I'm getting new glasses!

[gridlore]

As anyone who saw me try to read anything at Baycon knows, my current pair of glasses has really ceased being of any use at close range. Problem is things are blurry at distances as well. I resolved to make an appointment today, and was quite pleased when there was an open slot this afternoon. Woke Kiri up for fashion advice (and because I had no idea what he'd want to do to my poor eyes.)

Exam went very well. Pressure in both eyes is good, and my prescription hadn't changed too badly. We did a test I'd never done before. I was given a clicker, and told to stare at a black dot in the center of a white field. At irregular intervals a set of lines would appear at various points around the field, and I would click the clicker. My right eye was fine. My left? Not so good. I'll be seeing an ophthalmologist for further examination. This is the same eye that was most affected by the horrid eye problems I had several years ago.

But it's evidently not something that needs addressing immediately. Kiri and i selected a nice set of frames. Cheap frames. I get $175 worth of coverage on new glasses every two years, and knew that I was going to want some special tricks on the lenses. The first thing was I need Progressive lenses. These are the lineless bifocals you may have heard about. I got to look through a sample set that was close to my prescription. Amazing difference. Calling them bifocals is a bit of a misnomer; you actually get three viewing zones: distance at the top, mid-range (good for the computer and TV) in the middle, and close-up at the bottom. Obviously going to be an adjustment. A user of this type of eyewear told me at Baycon to expect some headaches as I adjusted. But being able to do my job without contantly adjusting my glasses will be nice. I also opted for a gray tint, heavier at the top, to cut the sunlight and glare I deal with.

Total out of pocket cost? S10 for the exam, $24 for the glasses. They should be ready in about a week.

Comments

[fimbrethil.livejournal.com]

Progressive lenses can be both bifocals and trifocals. I have the bifocal style and they are the best thing since sliced bread. Only thing I don't like about them is I can't lay down on the couch and watch TV anymore because then my eyes are in the wrong zone on the lenses to see distance. I got used to mine immediately and can't imagine not having them anymore.