As we all know, our eyes change as we near 40, continuing to change thereafter.

I've had to wear eyeglasses since I was a kid. Diagnosis: Near-sighted with astigmatism. I finally got to have contact lenses when I was a teenager.

Now that I'm 56, neither of these solutions work well. When I wear my contacts, close-up work is impossible unless wearing reading glasses. When I wear my prescription eyeglasses, objects appear smaller than they actually are, distant vision still isn't good, and I don't look as purty.

So, when I got my eyes checked again a year ago, and got new contacts (the RGP type, as always), I noticed the results were even more dismal than before. I asked my doctor, "Can't I wear contacts and prescription eyeglasses at the same time? I know my eyesight would be close to 20/20 then!" She told me no -- that it doesn't work.

I should have asked her why.

So, can anybody answer my question? Why can't I wear both at the same time? I know very little about the human eye, but I do know physics, so - to me - my theory is sound.

Anyone?