Building a plane with aging eyes

[BSwayze]

CJ, If you go to amazon.com and do a search for eyesight, you'll find a number of very good books showing how to improve your eyesight naturally through some dietary improvements and special eye exercises. I know some think this is quackery, but what do you have to lose? Let me tell you what has happened to me.

I'm 55, and like most everyone else, my eyesight was deteriorating to some extent. For many years now, I've put up with vision that was less than ideal. For other health reasons unrelated to eyesight, my wife and I made some improvements to our diets earlier this year. I won't elaborate, but it mainly includes juicing raw fruits and vegetables and focusing on a diet of raw living foods. One day when I was driving down the road, I suddenly became aware that my vision was sharp as a tack, both close up and in the distance. This is something I hadn't seen in many years. I talked to my wife, and her eyesight has been improving, too. Besides that, I have never felt better, more energized, and to top it off, I lost 20 lbs. without even "dieting". How's that for lightening up the aircraft?

I would be happy to discuss this privately with anyone who wants to hear more, without taking up the space on the forums.

[captain_john]

Bruce, that is an excellent way to live anyways.

I have lost 40-50 pounds already doing the same method. For breakfast I always have fruits and for lunch (and sometimes dinner too) I often have salads.

Of course, I do supplement my fruit, fiber and vegetable intake with copious amounts of animal flesh and premium ales!



My eyes are just my eyes. They are aging and I am doing my best to keep them in good stead!

The weight loss is great for carrying more fuel, increasing useful load and rate of climb!!!

CJ

[cnpeters]

That's exactly what my medical has on it as I have the same near vision issue. There was no issue doing my eye test with them. I can still read an av chart holding it out, but I must carry a pair of reading glasses (I have a sunglass version too) for when I fly. And certainly want them on me in case of a ramp check.
I still just use dime store $15 readers - a couple pair at home, one in the RV factory for bench work, one in my briefcase, and a pair at work (especially need for suturing - much appreciated by the patient to not have some Frankenstein scar!!). And at this price, no big deal if I lose one.

For those with glasses... what impact does this have in getting a medical renewed ? Is there any restrictions or denials of the medical if you end up having to swap glasses while doing the eye portion of the test ?

WS,

The only impact of having glasses is that if you can't pass the flight physical without them, you'll have a "holder shall wear corrective lenses" limitation on your medical certificate. In the past, my AME let me try the eye test without glasses but my distance vision just wasn't good enough.

I avoided bifocals too, mostly because it was an admission of getting old - so I spent the extra $ (more like $$$$) on progressive lenses so at least I can fool others. It took me a little while to get used to them, but my eyes are accomodated to them now.

Thermos

[painless]

Bruce, that is an excellent way to live anyways.

I have lost 40-50 pounds already doing the same method. For breakfast I always have fruits and for lunch (and sometimes dinner too) I often have salads. CJ

So THAT is your training technique for eating half a cow at the Otter! You starve yourself all year and then go on a binge at OSH!

[captain_john]

Hahahaha, Jeff... everything in proportion is my motto.

Sometimes that portion is zero. Sometimes the portion is huge!

It all makes for a balanced lifestyle. I keep a running tally in my head of everything that I consume and plan my intake accordingly.

If I binge for a week at OSH, then I beat myself up for 2 afterward.

Yup! You got me figured out!

CJ

[timotb]

I think its called Presbyopia. Good far vision. I'm almost 50. Started to notice it at 40 for very close up projects. Now I need reading glasses for reading text messages on the phone and reading a restaurant menu. Dad says it only gets worse.

[captain_john]

Tim,

Since I wrote this thread I have found a way to work around the increasing rigidity in my eye tissue.

I am nearsighted and when my eyes (lenses) were more flexible, I could manage to focus with my distance vision glasses on. Now, not so much!

I managed to pass my FAA Medical without corrective lenses for close vision, but this has always been the case. I have 20/10 near vision!

Now, when I work on the project I have progressive lenses with no prescription on the lower half. It works GREAT!

I am wearing them now, in fact!

Getting old SUCKS!

CJ

[timotb]

Where do you get progressive lenses with no prescription?

[Vlad]

Excuses, excuses.Nothing is wrong with your vision. KGB checked today. You brought me to the Katama field without any nav aids and that canopy bubble was trimmed perfecto.








That RV is an example of excellent workmanship. Get the thing done and let's go North.

(SNIFFFFFER)

Is anyone else noticing a deterioration in their near vision when dealing with small parts?

I am 43 years old now and, although I wear glasses I have always had EXCELLENT near vision. I can still see small, delicate objects but not at all distances like I used to. I need to move the part back and forth to get the focus I need. This is fine when the part is in my hand but if I am laying down in the fuse or if the part is very large... this can be difficult. It really compromises progress and quality!

I am looking onto RK or Lasik for next summer.

Has anyone else had this surgery performed? What were your results like?

It is frustrating to say the least!

CJ

[captain_john]

Tim, Anyone can make them that way when you order your next pair. I got the blended ones that are the "no-line" style. They do take a little getting used to, but as Vladimir says... I now have Mark I vision! hahaha

Vlad, always a pleasure to have you visit! You do crack me up! I had a great time hanging around with you and flying your plane!

Everyone missed you at the party last night. I found a woman for you too. She is WEALTHY too!!! You should have spent another night here. You may not have gone home until mid-week!!!

Come back soon!

CJ

[Vlad]

I found a woman for you too. She is WEALTHY too!!! You should have spent another night here. You may not have gone home until mid-week!!!

Come back soon!

CJ

Please explain WEALTHY Does it mean at least 1000 TT and CFI ticket in the making? Who needs money these days?

[captain_john]

Hahaha..

No, not a CFI but you could live down the street from me in a big house with a big garage to do your next project in if you play your cards right!

CJ

[Vlad]

Hmm. How 'bout tiny studio no garage couple blocks from Central Park?

Thread creep now back to to your VISION...

[aparchment]

Welcome to the club brother! My near vision started to go south a little over a year ago. I was pretty ticked off. I have held off on a solution so far, but it's going to be necessary in the next year or so.

[captain_john]

Truth be told, I am really growing accustomed to my progressive lenses with zero prescription on the bottom half!

It does require some adjustment to see things in the "mid-range" but it sure beats making costly mistakes with airplane parts!

CJ

[bruceh]

I've got near-sightedness and aging eyes. Right now I see just fine with progressive lens for distance and reading (+1.25). If I really need to see something close up, off go the glasses and I'm good at about 8 inches with the naked eyes. I gave up on contact lenses after wearing them for 38 years. Just could never get my eyes to focus any more at reading distances. If I need reading glasses, I might as well just wear glasses full time, since I sit behind a computer all day.

I would love to ditch the glasses all together and go with Lasik surgery, but I would hate not being able to see up close with the naked eye.

Presbyopia sucks!