As a woman and a mother there are a few things that top my priority list.  One is health for the whole family – being active, having regular checkups and doing a mental health scan every so often.  The other big priority I have is to be a well-rounded, confident woman.  My kids need to see that.  I want to be a role model and inspiration.

Sometimes I get a ‘wake-up’ call that I am falling short of meeting my own expectations.  Not long ago I did a four-hour hike without my eyeglasses.  They are cumbersome, steam up when I sweat and make it difficult to see bears and things out of the periphery.  (Only half joking).  A crazy thing happened.  I grew very dizzy.  My confidence plummeted.  I almost fell and tripped several times.  Nearing tears, I made a decision: I have a responsibility to care for myself and it was time for contact lenses.

History of Eye Problems

With glaucoma in my family I have been diligent about getting my eyes checked and was astounded as a teenager to learn that I suffered from astygmatism.  At that time, glasses were my only option and I wore them on and off.  Mostly off.  The frames made me feel as if I was hiding from truly connecting with others, and they would generally end up on top of my head to keep my hair back.  I would play tennis, take dance classes and ski while accepting my distorted vision.  To wear glasses under ski goggles?  Not terribly fashionable or practical.  Prescription goggles and sunglasses were expensive and I always found that sunglasses slid off my face during sport, fogged up and limited my peripheral vision.

Contact Lenses are Scary

I have also been secretly terrified of contacts.  I pass by the drugstore aisles with solutions, lens cases and cleaners and look the other way.  It’s much like tiling a bathroom.  Could I do it?  Yes.  But would I rather never learn because it seems complicated?  Definitely.  My husband wore contact lenses and constantly complained of dry eyes and running out of solution.

When I had the hike experience and after several near-misses with trees while skiing, I knew it was time for contact lenses.  The best news I’ve heard in years is that they now not only fit my eyes but come in disposables. Technology has advanced so much and  with daily disposable lenses, the maintenance isn’t an issue.  As a busy mom, I can’t afford to add any extra time into my routine and this option is ideal.  Less squinting, fewer wrinkles and everyone around me is much safer!! 

Soft Contact Lenses

For teenagers in sport, Softlens disposable contact lenses are a perfect option.  Though I can’t ever pretend to excel at sport like Kaylyn Kyle does, I do know that as a teenager, so many factors toyed with my confidence.  Insecurity, acne, body image concerns, decisions about the future… As adults and parents we must facilitate making this a gentle time for our children.  This is the time in your life when our kids begin to define a self-concept.  We have come so far in science and are so blessed that teens have so many more resources that we once did.  I’m embracing my newfound confidence as a mother and woman, and am so proud that I’ve taken care of myself.  See you on the slopes!  (I will no longer be the one falling into tree wells…)

Related:

Vision and learning problems in children

Sunglasses to protect Kids’ Eyes