Spectacles... one size does not necessarily fit all

Berkman with Ray Ban multi-focals and Rudy Project sunnies: Jeepers creepers, where did you get those peepers?

Turns out, according to Panorama-based ophthalmologist Dr Carina Slazus, that I am not the ideal candidate for Lasik surgery and would probably not be satisfied with the results. At 45 and with my level of astigmatism, wearing glasses will, according to Dr Slazus, be best for the next decade.

So off I went to Spectacle Warehouse at Willowbridge, Tyger Valley for some eyewear. The trend nowadays is towards Lifestyle Dispensing rather than simply testing a client's eyes and selling them a pair of spectacles. This, according to optometrist Sonja Moolman is most relevant when older (that's me) clients visit their practice.

"There are times when a two-in-one shampoo that cleans and conditions the hair is perfectly fine but other times a different product, like anti-tangle or anti-dandruff is needed. The same applies to spectacles. Multi-focus lenses can be thought of as the two-in-one shampoo but, like for people who like to read lying in bed, will not be as effective as just a pair that addresses reading." Moolman says that bowlers, for example, need to wear different specs from specs required by people who play golf.

"We spend a long time interviewing our clients to be sure they we are dispensing the right product for their needs. One's depth perception can be compromised with certain multi or bifocal lenses so if we know the client is a bowler, for example we will recommend an appropriate pair of specs. This doesn't just apply to older people. We recently had a brother and sister who needed glasses. Both were musical but he played the violin and she the piano. Knowing this meant we were able to adjust their spectacles accordingly as the sheet music for people who play the violin is considerably further away from the eyes than music on a piano is."

After shedding more than 70kg my eye script and needs changed. "As someone how now uses a mountain bike and hikes extensively you needed multifocal's for every-day use. We also recommended a pair of Rudy Project sunglasses that have a corrective lens insert that can easily be removed", Moolman says of my specs. "This way you wear the sunglasses with the bi-focal lenses when on the bike or climbing the mountain but can also use single-day contact lenses when being on the beach or at the gym and the Rudy Project just for sun protection. None of us has only one pair of shoes but we seem to think we should only have one pair of specs," she says.

Moolman says they also have a range of underwater goggles fitted with prescription lenses. "Not only does having prescription lenses fitted to goggles mean you can see the fish better underwater but, more essentially, see how much oxygen you have left or at what depth you are diving. People who are birders will appreciate having binoculars that can be used with their specs on or those adjusted for their particular script," she says.

"Many children struggle to learn to read because they cannot see properly and we have a remedial teacher on our team that helps children with visual therapy and getting them used to specs," she says. The group has Vision & Learning Centres at their Willowbridge and Access Park branches.

Now, instead of no glasses I have two pairs and contact lenses but feel that I have better sight than ever before. Each day that I use the contact lenses they go into my eyes easier and quicker. As soon as I think about using lenses when at the gym the same way as pulling on gym shorts and shoes it easily becomes part of my routine. And, considering the price of eye surgery, a whole lot cheaper too.

See www.spectaclewarehouse.co.za for more information.