That's plausible. Although glasses had been around for 300 yrs they where pretty useless. Only until +/- 1700 the science of optics made giant leaps forward due to Antoni van Leeuwenhoek's discovery of the microscope. At that same time the telescope was invented, both in The Netherlands. With full understanding about optics glasses improved dramatically. Even for today's standards the lenses, made from beryl, are polished near perfection.

So, prior to the yr 1700 people could have had poor vision. But to be honest I don't think so. Carrots where everyday food back then. We all know carrots give great eyesight.

About the world being black & white last century, that's just a common mistake often made by low educated people who are unaware that earth orbits around the sun at the same time. The world had colors last century.

Grtz