February 20, 2017 (Monday)
I began wearing eyeglasses about 55 years ago. They were single lens (no bifocals, etc), correcting my vision slightly because of astigmatism. I don’t remember when I changed to bi-focals, but I did make that change. I made the adjustment. Later, about 35 years ago, I think, I made a change to tri-focals. They were a little harder to get used to, but I finally was comfortable with them. In late 2009, I had a lens implant in my right eye, and about 4 weeks ago, in my left eye, and now I can see clearly without glasses again. I still need a little help now and then with closeup stuff, like reading fine print. I don’t know if I will need glasses again, but I will probably find out Wednesday when I visit the doctor again.
The doctor did tell me on my last visit that I could get the “glasses only” restriction removed from my driver’s license. I remember well the addition of that restriction. Even though I wore glasses, for many years I passed the eye exam without them. I don’t remember the date, but I went to Corpus to renew my license, and when they asked me to look into the device that evaluates vision, everything was so jumbled I actually thought they were playing a joke on me. When I looked up into their faces, they were not laughing. From that day I have had driver’s licenses that require the wearing of eyeglasses. Evidently, I can now get that restriction removed.
I still need to use eye drops for Glaucoma and Dry Eye Syndrome, but I can see very well. For a person my age, I am generally in good health. For that I am very grateful to the Lord. This is what can only be called, “amazing grace,” because I don’t deserve good health, if it is based upon how well I have cared for my body. I’m afraid I have been negligent of maintaining a proper diet and regular exercise and probably other health aids as well. But here I am, able to do things, and now to see well. I don’t hear much in one ear but the other one makes up for it. I can hear half of what you say.
More and more people are living into their nineties and even beyond. My cardiologist told me I’m doing well, but if I want to make it to 90 I better start exercising again.
I saw the musicians known as “Asleep at The Wheel” on TV Saturday night, and the fellow playing the saxaphone so very well was 92 years old. He sounded great. I suppose he exercises, right? But can he see as well as I?
