Dad won't visit opticians?

Question

I am really worried about my dad's eyesight. He buys off the shelf reading glasses from Boots and still has to squint to read stuff. He can't read anything without them. But as they are not prescription they can't be doing his eyes any good and they are not working.

But when me or mum mention to him about getting his eyes tested he just won't go. I even booked him an appointment and he nearly bit my head off. Does anybody know anyone else so reluctant to visit opticians. Could it be a phobia or something. Its really weired and I am worried it might eventually effect his driving.

Answer 1

Tell him about your concerns and how would he feel if he had an accident and someone was hurt because of his eye sight.
A lot of people think that they do not need glasses,and in older people it makes them realise that they are not as young as they used to be.
Don't nag just have a sensible conversation with him.
Tell him if hes going to wear glasses he might as well wear the correct ones and get some that suit him, would he listen to any of his friends rather than family?

Answer 2

He will be o.k. Apparently he just needs reading glasses and they are just magnifying glasses. They are the same as those sold in optician shops. He is not hurting his eyes. Don't worry, most people over 41 need reading glasses and use storebought ones.

There is no sense in paying a lot of money for something that will likely be lost. Reading glasses are hard to keep up with.
When he can't see to drive, he will get some real glasses. Some people go forever with needing just reading glasses. He probably knows what he is doing.

Myth: Wearing poorly fit glasses damages your eyes.
Fact: The right eyeglass prescription is required for good vision. Poor fitting glasses do not damage your eyes.
http://www.99main.com/~charlief/vi/myths.html

(The reason eyes get worse over time is aging, not bad glasses).

Answer 3

Your Dad sounds a bit like mine used to be, he would dig his heels in at the mere suggestion of anything that was not his idea. Maybe the optician could send him an appointment reminding him of his 6 monthly eye test. Does your Dad know that you are worried about his eyesight and that to ignore the opticians might lead him to believe that he is the expert of his own eyesight, when the opposite is seemingly the case.
Do encougage your Dad to talk about how he feels about going to the optitians it maybe that when he was younger he had a bad experience and this is reflective in his later years.

Answer 4

If he were to go get an eye test, it would cost around £15. Then he would know what prescription strength his eyes were. If it is because of meanness he could the go to the poundshop and buy two pairs, at £1 a pair, that is if he needed say 2+ in one eye and 3.5 in the other. Then he takes one piece of glass out of one part of the frame and replaces it with the different strength glass. He then takes the unwanted pair back and gets his quid back. Perhaps some other tight fisted git, will find that they suit him.

MOLLY the reason for suggesting this is in case he steps in front of CLARKY 303's dad, who is also as blind as bat.

Answer 5

I work on a computer every day and haven't had my eyes tested for about 6 years (I'm only 30)!! I've been suffering from v bad headaches for ages now but put it down to the pressures of work. How wrong was I, went and got my eyes tested on Saturday and found I need glasses for computer work and driving - that probably explains a lot. I know it can't be easy but do try and get him to go - it can't be doing any good I found out the hard way. Good luck.

Answer 6

Leave the man alone ,they are his eye's and only he can judge as to how well he can see or not , lots of people use those reading glasses for the first time wearing, and he'll know when the time is right for him to have his eyes tested. It won't matter what anyone say ,only he can go and have his eye's tested. He may well have a phobia, but that is a different matter.

Answer 7

This isnt my sister by any chance is it? ;) My Dad is EXACTLY the same, buys horrible non prescription glasses, and his runined his already poor eyesight. I think with age people's sight gets worse (my dad is 60 now) but they really ought to get their eyes seen to.

Can't speak for your dad but I'm sure with mine it's a pride thing, and male stubborness! Nagging will only push him further away, as it does with mine.

I think the best thing you can do is make him want to go of his own accord, whether that be by leavign him to his own devices or purpoesfully damaging his cheap boots glasses so he gets proper ones!

My dad's eyesight has got awful in the last few years, and he still drives, and when i've been in the car with im on a few occasions it frightens the living crap out of me!

I can totally sympathise with you here, but I'm at a loss as to what I should do too :(

Answer 8

I would guess that it is a cost factor for your parents, but they do not want to tell you that. Your best bet would be to go for the lasiks surgery and show the cost effectiveness over a lifetime. Consider that you may need new glasses every year or two.

Answer 9

You're right to be worried. Unfortunately your dad is the one who has to decide to go to the doctor, and until then he's going to be a menace to himself and anyone on the road with him.

Some guys don't like doctors. It's a kind of macho thing for them, mistaken though it is.