I went to the ophthalmologist yesterday because
A) it had been several years since my eyes had been checked
B) I'm of a "certain" age
C) I was afraid I was going blind
D) my current frames, which are scratched, make me look like an old lady
E) all of the above
If you hadn't guessed, the answer is E.
So ... The tech checks me and the doctor comes in and runs me through a bunch of tests. And he tells me that he can't make a set of glasses that will correct my vision better than the ones I already have.
Damn!
So ... The tech dilates my eyes so the doc can better assess the problem. I spend half an hour sitting butt up next to an extremely large, heavy smoker who's spending her dilation wait time whining to the other four dilation people complaining about needing another smoke. That smell never bothered me until I quit smoking several years ago; now it kills me.
Anyway, finally my pupils are the size of dinner plates and they go to round two.
The doc takes another look and announces that he knows what's bothering me. "You've got junk in your eyes." Of course, there's a fancier name for my condition -- buffalosis -- but the fact remains that it's junk in the eyes. My tear ducts are clogged, so they can't keep my eyes moist -- and clean. As a result, dirt and grime form a film that blurs everything to the point that what see is distorted and I can't see things clearly well at all.
He solved my problems simply:
First, he wrote a new glasses prescription to solve problem D (old lady glasses).
And he gave me eye drops and guidance on cleaning my tear ducts (diluted baby shampoo). And told me to come see him every year -- not every election cycle.
So ... For two days now I've been following his instructions. And guess what?
Praise be!
My sight has been restored!
So I'm wondering how many of my other problems in life have been caused by junk in my eyes? Has my perspective been so clouded by the immediate crap that I haven't been able to see the situation clearly?
Anyway, I've been thinking about how much of my life may have been through junky eyes, distorted by the crap that could have been washed away?
