Eyeglasses: the key to Harry's vulnerability

[kibakianakaya]

No: HPFGUIDX 163604

I've once again thinking about the role Harry's eyes play in the 
story.  For a while I was satisfied that the importance lies in 
Harry's ocular resemblance to Lily that shamed Slughorn into giving 
up his memory.  But I started wondering about the importance of his 
glasses per se.  A search revealed a very old thread, back in 2001, 
that mentioned a Reader's Digest article where Jo said that Harry's 
*glasses* (not eyes) are the key to his vulnerability.  But that 
thread was very short (4 posts) and not very informative.

So I put it to the group - how do Harry's glasses reveal or 
symbolize his vulnerability?  One thought is that Harry usually 
needs outside help to see things clearly.  He often is so focused 
on "what is right in front of his face" that he doesn't see consider 
the bigger picture.  His urgency in going to the Ministry to rescue 
Sirius comes to mind.  For what it is worth, when I first heard the 
title "Half-Blood Prince" the first thing that popped into my head 
was "Harry Potter: the Half-Blind Seeker."  Harry needs outside help 
(his friends) to help him see clearly. 

But I am sure I am missing a lot here.  Any ideas.

Lilygale