Harry's Eyesight

[grannybat84112]

No: HPFGUIDX 91344

Whoops, I missed this one.

>>>sawsan_issa wrote:
> > I have read that Harry's eyes are weak, and that JKR stresses
> > the importance of his glasses. I wonder what is so important about
> > ordinary, and probably cheap, muggle glasses. 
> > ...Why are Harry's eyes so weak? Is it just a normal muggle
> > optometry problem? 
> 
> Jen: Here's the JKR interview qoute on Harry's glasses:
> 
> http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/quickquotes/articles/2000/1200-
> readersdigest-boquet.htm
> 
> I favor the theory that Harry's weak eyes are connected with 
> dragons eyes,since they are also most vulnerable in this area.  The 
> Conjunctivitis curse can wound a dragon--could it also wound Harry? 
> But now he has the Impervious charm on them, thanks to Hermione, so 
> perhaps as long as he has his glasses he's protected.

I doubt it. In Grim Defeat (POA), 

"We're fifty points up," said Wood, "but unless we get the Snitch 
soon, we'll be playing into the night."

"I've got no chance with these on," said Harry exasperatedly, waving 
his glasses.

At that very moment, Hermione appeared at his shoulder....

"I've had an idea, Harry! Give me your glasses, quick!"

He handed them to her, and, as the team watched in amazement, 
Hermione tapped them with her wand and said, "Impervius!"

"There!" she said, handing them back to Harry. "They'll repel water!"


So Harry's glasses are protected from raindrops and other liquids, 
but nothing else. They might safeguard him if an enemy tries to blind 
him with a splash of acid, but I wouldn't count on it. The caster's 
intent matters in JKR's spellwork. Hermione intended to improve 
Harry's visibility, not to confer on him invulnerability.

Grannybat