Publisher column: Who knew glasses were so complicated?

By Randy Capps

I’m familiar with the phrase “growing old gracefully,” but I’m finding it hard to pull off.

I’ve noticed my vision isn’t what it used to be in recent years, and as someone who makes a living staring at computer monitors all day, it’s tough to ignore that sort of thing.

So, after a quick and painless eye exam — boy, those have come a long way in the past decade or so — I was told that I need progressive lenses. Put more simply, I don’t see well enough up close or far away.

Progressives, if you’re not up to date on the latest in eye wear, give you the dual aid of bifocals without the clearly defined areas. So, the name describes the transition of the lenses from far away vision aid to the part that helps with reading stuff. Sounds simple enough, but as it turns out, there was a little more to it than that.

My first clue of that should have been the fact there was a tutorial that came when I got my glasses. “Your nose is your pointer,” the nice lady said. “Whatever you want to see, line it up with your nose.” I guess I didn’t realize how often I use my peripheral vision, but my first few minutes in progressives were a little rough.

I’d guess that about 20% of my vision more than 3 feet away from my face is better than ever, while everything else looks like it would if I were trying to see it underwater. That’s why, for the time being, I’m not wearing these while trying to walk anywhere. I’m too old to fall down.

It’s a process, but I’m getting used to it. As I type this, I’m making use of the reading part of the progressives. Using the bottom part of the lens for reading comes a little more naturally to me, and the transformation for me in this area tells me just how bad my vision has gotten.

A touch of family history and a lifetime of reading and staring at screens has taken its toll on the old peepers, and it’s nice to be able to read stuff without holding it at arms’ length for a change.

Making allowances to the passage of time is a part of life’s journey, I guess. Getting older isn’t always amazing, but it sure beats the alternative.