Paris, France--After more than five hundred years of nearsightedness, Mona Lisa has been fitted with prescription glasses. The severity of her condition was discovered a few months ago by doctors using modern ophthalmological test equipment. A previous checkup, done about three centuries earlier, had turned up nothing. However, historians have long suspected her problem: in the early 16th century, soon after she had been moved to France, she was quoted by a member of the French royal family as muttering in Italian, "Everything's so blurry."
Her new glasses have wire frames, antireflection coatings, and correction for the astigmatism in her left eye. However, doctors are as yet unsure as to whether the prescription is correct. The patient does not appear to be entirely content, although she has said little since agreeing to the chocolate-brown wire rims. Because, according to tradition, Mona Lisa is "not to be persistently interrogated by tradesmen," her ophthalmologists are instead relying on facial cues for guidance.
Due to her generally fragile nature, other approaches to correcting Mona Lisa's vision, such as laser eye surgery, were not even considered.
Some specialists are wondering whether, after centuries of being nearsighted, she is adapting poorly to her improved vision. The lead ophthalmologist, however, speculates that the bridge of her nose might be irritated. Doctors are watching her closely, and are ready to remove her glasses for good if she shows any sign of developing permanent frown lines.
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John Wallace | Senior Technical Editor (1998-2022)
John Wallace was with Laser Focus World for nearly 25 years, retiring in late June 2022. He obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and physics at Rutgers University and a master's in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. Before becoming an editor, John worked as an engineer at RCA, Exxon, Eastman Kodak, and GCA Corporation.