4 Eyes

Once upon a time when I was in elementary school, getting glasses was just about the worst thing that could happen to a kid. Glasses were a major badge of dishonor. They could label the wearer as a “nerd,” a “brain-iac” or “4 Eyes.”

I was VERY happy during my schoolage years to avoid ever needing glasses. Most of my sisters and brothers were not as lucky.

So imagine my surprise when Zo Peep announced a few months ago that she thought she needed glasses and started bugging me to take her for an eye exam. I knew that she had passed the annual vision screening at school, so I thought that her interest in eyewear was driven more by fashion than function.

But in late February after a couple months of her nagging, I decided to take her in for an exam “just in case.” The doctor’s diagnosis surprised me. She said that the Peep did have one weak eye, but that her other eye was better than 20-20 and, therefore, compensated (more or less) for the weak one. Did the Peep need glasses? She said it was my call. I could get her glasses or I could monitor the situation and bring her in for exams every year to determine if her eyesight had denigrated to the point of making glasses imperative.

Much to Little Zo Peep’s disappointment, I decided not to get glasses. But I did ask the Optometrist to write out her prescription for me in case I changed my mind in a few months. Then on March 15th I decided to get glasses for Little Zo Peep after all.

Why the change of heart? The decision was driven by two variables. First, I had a nagging feeling that I was being penny wise but pound foolish. What if my decision to pass on glasses would affect Zo Peep’s schoolwork because she couldn’t see everything the teacher was showing the class? Didn’t I want to give my daughter every chance to succeed in school?

Second, I had a financial motivation to buy glasses. I discovered on March 14th that I was going to under spend my Flexible Health care spending account by a couple hundred dollars. With these type of accounts, I lose the money if I don’t spend it. March 15th was the deadline to incur the expenses, so I needed to move fast to come up with legitimate, approvable healthcare expenses. Eyeglasses are an easy way to use up these accounts quickly.

So I reconsidered the possibility for glasses for the Peep. I concluded that specs could only help her see better and off we went to the optician to select 2 pairs – a pair & a spare.

The Peep was in 7th Heaven. She carefully evaluated each pair she was considering. She settled on a bronze colored pair with a touch of baby blue. Her other pair is charcoal with a subtle etching on the frame.

For the next week, Miss Peep would ask me if her glasses had come in yet. Finally, I got a call to pick them up and the next day she proudly wore them to school. She was soooo excited. She couldn’t wait to show everyone.

Here’s a shot of her in her favorite pair on that first day:

I liked watching her excitement as she showed off her specs that first day. That evening she told me how everyone thought her new glasses were very cool. I think it’s great that glasses are no longer considered something for which a kids needs to feel shame. Even though I often think about my own childhood as the “good ol’ days,” it is important to remember that on some issues (like the social acceptance of eyewear), THESE are the good ol’ days.