Monday, January 18, 2010

"without them you're legally blind"



I couldn't find the clip I was looking for, which is where the gang all go with George to pick some new frames. Whilst there, Elaine is bitten by a dog so George is left to his own devices and ends up choosing a pair of ladies frames. This clip though is just as good and perhaps even more relevant.

For after wearing glasses for nearly 22 years I finally bothered to asked the optomotrist what my degree of vision was. "Well" he said very nicely, "when you're wearing your glasses it's 20/20", but "without them you're legally blind". Apparently blind enough to qualify for a blind pension. So, you know, it's good to know I have options! (Oh and I'm also unlikely to ever be considered for laser surgery because my cornea is so thin already it would most likely snap. I could however have contacts if I could be bothered. Which I can't).

I was a little hesitant to get my eyes tested even though it had been two years. The last time I tried an new place in town and it was an unmitigated disaster. Firstly, I fell in love with an ridiculously expensive pair of Gucci frames (which by themselves cost more than I paid in total today) and then they got the prescription wrong...twice. After the second time I went back to my old trusty OPSM and just had the old prescription put in the frames that should have been inlaid with gold.

So this time I was determined not to be swayed by brand names of any kind. I have chosen a nice pair of burgundy frames (although there were some very tempting green ones there as well...they were just a bit too rectangular) that are lighter on my face. Of course, it's sort of hard to tell what they look like when you are in fact legally blind. I'm sure the nice shop assistant goes home and has a good laugh about all the people who have to press their noses up to the mirror to get any idea of what they look like. Still, I'm trusting his judgement and the fact that he didn't try and sell me the really expensive frames.

10 days until a whole new face for me.....

2 comments:

2paw said...

Oh new glasses!! I need some new glasses too, but mine will definitely be green and not burgundy. We have a friend at the glasses shop and his special 'super power' is being able to choose glasses that suit you. He is excellent and has been choosing mine for about 15 years now.
I don't think I could wear contacts, I prefer glasses. Glad you have 20/20 vision with your spectacles!!!!!!

Wendy said...

no i don't think I could wear contacts either...can't stand to touch my eye!
how wonderful to have a friend with such superpowers. I absolutely detest the process of choosing new frames...the pressure!!