Archived Content - Wurm's ES BBS 1997-2011
Soundmanpt 27 Dec 2011, 20:09
emma
You are not any different than many of my friends. They do as you do continue to get increases in their contacts but rarely ever get their glasses updated. It is probably okay to do that for a one time increase, but too many have contacts several rxs stronger than their glasses and because they only wear them at night around the house they can't tell that if they would need them fro an extended period of time due to an infection or something they would find many things outdoors much more trying such as driving. I have had several friends that only found out they needn't to be more update with their glasses that way. Understand I am not saying you need to update your glasses with every increase you get in contacts but maybe every other time. For many I find the price to keep up with both the reason. I have worked hard at showing them how by getting glasses on line is a cheap way to keep up.
emma 27 Dec 2011, 19:55
i already wear -7.25 contact lenses. my glasses are about 3 years old so out of date prescription in them but only wear late at night. my eye might go down abit with age so wont need reading glasses
John S 25 Dec 2011, 14:31
SM is very correct. More likely than not, you will become nearsighted due to constantly focusing at the closer distance. Your eyes think that is the distance they should relax at. They relax by growing longer, now you are nearsighted.
The other case that is not as likely, but certainly common. The accommodation muscles complain. They get tired of suppling the extra needed plus power to focus at that distance. You get a headache, or you have trouble focusing while reading. The best way to avoid either problem is to wear glasses that let your eyes relax at the closer distance. AKA "computer glasses". Not the ones that have some weird useless tint, the ones that a mild plus rx.
Some people have had a combination of both symptoms. They become nearsighted, then the muscles complain.
If that is not the route you want to go, then looking into the distance every 5 or 10 minutes is the best thing to do.
Soundmanpt 25 Dec 2011, 13:56
emma
it is very true that wearing proper glasses in the prescription you need will relax your eyes. It is also very likely that the more you wear your glasses your eyes will become accustomed to having them on and may not be happy without them anymore. But in the long run it is still better to wear them rather than strain your eyes to be seeing things and still not seeing it anyway.
I agree with you that computers are hard on the eyes.It is very common for someone with perfect eyesight to get a job working at a computer full days to soon show up wearing glasses. Most people don't take enough small mini breaks away from staring at the screen as they should. Even stopping for a few brief minutes to refocus your eyes by looking out of a nearby window is a big help.
emma 25 Dec 2011, 12:08
i think glasses can make eyes lazy and computers are not good for them. i got first my glasses when in school. now im 34 wear -7.25 contacts glasses think are more. if you are a contact wearer do you have up to date glasses?
dave 24 Dec 2011, 19:24
Jack,
I'd like to stay in touch with you (for glasses related answers and such) after eyescene closes.
If you're up for it please email me at eyescene_dave Use (at)yahoo.com for the suffix.
I was wondering if you know which direction to adjust cylinder axis if tipping down my left temple makes my left eye clearer.
The current Rx for that eye is -1.0, -2.0 x 015
Thanks,
Dave
Jones 23 Dec 2011, 13:08
Thanks for the responses. I live in pa and am not due for my next eye exam for six more months. The crazy thing with my glasses is that I see better with them but may have not gotten fully used to them as I only wore them for an extended period of time a year ago. I have read that sometimes people can take a week of full time wear to get used to new glasses for astigmatism. Perhaps I either didn't give them the chance or maybe the prescription is slightly off per jacks thoughts on the exam. I do think I need some correction because I struggle reading text from a distance or for extended periods of time on the computer. I do remember during the exam that sometimes it was tough to discern what image was clearer. Before the exam I never expected to get a prescription but now I realize I need one but to what extent I don't know. I am starting to think with astigmatism it either makes sense to wear glasses all the time or not at all.
Cactus Jack 23 Dec 2011, 10:22
Jones,
Astigmatism is usually caused by unevenness in the curvature of the front surface of the cornea. It normally changes very slowly.
When a first prescription does not seem right, particularly one with a low cylinder component, it is often caused by inexperience of the patient and the failure of the examiner to explain what he/she is doing and why. Even with a very low Rx such as yours, it should more comfortable wearing the glasses than not wearing them. It is normal for a person to have to get used to wearing vision correction because vision actually occurs in the brain, the eyes are merely biological cameras. The brain has the ability to correct some surprisingly blurry images IF it knows what something is supposed to look like.
You also have the built in ability to use your ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses to correct some + refractive error by accommodation until presbyopia finally makes that very difficult or impossible. When that happens, you need external help with plus reading glasses or multifocal lenses. The thing you have no internal way to correct is astigmatism and it can affect your vision at all distances.
An eye exam is unusual as medical exams go in that YOU have to tell the examiner what you see. The objective part of the exam, using an auto-refractor or a retinoscope, can only get close to your Rx. The subjective part of the exam where you have to answer questions is where the Rx is fine tuned by the examiner based on your answers. The examiner has no way to see what you see.
I have posted a rather lengthy detailed explanation of the eye exam procedure and your role in it on several occasions. In the next few weeks, I will try locate the post and re-post it, probably on the new site. You really need a new eye exam, but I urge you to read and understand the exam procedure before you get an exam.
May I ask where you live?
C.
Soundmanpt 23 Dec 2011, 00:30
Jones
I would say this after re-reading your post. It has been over a year since you were prescribed your glasses and I would suggest getting an exam and be sure to tell the doctor the problems you had before as that may be helpful to him/her getting you better prescribed.
Soundmanpt 23 Dec 2011, 00:27
Jones
There is no one answer that covers someones rx. Just like blades of grass or snowflakes everyone is different. Someone with the same rx as you may have no trouble wearing glasses full time after only a couple of hours and someone else may struggle with it.
Jones 22 Dec 2011, 18:16
A year and a half ago I received my first prescription and glasses for astigmatism at
Od +0.50, -0.50 025
Os +.50, -0.50 150
I got the glasses and they helped provide a more crisp view of objects and text but I had trouble adjusting to wearing them on and off. I tried wearing them for two days full time and my eyes were worn out after those two days. Since, I only wear them sparingly but have noticed strain when looking at the computer or at presentations with text unaided. I am 32 does it make sense that my astigmatism got worse after a year and a half. Should I be wearing glasses full time and is it normal to take a full week to get used to glasses with mild astigmatism.
Sparky51 17 Sep 2011, 11:23
I have been working a way recently and on the drive back home 440 miles, I started to suffer from blurred vision and decided to get my eyes checked again as it has been about 2.5 years since my last test, I have a very mild prescription for distance my old results were
Right -.25 + 2.0
Left -1.0 + 2.0
I wondered if someone would take a look at my latest prescription , as I am a little confused by it.
Right +.50 -.50 180 + 2.25
Left -.50 -.25 70 + 2.25
It seems a lot different to the old one and looks to me that the right eye cancels its self out ie. +.50 -.50 = 0 or am I looking at it wrongly, the strange thing was I could not read any line on the chart with my right eye without correction which was a bit of a surprise if true.
I add that I have just turn 60 and live in the uk
Your comments would be appreciated
Sparky51
Cactus Jack 16 Sep 2011, 15:34
One of the hazards of not wearing glasses to correct low to moderate nearsightedness is that it is like having built in reading glasses. Unfortunately, we don't know her Rx but I suspect it would be in the -1.50 to -2.00 range. That is a ideal range for reading without requiring much accommodation. Guess what happened to her ciliary muscles.
Use it or loose it applies to lots of things including accommodation.
C.
Soundmanpt 16 Sep 2011, 13:12
Jason
The what happened? A simple answer is that as she indicated she was likely much over due an increase for her distance correction and by increasing the power of her lenses would make reading close more difficult. You did mention about what age she seemed to be. If she is rather young her eyes could likely adjust to being able to read with them in a short while. But as Slit says it may well be a good time to go to bifocals.
Jason 16 Sep 2011, 13:08
I'd guess 35ish. During her complaint, she said she can see close just fine without the glasses and never had trouble focusing close.
Slit 16 Sep 2011, 12:25
Jason...
what happened next should be "bifocals"!
how old was she as per ur estimate?
Jason 16 Sep 2011, 12:17
Just a rambling...
I went to look at some frames at the local optical store, and a woman came in to pick up her new glasses. After the optician slid them on her face, the lady commented on how great they are, and how much sharper everything is..said this increase must have been overdue. She then took our her checkbook to pay for them and blurted "I can't read with these!" She then complained that she couldn't even read her name on the check, and didn't want to pay for the glasses. They called the Dr on premises who did the exam, and she was taken into the exam room for a new exam. I wonder what happened?
Like lenses 16 Sep 2011, 01:27
Alex
Becoming nearsighted in ones forties is becoming quite common.
See my post concerning my neighbor,under the Vision thread,posted on 30 Aug. 2011 19:51.
Alex 16 Sep 2011, 00:06
Phil & Soundmanpt
Thank you both for your replies. I had no idea! It seems strange that when we're young we start at a tolerable level of myopia, it gets stronger to the point we need our glasses most of the time then, when we've got used to that, it starts to go back down again. Around me I have friends switching to mono vision contacts, a few starting to wear reading glasses, but no-one yet with bifocals. But strangely a friend nearing 47 has just started wearing glasses for mild nearsightedness, is that also unusual?
Hansel 13 Sep 2011, 11:42
Google is a marvellous thing.....
A straight cut and paste
You may get help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you:
are aged under 16, or aged under 19 and in full-time education or
are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher (your optician will advise on your entitlement)
You may also get an NHS optical voucher if:
You receive Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (not contribution-based).
You receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
You receive Income-based Employment and Support Allowance.
You are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
You are named on a valid NHS certificate for full help with health costs (HC2).
People named on an NHS certificate for partial help with health costs (HC3) may also get help.
You will be asked to show proof of your entitlement to NHS optical vouchers. There are currently 8 voucher values.
The values are dependent on the strength of your prescription, the higher your prescription the higher your voucher value. If your glasses or contact lenses cost more than your voucher value, you will have to pay the difference.
For more information download the leaflet HC12: charges and optical vouchers (PDF, 95 kb).
For more information...
http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/Healthcosts/pages/Eyecarecosts.aspx
Galileo 13 Sep 2011, 10:56
@Guest - I believe the point at which you can get assistance for glasses in the UK is when you are classed as having "complex lenes" and I think that is at around
-10 for a myope. It is not much money, a friend of mine said she got about 4 pounds towards glasses which cost 240 pounds
Soundmanpt 12 Sep 2011, 12:54
This seems to happen to many people "as they get a little older" hence what the doctor said. It is not unusual at all for some one to be wearing minus glasses at a younger age and as so often happens it will increase over the years. But somewhere between late 30's - 50's the myopia may decrease. Often though it means close vision will start to go and you may soon be in bifocals. Cactus Jack probably can give a better technical answer than I can.
Julian 12 Sep 2011, 11:48
Guest: nobody seems to be answering your question. All I can say is I don't know but I don't think so. Why not ask at an optician's?
Phil 12 Sep 2011, 05:22
Alex, I've had the same. I started at around -2.00 at 2 (as a result of reading law at university!) and increased slowly over the years till I hit -4.00 in my late 40s. I got an add at 43 but that didn't seem to stop the progression. However, when I hit 50 it stopped. I'm 56 now and have come down a teeny bit at each of the last 3 tests and am now -3.00. I have not had any rational explanation from opticians, just allegations that it's an "age thing"!
varifocals 12 Sep 2011, 03:33
WOW GEMMA
Getting strong.
Can you manage ok?
Alex 12 Sep 2011, 01:13
My prescription has been fairly stable at -2.50in one eye -3.00 in the other for a number of years. Now at 49 its gone down to -1.50 and -2.00. I wondered if this is unusual as I don't know anyone else who's experienced a reduction in their prescription so late in life.
Also, given that its gone down a whole diopter I can't say I notice a huge improvement in my vision without glasses as I'd expected, other than indoors I don't notice that its any better than when the prescription was stronger. Is that surprising?
Thanks!
Guest 11 Sep 2011, 07:51
Hi
Is there a certain level of myopia where people start to qualify for some of NHS optical voucher in the UK? If so, what prescription is this?
Thanks
Gemma 10 Sep 2011, 05:30
Hi,
I haven't posted here for yonks, but my current rx is
RE-25.00 -1.50 120 LE -23.50 -1.25 100
abby 10 Sep 2011, 05:02
im 46 and been wear glasses lenses since 15. l -5.50 -0.50 r -4.75 -0.50
Blake 05 Sep 2011, 18:55
She goes bare eyed a fair bit around the house I think she likes it, but she rarely squints unless really trying to see something, however she wears them when she reads and does close work. When she tries to read her phone or a magazine she holds it about 4-5 inches away and to one eye, which is her weaker eye funny enough. But even with glasses or contacts she holds things about 1 foot away otherwise she can't read it.
And 05 Sep 2011, 11:10
My gf probably feels the same and always puts her contacts in at the first opportunity in the morning. Does your gf go bare-eyed at all ?
Blake 04 Sep 2011, 18:39
I think she is a little self conscious about the strength of her glasses even though she has the lenses thinned out, bit at the moment her glasses don't fit so well because she always falls asleep in them
And 03 Sep 2011, 13:55
My gf has disposable lenses so always has spares. Does your gf not like wearing glasses ?
Blake 02 Sep 2011, 22:34
And
Yeah she wears them all day just takes them off at night when we are watching tv, but she tore a contact the other day so she has been wearing them more often. When she goes out she tries to get by with just the one contact which always gives her a headache.
And 02 Sep 2011, 15:28
Blake, my gf is slighty less myopic but would be very very insecure bare-eyed anywhere but at home. Does your gf wear contacts 24/7 ?
Blake 01 Sep 2011, 23:25
Thanks also cactus jack, the brand is B+L purevision
Blake 01 Sep 2011, 23:22
Thanks soundmanpt, very helpful, one thing I forgot to ask, she is 25 now is there a chance her prescription will increase further? she says it hasn't changed for about 3 or 4 years but she still holds things very close to read. Also she says that when she was 18 the eye doc was worried because she was starting to get black dots when she blinked and there is a family history of eye problems, but since she started visiting a chiropractor the dots have disappeared and her prescription stabilized, any one know more about this?
Thanks guys!
Cactus Jack 01 Sep 2011, 23:08
Blake,
There normally should be a number somewhere in the 13 mm - 14 mm range for the diameter of the contact lens. The number is not particularly critical because the diameter of the lens is pretty much what ever the manufacturer offers in that Base Curve. Generally there is a brand of lens specified, but if your gf has been wearing contacts for some time, the examiner will probably expect that she will continue to wear what ever brand she has been wearing in the new Rx. The box and the containers for the lenses will list the Base Curve, Diameter and Rx.
C.
Soundmanpt 01 Sep 2011, 22:54
Blake
Also there is nothing in her rx for astigmatism, so if she has any at all it must be rather minor and doesn't require correction.
Soundmanpt 01 Sep 2011, 22:52
Blake
The base is "base curve" it is not any power at all only for the proper fit on her eye. It is needed even for people that has no prescription and maybe wants colored contacts. The -8.00 and -7.50 is her prescription and it is measured in diopters. In her case she has a pretty strong prescription and most everything is a blur for her without correction. Hope that helped.
Blake 01 Sep 2011, 20:52
Hi there, my gf brought home her contact lens prescription and I wondering if anyone here could decipher it for me, it is;
Right: base 8.6, diameter -8
Left: base 8.6, diameter -7.5
I know that she is quite myopic and that is the diameter part, but was curious what the base represents. I'm thinking it is astigmatism, if so is it strong or weak?
Thanks for your time eyesceners!
Soundmanpt 30 Aug 2011, 11:10
Dad
See must not have any astigmatism anymore because even a -.25 they would have put into her glasses, but not her contacts. If she had say -.50 then they might have even reduced her rx for her glasses by -.25 in that lens.
Dad 30 Aug 2011, 01:27
Her glasses perscription is the same as the doctor said there is little to no astigmatism any more.
Chris 29 Aug 2011, 01:01
Dad
That's good news. Did you also manage to discover if her glasses prescription is that same or with astigmatism correction?
Andrew 28 Aug 2011, 14:32
My current glasses Rx is -8.00 -0.75 in both eyes, and I wear sph only contacts, with no problems at all, although I am expecting a change to the glasses Rx when I next have my eyes checked. I did wear toric contact lenses for a few years about 20+ years ago, but have managed perfectly well without them for quite some time.
Dad 28 Aug 2011, 14:05
It's been about a week since my daughter has been wearing her new contacts. She really likes the current 2.50 and 2.25s better than her previous torics. I guess I thought the change in perscription from 1.50,1.75s with 0.75 astigmatism to the current would have taken some adjustment, but I must have been wrong.
Bart 24 Aug 2011, 10:28
Puffin,
well the cost of constantly replace glasses' lenses would be much as well..
Cactus jack,
strange to read that eyes do not have a mechanism to auto compensate astigmatism, I can understand what you mean, but I always saw that quite nobody actually need glasses for astigmatism under -1.. it semms that in a certain way eyes (or brain) can actually compensate, at the cost of course of eyestrain and headaches.
Puffin 24 Aug 2011, 08:14
Bart,
Yes this could cause some extra progression. As always it is about striking a balance between have good, useful, comfortable vision right now against possibly a bit more myopia later that can be easily corrected. Nearly always the ECP goes for the first option, unless the myopia is changing at very high rates and they don't want to add to it, although in that situation, you'd be unlikely to be wearing contacts, the cost of constantly replacing contacts constantly would be too much.
Cactus Jack 24 Aug 2011, 08:08
Bart,
Close. The eye can correct a slight - over correction by using the ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses (the eye's auto focus mechanism) to add a tiny bit of extra plus to compensate for the slight over correction. However, after the crystalline lens is fully relaxed, there is no mechanism in the eye to allow the plus power (around +15 or so) to go below fully relaxed. That is why hyperopes can compensate to some extent for their farsightedness and myopes cannot compensate for their nearsightedness.
Also, there is no mechanism in the eye to permit compensation for astigmatism. However, it is likely that the auto-focus mechanism may try to do the best it can to deal with astigmatism, perhaps even so something like the compromise CL Rx previously described. Part of the problem is that astigmatism causes the eye to require two different focus powers. For example, depending on the axis of the astigmatism, the image of an "E" might require one power to focus the horizontal lines and a different power to focus the vertical line. Depending on how sensitive the individual is, the auto-focus mechanism, which is, in engineering terms, really an open loop servo system, to "hunt" to try to find the best focus. An impossible task. Headaches anyone?
The auto-focus system's control is in the brain. The only tools it has to work with are the ciliary muscles and the crystalline lenses. As long as that system is fully functional (before presbyopia, usually) the brain will do whatever it can to provide the sharpest, highest quality images to work with.
One thing to remember is that external lenses are prescribed to neutralize or cancel out refractive errors. What that means is that hyperopes do not have enough plus in their eye's lens system for the size (length) of the eyeball and myopes have too much plus.
C.
Bart 24 Aug 2011, 07:43
Cactus Jack,
maybe because giving an addictional sphere equal to half the needed cylinder you basicly undercorrect the astigmatism, so having to round the prescription going up by a -0.125 brings lenses closer to the needed power for the astigmatic axis, so I understand that in this way vision is better at least for distance.
Sure, you obtain also an overcorrection in all other not astigmatic axis so actually it looks like quite a rough way to correct a refracting error. Could it be this another typical cause of myopic progression? ;)
Cactus Jack 24 Aug 2011, 07:42
Milly,
The + part of your Rx is a sphere correction for your hyperopia. The minus part of your Rx and the X ?? are the prescription for cylinder and axis correction to correct your astigmatism. The 6/7.5 is an indication of your corrected visual acuity. That is the metric format. If it was in english units it would be 20/25. What that means is that Rx corrects you to where you can see at 6 meters what a person with full correction could read at 7.5 meters. Essentially, that is about 1 line on a Snellen Chart above the 6/6 or 20/20 line.
Sphere generally corrects for a mismatch between the combined power of your cornea and crystalline lens system and the length or size of your eyeball. Cylinder and axis generally correct for uneven curvature of the front surface of your cornea.
Under correcting hyperopia, to hopefully reduce it, is optically identical to over correcting myopia to try to increase it (Induced Myopia) and the same rules apply. Genes and Age are important factors in any possible success. In both cases, if your genes will permit it and your age will allow it, your ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses will produce the additional plus you need to see clearly internally. The idea in both cases is to cause the retina to produce additional eyeball growth hormone which controls eyeball growth.
There is no way for you to compensate for astigmatism. It has to be done with external lenses or lasik.
May I ask your age?
C.
Dad 24 Aug 2011, 07:06
Chris,
My daughter has been full-time for about the past 2+ years. When she originally got glasses in the 7th grade she was -1.00 with some astigmatism in both eyes. She went full-time on her last perscription of -1.5, -1.75 with astigmatism in her junior year of high school. Now with her latest perscription of -2.50, -2.25 she says she couldn't imagine going without correction. She had a follow-up with the doctor yesterday, so I went along and he told me that her astigmatism was pretty much non-existent now so all she needs is correction for her near-sightedness. He also said her lens power would probably increase some more because of her relatively young age, but because of the lack of astigmatism she no longer needs the toric lenses.
Milly 24 Aug 2011, 06:27
I was on the Hyperopia board but nobody seems to be there!
I used to wear contacts LE+2.75 and RE+3.25 and had an eye test recently where they said I should be nearer to +4 in both eyes which I wasn't happy about as I'm trying to reduce prescription naturally. I asked for my prescrip to be written out and they just wrote the above one as I said I was going to stick with it. But got till receipt from them and the correct prescrip is on it !
Its
R: +3.75 / -0.25 x 110 6/7.5
L: +3.75 / -1.00 x 60 6/7.5+
Can anyone explain minus and last bit to me. I am currently wearing LE+2 and RE+2.25 in an attempt to stop eyesight getting worse.
Thanks.
Chris 23 Aug 2011, 14:39
Dad
Does your daughter wear glasses or contacts full time?
Some people say that wearing glasses full time makes the prescription get stronger. It doesn't lookout that is the case though for your daughter
Cactus Jack 23 Aug 2011, 14:24
Dad,
Your daughter is the only one who can judge if her vision is satisfactory. Vision actually occurs in the brain and the eyes are merely biological cameras. With this small change, it may take her several days to decide if the sphere only contacts will work or she needs to go back to torics. By the way, torics are usually only available in cylinder corrections -0.75 and above. Also, the axis in torics is in 5 degree increments whereas glasses are in 1 degree increments. Even toric CLs themselves have small compromises.
It is likely that the glasses Rx will be slightly different. The glasses Rx is usually more accurate than the CL Rx. Ideally, it will have both the sphere correction and the cylinder (astigmatism) correction listed without any compromise. Glasses are customarily made with all prescription components accounted for. Because her Rx is so low, there will be no difference between the glasses Rx and CL Rx because of vertex distance (the distance from the front of the cornea to the back of the lenses in the glasses). Vertex Distance only becomes a factor in Rx above + or - 5.00.
C.
Dad 23 Aug 2011, 12:59
Thanks for the input. Do you think the new perscription will improve her vision? Is there enough of an increase to be able to tell the difference for the wearer? Also, I'm working on getting the glasses rx. Do you think the glasses rx will be the same as the contact rx, or will it continue to include the astigmatism correction?
Cactus Jack 23 Aug 2011, 09:50
Bart,
Would you care to explain the physiological reason I said it was better to go up -0.125 diopters in the compromise sphere/cylinder CL Rx than down -0.125 to come up with an Rx for CLs that you could actually buy. Some Eye Care Professionals prescribe glasses in 1/8th diopter increments, but it is rare. Why is it rare? Why not prescribe soft contact lenses in 1/8 diopter increments?
Bart 23 Aug 2011, 07:53
Your explanations are always illuminating Cactus Jack ;)
Here we understand how can be difficult to properly correct myopia combined with astigmatism, and mostly providing proper vision without some overcorrection, even if in a given direction, that can lead to major increasings.
Cactus Jack 23 Aug 2011, 01:45
Dad,
Nothing to get excited about. Toric contact lenses have a lot of problems in addition to their being pricey. Often the lenses are unstable and tend to rotate when you blink. If they do that, your vision is only occasionally sharp when it is correctly aligned and the rest of the time it is a bit blurry. Sort of like a stopped clock. It is right twice a day. When a person has reasonably low astigmatism (cylinder correction) one of the compromises is to add 1/2 the cylinder to the sphere and fit sphere only contacts.
If we analyze your daughters old Rx which was L -1.50 sphere and -0.75 cylinder and R -1.75 sphere and -0.75 cylinder. 1/2 of the -0.75 cylinder is -0.375 if we add that to the original sphere we get L -1.875 R -2.125. Unfortunately contact lenses in that power range come only in 0.25 increments so the old Rx would have been L -2.00, R -2.25. In this case it is better to go up a little rather than down because it usually results in better vision.
Your daughters new sphere only Rx is L -2.25 R -2.50 so she had had a very small increase in her myopia in about 2 years which is almost nothing.
This is one of those cases where the proof of the Rx is in the seeing. If they are comfortable and she sees well with the new contacts, enjoy the reduced cost. Also sphere only contacts offer the option of low cost daily wear contacts where you throw away the lenses after one day of wear and get a new lens tomorrow. You don't need to worry about solutions, disinfecting, storage, and care of the lenses. Daily wear lenses only get handled once when you put them in so they don't have to be as rugged as longer wear lenses and are usually very thin and even more comfortable than longer wear lenses.
Hope this helps and makes sense.
C.
Soundmanpt 23 Aug 2011, 01:39
Dad
By the way even if your daughter didn't order glasses they will still be able to provide you with her new prescription for glasses. That being said I hope she did order new glasses or at least intends to very soon. She will need them now when she wants to give her eyes a rest from the contacts and it is good to have as a backup anyway in case she gets infection or allergies.
Soundmanpt 23 Aug 2011, 01:34
Dad
The best thing to do is keep a dialog with your daughter as to how her vision is now. It could be that her astigmatisms both dropped a bit to say -.50 and if that is the case then yes it is common, and cheaper, to not prescribe toric lenses. And it is common then to compensate the doctor will often just increase the distance or SPH in her eyes. If you are really concerned have her pick up a copy of her glasses rx because that will be her exact prescription. If you post that on here we can quickly tell you if what she got is good or not so good. My first guess is that her astigmatism declined a little and that does happen. Remember the main thing is that she can see properly and unless she complains I think all is well.
Dad 22 Aug 2011, 22:14
My 20yr old daughter just had her eyes examined last week after a little over two years. She has been wearing glasses and/or contacts since she was about 13. Her previous perscription was L -1.50 -0.75 R -1.75 -0.75. She has always worn toric contact lenses. She just brought home her new contacts and she now is L -2.25 R -2.50 without any astigmatism correction. The doctor has taken her out of toric contact lenses. Is this unusual, or is it commonplace for this to happen? How will her new perscription differ from her old? Will she see a considerable difference? Please way in. My wife and I are far from experts, but we were kind of perplexed.
NewB 16 Aug 2011, 03:54
hi,
my new Bifocals are coming tomorrow!
after i'll get them i'll update how they are!
Astra 15 Aug 2011, 02:45
I don't understand the exact cause of my eye problem either.
Eye doctor told me about a month ago, the problem is likely caused by various hormonal imbalances I am currently facing.
Perhaps I should include some details of my other problems, besides my eye.
2011.08.14 , the Obstetrician says the hormonal imbalances still exist. The fact is, I did not follow her advice, though. I am stubborn on such issues, I know.
She included a pill that increases the secretion of oxytocin, another pill that inhabits the secretion of estrogens.
I don't want to disrupt my hormonal system, so I didn't follow.
Surely it causes a lot of nuisance to me, since my vision quality seems "fluctuating" too much recently, which affects me a little bit.
Cactus Jack 14 Aug 2011, 11:41
Astra,
I also do not understand the massive changes in your astigmatism. Astigmatism is usually caused by differences in the curvature of the front surface of the cornea in one axis and the axis 90 degrees from it. Usually, changes occur very slowly.
There was a post a few years ago where a member was having trouble with apparent dry eyes and it turned out that his eyelids were not closing properly. His corneas were drying out in one area while sleeping because his eye lids were partially open.
C.
Bart 14 Aug 2011, 11:00
Hey Astra,
your rx is suddenly skyrocketing, are you inducing it?
Cactus Jack 13 Aug 2011, 17:38
I did not fully answer your questions. Your acuity is about what one would expect for a person who needs -1.00, -0.25 X ? glasses. I think you will find the crisp vision they provide very comfortable and you will likely want to wear them full time.
C.
Cactus Jack 13 Aug 2011, 17:34
The -0.25 astigmatism plays a bigger role in acuity reduction than one would expect. More low sphere glasses wearers with very low astigmatism (cylinder) will wear their glasses full time sooner than sphere only glasses wearers.
Astigmatism affects your vision at all distances and there is no way to compensate for it except with glasses or toric contact lenses.
C.
13 Aug 2011, 10:03
thank you for the helpful explanation cactus jack. I was interested as I have just been given a prescription of -1.00 with -.25 astigmatism and i found it very hard to make out the third row of letters (20/70 line?) and just wondered if that was a normal level given my prescripition, its interesting that there is so much variation as you said between 20/100 and 20/40, if i squinted i could see further down but the optician told me to keep my eyes wide open and not do that!
Cactus Jack 13 Aug 2011, 09:15
There is NO direct, fixed relationship between a refracted Rx and a Snellen eye chart line because there are many more factors that can affect visual acuity than your simple sphere Rx. Assuming you have no other problems than -0.75 of myopia it would be in the 20/40 to 20/100 range. The reason for this wide variation is that vision actually occurs in the brain and your eyes are merely biological cameras. Your brain is capable to creating images from very limited information if it knows what something is supposed to look like. It can even create good images with your eyes closed - dreams for example.
Typically, if there are no other problems, each -0.25 step will decrease your acuity by 1 line above the 20/20 line in the, but that loose relationship gets very inaccurate as the minus refractive error increases.
Also, there is a judgement factor involved in a reading the lines on a Snellen chart. As the letters get larger, you can often figure out the identity of a letter even though it is very fuzzy. There is an important reason the chart is ideally located 20 feet (6 meters) away and the object of the refraction is for you to be able to read a line of small letters with ease. It helps quite a bit if you know that that fuzzy blob at the top of the chart is likely to be an E.
What really confuses the people who have memorize the chart, is the computer generated Snallen chart. The letters on the chart are randomly displayed and you can't fake it.
C.
GoCcer 13 Aug 2011, 09:07
Visit http://www.wolframalpha.com and enter "OD -0.75" for your query to get some interesting detail on a -0.75 prescription.
13 Aug 2011, 04:48
If you have a -.75 prescription, what does that correspond to on the eyechart?
Soundmanpt 13 Aug 2011, 00:05
Karen
You may find that they are helpful with other things as well as driving and watching TV. Anything where even a little distance is involved they will make clearer for you.
Now that your doctor has told you that you need to wear your glasses to drive even though it isn't on your driver's license you are required to wear them for driving.
When you get your new glasses let us know if you can now tell a difference with or without them.
Astra 12 Aug 2011, 21:51
New 2011.08.08 : (which caused double image)
OD -6.75 -2.00 090
OS -5.50 -2.25 090
Previous 1:
OD -5.75 0
OS -5.00 0
Previous 2 (also caused double image) :
OD -5.50 -1.50 005
OS -5.00 -1.00 005
Karen 12 Aug 2011, 18:28
Soundmanpt
The old rx was from a year ago, I never really wore them because it didn't make much difference with or without. But the doctor said I need to wear them now for driving and watching TV.
Soundmanpt 12 Aug 2011, 18:21
Karen was that old rx from a year ago or 2 years ago? Would I be correct in saying the -.75 rx was your first glasses and you only wore them as needed? Your increase is pretty normal. You will likely find that you may be wearing these much more often than your other pair.
Karen 12 Aug 2011, 18:09
I just got an eye exam today and got a new prescription.
Old:
OD -0.75
OS -0.75
New:
OD -1.25
OS -1.25
pippo 12 Aug 2011, 00:54
linda
where do you live?
linda 11 Aug 2011, 17:15
yes when i got my second glasses i was told to wear all the time and i needed to. and they were prob only -2.00. at first i was afraid wearing them in front of people. now glasses have got better and lots more people wearing so is ok. now a
Melyssa 11 Aug 2011, 06:49
Linda,
Your first RX is exactly what mine was! I was 8 years young at the time, and I wore glasses (reluctantly at that age, of course) for watching TV or movies, or to see the blackboard at school. My RX went all the way up to -9.00 over the next 28 years, but it took me maybe 15 years to get to where you are now.
Soundmanpt 10 Aug 2011, 18:37
linda
Your vision history is very normal. You got your first glasses at 18, but you likely needed them several years prior to that but maybe a little weaker. Because of your age not surprising that you needed a little stronger glasses each year, but you should be nearing the point soon where your eyes will stop changing. Holly's case is different because she is 43, so her distance vision should not change much at all, maybe slightly as her eyes get adjusted to them she may need a little increase, however see stands a much better chance that her close vision may soon start needing more add.I'm pretty sure her doctor felt like she was on the border line of needing the distance correction full time and by having the add in there now would be much easier how her eyes to see both distance and close up.
Has your increases started to be smaller now?
And 10 Aug 2011, 15:30
Share your experiences in the other threads too please
linda 10 Aug 2011, 14:06
yes wear contacts or glasses all the time now.
And 10 Aug 2011, 13:53
Linda, do you wear both glasses and contacts and do you wear them 24/7 ?
linda 10 Aug 2011, 13:46
i had my first glasses for driving -1.50 -1.75 at 18. it was such a difference i was wearing them alot more of the time. when you next go for a eyeexam your eyes will get worse and need stronger lenses. now im 25 and -5.25 -4.50. its no big deal wearing glasses or contacts lots of people do
New 10 Aug 2011, 13:36
Aubrac, I have just started wearing glasses and felt the same- like people were staring! Had come to the same conclusion as you though, that I can now see their expressions more clearly. I haven't been wearing them in my office and have noticed I squint to recognise people across it (we are in a large open plan). I find I try to avoid eye contact when I don't recognise someone!
Aubrac 10 Aug 2011, 02:38
Holly
It often seems a big deal wearing glasses in front of friends, family, and work for the first time. Amazingly some people don't even notice and only comment on it days later, while others get quite excited and want to try your glasses on.
However, it happens only the first time they see you and after that it is accepted as the norm. It can make it easier if you choose someone who also wears glasses to see first and start a glasses chat!
I found when I started wearing glasses that everything seemed more blurred after wearing glasses, and I think this was also due to the contrast between seeing things very clearly e.g. leaves on trees, and then everything blurred.
I also thought that people were staring at me because I was wearing glasses, but only realised that it was because I could see them clearly and was probably actually staring at them!
I'm sure you look great in glasses so just take the plunge!
Holly 09 Aug 2011, 17:21
Getting the progressives was well worth it. Alternating between texting and the television everything is clear. I could see what was going on the television when I looked out, it was not just a blur.
I still am self conscious about them and haven’t worn them in front of others yet. I’m sure my friends have a clue I needed glasses, especially when skiing and missing a turn or two downhill, but actually wearing in front of everyone is another deal. I need to get the mindset like Neil said wear them and not worry or think too much about them.
Soundmanpt 09 Aug 2011, 13:05
Holly
Like RayRay said is completely correct. Everything that you are experiencing is perfectly normal. As you say with your glasses everything is very clear and sharp, but after you have worn them for a while and your eyes have adjusted to them then when you take them off everything is very blurry. After a few minutes your eyes go back to how you were seeing before you got your glasses. The blur that your getting at first is what your actual vision is without glasses. Being able to read close up with or without your glasses is totally understandable because the add segment is only replacing the distance segment. In other words -1.50 distance and +1.50 for close equals out to nothing as for as correction for reading only a little astigmatism correction. Your distance vision should not change much if any at all with full time wear. But my thought is that the doctor felt like you would soon find that you need to wear your glasses full time for distance and because your job is stressful to the eyes looking through -1.50 lenses would be hard on your eyes for the close work. So by giving you a matching add your glasses would be very comfortable for both distance and close up. The good news is if you adjust to your glasses and start wearing them full time you should be able to take off your glasses and read without any problem, but at 43 it may not be long before you will need more of an add anyway.
Rayray 09 Aug 2011, 12:12
The glasses are not making ur eyes worse they are just allowing your brain where the images from your eyes are processed, to relax as it does not have to work so hard now the images are clear without any effort. When you take the glasses off the brain is not used to having to work so hard and so it seems like you cannot see as well as you used to without glasses. If you are in your 40s the chances of you becoming more myopic to a significant degree are very low so I wouldn't worry too much about making your eyes worse.
Holly 09 Aug 2011, 12:07
Since I am so new to having glasses I am a little worried. I wore the glasses at home for most of the evening last night but after I took them off everything seemed blurrier than before I started to wear the glasses to see things in the distance. Up close was still perfect with them off.
I really enjoyed being able to see everything clearly and not getting so tired, but do not want my eyes to get any worse.
Is that normal? Are the glasses going to make my eyes worse because things in the distance look blurrier than they used to without the glasses and it seemed harder to compensate for it for a while afterwards?
Cactus Jack 09 Aug 2011, 10:52
very progressive,
The only reason I know for using + cylinder is that the technique of estimating the Rx using an Opthalmoscope is said to be a little easier to teach than using - cylinder. Opthalmologists tend to be more interested in eye diseases than in optical correction which is pretty much all Optometrists can do so by practice alone, I think they are better at doing refractions.
Everything about the optics of the eye involve + lenses. All the natural lenses are really high + lenses except the "incidental" lenses that are created by the index of refraction and the shape of the chambers for the humors, which are low +. All correction is really based on there being too much plus or too little plus in the eye's optical system to focus an image on the retina, period. Astigmatism is really too much plus (steeper curvature) in one axis of the front surface of the cornea as compared to the axis 90 degrees from that axis. It is all relative and that means your question is really not applicable to anything and has no answer. I believe that - cylinder reflects the actual optical situation and that its job is to neutralize or cancel out the excess plus in one axis of the cornea as compared to the axis at 90 degrees to it. It is really two different things if you want to decide that astigmatism (cylinder) is really less plus in one axis and you are going to fix the problem by adding more plus in that axis and then compensate by increasing the minus (or decreasing the plus) in the sphere, then live it up, if it makes your life easier. Based on what you have said I think your sphere correction with the - cylinder would be your Rx if you had no astigmatism. In some ways, this is like discussing how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. It is of no consequence in the real world.
Why do MDs use + cylinder? As the character in "Fiddler on the Roof" - TRADITION!!!
You are making too many incorrect assumptions about optics and then drawing conclusions based on them. You need to study up on the basics and this is not a good way to do it. If you will pardon my bluntness, you need to do your homework better before assuming anything. Also, check out the various forms of cataracts. Clouding of the crystalline lens is only one, but the solution for all types is replacement of the crystalline lens with an IOL.
C.
C.
very progressive 09 Aug 2011, 10:05
CJ,
Thanks ! As you mentioned , I am becoming very interested in understanding more about vision and optics. Using my own rx as an example for my questions. As I now know my rx can be written a couple of different ways with regard to the sphere, and still be the same dependant on the way the cylinder correction is written ( + or - ). I am wondering what my spherical correction would be if I had no astigmatism? would the rx be -1.25 or -1.75 ? Or for left eye, -1.00 or -.50 ? The idea that MD's vs OD's write the rx differently when the optician will eventually convert anyway seems rather counter productive. A spherical correction only would be written the same by either Dr, correct? But what would my rx likely be if I had myopia and no astigmatism?
I do understand the concept of not correcting small amts of astigmatism with toric contact lenses, but rather increasing the sphere. I then realize that you add to the spehere, and then drop the rx anyway as contacts are closer to eye, etc. But seems that the multifocal lenses that I have work differently as well. I beleive that I am corrected for near and distance in each eye, but with a modified mono vision effect. Am I right in understanding that my lenses have concentric rings, and the reading segment is not actually an add but seperate lens per say ? My contacts are more or less an entirely different rx that my glasses?
I have developed an interest as this seems to be the year (turned 50) that I develop all of the age related scenarios. I know you had mentioned that you had cataract surgery. I am now having questions about what I might expect with a new dx of "early cataracts"? Also was told I have a very small choroidal nevus (freckle) by the opthalmologist who tx'd me for an eye infection. Lots of things to watch, yet thankfully nothing of serious concern. Guess I'm just trying to determine what is in store for me.
I really appreciate all of the knowledge you have instilled in me . I have worked in healthcare for about 25 yrs., and am wanting to understand everything that goes on within my body and the changes that take place as we age.
Cactus Jack 09 Aug 2011, 08:45
very progressive,
Myopia and Astigmatism generally have two different causes. Myopia is generally caused by the eyeball being a bit too long by about 0.6 mm per diopter. Astigmatism is cause by uneven curvature of the front surface of the cornea. If you had no astigmatism, your Rx would just not have any cylinder or axis component and be close to the sphere of your Rx.
It is not possible to predict your exact Rx because, while myopia is caused by excessive length the actual Rx is determined by the degree of mismatch between the combined optical power of the cornea, crystalline lens, aqueous humor, and vitreous humor. Typically, that optical power is close to +40 and the eyeball is about 25 mm from the back of the crystalline lens to the retina, but everyone is different and there are many factors that can affect refractive error or the lack thereof and as they say in some ads, "Your results may vary",
You seem to be very curious about this stuff, could I suggest you do some studying on your own about Vision, How the eyes work, and a bit about optical physics. None of it is really very hard to understand and the web is a pretty good source. Even the math used in optical calculations is not very difficult. Mostly it is just add, subtract, multiply, and divide with just a little "squaring" involved in Vertex Distance effects calculations. Fortunately, with your low Rx (less than +/- 4, you don't even have to do that because the vertex distance effects between your glasses Rx and CL effects are insignificant.
My I ask the reason you are asking about your Rx without cylinder or axis correction??
C.
very progressive 08 Aug 2011, 23:37
Thanks cj . What would my rx be ( for glasses ) if i had no astigmatism?
Cactus Jack 08 Aug 2011, 16:47
Very Progressive,
A generally accepted sphere only Rx for contact lenses would be to use the - cylinder Rx and add 1/2 of the cylinder to the sphere. The result would be OD -1.50 and OS - 0.75.
C.
very progressive 08 Aug 2011, 14:53
Everyone has been kind enough to explain that my rxs by an optometrist with a - cylinder and an opthalmologist with a + cylinder , although look very different are the same. My rx again is OD -1.75 + .50 x 90 , and OS -1.00 + .50 x 92, and written in other format OD -1.25 - .50 x 180, and OS - .50 -.50 x 180 .
Can someone now please tell me what my rx would be for each eye, if I did not have the correction for astigmatism? just a spherical correction?
Neil 08 Aug 2011, 14:36
All the best with your new and improved vision.
Rimless are subtle and understated. Why not try wearing them and not worry or think too much. They are inconspicuous enough that many won't even notice, and they should be comfortable and lightweight as well.
Holly 08 Aug 2011, 12:57
I picked up my glasses last night. I had a delicate, rimless pair made up with the progressive lenses. It was a bit of a shock how clear everything looked. I could read the license plates on cars and text on the TV. Its been years since Ive been able to see really clearly in the distance. I think the deterioration was so gradual I didnt notice, but just compensated. I wore them driving to work today, but that is it. I am too nervous to wear them in front of anyone yet. I still have to warm up to the idea of glasses.
Tom 02 Aug 2011, 07:16
Cheers guys for you input. CJ thanks for your post, i will try perfecting the cylinder next time i get a new script.
I wear the glasses most of the time, and i really do like how things are clearer both distance and near, it is much clearer everywhere. I think my eyesight was 20/100 for distance.
One question i have, when reading things close, say at 25-30cm the computer is slightly blurry. when i get close, say 20cm all the way down to say 7cm everything is clear, actully at very close distances there is not much difference between with glasses and without.
why is this?
cheers
Tom
Soundmanpt 31 Jul 2011, 14:11
Puffin and Cactus Jack
I totally agree and yes I think we have all stated that many times in here. The key word is "recommend" That does not mean "must". I'm fairly certain this won't be the last time this comes up.
Puffin 31 Jul 2011, 13:12
I'm not a professional but have spent many years reading and thinking about glasses, hearing advice and discussions about glasses and vision.
I think the recommendations are based on what the average person would consider to be useful, comfortable vision without needing to constantly take them off and put them back on. The person's age and what progression is expected is taken into account, ie if you don't wear them full time today, next time might be different, so perhaps we should pre-empt that. Also there are symptoms to consider, like headaches, tiredness, eyestrain that might be resolved with glasses. Astigmatism is often the tipping factor between not quite full time and full time wear.
So, it is usually about minus 2 and possibly a bit less if there is astigmatism present. Astigmatism is a funny thing, some people can deal with it no problem, some people need correction for a small amount or get a headache.
Some opticians vary in what they recommend, and no matter what the suggestion - it is up to the wearer to suck it and see.
Cactus Jack 31 Jul 2011, 12:41
Clare,
As I have said on numerous occasions, I am not a professional so I don't know if there is an "official" Rx ant which a person should wear full time.
However, I think it depends very much on your occupation and visual environment. Vision developed according to the needs of the species. Flying predators need to be able to see very small prey from high altitudes to survive. Humans needed to be able to spot potential meals from reasonable distances before we developed farming techniques, today many people do not need to much farther than across the room. The best answer I can give is, "it depends".
In some activities you need to wear glasses with a -0.25 Rx (13 ft or 4 meter focal distance). In others, watchmaking for example, and Rx of -6 might be very handy (6.5 in or 16.6 cm) uncorrected.
It really depends on personal preferences no mater what any "professional" suggests. Some people like being able to "count the bricks" in a building a block away. Others really don't care who that blob is across a small room.
There could be an element of isolationism or escapism in the choice to not wear vision correction. Many people seem believe that if they don't see a threat, the threat does not exist. I see that a lot when driving. Some people seem to believe that if they do not look for other cars at intersections, there will not be one there. Maybe they have been studying Quantum Mechanics and believe some of the theories that nothing exists or not, until you look at it. If that has tweaked your curiosity, Google: Schrodinger's Cat. It is also possible that if they are talking on a cell phone, there is a protective force field radiated by the cell phone that makes paying attention to what is happening around you unnecessary.
C.
Clare 31 Jul 2011, 11:05
Cactus, Soundmanpt - I've always wondered what governed recommendations to wear glasses full time.
I once had an optician tell me I should wear mine even when walking down the street when my prescription was around -1.50. I thought he was crazy but other people certainly don't. But if the focal distance for that prescription is only about 20" that doesn't sound very much, in fact even 36" doesn't seem much if that's the furthest someone can see detail clearly.
Recognising that its everyone's personal choice - and Cactus I know you'll be the first to say that, is there any professional guidance irrespective of road safety regulations?
Cactus Jack 31 Jul 2011, 10:30
Tom,
Full time wear would probably be useful because of your astigmatism which affects vision at all distances. Astigmatism is most noticeable because of its effects on seeing small things like text. As always, when you wear your glasses is up to you.
The cause of astigmatism is not known, but it typically changes very slowly. However, what does change is your ability and experience in participating in eye exams.
There are two parts to an eye exam. The objective part where the examiner using either an Auto-Refractor or an Opthalmoscope to look into your eyes and selects the lenses that provide the best focus of images on the retina. The objective part of the exam does not require anything on your part and all it does is give the examiner a starting point.
The key part of the exam is the subjective part it requires your participation by telling the examiner what you see. Determining the axis or angle of any astigmatism really requires some experience and skill on your part. Few examiners will tell you what to expect and how to help him find the correct axis.
Most of the subjective part of the test requires you to judge the relative clarity of the letters on the chart with different lenses. The axis part of the exam requires you to judge relative blurriness which is much harder and the lower the cylinder power, the harder it is to judge the axis exactly, but there are some things you can do to make your axis Rx as accurate as possible.
The axis part starts when the examiner moves a supplemental lens into your line of vision. If he is using a phropter, the supplemental lens is mounted at a 45 degree angle and it can be flipped back and forth 45 degrees each side of the target axis. If he is using a trial frame, most examiners will have the lens mounted on a shaft where he can quickly flip the lens 45 degrees each side of the target axis.
Here is the hard part, you have to judge which side of the target axis is the most blurry and that depends to a big extent which letters you are concentrating on. Letters like E and K are hard because as he flips the lens back and forth, the lines will get alternately clear and blurry depending on their angle. I have found it is easier it concentrate on an O if possible. Depending on your answer he will adjust the angle a ask you to judge again until you say they are equally blurry.
To get the axis very accurate, I ask the examiner, usually before the exam starts, if he will let me fine tune the axis at the appropriate point in the exam. Most will and will appreciate your willingness to help make the Rx a very accurate one.
All he has to do when he believes he has the cylinder and axis very close it place your hand on the axis adjusting know and all you have to do is move it back and forth a little until the image is the sharpest. A bit like adjusting the dial position on a radio for the best sound or the fine tuning on a pre-digital TV for the best picture.
Remember, the examiner has no way to see what you see so you must tell him.
The proof of the accuracy of the Rx is how well you see with your glasses.
Hope this helps on your next exam.
tom 30 Jul 2011, 21:55
Hi,
Just wondering what the chances of my prescription changing in the future are, and also why my angle of astigmatism has changed so much since my last eye test, about 1.5 years ago.
My old prescription was:
L 0.75 -0.50x10
R 0.25 -0.50x10
New one:
L 0.75 -0.75x172
R 0.50 -0.75x5
My optometrist has advised me that it is problery worth wearing them full time, which i do most of the time, and they are much clearer than my last prescription, but i am curious why the angle has changed so much in my astigmatism.
Not that i really mind that much, but what are the chances of my prescription changing in the future? Im 24 years old
Cheers
Tom
Puffin 26 Jul 2011, 17:29
I would second that. At that age, the eyes are pretty used to doing whatever they are doing even if it isn't seeing 20/20, it will take a little while to get them to do something else.
Neil 26 Jul 2011, 15:05
To be honest, I don't understand why Holly --or anyone else-- should follow the (mostly nonprofessional) prescription advice of people here, who have not actually examined her.
All I can say is that I have virtually the same prescription as Holly's, which I got filled last year, at the same age as Holly is now, and I am in the same occupation as Holly is.
The only difference is that I wore single vision glasses for many years until I got the progressives last year. Prior to that, I used to take off my glasses for extended close work. Eventually even this became an inconvenience for things like checking BBM/text messages while going about, alternating between reading and television, etc. From my point of view the progressives are well worth it.
To Holly I would simply advise going with your eye care provider's recommendation for now. Give yourself some time to get used to the glasses, then wear them as you see fit. If for some reason the prescription still does not work out, go back to your doctor for an adjustment.
Willy 26 Jul 2011, 14:28
Holly -- I am farsighted and wear progressives full time and am very satisfied with them. But for someone like yourself who is nearsighted I would recommend not getting progressives at this point but rather start with single vision. First, you haven't mentioned whether you drive, but if you do, you absolutely need the distance correction.
Second, because your reading add would almost exactly counter your distance prescription, looking through the bottom of progressives would be like looking through plain glass, but with side distortion due to the effect of the progressive. For those of us who are dependent on plus correction for distance, and more for near, it is worth the trade-off to have one pair of glasses with no lines, but taking your glasses off should give you a better close work experience and wider field of vision.
Another point to consider is that for at least several years, you have had "built in" reading glasses because of your myopia and your eyes have not had to accommodate as much to read up closely and thus have lost some of that ability. But as your eyes get used to the minus glasses at distance, if you try to read through them, some of that function may come back. Probably not all of it, given your age, but enough that you would not need the total add you were prescribed. In any event, given that this is your first prescription, and your eyes may change, perhaps best to defer the added cost of progressives.
Eventually as presbyopia increases and your add outweighs your distance prescription to give you a net plus at near, progressives will become necessary, but I might hold off. Let us know!
Galileo 26 Jul 2011, 13:25
Hi Holly. everyone is making good points. With my lower myopic Rx I have never felt the need to wear glasses for most things including outdoor stuff like off road cycling. I wear them for driving so I can see road signs as early as possible and I wear them at the cinema because the clarity of the picture is better and I can read subtitles (easily). The rest of the time they stay in the case, so I am not taking them on and off all the time. My eyes do feel tired at the end of a long day on the computer or whatever; but never so bad as to give me a headache of make me feel I want to adopt reading glasses (yet). It is a noticable difference when I'm driving and watching movies, but at railway stations and airports I just go closer to the screens.
Holly 26 Jul 2011, 13:10
Soundmanpt,
Maybe I will hold off getting glasses. Most of the things I do is close up which I can see perfectly and with a fair amount squinting I can get by for distance. Will glasses really make much of a difference with such a low presciption of -1.5?
Soundmanpt 26 Jul 2011, 12:15
Holly
Seeing that your job is mostly close work with much eye strain I highly recommend going with the progressives. As Aubrac said all the add is doing is equaling out for your distance correction. You will be surprised after a week of wearing your glasses and be asking yourself how you got by without them.
Are you a bit nervous about needing to wear glasses for the first time? Don't worry after the first day or two it will be old news.
Holly 26 Jul 2011, 12:00
Soundmanpt,
I never had a complete exam like this before, I always did fine on the eye chart at a physical and never had a second thought about it. I do a lot of close work all day and sometimes late into the evening. I am an accountant.
I am beginning to understand why the progressives are a good idea. Taking off the -1.5 glasses every time I wanted to read or see clearly up close would get very annoying as the majority of the day is up close. My doctor did not mention anything about driving but when looking out the window from my computer I see where it will be necessary to wear glasses for driving. Detail is very hard to try to make out the further away it is.
Aubrac 26 Jul 2011, 09:23
Holly
You will probably find quite a difference regarding detail at distance and be surprised at what you can see clearly.
The add only cancels out the -1.50 meaning you are reading with the equivalent of no glasses, quite rightly because as you said you can read without any problem.
If you just had -1.50 you would find that you could not read or see clearly up close, and would have to take your glasses off every time you wanted to read, therefore it is a lot easier to prescribe bifocals and use them for near and far vision.
After 43 you may well find that as the crystalline lens stiffens, your add may increase but wearing your glasses will not postpone or bring forward what for most people is an eventuality. Better just to enjoy good vision all the time now.
Soundmanpt 25 Jul 2011, 19:01
Holly
Well at 43 logic would say that your close vision would be more likely to need help and your distance should be okay. But nothing is etched in stone and several things can enter into it. For one if you have not had an exam for several years it is possible you have needed glasses for distance for a while and not known it until it got a bit worse. Also it could be whatever type of work you do that could have effected your vision. So I am correct that your doctor feels you may be better off with full time wear from the beginning. That would explain why he wants you to get an add put into them. He must feel that your eyes will not easily adjust to reading with your glasses on and felt like it might be easier to get progressives and not have to take them off all the time to read something. You didn't say what type of work you do? That would help to know, if you are doing close work all day then I think the progressives is a very good idea. But whatever you decide it is now going to be necessary to wear glasses for driving. Your vision is not bad at all but I am sure you will quickly find that glasses will make everything much clearer from the start.
Remember to have a look at some of the on-line retailers as that will save you a good deal of money on single vision or progressive glasses.
Holly 25 Jul 2011, 17:21
Soundmanpt,
My doctor recommended progressive glasses and to wear them all the time or sigle vision for distance without the add and take them off for any close task. I thought when you get older you should not be able to see close up so easily, not have issues with distance – what happened?
I am in the US (Washington state). I am still trying to make sense of all this in my mind since I have no issues with up close and the distance issues did not seem major, I was always able to work around them some way.
Galileo - Thanks much - single vision sounds like the way to go if they will really make any difference for driving and cinema. Your Rx is less than mine, but does it make a big difference for you? I just don't have anything to compare to right now.
Galileo 25 Jul 2011, 13:01
Hi Holly, my distance Rx is less than yours - around -0.75 and -0.50 and my optician has been prescribing +1 add for the last ten years. I never had the add in my glasses, I read and do close work without glasses which I only really wear for driving and cinema. I'm 57 years old.
It's a choice.
Soundmanpt 25 Jul 2011, 12:18
Holly
Did the doctor recommend when you need to wear glasses? It would seem he feels you should wear them full time and as as your eyes adjust to the distance in your glasses reading up close may become more difficult and that is why he gave you a small add. Of course the option would be to get only the single vision glasses without the add and you might find you need to remove them to read. Also he/she may have found that even though you feel like your eyes are fine for up close the exam may have found your eyes could use the help. In answer to your question about how much they will help your distance I think you would quickly find that they will help a good deal. At -1.50 and -1.25 you not safe to be driving without glasses anymore.
I am not sure what country your in but in the US once you have been prescribed glasses for distance and the doctor tells you need them for driving even though your driver's license doesn't have it as a restriction you are now required to get glasses and wear them for driving to be within the law. Many people don't know that and think they don't need to wear glasses until they need to renew their license again.
Holly 25 Jul 2011, 11:16
I was just given my first prescription for glasses at 43. I went to the doctor explaining I realized I was not able to see as well as my friends in the distance; street signs, signs in the grocery store isle, skiing down the mountain, they could see everything first.
My doctor wrote a prescription of L -1.50 sphere, R -1.25 sphere and add of 1.50 for both eyes.
I didn’t expect a Rx for bifocals when everything up close is clear! I do lots of close up work without any trouble. Would it even make sense to get these made up? How much of a difference is it really going to make in the distance? Up close I seem to be fine. I am wondering if this sounds like a reasonable prescription for someone who had noticed minimal distance issues but nothing about near?
New 22 Jul 2011, 11:36
As was perhaps predicted by the optician, I'm finding that I am wearing my glasses quite a lot after initially thinking they'd be for driving only. I actually found the blur annoying after taking them off for a dance class yesterday. Tomorrow Im going to an all day music festival and Im guessing that Ill need glasses to see the various musicians properly. Might end up wearing them all day!
Melyssa 22 Jul 2011, 07:09
Soundmanpt,
Yea, I am very happy with my new, large, gray/clear drop-temples.
The old ones are not brittle, but they are now too narrow for my pretty face. I haven't worn them in over 25 years because of that. I just like to keep old glasses if the frames are pretty (and not broken) and the lenses are still in them.
Soundmanpt 21 Jul 2011, 15:41
Melyssa
So are you happy with pair number 14 now that you have your rx in them? So are you going to try and update your 27 year old pair or is the frame too old and brittle by now? Having the plastic vintage glasses is really nice but sadly often times they can't have the lenses changed out.
Melyssa 21 Jul 2011, 14:30
While picking up my 14th pair of drop-temples today, I had the optician check out my 27-year-old too-small drop-temples, so I could find out what my RX was when I began wearing my favorite style. Here it is:
-5.50 -2.50 175
-6.50 -1.50 180
Seems my prescription got much stronger over the next 8 years, or those lenses were too "conservative" as it were.
Karynnina 21 Jul 2011, 06:09
I just got my new prescription:
O.D. -4.75 -2.00 170
O.S. -4.75 -2.50 175
ADD: +2.50
This has decreased for the 2nd straight year, and it's the 1st time I can recall both eyes having the same diopters.
Karynnina
Cactus Jack 14 Jul 2011, 18:39
very progressive,
OD - 1.25 -.50 x 180 and OS -.50 -.50 x180 and OD - 1.75 +.50 x 90, and OS -1.00 + .50 x 90 really are the same exact lens. I think the thing that is confusing you is the effect of cylinder correction on the sphere component of the lens.
Your question is a real challenge to answer. Why can two different Rx correct one eye, perfectly? It is an excellent example of a question that takes 20 seconds to ask and two hours (or more) to answer and still be understandable. Fundamentally, the difference is caused by the two different cylinder powers, + and -, used by Eye Care Professionals used to determine astigmatism correction. MDs tend to use + cylinder and ODs tend to use - cylinder. Lens makers almost always use - cylinder in making the lenses.
If the examiner uses + cylinder lenses you will wind up with one sphere Rx. If the examiner uses - cylinder lenses you will wind up with a different sphere Rx, but in both cases they would fix YOUR refractive error. Fortunately, it is easy to convert from + to - cylinder and vice versa.
I will work on a detailed answer to justify your trust on this, but right now I trying to NOT start with: In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and one of the things that fell out was Optical Physics and other mysterious things like that.
C.
very progressive 14 Jul 2011, 15:01
CJ,
Thanks!! I will order as you suggest. I am still trying to understand the rx's as written. I am confused. As you mentioned , I did conversion correctly, but don't get how the rx is the same. When adding the sphere to the cylinder I get totally different #'s that appear to have a .50 diopter difference in each eye? Is this because of the change in axis??? Also, would the .5 diopters in distance rx if I am understanding,not explain the decreased need for add? My contact lens rx is totally different, ( I mean totally) than either of these rx's. I do like to educate myself with these things, as I have worked in healthcare for better than 20 yrs. Maybe I should just not question everything, and just trust the Drs who write the rx's??
Cactus Jack 14 Jul 2011, 12:06
very progressive,
You did the conversion from - to + cylinder correctly. The procedure is the same to go from + to - cylinder. Add the cylinder to the sphere, change the sign on the cylinder and add or subtract 90 degrees to the axis so it stays 180 degrees or less. BTW it is poor form to omit the axis number if it is 0 or 180 (both are horizontal) because it is an angular direction and cylinder must always have an axis. Some ECPs use axis ranges 0 to 179 others use 1 to 180.
OD - 1.25 -.50 x 180 and OS -.50 -.50 x180 and OD - 1.75 +.50 x 90, and OS -1.00 + .50 x 90 are optically identical. OD -1.75 + .50 x 92 ,and OS -1.00 + .50 x 90 from the opthalmologist is so close to the Rx from the OD as to be of no concern.
Lens makers almost always work with - cylinder. If they get a + cylinder Rx they just convert it and make or dispense the lenses. You can order glasses either way and the results would be the same. If you ordered glasses with 90 or 92 axis, it is so close you would not be able to tell the difference with only 0.50 of cylinder.
Probably, the reason you have not had an answer to your earlier post is that you question about a change is very confusing. If the two exams were 5 months apart, you have had almost no change in your Rx. The add difference is pretty small. I don't know the reason for the difference, but it is possible that bifocal contacts are only available in add increments of +0.50.
Order the Rx sunglasses with the OD - 1.25 -.50 x 180 and OS -.50 -.50 x 180 Rx and you should be fine. The add is up to you, but I would go with +2.25 if you have been happy with the glasses and they have been comfortable for your preferred reading distance.
C.
very progressive 14 Jul 2011, 07:35
Hi all - Can someone please help me out with questions on my previous post? Hate to be a pest, but am looking to get rx sunglasses and don't know what rx to use? I don't want to wear contacts on the beach, due to sand and salt water. I go frequently.
Are rxs different? Could it be that my rx actually changed in 5 mths time or is it the Drs translation from what he discovered at my exam?
I really didn't feel that I needed a new rx for glasses. I went to the new Dr as he is supposed to be an expert in fitting bifocal or multifocal contacts. He would not see me as a new pt without a complete eye exam, and refraction. He wanted to determine rx for glasses on his own. As I mentioned the tech (with some anxiety) read my glasses rx'd in January. New Dr told me that rx for r eye was accurate and unchanged and l eye needed "tweaking". If my calculations are correct, r eye is .50 diopters different as is l eye, and add has changed accordingly.
Please help me out, as I really appreciate all of your knowledge and advise. I don't like to question my Drs alot, as I do trust them.
Again Thanks So Much !
very progressive 10 Jul 2011, 21:55
Can someone tell me if I have this - to + cylinder coversion correct? If my rx is OD - 1.25 -.50 x 180 and OS -.50 -.50 my converted rx with a plus would be OD - 1.75 +.50 x 90, and OS -1.00 + .50 x 90 Is this correct? I found that the new optometrist that fitted my multi- focal contacts gave me the rx in the - form where the opthalmologist who uses a + cylinder rx'd me as OD -1.75 + .50 x 92 ,and OS -1.00 + .50 x 90. Does this mean that the sphere OD would be -1.25 and OS -.50 ? If this is correct, I would have an additional -.50 diopter of correction in each eye? Does this all sound correct , or am I misunderstanding? I know that it has been mentioned several times that if you go to 3 different doctors on the same day you are liable to get 3 different rx's. I'm somewhat confused as after the tech read my glasses from original Dr.the new Dr (expertise in contacts) said that my right eye was same and my left eye rx needed a little tweaking? Also my add went from 2.25 to 2.00. Would this be relatively the same as the distance rx had increased?
Thanks to anyone that can explain.
New 06 Jul 2011, 15:19
Melyssa
They are my first pair of glasses so don't have another pair to look at frames with!
I am realising more and more that they help. I forgot to take them to work today and couldn't read most of a presentation even with squinting. We have a networking event tomorrow and think I will brave wearing them as at the last one I didn't recognise one of my clients across the (admittedly quite large!) room. He asked if I needed glasses (killer squint I'm guessing) and laughed, we both had a laugh when I told him I'd just been prescribed some!
JackGlasses 01 Jul 2011, 22:08
For the first test, I wore my new glasses (+0.5 and +0.25) with the astigmatism and on top of that added my old glasses (+0.75)in both eyes and it made it much blurrier.
The second test will be done soon.
Cactus Jack 01 Jul 2011, 21:34
JackGlases,
6/6 or 20/20 is just an approximate indication of Visual Acuity (VA). 6/6 means that you can read a particular line of letters on a Snellen Chart, at a distance of 6 meters, that a large portion of the population can also read at 6 meters. It can mean that your Rx is very close to 0.00 and needs no correction for distance, but the fact that you have a low + sphere in your glasses for close work indicates that it may not be 0.00 and I am trying to get an idea of where you are to answer your question about distance correction and full time wear based on informatin rather than conjecture. You could obviously use some correction for your astigmatism at all distances, as indicated by the cylinder and axis, but the reason you need some sphere correction is not clear.
Frankly, I suspect that you are a little hyperopic, but that you have plenty of accommodation at your age to compensate for it without correction which would mean that you really don't need distance glasses NOW. The key word there is NOW. If you are hyperopic it is very likely that you will need distance correction at some time in the future and will need more plus for reading before that. Those crude tests can help me understand your vision better and offer useful suggestions and thoughts on what to expect. The decisions about what action to take is yours.
C.
JackGlasses 01 Jul 2011, 19:08
Hi thanks,
I will do that and post the results. I was just wondering why the eye doctor would not have written a distance prescription for me if it was necessary. She did write down that my visual acuity was 6/6. Does that mean that my distance vision is fine other than the astigmatism?
Cactus Jack 01 Jul 2011, 18:22
JackGlasses,
I am trying to figure out your approximate distance Rx with almost no tools except commonly available + lenses and commonly available tape measures and rulers. The procedures are a bit crude, but they can give us some clues about your distance refractive error if you have any.
In test 1, you need to be looking at a DISTANT sign or something in the DISTANCE. The low plus lenses in your old glasses worn over your new glasses will have the effect of making you a bit more nearsighted or a little less hyperopic depending on which side of 0.00 your distance Rx is. If you are a little hyperopic, the +0.50 or +0.75 lens may increase sharpness a little. If you are a little nearsighted, it will increase the blur a little.
In test 2. Your new glasses will correct your astigmatism and the + 1.50 or +2.00 readers over them will have the optical effect of making you temporarily nearsighted and move your DISTANCE focus point to within an easily measured distance. Then I will ask you to hold a book or newspaper at a distance where the text is sharp and gradually move it away until you notice the fine print beginning to get a little fuzzy around the edges. I will ask you to measure the distance, as accurately as you can, from your eyes to the paper and note the distance. I will ask you to do this three times and average the distance and give me the distance you measured.
Depending on the power of the readers, the distance will probably be between 16 inches (40 cm) and 30 inches (75 cm). Using these numbers, I can calculate your effective sphere Rx with the glasses and then back out the sphere Rx of your glasses and the sphere Rx of the readers and the result will be your approximate distance sphere Rx. Using that number, we can suggest what you should consider ordering.
If you don't have your PD, a short ruler and a bathroom mirror will solve that problem in a couple of minutes.
All I am doing here is using the principles of optical physics and a little simple middle school math.
C.
JackGlasses 01 Jul 2011, 16:51
Hi Cactus Jack,
Could you explain what i should be doing precisely for these two tests?
Should i be looking at a distance?
Thanks
Cactus Jack 01 Jul 2011, 16:38
JackGlasses,
Most people who need very low astigmatism correction are shocked at how much even a little astigmatism can mess up their vision and detract from their visual comfort.
You can certainly order some glasses for distance and maybe some bifocals or progressives if you wish and we will help. Before you do, I would like to ask you to perform two simple tests to help get an idea of your distance Rx.
1. With your new glasses on, try looking through the lenses of your old glasses at a distant sign. You can just put them on over your new glasses and cover one eye at time and tell me the results.
2. I would like you to consider getting a pair of +1.50 or +2.00 readers and doing a simple test for me. You will need a tape measure and a book or newspaper with normal size print.
Also, if your Pupillary Distance (PD) is not listed on your Rx, you will need a relatively short rule marked in mm to measure it. We'll tell you how.
C.
JackGlasses 01 Jul 2011, 15:29
Hi, Ive been wearing them for working and reading for the past few days and they do make a huge difference, especially the astigmatism. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to get glasses done for distance for correcting my astigmatism. Would it make as big a difference as it does for close work?
thanks
Cactus Jack 28 Jun 2011, 09:52
JackGlasses,
Unfortunately, there is no way to rush this process. You could rush it a little, maybe, with a dilated exam.
As low as your Rx is, it is most likely that your astigmatism correction is at work. Remember, astigmatism causes problems at all distances with the clarity of text.
If you are uncomfortable with the distance vision blur, just wear them for closer work. To some extent, what you are experiencing is one of the problems with a very low + sphere Rx. We really don't know enough at this point to know if the benefits are from the astigmatism correction or the very small amount of help you are getting from the + sphere correction for closer work.
The university environment is visually very demanding with lots of close work mixed in with the need to read a lot of distant text written or projected at the front of a lecture hall. The result was that some rather young people had to get what is called functional bifocals. Typically, they only wore the glasses during lectures and wore single vision glasses, if they needed them, outside the classroom. In general the bifocal segment was in the +1.00 to +1.50 range because they had plenty of accommodation, but the small amount of + help substantially reduced the fatigue of rapidly shifting from distance to their notes.
If you want to try some functional bifocals, they can also be ordered from an on line retailer without a formal Rx. We can help you with an Rx.
At this point, I would not suggest going back to your ECP for any changes. It is just too soon. Most reputable ECPs will remake glasses, if needed, within a reasonable period of time, but you don't want to abuse it.
C.
JackGlasses 27 Jun 2011, 22:49
Hi Cactus Jack,
your post did make it easier to understand and I really appreciate the time taken to write it. I have noticed something else I hadnt before. My intermediate vision, about 2 meters is better with my glasses than without. For example, reading the fine print of a poster 2 meters away or reading the cover of a book is much clearer with them on than without. Would that be an indication of anything.
I wouldnt really want to have to walk in some blurriness for a few weeks before knowing whether or not i should wear them full time.
Again, thank you for the great explanation.
Cactus Jack 27 Jun 2011, 18:37
JackGlasses,
There is no need to apologize for multiple posts or the number of questions you are asking. You are beginning to discover the wonders of really good vision and while you did not start from seeing the world as blurry as some, I think you are beginning to understand the fascination and the desire some of us develop for the pleasure of effortless, super sharp vision.
Unfortunately, there is no really quick way for you to tell if you have latent hyperopia. It is possible that a dilated exam might give a clue, but, depending on where you live, the exam might have to be done by an opthalmologist.
Hyperopia and latent hyperopia are extremely hard for someone who is not familiar with the functions of each part of the eye and a little optical physics to understand. Maybe this will help, but you will need to bear with me.
Around 1700, Isaac Newton discovered and developed the formulas that relate + lens power to its focal distance. It is really easy math and the basic definition of a diopter is a +1 diopter lens focuses parallel light rays from a distant object at a distance of 1 meter (1000 mm) . In math terms FD=1000 mm/Lens Power. Using math, if you know any two of those terms you can solve for the third. Now lets apply that to an eyeball. A normal eyeball is about 25 mm in diameter. If you wanted to focus light from a distant object (more than 20 feet or 6 meters for our purposes. What power lens would you need? 1000 mm/25 mm = +40 diopters. If the eye was a little less than 25 mm, you would need a little more than +40 and if it was a little more than 25 mm you would need a little less. I have just defined hyperopia for the slightly too small eyeball and myopia for the slightly to large eyeball. In both instances, the hyperopia or myopia is caused by a mismatch between the power of the eye's lens system and size (length) of the eyeball.
Lets pause for a moment and consider the elements of the eye's lens system and their function. There are 4 elements in the eye's lens system. The first and most powerful is the cornea, the front clear part of the eye, next the aqueous humor, a thin watery fluid that makes a very small contribution, the crystalline lens, also powerful, but not as much as the cornea, and finally the vitreous humor, the jelly like substance that fills the inside of the eyeball. The vitreous humor makes a bigger contribution than the aqueous humor, but not much. For the most part, we can ignore the humors in this discussion. That leaves the cornea and the crystalline lens.
The cornea is a fixed focus lens of about +25 diopters. The crystalline lens is a variable focus lens with a relaxed power of about +15 diopters. Until presbyopia sets in and turns it into a fixed focus lens, the ciliary muscles that surround the crystalline len have the ability to squeeze the lens and increase its power, but they have no ability to stretch the lens and reduce its power. Ideally, for distance it is fully relaxed and at its minimum + power. to focus closer, the ciliary muscles squeeze the crystalline lens and increase its power. How much? Children have crystalline lenses that have the stiffness of gelatin dessert and the ciliary muscles can easily increase its plus power by +10 or + 12 diopters, but as we get older, presbyopia causes the lens to get stiffer and the focus range decreases. Newton's law comes into play here and there is a direct relationship (using the formula) between the focus distance and how much extra plus is needed to focus. For example typical reading distance is about 16 inches or 40 cm. If you use the formula, you will see that it takes an extra +2.50 to focus there and about +1.50 extra to focus for using a computer display at typical viewing distance.
Now to hyperopia and latent hyperopia. As I said above, a person with hyperopia needs some extra plus to focus properly on distant object, and +2.50 more than that to read at 16 inches. It has to come from somewhere. Fortunately, you have a handy built in variable focus lens (if presbyopia hasn't begun to rear its head) that can increase it plus power and if you have hyperopia it does it automatically (accommodates) without your being aware. If presbyopia has begun to set in and your ciliary muscles can squeeze hard enough, you need external + help. The need will appear first for reading, then gradually become apparent for intermediate distances and finally + lenses will be necessary for distance.
If the ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses have been accommodating for years, they get ot the point where it is hard for them to relax. They will over time, but they may not relax much during an eye exam. A dilated exam helps a little by blocking the nerve signals to the ciliary muscles and paralyzes them for a few hours. After that everything goes back to the way it was.
Why can you "un-accommodate" and reduce the + power of your crystalline lenses? The eye is just not built that way. If it was, people with myopia could un-accommodate and not need minus glasses.
Your situation is pretty common where low + Rx are involved. It is so low that you can't really tell if you have the beginnings of presbyopia or you have some hyperopia mixed in.on top of it, both require some external + to correct.
If you wear you glasses for a few weeks full time and you find that your distance vision is improving, it is highly likely that you had a some latent hyperopia and your ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses are gradually relaxing. This means that you probably should be wearing + glasses full time. It will take time to tell. The short term improvement you are experiencing is caused by the astigmatism correction. Astigmatism messes up vision at all distances and you have no internal means to correct it.
Sorry this ran so long. I hope it made sense. Overall, I think you are doing just fine. Enjoy!
C.
JackGlasses 27 Jun 2011, 16:30
Its me again,
Ive compared with my old glasses. These used to make the text bigger, but not much crisper, the colors were still pale whereas with the new ones the colors are much darker and precise between the letters from close and far. As such I would want to wear them for distance as well as for close. Is there a way for me to know if have latent hyperopia which would allow me to accomodate for distances or if I just need the plus prescription for when working.
Thanks again,
sorry for the multiple posts
JackGlasses 27 Jun 2011, 13:03
I have just been playing with them, switching from on and off and the color of the letters go from a dull gray to a very defined black. Is that the astigmatism correction? The colors at a distance at are also a lot sharper. Also, how can I know if i have latent hyperopia or just a plus correction?
Thank you
Cactus Jack 27 Jun 2011, 11:33
JackGlasses,
The close contrast should be better if this Rx is correct. The reduction in contrast would tend to indicate that the astigmatism correction (cylinder and axis) is not right.
If you do not have any latent hyperopia, it is not possible for you to become accustomed to wearing them for distance.
Give it a couple of days and lets chat again. I may have some suggestions.
C.
JackGlasses 27 Jun 2011, 10:45
Hi, I have just received my glasses and have started wearing them. The vision from close seems fine even though the contrast is less prevalent than with my previous pairs. The distance vision is blurry right now but I will try to get accustomed to it.
Melyssa 27 Jun 2011, 07:11
New,
What Aubrac says is very good advice. Not only that, have your friend (or saleswoman if you're by yourself) model a frame that you're interested in, so you can see how it looks while wearing your own glasses which naturally will help you see the frame better.
Aubrac 26 Jun 2011, 15:24
New
The worst thing for a first time glasses wearer is that they have no idea how they look wearing glases.
Best thing is to take a friend along, preferably someone who wears glasses, and they can help with the choice.
To be honest, you'll always look better than you think you do, and when you wear glasses for the first time you will be amazed at how clearly you see yourself - a bit of a surprise for the first time!!
JackGlasses 25 Jun 2011, 10:46
That sounds good. Im getting them monday and will try to wear them as much as possible initially. With my last pair of glasses I was never able to get used to seeing distances with them, but I figured that with the lower plus Rx here and the astigmatism, I might be able too.
Cactus Jack 25 Jun 2011, 08:48
JackGlasses,
How much to wear your glasses is really up to you. Certainly, you should wear them when using the computer or reading. Wearing them for distance depends on your distance vision with them. IF you are some latent hyperopic, they might not make much difference initially until your ciliary muscles relax, which could take several weeks.
If your distance vision is OK with them, I would suggest wearing them full time for about 2 weeks and then make a decision on continuing to wear them full time or just for reading and computer work. One big advantage to wearing full time is that your glasses don't get scratched up and you rarely forget where you left them.
C.
JackGlasses 24 Jun 2011, 22:46
Hi, I have ordered a pair of glasses with that prescription. I was wondering if you would recommend wearing them all the time at first or just when I feel the need for them?
Thanks
Phil 24 Jun 2011, 17:50
New, Stick with them. Not only will you be able to see but I bet you've been showered with compliments!
New 24 Jun 2011, 13:11
Argh keep posting twice!
New 24 Jun 2011, 13:03
Phil
Picked them up today and everything very clear and sharp, although I had realised my eyesight was lacking after not being able to read the first line on the eyechart! I went for a little drive to test them out. They don't look too bad. Was looking around at how blurry things are at work today and will probably wear them for a little more than driving. My eyes felt very relaxed with them on and I did notice, as you said, leaves on trees etc.
Leo- where did I say I was worried?? I was more concerned at being so picky I didn't like any frames!
New 24 Jun 2011, 13:01
Phil
Picked them up today and everything very clear and sharp, although I had realised my eyesight was lacking after not being able to read the first line on the eyechart! I went for a little drive to test them out. They don't look too bad. Was looking around at how blurry things are at work today and will probably wear them for a little more than driving. My eyes felt very relaxed with them on and I did notice, as you said, leaves on trees etc.
Leo- where did I say I was worried?? I was more concerned at being so picky I didn't like any frames!
Leo 24 Jun 2011, 11:45
New,
Don't worry so much about it. Not such a big deal.
Phil 24 Jun 2011, 11:22
New, You should have sought advice here! What looks good depends on hair length and colour, face shape etc. You are sound in your view of contacts. But I suspect that you will have a bit of a shock when you collect the glasses and see how clear everything looks. I remember noticing leaves, pimples on faces, shop signs etc for the first time in years when I got my first (-2.25) glasses. You may end up wearing them more than you envisage. Let us know what happens!
New 24 Jun 2011, 02:39
Baker - Thought I would find at least one really nice pair, maybe it was just the selection at the opticians I went to. The assistant helping me suggested I could get contacts if I didn't like the idea of glasses. Putting a little piece of plastic in my eyes appeals even less than wearing glasses I think. I pick the glasses up today, which means I can drive again, yay. I had to get a lift with my boss yesterday to a client event and had to explain why I wasn't driving. She wears glasses all the time and was surprised that one of my eyes was 2.75 and I'd gone all this time without them as she said her prescription is about the same. I presume though thats because one of my eyes is better? If I shut my left eye then the right one seems really blurred but my sight is not as bad using both eyes.
baker 23 Jun 2011, 19:15
@New
I always have trouble picking frames (I almost always wear contacts). It's because you're not used to the way you look in glasses so even if they suit your face you feel like you look weird or off.
New 23 Jun 2011, 15:04
I went to pick out glasses today and couldn't find a single pair I liked! I didn't think I was picky but they don't feel right on my face and look odd. I did pick out a pair, basic metal rectangle frame with a thick side, but they will be confined to the glovebox when I'm not on the roads. Anyone else find it this difficult to pick? Just glad I don't have to wear them all the time otherwise I'd never have picked a pair at all!
Cactus Jack 22 Jun 2011, 17:05
JackGlasses,
At your age, even if you are a little hyperopic, you should still have plenty of accommodation range for you to be able to read and use a computer almost effortlessly. As I said in a previous post, you cannot compensate for astigmatism.
I suspect that your glasses are primarily to help you witih close work. If your distance vision is OK without your glasses, I suspect you may be just slightly hyperopic (farsighted), but there is no way to tell with the limited information and your very low Rx. A clue would be that your distance vision is a little bit better without your glasses than it is with them, but your astigmatism could affect that.
One thing to be aware of is that it is very difficult to determine the power and axis of very low astigmatism because to some extent accuracy depends on the skill of the patient in comparing relative degrees of blurriness rather than image clarity.
I suggest that you go ahead and order the low cost glasses and see how much they help. Proof of the pudding, etc.
C.
JackGlasses 22 Jun 2011, 15:36
Hi, I had gotten glasses for when working on the computer as my eyes felt tired. I am a university in environmnent but end up spending a lot of my time reading papers and working from my computer. I got a new exam as I felt my previous glasses just didnt give me the same clarity as they used to and found that my eyes got tired and my distance vision was blurrier than it used to be
Cactus Jack 22 Jun 2011, 14:52
JackGlasses,
What caused you to get glasses in the first place and what caused you to get a new exam? What is your occupation? If you are in University, what are you studying?
C.
JackGlasses 22 Jun 2011, 12:30
Hi agian,
my whole prescription is +0.5 sph, -0.5 cyl 165 axis and +0.25 ph, -0.25 cyl and 5 axis for the left eye.
I dont know if that is only a distance prescription or close prescription.
thanks again
Cactus Jack 22 Jun 2011, 11:11
Jackglasses,
I don't have enough information to make a suggestion in that regard. It depends on your distance Rx. It depends on many factors, but astigmatism affects both distance and near vision, but its effects are usually more noticeable when reading small text.
Distant signs might be sharper and more legible with astigmatism correction, but your sphere Rx for distance would have more effect. If you are a bit hyperopic, plus sphere might improve your distance vision. If you are a bit myopic, plus sphere would probably made your distance vision worse.
C.
Jackglasses 22 Jun 2011, 11:00
That makes sense,
Will that make my distance vision sharper as well or should i stick to using them for reading
Cactus Jack 22 Jun 2011, 10:56
Jackglasses,
The primary thing you will notice is that the lines (strokes) that make up the letters will be blacker and sharper. It will be particularly noticeable on small print. The thing that makes astigmatism more of a problem than being a little hyperopic, is that you have the built in ability to compensate for mild hyperopia using accommodation (until presbyopia nixes that), bur you have no way to compensate for astigmatism except by using external lenses for correction.
C.
JackGlasses 22 Jun 2011, 10:39
Thanks, I will do that.
How important is the astigmatism, it is small, but will I notice the difference?
THank you for the quick response
Cactus Jack 22 Jun 2011, 10:36
Jackglasses,
The difference is small, but it is primarily cylinder correction for astigmatism. Astigmatism is unique, in that a little bit goes a long way toward causing discomfort when you are doing a lot of reading.
My suggestion is to order some low cost glasses from an on line retailer such as Zenni. Zenni offers some very low cost single vision glasses - about US$6.95 plus shipping.
The only way to determine if the new Rx is helpful is to try it in your visual environment and then make your decision.
All they need is a few numbers and you already have most of them. If you need help, let us know.
C.
Jackglasses 22 Jun 2011, 10:22
Reposted from hyperopia thread
Hi,I just went to get my eyes checked and came back with a new prescription. My old one was +0.75 and +0.5 and now I'm at +0.5 =0.50 165 and +0.25 -025 5. I am 21 and spend a lot of time on the computer. I used my other glasses rarely, only when reading for extended periods. I am wondering if it is worth going for this new prescription or if the difference will be slight.
Thank you.
New 21 Jun 2011, 15:13
Clare. Thanks for that. I don't need to wear glasses for most stuff though so will just get a pair for distance. If my eyes get worse I might consider contact lenses but I have managed so far with no glasses at all so no need to wear them more than occasionally!
Clare 21 Jun 2011, 14:49
New - getting contacts with a view to taking them in/out isn't a good idea. With contacts you just put them in and you can see at all distances so you just don't need to bother with glasses - at all, which is great. I got contacts at around -2, you have one eye that's less and one eye that's more. Once you're used to glasses you might like the idea of glasses and seeing well all the time. I've worn contacts for 10+ years now and they are brilliant.
You should get those glasses soon, you'll really notice a difference.
New 21 Jun 2011, 13:05
Puffin- I do a reasonable amount of driving, which is why I was a bit put out at being told not to although completely understand the safety arguments! I haven't driven since the test but have also not picked out any glasses as not had chance yet. Am aware that driving glasses are necessary though. I think I will go in my lunch break at some point to pick the frames out but am not over picky as I usually drive alone so only a few friends will see me wearing them anyway. Contact lenses seem overkill as its only distance I am struggling with so won't bother with those, would it not be a pain taking them in and out for driving?
Soundmanpt 18 Jun 2011, 16:01
New
Actually I think they feel you should wear correction all the time now. Of course it is true you get contacts in the weakest of prescriptions, but I think you will find once you start wearing them for various things that you indicated that things will seem much more blurred to you then they do now. Also you have quite an imbalance between your eyes and that will also figure in as well. You have gotten very used to seeing like that for probably a good while now with things being balanced with your glasses on you will surely notice the difference when you take them off. I thing you may very soon find that they will make computer work much easier for you also. You should still be able to read close-up such as books etc. without glasses. You will see the difference day by day the more your eyes get relaxed looking through your glasses your eyes will soon not be very happy without them.
Puffin 18 Jun 2011, 06:04
New: Probably you'd be advised to start off with driving and distance viewing to start with, moving towards probable full time wear. There will probably be some increases, not big ones, as your visual system gets used to correction. Do you do much driving, watching TV and going to cinema? If so expect the process to be a little faster.
Contacts are given as option because the doc will be expecting full time wear sooner or later.
New 18 Jun 2011, 05:50
Julian, do you think by asking me if I wanted a contact lens trial they were thinking I would wear them all the time? I am very used to my eyesight the way it is, think it will be a shock to wear glasses at all, although I do realise that I probably need them.
Euro Traveller 18 Jun 2011, 05:44
Thnaks to Cactus Jack and Crystal Veil for your helpful comments/suggestions. I will let you know how I get on.
I am going to get my normal vision requirements sorted out and then I will look again at the GOC possibilities.
Julian 18 Jun 2011, 04:26
New: I'd have thought that with the difference between your eyes you'd be more comfortable wearing your glasses full time, even at the computer.
New 18 Jun 2011, 03:30
I am not due for another check for 2 years. I work in an office job in front of a computer all day so I dont need glasses for that. Im not really bothered about wearing them as it will just be for driving and sometimes the tv, so not many people will see me in glasses anyway. I dont think it is worth getting contact lenses as I wont be wearing them all the time. I am female, yes, but not too self conscious!
Soundmanpt 17 Jun 2011, 17:12
New
Well it helps that you are aware of your needs at least in part. Persona;;y I suggest that you start off with glasses and if you want contacts down the road that will be up to you. When did the doctor tell you to come back to be examined again, a year or 6 months? It is a pretty fair bet that you will need a change or two in your glasses as your eyes settle down. Currently your eyes are badly strained from working hard to see. As the relax some increases may be needed. Your at an age where your eyes shouldn't change much though. May Iask what type of work you do? Are you okay with the idea of wearing glasses now? You didn't say if your male or female, generally women are more shy about being seen for the first time in glasses.
New 17 Jun 2011, 15:27
Thanks for replying so quickly. I think I will be amazed at the difference when I get them. When I had the frames on my face, and said I couldnt read anything, she put one lense in it and everything came into sharp focus. I think they will be very useful for driving. I went to the theatre last week and I was really glad the seats were in the stalls as I couldnt have seen further back. Also I cant read any of the text on the tv so that will be nice. Its been years since Ive been able to see really clearly I think but the deterioration has been gradual. Is my prescription likely to get stronger? Im 26.
New 17 Jun 2011, 15:24
Thanks for replying so quickly. I think I will be amazed at the difference when I get them. When I had the frames on my face, and said I couldnt read anything, she put one lense in it and everything came into sharp focus. I think they will be very useful for driving. I went to the theatre last week and I was really glad the seats were in the stalls as I couldnt have seen further back. Also I cant read any of the text on the tv so that will be nice. Its been years since Ive been able to see really clearly I think but the deterioration has been gradual. Is my prescription likely to get stronger? Im 26.
Soundmanpt 17 Jun 2011, 15:00
New
They are telling you right most people don't know this but if when you your 23 and you renew your driver's license and you pass the vision part without a problem and then when your 24 because of maybe doing too much computer work you get an eye exam and find you need glasses for distance and they are maybe around -1.25 or -1.50, if the doctor tells you need them for driving and the such. Most people think or believe that since it is not on their driver's license they can still be okay if they don't wear their glasses for whatever reason. However if your involved in a serious accident and the other driver's lawyer finds that you were told to wear glasses for driving you will be in big trouble.
Not to sound pushy, but your rx prescription is very much one that will make a huge difference in your vision. I may be wrong but I think when you get your glasses/contacts you will be amazed at what you have been missing. May I also point out that if you want contacts, that's fine but you will also need glasses as a backup. Or of course you can always get just glasses if you choose to.
I totally agree with your doctor, don't drive until you get correction of some kind. I know you feel like your fine to drive now, but I think after you get your glasses within a very short time you will wonder how you were able to drive without them without hitting something.
Not sure why you didn't order glasses that day, but I really suggest that you don't put it off. They are extremely necessary in your case if you want to drive.
Let us know after you get your glasses how you like them?
New 17 Jun 2011, 14:29
Hi. Been googling for a bit of info. Been to the opticians for the first time in years today. I knew my distance vision was not very good, but was a bit shocked when the optician said that I shouldn't drive until I got glasses. I couldn't see any of the chart with my right eye and only a couple of lines with my left. I had thought when I went in I would just get glassrs for driving, but they offered me a contact lens trial and the lady on the reception desk commented when she saw my prescription card that is was a "fair old prescription" and the optician agreed. I didnt get any glasses as I was in a rush, but am a bit concerned about not driving til I get them! My prescription card said -2.75 and -1.50 and some random letters that look like oz and od. Can I really not drive until I get these? She said I would invalidate my insurance now I have had it documented at an opticians.
Crystal Veil 15 Jun 2011, 19:50
Euro Traveler,
the difference between my eyes is four diopters and I found the following quite helpful: give the minus eye the optimal correction and give the plus eye 0.25 to 0.50 less (= more plus) correction than it actually needs. This will provide you with a better balance between both images than the full correction and it's definitely better than monovision. It has to do with the difference between both images. The "plus" eye receives a bigger image and as a result, it becomes dominant in the overall view. By giving the "plus" eye a soft touch (say 90%) you get more harmony between both eyes. Sorry if this reads a bit cripple but it's the best way I can describe it. I agree with Cactus Jack about trying an online retailer first before spending heaps of money. I have a trial lens set at home and I usually go to an optician with my own measurements and I ask them to check if they are right. Nine times out of ten this is the case. Another hint: if you go to an optician, ask him / her if you can get a trial frame for say half an hour and check whatever they measured by taking a short walk around the shop or even outside the shop. This will give you far more information about the balance between the eyes than the alfabet in the testing room. Hope this is of any value to you.
Cactus Jack 15 Jun 2011, 18:28
Euro Traveller,
Actually, she did give you more minus in your right eye by reducing the plus sphere - same thing as increasing the minus.
I would urge you to consider ordering some low cost glasses on line from Zenni or other vendor with the new Rx and see how you like them. You are the only one who can really judge.
You don't have a very big difference, but if you are noticing the difference in images size, we may be able to offer some suggestions. The image sizes with the reduced sphere should be very close.
C.
Euro Traveller 15 Jun 2011, 14:29
I am nearsighted in one eye (which is dominant) and long sighted in the other (which doesn't really do very much at all). As a child I had a lazy right eye but the only treatement I received was patching and glasses until I was about 8. Since I was about 21 I have had glasses which I have used infrequently, largely becasue they make little practical difference and because of the imbalance in the lenses. However I am a glasses fan and I am trying to formulate two plans. the first I will talk about here, the other at a later stage on GOC. I am 39 and male.:
My current prescription (with no attempted cheating etc.) is:
R: +2.00 -0.75 axis 30
L: -0.25 no cylinder
The optometrist said that if she were me she wouldn't wear glasses as I have virtually 20/20 in my left eye even without the mild minus prescription although she did say that if I wanted glasses she would give me a prescription as follows with what she described as a balance lens (not a term I'd heard before)
R: +0.75 -0.75 axis 30
L: -0.25 no cylinder
I am thinking about ordering glasses and would feel confident ordering -0.50 for my left lens (my left eye accommodation is still very good) but I would like to have minus in the right as well but am conscious of the potential to make my right eye turn in. Could I get away with -0.5 plus the cylinder? I appreciate that the best way to find out may be a practical experiment but does anyone have any theoretical views or practical experiecne of their own that they would be willing to share?
Apologies for going on a bit but I wanted to give as full a picture as possible.
r 23 May 2011, 21:47
Curious: that was very close to what I would have guessed.
curious 23 May 2011, 10:12
Well, with some fast-talking from my wife she was able to get my daughter in on a busy Saturday at Pearle. I'm glad she did because my daughter needed a bigger increase than I expected. She's now -2.25 -1.25 R and -2.25 -1.00 L. My daughter picked out a pair she liked at Pearle (against my better wishes because of the price) and she got them right away Saturday afternoon. She said she can't believe how much better she can see out of the new glasses and she intends on wearing them until the new contacts come in sometime next week.
Cactus Jack 19 May 2011, 11:13
It,
P.S. I'm not sure I would wait two months. Particularly if you drive at night.
C.
Cactus Jack 19 May 2011, 11:09
It,
If you did it right, I would estimate your new Rx at about L -2.50, R -3.00. Theoretically, it is about as accurate as an auto-refractor without considering astigmatism. I would not order any glasses based on this estimate. It will be interesting what the eye examiner comes up with. Please let us know.
If it comes out pretty close, I'll explain the simple math behind the estimate so you can do it for yourself in the future.
C.
lt 19 May 2011, 10:28
I think I did this right. My left average 15.3 inches before it got fuzzy. My right was 13.16 inches.
lt 19 May 2011, 10:28
I think I did this right. My left average 15.3 inches before it got fuzzy. My right was 13.16 inches.
Soundmanpt 18 May 2011, 20:51
curious
My bet would be that she will need an increase. Like CJ said be prepared in any case. The work load of college usually takes a toll on the eyes. None of my business but knowing how optical stores like Pearle operate, have you made an appointment for her? If not Saturday is the busiest day in that field so walk in's are not often going to get in that day.
Something you should have a look at. There are many good places to go on-line for both glasses and contacts that will save you lots of money.
For glasses check out:
zennioptical.com
glassesunlimited.com
eyeglassesdirect.com
For contacts:
lens.com
discountcontactlenses.com
if you or her need help with ordering glasses or contacts feel free to ask for help in here. It is really very easy to order on-line.
Be sure she gets her rx for both glasses and contacts in writing and have her ask them to measure her PD for her.
Cactus Jack 18 May 2011, 19:06
curious,
There is no way to predict a prescription in a 19 YO. A -0.50 increase in sphere would not be surprising after a year at college with the high visual workload. If I were you, I would plan on new glasses and contacts and be pleasantly surprised if they are not needed.
C.
curious 18 May 2011, 18:18
My daughter is a full-time glasses/contacts wearer and she's 19yrs old. It's been 2 years since her last exam, so she's due because she got something in the mail from our Pearle. Her last exam her glasses increased from
-1.00 -1.00 L, -1.25 -1.00 R to -1.50 -1.00 L, -1.75 -1.00 R. She hasn't complained about her vision since her last exam. She's coming home from her first year of college tomorrow and we'll probably take her on Saturday for her exam. What kind of increase can we expect? Do you think it will be enough that I'll have to get her new glasses and contacts?
Cactus Jack 18 May 2011, 13:43
It,
Do this test for each eye individually, without your glasses. Your astigmatism will confuse the test slightly for one eye.
I good, but not bright light, hold a book where the text is sharp and gradually more the book away until the text becomes just noticeably fuzzy around the edges. Measure and record the distance. Do this three times for each eye and average the distance for each eye.
Tell us what you get for a result.
C.
lt 18 May 2011, 13:25
Cactus Jack,
Sure I'll try the test. Prefer inches.
Cactus Jack 18 May 2011, 12:52
It,
Very likely an increase, but not a very big one. Would you be interested in a simple test to estimate the increase? If so, do you prefer to work with inches or cm?
C.
lt 18 May 2011, 11:36
I have been wearing glasses for about 10 months for the first time. I am 29. I was prescribed with -1.75 with .5 astigmatism in the right eye and -2 in the left. I have gone full time for the past three months. Lately, I've noticed things have gotten increasingly blurry without them. In the past week, I have even squinted wearing them while the television. I'm due to have another eye exam in two months. Should I expect a big increase in my prescription?
-18 myodisc 18 May 2011, 00:24
My script is R-18.50 L-15.25
guest #8 10 May 2011, 00:10
@ soundmanpt
Thank you. Yes, I’m feeling better. I never really had the need for glasses. I’ve been wearing contacts since I was around 12 years old and I’m now in my 30’s. I have had a few pairs throughout the years but they were never used more than once or twice. The routine is contacts go in at 7:00am and come out around 1:00am or so.
I went to my eye doctor today. My infection is still not clear enough for him to give me a new rx. My vision is very foggy right now. So I’m going back on the 16th. Hopefully it will be all clear by then. He did say it looks like contacts will be out for at least a month maybe longer. He did give me a temporary rx so that I could get glasses today. I went to lenscrafters and got a very cheap pair for now. I did find it rather difficult on Sunday when I was away from home to be without correction. At home was really not a problem at all.
Soundmanpt 07 May 2011, 00:50
guest #8
Welcome! Good to have you on board. Interestingly I have come across several ladies like yourself that for some reason never ever even owned a pair of glasses and they had been wearing contacts for many years and had vision in the -3.25 and -5.50 ranges. None at -7.00 but even -3.25 limits what your able to do without correction. With contacts there is always the risk of infection, scratched cornea or eye ulcers. It would seem that someone that wears contacts daily should for sure have glasses to use when they are at even -1.00.
Were you able to find a store that offered 1 hour service that got you some glasses made? It's good that you happened to find a doctor that because of his own rx knew that you were in even a little worse situation than he would be. And this has been a bad year for allergies hope you are better soon.
guest #8 07 May 2011, 00:26
Hi all long time lurker here. Not sure where to post this. I had an interesting exchange with an extremely gorgeous doctor. Think Mario Lopez without the dimples.
Anyway, I've been battling what I thought were allergies for almost a month. Then yesterday the pain, redness, light sensitivity became so severe that I could not open my eyes. He told me it was from my contacts (I only had one on when I saw him) He asked me if I knew what my RX was - told him around -7. He said oh wow you are worse than me. I'm -6. He said no driving, no contacts, and no work for a week. Then he asked me if I had glasses. Told him no. He said well get someone to drive you and get some glasses. Otherwise I hope you have someone at home who will take care of you while you are blind and recovering. Just wanted to share, thanks.
baker 06 May 2011, 20:16
Soundmanpt-Sorry, you didn't offend me. I was actually similarly undercorrected when the lady at the DMV let me pass the vision test even though I couldn't read what she asked me to, but that's unrelated.
I'm probably getting new glasses sometime this week or getting new lenses in my old glasses. I am really busy but I'm going on a school trip out of the country a week from Sunday and I know I'll probably want to wear glasses there and it would be to have up-to-date glasses.
Soundmanpt 06 May 2011, 19:28
baker - Did you order new glasses as well or just contacts for now? I think you will need to get new glasses as well because of the difference in your rx now. Now I think you will soon notice the difference if you try using your previous glasses as they will seem much too weak now.
Soundmanpt 06 May 2011, 19:22
baker- Sorry I didn't mean to sound so stern about being dangerous to drive, but I should have said that the DMV would consider you unsafe because even with correction you would not have been able to see at least 20/40 which is the passing mark you need to be at. Again sorry improper wording on my part.
baker 06 May 2011, 18:57
Yes. It had been two years since I had an eye exam prior to this week. I didn't notice that my eye had gotten worse until I compared my ability to read street signs when driving with a friend--otherwise I didn't notice any difference. When the eye doctor asked me to read certain lines on a chart I was surprised at how blurry they were--I never had the need to read anything that size from that far away. Of course, I was pleasantly surprised when I put in my new contacts and everyting was so nice and clear. I don't think I was dangerous behind the wheel at all, Soundmanpt. Curiously, I find myself squinting at certain things out of habit before I realize that I don't need to.
Soundmanpt 06 May 2011, 13:05
baker - Not too surprising except the fact you were able to hold off this long without getting your eyes checked much sooner. If I recall you said it has been several years since your last exam? Your still in that age group where your eyes are still changing probably every 6 months you could actually be increased but going a year is understandable. But your eyes are going to really be ready for an increase when the year is up. After a while it will slow down and stop changing. I guess you don't need me to tell you that even though you were wearing your glasses or contacts while driving you were still under corrected enough to be dangerous behind the wheel. The difference between your new rx and your old one would make it impossible for you to pass the vision test for driving.
I bet you are happy that you can now see everything so clear again? Glad you went and took care of business. Don't hold off next time. Get your eyes checked next year this time for sure.
antonio 06 May 2011, 12:46
wow, baker,
you must have razor sharp vision in them !!!
how is it without them now ?
best regards, antonio
Flaine 06 May 2011, 00:41
Baker,
Wow baker i can imgaine the difference they made! Rather big increase i suppose?
baker 05 May 2011, 20:27
I had an eye exam yesterday. My new perscription is -4 and -3.5 for contacts and -4.25 and -3.75 for glasses. My old perscription was -3 and -2.25.
Soundmanpt 27 Apr 2011, 18:50
jo
What's the longest you have worn them so far? Getting used to glasses can be an adjustment but I am sure you find your vision much better when you are wearing them. The best way is to just wear them most of the time for a week or so so everyone has seen you wearing them. After that you wearing glasses will be old news and it will be your decision how much you choose to wear them. But I doubt that it will be long before you will find it easier and better to just keep them on.
jo 27 Apr 2011, 17:53
yes got the glasses. is strange wearing them in front of people and i should wear them more.
antonio 23 Apr 2011, 18:48
Alicia,
you might even come to lenschat
http://www.lenschat.com/lenschat/index.php
and discuss with us
you are invited,
best regards, antonio
Soundmanpt 23 Apr 2011, 11:21
Alicia
Your prescription is very normal for a first pair of glasses. Often a young person will not go for an exam even if they are finding things a bit blurry until they find they start to drive and need them to pass the vision test. Since you like wearing glasses I assume you wear them most of the time? Since many find actually wearing their first glasses very scary for the first time in front of friends and co-workers etc how was that for you?
What Cactus Jack told you was right on. Your basicly a little nearsighted with a small, amount of astigmatism. very normal.
Glad you found this site and welcome.
Soundmanpt 23 Apr 2011, 11:07
Jo
Your -1.75 rx is a bit high for someone's first glasses but if your young you likely were getting by because of a being able accommodate. I'm sure you will certainly notice a big difference with glasses. You didn't say if you got them or not? If you did get glasses how much do you wear them? It is likely you will be full time or near full time.
As to if using a laptop caused you to need glasses depends on several things, mainly how much are you on your computer? If you spend many hours a day it could have an effect on your vision. There is much discussion amoung doctors as to what damage all the small hand held devices are doing to vision.
Cactus Jack 23 Apr 2011, 09:16
Alicia,
The first number is your sphere correction. The minus number means you are nearsighted and things beyond approximately 3 feet or 1 meter are increasingly blurry. It is caused by a mismatch between the power of the lenses in your eyes and the length of your eyeball. Your eyeball is less than 1 mm too long.
The second and third number are you cylinder and axis. It corrects astigmatism
which is generally caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of your cornea. There should be a third number for the axis of the cylinder in the right eye.
Prism is used to help people with eye muscle problems and Base is the direction of the base of the prism, Out, In, Up, or Down. You don't have any.
Yours is a very common Rx for a person who is slightly nearsighted (myopic). You have lots of company, There are billions of people who are nearsighted in the world.
May I ask your age and where you live?
C.
Alicia 23 Apr 2011, 06:40
Hi,
I just found this site. I like wearing glasses and when I first went for an eye-test I was prescribed the following scrip.
SPH CYL AXIS PRISM BASE
RE -1.00 -0.25 - - -
LE -1.25 -0.50 65 - -
Can anyone who comes here explain as I am really interested.
Hansel 23 Apr 2011, 05:02
No, but I would guess that you were listening, not for the news that you need glasses, but how much you should wear them. I am also guessing the question is because of a recommendation to wear full time?
This is well docemented on here, ultimately up to you, but at-1.75, I think you will immediately notice a big difference.
antonio 22 Apr 2011, 20:12
no, Jo, -1,75 is in the medium range of getting first glasses,
weak first ones are about -0,5 or -0,75, strong ones would be -2,25 or -2,5 or even -2,75 as first ones.
Extensive near work like reading or computering can make people needing glasses, but not especially laptops,
but it might help if you work on a big screen, also you might see better from some distance then without wearing your glasses.
Did you get any glasses already ?
best regards, antonio
Cactus Jack 22 Apr 2011, 17:49
jo,
No and No.
C.
jo 22 Apr 2011, 17:44
is -1.75 strong for first glasses prescription? does using a laptop make you need glasses
Slez 17 Apr 2011, 23:45
Everyone, thanks for your replies. I learned something new today!
Cactus Jack 17 Apr 2011, 21:40
Siez,
Actually, Rx to the 0.125 diopter are not unheard of. I know of one opthalmologist with a perfectionist streak who did it regularly. He would check the glasses and if they were not dead on what he prescribed, they got remade.
The lens makers knew it and if they were not exact, they didn't bother to let them out of the lab because they knew that would happen.
I think that is overdoing it a bit because a persons Rx can change that much between breakfast and lunch.
C.
Soundmanpt 17 Apr 2011, 21:29
Slez
I am sure that is all that happened. She will likely be given -2.00 for both eyes or -2.00 / -2.25.
specs4ever 17 Apr 2011, 21:16
Looks like the doctor just didn't round up the numbers Slez. I bet they will round them up to the nearest .25d when she gets the glasses made.
Slez 17 Apr 2011, 19:52
My daughter just got a very unusual prescription. Od SPH is -1.87 and the OS SPH is -2.12. I've never seen numbers that weren't multiples of .25
Is this something special, or did the doctor just not round the numbers?
Cactus Jack 05 Apr 2011, 18:24
Ian,
Yes, it is pretty common, if a woman has a genetic tendency for myopia, to have it increase during pregnancy. Some think it is related to water retention, but it is likely related to hormonal changes during pregnancy. Particularly, if a substantial portion of the increase remains after the child is born. It is possible that the hormone that controls eyeball growth is produced by the mother or possibly comes from the baby as its eyes are forming and growing during gestation. Not much is known about the actual causes of the process.
C.
Ian 05 Apr 2011, 16:15
My wife got her first pair of glasses aged 28, with a low minus prescription, in both eyes SPH -0.75 and CYL -0.50 90°. We've had 2 children since, the first one when she was 30 and the second at 32, and during each pregnancy her eyesight changed and after our second child she had SPH -1.50 CYL -0.50 90°. She needs her glasses more often now, but not full time.
Now, at 36 years of age, her prescription didn't change since 2007, she is 5 month pregnant of our 3rd child and complained after driving home yesterday that her vision (with glasses on) was worsening again.
Is there a link between prenancies and eyesight, or is this just a coincidence for her? She fears now she'll have to wear glasses full time.
Ron 01 Apr 2011, 19:48
amy,
when you say you were struggling, what does it mean? what things was it hard for you to do?
Heather 01 Apr 2011, 13:30
I think glasses are okay as long as you don't always have to wear them, either because your prescription is relatively low or because you have the option of wearing contacts whenever you like. However, the feeling that you are always dependent on them (even when it is inconvenient to wear them) is not great. I have a -5 prescription and my eyes don't tolerate contacts. Also my eyes have become so used to always have lenses in front of them that help them see that I feel I always need them even for the smallest tasks. I even put them on just to go to the toilet at night.
Amy 01 Apr 2011, 10:12
Emma,
Judging by your first prescription below, I think you are being so sensible going full-time more or less from the beginning. I waited until I was RE-4.00 and LE-3.50 and by that time I was really struggling. I realise now how stupid I was.
Emma 31 Mar 2011, 09:49
Val.
I'm quite young and still at school. It was like I kind of knew I needed glasses, but didn't like to say anything at home, because none of my family actually wear glasses. Anyway we had to have eye-tests at school and I couldn't get anywhere near down all the lines. So I was given this not to give to my parents and it all went on from there. I was booked in for an examination at the opticians and three days later I was collecting me new glasses. To be truthful it was quite a relief and I was really amazed with how well I could see when I tried my glasses on for the first time. Really I should have kept them on to walk back home it, but as soon as I got out of the opticians I took them off and put them back in their case until I got home and tried them on in front of Mum. Anyway I'm gradually getting more confidence about wearing them all the time, which is great. I hope this helps to answer what you wanted to know. If not post back and I'll try again.
Val 31 Mar 2011, 01:15
Emma, could you please tell us more about your experience of getting glasses for the first time ? How old are you, do you work or are you still in school ?
Kieran 30 Mar 2011, 19:01
Cactus Jack,
Thanks for that scientific explanation ! No, she doesn't have any astigmatism.
Cactus Jack 30 Mar 2011, 18:59
Kieran,
Probably around -4.75 assuming no astigmatism. Her Rx is right n the edge of where vertex distance effects need to be considered in determining CL Rx. Glasses Rx and Refracted Rx are usually the same because both glasses and phoropters have about the same distance between the back of the lens and the front of the cornea (vertex distance).
C.
Kieran 30 Mar 2011, 18:26
Hi, based on the package lying around our bathroom, my girlfriend's contacts are -4.50 in both eyes. Any idea what her glasses prescription would be? She hates them and never wears them.
Emma 30 Mar 2011, 05:25
I just got glasses for the first time with this prescription. RE-2.00 -0.50 100 LE-1.75 -0.25 90
Mr Jules 29 Mar 2011, 13:01
Not sure if this is the right thread...
In January, had an eye test. Got distance vision glasses for the first time and happily wearing those.
But my prescription for reading distance has also increased to LE +3.00, RE +2.75. There's also some CYL/AXIS figures for the left eye, too. For a while, stuck with existing reading glasses of +2.25, but in the end, decided to upgrade one of my existing two pairs of prescription reading glasses.
My local opticians here in London, UK quoted over 100 UK pounds to reglaze with new lenses. But found an online place that did it for 40 UK pounds, which I have now used. 5 days later, my reading glasses have come back with the new prescribed lenses of LE +3.00, RE +2.75 with anti-glare. And what a pleasing difference ! Looking at the PC monitor (and everything else close up) is so clear ! In fact, I can see print cleary with these reglazed reading glasses just over an arm's length from my face.
Three years, I started off with +1.00. And now I'm at +3.00 and the lenses are starting to look a bit thick now ! Oh well.
Think I will get my other pair of reading prescription glasses re-glazed, too.
Mr Jules 29 Mar 2011, 13:00
Not sure if this is the right thread...
In January, had an eye test. Got distance vision glasses for the first time and happily wearing those.
But my prescription for reading distance has also increased to LE +3.00, RE +2.75. There's also some CYL/AXIS figures for the left eye, too. For a while, stuck with existing reading glasses of +2.25, but in the end, decided to upgrade one of my existing two pairs of prescription reading glasses.
My local opticians here in London, UK quoted over £100 to reglaze with new lenses. But found an online place that did it for £40, which I have now used. 5 days later, my reading glasses have come back with the new prescribed lenses of LE +3.00, RE +2.75 with anti-glare. And what a pleasing difference ! Looking at the PC monitor (and everything else close up) is so clear ! In fact, I see can print cleary with these reglazed reading glasses just over an arm's length from my face.
Three years, I started off with +1.00. And now I'm at +3.00 and the lenses are starting to look a bit thick now ! Oh well.
Think I will get my other pair of reading prescription glasses re-glazed, too.
Laura 23 Mar 2011, 04:27
Kay,
Normally your "best" eye automatically focuses on say things at a distance you are trying to see. So you right eye should do this for you. maybe because your left eye is making it do all the work you are getting some of the headaches you mention. I'm not sure about close work because luckily I'm not requiring any plus yet to my minus prescription.
Kay 18 Mar 2011, 22:25
My prescription is:
Left: 0
Right: -0.75
So I have fairly weak glasses for one eye, with other eye no prescription. I also have reading glasses that are +1, mainly because a friend said they're good to stop headaches.
However, I've been getting lots of headaches recently, so I went for an eye test. The optician told me my prescription has not changed, but I should really try wearing one of my two pairs of glasses all of the time, because one eye is weaker. So now I'm supposed to wear the readers for reading and computer, and the others fo everythin else.
Is this normal? The glasses seem to help the headaches, but it seems odd - I didn't used to wear them much and now...all the time?!?
Can anyone explain?
Laura 09 Mar 2011, 04:46
Katherine. Yeah it is possible to accommodate quite a bit more minus when you are in your 20s like we are. Even in your 30s someone once told me. I don't think its wise when you are quite short-sighted anyway though to be honest. The increases keep coming whether you want them or not. Look at poor Emily.
Astra 08 Mar 2011, 16:47
and I am not sure if that is caused by accommodation.
Astra 08 Mar 2011, 16:45
Laura,
That's just a guess from observation. not the prescribed rx.
Xiayou 08 Mar 2011, 09:09
The similarity is remarkable Laura, which frames are you wearing? I have a pair of Tommy Hilfigers as well a rimless hexi pair.
But it seems that you will probably be getting a new prescription before me. I had my eyes re-tested about 8 months ago and was -9.50, cyl: -2.25 & -8.5, cyl -1.75 before. I gave birth to my son who is now approx 1 year old, and this birth didn't affect my eyesight as much as I was told it would - my midwife said when I went for consultations that my prescription would more than likely increase due to being pregnant but when I took my son back for his 6 monthly check up she advised to me to go for an eye check up as I was struggling to see things with true clarity - just like you.
I told her the results of the eye test after this and she said lots of other high myopes like me who are pregnant normally have larger increases so I guess I'm lucky in this respect.
Aubrac 08 Mar 2011, 08:27
NCUK
When I first started driving I had a low myopic prescription, the problem driving without glasses at night is very often the 'halo' effect of lights which makes it more difficult.
I think your wife will find it a lot easier with glasses, she can also get a non-reflective coating that will make things better.
Laura 08 Mar 2011, 08:01
Astra,
I thought you said you needed more Katherine. Like -7.50?
Astra 08 Mar 2011, 05:18
RE -5.50 -1.50 005 LE -5.00 -1.00 005
Laura 08 Mar 2011, 03:53
Xiayou. Wow almost snap
Xiayou 08 Mar 2011, 03:01
L: SPH: -10.00, CYL: -2.75 AXIS: 93, R: SPH: -8.75 CYL: -2.00 AXIS: 95
Laura 08 Mar 2011, 02:28
RE -10.00 -1.20 150 LE -9.25 -1.00 120
Nehee 07 Mar 2011, 17:07
r: -4.25 -.50
l: -4.50 -1.00
Soundmanpt 13 Feb 2011, 11:40
NCUK
Your wife is a bit nearsighted and seems to have a bit of night blindness. Most doctors will prescribe a -.50 rx with AR coating even if you can read the 20/20 line. But I would think in your wife's case she may be prescribed a -.50 or possibly -.75. She would only need them for things like watching TV, movies, driving, and concerts etc. She will for sure find driving at night better. When she goes for an exam she needs to tell the doctor about these things.
Clare 13 Feb 2011, 08:54
NCUK - the difficulty night driving suggests she might be a bit myopic. Before I got glasses I had the same and some concerns about driving in daylight too though I didn't feel I needed glasses for other activities. I think my first prescription was -0.75 and it was a great help, particularly at night.
Puffin 13 Feb 2011, 06:13
The most common visual requirement for legal driving is around 20/40 in good light, so it should be okay. Visual acuity is reduced at night even if you start with 20/20 vision, however, if your wife's visual acuity is seriously
lower at night than yours, then that is reason to investigate further.
On the other hand, it could easily be just be a little bit of myopia, needing no more than minimal correction for driving.
NCUK 13 Feb 2011, 05:49
I printed off a snellen for my wife as she was having trouble reading subtitles the other night when watching a film
she can read to line 20/30 with her left eye
and 20/25 with her right eye
she also has trouble driving at night as well
do you think she needs distance glasses?
thanks
Soundmanpt 12 Feb 2011, 21:43
Trent
Since a lot of the prescribing is by your helping the doctor it is very common for cyl to change from year to year. I have many friends that are opticians and they even wind up going up and down and maybe back up again.
Trent 12 Feb 2011, 19:21
Obsessed
Yes -2.75 is my cylinder correction.
Over the last 10 years my Sphere has gone down 0.5 and my cylinder has gone up 0.5. Figure that out. I know it's a high cyl correction.
Obsessed 12 Feb 2011, 17:34
Trent -
Is -2.75 your amount of astigmatism?
Trent 12 Feb 2011, 14:01
New Rx -8.0, -2.75, +2.50 both eyes.
Slight increase in add power otherwise vision has not changed since last exam.
Soundmanpt 12 Feb 2011, 09:58
jayne
Glad to hear you got your glasses. How long have you had them? Your discription of how you see with them is very normal. Funny how before you got them you were able to get by without problems, but after you start wearing your glasses for a short time you soon find things much more blurry when you take them off now. You only have a very slight astigmatism in both eyes, so reading or other close things you should have no problem doing without your glasses if you choose. Contacts is an option down the road, but I would wait until you have gotten completely used to glasses to see how much your going to wear them first.
So what kind of reactions have you had from co-workers, friends and family seeing you wearing glasses most of the time? Were you nervous about wearing in public for the first time? I'm sure all comments were very nice.
jayne 11 Feb 2011, 17:25
hello all, sorry for delay, yes i did pick them up, i have worn them pretty much all the time, they make things so much crisper and brighter if that makes sense, evertyhign just seems to snap itno focus and i love being able to see all the detail, dont know why i waited so long, im even thinking of going down the contact lens route, but the thoght of putting a bit of plastic in my eye is quite hard to get round so will need to prepare myself for going in for it,
Soundmanpt 09 Feb 2011, 12:57
jayne
Did you ever pick up your glasses? Just curious how they work for you and how much you are wearing them?
Marty 08 Feb 2011, 08:57
My wife's name is Valery! It is not her first pair, but she said her first pair really didn't have an add but were plano(?) on the bottom because she couldn't read through her distance glasses. Previously she always wore them...even if in bed in the am she would put them on to read even though they were for distance. This is her first pair with an add.
She holds her books at a "normal" distance. I have tried them on occasion, enjoying the clarity of her left lens, but the right for distance is too strong for me. I don't seem to detect the astigmatism correction.
Her glasses are no-line, and she seems perfectly adapted to them..that is why I don't understand her taking them off for reading.
Rayray 08 Feb 2011, 04:44
As far as i understand the 'add' is an addition to the prescription for distance so her reading rx is fairly similar to +0.50 or +1 and so she may well be able to focus as well without glasses if she has not completely lost accomodation. What is surprising is that her astigmatism is quite high - that should make seeing at all didstances uncomfortable without glasses.
Like lenses 07 Feb 2011, 23:31
Valery
If this is her first pair of bifocals, it is a pretty hefty plus add,and she may not care for the super enlarged images they give her. Therefore she likes the slightly larger images with no glasses at all.
She does have significant astigmatism in both eyes,so she probably gets some blurring without the glasses.
Does she hold the reading material really close to her eyes?
Valery 07 Feb 2011, 20:10
My wife, who is now 55, has worn glasses for distance since high school. She had her eyes checked a few weeks ago, and got new glasses:
-2.00 -1.00 10
-1.00 -1.25 165 +2.50
What does all this mean?
She wears them most of the time, from waking to going
to bed, but often when reading takes them off. I can't
figure out how she can read without them, considering her
age and the fact that she has a +2.50 add. I have my +1.50's and can't read a thing without them. What gives?
more minus 05 Feb 2011, 04:54
Had a slight increase in (-) sphere today.
-0.75, -2.25 x 165
-0.75, -1.75 x 015
First got glasses in 1984 (age 24) was +0.75 with negligible astigmatism. Went to plano sphere around 2005 (age 45) with a fair bit of astigmatism. Have become slightly myopic since then, and although it isn't much minus I'm enjoying it and wish it was more.
I've never had a sphere or cylinder change of more than 0.5 in my typical 1 - 2 years between tests. Every change has been very gradual.
The examiner wasn't stingy with the minus at all. He just increased the add slightly. Will try bifocals as close up is a real struggle with glasses and somewhat better without. I tried progressives in the past but did not like them.
Astra 03 Feb 2011, 06:58
Melyssa,
yes. Those occasions I just lean on windows to sleep or look around, then a slight collision can happen.
Usually these slight collision caused scratch damage is mostly on the frame instead of lenses.
Melyssa 03 Feb 2011, 06:33
Or in my case, where inanimate objects always find a way to find me. :)
Astra 03 Feb 2011, 03:21
Usually that happens when you are standing at the back of doors, and someone push the door and it's hit !
anic 03 Feb 2011, 03:06
Astra - OMG, I'm sitting here laughing thinking about you crashing into doors and walls!
Sounds like you also need a new prescription!
Soundmanpt 03 Feb 2011, 00:35
Astra
Totally agree, but you don't want to add to it more than what happens by accident. I have seen people clean their glasses with Windex, another real no no, unless you have glass lenses.
Astra 02 Feb 2011, 23:26
As for scratches, sometimes you can't avoid it completely.
I can think of scratches caused by Nail, Hand,
and other Unexpected collisions from foreign objects (wall, door, desk, etc.) you may rarely encounter.
Soundmanpt 02 Feb 2011, 21:40
jayne
You may want to start letting your friends and co-workers know you have glasses coming. It might make it easier when you start wearing them! Like Clare said and she had your same rx a couple of years ago so she can tell you first hand, your glasses will make a difference very quickly. You will probably find that once you see how clear everything is with them you won't want to take them off much. Are you getting nervous about wearing glasses? After a day or two no one will even notice or comment. And the comments you get will all be flattering.
I am glad you did get the anti-reflective coating. It adds to the cost, but in my opinion it is worth it. For someone that is only getting glasses as a backup to their contacts and only plan on wearing them after they take out their contacts at night, then it is not so necessary to have it on there.
They will probably caution you about this when you pick up your glasses when you are cleaning them never ever use paper towels, tissues or kleenex to clean your lenses. Any paper product is made from wood and that puts tiny scratches in the lenses. Use the cloth that will come with them or if you know someone that will give you a baby diaper, that is also very good to use. Of course cut it into small pieces. By the way did they give you any idea when your glasses will be ready, it should be less than a week?
jayne 02 Feb 2011, 17:35
I am over in the UK, no i havent told people about the eyetest although my close friends have known about my glasses back in the day and have moaned at them for not being able to see things in the distance etc, my parents know, im a bit aprehensive about being a glasses wearer but will have to see how i get on with them when they are ready, i got that antireflective coating as i was pressured into that and in all honestly, the sales assistant showed me a trial thing and it did look better with that coating on, thank you all for your encouragement on here
Clare 02 Feb 2011, 01:17
Jayne - that prescription will definately make a noticeable difference. I hope you enjoy your clearer vision with them.
Cactus Jack 01 Feb 2011, 19:20
Jayne,
It sounds like you had a VERY though exam.
May I ask where you live?
C.
Soundmanpt 01 Feb 2011, 17:32
jayne
Not needing to return for 2 years is very good. So he must not think that your vision will increase much at all. You should be very happy about that. Sadly the optical field has gotten to be heavy on the retail side and much less on the medical side. Not sure what country your in but as you found out glasses can range from around $120.00 - $600.00 depending on the frame and lenses you pick out. Personally I am not big on designer frames as they tend to be way over priced. As long as you picked out something that you feel looks attractive on you is the main thing as you will probably find that you will be wearing them most of the time. As for the lenses I hope you did get the AR coating added in on them as that is good for reducing glare. You will likely be quite surprised at how clear and sharp everything will look and after a couple days you will be surprised at how blurry things are without them.
Okay so now going and getting your eyes examined and getting glasses is step one, but step two is wearing them as you should. Are you going to be okay with that or you the shy type that will try to avoid wearing them in public? Have you told many people you were probably going to be getting glasses?
When will your glasses be ready to pick up?
jayne 01 Feb 2011, 15:57
yes i am pleased it is over with, it seemed to go on forever, he was doing lots of tests on my eyes, the most annoying bit was doing this visual field test- it just seemed to go on for ages, yes he did mention to me that i will find that i want to wear them more often, he said to come back in two years, is that normal? I chose some cheap frames, i felt a bit overwhelmed with it all as soon as he finished the test he buzzed up to the sales assistant who was just soo OTT on things and pressurising me to go for this and go for that with the lenses, i ended up just saying, i just want to get a really cheap pair and see how much i use them before getting a more expensive frame, no i shall be good and return when i am told this time, parents found out about the test and they said i was silly for leaving it so long- guess they are right,
Soundmanpt 01 Feb 2011, 14:17
jayne
Well I am sure you are glad that it is over with now? It wasn't too bad was it? Naturally a doctor is going to scold you for waiting 9 years after loosing your glasses to come back. Did you choose some glasses? What style did you order? Will you have any problem with wearing them now since no one has likely seen you in glasses before? You will likely find that you will wear them most of the time very quickly. They are not necessary for close work so if your reading the paper or a book you can certainly do without them if you choose. Not sure what type of work you do, but if your on a computer much you may find that better with your glasses.
Are you to go back in 6 months or a year?
In regards to how your eyes may change, like Cactus Jack said your 24 now so pretty much past the big change years, and your rx is not really bad. We have no idea what your rx was when you were 15. Since you said you hardly could notice a difference with them or without them, so I would guess maybe around -.75. My guess is that you may need a increase of maybe -.50 or -.75 in the next year and then little or no change.
You do plan on not waiting another 9 years to return I hope?
We will be waiting for your report on how things go when you get your glasses and start wearing them.
Cactus Jack 01 Feb 2011, 12:47
Jayne,
I forgot to point out that the + cylinder to - cylinder conversion, The procedure is to algebraically add the cylinder to the sphere, change the sign on the cylinder and add or subtract 90 degrees to the axis direction so the result is less than 180 degrees. If the conversion is done properly, the result is optically identical.
C.
Cactus Jack 01 Feb 2011, 12:41
Jayne,
Thanks for the complement, but the key was how accurately you measured the blur point and the astigmatism probably affected that All in all, you did a super job.
I'll try to explain your prescription and what it corrects.
The sphere correction (1st number) corrects for a very small mismatch between the total combined optical power of your cornea and crystaline lenses and the length of your eyeball. People who need - glasses have eyeballs that are a little too long. People who need + glasses for distance have eyeballs that are a little too short. The amount of too long or too short is quite small, about 0.6 mm per diopter of correction.
The cylinder (2nd number) and axis (3rd number) correction have to do with correcting astigmatism. Astigmatism is usually caused by irregular curvature of the front surface of the cornea where the curvature is more in one direction than it is in the other. In your case, the irregularity is very small.
There are two ways of writing the prescription for cylinder. It can be written as either + cylinder or - cylinder depending on the preference of the examiner. Traditionally, MDs (Opthalmologists) use + cylinder and Optometrists use - cylinder. There is an easy procedure for converting between the two. Lens makers use - cylinder for making the lenses and if they receive a + cylinder Rx they do the conversion to - cylinder and make the glasses and the optical result of either cylinder sign is the same. Here is your Rx written in - cylinder.
OD -2.00, -0.25 x 70
OS -1.75, -0.25 x 85
The reason lens makers use - cylinder is that grinding removes material from the back side of the lens blank and minus lenses are thinner in the middle than plus lenses. Plus lenses are made differently.
A spherical lens is evenly curved like a section from the side of a sphere or ball. A cylindrical lens looks like a section from the side of a round can. The last number in your Rx is the direction of the long axis of the cylinder. In the - cylinder Rx above, 90 degrees would be vertical so the axis of your cylinder is not quite in the vertical direction. The tiny difference in the curvature of your lenses for the cylinder correction will be almost impossible to detect unless you have the right optical measuring instruments.
As little change as you have had in 9 years and your age, I suspect that there will be very small increase in your sphere Rx over the next few years and perhaps some change in your cylinder mostly caused by your skill level in judging relative degrees of blurriness during the exam. (See the Astigmatism thread).
Let us know when you get your glasses.
C.
jayne 01 Feb 2011, 11:20
ok, so i survived the test, got a bit of a grilling for not going for regular eye tests and all that, he said that my eyes had changed a bit and suggested that I might find it useful to wear them most of the time,
my results are as follows and cactus jack you are pretty spot on with it!
R -2.25, +.25 160
L -2.00, +.25 175
does the above make sense, just writing it as it is on the form
i dont understand the + signs, and the number at the end, i know that minus is for short sightedness
is it likely that my eyes will get worse or will it stop at this now?
Astra 01 Feb 2011, 07:09
The rx posted was obtained in 2010.11.30
Astra 01 Feb 2011, 07:06
Cactus,
My current rx
OD: -4.00 no cyl
OS: -3.50 no cyl
Cactus Jack 01 Feb 2011, 05:39
The method I described gives a SWAG (Sophisticated Wild A** Guess), which is better than just a Guess. Factors that can significantly affect the calculated value are Astigmatism, Lighting, and measurement accuracy. If there is enough Astigmatism, the image will be blurry, no matter what the distance. Also, the closer the point where the image goes out of focus, the less accurate the estimate. Small distance errors mean big differences in calculated Rx.
You can do something similar for low to moderate hyperopia by using OTC readers that are strong enough to create the optical effects of myopia. In a very basic sense, myopes have built in reading glasses.
For low myopia (less than -1.00) the distances get longer than your arms which makes it harder to measure accurately. The trick here is to use low power OTC readers to create more myopia, measure the distances and adjust the result for the effects of the readers.
Remember, if you get results higher than -4.00 glasses and refracted Rx may be higher because of vertex distance effects. Also, some examiners will prescribe less than the refracted Rx to avoid the "dreaded" over correction. Others, may bump the Rx up a little (or a lot) for any number of reasons (See Bobby's stories).
This method is NO SUBSTITUTE for a real professional eye exam and cannot estimate cylinder or axis.
C.
P.S. Astra, could you post your full refracted Rx?
Astra 01 Feb 2011, 03:37
Soundmanpt,
I think Cactus estimate is likely to be maximum for Jayne, then.
Astra 01 Feb 2011, 00:43
Using the estimate method posted by Cactus, I tried that myself today.
For my each eye,
D: 20 cm
calculated OD: -5.00
S: 22 cm
calculated OS: -4.50
If 2 eyes together without correction, Image is blurry when less than 50 cm. Text is not readable at any distance.
Image from 2 eyes interfere each other, also very blurry.
I am still very surprised at certain people who can read at 20-30 cm with 2 eyes together.
Soundmanpt 31 Jan 2011, 18:29
jayne
If I were in Vegas I would be putting money on money on Cactus Jacks numbers.
Soundmanpt 31 Jan 2011, 18:23
jayne
It's better than going to the dentist. Totally painless.
I have a friend that has her appointment tomorrow at 11:00 AM. for an eye exam. But with the nasty weather we are having I think she or the doctor will need to cancel.
Cactus Jack 31 Jan 2011, 18:21
Jayne,
Based on your measurements, I estimate your Rx will be around
OD (Right Eye) -2.25
OS (Left Eye) -2.00
Which is really nothing to get concerned about. However, I suspect you will be very surprised when you get your glasses and discover what you have been missing. I look forward to your post of your actual Rx. It will likely look a bit more complex than the above.
C.
jayne 31 Jan 2011, 18:12
I measured the distance like cactus jack suggested and my left eye is 20 inches and then it starts to go blurry and my right eye is 18 inces and then it starts to go blurry, I have the eyestest tomorrow in lunch hour so will post up details later on in the day, feeling quite nervous about the whole process but just got to bite the bullet and go and deal with the consequences!
Rudy 31 Jan 2011, 09:17
My latest Rx is L&R: +11.50 -3.00 x045 add +3.50 with trifocals. Both lenses are the same so that they match for cosmetic purposes. My right eye is a prosthesis.
Soundmanpt 31 Jan 2011, 09:14
Flaine
No apology is needed, we are friends and will remain friends. I hope I didn't sound harsh to you in my response.
I have noticed in many of your posts here that it seems you are wearing your glasses much more than you used to. You seldom mention your sister, and I was wondering if she had gotten any better about wearing hers more, at least at school.
Flaine 31 Jan 2011, 01:36
Soundmanpt,
I didnt mean to offend you u anyway, but if i did, pls accept my sincere apologises..the ultimate choice is up to Jayne...
I have started wearing glasses abit more now, not the case for my sister though..i will catch ya sometime on lens chat and have a convo!
Soundmanpt 30 Jan 2011, 23:06
Flaine
First I am not sure you noticed that I said that I doubt that her vision is as bad as some one else suggested at -4.00. But based on what she has described what her vision is like now, I do think it is likely that the doctor will suggest full time wear. As you have clearly stated just because the doctor suggests something she has every right to do as she wishes as do you. There certainly is no law that says she or you must do what is suggested. However if you choose to drive a car for example and your vision makes it unsafe by law that is now very different. Now it is not your choice because you are endangering others safety. So long as you or her don't drive I don't care if you even own contacts or glasses let a lone wear them. If I recall you and your sister are both very reluctant to wearing glasses? You both were having much trouble seeing the board at school and in your own words your sister was even worse. That can't be helping either of your grades. My suggestions are based on having worked with and around eye doctors for more than 40 years.
This is an open comment forum and you are entitled to your opinions as well as I am. If you don't like my comments that is fine and I understand, but I always put my name on my comments so if you see my name why not just skip over it.
Cactus Jack 30 Jan 2011, 20:52
Jayne,
Rather than guess or be very worried about your Rx, you can make a pretty good estimate. Because you are near or shortsighted (myopic) it is really easy to do. All you need is a something to measure distance and a book or newspaper with average sized print.
In average light conditions, start with the book at about 10 inches or 25 cm from your eyes and gradually move it away from your face and measure where the print become blurry. Do this with each eye individually. If the print is blurry at 10 inches or 25 cm, move the book closer and note the distance where the text is not blurry.
Once you have the numbers for each eye individually, you need to do a little division. If you measured in inches, divide the number of inches into 39.37. If you measured in cm, divide the number of cm into 100. The result will be your approximate Rx for each eye. Typically, both eyes together will be very close to the farthest distance you could read with your best eye.
For example, if you measured 26 inches or 66 cm, you would divide 39.37/26=1.51 or 100/66=1.51 and that would mean that you needed glasses with an Rx of -1.50 to be able to see well in the distance.
An actual eye exam checks for both sphere correction for myopia and cylinder and axis for astigmatism correction. If you have some astigmatism and need cylinder and axis correction that can affect the estimate above and you may need a little less Rx in the sphere and some cylinder correction.
If you make the measurements and need some assistance in making an estimate, please let us know.
C.
Flaine 30 Jan 2011, 20:25
Soundmanpt,
Do you always encourage people who r reluctant to wear their glasses, because i think it might make Jayne or rather me, when i first visited this website a little uneasy, making me think at first that its forcing me to wesr then when although the optician might tell you to wear them fulltime, the choice is rather ultimately up to individual..so i think Jayne can start off slowly, by wearing them a little bit by bit, shall she thinkthat she needs the vision more, then she can choose to wear more and gradually into fulltime?
Soundmanpt 30 Jan 2011, 17:31
jayne
Trust me as bad as you have been, and you have have been bad, you will not shock the doctor that much. You know you should have gone back much sooner to get new glasses when you lost your others. Having a bit of experence in this area I don't think your eyes are in the -4.00 range. I do think that your eyes have certainly gotten worse and you will probably be told to wear your new glasses full time now. Depending on your rx you may even be told to come back in 6 months rather than a year if he they think your eyes will change much after they get relaxed wearing your glasses for awhile. This time I would be sure to do what is advised and not wait 9 years again. It may take a couple of prescription changes to get you back to where you should be, then any changes should be very minor. Now is a great time to get back into wearing glasses because they are now as much a fashion statement as necessary to see with. And stop worring you will do fine.
Be sure to get your rx in writing and your PD measurement as well. You may want to look into getting another pair as well as maybe some rx sunglasses and a great way to do that is on-line. With this information it is very easy to do and very inexpensive as well. We look forward to your results.
Hansel 30 Jan 2011, 17:28
I think it likely that you will be advised to go to full time wear, given the time since your last test.
Have yuo tried any of the online simulators? If you have where do you think things stand?
Hansel 30 Jan 2011, 17:25
Btw, my guess would be -2.75/-3.00.
jayne 30 Jan 2011, 17:23
and when i did get glasses, i barely wore them as i thought the difference between having them on and off was negligible, but now i can feel that whatever correction may be in store will be helpful,
Hansel 30 Jan 2011, 17:23
How about that while you got glasses in your teens, you seemed to get by, but you are conscious that things have been getting much more difficult so you now need to get a proper up to date prescription.
As soon as he starts looking into your eye, he wil have a shrewd idea where things stand, so I think you might as well tell it straight!
jayne 30 Jan 2011, 17:14
I got glasses when i was 15 but lost them and didnt get another pair of glasses made up so have been without glasses for 9 years, I am absolutely terrified of how bad my eyes might have got, I am finding that peoples faces are blurred in the distance, well have been for quite some time now. I really hope i am not in the -4.00 category! i will put up details of the eyetest on tuesday, what do i say to the optician as to why i am there,kinda dont want to admit that i havent had an eyestest or not worn the glasses for 9 years!
Astra 29 Jan 2011, 09:30
previous message for like lenses, Flaine
Astra 29 Jan 2011, 09:29
My guess is that -4 or -5 is possible ...
Flaine 29 Jan 2011, 08:09
Jayne,
Hey pal u were like me haha! Really put off wearing glasses for 2 or 3 over years. I think glasses dont make our eyes worse but they kinda just get worst by their own..btw, what made you go for an eye exam? Im 16+ now and has always been a part time wearer:) getting glssses doesnt warrant that u hafta wear fulltime. Im a little..or maybe pretty vain, so i wear as little as possible, but at least having a pair of glasses gives u the choice when u need them, say for a movie etc:) im -2.75 and -2.25 now btw:) do update us on ur test results!
Like lense, i think she might be around -2.5 or something..wont be as bad as -4..
Like lenses 28 Jan 2011, 15:48
Anyone want to guess at Jayne's prescription? My guess is -4.00.
Melyssa 28 Jan 2011, 13:51
Cheating an eye exam was one thing I never did, even though I disliked wearing glasses for the first twenty years I had them, from the -1.75/-1.50 through probably -7.00 to -8.00 (now -9.00). One thing worse than wearing glasses when you don't like them is wearing glasses that are not the proper RX.
Aubrac 28 Jan 2011, 12:01
Jayne
As others have said, there is no point in trying to cheat the eye test, just see what the results are.
We had a friend who for many years was a great opera/theatre goer and she always used a opera glasses (like small binoculars) every time.
At age age 29 we suggested she have an an eye test and she got, can't remember exactly, -2.00 glasses.
She was absolutely amazed at what what she could see, how clear everything was and that she didn't need binoculars to watch live stage shows.
You might be in for, excuse the pun, an eye-opener!
anic 28 Jan 2011, 10:14
Wow, 9 years without wearing them! How has your vision been all this time? Have you just got used to living in a blur?
28 Jan 2011, 09:43
Anic
If you look back to her first post (27 Jan 2011 16:12) you will see that she said her age (24)
Laura 28 Jan 2011, 09:40
jayne,
You obviously are feeling the need for glasses now, so you may be up to about -3.00 by now. (That is if you are short-sighted like me)
anic 28 Jan 2011, 04:51
Jayne, how old are you now? If you haven't worn them for a year or more, you will probably find like my friend I have just posted about on "induced myopia" that you will probably have a larger increase than you expected. But there is nothing to worry about as this will make you see clearly again - have you not worn glasses or contacts ever since you were 15?
jayne 28 Jan 2011, 04:37
i got glasses back when i was 15 but lost them after a year in school, never bothered to replace them, i will post up my prescription details after tuesday, i am just a bit worried about getting told that my eyes have got worse and worry that by not wearing the glasses /replacing them when i lost them has made my eyesight deteriorate.
Obsessed 27 Jan 2011, 20:07
Mr Jules -
I am very glad that your first experience with distance glasses was so positive! I actually expected it to be that way! Thank you very much for posting your impressions!
The blurriness of the surrounding world after taking the glasses off is what makes one get used to them very quickly. The trick is - your eyes were sending the same image to your brain two days ago as they are now. But the brain quickly got used to getting a much better image provided by your glasses :-) And, as we all know - we do get used to good things very quickly :-)
I got fascinated by refractive errors of human eyes and vision correction when I was a very young kid. It took me years to understand how eyes and vision work. Cactus Jack's postings about it are truly wonderful - for which I want to thank Him! :-) But the magic is, plus glasses really can correct distance vision.
I do agree with Cactus Jack's assumption that you must be a latent hyperope. It means that your eyes are a little shorter than they should be. That puts objects behind your retina. For many years, your cristalline lens was able to compensate for the refractive error (because young people have very flexible, elastic lenses). Normally, people see distance objects without any additional lens work and then the lens gets thicker (+3 D) when you read or look at close objects. Your lens was working even when you were looking at distant objects (let's say it would put in 1 or 2 extra diopters - you'll know the exact number a few years later :-)). And when you were reading, the lens would keep those extra diopters and add 3 more to enable sharp close-up vision. Your eyes are no longer that super-young, so it became gradually difficult to accomodate for reading (it was the normal 3-3.5 D plus your inborn error), so you needed reading glasses. Now your lens got even stiffer and can't even give you the 1 or 2 extra diopters you need for distance vision (again - because your eyes are too short).
Some people do not have "latent" hyperopia and may still end up needing distance glasses. I doubt it's your case. Such changes usually happen due to metabolism changes (that cause some shrinkage in eyes) and usually occur later in life. My mother is a good example of such a development. She's a medical person, so she had her eyes checked properly (with dilation) several times in her 20's and 30's. She was not hyperopic at all. When she turned 40, she got ill with a disease that affected her metabolism. She is OK now (after surgery), but she walked around not knowing what's going on for several years. Apparently, her eyes changed the curvature while she was sick. In addition to her natural-for-people-over-40 presbyopia, she developed some hyperopia and now wears plus glasses for distance. A year ago, she found out she also had astigmatism in one eye (never had it before). So, sometimes things can change radically after 40. But it's rare and is often accompanied by another health issue. So, thank God it's not your case!!
Anyway...
Good luck with your distance correction and your new status of a full-time wearer!!
Keep us posted about your future impressions and changes in your RX!
Soundmanpt 27 Jan 2011, 20:01
jayne
What you are doing with your fingers is something many children do before getting their first glasses. Like Cactus Jack said it would make no sense to get your eyes examined if you cheat. At least find out where you stand as far as what changes nay have happened in the last 9 years. You did not say, but it sounds like you didn't get glasses back then did you? Do you not drive? If your 24 and your last exam was when you were 15 I would think you had to have some type of vision test to get a drivers license? Even a small rx of -.75 would most likely required you to wear glasses for driving.
It seems you have a fear that you are going to be told you need glasses and you don't want to wear glasses. Remember you do have the option of contacts if that is the problem.
Cactus Jack 27 Jan 2011, 16:33
Mr. Jules,
What you are experiencing is normal. If you are interested, Soundmanpt and I, along with others have written detailed explanations on the Vision, Hyperopia, and Presbyopia related threads many, many times (ad nauseam).
The effects of the combination of latent hyperopia and presbyopia are a little hard to understand if you are not familiar with how the optics of the eyes work. If you are curious, may I suggest some research on some of the threads mentioned above, perhaps even going back a few years. Once you understand how the eyes and vision work, most people respond with a variation on "of course, it all makes sense".
C.
Cactus Jack 27 Jan 2011, 16:22
Jayne,
Yes, that is typical. What you are doing is slightly distorting the shape of your cornea which changes its optical power somewhat in sphere, but mostly i cylinder and axis (causing or correcting some astigmatism).
Please do not try to cheat on the exam. You really want the most accurate prescription possible. You no not have to have the Rx filled and if you would like to discuss the pros and cons prior to deciding if you should get glasses or contacts, please feel free to do so. If you want to discuss the implications of your Rx, we will need the Sphere, Cylinder and Axis for both eyes.
The examiner is required to give you your Rx and you are not required to get the Rx filled with the examiner if you do not choose to.
C.
jayne 27 Jan 2011, 16:12
hi everyone
i just wantted to know if this was normal, i am a little bit shortsighted but find that if i press the side of my eyelids with my index fingers, everything sort of jumps into clarity, has anyone else found this?
I am due an eyetest on tuesday after 9 years of putting it off, do you reckon i could get away with doing that in the eye test when the optician isnt looking my direction so as to see the letters more clearly,
i think my prescription last time was something very small at around-.75, would my prescription have increased since then, im 24 now, is it normal to have prescription changes in your twenties?
Mr Jules 27 Jan 2011, 15:42
Obsessed,
Yesterday afternoon, I picked up my distance glasses. LE +1.75, RE +1.50. When I put them on, I noticed how clear and crip my vision is and, particularly, I could read signs right across the optician's room !
Been wearing the glasses most of today. This afternoon, I even went cycling in them back to optician to pick up my second (free) pair. It was nice to able to read car plates clearly. Watching television now is much better. I can see the credits clearly !
Interestingly, I also noticed my depth of field is improved. It's like there's a slight 3D bonus. I know the glasses have some CYL correction (?) for my slight astigmatism. Could it be do with that ?
You are right: taking them off is a bit unsettling. It all goes blurry. I can't believe my distance vision was like that before I put on my distance glasses.
The glasses are very comfy to wear. So much so, that even after my first day in, there are moments when I forget I'm wearing them.
When I look in the mirror, you can see the lenses are plus, but not strong enough to distort the appearance of my eyes. It interests me how plus lenses correct distance vision. This is what brought me to this website. But I am quite unaware of the lenses at work !
For extended reading and computer, I will switch to my existing reading glasses which are +2.25. My actual reading prescription including the add is now LE +3.00, RE +2.75. The optician advised against increasing the reading prescription, so as to slow down the rate of deteroriation. I've using reading glasses for 3 years. And back then, my first prescription was just +1.00. So it's gone down a fair bit already.
I'm in my early 40s. The optician did tell me expect my eyesight to go down a bit yet. So I made sure that my glasses are ones where you can change the lenses in the future.
Obsessed 26 Jan 2011, 15:07
Mr. Jules -
You got your glasses yet? How is it going?
Aubrac 24 Jan 2011, 01:58
Myopic
I think confusion can arise because the terms far-sighted and short-sighted are often used. What this actually means in not that you only see close up or at distance but that the image falls either short of the lens or far i.e. behind the lens.
In both cases the image will be blurred but as has been said the ciliary muscles can for a time, and to an extent compensate for this with hyperopia hence it may not even be realised that glasses are needed.
People are often termed latent hyperopes,like my wife who did not wear glasses until age 36 but now relies on them.
Puffin 23 Jan 2011, 05:36
When you are a teenager, the muscles that squeeze the lens are still quite strong - the amount of strength is called "Accomodation". In a normal eye, bringing things closer means the lens has to be squeezed more, thus you need to use more accomodation to focus close up. It's just that as you age, these muscles weaken and the amount of accomodation you have goes down.
With Presbyopia - the problem occurs with any eye after many years, the lens becomes stiffer and harder to squeeze, eventually help is needed in the form of reading glasses. The reason why these are not needed full time is that when looking into the distance, no lens squeezing is required, thus no help needed.
With Hyperopia - this problem occurs when the eye is too short. If the defect is small, and the person young, there's often some spare accommodation to squeeze the lens a bit more (ie straining). As the person ages, the accomodation available goes down and no amount of straining will help you read. If the defect is large to start with, it will be a shorter time before help is needed. In this latter case (high hyperopia) what is called the "nearpoint" - the closest point where the eye can focus - quickly goes further and further into the distance, until it is practically in infinity - the eye can't focus unaided at any distance. That's basically when you need glasses fulltime. What you see without is a blur, getting worse closeup.
Obsessed 23 Jan 2011, 01:24
Myopic -
Many people need plus glasses for distance. That happens when their eyeballs are too short. In most cases the condition is inborn. Few people need + distance glasses after 40. Usually it's those who are already hyperopic but not too much so which made it possible for them to compensate for their defect up until a certain age. Some people who have normal vision end up needing distance + glasses. It happens rarely and involves changes in the shape of the eyeball that some people undergo after 40 (not too many). If you are myopic, esp. with -4, you are NOT going to need + glasses for distance. All you can expect is a reduction of your distance RX (might go down to -3 or -2.75). But again - changes in distance RX are rare after 40. Presbyopia usually only affects close-up vision.
Val 22 Jan 2011, 15:25
Myopic, it's a little more complicated than that. People who need + glasses for distance are called hyperopic or long sighted. I am one of them. And there are many hyperopes in the world.
Myopic 22 Jan 2011, 13:30
I've been wearing glases for years now, -4.00 & -4.50
I've been reading here and there on this website how people need + glasses for distance? I always thought people needed - glasses for distance, and +glasses for close up?
I'm a bit confused. I am closing in on my 40s and have been hearing about people needing + glasses for distance more and more.
Obsessed 21 Jan 2011, 22:16
Mr Jules -
I do have contacts but I rarely wear them. I don't like the sensation in my eyes at all... + I really do enjoy wearing glasses a lot. So, I don't really need or want contacts. But sometimes I have to wear them because glasses are awkward under a mask and without them I cannot see well at all in dark rooms...
Swimming in contacts is what a lot of people do. It's possible - you just have to be more careful with water possibly getting into your eyes. But it's not that bad actually.
I definitely do prefer glasses but a lot of people favor contact lenses. Many of them think they do not look good in glasses, but I personally think that glasses make most people more good-looking. They have to be properly chosen!
Good luck with your adjusting phase! I'm sure you'll do great! Your initial RX is not so high so it shouldn't be a shock. I have a close friend who resisted eyewear until she reached -4.5 D in both eyes. Her first glasses were -3, but even with a lower power she was totally in shock the first day she wore them.
Mr Jules 21 Jan 2011, 17:28
Obsessed,
Do you wear contact glasses ? How you get on with them ? Can you actually wear them swimming ? I have no idea !
Well next week will be interesting adjusting to distance vision glasses. So far I have only been used to wearing glasses to read !
Satu 21 Jan 2011, 16:42
Hi,
My prescription appears to have a 11.00 in the inter-ADD box between the R and the L (so referring to both eyes). Do you know what this means?
Thanks.
Obsessed 21 Jan 2011, 13:12
Mr Jules -
They are definitely an option :) I just never talk about them because I think that there's few things in this world as gorgeous as presbyopic men with distance glasses ~blush~
But I do know people who started wearing contacts for distance correction when they reached a certain age. Are you going to be considering them?
My mother really wanted them in the beginning because she wasn't sure if she wanted to walk around with glasses on her face. But I think that she really got used to wearing glasses now + she feels kind of bad about putting something into her eyes... I can understand people who don't like contacts because my eyes are sensitive and I never stop sensing the contacts in my eyes. Even after a few hours. It's not horrible, but I never become unaware of their presence. That's why I only wear contacts when I attend parties where masks should be worn or when I go to swim in the ocean at night (I like seeing city ligths and the waves clearly at dusk time).
Mr Jules 21 Jan 2011, 11:48
Obsessed,
Thanks for your post. Forgot to mention: optician also suggested contact lenses for distance vision correction.
anic 21 Jan 2011, 08:35
Cleone - swap! We have the same prescription (almost!!)
Laura - I'm hoping to be achieve double figures within the next year or two so will hopefully be able to join your club. Here's to that!
Laura 21 Jan 2011, 04:45
Rayray. yeah but you're not in double digits like me yet LOL
Obsessed 20 Jan 2011, 21:07
I must have miscalculated it before. Now that I am looking at it, my mommy's reading prescription doesn't seem unusual at all :) Sorry :)
Obsessed 20 Jan 2011, 21:06
When it was time for my mother to get her distance prescription (she was 48), she also decided to ignore the bifocal option and got two pairs of glasses - one for distance and one for reading. Actually, she has never worn bifocals. Her distance script went up from +1.25 to +2.25. She says that she would be in a very bad shape at this point if she suddenly broke them while being away from home, so I think her distance vision has gotten pretty poor... Her reading prescription is unusually high - she wears +4 lenses to read smallprint (I mean, the size of a regular newspaper article).
I guess the main thing to be aware of when you pick up your glasses is that you should not freak out when you take them off after wearing them for a couple of hours - the world will appear much blurrier than it did before you wore the specs. Many people think that it the glasses that affected their eyes. In reality, the eyes do not change at all. Cactus Jack explained the process very well many times on this site. It's like drinking bad water for years and then suddenly taking a sip of cristal clean spring water. The bad water felt ok after a while. But once you know the difference, your brain will not be fooled anymore :-) That's why most people transition from no glasses at all to being dependent on them without a change in their actual prescription within a few week.
Good luck and don't forget to tell us about your impressions after your first day with distance glasses!
Mr Jules 20 Jan 2011, 16:29
Obsessed,
The optician said that it had increased quite a bit, too. The test was very thorough with lots of looking at letters on green and red backgrounds.
Because of the 2-for-1 deal in my local opticians (here in London, UK), I got two pairs. One normal pair, and another pair with lenses which darken for sunshine. Collecting them next week.
Optician reckons I'll probably end up wearing them full time, too.
I'm keeping my reading glasses with their current prescription at +2.25. Though my prescription now for reading is RE +2.75 LE +3.00 (if you do add thing to the distance prescription).
In time, I may return to the optician and have lenses in the reading glasses replaced with new prescription. I checked and I can do this.
Obsessed 20 Jan 2011, 15:18
Mr. Jules -
Wow, your distance prescription went up quite a bit! I think you're going to appreciate your new distance specs a lot! It will not be a great surprise if you end up walking in them full-time.
Mr Jules 20 Jan 2011, 10:35
Just returned from the opticians.
And my new prescription is:
RE +1.50 LE +1.75, add +1.25
CYL -0.25 AXIS 15
I've ordered single glasses for the above prescription, and not bothering with add +1.25.
I already have a pair of reading glasses which the strength +2.25.
Edmund 20 Jan 2011, 08:25
My current rx:
R: -3.00 -1.25 89 add +2.25 base in 8
R: -3.25 -1.25 87 add +2.25 base in 8
anic 20 Jan 2011, 03:47
Mine is L&R: -7.00 with a +2.25 add in, although I'm trying my hardest to do away with this plus add in (see other threads for details of this).
Cleone 19 Jan 2011, 16:01
r: -7.25
l: -6.75
Rayray 19 Jan 2011, 11:48
Hi Laura mine is quite similar
LE -8.50 RE -8.25 -0.75 96
Laura 19 Jan 2011, 08:08
Hi. I don't know if I've ever posted mine recently.
RE -10.00 -1.00 120 LE-9.25 -0.50 100
Mr Jules 18 Jan 2011, 10:06
And this is why I have an appointment for my annual eye test which will be on Thursday afternoon !
Obsessed 18 Jan 2011, 00:32
I guess it can be interpreted as good and bad news at the same time, but the thing is - you're not going to feel uncomfortable about wearing your distance glasses for a long time. After a couple of days you will simply wake up in the morning and realize "Wow! Did I really ever walk around without them? They make such a HUGE difference!" The appreciation of the difference in your vision will be stronger than the desire to not wear the specs.
Your brain is working very hard right now trying to improve the imperfect image coming from your deteriorating eyes. Once you've worn distance glasses for a few days, it will relax and let the glasses do the work. The downside of it is what will subjectively appear to you as "a sudden drop" in the quality of your uncorrected vision. But this process is inevitable.
Several family members and friends of mine have recently gone through this. It's always the same story, but they all began to appreciate their distance correction sooner or later. None of them will ever take their distance glasses off voluntarily.
Soundmanpt 17 Jan 2011, 22:24
Mr. Jules
It sounds like you are working way too hard to avoid the necessary.I guess you could always get 2 pairs, one for close and one for distance, but kinda silly if you think about it. It would seem just getting the proper correction you need would be the best option, besides if you get something no-line (progressives) no one would need to know but you that they are for all distances. I'm sure you know you will only be able to put it off a short while no matter what you do. Sorry, I know that isn't what you wanted to hear.
Mr Jules 17 Jan 2011, 11:21
Dave,
Several times, I have found that I am just about unable to read without my +2.25 reading glasses. Only the other night, mislaid my glasses and suffered the embarrassment of getting a friend to read the menu to me at restaurant!
I can *just* about read for a few moments with one eye shut and holding item at arms length. Makes me look like a pirate !
My distance vision is now become an issue, too. Watching television is not as crisp as it used to be. And I can use my reading glasses to correct my vision for stuff several metres/yards from my face. Until I get my next eye testing, using my old +1.75 reading glasses for the telly.
I am reluctant to wear varifocals for a while yet.
baker 16 Jan 2011, 21:04
thanks. just to make sure I was clear, I meant how close do you need to get to see street signs with glasses (if you need em, if not then just in general)?
Obsessed 16 Jan 2011, 20:47
My script is only -1.5 and I need to get quite close to it to be able to read it. But that's only at night. During the day, my vision is fairly good and I can do most things without glasses (the pupil gets narrow and helps make things sharp).
...
That's why I want -5 or -6 ^_^
baker 16 Jan 2011, 19:54
For a point of reference: how close do you need to get to a street sign when driving to read it?
Obsessed 16 Jan 2011, 11:41
Wow, that is quite a prescription, Hoffide!
hoffide 16 Jan 2011, 10:40
My prescription from last week:
R +3.50 -0.50 ADD 2.25 prism 10 base in
L +3.00 -1.25 ADD 2.25 prism 10 base in
Left eye additionally with prism foil 10 base in
Puffin 16 Jan 2011, 06:17
If you've been seeing them for years then that's okay, they're just left over from when your eyes grew. If they are suddenly there, then something potentially vision threatening is happening, you need to get it checked.
Elain 15 Jan 2011, 21:19
Hi guys, i'm -6.5 in both eyes and i'm seeing some floaters. Should i be worried or is it quite normal?
r 15 Jan 2011, 13:13
Not particularly strong but it helps me avoid headaches.
OD +0.50 -0.25x20
OS +0.25 -0.50x5
NewGWG 14 Jan 2011, 19:42
I'm - 6 in both eyes.
Dave 14 Jan 2011, 16:35
@guest 13 Dec 2010, 10:54
We have very similar prescriptions. I'm
-0.50, -2.25 x 165
-0.50, -1.75 x 020
I wear mine all the time. I find going back and forth a strain. Do you wear yours all the time?
Mr Jules 14 Jan 2011, 11:35
RE +1.00, add +1.25
LE +1.00, add +1.25
Didn't bother with distance correction. Just use +2.25 single vision for reading. Previous two eye tests resulted in an increased reading prescription. Optician now recommends annual eye test. Next test due May 2011. Suspect both distance and reading prescription will increase, yet again.
Just recently noticed that watching television credit/subtitles getting a bit blurry. Kept my old +1.75 prescription glasses. In the last few weeks, quite by chance, noticed that wearing these makes watching the television very crisp.
Specs4Me 13 Jan 2011, 22:16
It represents the reading add which is generally for presbyopia (Old age eyes). Most often referred to as the bi-focal perscription
fraidy 13 Jan 2011, 21:56
what does "add" mean in a prescription?
Mark 13 Jan 2011, 20:23
-3.00
-2.75
add +2.25
fraidy 13 Jan 2011, 19:09
R -2.5
L -3
JD 14 Dec 2010, 13:09
My new prescription
-3.50, -1.00 Add +1.5
-3.25, -1.00 Add +1.5
I now wear glasses full time, it is so much easier than contacts.
Cactus Jack 13 Dec 2010, 11:54
guest,
Presbyopia caught up with you just like it ultimately does for 99.99% of the people on the planet. Your slight myopia delayed it a bit, but it is amazing that with -1.50 cylinder (astigmatism correction) you haven't noticed the fuzziness it causes at all distances.
C.
guest 13 Dec 2010, 10:54
I just got my first pair of distance glasses (aged 52!) after finally visiting the optician. He said I am very slightly short sighted so need glasses for distance but also I need another pair for close work, here is my prescription:
Left -0.50 -1.50x40 Add +2.50
Right-0.50 -1.50x150 Add +2.50
I don't know what to make of it, I didn't think my distance vision was too bad although It's definitely noticeable at night, I can see to read OK without any help or problems, also I can see the monitor OK at about 40cm but I cant see close small details (that's why I went to get my eyes tested). I used to have superb close vision, what's happened?
RL 24 Oct 2010, 12:18
My prescription as of May this year: R -12.00 -.50 X 34,
L -15.00. I wear myodiscs most of the time, but have a couple of high-index pairs too. I prefer the CR 39 plastic for clarity and lack of chromatic abberation. I recently got a pair of full field CR39 glasses that turned out rather different. I'll describe them on the strong glasses thread.
MarkT 07 Oct 2010, 13:57
My g/f has a really low prescription in each eye, but one is + and the other -. She has reading glasses and distance vision ones (only like -0.25/-0.25 in one eye, with one eye plano). She didn't wear them much before but, despite no change in prescription and only small prescriptions, she's been told to wear one or other pair all the time now.
This seems a bit drastic for someone who has essentially ok vision, but is it just due to the difference in accomodation in each eye? Is this normal practice?
Mark, Toronto
Cactus Jack 28 Sep 2010, 18:31
exophoric,
The surgery was not all that bad, The doctors called it MINOR surgery. My definition of MINOR surgery is surgery on SOMEBODY ELSE. Surgery on me is always MAJOR.
Do you know how much exophoria you have?
It sounds like the therapy might have been to force you to make your eyes turn inward substantially more that you would by reading. An exercise like that causes the inside muscles to have to work hard and the outside muscles to stretch and relax. Overtime, your inside muscles should get stronger and more able to resist the pull of the outer muscles.
The use of the prisms made it possible for your eyes to turn inward while focusing on a distant objects. Normally, when your eyes turn inward or converge, it triggers a focus response that also causes your ciliary muscles to squeeze your crystaline lenses for close focusing. Part of the therapy was to help you learn to converge more without triggering excessive near focus response.
I believe it may be possible for you to strengthen your inside muscles without involvement of the therapist, in the privacy of your rooms, Sometimes there are others ways to go from point A to point C than by going through point B.
Could you provide your complete Rx? May I also ask your field of study?
If you prefer to respond in private, you may use cactusjack1928@ hotmail.com
C.
Rachel 28 Sep 2010, 15:36
Thanks Cactus Jack and Soundmanpt,
Seriously - I stepped out bare-eyed at the weekend to walk to the postbox and I was shocked about how blind I've become. I was seriously worried I would get knocked over by a car or walk into a lamppost!
Still, if you say that's because my eyes are relaxed then so be it. Yes, it does feel like I've had them longer than 3 months but now I can't imagine life without them. Am toying with the idea of contacts for the wedding, but it's still a long way off yet. Besides, I like the way specs look on me.
And yes, kissing all fine now thank you!
Soundmanpt 28 Sep 2010, 14:00
Rachel
I was curious have you were getting along. Sounds like your doing fine and have gotten completely used to wearing glasses full time. It does not surprise me that your much more comfortable wearing and keeping them on then being without them. Like Cactus Jack said wearing glasses not made your eyes worse, it's just that now your eyes are relaxed and don't need to work so hard straining. It is likely that you will need an increase in the next 8 - 9 months. Funny isn't it, i'm sure you feel like you have had them for much longer than 3 months? Are you still considering getting contacts for your wedding? I'm not sure what others here may say, but now that everyone knows you as a full time glasses wearer why change that look? By the way have you solved that little problem of kissing you fiance yet with your glasses on?
exophoric 28 Sep 2010, 13:00
Sure Cactus Jack. I'm a student, living in France. That surgery sounds frightening though. I'd like to avoid it if I can. I don't really see how I could continue the exercises I did with my therapist - they mostly involved looking through different sized prisms, which made me see double, at a small object in the far corner of the room, and forcing my vision to converge to a single picture.
Thanks for the advice :)
Cactus Jack 28 Sep 2010, 06:13
Rachel,
Not really, you just think it is worse. Vision actually occurs in the brain. Your eyes are just biological cameras. Before you started wearing your glasses, your brain and sometimes your ciliary muscles had to work extra hard to construct a decent picture in your brain. Your glasses relieve much of that extra workload and your brain has become used to not having to do so much work. It happens very quickly. If you stopped wearing your glasses, your brain would reluctantly go back to work, but not nearly as quickly as it learned to relax.
How quickly do you get used to a convenient labor saving device (e.g. a cell phone) and how reluctant would you be to have to quit using it. Same thing applies to glasses.
C.
Rachel 28 Sep 2010, 04:17
hello,
haven't posted for a while. I've now been wearing glasses full-time for the last three months and i have to concede that the time has come when I really DO need them full-time.
Six weeks ago I could still focus OK-ish without them, but the blur without them seems far worse now. When stepping outdoors, I really can't do without them (my eyes and head begins to hurt) and am so dependent I wear them 24/7. When I wake up and look in the mirror, I think I look odd without them. Has wearing them really made my eyesight worse in this short time?
Cactus Jack 27 Sep 2010, 13:19
exophoric,
vision therapy can work over time, but you have to keep up the exercises. I don't think a couple of months is long enough, but you should have learned how to do the exercises and be able to continue with very limited follow up. Success depends on the actual cause of the muscle imbalance. The problem could be in the strength of the 6 muscles attached to each eye, the length of your inside and outside muscles, or even some slight mis-wiring of the muscle control system in your brain. exo and esotropia usually have a stronger brain and cranial nerve involvement than just muscle involvement, but the muscles can become inflexible any unable to stretch and contract also.
If it becomes severe, muscle surgery may become necessary. If you want some specific diagnosis, you might see a Pediatric Opthalmologist. They specialize in correcting eye mis-alignment which is more common in children than in adults. Despite the name, they treat all ages. Be aware though, they tend to like to do surgery and if you go that route, you want the best you can find with lots of experience and talent, not just a diploma and license. Also that surgery does not always work long term. The muscles are tiny and delicate. The surgery leaves scar tissue which can't stretch and shrink like a normal muscle and there is only so much scar tissue you can tolerate in those muscles. Also, they don't have to take your eyeball out.
I had medial rectus (inside) muscle resection several years ago for high esophoria. The surgery consisted of moving the muscle attach point back a few mm on my eyeballs to reduce the turn in. That surgery does not make any change in muscle length and leaves no scar tissue of any importance. The surgery was a very easy outpatient procedure where the muscle was detached and reattached farther back using almost microscopic stitches to my eyeballs and It worked for about 4 months. Then, the esophoria started coming back with a vengeance (I was warned it might) and I am back to wearing prism correction full time. I think the surgery has a better chance of working if you are young, I was in my 60s.
May I ask where you live and your occupation?
C.
exophoric 27 Sep 2010, 11:59
Thanks for that last post Cactus Jack! Clears some things up for me as well.
Last January I was told I had exophoria and convergence insufficiency. I was sent off to do 2 months of vision therapy. It seemed to help enormously at the time, but now all my problems seem to be coming back. Is this normal? I am 24, for the record.
Cactus Jack 27 Sep 2010, 08:22
Sorry about the punctuation and grammar in my previous post.
I really wish there was a way for the author to edit posts rather than having to almost re-post them. For some reason, errors are much easier to spot AFTER you post or print something.
C.
Cactus Jack 27 Sep 2010, 08:12
Dave G & John S,
The adult onset of double vision is not all that rare. It even has a name "Adult Strabismus". Strabismus is a general term that means that the eyes are not aligned. There are many variations of Strabismus with their own names There can be multiple causes with the same symptom, double vision.
These are the most common forms.
Typically children have either esophoria, where the eye turn inward, but can with muscle effort and concentration fuse the images and esotropia where fusion is impossible without external aids.
Adults more often have exophoria or exotropia where the eyes try to turn outward, but any direction is possible. The phoria and tropia ending have the same meaning as in "eso" above.
Fatigue esophoria is a common form in adults. It is not usually noticeable by others unless it requires more that 7 to 10 prism diopters to correct. What is happening is that there is a small amount of inward turning caused by mild muscle imbalance, which can be corrected by constant opposing tension on the outside muscles of the eye. Most of the time, the victim is not even aware that he is doing it. The outside muscles, like any other muscle eventually get tired of holding this tension and at some point relaxe, when that occurs, the stronger inside muscle pulls the eye inward and double vision occurs. It really does not take much for it to be annoying. A prism diopter is only 0.57 degrees of angular rotation causes an image to be displaced 1 cm at a distance of 1 meter. In most cases the fix is a very small amount of Base Out prism that optically corrects the displacement so the outside muscle doesn't have to fight the inside muscle and doesn't get tired.
The prism wearer usually cannot even tell that he is wearing prism until he takes his glasses off because he sees double without them.
There are also less common forms of strabismus and all ages can have all forms. The eyes can be misaligned in all directions. The simple fix for low levels of Strabismus is combinations of Base Out, Base In, Base Up and Base Down prism in glasses. In more severe cases, muscle surgery may be required for actual or cosmetic reasons.
Most people cannot tell which type of Strabismus they have, all they see is two images they can't fuse. An eye care professional can diagnose most types in a few seconds during an eye exam. The test for eye misalignment occurs at the beginning of the phase where you are first shown two images that have been purposefully mis aligned and you are asked to say then the two images are aligned vertically and horizontally.
c.
John S 27 Sep 2010, 07:11
Dave,
My Dad had the same thing happen. He was in his early 80s at the time. I have seen others comment that a prism correction had been added to their rx, sometimes with or without a complaint. I would like to get some more information also.
Dave G 27 Sep 2010, 04:43
Hi, Just trying to find out why my friend who is in her 40's's has only worn reading glasses for about 5 years, and now she is complaining she can see 2 of everything. I told her to go to the opticians which she did, and she has said he has told her she will need prisms in her glasses to make the eyes focus together. I thought this only happened with children when they were young, and how can a mature person suddlenly get this double vision. i am baffled to say the least. Any ideas anyone ?
Cactus jack 24 Sep 2010, 12:21
sport,
We probably need to move the discussion to another thread. Now that you have your new Rx, have you thought about what you would like to do? I would probably be easier for you to wear glasses with increased minus sphere in both eyes and you could do a low bifocal add if you wanted to.
I don't suggest trying to go in the plus direction (hyperopia).
You mentioned that you were a cashier, could you tell me what kind of cashier work you do? It might affect my suggestions.
C.
Cactus Jack 24 Sep 2010, 12:10
sport,
Good information, thank you.
I need to go back and review our discussions.
C.
sport 24 Sep 2010, 12:03
hey cactus if you get this this is my perscription
OD
SPH.-0.50
cyl. -0.50
axis 150
OS
sph.-1.25
cyl.-0.75
axis 150
Puffin 21 Sep 2010, 17:57
I think I'll skip that, thanks.
Andrew 21 Sep 2010, 11:28
Puffin,
If you still want to see them being worn, model railway shows are a good place to start. You also get more than your average number of high myopes, and if men in their 50s and 60s in thick glasses are your thing, you will be in your element. Beards are optional.
In five years' time, I will also qualify!
Julian 21 Sep 2010, 04:09
Every pair of glasses I had for the first twenty-odd years had glass lenses. My first bifocals were a disaster; I had chosen rather large designer frames and 'executive' bifocals - you know, the kind where the reading segment extends the whole width of the lens - and photochromic lenses, which in those days (1980) were available only in glass. The lenses was really heavy, and the sides of my nose were permanently sore.
Dieter 20 Sep 2010, 18:20
Alex,
Before doing monovision you must first determine which eye is your dominant eye. That one should be fully corrected for distance as it is the eye that looks directly at objects. The other eye is the one that gives depth perception and will be under-corrected to see near.
Puffin 20 Sep 2010, 17:51
You could be right there. I very rarely saw any adults wearing them, apart from the odd pensioner, for obvious reasons. If someone had a strong RX they tended to be compensated with rather more tasteful frames (not hard considering what the NHS had to offer).
They were pretty much phased out by the mid-80's.
Andrew 20 Sep 2010, 15:20
Puffin,
Are you sure the small size was not simply because most of them were inflicted on children on the basis that they were free, and that once you could afford them / had to pay anyway, you got something a little more fashionable (and metal!)?
Phil 20 Sep 2010, 06:52
My first hornrims (1976) had glass lenses (-2.5). I was so shy about wearing them that I kept them permanently at the bottom of my briefcase. I eventually cracked one lense and (in 1981) was forced to have a new pair: my first "aviators".
Aubrac 20 Sep 2010, 06:39
Remember my sister's first pair of glasses were NHS. Pink plastic coated round metal frames with with springy metal ear pieces.
Puffin 19 Sep 2010, 17:14
NHS frames tended to be not very big so the weight wasn't so bad.
Robert 19 Sep 2010, 17:08
ahhh....NHS frames :)
Andrew 19 Sep 2010, 14:30
When I first started wearing glasses, glass lenses were standard (in NHS frames). They don't scratch as easily as plastic and, IMHO, the vision is better. However, they are also significantly heavier. I only sitched into plastic lenses when technology had improved, and my prescription started to warrant high index lenses.
Melyssa 19 Sep 2010, 09:50
Maybe this should have been in the "Lenses" category.
Melyssa 19 Sep 2010, 09:49
At least my first three pairs had glass lenses. Fortunately, my frames were not large and I did not wear glasses full-time back then, so they were not heavy, as they would be in my current collection.
Like lenses 19 Sep 2010, 01:24
I am curious how many here have worn glasses with glass lenses.
My first three pair had glass lenses,and I recently purchased a pair online.
Cactus Jack 18 Sep 2010, 06:58
Alex,
Doing mono vision with a reduced power contact would not affect your actual Rx in any way. If some of your myopia is pseudo myopia instead of true axial myopia, your myopia in the reduced power eye might decrease a little.
C.
Alex 18 Sep 2010, 01:38
My prescription is -2.75 and -2 and I have recently switched to wearing contacts. Now that iam in my mid 40s age must be creeping upon meas I find it hard to read with my contacts in some situations. A friend of mine does mono vision and said I could reduce the contact for the weaker eye to -1.75. If I did will it cause the eye to become less nearsighted because of the weaker lens, or the opposite?
Many thanks
Melyssa 15 Sep 2010, 14:51
Soundmanpt,
That begs the question -- Who sells them? :)
Of course, if I did have perfect vision, I could always pop out the lenses (btw, this pop out has a different context than half of Jimmy Rollins' at-bats), and wear my favorite glasses for my husband.
Soundmanpt 14 Sep 2010, 18:01
Melyssa
You know you wouldn't be happy with perfect vision anyway. Who would buy all those drop temple glasses if not for you?
Melyssa 14 Sep 2010, 14:44
Several decades too late for me. :)
luvspecs 14 Sep 2010, 13:51
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11285011
The cure for myopia ! I hope not
Socks 13 Sep 2010, 02:46
It's been a while since we did a "glasses history" kind of thing, but I always like to read about how people's Rxs got to where they are. I find it fascuintaing how quickly some people's Rxs increase.
My history:
1st glasses at 16 -1.5 1.25
2nd at 20 -2.25 -2
3rd at 25 -3.25 -3
4th at 30 -3.75 -3.5
5th 1t 41 -4.5 -4.25
Current at 48 -5.75 -5.5
Still increasing a bit. My parents were both mildly myopic, no more than -2.5. My sister is also around -5.5.
Anyone else?
Puffin 07 Sep 2010, 09:22
It's partly because the visual system can self-correct to a small extent, using unconscious effort and processing power to work around the problem (rather like photo processing to correct small photo defects). The visual system can adapt easily to these small defects because they usually take months or years to appear.
It's just when the defects get too big, the workarounds don't work so well and thus you go and get glasses. Suddenly your visual system is adapted to and working to correct a defect that is completely gone. No wonder there is some complaint and confusion whilst the adaption is discarded.
The other reason is that -.25 of astigmatism might easily be confused with -.25 of myopia. If the person being tested has no idea what astigmatism is or looks like, then it's not so easy to pin down.
07 Sep 2010, 07:53
why do patients reject the cylinder at low levels? If the autorefractor has identified an astigmatism, surely the vision would be better with that correction built into the prescription?
specs4ever 07 Sep 2010, 07:42
Carolien, if your glasses don't feel right, I suggest that you go back and complain. The last time I had an exam when I tried to wear the glasses that just didn't feel right, and of course I got the "try them for a few days", which I did. But they didn't feel any better, so I went back and had a retest and got a new prescription at no charge. The new glasses were a lot better.
MarkFirst 07 Sep 2010, 01:35
A good friend who also happens to be an optometrist has told me many times that Carolien's situation is one big reason he has a job in the age of auto refractors. Patients with low cylinder often reject the correction during the objective portion of the exam.
Carolien, perhaps your older prescription came from a doctor who paid more attention to you and less to the numbers. Wear whichever makes you more comfortable.
Soundmanpt 07 Sep 2010, 00:33
Carolien
Puffin could not have said it any better. The description he gave is right on the money. Even though you feel like your old glasses work better, there not, after you wear the new glasses for a bit you will come to find they are indeed giving you sharper vision than your old pair. The problem is you have become very comfortable with the old pair and because you didn't really have any change in you distance and the new ones can seem to make you a little bit dizzy at first I can understand your questioning if they are correct. Making the change would have been much easier if you had been given a slight increase in your sph. as well as the cyl correction. That way you would notice only your distance being better and not thought a thing about the astigmatism. Bottom line is wear the new glasses for a couple of weeks if after that you are having trouble then go back and ask for a recheck, but I think you will soon be happy with the new ones if you give them a chance.
Cactus Jack 06 Sep 2010, 21:17
It depends on why a person needs reading glasses. If a person had "normal" (not nearsighted or farsighted) it averages around 40, but like all averages it covers a broad range. The primary reason for needing reading glasses is presbyopia (literally old eyes). Presbyopia actually starts in childhood, but when it gets to the point of needing reading glasses depends on genetics and the visual environment. The distribution of ages can range from teens to 60 or so.
C.
06 Sep 2010, 19:44
what age do most people need reading glasses?
Puffin 06 Sep 2010, 18:42
Carolien
How the eye works in basic terms is that it should be a perfect sphere with a lens at the front that focuses light on the interior back surface (the retina, which converts the light into nerve impulses which are then sent to the brain for processing into what we see) - imagine an old-fashioned box camera, but the box is a sphere not a cube.
In a myopic eye the lens still works as normal, but eye isn't a perfect sphere: it's stretched towards the back of your head a little. The back surface is too far away and with your lens acting as normal, you see a fuzzy image in the distance.
For astigmatism, imagine the stretching is towards the top of your head, or towards your ear. In this case, the retina gets a bit distorted, some bits are too far away, some are too close, it's all a bit difficult to get a clear image at any distance. The result is not as bad a blur as the myopia, but a more distorted and complicated blur.
Unless the astigmatism correction is the wrong angle and amount (of "stretch" as above) then you should be able to get used to it. Give it time, your eyes & brain are used to doing without.
Carolien 06 Sep 2010, 15:56
Thank you Soundmanpt.
What confuses me is why I prefer the old prescription. If I tested with some astigmatism why don't my eyes like it in the lenses! For general vision it's fine but what is most difficult is text on the tv or digital displays - like the time display on the oven.
Will I get used to it or could it just be wrong? I don't really understand what the astigmatism part of a prescription is.
Soundmanpt 05 Sep 2010, 14:40
Carolien
Well your distance vision didn't really change, except a slight decrease in your right eye. But likely the reason you like your "old" glasses is because your new ones have some astigmatism in both eyes. Even though it is not a lot, it can cause things to look different until your eyes adjust to them. The best thing to do is start out fresh in the morning by wearing the new glasses and don't be switching back and forth between the "old" ones. Your eyes just need to adjust to the astigmatism you now have. After a day or so you will find that the new glasses are fine. Your "old" ones will still be okay for a back up pair if needed. trust me that little bit of astigmatism correction will sharpen things up for you. So wear them and get used to them!
Soundmanpt 05 Sep 2010, 14:31
vain000
Glad to hear you ordered glasses, you will not be disappointed. You will quickly find them most useful. Again I will stress, like your gf when you take your glasses off you will not be blind, in fact your vision will still be quite good without them, but after a few minutes will feel the need to wear them. Once you get used to your glasses it is likely you will choose to wear your glasses full time. Something I forgot to mention, for the first day your glasses will likely make you a bit dizzy feeling, that is because your eyes will be sdjusting to the astigmatism correction. Did your gf have a day of that dizzy feeling when she started wearing hers? Like it did for her, it will only last a short time and you won't notice it again.
Carolien 04 Sep 2010, 14:24
I picked up glasses with a new prescription but I like my old one better. How different are they really?
Old
Left eye -2.75
Right eye -3.00
New
Left eye -2.50 -0.25 x 140
Right eye -3.00 -0.50 x 135
SoCal 03 Sep 2010, 17:17
Anyone here ever been tested for lower/higher aberrations? If so, can someone tell me what the colors in the circles represent (red, green, blue, yellow) and what colors you don't want to see on the scan. Thanks.
vain000 03 Sep 2010, 16:35
Soundmanpt, that was a cool story, and that made me feel a bit better about my situation! I must admit, I feel like a bit of a "poser" about the glasses I ordered because they are such a weak rx. When I went to get my eyes checked, I managed to get my mother to get hers checked at the same time, since she has been needing an eye exam for a long time. I believe her prescription was +2.0 -0.5 in one eye and +1.25 -.25 in the other, add 2.25. She refuses to get them because she doesn't want to spend the money when she can see everything "fine" unless reading, where she just uses some over the counter reading glasses. So of course she thinks I am insane for wanting glasses with my rx.
One thing I am still curious on is the +0.25 in my prescription. I am just wondering how they came up with that figure. Everything I read suggests plus numbers are for close vision. And yet, I was never tested for close vision to my knowledge. I wasn't given anything to read. So, how does an optometrist come up with that? Did I somehow choose the plus as being clearer while looking at the eye chart in the distance? It seems like plus prescriptions for distance are rare at best. If anything, it would seem like that would hurt my distance vision. Using readers for distance doesn't work very well, as far as I know.
Do you have an explanation for this? I find it quite curious indeed!
Soundmanpt 01 Sep 2010, 17:52
Vain000
Wait until you get your glasses and wear them for a few days, then you will really thank me, which you don't really need to do. Just last night I was visiting a young lady that works at a warehouse type store with and optical department. She recently had an eye exam and was given a new rx of -.25 -.50 in both eyes. She resisted wearing her glasses, but last night she was wearing them. I asked what brought that on? She said she was starting to notice that in the afternoons she was getting headaches. Her manager told her she would find that if she wore her glasses she wouldn't have that problem. So for the last 2 weeks she has been wearing them, each day more and more and now she is wearing them full time and now doesn't want to be without them.
I'm a little surprised that it is going to take that long to make up your glasses. Normally it should take less than a week. But in the end you will be glad you got them.
vain000 01 Sep 2010, 14:47
Soundmanpt,
Thanks again for all your advice. To answer your question, my gf did get progressives instead of bifocals. As for myself, yesterday I went ahead and found some frames and purchased my glasses. Now I get to wait 2-3 weeks for them to actually be picked up! I have to admit, I am pretty excited to see what the difference is going to be!
Andrew 01 Sep 2010, 12:13
A couple of days ago, Cactus Jack wrote the following:
I can't answer why, but it seems that under correcting is more common in the UK than elsewhere. The only things I can think of is that optometrists in the UK are trained to be very stingy with minus correction in the belief that it will slow down myopia or that he felt that with your reading workload, under correction would help. Perhaps other members can offer more or better reasons.
Up until yesterday, that had not been my own experience. However, by tightening the trial frame onto the face so that it is far more secure than any pair of glasses would ever be worn, and then only correcting to 6/7.5, my eyesight magically improved by about half a diopter in each eye. I did not order a new pair of glasses as I could not decide on the frame I liked but the whole thing has left me in a quandary. I could go elsewhere and get a second opinion, BUT would not then qualify for the 50% price reduction for glasses which I would get where I went yesterday. Given that my prescription seems to indicate high-index varifocals, the reduction would be worth about £300. Suggestions?
Soundmanpt 01 Sep 2010, 10:54
diva
Here in the US they are finally starting to get laws like your country, but they are doing it state by state. So each state the law is different, I know pretty crazy. And of course some states has no law against it at all. You are right it should be everywhere. Before you ask I never touch my cell or anything else like it while driving. Sadly I have friends that do.
Bye the way I have been watching for you over on "lenschat" where have you been?
diva 01 Sep 2010, 03:46
Oh my god.
Here, if you are caught texting and driving, or talking on your cellphone without bluetooth (wireless), there is an instant fine of around $200.
I can't believe this is not the norm in other countries?
How dangerous, and for the texter / caller, how irresponsible. There are a number of deaths and accidents linked to this behaviour which has prompted law changes.
Soundmanpt 01 Sep 2010, 00:53
Tim
Many would agree with you, but if that is there logic I don't think it works as planned. If you correct someone to see the 20/15 line or better, there vision is till going to change at the same rate.They will become accoustomed to seeing that clearly for a while. The difference is now they will not be happy when there vision reaches 20/20 or 20/25.
Bottom line is I see nothing harmful in correcting people to 20/15 all the time anyway. Oddly I know several people that wear contacts and they are corrected to 20/15. But I can't think of anyone I know that was corrected to 20/15 for glasses.
Tim 31 Aug 2010, 23:46
This undercorrection issue by (particularly British) opticians is a recurrent theme in these threads. While the "ethical" reason may be an attempt to slow down the progression of myopia, I suspect the true reason is the knowledge that the customer will be back sooner for a retest and another pair of glasses, thus generating more profit more quickly for the optician.
Soundmanpt 31 Aug 2010, 15:54
SoCal
Well assuming you go back to the same doctor or even a different doctor I would tell him/her just what you said in here that over the past year you felt like you were a bit under corrected. Mention that you can really tell a difference with night driving that you can't see as well as you should. If nothing else ask to be corrected to be able to see the 20/15 line and that should do the trick for you.
SoCal 31 Aug 2010, 15:18
I have an eye exam this coming Thursday and I'm a little anxious about the exam. Last time I was there, the eye doc did not want to give me that extra bump to make my vision super crisp. I ended up walking out of the office with a -2 in each eye. Over the past year, I noticed that my vision was not entirely up to snuff and I feel that my night/day and indoor vision has gotten a tad worse; not too bad. How do I convey what I am seeing to the doc to ensure I end up leaving the office seeing the best possible correction.
Cactus Jack 30 Aug 2010, 17:02
Melyssa,
I don't have to give anyone ideas about driving while using their cell phones and texting. We are very severely outnumbered in that department. It is apparently the "IN" thing. I sometimes wonder if they will be able to continue while riding to the hospital in an ambulance.
The last time I nearly got clobbered was by someone who was so busy talking that they missed a stop sign on a side street and barged into a busy major street. Maybe they had forgotten to put on their glasses and couldn't see it or the cars on the street, but they could see their cell phone well enough to use it. If I hadn't noticed the driver of the car approaching the intersection without even looking or hesitating, I would have been "T-Boned".
I slowed substantially and narrowly missed participating in a nasty accident. I don't think the presence of my van was even noticed and the driver blissfully went on their way, chatting away. I guess I just don't understand what is important.
Notice that I carefully avoided mentioning the gender of the conversationalist. I don't think it makes any difference.
new glasses wearer,
I can't answer why, but it seems that under correcting is more common in the UK than elsewhere. The only things I can think of is that optometrists in the UK are trained to be very stingy with minus correction in the belief that it will slow down myopia or that he felt that with your reading workload, under correction would help. Perhaps other members can offer more or better reasons.
-0.50 under correction will affect your vision beyond 2 to 3 meters. You may be able to avoid under correction next time by telling the examiner that you like your vision to be very sharp and clear for reading distant boards or slides in lecture halls.
Unfortunately, in your visual environment, it may be not be to your benefit to be under corrected. Depending on your visual workload, it may actually be more beneficial to get full correction and a low to moderate reading add in bifocals or if you have to do a lot of work on both a computer and reading, trifocals are not out of the question. Age, in this instance, has nothing to do with it. These would be what are called functional bifocals to help you do your work more efficiently and with less fatigue. Not for presbyopia. About 90% of the knowledge you will receive will be through your eyes and the more mental effort you can devote to absorbing and understanding that knowledge the better, without having to expend mental energy to process blurry images.
You can easily order low cost single vision or bifocal glasses on line - we'll help you, if you want or need it.
May I ask your field of study?
C.
new glasses wearer 30 Aug 2010, 15:48
cactus jack, you are right, it is my choice as to whether I wear them full time etc and your explanations about how good/bad my vision is without them confirms to me that its best to wear them most of the time.
Talking about undercorrection, I remember watching the optomtetrist scribble down his notes on his sheet and he actually put left eye as -2.25 and right eye as -2.00 but on my sheet he gave me it was -.175 and -1.50 , so he did undercorrect me, why do they undercorrect? I could read a bit below the 6/6 line but reckon i could have definitely seen more with the extra bit.
i cant say ive had blurry dreams myself but i have heard of that, it just goes to show how powerful our minds are.
i am 23, im going to be a student again, already done my first degree going back to do a research masters in october.
i went for the eye test because i was starting to get quite anxious about going back to university and having to see the powerpoint presentations in lectures and because my friends from my first degree were all as bad as me with their eyesight, we would always sit at the front, but this time round, il be on my own until i make friends and couldnt face having to go throuh the whole elaborate process of trying to fake good vision.
Melyssa 30 Aug 2010, 14:49
New glasses wearer,
Your RX was the same as my first one at age 8. Of course, I did not drive back then. :) But I used my glasses just for watching TV and movies, and to see the blackboard in school.
Melyssa 30 Aug 2010, 14:48
"Particularly, when they are driving and between actual cell phone conversations." Cactus Jack, please don't give anyone any ideas. I see enough of those I-D-10-T's on the roads, whether their vision is good or like a sports referee.
Soundmanpt 30 Aug 2010, 00:10
Vain000
You are correct. If I were you I would go ahead and order glasses per the prescription given to you. If your still not sure, you should ask if they offer a return policy for a certain amount of time. Many retailers will allow 30 - 60 days to try out your new glasses and if you feel they are not helping you can return them for a full refund. I really think you will find after wearing them a few days that they do what you are hoping for. I am sure your gf loves her glasses, and she will even love them more and more if she is doing that much reading. Did she get progressives or lined bifocals? Progressives are a bit harder to get used to but with her very mild rx it should not be too hard. Progressives are nice if she does much on computers because it includes a mid strength that works well for that.
marie b 29 Aug 2010, 22:08
Cactus Jack, Thank you for your response. The contact lens he currently has is a Cooper Vision Biofinity Toric. He does not know the specific rx for it because it is a trial pair from the doctor. His previous contact lens rx (and contacts!) were from about eight years ago, believe it or not. No, he wasn't using the same pair, but has been using some that were still in their packages! When checking for contacts at online stores, I saw that the prices were well over $125 less for a one year supply than what he was getting from his doctor, and that is taking into consideration the $50 rebate offered by the doctor as well! I don't know that the information I am providing here is of any additional assistance. But I will say that I try to encourage him to give his eyes a rest from time to time and wear his glasses, which I think make him incredibly irrestible! Those, however, are over eight years old, too, and rather out of date. Hoping he'll update them soon~ Thank you.
vain000 29 Aug 2010, 19:42
Thanks again Soundmanpt. It sounds like you suggest I should just get this prescription and forgo a second test where I could better mention the reasons I was there. Is this a correct assumption? If this prescription will indeed help both close and far, then it sounds like that is what I want. The whole + and - lens thing is what threw me off.
As for my girlfriend, yes, I do think she was surprised. I think she was more surprised that she needed distance correction however. But after she got her glasses, she has been very impressed with the difference. As for what she does, she is in grad school, and her program requires her to read extensive amounts.
Cactus Jack 29 Aug 2010, 18:22
Particularly, when they are driving and between actual cell phone conversations. It is rough to have to switch between distance for the road and reading the little-bitty text. Bifocals make it easier.
C.
Soundmanpt 29 Aug 2010, 18:12
Vain000
By the way was your girlfriend surprised to find that her first glasses needed to be bifocals? Recently I have found more and more young people, mostly women, needing weak bifocals. I think it can be blamed on all the small hand held devices and heavy texting. Young ladies love to text.
Soundmanpt 29 Aug 2010, 18:07
Vain000
Actually your kind of right, you and your girlfriend do have similar vision. You both have been given very weak prescriptions but I think you both will find in only a short time that you both will see better with your respective glasses. In your case, you barely have any sph correction, but you do have the beginnings of astigmatism correction that will make a difference for close vision and distance vision. After you wear your glasses a few days to get used to them I think you will notice quickly the difference without them. I would say you should probably wear them full time anyway if you want clear vision all the time. Your girlfriends glasses also have only a slight bit of sph correction, but like you she has the same amount of astigmatism correction as you have. Putting her into bifocals i'm sure will make a difference with reading or any other close work she may do. That also is about the weakest add you can get put into bifocals. It sounds like she has no problem wearing her glasses full time and you should too. You both will be able to see quite well if you take off your glasses, but in a very short time you both would find headaches likely. You said your work puts you in front of a computer all day, what does your gf do work wise?
Most likely you both will need increases in the next 12 months as your eyes relax more. So wearing them now is not a bad idea at all.
Any other questions you may have feel free to ask.
Cactus jack 29 Aug 2010, 17:25
new glasses wearer,
The sphere Rx (1st number) means that everything beyond about 60 cm (23 inches) will be fuzzy and the cylinder and axis (2nd and 3rd numbers) mean that reading small text at any distance will be a little fuzzy without correction. In most situations that Rx would indicated full time wear. It is possible that the optometrist thought that because you had avoided glasses for so long you would not wear them full time anyway.
Your corrected vision is the way you are supposed to be able to see. However, when you wear them is strictly up to you. Remember, you do not need any permissions to wear them and you wear them for your benefit, no one else. You are already wondering why you put it off so long and what you have been missing. I think most knowledgeable members here would suggest full time wear.
The glasses will not make your vision worse, but it will seem that they have. The reason for this is that vision actually occurs in the brain. The eyes are merely biological cameras. The brain is fully capable of using image processing techniques to partially correct fuzzy images if it knows what the images are supposed to look like. However, it takes a lot of work and processing power to correct images. Once your brain discovers that expending all that energy to do image processing is not longer necessary with your glasses, it will decide that it really likes it when you wear them and will stop trying to correct almost everything it gets. To you, your vision will seem worse that it was before you got glasses. If you stop wearing your glasses for a few days, it will reluctantly go back to work, but it will likely complain bitterly.
As proof of the above, have you ever had a blurry dream or heard of blurry hallucinations? Both are produced by the brain without any input from the eyes.
Please let us know how you get on. Also, it is possible that the optometrist actually under corrected you because these are your first glasses. Don't get excited if you have a increase with your next exam.
May I ask your age and occupation?
Welcome to the group.
C.
vain000 29 Aug 2010, 17:17
Soundmanpt and Andrew, thanks so much for the responses!
To answer your question, honestly I was only mentioning that I didn't have a chance to explain myself at the opticians to make a point that I wasn't too impressed with the service I received.
The reason I did go though was because my girlfriend very recently got her eyes checked and was prescribed glasses. I always thought our vision was pretty similar, with hers very slightly worse than mine. When she got her glasses, she was reading and pointing out things that I could not see (for distance). Combine that with the fact that I have noticed eye strain while reading/working on the computer, and this inspired me to get my eyes checked. I went to the same optometrist my girlfriend did and got the prescription I mentioned in my previous post. My girlfriend's prescription is totally different than mine. She actually has progressive lenses, -.25 sph, -.50 cyl in one eye and -.50 sph, -.50 cyl in the other. Add +1.0. The doctor said it had something to do with her eyes not adjusting quickly between distance and close work.
I was then really curious to find out why my prescription was a positive number (+0.25 sph), and why hers were negative. Everything I had been reading on the internet was suggesting that + lenses were for close work, and negative numbers were for distance. And while, yes, I am getting some pretty heavy eyestrain while working in close, I absolutely want to see better in the distance as well. I tried her glasses on, and in the center of her lens I could see incredibly clear.
That got me wondering if my prescription was going to do what I wanted for me. I want to solve my eyestrain issues, but I also want to improve my distance vision as well. I spend most of the day on the computer or reading. I am also a photographer however, and distance vision is very important to me as well. Not to mention being able to better see the board in class.
Now, don't get me wrong. I fully understand my vision is not bad at all. The optometrist said I had 20/25 in one eye and "slightly worse than that" in the other. I've done some tests at home (with exact 20 foot measurements and exact size eye charts) and I am pretty darn sure I am 20/30 in my right eye and that I just got lucky on my guesses at the doctors. The time of day seems to influence this as well though. My eyes seem to get worse the later in the day it is. I'm sure there are millions of people who would love to trade their vision for mine. That being said, I am a bit of a perfectionist, and I know my vision used to be better than it is now. My girlfriend has better vision than me now, and she loves her glasses, even though they aren't exactly the strongest prescription in the world either. So, I want to improve my vision. That is why I went to the optometrist in the first place.
Sorry for the long-winded post, and thanks again for responding. Any feedback on what I said here is greatly appreciated as well.
new glasses wearer 29 Aug 2010, 16:29
hello all
I got my eyes tested after putting it off for about 5 years, Ive always known my vision isnt up to scratch but have tried to convince myself it wasnt that bad
I went to tesco opticians in the UK and got given this
Left eye = -1.75, -.25 X 70
Right eye = -1.50 -.50 X 90
The optometrist said that i shouldnt wear these full time, just wear them for driving etc, but ive had them now for a few days and I cant believe how crisp everything is, why would the optometrist say that i dont have to wear them all the time? He was almost quite anti glasses in his whole approach
I actually find wearing them for reading also makes it easier, writing is darker and less smudgy if that makes sense
Should i just ignore what he said and wear them as much as i want or will wearing them for reading etc make my eyesight worse?
Soundmanpt 28 Aug 2010, 13:06
Good point Andrew. What did prompt you to go for an eye exam in the first place?
Andrew 28 Aug 2010, 11:29
Vain OO - the answer probably lies in the answer to the question you were not asked; why were you at the optician's? It is probably the activity which prompted you to make the appointment for which you would find the glasses the most beneficial.
Soundmanpt 28 Aug 2010, 00:22
Vain000
You are correct in that it is indeed a very light rx. You only have the smallest of rx for sph in your right eye, not something to worry about. But you do have some astigmatism (cyl) in both eyes that could be a problem for you depending what kind of work you do. If your job is spending many hours each day staring into a computer glasses would ease the eye strain you are getting. Same if your doing anything that your using your eyes for be it distance or close up. I think your doctor is telling you that you really don't need them for full time wear, but depending how you use your eyes they may make your eyes feel more rested at the end of a work day. It might be a good idea to go on-line and order a pair from "zennioptical.com" or "glassesunlimited,com" the cost is very cheap and then you can see if they benefit you or not. If you like how they work you can always go to a local vision store and purchase something else. Hope that helps.
vain000 28 Aug 2010, 00:00
I just got a prescription for my first pair of eyeglasses. The prescription sounds extremely weak, and I am wondering if its even worth getting. Any opinions?
It's:
R +0.25 Sph, -0.50 Cyl axis 008
L Plo Sph, -0.50 Cyl axis 172
The other thing is, I was told they were for "visually intensive" tasks. I don't even know what that means. Does that mean close and far vision? I was under the assumption that + lenses would be for close up vision only. The whole thing is pretty confusing, and I felt like I was totally rushed through the process. I didn't even really get to explain why I was at the optometrist in the first place. I am tempted to go somewhere else and get retested.
Thanks in advance!
Cactus Jack 27 Aug 2010, 21:56
narie b,
The second paragraph in my last post should read ..."could you provide his current contact lens Rx?"
In contact lenses, if the cylinder is -0.50 or less, it is normal to add 1/2 of the cylinder to the sphere correction and prescribe sphere only contacts.
Toric lenses are mostly compromises and they are hard to fit and be stable on the cornea. The cylinder correction is available only in -0.50 increments starting at -0.75 through -2.25 and the axis is in 10 degree increments. Your friend might try -1.75, -1.25 x 110 in what ever brand, base curve and diameter he presently wears and alternatively -1.75, -1.75 x 110 and see which one he likes the best. With a little luck, he might get close to 20/25.
For really good vision in these situations it is hard to beat glasses.
C.
Cactus Jack 27 Aug 2010, 21:36
marie b,
The distance from the front surface of the cornea to the rear surface of a lens is called Vertex Distance. For glasses (and phropters) it is about 12 mm and for contact lenses it is 0 (zero). Normally, when you convert a glasses Rx to contact lens Rx, you must make an adjustment for the Vertex Distance difference. However, if the Rx is less than + or - 5.00 the difference is so small that no adjustment is necessary.
In your second post, you said that he had been wearing contacts, could I his current complete Rx for contacts and the brand?
C.
marie b 27 Aug 2010, 21:26
I have one more question....and yes, I know this site is more for eyeglasses than contacts but there's such a wealth of knowledge here....anyway, as I looked up the various types of contacts at the online stores, I noted that the cylinder amounts are usually -.75, -1.25, and then it jumps to -1.75 and -2.25. There is no -.5 and there is no -1.50, at least not for the brand of contacts he currently uses, nor for most of the others. Hmmm.....any thoughts?
marie b 27 Aug 2010, 21:00
Hi,
I have a question regarding a glasses rx, and whether the contact lens rx would be the same. Here is the rx glasses;
-1.75, -1.50, x112
-1.25, -.50, x79
Would the rx for contacts be the same? Is there a difference due the contacts being closer to the eye, or does that not apply since the rx is not that high? Thanks for your assistance, as my friend asked if I'd order contacts for him but I just needed to confirm first. mb
Soundmanpt 26 Aug 2010, 00:02
Oops! I meant to say "without question the best for sports"
Soundmanpt 26 Aug 2010, 00:00
Seeing the dictionary description of "vain" I must agree that I was wrong in using that word to people in here. I would never use any of those descriptive words to any of the ladies in here.
I totally agree that it is everyone's choice to choose glasses, contacts are nothing at all. I also agree that contacts are without best for playing sports. That being said the only comment I have is that I don't think someone should choose not wearing glasses because they are afraid of what others may think of them.
Katy, thank you for posting the definition of "vain" it is a word I will not be using in the future and am sorry for my past useage.
Clare 25 Aug 2010, 16:01
And - I don't think so, I think my prescription's good for a while yet ... at least I hope so! I'm still going to hang out for as long as possible, they may have to lay on transport to get me there ;)
MinusDude 25 Aug 2010, 12:17
I go to a chain but the optometrist is very patient. Each time I have an appointment I say how much it drives me crazy if the prescription isn't just exactly right. He actually thanked me for mentioning that and was extremely patient. He mentioned that some people are very picky about matching up the prescription and others aren't bothered by prescriptions that are as much as .5 off.
Julian 25 Aug 2010, 07:53
In my experience independents are often cheaper than chains as well.
sandy 25 Aug 2010, 02:53
SoCal- I have found that high street chains( mainly specsavers) tend to rush you through your eyetest so ive stopped going to said place, probably because of the sheer volume of appointments they pack into one day, so maybe if you feel your indecisiveness is getting in the way, go to an independent spot where they may have more time in between appointments.
I can relate to that feeling of being embarrased that I cant read the eyechart, I hate it year after year, they know I cant read the big letter e so why ask me!!! I dont like the way, you are just sat there not being able to see why they do all sorts of tests on your eyes and then only slowly are you able to see right at the end.
what is the best way to get through an eye exam without getting that panicky feeling especially during the one/two, red/green bit, as that bit makes me feel quite nervous.
And 24 Aug 2010, 18:28
Clare, are you likely to need a new prescription do you think ?
Jennifer 24 Aug 2010, 17:46
I've had doctors in the past who saw me struggling to read a line, but didn't feel it was necessary to increase my prescription. That is one thing that used to irritate me about the eye exam. I always wondered why this particular doctor didn't want me to see something crystal clear. If I could make out a couple of the letter on the line, he let me stay with the lens. I hated that! I'm happy to say that I've found an excellent doctor who is not afraid to give me an increase so that I can see the best possible. She listens to me and can relate to what I say because she wears glasses too! I now only see her. I will not go to another doctor. When her practice moved to another city, I went to her new practice, even if it meant a longer drive.
I hate the puff in the eye!!!!! Can't stand it and need to learn how to relax during that part of the exam. LOL
SoCal 24 Aug 2010, 17:22
Sandy & Claire,
I seriously thought I was the only person in the world who felt the pressure while having a test done. For some reason the feedback that I get always makes me feel like I have chosen the wrong lens. Ugh, needless to say, I am not looking forward to the exam. And the red/green test, forget about it . . . pure torture!
Clare 24 Aug 2010, 16:07
Sandy - I dread it! I'm not sure why exactly but it involves fear of my prescription changing, and I also feel a bit embarrassed about not being able to read some of the letters - maybe from one optician a long time ago saying "ok this isn't going to be good ...". How great does that make anyone feel! And I hate the puff of air in the eye. I just don't feel in control, and don't like that!
I had a call a week ago to say my 2 year test is due. To be honest I so don't want to go I'm ignoring it, I had a contacts check up in January and will have another next January so it's not a big health issue, I just don't want to go!
sandy 24 Aug 2010, 15:59
It is interesting to read that other people find getting an eye exam a somewhat difficult experience,
I have always felt pressurised to make choices, well i guess you have to , but i find that the optometrist always pushes me " go on try and read the line, red or green, one or two" over and over again, especially the red green bit, they want an answer and i end up jst saying any colour which then prompts more one or two questions, it drives me up the wall!
Whenever the exam starts and they want me to read off the chart, i start squinting, but then get told not to, i feel like whatever i do , im doing it wrong!!!
what are other peoples experiences?
Clare 24 Aug 2010, 15:30
SoCal - not sure what your Rx is but, given what you say about your fear of exams, why don't you tell the optician that you are having problems seeing even at short distances. Surely if you do that they're hardly likely to reduce it?
ps - I hate eye exams too because I find them scary!
SoCal 24 Aug 2010, 15:03
I was sitting in on a presentation yesterday and chose a seat in the back of the room. I figured that the room was small enough that I wouldn't have a problem seeing the projection with my contacts in. Well, I was mistaken and I found myself squinting followed my some eye pain and a headache. Believe me, I couldn't wait for the darn thing to end. Anyway, could it be possible that I need an rx change? I have the hardest time at eye exams and I always feel like I am not ending up with the vision I would like. Ugh, the pressure of choosing which lens is better, "one or two", sends me into panic mode every year. What should I do? I have an exam scheduled for early Sept. with a different doc but I am worried that my indecisiveness will lead me to a weaker and worse rx. Any advise would be helpful as I am going crazy with the headaches and the sore eyes.
Carlos 21 Aug 2010, 19:39
Hi All
Just came back from my optician and I was amazed with her findings and suggestions, these are the following senarios:
1.full correction including add L.E +7.00 R.EYE + 4.50 and correction of - 3.50 left and right to wear fulltime and she thinks this will slow down my need for + glasses.
2. Wear +3.50 add+ 2.50 left eye +2.00 add+2.50 cyl -.75 fulltime wear and review in 3 mths . cost of specs with varifocals € 250 . contacts with - glasses over € 100.
Any suggestions
Cactus Jack 19 Aug 2010, 18:37
Peter C,
That is a pretty mild Rx for her age, but I suspect she can function pretty well without them unless she is driving, watching TV, reading, or using the computer. That sounds pretty much like full time, but she needs to make that decision and she should do what she feels comfortable doing. If you are patient, she will probably elect to wear them most of the time.
From here on out, the distance part will probably be very stable, but the add may creep up to +2.50 or +3.00 depending on how much close work she likes to do. When it reaches about +2.50 (ideal for reading at 16 inches or 40 cm) it will also stabilize unless she likes to focus closer. At that point the add is mathematically related to the working distance.
C.
Peter C 19 Aug 2010, 17:22
My wife had just had a test and her prescription has gone from
L: sph -0.50 cyl -0.75 axis 95 R: sph -0.25 cyl -0.75 axis 70 Add +1.0
to
L: sph -0.75 cyl -1.0 axis 95 R: sph -0.25 cyl -0.75 axis 70 Add +1.75
She is 52 and had no myopia until she got a first weak prescription at 47. Should she be a fulltime wearer and is her prescription likely to increase? I have just seen her new glasses and I am surprised how strong they look. I am a real GWG fan so I am quite pleased by this.
Ryan O'C 19 Aug 2010, 10:50
My twin sis, Ryanne, did get an increase as she suspected. She's now -18 in both eyes with plenty of astigmatism. The doctor has taken her completely off contacts, after her wearing them for about 10 years.
Curt, my bro also got an increast to -17.5 in one eye and -18 in the other. I'm sure he is going to surpass me before long. He also got his first trifocals, which he hates!
Puffin 19 Aug 2010, 06:32
Basically about minus 2 in the worst eye, a little less if there is significant astigmatism eg .75 or more, if there are other issues like double vision or headaches, or a large difference between the eyes then more likely. If the person has obviously had their myopia and coped with it for a long while just possibly a bit over minus 2 or possibly advised to introduce full time wear gradually over a period of a few weeks. Some of this is "rules of thumb" and some the general opinion of the optician and the age and situation of the patient.
Generally speaking the younger the eyes are the easier & quicker it is to adapt to significant correction.
I think it likely that your situation would suggest full time wear.
Shazheen 18 Aug 2010, 19:06
Hi Puffin
Thanks for replying to my question. I wonder exactly what makes an optician recommend full time wear. Do you know?
I don't wear my glasses in the office and have never been told to wear my glasses for more than driving. Mad really because even in the office I sometimes don't recognise people at a distance! My fault I guess.
Puffin 17 Aug 2010, 13:47
Shazheen:
it depends on your age, if you're over 14/15 there is very little chance that the weaker eye will "turn off" completely because the brain is ignoring it. As you get younger than that, the chances are higher. By 14 most people's visual systems are well developed enough not for that to happen. Getting the brain to get such an eye back into use can be troublesome.
It can happen that you might develop double vision and require some sort of prism correction as well as that for myopia.
Whether your vision is equally corrected or not, properly converged stereoscopic vision is superior. The brain is a wonderful thing and can adapt to monovision, and some other sorts of visual disturbances, but it is generally accepted that it is best avoided unless there is a good reason.
Most opticians would recommend full time wear with that prescription, especially if there is astigmatism present.
Shazheen 17 Aug 2010, 12:55
Hi everyone
I've seen lots of questions about wearing glasses fulltime here and this is mine. I have glasses of -1.5 and -2.75. The -1.5 I know is quite weak but my other eye seems quite blind so I must be using one eye to see most of the time.
Is it doing my eyes any harm that one is doing all the work?
Like lenses 10 Aug 2010, 19:47
Melyssa
Microscope eyes ,eh?
Melyssa 10 Aug 2010, 12:29
This reminds me of when I was in 10th grade and forgot to take my glasses with to school the Tuesday before Thanksgiving Day. (I did not start fulltime wear until after 11th grade.) While it was difficult to see the blackboard that day, biology class never looked better.
Clare 10 Aug 2010, 11:53
kk - not sure why you're putting yourself through this nor what you might be trying to prove!
It's entirely your choice when and for what you wear glasses, and the fact that you found it annoying without them proves that it's better to wear them. Interestingly a colleague whom I guess to be about -2 came to work today - no glasses. She was squinting alot and on one occasion declared herself to be 'blind' but I didn't like to ask why no glasses. Funnily enough though, in a social situation after work she takes them off anyway, personally I'd have thought she'd be more likely to put them on. See how people's needs are different?
So, do what you want. I wear contacts at work and am -3 and -2.75 yet a few years back when I couldn't wear contacts for going on a month (and my prescription was a little less) I was surprised at how much I did wear them at work - most of the time except at my PC. I'm known here for being a reluctant glasses wearer so my advise to you might seem strange to some, but don't be guided by what others say you should do, do whatever's best for you!
kk 10 Aug 2010, 10:48
I am officially pathetic. Went to work without glasses, got to about lunchtime and had to put them on- blur was annoying me and found it strangely disconcerting when someone talked to me from a distance and their facial expressions weren't clear. Given I have such a weak prescription, is this because I am used to wearing them all the time? Will it get easier if I wear them less. I got a couple of comments that I was not wearing glasses this morning but made some excuses.
Rachel 10 Aug 2010, 10:00
Hey Soundmanpt,
Still here. And still wearing glasses pretty much full-time. I've got a pair of RX sunglasses too, which have been great. I must confess I don't always wear my specs on evenings out and I have had the odd "day off", largely because my eyes can still function OK-ish without them (I'm -1.5 in each eye). Weirdly, I'm wearing them less now than I did in the first three weeks (I was probably overcome by the novelty of clear sight!).
No real problems with glasses-wearing to speak off. Feel totally confident with my appearance wearing them (have even changed my Facebook pic to one of me wearing specs). Around three or four times a day I need to wipe smudges off the lenses, but this is a minor inconvenience.
I'm not reliant on my glasses at all, which I thought I would have been after two months (even my boyfriend, a full-time wearer, thinks it's strange I'm not dependent upon them).
I can confirm that the whole if-you-wear-glasses-your-eyes-get-worse theory is a total myth.
Gino 07 Aug 2010, 15:53
Xplore, difficult to tell her prescriptionon the basis of the thickness at the edges alone. But se's probably -5.00, my best guess.
Yasmin 07 Aug 2010, 15:10
To give up contacts for good is a very dreadful thought.
There are definitely things that I would hate to do with glasses, like dancing classes or dancing performances (I am not a professional dancer, I just do it for fun), or swimming... or whatever. It would be hard to just dont have the option for contacts. A friend of mine had that problem and I really felt sorry for her.
But I'm thinking about to go full-time in glasses in my next job (in a different city) - encouraged by eye scene! Of course I will keep my contacts for spare time activities.
Three days glasses and two days contacts during a week didnt work out for me and I switched back to full time contacts because wearing glasses stressed me too much. And I did not liked the fact that this unnecessary stress affected my work.
But at my new job I just could appear in glasses with the idea in mind that nobody knows me without and hopefully I will finally get used to them.
Xplore 07 Aug 2010, 14:21
I have decided to try full time wear and go with it - Just spent a really uncomfortable time at the gym not able to focus on the tv screen attached to the tread mill.
Looking around while there realised how many people there are wearing glasses, also really surprised that someone who I work with wears glasses and contacs, today she had glasses on, they made her eyes look smaller than normal and where about 6mm thich at the edges, any ideas as to her prescription?
I plan on starting the full time triasl from tomorrow - wish me luck!
Soundmanpt 07 Aug 2010, 07:14
Rachel
Haven't seen any posts from you since July 13th. You were getting ready to shop for rx sunglasses. It has been about 2 months since you got your glasses, anything new to report? Before the only problem you were having was figuring out how to twist your head to kiss your bf because he also wears glasses and you were banging glasses. So have you found anything else that wearing glasses is a problem?
Soundmanpt 07 Aug 2010, 06:08
Clare
In answer to what I did, well pretty much everything that the doctor didn't do I did at different times. Getting background info filled out, checking rxs on patient's glasses, assisting on picking out frames, doing many adjustments on glasses, fitting new ones. I was lucky because I didn't get too involved with the contacts dept. It was shocking how many came out of the doctors office with their first rx and went straight to contacts even with an rx that they barely needed for driving at night. I wanted so badly to say, "you should just get glasses and wear them as needed", but you are trained to give the patient whatever they want. I think my favorite part was fitting glasses to an attractive young lady. That was the best job I ever had. Sadly it didn't pay enough to cover my bills and I worked in the printing field due to better pay. Now that I am retired I am considering going back and working part time again soon. I have many friends at various optical stores that tell me they would hire me. We will see.
Clare 06 Aug 2010, 11:34
kk - I'm not exactly an authority on this, just experience really. When I was -2.25 and -2.75 the optician said that most people with that prescription would wear them all the time. In the office when you're sitting at your PC you probably don't need them - I'm a little bit more than you and at home I just sit fairly close to the screen when I don't have my contacts in. But walking around the office I'm sure you'd find it an improvement to wear them, as for going to and from the office however you get there. I know when I've needed to take my contacts out in the office because they've been bugging me, it's been fine at my desk but very blurry beyond it so I can't see why you wouldn't want to wear them everywhere but your desk.
I'm not a comfortable glasses wearer but I'd say never mind what your colleague thinks, do what you prefer. One of my colleagues wears glasses maybe -2 in the office but takes them off when they leave. That I find very strange but it just goes to show that people do what they like best - and so should you!
JR 06 Aug 2010, 06:39
Sorry, GOC = Glasses Over Contacts. So a person who normally does not wear glasses can by wearing contacts.
So I wear a plus contact lens to be able to wear stong minus glasses.
See the thread on the eye scene site.
Millhouse 06 Aug 2010, 06:03
Rayray-
I tried it and the sim looked a good image of what I see with my rx of -7.50/ -6.50.
I had a look at a -1.25 /-1.00 also to see what how it appears to a male friend of mine who will not wear his specs unless driving! Now I know why he often doesnt spot me in the pub!
Vanity in all its glory.
Rayray 06 Aug 2010, 04:54
The simulations are always somewhat inaccurate because everyone (even with the same rx) 'sees' somewhat differently. That simulator is relatively accurate compared to most for my -8.5 / -8.25 -0.75 cyl rx. The pictures are a good representation of what i see at distance. The snellen chart is actually a bit 'clear' as the shape of the large letters is still visible. I cannot differentiate even the vague square shape of the 20/400 line big E - i am simply aware of a very vague dark blob on the white screen.
Xplore 06 Aug 2010, 00:28
kk,
I am starting to think the same, about wearing full time, being a bit of a fraud. I am also a bit vain about wearing my glasses in public too much I need them mostly for work but find it a bit of a pain having to take them on and off all of the time, then moving to a different office and not being able to see something clearly.
On the back of that am thinking about going full time but relative to some folks here have a weak prescription so feel a bit of a fraud.
How good is your vision without your glasses? Do you wear full time at work and around the house? What have others said? How easy did you find it to go full time?
kk 05 Aug 2010, 22:57
JR. What is GOC?
Clare. So its OK to wear them for more than driving but not all the time? Maybe when I am watching TV and at the cinema or theatre? I probably do not need them for work as I am in an office job and I am sitting close to my computer. Will try without and keep them in my handbag for when we have presentations.
I do not think an optician has ever told me when I need them. Only at the last eye test when they obviously think I should not be wearing them all the time as they said I shouldn't wear them for reading.
Daniel 05 Aug 2010, 21:46
It has been vanity preventing me from wearing glasses more all these years too... Eventually everybody who wear contacts will have to wear glasses more often than just a few hours a week. I just have a hard time imagining having to wear glasses all the time, everyday, and no contacts at all... How would you feel it you just had to give up contacts for good?
Yasmin 05 Aug 2010, 19:50
Daniel,
I will post my answer it into choosing frames.
Xplore,
in my case it is the simple but frightening vanity. I just feel prettier without them.
But as I find out by reading here on eye scene, many people seem to have this vanity thing at least when they begin to go full-time.
I don't know if I ever get used to it, as I still have the opportunity to wear contacts.
It home, I absolutely have no problem, as well.
Puffin 05 Aug 2010, 16:32
I think the original question is best answered in a particular way. Not how blurry something looks in the distance, as most things will become so blurry as to be indistinguishable (even compared to the most highly contrasting background) that comparing to a bit more blurry doesn't help with imagining what can be seen.
Instead think of how close you have to bring things in order to see or identify things, or conversely how far away your useful vision reaches. For instance, at minus 20 you may be able to read normal print - probably with your nose near or pressed against the page, and I doubt you'd want to try it for long assuming you have correction available which can let you read just about like everyone else. However with minus 40 this is basically pointless (unless, as I said elsewhere, you happen not to have a nose).
Similarly telling people apart - assuming they are similarly dressed and of similar height and size, minus 20 I would put about 1 foot to 18 inches. Minus 40 would be about half that.
For counting fingers minus 20 is about 4 feet away, minus 40 about 2 feet away. I imagine at this point you will be wanting to see things a bit more than within arms reach so the glasses will go back on.
Cactus Jack 05 Aug 2010, 15:47
QUERY,
Here is a link to a pretty good vision simulator. The site is in German. Alter=Age Range, Sph=Sphere, Cyl=Cylinder, and Berechnen=Go!
http://www.optiker.at/simulator/
The site only goes up to +/- 15 and over 15. The reason that it only goes this far is that vision gets so blurry that there is little point in debating just how blurry, incredibly blurry is. When something is so blurry that even large objects are colored blobs, If you go higher, the blobs just change size and that is even hard to compare. Compare -5, -10, and -15 and see what you think.
At some point Eye Care Professionals quit trying to assign a number to visual acuity such as 20/1000 (which means that the patient can see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see at 1000 feet) and ask the patient to count held up fingers. The actual Rx onlys become important during the refraction process when the examiner has refracted th patient below about 20/200 with the goal of as near 20/20 as possible. Very few high myopes can reach this level of acuity because of retinal problems and distortion caused by severe elongation of the eyeball. May I ask your age, if you wer vision correction, if you do, the Rx and where you live?
C.
Clare 05 Aug 2010, 13:21
soundmanpt- you mentioned that you worked for an eye doctor. You have alot of knowledge, what was the job that you did there?
Clare 05 Aug 2010, 13:19
kk - I disagree with your colleague. Admittedly at -2.50 you don't *need* glasses to read but I guess alot of people don't take them off to read something. And of course it's possible to get around, for example, the office without them. But for 20/20 vision you certainly need them so I think his comments were unnecessary. I have a friend who's -2.50 and he wears glasses all the time if not wearing contacts.
05 Aug 2010, 10:22
cactus jack,
i will surely try that,but now i am a student and i cant afford that much
can you explain by words replies for my previous post?
Cactus Jack 05 Aug 2010, 10:16
QUERY,
Rather than ask someone who is very myopic to describe their vision without glasses, why don't you experience it first hand. In this instance, the experience is worth about a million words.
Fortunately, it can be done at surprisingly low cost by doing a variation on GOC. All you need to do is order some +20 Proclear contacts from Global Lens and a pair of +20 or as high as possible plus glasses from an on line retailer. Assuming your Rx is not very high in either direction, you can experience the vision of a person who needs to wear about -25 or so glasses and then by putting on the high plus glasses with the contacts, you can experience the vision of a person needing much higher minus glasses. The exact amount doesn't really matter at these levels of blurriness.
C.
QUERY 05 Aug 2010, 09:36
i am posting to this website for the first time.actually , i have a special attraction for worse eyesight and strong glasses.
any real high myope posts here ,mabe above minus 20?
i would love to how will be their vision without glasses?
WHAT WILL BE THE DIFFERENCE IN VISION WITHOUT GLASSES FOR A MIN 20 AND MIN 40 PERSON?
Xplore 05 Aug 2010, 08:37
Yasmin
What is it that you don't like about wearing your glasses?
I am similar in that I wear them around the house but don't like wearing them outside, although I might give it a try?
Daniel 04 Aug 2010, 15:07
Hey Jaz... How does your spare glasses look like? How many pairs do you own?
Yasmin 04 Aug 2010, 14:57
pr0-0gressives,
I wear contacts most of the time but if I cant do that for any reason I will use my backup glasses, even though I dont like myself to be seen in glasses. I can not imagine to function without. At home I sometimes try to go without but as soon as I want to watch tv, go to the kitchen or surf in the internet..., I need them. When I enjoy the sun on my balcony I will be without.
Soundmanpt,
I tried the optiker.@simulator. I tried first with -7 and -0.5 cylinder but the simulation is much much worse than I really notice my vision. The simulation at -4 without cylinder comes close to what I see. But that simulation is not better than the program I used for my room. It does not overlay the two eyes, either.
I am also very curious to find out how -15 people see their uncorrected world.
JR 04 Aug 2010, 13:00
kk
Sounds like you co worker is jealous of you.
Tell him about GOC.
kk 04 Aug 2010, 12:46
Thanks for your reply soundmanpt. I think maybe -1.75 when I started to wear them most of the time. I started to think maybe I was missing things, such as people on the other side of the road. It was a little embarrassing, well very, when my work colleague said I only needed to wear glasses for driving as I wear them all the time at work. It was in front of some senior people, and he then went on to say that people thought it was cool to wear glasses. I felt like I was being portrayed as someone wearing them because I liked the way they looked. Tried not wearing them for a few hours. Mostly ok as inside my house but had to wear them to watch Tv as it seemed too blurry without.
Xplore 04 Aug 2010, 12:08
My prescription is R +1.25 / -0.50 / 135 and L +1.00 / -0.25 / 180.
On Cactus Jacks suggestion I am going to try full time wear for a couple of weeks - Currently just close up and computer stuff but I am having problems seeing the tv screens on the running machines at the gym.
I would welcome any advice and tips for full time wear? How did others start? I am quite vain and will need to resist the temptation to just put my glasses in my pocket.
Thanks for the advice - anyone?
Soundmanpt 04 Aug 2010, 11:14
kk
Everyone sees a bit differently. Some feel they need to wear correction at -.75 full time others much higher. Where I worked the doctor recommended full time wear at around -1.50, but even less if cyl. (astigmatism) was involved. I think you certainly need them for more than driving. One thing for sure is you are in no way a fraud. Actually I hate that term being used in when someone can or should go to full time wear. If someone chooses to wear glasses with only -.50 full time that person is not a fraud, they just like wearing glasses or like seeing perfect at all times. Nothing wrong with that.
By wearing your glasses or contacts you enjoy great vision all the time, if you only wear them at certain times many things would be blurry that you are happy seeing clear now.
By the way just curious what rx were you when you went full time and how long ago?
kk 04 Aug 2010, 10:45
I'm new here, basically looking for answers to my questions! I have worn glasses for about 9 years. Since I went to university at the age of 18 I have worn them, or contact lenses, most of the time. Lately I've wondered if that is normal at my prescription, which is-2.50. I ask because someone asked me at work during a conversation about eyesight. One guy said, oh you barely need glasses at all then, just to drive. I was kind of embarrassed to admit they are on most of the time. My optician also said at the last eye test (glasses were broken at the time so I had not worn them to the test) I know you don't wear glasses for reading. But I do if its during the work day. If I am reading in bed I wouldn't wear them then. Now I think perhaps it would be better just to wear them for driving only. Can anyone advise? I feel a bit of a fraud wearing them now.
03 Aug 2010, 22:38
thanks yasmin,for showing how do you view your room without glasses.
if there is any high myopes here like above minus or plus 15 here,i would lie to request them to post such photos
Soundmanpt 03 Aug 2010, 21:22
Yasmin
Something that has been posted here before may help some. "optiker.@simulator/index.htm" It is written in German.but if you fill in the blanks with your age and then your "sph" and "cyl" click on "brechen" or whatever it says and it is something like what your uncorrected vision looks like. Most tell me that they feel their vision is not as bad as it tends to indicate others say it is right on. At any rate it is kinda fun to play with. Something I do, anyone that orders glasses thru me I will make copies of this to show friends how the world looks without their glasses, everyone seems to like it.
pr0-0gressives 03 Aug 2010, 18:31
Thank you for posting this, Yasmin. It does give a feel for what it's like to be very nearsighted without your glasses better than words. I know I wouldn't want to go without correction if that was the way I saw. On the other hand, I used to work with someone who was very nearsighted but refused to get a backup pair of glasses, and would come to work bare-eyed if she lost/tore a contact lens. She unconsciously squinted hard all the time, even when someone was only two feet away, and leaned very close to the monitor; and I once saw her have to feel on a desk top for a large tag attached to the key to the ladies' room. Even so she insisted that she could see without her contacts. I guess since she could see large objects she figured she could get by without glasses.
Have you ever had to be without your glasses for any length of time?
Yasmin 03 Aug 2010, 14:49
What I see without glasses is hard to describe in words. With my right eye I see clear at 12 cm / 4.7 inch. With my left eye at 15 cm / 5.9 inch.
After that its quite blurry. I made some photos. My room with glasses and without.
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad325/yasmin-angel/room1.jpg
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad325/yasmin-angel/room2b.jpg
This is a quite good approximation of what I do see. Of course it is a bit different because I see an overlay of the better left eye with my preferred right eye.
And here is a view at my computer from 80 cm / 31.5 inch. Guess what I am looking at ;-)!
http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad325/yasmin-angel/computer2b.jpg
Does somebody know a graphics program which can simulate the myopic view better?
And 02 Aug 2010, 14:38
Yasmin, your script is very similar to my gf's. How would you describe what you see without your glasses ?
Yasmin 02 Aug 2010, 13:12
not transcription but prescription, sorry *rofl*
Yasmin 02 Aug 2010, 13:08
My new transcription is almost the same like two years ago. Yay!
R: -7.50, -0.25, 179°
L: -5.75, -0.75, 7°
In my two years old glasses I have R: -7 and L: -6. I remember that already then, I was a little bit undercorected (what was my desire). The left eye has a significant astigmatism but I cant tolerate the cyclinder. So I chose more minus instead.
Seems that my Rx is finally (hopefully) stable. Maby it is because I did my home computerwork with my old weaker glasses. My contacts are -6.5 and -5.5, which is also a bit undercorrected but sufficient.
I already chose a new frame as a expected that I would need a new prescription. Mayby I will get it with my old prescription instead.
I will see what happends when I get pregnant. I noticed that my eyes got worse (which were already stable before) when I took the pill for the first time. Hormones definately influence the vision/the growth of the eye. Strange. Why?
Melyssa 30 Jul 2010, 12:58
Soundmanpt,
It's okay to get off topic there. Oswalt pitches tonight, and I am so glad that Ed Wade is even a dumber GM than Ruben Amaro Jr., that the Phillies did not have to give up too much for Roy II. (BTW, the Amaros once lived about 2 miles from me long, long ago.)
You're right about the size of my drop-temples as far as progressives go, but I may be more inclined to redo a pair not in my top 10 favorites (or 20). Of course, if that $11 million that Houston gave the Phillies would have gone to me, ...
Melyssa 30 Jul 2010, 12:54
Curt,
Thanks for the info, but I'm a little uneasy about ordering frames and/or lenses online, never knowing if they would fit my big head properly. When I got my bleudame frames this year, I asked them to give me all of the measurements of them, which meant not ordering a pair I had some interest in.
Soundmanpt 29 Jul 2010, 16:03
Melyssa
I was only saying just get one pair made that way to see if you even like it, I think you would. But hey the good news is that if you did decide to convert all of your hot, sexy drop temples over at least they are the correct size to hold progressives. That way it would only be a small fortune for lenses. I heard today it looks like your getting Roy Oswald from Houston. He wanted to come here but Houston was catching flack from teams in our division about staying the same division so they caved. I thought your pitching was in good shape already. We are the ones that need help. Since Brad Penny and Kyle Louse went out the pitchers that have taken there places have won only 1 game. Today was more of the same.
Sorry I got wayyyy off topic.
Curt 29 Jul 2010, 13:21
Melyssa: Bifocals from Zenni Optical start at $25.00 plus shipping...
Melyssa 29 Jul 2010, 12:43
Soundmanpt,
Well, let's see, pardon the pun. A complete pair of glasses ranges from $50 to $120, but I prefer the less expensive varieties. Getting single-vision lenses in current frames runs $40. Bifocals would be closer to $100-$300 per pair. Now if my husband or myself would make as much money at our work as, say, your average Phillie or Cardinal, I'd have 35 pairs of big, bold, and beautiful glasses each with progressive lenses. :)
Soundmanpt 29 Jul 2010, 06:52
Melyssa
It took me a bit to compose myself, I was all excited about you wearing bifocals, then you just had to burst the bubble didn't you? Can I ask a crazy question,we all know I can, why not get at least one pair made as progressives? It would seem a lot easier than what you do now with one on top of the other? What's one more pair of glasses to you? You already leave the house each day with what about 4 different pairs with you.
Besides if you did that we can all go back to drooling at the thought of you in bifocals.
Melyssa 28 Jul 2010, 12:23
Like Lenses,
Hate to "heat" you up, but I do not wear bifocals. I use half-readers with a pair of my regular glasses when I read in poor light. With a real large frame, I slip the readers inside, and with a smaller frame (still bigger than just about anything sold in this century), I wear the readers in front of them.
Cactus Jack 28 Jul 2010, 10:46
Daniel,
The post on this thread confused me. The first and third post appeared to be parts of on-going conversations, but the second post was that of a newbie. Anyway, come on in and join the fun.
C.
Daniel 28 Jul 2010, 10:23
I didnt want to create confussion by making continous posts. All were posted by me. As I said I just found this website and I felt like letting my voice be heard. By no means I wanted to create disturbances.
Like lenses 27 Jul 2010, 22:17
Melyssa
I didn't realize that you were in bifocals . Very cool!
Cactus Jack 27 Jul 2010, 20:59
ehpc,
Thank you.
All,
I periodically try to post that I am not an Eye Care Professional and don't pretend to be. I am an amateur in the original meaning of the word as one who engages in an activity out of love of knowledge and understanding, rather than for payment. My background is Computers and Electronics. As part of my education, I studied Physics and as part of Physics, Optics. My knowledge about Vision and Optics comes from years of study and analysis of the subjects after being very dissatisfied with offered answers and solutions, that just didn't make sense, about my own vision problems, from Eye Care Professionals.
Occasionally, I am asked questions and I try to offer answers and suggestions based on my technical knowledge and my own experience without being judgmental. Most of my posts are an effort to foster understanding of the optical and biological principles involved with vision. .
Some members have found my explanations and suggestions useful and I plan to try to continue to offer them as long as I can or until I am told to stop.
C.
Cactus Jack 27 Jul 2010, 20:00
Radioman,
You are right. My post was not very friendly and I apologize.
"New" Daniel, welcome to the group. As it happens there were 3 posts from "Daniel" within about 5 minutes. Two posts, about 4 minutes apart, appeared to be from the same Daniel, but the post in between them appeared to be from a new potential member. My only reason for suggesting a different Nickname is to avoid confusion.
I sincerely hope you will become an active contributor to the group.
C.
ehpc 27 Jul 2010, 19:57
Doubtless CJ can speak for himself! And, of course, professionals are superior to amateurs!
ehpc 27 Jul 2010, 19:55
CJ isn't practising his trade. He is an amateur, not a professional.
Radioman 27 Jul 2010, 18:49
Daniel- Do not give any thought to changing your name here on ES.Cactus Jack is just an old fuddy-duddy trying to practice his trade here on-line.There is a "Dan" here and thats his nickname or screen name. So what C.J.?
Cactus Jack 27 Jul 2010, 17:35
I believe we may have two Daniels posting almost simultaneously on three different threads. If so, I suggest that the new "Daniel" choose a different nickname so we do not get the two confused.
C.
Daniel 27 Jul 2010, 15:17
Hey you all! I am new to this most interesting website. My prescription is -7.5 in both eyes. It has been such a unique experience to find out that there is other people out there who likes and are interested in glasses. Wow...
Melyssa 27 Jul 2010, 12:33
Karynnina,
Yes, it's true, I have 33 pairs of glasses in my regular prescription, and I wear each set of eyewear once a week.
Melyssa 27 Jul 2010, 12:31
25 Jul 2010, 14:15 poster:
I have had an eye exam every year now since 2006, as I am age-eligible for that. Beforehand, I had eye exams every two years. It just so happened that my distance vision stabilized in 1992, but I had my first add (+1.50) in 2004, and it's +2.50 now.
Karynnina 26 Jul 2010, 14:07
Melyssa,
You have 33 pairs of glasses? Now it's my turn to be jealous, lol. I'd settle for 7, just to have a pair per day.
I've worn glasses since I was 6 and 1/2 years young, but I don't know what the rx was then. The -8 & -8.25 rx lasted almost 2 decades, as evidenced by my pink frames, which I've had that long.
Karynnina
25 Jul 2010, 14:15
Melyssa: Wow, 18 years seems like quite a long spell without a prescription change! How long has it been since your last eye exam?
Melyssa 24 Jul 2010, 07:59
Karynnina,
I'm jealous of your drop in prescription. :) I've been locked in at -9.00 for about 18 years now. Actually, there is some good to it, as I don't have to worry about changing prescriptions in 33 pairs of big, bold, and beautiful plastic-frame glasses every year or two.
Aubrac 24 Jul 2010, 07:41
Karynnina
I have worn bi-focal contacts for quite a few years and still don't quite understand how they work! Unlike progressives and bi-focal glasses, you don't have to look through the lower part of the lens but can look directly at a page.
The add part goes around the lens so there is no 'top half/bottom half' as with bi-focals. I only know they work as I have tried straight -5.00 contacts and it is difficult to read with them.
I assume I still have reasonable power of accommodation which means I can still wear non-add -5.00 glasses, and it maybe makes wearing bi-focal contacts easier for me.
As I said I have been able to read, except quite small print, with my glasses, but find the other pair (maybe they are -4.50) still ok for distance but absolutely ok for reading everything.
It just goes to show that despite the best opthalmic testing, and even with people with identical prescriptions, visual acuity can vary between individuals.
24 Jul 2010, 01:19
any one here glasses above or equal min 40.
ehpc 23 Jul 2010, 14:36
The pink plastic frame sounds cool :) Pete
Karynnina 23 Jul 2010, 13:27
Aubrac,
I have kept all of my glasses, except those that broke, since I first got them. I use a pretty pink plastic frame as a backup, but in single vision. As for that old clear frame in -8.00, my vision isn't exactly as good as it is with the soon-to-be-former pair.
How do you manage to get by with bifocal contacts, as I would figure they would shift around, yet you can read without an add with glasses?
Karynnina
Aubrac 23 Jul 2010, 04:13
Have been -5.00 +2.00 add for contacts for years but have always found my straight -5.00 glasses ok for reading except very small print.
Just the last few days have found problems at the computer using my glasses and found in the desk drawer a pair of used glasses I bought ages ago on Ebay and don't know their prescription.
Funny thing is, I can read, use computer, etc, perfectly with these and so assume there is less minus, however, I can see distance as clearly if not more so than with my other glasses. Had an eye test a few weeks that confirmed my -5.00 scrip and so am a little bemused as to how I can read/distance vison perfectly with these glasses.
Aubrac 23 Jul 2010, 00:27
Karynnina
Sorry - the last post was from me
23 Jul 2010, 00:26
Karynnina
I understand now and it is rather unusual that there was a drop both in the sphere and cylinder correction. If there was over-correction you might have handled it for distance by looking through the middle part of the lens.
Anyway at a young 44 a +2.25 add is quite usual and it will be interesting to see how the new prescription works out.
By the way, do you still have your old -8.00 glasses, if so how do you find your vision wearing them now, do they seem too strong or can you see better/worse than with the -5.00?
Karynnina 21 Jul 2010, 13:17
Aubrac & Fred,
Sorry for any confusion. My rx changed for the lesser at first in 2008, and I got a pair of brown plastic rectangular frames with progressive lenses. Last year there was no rx change.
I've had an add for 4 years now, with a pair of the old -8 & -8.25 having progressives as well, which I was able to handle right off the bat. I never had traditional bifocals.
My cylinder number was -3 & -3.50 before, but I don't recall the 3rd numbers.
The plan is to use next Tuesday's date with my husband to choose new glasses (and go 6-7 other places too). :)
Karynnina
Aubrac 21 Jul 2010, 05:11
Karynnina
You said you can see well with your current (-8) glasses but have you had your new prescription filled yet and tried them?
It seems like a very big drop and is the equivalent of a reading add of +5.25. The cylinder correction for astigmatism may not have been so high as your latest prescription and resulted in additional sphere correction.
Do your current glasses have an add for reading, or has this just been added?
Will be interesting to see what your full old prescription was and how well you can see with the new one.
fred 20 Jul 2010, 14:21
@ Karynnina
Quite some difference (if not to say drop) still, between now and only two years ago! How was the astigmatism correction of your previous -8 prescription?
Karynnina 20 Jul 2010, 13:20
My new rx at the ripe young age of 44.75:
O.D. -5.00 -2.00 175
O.S. -5.25 -2.50 170
ADD +2.25
This is down .25 diopters from last year. Two years ago, my rx was at -8.00, -8.25. The optometrist said that I had been over-corrected for a while. I do see well with my current eyeglasses, but it's still odd that such a decrease could occur.
Karynnina
Dave 20 Jul 2010, 00:03
Curious Boyfriend,
From your 22 Jun 2010, 10:48 post. Here is a vertex correction chart for converting glasses to contacts. http://www.biocurve.com/fitting.html
It looks like your GF would be:
R -6.5
L -6.25
ehpc 18 Jul 2010, 10:44
Bold is always good kay :) Bold people, bold glasses........................:) FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BOLD!!! And it really does too - the truest saying ever uttered...............
kay 18 Jul 2010, 00:47
thanks for your help i might avoid the bold then?, i will let you know how i get on, im moving home this week so dont have much time to shop :( i want to spend a long time choosing b4 i decide so i know i like them, there are lots of buy1 get1 free offers at the moment so if i do decide on bold i could get 1 of each style just incase ..lol
Soundmanpt 16 Jul 2010, 16:17
Kay
I agree with Aubrac that you should consider going with a thin plastic frame, rimless or semi-rimless as your first glasses. It is true that the fashion is more with the bolder frames, but some times your eyes will find the bolder dark frame a distraction. That being said I have gotten dark bold glasses for many first time wearers and they have not had problems getting used to them. If your going to be shy about wearing them then the bold may not be a good choice.
I'm not sure I helped you are made you more confused???
Aubrac 16 Jul 2010, 01:09
kay
Maybe I should borrow her glasses 'dor' computer use!!
Aubrac 16 Jul 2010, 01:07
kay
Your plus prescription is the same as my wife's and she finds them useful dor clear distance vision and essential for reading.
Is your prescription just the plus or is there any cylinder correction e.g. -0.50 axis 40, written after the +1.50?
Plus glasses always take a little getting used but will give you better more comfortable vision. For your first pair that will be worn a lot of the time, may I suggest you look at slim frames or semi-rimless, as many people who wear glasses regularly for the first time can find a thick frame quite noticeable.
Let us know how you get on.
kay 15 Jul 2010, 13:27
thankyou for the replies, i will hopefully look for a pair next week, i really like black but they are quite bold on me, i cant help but think i look like the girl out of scooby doo, and weirdly enough my partner mentioned i looked like the scooby doo girl when i tried some on the other day....thanks for the help and info, i will try and go full time then if it will help my distance vision, i will be spending a lot of time at home over the summer so plenty of time to get used to them i guess...thanks
15 Jul 2010, 09:00
Kay when you get your glasses be sure to let us know what you picked out and how you see with them. Several years ago an ex-gf got plus glasses while we were dating. She liked actually liked the idea of wearing glasses, we were in college and it was cool because most of her gfs had glasses as well. I remember she said reading was great but distance was not too good for a period of time. For I think the first 2 weeks, maybe longer, she would take them off to drive because she didn't feel she could see well enough. Soon after though she stopped taking them off and said now things were blurry without them.
Soundmanpt 15 Jul 2010, 08:39
Kay
As stated by Cactus Jack, if you have not yet done so, you should find a frame that you really like yourself in and order your glasses. From the minute you pick up your glasses when there ready, leave the store wearing them and continue to wear them all the time. You will notice that your close vision with them will be much better, but like Cactus Jack said your distant vision will be blurry until your eyes relax. But each day the blur should be less and less. After a time you will find your distant vision better with your glasses on than off. This will be good for a while, but after about 6 months or so you will most likely need stronger glasses, this is very common. If you are happy with your frames I would suggest just having the lenses changed. This will save a good deal of money. Of course it is up to you if you want something different for appearance then get a totally new pair.
Are you okay with the idea of becoming a full time glasses wearer? For most people the fear is worse than the actual event. The first few days you will get many comments and then no more, you will be old news.
Cactus Jack 14 Jul 2010, 17:04
Kay,
No, not silly, but believe it or not, you are being typical. Typical of what? You are typical of a person who is a Latent Hyperope. Unfortunately, the optician did not explain what Hyperopia is or what is Latent Hyperopia.
First of all, I really doubt you have damaged anything. A non-medical term for hyperopia is far or long sightedness. What that means, from a practical standpoint, is that distant things are easier to see clearly than close things. People who are myopic (short or nearsighted) can often see things clearly that are close, but distant things are blurry. Both are caused by a mismatch between the power of the lenses in your eye and the length of your eyeball. Hyperopes, like yourself, are lucky in one sense because up to a certain point, you can use your built in auto-focus mechanism (ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses) to correct your hyperopia. Myopes can't do it and have to wear glasses or contact lenses to see distant things clearly. Sometimes, when the hyperopia is low, hyperopes have enough range to correct their hyperopia without being aware that they are doing it (latent or hidden hypeopia). This works until presbyopia begins to rear its head.
Presbyopia literally means "old eyes" and it actually starts at birth. Most babies are very farsighted (hyperopic) at birth. But fortunately, your crystaline lenses have the consistency of gelatin dessert (Jell-O) and most children can effortlessly focus very close. As we get older, the crystaline lenses become gradually stiffer and harder to focus. At some point, your ciliary muscles just can't squeeze your crystaline lenses enough to focus close or in your case, overcome your hyperopia. The solution is either + glasses or + contact lenses to help your eyes focus both for distance and close up. Where and when you can no longer focus properly depends on the amount of your hyperopia and your age. There is a myth that presbyopia occurs only after 40, but that is not true, it can occur at any age and it typically happens earlier than 40 for hyperopes.
You really should get glasses and start wearing them as soon as possible. The reason is that your ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses have grown so accustomed to compensating for your hyperopia that it may take several months for them to relax fully for distance vision and the longer you wait, the longer it will take for them to relax. Also, the longer you wait, the sooner you may need bifocals.
Initially, distant objects will seem blurry, but as your ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses relax, that will clear up. Also, after they relax, (perhaps a couple of months) you should expect to need a stronger prescription. That is the nature of latent hyperopia. You may be tempted to get contact lenses, but you should probably wait until your Rx stabilizes fully (6 months or so).
May I suggest looking back through the threads about hyperopia and presbyopia to learn more about what is going on. Thousands of people have experienced exactly what you are experiencing and some have posted some very funny stories about their experiences of needing glasses after years of bragging to their friends and relatives about their "perfect" vision only to discover it was not as "perfect" as they thought.
C.
kay 14 Jul 2010, 14:38
im 27, i noticed my eyesight getting worse over the last 10 yrs, i had a light reading pescription about 10 years ago but only wore them a couple of times, well after telling my partner about my blurrly left eye he shipped me down to the opticians, i got a + pescription +1.75 left and +1.50 right, but my vision is blurry for distance as well as close, she told me i damaged (something?) becasue i didnt bother wearing the last pescription thats why its blurry close and distance, she said i could get contacts if i wanted and to wear them for any work, but i dont understand eye tests/glasses, what shud i wear these for? can you wear + glasses for distance, im confused? i havent got any glasses yet as i feel a it embarrased to wear them...am i being silly?
Julian 14 Jul 2010, 00:04
Soundmanpt & Rachel: In the UK the ECP is *required* to give you a hard copy of your prescription; so all you need to do to get prescription shades is take that to the supplier of choice - or else copy the Rx to an online supplier.
Soundmanpt 13 Jul 2010, 21:36
Rachel
Do you need to book an appointment just to have prescription sunglasses made? Here in the US you only need to walk in. If you have a hard copy of your rx it will help, if you do not and you go to a different store than where you bought your glasses at then they will call that store for your rx. Remember you can save many dollars by shopping on-line. The down side is of course you can't try them on first.
Rachel 13 Jul 2010, 11:51
We're having a great summer here in the UK and funnily enough I have been considering getting some prescription shades - have booked an appointment with the opticians this weekend to get a pair made up
Soundmanpt 12 Jul 2010, 23:01
Rachel
The "no name" poster is correct. It might be a good investment for those sunny days. Not a good idea to use your old non-prescription sunglasses anymore. You can get a very nice pair made up from zenni for about $13.00 plus shipping.
12 Jul 2010, 13:53
Rachel: How is the summer weather where you live? Have you given any thought to ordering yourself a nice (but inexpensive) pair of prescription sunglasses from one of the online retailers?
Rachel 12 Jul 2010, 07:50
Hi Soundmanpt,
Nice to hear from you - here's an update.
Having worn my glasses pretty much full-time over the last five weeks, you're right - I don't think about having them on at all - it's got to the point where I think I look more like "me" when I'm wearing my glasses. Without them, I look in the mirror and feel like a stranger is looking back at me! I never expected they'd become part of my looks so soon!
I've even changed my Facebook profile pic to one of me wearing glasses.
Despite this, my eyesight hasn't deteriorated at all (for some reason, I thought wearing glasses would make it worse!) Yes, things are blurry when I take them off, but it's no blurrier than it was before. Because of this, I have gone the occasional day and night out bare-eyed because I can still function OK without them (give or take the odd street sign). In fact, more people notice when I'm not wearing them than when I do!
Most of the people I know have seen me sporting them, which has made the whole process easier. The other day, I heard a colleague describing me on the phone to somebody as "Rachel, the one with brown hair who wears glasses." That felt a bit weird.
My fiance and girlfriends hardly mention the fact I wear glasses - in fact, when I step outside without them, he urges me to put them on. And yes, I definitely should have got a pair sooner!
Cactus Jack 12 Jul 2010, 05:59
Guest,
The examiner probably found that you have a small amount of what is called adult strabismus (esophoria) and prescribed a small amount of Base Out prism. That amount is usually done by moving the optical centers inward a small distance. Ideally, you should find them a bit more comfortable than your previous Rx, but essentially than small amount of prism is nothing to get very concerned about.
You will probably not notice much obvious direct effect. 2 BO in each eye only means that each eye is allowed to turn inward a bit more than 1 angular degree.
Please let us know how you get on with your new glasses.
C.
guest 12 Jul 2010, 02:21
I had an eye test the other day and was prescribed prisms 2 base out in both eyes. The prescription reads RE -2.0sph,-1.0cyl x 178, LE -2.0sph,-1.0cyl x 28. My questions are what do the prisms do? why do I need them when I've never had them before and will they make much difference. Do I have to get some special lens ordered or do they just move the optical centres inwards? By the way my age is 53.
thanks.
Soundmanpt 11 Jul 2010, 10:48
Rachel
Well it has been more than a month since you got your glasses.It probably seems like you've been wearing them much longer than that now. By now I assume everyone you know has seen you wearing your glasses? You most likely don't even think about having them on anymore? The glasses case stays at home? It is great that you seem to enjoy wearing them besides the added benefit of clear vision these days. Has your fiance and best gf got used to you being a full time wearer? So it sounds like your only regret is not getting glasses sooner?
Curious Boyfriend 01 Jul 2010, 16:55
And,
Yes, she has an annual contact check, but she hasn't had new glasses for a while.
And 30 Jun 2010, 14:59
Curious Boyfriend, My gf is similar to yours in that she doesn't like wearing glasses but would be unable to function without her contacts. Her frames are also small. She has to have an eyetest annually + a contact check. Doesn't your gf too ?
Melyssa 30 Jun 2010, 13:10
Rachel,
You can read about my RX numbers in the "Going Without Glasses" thread in my response to Laura. One more reason to wear glasses (if you don't wear contacts) on your wedding day is to see all of your invitees, especially if they look happy (or in the case of many of my relatives, relieved -- LOL).
Jim 30 Jun 2010, 05:16
Hi Rachel,
Wow that was a quick reply. Well I think that is brilliant that you are keeping your glasses on all the time and enjoying wearing them. I should imagine you look lovely in them. Well done! Minus 1.50 in each eye although a lowish prescription is certainly going to make a difference to the clarity of your vision. That is what my wife Glennys enjoys so much, even though she needs a lot more correction than you do at the moment. Please don't worry though, because it is almost certain that your myopia will not progress too far if you are in your 20s. Just enjoy wearing your glasses and look forwards to choosing new ones each year if you can possibly afford them.
Rachel 30 Jun 2010, 04:58
Hi Jim,
I'm actually -1.50 in each eye, which I now know is a low prescription. Am wearing them full-time because I like them tho :)
Jim 30 Jun 2010, 04:21
Rachel. I've looked all the way down the page but i cannot find where you have actually posted your current prescription. I presume it's your first pair of glasses and once you are out of your teens (as I presume you are) your eyes do not usually chage too much. Perhaps you will just achieve your brother's rx of around -3.00. If you do, you will probably want to wear full-time anyway, out of necessity. However, next year you will probably get away without wearing your glasses if you really want to. Even so, consider the wishes of your fiance!!
Rachel 30 Jun 2010, 03:59
Jim and Melyssa - we'll see! I've been wearing my specs for two-and-a-half-weeks full-time and can still get by OK without them. Whether or not that will be the case in one year - who knows??
Jim 29 Jun 2010, 22:56
Rachel,
It sounds as though you look pretty ravishing in your glasses and its nice you feel happy and confident wearing them all the time. If your fiance is planning to wear his glasses on the "big" day just go for it and wear yours as well!! He may be indicating that he would like you to do anyway! When I married my wife she was around -7.50 and of course insisted on wearing her hard contacts lenses that she had persevered so hard to get used to. When we left the reception to go on our honeymoon and I was driving the car and she suddenly said that she had forgotten to pack her glasses and had left them on a shelf in the bathroom at home! I offered to go back for them but she assured me should would manage O.K. I was disappointed because I had been looking forwards to going down to breakfast with her at our honeymoon hotel with her wearing her glasses, as her routine was always to put her contacts in after breakfast. Instead I had the pleasure of watching her grope around in the bedroom getting dressed and undressed etc each morning and evening as in the morning she left it as long as possible to put her contacts in and took them out as soon as possible when we went up to bed, as they were "killing" her eyes as she used to call it.Now thankfully she has ditched her contacts completely (which made her myopia increase quite dramatically) and now wears glasses fulltime with an rx of -12.50 and -11.00. She still increases by about -0.50 a year. So Rachel, beware of contacts!! Happy glasses wearing on you wedding day.
Melyssa 25 Jun 2010, 12:46
Rachel,
My mother (may she rest in peace), maid of honor, and bridesmaids all told me how wonderful I looked in my white cat's-eyes while preparing for the big event. That was a way for me to honor my late grandmother and aunts who all wore white cat's-eyes at one time or another during my lifetime (and probably before). As for the clear frames, the guests didn't say anything because everyone knows me to wear glasses all the time. Also, my husband wore his metal frames, as he has a -8.25 RX. All of our wedding pictures show us in our eyewear.
Obsessed 25 Jun 2010, 07:22
Charles:
your prescription sounds mind-blowing!!!
kk 24 Jun 2010, 10:50
charles
what is your exact precription?
can you mail to me some of your photos,
my mail id is anjana022@gmail.com,
i have a lot to ask u.
with regards
anjana
Flaine 24 Jun 2010, 08:31
Arbrac
hey i stay at tottenham court road near piccadilly
Aubrac 24 Jun 2010, 07:32
Went for my regular check-up at the 20/20 Optical Store in Tottenham Court Road.
Prescription rather boringly the same -5.00 add +2.00 as for many years now.
They had an interesting new machine on trial for a week. It takes 3d pictures of the eye and does slices through the retina to show any malformation or problems. Unfortunately had my lenses out at this stage and no glasses so couldn't see too clearly all the pictures it produced.
Very nice Polish assistany wearing transparent red frames with about +3.00 lenses.
ehpc 24 Jun 2010, 06:36
Hey........you are most definitely understanding what a wonderful thing it is to be GWG, Rachel - GWGs are the elie of women, especially when it comes to sex appeal..........................:) Pete
Rachel 24 Jun 2010, 03:07
Melyssa - what kind of comments did you get when wearing glasses on your wedding day? My fiance (still haven't got used to typing that word) plans to wear his glasses - they're a brown frame, not unlike that man who got married to the Swedish princess last weekend.
And Clare - I didn't have any astigmatism in my prescription, but the side-effects I mentioned were very minor and disappeared within a few days.
Soundmanpt's definition of 'dependency' is 100% accurate in my experience - I can still see without them (a bit fuzzy though), but it feels much more natural and right to wear my glasses. When I don't wear them or take them off for a few minutes, my eyes are almost screaming out for me to put them back on. It's a comfort thing, if anything else.
Now, I don't notice I've got them on until I look in the mirror or catch my reflection.
Besides, I really like the way I look wearing them. I feel they've given me an entirely new identity, more smarter-looking, more professional, more stylish (and judging by the comments I've been getting from workmates and friends) more sexier too. It's like getting a radical new hairstyle.
Kissing's fine too. It's all about tilting heads differently.
Charles 23 Jun 2010, 22:36
kk
Yes, unfortunately I am over - 30.00.
kk 23 Jun 2010, 11:39
is there any one posting here with presceiption with or above minus 30
Soundmanpt 23 Jun 2010, 10:26
Rachel - Glad I could be of some help. Anytime you have a question about your glasses or your eyes please ask, if I don't have the answer there are many others in here that can help. It seems as though you have now wore your glasses for every situation now and even decided to leave your glasses case at home.You have done great in the last week and a half going from no glasses to full time wear So I think you can say you are officially a full time glasses wearer. Yes you are quickly becoming dependent. By the way for you becoming dependent doesn't mean you can longer see without your glasses. It just means your eyes and you will be more comfortable wearing them. As you have noticed, now when you take them off things are more blurred than before you got glasses. Even in this short time, have you noticed that by the end of the day you don't even think about having them on?
Oh and about your wedding coming up next year,you should have several options. Contacts are an option, but remember besides an exam there is a fitting fee. You will be looking at around $150.00 for that without the cost of the contacts, most insurances don't cover contacts. Option two is far less costly, simply don't wear your glasses, as I said above even being dependent you certainly should not have any trouble seeing plenty well to walk down the aisle. For picture taking again just take them off. You can wear them in-between times. Another option as Melyssa said, by the time of your marriage you will have been wearing glasses for more than a year and a half and everyone would now be much more used to seeing you with your glasses, so keep them on throughout. Does your fiance plan on wearing glasses? If he does then you should as well. As you say you have a good while to decide. By the way have you two worked out that kissing thing with glasses yet?
Phil 23 Jun 2010, 09:10
A bride in specs is a wonderful, but all too rare, sight. I can remember going to 2 weddings, of a cousin and a neighbour's daughter, when I was about 11. Both brides wore specs and I can still recall thinking how gorgeous they looked!
Melyssa 22 Jun 2010, 12:45
Rachel,
When I got married, unlike you, I had no choice but to wear my -9.00 glasses, otherwise I would have gone around saying, "I see nothing! Nuh-h-thingk! :) I wore my white cat's-eyes while getting ready with my entourage, before switching to a clear plastic unisex frame for the pictures, ceremony, and reception. (I saved drop-temples for the honeymoon night.) Granted, I have no choice as I could never wear contacts. Whether you choose to wear glasses or contacts is up to you, but if your plan is to wear glasses the vast majority of the time, you may as well go with them at the wedding.
Clare 22 Jun 2010, 11:55
Rachel - do you also have astigmatism in your prescription? Some of the things you've said, like the headaches and disorientation/stepping off kerbs, are classic symptoms.
Curious Boyfriend 22 Jun 2010, 10:48
Ohh and that is her contact prescription, I dont think that her glasses are where they need to be. They probably need to be like -7, right?
Curious Boyfriend 22 Jun 2010, 10:47
Thanks for the advise everyone!!
I will tell her how good she looks in her glasses! I just more of a medium size, she has a very small frame currently.
Aubrac-
Her prescription is:
R -6.0
L -5.75
Jersey Girl 22 Jun 2010, 04:47
Soundmanpt,
Regarding Traci; so far she is a part time wearer. We were at the mall and went in to order coffee at Dunkin Donuts and she borrowed my glasses to see the menu board. Even though they were strong for her and "pull on her eyes" she was able to see the board with my glasses. I guess it was easier than going into her back-pack to find her glasses. When we sat down she did find her glasses which were one of my old -1.75 pairs and she sees perfectly with them; just as well as I see with my -3.25 glasses. We were comparing what we each could read in the distance. At this point, the -1.75 power is really too weak for my eyes.
Since she sees very well with the -1.75 glasses she does not want to pay for an eye exam at this time.
Rachel 22 Jun 2010, 02:16
Thanks Soundmanpt - you've been a source of much great advice and help over the last week. In answer to your question, I told my family what the optician told me - wear the glasses for driving, TV, cinema and whenever you want the world to stop looking fuzzy. I wore them to the park and then kept them on all day long.
As I woke up yesterday and put on my specs first thing, my boyfriend commented, "so you're full-time now?". Then it dawned on me - yes, I am. This is something I never would have anticipated a week and a half ago!
When I talked about contacts for next year's wedding, he said, "there's no need for contacts yet - just wear your glasses. It'll be fine." Not sure I'll do that, but still...
There are a few minor, minor adjusting issues with these glasses, especially when walking around in them for a long period of time - it's slightly disorientating, stepping off curbs and walking up/down stairs feels a bit weird and trippy. Things seem much smaller and crisper in the distance. But I'm gradually getting adjusted to it all.
As for the dependency issue, I can still see without them (albeit slightly blurrier). But as Soundmanpt said, life is much easier with them on, so if that makes me "dependent", then so be it.
I'm also gradually getting used to my new image - I'm even beginning to like the Facebook photos. It's like a 're-branding Rachel' exercise!
Took your advice today, Soundmanpt, and left the case at home deliberately. Have a client meeting in an hour or so - will have to enter as bespectacled Rachel, which I have no problem with at all now (unlike last week)
Aubrac 22 Jun 2010, 01:57
Curious Boyfriend
What Soundmanpt said is quite right. Small frames with regular lenses and a strong scrip can give rise to the 'piggy-eye'look. A too large frame will also emphasise outer edge lens thickness and maybe somewhere around the middle is best.
Many optical shops have samples of hi-index lenses in different prescriptions so you can actually see what difference it makes, suggest to your girlfriend you both have a look at these.
What prescription is she? You may have posted it earlier but I could not find it.
Soundmanpt 21 Jun 2010, 17:42
Curious Boyfriend - It may take a little doing because i'm sure she feels less attractive wearing her glasses because she knows her lenses are thick especially if she didn't pay more for high index lenses. The first thing you need to do whenever she does wear them be sure to tell her how cute she looks and how you really like how she looks in her glasses. Maybe even suggest to her when your going out that she should wear her glasses. A good time for that is if your going to a sporting event that dirt may be blowing around. Dirt blowing is an enemy of contact lens wearers.
Another thing if your out shopping and passing an optical shop, suggest going in an looking at frames for fun.
You may find it hard to convince her about big frames though, because her lenses are kinda thick now and it sounds like she needs an increase besides. The opticians for sure will tell her that big frames aren't a good choice for her. She should for sure go with high index lenses. I'm sure she is very self conscience about her glasses and the lenses. As I always say be happy for small steps. I think you would be happy if you could get her to wear glasses and forget the contacts for now. Later maybe you can get her to go for bigger frames.
Curious Boyfriend 21 Jun 2010, 16:52
Tim- How do I do that when she never wants to wear her glasses anyways! How can I convince her to update her glasses? Thanks and I figured she needed a large increase. She told me that her eyes have gotten worse every year except for the last time she went. That was two years ago.
Soundmanpt 21 Jun 2010, 11:52
Rachel - No, you are in no way boring us with your progress in becoming a full time glasses wearer. Actually you are helping many that have glasses and probably should be wearing them full time, but refuse because of that fear of being seen for the first time with glasses in front of friends, family and co-workers. Your letting everyone know that it's not nearly as bad as they think it will be, even though your still struggling at different times yourself.
You wore your glasses all morning until you got to the station where your family was waiting to pick you up and at the last minute quickly put your glasses in your bag. That same day, not sure what made you come out, but you suddenly told everyone you had gotten glasses earlier in the week. From what you say no one seemed shocked, but was only interested in seeing them. Then once again that same evening you was facing another hurdle, going to the pub with your hometown friends. You decided that they just could not see you wearing glasses and left them behind. As you indicated that was a bad idea. Your eyes have gotten more used to the extra help that now it is much harder to see things, people and cross the room without them. The extra strain lead to a nice headache. I am sure the next time you go home and meet your friends at the pub, you will be wearing glasses.
You didn't say, except for going to the park and being able to see leaves and blades of grass with your glasses on, did you mostly keep them on the rest of your time their?
Now back home you got up and went to work wearing your glasses but found that you had left your glasses case at home. By the way you are correct, never should you remove your glasses and just throw them into your bag, you will not only risk breaking them but also cause scratches against keys and the like. I think it is time that you leave your glasses case at home from now on anyway. It seems rather clear your getting much more comfortable wearing your glasses full time anyway. Remember getting dependent on glasses doesn't mean you can't see without them, only that it is much easier with them. You can and will be able to see without your glasses just not as well. You've come a long way in a week, and you are starting to get more dependent on them day by day.
Rachel 21 Jun 2010, 01:04
Really hope i'm not boring anybody with these stories! So, I went home this weekend. Woke up Saturday morning, put on my specs, had Facebook horror, then wore them for the journey home. As my train reached my hometown station (where my folks were picking me up), my heart was pounding and I whipped them off. However, later that afternoon, I said something like "I got glasses this week". They said "show us then!" and I put them on. None of them were particularly shocked and they commented on the frames. My brother has been wearing glasses since he was 17 (he's now 25), is a full-time wearer and has risen from a first-time prescription of -1.25 to -3. In the evening, I went out with my home friends to the local pub, where I foolishly decided not to wear them. Big mistake. I had a blinding headache all night, plus so much dizzyness I had to sit down. Is this a normal side-effect of adjusting to glasses or will I always feel like this when I go for a couple of hours without them?
Went to the park with my family yesterday and really appreciated wearing them - all the cliches about seeing every blade of grass and every leaf on trees are utterly true. Came home last night to my boyfriend who didn't mention a single thing about me wearing them - which I guess means he's accepted seeing me in them.
This morning I put them on first thing and then got to the train station before realising I'd accidentally left my glasses case at home. So, even if I wanted to, these glasses are stuck to my face for the rest of the day (can't put them in my bag in case they'll break). I enjoy wearing them but didn't expect they'd become such a big part of my life within the space of only one week.
Tim 20 Jun 2010, 21:53
Curious Boyfriend - from what you said in your 12.55 post, it sounds as if you are likely to be in luck soon! She clearly needs an increase, so all you have to do is persuade her to go for one of the larger frames that are now reappearing.
Curious Boyfriend 20 Jun 2010, 13:49
Puffin- Her mom has glasses but my gf already has a stronger prescription. And- yes she says she has like the worst eyes and she feels she doesnt get good vision with her glasses. Her glasses are very small but look strong on her. She has had them for a while now, I wish she would get some bigger and stronger glasses though!
And 20 Jun 2010, 13:40
Curious, did your gf talk about her prescription and have you seen her without her contacts ?
Puffin 20 Jun 2010, 13:19
Curiousboyfriend
If you are as far as seeing her parents or siblings, that should also give you some pointers as to where she is headed.
Curious Boyfriend 20 Jun 2010, 12:55
Thanks for the responce Andrew! No that is her contact presrciption. She said shes had glasses since third grade but only got stronger around the age of 13. She sometimes says she cant see as well even with her contacts.
Andrew 20 Jun 2010, 12:26
Yes, Curious Boyfriend, it's possible, but it depends as much as anything else on what your gf does over the next few years. If she leaves school and gets a job, it is less likely than if she continues to study for the next 7 or 8 years, but it would also depend on the job. Another factor may also be how long she has worn glasses, and how much (or little) her prescription is changing at the moment. The other comment I would make is that it is more likely that her glasses prescription will reach -10 than her contacts. Do you know what her glasses prescription is?
Curious Boyfriend 20 Jun 2010, 11:43
Hi all! I have been dating a girl and recently she wears contacts. Her prescription is really bad. R -5.75 and L -6.00. She is 17. How bad will her eyes get? Is it possible that she could reach the double digits?
Puffin 20 Jun 2010, 03:22
I've seen a couple of just over minus 50 pics on here, as you might expect, small myodisk bowls. Not seen any +50's either here or in real life.
KK 20 Jun 2010, 03:18
i have a doubt
is there persons with prescription as high as +/-50 or above.
is such power possible?
is there any one having glasses above +/-40 posts in eyescene?
Rachel 19 Jun 2010, 01:57
Hi there. Am typing this with a bit of a hangover, but the glasses seem to be helping with this. Anybody else get that?
I wore my glasses all day yesterday, from 7am to midnight, at work and on a night out too. I did feel a little self-conscious last night as I was the only female glasses-wearer in the whole pub. That made me feel odd. And Clare - it's strange, I don't dread other peoples comments - I actually enjoy the novelty of wearing them and welcome people talking about them. A few people asked if I was full-time. I lied and said, "not yet". I also met a couple of new people last night who probably assumed I'd been wearing them for years.
But... I've just been on Facebook and I'm tagged in dozens of photos from last night. I've just come out to all 256 of my friends as a glasses wearer! I've already had some comments. However, I really don't like the look of myself in photos wearing them! Whenever I leave the house in specs, I look in the mirror and think I look smart and sophisticated. But in these photos, I look older and it's less flaterring to my looks, I think. Is this something all new wearers go through?
Soundmanpt - the optician told me to return in two years time. But I reckon I'll pop in just before Christmas in order to get used to contacts before my wedding. Also, even though things are blurrier in the evening, I reckon I'm a long way from being dependent upon them as I can still function (albeit with a headache) without them. Will this change over the next few days/ weeks do you think?
Am off home now and offline until tomorrow evening. I'll report back on how my parents/brothers reaction to another glasses wearer in the family!
Clare 18 Jun 2010, 22:56
Rachel - I think what most new wearers - and habitual contacts wearers too - dread is people's comments when they see someone who doesn't usually wearing glasses. When it's happened to me I've just found it best to say nothing if the other person doesn't comment but it's not always that easy. How have you coped with that this week?
Soundmanpt 18 Jun 2010, 20:12
Rachel - Good for you! Boy what a difference from your first post where it was very ovious you were quite scared to wear your new glasses in public. That for the first 3 days only your bf and gf saw you wearing them. I think you are completely over any sign of being shy about wearing them now. It seems you are pretty much full time already and from what you said about things looking much more blurred than last week without them, you will be pretty dependent in no time. Quite funny that your biggest complaint is how to kiss your bf while wearing them. I didn't see that one coming! Melyssa and Hollie both had good ideas. As Melyssa suggested if you turn your head left and he turns his head right, that should work. Just won't work nose to nose. Hollie also is correct in pushing them up on top of your head. Actually I think it would be much more sexy if you would remove his glasses and he should get the idea and then remove your glasses, and let the kissing begin. Afterall you do kiss with your eyes closed don't you?
I am glad you enjoy wearing glasses, that makes it much easier to get used to them. Yes, do not even consider contacts until your next exam. When did they tell you to come back, 6 months or a year?
Keep us informed how it's going for you.
Remember do not use anything with alcahol to clean your glasses and nothing that has wood pulp, like tissues, paper towels etc. Only use a soft cloth.
Hollie 18 Jun 2010, 13:12
My ex wore glasses and if I ever had mine on and we were kissing (not very often- he preferred me in contacts) I used to push them onto my head so one of us wasn't wearing them! My husband to be has perfect eyesight so we don't have the issue!
Melyssa 18 Jun 2010, 12:49
Rachel,
My husband and I both wear glasses, and we had that situation early on of our glasses touching each other when we kissed. We always laughed and said, "We click!" But a slight tilt of one's noggin always solved the "problem," even though I wear large frames.
Phil 18 Jun 2010, 08:50
Rachel, Studies show that a clear majority of men prefer a girl in glasses to one without. And among more intelligent men the majority is bigger. So you are not imagining the increased attention. And as you have chosen such strikingly nice specs you might expect a greater than usual reaction. Have a great evening!
Stu 18 Jun 2010, 07:55
Rachel
My girlfriend started wearing glasses a bit like you, she was 29 and decided to go for an eye test when "computer headaches" started being really bad and watching TV without glasses became an increasing struggle also. One day she tried a friend’s glasses when driving and decided the difference was “worth” bearing glasses.
Her first prescription was L -0.75 and R-1.00 with very slight cylinder power add. Though she tried hard to limit the use of her glasses the first few months to driving only, she started wearing them more often (computer work, television) after about 6 months because of the vision comfort (fewer headaches, ability to see sharper with no effort).
Almost 4 years have passed and – having gone for an eye test every year because of experienced a slight blur – she is now L-2.50 R-2.50. She doesn’t wear her glasses more often than after 6 months, but admits it gets more and more difficult to go without them.
I encouraged her to but multiple frames and she has now 3 pairs that have her up-to-date prescription power, and 2 other pairs with 0.50 shortfall, but she switches between all frames subject to her outfit, mood of the day,…
Rachel 18 Jun 2010, 07:43
Sorry! Have just remembered - there is one thing I'm having difficulty adjusting to and that's kissing my boyfriend (a fellow specs wearer)! The glasses just clash against each other and we have to tilt our heads at a weird angle in order to snog! Any tips on getting round that one? x
Rachel 18 Jun 2010, 07:36
Thanks for the compliments on the glasses everybody.
I haven't had any difficulty whatsoever adjusting to wearing glasses. No sliding down the nose, nothing. It feels completely natural for me to be wearing them and I should have got a pair years ago.
I'm getting married next year so will get contacts for the big day, but I'm not even going to bother getting them for another six months or so - I'm enjoying being a glasses wearer too much.
One strange obsveration though - at lunchtime, I found at least two guys with glasses making passes at me! I don't know if bare-eyed guys do make passes at girls with glasses, but bespectacled ones definitely do! There was a bit of banter about my specs with the people in the sandwich shop too.
Have a work night out with colleagues tonight (to watch the football). Will report back tomorrow.
Soundmanpt 18 Jun 2010, 07:34
Jersey Girl - Good seeing you again. You were lucky now 2 times to have access to stronger glasses. First by using your ex-bf mother's glasses and now a school friend. When you go for your next exam and are prescribed -3.25 or a bit stronger, will you go on-line and just add an extra diopter to your new rx and get glasses that way? You are proof that if you have young eyes you can easily induce myopia, I know this is not your intent, but that is what your doing. With that much over correction i'm sure you could easily see the 20/10 line or better on an eye chart. Sadly it will only stay that sharp for a while until you will have to be happy at 20/20.
Your friend Traci, did she ever save enough to get an exam? You said she was happy with your old -1.75 glasses. Considering that her first rx was -1.25 several years ago that should be about right for her now. Has she worn glasses full time from the start?
Soundmanpt 18 Jun 2010, 07:03
Oops! I cut my name off. Oh well you know it's me.
Soundman 18 Jun 2010, 07:01
Rachel - Everything that you are experencing is very normal. The headaches when you take your glasses off is because your eyes are getting more and more adjusted to the extra help. Your vision seeming to be much worse than it was a week ago, If you look back to my post of June 16th I asked you if you noticed that feeling. Wearing your glasses has NOT made your eyes worse as I hear people say for too often. What is happening is before you were still getting by due to accommodation, so even though things were blurred you were still able to see more than you should have. Now the more and longer you wear your glasses your eyes are relaxing to their normal state. So now when you take your glasses off you are noticing more blur than a week ago.
It sounds like you are very comfortable wearing glasses now. You will soon find looking in the mirror and seeing yourself wearing glasses very natural. Also as each day goes by you will not even think about having them on.
As I predicted you were the center of attention for about a day and it was over. Soon they will be very used to seeing you wearing your glasses as natural. Curious that you took them off for that client meeting, people will have no trouble seeing your eyes through your lenses. You should find arriving this weekend wearing glasses easier than the work showing, you know they will be supportive. By the way you said that some of your co-workers found your glasses strong and a some found they could see quite well. If they don't currently wear glasses themselves you should suggest they get their eyes checked because they probably need glasses too.
Were you ever one those ladies that always wanted glasses, but didn't need them?
So far what has been, if any, the hardest part about adjusting to wearing glasses? The most common things are keeping your lenses clean, going out in the rain, fogging up on cold days and not having them slide down your nose.
By the way I think your choice of frames was very good, I like them. I'm sure you look great wearing them.
Dan 18 Jun 2010, 05:43
Rachel,
I have a slightly weaker prescription (-1.25) that I wear full time. I started wearing glasses when I was 18 which were very weak (-0.5). 3 years later I have only advanced to -1.25 but I would think I'll end up around -3.
Good for you for wearing them! I know I definitely notice a difference and my prescription is -.5 weaker than yours. I can't stand not being able to see--although I do wear contacts a lot.
Jersey Girl 18 Jun 2010, 05:14
Rachel,
I started wearing -1.75 glasses about three years ago, after trying on glasses of my former boyfriend's mother. I used to squint to see but since I started wearing glasses I see very clearly with great intensity of vision and started wearing virtually full time. At my last exam I was prescribed -2.50 and -2.25, but I now use -3.25 glasses which give me more intensity of focus that I love.
You will probably advance your prescription as well in the next few years especially if you enjoy sharp intense vision.
Phil 18 Jun 2010, 02:48
Wow rachel. I bet you look stunning in them.
Spot On 18 Jun 2010, 02:34
Rachel Really good choice of glasses and no wonder you like wearing them - real eye turner. I think you will need them full time so your attitude is right and very commendable as you appreciate the value of clear sight
Rachel 18 Jun 2010, 01:58
Wow. Many thanks for the advice - all of you. As I said, I wore them in the office yesterday, but took them off for a client meeting (I was worried I wouldn't make the same eye contact with the glasses - weird, I know). I was then bare-eyed for part of my journey home, but by the time I got to the train station, I had a slight headache, so I put them back on. Then, bang, the headache disappeared - I guess my eyes were straining sans specs.
Is it normal to get headaches after a prolonged period of full-time glasses wear?
Went to the gym last night - initially bare-eyed, but the headaches started, so I wore my specs for the treadmill and rowing machine. It really helped, even if it was weird seeing myself in the mirror. Kept them on around the house last night, and took them off before bed. The blur was worse than ever - I couldn't even make out my facial details in a mirror that was 8 foot away! Am sure my eyes weren't this bad this time last week...
Have worn them since I woke up this morning and after a few make-up issues, here I am in the office. Nobody's said a thing. I like wearing them.
Phil - here are my glasses. They're expensive, so I'm determined to wear them!
http://www.visionexpress.com/glasses/all/female/half-rimmed/200%252B/104817/?page=1/9/sale-price/asc
Clare 17 Jun 2010, 12:28
Rachel - I had a prescription similar to yours at your age, although I'd glasses for a few years before which were weaker. Now in my late 30s I'm wearing -3 and -2.75 so those who suggest you may not get above -3 are probably not far off. As to when you'll wear them, I'm now a full time contacts wearer - I started wearing them when my rx was about -2.25 and have never been a full time glasses wearer. I'd recommend getting used to them and wearing them full time if you want to, I never wore glasses full time and would also be shy to because, for me at least, it would be strange for people because they never see me with glasses. Having said that, I wouldn't be helpless without glasses but as you've already said, reading at a distance and recognising people becomes more of a challenge over -2. I had no choice but to wear glasses a few years ago when I had an eye infection and was surprised at the compliments I got, you too I'm sure. The parents may be another challenge for you but I'm sure if you're confident enough it won't be an issue for too long. Good luck!
Aubrac 17 Jun 2010, 07:20
Rachel
We had a friend who at your age was always squinting to see signs, bus numbers etc. She was a great theatre goer and always used opera glasses throughout the performance. We were in the theatre stalls once and I asked her why she was using the opera glasses and she said to see the actors faces clearly!
Another friend suggested her constant squinting was giving her wrinkles around the eyes which prompted her to have an eye test. Her first scrip was -1.75 and she went FT about a year later. I think her RX settled at about -3.50 about eight years later.
I got my first glasses at 17 (about -1.75 I think) and was also embaressed to wear them at first, I used to think people were staring at me but soon realised it was only that I could actually see them clearly. Some people don't mind walking around in a blur, but for me to see everything crisply and clearly soon became a real must.
Phil 17 Jun 2010, 06:28
It's the latter Rachel, though if you wear glasses most of the time the blur may seem worse.
You could certainly survive sans specs: I'm -3.50 and until recently only wore my glasses part-time. Whether that is sensible is, of course, quite another matter. If your specs let you see well, why not wear them? I don't think it's good to let fear of embarrasment deter you from being able to see clearly. My problem was that I didn't start wearing my glasses on a full-time basis as soon as I needed to. As time passes it then becomes a "bit of a thing". The irony is that if you did wear them at work, and in front of family and friends, you would attract only fleeting attention for doing so; and most of the comments would be positive.
For myself I suspect that, although your rx may increase in the future, the chances are that it won't get abouve about -3. In which case you will always have the option of being a part-time wearer should you not conquer the demons!
Good luck. What frames did you choose?
Rachel 17 Jun 2010, 05:59
Also, Soundmanpt, you said: "if you like seeing clear and wear them full time you will be pretty dependent in a couple weeks maybe".
I've no problems with this, but by "dependent" do you mean I'll become a put-them-on-first-thing-in-the-morning-and-off-last-thing-at-night type wearer, unable to do simple tasks without wearing them? Or will I still have the same (blurry) eyesight I did this time last week?
Rachel 17 Jun 2010, 05:50
Am in the office now wearing my specs! I wasn't brave enough to put them on first thing, instead I just whipped them out around 11-ish. You're correct - people asked to try them on and it was 50/50 between people saying "they're really strong!" and people saying they need them. My eyes really missed them yesterday and it's much easier to type wearing them. Am planning to keep them rooted to my face for the rest of the day - I popped out for lunch wearing them and after the initial questions, don't feel self-conscious wearing them at all. And yes, I have noticed a slight blur when taking them off in the evenings, but that's how I used to view the world before last weekend, rather than a deterioration of my eyesight, right?
Need to come out to my family this weekend but seeing as my dad and brother have been full-time wearers for years, this shouldn't be a problem. At least, I think!
Like Lenses 16 Jun 2010, 22:54
Rachel
You have what is known as adult onset myopia. It is quite common with the use of computers.
Your next two or three exams will definately result in stronger glasses.and you will need to wear them full time. Your final prescription will be in the neighborhood of -4.50 to -5.00. You also may get a bit of astigmatism correction,as you eyes get used to the glasses.
Soundmanpt 16 Jun 2010, 19:49
Rachel - Kinda what I thought, you have needed correction for some time. Not being able to read signs and squinting to see the TV, and if you were a driver you would have even noticed sooner. Then like many others trying on someone else's glasses that are similar to what you need usually is the final push. I'm sure you were amazed walking out after picking up your glasses at how clear everything looked. After wearing your glasses all day Monday and Tuesday did you notice when you took your glasses off for bed things were much more blurry? That is because your eyes are starting to relax with your glasses. Sounds like your bf likes how you look in them and is very supportive, that helps. It is ovious that your gf must have perfect vision if she thinks yours are strong.
Your not alone in not wanting to wear them in front of people,I think most go through the same fears. I bet you kinda missed not having them on at work today? The reason I asked about what type of work you do is because of just what you said you do all day, stare into a computer. That is most likely what has caused the need for glasses in the first place. You should find wearing your glasses while on the computer very helpful. There is one thing I suggest, don't wear your glasses if your doing a lot of reading like a book etc or if your sewing. You should be able to see better without your glasses for those things.
You need to get up in the morning and bravely put your glasses and go to work keeping them on. Yes you will be a center of attention for maybe a day and that will be it. And like your gf the ladies will want to try them, you may even get the same comment as your gf are some may even say "Wow I can see better".
Yoiu have only been wearing them a couple of days, so no your not dependent yet, but if you like seeing clear and wear them full time you will be pretty dependent in a couple weeks maybe.
Rachel 16 Jun 2010, 13:38
Thanks for the advice, Soundmanpt. I work for a recruitment firm and most of my working day is spent in front of a computer screen. For a couple of years now I’ve been squinting to see the timetable screen at the train station, plus watching TV has been an increasing struggle. Also, my boyfriend is a full-time glasses wearer (-2 something) and the clear vision I get through his specs (along with the problems above) finally prompted me to get an eye exam (in fact, I have occasionally worn my boyf’s spare pair to watch TV).
And I didn’t have a dilated eye exam, no. And I don’t drive – although I was told, under all circumstances, not to go without them for driving.
I picked my specs up at the weekend, and have had two days off work on Monday and Tuesday. And… it’s been incredibly liberating. I’ve taken to full-time wear around the house and in my local area (walking around the supermarket was a revelation). I did feel self-conscious wearing them initially (I even felt shy in front of the check-out girl!) and catching my bespectacled reflection in shop windows has been a bit weird.
My boyfriend has been indifferent/ happy about me wearing them – in fact, when we went to the pub on Saturday night, I stepped out bare-eyed and he suggested I wear them (which I duly did). However, I went to work today and bottled wearing them. I was just too scared of the inevitable comments (although I did wear them on the tube/train journey home, where nobody can see me). Apart from my boyfriend, only my best friend has seem me in them (she came round last night and made comments along the lines of “are your eyes really that bad? These are really strong!”
The last five days as a glasses wearer has definitely been exciting. But… I’m sitting here now typing without them on, I feel slightly dizzy/nauseous and my eyes really miss them. It’s no problem, as they really suit me and I intend to wear them more often (even for work, eventually), but do you think I’m dependent upon them already? And after how many days wear will I become dependent upon them?
Soundmanpt 16 Jun 2010, 12:07
Rachel - To better answer some of your questions, you need to tell us a few things. Getting your first glasses with an rx of -1.50 would indicate that you actually needed correction for awhile. What caused you to go for an eye exam? What type of work do you do? Have you in the last couple of years changed to a job that makes you use your eyes a lot more? Were you given a dialated eye exam?
I would think that your glasses will not be strong enough in the next 6 months to a year and you will need an increase. That increase could be anywhere from -.50 to maybe -1.00 depending how stressed your eyes are. It is hard to say what glasses you will be wearing in 5 years, I doubt that it will be more than -3.00 or -3.50.
It seems you already have found that you see much better with them on than off, your rx is certainly strong enough that full time wear is acceptable. Driving must be much better now?
Being a first time wearer what has been the reactions of friends, family and work partners been like seeing you with glasses suddenly? How hard was it to get started wearing them in front of people?
Rachel 16 Jun 2010, 08:54
Hi there,
I've just been prescribed my first pair of glasses (-1.5 in each eye) at the age of 27 and I have a few questions! 1) What's the likelihood my myopia will increase over the next 5 years? 2) How much will it increase by the time I'm, say, 32? 3) Should I be wearing these -1.5 glasses full-time? (I've been wearing them more than I expected to already...)
Rick 14 Jun 2010, 19:11
You expected more add, but you've got a bit less minus which will have the same effect. So it may be better than you think.
Rick J 14 Jun 2010, 14:48
I went for eye exam new Rx -3.75 & -3.0 -275 30 add+175. Old Rx 5 years old - 4 & -3.5 -250 30 add +175. Kinda strange no change in the add. Thought I needed a increace in the add. Can this be right?
Andrew 06 Jun 2010, 12:37
Lee,
Yes, you do get more distortion around the edges of the lenses with high index, but as you spend most of the time looking through the centre of the lens, it is not normally an issue.
Chris 05 Jun 2010, 06:52
You can certainly get high index lenses with correction for astigmatism. My cyl is -4.50 and (although the choice is restricted with this level of cyl) I have never had a problem getting them.
Lee 05 Jun 2010, 01:55
Aubrac, that is good to know but strange i was told i had high astigmatism, when it seems pretty mild.
Aubrac 05 Jun 2010, 00:54
Lee
I have high index rimless glasses with -5.00 lenses plus some cylinder correction. They are less than yours but even so are only 4mm at the thickest point.
You have a low cylinder correction and this shouldn't make much difference.
Lee 04 Jun 2010, 12:08
Andrew, i was told hi index would create more distortion around the lens edge. It may be they didn't want me to get the rimless i wanted. I always get pushed to little plastic frames as they are 'stronger' and hide edge thickness. Which may be true but on me they do not look good!
Andrew 04 Jun 2010, 11:54
Lee,
Absolute rubbish! My Rx is higher than yours in both Sph and Cyl, and I wear high-index glasses. It may be the outlet you are trying to buy them from; try a different retail outlet.
Lee 04 Jun 2010, 11:38
This my rx: -6.25, -1.00x 10 and -6.75, -0.50x90. I've been told due high astig i can't wear hi index, is that right?
NICKWEYMOUTH 04 Jun 2010, 06:15
agread puffin
Lee 03 Jun 2010, 23:20
Can you get a monocal anywhere nowadays? Could be fun to wear?
03 Jun 2010, 20:11
You think!
Puffin 03 Jun 2010, 16:27
I think the Wei-impressions are wearing a little thin now. Not that they weren't amusing at the start.
Melyssa 03 Jun 2010, 12:50
I truly believe that not one person on this site is annoyed by Wei's posts.
Mabye 1000 people, but not one.
Wei 03 Jun 2010, 10:44
Is all wei i think! Yes i think mysodisc. Very good. Plus carrier bi-concave or plano fronting? Is many of lens. Monocle of wood?
still 03 Jun 2010, 09:54
The person named Wei was here for a while
a long time ago. This "Wei" is a caricature,
and just so we don't miss the point, is
using broken English, and much more often than
real-Wei ever published in one day.
OK, "Wei", very funny! 8-DDD
Wei 03 Jun 2010, 08:37
Heather sorry not liking pince nez. I think you have maybe monocle instead?
Heather 03 Jun 2010, 08:25
Wei - Why don't you just shut up. I think you are just annoying everyone!
Wei 03 Jun 2010, 07:57
Heather i recommend pince nez for non slip. Frame wooden.
Heather 03 Jun 2010, 06:49
Emma - I have actually been wearing soft contacts. I tried all kinds of different contacts but I did not tolerate any of them. I was trying very hard as I did not want to be stuck with just glasses all the time but I was unsuccessful. Now I just have to wear glasses, there doesn't seem to be a way around it. I have relatively light frames and thin lenses but the glasses are still a nuisance, especially during sports.
Emma 03 Jun 2010, 06:29
Heather, honestly -5 is not a strong rx. As for the increase in rx well that's not totally surprising if you have been wearing hard contacts for years. They act as kind of "brace" on your eyes and temporarily stop myopic progression. If you stop wearing them your eyesight reaches it's true rx. I had this happen even after wearing glasses about 30-40% of the time of a few months after only wearing hard contacts before. After wearing contacts most of the time again the astigmatism reduced again but the minus power didn't. So I guess if went to only wearing glasses my rx would get a lot worse!!
If you've been wearing soft lenses it's more of a mystery though!
I would be really surprised if there isn't some type of contacts you could tolerate if only for a few hours playing sport every week. If it's real problem for you then you need to check out different optometrists that have a special interest in contacts. Failing that invest a frame that's designed for sports - for tennis you don't need ugly sports goggles though lol!!!!!!!!!
I wouldn't have thought your rx will get a lot worse now and definately not over -6. An rx under -6 is considered "moderate" myopia by optometrists by the way.
Wei 03 Jun 2010, 00:14
Indeed yes! Is many strong. Using bifocal helping slow myopic.
Astra 02 Jun 2010, 23:57
I doubt bifocal can stop myopic progression.
Wei 02 Jun 2010, 23:13
Heather have bifocal! Will stop myopic progression. And needing bifocal soon anyway i think
Heather 02 Jun 2010, 19:42
Soundmanpt - Thanks for the advice. That cleaner might be a good idea and worth a try.
I have not had children or a medication change when my prescription changed drastically. It is strange ... also the prescription change coincided with me not being able to wear contacts any more. Before I never wore glasses, just contacts (although I had backup glasses). And since I was around -2.00 I often did not wear any correction at home.
So after my prescription had increased to around -4 and I wasn't able to wear contacts any more, I had to switch from wearing contacts full time to wearing strong glasses full time, quite a change and hard to get accustomed to. It is one thing to start having to wear weak glasses and then gradually wearing them more frequently but quite a different story if you suddenly have to wear strong glasses full time and cannot even read any more without them. Now I feel really insecure without strong lenses in front of my eyes.
Soundmanpt 02 Jun 2010, 19:02
Heather
A couple more things that might help, they make a lenses cleaner that works pretty well on reducing the fogging of glasses. The reason your glasses fog is because not enough air is getting onto the inside of your glasses (between your eyes and lenses) Don't squish your glasses up too close to your eyes, this should help some as well. Maybe take several sweatbands with you and change several times to a dry one.
I'm sorry that you can't tolerate contacts anymore, that would have been the best answer. You are correct, it is odd that your eyes stablized for 10 years and then started changing again. By any chance in that 3 years of change did you give birth to a child or 2? Often times child birth will cause vision to change a lot. The only other thing could be some kind of mediication change. If not these things I don't know.
Heather 02 Jun 2010, 18:04
Soundmanpt - I actually ended up getting a sweatband and a strap to hold the glasses in place. Since I got my new stronger glasses, I played tennis with them once (with strap and sweatband) and it was much better than with my old glasses which were heavier and with much thicker lenses. However it is still not great, the lenses tend to steam up and sweat is still dropping on them to some extent. I have to remove and clean them at regular intervals. I cannot really wear contacts any more. The moment I put them in my eyes they hurt quite a lot and they keep hurting for quite a while even after I have removed the contacts.
I actually did get semi-rimless glasses. These are the glasses I got: http://www.vision2you.co.uk/store/paul-smith-glasses/paul-smith/ps1017
Regarding my presctiption, the strange thing is that it was stable at around -2 for more than 10 years and then suddenly increased within about 3 years to -4.25 (R) and -5.00 (L). This is what seems strange to me and I just hope that the current rate of progression in my RX won't continue.
Wei 01 Jun 2010, 11:56
Is wear frame for non slipping in sporting. Answer frame wooden!
Soundmanpt 01 Jun 2010, 10:27
Heather
Sorry I went back and found that I missed that your older glasses are -4.00 / -4.25 and your new glasses are -4.25 / -5.00. You are right they are okay for a backup, as you say not perfect. You did not say why you can't wear contacts anymore. The brand you were using just started to hurt to wear? I understand the problems with wearing glasses for tennis, the slipping down and the sweat and fogging of the lenses would make it hard to see proper. My question is, can you not tolerate contacts for just the hour or two that you would be playing tennis? If you can't do this , then things that might help is to use a sweat band across your forehead, that will keep the sweating down alot, during your regular work day do you find yourself pushing your glasses up from time to time? If so you may want to get them adjusted so they don't slip down during tennis. Last idea is invest in a pair of very light weight glasses that are rimless or semi rimless, they will be lighter and you wont see the frame when playing tennis as much.
Just because you wear glasses, you should not have to stop playing a sport you enjoy. By the way as someone else said, your glasses are not all that strong. Your actually more in the moderate range. Going from -.75 when you were 18 to -5.00 is pretty normal. At 36 I would think you should stablize soon. At what age did you switch to contacts and what was the rx if you know or remember?
Heather 30 May 2010, 08:12
soundmanpt - I do a fair amount of computer work but not exclusively. By the way, I have not stated that my previous glasses are far too weak. They are fine for me to see, just not perfect.
soundmanpt 28 May 2010, 17:57
Heather
What type of sports do you play? If it is a contact sport it would be advisable to consider sport goggles, not attractive, but very functional. As others have suggested here, you should invest in a second pair of glasses for a backup. You would be in serious trouble if you were to lose or brake your current glasses. As you have stated you previous glasses are far too weak to be of any help. I'm sure you would like to get rx sunglasses as well? Do not be afraid of using on-line retailers for glasses, zenni optical is very cheap and good quality. You can get rx sunglasses for around $13.00 and even regular glasses for the same amount (including AR anti-reflective). It seems odd for you vision to change that much at 36, but everyone is different. What type of work do you do?
Heather 28 May 2010, 07:12
Maybe.
gwgs 28 May 2010, 03:19
An auction house in London maybe Heather? My office is VERY close to the one of the big auction houses - maybe we're neighbours!!
ehpc 27 May 2010, 21:25
Interesting :) In the United Kingdom I imagine.
Heather 27 May 2010, 19:03
ehpc - I work for an auction house.
ehpc 27 May 2010, 17:56
I wonder what you do professionally, Heather. You seem to spend a lot of time working on a comptuer, I remember.
Heather 27 May 2010, 16:05
ehpc - I don't need to wear weaker lenses for reader. I can read fine with my current prescription but I want to try to wear a weaker prescription for reading in an attempt to slow down my eyesight getting weaker.
ehpc 27 May 2010, 16:04
'rectangular'
ehpc 27 May 2010, 16:03
Glad you are wearing your VERY HOT black rectabgular plastic frames for reading, Heather :) Although I am surprised that someone as young as you needs weaker lenses for reading. I was OK doing everything with my normal lenses until I was about 50. (I am now 55). Pete
Heather 27 May 2010, 15:33
I think I will actually get proper prescription sunglasses even though it will be expensive. For reading I am mostly wearing my old (weaker) glasses which is okay.
Wei 27 May 2010, 14:37
Heather-buy sunglass clipping on!
Heather 27 May 2010, 14:30
r & Aubrac - Thanks for your advice. I had considered getting photochromic lenses. However, I really dislike the look of them as they immediately turn somewhat darker once you are in natural light, which I don't like. I like sunglasses when the sun is shining but not otherwise.
Jennifer 27 May 2010, 07:43
I found that transition lenses don't get dark enough to work as well as prescription sunglasses. Is there another newer material that works better and gets darker than transition lenses. I'm one that switches between clear glasses and dark glasses and find it very cumbersome. Therefore, wearing contacts on a sunny day when I know that I'll be going in and out of buildings (like outdoor shopping), contacts work the best with regular sunglasses. I just prop my sunglasses on top of my head when I go into a shop and put them back on when I go outdoors again.
r 27 May 2010, 04:14
Heather:
However, what I found with photochromic lenses when I tried them before is that most will not work as well as you would like in a car, primarily because the car windows block UV light. If you're done with the contacts, it's something to think about.
Aubrac 27 May 2010, 00:07
Heather
Try reactolite lenses then there is no need for prescription sunglasses. If a reading add is needed then progressives can be used thus combining three pairs of glasses into one.
No real need for the extra large handbag!
Heather 26 May 2010, 16:39
And - I only have one pair of glasses with my current prescription and another pair with my old prescription. I don't have prescription sunglasses since I was able to wear contacts until not too long ago.
And 26 May 2010, 14:51
Heather, do you just have one pair of glasses at the moment ?
Heather 26 May 2010, 13:53
I guess quite a bit of equipment is actually needed in a way (at least if you can't wear contacts): regular glasses, prescription sunglasses, prescription swimming goggles as well as potentially somewhat weaker glasses for reading! That's a lot of glasses :)!
Heather 26 May 2010, 08:22
Thanks everyone for your advice. I don't do much swimming any more but I used to. With the glasses it has become a bit of a hassle but you are right, I need to get prescription goggles.
Aubrac 26 May 2010, 03:39
Heather
You could also try ebay for prescription goggles, I bought some at almost the right prescription for only a few pounds. They only correct sphere and aren't usually available for cylinder/astigmatism correction.
ehpc 25 May 2010, 12:43
........including seaswimming etc.
ehpc 25 May 2010, 12:42
I find swimming without glasses at minus 7 no big deal.
Eye Tri 25 May 2010, 08:52
Heather,
If you do want to go swimming and still be able to see, you might look into prescription goggles by Hilco. If you goggle Hilco you will find there are several companies that sell them for a very reasonable price. I've been using them for a few years and they've worked well.
Rayray 25 May 2010, 08:31
Commenting on heathers post below i have also had an optometrist give me unnecessary cylinder which made my vision worse rather than better. I was prescribed -6.50 -1.50 75 cyl / -7 -0.50 50 cyl a few years back. When i got my eyes re-checked after the glasses didnt help me i got -7.00 -0.75 105 cyl and -7.50.
My sphere correction has increased since then but cylinder remained the same so i guess some testers are just less competent.
Heather 24 May 2010, 16:35
And - I definitely would not go swimming bare-eyed. I think I would be lost! I am not doing anything without glasses any more. Somehow I feel very unsafe without lenses in front of my eyes.
And 24 May 2010, 15:22
Heather, glad it's going ok. Have you had good comments from others, folk wanting to try them on etc. Do you think you would go swimming bare-eyed ?
Heather 24 May 2010, 13:41
I am coping very well with the stronger lenses now, especially since they are so light and thin. I am not feeling "disabled" any more but just enjoy the clear vision. Even sports has become better now. Having to wear the strong lenses is still a nuisance but at least they are light and quite comfortable.
Dan 20 May 2010, 18:41
Brian-16,
Don't worry, I'll keep you guys posted!
Heather 20 May 2010, 14:41
Astra - My second day with th stronger lenses has actually been quite good. I did computer work all day long and did not have any problem. I think yesterday I just had a bit of a problem with getting used to the stronger lenses.
Brian-16 20 May 2010, 04:39
Dan..Yes don't give up on bi-focals.When I first got them I made quick eye movements from near to far and vice-versa.While lounging around watching tv I would position my head so as to see the tv and have a book to read and pretty soon forgot all about the line.The height of the lenses was about 32 or 34mm and this helped.Smaller height could be a problem with the line.Keep us (me,too) updated on your experiences with bi's...
Aubrac 20 May 2010, 02:34
GG
Did you previously have glasses? If so do you know their prescription and how long you have had them.
At 31 you are probably just catching up with hyperopia that you have always had and now need a little extra help with reading.
It is never really possible to forsee the future but it is often said that with FT wear, distance hyperopia does tend to stabilise more, although there may be some future increase in the reading add.
As Clare said you will certainly not be taken for a phoney wearer, as there will be a small amount of eye magnification and obvious distortion when seen through the back of the lenses. A person with 20/20 vision would not be able to see at all clearly with your glasses and would be unable to drive.
Astra 20 May 2010, 02:20
Heather,
I think for your age it is likely to have some presbyopia if you find it uncomfortable reading the computer screen for long time.
Dan 19 May 2010, 18:43
Brian-16,
I will definitely keep them around. Actually, I wear contacts a lot (yes I know...booo) but the prescription was -0.75 and -1.00. After my check up it is -1.25 and -1.25. It seems as though I am having more trouble staying focused on near work and I my vision distance vision is a bit blurry after doing a bit of close up work. Maybe I should consider reading glasses over contacts or try the bifocals again.
Heather 19 May 2010, 14:28
I think people who try on someone else's glasses always feel that they are very strong. When I had -2.00 everyone told me how strong they were but obviously -2.00 is not terribly strong.
What a day today ... I worked the whole day on the computer but I really feel that my eyes need to take a break after wearing these strong lenses all day today for the first time.
I really need to get used to them first. However, when I take off the glasses I feel even much more blind than before. I may even take a break and wear my old glasses from time to time. I don't remember having had such difficulty getting used to new lenses before but everything else about them is positive :).
Clare 19 May 2010, 11:25
GG - I don't think there's any chance that you'd be taken for a phony. There's no way that a myope or someone with a zero prescription would be able to see a thing through your glasses I'm sure. I always thought that when my prescription was less but my hyperopic aunt tried my glasses and she thought they were very strong, they probably weren't any more than -2 to but she couldn't see a thing through them!
GG 19 May 2010, 10:26
I have been due for an eye exam so I decided to finally go after a few embarrasing situations where I could not read something that I should have been able to. A friend of mine who is also farsighted suggested that I not put off getting an exam any longer since he could see me stuggling. So my new prescription is L/R +3.25, -.5, add +1.50. That is an increase of +.75 for distance and +.5 for near. My doctor said that I will need to wear correction full time if I wasn't already and that I could either get bifocal glasses or contacts and additional reading glasses. I decided to go with progressives. I did not get contacts as I would have to have the reading glasses too so I am now true full time gwg! I cant belive how great I am seeing now. I know that prescriptions should stabilize at some point but since I am only 31 will it continue to increase for a while or should this be about it? I dont think this is a strong prescription based on what I have seen others post but what would a person with perfect vision see through my glasses? I know that I cant see without them but I dont want to be taken as a phony glasses wearer.
Heather 19 May 2010, 04:51
Aubrac - Thanks. I definitely hope it will stabilise at least around -6.00. At the moment I cannot really imagine having to wear -6.00 lenses at some point, but then only a few years ago I only wore -2.00 glasses part-time, something that has become unthinkable now! If put on my old -2.00 glasses now, they seem pretty much useless.
I just got a new frame and lenses that are a lot thinner, so even -5.00 is okay. The new lenses feel very strong and intense though.
Aubrac 19 May 2010, 02:26
Heather
Myopia usually appears around the early teens, and you may have been slightly short-sighted then but not really noticed. I got glasses at 17 and they were -1.75 but gradually increased to -5.00 at age 40, they then stabilised and have remained the same since.
I had a friend who didn't get glasses until 28, although she probably needed them earlier, her first pair were -2.50 and went up to -4.50.
You should be prepared to peak at maybe -6.00 in the next few years although it impossible to speculate with any real accuracy.
Heather 18 May 2010, 14:36
As reported on another thread, I just got an updated prescription, which is stronger again ... :-(. I have now gone from -4.00 (right) / -4.50 (left) to -4.25 (right) / -5.00 (left).
Heather 15 May 2010, 19:07
Sorry, the previous post went out too fast.
I have been wearing glasses since age 18 and I am 36 now. I initially got a prescription of -0.75 in both eyes which quickly increases to -2.00 (right) and -2.50 (left). This prescription was stable for more than 10 years so I was quite relieved and thought that this would sort of be my "permanent" prescription and it was nice to be able not to wear any correction when I was at home. However, a few years ago I suddenly had two relatively large prescription changes within a year and I am now wearing -4.00 (right) and -4.50 (left) lenses. Is this sudden change in the prescription normal around my age? Also, is my prescription unusually high given that I got my first glasses relatively late?
Needless to say that the days when I was able to take my glasses off at home are gone now, since I am totally dependent on them, even for reading.
One strange thing was that I actually went to see another optician before I got my current prescription and he prescribed even stronger lenses (-4.50 -0.75 (right) and -4.75 -0.75 (left)). However, once I got the new lenses, I found it almost unbearable to wear them for more than a few hours, my eyes hurt and I got a headache. Moreover, I was almost unable to read with them on. So I decided to see another optician who gave me my current prescription. This large difference in the prescriptions seemed quite astonishing to me!
Heather 15 May 2010, 18:54
Brian-16 15 May 2010, 04:39
Dan...Okay on the bifocals.There was another guy who had tried bifocals on here (1.25) and said they did not make much difference except when reading some smaller print than normal.He was in college and had over -4.0 in his glasses.Can't remember his name.I wear tri-focals but have had them for several years.Will graduate college in a few days.Later on will get another eye exam.I would keep the bi-focals around in case you need them for something.I found wearing them as much as possible is the only way to get used to the reading add.
Dan 14 May 2010, 17:00
Brian-16,
Yep, that's me. I tried the bifocals for a while but found that they didn't make much of a difference. While I didn't have to change focus from near to far, it took a lot of getting used to. At this stage in my life I think I'll stick with the single vision glasses until I really need bifocals. As my distance prescription increases however I may need bifocals for close-up...we shall see.
Brian-16 14 May 2010, 15:22
Dan- Are you the "Dan" that got bi-focals a while back?
Dan 14 May 2010, 13:22
Had my annual check up and got a slightly stronger (but still weak) prescription.
Old:
OS -0.75 -0.50 x 90
OD -1.00 -0.50 x 90
New:
OD -1.00 -0.50 x 90
OS -1.00 -0.50 x 85
Cactus jack 08 May 2010, 19:46
luvspecs,
It takes +4.50 diopters to focus at 22 cm. If you add the +2.50 to compensate for the -2.50 over correction, that means that you have +7.00 diopter of total accommodation to read at 22 cm. When you read at 40 cm, you have +2.00 diopters in reserve.
You could theoretically wear -2.00 more overcorrection and still be able to read, but I suggest that you stay where you are or perhaps get some low cost glasses with -5.75 and -5.25 and consider wearing them when you don't have to read much. If nothing else, it may help you increase your accommodation amplitude over time and perhaps induce a bit more axial myopia or possibly some pseudo myopia. The key to being able to wear several pairs of glasses with increasing strength is to get them all with identical frames. Few non OOs would notice the Rx, but they will notice a change in frames.
C.
luvspecs 08 May 2010, 16:23
cactus jack
i can read comfortably at about the width of an a4 sheet paper (about 22cm i think). It gets a little uncomfortable any closer than that. What would that suggest ?
Cactus Jack 08 May 2010, 16:07
luvspecs,
Age and genetic disposition are the two big factors in increasing your Rx. Don't get your hopes too high. Just enjoy your glasses while you can. You are accommodating for -2.50 overcorrection (+2.50) and to read at normal reading distance of 40 cm or 16 inches takes another +2.50 for a total of +5.00 diopters. The key question is how close can you read newsprint with your new glasses? That will give you an idea of how much accommodation you have.
C.
luvspecs 08 May 2010, 15:18
Cactus Jack
I am 29. I was previously using glasses that had an extra -1.00 on top of my old rx, but this didn't seem to have any effect.
Cactus Jack 08 May 2010, 12:40
luvspecs,
Maybe. What is your age?
C.
luvspecs 08 May 2010, 11:11
I have finally received my new glasses with -4.75 & -4.25(real rx is -2.25 & -1.75) lenses that I ordered from smartbuyglasses. I will not be using them again as it took nearly 2 months. I am really pleased with the glasses though and can see very well with them and I am also still able to read news paper print wich I thought may be tricky. Will this rx help me to get an increase at my next exam ?
Brian 26 Apr 2010, 13:34
Edmund, In comparison to yours.. My prescription is OS -6.00, OD -5.25 with 2 BI.. My lenses are about 3mm thick on the outside, just under 5mm thick on the inside. I do have a smaller frame with lenses polished and the thinner type lenses. Does anyone know of any websites that have pictures of glasses with Base-In Prisms?
Edmund 26 Apr 2010, 11:37
Brian,
My glasses are about 7 mm on the inside now and about 3 mm on the outside.
My RX is -3.00 cyl -1.25 add +2.25 BI 8 each eye.
If you want, you can email me at strongeyes74@gmail.com
Edmund
JR 26 Apr 2010, 11:17
CJ
Thanks.
JR
Cactus Jack 26 Apr 2010, 10:21
JR,
3 BO is no very much, I suspect that the reason for the double vision was misplacement of the optical centers in the +11s. The higher the Rx the more critical it is to avoid problems. If you don't have double vision when you take off the +11s and their contacts, I doubt you will have any problems with your regular vision. Low values of BO prism have the same convergence effects as reading.
C.
JR 26 Apr 2010, 10:11
Catus Jack
On my GOC project, many combos, I had a +11 glasses but needed 3BO due to double vision. If I wear these will I hurt my regular vision?
I have all the way to -24 without any issues, just on these high plus.
Thanks, JR
Cactus Jack 26 Apr 2010, 09:44
Brian,
Prism glasses are not as common as they once were. Most prism correction is Base Out for eyes turning inward in children, but today that is corrected by relatively minor surgery when still very young. The usual cause of the inward turning is uncorrected hyperopia or accommodation problems which trigger convergence.
Base In prism for outward turning is most frequently found in adults. If it becomes severe it can also be corrected by surgery. It is only in mild cases or in situation where surgery is too risky or simply not desired that prism is actually used.
The prescribing, making, and fitting of prism glasses is almost a lost art, particularly in the higher values. Few lens makers these days, know or understand Prentice's rule for positioning the optical center of the lens so that it coincides with the central axis of vision when prism is prescribed. This can cause real problems with higher Rx and higher prism corrections.
C.
Brian 26 Apr 2010, 09:22
Edmund, What your doctor told you initially sounds like what my doctor told me that they didn't want to add too much prism too fast. I hope my prism correction never gets as strong as 8 BI in each eye like you. Are your new glasses pretty thick on the inner edges now? How strong is your full prescription? It amazes me the lack of information that is available online regarding Prism corrections in glasses. When I found out I was going to be getting them, I looked to try to find pictures of what Prism Corrections look like in lenses or additional information on what to expect and there really wasn't much information on the web. Maybe because not that many people have a prism in their glasses.
soundmanpt 24 Apr 2010, 08:38
To the "no name poster" please don't forget to put in your "es nickname" so we know who we are hearing from and posting to.
Cactus Jack 24 Apr 2010, 04:33
I have added a few words to my previous post to clarify.
As a rule of thumb, the thick outside edge of a lens with BO prism will be about 1 mm thicker per diopter than a lens of the same Rx without prism and the thin edge will be as thin as possible and still support the lens - usually about 1 or 2 mm. The thick edge of BI, BU, and BD prism will be a bit less than i mm thicker per diopter of prism because the distance from the optical center to the thick edge of the lens is usually less.
Note that the -2 lens with 6 BO is .395 which is pretty close to 10 mm thick. If we apply the above rule, 6 mm of the 10 would be caused by the prism and the remainder by the Rx itself. Sounds about right for CR 39.
C.
23 Apr 2010, 22:09
Not bad at all. Be the way, glassesunlimited.com offers free Prism up to 3D in their regular pricing. I just ordered a pair and we will see. For $16 I don't have much to lose!
23 Apr 2010, 17:49
Mine are 6 bo and .395 thick. Lens is 2 inches across.
Minus 2.
Cactus Jack 23 Apr 2010, 15:14
There are many factors that can affect edge thickness: Overall Rx, lens size, index of refraction, distance from the optical center of the lens to the edge, and the amount of prism.
As a rule of thumb, the thick edge of the lens will be 1 mm thicker per diopter of prism and the thin edge will be as thin as possible and still support the lens usually about 1 or 2 mm.
C.
23 Apr 2010, 15:07
To those who wear prisms, about how thick are your lenses with 4d of prism?
Edmund 23 Apr 2010, 13:06
Brian,
My prism started out 3 years ago at 2 BI in each eye, but they didn't want to add it fast, even though I could 'have more'. Last year I was at 4 BI and just the other day I am now at 8 BI. Took some getting used to the new prisms, but it seems to be working out so far.
Cactus Jack 22 Apr 2010, 16:02
Brian,
Yes, I wear 15 diopters of Base Out prism in each eye because my eyes try to turn inward. I have had muscle surgery, but it didn't solve the problem. I was warned that it might redevelop and it has. I have been offered surgery, but I'm too old to fool with that.
It is normal for doctors to approach prism with care because some people can't tolerate it.
You likely have a bit of exophoria or exotropia fancy words for the eyes wanting to turn outward. You may need a bit more prism as time progresses, but hopefully it will stop. If it gets out of hand, you may need to consider muscle surgery. It might be worthwhile if you are young. I suspect you need at least 5 diopters BI in each eye before it would be even slightly noticeable to others.
C.
Brian 22 Apr 2010, 12:30
Cactus Jack and others, Thanks for your information. CJ, Do you wear glasses with a Prism Correction? As I said the prism correction in the glasses has been great. I haven't had any problems at all since I posted last. I probably won't go for another eye exam for another year so I really don't anticipate anything new with my vision anytime soon. I am a little concerned about the Prism getting a lot worse especially when my doctor said that the prism she put in my glasses now might just be a starting point, so who knows how much stronger it will get in the future, but if it stays in the range it is now, I will be happy. Seeing Jill's post it looks like hers has progressed some of the last 6 years so I guess I'll just have to wait and see if mine will follow suit at all.
HD 21 Apr 2010, 09:50
edmund
can you upload image of your glasses?
you can also send it to my mail - dsuk124@walla.com...
thank you,
Cactus Jack 21 Apr 2010, 09:00
guest,
The name comes from optical science. Prisms are used in optics for two purposes bending light rays and breaking up the light spectrum into the individual wave lengths of light so they can be seen individually. If you look at a simple prism from the side, it looks like a triangle with two long sides and a short side. The short side is called the base of the prism and the point is called the apex. When light rays stride one of the long sides, the rays are bent toward the base. If the eyes are pointed inward, base out prism is required to bend the visual axes so they are parallel.
BTW, both convex (plus) and concave (minus) lenses are optically an infinite number of infinitely thin prisms arranged in a circle. Plus lenses have the base at the center and the apex at the edge. Minus lenses have the base at the edge and the apex in the center.
Google 'Optical Prisms' for illustrations of how prisms bend light rays.
C.
Julian 21 Apr 2010, 08:56
No, the base of a prism is its widest part. What you're talking about would be 'apex in' but, sorry, that isn't the terminology that's used.
guest 21 Apr 2010, 08:10
OK, thanks, I cant quite get my head around why its called "base out" when you actually move the optical centres inwards to achieve this prism effect, you'd expect that to be "base in" or am I misunderstanding it? From what I understand, if your eyes are converging slightly then it's base out prism that's required to make them focus straight ahead.
Cactus Jack 21 Apr 2010, 06:36
guest,
Not exactly. The Base Out (BO) prism would allow the opposing muscles to relax, but typically, if the eye muscles want to turn the eyes inward slightly, the effort of the opposing outside muscles does not tend to trigger the focus response.
However, in both cases the PD should be adjusted using Prentice's rule for prism to move the optical center of the lenses so that it coincides with the central axis of vision for best acuity. This rule is the same one that is used to adjust the distance PD for the reading segments in bifocals.
C.
Edmund 21 Apr 2010, 06:11
I just got new glasses yesterday with BI 8 prism per eye. My prism has gone up in big jumps over the last 3 years.
My new RX is -3.00 cyl -1.25 add +2.25 BI 8 for both eyes.
guest 21 Apr 2010, 01:39
Is it exactly the same for base out prism to correct eyes that naturally turn in slightly?
thanks
Cactus Jack 19 Apr 2010, 06:46
Jill & Brian,
I thought I would offer an explanation of the effects you are experiencing by wearing Base In (BI) prism correction in your glasses.
Base in prism is used to optically correct the tendency of some peoples eyes to turn outward. In angular degrees, one Prism Diopter bends light rays by 0.57 degrees. In other words, a very tiny bit per diopter.
The small amount of outward turning is easily corrected by the system that controls the 6 muscles attached to each eye which provide left, right, up, down, and 2 oblique motions. The brain provides the signals to these muscles based on the images being supplied to the visual cortex by both eyes to cause the two images to track properly and fuse into one 3 D image. However, there is a small snag in the control system, it can sometimes be too helpful.
The muscle control system also interacts with the system in the brain that controls the ciliary (focusing) muscles in the eyes. When the eyes turn inward (converge) to keep close images fused, it triggers the ciliary muscles to squeeze the crystaline lenses to increase their plus power to keep close things in focus - part of your auto-focus system.
Normally, when viewing distant objects (more than 20 feet or 6 meters for our purposes) the eye positioning muscles and the ciliary muscles are relaxed and the eyes are ideally pointed straight ahead, parallel. In your situation, there is a small tendency for the eyes to point outward, which as I said above, is easily corrected by the inside muscles on your eyeballs. Unfortunately, the corrective action to converge your eyes slightly for parallel vision, also triggers the ciliary muscles to squeeze the crystaline lenses a tiny bit. This adds a tiny bit of plus power to your crystaline lenses which makes you a tiny bit more nearsighted. When you wear BI prism, the prism bends the light rays for you, your eye muscles do not have to expend any convergence effort, and the ciliary muscles are not activated. All this means that the Rx you were prescribed remains correct.
Hope this makes sense and helps.
C.
Jill 19 Apr 2010, 05:43
Brian, I have a similar distance prescription that you have -5.50 and -5.25. I'm 35 years old and have been wearing a prism correction since I was 29. I started at 1D BI and now have 4D BI in each eye. I was a contact wearer until getting the prism correction and have been pretty much wearing glasses exclusively for the past 5 years. It was quite an adjustment at first. But once I got used to the glasses it was worthwhile the excellent vision that the prisms provided. I have High Index Lenses now with polished edges and a small frame and even with a BI of 4 in each eye they aren't super thick, so thats always an option for you if your prism increases which I hate to tell you it probably will. My doctor is hoping mine will stabilize in the 4 to 5 BI range in each eye and don't be surprised if you end up in that range in the future as well.
Brian 18 Apr 2010, 11:43
JB, Thanks for the info.. As I said aside from a mild headache the first day I got them, I have had no problems with the prism correction. Your right, the visual improvement is tremendous. What surprised me the most is how much more comfortable it is to use the computer and to read with the prism in my glasses. I am a bit concerned about my prism correction increasing in the future, because i've seen pictures of strong prism correction online and it can make glasses look a little ugly when they get real strong, so hopefully the correction in my glasses will not increase a great deal. I can notice the 2D base in when looking at my glasses. The inner part of my lenses is thicker, but I don't think anyone else would be able to spot it unless they were specifically looking for it.
sam12744 18 Apr 2010, 05:24
Emma,
Yes you can get prism in myodiscs;its just much less obvious than in conventional lenses.
JB 15 Apr 2010, 23:02
Brian....Like you i had to have prism correction 3 years ago, it started at 2b/in &down and 3 tests later it is 4 in & down Now cannot function without specs at all as i get a headache if i try to go without for more than about 15 minutes, that said, since i got the prisms i have enjoyed the crispest sight for years so the trade off was well worth it in my opinion
Emma 15 Apr 2010, 11:06
I wonder if you can get prism in myodiscs?
BRIAN 15 Apr 2010, 08:11
Reading through some old posts, I remember Daffy and Larissa posting about getting Base-In Prism Glasses. Larissa because she had to and Daffy because he wanted to "try" them out and ended up needing them. I was wondering if either of those two are still on the boards. I think I remember seeing somewhat recent posts from Daffy but can't remember for sure. If those two or others that have gotten base-in prism corrections are around I was wondering how much their Prism prescription have increased over the years. I was just curious to see how much their prism increased to know what to expect over the next few years with my prism correction. If I get chance, I'll try to post a picture of my glasses with the 2 Base-In Prism Correction in each eye. As I said, you can see some thickness on the insides of the lenses but its really not super noticeable to anyone who would not be looking for it. Thanks Guys.
Brian 13 Apr 2010, 13:22
I never got a chance until now to follow up on my post regarding getting the prism glasses. I did receive my glasses and aside from a mild headache the first day or so I got them, they have been great. Reading has been much easier with them. You guys were right, once you start wearing the glasses with the prism correction its very hard to go without them. I tried to mow the lawn the other day with my old glasses because I didn't want to scratch up my new glasses and that was almost impossible because my vision felt distorted and got dizzy. With the glasses now, my eyes feel remarkably relaxed. I don't get the double vision on the computer like I did before. The inside edges of my glasses are a bit thicker than they were before but not to make them look bad by any means. I stayed with a small frame to avoid thickness on both the inner and outer edges since my prescription is -6.00 in one eye and -5.25 in the other eye. My eye doctor did say its possible this prism correction may increase some in the future. She said she could have actually started me at a higher prism correction based on my need but wanted to slowly work me into getting used to wearing the glasses with prism in it. So hopefully it will not increase too much.
All4Eyes 31 Mar 2010, 00:22
Jesika: My first rx was R -4.50 L -4.00 (no astigmatism though). Similar to yours and my teachers didn't seem to notice or if they did just made a passing remark and let it go, no real concern. I knew I needed glasses for years, though.
dave 22 Mar 2010, 22:09
Andrew (the one who posted your Rx)
Do you drive, can you read the credits at movies, watch TV? Can you read the roll at the bottom of the CNN channel or equivalent news show?
Surely you must have realized you can't see what your friends can.
Andrew 22 Mar 2010, 12:30
I'm an old codger who has been here for years. I'm not the same as the other Andrew who just posted, so please don't have a go at him on the basis of what I may have posted in the past!
Cactus Jack 22 Mar 2010, 12:08
Andrew,
Your Rx is written in plus cylinder format. I have converted your Rx to minus cylinder format to better understand it. Both Rx result in optically identical glasses.
L -2.50, -1.00 x 120 Add +2.00
R -2.25, -0.50 x 65 Add +2.00
The first number is the sphere correction. You have low myopia that indicates that your eyes want to focus at about 16 to 17.5 inches (40 to 44 cm). Anything beyond that distance is blurry. This is caused by a mismatch between the optical power of your cornea and crystaline lens combined and the length of your eyeball.
This is complicated by astigmatism as indicated by the 2nd and 3rd number which is the cylinder and axis correction. Astigmatism is generally caused by uneven curvature of the cornea. Astigmatism makes it impossible for your eyes to focus properly at any distance without external correction. Astigmatism usually makes text blurry and hard to read.
The add means that you have started developing some presbyopia which will help you read while you are wearing your glasses. Presbyopia is not surprising at your age. At some point, depending on your working distance from your monitor, you might find either trifocals which provide an intermediate power, or computer glasses very helpful in your work.
Please let us know how you like your glasses when you get them.
C.
andrew 22 Mar 2010, 09:06
Hi all, i'm new here, this is my first post!
I had a workstation asessment on my PC at work as my manager said I seem to sit with the monitor screen positioned much closer than most others. They said I should get my eyes checked out as I cant see the monitor properly at the normal distance.
I went for an eye test and it turns out I'm slightly short sighted, I came away with the following prescription
L-3.50+1.00x30 R-2.75+0.50x155 add +2.00 both eyes. They said I need glasses for the monitor distance but also I need some for far distance too.
I did wear glasses when I was at school but that was over 30 years ago, I stopped wearing them when I was about 16, I never realised until recently that I was having any problems.
Can anyone explain the prescription?
thanks, Andrew
Eyestein 20 Mar 2010, 04:52
Jesika
You won't have very thick lenses, so you will have a good variety of frames to choose from. It usually looks best if you choose a frame shape that contrasts with the shape of your face. Anyway, if this is your first prescription it certainly is a strong one. Can you see clearly no further than 25 cm?
Jesika 20 Mar 2010, 02:42
Dear all !
Sorry for the late reply.
That is my actual prescription.
But the Eye Doctor told me he is giving me a low prescription for the first time and going to give the full prescription later. He said otherwise my eyes will hard to get use to the full prescription.
I'm 22. Still i didn't order the glasses, Do i need to select a special frame for my glasses?
Eyestein 19 Mar 2010, 20:09
Cactus Jack, re Jesika
I was assuming that Jesika was quoting her friend's prescription because I couldn't imagine how she could work out her own with such precision. Perhaps this will be clarified if we hear from her again.
Cactus Jack 19 Mar 2010, 18:10
Jesika,
Please confirm that the Rx you listed was given you by an Eye Care Professional?
Eyestein & nnd,
LE -4.25 -1.50 x 90 , RE -4.0 -0.75 x 90 is a very precise Rx to have been arrived at by guess. Of course, she could have copied her friends Rx. On thing I find interesting is that she could have functioned in school needing that amount of correction. Reading a black/white board from almost any distance and reading a textbook with any degree of comfort would have been a challenge. The need should have been obvious to any teacher who was awake and even mildly observant.
C.
nnd 19 Mar 2010, 17:39
Jesika, you can estimate your prescription by measuring the largest distance from which you can see clearly. Dividing 1 by the distance in meters will give you roughly your prescription.
For example, if you can see clearly from 50 centimeters (0.5m), your prescription would be -2 (1/0.5).
With the prescription you've mentioned, everything beyond 20cm would be blurry.
Eyestein 19 Mar 2010, 17:14
Jesika
Just because you can see well through your friend's glasses doesn't mean you need such a strong prescription. The accommodative power of your eyes can probably overcome about 2 dioptres of overcorrection. Therefore the prescription you need might only be about half of your friend's prescription.
minus 5 who luvs gwgs 19 Mar 2010, 08:58
Jesika if I may be so bold how old are you ??
Julian 19 Mar 2010, 07:25
Jesika: I reckon this is unusually strong *for a first prescription* but moderate as prescriptions go. Didn't you realize you were short-sighted and not seeing well? I'm sure you will enjoy the clear vision when you get your glasses. You don't say how old you are or what you do.
Jesika 19 Mar 2010, 05:34
post deleted - multiple usernames
Jesika 19 Mar 2010, 05:32
post deleted - multiple usernames
Heather 19 Mar 2010, 05:27
post deleted - multiple usernames
Roy 19 Mar 2010, 00:58
cj
I would also strongly recommend Optical4less. I have a higher base-out prism than yours combined with base-up and base-down corrections. I have bought several pairs of glasses from Optica4less (including varifocals) and they have all been as good or better than any I have had from high street opticians and at a fraction of the price.
Cactus Jack 17 Mar 2010, 10:19
cj,
You might also investigate http://www.eyeglassfactoryoutlet.com/ in Florida. They say they will make prism glasses, but I have not tried them.
C.
-14 17 Mar 2010, 08:08
cj
Optical4less.com
cj 17 Mar 2010, 07:11
hi,
i was given a prescription with 5 prism base out, where i can buy eyeglasses with prism on the internet?
Tom 17 Mar 2010, 03:01
Cactus Jack, thank you for your explanations. I will go to the optician this Saturday, I actually got my prescription only yesterday! Will let you know what my first impressions are when I have the glasses. Cheers, Tom
Cactus Jack 16 Mar 2010, 17:07
Tom,
The lenses are actually a slice or section of a the side of a cylinder, but it is hard to see the cylinder in the lens itself, unless it is substantial. As Julian said, glasses Rx can be prescribed in either a + cylinder format or - cylinder format depending on the preferences of the prescriber and the type of phropter or trial lens set. In the US, Opthalmologists tend to use + cylinder and Optometrists tend to use - cylinder. No mater what type of phropter is used, the results are optically the same. There is a formula that will convert - cylinder to + and vice versa. Typically, lens makers almost always use - cylinder. If presented with a + cylinder Rx they just apply the formula, convert the Rx to - and make the lenses.
It is hard to see cylinder correction just by looking at a persons eyes through the glasses and strong plus lenses can cause unusual effects looking through the lens from a distance, but sometimes you can see some distortion in minus lenses, looking from the back. The easy way to tell if a lens has cylinder correction is to hold the glasses in front of you and rotate them while looking through the lens. If the shape of what you see changes as you rotate them, they have cylinder.
I think you will be surprised at the amount of apparent distortion caused/corrected by either your -0.75 or your wife's - 0.50. Remember, glasses actually neutralize or cancel out refractive errors that exist in the lens system of the eye and without correction, the images on your retinas are actually distorted and your brain has to work extra hard to correct it for you. Your glasses will do the correction for you so your brain doesn't have to do the extra work. However, for a few hours after you start wearing them, the world may look a little distorted to you until your brain learns that it doesn't have to correct the distortion. When I got my first glasses, many years ago, what I noticed was that ceiling corners of rooms didn't look square anymore. After a few hours they started looking like they should again.
One last thing to remember, vision actually occurs in the brain. The eyes are merely biological cameras. The brain is perfectly capable of generating very realistic images without any input from the eyes. Ever had a dream or heard of anyone having hallucinations?
I am surprised that you do not have your glasses yet. Your Rx is so simple that most large retailers stock lenses in your Rx and all they have to do is cut them to fit the frames. Takes about an hour. Also, if you decide to order some different frame styles, you can easily order online from someone like Zenni Optical. Their glasses start at US8.00 plus shipping.
C.
Tom 16 Mar 2010, 15:27
Julian and Cactus Jack, thank you for your answers, I understand it somewhat better now.
What do lenses correcting astigmatism look like? My wife is very slightly nearsighted (Left -0.75 and Right -1.00, with additional -0.50 cylinder left) and the lenses of her glasses look really sharp, with no distortion of the eyes. However, the lenses in the readers of her parents give a totally different look to the eyes. I guess my prescription is what you'd call "weak", and there won't be much effect?
Julian 16 Mar 2010, 10:08
Tom: Cactus says quite correctly that you are very slightly farsighted but your main problem is astigmatism. The fact is that your prescription has far more minus cylinder (for astigmatism) than plus sphere (for hyperopia alias long or far sight). Because there are two ways of writing prescriptions (plus and minus cylinder conventions) it would be equally true to say that you are slightly nearsighted, still with astigmatism as the main problem. The alternative way of writing your prescription would be:
Sph -0.50 Cyl +0.75 Axis 180.
Don't get too confused by all this; it just makes the point that you have more cylinder than anything.
Cactus Jack 16 Mar 2010, 06:20
Tom,
You are very slightly farsighted, but your primary problem is astigmatism. Far or near sightedness is determined by the sphere portion of your Rx which corrects for mismatches between the length of your eyeball and the optical powers of your cornea and crystaline lenses combined. Which as I said above is almost nil.
Astigmatism is caused by uneven curvature of the cornea which is the front lens of the eye. Ideally, the cornea is a section of a perfect sphere, but sometimes the curve is steeper in one direction than it is in the direction 90 degrees away giving the cornea a slightly cylindrical shape, something like an American Football - though of course, not as pronounced. This uneven curvature causes the eye to actually focus at at least 2 different distances. The result is most noticeable when viewing text. The some of the lines (strokes) that make up the letters will be in focus and others will not depending on the direction or the stroke and the axis of your astigmatism. Unlike your mild farsightedness, your eye has no internal ability to compensate for this situation using the crystaline lenses. It must be corrected externally with glasses, contact lenses or surgery.
I think you will find that reading text or seeing small details at any distance will be significantly better with your glasses. Please let us know how you get on.
C.
Tom 16 Mar 2010, 05:21
I am 35yrs of age, and just got my first prescription. Went to the eyedoctor because of eyesight trouble when driving at night.
My prescription is identical for both eyes and reads (Sph +0.25 Cyl -0.75 Ax 90°). Am I farsighted or nearsighted? Thank you for explaining this to me.
soundmanpt 15 Mar 2010, 12:50
Luvspecs
Yes, it is that simple provided your contacts don't have your astigmatism correction in them also. If they do your astigmatism will be off. Sounds like you have been doing a bit of experimenting. I wasn't aware of that before, that was why I questioned you. It sounds like they should work okay for you from what you say. Hope I helped.
luvspecs 15 Mar 2010, 11:46
forgot to mention I'm male and the glasses I have ordered have 1.67 index lenses.
luvspecs 15 Mar 2010, 11:44
I was previously wearing an extra -1.00 before. I can also see close up through my glasses when I have my contacts in (-2.50 & -2.25). I am 29 and work in administration. Today I have been wearing my contacts and glasses all day without any problems so fingers crossed I should be ok. By the way what would contacts & glasses combo actually work out to. Is it as simple as just adding the contact numbers to glasses? By the way thanks for the reply.
soundmanpt 15 Mar 2010, 09:54
Luvspecs
Please let us know how well that works for you. It seems like a rather huge increase to adjust to. Actually more than double. May I ask your age and if do a lot of close work? Close work may be difficult with your new glasses. Are you male or female? I doubt anyone except you will notice the stronger lenses. If you wanted to be sure they wouldn't notice you could have gotten hi-index lenses.
luvspecs 14 Mar 2010, 17:32
just had new prescription and was really hoping to get an increase in prescription so was a little disappointed with this new one. RE -2.25 -0.75 105, LE -1.75 -0.75 88. The old one was RE -2.50 -0.50 100, LE -2.00 -0.25 85. I had the same prescription for 4 years then was given this new one. I have not had the new prescription made up yet but have ordered glasses with RE-4.75 and LE -4.25 and kept everything else the same. Will peoples notice a big difference from my old lenses compared to the new ones ?
Brian 14 Mar 2010, 12:56
My glasses still are not ready yet. I'm hoping they'll be ready tomorrow so I could finally get them. I've been wearing my old glasses all the time since I found out I would be getting a prism in my new glasses to get used to the fact that I'll be wearing glasses all the time. My old glasses are basically the same prescription as my new glasses without the 2D base-in Prism correction in each eye. As soon as I get them I'll let you guys know how the adjustment to wearing the glasses with the prism correction is going.
Cactus Jack 13 Mar 2010, 22:37
Jack,
You didn't indicate why you are worried. It is highly unlikely that your glasses will ever be very thick or that you will ever be "dependent" on them. Your glasses will primarily be for comfort and effortless vision. Your Rx is so low that I would think twice before spending any money on higher index lenses. The lenses have to be thick enough and strong enough, buy law, to withstand a calibrated blow without shattering. That will be the controlling factor in how thick your lenses are rather than your Rx.
Do you know your gf's Rx and why she is worried?
C.
Jack 13 Mar 2010, 21:47
I'm so worried of this because my gf also wearing glasses and she is totally depend on them. She also worried about her vision and had to wear thick glasses all the time
How ever thanks Cactus Jack for your info.
Jack 10 Mar 2010, 21:22
I'm a IT system Admin
from NJ
Cactus Jack 09 Mar 2010, 19:13
jack,
No, it is a very mild prescription. At your age, the sphere (first number) may increase slightly over the next few years depending to some extent on your occupation and how much close work you do. The cylinder and axis (second and third number) may change some, but the prescription even with small increases and changes is nothing to worry about.
What you might want to be excited about and looking forward to is getting your glasses and being able to see effortlessly and comfortably. After a few days of wear, you won't even notice that you are wearing them. If fact, what you may notice is when you are NOT wearing them.
Please let us know when you get them.
May I ask your occupation and where you live?
C.
jack 09 Mar 2010, 17:32
Dear Cactus jack
Thanks for ur reply
i'm 26
I dont know why the doctor scared me
is this a strong script for first time wearer?
Aubrac 09 Mar 2010, 13:39
Brian
My wife who is hyperopic has added 3 degree base out prism to each eye. With this she wears her glasses a lot more now and seems far more comfortable with them for distance and reading.
Cactus jack 08 Mar 2010, 19:10
jack,
To answer your other questions.
YOu should not be worried. Depending on your age, your Rx may increase some over the next several years, but probably not very much.
Right now your main problem is astigmatism. The cause is unknown and there is no cure. So you will likely want to wear glasses to see clearly from here on out. It is not the end of the world. Millions wear glasses that are a lot stronger than yours and wearing them is not optional.
C.
Cactus Jack 08 Mar 2010, 19:03
jack,
You did not mention your age, which is a factor in the answer.
Your Rx indicates that you are a very low myope (slightly nearsighted) with astigmatism. Your glasses will be very lightweight and thin. Except for the astigmatism you could probably get by just wearing your glasses to drive, watch TV, in class, or at the cinema. However, the astigmatism makes it impossible for you to see small print very clearly and your headaches were caused by your brain trying to focus your eyes and there is no way it can be done without wearing glasses.
When you wear them is up to you, but I suspect you will find wearing them very comfortable and you will likely want to wear them most of the time, because of the comfort.
You should try to wear them full time for the first two weeks to get used to wearing them and let others get used to you wearing glasses. After that you can wear them when you don't want to get headaches.
C.
jack 08 Mar 2010, 17:31
I had a bad headache when watching TV.so I did my first eye test today!
Doctor checked my eyes and asked me to read the eye chart.
He was amazed when i couldnt able to read the 3rd line with my left eye.
He asked didnt i notice i cant see well until today.He asked how i got my driving license too?
He checked my eyes again and again with some machines. & gave me this Rx
R -.50 x -.50 x 90
L -.50 x -1.0 x 90
& told me to wear them full time.
What do u think about my Rx?
will i get strong lenses?
Do i have to wear them whole life?
does my left eye so weak?
I'm so worried. Please help me to find this
Thanks
MJ 08 Mar 2010, 10:44
Brian - I just recently got BI prism in my glasses as well. I have always had problems with reading (severe eyestrain, words would float around on the page, blurring, couldn't read for more than 5-10 min, etc.). The optometrist I have seen for my entire life kept throwing reading glasses my way. Never helped, just made the words bigger, but same symptoms. A few months ago I developed severe eyestrain all the time to the point where I couldn't drive, watch tv or anything without searing pain in my eyes. I went back with the new symptoms and was given yet another rx for reading glasses and was told to read more exciting books. Essentially, he thought i was crazy. I decided to move on to an ophthalmologist for another opinion. He diagnosed me with a convergence insufficiency and, like you, put prism lenses in the test frame. It was amazing how much clearer print got with each stronger lens. My first rx had 1.5 BI in each eye, had to go back a few weeks later and he increased it to 2.5 each eye. I absolutely love them. All symptoms have resolved and can now read for hours pain free. It took me a few minutes to adjust to the prism, but give it a few weeks for your eyes to fully accept the change. I don't wear glasses full time, only have a very mild astigmatism. However, I often find myself wearing them all the time because they make my eyes feel so happy. Now that my eyes are relaxed I can go a lot longer without them, but still need them for reading and close work. Good luck!
Brian 05 Mar 2010, 06:40
I will keep you posted.. As I said, I likely won't have the new glasses until the middle of next week sometime.. Thanks for the advice.
Brian-16 05 Mar 2010, 04:42
Brian- C.J. is correct in that it will be more comfortable.My rx is nearly 3 times yours but with 8BO prisms it it easier to cope.My prisms are just the opposite of yours.Let us know how you are getting on with glasses now instead of contacts.
Cactus Jack 04 Mar 2010, 21:00
Brian,
You will only notice more comfort. The inside edge of your lenses will be a bit thicker and the outer edges a bit thinner. It will probably take about 30 seconds to get used to them and others will notice you are wearing glasses instead of contacts. 2BI will only move your eyes outward a little over 1 angular degree which will be invisible to others even if they know what to look for.
Let us know what you think of them when you get them.
C.
Brian 04 Mar 2010, 17:13
Well it looks like my days of wearing contacts are coming to an end. Not that I didn't know this was coming at one point. But I finally am getting a prism correction put in my glasses. After hinting it was needed for the last 10 years, my doctor finally put it in a trial frame and the difference was incredible. My distance prescription remained the same OD -5.25 x -0.25 x 130 OS -6.00 but I know have a 2(Base In)BI Prism in each eye. I got rimless frames with the polycarbonate lenses and transitions since I assume I won't be wearing contacts anymore. My glasses should be ready in about a week. Let me know if anyone has any thoughts or advice on getting used to a prism correction and what I might see different from a 2BI correction in each eye. Thanks..
Tom 23 Feb 2010, 05:43
Ok, i ended up getting prescription sunglasses in my "correct prescription" But they appear strange. The left eye is so sharp and clear but the right eye is blurry in comparision ( the right is only slightly better than without the glasses) What would be the reason for this? i dont think that the girl who did my eye test did it right? I spoke to the shop who did them and they said come back in 2 weeks, and they will retest.
All in all i am very happy with the left eye though, they felt a little strange at first but now feel perfect on the left side.
Brian-16 05 Feb 2010, 09:24
Dan...How are you getting along with your bi-focals especially in college ?
ehpc 04 Feb 2010, 20:55
Simply couldn't be a better 55 here......born with the energy of two people (really).........only a bit of appearance-ageing which is completely irrelevant -snow-white hair, what there is of it, age 47. I am also 8 pounds lighter than three weeks ago and plummeting. Living solely on fruit and vegetables until I lose a further 11 pounds and will then be spot-on my BMI weight.Just a minus 1 difference between normal glasses and a 'close vision' pair.
nostolgic 04 Feb 2010, 18:14
@Clare,
I'm with you on keeping the accommodation! I usu wear glasses but if you're contacts-only, that's fine if that's your bag. This is the 'prescription' thread, not one about specs, so it's OK not to like them here:-)
I have daily toric contacts in -3 stronger than my real script; they work so wonderfully. Vision is 110% in them a/c good accommodation and they correct my astigmatism - 20/10! I usu. don't talk about my significant astigmatism here, rounding to spherical equiv. to shorten my already long posts. Over-minusing makes my eyes feel very good.
If you normally wear strong contacts, you can't over-minus by too much. But to preserve your accommodation check the post I just left in 'induced myopia.' Basically hide a temporary pair of specs at your desk so the sum of your extra minus leaves you with just 1.5-2D of accommodation. When you first wear them at your computer, it will be in focus at 2/3 meter; as your ciliary muscles and lenses warm up, down to 1/3 meter. Much further away and your eyes won't converge enough inward to cause accommodation. Much closer and your head will pop off for putting your nose in your monitor! It took me 3 glasses orders for me to get it perfect (-4.75D - decent accommodation for a 42 yo - if I do the math my old eyes can hold +6.5 and more D of accommodation when warmed up to win over the close screen and minus glasses).
Since 'bifocal' and multifocal contacts basically suck, and, though monovision is good, it can only be used to get an extra +1.5 before it gets uncomfortable and therefore will only work 'til age 50 or so, it's especially important for you to preserve your natural accommodation if you wish to stay out of having to NEED glasses when you are going to read; much better to choose a few hours every week to put them on only in front of your computer to exercise your eyes and keep them young.
I wish I could say I am pretty good for 42. I still have thick hair and nice teeth but my knees and back are all shot to hell. Good luck staying young!
Clare 04 Feb 2010, 11:53
Like Lenses - not a nice thought. I'm still okay with reading fortunately but hope it'll stay that way! I have a friend, a couple of years older and more myopic than me, who does mono vision very successfully. I'm not keen to try it till it's absolutely necessary (ie a good 10 years!) but look to her as an example of what can be done.
Clare 04 Feb 2010, 11:49
Phil - not an issue for me, I'm pretty good for my late 30s ;) I agree with you, it's great so many professional women are embracing the specs, find the right pair and I could be tempted partly but it's not happened yet. How's your fulltime wear coming along?
Phil 04 Feb 2010, 01:18
Old Clare?!! Try 54! You are a slip of a lass. It's a pity you are so intent on avoiding glasses though. As Hollie's experiences demonstrate, minus correction is the norm for successful professional women. And glasses set such a great image both for work and fun. I think it's grat that so many beautiful girls now accept that wearing a nice pair of glasses, with attractive lenses, is something that enhances their appearance.
Like Lenses 03 Feb 2010, 23:19
Clare
At 39 you could find your accomadation change very rapidly.
There are a lot of problems with monovision contacts,yhe bigest being very poor ,to no binocular vision. Also with your astigmatism you may not be able to get them.
I think it would benefit you to try wearing a overcorrection,while you still can.
Melyssa 01 Feb 2010, 13:43
What's wrong with being 39? I'm age 39 years and just a few months -- 177. LOL
Clare 01 Feb 2010, 13:22
Thanks Phil, for making me feel old ;)
Actually I have excellent accommodation according to my optician so no varifocals for me just yet! But, as a contacts wearer, I guess it'll be more mono vision than bifocals when the time arises. I guess (and hope) though it'll be a few years yet ...
Phil 01 Feb 2010, 03:55
Clare, I didn't realise you were 39!! I was 39 when, at my eyetset, the optician remarked: I can see the first signs of presbyopia! I emerged with a slightly increased minus rx (almost excactly what yours is now) but still with single vision lenses. It was the same at the next test. But at the next one after that (when I was 43) she exclaimed "first-time varifocals": and I got my first add. I'm not sure why you are worrying: I have always found varifocals fine, except when I once got cheepo lenses. And I think that women look extraordinarily sexy when they dip their eyes to read in multifocal lenses!
Like Lenses 30 Jan 2010, 00:28
Clare
As Nostolgig stated if you wear the over correction no more than eight hours a day you will not induce myopia.
With the reasonable prices at Zinni you really should order a pair just to give it a try.
Clare 29 Jan 2010, 22:17
Like Lenses - I'm sure I'd like the crisp distance vision but am not sure I'd want an extra -1, that'd take me to nearly -4 which seems strong to me. I might be prepared to try if I knew it would delay presbyopia but wouldn't induce any more myopia.
nostolgic - I'm 39 and wear -3 and -2.75 contacts
nostolgic 28 Jan 2010, 16:08
Claire how old are you and what's your script?
I was just searching thru the full posts and couldn't find it before my girlfrienhd walked in the room. In a frantic scurry of missed mouseclicks I got the browser closed just before she would have caught me. I'm sure she thought I was surfing pr*n. D*mn.
Like Lenses 26 Jan 2010, 00:54
Clare
I think you would also enjoy the super sharp distant vision with an over correction.
With Zenni's prices you have little to lose.
Like Lenses 24 Jan 2010, 23:27
Clare
I think at your age it could benefit you to wear one to one,and a half diopters stronger to stave off the need for bifocals.
Dan 23 Jan 2010, 11:48
Nostolgic,
Thanks for the tip! I may have to give it a shot. Let's see how the bifocals work first.
Clare 22 Jan 2010, 21:36
Nostalgic - I wonder if this would be a good thing to do ahead of developing presbyopia. Maybe if I did this in my late 30s it might stave it off for a while longer! Although I don't want to induce any myopia.
nostolgic 22 Jan 2010, 17:35
@Dan,
Hope your bifocals work. Another think I noticed that helped sore eyes when I was studying a lot was an 'exercise' philosophy. Actually using extra minus (literally handicapping instead of helping like readers do). For example, get glasses ($7 on zennioptical.com) that are your prescription but taking the sphere -3 or -5 (for a young person) and first learning to see up close with them about 15 minutes at a time. When it's possible to read/see with them and keep things in focus (takes a few tries), use them to study for 1/2 hour at the end of the day. I might recommend Friday's last bout of studying - the first few times you might not feel so great afterwards (like the first time you go jogging).
Once your cilliary muscles get stronger, you can use it more predictably and for longer. Then normal closework (without the handicapping glasses) will be effortless. You may find that about an hour or two of studying (It's possible to work up to -6 glasses for reading, for a person in their 20s) 1x or 2x per week might let you do just fine with no glasses the rest of the week.
This is not for everybody of course. I can wear extra minus just fine but have a pretty thick skull when it comes to swallowing a temporarily different visual environment.
It's a tradeoff between glasses all the time and just part of the time. But like exersising it takes extra resilience. Also with minus glasses, you can see in the distance without removing them. Just keep it down to less than 8 hours a day - if you start pushing 10+ or fulltime, you could increase your myopia.
Dan 10 Jan 2010, 18:05
Thanks for your help Cactus!
I just ordered the bifocals with a +1.25 add. I'll let you know how they work once they arrive.
Cactus Jack 08 Jan 2010, 21:19
Dan,
I would suggest an add +1.25, but please understand that the choice is really yours. I have no way to know anything about your visual environment other than what you have said.
C.
Dan 08 Jan 2010, 20:43
Thanks cactus! I have actually tried the OTC readers a bit and they do seem to help. So i should go with a +1.00 or +1.25 add for the bifocals?
Cactus Jack 08 Jan 2010, 08:18
Dan,
If you order bifocals, you may need to provide both distance and near PD. It us usually listed as a fraction such as 63/60 where the larger number is the distance PD and the smaller number is the near PD. The near PD is usually about 3 mm less than distance PD..
C.
Cactus jack 08 Jan 2010, 08:05
Dan,
Before you order bifocals, try some low plus (+1.25 or +1.50) OTC readers over your glasses to see how you like that. Bifocals can be really handy in class when switching from the distant board or screen to your notes. You can try various OTC strengths, but don't get them so strong so that you need to get closer to what you are reading to focus. I would avoid progressives.
C.
Dan 08 Jan 2010, 07:38
Cactus,
This past summer I was thinking of trying out some bifocals due to some discomfort when doing near work with my glasses and some trouble switching focus from near to far.
I had put it off but decided that I'm going to try it and see how they work. What would you recommend for an Add? My prescription is:
OD -1.00 -0.50 x 90
OS -0.75 -0.50 x 90
I'm a 20 year old college student who does a lot of near work. Thanks!
Dan 07 Jan 2010, 15:09
Thanks Cactus!
Cactus jack 07 Jan 2010, 06:58
Dan & tom.
Measuring your Pupillary Distance is easy. You will need a ruler calibrated in mm and a mirror such as in the typical bathroom with good lighting. Look in the mirror and measure the distance from the center of your nose to the center of each pupil individually. Do this three times and average the distance form the center of your nose to the center of each pupil. Add the two numbers together. The result will probably be between 55 and 70 mm depending on your head size. That is your PD.
Tom,
The Rx you listed was:
Right Eye (OD) Sphere +0.25 Cylinder (none) Axis (none)
Left Eye (OS) Sphere +0.75, Cylinder -0.50 Axis 10
I would suggest ordering two pair of glasses. One with the above Rx and if you want to try some low minus glasses order the following:
OD Sphere -0.75 (Leave Cylinder and Axis blank)
OS Sphere -0.25 Cylinder -0.50 Axis 10
Notice that I added -1.00 to algebraically to each sphere Rx (See, there is a use for algebra) but did not change the cylinder in any way. That is an important thing to remember if you decide to alter Rx on your own.
As I said before, I would order low cost glasses in both Rx and see how you like wearing them. Once you have a little experience, you can decide to order pricer frames and sunglasses if you want to.
Hope this helps and please do not hesitate to keep us informed.
C.
Tom 07 Jan 2010, 02:49
What sort of changes would be required then for a small minus rx? i assume that my eyes would just accomodate for the prescription?
Dan 06 Jan 2010, 20:56
Cactus,
I'm thinking about ordering some glasses from Zenni Optical and was wondering if you could spell out how to compute Pupilary Distance. Thanks!
Cactus Jack 06 Jan 2010, 09:04
Tom,
Please don't do that without some expert help. It is a little more complex than just changing + to -, but not much. If you want to try some low minus sphere glasses, we can help.
C.
Tom 06 Jan 2010, 08:30
honestly i would have prefered to be myopic, but not a lot, just a little so i dont have to wear glasses all the time, say my same prescription in minus. mayby i should just change the + to - and see what happens, though i dont want it to fuck up my driving
Tom 06 Jan 2010, 08:05
honestly i would have prefered to be myopic, but not a lot, just a little so i dont have to wear glasses all the time, say my same prescription in minus. mayby i should just change the + to - and see what happens, though i dont want it to fuck up my driving
Cactus jack 06 Jan 2010, 07:35
Tom,
I didn't answer you question about your Rx increasing. It is not unusual for there to be a small plus increase in low hyperopes Rx after about 6 months as their ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses relax. However, in you case I suspect it would be pretty small, say +0.50 to +1.00 more than you present Rx. Also, hyperopes typically need bifocals a little sooner than myopes, but that is likely 10 to 15 years away. Depends to some extent on how much close work you do.
C.
Cactus Jack 06 Jan 2010, 07:30
Tom,
Before investing in some nice sunglasses, I would suggest getting some low cost glasses from an on line retailer like Zenni and see if you think they will make enough difference to justify prescription sunglasses.
The main things you need to order online is your Rx, which you have and your Pupillary Distance (PD) which is pretty easy to measure with a ruler calibrated in mm and a bathroom mirror. We can tell you how.
The biggest stumbling block is choosing frames on line. The nice thing about ordering from Zenni is that they are very inexpensive compared to High Street opticians - Their low cost glasses (depends mostly on the frames) are US$8.00. For now, you don't need any extras, just the glasses.
Look up Zenni Optical on line and see what you think.
BTW, I have an on line friend, about your age and Rx, who decided he preferred being myopic (minus glasses) instead of hyperopic (plus glasses). He started with some low minus glasses about a year ago and is now wearing-3.50 full time.
If you want to continue this discussion, it will have to be tomorrow.
C.
Tom 06 Jan 2010, 06:39
sorry for the extra post. if i got the prescription, do you think it would become more + as it kinda looks funny people with plus glasses :)
i have found this forum interesting in what can happen with eyesight. i guess the only reason i got my eyes tested was because all the guys i work with were getting it done, so i though why not
tom 06 Jan 2010, 06:36
Im a mechanic, i live in perth australia. i havent got a prescription filled, i was thinking of getting in my oakley gascans, depending on how much it will make a difference
Cactus Jack 06 Jan 2010, 06:19
Tom,
It couldn't hurt. Have you taken any action to get the Rx filled?
May I ask your occupation and where you live?
C.
Tom 06 Jan 2010, 05:52
would it be benifical to get prescription sunglasses, for use when i drive? i do amature race driving in my car, which is almost always during the day, where good distance vision is important?
or would it be a waste of time. the optometrist said that my eyes work well together and give me good eyesight with both eyes, but stuff on the left is slightly more blurry at times.
Cactus Jack 06 Jan 2010, 05:32
Tom,
For the most part, you are a young low hyperope and you can easily compensate for the low plus sphere by using your accommodation. This occurs without your even being aware of it. The blurriness of distant objects with your left eye is caused by astigmatism as indicated by the -0.50 x 10 cylinder in the Rx for your left eye. You nor anyone else can compensate for astigmatism without either glasses or contact lenses.
At this point, glasses are optional, but that will not always be the case. Over time, you will find it more difficult to compensate for your hyperopia and some form of vision correction will become highly desirable.
If you do much reading or close work, you will find that glasses make things easier.
C.
tom 06 Jan 2010, 03:59
also, i am 23 years of age and thought that i would have been myopic?
Tom 06 Jan 2010, 03:58
Hi, i just got my eyes tested and got the following prescription
RH +0.25 and nothing
LH +0.75 -0.50 10
i am confused because the prescription is + yet everything is very clear even very close to my face, but far away in my lh eye is blurry?
cheers
tom
Slit 03 Dec 2009, 04:59
Is Andrea who made the below last post around?
"Andrea 16 Apr 2008, 07:50"
If yes... How are you doing Andrea? Is everything fine in your end?
Just revisiting the threads and checking how our folks are doing :)
Neville 28 Nov 2009, 22:26
Cactus Jack
Thanks for your reply. It sounds quite alarming when you hear that the brain will ignore the vision from one eye completely. I'll go with her today to look for some new glasses today and suggest she gets some advice about when she needs them.
Cactus jack 28 Nov 2009, 14:26
Neville,
Because of the time difference, it may be tomorrow before Aubrac can reply. Perhaps I can help in the meantime.
Vision occurs in the brain, the eyes are merely biological cameras. In the ideal situation, the brain is provided with two quality images to use in constructing 3 dimensional visiion in the visual cortex of the brain. In the case where one image is better than the other, the brain will select the best image and use as the basis of vision. It will use what ever information it can from the other eye to support and improve the perception. If one image is really bad, it will just temporarily ignore it.
In your GF's situation, without her glasses, her brain will likely use the image from the -1.00 eye for its primary distance source and the image from the -2.00 eye as the primary source for close vision. With her glasses, her brain is supplied with two good images and it doesn't have to work nearly as hard to deliver good vision all the time from both eyes.
At 29 it is highly unlikely that the brain will completely ignore or reject the image from either eye entirely, however that is not the case in very young children. There is a condition called Amblyopia where the brain may decide to only accept the image from the best eye and permanently reject the image from the poorer eye. Should that occur, we do not know how to cause the brain to ever use that eye for vision even if it is later corrected to be able to provide perfect vision. Many times, if amblyopia is discovered early, before the brain has completely rejected the images from one eye, the good eye is patched, forcing the brain to use and develop vision from the poorer eye. If the therapy is successful, the child will ultimately develop normal 3D vision, but will likely have to wear glasses.
C.
Neville 28 Nov 2009, 13:27
Aubrac
She's 29. This isn't her first prescription. I don't know what the other one was as she virtually never wore glasses. What do you mean that the brain will reject one eye, does that mean that it will become kind of dormant or weaker? And what will that mean for the future health of her eyes if she doesn't wear her glasses?
Emily
I think she wouldn't start with wearing glasses all the time unless she was told to. Would that be common at this level?
Aubrac 28 Nov 2009, 07:09
Neville
Emily is quite right in what she said. I would add that your girlfriend may unconsciously be experiencing monovision. That means the brain will prefer the clearer image of the -1.00 eye and reject the image of the -2.00 eye. Nothing particularly serious about this but it could affect depth perception as we need both eyes focussed to effectively judge distances.
May I ask what age your girlfriend is?
Puffin 27 Nov 2009, 14:03
Ian, if you've got access to a reasonably good colour printer and a decent wordprocessor I reckon you could do your own headed paper, don't think you need a whole printworks these days.
Emily 27 Nov 2009, 12:32
Hi Neville,
That's a fairly typical first prescription for someone who is beginning to become nearsighted. She can probably see about 20/50 with the -1 eye and 20/100 with the -2 eye.
She needs to wear her glasses for driving, watching TV or movies and if she's in school, to see the board.
Because of the difference in vision between her two eyes, she will probably be more comfortable wearing her glasses all the time, except maybe for reading.
It's not a strong prescription, so don't worry about it.
Neville 27 Nov 2009, 11:25
My girlfriend was given a prescription for glasses this week. With a prescription of -1 in one eye and -2 in the other how much does she need them and what would she need them for?
Ian 22 Nov 2009, 09:53
I mean like on headed paper that looks like it came from a genuine optician.
22 Nov 2009, 07:17
cyl -2.25
22 Nov 2009, 07:17
OD sph -15.75 cyl -2.22 axis 180
OS sph -17.00 cyl -0.5 axis 10
Ian 22 Nov 2009, 05:01
Can anybody here write up a fake prescription?
Cactus Jack 16 Nov 2009, 08:08
Mirka,
I don't know the procedure for getting a driving license in Poland, but in most countries the vision test is just a simple "screening" test where they ask you to read the letters on an eye chart at a certain distance or read the letters by looking in a machine that simulates distance. The test is done both with your glasses and without them. If you can read the letters with your glasses, but can't read them without, a restriction is placed on your driving license that says that the license is only valid when you are wearing corrective lenses. That is usually all there is to it.
You should probably wait until you get your full prescription before you try to get your driving license.
C.
Paula 16 Nov 2009, 07:57
My distance is only -.75 which is why I don't know why they make such a big difference. I mean that without them, especially at night I sometimes see "rectangles" in the distance, and don't realize until I put on the glasses that there is actually printing on them. It just makes wonder what someone with -2.00 or worst can see!
I decided to try contact lenses, and the Doc told me to try monovision. I am trying them and they work! But the other day I was in a hurry and took out a new pair. I made the mistake of putting in two + lenses, and in the rush didn't notice this until I was in the car and rushing. EVERYTHING was a blur! I couldn't even read license plates. I wore my glasses over the contacts, which helped a lot, but was still fairly short-sighted. It was a very interesting experience to live the morning as a really nearsighted person. Later I was able to replace one of the + lenses with the - and then was really struck by the clarity!
BeBe 16 Nov 2009, 06:45
Paula,
Yes I definitely notice a BIG difference when driving at night. I didn't realize that the halos around lights etc wasn't normal. I also just assumed I couldn't read street signs, because of the darkness. By the way, what is your rx for distance, and do you wear your glasses most of the time?
Mirka 16 Nov 2009, 04:33
Today start my second week with my glasses. I think I got used to they, and I got a bit depend from they. My close vision got better with they than without, I every day put on they on as first things in the morning, and take they off before I go asleep. Sometimes I forgot, that I have they on, but if some friends see me with they first time are still amazed that I need they, and I need they all the time. As told some friends from here, I find my vision got worse when I take they off, but I think it is from reason so I am got used to they. I'm very curious about eye exam for Driving Licence, and if I have they prescribed in Driving Licence.
Aubrac 16 Nov 2009, 01:10
Paula
May I ask what your distance prescription is? Most people who wear a plus scrip for reading then start wearing also a plus correction for distance. It is slightly unusual in BeBe's case to need a minus for distance without being aware of it before.
Ricky 15 Nov 2009, 22:03
Hey Paula, I know how you feel. I have now ended up wearing the trifocal lens. First reading glasses, then bifocals and then the mid-range vision was gone---poof. The trifocals are on the way.
Paula 13 Nov 2009, 07:45
Hey Bebe,
At my last exam, I also got a surprise..didn't know I needed distance glasses till I went in for stronger reading glasses. What a shock. While they did make things sharper and crisper the biggest difference they make is for night driving. At night I can't read signs or street names without them. I can't now remember how my vision was before. The clincher came when I went to visit someone for the first time, not wearing the glasses, and parked the car and walked up to the house, and realized I was off by 1 block cause I couldn't read the street number. I am not full time yet, but now always use them for driving and movies. The increase in reading strength (to +2) though has made me even more dependent on them. How is your night vision with and without them?
Aubrac 13 Nov 2009, 00:43
BeBe
I think the point is that you are slightly shortsighted, this is a physical reality and nothing to do with brain signals or interpretation.
How much you wear your glasses is entirely up to you, some people with your shortsight prescription would be FT in order to have crisp vision, while others don't mind the constant blur.
Do you drive? As I think without glasses you probably wouldn't pass the 20 metre test. However, as I said how much you wear your glasses will be dictated by what you are comfortable with.
Rayray 12 Nov 2009, 10:05
bebe I think you said that the distance proportion of your prescription was -1.75, -1.00. As this is a prescription for short-sight your distance vision will inevitably be clearer with the glasses. Its just a matter of whether the increased clarity would make it worthwhile wearing them full-time. As you also need them for close-up it be that you end up taking them on and off all the time if you don't wear full-time.
russell 12 Nov 2009, 07:21
BeBe: if you are experiencing great vision with the glasses and notice a distinct blur when you remove them, why would you stop wearing them full time? It sounds as if you need them and can benefit from full time wear. Certainly, if you wear them full time for two full weeks, just about anybody you regularly come in contact with will have seen you in them, so they will not be expecting you to suddenly no longer be in glasses. And strangers will never have known you without glasses. So who would you be fooling? (If vanity is, indeed, your reason for not wearing full time.)
BeBe 12 Nov 2009, 06:03
I was able to get my new glasses yesterday afternoon. I took the rx to Optician on 11/9/09, and since I asked for progressive lenses (still in shock over the need for bifocals, rather than just reading glasses)) was expecting glasses to take a week , wow! I have been wearing all the time as Cactus Jack suggested I do (for two weeks.) Playing around with them I notice a disctinct blur when I take them off. I realize this is just my brain getting used to seeing clearly, as you all talk about. My question is, when I stop full time wear in a couple of weeks (which I do intend to do) will I be able to once again see the distant objects clearly, if I wear the glasses as needed?
minus 5 who luvs gwgs 11 Nov 2009, 10:24
Your girl friend is very short sighted but not incredibly shortsighted without glasses she cannot see a lot but can read if she moves very close to the print My own girlfriend is minus 6.50 Your girl friend sounds very lovely and I hope it all goes very well for both of you
Curtis 11 Nov 2009, 10:20
tim --
i asked her if she knew what her prescription is and she said negative 9. does that square with what you told me? i don't wear glasses so i don't know much about prescriptions. thnaks!
Tim 09 Nov 2009, 20:51
Hi, Curtis! You have netted a high myope, or very short-sighted girlfriend. Many of the regulars here would be quite jealous! Do you find her glasses a big turn-on? If so, welcome to the club! Do post a photo of her if you can.
curtis 09 Nov 2009, 18:49
hi. i hope i've come to the right place. about 6 weeks ago i started dating an incredibly attractive girl with glasses. she's shy to let me look at her glasses and i wonder if someone can tell me what might be wrong with her vision if i describe what her lenses look like.
they make her eyes look real small and there seem to be a number of concentric circles around them. and the outer surfaces seem to be totally flat.
for what condition would someone wear such glasses?
thanks
Cactus Jack 09 Nov 2009, 08:22
BeBe,
Should be endangers others.
C.
Cactus Jack 09 Nov 2009, 08:21
BeBe,
Wearing your glasses is strictly up to you. Your vision is your business, no one else, unless you are engaged in some activity where poor vision engagers others, such as driving.
For the first two weeks, you should wear the glasses full time, to get used to them. After that you can wear them when you want or need to.
I would expect that you will need an increase in the add to somewhere in the +2.50 to +3.25 range depending on how much close work you do and how close you like to do it. The amount of the add is related on the distance from your eyes to the work. Your distance Rx (the minus part) and the astigmatism part may change a little, but probably not much. Your Rx should be stable for many, many years.
C.
BeBe 09 Nov 2009, 07:40
How often would you suggest I wear the glasses, if I should get them? Will they be very difficult for me to get used too? What type of rx change do you anticipate in a year/ (Cactus Jack)
Thanks, BeBe
Cactus Jack 09 Nov 2009, 06:54
Mirka,
Remember, your eyes are not "getting used to the glasses" your brain is, and it likes them. We know that your Rx will increase in the next few months because your eye doctor did not fully correct your myopia. The amount of increase will depend on how much these glasses are under corrected.
How much your prescription will increase depends on your genetics. Most young people your age experience about -0.50 increase in their sphere Rx per year, but it can vary. The cylinder correction may change some, but that usually happens very slowly. Small axis changes (the number after the "x") are normal because the accuracy of the axis number depends on your skill at determining relative blurriness during the exam.
Contact lenses are certainly a possibility, but as your doctor said, everything has to stabilize or it is a waste of time and money.
Have fun on your date. If your boyfriend is smart, he will like you even better with your glasses.
C.
Aubrac 09 Nov 2009, 06:39
BeBe
It is unusual at your age that you have never noticed that you are shortsighted and need glasses for distance. You may have noticed the other posts from Mirka who with a similar prescription to you, is just experiencing what is like to see clearly.
I would have thought in any case that you are on the borderline when it comes to needing glasses to drive legally.
The first two figures -1.75 and -1.00 represent the degree of shortsight you have, OD is right eye and OS the left eye. The second figures +0.50 98 OD and 96 OS are the cylinder correction for astigmatism. At certain angles some of the light rays are not focussing on the retina and need a correction of +0.50 at an angle of 98 degrees to correct it. This would result in slightly blurred distance vision, and also make reading difficult which probably explains the headaches.
The add of +2.25 is the additional power for reading, it effectively cancels out the short sight correction and adds more convex power, +0.50 and +1.25 for reading.
I would suggest you have the prescription filled as I think you will be suprised at how much clearer distance vision will be and reading ability a lot better.
Because of the difference of -0.75 between your eyes, ovet the counter readers will not help you as they will either over or under correct the vision in each eye, this will also lead to headaches as each eye will work hard to focus properly.
Cactus jack 09 Nov 2009, 06:35
BeBe,
Based on your Rx, it appears that you are not only need reading glasses but you are also a bit myopic as indicated by the -1.75 and -1.00 in your Rx. The myopia has been helping you with close work, because low myopia is like having built in reading glasses. The +.50 x 98 & 96 indicates that you also have some astigmatism. While it is not very much, it is enough to cause you to have difficulty with small text at any distance. The +2.25 add replaces the reading glasses you have been wearing.
I would suggest getting the prescription filled. Because of your age and this is your first Rx, you should expect to need a slightly different Rx within a year. This is normal. It is nothing to worry about, it just happens to most people in your age bracket.
Not wearing the glasses will not help.
Try to notice your PD (Pupiliary Distance). You may decide later to try some inexpensive glasses from on line retailers and you will need your complete Rx and your PD to order them. For now, it would be better to get the glasses locally. The primary reason for this is that they will adjust the glasses to fit comfortably and many retailers will re-make the glasses at little or no cost if your Rx changes within a year. Be sure and ask what their policy is if your prescription changes within a year.
C.
Mirka 09 Nov 2009, 05:29
Hi Astra, Aubrac, and CJ.
I think so my eyes got used a bit to my glasses, because when I took they yesterday I find that all things at my room looking much more blurry than few day ago, before I got glasses. I think you are right with your opinion, thank you for it, I'm still anew about glasses. Anyone know how strong get my glasses in about 2-3 years? You think I can wearing contacts lenses? My eye doc told about they, but I have to get my finally prescription. But I still enjoy my clear visin with my glasses on!!! Today I have my date and my boyfriend doesn't know that I got glasses, I am a bit scary but exciting what he think about me and my glasses.
BeBe 09 Nov 2009, 05:27
Very interested in this site, as I was online trying to get some info about the glasses that were prescribed for me last week. I am over 45 and have been wearing over the counter reading glasses, for a few years. I never wore any other glasses, and have been experiencing alot of headaches. I also thought it was time I have a glaucoma test and things.
My question for anyone who can help is, what does this rx mean and when would I benefit from wearing these glasses? Would it make sense to fill the rx, or just wear my reading glasses?
Rx says : -1.75 + .50 x 98 OD
-1.00 + .50 x 96 OS
ADD + 2.25
Seems to me from reading your posts that this is a very weak rx, that may not be necessary.
Thanks, BeBe
Aubrac 09 Nov 2009, 01:00
Mirka
When I first started wearing glasses with a similar prescription to yours, I used to think my eyes had suddenly got worse.
But what really happens is that you get used to seeing very clearly with your new glasses, after wearing them maybe all day and taking then off, the comparison between the blurred and and clear images is much more noticeable. If you didn't wear your glasses for some time you get used to the blurred images again quite soon.
At your age, especially teen years, there will be changes in prescription due to growth, actually wearing glasses will have little effect on this.
anon
I have tried wearing my wife's 4 degree BO prism glasses, and as CJ said, there is only a momentary instance of double vision when either putting glasses on or off. However after wearing them for a few hours, the double vision partially stopped but it did take a few minutes to return completely to normal.
Cactus Jack 08 Nov 2009, 15:00
anon,
3 prism diopters Base Out will be almost unnoticeable because the tracking system which converges the eyes for closer than 20 feet (6 meters) objects will automatically adjust the muscles to fuse the images in a fraction of a second. Each eye will turn inward about 1.5 angular degrees. They might notice momentary slight double vision when they took the glasses off, but that also would be compensated for quickly, but it takes slightly longer for the muscles to relax than to contract. Another reason they might not notice anything is that the brain normally does not respond to images from an eye in motion, but waits until it stops moving to process it.
C.
08 Nov 2009, 13:07
what will normal person see if he puts prisms glasses for ex 3 prisms BO?
Astra 08 Nov 2009, 08:42
Mirka,
It's normal for uncorrected acuity to get worse by wearing glasses, as your brain is getting used to the corrected images instead of the uncorrected ones. Moreover, your ciliary muscles are getting more accustomed to function with your glasses instead of without.
Mirka 08 Nov 2009, 06:43
Thank you for your advices my friends. Today is my second day with my glasses. I can to see very clearly, but I'm a bit worry, because yesterday when after all day with glasses I took off they, I think my vision got worse without they.
Cactus Jack 07 Nov 2009, 08:50
Astra,
The ciliary muscles are like any other muscle in the body, the way you condition muscles is by using them.
However, unlike your arm or leg muscles, you have no direct way to exercise the ciliary muscles. That usually is not a problem, because unless a person is myopic, presbyopic, or has some condition that precludes their use, the ciliary muscles get plenty of use and exercise without any conscious effort on your part.
The only function of the ciliary muscles is to adjust the optical power (focus) of the crystaline lenses and if the crystaline lenses have no reason to change their focus, they don't get any exercise.
A hyperope's ciliary muscles probably get too much use, but depending on the amount of correction needed, a myope's ciliary muscles get little or no use if they are not wearing their glasses.
In some instances, if the myopia has been uncorrected long enough, the brain may have forgotten how to work the ciliary muscles. When the myopia is finally corrected, the brain may have to relearn how to work the ciliary muscles and then the muscles have to get conditioned again and used to performing their intended function.
C.
Astra 07 Nov 2009, 02:30
CJ, are there any means to get the ciliary muscles "better conditioned"?
minus 5 who luvs gwgs 06 Nov 2009, 23:22
Mirka if I were you wear them all the time your eyes will probably get a little worse as you are so young so sooner or later you will need them all the time wear them with pride and know you are even more lovely with glasses
Mel P 06 Nov 2009, 20:24
I also found that the simulations at Optiker didn't change much when I put in different numbers, although I didn't go really low. I think I'm a little bit blurrier than what the simulator showed for my prescription, which is R: -9.00, L: -7.75, -1.25x002 (plus a OU +1.25 add). My prescription was too strong to get a result at the Israeli site. I suspect there's a limit like that at Optiker as well.
Like Lenses 06 Nov 2009, 19:36
Mirka
All of the books on optometry that I have read say that if the astigmatism is -.75 or greater in the better eye , that the patient should wear the glasses full time. You are right at that point.
Your vision without glasses is most likely about 20/200.
Cactus Jack 06 Nov 2009, 15:51
I suspect that Mirka actually needs between -2.00 and -2.50 sphere correction. Her ECP (Eye Care Professional) suggested that she wear her glasses full time and come back in 3 months for another exam and an increase to her full Rx. An excellent suggestion.
There are two reasons for initial under correction. One, it to allow her to get used to having good distance vision with her astigmatism probably fully corrected. Vision is a strong secondary factor in balance (signals from the semi-circular canals are the primary factor), recall her mention of some dizziness. A reduced Rx makes that easier. Two, it is likely that her ciliary muscles are not used to having to focus and they need to get used to having to accommodate. A reduced Rx will also make that easier.
You may recall the recent 17 YO who was given an initial Rx of around -3.25. His ciliary muscles were so de-conditioned that he could not read or use his computer with his glasses and had to get tri-focals. I wonder how he is getting on.
I think Mirka should follow her doctors advice.
C.
Guest 06 Nov 2009, 14:21
interesting comment Puffin, what would you think the optician would recommend someone to wear full time?
Puffin 06 Nov 2009, 14:06
Mirka,
Your prescription is somewhat less than I expected (but then, it was an estimate!)
It sort of falls into an inbetween area where the decision to wear all the time is a matter of comfort, avoiding tiredness, and utility, ie keeping them on instead of constantly on/off/on/off. It's not quite at the stage where things would so fuzzy that an optician would automatically recommend full time wear. (btw, that stage isn't far away, I think)
Best thing to do is give them a go at whatever level of usage seems appropriate for the task you're trying to do, especially (obviously) for looking at things in the distance.
Aubrac 06 Nov 2009, 08:24
Mirka
It is always for the individual person to decide if they should wear their glasses or not.
Your prescription consists of two parts, the first one, Right -1.25, Left -1.50 is the correction for short sight or myopia. This amount of correction will make thinks clearer for distance and would make glasses necessary for driving a car.
The second part Right -0.75x10 and Left eye -0.5x170 is correction for astigmatism. This is needed to correct light rays that are not focussing evenly on the retina and causing a blurred image. This amount of astigmatism will cause blurred images at distance and also make reading more difficult. This is maybe why you hold books so close to your eyes to read and can also cause eyestrain and headaches.
On balance full time wear would be appropriate but as I said it is entirely up to you.
As long as you have chosen some nice frames that I am sure will look good on you, trying wearing them all the time. You will be suprised at how clear things like leaves on trees, bricks, signs, etc look.
On thing you may notice as I did when first wearing glasses, is that everyone seems to be looking at you. This is not the case but only seems so because you can see everyone clearly especially their eyes.
Try with and without glasses and see what you think.
Millhouse 06 Nov 2009, 07:05
-Dave,
Yes, the sim is quite accurate, I have a -7/ -6.5 rx and its about the right sort of image I have with no correction.
Mirka 06 Nov 2009, 06:44
Yesterday I got my first glasses. My prescription is: Right eye: -1.25x-0.75x10 and Left eye: -1.50x-0.5x170.
Give me some advice, I have wearing they all the time or not? What do you think?
Specs4Me 04 Nov 2009, 17:36
I entered the Optiker site twice and in the first I entered the Rx the I wear, -9.25 and in the second I entered -15.0. I then flipped back and forth and could not see any diference in them.
I also think that the -9.25 shows the images to be blurrier than what I see without my glasses.
I question the usefulness of this site.
minusfive 04 Nov 2009, 13:17
It's incredible what the simulator shows. You can boost your prescription from -5, which is incidentally what I currently wear, to -9 or even -15 and hardly see any changes. At least not what you would expect with a 4 or 10 diopter increase.
Rayray 04 Nov 2009, 07:18
The first sim shows thing a little more blurry than they really are.
I am OD -8.00 CYL -0.75 105
OS -8.25
And my visision is closer to -6.5 ish on the sim. I think it starts off too strong tho in the minus start any way
Dave 01 Nov 2009, 17:05
Here's another one:
http://www.billauer.co.il/simulator.html
Dave 01 Nov 2009, 16:58
Definitely full time. I can see OK without glasses, around 20/50 in the better eye perhaps a bit worse than that.
Thing about astigmatism is that your eyes continually work at trying to find the right focus when not wearing glasses so the eyes feel continually strained.
Glasses wearers try this translator and tell me if it works for your Rx (and what the Rx is)
http://www.optiker.at/simulator/index.htm
Guest 31 Oct 2009, 15:59
Dave,
Congrats on the new rx. An interesting one as I don't know much about astigmatic prescriptions, do you wear full time?
If you didn't with the old, will you with the new?
Dave 31 Oct 2009, 14:18
New prescription which means new glasses, YAY!
OD -0.50 -2.25 x 165 (unchanged)
OS -0.50 -1.75 x 015 (was -0.25, -1.25 x 019)
I hope the change works - he thought it might take a little getting used to.
Eduardo 21 Oct 2009, 13:04
Thanks Cactus. Next time I go to the eye doctor, I may ask about contacts and see if she thinks they might be workable. Otherwise, I probably need to purchase a pair of "sports" glasses. I do like wearing glasses now.
Chris 21 Oct 2009, 01:24
Cactus Jack, I had exactly the problems you describe with toric lenses. It took me a long time to accept that I needed to start wearing glasses or lenses. When I finally accepted the fact, I thought I'd get contacts. After the test the optician explained that because of my astigmatism, I'd need special lenses, so I should get glasses first whilst the lenses were sorted out. Because the optician was in my home town and I was at university, it was another ten months before I began my trials with torics. I tried a series of different lenses but could never get anything more than adequate vision. Although I do have a pair of lenses, I only ever wear them for sport. I take them out straight afterwards.
Cactus Jack 20 Oct 2009, 19:37
Eduardo,
You need to ask your Eye Care Professional (ECP) about contacts. A contact lens for the -0.50 eye would not be a big deal, but the contact for the +1.25 eye with +1.00 cylinder for your astigmatism could be a problem. There is a type of contact lens, called a "toric" that is used to correct astigmatism, but some people have difficulty with the lens not staying in the correct position on their cornea. If it rotates out of position, it will cause the image seen by that eye to be out of focus. Sometimes, it is possible to get by with a sphere only contact that has the sphere correction plus 1/2 the cylinder (astigmatism) correction. In your case a +1.75 lens. Your ECP can advise you and let you try some contacts and see how they work.
If you can get by with sphere only contacts, I would suggest "one day" lenses. They are very inexpensive if you buy the lenses at some place like Wal-Mart (Rx required). You wear them only one day and throw them away. There is no care or solutions required. They would be ideal for occasional sports wear.
Hope this helps.
C.
Eduardo 20 Oct 2009, 12:24
Hi Cactus Jack, just wanted to touch base. Am wearing my glasses full-time now and studying is less stressful on the eyes. I wanted to ask you about contact lenses---will they work with my hyperopic and myopic prescription. The reason I ask this is because when I play any sport, I take my glasses off, but in a few minutes my eyes feel like they are crossing and I sometimes see double. I think contacts would help.
marilyn 18 Oct 2009, 09:31
i
Puffin 16 Oct 2009, 13:57
They're not "rules", it's just basically what the average optician will suggest in a given situation. The wearer is at liberty to ignore or follow the advice.
Guest 16 Oct 2009, 13:42
Honestly, I find this attitude regarding "rules" for when to wear full-time a little odd. I think it's really an individual decision--if you want to see well, and your glasses help you to do so, then just wear them. I think to say that, if your prescription is less than -2.50, there's not enough blur to worry about, or to say that a prescription of -2.0 would be the minimum needed to wear full-time is just silly. If your prescription is -3.0, or -4.0, or whatever, and you don't feel the need for correction, then don't wear your glasses (except when driving, please!). If your prescription is "only" -1.0, and you like how you see with your glasses, then wear them whenever you like . . .
Visitor 16 Oct 2009, 11:06
On the subject of full time wear starting at -2, what would the guidance be if someone was higher than -2 in one eye, -3 say, and -1.75 in the other?
Puffin 15 Oct 2009, 17:16
Shantal, it does happen that people get along okayish with vision in the range -2.5 to -4.5 with some accomodation ie getting closer, etc.
It just depends on whether and how often you need the correction, whether you are able to get closer, of course,
some jobs need good vision, etc. Then there is the issue of comfort, some people find it difficult to cope with a blurred image, headaches, etc, especially if there is astigmatism.
(and of course, people deal with that sort of level of myopia without correction, as you well know)
Opticians (or eye docs) will make a recommendation according to their experience but full time wear normally starts at -2 from a standpoint of seeing things clearly and probably from getting people who can be reasonably expected to have increases used to correction.
Dieter 15 Oct 2009, 14:37
SAS,
I missed your earlier post but just caught up thanks to Danbert. I absolutely disagree with your doctor. I have used monovision for at least 12 years and have always been happy with it. Initially, I used contacts for most all activities but found them more useful at work. I now require more help for middle distances because of increasing presbyopia. I work at a computer monitor most of the day. That is essentially what you are asking – to use contacts at work for mid-distance purposes. Monovision is a great plan especially if you plan to continue using your glasses at times for other activities. Bifocal contacts may be a better solution for you but the only way to know is to try something. Find a doctor that is willing to work with contacts whether they are bifocal or single vision for monovision. Your’s is being a jerk when he acts as though it is a low quality solution.
Danbert 15 Oct 2009, 13:53
@SAS: I have no doubt that your opthalmologist probably believes that he is doing you a favour by refusing to help you with contacts. Unfortunately, he is also forgetting that it is not so much his job to tell you what you should do, but rather to guide you to a safe and functional solution that works for you.
Some people are happy with monovision and some are unhappy with it. People have different preferences, habits, expectations and adaptability. Personally I don't like the idea of it, but plenty of people seem to function perfectly well with it.
The same goes for bifocal lenses. They will work for some people, but not for others. The only way you can find out if they will work for you is to try them, which means going to someone who _will_ help you out. Explain your situation and hopefully someone will let you take home some different trial lenses. If you find something that works for you, great. If not, no harm done.
It's going to be a compromise whichever option you take. What matters is which compromise works well for you.
There is also nothing to say that you can't get 'normal' contacts and reading glasses, an option which I doubt I would go for but which may or may not work out just fine for you.
I think it would be a good idea to get bifocal glasses as well as a backup.
Disclaimer: I am not an eye nor a medical practitioner, merely an interested third party. Good luck!
Dieter 15 Oct 2009, 13:26
Shantal,
That sounds like the makings for an excellent story for the "When I Was at School" thread.
Shantal 15 Oct 2009, 11:58
Louise, I usually tell people don't even bother with glasses unless you are at least -2.50. Anything lower than that is not really blurry enough to worry about and it will just make your eyes dependent upon them. Soon you won't be able to see without them and will feel disoriented without them.
I was embarassed to tell my parents I needed glasses when I was in high school because I had been secretly wearing a strong pair I picked up at the thrift store and thought it might have ruined my eyes. For fear of being discovered, I lead a blurry life until I was almost 18 and completely utterly failed the eye test for my driver's permit. I went to get glasses and my first prescription was -4.50! Before that time my eyes had gotten so bad I could barely recognize people but I didn't realize how bad they had gotten because it took so long to get that way.
I really know the feeling of putting on those glasses for the first time. The world bent around me and it seemed like I was in a fishbowl. It took me months before I wore the glasses full time because it was such a dramatic change for me and I couldn't let people see these thick glasses I had after not having glasses at all and claiming my vision was just fine to everyone.
I guess everyone is different after all.
admirer 15 Oct 2009, 11:39
Louise
you have been wonderful posting here. everything you have said rings so true about your persosnal experience. At the end I feel you do gain by wearing them full time but you have to be happy. The benefits wil speak for themselves
ehpc 15 Oct 2009, 09:37
Louise - I bet you look STUNNING wearing the 'bold' pair. What do you do professionally?
Louise 15 Oct 2009, 08:20
Hello well I wore my glasses to work today, I choose the bolder pair as I think I prefer them on me.
I got few comments mainly "I didnt know you wore glasses". But people said they suited me and some wanted to try them on to see if they suited them.
It is a relief to finally wear them out in public just got to show most of my friends and family now.
SAS 15 Oct 2009, 08:14
So Sorry for all of the questions, but I do find your help, informative. I have been thinking about contacts, to wear during day at work. My opthalmologist won't rx them for me as he doesn't like mono vision or bifocal contacts. When I mentioned contacts and mono vision he stated firmly "nice try, but you do need bifocals and they must be glasses". He also said that I can probably find a Walmart optometrist or similar to rx & sell me contacts, but I would be compromising quality of vision and wouldn't be happy. At me rx (stated below), is there even a point in trying contacts? If so how do you all feel about bifocal or monovision lenses, do you agree with my Dr. ?
Thanks-SAS
SAS 15 Oct 2009, 06:00
Cactus Jack,
Thanks once again. I live in the US,Pennsylvania.
SAS
Cactus Jack 15 Oct 2009, 05:57
SAS,
It actually makes no difference in the optics of the glasses. Eye Care Professionals are trained in using either + cylinder or - cylinder examination techniques. In the US, Opthalmologists tend to use + cylinder and Optometrists tend to use - cylinder. Phropters are made with either type cylinder and trial lens sets have both.
No matter how the Rx is written, there is a simple formula for converting + cylinder to - cylinder. Lenses are ground from lens blanks which involves removing material which generally grinds in more minus to the starting power of the blank. Lens makers convert a + cylinder glasses Rx to - cylinder and make the glasses. The end result is the same.
I hope this helps.
May I as where you live?
C.
SAS 15 Oct 2009, 05:27
Cactus Jack and Russell,
Thanks for your help! I am going to try the clip on's 1st, and see what happens. I have another question that you may be able to help me with. I don't understand the difference between the + correction for astigmatism vs. the - correction. I realize my correction is miniscule. Is it that with the + the .50 gets added to the -1.75 at the axis prescribed, and the minus cylinder would get deducted from the spherical correction at the axis specified?
Thanks,SAS
Cactus jack 14 Oct 2009, 15:40
SAS,
If you want to order some computer glasses and need help with an Rx, let us know, but I would try the clip ons first.
C.
Cactus jack 14 Oct 2009, 15:37
SAS,
Comfortable focus at 34 inches would require about a +1.00 or +1.25 add to your distance Rx. Some while back, I got some +1.00 clip magnifiers for use with the computer and they are great. The nice thing about them is that they are cheap and I can look straight at the computer without tilting my head and getting a crick in my neck (I wear trifocals).
Check out http://www.rx-safety.com/Magnifying-Safety-Glasses/ their clip on magnifiers are US$14.99 and are available in +0.25 increments from +1.00 to +3.00 in two sizes.
C.
russell 14 Oct 2009, 14:28
You can have your optometrist write you a prescription for computer glasses--which will be single vision that you will use only at the computer.(As Cactus said, be sure you tell the opto the distance you use from the computer.) Then go to www.zennioptical.com or www.39dollarglasses.com and order them. In about two weeks, you should get them. I've always been happy with Zenni's work and you will be able to get a pair for under twenty bucks. I love 39dollar's progressive lenses so if you ever buy frames only, send them to them for cheap, very well made lenses. If you go with 39dollarglasses for computer glasses, you will pay just that: $39.
sas 14 Oct 2009, 11:49
Cactus Jack,
Thanks for your help ! I sit about 34" from my computer screen, so I'm assuming from what you have told me that this would be considered intermediate vision. Most likely my distance and add rx are correct?, sound right? I hate to give up my cute glasses, but realize that the intermediate area is obviously not sufficient. Would computer glasses need to be prescription or would some over the counter readers suffice? My glasses were rather expensive and I can't afford the expense of another Drs visit or rx glasses for the computer, although I work at a computer atleast 8 hrs each day, so this is an issue
Thanks Again, SAS
Cactus Jack 14 Oct 2009, 10:43
sas.
The first thing to do is measure the distance from your eyes to the computer screen. You will need that number if you go back to your Eye Care Professional.
I suspect the problem is caused by the "compact" progressives. Your add of +2.25 will allow you to see things comfortably at about 45 cm or 17 inches and a bit closer, but things beyond that distance will be blurry.
You may find that "computer glasses", a larger intermediate area in the progressives, or tri-focals would give you more comfort.
C.
sas 14 Oct 2009, 09:56
Hi I haven't posted for a long time, and just got a new rx, it is :
OD -1.75 + 0.50 x 097 +2.25 ADD
OS - 1.00 + 0.50 x 095 +2.25 ADD
I am having a major problem with seeing the computer. So much so that I have to wear my old glasses all day at work. My old rx was .75 diopters weaker for distance and astigmatism rx only in left eye. Could the problem be that my progressive lenses are the "compact" type and my mid range area is not large enough. Or is it that distance is too strong or add is too weak?? Please help. I'm debating on whether to take the glasses back to optician or ask opthalmologist for another exam.
Louise 14 Oct 2009, 08:10
Hey I wore my glasses last night whilst at home, did notice a difference when watching the tv.
I noticed that my eyes felt more relaxed wearing them, than when I took them off.
I wore them on the the way to work but have again chickened out wearing them at work but do have them in my bag!!
Phil 14 Oct 2009, 07:31
Louise, how is the glasses-wearing going?
Phil 13 Oct 2009, 09:09
I first tried specs on a bus! Look at all the shop signs. You'll be able to read them!
Louise 13 Oct 2009, 08:53
Im about to finish work so might try them on whilst on the bus home.
I dont live with my parents as have moved away to work, I still havent told them ive got glasses yet.
Yes it is strange why im so self conscious about them as im a fairly out going person.
Phil 13 Oct 2009, 08:35
Louise, put them on when you've left work. If it is beginning to go dark by them the difference will be more noticeable. Let us know how you find wearing them. It's odd how wearing glasses make some of us self-conscious, isn't it? Are your family expecting you to come home a first-time gwg?
Louise 13 Oct 2009, 07:48
Hey everyone, yes I did pick my glasses up today during my lunch hour. I did notice a difference in my vision when the optician put them on me in the shop, I was then asked if I would like to keep them on im afraid I chickened out at put them in their case.
I havent worn them since as ive been at work and will probably wait till I home to wear them and get used to them!!!
Stingray 13 Oct 2009, 07:08
My wife is myopic and her prescription is -3.00 OS, -2.50 OD with some astigmatism. On the prescription, the optometrist wrote "recommend hi-index or polycarbonate lenses". Do you think that is necessary? It seems to me that high index lenses are for much higher corrections. Is this just a rip-off or what?
Phil 13 Oct 2009, 05:17
Louise, have you collected them yet?
russell 13 Oct 2009, 02:29
When I first showed up wearing glasses, almost no one said a word about it. They just simply assumed that I needed them and that was why I got them. Little did they know that one lens was plano and the other had only a -.25 correction. I had no need for them. I simply wanted them and was glad that the optometrist prescribed some correction and sold them to me. (This was well before the internet where we have a vast array of possibilities for getting glasses without prescription or making up a prescription or doing glasses over contacts.)
Phil 12 Oct 2009, 09:37
Louise, I can't say that I found it easy! I've worn specs for 35 years and am still not fulltime!
But it sounds as if you have chosen nice frames. And you should take comfort that wearing them will enhance how you look rather than detract. Have you told your family you are getting them? Friends and colleagues will certainly just shower you with compliments (or just be too shy to comment). But family might expect to have been told!
Let us know how you get on. You will not believe how crisp your vision will be. Look at the bricks, leaves and blades of grass!
JR 12 Oct 2009, 09:05
Louise
Seriously, put them on and wear them. That said, we all need a little "alone time" to get used to them. Look in the mirror and see how pretty you are wearing them.
I think a lot has to do with your vision change. It is easier if you can tell a real change. If it is more subtle then you will feel a little self conscious. But it is just the first time, then it is easy from there on.
Louise 12 Oct 2009, 08:19
Hey had a call from the opticians and my glasses will be in tomorrow, so I should hopefully be able to pick them up at lunchtime. Am feeling abit nervous about having to wear glasses!!! Any tips on the best ways to get used to them, and wearing them in front of friends and family for the first time.
bela24 11 Oct 2009, 14:30
Hi, since this thread is post your prescription im finally posting mine after being a lurker for quite a long time!. Its -0.50, -2.25 both eyes, axis 70 and 117
ehpc 11 Oct 2009, 09:11
The bold black plastic frames sound just the best, Louise :) Pete
Louise 11 Oct 2009, 07:46
By the way im 25 years old
Louise 11 Oct 2009, 06:04
Hey everyone I choose quite a bold black plastic frame and a pair of semi rimless ones. It was my friend who persuaded me to go for the bold pair aswell.
Im just finding it strange that I hadnt noticed I need glasses and now need them, I guess because it all happened so quickly!!
Amy 11 Oct 2009, 04:27
Louise. Like antonio says, you only have a mild prescription so going without glasses shouldn't be too much of a problem for you. I would suggest wearing them for driving, tv and the cinema and perhaps when you're in town shopping. They will certainly make evrything clearer. Depending on your age your eyes may not change too much, but once you start wearing glasses, they do tend to get more dependent on them the more you wear them.
Phil 11 Oct 2009, 02:55
Louise, you'j be amazed when you first put your glasses on. If you are comfortable wearing them, keep them on. You'll be amazed at the positive reactions from others.
antonio 10 Oct 2009, 22:59
Hi Louisa,
whether you wear your glasses all the time or only sometimes will be up to you,
because it´s only a mild prescription you got. Nevertheless I´m sure you will be able to read far signs better in them and have a clearer view in general as you have astigmatism.
Just try and wear them for a while to see how good they are
best regards, antonio
ehpc 10 Oct 2009, 19:26
What style frames will you be wearing, Louise? Pete
Louise 10 Oct 2009, 17:17
Hiya I pick my glasses up next week they are going to phone me when they are in I got two pairs as they had n offer on both of them are very different to each other. Not sure which pair im going to wear more.
My prescription is L -1.00 +0.75 86 and R -0.75 0.50 100. Not sure what it means, also any ideas when i would need to wear them, or should i wear them all of the time?
Dan 10 Oct 2009, 11:23
Louise,
Do you know your prescription?
When do you pick up your glasses?
I'm sure you'll love the crisper vision!
Truely 10 Oct 2009, 09:20
Hi, I have been reading for a while but not posted just got new rx.
R -4.50 -0.75 20 3 base out Add +1
L -3.75 -0.50 180 3 base out 1.5 base down Add +1
This is my first RX with add but the third with prism.
Louise 10 Oct 2009, 08:46
Hello everyone just found this site and also found out that i need glasses for the first time!!!
I hadnt had an eye check up for about 5 years and was out shopping with my friend who was also picking up her new glasses. Whilst in the opticians a worker there gave me voucher for an eyetest and my friend persuaded me to hve one, it turned out that they had an appointment free.
I didnt think that i had any problems with my vision, but after the test i was told i ws slighty shortsighted with some astigmatism (not sure what this means).
As i was in the shop with my friend she helped me choose some frames which she said suited me. Not sure about wearing glasses, as it all happened very quickly.
Amy 10 Oct 2009, 03:49
Fran. Your girl friend must be about as bad as me, I reckon, if she can only see up to 20 cms without either glasses or contacts. I'm -7.00 and -7.75. But I suppose it depends what she actually means by clearly! For instance I can walk around our house without glasses and find stuff ok without any problems if I want to. But it would be difficult in someone else's house that I didn't know very well. I can't actually read anything without glasses unless I hold it closer that 20 cms if that's any more help.
minus5who luvs gwgs 09 Oct 2009, 21:30
My gf has just got a new prescription was minus 5.25 and minus 6.25 has gone up on both eyes by minus.25 and her add has gone up by .50 to 2.50 Great to see an increase in her myopia even though she is now 51 She picked a pair of Rayban rimless frames with a double temple in black and white I must admit she looks delectable great power rings and decent cut in what a lovely girl
Puffin 01 Oct 2009, 15:30
It would be around minus 5, and the visual acuity would be around 20/500, depending on how good she is at interpreting blur and whether she has any astigmatism.
I imagine a quick eyetest might be awkward.
Fran 01 Oct 2009, 14:42
Hi
The girl I have just started seeing, wears contacts nearly all of the time. I haven't seen her in glasses yet. She says that she can see clearly up to about 20cm and then after that everything is a blur. If someone can see for 20cm, what prescription would this be? And what would it be in terms of 20/xx?
Thanks
F
Wilson 01 Oct 2009, 11:49
Lentifan:
I have tried monovision, but was never successful, hated it in fact. I far prefer the clip ons.
My Brother, 24, on the other hand, likes the monovision. He has one lens -25 for distance, and one -21 for reading.
lentifan 30 Sep 2009, 16:30
Wilson, have you ever considered monovision, as an alternative to clip- ons for reading etc?
Wilson 30 Sep 2009, 13:00
Puffin:
I get 2 eye checks per year, have had increases in both.
Mark & Others:
The twins are identical. The -21 started glasses at 1yo, the -17 at 3yo, and she has lagged her twin in everything, walking, talking, glasses, etc. I'm sure they will both end up well into the -20's.
Astra 27 Sep 2009, 13:06
Re Josh: Same as Cactus Jack, I would advise you to have an eye check. Because eye discomfort are likely due to eye problems.
But you haven't mentioned how long you focus on the computer/book. If it is relatively short period of time (say less than 5 min), then very likely there must be eye problems. If there are refraction errors, the refraction errors may be quite significant (usually requiring more than 1 diopter of correction)
But if it is relatively long period of time (say more than 45 min), then your eyes may get dry or strained, due to slight refraction errors (usually within 1 diopter) or other eye problems.
Cactus Jack 25 Sep 2009, 08:30
Josh,
Brian-16 is right. At your age, focusing for long periods of close work should be effortless. An exam would be in order to find out what is going on. It would also be good to occasionally look away from the book or computer to let your eyes relax for a few moments.
You haven't provided enough detail for me even guess at the problem. My first thought is that you may be a little hyperopic (far sighted), but only an exam can determine that for sure. Don't be afraid to let your parents know that you are having some vision trouble. No one can know how well you see except by getting an exam. From here on out, your visual workload will be mostly close work in school and university and you need comfortable vision.
Please let us know your plans and the outcome of the exam.
C.
Brian-16 25 Sep 2009, 04:39
Josh - It is always a good idea to have a check-up.Perhaps Cactus Jack might have some advice.Where are you located-US or Europe?
Josh 25 Sep 2009, 01:13
Hi, I'm new here. I'm 14 and I think I might need glasses cause when I'm reading a book or the computer my eyes sometimes drop out of focus and if I'm tired it can be hard to focus again... do you think I might need an eyetest?
harry 24 Sep 2009, 14:02
can someone send me images of the -19.75 (or less) glasses from zennioptical ?
if you can send it to my mail that will be great - dsuk124@walla.com
thanks :)
Dieter 24 Sep 2009, 10:44
Mark,
There's still some unknowns. Are they identical twins or fraternal twins? Did they start wearing glasses at the same time or different times? Besides, with the name "Wilson", they might be volleyballs.
Mark 24 Sep 2009, 10:10
@guest,
Thats kinda my point, its a 20% difference when they are twins, ie, they didnt start at different ages different births etc, were both from the same, and yet they ended up different.
Thats why i was asking as to whether there might be some nurturing difference as nature was the same.
and -17 to -21 is still quite a big difference, if it was -17 and -18 wouldnt be such a big thing as one might prefer slight over correction etc.
guest 24 Sep 2009, 09:19
@Mark
Is going from -17 to -21 a big difference? In percentage terms 20-25% isn't that much. That'd be like one twin at -4 and the other at -5.
Or given the huge jumps a 16 yr. old would have to acquire myopia that high one twin may be one or two RX's behind.
Mark 24 Sep 2009, 06:01
@Wilson
Its interesting that your twin sisters have different prescriptions, and by quite a large amount.
Do you think you could acredit this to their differences in personality and likes? ie one prefers a lot of reading?
Regards
Mark.
R Ed 23 Sep 2009, 11:40
Chrissi,
Your question "I wonder what rx I will be at when my progression stops!" is unanswerable even though no doubt you'd like to know the answer.
But it sounds like you and your parents are doing the right thing-getting good professional eyecare advice and following it.
I would have guessed you'd be prescribed an add for bi focals, since reading is easier with older, weaker glasses, but I take it that did not happen. Is that correct?
Puffin 23 Sep 2009, 08:26
Wilson, do you/did you have yearly prescription changes? Or did the optician suggest coming back sooner if the RX went up by 2 or 3 dioptres? Yes, I know 2 diopt