Yesterday I went for an eye exam since it's been 10 years since I last had one. I think my vision is pretty good except for an annoying "floater" in each eye. Most of the time I don't see them but sometimes they bother me for weeks at a time. So before we go off eye insurance I thought it was a good idea.

Last time I got an eye exam it was from our long time optomologist in Colorado. I got both reading glasses and long distance glasses, neither of which I could ever really wear because they were too strong. I went back to him and argued about the prescription but he insisted that it was correct. Money down the drain. He also told me a few other things on that long ago exam. He told me that a had a bad astigmatism and should not be wearing over-the-counter readers because they would harm my eyes. (I've used them for 10 years now.) He also told me that I was a little bit color blind. I've always thought I had a good sense of color and its nuances so I was quite surprised to hear that.

So needless to say I was a bit anxious about going to the eye doctor. I am glad to say I aced it! My eyes are healthy and I don't really need glasses for long distance, just if I feel I need objects slightly clearer. My vision is 20:30. Reading is a whole 'nother matter. But guess what? He said if I'm comfortable with over-the-counter readers I should keep using them, but if I wanted glasses tailored to my eyes then I could fill the prescription. When I asked about the astigmatism and told him what the other doctor had said he said yes I had an astigmatism from the Lasik surgery (it almost always causes that) but it was very slight. I also asked about the color blindness since he hadn't said anything and he just laughed and said I had gotten everything but one right, and by the way, it's mostly men that can have color blindness but it's very rare in women. 

Well. So much for Dr. Straub.

These days instead of dialtion they do a really cool computer scan of the retina. It was interesting to see photos of my eyes. Kind of creepy.

Since my mom had macular degeneration I asked him about that as well since it is hereditary. The first thing he said was "Do you smoke?" I replied that I never have and he said GOOD. Smoking is related to macular degeneration which I had never heard before. My mom did not smoke but my father did. Could it have been second hand smoke for all those years? He said it was very likely. My mom would be furious if she knew that. My dad died from emphysema caused by his smoking. Rick's father also has macular degeneration and is almost blind. He smoked, had lung cancer and one lung removed many years ago. Interesting, yes?

Anyway, long story short, my vision is great! I am going to look into reading glasses to see how much they would cost while we still have the insurance but I'm just as fine with readers which have not damaged my eyes. I am not the slightest bit colorblind.

Glad you aced your eye exam! I too was conned into buying an unnecessary pair of prescription glasses many years ago (17, to be exact) and I NEVER wear them. I use over-the-counter readers in low light, but otherwise I don’t need anything. (Knock on wood.)

Smoking is such a nightmare. I am so glad I never smoked.

Bless you Steve, you are the only one who comments anymore!

I am glad I never smoked either!