A view from the hills
Sights trained on reading glasses
A newly set-up import and export company in Kandy has introduced a range
of smart, trendy reading glasses that, the manager says, is a boon to people
who are, at present, called on to pay outrageous sums for the privilege
of wearing spectacles. The reading glasses, all imported, are really effective,
and yet, many opticians seem to be up in arms and are making out that users
of these reading glasses are risking eye damage.
Spoke with the manager who said he had every respect for the role of
the optician and eye surgeon. "They play a critically important role
with regard to complex eye problems," he said. "They carry out
eye tests and prescribe spectacles for those patients with more complicated
conditions. I own that they are a vital constituent for the well-being
of society at large."
However, he explained, "a good many middle-aged people have this
inability to carry out close work such as the use of computers, reading
newspapers, sewing and so on. Usually, from age 45 on, reading such a thing
as a telephone directory becomes an impossibility and the peering and straining
of the eyes often over a protracted period, results in tiredness, headaches
and general discomfort. This is why so many go for reading glasses."
At the Kandy hospital, an eye doctor confirmed that as far as reading
glasses go, there is absolutely no need for an eye test. "Reading
glasses are merely two magnifying lenses supported by a frame," he
said. Wearing them, enables one to read small print. That is all. People
don't go for an eye test to use a magnifying glass, do they? Stamp collectors
use magnifying glasses all the time."
He confirmed that such reading glasses were not harmful to the user
in any way. "They don't damage the eyes or cause mysterious eye diseases
or tire the user. Rather, it is quite the reverse."
But the opticians here are disturbed. They have begun to issue dire
warnings. "No one can simply wear any sort of glasses without an eye
test," one said.
"You mean sun glasses as well?" I asked and was told that,
that was different.
The point is that harmless and helpful reading glasses have never been
a threat to the business of opticians before. The usual rigmarole of eye
tests and preparation of lenses has led to bills of several thousand rupees.
Now, this import-export company sells handsome and well turned-out reading
glasses, each item strictly quality-controlled for as little as Rs. 800
a pair. Two magnifying strengths are available and buyers can choose the
strength they want. "The problem is that this inexpensive alternative
has never been available to people here before and this is where the objections
come in," the manager said.
Good show, what? Another costly monopoly going to pot. People here now
have the freedom to choose, and choose the item that suits their purse.
And they can now read the fine print too!
Ruvini hands over Kandy's nature club
Hazeera Zavahir was elected Secretary of the Nature Club of Kandy, succeeding
Ruvini Wijayatilleke who really pushed the club along in its first year.
It was Mohan Samarakoon who brought this club into being, the purpose
being to create an awareness of nature among the public, promote nature
studies and take measures to protect the environment. In its first year,
and largely because of Ruvini's enthusiasm, the Club visited the Dambulla
Oya Family Park Menikdena, Nikula mountain, Kandalama tank and also assisted
the Municipality in anti-pollution work. Members also visited Randenigala,
undertook tree planting along William Gopallawa Mawatha, visited Ratnawella
falls and participated in the Paraphlegics Awareness Walk. Hazeera said
that she would be organising a schedule for the current year, among the
activities being day trips to Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Hantane
and a visit to Sinharaja. A schools poster and photo competition on an
environmental and nature protection theme is also on the cards.
|
