The first sign of getting “older” is that moment when you look down at your cell phone and you can’t text your kid back.  Or even tell when they will be back from their latest excursion.  Why is this happening to us, who thought 40 was the “new 30”.  We feel young and still have most the energy we had in our 20’s, with just a few hours more sleep and maybe an occasional vitamin.  As an eye doctor I hope to get a few points with the eye gods and avoid the whole thing all together.  No such luck I will be facing the same dreaded fate as all my age defying patients! 

So how do we put off the inevitable?  Well first make sure your prescription is up to date.  If you are over focusing through that older pair of glasses chances are you may have an improved prescription if your nearsighted.  For those mildly farsighted folks try to read a little further away from your reading material and computer and take eye breaks.  An eye break is when you look away for a small period of time at a distance object.  Yes you can look out the window but only a few minutes an hour. 

When you have reached the end of your eyestrain rope, never fear there are many life changing options!  The options are the most fashionable pair or prescription readers you can find.  The brighter and more fun the frame the more we grow old gracefully.  Well if you’re not a granny glasses type of person guess what?  You can wear contact lenses and nobody is the wiser.  From monovision to bifocal contact lenses there is a contact lens option for you.  Not without their visual adaptations though.  But nothing like becoming “middle aged” without a few growing pains.  Monovision with my astigmatic contact lenses will be my weapon of choice.  Some want to avoid it completely and go straight to Laser vision correction.  This is possible but it works just like monovision.  What is monovision you ask?  Well a contact lens or laser vision correction with the correct power is placed on your dominant eye and the non-dominant eye has the reading power.  With both eyes open you are able to see practically all distances without glasses!  Works better than you think. If this system doesn’t work for you bifocal contact lenses might just do the trick!  And let us not forget the no-line bifocal lenses for you glasses.  Also known as  progressive multifocals.  Glasses without the line so we don’t look older than we are, because we are ALL forever 29!

Look for my thoughts on fun and interesting topics related to eyes and vision. I cannot promise I will be blogging "often" but I will try and get something out as "often" as I can. Thanks and enjoy!