Jackie Hyland: Clearer vision

It is so true in life. You don't know what you got 'til it's gone!

My whole life I have enjoyed perfect eyesight. I never knew what it was like not to be able to read up close or far away without glasses or contacts. That is until I hit my forties and, slowly, my perfect eyesight started to slip away. I fought it at first but eventually, after struggling to see and headaches, I gave in and started wearing glasses. I was so happy that viewers liked me in glasses. It really helped my confidence.

Recently, I have been struggling in everyday life. Sometimes I don't have my glasses with me and I squint to read my iPhone. Then, when I look up, everything is out of focus and it takes so much longer for things to come back into focus. It can be frustrating!

So, this week. I went back to see my eye doctor and told her it was time for me to try contacts. I know, I know. Millions of people wear them. But when it's your first time, well, it can be intimidating. After a couple of eye exams, my doctor picked out a pair of contacts and, before I knew it, she had popped them into my eyes.

It was not as bad as I thought it would be until I tried to take them out! What an awkward and uncomfortable experience. I felt foolish as my eye doctor's assistant watched me stick my finger into my eye repeatedly and fail to grab the contact! By the time I got both contacts out, my eyes were angry and aggravated. Then I had to put them back in!

I am still not ready to wear my contacts on television. I think the prescription needs to be tweaked a little. This whole experience has really taught me to appreciate what you have in life, because you never know when it will be gone!

Until next time, be well!