Sunday, February 21, 2021

I Can See Clearly Now

About 20 years ago, I started wearing “readers,” those little eyeglasses with magnifying lenses that have become absolutely necessary for me to function if I want to read…anything…and do…almost everything else, within a foot of my face.

I started with a strength of 1.0; although I resisted, over time I moved up in increments of .25 until I got to a 2.0. From there – based on what the store had in stock – I jumped to a 2.5, although I found myself still squinting until I finally succumbed to a 3.0 and boy...what a game changer!

Because I need these glasses so often and misplace them just as much, I have a bunch and place them all over: by my bed, on my desk, in the kitchen drawer, in my purse, in my car. I pick them up whenever I see them at a good price and they fit well, whether at the dollar store, Barnes & Noble or CVS and, most recently, in a pack of 3 at Whole Foods.  

Last week, as I was going through my greeting card stash to find a sentiment that I wanted to give David for his birthday, I reached for a pair of glasses on my desk. I put them on, and everything c h a n g e d.

Within seconds, I could not see normally. I got dizzy and lost my balance. I was afraid I was going to faint. Maybe, I thought, I was in the midst of a stroke.  

Pay attention to the details, I told myself, in case they are important when I get to the hospital.

I leaned against my desk, took off my glasses and 30 seconds later, I felt better. I was eager to discount that bizarre experience - assuming it wouldn't repeat itself - so I went downstairs to reset, starting with a glass of water.

After a few minutes, I went back upstairs, put the glasses on again and started looking through the cards for the second time.  

But, it started to happen again! That very disturbing sensation returned, and I went immediately into panic mode…I wondered…Is the end of the line for me?

I took the readers off once more and was blinded by the glare of the sunlight on one of the lenses…but not on the other.

That’s when I realized that one of the lenses had fallen out of the frame! This meant I was trying to look through a pair of glasses with a large magnifier on one lens and no lens at all for the other eye.

No wonder I couldn’t see straight when I had them on!

Why I didn’t figure that out but instead assumed I was on my way out, is beyond me. 

For some reason, ever since I turned 60, I jump to scenarios that are unnecessarily extreme...yet another reality of aging.

 

 

 

8 comments:

  1. What happened to you was not a sign of aging, stupid things happen no matter what's your age! Thinking you're getting older leads to one actually starting to act older. I know you, and you are still a sassy as ever.

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    1. Sassy yes, but also realistic! You'll let me know if I start acting like an old lady, won't you?

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  2. My first thought was why you don’t just go to the eye doctor and get prescription glasses. Have you had your eyes checked lately? If you’re up to a 3.0 you might need glasses.

    I am sorry to say that I laughed a little when you said that one of the lenses was missing. I was happy you were in good health and then I just pictured you sitting there with one lens out of your readers😊. Luckily you had many other pairs laying around so you could just grab one of those and get right back to searching for the perfect birthday card for David.

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    1. Funny that you brought up the eye doctor. I actually thought she'd tell me it's time to wear prescription glasses all the time now, given I just got them last year to wear for distance and at night. But she said as long as these work for me and I don't mind taking them on and off, it's fine. I'm glad you laughed about my lenses; I could poke fun of myself all day long (and if I don't, David does).

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  3. Oh my word! I always jump to the worst conclusion whenever something is wrong with me. I have to make myself stop googling whatever ailment I have ;).

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    1. Hi Colleen! I always want to google my ailments too but force myself not to sometimes so I don't end up even more depressed!

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