Neil -- Lighten up.  Enjoy life!

I did some "dumb things" with my
6 year-old eyes -- and I accept the
consequences of it.  I take responsibility.

I sugest we learn TOGETHER.

You do not like the dynamic-eye
concept.  Fine.  You childeren
should get the strongest minus lens
possible (20/10) vision, and the
associated stair-case myopia.

No one wants that to happen to
your child -- but some times
we are a little too bull-headed
about these issues.

If you do not like the "fense" then there
is always that Ambulence to pick you up.

Back up, and re-think what you are doing.

==================

    This poem is dedicated to your understanding of a 400 year-old
method of "curing" nearsightedness with a minus lens -- and
its sad consequence if you have a desire to keep your distant vision
clear through the school years.

    We all have our "bad habits", and all love that minus
lens -- until we become aware of the second-opinion, and
its potential use at the threshold for prevention.

______________________________

      The Ambulance (Minus-Lens) Down In The Valley

'Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;

But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke, and full many a peasant.

The people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally.

Some said, "Put a fence 'round the edge of the cliff,"
Some, "An ambulance down in the valley."

The lament of the crowd was profound and was loud,
As their hearts overflowed with their pity;

But the cry for the ambulance carried the day
As it spread through the neighboring city.

A collection was made, to accumulate aid,
And the dwellers in highway and alley

Gave dollars or cents - not to furnish a fence -
But an ambulance down in the valley.

"For the cliff is all right if you're careful," they said;
"And if folks ever slip and are dropping,

It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down below - when they're stopping."

So for years (we have heard), as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would the rescuers sally,

To pick up the victims who fell from the cliff,
With the ambulance down in the valley.

Said one, to his peers, "It's a marvel to me
That you'd give so much greater attention

To repairing results than to curing the cause;
You had much better aim at prevention.

For the mischief, of course, should be stopped at its source,
Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally.

It is far better sense to rely on a fence
Than an ambulance down in the valley."

"He is wrong in his head," the majority said;
"He would end all our earnest endeavor.

He's a man who would shirk his responsible work,
But we will support it forever.

Aren't we picking up all, just as fast as they fall,
And giving them care liberally?

A superfluous fence is of no consequence,
If the ambulance works in the valley.

The story looks queer as we've written it here,
But things oft occur that are stranger;

More humane, we assert, than to succor the hurt
Is the plan of removing the danger,

The best possible course is to safeguard the source;
Attend to things rationally.

Yes, build up the fence and let us dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley.

=========

Dear Friends,

Subject:  Understanding your (preventive) right of choice.

    I have met some fine ODs -- of both the "majority opinion"
persuasion, and the "second opinion" persuasion.

    Where there is a disagreement about the natural eye's
behavior the issue was resolved by reviewing the direct
experimental data.

    It is very easy to quick-fix a natural eye with a negaitve
lens -- and impress the person concerned with it.  This is of
course a "superfical" method indeed.

    The more difficult method of the "preventive" plus lens, must
involved the intellectual judgment of the person who wishes to
keep his distant vision clear -- for professional reasons.

    Since some majority-opinion ODs on choose to attack your right
to an informed choice in this matter -- versus second-opinion ODs who
support your right of choice.

    No "change" can take place until you are adequately informed
of BOTH these methods -- their effects and consequences.

    Enjoy,

    Otis