Years ago, long before children were even close to a reality for me, my optometrist examined my eyes, sat back and said, “You better hope for a miracle. Because that’s what it would take for your children to not need glasses.”
I don’t remember how that came up, but I assume I’d asked him about genetics.
No matter. His answer devastated me.
I’d had glasses since I was 12 (back when they were big and thick in plastic ungodly plastic frames). Even though I tried to destroy them all, I’m pretty sure there’s a photo of me somewhere like the one on the left, with my broken glasses being held together with tape.
Before this exam, I’d been doubling my prescription each year. Doc Ireland’s prediction was that I’d keep on this track until my eyes would stabilize for a short period before I’d need bifocals.
I’d lucked out at some point in high school and was able to get contacts. But those were no good in the swimming pool, where I spent most of my time practicing and competing.
I couldn’t imagine passing on the bad eyes gene. But I knew he was right. My dad had rotten eyesight (though not quite as bad as mine), plus a little astigmatism he so generously passed on to me and my sister.
Now we can add my little princess to that abnormally curved cornea legacy.
We learned today that my future farmgirl needs glasses, largely to correct that nasty little astigmatism in one eye…even though she has 20/20 vision in both eyes.
She’s been petrified about having to get glasses, so I’ve let myself procrastinate this visit. But when it became clear that some of her reading troubles may be linked to her ability to focus on words, I set up the appointment.
Sure enough, it’s confirmed. My optometrist was right (at least that one of my children needs glasses). That’s not to say she’ll end up with Coke bottle lenses like me.
Plus…have you seen the glasses kids get these days? They’re super cute, come in all sorts of fun colors, with prints and metallic flecks.
And, apparently, kids think that other kids with glasses are smart, honest and, um, cool. All things I will tell my daughter, who is coming around.
We turned the experience tonight into a mini shopping spree and she picked out a most adorable frame for her new glasses. And we celebrated with a trip to get a fast-food meal of her choice, plus milkshake.
Next week, the true test, when we pick them up and get trained on how to take care of them.
Wish us luck.
Virtual Farmgirl 
Both my husband and I have 20/20 vision, but it turns out our daughter is super near sighted and has a really tricky astigmatism. She is well on her way to those coke bottles you mentioned. We were totally clueless about her blindness until the school nurse figured it out. When she put her glasses on for the first time she looked at the world like she had never seen it before! She kept saying things like, “Wow. Trees have leaves?” I felt like the worst parent in the world!She has been wearing glasses since second grade and let me assure you she is many things including honest, smart, and cool. She has contacts now that she is heading toward high school, but makes the choice to wear glasses a lot…especially when she dresses up! I know it feels strange now, but I'd bet your future farm girl will rock her hipster lenses with style!
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Thanks for this Mel. I'm collecting all these great anecdotes to share with E. She's still wondering why she needs them (she asks quite a bit), but I think it'll make sense for her when she puts them on and doesn't have to struggle.
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Both my husband and I have 20/20 vision, but it turns out our daughter is super near sighted and has a really tricky astigmatism. She is well on her way to those coke bottles you mentioned. We were totally clueless about her blindness until the school nurse figured it out. When she put her glasses on for the first time she looked at the world like she had never seen it before! She kept saying things like, “Wow. Trees have leaves?” I felt like the worst parent in the world!She has been wearing glasses since second grade and let me assure you she is many things including honest, smart, and cool. She has contacts now that she is heading toward high school, but makes the choice to wear glasses a lot…especially when she dresses up! I know it feels strange now, but I'd bet your future farm girl will rock her hipster lenses with style!
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Thanks for this Mel. I'm collecting all these great anecdotes to share with E. She's still wondering why she needs them (she asks quite a bit), but I think it'll make sense for her when she puts them on and doesn't have to struggle.
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