When I was really young, I would read books nonstop regardless of whether it was day or night, light or dark. I’d never have imagined it then, but reading books had its downside. In sixth grade, I had to get my first pair of glasses because I couldn’t see anything the teacher put on the board. But even glasses didn’t stop my vision from getting worse. After that initial pair I had to get four more pairs, each one stronger than the last. Every year the thickness of my glasses increased and pretty soon, my grades started dropping. By eighth grade, my vision was so bad that I literally could not see what I was typing on my computer screen without glasses. By then, I was starting to lose hope of ever being able to see again without huge, heavy glasses.

My sincerest wish was to be able to see perfectly again without glasses or contacts—and I was willing to do anything, including putting a stop to my reading—to achieve that dream. When my mother first brought up the topic of corneal reshaping lenses I completely ignored her and shot down the idea. I was sick of contacts and glasses, and I’d given up all hope of being able to see normally again. However, my mom persisted.

Now, three years later, I can honestly say that one appointment changed my whole life.  I’d never have thought it possible, but the eye doctor gave me back the only thing I’ve ever wanted—my vision. I could once again see perfectly in the daytime without glasses or contact lenses.