Some things we take for granted, like our ability to see. Like most mothers, I made sure my children had their eyes checked regularly. Since I was there too, I usually had mine looked at as well. With the onset of the migraines from hell in February, one of the things that was recommended was that I get an eye exam.

I’ve worn glasses on and off since I was four years old. I was thrilled when I eventually didn’t need them anymore. But as life moved on, my vision started to deteriorate. It began with struggling to see street signs, especially the green ones blending into the foliage. Then, reading became difficult. For a bibliomaniac like me, that was a major issue! Initially, I used glasses for driving and cheap readers for books. Eventually, the doctor recommended progressive lenses, but they triggered my vertigo so severely that I continued swapping between different pairs of glasses.

I had one pair for working on the computer, which allowed me to see the screen but made looking out the window or reading a textbook a challenge. I made it work by going without glasses when not at the computer. Thanks to Apple Maps, I didn’t need to read street signs as much. For reading, I gradually moved to 4x magnification and used a 20x mirror for morning makeup. I did this on and off for about 2 years.

I followed my doctor’s recommendation and went in for an eye exam, shocked to learn that my eyesight had worsened significantly in a short span of time. My left eye was seeing double constantly! I don’t go around winking at people or trying to see with one eye, so this was a strange experience. My right eye had hardly changed. This was ironic since most of my headaches were in my left temple.

Now, I have to wear glasses all the time, and the challenge began. I need different prescriptions for distance, computer monitors, and reading. I decided to try progressives again. I ordered a pair from the optometrist and a replacement from Zenni Optical. The rectangular wire frames from Zenni worked better, but I still struggled with both pairs. I took them back to the optometrist and ordered custom progressives for the larger lenses because the transition was too low in the original pair. It took about two weeks to get completely comfortable with them.

The trick was learning to turn myself into a bit of a bobblehead instead of just moving my eyes. I had to reconfigure my desk layout, eliminating the monitor stands I had used for nearly 15 years and dropping my monitor to the lowest setting. Now that I’ve adjusted, I wouldn’t go back to constantly swapping glasses. My next pair will be from Pair Eyewear with magnetic frame covers, allowing me to coordinate my glasses with my outfits. I have to wait a while to get those because my new updated prescription is, well, complicated and extremely expensive. Especially since I add things like blue light filters, glare resistant coatings, and scratch resistance. In addition to being able to change the frame covers, I can also snap on sunglasses. Right now, I don’t have any way to wear them and still see, unfortunately.

Eye health is something we often overlook until we experience issues. Regular eye exams can catch problems early, ensuring that our vision remains clear and healthy. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, everyone should have their eyes checked regularly, especially if they experience changes in vision or other symptoms. Now, I was getting mine checked regularly and got mine done earlier than the usual timeframe that worked for our family. While I am confident that the eye strain, especially with my left eye, was not helping the migraines, it did not fix them either. But it did provide at least a piece for the puzzle.

Our vision is a precious gift that we should never take for granted. Regular eye exams, being mindful of changes in our vision, and finding the right eyewear can make a significant difference in our quality of life. Remember, taking care of your eyes is an essential part of self-care.