Yesterday I visited my eye doctor. I’ve worn glasses since I was 7 years old and contacts since age 25. Every time I get my eyes checked it’s expensive because my sight continues to get worse. Yesterday I learned that I’m now blind without correction.
For me, “correction” is equal to panic. I don’t wear just any old contact lenses. I wear bi-focal gas permeable lenses that let oxygen into my eyes. I’ve had corneal refraction done. I need reading glasses over my contacts to read, although it’s hoped putting in the new bi-focal in my dominant eye will decrease the need for reading glasses. My contacts are $150, for each eye. Every year. Because my eyes never improve or remain the same.
Since contacts get dry, and for things like surgery and bearing children, hospitals won’t permit us to wear them,so I need glasses. Since I’m as nearsighted as they come (My doc jokes that I’m the poster child for it), I require special lenses. They make what would be heavy lenses lighter for me. Rather than bi-focals, I get what is called “progressive” lenses, which take some time for the brain and eyes to get used to. For me to do something like watch TV, I must tilt my head in certain directions when I wear glasses.
My eyeglass lenses were $350.
Frames $175
Contacts $300
Eye Exam $100
About $1000, for just this year, so that I can see.
And even though we have health insurance, it doesn’t cover eyes. Apparently, being able to see is a luxury.
Sooner or later they won’t be able to help me anymore. It’s already getting funny. Like today, I got out of the shower and didn’t have my contacts in yet. I looked out into the bedroom and started talking to our Shitzu-Bichon puppy, “Kynya”. When she didn’t respond, I grabbed my glasses to see if she was okay.
I was talking to a stuffed dog toy.
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