Quality of Life

Jeffrey Caso

13 years ago

There are certain things that occur as we get older that we just need to accept. Then there are others that are so important that they deserve the good fight. Since turning 40 more than eight years ago there has been a steady decline in my eyesight. Not something that is uncommon. I, however, fought its effects very hard. I used reading glasses for a while, ignoring the fact that my distance vision was suffering as well. I would hang them on my shirt when I didn't need them and soon noticed all of my shirts were droopy and ripping. Still I fought on.

One night, my wife and I went out to dinner on one of our "date nights" and I sat in a dark restaurant and soon realized that I couldn't read the menu at all. My glasses were not helping and I was embarrassed. When the waiter came to take our order, my wife ordered first and I said, "that sounds great, I'll have the same". She looked at me funny, fully aware that I had never done that before and she knew that I really didn't love what she ordered. I 'fessed up and promised a resolution.

Off to the eye doctor for an exam and I ended up with progressive lenses for both reading and distance. I lived with this type of lens for many years. Unhappy but resolved to the fact that this is what was necessary. In the last several months, however, I became aware that I hate wearing glasses. I had to move my head in an exaggerated way to read the paper, going down a flight of stairs was treacherous and seeing the food on my dinner plate was impossible. I begged my eye doctor for a better answer and he offered me only more of the same.

Frustrated, I did something I hate to do. I tried another doctor. I sat in her chair and immediately she began to listen to my story. I explained my plight and added that I wear loupes all day and am unable to see things on the bracket table. Looking up, I couldn't see the CEREC screen. My prescription changed so fast I never had it put into my loupes. It was so expensive and needed to be changed every six months. She saw my frustration and offered me a solution.

The answer was bifocal contact lenses. She put a pair in and immediately I felt like I had a new lease on life. I got back my peripheral vision, I could see steps and curbs again, I could see the food on my plate, I could see intermediate distances so well. The computer screen was clear, so were street signs. I could go into a store and not have to wear my prescription sunglasses inside because I never remembered to bring my regular glasses. I can see through my loupes and see things on my bracket table. So many things happened that I felt like I was walking on air.

Sure there were issues. Extra time in the morning to put them in and at night to take them out. The learning curve was steep but fast. I was motivated though and nothing was going to stop me.

So, this major change in my life took place because someone was willing to listen to me and help me to resolve my issues. She asked the right question. What can I help you with today? That's a question I now ask every patient in my practice. Just tell me what you want and I will see if I can oblige. If I can't, I will tell you why. You may just change somebody's life by listening to what's bothering them and trying to make it better.