The Wonders of Eye Tests and Glasses

I am lucky.  As much as I don't like to put much stock in luck, I have been lucky genetically when it comes to a few thing and sight is one of them.  I have never had to wear glasses or deal with the hassle of contacts.  My wife on the other hand has not been so lucky.  The reason I bring this up is the story of how we have even got to the place where vision can be tested and corrected is another example of the power of science and simplicity. 

Let us give credit to the Italians for their many advances to science. In conjunction with the Age of Enlightenment, during which new ideas about scientific subjects like earth sciences and astronomy were developed, optics became an important topic. Italian Salvino D’Armate of Florence is credited with inventing the first pair of wearable eyeglasses in 1284. It is said a memorial once stood, honoring him, but it no longer exists. Others, like Alessandro di Spina, were also given credit for the first eyeglasses, and though doubt exists as to the actual inventor, all prototypes were probably invented in Italy late in the thirteenth century. The use of eyeglasses was depicted in several artworks created in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, giving credence to the existence of spectacles during this period. http://www.glassescrafter.com/information/who-invented-eyeglasses.html

Emily, my wife, recently had to get glasses again. She had lasik surgery years ago but the vision in the right eye had been giving her problems. She had been getting headaches and squinting to see things when she read but she didn't know what the deal was.  I find this fascinating that people who have bad vision don't know it because they don't know any different.  This is why it's so important to have kids get their eyes checked.  They have no idea they can't see well so they have to have an eye test. The simplicity of the test is amazing. Cover one eye and read the letters.  While I don't want this to morph into a healthcare topic but the sooner children can get tested for vision problems the better.  Kids don't know they can't see the chalk board letters so they don't know they are missing out.  The advantages of good vision or having your vision corrected with glasses makes a big difference in your early educational development.

Long story short. Glasses are awesome.