Hey Ump are you blind?

[wadeintothem]

Word to the wise...

If you fix your blindness, we'll have to kick you out of the umpires club.

Im sorry, its a little harsh, but thems the rules.

[Al]

You have just reminded me how much I have missed this board.

It's just the perception of being blind that I'm concerned about as people see me cleaning the fog off my glasses... especially if I just finished making a call that was close! I'm just joking of course! ..Al

[debeau]

I call the mens game at the top level in New Zealand
I had lasik surgery 2 years ago and was the same as you near sighted with asitgmatism .
I dont need any reading glasses and can see very clearly .
I would reccommend to anyone to get this surgery done .
It not only gives you better eyesight but gives you confidence in all walks of life .
Well it did to me .
Best money I have ever spent .

[Al]

Thanks Debeau,

It sounds like you have chosen the mono-vision option, where one eye is corrected for close and the other for distance. The doctor said my distance vision would be only slightly compromised with the mono-vision option. He said if I choose to correct both eyes for distance my close range vision would be much more compromised and without reading glasses I would have a difficult time reading small print like that of a newspaper. Wearing reading glasses doesn't bother me, but I can't wear them on the ball field. So what I am concerned about is how I would see from the range behind the plate when calling balls and strikes if I correct both eyes for distance?

Strike three...yer out!

Wait a minute Ump, how could that be a strike it hit the the on deck batter???

Sorry, I forgot to put my reading glasses on...

[debeau]

Damned if I know what surgery I had but it is good .
Think how many umps need reading glasses and dont use them on the diamond so I dont think it will effect your calling (well hopefully it will improve)
At least I dont get the comment
" Hey blue are your glasses fogged up"
HOWEVER I find after wearing glasses for 45 years and not being able to wear "fasion" sunglasses until the last 2 years I have a thing for sunglasses and have about ten pairs .

[U of M Sam]

Good info about eye surgery. What is basic overall cost? Recovery time? Eyes sensitive to light after surgery? Any follow up visits?
Thank you,
Sam

[IRISHMAFIA]

I know people who have had this surgery including umpires. There are no guarantees. One guy can see better during the day, but has problems under the lights.

Others have had complete success while one individual swears it helped only a little inspite of what the doctor says.

Personally, I have an astigmatism and this is the first year I have worn glasses full time. While I was expecting a fair amount of ribbing on and off the field from players and coaches, not one word was said to me the entire year by a player, coach or fan.

Guess they figured I was just as bad with them as without so any comments would be a waste of time

[Al]

Originally Posted by U of M Sam

Good info about eye surgery. What is basic overall cost? Recovery time? Eyes sensitive to light after surgery? Any follow up visits?
Thank you,
Sam

Hey Sam,

The cost per eye where I was thinking of having it done is a flat $2,000 per eye, which includes follow ups. I think there are two follow ups. One in a few months and one a year later. If any tweaking is needed it is also included in his fee. I have been given quotes from two other doctors that are both about a two hour drive from my home. Both gave me a less expensive quote. The lowest one was out of Nashville TN. and depending on the amount of correction needed had a top charge per eye of $1,600 and a minium charge of $700. All of the Lasik surgery I have quoted is for (custom view, which is suppose to be top of the line) However, those two lower quotes were made on the phone so I really don't know for sure if there would be some other costs explained to me once I got there. You know the old bait and switch type of thing. Problems are very rare. but as with any surgery there could be complications. But if all goes well there is very little recovery time. The Dr. said most of his people go to work the next day. As far as night vision goes... some people (with small pupils) may get some halos around lights. After all the tests the Dr. said in my case halos should not accur and my night vision would most likely be improved vs. regular glasses. ...

I guess the cost is a little high... but buying new glasses every couple of years or so with the eye exams and all isn't cheap either. ... Al