Written By Despina
Contributing Optometrist
No, I haven’t disappeared off the face of the earth. I’m still here, focusing away, at all times of day, wherever I happen to be, looking like a total wierdo to anyone who may notice.
And it’s a good job I am still here. Someone has to keep Jake in check. As you may have noticed, he is ranting quite a lot these days, his rants directed at non other than the poor old optometrists of this world. (However I did love his latest blog post picture of the optometrist!)
OK, he may have a point. We over-corrected people. But the trend was to give the patient as much minus as possible to obtain the clearest possible vision (whilst controlling their accommodation). We knew no better. We did not set out to deliberately destroy peoples’ vision. Yes, it’s now a multi-billion dollar industry, but it’s one of many that make money through the misery of others.
But now we, well some of us, do know better, and I can see why Jake is getting irritated. What he needs to do, though, is not rant. He must educate. Spread the word. Not only to you and me, but to the industry as a whole. And in a nice, professional way, if they are to take notice.
Anyway, now I’ve got that off my chest I will get to the point of this post.
I’m having trouble focusing again, and it’s my own fault. Too much close work, not enough breaks or outdoor time. And when I do get outside, as you know, it’s one huge blur for at least an hour.
But I have found a way to deal with this. Maybe you lot have discovered it already. Here it is:
When I first go outside and am faced with that blur, I focus just a little way in front of me, like a few meters, not far into the distance as I have been doing til now, until it comes clear. Then I focus a little further away until that gets clear. Then the same thing a little further away, and then a little further, until the far distance comes clear too. It seems to work much faster than immediately staring into the distance and waiting for it to become clear. Again the gym comparison, but you would not lift 30kg without building up to it gradually first.
Anyway, that’s my latest discovery. We all find our own ways of doing things, and if we share them we can help each other on our journeys to recovering our eyesight.
