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| W Optics at Marina Square #02-20/21/22 |
Those of us past 40 will know this story too well. You are happily wearing glasses for astigmatism or far-sightedness, and then one fine day, you realise you need to take them off just to read a book or check your phone. That is when 老花眼 — presbyopia — comes knocking on your door without even bothering to press the bell. It creeps up quietly, and suddenly you are holding your phone at arm’s length just to read a WhatsApp message.
In the past, the “solution” was to carry around an extra pair of reading glasses. You would see folks pulling out those little spectacles in hawker centres to read the menu or squinting over a newspaper on the bus. Practical? Maybe. Stylish? Not so much. But for someone like me, who already dislikes wearing glasses, the idea of juggling two pairs was simply painful. That is where progressive lenses come in.
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| Lots of different brands and types of frames to choose from. |
Now, I had heard all kinds of horror stories about them. First-time users struggling to adapt, some tripping over kerbs because the top of the lens is for distance and the bottom for near. One friend even joked that he almost fainted the first time he looked down at the urinals. That image stuck with me, and for a while I was hesitant lah.
Anyways, progressive lenses are really amazing stuff lah and I popped by W Optics recently to get me eyes checked and ask for recommendations because I thought I was having some problems with my current pair of glasses.
A Thorough Eye-Opening Experience
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| Check out the different packages they offer. |
Like any prescription, the process started with a full eye examination. And let me just say, the optometrist who attended to me was a gem. Patient, professional, and so detailed in her explanations that I learned more about my eyes in that one hour than I had in my entire life. She even spotted early signs of cataracts with the screening and possible cholesterol issues — all from just looking into my eyes. Who knew your eyeballs could be such a health report card?
High tech equipment to get your sight tested with.
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| Here she was explaining to me on the health of my eyes, including my cholesterol problem! |
Goodbye Heavy Trial Frames
The testing itself was an experience. I still remember the old days of wearing that heavy trial frame while lenses were swapped in and out until your head spun. “Clearer or blurrier?” the optician would ask, and half the time you just guessed because everything already looked equally fuzzy.
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| The phoropter they used, which changes the lenses automatically. |
Now, everything is digital and seamless. The machine switched lenses automatically while I just sat there, feeling a little like Iron Man testing out new tech. Another cool part was when they simulated my reading behavior on a tablet. They tracked how I naturally looked at things near and far, so the lenses could be tailored precisely to me. It felt oddly futuristic but also very personal, like the glasses were designed for the way I see the world, not the other way around.
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| And they used this to determine the best angles based on my line of sight. |
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| At a lost on what frames to choose sia, but luckily my optometrist got good taste. |
Since I had an overseas trip coming up, the optometrist even rushed my lenses and made sure my chosen frame was adjusted perfectly. And boy, did it make a difference. That holiday turned out to be the clearest I have ever experienced — both through my eyes and through the photos I took.
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| Guess where we were with my new pair of glasses? Everything looks so clear to me la! |
I was especially thankful I had chosen Essilor's XR PRO Progressive lenses with transition. Under the blazing Osaka summer sun, they darkened instantly outdoors and gave me UV protection. No need to juggle a separate pair of sunglasses. I also learned they help slow down cataract growth, so it was form, function and futureproofing all in one.
Settling In
With the personalized calibration, I took to the new lenses surprisingly well. No dizziness, no tripping, and thankfully no awkward urinal moments either. In fact, after a few days, switching from reading a restaurant menu to looking up at the scenery felt completely natural.
Now, I can finally put away the squinting, the arm-stretching, and the excuses. It feels good to be able to focus clearly again, both near and far.
Final Thoughts
If presbyopia is starting to bother you, do yourself a favor and give progressive lenses a shot. Not all are created equal, and after using Essilor, I can confidently say the smooth transition has made my daily life a lot more comfortable. Whether I am reading WhatsApp on the MRT or admiring the skyline overseas, it just works.
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| Can check out their range of services and product at Marina Square. |
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