Monday, November 02, 2009

Cutting Costs.

My eyes are blind,
I cannot se,
I have not got my specs with me.



Time to see the optician. I knew my reading glasses and my sunglasses needing updating but hoped my very expensive Zeiss, varifocals with titanium frames (for lightness) would do another turn. Our optician of many years has now retired but the young Irish replacement was pleasant and seemed to know what he was about. Apparently my eyes have changed over the last two years and all my glasses need updating.


Good news in a way in that at least reading will be easier. Less good was the news there is a beginning of a cataract in one eye which should – he said - be protected from sunlight. My last words to MTL:

‘Don’t worry I shan’t do anything in a hurry. I’ll just get my prescription and think about going to Spec Savers in Taunton.’


So I went ahead and ordered new, but got the optician on my side about cutting costs. I don’t know why I have always had Zeiss- apparently they are more expensive than others equally good so no Zeiss. He agreed that as my reading glasses frames were as new (only used in bed) they needn’t have new frames. He also decided that my titanium frames needn’t be changed and as for the sun glasses he suggested I have transitional lenses on my every day glasses which then will automatically darken in bright light to protect my eyes all the time. So whoopee - no sun glasses and a more reasonable outlay.


So glad I went - the only down side is – for the next week or so - I shall be wearing quite old specs so there may be a few errors- or rather a few more.

Busy week: our son is arriving form Australia for a flying visit – which will be lovely - and it’s MTL’s birthday. Be seeing you – dimly.

41 comments:

Queenie said...

Well done for getting that lot sorted out. And have fun with your family celebrations!

DILLIGAF said...

Happy birthday to him!

Use glasses for reading and pc myself. Had 20/20 until about 4 years back...apparently it's an age thing said the optician...:-(

lom said...

have a great time Pat

Kim Ayres said...

A busy week ahead then - hope the celebrations go well :)

Ms Scarlet said...

I'm like a bat without glasses or contacts - I can't even walk down a flight of stairs without them.
Have a happy week!
Sx

Pat said...

Queenie: thank you;)

Four D: thank you. It happens to us all. I was longing for specs in my forties - thought it would give me gravitas.

LOM: thank you:)

Kim: thanks - we'll try not to go mad.

Scarlet: even with glasses I keep a free hand over the banister.
Thanks for the wishes:)

Pat said...
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Z said...

When you have the cataract done, you might end up with better sight than before, let's hope so.

How lovely to see your son, and happy birthday YTL! (Never seems quite right to call him MTL, when we haven't even met!)

apprentice said...

Yes well done for going and getting it all sorted out. You've reminded me that I need to go too. I hope the visit and birthday are both roaring successes.

Anonymous said...

The only downside to transitional is that they don't seem to get as dark as I prefer. Do they block 100% of UV?

Cheers.

Pat said...

Z: I said that to the optician and it seems it's nowhere near an op but he'll see me in a year rather than two years. He also recommended special drops which I forgot to collect.
Thank you for the wishes:)

Anna: thanks. Yes it is worth checking - they also do that blasting your eyeballs for glaucoma I think it ia.

Randall: that I don't know but I'll ask him. Having got the heads up I'll be extra careful. I avoid being in strong sunshine in any case.

kenju said...

Happy Birthday to MTL and have fun with your son. I need new glasses too, but I'm trying to eke out as much from these as I can.

Unknown said...

My Dad has had both eyes done due to cataracts. Good luck!

Pat said...

Judy: thanks. Old glasses never lose their usefulness but I do understand. It took me ages to pay my hearing things off.

John.g: I hope I'm a long way off but I trust your Dad's were successful.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

It is amazing--The Cost Of Glasses!!! Frankly, I think it is all outrageous!
I know the eyesight in my right eye has changed drastically....And I MUST go to The Eye Doctor....
Maybe 7 years ago I had Cataract surgery in both eyes, Pat...one done and then two weeks later the other. IT WAS MIRACULOUS!!!!! COLORS were the most startling thing as well as lines in the face....One good, one not so good! LOL!
You are so good about taking care of all your 'medical' things....BRAVA to you!

Charlie said...

I think you'll find that with updated glasses you won't be so tired when you try to read or do any close-up work. Eye strain takes a lot of physical energy.

Pat said...

Naomi: well if it comes to it I shall face it remembering your cheering words:)

Charlie: again cheering words and I believe you. I came away feeling elated rather than downcast. Give me the half full glass every time:)

Andi said...

I have to get new glasses, too. Mine cost $300-$800 a pair. Not fun. I have exotropia so wearing the pair that isn't broken instantly makes the problem worse. Stressful.

Pat said...

The Bluest B: I had to google extropis and also dollar exchange and my specs were around 800$. As you say - not fun.
I'm not enjoying wearing the old ones and hope my new ones aren't delayed. They will be cheaper thank goodness.

Mage said...

Have a wonderful time, she says waving dimly back.

Gia Fernandes said...

Happy Birthday to your special man! Hope the celebrations are on in full swing.
Mom had cataracts removed from both eyes this year and she can see very clearly now. Hope you will be able to as well. Next year we'll get Dad's done.

When you have a minute or two to spare, come on over... I have a little surprise for you on my blog.

Kevin Musgrove said...

You've reminded me that I can't get away without an eye test much longer (mutter mutter...) I was hoping to get to 50 without glasses, it's the only vanity left for me. (-:

Have fun with the festivities.

Pat said...

Maggie: thanks!

Cloudcutter: thanks for the wishes. I'll leave the op until it's necessary I think. I will be over in the next day or so. It's quite hectic just now:)

Kevin: you somehow gave the impression you were much older. You're but a lad. I know lots - including a son - who neglect getting an eye test risking bad headaches and using their wives glasses but you are more sensible than that:)

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Oooh, ooh, things to celebrate...birthdays, a son from Oz.

Happy Birthday HER TL! Will you get a kangaroo?

Pat, apparently, berries are supposed to be good for the eyes [so says my best friend who squints as he reads fine print, chomping on berries and hoping they will save his eyes].

My mother has cataracts that refuse to 'grow' and they can't be 'cut' until they 'grow' more. I don't understand it at all, but the docs. in the US told her that.

Pat said...

GG: no kangaroo but I got the most beautiful bouquet and MTL will get his presents tomorrow - if he behaves himself.
It's true about berries and I usually have them for lunch and dinner with yoghourt.

I think I may be like your mother in that he says I have just the beginnings of one in one eye.

Kath said...

Happy Birthday MTL (well, YTL?)! Hope your son has a safe trip :o)

Jen said...

Guyana-Gyal: It may be the insurance company that is refusing to pay until the cataract gets worse.

I wear sunglasses even on cloudy days and when it rains. I had cataract surgery on my right eye and am hoping to delay or prevent getting one in my left eye. They have a lot of new lenses available these days. Make sure you research them all before you have surgery. I love my Crystal Lens.

Pat said...

Jen: thank you for that. I obviously need to do some research.

Pat said...
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Pat said...

Kath: thank you. He got here safely.

Leigh Russell said...

Life definitely becomes more complicated as you trundle through the mid-years, things drooping and fading... what was I saying?
I wear glasses for reading so wear them round my neck, otherwise I'd spent 99% of my day looking for them. I still manage to 'lose' my sunglasses on top of my head about once a day when it's sunny...

sablonneuse said...

I wrote a comment several days ago but it hasn't appeared. Maybe I made a mistake in copying the letters ans didn't wait to see the message in yellow.
Anyway, hope I'm not too late to wish YTL a happy birthday.

Pat said...

Leigh: on the other hand one worries less about things because the memories are magically erased so one forgets what one was upset about:)

Sandy: I hate it when that happens. If I'm in a hurry I forget to scroll down and miss word verification or whatever. You are not too late - thank you on his behalf and I'll tell him:)

angryparsnip said...

It seem in the last two years my eyes have deteriorated also.
Hope the transitional glasses work for you. In Arizona you really need good sunglasses because of the really bright sun.
Have a great visit and Birthday party.

Eryl said...

Stevie's great aunt Betty recently had her cataracts done and they put new lenses in while they were at it, she now doesn't need glasses at all and had worn them since she was a teenager!

Have a lovely week and happy birthday to your tl.

Pat said...

Parsnip: I'm eagerly awaiting the new prescriptions and hope they will make life easier.

Eryl: I hope I'm as lucky as great aunt Betty. Wouldn't that be luvverly?

Kanani said...

I changed out all my glasses this year! I even got "computer glasses," which are mid-range. They're wonderful!

Yes, it is a frightful expense. So I have to do a lot of shopping around to find the right pair at a decent price!

By the way, thank you for always coming on. I'm so scattered the past few months. And am always grateful for your comments. I've left you a link today in my post.

Pat said...

Kanani: computer glasses - oh my! i find I stick my chin in the air to read it.
You're welcome. Once anyone is on my side bar I stay pretty constant.
Thank you for the link.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Just wanted to tell you that my BooLunch-2 Post, is up!
It has been very very quiet today over at my place...Spooky, actually--like every blogger I know left town! (lol)

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Hmmm, Jen, that's a thought...instead of depending on what the docs. over there say, I will suggest to her that she sees a doc. here then.

We don't need insurance to see the private ones, and she can choose to see one at the public hospital, they're good too.

Pat said...

Naomi: it was dead here yesterday. I think everybody is twittering. I'll be over soon.

GG: hope she gets it fixed.