Waited a while in my eye doctor’s office the other day, got feeling like an English patient, asked the desk woman what was my estimated time of arrival. She said 15 minutes, but I was antsy that day and knew getting in would be only half the fun: there would be another wait after drops were administered, etc.
Last time, for instance, I sat while one of the docs told three or four non-doc staffers about the call from an emergency patient that had just come in: pure gossip it was.
Also, in the outer office this time, I was looking at people arguably in the last year of their respective lives, the ones who cost so much but will be winnowed by a panel come the revolution in health care. There they (we) all were, waiting . . .
I asked if I might reschedule, and the desk woman said sure, pointing to another woman. I hesitated, then suggested I call to make the second appointment. No problem.
That was ten days ago — time flies when you’re avoiding the eye doctor. I just called, and . . .
. . . asked for a non-busy time, got 8:45 tomorrow morning. Good. I will arrive at 8:30 with at least one good book, one that will absorb me completely. Oh, but if it’s not a large-print one, I won’t be able to read it, and maybe not even then. . . .
Maybe I will bring my excellent $15 Radio Shack am/fm pocket radio, which I can hold to my ear and listen to Don & Roma, at least until 9 o’clock. Whatever. In any case, I know this sort of thing takes planning, and that I am up to it.
Later: How’d it work out? Splendidly. For my 8:45 appointment, I arrived 8:35 or so, found a couple and a single before me, waited in empty room for a few minutes, was called, tested, eye-dropped, examined by doc, who found no change from last time.
Also, I brought up computer glasses, which seem for me a writer what a hard hat is to a construction worker. He prescribed some — bifocals with reading lens below computer lens. Bingo.
I bought some before I left in a package deal: frame and glasses for a comparatively low price which I won’t divulge, having seen what they cost on Internet.
As the Age of Obama grows more with us, such bargains I may not be able to afford passing up.
Why are such glasses important? Try this:
CVS or Computer Vision Syndrome. The most common symptoms include headaches, focusing difficulties, burning eyes, tired eyes, general eyestrain, aching eyes, dry eyes, double vision, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and neck and shoulder pain.
Any one of those can unmake my day. All at once, and I’d go to bed.
Blithe Spirit 