Why don't the Irish wear glasses?

TomF · 01-09-2003 8:33am #1

I have been in Germany, England and America fairly recently, and was struck by the number of people in each place who wear glasses (spectacles). In Cork it is a rare thing to see anyone wear glasses ever.

Is there a reason for this?

Do Irish people have better vision than other peoples?

Do Irish people disdain wearing glasses because they don't like to look like muppets? ("It is considered shameful to wear glasses," as I heard a Traveler girl say on a TV interview.)

Is there a consequent large use of contact lenses, or are many groping around in an out-of-focus world?

Shinji · 01-09-2003 8:51am

I can't speak for the Irish as a race, but as an Irish person who wore glasses for the best part of his life before shifting to contact lenses recently.... Well, maybe we've all just discovered how bloody nice it is not to have to walk around with a contraption of wires holding pieces of plastic in mid-air in front of our faces. We should let our European brethren know about it

There's a certain degree of vanity involved as well I guess - one of my lenses developed a fault last week and I'm having to wear glasses for a while as I'm waiting for a replacement, and I have to say that I really do feel far less confident about myself with them on. Which is annoying, since I had to do a stack of meetings and interviews in them at the end of last week.

However, for the most part... It's just nice to be able to lean over without worrying about glasses falling off. To pull a t-shirt over your head without snagging on them. To be able to wear whatever sunglasses you like. To look out of the corner of your eye and actually see things clearly. People really do underestimate how much wearing glasses, especially if they're very strong prescription, can change how you act... For me getting rid of the bloody things has been a real life change for the better.

Question - are contact lenses available on the (superb) national health services in places like Germany? If not, I'd imagine most people will just wear glasses since they are very adverse to paying for healthcare above and beyond the national service - whereas in Ireland and the UK, we're entirely used to it.

Ponster · 01-09-2003 10:46am

Maybe it's just me but I have never really noticed a difference in the glasses wearing habits of Irish people as compared to Europeans.

All I can say is that here in France everyone get's 400€ per year for a new pair of glasses where as contacts aren't fully covered by the health system.

Victor · 01-09-2003 12:06pm

I do wear glasses.

I think the lack of people wearing glasses is down to (a) vanity (b) not wanting to look nerdy (two separate things) (c) stupidity.

Spacedog · 01-09-2003 12:12pm

The irish diet contains a higher proportion of root vegtables like carrots and parsnips, As scientifically proven by old wives tales these foods imporve eyesight to the point slightly past that of the 6 million dollar man, approx 1.04 MDMs.

Cabaal · 01-09-2003 12:54pm

Originally posted by Victor
I think the lack of people wearing glasses is down to (a) vanity (b) not wanting to look nerdy (two separate things) (c) stupidity.

I wear glasses to, to be honest I'd have to agree with the above statement.

Whats funny is I did'ent know my girlfriend had glasses till about a week or two into dating because she always wore contacts

Bard · 01-09-2003 1:03pm

I find myself yet again agreeing totally and completely with someone... and in this case that someone is Shinji.

Spunog UIE · 01-09-2003 2:34pm

with contact lenses you don't have to clean then while your wearing them, and they never fog up, the worst thing about glasses! Could be a climate thing there aswell.

Pushing them up or down or getting them right can also be a pain.

Besides all that I didn't have them till i was around 17 and I tended to be a bit rough with them (indoor soccer incidences), Okay they all got broke or mangled at some stage, infact my current ones have a bit of tape holding them together but only wear them around the house, oh the tape jus ads a bit of class! rarr.

Oh and they don't suit me, apparently. So they really are like a pair of slippers lol, just for home when ya don't feel like doing anything that day.

TomTom · 01-09-2003 2:56pm

Originally posted by Victor
I do wear glasses.

I think the lack of people wearing glasses is down to (a) vanity (b) not wanting to look nerdy (two separate things) (c) stupidity.

How about sports.
I started wearing contacts a few years ago because i could not play a match in glasses. The slightest quick turn and the glasses would move or it is nearly impossable to wear glass while heading a ball unless you are willing to wear Egder Davits style glasses.
Once i stoped playing sports i continued to wear the contacts for about a year or two. I switched back to glasses again because at the time I got an eye infection and could not wear contacts and i have stayed with glasses since.

Am I Sad? · 01-09-2003 3:01pm

Here in God bothering Catholic Ireland we obviously don't masturbate as much as those on the continent.

seamus · 01-09-2003 3:01pm

I'm not too bothered either way. I will be a little more self concious if I go out socialising while wearing glasses, but other than that I've no problem wearing them out.

Contacts just make some things that much handier. Driving a motorbike is one. Rainy days are bad enough when a visor gets wet, without a pair of glasses getting wet and fogged up too. It also helps to have full peripheral vision

dahamsta · 01-09-2003 3:18pm

Girls with glasses make me moist.

adam

Woden · 01-09-2003 3:24pm

Why, do they dribble on you?

I wear glasses pretty much all the time, if i go out to a club or anything i might wear my contacts, probably a vanity thing. Up to a while ago i wasn't really giving a **** and was wearing my glasses out, now for some reason i am starting to wear my contacts out at night more. Depends on my mood, contacts in my eyes annoy me sometimes.

s10 · 01-09-2003 3:26pm

I wore glasses in secondary school , no problem there, everyone knew me & knew that i had on a few occasions lost my temper (like the HULK).
But it was when i went to night clubs n such that Men pushed me out of the way even when i was holding 3-4 pints ,
So i came to the conclussion that TV has ruined the perception that people have of me when i wear glasses (nerd or geniousnerd)

I hadent gotten to the stage where i was wearing contact full time so i was able to judge each night depending on if i was wearin them or not ,my last pair cost 380 punts
im 29 & will never wear glasses out in dublin
cause i just get angry

pdebarra · 01-09-2003 3:33pm

I wear them only cos I can't wear contacts. And I feckin hate them. Can't do a damn thing wit dem on, can do even less wit dem off. And de birds don't like em either. I'm saving for laser treatment. Wow. Imagine life without glasses... I've been wearing glasses since I was about 9 - that's nearly 16 years.

dahamsta · 01-09-2003 3:43pm

Originally posted by Dataisgod
Why, do they dribble on you?

So do girls that dribble on me.

heh

tribble · 01-09-2003 3:46pm

I wear them only cos I can't wear contacts.

Can't or won't? - I have a few friends who claim to be incapable of wearing contacts becuse their "eyelashes get in the way" :rolleyes: poor things.

tribble

pdebarra · 01-09-2003 3:51pm

.

Can't or won't?

Nah, seriously can't! For some reason tears build up behind them and simply don't drain away. So I can't see a damn thing. Except when I look up. So I suppose there's a solution: just walk around with my nose in the air the whole time. Won't make much difference, actually...;)

tomED · 01-09-2003 3:56pm

I must be one of the strange ones.....

I wear glasses when working to make me seem more professional to my clients. I think it kinda overshadows my dub accent! I look intelligent with glasses on!

I wear contacts for playing sports & goin out on the tear. Sometimes after work I put in contacts to remove the tension around the bridge of my nose (helps with the headaches)

But i think the lack of spectacle wear in Ireland is down to pure vanity!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate seeing poepl walking down the road - easpecially good looking women - who strain their eyes to see a sign, or bus number. The grimmace they make when squinting is a lot more off putting than they would look if they wore a nice pair of frames.

To all those people who think they look better without glasses - have you seen the faces you make when trying to view see something in the distance?

Retr0gamer · 01-09-2003 4:12pm

I don't wear glasses so can't comment on wearing them but I find glasses on girls extremely sexy. I don't see why they think they need to wear contacts to be able to both see and look nice. Then again it's probably just me.

monument · 01-09-2003 4:44pm

Originally posted by Retr0gamer
I don't wear glasses so can't comment on wearing them but I find glasses on girls extremely sexy. I don't see why they think they need to wear contacts to be able to both see and look nice. Then again it's probably just me.

I don't think it's just you, but they don't make every one sexy.

Trojan · 01-09-2003 5:14pm

Why I intensely dislike glasses?

- tunnel vision (when I put on after wearing contacts)

- can't wear decent shades.

- rain

- entering a warm pub on a cold night

- fragility

- ease of loss

- cost

I could stay listing reasons all day but have work to do...

Al.

Tha Gopher · 01-09-2003 6:20pm

I ought to wear my glasses but I never do. Make me look like a right nobhead. I just dont have the right look for the wearing of glasses. And apart from that they dont really suit right-I was pressured into taking them about 4 or 5 years ago even though i thought none of the glass samples were that brilliant for me,but you cant go wasting a half hour of opticians time when your 13 and not getting anything.
How good my sight is varies-a cold wind walking against it can really make it bad though in regards to recognising people I know. If ive been walking in bad wind and rain for a few mins I have to be about 6-10 feet away from someone i know before i might recognise them. Its embarrasing
They really make tv look too sharp if i tried to watch with them,so i just never bother wearing them.
While some people claim wearing them for a short time helps your sight others say they became dependant on them. So i choose not to ever wear them.
Your right monument-I know one or two girls whos glasses sort of make them look good,but I also know of one or two who look great generally but are 10% as good looking in glasses.

tman · 01-09-2003 7:46pm

i've got a couple of mates that wear glasses, i've never seen them leave the house with them on though...

i can't remember the last time i saw a woman wearing glasses, which is a shame given my newfound chicks with glasses fetish:rolleyes:

sunbeam · 01-09-2003 7:56pm

Up to this year I had been told I couldn't wear contacts by every optician I visited (longsightedness/astigmatism/amblyopia). The last guy told me that I probably would be able to, but with my particular problems I'd probably have better sight with glasses. No matter how small the risks of laser surery, losing the sight in my 'good' eye would leave me practically blind so it is not something I would risk for the sake of vanity.

I should really wear glasses all the time, but they don't really make a great deal of difference to my vision. Last time I got my prescription redone I was told that the astigmatism part had been completely left out of my previous one. It took me a year to figure out I had better sight without them.

I hate buying glasses and find it almost impossible to find ones that suit me. I tend to browse Specsavers/Vision Express etc. a lot and buy the rare pairs that I like, even if I don't need new ones at the time. I tend to go for unobtrusive rimless/half rimmed styles-think these look good on a lot of guys too.

TacT · 01-09-2003 8:15pm

Obviously we're all too vain and self-conscious to be wearing glasses and our health system doesn't give em out for free either

I don't wear em cus I don't need em thank god. I can just imagine myself going snorkelling/scuba-diving with my glasses :eek:

Stephen · 01-09-2003 9:37pm

I wear glasses, and drive a motorbike. its a real pain in the arse having to take off glasses, put helmet on, shove glasses in through front of helmet. Also a great pain in the arse when its foggy or raining.

I plan on getting contacts this year, been wearing glasses since i was 12. I'm also thinking of getting that laser eye surgery cos my eyesight is fairly bad, but apparently i'm too young (21) to get it yet.

Woden · 02-09-2003 11:04am

i know someone whos had it done thats about your age, it was done in blackrock clinic and is quite expensive did you check it out with them?

Shinji · 02-09-2003 12:34pm

Nah, seriously can't! For some reason tears build up behind them and simply don't drain away.

Have your eyes been properly checked out for astigmatism? That sounds like what happens if you wear a pair of standard lenses in eyes that need toric lenses.

PaulMagrath · 02-09-2003 1:25pm

I used to wear glasses but was advised by my optician to switch to contacts as my eyesight was getting worse.

I find that contacts are much handier, especially when cycling in the rain - that was a real pain with the glasses...

Have to agree with s10 that people see glasses and think nerd.

seamus · 02-09-2003 1:43pm

Originally posted by Shinji
Have your eyes been properly checked out for astigmatism? That sounds like what happens if you wear a pair of standard lenses in eyes that need toric lenses.

/me nods

I wear a toric lens in my right eye. I get the same fuzziness of sight and tear buildup if I put the wrong lens in the wrong eye.

Victor · 02-09-2003 2:11pm

Apologies Cabaal, my comments were mostly directed at those who won't improve their eyesight as opposed to those who wear contacts instead of glasses.

Originally posted by dahamsta
Girls with glasses make me moist.

/me gets Adam panty liners .....

jongore · 02-09-2003 2:38pm

Originally posted by Stephen
I'm also thinking of getting that laser eye surgery cos my eyesight is fairly bad, but apparently i'm too young (21) to get it yet.

I've worn glasses for almost 20 years now and they are a nusience. (pain to keep clean, in the rain etc.) But you should be aware that laser eye surgery isn't what it's cracked up to be, see the following links before deciding on this procedure. These are not scaremongering but letting you know that their are risks, some of them serious.

(I've used FDA links as the U.S has been doing this longer then most and has a wide number of cases to derive their information from)

FDA (U.S.)
FDA Report
:cool:

Bard · 02-09-2003 5:13pm

Originally posted by tomED

To all those people who think they look better without glasses - have you seen the faces you make when trying to view see something in the distance?

I know I look better without glasses. I can see it myself and I've had a number of people comment on it. I don't grimace and strain to see things though. Apart from the fact that my sight isn't completely terrible (I'm mildly myopic with a slight astigmatism), if not wearing my glasses, I'll wear my contact lenses.

TomF · 02-09-2003 7:08pm

I'm ugly as a wart hog with or without glasses, so don't mind wearing mine. However, I find that I feel very unsecure about my eyes' safety when I take off the glasses, thinking (I suppose) that something could fly into an eye. It is just decades and decades of wearing glasses that probably causes that worry.

Red Alert · 02-09-2003 9:41pm

Well i wear glasses myself (until i lost them last saturday that is!). Don't think i look any worse with or without them on, but i don't generally wear them when i'm going out.

I don't think glasses make girls look any less sexy either. Still go for her if she's good looking!

shanks · 02-09-2003 11:28pm

I'd gladly wera my glasses if I could find them.

simu · 03-09-2003 3:34am

Contacts are better for chopping onions!

They also protect your eyes from smoke in pubs. Last time I went to a pub in glasses, my eyes were stinging all night.

Didn't notice difference in number of ppl who wear glasses in Ireland and abroad though. If true, could be because we have a younger population.

oneweb · 09-09-2003 8:20pm

Can't say I noticed the difference while abroad. Although those people I did see wearing glasses abroad did seem to be more suited to them than those over here.

I highly recommend people try out contact lenses. You can get a free trial pair (after the consultation). I did, and I haven't worn my glasses out since. They're so convenient, and perfect for those eye-catching moments

You can chuck 'em out at the end of the day (if you go for the dailies). Plus you don't have to bother looking for a frame that suits.

With glasses, I'd only put them on when absolutely necessary, so in between I'd end up squinting. And I don't think they suited me. It's an Irish thing I reckon - people will put up with something just to be part of the norm.

AL][EN · 09-09-2003 8:32pm

Its actually strange that you say that tom as i myself wear glasses all the time as do all my other friends too,

i never really bothered with contacts as it seems too much trouble to take them out and put them in everyday!!

maybe one of the reasons that you dont see as many people wearing glasses is that contact lenses are avaiable cheap and easy now and so is LASIK surgery (laser corrective eye surgeroy) is now very popular too

Paddy20 · 10-09-2003 1:58pm

I have worn glasses since I was 8 years old, because I need them. People who do not wear glasses/contact lenses to correct poor eyesight are a danger to themselves and society in general.

I have lost track of the number of people I know who badly need glasses/contacts. Especially a lot of drivers whose cars I refuse to get in to when "they" are driving and squinting!.

Why do they NOT wear glasses or contacts?.. in my experience the main reason is plain old fashioned "Vanity" and the others, ignorance, as well as immature selfishness.

Personally, my 3 pairs of perscription glasses are sheer magic. I do not know what I would do without them.

P.;)

Stark · 10-09-2003 3:14pm

Glasses for short-sighted people are a total rip-off. As far as I'm concerned the lenses should only cost a euro or two to make. The cost of the frames may depend on how nice a pair you want but should still be a lot cheaper than they are at the moment. In England you can buy reading glasses for under £2 a pair.

re: laser eye surgery. It's riskier when you're young, because the sight in your eye is probably still changing. I know someone who got it done at 21 and the doctor's deliberately left his vision slightly off to compensate for the trend in his eyes (they left his eyes at -1 to reduce the risk of them straying past 0 and him needing reading glasses).

Stark · 10-09-2003 3:17pm

Just looking at the laser eye surgery checklist. I tend to suffer from dry eyes so that would be out for me. I also notice in dim light my vision deteriorates signifigantly and I get a much more dramatic effect from putting on my glasses. Don't want my night vision being reduced even further.

Jaf · 11-09-2003 10:58pm

I wear glasses... and I'm Irish.... Unless my parents lied to me and i was born somewhere in the the South Pasific Islands.....

Most of my friends wear glasses too and don't think it is in any way detrimental to their apperance....

Jaf · 11-09-2003 11:01pm

But then again, what do I know.... I'm blonde.....

ww)

Amz · 11-09-2003 11:21pm

Originally posted by Jaf
But then again, what do I know.... I'm blonde.....

ww)

OK that's it you get a hidin'

Now where did I put my pointy stick of death givingness?

Zaph · 11-09-2003 11:49pm

I've been wearing glasses since I was 16, and to be honest I should have been wearing them at least 4 or 5 years before that, but I never let on how bad my eyesight really was because I didn't want to wear glasses, purely out of vanity. I reckon that the extra strain I put on my eyes for those few years is the reason my eyesight is now so bad. I'd still have to wear glasses, but they probably wouldn't be as strong as they are now. For years my glasses were real milk bottles, but a few years ago I discovered high-index lenses and they've made a huge difference. I can now wear more stylish frames (i.e. they don't need to be cantilevered to support the weight of the lenses), and I'm a lot less self-conscious about wearing glasses. I think this has been part of the problem with Irish people not wearing glasses when they need to. So many people buy frames that just look bad on them. More thought needs to be put into something which, if you're like me at least, you'll be wearing every day for the next couple of years.

As others have already said, wearing glasses can be a real pain, especially constantly having to clean them or having them fog up or rain splattered. My first optician told me years ago that about 10% of people can't wear lenses for various reasons, and the one time I tried them a long time ago it was very unpleasant. I tried again about 2 years ago and even before the lens was in my eye I was in pain - apparently my eye was having an adverse chemical reaction to the solution which had dripped off the lens. The optician told me that this was the first time he'd ever seen that, but I'm not sure if I'm meant to feel proud or what!

And I agree with the earlier comments - some girls can be incredibly sexy with glasses on.

ringzer · 12-09-2003 2:40am

Originally posted by zaph
And I agree with the earlier comments - some girls can be incredibly sexy with glasses on.

I totally agree, glasses can add so much to a girl. I know a few girls that wear contacts, but when they wear glasses they look 10 times nicer. Then again they are probably a bit of a pain. Thankfully I've never had any experience of glasses

thejuggler · 05-04-2004 4:15pm

Interesting discussion this. I suppose contact lenses have made a huge impact in recent years - thats why you don't see so many specs anymore. As a glasses wearer for 20 years it doesn't bother me. sure I'd love to be rid of them but I wouldn't go to the hassle of getting contacts or risking potentially dangerous surgery.

As for the people who think you're "nerdy" because you wear glasses are these people really worth thinking about?

legofsalmon · 26-04-2004 12:32am

yeah, lady folk with glasses are usually damn hot. sorry just an observation.

Personally glasses can really add to a persons face, like the way a frame does to a good painting, or a bad one at that. The wrong type of glasses on the person is probably what gave them a general bad name.

Paddy20 · 26-04-2004 12:39pm

Anyone who really needs glasses in order to see reasonably well should wear them.
Anyone who refuses to wear them deserves to have a 'brick wall fall on them.:cool:

P.

Why don't the Irish wear glasses?

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