Josie Shelley, South East Staffs Socialist Party
It has become increasingly obvious that, even though I am registered blind, and therefore have a ‘disability’, it is, in actual fact, capitalism that has disabled me. From jobs that I could once do now being obsolete, to technology taking over, exploiting and hindering rather than helping.
I have very complex eyesight issues, which require a particular type of lens. Because of the nature of my eye condition, I wear bifocals, which slightly enhance my distance vision, and a very strong portion for close vision needs.
Because of this, the lenses would be extremely thick and heavy, so I have to have them ground down, so that they do not slide down my nose. Throughout the day, I literally flit between the two to compensate for the complexity of what I can and cannot see.
I last had a new pair of glasses in 2016, at a cost of almost £500. This year, I thought I would get a new pair, so that I would have a spare.
To try and keep the cost down, I thought I would try a high-street chain, rather than the independent place that I usually use. I was apprehensive about the chain being able to fulfil my prescription. But they assured me they could.
After waiting nearly four months for the glasses to be made, they finally turned up. The chain optician has contracts with only a handful of manufacturers – the main one being in the US. Hence the long wait.
When I finally got the glasses back, I could not see a thing through them. I had to be very forceful and refuse to take them, until they finally admitted that they had not been able to fulfil my prescription.
They had reduced the strength of the lens without telling me. They thought I would not notice. I got my money back.
I went back to my usual independent optician. They sorted out a new prescription, and contacted the only manufacturers who could do it.
However, that company refused. As it is so rare, they don’t wish to invest as it was not worth it to them.
I am back to having just one, and apparently very rare, pair of glasses, which I hope to goodness I don’t break, or else I’m stuffed.
I could probably get by without them by utilising expensive technology. But I still have two eyes that I want to use. If it is possible to make this lens, then surely I should not be denied the chance to see?
While Covid has been used to justify the lack of suppliers etc, this is really just an excuse. What it came down to was a disinclination to do the work, because they could not make a profit.
A chance at enhanced vision should be a right, not a luxury. All optician services and manufacturers should be brought into public ownership under the NHS, and not left to the whims of a profit-hungry, capitalist system.
