It's almost 8:00pm and we have been home for a few hours. I had to cut the guys hair when we got back from the eye doctor, along with dinner, showers and now my nephew is over for a visit.
So the eye doctor said that both of the kids are slightly near sighted, Paulie being 20/30 and Sarah 20/60 and that they both have seasonal allergies for which he gave them eye drop prescriptions. So we picked out a pair of glasses for each of them, and they should be here in 7-10 days. Both of their close up vision is fine. Kind of odd, but they were both thoroughly checked out. The doctor said Paulie's blinking is probably just him trying to concentrate real hard with his learning disability. And obviously the rubbing of his eyes is the seasonal allergies. He did give me one eye exercise that we can do with Paulie, but otherwise he said his reading vision is fine.
The kids seem to be fine with this, and Paulie is actually looking forward to his glasses. He thinks it will help him read better, and since we wear them he thinks he should. We don't say anything one way or another, even though the glasses won't help him read better at all. But if he thinks they will, will they? Who knows? Sarah is o.k. with it. Not as excited as Paulie, but not real concerned with it either. Oh, and Paulie is already talking about changing his Mii (his character on Wii) and putting glasses on him.
So how am I doing with this news? Not the best, confused, I guess would be a good way to describe it. See I have always been taught not to trust doctors, and that having glasses just make your eyes lazy and make you need glasses all the more. Where as if you don't start wearing glasses then you probably won't need glasses for a long time, if a all. And this thought too, so what if their long distance is a little blurry, is it really that big of deal? They've been doing well without them so far, so why should they need them? Will it really make a difference? All this, and so much more is running through my head. The eye doctor did say they didn't need to wear them all the time, though he did say Sarah should wear them most of the time. And that they can read with them on, though it won't help them read at all. With their insurance, the glasses were covered, so we went ahead and picked out some pairs, but I just wonder. Should I encourage them to wear them? Should I discourage them to wear them?
It's just hard for me. I feel for my children, who will have to wear glasses for the rest of their lives. I feel like we are weak or not trusting in the Lord, that we are 'giving in' and just making their eyes worse. That we are being dependent on glasses and we shouldn't be. That my kids shouldn't be excited about glasses, that is wrong, that's them being weak. We need to be 'strong' and fight this need for glasses, not embrace it like they are. That we are not having enough faith, and we are just following a doctor. Didn't I say I am confused? I guess I still deal with this wrong thought that if I'm doing things 'right' then all will be smooth and perfect in our lives. And to 'give in' to glasses is not doing things right, it's not having enough faith. Oh, it's hard. Maybe I shouldn't be writing all of this right now, I'm tired, emotional and not sure where to go. I need to go to the Lord and His Word. Where in His Word to go, I'm not sure, but I know that is where the answer is.
I guess I'll put this post out, though it's kind of a downer, so we'll see how long I leave it out there. If you think about it, could you say a prayer for all of us? I think we need a good nights sleep, and things will look better tomorrow, no pun intended.
Oh, JoAnn, I'm so sorry you are having such confusion. I have never heard that about glasses making eyes worse. I would really check your sources to see if it really is true. It could really do your children a disservice if it is something they are needing and you are following false advice. Please remember that it is a medical condition and it may need treatment just like a lot of other medical conditions. I have worn glasses since I was 10 years old. At first I just wore them part time. I like your kids couldn't see far, but had no trouble with things close up. I forgot to wear them a lot and I had no idea how much of the world I was missing by not wearing them. It hit me hard one day when I missed the opportunity of a lifetime because I did not have my glasses on. My friends pointed to a plane moving slower than normal and said they could see a white thing on the back of it. That white thing was The Space Shuttle, being flown on the back of a 747. I was not able to see it. I was so disappointed with myself because I knew if I had just taken the time to put my glasses on, I would not have missed it. I also realized I was probably missing a whole lot more than just that. As I got older, it became even more important to either wear glasses or contacts as I began to drive. There is no way I could drive without them. I would run over someone for sure. Sorry, not trying to pressure you about this, but I really feel you need to find out more about it before deciding. Like I said, I have never heard of that about glasses making your eyes lazy. From my understanding of near sightedness, it is not due to lazy eyes, but due to the cornea being slightly misshapen.
I agree with Lynn. Check your facts. I have not heard this either. I like what Lynn wrote a lot. I don't have much to add to what she said except that I did get Grace reading glasses when the eye doctor left it up to me. She uses them some of the time. I don't think it is a matter of faith.
Jenn
JoAnn,
I have heard so many stories of kids being absolutely thrilled when they put glasses on for the first time and exclaiming, "I can see the blades of grass." I've also heard stories of eyes getting better and not needing glasses anymore, because of wearing glasses. And, just one more bit of info, in college I did a speech on glasses, and 99% of the population will need corrective lenses at some point in their lives.
I understand not wanting them to have them now. And, I understand your fears of feeling like you're not trusting God. Cling to Him for comfort and peace. Condemnation does not come from the Lord. He convicts us to change, but He doesn't want us living in condemnation.
You are a good mom and you are caring for the needs of your children. I think you will be glad you got them the glasses when they exclaim over the things they can now see. If you denied them of that, then you would be sad.
No advice as I'm still having issues wearing/remembering my reading glasses I just got this year at age 45! I mainly need them to read in poor light or fine print on labels at the grocery store. I carry them with me, but always forget to use them! I can't walk with them on and get sick if I don't just focus on the words. I'm a lousy role model for glasses.
Keeping you in prayer as you look for guidance.
Vicki
It is okay my SSiC. Your childrens eyes don't depend on your faith. We all have our thorns in our sides and we adapt. I believe that we have to realise that we don't live in a perfect world and plus God uses situations to develop our character and for His glory. Not our own. Peace be still.
Sending you HUGE (((((((HUGS))))))
In Him<><
-Mary
i must need glasses too, when i first read your entry i thought you said you needed to cut the GRAY hairs. got any gray hairs you should be cutting? i keep mine. I like 'em.
I'm so glad you popped over and commented. I needed and "excuse" to come by and say "hi." (Terrible, huh?) But you read my post and know I've been going like crazy.
So...here it is from a girl who has worn glasses since age 7:
Don't listen to any ads about "natural fixing" near-sightedness. It's the eyeball, girl. The eyeball. Either a little longer (or shorter) than normal. The other "way" results in far-sightedness. Astigmitism involves the cornea--slight imperfections in it. So those are the BIG THREE.
Who cares about glasses or not? I'm going for the UPGRADES when I get to Glory. gives you something to look forward to, ya know? I did pray hard with my 2 oldest children, as my DH has HORRIBLE vision and I know it's hereditary (doesn't have much to do with anything else; perhaps letting kids spend too much time in close work too young, but with homeschooling that's not a problem). Anyway, even knowing all that, my DD needed glasses at age 16 and went right to contacts. My oldest DS has never needed them and still doesn't (go figure....)
My DS (19) went right to contacts at Sarah's age--that's when nearsightedness just "happens" for most kids. My DS (16) needed glasses in sixth grade. He wore glasses for a year and then "earned" the right to wear contacts.
And you've got it SO wrong: they don't have to wear glasses for the rest of their lives. My DH had the Laser Surgery done and he's had perfect vision ever since! He LOVES it. (now reading glasses because he's over 50, but he hardly ever uses them). My vision isn't bad enough to warrant somebody poking at MY eye. *she shudders*. I have mostly astigmistism, which is an annoyance but I'll just be patient for the UPGRADES! LOL
We live in a fallen world, Joann. Nobody's body is EVER going to be perfect, and be glad it's only silly little eye problems and not anything major.
Whoever told you that having your kids wear glasses weakens their eyes or makes their eyes "lazy" ought to be taken out at dawn and shot (just kidding) for putting burdens on parents with such rubbish! Praise God for eyeglasses! Imagine the folks in the olden days or in poor countries who would give ANYTHING to have an improved life with improved vision. My father in law was so nearsighted he was nearly blind. As an adult he finally got glasses and it was like a blind man first seeing. He was astonished at how clear and beautiful everything looked!
And yes! Encourage your children to wear their glasses all the time (with the reward of someday getting contacts). you are paying plenty for those glasses and lazy, "so what" attitudes result in lost or damaged eye wear. (Trust me; I know). I NEVER wanted to see Ryan without his glasses, or he was in BIG trouble. And in the beginning, his vision wasn't all that bad. But it led to healthy, consistent habits and now I'm so glad he learned that discipline.
Remember--think of the BIG picture. Glasses today; contacts tomorrow; Laser surgery later on, and perfect vision in Eternity.
This blog is so I can share my journey with the Lord, my journey as a wife and mother, and my journey as a homeschool mom. I pray that you will see the Lord in my life through happy and sad times, and that this blog glorifies the Lord.
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I guess I still deal with this wrong thought that if I'm doing things 'right' then all will be smooth and perfect in our lives. And to 'give in' to glasses is not doing things right, it's not having enough faith. Oh, it's hard. Maybe I shouldn't be writing all of this right now, I'm tired, emotional and not sure where to go. I need to go to the Lord and His Word. Where in His Word to go, I'm not sure, but I know that is where the answer is.
