I seem to recall reading that people in "pre-industrial" societies have lower rates of myopia than modern Westerners. I don't know if I'm imagining things, or if there's really something about (1) living indoors in small spaces (2) reading and schooling and (3) watching TV that ruins our eyes, or what. (Or maybe our diets?)

So I haven't thought much about nearsightedness in story terms. People in Lothere don't need to "read" things at a distance anyway, so it's probably less problematic to them, plus harder for people to compare their eyesights, if the idea even occurred to them. People like Eadred with an "eagle eye" might get extra attention, but I don't know how big a distinction people draw between "average" and "nearsighted" eyes. (Irene, obviously, is an extreme case.)

I don't really have anyone in mind for nearsightedness at this point, though on the other end of the spectrum, Leof at least has already complained about not being to read too well up close anymore, and Father Faelan has engaged in a bit of trombone playing himself, when he read that letter to Irene.

The thing I'm neglecting is eye diseases, which were doubtlessly far more prevalent than they are today. Due to infections which are poorly treated and lead to blindness or eye troubles, due to eye injuries, due to cataracts, and due to diseases like diabetes and glaucoma. This is partly because we don't have any really old MAIN characters yet. But I do have some characters in mind for developing eye problems down the road.

On to your second question... I would have to think about that. Vashlaina is actually the best example since I always did plan on those two getting together. Malcolm was just so darn sweet with her.

But otherwise... you would be surprised how easily I forget all my original plans that don't pan out. After a short amount of time, it seems like things are the way they are because they were always supposed to be that way. And I can't imagine them any other way any more.

I can think of a few pairings I considered -- like Sophie with blind Kiv, Ethelwyn with Hetty, and Lili with Alred -- but I wasn't "dead set" on any of those. And for a long time I really did think Flann would end up with Araphel, in one form or another. But Osh was just so darn sweet!

Sophie and blind Kiv?!?! *Boggles*
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I'm romantic, literary, cynical, and a diehard Alred Sebright groupie.