A new perspective

I had an eye test a few weeks back. My distance vision with the glasses I had was OK, but reading my phone or a book and I had started lifting the glasses up to read without them. I knew what was needed and the optician verified it.

This weekend I collected my first ever pair of varifocals.

As someone who has worn glasses since the age of two, this has come as quite of a shock, and, as is normally the case with first time varifocal wearers, they are taking a little bit of getting used to.

Driving I have no problems with. I bought a pair that is designed specifically for drivers. Writing this isn't an issue either. Reading on the whole is fine, although, I like reading in bed, and I cannot do that lying down any more, I have to sit up, which, as first world problems go, isn't an issue.

The most surprising issue I have that is taking a short while to get used to, is eating. Cutting food up appears to be in the direct area where the lens alters. I keep missing where I am cutting. Not only that, but if I am sat at a table with others, and I move my head from talking to one person to another, the table and plate appear to be floating and wobbling, giving a weird seasickness feeling for a split second. Same happens now as I move my head from side to side looking at the keyboard.

I am in no way knocking varifocals, they are amazing technology, and I am glad I have them. But it does give me a new perspective on things. I am sure, in a few days, my brain will have adjusted to my new extra set of eyes, and they will be fine. The perspective I have is on how lucky I am. There are millions around the world who see out of focus, because they cannot afford new glasses. I know without them, I probably would not be able to do my job, to drive, to read.

For that reason, I will be donating old glasses this week. I always keep my most recent pair in case I break my new ones, but when I get a new pair that pair then become obsolete to me. I do not throw them away. I donate them to VisionAid Overseas. I want to help someone else to see better.

Not many people know this, but your glasses can be left at opticians throughout the UK and they will be recycled to raise money for their work in the developing world. You can donate them at many branches of Vision Express, Specsavers and Boots Opticians as well as many independent opticians.

So when you need new glasses, help someone less fortunate with your old pairs.