better,a couple of questions, what`s your age? and since when you notice your vision it`s bad? i passed for your expierience before, and i guess i could help you, if you have hotmail msn feel free to add me , josean_133@hotmail.com , i`ll wait for you.
Me 30 Nov 2008, 16:24
Lurker in the Shadows,
If you're worried about not letting them know how long you've needed glasses, then why don't you just say "I think I need glasses, I have been having a hard time seeing far away the past few months, and it's getting too bad to cope with"?
Lurker in the Shadows 30 Nov 2008, 13:49
I pulled the sick routine so I didn't have to bounce to my grandmother's house! SNAP! So I just spent Thursday, Friday, and Saturday wearing my glasses. Why am I wearing them so much you ask? Because everything looks sooooo much clearer, and I don't have to squint, and I don't get freaking headaches, and I like the dizzyness too. I tried on so many clothes and it was soooo good to be able to see what I look like in the mirror from far away. I can't even remember how long it was before I just became a blur at that distance. Ha.. I work them chatting online with my friends about how sick I was! But it was so clear and crisp. So basically after wearing the glasses for all that time, my parents bust in the door when I am sitting there watching tv wearing glasses. Fortunately I was able to get my glasses off. OMG... they walked in the room and my eyes were trying to adjust and I didn't want to squint but they were SO blurry, I couldn't recognize them if I had to. I kept rubbing my eyes to adjust, but it really wasn't working like it used to. Everything was a mess to me. Look what we brought you back, they said, and held up something very blurry. It could have been a dead rat for all I could tell. I swear if I had to make it in the wild as a hunter with these eyes, I would starve to death. They tried to go on and on about how the trip was, but my mind was wandering. I looked over at the tv set and it had gone so out of focus I couldn't even see what I was watching. They had me staying with them for at least a couple hours and it was so hard to focus on things. Later I went back up to my room where I am now and squinting at my laptop. I had to ditch my glasses under the sofa, and I will get them later when my parents go to bed. OMG... I really need glasses. I know I am saying it online, but I just can't get the courage to tell my parents yet. Any ideas how I could do it and have them not be upset I didn't tell them before this went so long?
Jose 29 Nov 2008, 22:51
Go to lenschat.com and find a lot of people who can help...
Jose 29 Nov 2008, 21:53
Lurker, what i surprise for me to read your story, cause i live a similar situation, years ago i notice my eyesight was so bad, i can`t read the blackboard in school, but no way anybody make me wear glasses, too many years after a girl forget her glasses in my work, i tried them and everything get so clear, i was so nervous cause i didn`t wanna go that blind anymore,so a few weeks later go to the eye doctor and get my own glasses, at first i didn`t like to go in public with glasses, but i get used to them and i needed so much, i learn to wear them, and notice some people like the way i looked with glasses, so my advice to you it`s...
antonio 27 Nov 2008, 10:17
to Guest,
the situation I described was that when my eyes needed -2,75 diopters.
That was the time when I started full time wear.
Before I had glasses with -1,5 that I nearly never wore.
best regards, antonio
Hansel 27 Nov 2008, 08:42
-2.75/-2.75 would be a suggestion.
Perhaps -2.25/-2.75.
Like Lenses 27 Nov 2008, 01:14
Any bets on Lurker's prescription?
Mine would be -5.00
26 Nov 2008, 18:07
Wrong thread.
26 Nov 2008, 18:07
I got a boner reading that.
Guest 26 Nov 2008, 14:42
Antonio
What was your prescription before/when you got the glasses?
antonio 26 Nov 2008, 13:56
Dear Lurker,
does your boyfriend or girlfriend you mentioned and showed "your" glasses wear glasses himself/herself ?
best regards, antonio
antonio 26 Nov 2008, 13:51
Dear Lurker,
I was like you once running around without glasses although I had needed them for years.
Finally I had to squint to see nearly everything and I couldn´t hardly read the board even from the front row after not wearing my glasses for 4 years.
As you I couldn´t tell from a distance someone was a man or a woman, if she hadn´t very long hair or so and I didn´t recognized faces or so from a bit away or on the streets.
That time everyone seemed to find out I couldn´t see, many people told me I squinted all the time and should get glasses and so I decided to put them on finally, as I stated everyone knew I couldn´t see without them.
Naturally I had to get stronger lenses, because my old ones were to weak.
Perhaps you could go to an optician, tell him the glasses you have you got from a friend and you would like to get some lenses in these frames that fit your eyes. The optician would test your eyes [even better an eyedoc would do that] and you would get glasses as an option to wear if you want to that fit to your eyes. Of course only if you like the frame you wear now.
best regards, looking for hearing from you,
Antonio
Lurker in the Shadows 26 Nov 2008, 12:26
Well I stayed home sick today because I did not want to face my BF right now. She knows way tooooooo much, and I should not have told her. I am thinking about telling her haha what a joke, I don't really need glasses. But I think she might test me or something so I would have to be prepared or be discovered. Anyways I stayed home today and have been wearing glasses non-stop all day! I really enjoy how MUCH better I can see. With everyone out of the house, I could go downstairs and watch tv and even maybe even go out on the back porch if it is not too cold. I did alot of putting on and taking off to compare. The downstairs tv has always been hard for me to watch and it just seems to be getting worse. With the glasses, it is clear as day and there is no strain at all. I did not realize that I should be able to see so much from that distance. And I know I am used to blurry people, but when I looked in the living room mirror and stood away as far as I could, maybe 30 feet, I could still see many details with my hair and the glasses, and my clothes. But when I took them off, it was the biggest change. People at that distance are really mostly blurs and I could not even tell that I am a woman from so far away. People always tell me they saw me at the mall and I just saw whatever because I could not see them. Which reminds me of something else my BF said around other friends yesterday when she said she forgot something. She looks over at me and said "I never seem to remember that guy's name, it's just a blur to me. You know what I mean? It's all just a blur, you know?" Bitch. I looked at her and said "NO I DON'T." Sorry I am pissed now, but I will try to write back later about my experiments.
minus 5 who luvs gwgs 25 Nov 2008, 23:38
Lurker go for it I was just like you when I was in my teens I would not wear glasses even though I only dated girls with glasses crazy eh? When I said to myself this is mad and wore them I had virtually no comments and you will find the same and probably attract boy friends who were like I would have been who really fancy girls with glasses.If you do not believe me ask some of your friends who wear glasses Go on have a test and remember glasses make a pretty face lovelier Do let us know what happens and what your prescription is
Cut-in UK 25 Nov 2008, 22:55
Lurker, the reality is, that you cannot function properly without glasses. You also have a psychological barrier to overcome. A walk in the high street with your best friend will show you many women of all ages wearing the most stylish and attractive frames. With the right choice of frame as a fashion accessory, you WILL look a million dollars ( or is it pounds !) Do not settle for someone else's frame OR prescription. Go, with your friend, try on some frames, and get her honest opinion which style suits you best; the choice is endless. Then, as I said in an earlier post, bite the bullet. You really won't be sorry, and you will have more confidence in yourself. Let us know what you think once you've tried on some frames. I dare you to tell me it hasn't changed your view !!!
Lurker in the Shadows 25 Nov 2008, 15:13
Yesterday I decided to let my BF in on my little secret. She came over after school and I locked my bedroom door. I told her I want to show her something and took out the glasses and put them on. So she says snap I am wearing glasses finally, and she knew I had bad eyes forever and so does everyone else! I cannot believe that all these people would know this, and not tell me. She said she everyone sees me squinting, but that cannot be true because I am very good at hiding it. Then I told her the glasses are not really mine so I can't wear them in public, but she wanted to try them on. So she puts them on and like pulls them off real fast saying they are so strong! She tells me I am blinder than she thought. Some friend I have. Well so at school today I made sure I did not squint at anyone or in class, and my so called BF comes by my locker talking about am I missing something. Am I sure? I don't know if I made a mistake telling her, because there is noooo way I can wear glasses in public!!! If they did NOT believe I needed glasses before, I would be telling them YES I DO! How does this ever end?? Am I just doomed to have to give in and wear glasses someday because things are getting really blurry the more I wear the glasses.
ha... antonio, yes I am female. That is part of the reason I cannot wear glasses, because I don't know, I just can't.
antonio 24 Nov 2008, 10:36
Lurker,
you shouldn´t go on to wear those thick glasses you found,
they could make your eyes worse if they are too strong.
Go at least to an optician, get your eyes tested and the glasses too,
and only if they match and aren´t to strong for your eyes, if the optician says so, you can proceed wearing them.
Besides are you male or female ?
Good luck !
and be brave !
antonio
Julian 23 Nov 2008, 18:00
cynic: you are a real cynic ::)
cynic 23 Nov 2008, 17:08
I see some people are as gullible as ever :)
Julian 23 Nov 2008, 13:54
No Lurker, the glasses aren't making your vision any worse, it only seems like that because your poor strained eyes enjoy having the help of the lenses they need, and rebel when you make them strain again. Tell your folks you tried on a pair of glasses and were amazed how much better you could see with them; get tested and get specs that you can wear openly, and WEAR THEM! If you did'nt know before that that makes sense, you do now.
Lurker in the Shadows 23 Nov 2008, 12:48
Okay so all week I tried to get home and go to my bedroom as soon as possible so I could wear my new glasses. I always lock the door and then I can read, play with my laptop, and even try on clothes while seeing clearly!! I have gotten used to the dizzyness and it is almost like a high that the glasses give me, so it's all good. But I have a problem. Yesterday and today I was wearing glasses most of the day, but had to go to church. So we went to church, and OMG everything was SO much blurryer than I have ever seen it. I kept rubbing my eyes and trying to secretly squint, but I felt like I was completely lost. I am not sure what is going on but I think the glasses are making my worst than ever.
Julian 17 Nov 2008, 00:01
Lurker: if these glasses make you dizzy after a while, it could be because they're stronger than you need. You really ought to have an eye test, get a cool pair of specs in your proper prescription, and wear them.
I wonder how the real owner is coping without them.
Like Lenses 16 Nov 2008, 23:27
Lurker in the shadows
Sounds like the glasses that you found are strong myopic, with perhaps some astigmatism correction.
The fact that you can see well with them indicates that you probably require about the same prescription, perhaps without the astigmatism correction, as that part is what is makig you dizzy.
You had better make an appointment for an eye exam, and be prepared for wearing a similar prescription.
Maybe the fact that you are in the shadows is the bad need for glasses.
Lurker in Shadows 16 Nov 2008, 08:30
So the other day I went to the ladie's room and discovered someone had left a glasses case on the counter. My heart was pounding as I reached for the case, unsnapped the rivet, and found some pretty thick glasses inside. No one was around so I wondered what I would look like wearing such strong glasses if I got them. So I put them on, and OMG I couldn't believe the difference it made in my vision. Everything was SO much clearer, but when I looked in the mirror I think the glasses make me look silly. I was so incredibly nervous wearing them that someone could bust in! But I just can't believe how much better I can see with them, so I decided to keep them and buried them in my purse. So to keep this short, I took them home and have been wearing them this weekend in private. They seem to get me dizzy if I wear them too long but they make so much difference taking away the blurryness!!!
Like Lenses 14 Nov 2008, 23:52
Guest
Full time wear is very subjective.
In my case I have induced myopia, and have some astigmatism. The glasses I wear are -1.50 with -1.50 cyl. for each eye.Although this is a pretty weak prescription, my vision without the glasses is 20/300, so going without them is very difficult. They also have a +1.50 add, or bifocal which then gives me the cyl correction for reading, so can't read without them either.
I sometimes wear -2.00 with no cyl. for distance only, and they give me fairly sharp vision, and seem less tiring to my eyes.
Before inducing the myopia, I was formerly farsighted, and wore plus glasses for a number of years. The vision with the many increasing plus prescriptions was never as comfortable, or as crisp as the myopic glasses are.
Cut-in UK 13 Nov 2008, 14:17
Lurker in the shadow, it seems to me that you have reached a fork in the road. You can either retreat from glasses, or bite the bullet and go for them. The stakes appear to be high, as you are putting your education on the line for the sake of vanity. Up to you, but why not suck it and see, as far as glasses are concerned. Have you a lady to guide you in this matter ? I find women are so useful in commonsense matters. Whatever you do, make a decision !
Guest 13 Nov 2008, 12:18
Interesting to read your comments Tom. What prescription do you believe needs to be worn full time?
Like Lenses 12 Nov 2008, 23:34
Lurker in th shadow
Sounds as though you are now very nearsighted. My guess is about -5.00 if you are unable to recognize people.
Better get an eye exam before you flunk school.
Matthew 12 Nov 2008, 21:40
Lurker in the shadow,
Yes, you can definitely get contacts and stand a good chance of no one in high school ever realizing you wear correction. I got contacts in high school and after that wore them every day to school and never (not even once) wore glasses. Not that I'm recommending this -- there's nothing wrong with glasses (you can be cool and wear glasses, seriously). But you can do it and it's far better than going around in a blur because of fear.
Lurker in the shadow 12 Nov 2008, 15:38
I think I probably wrote the book on going without glasses. I have had terrible vision since I was in elementary school. It wasn't very bad then, but I noticed things getting blurry. I passed the eye tests because my friend with good eyes memorized the letters for me. But now time high school is in session, it is not easy. I used to get by squinting secretly but that didn't always work. I don't want to sit in the front row and let everyone know I need glasses so this year I have just succumbed to the blur and my grades dropped since I can't see the assignments or projector. I know I need glasses very badly, I don't even recognize people anymore until they are close. I am hoping I can secretly get contacts or surgery right away and never be forced to wear glasses. Is that possible?
Tom 12 Nov 2008, 06:21
Sophie, I'm afraid you have moved to full time too early. I understand that -2.5 is enouhg to use glasses to see the board, but why using them full time? You have pretty much similar prescription to mine (-5 and -3) and although I use glasses 99% of time, I'v found in several occasions that I can manage most situations without them including train, bus, planes, sport, gym, reading, most activities at home etc... I can also manage the PC, although not so comfortably (need to get quite close to the screen). I suggest you to extend your bareeyed time, you'll have interesting discoveries. Let us know. Myopic greetings.
Dieter 03 Nov 2008, 16:53
Rupert Holmes #1 Hit was "Escape" aka "The Pina Colada Song". A much better song, anyway.
Curt 03 Nov 2008, 13:34
"Short People" was sung by Randy Newman.
Going Without Glasses 03 Nov 2008, 13:16
Rupert Holmes sings his ballad about being nearsighted, and unable to see the world clearly without his glasses. It was set to a very well done video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb78jjW-0HE
yes, this is the same guy who made "short people" a hit song during the 70s.
And 03 Nov 2008, 10:11
Eli, remind me what's your script ? Do you ever do things bare-eyed ?
Thanks
Eli 03 Nov 2008, 00:48
For me, I could manage daily routine bare-eyed with some squinting. Bare-eyed and without squinting, I am as blind as the proverbial bat. :)
And 31 Oct 2008, 08:29
Thanks Sophie,
Could you manage your daily routine bare-eyeed do you think ?
Sophie 30 Oct 2008, 21:16
I think this prescription has pretty much been stable for 6 years (I'm 21)... I got glasses in second grade and absolutely hated it. I refused to wear them until I was 12 and had reached a -2.5 or so... I still remember straining to see the blackboard as a kid, but refusing to put my glasses. When I was 12, I finally gave in and I've been wearing glasses or contacts full-time ever since (I'm 21). Well, I wore contacts for 4 years in high school although I didn't really find them comfortable, because my eyeballs have a strange shape, they're pretty flat or someting. about a year ago I had an eye infection and had to wear glasses and I got so many compliments- people told me I looked WAY better with them on. I've been wearing glasses ever since.
I never go bare-eyed for longer periods of time. However, when I am going home on the train after a long and stressful day, I tend to take my glasses of and enjoy the blur around me. It looks like an impressionist painting and makes me feel kind of peaceful... weird, I know.
And 30 Oct 2008, 15:08
Sophie, when was the last time you did go bare-eyed ? Have you had your prescription long and was there a time when you didn't wear full-time ?
ric 30 Oct 2008, 03:42
but i cant imagine not wearing glasses with -6!
ric 30 Oct 2008, 03:40
i tried to go without glasses the first times as time as was possible, sure i retarded wearing my glasses full time more than most of people, near to -4
Sophie 29 Oct 2008, 20:21
I remember a friend from school whose prescription was, I think, around -5 or -6. She only wore glasses in class to see the blackboard and apart from that, never (out of vanity, which I really cannot understand.) I still wonder how she got by! (I have -4.50 in my left eye and -3 in my right and I could NEVER imagine going without my glasses.). She also didn't have contacts (I don't know why, actually...)
Anyways, I'm going to meet her again in December for the first time since we graduated 2 yrs ago. I wonder if she still copes without glasses.
Tom 09 Sep 2008, 01:11
Great performance yesterday! I needed a new pipe for my shower and I went to the nearest hardware megastore to buy it. I decided to try bareeyed and I managed perfectly. Pipes as the one I was looking for were distributed on a long line at the bottom of one shelf, so I needed to crouch and move from one item to the other to closely inspect them. There were so many! At the end I selected one, I paid and come back to my motorbike all without glasses. It was quite annoying to come close to each item in the shelf to read the specification (I wonder if someone noticed I could not see well) but at the end I completed the task without any trouble and without any help. This confirm that (at least with my level of nearsightedness) can be of a great help, but are not necessary at all for all tasks. Great day!
All4Eyes 05 Aug 2008, 16:21
Tom: Ah, now THIS sounds like FUN! Hmmm, let me SEE...;-) Here are my responses of what I would do (I'm -4, & just for extra fun, I happen to be bare-eyed right now as I'm replying to your questions!):
Situation 1: I would stop and pretend to be engrosed in pulling my hair back or something, but occassionaly look in the direction of the gesticulator, so if they were addressing me, it would appear that I stoped for them and needed to adjust myself before properly addressing them back, but if they meant someone else, I wouldn't too obviously be paying undue attention to them.
All4Eyes 05 Aug 2008, 16:21
Situation 2: I probably would "cheat" and put my glasses on in this situation, IF I had them with me, because I'm rather bad about cheating in this way, I would probably have left my glasses at the office if I was really serious about spending the rest of the day/night without them. In that case, I would have to ask for help, but while in my imagination the idea of going up to a total stranger and asking them to read something to me, because I'm too nearsighted to do so myself seems to be a real turn-on, I think in reality I would be more discreet, I would simply say "Excuse me, could you tell me what tht screen over there says?" In my mind I'd elaborate on this and add something like "because I don't have my glases and my poor eyes just an't see that far" but really I think I would only say this if the person said something like "Can you not read it yourself?" BTW, I'd think it cool if this happened and they told me "You can't read that? Maybe you need glasses"!
All4Eyes 05 Aug 2008, 16:20
Situation 3: Hmmm, this one would depend on my mood, and the reason why I was sans specs. Let me think about it while I rub my eyes, which are starting to hurt from trying to read this blurry screen (I mean this seriously, I've got water coming out of my "good" (really relative term ;-) ) left eye (the "bad" right one I'm mostly keeping closed, it doesn't contribute anything to the picture but more fuz)!). OK, for the first question "Where are your glasses?", if I lost my glasses and was in a good mood (unlikely, but possible), I'd smile and say "Your guess is as good as mine!" and if I 'd lost them and was in a bad mood (quite likely), I'd look at him very pitifully and say in my most sorrowful voice "I lost them". If I were choosing to go without and feeling timid I'd say something about taking a break from them to rest my nose (which truthfully does get irritated from my glasses sometimes) or some such, but if I felt bold I'd say "I enjoy the blurriness sometimes". As for the other part, I'd have already explained I was without glasses and uncorrected (no CL's), so one would THINK this person would not expect me to recognize our friends across the square, but if he did I would gently remind him "I'm afraid without my glasses I really can't tell people apart from one another at this distance. Or tell them apart from the scenery, for that matter!" (This said in either an amused or a sad tone, again depending on my mood). Then I would be most pleased if he replied "Really? Your eyes are THAT BAD?" And I would say "Yes, my glasses are minus four". Which probably wouldn't mean a thing to him, unless he was an OO and/or a high myope himself (it seems to me high myopes are more likely to know about all this rx stuff then are myopes of my degre or less), which would be awesome!
All4Eyes 05 Aug 2008, 16:19
Situation 4: At the resturant, I would probably just order some trie-and-true thing I'd ordered there before, and if it was a new restaurant for me, I'd just order what omeone else was having (if it was something I hated I'd "not be very hungry" and then raid the kitchen at home later). As for a presentation at work, if I didn't have ,y glasses I might ask for help from whoever was closest to me, just like in school when I couldn't read the board or overhead (yep, I'm just a teensy bit too old to have had power point presentations in school!), but I really think I would put my glasses on for something like this, to me not being seen in glasses by someone just isn't worth screwing up at work (yes, it was worth screwing up in school, but then I was young and stupid, now I'm slightly less young and, I like to think, a lot less stupid)! At the movis, I would just pretend I could see the screen, gathering as much meaning as I could from the sound (which is more than you would think, I should know, as I have probably "heard" more movies in theatres than I have actually "seen"!). Or I might just become too involved in the "extra-curricular activities" to pay any attention to the movie (especially if my date is wearing nice, strong glasses, in which case if I was feeling really bold I might ask to borrow them for a bit)!
All4Eyes 05 Aug 2008, 16:18
Situation 5: Ooooh, the classic bufet dillema! Reminds me of a time I went to a restuarant with a buffet and got what I thought were mashed potatoes, only to realize later that I had actually gotten white rice! Ideally I would probably just explain that I didn't have my glasses nd had pretty lousy eyes, so he couldn't count on me to pick the right sandwich, but in reality I would probably go to the buffet, squint for all I was worth, hope I made the right choice, and if he complained that I made a mistake, then I would explain about my eyes. If I explained that in this case, then I would tell him enough to know he would have to come up tp me in the park, but assuming I luckily brought back the correct sandwich at the party and so didn't have an oppurtunity to explain then, and found myself searching for my fuzzy friend amongst all the other human-shaped blurs attatched to barking dog-shaped blurs, I would try to use the facts I had at my disposal to narrow down the possible suspects-Was he tall or short? Dark hair or blond? I would listen for his voice maybe talking to his dog or someone else in the park (this is what I would hope for, sine my night vision without glasses is VERY bad, so I'd have better luck finding him by sound than by sight). In conversation at the party I would have learned wht kind of dog he had-a small breed with a high-pitched yip, or a large one with a deep, full *WOOF!*? Then I would try to get myself in the general vicinity of everybody who roughly fit the description, close enough that if it were him he would notice and call out to me, but far enough that I wouldn't creep out a stranger who happened to vaugely resemble him and/or whose dog seemed the right size to be his.
All4Eyes 05 Aug 2008, 16:17
Well, I think I have had about as much fun as I can stand for now, time to put my glasses back on and pop some Advil for this headache, I think! You all really should have seen me here, working things out with a clever combination of closing my bad eye and tugging at the side of my good one, and good ol' fashioned squinting (btw, I happened to lay my finger lightly on the outside edge of my eye while I was squinting and felt this little tremor or quiver happening in the muscles around my eye, those of you who go bare-eyed and/or have a SO who indulges you in going bare-eyed for you, try feeling for this quiver on yourself/him/her, it's the weirdest and coolest thing to feel!).
PS: I'd be interested to know how some of you all would have reacted to my behavior in these situations, had you been the person on the other end (the person I'd asked for help with the train tables, the friend at the party, etc.)!
I ALWAYS make passes at guys who wear (or need but don't wear!) glasses, (The Other) Marie --)
And 02 Aug 2008, 05:14
Marie, have you been in the situations that Tom lists ? Would love to hear more of your experiences.
Tom 29 Jul 2008, 03:28
Lucy: If you have a different prescription in the two eyes, without glasses you see basically with the better eye only. The brain does the job of "cancelling" the more blurred image. And -1.5 is definitely a low myopia so you should be able to do almost everything without glasses.
How much use them is up to you. If you want a sharp vision anyway you must wear them, but if you prefer the freedom of not having them in front of yuor eyes, you can easily do the job and go around bareeyed without major troubles.
Remember that glasses are not a treatment for myopia, but just an aid to see when needed. As far as I know vision does not improve neither stop decreasing by wearing glasses more that it does if you don't wear them. also if you are young (BTW how old are you?). At least for nearsightedness, because myopic eyes do not struggle to see. Different could be for hyperopia, because a hyperope eye struggles to focus at any distance without positive glasses. Other members can correct if I'm wrong...
Bye.
And 25 Jul 2008, 15:13
Lucy, you can read in this thread the different experiences people have had without glasses and why some choose to be fulltime and others have little choice. What day to day tasks do you perform with/without your specs and have you any examples of when you wish you had been wearing them ?
Lucy 25 Jul 2008, 15:08
I often go without glasses though I have had them several years. I have two different prescriptions in my eyes which means I can see reasonably okay with one eye and I think maybe it compensates for the other. My prescription card says OS -2.75 -0.50 x 140 and OD -1.50
I generally feel like I experience a general low amout of nearsightedness all the time without my glasses, although my OS eye is really blurry. If I cover each eye the OD eye is just slightly blurry for distance although I certainly couldn’t drive or watch tv comfortably.
How do you decide how much/little to wear glasses? It would be easy enough to wear them all the time although I can get by its more comfortable to wear them. Is there anyone experienced to give me advice here? Thanks.
Puffin 24 Jul 2008, 17:37
Oh, there's some food for thought in those questions.
Diane 24 Jul 2008, 17:21
Tom
Thanks for energizing this thread. I'll have a post soon.
Mickey 24 Jul 2008, 11:30
My wife wears glasses all the time..-1.50 and -1.75. I always wondered what her vision was like bare-eyed, but she never takes them off. I have a weak scrip, -.75 for distance, and +1 for close. I often wear contacts for monovision and they work well. Somehow I messed up the other day, in a rush, and put in two contacts +1's, and ran out of the house. I only had to walk 3 blocks, but realized too late that I had very poor distance vision. Couldn't read street signs, although I could read street numbers. I know I could have driven safely, as long I knew where I was going. I did see some people I know across the street, and even with squinting could not make out who they were. When I got to the store, was amazed how clearly I could read product labels etc, but couldn't make out the aisle signs at the other end of the store. I now better appreciate what wife sees and understand why she wears all day.
Clare 24 Jul 2008, 10:27
Tom - I'll kick this off with a response to question 2. In that case I'd be happy to put my glasses on to see the departure board and its a scene I often see on the concourse of the large London station that I use. I think that's an easy and not embarrassing situation.
Tom 24 Jul 2008, 03:34
I propose to share some experiences and reactions in bareeyed situations (true or fictitious) to understand which is the approach and feeling of everyone of us on the subject:
Situation 1:
You are walking along a street and someone on the other side gesticulate to you and start crossing the street. You are obviously unable to recognise who he/she is, and since there are other people walking on your same side, you are not even sure that the one on the other side is addressing just you. What will you do?
Situation 2:
You are at the station to catch the usual train back home from office, but the train is not waiting at the usual platform. Every screen is by far too small/far to be read. Would you put your glasses on? Would you ask someone for help? In this case, would you explain that you cannot see?
Situation 3:
You meet a friend of yours and as soon as he recognises you, he says: "There is something new on your face, what have you done... oh my god, where are your thick glasses?" Moreover, after a few words, your friend tells you: "there are other mates of ours waiting just there (pointing the other side of the square with his/her finger), it would be nice if you could join us and precede me there while I'm going to buy some cigarettes around the corner?" Obviously you cannot distinguish nothing as far as the other side of the square...
Situation 4:
It happens a situation in which you are expected to read something in distance (e.g. a menu board at a restaurant or a screen board for a presentation, or a movie at the cinema) but you don't want absolutely to be seen with your glasses on by your partner (boy/girl friend, colleague). What would you do? Imagine that you cannot get closer, e.g. because your fiancee have been taken you to the cinema and decided to sit in one of the last rows just in case of some extra-curruclar activities in the darkness...
Situation 5:
You are at a party and meet a very nice boy/girl. After a very pleasant evening together, he/she proposes you to meet again the following day, somewhere in the park where he/she usually walk with his dog after dinner. You are very interested in him/her but there will be tens of people with dogs in the park and without glasses you don't see anything in the darkness. Would you accept? How would you behave the next evening? BTW: during the party your new friend has told you "could you please go to take a ham sandwich for me on the buffet while I'm resting for a while after dancing so much?" Obviously a ham sandwich looks very much like a cheese, salmon or salad sandwhich for you at more than a couple of feets away from the buffet table... How did you manage?
Let's start this game, if you like ;-)
Tom
P.S. Did something similar to what I've described above already happen to you? Other situations happened or come in mind to share?
Diane 09 Jul 2008, 19:54
Starry-eyed's comments are very similiar to my own thoughts. At home, it does not bother me at all to squint, pull or hold things close. But when I am not wearing glasses in public and get into a situation where others know I cannot see very well, I try to change the subject or make some dumb joke about my eyesight.
Clare 06 Jul 2008, 09:52
And - not very often anymore!
And 05 Jul 2008, 07:00
Clare, do you still venture out and about bare-eyed ?
Clare 05 Jul 2008, 04:07
For me it's just missing detail like street signs, signage in shops, people across the road or detail on the tv. Also when I'm bare-eyed at home, having a conversation across the room with someone who's out of focus. At -2.75 and -3 I'm not so bad as some here and happily mooch around the house without any problem, it just seems that when I'm concentrating on something it is more noticeable - particularly the -3 eye which has -.50 of astigmatism.
Starry-eyed 05 Jul 2008, 02:01
In the end the most annoying thing is to let other people see how nearsighted I am. I'm quite happy to do things without glasses at home. In public, though, I always find myself trying to act like I'd see better than I do. With over -5 it's not so easy... I hate putting my face very close to stuff so I try to read from as far as I can (not a big difference anyway). I'm tempted to squint to see people around me but I try to do it only when I think no one will pay attention. I guess being without glasses a lot would get me over this. But with this prescription I guess there's not much point in doing that.
Puffin 03 Jul 2008, 13:59
Don't need glasses myself, but sometimes I have to play guide dog. It depends who it's for.
sourgrapes 03 Jul 2008, 12:33
Not being able to recognize who people are or their facial expressions, and not being able to read anything unless I put my face next to it.
Tom 03 Jul 2008, 06:42
When you go bareeyed, which is the most annoying thing? For me it's the impossibility to identify other GWGs around me... I need to be quite close to see if a girl is wearing glasses (unless she wears a black and bold frame), and a few inch from her face to clearly see the lens thickness or to guess her prescription. However, other activities can be difficult to manage, such as find an item in a shop (e.g. a book or magazine) or look into the shop windows.
And for you?
Phil 13 Jun 2008, 01:46
Text me first and I'll let you have my email address. It's a bit sensitive so I'd rather not post it here! My mobile number is 447783062869.
ehpc 12 Jun 2008, 13:23
Phil's e-mail address is hairymonkey@gwglust.com
Jennifer 12 Jun 2008, 11:29
Phil, I'm still waiting for your email address. Can I have it?
Phil 12 Jun 2008, 10:23
Come on then Jennifer: equal that. You have my number.
ehpc 12 Jun 2008, 10:23
ha:) ha:)
Tanya 12 Jun 2008, 10:12
You never know what's going to happen and when....
ehpc 12 Jun 2008, 06:23
Come on Tanya!!!!!!!!!! Respond!!!!!!!!!!! Pete
Phil 12 Jun 2008, 01:32
Are you sure it's not Jennifer Pete?
ehpc 11 Jun 2008, 15:51
Um..........er............... could this be Tanya? :)
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/etsyfeatures/fatzineaction.jpg
Is this a good pic of you Tanya? :)
ehpc 11 Jun 2008, 15:37
Mind you, Tanya, I must say that I am really flattered by your intense desire to see my pic. That's so sweet of you:)
Pete
ehpc 11 Jun 2008, 15:19
Piss off Tanya:) haven't seen your pic either come to that....................:)
Melyssa 11 Jun 2008, 12:37
Phil,
I didn't know you were the reincarnation of George Burns! :)
Tanya 11 Jun 2008, 11:13
Yeah, what a hottie he is!
It seems you forgot to put in your false teeth as well, Phil!?
Sad to see that, thus far, ehpc has failed to reciprocate. However, come to think of it, if he did so the chances of anyone ever emailing of texting him would be even more minimal than they are currently! ;)
Jennifer 11 Jun 2008, 08:44
Phil, you're a lot smaller than I expected and with a lot more hair. I can see that a leash is necessary when walking through the streets. I just love the Harry Potter frames, too bad they don't have lenses!
Phil 11 Jun 2008, 05:25
I couldn't have come up with a better picture myself! Yet not a single gwg has so far declared her undying love for me. I really do wonder for how much true beauty counts nowadays.
ehpc 10 Jun 2008, 13:38
Curiously enough I am a twin. Though not to Phil, I don't need to add:) Pete
Phil 10 Jun 2008, 12:42
Here's my picture, for Jennifer's eyes only:
http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/8039/phillzd3.jpg
It's your turn now.
Hopefully, Pete will also post his.
Jennifer 10 Jun 2008, 10:04
Phil, please post a picture of yourself. We need to see the family resemblence.
Phil 10 Jun 2008, 09:54
Hehe. How's tricks Twin?
ehpc 10 Jun 2008, 09:18
ha ha :)
10 Jun 2008, 09:04
Pete and Phil - separated at birth?
ehpc 10 Jun 2008, 09:03
Wow, Marie, that is sooooooooooooooooooooooo exciting:) I wish you'd text or e-mail me:) Pete XXX
Marie 10 Jun 2008, 05:03
And
Yeah it is, i have problems reading print and computar screens but the real blurcomes at about three feet from my face. From there i´m kind of handicapped.
Marie 10 Jun 2008, 05:01
ehpc, well sometimes i wear them ALL day long. :-)
And 09 Jun 2008, 05:52
Marie,
Driving would surely be positively dangerous without correction, at what distance is everything a blur ?
ehpc 08 Jun 2008, 12:16
Well, I wish you wore your hot hot hot glasses ALL THE TIME, Marie :) Pete XXX
Marie 08 Jun 2008, 06:09
Diane
I´m very comfortable without them. I´ve never been fulltime wearing. Never considered me to be a glasses girl either. :-) So i go several days without and it´s normal for me.
Often friends of mine read signs and tell me if we meet people i know so it´s not a big problem at all really.
The only time i wear glasses "in public" nowadays is when i drive. I wish i could be bareeyed behind the wheel aswell but so far i haven´t managed too good with that. I try sometimes but my eyesight is really poor so it´s hard.
Marie 08 Jun 2008, 06:03
And
It´s a little tricky shopping sometimes but i try to go to stores i know so i´ve managed so far. My friend is a fulltime glasses girl yes. :-)
Marie 08 Jun 2008, 06:01
ehpc, I´m about -5 but i can´t remember exactly
And 04 Jun 2008, 14:20
Marie, how do you find shopping without your specs ? Does your frind with the lesser prescription wear full-time ?
Diane 04 Jun 2008, 08:23
Hi Marie
I have pretty much documented my bare-eyed experiences on this thread. You must be very comfortable without your glasses to regularly leave them at home. Does that mean you might go several days without wearing glasses?
Your friends and co-workers must understand your preference for bare-eyes and don’t expect you to see very well. Do they help you out by identifying approaching people, reading store signs, and not expecting you to find them in malls or restaurants? In my limited experiences, I find people to be very considerate in those ways.
I borrowed a co-workers glasses to attend a presentation only because she insisted. They weren’t strong enough, but did help. When I saw her put on her sunglasses, I tried to return her regular pair but she would not accept them.
ehpc 04 Jun 2008, 06:15
How much minus are you, beautiful blonde Marie? :) You must remember that glasses are for WEARING :)))) XXX Pete
Marie 04 Jun 2008, 04:02
Hi Diane. What kind of things have u tried so far? I think youre great! :-) One bare eyed girl to another.
Marie 04 Jun 2008, 03:59
And
Yeah at a distance i can´t recognize anyone. I´m squinting a lot but so far nobodys asked me why i don´t wear my glasses. It has happened that a girl friend of mine has offered me to use hers but they are waaaay to weak for me. :-)
ehpc 03 Jun 2008, 11:33
I'm cool Marie :) I wish you would e-mail me or text me :) peterseivewright@hotmail.com or 07747 023247. Everything going magnifico!!!!!!! Just back from recording new CD :) XXX Pete
And 03 Jun 2008, 10:35
Marie, are you able to recognise people at work ? I know Diane said she struggled to make out faces.
Marie 03 Jun 2008, 01:17
And
I normally leave my glasses at home so i really don´t have a "plan b" if i run into trouble. Sometimes people at work have asked me if i manage or if i want them to help me. :-) Every now and then i let them.
Marie 03 Jun 2008, 01:13
ehpc
Hi there Pete. I´m fine thx. And you?
Puffin 01 Jun 2008, 11:51
It's just that I know as much as I ever want to about cleaning, enough to know I don't want to do it twice when once would do.
Diane 01 Jun 2008, 11:12
Oops, that last post was mine.
Puffin 01 Jun 2008, 11:11
Puffin is correct.
I've been mostly full-time again.
Puffin 31 May 2008, 08:09
I'd guess the problem with the vacuum cleaner would be you could do it, then put your glasses on and find it needed doing again, because you'd missed the dirt.
And 31 May 2008, 07:36
Diane
So have you been fulltime since 'finding' them ? What was the dilemma with vacuuming ?
Diane 30 May 2008, 17:56
Hi "And"
No, last Saturday I "found" my glasses. I had to add running the vacuum cleaner to the things I cannot do bare-eyed.
And 30 May 2008, 10:25
Diane,
Still bare-eyed ?
And 30 May 2008, 10:24
So who nicked my nickname for the last post ? I don't ask intimate questions, get your own name please !
Maja 30 May 2008, 04:03
hello and,
to be precise if that's what you mean than both. If I stay with my partner I put of my glasses as well as he does it. That depends on the mood. My partner has no fetish of GWG and he never thinks about it that my rx is very high I think he acts really "natural" and he doesn't care for the Rx. Anyway it depends on my mood if I prefer to see everything (I can go in my contacts then) or if I like the feeling of just feeling.
Love Maja
Seeker 30 May 2008, 01:06
I think I can recall a post ages ago from Jey Ping who had a pretty powerful RX mentioning an incident at his college where a friend or might have been girlfriend had borrowed/taken his glasses and he found the stairs especially challenging bare eyed. As many stairwells tend to have less bright light this probably makes things worse. Would this be supported by other bare eyed wanderers. I'm a plussy so my going without glasses incident is getting seriously lost because there was no way I could read the map.
And 30 May 2008, 00:42
So Maja, you do have bare-eyed experiences! Tell us what it is like in the arms of your loved one bare-eyed. Does he remove your glasses or do you?
During your intimate moments do you like to see your lover or experience things blindly?
maja 29 May 2008, 16:30
hello and, of course I can remember, it was not always like now. In my jounger ages at school I went without my glasses.
Btw I startet having glasses at the age of five and I started with moderate -1.75 then and in my early school years I needed my glasses just inside the classroom to see the blackboard. I very often was without my glasses in early times because I hated them and was ashamed because other children laughed at me. But after my mypia went stronger and stronger I needed my glasses hardly more and more and when I was about 20 I started with contacts and loved this a lot. But experience on being bare-eyed israther something. I don't like it any more and I go crazy in the morning when I wake up into my blurry world and I put on my glasses at once the first thing in the morning I walk around bare-eyed at home quite rarely especially I'm afraid of the stairs. To walk them without seeing the steps scares me too much. But as to be honest, being bared eyed staying in the arms of my partner is ok, because then I'm safe :-) and that's the only reason to put off the glasses.
Regards Maja
Regards Maja
And 29 May 2008, 15:56
Maja,
Have you always had a strong prescription or can you remember when you could go bare-eyed if you wanted ?
maja 29 May 2008, 15:53
hello everybody, as already met some of you in the lenschat (hello ehpc btw) I just go around a little bit and read the threats. this one here seems quite confusing to me. What the heck is this for, why go bare-eyed.
I think maybe some people can, if they really do not need their glasses or contacts very much.
As for me, I could never share this experience I think. My rx is -17 and -16,25 and like this I couldn't even walk alone without my glasses.
So please explain to me, what this here is for and I'll stay rather interested in the reason.
Regards Maja
still 28 May 2008, 20:48
Yes. That charge is made periodically. Ignore that, and enjoy yourself with us!
R Ed 28 May 2008, 20:46
Dianne,
Please keep posting and forget about Mipsi.
Diane 28 May 2008, 19:00
In a recent post, "Mipsi" stated that I was not a "real one." Did that mean I was not really bare-eyed or did that mean I was a total imposter?
I just completed a simple search of the entire thread index. As far as I can determine, that was the one and only posting by "Mipsi."
Further, there was no response to the challenge from someonewholovesgirlswithglasses.
I was only trying to share my experiences with mutually interested friends.
And 28 May 2008, 16:00
Marie,
Do you take your glasses to work with you ? What strange situations have you been in ?
ehpc 28 May 2008, 10:14
How are you doing Marie ? :) Pete
Marie 28 May 2008, 04:55
And, yes i am bareeyed at work. I´m with a big swedish furniture company?! Hehe, and i don´t really need glasses to be able to do my job, but there can be some strange situations sometimes.
Tom 26 May 2008, 07:14
Diane, I completely agree with Bob. After all if you jave survived and have managed your tasks ok at work in the blur for several days, it means that you don't need to come back to fulltime even if you "find" your glasses. You can alwasy leave them on your desk or in your purse or even take them on your hair, to use them when absolutely needed.
Please tell us more about the other girl's glasses. Does she really put on her sunglasses to let you use her regular eyeglasses? Frankly, I'll do the opposite by borrowing you the sunglasses I don't use at work.
When I was in the high school I broke my glasses and my older ones where of no use to read the board. A girl was sit close to me, who was slightly nearisghted (-1.75) and part time wearer. She let me use her glasses to see the board more than once in those days. It was really funny. Soon later she went to the eyedoctor and discovered she had jump to -3. At that time she never wore glasses out of the classroom and was e.g. unable to recognise people across the street. After a few days to become accustomed to the new prescription she moved to fulltime and soon (unfortunately) to contacts.
Bye.
NEW QUESTION 26 May 2008, 01:52
I have a question to ask everyone who has gone without glasses for awhile that should generate some interesting stories.
What is the most embarrassing moment you experienced during your life in a blurry world? Did you mistake someone for somebody else? An object for a person? A person for an object? ;)
Please share!
sum1wholovesgirlswithglasses 25 May 2008, 06:40
Mipsi do you have any proof that her stories aint real dont jump to conclusions
just because her bareyed experiences may sound exaggerated to some people that cannot be easily convinced by suspicious posts esspecially if the author is female
Mipsi 24 May 2008, 21:06
I'm sorry to inform you that Diane is not a real one. Corn it or with glasses.
Diane 24 May 2008, 19:31
An interesting afternoon yesterday. A girl from across the hall, who has been on maternity leave, brought her baby in for everyone to see. I was trying so hard to see what was going on that I got caught pulling my eyelids. Later, one of the girls in my office asked how much longer I would be without glasses. Before I could answer, the other two joined in and expressed their concerns. I finally explained that I had not given up on finding the lost pair.
After enduring their opinions of my inaction and hearing numerous examples of my obvious struggle to see, I finally agreed to call my optometrist. His office is closed for the holiday and will not reopen until Tuesday.
So, either I find my “lost” glasses or I remain bare-eyed well into next week.
Decisions, decisions
Bob W. 24 May 2008, 15:31
Diane PS, when you 'find' your glasses, that doesn't have to end your fun. You could explain that you got used to seeing without and stick them in your hair, bringing them down when you need them, but try squinting first.
Best Regards,
Bob W.
Bob W 24 May 2008, 14:46
Diane, I hope you don't feel pressured to go bare-eyed to the point that you get yourself into an embarrassing or scary predicament where you lose face and self confidence. For myself, I enjoy hearing your experiences very much, but only to the extent that you enjoy it and it builds your self image without undo risk of tearing it down. I'm probably getting too 'fatherly' here.
I hope others with mild prescriptions feel that their contributions are valued as well. I can only speak for myself, of course, but I believe that experiences of those in the -2 range or less are quite interesting as well, though usually not credited as being nearly as 'bold'. Not being near sighted myself, I am also interested in finding out about what it is like for those who normally don't wear them much as well as those who wear them almost all the time with these mild prescriptions, especially how much squinting actually clears things up. That being said, I'm not at all tired of hearing about Diane's and Claire's experiences.
Best Regards,
Bob W.
And 24 May 2008, 10:05
Marie, with a similar prescription to Diane do you have similar experiences ? Are you bare-eyed at work ?
antonio-o 24 May 2008, 03:11
incredible you really left them at home, Diane, as you are wearing -5 ones normally. You are really brave! Good luck!
antonio
24 May 2008, 03:00
Diane,
Are you bare-eyeed at home too ? Is there anywhere you wouldn't go without your glassses ?
And 24 May 2008, 02:58
Diane, interesting that your friend with a lesser prescription puts on her sunglasses, is she not comfortable being bare-eyeed ?
myopiarules 23 May 2008, 13:33
It seems like those of us who love squinting never see anyone doing it these days.More and more people are getting lasik now.If I worked at Diane's place of employment, I wouldn't get any work done. Remembering back when I was taking a college course and was doing good until this good- looking girl came in at mid-semester, she was obviously myopic and didn't care who saw her screw up her face as she tried to see the writing on the board from the front row. I nearly failed the class after that. But I sure looked forward to classtime. I love all the stories involving squinting. Girls especially. If nearsighted girls/women only understood how their affliction affects some of the guys on this site.
Jennifer 23 May 2008, 12:44
Phil, do you have an email address?
ehpc 23 May 2008, 10:26
I hope you have a great friendship Phil. Most sincerely.
ehpc 23 May 2008, 10:26
Thanks Bronwyn :) Pete XXX
Diane 23 May 2008, 10:18
Tom: I cannot believe that I am so into this bare-eyed experience. I don’t think it would be as much fun if I did not have you guys to share with. On Tuesday, when I began, I left my glasses in my car after lunch hour and when asked, told the fib that I had misplaced my glasses at the gym. Of course I needed my glasses to drive home. For the past three days, I have taken the bus to work. The bus number sign above the windshield is impossible for me to see, but there is another sign near the door that I can see from the curb. On Wednesday and Thursday, I kept my glasses in my purse, even though I was very tempted to get them out several times. Today, I left my glasses at home and am hopelessly bare-eyed!
Everyone at work thinks that I have lost my glasses and sympathizes with me. On Wednesday, one of the girls even went with me to the gym to search for my “lost” glasses. Of course they were not there. We discussed my poor vision and reliance on strong glasses at length. Today, four different people have asked me about finding or replacing my glasses. I find myself squinting constantly. I have borrowed another girl’s glasses a few times to attend presentations. (She wears her prescription sunglasses while I am using her regular glasses.) They aren’t strong enough but do help.
I guess I will have to “find” my glasses soon as it surely could not be normal for a person with eyes like mine to be without glasses for more than a few days.
Phil 23 May 2008, 01:28
Jennifer, I'll take you up on that offer! I dare you: 07783062869. Sorry EHPC, but I think she's rather nice!
Tom 23 May 2008, 01:01
Diane: wow!!! Don't forget to tell us such details on your bareeyed experiences. How brave you are... BTW Where actually were your glasses? Are you really able not to bring them at work? If you go on like this in a few days all people around you could be accustomed to see you bareeyed and not comment anymore even if you squint. Although if I was one of them I'll never stop commenting since I found so intriguing to get into conversation with women about eyesight... Do you have bespectacled colleagues? What do they think of your going bareeyed. It happened to me a couple of times to see a person in trouble due to poor eyesight (e.q squinting) and to offer her to try my eyeglasses. And oviously to try her ones on my nose, if she has.... using other people's glasses is another very intriguing issue, according to my opinion.
Bronwyn 22 May 2008, 15:21
ehpc, I read as far back as 5/13;you will never cease to amaze me! You are the lightning bolt of eyescene!!
Jennifer 22 May 2008, 13:33
ephc - why do you feel that I needed to know that information? Strange man - you are.
Asphodel 22 May 2008, 13:22
ehpc, I'm 24 now. I think we started corresponding when I was 19 (correct me if I'm wrong).
ehpc 22 May 2008, 13:20
How old are you, Asphodel? Just for Jennifer's and Tanya's information:)
Asphodel 22 May 2008, 13:16
About going without specs - today I had to because it was pissing with rain. Not pleasant, not nice, but somehow fun.
ehpc 22 May 2008, 13:14
Hey! Thanks:) I'm glad I have a fan:)Some people are good-natured and some aren't Asphodel. We are:) And we know who isn't :)
Asphodel 22 May 2008, 13:12
Very amusing posts :)
ehpc, how very British you are. Classy. :) And being middle-aged is aprox. 1.000.000+ times better than being a leftie. Go, Tory!
ehpc 22 May 2008, 13:08
PHIL - look at all the humourless ill-natured Leftie frumps ganging up on me :)
ehpc 22 May 2008, 12:48
'smiles'
ehpc 22 May 2008, 12:46
Unfortunately my computer won't seem to send long posts, Tanya. I think other posters have had this problem.I'm always full of similes:) I am a happy person. I don't think I have ever attempted to 'pick someone up' on line. Certainly not here. Appreciation is not the same as trying to pick someone up. I'm surprised you don't recognise the difference. Pete
ehpc 22 May 2008, 12:43
Ha ha :) Why is 'middle-aged' in inverted commas? All I can say is that if I meet a woman,however attractive, who is a leftie, you don't see me for dust. You have a very unattractive personality, for example. Dogmatic and immature.
Jennifer 22 May 2008, 12:40
I believe it's "middle aged" men in glasses with your personality who are not appealing to me. Phil might be a different story. I might just send Phil a text! If he's open to it.
Tanya 22 May 2008, 12:26
Just as well females aren't swayed by your 'looks and appearance' then, ehpc, eh?
If they are not put right off by your pathetic attempts to pick up women, based on whether they wear black frames with wide sides...accompanied by a plethora of 'smiles' a ten year old would be embarrassed to be associated with...you appear to have problems putting together a post any longer than a sentence in length.
I ask you!
ehpc 22 May 2008, 11:25
There's also another good bit of female lack of logic and consistency here. You (Jennifer) reckon, entirely reasonably, that it would be wholly 'inappropriate' (to use that all-purpose modern word:))for guys of my age (53) to seriously chase after young GWGs. You couldn't be more right. On the other hand, you say that you only like MIGs who are young...................
ehpc 22 May 2008, 11:19
Mind you, we chaps can't win. Some women would berate us and say we shouldn't be so swayed by appearance, and the 'person underneath', i.e. philosophical and political outlook, is what matters...............Pete
ehpc 22 May 2008, 11:16
Don't worry Jennifer:)You mean middle-aged MIGs don't appeal to you.I can take that.That seems entirely natural and I don't have problems with that :)
Pete
Jennifer 22 May 2008, 10:54
ephc - why do you have to make this political??? I was speaking of middle aged men with glasses. Posting the same thing over and over seems a little immature. Don't you think?? Or do your political views blind you? Too bad you can't see past someone's political views. I don't ask a man in glasses whether he's a right winger or a lefty! Seems childish to do so!
ehpc 22 May 2008, 10:29
I think I meant lefties are all unattractive PEOPLE - lack of independence and so on. Immature outlook.
Puffin 22 May 2008, 10:17
yeah I've seen Dianne Abbot in glasses, doesn't really make that much difference though.
Phil 22 May 2008, 10:08
I wish you were right EHPC. But what about Dianne Abbot?
ehpc 22 May 2008, 09:30
All lefties are unattractive...............
ehpc 22 May 2008, 09:12
Of course it is. I don't have a problem with that. Your problem is political :)
Jennifer 22 May 2008, 08:45
That's the problem, your middle aged status...........
ehpc 22 May 2008, 07:23
I am sure it was mentioned in jest Phil :) Tanya is taking the piss (not unreasonably:)) of our distinctly middle-aged status:)
Phil 22 May 2008, 06:58
Come, come Tanya. You'd be surprised how many textchum gwgs I've had. Not everyone sees the interest shown by intelligent chaps like EHPC and me as something to be avoided! Luckily there are some good-natured gwgs who enjoy attention out there.
ehpc 22 May 2008, 06:03
Too right Tanya :) Spot on :) Pete
Tanya 22 May 2008, 05:56
Hey ehpc. Maybe you and Phil could get together and exchange emails and texts, cos I don't think there's much likelihood of anyone doing so! ;)
22 May 2008, 05:43
Clair, What happened in the food court ?
22 May 2008, 05:41
Diane,
Do you go bare-eyed in the gym too ?
Diane 21 May 2008, 12:04
Hi Tom
When the boss looked at me and said, “No glasses?” I just sort of mumbled and nodded my head in agreement. I then took a seat by the door, which was dumb because it was the farthest from the flip chart. I tried to sneak a squint but the chart was hopelessly blurred. I intensified my squint but that didn’t work either. After a few minutes, the boss asked if I wanted to move closer. I could have fainted from embarrassment. I did exchange places which helped but I still had to squint. My boss then asked if I wanted to go get my glasses. I told him that I didn’t have my glasses with me.
After the meeting, one of the others asked about my glasses. I lied and told her that I had been to the gym for workout over the lunch hour and had managed to misplace my glasses. (That really happened to someone I know) And of course I complained about my uncorrected vision.
Now, with an explanation for my missing glasses, I have been bare-eyed again today. I have been regularly squinting, even pulled my eyes a couple of times, and thoroughly enjoying the suspense.
ehpc 21 May 2008, 06:27
Hey!Hey! All going well, Phil?
Phil 21 May 2008, 05:58
EHPC, You are getting as bad as me! Calm down! No wonder you can manage only short messages!
ehpc 21 May 2008, 05:22
Although I like you WEARING your hot glasses:)
ehpc 21 May 2008, 05:20
I can still only post very short messages for some reason.
ehpc 21 May 2008, 05:20
In any case I hope everything is going great:)
ehpc 21 May 2008, 05:19
Hi Marie :) It's your big fan Pete here:)You can always e-mail or text if you want:)
Marie 21 May 2008, 04:28
ES-Visitor
Pretty close. I´d say about ten-fifteen inches. It depends too... :-/
I can´t read newspaper print at all without glasses unfortunately.
Tom 21 May 2008, 01:30
Diane, unfortunately I was not attending that working meeting...
Did you have to explain why you were not wearing glasses? Did any of the participants comment on your squinting? Please tell us more about how you relates with your nearsightedness while in public. I go bareeyed often but always when I'm sure I will not have visual demanding relationships with other people because I'm afraid of having to explain that I could not see, or needing some help to see, etc. For example I shop bereeyed only when I'm sure I can select the item I want by myself.
Diane 20 May 2008, 18:22
Hi Anon
You must be new to the thread. How exciting.
I am a -5, I try not to go to unfamiliar places while bare-eyed, I knew all the participants at the meeting - I just could not see their expressions, and I do squint to see better.
anonymous 20 May 2008, 16:45
Diane,
What is your prescription?
Do you go to unknown premisces for meetings while bare-eyed?
Or do you "only" not know the people attending those meetings?
Do you squint a lot and/or do people see you squinting?
Sorry for all the questions.
Thanks,
Diane 20 May 2008, 13:57
A bare-eyed afternoon for me, and an interesting one. My boss called me to a meeting. I knew it would be difficult. I was hardly through the door when he said, "Diane, no glasses?" I was a little embarressed. There was a flip chart I could not see and faces I could not recognize. I really felt nearsighted during that meeting.
ES-Visitor 16 May 2008, 00:48
Hi Marie, thank you for your stories... One question: how close do you need to bring things like a magazine to be able to read them? I personally find this so sexy and hot...
specs4ever 15 May 2008, 18:10
Haven't thought of using a germ as a cause for myopia yet, however it has been documented that viral illnesses can cause myopia, ranging from mild to quite severe.
Diane 15 May 2008, 10:36
Ha, maybe a plot for a specs4ever story, a myopia causing germ.
I am getting quite comfortable with, and enjoying, my bare-eyed walks in the park. I just give a quick tug at the corners of my eyes when I need some momentary correction.
14 May 2008, 17:55
I really enjoyed that story. :)
Clair 14 May 2008, 16:24
The assistant (again I think the same one) came up to me wondering how "you left being you have such a strong prescription". I told her it was fun but have no idea of her expression after that because I could not see her face. She asked me if it was hard to see which told me her strong comment was from someone who knew. I asked for a magazine and showed her how close I had to be to read it. Her reply was "Oh my gosh" and she ran away. It was wonderful. I think she though she could get myopia like a cold.
Clair 14 May 2008, 16:18
Monday was perfect. I went to a well known eyegall provider to get sunglasses lenses put in an older prescription. Leaving my newer glasses in the car, I handed over my glasses to aan assistant and off she went while me bare eyed. I sat there bare eyed enjoying the situation and she (I think it was her-the voice was the same) and she told me they had broken my frames and had to make new lenses in a similar frame at no extra cost to me. I acted sad but was so happy to now be at least an hour before I was seeing things. I left, did really badly in the food court, and returned.
ehpc 14 May 2008, 11:17
You could go even further than that Marie:) You could text or e-mail me:) (E-mail address and mobile number in previous e-mails) Pete. XXX to blonde GWG Marie wearing minus lenses in hot black rectangular plastic frames with wide sides :)
Marie 14 May 2008, 11:05
Bats my eyes to ehpc
ehpc 13 May 2008, 05:38
Blonde, thick minus lenses in black rectangular plastic frames with wide sides..........perfection :) Pete XXX
ehpc 13 May 2008, 05:20
Very popular :) Pete XXX
Marie 13 May 2008, 00:36
Oh dear i´m so popular :-) Imagine that a little nearsighted girl could score so many fans. Hehe.
ehpc 11 May 2008, 12:31
I'd soooooooooooooooo love to hear from you, Marie:) You can e-mail me or text my mobile 07747 023247 (if you are in the United Kingdom). The number is +44 7747 023247 if you are outside the United Kingdom. Pete XXX
ehpc 11 May 2008, 12:29
You sound the most TOP TOP FUN GWG Marie :) XXX Pete
ehpc 11 May 2008, 12:28
For some reason, my computer will only send short posts. And just when I need it!!!!!!
ehpc 11 May 2008, 12:27
I'd love to hear from you Marie:) XXX Pete
Melyssa 11 May 2008, 07:48
Marie,
My sunglasses are very big and fit comfortably over most of my regular glasses, as is the purpose of the type of shades that I use. I need to adjust them a bit at the start when I'm wearing any of my oversized regular frames (whose lenses measure about 3 inches in diameter). You can get the sunglasses in most drugstores or department stores, and they're not expensive (and are not to be used as prescription glasses). Before getting them I had prescription shades and it wasn't easy switching back and forth as needed.
Highmyope 11 May 2008, 05:11
Damnation!
8-)
P.S. Sorry, Pete--but you can't blame a guy for trying!
Marie 11 May 2008, 04:46
Highmyope
I would give u a call but i can´t see good enough to dial...
Marie 11 May 2008, 04:45
ehpc hehehe i know, glasses are originally made for wearing... and of course i´ll do it for you ;-)
ehpc 10 May 2008, 11:11
Nice thick standard lenses..............:) Pete
ehpc 10 May 2008, 11:10
Minus 4 to 5.............sounds lovely:)
ehpc 10 May 2008, 11:08
Mind you,Marie, I like blonde women wearing black rectangular plastic frames and minus lenses to WEAR their glasses like good GWGs.......................:) But I'm sure you'd do that for me:)Pete
ehpc 10 May 2008, 11:06
EXCUSE ME!!!!!! That remark of Marie's was addressed to me:) You are very welcome to e-mail me anytime at peterseivewright@hotmail.com if you wish, Marie:) Pete
Highmyope 10 May 2008, 04:51
>>good you like blondes with plastic frames and quite thick minus lenses coz that´s mee, hehehe
Excellent, Marie! Phone number, please? ;)
Marie 10 May 2008, 00:00
Melyssa ehpc Tom
Tom, i´ve been in different situations where i need to explain to people that i can´t see and need some help. (Which is absolutely true) The only time i wear glasses regularly now is when i drive so i keep my glasses in the car. Although it happens every now and then that i drive without them too.
Melyssa, isn´t it kind of uncomfortable wearing both glasses and sunglasses even if the regular glasses have relatively tiny frames? I absolutely hate prescription shades so i think i´m gonna go for bare eyes instead.
ehpc, good you like blondes with plastic frames and quite thick minus lenses coz that´s mee, hehehe
Tom 09 May 2008, 00:36
Diane is right, pulling eyelids is a very powerful way to improve bareeyed vision. Much more powerful than squinting.
Once I was sit without glasses on a underground train. Above the door opposite to me there was the usual wallpaper with the train path and stop names. And it was obviously no more than a white board. I tried squinting but there was no way to read the labels. I tried pulling my eyelids and
with my great surprise I found it worked! I could read the labels perfectly with my -3 eye and even guess some names with the -5 one.
If you are without glasses and need to see something (usually a sign or writing), try pulling eyelids before putting spectacles on. And you will probably find that this do the job (at least if you are less than, say, -5)!
Take care.
Puffin 08 May 2008, 17:46
I see no harm in it, they are worthwhile questions and nobody's getting insulted or anything.
08 May 2008, 15:03
George
What's it to you?
George 08 May 2008, 12:44
Is anyone else noticing the nameless poster who regularly crops up on here. Asking plenty of questions, (always to women), but tells us nothing about himself?
Melyssa 08 May 2008, 12:40
11:46 PDT, 2:46 EDT poster:
Yes, my prescription is -9.00, so I guess I would see better than Clair sans glasses, although as I type this, I see on the computer a pink box near the upper left, a few black squiggles, and a white background. (Holy socks, I typed it right. LOL)
The last time I did not wear glasses in public was, oh, about 1972, which is when I went fulltime.
Diane 08 May 2008, 12:40
Probably, with the temptation of them being immediately available, often. But then again, it would definately depend on how familiar I would be with my surroundings.
08 May 2008, 12:33
Diane,
If you kept your glasses in your purse all day how often do you think you would need to reach for them ?
Diane 08 May 2008, 11:54
Tom
Regarding my bare-eyed afternoon at work, I was careful to select a time when I had no appointments, conferences, meetings or presentations, in other words, just a quiet afternoon at my desk. I can read, at close range, without glasses and I can see my monitor, although increasing the font is helpful. When I was leaning over the copy machine, I think the comment was: “Diane needs to put her glasses back on,” so I am sure my need for glasses was easily apparent.
The next day (Saturday), I left my glasses at home and went for a walk at a nearby park. I stopped to try and watch some darling, little children play t-ball. I sat in the bleachers, with my elbows on my knees and by pulling my eyelids, I could see well enough to follow the game for a little while.
08 May 2008, 11:46
Melyssa,
Am I right in thinking you've got a -9 prescription ? Does that mean you actually see better than Clair unaided ? When were you last bare-eyed in public ?
08 May 2008, 11:44
ipml,
Tell us more please ?
ipml 08 May 2008, 09:48
Clair,
I am a lot more s/sighted than you and I do mall walks w/o my glasses. I too I find it thrilling. But I have my glasses in my pocket, I don't dare leave them in the car.
Clair 08 May 2008, 01:08
Tom
I picked out the dress without glasses. As to seeing myself in the mirror, that does not work with my powerfull myopia. the most difficult part is the myopic inspection to figure out the zipper or buttons. I have no problem with stairs or carpet without glasses. People are the hardest as everyone is a blur and in a mall I have never been to, as exciting as it is, I would never find a bathroom ever.
Tom 07 May 2008, 05:31
Clair, how did you selected the right dress without glasses? I mean, can you look at your image in a mirror? I don't think so... Did you just collect a dress you have already tried with your glasses on? And can you walk safely in the blur? I mean steps, carpets and things like this...
Bye,
Tom
Tom 07 May 2008, 05:22
Marie, Diane I have a great admiration for your courage to go where no one would go bareyed! :-)
I'm so afraid to receive comments that I never pratise bareeyedness in public. Only time was several years ago when the optician took a couple of days to fix new lenses on my old frame. Although I could wear prescription sunglasses, I decided to go bareyed at work. And I managed perfectly. However I'm not so blind (just -3 in the better eye) and in most occasions I can quite easily pretend to see. On the other hand, I'm afraid with -5 everyone sooner or later will discover that you cannot see properly, as Marie reported at the copy machine.
Did it happen you to need to explain you cannot see something to someone you don't know well and who doesn't know you are nearsighted? Have you ever complained about your poor vision in public? Tell us other stories (and I'll tell you mine!).
Myopic greetings.
BTW Are you comfortable with the PC monitor without your -5 glasses? I can deal quite ok with my -3 eye, but with the other (-5) I have to get so close to the screen that I need to move my head e.g. to read a full line ...
06 May 2008, 13:31
Marie,
Your prescription is similar to Diane's. Have you been in similar positions and situations without your glasses ?
Melyssa 06 May 2008, 12:38
Marie,
When it's necessary for me to wear sunglasses, I wear them with any of my regular glasses, as the shades are those big ones that fit over any normal frame (or bold and beautiful frames like mine).
ehpc 06 May 2008, 11:56
Should be 'rectangular' of course......... (previous post) Pete
ehpc 06 May 2008, 11:53
Hey! Hey! Hey! Black recyangular plastic frames with wide sides and minus lenses are the best glasses there are:) Especially worn by blondes (dream.........:))but by all other women too:)COOLEST OF THE COOL :) Pete
Marie 06 May 2008, 10:45
U think so? :-) I wear black plastic frames... when i wear glasses. I need them coz i´m handicapped without glasses but i feel free when i don´t wear them, heh heh...
ehpc 06 May 2008, 08:48
Go for the glasses, Marie:) Shades are naff. Minus glasses are cool:) What frame style do you wear? Pete
Marie 06 May 2008, 07:31
They are somewhere between -4 and -5 but i can´t remember. It was a while ago since my last check... :-/
Since i can´t wear both glasses AND sunglasses a the same time i go for the shades... :-)
antonio 05 May 2008, 13:02
Hi Marie,
great ti hear that !
How strong are the glasses you sometimes wear ? would you share that secret with us ?
best regards, antonio
05 May 2008, 13:02
Marie,
What's your script please ?
Marie 05 May 2008, 06:28
Hi everybody. I just wanna say that i love this site. (New to me) I regularly go without glasses and it´s nice to see that i´m not alone. :-)
Many great inlays.
Diane 02 May 2008, 18:11
As a -5 myope, I can see well enough without glasses, at close range, to work at my desk. It does help to increase the font.
I made it the entire afternoon without glasses. Leaning over the copy machine to see the number pad, someone across the room laughed and said something about me not wearing glasses. I gave a good squint but could not tell who was speaking.
And Clair, my goodness, leaving your glasses and wandering around an airplane bare-eyed.
Fred 02 May 2008, 15:18
Clair, thank you too for your stories! Keep them coming :-). You're quite courageous I must say that you go bare eyed with your rx :-) Don't you stumble over or walk into things when you go bare eyed? I hope you never ended up in the gents by mistake? ;-). You're right... there's nothing to see in airplane bathrooms.
Clair 02 May 2008, 14:57
Diane's eyes must be better than mine. I cannot see the computer screen or use the keyboard even while squinting. I have taken my glasses off for bathroom breaks and I have also been asked why no glasses. Of course, at that point, unless I really know their voice or I can later match the blurred clothes color, I have no idea who I just talked to. I fly a lot and I will leave my glasses in my under seat bag and use the bathroom. Because I cannot see the seat numbers I count seats or remember my seat is so many from the blurred purple shirt. Besides who wants to really see an airplane bathroom!
Fred 02 May 2008, 13:50
@Diane: first of all thanks for sharing those wonderful stories with us :-). I love these bare eyed stories! But I'm just wondering, given your rx, isn't it difficult to do your job without glasses?
Diane 02 May 2008, 12:00
Like Tom, I have always been reluctant go without glasses when I might meet people who know that I regularly wear glasses. And like Clair, I also enjoy the suspense of it all. So, for the past few weeks, I have been taking my glasses off at work during restroom breaks, to get a drink of water, while talking with my co-workers, etc. I have not been hesitant to squint and if asked why I am not wearing glasses, I reply that I am just giving my eyes a break.
Today, I have taken the plunge. Returning to my office after lunch, I left my glasses in my car and have now been bare-eyed for two hours. I have boldly squinted several times, and I even pulled my eyes in public for the first time since my school days.
I just wanted to share my excitement.
Astra myopicblur 02 May 2008, 02:34
Re Tom: Unless you did one of the following:
1. Squinting
2. Looking at things unusually close. (e.g. less than 10 cm)
3. Unusual blinking of eyes.
4. Verbal complaints of your eyesight.
Otherwise most would not even realise any problems. Marks left on the nose by glasses are usually not a reliable hint since many wear contact lenses nowadays.
Rather I find it curious that anyone finds people with very thick glasses a sign of lower vision than normal? I have heard some of the high myopes (more than -10) could only be corrected up to 20/40.
Clair 30 Apr 2008, 16:16
I am proudly -11 in both eyes. My wierd side is I have done this before and there is excitment about it. Two years ago I did leave by the wrong store door at Dilliards and was paniced by not finding my car. Would have been hard to explain to mall security if I could see them. This time getting my credit card out seemed to amuse the blurred body clerk because she asked only if I needed help and I have no idea what her facial expression was obviously. Luckaly I put the dress on at home then my glasses and it was still beautiful.
R Ed 30 Apr 2008, 10:46
Jen,
Do you know if your Rx is suitable for contacts? If not you might direct a that question to Cactus Jack or John OD on this thread. If you have significant astigmatism (cylinder)or prism contacts may be difficult for you.
If you are a good candidate perhaps a summer job will finance the desired contacts.
I hope all works out to your satisfaction.
Tom 30 Apr 2008, 07:05
Clair,
very good outing, plese don't stop practising bareeyedness and telling us!
When I leave my glasses into my pocket I am always afraid that I could be spotted by someone I know who could ask why I'm not wearing my needed glasses. For this, I do this practice basically only when I'm on business travels, far from home. Only once I did it around my home and I met a young woman I know. She was walking against me so although she was completely in a blur when still ahead of me, it was sufficient to wait for a few seconds (and steps) to recognise her face. It was too late to put my glasses on so I went on pretending that I could see and she didn't ask anything. I'm still wondering if she realised I was in the blur or not...
Clair, do you think people around you realised that you could not see properly?
Bye.
28 Apr 2008, 18:34
Clair
Loved your descriptive term "suspense."
Reviewing your past posts, I wonder if you have been practicing going without glasses.
You apparently enjoyed the outing, can we look forward to more adventures?
28 Apr 2008, 13:48
Clair,
Wow, weren't you a bit worried you might not find your car again ? Have you gone bare-eyed anywhere else ?
Jen 28 Apr 2008, 13:22
I went to the eye doctor, and my eyes did get a bit worse. I am now -16.5 and -15.25 and there were other numbers but I don't remember. I will be getting the new glasses soon!
R Ed
I want contacts but my mom is not agreeing to pay for both contacts and glasses each time I go up. It's hard to get a clear look at how my face looks without glasses because I can only see reaaaally close up. I don't have any pictures of myself without glasses, but that is a good idea!
antonio 28 Apr 2008, 09:54
thanks for sharing this experience. Clair !!!
Please tell us, how myopic your wonderful eyes are ?
Thanks, cu :-)
Clair 27 Apr 2008, 20:06
Usually outings without glasses are with a friend but yesterday I went to the mall by myself, leaving my glasses in the car. (I went back twice to make sure my car was still there.) I went to my store (girls know all the store locations.) I then realized I did not know who worked there and who did not. As myopic as I am, everyone is a blur let alone name tags. After about a hour and a half I finally found the dress I would have found in 10 minutes. Opening my pocketbook, even finding the right credit card was difficult but I did it and found my car afterwards. I really enjoyed the suspense of it all.
R Ed 14 Apr 2008, 07:24
Jen,
You mentioned you’d like to get contacts at some point. What factors influence when that point would be. I’m sure you look lovely in glasses. Currently do you know how you’d look in contacts? Is it a struggle to see your self sufficiently clearly in a mirror when