Sight correction: look into the options

HEN I WAS six, I began to have trouble seeing the blackboard at school. I moved desks so I would be towards the front of the class, but it got to the point that I practically had to get chalk on my nose before I could read what the teacher was writing.

It became clear that I was shortsighted and I was prescribed glasses — the first in my class to have them. I was devastated. Things were very different back then in the early 1970s — glasses were expensive and NHS ones were the only option for me (or so I was told). And as with the Model T Ford, which was available in any colour you wanted as long as it was black, I could have any glasses I liked as long as they were geeky old-fashioned ones.

Thankfully, as an adult my options have expanded considerably, which is just as well, because not only am I considerably more short-sighted than I was when I was six, I am also developing presbyopia — that thing where you could read whatever is on the page perfectly well, if only your arms were a metre longer.

These days, there are plenty of attractive glasses but there are also contact lenses and laser surgery.

GLASSES

Glasses have changed — and not just the frames. The advent of cool designer glasses means you no longer need to look nerdish if you are short-sighted. And the technology has developed along with the fashion.

We have known for over a century that that if you cut concave lenses that are thicker at the edge than at the centre, it will correct short sight by ensuring light rays fall on to to your retina, so that you can focus properly. But it used to be that the more shortsighted you were, the thicker the frames. This is no longer the case — new materials and lens-thinning technology means that even the most myopic glasses-wearers can look good and see clearly.

CONTACT LENSES

In the 1980s the choice was between hard lenses, gas permeable and soft. Hard lenses could be uncomfortable, although they were durable; gas permeable could be worn for longer but still needed to be looked after and took some getting used to. Soft lenses could be worn for only eight hours a day and there were complex cleaning procedures.

Now hard lenses are history — soft lenses that allow as much oxygen to permeate as the eye needs are the new norm and monthly and daily disposables take the hassle out of lens wear. Lenses can be worn all day and can correct astigmatism as well as long and short sight. Bi- and multi-focal lenses are also available (at a price), which means no need for reading glasses as you grow older.

LASER SURGERY

In the past 20 years or so, laser surgery has become hugely popular. Although expensive, if the surgery is successful it will mean no more prescriptions for glasses or lenses and therefore a longterm saving. There are three types of surgery and plenty of providers; take independent expert advice.

The surgery is undertaken on an outpatient basis; takes 30 minutes to an hour and is fairly painless, although there maybe soreness for a day or two and you will need to sit in a darkened room for 24 hours if having both eyes done at the same time

While it is not possible to predict a 100 per cent cure, nine out 10 patients experience significant improvement. Complications can include dry eyes, some long-sightedness, reduced night vision and a haze around bright lights. If you are approaching middle age, be aware that laser surgery does not address age-related long-sightedness or presbyopia. to speak to the guest. I explored laser eye surgery but I was told that it wasn’t suitable for me, so instead I got mono contact lenses — one eye corrected for distance and one eye for reading. It meant I could look down and see my studio notes and also read the autocue. However I was always worried things could go wrong.

I’d worn contact lenses for about a year and a half when I heard about Clarivu. I was in journalistic mode when I went to see my consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Optegra. I asked loads of questions. Eyes are so precious and you do wonder “what if something goes wrong?” My consultant explained that Clarivu is an advanced form of cataract surgery, which is a commonly performed procedure.

The procedure took 15 minutes per eye in two separate sessions, four days apart. You don’t see anything that’s going on as you’re staring into a very bright light. You’re obviously aware that something is being done but I genuinely didn’t feel any pain.

Afterwards I was offered tea and biscuits — and when I picked up the pack I saw the word “shortcake”. I nearly cried! I couldn’t believe it. I thought I had imagined seeing it and kept picking things up to read.