Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

No Way To Put Value On Sight

Eyesight is the most valuable of the senses.

What is being able to see worth? Money might buy eye transplants, and modern mechanisms can prolong and improve deteriorated vision. So saying money can’t buy eyesight might be wrong, but to us, one can’t put a price on sight. It’s too valuable.


Poor eyesight runs in the family as our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, all wore specs by middle-age. Our 20-20 in early years was appreciated. Then, the secretary commented about us squinting to read. From then on, we became more aware of our deteriorating vision. Driver’s license exam warned us to see an eye doctor.

We did, and glasses were prescribed. They were put on and didn’t come off, except at night or during a horse clash. Certainly, contestants at the horse shows we were judging couldn’t say: “He needs glasses.” It was: “He better get new glasses.”

Problems arose when glasses were lost in riding wrecks, and they often slid off with the sweat while shoeing horses during hot weather. We tried elastic to hold them on but often forgot. So, we decided to get contact lenses. Despite frequent questions about how we could wear them in the dirt and wind, we generally preferred contacts over glasses.

Eyesight deterioration continued though, and we couldn’t get prescriptions for glasses or contacts that we could see with very well. We got along with contacts most of the time, but when we went to judge a horse show, we’d always go back to the ten-year-old glasses. We could see better with them, than anything else.

Skeptical and cautious we were when LASIK, Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, surgery was first introduced to correct poor eyesight. After friend Col. Stanley Stout, who’d worn glasses since fifth grade, had the procedure done, we decided the surgery was for us too. We qualified and despite some risks and definite costs, we had it
done.

Procedure was simple, even though we missed riding for a couple of days. We couldn’t believe how much more we could see and how bright every thing was. It’s been a year now, and tests show near perfect vision. One cowboy was alarmed at the cost, but it’s low compared to other expenses and the alternative of not being able to see

Jesus emphasized the importance of sight in Saint Matthew 6:22: “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” His eyes are watching us too,  as indicated in Psalms 34:15:“The eyes of the Lord are
upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.”

Strains from our favorite hymn remind us of the most essential vision for the eyes. “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; His truth is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.”

+++ALLELUIA+++

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