Life in the Northwest

Exploring new places, meeting new people, and discovering a few brew pubs along the way.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Vision & Seeing

I went to the eye doctor today.
I hadn't been to an opthamologist since 2005 when I lived in Nebraska.
I could tell my vision had been slipping the past few years.
I guessed it was mostly due to getting older,
after all I am 50 now.
Regardless of my age, I think I still see quite well with my contacts.
Or at least I did.

The other night I lost my left contact lens.
I had a back up, but it was an old one and now my vision is compromised.
So no more procrastination for me.
I made an appointment and spent the past 2 hours it takes to get fully examined, dialate, measure, test, and re-exam my eyes.

I was right.
My eyes have gotten worse.
I didn't expect a miracle, such as...
Wow!  You're vision has imporved!
Nor did I expect a GOOD report like hearing,
Hey, No change in your vision.

But really?  Its has to be worse?
I learned today that I have a small cataract developing in my left eye.
Wonderful!
I thought cataracts were for old people.
Today isn't making me feel any younger.
But all I can do is embrace getting older.
It is better than being dead.
Or at least that is the spin I am putting on this news.

I don't feel old enough to have a cataract.
For Pete's Sake!... I still remember my first trip the the eye doctor.
When I was in grade school I always preferred to sit in the front row.  
When my teacher moved me to the back row,
I couldn't read the blackboard.
That was about the same time the elementary school health screenings van rolled around.
Remember the mobile trailer that came around to the schools and shuffled kids through checking weight, height, hearing, and vision? 
I was in the 3rd grade when they quickly determined that I should see an eye doctor.

I remember where the doctor's office was located, the exam, choosing my first pair of glasses,
but I can't remember the doctor's name.
Wait...
They guy who fitted my first pair of glasses was Laham, Bob It think.
That's not the doctor, but the guy who sold us my glasses.
(Okay, so I still have my memory, or at least bits of it.)

The most vivid memory I have is the drive home with my new eyewear.
I remember being absolutely amazed that trees had leaves!
 That grass was made of individual blades,
and flowers had very distinctive leaves, stems, and flower petals.

I think this is why I love photography so much now.
I can see and capture such detail in macro,
as well as capture details in landscapes.

I love seeing. 
I watching my family grow, laugh & love.
And I especially enjoy capturing moments with them on camera.
I do love photography and seeing through the lens of my camera.
I don't want to lose my vision or ability to enjoy photography.
I might not exercise as much as I should.
I don't always eat as healthy as I could.
But one thing is for sure,
I won't compromise my eye sight.

I have a new type of contact lens on order that should help me see more clearly.
They aren't cheap.
Contacts for someone like me who is terribly nearsighted,
has about the worst astigmatism possible,
and also needs bifocals is expensive.

But in 10 days I should see marked improvement in my vision.
I hope!




Steppin' out with DWNTWN
DWNTWNimages.me

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