I saw an eye doctor today, for the first time ever. That's surprising because my parents both had glasses at a young age, so I somehow dodged that bullet.
Presbyopia, which typically sets in for most people in their early 40's, has been a problem for me for probably more than a year at this point. But also, it's unusual that I avoided it for so long, as it's considered a normal part of aging. Basically, my minimum focal distance increases throughout the day as my eyes tire. My distance vision is totally fine, 20/20. While I can hold my phone at a normal distance in the morning, by evening I need it about as far away as my arm will allow. In recent months, that's become more annoying, so I figured now's the time to do something about it. I only need a quarter [whatever the unit is] of correction, so even then, that's not bad.
Technology sure has come a long way though. Insurance won't cover it, but they have a machine now that can image the back of your eye in extreme detail, without having to dilate or any of the uncomfortable nonsense. They can even measure the pressure of your eyeball from a distance. Even measuring your head for glasses is done with little green dots clamped to a frame, and a tablet app. We live in the future.
Without employment, my eyes are getting a break from looking at screens all day, though that has never been a particular issue. I'm not doom scrolling either, having mostly reduced my social app use to checking Instagram twice a day. I'm still fairly addicted to the NYT Games, and like to read up on Ars Technica, but that's about it.
Middle age is so weird. I mean, technically your body starts to decline after your mid-20's, so this is hardly surprising. Hopefully the rest of me is continues to beat the odds until I'm good and old.
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