Introduction
One of the most controversial parts of any serious living history endeavors are eyeglasses.
It is untrue that early man possessed no way to correct his eyesight. From ancient times, magnifying lenses—generally crystals or curved transparent goblets filled with water—were used to help with fine work, to start fires and to cauterize wounds. Workshops manufacturing these lenses have been found from Gotland to Constantinople. However, these were large, heavy, unwieldy and only minimally transportable. The modern concept of spectacles was invented in the later thirteenth century and, unlike many technological advances through the ages, was at once widely adopted. By 1290, only a few years after their development, spectacles were being praised as essential. In 1306, an anonymous monk wrote, “It is not yet twenty years since the art of making spectacles, one of the most useful arts on earth, was discovered. I, myself, have seen and conversed with the man who made them first.”
For post-13th-century eras in Western Europe, the use of simple frames and, in some cases, even often acceptable alternatives, even though critics noted that
A. Most spectacles are worn to correct near-sightedness, and those corrective lenses date only from the sixteenth century.
B. Even though early optics were often crystal and often tinted, hardly ever purely transparent, sunglasses were not invented until the eighteenth century. Any sunglasses—whether they are eyeglasses or even transitional eyeglasses—are immediately inappropriate.
C. Early spectacles were often difficult to wear because rigid ear pieces were invented in the eighteenth century and were kept on the face by unwieldy straps, races, ribbons, spring nose pieces and sometimes by balancing them on the nose itself. Sometimes, they were even kept on a stick or otherwise held up to the eyes.
C. Spectacles were a sign of old age and infirmity, and worn by many Europeans only in private.
D. Spectacles were a sign of learning and, in painting, often used as shorthand for portraying the subject as educated and literate. Unless there was a reason to brag about literacy—and this was scarcely so in pre-Industrial revolution Europe—there was no reason to make such an ostentatious display of the ability.
However, for persons portraying pre-thirteenth century eras, such as our own, even this controversial work-around is unavailable. A Viking wearing spectacles is comic and inappropriate. Although inappropriate eyeglasses have often been a part of burlesque and comedy, and although Robert Wooley’s black Harry Potter-like frames were hilarious in films such as Cockeyed Cavaliers, hopefully your intent is more educational and less humorous.
There are, however, ways to work around the problem.
Surgical Correction
One should never enter into any sort of surgery lightly. Before any non-emergency surgery, be certain that you exhaustively confer with your physicians! Laser eye surgery—commonly known as Lasik—and the implantation of permanent lenses are both available. The former is still expensive and probably not covered by most insurance. It is has not been around long enough that we know the long-term effects of Lasik, so no one knows how long the beneficial results may last or even long-term side effects. The implantation of lenses is usually to correct cataracts or other eye ailments and should not be approached lightly.
Contact Lenses
The most obvious remedy are contacts. Contact lenses, which are small corrective lenses that are placed directly upon the eye, convey the illusion of using no device at all. Since all good living history—with the exception of practical archaeology—is, at its base, illusion, this a very suitable remedy.
There are people who are familiar only with the more primitive forms of contact lenses—heavy, uncomfortable glass appliances that could only be worn by a short time—that were invented in the nineteenth century. They had become relatively comfortable to wear for short times by the 1930s and had attained great popularity by 1940s. Rigid plastic lenses became available at this time, and soft plastic lenses were developed into the 1960s, although they did not became commercially available until the 1970s.
These lenses all did not breath and could not be worn for extended periods of time. Disposable extended wear and gas-permeable lenses only became available in the 1980s and 1990s. A new generation of disposable, extended-wear gas-permeable lenses was introduced just before the turn of the millennium.
If you attempted without success to wear contact lenses prior to this time, see your optometrist for sample lenses. You might very well be surprised that your ancient prejudices were for naught.
Getting Accustomed to Going Without Eyeglasses
Most folk can go without spectacles. In an era with low rates of literacy and no way to correct them, people of our period were much less concerned about perfect eyesight than we are today. Continued reliance on corrective devices has in some cases weakened the eyes and has increased our reliance on spectacles for convenience and comfort. There is, however, a great distance between convenience and necessity.
Practicing going without spectacles should not start at an event. Do it first at home, and do not try to overdo it. Do not be too active at first, and stay away from dangerous activities. You might find that there are certain things you cannot do; please accept these limitations so that you do not endanger yourself or others. Reenacting should not be run by egos!
Hints for Going Without Spectacles
Much about living history is, to modern sensibilities, inconvenient and, perhaps, uncomfortable. However, if you are willing to compromise, you will find that it is not impossible! Here are a few hints for not using your eyeglasses at Regia events:
A. Realize that spectacles must be abandoned only during public hours within the confines of the ropeline. Outside, the use of spectacles are allowed, although you might find that continued use of no spectacles may make the transition more easy.
B. Before public hours begin, police the area in which you plan to stay to make certain there are no dangers that you will not see.
C. Find a pursuit that does not require good vision. These are pursuits to be practiced in public at events. You can. Of course, wear spectacles when practicing a craft in a non-public setting.
D. Move slowly without your spectacles. Even if you are accustomed to striding quickly about, you will find that taking your time is safer. After all, your ancestors did not have tv programs or soccer games to rush to!
E. Allow fellow reenactors to guide you about if necessary.
F. Use a walking stick to help walk around.
G. Be careful around weapons, tent stakes and fire!
H. Request—and expect—that you campmates will keep the area relatively clean of debris and dangers, even as you expect them not to leave unsheathed steel around!
I. Keep your spectacles convenient—I used to slide them up a sleeve—so that they are relatively accessible if you desperately need them.
J. Acquire a magnifying globe or crystal that is acceptable to the Authenticity Officer. It is presumed that these were also used as jewelry.
K. Put your spectacles on again when public hours are over or when leaving the ropeline. Some persons in your situation, however, prefer to go without spectacles whenever they are in period kit. As my wife said after a recent weekend event, “Oh, the green blobs have leaves…”
You will also often find that you have compensated so well that putting your spectacles back on after an extended period without will leave you slightly confused and dizzy.
Try it before rejecting the idea. You may find it easier to do than modern life has made you believe!
If Wearing No Spectacles Leave you Unsafe, Nauseous and Debilitated
If you are not capable of nor willing to go without spectacles and cannot otherwise correct your visual disabilities, and you will not abide by the limitations imposed, find another hobby. Don’t expect the whole hobby to change its principles for you.
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The Anglo-Scandinavian Chronicles 