Ken,
Glad you got that blood pressure down!
Very few people (even some long-term diabetic friends!) seem to realize the
changes that diabetes, high blood pressure, pregnancy, and various other
health diseases and conditions can have on your vision. Retention of fluids,
the blood pressure, etc can directly affect the retina, shape of the cornea,
etc and are indeed reasons for a checkup.
I meant to mention earlier that contacts are only applicable to about half
the population because of not only sensitivity and inability to insert/remove
the lens (my own brother is extremely frustrated by this..he's very
nearsighted, has this sister who could get him free contacts, and can't get
the darn things in and out!)...but also by occupational restrictions (if you
have a dusty or windy or fume-y job, forget them), inability of your eye to
"tear" enough (quite common), and also an inherited condition which builds
heavy deposits of scum from your body chemistry and prevents the use of
contacts..........
so, while discouraging, it is not uncommon to NOT be able to use them. They
are not an "outside" appliance, but is inserted ONTO the body and must be
treated with ginger respect. I fear with the advent of disposables and
ultra-soft, wispy lenses, many people forget the complexity and treat it
lightly.
I also am experiencing high blood pressure for the first time in my life due
to a drug I take..and the contacts are sitting in the drawer and will have to
remain so. I too am slightly myopic and am only beginning to have the
close-focusing problem, so dioptric correction of -1 to -2 on my OM4 has
saved the day for now. At 47 I feel lucky to have gone this long, as i have
fit bifocals onto patients as early as 29. I am constantly asked how I will
go since i am 'in the trade'...but to honest with you, I'll have to try out
different things because i am one of those who never HAD to wear
glasses....but the thought of carrying around a magnifier around my neck DOES
NOT APPEAL! :=)
Susan
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|