Originally Posted by Wholeheart Mom
Now mind you...
I am 47 years old and have always had 20/20 vision. I have never needed glasses and have never had difficulties with anything - even cutting and piecing quilts for extensive periods of time caused no problems.
However, since I started machine applique, I am having troublesome issues. I get headaches and for some strange reason, my eyes have difficulty accommodating from near to far vision, and I have blurriness for quite a while after I am done on the machine. It seems as if my eyes are too tired and too strained to adjust and focus, so my far vision is compromised for about an hour - then everything clears up and my vision is normal again.
This is all new to me, and I don't want to give up machine applique! Would glasses help? Would one of those magnifying lenses in front of the needle help? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I would probably agree with others that a trip to the Opthomologist may be in order and the magnifiers are fine as well but one of the greatest gifts I've ever received is a floor standing Ott light. JoAnn's has them on sale all the time or you could use one of their 40-50% off coupons. The light is intense and really lights up what you are working on. I move it into the living room when I'm doing hand work or pull it over to my sewing machine when piecing. LOVE IT and it has cut down on the blurred vision/eye strain immensely.