I am extremely near-sighted. The last five years, I have only been able to see 20/20 in toric contact lenses. I went to the optometrist a week before Christmas. I knew that my vision has been blurring a little more recently, but I was hoping it was fatigue or my mind playing tricks on me.

The doctor kept flashing rows of blurry letters as he frowned and pursed his lips.
          “Now? How about now? Can you read any in that row?”
With each failed row, mild panic began to creep up my throat. He finished the letters and lenses tests and sat writing notes and reviewing my history silently.
          “They are weaker this time,” he said with a sigh. “There is no correction that is allowing you to see 20/20.”
          I nodded, fighting tears. I already knew.
          “Let’s take a look at your corneas.”
I held my forehead against the machine.
          “Ohhh. There’s a lot of damage here, Sue. This is…bad.”

I bit my lip and tried not to shut my eyes. He examined each eye for several minutes. When he finally finished, I sat back and waited.

          “Your corneas look like someone took a pin and punched a thousand holes through them, probably caused by eye fatigue and wearing your contacts too much. The good news is that the eye can heal quickly, and within about thirty days the cornea will have all new cells. I suggest you wear your glasses and get plenty of rest these next few weeks. I know your vision in the toric contact lenses is much better than it is in your glasses, but we need to give the corneas some air and rest. I’ll see you in a couple weeks to monitor this.”

I nodded weakly. I hate wearing my glasses, I thought. I’m a vain idiot to think about a mild inconvenience when it might allow my body to heal itself instead of needing surgery or further intervention.

Too often I trade what is best for what is merely convenient or comfortable. I’m wearing my glasses. Say a little prayer for corneal sloughing. Will keep you posted.