Has your eyesight improved?

[NIK]

I have worn spectacles for distance ever since I 'failed' my driving test at the age of 17 without even getting behind the wheel - my instructor had overlooked testing my eyesight and I was shocked when I couldn't read the number plate test and therefore had to get specs and book another driving test. As I passed at my first 'proper' attempt I always claim I passed first time! 

Apart from for driving I didn't start to wear specs regularly until I was 21. Now, although I have never needed them for close up, and been told by an optician that I probably never will, I used to leave them on, but as time went on and my long distance continued to deteriorate, requiring stronger prescriptions, I found I couldn't see close up with them, so had to take them off for anything close such as reading and writing.

I had regular checks and each time they inevitably recommended a new prescription to fill their coffers, only once in maybe 25 visits was I told I didn't need new prescription. The problem with taking them off as I was increasingly doing was that I would put them down anywhere and then not be able to find them again. In fact, apart from watching tv I never really wear them inside anymore. I bought one of those chain things to prevent me mislaying them, but couldn't get on with it, as not only did it irritate me, catching them against tables and suchlike, but I felt like Larry Grayson!

Now the last time I went for a check last year I was told that my long distance sight had actually improved, and I could tell it had. Nevertheless, they still flogged me some new specs as they said the existing prescription was too strong!
My eyesight seems to be continuing to improve, although I would still never dare to try to drive without them or even go out walking as I would feel vulnerable, although I am increasingly having to remove them in shops to examine the shelves.

I am surprised with increasing age that my eyesight, which for long distance at least, has deteriorated throughout my adult life, now appears to be improving, whilst my near sight remains perfect. I thought it was supposed to get worse. I don't expect I will ever achieve 20/20 vision, but never since I was a teenager am I wearing glasses less and less.

Has anyone else experienced an improvement in their eyesight or am I undergoing a miracle?

[David1970]

When I was 16 I was given glasses to read, at a check up just before my 18 birthday they told me the problem had been rectified and I did not need glasses. In my early forties I need reading glasses,  I now were bifocals as I do a lot of driving and reading, I think they have made my eyesight worse, but it might be old age.

[scutty brown]

Well, the old adage was that wanking made you go blind, did the old sages get it the wrong way round?

[Blackpool Rock]

I believe the shape of your eye changes slightly as you get older meaning that your short sight can deteriorate and your long sight can improve if you were previously short sighted.

Perhaps if you still have your previous glasses stashed at the back of a drawer somewhere they may be suitable again and as fashion goes in circles you may look really cool 

(Just a joke) but will your view of the world now also change 

[winkywanky]

I believe the shape of your eye changes slightly as you get older meaning that your short sight can deteriorate and your long sight can improve if you were previously short sighted.

Perhaps if you still have your previous glasses stashed at the back of a drawer somewhere they may be suitable again and as fashion goes in circles you may look really cool 

(Just a joke) but will your view of the world now also change 

This is true.

If you're shortsighted your eyeball is effectively too long front-to-back. Parallel rays of light hit the lens at the front of your eye, and to be in-focus need to converge to a single point on your retina.

If the eyeball is too long they converge just short of the retina, and the flexible lens in the front is unable to resolve this to the required degree. So you need glasses to help.

If you're longsighted then the eyeball is effectively too short, meaning that the rays hit the retina before they converge. Again, you need glasses to correct.

As you get older your eyes do change shape (I think they effectively shrink a little) so that people's short-sightedness can reduce a little.

But you also need to add-in the reading glasses thing: the lens at the front of your eye gets less flexible as you age so the range of focus reduces. So even if your 'prescription' stays the same or similar as you get older, you will need reading glasses purely because you can't focus things which are close to you.

I think the way to look at it is that with 20/20 vision your eyes are set up to focus on 'infinity'. When you start getting closer than say around 4', your eyes have to start working to focus. The closer still, the more the lens has to work. When the lens gets old and stiff (just like the rest of your body  ) it needs reading glasses to help.

[David1970]

I have worn spectacles for distance ever since I 'failed' my driving test at the age of 17 without even getting behind the wheel - my instructor had overlooked testing my eyesight and I was shocked when I couldn't read the number plate test and therefore had to get specs and book another driving test. As I passed at my first 'proper' attempt I always claim I passed first time! 

Apart from for driving I didn't start to wear specs regularly until I was 21. Now, although I have never needed them for close up, and been told by an optician that I probably never will, I used to leave them on, but as time went on and my long distance continued to deteriorate, requiring stronger prescriptions, I found I couldn't see close up with them, so had to take them off for anything close such as reading and writing.

I had regular checks and each time they inevitably recommended a new prescription to fill their coffers, only once in maybe 25 visits was I told I didn't need new prescription. The problem with taking them off as I was increasingly doing was that I would put them down anywhere and then not be able to find them again. In fact, apart from watching tv I never really wear them inside anymore. I bought one of those chain things to prevent me mislaying them, but couldn't get on with it, as not only did it irritate me, catching them against tables and suchlike, but I felt like Larry Grayson!

Now the last time I went for a check last year I was told that my long distance sight had actually improved, and I could tell it had. Nevertheless, they still flogged me some new specs as they said the existing prescription was too strong!
My eyesight seems to be continuing to improve, although I would still never dare to try to drive without them or even go out walking as I would feel vulnerable, although I am increasingly having to remove them in shops to examine the shelves.

I am surprised with increasing age that my eyesight, which for long distance at least, has deteriorated throughout my adult life, now appears to be improving, whilst my near sight remains perfect. I thought it was supposed to get worse. I don't expect I will ever achieve 20/20 vision, but never since I was a teenager am I wearing glasses less and less.

Has anyone else experienced an improvement in their eyesight or am I undergoing a miracle?

Have you thought about driving to Barnard Castle to test your eyes, it seems to be government policy.

[mr.bluesky]

Have you thought about driving to Barnard Castle to test your eyes, it seems to be government policy.

   and take your family with you just to make sure.

[Blackpool Rock]

This is true.

If you're shortsighted your eyeball is effectively too long front-to-back. Parallel rays of light hit the lens at the front of your eye, and to be in-focus need to converge to a single point on your retina.

If the eyeball is too long they converge just short of the retina, and the flexible lens in the front is unable to resolve this to the required degree. So you need glasses to help.

If you're longsighted then the eyeball is effectively too short, meaning that the rays hit the retina before they converge. Again, you need glasses to correct.

As you get older your eyes do change shape (I think they effectively shrink a little) so that people's short-sightedness can reduce a little.

But you also need to add-in the reading glasses thing: the lens at the front of your eye gets less flexible as you age so the range of focus reduces. So even if your 'prescription' stays the same or similar as you get older, you will need reading glasses purely because you can't focus things which are close to you.

I think the way to look at it is that with 20/20 vision your eyes are set up to focus on 'infinity'. When you start getting closer than say around 4', your eyes have to start working to focus. The closer still, the more the lens has to work. When the lens gets old and stiff (just like the rest of your body  ) it needs reading glasses to help.

Unfortunately there is one part of your body which perhaps doesn't get so stiff as you get older, mother nature is cruel 

[winkywanky]

Unfortunately there is one part of your body which perhaps doesn't get so stiff as you get older, mother nature is cruel 

My eyes are shit, but hopefully I haven't been affected in that way yet   

[Moby Dick]

Nope, I just don’t drink as much as I used to, or I’ve become impervious to alcohol, so my choices have probably become wiser as I’ve aged, not my eyesight improving.

[RandomGuy99]

My optician told me the same a few years ago. It happens with age. It stays improved for a little while and starts to worsen again.

[NIK]

My optician told me the same a few years ago. It happens with age. It stays improved for a little while and starts to worsen again.

That is disappointing.

[B4bcock]

One advantage to being short sighted is that, without corrective lenses, your near vision is perfect when viewing objects only a few inches in front of your face.    A couple of times now, I have worn only one contact lens when visiting a SP so I can get a good, crystal clear eyeful when engaging in RO or 69.   

[Moby Dick]

One advantage of being long sighted is that you don’t need to wear corrective glasses to drive.
As long as you can read a number plate x feet away then you can pass your test.
The only downside is that you can’t read the dials on the dashboard so have no idea how fast you are going or if you are about to run out of fuel, and of course you can’t read your texts on your phone.

[A Decent Fist]

One advantage to being short sighted is that, without corrective lenses, your near vision is perfect when viewing objects only a few inches in front of your face.    A couple of times now, I have worn only one contact lens when visiting a SP so I can get a good, crystal clear eyeful when engaging in RO or 69.   

I wore glasses for short sight from age 10. Originally I could read with them on, but as early as my 20s I had to take them off to see things close up.

Now in my 60s, my field of good vision without the glasses has increased to about 5ft, but I still need them for driving, cycling, walking around and going to the cinema.

My prescription has varied by only a minimal amount over the years. Don't actually know if the lenses are stronger or weaker.

I can still read without them, but it's easier with a pair of cheap reading glasses, strength 1.0 or 1.5.

[Ahalfa Carling]

Contact lenses are a bugger for changing your prescription as well.

[Chorley]

I have worn spectacles for distance ever since I 'failed' my driving test at the age of 17 without even getting behind the wheel - my instructor had overlooked testing my eyesight and I was shocked when I couldn't read the number plate test and therefore had to get specs and book another driving test. As I passed at my first 'proper' attempt I always claim I passed first time! 

Apart from for driving I didn't start to wear specs regularly until I was 21. Now, although I have never needed them for close up, and been told by an optician that I probably never will, I used to leave them on, but as time went on and my long distance continued to deteriorate, requiring stronger prescriptions, I found I couldn't see close up with them, so had to take them off for anything close such as reading and writing.

I had regular checks and each time they inevitably recommended a new prescription to fill their coffers, only once in maybe 25 visits was I told I didn't need new prescription. The problem with taking them off as I was increasingly doing was that I would put them down anywhere and then not be able to find them again. In fact, apart from watching tv I never really wear them inside anymore. I bought one of those chain things to prevent me mislaying them, but couldn't get on with it, as not only did it irritate me, catching them against tables and suchlike, but I felt like Larry Grayson!

Now the last time I went for a check last year I was told that my long distance sight had actually improved, and I could tell it had. Nevertheless, they still flogged me some new specs as they said the existing prescription was too strong!
My eyesight seems to be continuing to improve, although I would still never dare to try to drive without them or even go out walking as I would feel vulnerable, although I am increasingly having to remove them in shops to examine the shelves.

I am surprised with increasing age that my eyesight, which for long distance at least, has deteriorated throughout my adult life, now appears to be improving, whilst my near sight remains perfect. I thought it was supposed to get worse. I don't expect I will ever achieve 20/20 vision, but never since I was a teenager am I wearing glasses less and less.

Has anyone else experienced an improvement in their eyesight or am I undergoing a miracle?

Yes.  I went on a 30 mile car journey and it miraculously improved. 

[A Decent Fist]

Yes.  I went on a 30 mile car journey and it miraculously improved. 

Do pay attention at the back of the class. We've already had that joke in Replies 5 and 6.

[winkywanky]

Do pay attention at the back of the class. We've already had that joke in Replies 5 and 6.

ADF, one of our most our esteemed and erudite brethren...I do believe the Lockdown is getting to you mate  .

[You're damn right though, a lot of people seem to have lost the ability to see to read, must be all that wanking  ]

[Chorley]

Do pay attention at the back of the class. We've already had that joke in Replies 5 and 6.

Who pissed on your chips treacle? 

[David1970]

Do pay attention at the back of the class. We've already had that joke in Replies 5 and 6.

Yes but worth repeating the man who runs this country feels he is above the law, and we are all so stupid that we will believe his lies about testing his eyes.

[NIK]

Yes but worth repeating the man who runs this country feels he is above the law, and we are all so stupid that we will believe his lies about testing his eyes.

Alongside thousands of far left protesters who started the fashion for mass gatherings.

[Chorley]

Alongside thousands of far left protesters who started the fashion for mass gatherings.

Don't forget the far right one's NIK.

[NIK]

Alongside thousands of far left protesters who started the fashion for mass gatherings.

That is why I said STARTED the fashion.

[Blackpool Rock]

So even a topic about eyesight ends up as a Left vs Right political football 

[Chorley]

So even a topic about eyesight ends up as a Left vs Right political football 

Hence my reply to NIK. He just can't help himself

[NIK]

Hence my reply to NIK. He just can't help himself

Not when the hypocrisy about Cummings’ transgressions are involved.
I can excuse the left for being thickos (they can’t help themselves ) but I can’t stomach their hypocrisy.

[David1970]

Alongside thousands of far left protesters who started the fashion for mass gatherings.

The difference is Cummings is that man who sets the governments agenda including the social distancing laws, which he broke buts ok, because he need to test his eyes by driving 30 miles.

[Blackpool Rock]

Not when the hypocrisy about Cummings’ transgressions are involved.
I can excuse the left for being thickos (they can’t help themselves ) but I can’t stomach their hypocrisy.

Nik I think you've got this the wrong way round 
From where I sit it's Cummings who is the hypocrite making the rules and then breaking them while the top dogs around him all rush to back him up and close ranks 

I haven't broken any of the rules and I haven't actually looked at the details of the latest "bubble" idea so i'm not sure what the rules actually are, after Cummings and then being told we all need to do our civic duty by Hancock a few days later I couldn't care less what the rules are now and if I want to do something then I will, they've totally lost my good will, wankers 

[Chorley]

Nik I think you've got this the wrong way round 
From where I sit it's Cummings who is the hypocrite making the rules and then breaking them while the top dogs around him all rush to back him up and close ranks 

I haven't broken any of the rules and I haven't actually looked at the details of the latest "bubble" idea so i'm not sure what the rules actually are, after Cummings and then being told we all need to do our civic duty by Hancock a few days later I couldn't care less what the rules are now and if I want to do something then I will, they've totally lost my good will, wankers 

Here here. That smarmy cunt Hancock telling us it our civic duty to use Tack and Trace.  He's lost all credibility  and can go fuck himself as far as I'm concerned. 

[NIK]

Nik I think you've got this the wrong way round 
From where I sit it's Cummings who is the hypocrite making the rules and then breaking them while the top dogs around him all rush to back him up and close ranks 

I haven't broken any of the rules and I haven't actually looked at the details of the latest "bubble" idea so i'm not sure what the rules actually are, after Cummings and then being told we all need to do our civic duty by Hancock a few days later I couldn't care less what the rules are now and if I want to do something then I will, they've totally lost my good will, wankers 

Yes, Cummings is a hypocrite too. But he is involved in politics and it goes with the territory. Indeed, it is the first qualification required to be a politician or advisor.

[Chorley]

Yes, Cummings is a hypocrite too. But he is involved in politics and it goes with the territory. Indeed, it is the first qualification required to be a politician or advisor.

So that makes it alright then? 

[NIK]

Here here. That smarmy cunt Hancock telling us it our civic duty to use Tack and Trace.  He's lost all credibility  and can go fuck himself as far as I'm concerned. 

I think only the elderly and vulnerable seem to be taking any notice of them now. I am sick of hearing them saying on the news from tomorrow you will be able to do x but not y, etc.
Most people have been doing as they please for weeks.

[Beamer]

Here here. That smarmy cunt Hancock telling us it our civic duty to use Tack and Trace.  He's lost all credibility  and can go fuck himself as far as I'm concerned. 

Boris needs to show some balls and fire him. Won't happen yet because he still needs a fall guy.
.....and surely as Home Secretary,  Patel should have a higher profile.  He needs to sort her out before she does real harm with her policy of "engaging mouth before brain"

[Home Alone]

I think only the elderly and vulnerable seem to be taking any notice of them now. I am sick of hearing them saying on the news from tomorrow you will be able to do x but not y, etc.
Most people have been doing as they please for weeks.

As a 74-year-old physically disabled man, who hasn't seen a SP since December last year but has 'broken the rules' and visited a friend on a couple of occasions since lockdown began, I've been surprised by how many police officers and Network Rail staff haven't challenged me and whom I've been able to persuade, for example, to waive the rules about the one-way system operating at some  stations.

Had I been of a mind to visit a SP, I'm sure I'd have been able to get to her premises without being challenged on the assumption that disabled/elderly people - or preferably both! - would never break the rules.

[sub_marine]

I also had the same dilema about 10 mins before a driving test at 17, luckily the test was on local roads so knew them quite well without being able to see properly.  I managed to memorise about 6 number plates of cars in the car park before entering the test centre, and then "read" out the correct plate for the examiner before passing the test.  Went to the optician a week later for glasses as I was lined up for the Pass Plus course before getting my first car.  Optician was blown away I had managed to pass a driving test yet needed -2.0 lenses.  Prescription gradually crept up to -3.0 within 5 years in both eyes and been stable since.  Although in the last few years I cant see closer than 12" with the specs on, but with my specs off I cant see further than 18".  I do a lot of fine soldering at work and some hobby stuff so now find I just rest my glasses on top of my head, but drives people mad at work cos then I'm not wearing my safety specs when soldering up close to my face.

[winkywanky]

I also had the same dilema about 10 mins before a driving test at 17, luckily the test was on local roads so knew them quite well without being able to see properly.  I managed to memorise about 6 number plates of cars in the car park before entering the test centre, and then "read" out the correct plate for the examiner before passing the test.  Went to the optician a week later for glasses as I was lined up for the Pass Plus course before getting my first car.  Optician was blown away I had managed to pass a driving test yet needed -2.0 lenses.  Prescription gradually crept up to -3.0 within 5 years in both eyes and been stable since.  Although in the last few years I cant see closer than 12" with the specs on, but with my specs off I cant see further than 18".  I do a lot of fine soldering at work and some hobby stuff so now find I just rest my glasses on top of my head, but drives people mad at work cos then I'm not wearing my safety specs when soldering up close to my face.

You like to live dangerously, don't you? 

You don't need me to tell you that's simply crazy, the fumes are bad enough but you do get the occasional 'spitting' from the work while you're soldering It's your eyes we're talking about here 

[joe diddley]

I should think for most of us our eyesight has deteriorated during lockdown due to the considerably greater amount of time spent wanking. 

[Chorley]

I should think for most of us our eyesight has deteriorated during lockdown due to the considerably greater amount of time spent wanking. 

I'm seriously considering changing my name to Mr Magoo by deed poll 

[hungrypunt]

had the laser op 4 years ago, and glad i did.
But before that I felt wearing glasses all the time was making em worse. If I went a good few hours in the morning without, i could get way most of the day without. If I wore them first thing for 10 mins I had to wear them all day

[sub_marine]

Quite a few of my work colleagues had laser surgery.  Most of them thought it was great, but now one guy always had dry eyes afterwards, and was forever squirting drops into them.  That put me right off as I used to wear contact lenses daily for about 20 years then in the space of about 6 months my eyes dried up and been mostly wearing glasses ever since.  So down to using daily disposable contacts only if I am doing sports and I need to wear sunglasses

[winkywanky]

Quite a few of my work colleagues had laser surgery.  Most of them thought it was great, but now one guy always had dry eyes afterwards, and was forever squirting drops into them.  That put me right off as I used to wear contact lenses daily for about 20 years then in the space of about 6 months my eyes dried up and been mostly wearing glasses ever since.  So down to using daily disposable contacts only if I am doing sports and I need to wear sunglasses

You're basically enforcing 'calculated scarring' onto your cornea when you have corrective laser surgery.

The formation of that predicted scar tissue formation changes the shape of your cornea which is effectively the front surface of your eye's lens. So you change the focal length. The cornea actually has layers just like skin but it's incredibly transparent with no blood supply. It's living tissue of course, but it takes oxygen in directly from the air, not via blood vessels.

What it does have though is lots of nerves and is easily irritated. A small number of people will have side-effects, and a very small number will have serious problems. It's a calculated risk like most surgery. A couple of opthalmic surgeons I've spoken to said they would never consider it for themselves, I guess they're well aware of the potential pitfalls.

[Bonker]

Sorry I didn't reply earlier. I couldn't see it very well.

Yes please, with 2 sugars.

[hungrypunt]

You're basically enforcing 'calculated scarring' onto your cornea when you have corrective laser surgery.

The formation of that predicted scar tissue formation changes the shape of your cornea which is effectively the front surface of your eye's lens. So you change the focal length. The cornea actually has layers just like skin but it's incredibly transparent with no blood supply. It's living tissue of course, but it takes oxygen in directly from the air, not via blood vessels.

What it does have though is lots of nerves and is easily irritated. A small number of people will have side-effects, and a very small number will have serious problems. It's a calculated risk like most surgery. A couple of opthalmic surgeons I've spoken to said they would never consider it for themselves, I guess they're well aware of the potential pitfalls.

Cheers WW, good insight that (no pun intended)

[paper7]

Here here. That smarmy cunt Hancock telling us it our civic duty to use Tack and Trace.  He's lost all credibility  and can go fuck himself as far as I'm concerned. 

Quite agree. Hancock had no credibility when I first became aware of him and has even less now!