Spectacles

It is extremely important for those who wear spectacles (also called ‘glasses’ in the text because that is the commonly used term for spectacles) that they know their correct use in their routine life. Why are glasses prescribed? What is expected of the wearer to keep his or her eyes healthy? Parents of children who wear glasses should know that they are not merely meant to make children see better but also keep the eyes relaxed and healthy and stop the vision from deteriorating any further. There is no branch of-eye specialty where ignorance and misconceptions are more rampant than in the use of spectacles. What follows is an attempt to clear group misconceptions and myths that we come across in our day-to-day practice.

Misconceptions about spectacles fall in the following groups:

(a) Some people feel that wearing spectacles is an indication of a dreadful eye disease. The commonest victims of the fear are the parents whose children are advised to wear spectacles by an eye specialist. Such a notion results from ignorance. Wearing spectacles is not a sign of a serious disease, but developmental arid natural weakness of the growth of the eyes which can be corrected only with spectacles. There is no medical treatment which can replace spectacles.

Eyes that require (+) number are smaller than the normal while those that require (-) number is longer. Unless such eyes are provided with artificial aid of spectacles, they do not focus the objects’ image on their screen clearly. If the image is not focused, the users are constantly making unsuccessful attempts to see clearly. They blink their eyes, rub them off and on or make their eyes small, but eventually are overcome by headaches, watering and redness of eyes. They become victims of depression and lack of concentration. Not using spectacles will cause the eyes to strain and lead to ill-health, especially in growing children. The children will lag in studies and homework.

(b) The second group comprises those who will simply not put on glasses because they detract from their good looks-this group consists mainly of young college-going girls and boys. They prefer to suffer headaches, eyestrain and poor visibility but will not use glasses. This would mean paying a cumulatively heavy price in the future, the end result being lazy eyes, ocular fatigue and ill-health.

(c) The third group comprises those who will readily put on glasses because they see and feel better. But they get very upset when they find the power of their glasses changing in due course. They expect that wearing spectacles will ensure that their power does not increase. Some even expect that wearing glasses for a number of years will allow them to give up using glasses for good. This is an erroneous concept. Only an eye specialist will decide if the glasses are required or not. Young people ought not to expect it to happen to them. In old age ‘second sight’ is common. This can also happen due to the beginning of cataract.

(d) The fourth group comprises those who insist that there must be some drug or medicine which can take away the need of glasses. This is a myth