Eye exam and new glasses

Jane and I splurged this year and got each other new eyeglasses for Christmas. She got hers last month, I got mine this past Friday.

I had my eye exam the previous Friday (2/18/22) with Dr. Teel at Costco. That's where we went the last time too. It was actually almost four years to the day since my last visit. The doctor suggested maybe every year or two would be better. Still, my prescription didn't change much. In fact, apparently she backed off of my reader vision a little.

These frames are quite different from my old big black plastic ones. These are almost a chrome, with blue across the top and corners. They are Colours by Alexander Julian, blue silver, 55/17/140. I'm having trouble getting them to sit just right on my face. I also don't really like how they show the bags under my eyes. But, whatever. They're okay I guess.

Anyway, these are lighter than my last pair, and the lenses are thinner. I still went with the blue light protection. So far they seem easier to clean than the previous pair. The salespeople said they had improved on that. We'll see. Haha. ;)

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“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. - Mark 10:52

New glasses

My new eyeglasses arrived. I picked up the regular pair - shown in the top photo - today after church. The sunglasses came in Friday and I picked them up Saturday. I suppose that's not bad since I just ordered them Monday afternoon (see this post). Again, I got them at Costco, and they seem to be pretty good quality glasses.

I think I like them okay. I especially like the sunglasses, because they're not overly dark but they really cut down on glare. I also like the frames. In fact, I wish I'd just gotten those frames with both pair. They are Kirkland Signature, size 53-17-140.

I like the regular ones okay too... but it's taking me some time to get used to the frames. They seem quite a bit heavier than my previous ones, which is never a good thing, but I suppose I will adjust eventually. They are Colours by Alexander Julian (Scrim), size 52-16-140.

The lens area on both pair is similar, and much bigger vertically than my previous glasses. I like that. Also, as has been the case for about the past 15 years, they are progressive lenses (as opposed to single-vision).

The sunglasses are polarized. They are supposed to be different from regular tinted lenses as evidenced by this photo from the website. They really are nice for driving in daylight.

I got the Blue Anti-Reflective treatment on the regular pair and I'm not sure I like it. It's supposed to reduce glare and reflections as well as reducing digital eye strain (from phones, tablets, and computers) while still allowing beneficial blue light to pass through. What I noticed right away is the purple-ish tint when looking in the mirror. I'm hoping this is something I get used to as well.

All in all, I'd say I like both pair. Not that it matters, because I have them now. Fortunately it didn't require much adjustment vision-wise, so I'm planning to use my old pair for running (and sweating).

Eye exam

I went to the eye doctor yesterday. My current glasses - which I got at one of those cheap-y same-day places - are getting scratched and wearing out, plus they haven't been helping with close-up sight (reading). I was kind of surprised it has only been 2 years since I got these (December 2015).

I decided to try the optical department at Costco. Jane went there and really likes her new glasses. So I saw Dr. Teel (the female one) and she said my prescription needed tweaked just a little. I also opted for a little larger lens area so the reading part of my progressive lenses would be easier to utilize.

The exam was fine and I did pay the extra cost for dilation. I figure with my dad's eye problems I need to keep an 'eye' on my vision. The doctor suggested I get my vision checked annually.

Everyone was really nice at the Costco optical department. I'd actually taken Jane there with me the day before to have her help pick out my frames. We narrowed it to two pair. I still couldn't decide so I asked the lady working the counter and she did not hesitate to suggest one pair over the other. It was the same pair Jane picked so I figured I would go with them.

I also opted for a 2nd pair for sunglasses. I wasn't going to, because I usually just buy the clip-on sunglasses. My new frames are a little thicker, plus I thought if I'm going to continue driving for Uber it would be nice to have some GOOD sunglasses, and the 2nd pair were discounted like $40 or something.

The eye exam ended up costing me $94. That seemed like kind of a lot. Even the advertised $60 seemed like a lot, and the dilation was an extra $28, but it seemed worth it. I liked Dr. Teel. The glasses were just under $400 for both pair. The regular frames were $60 and the sunglasses frames were $50. I also got the "blue light" treatment (or whatever) on the lenses (for anti-glare and computer use). That's more than I was expecting to spend but we have a boatload of money built up in our hsa account so.... I figured "what the hey."

I've actually liked the cheap glasses I've had - they are very lightweight - but they are definately a lower quality. The frames and lenses from Costco seem to be much higher quality and I'm hoping I will like mine as much as Jane does hers.

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Other than that, I've just been working, working out, reading and sleeping. I've been getting 20 or more hours a week at the Y - mostly the 5-9 am shift - and still driving for Uber several days per week. Next month I'm scheduled to not only be working in the membership area of the Y, but also in  the wellness department. I've actually had one client I've been coaching in the Wellness For Life program. He told me yesterday he has lost 17 lbs in the 3 weeks since he started (not that I had anything to do with it).

The driving has been okay. The fun has kind of worn off and now it's just a job, but I still really like the flexibility. I've still only worked during the day and haven't had any bad experiences. The worst has been the lady and her kid I picked up at the grocery store; helped load their shopping cart full of groceries into my car; listened to them argue all the way to their house; helped carry their groceries into the house; and then not only did she not tip me, but I believe she gave me a 4-star rating! That's been my only non-5-star since I've started. Oh well.

So, that's about it. I need to carve out some more time to write, but I honestly just haven't had all that much to say lately. Today is granddaughter Anna's 7th birthday, so I will probably write about that tomorrow.

New glasses

Jane and I each got two new pairs of eyeglasses yesterday. Hers are very fun and attractive; mine... well, they're glasses. You can see them above. One pair are plastic frames, and they're kind of clear/gray/silver; the other pair are sort of a copper color - like my pair before I got the black frames.

The reason we needed new glasses was because our last pair were both scratched so bad. I got mine in March of 2014. We got them at the eye doctor we went to, and for as much as they cost I expected them to last a lot longer than they did.

So, Jane found a coupon to an Eyemart Express where we could each get two pair for $99 each. Of course when we went to the store we discovered you could only choose between about 4 pairs of frames. However they gave us a coupon for $119 for two pairs each on a wider selection. And, wouldn't you know it, when I went to get mine they said I would have to pay $189 for two pair (because of my type of lenses or the size of the frame or something). Anyway, that's still way cheaper than any other place we've bought glasses.

I have never really liked these cheap places because you get what you pay for. But I figured "what the heck." So I bought the above two pairs. I was kind of happy to get the plastic frames, because I'd always been told I couldn't wear plastic frames because my nose was too small to hold them up. Although I do need to take them back to be fixed because the one ear piece is sticking out funky to the side.

They're not the greatest quality of frames, but overall I'm fairly satisfied. At least Jane's did only cost $119.

My new eye glasses

I picked up my new eye glasses last night after work. It was a minor pain, because I went there to get them in the morning, but wasn't able to. I got a text and an email Tuesday afternoon that my glasses were in and I could stop by anytime between 8 am and 5 pm to pick them up - no appointment necessary. That worked out perfect for me to get them before I needed to be at work at 9:30 am. So I stopped at about 8:30 yesterday morning, and the lady at the desk says the person who does that doesn't come in until 10 am. I paused - debating whether I should say something or not - but then just asked how late they were open. She says they're open until 7 pm. So, believe it or not, I decided to just say "thanks" and went back at 6 pm on my way home from work. I probably should have found a nice way to tell them they might want to change the wording of their texts and emails... but I've found I apparently just can't tell people things in a nice way.

Anyway, after ordering them last Thursday, they came in on Tuesday, and I stopped after work Wednesday to pick them up. The office was packed. It took about 25 minutes and I was on my way. The new glasses are quite different from the old ones. These are black, and they go all the way around the lens. My old ones were kind of a coppery color, and didn't have anything along the bottom.

I like them alright, but I'm still getting adjusted to them. I've worn glasses since the 3rd grade, and I always hate getting a new pair and adjusting the fit to my head. My prescription must have change a bit too, because things look pretty weird. It's hard to explain, but it makes me feel a little 'out-of-sorts.' I'm sure it will be fine in a day or so.

I opted against a picture. I'm trying to walk that fine line between narcissism, journaling and being helpful. So... that's about all there is to say about that. I do at least think I can see better. Which is always helpful.

Eye doctor

I went to a new eye doctor today. Like, a REAL eye doctor - not the one I usually go to to buy glasses from. I went to Dr. Kurt Dougherty on Lake Ave. in Fort Wayne. Shelley S. recommended him. I would too.

Since going to Redi-Med last week for what they diagnosed as pink eye, my right eye had gotten clearer, and it wasn't watering quite so much, but I had started to not be able to see out of it. I didn't notice that happening until I started using the eye drops I got last week, and it seemed to be getting worse (my eyesight). So I was beginning to freak out a little bit. My dad has 'ischemic optic neuropathy'... which is basically a stroke of the optic nerve (from blood clots). He told me it could be genetic, so I was worried that it was beginning to happen to me. My dad first lost vision in one eye, and then 3 years later lost it in the other. I'm not sure it's genetic from what I've read though. But still... I didn't want to go blind, or even have it stay like it is, because it is not fun not being able to see out of one eye. It was a real pain trying to read music and preach yesterday.

Anyway, I called first thing this morning to see if I could get into the eye doctor. It took awhile, but they finally told me to come at 1:45 pm for a 2 pm appointment (I had to fill out first-time-patient paperwork). I got there at 1:40, filled out the paperwork, and before it was even 2 one of the assistants took me back and did a vision test and asked me a bunch of questions. Then the doctor came in, talked to me for a bit, put the big eye machine in front of me and looked at my eyes, then said it was a VIRAL INFECTION. The eye drops I was taking were for a bacterial infection. So he prescribed me an anti-inflammatory eye drop (FLUOROMETHOLONE ophthalmic suspension, USP 0.1% - generic) and said to use it 4 times a day for a week, then we would see about changing the dosage. I will probably need to take it for a couple weeks anyway. And I'm supposed to use it 4 times today, even if I just wait a half hour between dosages.

Apparently it's similar to having a "cold" in my eye, and the white blood cells have all congregated on my right cornea (covering of the eye), and that's what's causing me to not be able to see. He said it may happen again in a month, or maybe even six months. I guess I have a susceptibility there now. So he prescribed me a large bottle of these eye drops.

So... I feel a little better. He said it wouldn't improve overnight or anything, but should be better in several days, and almost back to normal in a week. I'm just glad he was pretty confident that it would come back. I asked about driving to Illinois on Wednesday (for a funeral). He said I could do whatever I wanted, it just depended on me. So we'll see.

And there ya go. Everyone at this office was real nice. Our insurance doesn't work there, but I like the idea of seeing a 'real' eye doctor again. I may even go there to get my glasses from now on. Just something about going to Walmart that makes me a little uneasy. I don't want to mess around with my eyes.

New glasses... again

I have already written HERE and HERE about my new pair of eyeglasses. I finally picked up the new ones for the second time yesterday. The doctor backed off my prescription some, and also lowered the sight line so the reading part is lower. They are much, much better. They're still slightly different, plus the lens area is bigger overall, so it will still probably take a few days for my eyes to fully adjust. But I preached and read music with them today and they weren't too bad. Although... I have not had anyone recognize that I have new glasses, and even after I told everyone at church this morning no one said anything about them. So apparently they don't look very nice. Whatever.

I am thinking, though, about getting a pair of reading-only glasses. Just a pair that you can buy over the counter. The doctor backed the reading part off so I could read my sermons and music better, but they're maybe a little weak for reading books (up close). So I might see if I can get a pair just to read books with. I don't know; will see.

New glasses

I picked up my new eyeglasses yesterday. Wow... My eyes have still not adjusted. [the other post about the new glasses]

I like the looks of them ok. They are a little bigger than my last pair. The eye doctor suggested I needed bigger lenses to help the bifocals work better. I liked the smallness of the last pair, but I did think I tended to squint more because the lens area was so small. So I like that these have a little bigger lens area, and I also like the frames. They're kind of a copper color, and a little shiny. Maybe a little too mod for me, but... whatever. They are also made from 95% recycled material. Not why I bought them, but I'm not complaining.

Anyway, I picked them up after a long day of reading at the office. As soon as I put them on I knew they were going to take some getting used to. The "reading" part was much stronger than on my first pair of bifocals. Just turning my head kind of set everything off into a spin. After a few adjustments I walked out and did a little shopping. Boy was that weird. Like I said, turning my head made things kind of spin, and I couldn't just move my eyes... I needed to move my whole head to change my line of sight. However, I did notice that once I positioned my head correctly, I could actually read things again. But I did have to stop back at the vision center before I left the store to have them adjusted again. I may need to stop in again sometime, because they still don't feel just right, but at least they're not too tight anymore.

I am hoping that maybe tomorrow they'll start to feel normal. I just feel so awkward. It's like my head is discombobulated or something. It's taking me awhile to get used to how to hold my head to look at things. It almost feels like the short-sighted part at the bottom comes up too high or something too, but I don't know. So I've basically had a headache since I got them. And my eyes feel tired and strained. Plus I kinda just have that feeling like before you get the flu - when everything starts to close in on you... I don't like it, but I know I need to deal with it for just a day or two and then my eyes should adjust. At least I hope so.

I did put my old glasses on for a bit while I was reading this morning - thinking I would just give my eyes a bit of a break. But already they seem so much worse than the new glasses. I don't know how I could even read with the old ones. Of course, so now I have 2 pair of glasses - both of which hurt my eyes. I'm hoping one of them will begin to work soon, and aren't ruining my eyes for good. Ugh. That's the bad thing about getting new glasses. But such is life.

New glasses

I picked up my new glasses last night. The bifocals. When I first put them on it wasn't near as bad as I was expecting. I thought I wouldn't be able to walk or something. But I hardly even noticed a difference. Then the lady told me to read this card, and it was all blurry still. Finally she told me to put it down, instead of holding it right in front of my face... Wow! I can read again. I hadn't realized just how poorly I was able to see things.

It's taking me some time to get used to though. My field of vision is smaller. Because I can only see far away out of the top part, and up close stuff out of the bottom, but not vice-versa. And when I turn my head it can make things feel funny. I'm kind of a little nauseous this morning.

It's also taking some time to get used to the new frames. For those of you who don't wear glasses or who are part-timers you don't understand. I've worn glasses since I was in the third grade (other than 3 1/2 years of high school where I wore contacts). When you wear something all day, every day, it kind of becomes a part of your face. Putting on a new pair - and a different style than the old pair - is weird. I don't know if I like the new ones yet. They feel crooked, and my eyelashes keep hitting the lenses, and they sit lower on my face, and hit my nose at a different spot. I'm sure it will just take time. It IS really nice to be able to read things though.

I know I joke around a lot on here, but this is a pretty serious thing for me. My eyes are a fairly constant source of concern - I probably worry about my vision more than anything. I can't see squat without my glasses. And I'm not feeling all that great this morning. As I said, I'm sure it will go away, but this isn't meant to be funny ...if you know what I mean.