Bring your glasses!

[MoonCat]

I've been wearing glasses since the end of third grade. I can't read my computer screen 18 inches from my face without them. So I really can't relate to people who take theirs off all the time.

Yet every day we get customers who, when it comes time to read off their credit card numbers over the phone, say, "oh, I don't have my glasses on..."

[ReverendBSB]

I work as a merchandiser for a grocery supplier, I spend my days at various grocery stores sorting, stocking, and ordering their hbc and general merchandise. I get customers asking where grocery items are all the time, and I generally reply that I don't know, as I don't work with groceries and therefore don't pay attention to them. One chain I work with has a store directory on their child seats, and I tell customers that when they ask me something I don't know. And I hear "I dont have my glasses" all the time. Really? How did you drive here?"

[EricKei]

I've been using Transitions for years -- One odd thing I discovered is that, in cold weather (may not be an issue for you, Rosakala ), they get noticeably darker, take longer to become so, and stay dark MUCH longer than usual.

[Kogarashi]

Astigmatism alone isn't a reason not to get contacts. My dad and my husband both have astigmatism (my dad's is pretty bad, too), and they just get the contacts made for it. Dad practically cheered when they finally came out with contacts for astigmatism, because he'd wanted contacts forever and couldn't wear the regular ones. I still think he looks more attractive with his glasses, though.

Hubby, on the other hand, looked very geeky with his glasses until he recently replaced them. Now he has 10th Doctor style glasses. I know what I'm making him go as for Halloween this year....

Yet every day we get customers who, when it comes time to read off their credit card numbers over the phone, say, "oh, I don't have my glasses on..."

Those people might be like my mother. She's farsighted, though it's age-related, basically meaning she's had to get reading glasses in the past couple of years but managed without them before and only needs them for reading (or seeing her computer screen). She doesn't wear them if she doesn't have to because, well, she doesn't have to. Unlike my dad, three of my four sisters, and myself, who are all as blind as bats.

[XCashier]

I'm thinking about getting prescription sunglasses though as the transtionals don't get dark enough.

You could try sunglasses that fit over regular glasses. I use these, they're a little bulky and hard to find a case to fit them, but they're quite good. They're polarized, they have side lenses so you don't get sun glare in the corners of the eyes and they completely cover your eyeglasses. You can find them in Walmart, Walgreens and other stores.

[Rosakala]

I've been using Transitions for years -- One odd thing I discovered is that, in cold weather (may not be an issue for you, Rosakala ), they get noticeably darker, take longer to become so, and stay dark MUCH longer than usual.

Cold? What is this cold you speak of?


Getting prescription sunglasses isn't much of a deal for me since I have fabulous vision plan. (Sometimes it really pays to have a government job.) My prescription doesn't change much these days, so I typically let a pair of frames last for two years then get a new set.

[Cazzi]

Those people might be like my mother. She's farsighted, though it's age-related, basically meaning she's had to get reading glasses in the past couple of years

My mother was like that in her younger days, had no problem seeing distances but reading anything close too was difficult without glasses.

I'm the other way around, my distance view is horrible but until the last few years my close/medium sight was great. I also have a lazy eye so have worn glasses since I was about 18 months old.

lately, I'm getting the age related problems with close & medium sight and my distance site is starting to improve slightly. In the last couple of years I've ended up with 3 pairs of glasses, for distance, reading and computer work. I've just spent a month trying out varyfocals, but I couldn't get comfortable with the mid range view in them (probably because of the aforementioned lazy eye).

I was looking forward to only having one pair of glasses to cope with, now I'm stuck with the 3 pairs

On a good note though, I love my kindle and its varying text sizes, I don't have to worry about falling asleep in bed with my glasses on reading that

[BeenThereDoneThat]

I started wearing glasses for nearsightedness when I was about 10. At first I didn't need them all the time, but gradually I started wearing them more and more and eventually I did need them all the time. My vision right now is 20/400 without correction...(and 20/400 or worse is legally blind IF it can't be corrected so I'm lucky in that sense).

When I was 17 I started wearing contacts and did so for decades, but now I'm having trouble finding ones that are comfortable and not outrageously expensive, so I've been wearing glasses again. I really would like to have LASIK done, as I've been told I'm a very good candidate...maybe if we pay off our mortgage next year?? Hmmm.. Also, it is getting VERY hard to read without either reading glasses (if I'm wearing contacts) or with my regular glasses on...I guess that's not surprising for 43.

[EricKei]

Hubby, on the other hand, looked very geeky with his glasses until he recently replaced them. Now he has 10th Doctor style glasses. I know what I'm making him go as for Halloween this year....

That reminds me, I've always wanted to find Citan Uzuki-style frames...

[Primer]

For those people who don't want to wear glasses "because it makes (them) look old," tell them that's what contact lenses are for!

As for me, I got trifocals WITH lines this year. I could not care less how "old" they make me look--I can SEE!

[XCashier]

(My father's parents were the Australian version of rednecks. Their kids didn' need no skoolin'. So he entered adult life functionally illiterate. He's proud that HIS children are both highly literate - and we're proud that he's largely overcome the handicap. We just ignore his 'creative' spelling: he does his best.)

Forgot to answer this before, but major kudos to your dad. It takes guts and determination to overcome a problem like that, and sounds like he did very well.

[Seshat]

Thank you.

Not only has he become functionally literate (though with 'creative' spelling and grammar), but he, with my mother as assistant/proofreader, produced the core training guide for his profession in his state. (Forgive the ambiguity, I don't want to be traced.)

He'd been pushing for stricter legislation for his profession for over a decade. When he finally got it, he was one of the obvious people to turn to, to write the training guide.

So yeah, he went from functionally illiterate to able to structure, design and produce the content for a full professional training manual. Needing help mostly for spelling, grammar and punctuation.

I'm very proud of him for that.

[Ben_Who]

Glasses when I was eight, contacts when I was sixteen, non-functional without some kind of vision correction. Growing up, I tried to downplay the fact that I had a pair of bottle bottoms on my face by getting the lightest, subtlest frames possible. (Of course, this was in the 1980s, so aviator-style frames were all the rage, God help me.)

Thank God for the advent of geek chic. Next time I needed to replace a pair of glasses, I got the biggest, blackest, nerdiest frames money could buy. I looked like a Mythbuster. They were perfect.

I get the vanity thing. I get it. But sooner or later it's going to have to sink in that this is who you are, so you might as well throw yourself in. Maybe they make you look old, but if it's a choice between that and not being able to tell the difference between breakfast cereal and dish detergent, maybe you should rethink your priorities.

I find people take me a lot more seriously when I'm wearing those glasses, like they're sort of automatically adding 10 IQ points to me in their minds. I also think that, at work, they make me look busier.

[Kogarashi]

I'm thinking about getting prescription sunglasses though as the transtionals don't get dark enough.

You could try sunglasses that fit over regular glasses. I use these, they're a little bulky and hard to find a case to fit them, but they're quite good. They're polarized, they have side lenses so you don't get sun glare in the corners of the eyes and they completely cover your eyeglasses. You can find them in Walmart, Walgreens and other stores.

Yet another option is to get frames that have the clip-on or magnet-on sunglasses. Those are usually lower profile and fit in the same glasses case.

[Buglady]

I just shake my head at the "forgot my glasses" people. Occasionally I'll make a joke about forgetting my eyeballs - I've had glasses since I was six or so, and have basically had glasses on my face 18 hours a day for the last 32 years, so I really can't even imagine forgetting them! (I can't do contacts. I feel too naked! )

I got talked into progressive lenses (lineless bifocals) when I was 29 - when it came time to replace them, though, I couldn't afford the $600-odd and went back to single vision. Honestly, it made no difference. That time I got a second, slightly stronger pair of glasses for reading, but I only ever use them for very fine beadwork or if I'm very tired.

I currently own 6 pairs of glasses - I found an online seller with AMAZING deals and indulged myself (it's www.clearlycontacts.ca if you are in Canada. Sign up for their emails, they have frequent sales and even free glasses promotions! I got one pair completely free and only had to pay for the lens tinting on another). *(Not affiliated except as a very happy customer!)

I have 3 regular pairs, my reading glasses (that I never use), and 2 pairs of prescription sunglasses. One of those is my old prescription but the polarized lenses and aviator style frames make them perfect for cycling.