The I’s (eyes) don’t have it

Well, I feel like a complete Jackass.  It’s true.  And although many of you know that I have been one for years – I am finally being hit with it in an overwhelming fashion.  Let me explain.

A couple of weeks ago Josie came home from school with a note saying that she had failed her vision test.  I was skeptical to say the least.  I know my daughter – she squirms, she likes to have fun, and although she pays attention and can focus – in situations like an eye exam I know that she flat out doesn’t care.

I chalked it up to an inexperienced person running the exams and Josie being Josie.  Anwyay, we did the right thing though and scheduled an appointment with our optometrist just to be safe.

We took her to the appointment today and I went in to the exam with her and she failed miserably.  I knew it.  And I knew it was worse when the doctor sent her out to mommy so we could “chat.”  It turns out that Josie has hyperopia – or in laymans terms – she is farsighted.  Not just a little, but a lot.  So much so that he wanted her to see a pediatric opthamologist so they could diagnose her better and then prescribe her glasses.  He sees kids regularly and said he has maybe seen two in the past two years as bad as her.

Wow – I feel like the worlds worst parent.  She is five – five years old and I just now know this.  He said she probably hasn’t seen anything clearly her entire life.  Eeesh.  How did I not notice?

I ran my own test when I got home.  I had her stand in the hallway while I fixed Ice Cream.  When I had it ready I told her – I’ll give you a bowl of Ice Cream if you can tell me how many fingers I am holding up . . . she wasn’t even close.  She just guessed.  I gave her the Ice Cream anyway.

To quote George Costanza – “For I am George Costanza Ben Parker, Lord of the idiots.”

She goes to the opthamologist on December 1st.  The good news is that the doctor said glasses will fix it, and the other good news is that she will have a whole new world opened up to her.  She will finally get to see things the way they were meant to be seen.  Prayers that it all goes well please.  We at least know she will be in glasses the rest of her life – contacts when she gets old enough.

As for me, I’m still in shock.