Story by Jon Stalnaker AKA The Studebaker Dude
I’ve been wearing glasses for about 50 years now and wearing glasses is not something that bothers me even in the slightest. I have enjoyed getting a new pair of glasses from time to time; it’s always been fun to get a new look. I have always considered my glasses to be a cool accessory, and I have had several different “looks” throughout the last 5 or 6 decades. I recently had cataract eye surgery and was given the opportunity to experience life without the inconvenience of having to wear glasses all the time.
The surgery was a success, and I now have 20/20 vision long distance, but I had to give up being able to read up close without wearing reading glasses. I didn’t expect this one even though the doctor probably told me. You see I was nearsighted the whole time I needed glasses so when I couldn’t read something close, like a menu or my cell phone, it snuck up on me. That was totally my fault for not paying attention.
I was a bit nervous about how the surgery was done. I wasn’t knocked out before the cutting began but I had many friends that have been through the procedure. They all told me it was a piece of cake (or something along that line). They were all right, and Dr. Siddiqui couldn’t have been better.
My follow up post-surgery was also first class. My wife Carlene was with me for the exam, and she shared with Dr. Etter the bad experience she had with her Lasik surgery. Dr. Etter took care of that, and Carlene ended up getting her issues sorted out, along with new glasses also. Dr. Etter is located in Sapulpa.
Now reading glasses are cheap to buy and I only need them when I want to read, but it’s been a hassle to deal with. It’s only been a few weeks, and I have been getting used to it, but I don’t like it. The thing I missed most about my glasses was the transitional tinting. I remember years ago, my first pair of glasses with this feature. I thought it was the greatest invention since sliced bread. I no longer needed a separate pair of shades when being exposed to bright sunlight. I now had one pair of glasses that were comfortable to wear in any bright light or dark situation.
I did not want to give up that convenience. I was delighted to find out that I could get reading lenses that had that feature also. I picked them up today and they make me feel a little bit wobbly, but I will get used to them. Carlene went through the same issues and is beginning to get used to it.
I was finding myself looking for my glasses the last few weeks after the surgery. Just a habit gone astray. I’ll be looking for them again so that is a problem solved. My eyes were almost completely healed when we drove to Arizona, so it was nice being able to see traffic signs again. That was the biggest problem with my eyes, and the reason for the surgery in the first place. It was pretty scary if I found myself driving at night. I tried to avoid it completely but there were a few times when I needed to do it. Add to that the fact that we’ve only lived in Oklahoma for 5 years and the first 4 or so, we didn’t leave the house much. I’m a real rookie on the roadways around “these here parts.” I’m getting better though. Having proper vision is a really handy thing. I didn’t realize how bad I was, but now I can see…
