A Little Red Magic

It's official.....I'm seeing RED!  As of 11/10/09 I'm the proud owner of these trendy red filters!  


Jennifer called me on the 11/09/09 and delivered them on the 10th as tropical remains of Ida stumbled through our state.  The first thing I noticed was how she had a hard time getting the bioptic situated inside the filter opening she cut.  Apparently she fixed it so there was only one way to slide my bioptic inside the filter opening.  On my bioptic, I must slide the left side in first.  It's a tight fit.  I was mortified to see this had already scraped my bioptics some.  Even worse, she explained she accidently scratched the red filters when cutting them, so she will have to get another pair for me.  For now I can use these.  I was in a rush to get back to work.  So I briefly tried my bioptic on with the red filter.  We had to loosen the bioptic because I could not see enough through it.  This prompted me to realize my screwdriver was missing out of my bioptic case.  Jenn realized it was in her car and scurried out into the windy weather to fetch it.  I stood quietly in the lobby contemplating what in the world would come out of her mouth next.  I was hoping it was the news I wanted to hear.  But after so many setbacks, I really just forced myself to keep expectations buried.  Now on to the good news.


After a brief minute or two, Jennifer scurried inside with the screwdriver.  She adjusted them standing up, which seemed a bit awkward for her, but non the less, she succeeded in helping me see out of my bioptic more clearly.  It wasn't perfect, but better.  So once we got that settled,  she told me in a matter of fact way that I can go get my permit.  WAIT!   What did she say?  "You can go get your permit" is what I think she said.  My smile said it all.  There it was, all out in the open, the news I had anticipated so long was now a verbal reality.  This made my day, my week, my month!  Jenn then followed up with me about the necessary paperwork that was needed by the State Department of Transportation.  She asked me if I had it,  I said yes.  She explained she'd look for it at her place first and then fax over what's needed before I show up to the DMV for my permit.  That sounded good to me.  Do you know that she actually did it within a days time!  I know she's been busy, but this turnaround time was nothing short of a miracle.  I was shocked to hear from her Wed. morning with news that everything was taken care of with my paperwork.  Wow, kudos to her.  I'm elated at her new zeal to help me.


With all the excitement came the real test, the road.  I took my new filters with bioptic out for a spin with the city transit service.  Wow, they are magic!  These red filters not only made the red lights and break lights jump out at me, it also helped in seeing the street lights at dusk.  Another major bonus is the red filters greatly shield me from the brazen fall sunlight with the broad arm side protection.  It was so good to feel so confident about seeing what was in front of me.  I never ever would have that level of confidence without the red filters.  They are nothing short of amazing.  


So now for the downfall I've noticed.  With my vision, there seems to be a hardship seeing the stop signs with the red filters on.  You'd think they'd jump out at me right?  But this "jumping out"  only occurs with backlit objects, not solid non lit objects.  I actually could see the stop signs better with my own vision.  This troubles me, but I think we can find a workaround.  I also think my bioptic is not fitting correctly in the filters.  I honestly just would rather have the red contacts now that I see how cumbersome the adjusting is of the red filters with the bioptic.  I've seen other states where drivers use red contacts for bioptic driving.  My doctor asked I not do that because I could never see any green lights.  This makes great sense to me.  At least with the bioptic unfiltered I can see green lights.  Red contacts would filter out everything, including sight through my bioptic.  I am working to contact others who use the red contacts to see how their doctors justified them not seeing green lights.  I'll keep you posted on that project.  


So with all the good news and slight mixed results, I'm still overall very happy and may possibly try to get my permit on black Friday.  As promised, the attached photo at the top is of my new red filters and bioptic fitted together.  Let me know what you think.  I should go, time to hit the books and study to get my permit.  Next stop: DMV!