I have a similar experience. I hid my failing vision as long as I could in 3rd grade until one of my teachers finally noticed and told my parents. Then, I still didn't wear the glasses I got until a teacher scolded me to. I was so self-conscious. I thought I'd be made fun of.
It's funny, I've heard from many people that they found out that they needed glasses in the third grade. That was when my youngest daughter began needing them as well. It would be interesting to find out if that is a common statistic.
I can imagine your hesitance to wear them. Kids have an unerring ability to figure out what makes someone uncomfortable and immediately create insults. Looking back, I remember getting picked on a little bit but nothing really sticks out as particularly mean. The worst that I can recall is (my name) Peepers. When you began wearing them, were you teased?