Vision Quest : Vanity, Healthy Outlook Come Together in Good Eye Care
What a profusion and confusion of labels and responsibilities there are concerning eyesight, eye care and eyeglasses.
It’s hard not to get cross-eyed just keeping the specialists straight.
There are ophthalmologists, medical doctors who can perform eye surgery, treat infections, and write prescriptions for medicine as well as glasses.
Optometrists can check vision and prescribe glasses, but cannot offer medication or perform surgery.
Opticians can read prescriptions and fit the finished product on our faces or the contact lenses in our eyes.
Forty years ago, an ophthalmologist prescribed eye glasses for me and said, “Wear them!” Dismayed, I asked, “Always?” “Always!” he repeated. Twenty years before, an optometrist had said the same thing, but I was more courageous or foolish at 10 than I was at 30. At 10, I kept my glasses in my pocket until they slipped away, lost and forgotten.
Now, I wear glasses “always” because I need them. I revisit my ophthalmologist and optician when the telephone book’s numbers are a blur or birds in the sky become invisible. I do not need a reminder card; it is crystal clear when it is time for me to see the doctor.
Once inside the exam room, there is always the challenge of reading the eye chart. Deciding whether lens No. 1 is good, or No. 2 is better, is almost as traumatic as choosing a bathing suit. It is a test for which there is no studying and no crash course.
But the real challenge comes later, when it’s time to choose new frames.
It is a disaster-in-waiting, a situation that robs me of decisiveness. I become totally dependent upon my husband and the optician. Words like “Neat . . . no-way . . . perfect . . . bad choice . . . made for you . . . ugh . . . beautiful” push me back and forth on the swing of ambivalence.
Unfortunately, I cannot see what they are critiquing since there are no lenses in the new frames. Lens-less frames in the hand or on display bear little resemblance to frames on the face after the prescription is filled. I have experienced that lesson over and over.
I must be a slow learner, since I never profit from the past. As a result, I am rarely pleased with the finished product. Perhaps I expect glasses to perform cosmetic surgery on my face, to effect a beauty treatment, a make-over.
Many of us in the “shades of gray” generation must wear glasses (those lucky enough to wear contact lenses keep their secret until one gets lost in the carpet).
Does everyone in my generation experience the same ambivalence and trauma that I do when it come to choosing eyeglasses? Do we all seek a “spectacular look”? Do men and women differ in their attitudes and habits about glasses? Is it better to shop alone for frames, or with a friend or spouse?
I asked an optician in the office of my ophthalmologist for insight into these matters. The patient list that she serves is composed of many seniors. She finds that men are much less concerned with choosing “just the right frames” than women are. Men expect to be fitted quickly and easily. She feels that people who come in alone are easier to fit and to please than those accompanied by friend or spouse. Bringing along a second opinion can mean confusion rather than agreement.
She thinks that those who have the most trouble in choosing eyeglasses are angry about wearing glasses in the first place. I can vouch for that. I remember when they called me “four eyes” at school.
Many choose glasses with the same care that goes into the selection of an automobile. If the bottom line to eyeglasses is “the better to see you . . .” the top line is “the better to be seen . . .”
We seem to understand the importance of a positive self-image today, and we expect our eyeglasses to enhance and not erode it.
In that regard, it is important to remember that no one can evaluate the comfort of one’s glasses but oneself. Recently, it took three pairs of completed eyeglasses before my eyes and my psyche were satisfied. The optician was patient and understanding and did not let me make a final purchase until I was fully pleased.
There are many places to go to be fit for eyeglasses. One can choose from among small storefront shops and large commercial chains. Or one can visit the smaller facilities often attached to an ophthalmologist’s office.
Eyeglasses can be expensive, and although some insurance companies help with the expense, most do not. Medicare lends a hand with their purchase only after cataract surgery. Some firms specialize in low prices and quick service; some specialize in attention to detail or in complex prescriptions.
Some people opt for going to the local drug store and selecting a basic frame with magnifying lens. That route is not recommended by eye specialists, but sometimes used by those with extremely modest vision problems.
Manufacturers typically guarantee frames for two years. After that, many frames dry out and can be easily cracked or broken. The lifetime of a frame will be extended if we have more than one pair of glasses and alternate their usage. Dual pairs and buying the highest quality frames are options that some of us cannot afford. But we can all afford to handle glasses carefully and wash them regularly in soapy water.
Eyeglasses are much more than a fashion accessory: they can facilitate our vision; screen out the damaging effect of ultra- violet rays; and even protect us from injury. Though we fuss about how we look with glasses, we are ultimately more concerned with the health of our eyes.
Regular eye examinations are vital to well-being. Some doctors prefer annual visits, others suggest an appointment every two years.
Eye disease can frequently be detected before serious symptoms appear. Glaucoma, for example, is one of the leading causes of blindness, but it can be caught and controlled if diagnosed in its early stages. Growing cataracts must be monitored; abnormalities must be diagnosed and irritations must be removed.
Check-ups are vital to good vision.
The Mericos Eye Institute of the Scripps System offers free eye screenings and lectures throughout the year. The lectures discuss new developments in eye care. They take place at Scripps Hospitals (Encinitas in North County) and at various senior centers and businesses. Call 1-800-492-2273 for information concerning the schedule.
