According to The Vision Council, about 70 percent of all Americans over the age of 18 need some form of vision correction, whether it’s glasses, contact lenses or vision surgery. Judging by that high percentage, we have a feeling we’ll see some similar results in today’s poll…
Do you wear glasses? If so, do you wear them all the time or do you wear them just for reading or close-up viewing? If not glasses, do you wear contacts? After you vote, as always, feel free to leave a comment. Thank you!
Cataract surgery is the best thing! Had it done during Covid when I was only 62. Many months of no glasses at all then got to the point of needing readers. Unfortunately can’t buy at the dollar tree since one eye is -2.5 and the other is -3.25
Problem….I have worn glasses all my life until the cataract surgery….now, I just don’t need them whatsoever. PTL.
You need another option — I wear glasses for distance, do not need them for reading.
At the beginning of this article you posted a picture of me with my glasses on, so I don’t know why you had to ask if I wore glasses or not. That pair in the picture is one of about 15 pair that I have spread around the house and shop. There is a pair for driving in each of my vehicles. Other than that I do not need glasses.
My answer eight days ago would have been “Yes, all the time.” Yesterday my answer would have been “Yes, contacts.” Today, after having cataract surgery on my right eye (a week after cataract surgery on my left eye), my answer is “No.” This is the first day I have not worn glasses or contact lens since sometime in the spring of 1965. How exciting to be able to see without having to put on, or in, something first!
Yay Neal! I’ve worn glasses for 65 years, but when I got them updated a couple of weeks ago, the optometrist said I’d have to have surgery in the next year or two. Haven’t been to my ophthalmologist since pre-pandemic, so we’ll see that he says. Glad to hear you’re doing so well! Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I had mine done during covid…I had gotten new glasses and within 6 months needed new ones. The VA said let’s do cataract surgery so you don’t need new glasses every few months. YEAH! It was wonderful waking up the next day and not having to reach for them to see the clock. However, after wearing them for so long when I go to step in the shower I often think “Oh I need to take my glasses off” and reach for them to remember I’m not wearing any!
Now I just need readers.
Thanks for the good report, Vanessa. I’m glad it’s going so well for you! I’m not looking forward to surgery, but I know I’ll be happy when it’s done. Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane
I wore glasses all my life until I had cataract surgery. I went with the high dollar lenses and now do not need glasses for distance or close up.
Lasik 25 years ago. Still 20/20 right and 20/25 left. Non dominant eye undercorrection intentional as it aids in close vision.
Said all of the time. But….although 73, I don’t need them for reading, only distance. I’m reading this newsletter without my glasses. Always wore contacts. Switched to glasses when diagnosed with dry eye. I like being able to read w/o glasses. With the big TV’s I can actually see well enough to use the guide/menu w/o glasses.
I began wearing glasses at 10. 20/400 in one eye, 20/200 in the other. Then Cataract surgery two years ago and now only the lowest level reading glasses.
I’m 75 years old and had worn glasses since I was in grade school. In April of 2019, I had cataracts removed and crystal lenses implanted. What a life changing experience! Dr. Raul Pena of the Pena Eye Institute in McAllen, TX is fantastic.
I WAS in the ‘all the time’ category. I needed prescription sunglasses (or clip-ons), and as a scuba diver when my head came out of the water I could see a boat without knowing if it was MY boat.
A few years back I decided to opt for Lasix surgery. My astigmatism and distance viewing was corrected. My night driving actually improved. However, I was correctly warned I would need glasses for closer viewing of fine details – like text.
When I first was tested the optometrist said it was either glasses or find a surgeon that could extend my arms to where my vision focal point was, I’m farsighted, I can’t read things close to me. Now 45+ years later I can’t read the big interstate signs without glasses.
only for up close reading, not needed for anything else.
Getting glasses in the 8th grade saved my life. Father refused to believe that I did, in fact, need them to see correctly.
I had the same experience with my dad at the same point. A friend gave me his glasses and I was shocked at how much easier it was to read those algebra expressions on the chalkboard. Money was tight, but a teacher convinced my dad to take me for an eye exam.
My experience was very similar to yours, Tom. After the eighth grade I told my mother that I would not go to school anymore if I didn’t get glasses. I knew I needed them because I couldn’t read what was on the chalk board even though I always sat on the front row. Dad threatened to whip me if I ever mentioned it again. The doctor had my father stand behind me in the examination chair and he could read almost to the bottom of the eye chart without glasses. I couldn’t even read the big E. The doctor held up two fingers and asked me how many. I thought there were three. He then jumped on my dad and told him that I was nearly blind! I think Dad was stunned. Like Tommy Molnar, I’ve worn glasses and contacts for many years. In 2015 I had cataract surgery and new lenses inserted. It opened up a whole new world for me! Now I almost never need glasses. I just occasionally use those little cheap ones for reading really small text.
I’ve been wearing glasses since the second grade. I’ve tried various iterations of contact lenses over the years but always returned to plain old glasses. When I had the ‘customary’ cataract surgery a few years ago I paid the ‘big bucks’ and had some sort of lenses inserted which all but eliminated the need for full time wearing of glasses. But I still wear them to eliminate the need for carrying “readers” with me.
Some of the time. I am required to wear them for driving, I do wear them for distance vision, I hate to wear them for reading and computer work so a different category for distance requirements is needed.
Only cheaters. Last year eye surgery to remove cataracts and lens implanted. So glad I did. Those that are considering doing don’t forget to change your drivers license because the police only see what restrictions are on there. For cheaters it doesn’t need to be listed. I just forgot and the surgical clinic didn’t mention it. Got the letter from optometrist then to DMV and 3 hrs later to get taken off my license other wise a $250 fine.
It’s not related to age for me. I have worn them since I was years old.
…and hearing aids.