# # # 19981213 ( Another thread prompts this query ... )

I wear eyeglasses; legally blind ( both eyes ) without them. Do not consider laser as up to par ( yet ).

What eyeglasses are the very best ( cost is no object ... sort of! ), all around specs to obtain ( 2 pair! )?

Specifications(?):

1. Polarized ( no glare ) 2. Frames: indestructible ( e.g., stand on them; won't crunch! ) 3. Wide angle ( for peripheral vision ) 4. Won't detract from night vision 5. Withstand hot and cold temperatures ( i.e., all-weather ) 6. Best method to keep from flying away from face/head proximity 7. Infinity focus ( e.g., not bi-focal ) 8. Source(s) ( i.e., URL, etc. ) 9. Other? ... ( Military specifications? Military vendors? )

This is indespensible to many folks.

TIA!

Regards, Bob Mangus # # #

-- Robert Mangus (rmangus@mail.netquest.com), December 13, 1998

Answers

Eyeglasses are important. It's good to have a couple spare contact lenses on hand too if your eyes can tolerate them. With contacts, you can wear sunglasses, or a hat when it's raining, and not get fogged or speckled.

Have heard of non-breakable frames, and 'safety' lenses. There are headbands for keeping on head during activity. The fashionable ones are called 'Croakies' and come in nice colors. Other innovative & stylish brands too.

Also may want to have good pocketable eyeglass cases.

Nothing worse than misplacing glasses and not being able to find them because can't see ...

xxxxxxx xx

-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), December 14, 1998.

Dear Eyeglasses,

I had radial keratotomy in 1981. My eyes are continue to be perfect. At that time, the procedure was still considered "investigational." The technology has developed so much since then, that if I were not already corrected, I would have had lazar way before now. In fact, my husband is in the contact lenses business, dealing with eye doctors all the time, and is also "blind," and we are considering the lazar approach for him if we can round up the money. It is my well- researched opinion that lazar now will give you a better chance of having the vision to be able to provide for your loved ones than improbable replacement glasses later will.

Good luck in your quest!

A longtime ICU nurse

-- nursey (leckels@msn.com), December 14, 1998.

bob: i've got to disagree to some extent with your statement that laser surgery is not up to par with severe nearsightedness. I was legally blind, with moderate astigmatism and i had laser surgery 2 1/2 years ago. I will agree that my eyesight is not 20/20, but it is good enough that i can drive, and don't need eyeglasses for anything. They at least correct my eyes to what my contacts did (@ 20/40). I wore glasses since 2nd grade, and my eyes were bad enough that it wasn't so much not being able to read the eye chart-the letters didn't even register! It has been a gift to be able to not rely on glasses. Cost can be prohibitive- upwards of 3-4,000 $. The deciding factor on outcome of surgery isn't as much the nearsightedness, but the astigmatism. I have worse astigmatism on my right eye and didn't get quite as satisfactory a correction. If interested get a free consultation. The doctor will tell you what your chances of successful surgery will be.

-- Damian Solorzano (oggy1@webtv.net), December 14, 1998.

I had laser surgery when my retina ripped. Now I have a blind spot in the center of my "bad" eye from scar tissue. My "good" eye is 20/300, so I do have a couple of extra pairs of glasses on hand. Without them, I wouldn't be able to find the computer! :-) And yes, I got new ones because of Y2K.

-- Flagirl (Fran44@aol.com), December 14, 1998.

Here's the link to a set of combat eyeglass frames. Not pretty but nearly indestuctable and won't come off your head. Cheap alternative to the laser surgery.

http://www.uscav.com/Shop/itemdetail.asp?item=5&stk_code=WA5915

LM

-- LM (latemarch@usa.net), December 14, 1998.

Bob-

another option is to look at 'sports glasses' - they're made for folks who play basketball, football, etc, and look sorta like swimming goggles - I had a pair for my old prescription and am planning on getting another pair when I get my eyes in a couple of months...they're also great if you have to, er, play paintball or whatever, as they're shatter resistant as well.

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), December 14, 1998.