Glasses?

[TheDonna]

Okay so here is a subject that is worrying me. I was suggested glasses a few months ago due to not being able to focus on things at certain times. I can see perfectly while driving, reading and all other daily activities but I end up squinting all the time when I'm looking at the computer screen or. It started to give me headaches so I've started using the glasses.

When I went to the doctors for my academy physical they said I had 20/20 vision because I don't have trouble reading the board.

Glasses make me worried though. Everyone in my family wears them and the idea of wearing them on duty makes me uncomfortable. I would need them on duty if I'm supposed to be able to read the computer screen for a 12hr shift so its not something i think I can just bypass but the thought of getting into an altercation with glass around my eyes makes me very nervous. It just seems to me like they would be targets for anyone who wanted to cause major problems.

Do officers wear glasses? Haha I hope that's not a stupid question but I honestly have never seen an officer to-date that was wearing glasses. The one officer I know who used to wear glasses in highschool, wears contacts but would those actually be any better? Aren't contacts easily irritated and can scratch your retina?

[Ispbear]

I wear glasses. I use to wear contacts but have been unable to do so for several years now. Are they a pain in the a$$, yep sure are. Nothing like being in a nice air conditioned car and stepping out into high heat and humidity and having your glasses fog up. It's just part of it, most officers I know wear contacts which work fine as long as you don't get OC'd. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

[retdetsgt]

Wearing glasses is no big deal. As Ispbear said, contacts are more convenient, but don't worry about wearing them. If you can see pretty good without them you won't need to wear them all the time.

[TheDonna]

Okay, I suppose i can just take them off before getting out of the car. The rim of the glasses distorts my vision a bit. If I were to look up or to the side of my glasses, my vision is kind of wonky from looking at the glasses and outside of the glasses. I don't want anything to effect what I'm seeing clearly. And of course the whole glass shards deal around my eye sockets. Haha

[Trip]

The rim of the glasses distorts my vision a bit. If I were to look up or to the side of my glasses, my vision is kind of wonky from looking at the glasses and outside of the glasses.

Donna, that part you'd get used to after wearing the glasses a little bit. That's just a temporary adjustment thing.

[mcsap]

I have been wearing them since I was 21. I have had them broken on my face , knocked off my face etc while on duty. It didn't stop or prevent me from doing what I had to do to subdue the bad guy. I can see without them ( signs are a little fuzzy but I am not blind) so I could do without if I had to.

It is not any kind of bar to hiring.

[retdetsgt]

I can see without them ( signs are a little fuzzy but I am not blind) so I could do without if I had to.

Which is why they have a minimum uncorrected vision. I started out wearing glasses, got contacts and then got RK surgery. Your problem sounds less than most.

I suspect a lot of cops are wearing contacts or have had laser surgery. The percentage of people with bad vision hasn't changed that much over the years.

[Buffboy]

Donna, I get to sit in front of computers a lot. If you are having headaches and eyestrain looking at computer screens, change the refresh rate of your monitor before you buy glasses. I have had similar issues with some LED monitors. I've never had a problem with CRTs but I have an LED screen at work that gave me constant headaches. I changed the refresh rate in the monitor properties (IIRC) from 60HZ to 75HZ. My eyestrain and my headaches went away. You might go the other direction but try a couple other settings and see if it helps. I've had others in the office have similar issues and this helped them to so it may be pretty common.

[retdetsgt]

Interesting. Every time I click on this thread, there's an ad for prescription glasses. Technology is really something, huh?

[Joeyd6]

Interesting. Every time I click on this thread, there's an ad for prescription glasses. Technology is really something, huh?

Just noticed that.....interesting!

RDS, how long ago did you have RK surgery? Any problems with it? I have glasses/contacts for distance and was thinking about getting it done but don't know anyone who did. Any input?

[retdetsgt]

I had the old RK where they did it with a knife and it worked great. The trouble for me was I was just over 40 when it was done and a few years later I started needing reading glasses. A developmental milestone thing.

The ONLY problem I had was light sensitivity for a while. I rarely wore sunglasses until after the surgery, but afterwards I needed them, but only in bright sunlight. That went away after 6 or 7 years.

I know probably 20+ people that have had either RK or laser surgery and none had any real problems. In fact, everyone was highly satisfied with it.

[Creeker]

Just noticed that.....interesting!

RDS, how long ago did you have RK surgery? Any problems with it? I have glasses/contacts for distance and was thinking about getting it done but don't know anyone who did. Any input?

Joey, I had lasik mono vision a few years ago.

I was 45, had poor vision all of my life, squeeked thru the LE Physical because the Physicians Assistant forgot to ask if I was wearing contacts and my vision was so bad that it was becoming unmeasurable. Coke bottle... yadda, yadda. My contact lenses were toric due to my astigmatism, and at the time of the lasik I was wearing reading glasses to read print.

Mono vision "focuses" one eye for distance and the other for reading, but your mind compensates for it after a day or two.

The big hangup for me while I was still working was the amount of time required for the surgery procedure. I couldn't wear contact lenses for 2 weeks (eye has to return to its normal shape or something) and the day of the surgery the orders were to go home and sleep after the surgery. I can't imagine wanting to have worked for a day or two after... not that I was in any pain... you only feel pressure during the surgery ... but just some general discomfort and the restrictions as to what you can and can't do during recovery.

Another factor (for Donna) may be dry eyes. I was the kind of guy who always hated using eye drops, but Thera Tears (or equivelant) really helps your eyes to stay moist and to focus. If you have an Insurance Plan, those "Restasis" eye drops are really effective, but they are pricey and require a prescription from your eye doctor.

There are a few other members here who have had lasik, but I'll let them chime in as they want on your lasik concerns.

Joey, if you decide to do it, I have some extra tips that will probably come in handy, so contact me via PM if you decide to.

[TheDonna]

Another factor (for Donna) may be dry eyes. I was the kind of guy who always hated using eye drops, but Thera Tears (or equivelant) really helps your eyes to stay moist and to focus. If you have an Insurance Plan, those "Restasis" eye drops are really effective, but they are pricey and require a prescription from your eye doctor.

I used to have very dry eyes when I was younger. The only time its bothered me since was during winter but I can give drops a chance for a while to see if that affects anything.

Thank you so much guys!!

[Hannahreed]

If you have 20/20 for objects far away, (far-sighted) you don't need them while driving, depending on how far-sighted you are. I don't see glasses being a problem, depending on refraction, but it seems you only have a rather mild problem. I wear contacts from time to time and they are great. The don't irritate the eye if you have the right ones. For example Acuvue's Oasys are great. Your retina is inside the eyeball so you cannot scratch it. You can however irritate the cornea. You also have the option for surgical LASIK type treatment, which reshapes the cornea and eliminates any problems, if all goes well that is :P

[retdetsgt]

The big hangup for me while I was still working was the amount of time required for the surgery procedure. I couldn't wear contact lenses for 2 weeks (eye has to return to its normal shape or something) and the day of the surgery the orders were to go home and sleep after the surgery.

Yours must have been more complicated and the contacts different. I was wearing soft contacts and took them out when I got to the doctor's office.

As I said, my was pre lasik and was done with a knife. The doctor would only do one eye at a time, which was annoying. But I was thrilled when I removed the bandage the next morning and could see perfectly. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

The last few years, age has deteriorated my eyesight to the point I need glasses again, but now it's not a big deal.