My vision is gone again. I still remember in the 5th grade squinting at the board and wondering where did it go? A Lasik eye surgery in my late 20’s kept me at a wonderful 20/20 vision for many years. And now, here I am again, squinting at the board (TV) and wondering how could it leave me again? Except this time, I can’t see up close either! Welp, I guess I can thank 51 and all the other glorious things that come with aging. Luckily for me, I like accessories. I love them in fact, and guess what category I consider glasses? Contacts and three pairs of glasses later, I’m contemplating my fourth. Yes, I have a problem. 

I went to the eye doctor to see about getting a tune-up on my Lasik. I was keeping my fingers and toes crossed that it would be a simple outpatient procedure with no downtime. Sadly for me, my corneas were now too thin, and I would have to go old school and return to glasses and contacts again. Thankfully there was some wait time before meeting with the contact specialist, and I talked myself into this new look I soon would be stuck with. I said things like, “Lots of women look pretty in glasses. I’ll only wear them at night.” And, “I can’t see well driving home from soccer, so it’s for Walker’s safety.” And then finally, “I’ll find the cutest pairs and share them with all my other half-blind friends. I will rock glasses if it’s the last thing I do!”

Photo credit: Maureen Osborne

After getting fitted for the contacts, I was escorted to the massive glasses center. What an all-in- one shop the eye doctors now offer! I texted my daughters who are usually on their phones at all times and say, “Get ready, I’m picking out a pair of glasses. I’ll need your opinion!” Instead of the back and forth we normally have on text, I get “crickets.” The one time they aren’t able to respond and I’m left to decide on my own. Oh but wait, there is the pink-haired lady who is there to help me but she doesn’t seem too interested, and it’s getting crowded. But still, we work on several options. She has a hearty laugh as I tried on one pair. We settled on three finalists, and I kill time waiting for my girls to respond to the 20 photos I’ve shared with them. Again, crickets. Finally, my new friend and I choose a pair. We sit down to pay. I give her my credit card, she runs it and tells me they’ll ship to my house in a few weeks. As I am walking out of the building, one of my daughters responds with … “MOM, you’re kidding right? Under no circumstances are YOU allowed to get those!” Uh oh. I race back to my new friend and scream, “Cancel, cancel, cancel!” 

Deflated but relieved, I walk out and set an appointment when my girls will be available to help me pick out my new glasses. Clearly, I can’t do this alone. I ask friends where they bought their glasses. I do my homework on the computer regarding my face shape, best frames for my coloring, etc. I make it to that next appointment prepared and purchase two pairs that both daughters pre approved. I even ordered a pair online using a website’s try-on feature. 

Several months later, I’m adjusting to the new look. I still wear my contacts most days, but I love having the option to wear glasses to change up my look. There are a number of great stores with a million styles. The eye doctor also has a great variety, but I had to learn the hard way that it helps to have someone who knows you pick them out. But I think the best news of all is that I’m getting Walker safely to soccer now. 

Oh By the Way, I highly recommend Warby Parker for your next or first pair of glasses. I had a great salesperson, they have tons of in-style options, and they take insurance if you have it! Additionally, I also recommend Eye Buy Direct. It’s so easy. They offer the try-on feature so you can get a feel for how they look on your face. They also ship quickly.