25 October 2009

Sunday Salon: Slow Going, for a Different Reason

I am an eyeglass wearer, but I don't go every year to get my eyes checked. When I was younger, it took a long time to convince my mother that I couldn't see; I believe she thought I wanted glasses as a fashion accessory because I had always been attracted to them (Yes, I was the nerdy kid who actually wanted glasses and braces). With six kids in the family, glasses were considered a big expense, so once I got them I didn't go back for an examination until I couldn't see out of them any more. As a result, I never got in the habit of going every year.

The glasses I'm wearing now were purchased nine years ago. I probably wouldn't even be thinking about getting new ones if it weren't for my renewed interest in reading books. Magazines and computer screens don't give me a problem because the type is usually larger and there is more white space, which makes it easier for me to focus. When I had trouble getting into a couple books, I thought it was because the books were boring. I switched to large-print books a couple months ago and told myself it was because I'm a magazine reader and I'm used to big letters :-). This week, however, I have been choosing mediocre TV shows over Living Dead in Dallas, a book for which I was on a waiting list for over a month. Why have I been avoiding it? Because it is in small print. Time to be honest and get myself to an eye doctor!

TBR List: The total stands at 111 titles. I am currently working on Living Dead in Dallas and Good Book: The Bizarre, Hilarious, Disturbing, Marvelous, and Inspiring Things I Learned When I Read Every Single Word of the Bible. The second will be read slowly because I reading is with my Bible readings. I expect to finish the Sookie Stackhouse book today, though -- my pitiful eyes can handle small print better if I stick to daylight hours :-).

7 comments:

M. Diane Rogers said...

I'm in the 'same boat' with the new glasses thing - have been putting this off for ages. But I picked up a 'big print' mystery on sale last week - boy, what a relief to read that print. Now glasses are on my 'must do' list for this week.

JoAnn said...

I know you are younger than I (isn't everyone?) but please take care of your eyes. Not just your vision, but the health of your eyes. See an M.D. too.

I am facing two eyes issues that are threatening my vision. One issue, cataracts, is easily fixed. The other issue is not so easily fixed....and I am not sure it would have ever been diagnosed had I not gone to an opthamologist. It is very frightening.

I would also suggest an OTT Lite - it is amazing what this kind of light/lamp does for visual acuity when reading or on the computer. I now own three of them because I cannot live without them. They are "high definition" lights, developed by an opthamologist - and not to be confused with those "full spectrum" lightbulbs.

Dani In NC said...

JoAnn, I'm familiar with the OTT Lite because it is popular among knitters and other needlework fans. I've never thought I needed extra light until now, though.

I'm not quite as cavalier about my health as it sounds. With my spotty employment record over the past five years, it hasn't been something that I could really afford. Also, I know women who always have SOMETHING wrong; I don't want to be like them, running to the doctor for every minor ailment. I guess in my effort not to be like them, I've swung too far in the other direction.

Alyssa Kirk said...

I'll be interested to hear how you like the Sookie novel!

Lisa said...

I'm bad about waiting too long, but not quite 9 years! My problem is that when mine has been too long I start to close my left eye to focus better, which makes me really tired by the end of the day. When I realize I'm doing that more and more I know it's time.

Dani In NC said...

That's the thing, Lisa -- I didn't really notice that I was having trouble seeing until about 6 months ago. I think it is because most of the stuff I was doing didn't really require close focus. I can still watch TV and cruise the internet with no problem. It was when I started reading and doing needlework again that I realized I should get my eyes examined.

Kristen said...

I am really bad about getting my eyes checked too. But keeping eyes healthy so I can read, is terribly important. ;-)