Author Topic: Way off subject. (Read 1230 times)

DalesCarpentry · « **on:** March 07, 2007, 05:12:22 PM »

I know this is way off subject but this is where I have posted the most. I started to notice about a year ago I was having trouble reading the news paper. It really was time to time maybe early in the morning and late in the evening. Buy the way I will be 41 in a couple months. I went to wallmart a few months ago and bought a pair of glasses. I could read the paper just fine after that. The thing is I think my eyes are getting much worse. I could read the computer screen just fine a few months ago but now I need my glasses. I can see far away perfect and all my life I have had better than 20 20 vision. I am starting to get worried. The rate that I am going I am wondering if it will level out. I have really been thinking of that laser thing. For a couple hundred bucks an eye I would love to have my old vision back.

Buy the way I am having trouble reading my tape measure.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 07, 2007, 05:17:28 PM »

Welcome to the bifocal world, trifocals are next!!!

It's not a matter of if, but when you'll need em, your arms just won't be long enough forever!!

Tim

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #2 on:** March 07, 2007, 05:21:45 PM »

I am not sure how my vision will affect looking through a scope. I don't know if that is a far sighted thing or a near sighted thing.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** March 07, 2007, 05:23:43 PM »

I think that surgery is WAY more than a couple hundred bucks per eye and it corrects distant vision not up close I believe. What you REALLY need to do is go see an eye doctor and find out what's going on.

I retired in September of 1995. At that time and for several years prior to that my distance vision had gotten so bad I was close to the point of being declared legally blind. One vision test I recall from those days had me with 20/80 in my GOOD eye and 20/250 in by other. Even tho I'm right handed my left eye was the good one. In those days without my glasses people didn't even have faces as I was going down the hallway at work. At one point it really was so bad I wasn't able to tell if a person 100 feet from me was male or female unless they were wearing a dress or had breasts large enough to be seen. You sure couldn't go on hair lenth and my vision was just so bad I really couldn't tell.

I have absolutely no clue what happened to my eyes after I retired or why and neither does my eye doctor but my distance vision is now 20/30 in both eyes and I no longer need glasses except to read. I'm blind as a bat up close and without reading glasses can read nothing at normal reading distances. As I sit typing this my 32" monitor is a full 5' from me and things at that range have again cleared so I have no problem reading it. But if I were up close I'd need reading glasses.

Get those eyes checked by a professional.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2007, 05:27:15 PM »

Ok Tim.I did not know what you meant by my arms at first but you are rite if I hold the paper out far enough I can read it. So you have been through this HUH?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2007, 05:33:30 PM »

Yup, been there done it, I've worn spectacles since I was 10yrs old, but got progressive lenses in 1990 or so, but being near sighted, I have an advantage that I can read real close without my glasses(8"-12"), but still need em for anything farther than that.

My best friend's son in law has always worn very thick lenses as he's as blind as I am, he had lazer eye surgery on both eyes and now doesn't wear glasses at all, but it cost $2500.

Tim

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2007, 05:39:07 PM »

One more thing I forgot.....Graybeard makes a very good point, there are a number of other eye afflictions that can be detected by a real eye exam, glaucoma is one that I get checked for every 2 yrs, diabetes/high blood sugar can also affect vision, and left undiagnosed, can lead to blindness eventually.

Tim

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2007, 05:41:38 PM »

Greybeard thank God I have not reached that. I would much rather lose my hearing than my sight.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #8 on:** March 07, 2007, 05:53:29 PM »

Tim my mother has diabetes and I have checked my sugar many times with her test kit. I do not think that is the problem also when I go to wallmart I sit in that seat and check my blood presure and sometimes it is on the high side of normal so I really don't think that is it either. I think I have to see an eye docter. I had this conversation with my wife a couple weeks ago and I told her that I was a little worried and that I think I should go see someone.

greyling · « **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2007, 05:55:46 PM »

I got the laser surgery and went from so blind I had to buy colored soap to find it if I dropped it in the shower to almost 20/20. of course my 20/35 eye is my shooting eye

oh well, you're supposed to wear shooting glasses anyway.... best money I ever spent. and that includes my handi.

Dillohide · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2007, 05:58:13 PM »

I noticed the same thing with my eyes at about 40 but being far sighted is not the worst thing. I used reading glasses for a while but you're a lot better off finally breaking down and getting perscription bifocals. They are a lot easier on your eyes. Those drug store glasses made my head hurt if I wore them on the end of my nose to long.

Shouldn't affect using a scope but you can probably kiss open sights goodbye. It's one heck of a note being able to focus a target 100 yards downrange but the bead at the end of your barrel is nothing but fuzz! Then try positioning the bifocals just right so you can see the end of the barrel without the target getting fuzzy. I finally gave up and went 100% scoped rifles which means my old Renegade 54 Cal is collecting dust.

cascadedad · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2007, 09:08:59 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on March 07, 2007, 05:33:30 PM

My best friend's son in law has always worn very thick lenses as he's as blind as I am, he had lazer eye surgery on both eyes and now doesn't wear glasses at all, but it cost $2500.
Tim

I wore contacts for quite a few years. Had laser surgery about a year ago. Knowing what I do now, I would spend 4 times what I spent to have it done. It is awesome.

GregP42 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2007, 09:52:33 PM »

Dale,

I am near sighted myself, and I have to wear bifocals, I have a test every year for glaucoma and RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa) as it runs in my family, so far at 44 (knock wood) I am fine, but go get them checked out now!

Greg

flitz · « **Reply #13 on:** March 07, 2007, 11:59:05 PM »

dale

bifocals are a way of life for me to.when at the computer or reading paper.at
work i wear just 2.5 magnifyers.looking through a scope i wear nothing.got away
last year wearing nothing for bow hunting.shot 3 i think that might change this
year.do the laser thing if you feel comfortable.

flitz

BANG_OW · « **Reply #14 on:** March 08, 2007, 12:36:10 AM »

Dale,
Your eyes are key to your livelyhood and allow you to provide for your family, don't take any chances with them by guessing, find a reputable eye doctor and have an eye exam. Research the gizzards out of any corrective procedure before doing anything.
Remember, just as in any discipline, not everyone graduated at the top of their class. I experienced the same thing at 43, seemingly overnight. I grew up with glasses for long distance correction, then went to contact lenses, and three years ago had lasik surgery.
My vision is now 20/16 in both eyes, but am wearing prescription reading glasses as I sit and type. Forget the dime store reading glasses and get good ones ground for your eyes and tasks. As an aircraft engineer I have a set ground for 20" from my computer graphics screen, I have another set for my hobbies that are optimal at 12". I also rehab older buildings and have safety glasses that are bifocals, uncorrected on top and ground for tape measure reading on bottom. By the way, when you first get bi or tri focal lenses, be very careful going down steps! Good luck and welcome to the old guy club. There is one more thing that degrades with age, but I can't remember what it was .....
Don

lik2hunt · « **Reply #15 on:** March 08, 2007, 12:52:43 AM »

Dale
What you're experiencing is called presbyopia. You can read about it more here.

http://consumers.varilux.com/

I have the same problem and have had for several years now. I'm 40...........ish.

I'm considering going to the progressive lenses soon myself.

Guy Pike · « **Reply #16 on:** March 08, 2007, 01:13:28 AM »

Thumbs up on Presbyopia. My wife had laser surgert done in Sherbrooke. Quebec some years ago and it was everything it was advertised to be. However....the procedure is designed to reduce the thickness of the cornea when it is literally too thick. If this is not your problem then surgery of thid type will not help. Also, although ones cornea maybe too thick too see well, it must be thick enough to allow the removal of material to achieve the correct thickness. Some folks have to wear glaases for an indefinite period in hopes that their corneas will thicken enough to enable the surgeon to operate. A qualified examination is in order for sure. Best of luck, Guy

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #17 on:** March 08, 2007, 01:35:01 AM »

Yea I just read about it on that web site and it sounds exactly like what is going on.Thanks.

Quote from: lik2hunt on March 08, 2007, 12:52:43 AM

Dale
What you're experiencing is called presbyopia. You can read about it more here.

http://consumers.varilux.com/

I have the same problem and have had for several years now. I'm 40...........ish. I'm considering going to the progressive lenses soon myself.

Brett · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2007, 01:36:47 AM »

Dale, welcome to middlle age my friend. I noticed my eyes starting to get dim about a year ago, I just turned 45 the beginning of February. I can still read 10 and 8 point type (newspaper & magazines) all right but had to pick up a set of those drug store reading glasses to read medicine bottles and ingredient labels on food packages.

bigjeepman · « **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2007, 01:41:57 AM »

There "was" someone in this area advertising eye surgery for like $250 for each eye. I think he used to be a welder. Remember optics are optics ... you get what you pay for.

darat100 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 08, 2007, 03:42:50 AM »

Dale, I am only 32 and have not come across this problem yet, but I do know one thing. When it comes to my eyes, I don't want to go to the guy that offers a discount to get you in the door. I want the VERY BEST I can afford. If they screw up, things will be a lot worse than they are now.

Ranger J · « **Reply #21 on:** March 08, 2007, 04:09:24 AM »

Yes, welcome to the wonderful world of the middle aged. At one time I hated that title but at 65 I now consider it a compliment. First off get thee to an eye doctor. Don’t fool with your sight! Secondly you are facing what most of us run into between the ages of 40 and 50. I am real near sighted and have been all my life. My problem was that my distance sight got in such a way that to correct it they messed up my near sight. If I take off my glasses I can still read well but can’t tell faces 20 feet away. Progressive lenses are the way to go if you don’t want surgery. They do the surgery both ways I think but the surgery for distance vision is the most common. Check out your options with professionals not just with us, a bunch of people who spend an inordinate amount of time figuring how to put little holes in pieces of paper.

RJ

DavOh · « **Reply #22 on:** March 08, 2007, 12:28:01 PM »

Quote from: DALESCARPENTRY on March 07, 2007, 05:53:29 PM

Tim my mother has diabetes and I have checked my sugar many times with her test kit. I do not think that is the problem also when I go to wallmart I sit in that seat and check my blood presure and sometimes it is on the high side of normal so I really don't think that is it either. I think I have to see an eye docter. I had this conversation with my wife a couple weeks ago and I told her that I was a little worried and that I think I should go see someone.

My sister, my brother's wife, and my grandmother all have/had diabetes....(my sister is gestational).....

Let me put it this way, do not base it on what a gluco meter says. GO SEE DOCTORS.... both optical and medical. My sister'n'law didn't realize she was diabetic until her eyesight continually got worse... She checked her sugars with a friends meter and she thought she was fine. Eventually went to an eye doctor who told her to go to a MD. She's been on insulin for about 7 yrs now.... Dr. told her she had probably been borderline for years and the eyesight was the first symptom for her.

I would tell you this the same as I tell my family when they don't go to the Dr. when they're supposed to.... if not for yourself, then for that little girl in your avatar. I know it's a low blow, but I'll risk pissing you off if it at least makes you consider it....

DavOh · « **Reply #23 on:** March 08, 2007, 12:29:59 PM »

Quote from: Ranger J on March 08, 2007, 04:09:24 AM

Check out your options with professionals not just with us, a bunch of people who spend an inordinate amount of time figuring how to put little holes in pieces of paper.
RJ

LOL... VERY valid point...

After all an office hole punch would be to easy...

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 08, 2007, 04:32:22 PM »

If you are asking for input about laser eye surgery. I had it done 5 years ago and it was the best $2200 I ever spent. I used to get up and have to mess with contacts or glasses now I just get up and go. I don't remember how bad mine was before the surgery but after it was 20-15. I hope this helps. Charlie

Bob_VT · « **Reply #25 on:** March 09, 2007, 01:04:15 AM »

Don't fear the future. It's part of getting old. Next time you are at the range you will need to adjust the diopters on the rear of the scope. Been there done that and every year I get to the point where I adjust things.

I am actually able to use a peep sight but I can not read a newspaper. I do have a good friend who had laser surgery and now his L and R eye are completely the opposite...... he needs to have it re-done...

jwm · « **Reply #26 on:** March 09, 2007, 03:41:46 PM »

After a lifetime of being so near-sighted that I had to find my glasses before going for a whiz, I had the laser surgery done 7 years ago on both eyes. Absolutely the BEST investment I have ever made! A life-altering experience!

BUT...laser surgery cannot correct the problem that you're describing. A natural part of aging is the loss of some of the flexibility of the lens in your eye, preventing it from changing to the shape required to focus extremely close. I no longer need glasses for any sort of distance beyond about 24 inches, but closer than that I have begun to need reading glasses. My eye doctor tells me that this is totally normal, pretty much inevitable, and no big deal. He's right. Maybe for someone whose vision has always been good it seems like the end of the world, but, trust me, it isn't. I don't find that it affects my shooting at all, except for open sights. Using a scope or an aperture sight is as easy as ever. Since I rarely shoot with open irons, it's not a problem. Plus, I have an instant, built-in alibi if (when) I miss a shot.

Good luck, check with your opthalmologist...and relax.

John

BANG_OW · « **Reply #27 on:** March 09, 2007, 03:52:23 PM »

Listen to your friends, all of you, check with your opthamologist; and keep on shooting for the next 40 yrs. Better safe than sorry.
And when you become 50, see your very friendly proctologist! Or better yet, get both ends looked at at the same time!
Have a good life, shooting is the fun part. Enjoy yourself, you have worked hard, enjoy yourself.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #28 on:** March 09, 2007, 04:11:35 PM »

Quote from: BANG_OW on March 09, 2007, 03:52:23 PM

And when you become 50, see your very friendly proctologist! Or better yet, get both ends looked at at the same time!

Better yet, get a PSA blood test starting as early as you like, if I hadn't done that regularly since I was 45, I would have been dead and buried long ago, my PSA level hit the be concerned threshold of 4.1 in 1997, if I hadn't been having it checked annually, I wouldn't be here today, the subsequent needle biopsy was 5 out of 6 positive for the worst kind of prostate cancer, the fast growing kind that few men survive because by the time it's detected, it's too late, it would have taken another 50yr old young man if I hadn't been vigilant cuz I had zero symptoms!

If you have prostate cancer in your family, 45 isn't too soon to start having it checked, 40 is better.

Tim

BANG_OW · « **Reply #29 on:** March 09, 2007, 04:39:47 PM »

You bet, its not really that bad. Get 'er done, have piece of mind. Doctor's have to make a livin' too , ya know. All tho, I'll bet they aren't buying Handis!