By Barbara Twogood

I’m sitting here in awe of one of the things most of us take for granted — our sight. Not something I will ever do again. I also am amazed at what medical technology has made possible.

Today is the fourth day that I have woke up and NOT had to grope for my glasses in order to make my way into the world. Each day things look better and brighter.

Having worn glasses full-time since third grade, the time was swiftly approaching that I would have to consider needing those dreaded bifocals! I continually needed to take off the glasses to read, and the eyestrain headaches were becoming more frequent.

After dreaming of it for more than six years, I asked my husband about looking into laser surgery for my eyes. I decided on the company to visit; most promote “free” initial exams, as did this one. This visit would be my way of finding out if I qualified and if the cost was reasonable.

I made the call on a Friday for an appointment the following Tuesday afternoon. Even the phone conversation was full of helpful information. The exam was even more thorough and informative beyond what I had learned online. I was told that I was a good candidate. Each person receives their exam results and a projected outcome of the procedure.

It seems that my distance vision, without glasses, had declined to the point that all I could see clearly was that Big E!! My age indicated that I would also need some help with close-up vision. So I was given some options: Have both eyes fixed for distance, but then I would need to use “reading glasses’; or try a different procedure called Monovision. This would mean fixing one eye for distance and the other for close-up. Sounds confusing; but during the exam the tester actually set up the lenses to simulate that situation, and I couldn’t tell the difference.

I was told I could have the procedure done that Thursday afternoon — barely time to think about it! Needless to say, all went well and I am thoroughly enjoying my “freedom” from glasses. There “is” some adjusting to the Monovision, but it’s getting easier every day.

We are in a fortunate position that we could afford to have me get this done.

To me, the cost was very reasonable for what it entails; but for most, it is not covered by any insurance plans.

Considering some of the extreme elective surgeries that health care does cover, it would seem that something as necessary and life-changing as your sight would, at least, be partially covered.

If you are considering this procedure, I hope that having me share my experience will help you at least decide to check out the free exam.

Look forward to “seeing” you again soon!

Barbara Twogood, who moved to Texas in 2002 from her birthplace of Erie, Pa. — and whose claim to fame is once being the mayor of a small Pennsylvania borough — is one of four Herald “Writer’s Block” writers. She can be reached at: smurfette @satx.rr.com