I have worn glasses most of my life. I remember my first pair of glasses- they were, of course, “Annie” frames…big, buglike, and ohsounattractive. I *had* to have the Annie frames…although I’m quite certain my mom must have argued with me to no avail. The older I get, the worse my vision gets- and it is by no means “poor” vision, but there’s been a definite decline, especially in the past 10 years.
I’ve always chosen glasses since my first pair- some cute, some funky, some super spunky (ok maybe not super spunky for others, but for me, they are spunky), some boring…
…and one time, I chose contacts. I did so with apprehension but thinking I’d be better about actually wearing them than my glasses.
That didn’t go over so well. I have this thing about my eyes. I can’t stand touching them or putting things- even drops- into them. I’m probably not the best person to be trying contacts, even if they are cheap contact lenses.
But now I’m due for an eye exam and checkup, and it’s time to decide…glasses, contacts, or surgery? The laser surgery seems to huge and- well, SURGICAL…but it’s kind of a one and done thing…contacts would be great if I could just get over my issues…and I’m so tired of glasses.
What do you think? Would you look more into surgery?
Marcie W. says
I don’t have very bad eyes and just wear glasses when I drive at night or when I read. They’re more like an accessory for me. My husband, on the other hand, needs them on a daily basis. He would love Lasik surgery but it’s a scary decision, like any surgery.
Skye Moyer says
I wear contacts now- but I am seriously considering lasik…
Chrissy says
I was actually interested in the surgery but apparently my vision is too bad for it.. sounds a little odd but they said it wouldn’t work. I also can’t wear contacts for the simple fact of if something damages my other eye I will be blind. I don’t really mind the glasses though so it’s never been a huge problem. I’ve worn them since I was 5 years old.
Karen Propes says
I ddn’t start wearing glasses until my 20’s, but from there I wore contacts. I loved the contacts, but you have to be careful and make sure they are clean before putting them into your eyes. I cut my cornea once when I apparently had some little something on my contact in my left eye. I woke up the next morning and pretty ucky pain and drops. But I did get the Lasik surgery about 8 years ago. Funny one of the main things that bothered me to get the surgery was being bed ridden from so many surgeries I seem to keep breaking my glasses by laying on them or dropping them out of the bed. I hated having to continously look for my glasses. I had my surgery in NC, Christine Lee eye doctor. I felt save, because she was a pioneer in the field of Lasik. She wrote a book about it. So after finding her, I had the surgery.
My eyes felt gritty for a day, and now I am still seeing far off great. Then comes the age thing where I can’t see close up. They can now correct that if you have cataracts and you qualify for it. Hoping I don’t have cataaracts. So now I’m using reading glasses. I don’t care if they get lost or broken because they have them at the Dollar Store. you do have to look through them carefully because some may be a little distorted, but overall they are good. I would get the surgery over again without hesitation. Good luck making your decision.
Cataract Surgeon that you had LASIK.
Joanne Schultz says
I’ve worn glasses since 2nd grade. I got contacts in 9th grade- they were a LOT more expensive then than now- my father said that I had to put enough money into the bank to cover the cost, and then he’d pay for them. I’d worn contacts for ages, but my older eyes were dryer and I couldn’t wear them all day long as I had earlier. My friend had had Lasik surgery and offered to drive me there should I decide to have it done. My eye doctor had mentioned that I might want to consider it – and I asked him why HE didn’t get it – his response was that he didn’t need reading glasses yet, and he wanted to wait until he did, because the surgery will make you need them – not sure if that is for people of all ages, or just those who were close to needing reading glasses. I finally broke down and had the surgery, and it is so-o-o-oo wonderful being able to see clearly and not need glasses. My eyes were dryer for the first year or so, so I used plenty of over the counter eye drops. When I had finally agreed to Lasik surgery, I told my eye doctor it was a cost effective measure – since bifocals are quite pricey – he thought that was pretty funny. Insurance wouldn’t cover the surgery, so I paid for it myself – no regrets – it was worth every cent. And with TLC, you are eligible for ‘tune-ups’ as I call them!
Now that I am jobless and without insurance, I am soo-o-o glad I had the surgery. I have both distance glasses and reading glasses, but I don’t really need them unless the light is bad and I need more clarity.
Just make sure that if you have the surgery it is done by a reputable company/doctor. While it’s nice to save money, my eyesight is worth a lot more than saving a few bucks!
My niece was very self-conscious about wearing glasses – she’d rather squint. She was pretty young, but her eye doctor suggested that she get contacts. She can’t stand having anything near her eyes, but she persevered and now wears contacts all the time. She has the daily disposable ones, so that works out well- less chance of infection due to inadequate cleaning of the lenses.
Good luck in making your decision. fyi, they gave me a valium before the surgery – so that might help with your reluctance to have them near your eyes.
Alicia says
I wear contacts primarily but also have glasses I love. I don’t want to do the surgery but I know many people who’s vision is much better after surgery. My husband had surgery 7 years ago and still has 20/10 vision. He suffers from dry eyes more so now than before surgery but other than that it has been good. I still won’t do it. I’m just not feeling it. I don’t think I helped. Sorry.
steph says
If it makes you feel any better, I had the huge red Sally Jesse Raphael glasses! (Wonder whatever happened to her?) Anyway…my dad had the surgery and he went from wearing thick glasses his entire life to wearing them occasionally. He doesn’t even need the corrective lens endorsement on his license anymore. If you can swing it, I suggest surgery.
queenb says
OMG! sally jesse raphael!! lol
Ann Marie | white house black shutters says
I have contacts, but have such a high prescription that I was told I’d never be back to 20/20. I don’t know, I’d be nervous about surgery, but have heard many good things about it! Good luck with your decision. 🙂
Jessica says
What is your prescription? Mine was -9.75 in one eye and -9.5 in the other. My eyes aren’t quite 20/20 now after the surgery, but very close. It is most likely due to my immediate pregnancy after the surgery. You could always go to a different lasik doctor for a consultation. The technology is amazing and has improved greatly over the years.
Full Time Mama says
Everyone I know who has had the surgery is thrilled with the results! So I’d say go for that.
So far I am blessed to have great vision, and I am happy. I went thru a phase when I was about 10, however, that I REALLY wanted glasses. I thought I’d look smarter and cooler with them, and so I insisted that I couldnt see and needed glasses. My mom took me to an eye doctor, and though I gave my best effort to read poorly -while still trying to look quite smart, Haha- he told her my sight was perfect and I didn’t need glasses.
Jessica says
I had LASIK last year and am so glad I did. They even had a 0% interest plan for 2 years so it wasn’t such a blow to the budget all at one time. The procedure was really easy and the recovery was super fast. I wore glasses from age 7-11 and then contacts from age 11-28. Super super bad eyes and barely qualified for the surgery. I would recommend it to anyone who is a candidate for the surgery. Good luck!