Since childhood, I prayed that I would never have to wear eye-glasses because I believed that they did not suit me and I would not look good in it. That was why I never told anyone that I can’t make out the words on the computer screen without looking too closely at it.

I kept my mouth shut and it was my biggest mistake. Many years later, it was during the annual celebrations at my school and I couldn’t make out the faces of the students performing on the stage. Then it dawned upon me that my eyesight was a lot weaker than I thought and, against my wishes, I really need spectacles.

This is not something that only I have gone through. There are many kids and teens who take spectacles as a stigma on their personality and so ignore its need as much as possible while the vision slowly weakens during this time.

Apart from personal weariness regarding spectacles, kids/teens often fear being the subject of mockery at the hands of their friends. Spectacles are an aid and people wearing it should not be treated with taunts. Sadly, we are growing up in an uncivilised society that doesn’t care about what one feels.

Let’s not make our lives miserable with what people or friends may think of us when wearing spectacles. Let us educate ourselves about this normal handy staple by following a few simple steps.

Acceptance

Accepting that you have weak eyesight may take time. You may not like wearing spectacles or you may be afraid of people teasing you or making you feel inferior because you are the only one among your group of friends to wear spectacles.

When I realised I had weak eyesight, it took me some time to accept the fact. And even after going to a doctor and getting the prescribed spectacles, for quite some time I used them only during classes to see what was written on the blackboard. Gradually, I started feeling comfortable while wearing them all the time. People around me looked surprised and sometimes commented, some comments were supportive while sometimes they were discouraging. But I just ignored this.

Long-sightedness and short-sightedness

Long-sightedness, also known as hyperopia, affects your ability to see nearby objects, making closer objects appear blurry or unclear, whereas you can clearly see distant objects.

Short-sightedness, also known as myopia, is a complete opposite of long-sightedness. In this case, you cannot see distant objects or objects which are far away from you as they appear blurry and unclear.

Visual acuity test

Whether you are born with weak eyesight or have it due to straining your eyes by reading books or using computers, tablets, laptops and smart-phones, etc., whenever the words at a distance do not make sense or picture seems blurry and you have frequent headaches, it is better to pay a visit to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist).

Don’t be afraid of the visual acuity test. It is a test to measure how clearly you see by determining how well you can read from a standardised chart. If you have trouble reading it, then the ophthalmologist set lenses in front of your eyes until you can read the chart clearly. It is easiest of all.

Yes, it will be shocking to you if the doctor tells you to wear spectacles, but trust me friends, it is better than seeing a blurred world and spoiling your eyesight further without using spectacles.

I still remember the day I had my first eye test. I prayed that the doctor would say that I don’t need spectacles. Unfortunately, this did not happen and he announced that I was born with weak eye-sight and since I never came for a check-up it had become a lot weaker than it originally was. It could have been prevented if I have spoken up sooner, which, regretfully, I didn’t.

Spectacles

I use to detest spectacles but when I put them on for the first time, everything became so clear to me that I realised how much strain I was giving to my eyes by not wearing them all this time. Just because of my stereotype thinking and the fear of being teased by friends.

We are not living in old times when there were fewer options to choose from when it came to buying the spectacles frames. These days, everything has become so trendy that it has become a fashion aid. Ranging from plastic frames to metallic and from stylish to simple, you will find something according to your taste and liking.

Lenses

I am afraid of lenses and that’s why I never use them. But, you can wear lenses to avoid wearing glasses. But when using contact lens, don’t forget to be cautious while putting them inside and out of the eyes. Care must be taken and you must follow the instructions for cleaning and storing them according to the type of lens you are using.

Final thoughts

Although, as I wrote above, it took me some time to accept that I have weak eyesight but now I feel uncomfortable if I don’t wear my spectacles and it has become part of me. I wear spectacles and I don’t look any different from others as I realise many people nowadays have a weak vision and wear glasses.

I also realise that I am more relaxed and comfortable with a clear vision, thanks to my spectacles. It’s all about learning to accept and being comfortable with it.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 21st, 2018