As the title says, I got a total shock today when I went and got my eyes tested. I do have glasses and contact lenses, but very rarely wear them (vanity I suppose), but boy did I get a wake up call today.

I have been having really bad headaches all week and always right above my left eye, I am not one for taking painkillers but again I had too all week and yesterday had to go to bed because nothing was working. I have had clients last week but was doing a lot of 3D work on tips and at the end of the day couldn't even read a book in bed, nothing just had to close my eyes.

So, it was off to the opticians for me today and well, I got a telling off, it has been about 8 years since I last got my eyes tested . The result is, my headaches are due to eye strain doing close up work, and also my eyesight has degenerated quite dramatically for someone of my age I was told, I am 40 and was told that this would normally happen to someone in their 50's and above. So, from next Tuesday or Wednesday I am going to be sporting varifocles pink of course! Contacts are now out of the question.

I know there has been threads about this but just wanted to, not warn you but remind you that in our our business how important our eyesight is, so do you take care of your eyes? Or is it just me that has been silly?

p.s. I had to laugh at the optician when she was admiring my nails but said I could do her nails after I get my new glasses

hi hun

I get mine tested every two years and wear lenses/ glasses.

I think its like everything else though unless we need to go we can always use the money/ time in another way.

I think its only cause I had eye ops as a child that it was drummed into me to go to the opticians, although I have to say I am not keen at all because for years each time I went my eyes had deteriorated.

Great thread to remind everyone!

Sure your new glasses will look fab xxxxxx

It's funny but I have always had really good eyesight until recently and people would not believe the difference it has made to me (and my work) by having my eyes tested and getting a pair of glasses!

What I will say is that we just carry on with life not noticing the deterioration in either our eyesight or our health - I (we ) think we are invincible until we have a sharp short shock - I know it has been in my case!

This thread is a good reminder that we should take a little time out to look after ourselves - after all nobody knows us as well as we do iykwim

Having worn glasses since i was 8 and cataracts operated on before I was 40, my eyesight is one thing I never take for granted. Sight tests should be free IMO.

I first went for my eyes testing when i was about 20, didn't think much of it and just went to the first one i came across on the high street,
they tested and prescribed glasses, i went every 2 years for them checking and was told each time i needed a different strength, some times stronger some times weaker,
about 4 year ago i thought i would treat my self and went to Boots opticians for them checking, after about 1 hour and god knows how many tests she asked me how long i had been wearing glasses so i told her,
over 10 years now and asked why ? she said she couldn't understand why any one had ever prescribed me glasses as i had 20/20 vision
so it goes to show every one will rip you off given half a chance, i will never go to a high street optician again.
I bet you will look really sophisticated in your glasses Fifi

They are all free now here Sass apparently, well with what Colin read on the NHS poster, just wish the lenses and glasses were

So true Debs, I was really shaken up after today, and quite tearful tbh. We take things for granted and never should

I had been wearing glasses since I was 7 years old...
Four years ago I decided to go and have a laser operation and, yes, I've seen the light!!!
Doing frequent check ups, of course...

I get my eyes checked every two years. Then again, my opticians always send me a reminder when a test is due.

I started wearing glasses age 8.
Contacts from age 18 until a couple of years ago when I got lasered.
I haven't been back to get a check up, but I will now.
I guess I just take things for granted.

Glad you got it sorted Fi! Looking forward to seeing you in your new specs! xxx

With the prescription I got today I will need to go in the microwave for at least 10 mins with 800 watt oven, although ovens do vary

i had the same thing,as i started getting headaches on a regular basis so i went to get my eyes checked.i realised i hadny had them checked for about 8yrs.so when i did they told me that there was a very slight problem but i didnt need to wear glasses,well this was about 3yrs ago so i was only talking to my mum the other day about havibg them tested as she needs to have hers done again.my mum already wears glasses so i think we will go together.your right though people should make it a regular thing even if they dont have any problems with there vision.
im glad you got it sorted though as i know how you feel,even though my headaches were caused by something else.xx

I get my eyes tested every two years, regular as clockwork. I've worn specs since I was 5, I probably needed them before that but it was only picked up when I started school and couldn't see the blackboard even from the front row of desks.

It is something that needs doing regularly, and everyone should have it done. I know some places charge for eyetests, but it's not a lot of money when you consider that you have only one set of eyes. Opticians don't just check your eyesight, they also check the general health of the eyes, and can pick up on problems that we're not even aware of. I would find it very strange now not to have it done regularly.

Good thread.

I have mine tested every two years and take my results, go on line and buy my glasses from www.GLASSESDIRECT.CO.UK so much cheaper and very good.