Going Without Glasses

Astra 29 Nov 2011, 17:45

As mentioned some time earlier, I had eyelid operation before, due to my narrow eye opening which caused lower light contrast etc. due to less light entering the eyes.

yes. without adequate light entering the eyes, we can't even discern blurry images. Instead the image would be interpreted as low lighting.

Astra 29 Nov 2011, 17:17

Varifocals,

The refractive errors particularly associated with those "irregular" eye shapes tend not to be myopia.

Typically astigmatism or other aberrations.

Varifocals 29 Nov 2011, 16:44

Astrea.

re Paulette.

Maybe her nice large almond brown eyes may be myopic but her 2 sisters have normal vision.

Astra 29 Nov 2011, 16:28

Re: Paulette

About almond-shaped eyes.

Why people liked this shape of eyes. Could be because this shape is close to average in human population.

Moreover this shape gives hint to practical purposes of eye.

The optimum shape for focusing light is likely close to almond/ round eye-shape. the corresponding eye socket should be somewhat round in shape.

slit/narrow/triangular eye-shape are present in some populations but the acuity performance may be slightly lower. If the eye socket is not close to spherical (round) the eyeball may grow less close to spherical shape. This may cause refraction errors.

Astra 25 Nov 2011, 10:34

typo: "interrupted" should be "spoiled"

We also realize the air quality is very bad either in "Central" and the Peak. Moderately bad in Stanley.

Astra 25 Nov 2011, 10:32

Overall this night walk on Lugard Road is the only enjoyable part of tonight.

The rest we had on the Peak is interrupted by fetid smell of gasoline where the traffic is heavier.

Astra 25 Nov 2011, 10:30

I'm back in Hong Kong for 1-night stay.

Having lived in Hong Kong for about 10 years. but I have had little time to experience the environment.

Ajay and I arrived at the city "Central" at 20:00, arrived at "the Peak" at 20:40. Visited a short portion of Lugard Road for 2 times with Ajay at 20:30-21:30 .

We correctly guessed the Peak does not have fog cover tonight. This is typical in the month of November where the climate is near the driest of the year.

We discovered this place was moderately quiet. Occasionally there are some pedestrians. The lighting was generally adequate. Some portions receives more artificial light while some portions can be considerably dark in color.

The road is paved and with some portions of dim lighting. I made some attempt of going without lenses for discontinuous minutes out of curiosity.

I notice the road looks wider not looking through lenses. When corrected my acuity is around 20/30 . The details through lenses are quite good, I can see various mosses, tree bark features, leaves etc. under dim lighting. (not as bright as daylight, and I cannot tell the exact color) I can read the descriptions about vegetation, along this road. But due to dim light, I find the contrast a bit low. I can see the road and vegetation comfortably below 10 m. About 20 m I find the image of leaves blurred.

Without lenses my acuity is less than 20/400 . Whilst details are not noticeable, I can distinguish the road surface without problem, but the road surface is blurred. I cannot see tree bark details, and the tree itself looks blurred. I also tried to look at description not through the lenses, and stay at the same distance where I can read the description with lenses. (the lenses are down my nose but I deliberately look above them). I can't see a word, I see blurred blobs which is slightly darker than the "white" background. And the road or vegetation at 5-20 m away are blurred, much more than the thru lenses blur for 20 m.

varifocals 23 Nov 2011, 04:59

Yes the comments about Paulette did go deeper.

She was picked up as needing glasses at 7 in the school eye test but did not get them until 11 as her lebonese mother did not like her wearing glasses as her two sisters were ok.

The local education authority threatened action & so at 11 she got glasses.

From then on fine & she met her fiance in a pub & he had stronger glasses than her & he wore his at the wedding.

He was annoyed to see his squinting bride along side him without glasses & a row followed.

She likes glasses & saw her recently with her husband, nice red frames & going nicely with her black hair.

She said was really hard on that day & it hit home when she looked out of the car window into the blur looked for her glasses through instinct & was pannicky.

A good job she did not need myos.

She has stable vision but both have regular check ups & have serperate pairs for reading.

Neither like bifocals/ varifocals.

Like lenses 23 Nov 2011, 02:19

Varofocals

Your comment about your friend feeling like a fish out of the water without her glasses reminded me of how I felt when getting my first pair of minus glasses.

Although vision was so incredibly sharp with the glasses,I had the feeling that I was now living in a fish bowl. As exciting as new glasses still are the fish bowl feeling comes back with each new pair. Just got new ones two days ago,with -.50 more in each eye.

Astra 22 Nov 2011, 22:15

Soundmanpt,

The parents may not aware of the effect of removal of lenses.

Such decision also hints at the family may have some foreign influences. Unlike what is common in Northern Europe or other modernized societies, where family hierarchy are minimal or non-existent.

Traditionally, parents are considered a higher rank of a large family hierarchy.

Parents are expected to decide all details of a wedding. The bride normally would join the large family hierarchy, living in the same house with the parents.

Soundmanpt 22 Nov 2011, 09:05

Varofocals

I did not see your orginal story about your friend Paulette, but the choice to wear or not wear glasses when getting married should be by the bride. It would seem rather silly I would think since she was wearing glasses full time and it was likely that everyone probably was used to seeing her in glasses, why take take them off and appear different than everyone knows you? And like you say even a rather moderate rx worn full time can cause a good bit of dependency. She probably should have kept her glasses on most of the time and if the mother wanted a picture without her glasses she could have removed them for a few closeup pictures that might have produced pictures without squinting. Then she could have put her glasses back on and enjoyed the day and not left with a headache. Melyssa had the right idea I would think, now she has pictures that looks as she looks today, just slightly older.

Melyssa 22 Nov 2011, 06:46

When I got married, everyone knew I would be wearing my glasses, just not which ones I would select. I did not want them to be the "focal" point, so I wore clear unisex frames during the picture-taking, the ceremony, and reception. I had worn my white cat's-eyes while getting ready with my entourage. There was no way I would have gone through the happiest day of my life not being able to see properly, due to wanting to see where I was going in my wedding gown, and to see the happy (relieved?) expressions on the guests' faces.

Varofocals 22 Nov 2011, 04:58

ASTRA.

Hi.

I have told the story before of my friend Paulette , not a severe myopie but was asked to take off her glasses for her wedding by her Mother so as to show off her brown almond eyes.

When you are a full time wearer , dependency increases.

She felt like a fish out of water when shwe looked out of the car, saw the blur & had no visual aid.

All the wedding pictures was bad too as she squinted badly.

Also developed a severe headache.

Not good.

Astra 22 Nov 2011, 04:26

For me, I am more interested about experience of girls who wear glasses daily, but for any reasons they have to go without glasses for short period of time .

Tom 22 Nov 2011, 01:57

I agree with "Striking Candle", there are some people (and I'm one of those) who enjoy the sighting of a squinting girl/woman not less than that of a bespectacled one. So I think the bf of Laura has a very great time in seeing her going around bareyed!!!

After all, this is a thread about not wearing glasses so I agree that you should stop judging her so harshly.

varifocals 20 Nov 2011, 02:11

I agree with Astra as it can involve more than just one person.

A relative of mine has just been injured & his vehicle a write off caused by the other person having poor vision.

Astra 19 Nov 2011, 23:16

In public places, if you insist to go with low acuity,

You may affect the safety of others.

Striking Candle 19 Nov 2011, 11:15

varufocuals and others

how about you stop judging LauraC and allow her to enjoy her own choice of vision? please re-read the thread topic before you keep trying to get someone here to wear glasses.

not everyone enjoys women in glasses on this board. some of us enjoy seeing women who need glasses avoid wearing them. yes, for some of us enjoy that very much, and there are lots of other threads for you to pronounce your love for that. but how about everyone here back off judging those who want to not wear glasses.

Melyssa 19 Nov 2011, 10:32

As they say in music, If you don't "C#", you'll "Bb".

varifocals. 18 Nov 2011, 11:32

Well Flaine.

We know that you are a bright girls so maybe you can give Laura some support to gain confidence & see a nice sharp world & enjoy it.

Flaine 18 Nov 2011, 09:54

I dont see why almost everyone is critisizing Laura here. I can confirm that Laura's identity should be unquestioned. We email each other occasionally and her replies ditto to the things she posts here, except very much in advance. I do hope that all these humiliation would cease, as this board is for enjoyment purposes rather than for personal attacks..

Astra 18 Nov 2011, 07:35

It is always better for Laura C to admit, rather than blame people around her,

that her vanity is caused by herself, for some strange reasons.

I understand the initial desire to stop myopic growth.

But, don't blame others for your vanity.

Astra 18 Nov 2011, 07:27

varifocals,

Now it seems Laura C try to blame her employers and boyfriend, for her reluctance to wear glasses.

I am very doubtful about her claim.

I would suggest otherwise, that people around her have humiliated her.

So, she ask for sympathy here.

varifocals 18 Nov 2011, 04:10

AS I have mentioned in the past here I was a clerical staff rep in London transport & as such sat in on a dicipline case where a very vain girl was actually made to get contacts as she was very short sighted but refused to wear her glasses.

Ironically this move was supported by her Father who was the Health & Safety Officer.

So she got gas permable lens, managed to snap one & loose another in her car but the screws were kept on !.

She left LT in a restucturing & worked with the RAC at Stanmore where she needed sharp vision.One up side of the contacts case was that she learnt to drive.

In the end she had a b/f who took a strong line & made her wear glasses & got totally depndant & liked them.

She married wearing glasses.

So Laura C dont be an isdiot & if your b/f likes seeing you squinting into the blur, thats sad.

Soundmanpt 17 Nov 2011, 12:52

Mr. Jules

Pretty much the same here in the states. Here it is called the Labor Relations Board. As I stated the managers never said they couldn't wear glasses back then only that they encouraged it that they didn't. I'm just glad that now glasses are much more widely accepted everywhere.

JK 17 Nov 2011, 12:48

How about we stop attacking someone who favors going without glasses in the Eyescene thread where we talk about the joys of going without glasses?

Ya think?

 17 Nov 2011, 12:46

You tried contacts more than once, LauraC? But you should recall that you told us before that getting these recent glasses was the first time you ever went for "any" vision correction...

...the story falls apart more and more with each new posting.

Mr Jules 17 Nov 2011, 11:17

Blimey, here in the UK, if you got sacked from a job for wearing glasses, you take to your ex-employer to an industrial tribunal, claiming damages for unfair dismissal.

Soundmanpt 17 Nov 2011, 11:10

Laura C

In a word I can only say your boss is "crazy", he really thinks that a customer would choose to go to a different pub because a server is wearing glasses? He should be much more concerned with the quality of food an drink they they offer and how clean the pub is. That is what I would be more concerned with as a customer.

I must honestly say that only a few years a go Hooter's manager's did try and encourage there girls not to wear glasses at work. But since most of their girls are in college and we all know from in here that often leads to the need for vision correction and with glasses now being much more popular they now have no problem with it.

You have stated your rejection to wearing glasses many times in here. But no matter how good of a worker you are you are not capable of performing at your best with your bad eyesight. If a customer is trying to get your attention only a few feet away because they may want more bread you can't even see them. So if I were one of your customers and I felt like you were ignoring me do you think I would give you a big tip or for that matter even come back to your pub?

Sorry to tell you but if I were your boss i would fire you for not wearing your glasses so you could do your prober job. I don't mean to be mean, but do you see what I am saying?

Laura C 17 Nov 2011, 07:15

My boss thinks that the look of the waitress/waiters could be one of the reasons for which a customer should select one or the other pub. So he thinks eyeglasses are not so nice to be seen on us employees... and I must admit that I also feel terrible behind the lenses.

Astra: I cannot wear contacts. I tried more than once in different opticians but I always get hurt immediately and cannot tolerate them for more than few minutes!

 16 Nov 2011, 23:16

If you look you will see that the "7" key is also the "&" key which I was able to figure out what she was saying. Come on people, use a little common sense!

 16 Nov 2011, 17:51

what in the world are you saying varifocals? 7 women had glass pussies??? wtf?

Astra 16 Nov 2011, 17:51

varifocals,

There are all sorts of abnormal people worldwide.

Abnormal employers included.

 16 Nov 2011, 14:57

SPE TICK.

I agree.

I find the Laura C story a little odd!!

SpeKtic 16 Nov 2011, 14:24

Interesting how the later posts of Laura C had her wearing glasses in public but with difficulty adjusting, yet "this" Laura C still doesn't wear glasses in public. I think your story is falling apart again, LL.

varifocals 16 Nov 2011, 12:03

I dont understand Laura Cs employers attitude towards her glasses- if true- at all.

I looked in the window of the famous Jewellers H, Samuel in Bedford & three girls were doing the window up.

All 3 had glasses, all plussies 7 one with bright wild red hair too.

So that manager was not worried.

Clare 15 Nov 2011, 14:50

Soundmanpt - I'm with you there. -4.5 in the better eye would be a challenge that most people wouldn't be able to tolerate bare-eyed. I have a friend who's -4 in both eyes, happy enough around the house for a while without correction, but no way he'd consider the outside world without it. At -3 and -2.75 I can understand that and I'm some way off it.

Soundmanpt 15 Nov 2011, 12:43

Astra

It is very acceptable now to be wearing glasses. Even Hooter girls wear glasses at work. There are 6 Hooter's near where I live and I go to all of them and I see at least one girl, often more, at every location wearing glasses.

I'm sure her boss would quickly decide that would be okay for her to wear her glasses the first time she trips and falls and lands on a table or has a whole order go flying through the air.

To be honest I really find it very hard to believe that with the rx she claims to be that she could do much of anything without correction. Certainly not on a daily basis. Someone I know quite well that works as a food and drink server broke her glasses a few months back and she could not see even a short distance to determine when they someone needed a refill of their drinks without going up close to their table to see. Her rx is only -2.50.

Astra 15 Nov 2011, 10:30

If a boss is biased about glasses, why don't consider leaving the company ?

These days, Most employers accept employees with glasses.

varifocals 15 Nov 2011, 08:23

Hi Laura.

Welcome back.

I am amazed that you are still in the myopic blur as it must be getting near the dangerous stage, road safety etc.

Astra is right, why wont you use contacts at work.

It must be better for your boss than to have a very short sighted waitress.

As for your boy friend getting a thrill with you suffering.

There is a nice world out there.

See it!!

Astra 15 Nov 2011, 06:28

I assume normal lenses are far from ugly, compare with this:

http://images29.fotki.com/v1007/photos/9/953310/4518769/Minus480016-vi.jpg

Astra 15 Nov 2011, 05:13

"Moreover my boyfriend likes my myopic uncorrected eyes"

Aha, Strange people think alike.

Astra 15 Nov 2011, 05:09

Laura C,

you may wear contact lenses so that your boss can accept the look, while you can have correction.

Laura C 15 Nov 2011, 03:49

Glad to see that you still remember me... ;-)

I'm ok for everything apart from my vision, that is very bad, as you know. However, glasses are still not an option, definitely ugly and too strong to be seen with them in public!!!! I,m using just at home when my mother is around... Moreover my boyfriend likes my myopic uncorrected eyes and I cannot wear at work since my boss wants us waitresses to show the best possible look to our customers, you know...

So, still coping bareeyed although it requires a lot of struggling and not always works fine (days ago I jumped again into the wrong car since I could not recognise the boy who was driving!!!).

That's it. Feel free to ask or contact me by e-mail if you want to know more.

Kisses.

Ladygirl: I usually go bareeyed and have -4.5 in one eye and -6 in the other (plus lot of astigmatism). I understand your troubles but you should definitely exercise more. Drop me an e-mail and I can share some of my tricks ;-)

Astra 14 Nov 2011, 22:40

Ladygirl,

Why don't like hiding pretty eyes behind glasses ?

Soundmanpt 14 Nov 2011, 17:29

Franco

It can be different depending on the person. But I would say -.50 at night and maybe -.75 day and night. This of course is not taking anything in account for any astigmatism one might have.

Franco 14 Nov 2011, 15:51

A friend got glasses recently for driving but sometimes wears them and others not - recently for a long journey in the dark. What would be the minumum prescription prescribed for someone who needed glasses for driving?

Ladygirl 14 Nov 2011, 13:29

I would love to enjoy going bare eyed because it sounds like much fun. I have pretty eyes and I really don't like hiding them behind glasses but I hate contacts and couldn't do that. But my problem is I am currently -6, and much of the world is very very blurry without my glasses. Can anyone offer tips on where I can go to enjoy the most interaction with people but not have to worry about just being overly frustrated about my bad eyes? I tried going out with my girlfriends a few times and that was an extremely at night in very low lit bars with my poor vision. I could barely recognize my girls just across the table from me. I like to hear ideas that you have.

4eyes 12 Nov 2011, 09:54

Hi you guys...

I always find funny when you all argues about bare eyes things. I always have had eyes issues and I have somewhat strong eyesglasses with prisms to them due to crossing eyes problem.

I always get real mixing responses when I am bare eyed, even at home, but when I am without my glasses, I am solely responsible by this as I am 19 years old already. And I can tell you I got the wild responses when I do this.

I used to care or mind about it when I was younger, for I'd never liked my eyeglasses that much. Even today I don't like then but today I know I need them much more than I needed in the past, and vanity is something I don't really care about, but weird enough I need to get rid of themand I'll do that when I am in an "safe" environment like when I am in the beaches or courtyside or even in a known shopping mall where I can order something without fear of mistaken my meal.

Because I can not see their featured faces, I don't care how they stares at me unless there are any funny comments, that I sometimes made them acknowledge I got them, but usually I don't care, as they would comment the same if I am with my glasses on. Lol.

Anyway I just wanted to add something to this.

Excuse me my boldness.

Anderson... Now 19, yippee.

Puffin 11 Nov 2011, 04:36

yeah but it was fun to read.

Astra 10 Nov 2011, 23:34

Re: "seems to have squinty eyes with pride"

LauraC may thought squinting is a method to "cope with" myopia according to her words.

Also, LauraC is too obsessed with her blue eyes, consider lenses blocking her eye color.

(can be some sort of eye color obsession)

Astra 10 Nov 2011, 22:58

varifocals,

search for old post in this thread you can have her mail address.

John 10 Nov 2011, 18:07

Tom I seem to recall the whole LauraC was discovered to have been made up by some poster who gave himself away here by claiming he saw her in a pub, was going to give her some glasses, and quite often posted around the same times she did. But when conflicts started to rise in his story and he got outed, he rapidly backpedaled faster than a roadrunner on Red Bull!

 09 Nov 2011, 10:16

Thanks Astra.

Re Laura.

I dont have her e mail address for a start ^ my impression is that she seems to have squinty eyes with pride.

She misses such a lot but thats her loss.

I knew some one similar.

Now she feels lost without glasses.

Its a strange world.

Astra 09 Nov 2011, 10:03

varifocals,

If you are interested, you can send a mail to Laura C and check for response.

but it can be possible such mailbox is ignored.

users come and leave.

varifocals 09 Nov 2011, 05:05

Hi Astra.

Must have been an interesting experience.

Still you love your glasses.

Odd that blind Laura seems to have vanished.

Astra 09 Nov 2011, 04:32

btw I've just gone bare eyed.

There's a LED display showing number "543" and time.

60 cm away from my eyes without glasses.

I couldn't read that at all.

Astra 09 Nov 2011, 04:30

Tom,

no. haven't have response about Laura .

Tom 08 Nov 2011, 08:50

Laura, it's ages since your last report of bareeyed adventures. How are you doing? Still bareyed despite being blind as a bat?

Was anyone of you in contact with her recently?

Tom 26 Sep 2011, 09:22

It would be nice to hear from people who found in troubles finding their glasses.

I heard from a very nearsighted girl (-9) that she happened sometime when she dated with guys who didn't know how blind she was. She removed her CLs right before going

bed to hid her defect but had sometime troubles in finding them in the morning. Once she needed to ask to the partner for her bag that was just few steps away, so he easily discovered how blind she was. Another time she lost her lenses after having removed them for some "intimate activities" and needed to ask a lift to home and explain she wasn't able to see a thing at the end.

And 25 Sep 2011, 18:07

I have seen my gf 'feel' for her glasses but she usually leaves them in their chunky black case on the bedside table so she can easily find them. She is ok going to the bathroom in the night bare-eyed but that's about it.

Crystal Veil 22 Sep 2011, 14:49

At L +2 and R -2 my problems are insignificant compared to many of you so I tend to be careless where I leave my glasses. My life partner Nel has Rx -11 and amazingly, she has no problem when swimming in the ocean without glasses. We were at La Palma (Canaries) in spring and she simply left her glasses with me, walked straight into the waves, took a long swim, some 100 meters from the shore, came back and walked towards me without any visual effort. When I asked her, how do you manage that, she said that she was able to recognize where I was by the colours. I noticed on earlier occasions that she has a unique radar system. In the three years of our relation her radar failed only one time and this was instrumental in starting my series of photo shoots. She used red henna when I met her but on this occasion she grabbed the wrong henna in the bathroom and it was a shock to her when she looked in the mirror - dark brown hair! Only the week before, we had done her first photo shoot in glasses from my collection, just for fun. When I heard her story on the phone I suggested that we could do another photo shoot with glasses that matched her new hair colour. The second shoot came out fine and then all of a sudden I realized that it would be a good idea to seek other models for the 2000 glasses in my collection. Nel came up with names of ladies in the know and the ball started rolling. I am still grateful for that one moment when her radar system failed - and the brown hair colour is still there after three years. Inventions in science and art often start by default!

Melyssa 22 Sep 2011, 14:45

When I must make do without my glasses, I put the pair I'll be wearing in its case, and depending on the room, in one exact spot. Fortunately thus far, I have been able to find said spot.

Rayray 22 Sep 2011, 14:08

I only put them down on the bedside table or shelf by the sink - in the top drawer of the bedside table is a spare pair so even if they get knocked off during the night i can find them.

Astra 22 Sep 2011, 03:16

I usually hold the glass using hands when washing face.

ric 22 Sep 2011, 02:12

I use to have my glasses on the bedside, or in the handwasher stand when shower, but if they were misplaced, i would need to get glasses or cls for find them.

Like lenses 22 Sep 2011, 01:26

Mine are by the bedside,or on my face.

If I were to misplace them,then yes I would definately need another pair to find them in the blur.

Astra 22 Sep 2011, 01:17

exactly, place the glass on the bedside table is easier if one's uncorrected vision is poor.

minus 5 who luvs gwgs 22 Sep 2011, 01:10

My new highly myopic gf we think minus 12 + but still waiting for a test wears hers all the time except when asleep then the glasses go on the bedside table in the same place Yes she even wears them in the shower and when we are intimate no complaints on that score from me !!

Astra 22 Sep 2011, 00:46

puffin,

So I have a habit to place the glass at a fixed place , if not holding the glass on my hand / face.

Puffin 21 Sep 2011, 18:50

a related question: how do you find your glasses if you can't see them? If you have poor vision, do you pick bold frames to help find them easier? What happens if your vision is so poor that doesn't help? Being able to see them 6 inches away is bit useless, better off feeling for them, no?

Stephen 21 Sep 2011, 17:45

I have a question to throw out there:

Do you need glasses to find your glasses?

I'm interested in such experiences.

Soyndmanpt 21 Sep 2011, 17:37

Suzannee

It all depends on the person. You can have 2 people that wear -1.50 glasses, one may feel the need to wear their glasses full time and feel as though they are blind without them, but the other person may only wear their glasses for certain tasks and not feel the need for them hardly at all. And of course how much they wear their glasses makes a lot of difference as well. For example you did not say how much you wear yours compared to your friend that has a weaker rx than you. If she wears hers most all the time and you only wear yours at certain times she will feel more dependent on hers than you feel without yours.

Suzannee 21 Sep 2011, 17:20

I have always wondered why people feel so differently without their glasses. I know that when I have my glasses off for awhile, I get a little frustrated but learn to cope. But I have seen people with lesser prescriptions than my own who start to get dizzy, feel nauseous, and seem like they have been transported out of the human race start because they seem so out of it. What happens if these people have to go for a long time like that? Why is it their reactions are so different than others? I know one girlfriend of mine who acts almost drunk when she has her glasses off, so we always tell her to take them when we go out!

Soundmanpt 20 Sep 2011, 19:08

Many years ago I went to see Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac fame in concert and was puzzled as after each song someone would come out as the lights dimmed a bit and lead her off-stage into the wings where she would put on a different schael and then lead her back onto stage for the next song. The next day there was a review of the concert and like I the reporter also wondered why she was being off and on stage. Turned out she had lost her contact lenses somehow. I assume she must wear glasses when not preforming and misplaced her contacts. The report said she was very nearsighted and needed help to make her numerous costume changes. More recently she has been seen on several shows and interviews wearing pretty strong glasses. I guess in her younger years she refused to be seen wearing glasses. I have never seen any early photos of her when she younger wearing glasses.

Astra 20 Sep 2011, 19:03

baker,

it sounds like a pretty tough place !

You living near a construction site, working at a construction site?

Crystal Veil 20 Sep 2011, 15:12

Aubrac @

Harry Secombe was not unique in this respect. Many singers who wear glasses fulltime prefer to perform on stage without glasses or contact lenses. I have been a singer-songwriter & musician for many decades and I never wear glasses on stage. It's much better to see one's audience in a blur - you know that they are there but your concentration is not distracted by their individual features. Over the years I met many other singers and musicians who made the same deliberate choice. You may remember Sandie Shaw. She always wore glasses backstage and in her private life (Rx around -6) but never on stage or in public.

Soundmanpt 20 Sep 2011, 14:29

baker

If your still chipping away at rocks you should be wearing safety glasses. Removing your contacts is a good idea, but you should avoid wearing your regular rx glasses so you don't get chips or dings in your lenses. Your glasses will offer some protection nut not nearly as good as safety lenses.

Just be carefull.

baker 20 Sep 2011, 12:01

I got hit in the face a bunch of times while hacking away at a rock (construction) and must have gotten hit in the eye because my eye was swollen and red over the weekend. So after a day I took out my contacts and just didn't want to put glasses on (Saturday).

Sunday I wore glasses on and off but really just didn't feel comfortable wearing them and I wasn't able to find my contact boxes so yesterday and today I did not wear glasses. Today I found my contacts which was really exciting but I am not sure if I'm going to start wearing them tomorrow. I'm really doing just fine not wearing glasses or contacts in my work and in class and just about everywhere. One thing that was interesting was how even when I'm in the front row, I can't tell that there's anythign written on the white board. This isn't a problem or anything but I like to look at the board at the end of class to see what was written on it. I am totally adjusted to the way that I'm seeing and I figure maybe I'll just wait until the weekend to put in contacts because I'm traveling via trains and buses so seeing more clearly might be useful..

Anyway, I just think it's cool that I really don;t miss wearing contacts and I guess it's good to give my eyes a longer break.

Tom 05 Sep 2011, 05:40

Cactus Jack: I do have 3D vision with my glasses on, nothing irregular. What I meant is that I feel as I don't have 3D vision when without glasses. Try to point your finger at some that is in front of you (e.g. the cap of a bottle) closing one eye, that is more or less what I can do without glasses. The effect is much more apparent as more far is the target (for close vision -5 is still not that bad) and as faster it is, e.g. the ball when I played volleyball bareeyed. I aimed at where I thought the ball should be to realise too late it was more far than I supposed.

Aubrac 03 Sep 2011, 01:50

The older UK people among us will remember Harry Secombe as a comedian, singer, and one of the 'goons'.

He usually wore about -7.00 glasses and in his autobiography says that when on stage singing an opera aria he took off his glasses at a particularly emotional point, and then found that being in a complete blur and not being able to see the audience or anything at all, the feeling of isolation meant he could sing more freely and better, and as a result he rarely wore glasses when singing.

Do non-glasses wearing folk like this feeling?

Thomas 02 Sep 2011, 14:17

Tom, -3.25 it was before. Not a big difference but I noticed it when trying to read bare eyed. I really have the feeling I was under corrected for a year or so, couldn't explain the effect the increased script had on my vision otherwise :-)

Cactus Jack 02 Sep 2011, 05:15

Tom,

Your brain will always use the best image as the primary source for vision. In your situation, without correction, your brain will almost always select the image from the -3 eye as primary and mostly ignore the image from the -5 eye. Vision occurs in the brain and it needs two pretty good images to be able to construct a 3-D (stereoscopic) image.

The brain has to learn how to see 3-D, usually in early childhood. Big differences in vision in childhood can often lead to amblyopia where the brain permanently ignores the image from the worst eye even if corrected. Up until recently, most Eye Care Professionals thought it was a permanent, uncorrectable, situation even if the refractive error in the worst eye was corrected. The patient was simply blind in one eye.

However, I saw an episode of "Through the Wormhole" recently that explored the theory that there were actually more than 3 dimension. As a sort of "sidebar" to explain the 3 dimensions, they interviewed a woman in her 30s - 40s who had been extremely cross-eyed in childhood. Ultimately, that condition had been corrected by muscle surgery, but by then, amblyopia had developed and for most of her adult life, she only had 2-D vision. One day, fairly recently, that changed. She was getting ready to start her car and, to use her words, "the steering wheel suddenly popped out at me". She has had 3-D vision ever since.

Hopefully, that occurrence will cause neuroscientists to revisit the issue of amblyopia and explore ways to stimulate the brain to re-learn how to see with both eyes if the problem is corrected.

I encourage you to NOT "Go Without Glasses" and use every tool you can to encourage your 3-D vision. It may not be too late. Many years ago, they sold "Stereopticons" and "View Masters" to see the world in 3 dimensions. Today, 3-D movies and 3-D TV might help 3-D vision to develop. It can't hurt and it might help.

C.

Tom 02 Sep 2011, 02:12

I have a difference of 2 diopters between my eyes (-3 and -5) but this doesn't affect my bareeyed vision that much. When without glasses, I see just if I had -3. Only effect is on 3D vision that is for sure quite poor. When I played my last volleyball matches at the end of high school (almost 25 years ago...) I remember it was quite challenging to judge the distance of the ball without glasses, and I missed it several times.

Chris 02 Sep 2011, 00:26

Thomas

I've always had uneven prescriptions in each eye too at one point -1.5 difference. What was yours before the increase?

Thomas 31 Aug 2011, 21:08

Tom I guess it's all subjective to the person. I personally prefer reading with - glasses on, however I can read without them. I used to have uneven prescriptions on either eye so I had to hold things (close and) askew to read them properly, nowadays I can read better without glasses than before as my eyes are now almost equally bad.

I have however noticed something strange - and this may be subjective again - but I recently went from -3.25 cyl -1.5 to -3.75 cyl -1.5 in one eye (while the other is still -3.25/-1.5), and must say since that transition I am completely 'blind' without glasses, it was a huge difference, even though on paper it's not. Maybe someone can comment on this with a similar scenario?

I guess I was undercorrected before too, maybe my eyes got used to the new stronger prescription, but seeing in HD quality again (with glasses) is definitely worth it.

Cheers

Thomas

Tom 29 Aug 2011, 10:11

I've recently known a woman who never uses glasses but at work. Actually the first time I met we went for luch with friends and never had a suspect about her eyes. Second time she had to look at something close and took out of her purse a pair of quite strong plus glasses. Later she explained she is +3.75 but doesn't have major troubles in doing bareeyed unless she has to read long texts or do long close works. For occasional close reading she is still ok, as well as she perfectly sees far things. She doesn't has to do glasses for driving either since her far vision is really good (she showed me she could easily read the titles of all the books on the shell on the other side of the room!).

She reported she sometime has minor troubles e.g. with her phone but showed me how she can easily read a text message from almost usual reading distance (anyway not so long distance that one could recognise she is farsighted from the way she read the message). This is surprisingly, considering the prescription! I had another friend years ago who was only -2 but had e.g. to put her glasses on to to read the menu in a restaurant.

Do you know of other people who can still see despite such a high plus prescription? She may have an incredible accommodation power!

varifocals 06 Aug 2011, 13:11

Those who know me know that I am a plussie, full time wearer + 4.50 add plus 3 & now relaxed with my glasses.

Recently I have spent a months hoiday in Australia & 2 days in the beautiful city of Adelaide which I have visited years ago.

During the day I took the tram down to Glenelg to see the beach & was told by the locals it was nice at night.

In the evening I set out again, this time for the first time for years I went bare eyed to see how dependant I had become with my glasses.

The tram was ok, only one route & the main street in Glenelg is narrow with the tracks & room for cars on either side & restraunts/cafes etc, full of life, blurry but I managed until I tried to read the adverts in the windows,a blur.I walked the entire length of the street & caught the tram back to Adelaide.

By then at 2100 my favourite pub had run out of food so after a beer& a kentucky chicken inmy room & I putback on my glasses. Wow it was amazing.4 blurry hours. In the morning a headache, so now never again. I love glasses.

Puffin 06 Aug 2011, 12:41

yep, you need a lot of determination/stubbornness to carry on with that level of myopia uncorrected.

jess 06 Aug 2011, 12:05

i am with -4.25 and there is no chance i could go without wearing them now. i need them just to walk around or would be triping up.

Astra 02 Aug 2011, 13:55

Cactus J,

Examiners mostly prefer to use autorefractor before asking you to read the chart.

So they may have inserted some rx to facilitate the process. easier for the examiners to determine rx, and easier for you to read.

Clare 31 Jul 2011, 11:09

123321 - a friend of mine around -2 didn't wear glasses when I first knew him because he'd *lost* them. Then, all of a sudden, he replaced them so he must have gone to the optician without any current glasses.

Also, I used to go to the optician bare eyed even though he told me most people would wear their glasses most of the time at the same prescription. Sure I had them with me, but I never wore them to go into the shop. My prescription, I distinctly remember, was -2.25 and -2.75. Even now, with a slightly stronger prescription, I'll take rather than wear them into the examination room.

I really wouldn't worry, they see all sorts.

Soundmanpt 29 Jul 2011, 22:37

Very true CJ.

Cactus Jack 29 Jul 2011, 19:26

123321,

First of all don't sweat it. You are not the first and won't be the last to get glasses and then not wear them. The decision to wear glasses or not wear them is yours alone. If you are asked, just say that at the time, you felt like you could see well enough with out them, but things have changed and it seems like things are more blurry that they used to be.

All the examiner will think is that you are like many others with relatively low - Rx and proceed with the exam. Please do not try to cheat or squint to see anything. Please let us know your complete Rx and any questions you have after the exam.

Frankly, the examiner will be glad to see you because that is how he/she earns a living.

C.

123321 29 Jul 2011, 16:47

I have my eye exam tomorrow, the thing is, i went to that place last time and got glasses from there so they will know how long its been and alsio that i have not got my glasses, ah well lets see what comes out of it, im just gettting anxious that i wont even be able to read the top letter on the chart and for some reason it embarasses me as i dont whant the optician to start questionning me how i manage etc, i feel tht my eyes have got that bad as things are very blurry from a few feet away

Soundmanpt 29 Jul 2011, 14:40

From what I have noticed through the years myopia effects about 40% - 50% of pregnant women. A friend that is pregnant now and due in mid August has had perfect vision until now. Since mid June she has been wearing -1.25 glasses full time and probably needs even stronger now.

varifocals 29 Jul 2011, 14:28

Hi Astra,

There seem to be a few ladies who wonder if pregnancy has speeded up their myopia.

Us male plussies are spared.

Aubrac 29 Jul 2011, 07:22

Nonplussed

Great to hear from you on your soapbox again!

Just let me say firstly it’s not the case that all of us love wearing glasses. I wear contacts most of the time and have done so for many years largely due to finding it difficult playing golf in the rain, and also I have never found a really comfortable pair of glasses I can wear all day. However we all do have an affinity with glasses wearing and an interest in all things to with vision.

I think nearly everyone is sceptical about the pseudo-science of natural remedies. Yes, we hear much trumpeted stories of some near miracle due to drinking bing-bong juice and standing on our head for twenty minutes every day, but never any mention of the possible hundreds of thousands of people for whom it has made absolutely no difference at all!

I don’t think you have been criticised and as you say there are many others with higher prescriptions who prefer to go bare-eyed. However, I think what most of us like is the clarity of vision and the beautiful world it so clearly reveals to us. I would hate to see a school play and from the back row not be able to recognise my child on stage – what’s the point in going?

I think you will also find that no one is really prescriptive about changing vision, we tend to generalise and put caveats on statements as we know changes can take place that are not in the normal run of things. But then again, for many millions it is the norm for myopia to increase until about the forties and then for presbyopia to rear its head.

I don’t think you can know for sure that your eyesight has not changed, we all think we weigh the same as last year but only getting on the scales shows how wrong we can be! For my own part, I have regular eye-tests and have had the same prescription for twenty years without the need for any ‘natural’ remedies.

As for the genetics I don’t think anyone knows how this works except that if two myopes have children there is a greater chance of them also being myopic. My parents and their parents had 20/20 vision, yet myself and my sister are myopes, she married a guy with 20/20 vision and has four high myope childen, but my ex-wife had myopic parents, she has 20/20 vision and our three kids have 20/20 vision, so there’s not much sense to made out of that.

On the subject of eyesight change, I have a friend who suddenly realised she could not read the titles of books on the library shelves and after a test wears -2.00 glasses, also another friend who wore -1.75 glasses and contacts from age 14 and at had 21 had an test and was told she had 20/20 vision and didn’t need any correction, that was ten years ago and still hasn’t changed, it also happened without any ‘natural’ vision therapy.

I think the word ‘natural’ is also frequently misused, what could be less natural than exercising as bodybuilders do to create what is actually a totally unnatural physique.

Well that is my Speakers Corner session ended and I feel better for it – maybe there is something is these ‘natural’ remedies after all!

Cactus Jack 28 Jul 2011, 16:17

The only thing you could relax away is pseudo myopia which really is the same thing as latent hyperopia, just on the other side of 0.00. True or axial myopia involves a mismatch between the length of the eyeball and the combined + power of the cornea and the crystalline lens. To reduce that, you need to be able to shrink the size of the eyeball and thus shorten its length and there is no way to do that.

Almost everyone who does much close work has a little pseudo myopia to go along with their axial myopia and if they can relax some of it away, they think the Bates Method, et al, works., but obviously there are limits.

C.

Puffin 28 Jul 2011, 15:48

I remember seeing someone on the net a couple of years ago, she was born with -17 of myopia, prescribed glasses about a year old, ended up about -22 as adult.

Bates seems to make use of the adaptability of the eye that could adjust itself to deal with 1-2 dioptres of myopia simply by relaxing the eye muscles that are used for accomodation. I just don't think it could be possible to relax your way through 17 or 22 dioptres of myopia, even a couple of dioptres off 22 is pretty much irrelevant.

Astra 28 Jul 2011, 11:43

varifocals,

for my pregnancy, things doesn't go very normal now...

the changing (mostly increasing?) rx on eyes and breasts remain unchanged. not a good sign.

It bugs me , where does the hormones go ? I suppose this may undermine the possibility of breast feeding

Astra 28 Jul 2011, 11:28

Football... or any sports.

it seems puzzling. many of the participants are myopes.

If anyone would claim sports help alleviate myopia, or active sport participants have lower rate of myopia.

Highly doubtful to me. I would believe the opposite.

varifocals 28 Jul 2011, 10:38

Yes Mylessa,but sometimes after a lively & disputed football match, the supporters often cry " Get a pair of glasses ref" !!!

Melyssa 28 Jul 2011, 10:04

"My name is Bates. Myopia is just a figment of your imagination. You don't need glasses. Look at all of the sports officials. What I say is correct. And if you don't believe it, ask me."

varifocals 28 Jul 2011, 09:28

Hi Puffin.

For my sins I have been married twice!

My first wife was a plussie & she wore glasses at the wedding so no silly squinting.

We had 2 boys both plussies.

Much later after the split I re married this time to a full time -8 myopie who had had 4 myopic children.

In both then neither her ex husband or myself wore glasses.

I since, have become long sighted.

Using the Bates method, going without glasses , eye excercisessuch as palming, may be fine for a moderate myopie, to play with but over -4 when vision is difficult.

I had a g/f next door severly myopic who hated glasses but with the best will in the world with 6ft of vision it was useless. So wear glasses & enjoy them. Cheap one can be got on the internet.

Soundmanpt 28 Jul 2011, 08:16

123321

Of course you shouldn't wait that long in between exams, but trust me, many others do the same thing as you. I doubt that there will be much if any lecture when you go. First of all you can always say you don't recall when your last exam was. You don't even need to tell them that you ever had glasses. They won't have way of knowing. You can simply say you came in because you were having trouble seeing distances and thought you should get your eyes examined. This time don't loose them when you get them. Will you have any problem with wearing them in front of people for the first time? I'm sure most don't recall you having glasses that for back and you probably seldom wore them anyway. Good luck at your exam.

Puffin 28 Jul 2011, 06:43

I don't accept the claim that myopia, astigmatism and other focussing defects aren't hereditary. Bates is saying that these are all due to stress and not due to the eyeball being the wrong shape.

However the basic shape of the mammalian eyeball is the product of evolution over millions of years - it is (usually) the right shape and adapted for its task, because those poor animals who had misshaped eyes couldn't see so well and probably got eaten! What Bates is saying is that it is impossible for such visual defects to be passed on, not because those myopic mammals couldn't see so well, but because it just darned well couldn't because he says so. That also implies that no improvements to the mammalian visual system could be passed on too (ie, making the eyeball a better shape for seeing). Therefore if Bates is right, then no visual system could ever have evolved beyond the very basic patches of light-sensitive cells on organisms such as Euglena.

Danbert 28 Jul 2011, 06:21

Nonplussed,

I am all for alternative therapies when they work. Actually, during those rare instances when I visit a GP, I always double and triple check any advice before taking it, especially if he prescribes medicine. I'm pretty sure some people follow their doctor without even looking up the potential side-effects.

The problem with alternative therapies for myopia is that they do not treat the cause of the problem. The reason they do not treat the cause of the problem is that no one fully understands the problem. No one has ever demonstrated that true (axial) myopia is reversible by any means other than aging. I realise that you are talking more about preventing further increases, but few people I know over 20 seem who wear specs appear to experience much if any increase anyway.

As for presbyopia, it does not happen instantaneously and any presbyopia you do have will only result in a decrease in your apparent myopia if you have significant pseudomyopia, which presumably you do not.

One thing I may able to agree with you on is that today's prevalence of myopia is likely due to modern bad habits.

Too much time spent indoors (sunlight is known to regulate eye growth) and diets low in protein and/or high in sugar (New Scientist 2337, p.9, 6th April 2002) are a couple of likely explanations which, if true, could easily explain the overall increase in myopia across the world (though not the distribution, which may be explained in the future through genetic research).

No amount of vision therapy is going to expose one to healthy levels of sunlight each day, or of preventing the yo-yo cycle of insulin spikes that occurs thanks to a typical modern western diet, which is too high in sugar and other simple carbohydrates.

If anything can give kids a fighting chance of bucking the myopia trend then it's a healthy lifestyle and a healthy diet.

varifocals 28 Jul 2011, 05:00

Hi Nonplussed.

I totally disagree with your message & I have even read the famous Bates going without glasses.

It did not work for me & thefact that I am a plussie & that close work without glasses, is now totally impossible without headaches.

If anything after trying I made matters worse.

So while it might work for myopies it certainly did not for me.

I am totally dependant on glasses, I am happy with that as I have no eye strain or headaches.

In addition I have a pair of full frame " readers".

My wife likes my +7.50 magnified blue eyes so that all ok.

Nonplussed 27 Jul 2011, 23:15

Hi, all, it's me again! In view of all the criticism I've suffered, I've come to feel like the enemy on this website, but what the hell, at least it affords some balance and spice, and I've been happy to answer all my critics. I know I'm going to get some more, so here goes...

I know you speckies love wearing your glasses, but why are you people so incredulous about natural vision therapy? It's no different from bodybuilding, it just takes the same sustained effort that most people are unable to expend, but no-one would doubt that weight-training exercises build muscle even though the majority of people do not have good physiques. It's the reserve of the few. In any case, the field has come a long way since Bates, who is regarded as the pioneer, even though the practice is found in the ancient Yogic system - it's nothing new. Several systems exist today. For example, there's a blogger I correspond with who explains a simple natural technique he used to improve his eyesight from an Rx of about -3.00 to a UVA of 20/20 within a year, a process that the orthodox ophthalmic establishment declare is impossible.

With an Rx of about -2.50/-2.75, I've been crticised on this website for going unaided all my life, despite the fact that there are posters on this forum going uncorrected with far worse Rxs than mine. However, even I would admit that I have not, as yet, made the necessary commitment to the practice of natural vision therapy, but I can testify that just by maintaining the right visual habits, I have been able to arrest further deterioration for years. I know my UVA hasn't slipped by the evidence of the same objects/scenes that I see on a daily basis. So much for genetic pre-disposition - it certainly doesn't stack up in my family! I know that I wasn't always myopic, because I remember sitting at the back of the class right up to the end of primary (low) school. The deterioration took place with the transition to secondary (high) school, as a result of the increased close work associated with having to study more. The "myopic genes" didn't just suddenly switch on! I am now 45, and my myopia hasn't improved on its own - so much for the notion of "presbyopia".

No disrespect to you, 123321, but I really don't understand your apprehension. At the end of the day, you are the one putting money in the pockets of the optometrists, so you need not fear them or what they say. Furthermore, it is your decision whether to wear glasses full-time, part-time or not at all. Two years ago, for example, I attended casualty at the famous Moorfields eye hospital in London (where I am resident) for an acute eye irritation. When the issue was raised, I politely made it clear to the doctor what I thought of unnatural vision correction and stated that I had no intention of wearing glasses when I am able to do without them for all practical purposes. (I've covered the driving issue in previous posts.) He respected my position and did not push the issue.

Cactus: I notice that you recently warned someone about the dangers of increasing axial length when trying to induce myopia, something about "retinal detachment"? Hmmm, I seem to remember making that very point when I first joined the forum back in May, and you more-or-less said that I didn't know what I was talking about - interesting!

Regards.

Cactus Jack 27 Jul 2011, 18:10

123321,

If you want to try the simple test Maddy just did, follow the instructions below and I can give you an estimate of your Rx. It won't be exact, but it is better than nothing. Do not squint, it makes the test more inaccurate.

Get a book or a newspaper and hold it close enough to read clearly and then move it away from you until the letters get fuzzy. Do this with each eye individually, measure the distance where it occurs, and tell me what it is. If it is more than a meter (39 inches) or where the print would be too small to read, we will need to modify the test a little to get an accurate answer.

C.

Cactus Jack 27 Jul 2011, 18:05

Maddy,

Based on those numbers, your Rx will be approximately

R -2.00

L -1.75

That will probably not be your actual Rx which may have sphere, cylinder and axis value, but in any case, it is not an Rx to get excited about. Wear will probably be optional, but you may find you really like being able to see distant objects very well and the vividness of what you see, You may discover leaves on trees, birds in flight, and stars in the sky and decide that you really like seeing well.

Please let us know your Rx when you get it and if you need some help ordering glasses, let is know.

C.

Puffin 27 Jul 2011, 17:47

If you're looking for a rough idea of distance visual acuity, try an online snellen chart (it's what the optician or eye doc will ask you to read), such as this one http://www.eyes-and-vision.com/take-the-snellen-eye-test-online.html or else you can google "snellen chart" and use another one if preferred.

Of course this is not the same as a real full-on eye exam but will give an idea of what to expect.

maddy 27 Jul 2011, 16:04

cactus jack I have done that little test thing, my left eye measures at 23 inches and my right eye measures at 20 inches

123321 27 Jul 2011, 15:12

hello all i have got an eye examination coming up at the weekend, im quite nervous about going to it as ive not had my eyes tested for about 7 years, i know my eye sight has changed for the worse as i am constrantly scrunching my eyes up to see things in the distance, i feel a bit embarassed as it has been so long and dont want to get a lecture from them, also i get quite nervous thinking that they are going to say i need to wear glasses all the time, i got given glasses last time and i lost them about a year after my eye test so they will be saying where are your glasses!

varifocals 27 Jul 2011, 10:33

Astra.

Hi.

What is your rx now, it sounds strong.

Rayray 27 Jul 2011, 08:31

Yeah these 'cures' for eye conditions which do not involve lenses, surgery or drugs are simply based on people's gullibility for 'new age' sales techniques which play on people's desire to get back to nature and so on. It is quite evident from the article there is not a single scientific element to the treatment and it is only working (if the article is not completely fake) due to mind tricks played on the individual involved. Unfortunately mind tricks will not help you to see a vehicle coming out of a turning in the distance or a child going out into the road - until it is too late.

Melyssa 27 Jul 2011, 06:47

Concerning the "Take off your glasses and see" article, I have two things to say to that woman:

A. Please do not drive in any zip code I am in at any time.

2. Without my glasses, I feel like whose brain you have -- Sergeant Schultz -- "I see nothing! Nuh-h-thingk!"

Melyssa 27 Jul 2011, 06:42

Astra,

When I'm in bed, I'm within about 4 feet of the clock, and I can make out the numbers. The size and the color of them (chartreuse) make it possible. From that spot I have no idea what the numbers on my husband's clock are -- especially because they are much farther away and LCD.

Astra 26 Jul 2011, 23:07

Melyssa,

I have an impression... the edges would be really blurry at your rx, even though you can see the blurred-edge numbers at closer distance.

Cactus Jack 26 Jul 2011, 18:20

William Horatio Bates, M.D. (1860-1931) who came up with the Bates Method of improving eyesight seems like Elvis, he just won't stay dead.

A few years ago, the "See Clearly Method" was heavily marketed in the US until they were sued for false advertising and fraud.

Now, we have this "Miracle".

"A fool and his money are soon parted", believed to have origins in the mid 1500s, seem to be a true now as then, and also "Hope springs eternal". The internet just make it easier to troll for clients (gullible victims). As other have discovered to their pleasure, some people will believe anything the see or read on the web. All it takes is some clever "wordsmithing".

C.

ehpc 26 Jul 2011, 16:07

I think one can recognise a 'plug' when one sees one. Could hardly be more blatant.

Dave 26 Jul 2011, 15:55

This woman says miracles do happen:

http://wonderocity.com/tag/take-off-your-glasses-and-see

Galileo 26 Jul 2011, 13:34

Hi Cookie Dough, squinting is the same priciple as the pin hole camera. Reduce the aperture and the depth of field increases so more things are in focus. If you take a piece of card with a pin hole in it and hold it in front of your uncorrected eye you will see more than you usually do. As your script increases the pin hole effect from squinting still works but your myopia is too high for you to notice the improvement. Some high myopes do squint to see things better, but that is to see things only a few inches in front of their faces. My ex who was -8 said squinting helped her see better for things up to 30 centimetres in front of her face, beyond that it didn't help much.

Melyssa 26 Jul 2011, 12:42

Astra,

The numbers on the clocks are about one inch high, so they're not exactly small like those on the DVR/VCRs. I ought to try to see how close I have to be to see the clock numbers.

Soundmanpt 26 Jul 2011, 12:04

cookie dough

Love your name! The practice of squinting is really just a form of straining. Straining will work for many up to a certain point which may vary for different people. But I would say for most -2.00 it is about the limit. That is why most doctors start recommending full time wear when one gets to needing -1.50 to -1.75 rx. I am not telling you to go full time, but I think you will find it beats squinting or straining in the long run.

cookie dough 26 Jul 2011, 11:07

does anyone know why squinting doesnt help once you get to a certain prescription? i am a reluctant wearer of glasses now and cant make the excuse that i can see by squinting now, im pretty sure i could see thngs quite clearly when i squinted when my prscription was around -2

GL  26 Jul 2011, 11:04

Laura C,

You have nothing to worry about, and all the world is yours to explore. Put your glasses on, girl!

See! You won't believe your eyes!

Take it from a myopic, middle-aged man. Better to see everything than nothing at all.

Astra 26 Jul 2011, 10:29

Melyssa,

10 feet away , that's very far.

when I was -2 I couldn't see the numbers from 10 feet away.

I needed about 5 feet away to see, the numbers on a large clock.

Melyssa 26 Jul 2011, 06:53

Way back when I was a young, then teenage, girl in that period where I did not wear my glasses all the time, I would squint occasionally to see something if I did not want to put on my glasses. (Obviously that's not the case now.) But after reading these posts, I decided to see what I could see (if anything) by squinting at the numbers on my husband's and my respective clock radios from about ten feet away. Without my big, bold, and beautiful glasses, I could not make out any of the numbers, even though I knew what the hour number was.

All4Eyes 26 Jul 2011, 02:02

cookie dough: I'm also -4 and find that subjectively squinting helps me at closer range (like the computer screen is about the limit) only, beyond that it doesn't help. But I've measured with a Snellen chart and found I can go from not being able to read the 20/400 line to being able to read the 20/100 line just by squinting.

4eyes 25 Jul 2011, 13:57

*staring at direction I supposed "my team" would be, for I couldn't see a thing but a huge blur only.

Sorry about this. ;-)) Grinning

Me out.

4eyes 25 Jul 2011, 13:52

4eyes here.

To Varifocal and Puffin,

Both are pretty darn right.

I'm not happy being eyes glasses dependant not never will be, but I'll go for the hell of it of I want to. As my daddy daddy's so, I am absurdly stubborn. Lol.

So, if I want to, I can be pretty determined not to want my corrective glasses and that simply drives my daddy crazy. Couple years ago, there was one day I was representing my school in a swimming pool interstates contest I went bare eyed and without my special goggle to my daddy and my team despair... Another one, I was winning the championship and I took out my goggle and stopped defiantly, staring at the direction I supposed would be and lost it for our adversary. I went back home bare eyed too. Back then I was about 14 or 15 and my glasses + 24 DP prescribed lenses or close to it. Naturally I've been cut out of the team. I didn't care that much.

I may be dependent, but of you're willing to go for it you will go.

Anderson out.

4eyes 25 Jul 2011, 13:08

Hello you all at ES.

To ehpc...

Thank you for replying your own experience. The staring isn't a concern to me. I've learned "vanity" is something I can't have. I can't walk around eyes closed, can I? Also, I can not say if any person is staring at me or not even if this person is at six feet away from me. Without glasses at six feet, I can not say if a person is using a glasses at all and I don't care. It's a kind of feeling you have, just like when you are in a metro and you can say somebody is staring at you and you stares back, or something like that. It is just like somebody suppresses a laugh and you know it's because of you. It is just something you know. I really don't care about that, I'll not let walking around, because of that, right?

Now, what really annoys me are those carelessness comments like "poor kid, must be blind", even when I'm staring straight back at them or "look at those eyes" or the worst I've ever heard... "if you misbehave you are gonna be just like him" like the lady whispered to a kid that, as if I couldn't hear it or I wasn't even there, that fu#@*.

While in Cala D'or in Mallorca, Spain, the lack of sensibility not of the locals, but of those snobish tourists is what struck me most. When somebody asks you to go get a shade or a Ray Ban just to hide your eyes from others, that reaches the border of offending or selfish or I can't simply find a name to it, but to call for a response which I have the very next mourning. I just couldn't let it go unnoticed. I just gave them an answer to theirs request and went bare eyed every time I wanted, to give my eyes rare rest from my heavy glasses. Later, as we went to Spain Continental cities like La Manga in Murcia, Valencia and Barcelona, aside from usual stares both my friend and I "provoke", if that's the right term, everything was okay.

Now we've returned from Nurburgring, in Germany and I thought my daddy would broken his promises when he asked if I was interested in visiting the B&L who provides my eyeglasses. But as I said I wasn't, we simply returned to France, as my daddy said he'd go alone then. So we're in France again, au coeur de la Provence, au St. Saturnin-Les-Apt and heading to Disneyland, arrrrg -:-( with my friend. I told him before hand I wouldn't babysitting him and I'll refuse any advantage ticket that's usually offered to "Impaired people" as my friend says he will take, if offered.

It seems my daddy will fulfill his promised and will not destroy our trip with nasty surprises at all, thanks God.

Anyway, thank you again for you support ES readers.

PS. I know my English sucks so please, no funny comments about it.

Anderson's out.

Puffin 25 Jul 2011, 11:17

Yes, you can adapt your visual system to poor vision given time and opportunity, and recognition of what you can't do. I think at say minus 7 or thereabouts you'd need to be pretty determined not to want correction (ie, glasses, probably). Also you'd need to be consistently lucky with people asking what things are, where things are, etc, if you can't see them. Every so often someone will work out your secret, and you have to work out what to do then.

varifocals 25 Jul 2011, 11:12

depandancy is the key.

For a full time wearer to be suddenly without lens, what ever the strength is worse than one who seems to like bare eyes for the hell of it.

I am happy being dependant.

Millhouse 25 Jul 2011, 08:31

-Astra,

sorry, that last post was to include you also.

Milhouse 25 Jul 2011, 08:30

- Puffin,

Yes, very uncomfortable to walk and for me not a good idea. I have spares in my car, at my work desk and in my apartment.

Reason being if I have an accident and they get damaged I can go about my way safely. One time when I was 15 at a party I got hit by a drunk bully and managed to use the remaining un-broken glass lens to get home in the dark (by holding it up to my eye with my hand monocle style as I walked) For an idea of what its like I've said to people who ask (who have good unaided vision ) to try on my -7.5 / -7.00 glasses to see how it kinda looks for me without correction. Mostly people are surprised, ok so it isnt a TRUE representation of what I see, but the blur gives an idea.

Astra 25 Jul 2011, 08:06

Puffin,

Concerning Laura C,

I assume normal people would be very uncomfortable to have no glasses available ? It's like the eyes having sort of weird blur making it uncomfortable to walk .

Puffin 25 Jul 2011, 06:20

Well, assuming LauraC us genuine, it seems reasonable that sooner or later she'd be "found out" by someone who could oblige her to go to the optician at least. The worse the myopia is, generally the harder it is to cover up long term, depending on whether other people are "with it" or not.

Astra 24 Jul 2011, 22:53

Laura C, if you think your glasses is thick, how about your friends ?

Hansel 24 Jul 2011, 16:39

Again, allowing for the benefit of the doubt and that Laura and a surname beginning with C is not going to be unique, was there not a Laura C outed by Wurm a few months ago?

We seemed to have a spate of high minus first time wearing female posters, or is my memory playing tricks?

Like lenses 24 Jul 2011, 16:19

Laura C

You still do not like the idea of you in glasses,but do you have the feeling that your eyes want them,now that they see the benefit?

You stated in the past that you think that glasses make your vision get worse.

If that is so,then why is your first prescription so high?

I think that the reason for your imbalance between eyes,and your 180 horizontal astigmatism is from the straining,and squinting that you have been doing all these years. Without glasses your -6.00 right eye is doing all the work when you read,and when you look into the distance your -4.25 left eye is doing all the work.

If you wear the glasses full time,as you should,at the next exam,you may find that your left eye may catch up to the right,and the astigmatism go down,or go away.

Did the doctor say if you are corrected to 20/20 in each eye,or if you have been given an under correction? When did they suggest your next exam?

Like lenses 24 Jul 2011, 15:50

cookie dough

At minus 1.00,and full time wear for distance,and near, if I took the glasses off,squinting did no good.

The only time squinting benefits me,is when I need a stronger prescription.When I begin to squint,while wearing glasses,I know it is time for new stronger glasses.

My current Rx is -6.00 each eye,but I wear -7.00. In addition to the incredible clarity with an over correction,the time before new glasses is increased.

cookie dough 24 Jul 2011, 15:30

question, at what prescription does squinting not help anymore, i am at -4.00 and find that it doesnt do anything for me, what are peoples views on this?

LauraC 24 Jul 2011, 11:41

I wore my glasses just at the optician and a couple of times at home till now, just when my

mother was around because she is forcing me to wear. No glasses in public or at work,

neither I have intention to do since they are soooo thick.

P.S. She discovered just because she caught me while watching TV with my friend's -3 glasses.

Poor me...

antonio 24 Jul 2011, 11:23

yes, she could use contact lenses

why not LauraC ?

I don´t think she will get stronger ones soon,

I think they are right for her

best regards, antonio

John L 24 Jul 2011, 02:31

Laura's first prescription is not that dissimilar to my first. (r -6.00 l -5.75)

I AM sure when she realises just what it is like to have clear vision after a long period her initial reactionto her glasses may change. Perhaps if Laura is concerned about here appearance a visit to the Ladies Behind The Crystal Veil web pages will show just how glasses of even much stronger script can add to her appearance. As someone else suggested they can be like jewellery. Of course another option could be contact lenses.

Like lenses 24 Jul 2011, 01:25

antonio

This is a first prescription for her.

It is huge for a first.

It may even be an undercorrection.She may get more in six months or so.

antonio 23 Jul 2011, 20:20

well, I don´t find Laura C´s glasses that strong, likelenses,

they are still at the medium range, Laura,

enjoy the clear sight they can give to you, Laura C,

at least sometimes

best regards, antonio

Like lenses 23 Jul 2011, 19:59

Laura C

Whoa! That is one serious prescription.

A lot of myopia in the right eye,with moderate astigmatism,and a lesser but still significant myopia,with pretty high astigmatism in the left.This is a very unbalanced prescription and you will need to wear these for all activities near,and far from the time you wake up,until you go to bed at night.

Were you amazed at the clarity,and minification of objects when you put them on? We myopes find this quite thrilling when getting new glasses.

Blue eyes look better than dark eyes behind strong minus lenses due to the minification.

What is the longest period that you have worn them thus far,and what is your impression after removing them?

Welcome to the world of strong glasses.

Cactus Jack 23 Jul 2011, 14:44

Maddy,

There is no way to tell, but I can tell you how to make a pretty good estimate of your present Rx.

Get a book or a newspaper and hold it close enough to read clearly and then move it away from you until the letters get fuzzy. Do this with each eye individually, measure the distance where it occurs, and tell me what it is. If it is more than a meter (39 inches) or where the print would be too small to read, we will need to modify the test a little to get an accurate answer.

You don't need to worry about becoming dependent on glasses it is always up to you when and if you wear glasses with one exception. If you drive, you may be required to wear glasses for the safety of others. However, you may decide that you like being able to see distant things very clearly. In some way, glasses are like clothes, you don't absolutely have to have full body coverage it depends on the circumstances. If you go to the beach in the summer, you will find lots of people with very little clothing. However, if you go to a ski slope in winter you will find lots of people with lots of clothing. If it is cold enough, they are dependent on their clothing for their survival, but it is still up to them. I have seen pictures of people in swimming attire jumping into ice covered water, but they did not stay long, I guess they were "dependent" on their clothing, but they did not seem to mind the dependency.

Could I ask your age, occupation and where you live?

C.

maddy 23 Jul 2011, 14:21

cactus jack what would be a reasonable estimate, i dont want to become reliant on glasses but i am finding myself squinting a lot, a lot of the time i dont even realise i am doing it until my friends point out to me,they are glasses wearers mostly and they have all been on at me to go and get a test after 9 years!

Cactus jack 23 Jul 2011, 10:31

Maddy,

Your Rx has probably increased some, but not enough to get very excited about. It is normal for low light conditions to make vision problems seem worse because your pupils open up to let in more light and that makes your true Rx more apparent. In very bright light, your pupils close down and it is like looking through a pin hole, the hole in a button, or squinting. It partly corrects your refractive error.

C.

maddy 23 Jul 2011, 10:12

hello all

i have booked an eye test for next saturday finally after 9 years of putting it off! I am 25 now

i am getting quite nervous as i think the optician is going to say that i need to wear glasses

i managed to find my prescription card from years ago and it says somethign about sph left eye -.50 and right eye -.25,

what are the chances of my prescription going up? i feel that when its dark outside and cloudy my eyesight seems a lot worse, does anyone else find that?

varifocals 22 Jul 2011, 12:38

Laura C you will be fine & soon get used to them.Enjoy your clear sharp world

Astra 22 Jul 2011, 03:22

coke bottle rimless are nice.

I remember seeing a other girl in a library wearing those when I was age 15. envied her so much.

I didn't wear glasses and I was about 2 diopters uncorrected.

Aubrac 22 Jul 2011, 02:22

LauraC

High index lens will only be a few millimetres thick and certainly nothing like coke bottles.

I think you will be amazed at how much more of the world there is when you wear your glasses and don't have to bother about 'managing'.

Try a rimless style that be ultra-light and except for crystal clear vision, you will not notice you are wearing them.

Astra 21 Jul 2011, 23:42

Laura C,

How did your mother notice you cannot see a thing anymore ?

Astra 21 Jul 2011, 23:35

soundmanpt,

My experience: my family members knew that I have been a little myopic, it may take longer for them to notice the problem.

Especially if you have glasses ready they may thought you only need glasses occasionally, but not always.

Soundmanpt 21 Jul 2011, 18:50

Laura C.

If your unhappy with the thickness of your lenses then go on-line and find a pair you like and have them made with high index lenses and they will be very thin. If you use Zenni for the 1.67 index it is only an addition of $34.00. I'm surprised it took that long for any of your family members to discover you can't see. I hope they now stay on you to wear them. You must know that wearing glasses will make more people take notice of your blue eyes. Afterall they are only framing your eyes you know?

LauraC 21 Jul 2011, 16:28

For those who know me: my mother discovered I cannot see a thing anymore and took me to an optician. I've been prescribed glasses (obviously) which I collected today. But I'v no intention to wear those coke bottle lenses in front of my blue eyes! They are so thick!!!!

BTW my presciption is

right -6.00 -0.50 180

left -4.25 -1.00 180

should be myopia + astigmatism I presume. Is there anyone else goind bareeyed with such poor vision (if not... I can tell you how to manage :-) )

varifocals 21 Jul 2011, 08:42

I agree Astra. cutting a long story short, my wifes mobile went off. I had no glasses handy & it was a complete blur as I am totally ddependant on my glasses.

Astra 21 Jul 2011, 05:39

If a myope has to be without glasses, they can't care whether it's awkward or not. ... if it's able to read that's good enough.

ehpc 20 Jul 2011, 18:17

Anderson - people do stare in Southern Europe in a way that Northern Europeans and people from the United States would regard as impolite, but which they evidently do not. I have a scar down my chest from quadruple heart bypass surgery 11 years ago and people would literally walk up to me and stare at it, when I was on the beach just a few seconds walk (literally) from a flat I used to own in Mallorca. I am ashamed to say that after the first day of this I put a T-shirt on the next day, but I subsequently felt - quite rightly - deeply ashamed of my pathetic pusillanimousness in 'hiding' the scar (I still feel deeply ashamed of my pusillanimousness and self-consciousness but it was a bit of a pain) and I left the T-shirt off and let the peasants stare. It just seems a habit in that part of the world.

4eyes 20 Jul 2011, 17:39

Hi you guys, here is 4eyes.

I forget to mention my daddy would strongly be against my aptitude, but thanks God he was in Silverstone for the F1 racing car that Sunday. Lol.

Anderson.

4eyes 20 Jul 2011, 17:33

4eyes here.

I think I've posted it in a wrong topic and I'm sorry, so here it goes again...

I've been posting for awhile about the strenght RX of my eyeglasses and how people says they're strong and that I hate the term. I'd rather hear no comments for my +47,5 and the +49,25 with adding + 11,5 bifocals DP, plus the 40 BO of prism DP for the distance as I have about 25 BO prism for close. Also they think I am a "visually impaired" kid, no matter I am a 18 years old but I am not. With my glasses on I am corrected as visual mobility "they say", but as I can do play soccer or do about anything I want, that's fine to me, thank you. Stuck out my tongue for them.

I'm not sure I am not I'm saying something stupid, but according to my best friend who's 15 yo and a darn good soccer player that happens to stammer so bad he'd rather go around speechless but goes completely nuts about it. Funny enough, he gives a piece of shit 'bout his own badly crossing eyes. I'll tell you I trust this kid by heart and I hear him and I try to be just as cool as he's. Accord to him, and he told me that in a kind of amaze I only hear from doctors, I don't not see half the distance he sees. I understand I'm corrected to see as far as about 6/7 meters distance "as my daddy corrected me" after reading the thread I posted earlier, meaning that farther distance I'll see no person nor nothing recognizing but forms and colors only. Actually I learned that I can not even recognize my best friends features if I am bare eyed, even if they stick their face right at a half a meter in front of me, but I think that's exaggeration, really. I have no peripheral vision at all and even if my father sits beside me I would not see him unless I do look straight at him, whatever. I am still striving to comprehend the way I perceive the world as those doctors at Moorefield or UCLA urges me to, as this seems to be important to their studies, with help of some real and pacience friends and my family, who share experiences with me. I understand I have funny looking eyes that crosses from mild to a "huge and severe way", as doctors themselves love to say, personally I think them creeps, those Doctors. And I also understand they moves in some funny and dummy ways, so that I look weirdo and ugly and "disgusting" as somebody put it so eloquently, but considering seeing 20/60 or 20/80 doesn't makes me repulsive or whatever. Also I learned and I try to accept that I might need others eyes devices to help me get along in future if are unable to produce the lenses for my glasses. So what? I just hope I don't need those. So far so good.

So all said, I went and I'll go bare eyed anywhere I want and when I want. I only have to take care not to step on anything or "anybody"on my way to the shore or anywhere. I am saying this because some snobbish people complained about me and my friend being an danger and bad type reputation for their hotel as we were going to the shore by the afternoon. So that we should be on "shades" or Ray Ban they were selling by the hotel shopping or whatever if we would like to. I just ignored those clerks and off we go.

As I'd have a Religious nap everybody does have here we both, me and my friend went the private shore by the hotel we're staying here in Mallorca or Majorca island, some of the hosts complained about our appearance. Lol. I found that so stupid and unbelievable we both leave the hotel laughing. But I am still thinking about it and I am a bit mad about some snobbish that might be feel hurt about my presence. I still think I am free to go whatever I want. By the night, in our suite I was still thinking and trying to sort this thing out. The next morning I went bare eyed again. End of it.

Anderson, the aberration out.

 19 Jul 2011, 16:42

post deleted - personal attack

And 19 Jul 2011, 15:13

Uncorrected at -8 ?????? My gf relunctantly takes out her contacts at bedtime and then has her glasses within easy reach. Without correction reading a book is awkward, she can't see the tv and would never dream of going anywhere.

Melyssa 19 Jul 2011, 14:38

George,

Once I had about a 2-diopter jump in my prescription, and with my new big brown-framed glasses, the floor seemed to be very close for the first week or three, but after that everything was in order. It's the only time that has ever happened to me.

george 19 Jul 2011, 10:37

Hi everybody!

I wore my glasses for the first time last wednesday and i've been wearing them 1 or 2 hours per day. Being honest i was very excited the days before i went to the optical store because i wanted to feel the difference and know how bad my vision was without glasses.

Certainly it was shocking, something really new in my life. The optometrist told me "now you see the difference, don't you?" and i just said "yes". I couldn't say anything more because i was a little overwhelmed.

What i like the most of wearing glasses is the distortion. Every thing looks smaller and i feel bigger!! The floor seems to be so close to my eyes that i felt very strange the first time that i tried to walk. But also, there's something that i don't like about my corrected vision, i have the sensation that i see "too much", now i can see mistakes, errors, defects and imperfections that i couldn't see before.

The optometrist couldn't believe it, he kept asking me "how can you live this way?" I felt a little uncomfortable trying to explain how i did things but everything went right.

Astra 19 Jul 2011, 03:04

all4eyes,

regarding the myopia progress,

not that it's not proven,

it's because there are two major factor intervening each other.

All4Eyes 19 Jul 2011, 01:56

John L, george: I'm intrigued by your stories of starting off with such high rxs. I thought I was on the extreme end at -4! Could you both go into a bit more detail about how the eye doc reacted to you being that myopic and uncorrected? I agree, -8 or 9 never corrected is highly unusual, but to my way of thinking not impossible. Like I said, I went uncorrected till I was -4, and while george's rx is twice mine, from a practical standpoint, is there really all that much difference? We both can't read a blackboard, drive or recognize someone from a distance to save our lives, can't see TV, can read a book (though I'd imagine just barely, in his case). I'm wondering how he deals with using the computer, since that seems to be the very distant limit of what I can manage bare-eyed. But george, have you actually taken a peek thru your glasses, even, now that you have a pair? If not, aren't you curious? I was so shocked at the first view thru mine I practically went into an altered mental state! I'm not saying I'm against your efforts to stay uncorrected, I actually rather enjoy the thought of someone that myopic going without full-time (as long as it's their choice and not that they can't afford glasses/have a controlling relative that tells them not to wear them, ect.). It's just I can't imagine you looking thru corrective lenses for the first time and being like "Meh, whatever". I would think it would be a very intense experience. As to making your myopia progress, I've heard both, that wearing glasses worsens it and that not wearing them does, I don't think it's been proven either way.

Astra 17 Jul 2011, 16:52

george,

Yes. you said you've never tried to live the life of a guy with a 20/20 vision. ... well, my experience was a bit similar to yours, walking to some places without glasses etc.

I'm around 3 diopters lower than your rx . And I admit my lifestyle isn't exactly normal, spend many time on close tasks, doesn't have friends around my age.

I haven't start working yet. And I can imagine with uncorrected vision it's going to be impossible for most job positions.

Somehow, most job positions you need to co-operate with a team. Impaired vision may be very limiting in such environment. Employers do expect you to be a workhorse ! I have been in an internship I have experienced that.

This may not be required when you are in schools, particularly if the curriculum emphasizes on exams.

John L 17 Jul 2011, 13:03

Aubrac

I managed to escape the school medical after I left infant school as my parents sent me to an independent school - thus I never had any medicals - thus my vision problems were not picked up. If I had remained in the state system it would probably have been picked up much sooner.

I recall two eye tests at infant school. On the first occasion one had to rotate an "E" shape to match an ever decreasing size of E on card which was placed in anyone of four positions.

Of course no one explained properly what I was supposed to do and didn't do it properly and my mother was advised to take me to an optician which she did. However, he said I was okay.

The following year, just before I left infant school bound for prep school they came round and did the eye test again. I remembered how to do it this time and passed. But then my eyes were fine then!

John

Rayray 17 Jul 2011, 12:56

If george's story is true which I think is possible, if a bit unlikely, when he wears his glasses for the first time he won't want to take them off. His RX is around the same as mine and I don't think anyone would choose to walk around in that much of a blur when they have tried corrected vision.

Aubrac 17 Jul 2011, 10:35

I remember at school aged about 14 someone had left a pair of glasses on the teachers desk, I put them on and was amazed that looking out of the window how bright everything was and how I could actually see individual bricks on the walls!

I don't remember really struggling to see the board though or the TV but when my sister had had advanced to about her third pair of glasses, I tried her first pair on, NHS issue with pink plastic frames and curly ear pieces, and tested myself looking at posters and hoardings and again was surprised how clearly I could see. I tried her second pair of glasses but these were too strong and made my eyes hurt.

It wasn't until a school medical that I was discovered and went for an eyetest although except for driving at 17 years old didn't start wearing glasses until about nineteen.

I suppose I just got used to the blur, at this stage about -1.75, however once I started wearing glasses and got used to seeing everything clearly I couldn't stand any blur and would have checkups every six months just to get that extra -0.25 clarity.

george 17 Jul 2011, 10:08

Astra,

you're right. I always have tried to get involved in activities thaare t don't need distance, activities where i can be closer to things or persons.

I think a key point is that i've never tried to live the life of a guy with a 20/20 vision, that would be a disaster. Since i was a child i was aware of my impairments and limitations.

george 17 Jul 2011, 09:52

It hasn't been easy, that's for sure!

My first experience with myopia was at 6-7 year old in school, noticing that I couldn't see the blackboard, i was at the end of the classroom and i had to stand up and walk a little to see it.

When I talk about adaptation i refer, for example, to put more emphasis on hearing, wich is essential to me. When i reached to the point of not seeing the blackboard even if i was on the front line, hearing became the most important thing for me. Most of the times, in my experience, what a teacher says is the same that she/he will write on the blackboard. The most difficult moments occured when this wasn't the case.

Now i can't recognize a face at certain distances (1 meter or so) but i've learnt other ways to recognize people. I put attention to the way people walks, everybody has a unique way of walking! I try to watch the kind of clothes that people wears, that helps a lot! Also i'm very conscious about hours and places, yesterday morning i went to the mall but i knew there were a very few chances -or no chances- of meeting a friend or a closer relative, so i didn't worry about recognizing people around me. I just went there.

Of course, sometimes "adaptation" is not enough.

Puffin 17 Jul 2011, 08:28

Thing is if you can get though school, college, and degree with just about enough vision, it then doesn't matter so much, nobody is expecting you to read a blackboard every day - perhaps you might need to forget about the degree if it's that bad - then if you have some more progression it's okay, but don't expect to get or keep a job that involves seeing into the distance. Sooner or later someone will twig it, it's up to you what to do about that.

It's possible to survive like this, but don't expect it to be easy.

John L 17 Jul 2011, 06:40

Speaking from my own experience about adapting to myopia. I needed glasses in 1972 but didn't get my first pair until December 1980.

I needed glasses around September 1972 (almost 13) when I realised after the summer school holidays I couldn't see the blackboard from the middle of the class. Thus I moved to the front.

I coped again until even sitting at the front didn't always help! However, I discovered I could cause my right eye to focus momentarily for short periods by pressing a spot on my eyelid. - (It doesn't work anymore). It worked enough to copy notes from the board, read timetables at stations and see bus numbers.

When I was approaching the final year of my degree course I decided to take a post grad teaching certificate. I knew there was a medical involved and I would be found out. Thus I went off to the optician a few days before the medical and started with Right -6 and Left -5.75 with no astigmatism correction and was a full time wearer almost immediately.

Over the years my script has changed a bit - now R-5 Cyl -0.75 Axis 180 and L -4.75 Cyl -1.50 Axis 180

Astra 17 Jul 2011, 03:15

Flaine,

I'm not sure but that sort of "adaptation" would likely lead to a very strange lifestyle.

A possibility he may spend many time on close tasks, since he can't focus far enough.

Flaine 17 Jul 2011, 03:04

George,

Its amazing how u managed until last wednesday without ANY form of correction! I, and i believe the rest of us here, would like to hear more about the process of ur myopic progress and adaptation as yrs got by..particularly how u coped when u realise that ur distance vision is slipping away year in year out?

george 16 Jul 2011, 12:13

@ Astra, Puffin and Hansel

Thanks for answering!

@ Filthy and Curt

thanks for answering and i'm just telling my story. You don't have to believe it if you don't want.

I did my first eye exam at 23 because i was very curious about my Rx and because i know i need glaases and wanted to have a pair in case i really need them. Actually i bought them but my intention is going uncorrected.

I've been conscious about my myopia since i was 6-7 years old, i guess it's something genetic because my parents are myopes. The optometrist said that probably i needed glasses since i was 5 or even less.

I don't have any idea about the progression of my parent's myopia becacause they never talk about that i just know they had corrective surgery in their mid-twentties.

I did pretty well in school and college, always one of the best of my class. How i did it? I think it's just a matter of ADAPTING, being very conscious of my impairments.

Curt 16 Jul 2011, 11:22

Well said Filthy. No one gets -8/9 for there first Rx. An obvious troll...

Filthy McNasty 16 Jul 2011, 10:43

Provide no sustenance to the trolls, if ye please.

Hansel 16 Jul 2011, 09:26

OK, let's give George the benefit of the doubt.

Since you want to be uncorrected, why at 23 did you decide to have an eye exam?

How did you manage through school/college.

Obviously you won't have a driving licence.

Best wishes

Hansel

Puffin 16 Jul 2011, 08:38

George, why not try getting glasses for your RX and wearing them just for reading? I say this because sometimes the advice given to young children with mild myopia is not to wear them for close work, in case it induces more myopia.

The focussing muscles in a normal eye are used to working hard to focus close up, but yours are getting a free ride for that sort of thing. Once they start having to work harder (a minus lens takes away strength from the visual system), they kind of get used to it and tend to overdo it when looking in the distance, giving you a bit more myopia. In this way wearing glasses helps you find your real RX, not the reduced amount thanks your eye muscles being a bit weaker than they should be.

Or else you can carry on as before and see what happens. The effects of adding correction aren't always predictable for an individual. Are your parents myopic? Any info on how theirs progressed? That would give you some clues as to what may happen, although I assume they did get correction.

Astra 16 Jul 2011, 06:24

george,

You are close to -10 . don't worry, you can have increase older age.

george 15 Jul 2011, 19:05

Hi! This is my first post.

I'm 23 and had my first eye exam last week and the Rx was -8.50/-9.50, with astigmatism 2.0/1.0

I have been uncorrected all my life and I want it to be that way as long as possible. I was "dissapointed" with the Rx because I expected -10D in both eyes.

I have a question: how to increase my myopia?

Cactus Jack 28 Jun 2011, 10:05

lurker in the shadows,

I don't think you are in trouble. What has likely happened is that you really needed some vision correction before you found the glasses, but because vision actually occurs in the brain, it was correcting the poor images as much as it could. While the Rx in the glasses might not have been exactly what you needed, they reduced the workload on your brain. Now, without the glasses, you find your vision to be blurry. This frequently happens to first time glasses wearers with real Rx. They think the glasses have made their vision worse, but all that has happened is that their brain has become used to not having to work very hard.

I think you should tell your parents that you seem to be having trouble with blurry vision - can't read distant signs, etc. - and you think you may need an eye exam. They will probably be very surprised an have a bit of denial symptoms, but they will probably made an appointment for an exam. Don't mention anything about the other glasses to anyone.

C.

lurker in the shadows 28 Jun 2011, 09:42

post deleted - troll, multiple usernames

Astra 25 Jun 2011, 00:47

Trent,

As I have said, there's "usually" an advice given by doctors to children / parents that the children should wear glasses full-time.

I did not mean it's appropriate in all cases.

However, especially for rx above - 3 or - 4 , if someone decide to wear glasses "part time" it would mean shifting between full correction to no correction.

Assume a user is age 10-30 , with normal accommodation response, requires about -5 correction.

During the period when the user does not have correction , in ch 3.3-3.4 there's correlation between image quality and progress of myopia.

While the correlation is not significant for +0.75 undercorrection.

If there is +5 undercorrection, the correlation is very favorable for the progress of myopia .

Bear in mind, albeit rare, there are some people with high myopia , for whatever reason, without correction most of the time. from 3.3-3.4 it's likely their undercorrection by more than 5 diopters may contribute to their increase in rx.

Overall, in ch 3 of that manual ,

The conclusion seems to be it's easier to control the progression for mild rx (below -3) , as undercorrection are more effective for slowing the progression.

As myopia progresses, very likely the biochemical defects are already quite severe.

Trent 24 Jun 2011, 20:49

Astra

3.2.2.6 does not endorse full correction glasses.

Astra 24 Jun 2011, 00:05

I think that's why,

there's usually an advice to children to wear glasses "full time" , especially if their rx is above - 3 Diopters.

Previous post on this thread was by me.

 24 Jun 2011, 00:02

From:

http://www.myopia-manual.de/private/manaual-2011-feb.pdf

"Permanent undercorrection might be harmful: Many followers of the Bates' method propose a permanent undercorrection.

A trial, however, showed that a permanent undercorrection

of +0.75 D was increasing the progression of myopia at children instead of slowing it down ."

 06 Jun 2011, 12:11

hi stella, you can chat with so many people who have a glasses fetiche in lenschat.com , i invite you to join us, have a great time

 06 Jun 2011, 01:16

my name is stella

i am extreme myopic girl and glass fetish also.i come 2 know a lot of people are having glass fetish and need thick glass

i wish to have conversations with people who need glass like mine.

U can mail me at entemula@rediffmail.com

Tom 05 Jun 2011, 16:04

Clare: did you try giving your eyes some time (minutes) to adjust to the blur? It usually helps a lot, just after removed your glasses/contacts you fell much more blur than after a while.

Faces are almost impossible to recognise at any distance, I agree, but there are a lot of things that help recognising people: hair, dress, voice, how they walk... The very few times I met someone I know (I always do my bareeyed experiments when I'm pretty sure not meet someone I know) I did'nt have major troubles in recognising them.

You should be more brave and less dependent on your (low) correction! ;-)

varifocals 05 Jun 2011, 10:09

A happy ending to the story of the two myopic indian girls as both now have new glasses from specsavers & are now happy.

The one who broke hers & was bare eyed is delighted to have sharp vision & her glasses looked a lot stronger to but they did not stop long for a chat.

All4Eyes 03 Jun 2011, 20:15

Tom: My rx is R-4.50 L-4.00

Soundmanpt 03 Jun 2011, 16:10

Kim

To add to what Cactus jack has said. Two other points are that even though your vision has improved you are still very used to seeing with your glasses all the time. Now even if your vision continues to get even better you will still likely feel uncomfortable not wearing your glasses. Also you have a fair difference between your eyes, your glasses helps to balance that out for you.

And it is true you can certainly wear your glasses full time no matter how strong or weak your lenses are. Just enjoy being a GWG

Cactus Jack 03 Jun 2011, 15:27

Kim,

Not strange at all. Even with -1.50 in your best eye, your vision without glasses is probably around 20/200 so the larger letter at the top of the chart would be recognizable without your glasses, but that is about all. It is not necessary to have a certain minimum Rx to wear glasses that provide sharp comfortable vision. You do not have to have anyone's permission but your own to wear vision correction.

C.

Kim 03 Jun 2011, 15:10

My prescription has gone down to -1.50 and -2.25. Even so I'm rarely without glasses. I just don't like how I see without them. Is that strange?

Puffin 02 Jun 2011, 15:38

I think the blur (minus 4 or worse) is harder to work with if you don't (or won't) have glasses or a helper to fall back on. You just have to rely on getting closer and this isn't always possible.

Clare 02 Jun 2011, 15:16

Interesting - my best eye is *only* -2.75 but I'd offer these observations

- night time vision without contacts is frankly appalling. I've taken out my contacts to walk back to the station and only seen a kaleidoscope of lights. I prefer not to do that now so would, in that case, wear my glasses

- daytime is obviously better but its hard to recognise anyone at a reasonable distance

- even during daylight hours, reading a departure board at a station is pretty tricky

- however, happily, at home most things are possible - sub titles on the TV are not!

Cactus jack 02 Jun 2011, 08:31

baker,

The Rx difference between your two eyes is probably not enough for you do be able to discern much difference in relative blurriness without your glasses. The fact that your eyes have nearly the same refractive error probably slightly improves your acuity with both eyes contributing to the images your brain is constructing.

Vision actually occurs in the brain and your eyes are merely biological cameras. Your brain is quite capable of constructing images, if it knows what something is supposed to look like, with limited or even no input from your eyes. Ever had a blurry dream or heard of a blurry hallucination?

Your brain is very good at image processing, it just takes more effort, energy, and processing power to do it that could be put to more productive purposes if you supplied it with good images.

C.

varifocals 02 Jun 2011, 04:34

Hi Flaine.

The two Indian sisters are alittle further back in this site.

Flaine 02 Jun 2011, 03:47

Varifocal,

Whats the myopic sister story u are talking about?

baker 01 Jun 2011, 23:42

@Tom my better eye is -3.75 and I hardly have any issues going bareeyed, very similar to what you said. I sometimes need a friend to read something or identify someone who is farther away but I'd classify it as an inconvenience if anything. I don't go around winking but closing my better eye and seeing with my -4.25 eye is the same thing.

Tom 01 Jun 2011, 16:07

I absolutely agree on my functioning using the -3 eye only! The night makes things harder but still manageable. Closing my best eye makes me give up, -5 is definitely too much to safely go around in low light! That's my experience, please share yours: is this discussion about going bareeyed or not?

varifocals 01 Jun 2011, 10:07

I have had some stick from the fettish ones, who love the blur, & those who can see that if you wear glasses full time like Andrea I have mentioned, for them who needs glasses for school work etc the loss of vision is more acute. I dont mind the blur if it is planned for. For those who have followed the story of the two myopic sisters we have moved on. I suggested that maybe visionExpress, who have a hour service could help & that the family visit there first, to see how they could help before the arranged Sunday Specsavers test at noon.. What happened was that Vision Express Bless em, managed to weld somehow the broken metal on one of her frames & given them back to a very upset girl who then had some vision. The subsequent Specsavers test resulted in both girls needeing stronger glasses & last sunday they all went off to pick them up. Imagine how hard it would have been to spend a whole week in the blur & rely on school friends to help in the interim.

Hopefully now the story has had a happy ending.

Cactus Jack 01 Jun 2011, 08:35

Tom,

There are two things that make it possible for you to go without your glasses. One is the -3 in your best eye. Your brain will use that image as the source of your vision without your glasses. The other is bright light and perhaps familiar surroundings.

Try it at night, in low light conditions, in strange surroundings, with your -3 eye closed and see if it makes any difference.

C.

Tom 01 Jun 2011, 03:29

All4Eyes: which is your prescription? I'm -3 and -5 and don't have major troubles going bareeyed. Just need to get a little bit closer if I have to read something. After the first, say, 15 minutes I don't feel I need glasses that much anymore... Once I spent a whole afternoon without glasses and I became so used to the blurry vision that I was forgetting to put them on again at the end! The same happens e.g. when I take off my glasses to swim at the seaside or in a pool...

All4Eyes 31 May 2011, 14:53

Jumping in a wee bit late on this discussion, but I think in this context the word "suffering" is used more in the sense of "suffering with a bad cold". Something that makes you subjectively feel awful in the moment, but doesn't have any serious, long-term effects. And yes, being suddenly without your always-worn -4 glasses can feel pretty bad, I know even for myself, as a glasses fetishist who gets a kick out of the blur, there does come a point where my eyes are hurting and I'm struggling to see and am just generally miserable. Even though I'm enjoying it in my mind on one level, it does become physically uncomfortable eventually.

Aubrac 28 May 2011, 07:58

My first wife used to wear glasses, it was what first attracted me to her at a party. She was wearing large gold framed aviator style frames with quite a thick outer edge and about -3.00.

She often went bare eyed and usually took her glasses off to read, we also often used to swap glasses and contact lenses which was good fun.

ehpc 24 May 2011, 19:22

To me,glasses indicate strength and head-together mindset - 'glad to be GWG' sort of thing. I 'wear glasses and aren't they cool' mindset.

varifocals 24 May 2011, 12:02

Astra.

You may well be right of course I deed feel protective to Ivy as she got badly bullied for her cross eyes but hey got sorted when they were locked in the toilet!She actually was pretty & very funny. We were at the same school for 2 years. She often took her glasses of as she knew I found her eyes interesting but only for a short period as she said her eyes hurt.She used to let me gently put them back on her. So that was my first fettish.My Mother also worked at the school, Utting Avenue Liverpool.

Astra 24 May 2011, 06:38

varifocals,

as seen in replies to the betsyB's video (why men are attracted to gwg)

compassion is a reason.

I guess, part of fetish can come from compassion.

It's so heartening to see an otherwise healthy girl, greadually develop refractive error,

that would result her dependent on corrective lenses later in her life.

varifocals. 24 May 2011, 04:23

Oh I have the fettish. I love it. My first love, young Ivy Redpath at my nursery school wore glasses, cross eyed too poor girl. she was lovely but got bullied.That was in Liverpool. I have had two wives too both married in glasses, one plus, the other minus.

Astra 23 May 2011, 20:22

you say glasses fetish, why not ?

it's about fetish here--- blur fetish, lens fetish, whatever relevant to glasses.

feel free to share your story.

 23 May 2011, 17:50

8 ball is right on the money, you lose varifolkus. It ain't suffering!

varifocals 23 May 2011, 14:17

8 balls. my wife is a -8 myopie & hyhas been since 7.she has always worn glasses even as a teenager & in fact found being a short sighted gal who could squint attracted the lads.There were school eye tests at 7. Another one picked up as short sighted did not get glasses until 11 as her parents were anti glasses as her two sisters had good vision.When she got glasses after deterioting vision she was amazed. Fine, until she got married to a fellow myopie who was more short sighted than her. Again the mother struck & suggested that she not wear her glassesat their wedding inorder that she could show off her brown myopic hazel shaped eyes. Fine, until she got in the car for the church & the blur kickedin.She felt like a fish out of water & all the wedding pictures showed her squinting like mad. Only one picture survives, a full close up face shot.

He husband was livid.It is hard if you can see & end up, through no fault of your own with blurred vision.Personally I like the blur & have up graded my rx, but that has to be balanced against those who cant. The bride has never taken her glasses off since.

8 Ball 23 May 2011, 12:18

It's not about the glasses fetish, but it's more about you being too personally close to this situation to be able to look at it objectively. If it had been anyone else walking around without their glasses squinting like hell, you would have popped yourself a giant boner. So let's put some perspective by clarifying the terms:

-- Living in Dharfur without clean water is suffering

-- Losing everything you own in Joplin after the tornado is suffering

-- Having a loved one die because of your carelessness is suffering

-- Living as a hated race in a country that kills you because of your color is suffering

So given the above, living without -4 correction for a few days is NOT suffering. And here you are posting about it on a "going without glasses" thread where those of us who are turned on by folks not having their glasses read it. What did you expect the reaction to be? Tears and utter sorrow?

Tom 23 May 2011, 11:44

I think it's common experience (not just mine...) that if you are around -3 or even more and spend, say, couple of hours bareeyed, you fell quite ok in the blur and don't feel you need glasses that much.

Moreover, if you don't put your glasses in the morning and go out bareeyed, you could even forget you are nearsighted unless you have something to read in distance!

I had a mate at university who was quite dependent but for reading. She was just -2 or so... Once I suggested her to go out from home without glasses the next day and come to the library without wearing them. She did and when I saw her coming bareeyed I didn't say anything. We spent the whole morning studying hard (so no need for her to put her glasses) and when we left I said her laughing: "will you be able to find your way back home without glasses"? She put her hand onto her face and replied astonished: "oh my God, I didn't realise I was not wearing them! It seems I can perfeclty manage without...".

varifocals. 23 May 2011, 11:14

8 ball. as I said before it is not just the rx but the fact that after a few years of wearing glasses, suddenly you end up in blur land & bear in mind this was at church, public, when you need to see other people.Anyway it should be oknow. Another friend, stronger rx, was nagged by her mother not to wear glasses at her wedding to show off her eyes. Once in the car & finding she had no alternative she had an awful day. Try& see another point of view other than a glasses fettish.

8 Ball 23 May 2011, 09:48

varifucals... From your posting, I don't seeing any "suffering" involved except squinting. Had she just lost her glasses she could have adjusted to the blur much better if you left her for a few days while new glasses came. -4 isn't nothing that bad you can't last a few days, I would hardly ever call that "suffering."

I once knew someone who had -8 glasses broken and had to wait two weeks for the order to come in. She was completely out of it during that timeframe, I swear. -4 is a joke compared to what she went through.

varifocals 23 May 2011, 09:12

yes 8 balls in a way I suppose it may be thrilling to you but the poor girl Andrea really suffered. Anyway a happy ending as after church the whole family headed into Bedford straight to vision express ( I checked this out saying I was involved from the church) & Andrea by then was stressed. Anyway it seems the frames were damaged & were repaired so the poor soul at least had some vision back.The parents were advised she should always have a spair pair. So off to Specsavers, where I was advised that Andrea had a full eye test & a new persciption issued. (code for new rx)They told me they did have an emergency lab where glasses can be fixed up in an hour if needed. I did not know that so thats good. The bottom line is, howver strong your rx is, if for what ever reason you end in the blur, & are a ful time wearer., it hurts. the other sister Alexia, who is due to go to Uni but is still at school also was squeezed in for a retest & also new glasses, as school glasses are free.So by a quirk both girls now have spare glasses. 8balls if you had seen poor andrea squinting & looking down at her feet, myopia is rather unfair.

8 Ball 23 May 2011, 07:06

I'm not sure how you contained yourself, frankly it would have been extremely hard for me. Seeing someone squint without their glasses and struggling hard to see is a fantastic turn on to me.

varifocals. 22 May 2011, 07:44

Funny how things work out but a true story, At our Catholic Church we have a nice Indian family, 2 out of the three girls ( the elder ones) are myopic & are full time wearers. The younger has a much stronger rx & has worn glasses too formuch longer. Today she broke her glasses & the lens & arrived bare eyed.She was rostered with her eldersister to do the readings as well as being an alter server. She went ahead with thelatter with help, but could not see well enough without going to close to attempt the reading so I did that.I was suprised she had no spair pair.

She was having read trouble seeing, both squinting & looking down onher feet.Being afull time wearer, suddenly without her lens was a real struggle. The familyhad arranged a visit to Specsavers this morning, but of course they done do glasses on the spot. I suggested that they try Vision Express in the same arcade which is also open & could fix her up quicker. So the story is, you should have a spare pair & full time wearers feel theblur & need for lens help more. She was really struggling. Rx was -4 on her earlier glasses.

varifocals 21 May 2011, 14:58

I find that thosewho wear glasses full time & then , for what ever reason, are suddenly bare eyed, suffer the most.I have known lots of examples of this.You become dependant, thats fine when things run smoothly. after 7 years i am dependant on glasses.

Crystal Veil 12 May 2011, 01:11

Rayray @ this is exactly what I meant to say, except that you found the right words. Thanks!

Astra 11 May 2011, 21:00

ray, that should vary for each person .

but you know, high myopes often used to peripheral distortion to some extent.

Rayray 11 May 2011, 06:58

@ Crystal Veil

'Perhaps it's harder for moderate myopes to function without glasses than it is for high myopes?'

Obviously in scientific terms this isn't true but I think psychologically it may be. Low and moderate myopes probably feel very uncertain as they try to function as they would with glasses and come a bit unstuck trying to do something too fast. High myopes are more prepared for what they cant see and develop coping strategies so they don't need to 'see' like leaving things in the same places and moving more cautiously. I went for a walk a while ago with out my -8.5 glasses and didn't have any problems at all crossing roads and so on - I just had to be more careful than I would be with glasses but it wasn't a conscious decision - its the way my brain responded naturally to poor quality of information it was getting - perhaps if the difference isn't so startling the brain does not respond so quickly to the change in image quality?

Crystal Veil 29 Apr 2011, 02:24

guest@ The model in question is Petra and her photo shoot was done in October 2010. Her Rx is sph -11.50, cyl -4.00 so if you count the cylinder for 50% she is about -13.

http://ladiesbehindcrystalveil.blogspot.com/ (my older weblog)

guest 29 Apr 2011, 00:52

Mr Crystal Veil

You mention one of your models has -13. Could you please advise her name and the month of the photo shoot

Thanks

Puffin 28 Apr 2011, 18:18

My experiences of glasses wearers in swimming pools are those who wear them - careful to keep their heads above water and avoid getting water on them, or whatever - and those who don't - "is that you?", or perhaps a little guidance to the right changing room.

Melyssa 28 Apr 2011, 15:25

Whenever I went to a swimming pool after needing to wear glasses full-time, I always wore them until getting ready to hit the water, and then I put them in the case, where they stayed until I left. And yes, I made sure not to sit on it. :)

As for the ocean, during our summer vacations in ACNJ, it was the same situation. When I went with my husband to visit his family down south, we did not go swimming, but walked along the shore together, no more than ankle-deep (unless the tide rolled in unexpectedly) and we each wore our glasses. Of course, mine usually matched my bathing suit color.

Millhouse 28 Apr 2011, 12:45

Opps. Sorry, i may have posted without paying full attention to this threads history, i am a -8 fulltime wearer, not goc or o-o enthusiast.

Galileo 28 Apr 2011, 11:52

Chino/Millhouse, just another thought - the experience is bound to be different when you know that if you get into difficulty you can just take the + glasses off or contacts out and get significantly better vision. That security must change how you feel compared to a real high myope or high hyperope who has not got their glasses.

Millhouse 28 Apr 2011, 10:47

- Chino,

An interesting take on getting around.

In answer to your comment for me Its just to risky to go around bare eyed... I have tried but after a few walks into kerbs and other things I just cant do it.

I have to have a spare pair in my car glovebox, at work in my desk, at home etc just incase of any mishaps and my "main pair" get damaged.

I'm only really safe in my flat (apartment for our U.S friends) and even then, sometimes in poor light on summer evenings if I get up at night for a glass of water or whatever I have to watch I dont walk into a partially open door etc.

Galileo 28 Apr 2011, 10:39

Hi Fred, my ex-girlfriend with the -8 Rx regularly swam in local swimming pools without glasses. She had a routine for selecting a locker which was easy to find - usually on the end of a block near the exit from the changing room. Her glasses were the last thing to go into the locker and first to come out. She could find her way to the ladder into the pool fairly easily and back to the changing room afterwards. The only problem was she broke all the rules everytime she went swimming because she couldn't read any of the signs.

Chino 28 Apr 2011, 08:51

@Fred

I think it just boils down to personal preference. Some people are just more comfortable with blur than others. Personally, I love some good blur :). I never wear glasses in the pool or at the beach. It just seems like such a hassle. I simply don't need to see clearly in that situation. As Crystal Veil mentioned, we find ways to cope with the blur and find our way around.

Plus, I'd be worried that they might get knocked off my face. I vividly remember going to a water park with friends, and it was no problem finding my way back to where they were sitting. If they had done something mean, like moving to a different area while I was away, THEN I would have had a problem lol.

At -3 with astigmatism, she definitely can't see well without glasses. Reading most signs and recognizing people's faces are probably out of the question. But there are ways around that. I guess she's just not interested is finding out what she CAN do while bare-eyed.

@Crystal Veil

Oh no, trust me. It's definitely more difficult for high myopes to function without glasses. I decided to wear my +12 glasses at night for a short walk, as well as a stop at Walmart. That was a bit of a nightmare hahaha. Once inside the Walmart, I could get around just fine without bumping into things, but finding the aisle that I needed? Forget it. I had to cheat by looking over the glasses. Even when I made it to the aisle, it was a pain to see which blur was the item that I needed (grape juice). I had to cheat again. When I was ready to make my purchase, I also couldn't tell which registers were open and which were not.

The walk was also interesting. There were lights, so it wasn't completely dark, but I almost walked right into a patch of tall grass because I couldn't tell the difference between it and the grass on the ground. Once I was able to make it to the parkway, I was able to stay on the walkway. Beyond a certain distance, it was just a complete gray blur. I was glad that people often walk there, and that it's a safe area. If someone wanted to jump me, I wouldn't have been able to see them coming until it was too late.

Perhaps people with high myopia are so dependent on glasses that they feel the need to find out how much they can do without them...in case they're ever in a position where they lose their glasses. To other high myopes on the site, what are your thoughts on this?

Crystal Veil 28 Apr 2011, 02:55

Fred@ my partner Nel (Rx -11) does not use her glasses when swimming in the ocean. She says she recognizes genearal features and she remembers position and colours so that she can get back to me or whoever accompanies her. When I saw this the first time I was a bit worried but there was no need. She must have radar or something like that.

One of my models who has Rx -13 had no problem picking out the glasses on the grass next to her chair during her photo shoot. She did not wear her own glasses between posing in my glasses.

Perhaps it's harder for moderate myopes to function without glasses than it is for high myopes?

Fred 28 Apr 2011, 00:35

The stories of Crystal Veil and Chino make me wonder how medium/high myopes deal with more complicated situations like swimming pools etc without glasses. I'm curious since my girlfriend (-3 and some astigmatism) always wears an old pair of glasses when she goes swimming, claiming that she really can't see otherwise.

Crystal Veil 27 Apr 2011, 03:12

ehpc@ I sit corrected. You are right, I meant Sarah Bernhardt. The Musée Pierre Marly in Paris has one of her glasses and Marly measured the lenses (-10). Her myopia was legendary in her day but it's not mentioned in her biography.

Chino 26 Apr 2011, 19:52

@ Crystal Veil

I'd love to get some strong + contacts and get the same effect without the reduced field of vision.

Yes, there was traffic when I crossed the street, but drivers are very good about stopping for students at crosswalks. I just made sure the big blobs of color were stationary before crossing the road :).

ehpc 26 Apr 2011, 19:16

Sarah Bernhardt perhaps? A female actress who played Hamlet and who did actually keep all her money under the bed. In a chest, I believe.

Crystal Veil 26 Apr 2011, 18:33

Chino@

yes, it can be done. I witnessed several good examples, perhaps not quite extreme as what you describe but still.

My partner Nel (Rx of her glasses is over -11 and she never wears contacts) has no apparent difficulty walking across a room and going down a flight of stairs without her glasses.

One of my best models (Carla, Rx about -3) did the catwalk during the opening of my exhibition in a pair of -14 myodiscs and she added another handicap by using five inches stiletto heels.

The famous actress Sarah Bernard did all her acting on stage perfomances without glasses, her myopia was -10.

Admittedly, these ladies did not encounter the problem of wearing high plus glasses.

Hat off! One question, just out of curiosity: was there any traffic when you crossed the street?

Chino 26 Apr 2011, 17:33

This isn't technically going without glasses, but I thought I'd share it anyway.

I'm myopic, with an rx of -5.5 in both eyes. I recently received a pair of +12 glasses from Zenni to see how I could get along with them. Aside from the image magnification and reduced field of vision, my eyesight was pretty close to what a myope with an rx of about -17.5D would see. I must admit, I was a bit let down by the experience hahaha.

Don't get me wrong, everything was very, VERY, blurry, but it wasn't as "impossible" as I had been led to believe. I was basically under the impression that -12D was about the limit for being able to navigate bare-eyed. This definitely applied to me. I guess one could argue that different people interpret blur differently, but -17.5D is pretty serious.

Despite the blur, I was able to make my way from the car, through the university parking lot, across the street, and to my building. On the way back, I had no problem getting back to the parking lot and finding the car again. It was pretty mind-blowing. Granted, it was during the middle of the day. Doing this at night would have been interesting.

The only troubling thing about the experience was the way in which the plus lenses reduced my field of vision. It was a bit freaky to see things in my peripheral vision that I could not see in the lenses. I had to be extra careful when stepping over curbs or accidentally bumping into people from the side, but that was it.

I read an optometrist's story on a different site. The subject of the story is whether or not to wear correction, and if going uncorrected is bad for the eyes. The optometrist mentioned that he/she has a myopic customer who routinely walks around bare-eyed despite needing glasses with -22D of correction. After my experience today, I believe it...difficult? Yes, but not impossible.

Chino

Astra 13 Apr 2011, 04:11

varifocals,

Laura C had many responses answering enquiries about myopia.

http://it.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjR05sYkpde3vzTz4FWUrb3xDQx.;_ylv=3?qid=20110412032943AAVhtVv

baker 13 Apr 2011, 02:02

I decided to take a day off from contacts today and wear glasses just for driving and math class. It was not just wonderful--it was super easy. Okay, the hallways are super trippy and I had to ask my friend to identify people down the hall when I was looking for someone but so much of what I deal with is close enough for me to consider going without glasses almost all of the time. I remember that I always felt shy and embaressed about wearing glasses part time and never really wore them before I started wearing glasses full time, but if that wasn't to happen, what's the harm in wearing glasses just once in a while? The starburst effect is just wonderful. A sparkle fell on my skirt today and that starbursted wonderfully, not to mention the veiw on my walk to my car at 11:00pm with all of the car, street, signal and store lights! It's funny how it takes some time to get used to being without correction (this morning I was thinking 'geez--were my eyes always this bad?' but then thinking by the end of the day 'do I even need glasses.' Of course there was a lot that was super blurred but nothing I can't handle. I guess the one downside is how bending down to see things makes my back a bit sore after a while. But I think I was bending down more than I needed to because I was adjusting to the level of vision I have.

Then again I'm conflicted. I love the sharp vision contacts give me and I'm even starting to like glasses as an accessory (maybe) but I am seriously considering going back to part time wear.

Laura 12 Apr 2011, 05:00

varifocals. Well actually I know LauraC. We keep in touch by email, so I can't say too much here. you can email me if you like.

Astra 11 Apr 2011, 23:43

Certainly for myopia,

Too much strain on ciliary muscles would stimulate further increase in rx.

varifocals 11 Apr 2011, 11:19

so Laura, what would you do about Laura C & her blur fettish

Laura 11 Apr 2011, 09:18

Astra. Amy probably did for trying to "go without" for such a long time. Help her incraeses I mean.

Astra 09 Apr 2011, 20:53

Re: Amy 07 Apr 2011, 03:09

Certainly that will happen.

I am quite optimistic that Laura C can have much increased rx within 1-2 years.

Let's see how it goes.

optix 09 Apr 2011, 00:45

Its time to go to the bakery again.

+10 contacts already in, I am wearing glasses to see the screen.

Will have them in my inner pocket when walking to the bakery, have a cup of coffe there...

The less I see, the more I feel(touch), smell and taste.

I like it!

Cactus Jack 08 Apr 2011, 08:27

Baker and Puffin,

You are right, of course. There are lots of different reasons to not wear needed vision correction and concern about what your peers will think can be a very powerful reason. That is why I said SOME people. You can generally get a pretty good idea of the reason by the tone of the post.

I have infinite patience with those who are genuinely concerned about what others think (hopefully to get past that), but almost none with martyrs or Bates Method zealots and I generally ignore them. The primary reason for my post was to try to help those, who were just trying to be helpful, to understand why they were being ignored or rejected.

C.

Puffin 08 Apr 2011, 04:35

Actually, they might be trying to avoid attention, especially if they see everyone else (rather fuzzily) not apparently not needing glasses, and thus don't want to be different.

baker 08 Apr 2011, 00:15

Cactus Jack, I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one...

I went quite a few years refusing to wear correction for two reasons. I was in middle school and didn't want the attention. I knew it was just for a day or two but I dreaded that type of attention.

I agree with Optix as well...I like myopia. I now wear contacts because of convenience and because my love of the blur does not mean that I don't also love crisp vision--both are wonderful. There is something wonderful about seeing everything close to you very clearly and having all far away distractions fade away. That's why I always take out my contacts before I start reading at night. I recently wore glasses to drive to school but then went without them for the majority of the day and I felt so much more focused.

optix 07 Apr 2011, 14:26

off topic...

By nature I have almost prfect Vision.

This morning I went to bakery with +10 contact lenses, no GOC, just CLs.

Enjoyed it very much...

Be friendly to everybody, might be your best Friend... recognize People by their voice or when getting close enough...

I can understand the bare eyed myopes very well!

Blurry vision is a gift!

Regards to all, Optix

Cactus jack 07 Apr 2011, 12:18

If I may quote one of the definitions of Martyrdom: • a display of feigned or exaggerated suffering to obtain sympathy or admiration.

Some people try to obtain their "15 minutes of fame" by not wearing needed vision correction. It become their "Shtick". In some instances it becomes their "raison d'être" (reason for their existence). Occasionally, if the person is skilled enough, it will get them on TV -which is the ultimate "15 minutes". It is all downhill from there.

It is counter productive to try to reason with them because it simply re-inforces and confirms that they are achieving their objective of getting attention or sympathy. Not wearing vision correction is simply a means to that end.

C.

Amy 07 Apr 2011, 03:09

varifocals.

LauraC could be straining her eyes as well, which could make her short-sightedness worse I reckon

8 06 Apr 2011, 16:30

Just a hint, how about all the people urging someone to get glasses in the GOING WITHOUT GLASSES just gtfo now. If you want someone to get glasses, wtf are you doing in this thread anyway where people share their joy and thrills of going without glasses?!?!?!?!!!

varifocals 06 Apr 2011, 11:45

Amy.

Very wise words to Laura C.

Im afraid she likes to be stubboen.

Stupid in my view as she is missing so much.

Amy 06 Apr 2011, 08:42

LauraC You really should get glasses!! I've emailed you about it! My sister is fine and enjoying her job a lot.

LauraC 05 Apr 2011, 16:31

Amy, I've just sent e-mail to you. I was on lenshcat for an hour or so but you weren't there. Unfortunately due to work I don't have many time to chat in the evening. Bye

Amy 05 Apr 2011, 08:44

antonio. my email is

amy-withglasses@hotmail.co.uk

Aubrac 05 Apr 2011, 07:41

There is a sort of dreamy eyed look girls have with above -3.00 myopia that is quite attractive in a way. The only thing that spoils it is when they bend sharply forward, stick their neck out and squint to look at something not far away.

I knew one girl in the office who must have been over -5.00 but only wore her glasses for reading, how she found her way home on crowded rush hour London transport I'll never know!

Playing the Penguin psychologist, is it that fairly high myope girls don't actually want to see who is around and might be looking at them, and by not wearing their glasses they feel insulated from the visual pressures surrounding them?

Astra 04 Apr 2011, 05:35

When the frame slides down.

I can sometimes see one corrected image form thru lenses, and one uncorrected image form outside the lenses.

Puffin 02 Apr 2011, 18:53

I was in a food hall for lunch today, it was one of those places where you order your food, pay and then take a little sign with a number on stuck on a metal stick, and go find a spare table, then after a while someone comes and delivers the food.

It's just that this time the serving girl was standing around looking for us - I think she could see perfectly well, but it was quite a large food hall and those numbers were only about 2 inches high at most - and I thought of our friend here LauraC, wondering how she would cope with such a system. Our food arrived after a couple of minutes of searching around. Perhaps it would have been a little longer with LauraC serving?

Amy 02 Apr 2011, 10:33

Antonio. Hi. me too. email me please

antonio 02 Apr 2011, 08:15

hi Amy,

nice to hear from you again, best regards, antonio

Amy 02 Apr 2011, 03:46

LauraC. Sorry I put YOUR name at the top instead of my own. I must be goind stupid. email me on the address below

LauraC 02 Apr 2011, 03:45

Yes I am AMY. Laura's sister. You can email me separately now on

amy-withglasses@hotmail.co.uk

Tell me all your news and stuff. Love to hear

Amy 02 Apr 2011, 03:43

varifocals.

I think I know LauraC. She used to email my sister. I think she lives in Italy doesn't she?

varifocals 01 Apr 2011, 12:44

Hi Amy.

You have gone down the path of many well meaning persons before you in trying to convince Laura to wear glasses but sadly it will not work.

She loves the blur & simply cannot see that she is making a fool of her self.She goes bared eyed as an ASBO!

She works in a cafe somewhere & seems quite happy groping her way round the tables,

A work mate went on thesame vain path but met a guy who she got engaged to & made her wear glasses full time.

She got married in a brand new pair & looked lovely. happy & relaxed.

Then some of her old friends askedif she could pose without them. She handed them over & stood for photos.

She then found she could not cope without them, squinted badly too & hurriedly put them on, sying she felt like a fish out of water. Then reverted back to her new looking happy self.

Amy 01 Apr 2011, 09:55

Hi LauraC,

You really should give in and accept full-time wear like me!!. It's not embarrassign once you get used to it.

LauraC 01 Apr 2011, 09:00

Amy: are you really YOU, Amy? Seems so... :-)

Nice to see you here, although it is a long time since my last post. I'm sorry you are not able to function without your glasses anymore. About me no change yet: still bareyed in the blur! Love.

Amy 31 Mar 2011, 09:52

Rayray,

No worries about that now cos I'm into glasses full-time at last!! Actually i really like myself in them now, more than without. Funny that.

Karen: 30 Mar 2011, 20:49

Ron:

I'm curious: Are you starting to wear you glasses more now? It sounds like you're getting tired of your blurry. vision.

Rayray 30 Mar 2011, 08:31

Its because you are young and have great accommodation Amy. Your eyes can work hard to see through a huge minus over-correction. As you get older this would cause you eyestrain and eventually become impossible as the lens of the eye becomes harder with age and cannot be squeezed down to provide the additional plus power to accommodate. Eventually this causes presbyopia.

Amy 30 Mar 2011, 05:48

Hi Guys,

I suppose I could carry my previous glasses around with me. I must admit I feel pretty blind without glasses now even though I'm officially only around -4.00. It's like most of you say, once your eyes get used to being behind glasses all the time, they don't seem to adjust very well if you happen to take them off. I don't think my sister bothers carrying a spare pair and her eyes are quite a lot worse than mine. In fact her previous glasses are in my room come to think about it, because I asked her if I could try them on. Funnily enough if I really concentrate my eyes hard I can see quite clearly with them, but stuff looks really far away and small. It feels kind of cool.

Soundmanpt 29 Mar 2011, 14:28

If you look back Amy is at -4.00 / -3.75 so it would be a little more of a challenge. Her previous rx was -3.00.

Because she is still quite young and has only been wearing her glasses full time for a short time she probably could still manage without her glasses although I doubt she ever really wants to test it.

Clare 29 Mar 2011, 13:48

I agree - at -3 most people would be alright getting home - as long as they're not driving of course! And I have to say that night-time navigation even as a pedestrian can be tricky, and reading the departure boards at the train station would be a challenge too!

And 29 Mar 2011, 11:39

Melyssa, when my gf first revealed she wore contacts she said she'd be unable to drive without them. I have of course learnt since getting to know her better that she would probably struggle to recognise her car !

Aubrac 29 Mar 2011, 11:06

Just to add my ha'porth to the pot, at -5.00 I have gone about outside without glasses but have to be rather careful crossing the road, biggest downside is that you might tread in something nasty without knowing it!

Melyssa 29 Mar 2011, 10:53

Amy,

At -3.00, you should be all right in finding your way home.

At -9.00 and having had a valid driver's license for many decades, I would have a lot of difficulty getting home sans glasses. And I always carry extra eyewear because I change them several times a day.

Soundmanpt 29 Mar 2011, 09:27

Amy

While your vision is still changing each year it would become a bit expensive to try purchasing 2 pairs each year. Even though you would not want to go back and wear your previous rx for a long time as they are weaker and your vision with them would be slightly blurry but much better than nothing at all. Many people do just as you do, keep their previous pair as a backup until they can get their current glasses repaired or replaced.

Amy 29 Mar 2011, 07:45

Melyssa,

If the owrst came to the worst, I could find my way home without my glasses on.

Amy 29 Mar 2011, 07:44

varifocals. No I don't have spares of my current rx. Only my previous ones.

Melyssa 28 Mar 2011, 07:00

Varifocals,

You're absotively, posilutely correct about that. That's why I always carry 2-3 extra pairs of glasses with me outside the home.

varifocals 27 Mar 2011, 06:49

yes it is not a problem to rely on glasses. Do you have a spare pair in case of accidents.

When you suddenly you find you have no glasses is when you really miss them.

Amy 27 Mar 2011, 04:34

varifocal.

Yeah I reckon -3.00 is about the level you can tolerate bare eyed. Even that is not good. I persisted too long avoiding full-time wear which was stupid of me. I'm definitely a converted full-time wearer now. It's kind of cool when you get totally reliant on glasses.

Puffin 26 Mar 2011, 13:49

If things like signs were written bigger and peoples faces more distinctive, then the limit could be higher. What a thought.

varifocals. 26 Mar 2011, 13:07

Amy. The opinion seems to be over 3 == full time although I have known afew foolish exceptions.

Amy 26 Mar 2011, 09:38

Hi Faine,

Yeah I went full-time just about a year back now when I got new glasses. RE-4.00 and LE-3.75. I just find I can't cope without anymore now. Really I was having lots of probs the year previous when I was only -3.25 and -3.00. But I was OK in surroundings that were pretty familiar to me, if you know what I mean. Like my own town center and stuff where I know where all the different shops are and stuff. Cos I couldn'd really see signs and stuff. I'm 16 now going on 17 like you.

Flaine 26 Mar 2011, 07:56

Amy,

Hi Amy, im Flaine and i am still a part time wearer at -2.25 and -2.75..although i hafta confess that ive been wearing my glasses more and more since i entered this website about 9months ago. What do you find difficult with @-3.25 n -3? And how long have u gone fulltime? I hope u didnt squint alot before that because it causes a lot of wrinkle on our forehead as ladiez:) do you show signs of short sightedness like by squinting near your friends?

Btw, im 17 from London..hw about you?

Amy 26 Mar 2011, 05:18

Antonio,

Wow honestly? I must admit that its a relief to have finally gone fulltime. It was quite a huge decision really, but once people get used to seeing you in specs all the time they eventually give up commenting. Thankfully I'm at that stage now, but at first it was "Oh I didn't know you wore your glasses all the time Amy" and stuff like that. If you want to email me my address is

amy-withglasses@hotmail.co.uk

maybe i'll go to lenschat if you are around

antonio 26 Mar 2011, 05:09

hi Amy,

yes I can imagine, -3 in an unfamiliar place is a hard thing to cope with !

if you like we could chat on lenschat about

I even struggled at -2.75 a lot to recognize people outside !!

best regards,

antonio

Amy 26 Mar 2011, 05:06

Antonio. Wow that was quick. Before my current glasses, my prescription was RE -3.25 and LE-3.00 and I could just about cope without glasses if I wanted to if I tried really hard. Like it was more difficult if I was in strange places and stuff. But I was fairly OK in places I was familiar with. Like in my own town centre where I know where all the shops and stuff are. Hope this is useful

antonio 26 Mar 2011, 05:01

Hi Amy,

i gave in when I reached -2.75,

and wore them full time from then,

so already before you

what was the max prescription you wore only part time ?

best regards, antonio

Amy 26 Mar 2011, 04:50

Hi,

I'm short-sighted and my current prescription is now

RE-4.00 and LE-3.75. This has made it impossible for me to go without glasses anymore like I used to. What level of short-sightedness do other people reach before they find they have to give in to the inevitable?

ehpc 23 Mar 2011, 10:25

You are a good correspondent :) Pete

Laura 23 Mar 2011, 05:49

y w.

You can contact me on

short-sightedlaura@hotmail.co.uk

y w 22 Mar 2011, 17:36

hello,

i've discovered this site oretty recently.

u've always been intrigued by girls with glasses, and find them very attractive.

i'm interested in starting a correspondence with a gwg.

i enjoy corresponding with people around the world, and am registered to penpals sites.

i believe it could be nice to get a little bit more familliar with a high myope's world.

if you're interested, you're welcome to contact me via this address- 7108yaronw@gmail.com

thanks.

Laura 16 Mar 2011, 03:48

Soundmanpt. Yeah that's true. But she realises how dependent I am now. Obviously its made it easier for Amy's need for glasses to be accepted. Lucky Amy!

 14 Mar 2011, 01:50

hello guys

i m a 30 yr old lady.i m attracted to guys who need very thick glasses.

I m interestd to have email chats with them.if any such guy pls mail to me ,abinavpratap@gmail.com

by th way i too wear thick glasses

Rayray 13 Mar 2011, 18:52

There are different definitions of dominant eyes but shooters (of which i'm and occasional and far from expert one) will always know their dominant eye. Obviously for someone like me this is a factor of corrected rather than uncorrected vision. I'm right eye dominant even though sphere and astigmatism combined it has a slightly higher rx. However for distance purposes it seems to respond better to correction and can currently see slightly better than 20/20. For shooters its easier if your right eye dominant as that eye naturally lies along the barrel of the gun if you are right handed. If you are left handed it is easier if you are left eye dominant but of course nature isn't always accomodating.

Cactus Jack 13 Mar 2011, 10:22

Clare,

Remember that vision occurs in the brain and the eyes are biological cameras. Depending on the distances involved, the brain will tend to use the sharpest image as the primary data source and use what information it can from the less sharp image to try to create a 3-D image. The dominant eye is often the eye used primarily for distance, but not always. The brain just makes the best deal it can, using the images available to minimize its work. Sometimes, if the brain knows what something is supposed to look like, it can use that information to improve an otherwise blurry image.

You tend to notice is a bit more if there is a substantial difference between the two eyes, but most people with either natural monovision or intentional monovision get so accustomed to the situation that they don't notice. Everything just seems "normal". With only 0.25 difference, it would not make much difference which eye was the primary source.

C.

Clare 13 Mar 2011, 09:14

Cactus Jack - that's interesting. How does it work if the more myopic eye, though, is the dominant eye - does it make any difference? My worst is my dominant eye, if I was say -2 and -3 and my dominant eye was the -3, how would my uncorrected vision compare to someone with the same Rx whose dominant eye was -2. Would it make a big difference?

With only a -0.25 difference between mine it makes little difference but I was just interested. Thanks.

Soundmanpt 12 Mar 2011, 13:22

Laura

If I recall your mother doesn't wear correction, so maybe she was trying to keep you from wearing them. I think it can be difficult for someone with perfect vision to understand how it can be to see things even a little blurry. The good thing is I think she may now be more understanding about your vision. As you said Amy, your sister recently went full time with her glasses and it would seem mom accepted it better than she did with you?

Laura 12 Mar 2011, 06:05

Cactus Jack,

I think you are right to be honest. Like most kids, I had to get glasses for seeing in class at school when I was around 8 years old. I remember my mother saying, try not to wear them all the time, or you will get as you can't do without them. The trouble is once you get used to having glasses on, you often forget they are there, and end up keeping them all the time. Quite often my mother would come and collect me from school and say, You've still got your glasses on Laura, take them off, and I would do. Then as you get stronger and stronger lenses each year, it become impossible, and you end up keeping them on all the time. The worst was, when I didn't wear glasses all the time, and I'd sometimes forget to put them in with my school stuff and not diiscover it until I needed them in class. It was so embarrassing when my Mother had to be phoned up and asked to bring them in for me. No wonder I went full-time after only a couple of years.

very progressive 11 Mar 2011, 09:55

Ron,

Can I ask your age ? What was your first rx, five years ago?

Thanks

Ron 11 Mar 2011, 09:11

i guess my reluctance to wear my glasses full time comes from the fact that up untill 5 years ago i didn't need glasses at all!

everything i used to be able to do till recently has become quite a struggle, like shopping in the supermarket, going out to bars, ordering food in fastfood restautrants where the dishes are published on the wall behind the counter, going to the huge dining room in my workplace trying to find where all my friends are sitted. the last one actually requires from me to walk alongside each table and see who's sitting there.

recently i went shpping for some clothes, and i swear to god, when the saleswoman pointed at the top shelf towards the shirt i was looking for, all i could was blurred colors, no shapes, no prints, no lables. nothing.

something so elementary like riding the bike, which i used to do without even thinking, now isn't possible without glasses.

i can't even see the ground proparly to be able to sort of plan the path ahead.

Cactus Jack 11 Mar 2011, 08:30

Laura,

Not quite. Her distance vision without correction was probably acceptable to her much of the time, as long as her best eye was less than -3.00. Because the brain uses the best image available, it primarily ignored the image from the more myopic eye, but possibly used some information from it to try build a 3-D image (an image with spatial relationships) in the brain. It would probably not have made much difference if both eyes were the same Rx. Her tolerance for living in a blurry world happened to be around -2.50 or -2.75. When she got to -3.00 it was too much and she started wearing her glasses most of the time.

The amount of blur you can tolerate is varies with the individual and their visual needs. Some people have a limited "need to see" and a world view with a radius of a meter or two is just fine However, as Rayakins mentioned in the post that followed yours, vanity was apparently more important than knowing the contents of the dog bowls until a wrong guess delivered an unpleasant surprise. I would think if one lived in a household with dogs and you were significantly myopic, the "need to see" what was on the ground where you were stepping would become important much more forcefully than knowing the content of the dog bowls, before they were processed and relocated. Good vision has its benefits.

C.

Rayakins 11 Mar 2011, 06:07

I 'held out' (was too vain) until I was about -4 -4.50 - I remember the experience that clinched it was looking down at two dog bowls bare-eyed - one full of water, the other empty of food which I intended to pick up. As they were both roughly the same colour, (the dull brown/beige that dog bowls often are) I picked up the water bowl without realising it was full of water and swamped myself with it. From reading baker's story it seems likely he is over -4 too. I do remember the blurry lights being beautiful, particularly at Christmas around that rx. Unfortunately I'm now -8.50 and they are so blurry that they aren't anything like as beautiful.

Laura 11 Mar 2011, 03:15

Cactus Jack.

That's interseting. I hadn't realised that's what happens. So if my sister had been -3.00 in both eyes you would probably have gone full-time a year earlier than she did. I think I finally gave in when I was -3.25. and -3.00. i wasn't as brave as Amy maybe!LOL

Cactus Jack 11 Mar 2011, 02:45

Laura,

The thing that probably drove the decision for your sister to go FT was the lowest Rx eye (-3.00) getting myopic enough for distance vision to be seriously compromised. In a situation where there is significant difference, the brain will choose the clearest image and image and use that one as the primary source for vision. If the overall Rx and the difference is in the monovision range the brain will use the more nearsighted eye for reading and the other eye for distance without the person being aware of it.

C.

Laura 11 Mar 2011, 02:34

Ron.

Yes -3.00 is about the prescription you tend to consider becoming a full-time wearer. My younger sister held out until her glasses reached R-4.00 and L-3.00 before she finally gave in!! Now she's glad she did LOL

baker 10 Mar 2011, 20:51

I stayed up past 3:30 last night doing work, leaving me 3 hours of sleep. This was probably the first time in the past year that I woke up and my eyes wouldn’t tolerate contacts so I was stuck with glasses. As I’ve said before, the only thing I like about glasses is that you can take them off and I took advantage of that opportunity all day. I wore glasses to drive (safety first!) but then took them off once I got to school. The whole day I kept them nearby incase I’d need them and because I have a tendency to loose things (especially when I’m bare-eyed! I can’t believe how many times I lost my bag and how long it took to find it each time). Before my first class began, I was talking to a friend next to me and was turned towards them. I looked back at my desk and couldn’t find my glasses. They’re a similar shade of brown to the desk so I leaned my head super close to look for them (okay my eyesight must have gotten worse. I don’t remember ever being as nearsighted as I was today!). I looked on the floor and then my classmate asked if I was looking for my glasses. They were on his face! He said they were making him dizzy and one of my best friends took the glasses from him and put them on, surprised at how ‘bad’ my eyesight is (my glasses aren’t strong enough and I’m waiting a few months for an eye dr appt but anyhoo, they’re just -3 and -2.5). I never know how to respond to something like that (anybody have a favorite response) so I just said “thanks, I really appreciate that” in a semi-sarcastic voice. I wore glasses during my Calculus class and Literature class (we’re watching a movie). It was so nice to be bare-eyed! I always think and say that it’s awesome to see things close up super clear and everything far away to be blurred because it helps with concentration but I forgot how great it can be until today. During lunch I forgot I was bare-eyed because I was just so focused on the few friends I was eating with. I am usually a very focused person and am great at ignoring peripheralities but this was extra intense. The best part of today, though, was going home. I share a car with my brother and he had to leave early so one of my friends drove me home. That was fine with me, I got to go bare-eyed for longer. It was starting to get dark and all the cars had their headlights on and I experienced something so beautiful. All of the lights were large and fuzzy but more like blurred asterisks that got smaller and more intense and circle-shaped as they got closer and more fuzzy and large as they went farther. I’m not doing a good job explaining this but when I explained it to my friend, she said it sounded like I was high and then said she was sad she was driving and couldn’t take out her contacts to share (have any of you seen this? So beautiful). So now I’m home where being bare-eyed isn’t really anything special as I know where everything is and can just magnify things on the computer and lean in towards things I want to see. Anyway today made me happy and I didn’t feel tired at all despite the lack of sleep because I was enjoying the blur! (sorry for the length).

Clare 10 Mar 2011, 15:52

Ron - when I go to the gym at the weekends (it's usually early morning) I wear my glasses to go but take them off in the changing room. I can easily find my way around the gym as I know where everything is but have found, like you, that if I'm trying to see what I'm doing in a mirror when doing some sculpting exercises or weights, I can't see my features at all. I'm not such an expert that it matters but the difference from tonight, when I had my contacts in, is quite marked.

If your prescription is over -3 now then mine is less than yours - I'm -2.75 and -3.

varifocals 10 Mar 2011, 15:41

RON.

Over -3 you should wear full time.

Ron 10 Mar 2011, 08:08

Laura, it's defintely stronger than -3, which is the strength of my current lenses...

Laura 10 Mar 2011, 05:40

Ron,

What is your current prescription?

Ron 09 Mar 2011, 14:53

went to the gym today, i arrived with my bycicle, so i entered wearing my glasses (i have to put my glasses on for riding the bike)

it's always frustrating for me though that each time i take off my glasses out side my house, it's just so hard to keep track on what's going on.

i went on the treadmill and i could see the tv that's in front of me just fine (it's about 40 cm away), but looking to my left in order to observe on whoever is running next to me, i could only recognize the one running on the nearest machine.

it's becoming quite embarassing when i do weight lifting, i have to stand just in front of the mirror in order to see my self clearly...

but i just can't imgine myself working out with glasses...

looks to uncomfortable.

Laura 09 Mar 2011, 04:42

Pete. Hopefully not such a big increase! Last time it was an increase of -0.75 in both eyes with a tiny bit more astigmastism in my right eye.

Heather. That was a big jump! Was it only in 12 months, or longer? I seem OK for reading at the moment with my full minus prescription, but if it goes much higher, the optician told me I may have to consider either varifocals or bifocals. I must admit I'm not very keen on the idea! My mother is very short-sighted as well but she prefers wearing her full minus rx all the time. Then when she wants to read stuff in a bad light, she just pulls her glasses down her nose slightly to decrease the strength a bit. Its looks quite quirky I think!! I could always do that if I need to. Why don't you try it if you have trouble reading small print?

Like lenses 09 Mar 2011, 03:18

Heather

I had an exam. in late Feb. and had another surprise increase.

I knew that my distance vision was not good, but was really surprised to get another -1.25 for each eye.This is the second time that it has been that large.

With the new -6.25 lenses my distance vision is incredible,but if I have another increase I am sure that I will be in bifocals like you.

Reading on the computer is OK,but text in books is so minified that it is hard to see.After reading for any length of time,it affects my distance vision,when looking up from the book.I have tried going back to my old -5.00 glasses for reading,but near vision is to blurred with them.What were your symptoms that led to bifocals?

Like lenses 09 Mar 2011, 02:47

Heather

Your new thick lenses sound sexy to me.

I always appreciate a woman with a significant prescription, that chooses the thicker lenses.

How is your vision with the new glasses?

Did you get new frames,and if so what are they like?

Can you tolerate going without your glasses?

ehpc 08 Mar 2011, 17:56

Maybe you will be minus 11 or minus 12 Laura:) That will be cool :) Pete

Puffin 08 Mar 2011, 17:24

It is not so surprising to find people with quite high myopia not bothering with correction at home. It is only when you are out, things change beyond your control a lot more, and you need the vision to work it all out. Only time you would really need correction at home is reading and watching TV, if you'd got used to doing without most of the time otherwise.

Heather 08 Mar 2011, 17:08

I haven't been on this site for a while ... too busy at work.

Like lenses: Thanks for the link. I haven't even had time to play tennis yet with the new lenses, too busy at work. It would probably be pretty difficult to play tennis with the new lenses. I am planning to get single vision lenses for that.

I have now become mostly used to wearing the thick and somewhat heavy lenses. Occasionally people still make comments who have not seen me with the new lenses. The strange thing about my work is that among 20 colleagues, there is only one other person who wears glasses although very weak ones. So I am somewhat of an odd person among them. I am not used to an environment where so few people wear glasses. I remember when I went to college almost all of my friends either wore glasses or contact lenses. So to me it was almost a given that if someone did not wear glasses, he was probably wearing contacts. It almost did not cross my mind that there are some people who need no correction ...

Anyway, I am glad I can see well with the new lenses and I just hope I won't need stronger ones for a while.

Laura 08 Mar 2011, 03:44

Varifocals. Yes I know. Actually I got there nearly 12 months ago now!! It was great at first naturally. Everything so crisp and sharp. The peripheral distortion was much more noticeable of course, but I've learned to cope with that over the past 8 to 9 months. I'm just dreading my next encounter with my optician after Easter!! And I'm not optimistic!!

varifocals 08 Mar 2011, 03:12

LAURA.

So now I see you have made double figures.

well done.

How does it feel like, when you are without glasses.

I had a pretty Irish girl next door very myopic, who could not wear contacts.

Although she could see only, at the most 6 ft she said she never seem to have had her glasses on at home.

Even at work as soon as she got on the tube she took off her glasses to rest her eyes.

Good luck.

Laura 08 Mar 2011, 02:32

And. That's probably about right. I'm -10.00 in my worst eye now and I can't see anything properly over 3 feet away. It's just a blurred grey outline.

Cactus Jack 07 Mar 2011, 16:00

And,

Blur point with a -7.50 Rx, without correction is about 5 inches or 16 cm.

C.

And 07 Mar 2011, 15:36

My gf was bare-eyed yesterday and from around 7ft said she could see that I was 'doing something' when I was making hand gestures and pulling faces at her but couldn't tell what !Her contacts are -7.50.

Cactus Jack 06 Mar 2011, 17:32

Ron,

-3 means that anything beyond 13 inches or 33 cm is increasingly blurry. Low light conditions make it even worse because you pupils open up in low light conditions and your range of useful focus decreases. If you think it may be worse than that by now, I am curious why you don't wear your glasses and why you don't get an eye exam? I have no plans to be judgmental, there are others here that will do that without my contribution. May I also ask your occupation and where you live?

C.

Ron 06 Mar 2011, 16:43

last time i checked i was -3, but i'm pretty certain it has gotten quite worse since then...

i'm 21.

Cactus Jack 05 Mar 2011, 18:48

Ron,

May I ask your prescription and age?

C.

Puffin 05 Mar 2011, 17:26

I am rather glad I don't use buses often, because one day, Ron will come and sit on my lap :-)

Ron 05 Mar 2011, 17:05

i gotta say i was most aware of my inability to see when i stepped into the bus and realized i could barely see anything beyond the first two rows.

it was as if the bus didn't have an end.

with the dim light inside the bus it even made it worse...

Ron 05 Mar 2011, 08:40

went out of town the other day, and as i wasn't supposed return home by the afternoon, i didn't think of taking my glasses with me.

anyway, i ended upstaying there till dark and it was time for me to take the bus home i realized i was in a foreign city, not being able to read any street signs or seeing the number of the bus i was supposed to take.

i had to ask some stranger if he could read the name of the steet for me as even though i stood right under the pole on which was placed the sign with the name of the street, it was too high and also too dark for me to be able to see it.

Puffin 14 Feb 2011, 06:02

we've been through all this before, but telling what effect correction or no correction has on vision is difficult to predict. What you need is a clone of yourself, who will do exactly what you are doing, but without the correction (assuming you are the one with correction) and compare results.

Not sure this experiment will ever be tried, so basically we can say its guessable, but not predictable.

Astra 14 Feb 2011, 01:49

Reduced sensitivity of retina is no fun.

In case the retina is sensitive enough...

I have seen a girl who first got glasses at -5.25 in one eye , excited and burst into tears when she first tried on that glasses.

after quite a while she can accept focusing around.

guess she must be shocked by the very improved acuity and the very blur without.

Like lenses 13 Feb 2011, 23:46

Astra

I agree with your guess.

The sad thing is that she thinks that by not wearing correction,that she is preventing her eyes from getting more myopic. But what she has not considered is that there are many documented myopic cases where the sight became worse quicker by not being corrected.

An additional problem that she may encounter is reduced sensitivity of the retina due to lack of correction.In that case when her sight becomes worse,she will not be able to be corrected at all,and will be partially blind. There are many examples of this in third world countries,where because they can not get eye care,when they finally do, the retina is already not able to process a clear image,and never will.

linda 13 Feb 2011, 06:59

i got first glasses other month. needed to wear for driving -1.25. worn them quite abit, left them at home was hard to read road signs and was hard driving at night

Astra 13 Feb 2011, 03:12

Puffin, coincidentally we talk about sunglasses.

Astra 13 Feb 2011, 03:08

I have no rx sunglasses.

A few days ago I had a walk to some hilly areas that I have never been to.

Have not expected there's a short section (100 m +) of bridge and path with reflective white paint !

Turn back and walk with that no rx sunglasses.

not special at all.

but I got too curious to peep thru the rx glasses when I was at the middle of bridge.

Luckily, the water is not reflective as the bridge itself.

then switch into the no rx sunglasses for some 100 m until we reach normal road surface.

Puffin 13 Feb 2011, 03:06

LauraC, forgive my curiosity, do you ever wear sunglasses?

Astra 13 Feb 2011, 02:39

anyone wanna guess the required rx of LauraC as of now ?

my bet: -5.5 to -6.5

because of those very amusing description,

such as avoid navigating around at night.

Soundmanpt 12 Feb 2011, 21:39

baker

To take a day off from wearing correction I can even understand where it might be fun to do, but were talking about living that way day in and day out for years. I don't agree with what she is doing, but I must admit it is pretty amazing she has got by for this long without even owning anything for correction. I can only guess that since she has no idea what it would be like to see perfect, with correction, she doesn't miss it.

By the way I hope you find a good day to take a day off frome glasses or contacts, it might be fun, for a day.

baker 12 Feb 2011, 21:11

I see where you're coming from, Laura C. I loved taking days off of correction--I love that I'm moderatley myopic and pushed off glasses for quite a while (with correction, it's all gone). I've recently wanted to take a day off of correction, but I'm so used to how practical contacts are that I can't think of a perfect time. If I'm driving one day, then I'll need glasses. The only day I don't drive, I work in childcare--I can't read the books if I hold them far enough away for everyone to see and I can't keep an eye on the children (all 3 years old) as well. 4 years ago, before I gave into wearing glasses, I wouldn't think twice about these things (and to be fair, also had half the rx) but now I feel irresponsible and long for the "right moment."

Soundmanpt 12 Feb 2011, 19:00

Laura C.

As you know I have made no comments to you for some time because as you well know choosing not to wear glasses is totally up to you. But that being said I had to laugh with your last comment. When it becomes the effort that it seems to be for you to go around in a blur is kinda crazy. You are correct it is almost certain that if you got glasses it would not take long before you would be dependent on them. I can sorta understand someone that is maybe around -1.50 or so avoiding wearing their glasses (which most would at least have) around people or in public as little as possible. But when you get above -3.50, well to say the least is even dangerous to you. If someone were coming near you with a gun you would not be able to see it unless he puts it inches in front of your nose. Actually that sounds rather funny! At what point will you consider going and getting an ye exam and the needed, much needed glasses? By the way if it it as you call them ugly glasses you detest maybe get contacts and only you will know.

Okay! I will go away and leave you alone again, but I had to comment after your last comment.

LauraC 12 Feb 2011, 17:43

Ron: going in the blur is not pleasant and always annoying. But I think it is still better than wearing a ugly pair of glasses and becoming dependent on some correction to live. Don't give up, Ron, believe me it is still manageable bareeyed!

Flaine: I don't know who is LauraG. For sure not me neither my sister Serena (she is 24).

Ron 12 Feb 2011, 16:08

i really think i should use my glasses more often.

i went shopping in the mall the other day, and when the seller in the store guided me to the shelf with the shirt i needed, i just couldn't see.

also when i was walking in the hall, i couldn't see a thing of what was happenning inside the stores.

LauraC, i just can't understand how you tollerate your current vision...

Like lenses 12 Feb 2011, 02:52

Chrissi

Ummmm, A yummy prescription.

Chrissi 10 Feb 2011, 17:44

gwgs: My prescription is around -13 for each eye, so the lenses in my glasses are quite thick!

Clare 10 Feb 2011, 15:43

Ron - I have a similar prescription to you and am also a reluctant glasses wearer, I mostly wear contacts. In the past I was most embarrassed to meet someone who didn't know that I wear glasses, and like you to wear them with my family. I mostly only wear glasses when I'm in the house on my own, if someone comes I still tend to take them off which is silly - especially when you compare to a friend of mine with the same prescription as me who, after taking out her contacts when I was at her house last week, came downstairs wearing her glasses which she wore all evening. I've never done that with guests in the house, like you I'd be more likely to put up with it. I have to say though that I'm a lot better than I used to be.

Mr Jules 10 Feb 2011, 12:53

As for 'plus' lenses for reading, from my own experience, once you get to +2.00 or more then it really become a struggle to read without glasses.

In Sept 2008, my reading prescription increased to +1.75 and pretty much wore them all day at the office. Last year, it went up again to +2.25. Despite my new reading prescription now being LE +3.00, RE +2.75, I've stuck with my current +2.25. Unless the text is BIG, I can only read with visual aids !!

Flaine 10 Feb 2011, 07:05

LauraC,

Was that u or ur sister Serena? Sounds like her...

Melyssa 10 Feb 2011, 06:54

Chrissi,

In the "olden days" there was no such thing as Lasik or even radial keratotomy. And our glasses had glass lenses, which were much heavier than the CR39 plastic lenses I wear all the time now. Not only that, but with my astigmatism, the only contact lenses I would have been able to wear were the hard ones, and I did not like the feeling when I tried it on.

As for lens thickness, I've gotten used to it, and like you, I also like the power rings and cut-in -- especially with my largest frames.

LauraG 10 Feb 2011, 05:53

Ron.

My younger sister has now reached just over -3.00 in both eyes and she has finally decided to give in to the inevitable and go full-time. Its seems that for most people -3.00 is about the rx when you have to finally admit defeat. After that it all down hill LOL!! My mum calls it getting on the slippery slope. Your rx just gets stronger and stronger as the years go by. I'm nearly 21 and my current prescription in RE-10.00 and LE-9.25

gwgs 10 Feb 2011, 03:02

Chrissi - what prescription are you?

LauraC 10 Feb 2011, 01:47

Ron: I maybe slightly more than you are (two years ago I was -3.25 but should be worst today...). Yes recognising people is a nightmare. My simple solution it to answer to everybody waving towards me when getting close enough to recognise his/her face.It happened sometime to answer to unknown people, but that is much better that missing someone you know, if you don't want to be discovered as a bat! Moreover I avoid going out alone as much as I can (esp. in the night!) and this make it simpler because you can follow what other people aronud you are doing. I found other tasks more challenging bareeyed: e.g. going around alone in the night, shopping (the windows and items are so blurred!) or taking a bus or train.

Puffine: I have some friends with glasses or (most) contacts. They sometime speak of vision related subject, but I've never been involved in such discussions so far. My best friend is -3 and wear contacts full time (also have glasses in her purse for emergency). I'm not going to follow what my friends do, I'm just doing what I consider as the best (or at least the less worst) option for me: going bareeyed!

Chrissi 09 Feb 2011, 23:33

Melyssa: I used to hate having bad vision when I was younger. I wanted so much to have perfect vision, or be like my mom and get laser eye surgery when I got old enough. But after wearing contacts for a year or two, I realized that having poor uncorrected vision wasn't as horrible as I thought. Granted, I'd experienced the other side of the spectrum when wearing contacts, not needing to have to worry about people wanting to try on my glasses and such. I hated people asking me if they could try on my glasses. Though I am reluctant to break my continuous cycle of contact wearing and to wear glasses out in public, I do like glasses a lot more than I used to. I don't care for having thick lenses for myself,, but the power rings are cool. Cut-in is also interesting.

It is such an experience to be able to take my glasses and see the blur when I am alone. It is like a different world! Therefore, wearing glasses is like having the best of both worlds :)

Mr Jules 09 Feb 2011, 16:56

Couple of weeks ago, picked up my first distance prescription glasses LE +1.75, RE +1.50. Until then, already been wearing glasses just for reading for 3 years.

Going to full time distance glasses was painless. Two weeks into full time wearing the distance glasses and I more aware when I am not wearing glasses ! Finding my vision without glasses harder to tolerate. Occassionally, I switch to reading glass for extended close work: computer or general reading.

Ron 09 Feb 2011, 15:40

pardon, i refered to varifocals question as i mistakenly thought it wa written by laurac.

anyway, it's still valid...

Ron 09 Feb 2011, 15:37

Astra, my perscription is -3.

LauraC, actually my friends are aware of my poor vision, and as a matter of face, all of them wear glasses or contacts.

however,we don't discuss our vision too often.

b.t.w you haven't answered my question yet :). i'm actually curious as i have the same problem so i wonder how you cope with it...

Melyssa 09 Feb 2011, 14:43

One never knows what will happen concerning likes or dislikes of glasses. Even though I am now the Glasses Girl with 37 pairs, I tried my best to avoid wearing glasses throughout most of the 8 years that I used them part-time. Then I had to wear them all the time from age 16, and I still did not like glasses until I was 28. Now a lot of many years later, glasses are my most prized inanimate-object possessions.

varifocals. 09 Feb 2011, 11:09

Puffin. Laura loves the blur & that is it. Also her sister is not keen on glasses so vanity creeps in.

A friend of mine who was made by her fiance to wesr her glasses wonders why she was so vain for years as you say.

Wonder what Laura will be like at 40.

Puffin 09 Feb 2011, 09:18

LauraC,

Just curious, in your circle of friends, does anyone else wear glasses? Or maybe they might if someone else did first? Who knows what they are hiding - and I assume you avoid any talk with them about vision, eyes, etc, so that your situation isn't discovered, but that also means

you're less likely to know about them, unless they say so or turn up one day wearing them.

That leads to another question, if one of them did start wearing glasses, would you be tempted to follow suit?

Astra 09 Feb 2011, 08:11

Ron,

May I ask what is your rx?

Ron 09 Feb 2011, 08:09

LauraC,

doesn't it ever occur to you that someone recognizes you from afar and waves at you, but you don't know who that person is?

how do handle this kind of situations?

i mean, this must happen to you quite often...

my siste is am edium myope, and i remember the moment i knew i had to wear glases was when her glasses weren't srong enough for me anymore, but untill then i had to go throug a lot of moments whrer i just couldn't recognize people.

Like lenses 09 Feb 2011, 01:40

Heather

Saw these on ebay,and thought you may want them for your tennis game.

You could either get replacement lenses,or see how you do with an overcorrection.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Rec-Specs-All-Sport-EyeGlass-Headband-Lens-Goggles-/400192784817?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d2d5949b1

Astra 09 Feb 2011, 00:40

Josh,

"another thing could be that you force so many your eyes, that when your finally bad eyesight can`t be hidden anymore it would be very difficult find the right rx and you will go to several eye test for a long time."

sounds nice. It's like inducing myopia.

If you don't have ciliary problem, that is not bad.

Astra 09 Feb 2011, 00:30

Josh,

but I would not discourage anyone attempting to go without glasses.

As long as you can condition your muscles, it's okay if you like.

Astra 09 Feb 2011, 00:24

Josh,

Yes.

Or in my case, ciliary muscles deconditioned due to

1. many years going without glasses with myopia

2. intentionally avoid conditioning the ciliary muscles.

consequence

1. convergence insufficiency, so that unable to fuse images from two eyes.

2. brain & nerve disabled normal response to images when they received images that appears coming from close distance.

Josh 08 Feb 2011, 21:31

LauraC, almost all glasses wearers resist to wear at first, but maybe you don`t know if you don`t correct your bad eyesight is possible so many things happen, the best could be that your rx stopped and you can manage ok without glasses for long time, another thing could be that you force so many your eyes, that when your finally bad eyesight can`t be hidden anymore it would be very difficult find the right rx and you will go to several eye test for a long time, i passed for this, and one good advice i could give you is check your eyes soon, and if you don`t like glasses, you have the change to wear contacts, but as a young girl you are, avoid to make your now bad vision i a very very worse vision without a change to correct, hope you`ll be ok...

LauraC 08 Feb 2011, 17:01

Ron: there are people also on this forum who think everyone with the lightest vision defect shall correct with lenses and glasses. They seem to not understand how frustrating and embarassing can be put a pair of glasses onto your face, especially if people around don't know you need.

As you can see from my old posts I'm beyond -3 and don't wear glasses at all. Some things are difficult as you are saying (e.g. TV and few others) and some situations require some "training" to be managed depite of your poor eyesight, but as far as you prefer to do this instead of wearing a geek pair of glasses (and soon become dependent on them) there is no law who can force you wearing (apart from driving).

Kisses.

Guest 08 Feb 2011, 16:03

What is your prescription Ron

Ron 08 Feb 2011, 15:48

i'm a part time glasses wearer, and i still fell uncomfortable wearing them around my familly, even though i've had them for a long time now.

i remeber when i was younger i used to try on my sister's older glasses, and i was amazed when for the first since time i had started wearing them, they actually helped me see.

it's annyoing when i can't really see the TV screen whenever all the family is gathered to watch it, but i manage...

actually when i'm with my close friends i wear my glasses quite a lot.

Brian 04 Feb 2011, 14:30

Heather, Could you post a picture of what your glasses look like now?

Heather 04 Feb 2011, 09:39

I actually decided to keep my current lenses after all. I sort of got somewhat used to them and I don't want to spend much more money. Who knows whether my prescription isn't going to change again soon.

I might however get some cheap single vision glasses at some point for distance vision as a second pair.

I got a few more comments at work and friends why I suddenly need to wear such thick lenses but never mind.

Like lenses 29 Jan 2011, 02:04

Heather

You passed me up with your new prescription of -5.25. I am however scheduled soon for an exam, and am quite sure that I need another -.50,or -.75.We can have a race toward -6.00.

Your new bifocals sound great. I think that your thicker lenses would be more attractive, at least to me.

Have you tried playing tennis with the bifocals yet?

Melyssa 28 Jan 2011, 13:55

Hansel,

I doubt there were high-index lenses then, but I do remember glass lenses, shatterproof for my glasses, and they were a lot heavier relatively speaking than my CR39's.

Hansel 28 Jan 2011, 12:55

For me the edge thickness is all. I hated my thick specs as a teenager in the 60s/70s, (high index..was there such a thing then?) and contact lenses at 16 transformed my world.

No different now really, hence the use of as high and index varifocal as I can get.

Should I be so precious at the tender age of 56, probably not, at my age there is an esxpectation fo the need for correction, but, whatever it is, pride, vanity, self-comsciousness, it is not something I can get away with.

Thus, whilst empathy is a word I struggle with, I'm not really sure that anyine can truly empathise with another's situation, I can certainly identify with the feelings and emotions....

My big current regret is trying to be too smart with frame size, which I feeel resulted in a greater edge thickness.

My specs normally last me a few years, but I am thinking of anm earlier change this time, but realstically, at nearly £600, I need to get some VFM.

All in all, if you have reservations about the edge, you have a similar issue with me...grin and bear it for the short term, or change immediately.

The cheaper option would probably be to change now.

Soundmanpt 28 Jan 2011, 10:18

Heather

What you decide to do is certainly up to you. From past posts it is very clear you are not happy with the fact that your glasses have gotten to -5.00 and even less happy that the lenses have gotten thicker. I will tell you that most people when their rx gets to around -4.00 prefer the high index lenses. I don't recall anyone returning their glasses because they preferred the CR39 lenses. The only returns were do to the rx being incorrect from the lab. The only downside I know of is the cost for high index lenses.

Because your athletic I would consider getting a cheaper pair of single vision glasses in a semi-rimless frame. For outdoor activities you should not need the add at all. You could wear these for sports, driving or other outdoor activities. I suggest semi-rimless because that way your eyes won't be seeing a plastic frame near as much, and your vision should be much less obstructed.

anic 28 Jan 2011, 10:10

Wow, another new thing learnt! It's just like being back at school (oops, sorry Julian, don't want to go off topic! :) )

Your glasses sound lovely and us women do have the benefit of being able to use our long hair to cover the sides of our glasses if we see the need to. I tend to alternate between having it up and down, I normally have it in a bun in the evening at work, and when lazing at home it flies freely.

Heather 28 Jan 2011, 08:35

Anic: The lenses actually have +0.6 add (http://www.essilor.co.uk/lensinfo/lifestylesv/antifatigue.html) rather than +0.5 or +0.75.

I still have not gone back to the optician so I am still wearing the thick lenses. They are about 6-7mm thick at the edges - enougb to make them appear thick. Also, given that the frame size is somewhat larger, the lenses are quite heavy compared to my previous high-index lenses - I can really tell the difference.

I have long hair and used to have a ponytail but I actually opened up my hair so that the thick lenses are not as visible :-).

The good thing though is that I really like the add. Now I can see perfectly clear at all distances.

anic 27 Jan 2011, 06:34

Heather - Your tale is similar to mine, I'm currently minus 7, with +2.25 - others on here have been trying to persuade to me get rid off the add in but I'm finding this rather hard - more of this on the "induced myopia" thread. My add, and prescription is quite a lot more than yours but I'm presuming your add is +0.5 as increases go up in 0.25's so it will either be +0.5, or +0.75.

I can't recall exactly when I started wearing bifocals, but I think it was around the same prescription as you are now wearing. I 'upgraded' to minus 5.25 and found reading, typing on the computer - both seeing the small text on the screen, and making out the keys on the keyboard that extra bit hard so I prescribed a plus add in which has been incredibly beneficial. I am also wearing regular cr39 lenses as I've found with previous experience, as others will gladly testify on here, that hi index lenses do not give you the same crystal clear, unwarped/unblurry vision that cr39/1.54 index lenses do so I would be wary of this.

How thick are your lenses as I had -5.25 in quite a few different frames and they weren't what I would call thick at all, I think they must have been several mm's at the most. One trick than can disguise the thickness of the edges of lenses is have them polished. I actually prefer mine unpolished but one or two of my frames where they're semi rimless have been polished.

Anyhow, I would be careful changing to hi index lenses as they are a lot more expensive and don't give the same 'results' as other types of materials. Do you have any friends that wear glasses, do they have hi index lenses in them? If so you could try them out and see what you think before spending lots of money on something you may not like.

Heather 27 Jan 2011, 06:07

Hansel & Soundmanpt: Thanks for the advice. I think I might actually go back to the optician and try to get them to exchange the lenses for thinner ones. These thick lenses are quite a nuisance and I hate seeing myself wearing them.

Soundmanpt 26 Jan 2011, 17:07

Heather

A good point, if your not happy with the thickness of your lenses I would ask about getting high index lenses put into your frame. The cost may be a bit more but I think you will be happier and your the one that needs to wear them.

Also I remember you enjoy playing tennis, i'm not sure if you do other sports such as golf but I think you will find that a normal single vision lenses will be much better to use for sports. I have several friends that I play golf with that wear bifocals or progressives and they all only use single vision glasses for golf. I'm sure tennis would be the same for you.

Again it would save you much money to check out zenni or another on-line retailer for a simple single vision pair of glasses if for nothing other than sports.

Hansel 26 Jan 2011, 15:01

It seems to be normal practice that with a progressive lens, particularly a first timer, most opticians offer a money back/refund/swap arrangement.

If you want/can afford the additional expense, it might be worth suggesting to the optician that you aren't really happy with the original recommendation.

I would suspect if there was a more expensive lens to be purchased there wouldn't be a problem.

The high index progressives are a real pain price wise. In an attempt to go for a smaller frame to help minimise edge thickness, I couldn't get my usual Zeiss 1.8 index glass, the frame depth not being enough, but the Essilor 1.74 plastic, despite according to the practice only being a mm thicker according to the lab calculation compared to the Zeiss, seems inordinately thick, and my daughter made a similar comment to that of your colleague.

Heather 26 Jan 2011, 13:22

I just had my eye exam a few days ago. There is good news and not so good news. The good news is that my prescription has not changed much. I have gone from -5 in both eyes to -5.25 in both eyes. However, the optometrist prescribed a so-called anti-fatigue lens which has a +0.6 add at the bottom of the lens to help with reading. I had the new lenses put into my existing frames.

However, since the very thin high index lenses were really expensive I decided to go with polycarbonate lenses which I guess I should not have done as the lenses are actually quite thick with my prescription although the optician told me otherwise. They really do help with reading and computer work but I am a bit upset to be back in thick lenses again after I had got rid of them just about a year ago. The change in the thickness from my previous lenses (which were high index) is so noticeable that a co-worker of mine asked me whether my vision had deteriorated a lot when he saw me with the new lenses.

Puffin 23 Jan 2011, 05:41

It depends what you are trying to do, really, and if you have got used to and can use the workarounds needed to cope with poor vision.

Soundmanpt 22 Jan 2011, 14:06

j

This question seems to be asked almost daily. If you look back on this thread you will see there is no real number for everyone. Some people can tolerate not wearing correction that are -4.00 others may feel they can't do without at a much lower number even as low as -1.00.

j 22 Jan 2011, 13:56

saw a young women in early 20s walking into opticians wearing glasses with one arm missing. must broke them and off to get new pair must been in -6. at what point is someone not able to go without?

Melyssa 20 Jan 2011, 13:38

Or in my case, age 36.

Elain 20 Jan 2011, 09:46

My eyes are pretty stable since i was 15/16 when my prescription sky rocketed. I don't think your eyes will get much worse once if you're already in your late teens/early twenties, but then again it's different for each person i guess.

Laura 19 Jan 2011, 08:05

collegegirl.

Sorry it looks like you have got onto the slippery slope now you're wearing glasses fulltime. Its usually downhill all the way!! more minus I mean LOL he he. maybe you'll reach -5.00

Astra 17 Jan 2011, 13:21

I notice when there's refractive error in eyes,

the image appears more blurry thru a viewfinder, than simply viewing without thru viewfinder.

I would guess it's because the area in viewfinder is small ?

baker 16 Jan 2011, 23:14

I refused to wear glasses until the very end of 8th grade, though I got my first pair in 5th

One thing I've grown to love is going bare-eyed. My rx is R -2.25 L -3 (though I’m guessing I need an increase). I love how nearsightedness helps you focus. Whatever I'm doing, is right in front of me and everything else is a blur--no distractions at all. Who needs to pay attention to the details? I love the blur. Then again, I am a practical person. I drive almost daily so I need to wear contacts and never have a chance to go without glasses. I hate glasses but the one advantage is the choice of when to just take them off.

Astra 16 Jan 2011, 07:23

Anyone tried using a camera viewfinder without correction?

How was the experience?

Cactus Jack 15 Jan 2011, 19:40

Collegegirl,

It is possible that your Rx will become stable in your late teens, but it usually does not until your mid-twenties. Genetics are the controlling factor and trump everything else including your visual environment.

One thing you can do to control costs is to learn how to order glasses from an on-line retailer. There are several with good reputations, but I suggest investigating the offerings from Zenni Optical (www.zennioptical.com). You are not required to order glasses from the prescribing Eye Care Professional and they are generally required by law to give you your Rx. The elements you need to order glasses are:

Sphere, Cylinder, and Axis for each eye and your Pupiliary Distance (PD). Occasionally, the PD is not included in the Rx because the dispensing optician is expected to measure it. However, your PD is very easy for you to measure using a bathroom mirror and a ruler marked in mm. We will be happy to tell you how.

I believe you will be pleasantly surprised at the low cost for single vision glasses. The final cost depends on the frames and options you choose. But even with the most expensive frames, the cost is very reasonable. I would suggest you consider ordering a very low cost pair as an experiment to learn how. Most forum members who have ordered glasses from Zenni have found them to be of excellent optical quality.

C.

Please let us know what you would like to do.

Puffin 15 Jan 2011, 19:35

Collegegirl: there's a small chance, but not one I'd bet on.

Soundmanpt 15 Jan 2011, 19:33

Collegegirl

Sorry to say but if I were a betting man I would pretty much bet the farm that you will have changes over the next few years. As Cactus Jack indicated College work loads can be overwelming and that means you will be over working your eyes a lot. One thing you should do is at least take a good look at glasses on-line. There are quite a few good ones. Cactus Jack and myself have found "zennioptical.com" to be a very good source and very inexpensive. You can choose from hundreds from between $15.00 and $30.00 complete including AR coating (anti-reflective) You should get that on your glasses. There are a few on-line retailers that sell contacts but they are only slightly cheaper that a local shop. They are best for suppling contacts if you are overdue for an exam.

Collegegirl 15 Jan 2011, 19:03

Any chance my RX stays the same? It costs a lot of money to change glasses!

All4Eyes 15 Jan 2011, 00:27

baker: I'm somewhat similar, having gone uncorrected until age 14 and -4.00 rx. It is hard to teach yourself to look "out there" when as long as you can remember there's been nothing to see "out there". If you've ever seen the movie At First Sight with Val Kilmer, we get a milder version of that, I think.

Cactus Jack 14 Jan 2011, 19:43

Collegegirl,

All you described is pretty much normal.

The reason you can no longer function very well without vision correction is that your brain has become used to not having to work very hard to provide adequate vision. Vision actually occurs in the brain and the eyes are merely biological cameras. The brain creates what you perceive as vision using the information provided by your eyes. If the images from your eyes is not high quality, your brain can do an amazing amount of correction provided it knows what something is supposed to look like, but it takes a lot of computing power and energy. Your glasses and contacts provide high quality images that do not require much correction and your brain has grown accustomed to not having to do the extra work to provide useful images. Could you go back to not wearing correction? Yes, but your brain would complain with headaches and it would be hard to function in lecture halls and because of your astigmatism even when reading. New material written on a distant board, would be difficult to decipher without some assistance from your fellow classmates.

College places a very significant reading workload on your eyes as you have probably discovered. Will your Rx increase? Probably, but probably not more than 1 or 2 more diopters of minus in sphere and not much change in your astigmatism.

Hope this helps.

C.

NewGWG 14 Jan 2011, 19:38

And - I've gone fulltime like 7 months ago. Well consdering I've lost my glasses in a taxi one could say it was a strage environment, especially that I didn't know the guy who was driving ;) And seriously, the place wasn't all that strange because it was my boyfriend's place whereabouts.

varifocals - the story wasn't actually so scary, and my eyes after 3 days without glasses felt great to be honest, because usually I read and use computer a lot, and without glasses it was uncomfortable to do that, so I let them rest.

collegegirl 14 Jan 2011, 18:51

I got glasses in the 7th grade, and I remember not being too excited about it. I went straight into contacts and never wore my glasses. My perscription was L-1.00 -0.75 R-1.00 -0.75. I think I had my eyes checked once during high school but I don't remember there being much of an increase if at all so I continued to wear contacts only. When I took out my contacts, I wore no correction and for the most part didn't have any problems. This past summer I figured I should get my eyes checked not only because I didn't seem to be seeing as well, but I was going away to college. My perscription jumped to L-1.50 -1.00 R-1.75 -1.00. This time the doc said I should updated my glasses as well as contacts because I would probably wear them more than the past. In the seven months since that perscription change I've become a full-timer. Every moment I don't have my contacts in, I have my glasses on my face and I couldn't imagine not having them on. It's crazy to me that I was able to function quite easily w/o glasses less than a year ago, and now there's no chance. Is that normal? and can I expect my eyes to worsen?

Laura 14 Jan 2011, 04:56

And. No not really, to being forced. I just haven't tried to manage without glasses at all, since I was a kid of around 10.

Astra 14 Jan 2011, 04:24

about eye contact, there's some resemblance to me.

may tell you more later.

baker 13 Jan 2011, 18:48

I refused to wear glasses until the very end of 8th grade, though I got my first pair in 5th. I feel like wearing glasses might have ruined my eyesight because at the end of 8th grade my prescription was only -1.5 but the next time my eyes were examined (9th grade?) my prescription increased to L-3, R--2.25.

One thing I've grown to love is going bare-eyed. I love how nearsightedness helps you focus. Whatever I'm doing, is right in front of me and everything else is a blur--no distractions at all. Who needs to pay attention to the details? I love the blur. Then again, I am a practical person. I drive almost daily so I need to wear contacts. I hate glasses but the one advantage is the choice of when to just take them off.

I have developed some interesting habits from refusing to wear glasses. I wonder if anybody found the same things

1) I cannot force myself to hold eye contact. I could never see the faces of people I talked to so to tell a 15 year old that it is proper to stare into someone's eyes and expect them to do it is really unfair. My drama teacher yelled at me about this to no end but I discovered that when I practiced eye contact, people asked me if I was confused as to what they were saying--it was so odd for them.

2)It took me a long time to understand the concept of looking at the board and I never can really keep looking at it. I never had the issues of not seeing the board because if a teacher wrote something that was really important, they usually said it too. Though this might explain my horrid spelling. In Hebrew class, where there are no vowels (just consonants) spelling was much more important so I asked the boy next to me to read what was on the board. We bonded and I loved the rush of letting him know I couldn't see. Anyhoo, I still have a hard time thinking of writing on the board as anything but a waste of ink--I got almost all As for years without paying any attention to what was written up there.

3) When I'm thinking, I get distracted by looking at someone or when things go by. I've been wearing contacts pretty much 24/7 for four years now but ignoring details is a bit difficult. I also like to close my eyes when I pray or listen to good music unless I'm bare-eyed.

I'm mainly interested if anybody else who put off wearing glasses had trouble understanding the concepts of eye contact and reading things on the board.

I personally hate wearing glasses. The one advantage to glasses, though, is how easy it is to take them off and re-enter into the blur-or to put them on and appreciate the crispness. I do find it really attractive when guys wear glasses. I think it's part fetish and part the confidence they have that I don't. Also, I've always wanted to talk about vision with other people but never have had the opportunity to talk about myopic vision.

varifocals 13 Jan 2011, 08:37

The story of new GWG & her lack of glasses sounds awful. Her boy friend sounds lovely & supportive which is great.

Wonder how her eyes actually felt after 3 days without lens. my wife is -8. A friend - 13 broke hers in an accident in a tescos car park & had no spare pair.

Some one rescued the por soul & took her to Vision Express

Hollie 13 Jan 2011, 01:04

Soundmanpt- she was (is still sometimes??) a contacts wearer! I have posted about her before, she wore contacts and went bare eyed when not wearing them. Then she stopped wearing them and got specs, which she initially wore full time, but then started the on off thing. She must be used to having clear vision hence the squinting. Looks very nice in glasses too, very much suit her.

And 12 Jan 2011, 16:43

Laura, have you ever been forced to go without glasses ? Can you remember the last time you chose to go bare-eyed ?

Melyssa 12 Jan 2011, 13:30

I always carry an extra pair or three, not just because I change glasses several times a day, but because there have been a couple of occasions when (1) I have discovered that asphalt or concrete is stronger than CR39 lenses, and (B) that a lens can pop out at any time.

anic 12 Jan 2011, 07:58

Laura, with your prescription, and the tales you hear from customers, surely you always carry a spare pair with you though?

Laura 12 Jan 2011, 04:47

newGWG. Yeah I reckon its OK going without glasses when you are with someone reliable. I sometimes get nightmares about being in town or somewhere and someone coming up to me and nicking my glasses off may face. I've actually heard of it happening! To be honest I'd be in big trouble. I can't see the ground properly, so I'd be tripping over stuff and peoples faces are just blanks. Ok if I knew where my bus started from, but the problem would be knowing when I'd got there!! It's not something I'd like to happen to be honest.

And 11 Jan 2011, 18:10

NewGWG, when did you go full-time ? Were you in familiar places when you lost your glasses ?

NewGWG 11 Jan 2011, 17:28

And - I used to wear contacts only, like your girlfriend does. I didn't even own any glasses back then. She's smart to have spares with her at all times, I can never learn to do that.

Sure I got myself some new glasses after that big night out, two pairs actually :). All in all I have 5 pairs now, out of which 4 are in constant use (one pair is old and unrepresentative;) ).

I did get out during that weekend, and honestly I thought it'll be much worse. My worst fear was that I won't be able to find my way in the streets, but actually after I got used to all the blurred shapes it turned out to be doable. If I had to run some errands or stuff I would have managed just fine on my own ; that is, by the dailight . At dusk or in the dark it gets really difficult for some reason.

And 11 Jan 2011, 16:28

NewGWG, did you get some nice new frames and do you still take them off from time to time ? Because my gf usually wears contacts she has her 'emergency' glasses in her bag. Do you have spare glasses ?

Did you go out during those three days at all ?

NewGWG 11 Jan 2011, 15:36

Laura - Big, annoying blur, exactly. But I didn't panic, because my boyfriend and friends were with me plus we took a taxi home.

I did cope nicely by giving out all the time, making downright idiot of myself and then giving out some more . And The Boyfriend obviously loved being The Indispensable Man Of The Day , sweetest guy ever.

And - It's not as difficult as it might seem: try taking your glasses off in a taxi, at night, after those few nice pints you had before.. put them in the shallowest pocket you can find in your coat.. leave the taxi... chapeau bas, mission complete.

As for the challenges, I had troubles reading, I couldn't watch TV, more importantly I didn't see people's facial expressions so was really uncomfortable talking to anyone. Couldn't judge distances as well. My boyfriend tried to lend me his glasses, but it was no use as his are much weaker than mine and well too big. I was scared I'd miss my tram station so he chaperoned me home.

...and I did kick a fuss.. the day after the party we went searching for my glasses all over the estate, at local shops, everywhere. But someone must have liked them very much.

And 11 Jan 2011, 12:00

newGWG, how on earth did you manage to lose your glasses? I'm sure my gf would have kicked up a right fuss (she has a bit stronger script than you)What challenges did you face without them ?

Laura 11 Jan 2011, 03:48

newGWG.

O M G that must have been terrible for you at -6.00! Like everything was one big greyish blur unless it was really close. I can't imagine how you coped for 3 days.

newGWG 10 Jan 2011, 19:41

Going without glasses? Never, I even wear them to the shower :) . Blurred vision really annoys me. A few weeks ago I somehow lost my glasses while partying. As I was to spend the whole weekend at my boyfriend's and "wisely" didn't bring any spares with me, I had to go 3 days without glasses. My boyfriend had loads of fun, saying things like "let's watch TV...or maybe not, hahaha" . Besides that he was really sweet and even bothered to read a book aloud for me.

Soundmanpt 09 Jan 2011, 19:22

Hollie

I would think your work colleague has been told by her eye care professional that she needs her glasses full time, but maybe not. I have seen doctors not give any advice unless asked about when to wear their glasses. Also she likely is trying to make people think that her vision is not very bad and that she only needs them for distance and actually she can still probably see close pretty well without correction. Because she has never really wore them for close work so her eyes have not had to adjust for that. As you know many try to hold out with going full time until the bitter end. Often full time wear comes when one starts wearing contacts because you put them in in the morning and don't take them out until bedtime. Soon when the contacts aren't in things are far more blurry than when glasses were on and off much more.

Dave 09 Jan 2011, 15:35

It was many years ago. I dated a woman who was -4 and fulltime wearer. We were touching and that in the car for an hour or so, and naturally her glasses came off. Then, she had to go (she was still living with her mother). We got out the car and I walked her from the parking place home, and she just forgot about her glasses. Then she came to her senses and said she would need them tomorrow. We walked back to the care, but she did not put her glasses back on that night.

Clare 09 Jan 2011, 15:21

Hollie - I can empathise with your colleague but from experience I can also see that she's drawing attention to herself. The alternative is to become a full time glasses wearer and, where they can, some of us resist that. Of course those of us who wear contacts technically are full time glasses wearers, but not for all to see. I think the key is confidence - your colleague needs some boundaries maybe so that she definately wears her glasses for certain things and avoids having to come back to get them which is a bit embarrassing. I wonder why she doesn't try contacts as, if she's self conscious, they'd remove the problem to an extent but, of course, there's always the problem for contacts wearers when they can't wear them for a while but hopefully that doesn't happen too often.

Contacts are effectively a mask, aren't they?

Soundmanpt 08 Jan 2011, 19:44

Very, very true. I always try to be sure to say that in my answers that it is only a guess. You need answers to all the factors you mentioned and still it would only be a guess, but maybe a bit closer guess.

Cactus Jack 08 Jan 2011, 19:17

The ability to function without glasses depends on many factors such as:

1 Amount of Sphere Correction required and if plus or minus.

2. Cylinder Correction required (can be a big effect at all distances and how well corrected by glasses or contacts).

3. Age and accommodation available

4. Visual environment

5 Task

6. Retinal condition.

etc.

without knowing most of the above, it is almost impossible to determine why a person can or cannot function with out correction and any guess is just that.

C.

And 08 Jan 2011, 16:07

Hollie, is it comfortable reading without glasses ? My gf can see small print better with her glasses than her contacts. If she's bare-eyed she has to hold it very close to her eyes and I think that makes her feel uncomfortable.

ehpc 08 Jan 2011, 15:39

I like the taking your very hot glasses off to read, Hollie :) Very hot :) Pete

Adalle 08 Jan 2011, 13:27

Quite sure. We had just a few hours of sleep, so I am certain it was just the lack of sleep.

Soundmanpt 08 Jan 2011, 12:12

Adalle

Are you sure your girlfriend isn't doing induced myopia or something? With an actual rx of -3.00 it is hard to believe she could have got that far along before realizing she wasn't wearing correction. Anything more than just a few feet would be quite blurry. Her accommodation must still be very good.

Adalle 08 Jan 2011, 07:40

Funny thing today. Me and my girlfriend had to go somewhere early in the morning. So we woke up, drank our coffee in a hurry and got dressed to go out. As we were about to leave I noticed she hadn't put on her glasses (about -3) which was a bit odd as she always has them on. She only wears contacts on very special occasions. I thought she must have put her contacts on while she was at the bathroom, so I didn't mention anything and soon we were out of the house.

About 5 minutes later, while I was driving and waiting for the lights to go green, she complained that she couldn't see well and made a move with her hand to remove and inspect her glasses, only to find out she wasn't wearing them! Imagine how we laughed...

Hollie 08 Jan 2011, 04:47

Clare/soundmanpt

I understand the wanting to take them off for close work a little I guess. Its just she is clearly very self conscious, unlike Clare's colleague, and I feel slightly sorry for her. She just seems to squint an awful lot not wearing them- someone called her name from across the office and she squinted in the general direction to try and tell who it was, then got up to go and see the guy in his office. About 5 mins later she came back to her desk and picked up her specs and went back into the office - he must have been showing her something on the board. Its that kind of thing that I think draws attention to it! In the past people have mentioned her not having good eyesight so must be noticeable.

I actually took mine off to read some tiny type yesterday. One of the senior guys who I was with at the time said, ooh thats a sign you are getting old Hollie! He has pretty thick glasses, I think a good bit stronger than mine and holds stuff close to his face to read without specs. Puzzling as to why he doesn't get bifocals!

Clare 08 Jan 2011, 01:04

Hollie, Soundmanpt - I had a colleague who did the same. I remember she said that she was -2 and I imagine she meant somewhere between -2 and -3 as she could see well with my glasses. She would wear her glasses to the office but immediately take them off at her desk but put them on again to go somewhere else in the office. She'd have been about 30 then. Somehow it didn't seem odd as she certainly wasn't self conscious about them, guess she felt she didn't need them at her desk. And when I had to wear glasses for that month I did pretty much the same but I was sensible enough to put them on before other people began to think I should!

Seeker 07 Jan 2011, 20:50

Three young Asian girls at the Tram stop the other night trying to read the timetable sign above the shelter. An incredible amount of squinting and looking at each other then one gets out the glasses, looks herself and gives them to one of the others who looks as well. Would the plural for this group be a "delight of squinters'.

Soundmanpt 07 Jan 2011, 17:59

Hollie

Look at it this way if she has never wore them for close tasks, she likely feels she can read better without them still. And she probably can. You are correct if she ever starts leaving them on full time she then will feel more like she really needs them for reading too. At some point she may find it a pain to remember to carry her specs everywhere she goes. I'm sure she has been caught without them because she forgot them on her desk and wished she had them for something in the distance.

Hollie 07 Jan 2011, 15:04

Clare

It wouldn't look ridiculous if she had a lower rx and only needed them for certain things. But at her (and your) rx anything beyond about a foot or so starts to blur and so has to keep putting them back on. Bit hypocritical of me to say really as I didn't wear my specs full time at a similar rx. If I had my time again though I would probably have gone full time at -2 or so.

Clare 07 Jan 2011, 13:53

Hollie - I think that I'd be like your colleague too, certainly would take them off at my desk. I remember I did that when I couldn't wear my contacts because of conjunctivitis but agree it looks a bit ridiculous!

Laura 07 Jan 2011, 04:41

Heather.

I started wearing contact lenses when was 15 and my glasses got quite thick and I was still at school. I wore them religiously for for over 2 years only taking them out when I got home and going back to glasses. When I left and got a job I got some new glasses with high index lenses and I was surprised how well I could see with them as they looked so much thinner. As a result I'm back in glasses most of the time now, but I take you point about the peripheral distortion and making sure you look through the centre of your lenses.

Hollie 06 Jan 2011, 16:40

Still not completely comfortable but getting there! I have an on-off glasses wearing colleague who is in the range of -2.5 to -3, who still seems uncomfortable and self conscious wearing them. She will take off at her desk and then put on to read something pinned to the far side of the desk (as I saw her doing today!). She also takes them with her when she leaves her desk, but carries them in her hand and might put them on when she chats to someone. From my experience she would get over the self consciousness if only she kept them on, and there would be a lot less squinting!

Clare  06 Jan 2011, 15:54

Hollie - I agree, glasses seem very 'professional' somehow but the to make it real the wearer has to feel comfortable with how they look. I suspect because people rarely see me with glasses I can't feel at ease. I've never discussed this with my other contacts wearing friends but, given that they rarely wear glasses, they may feel the same. At least you're over that hurdle.

Hollie 06 Jan 2011, 15:40

Clare

I guess I have eased myself into it by wearing glasses in the office before. I do think they give a professional air - had a partner at work ask about them and he said 'well they look very smart and I gather are a fashion statement these days'. Apparently his 19 year old daughter prefers glasses to contacts and wears them virtually all the time.

The best thing though is coming home from work without my eyes being tired. Put contacts in yesterday evening to go for a run and did realise I miss having that vision free of frames at work all day!

Hollie 06 Jan 2011, 15:40

Clare

I guess I have eased myself into it by wearing glasses in the office before. I do think they give a professional air - had a partner at work ask about them and he said 'well they look very smart and I gather are a fashion statement these days'. Apparently his 19 year old daughter prefers glasses to contacts and wears them virtually all the time.

The best thing though is coming home from work without my eyes being tired. Put contacts in yesterday evening to go for a run and did realise I miss having that vision free of frames at work all day!

Clare 06 Jan 2011, 14:42

Hi And & Hollie - it seems to be air con rather than humidity that kills my contacts for me although it seems the work situation is worse. I wore contacts on an 8 hour flight from Dubai with no problem but sometimes - not every day - it's an issue at work, which I put down to staring at a PC monitor and not blinking enough.

Hollie - I guess I'm less sensitive than you as I've not had problems in air conditioned shopping malls or even the car. But I know that it's pretty miserable - for me 45 minutes on an air conditioned train after 10 hours in a air conditioned office means I can't read a thing! But that's a rare occasion but when it happens it makes me think about when, and if, I too might say hang the contacts. But that would be a brave move ...

Like lenses 04 Jan 2011, 18:42

Heather

How close do you hold reading material while wearing your glasses?

I found that when I reached -3.00 that reading was more comfortable if I held it closer,due to the print looking so much smaller.

Now that I at -5.00 I hold it at about 10 inches.

My optometrist has said that I should be able to read comfortably at 12 to 14 inches,but that is very uncomfortable.

Can you read at all without glasses? I can but the book is almost to my nose.

I had a very similar experience at the optometrist when I had a -1.25 increase. I knew that I needed new glasses,as distant objects were quite blurred but I had been squinting for about a year so got quite used to it. My Rx at the time was -3.00,and the new glasses became -4.25. That was the largest increase that I have ever had. Most have been -.50, or -.75.

I have an exam due in Feb.and I think that I may need another small increase of perhaps -.50.

I actually like the look of thicker lenses,so always order CR39.You should get a pair of CR39 to wear just for a different look. I also have had my last few pair made up with totally flat fronts,as I like that effect also.

Hollie 04 Jan 2011, 12:15

I lurk and post when it takes my fancy. Wear glasses to work (except some days when I have meetings) and contacts rest of the time. I only have the one pair of specs but I do very much like them, brown plastic chanel with wide arms and hi index lenses.

Soundmanpt 03 Jan 2011, 18:10

Hollie

It is sounding more and more like your eyes are just not accepting the contacts too well anymore. It seems there are fewer places that they work very well anymore. Are you back to pretty much being a full time glasses wearer these days? As I suggested before, go with it, have fun, get several pairs to go with different outfits and change your glasses like you change your shoes and handbags.

Where have you been for so long? You used to be in much more. Anyway hope all is well and 2011 is a great year for you.

Hollie 03 Jan 2011, 16:07

And/soundmanpt

I actually find the opposite to be true- houses are fine. Its my work offices and (in particular) shopping centres! I had forgotten about that last one the other day and went to a shopping mall with my lenses in. I am not sure whether its the lighting or the heating and air con in these places that is so irritating.

Hollie 03 Jan 2011, 16:07

And/soundmanpt

I actually find the opposite to be true- houses are fine. Its my work offices and (in particular) shopping centres! I had forgotten about that last one the other day and went to a shopping mall with my lenses in. I am not sure whether its the lighting or the heating and air con in these places that is so irritating.

And 02 Jan 2011, 18:26

My gf fell asleep in bed watching tv last night so I removed her glasses and put them at my side of the bed. This morning she asked me where I'd put them and of course I passed them to her - I did just wonder how long it might have taken her to find them if I'd already left the room.

Heather 02 Jan 2011, 16:50

Like Lenses: It took me some time to get used to wearing strong lenses. I remember about two years ago I went to the optometrist for an eye test and after the test, she asked me to put on the trial lenses and walk around the store for a while because she wanted me to check that I could cope with the new prescription. She asked me whether things appeared far away and very small (which they did). These questions made me realise that I was going to get quite a large increase in my prescription. If I remember correctly I got more than 1D increase in each eye at that time.

After switching from contacts to glasses full time and wearing -5 lenses I have also noticed that my vision is only 100% sharp if I look through the center of the lenses. There is only a very slight abberation towards the edges however. I am glad I got very thin lenses which are really much better than my previous lenses. Having to wear thick lenses was a major nuisance to me.

All4Eyes 31 Dec 2010, 23:57

Heather, Like Lenses: I started wearing glasses (or I should say, started wearing correction, since I hadn't even used contacts first as Heather did) at 14 with a -4 rx. I didn't really have any trouble at all, not with close vision or anything. The floor looked a bit strange at first, but I think I just wasn't used to actually being able to see the nap of the carpet.

Flaine 31 Dec 2010, 08:59

Happy New Year everyone!!! Its been a up and down year..worst still if ur a Liverpool supporter(i'm not)

Flaine 31 Dec 2010, 08:57

Hi:)

Soundmanpt 31 Dec 2010, 08:49

Cactus Jack

I blame it on old age, of course I never was much of a typist.

Cactus Jack 31 Dec 2010, 08:15

To all,

A Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Cactus

Cactus Jack 31 Dec 2010, 08:12

Aubrac,

I understand the problem very well. In addition to regularly hitting the keys in the wrong sequence (is there such a thing as dyslexia of the fingers?), I seem to have a tough time coordinating the "shift" key with the letter key I am trying to capitalize. I like to blame the typos on the keyboard and long for the wonderful feel of the IBM Selectric keyboard.

Lets don't sweat the small stuff.

C.

Aubrac 31 Dec 2010, 05:54

Cactus Jack

Sorry about the typo - maybe I need a new prescription!

Like lenses 30 Dec 2010, 18:15

The previous post was to Heather

Like lenses 30 Dec 2010, 18:14

I read in another post of yours ,that you are 37 now and got your first contacts about 15 years ago That works out to you getting your first Rx at 22,which would be adult onset myopia.

When you first started to wear glasses at -4.00 I can imagine the effects of minification. When I got my first minus glasses of -.75,I wore them full time from day one. I vividly remember for about a week misjudging stairs,and curbs,and the distance to door handles. I also remember at the optometrist office,he had me wearing the trial frame with the new soon to be Rx,for distance,and he handed me the near reading chart.When I attempted to read it at the distance that I was used to reading, I had to push it away quite a bit to see it. Each time I got a large increase pretty much the same things happened.

Do you notice that your vision is not as good unless you look through the exact center of your glasses? I first noticed this when my Rx reached -4.00.

Minus 5.00 myopia is certainly interesting, isn't it?

Heather 30 Dec 2010, 13:48

Like lenses: I used to have a similar problem with minification when I started wearing glasses. Although I have been nearsighted for many years, I only started wearing glasses a short time ago (when I could not wear contacts any more). So my prescription at that time was quite strong already (for a first-time glasses wearer) at around -4.

As with contacts you don't have the minification issue, this was something I had some trouble getting used to but now things are mostly fine. I still find the glasses a constant obstacle though especially when playing tennis - the lack of peripheral vision, lenses steaming up, etc. etc. ...

I am going to have my next appointment at the optician in January so I just hope things will go smoothly and that I won't need stronger (and thicker!) lenses again.

Aubrac 30 Dec 2010, 02:49

Cactus Kack

Many thanks for that - I'll try a few experiments

Like lenses 30 Dec 2010, 02:17

Heather

I too wear minus 5.00 for each eye.

I do not do well in sports such as tennis,because the minification of the lenses seem to affect my judgement of the ball,in both speed,and how close it actually is. I usually can not see it until it is too close. I sometimes try to squint to see it,but then have to relax the squint as it comes closer.Do you experience this also?

I have a pair of Rec Specs,and they not only offer protection to the eyes,but are held firmly in place by the elastic head band.

Wearing your friends weak glasses must have been difficult. I at one time had the left lense pop out of my frame. Things were so blurry that the only way that I could get around was to fit a piece of thin cardboard into the frame on the left side,and see out of the right lense.

Could you read with her glasses? I can not read with out mine,so wonder if weaker ones would even work for me.

Cactus Jack 29 Dec 2010, 05:24

Aubrac,

The key thing to remember about all this is that glasses or contacts neutralize or cancel out refractive errors caused by a mismatch between the length of the eyeball and combined optical power of its lens system (cornea, crystaline lens and the humors). A person who is myopic has excessive plus power for the length and a person who is hyperopic does not have enough plus power.

Not enough plus is the same as too much minus, but the lens system has only high plus lenses to work with. Also recall, that a typical eyeball with no refractive error is about 25 mm long with a relaxed lens system of +40 diopters.

In the specific instance you asked about, to simulate the vision of a +3 hyperope, you would need to wear about -8.50 to -8.75 glasses (because of vertex distance effects) or -8 contacts. If you have some glasses in the -4 to -5 range, you can simulate hyperopia by wearing them over your -5.00 glasses. It would not be exact but it would give you an idea. Depending on your accommodation, your ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses may try to neutralize some of the "pseudo" hyperopia, but at least you will get an idea.

C.

Laura 29 Dec 2010, 04:22

And.

In reply to your post on New Glasses, no not really. Going without glasses is hardly an option for me these days as I am currently looking though -10.00 and -9.50 when I'm wearing glasses. Regarding sleeping in contacts. yes I have done it once or twice and when I woke up it was excruciating trying to fish them out. It meant I had to wear glasses for about a week afterwards until my eyes recovered. Tell me about you.

Aubrac 29 Dec 2010, 02:12

Cactus Jack

I'm a very straight forward -5 in both eyes, tiny amount of cylinder in the left but doesn't make much difference.

Val 28 Dec 2010, 16:30

Aubrac, I am sorry, but in a few hours I'm leaving in a vacation. I will not have internet access where I'm going. I'll be home in a week and we can continue this discussion then.

I am wishing to all Eyescene community a Happy New Year. May The Year 2011 Bring for You Happiness,Success and filled with Peace, Hope & Togetherness of your Family & Friends.

Bye for now!

Cactus Jack 28 Dec 2010, 14:10

Aubrac,

I don't remember your glasses Rx. If you can provide it, I may be able to make a suggestion on how to simulate the vision of a person who needs +3 glasses for distance, without their glasses.

C.

Clare 28 Dec 2010, 13:42

Aubrac - my mother has something like a +4 prescription without the reading add included and can get by for alot of things without correction. To see clearly to watch TV and drive she needs glasses, and for reading of course, but she gets by the rest of the time. I don't get it either!

Aubrac 28 Dec 2010, 12:59

Val

I think we should be on the hyperopia progression thread as some posters get a bit touchy if we go off thread.

I still have difficulty in reconciling hyperopia vision with myopia. My wife has about half your plus correction although cylinder is -0.75 in both eyes, but still needs glasses (and stronger needed) as she cannot read signs, destination boards etc.

Maybe it is the astigmatism that causes my wife the problem because if you need a reading add, it means you cannot accommodate for distance.

I would be interested to know what the acuity of a a +3 sphere without accommodative correction can see, there are some simulators and these, especially after age 41, suggest a definite blur for distance with anything over +2, although you think you are about a -1.00 equivalent which is quite low and possibly not even needs correction for legal driving.

Sorry to go on about it, but as a simple myope, I am still trying to fathom the vision of +sphere wearers.

Maybe CJ can help!

Melyssa 28 Dec 2010, 08:50

And in an unrelated subject, I went sans eyewear (red cat's-eyes at that time) yesterday, twice for about 45 minutes at a time, as my husband and I shoveled 13 inches of snow from our driveway -- yes, the same 13 inches that as of Friday evening was supposed to have been a coating to an inch. :)

Melyssa 28 Dec 2010, 08:48

Heather,

I stopped playing tennis years ago, but when I did, I always wore a strap on my glasses to keep them in place.

I do hope your glasses were repaired properly.

Val 28 Dec 2010, 06:20

Aubrac, I wear my glasses full-time, except for doing sports. Not very much, 2 or 3 times a week.

I think that without glasses, for distance, I see like a -1 myope. But for close distances, anything under 1 meter (3 feet) causes pain. It's probably the presbyopia, also, along with hyperopia.

Aubrac 28 Dec 2010, 03:38

Val

I always find it interesting how hyperopes, sometimes with the same prescription, use their glasses differently.

Do you normally wear your glasses full time, and how many lines on the Snellen chart can you read with each eye as this gives a distance vision comparison with myopes like myself.

My wife is a hyperope with lower prescription than yours but uses her glasses for distance vision.

Val 28 Dec 2010, 01:25

I am a hyperope, so i cannot compare what I see with a myope. Yesterday I went (as usual) to play a little basketball. I always play without correction. My prescription is: OS: +3.25 with 0.5 astigmatism and OD: +4, no astig. I also have reading glasses with 0.75 add (I'm 42 yo).

So, after playing basketball for one hour, we went to play a little ping-pong - that is very rare - I think that last time I played ping-pong was a year ago.

But the problem was that I could not play without glasses. So I went to the locker room to get my glasses. It was the only way. I can play basketball without glasses anytime. But it seems that ping-pong is too much...

Heather 27 Dec 2010, 21:05

I was able to have the glasses fixed shortly thereafter which was a bit of a headache though. I went to an optician thinking that this could be done immediately but was told that I would have to pick them up a day later. This did not work for me though since I was on a business trip and had forgotten to take a spare pair of glasses with me.

It then struck me that I could ask my friend whether I could borrow her glasses. Although hers were probably too weak, I thought it would be better than nothing. When she let me try on her glasses I was quite disappointed though. While they helped a bit, everything was still very blurry. When I asked her about her prescription it turned out to be -1.5 and -1.75. In any case she lent me the glasses (as she also had contacts) and I had to wear them for the next two days until my own glasses were fixed. As you can imagine it was quite tough to function in them. I was trying to push them as close to my eyes as possible but they did not help very much. It felt like they were more of a "fashion accessory" rather than providing any vision benefit. Needless to say that I was so glad once I had my own glasses back.

Cactus Jack 27 Dec 2010, 19:58

Heather,

I suspect your tennis friend probably has an Rx of less than -2.00. Assuming that is the case, she can experience what you see without your glasses by removing her glasses and putting on a pair of +3.25 or +3.50 reading glasses and trying to play tennis in them. With an Rx in the -5 range, the ball would probably be a fuzzy blob at about 2 meters or about 7 feet. Something has to be within 8 inches or 20 cm to be seen clearly with your Rx.

C.

Flaine 27 Dec 2010, 19:30

Heather,

So are u gonna fix the glasses or get a new pair? Cross ur fingers that ur rx may drop haha!

Flaine

Heather 27 Dec 2010, 17:55

I posted here some time ago. I wear -5 lenses on both sides. I recently went to play tennis with a friend of mine who also wears glasses. During the game my glasses fell down and got a bit out of shape. I could still wear them but had to hold them with one hand otherwise they wouldn't have stayed on my nose. Therefore, I could obviously not play tennis any more.

My friend suggested to just take the glasses off and play without them (as if that was so easy!). I told her that I would never be able to see the ball without glasses. She could absolutely not believe that this could be the case and even got a bit angry with me saying that I am incredibly stubborn. She said that although she played tennis wearing her glasses she could easily take them off. Obviously she must have a weaker prescription. I found it strange though that some people cannot understand at all how those of us with a slghtly higher prescription are totally dependent on their glasses not just for playing tennis but for eveything really.

RT 16 Dec 2010, 08:55

I agree with Varifocals, the Laura C saga sounds very strange..

Astra 15 Dec 2010, 21:33

Laura C,

I think it's just like anywhere else on the public internet.

There are people of very different attitudes interacting each other.

Some intereactions can appear unfriendly to you, or whatever.

Just ignore those if you don't like. It's expected there would be some automatic comments by bots or whatever.

Astra 15 Dec 2010, 21:21

Varifocals,

maybe her sister changed. I think it's pretty normal.

PrO-Ogressives 15 Dec 2010, 07:45

Yes, I do. When I was 25 I needed glasses for nearsightedness in my left eye, so I had to wear them both for driving and reading. The myopia slowly increased along with some astigmatism, so a few years later I started wearing them full time to relieve eye strain. Then I developed presbyopia in both eyes when I was 40. I need to have a refraction check soon, but I remember that my spherical correction is OD -2.50 OS +0.75 for distance, sorry I don't remember the add-in. It took me a month or so to get used to the change in correction for reading, but 13 years later it's automatic for me.

Astra 14 Dec 2010, 22:44

PrO-Ogressives,

may I ask do you wear progressive lenses now?

PrO-Ogressives 14 Dec 2010, 17:00

When I was in middle school, I was extremely glad to have 20/20 vision, but a part of me wished I could be in the "four-eyes club" so that I could have an excuse to talk to girls about their glasses. B-)

Melyssa 14 Dec 2010, 14:47

Chrissi & Marie,

Even before I was interested in the opposite gender, I thought that the boys with glasses looked better to me than those without. At that time I was a very reluctant part-time wearer of glasses myself. Of course, things did turn out quite well, with me wearing beautiful glasses all the time and marrying a guy with glasses.

All4Eyes 13 Dec 2010, 23:52

Chrissi: Glad you and I think alike!

Chrissi 13 Dec 2010, 20:42

Reading through some random older posts...

I completely agree with All4Eyes post (23 Apr 2010, 22:46- 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.)

lol I just had to point that out. that is exactly how I feel about glasses. :) can finally put it into words, or rather, Marie put it into words for me! haha :)

 13 Dec 2010, 12:28

Please enough with the annoying posts. You might wake up Wei and we will have to deal with that!!!

 13 Dec 2010, 04:03

Typical responses from men posing as women. Sorry but some of us here aren't as fond of deception as you might care to believe.

 11 Dec 2010, 03:46

LauraC-

How did your sister find out?

Diane 09 Dec 2010, 20:00

I totally agree.

specs4ever 09 Dec 2010, 17:17

Well said Jennifer!

Jennifer 09 Dec 2010, 13:47

Not sure why you guys spend so much time trying to "out" someone on here. It's a waste of time...if you ask me. We all have our suspicions. Let's just leave it at that!

VARIFOCALS 09 Dec 2010, 09:01

LAURA C's COMMENTS ABOUT THE ROLE OF HER SISTER STRIKE ME AS VERY ODD.

sOME TIME AGO THE STORY WAS THAT HER SISTER WAS ANTI GLASSES SO THAT'S WHY SHE NEVER GOT THEM AS SHE FELT INTIMIDATED,

THE FOGGY SAGA CONTINUES!!

LauraC 09 Dec 2010, 03:03

Curious how you are speculating about me...

The truth is related to what Flaine said: i thought I found a place where to share my attitude to go around bareeyed, but this seems not to be the case. I prefer to chat on lenschat sometime or (better) to e-mail friends that understand what I'm doing. That's all. I still enjoy the blur. Or better: I hate the blur but I hate glasses even more! And contacts also.

Take care.

P.S. My sister recently discovered I don't see properly and suggested me to go and have my eyes tested as soon. I don't have any intention to do so and hope she will forget to remind or (worst) to tell our mother about my eyes! Bye bye.

Like lenses 09 Dec 2010, 01:29

As I stated,I have personally never been in this pub,or seen the girl,but only am going by what my friends have said,that so happened to sound a lot like Laura C.

 08 Dec 2010, 16:24

Concerning LauraC,

On 10/01 Like Lenses said "I may surprise you by coming into the pub,and privately presenting you with a pair of - 4.00 glasses that I no longer need.I may just leave them along with your tip."

On 10/03 Like Lenses said "Well lets just see what happens when I present her with the -4.00 glasses."

On 10/04 Astra said "oh I would like to know the pub... perhaps next time when I see you in lenschat."

On 10/06 LauraC posted her final comments on this board, without mentioning anything about a sudden departure.

Then suddenly Like Lenses never mentions the subject again. You have to admit that after Astra, Flaine, and Gullible Spotter called you out on this one, it seems you would have been determined to prove them wrong.

Maybe you had your reasons, but it just seems to be a very, very odd coincidence indeed that you stopped talking about LauraC and she stopped posting about her experiences at almost the same time.

Astra 08 Dec 2010, 05:18

have had enough fun going in blur today, but then later this night I will have to remove glasses again for bath.

so bye to the board for a while.

Astra 08 Dec 2010, 05:05

The exam was a short one lasting 2 hours.

so many hours before that, at 08:30, I went for a walk at a small beach nearby as I don't feel very well with this sudden change of weather. Too dry and dark at home.

it was not so pleasant because there's some middle aged cleaners around. I simply wanted to enjoy some silence, but the presence of such cleaners spoil some of the silence. They are talking loud each others, or their cleaning causes lotsa noise.

so I had some 15-20 min of silence before the cleaners' arrival, there was only me in that small beach.

came there with glasses on, but later on removed for some minutes and look around.

the sky was cloudless, bright blue enough, and it was pleasantly warm. nice, quiet surroundings.

but besides sky, sea and vegetation there's nothing there to see, upwards. so I did not feel too uncomfortable having removed my glasses and literally felt like sunbathing myself.

downward it's a bit different. the beach is not attractive, having many corals or some shells, either living or died. those shells does not look unlike to the wastes all around the beach when I had my glasses removed.

but anyway with so much wastes around, it's not so pleasant beach. it stinks, also with the smell of wastes all over the surroundings.

Astra 08 Dec 2010, 04:42

In today afternoon my nose and eyes both feel a bit uncomfortable due to extreme low humidity in the room.

Here in Hong Kong, this is the driest so far since March 2010. At noon, Relative humidity reading reaches 13% at my location.

I got a nap since 16:50, i.e. after the exam ends and I was back home.

Just got up, it's now 18:30. feeling too uncomfortable to read. It's good that it's night now, dark as usual, but my nose is bleeding because the nose is too dry, the air around is also too dry. drank some water, it does help a little but not much.

I am usually without glasses for a while until I sit down and work/type. But it's dark in my home so I wander around in dark, did not feel particularly blurry, as I did when walking back home hours earlier. I didn't recall the daytime, as I was too tired because of the bleeding nose that cause tears in my eyes.

It's a bit better now, and gotta see some lights outta window,

those lights look like firework, as usual.

(to be continued)

Like lenses 08 Dec 2010, 03:45

Curious

I can assure you that I was not posing as Laura C.

If you recall I had said that some friends had told me of a girl that sounded as though she could be Laura C.

I have not given this girl the glasses,as I am not sure it is Laura C,and would not want to embarrass another girl.

I also have not gone to this pub,and since my friends refer to her as the blind girl,would not want to give glasses to someone that may have problems that glasses will not correct.

I have been posting on other threads here regularly.

Flaine 07 Dec 2010, 22:56

Curious,

I dont think they are the same ppl. Firstly, ive been in contact with LauraC via email and the problem was that she receive lectures and stubborn remarks when she comes here or eyescene that made her avoid coming here. Whereas, Like Lenses may be like a busy person like me who may be 'lurking' but not posting unless interested.

Thanks.

Astra 07 Dec 2010, 17:15

Curious,

I think it's normal... people are not always want to share their experience in this BBS.

Curious 07 Dec 2010, 16:35

You might be surprised to learn I've been here since the beginning of this board but just don't make it my duty to make multiple posts every single day as some others do.

But my reference to "Like Lenses" was his very prominent statements about how he was going to prove us all wrong and give her a spare pair of glasses. Next thing you know both are gone, and he never returned to tell us the results of his so called proof of which pub she works in. Too much coincidence if you ask me!

I think there are really only 1 or 2 women that have ever posted regularly, the rest always disappear into the ether.

specs4ever 07 Dec 2010, 13:39

Likes Lenses has been around for quite a while Curious, so I wouldn't be so sure they were the same person. Of course anything is possible.

As to why there are so many fakers, I suppose the simple answer is because they can.

I have been around here for the better part of 14 years now, and fakers have come and fakers have gone. I think it is just part of the fetish. I have taken my desire to create "internet personna" and have turned it into writing stories about GWG's. But I am sure that if I hadn't done that, and found a way to post my stories I might have created a few internet personalities.

Actually this isn't just a problem with eyescene. This is happening all over the web. If you look on facebook at a person called Jesika Austin, you will find a picture taken from either Russian's or Micha's wonderful websites of "Beauty Margitka, and we know enough from other pcitures that the real person is named Margitka, so it is highly unlikely that she is herself using the name Jesika Austin. Also on there is a Laura Gregory supposedly from the UK who is using pictures from an American girl named KaitlynwithaK.

I don't know what the answer is, other than to take everyone you don't know personally with a grain of salt.

Curious 07 Dec 2010, 12:04

Has anyone noticed that "Like Lenses" disappeared at the same time as "Laura C?". I think we have our dual identity case taken care of. He was so adamant he knew her! Why do we have so many "fakers" here anyway?

varifocals 30 Nov 2010, 08:32

For those interested in lazer eye surgery todays UK paper The Daily Mail P. 45 on 30th november 2010 carries an interesting article oneye operations & some side effects.

It quotes a chap. Domic Devlin who has done research on this.

His website is: laser-eye-surgery-review.com

Astra 29 Nov 2010, 03:02

antonio-o

This month, I notice my eyes gradually become over-sensitive to bright lights when without glasses.

With glasses there's no problem.

antonio-o 28 Nov 2010, 16:13

All4Eyes,

without wearing glasses my eyes tend to tear up too,

especially if there´s any wind around,

perhaps they have lived too long behind glass :-)

cu, much fun,

antonio-o

All4Eyes 27 Nov 2010, 13:46

Astra: Well the way I squint is not really just narrowing my eyes continuously, but kinda alternating squinting and wide open eyes and sort of blinking hard at times. It's a little hard to explain and I think maybe you just either instinctively know how to do it or you don't. I don't consciously say to myself "I'm going to squint like this", I just naturally find myself doing it.

But it doesn't help me much at far distances anymore. In the space between 1 and 2 feet where my computer screen lives, squinting does still help a lot though.

Astra 27 Nov 2010, 07:27

All4eyes,

and I have no idea why you have clear and blurry spots noticeable.

Astra 27 Nov 2010, 07:25

All4eyes,

how to do the power squint? For me it just never works.

All4Eyes 27 Nov 2010, 00:11

And now my eyes are actually kinda burning and tearing up a little, especially the left one which is odd, considering it's my "good" eye. Is that weird?

All4Eyes 26 Nov 2010, 23:34

BTW, am I the only person who notices a tendency to rub their eyes a lot more when bare-eyed?

All4Eyes 26 Nov 2010, 23:16

Right now I'm having fun playing an online word-search game-sans specs! Itgot even more interesting when I decided to not let myself lean in closer then I normally would to see the screen. Now I'm doing power squints to the bizzilionth power. It's crazy, the gameboard looks so weird with my glasses off, kinda sort of clearish in spots and blurrier in other spots, almost like I have astigmatism but I don't. Anyway, I'm loving it, trying to search for words thru the blur and thinking "My eyes are SO screwed up!" --)

Clare 25 Nov 2010, 14:06

Melyssa - if I were a more regular glasses wearer I'd be the same as you, I'd not thought about it before but think it must be hard to have a varied wardrobe and only one pair of glasses. If the time ever comes that I can no longer wear contacts (fingers crossed that doesn't happen) I would certainly invest in a few pairs, at least!!

Melyssa 25 Nov 2010, 11:17

Clare,

What you said about your brown frames not going with your dress and jacket, that's basically how I go out and about, trying to match my clothing color(s) with frame color. It doesn't work perfectly with green or orange dresses, but for most other colors I get them to match. Of course, long ago in the years B.D.T. (Before Drop-Temples) I had no choice, with just one pair of glasses, more often than not being brown frames. I have very little in the way of brown outfits, but the beige ones go well with brown frames.

Clare 24 Nov 2010, 15:29

Astra - sorry you've lost me!

Clare 24 Nov 2010, 15:28

And - actually the first thing that came to mind was that my brown frames wouldn't go with my grey/white/black dress and black jacket! Maybe if I'd felt more co-ordinated I'd have kept them on but old habits die hard so probably not.

It was okay, maybe helped because I didn't know many people there and those I knew I had never met, just spoken by phone. It occured to me that the first impression I would make would be that I was a glasses wearer, maybe another influencing factor. But really I don't need glasses to eat dinner or conduct conversation with people sitting next so it wasn't actually necessary to wear them, but it would have been helpful later in the evening to see further down the 20' table. I've never wanted to be one of those people who's constantly putting their glasses on and taking them off, but of course I put them back on as I left for the journey home.

Of course I've changed my contacts now.

Astra 24 Nov 2010, 04:16

I'm not sure about higher rx,

but the direct relations of acuity to rx,

was also a rough empirical estimate. very likely taken account of allowing slight astigmatism and other forms of irregular refractive errors.

therefore

-1 corresponds to 20/100

is actually quite rare.

most people reach 20/100 at least when they reach -1.5 , if they have no astig rx.

-2 corresponds to 20/200

-4 corresponds to 20/400

These I'm not so certain you can always fit the above perfect linear relationship as well, but also very likely they have taken account of the effect from slight astigmatism or other irregularities.

Overall these irregularities (apart from spherical rx) can affect your bare-eyed distance acuity.

Astra 24 Nov 2010, 04:06

Clare,

There are various factor affecting that.

Under low light conditions one can't see the car plate as far. I'm not sure if you have taken that into account.

Also if you have astigmatism (or other types of irregular refractive errors) of 0.25 diopter or more,

your acuity without glasses may be less than corresponding spherical rx without astigmatism.

And what I did was a rough estimation.

Therefore I gave a range of distance on previous post.

Astra 24 Nov 2010, 03:53

I estimate that on a bus stop, which can stop 2 buses simulatneously.

I can read the bus number when the bus is located before the crossing, which is approx. 5-10 m from the bus stop.

My location was about 15 m from the crossing.

Later on the bus stop at about 3 m from me, I estimate the bus is about 11 m long, according to the type of bus. If the 11 m bus can fit the bus stop, I estimate the distance from crossing must be about 15 m. And as I can see it before crossing, there should be at least 5-10 m before that.

Therefore for bus number, it was 15-25 m.

Car plate: Later on I stand near the end of bus stop. about 21-22 m from crossing. A 11 m bus stops at the earlier stop, and I can read the car plate. the distance left should be about 8-10 m.

Therefore for car plate, it was 8-10 m.

And 23 Nov 2010, 17:02

Clare - how did you feel wearing glasses yesterday ? Why did you not wear them over dinner ? Have you tried the car number plate test ?

Clare 23 Nov 2010, 13:39

Astra - you said without glasses that 'car plates of 8-10 cm tall can be seen at 8-10 m away'. Can you really see that without your glasses? I'm less than you and I'm sure I couldn't make them out at that distance!

Astra 23 Nov 2010, 10:04

Flaine,

Don't want to overwhelm this thread, I may reply you via mail.

Guest 23 Nov 2010, 07:58

For those who persistently avoid wearing glasses with a low prescription (-1 or -2) when they ate young, is it common for people to find it more difficult to go without them as they age? Into the 40s or 50s maybe?

Flaine 23 Nov 2010, 07:14

Kate,

Hoho since u got an early x'mas present!

What is the new frame style and how much was the increase?

Flaine

Astra 23 Nov 2010, 03:44

for me i feel like very blind when going without glasses. the most insecure part is the floor !

Astra 23 Nov 2010, 03:31

Flaine,

this month.

Astra 23 Nov 2010, 03:29

Aubrac,

also some girls can be very reluctant to wear glasses.

their eyes may be deteriorated by 1 or 2 diopters already.

if the glasses is -4 to -5

her required rx can be -5 to -7

Therefore it's definitely nice for us to see such people struggling to see. they are just so cute !

Astra 23 Nov 2010, 03:26

But we should take note,

with such acuity it's meaningless.

as most objects she sees would be without features at all.

even if she can see the seat at 3 m.

but she may find it a bit blurry and struggles to see the details, so she may prefer to spot it at about 1-1.5 m.

Astra 23 Nov 2010, 03:22

The previous post was posted by me.

Aubrac,

If we estimate the girl's distance acuity is slightly worse than 20/400.

we expect she need an acuity for 15-25 tall objects.

then she probably can find a seat from 3-7 m away.

 23 Nov 2010, 03:19

for moderate cobbles on a ground, about 0.5 cm tall. (common use is for decoration)

for 20/200 they can be seen from about 0.5 m away.

(you can't even see the cobbles when walking ! definitely a hazard)

20/40 would be 2.5 m

20/20 would be 5 m (very safe from such hazard)

for read-friendly moderate sized text, about 0.5 cm tall.

for 20/200 they can be seen from about 0.3 m away.

(you can't even see the words when sitting normally.)

20/40 would be 1.5 m

20/20 would be 3 m (you can read easily when the book is on the floor, while standing)

----------------------

So enjoy the difference !

Astra 23 Nov 2010, 03:11

for very thin, moderate contrast stylish large text, about 5 cm tall. (most suitable for boards in classrooms, in average light conditions. )

for 20/200 they can be seen from about 0.5-0.7 m away.

20/40 would be 2.5-3.5 m

20/20 would be 5-7 m

for large cobbles on a ground, about 1 cm tall.

for 20/200 they can be seen from about 1 m away.

(a hazard for unpaved/poorly paved pedestrian paths !, unless you are shorter than 1.1 m tall)

20/40 would be 5 m

20/20 would be 10 m

Astra 23 Nov 2010, 03:06

Using the same ratio we can estimate,

for large size bold texts, about 2 cm tall.

for 20/200 they can be seen from about 2 m away.

20/40 would be 10 m

20/20 would be 20 m

for medium-thin, usual projector large texts, about 3-5 cm tall. (suitable for lecture halls)

for 20/200 they can be seen from about 2 m away.

20/40 would be 10 m

20/20 would be 20 m

for very thin, high contrast stylish large text, about 5 cm tall. (suitable for boards in classrooms, in excellent light conditions and contrast)

for 20/200 they can be seen from about 1 m away.

20/40 would be 5 m

20/20 would be 10 m

Astra 23 Nov 2010, 03:00

Perhaps in a city, we rarely use vision beyond 50 m. (i.e. about 100-200 m)

But 100-200 m is the distance for 20/20 vision,

they can spot car plates, destination signs, bus numbers, human faces with ease.

Astra 23 Nov 2010, 02:55

the estimation in my previous post was made without glasses.

Astra 23 Nov 2010, 02:53

For going around a city,

My personal experience at -3.5 , as of 2010.11.23

under normal light conditions,

car plates of 8-10 cm tall can be seen at 8-10 m away.

(for 20/40 to 20/80 would be about 45-23 m)

(for 20/20 would be about 80-100 m)

bus numbers/destination sign of 15-25 cm tall can be seen at 15-25 m away.

(for 20/40 to 20/80 would be about 105-50 m)

(for 20/20 would be about 200 m)

Aubrac 22 Nov 2010, 10:44

Going without glasses is certainly a very personal thing, but when you are over -2.50 you just miss so many things. Not being able to see leaves, blades of grass, birds, and other nice people wearing glasses, is a great loss.

I just love crystal clear vision and would prefer over to under correction any day.

At Victoria Station the other week I saw a girl screwing her eyes up so hard to look at the destination board, she gave up and pulled some glasses from her bag that were about -4/-5, read the board, then took them off - how she manages to find a seat on the train I don't know!

Flaine 21 Nov 2010, 07:04

Astra,

Since when did you had the increase? I thought u were -3 since i knew you whwn i came to eyescene.

Regards.

Astra 21 Nov 2010, 05:44

re guest,

yes.

Guest 21 Nov 2010, 05:42

Astra

Have you had a big increase recently? I thought you were -2.50!

Astra 21 Nov 2010, 03:11

But there are incidences that are more dangerous, that's my personal experience early November:

I really like to walk on those unused paved roads, which allows one-lane transport for vehicles. But the roads are now prohibits transport of vehicles.

When I visit one of such roads nearby, I thought, the road is large.

It seems easy for a while. taking off glasses and walk.

But later on you see the road skew on one side, slightly.

This is not so dangerous yet.

The bad thing is that I can't see the pedestrian crystal clear.

There's no accident going on.

But it was really bad when I turn right too slowly. Now the large road becomes "small", because after further 50 cm I would be down the slope.

I quickly turn right and push my glasses back to the eyes. really scared about how this large road 2.5 m wide becomes a small road like 50 cm wide.

Astra 21 Nov 2010, 03:03

NKO: "Outdoors in daylight it's really easy. It still amazes me how easy it is. "

I'm -3.50 and I feel the same too.

It's easy, but if you look at the floor. urgh, it's blurry.

But still very easy to navigate, around a city for example.

NKO 20 Nov 2010, 07:45

Hello,

Re Danny:

I started reducing the use of the glasses because wearing them impairs my slight esophoria -when present-. And in the hope of obtaining some improvement in myopia....

Re Aubrac:

No way 20/20. I got used to the blur. That means that not only "me" but somehow my eyes too are getting used to it; it seems after a while of being without glaaes you use your eyes differently, more like they are intended to be used (I guess).

Somehow when you use glasses most of the time and occasionally stay without them the eyes "wait to see" but you don't see enough; after months I re-learned to use my eyes, my gaze...

So I'm still -3,25 -maybe a bit less- but I'm less myopic you could say....

I still cannot recognise people acrosse the street....

Re Clare:

Outdoors in daylight it's really easy. It still amazes me how easy it is.

Indoors not so easy...

After sunset it'different, quite hard.

Anyway in known places and with known people there are no real problems even during the night...

See you...

Clare 18 Nov 2010, 13:58

At -3.25 I'd find it hard to imagine *never* wearing glasses. It must be very difficult to navigate easily in strange places, irrespective of whether it's safe to do so.

Aubrac 18 Nov 2010, 10:37

NKO

You say you are content with your vision. Does that mean you now have 20/20 vision or have got used to the blur, getting closer to signs, etc.

I had a friend with -3.50 glasses she hardly ever wore, and used to practise the Bates method but she still couldn't recognise me across the street.

Do you drive by the way?

danny 17 Nov 2010, 08:22

@NKO

what was the reason for doing so? 'Usually' it's the other way around and people can't imagine going without (especially fulltime). I assume you are not driving? Can you go 'bare' without any trouble at this rate of myopia?

bye,

danny

NKO 17 Nov 2010, 08:14

I'm a 38 y.o. male.

I have a myopia of about 3,25.

My first glasses were -1,25. I was no more able to read the blackboard ever from the first row.

When I was 20 and about -2,75 I begun wear the glasses full time.

I have slightly crossed eyes intermittently since I am 18 y.o.

Since about 1,5 years ago I started using less the glasses, using progressively undercorrected glasses, and now it's been 10 months of no glasses at all.

So I'm going without glasses and I'm content with it.

 08 Nov 2010, 15:19

duh. it is a girl, watch her other videos and do a little research.

maesser 08 Nov 2010, 04:47

are u really sure its a girl?

Astra 08 Nov 2010, 03:01

A girl going bare-eyed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTbedlHsOQk

maesser 19 Oct 2010, 11:47

oh... wrong thread :)

maesser 19 Oct 2010, 11:42

i think she is really cute

Puffin 19 Oct 2010, 05:08

It is also a thread for those who normally wear glasses - possibly with much higher RX than LauraC - to relate their experiences of doing without for a while.

As for LauraC nobody forced her to come here. She just wanted to know whether not wearing glasses would cause more problems than it solves. It's not easy to say either way really. As below "time will tell". It's not an easy world to survive with fuzzy vision. Who knows what will happen?

 18 Oct 2010, 17:33

GREAT guys. Looked like YOU chased out Laura C for good this time. Sad that she faced a mob with pitchforks here in a thread that was supposed to praise going without glasses.

varifocals. 06 Oct 2010, 11:04

Time will tell.

Chino 06 Oct 2010, 07:58

Whoa there varifocals. Lets not jump the gun just yet. As to my post, it's really just a hypothesis right now. I won't know for certain if going bare-eyed will increase myopia in late-onset myopes. It's going to take a 6-month long experiment on my part to test this. I'm also going to conduct another 6-month long experiment after that to see if near-focus blur accelerates bare-eyed myopia progression in late-onset myopes.

So the verdict, at least for me, won't be in for another 6 months to a year. It has taken years for LauraC's myopia to progress to where it is. I don't think another 6-12 months is going to have a huge impact on her eyesight.

It's obvious that LauraC isn't just doing this for vanity. She has a legitimate concern and does not want to potentially induce further myopia by wearing minus lenses.

Having said that, I totally agree with DE L who said "Can we stop asking someone in the Going without Glasses thread to go out and get glasses, please?" I think what LauraC is doing is so incredibly sexy, but that's just me :D.

To LauraC...like Tedesca said, "Go without glasses!"

varifocals 06 Oct 2010, 06:29

Laura. I wonder what state your eyes will be in 10 years time.

Others with lots of experience have warned you.

LauraC 06 Oct 2010, 01:55

Hi all,

no spare glasses as a tip up to now. I'm still waiting for this useful gift otherwise... it means that we are at least two blind waitresses in the world! ah ah

Tedesca: it seem you are italian. No italian friend approving what I'm doing so far (and very few worlwide, unfortunately :( ) glad to meet you. Feel free to write me in pvt if you want (my adress is here below posted few weeks ago). Are you resisting to glasses, too?

Love to you all.

varifocals. 05 Oct 2010, 09:26

The story of the squinting bride that Astra refers to was made worse & resulted in a major row as the husband was also myopic & wore his glasses to the wedding. He was stunned to see her without hers on. Being a full time wearer since 11 this must have been a strain. She said she felt like a fish out of water. The pictures were black & white & only one reains a full face close up which hangs in their kitchen. Her Mother who was anti glasses ( her 2 sisters have good eyesight) may not have helped matters.

It was picked up at school at 7 she needed glasses & it was only the threat of action by the school authorities that she got glasses at 11. Her Mother was Lebonese & she had similar complexion, lovely almond myopic eyes & black hair. She wears glasses full time & has never worn contacts.

Tedesca 05 Oct 2010, 07:30

Ciao Laura!

Ti ammiro! Vai senza occhiali!

T

Astra 05 Oct 2010, 07:29

Varifocals,

Your story of squinting wedding photo makes me wonder,

Does myopic eyes squint when they sleep or have their eyes closed, normally?

Astra 04 Oct 2010, 09:42

likelenses,

Are you from London, or elsewhere in UK ?

There seems to be many Londoners on this thread now. If the pub is in London then other members from London may visit the pub.

Flaine 04 Oct 2010, 09:23

Kate,

I agree with you. I havent heard feom Laura for over a week now that she havent replied my last email. I guess she is too busy working and getting along with the guys that she has forgotten about me and her email haha she usually replies in 1 or 2 days!!

Astra 04 Oct 2010, 08:12

I'm waiting to see likelenses report how laura react when he gives the lenses to her.

haven't visited this thread for a while, at first didn't know what's special about the pub for laura.

wow. if she have to see dishes that close it would be so fantastic experience for some customers. Some customers may think otherwise. but whatever.

incredible. i wanna likelenses (or someone else) to take a photo with her and share on flickr if he/she wish to, and send them on eyescene. it sounds fantastic... for sure.

Astra 04 Oct 2010, 03:49

Like lenses,

oh I would like to know the pub... perhaps next time when I see you in lenschat.

Astra 04 Oct 2010, 03:37

Varifocals,

it's not sad for her...

it would be an interesting case we've ever met on eyescene.

Soundmanpt 04 Oct 2010, 00:43

It would seem that Laura C. has little or no desire to drive. She must live close to where she works and is happy to get others to drive her if she needs to go farther away. If she ever gets the desire or need to drive I would think she quite well knows the first stop must be to get glasses, based on her observation.

Clare I did enjoy how you stated it though, very well to the point.

Clare 03 Oct 2010, 15:39

I think the real thing that forces the issue is getting a driving licence - if you don't want to drive it must be easy to wander around as blind as ever.

Like lenses 03 Oct 2010, 04:12

Gullible spotter & Flaine

Well lets just see what happens when I present her with the -4.00 glasses.

varifocals 02 Oct 2010, 14:04

Hi. On 30th September I told you of a girl at work some years ago who tried doing a Laura C

In the end she was had in by the Office Manager in London Transport & instructed that she must have contact lens or glasses as she was considered a menace to herself & other workers.

This was supported by her parents.

I was the staff representative.

As mentioned she ended up getting married wearing her glasses & still happily wears them full time now

Chino 02 Oct 2010, 13:34

This is for LauraC.

I have been trying to induce myopia for a long time with little success. I posted some research results in the Induced Myopia thread that suggested a fundamental difference in myopia progression for late-onset myopes like you and I.

Here is some background information on me. I didn't get glasses until my junior year of high school. I knew that I needed them because I could not see things my friends saw, but I didn't want to wear them. I finally gave in when I could not read the board from the front row, even while squinting. By then, I was -2.00 in each eye. Even then, I only wore them for reading the board in class. I do remember doing a lot of reading bare-eyed. I didn't start wearing them full-time until the end of my senior year of high school. By then, I was -3.75/-3.25.

My current prescription is -5.00. So the majority of my RX increase occurred when I did not wear my eyeglasses, and I think I know why.

Going back to the AC/A ratio (accommodative convergence)/accommodation, by going bare-eyed, my ciliary muscles didn't really need to accommodate if I read something just inside my focal length. However, my eyes DID need to converge to read up close. So, there's convergence, but very little accommodation, giving me a HUGE AC/A ratio. Near-focus blur might be a factor too. If you routinely read bare-eyed but just outside your focal length, to where it's slightly blurry, that might accelerate your myopia progression as well.

Like me, you are a late-onset myope LauraC. Your refusal to wear eyeglasses reminds me of my own situation in high school. However, I'm afraid you might be doing yourself more harm than good by going bare-eyed. That technique might work with early-onset myopes who are sensitive to accommodation. In late-onset myopes, I think it has the opposite effect.

Late-onset myopia is generally applied to people who didn't start to become myopic until around 15 years of age. Like I said, I have been trying to induce myopia for a very long time, since I was about your age. Wearing glasses, even glasses stronger than what I need, didn't do the trick. I'm going to try going bare-eyed and, in particular reading bare-eyed for six months, just to see if it works.

LauraC - if you want to continue going bare-eyed that's up to you. But if my efforts prove successful and, in 6 months, I am able to increase my myopia by doing what you're doing, you might want to rethink your policy on glasses.

Hope this helps.

Chino

Gullible Spotter 02 Oct 2010, 12:19

@LikeLenses... and please tell me you were smart enough to realize they were also simply reading the story off this board or are the actual Laura C writers themselves trying to jerk your chain.

There is no way they would have known that much detail about some waitress they don't even know. Sorry I don't buy your friends "sudden" coincidental mention of all the exact same details posted here.

Flaine 02 Oct 2010, 09:46

Like lenses,

Sry lime lenses, this post is not meant to offend you but i wont buy your story..

Like lenses 01 Oct 2010, 23:40

Laura C

I think that I know the pub that you work at. It is really a small world.

Yesterday some friends that I know were talking about this certain pub, ( I will not mention the name ). They were talking about a girl that works there, that they refer to as visually impaired. They said that they thought that she may be partially blind,as she does not wear glasses, but seems to not be able to see much. They then went into the same story of this girl almost putting her face into a customers dish,to see what it was,so she could serve it to a second customer.

I may surprise you by coming into the pub,and privately presenting you with a pair of - 4.00 glasses that I no longer need.I may just leave them along with your tip.

Chino 30 Sep 2010, 17:30

Here's the thing. I love walking around bare-eyed. I love the softness everything has. My prescription is -5.00 D in both eyes without astigmatism. So I can verify that LauraC can indeed get by at -4.00 and -3.00 D. Sure, reading most signs is out of the question, reading the board from the front row is impossible, recognizing people by sight alone ain't gonna happen, and I definitely cannot drive, but there is plenty I still can do.

I don't bump into people. I don't need to squint (not that it does much good at my prescription). I can see cars and avoid them. I get around campus just fine without getting disoriented. Sure it's more difficult at night, but you can do it. Given how LauraC described her adaptations to the blur, I can totally see her pulling it off at the pub. You also have to keep in mind that, since she doesn't wear glasses at all, her ciliary muscles are completely relaxed. They have no need to accommodate. So the blur she experiences is not as intense as that of a myope with -4.00 D who momentarily takes off the eyeglasses.

I realize there is a crisp world she is missing out on, but she has her reasons and she is a grown, responsible adult fully capable of making her own decisions. Live and let live.

To LauraC: If you would like to prevent your late-onset myopia from getting worse, I actually have some very good tips. Since I'll probably have stones tossed at me for suggesting that here LOL, feel free to e-mail me off-board at lorenzorgz@gmail.com.

DE L 30 Sep 2010, 14:57

(BLOWS LOUD WHISTLE) Can we stop asking someone in the Going without Glasses thread to go out and get glasses, please?

Okay now let's keep in mind that there are some of us here who find women who go about their lives not wearing needed glasses highly erotic. That is a personal choice they make, and they shouldn't be ganked here for making that choice. Definitely not in a thread dedicated to these special women who lovingly make such a deliciously erotic choice.

Laura, I personally applaud your decision and I bet you have the sexiest eyes of any woman who has ever posted on this board. I think you definitely should not get glasses, and wish that you would please continue to share your experiences having a more difficult time seeing without glasses.

Soundmanpt 30 Sep 2010, 12:58

Laura C.

Have you ever asked your best friend if she ever notices you squinting badly to try and see. If she is honest and really your friend she should tell you the truth.

I am sure our comments in here will not do anything to change your mind about getting glasses, but I am curious what will? At what point will you finally say " Okay I give up, I can't see, I got to get some glasses?"

varifocals 30 Sep 2010, 04:29

Laura C is, I believe a 21 year old Italian lass.

They can be stubborn.

I agree with like lens & she should look ahead a bit.

I knew a girl the same & after loosing one boy friend who got fed up with her vanity, by a quirk of fate moved in at Stanmore with a chap that made her wear her glasses.

Contacts which gave trouble anyway were ditched & she married wearing glasses.

Like lenses 30 Sep 2010, 01:24

Laura C

You can bet that EVERYONE, to include your fellow workers,and customers at the pub know that you are very myopic.

In addition to your squinting,your eyes uncorrected have a vacant look,which is typical of a uncorrected myope.

Cactus jack 29 Sep 2010, 22:39

Chrissi,

Thank you for your answer.

I think what you are experiencing without your glasses is quire reasonable considering your Rx, I am working on what I hope will be an understandable explanation, but it may take a few days.

Sometimes it takes a lot of words to make something as involved in how the eye's positioning system works, easy to understand. I would like to help you understand.

Vision and how it works is one of the most incredible parts of a living being.

May I ask your favorite subjects?

C.

Chrissi 29 Sep 2010, 19:51

Cactus Jack--

Hi, sorry for not clarifying.

I meant that I have a hard time making my eyes go straight and focusing on one object. It's not that my eyes go in all directions, but it just feels like I can't focus on just one thing, even if I can see it a little bit.

I do not see double. If I did, I don't think I would be able to tell anyway since everything is so blurry without glasses/contacts.

I don't have trouble seeing things that are a few cm away from my nose, although I cannot use both eyes to see that close without correction. Usually if I ever hold something that close to see it clearly without correction, my left eye turns outwards.

I am fifteen years old and still attending high school. I live in the U.S. :)

Thanks for your reply!

Soundmanpt 29 Sep 2010, 17:29

Soundmanpt

By the way your english is fine. I have lived my whole life in the USA and your english is as good if not better than mine.

Soundmanpt 29 Sep 2010, 17:27

4eyes

That was me and as I said I am sorry for my stupid mistake. Please forgive me?

4eyes 29 Sep 2010, 16:23

I don't remember I ever said anyhing about "young lady"... GRRRRRR.

When I say my English sucks, trust me I know what I said.

Anderson from S�o Paulo.

BTW. I got my newest glasses, and at over Adding +10.00 that means that I won't need any other helping devide yet... YUUPPEEEEE.

Fui.

4eyes 29 Sep 2010, 16:14

To my friend Cactus Jack, I wish the happiest Birthday...

From your friend Anderson.

varifocals 29 Sep 2010, 04:29

Laura C was in the PMP chat room last night. She is totally against wearing glasses. I did not know she had none at all. One wonders if she has ever had a peek through a friends glasses as some of us has done. I doubt it as she would see a new world.

I am afraid the chat shows one subborn young lady who views the myopic blur as ASBo, A badge to be worn with honour insteady of vanity..

Squint & be proud of it.!

Sad, but she wont give in so it will be interesting to see what her vision is like when she is 25, after a dose of myopic progression.

Cactus Jack 29 Sep 2010, 00:59

Chrissi,

Your question is very hard to answer because you need to have an understanding of how the eyes are supposed to work and how your eyes work with very high myopia. The answer involves an understanding of the basic laws of optics and the functioning of the control and positioning mechanisms of the eye.

When you say you have trouble focusing without correction, it is not clear what you mean by that. Do you mean that you have trouble:

1. Converging your eyes and see double?

2. That you cannot see things beyond 4 inches or 10 cm?

3. Focusing on things closer than 4 inches or 10 cm?

To help me word my answer, could you provide your age, occupation, education and the country where you live?

Thanks

C.

Filthy McNasty 28 Sep 2010, 23:31

One might be forgiven for suspecting that people who tend to have trouble focussing without glasses need glasses in order to focus easily.

Chrissi 28 Sep 2010, 22:57

Just out of curiosity, why is it that when I am uncorrected (contacts: -10.5, -9.5) that I have such a hard time focusing my eyes? I don't have prism btw.

I know it's something to do w/ the high degree of myopia that I have, but why is that?

Soundmanpt 28 Sep 2010, 13:13

Laura C.

You mentioned cute guys that come into the pub, surely being female you must know about eye attraction between sexes? Has it at all occurred to you that if a cute guy is looking at you and is trying to make eye contact with you and of course you can't see far enough to know it. He may think your stuck-up or not interested in him?

Bye the way, I don't care how cute you are but if you got so close to my plate of food as you described I may not say anything but it is likely I wouldn't come back again. You should have been very embarrised doing that.

Like others have stated your squinting is NOT fooling your friends, the only one your fooling is yourself.

I know someone will take your side and they and you are right it is your eyes and your life, but it's a sad way to live it.

Soundmanpt 28 Sep 2010, 13:03

varifocials

One big problem, Laura C. doesn't even own a pair of glasses. That way I guess she feels she wouldn't be tempted to wear them and find that she would quickly not be able to do without.Crazy idea, but I guess so far it works for her. Maybe someday she will give in and I am sure she will be sooooo sorry she didn't do it sooner.

varifocals. 28 Sep 2010, 10:50

Sorry it should have been Laura, but the sad tale is the same & she has never taken her glasses off again like that

varifocals 28 Sep 2010, 10:48

I agree with the other comments, Clare, your friends will know so you are only fooling yourself. so wear your glasses & enjoy life.

A friend of mine had a hard time without her glasses, a while ago, caused by her Mother who hated glasses.

She was found to be myopic at scholl at 7 but it was only after a row beteen the scholl & her parents she finally got glasses.

fast forward to her wedding to a fellow myopie, her Mother nagged her not to wear glasses to show off her large almond eyes.

This was a disaster as she felt like a fish out of water.

The photos all showed the poor girl squinting badly.

So as you need them , clare wear them. In a few weeks you will forget all about it.

Most of us have been there too.

Julian 28 Sep 2010, 10:00

LauraC: Cactus Jack is SO right. Shortsightedness like yours is obvious to just about everybody, and I'll bet it's only a matter of time before somebody says to you, "Why don't you put on your glasses?" If you think wearing glasses won't help you get the attentions you want you may be right, in which case contacts will solve the problem. But I think you're as likely to be wrong.

Cactus Jack 28 Sep 2010, 06:21

LauraC,

Don't kid yourself. Your friends KNOW you are shortsighted by your efforts to compensate and conceal it. If they wear glasses, they spot the symptomatic behaviors even quicker than a stranger will. They probably did it themselves before they got glasses. They are just too nice to comment or don't want to hear your denials. They KNOW the truth.

C.

varifocals 28 Sep 2010, 05:43

Laura C should bite the bullet & wear her glasses. There is a nice sharp world out there, full of fun.

Try & enjoy it.

You may be suprised.

Dont let your sister's comments worry you.

Some boys love girls in glasses & are not turned on by squinting ones.

LauraC 28 Sep 2010, 00:42

I'm sure my myopia is still increasing, unfortunately. At least I'm sure one or two years ago my eyes weren't that bad as they are today... I have a few shortsighted friends including my best friend, but they always wear glasses or contacts. Bye

P.S: No one knows I'm shortsighted but my best friend, so no comment or so about my vision...

And 27 Sep 2010, 18:55

LauraC, do you think your eyes are still changing ? Do you have friends who are shortsighted ? If so do any of them manage without correction ?

minus 5 who luvs gwgs 27 Sep 2010, 17:52

Well guys would like you in glasses if they were eyescene members Ialways prefer girls in glasses the thicker the better

LauraC 27 Sep 2010, 17:41

So far no major troubles at the pub. I had just once when one of my customers wanted the same dish another guy was eating. I needed to get so close to see and when I realised everyone was astonished in seeing my face almost into his plate, I just pretended I was jocking with a "very close inspection" in that guy's dish! Ah, ah...

You are right that I cannot figure if one is calling me from the other side of the room, I just walk around close to the tables I manage during the pauses to see (more or less) my customer's faces. That's all. Not so difficult, I think.

BTW the pub is a very good place to meet cute guys and (sometime) receive some attentions from them! I love such

attentions (as any other girl does, I presume...) and I think glasses would not help.

Soundmanpt 19 Sep 2010, 18:14

4eyes

Very sorry about, I should have known if I had looked back on past comments.

Cactus Jack 19 Sep 2010, 17:58

Soundmanpt,

FYI, 4eyes, AKA Anderson is a fine young man from Brazil. I have had the pleasure of knowing and chatting with him for years. He is highly respected here on Eyescene, because of what he has been able to achieve in spite of his vision problems. He can do things that many Eye Care Professionals have been taught were impossible.

I am very proud to be able to call him Meu amigo Anderson.

C.

Soundmanpt 19 Sep 2010, 17:43

4eyes

I think you do very well with your English. It's sad that people will not hire you because of how your glasses look. You should be judged by your abilities. I think you will soon find a job and be very good at it. Good luck young lady.

4eyes 19 Sep 2010, 17:35

hi everybody.

I hope I am posting this in the right place.

As I do every week-end I went to a Park here in the city to have fun, ride a bike and play soccer. Yesterday it was fine so hopefully today would be the same, but I woke later just to began with wrong foot. So we went to the park later, me and our governess, even when she didn't want to. I should have guessed, but I won the argument, so it was settled. Actually my playing soccer game ability is sucking but I really enjoy playing soccer, be playing it well or badly I don't care as long I play it even if as a substitute sometimes, HEHEHEH.

My father is traveling and I kind off, have nobody telling me what to do and I go everywhere I want at anytime and I can play longer at Ibirapuera Park if I wanted to. So today I was playing by lunch time, when there was less people playing soccer so we were playing with another team we'd never played before, without any restriction. It couldn't be easier.

There was a boy everybody would call William "O cara". He seems to be a hell of player, so there were a kind of arguments who he would play with amoung his peers. As the game began somebody told me to keep an eye on him because he were good with tackles and he had a nasty kicking and that his appearance shouldn't fool me. The funny thing is that I didn't realize he has crossed eyes until somebody called him "Zarolho do caralho" swearing because he'd missed the ball after several tackles and then another boy swore to him again " Zoinho Son of Bitch, seu Vesgo fominha". Only then I looked at his features with more attention and I saw he was indeed cross eyed. But, how come he being as cross eyed as I am he DIDN"T have any eyeglasses? I never saw anything like that, I was wondering and then he beat me by doing a goal I hate to admit he did. A goal by Achilles tendon. The kid was not even looking at me when he did it. What the f#@* did he do I was still wondering? Then everybody ended up talking about his goal by Achilles tendon. Man, that was humiliating, I wanted real bad talk to him, but I was so ashamed because of the goal he did on me. As we won the match, we played the next game and by the end of this one I think the kid and his friends had gone. I swear, the weirdest thing was that he has no glasses. How come? I don't get it. Was it possible that maybe, he was on contact lenses?

I am going to lunch and then I will return to the Indoor Area in the park and hopefully find him. I didn't find him later but I learned those guys play by Noon. The day ended up as hell of day and I ended up full of curiosity about that kid.

Flaine... I am from Brazil.

You bet. For the first time I realized I was different and even today, I'd never again saw the world as sharp as in those days. As for my English, I'd never studied it but in School only, so sometimes I got funny comments about. so I know my English sucks.

As for job, somebody told me couple months ago it would be difficult for me to get a job, but I'd never thought it would be this stressing. I've been dismissed from some people just because of my eyes appearance and because of the looking of my eyeglasses. I should expect that, not those funny comments I hear sometimes. Another day I just finished an assembling computer test, when somebody told me I should have applied for "vision impairment"... I'd just turned around and walked away without saying a single word, but I was so deeply ashamed of myself for while. But I still love computers. What can I do? HEHEH.

Anderson, from S�o Paulo, Brazil. Next month I'm gonna be 18. YEAH.

Tchau, Fui.

Soundmanpt 16 Sep 2010, 19:02

My thoughts exactly Puffin. Well put. She won't even know why she is in trouble. But I do wish her luck, jobs are hard to find these days.

Puffin 16 Sep 2010, 18:47

Just wait till the manager hears the complaints from the customers who can't get the waitresses attention. It's hard enough when they can see properly!

And 16 Sep 2010, 18:43

Laura C

Sorry if I sounded demanding or critical in any way, I didn't mean to, of course it is entirely your choice. Do your friends try and convince you and do they regulary point or talk about things that you can't see properly ? How do you cope at the cinema or theatre etc ? There are so many great frames to choose from these days and of course if you opted for contacts no-one would even know.

Soundman 16 Sep 2010, 14:04

And

If you look back myself and others tried to convince her to get some form of correction even if she only kept them in her bag. She is old enough to decide what she feels comfortable about wearing. You are correct she misses out on many things, but as long as she has no intention of getting in a car and driving she is doing no harm to anyone. If she ever wishes to drive she will not have the option of no correction. Should she get glasses or contacts? Yes without a doubt, but it is not our place to demand. Someday she will decide that it is time and she may or may not regret not getting glasses sooner.

And 16 Sep 2010, 13:35

LauraC, I know this is a glasses fan site but have you never considered contacts with glasses just as a back-up ? You must miss so amny details - signs, people's expressions etc.

Soundmanpt 16 Sep 2010, 13:12

Laura C.

The bars and clubs I go to the waitresses are very good even in low light at being able to see from across the room when I need another drink. I know you can't do that at -4.00. So are you constantly going around and getting close enough to see when someone needs a refill? Also how can you tell if a customer is needing something if you can't tell they are looking at you? Most customers are not going to stand up and wave there arms to make you see them.I'm sure it would be easier to do your job if you could see better. That being said I do hope you can continue to do well at your job.

LauraC 16 Sep 2010, 11:06

Hi all, I've not been checking ES for weeks since I moved to e-mailig with some friends known here or on lenschat. Anyway I confirm what Flaine says: I'm in the -4 range and don't have glasses. It is tricky sometime, but manageable. I also got a job two weeks ago as waitress in a pub: it's challenging sometime to manage in the blur, but no major troubles so far.

Rina, feel free to e-mail me if you want: I posted my address weeks ago.

Kisses.

Cactus Jack 11 Sep 2010, 22:02

I C U,

I am trying to remember where I read of the study. If I locate it, I will provide a link. I am operating on memory here, but if I recall correctly, the study I referenced involved wearing full accurate correction and mild under correction in school age children who already needed glasses. The study DID NOT include any over correction.

I have never seen or heard of any scientific study that demonstrated conclusively that over correction by any significant amount caused true axial myopia and I doubt such a study will ever be undertaken. The ethics and liability issues are too great. Over correction can cause pseudo myopia, if it will turn into true axial myopia is greater than would have developed naturally is unknown. But hope springs eternal in many members of this forum.

C.

I C U 11 Sep 2010, 20:39

Cactus Jack... Hate to disappoint you, but there is no evidence supporting your position either. No scientific study has been performed where someone has actually worn incredibly strong glasses beyond what they need for several months.

Keep that in mind about statistics. They can always prove the other side just as easy.

Flaine 11 Sep 2010, 09:31

Tokyo is a nice place! Although it is over crowded with GWGs and MWGs! I often follow my father to tokyo if possible as he flies to asian countries...so everytime my father gets a flight to tokyo, i want to follow to enjoy the delicacies there!!! So delicious!

Flaine 11 Sep 2010, 09:28

Oh no, Rina is it because of glasses that landed you in this situation? U may be paying the price of not being able to see what is being taught in school thus this may contribute to ur acadamic failure dont you think? US universities are the same as these unis in UK, although they claim that they take in large number of foreigners, it is all rubbish.. They r looking for talents..too bad isnt it? Why not u apply for a part time job to supply some income for glasses?

Rina Matsuyama 11 Sep 2010, 07:57

Puffin,

Yes, I tried some weeks before!

A snellen chart that can show from 20/15 to 20/200.

At 20 feet, Without glasses I am unable to see 20/200.

With glasses (should be -2) I am barely able to see 20/200.

Rina Matsuyama 11 Sep 2010, 07:41

Flaine,

I am avoiding glasses cause I see no necessity to have the very good distance acuity, at least not all time. Unless I cannot see close things, then there will be more disturbance to perform the tasks.

Are Japanese fond of glasses? Some of them do. I am fond of glasses, but simultaneously fond of not using glasses. I know my stance appears contradictory.

About self-denial, I think I fit into hikikomori criteria, somehow. I start off like this cause o academic failure, went to America, want to enter university, I was told it is easier in America, then turns out failure. Then to Tokyo, that is my home. taking the university entrance exam, fail for 3 years, and I am still making attempts.

My age is 26. From Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Puffin 11 Sep 2010, 06:46

Rina

Have you tried finding a eye chart (or snellen chart)online? It's not the same as a proper eye test, but can give an idea of where your vision is.

You can easily find one with Google, and perhaps print it out, stick it on a wall and stand 20 feet/6 meters away.

Flaine 11 Sep 2010, 06:34

Rina,

Forgot to ask you but is there a reason why u are avoiding glasses?

Flaine 11 Sep 2010, 06:32

Rina,

Oh no, Rina dont be in self denial! Get to know some of us who go without glasses to! If u go down this thread, u can probably find a girl named LauraC who doesnt whr glasses @ around the same rx as you!!! She is in contact with me through email...

Btw are u from Japan? Arent the japanese fond of glasses as a fashion now? And i see, your parents dont know u need glasses and ur too young to work? How old are you? Sry for being so curious...

Rina Matsuyama 11 Sep 2010, 04:14

Flaine,

You ask me How to cope with when reading far, recognising friends.

I typically avoid rather than try to cope with that. No friends now, cause o my lifestyle. Never outgoing.

Rina Matsuyama 11 Sep 2010, 04:01

Flaine,

I would like to try lenses of my updated rx. It's just not so convenient cause I don't have income to pay for it.

Rina Matsuyama 11 Sep 2010, 03:54

Flaine,

Yes, I use glasses when my parents aint around.

But my eyesight with glasses is not much different than without glasses now. Unless I try both glasses simultaneously, cause the rx of glasses are not updated.

My acuity without is about 20/600 I guess, with is about 20/300. If I try both simultaneously it should be about 20/30.

I simply try to delay my eye test, cause I not yet have any income. I have to use my parents account to pay for my expense. Eventually I can't tolerate then I would go for eye test.

Puffin 11 Sep 2010, 03:43

Here we go again. The results of wearing or not wearing glasses on increasing myopia are not entirely predictable and depend on individual circumstances, what is actually done with the eyes, genetic disposition, how the eye reacts to correction (or lack of) & use, etc.

Unfortunately most people don't have an identical twin who can take the other option, otherwise doing exactly the same things (same amount of reading/distance work) and compare results to find out which is the best thing to do if they really want to avoid correction.

For most people the most pertinent question is "can I see for the things I want or have to do now" rather than "will my vision be a bit different in 10 years time".

Soundmanpt 11 Sep 2010, 00:54

Rina

I guess I won't disappoint Flaine. I agree with Cactus Jack completely. I will make a comment only that it seems to not be the smartest thing to work so hard at not being able to see properly. They are in fact your eyes, but to go through life in a blur that could be easily corrected seems like a real shame. That's all, no more lecture.

Cactus Jack 10 Sep 2010, 22:19

Rina,

This will probably disappoint Flaine, but no lecture here. Just a few facts.

There is evidence that contrary to popular belief, wearing glasses with the correct Rx does not cause your prescription to increase more than that dictated by genetics. There is also some evidence that under correction might cause some stimulation of the retina to produce the hormone that causes eyeball growth and myopia to increase. The above study did not include over correction, probably for ethical reasons. Unfortunately the studies are not conclusive because it is also like trying to prove why something did not happen. However, there is much evidence that genetics trumps all other possible causes.

You may not be doing yourself any favors by not wearing your glasses or wearing glasses with a lower Rx than you need. However, they are your eyes and the decision is yours because you get to live with it.

C.

Flaine 10 Sep 2010, 20:34

Rina,

Wow you sound like me last time, nvr wore glasses den secretly wear them when parents aint around or have fallen asleep. I now use them for board and movies and other things if i need haha. I guess u are quite similar to my sister's case coz her current glasses rx is -3 although she cant see through them clearly anymore and soundmanpt has estimated her in the -4 to -4.5 region.. Which is quite bad i should say? I dont know about you..hw do you cope when u need to read something far pr recognise people? Btw, are u a Japanese? Ur name suggests that ur from Japan or sth? I love Japanese food:)

PS, i think u are in for a lecture from soundmanpt or cactus jack if they see ur post here! They would be surprisedat ur rx u haven gone full time! Brace urself!!!!!

XX

Flaine.

Rina Matsuyama 10 Sep 2010, 16:50

Flaine:

I never checked my eyes for many years.

My rx on my glasses is in -2 range. After 4 years, I have different rx on another pair of glasses, which is -0.5 stronger than my previous rx. I forgot what the exact rx of 2 pairs of glasses are. Anyway, it is inevitable my eyes get more and more myopic. Just like your sister, I avoided using glasses, but I use glasses to read the board. Then I graduated from school. But after that, I never raised children or work.

I am still avoiding using glasses, cause I don't want to surprise my parents as long as I can see most things. Damn, you know what? Now I cannot see well with my previous rx, using either pair. It is not much different from not wearing them. This is too bad.

After my parents sleep, If I can't sleep, I occasionally use my glasses. This month I find either pair are too weak for me. So one day I try wearing 2 pairs simultaneously. That is, Wearing 2 frames simultaneously on my face. I find my eyesight is much better that way. If my guess is correct, my rx should be -4.5 now, but I am still avoiding glasses like hell. Always going without glasses, and reading close to the books. Sometimes reading too much, that my neck feel tired cause I read the books close, never with my glasses on.

But when no one is around, I absolutely love using glasses around. Too bad the previous rx are getting too weak for me, they can only give a little bit help to me.

Soundmanpt 10 Sep 2010, 00:58

Flaine

I will try and stay around a little longer. I know I have missed you the same way.

Flaine 10 Sep 2010, 00:02

Soundmanpt,

Haha my sister isnt so soft..i think she would still reject glasses for at least a while longer.. And with LauraC has probably gave her some extra assurance that going without glasses aint too bad because both of the seem to be around the same rx of -4..lol btw i hafta catcha on lenschat to tell you more but somehow u always log out minutes before i log in and u dont come back!

Flaine 09 Sep 2010, 23:58

Reading a long way down this thread into the 2007s, i wonder if the poster named Alicia is still aroumd here or have left this site.. Wonder whats her rx now..

Jennifer W 09 Sep 2010, 22:22

Flaine:

I was nearsighted on my right eye for years then. I now estimate it should be on the -3 range. I started to wear glasses at the end of 7th month of pregnancy and 3 month after that I went back o the eye doctor to fine tune the prescription. Actually is was just .25 more for each eye. My vision deterioration was during a period of 2 week.

JenW

Melyssa 09 Sep 2010, 12:09

Flaine & Jennifer W.,

One of Eyescene's and Lenschat's regulars, Emily, had large increases in myopia during her pregnancies. Conversely, my mother said that her vision didn't change much (if at all) while she was lugging me around all those years (she was 5 months along at New Year's -- LOL). So, as has been mentioned, there is no set pattern for vision change during pregnancy.

Aubrac 09 Sep 2010, 04:07

Flaine

There are some cases where during pregnancy there is greater fluid retention in the body, this can sometimes affect eyesight as more fluid is retained in the eye resulting in the shape changing slightly and exaggerating myopia. The same thing often happens during the monthly period, and the increased pressure in the eye can reduce low hyperopia. My wife used to wear her glasses far less just before and during her periods.

Jennifer also said it was three years to her second pregnancy, and so one would expect a prescription increase in that time in any case, and so maybe not put it all down to pregnancy.

One could well expect anyone with a -2/-3 scrip in their twenties to have that increase by a further -2/-3 until their thirties, when most scrips tend to either stabilise or slow considerably.

Having said all that, we are all different, and just because something happens with one person there is no reason why it may happen to another.

davey 09 Sep 2010, 02:08

HI Astra, my rx is L -0.75 sph -0.50 add+1.75

R -1.00 sph -0.25 add+1.75

pathetically weak, i can manage without my glasses, i wish my rx was much stronger.

Soundmanpt 09 Sep 2010, 01:21

Flaine

Calm down! What happened to Jennifer W. won't necessarily happen to you. It is true during the nine months before delivering a child your whole body goes through many changes. But it doesn't mean it will for sure mess with your vision. You can wind up with diabetes are other things some of these things even disappear after the baby comes. I would say the odds are like 30% - 50% that it will effect your vision. But no way of knowing how much.

How are you and your sister doing? Has your sister given into the idea of wearing glasses or is still struggling to see the board?

Flaine 08 Sep 2010, 23:39

Omg is it true that pregnacy will

Make ur eyes so much more worst? Its like -2 increase per pregnacy in jennifers case..

Er jennifer,(sry to call u by name, im younger than you), but did u wear glasses after the first pregnacy or only the second? and was the vision deterioration very apprent during each pregnacy? Can u explain hw it slowly or gradually got worst?

Thanks in advance

Jennifer W 08 Sep 2010, 22:26

Hi

I'm not new to eyscene, but I never posted before. Like the girl devey was told about, my first glasses were very strong, although not that strong.

I'm now 34. When I was not older than 12 I notice that my right eye couldn't focus on far objects. My left eye vision was perfect. As I grew up, my right eye got worse, and I knew that probably I needed glasses but I didn't want that. I lived all my teens without far vision on my right eye.

At age 24 I got pregnant the first time and around 7th month my vision on both eyes dramatically deteriorated in only 2 weeks to the point that I couldn't see TV anymore. By that time I went to the eye doctor. He told me that in some women vision change (to worse) during pregnancy. I was prescribed L -3.25 R -5.75 -0.50 x 175. Wow, I only realized I was almost blind the first time I put them on.

3 years later the same thing happened at the end of my second pregnancy. I was tested and the doctor came up to L -5.50 R -7.25 -0.75 x 175 and this is my prescription to the day.

Both my children are tested regularly and have no problem with their eyes. But mommy can't function anymore without glasses. I can't even see this computer screen more than 5 inches away.

JenW

And 08 Sep 2010, 18:19

Surely everyday tasks would be impossible with an uncorrected prescription of -11 ! My gf isn't helpless without correction but certainly couldn't watch tv, drive, recognise people and objects or go to work.

Astra 08 Sep 2010, 13:27

davey, I agree it does sound incredible for -11 to see somehow normally without glasses.

may I ask your rx ?

davey 08 Sep 2010, 07:24

while i was having my anual sight test at the local opticians i got into conversation with the optician about managing without glasses and she told me that last year she had ayoung woman who ha dtwo young babies visit her for the first time and she gave her her first ever prescription, she told me she was amazed that the girl had managed her daily routine.

The rx she prescribed was -11.0....incredible she must have been almost blind.

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 S�o 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