Chapter 1: Reflections on a Changing Vision

Greetings from a warm day in northeastern Virginia! The temperature is currently around 90°F/33°C, and the weather is quite dry. I just finished some weeding before my gym session, picturing the pulled-out plants wilting under the sun. Staying hydrated is definitely key today.

In this blog, I often share personal anecdotes and insights. Today, I want to reflect on my relationship with technology and its impact on my body and time. I'm beginning to reconsider my digital habits, particularly due to recent changes in my eyesight. While it may seem like a minor issue, the nuances are becoming more apparent and could be worth discussing.

To provide some context: for the first five decades of my life, my eyesight was exceptional. Vision tests consistently showed perfect results (20/20). Despite years of extensive reading, my eyes showed no signs of strain—a surprising anomaly in my family, where everyone else wore glasses.

My academic and professional journey demanded considerable visual effort, involving extensive reading for my literature PhD, evaluating student papers, and engaging with increasing amounts of screen time. Remarkably, my eyes managed to handle it all without any difficulties... until a few years back, when I began to notice slight blurriness with small fonts.

After grappling with this for some time, I finally purchased my first pair of reading glasses from a local pharmacy. The clarity they provided was astounding, transforming fuzzy text into the sharp images I once knew. I quickly acquired a few more pairs, placing them strategically around my home and office for convenience—my office, laptop bag (since I travel frequently), bedside table (where I always read before sleeping), and kitchen (for recipes).

One area that hasn't quite clicked is my habit of carrying glasses with me. Despite trying a neck-hanging pair that magnetically clips together, they often get caught in my beard, leading me to leave them behind. More often than not, I end up relying on my phone's magnifying feature when I need to read small text, like menus or food labels.

Fortunately, my distance vision remains intact. I have no trouble driving, reading street signs, or identifying landmarks. Thus, I haven't yet needed bifocals or progressive lenses.

However, I've started to notice further decline in my eyesight. At 57, I've observed that some screen content on various devices has become increasingly hard to read. While my desktop computer displays text clearly on a large screen, my laptop text can be challenging. My Kindle is great for reading after adjusting the font size, but I find myself squinting at some content on my new Galaxy Fold 5. Even during gaming sessions, I sometimes need to stand to read smaller dialog boxes clearly, and while subtitles are readable on larger screens, they appear dim on smaller devices.

This situation is both frustrating and intriguing. The term "presbyopia" comes to mind—a natural part of aging, as the Mayo Clinic describes it. My vision is slowly shifting, much like how ancient glass gradually deforms under gravity. I find myself navigating through these subtle changes.

What can be done in light of these developments?

I’ve begun adjusting my technology usage. Certain devices and applications allow for flexible font sizes, which has made a significant difference. The Kindle excels in this area. However, some platforms make adjusting settings cumbersome. While I can enlarge some PDFs on my phone, I can't increase the font size in Duolingo. Thankfully, the Fold's nearly tablet-sized mode is helpful, but my laptops still have frustrating limitations with fixed system dialog boxes.

Additionally, I’m experimenting with different fonts. A friend recommended the Atkinson Hyperlegible Font, which I believe will enhance readability.

Glasses have also become a new normal for me. I can’t recall the first time I reached for them while staring at my phone, but the rush of clarity is unforgettable, despite feeling somewhat awkward. I’ve started to wear my readers more frequently while using my laptop, although it still feels like an admission of defeat.

As I engage with others, both online and offline, I discover that many people share similar experiences. Some have expressed that they only need glasses for close-up work on devices like phones and tablets. It's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this journey.

Several friends have suggested trying blue light-blocking glasses, which I haven’t explored yet.

One challenge remains: I need to develop the habit of carrying my readers everywhere. Perhaps attaching them to an item I always carry, like my phone or watch, would help. I also contemplate creating a unique glasses case, perhaps with Gothic or steampunk designs, to make it more appealing.

As a futurist, I am always looking ahead. Applying this perspective to my own situation, I anticipate that my eyesight will continue to decline. With my love for reading—both digitally and otherwise—it's essential to adapt.

A straightforward solution might be to normalize wearing glasses regularly. Bifocals could be on the horizon, allowing me to transition easily between near and distant vision, and I’ve heard positive feedback about progressive lenses, though I’ve never tried them.

Contact lenses have never worked for me, but perhaps I should give them another shot. The Meta Ray-Bans intrigue me, as I’ve always been captivated by the idea of merging augmented and virtual reality. It would be interesting to see if they can accommodate my reading needs.

I may also need to upgrade my hardware. The Fold serves me well, but I might need a larger screen in the coming years. Should I be ready to switch to a full tablet, or will glasses evolve enough to replace my phone's functions?

I'm also considering leveraging audio more. Transitioning some visual tasks to audio formats could be beneficial—I already enjoy podcasts and audiobooks and could delve into that further.

Looking ahead, I can foresee the possibility of losing my near vision entirely in the next decade or two. While I hope my medium and long-distance vision remains stable, it’s prudent to prepare for the likelihood of partial blindness and to embrace accessibility technologies.

At this point, I'm uncertain about the medical interventions available. I haven’t yet explored options like surgeries or implants, but it's time to investigate further.

For now, I’ll pause here, having ventured deeply into the realm of vision issues. I welcome any suggestions or personal stories from those who have navigated similar experiences.

In this TEDx talk, Daniel Georgiev explores the alarming effects of technology on our eyesight. This presentation highlights the importance of awareness and proactive measures for eye health in our digitally dominated world.