Uncle Otie,

Happy birthday a bit early -- but the way things go these
days I'm likely to forget. I think I mentioned that I went to
Colorado a few weeks ago and hiked a 13,000+ foot peak. Sure nice
to have sharp distance vision for seeing literally miles and
miles.

Keith

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Keith,

Subject: Life is "funny".

Some things is your life don't change. I was obviously "hot"
to figure out this "nearsightedness" business -- since many
"medical" statements did not ring "true".

I also suspected my OWN BAD HABITS did me in. That makes the
problem MY FAULT -- and I understand and accept the issue in that
way.

Finally, when I reached Raphaelson's door step, I realized he
was right about:


1. General public ignorance and

2. General public's lack of interest and motivation for true
prevention.

I realized that even to most "compassionate" OD -- could do
nothing about it. But I did appreciate Raphaelson's efforts. I
wished to get the study of the natural eye's dynamic behavior on a
scientific footing. (And accept all the "trash" that would be
dropped on me because of my efforts.)

The reason was you, Craig and Joy. Certainly I figured that
probably you MIGHT have no interest. But I knew that if you
developed "stair-case" myopia -- because I failed to "arm-twist"
you, then you could blame me for the consequences. (In the sense
that if you wore that minus lens all the time, and then got worse,
and then a stronger minus and worse, and etc.)

Then, you would come to me and say, Uncle Otie, you knew all
about this -- why did you not attempt to help us?

I consider my work to be a personal debt to the three of you.

So that is the reason for my efforts. You saw "miles" from
that 13,000 foot peak -- but you saw "miles" intellectually by
going through this very-difficult "preventive" effort. I think it
is great. But I also think it was possible because you were
willing to inflict "suffering" on yourself to run the Ironman.
Inflicting the "plus" on yourself is not in the same category --
but keeping your distant vision clear for life is.

Otie