About 14 months ago after seeing an optimist for the first time in 7 years, I learned my prescription had changed so I ordered two pairs of new glasses from Zenni. Even though Zenni has fantastic prices compare to local places, my glasses still aren’t cheap because I get high-end progressive lenses that lighten and darken automatically based on the level of light. I wear them all the time and it’s totally worth it to me. I did my usual, buying two identical pairs so I always have a spare if one breaks.
The new prescription worked great, for the most part. I have noticed over the past few years that I occasionally have a problem focusing clearly when reading grocery store labels, my phone and even books. In the past, I never needed glasses for any close work like this. My optometrist explained that aging was changing my nearsightedness. It is what it is – I know many people go through this as they get older.
Things were fine until I bought a desktop monitor to use instead of my MacBook last month. I was having problems reading the screen. I either had to tilt my head or place my glasses in a weird position to hit the “sweet spot” of the lens so I could see the screen clearly. I made some accommodations with the screen positioning, font sizes, resolutions etc and figured this is part of aging. I used to not need my glasses when working on my computer.
However, I recalled that when I got my prescription last year, the optometrist mentioned that some people my age needed to get glasses specifically for computer usage. At the time, it wasn’t an issue for me. But now, it was.
Before ordering glasses, I made an appointment to see her, in case I needed a special prescription.
It turns out that I needed two prescriptions because my nearsightedness had changed once again! In 14 months!
I was surprised. She showed me the difference at the end of the exam and it was noticeably better using the new prescription.
Although I’m disappointed because I wasted money buying my spare par of glasses last year that I never used, I’m glad that my laptop upgrade prompted me to go see her. I ended up ordering two new pairs of glasses – one for general all- purpose use and the second for computer/reading/close-up use indoors.
I guess my days of seeing the eye doctor every 3-7 years are over for now. But, at least after I go, I can see her, and everything else, more clearly.