I've been quiet lately because I haven't been able to knit much. It seems that I'm experiencing hormonal changes that are affecting my vision (I am, unfortunately, "of that age"). Not only is my near-sightedness fluctuating, my astigmatism is going haywire. Sometimes I can see beautifully, but, more often, things look skewed, especially when I try to focus on my hands as I knit. I've had my vision checked and ordered new glasses only to find that my prescription changed again. I'm on a two-week plan with my optometrist now to see when my eyes stop changing so I can get a prescription that will work.
In the meantime, I've been cleaning like a bandit. Last week, I vacuumed under all the furniture and along the baseboards, rotated mattresses and washed all the bedding, and even hand-washed ALL of my sweaters (the floors were covered with sweaters on top of towels). One of my sons pointed out that it's too early to do spring cleaning. Ah, but when spring does come, I'll be ahead of the game.
I'm not writing this for sympathy or pity, but I would welcome encouraging words from anyone who has gone through similar vision problems. Oy, how long does this last?
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please make them check your pressures and if you are borderline make them check it monthly. Also get your thyroid tested!
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll ask my optometrist to check the pressure. My thyroid tested fine last month when I had my annual physical.
Get your blood sugar checked also. Blood sugar fluctuations can change the index of refraction of your eyeballs and thus vision changes. Even if it was OK last month, get it checked again; it can change on you that rapidly.
You have my sympathy - I am not quite of that age, but I started transitioning from farsightedness to nearsightedness a few years ago, so rapidly that I needed new glasses every few months - until I understood what was going on, I was sure it was a tumor or something (because I'm naturally an optimist like that). Now things have settled for me somewhat; I hope things resolve themselves quickly for you so you can get back to knitting as normal.
Sorry, although I am past "that age" my eyes were already so nearsighted that aside from slowly deteriorating near vision, I never noticed a thing. I've used close to the same prescription for 30+ years. It fluctuates some but not much. I AM now in tri-focals, sigh. I tried the no-lines and positively hated them, so... old-lady glasses it is!
I was forced(hysterectomy) into that "wonderful/awful" transition. I recall nothing but incredible hot flashes. My husband and daughter thought the thermostat was going to break from the constant up and downs.
i can't imagine not being able to see well enough to do close work like knitting. I hope it hasn't affected your driving and things like that.
Just think when Spring does come, you'll be able to enjoy the beautiful weather because the cleaning will be done.
The first thing to do is to see an opthalmologist - to check pressures and make sure that you aren't having problems with macular degeneration or glaucoma. I also agree with the thyroid testing and blood sugar. Sounds like a regular doctor visit with lab work is in order as well.
Eye issues are not to be taken lightly! Time can be of the essence in treating some eye problems, so make that appointment now! (I have eye issues and family history, so I speak from experience.)
I turned 50 and started hot flashes, and my vision changed, too. Now, I have to wear one 'far' contact and one 'close' lens. I can't see to knit with either lens in, and I can't knit with my glasses on. I can't see the TV if I knit. Getting older is a mess. They tell me things will even out when I get cataracts and I can get that lens surgery for free....I'll probably have arthritis by then...
Hang in there. Listen to the eye dr. and just do what you have to do. Reading glasses are a cheap temporary fix for some...
I learned to knit dishcloths about 2 years ago. Made 100's of them! The, I bought your sock book and my sons who live in VT and ME have very warm feet! I just bought another book from you...the book on how to size things...and I preordered your new sweater book. THANK YOU for giving me the instruction and helping me find the courage...I LOVE Knitting!
Okay. I'm calling my PCP in the morning.
Thanks for all your help!
I've secretly thought had a brain tumor; thyroid or sugar imbalance are much easier to handle!
So sorry, Ann! I had severe astigmatism before I had my eyes 'fixed'.... Best thing I ever did! I really feel for you.
Cataracts? I just had cataract surgery and everything but my astigmatism cleared up. I don't have to wear glasses to drive any more, but I do have to wear them for close-up work, i.e., knitting.
Your optometrist may be terrific, but I would consult an opthalmologist asap. In your case, I sincerely believe a specialist is required. From personal experience I know that there is no substitute for the differences an opthalmologist's additional training and expertise provide. Good luck and please don't wait.
All I can say is that growing old is certainly not for the faint of heart.
oh my ... i had vision discomfort at times throughout this certain age and if i couldn't find my reading glasses at meal time i would eat with my eyes shut. yes, get everything checked, but think through what you do of a day that you could improve. i ate more veg., switched to soy instead of dairy, got in a good walk every day. still do, feel better, eyes are back to normal (behind glasses!) :D
No advice, but I hope your eyes settle soon and you can get back to knitting!
Seconding the idea of a cataract. Your vision sounds a lot like my husband's was before his cataract was diagnosed. (His whole family gets them in their 40s....and of his 5 siblings, he was the only one whose eye doctor diagnosed it without him saying "Hey, all of my brothers have cataracts, do I have one too?").
Of course, I'm not a doctor, and lots of other commenters have good ideas too.
Good luck!!
Sue
I am having similar problems. I am 53 and am just starting menopause. It has not been bad, but I am noticing vision problems. If I am not on a computer ( I teach university classes in class and online), I am knitting.
I have a catarac forming. But my doc said it is not bad enough to affect my vision. I am actually glad to know I am not the only one, although I am sorry you are too. Most days are just fine, but others are not.
Hope it gets better and stays better:)
hopefully you are not dealing with a "macular pucker". I got one of those..both eyes are close to 20/20, but in one eye everything is magnified sort of..so that I saw double for a long time, until my brain adjusted. I was lucky..no surgery needed. But the pucker is staying forever..some let loose. I have your toe-up travelers open just below my computer moniter where I am thinking...that I ought to order some quince & co yarn...
hopefully you are not dealing with a "macular pucker". I got one of those..both eyes are close to 20/20, but in one eye everything is magnified sort of..so that I saw double for a long time, until my brain adjusted. I was lucky..no surgery needed. But the pucker is staying forever..some let loose. I have your toe-up travelers open just below my computer moniter where I am thinking...that I ought to order some quince & co yarn...
Thanks for all of your concern about my eyes.
I had my eyes rechecked again today and they seem to be going back to where they were in December.
I have an appt with a specialist at the end of the month.
Hopefully, there will be a reason for this fluctuation and it will be treatable.
I'm knitting more, but still not for long periods of time...
The strangest thing happened to me during that time of my life. My vision got blurry, my glasses made it worse. I finally went to see my opthamologist and discovered that my vision was dramatically improved. The dr. was astonished; so was I. I'd been night blind for many years and all of a sudden I wasn't. I still needed glasses, but the RX was completely different. Figure that one out.
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