How to choose glasses when you have very short sight - myopia
Changing Vision, Choosing a new Perspective
Having a chronic condition is quite a rollercoaster ride on the emotional state of being. I have found that there have been many situations where I can choose to cry and spiral to a low place. It is very easy to do. However, I always try to look on the sunny side of life and find joy and purpose in even the smallest of things. This week I went to the Opticians, the first time since my detached retina incident and subsequent laser eye surgery, and found that my eye sight has gotten worse. Quelle Surprise! Because it isn't ever a surprise. My eyesight gets worse and worse every few years. But this time in less than a year, I have reached yet another level of vision.
My eye sight is my family legacy, it is a connective tissue issue and it has defined my life a lot. I only really fully understood just how much my sight had been a central part to my focus in life, when my retina detached and tore away. This was a very scary moment for me and I felt devestated and afraid. This was my deepest darkest fear and something that by the age of 42 I kinda thought and hoped I had "gotten away with."
But as per my previous post I really had to face up to the truth; my eyes are delicate, thinning and my vision will head on a downward route, no matter what I do, try, take, believe etc. The genetics are winning this one and all I can do is manage the condition. And manage it I do, with an optical team. I recently moved and so I needed to find an new opticians. I like to go to an independant optician that places personalised service at the heart of what they do. They are also expensive but with my sight, I will pay a lot of money and not spend in other areas. I want to see and I have to pay the price for that.
I've been picking out frames since I was about 8 years old when my short sight finally kicked in. I have spent a lot of time in the Opticians and in Eye Clinics. Some years my eyes have held steady. Some years such as over the past few years my eyes have needed new lenses every year. And with new lenses comes new frames. So how do you find glasses when you are so short sighted? It is a tricky question to answer as it really isn't that simple. Being so short sighted means that the lens, even when you choose the super thin lens option, means that your lenses are thicker than most people. So this means that not all frames can be choosen, no matter how much you like them. Frames that are narrow wire rimmed ones cannot hold the lens, frames that are only the top section of frame cannot hold such thick frames, frames that are too big will make the glasses too heavy. The list becomes endless and the choice narrows right down.
Bring things into focus
Finding frames becomes more about comfort than style at this sight level. I want glasses that fit well around the bridge of my nose and around my nose. I want them to feel like they will stay and not slide down or off. That is because if they do move and slide then you will lost some visual definition. Every mm makes a huge difference. I want my glasses to fit well behind my ears, again the weight of mine rubs so each pair needs to be fitted and sit right because I and my skin and flesh is very sensitive I need the glasses to be gentle with me. And while colour is a whole thing with some colours washing your face our or making you see the frames first instead of the person, at the end of the day go and pick the colour of frame you like. I've tried every colour in the book, I've had red, blue, purple, black, grey, tortoisehell, brown, patterned, solid and ultimately pick the ones you like the best.
Sight Scans
A huge part of picking new glasses is scans, measurements and fittings. Like haute couture, the optical dispenser is there like a fitter, to ensure that your glasses suit and sit properly on you. I am trying out the biometric system from Rodenstock which promises to create uniquely made lenses for my eyes! Some lens manufacturers will often have a coating range you can choose from. This is great for having a glaze put on that reduces blue light or for driving etc. The coating I choose is "digital" and is to reduce blue light which can be harmful. The aim of this coating is also to reduce eye strain. And I will happily pay a lot for that.
Finally after all that frame fitting, coating choosing it is time to pay for new glasses. I am very excited because I know I will be able to see so much better once I have new glasses.
Having to scrunch my face up to move the glasses into a better position is always an indication to me that my glasses are not right any more so I am looking forward to seeing things again.
"I am looking forward to seeing things again!"
