bmattock
Veteran
Just got back from the eye doctor, it's been about five years since I was last given a checkup. At that time, they wanted to fit me with bifocals, so I said to heck with that noise and didn't go back.
But I've finally caved. I admit it, I can't read a bloody thing in a book or magazine without taking off my glasses and holding it really close. Stupid for waiting this long...vanity. Not that I cared who could 'tell' that I was wearing bifocals, I don't. I just didn't want to have to wear them.
So I went down to the place, and they poked and prodded my poor eyeballs and put drops in, and now I can barely see to type this - very dialated and so on. But I guess my eyes are ok, glacoma-wise. Nothing untoward happening inside the old orbs.
The good news is that my right eye hasn't changed much in five years. The bad news is that my left eye has. The good news is that I'm right-eye dominant. The bad news is that I'm no longer correctable to 20/20 in my left eye.
The good news is that I have pretty good vision insurance. The bad news is that my eyes are so bad with astigmatism that two pair of glasses still set me back $325.00.
The good news is that these eye drops are getting me off work today. The bad news is that I can't read (and can barely see this screen).
The good news is that I managed to persuade a nurse (I dunno, what do they call them now?) to pick out my frames for me, so I don't end up looking like Dame Edna or Elton John, because I have no taste when it comes to that sort of thing. The bad news is that I just looked at the bill; they gave me the 'Senior Citizen's Discount' and didn't ask for my ID. The really bad news is that I'm only 45.
My opinion on getting old? I'm against it.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
But I've finally caved. I admit it, I can't read a bloody thing in a book or magazine without taking off my glasses and holding it really close. Stupid for waiting this long...vanity. Not that I cared who could 'tell' that I was wearing bifocals, I don't. I just didn't want to have to wear them.
So I went down to the place, and they poked and prodded my poor eyeballs and put drops in, and now I can barely see to type this - very dialated and so on. But I guess my eyes are ok, glacoma-wise. Nothing untoward happening inside the old orbs.
The good news is that my right eye hasn't changed much in five years. The bad news is that my left eye has. The good news is that I'm right-eye dominant. The bad news is that I'm no longer correctable to 20/20 in my left eye.
The good news is that I have pretty good vision insurance. The bad news is that my eyes are so bad with astigmatism that two pair of glasses still set me back $325.00.
The good news is that these eye drops are getting me off work today. The bad news is that I can't read (and can barely see this screen).
The good news is that I managed to persuade a nurse (I dunno, what do they call them now?) to pick out my frames for me, so I don't end up looking like Dame Edna or Elton John, because I have no taste when it comes to that sort of thing. The bad news is that I just looked at the bill; they gave me the 'Senior Citizen's Discount' and didn't ask for my ID. The really bad news is that I'm only 45.
My opinion on getting old? I'm against it.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
bmattock said:
Hmm..............
Fedzilla_Bob
man with cat
I'm sorry Bill, you just don't get to vote on this one.bmattock said:
Good news? You're wiser. And we get to enjoy that. Right?
Bad news, the nurse just called and asked if you wanted the sequined frames or the rhinestones.
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nksyoon
Well-known
My sympathies.
I realized this year that I'm having problems focusing on the images on the LCD of my Canon 20D DSLR - I have to take off my glasses to see the images clearly. Maybe a new pair will fix this without going bifocal. I'm 39.
Oh well, another reason to shoot more film.
I realized this year that I'm having problems focusing on the images on the LCD of my Canon 20D DSLR - I have to take off my glasses to see the images clearly. Maybe a new pair will fix this without going bifocal. I'm 39.
Oh well, another reason to shoot more film.
servojohn
Member
Yes, be glad it can be corrected. Also, blame your genetic inheritance.
Look into the seamless bifocals, almost impossible to tell.
Best regards,
John
Look into the seamless bifocals, almost impossible to tell.
Best regards,
John
kzim56
Karl Zimmerman
Almost immediately after turning 40 much of my hair fell out and my eyesight, which had always been bad, got even worse.
I'll be turning 50 in a few months. I'm wondering what will happen then.
Karl
I'll be turning 50 in a few months. I'm wondering what will happen then.
Karl
oftheherd
Veteran
If you went to an ophthalmologist you might encounter a nurse, no certainty. If you went to an optometrist, you encountered a technician, probably not certified, but maybe very well trained nonetheless. There is usually a big markup on frames rather than lenses. Some places pay their people commissions. Perhaps the place you went to isn't like that.
The dilation medication will wear off. Until then it is interesting to note the effect of wide open lens settings of DOF.
Most likely, any inconvenience will be offset by the improved vision. I am guessing contacts were out if your astigmatism is really bad.
The dilation medication will wear off. Until then it is interesting to note the effect of wide open lens settings of DOF.
Most likely, any inconvenience will be offset by the improved vision. I am guessing contacts were out if your astigmatism is really bad.
JeffGreene
(@)^(@)
Zeiss Bi/Trifocals!
Zeiss Bi/Trifocals!
Bill:
I caved as well about twelve years ago, but I did discover that not all bi/trifocals (in my case) are created equal. This is particularly so for photography. I made the mistake of initially going to lenscrafters. The result was severe headaches. I finally discovered that one of the members of our local club is an opthalmologist, and he recommended Zeiss lenses. Yes, its the same company that makes the ZI and lenses. Apparently the field of vision is much broader, and also much more suited to viewfinder gazing. In any case, the lenses are great and I've been wearing the same brand ever since. Great lenses and great cameras!
Zeiss Bi/Trifocals!
Bill:
I caved as well about twelve years ago, but I did discover that not all bi/trifocals (in my case) are created equal. This is particularly so for photography. I made the mistake of initially going to lenscrafters. The result was severe headaches. I finally discovered that one of the members of our local club is an opthalmologist, and he recommended Zeiss lenses. Yes, its the same company that makes the ZI and lenses. Apparently the field of vision is much broader, and also much more suited to viewfinder gazing. In any case, the lenses are great and I've been wearing the same brand ever since. Great lenses and great cameras!
kmack
do your job, then let go
greyhoundman said:Be glad glasses can correct it.
The last time I was at the Eye Doc he made the comment:
"If you were a dog we would have to shoot you."
Yep, Trifocals for me.
kmack
do your job, then let go
kzim56 said:
Condolences: I'll be 50 in November same story: except I still have all my hair.
captainslack
Five Goats Hunter
bmattock said:
You mean, they're not the same person?
Be glad you're not my wife: she can't see the big E on the eye chart out of her left eye! We found that out in college after she'd lost both of her contacts and had to go to the eye doctor. The scary part was, she'd be driving without them for about two weeks!
peterc
Heretic
It's OK to get old, Bill ... just don't get mature.bmattock said:
Peter
bmattock
Veteran
peterc said:
I don't think I'm in charge of that, either. I'm never sure if that's a good thing or not.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
1 The Varifocals are good, but when you first wear them the optician will warn you that you'll walk like you are drunk until your brain gets used to the variable lenses. I certainly stumbled as I crossed the street and tried to put my foot on the sidewalk on the far side! They don't look like bifocals and I don't think anybody can tell that you're wearing them.
2 I have a large computer screen and got bad neck ache lifting my head to use the bottom part of the lenses so I got some 'reading glasses' just for when I use the computer. Here in EU we can buy them off the shelf for €2 or €3 and it cured my neck ache straight away.
2 I have a large computer screen and got bad neck ache lifting my head to use the bottom part of the lenses so I got some 'reading glasses' just for when I use the computer. Here in EU we can buy them off the shelf for €2 or €3 and it cured my neck ache straight away.
bmattock
Veteran
Jon Claremont said:
I haven't a care if anyone can tell or not - I'm already fat and bald and as you see, they think I'm a bloody senior citizen anyway (LOL). I just didn't want to *have* bifocals. Different thing. But I have no choice if I want to continue reading, I guess.
I am getting the 'progressive' lenses, I believe they call them here. Hope I can get used to them. I can't wear off-the-shelf reading glasses. I tried them, hoping to forestall the ineveitable, but never found a pair I could use.
The doctor explained it to me thusly this morning - I have astigmatism in both eyes. That means that a reading lens that corrects in the horizontal won't do so in the vertical, so only half of the light hitting my retina will be in focus. And my eyes are staggeringly different, so the correct 'power' reading lens for one eye is not the same as for the other. So of course, I need custom-special, oh-sh*t-oh-dear reading lenses that cost the world and made my insurance company gasp. Common reading glasses are right out.
He told me I'm a unique individual - I see the world in a way different from most. Virtually no peripheral vision (due to astigmatism), permanent double-vision in each eye, failed every color-vision test they have, both eyes bad and neither like the other in the slightest detail. Heck, I could have told him that, but I didn't know it was from my eyeglasses prescription.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
fgianni
Trainee Amateur
peterc said:
It takes a lot of skill and effort to age without getting mature, at 42 I am trying really hard and, so far, succeeding
K
Kyle
Guest
Wow, getting old sounds like its really annoying...
The worst of my eyesight is my right eye is blurrier than the left eye (only noticable when the left eye is closed). However, the eye doc said glasses aren't necessary unless the problem worsens. I received this diagnosis two years ago. Last month I decided to go back to the doc for a contact prescription to make my right eye better, the sole reason for that was photography. I focus my cameras using my right eye, so I was hoping this would help. I got my contact, and tried three straight days to put the darn thing in and I couldn't do it. I tossed it out. No more contacts for me.
The worst of my eyesight is my right eye is blurrier than the left eye (only noticable when the left eye is closed). However, the eye doc said glasses aren't necessary unless the problem worsens. I received this diagnosis two years ago. Last month I decided to go back to the doc for a contact prescription to make my right eye better, the sole reason for that was photography. I focus my cameras using my right eye, so I was hoping this would help. I got my contact, and tried three straight days to put the darn thing in and I couldn't do it. I tossed it out. No more contacts for me.
Kragmeister
Greg Urban
Hey Bill,
Just turned 40, but have had bifocals for about 15 years or so. I've got a left eye convergence problem.
Anyway, it had been years since I was to an optometrist and my wife made me go, got tired of my complaining about double vision I guess. The guy was astounded. The diopters were not too different, but he said that the amount of correction to correct for the convergence would result in a prism on the left side. Suggested I go to an opthalmologist before getting the prescription.
My theory is that my right eye works harder because it is not only the dominant eye, but it is the one that I use the look through viewfinder, hence the left eye is weaker.
To bolster that theory with anecdotal evidence I had a chance encounter with a guy with a Contax G2 last week. We talked briefly and he mentioned out of the clear sky that he has a left eye issue and he is trying to compensate by covering the right eye when he reads to try to keep the left eye strength up. I've been trying that, but I'm thinking an eye patch would be a good idea.
Seriously though, I'll be seeing the opthalmologist when I can get an appointment.
Later,
Greg
Just turned 40, but have had bifocals for about 15 years or so. I've got a left eye convergence problem.
Anyway, it had been years since I was to an optometrist and my wife made me go, got tired of my complaining about double vision I guess.
The guy was astounded. The diopters were not too different, but he said that the amount of correction to correct for the convergence would result in a prism on the left side. Suggested I go to an opthalmologist before getting the prescription.My theory is that my right eye works harder because it is not only the dominant eye, but it is the one that I use the look through viewfinder, hence the left eye is weaker.
To bolster that theory with anecdotal evidence
I had a chance encounter with a guy with a Contax G2 last week. We talked briefly and he mentioned out of the clear sky that he has a left eye issue and he is trying to compensate by covering the right eye when he reads to try to keep the left eye strength up. I've been trying that, but I'm thinking an eye patch would be a good idea. Seriously though, I'll be seeing the opthalmologist when I can get an appointment.
Later,
Greg
lushd
Donald
Bill - send your eyes to Oleg. He will carefully unmount them, replace the paper shims, adjust the rangefinder and send them back. You won't know yourself!
jan normandale
Film is the other way
"He told me I'm a unique individual - I see the world in a way different from most. Virtually no peripheral vision (due to astigmatism), permanent double-vision in each eye, failed every color-vision test they have, both eyes bad and neither like the other in the slightest detail."
Bill, take the glasses off and shoot a whole bunch of colour film could be brilliant.
Bill, take the glasses off and shoot a whole bunch of colour film could be brilliant.