I hit an old guy milestone: Increasing the text size on my phone and work computer

Not long ago, I was standing in my office about to tackle a work-related task when I had a somewhat startling realization.

As I stared at my dual PC monitors, I realized the text was small and blurry. All of it, in every document I opened. Even the larger icons on my desktop weren't exactly crystal clear.

Resignedly, I went directly to the Windows settings app, clicked on "Accessibility," and increased the default display size to...well, something a lot bigger.

I did the same on my iPhone.

Suddenly it's like I'm reading a series of large-print books every day. The kind I used to see in the library and think to myself, "Oh man, I hope I never have to check those out."

Father Time so enjoys playing these little tricks on us.

Understand, I've been wearing reading glasses for the last 3-4 years, so this isn't exactly a new thing. But until now, I never had a problem seeing anything on a computer screen. Now I do.

It sneaks up on you, and one day you're blind.

Not literally "blind," of course, but these eyes of mine have definitely regressed a bit when it comes to reading small text and deciphering smallish images.

Another milestone on the road to old personhood. It happens.

In a couple of weeks I have my annual eye appointment. When Dr. Franey asks if I've been having any trouble with my vision, for the first time ever I'll have to say, "Well, now that you mention it..."

It's either that or else memorize the eye chart to save my pride.

I'm thinking maybe progressive lenses are probably the smarter choice.

(NOTE: I kid you not, on the day I wrote this, my afternoon snack included a handful of prunes. I love prunes, but still...prunes.)

What I like and don't like about my new pair of reading glasses

I don't mean to keep harping on this, but with my eyes having recently made the decision that they're no longer going to work especially hard to read small print, I had to make a trip to CVS to get my first pair of readers.

This, mind you, happened in the same week I saw a gastroenterologist in preparation for my first colonoscopy. We in Team Scott (that is to say, me) are reeling a little when it comes to the age-related milestones.

Anyway, I bought these glasses and they do their job, which is great. A quick rundown:

WHAT I LIKE

• They look good. At first I only saw colorful "fashion" readers on the rack, and I thought I was either going to have to buy a pair of leopard skin frames or walk away empty-handed. Thankfully, I turned around and saw another display of readers, many of which were made for middle-of-the-road suburban dads like me.
• They were easy to get used to. I figured it would take some period of adjustment before I really made full use of these glasses, but I had no problems from the outset. I mostly need them for reading actual print material, and even then only occasionally. So far they're doing exactly what they're supposed to.

WHAT I DON'T LIKE

• The price. I got hornswoggled here. These are Foster Grant glasses, so I didn't really blink when I saw the $31 price tag. Only later when I got home and asked Terry how much she pays for her reading glasses did I find out that hers are usually $5 or $10 from Marc's. I should have checked into it before venturing out. On the plus side, they look really nice. Did I mention that?
• The fact that I need them at all. Allow me some period of whining during which I will complain about having to buy a pair of readers in the first place. I'll get over it in time. (In the interim, when did Apple decide to start using blurry text on the iPhone? Feels it just happened recently. I'm calling someone to register a protest...assuming I can see the numbers on my phone.)

My eyes have suddenly (and very rudely) betrayed me

A few months ago I posted about the fact that I still, in my early 50s, had no need for reading glasses.

I tried to say it humbly, but honestly, I think I was bragging a little.

Enter karma, stage left...

Since mid-summer or so, I've noticed that small text on my phone and computer screen is blurry and difficult to read. It wasn't blurry in the spring, and now it is.

I always assumed my eyes would age very gradually, but it feels like they went directly on the visual spectrum from "Eagle Eye" to "Blind as a Bat." And there's no denying the fact that I could now really use a few pairs of reading glasses.

I've already given in and adjusted the default text size on my iPhone, which felt a bit like an unwelcome milestone. It was a lot like my transition from running to walking: I did it, but I did it grudgingly.

Apart from Jesus and actor Paul Rudd, Father Time is undefeated in his dealings with humankind. It may take longer with some of us than others, but the fact is, we will all succumb eventually.

This admittedly is a very minor inconvenience in the grand scheme, and I'm blessed to have good health in just about all of my other physical processes. After I finish this post, I will search online for one of those inspirational memes that helps us remember to count our blessings.

Not that I'll be able to read it, but I'm sure this laptop has a text magnification button.