Vision

​As a child I recall having sharp vision – at least, I was unaware of any deficits. I learned to read quickly and I remember various occasions reading small print (the writing on coins, the index to the road atlas, etc.) for dad. It seemed almost tragic to me that someone should have an inability to read such clear and crisp text! Or course, Dad had worn glasses for all of my young life so, such were the breaks I guessed. One year in grade school they gave us all vision tests and I could read right down to the last line of the poster. Again, I had similar thoughts about how unfortunate it was that some of classmates already had to wear glasses at the time and without their corrective lenses could only make out the Giant E at the top! My own vision deficits crept up on me. My near vision remained strong but by the time I was old enough to drive I needed glasses to read signs at any great distance. I did want to drive – so – when I got the glasses I was amazed at how poor my distance vision had actually become. Suddenly, trees in the middle distance had individual leaves! The mortar lines on masonry buildings were distinguishable! My distance vision had faded so slowly I had been unaware of how bad it had become. It continued to worsen over the years and my corrective lenses became stronger. There came a time when, without glasses, I could no longer read even the large bright interstate exit notices – especially at night – until I was right on them. House address numbers were completely out of my capacity if I had somehow gotten off without with the specs. In all this time, my near vision remained comparatively strong and the glasses were in the way for reading books, newspapers, or still, even coins and indices. When this was taken note of, I was urged to try bifocals. HATE! HATE! HATE! I had read that some people’s vision improved in middle age as a function of the changing shape of the eyes over the years. This turned out to be the case with me. In my mid 40’s my distance vision began to improve. Steet signs and house numbers suddenly popped into legibility to my unaided eyes! Lo and behold, for the first time ever, I could pass the eye test at the BMV without glasses! The restriction was removed from my license! Major annoyance alleviated. My optometrist told me I had developed natural binocular vision – one eye with good distance vision and the other with good up close vision. I experimented looking at things at varying distances with one eye and then the other and – whatayaknow! Indeed, I had binocular vision. Suited me! Once again I could function without the need for corrective lenses. About age 60 though, I began to notice that my up close vision was fading. In a reverse from my teenage years, I now see fine at a distance but – I get it after all these years dad – that small print is a bummer. These days I am in need of a kid to read coins, indices, my concordance, etc. for me. I’m sure they feel bad for me. After many years absence I have renewed my acquaintance with the optometrist! I can still pass the eye test at the BMV! But I’m sure, if I live long enough, that day is coming. So, my capacity to see has changed considerably over the years. Oh for a return to the days of my early childhood when I just took seeing clearly for granted. In spiritual terms though, I do find that return. As a child I felt I saw clearly into the heart of God. There was no fuzz of worldly distortion or distraction of floaters. God was just there and it was perfectly natural. As an oldster, that kind of vision returns. And eternity? Our sight there will make our best days here like ‘looking through a glass darkly.’