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Post Your Prescription

.... 06 Jul 2018, 14:53

It's a shame.

I repeat ...

This website has always been a meeting point, where people asked questions and are nicely helped by experienced peers like Cactus Jack or Soundmanpt, and it should continue in this social function ...

WHY ...

... can people try to destroy this fine meeting point?

Soundmanpt 06 Jul 2018, 07:36

Sorry I posted the wrong time it should read "05 Jul 2018 17:18"

Soundmanpt 06 Jul 2018, 07:35

Once again the comment posted as me on "05 Jul 2018 14:18" isn't by me.

Weirdeyes 05 Jul 2018, 20:50

Dad

That is not Soundmanpt. This site isnt too useful with all the impostors. Try reddit instead.

Dad 05 Jul 2018, 20:48

Thank you Soundmanpt for your honesty regarding your fetish.

I at this time will bow out from this fetish site.

I will disregard your advice to not allow my daughter to wear glasses, and will go with her eye doctors advice to get the stronger prescription.

Soundmanpt 05 Jul 2018, 17:18

To be honest, Glass Lenses does raise a small valid point which I should clarify. This website is for people with a strong sexual fetish for glasses wearers. I actually do find your stories quite arousing, Dad. I am especially interested in hearing more. Normally I would not say these things in public, but I am an honest man and believe you should know the truth. I don't think you should let your kids wear glasses. It is bad for their eyes at this age. They have no need for glasses right now because they have nothing important to see. Just forget about it because they will break them too often and it will be expensive. I am only being realistic with you. When your children truly need glasses, then you will know it is the right time to buy them.

This post is from me.

Soundmanpt 05 Jul 2018, 06:27

Once again the imposture is using my name and posting as me. I did not make that comment posted " "04 Jul 2018 00:42"

Carl 05 Jul 2018, 05:47

This website has really deteriorated. :(

.... 05 Jul 2018, 02:44

Soundmanpt 03 Jul 2018, 06:09

is the real Soundmanpt - this as a result of the language and error analysis I recently presented.

This website has always been a meeting point, where people asked questions and are nicely helped by experienced peers like Cactus Jack or Soundmanpt, and it should continue in this social function.

04 Jul 2018, 01:36

Dad

Oh WOW, Soundmanpt is really telling you what he thinks you want to hear.

As he suggested, go back through his posts, especially the ones where he asks if the girls were aroused when their optician wisk back their hair to adjust the ear pieces of their glasses. One can only imagine his arousal doing this as an optician.

A lot of other creepy stuff there also.

Soundmanpt 04 Jul 2018, 00:42

Dad

Please disregard what was written by Glass Lenses.

As a retired optician, I can assure you that my posts have nothing to due with a glasses fetish.

If you read back through some of my prior posts, two many of the threads hear throughout the years, you will see that their is nothing related to what Glass Lenses is true, at least concerning my posts.

Antonio 03 Jul 2018, 22:17

Dad,

if your daughter reports to see fine in them and as she needs only -0.5 more you don.t have to buy necessarily new glasses to her.

But stay ready she will really need new stronger ones in 1 or 2 years as it is likely or possible her eyes proceed for a while in her youth this way and at -1 more she will be really on need of them to see the board.

From Dad to Dad, best regards, Antonio

Glass Lenses 03 Jul 2018, 21:22

Dad

You need to know that this is a glasses fetish web site.

People here get off sexually, talking and thinking about women, and young girls in glasses, especially for nearsightedness.

They love to talk about the progression of nearsightedness, and how prescriptions increase.

If I were you, I would ask your questions at Web MD, or some other site.

As a Dad, I think that you would be appalled at the thought of guys here masturbating, or getting aroused by information about your daughter.

Soundmanpt 03 Jul 2018, 06:09

Dad

When you daughter got her first pair of glasses 2 years ago when she was only 10 years you needed to expect then that her eyes were just starting to change and this wouldn't be a one time thing. She did good by making it 2 years without needing her glasses changed and she must still feel that her glasses are still working fine correcting her eyesight, but it isn't. The increase she needs isn't very much but enough that with the new prescription it will sharpen things up for her. Be prepared because she is almost certain to need her glasses changed all through her teen years and until sometime in her twenties when her eye will become stable and stop changing. If the cost of glasses is a problem you need to check out some on line sites. Their are a number of very good ones out their that won't cost you an arm and a leg. The one I always recommend is Zenni (zennioptical.com) They have a very nice selection of glasses starting as low as $6.95 for a complete pair in your daughter's prescription. And they have several hundred for under $13.00. Other sites that are good is Eye Buy Direct (eyebuydirect.com) and Frimoo (frimoo,com). But you do need to upgrade her prescription because her eyesight should be very important to you.

Dad 02 Jul 2018, 18:48

My 12yo daughter who has been wearing glasses for about 2 years recently had a checkup and her script changed. Her old prescription was OS -1.00 -0.50 OD -1.25 pl. Her latest script: OS -1.25 -0.75 OD -1.75 pl. Is it worth it for me to buy new glasses. Will it make a huge difference for her? She said she sees fine with her old script. Any guidance would be helpful. The doctor thought we should definitely get new glasses,but I wasnt sure if he was just trying to get us to spend more money at his store, thx.

Cactus Jack 19 Jun 2018, 09:43

Simon39,

It may be a little late for this, but you don't need to be too concerned about comments about your glasses. It only lasts a day or two. It is normal to be nervous about what others will say, but it really isn't much different than a new hair style or a new suit or in my case, seeing and old friend who remembers when I had hair and has not seen me since most of it fell out.

One thing you might experience if the pub is dimly lit, is that the menu is hard to read with your glasses. Don't be shy about lifting your glasses up to read the menu, unless it is posted on the wall. If it is on the wall, it will likely be easier to read with your glasses.

Don't be surprised if your friend needs glasses also.

Simon39 19 Jun 2018, 08:46

Thanks CatusJack for your advice. Collected my glasses today. It is quite exciting wearing them. I can't believe how sharp everything is - bus numbers, text, bricks on buildings, eye colours, leaves on trees etc. I'm meeting a mate in the pub later will wear them then. Bit nervous...

Simon39 19 Jun 2018, 08:46

Cactus Jack 18 Jun 2018, 22:31

Simon39,

Whenever you want to, is my probably surprising answer. You glasses prescription which in the common format is:

OD (Right Eye) Sphere -1.00, Cylinder -0.25 x 88

OS (Left Eye) Sphere -1.00

are glasses for distance. Your vision is almost perfectly matched to your visual IT environment. You actually have built in "computer" glasses. A Sphere correction indicates that you have -1.00 diopter of Myopia in each ey and an almost inconsequential amount of Astigmatism in your Right Eye. With out correction your eyes have a built in +1.00. That means that when relaxed, your eyes focus at 100 cm (1 meter). With just a small amount of focusing effort you can focus closer if a display is less than 100 cm from your eyes or you want to read something at say a typical reading distance of 40 cm. The equation that relates lens power vs. focal distance is:

Lens Power = 100/ Focal Distance or Focal Distance = 100/Lens Power.

Because you don't drive, your glasses will be very helpful at the Cinema, Watching TV, Identifying friends at a reasonable distance, or simply enjoying having good vision beyond 1 meter. Depending on where you live, you may also enjoy seeing stars in the sky or individual leaves on trees.

Because of your age, it is likely that Presbyopia is creeping up on you, but because of your Myopia, you may not have noticed. You may notice that it take s some extra effort to see small text clearly, up close, with your glasses. Don't get excited, that is pretty much normal. If you experience that problem, just lift up your glasses or look over the top of them, whichever is more convenient. More about this if it becomes a problem.

Please let us know your experiences, what you decide to do, and If we can be of additional help.

Simon39 17 Jun 2018, 17:34

Hi, I'm 39. I did not bother with glasses since my university days, I don't drive and I with in IT. I got an eyetest yesterday and I'm -1.00 -0.25 88, -1.00 - -. I was shown the difference and recommended to get glasses, which I'm collecting tomorrow. How often do you think someone with this prescription would wear glasses?

Lou 13 Jun 2018, 02:17

You are very welcome.

Likelenses 12 Jun 2018, 15:08

Ben

Eyes easily adapt to a minus prescription.

You may actually need a small minus in that right eye, along with the cylinder correction.

Ben 12 Jun 2018, 14:00

So I picked up my glasses and must admit they feel strange. The left eye seems perfect, the right feels a bit odd I think my vision might be worse with it. Been told it will take a while to get used to it

Lou 05 Jun 2018, 12:59

You are very welcome.

Ben 05 Jun 2018, 12:53

Thanks for your replies. I am 29 and live in the UK

Lou 05 Jun 2018, 12:50

Hi again Ben

I meant to add that astigmatism is common, especially a small amount like you have, and that it effects vision at all distances.

Lou 05 Jun 2018, 12:47

Hi Ben

Yes, I can help with this:

R +0.25 Sph -0.50 Cyl Axis 74

L -0.75 Sph

You have astigmatism in your right eye, as shown by there being a cylinder (cyl) value on your prescription. Astigmatism simply means that your eye has two points of focus, at axes 90 degrees from each other.

Your right eye has a prescription of +0.25 at the 74 degrees axis. At the opposite axis to 74 (i.e. 164), your prescription is the Sph (sphere) value - the cyl (cylinder) value, which is +0.25 -0.50 = -0.25.

You therefore have a prescription of +0.25 at the 74 degrees axis, and -0.25 at the opposite (164) degrees axis. This is called mixed astigmatim, as you are far-sighted on one axis, and near-sighted on the other. A plus sphere denotes far-sightedness whereas a minus sphere denotes near-sightedness.

Your left eye is simply near-sighted, owing to the minus sphere. You have no astigmatism correction in your prescription for your left eye.

Overall you have a small prescription, as denoted by the low values.

I hope that this will help

Cactus Jack 05 Jun 2018, 12:43

Ben,

Actually, you are very slightly farsighted with some Astigmatism in your Right Eye and mildly nearsighted in your Left Eye. It is not unusual for there to be a difference in the correction required for each eye. Yours just happen to be on each side of 0.00.

While the difference is not very large, it does make it hard for your eyes to work together, as a team, to provide good depth perception.

I will be happy to give you a more detailed explanation, but I would like to ask a few questions.

1. What is your age?

2. Where do you live? (country)

I may have some more questions after you answer those.

Ben 05 Jun 2018, 12:13

I was recently prescribed my first pair of glasses but am not sure if I am nearsighted or farsighted. My prescription is:

R +0.25, -0.50, 74

L -0.75

The eye doctor said there is quite a difference between my 2 eyes and they don't work together that well. I already knew my left eye was worse than my right.

I was told the glasses would help with distance vision and also when using a computer. But seen as I have a +0.25 in my right eye, isn't that what people use for reading. But, the cylinder is for distance. I'm a bit confused. Can anyone clear this up?

Soundmanpt 11 Apr 2018, 07:01

Curious Fiance

Reading between the lines I would bet that your nearsighted and mostly wear contacts which is probably why you were ordering your fiance's contacts for him. So i'm sure that you're comparing how your own eyes work with contacts or glasses to his eyes. You're probably able to read pretty well without the need for contacts or glasses. But your distance vision is probably pretty blurry without contacts or glasses. So you're wondering why he needs his contacts or glasses in order to see both closeup as well as distance? Just because his prescription is a plus prescription meaning he is farsighted he needs contacts for close and distance. Also he has rather strong astigmatism correction and astigmatisms effects vision at all distances.

CuriousFiance 11 Apr 2018, 02:04

Can someone explain to me my fiance's prescription, he wears contacts and glasses sometimes. He recently had me order him contacts and it was really hard understanding.

OD Sphere +2.50 Cylinder +3.50 Axis 100

OS Sphere +2.50 Cylinder +3.00 Axis 85

His glasses magnify his eyes a lot and he has trouble seeing close and far, never seen that before.

Neville 24 Mar 2018, 14:07

Lara I hope I can answer your question.

Until I had cataract surgery I was hyperopic +9. Without glasses all was a blur but I could make out vague shapes and colour especially in good light.

The cataract surgery wasn't straightforward and implants were not fitted. Now I have extremely strong lenses and my vision without glasses is so blurred I cannot function at all.

Jamie37 24 Mar 2018, 07:07

So the glasses I ordered from Zenni arrived and actually took the bifocals for a public outing today. I can see what doc said about not being necessary for full time, but Def can tell there will be occasions when I will want to be wearing the add for comfort. So basically depending on what I will be doing will determine what I wear.

The bis I ordered are lined which I understand is not the most cosmetically amazing but like how much I can see through them which I know can be issue in progressives.

Weirdeyes 20 Mar 2018, 09:10

I have 1.00 base in prism for each eye. I sometimes notice pretty bad double vision and I sometimes dont. I remember when I got tested once they said I needed 8 diopters of prism. I assume they meant 4.00 for each eye. Cactus Jack, you mentioned that doing close up work as a myope can sometimes make you cross eyed. Could doing the same thing as a hyperope do the opposite? I do A LOT of close up work and always have. No one knew I was farsighted until I was eleven years old. Even then they only noticed it in my left eye, but I know both eyes are farsighted because I cant really see details up close.

Cactus Jack 19 Mar 2018, 23:01

Spartoo,

Oops, the post below was from me.

19 Mar 2018, 23:00

Spartoo,

Yes, it is normal for a person with only a tiny bit of measured strabismus (eye misalignment). A total of 3 prism diopters Base Out is not very much prism. Each eye is turned inward less than 1 angular degree. Unless there are other problems, that should be well within the capture and fusion range of your Eye Position Control System (my name). If you don't notice any double vision without prism correction in your glasses, I would not bother.

If you notice difficulty keeping the two images from your eyes fused into a 3-D image hen that is another story.

spartoo 19 Mar 2018, 22:27

Hello, I had glasses with prism of 1.50 right and left eye, horizontal base outside.

I do not need it and I never wear it.

But I would like to know if this is normal that I see as if there was no prism?

Cactus Jack 18 Mar 2018, 11:30

Kevin,

As Jared said, it is up to you.

R: -0.25 -0.50 101

L: -0.50 -0.50 107

Is not a very strong prescription, but optically a little bit of Myopia goes a short distance, visually.

Your Astigmatism correction is likely the major factor in your visual comfort, but lets look at the first number, which is the Sphere correction.

-0.25 means that everything beyond 4 meters or about 13 feet is increasingly blurry.

-0.50 means that the blurry distance is more than 2 meters or 6.5 feet.

There are lots of things that you are missing without correction.

Astigmatism as indicated by the 2nd and 3rd numbers, which are Cylinder and Axis. Cylinder and Axis ALWAYS go together. Astigmatism is typically caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of your Cornea. It is steeper in one direction than it is in another like a slice from the side of an american football. The difference in curvature causes images to have two different focus distances. It is most noticeable on small print where the lines that make up the letters will focus at one distance and other lines will focus at a different distance, depending on which direction they run. This confuses your Focus Control System (auto-focus system), but there no way your eye can focus at two different distances at the same time, but it tries.

You may think that you have pretty good vision, but you actually don't. Vision actually occurs in the brain, your eyes are merely biological cameras. Your brain has the amazing ability to correct slightly blurry images, IF it know what something is supposed to look like. The problem with that is that it takes a significant amount of effort and energy.

If you correct the images optically with glasses or contacts, your brain can devote its efforts to other tasks. However, it takes a while for your brain to realize that when you wear your glasses, it has less work to do. Think of glasses as labor saving tools. That is why we typically suggest wearing your glasses full time for about two weeks before making a decision about when to wear them.

With one exception. That exception is that you should wear your glasses when driving.

If you are apprehensive about what your friends and relatives will say about your wearing glasses, remember that you don't wear vision correction for THEIR benefit. Wearing glasses is no different than a new hair style or some new clothes. The comments or questions only last a day or two and then it is old news. The only time after that that your glasses will get a comment is if you change frame styles. Few people notice prescription changes.

Hope this helps.

Jared 18 Mar 2018, 09:04

Kevin

Only if you want.

Kevin 18 Mar 2018, 08:45

First time poster here; is a prescription of R: -0.25 -0.50 101 L: -0.50 -0.50 107 warrant full-time wear?

Cactus Jack 17 Mar 2018, 04:37

Lara,

You can get a pretty good idea of what a very farsighted people see without their glasses by wearing an older pair of your glasses over your current glasses. It won't be exact, but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Galileo 16 Mar 2018, 21:41

@Lara - I think it is worse for very longsighted people. I have known two cases personally; a woman who was early 60s and Rx of +6. She could not see near or far without her glasses. Could not read a school size clock across a room and could not find her glasses if she had not put them down herself. She could not read a book at any distance.

The other was a woman in her early 20s with a Rx of around +10. She said all she could see without glasses was patches of colour, no detail at all near or far.

Lara 16 Mar 2018, 20:21

What is it like for farsighted people with very high prescriptions, even lenticulars? Is their vision usually blurry both near and far without glasses? Im nearsighted, around -6.50 left and -8.75 right. I cant see crap far away without my glasses but I can read without them.

Jamie37 10 Mar 2018, 07:16

During the exam, the eye doctor and I discussed the add and bifocals. He recommended with me being in retail and what i do on a daily basis, to not do full time use yet in bifocals.

Which is why he did the rx the way he did. I am getting my main pair in single visions.

However, I will also be going online and getting a pair of bifocals to experiment with.

Curt 09 Mar 2018, 08:28

So, are you going to get the bifocals or not???

Jamie37 08 Mar 2018, 17:57

So the verdict is in after my exam.

My new rx is

OD -6.25 -3.25

OS -6.75 -4.50

and also given optional add of 1.00

Likelenses 06 Mar 2018, 19:26

Jamie3

Considering your current prescription, those symptoms will certainly result in a bifocal prescription.

Jamie37 06 Mar 2018, 18:29

Just did paperwork for upcoming test.

Admitted that been experience eye strain, occasional burning and redness after prolonged close work/use of phone

Lou 06 Mar 2018, 11:24

Hi Jamie37

Thanks very much for the clarification. I'm very sorry, but although I now understand what you are experiencing, I can't offer a reasonable explanation. Hopefully somebody else will be able to.

Best wishes

Lou

Jamie37 05 Mar 2018, 15:06

Hey gang,

Thanks for the posts. I will do a quick synopsis of moi

Jamie, 41, male USA

wear -5.75 and -6.50 with roughly -3.5 astig both eyes. Yep highly astigmatic.

I probably hold my reading a bit closer than normal for most people. And, so not the typical arms longer bit.

However, when something is farther out I do notice it has gotten a bit harder to read, probably also in part to my decent rx.

Notice that when do put some 1.25 cheaters in front, that the smaller print on bottles and cans is easier to read at more of arms length distance with the extra help.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for all the great advice so far!

Lou 05 Mar 2018, 06:42

Hi Jamie37

When you say, "Biggest difference is if i have a bottle at arms length in that case the extra help does seem to make a difference.", if you don't mind me asking, are you saying that you need to hold a bottle at arms length to see the small print clearly, or that the extra help makes a difference, if you choose to hold a bottle at arms length?

I ask because I have a small distance prescription for simple hyperopic astigmatism, and I find that my glasses make a greater difference at intermediate and distance than at near.

I'm not sure whether this is because at 44, my glasses are not strong enough for near, therefore I don't really notice the difference they do make, or probably more likely, my astigmatism affects me personally more at intermediate and far distances.

However since you are talking about a reading add rather than a plus prescription for astigmatism, I can't see any reason for reading glasses making a greater difference at intermediate than at near. I therefore presume you are saying that you find reading glasses helpful when you are having to hold bottles with small print at arms length, to see them clearly. If this is the case, then I think that you are quite likely to be prescribed bifocals or progressives.

All the best

Lou

Likelenses 05 Mar 2018, 00:11

Jamie37

At 41 it is highly likely that you will wind up in bifocals.

You did not say what your present prescription is, and if you are male, or female.

Jamie37 02 Mar 2018, 13:26

Hi Soundman,

Thanks for responding. I guess I am more curious as to how is it decided it's time for bifocals. As said, i can still read okay through my single visions although did notice a little difference when i put a 1.00 reader in front in terms of comfort and ease of reading although can still read the computer screen comfortably either way.

Biggest difference is if i have a bottle at arms length in that case the extra help does seem to make a difference

Thanks!

Soundmanpt 02 Mar 2018, 08:50

Jamie37

Since you seem concerned about being prescribed with your first bifocals does that you meant that you currently already wear glasses for distance? If so do you wear them full time or just as needed? I ask that because really if you already wear glasses for distance the change to bifocals shouldn't be too bad for you. Instead of getting bifocals with the line you should go with progressives because their isn't a noticeable line across your lenses. So your glasses will only look like single vision glasses. Of course your eyes will notice the difference if you in fact are prescribed with bifocals. It does take a bit of adjusting to at first. Mostly you will need to be extremely careful going up and down steps. If you're a woman and wear heels even more so because the steps are going to appear to be at a much closer distance than they really are. At 41 and since you sometimes use "cheaters" I think there is a pretty good chance that you're going to be prescribed bifocals. you know their coming at some point anyway.

Jamie37 01 Mar 2018, 11:37

For those of you who have been around this site for a while, you know that I am eyescene's best at liking bifocals on others but never wearing them myself.

Well, just turned 41 and booked an appointment for next Thursday at 4PM. Honestly, not sure what the outcome will be this time. As, I can read okay although not sure if that's me being in denial. Do have some cheaters after last exam, but rarely ever use them

ric 20 Feb 2018, 10:01

To Meredith: i wear scleral contacts, but i have soft contacts for spare or summer. As the Biofinity toric XR, just go here up to -10, got the Byofinity multifocal toric, that are avaiable up to -20 in myopia and up to -5.75 in astigmatism.

ric 20 Feb 2018, 09:34

Meredith: then you can go for toric disposables with your correct prescription for myopia and astigmatism. Nowadays can choose some brands.

ric 20 Feb 2018, 09:34

Meredith: then you can go for toric disposables with your correct prescription for myopia and astigmatism. Nowadays can choose some brands.

ric 20 Feb 2018, 09:08

When first started wearing contact lenses, i did not wear astigmatic prescription. Years before, i tried soft toric lenses that were the early version of Bauch & Lomb toric. They never feel comfortable and ended wearing soft lenses without astigmatism correction for years. When astigmatism was sightly high and compensating it with more myopia correction was not enough, turned back to toric lenses in disposable kind.

NNVisitor 19 Feb 2018, 22:21

Meredith

I've never worn soft contact lenses. With gas permeable lenses at first one would feel them on their eyes. As wearing time gets built up day by day after wearing them at least 9.5 hours a day I feel them when I put them in. Then after a little while I barely notice them except for the vision I get with them. If dust or an eyelash gets under the lens then they can be painful and will have to be removed. That does not happen often but if you live in a dusty climate it may be different for you.

My prescription was -10 both eyes with astigmatism R -1.75 L-2.50 for glasses. The contact lens fitter would do the CL conversion. After many years my glasses prescription went down to -9.50 for both eyes and the astigmatism was about the same. Over the years I built up wearing time so sometimes I wore the lenses as much as 16 hours a day only wearing my glasses early morning and late evening. Gas permeable lenses such as the Boston Lens do correct sphere and astigmatism.

19 Feb 2018, 16:54

Meredith, that's perfectly possible. You can wear glasses with only astigmatism correction over your contacts so you're fully corrected.

Meredith 19 Feb 2018, 16:05

Another question I'm hoping to get advice on:

I'm currently wearing -13.50 contacts, sphere only. My glasses prescription is -16 with some astigmatism in each eye. Would it be possible to get glasses to wear over my sphere only contacts to correct the astigmatism part of my prescription? I understand that -13.50 rx in contacts is pretty close to the -16 rx for glasses, but I'm experiencing blur since my astigmatism isn't corrected in my contacts.

Just exploring my options between glasses over contacts and contacts with the full rx.

Thank you!

Meredith 19 Feb 2018, 16:02

NNVisitor,

I looked up the Boston brand you mentioned and they seem more affordable than the Hydrasoft ones I had found. Is your prescription like mine? Also, have you worn soft lenses in the past, and if so, what motivated you to switch to RGPs? How do you find the comfort and optics between soft lenses and RGPs?

Thank you so much for your time!

18 Feb 2018, 15:06

@ 18 Feb 2018, 02:38

True, but LikeHitler should be a goner too.

18 Feb 2018, 06:31

It's probably you.

18 Feb 2018, 02:38

We need to get this anonymous vulgar troll banned from eyescene.

17 Feb 2018, 17:42

LL is far too much of a chickenshit to ever answer questions about his fake fantasy women. LL reminds me of one of those fatass basement bullies you find on Facebook who wank off all day long about pissing people off and dream up stalky fantasies about women who supposedly love them, bullshit stories about Iran and myopic bulge, racist comments about people, buying glasses for people, and making up fake fantasy characters on eyescene. And when he gets busted, he doesn't even have the balls to admit it! He just spits out more anger and hatred.

LL is a joke. No one wants him here.

Move on, troll.

17 Feb 2018, 17:41

Actually, you're right. We can only dream, as she doesn't exist.

Likelenses 17 Feb 2018, 17:37

17 Feb 2018, 17:24 poster

You have verified my prior post.

Also you can only dream of having a beautiful, charming, talented, and myopic girl like my Cheryl.

17 Feb 2018, 17:24

Dear Likelenses, you are obsessed with everyone's mental health and sexuality. Maybe you have a problem with your own? In all seriousness, you are the most disgusting rotten apple in this forum (and there are a few). You are a racist, mysoginistic prick that constantly insults and attacks people. You cause people to leave the community with your stupid behaviour. And we don't buy your wanker fantasies about that "Cheryl", unless that's how you call your right hand.

BTW, you haven't talked about her for months. Why is that?

Oh, right, because she doesn't exist.

Likelenses 16 Feb 2018, 19:19

16 Feb 2018, 18:45 poster

It sounds as though you are a very bitter person, that can not find a member of the opposite sex that finds you interesting, or attractive.

Perhaps it is due to a mental condition, or perhaps your sexuality

You are to be pitied.

16 Feb 2018, 18:45

don't you have enough girlfriends already, Likelensyes? how many women have you claimed love you to death so far? June. Cheryl. LauraC. you are the eternal romeo flunkie of eyescene. hahaha

Likelenses 16 Feb 2018, 16:56

Meredith

Many guys here find women with high myopic prescription glasses to be extremely attractive.Your prescription certainly puts you in that category.

If you were my wife, or girlfriend, I would love for you to wear glasses only, and it would really be better healthwise for your eyes.

NNVisitor 15 Feb 2018, 22:57

Meredith

I've worn the Boston Lens gas permeable contact lenses for many years. My vision has been really great with them. My suggestion is to discuss your needs with a contact lens fitter that you have confidence in to find out the best option for you.

Meredith 15 Feb 2018, 17:33

Hi, I have a glasses prescription of

Right: sphere -16, cylinder +0.75, axis 135

Left: sphere -16, cylinder +1, axis 90

I currently wear -13.50 soft contacts that only correct my sphere and I'm having a really hard time seeing well, especially when my eyes are dry or tired. The brand is Biofinity XR and this particular brand does not have astigmatism correction in high sphere powers.

I'd like to do some research to see what other options I have for contacts. I came across the CooperVision hydrasoft lenses, which can be customized to almost any sphere and cylinder correction needed. I also came across the SynergEyes Duette lenses which are a hybrid lens with RGP in the center with soft lens on the outer part.

Two questions:

1) Do you know of any other contacts brands that would come in my rx?

2) Are optics better with RGP lenses compared to soft lenses in high prescriptions like mine?

Thank you!

Jhon 27 Jan 2018, 04:31

My girlfriend is very long sighted and wear plus 7 in right eye and plus 8 in left eye full time,she had just been for a eye test and has been told she needs 6 out prisms in both eyes, Will this make her lens much thicker.He also suggested she had a separate pair of reading glasses,would these be stronger or weaker prescription he did not say.she is only 26

Thanks

We can only afford the cheapest lens

Jhon 27 Jan 2018, 04:31

Thanks

We can only afford the cheapest lens

Weirdeyes 26 Jan 2018, 23:01

Likelenses

Why are you so concerned about my mental health, anyways? This site is EYEscene, not MENTALHEALTHscene. My vision issues are making my mental health worse, but my mental health has minimal effects on my vision.

Likelenses 26 Jan 2018, 22:53

Weirdeyes

No need to do that Miss potty mouth, as I have my own beautiful, high myopic GWG.

Weirdeyes 25 Jan 2018, 23:06

Likelenses

Why dont you mind your own business and go back to jerking off to girls with thick glasses?

Likelenses 25 Jan 2018, 22:04

Weirdeyes

Since you seem to bounce around from about every eyesight symptom that exists, I would suggest that you see your mental health professional, rather than seeking a lasik doctor.

Lou 25 Jan 2018, 07:45

Hi Weirdeyes

I completely agree with Billy A, abd would proceed with caution.

Best wishes

Lou

Billy A. 25 Jan 2018, 03:31

Weirdeyes

Be carefull and dont trust to surgeon too much. Remember, this is hard business. It could be the worst decision in your life and there's no way back. You have cyls and your prescription is problematic..

Please let us know about the results

Weirdeyes 24 Jan 2018, 16:45

Im getting a lasik consultation next week.

Billy A. 24 Jan 2018, 14:40

Weirdeyes

It's very interesting how many facts gives to the lenses their final look (and look of the eyes behind the lenses)

Not just PD and frame size, there's more facts, which is very amazing. As you mentioned, combination with prisms makes some difference too.

Weirdeyes 24 Jan 2018, 14:06

I once knew these twins who wore plus glasses. One wore wire rimmed glasses and one wore a plastic frame. I thought they were +6.00 or something. I eventually overheard the one in wire rim glasses say they are +5.00. I thought they looked thick and strong, but that could be because she was wearing wire rimmed glasses with what I assume were low index lenses. If my prescription does get to +5.00, it wont be +5.00 proper because of the cyl. It will be +3.50 which some people still consider strong. I wonder if my glasses look stronger than +2.75. I know I get more facial distortion. One thing thats interesting is that since I have 1D of base in prism my glasses dont distort my face as much. So they look weaker.

Billy A. 24 Jan 2018, 13:47

Weirdeyes

For someone is very strong +5, for someone else is very strong +20..

Today i got new glasses - Ray Bans with CR extra lenti 1.5 index, -12 both eyes. For my co-worker they're incredibly strong, but for me they're just normal glasses. I'm wondering about reactions from my closest friends and family :)

Weirdeyes 24 Jan 2018, 13:42

Lou

When I wear plus glasses over my rx the blur through my right eye looks like horizontal focus. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Astigmatism_text_blur.png

Weirdeyes 24 Jan 2018, 13:35

Billy A

I guess +7.5 looks strong to everyone. I wonder at what point glasses look undeniably strong regardless of lens material or frame choice. I know my +4.25 glasses still look normal. One person said +5.00, but I dont think thats much stronger.

Joey 24 Jan 2018, 05:50

Well, I just got my new glasses and things are really clear with them! My eyes changed more than i had realized i guess! I am now needing a -2.00 -0.50 x 160 and a -1.75 -0.75 x20. They told me to come back in 6 months since it changed so much. I hope i dont need a big change then too!

Lou 24 Jan 2018, 02:06

Hi Weirdeyes

Re.:Lou

I did think about having too much cyl. I just remember -0.50 barely making a difference. I just got a record of my old prescriptions and my right eye axis has always been around 170.

Thanks very much for the clarification. I just thought that it would make sense to cover all bases.

Best wishes

Lou

Billy A. 24 Jan 2018, 00:48

Weirdeyes

Yes, her difference is really noticeable. +7.5 is really magnificating. But with two different indexes she feels very comfortable and she has her confidence back. I'm so happy because of this :) The difference of indexes is compensated by premium coatings and it works very well for her! She asked me if I can help her because she saw me wearing superlenti glasses. I think I made good job and made one person happy. Such a great feeling!

NNVisitor 23 Jan 2018, 21:54

Why is the 20 year old woman being quized about something personal? She's being harrassed. It's really no one elses business.

Weirdeyes 23 Jan 2018, 18:10

I just wrote some handwritten notes on my prescriptions like what I liked and what I didnt like. Hopefully it can help clear things up without making me look crazy/malingering. Like I mentioned that with my current rx I feel like my eyes have to work harder to focus, but its easier to move them around(better binocular vision). I also mentioned that things looked very vivid when I wore a +3.50 contact lens by accident.

Weirdeyes 23 Jan 2018, 17:16

Billy A

Id be disgusted as well! Apparently the difference between my eyes isnt noticeable. Ive asked my family members many times. Dont know if theyre being polite or not. No one has mentioned it, but this one observant man told me he noticed after I mentioned it. I guess the difference between my eyes is lower than hers.

Billy A. 23 Jan 2018, 16:29

Weirdeyes

All questions are the same - about difference in magnification. She told me that se's disgusted by all these questions. Thousands of questions type "Why you have one eye smaller and one bigger?" could be really annoying.

A lot of opticians here doesn't want to make one glasses with two different indexes too, but as I said - I'll pay, you'll make!

Make one glasses with two different indexes was my idea and she liked it. Both lenses looks the same, just one is "catching more light".

Weirdeyes 23 Jan 2018, 16:01

Billy A

I guess that makes sense. What type of questions do they ask her about the magnification? How do the lenses having different indexes look? A lot of opticians in North America dont do that. I have high index in both lenses even though my good eye is close to plano at the moment. I wonder if shed be interested in talking to me? I kind of am, but Im guessing she finds it too traumatic or boring.

Billy A. 23 Jan 2018, 15:22

Weirdeyes

To be honest, our working team is 90% young guys and 10% young ladies. I think they asking her a lot not because of her glasses, but just because she's very attractive. They just don't know how to start the conversation and her glasses are great starting point :) Just my opinion, but I think I'm right. There's another girl with -11 glasses and nobody asks her, why? The answer is - she's absolutely unattractive. Sad, but true..

Weirdeyes 23 Jan 2018, 14:35

Lou

I did think about having too much cyl. I just remember -0.50 barely making a difference. I just got a record of my old prescriptions and my right eye axis has always been around 170.

Lou 23 Jan 2018, 14:15

Sorry when I said:

Anyway, I found from experience that a cylinder of -0.50 rather than -0.25 blurs my vision in my RIGHT eye. Funnily enough although +0.50 Sph -0.50 Cyl is better in my right eye, I don't have the same difficulties with +0.75 Sph -0.75 Cyl in my right eye. Eyes are funny things.

Where I have altered the word right to be in capitals, I meant to say left.

Best wishes

Lou

Lou 23 Jan 2018, 14:12

Hi Weirdeyes

I've thought about something which may be of some use to you. After being unhappy with the vision of my left eye since a prescription change in March 2014, I had an eye test with a very good optician who finally sorted it in Feb 2017, with a return to the prescription I had prior to March 2014.

The reason I am mentioning it, is that I had eye strain in the distance at near, felt that it was harder to see the edge of the road/beginning of the bank (as you no doubt no, we drive on the left in the UK) on country roads with no outside kerb or white line, just a transition from the road to a grass bank, and found close reading difficult.

My prescription was changed in my left eye from:

+0.50 Sph -0.50 Cyl to +0.25 Sph -0.25 Cyl with no change in axis (or basically none. A previous option had tried changing my axis from 83 to 88 to solve my left eye problems, and it made no difference, and since I could tell the difference with -0.25 cyl in Feb 2017, she said that she would split the difference and go with 85).

To avoid confusion, I'll use an axis of 85 for both prescriptions.

My understanding that my old prescription had a sphere value of +0.50 at 85 degrees and plano at 2 degrees, whereas my new prescription has a sphere value of +0.25 at 85 degrees and plano at 2 degrees.

I wouldn't have thought that having a sphere value of +0.25 too high at 85 degrees would blur my near vision in that eye, but I can assure you that it did.

Anyway, I found from experience that a cylinder of -0.50 rather than -0.25 blurs my vision in my right eye. Funnily enough although +0.50 Sph -0.50 Cyl is better in my right eye, I don't have the same difficulties with +0.75 Sph -0.75 Cyl in my right eye. Eyes are funny things.

I fully appreciate that you've found that you can see better with -1.50 Cyl than no cylinder, suggesting that your right eye Cyl of -0.75 is not too high, but you never know, and I wouldn't completely rule out the idea of too much cylinder, as well as considering too little sphere, too little cylinder and an incorrect axis.

I hope that this will help.

Best wishes

Lou

Billy A. 23 Jan 2018, 10:51

Weirdeyes

They ask mostly about magnification, yes, the difference between left and right eye is very noticeable. Her glasses are interesting for a lot of our co-workers (I'm sure they aren't OOs) But most of people just staring, they have no presumption to ask. But from her looks I can see what they're thinking about.. Now We're at work now, she's 20 meters from me :)

Weirdeyes 23 Jan 2018, 10:17

Billy A

What kind of questions did they ask? In my case my glasses look pretty normal. The spherical equivalent for my bad eye is +3.50, so it still looks pretty normal. The good eye is close to plano. I know this isnt the best prescription because I struggle to read fine print and keep close up things in focus. I wonder if my good eye will ever get to +3.00.

Billy A. 23 Jan 2018, 09:54

Weirdeyes

The difference must be obvious. A lot of people asking her about her glasses, because one eye is noticeably much bigger than second. When she wore glasses with 1.5index lenses, the difference was very, very big. The lens with +7.5 was very thick and heavy. Lens with +3.5 was "normal", nothing unusual. Everyone noticed the difference. Now, with combination of the lenses nobody noticed! Now is the difference just in magnification, who's not interested about glasses, cannot see there's any difference.

Weirdeyes 23 Jan 2018, 09:26

Billy A

Is the difference obvious to non optical obsessives or just you? Ive never noticed my glasses being heavier on one side. Maybe this is because I mainly get high index lenses. I still notice my left eye is magnified more which I imagine is obvious in your co-worker as well.

The only time my glasses looked visibly thicker on the left eye was when when my prescription was R +0.25 -0.50 L +3.50 -0.50. I never really wore glasses then. I only wore a +3.25 contact lens in my left eye. I also obviously didnt get high index when I first got glasses, but the left eye was still under +2.00.

Im not even sure optical obsessives would notice the difference back then. I never worried about my left eye looking more magnified to other people. I just worried about looking geeky because I was wearing glasses like a lot of young people did. Interestingly when I was first told I need glasses I was concerned the image size would be different for me. I also never saw glasses that had one lens with a prescription and one lens plano before. I just couldnt imagine it for whatever reason.

Billy A. 23 Jan 2018, 00:46

Weirdeyes

Yes, the difference is very obvious. The big difference make one lens heavier, so her glasses were askew, which is not so good because of astigmatism. Now she has one lens (+3) 1.5index and second (+7.5) high indes. It works and looks very interesting. With this combination the glasses are sitting on the nose perfectly horizontally, both lenses have the same thickness, more less.

Weirdeyes 22 Jan 2018, 20:16

Billy A

Is the difference between her lenses obvious? Thats something Im self conscious about.

Billy A. 22 Jan 2018, 05:18

Weirdeyes

People love to cut corners everywhere.. Its very sad, a lot of opticians realy dont care about patients eyes, but they really care about patients money..

If you have bad sleep, your eyes are tired next day so I guess too that your father was right.

Just dont give up, I believe you will find your ideal prescription :)

Weirdeyes 22 Jan 2018, 04:43

Billy A

Im Canadian. People love to cut corners here. I did go to an old school optometrist when I was nine years old. He used no autorefractor. He said I dont need glasses and wont need to get them tested for another five years. I did end up getting my eyes tested again at eleven and ended up with R 0.00 L+1.25. He said I needed glasses because of poor vision in my left eye.

I did remember things being small and hard to read, but I just thought it was because the letters were small or I was mildly nearsighted.

I was confused because the prescription was pretty low. I assumed that was typical +1.25 vision. I now know its not. I think that type of vision is more typical of severe farsightedness. Now I know what hes talking about.

I remember my mom being upset that my prescription increased to R +0.25 L +1.75. I was scared of saying anything when I enjoyed the vision I got out of wearing my glasses on top of each other. I conveniently got the math wrong and told myself my left eye needs +2.00 something. I considered +3.00 a thick lens and I could never picture myself wearing one.

I was shocked when my next prescription was R +0.25 -0.50 L +3.50 -0.50. I considered that a thick prescription and couldnt believe I had a thick prescription. I guess I was in denial because I did notice things were pretty blurry through my left eye and not just minified like they used to be. I should have been more shocked at the difference between my eyes. I was just so focused on needing a thick prescription. My dad always said that if I got bad sleep before an eye exam I would get thick glasses. I guess he was right.

Billy A. 22 Jan 2018, 03:49

About "modern" opticians - if I want to buy new glasses for goc, i go just to modern ones! There's incredibly easy to cheat and get my dream glasses! Tat says it all..

Billy A. 22 Jan 2018, 03:27

She is working with us for two years, for this time she wore more than 10 glasses with different prescriptions. I have no idea about her old prescriptions, I just now she always had problem to find an ideal one. I hope you'll find your ideal lenses too! Just find good, interested optician. I don't know how about your location, I'm living in the Eastern Europe we have modern opticians and oldschool ones too :) Little bit of yesterdayness could be sometimes good!

Lou 22 Jan 2018, 03:25

Hi Weirdeyes

I believe that Billy A has suggested a very good solution for you, finding an optician that relies on old school techniques rather than autorefractors.

I imagine that you can always request for the autorefractor not to be used, but really you want an optician who generally doesn't use an autorefractor as part of their normal way of testing patients.

Maybe it is because I am in the UK, but the last time I looked into an autorefractor, was the first time I visited my particular opticians (the branch overall rather than when I started seeing the particular optician which I now always request). They seem to however use it on my children.

My optician used retinoscopy during my last two eye exams. Personally I feel that a retinoscope is more accurate than an autorefractor.

You may find the following interesting, especially since the average age of the subjects was 21.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15630406

All the best

Lou

Weirdeyes 22 Jan 2018, 03:03

Billy A

Do you know what her old prescriptions were like? Im happy for her and hope I can find a prescription Im comfortable with. Everyone around me just seems to cut corners. I dont mind long exams. Im just so frustrated.

Billy A. 22 Jan 2018, 02:57

Weirdeyes

Interesting. I want to know more about her eyesight, but I dont wanna talk about, 'cause she's very sensitive person and this is very painfull topic for her. We were never talking about her eyesight in the past. I just know, she had big trouble to find ideal prescription powers. So i advised her to find optometrist to make "old school eye test" without autorefractor and other machines (I know really nothing about the methods of optetry) but when one is not working well, the other can! Now shes very comfortable with her new prescription, after years of suffering and I'm so happy because of this :)

Weirdeyes 22 Jan 2018, 02:44

Billy A

Without correction at the moment I see nearly perfectly, but with the occasional blurry image from my left eye. Things also look lower contrast and I dont have the greatest depth perception. My left eye sees things pretty blurry, but its still able to accommodate. When it does accommodate everything looks minified and hard to see. Im not blind without glasses, but my eyes definitely go crazy. A lot of people with a similar prescription to me just say theyre blind without glasses to justify wearing glasses. A lot of the time I feel like my glasses prescription is too weak to wear full time, but Im self conscious about my glasses being thick at the same time. One ophthalmologist basically said I dont really have sight issues since my right eye is 20/20. Its actually closer to 20/30, but thats not the point.

Billy A. 22 Jan 2018, 02:27

Weirdeyes

I don' know exactly, but she said if she cover left eye, everythings blurry. If she cover right eye, everythings more blurry and if shes looking both eyes, everything is "chaotic blob of nothing and my eyes are going crazy". I cannot imagine how she can see without any correction..

Weirdeyes 22 Jan 2018, 02:07

Billy A

Did she ever suffer from latent hyperopia or appear to have near perfect vision in one eye? One OD estimated my prescription is around +3.00 and +6.00, but the tropicamide didnt show those results so he dropped that theory.

Billy A. 22 Jan 2018, 01:49

Weirdeyes

To complete, my co-worker is +3 and +7.5 with some low cyls and she had the same trouble as you described on the topic "Lenses"

NNVisitor 21 Jan 2018, 20:26

Weirdeyes

When I get my eyes checked the assistant will use the autorefractor. Afterwards the opthalmologist or optometrist will test my vision doing the better or worse routine. This takes quite a while so it seems like the autorefractor just gives a general estimate which turns out to not be precise. In my case the examiner will accept the subjective results always no matter which doctor does the exam.

I've had the drop put in my eyes on most visits. The doctor will always wait until my pupils are large before checking my eyes and my vision. In my case the drops make it easy for them to see inside my eyes. I am nearsighted with astigmatism so I'm assuming that the drops don't have the same effect as in your situation.

Billy A. 21 Jan 2018, 13:01

Weirdeyes

Thanks for sharing your experience. Maybe every autorefractor is different, like every person is different.. But what is interesting, if you use the same autorefractor in the morning / afternoon / evening or before / after work, you will probably get different numbers. The same case with contacts, 30minutes after taking off gives you different numbers than 1 hour after, 3 hours after is also different. My co-worker has as simillar trouble as you have, she was freaking out about it... So i advised her to find optician who doesnt use autorefractor and make eye test like tens years ago, when the opticians had NO autorefractors. Luckily, she found one optometrist interested to "old school" eye tests. She said the test was terribly long and exhausting, but she got the results, what she is absolutely satisfied wherewith, after years of "trying" corrections. You should try the same way :)

Weirdeyes 21 Jan 2018, 12:08

Billy A

Maybe. Autorefractors are incredible inconsistent for some people. Some overminus, some might add too much plus and a lot add too much or not enough cyl. On one autorefractor I got R+2.25 -0.75 L +2.25 -1.50 when I was wearing a +3.25 contact lens. When I took the contact lens out I scored +4.50 -1.50. If autorefractors were more consistent I would have gotten +5.50 -1.50. On a more recent autorefractor I got R +0.50 -0.25 L +3.50 -0.75. That made the ophthalmologist think I have perfect vision on my right eye even though its definitely less than sharp. The cyl is definitely too low here. My right eye sees 20/30 while my left can see about 20/50. The autorefractor reading I got recently does look a lot like an old prescription I used to have. My current prescription is R +0.75 -0.75 L +4.25 -1.50. A lot of ODs are heavily biased towards autorefractor readings.

Billy A. 21 Jan 2018, 11:30

I'm little bit confused about my last eye test. My RX is for many years

L -0.25 R -0.25

(So I'm wearing overcorrection -5.25, sometimes GOC -12)

I can read 20/20 line without any correction, everything is absolutely clear. But I went to another optometrist to make eye test, one month after my last.. just for fun. What surprising when she told me I'm

L +0.25 R +0.25 +0.25 axis 100

This test was the same way like other tests before, my vision is as same as before.. Was this autorefractor malfunctioned, or what? Can someone understand this? :)

Mister Roberts 18 Jan 2018, 13:42

Has anybody used EyeQue cell phone self eye exam device? If so I wonder if it could be used for GOC Rx?

George1968 17 Jan 2018, 15:45

JenD,

How often were you wearing your glasses before this prescription? Had you already been fulltime? If not, how are you adjusting to fulltime wear (I am assuming with the new prescription you are now a fulltime wearer).

16 Jan 2018, 15:10

What is the maximum prism that can be obtained by decentering

a 52mm -4 lens?

Josh 16 Jan 2018, 15:02

Hi JenD, if you want to know more about your eyesight i invite you to join to lenschat.com then you can chat about your vision and glasses.

JenD 16 Jan 2018, 14:40

Thanks, the doctor didn't know exactly how long it had been. I just said that it had been a while. She kept asking if the image was too sharp and clear.

Soundmanpt 16 Jan 2018, 14:13

JenD

Thanks that is a big help. Okay you even included the fact that yoo're in

grad school and doing a lot of reading. Doing close work is helpful for people trying to induce myopia. Now in your case you weren't trying to do that but it doesn't matter the result is the same. In other words so much reading has probably helped to make your eyes a bit more nearsighted.

Also if it has been 2 - 3 years since you were prescribed with your -1.50 glasses going up even by -1.25 isn't out of line at all. Yes of course it is nearly twice what your glasses were but that's only because your prescription wasn't all that strong to start with. Needing an increase of -.50 per year is about normal really. Honestly i don't know why your doctor was freaking out. The increase wasn't all that much and only about average considering how long it has been since you got your other glasses. You say you're in your early to mid twenties so it's very normal for your eyes to still be changing and the added strain of extra reading is sure to add to that as well. so nothing that should make the doctor freak out.

Also if I were you I would insist on the doctor to give you -2.75 -.50 157 / -2.75 -.25 28. in your new glasses. For the difference of only -.25 it doesn't make any sense to only give you -2.50 knowing tha your going to be slightly under prescribed. That means it will be much faster for you to be returning for new glasses because you're are too weak. Your young i'm sure that your eyes won't have any problem adjusting to either -2.50 or -2.75 glasses the same way.

JenD 16 Jan 2018, 13:43

It's been quite a long time. Maybe 2-3 years. I'm in my early/mid 20s but I read a lot for graduate school. She said the prescription was probably closer to -2.75 -0.50 but she likes to give people a lower power. Should I get the thin lenses? She said I might need them now.

Soundmanpt 16 Jan 2018, 13:28

Marianna

Okay I think I can help you with understanding the numbers on his prescription slip.

The OD stands of his right eye and the OS is for his left eye.

The SPH is is distance. In his case he is farsighted meaning that his glasses are mostly for helping him see things close up better. His right eye is considerably better than his left eye. The higher the number the stronger the lens. But in his case the SPH really is for his distance. In other words he needs this for things like driving a car. The CYL means he also has astigmatisms which si the shape of the internal eye. not something that you would be able to see by looking at his eyes. Again his right eye is better than his left eye there as well. Axis is not a power number but just to tell the angle the lenses needs to be positioned. The next thing is prism and he apparently only has prism in his left lens of his glasses. This is harder to explain but it means that lens is made in way to force his eyes into a certain position. How the add is in the bottom of his glasses and it is for reading from say a book. So it is even stronger than the SPH is because it is in addition to the SPH numbers you see. Since you're fascinated by your boyfriends glasses i'm sure that you tried his glasses on yourself. I doubt that you were able to see much with his glasses on and you shouldn't ear his glasses for very long because that prism can do nasty things to someones eyes that don't need prism. But because you probably can't see very well wearing them I don't thing you will have them on long enough to do any harm to your eyes.

Soundmanpt 16 Jan 2018, 13:09

JenD

Okay that helps but I ask once again how much time has gone by between these 2 prescriptions. That makes a lot f difference. If it has only been a year then going up a full diopter is quite a bit, not terrible though. But if it has been 2 or 3 years in between then your eyes didn't really change much from year to year.

i can tell you that at -1.50 you were around the point of starting to need your glasses full time. At that point it was up to you if you wanted to wear glasses full time or not. Now you really should be wearing glasses full time. Again though I really need to know the time frame of both prescriptions to answer you better.

Josh 16 Jan 2018, 12:54

JenD

I guess you didn´t wear your glasses fulltime, that way i could say you didn´t notice how bad your eyes really were, now it´s time to go fulltime, could you tell your age?

Andrew 16 Jan 2018, 09:22

JenD,

Many years ago, I had a similar jump in my prescription. As I was a student at the time, it was described to me as being at the upper limit if normal. It had also been a year since my previous sight test (if not a little longer). I dont know how long you left it between eye tests, but if the optician did not ask to see you rather sooner than before, it might be a good idea to go back in six months rather than leaving it a year (or more). Age and occupation can also be a factor.

JenD 16 Jan 2018, 03:33

Forgot to post the new prescription!

It is

-2.50 -0.50 157

-2.50 -0.25 028

Weirdeyes 16 Jan 2018, 00:47

Mariana

They are plus lenses which magnify your eyes. Your boyfriend is farsighted. A normal eye relaxes for distance, but uses the ciliary muscles to focus up close. Someone who is farsighted has to use the ciliary muscles to focus at all distances. So they might be able to see clearly at all distances. Unfortunately this causes eyestrain. Since your boyfriend has bifocals I assume he probably cant focus very much anymore. That means his vision is probably blurry at all distances. He has astigmatism, which makes things blurry and distorted at all distances. Since he has base out prism that means his eyes have a tendency to cross. Out of curiosity do his eyes look different sizes when he wears glasses? I have a somewhat similar prescription and I worry about that.

Marianna 16 Jan 2018, 00:18

Always been fascinated by my boyfriend's glasses. They magnify his eyes and came across this site so I can get a better understanding of why. I found his prescription and this is what is written on it. I would really appreciate if someone will tell me what it all means.

SPH +2.50

CYL -0.50

AXIS 105

ADD 1.50

SPH +4.00

CYL -1.25

AXIS 135

PRISM1 6

BASE1 BO

ADD 1.50

Thanks

Josh 15 Jan 2018, 20:50

JenD, for what you said your current rx is around -5, so it´s wise what dr said, very dangerous driving without correction, even with your current glasses you are very nearsighted. make sure to get your new glasses soon.

Soundmanpt 15 Jan 2018, 13:56

JenD

We can't really answer your question because you didn't provide what your new prescription has increased to? It sounds like you had a really big increase the 20/400 doesn't really help. also how long ago was it when you got the -1.50 -.25 160 / -1.50 prescription?

JenD 15 Jan 2018, 13:25

Is my vision really a lot worse?

I just had an eye exam and my doctor was freaking out a little about how poorly I see in my current glasses. She said I wouldn't be legal to drive with them on and my vision has worsened to 20/400 without glasses. She was definitely quite surprised that I didn't get new glasses sooner and kept saying that the image with my new glasses on might be really sharp and take a while to adjust to. She also said that she didn't give me an extra step in power because the change was already quite big. Is she exaggerating?

Old prescription: -1.50 -0.25 160; -1.50

New prescription is attached.

GreginColo 12 Jan 2018, 06:03

Paul, just curious about how the latest exam went for your older son. Thanks in advance for the update if you choose to provide one.

Puffin 08 Jan 2018, 15:28

Katie,

Glad to hear Maddie is adapting to her glasses and suddenly much clearer vision.

And that word "adapting" is important, because it doesn't happen overnight; it's as if her visual system needs to be coaxed from ignoring the useless fog in the distance to deciphering what can now be seen. So that's one reason why Maddie isn't given the full (assumed) prescription right away - the results of such a sudden change (from fog to clear-ish) are not always predictable, so it is wise to be cautious. It's not as if she needs to drive a car, and correcting most of her myopia is a lot better than nothing.

The ECP is also trying to avoid overcorrecting Maddie's vision, thus making her hyperopic (ie the opposite situation to hers). This would bring other difficulties such as eyestrain and/or a squint (a turned in eye) which would be problematic to resolve. So, caution first, avoid overcorrection, give her most of her prescription and see what happens.

As for her level of myopia, well some decades ago I thought anything over 10 dioptres just didn't exist - I was initially surprised when I read about cases over that level. Since then I've spent many years reading about vision and by now there's not much that surprises me.

I have read of a case of a woman who was born with ~17 dioptres of myopia in each eye but her prescription did not change that much as she grew into adulthood, only by 5 or 6 dioptres, which is not that much of an increase.

So don''t worry. Let Maddie get used to seeing, and let the ECP decide what to do in six months time; by then the situation will be clearer, in all senses.

08 Jan 2018, 13:14

Katie 02 Jan 2018, 23:59

Maddie's first day with glasses was great! It was like the glasses gave her joy, and put a spark in her day, not to mention, she looks cute as a button with her little glasses. I was a bit nervous about her needing glasses so young, especially because of the high prescription, but after watching her today, I can'y complain. I can only imagine how much life her full prescription will give her. Plus, she starts vision therapy Thursday, hopefully that will help her too.

Cactus Jack 02 Jan 2018, 16:25

Katie,

I think in a few days, Maddie, will start becoming a different child. Her world has been very small, but there is no way she could have experienced what it is like to really be able to see things.

It may happen as soon as bed time tonight, but don't be surprised if she cries when you take her glasses off and may cry until you help her put them on in the morning.

It is common for a first prescription to be under corrected in young children. It makes it easier for them to learn to see.

Remember she has a whole world to discover. In a few days she will be playing catch up. Help her to discover that world.

Soundmanpt 02 Jan 2018, 14:47

Katie

Cactus jack has been providing you with very good advice so i don't wish to enter into that at all. But I will say the reason Maddie is keeping her glasses on is because even at 3 she is able to see the improvement that her glasses are providing her. If they were helping her you can be sure she might not be so willing to wear them.

Katie 02 Jan 2018, 14:08

I took Maddie in to get her new glasses today. Because they saw how I was not sure of her glasses or preacription, they were kind enough to take us back in to the examination room to show me that maddie, is actually very nearsighted, and that while her current glasses will help her see, she actually needs an even stronger prescription.

We have been home a few hours now, and Maddie does not seem to mind her glasses at all. She has kept them on this whole time, and I can see the difference, she seems more smiley and active. She is actually playing around.

Paul 01 Jan 2018, 15:49

Cactus I really appreciate you taking the time to give a detailed answer.

I fear what you say will be close to the eyetest result on Wednesday. Malc carefully tried on his brothers' glasses and can see the TV clearly with both, he thought Jack's better. The previous under prescription and degenerating vision means we have to expect a massive increase.

I expect the cross eyes will also need attention. Poor lad also has astigmatis. A lot to bear for a 4 year old.

In our home he fooled us all. Only when out and about did we realise the extent of the problem.

Cactus Jack 01 Jan 2018, 14:57

Paul,

Motion sickness is typically caused by a difference between what your eye are seeing and what your semi-circular canals are feeling.

The brain often compensates for problems with one sense (vision) by developing another sense to extreme levels. Sometimes is is hearing, but Malc may have developed very high sensitivity to balance signals from his semi-circular canals. When I was young, I absolutely could not read in a car, without getting nauseous.

I think his Myopia has increased enough, that looking out the windows of the car is a waste of time.

It appears that you like to work in English measurements rather than Metric. Here is a simple formula for calculating effective lens power. Just divide the distance in inches into 40. It is not exact because 1 meter = 39.37 inches, but close enough. If Malc is holding something about 6 inches from his eyes to see something clearly with his glasses, it means that he needs about, 40 / 6 = 6.66 diopters, more correction in his glasses. The calculation is not very exact in this case, because of Vertex Distance effects with high prescription glasses. I suspect Malc needs somewhere around -16 of correction. Because of Vertex Distance effects, that would require glasses in the -20 range to produce -16 at his corneas. I don't know if Jack's glasses are large enough to allow Malc to try them, but it might be an interesting experiment to let Malc try them and ask what he can see with each eye individually. Also, if you have any of Malc's weaker glasses you might asking him what he can see wearing them over his -10 glasses.

It is very sad, but a fact of life that your boys are very Myopic. I would suggest that you and your brother should look on the bright side of a bad situation. We live in an age of incredible advances in understanding genetics, sequencing genes, and on the threshold of being able to correct genetic problems and also correct gene related health problems. Hopefully, these advance will benefit your boys in the future and their Progressive Myopia can be stopped in the near future and perhaps even reversed. The important thing right now, is to give the boys the best possible vision. Vision is the most important factor (80%) in learning.

When you say that Malc keeps loosing his glasses, is he misplacing them or purposely taking them off? It may be that they are just not providing enough benefit ti be worth bothering with.

It is pretty common to under prescribe first glasses if the prescription is high. Children with high myopia typically do not know how to use their Ciliary Muscles (Focusing Muscles) for focusing close and they have to learn how to do it. Once they develop the ability to use their focusing muscles, most ECPs will prescribe full prescription for distance. However, in the case of Progressive Myopia, some ECPs will prescribe bifocals or separate glasses for read in the hopes that it will minimize the rate of increase. There is a theory that the focusing effort stimulates eyeball growth and increased myopia is the result.

You did not mention that Malc is having some problem with his eyes crossing. I mentioned that my background is Electronic and Computer Engineering. i have studied and tried to analyze how the Eye Positioning Control System works because I also have a problem with my eyes trying to cross. Typically, children with very high Hyperopia or long sightedness have more problems with their eyes trying to cross than children who have high Myopia, Like Malc, Jack and Will. I have a theory that is pretty involved. I will try to explain that in my next post.

Again, I hope this is helping. Please feel free to tell me if you are having trouble understanding any of this.

Paul 01 Jan 2018, 09:53

Hopefully someone can help to put our minds at rest.

Malc is causing concern. Yesterday we drove south to catch up with my brother home from France for Hogmanay. Malc was very car sick both ways, he has not done that since he first got glasses, he didn't look out of the window, just held a picture of his favourite character right infront of his nose.

He loves Uncle Brian, my brother, but when we got to the house he seemed to be confused which man was his uncle. He made no smiles until Brian came over and picked him up.

Brian hasn't seen the twins since they got their glasses and when the two of us went for a short walk he cried when talking about the sight of his two nephews wearing such thick strong glasses. Brian asked if Malc 's vision was poor again. He had given Malc a pack of playing card of his favourite cartoon pictures and he only recognised them when he held the cards very close. Brian tried to play snap with Malc and Malc got everything wrong and kept lifting the card nearer.

We drove home this morning and there were two cars in the driveway, Malc asked which one was ours.

Since getting home I have tried to be calm but have been testing what Malc can see. It seems he needs to hold the cards about 6 inches or less before he recognises the picture.

The past six weeks have been manic. The twins got their glasses, work at the shop long hours before and after Christmas, a flu bug hit the kids. I feel guilty to say we have not been over concerned until yesterday. Malc keeps losing his glasses and after reading below it maybe they just don't give good vision any more.

I thought the doctor said they would not under prescribe Malc last time, could I have misunderstood and this coupled with worsening vision means he just cant see well now.

Thankfully we changed his visit for an eyetest to this Wednesday, I am anxious what strength glasses he will now need. The doctor has said his condition is pathologically progressive and they hopefully could slow things down. I know his eyes have become a lot more crossed recently.

What sort of increase is likely in 6 months? How strong do they make glasses suitable for him to wear to get good results?

Sorry to ramble on but we are now worried.

Cactus Jack 31 Dec 2017, 16:54

Katie,

I was working on the post below, off line, and did not see your additional questions.

I am not surprised that your ECP under corrected Maddie. i should have mentioned that as a possibility.

There can be several reasons why full correction for for high Myopia does not provide 20/20 vision. The most obvious one is what Weirdeyes mentioned. Vertex Distance effects cause all kinds of thing to happen to the images delivered to the eye. The most obvious one is minification of the images, which you experience with your prescription. There is another VD effect related to the distance of the back surface of the glasses from the Cornea. The farther a Minus lens is from the Cornea, the less effective it is. For example, a -18 lens 10 mm from the Cornea has an effective power at the Cornea of -14.75.

The minification effect makes things smaller on the Retina. The Retina has millions of Rods and Cones, but only about 1 million nerve fibers in the optic nerve. The Retina does preliminary image processing to compress the signals from the rods and cones and if something is very small, it may get lost in the compression process. Not unlike what takes place in a digital camera. That means that a person who wears very high minus glasses Visual Acuity, even with perfect correction, drops below 20/20. Contact Lenses have Zero Vertex Distance, so the image is not minified very much and better Visual Acuity results.

Another factor affecting VA is that if the eyeball gets elongated too much, the Retina can get stretched and that can cause distortion with the risk of Retinal Detachment.

Maddie is much too young to wear contact lenses.

Cactus Jack 31 Dec 2017, 16:12

Katie,

You have the numbers right. However, Your Astigmatism is very significant while Maddie's is pretty much a nuisance. I suspect your Sphere prescription has stabilized and your Axial Myopia is not dangerously high. Maddie needs to be monitored by her ECP to be aware of Retinal Detachment as she gets older.

The problem is not with her eyes, but her genes are the likely cause. Axial Myopia is caused by a mismatch between the PLUS power of her eye's lens system or the length of her eyeballs. Either one, or both together, can cause Myopia.

Unfortunately, there is no simple way to estimate a 2 or 3 year olds refractive error without optometric tools.

An Eye Exam has two parts. The Objective part, where the Examiner looks into your eyes with an Ophthalmoscope or an Auto Refractor and the Subjective part, where you tell the examiner what you see. Maddie is too young to be able to tell the examiner what she sees with any accuracy. I suspect they used an Auto Refractor to get close to her prescription.

You can request a re-check of her prescription if it would make you feel more comfortable , but that may not be necessary or even useful. I can almost guarantee that the prescription is NOT exactly correct, but it may be acceptable for the visual needs of a 2 year old. There may be an easier way to tell if the glasses are close to what she needs.

The first thing is to observe her visual habits, can you estimate her recognition distance? In other words, how close does something have be for her to recognize it and reach for it? Does she appear to recognize a close relative by voice sound or clothing color, rather than by sight?

Does she run into things? If the prescription is pretty close, she does not see anything clearly beyond about 3 inches or 8 cm from her eyes.

How does she react to wearing the glasses, after she gets over the strangeness of having them on. Most children initially fight wearing glasses until they discover what they have been missing. From then on, they get upset when they have to take them off. You wont have to force her to wear them she will want wear them because she has a lot of catching up to do.

In her situation, a weaker pair of glasses wont slow down her Myopia. She is growing and so are her eyeballs. It might help a little to wear weaker glasses when she starts trying to focus close to read or look at picture books, but you ECP is the person to ask. The most important thing right now is to let her vision develop. Her brain has to learn to see and learn how to use her Ciliary Muscles to focus and how to control her eye positioning muscles.

I hope this helps. Please let us know how she reacts to the glasses.

May I ask where you live? (Country)

Weirdeyes 31 Dec 2017, 13:32

Katie

Im not an expert in myopia, but part of the reason she cant see 20/20 with her full prescription is because of minification. Her glasses make things look smaller. Making it stronger will only make the minification worse. Contact lenses help with this.

Katie 31 Dec 2017, 13:26

One more thing, that I don't understand is that the doctor said she will not be able to see 20/20 with her glasses even in 6 months with the full prescription. Why not? Can't they just give her a higher prescription to help her see even better?

Katie 31 Dec 2017, 13:21

Also, I forgot to mention, but it might be important, the doctor is not giving her her full prescription now. She will give that in 6 months, and in three months she will increase the prescription by 2.5 diopters (half of what she took out). Leaving her at -17.5 and -20.25 for her sphere, which is what the doctor said her true prescription is.

Weirdeyes 31 Dec 2017, 13:07

Katie

Plus glasses wont help at all in her case. Shes already very nearsighted. The theory for wearing plus glasses is to stop you from focusing too much when doing close work. The typical reading distance is 14 to 16 inches. The furthest she can see without glasses is about 3 inches. What might work is a reduced prescription for close up work, but thats generally not necessary.

Katie 31 Dec 2017, 12:41

So, I assume that makes Maddie's -13.5 and -16.75 along the short axis. This still makes her prescription higher than mine, and there is a 25 year age difference. Plus the fact that she is only 2 and this is her first pair. Is there something wrong with her eyes that is making her vision so bad? Also back to my initial question. How do I know if this is her actual prescription and not a mistake? Because her prescription is awfully high. Also, when the glasses come should I make her wear them all the time, won't that just make her eyesight even worse? Should I get her a weaker pair to wear all the time so her glasses do not cause her already bad eyesight to get even worse? Along the same line, should she wear a pair of + or reading glasses for reading and other close work when she gets older to help keep her eyesight from getting even worse than it ultimately naturally will?

Cactus Jack 31 Dec 2017, 12:01

Katie,

You have substantially more astigmatism than your younger sister, along with your Myopia. You said your sister has a different father. I suspect you both inherited a predisposition for Myopia from your common mother.

Myopia and Astigmatism have different causes. Axial or True Myopia is caused by a mismatch between the total PLUS power of the eye's lens system and the length of the eyeball. Astigmatism is typically caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of the Cornea.

The Axis angle is the Long Axis of the Cylinder correction. The Cylinder power on the Long Axis is 0.00. However the Cylinder power along the Short axis (90 degrees from the Long axis) is the power listed.

Your lens powers are

-9.25 along the Long Axis and -13.25 along the Short Axis

and

-8.75 along the Long Axis and -14.50 along the Short Axis

GreginColo 31 Dec 2017, 11:24

Paul,

No doubt you know your boys will have some visual challenges as they grow up, but good these were caught early while much on their early development is occurring. As you have already, seen Cactus Jack is a wealth of information to supplement what you learn from your ECP.

If I am recalling correctly, there was a similar post some while back from a mother, i think in the UK, whose youngsters, forget if they were boys or girls or a combination, had early high myopia similar to your sons. I think she posted under the name "Concerned Mama" if a recall correctly. I don't recall any recent posts from her, to see how her kids are progressing, but that might be a possible resource for you.

There is a lesser known US actor named Jon Tyler, who has been very open in sharing some about his visual history and need for strong myopic correction, if I recall beginning around age 2, similar to the Rx of your younger guys. In his case one of his siblings was also very myopic, but two others had fairly normal vision, so its weird how genetics work.

Do you know the Rx of of your boys' ancestors with myopia, and at what age they started needing glasses. Also do the boys have cousins from the the same ancestry, and if so, how is their vision.

I know it may seem overwhelming, and no doubt scary, at the time but you seem to be asking the right questions and getting the right help for your sons. Best wishes to you and your family.

Cactus Jack 31 Dec 2017, 11:20

Paul,

There are some excellent eye hospitals in the UK. One of the best in the world is Moorfields, in London.

Thanks for the info on your education. I'll try to not get too deep into the math and physics. If you don't understand something, please tell me.

I don't know how it is in the UK, but for years it was said that you had to have a University degree to be successful. That has turned out to be poor advice, particularly if you spend a lot of money and get a degree in a field that is not very marketable. The most important thing is to learn how to learn and never stop studying and learning. I graduated from High School in 1954, at that time Computers were "laboratory curiosities". Thomas Watson, head of IBM, said that he thought there might be a market for 12 computers in the world. Of course, back then, the integrated circuit and microprocessor had not even been imagined. My electronics education involved vacuum tubes. I worked my way thru college fixing TVs, mostly replacing burned out tubes. These days about the only vacuum tubes are the Picture Tubes in old TVs, but they have almost disappeared. I had to teach myself about how Computers work and how to apply them for solving problems.

It is very likely that your boys will become more nearsighted, but you and your wife did good by catching it early and seeking care for them. Malc is growing and his eyeballs are also growing which will increase his Myopia. The good thing is that he knows to tell you when he can't see well. You might want to ask his doctor if a reduced prescription for reading might slow the rate of increase.

There is a simple reason why Will lets you know if you get the glasses wrong and Jack does not. Will needs -24 to be able to see pretty well. If he wears Jack's glasses, the difference in the two lenses, are uncomfortable and he does not see very well beyond about 6 inches with one eye and 12 inches with the other. When Jack is wearing Will's -24 glasses, he can easily compensate by using his Ciliary Muscles and Crystalline Lenses (his auto-focus system) to compensate for the extra Minus. Unfortunately, it does not work the other way around. Will (nor anyone else) can reduce the fully relaxed power of his Crystalline Lens to make up for the additional Minus that he needs for distance.

Sometimes, it is desirable to remove the Crystalline Lens (see previous post) in people who are very Myopic, to reduce the Minus Power they need in their glasses.

That can actually improve their Visual Acuity. The explanation for that is a bit complex so lets don't worry about that right now.

The surgery is actually the same as Cataract Surgery. The downside is that they loose their ability to focus. There are solutions for that.

There is considerable R & D being done to improve vision for people who are very Myopic. You boys will likely benefit from future developments.

Your family history and situation might be useful for genetic research. You might enquire if DNA samples from you, your wife, and your boys would be helpful in identifying the genes that cause extreme Myopia. Obtaining a DNA sample is a painless swab from inside the cheek.

Let me know, if you have more questions.

Katie 31 Dec 2017, 08:46

I am 27 and my prescription is -9.25, -4.00 and -8.75, -5.75.

Paul 31 Dec 2017, 05:46

Hi cactus,

Thanks for the reply. Jack and Will are identical twins and see the same eye doctor at the hospital who sees Malc. We live in Northern Scotland. My education suffered as we started a family so young and I continue to work in the same supermarket in Elgin.

I fear that all three have a condition which will get worse, how bad can it get? We have brought forward Malc's eyetest to next week as he says he cant see the TV unless he sits right up close. He has an ipad and holds that very very close too, we were told to watch out for that. His last new glasses were in June.

We try to be very careful with the twins but sometimes I get the glasses the wrong way round. Wills lets me know straightaway but Jack doesn't seem bothered. Without glasses they just lie still but with glasses they are into everything. They are retested end of January.

The doctor says the twins are the most severe he has seen in 30years and says when older they may operate to remove the eyelens, I think that's right.

Cactus Jack 31 Dec 2017, 05:16

Katie,

May I ask your age and prescription?

Katie 31 Dec 2017, 00:13

Hi, thanks for getting back to me. My sister is almost 3. I am not sure about her dad's side of the family, but on our mom's side, there is me, our grandma and an aunt and an uncle. Another thing that had me worried was how different her eyes are, but I reading what you said to Paul, I guess it is not much.

Cactus Jack 30 Dec 2017, 22:33

Paul,

One other comment. There is not that much difference between Jack's and Will's prescription. It seems like a lot, but if the cause of the myopia is the distance from the Crystalline Lens to the Retina, there is less than 1 mm difference between -21 and -24.

Cactus Jack 30 Dec 2017, 22:25

Paul,

Unfortunately, It appears that your boys are the exception to what I told Katie. Hyperopia sometimes gets better, but Myopia typically increases as a child grows.

The eyes are biological cameras and the optics of the eyes obey the Laws of Optics codified by Sir Isaac Newton, of gravity fame, over 300 years ago.

Occasionally, babies are born with Myopia. It appears that in your boys case, there is a genetic link from your wife's father and from your father's father.

I have several questions I would like to ask. They are not personal questions, but if you would prefer to answer privately I will provide an email address:

1. Where do you live? (country)

2. What is your educational background in math and the sciences? (helps me answer questions)

3. Are your boys under the care of an Eye Care Professional who specializes in High or Progressive Myopia?

4. If so, has there been any mention or explanation of the optics of the eye or the usual causes of Myopia?

5. Are Jack and Will identical or fraternal twins?

A couple of comments:

The 3 diopter mismatch in Jack's eyes are nothing to get very excited about. The eyes develop independently and not common to have exactly the same prescription in both eyes. I suspect Will has some difference, but at 1 year old there is no way to determine what it is exactly using an auto-refractor or an Ophthalmoscope. The important thing is to provide them with correction that allows them to see, with reasonable clarity, objects that are more than about 5 cm or 2 inches away. Without his -10 glasses, everything is very blurry for Malcolm beyond about 10 cm or 4 inches.

By the way, I am 80. I am NOT an Eye Care Professional (ECP). My background is Electronic Engineering and Computers (IOW, Problem Solving). I studied Optics in Physics and became seriously interested in Vision, when I was told by ECPs that a particular problem I had, could not be corrected. I did not believe them and started working on the problem with an understanding ECP. Turned out it could be corrected and the ECP and I became friends. He thought I should be teaching.

I guess you could call me an Amateur in the original French sense, as one who studies a subject out of Love of Knowledge about the subject.

I would like to find you to easy-to-understand explanation of the optics of the eye. I had a link to a paper that was excellent, but when the hard disk crashed, that was one of the things that was lost. I will look for a good explanation.

I will try to explain, in words, until I can find some easy to understand illustrations.

The eyes are similar to high end Digital Cameras. The lens system actually has 4 elements that contribute to the total PLUS power of the system. From front to back the lenses are:

1. The Cornea - Fixed Focus and normally strong PLUS (in adults about +40 diopters)

2. Aqueous Humor - Fixed Focus and normally weak PLUS. So weak it is typically ignored in most explanations.

3. Crystalline Lens - Variable Focus. About +20 diopters when relaxed for distance. The Ciliary Muscles can typically squeeze the Crystalline Lens to increase its power to more than +33 diopters in children to allow them to focus very close.

4. Vitreous Humor - Fixed Focus weak PLUS transparent gel. It is typically ignored also.

The Retina is like the film or Digital Image Sensor in the camera.

Note that all the lenses are PLUS lenses and the total varies with the individual. In a adult the relaxed total is around +59 diopters.

The most basic law of optics is pretty simple. It states that a +1.00 diopter lens will focus parallel rays of light from a distant object at a distance of 1 meter, 100 cm or 1000 mm. Mathematically, it is expressed for our purposes as: Lens Power in Diopters = 1000 mm / Focal Distance in mm.

An adult eye is about 25 mm (1 inch) in diameter. The lenses are inset into the eye and the typical distance for a person who does not need any correction is about 17 mm. If we divide 17 mm into 1000 mm the result is about +59 diopters Sound familiar?

If the eye is smaller than 25 mm or 1 inch, as it is in a baby, the distance from the Crystalline Lens to the Retina is much less than 17 mm and it takes more PLUS to focus closer. Normally, a baby will learn to use his Ciliary Muscles to supply that extra PLUS in a month or so.

Optically, there can only be two causes of the high Myopia. Either their lens system is much stronger than than what is required or their eyeballs are a bit longer (larger than is typical).

I hope this makes sense. I look forward to your response. If you would like to chat privately, my email address is cactusjack1928@hotmail.com

Paul 30 Dec 2017, 19:21

We are young parents, I am 22 my wife 21. We have three lovely boys. Malcolm just 4 and one year old twins, Jack and Will.

We noticed Malc bumped into things when he started to walk, turned out he needed glasses. His prescription has got worse and he now wears minus 10 glasses. He likes them and is no problem.

The twins seemed to pay no attention to faces when smaller and they are also now wearing glasses but much stronger. Jack has mismatched eyes one minus 18 the other minus 21. His brother Will has a staggering minus 24 both eyes.

Neither my wife nor I wear glasses. My late father in law was very short sighted as was my paternal grandfather. No other family members wear glasses.

I am hoping from what you say Cactus that their visions will improve as they grow older.

Cactus Jack 30 Dec 2017, 18:09

Hi Katie,

How old is your sister? Does myopia run in your family? High Myopia usually has a genetic component.

antonio 30 Dec 2017, 17:52

Is your younger sister blinder than you without glasses ? Just test it. If not the doctor might have confused prescriptions.

How far can your sister identify a designed animal on an image clearly. Write here and we can calculate . How near does she hold a picture book to her eyes ?

Best regards Katie, antonio

Confused 30 Dec 2017, 16:53

Hi, my name is Katie, and my younger sister just got prescribed glasses for the first time. I also wear glasses, have most of my life, and am pretty nearsighted, or so I thought until my sister got her prescription. I think the doctor made a mistake. Her prescription is higher than mine. Anyways, this is her prescription: Right eye: -12.5, -1.00, 70 and left eye: -15.25, -1.5 and 025. How do I know if her prescription is correct? Without taking her in for another appointment? The prescription just seems awfully high for a kid. Any thoughts?

Cactus Jack 30 Dec 2017, 16:34

Joey,

I suggest you read "how to Study for an Eye Exam" before your appointment. Complaining that your vision is worse in low light condition is also a good complaint.

Joey 30 Dec 2017, 11:24

Hi,

I got glasses 2 years ago for a tiny prescription of -0.25 and -0.25 cyl -0.50. I am going for another appointment and am wondering if i say im having troubles seeing at night would they increase it? I plan on saying red is clearer once as well.

Cactus Jack 23 Dec 2017, 20:00

Jack,

With a prescription of -1.00 it is optional, with one exception. If you drive, you should wear your glasses. That said, once you get over the apprehension about wearing glasses and have worn them for a week or so, you may decide that you really like seeing distant objects clearly and it is easier to just wear them all the time.

Glasses are nothing more than tools to help you to clearly see small things beyond 1 meter. You already use tools because of other limitations and think nothing of it. There are two reasons you wear shoes, but the most important one is to keep the rocks from hurting your feet. One of the reasons you wear clothes is that your fur is not thick enough to keep you warm in winter. If you have occasion to drive a nail, you use a hammer to keep from hurting your hand.

By the way, don't think for a minute that others have not noticed that you need glasses. I suspect that you have the symptoms of not seeing distant things very well and you will likely hear a comment or two, that you finally got glasses.

Just remember that millions of people wear glasses and probably 95% had the same apprehension about what other people will say, I know i did. Another thing to remember, is that you wear vision correction for YOUR BENEFIT, not for the benefit of others. They don't get a vote in your decisions.

Likelenses 23 Dec 2017, 16:51

Jack

Your prescription is not really all that strong.Most first prescriptions are -.50, or -.75. However most first prescriptions are people in their pre teen to teenage years.

You would fall into the late onset myopia category, and although you will eventually NEED to wear full time, your prescription should not get above -3.00, or so.

In your occupation , you most likely spend a lot of time with near tasks, so you may have pseudo myopia, which exhibits the same symptoms as axial myopia,and requires minus lenses to see distant things clearly.

My own Myopia began at eighteen with a -1.00 prescription, and now at forty it is -10.5.In my case I probably needed glasses,at around age fifteen.

Jack 23 Dec 2017, 12:27

Thanks for the advice. Increasingly blurry after 1 metre is a good description. Wearing full time for 10 days sounds daunting, but I'll give it a try. Do people with this prescription usually wear glasses full time?

Is it a strong first prescription? I'm based in UK and work in Marketing/IT.

Cactus Jack 22 Dec 2017, 23:13

Jack,

Welcome to ES.

Yes, you should wear them quite a bit more, at least initially. Your prescription of about -1.00 in both eyes means that everything beyond about 1 meter or 40 inches is increasingly blurry. You were missing a lot of details. I suggest wearing your glasses whenever you are awake (i.e. full time) for 10 days to 2 weeks and then making a decision about when to wear them.

Vision actually occurs in the brain. Your eyes are biological cameras. The brain has amazing ability to do image processing and can correct blurry images, IF it knows what something is supposed to look like. The snag is that it take a lot of effort and energy. In fact the brain does not need any visual input to create images. Ever had a dream?

Wearing your glasses full time for 10 days to 2 weeks will allow your brain to develop a new image processing algorithm that works well with high quality images that have been optically corrected. When that happens, your vision without your glasses will appear blurry. That makes some people think that their glasses have made their vision worse. That is not correct, your brain has effectively stored the old algorithm and is using the new one. If you stoped wearing your glasses, in a few days it would revert to the old algorithm, but it might complain some to tell you that it really prefers the new one.

I urge you to wear your glasses around friends and family over Christmas. That is a great time to let them make their comments, try on your glasses, get used to your new look. After a day or two, the only comments that will occur will be if you get a new frame style or are not wearing them.

If you have the time and are interested, I urge you to check out Macraes Story on the https://vision-and-spex.com/fantasy-and-true-stories-about-vision-glasses-f7 website. It is a rather long Saga about one of our new (at that time) members adventures with hyperopia and presbyopia. I think you may find it humorous. He was also very nervous about his family finding out that he needed glasses.

Please let up know if you have any questions that we can help you with.

May I ask your occupation and where you live?

Jack 22 Dec 2017, 15:22

Got my first prescription glasses today, age 29. It says -1.00 -0.25 5 left and -1.00 -- for right. Everything is so sharp with them in the city - all the details I was missing out on. Nervous about wearing them in front of family over Christmas for first time, but I'm sure it will be fine after a while. Optician said to wear them for night driving and cinema, but I think I need to wear them a bit more.

Plus Tony 17 Nov 2017, 06:45

Hi StephG

I noticed that it is a couple of weeks since your kids got their glasses. How are they (and you!) getting on?

StephG 02 Nov 2017, 10:47

The kids got their glasses about an hour ago. And all of them wore them to school afterwards. I told them to at least give their glasses a try for the rest of the day and then I will leave it to them (the older two) to make the right choice on whether or not to wear them tomorrow or how much they want to wear them. The doctor said to make sure #3 wears glasses all the time and same with #4. He also made me schedule #3 and #4 appointments for January.

Also I just realized I never answered Cactus question, but #1 and #4 are girls and #2 and #3 are boys

Soundmanpt 02 Nov 2017, 10:42

StephG

If you don't mind me asking which is which as far as prescriptions go. I mean which prescription is for the 13 year old and so on? I have a feeling the weakest prescription might be for the 13 year old. It would be most helpful to get the older one wearing his or her glasses because that would be a big help in getting the younger ones to his or her lead. Since you said that you don't know anything about glasses I assume that you don't wear glasses yourself. If you have trouble trying to get your kids to wear their glasses you may need to go on line and order yourself a nice pair of glasses. You can get really great looking glasses on-line for Zenni (zennioptical.com) for under $13.00. You could even add on the optional AR coating (anti-reflective) for another $5.00 which is very helpful with eliminating glare and reflections form your glasses. Just order them as non-prescription. If the kids see you wearing glasses that will help make them much more self confident about wearing their own glasses. Also by you wearing glasses you will have a much better understanding about glasses.

StephG 01 Nov 2017, 20:14

Well the kiddos glasses will be ready for pickup tomorrow. No surprise they are not excited. Will see how it goes.

StephG 30 Oct 2017, 16:25

#1 is 13, #2 is 9, #3 is 6 and #4 is 2.

As for history there is a history of cataracts in my hudband's mom's side, and one of his brothers wears glasses all the time as do two of his kids and one wears them to read, and his sister's kid only wears glasses for TV and other things here and there. My husband has reading glasses (he has had them since he was 8), but does not really need them. On my side, my great grandma had cataracts, and I have one niece who wears glasses all the time.

Cactus Jack 29 Oct 2017, 19:23

StephG,

Could you tell us a bit more about the kids, such as age and gender. Sometimes Nearsightedness and Farsightedness have a genetic component. Are there any vision problems in their parents or grandparents? That will give you an idea of what to expect in the future and how closely you need to monitor their vision.

StephG 29 Oct 2017, 18:36

Weirdeyes,

Thank you, for your explinations. The kiddos glasses should be ready this week. It is nice to know how much they need their glasses.

- Steph

Soundmanpt 29 Oct 2017, 12:37

StephG

I completely agree with "Weirdeyes" about those kids various prescriptions.

Weirdeyes 28 Oct 2017, 11:10

StephG

-0.50 and 0.00, -0.25,130;

This kid barely needs glasses. He/she has some pretty mild nearsightedness and astigmatism. Glasses might improve distance vision a bit, but don't be surprised if the glasses aren't worn. It's likely he/she will get a stronger prescription in the future. Maybe it's best not to get glasses for now.

-3.75, -0.50, 080 and -3.00;

This kid is moderately nearsighted. He/she will notice a huge difference with glasses.

-0.25, -0.25, 110 and -2.75, -0.75, 125

This kid has a difference between his/her eyes. To develop good depth perception he/she should wear glasses full time. Even if he/she doesn't notice a difference at first or feels weird.

And lastly -0.25 and +0.25

This is pretty much the mildest prescription possible. He/she doesn't need glasses.

StephG 28 Oct 2017, 10:38

Hi, can someone explain the following prescriptions for me. They are kids' prescription, I know very little about glasses, but would like to know what is going on with their eyes. Here they are:

-0.50 and 0.00, -0.25,130;

-3.75, -0.50, 080 and -3.00;

-0.25, -0.25, 110 and -2.75, -0.75, 125

And lastly -0.25 and +0.25

The doctor did explain very little about #3, but I did not completly grasp what he was saying.

Lou 25 Oct 2017, 06:09

Hi Freddie

Thank you very much for the clarification. I haven't personally worn varifocals, but my husband wears them. I believe that fit is very important. I'd suggest going back to the opticians and checking that your glasses fit so that you are looking through the right parts for the respective distances. If so, I'd ask for them to check your prescription again.

I really hope that this will help.

Best wishes

Lou

Freddie 25 Oct 2017, 05:15

Hi Lou

They are varifocals. The optician did say that if I was really struggling to get used to them I could try bifocals as they would probably be easier to adapt to but I don't like the idea of the line. Although with it being over a week and a half now I would have thought I would have gotten used to the varifocals if it was just a case of adapting

Lou 25 Oct 2017, 03:53

Hi Weird Eyes

The part about only plastic or hardened lenses appears to be part of the template of the sheet on which your prescription was hand written, so presumably is just the prescribing preference of the particular optician/company, and is probably on most people's prescriptions, with the exception of somebody who has been recommended lenses of a different material, for reasons relating to their prescription or life style.

Regarding your prescription, I don't imagine that you actually want an interpretation of your prescription, but please let us know if you do.

Best wishes

Lou

Lou 25 Oct 2017, 03:45

Hi Freddie

Can I please clarify that your new glasses are either varifocals (progressives) or bifocals. If they are just single vision glasses with the reading add, then these will be reading glasses only, and you would need a second pair without the reading add for full-time wear except reading. I can't however see a reputable opticians dispensing reading glasses as the only pair to someone who obviously primarily needs distance glasses, so I am wondering whether your difficulties are related to getting used to wearing varifocals for the first time.

Regarding whether 36 is too young for a reading add, in my opinion only, a reading add is not needed until the person themselves is finding difficulty with reading. Even if it makes close reading easier, I personally don't see why it would need dispensing, if the person themselves is not having any problems reading, or any symptoms relating to eye strain from reading, but as I say, this is my personal opinion only.

Best wishes

Lou

Freddie 25 Oct 2017, 03:26

Hi I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right place but was wondering if someone could give me some advice

I went for my check-up about 3 weeks ago and was told that my prescription had changed and that I would need a new glasses. That's not really a surprise it happens quite often but I was told that I was having trouble with my close up vision and would benefit from having a reading add included in my prescription to help with that. I'd not noticed any issues at all with reading, although I did struggle a bit with the close up chart.

I was also told that while my left eye had gotten worse the vision in my right eye had actually improved slightly.

My old prescription was

L-6.50, - 1.25 R-6.00, -0.50

My new prescription is

L -7.00, -1.50 R -5.75, -0.50 +1.25

I originally wasn't sure whether to go with the add or not but my optician said I would really benefit from them so decided to bite the bullet and do so. I picked up my glasses about a week and a half ago and my vision through them just seemed really strange, nothing seemed like it was fully in focus etc if that makes sense?

I explained this to the staff in the opticians and they just said because the prescription had changed they would take awhile to get used to. It's now been a week and a half and while my vision may have improved slightly through them it still doesn't feel 100%.

Is it possible the optician made a mistake with my eye test? Especially on my right eye with that prescription improving as I didn't think that was something that could happen. Or is it just a case that it is taking me awhile to adapt to the new lenses.

Also is an add of +1.25 really something that is necessary, i'm only 36 so feel a bit young to have one.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Freddie

p.s. sorry if this is a bit of a long post

Weirdeyes 24 Oct 2017, 23:10

Can someone help read my prescription? What do they mean about plastic and hardened lenses only?

http://imgur.com/4a4MhHA

antonio 18 Oct 2017, 08:07

Natasha,

the woman in yoir second link below saying she neefs them in the gym wears a stronger prescription, more like -3.5 or -4 or even stronger, especially in her right eye.

Best regards, antonio

Cactus Jack 17 Oct 2017, 23:24

Natasha,

Everything beyond 1/2 meter or about 20 inches is increasingly blurry without the glasses. Try on a pair of +2.00 over the counter reading glasses to get an idea.

Natasha 17 Oct 2017, 20:57

Thanks. Any more answers? With more specificity?

How bad is -2?

Cactus Jack 17 Oct 2017, 20:03

Natasha,

Very close to the same prescription. -2 in both pictures.

Natasha 17 Oct 2017, 10:36

I really want to know. Just a guess. Please.

Cactus Jack 17 Oct 2017, 10:03

Natasha,

Why is this so important to you?

Exercises like this are a waste of time and effort. Any guesses are just that. They are not even SWAGs.

I suggest you do a bit of homework and try to learn about the several things that affect the external appearance of a glasses prescription to others.

SWAG = Sophisticated Wild Assed Guess.

Boris 17 Oct 2017, 04:38

Worry not, Natasha, Fearless Leader will solve problem with help from Moose and Squirrel!

Natasha 16 Oct 2017, 22:04

PLEASE TRY. PRETTY PLEASE.

Yugz 06 Oct 2017, 14:25

Natasha

The first ones look stronger, but I can't really estimate.

Cactus Jack 06 Oct 2017, 13:50

Natasha,

There are too many unknown variables to even make a guess at a low minus prescription, which these are, from just looking at some pictures.

kelly 06 Oct 2017, 08:14

Natasha 30 Sep 2017, 09:11

Based on the distortion caused by the lenses, which of these people appears to have a stronger prescription? Can you provide rough estimates of the myopia?

https://imgur.com/a/gWrgc

https://imgur.com/a/CElPz

Cactus Jack 28 Sep 2017, 08:48

Here is the:SIMPLE PRISM TEST

It is not hard to measure the amount of prism it would take for full correction. All it takes is some adding machine or cash register tape, a marking pen, some painters or masking tape (ideally with very weak "stick-um" for easy removal) and something to measure distances.

It is a little easier to work with metric measurements, but you can do it also with inches and feet. You just have to do a little more math for conversions between the two.

This test is based on the definition of 1 prism diopter as: "That amount of prism that will deflect a ray of light 1 cm at a distance of 1 meter (100 cm)".

Ideally, this test is done without any prism correction in your glasses, but you need to be able to see some calibration marks on the adding machine tape with reasonable clarity. If you can't see the marks without glasses, you can still do the test, but you must account for the prism in the glasses.

1. Select a fairly blank wall that you can attach the calibrated adding machine tape to, using the painters or masking tape.

2. Decide where you will stand or sit while doing the test. Between 3 and 4 meters or 10 and 14 feet works best. Measure the distance from that location to the wall selected in Step 1.

3. Calculate how much displacement 1 prism diopter represents at the distance measured in Step 2.

4. Using the marker, mark the adding machine tape with major divisions 5x the distance calculated in Step 3 and optional minor tick marks at 1 prism diopter intervals. The marks need to be big enough to see easily from the distance in Step 2. You might want to identify the major divisions as 0, 5, 10 etc. Note: Some large bold markers will bleed through the adding machine tape and permanently mark the surface you are using as temporary backing for the adding machine tape. Test and take appropriate precautions to prevent damage by the marker ink.

5. Attach the adding machine tape, stretched out horizontally, to the wall selected in Step 1.

6. On another short piece of adding machine tape mark an arrow lengthwise and attach that piece of tape to the wall, vertically, so the arrow is pointing at 0.

You are ready to do the test.

7 Place yourself at the location selected in Step 2, let your eyes relax so you see double and note where the "0" arrow appears to point in the displaced image. Try this test several times during the day and at varying degrees of fatigue. Make a note of your results.

8. If you are wearing glasses with prism, adjust the readings in Step 7 for the total prism in the glasses.

This test will work with horizontal prism (Base Out or Base In) or vertical prism (Base Up or Base Down) by the placement of the long tape and short tape. Often both horizontal and vertical prism exist at the same time.

Note: It is sometimes difficult, if small amounts of prism are involved, to tell if the prism correction needs to be Base Out or In, Up or Down. You may be able to tell by noticing which way the images are displaced when you block the eyes alternately. For example, if you cover the right eye and the image from the left eye is on the left, you probably need more Base Out.

Please Let me know if you have any questions and if this works for you.

Danbert 28 Sep 2017, 08:00

Cactus Jack,

Just reading a little of the last few posts.

I have long thought I might have some esophoria. Or at least, when I am tired, I can find it slow to fuse what I am seeing in the distance. It's as if I can change focus from close to far away relatively quickly, but it can take effort to not see double in the distance. Then if I focus up close again, everything is easy.

I may have tried your test a long time ago but I can't remember too well now. I for one wouldn't mind trying again anyhow.

Cactus Jack 21 Sep 2017, 19:43

Sorry, the last post was to liza.

Cactus Jack 21 Sep 2017, 19:42

lisa,

Mild double vision is pretty common. The general medical term for double vision is Strabismus. At that means is that your eyes do not point in the same direction. There are four compound names for the Horizontal displacement depending on the direction and possibility of fusion : Eso and Exo are the first parts of the names. Eso means that the eyes try to converge or turn inward. Exo means that the eyes try to diverge or turn outward. If you can fuse the images, phoria is tacked on to the first part. If you can't, tropia is tacked on. For example: Esophoria means that your eyes try to turn inward, but you can fuse the images. If your Eye Position Control System (EPCS) can fuse the images pretty easily, most ECPs are reluctant to consider prescribing prism. If it is difficult or impossible for your EPCS to fuse the two images or you can keep the images fused only for as long as you concentrate, Prism in your glasses, Vision Therapy, or Muscle Surgery may be the only solutions.

A while back,I came up with what I call a Simple Prism Test that is based on Sir Isaac Newton's definition of a Prism Diopter. It is on the Vision and Spec web site, but it is hard to find. Would you be interested in measuring the amount of your double vision? I will post it here if you want to try it.

I have a few more questions:

1. What is your occupation?

2. Do you do a lot of close work

3. Can you tell if your eye are trying to turn inward or turn outward?

liza 21 Sep 2017, 14:03

Cactus Jack

it's horizontal.

Soundmanpt

It was an annual exam. And i'll order new glasses, mostly because i want new frame.

Soundmanpt 21 Sep 2017, 09:16

liza

I am curious, did you go for an eye exam because you noticed a change in your vision or was it just an annual exam? I ask that because the from your previous prescription to your current one is so slight. I think most people wouldn't even bother getting their glasses changed with so little change. A -.25 is the lowest possible change you can have. But like Cactus Jack said astigmatisms do effect your vision at all distances. Did you get new glasses? Even with such a small amount of CYL it still can take a little getting adjusted to.

Cactus Jack 21 Sep 2017, 09:03

liza,

There little if any relationship between a small amount of astigmatism and double vision. Larger amounts of astigmatism can cause what appears to be a small amount of double vision, but it does not go away.

When you see two images, can you tell the direction of the displacement? For example: Horizontal, Vertical, or a combination of both (Oblique).

liza 21 Sep 2017, 05:31

Cactus Jack thank you for answering. Is it possible that -0,25 cyl is reason for double vision? Because i notice that i got double vision on daily basis (for a few seconds), but i could stop it consciously.

Cactus Jack 20 Sep 2017, 19:20

aviator-oo-,

You might see if you can find an eyeglass repair shop. Their primary business is repairing frames that have been broken. They might be able to drill out the fastener and install an optical screw of some type.

aviator-oo- 20 Sep 2017, 17:03

I have a question which doesn't quite fit with any of the themes, but I hope someone will be able to offer advice. When it comes to fitting RX lenses to frames which you buy as sunglasses, the general rule is that plastic frames must be made from the type of plastic which expands slightly under heat. Metal frames must have a screw on the edge of the frame to release the lens. I have a number of metal frames which I would love to have RX lenses fitted to, but the screw position is welded-up and there is no way of releasing the lens. Recently, I have received some metal framed glasses from Polette.com where the RX lenses are fitted in a welded frame without a screw release. So, is there a way of getting RX lenses into metal frames without a screw? I know it is possible to pop' non-RX lenses out of (and sometimes into) welded metal frames, but RX lenses? Does anyone know how this is done?

Cactus Jack 19 Sep 2017, 09:34

Lisa,

Yes, it frequently happens. -0.25 of Cylinder is very small and nothing to get excited about. Astigmatism affects vision at ALL distances and is particularly noticeable when reading small text.

Astigmatism is typically caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of the Cornea. Astigmatism typically changes very slowly, but unfortunately, it can appear to change significantly from one exam to another.

Often, the appearance of a significant change in the Axis of the Cylinder correction, while alarming, is caused by the lack of experience and understanding of the nature of that part of an eye exam.

The most subjective part of an eye exam is that of determining the Axis of the Cylinder correction. The way that is done is by using a supplemental Cylinder lens mounted with a pivot at 45 degrees. The lens is flipped back and forth on each side of the selected Axis and you are asked to judge relative blurriness of the letters you see. It is very difficult to do even if you have had many eye exams.

A while back, I wrote a piece "How to Study for an Eye Exam". In it, I described a method I use to improve the accuracy of the prescribed Axis. You may be able to find it online either here or on the Vision and Spex site. I am currently revising it and hope to post it again in the next few days.

Tom 19 Sep 2017, 06:47

Liza, my partner had the same "surprise" at her last exam, when her spheric correction did not change but she got a small cylinder prescribed for both eyes.

However, after getting her new glasses, for which I accompanied her on a Saturday morning, she exclaimed when still at the optician how the new cylinder/astigmatism correction made a huge positive difference for her. She is only -1.5 spheric, but now she wears her glasses more often than before, especially in the evenings, even at home and not only for driving.

Hope you enjoy the same beneficial change!

liza 19 Sep 2017, 02:57

i got new rx and includes low astigmatism, even if i never had it before. is it normal? im 32 yo .

The previous rx was:

R: -4

L: - 4

New rx is:

R: -4, -0.25, 170

L: -4.25

Weirdeyes 19 Sep 2017, 00:12

I was just thinking about what prescriptions people consider strong. When I first got glasses I was Plano in my right eye and +1.25 in my left eye. I considered it a mild prescription. My mom considered it very mild. In my head anything below 1.00 was very mild, but anything above 1.00 was just mild. I couldn't understand why my eye doctor made such a big deal of it. When my prescription increased to +1.75 in my left eye I still didn't think it was a big deal. Eventually I realized that prescription was too weak for me. I even tried wearing my +1.75 glasses on top of my +1.25 glasses. I enjoyed the vision it gave me. I conveniently didn't do the math and just considered it +2.00 or something. I didn't consider +2.00 strong. I was shocked when my next prescription was a bit over +3.00. I considered +3.00 a strong and thick prescription. When my next prescription was over +4.00 I didn't have the same shock. But my dad did. It seems like his cutoff was 4.00, while mine is 3.00.

Mr Jules 18 Aug 2017, 16:46

Presbyopia is advancing again. For several years, I thought my eyesight had stablised at +1.50 distance, with an addition of +1.75. But over the last 12 months, I've had two eyesight tests and as I could tell my reading vision was getting worse again.

Now my prescription is +2.00 for distance and an addition of +2.25. I didn't think my distance vision had got worse, too. It was only the last eyetest that I finally realised I was going to need new lenses. I've been wearing progressive lenses for some years.

Well, I've got my glasses reglazed with the new prescription. And what a difference the new lenses make. But I notice that I have to move my head more and learn to target my eyes through the centre of distance portion of lense to reduce peripheral distortion.

But the middle and close up vision is where there's most new benefit. But with these stronger lenses comes depedency. Without glasses, my distance vision hard to tolerate. And my close up vision is now horribly blurry!

I also have a separate pair of prescription single vision reading glasses at +4.25 which I prefer for extended periods of reading. It's taken about a week to get used to them.

I started wearing +1.00 reading glasses when I turned 40, for occasional use. I am completely fine with being dependent on glasses now. They are an intergral part of my appearance. They only thing I miss is not being able recognise someone in the distance, without my glasses. Worsening close-up vision is one thing, but worsening distance vision is harder to deal with (I think).

Soundmanpt 07 Jul 2017, 08:17

SoCal

It would seem that if your eyesight doesn't seem to be quite as good as it was 8 months ago when you first started wearing -3.00 correction after having wore -3.50 that there has been some change in your eyes. I think since your still nursing it would be best if you can manage to hold off getting your eyes examined until you're finished with that. Having children for many women often does change your eyesight. I have mentioned in here about someone I know quite well that became pregnant. She had perfect eyesight, but with each passing month of her pregnancy her eyesight was getting worse. When she was about 7 months along she wasn't able to drive at night because she couldn't see well enough. I went to see her where she was working and I had several pairs of women's glasses in various prescriptions that I use for the vision group I work with. The strongest pair i had was only -1.50 I believe. All the weaker ones wasn't much help to her. But the -1.50 glasses seemed pretty close to what she needed. I gave them to her because i knew I could replace them. I didn't see her again until a few months after she had her baby. She was wearing a very nice looking pair of glasses that looked really good on her. Of course being a proud momma she wanted to show off her baby boy. She quickly offered to return the glasses I gave her and thanked me again for letting her borrow them. I told I didn't need them back. I complemented her on how nice her new glasses looked on her. She said she thought that once she had the baby her eyesight would return to normal which didn't happen. But she said she was okay with wearing glasses.

06 Jul 2017, 19:01

I don't think your wearing your glasses full time made your vision worse. I mostly did not wear my glasses as a child and my eyes got worse. When I finally wore my glasses full time my vision still got worse for several years and then stopped getting worse. At that point I was -10 plus a lot of astigmatism. It seems that nearsightness (myopia) takes it's course whether we wear glasses or not.

NNVisitor 06 Jul 2017, 10:23

SoCal

While I don't and never have worn soft contact lenses due to my astigmatism level I'm certainly familiar with the experinces of quite a number of soft contact lens wearers. Many wear them from morning to before going to bed every day. For years until in many cases they have a problem and then a trip to the eye care professional where they are told to stop wearing contact lenses for a few weeks, a few months or permanently.

Soft contact lenses can dry up during wear. That is not good for the eyes especially over a long period of time it can take it's toll.

While I wear gas permeable contact lenses I'm very careful not to overwear them day in day out. Each day typically morning and later evening I wear my glasses to give my eyes a break and to avoid eye problems from occurring. I've worn lenses over 30 years and by not overwearing them and allowing my eyes to rest I've avoided contact lense related eye problems and have not damaged my eyes.

SoCal 06 Jul 2017, 08:01

I'm pretty much -3.0 across the board, contacts included, with the exception of the very minor astigmatism. I'd say I've had this rx for about 8 months now and just starting to notice that it wasn't as good as when I got it, and even then it wasn't perfect. I had gone about 2 years previously without an exam and living off hoarded contact lenses, haha. Prior to the -3.0, I was a -3.5, again, not very much difference, but I did notice that there was one. Between the two different rx, I had two children and that really threw my vision all over the map. I am still nursing and partially weaning my youngest and I am wondering if that is changing things and making my eyes stabilize to my previous pre children rx. Like I said, this pretty negligible but I was curious. I have been wearing my glasses more recently for sure and I'm kind of liking it. My eyes feel like they can breathe. I am partial to the Moscot frames currently have and was looking into getting sunglasses to combat this California sun but decided against it. I decided to order a different brand of contacts that my dr prescribed (he gave me two options) to me and continue wearing my regular sunglasses.

Soundmanpt 06 Jul 2017, 07:16

SoCal

So I assume when you say that you feel like you may have been under prescribed coming from -3.50 in both eyes to -3.00 both eyes you're referring to your contact lens prescription in both cases? That is very strange to happen. But if your eyesight has improved a bit it is going to take a little time for your eyes to adjust because they are used to the stronger prescription. So I would suggest giving it a try for maybe 2-3 weeks and if you still feel like you still need your lenses to be stronger go back and tell your optometrists that you would be happier with the stronger lenses. They are their to please you and shouldn't have any problem putting you back in -3.50's again if your more comfortable with them. Sounds like your eyes are starting to rebel against your contacts if you're having trouble wearing them for 14 hours or more like you used to do. But if you're really wanting to start wearing your glasses more often to the point where your about 50/50 between glasses and contact wear that should help a lot. Maybe try wearing glasses for your everyday life and only wear contacts for special occasions, working out, doing sports and maybe going out for the evening. You have shown several really nice looking pairs of glasses that you bought so you're glasses are trendy enough.

SoCal 04 Jul 2017, 23:37

Thanks everyone! I actually think I was slightly under prescribed having come from a -3.5 in both eyes but I'm okay with it for now. I'm actually enjoying the small amount of cyl correction in my glasses, It definitely is having me in my glasses more than contacts. I'm hoping for a 50/50 split between contacts and glasses because I can tell that I'm having a harder time wearing contacts for 14 hrs or more like I used to.

Soundmanpt 04 Jul 2017, 17:36

SoCal

What your doctor did is very common for them to do and in nearly every case you're going to see better with your glassses having the full complete prescription tan you will with your contacts not having the CYL and adding slightly to your SPH in that eye. You of course have the option if you don't mind the added cost of going to a toric" lens for that eye and including your CYL. But I warn you that "toric" lenses are about 3 - 4 times more expensive than your normal lenses are. So unless it really bothers you I think you're better staying with what the doctor prescribed you.

NNVisitor 04 Jul 2017, 17:17

Cactus Jack, SoCal

Yes -3.25 is just slightly higher so it might do the trick. I think you can also get soft contact lenses for astigmatism so if you ordered contacts on line you can try ordering online at first just for the eye with astigmatism and use that lense with the -3 in the other eye and see how it works.

I've worn RGP lenses for my -10 myopia and astigmatism in the -2 range. My vision has been absolutely great and sharp in those contact lenses but not each time they were fitted. Those lenses have to sit on the eyes a certain way. If they rotate somewhat the astigmatism correction is off and thus vision is not so clear. Also those lenses work together with the tear flow under the lense for the optimum correction. In your case Socal with just a little astigmatism in one eye only you probably don't need the more complicated fittings that I had with multiple visits to get the fit right.

Cactus Jack 04 Jul 2017, 15:20

SoCal,

With a sphere correction around -3.00, Vertex Distance effects are negligible, so there should not be much of a difference in the sphere department. With only -0.50 of Cylinder, it is common to add 1/2 of the Cylinder to the sphere and avoid fitting topic contacts with all their associated costs and problems.

You might consider some -3.25 contacts and see if you like them better.

Cactus Jack 04 Jul 2017, 15:14

Rob,

That is a pretty good increase. What was the interval between the -0.50 and the -1.25. Astigmatism usually changes slowly. Axis is often more critical than the actual Cylinder correction. Listing of the Cylinder without the Axis number is meaningless.

Have you read my post on "How to Study for an Eye Exam". There is a section in there about improving the accuracy of the Cylinder/Axis part of your prescription.

SoCal 04 Jul 2017, 15:05

My current rx is -3.0 and -2.75, -0.5. Could there be a difference in my vision from glasses to contacts. Dr gave me -3.0 contacts for both eyes saying it will cover the minor astigmatism. I feel like my glasses give me better vision but that could just be that glasses give me better vision in general.

Rob 29 Jun 2017, 05:52

I recently had an eye test and found that the cyls have suddenly increased in both eyes from -0.5 to -1.25, the sphere remains much as before at -1.25/1.50 I got new lens fitted but i'm finding them to feel rather strange and hard to get used to. The vision is very sharp though. They feel like they're pulling my eyes. Is this something that I will adapt to over time?

thanks

Rob

NNVisitor 23 Jun 2017, 22:44

Jen

One advantage we do have is close reading vision while others absolutely need reading glasses. This usually happens in our forties.

Jen 23 Jun 2017, 15:38

@julia yes it would be ok if are eyes stayed at -1 or -2 so we would only need glasses for distance and not need for reading. But the problem is when we get use to seeing clear with glasses on and then we relie on them all the time until we can't go without. Maybe if I just wore mine when I really needed to my eyes wouldn't of got so bad. I'm with -7.00 and been wearing glasses for 40 years is not a problem. Is better I'm not looking for reading glasses of trying to squint without to read something

Delilah 04 Jun 2017, 14:19

Hi,

My boyfriend wears glasses and contacts and he has a very interesting prescription. He asked me to order him new glasses and this is his prescription. I have never seen a prescription like this. Will someone please explain to me what this all means.

OD: SPH +2.50 CYL-0.50 AXIS 150 ADD1.50

OS: SPH +4.00 CYL-1.25 AXIS 135 PRISM1 6 BASE1 BO ADD1.50

Thanks!!

Julia 03 Jun 2017, 12:13

Is there any problem with being shortsighted? I've never had a problem with it and now I think it's great I don't need reading glasses and I'm 45. But have worn glasses full time for the last 30 years with a -6.00.

The optician says it's better if you have low shortsighted then would only need glasses for distance and none for reading?

SC 21 May 2017, 10:23

Just had a regular test. Age 52 and astigmatism doubles!

Old

OD +1.5 0.5 x80

OS +1.75 0.5x173

Add 2.25

New

+1.75 1.00 x80

+2.00 1.50 x173

Add 2.25

Left eye really +4.50 but brain can't handle it so cosmetic lens

Soundmanpt 16 May 2017, 13:36

You never have stated what you age is and that is an important factor here. I can only assume that you might be in your early 40's based on what is going on with your eyesight. So based on that assumption you need to understand that your near vision isn't going to get better. It just doesn't work that way. Almost certainly it is going to worsen no matter what glasses you decide to get. Even though your nearsightedness seems to have improved, it really hasn't changed hardly at all because of the addition of astigmatisms you now have. Visually you are only about -.25 better now than you are with your current -1.25 glasses. I don't have to tell you that -.25 is practically nothing. So I doubt that trying to wear your glasses less is going to be any easier for you than it would now by taking your glasses off. For some reason you seem to think that wearing glasses is somehow going to make your eyesight worse. That is not the case. No matter which way you go you need to accept that your eyesight is going to continue to change and not for the better.

R 16 May 2017, 11:54

Basically can't read with glasses on so now need to take them off to read. Can read fine with glasses off unless very small print on a label. I am

Surprised how quickly near vision has got worse, feels like just a few weeks!

Worsening of near vision now more bothersome than blurred distance vision, that's why I am wondering should I just try to wear glasses less. And it's only in last year that I started wearing glasses much more during the day.

NNVisitor 16 May 2017, 09:59

Wearing your glasses shouldn't make reading more difficult if you pick one of the three options below.

Are you comfortable taking off your glasses to read? Or do you have to strain your eyes if you read a lot? If you're straining your eyes to read then reading glasses will work for reading if you don't mind switching glasses to read. Progressives and bifocals have a separate area with the add for reading. You would need to adjust to the fact that such glasses require looking through different parts of the lens for distance and another for reading.

R 15 May 2017, 21:04

It seems that the add might push me from wearing glasses a lot to fulltime if reading might be more difficult even though distance if anything is better?

Should I maybe try to reduce glasses use to stop dependence?

Or am at I a point were I have to accept that a combination of factors make full time glasses wear inevitable?

KL 15 May 2017, 14:42

If you were to get bifocals, the reading segment (or single vision glasses for reading) would be SPH +0.5 CYL -0.5 and SPH +0.25 CYL -0.5 (algebraically adding +1.25 to your distance prescription) which will be more comfortable than just removing your -0.75 -0.5 and -1 -0.5 glasses. Your astigmatism is pretty small, but they'll correct that, and you'll have some plus sphere that means less accommodation necessary for you.

Which also means that yes, if you wear bifocals (or single vision reading glasses, for that matter) it will make it harder to read without them because the ciliary muscles responsible for your ability to accommodate will get weaker when they dont need to work as hard as they have been.

Soundmanpt 15 May 2017, 14:09

Bifocals in your case shouldn't make it anymore difficult for you to read without glasses because all they are doing is eliminating the -1.25 distance. So what you would be really seeing is 0.00 through the add segment of your glasses. But you do need to understand that the reason this is happening to you now is because your eyes are beginning to change as for as needing reading help so it probably won't be long no matter what you do before you're going to need reading help.

It doesn't matter what most people would do if this were their first glasses. They aren't your eyes what matters is what you want. It's really very simple if you get single vision glasses then you will have to constantly be removing your glasses to see small print. If you get bifocals you won't need to take your glasses off to see small print.

R 15 May 2017, 13:35

If go with bifocals will it make it more difficult to read without glasses?

If this was first time glasses would most people go for bifocals or single vision?

Soundmanpt 15 May 2017, 09:10

Apparently if you have been wearing your -1.25 glasses nearly full time for a good long while without any vision problems close up, but now you are starting to experience difficulty with seeing close up it means your eyes crystalline lenses are starting to harden which is why your eyes aren't as able to ficus close up anymore. You didn't state your age but this generally starts to occur in your early 40's.

As far as what to do about getting glasses is really up to you. Since you seem to be pretty used to wearing your glasses almost full time anyway I think it would be much more handy to go ahead and get the full prescription so you don't have to be constantly removing your glasses to see things close up. By putting the +1.25 in your glasses what that is in effect doing is cancelling out your -1.25 distance prescription. So it would be the same for your eyes as having no prescription for the reading add. Also you are in fact slightly less nearsighted, however, you now have a bit of astigmatisms to deal with that you apparently don't have in your current glasses. So astigmatisms effects your eyesight at all distances. I hope to not confuse you but if you were sya only considering getting contact lenses with just your new distance prescription the contacts would be -1.00 / -1.25. The doctor would take half the value form your astigmatisms and include that in your distance correction. So really only a very slight decrease in your prescription. But having the actual astigmatism correction in your glasses would still provide you with slightly better vision than contacts would.

So after all that what you're left with is to decide if you want to only get single vision glasses for distance with your new prescription not including the +1.25 add and have to remove your glasses for seeing close or get get bifocals / progressives and not be needing to remove your glasses to see close up.

R 15 May 2017, 00:09

I have had a prescription of -1.25 and have been wearing glasses almost full time for a while. Recently up close is a bit blurred. New prescription is -0.75 -0.5, -1 -0.5 with +1.25 both eyes! Option was to get the prescription or just take off glasses for reading? Should I get glasses with the new +1.25?

As my distance need has apparently lessened, which I didn't notice do I need to continue full time glasses or should I try to wear less?

Soundmanpt 14 May 2017, 08:22

Maria Et

To fully answer your question about your boyfriend's eyesight is really a bit complicated. But you are correct in thinking that + glasses are commonly thought of as reading glasses and not needed for seeing distances. However + glasses are also often wore for farsightedness as well which is a bit different than just being reading glasses anymore. In your boyfriends case he also has a very high amount of astigmatisms which is the -3.25 and -4.25 numbers you see on his prescription. That alone would cause him to need his glasses for everything.

Maria Et 14 May 2017, 01:29

Can someone please explain my boyfriend's prescription to me?

left eye is +5.75-3.25x165

right eye is +5.50-4.25x170

His glasses magnify his eyes, I was always thought + was for reading but he wears his glasses or contacts for everything.

I want to understand his eyes more...

MKWL 10 May 2017, 22:09

Thank you guys!

I finally got my new glasses. They look thicker, but everything looks super clear with them. Also, the reading ones really help.

GreginColo 26 Apr 2017, 18:30

MKWL; it looks like you have already gotten a o]possible interpretation of your new Rx by someone more informed about such than myself. It does sound like a fairly complex Rx. However, you also asked about your + Rx, which could be part of the normal aging process, for most people beginning in their early to mid 40's, were they/we loosse some ability for close up focus, hence the need for reading glasses, which I think is basically what the weaker of your new Rx's is intended to accomplish. You didn't mention your age to help confirm that. Also has you distance Rx stabilized or has it continued to increase from your prior?. You ECP should be willing and able to answer your questions, but if not there are many helpful and well-intended people who contribute to this site. Best of luck adjusting to your new RX. Do you always wear glasses, or sometimes contacts?

26 Apr 2017, 15:07

MKWL, I could be wrong but I think you have left something out, because what you have written doesn't make any sense. However I am guessing that what you left out might be the reading for the right eye distance. I have taken a wild guess and I think this might be your full prescription:

OD: -16.75 x -3.75 x 120 with 12 D base out prism distance

: -15.50 x -3.75 x 120 with 14 D base out prism mid range

OS: -14.50 x -3.25 x 135 with 12 D Base out prism distance

: -13.25 x -3.25 x 135 with 14 D base out prism mid range

with a +1.25D ADD.

If I am reasonably close, you do have a strong prescription. You require R-16.75D spherical and L-15.50D sph. with another R-3.75D at 120 degrees and L-3.25D at 135 degrees of cylinder for your distance correction. You also require 12 degrees of base out prism for each eye.

For your mid range vision your distance correction is reduced by -1.25D Your astigatism stays the same, however your prism is increased by 2 degrees base out.

The additional prism in your mid range vision is required to bring your eyes to focus up close. No further increase is needed for your reading so it is indicated by a +1.25D ADD.

If you did not require cylindrical or prism correction your prescription would likely have been written as:

OD - 16.75, OS - 14.50 with + 2.50 add multifocal

Maxim 26 Apr 2017, 14:17

I totally agree with Tom.

The correction needed is very low indeed, and you could give a try to the simple lenses without astigmatism.

Best wishes!

Tom 26 Apr 2017, 14:01

I'm not that expert but your astigmatism sounds low esp in the right eye, which can easily survive without cylinder.

I'm sure you'd be ok with -1.5 and -1 sphere, no astigmatism at all.

Let see what others think.

Squidink 26 Apr 2017, 13:17

I had recent eye test, astigmatism went up. I'm debating trying contact lenses for occasional use but heard that toric contacts are not very comfortable and are more expensive. Is the optometrist likely to give me toric contacts with this prescription

Left eye sphere -1.00 cyl -0.75 axis 10 Right eye sphere -1.00 cyl -0.25 20

MKWL 25 Apr 2017, 19:13

Well, I had an interesting appointment today. The appointment was a little different today. At the end the doctor opened up both eyes and asked if I saw one or two images, and I saw two. He then did some weird stuff, like kept waving something in front of and away from my eyes, and back and forth between my eyes and held this ruler looking thing to my eye. This was then done by looking at a hand held card. Also, after that the doctor pulled out a smaller chart and had me try to read it with the black glasses thing, and I couldn't read it all. He switched some stuff up, and it became clear and easier to read. When I went to pick out glasses they told me I needed two, One for far, and one for reading. The girl also said something about a prism and presbyopia. I am so confused. When I looked at the paper with my prescription, there were two joined charts there, and one on the bottom of the page instead of the usual one. The the top part of the joined chart is distance and the bottom half is near. I don't know how to really understand a prescription, so was hoping some one can help me. All I know is I am very nearsighted, and the bigger the number the worse my prescription, and my numbers are pretty high. My prescription is: the distance part has the following numbers in the first row: . The second row in the distance part : -14.5, -3.25, 135, 12, and out. Now for the near part of the chart, the first row: -15.5,-3.75,120,14, and Out. The second row of the near part: -13.25,-3.25,135,14 and out. The other chart on the bottom of the page is longer, with more columns, but only has two rows. It reads mostly the same, but the extra columns, which I think just blends the other charts into one, but has this +1.25 in both rows under the ADD column. Why is there a + I thought I was nearsighted? What is the plus doing, and why isn't there a plus in the other merged chart?

Sorry for being so long, just really confused. Hope someone can help.

Cactus Jack 06 Apr 2017, 11:05

RL,

You only need to click one time on the Submit button. If it turns blue with white text, your post has been placed in the queue and it will be transmitted to the server in a few seconds. If you click more than once you will cause multiple posts.

RL 06 Apr 2017, 07:36

There was some astigmatism too but it never changed. -1.25 in the right eye and -.75 in the left eye.

RL 06 Apr 2017, 07:35

There was some astigmatism too but it never changed. -1.25 in the right eye and -.75 in the left eye.

RL 06 Apr 2017, 07:17

That was a -1.5 jump to -10.25.

RL 06 Apr 2017, 06:38

On average it went up about -.75 a year. Biggest jump was -1.25 from -8.75 to -10.25. I was about 30 years old then. Next year it was at -1l, actually -11.25 where it finally stopped.

RL 06 Apr 2017, 06:37

On average it went up about -.75 a year. Biggest jump was -1.25 from -8.75 to -10.25. I was about 30 years old then. Next year it was at -1l, actually -11.25 where it finally stopped.

I, Glasses 05 Apr 2017, 18:09

RL, What was the specific progression of your myopia, in other words, at what ages/intervals (years or months) did you get stronger prescriptions, and what was each stronger prescription? Thanks.

RL 04 Apr 2017, 10:10

Got my first glasses at 19. They were -.75. Over the next 15 years the RX progressed to -11 where it stayed until my late 60s when it backed off a bit to -9.25 where it is today.

RL 04 Apr 2017, 10:09

Got my first glasses at 19. They were -.75. Over the next 15 years the RX progressed to -11 where it stayed until my late 60s when it backed off a bit to -9.25 where it is today.

Cactus Jack 03 Apr 2017, 17:31

nemo,

May I ask where she lives? When I read your post, I hoped she lives in or near the UK. The reason is that Moorfields Hospital in London is one of the best Eye Hospitals, in the world.

Many eye and hearing conditions have a genetic cause, because they tend to run in families, but I don't believe that there is one gene that affects both vision and hearing. The human Genome is much more complicated than that.

It is pretty common for people with high myopia to have Visual Acuity problems. Vertex Distance effects of high minus glasses cause the image on the Retina to be small and it is possible that there are some congenital retina issues that make it difficult for the minified images of text to stimulate enough Rods and Cones in the retina to produce a signal that the Visual Cortex can resolve. Remember, vision occurs in the brain, the eye are merely biological cameras.

Glaucoma is notorious for causing retinal damage.

Hopefully, she is under the care of a Low Vision specialist.

One "trick" that might be possible it to wear Contact Lenses to correct most of her sphere error and enlarge the images on her retinas and also wear glasses to correct the rest of sphere and ALL of her astigmatism. She needs to be under the care of an ECP who is willing to be creative.

nemo 03 Apr 2017, 15:33

A have recently had an online talk with a 19yo girl complaining for her eyesight. She is currently wearing a -19 -15 single vision glasses with -4.50 -2.50 astigmatism. Her RX is significantly higher than her previous one she had last september, both for sphere (increas around -3) and cylinder (increase around -2).

Nonetheless:

1) even with her new glasses she cannot focus well far and has feels usafe in streets, cannot see stairs, and so on;

2) since last december she is almost unable to have good close vision: she cannot read prints at all and needs to strongly magnify computer screen to read it;

3) she has high eye pressure;

4) her hearing acuity is slowing down as well: her mother (which is 40yo) is -7 and has recently started to wear hearing aids: it is possible that both have some genetic disease that targets simultaneously on eyes and ears?

She has told me that according to her eye doc her eyeight will worsen and suggested her to go urgently to an eye hospital and test eyes better, so as to find tools to cope with so poor eyesight.

Sadly, I suspect she has glaucoma or keratoconus (or both).

is that possible? Could her close vision problems depend on the higher minus RX, so that she can overcome them with a pair of bifocals? Is she doomed to become blind or has a residual hope to recover sight or at least keep her remaining acuity?

Please give me any suggestion to not scare her and to be of help during our talks. Thank you

Cactus Jack 01 Apr 2017, 14:45

Lucas,

Plus lenses for reading are Magnifying lenses. If you need PLUS Sphere lenses for distance, you do not have enough PLUS in your eye's lens system to focus distant images clearly on your Retinas. Effectively, your eyes actually MINIFY the images on the Retina, but you are used to that situation. The +0.75 Add in your prescription to help you focus for reading will actually magnify the images of the text slightly, but the main thing they will do is reduce the amount of extra PLUS your Crystalline Lenses will have to supply for you to focus at normal reading distances.

I suggested the +1.00 clip-ons because RxSafety Glasses do not offer powers less than +1.00.

You might consider ordering glasse from Zenni Optical. They are high quality and cost a lot less than High Street Opticians.

Lucas 01 Apr 2017, 11:02

Went into a store today and realized very quickly that lenses with an add for near vision cost a fortune. So far, I dont have any symptoms really requiring me to use my glasses. My exam was really more of a check-up than anything else.

Would I really benefit from such a prescription? I tried +1.25 reading glasses in stores and they felt extremely strong, almost like using a magnifying glass. Instead of correcting my vision, it felt more like I was just using a magnifying glass and that the text was unnaturally big.

Thanks

Cactus Jack 31 Mar 2017, 19:55

Lucas,

+1.25 -0.50 165

+1.00 -0.25 005

could be prescribed as a single vision reading or computer prescription, but distant things would probably be a bit blurry. Bifocals with a low add are often prescribed to reduce headaches and fatigue when reading or doing close work and still provide good distance vision thru the top segment.

Lucas 31 Mar 2017, 19:24

Cactus jack,

Thanks for the answer. Would that mean that my actual reading prescription is 1.25 and 1? Why not prescribe that directly?

Cactus Jack 31 Mar 2017, 19:19

Lucas,

The add only affects the absolute power of the Sphere connection in the reading segment. The prescription there is:

+1.25 -0.50 165

+1.00 -0.25 005

I would like to suggest an alternative. RxSafety.com in New Jersey offers some Clip-on Magnifiers starting at +1.00 and working up to +5.00. They offer two sizes. I suggest that you consider the small size +1.00 and wear them over your 4 year old glasses when using the computer. I think you will find them comfortable and you don't have to tilt your head back and get a crick in your neck. They are very high quality and are about US$15.00 a pair.

They have a 20% off sale right now with the code THAW17.

You may be tempted to try something stronger, but try the +1.00 first. You don't want to let your Ciliary Muscles get de conditioned.

Lucas 31 Mar 2017, 18:20

Hi,

I got the following new prescription for glasses :

+0.50 -0.50 165 ADD +0.75

+0.25 -0.25 005 ADD +0.75

The dr suggested I get anti fatigue glasses.

I am 25 years old working on the computer all day.

Now this prescription is identical to a previous one from 4 years before, with the ADD on top. The doctor mentioned that my previous prescription wasnt strong enough and suggested I wear these constantly when working.

From my research online, anti-fatigue glasses are only +0.6 near add. Why did she specify +0.75?

Also, would that make my near vision +1.25 or just top part 0.5 and bottom part of the glasses 0.5?

Should my prescription for close be really 1.25? If thats the case, why not prescribe that, is it for me to get accustomed to them and my distance vision to the 0.5 on top?

Thank you for the help

Lucas 31 Mar 2017, 18:20

Hi,

I got the following new prescription for glasses :

+0.50 -0.50 165 ADD +0.75

+0.25 -0.25 005 ADD +0.75

The dr suggested I get anti fatigue glasses.

I am 25 years old working on the computer all day.

From my research online, anti-fatigue glasses are only +0.6 near add. Why did she specify +0.75?

Also, would that make my near vision +1.25 or just top part 0.5 and bottom part of the glasses 0.5?

Should my prescription for close be really 1.25? If thats the case, why not prescribe that, is it for me to get accustomed to them and my distance vision to the 0.5 on top?

Thank you for the help

Lucas 31 Mar 2017, 18:19

Hi,

I got the following new prescription for glasses :

+0.50 -0.50 165 ADD +0.75

+0.25 -0.25 005 ADD +0.75

The dr suggested I get anti fatigue glasses.

I am 25 years old working on the computer all day.

From my research online, anti-fatigue glasses are only +0.6 near add. Why did she specify +0.75?

Also, would that make my near vision +1.25 or just top part 0.5 and bottom part of the glasses 0.5?

Should my prescription for close be really 1.25? If thats the case, why not prescribe that, is it for me to get accustomed to them and my distance vision to the 0.5 on top?

Thank you for the help

George1968 24 Mar 2017, 17:16

Dahlia,

You have to make the choice as to how often you wear your glasses. It's a combination of physical and psychological comfort.

Some people are really bothered by the vision they have when their prescriptions are -2.50 and higher, and so wear their glasses for because it is physically more comfortable for them. Others can deal with the less than perfect vision, or are so distressed about wearing glasses, that it is not worth it for them to do so.

That's all up to you. If you feel the glasses are too thick, you can either change the glasses or not wear them unless you absolutely have to.

Or, maybe after a couple of days, you'll figure that, on balance, it is better to wear them than not.

George1968 24 Mar 2017, 17:11

Dahlia,

How often are you wearing your glasses? Do they make a difference?

You might notice some change in thickness, but I think it is more of a thing that you are -- or you are considering -- wearing your glasses full time and are worried about what people will think.

Soundmanpt 24 Mar 2017, 09:10

Dahlia

I can't understand why your lenses would be as thick as you say they are. Even the optical stores don't start suggesting high index lenses until a prescription gets a bit stronger than -2.50. Now of course if you wear rimless or semi-rimess glasses there is no frame to cover any thickness. Of course your lenses would be slightly thicker going from -1.50 to -2.50 and -1.25 to -2.25. Enough that you would be able to see the difference but not to the point where they should look too thick or strong. Most places that you buy glasses form have a return policy for up to 90 days which allows you to change your glasses or modify them without any charge. So you have several options. One is go back and pay the extra to have high index lenses put in. The other is to get a full plastic frame which should cover or hide any thickness from being seen. In either case you would only be charged the difference. Switching to thinner lenses should be under $50.00 and switching frames might be a refund to you depending on the prices of the frames.

Dahlia 24 Mar 2017, 03:23

They are really quite thick.

bracesfan 23 Mar 2017, 23:50

Dahlia:

Cokebottles at -2,5 diopters? Sorry but you are exaggerating. Even in 1,49 and with big frames it´s only a couple of milimeters. You should see what cokebottles are and how they change the face.

Likelenses 22 Mar 2017, 23:51

Dahlia

There is nothing hotter that a twenty year old girl with thick lenses.

Rebecca 22 Mar 2017, 00:20

I don't know what my current real prescription is. I really hope it has increased this time. I'll have another eye exam in April. Currently I wear -3.75 glasses and I've gotten used to them, so I will get a stronger prescription next time I buy from Clearly.

NNVisitor 22 Mar 2017, 00:06

Dahlia

You do not have a very strong prescription however very large frames will result in thicker glasses. My Glasses were much much stronger and yes my glasses were very thick until I started purchasing high index thinner eyeglass lenses in smaller frames. We are our own worst critics when it comes to how we think our glasses look to others. I've found out after many years that to other people the appearance of my glasses were no big deal. Everyone has their own problems that they focus on so don't worry about your appearance with your glasses on. To others they will look absolutely great on you.

Dahlia 21 Mar 2017, 21:09

Glasses arrived earlier today. They're absolute cokebottles unfortunately. I asked the guy why the lenses were so thick. He said it's because I chose an "oversized" frame with 1.49 index lenses. Not sure what that means but I am not happy!

Likelenses 21 Mar 2017, 19:57

Dahlia

Yes, you should be a full time wearer.If not now with in the next two years you will probably be peering through -4.00,and unable to function without correction.

Bottomline is SOONER, OR LATER.

George1968 21 Mar 2017, 12:39

Dahlia,

Do you have an issue wearing glasses fulltime?

Look, no one will make you wear your glasses. It's a matter of physical and psychological comfort.

So, when you get them, wear them for a couple of hours and then take them off. Do you feel you are comfortable with the vision without glasses?

If not, you probably have your answer.

Soundmanpt 21 Mar 2017, 09:21

Dahlia

I am curious as to tow much you wore your previous glasses that were -1.50 / -1.25? In my opinion you were just under what I would consider the borderline of needing your glasses full time. There is no glasses police so when and how much you choose to wear your new glasses is strictly up to you with of the exception of driving where you certainly need your glasses for. Since you're in your early 20s your eyes are still in that time frame where it is very common for your eyes to have some change every year. But it shouldn't be too long before your eyes become stable. So in the 2 years since you last had your eyes checked they have changed by a diopter in each eye. So it is safe to say had you gotten your eyes checked after one year the change would have only been about -.50 making your glasses -2.00/ -1.75 a year ago. So hat amount of change is about what would be expected by now. It si safe to say that after wearing your new glasses for a few weeks and then testing your eyes with your previous -1.50 / -1.25 glasses you will quickly know that they are too weak to even use as a backup or spare pair. So I agree with Cactus Jack that you probably do need to be wearing your new glasses full time now.

Dahlia 21 Mar 2017, 08:45

I'm in my early 20s. It's been a while since my last test. Maybe 2 years.

Cactus Jack 20 Mar 2017, 22:46

Dahlia,

You probably should. Without correction, your visual world is a sphere approximately 40 cm in radius. Beyond that distance, everything is increasingly blurry.

You have moderate Myopia and effectively you are wearing +2.50 reading glasses all the time. It is great for close work or reading, but you probably can't recognize someone you know 6 meters away. Also, your Ciliary Muscles are probably very weak because they don't get much exercise. That will probably cause you some problems when you first start wearing the new prescription. However, that will only last a week or two.

You did not answer the two other questions I asked. Your answers will help me offer better suggestions that more closely meet your needs.

Dahlia 20 Mar 2017, 20:48

Yes, that is it. Do I need to wear glasses all the time?

cactus Jack 20 Mar 2017, 20:16

Dahlia,

Were those your complete prescriptions?

Not really a huge increase, but it depends to some extent on your age and the time interval between the Old and New prescriptions.

Dahlia 20 Mar 2017, 19:25

New prescription:

-2.50

-2.25

Old prescription:

-1.50

-1.25

Is it a lot worse?

Cactus Jack 19 Mar 2017, 17:30

Question,

Here is an expanded version of your daughter's prescription:

OD (Right Eye) Sphere +0.25 Cylinder -2.00, Axis 096 degrees

OS (Left Eye) Sphere +0.50, Cylinder -1.75, Axis 068 degrees

The PLUS Sphere number means that she is a tiny bit far or long sighted (Hyperopia). By itself, it would be almost insignificant. Almost all children are born with Hyperopia because their eyeballs are small to fit in their small heads. Fortunately, children also usually have abundant Accommodation Amplitude and can easily compensate for their Hyperopia. As a child grows and their eyeballs grow, they will become less and less Hyperopic. Eyeball growth is primarily controlled by their genes, but the visual environment can also be a factor in how vision develops. It is likely that your daughter's sphere correction will decrease and perhaps, she may become a bit nearsighted (Myopic) by the time she is in her early 20s.

The thing that is significant and the dominant factor in your daughter's prescription is the Cylinder correction for Astigmatism. Astigmatism affects vision at all distances and it makes text very hard to read, comfortably. The problem is that it requires external correction.

Astigmatism is typically caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of the Cornea. It is steeper in one direction than it is in the other. We think of a cylinder and being something shaped like a "can" in the pantry. Ideally, the Cornea is shaped like a slice from the side of a glass ball. If a person has Astigmatism, the Cornea is shaped like a slice from the side of a glass American Football. Often people with Astigmatism will see a "ghost" image of the words when the read.

The Axis is the Long Axis of the Cylinder. Cylinder and Axis are ALWAYS listed together. The actual Axis angle does not have any particular effect on a persons vision, but when a Cylinder correction is specified, the Axis needs to be very close to the actual Axis of the person's Astigmatism.

Just as an FYI, by convention, 0 (or 180) degrees is horizontal and the numbers increase in a counter-clockwise direction, looking at the patient. 90 degrees is vertical and on around to 180 degrees. Axis is always specified as between 0 and 180 degrees. Some Eye Care Professionals (ECPs) like to use 0 to 179 or 1 to 180.

We don't know the actual cause of Astigmatism, but it seems to be related to uneven growth of the eyeball putting stress on the eyeball. Incidentally, even with your daughter's astigmatism, the difference in curvature is very tiny. At some point in the future, when she has stopped growing, it may be possible to correct her Astigmatism with minor Refractive Surgery, if it is a problem.

When she gets her glasses, things may look a little distorted initially, but that will go away in a few days. Vision actually occurs in the brain, the eyes are merely biological cameras. Her brain is used to dealing with distorted images and it has to get used to working with corrected images. I suspect she will find it much easier and more comfortable to read.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask more questions is you wish.

Question 19 Mar 2017, 09:16

My 11yr old daughter was just prescribed glasses for the first time after a school eye test detected a problem and alerted my wife and I. Her prescription is OD +0.25 -2.00 096 OS +0.50 -1.75 068. Can someone explain these numbers and let us know what to expect in the coming years? My wife only wears readers and I'm close to that point, but neither of us ever wore glasses otherwise, thanks.

Soundmanpt 19 Mar 2017, 09:06

Beth

I have been following your correspondence with "Cactus Jack" and the advice he provides you can take to the bank. He mentioned that if you do decide to get glasses that you might want to order them on line. If so you will find that there are a number of places that offer glasses on line. But the one I and many others in this site prefer is "zennioptical.com" but "eyebuydirect,com" is also quite good. They both offer several hundred choices for under $13.00 and that is for a complete pair of glasses in your prescription. For an additional $5.00 you can get an optional AR coating (anti-reflective) which I highly recommend. It is of course up to you if you get glasses or don't get them but because of your job as a nurse you know how important having good eyesight is when reading medicine bottles and so much other small print. Going without glasses your eyesight is at least slightly impaired for both distance as well as up close. You are very slightly nearsighted but wearing glasses when driving would make seeing signs somewhat clearer and driving at night your glasses would be even more useful to you. It would be up to you how much you choose to wear your glasses but I think that you would find wearing your glasses enough of a benefit while at work as well as for driving. They would be helpful at the movies, concerts and viewing sporting events. I will warn you that if you get glasses when you first put them on because of your astigmatism things may seem a bit off like the floor may appear to be at an angle and you may feel slightly dizzy or even get a small headache but that will rather quickly go away as your eyes adjust to your glasses.

cactus Jack 18 Mar 2017, 15:44

Beth,

Astigmatism affects Visual Acuity at all distances, there is really nothing you can do about it except wear external corrective lenses. It is particularly noticeable when reading very small text.

Vision actually occurs in the brain. The eyes are merely biological cameras. The brain has amazing image processing powers and can correct images if it knows what something is supposed to look like. The brain can also create images with your eyes closed such as when you dream or have hallucinations.

If you decide to get some glasses, you should wear them full time for about 2 weeks and then make a decision about when to wear them. Initially, you may think that glasses have made your vision worse, but that is not correct. It usually takes about two weeks (maybe less for your low prescription( for your brain to get used to the images being corrected optically and stop expending the image processing effort.

If you get an opportunity, it might be helpful to read "How to Study for an Eye Exam"

Beth 18 Mar 2017, 14:20

Thank you for the explanation re the cylinder that makes sense . I am 31 years old, UK based and work as a psychiatric nurse. I am confused I thought with short sightedness it's difficulty for distance not up close like reading tasks. Sorry for my ignorance in this area!

Cactus Jack 18 Mar 2017, 14:14

Beth,

Prescriptions written in +cylinder format are harder to understand than the more common - cylinder format. Typically, MDs use +cylinder and ODs, Opticians, and Lens Makers use -cylinder format. There is an easy formula for converting from one format to the other. The prescription you were given:

OS (Left Eye) sphere -1.00 cylinder +0.75 axis 90

OD (Right) sphere-0.50 only

is converted by algebraically adding the cylinder to the sphere, changing the sign and either adding or subtracting 90 degrees to the axis to be between 0 degrees or 179 degrees. The conversion results in this prescription.

OS (Left Eye) sphere -0.25 cylinder -0.75 axis 0 (long axis horizontal)

OD (Right) sphere-0.50 only

You are very mildly short sighted. Because of the astigmatism in your left eye, I believe you will find that wearing glasses would help your eyes work together better and make it easier to read small text with less fatigue.

If you have not ordered glasses, you might consider ordering some inexpensive glasses, online.

May I ask:

Your age?

Your occupation?

Where you live?

Beth 18 Mar 2017, 13:38

Hello I got given this prescription and wanted your thoughts on whether it's worth getting it made into glasses,I remember it making a difference on the eyechart but will it be enough of a difference in the real world. Also what does it mean to have a minus sphere but a plus cylinder? Am I long and short sighted in that eye?

Left sphere -1.00 cylinder +0.75 axis 90

Right sphere-0.50 only

Beth 18 Mar 2017, 13:37

Left sphere -1.00 cylinder +0.75 axis 90

Right sphere-0.50 only

Frank 28 Feb 2017, 03:29

Sorry, I meant to write Roy in my previous post.

Frank 28 Feb 2017, 03:28

Rob,

Thank for the detailed overview. Luckily I am not dealing with any vertical deviation, but my progression of horizontal deviation follows a similar pattern as yours. I understand that you mostly corrected for comfort, not full correction, so I guess I need to be mindful of that when ordering my next correction. But as far as I can understand you still seem to be able to fuse the images if you want, which is good.

Thank you again!

HighMyopic 25 Feb 2017, 11:14

Roy whats your email? I would love to see pics of your 24 prism glasses. I collect very strong glasses. My email is jetcoasterfan@gmail.com

Roy 25 Feb 2017, 10:54

Frank,

I first experienced double-vision around the age of 15 when I noticed a vertical split image when looking to the left or right extremes of my visual field. I was prescribed a 2 up/3 down prism. This fixed the problem and has remained part of my prescription ever since.

My need for the horizontal prism came much later - in my mid/late forties I think. I noticed eye strain which the optician was able to relieve with base-out prisms. I believe my first prescription was around 4 BO (shared). It crept up over a few years to around 8 shared and was fairly stable at this until around my mid fifties. (I am 70 now.) Over the last 14 years or so it increased steadily to the current value of 24 shared. The pattern is usually the same when I need an increase. I notice the eyes strain more as they maintain fusion. A small increase, usually 2 dioptres relieves the strain and relaxes my eyes.

Frank 24 Feb 2017, 00:51

Roy,

your prescription sounds indeed very high. Can you recall at which prescription your double vision became more permanent?

When doing CJ's test (see my results in the post before yours) I noticed a considerable jump and stronger variation of my correction needs. How was your experience over time?

Thanks,

Frank

Cactus Jack 22 Feb 2017, 07:26

Roy,

That seems reasonable. Many ECPs prescribe less than full prism correction for good reason. If at all possible, they want to leave some convergence ability for close work.

Even with prism correction, it is fairly common to see double when looking extremely left or extremely right. What happens is that as your eyes look that far left or right, one eye will "hit the stop" before the other and it will be physically impossible for the eyes to track together.

From an engineering point of view, the Eye Position Control System (EPCS) (my name) seems to be what is called an Open Loop Servo system that only needs some prism help to get the two images into "fusion range". Based on my experience, the EPCS seems to use sharp vertical lines or edges in the images to "lock on to". The thing that seems to cause confusion for my EPCS is images with repeating patterns or elements such as wallpaper or a row of light bulbs in the fixture over my bathroom mirror. If I am not paying attention, I will break fusion and I have to look at something else to re-fuse the images.

The exception to prescribing less than full correction is those situations where the EPCS has limited control over eye position, such as traumatic brain injury. In those instances, it may be necessary to prescribe full prism correction for distance and a different amount of prism for focusing close. Lenses with different amounts of prism for distance and close are called "Slab-Off" lenses.

Roy 22 Feb 2017, 06:38

I tried your prism test, repeating it several times to get an average, and arrived at a figure of 35 dioptres (base-out correction needed). Does that see reasonable, compared to my prescription of 24 BO (shared), which implies that my eyes can manage the other 11 dioptres?

I don't get any double-vision with the new glasses. With my previous pair, which have a prescription of 22 base-out, I was getting slight double-vision, but only when looking at the extreme right hand side of my field of view.

To me it looks as if I need the full 24 BO. As I said before I am concerned that any further increases may take me beyond the limit for manufacturing the the ground-in prisms. Do you know what the limit is?

Thanks for your help

Frank 22 Feb 2017, 04:34

CJ,

Thank you for pointing me to your test. I had taken it before, and developed an adapted version of it for ad hoc use on my computer at a distance of 1m. I have measures the deviation for the past few days (with wide range of variations, strongly dependent on my fatigue), with rather high values in the morning and evening. I measured average values of 15 diopters. That hit me with surprise. I had estimated a total deviation of 15 BO from past tests, but this is on top of my current 6 BO (my astigmatism prevents me from reading the measure without correction at any distance).

Since starting to wear prisms, I have 'learned' to control my eyes in that I can relax them spontaneously, something I hadn't been able to do before. I am wondering if that is normal once getting used to prisms. However, I also noticed that my eye positioning system is very adaptive, and after a few minutes, my eyes drift further apart. So I suspect the current measures are only the status quo, but are likely to increase if I would wear a permanent correction of this strength (21 dptr BO). After relaxing my view for some time, it becomes quite hard to bring my eyes back into fusion. Is that something to be worried about?

Given the aesthetics of such high correction and the ease with which my eyes adapt to it, I would prefer to hold off, and only correct it to a level that allows me to read properly without tunnel or double vision as long as possible, but I am wondering if my planned 10 BO is sufficient for this, or just wasted money...

Thank you for your advice!

Cactus Jack 18 Feb 2017, 17:43

Frank,

See my reply to Roy, below. You can also do the test.

Cactus Jack 18 Feb 2017, 17:41

Roy,

SIMPLE PRISM TEST

It is a little easier to work with metric measurements, but you can do it also with inches and feet. You just have to do a little more math for conversions between the two. Just remember, 39.37 inches = 1meter or 100 cm.

This test is based on the definition of 1 prism diopter as: "That amount of prism that will deflect a ray of light 1 cm at a distance of 1 meter (100 cm)".

1. Select a fairly blank wall where you can attach a calibrated adding machine tape, using painters or masking tape.

2. Decide where you will stand or sit while doing the test. Between 3 and 4 meters or 10 and 14 feet works best. Measure the distance from that location to the wall selected in Step 1.

3. Calculate how much displacement 1 prism diopter represents at the distance measured in Step 2. The calculation is not hard. Recall, the definition of a prism diopter above. If the distance from where you will stand to the wall is 3 meters, 1 prism diopter will displace the images 3 cm

5. Attach the adding machine tape, stretched out horizontally, to the wall selected in Step 1.

6. On another short piece of adding machine tape mark an arrow lengthwise and attach that piece of tape to the wall, vertically, so the arrow is pointing at 0. You are ready to do the test.

7. Place yourself at the location selected in Step 2, let your eyes relax so you see double and note where the "0" arrow appears to point in the displaced image. Try this test several times during the day and at varying degrees of fatigue. Make a note of your results.

8. If you are wearing glasses with prism, adjust the readings in Step 7 for the total prism in the glasses. For example, if you need to wear glasses to see the marks and the glasses have say at total of 12 diopters Base Out (6 in each eye), what ever displacement you measure needs to be added to or subtracted from the 12 total BO. It is sometimes hard to decide if you need more prism in your glasses or less, but you can probably figure it out.

Please Let me know if you have any questions and if this works for you.

Roy 18 Feb 2017, 07:20

Yes Cactus I would like to try your prism test. How would I need to modify it for my prescription?

Cactus Jack 17 Feb 2017, 16:06

Roy,

Have you done the Simple Prism Test? If you want to do it, we may need to modify the test slightly because of your prescription. Let me know if you are interested.

Roy 17 Feb 2017, 14:46

My 2-year eye test resulted in a reduction of 0.25 in each eye for my myopia and an extra 1 diopter to the base-out prism in each eye. Prescription now reads:-

Right eye -1.50, -1.00 @ 88, prism 3 down & 12 out

Left eye -4.25, -1.00 @ 80, prism 2 up & 12 out

Add 3.00

Got my new (progressive) glasses with this prescription yesterday and am really pleased with them. The slight double vision I had when looking to the left has gone and vision is noticeably sharper. (I just managed 20/20 in the eye test.)

The outer edge thickness of the lenses is now around 12mm and I re-used an old titanium frame with a 2mm thick rim. The edges of the lenses are not polished or chamfered. (I requested this.) I love the look of them. Just a bit worried I might reach the limit of prism that can be ground in if I have any more increases in the horizontal prism. Does anyone know what the limit is for this?

Cactus Jack 16 Feb 2017, 10:05

Frank,

Have you done my Simple Prism Test? You can measure your needs with surprising accuracy.

Frank 16 Feb 2017, 03:13

Hi CJ (et al.),

Thank you for your advice/experience. To figure out which prescription I should order, I have gotten some prism foils from an optical shop (2 BO to add onto my current glasses, and 8BO to use with an older pair that doesn't have prism correction).

I have been wearing those for a few days (at home only, though - vanity is an issue ;)) and got somewhat used to the reduced vision quality of the foils. In fact, they seem to act more like occlusion foils, but the vision comfort outweighs this disadvantage (I notice that once I take them off)

But after those few days, I realise that my eyes tend to drift off again, and I have severe problems keeping my eyes fused in the morning wearing my regular prescription for work (especially when tired). For the purpose of testing, I now tried the 8BO foil on top of my regular glasses (adding up to 14 BO in total), and must admit that the vision was never so relaxed. But I also realise that it is extremely hard to fuse my eyes again for the rest of that day once I remove the foil.

I suspect that my deviation is definitely higher than the prescribed 8BO, and I am now wondering how high my strabismus really is (since my eyes adapt so quickly). I will at least order 10 BO for my daily use, but wonder if it makes sense to go higher immediately?

Any thoughts appreciated!

Frank

Soundmanpt 08 Feb 2017, 14:08

anon

Most likely you only barely passed the drivers vision test when your prescription was -.50/-.75. Now that it has changed slightly to -.75/-1.00 i'm quite sure you would be unable to see 20/40 which is the limit you need to able to see. You likely only passed on the basis of your -.50 eye before and if both eyes had been -.75 you would have failed then.

You made a wise decision when you went from only wearing your glasses for night driving to wearing them during the day as well. It's really not a bad idea even for the ones that only wear -.50 glasses to wear their glasses anytime they are driving.

Many years ago I was dating a girl that was 17 and she was about to go for her driver's permit.She was smart enough to first go and get her eyes examined a few months before because she was having trouble seeing the board at school. She was prescribed glasses and her prescription was -.50. I had promised her that when she got her permit I would teach her to drive. I was going to be teaching her in my car. I had a 73 Dodge Charger that I ordered special with everything on it so it was my baby. It got washed at least 3 or 4 times a week and waxed at least once a month. Anyway the very first day of her first lesson I told her she needed to wear her glasses. She wasn't very happy with me and she didn't even have her glasses with her. So I drove her home so she could get her glasses. I told her what she did after she got her license and own car was up to her but whenever she would be driving my car she would have to wear her glasses. She wanted to drive bad enough that she didn't put up any argument and when ever I came to get her for a driving lesson from then on she was waiting with her glasses on. She was actually a good learner, or maybe I was a "great" teacher, but she was ready to take the driver's test after only a couple months. I let her drive quite bit once I saw that she was doing really good. After a while she got her own car and I was glad to see that she continued wearing her glasses. Sadly her dad got a job in California and she moved their with them.

anon 08 Feb 2017, 07:57

Mine started at -.50 and -.75. Shortly after went for drivers test and passed the vision part without the glasses. Wore them mostly for night driving, not even TV. Also began wearing for day driving. After a while began noticing more blur without them so wore them more often. Had another exam and came out with -.75 and -1.00. Think I would fail the test today.

Mike 07 Feb 2017, 17:52

Anon, is your prescription similar?

Anon 07 Feb 2017, 14:45

In other words, Ben, it IS a one way street. Not necessarily bad, if you can see better, but I think that any time you adjust to wearing glasses it is almost always one way. I was like you, and thought I didn't really really need them, and tried for a week, and as I noticed more and more how I could not make out out signs and even not so distant phone numbers I realized I had to go full time!

Cactus Jack 05 Feb 2017, 19:04

Ben,

It is a common experience, but people with low myopia have less trouble switching from glasses to no glasses after they get used to seeing well with glasses. It really is your choice, with the exception of situations where poor vision affects the safety of other, such as driving.

More likely, you will decide that you prefer your vision with your glasses. Vision actually occurs in the brain. Your eyes are merely biological cameras. You brain corrects what you "see", IF it knows what you are looking at. Your brain can even generate images with your eyes closed. Ever had a dream?

Part of the suggested two week process is to let your brain learn to deal with images that have been corrected optically. In some ways, it is like a computer algorithm. The brain does not forget an image processing algorithm, but it may complain about having to re-load an algorithm that means it has to go back to work. Like any labor saving tool, it is hard to go back to not using the tool after you have experienced the difference and the comfort.

Ben 05 Feb 2017, 14:16

A friend told me that if I wear glasses full time for 2 weeks then without them everything will be so blurred that I will have no choice but to wear then full time.

I am concerned about taking a chance from not needing them to being dependent?

Is this common?

Soundmanpt 05 Feb 2017, 10:21

MCG

Of course you don't have much choice if you have been told that she needs to wear glasses then you should order them as soon as possible for her. At 6 years old she needs good vision so she can learn and be having trouble seeing at school. Just curious is your daughter small for her age? Because she is only 6 her eyes maybe just slow developing. Her eyesight isn't by any means terrible even if you weren't able to see anything through her prescription. But if your nearsighted that even would make it harder for you to focus with what her glasses would be. And if she is in fact just slwo with her eye development it is very possible that her need for glasses will slowly be reduced and maybe go away completely but that is very hard to predict. That is something you can ask about when you go back to have her re examined Now don't be upset if after she wears her glasses full time for those first 2 weeks and sh goes back for her re exam that they might increase her prescription a bit more. I'm pretty sure the went on the weaker side to let her eyes adjust to her glasses so they will know exactly what she needs. But again as she grows up her need for glasses could lessen or increase.

Cactus Jack 05 Feb 2017, 08:59

Frank,

Unfortunately, that won't work. A narrow field of view is a common complaint about low cost progressives. Premium progressives such as Varilux and other top of the line lens are advertised as having a wider field of view, but they are not cheap. I don't have much experience with progressives. I tried them several years ago and had the same problem. I went back to lined bifocals and trifocals after a week of trying to function with progressives and never looked back. I have never been afflicted with Vanity.

Frank 05 Feb 2017, 03:51

CJ,

Thank you for your feedback. Your advice confirms what I already had in mind. I guess 5 BO it is.

If I may bother you with another question: As I mentioned, I wear an add to reduce the tendency to overconverge at near. However, with the progressives, I really have a crisp, but very narrow field of view when reading - I can't see a full A4 text line clearly without moving my head. (Note: I reduced the PD by 3mm as generally recommended.)

Do you see any value in reducing it to 2mm, or alternatively, to reduce the add (now +1.5) in order to widen the field of view for near vision, or will that lead to other problems?

Thank you for your helpful advice!

Frank

MCG 04 Feb 2017, 19:12

Cactus Jack,

Hi thanks for your explanation.

1)My husband and I both wear glasses (except he had lasik). 2)A referral was sent home from school saying she tested at 20/40 and should have an exam.

We haven't gotten the glasses yet just wandering what the future might hold for her.

Cactus Jack 04 Feb 2017, 18:49

Anon,

Your daughter has very mild Hyperopia (1st number Sphere) with a little Astigmatism (2nd and 3rd numbers Cylinder and Axis). Hyperopia (and Myopia) are caused by a mismatch between the total optical power of the eye's lens system and the length of the eyeball. For Hyperopia, the eyeball is just a tiny bit too short and she needs a bit more Plus to be able to focus. Astigmatism is caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of The Cornea, Astigmatism causes problems, particularly reading text at all distances.

Almost all children are born with Hyperopia because their eyeballs have to be small to fit in their small head. As they grow, the Hyperopia decreases and sometimes turns into Myopia as their eyeballs grow. We don't really know much about the causes of Astigmatism, but typically is does not change very much over time so she may get to deal with that for a long time.

Ultimate eyeball growth is regulated by a person's genes with a small Visual Environment factor thrown in. A few questions:

1. Do you, your wife, grandparents wear glasses, other than for reading?

2. What prompted the eye exam (symptoms)?

One small request. Please decide on a nickname to help keep track of your posts.

04 Feb 2017, 15:51

My daughter (6) was just prescribed glasses for the first time. The prescription is something like +1.00, -.5, and +1.25, -.75. The Dr. says that she should wear them all the time for 2 weeks and then he is going to re-check the prescription. After that she should wear them all the time at school. He had me look through some crazy contraption with her prescription but I couldn't see a thing. Is her prescription likely to go up to a point she cant see without glasses?

Cactus Jack 04 Feb 2017, 08:38

Mike,

Congratulations, You are almost there. 20/50 means that without your glasses, you see at 20 feet what most other people see at 50 feet. BTW, 20/20 is actually not the best possible vision. It was "typical" vision when Snellen (the creator of the Snellen Chart) did his research many years ago. 20/15 is a little better, but few ECPs try for that.

Full time wear for most people with mild Myopia, as you have, helps keep your Ciliary Muscles (focusing muscles) in good condition. It is often tempting for people with low Myopia and little or no Astigmatism, to read without their glasses. Having low Myopia is like having built in reading glasses.

When you don't wear vision correction, your Ciliary Muscles don't get enough exercise and they tend to get weak. For their size (tiny) the Ciliary Muscles are the strongest muscles in the body. When you don't use them, they get out of condition and that often leads to the symptoms of Presbyopia happening at an earlier age than would naturally occur.

My suggestion is that you wear your glasses full time for 2 weeks. There may be some initial mild discomfort when you focus close (like going to the gym the first few times), but in a few days, your Ciliary Muscles will get used to working a little harder. Also, with full time wear, all your associates will get used to you wearing glasses, and that will be the end of the comments. In many ways it is like getting a new pair of shoes or a different hair cut.

Mike 04 Feb 2017, 08:07

Hey Ben

I'm in the same boat. I'm 30 (must be a 30's thing!) and got prescribed -1 -0.25 180 glasses also last week. I thought it was just normal not to see signs at distance, but had noticed some of my mates could - so after putting it off for a long time I get my eyes checked and letters were not so clear after a few lines. My vision was 20/50. After trying lots of lenses he could get my vision perfect so I could read to the bottom. Technology has got a lot more modern since I last got checked as a teenager.

Choosing glasses was tricky. I got a friend to help and say yay or nay. I was tempted by the not-so-subtle black frames, but ended up going for something a big more discrete. I might upgrade to more designer frames in a few months. First I just want to try them.

I know I'm being melodramatic, but it is a bit of a life shock at first. Suddenly your glasses wearer status changes and you are that guy in glasses. Last weekend I was meeting my mates in the pub and decided to wear them. I was actually really nervous about it - silly really. Anyhow, some teased me but most complemented me.

Cactus you are right about the difference - am quite amazed by the how much detail I can see, especially at night and seeing faces and eyes so sharply. I don't drive currently and work in an office so have been mostly just wearing them at home and at the weekend. Walking around the city is quite different.

I'm curious to know how you get on and how often you end up wearing them - that's my dilemma - whether i'll wear them more often or not.

Cactus Jack 03 Feb 2017, 15:30

Ben,

It is very common for people with mild vision problems to think their vision is just fine. The problem is that you have no frame of reference because it has probably been years since you experienced really good vision.

Like many things, you need to experience something before you decide if it is beneficial or not. With the one exception of driving, when you wear your glasses is really up to you. We often suggest that you should wear you glasses every waking hour, for the first two weeks. That will allow your brain to re-program itself and get used to not having to work so hard. Then you can make a decision about when to wear them.

You may be concerned about what your family, friends, associates and clients will say about your wearing glasses. That is a natural concern, but it only lasts a few days, if that.

I think you might find a true story on the Vision and Specs site interesting. It is about a first time glasses wearer. It is under the Fantasy and True Stories . . . thread titled Macrae's Story. Macrae needs low prescription glasses for Hyperopia (the opposite of yours), but his experiences with the psychology of wearing glasses is similar, no matter what your prescription.

Ben 03 Feb 2017, 12:14

That's -1.00, -0.5 each eye.

I am 32 and work in sales.

I didn't feel things were so bad that I would need to wear them all the time?

Cactus Jack 03 Feb 2017, 10:04

Ben,

If you posted your complete prescription, it means:

OD Right Eye Sphere -1.00

OS Left Eye Sphere -0.50

That means that with your Right eye, everything beyond 1 meter (3.3 feet) everything is increasingly blurry. With your Left Eye everything beyond 2 meters (6.6 feet) is increasingly blurry. If there are more elements to your prescription, they just mean that your vision is worse than that, without correction.

You are probably reading with your Right Eye and using your Left Eye for distance. Most people like to see clearly with BOTH eyes and would wear their glasses full time. But, other than for driving, when you wear your glasses is up to you. Some people actually like blurry vision.

I think you are in for a big surprise when you discover what you have been missing. After you and your friends get used to you wearing glasses, you will wear them all the time. Please don't let Vanity keep you from having good vision.

May I as your age and occupation?

Ben 03 Feb 2017, 09:24

I went for An eye test because my girlfriend thought I couldn't see signs. I got a result of -1.00 - 0.5. I tried on glasses and my girlfriend thought dark frame glasses that aren't subtle might suit me.

I can't imagine wearing glasses at all. It my girlfriend says her friend wears this type of glasses all the time.

Do I need glasses. If so would this be all the time, or sometimes for most people?

Cactus Jack 03 Feb 2017, 07:21

Frank,

Sorry to be slow answering. There is not a lot of difference between 4 and 5. but 5 would probably be more comfortable and help for a longer time. The idea of under correcting prism is to get the two images into capture range and then your Eye Position Control System (EPCS) (my name) can take over an complete the fusion task. be sure and adjust your distance and near PD inward by 0.3 mm per prism diopter so the optical center of your lenses and your central axis of vision are co-incident for the least distortion.

You may also want to investigate Optical 4 Less as a source of higher prism glasses if you need them. I have not checked in many years, but at one time they offered up to 11 diopters of prism. They are more expensive than Zenni, but still less than Mall Opticians.

Cactus Jack 03 Feb 2017, 06:58

Ben,

You do need glasses for distance and to help your eye work as a team. How much you wear them depends on your needs. You definitely should wear them for driving.

We usually suggest that you wear them full time for 2 weeks and then make a decision about when to wear them. Vision actually occurs in the brain, your eyes are just biological cameras. Your brain has the ability to correct images, IF it knows what you are looking at, but it takes a lot of extra energy to do it. After a few days, you may think that your glasses have made your vision worse. That is not true. All that has happened is that your brain has become used to having the images corrected optically and it has stopped its correction process.

Think of your glasses as labor saving tools and you will understand what has happened. You may decide that full time wear is really the better choice. Other than driving, the choice of when, is up to you and probably your GF. She may find your glasses a turn on and that is usually not a bad thing.

Ben 03 Feb 2017, 06:07

I can't imagine wearing glasses at all. It my girlfriend says her friend wears this type of glasses all the time.

Do I need glasses. If so would this be all the time, or sometimes for most people?

Frank 30 Jan 2017, 22:32

I recently went to the ECP because of double vision when tired. If looking at distances beyond 3-4 meters, especially in relaxed social environments, it was hard to keep the eyes fused. Usually I only had fusion problems at near (am far-sighted), for which I had ordered an additional add (+1.5), which helped a lot (but I can't do without now :( ). My regular prescription is about +2.5 sph, -2.0 cyl., 3 pdptr BO (i.e. 6 BO in total).

My ECP measured quite high values on the prism test (but didn't want to tell me the values). She suggested I should only increase to 4 prisms BO (i.e. 8 BO in total). I suspect that this is not enough in the long run. Following CJ's test, I have a max. of 15 pdptr in total at the current stage - depending on fatigue level.

I wonder whether I should order 5 BO immediately. However, this would be my last order with cheap online services if my strabismus increases further (most only deliver up to 5 prism dptr at affordable prices - I can't really afford much more). Should I just do the incremental increase and see how it goes, or save money and jump to 5 BO immediately?

Any opinion/experience is welcome!

Soundmanpt 28 Jan 2017, 11:09

Catwoman

Based om your current progression I would think that by 2037 the prescription for your "cat-eye" glasses will be:

O.D. Plano -2.00 180 +4.00

O.S. Plano -1.75 170 +4.00

And you glasses will only be single vision instead of bifocals.

(of course you know i am only kidding, but you never know?)

Catwoman 28 Jan 2017, 10:20

My current prescription, as of the summer of 2016:

OD: -4.00 -2.00 180 +2.75

OS: -5.00 -2.25 170 +2.75

My prescription from 2008, my 1st year with my current eye doctor:

OD: -5.25 -2.00 175 +2.25

OS: -5.50 -2.50 170 +2.25

If all goes well, by 2037 I should have perfect vision. :)

Trent 27 Jan 2017, 19:08

OD: -8.00 -1.75 x017 +2.25

OS: -8.00 -2.00 x162 +2.25

Cyl has decreased and axis changed. First time in my life that my right eye is better than left. Dr. said that the shape of my eyeball changes with age. I have been as high as -8.5 -2.75

Cactus Jack 24 Jan 2017, 08:08

Lee,

Welcome to the "club".

It is amazing that you have been able to function without glasses all these years. Your short sightedness as indicated by the first number (Sphere) in your prescription, helped with close work. The second and third number (Cylinder and Axis) indicate that you have enough Astigmatism to mess up your vision at all distances, but particularly, when you need to read small text such as on your phone.

When you get your distance vision corrected by your glasses, you WILL have trouble focusing close. It is caused by Presbyopia (literally "old eyes"). You will need external help focusing close. That is the purpose of the +3.00 Add.

Because you have lost your ability to focus you have a lot of choices of what to do about it. The simplest choice is a Bifocal Add. You use most of your glasses lens for clear distance vision and there is a small "reading segment" at the bottom of the lens that helps you focus at 33 cm or 13 inches, but you may have a problem using a computer, which is typically about 60 cm or 25 inches away from your eyes.

For that you need an Add of about +1.50 or +1.75. The solution there is either trifocals or variable focus lenses, often called progressives. Which is best for you, depends on your visual environment. Progressives are considered by some as being more cosmetically attractive, but they can have a narrow field of vision and some distortion in the transition from distance to near. Bifocals or Trifocals have visible lines, but offer a wider, distortion free "window". I am 79. My background is Engineering and I prefer trifocals.

I also have a second pair of single vision glasses with my reading prescription. I like to read in bed and they are great for that activity, where there is no need for distance vision.

May I as your occupation and where you live?

Lee 24 Jan 2017, 02:19

Hi all,

I recently went to get my eyes tested as I'm struggling seeing my iPhone ! I'm 60 and the last time I had an eye test was when I was 16, I had glasses that I wore all the time form the age of around 10 to see the blackboard but I seemed to stop wearing them after leaving school.

I was surprised to be told by the optician that I am a bit short sighted but also needed different glasses for close work. They gave me to following prescription:

RE sph -1.25 cyl -1.25 @ 175

LE sph -1.00 cyl -1.00 @ 60

ADD +3.00 both

The optician said I need 2 pairs of glasses or even varifocals, I haven't ordered any as yet as I was taken by surprise, what does all this mean and what should I do?

Maxim 23 Jan 2017, 16:15

Hello Emmy,

I can only encourage you, to wear your glasses permanently. Your collegue might be right saying, that your prescription is a "weak" prescription or not a very dramatic one.

But on the other hand, I cannot imagine walking around, working or functioning properly in everyday life situation without proper vision.

I have already simulated a need for 3,25 resp. 4.00 diopters (with CLs / GOC - adverse contact lenses and glasses over them for correction), and I can confirm - you need correction! You could even not read a car registration plate when you're in front of a parking car!

So tell your collegue nicely, that he is wrong!

When he needs a -12.00 correction, he could not function with glasses of -8.00 only, lacking four diopters of correction!

Best wishes to you, and I'm sure, you're good looking with your glasses!

Emmy 23 Jan 2017, 13:03

Thanks Cactus Jack. I agree its none of his business, it was just the insinuation that I could solve my sore eye problem by just not bothering with any correction at all. Yes I do find using a computer hard without my glasses or contacts so thought it would seem odd not to wear them for that, also recognising people in an office pretty much impossible without them. Both of which are reasons I feel like I need to wear them all the time! I have got some lovely new glasses on order, should get them in the next day or so. Not having them is pretty much a pain!

Cactus Jack 23 Jan 2017, 12:37

Emmy,

It is not any of his business when or where you wear vision correction of any type. Without correction, everything beyond about 11 inches or 28 cm is increasingly blurry. That makes it hard to read or use a computer, not to mention your distance vision.

I urge you to take action to get replacement glasses as soon as possible and consider ordering an inexpensive spare pair from an online retailer. If nothing else, an older pair of glasses with a weaker prescription would be better than not having any correction at all.

Emmy 23 Jan 2017, 10:56

Have 'lurked' on these boards before but actually have a question/something I'd like to get opinions on. I wear contact lenses with a prescription of -3.25 and -4.00. I recently broke my glasses which I wear sometimes at home or the occasional day at work if my eyes are tired. I was complaining to a colleague of a sore eye today due to this and said I was looking forward to getting some new glasses so I didn't have to wear contacts all the time. He has quite a strong prescription for glasses by the looks of his lenses. He asked me my prescription and said if his was that low, he'd just go without glasses in my situation with the sore eye. Now I know my orrscriotion is not really strong but I feel I n33d glasses/contacts for most activities. But his surprise got me wondering what other people with this sort of prescription do, just for driving and TV or all the time? I originally got glasses when I was a teenager and did just wear them for those activities but as my prescription got stronger I started to rely on them more.

Soundmanpt 20 Jan 2017, 10:51

Jacky

Just as "Cactus Jack" and "George 1968" has already told you it is perfectly understandable that when you take your glasses off that you feel "completely blind" In fact I would say nearly everyone with your same prescription likely feels the same way. Your wearing has in no way worsened your eyesight even though many people claims that their wearing glasses ruined their eyesight. That is complete nonsense. Just as Cactus Jack said without your glasses anything more than 14 inches away from you already starts to become blurry. And of course the further away something is the more blurry it is. So if by wearing glasses allows your to see perfectly at a much further distance why wouldn't you want to wear your glasses?

George1968 20 Jan 2017, 07:24

Jacky,

Is that your first glasses prescription?

If so, the reason that you feel blind without them is the contrast between the vision you had without them, and the vision with them. As you wear them, your eyes and brain adjust, so that when you take them off, the world is blurrier than you remember. Nothing is going wrong with your eyes.

There are no glasses police, so you can wear glasses as often or as little as you want (except for driving, when you now MUST wear them). But, the vast majority of people with glasses of your prescription wear them full-time. That's only bad news if you are uncomfortable wearing your glasses in front of other people. The good news is that if you are wearing them full time, the only time you will be bothered by the blur is when you take off your glasses to go to bed.

My guess is that since there appears to be such a difference in your vision with your glasses on versus glasses off, that you will decide to just wear the glasses.

Cactus Jack 20 Jan 2017, 00:33

Jacky,

It is a fairly low prescription, but even low prescription can make a big difference. Vision actually occurs in the brain. Your eyes are merely biological cameras. Your brain is perfectly capable of correcting blurry images, IF it knows what something is supposed to look like, but it takes lots of effort and energy. Your brain can even generate images with your eyes closed. Ever had a dream?

Your prescription means that without correction, everything beyond about 36 cm or 14 inches is increasingly blurry. Most people think that when they start wearing glasses, the glasses make their vision worse. That really is not true. What happens is that the glasses correct the blur optically and your eyes deliver two very sharp images to your brain. That means that your brain does not have to process the images very much and it simply stops doing it. Think or your glasses as labor saving tools. When you take your glasses off, what you see is what your brain had to work with before you got glasses.

Noting is wrong, just enjoy seeing well with your glasses. Don't worry about what other people say. They have absolutely not right to pass judgement on your vision and what it takes to make it very good.

Jacky 19 Jan 2017, 22:54

Everyone says I have a really low prescription but I feel completely blind without my glasses on. Why is this happening?

Rx:

OD -2.25 -0.50 170

OS -2.00 -0.75 180

Cactus Jack 17 Jan 2017, 15:09

Andy,

You are pretty much there. If you need -1.00 glasses that means that everything beyond 1 meter or about 40 inches is increasingly blurry. When you wear them is pretty much up to you with one exception. If you drive, you should absolutely wear your glasses.

Vision actually occurs in the brain. Your eyes are merely biological cameras. Your brain can correct blurry images IF it knows what something is supposed to look like. Your brain can even generate images with no external input. Ever had a dream?

I suggest that you wear your glasses full time for about 2 weeks and then make a decision about when to wear them. It will take a few days for your brain to get used to the fact that what you see is being corrected optically, by your glasses and it does not need to correct the images. When that occurs, you will think that the glasses have made your vision worse, but that is not really true. All that has happened is that your brain has stopped expending effort and energy correcting the the poor quality images and is using its considerable processing capacity on more productive things.

Andy 17 Jan 2017, 14:31

Hi all,

I just got my eyes tested and my prescription has gone from -0.5 to -1. I'm 30. At what point to people usually start wearing glasses full time. I currently don't wear them that often, but when I get my new glasses tomorrow I might wear them more often.

Soundmanpt 17 Jan 2017, 11:39

Sara

Right now you're still getting used to having glasses and you still getting used to wearing them. That is very normal for most everyone. So it's not surprising that you haven't been wearing them out much yet. There is no big rush in getting started with wearing your glasses in public. I'm pretty certain that you have needed glasses for a while so a few more days isn't a problem. But even wearing them in your house you already know how much better your able to see with your glasses. Of course once you start wearing them outside and your able to see so many things in the distance your going to be even more impressed with your glasses. I don't think you have many suggesting that you should get surgery. But I do think you can expect to get many complements on your looks wearing glasses. And some will want to try your glasses on as well. So have a cleaning cloth with you so you can wipe all the fingerprints off your lenses when they finish trying them on. Let us know how your first day goes wearing glasses in public and around your friends that haven't seen you wearing glasses yet.

Josh 17 Jan 2017, 05:22

Welcome to the glasses club Sara, i bet you look amazing in glasses, your rx isn´t so high so you can wear as you wish, but you notice the difference now, hope you enjoy being a girl with glasses.

George1968 16 Jan 2017, 23:06

Sara,

I think the question is: how do you feel about wearing glasses? Do you feel good in them, or are you not crazy with the look?

It's how you feel. If you like the fact your eyes are not bothering you and you feel fine in terms of how you look in them, what does it matter what others think?

Is there a romantic interest that you will think will object?

Sara 16 Jan 2017, 16:55

I haven't been wearing them out much but I need to wear them now so just going to have to take the comments. It's more aceptable to wear glasses now or people will be telling me to do surgery? I was thinking of wearing contacts but is it better to see with glasses? It can't be a bad thing getting a new prescription because it feels great wearing the glasses

16 Jan 2017, 16:51

Soundmanpt 15 Jan 2017, 10:25

Sara

You first posted back on Dec 5th that you had gotten your eyes examined and posted your prescription as well. It seems that you only now got your glasses. You may recall that "George 1968" as well as myself told you back then that you would be amazed at how much difference wearing glasses would make to your eyes. Based on your recent post it seems you now also agree. It's very normal for things to appear much brighter with your glasses on. I would assume that aching and stinging feeling you used to get was caused by how hard you were straining your eyes trying to see things. Now of course they aren't straining so i'm sure that your eyes and head feel much better. How much you wear your glasses is completely up to you except for driving which your eyesight is not nearly good enough to be driving without glasses anymore. But even though your glasses aren't really all that strong as you can see they do make a world of difference to you. You're prescription is certainly one that many if not most people would wear their glasses full time, So if you're comfortable wearing your glasses, which it seems you are, then you should wear them full time. As I said back in my comment on Dec 6th because you're 26 you're eyes shouldn't change all that much. You should expect that you will need at least a slight increase in about 12 months as your eyes adjust completely to your glasses. But after that it's very possible you won't need any further increases. What comments have been getting since you got your glasses? Were you slightly shy about wearing them the first time?

Sara 15 Jan 2017, 01:49

I got the glasses and can't believe the difference they make. Everything is brighter clearer and my eyes don't ache when I'm wearing glasses before they use to string. I think I'm going to have to wear them all the time. It feels great getting a new prescription I see why people wear glasses now

Jamie 03 Jan 2017, 12:37

Hi CJ,

Perfect, thanks.

It is mainly for Circuit training and running.

Got to get rid of these Christmas pounds somehow!

I will get some ordered.

Jamie

Cactus Jack 03 Jan 2017, 10:05

Jamie,

It is not unusual for a moderate minus prescription to go down as we get older. Often, people with myopia actually develop a combination of True (Axial) and False (Pseudo) Myopia over time.

When you throw Presbyopia into the mix and start wearing an Add, it minimizes the amount of focusing effort that your Ciliary Muscles and Crystalline Lenses have to provide. The result is that your Ciliary Muscles and Crystalline Lenses gradually relax reducing the False Myopia component. Sometimes that takes a surprisingly long time. The True Myopia component doesn't change much because that would require you eyeballs of shrink some, but like most body structures, once they have grown, they typically don't "ungrow".

For sports wear, I would suggest not bothering with Toric Contact lenses to correct your astigmatism. They are expensive and often hard to keep in the cylinder component in correct angular orientation. It they rotate out of position your vision will change at the most inappropriate moments (Murphy't Law). Instead, you might try a technique where 1/2 of the Cylinder is algebraically added to the Sphere correction and Sphere only contacts are worn. In your case 1/2 of -0.75 is -0.375. Unfortunately, that is not a choice because contacts only come in 0.25 increments in your Sphere prescription. I would suggest considering 1 day disposable contacts Right -3.75 Left -2.75. That is a slight over correction, but I doubt that will cause any problems and your distance vision will be a bit sharper.

You didn't mention the sport you prefer. Your near vision will not be as good as with the Add in your glasses. If you need close vision while involved in sports, we may need to re-think that suggestion.

Also, as we get older, often there is a reduction in tearing action. You may need occasionally use Artificial Tears with a Lubricant to keep your contacts and eyes moist while wearing the contacts.

If you haven't worn contacts in a long time, do not self prescribe and fit. You probably need some refresher training.

Hope this helps.

Jamie 03 Jan 2017, 04:09

Hi CJ,

I have just had a new prescription which seems to be going down rather than up, I am 49 years old.

Old prescription

Right -4.00 -0.50 30 add +1.00

Left -3.50 -0.75 10 add +1.00

New prescription

Right -3.25 -0.75 20 add +1.50

Left -2.25 -0.75 10 add +1.50

I am looking to get some contacts for sport to help me work off Christmas.

I had contacts a long time ago with no issues.

Can you help with converting my new "glasses" prescription into a contacts prescription?

Thanks

Cactus Jack 22 Dec 2016, 23:02

martian1,

There is no way to tell how much effect glasses will have except by trying them. Normally, good vision in both eyes makes driving at night or vision in low light conditions significantly better and less fatiguing. BTW, don't get concerned about the fact that you have a different prescription in your two eyes. The eyes do not grow or develop at the same rate. having the same prescription in both eyes is not very common.

You did not mention where you live. Glasses can be rather expensive in some locations, however, it may be possible for you to order glasses online. I don't usually suggest ordering first glasses online, but the difference in cost might make it worth while to consider it. That would be a low cost way to see if the cost / benefit is acceptable.

Many of us have ordered from Zenni Optical. The lenses are of excellent quality. The primary cost driver is the frame you choose and the lenses, They offer frames as low as US$6.95. There are not very many at that price, but there is a pretty good selection for just a few dollars more. An Antireflective coating is only $4.95 and shipping is about $5.00 in the US.

All you need to order is a credit card, your prescription, and your Pupillary Distance (PD). You PD is easy to measure with a rule marked in mm and a bathroom mirror.

May I ask a few more questions?

1. Where do you live? (country)

2. What is your major? (some require a lot of reading)

If you want to try ordering from an online retailer, we can help you. Please let me know what you would like to do.

martian1 22 Dec 2016, 19:44

cactus jack,

im 24 and im still a student. i went for an eye checkup last yr and i dont need glasses that time. a few wks ago i noticed that my right eye is blurry thats why i went for an eye check up again. will the glasses really make a difference? and is my prescription affect my driving? Thank you for answering

martian1 22 Dec 2016, 19:44

cactus jack,

Cactus Jack 22 Dec 2016, 19:24

martian1,

You have natural Mono-Vision. It is likely that you are using your Left Eye (OS) for distance and you are using your Right Eye (OD) for close things. The answers to your questions depend on several things.

1. Your Age?

2. Your Occupation?

3. Do you need to have good depth perception?

I had a similar prescription when I got my first glasses at 14, except the my Right Eye had the Plano prescription and my Left Eye was -1.50. I don't know for sure how long the condition existed before I got glasses. The primary way it was manifest was that my depth perception was not very good and I could not play baseball because I could not tell there the ball was until I heard it hit the catcher's mitt or it hit me. Of course no on wanted me on their team.

You probably should get glasses and wear them full time, so your eyes learn to work together.

martian1 22 Dec 2016, 17:24

Hello everyone, my prescription is OS plano OD -1.0 should i get glasses? if yes should i wear it full time?

George1968 18 Dec 2016, 15:12

Amelia,

What is your prescription? Do you feel you need your glasses for fulltime wear, or do you want to wear them fulltime because of the look?

Cactus Jack 18 Dec 2016, 13:48

Amelia,

Your experiences are typical of the difference between a chain and an independent ECP. The chains are OK for most people and the exam they typically offer is better than just looking into an Auto Refractor. I often suggest a more through exam for a "Baseline" eye and overall health assessment or if there appears to be a need.

I have relatively frequent (annual) dilated Retinal exams because I have Diabetes. A dilated Retinal exam is considered the Gold Standard for Retinal exams, but the Optomap is nice for a quick intermediate check, without dilation. Fortunately, my Diabetes has been well controlled for many years and I have no Retinal damage .

Many "silent killer" health situations are first discovered during an eye exam. The eyes are windows into the body.

Amelia 18 Dec 2016, 13:09

I went for an eye test the other day, I spent quite a bit researching reviews for local opticians as I have not had great experiences at high street chains. I have always felt very rushed and anxious during the exam and never given clear advice on what my prescription means. I went to a family run independent place and it was the most comprehensive test I've had, felt very listened to and the optometrist wasn't afraid to give me clear advice about wearing my glasses more and even reassuring me not to worry if I start wearing bthem more and wanting to wear them all the time. It was the green light I needed to finally feel it's ok to wear my glasses as previous high street chains have never told me what it means or have been quite dismissive of my prescription. He also assessed my retinas using an optomap which was incredible seeing an exceptionally detailed photo of most of my retina, better than those standard retina cameras. Has anyone else had an optomap done? What are other people's experiences of using independent places over chains?

george1968 17 Dec 2016, 21:19

Georgie,

Forgot to ask -- how do you like yourself in glasses? Are you comfortable wearing them or are you self-conscious?

I was very self-conscious about wearing mine even with a much stronger prescription than yours. Finally, my eyes got to the point that I had no choice but fulltime wear. After a week, I realized how silly I had been so self-conscious. If I had to do it again, I would have gone fulltime years earlier.

george1968 17 Dec 2016, 16:41

Georgie,

Glad you find the glasses are working out for you. Let us know what your friends have to say about your glasses.

You might find that with your astigmatism that your glasses will help, esp. When they get tired at the end of the day.

Good luck.

georgie 17 Dec 2016, 15:08

They were ready a lot quicker than I thought so picked them up yesterday

georgie 17 Dec 2016, 15:07

Hi yes I have picked them up, I've not worn them much until today, I decided to put them on and head into town to go shopping, what a difference it made, everything was just crystal clear and just felt so much easier to pick out fiber detail of things in distance, felt more confident walking around if that makes sense. I am going to wear them again tomorrow when I am out with friends. First time they will see them. Not sure I will wear them at work though as I am on a computer all day.

george1968 17 Dec 2016, 00:26

Georgie,

Did you get your glasses yet? If so, what has been your experience with them?

Soundmanpt 11 Dec 2016, 13:35

georgie

You don't have to spend a lot of money on glasses for them to look good on you. Most often expensive glasses are designer glasses anyway and your only paying for the name of the designer. If you already knew that your eyesight wasn't perfect anymore you must not have been too surprised to be told that you need glasses now? As I said before your prescription isn't strong at all, but i'm sure once you get your glasses you're going to notice the difference rather quickly when you put them on. Now as for not wanting to be reliant on your glasses. Your eyesight isn't nearly so bad that you won't be able to function without your glasses anymore. But wearing glasses is a choice and it will be up to you how well you want to see things clearly. In other words you should expect that as your eyes adjust to your glasses things at even a short distance is going to seem much more blurry than they do now. But even without your glasses you will still be able to see quite well, just better with your glasses on. I consider someone as being reliant or dependent on their glasses when they can't see to do hardly anything without their glasses. That won't be you. You're not unlike most about being nervous being seen for the first time wearing your glasses. just remember that everyone that wears glasses has had to go through the exact same thing. One thing you should be doing now is telling everyone you know that you're getting glasses. That really helps rather then just suddenly showing up wearing glasses. That way by they will be expecting to see you wearing glasses when you get them. This really does make it easier.Also have you not noticed just how many people now wear glasses? I'm sure you have lots of friends that wear glasses. So your wearing glasses isn't really going to be so shocking to them anyway. If you do lots of work on a computer they probably you will be wearing glasses at some point anyway. What you can expect is getting lots of complements on how nice you look wearing glasses. And after the first couple days and everyone has seen you wearing glasses no one will even pay any attention to you wearing glasses.

georgie 11 Dec 2016, 11:56

I am due to pick glasses up next week mid week approx, I didn't spend a large amount on them but tried my best to choose a frame that I thought complimented my face. I am apprehensive about wearing them as I do not want to become reliant on them, its been a shock hearing that I do need glasses, I always thought my eyesight wasn't perfect but not to the level that I need glasses. I will make an effort to wear them but feeling nervous as no one knows that I have been for an eyetest

Soundmanpt 11 Dec 2016, 11:31

georgie

The advice you have been given by "Likelenses" and "Maxim" is exactly right. Since you have never wore glasses before i'm sure at first it is going to feel strange wearing glasses. So you need to get used to the way glasses feel for one thing. And even more importantly your eyes need to adjust to the prescription of your glasses. Even though your prescription isn't a strong one, your eyes are used to not seeing things as clearly as they should. So at first your eyes are actually going to be trying to ignore the prescription of the glasses. So you need to wear them full time so your eyes can slowly start to relax and allow your eyes to be helped by your glasses. Then after a couple weeks of wearing your glasses full time you will be able to tell when you need to wear your glasses and when you can can get by without them. Your doctor's advice to wear them for distance activities is correct. So as he suggested they will help you see the TV better, even if you think you are seeing it fine now without glasses, but your not. So I know for sure your glasses will be useful for going to sporting events and concerts. If you enjoy reading books you probably won't need them for that but you mentioned that your job involves a good deal of work on a computer. Because a computer monitor is usually about 24" away from your eyes you may wearing your glasses helpful for that as well. Remember the whole idea of getting glasses is so your eyes aren't straining. With your name being "georgie" it is only a guess that you are a female. So like Maxim said hopefully you took your time and chose glasses that look good on you. many times people will be thinking in terms of money and that they likely won't be wearing their glasses very often so it doesn't matter what their glasses look like. But since you don't really know how much you will be wearing them you want your glasses to look nice and flattering when you do wear them.

Maxim 11 Dec 2016, 07:55

Congratulations!

With full-time wearing you will soon find out, in what great detail you can see, and you will forget about those reflections of wearing or not wearing the glases.

I hope, you have choosen nice frames, because wearing glasses is "to see and to be seen".

Best wishes, ...

georgie 11 Dec 2016, 01:04

I am 30 years old and work as a housing officer for a local authority, involves interviewing people who make housing applications so a lot of time is spent on the computer. Oh I didn't know you should wear them full time when you first get them. I am waiting for them to be made should be ready mid week next week.

Likelenses 10 Dec 2016, 22:18

georgie

Your prescription is pretty much what a first prescription would be.

As you have perhaps read in some of these threads,it is best to wear a new prescription full time for about two weeks to get used to them,and then determine what, and when you want to wear them for.

If you can tell us your age, and occupation we may be able to tell you more.

Are your glasses on order, or do you already have them?

georgie 10 Dec 2016, 11:50

I went for an eye test today just out of interest and also because I haven't had an eye test in many years, haven't had any problems but I've been working with people who have had quite serious sight problems and prompted me to get checked out. Wasn't expecting to be given a prescription for glasses but I was! I thought my eyesight was ok, not perfect but good enough not go need glasses but as soon as he put the electronic chart up and covered my left eye I thought uh oh this is not starting well, it was blurry after the first few lines. I tried my best to read further down but he said I can see you are struggling let's put some lenses in and help you out. He said I should wear them for distance activities such as watching the TV, however apart from.reading the TV guide which is ever so.slightly off focus, I don't think I need them for the tv, I don't drive but he said if I do start driving then I should wear them as I am borderline driving standard without. My prescription is -.75 sph, -.50 cyl, 10 axis left eye and right eye is -.75 sph, -.25 15.

Soundmanpt 06 Dec 2016, 09:33

Sara

Everything that "George1968" told you is completely correct. I'm sure that when you get your glasses and put them on for the first time you will be amazed at the difference you will see. You just don't realize how much you have been missing and not seeing properly. With your glasses everything is going to look so much brighter and your vision will be clear and sharp. I'm sure at some time you have likely heard someone say that wearing glasses made their eyesight worse. But in reality their glasses didn't make their vision worse at all, but instead what really happened is just what George said, by wearing their glasses their eyes aren't straining anymore to see things and they became much more relaxed with their glasses on. Then when they take off their glasses their eyes are really seeing things as they really appear without straining. So for some they just think that wearing glasses caused their eyes to get worse. There is no way to predict how much your eyes might change over the next couple years, but since you're already 26 I also would doubt that your eyes will change much. Actually I would think that it is likely after about 12 months you might need a slight increase in your glasses and probably not need any more changes after that.

The best way to adjust to your glasses when you get them is to make a point to wear them full time from the time you get up until you go back to bed for about a week or 10 days and then you can decide how much and when you need to wear your glasses. You're the only one that can tell how much blur you're willing to tolerate without your glasses. You may decide that you really like being able ot see everything nice and clear and continue to wear your glasses full time or you may feel like it isn't necessary to see things so clearly and only wear your glasses for driving and other distant things. By the way when you choose to wear your glasses is totally up to you except for driving. Your eyesight isn't good enough to pass any driver's test for driving without glasses so driving without glasses is not only putting you in danger but others as well. Please give us an update once you get your glasses about what you think of wearing glasses.

George1968 05 Dec 2016, 20:58

Sara,

The first number for each eye measures how nearsighted you are. You are nearsighted enough that glasses will make a difference, but, except for driving, it would be up to you how much you want to wear them.

The second number measures the amount of astigmatism you have. You might have less eye strain if you wear your glasses, but that is up to your comfort level.

Your eyes will not get worse by wearing glasses. Now, your eye muscles have been straining, and wearing glasses will help them relax. So, it might seem that after wearing your glasses, your eyes will seem worse, but it is just the eye muscles relaxing. There is a possibility that your eyes will need a slight increase in strength in the next 6 months to a year. At 26, though, your eyes won't change much more, if at all.

Hope this helps.

Sara 05 Dec 2016, 17:10

I finally went to the opticians and got my eyes tested and I'm shortsighted -1.50 -0.25 110 -1.25 -0.50 120 I've been told I should be wearing glasses all the time. I was having a lot of eyestrain so decided to get my eyes checked. They have told me my eyes will get worse so would need glasses anyway. How bad will they get, will I really not be able to see without glasses if I wear them all the time? I'm 26 when does shortsightedness and astigmatism stop?

Michael 24 Oct 2016, 15:30

Mike-That is what I thought. But you can see that even a weak add is going to make a big difference. But unfortunately you will find in a year or two you will need a stronger add as small print will become more and more difficult to read.

Mike 24 Oct 2016, 14:15

Hi Michael

The readers are +1 and only been using them over my contacts to read for about a week. The new glasses have been ordered and should be here in the next ten days.

Michael 23 Oct 2016, 13:35

Mike- How long have you been wearing the drugstore readers? But you are definitely right around the age when presbyopia begins setting in. It sometimes happens a little earlier or a little later but it eventually gets everybody so it shouldn't be surprising or depressing.But you will find out every year or two until your eyes lose all of their elasticity reading small print will become more and more difficult so you will keep on needing stronger adds. I am 63 years old and wear progressives and my add has been 2.50 for a number of years now so I don't expect it will ever be higher. I think 2.50 is about as high as most adds go although it can go up to around 3.00 if you like to hold your reading material very close.

What strength drugstore readers are you wearing now? You are wearing them with your contacts am I correct? My guess is they are probably +1.00 which are the weakest you can buy and the weakest most doctors will prescribe.But even though they are weak they still are strong enough to make a difference. But unfortunately you will likely need stronger adds every year or two for a number of years. And there is really nothing you can do about it. It is something all of us have to eventually deal with.

There are some other options but I don't know how good they are. Bifocal contacts are one option. And some people might do mono vision and have one contact correct their near vision and the other one correct their distance vision. But since you have astigmatism as well not sure how well that would work. You can always wear readers with your contacts like you are doing now. But when you decide to wear glasses instead of contacts you then will need multi focal lenses like you are getting.

Mike 23 Oct 2016, 12:41

Thanks Michael for your reply. I'm currently wearing what you would call drugstore readers and the difference with and without is them is notable and if I'm honest, very surprising and a little bit depressing

Michael 23 Oct 2016, 11:31

Mike- You seem to have the very beginning signs of presbyopia given your age and an add of 1.00. That is the lowest add I think any doctor will prescribe.And even if you checked out drugstore readers I think you will find that 1.00 is the lowest power they have.But your add figures to gradually go up each year or two until all the elasticity in your eyes is gone. You probably will never need an add of more than 2.50 or 3.00 at the most unless you like to hold your reading material very close. And once you reach that point the chances are you won't ever need any more reading help unless you develop some other eye problems.

Mike 23 Oct 2016, 01:01

New prescription

Right -3.5, -.75, 90 with +1 add for near vision

Left -4, -.75. 90 with +1 add for near vision

First pair of varifocals ordered and on their way.

I'm 43 and been wearing contacts since I was 18.

Cactus Jack 18 Oct 2016, 21:28

Cork,

The old prescription is written in - Cylinder notation. the new one is in + Cylinder notation. The first step is to convert the new prescription to - Cylinder to make the comparison.

The old prescription Is in - Cylinder and I have expanded it for clarity

OD Sphere -5.25, Cylinder -1.00, Axis 20

OS Sphere -5.00, Cylinder -1.50, Axis 162

The new one was in + Cylinder. I have converted it to - Cylinder for easier comparison :

OD Sphere -5.25, Cylinder -1.50, Axis 20

OS Sphere -4.75, Cylinder -1.00, Axis 160

The conversion 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 to keep the value between 0 degrees and 180 degrees.

It really does not matter which notation is used. Typically, Optometrists and Optician use - Cylinder and Medical Doctors use + Cylinder, but the one they use depends on how their instruments are set up. Lens makers convert + Cylinder to - Cylinder, as I did, and make the lenses. If the conversion is done correctly, the resulting glasses will be optically identical no mater which notation is used.

The primary difference is in the Cylinder correction for Astigmatism. It is change is well within expected results.

Cork 18 Oct 2016, 19:43

My wife's old prescription was:

-5.25 -1 20

-5.00 -1.50 162

The new one is:

-6.75 +1.50 110

-5.75 +1 070

Is this a big difference? She says these

glasses are much better.

Dan 18 Oct 2016, 11:52

That makes sense Tony, just a bit confusing with being in the prism column. Thanks.

Plus Tony 18 Oct 2016, 11:31

Dan

My guess is that the M means minus and the P plus. Optometrists and eye doctors usually highlight the fact that someone has a plus sphere correction in one eye and a minus sphere correction in the other by writing something like this. This helps avoid confusion in the lab when glasses are being made up.

Dan 18 Oct 2016, 04:48

Can anybody help, my 23 year old daughter has just had a routine eye exam, the optician said she had a mild prescription and only needed glasses if she felt she wanted them. (She's declined for now) however in the prism section on the prescription the right eye has a capital (M) in brackets and the left eye a (P) does anybody know what these mean, her full prescription is

Right, sphere -0.25, prism (M)

Left, sphere+0.50, Cyl -1.00, axis 160, prism (P)

Thanks

Motard 04 Oct 2016, 03:54

Thanks CJ , I know pd already , you helped me with a goc combo in Oct 2014 I can tell in the 2 years since, my rx has crept up since then . I can now while difficult and taking a lot of effort I can accommodate to the combo with out the + CL

Cactus Jack 03 Oct 2016, 23:53

Motard,

Using a Vertex Distance of 12 mm I suggest the following glasses prescription:

Calculated by successive approximation

R -7.75d -2.25c 20x

L -6.50d -2.25c 170x

or, for a little more crispness

R -8.00d -2.25c 20x

L -6.75d -2.25c 170x

Normally, contact lens prescriptions are derived from the refracted prescription. Phoroptors and trial lens frames have about the same vertex distance as glasses. However, the actual Axis numbers on the Phoroptor and In glasses can be in increments of 1 degree. Toric Contact lenses are available in 5 degree increments. Your Cylinder correction, while significant, is low enough that no Vertex Distance correction is required.

The best source of a glasses prescription would be from the Examiner that did your refraction and then calculated the CL prescription. If you order glasses from Zenni, you might consider ordering the lowest cost frames to make sure which prescription you like and then ordering nicer frames, lenses and options.

If you don't have your PD or don't know how to measure it, let us know. Also, which prescription you like best.

Motard 03 Oct 2016, 23:13

Hey everyone, been a while since I posted . I got a new CL rx a few months ago but noticed the glasses rx was unchanged or not updated for a few years ago as I use insurance for contacts and buy zenni's online.

Most recent CL 8/2016

R -7.00d -2.25c 20x

L -6.00d -2.25c 170x

Last Glasses Ex

R -6.75d -1.75c 20x

L -5.50d -1.75c 170x

Can CJ or Sndmnpt vertex the CL up to glasses as I don't see the glasses working very well as I was under impression glasses are higher rx on the minus side.

Thanks

Soundmanpt 14 Sep 2016, 09:58

Cara

Actually that number might even be on the low side since the latest numbers says that over 70% wear some type of vision correction and still rising. I don't know if that includes those that had lasik or not.

Cara 13 Sep 2016, 17:37

If your parents are shortsighted you will be too. If others in your family are shortsighted there's another chance you will be. If not you could be shortsighted. So more people are getting shortsighted so soon it will be normal to be shortsighted? Will everyone be shortsighted in a few years or will it get better?

Is it true 1 in every 2 now has it?

Mr Jules 15 Aug 2016, 10:38

Had an eye test on 6 Aug 2016. Previous test was Sept 2014.

Right: sphere +1.50, cylinder -0.50, axis 155

Left: sphere +1.50, cylinder -0.50, axis 20

Reading addition +2.25 (previously +1.75)

For the time being, I'll carry on with my current varifocal lenses. New lenses for my existing frames are expensive. But I am having a pair of single vision reading glasses reglazed with new +3.75 lenses.

Curt 04 Jun 2016, 09:28

Please don't troll someone who posts the same response 5 times and won't even use their name.

Soundmanpt 04 Jun 2016, 08:43

no name

Are you aware that China is known for their lens not only for glasses but cameras and other things that require quality lenses? I have over the year bought several hundred pairs of glasses from Zenni and a few others and I have many people I know very well that are opticians and I used to get the prescriptions checked for accuracy when I received the glasses from Zenni before delivering them to the patient and in every case the rx was dead on. In fact after a few times one optician even commented that she wished their lab were as good as Zenni.

04 Jun 2016, 01:01

Don't buy cheap lenses from China, that will ruin your eyes., and don' listen to these pervs. Get a real optician to fit you.

04 Jun 2016, 01:01

Don't buy cheap lenses from China, that will ruin your eyes., and don' listen to these pervs. Get a real optician to fit you.

04 Jun 2016, 01:01

Don't buy cheap lenses from China, that will ruin your eyes., and don' listen to these pervs. Get a real optician to fit you.

04 Jun 2016, 01:01

Don't buy cheap lenses from China, that will ruin your eyes., and don' listen to these pervs. Get a real optician to fit you.

04 Jun 2016, 01:01

Don't buy cheap lenses from China, that will ruin your eyes., and don' listen to these pervs. Get a real optician to fit you.

Melyssa 02 Jun 2016, 04:51

Cara,

In 1983 I was curious about trying contact lenses, having worn glasses for 19 years at the time. With what was at least a -7.00 RX with lots of astigmatism, the ophthalmologist told me that only hard contacts would work. I tried one and had to get it out of my eye within two seconds as it hurt so much. The following year I purchased my first pair of drop-temples. Since then I love wearing big, bold, and beautiful glasses, and I don't care how far contacts have come since then.

Soundmanpt 01 Jun 2016, 16:56

Cara

I didn't provide and answer because I really don't know for sure when soft disposable lenses first became available to the public. I know it was after the 60's because during the 60's quite a few movies often had some girl at a high school or college dance lose a contact and in those days they were hard lenses that you kept for a full year if possible and they were quite expensive so everyone was down on the floor on their hands and knees trying to find the lost small disk. A difficult task considering they were very small and clear so not easy to see so feeling around was the best idea. My best guess would be maybe sometime in the late 70's or early 80's.

Cara 01 Jun 2016, 15:54

Yes I got them from the opticians now have to wait for them. Is annoying having to wait for them because want to start wearing them with an up to date prescription. Yes had to have thinner lenses wouldn't look good with standard lenses. Is exspenive being shortsighted hope they last a few years now.

So when did disposable contacts become popular? I've been told hard contacts from years ago were horrible to wear so you had no choice to wear glasses?

Soundmanpt 01 Jun 2016, 15:25

Cara

Did you get your glasses on line or at a local optical shop? I'm sure they are right about seeing quite few needing -6.00 lenses or even stronger. I assume the reason your paying extra for your glasses is because they sold you hi-index lenses (thinner) which is always additional. But your glasses should look very nice with your lenses being thinner. If your ever interested in saving a lot of money on your glasses let me know and I will be more than happy to guide you with ordering glasses on line. Just for fun you should go on line and take a look at what (zennioptical.com) has to offer. For single vision glasses with moderate thin lenses you will find well over 800 for under $12.95 and with the additional for getting AR coating (anti-reflective) you need to add $5.00 more. But going to a slightly thinner lens add another $19.00 and your prescription doesn't require anymore than that so your total price for really great looking glasses would be around $36.00. If you got your glasses at a shop I am sure you paid much more than that for them.

Cara 01 Jun 2016, 11:07

I've ordered new glasses and had to pay extra because of my -6.00 I don't mind wearing glasses but they said a lot of people with my sort of prescription wear contacts so being that shortsight sighted is very common and you would be surprised how many people have it.

My grandmother is shortsighted and has always worn glasses because there was no other option years ago. When did people start wearing soft contacts dissopables?

Soundmanpt 27 May 2016, 07:20

Cara

I'm inclined to think your probably right. First of all the percentage of people that now wear some form of vision correction has gone up considerably over the past 20 years or so. I saw recently that now nearly 75% of of the population wear correction up from 50% not that long ago. The percent is even higher for women compared to men. There is little doubt that the demand on the eyes is far greater than it was 25 years ago. Hard to believe that cell phones have really only been around for about 25 years or at least at a price where the general public could afford them. I wasn't one of the first ones to get a hand held phone but not tgoo far behind either and I still have my original phone number which the last 4 numbers was when I got it 1296 (Dec 1996) It was a flip phone about the size of a baseball and pretty heavy. Off track a bit but I doubt hardly anyone under 30 knows that when the first of these phones came out you didn't get them from a store like you do now. You actually could only get a cell phone from a new car dealership. The reason why is because just before cell phones came about there was car phones which had to be hooked up in the trunk and a lot of wiring done to get the phone with a cord under the dash of your car. Oh and those early car phones cost about $2,000.00. Anyway when the first computers started to be available they were extremely hard on the eyes. The background was a very harsh orange color and strained the eyes badly. Now people can't live without all these devices and carry them everywhere they go. I think the increase in women wearing glasses could be due to in large part in the 50's - 60's and even the 70's women were didn't makeup much of the work force but were stay at home moms in those days. But since then more and more women now hold many office type jobs which is exposing their eyes more to these demands on the eyes. And now in recent years wearing glasses has actually become much more popular than it was even 10 or 15 years ago so their more likely to not only start wearing glasses sooner than they would have but are even wearing them more often now. Yesterday I found an article in Yahoo that surprised me. It said that people getting lasik has dropped off since 2007 when 1.5 million got it done to 640,000 in 2015. That is a huge drop off considering the price for lasik really hasn't changed and if anything maybe even gone down slightly. What that means is that even with the number of people needing vision correction increasing they prefer to wear glasses or contacts rather than get lasik.

Cara 26 May 2016, 11:23

Yes they said more people are shortsighted than ever and it's getting worse. Lots of people need glasses for driving. Will that mean more people have to wear glasses with stronger prescription in future. It's good attitudes have changed wasn't long ago you wouldn't want to be seen with glasses.

Likelenses 24 May 2016, 22:23

Denise

Congratulations on being a bifocal babe!

Cactus Jack 24 May 2016, 14:37

Denise,

The Axis difference between your right eye (OD) and your left eye (OS) is only 18 degrees. Here is why.

By tradition, Cylinder Axis of 0 degrees or 180 degrees is horizontal and the Axis number is never greater than 180 degrees. The Axis numbers increase in a Counter-Clockwise direction, looking at the patient. Clockwise from the patient's viewpoint. 90 degrees is Vertical.

Soundmanpt 24 May 2016, 11:15

Denise

Looking at your prescription everything looks just fine. It is very common that the axis numbers are so different. Remember that axis is important but is NOT a power value. It is just the placement of your lenses in your frame of your glasses. So don't worry your glasses are fine.

So seeing that you have a weak add would I be correct in assuming these are your first bifocals? If you don't mind a word of warning> Take care walking off curbs and going up and down steps and be even more careful if your wearing heels. Try hard not to look down when your on steps. By looking down if your eyes are looking through the add segment things are going to look much closer than they really are to you.

Denise 24 May 2016, 10:09

Could I have an Axis of 018(OD) and an Axis of 180(OS)? It seemed strange that they were so disparate, and I suspect that it is a typo. For both OD and OS my spere is -2.75, cyl is -0.25 and Near Add for both is +1.25.

Soundmanpt 23 May 2016, 08:54

Cara

You basically described it pretty well in saying that at -1.00 you would need glasses for driving and at -2.00 most would likely be wearing glasses full time. Not always but the majority of people get their eyesight from their parents genes. So if a parent was quite shortsighted there was about a 50% chance that any children would also be quite shortsighted as they grew up. The reason for the difference in necessities of strength is caused by the lengthening of the eyeball as your body grows and changes. But like anything there is always exceptions to the rules meaning one might become shortsighted when the parents and even grandparents never was shortsighted.

Cara 22 May 2016, 11:37

At -1.00 people would need for driving but at -2.00 you need all the time? So they say most people that are shortsighted have to wear glasses/lenses all the time any way. The difference is they can still see but blurry without. I can't see nothing with them on. Being shortsighted isn't a new problem because people wore glasses years ago but why are people more shorsighted than others?

Maxim 15 May 2016, 10:59

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyeglass_prescription#/media/File:Snellen-myopia.png

Maxim 15 May 2016, 09:16

Interesting, not always easy to understand:

http://www.visualopticslab.com/opti535/lectures/class07_08.pdf

Maxim 15 May 2016, 09:00

to Cara

I think, you should not worry too much about your vision needs.

Glasses with a correction of -6.00 should give you functionally a very good vision. When your eyes are healthy (that's what I'm hoping), you are at a vision of 1.0, or at 100% at least.

When my daughter got glasses, I started experiments wearing contact lenses, now with a power of +8.00 on both eyes, and the corresponding correction with glasses (total of -8.00).

I can use this, I immediately enjoy perfect vision and after 3 minutes I have forgotten, that I'm wearing these -8.00 glasses.

I recently wore this combination while travelling 600 miles, 8 hours approximately). Returning home I am always at risk, that somebody (family, neighbours, collegues, friends) might see this totally different glasses, as I really could forget to change them again before returning home (I'm at R +3.00 / L + 2.75 plus astigmatism - a prescription totally different - slightly magnifying, and for reading and near work at +5.25/+5.00))

If you choose nice frames, all the people around you will love your appearance.

Good luck to you, sincerely ..

Soundmanpt 15 May 2016, 07:50

Cara

The optic field considers -7.00 and up as being a strong prescription. So your prescription is considered as moderate strong. I am not really sure what the most common nearsighted prescription is excluding astigmatism is but I saw a lot of -2.75 to -4.00 lenses being pulled out of stock. So like you were told when you got your eyes examined i'm sure that they have seen a good number of prescriptions stronger than yours. When your talking about -1.00 prescriptions that would be considered a weak prescription and even the -2.00 would be moderately weak. Prescriptions for -1.00 glasses are often a first prescription.

REd 14 May 2016, 14:15

Cara,

This link says you are on the borderline between medium and high. I'm about the same as you;I would not worry about it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myopia#Degree

Cara 14 May 2016, 13:17

I was at the opticians today when we was talking about my prescription I'm shortsighted -6.00 they said was a high prescription but not the worst they see. Most people that are shortsighted are with -1.00 or -2.00? Is that true? I know my eyes are bad because I can't go without glasses but is -6.00 really high prescription?

Glover 08 Apr 2016, 08:06

Neal,

To answer your questions about lateral progressives, the add portion is on the side of the lens instead of on the bottom.

George1968 29 Mar 2016, 13:43

Natasha,

Are you wearing your glasses full time now?

Natasha 29 Mar 2016, 09:18

Soundmanpt, you must be an eye doctor because you're absolutely right. The read out from the machine (I think it's called an automatic refraction device or something) was higher but the doctor decided that I should start at a lower prescription because this is my first pair. I think the left eye in particular should have been -2.25 or something because I couldn't really see the bottom line with the -1.75 lens.

Natasha 29 Mar 2016, 09:18

Soundmanpt 29 Mar 2016, 08:53

Natasha

Since your already 19 years old i really don't think you will get anywhere close to needing -6.00 glasses. Yes without any doubt you're going to need an increase in less than a year. The reason I am so sure about that is because when you got your eyes examined they had to extremely strained. That makes it more difficult for the optometrist to refract your eyes as much as they need to be. This usually leads to you getting a little weaker prescription than you really need. So in few months you can expect that your glasses are going to start to feel a little too weak for your eyes. Your next eye exam will be much more accurate since your wearing glasses now and your eyes won't be nearly as badly strained as they were with your recent eye exam. You can expect to need about -.75 or -1.00 increase next time. But in your future eye exams they could be much less more like -.50 and no one can predict when your eye might become stable and you won't even need anymore increases, but it could be as close as 2 years away. It is very possible that you may become stable somewhere in the -3.00's.

Natasha 29 Mar 2016, 08:28

Thanks for all the replies! Likelenses, I can't imagine what -6 must be like. I guess I'll find out once I get there :(

Soundmanpt 29 Mar 2016, 08:04

Natasha

First of all I will try not to repeat what the others have already answered you about your eyesight. When the doctor told you that your uncorrected vision is 20/100 what that means is that when someone has what we call "perfect vision" it means they have 20/20 vision and that means that they are able to see clearly at 20 feet what should be seen normally at that distance. But in your case seeing 20/100 means you need to be as close as 20 feet in order to see what someone with 20/20 vision can see at 100 feet. So what that means is your unable to see very well at a distance without your glasses. Now as your eyes are adjusting to your glasses it is to be expected that now when you take your glasses off things are going to be considerably more blurry than before you got your glasses. Before you got your glasses your eye were just accommodating in order to se what you were able to see. But along with that you straining your eyes badly. There is no glasses police but many people once they get to around -1.50 pretty much start keeping their glasses on at all times. I'm sure your eyes feel much better now when your wearing your glasses and they should become more and more comfortable to wear that if your not already wearing your glasses all the time you may want to start. College is very demanding not just for good grades but also on your eye which probably are happy for the help. And no is your prescription isn't strong at all even though i'm sure they probably seem strong to you when you take them off and can't see very well. I can tell you that you can expect to need an increase in your prescription most likely in about 6-9 months but after that you shouldn't need an increase for 12 months. Tell us more about how it felt wearing glasses for the first time around your fellow students and friends. I would guess that you were nervous wearing them that first day?

Melyssa 29 Mar 2016, 04:40

Natasha,

I began with a prescription of -1.75/-1.50, 52 years ago this coming Sunday. I wore my simply gaw-juss brown modified cat's-eyes (clear at the bottom) at school to see the blackboard, at home to watch TV, or to see what was on the big screen at the movies.

Likelenses 29 Mar 2016, 00:42

Natasha

You most likely have been nearsighted for several years.

Usually a first prescription is -.50,or -1.00.

Since you are only nineteen,you will have a few increases in your prescription until 22, to 25,at which your myopia should stabilize.

Until then you can expect your prescription to increase between -.50 ,to -1.00 yearly.

Your prescription when your eyes stabilize will be somewhere around -3.75,to -6.00.

College does a job on the nearsighted eyes.

Weirdeyes 28 Mar 2016, 22:34

Natasha

It depends what activities you do. If you study or drive you will struggle quite a bit without glasses. You're prescription is still pretty mild, so you don't have to worry about thick lenses.

Natasha 28 Mar 2016, 21:42

I'm 19 and in college. Is 20/125 very bad? I didn't feel so impaired before wearing the glasses and taking them off!

Likelenses 28 Mar 2016, 21:24

Natasha

Welcome to being a glasses girl.

I think the doctor is being a bit on the conservative side,your vision without glasses is most likely 20/125.

Actually a fairly strong first prescription.

What is your age,and are you a student,or what type of work do you do?

Natasha 28 Mar 2016, 21:00

Hi,

I was advised to start wearing glasses to correct my nearsightedness. The prescription is -1.75 D in both eyes (in the column SPH). Is my vision quite poor? The doctor said that my uncorrected vision is 20/100 in both eyes.

Can someone explain these numbers?

GL 24 Mar 2016, 22:21

To the anonymous poster; What a prude. I'm sure you'd make a good pope.

24 Mar 2016, 21:30

You're disgusting

GL 24 Mar 2016, 20:53

Thick lenses = lick lenses.

Likelenses 24 Mar 2016, 18:29

But GREAT LENSES!

Likelenses 24 Mar 2016, 18:26

arose23

Maybe terrible eyesight,nut GREAT lenses!

arose23 24 Mar 2016, 14:21

-13.00 and -12.00 ME and Yebra have terrible eyes. :-(

arose23 24 Mar 2016, 14:21

-13.00 and -12.00 ME and Yebra have terrible eyes. :-(

Arose 24 Mar 2016, 14:18

-13 and -12

Neal 16 Mar 2016, 08:25

Glover,

What are lateral progressives?

Likelenses 15 Mar 2016, 19:44

Yebra

So far you win the WOW award for your lenses!

Glover 15 Mar 2016, 12:24

-4.25 -.100 x 174

-3.75 -.75 x 90

with lateral progressive add of 2.50

Melyssa 14 Mar 2016, 12:54

Still the same in both eyes for a lot of many years now: -9.00 +3.00 90, add +2.50 -- carry the one, divide by zero, get a NullPointerException, ...

Yebra 14 Mar 2016, 10:13

-14.00 Right/-12.73 Left

My eyesight without glasses sucks.

SpexGuy 12 Mar 2016, 08:56

od: +3.25 +1.00 x165

os: +3.50 +1.25 x 045

add 2.00

A. P. 11 Mar 2016, 16:27

Old prescription December 2012:

OD +2.50 -.50 x10

OS +4.00 -1.00 x105

Add +2.25

New prescription March 2016:

OD +3.75 -.50 x100

OS +4.50 -.75 x110

Add +2.00 (ft 28 Trifocals)

The ECP told me it might take as long as two weeks to adjust to the distance RX increase.

No wonder I got the "corrective lenses" restriction put on my driver's license for the first time ever last month!

Corabeth 11 Mar 2016, 07:28

-5.25 both eyes

astigmaphile 10 Mar 2016, 11:26

OD +.75 +1.25 @ 20

OS 0.0 +2.50 @ 155

Phillip 10 Mar 2016, 09:55

My glasses are R: -7.25 -.1.25 x 065 L: -7.00 -1.00 x160

Jan 10 Mar 2016, 07:25

Right -2.00 x.50 x070

Left -1.75

Add 1.50

DJ 09 Mar 2016, 14:47

OD -3.25 -.50 x90

OS -3.00 -.50 x050

Cactus Jack 14 Feb 2016, 22:06

I forgot to say, "Thanks Andrew"

Likelenses 14 Feb 2016, 21:20

The skit is even more interesting,and funny,for people like this community,that know,and understand vision problems,and powers of lenses.

Cactus Jack 14 Feb 2016, 17:48

astigmaphile,

I kind of doubt it. I am fairly certain that both were significantly myopic and wore similar frames. That was part of their Schtick Even with much stronger PLUS and MINUS lenses they could probably see well enough to be able to do a well planned and rehearsed sketch with blurry vision. The timing and spacing of the numerous 'sight' gags had to be just right for it to work.

Good clean comedy is no accident and they were pros. I think the fact that they were both pretty nearsighted and the audience knew that they regularly wore strong glasses, made the sketch even funnier.

astigmaphile 14 Feb 2016, 15:48

I wonder if the two ronnies were doing GOC. Those glasses amount to a huge amount of hyperopia and myopia. The plus ones look like cataract spectacles.

Andrew 14 Feb 2016, 14:11

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9vtk4_the-two-ronnies-opticians-sketch_fun

Cactus Jack 13 Feb 2016, 18:12

Julian and Dave,

The one I am thinking of is called "The Two Ronnies - Opticians Sketch" I found it by doing a Google search. I was unable to find it on YouTube.

Julian 13 Feb 2016, 14:34

Cactus - Shows featuring the two Ronnies are still screened on UKTV Gold, a comedy channel. Ronnie Barker (who died in 2005) is still shown in episodes of two sitcoms, Porridge and Open all Hours (without glasses in either); and Ronnie Corbett seems to be going strong at the age of 85, though he doesn't seem to do any shows these days.

Cactus Jack 13 Feb 2016, 12:35

Dave,

Wear your glasses full time for 2 weeks and then make a decision about when to wear them. The 2 weeks will give your brain time to get used to NOT having to correct the images and give you time to realize that what other people think about your glasses IS NOT of the least significance. The idea that you allow someone else to judge how well YOU see is total BS. It is like saying that I think your shoe size is too large and YOU should wear smaller shoes - even if it hurts.

I don't think you have mentioned where you live, but some years ago I noticed that people from the UK seemed to want the approval and permission of others (preferably the government) to see well. I came up with the idea of the Ministry of Vision to license eye wear as an April Fool joke. A surprising number of people thought it was a good idea. One member suggested that the offices should be in the same building as the Ministry of Magic. The Ministry of Vision would collect fees for licensing your vision correction, similar to licensing Radios and TVs, but we could not figure out where to post the license so others would know that the proper fees has been paid and the wearer was not cheating. It was fairly easy to require wide temples on glasses frames, so the license number could be read from a distance of 3 or 4 feet. Perhaps an impeded chip could be required in glasses frames so the license could be read electronically. Contact lenses were the real problem and we had to drop the idea. It had real appeal to those of the Bureaucratic persuasion, particularly if they could be the ones to collect and benefit from the fees. Funny how that works.

If you are form the UK, you are probably too young to remember The Two Ronnies on British TV. Both Ronnies wore MINUS glasses and they did a classic comedy skit about a visit to the Opticians. If you are interested, I will see if I can find a YouTube link.

Dave 13 Feb 2016, 04:05

Thanks CactusJack.

Collected them this morning. I was expecting -1 to make almost no difference as the optician said it is almost the lowest. However, I was surprised with how sharp everything in the city was - so much writing I can now read on signs, details on buildings, etc. Did a lot of comparing with and without. And it is so easy to read signs at train station.

Feel a bit shy/self conscious with the glasses so thanks for the tips. The lenses look like proper prescription lenses, so I guess people will appreciate that I need them. So I just got to get used to been a guy in glasses! Full time/part time - I have not decided yet.

I'm 30 and work in IT. Full prescription is L -1 -0.25 80, R -1 0 0.

Cactus Jack 10 Feb 2016, 17:59

Dave,

Have you ordered / received your glasses yet?

A prescription of -1.00 in both eyes means that you have built in +1.00 reading glasses. -1.00 means that everything beyond 1 meter or 39.37 inches is increasingly blurry. If there is NO Cylinder correction in your glasses, everything inside that 1 meter radius should be clear. With the exception of driving, when you wear your glasses is up to you. There may a few who say that that prescription is not strong enough to wear full time, but frankly it is none of their business.

A couple of things you need to remember:

1. Vision occurs in the brain. Your eyes are merely biological cameras.

2. Your brain can do some amazing image processing, if it knows what something is supposed to look like, but it takes a lot of energy and effort.

3. It will take a few days for your brain to realize that with your glasses, it has a lot less work to do. You brain will probably decide that it likes you to wear your glasses.

4. You DO NOT need anyone's permission to see well.

My suggestion is to wear your glasses full time for about two weeks and then make a decision when to wear them.

You did not mention your age or occupation. It is important.

When you start wearing glasses, you may be reluctant to wear them around friends, family, or co-workers. Almost all new glasses wearers experience some anxiety about that. The only known cure is to just wear them. Expect some comments and some requests to try them on. That will only last for a day or two. After that, they may comment if you don't wear them.

You may be surprised that your friends have probably known that you needed glasses for quite some time. They have seen you struggling to read a menu board or recognize someone in the distance, but were too nice to mention it.

Please let us know your decision.

I think you are in for a wonderful surprise, at what the world looks like beyond 1 meter, particularly at night.

Cactus Jack 10 Feb 2016, 17:59

Dave,

Have you ordered / received your glasses yet?

A couple of things you need to remember:

1. Vision occurs in the brain. Your eyes are merely biological cameras.

2. Your brain can do some amazing image processing, if it knows what something is supposed to look like, but it takes a lot of energy and effort.

3. It will take a few days for your brain to realize that with your glasses, it has a lot less work to do. You brain will probably decide that it likes you to wear your glasses.

4. You DO NOT need anyone's permission to see well.

My suggestion is to wear your glasses full time for about two weeks and then make a decision when to wear them.

You did not mention your age or occupation. It is important.

Please let us know your decision.

I think you are in for a wonderful surprise, at what the world looks like beyond 1 meter, particularly at night.

Dave 10 Feb 2016, 17:02

First prescription today: -1 in both eyes. Do people usually wear glasses full time at this prescription?

Obsessed 31 Jan 2016, 12:32

Hi Colin! You look amazing in your glasses! Beautiful! If you'd like to chat, drop me a note at viliukukas@aol.com

I'd like to ask a couple of questions about your glasses.

Trent 30 Jan 2016, 09:03

New Rx

OD -8.00, -2.25 x 012

OS -8.00, -2.25 x 163

Add: +2.25

malina 28 Jan 2016, 06:09

My prescription is:

OD -0.5

OS +0.75 / -1.00 / 81

Because of amblyopia in my left eye I patch my stronger right eye. Of course I can't always wear a patch so I wear glasses with an overcorrected right lens (+1.5) which makes my vision in this eye very blurred. So I have to use the left eye for nearly everything. I have a bilateral strabismus, that means one eye sees and the other one turns in significantly. It's one reason why I prefer a patch.

For reading, I have special glasses:

OD +1.5

OS +4.00 / -1.00 / 81

- with the right lens occluded most of the time.

Soundmanpt 27 Jan 2016, 09:27

A little fun

Somehow I get the idea your a female and your doing this to somehow impress a guy friend that must have an interest in women that wear rather strong glasses. So what prescription did you decide on for these glasses? Actually I think considering your own weak prescription you could likely tolerate something like -5.00 and it would help if you were able to order the glasses with 1.50 lens thickness. You didn't say where you ordered the glasses from but I know Zenni offers that option at no extra charge.

Of course I think we will all be interested in hearing how things go after you get your glasses and i hope yu have the fun your intending.

A little fun 26 Jan 2016, 17:14

Thanks for your responses. I ordered a pair and will let you know how they work out.

Weirdeyes 20 Jan 2016, 01:24

A little fun

If you're willing to deal with extremely blurry vision and not try to accommodate, you could wear -10.00ish glasses. I've had some fun with them.

Colin 20 Jan 2016, 00:43

A little fun.

You could try mine and just feel your way around!

Likelenses 19 Jan 2016, 22:25

A little fun

From the description of what you want to accomplish,I think that you could easily deal with -6,or -7,but you may even go for the flat front gusto,and order -9.

Do tell what you plan on doing!

A little fun 19 Jan 2016, 21:24

I have a low script R - 1 L -.5 -.5 and I want to make my lenses look a little thicker for a person of interest. How much extra "minius" could I tolerate without getting headaches / would I be better off adding a little plus (or both?)? I don't plan to drive or do anything where I have stare at a computer. I just have to be able to walk around my house and not injure myself or get dizzy.

I'm in my early 30s if that make a difference. Thanks!

Weirdeyes 19 Jan 2016, 19:34

I've been doing research on medical insurance. Apparently some vision insurance can cover costs for "medically necessary contact lenses". One of the requirements is 3D or more difference between your eyes. I believe I fit that requirement. My current prescription is R: +1.00 -0.75 L +4.25 -1.50. Do they just take a quick glance at my prescription or do they calculate the spherical equivalent? My spherical equivalent is R +0.625 L +3.50. That would make the difference between my eyes only 2.875 D.

HighMyopic 19 Jan 2016, 14:22

I am very interested to see if you have found your old glasses yet, Colin.

Colin 19 Jan 2016, 11:17

Bracesfan

http://imgur.com/veOwncG

Just for you!!

sam12744 19 Jan 2016, 09:53

Methinks the game is afoot...

Likelenses 19 Jan 2016, 00:14

Colin,High Myopic,and now bracesfan added to the mix.Matches made in heaven!

bracesfan 19 Jan 2016, 00:02

Colin

Your glasses are soooo amazing. I would love to try and wear similar pair as well...

colin 19 Jan 2016, 00:02

Your glasses are soooo amazing. I would love to try and wear similar pair as well...

HighMyopic 17 Jan 2016, 16:30

Colin, did you try looking today for the old glasses? Can i call you from the USA? I would love to talk with you on the phone.

Colin 17 Jan 2016, 16:16

Yep. Prescription will be pretty much the same.

HighMyopic 17 Jan 2016, 15:58

I sure wish i could wear those amazing glasses for my eyes. Your other older pairs that you will give me are similar to this pair?

Colin 17 Jan 2016, 15:55

High Myopic. http://imgur.com/RXD0JsW

HighMyopic 17 Jan 2016, 15:40

Colin, how heavy is your current new pair that you just got? Can i see a pic of the back of, both lenses?

Colin 17 Jan 2016, 15:26

Francois.

Would love to chat. My email.

colinbaldwinbuilders@gmail.com

HighMyopic 17 Jan 2016, 11:18

I really hope Colin is looking for the old glasses for me today on his day off work.

I hope if he can find the black pair, that i can take it to Cosco when i get it in my mailbox, and get the arm fixed so that i can wear the black pair with inch thick lenses when i am out and about. I might need a white cane though...

HighMyopic 17 Jan 2016, 09:00

Paul, whats your email? I want to chat with you about your lentictular glasses. I love collecting and wearing very strong glasses. My email is jetcoasterfan@gmail.com

Francois 17 Jan 2016, 08:02

Colin

Hi Colin..would be great to chat personally,but not sure how as we have the same eye disorder.hope to hear from you tx

paul 17 Jan 2016, 02:06

highmyopic,i wear +21.50 lenticular glasses

HighMyopic 16 Jan 2016, 15:10

Does the black pair have lenses like this pair from Gerald Lang?

http://imgur.com/CDOROlQ

Or even thicker?

HighMyopic 16 Jan 2016, 14:31

You think you know where your old glasses could be in your new house? Is the black pair like a pound in weight? Or more?

Colin 16 Jan 2016, 14:11

Sorry Francois

That last post was from me! I am still getting used to posting.

Your glasses look wonderful and very similar to mine. If I had more money I could have got a designer pair.

HighMyopic 16 Jan 2016, 14:01

You found the holy grail black pair?

Francoir. 16 Jan 2016, 14:01

Your glasses look wonderful. They look much classier than mine!

Colin 16 Jan 2016, 13:57

http://imgur.com/a/XVUdB

Hope this works. Pics of me!

HighMyopic 16 Jan 2016, 09:05

Francois, Whats your rx? How many pairs of glasses do you have? You live in the USA? I am still waiting for your email.

Francois 16 Jan 2016, 09:01

I sent you an email

HighMyopic 16 Jan 2016, 08:46

Francois, You want to chat with me by email? jetcoasterfan@gmail.com I would love to wear a pair of your glasses for my eyes. Whats your rx?

Francois 16 Jan 2016, 08:43

Colin these are almost identical to my new glasses.

my glasses http://imgur.com/gallery/guRHJ

HighMyopic 15 Jan 2016, 18:31

Can I see a pic of you with your glasses on? I want to see how huge your eye look behind the glasses.

Colin 15 Jan 2016, 17:56

http://imgur.com/a/b9R63

HighMyopic 15 Jan 2016, 17:47

Can you get a view looking straight down at the thickness of the lenses?

Colin 15 Jan 2016, 17:39

Also this

http://imgur.com/qunExim

Colin 15 Jan 2016, 17:22

Try this.

http://imgur.com/yhBN82z

Colin 15 Jan 2016, 17:16

I don't know if this will work but this is a link to a pic of my current glasses.

http://imgr.com/azcXMv

GLang 14 Jan 2016, 13:07

Colin

Hope to hear from you

glang@gmx.us

HighMyopic 14 Jan 2016, 10:24

You can send the pics to jetcoasterfan@gmail.com.

You can also upload them to imgur.

Colin 14 Jan 2016, 10:19

High Myopic.

Have taken some pics of my glasses but I'm not sure how to add them to this text. If someone could let me know I will do my best!!

I would rather not put my email on the post as its used for business and I don't want to be flooded with non work emails! However if you are happy to post your email I will contact you. It would be nice to chat.

HighMyopic 14 Jan 2016, 00:52

Collin whats your email? I want to chat with you about your amazing sounding glasses that i only dream to have a pair like one day to wear.

Colin 14 Jan 2016, 00:48

High Myopic.

Will take some pics of my glasses when I get back from work. The lens buttons are about 13mm thick.

HighMyopic 13 Jan 2016, 18:08

Colin, can I see pics of your glasses? How thick are the lenses? I have always wanted +30 diopter glasses to wear a lot.

Colin 13 Jan 2016, 17:22

Thought I should also post my prescription here.

Distance +31. Reading. +34

My optician says this is the highest plus prescription he has come across although he has a higher minus customer. Can anyone beat this??

Cactus Jack 12 Jan 2016, 08:01

Sam,

Sometimes people engage their mouth before engaging their brain. Was this from your regular Contact Lens fitter or someone new? Your regular Contact Lens fitter should have been aware that you had been wearing Toric Contacts successfully for a long time and knew their limitations.

Sam 11 Jan 2016, 23:05

Cactus Jack

I've worn toric contacts for years without much issues. I don't know why she would call my prescription high. They sometimes get blurry and slightly uncomfortable, but they're clear and comfortable most of the time. I guess my eyes aren't particularly sensitive.

Cactus Jack 11 Jan 2016, 22:54

Sam,

Almost all Astigmatism is in the Cornea. Your Astigmatism is low for glasses and glasses with that amount of cylinder are easily made to your exact prescription. Contacts are a different matter. There are two ways to deal with Astigmatism in Contacts. If the Astigmatism is low, the simplest solution is to add 1/2 of the Cylinder to the Sphere correction and prescribe Sphere Only Contacts. Obviously, that is a compromise prescription, but it may be worth a try.

The other way is to fit Toric Contacts, but that doesn't always work very well. The problem is that contacts tend to move around on the Cornea when you blink. For Sphere Only Contacts, that is a good thing because that helps replenish the tear film between the Contact and the Cornea. For Toric Contacts, that can be a problem if the Contact also rotates, because as it rotates, the Cylinder Axis will vary and your vision will be excellent when the Axis is correct and very very blurry when it is not.

There is another minor point about Toric Contacts. They are only available in 10 degree Axis increments. Glasses are available in 1 degree increments. That is not a big problem for low Cylinder powers, but can be a problem at high Cylinder powers.

The other nice thing about Sphere only contacts is that they are a lot less expensive than Toric Contacts.

Sam 11 Jan 2016, 21:27

My contact lens fitter told me I have high astigmatism. The cylinder is only 0.75 in the right eye and 1.50 in the left eye. I thought high astigmatism was 2.00 and above. Is it possible I have a lot of corneal astigmatism?

Cactus jack 08 Jan 2016, 20:11

MatthewWorth.

Hyperopia (and Myopia) is caused by a mismatch between the Total Optical Power of the eyes lens system and the length of the eyeball. In the case of Hyperopia, the eyeballs did not grow quite enough from birth to adulthood and distant images are focusing behind the Retina. In your boyfriends case about 1.3 mm behind the Retina.

There are two ways to correct Hyperopia. One way is to use SOME or sometimes ALL of a persons Accommodative power provided by the Eyes Internal Auto-Focus system to provide the extra PLUS needed to move the focus point up to the plane of the Retina. This can occur without the individual even being aware that he/she is doing it, IF the amount of Hyperopia is relatively small. The big disadvantage to correcting Hyperopia this way is that it uses up some of a persons Accommodation Range and that can limit the ability to focus close to read or use the computer.

A better way is to use external PLUS glasses or contacts to correct the fundamental Hyperopia and free up the available Accommodation Range for focusing close.

There is another eye condition that requires PLUS lenses to correct and that is what has confused you about + glasses. I mentioned available Accommodation Range above and that is very important, because the gradual onset of Presbyopia will untimely reduce and eliminate Accommodation. When that happens additional PLUS correction will be needed to enable close focusing.

Presbyopia actually starts in childhood, but does not typically become a problem until the mid 30s to early 40s. When it happens depends on your genetic makeup and your visual environment. People who are Hyperopic tend to need focusing help before 40 and people who are Myopic tend to need focusing help after 40, but both, along with people who dont need distance vision correction will ultimately need focusing help.

Your visual environment can reveal the presence of Hyperopia or the onset of Presbyopia. The tiny text on Smartphones and Tablets and the need to focus close to read it has even caused teens to need bifocals and it is not unheard of for University students to need bifocals or reading glasses to help with their visual workload.

If you want to learn a bit more about the Eye and how it works, you might check out this link:

http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/scenario/labman3/eye.htm

BTW, don't be too smug about not needing vision correction. Odds are that your vision is not as good as you think it is. It is very common for low Hyperopes to think their vision is a lot better than it really is.

MatthewWorth 08 Jan 2016, 02:26

Hey Cactus Jack,

1. Both your ages?

We are both 25.

2. Your educational background.

I have a Bachelor's

3. Your Occupation?

Student

4. Do you wear any vision correction?

5. Have you studied any math or any of the sciences?

Math

6. Have you taken any Physics Courses?

Cactus Jack 07 Jan 2016, 20:40

MatthewWorth,

Your boyfriend has significant Hyperopia or farsighted ness or long sightedness. It is not surprising that he needs to wear glasses or contacts.

Before I try to explain Hyperopia, I need a little more information about you and your boyfriend.

1. Both your ages?

2. Your educational background.

3. Your Occupation?

4. Do you wear any vision correction?

5. Have you studied any math or any of the sciences?

6. Have you taken any Physics Courses?

Hyperopia can be a little difficult to understand and the above information will help me compose an explanation that you can get your mind around.

As a teaser, I will tell you that Hyperopia is the ONLY refractive error that you can correct internally, if it is not too great. However, the act of trying to correct significant Hyperopia and also focus to read, can make life miserable with lots of headaches and visual discomfort.

MatthewWorth 07 Jan 2016, 19:41

Hi,

My boyfriend has glasses and I just wanted to get a better understanding on his prescription. He has a + prescription which I always understood to be for reading but he wears glasses/contacts all the time and can't see far or near without them.

This is his prescription:

OD, +3.25, -0.50, 150

OS +3.75

Will someone please explain to me his prescription.

Thanks!!

Galileo 07 Jan 2016, 00:05

Thanks Apple77

Apple77 05 Jan 2016, 07:37

Galileo,

I think 500 degrees means -5.00, 450 degrees is -4.50, and so forth.

-Apple

Galileo 05 Jan 2016, 05:28

I have a question;

I watched a Singapore news item a couple of days ago where they were investigating optical myths and getting different advice from different opticians. The reporters interviewed people on the street and one of the questions was "how bad is your eyesight".

Everyone answered that question with something like "500 degrees", "400 degrees" or "550 degrees". No one mentioned dioptres and everyone interviewed was a myope.

Can anyone enlighten me as to what this measure is and how it relates to prescription strength?

Thanks in anticipation.

Galileo 05 Jan 2016, 05:26

I have a question;

Everyone answered that question with something like "500 degrees", "400 degrees" or "550 degrees". No one mentioned dioptres and everyone interviewed was a myope.

Can anyone enlighten me as to what this measure is and how it relates to prescription strength?

Thanks in anticipation.

Patrick B 05 Jan 2016, 00:06

Ric -- To each his own, but I have had lenticular/myodisc lenses for quite some time and like the negative carriers for two very good reasons: First, they are cosmetically more appealing when viewed head on because there is very little cosmetic difference between the bowl and the carrier since both are negative; second, I really hated the massive difference between the bowl and the carrier if my eyes ever strayed outside of the bowl. The difference is so great because of the vast difference between the negative prescription in the bowl and the plus prescription in the carrier. I always felt that things were being pulled into my line of vision from the plus carrier which was really distracting. I also think going biconcave is the better choice because I get somewhat better vision with biconcave lenses. Apparently it's because the focal point is a bit closer to one's eyes.

To summarize, I think the blended myodiscs with the negative carriers provide a two distinct advantages: better visual acuity, and better cosmetics.The downside is that the edges will be thicker.

Let us know what you end up doing. You probably should consult with an eye care professional who is familiar with dispensing extremely high minus prescriptions.

Best in the New Year!

Ric 04 Jan 2016, 11:46

I think i should try with lenses with plano front and plus carrier, like the lentilux or so. Prescription is -17 and -3.5 cyl in worst eye and -15.50 with -3.25 cyl for left eye. Does plus carrier hide better the rings?

Patrick B 04 Jan 2016, 09:33

Ric -- My prescription is stronger than yours (-26/-25) and I always get my glasses through Optical4Less. Their frame selection is adequate, but they do good work and their prices are great: Blended lenticular/myodisc lenses (glass) for $238 US plus frame. You can specify if you want a plus or a minus carrier, the size of the bowl, and whether you want plano or bi-concave lenses. Their myodisc lenses start at -20 but they might do them as a special order. Check them out and look for their section on lenses. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Ric 04 Jan 2016, 04:03

Likelenses: do you know where could i get the blended lenticulars in reasonable price?

Likelenses 01 Jan 2016, 00:32

Melyssa

You could get them in your Rx. Cheryl's Rx is slightly stronger in sphere,but negligible in cylinder,and we found a local lab in Ohio that made them up for her.

Guido 31 Dec 2015, 17:11

CJ, thanks for the reassurance. Thats what I came up with.

Melyssa 31 Dec 2015, 13:19

Likelenses,

For one thing, I'm not sure that my RX is strong enough for myodiscs, and for another, like when people have suggested my getting bifocals in at least one pair of my collection, there's that $$$ thing to consider -- especially with wearing each pair for just a few hours each week. Either way, I'm okay with the good old CR39 lenses.

Cactus Jack 31 Dec 2015, 11:26

Guido,

I think your Mono Vision idea has merit and it is certainly worth a low cost try.

Your current prescription is:

OD -4.75,-0.75 31, Add 2.25

OS -4.75, -1.00, 48, Add 2.25.

PD 66 (Note there are typically 2 numbers for PD in a bifocal prescription for Distance and Near PD. Something like 66/63 because of reading convergence.

Mono Vision glasses would be:

OD -2.50,-0.75 31 (Close(

OS -3.25, -1.00, 48 (Intermediate)

PD 63

Assuming "arms length" is about 75 cm or 30 inches Using those distances you actually get an "add" of +1.33 diopters. I used +1.50. It would be best to use actually measured distance to the display. The basic formula for lens power vs, I focus distance is:

Lens Power in diopters = 1 meter (100 cm, 1000 mm, or 39.77 inches) / Focus Distance (in matching units of measure)

I hope this helps. You might consider an Anti-Reflective coating, but you probably don't need any other options.

I have a couple of other ideas if the Mono Vision glasses are not satisfactory.

Cactus Jack 31 Dec 2015, 10:58

Roy,

Welcome to one of the "joys" of needing prism.correction. If the "sweet spot" in each lens is not where you are looking, it is a pretty good clue that the Optical Center of the lens IS NOT coincident with your Central Axis of Vision.

PD is supposed to be measured with the eyes looking straight ahead with the Central Axes of Vision of each eye, parallel. That works just fine if there is no prism involved The location is loosely related to your PD because most PD measurements start with each eye looking straight ahead and are adjusted from there for prism. It is not always easy to do. Pure prisms have no Optical Center, but the Sphere and Cylinder components of the lenses do. One of the tricks used by some Dispensing Opticians is to mark the apparent eye position on the glasses and measure that.

The difficulty in getting glasses with high or complex prism components right is one of the reasons glasses with prism correction are so expensive. The Dispensing Opticians expect to have to remake the glasses several times to get them optically as acceptable as possible.

One of the problems with glasses with a lot of prism is the how the lenses are typically mounted in the frame. Ideally, the Central Asix of Vision should impinge (strike) the back surface of the corrective lens at 90 degrees. Any angle other than 90 degrees will introduce some distortion. If the eyes turn inward, the lenses should be mounted where most of the outside edge thickness is on the front side of the frame. However, that makes the glasses look "funny". Typically, Base Out prism lenses are mounted with most of the outer edge thickness behind the frame, which exacerbates the problems.

Maybe this will help you understand the problem. You might be able to get the glasses vendor to remake your glasses, but they may never provide the best corrected vision possible for the reasons stated above. The optical physics involved just won;t let it happen.

I have been dealing with this problem for years. Fortunately, I don;t have any vertical prism, but substantially more BO prism than you have. As I have said before, trying to understand the problems with prism caused me to delve deeply into optics and vision. I have also experienced other "interesting" optical phenomena related to wearing prism glasses that still have me scratching my head.

Guido 31 Dec 2015, 08:43

Probably a Cactus Jack question. Current Prescription, OD -4.75,-0.75 31, Add 2.25; OS -4.75, -1.00, 48, Add 2.25. PD 66, Date of script 22Oct2015. I work for a CPA during the tax season commencing Jan. 15. I went to the optometric office that did my refraction to see if the optician could do what I wanted. He said not without seeing the Dr. Time prohibits. What I would like to do is to have a mono-vision pair of glasses to be able to read source documents close up, and then enter said info into a computer program. As my right eye is dominant, I would guess that something close to a single vision reading script would be appropriate to my right eye i.e. -2.50, -0.75, 31. What would seem to be an appropriate script for my left eye at arms length? Is an adjustment of the PD indicated? I had a pair of specs that I used like this in the past, but the script became so outdated that they have become pretty unusable. If someone knowledgeable about such things could give me some guidance, I could do one of the mail order glasses places on the cheap. I understand the inherent risk, and am willing to absorb. coastal.com has some pretty cheap frame choices. If further information is required, please ask, as I pretty much check the board regularly

Roy 31 Dec 2015, 06:50

I have a new prescription, which is giving me a small problem. Myopia is reducing but prism is increasing. Prescription is:-

Right Eye:- -1.75, -1.00 @ 88 degrees. Prism 3.00 down 11.00 out

Left Eye:- -4.5, -0.50 @ 85 degrees. Prism 2.00 up 11.00 out

Near Add: 3.00

Intermediate add 2.00

I have had two pairs of glasses made (at a cost of around £800, of which £650 is for the two pairs of lenses) to the new prescription. One is a normal pair of progressives and the other is progressives but with intermediate at the top and near at the bottom (for computer use).

I am happy with the standard progressives but the vision, when using a computer, seems slightly blurred with the computer glasses, even at the optimum viewing distance. Shutting one or other eye gives the same slight blur in each eye and turning my head gives best vision when looking more or less straight ahead, so I guess the PD must be about right. If I remove my glasses, shut one eye, and adjust my viewing distance to suit my myopia, vision is clearer, even though I then have no cylinder correction.

The glasses are both 1.60 index plastic (with an outer edge thickness of 11-13mm). I did notice the dispensing optician measured my PD with me wearing my old glasses (10 base out in both eyes). Could this be the problem in giving a small PD error or is this problem of slight loss of clarity inherent in glasses with high prism values? I have also noticed that the problem mainly appears when using a desktop, and a laptop is much better, but the desktop is sharp when I remove my glasses. Can anyone help please?

Likelenses 30 Dec 2015, 22:08

Melyssa

I think with your awesome collection of eyewaare that one pair of myos would be nice.

My girlfriend was appalled,but at the same time obsessed when she first saw someone in myos.

It took a bit of convincing but she gleefully got a pair in her minus nineish Rx.She enjoys the attention that she gets with them on,of course she also realizes that her Rx does not really require them.

Some our mutual guy friends must be OO,as she gets a lot more attention from them when wearing the myos.

When we started dating,she was kind of shy about her strong Rx,but she has really come out of her shell,and has become very interested in vision,glasses,and loves asking about these things.However on occasion she thinks that I am overly interested in glasses,and girls wearing them.

Ric 30 Dec 2015, 01:30

Im feel better with my last glasses since i ve got glass 1.9 lenses in a small frame. Optician does not recomended me the myodisc type, but she said the blended lenticular could hide the rings better.

Melyssa 29 Dec 2015, 12:40

And I won't deal with myodiscs either.

Sarah 29 Dec 2015, 11:21

Likelenses,

Maybe to some, but not to me.

~Sarah

Likelenses 28 Dec 2015, 15:54

Sarah

Myos are very sexy looking though.

Sarah 28 Dec 2015, 10:17

Likelenses,

I would like to stay away from myodiscs as long as possible.

~Sarah

Likelenses 27 Dec 2015, 20:58

Sarah You could also talk to your optometrist about going into myodiscs early if you have another large increase in your Rx.

My minus nineish girlfriend has a pair of myos in her Rx,and loves the vision she has with them.They took a bit of getting used to but she loves wearing them,and she looks fabulous in them.

Sarah 27 Dec 2015, 17:35

Likelenses,

Oh, okay. I'll look into them.

~Sarah

Likelenses 27 Dec 2015, 17:22

Sarah

They are lenses that have a curvature formed into both the front,and back surfaces,that is negative.

They offer superior vision when the prescription is high.The only other option to give this type of vision would be a myodisc lense.

They are usually prescribed at a point when the Rx reaches -14 or so,but many optometrists well give them earlier as they take a bit to get used to,so by the time their patient requires them they are comfortable in them.

Here is a video showing a pair of bioconcave.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbw-_lGDdjM

Sarah 27 Dec 2015, 07:55

Thank for all the informationnand tips.

Likelenses,

What are biconcave lenses?

I read at good distances!

Puffin,

My parents are farsighted due to age, so they wear readers. My brother is stabslized at -1, one sister is at about -4/-5. Other than us we have one farsighted cousin and 8ne myopic cousin,who basically has perfect vision, and that is all (out of all my) cousins.

Antonio,

I dont read in bed unless it is a text.

~Sarah

antonio 27 Dec 2015, 04:00

Hi Sarah

and always read in good light Sarah, and better in the morning than in the evening, never read in bed,

and rest your eyes for 5 minutes looking out of the window after reading for 30 minutes, Never read nearer than 30 cm away. And expose your eyes to daylight quite often, that helps too, it may help you to read books in old glasses about an diopter or 1.5 or two less than you need for longer reading. If you put your current ones on after that, you get the HD effect of new glasses for seeing far which is a good sign for your sight,

and read the computer making script bigger with Strg ++

(Strg or Ctrl -- makes it smaller again).

So avoid to read small print for longer times!

best regards antonio

Puffin 27 Dec 2015, 02:51

Sarah, do either of your parents or close relatives wear glasses? That could give you some clues to your situation.

Likelenses 27 Dec 2015, 00:16

Sarah

An additional thing,You may be able to slow your lense increases a bit,by paying close attention to your reading distances.

With glasses on you should never read a book,of printed material closer than 12 inches,and never closer to a computer monitor than 20 inches,This may seem difficult at first,as letters may appear to be too small.

What is your present reading distance?

Likelenses 27 Dec 2015, 00:08

Sarah

I agree with Guest,and Soundmanpt,that you are very likely to reach -17,to -19.

In preparation you may want to ask your optician if they think you could benefit wearing bioconcave lenses now,as it is certain you will need then in the near future.Since they take a bit getting used to,it will be easier with a weaker Rx.

Sarah 26 Dec 2015, 13:03

Soundmanpt,

Maybe, its just that I heard that some people's eyes never stabalize and I was getting scared that I would end up like that.

~Sarah

Soundmanpt 26 Dec 2015, 12:58

Sarah

It could be that you had a growth spurt. Now that doesn't mean you grew any taller but you may have had a change in your body in other places if you know what I mean. Also college could be a major cause for a bigger increase. Many college students don't get their first glasses until they are in college. I bet if you look you will find that there are quite few optical stores close by your campus. There's a reason they are that close.

Also when your eyes begin to slow down is hard to say. To be honest 18 is really on the early side.

Sarah 26 Dec 2015, 12:22

Soundmanpt,

I know they are just guesses. The main thing is I am just a bit worried because I thought my increases were supposed to be slowing down now that I am close to 20, but they are doing the opposite. Like I said earlier my last increase was the largest I have ever had.

~Sarah

Soundmanpt 26 Dec 2015, 11:56

Sarah

Predicting what your prescription might be by the time your eyes become stable is really impossible and even your optometrist if you were to ask him or her would tell you that they have no idea and they of course are looking and checking your eyes directly. So as long as you understand that whatever anyone in here tells you it is only a guess. But you have supplied some useful information by providing your past 3 yearly prescriptions. But even that can change of course. You may notice that your SPH numbers have really increased at about one diopter per year. Your astigmatisms has changed at about -.50 per year. So the now the real question is when will your eyes start to slow down on their way to becoming stable? This is very hard to say because no one is the same. Generally speaking most stop in their early twenties to mid twenties. Also i'm sure the added strain of college work enters into the picture as well. Once your out of college your increases could even be less each year. Personally I think that your not going to get to the -17.00 or or -19.00 numbers.

Sarah 26 Dec 2015, 08:28

Guest,

Wow, so close to the 20s, but i have to agree with this one more than the previous one

~Sarah

guest 26 Dec 2015, 06:18

Hi Sarah

In the light of the answer you gave to P's question; I revise my estimate to the -17 to -19 range with astig a bit of an increase. I did not know you were 18, thought in early 20's.

I had a g/f who stabilized there after going to College. She got best vision from biconcave lenses and proudly wore them. She had special toric contacts, but was content with here corrected vision with glasses to about 20/30 and could drive. By the way, she is now in here fifties and has a normal life lol. Her kids are not as nearsighted as she was. She got them OrthoK lenses in grade school. She never went to myo's.

Figured you would want to know these facts.

guest 26 Dec 2015, 06:18

Hi Sarah

In the light of the answer you gave to P's question; I revise my estimate to the -17 to -19 range with astig a bit of an increase. I did not know you were 18, thought in early 20's.

Figured you would want to know these facts.

Sarah 25 Dec 2015, 21:24

Pseldonymov,

I got my first glasses at 7 , but did not start wearing them until 9. Also, I know for a fact I needed them at 6, and am fairly certain I needed them when I was 5, cause I remember walking around the room to see the board sometimes in kindergarten cause I could not make it out from where I was sitting. I was never told my first prescription, or any until I was 16 (even then I had to sneak a peek at my file while the optician walked away for something) then my sephere was -8 in both eyes and my astigmatism was -1.5 and -1.75 for my right and left eyes, respectively. At 17 my prescription was sephere -9.25 and -9.75 and cylinder of -2 and -2.5 again they are right then left. And now at 18 my prescriptiom is sephere: -11.25 and -12.00 and my cylinder is -3.00 and -3.75. So in three years my prescription has changed sephere: -3.25 and -4 and my cylinder -1.5 and -2.00.

~Sarah

Pseldonymov 25 Dec 2015, 19:47

to Sarah

Also, another factor: when (what age) did you start wearing glasses and what was your first prescription?

What was difference between currect and previous prescriptions? How many years ago was your previous eye exam?

Sarah 25 Dec 2015, 19:05

Seems reasonable, thanks!

~Sarah

25 Dec 2015, 17:33

That is ok Sarah, I am old and crotchety, have 5 college degrees and do not use any of them. I am a professional fisherman and have been all my life.

I do not know 2% of the acronyms used on the internet.

Actually, it makes you a better person if you do not know or use them and I received that information from the internet.

Sarah 25 Dec 2015, 17:30

Guest,

In my defense I always type everthing out.

~Sarah

guest 25 Dec 2015, 17:00

omg Sarah... to a brilliant college student not knowing internet language, shame.... and I'm over 50 lol !

IMHO... In My Humble Opinion... OK?

guest 25 Dec 2015, 17:00

omg Sarah... to a brilliant college student not knowing internet language, shame.... and I'm over 50 lol !

IMHO... In My Humble Opinion... OK?

Sarah 25 Dec 2015, 15:59

Guest,

IMHO?

~Sarah

guest 25 Dec 2015, 15:47

Sarah...

So IMHO I would say you will stabilize around -15 with more astig.. Due to College curriculum.

Areds2 are over the counter in usa.

Where are you?

Happy Day..

guest 25 Dec 2015, 15:47

Sarah...

So IMHO I would say you will stabilize around -15 with more astig.. Due to College curriculum.

Areds2 are over the counter in usa.

Where are you?

Happy Day..

Sarah 25 Dec 2015, 11:44

Guest,

I am a college student, which does not leave much time for anything else.

~Sarah

Sarah 25 Dec 2015, 11:44

Guest,

I am a college student, which does not leave much time for anything else.

~Sarah

guest 25 Dec 2015, 09:39

Hi Sarah..

Stabilized early 20's here.

What is your "visual habits"...examples-school, college, work (computers?) and lifestyle - indoor or outdoor (soccer mom etc) That has much to do with when you may, and I mean may, stabilize.

Merry xmas

Ric 25 Dec 2015, 07:54

Sarah: main changes stopped in mu 30 s before , just had small changes

Sarah 25 Dec 2015, 07:46

Ric,

Thanks for sharing. Do you remember when you became stable?

~Sarah

Ric 25 Dec 2015, 02:10

Sarah: yes, my eyesight is stable, not changing time ago. Finally got -15.50 for right eye and -17 for left. (have also astigmatism in both)

Sarah 24 Dec 2015, 05:13

Ric,

Kind of close to mine. What is your current prescription, if you don't mind me asking? Also, are your eyes stable?

~Sarah

ric 24 Dec 2015, 00:58

Sarah, im in double digits many years ago. Got -10 diopters when i was 19 years old

Sarah 23 Dec 2015, 15:09

Hi, all! I was just wondering if anyone else in here has a prescription on the double digits. I just received my first double digit prescription, and am very nervous about it and would love to hear other people's experiences.

By the way my prescription is:

O.D. -11.25/ -3.00/005

O.S. -12.00/ -3.75/ 165

Also, my vision is still by no means stable nor is it beginning stabilization. This was the biggest jump I have ever had, which is also a factor of my nervousness about this prescription/ my eyesight.

~Sarah

Cactus Jack 23 Dec 2015, 07:20

GreginColo,

Glad to help.

I am a bit surprised at the number of people who have had Lasik or other refractive surgery to correct Myopia and then have 2nd thoughts about it. Several members have tried to Induce some Myopia, but unfortunately seem to have no or very limited success. Part of the lack of success is genetic. Your genes that control eyeball growth have said "no more". At that point, the only thing you can do is hope to induce some Pseudo Myopia, which only involves your Ciliary Muscles and Crystalline Lenses.

If you get into a fight with your genes, guess who will win. Your genes have the ultimate power in what happens in your body.

GreginColo 22 Dec 2015, 20:36

Thanks CJ and DS for your explanation of the middle 2 numbers in my recent Rx. I guessed they had something to do with astigmatism, but your explanation helps. Thanks to each of you for your time to explain.

DS 22 Dec 2015, 12:25

Greg,

Yes, the middle sets of numbers describe the astigmatism.

The numbers represent a power and an axis. The power is a relative difference to the sphere. The axis describes the orientation of the power difference.

As an example, for your right eye:

+0.50 -0.25 x 050 add +2.25

You have +0.50D lens power at the axis angle (50 degrees) and +0.25D (sum +0.50 and -0.25) 90 degrees away at 140 degrees.

All this "axis" really means is that the lens must aligned with this rotation in order to neutralize the error in the eye. You can see this in your left-eye lens where your astigmatism is -1.50D. As you rotate your lens you can see objects get stretched out differently with lens rotation (and with your left eye see the image become sharper and blurrier).

I like to think of astigmatism like a soda can. The can is "plano" on one axis (no curve / "power"), and has about base 17 curvature on the axis 90 degrees away to form the cylinder.

If the prescription is, say, 0.00 -5.00 x 90, then this is like a can standing up, as to not spill if it was opened.

If the prescription is 0.00 -5.00 x 180, then the can is laying on its side, ready to roll. For comparison, a prescription without astigmatism would be spherical like a ball rather than like a cylinder.

You will often see the shape of an astigmatic eye compared to a football. A football is much like the can analogy, but instead of having no curve on one axis, both perpendicular meridians have curvature, it is just that they are different.

This is still a bit simplified as for a lens we are talking about "power". This refractive power is created by the difference in curvature of the front and back surfaces. Cans and footballs describe a surface, but it is convenient for visualization.

Cactus Jack 22 Dec 2015, 09:29

GreginColo,

The middle two numbers are Cylinder and Axis (they ALWAYS go together). Cylinder and associated Axis, correct Astigmatism, which is typically caused by uneven curvature of your Cornea.

In your prescription,

Rt +0.50, -0.25, 050, +2.25

Lt +0.75, -1.50, 170, +2.25

the -0.25 in your Rt eye is not a large factor in your overall vision, but the -1.50 in your Lt eye is significant. However, there really is no such thing as insignificant Astigmatism. Astigmatism affects your ability to resolve small objects or small text. Any uncorrected amount causes excess fatigue because your brain will try to correct it, but it has no tools to work with as does with Hyperopia, before Presbyopia prevents that.

The Axis number is simply the orientation of the Cylinder correction in Angular Degrees. By tradition 0 and 180 degrees are with the long axis of the Cylinder horizontal. The numbers increase in a counter clockwise direction, looking at the patient, to 90 degrees, vertical and on around to 180 degrees. There is no need for the Axis number to exceed 180 degrees. Some ECPs use 0 to 179, others use 1 to 180.

GreginColo 21 Dec 2015, 20:49

While I continue to wish to regain some of my pre-lasic myopia that hasn't happened, so the result of my eye exam

today is as follows;

Rt +0.50, -0.25, 050, +2.25

Lt +0.75, -1.50, 170, +2.25

While I understand the first number (sphere) and the last number (add), not sure of the meaning of the set middle numbers (cylinder and axis, in that order). I presume it has something to with astigmatism, but if someone can help me decipher the middle 2 numbers that would be appreciated. They didn't give me the Rx printout until the checkout desk, so I didn't have a chance to ask the Dr about the middle 2 numbers. Thanks.

astigmaphile 10 Nov 2015, 12:14

The first place that I got my glasses after my cataract surgery in 2011 wanted more money because my cylinder correction was higher than two diopters.

Melyssa 10 Nov 2015, 05:38

Galileo,

That could explain why I have seen eyewear ads, either in print or in stores themselves, stating that prices are for prescriptions in the -4.00 to +4.00 range (sometimes -6.00 to +6.00).

There's that infamous three-word caveat (no, not "Made in China") -- "Some restrictions apply."

Galileo 09 Nov 2015, 15:53

Melyssa/Clair/Soundmanpt 20 years ago I used to work with a UK optical chain and their statistics were that 90% of all prescriptions were between -4 and +4 so any lenses outside that range were ordered in. Mind boggling to think that any really complex lenses - like a bifocal above -10 - were special ordered and air freighted from California to the UK. The good old days.

Melyssa 09 Nov 2015, 06:03

Claire,

What you have experienced is nothing new. Where I purchased my first drop-temples in 1984, and many glasses thereafter, my glasses always took a week instead of an hour, due to my now -9.00 prescription (-7.00 or so back then), along with the astigmatism correction. Now instead of an hour, it may be 2-3 days as they have to order the lenses -- in fact, they do that for anyone whose prescription is -4.00 or or stronger (possibly for +4.00 or stronger on that side).

The large sky-blue top-temples and my Liz Claiborne clear trapezoid-shaped frames from the 1980s took an hour, but that was at the late, lamented Eyelab, eventually bought out by Pearle.

And long ago, pre-drop-temples, at whatever family-owned optical store my parents and I used, my glasses would take 1-2 weeks. Technology may have improved since then. :)

Soundmanpt 08 Nov 2015, 18:07

Claire

To be honest there is a much higher percentage of people wearing glasses with less than-4.00 prescriptions than there is above that. It just makes sense that they are going to cater to the larger percent of people. I don't think most people expect to be able to get their glasses the same day even let alone in an hours time anymore. Most places will tell even those with even a much weaker prescription of say -1.50 that their glasses will be ready in about week to 10 days. I think the only people that need to take advantage of the places that will have glasses ready in about an hour are the people that only have one pair of glasses and they break or lose them and they need feel like they need them. Remember even with just a -1.50 prescription that person still feels like they need their glasses as much as you need yours. Also the ones that for some crazy reason only wears contacts and has never bothered even getting glasses until they have an issue with their contacts and they aren't able to wear them. Now they too have to have glasses as fast as possible just to survive, because they quickly find that they can't see to drive without correction. Those one hour places are well aware of these people and they know how desperate they are to get glasses that they are more than willing to pay 2 - 4 times more than what glasses are worth just so they can see again. The world is all about supply and demand. And I hate to tell you but they just don't feel like there is nearly enough business to take up extra space for higher prescription lenses to make it worth their while to stock them.

Claire 08 Nov 2015, 12:20

Yes they said upto -4.00 does most people and people that need driving glasses they can do in a hour. But if -6.00 is a normal prescription why don't they stock them. I thought my prescription was really bad but they see it all the time and higher. So would you say mine is very bad or normal? What would be are rage prescription lee than -4.00? I can't see glasses and need them all time

Soundmanpt 08 Nov 2015, 11:54

Claire

The problem is when you say they only stock lenses up to -4.00, but your forgetting that they probably also have them made up with most all of the options to correct astigmatisms. Now your really adding in a much larger number of lenses even with only going to -4.00. Also they probably need to keep at least some of the options with and without AR coating. And forget they now have several options of AR coating as well. In fact this is why most of the optical stores stopped years ago having in house labs because they had to stock so many variations of lenses as well as pay a lab person. I live near very big city with several hundred optical shops but as far as I know only company has labs in all their stores. Most send out for the lenses to be made up.

Claire 08 Nov 2015, 11:34

I've just had my eye test and need to get new glasses but have to wait 2 weeks for them because they don't stock the lenses. I'm shortsighted -6.00 really bad. They make most glasses within 1 hour but only stock up to -4.00 lenses. My prescription is very normal so why don't they stock all the lenses? This is a big opticians store. When you order new prescription you don't really want to wait right?

Progressive man 19 Oct 2015, 19:28

I'm 41 and the last few months have noticed small print getting difficult to read. I've been a glasses wearer (part-time for 20+ years) slightly nearsighted (-0.50 each eye) with a moderate astigmatism (-1.75 & -1.50). Today I got my eyes checked for the first time since '07 and when the doc put the small card in front of me I couldn't read the first 2 lines he asked me to read (I could barely tell they were even letters). He then prescribed me an add of +1.50. I ordered the progressive lenses in a nice Oakley frame. Any advice on what to expect from progressives? How much of a difference should I expect with the add? I've heard progressives could be a tough adjustment for a first time wearer. Doc also ordered me some mono vision contacts and said they work for about 60% of people but he wasn't that optimistic they would work in my script ( thus the trial pair). Anyone with experience with progressives or mono vision contacts please post any hints that could be helpful. I should get the glasses Saturday, thanks.

Sandy 16 Oct 2015, 04:01

Likelenses,

I must apologize for the confusion. What I meant was, given such unsual add of +2.00 in one eye and +3.00 in the other in my new glasses made reading much better and my eyes relaxed for close work, but distance vision was poor as I was unable to focus for distance. I returned to the ophthalmologists but was dissatisfied with the response given. I wanted a second opinion, and went to another specialist and was given the foll: RX: R -2.75/-0.25 ×70 L -3.25 Add +3.5 which is similar to my old rx. but the add is quite different, given that my old rx has an add of +2.00. I thought this +3.5 add, is a large increase from what I had, not knowing what the numbers represented for the Add or how they are calculated in the script. I hope this helps. I am still awaiting the updated glasses. Any changes to expect with the Add section?

Cactus Jack 12 Oct 2015, 21:23

Tracy,

Don't worry if they don't want to give you your PD measurements. It is not hard to measure your PD. The easiest is with a bathroom mirrored a ruler calibrated in mm. We can tell you how or most online retailers have instructions on their website.

Likelenses 12 Oct 2015, 20:42

Tracy

In addition to what Soundmanpt has said,may I suggest that you stop by the place where you purchased your glasses,and ask for a copy of your prescription ,to include your PD measurement.

By law they have to give it to you,however they may balk at giving the PD,as they know you need it to purchase online glasses.

Tell them that you want that information in case you lose your glasses while traveling.

Likelenses 12 Oct 2015, 20:26

Sandy

You kind of lost me in that in your first sentence you said that the add is fine,but later you said that you are getting a lot more of it,and hope that it will help.

Soundmanpt 12 Oct 2015, 18:03

Tracy

I can't comment on the other on line retailers but I can tell you that over the past 11 years or so I have purchased several hundred pairs of glasses from Zenni. I am a volunteer with a non profit vision group that helps low income people get eye exams and glasses. Not only myself but others from our group have also used Zenni and none of us have ever had any problem with the glasses we received from Zenni. I think with any product your always going to find a bad review from someone. My guess is that any of the actual bad reviews were patient errors meaning they didn't fill in their prescription properly. For example it makes a world of difference if you put a plus sign instead of a minus sign in front of the numbers.

All progressives have the 3 areas in them. The upper segment is for your distance for things such as driving are watching a sporting event or concert. The middle section is called the intermediate area and is works well for short distances such as seeing your monitor a 18" to 24" away from your eyes. And of course the add segment is for close up things such as reading a book. If you had gotten lined bifocals you would not have that mid section.

I'm not sure how much your insurance paid but yes what you were left to pay seems on the extreme high side. But if you went to a high end store such as Lenscrafters that is probably about right. By the way just so you know, all the extras that they optician sells you is what he or she gets the biggest commission on. The actual base price of your glasses they get very little for. Trust me I am sure once you get a pair of glasses on line from most any of the better ones you won't ever buy glasses again from where you did this time. Remeber many of the on line places have a decent return policy. In Zenni's case if for nay reason even if you don't like the color of the frame you can return them with no questions asked and get 50% of the cost back. No it's nit all of your money but I think it's more than worth taking the risk considering how much you will save if your happy with the product. Don't you think? But I am actually happy that your getting your first glasses from a local shop. That way if you decide to give any of the on line places a try you will already have glasses to go by for a good measurement so they fit your face nicely.

Tracy 12 Oct 2015, 17:22

I forgot to mention lenses have three areas, top for distance. Middle for computer I guess. And bottom for reading, which is why they suggested trivex.

Tracy 12 Oct 2015, 15:59

Yes, I have been getting a lot of headaches and yes, fuzziness is worse the latter part of the day. I wore glasses when young and stopped due to teasing / school. Several years later tried them again and thought I was able to manage pretty well without them, I also just felt ugly with them on..I was very self conscious about glasses; it's likely my own doing my eyes are much worse (being forty hasn't helped either). I went to many stores and had trouble finding the smaller lens width I needed, not much selection. I ended up at eyetique, got a pair of Oliver peoples Riley r in cocobolo color. I have insurance and they were still $589 with insurance. Convinced me to get trivex lenses with premium ar... Yes, I am sure I paid too much (after research) but they said would be really difficult to get used to and better lenses would help. Now I realize you post more for designer, and after I found warby parker but reviews on this one as well as others, zenni, frames direct, etc. Didn't all have fab reviews. I need prescription sunglasses still and unsure wear to go. I just hope people are decent to me on how they look. I did like the Oliver peoples frames...

Soundmanpt 12 Oct 2015, 09:34

Tracy

I agree with both your optometrist and "Cactus Jack" you do need to be wearing glasses. "Cactus Jack" described very well what the numbers in your prescription mean and how those numbers effect your eyesight. You didn't mention anything about headaches and I would think with the amount of astigmatism correction you need that you would get frequent headaches? Also the type of job you do and lots of highway driving your eyes should make you feel quite tired by late afternoon. You will be surprised how much wearing your glasses will relax your eyes once you get them and your eyes adjust to them.

Yes progressives are very expensive if purchased at your local optical shop. Several hundred dollars at least. But what "Cactus Jack" was referring to was suggesting you might want to get your glasses on line. Like he said you may have already ordered your glasses and that's fine since these are your first glasses. Once you have glasses then you will know what size fits your face best since you will have a pair to go by for measurements. The place I highly recommend is Zenni (zennioptical.com) you shouldn't have any problem picking out progressives for between $55.00 and $75.00 and that is for a complete pair of very good quality glasses including your prescription lenses and even an AR coating (anti-reflective) The AR coating is very nice to have and since your likely going to be wearing your glasses full time even better. Oh and by the way they have somewhere near 1,000 to pick from so considerably more than your local shop will have. One thing since you spend a lot of time driving and your going to be wearing your glasses for driving your going to find that your non prescription sunglasses don't work so well anymore and you may want to invest in a nice pair of prescription sunglasses. For driving and just being outside you don't really need the add for seeing things close up so you can get single vision sunglasses and those you can get for under $20.00 at Zenni.

Let us know once you get your glasses and start wearing them.

Sandy 12 Oct 2015, 06:10

Likelenses,

I got my new glasses. The Add is fine as I can see to read well with the glasses but cannot focus in the distance with or without same. I went to another specialist and explained the problem I am having and was given a similar RX to the one I had before but with more add. I was told that it will take a longer time to prepare the new glasses because of the high Add. I have to pay for a new set of lenses but am hoping this works. Am using the old pair until. I just cant see clearly to read,type or write as I get headache and nausea from even typing this message. I do hope the new RX will make reading etc. a whole lot better.

Cactus Jack 12 Oct 2015, 00:15

Tracy,

Yes, progressives can be pricey. Have you ordered glasses yet? We may be able to offer some suggestions about ways to save money if you are interested. If not on these glasses, perhaps on future glasses.

Tracy 11 Oct 2015, 19:39

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm 40 and in sales, use a computer and do a lot of highway driving.. Guess vision just gets worse with age. I asked the doctor if lasik would correct and he said he wouldn't recommend? Progressives are certainly pricey! Again, thanks for your input.

Tracy

Cactus Jack 11 Oct 2015, 19:22

Tracy,

Your prescription is for low Hyperopia as indicated by the PLUS Sphere. That means that you are Far or Long Sighted. Hyperopia is the ONLY type of refractive error that you can correct internally using your eye's internal autofocus mechanism, often without your even being aware that you are doing it. You did not mention your age or what prompted you to get an eye exam, but I suspect that because of the ADD, Presbyopia is creeping up on your, as it does almost everyone.

The thing that is potentially causing you the most problems is Astigmatism, which is indicated by the 2nd and 3rd numbers in the prescription. The 2nd number is the Cylinder correction and the 3rd number is the Axis of the cylinder correction. It specifies the direction of the long Axis of the Cylinder. Cylinder and Axis always go together. Astigmatism affects your vision at all distances and it usually makes it hard to read text or see small objects clearly. Astigmatism can ONLY be corrected with external lenses such as glasses, the best solution, or contacts, which don't always work very well. You have enough Astigmatism to be a real nuisance unless corrected.

Do you need glasses, Yes! You should probably wear them full time, but that is up to you. I suggest that you wear them full time for two weeks and then make a decision as to when you wear them. Initially, you may think that your glasses made your vision worse, but that is not true. Vision actually occurs in the brain and your eyes are merely biological cameras. Your brain is used to correcting the somewhat distorted images your eyes are providing. Your glasses will correct those images optically, but it will take your brain a few days to get used to not having to do the extra work. I think you will find that your glasses really do help and wearing them is a lot more comfortable than not wearing them.

May I ask your age, occupation, and where you live?

If you have more questions please ask.

Tracy 11 Oct 2015, 16:21

Prescription:

OD sphere +.75 cylinder -1.25 axis 106 add 1.25

IS sphere +1.25 cylinder -1.00 axis 73 add 1.25

Could you please explain my prescription, do I really require glasses, progressives were prescribed for full time use.

Thank You

Tracy

Soundmanpt 11 Oct 2015, 07:46

Cork

It is almost certain that if she were to for yet another eye exam she would have another set of numbers to deal with and question as to which on is correct. In most cases almost everyone no matter what their age can go and get their eyes examined every month and come away with new numbers each time. In some cases just the difference of time of day can make a difference. For example someone going in for an eye exam on Monday after being off work over the weekend a then going again month later but going for their exam after work on a Friday chances are the Friday exam will be slightly stronger than the Monday one was.

Really in your wife's case the recent ones are really not that far apart from one another. The main difference I see is the CYL (astigmatism) numbers vary a bit. I think the middle one may have given her problems since her one eye went up from -1.25 to -1.50 and the other eye went down quite a bit from-1.75 to -1.00. The most recent exam is much closer to her one fro a year ago. If you look -1.25 is now down a tiny to -1.00 and her other eye is also down very slightly from -1.75 to -1.50. Of course the SPH is very similar in her 2 recent exams so again I would go with the most recent one -5.25 and -5.00. You can ignore the axis numbers as that is simply the angle of the lenses and thought they are important not out of line in either of her recent exams with each other.

Also this is very important. Any glasses she gets because she clearly has some changes, she needs to allow her eyes time to adjust to her new glasses. She needs to wear them for at least a week to 10 days before deciding that they aren't right. WEARING THEM FOR A DAY OR TWO WON'T DO IT.

Cork 11 Oct 2015, 06:50

My wife's old prescription from about a year ago was:

-4.75 -1.25 15 +2.50

-3.50 -1.75 165

She does have cataracts brewing and is 64

She recently got this:

-5.25 -1.50 018 +2.50

-4.75 -1.00 161

She didn't like those..just weren't comfortable, so I suggested she go elsewhere, where she got (one month later):

-5.25 -1.00 020 +2.50

-5.00 -1.50 162

She wants to order new glasses on line and doesn't know what to order. Any suggestions, or should she go for a third exam?

Likelenses 10 Oct 2015, 14:06

Sandy

It is very odd that your right eye has gone from a moderate amount of myopia to a slight amount of farsightedness,and at the same time is having a boat load of astigmatism.

The left eye decreased a small amount in its myopia,but nothing drastic.

I would say that the double vision is caused be this drastic change,and that perhaps it is caused by the glaucoma.

By now you should have your new glasses,and hopefully they will solve the double vision.

Also by now you know the answer to the appearance of your lense differences.

Tanya 10 Oct 2015, 05:52

I went back to Specsavers last week.I told them that my reading glasses were fine but the distance ones weren't. My distance vision was slightly better with them, but not enough to justify wearing them. I couldn't see the computer screen at all. They said that they would change the lenses to intermediate. I said just to make them reading glasses as well as I can see the computer fine with my readers but they said the intermediate will be better.I agreed to this. What kind of script can I expect in intermediate? I have a funny feeling they will not be strong enough!My RX is posted below. Thank you

AnyGuess 07 Oct 2015, 06:38

Hello,

Can you guess this lady prescription?

http://s16.postimg.org/pw3h0tlcl/IMG_4599.jpg

http://s18.postimg.org/y2uqnpfmx/IMG_4600.jpg

thanks,

Sandy 05 Oct 2015, 06:58

Likelenses,

The Sphere is +0.50 as you've mentioned. This is for the new glasses that is yet to be collected. I have had glasses for over 25 years. My current Rx is R: -3.00/-0.5 x 83

L: -3.00/-0.25 x160

I have had these for over 2 years but for a few months I have not been able to see clearly out of them and is currently experiencing double vision in my right eye when I read. I now have to squint to see the computer screen to write this message no matter how large the print is. I cannot focus out of my right eye to read whether close or distant.

The fact that I now have myopia in one eye and plus lens in the other, would there be a noticeably difference for onlookers? May be I should consider contacts? I have presbyopia and glaucoma as well. What could cause the double vision though?

Tanya 03 Oct 2015, 06:59

Thankyou for the replies. I picked the glasses up this morning. The optometrist never suggested bi or multi foculs, she was pushing contacts.

Anyway, the reading glasses are great but the distance ones are a waste of time. Yes, everything looks a bit sharper, especially my night vision, but not enough to justify wearing them. The optometrist said I would have good computer vision with them but I don't. I am wondering whether to go back?

Tanya 03 Oct 2015, 06:59

Thankyou for the replies. I picked the glasses up this morning. The optometrist never suggested bi or multi foculs, she was pushing contacts.

Likelenses 02 Oct 2015, 15:30

Sandy

The Rx that you posted as,My Script is: R +0.05/ -2.00 x 70 Add: +2.00

L -2.25/ -0.5 X 160 Add: +3.00 ,is quite unusual.

First I believe that for your Rt. eye you made a mistake,and it should be + .50 for your sphere.

Second there is a massive difference in your sphere,and also in your cylinder,between eyes.

Third the add difference is unusual,but perhaps because of the amount of minus for your left eye,you need more add to give you a larger image for close work.

Is this your first glasses,or have you worn glasses prior,and if so what was the Rx ?

And 01 Oct 2015, 13:37

My gf has always worn contacts and has recently worn otc readers. She has now been for a test and ordered some progressive glasses. Do they take a lot o getting used to ?

Her prescription is now -8 +1.25. Does that mean if ahe continues to wear her contacts (-7.50) she can wear +1.25 readers - I'm sure the ones she currently has are stronger than that.

Cactus Jack 01 Oct 2015, 08:19

Tanya,

The prescription is pretty reasonable for a 51 year old with a bit of Hyperopia and a moderate amount of Presbyopia.

R Sphere +0.50, Cylinder -0.25, Axis 73, Add +1.75

L Sphere +0.50, Cylinder -0.25, Axis 120, Add +1.75

This is actually a prescription for Bifocals or Progressives, but it can be made as two pairs of glasses, one for distance and one for reading. If you apply the Add to the Distance prescription, for reading, you will get:

R Sphere +2.25, Cylinder -0.25, Axis 73

L Sphere +2.25, Cylinder -0.25, Axis 120

The Sphere corrects a small amount of Hyperopia or Far Sightedness

The Cylinder corrects a small amount of Astigmatism and the Axis is the direction of the long axis of the Cylinder. They always go together.

The Add is for reading and if you only want distance, you just leave off the Add.

If you have never worn glasses, you may find that you actually have a bit of what is called Latent (hidden) Hyperopia and the Sphere may increase a bit over the next few months. The Add may also increase some depending on how close you like to focus, but It won't be a lot. Let us know if you have more questions.

Soundmanpt 01 Oct 2015, 08:06

Tanya

Based on your prescription I am curious why you don't just get one really nice pair of progressives (bifocals) and not fool around with having 2 pairs of glasses? Your optometrist is correct your distance vision is actually still pretty good but still less than perfect. Just as she said wearing glasses for distance would provide you with crisp, sharp vision. It would still be up to you when and how much you choose to wear your glasses. But certainly a better idea than switching from one to the other. It think you would certainly find that wearing glasses for driving would be nice and even better after dark.

Tanya 01 Oct 2015, 07:48

Hi, I have just went for an eye test. I am 51 and have been prescribed glasses before but didn't want to wear them. I have bought OTC glasses for reading. 6 years later the optician said I need glasses for distance and close up. I have ordered 2 pairs, one distance and one close up. I only got one script.....R +0.50 -0.25 73 1.75

L +0.50 -0.25 120 1.75

She said my distance vision would be sharp and crisp.

How do you interpret this prescription?

Thank you

Sandy 01 Oct 2015, 05:51

Likelenses,

My Script is: R +0.05/ -2.00 x 70 Add: +2.00

L -2.25/ -0.5 X 160 Add: +3.00

Likelenses 30 Sep 2015, 20:23

Sandy

Sounds like you were given trifocals.

Sandy 30 Sep 2015, 14:53

I get a split add in my prescription, is that normal?

Sandy 30 Sep 2015, 14:53

I get a split add in my prescription, is that normal?

Robert S 28 Sep 2015, 19:29

Steph

You shouldn't be embarrassed about being a -6. Lots of people are wearing glasses now even strong ones. I went back to school to finish my degree and I notice easily over half the class is wearing glasses and it seems more females than males are wearing them. Just to let you know I been doing the glasses over contacts thing using some -12 glasses starting last week and I don't notice any weird stares. I even did a presentation in front of the whole class with them on and I did not notice anything too unusual but then again I was kind of nervous from the actual presentation more than wearing the -12 glasses.

I started to notice in that class the following week more students brought their glasses after I did that presentation. Another funny thing is me being able to read the boards perfectly fine with the -12 glasses compared to some other students who are not wearing any glasses squinting to see the board.

here is a pic of them

http://supermediaserver.com/glasses/pics/-12.2.jpg

I have a small set of glasses in the -5 range that I normally use when I work using no contacts. Recently I been wearing some -7 and -8's to work and no one has said anything about it but then again I almost show up with a different pair everyday. I have all sort of colors to choose from blue being my favorites.

As for being a -6 at your age you shouldn't have to worry about it too much unless you start getting some large changes over short periods of time. If you are going to school you should invest in a reader set of glasses which helps slow down progression. They are just a set of glasses about 1-2 diopters less than your current RX so it would be -4 in your case.

Steph 28 Sep 2015, 16:01

I have to wear glasses all the time because I'm shortsighted. My prescription is -6.00 im only 23. How bad am i shortsighted? Other people i know that wear glasses are not as bad prescription but wear there glasss all the time. Should i be worried being so shortsighted? Im kind of embarrassed with my prescription now

Adam 11 Sep 2015, 10:04

Thanks guys

Cactus Jack 10 Sep 2015, 09:23

Adam,

You should wear them for driving. It is probably not legal for you to drive in most countries, without correction.

I suggest that you wear your glasses full time for 2 weeks and then make a decision about wearing them. If you have read any of my posts on the Vision thread, you will understand why. Vision occurs in the brain, the eyes are merely biological cameras. Your brain can correct what you see if it knows what something is supposed like, but it is at a total loss for details in the images if you are looking at something you have never seen before. You need to give your brain time to learn what it like to have High Definition images that need little or no interpretation or correction.

Danbert 10 Sep 2015, 02:45

Adam,

Other than driving, it's up to you. You can probably get by without them just fine, but if you do wear them you'll probably come to appreciate the improvements.

You would see everything a little more clearly beyond 1m with them on. I imagine you can't read some smaller writing on signboards too well without correction. Your astigmatism is very low so you're unlikely to notice much if any improvement closer up.

Adam 07 Sep 2015, 12:41

I just got my first pair glasses -1 0.25 90 and -1 - -. I'm 33. Should I just wear these for driving?

Adam

Cactus Jack 07 Sep 2015, 08:06

Gaby,

There have been at least two and maybe three members who had successful Lasik and wished later they had not had it done. Most of the discussions were on the Induced Myopia thread. For the most part, their efforts to become myopic again were unsuccessful. I do not have a good answer as to why they wanted to become myopic again, but I know why they did not have much success. They were all at least their mid 20s or a bit older.

I have also noticed one or two real life instances where a person, of some celebrity, was a bit hyperopic and had Lasik to correct it. A few years later, they were wearing low PLUS glasses again, full time for both distance and close work. That suggests that Latent Hyperopia and Presbyopia were factors in their going back to wearing glasses.

There are most likely millions of cases where Lasik was successful and lasted for many years until Presbyopia made close focusing help mandatory. The point of this is to suggest that you consider your age and how long you will be satisfied with the results.

Gaby 07 Sep 2015, 00:03

I've decided not to have laser eye surgery and just got new glasses. Optician say with my -3 prescription is easy and can wear any glasses frames lucky I'm not vain and don't mind wearing glasses all the time. Imagine trying to see without them all day? When you say it like that I guess if most people went to the opticians they would find them shortsighted or astigmatism?

Dan 02 Sep 2015, 17:03

Not a huge deal but just had my annual eye appt and got my script bumped up 0.25 to -1.50 with -0.25 of astigmatism in one eye. Im the Dan who is 26 who has used reading glasses/bifocals from time to time over the last several years. Have never gone full time with them though. I use reading glasses over my contacts when I need to.

Cactus Jack 01 Sep 2015, 17:01

SC,

Yes it can, because of how the the optics of the eye, work.

Based on the limited information you provided, it appears that you are Hyperopic or Far-sighted, different names for the same type of Refractive Error. You have a mismatch between the total power of your eyes lens system and the distance from the back of the Crystalline Lens to the Retina.

It is likely that your genes kept your eyeballs from growing enough for the images of distant objects to focus clearly on your retinas. The image is actually focusing behind your retina. In the case of your Right eye, the image focuses about 0.45 mm behind that Retina and the image in your Left eye focuses about 1 mm behind that Retina, a difference of about 2 diopters. It is normal for there to be a difference in the Sphere prescription for each eye. There is nothing that says your two eyes HAVE to track together as they grow.

The purpose of glasses or contact lenses is to correct your Distance Refractive Error. In your case, you need some extra PLUS to mover the focus of the images up to the plane of the Retina. Needing some extra PLUS is the same, optically, as having too much MINUS. Without your glasses, your eyes actually have too much MINUS. If you look through a MINUS lens, it tends to minify the images you see. The lenses in your Left eye appear to minify what you see a little bit and the lenses in your Right eye minify the image a bit more. When you wear your glasses, the PLUS lenses neutralize the excess MINUS and mover the images up to where they focus on your Retinas.

There is another optical effect that can cause images to appear larger or smaller, it is called Vertex Distance, which is the distance form the back of the glasses lens to the front of the Cornea. However, the magnitude of the effect depends on the Power of the Glasses Lens and the distance from the Cornea. Lens power that are less than about + or - 4.00 have almost no Vertex Distance effect and it can be ignored.

I hope this long winded explanation makes sense, but you might have to think about what is going on and read it several times to understand. What you are experiencing is normal with your prescription.

SC 01 Sep 2015, 11:39

Cactus Jack,

Does image size vary without glasses. My left eye is worse than my right and, although it is difficult to measure, the image also seems smaller when bare eyed.

I don't seem to have much of problem fusing the image if I wear glasses that are +1.5/+2.0 higher in my left eye than my right - I don't see a difference in image size. This is despite the fact that I mostly just balance the left eye - ie it has the same Rx as the right.

Right is +1.5, Left is about +3.5

Cactus Jack 28 Aug 2015, 13:18

Gaby,

The primary cause of refractive errors is a mismatch between the total optical power of he eye's lens system and the distance from the back of the Crystalline Lens to the Retina. Typical total power of the lenses in the eye are around +56 diopters and the distance from the Crystalline Lens to the Retina is about 17 mm, but it depends on how much the eyeball grew from childhood to adult hood. What we think of as large refractive errors really involve some very tiny distances, about 0.3 mm per diopter. If a person is Myopic and needs - correction, the eyeball grew too much. If a person is Hyperopic and needs + correction, it didn't grow enough.

Genetics is the primary thing that controls eyeball growth and visual environment is secondary. Normally, each eyeball grows at its own rate and it is rare for both eyes to have exactly the same refractive error. It is also very rare for there to be a really big difference. Up to about 3 diopters difference is pretty common. Occasionally, there will be an occurrence where one eye is Myopic and the other is Hyperopic.

A difference in lens powers in glasses can cause a difference in image sizes on the Retina because of Vertex Distance effects, but it usually only causes problems when the difference is large and the prescription is significantly above +/- 5 diopters.

Gaby 28 Aug 2015, 11:51

I didn't know that you can have such a difference when being shortsighted is this normal? I was with a friend that wears glasses and I thought her eyes wasn't that bad but I tried a pair of her glasses that were left on the side and I couldn't see with them -2.00 & -5.00 says has a good eye but is can't see when without glasses. How can that happen?

Weirdeyes 18 Aug 2015, 00:08

My mom was about +5.00 before lasik. She now wears various strength reading glasses part time. They range from +1.25 to +2.00. I've seen her wear all of them for distance.

Beachin' 17 Aug 2015, 20:54

Gaby, I'm not quite as active on here as some of the others but I'll share my observations about the mid-term term results of Lasik.

I've had several close friends (and one husband :) get Lasik in their 20s. All but one friend is glad they had the procedure done (he didn't have any complications).

A couple of my friends have needed a second touch up procedure or have a small minus prescription (10-15%) years after their initial procedure. A larger number either need reading glasses early (before 40) or seem to have trouble reading in lower light situations (20-25%). For example, if i'm in a dark restaurant or bar my husband can't read the menu as well as I can.

I'm still in my 30s so I don't have enough sample size of friends over 40 to make any accurate projections about presbiopia . Hope this helps!

Melyssa 17 Aug 2015, 04:38

A woman at work who is two years younger than I am had Lasik done 5-10 years ago, after having had a prescription close to mine. Generally when I see her she is not wearing glasses, but in meetings we have both attended, she has worn rather strong plus glasses.

In addition, a friend's husband had the RK surgery done in the 1990s, and he has a multitude of reading glasses around their house, as he couldn't even read the best thing there is to read -- a pay stub -- without them.

Likelenses 16 Aug 2015, 22:53

specs4ever

I know a woman,now age 49 that was a high myope,of about -14 or so,

About ten years ago she had laser surgery,and was without correction. Then about two years later she was in reading glasses,and two years later full time low plus.

Last year they became full time bifocals,the upper part looking like + 3 or there about.

I always enjoyed seeing her as a myope,now her specs are quite boring.

specs4ever 16 Aug 2015, 22:23

My wife has a girlfriend who was somewhere around -3.50D. She had laser surgery in her early 40's - one of the early ones. Within 5 years she was wearing plus glasses almost full time, and now after 15 years she wears a prescription of very close to plus 3. I always wonder if she had stayed with the minus prescription would her eyes have gone to requiring no prescription at all by now?

This is not the first time I have heard of a milder minus prescription going back to close to no prescription as the person aged. This alone would make me think twice about having surgery.

Soundmanpt 16 Aug 2015, 06:57

Gaby

The only difference is that many women now consider wearing glasses a fashion accessory much the same way as you would be looking at jewelry and even buy fake ones if they don't need vision correction. Merely trying to point out things since you seem to be considering getting lasik. If you were a male these things would be of little interest to you.

Luis 16 Aug 2015, 06:42

Hi Slit, all still good following your cataract surgery?

Gaby 15 Aug 2015, 15:03

Female what difference does is make? Yes I wear glasses all the time do you think I dont need them? Optician says is a very common prescription when shortsighted. Also lucky it's not got too -5 -6 -7 which is quite normal.

Soundmanpt 13 Aug 2015, 16:20

Gaby

So I assume that your eyes have been stable with no change for at least 18 months? That is very important in determining when to get lasik. Your optician is correct that your prescription should be easy to bring your eyes back to not just 20/20 but more likely 20/15 or even 20/10. Now with other things there is no way to know if after a short time if your eyes may need a small correction or not. But I would doubt that you ever need to wear glasses full time again, at least not for distance. But you almost for sure will find that you will be needing readers at some point. Most places do have warranty that if your eyes would somehow get to around -1.50 again they will do a "touch-up" procedure at no cost to you to bring your eyes back to perfect again, however again like I said I doubt that if your eyes were to ever need glasses for distance again that it would be anymore than maybe -.50 or -.75.

So at -3.00 I would assume that your wearing your glasses full time? So it is up to you if want be at least pretty much glasses free or not. I can tell you that oddly quite a few that have gotten lasik soon actually starts to miss their glasses and even go back to wearing they don't really need.

Your title didn't indicate if your male or female but I can say that wearing glasses has become very popular with the females. So much so that many boutiques stock a good number of fake glasses.

Gaby 13 Aug 2015, 15:48

I wear glasses or contacts all the time I'm shortsighted -3.00

My optician says I have a good prescription to have lasik. Should I think about getting it done was about £2000. If you have it done you might need glasses for driving or for reading in time for sure so Is there much point to have it done?

Slit 10 Aug 2015, 03:24

this was not posted by me: "Slit 09 Aug 2015, 13:51"

Slit 09 Aug 2015, 13:51

Mo cataracts here. Too young. Only farsightedness.

Andrew 02 Aug 2015, 13:34

I'm due mine any day now. I'm holding out on booking it in the hope that the reminder will contain a nice money off coupon.

Melyssa 02 Aug 2015, 08:22

Another year, another eye exam, the same prescription as always, and the same situation of having to wear sunglasses for five hours afterwards thanks to the triple set of eye drops.

The eye doctor is still keeping any eye on my retinas and cataracts, pardon the pun. Fortunately, there is nothing to be concerned about at this time.

Cactus Jack 01 Aug 2015, 10:09

Marurice,

Cataracts most often develop in older people, but age itself is not the cause. You can develop cataracts at any age. Occasionally, babies are born with cataracts.

Maurice 01 Aug 2015, 08:59

I thought that Slit had cataract surgery also, bit it turns out that is not correct. Slit is too young to have developed cataracts.

24 Jul 2015, 12:10

Seems like Slit recently had cataract surgery---wonder if he might have give some insight.

astigmaphile 19 Jul 2015, 21:16

Medicare does not cover limbal relaxing incisions or other forms of astigmatism correction. The basic purpose of the IOL is replacing your crystalline lens. There are toric IOLs . When I had manual keratometry before surgery I was asked if I wanted one. I didn't want to pay for it, so I said no.

Cactus Jack 19 Jul 2015, 20:41

Stingray,

I believe Medicare will pay for single vision IOLs, but I think your Best Corrected Visual Acuity has reach something like 20/40 before they will authorize the surgery. If you want multi-focal IOLs you have to pay the extra cost.

IOLs are not used to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of the cornea. These days Cataract Surgery and a laser procedure are sometimes done at the same time to correct both the cataracts and astigmatism. However, it is my understanding that Medicare does not pay for the Astigmatism part of the surgery.

astigmaphile 19 Jul 2015, 20:39

Stingray,

I had cataract surgery on my left eye 27 Jan 2011. Medicare paid for most of it. I do not have secondary insurance, so I had to pay for the antibiotic eye drops and the steriod one that I used after surgery. Medicare covered a plain monofocal IOL. Torics and multifocals , you pay for. I don't know if any of this has changed.

Stingray 19 Jul 2015, 18:58

Thanks Carl for the info. Maybe I'll opt for the surgery sooner toward the end of the year. Do you know if Medicare pays for this? I also have decent secondary insurance in case Medicare won't pay. About those IOL lenses, do you just get the distance (spherical) lenses or ones for astigmatism. Can they do both spherical and cylinder in a single lens? I'm 68 by the way. This is all new to me. I guess I need to do some research on this and find out what my options are.

Cactus Jack 19 Jul 2015, 18:06

Stingray,

Probably. Cataract formation often changes the power of the crystalline lens and the clouding effect reduces light transmission and introduces distortion.. Many insurance programs will not pay for cataract surgery until DCVA falls below 20/40 or you can no longer safely drive at night.

There is often a desire to put off cataract surgery for as long as possible. It is scary to even think about it. I had cataract surgery in 2001 and I have 3 friends who have had cataract surgery within the past 6 months. They were very apprehensive about the surgery (as I was before the first surgery). I told them about my experiences and it seemed to help. They could not quite understand why I looked forward to the surgery on my other eye after the first surgery, until they had their first surgery. Typically, there is a minimum of 2 weeks between the surgeries to make absolutely sure there are no complications from the first. After the first surgery, all three friends, said they now understood the benefits and ease of the first surgery and could not wait until they had the other eye fixed. Without exception, all 3 friends regret putting off the surgery as long as they did.

My only suggestion is that you think hard before being tempted to have multi-focal IOLs installed, if you like really sharp vision. You are probably going to still need glasses. I opted for mono-vision where one eye is for distance and the other is about -1.50. I can function without glasses, but because of some astigmatism I function better with glasses. In all three cases the only significant restriction was heavy lifting and protecting the eye while you are sleeping with a shield. Be sure and follow the prep instructions to the letter.

BTW, I now have 20/15 VA with my glasses in each eye minus a letter or two.

Stingray 19 Jul 2015, 15:58

Cactus Jack: Do you think my visual acuity will deteriorate more if I put off the surgery until next year?

Cactus Jack 19 Jul 2015, 06:43

Stingray,

There is really no advantage to waiting for Cataract Surgery unless it is for insurance or regulatory reasons. Before the development of modern cataract surgery with Intra Ocular Lenses (IOLs) there was a very good reason for waiting until the cataracts got "ripe". The operation was so serious, so risky, and required months to recover, that it was hoped that you would die before you completely lost your vision. After recovery, you would need very high PLUS glasses to see even moderately well. High PLUS glasses have such limited peripheral vision that it is unlikely that a person who needs them can legally drive.

Modern cataract surgery changed all that. Today the operation is the nearest thing to a non-event that there is and there are significant disadvantages to waiting. Unless there are some very rare complications, the surgery only takes about 10 minutes and is performed through a 3 mm incision in the side of the cornea. Recovery time is very quick with no restrictions after a week or 10 days (usually the restrictions are minimal and not inconvenient).

The problem with waiting is that part of the procedure involves emulsifying the old lens with a very tiny "ultrasound jackhammer" and sucking it out. If you wait until the cataract becomes hard, it is harder to emulsify and suck out.

You may be wondering how you can get an IOL that is larger than 3 mm through a 3 mm incision. The answer is that it is rolled up and inserted with special tool. Your body heat causes the lens to unroll and it is positioned in the lens capsule where the crystalline lens used to be.

Stingray 19 Jul 2015, 05:25

I bit the bullet and went for an eye exam after a year and a half. Trouble seeing at night when driving. That turns out to be cataracts which will need removal next year some time. In the meantime, my last rx was in November, 2013. It was:

OD: Sphere +1.50 Cylinder -1.25 Axis 095

OS: Sphere +1.75 cylinder -.25 Axis 095

New Rx:

OD: Sphere +2.25 Cylinder -1.75 Axis 102

OS: Sphere +2.50 Cylinder -1.00 Axis 100

Seems to me like a big jump in less than 2 years. Any comments?

Melyssa 29 Jun 2015, 04:44

Soundmanpt,

First and foremost, I am glad your knee is getting better. Even without the cane, be careful balance-wise.

On to the subject at hand, I have kept a bunch of frames with plano ("PLAY-no") lenses in them for when one breaks. That happened early this year so I got large orange cat's-eyes with white polka dots made up. Due to another pair with a slight crack in it, following next month's annual eye exam I will replace that pair with another pair of cat's-eyes to be determined. I've been thinking about using the purple one, as I have just one other in that color.

As for the employees' frames du jour, I would certainly like to have the 4-color cat's-eyes in my RX, but the white cat's-eyes that are clear at the bottom would have needed normal nose pieces, not the ones I always had trouble with. As for the women wearing larger frames than I had on that day, I have seen two of them wearing decent-sized frames before, and the third woman I had never seen before. You know how it is -- optical stores have a lot of turnover in employees as well as frame styles.

Soundmanpt 28 Jun 2015, 09:54

Melyssa

I could be wrong but it seems like you haven't purchased any new glasses for some time. I can only assume its because you haven't found any that you just can't live without?

Were you somewhat surprised to find that all the employees where you went to get your 4 pairs adjusted were wearing bigger glasses than you? Was there any of the ladies wearing glasses that you would have liked to add to your collection?

Melyssa 28 Jun 2015, 07:54

Likelenses,

You were close -- just 455 minutes over. LOL

"Some" in this case meant 4 pairs.

Likelenses 28 Jun 2015, 02:54

Melyssa

So getting SOME of your glasses adjusted,how long were you there. My guess about eight hours,LOL !

Melyssa 27 Jun 2015, 10:31

Soundmanpt,

She's not new; she's been the manager since even before I first went there. And that was the first time (maybe ten times) I ever heard that pronunciation.

Soundmanpt 27 Jun 2015, 08:20

Melyssa

You are correct. It is "plano" that employee must have been quite new and if she was talking to a lab they probably got a chuckle out of it.

Melyssa 27 Jun 2015, 08:08

The other day I was at my favorite eyewear establishment, getting some of my glasses adjusted. The entire time I was there, the manager was on the phone talking prescription numbers to whomever was on the other end of the line. It sounded as though just about every cylinder was +0.50 or -0.50, with axis numbers in the 150 range.

There is a city in Texas about 20 miles from Dallas named Plano, pronounced "PLAY-no" to rhyme with "Drain-o." Of course, "plano" in glasses vernacular means 0.00 diopters. The manager mentioned it quite often in her phone conversation, pronouncing it every time as "PLAN-no" to rhyme with "Book 'em, Danno."

Well, which is it? I say play-no and she says plan-no, I say tomato and she says tomahto, potato, potahto, lumbago, lumbahgo -- let's call the whole thing off! :)

Likelenses 24 Jun 2015, 01:32

Kate

Your prescription is not that strong,but without glasses things beyond about two feet are blurred.

I recently had a long conversation with an older retired optometrist. He said that the old school taught that any myopic correction should be worn full time,and that when a myope first gets glasses,they need to pay close attention to reading distance. You should wear glasses for reading, but never hold the reading material closer to your eyes than twelve inches.If you follow this your prescription will never reach more than about minus four.At your age you will have a few increases,but if you read at the proper distance and wear the glasses constantly they should be only about minus.50 per year for the next few years.

My prescription is -10.5 and vision without glasses is blurred at any distance,but in reality that type of blur kicked in when the prescription got to about -3.50

I know a few people that have low prescriptions ,and feel as you do ,that their vision is terrible without glasses,and I believe that some people can handle some blur better than others when the prescription is still low.One person wears -1.50 and says that she can not see at distance,or read at all now without glasses.

Soundmanpt 23 Jun 2015, 16:30

Kate

Once you start wearing your glasses full time it doesn't take long for the eyes to completely adjust to them. Now before you even think about it, no your wearing glasses hasn't any in anyway made your eyes worse. I'm sure it almost seems like they did, but the truth is now what you see without your glasses is what your REAL vision is now. Interesting that -2.00 makes so much difference to how well you can or can't see. Just be glad that your not like that person with the -6.00 prescription. It should make you feel better to know your eyes won't ever get anywhere close to being that bad.

Unless you got your contacts and glasses at different times the prescription of your glasses should be about the same as your contacts. Usually the only time glasses need to be slightly stronger than contacts is with a prescription of -3.00 or more. If your contacts were say -3.50 then its likely your glasses would need to be -3.75. The reason is because contacts sit directly on your eyes and glasses sit about 3/4" away from your eyes so stronger glasses lenses are necessary.

I'm sure you must know that once your nearsighted you stay nearsighted from now on. It's possible when your in your 40's you may need a reduced prescription but at the same time reading will be harder so you will be looking through your first bifocals. Yeah I thought that may have got your attention, but that is a good ways off. So aside from wearing glasses or contacts your only other option would be lasik, but I warn you that it is rather expensive so if you want that option you might want to start saving now. The cost with a high quality doctor is between $4,000.00 and $5,000.00 and insurance will only pay about 10% of that.

Getting prescription sunglasses is really a very good idea. In fact now that your wearing glasses full time you really do need them on those sunny days when your driving and staring right into the sun and you can't even consider wearing regular sunglasses anymore. Trying to push regular sunglasses over the top of your glasses is a bad idea because you risk scratching the lenses of your glasses. Remember if you don't want to spend a lot on prescription sunglasses Zenni is a great option and just like their regular glasses they won't cost more than $22.00.

I'm sure your still a little self conscience about wearing glasses and realize how many millions of other women are out their wearing glasses to understand that their not watching you because your wearing glasses anymore than if you weren't wearing glasses. Just as your eye have adjusted to wearing glasses now you have to get used to the idea that your going to be wearing glasses now. After a couple weeks you will get to where you won't even think about having glasses on.

Kate 23 Jun 2015, 14:25

Thank you I thought I did well not too wear glasses until now yes I have been told by people that -2.00 is not bad but I can't see without them now is surprisingly blurry. ive worn lenses all week and glasses and can't go without them now. Is amazing once you see how bad your eyes were before. My contacts are -2.00 think glasses maybe -2.50. Haven't worn glasses out too much someone joked telling me to take them off and someone else told me me my prescription was not much as they are with -6.00 am I always going have to wear glasses all the time now? I was thinking of wear prescription sunglassses so noone knows I'm shortsighted stupid or not? and yes is true I think people are looking me when I'm wearing glasses out just need to come that.

Andrew 22 Jun 2015, 08:09

Interesting comment from Kate about it being "not good being shortsighted." Until 10 years ago, I might have been more inclined to agree. Now, however, with presbyopia setting in, I am pleased that I can always take my glasses off to read, rather than having to find my glasses in order to read small print. So, just before I turn 50, I now welcome the fact that I am shortsighted.

Aubrac 22 Jun 2015, 04:05

Kate

I first had glasses at age 17 with a similar prescription to yours.

Your brain attempts to make sense of blurred images and is sometimes successful. This one of the reasons why your blurred vision seems worse after longer wearing priods of glasses or contacts but in actual fact there is no change and correction is not making your eyees worse.

When I first wore glasses I often thought people were looking at me because I was wearing them, I soon realised it was because I could actually see everyone so clearly.

Sometimes wearing contacts depresses the eye and so vision is slightly worse when changing to glasses for a few hours.

Best to wear what you feel most comfortable with but if you have 'dry' eyes, glasses will be a better option.

From age 26 for maybe ten years your prescription will most likely change but it is just the general course of myopia and nothing to do with wearing corrective lenses.

Soundmanpt 21 Jun 2015, 18:27

Kate

There is no doubt driving without either glasses or contacts isn't an option anymore. Without correction you would be a hazard not only to yourself but others on the road as well. I'm sure your still able to see the road rather well but your reaction time if anything were to be on the road is much too long now. Driving requires near perfect vision and your pretty well past having near perfect vision. Your eyes are far from being bad, but they are bad enough that they need the aid of glasses now. I'm sure with only -2.00 lenses your glasses look very nice. Try and look at your glasses as a fashion accessory like so many are these days. You should be happy that you only got glasses this late in life. If you had gotten glasses when you were in your early teens your glasses would be much stronger by now. But since your 26 you probably won't be getting many increases and your eyes will be stable. I'm betting since you got your glasses you have had plenty of complements on how nice they look on you? So when you head off to work tomorrow don't be shy about wearing glasses. You don't want to miss out on more complements do you? After a few days your glasses will become so comfortable you will hardly even think about them.

Kate 21 Jun 2015, 15:17

I wore contacts all day and eyes felt tired after a while I could feel them. I wore glasses all day the next day and felt good. Without wearing anything I can't read any signs so blurry. I couldn't drive without glasses and yes the car lights are so blurry at night. I can't believe I need to wear glasses all the time now takes getting use too. My opticians said if your nearsighted you have to get glasses so I guess it was going to happen. I went too long without Just when people see you wearing glasses for the first time i get nervous but haven't got a choice but wear them now.

ric 15 Jun 2015, 12:01

Kate, its usual. Your eyes were used to the blur vision and will quickly used to the clear vision that you have with correction.

Kate 15 Jun 2015, 11:50

I didn't want to wear glasses just yet I'm only 26 but I think I'm going to have to wear glases or contacts all the time now. Its not how old you are but if your shorsighted you cant go without wearing glasses right? I really can't see now when I take contacts out so blurry even at -2.00. I see how easy it is for people to need glasses all the time now. Not good being shortsighted but it's great to see so clear again!

Soundmanpt 14 Jun 2015, 07:29

Kate

If your new to wearing contacts your eyes need to slowly adjust to them and you really should only wear them a few hours each day so your eyes can build up to longer wear. But as easy as that sounds it can be hard to do if you wore them to work because it can be a bit difficult to take them off in the middle of the day and give them proper care. I'm sure if you don't normally wear your glasses very much or for very long by the time you got home and took them off besides your eyes not feeling very good everything had to be very blurry as well. That blur that you saw is what your actual vision is really like. But since you haven't wore your glasses all that much in the past your eyes have learned to accommodate very well and you don't notice the blur. If you were to start wearing your glasses full time you would see that same blur whenever you would take your glasses off. Just curious if you were mostly only wearing your glasses to drive why did you decide to get contacts? Getting contacts is pretty much saying that your intending on wearing vision correction full time. Wearing contacts will cause your eye to become quite dependent on needing full time correction. Look at how blurred everything was just wearing them the one day.

Glad to hear that you did also get new glasses along with your contacts. Your short sighted meaning that your eyes need help seeing things in the distance. Since your vision changed a bit your distance is a bit more limited as well, but at -2.00 your close vision should still be quite good and you should be able to see things closer without your glasses or contacts. So if I were you I think you should wear your glasses for what you feel like you need them and take them off when you feel like your able to do without them. Your contacts might be nice if your going on a date or out with friends and you would rather not be wearing glasses. Are you okay with wearing glasses or was that why you decided to try contacts?

Not getting glasses sooner you didn't do any harm to your eyes. You just didn't realize that you were missing seeing things that you should have been able to see. Seeing detail like leaves on a tree was just a green blob for you and you had to much closer before you could read signs. Those kinds of things, but it didn't make your eyes get any worse. If you had gotten glasses right away your prescription would be much the same as it is now. So that is the same today if your able to see pretty well without your glasses then don't wear them and only wear them when you feel you need them. Your not hurting your eyes in anyway.

Kate 13 Jun 2015, 14:57

I work with fabrics making curtains. Yes ive got new glasses. I have been wearing contacts all day and the last few hours they have been feeling like they were going to pop out, when I took them out I couldn't see a thing everything was a blur that's the longest ive ever wore lenses I didn't wear glasss much. I can't believe how shortsighted Im am now and at -2.00 they say is low. Not sure what to do tomorrow to wear contacts or try and go without? Have I made it worse by not getting glasses before?

Soundmanpt 13 Jun 2015, 14:08

Kate

Actually even when you got your first glasses you really needed glasses for sometime before you got them. If your 26 now and you got glasses at 25 you probably was already needing glasses at 22 or 23 for sure. You just ignored it like others tend to do. If you had gotten your eyes examined when you were 23 you would have probably been prescribed glasses at around -.75 in both eyes. Certainly enough that they would have been a help to you when driving and even more driving at night. If you think back I bet you may recall having some issues see at night when you were driving? Your eye care people were telling you right, you should have been wearing those first glasses full time from the time you first put them on your nose. You must have been able to tolerate blur extremely well if you only wore them for driving.

So instead of getting glasses it seems that you got contacts this time? Now you do understand that you still need to get glasses as well. You can't wear your contacts constantly or you will do damage to your eyes and you need to rest your eyes from contacts every so often. Your old glasses are too weak to be of much help. If you want to save money you can always just have then lenses updated to your new prescription. I'm sure if your wearing contacts every day day it won't take long before you won't be able to see very well without them. Things are going to be more blurry now.

Just curious but what type of work do you do?

Kate 13 Jun 2015, 11:15

I had my eyes tested by a optician for the first time ever last year and I got told I needed to get glasses. L -1.50 -0.25 110 R -1.25 -0.25 100. I'm shortsighted and need to wear them for driving. I haven't worn the glasses much but I've been having headaches and eye strain so I went back to the opticians today and my eyes have got worse. Ive just wearing -2.00 contact lenses in both eyes all afternoon and I feel great. I can see so clear and no headaches. Is it normal to start wearing lenses all the time at my prescription? Should I carry on wearing them all the time now? My optician says I should off been wearing glasses all the time before. I thought I was doing ok not to need glasses until i was 26 now its caught up with me.

Cactus Jack 12 Jun 2015, 17:18

Conrad,

I will be happy to help you understand what is going on, but it would be very helpful if you could supply the Axis for your glasses prescription. The first number in your prescription is the Sphere correction, the Second number is he Cylinder correction and the third number is the Axis of the Cylinder. The two always go together and the Axis is necessary to help you understand your prescription.

It would also be helpful if you could tell us your age and where you live.

As preliminary information, Cylinder correction can be written as a + number or a - number. How it is written will affect the Sphere number and the Axis number, but there is a relatively simple conversion between the two ways to write the prescription. Lens makers convert + Cylinder to - Cylinder and make the glasses. As long as the two proper procedures are followed, the glasses made using + cylinder or - Cylinder, the resulting glasses will be optically identical.

Conrad 12 Jun 2015, 00:15

I'm a regular eyescener, but not nearly as knowledgeable as most of you. A question:

I had my annual eye exam yesterday; my old glasses prescription was -6.25 in both eyes, -5.75 for contacts. Here is my new prescription:

Glasses: -6.75 + .50 (astig)

Contacts: My eye doctor gave me a choice between staying with my -5.75 contacts or a new prescription, -5.50 -.75 (toric).

I guess my confusion is self-evident: why is there a + correction for astigmatism in glasses and a minus one in contacts? And I tried on the trial torics today, I could see worse than with my regular -5.75s. Could someone please shed some light? Thanks!

High Myopic 11 Jun 2015, 19:20

My new rx is -6 diopters for my left eye and -5 diopters for my right.

Up a half of a diopter from my old rx.

Melyssa 10 Jun 2015, 04:41

Soundmanpt,

I was about 8 at the time. I only wore those brown-top, clear-bottom modified cat's-eyes when watching TV or movies, or to see the blackboard in school. At least I was not the first one in my class to need glasses.

One day in school I made the faux pas of not taking off my glasses at lunchtime, but I did when I saw the food. :)

hypervisi 10 Jun 2015, 02:38

http://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2127682

That's the study Chino is talking about, I believe.

I'm afraid that this only works if the ocular system is not yet fully developed. But I'm interested in learning otherwise. So, yes, Chino, please keep us posted.

bracesfan 10 Jun 2015, 00:35

Chino,

please let us know about the effect of red tinted glasses. It would be fantastic if the deterioration was so high.

Weirdeyes 09 Jun 2015, 23:48

The optometrist I saw when I was nine years old also said I wouldn't need a vision test for a long time.

Weirdeyes 09 Jun 2015, 23:46

I just remembered something very weird. I had one eye exam at the optometrist when I was nine(not a screening) and I don't remember him using an autorefractor. I squinted through the test, so he said I didn't need glasses. How could any optometrist think someone with weird eyesight like mine doesn't need glasses? Did he even bother checking my refraction? My most recent optometrist didn't use an autorefractor either, but he did check my glasses.

Soundmanpt 09 Jun 2015, 14:03

Melyssa

I know you have mentioned it before but what age were you when you got those first glasses? I know unlike now you weren't exactly thrilled about needing glasses and those very glasses were strong enough that you probably could / should have been wearing them full time right away. If you had wore them all the time even for more than a week I doubt that you would have been able to see well enough not to continue wearing them all the time.

Melyssa 09 Jun 2015, 12:16

First RX: All zeroes -- I had perfect eyesight. :)

First glasses RX: -1.75/-1.50, no other numbers available, but there was some astigmatism.

Current RX: -9.00 +3.00 90 (each eye), add +2.50.

Chino 09 Jun 2015, 05:35

I had wanted to be nearsighted and to need glasses since I was a little kid. I started inducing myopia when I was about 13 years old, back in 1994. I did this by putting my face right up to the TV in my room and focusing as hard as I could. Prior to inducing, I could see 20/15.

I got results fairly quickly. As that school year progressed, I started noticing things in the distance looking a bit fuzzy. I noticed people's faces looking a bit blurry. By the end of the year, I was starting to have difficulty reading the board.

The next year (freshman year of high school), I compensated for my eyesight by making sure to sit at the front of all my classes. By the end of the year, I noticed that the carpet looked fuzzy when I looked down.

By my sophomore year of high school (1996), I could no longer read the board, even from the front row. I started going up to the board and copying notes quickly at the end of class, but this was a pain. For some reason, I was embarrassed to tell my mom about my poor eyesight.

I found an old pair of my grandfather's glasses and, fortunately for me, he had been nearsighted as well. The glasses helped tremendously, but they were uncomfortable to wear due to a missing nosepad.

I finally told my mom that I was having trouble seeing when I signed up for Drivers Ed.

I went to the optometrist, and he was totally shocked that I had gone without glasses for so long. I had been walking around with -2.00D of uncorrected myopia in both eyes.

As I reached adulthood, I found this site and learned about using higher minus lenses to induce myopia. Basically, I could accomplish what I did with my TV, without having to sit right in front of it. I was able to use this successfully for some years, eventually increasing my prescription to where it is today:

R: -5.50, -0.25 x 90.0

L: -5.50, -0.25 x 105.0

I loved every moment of growing more nearsighted and needing stronger and stronger lenses. I love how blurry everything is without my glasses, and would get such a rush when I had to go to the optometrist.

I would have loved to keep going higher, but age eventually caught up to me. My eyes stopped responding to the minus lenses, and I couldn't induce myopia anymore.

I recently learned of a method for inducing myopia that makes use of red light. Based on further research and information exchange with Cactus Jack, it appears to involve a different mechanism than the accommodation & convergence that I'm familiar with. I don't know if it works on adults, but I hope it does. I intend to find out for myself.

I ordered some red-tinted goggles from Optical4less. They should be arriving next week. If it's going to work, I should see results fairly quickly. Experiments on animals showed that myopia increased at a rate of about -3D per month.

Blue light has the reverse effect, inducing hyperopia at an even faster rate (over +4.00D per month).

Wish me luck. I'll keep everyone posted on the Induced Myopia thread.

Weirdeyes 09 Jun 2015, 02:15

First prescription

R: 0.00

L: +1.25

Now

R: +1.00, -0.75

L: +4.25, -1.25

I have an optional +1.00 add, but I'm only 19

hypervisi 09 Jun 2015, 01:26

I'd like to start a new topic.

I'm just curious of how your rx has changed, not over the year, but since the beginning, thus your first rx and your current rx. I'll start:

First glasses: 2006

OD: +1.00, -0.5, 100

OS: +1.00, -0.25, 90

Current rx from december 2014:

OD: +1.75, -0.75, 102

OS: +1.75, -0.50, 89

I was prescribed an add of +1.00 in 2014 but I can still manage without (barely). I reckon that towards the end of the year I'm in for my first multifocals. I'm 36 years old by the way.

SC 08 Jun 2015, 08:30

Had new glasses for 2 weeks.

Old:

RE +1.0 -0.5 x80 add +2.0

LE balance

New

RE +1.5 -0.5 x80 add +2.25

LE +1.75 -0.5 x173 add +2.25

I'd known about the need for +1.5 distance for a number of years but successive eye tests had failed to relax enough to show it.

Impact of the change is quite big: I now have the 'stairs' problem in that looking down is out of focus. I also have a field of vision issue in that the RHS of the progressive is also out of focus - so I see things better outside the frame when it first enters my field of vision, then it goes blurry and then it comes sharp - I guess trifocals would fix this.

Optician said it may take time to adjust to the stronger distance but this had happened before I left the shop!

Soundmanpt 31 May 2015, 17:25

B20 Don't let it bother you. Every so often we get one of these no name bastards that contributes nothing more than calling others fakes. It's always best to ignore them and they soon crawl back under the rock they out from.

Like you Carrie has heard the same kind of things every so often about her not being real as well as myself.

astigmaphile 31 May 2015, 15:19

Here go the flame wars again. And, as usual, the flamer is anonymous.

B20 31 May 2015, 12:39

Woah, I'm not fake. I'm happy to provide proof to a mod if you don't believe me.

Soundmanpt 31 May 2015, 11:30

If you don't want to believe me i could care less. Have a great day. I plan to.

31 May 2015, 11:14

Sure, they are.

Soundmanpt 31 May 2015, 07:15

I am getting older and i'm sure some as they age start talking to themselves, but so far I have not reached that point. So that would include imaginary friends as well. So I assure you that Carrie and B20 are NOT people that I have created.

30 May 2015, 21:40

Some Soundmanpt, fiction. Carrie and B20, don't rxist.

B20 30 May 2015, 21:16

The site is still in beta and I received an invite about a month ago. At the bottom of my invite email was a link for friends: goo.gl/ujyKUm

Please let me know if this link works for you.

Likelenses 30 May 2015, 14:18

B20

I was under the assumption that The Opternative Test was not up and running yet.

Can you provide a link to the operative site.

Soundmanpt 30 May 2015, 06:14

B20

Just to see the alternative if your at a store that sells over the counter reading glasses you should maybe buy a cheap pair in +1.00 and give them a try mostly when your doing close work just to see how your eyes react to them. You probably don't wear your distance glasses at work anyway so the real test would be how your feels by the time your leaving work? My guess is that your eyes may feel less strained and less tired with the reading glasses. Now that doesn't mean that you need to actually start wearing the +1.00 glasses at work since your still able to see well enough without them.

B20 29 May 2015, 22:22

Hi Guys,

I'm 25F and I work in IT.

My first rx at age 10 was

OD -0.75

OS -0.50

My rx at age 17 was

OD -1.50

OS -1.25

I recently lost my glasses and went to America's Best to get a new rx. The doctor asked if I had had glasses before and I said yes. She asked if I had problems seeing near or far and I replied that my distance vision was worse. She was really surprised and asked if I was sure. The auto refractor printed up a slip that had 5 rxs on it. They were between +0.75 and +1.0 for both eyes. An rx was written for me as:

OD +0.75

OS +0.75

I doubted the accuracy, so I went home and took the Opternative test. The rx that was emailed to me the next day was:

OD -1.75

OS -1.25

I got new glasses in that rx and I can see distance perfectly. Now, I guess I didn't realize it, but my near vision seems to be a lot worse than my much older co-workers (mid 40s). Is it possible the I am already developing presbyopia this early? Could this have thrown off the auto refractor?

bracesfan 29 May 2015, 00:04

Hd,

you put down three various prescriptions:

-3.25 -0.5 180, -3.25 -0.5 180

following:

-3.00 -1.75 5, -3.50 -1.00 5

and the latest:

-3.00 -1.75 18, -3.75 -1.25 18

I think everything is perfectly OK. No ECP would allow leaving some number out.

It´s absolutely normal that the axis changes during the time. Here you have a typical example. The axis changes a little from 0 (180) degrees to 5 and then to 18.

What´s uncommon is a rapid change of cylinder power between first and second prespcription.

If there was a mistake in axis in prescription (from 180 to 18) you would surely learn that from rapidly worsened vision.

Jamie37 28 May 2015, 08:59

Well, after too long of a period between checkups, I finally had a current eye exam performed yesterday. The good news is that instead of an increase, actually had a very slight decrease in my rx. Also, while heading down the road, not at the point of needing bifocals at this point. Although was mentioned that not to be surprised if next year or two that might change.

Cactus Jack 11 May 2015, 08:27

Hd,

I think the problem with the

-3.00 -1.75 18

-3.75 .1.25 18

prescription is that the 0 was accidentally omitted on the 18. It should have been 180. With low cylinder prescriptions, the axis is important, but not as critical as it is with cylinder powers equal to or greater than +/- 1.00.

I would suggest that you go back to your ECP and request a re-check. If she agrees, ask her if she will let you "fine tune" the cylinder axis at the appropriate point in the exam. The appropriate point is usually when the prescription for each eye is finalized.

The last part of the exam for each eye individually is to gradually increase the Sphere MINUS or decrease the Sphere PLUS until the 20/20 or 6/6 line is clear and readable without straining. If the ECP is agreeable, she should place your hand on the AXIS adjustment knob of the Phoropter or Trial Lens Frame. Move the knob back and forth a few degrees and stop where the letters are clearest and do not appear distorted. That is all there is to it. You will need to do this for both eyes individually.

Most ECPs will appreciate that you want to constructively participate in the exam. There is no possible way for the ECP to see what you are seeing. They must depend on your description of what you see.

There is one other place in the exam where you may need to speak up if you see a difference in the sharpness of the images from each eye. At the conclusion of the exam for each eye individually, the examiner will open the shutter for each eye with enough prism in place so you see two images that are separated vertically or horizontally. The examiner will gradually adjust the amount of prism and ask you to tell him/her when the two images are aligned. This is the only opportunity to compare the two images for clarity and sharpness. If one image is sharper than the other, say something. Usually, the examiner will alter the prescription in the sharper image so that it matches the other image in sharpness. Don't worry about the reduction in sharpness, because the that will be fixed after the prism test when the final prescription is determined, for both eyes working together.

At 23 it is likely that your myopia is stabilizing as evidenced by the small changes in your Sphere prescription over time. Your actual astigmatism probably won't change much either, particularly if you learn how to help your ECP get the Cylinder and Axis exactly right.

Please let us know what you decide to do and the results.

Hd 10 May 2015, 21:00

Hi,

I'm 23 from Greece.

I'm shocked, why am I asking this question? Because I thought she put down the "0" (of the 180)

I've 2 previous prescription.

-3.00 -1.75 5

-3.50 -1.00 5

And a previous one

-3.25 -0.5 180

Thank you for your kind answer.

Cactus Jack 10 May 2015, 15:00

hd,

It would also be helpful to know where you live, the age of the patient, optical history, and the general source of the prescription. Some ECPs and Optical Chains have a reputation of giving a patient a prescription that is "almost" right, in an attempt to make sure the ECP or Chain supplies the glasses. If you use the prescription to order glasses on line, the results will not be very good. If challenged, they will claim it was an innocent mistake, like adding a Zero or leaving a Zero off. Another ploy is to enter a + instead of a - on the Cylinder or vice versa. Cylinder and Axis can be written as either + Cylinder or - Cylinder depending on the ECPs preference during the exam. Unless you understand how all this works, it is very hard to tell a good prescription from a bad one. The best clue is the optical history of the patient and the reputation of the ECP.

There is an easily learned procedure for "fine tuning" the Axis of the Cylinder correction, but you have to make a deal with the ECP prior to the exam. Most reputable ECPs are delighted to have the patient actively participate in the exam, where it is appropriate. Let me know if you are interested.

I urge you to NOT order any glasses with either of those prescriptions until we are sure of which is accurate.

Cactus Jack 10 May 2015, 14:34

hd,

There are several parts to a glasses prescription. They are listed pretty much in order of importance. Traditionally, the numbers are:

Sphere, Cylinder, Axis (Cylinder and Axis always go together), Prism (if any), and Add (for multifocal lenses). There may also be some special instructions listed.

The two prescriptions are identical except for the Axis (3rd number) of the Cylinder correction for Astigmatism. It is very likely that the Axis number in one of the prescriptions is wrong and the wrong one would be very uncomfortable to wear.

The Axis number is the direction of the LONG axis of the Cylinder component. By Tradition, 0 degrees and 180 degrees (the same Axis) is Horizontal. The numbers increase in a counter-clockwise direction as you look at the patient. 90 degrees is Vertical. Generally, ECPs will use Axis numbers from 0 to 179 or 1 to 180, but never more than 180 degrees.

The problem is that we cannot tell which one is right, by just looking at it. A lens maker would probably accept either prescription and make the glasses, but only one would be wearable.

Typically, Cylinder and Axis correction changes very slowly, but unfortunately, the skill of the patient is very important when determining the actual Axis of the Cylinder. Most changes in Cylinder and Axis are caused by lack of skill on the part of the patient than by actual changes. If you have an older prescription or two, it would be most interesting to compare the axis on the older ones and the newer ones.

hd 10 May 2015, 13:34

Hi,

is this 2 prescriptions are similiar?

-3.00 -1.75 18

-3.75 .1.25 18

and

-3.00 -1.75 180

-3.75 -1.25 180

i just need to know if the SPH matters.

thanks,

hd 10 May 2015, 13:34

Hi,

is this 2 prescriptions are similiar?

-3.00 -1.75 18

-3.75 .1.25 18

and

-3.00 -1.75 180

-3.75 -1.25 180

i just need to know if the SPH matters.

thanks,

Galileo 10 May 2015, 11:00

@CJ - IBM Selectric? you really are speaking Old English :) I was a user of IBM DisplayWrite so I can converse with you. You would need a strong add to read the quality of print that the latter produced (trying to make some vaguely on topic reference). Try Bill Bryson's Mother Tongue for some really old English.

Cactus Jack 10 May 2015, 10:20

Galileo,

Thanks for not being too critical. I have enough trouble with New English to even consider giving Old English a try. I have a lot of trouble with typos in ANY language.

When you combine old, twitchy fingers and an ultra sensitive keyboard, you are in a lot of trouble. I often long for a keyboard with the feel of IBM Selectric Typewriter. They were great.

I was and am typing on an Apple keyboard that is stylishly beautiful, but does not "feel" very good. Very sensitive and very short key travel. It is incredibly easy to get your fingers positioned wrong, particularly when you are tired. To tired to carefully read what you have written before you post it.

Curt,

I would wear them full time also, but I like seeing very well and am almost completely unaffected by VANITY.

Curt 10 May 2015, 07:29

With that much astigmatism, I would probably wear them full time...

Galileo 10 May 2015, 00:19

@CJ - I just thought you had switched to using old English

Jimbo 09 May 2015, 13:55

Thanks, She picks up her new glasses this week

Cactus Jack 09 May 2015, 13:12

Jimbo,

Oops, first word in my previous post should have been 'Either'

Cactus Jack 09 May 2015, 13:10

Jimbo,

Wither you did not read my answer to your question or did not understand it, which is my fault so I'll try again.

Your gf prrobably SHOULD wear her glasses full time, but she probably WILL NOT. It deoends on two things, VANITY and her visual needs. If vanity is a factor, it will be a serious mistake to say anything to her about it. At 38, time is on your side and the best thing you can do is nothing and let nature take its course.

Be patient and supportive of her decisions. If she gets some new glasses with different frames, be sure and tell here how nice she looks with her glasses.

Jimbo 08 May 2015, 22:26

My gf just got new glasses prescription R +1.25 -1.50 93 L +1.00 -1.50 84. Is that a full-time type script? She's only worn her old glasses every once in a while but I don't know her old script. She's 38yo.

Cactus Jack 08 May 2015, 22:16

Jimbo,

Yes, primarily because of the Astigmatism as indicated by the 2nd and 3rd numbers for each eye. The 1st number in her prescription indicates mild Hyperopia or Far Sightedness and she could likely compensate some for that, if she had no Astigmatism.

Astigmatism is caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of the cornea and unfortunately it affects clarity of vision at all distances and typically makes it hard to read small text. She might be able to use the glasses primarily for reading, but if she drives, signs might be hard to read at any distance. There is no way to compensate for Astigmatism except by using external lenses. There are Contact Lenses made for correcting Astigmatism called Toric Lenses, but they are expensive and hard to fit. Glasses are best for correcting Astigmatism.

Jimbo 08 May 2015, 21:15

EyeTri 22 Apr 2015, 06:19

Question,

I've read that Kava can provide the desired relaxation. I've never used Kava, but it might be worth a try.

Question 22 Apr 2015, 00:03

I understand that self hypnosis is your thing, but since there is no practical evidence of this working, does anyone have any other suggestions?

Daland 21 Apr 2015, 12:53

Question-

Yes, there is a technique, to eelax the eyes.

Use self hypnosis or as we say in German: "Autogenes Training".

Please read the Induced Myopia Thread for further information.

There I wrote something about inducing more tension ibto the eye, but relaxing the eye is physiological, like the whole body relaxes during the procedure.

Greetings

Daland

Dave 21 Apr 2015, 12:15

Jack --

I have several friends who developed myopia in their early thirties which started low and ended up in the -3s. Another experienced the same phenomenon when he turned 40. All of them do lots of close work and attribute their myopia to that fact.

That said, you might stabilize or slightly enhance your current eyesight by doing work that doesn't require being hunched over a computer. But it probably would take a long time and the likelihood of getting back to 20/20 unaided probably isn't going to happen.

question 21 Apr 2015, 11:08

In order to reverse pseudo myopia faster, would you be able to get prescribed dilation drops for a certain amount of time? I'm having really bad headaches and Im certain I have latent hyperopia due to both my parents prescriptions. Is there any known techniques to help relax the eyes on a daily basis?

Jack 21 Apr 2015, 02:49

Thanks for the information Cactus Jack and LikeLenses - it's very useful and explains a lot. Do you reckon my eyesight would return to normal if I worked in a profession where I didn't need computers??

Likelenses 20 Apr 2015, 22:02

Jack

Cactus Jack has a good point,but there is another possibility,and that is you may have acquired adult onset myopia.

It is now becoming quite common for adults to begin becoming myopic,because of the visual demands of the workplace.

The fact that you have become quite myopic in a rather short time span makes me believe that adult onset myopia is what is happening.If in the next year or so you are wearing minus 4.00,or more,then I would say that is the reason.

Cactus Jack 20 Apr 2015, 16:05

Jack,

I would almost be willing to bet that you have developed some Pseudo Myopia. There are really two types of Myopia. Axial or True Myopia and Pseudo or False Myopia. Both have the same ultimate effects on your vision and both have the same correction, minus lenses. All that is different is their causes.

Axial or True Myopia is caused by a mismatch between the total power of your eye's lens system and the distance from the back of the eye's lens system to the retina. Generally, it occurs because the eyeball has grown too long in childhood or teens.

Pseudo Myopia occurs when the Ciliary Muscles and Crystalline Lenses cannot fully relax after extended hours of close focusing. Physiologically, it is exactly the same optical phenomenon as Latent Hyperopia where the Ciliary Muscles and Crystalline Lenses get so used to adding PLUS to focus close that they have difficulty relaxing and just keep the extra PLUS in if you need it or not.

Unfortunately, both Pseudo Myopia and Latent Hyperopia can take weeks of months to resolve even after the focusing work load has been eliminated or reduced by bifocals, trifocals or progressives. As you may suspect from the last sentence, Presbyopia can play a role in how long it takes for the crystalline lenses to fully relax.

What you are experiencing is not unusual when you get to your mid to late 30s and are doing a lot of close work.

Let us know if you have more questions.

Soundmanpt 20 Apr 2015, 15:20

Dad of Young Girls

I agree with DS. Your younger daughter has a little more need for her glasses but because she is so young she probably can still function very well without her glasses. She will probably start wearing them more if she feels she needs them or if she starts getting headaches. If she ever complains about having a headache then you may suggest to her that she probably needs to wear her glasses, otherwise I would leave her decide when she needs them. She isn't doing any harm to her eyes. The older daughter really has a very weak prescription which many doctors probably would let the patient decide if they wanted glasses or not. Pretty much sounds like she wanted glasses since she has been wearing them full time since she got them. Wearing glasses is now very popular for young girls these days. She should be able to see nearly perfect without them. Once again she is not doing any harm by wearing her glasses full time, they are even too weak to cause any real dependency. As you probably know chances are they both will be getting stronger glasses in the coming years. Also I think by the older one wearing her glasses full time it won't be long before the younger one decides she wants to wear hers all the time as well.

DS 20 Apr 2015, 14:56

DoYG,

My advice is "no advice." Since both girls have relatively equal prescriptions for the left and right eyes and because the prescriptions aren't particularly strong, there's no harm from not wearing correction. Personal preference rules.

The prescription in your older daughter's glasses is very slight. She's probably not wearing them for the better vision.

With your younger daughter, the slight astigmatism is the most noticeable part of the prescription to her young eyes. At her age she doesn't require the finest of details that correcting the astigmatism reveals. Only if she complains of headaches or you are noticing an eye turn when she isn't wearing her glasses would I push her to wear them. But with a spherical equivalent of less than +1D, I doubt this will be a problem.

Dad of young girls 20 Apr 2015, 10:11

My 2 daughters (ages 8 and 5) recently had an eye exam and were both prescribed glasses. This was no surprise to me as I have been wearing glasses full-time since I was 8. My youngest was prescribed R+1.25 -0.75 L+1.25 -0.75 and my older daughter R-0.50 L-0.25. My older daughter put hers on the first day and hasn't taken them off since. My younger daughter wears them at school, and that's pretty much it. Any advice on when they should be wearing them?

Jack 20 Apr 2015, 09:08

Hello, I'm a 38-year-old male and I'm just wondering - how common/ unusual is myopia progression in your 30s?

Since turning 30 I've gone from not needing specs at all (-0.5) to a full-time wearer (-3 at my eye exam last week).

Here's my glasses history. Any idea what is causing these leaps in prescription (I'm sat at a computer all day for my job - maybe it's that)? Should I be concerned? My optician didn't have any clear answers...

Dec 2006 (29) -0.5

Sep 2008 (31) -0.75

April 2010 (33) -1.5

July 2011 (34) -2

Oct 2012 (35) -2.5

April 2015 (38) -3

Thank you!

lazysiow 15 Apr 2015, 19:24

I dont get headacbhes but since I have worsening astimatism in one eye while the other eye seems to actually be getting better, I have to wear my glasses more than before since eventually the eyestrain makes me sleepier. On bad days my worse eye gets extremely scratchy and teary

Soundmanpt 11 Apr 2015, 08:40

Katie

Always great to see someone new come aboard. However if you don't mind to avoid confusion you may want to add to or change from "Katie" as we already have one Katie in here. If you look you will see her in the "New Glasses" thread.

How often you choose to wear your glasses or not wear your glasses is totally up to you. There is no "glasses police" so if you feel your able to see well enough without your glasses then do it, but never base it on feeling as if your glasses are hardly necessary and you don't deserve to be wearing them. Actually you probably need your glasses more than you think you do. Your eyes are a little bit nearsighted which I am sure your aware of. Your right eye being more nearsighted then the left. But you also have something called "astigmatisms" in both eyes. I'm not sure if you know what astigmatisms are or how they effect your vision? Astigmatisms effects your vision at all distances so it cause your eyes to be slightly more nearsighted and even effects your vision for seeing things close up. I have friend that used to cut my hair, which is nearly gone now, and her prescription was the same as yours only she didn't have the -1.00 -.25. In other words she wasn't even nearsighted, but she was told that she not only needed glasses but that she should wear them full time. In her case she was getting headaches every afternoon and was unsure why. Her MD suggested that it might be her eyes. She was totally shocked that she had to start wearing glasses when she could see just fine. But she quickly found that by wearing the glasses she didn't have anymore problems with headaches. So I am not at all surprised that you find seeing things at night such as driving much harder. Your prescription shows that your right eye would not come close to passing the drivers vision test. So if you were able to pass it, you only barely passed. Honestly since you seemed to indicate that you you haven;t had your eyes examined recently you really should be wearing your glasses anytime you drive now for the safety of others as well as yourself.

Remember know one has any idea how much you need your glasses. When your looking at your friends that wear glasses I doubt that your able to tell how strong their glasses are unless you try them. You know if it has been more than ay ear since you got your glasses your due to get get them checked again and don't be surprised at needing an increases as well.

Hope this helped somewhat. And again welcome.

Cactus Jack 11 Apr 2015, 08:18

Katie,

That is a frequently asked question. Stated in other words: How bad must my vision be for other people to approve of my wearing vision correction? The answer is that no other person on this planet really has any idea of what you actually see. Even Eye Care Professionals (ECPs) dont really know. With training, they can guess by looking into your eyes with various instruments, but in the final analysis they have to depend on what you tell them as you describe what you are seeing during an exam. Part of the problem is that Vision actually occurs in the Brain. You eyes are merely biological cameras. The brain has the amazing ability to correct a blurry image if it knows what you are actually looking at. In fact, the brain can produce images without any input from your eyes. Ever had a dream? The problem with the image correction process is that it takes a lot of energy and processing power that could be better used for other things.

Lets take a moment and analyze what your prescription means.

The 1st number in your prescription is the Sphere correction. You are a bit more nearsighted (myopic) in your Right eye (OD) than you are in your Left (OS). If it were not for your Astigmatism (the Cylinder, 2nd number, and Axis number,3rd number) you almost have natural mono vision where you use your Right eye for focusing close and your Left eye for distance. Mono vision works well for many people and often good mono vision is the objective of their vision correction. The thing about Astigmatism is that is messes up your vision at all distances, particularly for reading small text and seeing small things like leaves on trees, stars in the sky, or peoples faces across the street.

The -1.00 Sphere in your Right eye means that every thing beyond 1 meter (about 40 inches) is increasingly blurry. and the -0.75 Cylinder just makes it worse, even up close. The -0.25 in your Left eye means that everything beyond 4 meters (about 13.5 feet) is fuzzy and again the -0.75 Cylinder makes it even more fuzzy at all distances. Given a choice between two images, your brain will always select the sharpest image as its primary source of visual data and use whatever information it can from the other eye to augment it. If you are satisfied with blurry vision and have no need for good vision (such as driving), and dont mind annoying other people by asking them to read something for you, dont bother with glasses or contacts. However, dont think for a nanosecond (a billionth of a second) that other people dont notice that you dont see very well without glasses or contacts. They frankly just put up with you and dont say anything because they are being nice. I can assure you that other people notice your vanity, but dont tell you what they are really thinking.

If you dont mind being a nuisance to other people, that is up to you. That is what other people are for, to read bus signs, menu boards, and identify distant things while you live in blissful ignorance. It makes them feel good, just knowing that they helped a person in need. They dont know that it is really vanity at work, Right?

Is your vision worth bothering correcting? I would say YES, but I am not you. If you like living in a small world, that is your preference. If you have no need to see well, for the safety of others, such as driving, then it is your choice,

Some years ago, I invented the Ministry of Vision and posted it around April 1st of that year. Its job was to assist people who wanted official approval to wear vision correction. It was particularly suited for the UK and would work in a similar way to the licensing or radio and television receivers. If it worked well in the UK and raised enough money, other countries could adopt it as another way to increase tax revenue. For example, glasses temples would be large enough to inscribe the license number on them so others would know that your vision correction was approved by some bureaucrats and that you had paid your license fees (vision tax). The problem was that there was no way to post the license number for contact lenses. Perhaps a visible tattoo of their contact lens license number on their forehead would let others and the Vision Police know that they were not cheating. That would leave open the question of what to do about people who really had excellent vision and did not need any vision correction. The only fair thing would be to tax them also and use the funds to buy glasses for people who really needed them, but could not afford them. They would also need a tattoo to show that they had paid their fair share of the cost of maintaining the bureaucracy and were not cheating.

The proposed location of the offices for the Ministry of Vision was in the same building as the Ministry of Magic.

Katie 11 Apr 2015, 02:53

Hey guys,

I have been cruising around the board for a bit and thought I'd run something past you, as you guys seem to know your stuff! Haha.

So, when I was in undergrad at college I occasionally wore glasses to be able to see in lecture halls, blackboard in class etc, however I was pretty inconsistent as I wasn't a fan of wearing them. In the past few years I have worn contacts very intermittently (just disposable dailies for when I feel like I will be in a situation that requires having super clear vision i.e. driving in unknown places, meetings etc) - I feel like my prescription numbers are pretty tiny compared to people who 'need' glasses, so I almost feel dumb ordering contacts or glasses, yet I find things like driving at night or reading things in the distance to be pretty difficult sometimes. But maybe it's just me being overly picky?

My most recent (couple of years ago) prescription was:

OD -1.00 -0.75 x100

OS -0.25 -0.75 x100

Is this something that I should actually be bothering with, or is my prescription too minimal to actually worry about? Cheers :)

Roy 27 Mar 2015, 02:27

Cactus

Thanks for your reply. I live about 30 miles west of London in the UK.

Cactus Jack 26 Mar 2015, 13:31

Roy,

Yes. You PD needs to be reduced for BO prism correction by about 0.25 to 0.30 mm per prism diopter. The actual amount depends on the a couple of factors. Apparently, your dispensing Optician know what he/she is doing when fitting prism. Very few know how and getting the PD right can make a big difference in VA with the glasses. May I ask where you live?

Roy 26 Mar 2015, 11:18

A bit less sphere but a bit more base-out prism. Here is my new prescription:-

Right eye: -1.75 sph, -1.00 cyl @88 degrees, prism 3 down & 11 out

Left eye: -4.50 sph, -0.50 cyl @85 degrees, prism 2 up & 11 out

Add 2.75

I was told that the lens makers re-distribute the prism between the lenses to compensate for the difference in myopia between my eyes (i.e. put more in the right eye and less in the left). This equalises the lens thicknesses, with the total base-out prism still adding up to 22 dioptres.

I had the prescription (in progressives) fitted to one of my pairs of frames I really like (silver titanium). Maximum outer edge thickness is about 12.7mm (1/2 inch) even with 1.67 index lenses. Luckily I don't mind this. Vision is really good at all distances with no double-vision.

Interestingly the dispensing optician measured my PD when wearing glasses, rather than bare-eyed as normally happens. I queried this and and was told that my eyes need to look through the optical centres when they turn in (as they always do). This reduced my PD from around 69 to 63.5mm.

Cactus - is this what you mean by compensating for the prisms in the PD measurement.

In any event it certainly worked. My vision is really good at all distances with no trace of double-vision.

These are the best glasses I have had in along time.

Rex 10 Mar 2015, 16:48

Edina

I see your glasses are the same as I first had. You will notice the difference especially at dusk/night. Are you wearing glasses much? I tried not to but a couple of years later my eyes got worse and am now resisting fulltime wear!

Cactus Jack 17 Feb 2015, 21:45

Michael_Ireland,

You probably won't notice much difference with the computer except on small text. Recall that I mentioned that your refractive error is almost ideal for focusing on a computer display. If your display is at say 66 cm or 26 inches and you had no refractive error, your ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses would have to add +1.50 diopters to focus clearly on the display. Because you have -1.00 of Sphere myopia without your glasses, your eyes have +1.00 of sphere built in and your ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses can easily supply the extra +0.50. With your glasses the ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses have to supply the full +1.50 for you to see the computer display clearly. At 32, that is easily done without much notice by you, however that will change as you get older.

Where you may notice a glasses improvement is when you need to read very small text. While you don't have much astigmatism, it still messes up your vision at all distances and there is nothing you can do about it, except wear glasses. With your glasses you may notice that you are less fatigued when working at the computer for long periods or you may find that it is more comfortable to not wear your glasses while using the computer. Everyone is different.

My suggestion is to wear your glasses full time for about 2 weeks to let your brain become accustomed to working with clear, sharp images and then make a decision about when to wear them. The key is comfort and convenience. Wearing your glasses full time has a couple of benefits:

1. You won't mislay or loose your glasses, if you are wearing time.

2. It is unlikely that you will sit on them and break them, if they are on you face.

3. You may find that you prefer the crisp vision with your glasses even when using the computer.

Please feel free to ask more questions, if you wish. Also, tell us how your friends and family react to your glasses. We would be particularly interested in any comments from your friends that suspected you needed glasses before now and why.

Michael_Ireland 17 Feb 2015, 16:08

Thanks. I got the glasses today. Wow - I was very surprised with how sharp everything was walking home from the city. I don't notice much difference on the computer. Should I wear them anyway for computer work?

Cactus Jack 16 Feb 2015, 12:38

Michael_Ireland,

Your prescription is almost ideal for a person who works with computers except for your mild astigmatism. It is like you have built in computer glasses. The snag is that it is likely that your ciliary muscles are not getting enough exercise and may become de-conditioned a bit sooner than they otherwise would, which causes the symptoms of early onset of Presbyopia.

You probably should wear your glasses when you are using the computer, but you may notice a bit of fatigue, until your ciliary muscles get used to having to work a bit harder to focus at typical computer display distances.

If you experience that, please let us know.

Soundmanpt 16 Feb 2015, 08:06

Kiki

Just curious how your doing wearing your sisters spare of glasses. I think they were a bit stronger than the glasses you had been wearing without any problem, but now since your sister has some astigmatism even though it isn't much can your eyes feel any difference now with correction for astigmatism in the glasses?

Michael_Ireland 15 Feb 2015, 15:53

Thanks Cactus Jack. I live in Ireland, am 32 and work as a software engineer.

Cool. I guess I should try them and get used to my new status of being a glasses wearer.

cactus jack 14 Feb 2015, 10:51

Michael_Ireland,

First let me welcome you to the group. Your prescription for Myopia (nearsightedness) has two parts. The first number, the Sphere correction of -1.00, means that you probably see things that are 1 meter (about 40 inches) or closer pretty well, but beyond 1 meter objects, signs, faces, trees will be blurry. The second and third numbers (they always go together) are the Cylinder and Axis correction for Astigmatism. -0.25 is pretty low, but Astigmatism messes with your vision at all distances. It is particularly noticeable and fatiguing when you read small print. The Axis of 90 degrees indicates the direction of the long axis of the cylinder part of your prescription. By convention 0 degrees is horizontal and 90 degrees is vertical. The numbers increase from 0 counter clockwise, as the examiner looks at the patient, through 90 degrees to 179 or 180 degrees (horizontal again).

Bright light helps you overcome your myopia because your pupils close down in bright light and increase your range of useful focus, just like the lens on a professional camera. In dim light, your pupils open up to let in more light and your myopia becomes more apparent.

When you get your glasses, I thing you will be very pleasantly surprised at how vivid colors are and how sharp everything is. Signs and people across the street are recognizable. Trees have leaves (maybe not yet, but soon), and if you go out at nigh where there is not too much ambient light, you will see that there are stars in the sky, not just the moon.

I would suggest that you wear your glasses full time for about 2 weeks and then make the decision about when to wear them. Vision actually occurs in the brain. The eyes are merely biological cameras. The brain has the amazing ability to correct blurry images, IF it knows what something is supposed to look like. However, it takes a lot of work and energy. When you wear your glasses, the image correction work is done optically, by your glasses, and your brain can do other, more important things. This may cause you to think that glasses have made your vision worse, but that is not true. If you don't believe that vision occurs in the brain, your brain can even create images with your eyes closed. Ever had a dream?

If, after the two weeks, you decide to only wear your glasses part time, you should alway wear your glasses when you drive and definitely wear them at night and to the cinema.

May I ask a few questions?

Where you live?

Your age?

Your occupation?

Again, welcome. Please let us know what you decide to do and feel free to ask any other questions you may have. Remember, glasses are just tools that help you see better. You can drive a nail with your hands, but it is a lot faster and less painful if you use a hammer.

If you are concerned about what others will say, don't be. Questions about your glasses only last for a day or two and from then on, no comments or care for that matter. Remember, you do not wear vision correction for the benefit of others (maybe it is beneficial for others if you wear them when you drive) and you don't need anyone's permission or approval to see well.

Michael_Ireland 14 Feb 2015, 08:53

I got my eyes tested today and found out that I'm slightly nearsignted. My prescritpion is -1 -0.25 90 in both eyes. The optician said it is up to me on whether I get glasses or not. If I was a driver he said I should wear them driving at night. Will I notice much a difference if I get them? The chart certainly looked much clearer, but I currently manage fine without.

Crystal Veil 28 Jan 2015, 00:15

Ellie,

Zenni does not make bifocal or progressive lenses above -10 but there is a cheap and easy alternative. Four years ago, I ordered a lovely pair of Zenni glasses (1.67 lenses) for my partner Nel who had a prescription of -11, and then ordered +2.50 bifocal segments from stickonlens. It's a bit of precision work as you have to cut the segments to the proper size and shape. The stickon lenses can easily be removed if you need their position adjusted. You may consider buying the same Zenni glasses again and then transform them into bifocals. It's more comfortable than changing glasses all the time or using OTC readers over your own glasses. After four years, the stickon lenses on Nel's Zenni glasses are still in position. If you are interested to see what the glasses look like, I can post some pictures.

Cactus Jack 27 Jan 2015, 19:09

Ellie,

I don't believe the distance between your regular glasses and the OTC readers is enough to make much difference in the effective power of the +2.75 lenses. I would suggest ordering some bifocals or progressives with a +2.75 ADD. Order a pair with cheap frames to see if you like them before committing to a pair with a nice frame. If you decide that you want to order some prescription readers, subtract 2.75 from your Sphere value in each lens. For example, if the Sphere prescription in the Left eye is -14.50 the prescription reading glasses prescription would be -11.75. Do not tinker with the Cylinder or Axis. They need to be the exact same values as in your distance prescription.

Ellie 27 Jan 2015, 18:49

Hi all,

I received my new glasses from Zenni about three or four weeks ago and have been wearing them every day (I love them!!).

I had posted earlier about having a hard time reading small print with my older glasses, which had an rx of -13/-14ish in them. My new ones have a -14/-15ish rx. I recently started wearing a pair of OTC readers with +2.75 rx over my glasses while studying in my room to see if reading on my phone and reading my books is a little better.

I'm noticing that print appears bigger, which is helpful especially on my phone. I can read my textbook just fine with my regular glasses but I guess the slightly larger print is helpful as well.

I was wondering if I were to get an add in my glasses how strong the add would be, just based on the fact that I'm trying out the +2.75 reading glasses over my regular ones. The +2.75 reading glasses are positioned approximately 8mm-1cm away from my regular glasses. Just curious, how strong of an add would this translate to?

Thanks!

aubrac 03 Jan 2015, 01:57

Mars

My wife at age 38 had her first glasses (apart from wearing them as a child).

She did not wear them full time at first but did say her vision was better,and described it as though "someone had cleaned a dirty window".

Reading small print was easier and she could see the board at her evening classes much better.

You may find, like her, a prescription increase, two in her case, was needed during the following 18 months. This was not a case of glasses making her eyes worse but simply the eye muscles not having to work so hard, and giving better and more relaxed vision with her actual level of hyperopia.

Everyone is different and suggest you wear glasses full-time for a couple of weeks and see if you do benefit from clearer and more relaxed vision.

Julian 03 Jan 2015, 01:31

Honestly Mars, your eye doctor's 'very vague' advice is sound and accurate. You can wear your glasses as much or as little as you like. If you have a headache or difficulty in focusing, put them on and keep them on till it eases. Why did you go for a test? And how old are you?

iamhacked 02 Jan 2015, 20:16

OD SPH: -1.00 CYL: -2.25 AXIS 012

OS SPH: -2.25 CYL: -2.00 AXIS 178

My doctor told me that it's only a small increase so getting new glasses is optional. How do I get contacts with this prescription?

Mars 21 Dec 2014, 13:36

I just went to an eye doctor and got a prescription for glasses. Even after asking the doctor when I should wear my glasses I am still confused. The answer was very vague. "You'll notice a difference when watching tv... You can wear them all the time if you think it helps."

I've had people tell me if inquest glasses more my eyes will adjust and weaken. My prescription was "distance R/L +.75 sph

When should I wear my glasses and how often?

Thanks!

Soundmanpt 08 Dec 2014, 15:05

edina

You don't need permission to wear glasses no matter how weak or how string they maybe. Yes, your prescription isn't all that strong but i'm pretty sure after you have them on a little while not only can you see better but when you take them off things don't look nearly as clear and sharp and in the distance even worse. The thing is the average person has no idea about glasses prescriptions as to how much you need your glasses or don't need your glasses. If your comfortable and like wearing them then by all means wear them as you choose to, not based on what you think someone may think you don't need to be wearing them.

Also consider this, have you not noticed that many of the boutiques stores now sell very nice looking fake glasses. They sell them because so may young ladies now consider wearing glasses a fashion statement. At least if anyone asks to try your glasses they will be able to tell your glasses aren't fake. Don't be surprised that some of your friends may even find they can even see better with tour glasses. Trying someone else's glasses is often how many discover they need glasses themselves.

edina 08 Dec 2014, 13:52

Recently been prescribed glasses.

Sph-.75 cyl -.25 axis15 left eye

Sph-.75 ds right eye

Is it OK to wear this prescription all the time or will people think I'm being pathetic wearing such a low prescriprion

Daniela 01 Dec 2014, 14:54

Thank you everyone!

Yes, it's very good to have the add of 1.5. Maybe I need 2.0, but I will see how this works for me.

My friend and I we really love our glasses. Also he doesnt really need glasses. His normal vision is +-0.00.

The best part is, if we take down both our glasses and see each other in total blurry.

Good night

Daniela

Barts 01 Dec 2014, 03:32

In my opionion is pretty obvious that weaker glasses for close vision slow down the progression. And I can't really understand why certain eyedoctors don't do that if they want to preserve patients' eyesight. Maybe those who don't know their job very well.

Likelenses 01 Dec 2014, 01:22

Daniela

Some eye doctors believe that bifocals for a young person with high myopia can slow down the progression.

Cactus Jack 30 Nov 2014, 22:49

Daniela,

Welcome. Thank you for sharing your prescription information with us. You are indeed fortunate to have a boyfriend who understands what it is like to wear a strong prescription. The add of +1.50 is a good idea to reduce the minification caused by the Vertex Distance (VD) of your glasses. Hopefully, that will help you read small text. If you need more help reading small text, we may be able to offer some other suggestions.

May I ask if you are still in school or your occupation?

Again, welcome.

Daniela 30 Nov 2014, 15:30

Hello Everyone!

I'm Daniela and I am new here.

I am 21 years old and come from Germany.

My prescription is

R -15.5 -2.5 170 +1.5

L -18.0 -2.0 178 +1.5

so this is really bad.

I got a boyfried who likes glasses very much and does "GOC" with -15 to -20 glasses often. I like this also very much, as we cant see each other without our glasses.

I dont know myself without glasses on my nose. New is for me, that I got the magnifying part (+1.5) in the lower part of my lens, because everything is so minified and I am not able to see letters of books in front of me.

I am looking forward to reading here interesting posts and I will ask my boyfried to visit these pages, too.

Trent 11 Nov 2014, 18:03

Had my yearly eye exam today results are:

-8.00, -2.50, 008

-8.00, -2.50, 164

Add +2.25

Sphere went down a bit and add stayed the same. The big change was the Axis difference from the past two years. I'm not sure what the other optometrist was measuring.

Jacktus Cack 06 Oct 2014, 15:34

Perchance we shall continue this semantic discussion at Kornbleet University.

Cactus Jack 06 Oct 2014, 08:31

I would like to suggest that our language discussion should be moved to another venue. I don't think is it appropriate as an ES topic. Any suggestions?

SC 06 Oct 2014, 02:29

Minus5, CJ

As I said UK English is inconsitent - makes it really difficult to be perfect. US English is much more standard - words end in 'er' (not 're'), 'or' (not 'our') or 'ize' (not 'ise') whereas we have examples of all types.

Even in Eyescene terms - I see you often use 'near-sighted' whereas the common term here is 'short-sighted' and the converse is 'long-sighted'

minus5wholuvsgwgs 03 Oct 2014, 05:36

not relevant but much American spelling etc relates to what was used by English settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries

Cactus Jack 03 Oct 2014, 04:43

SC,

Thank you. I don't want to mislead or discourage Dude, he writes extremely well for a non-native English speaker.

Math or Maths is, of course, a contraction of the word Mathematics which covers a multitude of mathematical disciplines. Maths (plural?) just sounds strange to my ear as I am sure Math sounds strange to yours.

"The United States and Great Britain are two countries separated by a common language" is a quote attributed to George Bernard Shaw and it is true. I believe he capitalized on the differences in English, even within England, in his play Pygmalion and its adaptation as "My Fair Lady". He also offered a friendly "jab" at North Americans, where Professor Higgins commented (to paraphrase) that English has not been spoken in America, for years.

Actually, I speak Texan, so I have to be very careful advising others about English, because I am anything but an authority.

SC 03 Oct 2014, 03:44

CJ/Dude

"Maths" is indeed correct - that is how it is written and pronounced in the UK & Commonwealth. For some reason the US spelling is different, like centre, colour, aluminium, harbour, neighbour, emphasise etc. UK English is wonderfully inconsistent so maybe US tried to standardise (another one)

Sorry to interrupt your conversation...

Cactus Jack 02 Oct 2014, 18:54

No name,

I am not sure what the W: means exactly, but I am pretty sure the AR: means Auto-Refractor.

I suspect the W: are the results of the manual refraction using either a Phoropter or a Trial Lens set.

Actually, there is not much optical difference between the two. Auto-Refractors typically only approximate your prescription and are primarily used to save the Examiner time by providing a starting place for the refraction part of the exam.

In reality, the examiner has no way to know what you see or what your preferences are, other than what you tell him/her about what you see.

The results of the manual refraction are considered to be the most accurate.

The most subjective part of the exam is determining the cylinder and axis to correct astigmatism. I urge you to review some of my recent post on the Astigmatism thread to learn how to improve the accuracy of your cylinder and axis prescription at your next eye exam.

Cactus jack 02 Oct 2014, 18:42

Dude,

A small correction. Math is one of those strange English words that are both singular and plural. You don't need an 's' to mean more than one area of Mathematics.

Rather than referring to optical terms as 'slang', it think it would be better to think of it as the language of optical physics. Almost every field of science and many non-science fields have their own language. Usually, learning the language of a field is the hardest part of leaning about the field. Sometimes the language of a field is referred to as the 'jargon' of the field and it is not considered as pejorative as the word 'slang'.

It sounds like you really enjoy learning and have discovered that you don't have to wait until you take a class in school to learn about a subject. Hopefully, at some point, you will have the opportunity to help some one who is having difficulty in a subject, understand it. Believe it or not, the very best way to learn a subject is to teach it.

To give you a personal story, I think I mentioned that I am 77, but I became fascinated by electronics when I was about 10. In those days, there were no transistors, integrated circuits, or microprocessors. There were only Vacuum Tubes, which I still think are easier to understand than semiconductors. I doubt if you have ever seen a Vacuum Tube. If you can, look up Lee DeForest he invented the first triode (3 element vacuum tube) which was capable of amplifying tiny electrical signals.

By the time I was a senior in high school, I had become somewhat expert in working with electronics. In my senior year, I took Physics and found it fascinating also, but when we go to the Electricity part of physics, the new physics teacher (it was his first year out of university) was having trouble explaining some of the concepts. I has a reputation around the school of having built my own equipment and he asked me to help explain some of the concepts to the class. Fortunately, I had taken a class in Public Speaking and I was not particularly bothered by speaking to a group. Anyway, I dug in and stayed about 5 pages ahead of the class. It turned out that I was able to help the class understand the mysteries of electricity and the class and the teacher seemed to appreciate my explanations.

As you can probably tell, I enjoy teaching and I take great joy in seeing the "light come on" in a student's eyes as he realizes that he now UNDERSTANDS how something works.

Should you ever like to discuss anything that is not Eyescene related, please feel free to contact me at cactusjack1928@hotmail.com

Dude 02 Oct 2014, 16:05

Cactus Jack

Yes, I do like maths and science subjects at school, I also like physics, that's why it was easy to me to understand the meaning of a diopter, or myopia, or refractive index and all that optics slang. I also thank you for praising me, it is important to me the fact that an american English native speaker thinks that my English is ok.

02 Oct 2014, 11:39

Can anyone explain to me what this prescription means? I know the basics like od, os, and what the prescription means, but I can't figure out what the AR and the W mean and why there is such a big difference in prescriptions. Thanks:

OD -.5 +.5 x51

OS -.5 +.25 x130

AR:

OD -.25 +25 x19

OS -.25 +.5 x124

Cactus Jack 02 Oct 2014, 08:42

Dude,

It sounds like she is very sensitive to bright light and it is likely that it may be caused by an eye disease.

Here on Eyescene, we mostly concern ourselves with problems associated with optical refraction, but there are many other factors that can affect vision. Many of these problems are associated with the retina. Macular degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa, and Uveitis just to mention three. Most of retinal diseases are inherited, are difficult to treat, and often lead to blindness or very low vision. A person can have both retinal problems and refraction issues. Hopefully, she is under the care of an ophthalmologist who specializes in treating eye diseases.

English: A very well written post. I think 'mistake', in the first sentence, should be 'mistakes' (plural) because the word 'any' implies more than one. If you had said 'If I make a mistake, . . ', the 'a' would make it singular and would have also been correct. I am amazed at your writing skills. I make plenty of English mistakes, myself, so I really don't have much room to be critical of others.

Do you like math and science subjects in school?

Dude 01 Oct 2014, 16:17

Cactus Jack,

If I make any mistake, please tell me.

About my teacher's glasses, she wears them also to go outside, thus if she walks to the bus parade at noon, she would wear them, and she takes her glasses off, because she seems to be annoyed by the darkness her glasses create, but she quickly gets a headache or so, so she has to put them back, it is like vicious circle.

Also, it is hard to me to see the cut-in because her glasses are so dark that I can barely see her eyes.

Cactus Jack 30 Sep 2014, 22:38

Dude,

You should avoid using a translation program, if you can. You seem to do very well, writing English. The big secret to reading, writing and speaking another language is practice. If I notice a mistake, would you like for me to mention it it to you? English is not an easy language to learn because of what are called irregular verbs that just don't follow the same rules for tense (past, present, or future) as regular verbs.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to answer your questions without more information. Information that would be very difficult to get without asking your teacher, directly.

People wear tinted lenses for a number of reasons. There are some medical conditions that make a person very sensitive to light and sometimes people wear tinted lenses for personal or vanity reasons. A very light tint can reduce the internal reflections in minus lenses and make "power rings" less noticeable, but generally the tint is so slight, that it is difficult to detect. Another possibility is that computer displays are a very un-natural way to read. The eye was designed to look at things using reflected light. Reading a computer display involves looking into a light source, which can cause some people problems. These days, most color graphic displays have a white background with black or colored text and images. Many years ago, when we used monochrome CRT type displays, we often set them up with a black background and either green or white text. It was much easier on the eyes.

I don't have a good answer for why she wears glasses for using the computer, but does not wear them for distance. Astigmatism could be a possibility because it really messes up small text at all distances. Cut-in can be caused by other lens elements besides MINUS sphere. It is possible that she has some prism correction in her glasses and that helps her not see double when she reads. Does she wear her glasses for reading?

Dude 30 Sep 2014, 16:37

Cactus Jack,

I don't use any translation program, I read and write it all by myself, and I have also learned a little bit of the people who post in Eyescene, so sorry if I have mistakes.

I have been curious these days, because my Spanish teacher just got new glasses, they are tinted(as the past ones), I can see a some cut-in but she only wears them when she's at computer and takes them off for looking far, but she seems to see well.

So, why do her glasses are always tinted(before purple and now brown)? What kind of prescription does she have if she doesn't wear her minus correction for far?

Cactus jack 27 Sep 2014, 20:10

Dude,

Mono Vision is not a good idea for young people who have or should have plenty of effortless accommodation range. There is a phenomenon called Presbyopia or "old eyes" where almost everyone looses the ability to focus close as they get older. True Presbyopia occurs when the Crystalline Lenses in your eyes get so stiff that the Ciliary Muscles can no longer increase the PLUS power of the lenses to enable you to focus close. However, there is another way to cause the symptoms of Presbyopia and that can happen to people of any age, even very young, with natural Mono Vision.

With natural Mono Vision, your Ciliary Muscles don't get enough exercise and they become de-conditioned and weak. This makes it seem like they can't focus close, when they should be able to. Also, by not making the eyes work together as a team, the Visual Cortex does not develop properly and many people with Mono Vision cannot see 3-D and have very poor depth perception.

I don't know for sure where you are in your educational adventure, but if you have any interest in science and how things work, I have attached a link to a very good paper on how the eyes work. You may not initially understand all of it, but please read it over and think about what it says.

http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/scenario/labman3/eye.htm

The thing that is not mentioned is the most important formula in optics that was developed by Sir Isaac Newton, of Gravity fame, around 1700. That formula describes the mathematical relationship between the Focal Power of a lens in diopters and the Focal Distance. It is: Focal Distance in Meters = 1 meter / Lens Power in diopters. Of course, lens power and focal distance can be expressed in cm or mm just so the units of measure match.

You need to understand that it is very likely that you will need to wear glasses or have some other forms of vision correction from here on out, and the better you understand vision and how your eyes work will make you better prepared to enjoy the best possible vision. We can teach you a lot, but you have to apply yourself so you understand how this stuff works.

Some of it gets a bit complex, but it is all understandable, provided you want to learn about it.

May I ask about your skills in English. Do you read and write English or are you using a Translation program? The reason I ask is that some translation programs are better than others where technical subjects are involved.

Dude 27 Sep 2014, 17:27

P.D: Is monovision that bad? Please tell more about it

Dude 27 Sep 2014, 17:27

P.D: Is monovision that bad? Please tell more about it

Dude 27 Sep 2014, 17:26

Cactus Jack

I live in Colombia, I got my first glasses when I was 12, glasses caused me the feeling that I can see the same so I did not wear them, I first got glasses because in the school they were doing obligatory eye exams, I felt weird when I noticed my vision was that bad, but I never wore them because I didn't see any difference, this week there was another eye exam so I saw the difference

Cactus Jack 27 Sep 2014, 14:37

Dude,

Welcome to Eyescene. When I was your age, I had a similar prescription, but not quite as much cylinder in my left eye as you do.

First of all it is nothing to get very excited about your vision and there isn't much you can do about it changing over the next few years. You have natural Mono Vision where your right eye (OD) is set for distance and your left eye (OS) is set for focusing close as is indicated by the Sphere (1st number) correction of OD Plano (0.00) and OS -1.75. That is complicated by your astigmatism as indicated by the cylinder correction, the second number. The axis (3rd number) is simply the direction of the long axis of your cylinder correction. 180 degrees is Horizontal.

Vision actually occurs in the brain and the eyes are merely biological cameras. You brain will always select the clearest image and us it as a primary source of visual information. In your situation, it will select your right eye for distance and left eye for close. There are two problems with that. 1. You have quite a bit of astigmatism in your left eye and that messes up your vision at all distances, particularly for reading or using a computer where text is important. Mono Vision, natural or created on purpose, allows your eyes to not work well together.

That is not a big problem for seniors (40+), but it can be a bigger problem for a young person, your age. You should wear your glasses full time.

Based on my experience, you probably do not have very good depth perception. I didn't before I got glasses and that caused two problems. One immediate problem and the other from my early 20s onward (BTW, I'm 77 now).

You did not mention where you live or if you like sports of any kind. I grew up in South Texas and I was never selected to be on a baseball team, because I could not hit or catch a baseball. No one really considered that I might have vision problems because I could see fine (or at least thought I could) in the distance with one eye and had no problem reading with the other, but no one including me, had any realization that my eyes could not work together. My problem was that I could not tell where the baseball was or where it was going until it was too late to hit it or catch it. If we had had soccer in the US in those days, I might have been OK as a goalie, because the ball was being aimed at me and all I would have to do, is prevent it from scoring. Soccer balls move a lot slower than baseballs,

The other problem occurred in my early 20s, in college, and the intense engineering reading load gave me splitting headaches. The cure was to get bifocals and by the time I was 30, I had very strong bifocals for my age and had to get trifocals to focus at intermediate distances.

The point of all this is that you really should wear your glasses full time because they enable your eyes to work together. At first they may be a bit uncomfortable because your eyes may have years of experience in functioning separately, but you need to train them. Hopefully, your vision with your glasses is substantially better than without them. If you have difficulty reading or get headaches, you may have to get a low ADD to make reading more comfortable and then work your way out of the ADD as your eyes get accustomed to working as a team.

May I ask a few questions?

1. Where do you live?

2. How old were you when you got your first glasses?

3. What caused you to get glasses?

Again welcome to the group and please feel free to ask questions. The more you know about vision, optics and how it all works, the better off you will be in the future.

Dude 27 Sep 2014, 12:36

Hi, I recently had new glasses and its Rx was OD:pl -0.50 x180 OS: -1.75 -1.50 x 180, my last Rx was(2 years before) OD:pl -0.25 x 180 OS: -1.25 -1.00 x 180. I'm worried about the difference between my eyes, also because my left eye gets worser every time. Also, I've notice that when I look far my right eye makes all the work, but when I look near, my left eye does it, is it normal? I spend a lot of time in front of screens but my left is the only one that worses, what should I do? Should I wear my glasses full time?

I'm 14

cactus Jack 27 Sep 2014, 10:22

Beth,

There are 3 factors that are believed to affect myopia; Genetics, Visual Environment, and Age. May I ask some questions?

1. Are any of your parents or grandparents or relatives, myopic?

2. May I ask your occupation? Do you read, use a computer, or participate in other activities that involve close focusing?

3. What is your age?

Your visual history is also important. May I ask your last prescription before the present one and what was the time interval between the exams?

beth 27 Sep 2014, 09:39

how to look after eyes is there something you can do to stop getting more shortsighted? i now have regular eyeexams and wearing glasses before i never went for a eyecheckup never. im now wearing glasses all the time its ok but i cant believe im shortsighted. once you depend on wearing glasses to see does it matter if you get more shortsighted?

Melyssa 27 Sep 2014, 08:55

Beth,

As Cactus Jack stated, your difference is not much. I have had up to 1.00 diopter difference in my lenses in the past and I did not notice anything out of the ordinary. I would see it when looking into a mirror with lights above it. My eyes have the same -9.00 RX at this time. Unfortunately, I have dealt with astigmatism, currently +3.00, for the 50.5 years I have worn glasses.

Cactus Jack 27 Sep 2014, 07:15

Beth,

0.50 difference between your two eyes is nothing to get even slightly concerned about. The eyes do not necessarily track each other and it is rare for both eyes to have exactly the same prescription.

A significant difference in the prescriptions can sometimes cause problems, such as double vision, because of different image sizes on the retina. A difference of 0.50 is not enough to even be noticeable. Occasionally, a person will have a significant PLUS prescription in one eye and a significant MINUS prescription in the other. This can really cause image size problems.

In case you are interested, myopia is generally caused by the eyeball growing too long for the total power of the eye's lens system. What is amazing is how little the excess growth is for a person to need vision correction. It is on the order of 0.3 mm per diopter. In your case the -3.00 eye is not quite 1 mm too long and the -3.50 eye is just a tiny bit over 1 mm too long. Not very much and nothing to be concerned about unless it is increasing rapidly

As you mentioned, you are indeed fortunate to not have any astigmatism. Astigmatism is generally caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of the cornea. The exact cause is unknown, but at least some astigmatism is very common even if a person does not need any sphere correction.

beth 27 Sep 2014, 04:10

ive had glasses for a few years. there no way i could of been without wearing glasses after i started wearing them for sure driving. -3.50 -3.00 is bad for me now but im lucky not to have astigmatism. is it that bad to have different prescription in each eye?

Likelenses 25 Sep 2014, 21:56

beth

Your prescription is not quite low.

It is very high for a first prescription.

You most likely needed glasses for quite some time.

However there are cases where myopia comes on quickly,at a rather high Rx. If this is the case ,then you will most likely have several increases in your Rx in the next few years,some perhaps being quite hefty.

You may even need your first increase in about six months.

You will be a full time glasses wearer,and actually should be now.

The difference of .50 between your eyes is also something that is troublesome to you without correction.

Soundmanpt 23 Sep 2014, 17:50

Beth

I'm sure never having worn glasses before and now finding that you can hardly do without them has to be a big change for you? To be honest I think you did very well somehow getting by this long without wearing glasses. But like Cactus Jack and Julian has already said you certainly need to be wearing them when you drive and please understand that your eyes didn't go bad overnight. So you have been driving for some time with impaired vision and just didn't realize it. No surprise now that you have your glasses your now completely unable to see well enough to drive without your glasses. Just understand that your getting glasses in no way ruined or made your vision worse. You sometimes hear people claim that wearing glasses ruined their eyes. not true at all. Just as Cactus explained you simply just slowly got used to your vision and assumed that everything you were or were not seeing was the same for everyone else. No now the vision you have after wearing your glasses for several hours and then taking them off is what you real vision is and has been for some time. There is no "glasses police" so it is totally up to you when and how much you choose to wear your glasses, with the exception of driving which you clearly need them for for the safety of yourself and others. But I think most people with a prescription like yours would be wearing their glasses full time. And even though you seem reluctant to about wearing your glasses anymore than you really have to I think your smart enough that you soon figure it out that you simply need to keep them on if you want to see things without a blur.

Soundmanpt 23 Sep 2014, 17:35

Justin

Just as Cactus Jack said your gf is pretty nearsighted and her vision without her glasses is very blurry. Being in college isn't likely to help her vision either. I think her doctor did a very good thing by prescribing her bifocals. With all the close work she is likely doing with studying her eyes have to be much more relaxed with an add in her glasses.

Her prescription went up some but considering how hard she is working her eyes it's to be understood. Most likely once she is done with school her eyes will get more stable.

Cactus Jack 23 Sep 2014, 10:30

Justin,

All you have to do to get a pretty good idea about your GF's vision without correction is to try on TWO pair of +3.50 readers at a store that sells them. That will be a total of +7.00, which is fairly close to the opposite of -7.00. Effectively, a person who is myopic, like your GF, wears very strong, built in reading glasses. Her significant astigmatism, as indicated by the cylinder correction, just makes it worse because astigmatism messes up vision at all distances.

Beth,

Vision actually occurs in the brain. By doing a lot of extra work, your brain can correct a blurry image, IF it knows what something is supposed to look like. Your brain can even create images in the dark with your eyes closed. Ever had a dream?

Once your brain discovers that it does not work very hard to provide good vision using images that have been optically corrected, it will decide that it really prefers working with sharp, in focus images and will decline to expend the extra work. Think of glasses as a labor saving tool for your brain and what is happening will make more sense.

I suspect that you have other labor saving tools that you use. Once you have grown accustomed to having a labor saving convenience, it is hard to give it up.

Justin 23 Sep 2014, 09:46

Hi Jack,

I'm 20 and don't wear glasses. She is 19 and a junior in college.

beth 23 Sep 2014, 09:44

yes thats the first thing i noticed after getting glasses that i couldnt drive without wearing them. im suprised how easy it is to have become dependant on them. i have tried to wear them less but cant.

Cactus jack 23 Sep 2014, 09:09

Justin,

Your GF is pretty nearsighted and her astigmatism makes it worse. Anything beyond about 14 cm or 5 inches is blurry without her glasses.

You can get an idea of her vision without glasses by putting on TWO pairs of +3.50 over-the-counter (OTC) reading glasses, one over the other.

If you wear glasses, the two pair of reading glasses need to be over your glasses.

If you can provide your age and prescription, I may be able to offer a better suggestion.

Justin 23 Sep 2014, 08:33

My girlfriend just had an eye test and got a new prescription. I wonder if someone can help me decipher what the numbers mean and tell me how bad her vision is.

Her old prescription is:

right eye (sphere) -5.50 (cylinder) -1.75 (axis) 180

left eye (sphere) -6.75 (cylinder) -0.75 (axis) 165

(add) +1.50

New prescription:

right -6.50 -2.00 175

left -7.50 -1.00 160

add +1.50

Thanks!

Cactus jack 23 Sep 2014, 08:11

Beth,

No one forces you to wear vision correction, unless your poor vision is a potential danger to others, such as driving - as Julian mentioned. Obviously, you don't understand much about optics, but the fact that you need -3.00 in one eye and -3.50 in the other means that any thing beyond about 33 cm or 13 inches is blurry. If you also need cylinder correction, it is even less than those distances. As is said in song "Its a small world after all". Your world, without vision correction, is a sphere about 33 cm in radius.

Julian 23 Sep 2014, 06:39

Beth: I'd call that prescription moderate rather than 'quite low', and I'm not surprised that you can't see without your glasses, even if you didn't know you needed them until you had an eye test. I wouldn't want to be around if you were driving a car bareyed::)

beth 23 Sep 2014, 03:18

dont go to the opticians if you dont need to. i went for a routine eye exam and came out needing glasses. now im stuck wearing them all the time. my prescription is quiet low -3.00 -3.50 but i really cant see. is this normal?

Cactus Jack 22 Sep 2014, 20:36

Just Wondering,

Occasionally, you will see a prescription written with multiples of 0.125 diopter rather than the more common 0.25 diopter. They are pretty rare because most people can't discern 0.125 diopter and will choose the next higher 0.25 increment. The examiner may write it as 0.12 or 0.13 or multiples thereof rather than use 3 digits, but the lens maker will know what the ECP wants.

Just wondering 22 Sep 2014, 19:59

I always thought prescriptions only came in multiples of .25 but sometimes I see different type numbers. Am I mistaken?

John 07 Sep 2014, 16:28

Hi Juicebox,

I hope you are well.

Last March you told us you would go for a visit in 6 months..

Do you plan a visit this month ?

Do you think you may need another increase ?

Keep us posted

John 07 Sep 2014, 16:28

Hi Juicebox,

I hope you are well.

Last March you told us you would go for a visit in 6 months..

Do you plan a visit this month ?

Do you think you may need another increase ?

Keep us posted

Cactus Jack 06 Sep 2014, 18:09

Rex,

It is probably not going to be too long until you will need some close focusing help. However, you may find that you can read pretty well without your glasses, if he text is not too small. The culprit there is your astigmatism.

Having a low MINUS sphere correction is like having built in reading glasses. In your case, +1.25 or +1.50. To read at 40 cm or 16 inches requires +2.50 from somewhere, it is one of the laws of optics. If you have uncorrected myopia (no contacts or glasses) of -1.50, your ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses only have to supply +1.00 of the total +2.50 for reading. However, presbyopia is most likely creeping up on you and within a year or two, you will need bifocals or perhaps low power reading glasses to read comfortably. Just remember it happens to almost everyone and fortunately there are simple fixes.

Rex 06 Sep 2014, 09:33

40, working in sales

Cactus Jack 06 Sep 2014, 05:00

Rex,

If the glasses prescription is Sphere -1.25, Cylinder -0.50 the -1.50 Sphere Only contacts makes sense. All elements in a prescription are very important. In an ideal world, Toric contacts would be used to correct astigmatism, but torics are more expensive than Sphere Only contacts and are often problematic. Contacts tend to move around on your cornea (they are supposed to float on a film of tears) and when toric lenses move around, the axis or angle of the cylinder correction (for your astigmatism) can change and that is worse than having a compromise Sphere Only contact with no cylinder correction. The best correction for astigmatism is glasses, because they can be made with the exact cylinder and axis correction.

The Sphere portion of your prescription corrects your myopia and the Cylinder and Axis (they always go together) corrects your Astigmatism. Myopia is caused by a mismatch between the length of your eyeball and the total PLUS power of your eye's optical system. Astigmatism is usually caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of your cornea. A sphere correction of -1.25 means that everything beyond 80 cm or 32 inches is blurry. A cylinder correction of -0.50 messes up your vision at all distances and makes small text particularly difficult to read comfortably.

The decision to wear glasses or contacts with your prescription is yours to make depending on how much visual discomfort you can or wish to tolerate, with one exception. That exception is the legal requirement to wear vision correction for driving and several other occupations where sharp vision is necessary for public safety reasons.

May I ask your age and occupation?

Rex 06 Sep 2014, 00:37

Error cyl -0.5

Rex 06 Sep 2014, 00:37

Error cyl -0.5

Cactus Jack 05 Sep 2014, 19:54

Rex,

I don't know what you mean by "justify". Justify what to whom? The desire to see well at all distances requires no justification to anyone except yourself, period.

I am a bit confused by a couple of your statements. You said that your glasses prescription was Sphere -1.25, Cylinder +0.50. If we convert the + cylinder notation to - cylinder it is easier to understand. The conversion would yield Sphere -0.75, Cylinder -0.50. While they look different, they are optically identical if the axis, which you did not state, is altered by 90 degrees. If the idea is to get a Sphere Only compromise prescription you would add 1/2 the cylinder to the Sphere which would result in a Contact Lens prescription of -1.00. Depending on your age, you can possibly deal with -1.50 contacts using your internal accommodation with the only effect of slightly shaper vision.

The question of can you justify wearing glasses or contacts with only -1.00 or thereabouts. The answer should be obvious if you analyze what -1.00 means. It means that without your glasses or contacts, you cannot see anything clearly beyond 1 meter or 39.37 inches. Beyond that distance everything is increasingly blurry. In effect your world is a bubble 1 meter in radius. That is great for reading and using the computer, but it leaves a lot to be desired if you want to read a distant sign, or recognize a person across the street, pass a driving license test, watch TV or go to the Cinema.

I think it is totally inappropriate for anyone to judge the acceptable quality of another persons vision and what correction they should wear, based on their experience. Everyone is different and has different preferences in the quality of their vision.

You need to look into the cause of your eyes being sore. You could have developed an infection or irritation of the cornea. Not a good thing. You need to discuss the soreness with your ECP.

Rex 05 Sep 2014, 18:38

I went back to my optician last month and have got -1.5 contact lens which have been great - however today my eyes were sore and I didn't wear my lenses and everything looked poor. I had to weAr my glasses driving and my colleague who didn't know I needed correction, was surprised. Reassuringly she started contacts at -1.25. 6 years ago and now is only -2.25.

How can you justify that -1.5 contacts/ -1.25 +0.5 glasses are reasonable to wear fulltime? I know this is borderline

Soundmanpt 30 Aug 2014, 08:46

Alyssa

Well it has been about 2 weeks since you had your eyes examined. By now i would assume you have your glasses as well? So are you still working on getting used to them? You seemed shocked at the recommendation that you need to wear them full time if you don't want headaches. Your prescription isn't like someone that is nearsighted and they can easily tell their eyesight is improved as soon as they put their glasses on. Your correct when you say that you haven't noticed any problems with your vision. That's because your distance vision is still pretty good. Your close up vision is just a little bit weak and that is what the +.75 is for. However your headache problem comes from your astigmatisms and your glasses will also sharpen your vision for distance and close up, but more importantly keep the headaches away.

Your vision without your glasses will still be pretty good, but you will find without your glasses in very short time the headache will return.

So give us an update as to how your doing with your glasses?

motard 27 Aug 2014, 23:10

Had my re check last weekend at a different ecp.

Original 2014 / Recheck

R -6.50 x -2.00 015 / -6.75 x -1.75 020

L -5.25 x -2.00 165 / -5.25 x -2.25 170

I must say I liked the recheck a little better, although at night with CL (-6.00 -1.75 020 & -5.00 -1.75 170) I think it could be better, as most the time 5 days a week im nocturnal.

Also on upnote I finally got my GF in for check for problems at night and headaches. She is now a new wearer. :-)

R -0.25 x -0.25 165

L -0.25 x -0.25 175

Likelenses,

Do you like not having the cyl? As im thinking of doing 1/2 cyl and bumping up sph

motard 27 Aug 2014, 21:16

Had my re check last weekend at a different ecp.

Original 2014 / Recheck

R -6.50 x -2.00 015 / -6.75 x -1.75 020

L -5.25 x -2.00 165 / -5.25 x -2.25 170

I must say I liked the recheck a little better, although at night with CL (-6.00 -1.75 020 & -5.00 -1.75 170) I think it could be better, as most the time 5 days a week im nocturnal.

Also on upnote I finally got my GF in for check for problems at night and headaches. She is now a new wearer. :-)

R -0.25 x -0.25 165

L -0.25 x -0.25 175

Likelenses,

Do you like not having the cyl? As im thinking of doing 1/2 cyl and bumping up sph

Likelenses 25 Aug 2014, 22:40

motard

A number of years back my refraction indicated that a 1.00 cylinder was needed in each eye,when no astigmatism had existed previously .

During the subjective part of the exam,I had a lot of difficulty telling which cylinder was best. The doctor suggested that he give me .50 more minus sphere,instead of the cylinder.This then made my new Rx -9.00,which then became my first pair of flat front lenses.

Since then there has always been a small amount of astigmatism,but I do not get any cylinder,but instead a bit more sphere,which is pretty stable now at -10.5 each eye.

Likelenses 25 Aug 2014, 22:01

Cactus Jack

I am not aware of any studies on that topic.

I do recall reading some statistics in an ophthalmology textbook from 1960,where they stated the highest number of cases of high myopia was in the Jewish,and Bedouin peoples.

Likelenses 25 Aug 2014, 21:54

Additionally,I doubt that she is able to read without correction,due to her amount of astigmatism.

Likelenses 25 Aug 2014, 21:16

I would say that this young girls level of myopia is already too high to read without glasses. If she is able it would not be a good idea,as she would have to hold the work so close that it would interfere with proper convergence. Most text books on ophthalmology recommend full time wear to include reading,when the prescription reaches -3.00 as without reading distance would be too close.

I suspect that she is wearing gas perm. contacts,due to her level of astigmatism.

lentifan 25 Aug 2014, 19:19

I cannot speak about bifocal contact lenses which I have never tried, but I do not agree that wearing bifocal glasses is a major hassle or inconvenience. They do not reduce the field of vision to a significant extent. This is not to say that the wearing of these slows down the progression of myopia; the evidence seems to be inconclusive. But as someone else said, it cannot do any harm, can it?

Separate reading glasses, on the other hand - now that IS a hassle and inconvenience.

DS 25 Aug 2014, 18:15

Worried,

While you have the faction that believes wearing glasses / contacts full time will cause higher myopia thus leading to a recommendation of wearing bifocals or reading glasses, I do not fully buy into the argument.

With various studies showing different results. I'm inclined to believe "some" myopia may be prevented, but not enough to warrant the inconveniences of bifocals or reading glasses. For someone who can comfortably read without correction, I would encourage near work without glasses when convenient. Once bifocals or multiple pairs of glasses become involved I don't think that the hassle is worth it since correction is still required for essentially all activities anyway. One would be trading years of extra hassle and reduced visual acuity for only a minor reduction in the final power not likely to make a practical difference in quality of life or quality of corrected vision.

I noticed that you said "the older 2 got big increases even though they wear contacts." Using contact lenses to control myopia progression is usually accomplished with hard lenses. I assume your two eldest are wearing soft lenses. If I am correct, then according to http://www.revoptom.com/content/c/37770/ this may actually be worse (although negligibly).

NJ 25 Aug 2014, 12:14

I don't have the time to look up the publications now, but both the genetic factors of myopia and the use of reduced power lenses/bifocals for close work have been studied. On the former, I recall that several genes were found that correlate to progressive myopia. On the latter, I believe it was found that reduced power lenses--mostly bifocals IIRC--did slow the progression of myopia but not spectacularly so.

I know I posted this before, but a few years ago there was a myopic family I saw frequently at the soccer fields where my daughter played. Both parents wore glasses, the mom with a double digit Rx. All three daughters wore bifocals. They seemed to be an especially close family, and the daughters quite studious. When the oldest was playing soccer, the younger two had their books out and were studying. They seemed to be very good about using their bifocals to read. The funny part is that the mom would lift her glasses to read or see anything close up because, for some reason, she chose not to wear bifocals.

Cactus Jack 25 Aug 2014, 08:22

Likelenses,

Those are very interesting articles and they certainly point to a positive benefit of relieving accommodative stress in progressive myopia by using both a bifocal and Base In prism. However, the benefits could not override the more powerful genetic factors that exist in families and in certain populations.

Do you know of any studies of myopia and hyperopia that involve genetic sequencing to attempt to identify the genes that regulate eyeball growth? There was a study of nanothalmia at Johns Hopkins several years ago that seemed to point to an Eyeball Growth Hormone, apparently produced by the retina in response to accommodative stress, but to my knowledge the hormone was never isolated or identified. Nanothalmia is a condition where the eyeball fails to grow and extreme hyperopia results.

I have not read anything more after the initial announcement. There seems to be plenty of empirical evidence that an eyeball growth process, that is sensitive to image quality on the retina and/or accommodative stress, but is ultimately governed by genetics, almost has to exist.

Likelenses 25 Aug 2014, 01:28

worried about my kids

Here is some info. that may be useful to you.

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/12/science/la-sci-myopia12-2010jan12

http://www.myopiainstitute.com/myopia-research-library/bifocal-and-multifocal-eyeglasses-and-myopia-control

http://www.myopia.org/ebook/12chapter7.htm

Cactus Jack 24 Aug 2014, 22:11

worried about my kids,

The use of reduced prescription glasses for close work, for young people with progressive myopia, has not been proven to help, but it can't hurt to try. The reading segment in bifocals is a reduction of the distance prescription by the amount of the add.

I suspect the big problem will be getting your daughters to consider wearing bifocals, even if they are prescribed. However, the tiny text on smartphones and tablets have caused a lot of teens to need bifocals at an early age. So I don't think it will be long before bifocals are a fashion statement among teens.

If your daughter(s) wear contacts, they might be willing to wear some stylish Over the Counter (OTC) reading glasses or if they wear single vision glasses full time, you might investigate some clip on magnifiers available from Rx Safety Glasses. They are the same as OTC reading glasses, but clip on your regular glasses like flip-up sunglasses. I use them and really like them.

Here is a link to Rx Safety Glasses website.

http://www.rx-safety.com/magnifying-products/clip-on-magnifiers.html

You did not mention where you live. Rx Safety Glasses is located in New Jersey, but I suspect they will ship anywhere.

If you need help selecting a power for reading glasses or clip-ons, let us know.

Likelenses 24 Aug 2014, 19:21

worried about my kids

The minus portion of her new prescription is about where I would expect it to be for her age,and previous prescription.

I would suggest that you ask the doctor if he would prescribe for her a pair of bifocals,and if she wants to continue wearing contacts then bifocal contacts as well.Wearing her older glasses for near work will not do the trick,because her astigmatism also increased.she does have a significant amount of astigmatism. Studies have shown that the use of bifocals for a younger myope is beneficial to slowing the progression of myopia.

If she is planning on going to college the time to try this approach is now,as she is a prime candidate for large increases with the visual work load of college.

Can you tell us a bit more of your vision / correction history?Also the history of the other two siblings would give some clues.

One thing that you can do as a parent is to watch closly their reading,and other close work distances. If it is closer than twelve inches,or closer than 20 from a computer monitor,stress to them to stay at the above distances.As you are aware with myopis without glasses near objects appear quite large, and when minus lenses are worn those objects appear smaller.The myopic person has become used to the large images,and therefore has a tendency to want that larger image with the glasses on. This actually causes near point stress, which in turn causes increases in myopia.Do you read at twelve inches,with your - 12?

Tom 24 Aug 2014, 18:18

I hope "worried about my kids" won't miss the previous post by soundmanpt in reply to my comment.

Keep us update, if you want, and post prescription of the younger girls, too.

Soundmanpt 24 Aug 2014, 11:08

Tom

Yes it would be best if they would wear their previous prescription glasses when doing close work. However in most cases I really doubt that your going to convince a 16 year old girl to stop wearing her contacts and instead can have 2 pairs of glasses at school so she can change as needed. Now of course once at home she really should remove her contacts anyway and wear her glasses in the evening, so then it would be best for her to wear her weaker glasses when she is doing homework or reading. Of course this applies to the 2 younger girls as well.

Lucas 24 Aug 2014, 10:45

Booked my gf an appoitment in september. Curious about the results. Any chance her prescription decreased?

Tom 24 Aug 2014, 09:35

Soundmanpt, worried about my kids:

The three girls are still in their school age, that means lot of close work to do. Wearing full time correction, they are struggling their poor eyes most of time to focus through the correction, while the nature have given them eyes that are more suitable then normal eyes to a close vision. Moreover, since contacts cannot be removed easily (or not at all, when switching between different activities implying a mix of far and near vision) this makes the sitation even worse.

Don't you think they should wear weaker correction at least for close works ( e.g. reading or even PC) to reduce the increase of myopia? I'm not expert, but this position sounds quite reasonable to me...

Soundmanpt 23 Aug 2014, 14:06

worried about my kids

Its all a part of growing up and may include growth spurts along the way. So when you see one of your girls grow an extra inch or so you should expect that her eyes also also grew longer as well and she became a little more nearsighted as a result. And no there is nothing you can to stop or slow down the process anymore than you were able to slow down your increases when you were younger. Your doing just what any good mother would do, your seeing that they get their eyes examined each year and new glasses and even new contacts as well. I'm sure your girls don't like the fact that their eyes continue to change, but with their contacts their vision shouldn't stop them from doing anything they want to do such as sports. Based on when your own vision became stable should give a clue when their eyes may expect to start to get stable as well. It would seem that your 16 year old will be at least at the same prescription as you are when she starts to get more stable with her eyes.

Just keep in mind there isn't anything that you did wrong as you have no control as to the genes your daughters were going to get for their eyes.

worried about my kids 23 Aug 2014, 13:34

Reposted to correct a typo.

I just got home from taking my kids to the optometrist for their back-to-school eye exams. It was a really upsetting experience. I am horribly nearsighted (-12). My husband has 20/20 eyesight. You would think his genetics would have some mitigating effect, but all 3 kids are following me. I wish there were some way of slowing them down. I have 3 girls, 16, 14 and 12. Every year, their prescriptions get stronger. This time, the older 2 got big increases even though they wear contacts. Even before the doctor examined them, she said it would be bad news. Her assistant had checked the girls vision in the autorefractor and it said their eyes had gotten much worse. If you think Im exaggerating, the oldest girls new spectacle prescription is (right eye) -8.00 -1.75 65 (left) -7.50 -1.50 120. Last years prescription was (right) -6.50 -1.50 60 (left) -6.25 -1.00 120. That seems pretty serious to me. Is there anything I can do from stopping their eyes from getting as bad as mine?

worried about my kids 23 Aug 2014, 13:30

I just got home from taking my kids to the optometrist for their back-to-school eye exams. It was a really upsetting experience. I am horribly nearsighted (-12). My husband has 20/20 eyesight. You would think his genetics would have some mitigating effect, but all 3 kids are following me. I wish there were some way of slowing them down. I have 3 girls, 16, 14 and 12. Every year, their prescriptions get stronger. This time, the older 2 got big increases even though they wear contacts. Even before the doctor examined them, he said it would be bad news. Her assistant had checked the girls vision in the autorefractor and it said their eyes had gotten much worse. If you think Im exaggerating, the oldest girls new spectacle prescription is (right eye) -8.00 -1.75 65 (left) -7.50 -1.50 120. Last years prescription was (right) -6.50 -1.50 60 (left) -6.25 -1.00 120. That seems pretty serious to me. Is there anything I can do from stopping their eyes from getting as bad as mine?

Danbert 21 Aug 2014, 08:13

Alyssa,

An astigmatism of magnitude 1.00 is high enough that you have lost a perceptible degree of acuity. You may not realise it but if you wear your prescription for a while and then remove it, you'll probably notice the difference. Whether or not this matters to you is ultimately your decision to make. It may be that your astigmatism is contributing to headaches, so for that reason alone you may well decide that it is worth wearing full time correction.

motard 20 Aug 2014, 17:43

So my 2nd opinion exam is scheduled for friday.

Has anyone not heard of Spherical equivalent refraction?

(See my previous post about it)

Alyssa 20 Aug 2014, 16:45

Full time?!?! Really? I wasn't expecting that. I was hoping I could just use them occasionally at home for reading and computer use (at the most) and that would be enough. I don't find things blurry or anything so figured my eyes weren't too bad. I didn't really plan on people seeing me in glasses!

Soundmanpt 19 Aug 2014, 20:06

Alyssa

I completely agree with what Varifocals has said. Your slightly farsighted which is the +.75 numbers in your prescription and that isn't very much at all, but most likely the reason your getting headaches is due to your astigmatisms. That would be the -.75 and -1.00 numbers. (The other numbers are your axis numbers and they don't contain any power values) Once astigmatisms get past -.50 headaches can soon become a problem.

Now i will warn you since these will be your first glasses that they may take some getting used to. The first thing you will notice when you put them on is that your distance vision will be somewhat blurry. Also you may feel a bit dizzy and feel like the room is spinning as well. But these things will soon go away as your eyes adjust.

If you want the headaches to stay gone and be a problem anymore you will need to wear your glasses full time.

Varifocals 19 Aug 2014, 13:10

Yes Allysa.

They should ease your headaches.

I started off like that myself, liiving on headex!

The headaches were awful & sine I have had glasses, now varifocals I have comfort & clarity that is the main thing & I wear full time +2.75/ 5.25 now so to read unaided is useless.

Hope that helps.

Alyssa 19 Aug 2014, 10:22

I just got a prescription for glasses

+0.75 -0.75 20

+0.75 -1.00 163

I went to the eye doctor because of occasional headaches. Will these glasses make much difference? Will I end up using them much? I'm 39 and this is my first pair of glasses.

motard 19 Aug 2014, 09:29

Well visited the ecp last weekend. Heres the goods

Previous Rx 2013 / New RX

R -6.50 , -1.75 020 / -6.50 , -2.00 015

L -5.25 -2.00 170 / -5.25 , -2.00 165

R -6.00 , -1.75 020 / -6.25 ,-1.75 020

L -5.00 , -1.75 170 / -5.25 , -1.75 170

During exam I stated I was having trouble with distance, which I am. During the exam he did get me a little better but still having some skew/blur. For the CL rx he said that -2.00 cyl is not avail so I got the -0.25 bump instead, the trail CL were blurry, even when he held up the -0.25 trial lenses. Either way im not fully corrected almost seems worse. Im considering 2nd opinion this weekend.

Question for our experts: Have you heard of Spherical equivalent refraction? it is where 1/2 cyl is added to sphere to get a close enough rx with low cyl pwr. Ex -2.50 , -1.00 50 becomes -3.00 sph only

Has any tried to hybrid it?

Ex with my rx with the higher cyl

-6.50 , -2.00 20 would become -7.50 , -1.00 20

With some tweaking -7.75 , -1.25 20 looked pretty good in trial frame/lenses

Michael 17 Aug 2014, 10:46

Are you talking about on the written script? I never saw that before. I remember when I was a kid my mother would take me to the eye doctor and she made it a point to ask him when I should be wearing my glasses. I don't think I ever asked and I don't ever remember a doctor or optician saying anything to me. My friend probably assumes that since her doctor didn't say anything to her then she doesn't need to wear her glasses full time. But I would bet money if she asked him he would tell her that she should.

Good luck to your girl friend on her upcoming eye exam and make sure you post here on what happens and her new script. I am assuming she needs a new script because you said she seems to be struggling seeing things at a distance. But I thought my friend needed a new script as well but was told she didn't. So who knows. I really don't trust the place my friend goes to because she had an eye exam and picked out new frames and was out of there in a half hour. I never had an eye exam I don't think that was less than 45 minutes. I don't think the place my friend goes to likes her very much because she going back there every few months with broken glasses. The last time one of the temples came off and in the past her lenses kept popping out. And even though she does the things with her glasses I told you about she is blaming them that they are breaking all the time and she is a very strong willed person so I can just imagine the hard time she is giving them. I am almost thinking that when she went there in March for her last eye exam they just told her her eyes didn't change because they wanted to get rid of her as quickly as possible. I don't think they want to deal with her anymore because she is a very difficult person to deal with. And she even told me she was going to tell them not to put eyedrops in her eyes because she doesn't like them. Although I think they did do it last time.

And now she is saying she doesn't really see well even with her glasses. All of this makes me wonder what kind of eye exam they gave her. Not very comprehensive that is for sure. I don't know how anybody can be out of a doctor's office in a half hour especially since some of the time was for picking out new frames. You figure at least 10 minutes to pick out new frames and be measured so that would mean her actual exam was probably 20 minutes at most.

I just don't trust that place. I even went online to see if there were any bad reviews about them and couldn't find any. So I don't know what the story is but something doesn't sound right to me. Last time she got a metal frame and the lenses kept popping out. They would fix them but it kept on happening over and over again. So this time she wanted a plastic frame thinking it would be stronger and about a month or so ago one of her temples came off. I don't think the problem is with the frame. It is what my friend does with her glasses and I don't think it has anything to do with the place or the lab doing shoddy work.

I suggested to her before her last eye exam to go someplace else because I don't 100% trust the place even though I never went there myself for an eye exam. But after her last eye exam I have even less trust in them considering how quickly she was in and out of there. I suggested to her to make an appointment with my doctor who I trust.She gives a very thorough exam and have a lot of confidence in her. But my friend is extremely hard headed. I actually think the reason she goes back there is she enjoys giving them a hard time. If she actually believes they do sell her cheap glasses why in her right mind would she keep on going back there? I certainly wouldn't if I wasn't happy with the place. But I am almost 100% sure the problems my friend always has with her glasses has everything to do with her handling of them and nothing to do with the place or the lab.But I still don't trust the place. If she never went back there again I don't think anybody there would shed a tear. Honestly I think they are sick and tired of dealing with her. I am almost sure that nobody else goes back there with broken glasses as often as my friend does. If glasses keep breaking every couple of months or so something is obviously wrong.

Lucas 17 Aug 2014, 03:06

She will be going to the dr early september. I wont have any problem seeing the prescription, as ill pick her up or be there in the waiting room. As for the suggestion of full time wear, the place I go to has a box on the paper for the recommended use of the glasses (full time, reading or distance). Ill be curious to see what the Dr checks.

Michael 16 Aug 2014, 21:10

My guess is her prescription will change but I thought my friend's prescription would change too but it apparently didn't. She is 52 years old and her script hasn't changed in about 4 years. Which I find unusual. She does have bifocals and I would think in four years she would at the very least need a stronger reading add but no.

She just gives me the impression she needed stronger glasses just by watching her struggle to see. She just uses them for reading and almost nothing else. Never for TV unless she is watching a horse race and then she puts them on because she doesn't want to miss any details. Also has major problems with glasses because she doesn't believe in eye glass cases so she either keep them loose in her purse, on her head or hanging from her shirt. No wonder they either break often or even worse she loses them. There can't be anybody worse with glasses than she is. I would bet an 8 year old getting glasses for the first time would have less problems than my friend has with glasses.

My friend also has a fairly significant difference in the vision between her eyes. But the difference between my friend and your girl friend is my friend's good eye doesn't seem all that good anymore. It would just be so much easier for her and she would see much better too if she wore them full time. I think she is in denial because she is always telling people she doesn't need to wear glasses full time.I don't think her doctor told her that. But if she asked him I think I know what he would say. Something my friend wouldn't want to hear.

In my friend's bad eye she also has a moderate amount of astigmatism which I would guess impairs her vision even more. I can't remember your girl friend's script but if I remember correctly she isn't really dealing with any astigmatism. Am I right? I also asked Cactus Jack if my friend has a lazy eye. He said it is possible but a fairly significant difference in vision between the eyes doesn't necessarily mean a lazy eye. But Cactus Jack did confirm that if there is a significant difference in the vision between the two eyes the brain will pick the clearer image and neglect the other one. I also read that if a person has a fairly significant difference between their eyes you are probably better off wearing glasses full time even if the better eye is almost perfect like your girl friend's was. That makes sense because it would be the only way a person would be able to use both eyes together to see.

When is your girl friend going for an eye exam? Are you going with her? I wonder if her eyes got worse the doctor would say anything to her about wearing glasses full time. As I said before usually they don't unless you ask. And from what you tell me about your girl friend she doesn't sound like a person who will ask.

She will probably at some point have to begin wearing glasses full time but I would say let her do it on her terms. Don't get on her case because it may have the exact opposite effect and she will wear her glasses even less than she is now. My friend hates wearing glasses so that is why she does the constant on and off thing.But if her goal is not to attract attention she would be better off just keeping her glasses on. People tend to notice at least I do when someone is constantly putting glasses on and taking them off. If you don't want to be noticed you are probably better off just leaving them on.

But after your girl friend's exam try to post her script here so we will know what is going on. Do you think she will let you either see it or make a copy of it. I had to find my friend's script while she was at work and fortunately I did and made a copy of it for myself. It is hard to write here and get opinions unless you have the exact script. She would kill me if she knew I was writing about her glasses script on a message board.

Lucas 16 Aug 2014, 17:53

Michael, Ill be curious to see how her prescription changes. As of now, she fails to see she really needs them and tends to get closer to things instead of squinting to see things. I think itll take a decrease in her good eye to convince her to wear them. I dont think shell want to wear them all the time any time soon.

Michael 16 Aug 2014, 14:14

Lucas

It sounds like your girl friend may become a full time glasses wearer very soon. If they tell her she should wear her glasses full time do you think she will take their advice or not? As Cactus Jack and others here often say it is up to the person to decide when to wear his or her glasses. It is personal choice. I am in the same situation with my friend who lives with me. I saw her prescription and made a copy of it for myself when she wasn't around of course and wrote here about it and Cactus Jack responded that most people with her script would choose to wear it full time which confirmed what I thought but he emphasized if I wanted to maintain a relationship with this person not to push her about wearing her glasses. So I don't say anything to her about it and just let her do what she wants to do.

So that is the advice I would give you. If they tell your girl friend she should wear her glasses full time and she doesn't want to don't push her about it because in the long run you might be the loser. But my experience with eye care professionals over the years is most of them don't even offer advice as to when to wear glasses unless you specifically ask them.

Lucas 13 Aug 2014, 05:44

Thanks SC!.

Shes going to get another eye exam and ill post the results. Shes been struggling to see things in the distance recently.

SC 13 Aug 2014, 04:52

Lucas,

Just because there is a difference between the eyes doesn't mean they have a lazy eye. Nor does someone having a Rx of +2.25 at a young age mean that they need to wear them or that they cannot see perfectly without them.

Headaches can be a problem but I never suffered with them. At around 21yo you should have lots of accommodation - certainly enough to overcome +2.25, in many cases people do not even know they are farsighted. The only people who generally need glasses at that age are those that are already hooked.

Lazy eye means different things to different people - some people can have perfect eyesight but the brain will not use the image so they suffer with 3D perception. In my case it seems that the left-eye connection to the brain did not fully develop but my brain still makes as much use as possible from the eye, even though the image is poor.

On a recent test, the optometrist said that in my case the astigmatism was likely a bigger factor. He was shocked that they eye had never been accurately refracted - I was shocked how astigmatism correction can change the image - I had never seen so clearly with that eye: SPH: +4.0, CYL +1.75 AX 173.

Lucas 01 Aug 2014, 10:41

She currently wears them for reading and sometimes for class so she should have no problem adjusting to full time wear I think.

Only thing is she needs to realize the need for them

lazysiow 01 Aug 2014, 10:16

Well it may or may not have started drifting yet but without an eyetest, get her to close her good eye and if she's shocked at how bad her vision is out of the other eye but sees fine with both eyes then yup, that's classic lazy eye. Hopefully its early enough that no prisms are needed but she'll have to wear her glasses as much as possible assuming she'll be able to see distances fine with the plus prescription. Maybe its only for reading.

Her vision may become blurrier without glasses over time but that's the brain starting to use both eyes again and over all a good thing. It's far worse to lose the vision in the bad eye entirely

Lucas 01 Aug 2014, 02:30

I will try to book her an appointment later on.

Im surprised she would have a lazy eye. Wouldnt you be able to notice a lazy eye physically?

Also, her last doctor for that prescription had recommended to use them only when needed, although he seemed very conservative about her eyes.

What im surprised about is that she has no problems seeing at all distances without correction.

Thanks

Weirdeyes 29 Jul 2014, 19:15

Lucas

I agree that she should get her eyes checked. Her prescription might not be entirely correct, so she might not find it useful enough. I didn't like wearing my glasses until I had a good enough prescription.

Soundmanpt 29 Jul 2014, 18:31

Lucus

The first advice I will give is that your girlfriend is long over due getting her eyes checked. If she is now 21 and it was about 4 years ago that she got her last eye exam that means she was only around 17 at the time. Chances are extremely good that her eyes have changed quite a bit since then. So by now even her once good / better eye has probably gotten worse. I agree with Lazysiow that she likely has a lazy eye and generally if that isn't corrected at a much earlier age it becomes a permanent condition. If in fact she does have a lazy eye it is very possible that she will need prisms added. That may also be in part why she is getting headaches so often. But at the very least I am quite sure her headaches are due to her eyes and with increased reading and other close work the headaches will only get worse. So I have no idea how you can convince her to get here eyes examined but that is clearly where she needs to start. I would be shocked if she isn't advised to wear her glasses full time now.

Lucas 29 Jul 2014, 14:48

Thanks, ill try to convince her to see the dr again as the message of full time wear will come better from him. im surprised though she can see all distances with them so well when only rarely wearing them

HighMyopic 27 Jul 2014, 19:15

I have been enjoying my -29 diopter glasses. I have been ziplining while wearing them, went to a bowling alley with them, and wore them while trying to order a drink at the bowling alley.

lazysiow 27 Jul 2014, 15:32

She definitely should. With that much of a difference she probably has a lazy eye or she is at high risk of developing one since her brain has probably been shutting off her bad eye and she could end up permanently losing vision in that eye if not already

Lucas 22 Jul 2014, 12:16

She has been at university for a year now. She has a lot of headaches but doesnt seem to believe they come from not wearing her glasses. Time to convince her to get a new exam. Would the doctor recommend that kind of prescription to be worn full time to release the strain on the one eye?

Michael 21 Jul 2014, 18:11

My guess is her good eye which is almost perfect is the one she is using to see with.I think when there are two different images the brain will pick the better one. That is what our experts here like Cactus Jack and Soundmanpt I believe always say. As to whether or not your girl friend will become more dependent on her glasses in the future I think the experts here would be more qualified to answer that than I am. But right now she is able to compensate. You say your girl friend is 21. Am I correct that she has been at the university for a few years now? If that is the case she certainly up to now has been able to handle the reading and close work she has to do. But if she has just started university I would say it is possible she may need to wear her glasses more frequently.

Lucas 21 Jul 2014, 17:02

My girlfriend got glasses about 4 years ago that were +2.25 and +0.25. She barely ever wears them. She is now 21 and at university. Is she likely to need them more or is her good eye enough to compensate?

Weirdeyes 18 Jul 2014, 18:39

My eyes were feeling tense today and I got my eyes tested. My prescription is now lower. It used to be L sph +4.25 cyl -1.25 R sph +1.75 cyl -0.75. He changed it to L sph +4.00 cyl -1.25 R sph +1.25 cyl -0.75.

motard 02 Jul 2014, 21:34

My trial lens set came in today. I got to playing with it and it was interesting. Im a little over a year since last professional eye exam.

My last/current glasses rx is

R -6.50 -1.75 020

L -5.25 -2.00 170

With trial lenses and frame I started at previous rx and I came up with

R -7.25 -2.25 030

L -6.00 -2.25 175

I have appt in couple weeks so will be interesting to see what drs come up with

nearsighted girl 02 Jul 2014, 16:53

hi cactus jack,

i never wear my glasses, they're too thick, but i got my mom to loan me the prescription and it is: R -7.50 -2.25 177

L -6.75 -1.75 158. she said i have an exam once a year and my eyes always get worse because i'm 15.

Cactus Jack 02 Jul 2014, 09:31

nearsighted girl,

Thank you for the contact lens prescription. That is much more useful than just the sphere numbers you provided before. However, contact lens prescriptions are often compromises, particularly when a complex prescription is involved. Glasses prescriptions tend to be more accurate. Do you by chance also have a glasses prescription?

An optical prescription is, in many ways, like a recipe for a cake. If you don't include everything in the exact amounts. The cake may not taste very good.

nearsighted girl 01 Jul 2014, 23:08

hi cactus jack

actually i wear contacts and i'm 15 hehe. i copied the numbers from my boxes. they're much more complicated than i posted yesterday. also slightly different for each eye. i wear acuvue oasys for astigmatism. the D number changed from -5.5 to -6.5 for my left eye and from -5.75 to -7.0 for my right eye. the other numbers look like they stayed the same. the left eye is CYL -1.75 AXIS 160 and the right eye is CYL -2.25 AXIS 180. and both sides say BC -8.6 DIA 14.5

rIc 01 Jul 2014, 05:27

nearsighted girl:

Hello. One negative diopter more if you needed -5.50 before is not too notticeable if you are not wearing your correction, just notticeable for far vision if you wear your old prescription. That would mean that you need to read closer, and you need to change your old lenses.

Cactus Jack 01 Jul 2014, 05:06

nearsighted girl,

Assuming you do not need any Cylinder correction, the Sphere numbers you provided mean that your relaxed distance focus point moved from a bit over 7 inches or 18 cm. when you needed -5.50 to 6 inches or 15 cm. now that you need -6.50. Everything beyond those distances is increasingly blurry. Your prescription increased by -1.00 diopter.

In practical terms, that means that if you were able to see distant things clearly with your -5.50 glasses when you first got them, you can now only see things clearly if they are within a distance of 1 meter or 39.37 inches of your eyes.

Worse is a relative term and only has meaning based on what you are trying to do. Your distance vision got worse, but I suspect you didnt notice much difference in your near vision with your -5.50 glasses.

If you want to know more about how all this works, I suggest you do some research on Optics as defined by Sir Isaac Newton, of gravity fame, as he discovered how optics work some 300 years ago. A little research on vision and how the eyes work wouldnt hurt either. If you understand how to multiply and divide, you wont have any trouble with the math.

You did not mention your age or the time between your -5.50 and -6.50 prescriptions, but I suspect you are in your teens. If so, it is likely your vision will get worse until you are in your 20s. Hopefully, at a lower rate of increase.

nearsighted girl 01 Jul 2014, 02:31

so, if the optometrist says you need more minus does it mean your vision got worse? how much worse is it it it changed from -5.5 to -6.5? thanks hehe.

chickenpotpie 30 Jun 2014, 23:40

Thanks for your responses.

Revolver and Soundmanpt, I do have AR coating and dont notice glare when I drive at night. I really dont drive that much but its nice to have when I need them.

Rex, I really dont wear my glasses very much. Honestly only when I drive at night and once in a while when Im watching a game on TV at a bar or looking at a presentation in a meeting. Maybe 3 hours a week total?

Im not worried about ruining my eyes or anything I just dont feel like I need them. I considered getting contacts for part time wear (dailys), had a hard time putting them in and never went back. If I ever reached the point I felt like I needed them for full time wear I would probably try getting contacts again to be honest. I am active and think it would be a better option for sports. Ill reevaluate if this becomes an issue :).

That being said, my frames and cute and stylish (or at least I think so?): http://www.robertmarc.com/collections/women/optical/view/rm-286 - mine look like the ones in the pic but have light blue accent instead of pink. I was very picky this time around. The first time purchased glasses five years ago I felt like I had no idea what I was doing and bought frames I didnt end up liking very well. I didnt want to make that mistake again!

HighMyopic 29 Jun 2014, 00:28

My eyes feel like they ache in the eyeballs after I wear the high minus glasses for a little while. Is this a good sign of inducing myopia? I do feel a bit tipsy every time after wearing the high myopic glasses.

Cactus jack 28 Jun 2014, 22:43

HighMyopic,

You seem to have all the answers, so why are you asking anyone on this forum how to do anything. What could we possibly know that you don't already know. I think you should continue your experiments and let us know how they work out. I have never been entirely happy with the formulas we customarily use or the Excel chart. You could be on to something that we have missed.

You should have the courage to put your money where your mouth and beliefs are and not try to bum glasses and or contact lenses from others. You need to get your glasses and contact the old fashioned way, BUY THEM like the rest of us did.

I will give you a hint. You need to start all calculations with your actual COMPLETE prescription and NEVER try to make someone else's glasses fit you by using contact lenses. The glasses prescription is the LAST thing you order, NOT the FIRST.

HighMyopic 28 Jun 2014, 11:49

Cactus Jack

I think I would need about a +23.5 diopter contact for my left eye and a +24.5 contact for my right eye to be able to see clearly in my -29 glasses. Is that true or would I need some more fine tuning to be able to see clearly?

Cactus Jack 28 Jun 2014, 11:25

It is interesting to compare the two posts, allegedly from HighMyopic, that are 12 minutes apart. The first extols the virtues of his -29 glasses and the second describes his vision with them. I suspect the second one is closer to the truth.

Some rough calculations of vertex distance effects indicate that the effective refractive power of the -29 glasses are about -19 at the cornea. If he normally wears about -5 glasses, he would need +14 diopters of accommodation to see distance reasonably clearly and +16 to +17 to be able to read, without even considering any cylinder that he may need or be present in the -29 glasses.

It is highly unlikely that a person could make the leap from accommodating in the +1 to +3 range for ordinary needs to +14 to +17 without extensive ciliary muscle training and conditioning. It is like going from lifting 20 pound weights to bench pressing 400 pounds in one fell swoop. Even if you succeed in that level of accommodation, it will take quite some time for your brain to learn to deal with the distorted images delivered by high minus glasses. People who need those levels of vision correction, typically have years of gradually increasing prescriptions to learn to deal with them.

Perhaps we should ask Moonshiner to create a thread called "Learning About Vision and Optics - the Hard Way" for people like HighMyopic. There is an old saying: "Knowledge comes from the things you read. Experience comes from the things you didn't."

Likelenses 28 Jun 2014, 00:17

High Myopic

Enough of your nonsense posts. Please go away.

HighMyopic 27 Jun 2014, 23:54

My vision in these -29 glasses is incredibly blurry and extremely rounded. I have really horrible vision with these glasses. I can not read anything on the computer, a box, on instructions or a book. I can walk around, but it really distorted and everything looks far away through the bowls of the myodiscs.

Rex 27 Jun 2014, 23:43

High myopic

You are in a different league!

HighMyopic 27 Jun 2014, 23:42

I now really like to wear my stronger -29 diopter biconcave myodisc glasses much much more that my older -5.50 and -4.50 diopter glasses. The -29 glasses are very conformable to wear and fit me well. I really love the smooth frame and the thicker lenses. My other weaker glasses do not impress me nowhere near as much as these amazing myodisc glasses.

Rex 27 Jun 2014, 23:20

Chickenpotpie, my prescription is -0.75. -0.5 stronger.i now wear contacts fulltime. If I was more comfortable with glasses I might be wearing parttime.do you wear your glasses a lot?

Soundmanpt 26 Jun 2014, 21:06

chickenpotpie

The information that "Revolver" provided you I agree with completely. In regards to your question about how your astigmatism would equal out to if you converted it to only SPH, the eye that is only -.25 would not be changed and the eye with the -.50 if you getting contacts your doctor would most likely write your prescription for that eye as being -.75 for SPH.

The idea of having AR coating on your glasses is also a very good idea because it really does help with glare and reflections and should more comfortable to your eyes as well.

Your doctor gave you good advice about how and when to wear your glasses. Your eyes really only need minimal help for seeing distances and none really for close work.

But if you like wearing your glasses even when you don't really need them your doing no harm to your eyes at all. So if you choose to wear your glasses for fashion its not doing any harm.

Revolver 26 Jun 2014, 20:28

Yes, your experience re distance/close vision is spot on for that RX. Your spherical equivalent is as you stated, meaning the total minus. The only suggestion is that since driving and especially at night seems to be your main usage, get AR lenses as you'll notice a great improvement that has nothing to do with your scrip. And at age 32 it's highly unlikely you'll have an increase or even a change until you become presbyopic and need a reading add and even that will be postponed somewhat as you can do near point fine without correction. But, given the nature of this site, I do hope you have a wardrobe of attractive frames and wear them often as a fashion accessory.

chickenpotpie 26 Jun 2014, 19:40

Hi all,

I'm a 32 year old F. My prescription is:

- 1.0 -.25 90

- .5 -.5 80

I wear glasses part time, primarily for driving at night. I'd had them for about 5 years with minimal change in prescription.

I don't get headaches when I don't wear them. I really can't tell the difference honestly unless i'm looking at something far away like a sign. In fact, my eye dr. suggested I don't wear then when i'm working on a computer and really only wear them for distance activities like driving and watching sporing events.

Silly question, is my vision similar to a person who is -1.25, - 1? Essentially, add my astigmatism to my distance number.

I don't even notice blurriness up close as a result of my astigmatism, is this typical for a person with a low amount?

KarenZ 18 Jun 2014, 08:23

My previous prescription was:

+ 1.00 -.75 010 Add +2.25

+ 2.25 -.75 160 Add +2.25

I had not had an exam for about 3 years so it changed quite a bit just was wondering if I should spend the money to order high-index or it if would really matter that much. I have never ordered high-index before.

Slit 17 Jun 2014, 22:14

KarenZ,

When looking at the Rx can imagine it's going to look slightly thick. But it all depends on comparative way you look at the previous glasses of yours.

What was your previous Rx?

Was it for Presbyopia (generally after 40 years of age) or for hyperopia (can occur at any age)?

KarenZ 17 Jun 2014, 11:52

Hi, just got a new prescription. Do you think I will need to go to High Index Lenses or what would be the best lense to get. Not sure how thick these would be with the standard lenses.

+ 2.00- .75 010 Add +3.50

+ 3.50- .75 160 Add +3.50

Brian 05 Jun 2014, 21:47

Jill, My lenses look similar to yours and mine are pretty much flat fronts as well. I have a little more prism in my glasses than you do 5BI in each eye. For the 1st time since I got prisms in my glasses for the 1st time back in 2010 it held steady at my exam this year and the doc said I should likely level off with needing 10 to 12 total prisms 5 to 6 in each eye. I'm still in my mid 30's so hopefully I have a few years farther away than being bit my the bifocal bug like you mentioned might be happening to you soon.

Likelenses 03 May 2014, 20:58

Ava

Did you discuss future Rx increases,and the potential for her to wear bifocals to slow her progression?

Do you wear glasses for myopia?

Ava 03 May 2014, 18:00

to Likelenses and others:

My daughter had her doctor's appointment today. The doctor confirmed what the nurse thought -- she needs stronger glasses. Here is her new prescription:

R -10.25 -0.50 95 L -11.00 -1.00 90

She seemed very happy to see so clearly.

Jill 03 May 2014, 13:46

They are hi index lenses, my invoice said 1.67 index.

Likelenses 03 May 2014, 01:45

Jill

Great looking glasses!

The photo looking down at them from the top appears that the front of the lenses are perfectly flat.

The base in prism makes them look much stronger than - 5.

Would love to see you in them.

Jill 02 May 2014, 23:58

Here is the clickable link for my glasses, http://imageshack.com/user/jillybean74 I noticed the 1st link didn't go through I posted a few days ago.

Likelenses 02 May 2014, 01:18

Ava

Opps,Where I was talking about her previous increases in Rx, I said -.05 ,but really meant-.50.

Also forgot to explain the four readings for each eye.The autorefractor takes four very rapid readings and the doctor can then average them to determine a starting point for which lenses to set up in the phoropter,at which point she will say which is better 1,or 2.

Her autorefractor readings are really pretty close,so no need to get a second opinion. But do get her the exam,and the new glasses.

Do you wear glasses?If so what is your Rx?

Likelenses 02 May 2014, 01:05

Ava

From the fact that your daughter has had glasses since Kindergarten,and her Rx is quite strong,you most likely are aware that she has what is called progressive myopia.Actually her Rx as of Sept is such that she most likely has had rather small increases in her Rx every year,probably about -.05,with a few about -1.00.Really not too bad for progressive myopia.

The readings,four for each eye,were done on an instrument called an autorefractor.It give the Optometrist a pretty good idea where to start when doing the subjective part of her exam.It looks like her right eye will need about -1.00 more,and her left -1.50 more with perhaps a bit more cylinder correction in the left for the astigmatism.Overall those are not huge increases,but between now,and her completion of college,it is likely she may have a few more like these.

Yes, she is having difficulty seeing the board,as her right eye is about 20/70,and her left is about 20/100 with her glasses.This would be about or slightly worse vision than a person that would be getting their first pair of glasses.

You may want to ask the doctor if he thinks that bifocals would help slow down her progression.With college visual demands a progressive myope often benefits from them.

By her early twenties her Rx should stabilize,but do not be surprised if it is about -15,or so.

Ava 01 May 2014, 23:51

The nurse at my daughters school said she needs new glasses, so I took her to the optical shop where she got her current glasses. The eye doctor was out but a technician tested her eyes and gave me a printout. The technician also put a copy into the file. She said my daughters vision got a lot worse and she cant see the board properly with her glasses. Can someone tell me if she needs new glasses, or if the shop is just trying to make a sale? She is 17 and has had glasses since kindergarten.

The prescription she got last September is:

R -9.00 -0.50 95

L -9.50 -1.00 80

The printout we got today is:

-10.00 -0.75 92

-10.50 -0.50 94

-10.25 -0.50 97

-10.00 -0.50 89

-11.00 -1.00 93

-11.00 -1.25 93

-10.75 -1.25 90

-11.00 -1.25 93

Is that enough of a change for her to need new glasses?

Is it true that her eyes got a lot worse?

Why are there 4 lines for each eye, with different numbers? It doesn't give me much confidence in the exam they gave her.

Should I get a 2nd opinion?

Jill 29 Apr 2014, 22:08

I uploaded a few photos of my current specs with 4 BI prism in each eye. https://imageshack.com/user/jillybean74

Jill 29 Apr 2014, 12:50

My appointment was a few months back and the doctor said I was "borderline" for needing progressives/bifocals but expect to need them in the next year or two. My main question was how would this be different for needing prisms and bifocals/progressives at the same time. With the three components all is my glasses minus lenses/prism/reading add, how tough would that be to get used too and with the prism are progressives a better fit than lined bifocals. I have gotten used to the prism over the last 10 years or so. When I first needed prism I thought it would be a huge deal, because I was primarily a contact lenses wearer but especially when my prism increased over the years got used to it and I've been lucky its stayed at 4D BI in each eye and not progressed any farther.

Soundmanpt 29 Apr 2014, 12:25

lola

I just noticed your post and I am sorry I didn't see it before. But I don't think you were given "prisms" for your astigmatisms. If you have copy of your prescription those new numbers should be in the boxes under CYL. That is just a slight change in how they make your glasses.

Soundmanpt 29 Apr 2014, 12:18

Jill

If you were able to tel an improvement at the doctors office with the add that means you do need it and by holding off even though you feel as if your close vision is still all right, it isn't. Reading and other close work is now straining your eyes and if your eyes likely get tired out much easier these days when your doing close work. The add would relax your eyes and made doing close chores much more tolerable. Also by getting the add now i'm sure it would be just a very weak add and very easy for you to get used to. Remember by getting progressives unless you tell people no one will even know there bifocals.

DaveV 29 Apr 2014, 11:46

Jill, I just got my progressives for the first time and I find it a lot easier. The adjustment was easy. You should just go ahead and get your add.

Cactus Jack 27 Apr 2014, 02:09

HighMyopic,

You can at cactusjack1928 @hotmail.com, but I can tell you up front that I don't have an absolute answer. I suspect that glasses of that power have to be made by specialty labs and not your typical online retailers. That said, you might try Optical4less. They used to have a Special Makings Department that were quite good at unusual and high prescriptions. However, they are not cheap.

You asked if you were legally blind and I tried to answer, with a questions about your Visual Acuity, which is typically the Snellen Fraction that indicates which line you can read on a Snellen Chart. In English units, 20/20 is normal vision, which means that you can read the 20 ft line at a distance of 20 ft. or in Metric units 6/6 meaning you can read the 6 meter line at a distance of 6 meters. BTW, 20/20 or 6/6 is considered "normal". The lines below that one 20/15 or in rare instances 20/10 are considered "perfect" vision, but with that VA, you are approaching the limits of the number of rods and cones in your retina.

If you need -5.50 correction in your Left eye and -4.50 in your Right, I can assure you that your vision without correction is much worse than 20/200 and the big E at the top of the chart is likely a blob. However, that is NOT legally blind. "Legal blindness" is a defined legal term which can vary some, depending on where you live. In the US, Legal Blindness is generally defined at having a Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) of less than 20/200 in your best eye. If your vision can be corrected to better than 20/200 with contacts or glasses, you are not Legally Blind and are not eligible for disability benefits.

HighMyopic 27 Apr 2014, 01:31

Im not sure. Can I email you about a question that I have about ordering a -30 diopter pair of glasses?

Cactus Jack 27 Apr 2014, 01:23

HighMyopic,

What is your best corrected visual acuity in your best eye?

HighMyopic 27 Apr 2014, 00:57

I am -5.50 left eye and -4.50 right eye. Am I legally blind?

Clare 24 Apr 2014, 14:51

George1968 - I'd say I'm 80/20 glasses/contacts. If at home I'll wear glasses but if going out wear contacts. If out with close friends I'll probably go with glasses. At work I rarely wear contacts now. I still feel that contacts = making the effort to look my best!

George1968 24 Apr 2014, 06:30

Clare,

How are things going? Are you still wearing contacts part-time, or are you just saving them up for special occasions given your problems with them?

Clare 23 Apr 2014, 15:06

Jill - I have two friends who've gone to progressives with no problem at all, both say it was very easy to get used to them. Good luck. I take heart from their experience.

Jill 23 Apr 2014, 14:57

Thanks Roy. I'm hoping to hold off on the bifocals for as long as possible, ha ha. I haven't noticed any real trouble seeing up close yet, but when they did the test at the doctors office and my doc showed how an add would help, it did brighten things up a bit, up close. But I'm coping fine with my single vision prism glasses for another year. Still can't believe I'll be 40 already later this year. The joys of growing old.

Roy 22 Apr 2014, 06:19

Jill,

I am in my mid-sixties and have successfully combined progressives with prisms in my glasses for over 20 years with no problems. I am around -3 sph in my right eye and -5.5 in my left and have prism correction of 10 BO + 2 BD right eye and 10 BO + 3BU left eye. My add is up to 2.75 now.

I went straight from single vision to progressives without ever having lined bifocals and have had no problems, except some difficulty with intermediate vision for computer work when I reached the age of about 60. To avoid having to tilt my head back to see the screen clearly I bought an extra pair of progressives with intermediate correction at the top and near at the bottom. However at age 39 you will not have this problem.

Jill 21 Apr 2014, 17:42

Its been a few years since I visited this board, I'm 39 years old, have been pretty much a full time glasses wearer for the last 10 years, I got glasses during my school days but switched to contacts soon after and wore mainly contacts until I was 29 and needed prism in my glasses. I started at 1D BI in each eye and moved up to 4D BI in each eye at 35 and luckily I've stayed stable both with my distance script in the -5's and my prism at 4D BI in each eye. When I went for an eye exam last month my doctor told me I was starting to get borderline to needing bifocals or progressives and could need them by next year. I was just wondering for those readers to this site that wear prisms and bifocals, how difficult of an adjustment was it? Is it any different than normally adjusting to bifocals if I didn't have prism in my glasses? Is it easier going with progressives or lined bifocals? I'd like to stick with the no-lined bifocals because even though I'm approaching 40 I still feel much younger than my age.

lola 20 Apr 2014, 12:36

haven't been to this board in ages and ages, but just got my new prescription and it made me feel nostalgic...

left eye -1.75

right eye -3.00

only a slight change from what i've had in previous years, but there's a new addition! for the first time my doctor has figured out that i have a slight astigmatism, so i also have a prism now. +0.25 in the left eye and +0.75 on the right. this is the first time i've had this so i'm not sure what it means. i just got two pairs of glasses with it and my vision is so much better.

Cactus Jack 11 Apr 2014, 21:55

Rex,

Vision occurs in the brain, your eyes are merely biological cameras. The brain is capable of doing some very sophisticated image processing of blurry images, but it takes a lot of extra work. When you wear contacts or glasses to correct your vision, your brain quickly gets used to not having to do the extra work and it is pretty common for most people to notice apparently increased blurriness without your contacts or glasses.

FYI, the difference between glasses and contact lens prescriptions only occurs above about -4.50 or +4.50. The difference is caused by vertex distance effects of glasses or phoropters or trial lens frames where the lenses are typically about 12 mm away from your cornea. Vertex distance effects are related to the mathematical square of the glasses prescription. At -1.25 they are insignificant. Let me know if you are interested in how that works.

Hopefully, you have had some instruction from an Eye Care Professional about hygiene and care of contact lenses. Also how much you can safely wear them. The most important issues about wearing contacts is oxygen permeability and tear film. Both are very important for care of your corneas. The corneas have no blood supply and must get oxygen from the air and moisture from tears. Ideally, the contacts float on a thin film of tears that gets constantly refreshed. The key is comfort. If you notice any discomfort with your contacts, do something about it.

The idea that a person with a prescription of -1.25 does not really need glasses is frankly, bunk. Without correction you cannot see clearly beyond 80 cm or 31.5 inches. Squinting may help some because of what is called "pinhole" effects, but that is not a good way to go through life. Clear vision should be comfortable and effortless.

Rex 11 Apr 2014, 20:06

Coz I like the new vision with contacts I have been wearing most days. But I now find on days I don't wear contacts it is much harder to see signs. Is this a bad sign?

I don't like wearing glasses but struggling without.

Is it ok to go wear contacts all the time?

If not should I rest eyes or wear glasses more?

I still feel a weak lens to be concerned?

mikedorb 07 Mar 2014, 22:55

Why does your wife feel you don't need glasses? It sounds like it is because her vision is much worse than yours and she has no choice but to probably wear correction full time. And if you you are a person who doesn't want to tolerate any blur and you said you squint when not wearing correction then by all means wear your contacts or glasses full time. Absolutely. That is your decision and nobody else's.Nobody else knows how you see.

mikedorb 07 Mar 2014, 22:43

What is your glasses prescription? Is it like -.25 stronger than your contact lenses prescription?A lot of times the two are different from what I have read. But whatever it is I will say what others have said here in the past. You don't need anybody's permission to wear your glasses and you wear them for your benefit and nobody else's. So if you feel you see well wearing them full time and you like the way you look in them go for it and wear them full time.There is no minimum prescription for someone to wear glasses full time. It is personal choice.

Rex 07 Mar 2014, 22:25

To add

My wife who is-5.50 thinks I don't need glasses. I feel I would just like to wear contacts or glasses (which are more comfortable)fulltime rather than squint? Am I too sensitive to blur?

Rex 07 Mar 2014, 22:13

-1.25 contacts which give crisp vision.

My glasses are 'weak'. What minimum prescription can I wear glasses (which are so much more comfortable) fulltime, without comment?

mikedorb 07 Mar 2014, 19:22

I don't know if she would be legal to drive if she had to pass an eye test.I have my doubts because her left eye is quite hyperopic with a moderate amount of astigmatism. But Cactus Jack could not give me any kind of an estimate of what her vision might be in that eye because there isn't a direct relationship between refractive errors and vision acuity. I would like to have a rough estimate as to her vision acuity in that eye but I guess that isn't possible. Are we talking 20/70, 20/100, 20/200? I guess nobody knows except Chris' eye doctor. Am I missing something because I don't have the knowledge that some others here do but wouldn't the odds be that Chris having less accommodation than someone say 20 years younger than her would likely have poorer vision acuity than a younger person with a similar level of hyperopia?

I don' think my distance vision is terrible but I wouldn't dream of driving without glasses, especially at night. I want to have the best possible vision I can have and that means wearing my glasses for driving. So for me it is irrelevant whether or not I can pass a motor vehicle eye test or not without glasses. I wish I knew what Chris' vision is without glasses. All I would say is it is likely to be something less than 20/20 but how much less I have no idea.But she chooses to not wear her glasses and there is nothing I can do about it.

Another strange thing that Chris does is wear non prescription sunglasses all the time for driving even when it is cloudy out or at night.That one I can't figure out at all. But on several occasions she almost went into a state of panic because she couldn't find her sunglasses. I don't think she can drive without them and they aren't even prescription. I would think that the glasses would make her vision even worse when it is cloudy or at night than it ordinarily is. I don't see how non prescription sunglasses could possibly improve her vision especially when it is cloudy or at night. As a joke I have thought about hiding her sunglasses when she goes to bed and then see what happens the next morning when she has to go to work and can't find them. But I can't be that mean.

About a month ago I had an eye exam and it was a bright sunny day so they gave me shades to put over my regular glasses when I drove home because of the drops in my eyes. Since Burger King was on the way home I stopped there for lunch but decided to keep the shades on. I walked into the restaurant and it was kind of an eerie feeling because everything was so dark inside. I ordered my food and ate there but while doing so was thinking about Chris and wondering about how she could drive when it was cloudy out or at night wearing shades. Because I don't think I could.I really don't know how she does it. Maybe it has to do with me not being used to driving with sunglasses. But I don't drive long distances or overall that much and because I am on a fixed income I could not justify spending money on a pair of prescription sunglasses. I wouldn't get enough use out of them to justify the cost. But I could not even imagine wearing sunglasses when driving at night or when it is cloudy out. I don't drive much at night and neither does Chris but with Chris having something less than perfect vision and on top of it wearing the sunglasses honestly I don't know how she sees anything at all.

astigmaphile 07 Mar 2014, 17:57

Mikedorb,

I realize that how much a person wears their glasses is a personal decision. However, if their vision is less that 20/40 they are not legal to drive in most states. I would hate to see her get in trouble because her visiobn just wasn't good enough for driving, especially after dark.

mikedorb 07 Mar 2014, 13:22

Cactus Jack

Thank you so much for your quick reply. You are right on about everything you said about Chris even though you don't know her. Chris has a very strong personality who always thinks she is right about everything. She challenges everything I say even factual information so I learned a long time ago to not fight her on anything she says. Just let it go and let her find things out by herself. She thinks she is right about everything and everybody else is wrong. So no way I will say anything to her about wearing her glasses full time. I might think that she should but that is her decision. I agree with you that it is personal preference or choice. And the more you push someone to do something, especially someone as stubborn as Chris is, the less chance there is of that person doing the thing you want them to do. But when something happens to her new glasses I don't want her to come crying to me because I am not going to be very sympathetic. I told her before that if she was that unhappy with the place she should go to another place to get her eyes examined and new glasses. But Chris decided to go back to the same place. If I was as unhappy as she was I think I would have found a different place to go. I have no personal experience with the place as I never went there myself to get my eyes examined. But something seems strange about that place. Her appointment was done in a half hour and that included time to pick out new glasses frames. I never had an eye exam that took less than 45 minutes that I can remember. I asked Chris some questions about the exam. I asked if they put drops in her eyes and she said yes.Then I asked about a refractive exam and she said she didn't know what that was. Then I told her that is when they put different lenses in her eyes to see which ones she can see better with and they should do it both for close and distance vision. She told me that they never tested her eyes without her glasses and just had her read some lines wearing her glasses. That sounded very strange to me but with Chris you never get the whole story. But being in and out in a half hour makes me wonder what kind of eye exam they gave her. I talked to a couple of other people as well and they never heard of an eye exam being that short. Knowing Chris she probably didn't spend much time picking out frames. She figures she won't be wearing the glasses much so it wouldn't surprise me if she just took the first thing she tried on. And once she picked out frames then they had to do measurements so you figure that would have taken a few minutes. Doesn't sound to me that the actual exam was more than 20 minutes. Chris wanted no part of metal frames this time because she feels they are not sturdy enough so what she might have done is ask them for the strongest plastic frame they had. I will wait for the plastic frame to break and listen to who she blames this time. Because if she continues to drop her glasses on the floor and they break how is it not her fault? And if she loses her glasses she is really in bad shape. Because her insurance only pays for one pair per year and Chris works in a low paying retail job so she could not afford another pair of glasses.She would then try to get by with store readers but would be unlikely to find any strong enough to really help her that much especially considering the difference in the vision between her eyes.

So I guess it it impossible to figure out how well Chris sees out of her left eye. The only one who would know would be her eye doctor I would think. But another thought is I wonder if she would be able to pass a motor vehicle eye test without her glasses. Fortunately for her we live in the state of CT and that is one of only a handful of states that does not require a periodic eye exam to renew your license.You have to pass an eye exam to get your license and then never again. I think in CT you have to have at least 20/40 vision in each eye to pass the eye test. Maybe she can but I would have doubts that she would be able to pass with her left eye at least. And she also has a moderate amount of astigmatism in that eye as well and I don't know how much that impacts her vision.

But at some point even Chris might have to relent and begin wearing her glasses full time. But that is going to be entirely up to her. Nothing I could say or even if the doctor says something isn't going to get her to do it. I think vanity is a huge issue with Chris as you said. It is something she is going to have to do on her own terms. Maybe one day wanting to see is going to be more important to her than vanity. Then she will wear her glasses. But we might be looking so far in the future I may not be around to see it. And I find it unusual that her eyes haven't changed in about 4 years. Usually wouldn't someone Chris' age need a little more plus for reading over that period of time? I would have thought she would have needed a little more plus this time. I did Chris' income tax and she couldn't read the routing number on her debit card. Then she gave it to me and although the numbers were very small I was able to read it.

But it is comical when she talks to people on the phone and tells everybody about my terrible vision. I am sitting at my computer and want to start laughing. And these people who she is telling I am sure don't care one bit about my vision. For some reason she seems much more concerned about my vision than her own. I don't understand why. Chris' feeling is she only wears her glasses for reading and I wear mine full time so her eyes have to be a lot better than mine. But that is a personal decision. I choose to wear mine full time and she chooses not to. But how can she have any idea what I can see without glasses? Once again Chris thinks she knows everything about everything. But with me it was my decision to begin wearing my glasses full time. Nobody told me to do it. And it is going to have to be that way for Chris.But Chris is one stubborn woman.

John 07 Mar 2014, 05:03

Juicebox,

Excellent choice ! They look pretty.

Also, you were right for the lenses, you will not get those peuple reflections.

Could you take a photo of your glasses with the lenses and post it ?

Warm Regards

Cactus Jack 06 Mar 2014, 22:28

Mikedorb,

Please check Vision and Specs for a response, I am having some trouble myself with server errors on ES.

mikedorb 06 Mar 2014, 16:24

My friend went for an eye exam on Monday and received the following prescription which she tells me hasn't changed in about 4 years. But she is going to get new glasses anyway.

OD +1.00 -0.50 75 Add 2.00

OS +3.00 -1.25 100 Add 2.00

She is going to be 52 years old later this month. I do understand some about eyeglass prescriptions but what strikes me as unusual is the difference between her eyes. I know there is often a difference but I would think 2.00 would be a lot. I do have a few questions.

1) Is my friend' script one which most people would wear full time? My friend just uses her glasses for reading and the computer. Once in a while she puts them on to see some script on the TV and then she takes them right off. And she never uses them for driving.

2) Any idea what my friend's vision acuity is in her left eye. it seems to me it wouldn't be very good. I can't find anything on the Internet that converts plus scripts to a 20 something number like you can for minus myopia scripts. And I know a person with a +3.00 distance script doesn't have the same vision acuity as someone with a -3.00 script. Plus she has a moderate amount of astigmatism in her left eye and I don't know how much that factors in. How blurry do you think her vision is in that eye? It seems to me that because of the difference in her vision between her eyes that she would be better off wearing her glasses full time but I don't know.

3) Could my friend have developed a lazy eye as a child that was neither diagnosed or treated and that is the reason that the vision in her two eyes is so different?

But what bothers me is she tells everybody she only needs her glasses to see small print and can see fine otherwise. She doesn't even say reading and she emphasizes the small print. So everybody thinks she has great vision but that is not what her script shows. She lives with me and I managed to locate it on Tuesday when she left for work and made a copy for myself. I have been curious about her vision for a long time because she has given me some indications that she is having trouble seeing even though she will never admit it. One thing she seems to do is blink much more than the average person does. Could that have something to do with the discrepancy between her eyes? But she says her vision is great and mine is terrible because I wear my glasses full time and she doesn't. Here is my script from an exam which I got a month ago. I am 60 years old.

OD +0.75 -1.00 160 Add 2.50

OS +0.75 -1.25 15 Add 2.50

How could her vision be better than mine? Her left eye seems very bad much worse than either of my eyes. And I don't think her close vision is better than mine either. Even in her better eye her distance script is .25 higher than mine even though her astigmatism is lower than either of my eyes. So I can't really compare how she sees with her better eye compared to me. But her left eye seems so much weaker than either of my eyes. Honestly I don't know how she manages to drive without glasses.Even her good eye isn't perfect for distance. I don't think my distance script is that much and I wouldn't even think about driving without glasses.It is my choice to wear my glasses full time like it is her choice to wear hers only for reading and the computer. You can't compare the vision between two people based on how much they wear their glasses. Some people won't tolerate any blur and other people don't mind walking around even if things are quite blurry. It is personal choice.If Chris thinks I am blind then she is too.

But I have suggested to her that maybe she should wear her glasses more than she does.And she won't hear of it. She had a lot of problems with her last glasses. She got a metal frame and because she always keeps her glasses on the top of her head, on her shirt or loose in her purse they are always falling on the floor. No wonder she is constantly dealing with broken glasses and lenses popping out. And Chris doesn't believe in eyeglass cases as she never keeps her glasses in the case when she isn't wearing them.She blamed her glasses breaking on the place selling her a cheap metal frame. So this time she got plastic which she thinks will be more durable. OK but I can't get it through Chris' head that the problem with her glasses breaking has nothing to do with the frame, the place she bought them from or the lab and has everything to do with how she handles her glasses. If glasses are constantly falling on the floor there is a great chance they are going to eventually get damaged or broken. Unless she changes what she does with her glasses she will continue to have problems and I don't think she is planning to change anything. And she has lost her glasses in the past as well.I am sure the new plastic ones she is getting will break too probably sooner than later.

With the difference in vision between her two eyes along with the problem she has with her glasses breaking all the time I think full time wear would be best for her. If the glasses are on her face they are not likely to break and she won't lose them. Much more can go wrong with glasses when you aren't wearing them than when you are. I have worn glasses for over 50 years and never lost a pair or had them break. But Chris is worse with glasses than anybody I have ever seen in my life. And watching her constantly take them off and put them back on makes me nervous. She wears bifocals so why not just leave them on? I know she would likely see much better at all distances wearing her glasses. I could never deal with the on and off stuff. I first got progressives when I was about 45 years old and that is when I went full time. I wonder if the doctor ever suggested to Chris as to when she should wear her glasses. If he did I know she wouldn't tell me. But my experience is that most doctors and opticians don't offer advice unless you specifically ask. You shouldn't though have to tell a 52 year old woman when she should wear her glasses.

mikedorb 06 Mar 2014, 16:22

"Test"

Juicebox 06 Mar 2014, 09:15

John,

I got the normal plastic ones because the frames are quite thick plastic. I found them online and they are these ones ( http://www.designerframes2u.com/designerframes2u_shop/prod_2475434-Anna-Sui-Glasses-AS565-Demi-Purple.html ) They don't stick out or anything, so I don't see the point in paying the extra money for them. Also, people on here have mentioned that they aren't always the best choice anyway.

My optician said to still come back in six months rather than 12 as I still got an increase and my eyesight isn't fully stable, but he assured me that it's a good sign that my slightly worse eye only went up -0.5. Hopefully next time it won't go up and I can go back to annual visits.

GreginColo 05 Mar 2014, 22:45

Thank you Patrick for your uplifting and encouraging response to Sam who was concerned, and seemingly down in spirit, about his progressing myopia and the worry about future increases. You have hopefully given him confidence, that even with a minus Rx, as you mentioned, almost twice his, that good corrected vision is totally possible, and today's frames and lenses make such high correction much less obvious than when you and I were young.

Craig 05 Mar 2014, 20:06

This guy puts it all in perspective.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USe186lsTnA

Patrick B 05 Mar 2014, 15:23

Sam --

No, I'm not blind!! In fact my corrected vision is quite good, especially with contacts.

My myopia began to slow down substantially by my late teens although it crept up a bit throughout my twenties and thirties. Now don't freak out but my prescription for eyeglasses is L -23.75 and R -22.50 with a minor bit of astigmatism. (My contact lens prescription is a bit less.) So I have a prescription nearly twice yours. The most important thing is that I have healthy eyes and I'm nearly 60. Today's lens technology is so much more sophisticated today so my lenses look quite good, especially when compared to what was available when I was a your age.

You might recall that I said most people don't really notice the power of lenses. Well, last Christmas I met up with a colleague I hadn't seen for a long time. This guy has a prescription, I'd estimate, of about -12. I guess this was the first time he had seen me in glasses and he actually asked me if I had to wear correction full time. Unbelievable that someone with his visual needs wouldn't note just how strong my glasses were!! I guess this just reinforces my earlier point.

It sounds like you're headed to the optometrist. Let us know how it goes.

Puffin 04 Mar 2014, 15:19

Sam (NSBB)

There's some truth to what you read about myopia getting worse simply because of being corrected, but how the eye will react to correction is not entirely predictable. If your ECP is finding that your myopia is really climbing quickly, then to slow it down a little, bifocals or being cautious about overcorrection when renewing prescriptions are options to consider. Or you can try an older pair of glasses for close work.

Learning to drive will help, you will be looking into the distance more. Perhaps you could try activities (eg, go for a walk) that get you away from study and close work all the time.

Unfortunately, the ECP has to think about clear distance vision now vs perhaps somewhat thicker glasses later on - and really the preference is that you can see clearly now.

GreginColo 04 Mar 2014, 14:32

Hello Sam (aka Nsbb); in addition to what Patrick and Cactus Jack have already mentioned;

1) it seems like you do a lot of computer work and reading, so when you get new stronger glasses for distance vision, you may want to keep you older ones for reading and computer work as this may make it easier on your eyes and then use the stronger ones for crisp distance vision. I know its a pain to swap glasses but a lot of us do it.

2) as you approach the age where, depending on where you live, you can learn to drive, you will want to keep your distance vision as clear as possible even if that means updating your Rx annually or semi-annually. I know that may require more cash outlay but there are on-line sources that make glasses within your Rx, and even a lot stronger, at a very reasonable price, and with wide options of lenses and attractive frames. Keep us posted.

Not so blind boy 04 Mar 2014, 13:46

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, you're right about it not looking too different but I read that stronger lenses can make your eyes get worse quicker and I don't want that. When did your eyes stop getting bad? How bad did they get? Can you still see (if you don't mind me asking?)

Sam

john 04 Mar 2014, 13:27

Hi Juicebox,

Thank you for the update and congratulation for your new glasses.

Did you got normal plastic lenses or did you go for high index ?

What was the comment of your optometrist ?

Did he think that your nearsigntness is now stabilized ?

When do you have to go back ?

Thank you to keep us so well posted

Patrick B 04 Mar 2014, 12:20

Hi Not So Blind Boy --

When I was your age I was going through a similar myopic progression and felt quite discouraged. Nevertheless, there's nothing you can really do about it other than get a new prescription and enjoy good sight once again. Most people don't understand glasses or their relative strengths so don't worry about about anyone spotting your new and stronger lenses. What people will notice, however, is if you're squinting to see things in the distance; pushing your glasses up against your nose to see better and/or tilting them which increases their effective strength.

As you have probably learned, after a certain level of myopia (say, around -9/-10) you really can't see unaided any longer so higher prescription levels become, well, "whatever". A -12 prescription really isn't much worse than a -10 when you take your glasses off.

You might want to see if your parents will spring for lenses which have the highest refractive power, and your optician should be able to direct you to frames which, when combined with high-index lenses, help minimize lens thickness. And glasses are considered very cool now which they weren't when I was fifteen.

Myopic progression like ours generally slows down when growth spurts have stopped. So ... don't worry about something over which you have no control.

Let us know how you make out with your eye exam.

Juicebox 04 Mar 2014, 10:16

Hi John

Yes, I did get an increase, but it was pretty painless in that I only went up -0.5 in one eye and -0.25 in the other (I think).

R: -4.25 -0.25 165

L: -3.75 -0.25 25

I went glasses shopping with the boyfriend and he was super helpful. For me, I know that my friends will tell me that I look good, even if it's not the case - not that it's a bad thing in general terms, but when it comes to fashion/style it's not all that helpful. Whereas my boyfriend was honest and at one point laughed because a pair looked so bad "they're nearly the same size as your little pea head" I think was the quote when trying on a more hipster style. We have a very laid back relationship and have a very similar sense of humour and I think that was key in picking out new frames as he could just be honest, there was no treading on eggshells.

I managed to find an amazing pair that were available in a 48mm eyesize, which NEVER happens. It seems most start at 51mm and they are too big. They are by Anna Sui and are tortoiseshell on the outside and glittery purple on the inside, they also have the trademark Anna Sui roses on the outside. The glitter isn't too obvious though, so were I to wear them to work, they would be smart enough, but still a little quirky.

Hope you're well :)

Not so blind boy 04 Mar 2014, 08:59

Hi all,

You're right, at least I'm not blind with my glasses, although at the moment it feels like it - I can't see for sh** even with them at the moment! I think it's time to make an appointment with my eye doctor :(

1, Where do you live?

I live in the South.

2. Do you have an Eye Care Professional (ECP) who specializes in treating Myopia?

Uh not so sure. I see the same guy I have seen since I first got glasses when I was 6 (and then I really was blind - boy did I need glasses then!).

3. What are your interests in school?

Math, math and more math! I also like languages but I want to do Math at college.

4. Do you read, use a computer, tablet or smartphone, a lot.?

Yeah. I read a lot (mainly fiction) and I use my smartphone and my computer.

5. Have you had any Math or Science courses?

Yeah. I've taken advanced calculus and algebra and I like Physics, Chemistry and Biology lots.

6. Are you interested in how things work?

Yeah. Maybe would like to be an engineer.

Thanks, Sam

Soundmanpt 04 Mar 2014, 00:37

Revolver

You are correct that the doctor does measure the PD as well, but it is considered part of the buying of glasses and is done by the optician as well at that time. Your right the biggest chain in the world that owns most all of the big name stores is of course the main one that won't provide a PD. They include Lenscrafter's, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical and many of the J.C. Penny Optical, as well as Sunglass Hut. Oh and by the way they also own many of the larger designer frame companies including Oakley and Ray-Ban. Now they also have their own vision insurance company. Can you see a trend here? They are trying to control the entire vision industry. If they do they will certainly drive all the small shops out of business. This is why I highly recommend that when anyone is making an appointment to get their eyes examined they ask first if they can have not only a copy of their rx as well as their PD. If they say they won't provide the PD then simply say well that's too bad then I will call someone that will. It's funny most all the other smaller retailers don't have a problem with providing the PD. The biggest of them all is scared of the on line retailers. So best way to make them change their policy is to boycot them. People complain about Wal-Mart driving small business out, but even though I am not a big fan of Wal-Mart this huge company is far more dangerous because of how excessive their prices are. They all have the highest priced exams as well as glasses. You would think the fact that own the companies that makes the frames and lenses the prices should be going down not up.

Revolver 03 Mar 2014, 20:52

Re Mags postings: Soundman, they do indeed measure PD as part of the exam, every patient record I've ever seen has it. But you're right, Mag didn't buy glasses there so they didn't release it and these days due to online bargains you'll have to pry it out of them. And, under law, the rx is yours and they have to release it...but, they don't have to release the PD as it's part of the fitting not the PD.

Mag, how much the glasses help is partially dependent on your dominant eye. If it's the -.50 eye it would have less impact than if it's the non-dominant. The dominant will take over in your brain and give you the best distance VA from the dominant eye.

Soundman is right, even that low an rx will help especially driving at night and especially with AR coating. Besides, why the reluctance to wear what is now a big time fashion statement?

Soundmanpt 03 Mar 2014, 19:26

Mags

The reason they didn't provide you with your PD was because you weren't ordering glasses. The eye exam doesn't include measuring your PD as it is a function done after you have picked out the frames you would have wanted for glasses. Since you used to wear glasses before you got lasik if you recall after you had picked out the glasses you wanted the optician sat across a small table from you and he or she looked into something that looked like a viewer and you looked through the other side. That device was what they used to get that measurement. But it is very simple to do and there are several ways to get it. One way is to find a well lighted room such as a bathroom and by using a ruler that has millimeters on it. As you you know your pupils are the small dark spots in the center of your eyes. So by standing back and looking straight ahead measure from the center of your left pupil to the center of your right pupil. This number is usually between 26mm and 62mm. Another way is to have someone do it for you and it is best to do it several times and use the number that comes up most often. To be honest your prescription is so weak that even being off a millimeter or two wouldn't hurt anything.

I totally agree with Cactus Jack the prescription you got is as you know pretty weak but I think even though you are still legal to drive without glasses they would make a nice pleasant improvement on driving after dark. You would also benefit by wearing them if you were at a sporting event or a concert. They will just make things a little bit clearer and sharper. I think Cactus Jack was saying your corrected vision would be about 20/15. My guess is your uncorrected vision is likely closer to 20/30.

I highly recommend Zenni (zennioptical.com) the glasses are very good quality and they offer more than 4,000 to choose from and more than half of them are under $20.00 complete. The only option I think you should get because it is so cheap is the AR coating They offer 3 versions but I always only get the $4.95 option and I have never had any complaints and I have sold several hundred over thee past 11 years. If you decide to get glasses from Zenni or any other on line retailer if you come back in here I can provide pointers on how to be sure they will fit you proberly.

Mags 03 Mar 2014, 18:49

Thanks for the swift response.

I am 32, and my occupation requires me to sit at a computer for large sections of the day.

You mentioned PD, how do you measure PD? Why would this not have been done at the eye test?

If I have clear and sharp vision 20/15 I still don't understand why I need the glasses? What causes your eye sight to detererate over time and can this be reduced in someway?

It is depressing at the thought of having to get glasses again after getting them zapped not to have too and costing a lot of money.

Cactus Jack 03 Mar 2014, 17:22

Mags,

You didn't mention your age, which would offer a clue regarding Axial (true) Myopia or Pseudo (false) Myopia. Both have the same effect on your vision, they just have different causes. Also, your occupation and how much close work you do.

With that simple prescription, I would consider ordering some low cost glasses, online. Zenni Optical offers glasses starting at about US$7.00 plus shipping for the least expensive frames. The glasses would be particularly useful for driving or in low light conditions. You have all you need to order, except your Pupillary Distance (PD), which is easy to measure.

"Normal" Visual Acuity is 6/6 or 20/20. With the prescribed correction you have 6/4.5 which is the same as 20/15. Everything will be exceptionally sharp and clear.

Mags 03 Mar 2014, 15:56

Hi,

I got my eyes checked last week my prescription is as follows sphere right -0.50 left -0.75 distance acuity right 6/4.5- left 6.45- everything else is 0.

I got told I need glasses for distance but I am legal to drive! Do I really need glasses with this prescription? I wasn't sure if they were just trying to get money out of me.

I got my eyes lasers only 5 years ago and I previously wore glasses and contact lenses, struggling to get my head around needing glasses again soon.

Any advice would be great! Thanks

Cactus Jack 03 Mar 2014, 10:26

Blindboy

Hi Sam, welcome to Eyescene. I agree with Greg that you need to quit thinking of yourself as "blind". If your vision can be corrected with glasses, you are not blind by any definition.

You have progressive myopia complicated by moderate astigmatism. Your myopia is probably inherited and honestly there no way to stop it from increasing, but you may be able to slow it some until it stops on its own in your late teens or early 20s. At some point, you may be able to consider refractive surgery (Lasik, PRK, or Intra Ocular Lenses), but that is not a really good idea until your vision stabilizes.

What you can do, starting now, is learn about vision and how the optics of your eyes work. You need to know this so you can effectively manage your myopia.

A few more questions. Some may seem unimportant, but please answer as best you can. There is a reason for each question.

1, Where do you live?

2. Do you have an Eye Care Professional (ECP) who specializes in treating Myopia?

3. What are your interests in school?

4. Do you read, use a computer, tablet or smartphone, a lot.?

5. Have you had any Math or Science courses?

6. Are you interested in how things work?

Please remember that you are not the only young person with progressive myopia. I understand your concern about your glasses being unattractive, but there are some ways around that problem that are not necessarily very expensive. Also, don't pay any attention to comments by your classmates about your vision or its correction. Frankly, they probably don't know very much about it. You don't wear vision correction for their benefit, just for yours.

GreginColo 03 Mar 2014, 09:02

Blind boy (which is probably not the best name for you); Others will hopefully be able to weigh in on this better than me, but I would hope you will be able to become more positive about your need for vision correct by choosing frames and lenses which are most suited for your look and activities and a supportive vision care professional should be able to help you with this. Your myopia is most likely of a genetic nature and will probably continue to worsen until you are in your late teens or early twenties, and there is probably little if anything you can do to change that. Delaying a needed prescription change would probably just call further attention to your need for strong vision correction, so I would do my best not to be discouraged by such increases but rather to use them as opportunity to try the latest fashion look in frames and latest technology in lenses. You don't say where you live, but hopefully your parents will be supportive of this approach. Keep us informed please.

John for Juicebox 03 Mar 2014, 05:16

Hi,

Did you had time to go for glasses shopping this WE ?

Blindboy 02 Mar 2014, 12:27

Sorry I didn't put enough detail in before. I'm 15 and my mum wears glasses for reading and my dad is almost as blind as me! I know my glasses are stronger than his now but not much. My sister wears glasses too but not as strong as me and my dad. My prescription is -11.50 -2.25 173 -12.75 -2.00 154. My right eye has always been weaker. I know I need stronger glasses but I got new ones before school started in August and I don't want any stronger lenses because they're really ugly but I can't even see the board anymore :-( How can I stop them getting worse?

Sam

Cactus jack 01 Mar 2014, 18:07

Blindboy,

You really did not provide enough information to offer an answer. You did not provide your current prescription or other recent prescriptions that help. How is your vision with glasses? Do your parents or grandparents wear glasses like yours?

We are happy to answer your questions, but you have to help us with the best information you can provide.

Blindboy 01 Mar 2014, 17:23

Hi all. I'm 15 and my eyes are really bad and keep getting worse :( when will they stop? I wear glasses since I was 6 but now they are very ugly and strong. Please tell me when it will stop. I want to go to college but not if all the studying will make me blind.

Cactus Jack 01 Mar 2014, 13:19

Guest,

All that has happened is that the tiny text on your phone has revealed a long standing problem.

This will probably come as a surprise, but you already wear reading glasses and you probably have worn them for years. Every person who needs to wear a MINUS vision correction for distance has the same situation without their glasses. If you need a sphere correction of -1.50, your eyes focus at a distance of about 66 cm (26 inches) and every thing beyond that is a bit fuzzy. On tope of that you also have enough astigmatism, as indicated by the cylinder correction of -0.75, to mess up your vision at all distances.

Vision actually occurs in the brain and the eyes are merely biological cameras. The brain has amazing image processing abilities and if it knows what something is supposed to look like, it can do a lot of correction to a blurry image.

I think you will be surprised at what the world actually looks like if you get some glasses, but you need to be aware that they will take over the workload of correcting the blurry images and your brain will quickly get used to not having to work so hard. Your initial reaction is that the glasses have made your vision worse. Not true. All that has happened is that your brain has discovered how pleasant it is to let the glasses do the work and it will probably complain with headaches and fatigue if you dont wear your glasses.

Unless you can get a deal, I would not get a 2nd pair of glasses, yet.

guest 28 Feb 2014, 10:40

After struggling to see the screen on my ifone in recent months I recently went to get an eye test. I am 60 and have never worn glasses before. I assumed it was the onset of needing reading glasses but the optician said I was slightly short sighted and needed glasses for distance as well as for close up.

I came away with the following prescription: LE -1.50sph, -0.75cyl x 30 RE -1.50sph, -0.75 x 165 ADD +2.75 both eyes.

I was a bit shocked and so far havn't had any made up, not sure what to do, they said I need to get 2 pairs?

thanks,

Dave

John 27 Feb 2014, 13:27

Hi Juicebox,

How was your visit today ?

Did you got an increase ?

Soundmanpt 20 Feb 2014, 11:05

Josie

The idea of GOC is tried and proven. What you stand to gain is that by putting the largest portion of your SPH power in your contacts and not including any CYL (astigmatism in them your contacts should be far more comfortable on your eyes and that means your eyes should be much more able to tolerate them for longer time. Then putting only the remaining small portion of your SPH in your glasses along with all of your CYL should give you perfect vision and your glasses will look nicer with both lenses being about the same power.

Your doctor may or may not approve but you just need to make him understand that your not happy with the looks of your glasses with the unbalanced lenses. I can assure you what Cactus Jack is suggesting to you in no way harmful to your eyes in any way.

Be sure to copy what Cactus Jack has written for you and give the numbers to your doctor. I am sure after he reads them and adds the numbers together for your contacts and glasses he will see that you are not changing your prescription at all.

Cactus Jack 20 Feb 2014, 10:24

Jozie,

No way around that. Just remember that people tend to notice frames more than they notice the lenses. If they ask, just tell them that you are trying an experiment of using both contact lenses and glasses to improve your vision and comfort. Remember, you don't wear vision correction for their benefit, but for yours.

Jozie 20 Feb 2014, 09:59

Cactusjack and Andrew. Well your discussion have persuaded me that I should at least ask my optometrist about the GOC. Now I wear 2 different types of lenses and my left is more hard to tolerate. So maybe this is a partway solution. The only thing won't it be weird to switch from thin glasses with GOC to my regular thick glasses when I am in a situation when contacts lenses are not possible? I think people will notice, won't they? (Even regular people who dont love glasses?)

Andrew 20 Feb 2014, 01:15

Jozie,

The idea of GOC is very normal indeed. Contact lens wearers of my age (48) usually have to have reading glasses around to help us to see near things. I could go for monovision to take out the need for the reading glasses, but as I wear "normal" glasses the rest of the time, this would be something of an inconvenience. Therefore, what I do is what is best for my eyes, which is how CJ is trying to help you by getting you to consider options which might not normally be suggested when you go to get your eyes tested.

Cactus Jack 19 Feb 2014, 20:23

Jozie,

GOC for vision correction rather than just to enable a person to wear a very different prescription that they actually need, is a relatively new idea. It is very hard to get an accurate refraction as the glasses prescription increases because of Vertex Distance effects. Vertex Distance is the distance between the front of the cornea and the back of the lens in your glasses or the first lens in the phropter. It is typically about 10 to 12 mm and at high prescriptions, the accuracy of the refraction can be off by a significant amount. In your case, your 11.50 lens power can be off by 0.13 diopters per mm of Vertex Distance and your 9.00 eye can be off by 0.081 diopters per mm. The reason is that Vertex Distance effects are the based on the mathematical square of the lens power. Vertex Distance effects are the reason why there is a difference between your glasses prescription and your contact lens prescription, because contact lenses have a Vertex Distance of Zero. For minus prescriptions the contact lens prescription is always LESS than the glasses prescription.

There is at least one ophthalmologist here in Houston, who uses sphere only contacts for an accurate refraction of people with high prescriptions. He will fit people who have high prescriptions with sphere only contacts to partially correct their vision to less than -1.00 or -2.00 and then do a refraction. At those powers, Vertex Distance errors are tiny and can be ignored. Based on the results, he can accurately calculate their actual prescription for both contacts and glasses while considering the Vertex Distance effects in the glasses.

One thing about combining contacts and glasses for the best correction is that you can choose the brand and type of contacts for comfort and wearing time. Tearing action and moisture retention characteristics of the contacts can have a big effect on how comfortable your contacts are. Generally the thinner the contacts the better moisture and oxygen transmission from the air to the cornea. The cornea is the only thing in the body that does not have a blood supply. It requires oxygen just like every other part of the body, but it has to get its oxygen directly from the air or from the tears. A major source of contact lens discomfort is the cornea not getting enough oxygen.

Jozie 19 Feb 2014, 18:12

to Like Lenses. Well my right lense seems less flatter than my left lense and the left one is much thicker. I have had comments about this a few times from people and I just say to them well I have bad eyes - so what? We all have our problems! But it still hurts no matter how much I try to not care! I notice it very much. This is what I want to get over and why what I read from you guys is interesting!

Jozie 19 Feb 2014, 17:58

Cactus Jack. Is this GOC you suggest a well known recommendition? I have never had this solution offered previous. I understand what you outline but I am not sure it would work for me because it means I would be using contacts even more than I am now and not sure I could tolerate that. But you also mention something about making my vision better between both eyes which would be very welcome. (It is very obvious to me which is my good eye and which is bad but I have learned to just live with that). So I will ask perhaps.

curious 19 Feb 2014, 11:26

Thank you for your information!

Cactus Jack 19 Feb 2014, 10:55

Curious about astigmatism,

Yes. Astigmatism affects vision at all distances so there is no "threshold". It is just more noticeable when reading small text at typical reading distances, but it also affects your ability to read distant signs. With only 0.25 of astigmatism, it may not cause too much problem, but it will increase fatigue.

FYI, +1.00 readers ARE near vision correction.

If you know your cylinder and axis, you can order prescription readers from Zenni Optical for less than US$20 including shipping. No need to bother with AR coatings or anything fancy and the optical quality will be better than typical Over-the-Counter readers.

Curious about astigmatism 19 Feb 2014, 10:34

Will 0.25 make a difference in vision on 1.00 readers? Presuming no near of far correction is needed, what is the "threshold" at which correction would normally be prescribed?

Is there a similar "threshold" for distance vision?

Thanks!

Melyssa 19 Feb 2014, 07:45

Jozie,

It was the drop-temples that made me enjoy wearing glasses, with cat's-eyes second. I have bought a dozen pairs of cat's-eyes in the last few years.

It does take a bit of self-confidence to wear big, bold, and beautiful frames. All of mine are plastic, and what now would be referred to as large, even though in the 1980s some of those would have been called midsized. I do have some frames with lenses measuring up to three inches in diameter. Now those are oversized. My motto has been, "Love me, love my glasses."

If you can, go for a pair of cat's-eyes, whether they be black, brown, or your favorite color. If all goes well, you will get many compliments like I have received, even though I have thick CR39 lenses.

Juicebox 19 Feb 2014, 06:10

Hi John,

No, not yet. It is half-term here in the UK and the kids are all off school, so that's probably the reason they didn't have any appointments available until next week. I'm working on Tuesday and Wednesday so I booked in for Thursday.

Of course I will keep you posted.

john 19 Feb 2014, 04:35

hi Juicebox,

Have you had time to go the optometrist yet ?

Keep us posted

Likelenses 19 Feb 2014, 00:09

Jozie

Are your lenses both flat on the front surfaces?

Most people would not really notice the difference between your two lenses. The only thing that they would think is that your glasses are quite strong.I know you think that it is very obvious regarding your lense differences,and it would to some of us here that enjoy strong lenses,but to the average person ,no.

I wear - 10.5 for each eye,and if you are concerned about the thickness differences,there are a lot of trendy plastic frames that can hide that.

I would think that your glasses would be quite becoming.

Cactus Jack 18 Feb 2014, 23:00

Jozie,

Here is an idea that you might want to consider. Wear a GOC combination for sphere only soft contacts to correct most of your myopia and low prescription glasses that correct the remainder of your myopia and all of your astigmatism.

That may seem like a strange idea, but by choosing the powers of the contacts carefully, you would simplify your glasses prescription and balance the image sizes on your retina.

Here are some approximate numbers based on a current glasses prescription of:

OD: -9.00

OS: -11.50, -1.00 x 78

with an estimated vertex distance of 12 mm, that would translate to the following sphere prescription at the cornea.

OD: -8.25

OS: -10.00

If you wore the following power CLs

OD: -7.00

OS: -8.50

Your glasses prescription would be approximately:

OD: -1.25

OS: -1.50, -1.00 x 78

The ideal way to do something like this is with the assistance of an understanding Optometrist who would do a refraction with the contacts in place, to determine your ideal glasses prescription. It can also be done using calculation and perhaps low cost sphere only contacts and low cost glasses from an on line retailer such as Zenni Optical. Low prescription glasses from Zenni can be as low as US$20 including a low cost frame, the low cost AR coating, and shipping.

Let me know if you have any interest in pursuing this idea further.

Jozie 18 Feb 2014, 21:23

To the Guest and Cactus Jack

Guest. The problem is that I sincerely don't like the way the thick lenses look even though some of you guys do. One guy once try to give me one lense in hi index (my worse eye) and the other in normal thickness but it still looked weird and also I didnt see as well, just uneven.

Cactus Jack. Thanks for thinking on this but really its not like I'm so bad off I can't see, I just switch glasses and contacts when needed, its just nice to know that there are a few guys out there with fondness for those in my boat!

Jozie 18 Feb 2014, 21:07

Melyssa. I wish I felt as good about the way I look in my glasses as you! Maybe I just have the wrong ones! I reeeeally like the cateye look and I have sunglasses in that shape so maybe I could try some real glasses like yours. Thx for encouraging! Jozie

Melyssa 18 Feb 2014, 15:47

Jozie,

Due to my inability to wear contacts (astigmatism and hard lenses being the main problems), I was resigned to wearing glasses forever. Fortunately, 30 years ago I got my first pair of drop-temples (I was around a -7.00 RX then), and I liked them so much I started buying more pairs, luckily at discount prices.

Since then I have branched out into cat's-eyes too, with 13 pairs of them to go with 16 drop-temples and 18 others, in my -9.00 RX. Obviously I wear eyewear for good vision, but it's always fun to match glasses with outfits whenever possible.

Cactus Jack 18 Feb 2014, 10:55

Jozie,

Let me think about your situation for a bit and I'll get back to you.

Cactus Jack 18 Feb 2014, 10:53

Bill E.,

You can try it, but I suspect the astigmatism in your right eye will make reading uncomfortable. Astigmatism affects vision at all distances and makes text a bit blurry at all distances. The reason is that your cornea has more curvature in ne direction than it does in another. The result is that that eye actually has two focus points and strokes, the lines that make up the letters, will focus at two different distances depending on which way the lines run.

Astigmatism is pretty common, but there are lots of people who have no astigmatism and if they need vision correction the prescription will be sphere only. It is less common for people to have identical prescriptions in both eyes, but it does happen.

Bill E. 18 Feb 2014, 10:11

About a year ago I got my first glasses that were bifocals. I thought I would be prescribed readers, but was told that I should also use -.50 for distance particularly at night. The readers prescribed were +1.25.

Call it vanity or whatever, but I only use the glasses for night driving and opted to use 1 contact lens in my left eye for reading.

The scrip was:

R: -.50 -.50 155

L: -.50

add 2.00

I basically made monovision by using the 1 contact.

I just went for another exam. After refracting me, he removed the machine and went to write on my records. I looked at the line that was still on the wall, and noticed I could read it with my left eye but not my right eye. I asked about that and he said that was because of the astigmatism that is only in my right eye. He left the prescription the same as last year.

So I am wondering...

When I wear the +1.25 contact in my left eye and go with no correction in my right eye, distance is a bit blurred. So why not wear the +1.25 in my right eye and enjoy the clearer distance vision of my left eye. I asked the Dr, and she said that the right eye is dominant so it is the one that should be corrected for distance. That doesn't make sense to me for my situation. Should I switch the +1.25 to my left eye?

Also curious to know if it is unusual to have no astigmatism.

THANKS

guest 18 Feb 2014, 09:50

What a good reason to go to Terra Verde !

been a while since I have been there. I remember stopping at baskinRobbins on way to airport. remember a tourist gwg talked to me about flavors-and I got my daughter am intern job in her law office in sanfrancisco!

log on zenni and get a pair for every day-different personalities...

get a pair or so at cr39 -not hi index - so when you meet a guy who likes glasses you have a real pair lol ! you will also have better night vision driving in the regulat thick cr39's at your rx.

they are all cheap, prob can get 7 or 8 pairs for 100$

Jozie 17 Feb 2014, 23:55

CactusJack. wow so fast! Anyhow my complete prescription is right -9 with left -11.5 and -.1.0 x 78. I am 27 and I am a part time property manager but also a student. I live in Puerto Rico. What do you suggest? I am by the sea a lot as the property I work for is a resort which is where my contact problems sometimes arise! But then thats where glasses problems arise too so you can see I am stuck!

Cactus Jack 17 Feb 2014, 23:07

Jozie,

Could your provide your complete glasses prescription, your approximate age, your occupation, and where you live. Perhaps we can offer some suggestions that would be more comfortable and doable where you live. If you live where the humidity is low, it can make contacts uncomfortable.

jozie 17 Feb 2014, 22:47

I have scanned through a lot of the threads on this site just now. I don't know what to really think, its weird, but I guess I kind of get it! You guys think chicks with bad eyes are cool! Okay here's my prescription: -9.0 in my right eye and -11.5 in my left. I wear contacts a lot of the time but maybe now I won't! (As much). Maybe there are other people around me who feel the same way and I don't even know? I might become more like Melyssa and get a few more pairs of glasses!! I like glasses for fashion but not mine. The thing is I hate how my glasses look because they are so different between the 2 eyes for one thing. Any advise about what to do about that? Oh and someone mentioned on here about how she hate it when she's wearing her glasses and takes them off and then everyone can see her but she can't see them? Well I'm with you sister I hate that too! Lots of good reasons for contacts in my world but I hate them in a way too! (they kill my eyes after a while) so this site might just give me some confidence to be a glasses girl more. Thx, Jozie

Disappointed 17 Feb 2014, 09:58

Erik

Not sure if you know what the numbers on her prescription sheet means? But she is pretty nearsighted and she has a decent amount of astigmatisms as well. So her uncorrected vision is very blurry. A good example is that sitting across from her at dinner if she wasn't wearing her contacts or glasses she would find it hard to recognize you. Her glasses numbers would even be slightly stronger than the contacts rx you saw.

Has she mentioned to you that she wears contacts? If so you should ask her how come she never wears her glasses? She may be reluctant to wear them thinking they may put you off. The type of contacts she wears for many can be somewhat uncomfortable because they often like to move around on the eyes and sometimes don't provide as good of vision as glasses do.

Likelenses 17 Feb 2014, 02:22

Erik

Her uncorrected vision would be about 20/700.

She would be a delight to see in glasses.Depending on the type of,and lense size they could be fairly thick,and have significant power rings.

You should ask her what her glasses prescription is,and surprise her with a pair that you could select on line.If you do specify CR 39 lenses,which would be the thickest.

Erik 16 Feb 2014, 23:14

My girlfriend wears contacts. Last night, while over at her place, I noticed a new prescription on her fridge door. I wonder how bad her vision is. Unbeknownst to her, I copied the numbers. OD -5.50 -1.50 95 OS -6.50 -1.25 80 diameter 14.2 base curve 8.6. Thanks.

Cactus Jack 11 Feb 2014, 08:46

William,

You and probably 99.9% of the human population are in a slow but steady spiral toward needing help to focus close. There are a very few people who do not develop presbyopia, but they are very rare. Everyone is different, but the +1.50s will probably be good for a year or so.

The only people who may ultimately be able to get by without external reading help are people who have myopia in the -2.00 to -3.00 range with little or no astigmatism. The reason for this is that they, in effect, have built in reading glasses and need to wear - glasses for distance. Presbyopia will get them also, but they have a choice of taking off their glasses to read or getting bifocals like many of the rest of us.

The fact that you can still read "normal" text with good lighting is typical because in this case, the principles of optical physics are working for you. You are experiencing the same phenomenon that photographers use, called "depth of field" or "range of useful focus". In bright light, your pupils narrow down to a small opening like a photographer adjusts the lens opening on his camera to keep from over exposing the film. This increases the range over which images will be in focus, without adjusting the focus. In low light, your pupils open up and the focus range is reduced.

The key thing for deciding if you need stronger readers is simply comfort. If you are straining to read, with the +1.50s, you need to try +1.75 or +2.00.

However, please don't use that convenience for avoiding annual or at least bi-annual eye exams. They provide more benefits than just checking your vision. The eyes are windows into the body and often, slowly developing health problems will have clues that can be detected when the examiner looks inside your eyes. Developing "silent" diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes are often first detected during eye exams when they are mild and easily managed.

william 10 Feb 2014, 22:38

If I read you correctly I am on a slow but sure spiral towards becoming dependent on the readers, and to avoid eyestrain strain the glasses will speed that up a bit on their way to stabilizing. While I admit I have trouble seeing small print, especially with lower light levels, I can still read "normal" print without the glasses. How long will this last with +1.50's. He said I could get along with over the counters, so the expense is no big deal.

Cactus Jack 10 Feb 2014, 18:59

William,

The reason I ask these additional questions is that Presbyopia, which is beginning to manifest itself, behaves differently depending on your age and basic prescription.

Presbyopia actually begins in childhood. When you are very young, the protein in your crystalline lenses has about the consistency of gelatin dessert. Your crystalline lenses and the ciliary muscles in your eyes make up the "auto-focus" part of your vision system and children usually have incredible accommodation range. As you get older, the protein in the crystalline lenses gradually gets stiffer and the ciliary muscles can no longer adjust the power of your crystalline lenses to allow you to focus as close as you once could.

For "normal" activities, this gradual loss of accommodation does not become a problem until around 40, but it can happen sooner or later depending on your visual environment and if you need vision correction, the kind and amount of your refractive error. Cellphone, Tablets, and other devices with small screens and small text have exacerbated the problem and occasionally, you even see teens wearing bifocals to be able to focus comfortably on the text on their smartphone display.

If a person has hyperopia, they often, without being aware of doing it, can correct some or all of their hyperopia by using some or all of their accommodation range to correct the problem internally. If they do this, it will cause presbyopia to seem to occur at an earlier age, because their is little or no accommodation left to enable them to focus close.

There is another phenomenon that can make presbyopia to appear to develop very fast. When you get to the point where you need external PLUS help to focus close, it relieves the ciliary muscles of some of their work load. For their size, the ciliary muscles are the strongest muscles in the body, but they are still muscles and if they are not working hard, they will rapidly become de-conditioned and loose their strength. Ultimately, it is a battle you cannot win and you will need progressively stronger reading glasses or reading segments in your glasses.

To answer your questions, the examiner did you a favor by increasing the ADD from +1.00 to +1.50. A +1.00 add is not very much and it is likely that you need a total of around +3.00 to +3.50 to focus at around 28 cm or 11 inches to focus on your cell phone.. You are still able to supply the additional +2.00 to +2.50 internally, but that will not last. It is highly likely that within a few months you would be back for more power in your reading segment and you were possibly saved a trip and possibly more expense for new glasses by going up to +1.50. However, you need to understand that you are not through needing an increased ADD. However, beyond the point where your accommodation becomes nearly 0, the amount of ADD you need is based strictly on focal distance and it is rare for that to exceed +3.50, unless you have some special problems or need to focus extremely closely.

Cactus Jack 10 Feb 2014, 12:48

William,

Also, your distance prescription. That is important too.

William 10 Feb 2014, 12:34

Young 38.

Cactus Jack 10 Feb 2014, 11:46

William,

May I ask your age, it is an important consideration in answering your question.

William 10 Feb 2014, 10:31

Because of trouble reading my cellphone I went for an exam. After the distance part he put a card in front of me, and asked if I could see it clearly. For sure I couldn't. He then flipped lenses and asked at what point I could read the bottom line easily. When I told him, he stopped and had me read it. Then he clicked them two more times and asked if it was better, which it was. Why the additional clicks? He prescribed me +1.50 lenses for close.

Cactus Jack 06 Feb 2014, 19:57

Cork,

The last post was for you.

Also, may I ask where you live?

Cactus Jack 06 Feb 2014, 19:55

Generally, cataract surgery does not correct astigmatism, but sometimes it can be corrected as a different procedure that is done at the same time as the cataract surgery.

The reason is that myopia and hyperopia are generally caused by a mismatch between the total power of the eyes lens system and the length of the eyeball. Astigmatism is caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of the cornea. Two completely different causes.

There are a number of choices these days in IOLs, including multi focal types. You can also choose your final prescription within a reasonable range. Typically, insurance programs will only pay for crystallin lens replacement with single vision IOLs and any options beyond that are paid by the patient. If she wants, she could probably keep a prescription in the -2.00 vicinity and wear glasses that were pretty close to what she wore a few years ago. If she decided on close to 20/20 correction for distance, she would almost certainly need reading glasses.

I decided to go for mono-vision where one eye is good for distance and the other for limited reading. I have some astigmatism and wear trifocals when I need to see really well (20/15). I also have some single vision reading glasses that are set for reading in bed. The mono-vision is really useful if I get up at night and dont want to bother finding my glasses. It did not take long to get used to the mono vision because vision occurs in the brain, my brain selects the clearest image for what I am doing without my even thinking about it. I dont have much astigmatism in the near eye and its Rx is about -1.50. That works quite well for the computer, without glasses. Also, the intermediate segment of the trifocals is good for the computer, but if I have a lot of work to do, I have some +1.50 clip-on magnifiers (readers) that I wear over the trifocals. They allow me to work comfortably at the computer for hours without getting a crick in my neck.

They usually wait for about 4 weeks after cataract surgery to do a refraction for glasses, so your eyes have a chance to settle down. Changes after that are usually very slight and very slow to occur. I still wear the same prescription I got 12 years ago with glasses changes only for scratches or new frames. I also have some eye muscle problems that occasionally require changes, but that has nothing to do with my basic prescription.

Cork 06 Feb 2014, 19:06

I know several people who had the surgery and went to mono-vision lenses. That wouldn't work with my wife. Would this correct her astigmatism? What kind of lenses would she get? In other words if she gets distance lenses I presume she would see nothing close clearly. Am I correct she would be totally dependent on readers for anything close? Would she be able to see her computer monitor? What strength of readers would she need? I also presume that the glasses she would get would be her final prescription as there is nothing left to change. Any info is appreciated.

Cactus Jack 06 Feb 2014, 18:32

Cork,

I strongly suggest that your wife's situation be investigated. These days, if cataracts are developing, there is nothing to be gained by waiting and much to be lost.

Years ago, cataract surgery was a VERY serious operation that often required weeks of recovery and the use of very strong PLUS cataract glasses. That is no longer the case in probably 99.99% of cataract surgeries. Used to the operation was so serious that they waited until the cataract was "ripe" before performing the surgery. Actually, I think they hoped the patient would die while they still had some sight left and the surgery would not be necessary. Today, except in rare cases, cataract is almost a non-event.

Modern cataract surgery typically involves a very tiny 3 mm incision in the side of the cornea, emulsification and removal of the clouded crystalline lens, and insertion of a rather small Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) in its place. In my case, about 12 years ago, the actual procedure took about 10 minutes on an outpatient basis for each eye in two procedures about 2 weeks apart.

As it happens, I drove a friend to have a cataract removed yesterday. And I waited while it was performed. The surgery was very quick, but the prep time and post surgery recovery & observation took a total of about 2 1/2 hours. I drove him home and the eye was not even bandaged. His vision after the surgery was better without glasses than it was before, with glasses. I drove him back for a post surgery evaluation this morning and his vision was 20/25 and expected to improved to 20/20 or better in the next couple of weeks. He really felt like he could have driven himself, but I insisted. He can't wait for the required 2 to 3 week interval to pass until they will do the other eye.

cork 06 Feb 2014, 06:43

Very interesting. I never would have thought of that! I guess that could also explain why at her age she can see close clearly without glasses. Thanks for the great explanations.

specs4ever 05 Feb 2014, 20:11

Cork, my grandmother had a serious change in her vision and went from requiring plus glasses for reading to a prescription of -7D in a fairly short period of time. But she never did have her cataracts removed before she died. I found this on the internet.

1Nuclear Cataracts. Cataracts of the lens nucleus are most commonly associated with aging. Symptoms include:

Hazy distance vision and increasing glare.

Progressive nearsightedness and the need for frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions. This effect may even temporarily counteract age-related farsightedness and provide a temporary improvement in overall vision in some people. The improvement fades when the cataract advances sufficiently to overwhelm the inherent farsightedness. Eventually, as the cataract grows worse, stronger glasses can no longer correct the patient's vision

Cactus Jack 05 Feb 2014, 18:53

Cork,

Cataracts affect the protein that makes up the crystalline lenses in the eye. The crystalline lenses normally have a PLUS power of about +12 to +18 diopters when fully relaxed. The ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses make up the action part of the eye's "variable focus" mechanism when you are young, before presbyopia sets in. In addition to clouding the crystalline lenses, cataracts can also cause the crystalline lens to swell and increase their PLUS power even more. If a person is nearsighted this additional PLUS will make them more nearsighted and require additional MINUS in their glasses to focus clearly at distance. If a person is farsighted and needs to wear PLUS glasses, this increased PLUS in the crystalline lenses will reduce the amount of PLUS needed in their glasses, sometimes even eliminating the need for glasses to see clearly in the distance. This phenomenon is sometimes called "Second Sight" and is a pretty good clue that cataracts are developing and will soon need fixing.

Cork 05 Feb 2014, 13:23

Thanks for the response...

She said he did say something about cataract but not sure what. Why would that cause such a dramatic increase so quickly?

Cactus jack 05 Feb 2014, 08:46

Cork,

Part of the problem is how the new prescription is written with + cylinder, typically used by MDs and - cylinder used by Optometrists and Lens Makers. There is a simple conversion formula between the two. The optical results are identical for the two prescriptions.

The 2014 prescription is:

-6.75 +1.25 110

-5.25 +1.00 80

The conversion procedure is:

1. Algebraically add the cylinder to the sphere

2. Change the sign on the cylinder

3 Add or subtract 90 degrees to the axis to keep the value between 0 and 180 degrees.

The result is:

-5.50, -1.25 20

-4.25, -1.00 170

That is still a very large increase over the 2013 prescription of:

-3.75 -1.25 30

-2.00 -1.50 165

and it does not explain the incredibly rare rate of sphere increase in a 62 YO. The changes in cylinder and axis are nothing to get concerned about. They are likely caused by testing errors because of the extreme subjective nature of that part of the exam.

Have there been any indications of cataracts? They can cause significant prescription changes as a result of changes in the refractive power of the crystalline lenses.

BTW, I am not an Eye Care Professional (ECP), but an Amateur in the original French sense of one who studies vision and optics out of love of the subject. Perhaps one of our ECPs can offer an explanation or offer suggestion on items that should be investigated.

Cork 05 Feb 2014, 07:59

My wife just came back from her exam. She is 62 and been nearsighted since high school. I have recent prescriptions:

These are from 3 different doctors.

12/2011

-2.50 -.50 15

-1.25 -1.00 165

add 2.25

1/2013 complaining about not clear distance vision

-3.75 -1.25 30

-2.00 -1.50 165

These gave super crisp distance.

add 2.25

2/2014 complaining about poor distance vision

-6.75 +1.25 110

-5.25 +1.00 80

add 2.50

After relatively stable vision for 50 or so years, why did

her scrip almost triple?

She can read ok without any glasses.

Anybody know why this progression? Before she went for this exam she would sometimes put her old (-2.50) glasses over her -3.75's to watch TV! I told her she is not safe driving without new glasses.

Melyssa 04 Feb 2014, 16:27

My husband has never outright picked a frame for me, because he knows that I prefer to buy a certain style of frame or a certain color at a particular time. If I am not totally sure of a frame, I ask one of the women opticians at the store to model the frame for me, so I can see how it looks because I can't see what it looks like when I try it on. That's the main problem with trying on glasses. As for my Bleudame frames, I can see what they look like, if not the exact color.

Clare 04 Feb 2014, 16:16

Soundmanpt - you make me smile because that's characteristic of so many men! I have a friend who's husband probably wouldn't fit the mould, he's great with styling and dressing women. In fact I sometimes with I could borrow him!

Soundmanpt 04 Feb 2014, 12:22

Juicebox

I totally understand the idea of having your bf go with you to help you pick out your next glasses. But if he insists that he has no problem with whatever you pick out for glasses, don't force him anyway. I have found that most guys provide very bad advice because we are often not very stylish. Maybe look at this way would you want him to pick out your shoes, handbag and other things so if the answer is no, do you really want him picking out the glasses you will be wearing? Now there are exceptions of course but if you can tell he much more interested in being anywhere but picking out clothing or glasses for you it would be best to let him have the day with his buddies. Usually if your wanting help and advice have a female friend that you like her sense of style with you for advice.

You have already said your bf has no problem with you wearing glasses so I am sure he will enjoy seeing you in whatever you choose.

Juicebox 04 Feb 2014, 05:11

hi John!

I haven't booked one yet, so thanks for reminding me! I'm super busy at the moment and really need to find the time to fit one in. I recently (after a few months of applying) was offered two part time jobs, so I'm waiting to see what my schedules are for those. Hopefully they are getting back to me today or tomorrow! Of course I'll keep you updated :)

John 04 Feb 2014, 03:34

Hi Juicebox

You were told to go back in February and you thought you may need a small increase...

Have you already had your eyes checqued ?

When is the glasses shopping with your bf due ?

Keep us posted

Good luck

Likelenses 15 Jan 2014, 04:51

Ellen

I had complimented her on previous occasions on things like hair style/color, clothing,etc.

As I said,I had no idea that she wore glasses,much lees such a strong pair.And even if I had complimented her on her glasses,it would have been that she looked so beautiful in them,not because they were so strong.She was a very pretty girl with or without glasses.

Ellen 15 Jan 2014, 03:20

If I'm not sleeping in my own bed I tend to use my phone to tell the time. However the act of having to reach for it, turn it on and hold it close tends to wake me up so I prefer to just look at my clock which disturbs my drowsy state less and allows me to go back to sleep if it isn't time to get up.

Puffin, your experiment with those lenses does sound a lot like my experience especially in less than optimum light. Occasionally if I wake in the night I'll go to the bathroom without glasses. I have no idea why I sometimes do this, maybe it's just curiosity or to prove to myself that I can. The thing is I always end up feeling my way there, feeling for the door handle, feeling to check the toilet seat is down, feeling for the soap to wash my hands. It's all rather inelegant, especially when I walk into the bed or a wardrobe as you did. As you say, you can just remove the lenses and see and of course it is different for me. My safety net is knowing where my correction is at all times and knowing I can get to it easily. If this wasn't the case I would find being deprived of my vision rather frightening. I have no idea how blind people come to terms with not having this option.

Complimenting someone on their clearly strong glasses is a difficult one, particularly as this woman was obviously self conscious about them. I'm not sure how I would react, although I would think singling out the glasses would be a little odd as there are other aspects of me I would prefer to be complimented on. I think complimenting a woman's strong glasses would be something that should be saved until you know her more intimately rather than just a work acquaintance.

Likelenses 15 Jan 2014, 00:17

Ellen

I found your comment about the fear of being deprived of your glasses interesting.

A few years ago I worked in the evening for a company that employed a large amount of people.When I would take a break,I would pass by an open door office with only two women.I would often stop in to chat briefly with them. One was an older lady,and the other a very attractive younger lady.The younger lady always had a rather large glasses case on the corner of her desk,but never had glasses on,or laying any where on the desk. One evening while chatting with the young lady,I started to sit on the corner of her desk.She panicked and said "Oh, don't sit on my glasses"even though the case was pretty far away from where I was going to sit.

I didn't think much about it until a few months later,when walking past the ladies rest room,she was coming out the door, wearing the strongest minus glasses that I have ever seen. Her eyes appeared to be deep in tunnels,and she seemed to be embarrassed to have me see her in glasses.After that I realized that she must always wear contacts. I never again saw her in those marvelous glasses.Shortly later,I left the employ of that company,and have never seen her since.I wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked in glasses,but thought that since she never wore them,that she would be hurt. Do you think that I did the right thing,or do you think that she would have appreciated the compliment?

Puffin 14 Jan 2014, 09:45

I remember many years ago messing around with some plus lenses taken from old binoculars, I think they were something between plus 15 and 18 (I actually have no need of correction as yet), putting them into an empty pair of frames (they didn't fit too well) and wandered around my bedroom to see what things looked like, and actually fell over the corner of my bed because I couldn't see it. Didn't try it again quite like that.

So, I think I got a glimpse of a high-myope world - although I fully understand I could take them off and be back to normal in a moment.

And 14 Jan 2014, 09:33

Melyssa/Ellen, my gf doesn't like to have a big clock beside the bed for the very reason that she can't see it anyway !Instead she has a small portable one that she uses as an alarm and that she can just grab and bring close up to her face to read if necessay. She's happy to shower bare-eyed when she gets up but putting her contacts in is her next job.

Ellen 14 Jan 2014, 04:29

Yes it's interesting to put oneself in others' shoes. I think what people with good vision don't understand is that being myopic (or hyperopic) is our "normal". It's not like we became visually impaired overnight, we've had years or in my case my whole life to learn to deal with it. Of course, having vision as poor as mine is at times inconvenient but we develop strategies over time which we perform without really thinking about it to ensure that we are at all times able to function. I'm thinking small things like placing my glasses in exactly the same place before I go to sleep each night, working out where objects are in the shower before taking my glasses off, always having a spare pair to hand. These are things I just do without any thought and they really are no burden on my life.

Often over the years when I've tried to explain to people what my vision is like without glasses they are astonished that it could be so bad and also amazed that I am able to live a normal life. It's hard to get them to understand that it's no big deal because it's so readily correctable and because I've had decades of living like this and managing it on a day to day basis is second nature.

Fortunately I've never been deprived of my correction for any length of time and the thought of not being able to readily access glasses or lenses is something that I think about now and then. I admit that that would be a frightening thing to go through.

Slit 13 Jan 2014, 21:54

Ellen, thanks for sharing! It helps a lot for hyperopic people like us to hear how it is for Myopic people. In my case it's still a matter of not seeing super tiny print or otherwise eyes getting out of focus if staring at laptop for a long time. Especially I notice if I don't keep conscious focusing when I watch movies on on laptop it it easily goes out of focus. My trick is to use subtitles always so th eyes are active reading them.

@ellen: with high minus power of lens it's natural to have a minification. When you read small print for long time do you have trouble?

I had a a colleague who was about -10 always specifically telling me not to print spreadsheets in small small print because she she can't read.

Melyssa 13 Jan 2014, 14:34

Ellen,

I feel the same way about rain being a bane and a pain. Even a forecast of possible showers makes me bring along an umbrella, as I do not want my glasses or my hair to get wet. If the glasses get wet, I will dry them off first chance I get inside, or change glasses in the car.

On New Years Day I changed alarm clock radios, and the new one has humongous numbers, which I can make out even without my -9.00s if (1) a cat is not sleeping on the corner of the bed in between us, and (B) I want to see what time it is, not something to do knowing it may be close to wakeup time during the week.

Ellen 13 Jan 2014, 03:47

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'll try to answer all your questions in no particular order. First rain, don't get me started on rain! It's the babe of my life, particularly as I try not to drive too much I get caught in the rain so often. The funny thing is, even though I've had glasses all my life I still get self conscious taking them off in public to clean them. I suppose I think people must be looking at me, even though I know in reality most people haven't the slightest interest. It's also that I feel disadvantaged and maybe slightly vulnerable that they can see me and I can't see them. I have a digital clock by my bed with numbers 2 inches high. I still have to get quite close to read it but I can usually make out the time from about a foot away even though the numbers are very blurred at that distance. Showering isn't really a problem. Usually I shower in my glasses and wash below neck level and then take the specs off right at the end to wash my hair. I pretty much keep my glasses on during every waking minute otherwise. There's really no reason to take them off as I can't really see well enough to do anything without them. Last question about my corrected vision in both eyes. It's the same, 20/40, the prescription isn't too different between my eyes. If I alternatively close one eye and then the other I can discern no difference in quality of vision between them.

minus5wholuvsgwgs 13 Jan 2014, 01:46

Ellen am fascinated by your posts my gf is a high myope -15.00 and -16.25 but with only -0.25 astigmatism She has worn glasses since the age of 7 when she first started her prescription must have been quite low as she tried to do without but soon gave up the struggle For her never contacts but she avoids showers and does have problems in heavy rain her bedside clock has very large figures Her glasses always stay on even at times of intimacy which suits me but i do have to take care of them !!

Likelenses 13 Jan 2014, 00:33

Ellen

Since your right eye has a stronger prescription for both myopia and astigmatism,I am curious if your corrected vision is any worse in that eye,than it is in your left.

Both of my eyes have -10.5 correction,but I can not see as clearly with the left,as I do with the right with the glasses on.

The optometrist claims that I have 20/30 in each eye,but even the day that I pick up new glasses,the right eye is always better than the left. And when I have needed an increase in power I always can tell from my vision in the left eye.

Do you know how strong your first pair of glasses were?

guest 12 Jan 2014, 09:52

Hi Ellen

The take out the cataract by dissolving your lens and put in lens... but before the operation measurements have to be taken...and since my cataracts were very dense and very nearsighted, they did the best guess they could, erring on the low side. why the low side?? because many are uncomfortable being over corrected !! and with the -11 implants, even when I was still between -2 and -3 after the operation..I felt like my vision was perfect..since I wore glasses since 4 and probably needed them before too.

I will be on lenschat in 10 minutes, please confirm you will be there

Ellen 12 Jan 2014, 09:29

Oh sorry guest, I didn't understand your question at first. The sister in NY is my older one, she's the lucky one with the -1.5 prescription.

So you were so myopic before you had the cataracts removed that you still needed glasses for myopia? Or did they put lenses into your eyes to replace your natural ones and not quite correct you fully? Sorry if I'm being dim here.

So the difference in minification is purely down to being able to place aspheric lenses a mm or two nearer to the eye? I would have this this effect would be quite minimal?

guest again 12 Jan 2014, 08:21

Hi Ellen !

Hope you slept well. Post cataract, I was -2 but myopia progressed again.. My cataracts were very dense and the measuring equipment was not accurate. I had poor corrected vision before, so I had ignored the cataracts as just a myopic uncorrectable progression.

When you said your sis was in nyc, I thought you said you had two sister, one a -8 like your mom and the other mildly nearsighted. Am I right, or sorry if wrong. London has the best Indian food lol.

Have a good day. Do you want to go "Lenschat" at 1000 Atlanta time..believe 300 London ???

guest

Puffin 12 Jan 2014, 07:20

If you're wondering why aspheric lenses cause less minification - it's an indirect effect of having less edge thickness for higher RX.

Any lens will have it's minification or magnification effect increased the further it is held away from an object (try it with a magnifying glass). If you've got a high minus RX, you'll normally have thick edges which will either poke into your nose, or else the whole lens will have to be moved further away from your eye - causing more minification, which if you have poor acuity, will not help.

Because aspheric lenses have their refractive power differently distributed between the middle and edge (and hence relative thickness at the various points) some of that thickness can be put closer to the middle of the lens, safely away from your nose - so allowing the lens to be moved back closer to the eye, giving less eye minification and better acuity.

There really are so many options for high RX these days to help with appearance.

Likelenses 12 Jan 2014, 02:34

Ellen

Here is good info on aspheric lenses.

Click on the video also.

I think that these are exactly what you would like with large frames.

http://www.visio-rx.com/vision-topics/lenses/spherical-vs-aspheric

Ellen 11 Jan 2014, 19:29

OK I'm just about to go to sleep but before I do I just had to ask guest why you had cataract implants which still left you needing -5 glasses. I mean couldn't they be bothered to correct you better than that?

Also what did you mean by "-8 or the mild -??"?

guest :) 11 Jan 2014, 19:04

Hi Ellen...

Glad you beat the snow...

I had to go up there for a business trip last week....snow just melting, but was 0 degrees F in Pennsvlvania...

I have cataract implants -11 and still have -5 and -2 astig in glasses... so my glasses look normal! When I was in school ages ago, had to be "safety glass" so my double digits were 1/2 and more thick and needed a strap to stay on ! Now all schollkids want glasses lol ...go figure??

let us know when you are coming again... which one in NY, the -8 or the mild - ??

enjoy the night

Ellen 11 Jan 2014, 15:11

OK I think I get it now. The word "aspheric" struck me as meaning "not spherical" so I was wondering what shape the lens surface is if it's not spherical. It appears it could be either a hyperbola, a parabola or an ellipse. So for a nearsighted lens the back surface would be aspheric, probably elliptical, so that it flattens out towards its edges, resulting in less edge thickness. Simple really. Now I just have to get my head round why using an aspheric surface results in less "minification".

Oh and guest, my sister lives in New York. I got out on the Wednesday just before the snows came on the Thursday. And no I haven't tried Lenschat but I might give it a go sometime.

Patrick B 11 Jan 2014, 13:05

Hi Ellen --

Crystal Veil is right: Aspheric lenses aren't a marketing blurb. They also have nothing to do with the shape of the lens itself. Physics isn't my area of expertise so I'd recommend that you google "aspheric lenses" where you will find information that is understandable to a layman. Briefly, an aspheric lens has a front surface that has been ground to enhance the quality of the viewing area of the lens so that distortion is minimized. Your lenses could well be aspheric because of your high prescription. They also minimize the look of "small eyes" with a high minus and are especially good with reducing the magnified look that plus lenses create.

CR-39 lenses are generally considered to have the best optical properties -- better than any of the high-index lenses. Again, physics isn't my thing but there are articles on-line which can explain the differences between the various lenses. I once had myodiscs in CR-39 but transitioned to high-index lenses when my prescription started to approach -20.

Hope this helps, Ellen. See if you can find a dispensing optician who is really up on high prescription lenses. Most aren't because of their relative rarity.

ds 11 Jan 2014, 12:50

Ellen,

Aspheric lenses are designed with a constantly changing curve that becomes less steep as you go towards the edge of the lens. You are correct that the myodisc is an example of an aspheric lens, but in ophthalmics, the term is usually used to describe a lens with a gradual flattening throughout the lens to optimize optics. Instead of being described by a spherical equation, they are hyperboloidal.

It turns out that this flattening gives a wider field of view as an astigmatism created by optimized curve corrects for an astigmatism present when the eye rotates and is looking off-center ("oblique astigmatism").

Most people also appreciate that the aspheric design makes the lenses thinner and minimizes tunnel or barrel distortion. It also helps looking the other direction to minimize facial distortion of the wearer.

Crystal Veil 11 Jan 2014, 09:26

Ellen,

aspheric lenses are not a marketing bulb. There are several articles about aspheric lenses on the web. In a You Tube clip it is claimed that negative aspheric lenses greatly reduce the minification of the image of the eye. A different source (article) suggests that aspheric lenses are made for Rx up to -15 and that higher prescriptions are limiting the field of view too much. It seems that the effect is not unlike that of a blended myodisc but it's different in technology and effect. It may be a good idea to ask your optician about aspheric lenses.

guest 11 Jan 2014, 09:10

Hi Ellen...

Sorry we missed you here in usa...

Where does your sister live

have you been on lenschat?? How about in 10 minutes at 120 your time 920 eastern us time

Hon, its about your safety in the car...I am not asking you to go to harrod's in them !!

Ellen 11 Jan 2014, 08:42

Ah shame, I've just come back from "over the pond" visiting my sister for New Year!

So you think CR39 gives better vision? Why is that? Even with your idea of contacts and glasses I still think I'll give it a miss. I have good enough vision to do everything I want to do, well OK I do admit I don't drive at night unless absolutely necessary but that's about it. I'm OK with my vision and what you've never had you don't miss right? Suppose I tried CR39 and was introduced to this new world of perfectly crisp, distortion free vision? What then? I'd be hooked and destined to forever wear ridiculously thick glasses. No I'll stick with what I've got or maybe look into myodiscs.

So is no one going to have a stab at explaining aspheric lenses for me? Does anyone know what it means or is it marketing blurb that doesn't really mean anything like "hypoallergenic"?

Astra 11 Jan 2014, 02:14

We myopic people can't see far away, but we can see near easily. So this should be a reason that we are in advantage to hyperopia. The reverse is true for hyperopia, where their advantage is at far, not near.

Astra 11 Jan 2014, 02:10

I think it is good to show off "seriously blind person" message to those people. Show your COKE bottles. Because our acuity without glasses is really bad we should be proud of it , proud to be "seriously blind"

Likelenses 10 Jan 2014, 23:29

Ellen

How did you guess??? Yep as many girls as possible in myodiscs would be great.

Red hair,pretty brown eyes nestled behind strong lenses,and what appears to be a great personality. Yep a trip across the Atlantic would be worth it to meet you.I would even buy you a pair of myodiscs.

guest again 10 Jan 2014, 21:02

Ellen...

Even if the others are right there is another way to solve this...

-10 or -12 regular contacts and then the remaider of rx in the cr39's !!

I understand that you don't want to announce your vision to the world....but I had a g/f who uses -10 contacts and then the remainder (just under 20, so its about -9.5 in CR39's. They are coke bottles BUT she only uses them for driving and then puts them in the glove compartment. She has hi index for when she leaves the vehicle. She claims that the combination gives her noticeably better vision-especially at night-major difference. She never felt sake night driving, now she does. I was a passenger with her at 90 mph down to interstate when she last took me to the airport and said, "not bad for being visually impaired" lol !

Ellen, its for your safety and will be better... at night in the car, your friends won't even notice how thick your glasses are!

You sound like you are worth a trip "across the pond" for lol. red hair, and amazing glasses, and a good sence of humor lol !

Ellen 10 Jan 2014, 16:51

That's interesting stuff Patrick. I'd never considered the possibility that myodiscs could actually give the appearance of a much weaker lens. I've always thought they shouted out "seriously blind person" to the world. I guess one of the effects is that as the corrective portion is of such a small diameter, it doesn't take such a chunk out of the cheek bones, or "cut in" as you guys refer to it. Just shows how little I know and I might explore my options at my next eye exam.

Can you or anyone explain to me what is meant by an aspheric surface? If it's not spherical, what shape is it? Surely a lens has to be made up of spherical or possibly cylindrical surfaces? I'm not sure I understand how any other shape could work.

Patrick B 10 Jan 2014, 13:51

Hi Ellen --

Yes, your combined prescription is near to mine but mine is easier to correct. I, too, notice that the high prescription makes some things too small to see even if they appear to be relatively clear. Nothing to be done except wear contacts which, because of their position on the eye itself, minimizes that problem.

Yes, my lenses are glass and their extra weight is one of the reasons why I keep my frames fairly small. I chose the 20mm bowl since it roughly frames my eyes and, with the blending into the negative carrier, nearly eliminates the appearance of the bowl itself whenever someone looks straight at me. I'm used to looking straight forward through the middle of the lenses so the small aperture doesn't bother me. You might recall that earlier lenses didn't have aspheric front surfaces so any deviation from the center of the lens made everything look like it was curved downwards in the distance. Hence, I always looked straight forward rather than deal with the visual distortions found in the other parts of the lenses. That said, I have to look straight down when I'm going down stairs since I can't see the stairs clearly enough without correction. That's where my vision limitations becomes really noticeable to others.

I like the biconcave lenses since they don't reflect all that much. Anyway, it's amazing how few people know just how strong my glasses are including a friend of mine who is at least a -12. Since I don't wear glasses all that often, he was surprised to see me in them at one point and actually asked if I needed correction all the time! Another person asked me if they were reading glasses only. Well, yes they are, of course, since I can't see to read without correction unless I want to look like some sort of scanner reading line by line with my nose pressed into the book!!

Maybe you could call an opthamologist and have him recommend an optician who is well versed in high-prescription lenses and your options. Maybe the optician would even have different sample lenses available so you could see for yourself what might work best for you practically as well as cosmetically.

Crystal Veil 10 Jan 2014, 12:44

Ellen,

you are right about the CR 39 lenses. I have a pair of medium sized Menrad glasses from the 1970's in my collection, fitted with these lenses. The Rx of the lenses is L: -14.00; cyl -2.00 and R -15.50. The lens thickness at the edge is 0,6 inch (15 millimeters) and the lenses create a strong tunnel effect, much stronger than myodisc lenses. I sometimes use these glasses during photo shoots with models who agree to pose in them. Lens thickness goes exponential beyond minus 15 so my guess is that this is the upper limit. Before the arrival of high index lenses in the 1980's, myodisc lenses were prescribed from minus 15 on, and sometimes even at minus 13. Having said that, guest is right when he says that CR 39 lenses would give you better eyesight than high index lenses but this is not a practical option for the reason mentioned above.

Ellen 10 Jan 2014, 11:46

guest,

You're kidding right? In my prescription? The lenses would be about a foot thick and my eyes would look like they were being looked at through the wrong end of a telescope. This really isn't the image I want to present to the world.

Getting technical for a second, I'm not sure if it would be possible to make a -23 lens in CR39. The radius of the back face would be so tiny that it would loop back on itself before getting to the edge of the lens, in effect making it a myodisc. OK I haven't done the maths but that's a gut feeling.

As for where I am, I'm in England, which is part of the island known as Great Britain in North West Europe.

guest 10 Jan 2014, 09:56

Hi Ellen !

Honestly, you should ALSO go for the best correction!! Which is with good ole CR39's and use a medium size frame. You will absolutely see the difference, guaranteed. However, they will be "coke bottles"-I had them and could get adequate correction. You can just keep them in the car for driving-you will notice the difference-and it will be worth it-and you will be safer on the road. Zenni can do several pairs so you have color selection at a bargain price... The local shops will try not to sell them -with a myriad of excuses to upsell to high dollar lenses for "vanity".

You sound amazing, where are you?

let me know

Ellen 10 Jan 2014, 06:07

Interesting. I don't really notice the distortion of my high index lenses. I know it's there but it doesn't bother me. Are you on a mission to get as many girls wearing myodiscs as possible?

Ha ha. As for my hair colour, I'm afraid it's dyed a rather vivid red at the moment. I am however a natural brunette with brown eyes. Maybe I should get different frames to match my different hair colours.

Likelenses 09 Jan 2014, 22:34

Ellen

Here is some useful info on myodiscs.

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/eye-vision/171274-questions-about-myodisc-lenses.html

Likelenses 09 Jan 2014, 21:10

Ellen

I think that you would look great in a wayfayer type frame,with negative carrier,30 mm bowl myodiscs.

The negative carrier would make the bowl part not as obvious in lense strength.And the 30 mm bowl would fill up most of the center of the lense.

What is your hair,and eye color?

Ellen 09 Jan 2014, 17:26

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for the explanation of myodiscs. I did kind of know what they are but have never really delved into the detail. I must say that 20mm seems awfully small for what is effectively your window on the world. Does it take much adjustment to get used to looking through such a small aperture? I guess peripheral vision isn't that great? Do you find glass lenses heavy? I've had glass lenses in the past and they've ruined my nose.

Your prescription is pretty much the same as mine if I add my astigmatism. It's nice to be able to communicate with people who understand severe myopia as I don't know anyone with a prescription anywhere near mine in my daily life.

Patrick B 09 Jan 2014, 13:08

Ellen -- Myodiscs come in a variety of sizes and depend on the strength of the prescription and the preference of the patient. The size of the so-called bowl can vary from a low of 20mm to 30mm and the area surrounding the bowl (the carrier) can be a plus,a negative or a plano lens. Some people prefer the minus lens with the bowl "blended" into the negative carrier so that the lens has a unified look. So it appears that you had a myodisc lens a couple of pairs ago. My prescription is -22.50 and -23.75 and I have both 20 mm myodiscs (in 1.8 high-index glass) with a negative carrier and a more conventional pair in biconcave 1.9 high-index glass. These are a lot thicker (8mm in a 44 mm frame) than the myodiscs. The myodiscs can be really useful if you want a larger (but not too large) frame. Since I haven't got much astigmatism my vision is very good with contacts and pretty good with glasses.

Likelenses 08 Jan 2014, 23:12

Ellen

Thanks for the info on your specs. They sound very nice

Yes, it is fun to talk about our eyewear,for those of us that are bespectacled.

08 Jan 2014, 12:44

Thank you for your help

Soundmanpt 08 Jan 2014, 11:05

posted

You only showed the smallest amount of CYL in your previous prescription and cylinder is very subjestive and can easily be missed or even not show up from one time to the next. If this doctor didn;t find a need for any astigmatism correction that would also mean you wouldn't have any axis for that eye either as they go together. Now it is very possible if you were to go for an exam in 6 months the CYL may again be detected.

Just feel confident that there wasn't a mistake of any kind and you should be able to see just fine with your new prescription.

08 Jan 2014, 10:28

I recently got a new eye test and there was a change in my left eye. I was wondering on my new perscription why the cyl and axis columns were left blank for my left eye, when on my old perscription the were listed.

My old perscription was:

Left eye - +4.00

Cyl - +0.25

Axis - 5

Now it is:

+5.5

And that's all, the cyl and axis columns have been left blank.

Thanks

Ellen 08 Jan 2014, 05:01

Must be my eyes, I failed to notice the other part of your question. I just measured the thickness of my lenses (from a comically close distance). I'm happy to report that the outer edge of my right lens is 10 mm thick. There is however a chamfer which takes away the sharp edge, without which the lens would be a couple of mm thicker in my estimation. Hope this answers your question Likelenses. Who would have thought that talking about my ever-present mundane eyewear could be so much fun?

Ellen 08 Jan 2014, 03:23

My current frames are fairly small brown plastic ovals, very much against today's fashion. The frames I had before the ones I had before these were wider and the corrective portion of the lenses were circular and hence didn't stretch quite to the outer edges although they did at the tops and bottoms. I suppose thinking back these were what refer to as myodiscs although I didn't think of them as such at the time. To me myodiscs have a very small corrective circle in the middle of the lens completely surrounded by an area with no prescription.

Likelenses 07 Jan 2014, 19:53

Ellen

Your glasses sound really nice.

What kind of frames do you have,and how thick are the lenses?

Did you ever try myodiscs?

chich 07 Jan 2014, 19:50

Whats the lowest prescription realistically you can be dependent on?

Ellen 07 Jan 2014, 12:04

oops missed the last question. No my glasses aren't biconcave, I specifically asked for them not to be, they look weird enough already. They are flat at the front with lots of fancy coatings to get rid of reflections.

Ellen 07 Jan 2014, 08:23

I don't recall ever being able to read the 20/20 line. I can only barely make out the 20/30 line with both eyes not one eye at a time. I'm not sure why that makes a difference. In truth I can't really see the 20/30 line well but I guess I'm good at interpreting so I can make a good guess at the letters from the general indistinct shape. The 20/40 line is the first one I can truly read with any comfort.

Likelenses 07 Jan 2014, 01:41

Ellen

Oh, 0K, My misunderstanding. So then our visual acuity with glasses is the same,even though your Rx is almost double mine.

Do you recall what your Rx was when you could no longer read the 20/20 line with glasses.As I said mine began when my Rx became - 9.00,the same time as my lenses became perfectly flat on the front surfaces.

Are your lenses bioconcave?

Ellen 06 Jan 2014, 10:02

I know someone who wears hard lenses and his eyes are constantly red and sore. I don't know how he puts up with them. In fact I've never seen him in glasses and I've known him for over ten years.

Melyssa 06 Jan 2014, 08:10

Ellen,

When I was interested in contact lenses (over 30 years ago), I was told by more than one ophthalmologist that due to my astigmatism (in the "3" range) that hard lenses were the only possibility. I tried one on, and after 1.5 seconds I knew that I would be wearing glasses forever. Getting drop-temple frames the following year made wearing glasses worth it.

Ellen 06 Jan 2014, 04:24

Oh no I can get pretty much fully corrected with glasses, it's just that I can't get contacts that correct my level of astigmatism. I can't read the 20/20 line on an eye chart with glasses but on a good day I can just about read the one above (20/30?) using both eyes. I think this is more down to everything appearing smaller through my glasses than things being out of focus though.

Likelenses 06 Jan 2014, 01:08

Ellen

You said that you are unable to be fully corrected.

Your Rx is almost twice of what mine is,and you have a lot of astigmatism in each eye,

At what point of your life did you become unable to be fully corrected,and what is your best acuity with your glasses?

I have no astigmatism,but when my Rx reached -9.00 I can not see anything better than 20/30 on the eye chart The lines below the 20/30 line are clear,not smeared,but the letters are just too small to discern.

I cam not wear polycarbonate lenses,because they have optical qualities that even make my corrected vision lower than 20/30, I wear CR - 39 lenses.

I am wondering if I could have myodisc lenses made in my - 10.5 Rx.

Soundmanpt 05 Jan 2014, 12:18

Melyssa

Well you and your husband could swap glasses but for you his glasses would just be a slight bit weak for you and of course you wouldn't want to look through the bottom segment. And for him, yours would be a bit on the strong side but he could easily adjust to them after just a few minutes of wearing them. But he would miss his add when it came to reading the paper.

But even tough he fancies you in you drop temples they may not look as good on him. lol

Puffin 05 Jan 2014, 12:11

The other thing is, for a little bit of "myodisking", it can be so ground and crafted so that it looks pretty much like ordinary coke bottle rings that people would expect to see with large RX and small eyes. Okay, aesthetically it's no better, but it's probably going to be lighter.

It is possible have a compromise between somewhat larger frames, a little bit of myodisk and still look no worse.

Melyssa 05 Jan 2014, 12:04

Varifocals,

Even though my husband's RX is similar to mine, he does wear progressives, so exchanging glasses is out of the question.

He does love my fashion sense -- the drop-temples, the cat's-eyes, the short skirts, ...

Without my glasses I can see black markings (these letters) on a white background three feet away. Yes, glasses are a very big necessity in my life.

varifocals 05 Jan 2014, 11:26

Melyssa.

I did not realise yoour husband & your self have similar RXs.

That must be good.

Its great he likes your fashion sence.

How blurry areyou without glasses on.

Take care.

Melyssa 05 Jan 2014, 11:11

Ellen,

With my -9.00 RX, my eyes look quite small behind whichever glasses I'm wearing; the lenses are 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick depending on frame size; and they are almost flat as seen from the side. The big, bold and beautiful frames that I wear are what people notice and compliment me on. My husband certainly doesn't mind my "tiny eyes," as his are like that from his -8.25 glasses.

Puffin 05 Jan 2014, 09:17

I also like the "shimmery" effect of flat or near-flat front lenses, that you only get with strong lenses. It's fascinating - and very nice - to see light playing across a lens as the wearer moves their head, and the different angles of refraction in the lens.

Old fashioned lenses used to be my favourite, but I like the modern high-index ones too these days, the effect is different.

Strangely enough I did not used to like plus lenses, but the modern ones now also have a shimmery effect, thanks to the increased flatness they now have.

Of course, a nice frame and smile helps a lot.

Crystal Veil 05 Jan 2014, 08:08

Ellen,

in my opinion there are no thumb rules about lens strength and its aesthetic effect. So much depends on other features in a face, especially the lips. They are the counter point (Kontrapunkt) in the composition of the face. When the eyes look 40% smaller behind lenses of minus 20, the lips seem enlarged. A lively expression makes all the difference in the world. Over the past four years I did photo shoots with over fifty models who posed in vintage prescription glasses from my collection. Many models manage to "deliver" beautiful portraits in strong minus glasses. The photography project started with my life partner who wears glasses with lenses of minus 12. She often says that she will never go back to contact lenses. The glasses give a lively sparkle to her eyes and it's obvious that she is self confident about her glasses. At the same time she is aware that her glasses are among the strongest that you see in the streets of Holland but her liveliness and expressiveness somehow does the trick. When I first met her, I only realized that her glasses were strong when she took them off to clean the lenses. She held the glasses only a few inches from her eyes. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Ellen 05 Jan 2014, 05:22

I was always under the impression that men find large eyes on women to be more attractive. That's why we wear eye make up, to enhance the eyes. You can hardly see my eyes behind my lenses, they're tiny. When I first wore contacts I was amazed how big my eyes looked without glasses as I'd never really seen them "naked" before.

I realise that perhaps guys on here aren't a representative sample of the male population as a whole but it's nice to know that there are at least a few people who find eyes behind strong negative lenses attractive.

Likelenses 04 Jan 2014, 22:05

Ellen

I love seeing women in strong glasses.

Personally I enjoy seeing the eyes,and the glasses.

Myopic eyes are usually quite prominent,and the strong lenses reduce some of that,which is alluring.

I would say you should go for the larger frame,along with the myodisc lenses.

BTW, I wear -10.5 for each eye.

Soundmanpt 04 Jan 2014, 21:39

Puffin

Totally agree!

Puffin 04 Jan 2014, 19:05

Agreed that it's difficult to hide evidence of lens strength (you can hide the thickness, but not so much the effect on eye size). Myopic eyes behind lenses look nice.

lentifan 04 Jan 2014, 11:37

Ellen

I'd be surprised if you can really tell whether someone is looking at your glasses rather than your eyes. I remember when I first started wearing glasses I, too, thought that people were looking at my glasses - even people I'd never met before. Of course it was my imagination, driven by my initial self-consciousness. I got over it quickly.

I think many myopic people who wear minus glasses with a strong prescription have very attractive eyes. The lenses of their glasses seem to give their eyes a lovely sparkle.

Ellen 04 Jan 2014, 11:30

I don't think the thickness of lenses in itself is an issue. Who cares whether a lens is 5mm or 15mm thick? It's only visible from the side anyway. The issue with the cosmetic "appeal" or otherwise of strong lenses is the overall appearance, this is what makes people sometimes look twice. It's a combination of how it makes the eyes look so much smaller, the rings that appear at the edges of myopic lenses and how they take great chunks out of your face. When someone looks at a strong pair of glasses they don't consciously take in these characteristics individually but the combined effect (the "coke bottle" effect if you will) just screams out loud and clear that the wearer has very poor eyesight.

Something I noted the other day when visiting my sister. She lives in another country to me so I don't see her and her husband very often but I always notice that when he speaks to me he seems to be looking at my glasses and not at my eyes. Maybe I'm imagining it but I don't get this feeling with other people. Maybe he has a thing for glasses but if so he married the wrong sister ;)

Puffin 04 Jan 2014, 09:58

I've seen some bold styles in the last few months, eg what could be called "big cateyes" but alas without the thick lenses.

Perhaps we need this fashion to develop a bit more: it seemed to me during the 80's (last time big frames were fashionable) people didn't seem worried about lens thickness, perhaps the boldness of the frames helped.

Ellen 03 Jan 2014, 10:27

Hi Puffin,

I do use the tricks you mention and have my lenses thinned as much as possible. I wear a plastic frame, it's just that it's quite a small style. My lenses aren't super thick really, maybe 8mm or so. The problem is really the axis of my astigmatism which means that the lenses are thicker in the left/right direction rather than at the tops and bottoms which makes getting them thinner that little bit harder.

Puffin 03 Jan 2014, 08:58

Ellen

You might find it possible to hide some unwanted thickness within plastic frames - this used to happen a lot before modern lens materials were invented, for people who were against myodiscs. A bit of skilful edge grinding and polishing can help too. If you can find a ECP who can do this sort of thing ask about options.

I've said it before many times, but fashions don't suit everyone.

Ellen 03 Jan 2014, 08:27

Hi Ellie, been away visiting my other sister over New Year so I've just seen your post. Yes I'd like to talk about our glasses "journey", it will be interesting to compare notes.

To start by answering your questions, I was first diagnosed as quite myopic as a toddler. My parents noticed that I would hold things very close and sit right next to the TV. They got concerned and whisked me off to the doctor who referred me to an eye specialist at the hospital. They were relieved when it was revealed that my problem was just plain old short sightedness but mystified where such an early onset and high level of defect came from. My mother is moderately myopic at around -8 but didn't get glasses till she was about 11. My father always had 20/20 vision until fairly recently when he gave in to full time wear of a low plus prescription. My first prescription was somewhere between -4 and -5 and I think there was a significant level of astigmatism too. My younger sister has myopia of a similar level to my mum and my older sister has very mild myopia, she only wears her glasses for driving and watching TV. No one has ever really explained why my sight ended up so poor but I suppose as it's largely fully correctable there's never been a pressing need to do a post mortem. I have regular check ups on my retinas at the hospital but fortunately my eyes have so far been healthy. As for my glasses, I wear a small frame with 1.74 index lenses. I would like to try a larger more fashionable frame but that would necessitate a lenticular style (myodisc?) lens which I think would make me feel too self conscious to wear.

Aubrac 30 Dec 2013, 11:06

Santa

Is this your girlfriends first prescription or has she worn glasses before?

As others have said, the amount of cylinder correction will greatly help and avoid eyestrain and headaches. Once she gets an increase to +1.75 she will probably prefer to go full time as distance vision will need to be improved.

Also at age 35 her power of accommodation may reduce making it less possible to see clearly for distance and close work.

JD 30 Dec 2013, 03:17

Sorry for the double post. Computer issues.

JD 30 Dec 2013, 03:15

I like to discuss glasses histories as well. I was first prescribed glasses when I was 7. Even before that I knew I wanted glasses because my dad wore them. I was also attracted to girls that wore glasses as far back as I can remember. Once I was precribed glasses, I was really excited, but too shy to wear them. I didn't actually get my first glasses until I was 11. I think the Rx was about -1.50. As my glasses got stronger every year, I started to notice lenses more; mine and other peoples'. By the time I was in my late teens I was probably only about -5 or maybe -6. I remember when I was 21 getting -7.50 lenses in CR39 and loved how thick they were, the power rings and the cut-in when I looked at myself. Becasue I liked these things so much, in fact got quite turned on by them, I've always had only CR39 lenses in all my glasses. I'm now up to -11.75 and -11.50 and LOVE how thick and strong my glasses look.

JD 30 Dec 2013, 03:15

Ellie 30 Dec 2013, 02:35

Hi Ellen, I can relate to some of the troubles that you've been experiencing with needing strong lenses. I've been wearing glasses since I was 8 years old and today at age 19, my prescription is close to -15 with some astigmatism (more so in my left eye). I've been wearing contacts almost exclusively since I was 11, but lately I've been struggling to be fitted with proper contacts that give me proper vision. I'm considering RGP contacts since the astigmatism in my left eye has gotten much worse. Not many soft comtact brands have toric lenses in my high spherical prescription with astigmatism. Also, I'm nearing the upper end of the spectrum for the amount of myopic correction that I need in soft contacts.

If you're interested, I'd like to discuss our respective glasses histories.

What was your first prescription and how old were you when you got your first glasses? Do any of your family members wear glasses? Also, what kind of lenses do you have in your current glasses?

PS I apologize in advance for any typos! It's late and Im not currently wearing any correction as I fumble and type this on my iPod :P

Juicebox 26 Dec 2013, 16:24

Hi John

We haven't been yet for two reasons 1) being that I was told to go back in February and 2) after the weekend I think I may need a small increase. I don't know if you saw my post on the Sightings thread but if you didn't, I tried on my friends glasses which were probably the same as my first ones of -0.5 or so and they seemed to make things clearer. As I've said before I really don't think that I'm too in tune with my eyes because I never really notice when I need an increase! Some people on here seem to be able to tell straight away!

Ellen 26 Dec 2013, 11:16

Hi all,

Thanks for your replies. I've been staying with my sister and her family over Christmas and not been near the internet so just seen them.

So lets see. In my teens I was very self conscious of my "coke bottle" glasses and pleaded with my mother and my optician to get me into contacts. The best that could be done though was correcting the sphere (or most of it) with contacts and then using glasses for the astigmatism. This meant I had much thinner glasses which was great but I was still in glasses which wasn't. I tried going without them but the astigmatism made me dizzy and some of the sphere was still in the glasses so my sight with just the contacts was still quite poor. I often wouldn't be able to recognise people in the street and people thought I was being standoffish. Of course I still needed the glasses in class and I couldn't wear the contacts all my waking hours so I eventually gave up and reverted to the glasses/contacts combination or my full strength glasses. On the rare occasion I went on a date I would sometimes leave the glasses off and take them with me in my handbag. Once I got to university I pretty much went back to glasses and used contacts only when the glasses weren't an option. As I've got older (I'm 37 now) my eyes have got less tolerant to lenses and as I say I pretty much wear full strength glasses 24/7. I'm much more confident these days and don't feel anywhere near as self conscious in thick glasses as I did 20 years ago. There are times however when I just want to snatch the damn things off my face, throw them away and just see like "normal" people.

Soundmanpt 26 Dec 2013, 11:12

santa

Even though your girlfriend's glasses are not very strong I am surprised she doesn't wear them full time because of the amount of astigmatisms she has. Generally speaking anything more than -1.00 should cause her issues with headaches without her glasses being on. Does she ever claim to have headaches quite often?

Varifocals 26 Dec 2013, 08:59

Hi. santa.

The perscription is not very strong at all. However I am +3.25/ 5.75 & wear full time, Without them I get headaches & thats what started me in glasses in the first place. Her comfort is the main thing, strain will make matters worse, especially close work, reading etc.

David

Monty 26 Dec 2013, 07:30

Hi Ellen,

I have a similar problem to you but my lenses are not quite as strong. For many years I have worn contacts and glasses. The sphere is in the contacts and the cylinder in the glasses.The only people to see me in "full strength" are my family and then not often. When outside the home I am always in the "combo". My full strength are blended myodiscs, they look better than the ordinary lenses.

My e.mail address is monty34@live.co.uk if you would like more info.

Santa 25 Dec 2013, 23:43

My 35yr old girlfriend wears glasses part time. Today I finally saw a copy of her script R+1.25 -1.50 70 L+1.25 -1.50 110. How strong is that prescription and how often do people with that prescription wear their glasses. I'd love for her to wear them full time and I know she doesn't have contacts.

John 25 Dec 2013, 13:24

Hi Juicebox welcome back

How was your glasses shopping with your boyfriend ?

Do you think you need an increase again ?

Keep us posted

Juicebox 24 Dec 2013, 13:55

Ellen,

Hi and welcome to the site :) I'm sorry that your vision isn't the best, but I'm glad you can be mostly corrected! my prescription is tiny compared to yours but I'm so self-conscious about wearing glasses, so I hope it doesn't sound weird when I say that I'm envious about your ability to wear them all the time! If its not too personal a question, how come you don't wear contacts anymore? is it because of the better vision you get with glasses? also, again if its not too personal, how old are you? I'm 22.

30calcat 24 Dec 2013, 13:00

Ellen,

If I ever by chance come across you and do a double take, I am sorry. But do know that, at least from me, it is to take another look of admiration at someone who wears the same kind of glasses that I do. I also wear obviously strong glasses and want to feel a special connection to others that do as well.

Ellen 24 Dec 2013, 11:29

Hi,

Just happened upon this site while looking around for somewhere to talk about the trials and tribulations of life with extremely short sight. Not sure if it is exactly what I've been looking for as it seems aimed at mostly men who like women in glasses but what the heck. I've been "blind as a bat" since before I can remember. I've always wondered what it's like to be able to see without artificial aids and while I'm obviously very used to life with poor vision, my sight has caused me some anguish at various points along the way. I've never been able to be fully corrected with contacts due to high astigmatism and have at times tried various glasses/contacts combinations. At present I'm a 24/7 (apart from sleeping) glasses wearer though. Anyhow my current glasses prescription is:

right eye -19.50 sph -4.25 cyl 170

left eye -19.00 sph -3.75 cyl 160

My sight is good enough but not perfect with glasses so I'm thankful for that. I just wish my glasses didn't look so obviously strong and people weren't moved to do a double take when they see me.

Cactus jack 22 Dec 2013, 22:40

Goni,

1.5 BO in each eye is a total of 3 BO. If you did the measurements right and calibrated the paper strip right, that would mean that the test results agreed with the optometrists results.

If you get the prism in your glasses, it will be interesting to see how your prescription changes in the future,

If the glasses were cheap, it is likely that the lenses are CR-39 or possibly Polycarbonate.

Goni 22 Dec 2013, 15:44

Cactus Jack,

i dont really have much of idea about the type of the lens - i do know it was cheap.

if i took your test corectly, i got around 2-3 BO PRISM.

i got my first at the 4th grade - have no idea about a prescription....

i hope i'll get my eyeglasses so i could review it..

thanks you all,

Hans 22 Dec 2013, 05:38

As a post graduate student in Mathematics and a high myope, my owl like glasses with very high minus lenses make me look intelligent!

However my professor has thick cataract glasses and the high plus lenses hide his superior intellect? I think not. Agreed he may look as though he is lost at times as he has to move his head continually to find his way around and does have problems with his tunnel-like vision.

Cactus Jack 21 Dec 2013, 09:57

Goni,

You probably DID NOT get the full amount of prism you need, but that is common for a first prescription.

BO (Base Out) prism means that your eyes are trying to turn inward toward your nose, but 1.5 BO is a very tiny amount and and up to about 10 BO is not very noticeable by other people. BO prism will make your glasses about 1 mm per prism diopter thicker at the outside edge and thinner at the inside edge.

You can minimize the edge thickness by choosing a smaller width frame or choosing Polycarbonate lenses instead of CR-39 lenses. CR-39 is the best, optically. Polycarbonate lenses are not quite as good, but have a slightly higher Index of Refraction. Higher index lenses are more expensive and are thinner, but the optical properties are NOT as good as CR-39 or Polycarbonate.

Prism correction CAN NOT be put in contact lenses. The worst side effect of needing prism is that you have to wear glasses. With your astigmatism (2nd number), glasses are likely better than contacts anyway.

You did not say how old you were when you first got glasses, but I suspect your sphere prescription (1st number) was less than it is today. The need for prism correction can also increase over time. If you do the test I mentioned, it will give you an idea of how high your prism correction will get. If you have trouble understanding how to do the test, please ask.

Soundmanpt 21 Dec 2013, 09:29

faye

I will watch for you in "lenschat" and give it to you there.

Goni 21 Dec 2013, 09:20

Cactus Jack,

Thank you for your response.

If i understand you correctly - what i got may not be my fully prescription to correct my eyes problem?

What are the side effects of getting into the "world of prisms?

- Can i wear my CL made with prism?

- while i was serching more info about prisms - i found out the most of the time they have started with small amount - and it got higher and higher, thats a littlebit scary i must admit.

sorry for my poor english, right now i work as a waiter. dont know what i'm gonna study - if at all.

Cactus Jack 21 Dec 2013, 04:40

Goni,

It is common for optometrists and other ECPs (Eye Care Professionals) to under-correct prism, particularly for a first prescription with prism. 1.5 BO in each eye is really a tiny amount to see if it helps and you can tolerate it.

If you are interested, I have posted a "Simple Prism Test" on the http://www.vision-and-spex.com web site. Look on the Vision/Special Lenses for eye conditions thread, topic 'Prisms". The test is surprisingly accurate and it may give you an idea of what to expect.

Many ECPs are taught that a person can "get hooked" on prism, but I think, from personal experience, that it is more likely something similar to Latent Hyperopia. The need for prism correction is there, but the brain and eye positioning muscles have become so used to correcting the muscle imbalance or other cause, that it takes time for the eye positioning system to relax and let the glasses do the work of keeping images fused.

May I ask your occupation and if you are a student your field of interest?

You may have some more questions and it would be helpful to know how technical to get.

REd 20 Dec 2013, 23:32

Faye,

This article may be helpful except for base curve

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lens2.png

Base curve (BC)refers to the curvature of the front of the eye glass lens. If the front is flat BC is zero. For a positive BC the higher the number the more the middle of the lens will protrude from the frame.

If your new glasses had BC = 3 then the back of the lens closest to your eye would be more curved. It is the sum of the front and back curve that must equal your new prescription to give you good vision.

And, as you have discovered, the lower the BC the more the reflection. That can be reduced by an anti reflective coating that can be applied (for a price) to your lenses.

You are at an age when you would be most sensitive to what other kids might say. 95% might notice or say nothing.

As you grow older glasses will be less an issue for both you and others. I hope no one said anything upsetting to you at school today.

Goni 20 Dec 2013, 14:11

Hello Everyone,

thats the first time i got to know there is aforum like this.

anyway, i'm 21 male from Cyprus.

today i went to the optometrist after facing some diffuclties in reading, especially in low light, also while driving i felt likemy eyes getting tired too fast.

after the eyetest the optometrist said that i have problem which my eyes dont fully work together - and he think that it will become worse and worse...

that what the presxription i got from him:

OD -3.25 -1.5 5 1.5 BO PRISM

OS -3.00 -1.75 5 1.5 BO PRISM

he told that the next appointment will be in 3 months - hopeing that no sevir change will be.

i dont excacly know my last prescription but it was around -2.75.

next week i'm gonna pick up my glasses - I'll upload a picture.

thank you all.

minus5wholuvsgwgs 20 Dec 2013, 09:22

Faye the big plus is you can see well now at your age girls (and boys ) are very self conscious you will soon realise that most people do not notice the power of your lenses Please stop worrying and thank your lucky stars that you live somewhere you can get glasses if you were in a very poor country you might not be able to get glasses and you would be very disadvantaged not being able to see well Be proud of them

faye 20 Dec 2013, 07:49

so, when i got home from school yesterday there was a message that my new glasses were ready, and after work, my mom and me went to pick them up. And i was sooo disappointed in how they look.

#1 the edges are definitely thicker

#2 a few small rings suddenly turned into lots of big ones

#3 the worst, much bigger reflections

i asked why the reflections got so big and the optician checked my new glasses and said the new ones have a #1 base curve and the old ones have a #3 base curve and thats how they have to be. not much of a reason it seems to me. btw i dont even know what a base curve is lol. so anyway, Im going to wear them to school today and I wonder what the other kids are going to say.

soundman I lost your email address, could i have it again please.

Cactus Jack 19 Dec 2013, 22:29

Lucas,

Glasses are simply tools to help a person see clearly and comfortably. The purpose of the glasses and suggested wear depend on the type of vision problems they have. The reasons for suggesting one type of wear over another can be complex, but here are two simple reasons.

If a person needs correction to see distance clearly, full time wear is often suggested.

If a person has difficulty focusing close, but sees distant objects clearly, reading glasses are often prescribed to be worn when doing close work.

What prompted you to ask the question?

Cactus Jack 19 Dec 2013, 22:21

astigmaphile,

Yes, I had a brief chat about 3 days ago. He seems to be doing well and has been very busy. In addition to his other talents, he is very good at diagnosing and repairing computer problems. The company he works for also sells computers and they have to be configured and checked out before delivery to the customers. Apparently, Christmas is a very busy time there and he is making good money.

He is 21 now and a very responsible young citizen. As usual, people who do not know him, cannot believe, what he can do. Even people who know him well are often amazed.

Lucas 19 Dec 2013, 20:43

What difference does it make when glasses are made for full time wear or only reading?

astigmaphile 19 Dec 2013, 12:18

Cactus Jack,

Have you heard from Anderson lately. I think that his abilities in spite of vision problems are amazing.

Cactus Jack 18 Dec 2013, 19:15

I believe that if there is any connection between a persons eyeglass prescription and their intelligence, it is an incredibly weak one. There may be a myth or faulty logic involved. The Latin phrase "Post hoc, ergo procter hoc" (After this, therefore because of this) may be at work here.

It is true that highly intelligent people are quite often avid readers and are involved with lots of close work and study. This can lead to increased myopia, but not the other way around.

Both Myopia and Hyperopia are affected by genetic factors and hopefully, vision problems are detected very early in childhood and corrected if possible. Most knowledge is obtained through vision and good vision is necessary in childhood for mental development. There can also be genetic factors, environmental factors, and even disease factors involved in visual and mental development. Often, visual limitations will cause other areas of the brain to develop extraordinary capabilities.

One of our members is extremely hyperopic and and also has very high esotropia, likely caused by rubella during gestation. To compensate, he has developed incredible hearing, musical talents, and spatial memory along with incredible "photographic" memory and language skills (4 languages). As might be expected, many people assume that he is not very bright from his appearance. However they are in for a shock when they realize, he is a genius or very close to being one.

In another context, "you can't tell a book by its cover".

Crystal Veil 18 Dec 2013, 18:52

Interesting theme. For many years I worked with a Psychology professor who was almost shy. His glasses were around +7 and I always felt that some of his shyness had to do with his dependence of his strong glasses since early childhood. Another example is a Dublin lady who was far from shy when we had a relation in the early 1990's. Her glasses were +8 and she told me that she had a lot of problems in childhood because of her strong glasses. Not with her classmates but with some of her teachers who always picked her out when there was disorder in the class. My impression is that strong + glasses make the wearer more vulnerable than strong minus glasses. It's easier to hide one's uncertainties behind strong minus glasses.

bill 18 Dec 2013, 18:31

Well I'm sort of smart, and I wear minus glasses. So it must be true!!

Merry Christmas to one and all.

lentifan 18 Dec 2013, 16:00

I think there may be a perception among some people that plus lenses indicate lower intelligence. Occasionally I have seen TV characters wear plus lenses when lack of intelligence appeared to be indicated - but maybe this was not what was intended.

At any rate I doubt if there is any evidence for their assumption/prejudice, and to me a strong plus lens is extremely attractive.

Melyssa 18 Dec 2013, 15:44

I remember a young woman in college who wore drop-temples and cat's-eyes in a strong minus prescription, and she had a 3.8 GPA.

astigmaphile 18 Dec 2013, 12:47

I remember a boy in high school with a high diopter plus prescription. He was super smart and nerdy. I also rememvber a girl, too. She seemed perfectly normal intellectually.

Julian 18 Dec 2013, 12:29

intelligence: I know what you mean; but I'd have to say that 'it ain't necessarily so'.

intelligence 18 Dec 2013, 04:27

@minus5wholuvsgwgs

Interesting observation of your part. I agree that strong MINUS glasses could be observed as index for high intelligence.

Although I prefer plus glasses I must also admit and want to open this for discussion that people with very strong plus glasses usually don't seem too intelligent. One could almost say that the person is either very old or mentally challenged. What to you think?

And any explanation as to why this might be?

Thanks for your input, best regards,

Intelligence

minus5wholuvsgwgs 17 Dec 2013, 11:42

Faye please do not worry it happens my own girl friend is well over double minus15 and minus 16.25 she looks great in them and most men do not worry at all Be proud of them strong glasses usually indicate high intelligence

faye 17 Dec 2013, 11:30

soundmanpt, thanks a lot. i was on lenschat and noticed your name there though i missed you. i'm going there like now. i hope you see this message and login there so we can chat.

Soundmanpt 17 Dec 2013, 11:06

faye

You seem like a smart young lady an a curious one as well. You have it right that your vision has come by way of genes and like you say most likely from your mom.

Yes as your finding out each time you need stronger glasses your lenses will be getting a little thicker as well.

When your picking the red as being better it is also the stronger of the 2 options. But I urge you to never lie about that because in the long run it will just cause you bigger problems if your glasses aren't right and it effects your vision. So always be honest about that.

One think to keep in mind. Your only 13 and already there are several ways to restore your vision back to normal, but you will have to wait until your eyes stop changing for any of them to work. And chances are between now and when you may want to consider a permanent fix there will likely be further improvements in those areas.

faye 17 Dec 2013, 09:54

to soundmanpt, so theres a snowstorm today and no school so i can answer your message. spot on, im 13. we studied some genetics so now i think i know whats up. my dad has normal glasses but my mom has these monumentally thick chunks and thats what i inherited. a fate almost as bad as death. i have no clue what her prescription is, she must keep her forms locked up tighter than fort knox. tell me if this is true when the dr writes a more minus prescription hes telling the optician to make me thicker lenses. so by the time im grown up my glasses will be just like hers. thanks for helping me break the secret. but i still want to know what the red and the green thing is all about.

Soundmanpt 17 Dec 2013, 09:21

faye

First of all, your not going blind. But like you heard them say you are myopic, meaning your nearsighted (shortsighted). What your going through is very normal. Just as your body is growing so are your eyes growing and when your nearsighted that means they will continue to get more nearsighted each year. I'm sure you must have noticed that before you went for your recent eye exam that your vision wasn't so good anymore even with your glasses on? By what you say I am guessing your somewhere around 13 years old, so you will be getting increases in your glasses until your somewhere in your early 20's. You did nothing to cause this and there is nothing you can do to stop it from happening. At times the increases may be much smaller and other times they may be a bit more if your have gone through a growth spurt.

faye 17 Dec 2013, 07:10

so i think my mom and my eye dr are hiding a bad secret from me by how they act when my eyes are tested, like 2 days ago. when the exam ended he said to her, lots more minus. when i asked what that meant, they were both like its nothing sweetie, youll see fine with your new glasses. also, they tried to hide my prescription form but i got a peek at the numbers he wrote down, -7.25 and -7.75 with a capital s in the next boxes. i remember last years numbers from when we ordered the glasses, -5.25 and -5.75 with the ss. so i obviously went more minus, whatever that means. oh, one other weird thing happened at the test. when i looked through the machine, he made it half red and half green and asked me which was clearer. i couldnt see the green side at all and the red was blurry so i told him red. he seemed to be trying different lenses and the red kept being best. so then he said like arent you tired of saying red. i said I was telling the truth. then he took the colors away and it was like, which is better 1 or 2 and he kept changing the lens. then it was the same thing with the other eye. so, whats the big secret they dont want me to know? is it because im going blind? or what else? its my eyes, im entitled to know. thanks guys. oh btw i got glasses in 2nd grade and now im in 8th grade. i cant wait to hear your answers.

Murky 11 Dec 2013, 22:57

PD is really easy, I go to the photo booth on the PC, then get a pair of compasses (or protractor) and but each point in the middle of the pupil, glasses on, looking in the distance, 69 for me, 67 for close.

Can get a friend to do the same.

Cactus Jack 11 Dec 2013, 17:15

Stingray,

PD is important, but its importance increases with the prescription. Ideally, the Optical Center of the lenses is co-incident with your central axis of vision which is why there is a small difference (3-4 mm) between distance and near PD because your eyes converge for close. PD is sometime reduced or increased to cause small amounts of BO or BI prism to be induced. PD being off can cause some distortion, particularly in high prescription glasses. The location of the optical center of the lens is usually the "sweet spot" in the lens.

Normally, PD doesn't change very much in adults so if you have an older PD measurement, that should work just fine.

Stingray 11 Dec 2013, 17:01

Soundmanpt: Like I asked, will being off 1,2, or 3 of the PD matter a lot?

Soundmanpt 11 Dec 2013, 16:27

Stingray

Yeah many of the optical stores have come up with the idea of not providing that because they know your intentions are to get glasses on line.

But the best way for everyone to do is whenever you are booking your eye appointment to get an eye exam, ask them at that time if they will provide you with your PD because you have glasses picked out on line. If they say "no" then tell them never mind ojn the exam either and call somewhere else. I doubt you will nee t make many calls. Actually I bet the first place will agree rather than loose your business.

Another trick is have the doctor provide you with your PD. In most cases the doctor's are independent of the store so they want your business and it matters little to them where you get your glasses.

Lastly in your case why not have a friend help you with reading the PD for you. That is the best way anyway.

I have several places setup that I send people to near me and not only do they do the eye exams at a nice discounted rate ($35.00) but also provides the PD.

Stingray 11 Dec 2013, 15:13

When ordering glasses online, just how critical is the PD measurement? If my calculations are off by say 1, 2, or 3 is that a big deal or not? My problem is that they gave me a PD ruler from Zenni, but since I can't see up close, I can't read the numbers or use the ruler with my glasses.

To get an eye care professional to reveal the PD is like near impossible. They guard it as if it were the same as atomic bomb secrets.

Cactus Jack 08 Dec 2013, 21:58

Annette,

Just wanted to add my agreement to what Soundmanpt suggested. What is causing your daughter's myopia to increase is most likely that her eyeballs are growing, which is what they normally do from childhood until early 20s, but in her case, they are growing too much and as he said, it is probably genetic. Myopia is usually caused by a mismatch between the length (size) of the eyeball and the total power of the eye's lens system. Effectively, the eyeball is growing faster than the head/eye socket and is too long. The image from distant objects is focusing in front of the retina. Minus glasses or contacts move the focus point back to the location of the retina. The distances are very small and the amount of extra growth is about 0.3 mm per diopter.

The medical term for what is happening is Progressive Myopia. It may be possible to slow the progress by wearing a weaker prescription (older glasses) while reading or using the computer, the very best thing to do is to have her seen by an ophthalmologist who specializes in Progressive Myopia for advice on how to slow the increases. Right now, Progressive Myopia is primarily an annoyance and perhaps a vanity issue, but as her sphere prescription increases beyond -10.00 the risk of retinal detachment increases, which can be very serious.

Soundmanpt 08 Dec 2013, 19:51

Annette

Your eye care professional is correct. She will likely be seeing increase until she is in her early 20's. Some maybe small and others may be more do to possible growth spurts. As you may or may not know her vision came from either your genes or her dad's genes.

I am not a believer in those contacts you refer to. Their history isn't very good as they have been on and off the market a couple of times. Also from what I know about them I think they work best for those that have just a weak prescription. I know an optician that had them because she was curious how well they worked. Her prescription was on the weak side. She told me they were okay but didn't last all that long during the day when you didn't wear anything and she had to have her glasses handy rather quickly because her eyes changed really fast. Of course the best thing yto do is ask her doctor about them but my guess is he/she will be against it for her.

Annette 08 Dec 2013, 19:23

A year ago, my daughter got this prescription:

R -5.50 -1.50 65 L -6.50 -1.25 125. She was 13.

Last week, she got this prescription:

R -6.75 -1.75 70 L -8.00 -1.25 115. She is 14.

The optometrist said she got much more myopic and it wasn't surprising since she is going through puberty. The scariest thing he said was that she might have major changes for the next few years. I recall reading that there are night contact that can counteract this. Are they safe? Are they effective??

Soundmanpt 08 Dec 2013, 19:08

Clare

Your right about being confident enough to wear your glasses and even though you still do wear contacts at certain times you are showing more and more that your getting that confidence. You just have to come to terms that your every bit attractive wearing glasses as you are without them. And with each one of you life experences now when your wearing glasses your finding that people don't view you any differently than if were wearing contacts. I think it would be ironic if you were to meet the man of your dreams while wearing glasses. To be honest it really wouldn't surprise me if that were to happen.

Clare 08 Dec 2013, 16:22

Juicebox - you're right, you're lucky with that one! I've learned that once you come to terms with wearing glasses its all about confidence - if you find someone who reinforces that it must be brilliant.

John 08 Dec 2013, 06:40

Hi Juicebox,

Do you think your vision has changed since last September ?

Do you think you need an increase ?

Are you less working on a computer, which may affect your vision ?

Would you have time to do the self test ? (see my last post)

Many thanks for your answer.

John 08 Dec 2013, 06:40

Hi Juicebox,

Do you think your vision has changed since last September ?

Do you think you need an increase ?

Are you less working on a computer, which may affect your vision ?

Would you have time to do the self test ? (see my last post)

Many thanks for your answer.

Juicebox 07 Dec 2013, 08:56

Thank you Cactus Jack for that awesome explanation. I thought it would be something similar to that. I really enjoyed science at school (and was pretty good at it, I got 100% on 5/6 exams) and to be honest this kind of stuff fascinates me. What I didn't think about was how the prism effect would change between the different types of lenses, so thanks for enlightening me!

Juicebox 07 Dec 2013, 08:56

Astra 06 Dec 2013, 00:37

It is only in general "higher the index of refraction" gives more significant chromatic aberration. There is a chart showing the abbe number V and nD (refractive index)

http://www.opticasoftware.com/documentation/Rayica/PrinciplesOfRayica/5DataHandling/HTMLFiles/index_46.gif

Cactus Jack 06 Dec 2013, 00:16

Astra and Juiicebox.

Chromatic aberration is the splitting of white light into its component colors by the prism effects of a lens. This takes a little visualization, but both concave and convex lenses are made up of an infinite number of very thin prisms arranged in a circle. It is most obvious in a concave lens for correcting myopia, the stronger the lens the more obvious the prisms. The base of the prism is located at the edge of the lens and the apex of the prism is at the center of the lens. A prism typically has straight sides and lenses have curved surfaces (prism sides) but they don't have much effect on the light splitting prism effects.

Convex lenses for hyperopia are a also a lot of ultra thin prisms arranged in a circle, but the thick bases are in the center and the sharp apexes are around the thin edge.

The splitting of the white light into colors is actually caused by the slightly different amounts of bending of the various colors as the light enters and exits the prism. The thicker the base of the prism (lens) and the higher the index of refraction, the wider the separation of the colors. Color aberration is most noticeable when looking at a relatively bright white light against a darker surface, but most of the time, the brain will simply ignore the color fringing unless it is very pronounced.

CR-39 has the best abbe value and the least color fringing of all the plastics.

Astra 05 Dec 2013, 23:42

Trent,

mind you while the thickness at 180 degree is low, the nose side of my lens is about 7-8 mm thick.

Trent 05 Dec 2013, 22:43

Astra,

Interesting, my sphere is 0.75 less than yours but the same calc came back with a lens 1mm thicker. Then again my cyl is quite strong which adds to the thickness.

motard 05 Dec 2013, 21:48

Juicebox, I googled it, the effect is that the lenses tend to split colors. I didn't know what this was till now, but had experienced it with an older set of glasses with the polycarbonate lenses

juicebox 05 Dec 2013, 20:29

Astra,

I must confess that I did not further my science into A Levels and the only aberration that I know of is the astronomical kind where celestial bodies appear to be in a different location due to the angle from which they are observed. would I be right in thinking that chromatic aberration is something to do with colour? as in it somehow shifts colours or something? I could probably google this but I'm sure the answers in here would be just as good!

Astra 05 Dec 2013, 05:11

As for frame selection it's quite a hard time in that store. The store may still be too small to have easy selection for my dimension. If you have notice my PD you would easily realize not many frames are designed for PD 75-77 , most of the frame I tried on are too narrow at the temples, which seems to be unable to fit my ears.

Moreover I don't think that store has a good selection of larger frame. I haven't look at all their catalogue, though ! Perhaps I have set my target price range too low, while the store mostly offer higher priced frames. I don't want my frame+lenses combined exceeds US $ 75

Astra 05 Dec 2013, 05:02

This time the optical store does not allow me to choose the 1.50 lenses. That store has 2 branches, I have been to either one, the first one got to directly suggest me to choose between 1.56, 1.61, 1.67 , and the second one (this time) they refuse my request for 1.50 lenses. So I ended up order 1.60 lenses for convenience.

Astra 05 Dec 2013, 04:57

I suggest not to concern about lens thickness that much.

this is using my data.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/685/kj3n.jpg

Astra 05 Dec 2013, 04:31

john,

the most significant problem about hi-index lenses is the chromatic aberration.

As for my advice for juicebox, I suggest you to use 1.50 lenses , not hi-index lenses . hi-index lenses are thinner (that's their selling point) , but the chromatic aberration would become easy to notice, which is a disadvantage for ALL types of hi-index lenses, especially 1.67, 1.7 or 1.55-1.56. the higher the index , normally the chromatic aberration would be more severe.

but there is a type of 1.55-1.56 lenses as mentioned above, most typically found in Asia , has a poor chromatic performance with abbe value of 33-38

john 05 Dec 2013, 03:59

Juicebox

Sorry I forgot to answer.

Yes you are right in thinking they don't actually improve vision.

Also, I do'nt think tey just make the lenses look more attractive, because tinner lenses are also "antireflective" and they get rapidly dirty and have that strange purper reflective shine.

john 05 Dec 2013, 03:51

Hi Juicebox

thank you for you reply.

keep us posted in February. We keep our fingers crossed that you will not have again a big increase!

By the way do you think you need an increase ?

It would be most interesting to do a home or self eye test, so you could find out how much your eventual increase is.

I suggest the following.

Go on the http://www.eyeexamonline.com/free-eye-chart-snellen.html and left on the print our free snellen chart go to DOWNLOAD FREE EYE CHART.

I could not print it, but on your computer put your screen at 75%. Stay at 4 feet (1.2m) from your screen and see what line you can read with your glasses or contacts. You do it for the right eye (covering the left with your hand) and than for the left eye. If for instance you can read EDLTOZFCP with your right eye and LPCFETODZ with your left eye you may need a 0.75 increase.

Another test without your glasses and contacts. On the same page down, take the near vision card and measure for each eye at how many centimeters DZELCFOTP (the 3rd line) becomes a little blur. If it is at 25 centimeters, you may need -4 (100/25=4), if it is at 28 cm you may need-3.5 (100/28=3.57)

Thank you to keep us all posted.

motard 04 Dec 2013, 09:19

Here is mine for glasses

R -6.50 -1.75 020

L -5.25 -2.00 170

Juicebox 03 Dec 2013, 03:47

John,

Firstly I am so sorry about the late reply. I saw your post and was on a train at the time and had no internet signal to post so I made a mental note to reply, which I have only just remembered - sieve brain! So here are the answers to your questions (as well as one that I think you and Soundmanpt asked a while back that I also rudely forgot to answer - again sorry!)

I don't really feel that my glasses are strong. I do now get a few comments if people try them on that I didn't get before that they are stong, but I know from people on here that they are not nearly as strong as a lot of people's prescription so I don't really want to complain!

I think that they are getting a little thicker and if my prescription does go higher I would probably consider the thinner lenses - purely out of vanity as, am I right in thinking they don't actually improve vision? Just make the lenses look more attractive?

My optician just mentioned that most people go through these changes in their teens, but as I was a student he wasn't that concerned. He said that I am to go back in 6 months (so February now!!) and that if my eyes keep changing as rapidly he would rethink his position as I am no longer a student but a graduate with no job! I'm feverishly looking though!

It was my boyfriends birthday a while back and I decided as a little gift to him to wear my glasses for him, as you commented that your girlfriend did. He has asked before and I was open about just not feeling as attractive wearing them (to which he replied "I don't think you could ever be less beautiful" - such a good boyfriend, a keeper for sure!). As I think I have mentioned, he wears glasses too and his prescription is stronger than mine, so I felt a lot better about it. I don't wear them as often as he does around me, but now that I have put the irrational fear of him dumping me because of it to rest, I wear them occasionally. I think he actually quite likes them and offered to glasses shopping with me, that really helped to put me at ease.

Hope this answers your questions! :)

Astra 01 Dec 2013, 09:30

I have also posted some images collected by eye scene members to tieba.baidu.com

Astra 01 Dec 2013, 09:25

thank you. i am happy to know there are people that interest about the page.

that web site is

http://tieba.baidu.com/f?kw=%D1%DB%BE%B5%C4%EF

note that the language in that page is Chinese simplified , not English.

In future I hope to re-upload some of those collected images to vision-and-spex.com

Andrew 01 Dec 2013, 06:55

Thank you for the explanation. I've never been auto-refracted, so I've just learned something new.

01 Dec 2013, 05:24

Hey Astra, what happened to your Flickr? I really miss the Chinese gwgs. What was the Chinese site you frequented?

Astra 01 Dec 2013, 00:55

If the detected astigmatism is smaller than about 0.12 , the auto-refractor may be set to give an value of 0.00 , otherwise, between 0.12 and 0.37 it likely gives 0.25

Astra 01 Dec 2013, 00:52

that machine can only detect astigmatism every 0.25 diopter

Cactus Jack 30 Nov 2013, 18:26

Andrew,

Notice that it is an auto refractor prescription. It probably prints the axis of wherever the servos that control the axis happen to rest or land. Most, but certainly not all, human beings know to ignore the axis on a 0.00 cylinder prescription. Astra is very fortunate to not have any detectable astigmatism.

Andrew 30 Nov 2013, 17:10

Astra,

Why is there an axis on a zero cylindrical correction?

Astra 29 Nov 2013, 21:04

this optometrist without knowing the previous rx only gives to acuity 20/33 (0.6) after correction.

currently my acuity in the previous rx is 20/50 (0.4)

Astra 29 Nov 2013, 20:59

my previous rx was probably under-corrected by -1 or slightly more, so that this optometrist commented the increase of 3 diopters in spherical rx was very unusual in 18 months.

Astra 29 Nov 2013, 20:55

The rx is supposed to be able to correct my vision to acuity 1.0 (20/20)

Autorefractor reading

R -9.75 -0.00 177

L -9.25 -0.00 001

Astra 29 Nov 2013, 20:47

my rx update 2013.11.29

R -9.0

L -8.5

Tom 16 Nov 2013, 12:20

It is only without my glasses that i hold things close, with my glasses i can see fine an normal reading distances, i have never had any problems seeing up close. I would proberly spend 10 plus hours in front of a computer and never even get sore eyes, so i dont see how it can be that i need bifocals.

My prescription is -0.25 -0.75 10

And -0.25 -0.75 170

3 years ago it was

0.75 -0.75 10

0.50 -0.75 5. When i wear these glasses now i cant see anything clearly in the distance at all

I do get sore eyes if i try to watch tv or drive without my glasses though, especially at night which gives me massive headaches. It is fine with my glasses though and i have no problems, but i do find green lights like traffic lights and blue lights to be very very blurry. Funnily enough the same red light in the traffic light is clear and sharp ??

I live in australia

Cactus Jack 16 Nov 2013, 11:31

Tom,

If your prescription is:

Right Eye Sphere -0.25, Cylinder -0.75, Axis ??

Left Eye Sphere -0.25, Cylinder -0.75, Axis ??

That means the your Astigmatism is the dominant factor in your vision and it messes up vision at all distances and makes text harder to read. The smaller the harder. It is also possible that presbyopia is creeping up on you. The idea that you don't need reading help until 40 is a myth. You need help, when you need it. Presbyopia actually starts in childhood and usually does not become a nuisance until later, but not always. Your genes and visual environment play a big role in when you need reading help.

With your occupation, and reading preferences, don't be surprised if it is not long before you need bifocals for close or trifocals for intermediate help. If you need to see close things above your head you might find glasses with the reading segment at the top of the lens very helpful. Electricians often find those to be a godsend when they work on wall mounted electrical panels.

Cactus Jack 16 Nov 2013, 11:16

Tom,

It is really hard to analyze your vision without a complete prescription that looks something like this:

OD (Right Eye) Sphere -/+ 0.00, Cylinder -/+ 0.00, Axis 0 to 180 degrees, Prism, Add

OS (Left Eye) Sphere -/+ 0.00, Cylinder -/+ 0.00, Axis 0 to 180 degrees, Prism, Add

Every element in the prescription means something.

However, if you are having reading problems, mostly with your iPad and iPhone, it is quite common even in teen agers. The problem is very tiny text and you need to hold them close so the tiny text will appear larger on your retina and make it easier to read. When you hold things close, that means your ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses have to work harder to focus really close and your eye positioning muscle have to converge your eyes more so you don't see double.

The solution may be bifocals (even for teens) that provide some PLUS help for focusing very close. You can also try some Over-the-Counter readers that are usually available in the +1.00 to +3.50 range, over your glasses. If that helps you can either ask for a bifocal prescription or Clip-On Magnifiers (clip on like sunglasses). If you like the clip on idea, I will give you a source in the US.

May I ask where you live?

Tom 16 Nov 2013, 09:03

Sorry i meant to write that both eyes are -0.25 -0.75 per eye just the astigmatism angles are different.

So each eye has astigmatism and a small amount of minus.

I am a mechanic but i actually do paper work every day so i spend every day in front of the computer. With my glasses i can see when reading at a normal distance though when i sit on my iPad or phone i like to hold them close with or without glasses

Cactus Jack 16 Nov 2013, 00:51

Tom,

I suspect you either have some significant astigmatism (cylinder numbers) or possibly other problems. That I can't even guess at without more information. I have provided a bit more technical information in the post below.

Cactus Jack 16 Nov 2013, 00:47

Tom,

The axis angle is not a very important number in determining quality of vision without glasses. The sphere power and cylinder power are very important.

The effects of sphere power numbers can be pretty easily calculated by dividing the power into 100 cm or 39.37 inches depending on the number system you prefer. For example, your eye that requires -0.25 should be able to see things that are closer than 400 cm (4 meters) or about 13 feet pretty clearly. The numbers for the eye that requires -0.75 are 133 cm (1.3 meters) or about 4.3 feet.

If you have astigmatism and need cylinder correction, it makes those numbers worse and affects vision at ALL distances.

What you describe is pretty normal, unless you have problems focusing close because you have presbyopia, (chances are you don't have presbyopia at 27, but it can happen at any age) or you have hyperopia. However, your sphere prescription says you have myopia.

You may like to read close out of habit or you may have enough astigmatism that you need to read close so the images of the letters cover more rods and cones in your retina and that helps you see them.

Vision actually occurs in the brain and your eyes are just biological cameras. Often people with low vision and extreme hyperopia will hold things close so the images cover more rods and cones. Think of rods and cones as being like pixels in a display or camera image sensor. The more pixels that are involved in gathering or displaying an image, the sharper it will be.

Other factors can affect reading distance preferences, but I don't have enough information to offer anything other than the above and that is pretty speculative at this point.

Another thing that is going on, because of the differences in your eyes, is that if the brain is presented with a blurry image and a clear image, it will use the clear image as its primary data source and use the other image to supplement it where it can. Ideally, when you wear your glasses your brain is presented with two clear images which it can use to build a high quality 3D image.

May I ask your occupation?

Tom 15 Nov 2013, 21:01

Hey cactus that prescription is about a year old, and i think the angle is somewhere near 10 and 180 i think. I am 27 years old, but i just want to know why things are so clear really close to my face then go blurry so quickly when i move something to normal reading distance.

With my glasses on it is fine, and it has been like this ever since i was in school. Even then i used to hold books really close and sit really close to the computer

Cactus Jack 15 Nov 2013, 12:08

Tom,

It would be helpful if you would tell us your age and if we had a more recent complete prescription. You apparently have some myopia and some astigmatism. They are caused by two different things and have different effects. A small amount of myopia (corrected by minus glasses) actually helps you read without your glasses. Astigmatism affects the ability to see small things (text for instance) at all distances.

As a first step, I would suggest getting an eye exam to see what your prescription is now.

Tom 15 Nov 2013, 11:29

Hi, i have a quick question. I have glasses and have had for a few years now. I wear them for distance but when i am reading i take them off.

Now i want to know, i have astigmatism and when i read without my glasses i can see fine, actually as good as with the glasses if not slightly better but only if i hold things really close to my face, like 10-15cm kinda close.

Now i have done this for ever since i can remember and i find it quite comfortable but i want to know why does writing get blurry so quickly. Like if i hold the same thing 20 or even 30 cm away i can barely read it and the further away it is impossible to read, but i can still see objects ok

My prescription is -0.25 -0.75 in both eyes so it is not like it is super strong, cna i can see things further away just not letters etc.

Julian 12 Nov 2013, 09:50

Rob - you say your glasses help a lot for reading. This has to be because of the cylinder, so I reckon it would make good sense to wear them full time.

Rob 12 Nov 2013, 09:35

Just got a new prescription:

Left: Sph -0.75 , -0.75 X 86

Right Sph -0.75, -1.00 X 90

How often do you recommend I wear them.

Before my astigmatism was just 0.25. Now I find they help a lot for reading.

Cactus Jack 07 Nov 2013, 16:08

Stingray,

The add for a computer display at 30 inches would be +1.31 or either +1.25 or +1.50. The prescription for single vision computer glasses for that distance would be:

OD: sph +2.75 cyl -1.25 axis 095

OS: sph +3.00 cyl -.25 axis 095

or perhaps

OD: sph +3.00 cyl -1.25 axis 095

OS: sph +3.25 cyl -.25 axis 095

if you need a little more plus. I would suggest trying some +1.25 or +1.50 readers over your glasses before ordering to see what works best. If you have a bit of accommodation available, the +1.25 "add" would probably a good choice.

You might find that you need to reduce your working distance by a couple of inches if you decide on the +1.50 "add"

Stingray 07 Nov 2013, 15:43

Just got a new prescription:

OD: sph +1.50 cyl -1.25 axis 095 add +2.75

OS: sph +1.75 cyl -.25 axis 095 add +2.75

based on this prescription, does anyone know how to make this prescription translate into computer eyeglass prescription? My distance to my monitor is around 30 inches away from my face.

John 07 Nov 2013, 04:43

Where is Juicebox?

Long time we got any news.

I agree with Soundmanpt, it is quite a big increase, in early June 2012 you were still at -0.5 (although you needed an increase)and one year ago (last September) you just got your first big jump at -1.75. That is a -2 increase in one year.

Do you feel that your glasses are strong ?

Did you feel a big difference with your new prescription? Do you thing that they become a little thick? Some opticians recommend high index from -4 on.

What was the reaction of your optician? Did he ask you to come back in six months or in one year ?

Do you now wear your glasses in front of your boyfriend ?

Keep is posted

Asdoo 06 Nov 2013, 22:26

My eyes also have different image sizes bare eyed. My right eye is +1.75 and my left eye is +4.25. When I am bare eyed the images in my left eye look quite a bit smaller and blurrier. When I'm wearing glasses I don't really notice an image size difference. It's odd that there is more image size difference when I am bare eyed.

Cactus Jack 06 Nov 2013, 13:12

SC,

A minified image in your more hyperopic eye makes a lot of sense. The fact that you need a PLUS corrective lens means that the "eye power" of that eye is actually MINUS or at least more toward MINUS than the eye you are using for comparison. Remember that corrective lenses neutralize or cancel out the refractive error and vertex distance effects are square function of the lens power and the distance from the cornea.

svensont 06 Nov 2013, 13:08

Danbert,

I have heard that eye doctors can prescribe more minus sphere instead of BI prism.

Wearing overcorrection has similar effect to wearing BI, so I think after your experiments your eyes got used to a new "point" when relaxed, and now, as they have relaxed more they tend to diverge even more than when looking straight ahead.

Danbert 06 Nov 2013, 12:09

svensont,

You do indeed have a good memory. I did and still do experience what I would describe as an intermittent exophoria.

I did have glasses with -1.00 sphere, axis as per my prescription and 2 BI in each eye. I wore them on and off until they broke (cheap but nasty plastic frames!).

What is interesting to me though of late is that I have been wearing an old -2.50 pair much of the time - and I find that these work very well preventing double vision. Apparently minus sphere can stimulate one's convergence - and anecdotally it is one possible treatment of low level exophoria, alongside prisms and vision therapy.

My last eye exam took a while. It seems that my eyes adjust slowly to different lenses (according to the optometrist - I guess he means that my eyes adjust to different levels of accommodation slowly) and he had to try lots of things to figure out what my prescription was. I do wonder how accurate the -0.75D spherical change (from +0.5 to -.25) is, though.

SC 06 Nov 2013, 05:21

Cactus Jack,

Your comment on image size being related to cornea-lens distance made me think. I understand if you had different prescriptions then images become different sizes.

However, I have noticed that bare-eyed the images from my eyes are not the same size. I have a substantial difference (potentially +3.5D) and notice that the most hyperopic (&lazy;) eye image is around 10-15% smaller than the better eye - does this make any sense to you?

For example, the image size on my left eye becomes the same as right eye if I use a +1.25 lens at 5.5cm and leave the right eye bare.

curious 06 Nov 2013, 03:35

@Cactus Jack: thank you for your elaborate answer.

You were right. In fact, I called my ECP and she explained to me that indeed I now have a prism prescription that includes base up and base down. Of course I checked and can actually see that i.e. objects, lines, etc. are slightly elevated through my left lens and slightly moved downwards through my right lens when I keep my glasses at some distance and see through them.

Thank you and best regards,

Curious

Specs4ever 05 Nov 2013, 13:38

Pretty darned close - but oppisote Cactus. I was -2.25 in my right eye and +0.50 in my left when I first had an eye exam at 18. To pass my driver licence eye test I just squinted through my fingers - it worked then, but it wouldn't work now.

Cactus Jack 05 Nov 2013, 12:47

iamhacked,

I think S4E is right with his suggestions. The younger you are, the better chance you have, but don't expect too much.

The eyes do not necessarily track together and there are some people who have very different prescriptions in each eye. The biggest cause of discomfort is the difference in image size on each retina caused primarily by what is called Vertex Distance, which is the distance from the cornea to the back surface of the lenses in your glasses. A complicating factor may be your astigmatism, but it depends on how much you actually have. It would be very helpful if you could provide your complete prescription.

One possibility is to wear a -2.00 sphere only contact lens on your left eye and correct the remainder of the left eye's error and all the right eye's error with glasses that have nearly the same prescription. You could probably wear toric contacts for your astigmatism, but they are expensive and very hard to fit.

When I was about your age, I had about -1.50 in my left eye and 0.00 (plano) in my right eye. Effectively I had natural Mono Vision where I used my Left eye for reading and my Right eye for distance. I was not even aware that I needed glasses until I flunked an eye test for a driver's license. The result of that is that I could not play sports like baseball because I had no idea where the ball was until it was too late to hit it and my eyes don't work well together even today.

If I remember right, S$E had similar vision problems when he was growing up.

The contact idea might not work for you if you have dry eye problems.

Please let us know your complete prescription even if you have to go back to the ECP that wrote it. If they ask why, you can say that you want to carry your prescription in your wallet in case they get lost or broken and you can't easily get to them to get replacements.

May I ask where you live and do you think you might have some problems ordering glasses on line, if we give you a little help?

specs4ever 05 Nov 2013, 10:44

I am not sure if there is a way to get one eye to become more nearsighted or not Iamhacked. One thing you could try might be to get a pair of glasses that has a weaker prescription for your left eye and a stronger than needed prescription for your right eye. I would tend to cut back the left eye by around -0.75D and increase the right eye by the same amount.

You need to do it so that the right eye doesn't have a really large amount of over correction to over come, and you don't want to have your left eye struggling to see clearly - which could make it even more myopic. And when you are reading it would be good to cut off the vision of the left eye with an eye patch so that your right eye is reading through the stronger than needed lens.

This will take some time and effort, but it could work. And if your right eye does develop more minus you can do the same thing all over again.

Cactus Jack 05 Nov 2013, 09:12

curious,

That is a new one, but maybe we can Interpret it.

R +1.25 -0.5 113 Prism 12.00 Base 179

L +1.00 -0.5 83 Prism 12.01 Base 358

Cylinder axis is specified in angular degrees with 0 being to the patient's left and the ECPs right. The numbers increase in a counter clockwise direction for the ECP (clockwise for the patient) until vertical at 90 degrees and on to 180 degrees. For cylinder axis there is no point in specifying angles beyond 180 degrees because the long axis of a cylinder extends from one end and out the other, 180 degrees away. However, prism is different and the Base of the prism can only be in ONE direction, anywhere in a circle.

If we apply the rules for specifying cylinder axis angle 0 (or 180) being horizontal and 90 (or 270) being vertical, it would make sense to specify Base Out prism with a little bit of Base Up in the Right Eye as 179 degrees and Base Out prism with a little Base Down in the Left Eye as 358. Usually, that situation is specified as two prism corrections for each eye such as:

R +1.25 -0.5 113 Prism 12.00 Base Out 0.25 Base Up

L +1.00 -0.5 83 Prism 12.00 Base Out 0.50 Base Down

I just grabbed those Base Up and Down numbers out of the air as examples. I was too lazy this morning to calculate the actual amount of Base Up or Down caused by 1 degree of orientation difference in one eye and 2 degrees in the other. Typically, prescriptions are written in 0.25 diopter increments or rarely 0.125 in increments. In math, these increments are called "granularity", the smaller the numbers the finer the "grain". It generally works because most people can't tell the difference between 0.25 and 0.125 in a prescription. In specifying axis angles for cylinder or prism you might need more accuracy and specifying an Up or Down component in 0.25 prism diopter increments may result in more actual prism in the glasses than the ECP wanted to prescribe.

Also, it may be that the ECP just wanted to impress everyone involved, with his skill in discerning tiny elements in a prescription. I think of such actions as the "Princess and the Pea" syndrome, from childhood stories, where the Princess was chosen my her ability to detect the presence of a small Pea under several pillows as she sat on them. It is often manifest these days by someone taking great offense and making a big deal of some tiny slight or transgression.

I wonder if the 179 and 358 actually made it into the glasses or if the lenses were just mounted at 180 degrees and 360 degrees, Base Out in both eyes.

curious 05 Nov 2013, 07:07

Hi there

I have had a long history of prism prescription. As of yesterday I got new glasses. They have the following rx:

R +1.25 -0.5 113 Prism 12.00 Base 179

L +1.00 -0.5 83 Prism 12.01 Base 358

I'm just wondering how I have to read my new rx. I understand everything until we get to the base of my prism. Can anybody comment on that? I used to have a simple prescription of 12 pdpt base out in each lens. Now it seems different.

Much appreciated.

Btw: my vision is crisp and clear with my new glasses. I'm just curious what this means.

iamhacked 05 Nov 2013, 00:53

@specs4ever

hmm I'm 16 right now, and my vision has been this way since like 8 years ago.

specs4ever 03 Nov 2013, 08:23

Been there tried that iamhacked. Nothing I tried was permanant. Maybe if I could have started when my right eye first became nearsighted there might have been, but by age 18 I couldn't do a thing

iamhacked 03 Nov 2013, 04:07

My left eye is about -2.75 with my right eye being -0.75. I recently received an 0.25 dioptre increase to both eyes at my last eye exam. I also have quite a bit of astigmatism but can't remember the astigmatism prescription, probably 1 dioptre something. The thing is my eyes have been dry these few weeks due to not sleeping enough and being tired. My left eyesight seems to have deteriorated as a result of that. I don't like my eyes having such different eyesight because it gives minor headaches occasionally. Is there a way to make my two eyes' eyesight about the same, or at least make my right eye progress in myopia?

svensont 01 Nov 2013, 15:10

Danbert,

As I remember you have glasses with your real prescription and a pair with BI prism and minus sphere. Were you wearing them? If so, which one and how long? Do you still have the symptoms of double vision when tired?

Soundmanpt 27 Oct 2013, 12:14

Minus mom

It's good that her doctor doesn't seem too concerned. It means her eyes are healthy and that is the main thing. It is fairly common that when vision increases are changing at a little more rapid rate to do more frequent eye exams so that her glasses can be changed to keep up with her eye changes. There is nothing you or your husband have done or can do to prevent these changes from happening. Its just a part of there growing process and should start to slow down as they reach their early 20's.

It would seem your girls have gotten you genes for their eyes since your husband is only -3.00. At what age were you when you first got glasses and at what age were you when your eyes stopped changing? How does that compare to when your girls got their first glasses?

Minus mom 27 Oct 2013, 04:15

I'm nearsighted (-5) as is my husband (-3) so we expected nearsighted kids. We have 2 of them, girls. The older is 17 and is up to -6 -- to be expected. But I'm worried about our 15 year old. She wears -8 and is increasing too fast. Our eye dr put her on a 6 month schedule instead of 12 months. He doesn;t seem overly concerned but I am. Should I be? Thanks.

GW 26 Oct 2013, 10:31

I just got back from a tour in the middle east and they gave me this prescription and the standard black plastic frames while I was there. The frames are rather thick so its hard to tell how thick the lens are. I am having the prescription put into some frames I had before I left.

Thanks for your time responding - greatly appreciated !

Cactus Jack 26 Oct 2013, 10:00

GW,

Probably not very thick with your prescription. Actual lens thickness depends primarily on three things:

1. The prescription - your prescription is not very high and your astigmatism is the most dominant factor and the fact that your RE has + sphere and the LE minus will affect overall appearance of the glasses.

2. The lens material - I would not pay extra for high index, the benefit would be small.

3. The lens size.

A fourth factor depends on safety rules. The lens has to be thick enough to withstand a calibrated strike by a steel ball and not shatter. Usually about 3 mm thick at the center of the lens.

This prescription is well within the standard cost prescription range of Zenni Optical. Why don't you order a pair of low cost glasses from them with an acceptable frame and REALLY satisfy your curiosity without spending a lot of money.

GW 25 Oct 2013, 22:27

Thanks - I was worried they would be thick !

25 Oct 2013, 21:06

GW,

About 3 inches thick.

GW 25 Oct 2013, 17:45

Here is my glasses prescription - will they be thick ?

R Sphere Cylinder Axis

D.V. R.E +1.25 -2.00 142

L.E -1.25 -2.00 177

ADD R.E +225

L.E +255

N.V. R.E +350 -2.00 142

L.E +1.00 -2.00 177

Danbert 24 Oct 2013, 04:56

In August 2012, I had an eye exam and the result was:

R: +0.50 x -0.25 x 90

L: +0.50 x -0.50 x 90

Today (14 months later), I had an eye exam (different optometrist) and the result was:

R: -0.25 [no axis / astigmatism]

L: -0.25 x -0.25 x 95

Aside from the slight myopic shift, it seems that the astigmatism decreased by 0.25 diopters in each eye. Could this somehow be related to the myopic shift? Or are sphere and axis generally not correlated? Everything seemed to shift by a proportionate amount, so that just makes me curious.

Soundmanpt 19 Sep 2013, 19:50

John

Did your gf know she was giving you the best gift in the world? Do you think her orginal plan was to just wear them for you for your birthday and then go back to wearing her contacts but I'm sure your reaction to seeing her in glasses must have made an impression on her as much as it did on you.

So I guess you truly can say she gave you a gift "that just keeps on giving"? Did you tell her there wasn't a thing she could have bought you that would have made you anymore happy? And the truth be known she has to be much more comfortable now wearing her glasses anyway.

John 19 Sep 2013, 05:19

Juicebox

Thank you to keep us posted. I agree with Soundmanpt, it is quite a big increase, in early June 2012 you were still at -0.5 (although you needed an increase)and one year ago (last September) you just got your first big jump at -1.75. That is a -2 increase in one year.

Do you feel that you glasses are strong ?

Did you feel a big difference with your new prescription? Do you thing that they become a little thick? Some opticians recommend high index from -4 on.

What was the reaction of your optician? Did he ask you to come back in six months or in one year ?

My girl friend wears contacts and never wanted to wear her glasses in front of me. Last June for my birthday she wore for the first time her glasses (-4.75 and -5); the nicest present. I was so happy and now she always wear her glasses when we are together.

Clare 18 Sep 2013, 16:57

Juicebox - you've overtaken me for sure! I started with a -0.75 prescription, which I didn't wear, 20 years ago and am now at -3 and -2.75 which has been pretty stable, give or take some cyl, for a few years. Contacts are a wonderful way of masking our vision defects but if you can't wear them you soon get used to the alternative and that includes with people who, for me, who I've always hidden them from. At work I'm pretty comfortable wearing glasses but would choose to wear them every time socially (for evenings at least). Why do you choose only to wear contacts for work or socially? Before I became intolerant to contacts for long periods I'd wear them for everything and glasses were not part of my accessory wardrobe!

Like Soundmanpt says, you need to introduce your boyfriend to your glasses. Do you know his prescription? As you wear your glasses at home/shopping how come he hasn't seen you yet? Be brave, I can assure you its not as bad as you think it will be, really! I've learnt that in the last 12 months!

Soundmanpt 18 Sep 2013, 12:27

juicebox

It doesn't seem all that long ago that you got your first pair of glasses, and I think they were only -.50 as I recall. So you did have some big increases to get you where your at now. But glad to see that this increases was not very much at least. You pretty much wear your glasses and contacts like most people do and really you may even be a little bit better than some about wearing your glasses.

Is this the first prescription you have got that includes astigmatism in it? If so that would explain why it is taking you a little longer to adjust to your glasses. Like you said your contacts wouldn't have correction for your astigmatisms in them since it is such a small amount. And you really don't want your contacts to need it because then you have to wear toric lenses and they are much more expensive than normal contacts. But they will put it in your glasses. Often times even a very small amount of astigmatism correction can cause you to feel a bit like the room is spinning until your eyes adjust.

I'm surprised you would be so self conscious around your bf that you won't wear your glasses around him. Even more so since he wears glasses himself. What's your fear? You said your very comfortable with him and i'm sure he is just as comfortable around you. Just make a point the next time your going to be with him that you wear your glasses. You only have to say that your contacts are bothering you. You said he already knows you have glasses.I'm sure you will be able to see his reaction to you wearing glasses. You might even make him feel more comfortable since he wears glasses. I'm sure there will be some comments about your glasses and i bet they will all be good and sweet.

juicebox 18 Sep 2013, 09:23

John,

So sorry about getting back to you so late, I completely forgot about your post! I've got some answers for your questions if you're still interested...

- yes I wear glasses or contacts fulltime now. I wear contacts mostly for social activities and work, but when I'm at home/going shopping/anything else I wear glasses.

- It took a a few days to get used to the new prescription, only in the glasses though.

- I didn't really get ay comments from people as I still mostly wear contacts for social things. One of my closest friends at uni commented as he tried them on and said he had a similar prescription when we were working late one night and I wore them. My boyfriend still hasn't seen me wear them - I'm too vain. He knows I have them and he wears glasses too but I feel too self-conscious to wear them around him. I have no idea why though because I feel really comfortable around him.

- No headaches without the astigmatism correction and I can't really tell a difference in clarity between glasses and contacts. Though I think I am on the more un-sensitive side when it comes to noticing those kinds of things, it takes a while before I realise things are getting blurry.

My new prescription is

R: -3.75 -0.25 165

L: -3.50 -0.25 25

So it didn't go up too much :)

SPECS 14 Sep 2013, 18:05

Aubrac

Can you upload some photos of your glasses?

Aubrac 14 Sep 2013, 13:43

I have had a -5.00 scrip both eyes for many years, and have bifocal contacts with a +2.00 add.

At my last test I was told that I could get by with -4.50 and the same add. I tried this and at first missed the absolute clarity of -5.00 but over a few months have found I am fine.

I have some -4.50 glasses and these have been giving me a bit of a headache so I had them reglazed with -4.25 and 3 degree base out prism. I got them the other day and I can see perfectly and the prism seems to help with reading.

I was surprised that although the cut-in is the same, the power rings look more like a -7.00 lens. I wonder if when trying to estimate photos of lens strength even a small amount of base out prism can be misleading, also would base in prism have the same effect but from the inner part of the lens or would it look different?

Thanks for your reply and my step-daughter had a test about five years ago (age 11)and was given a +0.50 scrip but her mum never had it filled and to my knowledge has never worn glasses

Cactus Jack 09 Sep 2013, 20:51

marie,

The answer to your question about seeing better after a few days without your glasses depends on what type of myopia you have. There are actually two types of myopia. Axial or truel myopia is caused by a mismatch between the length of your eyeball and the total sphere power of your eye's lens system. Pseudo or false myopia is caused by the ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses not being fully relaxed for distance, True myopia is considered permanent because it is the result of too much growth and for it to decrease it would require that the eyeball shrink in size which is can't do. False myopia is considered "temporary", but I put it in quotes because temporary in this case can mean quite a long time. Weeks or months may be required for the effects of false myopia to gradually go away, once the stimulus is removed.

The effects of true and false myopia are the same, distant things are blurry. The correction is the same, minus corrective lenses. And both can be present in the eyes at the same time and the effects are additive.

If some of your myopia is the false type, your vision might slowly improve if you wore a weaker sphere correction, but if it is all true myopia, there would be no improvement.

Should you look forward to your next eye exam? I think most people do. Once you have experienced very sharp, clear vision it is hard not to like it. It turns out that the 20/20 (or 6/6) line on a Snellen Chart is not perfect vision. 20/20 is typical "normal" vision in a large percentage of the population. 20/15 is better and a rare few have 20/10. I think most people will tend to choose the 20/15 line if they possibly can, For most people, they are using a small amount of their accommodative power in their ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses to correct for the additional step of - power in their glasses and in effect inducing a little bit of pseudo or false myopia. Over time, you can easily increase your total myopia by more than 1 diopter of false myopia.

As you get older and presbyopia rears its head, you may find that you can no longer increase your myopia by using your accommodative power and your sphere correction will gradually decrease until it stabilizes and you need bifocals for focusing close.

Sorry to be long winded, I hope this helps.

marie 09 Sep 2013, 15:31

im 26 and my last prescription is R -4.75 -0.50 110 L -4.00 -0.50 125

i wear contacts and glasses i could not leave the house without wearing them. im not ashamed i have bad eyes but if i didnt wear any glasses/contacts would i see abit better after a few days? should you look forward for your next eye exam or hate it?

John 05 Sep 2013, 04:22

Juicebox,

Thank you for your reply.

A few questions, if you have time to respond.

- Do you actually wear your glasses or contacts full time now? Are you 100%? Last February 16 you wrote I'd say I've come around to the idea of wearing glasses a lot more than before, but I'm not 100% there yet, I still feel like I'm flawed and don't want people knowing,

- Did you feel that -3 was a big increase? Did you got used to your new prescription right away?

- In 8 months (June 2012) you went from -0.5 to -3 (February 2013). Did you had some comments from people, who didnt show you during those 8 months, I mean, who did show you without glasses or with -0.5 glasses before June 2012 and met you again after February 2013 with your -3 glasses ?

- You have a very slight astigmatism (-0.25 cyl.), which causes often headaches. Did you had any headaches without wearing your glasses. Your contacts dont correct your astigmatism, do you say more clearly with your glasses ?

- It would be interesting to do before Friday a home or self eye test, so you could find out how much your increase is. I suggest the following.

Go on the http://www.eyeexamonline.com/free-eye-chart-snellen.html and left on the print our free snellen chart go to DOWNLOAD FREE EYE CHART. I could not print it, but on your compute put your screen at 75%. Stay at 4 feet (1.2m) from your screen and see what line you can read with your glasses or contacts. You do it for the right eye (covering the left with your hand) and than for the left eye. If for instance you can read EDLTOZFCP with your right eye and LPCFETODZ with your left eye you may need a 0.75 increase (you may need a-3.75 correction) and -0.5 (-3.25).

Thank you to keep us all posted.

juicebox 04 Sep 2013, 16:33

hey John,

I've only just been to my house in leeds and seen the reminders to go back as I've been home all summer, it went so quick! I can tell I need an increase but I'm not sure how much. I've booked a test for Friday as I'm busy tomorrow but I'll keep you posted, for sure.

john 04 Sep 2013, 02:48

Juicebox , 05:33

last 15 Feb 2013t you went for a contact lens check up because lecture slides were beginning to look blurry again and you ended up getting a new prescription. It was

R: SPH -3.00 -0.25 165

L: SPH -2.75 -0.25 25

They said to come back in 6 months because you rx went up quite a bit.

Was your glasses prescription the same ?

How is your vision today ?

When do you plan to have an eye test, nearly 7 months have passed since february 15 ?

Keep us posted

john 04 Sep 2013, 02:43

juicebox 28 Aug 2013, 14:06

Molly,

while my prescription isn't as strong as yours, I just want to share my experience. my sister got glasses at 12 which were probably about -1 and they got a bit stronger each year until she was 19 and then they settled at -2.5 or so. I got glasses at 18 nearly 19 when I went to uni and initially they were just for seeing the lecture slides and were about -0.50. fast forward three years to now and I'm at -3 or there abouts and my optician said that they may not stabilise for some time. so I guess what I'm trying to say, like Soundmanpt, is that everyone is different! do you only wear glasses or do you have contacts? I have both :)

Soundmanpt 28 Aug 2013, 10:32

Molly

It is also possible that you just went through a bit of a growth spurt and she didn't. So just as other parts of your body makes changes so do your eyes. Your classmate may not have had much of a spurt over the past months, but ay her next eye exam it could be her turn to get a bigger increase.

But being only 16 you both are likely to see much more change in your eyes before the process slows down or stops.

REd 27 Aug 2013, 21:36

Molly,

Oooops, Cactus Jack's message overlapped with mine

REd 27 Aug 2013, 21:34

Molly,

I doubt very much that anything you did caused this increase. Perhaps Cactus Jack can give you a more cogent comment

Cactus Jack 27 Aug 2013, 21:32

Molly,

It is very unlikely that you did anything to cause your prescription to increase -1.50 in a year. It was likely caused by genetics and/or your visual environment.

The primary factor in significant myopia is genetics. Are your parents or grandparents also myopic? If so, it is likely that you have inherited your myopia and it may continue to increase for several more years until it stabilizes in your mid-twenties.

A secondary factor in progressive myopia is often your visual environment. If you are genetically disposed toward myopia, extended close work and accommodative stress can encourage myopia to increase faster than it ordinarily would. Depending on where you live and your circumstances, it might be worth a visit to a specialist in progressive myopia to see if he/she has any recommendations on ways to slow down your increasing myopia.

You do have some control over your visual environment and you can reduce accommodative stress several ways. It is very likely that you need or want to do a lot of reading and other close work as part of your school work.

1. You might find that wearing weaker glasses, for example the -6.50s, for reading may make it less stressful to focus close.

2. Try to avoid reading at very close distances. Typical reading distance is 40 cm or 16 inches. That requires +2.50 of accommodation and reading closer requires more accommodation.

3. University students with heavy reading loads often get what are called "functional bifocals" to help them switch quickly from reading the board to focusing on their notes and reduce visual fatigue.

4. Try to look up from reading at least ever 10 minutes and focus on distant objects to let your ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses relax.

5. If you use a smartphone or tablet with tiny text, very much, you might want to consider bifocals or progressives to provide a handy reading segment.

I hope this helps a little. If you have more questions, please feel free to ask. Vision, how it develops, and how it works is a fascinating field of study. May I ask what your favorite subjects are in school? Do you read much? Have you had many science courses?

Molly 27 Aug 2013, 18:19

Last year at school, another classmate and I discovered that we both had almost identical prescriptions, -6.50. We just had our exams to get new glasses for going back to school. Her new prescription is -7.00 but mine is -8.00. I'm pretty upset that my glasses are going to be much stronger than hers. I'm wondering what I did that caused that to happen? I'm 16 and starting 11th grade.

F 27 Aug 2013, 08:39

Hi all,

I posted a few weeks ago about my slightly increased prescription and trying contacts for the first time. Just as an update, I've just finished the contact lens trial and I was given toric lenses to wear for the week. I found them OK, there were times when I would blink and they would move slightly, making my vision blurry momentarily, but for the most part it was fine. I don't know if I'm right in saying, but the lens itself almost felt quite thick, so I found them quite easy to put in and extremely easy to take out so I didn't have any problems on that score.

I wore them all week at work and found the clarity fantastic. To be able to see people across the office was great and I didn't have a single headache all week - almost unheard of for me! I ended up ordering a months worth of lenses and am looking forward to wearing them soon.

I asked the optician if I should get new glasses with the revised prescription and she said yes. She asked me how often I wear my current glasses. I was honest and said that I tend to wear them for distance things if I need to, cinema, train stations, that kind of thing, but felt I'd been wearing them more and more lately. She said that for someone of my prescription she would expect them to wear glasses all the time, which gave me a nice definite answer! Still didn't stop me asking a different optician the same question when I had to go back this week! This optician told me that she has a similar prescription and wouldn't be without her glasses.

So I think that's settled it for me really. I'm going to have a look a new glasses this week and will probably switch it up between lenses and glasses going forward :)

SC 22 Aug 2013, 07:55

Just had an eye test - not what I was expecting but will order glasses as my existing ones are falling apart

Old

R:+0.75 Add +1.5

L: Balance

New

R:+1.0 Add +2.0

L:Balance

The +3 to read is not a surprise but I expected it to be +1.25 Add +1.75 and I still think that is probably what it will be later. At least the intermediate will be too strong to tempt me to use for distance

My left eye is poor but not unusable. Lazy eye that can't be fully corrected and that I thought would need around +2.75 for distance but there were two surprises. 1) I was told the left eye was nearer +4.5 and 2)If I got it corrected I would be able to drive with it!!!! I wouldn't feel safe - amazing what is allowed in UK

Cactus Jack 19 Aug 2013, 12:56

canpaixano,

I saw your post on V&S; and was trying to decide how to answer. Prism correction is hard to get right and there seem to be as many opinions about how to prescribe prism as there are ECPs. As I have stated on many occasions, I am not an ECP, but I have significant esophoria and have studied the situation pretty extensively.

The eye muscle control system and the focus control system are interconnected in your brain and the action of focusing on something close or using the focusing mechanism to internally correct hyperopia can cause the eye muscle control system to converge or turn your eyes inward. Normally, this is necessary to keep you from seeing double when you look at something close. If this connection is very strong, it is possible that your eyes will over converge and if there is significant hyperopia your eyes can require significant prism to fuse the two images for you.

One of the things that makes prescribing horizontal prism tricky (BO or BI), is that if your convergence response to trying to correct your hyperopia can trigger more convergence than you actually need. Because of the necessary motility (range and flexibility of motion) of the eye muscles and their control system, it is possible to induce esophoria by wearing too much horizontal prism by, in effect, programming the control system to establish a new position for distance vision with the eyes crossed rather than being pointed with the central axis of vision parallel, straight ahead.

I am going to stray a little into control system theory here an speak like an engineer. These are my own opinions and the ECPs may have a different opinion. The eye's positioning system is what control engineers would call an "Open Loop Servo System". Unlike a "Closed Loop Servo System" where the control intelligence KNOWS EXACTLY where the items being controlled are (Your ink jet printer knows exactly where the print head is so it can squirt a droplet of ink in the right place) an Open Look Servo System has to use the RESULTS it detects to position the item(s) being controlled. In the case of your eyes for horizontal motion, it tries to match up very obvious vertical lines in the two images from your eyes. Typically, the eye muscle control system is only programmed to allow simultaneous left and right movement or convergence in the horizontal direction. A person with normal motility cannot cause their eyes to diverge beyond both eyes pointing straight ahead with central axis of vision parallel. This means that if you are seeing double, the control system can only fuse the images for you if the images are pretty closely matched up and the the motion necessary to fuse the images is some convergence. Often, if the problem is esophoria or esotropia the reason the images are not fused is because the eyes are already converged too much. If this is the situation, trying to fuse the images will cause the eyes to converge more and separate the images further. The secret is to try to let your eyes relax and not try to fuse the images. It takes some practice and if you are lucky and you do not have too much uncorrected esophoria your medial rectus (inside) eye muscles will relax and the images will fuse.

In some cases, because of possible over or under convergence problems, a different amounts of prism may be required to fuse close images and distant images. I suspect your ECP wants to check how much prism you need for close focusing AFTER the minimum amount of prism you need for distance has been determined. Don't be surprised if you are asked to sit for several hours without your glasses or to not try to read while you are waiting. The idea there is similar to dilating the eyes to fully relax the ciliary muscles.

Vertical prism is often needed if the eyes are not well coordinated in the vertical direction. There are 6 muscles in 3 pairs for each eye and few humans have the ability to move their eyes individually in the vertical directions or oblique directions. However, muscle imbalance can cause the eyes to point in individual directions vertically. The way vertical prism is often prescribed for glasses is to split the prism between the two eyes with one being specified as Base Up and the other as Base Down.

Sorry to be so long winded. Yours was an example of two simple questions that required very complex answers that took about an hour to write. Prism and how the eye's control systems work are not easy to understand. To some extent, unlike determining your sphere and cylinder correction, determining your exact prism needs involves some experimentation. Often "Press-On" Fresnel prisms are used to let you try different prism prescriptions before making the final glasses. For adults, "Press-On" prisms are only used on one eye because they often introduce so much optical distortion that you cannot read with that eye and you need the other eye without the Fresnel lens to function.

canpaixano 19 Aug 2013, 10:36

Hi all

So far I have only posted about my vision problems on vision&spex;, therefore my entire story can be read there.

But since I have an eye-exam tomorrow and nobody answered me there I dare to post the exact same topic here@eyescene. I hope you can forgive me for posting identical content twice.

First of all, as you might remember, I currently have 20 pdpt base out in each lense, glasses for hyperopia and an add of +1.5 in my glasses.

A few days back I went to my annual exam and had a new ecp, the old one had apparently left the company, so I was rather critical regarding the new one.

Well, it turns out that there's been some changes. After carefully measuring and examining my eyes he came to the conclusion that I had in fact too many prisms in my current glasses.

He said that I would in fact only need the 24 prisms (12 in each lens) according to the result of the exam. He then asked me if I felt comfortable seeing through the trial frame which I did indeed.

It is not that surprising since I had felt some discomfort over the last few months but I had rather thought that this had to do with a need for higher prisms. Well, sometimes you're in for a surprise.

Additionally to the fact that I was now back to the amount of prisms I had had a few years back he announced that I now also had a few prisms base up in my right eye. Not that this was enough news, he also said that due to my age he did not think too much of my add and thought that I should still be able to accommodate accordingly. I'm not sure about that. But I'll have another exam next week where he wants to double check the amount of prisms he has detected a few days back. He also said that then he would take on measuring the amount of prisms I need up-close. He said that he is of the opinion than before giving an add he would rather prescribe more prisms for close-work. Does that make sense? I mean: when I'm reading I already turn my eyes inwards a bit naturally, everybody does. So how come I need a higher amount of prisms for up close? I don't quiet understand.

Also, can anybody comment on my newly measured base-up prism? I'm not very familiar with prisms base up or down and can't seem to find anything online. There is vast information about esophoria, exophoria and such, but can somebody help me out here?

Best,

Andrew 08 Aug 2013, 01:08

Yogi,

It makes him a bit of both, but the preference for using minus cylinder in the Rx means that the Sphere correction appears as a plus. I'm sure someone else will convert the Rx you gave into plus cylinder.

My wife has a similar Rx, although the numbers are a little higher. However, in her case, the axis is about 180 degrees. The effect of this is that her face enlarges to the side, as you would expect from someone who is long-sighted, but there are power rings at the top and the bottom of the lens.

yogi 07 Aug 2013, 16:54

Quick question

my sister and her husband were over from Canada last week and my other sister and her husband and kids came over for the weekend. late Sunday after the kids were in bed and after we had seriously depleted my drinks supply we some how ended up talking about glasses

six adults all wearing glasses after the inevitable trying on each others glasses usually followed by how do you see through those or hell your eyes are worse than mine

the conclusion was four short-sighted two long-sighted

five with progressives four with astigmatism only one with prism (I won because I had them all)

now for the question my Canadian brother in law fairly new to wearing glasses only had them a few years he got them after getting headaches when doing close work ( he is 48) he was told he was long-sighted and to use them for reading/close work and for driving but he chose to go full time as he felt he could see better with them at all distances

he had his prescription in his wallet R sph +0.75 cyl -1.50 L sph +1.00 cyl -1.50 cant remember the axis

as his astigmatism is in the minus and is more then his plus sph correction ( nearly double)

doesnt that make him short-sighted

his glasses have the appearance of weak minus glasses slight cut in very mild power rings but with mild distortion like weak plus glasses

F 07 Aug 2013, 10:38

Thank you both Cactus Jack and Soundmanpt for your replies. The detailed description of cylinder was very interesting to read.

I can drive, but I don't currently have a car (which hinders the process slightly!) I actually first found out I needed glasses when I started driving lessons when I was 18 or so. I'm 25 now so I have been wearing glasses for a few years.

The optician said she would order in contacts for me, so I'm waiting for them to call. I think I will give them a try and see how I get on. My current glasses aren't that old, but I think I will get a new pair with the new prescription and see what difference it makes!

Thank you again for taking the time to reply - it's much appreciated!

Cactus jack 07 Aug 2013, 09:54

The decision to wear glasses is still yours, unless driving is involved. Vision actually occurs in the brain and the brain has amazing image processing capabilities to make really blurry images from your biological cameras (eyes) seem clear. The only snag is that the brain must know what something looks like to generate a clear image from a blurry one.

Perhaps it would be helpful to explore what your prescription means in practical terms. The first number in your prescription is called the Sphere correction. The -2.25 is only a little more than the -1.75 and that number is only affects your distance vision. You are nearsighted or have myopia and it is like a person with 20/20 or 6/6 vision wearing +2.25 reading glasses all the time. This in turn means that you can read effortlessly at less than 17.5 inches or 44.5 cm, but everything beyond that distance is increasingly blurry. By the way, when you were not wearing your -1.75 glasses, your world started getting blurry at 22.5 inches or 57 cm.

That is not all that bad, but you also have some astigmatism as indicated by the second and third numbers. The second number is called the Cylinder correction and the third is the (long) Axis of the cylinder. The two always go together to specify the amount of Cylinder correction and the direction of the long axis of the cylinder. By convention, 0 or 180 degrees is Horizontal and the numbers increase counter-clockwise (looking at the patient) thru 90 degrees (vertical) to 180. Numbers above 180 are not used. The problem with astigmatism is that it messes up vision at ALL distances and it particularly messes up the ability to read text comfortably. What happens with astigmatism is that your eyes focus at different distances depending on the orientation of the elements of a letter. For example, the vertical line of an "E" might be in focus at one distance while the horizontal lines would be blurry and If you moved the text to where the horizontal lines of the "E" were in focus, the vertical line would be blurry. You have no ability to correct that problem without external help, but your brain tries anyway which leads to fatigue.

One thing you need to expect if you start wearing your glasses full time, which you should, will be that after a few days, you will think your vision has been made worse by your glasses. Not true. What has happened is that your brain no longer has to work extra hard to produce "clear" vision for you, the glasses are doing that extra work for you. You can force your brain to go back to processing the blurry images, but you should expect complaints in the form of headaches and stress.

If you would really prefer not to wear glasses, you may be able to wear a compromise (sphere only) contact lens prescription, but probably toric contact lenses would be better. The problem with torics are that they are expensive and hard to fit so that they remain correctly oriented on your cornea as you blink, but they may be worth a try.

Soundmanpt 07 Aug 2013, 09:30

How often and when you choose to wear your glasses is totally up to you, except when your driving. Driving would be much to unsafe without your glasses and I very pretty sure you don't even consider driving without them anymore.

Because of you astigmatisms your actual vision when put together is about -2.75 which is very close to -3.00. Even your previous prescription was at or slightly over -2.00 when you consider your astigmatisms.

My opinion is that I think most would be wearing their glasses full time now.

F 07 Aug 2013, 02:27

Hi all,

I unexpectedly went for an eye test yesterday. I originally only popped into the opticians to enquire about a contact lense trial. I assumed that my old prescription would be fine to use, but they decided to retest my eyes.

My old prescription from about May last year was - R: -1.75, cyl: -0.50, axis: 95; L: -1.75, cyl: -0.75, axis: 70.

The new one reads - R: -2.25, cyl: -0.75, axis: 100; L: -2.25, cyl: -1.00, axis: 75.

I was a bit surprised that my prescription has gone up as I find my vision with my glasses to be really quite good. I don't currently wear my glasses full time, but I have found that I have had to wear them increasingly lately and I've had a bit of eyestrain. I was looking into contacts for social events etc. I know this is a bit subjective and down to the wearer really, but do you think a prescription of this nature warrants full time wear? I know it's not a massive increase, but I think as I'm now in the -2 range, rather than the -1 it feels like it to me!

Soundmanpt 05 Aug 2013, 18:51

Millie

I am sorry I was wrong. But as you can see for yourself base on your past history your eyes have changed already by the same amount that it has taken you a full year to change in the past. So I would have to think in the next 4 or 5 months your eyes will change even more.

Karynnina 05 Aug 2013, 17:07

My newest prescription:

O.D. -4.50 -2.00 175

O.S. -5.00 -2.50 170

ADD: +2.50

Last time both eyes hade the same diopters, -4.75. Now the left eye is weaker and the right eye is stronger. Go figure. They still total -9.50, so I'm sort of consistent. :)

Karynnina

Millie 03 Aug 2013, 20:02

Hi Soundman,

Today, I was walking past an optical shop and on the spur of the moment, I decided to walk in. The optometrist wasn't doing anything, so 5 minutes later I was in his room reading the chart and within 30 minutes I had a new prescription. It's good I did because the new prescription is much stronger. RE -9.25 LE -9.50. As you can see, it is close to combining my friend's glasses and my old ones.

Soundmanpt 02 Aug 2013, 10:28

Millie

Just as I thought, your eyes have been changing each year at about the same rate of about -1.00 with each new prescription. So your two thirds of the way to getting your next exam so it is very reasonable to assume that your eyes already would be in need of around -.75 increase if you were to get an exam today. So now just as I said that only leaves a difference of another -.75 for your eyes to make up, which your eyes actually enjoy the over correction.

By the way how is you friend doing with getting used to her first glasses? I'm sure your a good role model for her. Is she still on the shy side about wearing them in front of people or is she over that?

Millie 01 Aug 2013, 18:47

Soundman,

Thanks for your explanation. I scrounged around and found my last few prescriptions:

age 17 RE -8.00 LE -8.25

age 16 RE -6.75 LE -7.25

age 15 RE -6.00 LE -6.25

age 14 RE -4.75 LE -5.00

Puffin 27 Jul 2013, 15:39

Millie

it's fairly unlikely that the exact difference between your glasses and what you need is supplied by your friend's glasses.

More likely they are quite a bit more than necessary, it's just that for slight myopia (ie, the difference between your "Christmas glasses" and what you now need) any extra correction makes little or no difference for distance, and close up the strength of your young accommodative eye muscles can cope with the subtraction of focusing strength easily enough - thus everything looks clear.

Maybe you could find some other friends who have glasses in the range -.5 to -1 then you could try to pin down the difference. Or if things are getting too fuzzy for practical stuff like reading the blackboard, watching TV, then go to an optician, and know for sure.

Soundmanpt 27 Jul 2013, 12:31

Millie

Most likely it is a combination of both. It is going on 8 months since you got your current glasses and at your age your eyes are likely still changing at a pretty steady rate. Do you recall how much of an increase you got when you got your glasses? I assume before that it was also a year between eye exams? So if you were to get your eyes examined now you would likely need an increase of maybe -.50. So now when you tried on your friends glasses over yours the actual difference from what your eyes really need and her glasses is around -1.00. There are many that prefer being over corrected because like you they can see better. So being able to see so clearly with her glases over your own is understandable and no you probably don't need -9.50 yet, but more like -8.50.

slit 27 Jul 2013, 12:00

Hi Tom,

This may sound quite against the norm, but one great thing to do is starting with a progressive bifocal from now on. It will help fast getting used to and also reduce the pressure of "getting bifocals the very next day after turning 40".

In my case as almost 30 yr old I'm considering full time progressive especially with smart phone usage which account to about 70% of my time on internet.

Millie 27 Jul 2013, 11:16

I'm a 17 year old girl with nearsighted eyes. My glasses are -8.00 and my prescription is from last Christmas. One of my girlfriends just got her first pair of glasses and her prescription is -1.50. When I tried her glasses on I couldn't see anything, but when I put them on over my own glasses, I was shocked because everything suddenly looked so much sharper than through just my own glasses. Does that mean that I need -9.50 glasses? I didn't think that my eyes could have changed so much in that short of a time.

Soundmanpt 25 Jul 2013, 17:54

Tom

Most likely her distance vision should not continue to change much from now on. I would assume that depending on how much close work she does each day maybe the reason she needs the increase. And really when you really consider that it has been 4 years her eyes didn't change all that much, only about -.25 each year. now being 37 she is getting in that area where she may be starting to need reading glasses more and more.

Really I am not sure why her doctor didn't just go ahead and prescribe her with a weak add for bifocals this time.

You didn't say if she has already got her glasses or not, but I think she will find that they will be much more useful for her now. Unlike with her previous glasses she now needs to wear them anytime she is driving as it is no longer an option. Not sure where you live but if you live where you have to take a vision test to renew your driver's license she will fail it without her glasses and she will be restricted to wear them when driving from now on. Other than that it is her option how much she chooses to wear them but i think she will decide on her own that she needs them much more now.

Tom 25 Jul 2013, 17:06

My wife started with a -1.00 prescription in both eyes 4 yrs ago, then 33 yrs old, after complaining more often that she couldn't see really well when driving. She only put on her glasses for driving at night, or when having to drive when feeling very tired.

Now, 4 yrs later, after having experiencied her having increasing difficulties to see really well also when having her glasses on (which does not happen a lot), I managed to convince her to have her eyes tested again for the first time in 4 yrs. She was shocked by her new prescription, now -2.00 right and -2.25 left with some cilinder also. She never thought her eyes would get worse in her late thirties. Also, the ophtalmologist advises her to start using very mild reading glasses (+0.75) for long periods of close work as her near vision was obviously also below average.

She wonders what is happening to her eyes, and whether both her far and near vision will further deteriorate?

SC 22 Jul 2013, 05:42

Hong Kong and Singapore seem to have lots of people with no lenses let alone no prescription. Some frames look suspiciously like the 3D ones you get at cinemas

Melyssa 20 Jul 2013, 11:19

Come to the Philadelphia area if you want to see women wearing glasses because we have to, not just to wear them without a real prescription. And others still wear small, metal, rimless, or dark plastic frames, leaving the big, bold, and beautiful frames to me.

Carrie 20 Jul 2013, 11:09

It's because so many women are wearing glasses with no prescription that people think mine are also non-prescription!

Soundmanpt 20 Jul 2013, 10:35

Clare

You need to try and think of your glasses as a piece of your jewelery, much like a necklace or ear rings and not like a medical tool to help you see. The fact that they help give you good vision is just an added benefit. That is why so many, mainly women, are wearing glasses without any prescription. It's because they are that popular now and considered as a fashion item.

Clare 20 Jul 2013, 06:12

irish_guy - I must remember that as I never feel particularly cool when I wear mine!

irish_guy 09 Jul 2013, 16:33

Thanks Clare. I don't need them for work as my near vision for computer is good, but am beginning to wear them a quite a bit in the evening and weekends. It is a bit weird (and exciting!) having my friends getting used to them. Plus it is great having everything in HD. And I like them -- all the cool kids are wearing them these days!! :)

Emmie 03 Jul 2013, 13:32

Soundmanpt -

I got the AR Coating! They advised me to get it and as I work infront of four monitors, it made sense!

I do wear them through the day. My first few days, I was taking them on and off, but this is easier (especially now I've adjusted).

I like 'em. And, they help! So... All good really.

Thank you for the explanations. It's quite a strange thing to come to - glasses are so common, yet when you've never worn them, you have no idea!

Clare 02 Jul 2013, 15:25

Irish guy - you definitely start seeing the benefit at around that prescription. I only wore them for driving and TV/movies when I had the same but my friend wore them all the time so its pretty much up to you and how much you feel they improve your vision.

Soundmanpt 02 Jul 2013, 14:20

Emmie

Glad to hear everything is now going good for you. So what they did is to just combine things for you and it makes good sense to do it that way. So your glasses are basicly a reading prescription with some astigmatism as well. The +.50 is mainly fro doing your computer and other close work but your eyes should adjust them for seeing distance as well. The -.50 is your astigmatisms and astigmatisms effect your vision at all distances so they should be of help with seeing distance as well as seeing close up. Being your first glasses you were going through and adjusting period in a couple of ways. First because of the +.50 part they were great for doing the close things but probably a little bit blurry when you were looking in the distance. That takes wearing them full time to overcome so your eyes adjust and focus. Then there's the astigmatisms, that is likely why you were feeling nausea and probably the room was spinning at first as well? The adjusting period to your glasses should be about 2 weeks of full time wear, but if you were doing a lot of putting on and taking off then it can be much longer. You should be as comfortable wearing them for distance as you are for your close work. I hope you got the AR coating (anti-reflective) added to them as that will even make them better for driving both day and night.

Emmie 02 Jul 2013, 11:23

Soundmanpt -

Thank you for your reply. My eyes have adjusted, but it took a while. I actually went back and had my eyes/glasses checked at the same place, by a different optician as I was so unsure about the prescription. I was told that they are single vision glasses which were made with the add being included straight into the glasses lens, effectively making them:

+.50 / -.50 / 25

+.50 / -.50 / 180

The optician suggested I drive home using the glasses to help with the adjustment issues I was having taking the glasses off at the end of the day, especially since my astigmatism has never been corrected.

The optician also told me he felt that one of my problems with adjustment came down to one of my frame choices and my getting used to a narrower field of vision... (One of my frames is sort of medium wide and rectangle, and the other is smaller and more oval - the smaller pair took much longer to adjust to).

To be honest, my glasses are helping me greatly. While only a small correction, the glasses make my vision much clearer and now that the nausea has gone I find it easier and better wearing them. I even bought an old-fashion eye glasses chain which makes me look a little 1970s and I kind of love that!

In any case, I was grateful to find this forum and get answers to what I felt were rather trivial questions - but as a new wearer, these questions were important me... This forum is great, so thank you, again, for your response.

Em.

Cactus jack 18 Jun 2013, 17:05

curiousbf,

That is not a very large increase. It appears that some of her previous cylinder correction has been added to the sphere correction, but that could just be because of the extreme subjective nature of the astigmatism part of an eye exam. The sphere increase is probably in the typical range for someone with a genetic tendency toward myopia.

Actually, it seems like the strongest tendency toward myopia is inherited from the mother rather than the father so it is possible that her prescription will not get as high as her fathers, but it is impossible to predict.

Also, with a prescription below about -4.50 there is almost no difference between the glasses prescription and the contact lens prescription. However, if there is significant cylinder, to minimize the many difficulties with toric contact lenses (with cylinder correction) compromises and adjustments are sometimes made in the sphere and cylinder of toric contacts. It is best to always consider the glasses prescription as being the most accurate if there is a difference between the two. Glasses are easily made to the exact prescription, whereas torics are only available to the nearest 5 degrees of axis and sometimes adjustments are made to keep the toric contacts properly aligned on the cornea.

curiousbf 18 Jun 2013, 14:26

My girlfriend recently got her eyes checked, both she and I knew that her eyes had gotten worse but I was shocked at how fast that they did. (She gets her eyes checked every 6 months)

Anyways her old prescription (contacts):

L: -1.5 -1.75 180

R: -1.5 -1.75 180

New Prescription (contacts again)

L: -3 -1.25 180

R: -2.5 -1.25 180

I really love her new glasses though!

A couple of questions:

1. She is 20, how much worse could her eyes get?

2. What would her glasses prescription be?

I know that her Dad was around a -9 prescription if that helps, thanks for the help!

Soundmanpt 18 Jun 2013, 11:16

emmie

I happened to see something that you added after Cactus Jack responded to you. You said something about your glasses being "single lens" Not sure what that exactly means? Are you saying that they put your full prescription into one lens type as opposed to giving you 2 different pairs of glasses? Or do you mean that you only got "single vision" lenses which would mean that they didn't bother with the add at all? If you got progressives which would have everything in it then you should notice that looking through the bottom of your lenses makes things a bit larger for you. But if everything looks the same size through all parts of your glasses then they are single vision without any add.

It has been about a week since your last post so has your eyes adjusted to your glasses by now? They soon if not already should start to feel comfortable the more you get used to them. Like Cactus Jack said your prescription is weak but still enough to make a difference in how well you can see. And since they really should help your vision at all distances you may find there is no reason to take them off.

REd 18 Jun 2013, 10:38

Rita,

Yes your nearsightedness did increase. Did you get your new glasses yet? Then you should see much more clearly. How many years have you had your old prescription?

irish_guy 18 Jun 2013, 09:56

My last eyetest was a couple of years ago and my prescription was -0.5, but I didn't bother getting glasses. I hand another test today and optician said I definitely need glasses now - prescription has gone to -1.25. I'm 27 now. Anyone have a similar prescription? How often do you wear them... I'm quite shocked at the difference wearing them...

Eyestein 16 Jun 2013, 08:39

Yes. That's a big increase. You are very nearsighted

Rita 16 Jun 2013, 07:48

I'm 17 years old.

My old perscription is (R) -6.75 -0.75 75 (L) -7.50 -1.00 105

I just got a new perscription. It is (R) -8.00 -1.00 85 (L) -9.00 -1.25 95.

Does that mean I got more nearsighted?

Daniel1 10 Jun 2013, 06:30

CJ, look in your mail.

Tnx,

Emmie 10 Jun 2013, 05:40

One more question (sorry!!), my glasses are "single lens" prescription. I just wanted to check that everything you've written, Cactus Jack, still applies?

Thank you. :)

Emmie 10 Jun 2013, 03:54

Thank you so much Cactus Jack. I didn't know the impact of the "Add" in the prescription, and if it would "hurt" my eyes to use them when talking to a workmate as such. I really (VERY MUCH), appreciate your clear and patient answer about my prescription. Your explanation is really straight forward for me and I have a much better understanding thanks to your response.

I'm glad I found the forum.

Thank you! Emmie.

Cactus Jack 09 Jun 2013, 21:10

Daniel1,

Please contact me privately at cactusjack1928@hotmail.com

Daniel1 09 Jun 2013, 20:02

CJ,

Hi, I'd like to hear your opinion,

Thanks,

Cactus Jack 09 Jun 2013, 18:50

Hi Emmie,

Welcome. Yes, it is a very low prescription, but the primary benefit is the 2nd and 3rd number in the prescription which are the cylinder and axis to correct mild astigmatism.

The 1st number, called the sphere correction helps you focus just a tiny bit as does the Add, but I suspect you probably would not notice if they were not there because the internal auto-focus mechanism can likely still easily deal with that small amount of focusing effort.

As I said previously, the cylinder and axis that correct your astigmatism do something that your eyes cannot do for themselves. Your Astigmatism is caused by a very small amount of uneven curvature of the front surface of the cornea. The problem with astigmatism is that it affects clarity at all distances and it causes text to be fatiguing to read. The effect of the astigmatism on text is that lines that run in different directions will focus differently. For example, depending on the axis (3rd number), the vertical lines of an "H" might be sharp and the horizontal line will be blurry without correction. Your brain, where vision actually occurs, does not understand that it can't fix the problem by using your auto-focus mechanism, but it tries anyway. The result is more fatigue than is necessary.

In the long run, the small sphere and add will not make any particular difference, but the cylinder and axis will probably be very helpful. As you get older, the sphere might increase a little, but it is very likely that the add will. That increase is caused by what is called presbyopia. That is where your auto-focus mechanism gradually looses its ability to focus and you will need a stronger add to focus close.

As far as taking your glasses off to chat with a colleague, it is not necessary and tends to make glasses more noticeable. You would be better off just to leave them on at work if you want to and take them off if you go out for lunch or go home. It is strictly up to you. However, you might find them useful for reading menus at lunch.

It is not unusual to feel a little nauseous when you first start wearing glasses, particularly if there is cylinder correction. It is caused by your brain not having to try to correct the slightly distorted images caused by your astigmatism. That will go away in a few days. The more you wear your glasses, the quicker that will happen.

Hope this helps.

Emmie 09 Jun 2013, 16:38

Hi there.

I have just recently got reading glasses due to the prolonged time I spend in front of multiple screens at work. I am 34.

My Rx is:

+.25 / -.50 / 25

+.25 / -.50 / 180

Add: .25

I know this is a very light prescription - but with the glasses (which are new) I have noticed an improvement at work and much less strain.

I wanted to ask a few things though from people with more experience than myself. I know the Add is very small - but how will I effect my eyes, if I look at a work colleague wearing my glasses? I know I shouldn't wear them for every day use and just stick to reading and my computer work... so am just wondering what kind of effect it will have on my sight, if I don't remove them every time someone comes in to ask me a question?

Also - is it normal to feel slightly nauseous for the first week or so that I have them? As I said - they are new. This is my first time with glasses and I don't have anyone to ask this type of question to. Thank you. x.

Daniel1 09 Jun 2013, 08:50

Svensont,

Hi, this is my real pres, before I ordered the glasses I went to do a new eye test - there was some increase in the cyl.

I just came back from the mirror and I see I a liitle bit cross eyed - almost not noticeable - I didnt notice that before, interesting.

Tnx !

svensont 09 Jun 2013, 08:27

Good to hear from you Daniel1!

Do your eyes appear slightly crossed when looking in the mirror?

I can see that you sphere and astigmatism prescription is different than you mentioned in earlier post, is that your real prescription, or you changed something in it (except the prism, ofc)?

I think if you continue wearing the prism glasses you will become cross eyed and the eye doctor will detect that.

Daniel1 09 Jun 2013, 07:54

Hi guys,

I׳m Daniel the one who wants to add some prisms to his glasses in order to make them thicker,

After 1.5 month wearing full time this pres:

-3.5 -1.5 180 with 8 prisms BO

-3.25 -1.75 180 with 8 prisms BO

My vision have never been that clearer! , it got me 2 days to get used to the new glasses - but from then I wear them full time (reading/driving/distance) I'm so amazed by the thickness ! I can't believe it's my glasses and actually I get very nice comments - almost every friend of mine realized that I got much higher pres.

It's really the most sharpest image I've ever seen.

one more thing, I started to see double vision for couple of minutes in the evening when I took off my glasses - but when i put them on again it's gone like never been before.

So I want to go optometrist for eye test, is there a possibly I will have to get some real prisms?

Anyway my next jump in prescription will be in 3 months, I want to order -4.5 glasses with 12prisms.

I can't wait that!

See ya!

Clare 09 Jun 2013, 04:10

Hi Hollie - I suppose its surprising how quickly things become the norm, I haven't had any comments at work for months now. I suppose I am still a little self-conscious but nothing like I was, I assume that people now just accept that I sometimes wear glasses. I never wear them in to the office as I'd have to take them out mid afternoon so they see me everyday wearing glasses and on some days I just don't switch. The only comments I've had recently have been from friends who never saw me wear glasses, I probably haven't got through them all, or the family, so there will be more to come I'm sure! How is it going with you - are you more comfortable now wearing glasses sometimes instead of contacts?

On the air con, I've overheard other colleagues complaining how sore their eyes feel. Given what I now know about how contacts absorb the moisture we produce from tears I'm not surprised that people with contacts suffer more. The only thing that surprises me is that some people wear contacts and have no ill affects whatsoever, I wonder what their secret is! There's no doubt I'd rather be able to wear contacts all the time again but its no longer such a huge issue for me. There's someone I'm interested in though, he's seen me wearing glasses once, on the first occasion we met, but not since. I'm still not confident enough though to abandon the contacts when I know I'll see him!!

Hollie 05 Jun 2013, 02:04

How is it going wearing glasses more often clare? I agree with the comments on contacts - mine were so uncomfortable yesterday with the aircon being higher in the heat. Going to go with glasses in the office today!

Clare 02 Jun 2013, 23:56

sarah - I've had the same. It may be that your eyes/cornea have become sensitised if you've worn contacts for many years. I wear contacts less now than I used to but, at the end of a day in the office, I generally feel its nice to take them out and I find my eyes feel alot better. Might be worth trying some eye drops during the day to keep them comfortable.

sarah 25 May 2013, 13:44

i use to be able to go without wearing glasses but now is not possable. my optician says my eyes -5.25 are not that bad but there is no way i could be with out glasses/contacts im blind without them. i was nervous to wear my glasses out but i had not to care and just wore them. all ways get comments and jokes when people see you wearing glasses for the first time. people with perfect vision dont understand.

Cactus Jack 21 May 2013, 23:55

TheBrit,

Could you please provide your complete prescription and where you had the glasses made.

Dodger 21 May 2013, 21:38

Hey everybody, I've been a very infrequent poster but a long time lurker and follower of this website. I just had my eyes checked and was given the following RX, my first progrssive RX, OD +.050 -1.00 165 add +1.25 OS +.050 -1.25 155 add +1.25. I was a little skepticle at first but I'm AMAZED at how much the letters and words pop when I'm reading.

TheBrit 21 May 2013, 04:20

Hi CJ,

Thanks for your posting on the 22nd April. I have now have my new glasses which have gone to 10 base out prism..WOW !!

My vision has never been so clear or precise as it is with these new glasses. The double vision I was experiencing when tired with the 5 base out prism has totally gone. It took no more than a few hours to get used to them. As recommended by someone on EYESCENE, I chose 1.50 index freeform lenses.

These lenses give me good all round vision even when I look to the side...they are really great.I cannot understand why some people are reluctant to start using prism as they are amazing, & give considerable eye comfort. I have gone from no prism to 5 to 10 base out in a rather short period of 6 months. Where I will be in a years time we will see?

My frames are best described ad metal semi rimless where the lense is open on the outside edge near the temple & where the lense is at its thickest...6/7mm. In fact the frame/ lense combination looks really good As it highlights the lense shape as well.

I am more than satisfied with these new glasses.. & await what the future has in store at my next control?

Soundmanpt 17 May 2013, 20:04

sarah

Contact lenses in most cases don't allow enough oxygen to get to your eyes. I think most people if their being honest will tell you that their eyes feel better and are more comfortable when they are wearing their glasses or nothing at all. It's good that you do take your contacts off and wear your glasses in the evening and on weekends, but everyone is a little different and your eyes may require even more time away from contacts and others can seem to never remove their contacts and never have any problems.

You might have a chat with your eye doctor about maybe changing you to contacts that allow more air to reach the eye.

sarah 17 May 2013, 13:47

ive been wearing contact lenses about 4 years full time glasses at night and days off. my contacts are -5.25 is bad so i must wear glasses. the last week i wore glasses full time and my eyes feel beter. why is this?

Cactus jack 22 Apr 2013, 10:55

TheBrit,

There are several factors that are involved in lens edge thickness. Your prescription, Index of Refraction, Lens Width, and the amount and orientation of the prism. Another factor can be, in the case of BO prism, how thick the inside edge needs to be to safely support the lens in the frame.

There is a formula for pretty accurately estimating lens thickness, but I I have found approximately 1 mm per prism diopter to be pretty close. If you can compare the edge thickness difference in edge thickness between glasses with no prism and the glasses with 5 BO it will give you and idea of what the thickness of 10 BO would be.

The snag with the calculation or estimation of the edge thickness for plus lenses is the size of the blank used for making the lenses. Plus lenses are thick in the center and very thin at the edges. If a relatively small final size lens is made using a large plus blank, the small lens will be cut from the center of the blank, leaving edges thick and the center thicker. If a small size lens is make using a small blank, the edges after cutting to fit the frame will be much thinner. Prism complicates everything because the blank has to be thick enough to start with to accommodate the substantially increased edge thickness caused by the prism.

I don't think I have been much help with your question, but there are too many variables that you have little or no control over to be able to make an accurate prediction. You first step is to find a source what will make glasses with 10-12 BO. I have not checked lately, but I think Zenni may not go much above 5 BO. I have not checked in a long time, but at one time Optical 4 Less would go up to 11 BO.

TheBrit 22 Apr 2013, 09:14

Thanks for the info CJ !! Could you tell me how much thickness 10 Base out prism will ADD to my lense outside edge please. I will use 1.5 CR39 lenses as it appears to be best with the addition of prisms. Look forward to your advice..........

Cactus Jack 18 Apr 2013, 22:58

TheBrit,

You can probably easily wear 10 to 12 BO in each eye. That is about the same convergence as reading at about 40 cm. The problem will be getting glasses made with that much prism. Hopefully, whoever makes the glasses will know to adjust the distance PD inward about 0.27 mm per prism diopter using Prentice's rule for prism glasses. The important thing is that the PD not be moved inward twice. Once by you and once by the glasses maker.

Good luck and let us know the results. Remember, you can get to really like wearing prism in your glasses.

FYI, i am in the process of writing a story about prism glasses called "The Strabismus Institute". It is posted on Vision and Specs under Fantasy Stories about vision/glasses. Just remember that it is fiction and may not be technically accurate.

TheBrit 18 Apr 2013, 04:12

Earlier this year I was prescribed additional to my prescription 5 base out prism. I have adapted to them with no trouble whatsoever,& my vision is really great.

However on this website many people desire & want thicker lenses. I never really took much notice until I got my prism glasses, but now I understand all these people!!

I think I have got this "Addiction" now & find myself wanting my glasses thicker,certainly on the outside edge.

With CR39 lenses my outer lense thickness is +/- 4/4.5 mm, would like to get them to 6 to 7 mm..can I do this by increasing the prism, & would I be able to cope with the increase? Maybe someone could give me the advice I need?

Karene 17 Apr 2013, 22:50

Post my prescription. Okay.

Right -8.00 -1.75 110

Left -8.50 -.75 82

I wear them 24/7 and I'm about to get a new pair. I prefer a wider lens, like a 59, or a 60. I've actually got a pair from the 1990's that are 62's and I just relensed them in my current prescription

Andrew 16 Apr 2013, 14:40

Isabella,

At the age of 16. it's probably quite normal, and if you were not referred to a specialist, it's probably nothing to worry about. A certain amount of myopia can be hereditary, so if you have other members of your family who are also very short-sighted, you are probably just proving you are a member of the family! One other little factor you have not mentioned is how old the previous prescription is, which might help to determine whether your -1.25 increase is a big one, or a long-overdue one.

Melyssa 16 Apr 2013, 09:58

Isabella,

For highly-nearsighted people such as ourselves, this is normal, although not necessarily such a big jump at one time. I started out at -1.75/-1.50 at age 8, and gradually went up to -9.00 in both eyes by 36. Most myopes' vision stabilizes in one's mid-20s or thereabouts, but I was an exception there.

isabella 16 Apr 2013, 08:33

how bad is it when you have an eye test and you get higher numbers on your form? every time i have an exam i get higher numbers. for instance my old form said (r) -6.75 (l) -6.25 and the new one says (r) -8.00 (l) -7.50. is that normal or terrible? oh btw i'm 16. thanks.

Bob 13 Apr 2013, 22:00

- glasses

Specs4Me 13 Apr 2013, 21:41

Bob,

As I understand it there are a couple of possibilities here. First, if the glasses are "Plus" power then you had some latent hyperopia which your ciliery muscles, the muscles that control your inner lens focusing actions, have relaxed and you are now noticing what is your actual visual acuity. Second, if the glasses are "Minus" power, you probably were not seeing things as clearly as you thought you were and the glasses have corrected that for you, your brain has now accustomed itself to the sharp image and when the glasses are not there recognizes the blurryness.

There are some on this board that can explain it more acurately and clearly but I think you are experiencing one of these two situations.

Enjoy your glasses and the clear vision they provide!

Bob 13 Apr 2013, 21:22

Surprised that things looked clearer with glasses. Colleague told me they weak! Have worn them for over 2 weeks and now lots look blurry without them! Is this a sign that I need glasses fulltime or is this a transition getting used to wearing glasses? Should I wear them all the time now or less?

svensont 08 Apr 2013, 06:39

Peter,

If you would like to wear glasses thicker on the outside, you should add BO prism. You can easily get used to 5-7 BO.

There are no degrees in prisms, degrees are in cylinder correction in the axis part.

What is your age and actual prescription?

Peter 08 Apr 2013, 06:05

I love thick and strong glasses.

How can they make the glasses on the left sight and right side thicker (not by the nouse)with a prisma?

Is that with Base Out.

I wish to wear glasses both with a prisma 5 BO.

Or is that for the first time very high?

How many degrees is BO? 90, 180, 270 or 0?

Peter

Soundmanpt 05 Apr 2013, 18:32

Heather

Glad to see your still checking in every so often still. I well remember posting with you in here. I know you seemed to enjoy playing tennis and I recall you were finding wearing glasses to be somewhat of a challenge for you because of not being able to wear contacts anymore. Playing certain sports can be more difficult if you have to wear glasses in order to see. I know it would be an added expense but would your doctor not allow you to wear contacts just for sports. I'm sure you likely only play tennis for several hours when you play?

You got the highest index they make so I am sure that helps a lot in keeping your lenses looking nice and it seems like your eyes nay have become stable which I am sure your happy about.

Good hearing from you.

Heather 05 Apr 2013, 18:07

I posted quite some time ago. My prescription is now -5.75 (R) and -6.25 (L). My prescription increased quite a lot in my mid-30s and seems to have stabilised now at age 39. Until my mid-30s I only wore contacts part time but then my prescription rapidly increased to around -4. At the same time I was not able to wear contacts any more so I was stuck with glasses. Needless to say that I need my glasses for absolutely everything now. However, I still hate having to wear them all the time and not having the option of wearing contacts any more. I am wearing 1.74 high index lenses now so the lenses are not too thick and even semi-rimless frames look fine. When I do sports the glasses are really annoying though and they can be a real handicap.

benn 04 Apr 2013, 10:31

Thanks for the advice.

Cactus Jack 03 Apr 2013, 20:41

spanish,

You have asked for some suggestions on solving a complex problem, but provided only limited information.

It sounds like you understand the importance of index and lens size in controlling the overall lens thickness, but you may not be aware of blank size as a factor in making thin lenses. If a significantly larger blank is used to make a small diameter high plus lens, the edges of the lens after cutting to fit the frame will be much thicker than they need to be and therefore the center of the lens will also be thicker.

There may be other possibilities if they are not contra-indicated by medical conditions. You did not provide your complete prescription, but one possibility if you need significant cylinder would be to a form of GOC (Glasses over Contacts) where a significant part of your sphere correction would be in sphere only contact lenses and the balance of the sphere and all the cylinder would be in relatively thin and light glasses. That assumes that you can wear contact lenses. Other possibilities might include "Internal" contact lenses or IOLs.

There can be many causes of significant hyperopia and it would be helpful if you feel comfortable sharing more your situation with us.

Cactus Jack 03 Apr 2013, 20:24

Oops, should have been addressed to been. Sorry.

Cactus Jack 03 Apr 2013, 20:23

been,

The new prescription has about -0.25 more cylinder and about +0.50 sphere. It isn't very much, but it you might find them noticeably better for reading because of the cylinder change.

If it were me, I think I would be very tempted to order some inexpensive glasses from Zenni and decide which prescription I preferred and then make a decision if I wanted to continue wearing my old prescription or have some glasses made with the new prescription in a more attractive frame.

If you wanted to do something REALLY inexpensive for trial purposes, you might consider ordering single vision glasses with the distance component only and using OTC +2.50 readers over them for reading. Then decide what you want to do.

benn 03 Apr 2013, 17:53

Is this much of a change or is it a restatement?

OLD:

+0.75-2.25x81 Add: 2.50

+0.75-2.75x97 Add: 2.50

New:

+1.25-2.50x85 Add: 2.50

+1.25-3.00x100 Add:2.50

Had to change Dr's.

Thanks.

spanish 03 Apr 2013, 08:23

Hello there!

Lets see if you can help me on my problem since Im just desperated to get a solution.Now, im +15 and as you can imagine my lenses are pretty thick and also finding the right frame for them is an absolute nightmare since they have to be small and of about 49 diameter blah blah.Im wearing a ceys 1.6 reduction type of thing on my lenses and they still look pretty thick.Now im starting to tolerate them but Im still pretty concerned about them and Im only 20yo.The question is where and how on earth could I get them thinner I would swim the ocean to get them they are so heavy and look awefull!

thank you so much! x

John 03 Apr 2013, 01:15

To continue....

http://www.coopereyecare.com/services/qualitylenses.html

There is a diagram on the above we page which shows how the base curve becomes flatter as lenses become more minus.

For -2 lenses, the front (base) curve may be +2 and the rear crave ay be -4. This will give a cosmetically pleasing lens, both for power, thickness.

By the time you need -10 lenses, adding the cosmetic +2 base curve significantly increases the lens thickness, therefore, these lenses are rarely prescribed, although some people will pay extra for these curved front lenses.

For people who need + lenses, it is the back curve that is flattened for high prescriptions. Someone who requires a +5 lens may be given lenses with a front (base) curve of +10 and a rear curve of -5. These lenses will be rather thick. A thinner option would be a front curve +5 and a rear curve flat.

John 03 Apr 2013, 01:06

Hello

Base curve is the amount of curve on the front of the lens. If people are short-sighted like your son, and me, there comes a point where the front of the lens becomes flat, this sometimes around the -10 point. It is something to do with lens thickness.

Most opticians do not bother with this number, they leave to the dispensing optician to order the lens.

Myrna 03 Apr 2013, 00:01

I know contacts have a base curve but I didn't realize that glasses also do -- until today. My son, who is nearsighted, got a new prescription and we went to our optical shop to get it filled.

His prescription has 3 columns filled in (sphere, cylinder, axis) and 2 left blank (add, prism). We have gotten his glasses there since he was a little guy. When the optician pulled his chart, I noticed there was a 4th column filled in, headed "base curve." The spherical numbers on the doctor's prescription form are always minus but I also noticed that the numbers in the base curve column were plus, but descending. They started at +6 and gradually dropped to +1. I meant to ask the optician about this but got distracted and forgot.

My son's previous glasses were -9.25 in one eye and -9.75 in the other. His new glasses will be stronger, -10.50 and -11.00. Does that mean the base curve will be zero?

In summary, what is base curve, why does it go down, and what does that mean? And why isn't it on the dr's form?

Thanks.

Daniel11 02 Apr 2013, 15:43

Definitely one of the best combination between glasses and women i've ever seen!

jared 02 Apr 2013, 13:09

Thebrit-

Thanks so much for the info!!!!!

TheBrit 02 Apr 2013, 12:50

Hi Jared...picture is on "SEEN ON THE WEB"

Jared 02 Apr 2013, 12:40

Was just wondering where you guys were finding the picture posted by Olek? Is it in an ES thread?

Thanx

TheBrit 02 Apr 2013, 10:38

Hi Daniel,

My prescription is +3.25 and +2.75 with some cylinder in both eyes,Plus of course the 5 BO prism. As CJ said I would be interested in the prescription on the picture posted by Olek..Wow

Cactus Jack 02 Apr 2013, 09:59

Daniel11,

If you have not done so, check out the first picture on Olek's recent post. Very high Base Out prism and probably some minus sphere. There is no way to even begin to guess the prescription.

Daniel11 02 Apr 2013, 09:44

Thebrit,

Hi, on the first prisms glasses you were prescribed for 5 BO prisms?

What is your full prescription? do you have some sphere or it's just prisms?

I believe about the positive comments! I can't wait to order my specs ....

TheBrit 02 Apr 2013, 07:37

Hi Daniel, I posted earlier but I think it didn't go through so I try again! It seems that prism prescriptions are creating a lot of interest these days.

I was prescribed prisms early this year for double vision,& have now been wearing base out 5 for some weeks. The clarity & comfort is really superb,& I just wish that I had them years earlier.

On the appearance point of view the lenses are noticably thicker,but they highlight themselves very well in my semi rimless frame which has the lense open on the outside. I was never really bothered how thick or thin my lenses were, but having seen how great they look, like you I find that I would really like them very much thicker now. I have had MANY positive comments on how great my glasses look..never had this in the past.

I feel that I will need an increase at my next control,as when tired late evening the DV starts to creep back.. I start to hope it will be significantly increased so the lenses will increase.

Their is much talk that prism lenses become dependent. I can only say that this is the first time I see so well & my eyes feel very comfortable. Add to this the bonus of thicker lenses..

Wish you success with your prisms...

Daniel11 01 Apr 2013, 18:28

Hi Brian!

First, I never even try to put contacts - I like my glasses as they are!

as I told before, I'm not afraid of thick lenses or getting dependent on my glasses that is the goals.

even when I do know that my eyes will get used to the prisms - I want to do that - also if my lens would be 1.5cm in the edge..

Thats my fetish for about 5 years...

Brian 01 Apr 2013, 18:08

Daniel, I have exoforia, I started with prisms about 3 1/2 years ago, started at 2BI in each eye and I just got new glasses today that are now 5D BI in each eye.. My distance prescription is -6.00 and -5.25. I used to be able to wear contacts before I got prisms and once you get prisms its hard to go without them.. The inner edges of my glasses are now very thick and my eyes sit pretty far out, I look very wall eyed with the glasses on..

daniel11 01 Apr 2013, 16:35

so,

thank you for all,

im gonna order in the next few days - my first prism glasses.

Pd 60

R: -3.75 -1.25 - 5 prism 5 BO

L: -4.25 -1.00 - 175 prism 5 BO

trying to induce myopia also.

i will wear them full time, as of distance and reading.

when my eyes will get used to them (3-4 months i believe) i will order the next pair, aspiring to -4.5 + 10BO.

thanks again.

Cactus Jack 01 Apr 2013, 11:09

Daniel1,

I should have been a bit clearer about adjusting the PD for prism. It would be best if the PD was not adjusted by you AND by the lens maker. I would suggest listing your actual PD and putting a note on your order to Please adjust the PD for the BO prism" or, if you adjust it (probably best) you should note: "PD already adjusted for BO prism please do not adjust further."

Hopefully they will know what to do. but honestly, it is not certain. Prism is not as common in glasses as it was years ago because muscle surgery is often used to correct muscle problems.

Ideally, PD measurements are made with the eyes looking straight ahead. When you read or your eyes converge for any reason, the PD needs to be adjusted inward so the optical center of the lens and the central axis of vision coincide. This convergence is the reason why bifocal and trifocal PDs are written as a fraction (e.g. 63/60) with the first number being the distance PD and the second number being the near PD.

In the case of BO or BI prism the adjustment is inward for BO prism or outward for BI prism. Incorrect location of the Optical Center of the lens in relation to the Central Axis of vision often causes the glasses to have some apparent distortion or incorrect prescription to the wearer.

To answer your other questions:

1. It is very difficult for you to tell if your eyes have a tendency to turn inward or outward. One clue is double vision when you first wake in the morning. However, if the amount is small, your eye muscle control system can correct the problem so quickly, it may not be noticed. Another clue is occasional double vision when you are very tired.

2. How long you wear the first pair before going to the second pair depends on how well you like the first pair. Because convergence is a naturally occurring thing. You may find that you want to almost immediately go to the second pair. If possible, you should try to wear the glasses full time. If you order with the same frames, the change will not be noticed by anyone, but you.

3. You can order 8s if you want to, but I suspect you would not notice much difference between 8 and 10.

BTW, Adult Strabismus is a recognized condition. Most offen, various forms of strabismus develop during childhood. The most common is esophoria or esotropia where the eyes want to turn inward because of uncorrected hyperopia. Adult strabismus seems to be more often manifest as exophoria or exotropia where the eyes want to turn outward, but esophoria or esotropia is not unheard of in adults. FYI, the simple difference between ...phoria and ...tropia is that with a phoria you have the ability to fuse the two images (sometimes with significant effort) and with a tropia you simply cannot do it.

daniel11 01 Apr 2013, 10:32

well,

hi, roy

i'm well aware that there is a possibilty that my eyes will get usedto the prisms, but, i must say that i'm always thrilled when i see thick lenses - and it's been that way for years - ... even my girlfriend has -7 glasses... i always wanted glasses stronger than my current prescription. i always looking in the edge of glasses - and found it very beautiful!

it's a way of life - and i'm not affraid of getting depand on thick glasses, i'v worn my girlfriend glasses just for fun for many times, and people know that i do have fetish for thicked eyeglasses.

it's was only a matter of time until i induce my myopia or making somehow my glasses thicker.

i hope i will be able to get used to them quickley, as i told you i thought of doing to this for a long time - and i now i'm starting....

one Last ask from you Roy - can you send some images of your glasses from the first pair to your current pair to danmit696@gmail.com - it's intersting...

thanks all,

Roy 01 Apr 2013, 09:46

Daniel1

I can back up what CJ said from my own experience. I originally tried a 4 base-out prism in my right eye to increase the lens outer edge thickness to match that of my left eye. (My left eye was about -6sph but my right eye only -3.5). It worked perfectly and I had no trouble adapting to the prism. I soon increased the prism to 6 base-out right eye and 2 base-out left eye.

Within two or three years of wearing prism correction continuously I found I was getting double-vision without glasses and it was being picked up in eye tests. I did not tell the optometrist I had been wearing prisms. She was puzzled by the apparent onset of strabismus and sent me to a hospital specialist for more tests. The consultant simply suggested that I carry on with the prism correction as required.

I now wear, and need, a total of about 20 prism dioptres shared between right and left lenses. I can manage with 10 to 12 dioptres shared when looking straight ahead, but need the full 20 dioptres to avoid double-vision over my full field of view.

You should therefore be aware that wearing prisms may well induce permanent strabismus which cannot (as far as I am aware) cannot be corrected with contact lenses or lasik treatment.

Even with 1.67 index plastic my current lenses have an outer edge thickness of around 1cm. The lens edges are left un-polished and are are fitted to a nice thin (only 2mm thick) titanium frame to emphasize the thickness.

Melyssa 01 Apr 2013, 09:36

Specs4Me,

Mais oui, mon ami!

Specs4Me 01 Apr 2013, 09:24

Melyssa,

Me parece que tu nos ha dicho que su Rx ceda cerca de -9, con este RX talvez nos estas "jalando la peirna" sendo que hoy is el primero de Abril!

Melyssa 01 Apr 2013, 06:55

Mi más reciente RX:

Derecha: -4.75 +2.00 90

Izquierda: -4.75 +2.00 90

Añadir: +2.50

Abril Tonto!

svensont 01 Apr 2013, 05:33

You don't have to make changes if you want to use the glasses while you're on the computer. Your eyes naturally converge when you're reading something, BO prism will cause them to converge more.

You are young and I think you have big chances to induce more myopia. You can order stronger sphere in them, ie. 1D more. And of course, you can try more BO prism at first, but it may be harder, try maybe 6 or 7 BO.

Wear the glasses as you like to, you can try full time, but as CJ said, if your eyes have a tendency to over converge, you may create the need for prism.

Hopefully Helpful 01 Apr 2013, 05:10

CJ's advise is always spot on but you perhaps need to clarify if you yourself should cut the PD number as in some case I think he has said that the manufacturer will make this adjustment in the making.Best of luck hope you succeed

Daniel11 01 Apr 2013, 05:00

Hi cactus jack,

Thank you for response!

How can I know if my eyes have tendency to over converge?

I want to use the glasses for daily use that means distance and reading- but if I want to use them while I'm on the computer, I need to make changes? That means should I have 2 prescription, first for distance and second for reading?

anyway-

My previous pd is 63.

and for the glasses - the first prescription -

Pd 60

R: -3.00 -1.25 - 5 prism 5 BO

L: -3.50 -1.00 - 175 prism 5 BO

Second glasses - pd 58.

R: -3.50 -1.25 - 5. prism 10BO

L: -4.00 -1.00 - 175 Prism 10BO

How much time do you think I will have to be with the first glasses before I put the second glasses?

I'm so expecting that! Should I wear them full time?

Is there a way to start with 8 prisms?

Any other useful advices before I get to order?

I think the second glasses can easily get to 1.2cm thickness - I can't wait!

Thanks!

Cactus jack 31 Mar 2013, 22:45

Daniel1,

You could probably easily tolerate up to 10 prism diopters Base Out in each eye provided you adjust the PD inward about 5 mm. That much prism will cause your eyes to converge as if you were reading at a distance of about 40 cm for distance and of course more convergence will occur if you wear them while reading.

You might want to consider trying 5 prism diopters Base Out in each eye and reducing your PD by about 3 mm. When you find this comfortable, then increase it to 10 BO in each eye. You might also want to consider increasing your sphere by maybe -0.50 or so in each eye to help your eyes converge. Never adjust your cylinder or axis from that refracted.

You need to understand that you can get accustomed to wearing prism and you may get to where you see double without prism correction in your glasses and it is possible that you will ultimately need more prism in your glasses.

If your eyes DO NOT have a tendency to over converge, you can pretty much reverse the "induced strabismus" by wearing glasses without prism for a week or so. However, if your eyes DO have a tendency to over converge, you may find the prism very comfortable and be reluctant to go back to wearing glasses without prism.

FYI, BO prism will typically increase the outer edge thickness by about 1 mm per prism diopter from its no prism thickness. The exact thickness increase depends on the Index of Refraction and the lens width.

Daniel11 31 Mar 2013, 20:51

Hello every one!

I'm from Israel and 21 yo..

My prescription right now is this:

R: -3.00 -1.25 - 5

L: -3.50 -1.00 - 175

and I want to ask that, what would happen if I would add to my prescription base out prisms?

how many BO prisms my eyes could suffer? Is there any possibility that my will get used to the prisms?

Why am I asking this? - ok, I love thick lenses! Don't ask why, and I want to get my glasses lenses thicker... once i saw this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxdNAqoTePc) I decided iwant to get my glasses to this thickness and more!

I don't want doing GOC - it's cheating.... I read this forum a lot - and I'm very enjoyed!

For the start how many prisms I should put into my glasses?

yours,

Daniel

Cactus Jack 30 Mar 2013, 17:42

Joanie,

That is a significant increase in only 6 months and you are right to be concerned about it. You might want to consider having your daughter seen by a specialist in Progressive Myopia, but there may not be much that can be done, because it likely has a genetic component. Often, the source is more than one generation back.

At your daughter's age, there are a number of hormonal changes that may be causing eyeball growth which is probably the source of the increasing myopia. There are a couple of things that you can do cosmetically to improve the appearance of her glasses. High index lenses and high quality antireflective coating on her lenses.

Another thing that might slow the increase is to wear and older, weaker pair of glasses for reading because that may reduce the accommodative stress which is believed to trigger eyeball growth where a person is genetically disposed toward myopia.

One of the dangers of rapid eyeball growth and high myopia is the possibility of retinal detachment, which can lead to loss of sight if not treated immediately. Young people are NOT immune to retinal detachment. I heard recently about a 10 year old boy who suffered retinal detachment. Fortunately, he was able to get treatment before the damage was permanent and his vision has been restored. I don't know for sure if high myopia was involved, but it is likely.

May I ask where you live?

Joanie 30 Mar 2013, 08:25

I have a daughter in 10th grade of high school. Recently, the school nurse sent home a note that she was having trouble seeing the board and failed an eye screening. I just got home from the optometrist. He said she got MUCH more nearsighted and needed MUCH stronger glasses. I have 20/20 vision. My husband has weak glasses. Is my daughter's vision a major concern? Her old glasses that she got in September are (R eye) -7.75 sphere -1.75 cylinder 75 axis (L eye) -7.00 sphere -2.00 cylinder 110 axis. Her new prescription reads (R eye) -9.50 sphere -1.75 cylinder 80 axis (L eye) -9.00 sphere -1.75 cylinder 100 axis.

We just picked up the new glasses and both of us are in shock. They are so much thicker, everything looks tiny and the reflections are so giant you can barely see her eyes.

I am really scared for her.

Juicebox 23 Mar 2013, 06:29

Bob,

When I had a prescription similar to yours, I wore them for lectures and going to the cinema etc. if I'd have learned to drive, I would have definitely worn them then as I wouldn't have been able to pass the eye exam. My prescription has gone up quite a bit since then so now I have no choice but to wear glasses or contacts. I used to think wearing glasses was horrible, but over the past few months its grown on me...so don't worry if its new to you, you'll get used to it! Enjoy your glasses and better vision :)

Cactus jack 22 Mar 2013, 23:43

Bob,

To make your prescription a bit easier to understand, I have converted it from + cylinder to - cylinder, which is what a lens maker will do prior to making the lenses. Optically, the two prescriptions are identical.

R Sphere -0.75, Cylinder -0.50, Axis 165

L Sphere -1.00, Cylinder -0.50, Axis 20

In practical terms, the Sphere means that everything beyond about 1 meter or 40 inches is increasingly fuzzy. The cylinder means that everything at all distances is a little fuzzy.

Many people with that prescription would wear their glasses most of the time. Definitely, when driving and probably when watching TV or the cinema. However, other than driving, it is actually up to you.

You should wear them full time for about two weeks and then make a decision about how much to wear them. Initially, you may think the glasses have made your vision worse, but that is not correct. Vision actually occurs in the brain and the eyes are merely biological cameras. The brain has amazing processing power to "improve" the quality of the images from your eyes, IF the brain knows what something is supposed to look like. The brain can even produce images with your eyes closed, as in a dream.

It takes a lot of work and energy for your brain to process blurry images. With your glasses, your eyes will be delivering high definition (in focus) images and it will not take your brain long to get used to the reduced work load and will stop correcting the images you see. Without your glasses, your brain will have to go back to work and that will not happen instantly. In fact, your brain may rebel at having to go back to work and the result can be fatigue and headaches.

Please let us know how you get on with the glasses and what you think of clear sharp vision.

There may be a few comments from your friends, but that will stop in a day or two. They may want to try your glasses and some will comment that you must be "blind". Often, some will not comment at all, but give the glasses back. That usually means that they just discovered that their vision is better with the glasses and they experienced a bit of a shock that they might also need an eye exam.

Bob 22 Mar 2013, 22:08

How often would most people wear this type of prescription?

R - 1.25 + 0.5 75

L -1.5 + 0.5 110

I am 27 and haven't had glasses before.

Frank 10 Mar 2013, 00:05

Cactus Jack,

thank you very much for your detailed response. I really appreciate that you share your experience and knowledge. From your posts I learned a lot more than from my optometrist.

Regarding double vision, knowing that you can still fuse the images despite your high correction relieves my worries a bit.

Currently I am actually really enjoying (probably subjectively) the enhanced depth perception, but your guess that the prescription might go up is not unrealistic. (In my previous post I in fact meant fusing instead of focusing. You interpreted it correctly. Not quite on speed with the terminology). In fact if I now look up over the frame (which I do - or probably better did - from time to time), I pretty much immediately feel a stinging headache. I will see how things develop during the next few days.

Again, thank you very much for the insight.

Frank

Cactus Jack 09 Mar 2013, 21:44

Frank,

What you are experiencing is pretty normal. The muscle stress you may feel is caused by your eye positioning muscles to deal with the fact that some of the extra work they have been having to do, is being done for them by the glasses. That should disappear in a few days.

Don't be surprised if two things happen. One, it is very likely that your optometrist did not fully correct your muscle imbalance and you may need some additional prism in the future. The second thing is that as your eye positioning muscles relax, you may experience some double vision without your glasses. You can probably correct that by concentrating on fusing the images, but that is not the way it is supposed to work. Ideally, fusion of the two images should be automatic and effortless, Based on your comment about focusing (fusing?) instantly with the prism indicates that it is a very desirable addition to your prescription.

If you need additional prism in the future, it is likely that it will be balanced with approximately 1/2 the total correction in each eye.

One thing that may offer some comfort in the "vanity" department. Prism of less than about 7 prism diopters in each eye is not very noticeable to others - unless they are OOs and know exactly what to look for.

I developed what is called adult strabismus (esophoria) in my late 30s (75 now) and I have worn Base Out prism for many years. Even with 15/15 BO about all that anyone may notice is that the outer edges of my glasses lenses are a bit thick. Esophoria means that your eyes want to turn inward, but with effort you can still fuse the images. Even with 15/15 BO I can still fuse the images without my glasses, but if I relax and don't concentrate, my eyes turn inward and I see double. With prism in my glasses, the images are fused for me and I can concentrate on other, more important things.

If you have other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Frank 09 Mar 2013, 20:31

Cactus Jack,

my age is 31.

Thank you for your explanation on the matter. I realized that when wearing the glasses I have focus instantly. Usually it takes a fraction of a second, especially when switching from near to distance. So the prisms seem to take away some of the muscle work. Currently I experience quite some strain on the eye muscles while wearing them, but I assume that will be exactly that relaxation you described which has been suppressed for decades.

The lens seems to be indeed a prism lens as it sticks out quite a bit on the side - at least more than I am used to with my otherwise very low prescription.

Reading through the ES threads I read about the 'addiction' that comes with prisms. In fact many of the wearers ended up with double vision. That sounds a bit scary and I can already retrace the desire to wear the prism glasses more and more.

My optometrist did not give me any such information. (In fact he didn't even use the word prism but referred to it as being 'an optical component to reduce strain for close work'.) I was thinking about perhaps wearing them only strictly for working and otherwise rely on my old glasses, but, as mentioned in an earlier post, it is quite hard for me to switch back once wearing them during the day.

Sorry for the long post, but reading through your explanation and ES threads sparked some thoughts. Just want to be sure I am heading down the right path ;)

Cactus jack 09 Mar 2013, 10:38

Frank,

The 66/62 is the far PD/near PD you mentioned. The lens maker probably "induced" that small amount of prism by slightly displacing the Optical Center of that lens inward. "Induced" in this case means something entirely different than "Induced Myopia".

FYI, 2 prism diopters, by definition, bend or displace rays of light 2 cm at a distance of 1 meter or 100 cm. In angular terms the angular displacement is 1.14 degrees. It is likely that you have a very small muscle imbalance. While it is small, you are having to expend constant effort to keep images fused. The small amount of prism relieves your eye muscles of that burden. Until now, you may have been experiencing some unexplained mild fatigue and what you are experiencing is the prism in your glasses relieving that extra work and fusing the images for you.

May I ask your age?

Frank 09 Mar 2013, 02:44

Hello guys,

I recently got back from an eye exam and ended up having an updated prescription which now includes mild prism correction.

sph. cyl. angle pdpt

OD: +1.25 -1.50 175 2 BO

OS: +1.5 -2.00 180

My question: The PD reads 66/62. Does this refer to 'far PD'/'near PD' or is it the PD adjustment for the right lens because of the prism. Or is that always calculated by the optometrist?

I hope I explained my question clear enough.

By the way, wearing prisms was new to me and it seems I adjusted fairly quickly. Wore them yesterday and today and I really feel that I cannot just change back to my old specs once I wore them during the day... Bit of a concern but I am FT wearer anyway....

Good site! Keep the good work up!

Clare 08 Mar 2013, 15:37

I'd definitely agree that long term wearing contacts all the time isn't a good option. My optician says at least one day without contacts (but for me at the moment, two).

Soundmanpt 05 Mar 2013, 19:48

George

Your daughters eyes really didn't change all that much considering it has been 2.5 years she got her last glasses. The prescription she just got I am assuming is for contacts again? So her cyl (astigmatisms)may have improved just enough, meaning she now may have -.50 for her cyl and it is common for doctors to just increase her sph (distance) prescription a bit in place of the having the correction in her cyl. So had they tried that 2.5 years ago her prescription would have been about -1.50 in both eyes, so now her eyes have changed some in that time but not much at all.

Even better her eyes are likely to soon stop changing as well.

Did she get new glasses when she went this time or for that matter did she get glasses 2.5 years ago or is she just wearing contacts only? Her eyes are at a point now that she needs full time correction and wearing contacts constantly all the time is not a good thing for her to be doing. She needs to have glasses so she take off her contacts in the evening and also so she wear rest her eyes at least once a week by wearing glasses for a full day. Not to mention if she ever gets and an eye infection which happens to nearly every contact wearer at some point she will not be able to see well enough to do her job or see at school and she couldn't drive to work or school.

Goerge 05 Mar 2013, 17:58

My 21 yr old daughter just got her new prescription, R -2.50, L -2.25. Her previous script 2.5 yrs ago was -1.00, -1.00 w -.75 astigmatism in each eye. She no longer needs toric cls which is nice but I'm confused by the drastic change. Any thoughts? Thx

05 Mar 2013, 12:06

My eye that's crossed has hardly any vision in it like when I close my right eye everything's blurry so I don't know if that has anything to do with not having prisms?

I'm and 17 and I've worn glasses for as long as I can remember so no it's not my first. I've just never really paid attention to my prescribtion or anything before so was just curios to know.

Thanks

svensont 05 Mar 2013, 11:45

If you are crosseyed then I'm confused why you don't have any prism in your prescription. Contact lenses are not correcting strabismus, so if you are crosseyed you will have to wear glasses.

What is your age if I can ask?

Is that your first prescription?

05 Mar 2013, 10:36

Also going by my prescribtion below would I ever be suitable for getting contact lenses. I am cross eyed so I don't know if that would mean anything. I am going to ask when I have my next eye test.

Thanks to anyone who helps

05 Mar 2013, 09:34

Thank you very much :)

svensont 05 Mar 2013, 09:23

You are a hyperope with very slight astigmatism. There is no prisms in your glasses prescription. I think the zeros don't mean anything, it's the same as blank. You also have no add in the lenses.

05 Mar 2013, 08:56

i don't understand my prescribtion, can anyone help please

right - sph +1.25

cyl +0.25

axis 35

left - sph +4.00

cyl +0.25

axis 5

the prism and base/axis column are left blank on both eyes, so does that mean my lenses have no prism in them?

there is also a lot of extra zeros on my prescribtion don't know if that means anything. if it's easier i will post a picture of my prescribtion.

thanks

Aubrac 02 Mar 2013, 06:28

Oops sorry, last post was from me.

02 Mar 2013, 06:27

Isabella

My sister had glasses at 13 and ended with about -6 prescription. All four of her kids (now all adults) have glasses/contacts of between -3 and -7 while I have -5 and all three of my children have 20/20 vision - so don't really know how the genetics work!

As others have said, your children probably have quite a few more changes ahead of them but when things stabilise you can get ultra thin high index lenses that will considerably reduce minification, cut-in, and thickness. However, these are very expensive and not worth bothering with if their prescription changes in six months time.

Smaller lenses will have thinner edge thickness, and flat fronted lenses can also make lenses appear thinner so these can be options for you.

Isabella 02 Mar 2013, 02:51

Julian

The 2 older ones are girls. The youngest is a boy. Perfect arrangement for baby sitting.

Julian 02 Mar 2013, 02:46

Isabella: the other thing to bear in mind is that it's quite common for the children to be more myopic than the myopic parent. I've mentioned this before and other people agree. Also, school kids these days are on computers a lot of the time, and that's another factor that encourages myopia if there's a tendency that way. Your older two are already 'officially' high myopes (-6 or more) and this is likely to progress into their early 20s with coke bottles a fact of life. Your best course is to encourage them to get smart frames and enjoy wearing them.

By they way you don't mention what combination of boys and girls you have.

Isabella 01 Mar 2013, 23:32

GreginColo

I don't know his numbers. He needed them for everything but they didn't seem especially strong. Eminently forgettable.

GreginColo 01 Mar 2013, 23:09

Isabella: you mentioned your ex was nearsighted but didn't mention was is Rx is or was. If his Rx was fairly strong then your kids myopia is likely inherited and they may be following his progression. Do you know anything about his visual history?

specs4ever 01 Mar 2013, 20:30

Isabella, in answer to your questions, it is fairly normal for a nearsighted person's prescription to get stronger each time. Your children became myopic at an early age, but they have had some pretty serious progression. -9D for a 15 year old and -7D for a 13 year old is pretty strong for their ages, and it is highly likely that their prescription swill become even higher during the next 6 years or so.

There are a number of theory's as to how to slow down the increases. One suggestion is bifocals. I have heard many varied responses on this theory, but most feel that it doesn't work, and makes the person dependend on wearing a reading add at an earlier age. Another suggestion is to have them take more frequent breaks from close work. This does seem to help. And if you can do it, try to get them to put a bit of distance between their reading material and the end of their nose.

One thing I do suggest is to not get them contact lenses. It might be a wrong theory, but I feel that children who wear contacts for everything will experience a faster progression than those people who wear glasses. Glasses slip down the nose and the power is reduced while they read, but with contacts they are looking through the full distance prescription 100% of the time. This is not proven, but is just a theory of mine(and others)

As to your third question the answer is yes. It is just the nature of a minus lens

Isabella 01 Mar 2013, 19:43

I posted this on Ask.com and Google Answers and didn't get any serious answers. Maybe the 3rd time will be the charm.

I have 20/20 vision and I'm divorced. My ex was nearsighted. All 3 of my kids (age 15, 13 and 10) are nearsighted and their glasses get stronger at every visit to the optometrist. In round numbers their current prescriptions are -9, -7 and -3.

Question 1: Is it normal for their prescriptions to become more negative every time they are examined?

Question 2: Are the strength of their lenses normal for their ages?

Question 3: Each time the glasses get stronger, the reflections get bigger and their faces get smaller. Must this happen?

Thanks.

Clare 20 Feb 2013, 15:45

Juicebox - stick with your current ones if you like them. As I've lamented, until recently I didn't have any glasses wearing friends (all CL wearers) but one who is recently forced to wear glasses is thinking of getting the previous pair updated to the new prescription. I've only ever had one pair and this pair suits as I'd wear contacts for social occasions. These are fine for work, as needed, and just mooching/shopping at the weekends. Let us know how you get on please!

Juicebox 19 Feb 2013, 17:29

Clare,

Those frames are pretty rad, I'm sure you look great in them :) I'm pretty happy with my current frames which is why I'm probably going to get new lenses in them. I'm thinking about getting some more hipster-ish ones as well though, that way if I have more fashionable frames I may be inclined to wear them more.

Dan,

Yeah I think its good to have a balance between the two. I think my sister is -2.5 and my dad is -6. Not sure about my mum though.

Clare 19 Feb 2013, 14:11

Juicebox - I found this site which sells the same frames as mine. Good reaction from people who've seen them so far

https://www.vision2you.co.uk/store/face-a-face/face-a-face-axess-5

I've always found it really hard finding glasses that I think suit me. These for now I feel more comfortable in than I have so far. Hopefully, as I get more used to glasses.I'll get over my self-consciousness about how I look in them. Hope you find some frames you like too.

Dan 19 Feb 2013, 13:42

Juicebox,

Do your the prescriptions of your family members?

I know how you feel about hating to wear glasses. I got them first when I was 18 and never wore them. Then I got contacts when I was 20 and didn't wear glasses much. Now, at 23, I've finally found some really good frames and now I'm about 60/40 contacts vs. glasses.

KAYE 19 Feb 2013, 13:06

2.00 and 2.25.

Not really bad.

My dad was legally blind before his surgeries, though. Not to mention his conditions can be genetic, so I might get there someday.

Juicebox 18 Feb 2013, 19:17

Dan,

I'm really excited to graduate so I can start getting some good experience. Can't wait! Yeah I don't mind them now, I used to hate wearing them. So much so that I lived an entire year at uni without my housemates seeing me in my glasses! I hope my prescription stops going up though. I'm glad you've avoided most of the myopia in your family :) meteorology sounds interesting!

Dan 18 Feb 2013, 18:10

Juicebox,

Best of luck finding work when you leave school! I studied meteorology while I was in college. Graduated a year and a half ago and have been employed thus far. You sound like you are in an exciting field!

I'm sorry you have inherited the myopia in your family, but it seems that you don't mind the glasses? Both my parents and my brother are all over -4, yet I have managed to stay under -2...so far.

Juicebox 18 Feb 2013, 16:33

Clare,

Im sure they look great. What are they like? I'm in the process of trying to find some new frames, which is taking a while because I have a petite face. I may just get new lenses in my old ones though.

Clare 18 Feb 2013, 14:37

Juicebox - as I suppose I will never get back to my over-zealous contacts wearing days, I quite like the idea of switching between glasses and contacts. These glasses are the best yet but I still wonder if they look okay, like you I feel more confident without them!

Juicebox 18 Feb 2013, 13:54

Clare,

I guess it's good that you still have the option to wear contacts socially instead of not at all :) I kind of like being able to switch things up, even if I feel more confident when I'm not wearing glasses.

Dan,

You remembered correctly, it did go up quite a bit which is why they said to come back sooner than a year. I thought I'd managed to avoid the myopia in my family but clearly not! I'm hoping to go into editing for TV shows or music videos so there's many a computer in my future (hopefully - if I can actually get work!) if you don't mind me asking, what did you study?

Dan 18 Feb 2013, 07:48

Juicebox,

If i remember correctly, your last prescription this past summer was -1.75. That's a fairly hefty increase in less than a year. Interestingly, I've had -1.25 for the past 3 years and it hasn't gone up even though I was in college and now spend at least 10 hours a day on the computer.

David 17 Feb 2013, 11:24

Thanks for your comment Specs4ever. The only one I know of in my wife's family who wears glasses is her aunt - her mom's younger sister. I had never seen her wearing glasses before until we were at a funeral about a month ago and she was wearing her glasses instead of contacts. She is a tiny little lady and her glasses were the rectangular dark framed wide sides that have been popular lately. You could see that her lenses were very thick, and there was a line at the bottom of the lenses so I could guess they were bifocals. My wife said that her aunt couldn't wear her contacts anymore

Specs4ever 17 Feb 2013, 09:00

David- your daughter could be on the path towards high myopia. A 6 year old really shouldn't be wearing glasses yet. But she is, and there isn't much you can do about it. If her myopia continues to increase you should indeed see a pediatric ophthalmologist. Possibly they will give her bifocals, or they might treat her with atropine, which seems to be slowing the progress of myopia in children. You say your wife is a -6D myope. Ar there any other myopes in her family or yours?

David 17 Feb 2013, 08:39

Took our daughter to the eye doctor in Aug 2012 because my wife thought she was squinting a lot. She needed a prescription of -2.25 x -1.25 x 30 and -2.50 x -1.00 x 135. Doctor said this was a strong first prescription. She turned 6 in November and a week ago Saturday my wife, her 2 year older sister and I were at the mall. Wife and older daughter sat down and younger daughter and I went to order. Meg ordered the same as her sister wanted and when we got the food she carried one tray and I carried the other. We were very close to my wife and daughter, but Meg didn't seem to be able to see them waving at her. We asked her if she could see a few signs around and she couldn't. So we took her to Lenscrafters. She needed a stronger prescription and her new one is -4.00 x -2.00 x 30 and -4,25 x -2.00 x 135. We got her new glasses which she has been wearing for the week. This doctor said this happens sometimes, but we should keep an eye on her and if she seems to be squinting again anytime soon we should see a specialist. Wife is a -6D contact lens wearer, her older sister and I don't wear glasses, Should we be worried about this, and if so is there anything we can do to stop her eyes from getting worse?

Clare 17 Feb 2013, 05:39

Juicebox - yes, I've got used to it in the last six months - no option! Okay now wearing glasses at work, which is progress, but only wear contacts socially at the moment.

Juicebox 16 Feb 2013, 18:09

Andrew,

Thanks for your response. Yeah my degree has a lot of computer work as well as readings for seminars so I guess that could be the reason. Yeah new frames are the upside I guess, though I have a petite face so it can be hard to find frames that suit me at times!

Clare,

I'd say I'm about 50/50. I wear glasses while I'm at home and contacts when I go to parties/play sports etc. For lectures it depends on what time I have to be up really - haha! I'd say I've come around to the idea of wearing glasses a lot more than before, but I'm not 100% there yet, I still feel like I'm flawed and don't want people knowing, but I'm definitely a lot better :) from your posts I'm guessing you're a lot more comfortable too?

Clare 16 Feb 2013, 04:50

Juicebox - your prescription is the same as mine now. Do you mostly wear contacts or did you get used to the idea of wearing glasses?

Andrew 15 Feb 2013, 13:25

Juicebox,

While you might still have perfect eyesight if you had left school at 16 and taken up a manual outdoor job, you could blame your deteriorating eyesight on the fact that you have remained in education - or it may have happened anyway. It is not uncommon for prescriptions to increase more rapidly among students who need to do a lot of close work (my own went up by 2 diopter in my first two years at university), so you have nothing to worry about on that score. Some people like getting a new prescription as it is a good excuse for getting new glasses, so at least by keeping it up to date you can see clearly and look fashionable at the same time.

Juicebox 15 Feb 2013, 05:33

Went for a contact lens check up the other day, it was supposed to be a few months ago but I've been busy with uni and exams...oh the joys of my final year! I mentioned that lecture slides were beginning to look blurry again and ended up getting a new prescription.

It is

R: SPH -3.00 -0.25 165

L: SPH -2.75 -0.25 25

They said to come back in 6 months because my rx went up quite a bit. What I don't understand is that my eyes were fine before coming to uni, am I doing this to myself?

Cactus jack 28 Jan 2013, 09:30

Nick,

Your ophthalmologists prescription converted to - cylinder notation is:

R -2.75, -0.50 x 88

L -2.50, -0.50 x 92 Add +2.50

You optometrist prescription was:

R: -3.00 -0.25 x 130

L: -2.50 -0.25 x 065 add +2.50

Not a lot of difference except in the cylinder and axis.

Low levels of cylinder and axis are very difficult to measure because it is very subjective. The axis is particularly hard to measure because the patient is asked to judge relative blurriness as the axis angle is bracketed. When the examiner flips the supplemental lens back and forth, the straight lines that make up the letters can change from sharp to blurry depending on the direction of the straight lines that make up the letter. That can really be confusing.

I try to concentrate on an "O" if there is one on the line I am asked to read. In addition, I ask the examiner (before the exam, if I don't know the examiner) to let me "fine tune" the axis when he/she has finished the exam for each eye individually.

The way that works is that the examiner places my hand on the axis knob with the smallest line displayed and I turn the knob back and forth a bit to find the clearest spot. Sort of like tuning an old TV or radio for the best picture or sound.

One final check I like to make for a balanced prescription for each eye occurs when you are first shown separated images from both eyes. Compare the sharpness of the two images. If one is clearer than the other, you need to say something. Usually the examiner will change the sphere on the sharpest image to make them appear the same. Don't worry at this point because that will be corrected when the sphere correction of both eyes together is adjusted.

If you want to try the new prescription, I would suggest ordering the lowest cost glasses you can from an online retailer such as Zenni. You might even consider a very low cost single vision distance pair to see if you can tell any difference before spending more. I doubt you will be able to tell much difference.

Nick 28 Jan 2013, 08:07

I have a question for Cactus Jack or anyone else who can help me figure this out.

This is my current prescription which I have had from my regular optometrist:

R: -3.00 -0.25 x 130

L: -2.50 -0.25 x 065 add +2.50

This time I had the optometrist in my ophthamologist's office do a refraction exam while I was there for an annual retina check for type 2 diabetes (I am in great shape with that.) This is the prescription I was given:

R: -3.25 +0.50 x 178

L: -3.00 +0.50 x 002 add 2.50

I know ophthamolgoists write their prescriptions with + cylinder, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how much astigmatism correction I will actually have. Is this actually a weaker prescription?

I feel as though I am seeing pretty well with the current prescription.

Thank you.

Cactus Jack 26 Jan 2013, 22:00

IrishJohn,

Thank you for the information. In addition to the mild myopia, you also have a bit of astigmatism in one eye, but nothing to get excited about. I still suggest wearing them full time for a couple of weeks and then decide when you want to wear them. You should wear your glasses if you drive.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing and let us know if you would like to order some low cost glasses on line. We will help you.

IrishJohn 26 Jan 2013, 17:53

Hi guys

Thanks for your response. Here are my details:

1 Your age: 31

2. Occupation: IT

3 Where do you live (country): Ireland

4. Your complete prescription: -1 -0.25 90, -1 0 0

Cactus jack 25 Jan 2013, 23:29

IrishJohn,

Welcome. I try to stick to the technical side of things and perhaps I can help you understand your prescription.

Usually a simple glasses prescription has the following components:

OD (Right Eye) Sphere, Cylinder, and Axis

OS (Left Eye) Sphere, Cylinder, and Axis

Pupillary Distance (PD) - Often this is omitted, but you need it to order glasses. Fortunately, it is easy to measure.

Sometimes, there will be a ADD for bifocals and maybe Prism if you have muscle imbalance problems.

What do the numbers do?

1st number: Sphere is either a - number or a + number. - numbers correct for nearsightedness or myopia. + numbers correct for farsightedness or hyperopia and sometimes for presbyopia when you have trouble reading or doing close work. Myopia and Hyperopia are usually caused by your eyeball being a little to long or too short for the lenses in your eyes

2nd number: Cylinder can - or + or sometimes not there at all. Cylinder corrects astigmatism which is cause by uneven curvature of your cornea. If cylinder is listed, an Axis will also be listed.

3rd number: Axis, which is the angle that the long axis of the cylinder correction. The number will be from 0 to 180 degrees. By convention 0 and 180 are horizontal and 90 is vertical. More to it than this, but that is enough for now.

You said that you had -1 in each eye. It is likely that that is the Sphere correction for very mild myopia or nearsightedness. If there is no cylinder listed, that means that everything beyond 1 meter from your eyes gets increasingly blurry. Often people with mild myopia don't wear their glasses full time, unless they drive, but it is up to you. If you find that you like being able to read distant signs, recognize faces across a street, see stars in the sky, and leaves on trees, you should wear them full time. One thing to always remember is that you wear glasses for YOUR benefit and not for the benefit of others. Glasses are merely a tool to help you see clearly at all distances.

My suggestion would be to wear them full time for two weeks and then make a decision about when you want to wear them.

Initially, you may think that the glasses have made your vision worse. Not true. Vision actually occurs in the brain and the eyes are merely biological cameras. The brain has the ability to process slightly blurry images and clear them up some, IF it knows what something is supposed to look like, but it takes lots of extra work. Glasses relieve that extra work and it does not take long for your brain to decide that it really does not like having to do the extra work. When that happens, you will think that your vision has gotten worse.

There is lots to learn about vision and optics if you are interested. If you have more questions, please feel free to ask.

I have a few questions:

1 Your age

2. Occupation

3 Where do you live (country)

4. Your complete prescription

Juicebox 25 Jan 2013, 21:02

IrishJohn,

Hi! I'm -1.75 in both eyes and I wear mine nearly all the time. I didn't used to (playing the female vanity card here) but I'm getting a lot better. Having said that, I have a friend with a prescription about the same as your and he wears his all the time. Welcome to the club!

IrishJohn 25 Jan 2013, 16:08

Hi,

I got my first prescription glasses today. They are -1 in each eye. Anyone have a similar prescription? How often do you wear them?

Soundmanpt 16 Jan 2013, 19:30

anne

I can understand that you probably do feel like your glasses are very strong and even feel nearly blind now without your glasses, but I did not mean in anyway that you don't need your glasses for most everything. However there are many in this very chat room with much higher prescriptions than yours, in some cases as much as 4 times stronger.

By the way if your first glasses were around -2.00 you did nothing wrong by wearing them full time as you did. I'm sure after wearing them for a few days you could hardly do without them. Now as much as I hate to tell you but the fact that you only first got glasses at 20 years of age your mother is probably correct that if you spend a great deal of time on a computer that could very well be what made your eyes bad.

Too many get so involved in there work or even play on computers that they don't let their eyes rest by looking out a window or just going to the rest room. It allows your eyes to refocus. If you are still on a computer for long hours it will be helpful to take frequent breaks if only for a few short minutes so your eyes don't become transfixed at one distance too long.

anne 16 Jan 2013, 19:14

how do you mean there not strong? i cant go anywhere without them on. so blind.

i think they were -2.00 my eyes were feeling tired and i couldnt see distance so had to go to the opticians. i think when i first got glasses i was shocked on how clear everything was and how my eyes felt. then you just accept wearing glasses and contacts to see and now im stuck with them. my mother asks me what have i done to my eyes using the computer too long.

Soundmanpt 15 Jan 2013, 19:03

anne

Do you have any idea what the prescription was in your first glasses? I assume you have gotten several increases during the 5 years? So you got your first glasses about when you were 20 yrs old. Being 25 now should mean your eyes should become stable very soon. At any rate your glasses should not need to be made stronger for too much longer. And the changes should be very small as well.

You probably did no real harm by wearing your glasses full time when you got them. Your eyes were still going to change even with limited wear.

You have a very nice prescription where your glasses look very nice and are necessary but not all that strong.

anne 15 Jan 2013, 18:40

5 years ive been wearing glasses sorry. yes when i first got glasses i wore them all the time and now i cant be without them. im 25 so my eyes will stay like this. well doesnt really matter if i get more shortsighted because -5.00 is bad

Soundmanpt 13 Jan 2013, 11:55

anne

So you got your first glasses 4 years ago, do you have any idea what the prescription they were? Were they strong enough that you started wearing them full time right away or did full time come as your glasses got stronger?

Your wording is a bit off stronger glasses don't make your eyes weaker, but your eyes being weaker means you need stronger glasses.

Aubrac 13 Jan 2013, 02:38

Anne

Hello Anne, may I ask what age group you are in, and what your prescription history is, as I assume that -5.00 is rather high for a first prescription.

I stabilised at -5.00 many years ago and if anything think I may be slightly less now. I have fancied a stronger prescription and have tried wearing -6.50 and -7.00 but just can't accommodate and get on with them.

Likelenses 12 Jan 2013, 21:56

anne

Minus 5 is a nice prescription. How high would you like it to get?

anne 12 Jan 2013, 13:06

i wear glasses and lenses all the time now for about 4 years. my eyes are healthy but shortsighted -5.00. i cant go with out wearing glasses. ive tried not to wear them at home but i just walk into things. is it every time get new lenses eyes get weaker?

Aubrac 10 Jan 2013, 09:14

Hello everyone and Happy New Year.

Good to be back on Eyescene after an absence of quite a while.

Just to update for any members not having seen my previous posts, I am a lens wear with a boring -5 +2 add in both eyes that has not changed in over 12 years. However I am a great GWG fan!

About six years ago I went to the 20/20 Optical Store in London for my regular checkup. I suggested to my wife we spend the day in London and she might also like an eye test. I knew didn't have great distance vision and also struggled to read signs and small print.

Well I came out from my test and there she was looking at frames. So, heart pounding I asked what they said,'Oh just to choose some frames for my prescription'. We spent a very enjoyable afternoon in nearly every optical store along Oxford Street looking at frames but didn't find anything quite right (if truth be told I wanted to prolong the shop visits and watch her trying on more frames)

Anyway we ended up a few days later in a local store and settled on a rimless Silhouette frame with her modest R +50 -50 35 L +0.75 -75 130 lenses. She wore these off and on and six months later said she couldn't see well with them. Change of prescription to R +1.00 L +1.25 and the same cylinder. Another year and a change to R +1.25 L +1.50 and about 18 months later a change to R +1.50 L +1.75 same cylinder and 4 degrees base out prism in each eye, and a change of frames to red and black frames.

She was a 60% wearer although when on holiday or away from home she was usually FT. She always kept her glasses in her bag or pocket and they became more and more scratched and she was also really overdue for a check up. She had also taken to keeping a +3 magnifying glass in her bag which she unashamedly used in restaurants or shops to read labels and menus.

I should mention that I made the mistake of being a bit heavy about wearing glasses all the time and this generated some resistance and mistrust about my motives, also after a few too many glasses (the alcoholic kind)I said how much glasses turned me on - whoa, big mistake. Which meant that talking about eyesight became a taboo subject.

When she was young, I saw photos of her wearing about +4 glasses from about age 7 to 11 year old but I think by early teens she had stopped wearing them.

Well, to the latest development about three months ago, she was wearing her old rimless glasses which I thought strange because of their weaker prescription. But this was now full time from first thing on getting up to going to bed. Only a few weeks ago she went out to the local shop bare-eyed and I had a chance to look at the glasses. I would say they were about +2 maybe a tad more and varifocal with an add of about +2 which I had suspected when she started looking very much through the lower part of the lens at books and sometimes even when watching TV.

How mean to deny me the pleasure of a visit to the opticians with her and even possibly choose some new frames!

The other thing is that she went to visit her parents in the Ukraine a couple of months ago and brought back with her what looked very much like the glasses she had as a kid. I did get a close look at these and would definitely say about +4/+4.5

Now I sometimes see her looking at a small computer screen or phone with both her glasses and her kid's glasses over the top which would give her a pretty hefty prescription of at least +7 to maybe +10 for small print especially as she is only 44 years old.

I think another visit to the opticians is in order to maybe beef up the prescription although I don't know if there is a limit to an add - is +2.00 add +7.00 possible?

Sorry for the very long post but it has been quite a long six year road from early glass wearing days to where we are now and I'll keep you informed of any developments.

Thanks for listening.

Cactus jack 09 Jan 2013, 11:15

astigmaphile,

I NEVER have any "ordinary" medical problems. Mine seem to be "off-the-wall and rare. It took several office visits and my efforts to discover a way to induce the problem in his office so he could see it.

I did meet a gentleman who had something similar happen to his crystalline lenses except they "crystallized" into much smaller pieces. He said it was like looking through a shattered windshield and the glare from bright lights made vision almost impossible.

Try not to wait too long for the other surgery. Used to, they delayed cataract surgery until they got "ripe" because the had to remove both the lens and the capsule and there was a possibility that the patient would die before there was just no other choice. Today's vastly better technique is to emulsify the lens and suck it out, leaving the capsule mostly intact. The longer you wait, the harder your crystalline lens gets and the harder it is to emulsify. A friend waited too long and his cataract surgeries took about a half hour for the surgeon to emulsify and remove the lenses instead of the minute or two to remove mine. The whole procedure for me was about about 10-15 minutes, I think. I am not sure of the exact time because they had given me a happy pill. However, I was awake for the surgery and the doctor, at my request, gave me a running narrative of what he was doing while I had a front row seat from the inside.

astigmaphile 09 Jan 2013, 09:22

Cactus Jack,

The biggest reason I am putting it off is money. Right now I am facing a big vet bill for one of my cats. The left eye also had monocular diplopia, too. That is how I knew 2 years ago that a cataract was developing in my right eye.

Your caracts must have been very unusual. I have never read of anything like it.

Cactus Jack 08 Jan 2013, 22:54

astigmaphile,

You may have a non-typical form of cataract. The typical form is a clouded, one piece crystalline lens.

I had a slight clouding of my lenses, but the main problem was that they were trying to break up into pieces, like gelatin dessert that has been left in the refrigerator too long or like the "islands" that form in the bottom of a dried up mud puddle.

It actually seemed to happen suddenly rather than gradually like a typical cataract. I was driving home after a day of using the computer and when I looked at one of the freeway signs, I saw 5 separate images, all pretty close together, something like the "FOCUS" Tee Shirt with several images. Scared the crap out of me. To make the problems even more scary, after a few hours at home relaxing, the problem disappeared. I naturally wondered if there was a way to "count my marbles" to see if any were missing. For the next several days, everything was fine and then it happened again.

I went to an ophthalmologist and he commented that I had a very small cataract, but otherwise he could see noting that might have caused it. He had prescribed prism for my strabismus and he was pretty sure the problem was my strabismus acting up.

A couple of more episodes and I had figured out that each eye was doing it separately and I could cause the problem by reading or using the computer for a long time, I made a deal with the Dr. to read in his office until it occurred and he would immediately check it out. That worked and when he looked into my eyes, he said something like you have monocular multi-opia. Your crystalline lenses are breaking up under accommodative stress because your ciliary muscles are still trying to focus your hardened crystalline lenses.

I said, OK, how do we fix it. He answered, same way as we fix ordinary cataracts. End of tale.

Another possibility for your situation is that the cataract may be causing the crystalline lens to change shape. Is there any reason you are waiting to have surgery on that eye?

astigmaphile 08 Jan 2013, 19:54

Cactus Jack,

Thank you for the interesting info. Things have changed a lot since I worked for Surgidev. I was laid off in 1993. The ones we made were PMMA and were not flexible.

The monocular diplopia is in my right eye, the one with the cataract. My left one is 20/20 with 2.50D of cyl correction.

Cactus Jack 08 Jan 2013, 19:02

astigmaphile,

As I understand it, IOLs and implantable contact lenses are two different animals. The following about the IOLs I received was told to me by the eye surgeon.

IOLs physically replace the crystalline lens after it has been emulsified and removed from the lens capsule. The back membrane of the lens capsule is left intact to keep the vitreous humor and the aqueous humor from mixing. The IOL has two or three "feet" (probably the wrong name) that keep the IOL properly positioned until the back membrane of the lens capsule attaches itself to the IOL. Before it attaches itself to the IOL, it is easy (relative term) to change by cutting up the lens and removing it using very small tools through an incision similar to the one they made to install the lens. After the IOL and the capsule membrane fuse, it is substantially more involved.

An implantable contact lens actually goes between the iris and the cornea. Apparently, it does not get attached to anything and it can be removed by cutting it up and removing the pieces through a small incision.

My IOLs were installed through a 3 mm incision in the side of my cornea. The IOL is much larger than 3 mm, but it is apparently very flexible and can be rolled to fit into a very small diameter tube. The tube fits through the incision and the rolled up lens is injected into the eye, Your body heat causes the lens to resume its normal shape and it is fitted inside the capsule. I suspect a similar technique is used to install the implantable contact lens. The only difference is that the space between the iris and the cornea is larger so a different type of "feet" are used to hold it in position as long as the lens is in place.

Your double vision may be caused by the IOL not remaining in its proper place for some reason. Another possibility that your current prescriptions are substantially different between your two eyes and the image sizes on the retina are radically different. If that is the case, your eye muscle control system can't match the images well enough to fuse them.

You need to talk to your ECPs. If image size is a problem, you may be able to wear a sphere only contact lens on one of your eyes to partially match images sizes and then fine tune the resulting Rx with glasses, maybe with some prism.

Double vision is a miserable nuisance. I know.

astigmaphile 08 Jan 2013, 18:32

Cactus Jack,

You have a very good point about changes in astigmatism after toric IOL implantation. That would also apply to implantable contact lenses.

In 2001 there may not have been toric IOLs. My surgery was 27 Jan 2011. Someday I will need to get the right eye done as everything is double even with my glasses. The left eye went cloudy in 14 months and the right one is still clear after 2 years.

Cactus Jack 08 Jan 2013, 11:06

astigmaphile,

I am not doing a very good job of keeping up with what is available these days. There is no reason why an IOL could not have some cylinder in it. Once in place, an IOL does not rotate so it would not have the problems that a toric contact lens does if it does not stay correctly oriented on the cornea.

I have a relatively small amount of astigmatism, but my cataract surgeon did not even mention the possibility of an IOL with cylinder when I had the surgery in 2001. Maybe they weren't available then. He mentioned multi-focals, but suggested I might not like them because they did not provide the absolutely sharpest vision I prefer. A few months after the cataract surgery, he did offer to make some "corneal relaxation incisions" (similar to Radial Keratotomy), but I declined. I needed my trifocals anyway and I liked the ability to easily fine tune my prescription in the glasses.

Astigmatism is not absolutely fixed. What does a person with toric IOLs do if their astigmatism changes?

astigmaphile 08 Jan 2013, 10:36

This is an answer to Cactus Jack's post thatsaid cataract surgery does not correct astigmatism. Toric IOLs do correct it. I was offered one but chose to have a basic monofocal IOL because Medicare wouyld not pay for the fancy IOL. It doesn't bother me to wear glasses. I would have to at least wear readers as the IOL is fixed for distance only.

Specs4Me 08 Jan 2013, 09:24

Cactus, we of the ROT need to watch out for each other.

Cactus Jack 08 Jan 2013, 08:58

Thanks Specs4me,

I believe you may have missed my post of 07 Jan 2013, 10:32. I suggested wearing her previous glasses for reading and close work. They are 2.00 diopters weaker which would be like +2.00 reading glasses or a +2.00 ADD. It would probably work fine for reading, but it might be a little too much for working with the computer. +2.00 would focus at about 19 - 20 inches (50 cm) and her ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses could supplement that with little stress if needed to focus closer. The +2.00 might be little too much for the computer, but it depends on how close she likes the display.

Another way to reduce focusing stress is to use some clip-on magnifiers which are available from http://www.rx-safety.com for about US$15.00.

I use some +1.25s when I have a lot of work to do on the computer. Saves getting a crick in my neck using the intermediate segment of my trifocals for long periods.

At my age there is always the threat of an involuntary defrag (stoke) or maybe that would be a re-frag if there is such a thing. Every day, I thank my maker that I am still playing with pretty much a full deck, I think, but I am not sure I would know, if I was not. Thanks for checking up on my ramblings.

Specs4Me 07 Jan 2013, 23:31

CJ & Toni,

CJ, correct me if I'm wrong (I'm not quite nipping at your heels but almost and my memory retreval system has become quit sluggish as well), but might it not be worthwhile for Tone to use and older weaker pair of glasses for those times she is doing lots of close work? Times such as extended reading/studying or computer work.

I believe I have read here, perhaps from you CJ, that doing that decreases the amount of extra plus that the eyes must provide for close work and that this may help slow down the myopic progression. If this is true, bifocals would certainly work as well but considering Toni's age I'm sure she would not be excited about wearing bifocals. That notwithstanding, perhaps the weaker glasses for use at home in the evenings, when the eyes are somewhat tired anyway, for doing close work might be of some help.

Toni, if CJ concurrs with this idea, he certainly knows loads more about this than I do, I would recommend that you discuss the idea with your ECP and let her help you make the final decision.

CJ is absolutely correct, do the research necessary to educate yourself so that as you work with your ECP over the next few years you will be able to participate knowledgably in the decision making process and thereby take the best care of your eye possible.

Keep up the good work in school, it will pay you back big time in the future.

PS to Cactus - I wouldn't recommend a defrag, could mess up the pointer table and thus be worse off!!!!!!!

Cactus Jack 07 Jan 2013, 22:26

toni,

Vision correction techniques are constantly under development and what is impossible today may be common in a few year. Some discoveries are accidental and some are the result of directed research. The important thing is to learn all you can about vision in general and your vision specifically. In a few years, you will be responsible for deciding what your vision care will be and there will be options that we can't even dream about now. Let me give you an example.

I am 75 years old when I was growing up, the development of cataracts, which is the clouding of the crystalline lenses, was the feared possibility in older people. It meant either blindness or a major surgery to remove the clouded lenses, months of recovery, and then very thick plus cataract glasses with prescriptions in the +20 range which were, in effect, like wearing binoculars with no peripheral vision. Some people who are severely hyperopic still have to wear glasses like that. During World War II, pilots flew airplanes with acrylic plastic windshields and canopies that we call plexiglass. Some of these pilots were involved in fighter actions where the windshields and canopies were shattered by bullets and tiny pieces of the plexiglass penetrated their eyes. In many cases their eyes healed and the could see normally, without realizing that there were actually pieces of plastic inside their eyeballs. A few years after the war, eye specialists began to discover that these pieces of plastic had been inside some eyeballs with no apparent ill effect. The doctors soon began to put two and two together and wondered why cataract clouded crystalline lenses could not be replaced with clear artificial lenses made of plastic and excellent vision restored,

To make this brief, that worked and with today's surgical techniques, clouded crystalline lenses are removed and replaced through a 3 mm incision in the side of the cornea in a 15 minute operation while the patient is awake, but mildly sedated. I developed cataracts about 11 years ago and I had the surgery. After the lens was replaced, the tiny incision closed without a stitch and the doctor put anti-biotic ointment in my eye and bandaged it. After about 30 minutes to recover form the mild anesthesia a friend drove me home. I was instructed to rest and sleep on my back that night. In the morning, I was to remove the bandage without rubbing my eyes, let my natural tears wash the anti-biotic ointment away. It too about an hour. When my vision cleared I could see quite well with the repaired eye without glasses. My mild myopia had be corrected by selecting the power of the implanted lens. I took the prescription lens out of my glasses, put on my glasses for the benefit of my other non-repaired eye and drove myself to the doctors office. He was pleased with the results and my question to him was - When can we do the other eye. He replied 2 weeks.

I had been very apprehensive (scared) about the surgery, but it was so easy and the recovery so quick, I would have said lets do it NOW, but he wanted to wait to make sure no complications had developed. Two weeks later, we did the other eye and I have never looked back.

I still have to wear glasses because it is very unusual to fully correct all refractive error. The Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) are only available in 0.50 increments and the surgery does not correct astigmatism. I can function quite well without glasses because we set the Rx for Distance in one eye and a slightly nearsighted Rx in the other called mono vision. I wear trifocals that provide 20/20 vision or better. The IOLs are single focus and there is no accommodation possible, but I had worn trifocals for many years before the surgery, so it was no big deal. Today, IOLs that are multi-focal lenses, but I don't think they offer the very sharpest vision. By the time you want to consider some form of refractive surgery, no telling what kinds of IOLs or internal "contact" lenses might be available. Maybe by the time you want to consider lens replacement, it may be possible to correct your myopia and install a variable focus IOL that works just like your natural crystalline lenses and your ciliary muscles can make it work like the lenses you were born with.

The only thing you need to wait for is for your vision to stabilize. Some surgeries are reversible (internal "contact" lenses can be changed), but others provide a fix that will last the rest of your life. Replacements for crystalline lenses are pretty hard to change with the current technology. Curiously, the IOLs I got actually have 6% better light transmission than my natural lenses. That means that bright sunny days are REALLY bright and sunny. Sunglasses are not absolutely necessary, but are very nice to have. My night and low light vision is excellent.

I would like to think that you have some exciting possibilities for vision correction in the future and some fascinating choices to make. Make them with knowledge and understanding.

toni 07 Jan 2013, 20:14

Cactus Jack

One important thing that I forgot. She said that my eyes are going to be too nearsighted for lasik (i could reach the limit in 1 or 2 years) but that if I wanted I could probably get a lens implant after my eyes stop changing. I don't know how I feel about that -- it sounds scary and I might decide to just keep wearing glasses. It will be nice when I don't have to keep getting thicker ones.

Cactus Jack 07 Jan 2013, 19:36

toni,

Excellent work. Your Optometrist knows more about your situation than any of us ever can. At least, even considerable amounts of myopia can be corrected to provide 20/20 vision or nearly so. Also, new solutions and therapies are developed all the time. The only thing I would urge you to consider is that retinal detachment is an increasing risk as your prescription increases. Very high myopia is one risk, but their are others such as a blow to the head. Fortunately, most detachments can be satisfactorily repaired using a laser to "tack" it back in place.

Cactus Jack 07 Jan 2013, 19:26

Honest Eba,

I believe the link offered by Curt is the one I had in mind. Thank you Curt.

toni 07 Jan 2013, 18:10

Cactus Jack

I sent my optometrist an email and she wrote me back. She said I do have axial myopia and it's going to get worse. She said she thinks it's going to slow down but nobody knows for sure, and there could still be times when it spurts. Next time, I might need anywhere from -.50 to -2.00 more, no one can know, but what is known is that my glasses will keep getting more negative through my teens. She said if I'm lucky I might stabilize at -12 and if unlucky it could go as high as -20. Not something to look forward to but I won't go blind and that's reassuring.

Curt 07 Jan 2013, 13:27

Honest Eba: There are several articles out there that suggest that this is a growing trend in Asia:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17942181

Honest Eba 07 Jan 2013, 12:59

Thanks for the information, Cactus Jack. But I did some searching on the net and could not find any references to that article. It sounds racially motivated to be honest, and if it a quote from a member here, it might just be someone's Asian fantasy designed to enhance their fetish desires. If the source is the Chinese government, you should keep in mind they are Communist and have their own untrustworthy heart we must deal with.

As a woman of mixed descent, I question the validity of tying traits to any particular race. If a black person came onto ES and said they heard that 80% of black people need glasses, would you automatically believe it? What if they said they read it in some black-focused publication? Would you start quoting it then without research? Or would you just make the percentage number lower?

My point is to be careful of sourcing. Regardless of who says what, there are just too many loaded biases here.

minus5wholuvsgwgs 07 Jan 2013, 12:07

Toni Yes its exasperating having to wear thick glasses but most people do not notice my own girl friend is minus 15/minus 16.25 like a number of people on this forum I find strong glasses attractive so please wear with pride .Of course genetics have caused this for whatever reason Chinese and other east Asian and Jewish people have a high prevalence of myopia so often high myopia goes hand in hand with high intelligence good luck

Cactus jack 07 Jan 2013, 10:32

toni,

Thanks. Your writing reflects your intelligence and academic achievements and I predict a very bright and exciting future for you. In the Genes department, you have a lot of things working against you. I am delighted to hear of your interests in Math and Science. Optics, Vision, and all the sciences often use Math to describe and predict cause, effect, and results. With access to the web and a good library, you can explore the concepts associated with your vision in whatever size "bites" you wish, whenever you want.

Lens thickness for a particular prescription is significantly affected by the Index of Refraction (IR) of the lens material. The lowest cost material these days is CR-39 with an IR of about 1.49. It also has excellent optical properties called "Abbe" values - meaning Chromatic Aberration characteristics. Unfortunately, lenses made of CR-39 will be thicker than lenses made of materials with higher IR. Unfortunately, high index lenses are also more expensive that CR-39 and in a situation where frequent prescription changes are occurring the extra cost may not be justified.

Another factor in lens thickness is that there are rules in the US that lenses have to be strong enough to pass certain tests. This sometimes results in minus lenses being thicker in the center to pass the tests and that results in the lens being thicker at the edges. Some materials are stronger than CR-39 with a higher Index, but a poorer Abbe. Polycarbonate comes to mind and it is only a little more expensive.

You might want to investigate some of the online retailers as a source of inexpensive glasses with high Index lenses. However, I would caution you that as a potentially active teen ager, the rules I mentioned above about lens strength do not always apply to glasses sold outside the US and the lenses may not be as physically strong as lenses made here.

Theoretically, you might be able to slow the rate of increase some by using older, weaker glasses for reading and close work, but there are no guarantees. Glasses with about 2 diopters less sphere would be like wearing reading glasses.

I doubt you have much Pseudo Myopia because the drops would have mostly eliminated that as a factor in your exam.

It really sounds like you have a beyond-your-age grasp on your situation and I congratulate you. Keep up the good work and let us know if we can help.

Honest Eba,

I posted that number from a possibly failing memory and I should have stated it as an opinion. The reference and memory came from an ES post a few years ago, by a person who lives in Asia or is of Asian descent, if I recall correctly. They referenced a news article from an Asian based publication that said that the Chinese government was very concerned about the very large percentage of middle and high school level students that were myopic. I seem to recall that in some classes, the percentage of students who wore glasses for myopia were even higher than the 70% I stated, something like 90% and I was uncomfortable with that number myself and reduced it to 70%.

At 75, my memory is pretty good, but my retrieval rates are not what they used to be. My memory probably needs de-fraging, but I am afraid to attempt it. I don't think I Hallucinate, but I don't think I would know if I did. Anyway, I apologize for not throughly researching my statement before making it. Thank you for your diligence.

Perhaps, some of our other members can help with a more accurate number or estimated number and a reference. The point I was trying to make for Toni was that there seemed to be more to genetic factors in myopia (and hyperopia) than just immediate family.

Honest Eba 07 Jan 2013, 09:15

Cactus Jack can you please post a citation for that WA statistic? Where in the world did you read that 70% of the people in China wear minus lenses?? I am very intrigued to read this reference in it's entirety.

btw, if you don't have a reference, please clearly cite that it is your opinion only.

toni 07 Jan 2013, 06:54

Cactus Jack, to avoid giving the wrong impression, not everyone is that bad. The lenses in my glasses are thicker than many of the adults in my extended family.

toni 07 Jan 2013, 06:05

Hey Cactus Jack, you're a genius. Can you make my minus go back down? I'm just joking, I know my eyes aren't going to shorten, they're going to lengthen which will make me more nearsighted. I just want it to happen nice and slow.

Answers to your questions:

May I ask a couple of questions?

1. Did any of the above make any sense to you? I tried to write about some technical things in easy to understand language. Some of it. I'm an honors student but only in 8th grade.

2. Did any of it seem interesting and would you like to learn more? Yeah, but not too much at a time.

3. Did the examiner use drops for your last exam? Yes.

4. Do any of your parents, grandparents, or close relatives have myopia? All of them. I don't know all the prescriptions but my mom told me she has -13 and I think my dad is about the same.

5. Where do you live (country) and what is your racial background? America. 1/2 Chinese and 1/2 Jewish.

6. How do you like science and math in school? I get A's.

Cactus Jack 06 Jan 2013, 23:56

toni,

In question 5, ethnic background may be a better term than racial. I have no desire to do anything other than establish if your background is one that has a very high number of people with very significant myopia. For example, in China, about 70% of the population wear minus glasses and a large percentage of those wear prescriptions as strong as yours or more. If you lived in China, your glasses would probably be in the middle of the range of prescriptions.

Cactus Jack 06 Jan 2013, 23:48

toni,

I may have some bad news. The changes are probably NOT finished. The rate of change you described leads one to think you have progressive myopia and probably should be seen by an Ophthalmologist who specialized in Progressive Myopia.

I know that is not what you wanted to hear, but you need to face facts and find out exactly what is going on. Unfortunately, we have no way to tell for sure, from here. There may be two things going on at the same time making your myopia increase rapidly. One is much less threatening than the other and there is something you may be able to do about the less threatening one and unfortunately not much you can do about the other. Let me explain.

There are actually two types of myopia, True or Axial Myopia and False or Pseudo Myopia. Both cause exactly the same vision problem, nearsightedness, but they do it in two different ways. True or Axial Myopia is reliably believed to have a strong genetic component and often it is inherited from your parents or sometimes it will skip a generation and the grandparents will be myopic. Sometimes Axial Myopia can be a racial characteristic such as evidenced by the prevalence of myopia in asian populations. Axial Myopia is caused by a mismatch between the plus optical power of the eye's lens system and the size or length of the eyeball. As part of the growing process, your eyes must grow also and if they grow too fast or too much, the eye's lens system may have too much plus power for the length and the light rays from distant (relative term) objects may focus before they reach the retina. When that happens, minus lenses are necessary to move the focus back a few mm to the retina. The actual distance is about 0.6 mm per diopter so if you need -9.50 glasses and you have no Pseudo Myopia, your eyeballs are about 5 mm longer than your eye's lens system can handle by itself. Occasionally, the eye's lens system will have too much plus for the length of the eye, but that is unusual. True or Axial Myopia is considered permanent because once the eye has grown, there is no known way to cause it to "shrink".

However, Pseudo Myopia is actually caused by a "temporary" condition of too much plus in the lens system. In this case, the culprit is the ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses in your eyes. The ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses are the "auto-focus" mechanism in your eyes that let you focus close for reading or using the computer. You DO have some control over them and under certain circumstances, THEY can cause Pseudo Myopia which is NOT permanent, but it can be a rip-roaring nuisance.

The way the eye is supposed to work is that for distance, the crystalline lens is fully relaxed at its MINIMUM plus power. Even relaxed, its plus power is considerable, perhaps as much as +15 diopters or more. In an eyeball with uncorrected 20/20 or 6/6 vision (depending on if you use English or Metric units), the total plus power of the eye's lens system is +40 or more for distance. When you read at a typical 16 inches or 40 cm, the laws of optical physics, which you probably have not studied yet, say that you need +2.50 more optical power to focus at that distance. It is the job of the ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses to provide that additional plus power. At your age, you can effortlessly focus a lot closer and your ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses respond to your efforts easily. However, there is a snag here. If you do a lot of reading or focusing close for a long time, the ciliary muscles can kind of get stuck providing the extra plus and fail to relax properly for distance. The extra plus keeps you from seeing clearly in the distance and you have Temporary Pseudo Myopia. How long is temporary, it depends on the situation and the individual. While the Pseudo Myopia is present, you are really more myopic and if you happened to get a school test or an eye exam when it is present, bingo, you need stronger glasses. At your age, when you get them, your eyes easily adjust to the stronger lenses and after a while, the increase becomes your actual new prescription.

An Eye Care Professional (ECP) has ways of separating Axial and Pseudo Myopia. Often the separation is done with what is called a dilated or wet exam. For that type of exam, drops are put in your eyes that after 20 minutes or so make your ciliary muscles relax and your pupils open fully like you were in a dark room. This pretty much eliminates the Pseudo Myopia and only the True or Axial Myopia remains.

May I ask a couple of questions?

1. Did any of the above make any sense to you? I tried to write about some technical things in easy to understand language.

2. Did any of it seem interesting and would you like to learn more?

3. Did the examiner use drops for your last exam?

4. Do any of your parents, grandparents, or close relatives have myopia?

5. Where do you live (country) and what is your racial background?

6. How do you like science and math in school?

I hope I did not scare you. Progressive Myopia is not considered curable at this time, but it is manageable like many other medical conditions. We may not like the facts, but at least we can work with them. It is impossible to work with myths, lies, or false remedies.

toni 06 Jan 2013, 21:47

How fast can a person's eyes change? I can't believe how fast mine did. Just before school started this year, I had an exam and got MUCH stronger glasses, -7.50. When I went back to school from winter break last week I got sent to the school nurse for a screening. So she wrote a note to my parents that I needed new glasses. So I had another exam today and the dr said my glasses were WAY too weak and wrote -9.50 on my form. How can this be? Are the changes finished for now? Btw I'm a 14 year old girl. So what's up with my eyes?

A. P. 24 Dec 2012, 12:19

I collected my new glasses this morning. Wow, you folks were right! I suppose they might take a couple of days to become totally accustomed to, but already my vision is noticeably so much better. Looks to me like joining the "club" is going to be a pleasure........

Thanks to you Cactus Jack, EyeTri and john!

john 14 Dec 2012, 13:30

A.P. You are gonna love your new trifocals and wish you got them 5 years ago

A. P. 12 Dec 2012, 07:31

Eye Tri,

Thank you. I hope you're right. Maybe this new "club" I'm joining will turn out to be a good thing, rather than something to worry about.

A. P.

EyeTri 12 Dec 2012, 05:38

A.P.

My very first glasses were bifocals, and I got them at age 31. At age 43 I got my first trifocals. I tried progressive lenses, but when the add part of my prescription passed +2.00 they were functionally inferior. I am now 70, and only wear trifocals.

I think you will like your new glases. Be sure to let us know.

A. P. 12 Dec 2012, 05:32

Cactus,

Thanks for your encouragement. I guess I'll find out about the improved vision in about ten days when my new glasses are ready.

A.P.

Cactus Jack 11 Dec 2012, 22:37

A. P.,

Having worn bifocals since I was 21 and trifocals since my late 30s (now 75), I think you will wonder why you waited so long. I think you made a very good choice. I still remember how neat it was to be able to see the instruments on the dash clearly, driving home.

A. P. 11 Dec 2012, 18:33

old RX: (five years ago):

OD +2.00 -.50 x15

OS +3.50 -1.00 x110

add +2.00 (ft 28 bifocals)

new RX: yesterday

OD +2.50 -.50 x10

OS +4.00 -1.00 x105

add +2.25 (ft 28 trifocals)!

Uh oh! Any trifocal wearers out there who'd care to share advice or experiences with this soon-to-be new member of the club?

Melyssa 09 Dec 2012, 09:55

Laura,

I'm from the Philly area as well (born in the city), and if you want inexpensive glasses, there are three sites (sights?) of Glasses Galore in Bucks County. They have lots of frames and do quality work.

Bob 09 Dec 2012, 00:02

Laura,

This might not be a helpful suggestion I you have to limit costs, but in the Philly area there is a glasses shop called Modern Eye...they have a couple locations (center city and university city)...and they have GREAT glasses. Just outstanding styles and quality. It's worth checking out. Not cheap, but really excellent.

Soundmanpt 08 Dec 2012, 14:38

Laura

Your mom is correct that high index, which is thinner lenses, is much more expensive at the optical stores. Maybe you should have your mom and you take a look at getting your glasses on line. It is much, much cheaper and the quality is really very good. In fact I know of many opticians that now get their own glasses on line even though they generally get a free pair every year from where they work. They like the option of having extra pairs to choose from and they can get rx sunglasses as well.

The one that I highly recommend as well as Cactus Jack and Crystal Veil is Zenni Optical. The site is "zennioptical.com" You should be able to pick out some really nice glasses with the AR coating (anti-reflective) and the high index lenses for around $50.00.

If you or mom needs any help in ordering just ask inhere as there are many of us that can help you.

Laura 08 Dec 2012, 11:37

Hi Cactus,

My mom wears glasses all the time and my dad sometimes and my brother, hes10, sometimes. I asked my mom. She says hers are -4 and my dads are -1 and my bros are -2 and getting worse. She says my dead grandma had thick glasses. I live in the Philly area. Does that help?

We went to the eyeglass store this morning to pick frames and order the glasses. The sales girl took my file out and looked at it and the new form and then at me. Then she said, did my dr say anything about my new perscription. I said, not really. So she said to me, it looks like your eyes changed a lot. He perscribed you much thicker glasses. Maybe we should put you in a higher index. My mom said no, it's too expensive when her glasses change so often. So in a week I'll see how bad it is. I'm a little worried.

Cactus Jack 07 Dec 2012, 10:57

Laura,

Lets see if we can help you understand what those numbers mean. It really is not hard. OD is an abbreviation for Oculus Dexter, latin for Right Eye. OS is an abbreviation for Oculus Sinister, latin for Left Eye.

The first number in the prescription is the lens power needed for distance "sphere" correction, in your latest prescription -8.00 in your Right Eye and -7.50 in your left. I'll explain more about "sphere" correction in a moment. The second number in your prescription is the "cylinder" power needed to correct your astigmatism - more about that in a moment also. The third number is the axis or direction of the cylinder correction. Both the second and the third number are required to define the cylinder correction.

Now lets talk about what it all means. The fact that you need minus (-) correction for sphere, the first number, means that you are near or short sighted, the medical term is myopic or myopia. Myopia is very common in young people your age, but yours is a bit higher than most - more about that in a moment. Myopia is caused by a mismatch between the power of your eye's internal lens system and the length or size of your eyeball. In your case, your eyes have grown (as you have grown), but a little bit more than they really needed to, which has made you myopic. The actual amount is small, but in this case, a little goes a long way.

Astigmatism, corrected by cylinder (with an axis), is usually caused by uneven curvature of the front of your cornea (the clear part of your eye). Ideally, it should be a smooth, even curve, but sometimes it is curved more in one direction than it is in another. The actual cause is unknown, but again the amount of difference in curvature is very small, but again, a little goes a long way. Unlike myopia which primarily affects your distance vision, astigmatism affects how clearly you see at all distances. Also, astigmatism can affect your ability to see clearly and wear contact lenses.

Now lets talk about your specific situation. It appears that you have progressive myopia that is increasing at a rapid pace. In 7 months, your sphere prescription has increased by about -1.50 diopters or a bit over -2.00 diopters per year. Generally, that rate of increase has a genetic basis. Are either of your parents or grand parents also near sighted (need minus glasses)?

High myopia can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, but extremely high myopia is also associated with higher risk of retinal detachment and other very serious eye problems. I do not want to cause you too much concern, but I suggest that you should see an ophthalmologist who specializes in high myopia to find out what is going on and what can be done to minimize future problems.

One thing to remember, it that there is nothing you could have done to

cause your nearsightedness. It may be possible to control or minimize the increase to some extent, but it will require expert help.

I have tried to simplify this explanation for you, but I urge you to learn as much as possible about vision and vision correction. Ultimately, you will need to understand and manage your situation as you become an adult. The more you know, the better job you can do. It is in your long term best interest.

We wish you the best. If you have more questions, please ask.

May I ask where you live?

Cactus Jack 07 Dec 2012, 10:05

ConcernedMama,

I am glad that we have been of some help and that your daughter is under the care of some of the best eye specialists in the world.

Hopefully, Moorfields will also see your son, but they may not have much additional to offer, if the process is genetic, other than what your ophthalmologist is attempting with the bifocal add.

I suspect the reason you son is not making much use of the bifocals is that the add is actually very low and he probably does not notice much difference between the distance part of his prescription and the reading part. At least not enough that a 6 year old would notice it. It is possible that either your ophthalmologist or Moorfields will increase the add somewhat so he will find it more useful when reading, if they think it might help. At his age, his crystalline lenses (and his accommodation) likely have exceptional range and he can effortlessly focus close to read at distances you and I would consider very uncomfortable, even with his glasses. He may notice that text appears slightly larger with the +1.00 add, but again, that may be beyond his comprehension at this time.

I would not worry too much about his not making much use of the bifocals and it may actually be counter productive to say much about it. Even at 6, boys are inclined to do the opposite of what their parents want them to - that is also hard wired in their genes. Of course, girls NEVER do the opposite of what their parents want, do they? At least not at 4.

We hope for the very best for your children and your family. It is hard to do better for them than you are doing. Please stay in touch.

Laura 07 Dec 2012, 08:08

What do the numbers on my glasses perscription mean? I got glasses in 2nd grade because i couldn't see the board. Now I'm in 8th grade. So I was having trouble again seeing the board so my mom took me for an eye test. I didn't do too good and I got a new perscription. When we got home I was curious and I asked my mom to show it to me. She gave me my old and new ones. I think the new one is thicker but I'm not sure. I never saw a glasses perscription before and I realized I don't know what the numbers mean. Some numbers look higher and some look lower. Could someone explain what all that stuff means?

old (may 2012) OD -6.50 -1.50 75 OS -5.75 -1.75 110

new (yesterday) OD -8.00 -1.00 85 OS -7.50 -1.50 105

ConcernedMama 07 Dec 2012, 02:26

Cactus Jack - well the last few weeks have shown that you definitely know what you're talking about! Thank you so much for your advice - I felt so much more confident about asking questions and making sure that I understood everything that they said. Thank you.

We've seen the low vision team who were lovely and are coming back next week with some bits and pieces to help my daughter. She thought the whole thing was great fun and seemed to think that she was playing rather than being assessed!

We also went to Moorfields on Wednesday and although it was a very long day it was also really, really useful. They gave all sorts of useful tips and are going to see her every three months for now. Unfortunately her sight has worsened again but they are going to make her some new glasses that they think will give her better vision. We're going back next week to pick them up and for an evaluation under anaesthetic. It was a very useful appointment but quite difficult as they gave me so much information and they weren't very positive about the prognosis.

They've also said that they'd accept a referral for my son but I have to contact his ophthalmologist to get him to write to them. We're having real problems getting him to use the bifocal part of his glasses so hopefully they could give us some tips. Do you have any tips?

Thank you so much.

Cactus Jack 20 Nov 2012, 11:42

Concerned Mama,

Your son's prescription is quite strong for his age, but I doubt reading played much of a role in its rate of increase. Reading, if he did a lot of it, could have been a tiny factor, but genetics is probably the driving force. Be sure and mention your family history of myopia to your ECPs.

Reading is a major source of learning and I would suggest that you do not want to discourage it. Fortunately, it is very easy to minimize the accommodation stress using either bifocals or prescription reading glasses.

His prescription is too strong for it to be useful to try to read or do close work by taking off his glasses. Glasses or contacts neutralize or cancel out refractive errors. In his case, his eyes have approximately +5 diopters more optical power than he needs. Ignoring the astigmatism, his eyes focus at about 7 inches or 18 cm which is too close for normal reading. The way this works optically, is that his glasses provide good correction for distance vision (6 meters or more). With his glasses, which effectively make is prescription 0.00, focusing for reading at say 40 cm or 16 inches, requires +2.50 diopters from somewhere, Fortunately, other than being nearsighted, his eyes have developed normally, and he can easily supply that +2.50 using the "auto-focus" (ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses) mechanism in his eyes to read or focus easily at almost any distance closer than 6 meters. The +1.00 Add supplies some of the +2.50 so he only has to supply +1.50 reducing the accommodative effort and hopefully slowing his myopia.

Soundmanpt 20 Nov 2012, 11:20

Sandy

Well considering you were prescribed glasses some 20 years ago I think you have done very well avoiding the need for them. But I think you will soon find wearing your new glasses very relaxing to your eyes when your grading papers and other close work. It may take your eyes a little while to adjust to your glasses but I think within a few days they should feel very comfortable and you will love your improved vision. Your glasses should make seeing at all distances much better. In the 3 weeks you have before your due to renew your drivers license you may find that your vision is so much better that you won't even bother taking them off for the vision test at the DMV

Just curious what prompted you after 20 years to get your eyes tested? You have enough astigmatism that I would think you have been getting headaches quite often and your eyes should feel quite tired as the day wears on.

I would think the optician may recommend that you not wear them when your driving home after you pick them up. But as soon as you get home you should wear them the rest of the evening for watching TV or grading papers etc. In the morning if you feel that your vision is good with your glasses then wear them to drive to school, but if things are still not in focus then wait until you get to school and put them on when you get there. Wear them the rest of the day and by the time your ready to go home your eyes should be able to see very well with your glasses.

Do let us know how it goes when you pick them up and how much they help.

Congratulations on becoming a GWG.

Sandy 20 Nov 2012, 08:43

Thanks for the responses. I live in Indiana, and I was perscribed glasses in high school but never wore them. This was my first eye test in probably 20yrs. I am a sixth grade teacher. I'll be picking up my glasses this afternoon.

ConcernedMama 20 Nov 2012, 06:47

Wow - thank you so much to you both for all your help! I am so grateful for you both taking the time to reply.

Your information is really helpful - I've just had a look at the RNIB page and there's all sort of interesting information on there. I'll post on the forum later - there's another post from a mother of a girl with progressive myopia so I'll reply to that too!

I feel a bit bad that I've played down my son's problems now - I think that I will ask for him to be referred. He has learnt to read in the last year and I do worry now that this could be why his sight has got worse. I suppose that I sort of take it not as seriously because his sight is so good with ,new glasses whereas my daughter can't see very well even with her strong lenses.

I have this morning received a letter from Moorfields with an appointment for December - they said that it will take most of a day so I imagine that it's going to be quite an in depth investigation. I will keep you updated. I think that following your advice I will ask about my son as well.

Would you say that my son is quite nearsighted for his age then? The thing that worries me is that both his father and I are nearsighted but I didn't get glasses until I was eight or nine and my husband was eleven, he thinks. To be honest, before you asked I didn't even know his prescription and I only know my own because it's written on my contact lens packets!

My contact lenses are -9.00 for both and my husband's are -7.50. My father was apparently very nearsighted but died when I was young. My mother thinks that is why I had bad eyes. She said that even with glasses he wasn't able to drive, but I don't know his prescription. My husband's great grandmother was apparently blind, but I don't think that anyone else on his side has vision problems.

Thank you so much for your help. You are really wonderful people!

John1971 20 Nov 2012, 01:23

Concerned Mama

www.rnib.org.uk is the website for the best charity in the UK for people with partially sight, blindness and also vision problems.

Their web site has lots of information about the eye conditions that your daughter has.

They also have a telephone helpline; it might be worth phoning them and speaking to someone. They offer an advice line and also counselling service which many people find uselful. The phone number is listed on their website.

They also have a discussion forum,one of the sections is called "parents place" and there will be people in a similar position to you.

I have Retinopathybof Prematurity and I had similar strength glasses to your daughter.

Good luck

Soundmanpt 19 Nov 2012, 22:15

Sandy

You didn't say if you have glasses with that new prescription or not, but I would suggest that you at least have a pair with you. When they ask you if you wear glasses I would just tell them the truth and you can even say there for close up and you think you can pass the test without them. It can't hurt to try. Remember you don't have to be able to see 20/20 only 20/40 and they will only ask you to see the 20/40 things. If you can't do it then you don't have any choice but to put on the glasses and be required to wear them when you drive. Really even if you pass the test without them it might still be a good idea to wear them when you drive just to be a bit safer.

Cactus Jack 19 Nov 2012, 21:31

Sandy,

It depends on where you live and the driver's license rules there. I suspect your distance vision is probably quite good, but your astigmatism probably makes reading small signs at a distance or reading small text close up, a problem.

You need to be aware that being a little hyperopic generally causes presbyopia be become a problem a bit earlier than the mythical age of 40.

May I ask your occupation?

Also, do you have any form of vision correction?

Cactus Jack 19 Nov 2012, 21:22

Concerned Mama,

It appears that your son's Rx has been increasing at over -1.00 diopters per year. I am guessing that he has or will very soon start school and he will be reading soon if he is not already. I suspect his myopia is genetic in origin. Hopefully, the +1.00 Add will help reduce the stress of accommodation when he reads or focuses close, but a bit higher Add might be of more benefit. Another option for reading would be to wear his previous glasses if you still have them and they still fit his face. His previous Rx was almost exactly -1.00 diopter less than his current one. The small difference in his left eye is not very significant for the purpose of reducing the focus effort required to read or use a computer. You might want to review this idea with your Eye Care Professional (ECP)

You might ask if Moorfields could also have a look at your son's situation. There seems to have been a little research progress in slowing progressive myopia using some eye drops, but the report I read was somewhat inconclusive. The results appeared to be slightly better than the placebo, but only by a little bit. In progressive myopia every little bit helps. At the rate your son's myopia is increasing, his Rx by the time he reaches his teens could be in the double digits and by the time it stops progressing in his 20s, it could be close to -20. Fortunately, it appears that his corrected visual acuity is excellent which tends to indicate healthy retinas. It is very likely that his corrected vision will remain excellent even into the double digits, but he should learn as much as possible about it as early as possible and stay abreast of developments in the field. Ultimately, his vision care will be his responsibility.

Your daughters situation was probably caused by a combination of genetics, her premature birth, and perhaps some fetal development problems. There can be a lot of things that cause premature birth and sometimes some of the effort to assure survival and ultimate thriving of a premie can affect their vision. Modern premie care is much superior to that which was available just a few years ago. Often, the doctors had no choice but to use excess oxygen to keep them alive and that often caused severe damage to the developing retina. Often resulting in complete loss of sight. I have an acquaintance whose mid 20 year old grandson was born prematurely. They had no choice but to use oxygen to keep him alive, but it apparently left him without any sight. Fortunately, he had been able to attend some excellent schools for young people with low vision or blindness and he has developed into an incredibly talented musician.

Hopefully, the doctors at Moorfields can offer the best treatment in the world for your daughter. At her age it is very important that she have the best vision possible to assure proper brain development You are doing the very best for your children that you can. I urge you to get as familiar as you can with vision and how it works. His is a link that you might find informative. It primarily describes normal eye development.

http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/scenario/labman3/eye.htm

As always, your ECPs are much more knowledgeable than any of us, but please don't hesitate to ask if you think we can help you understand any of this, One other thing, you or your husband should not in any way feel guilty or responsible for any of this. There is no way you could have exercised any control over any of this. You and your husband may be myopic, but something like this could have happened to parents with perfect eyesight. Many genetic vision factors are famous for skipping generations and some congenital vision problems are caused by illness during pregnancy. For example, Something as generally mild as Rubella or "German Measles" is famous for causing serious eye development problems. Typically, if it occurs at the wrong time during pregnancy, it causes the child to be VERY farsighted because some of the eye's lenses did not develop properly.

May I ask your Rx and your husband's? Also, do you know if any of your or your husband's parents or grandparents were nearsighted?

sandy 19 Nov 2012, 19:14

I'm 35yrs old and was recently given an rx of R+1.25 -1.50 84 L+1.25 -1.50 93. I need to renew my license in 3 weeks. Will I be able to pass the eye exam? Or will I have a restriction on my license?

ConcernedMama 19 Nov 2012, 09:27

Thank you again! You are fantastic at explaining things. Our paediatric ophthalmologist is obviously a good doctor but he doesn't really explain things. I think that next time I'll take someone with me and push for some proper answers.

It's Moorfields that we've been referred to! Our ophthalmologist said that they should be able to give some idea of what the future holds. We're very lucky to live in the south of England so it isn't too far from us - only an hour and a half on the train.

My son's prescription is (and again, I don't actually know what all the number really mean, I've never asked. I feel like a bad mother for not being more pushy and demanding an explanation)

OD: -5.25 -1.00 x160 ADD+1.00

OS: -5.50 -0.75 x010 ADD+1.00

and his last prescription was about nine months ago (he normally sees the ophthalmologist once a year but saw him three months early this time as he was squinting a lot and seemed to be having trouble seeing). It was

OD: -4.25 -1.00 x160

OS: -4.25 -0.75 x010

He has an appointment to see them again next August, which will be nine months. He has his new glasses though and seems to be seeing great so I hope that he won't need another change next time.

My daughter is a bit trickier. She is seen every three months as her sight seems to be deteriorating quite quickly. Her prescription is

OD: -18.75 -0.50x180

OS: -19.50 -0.50x45

and her last prescription, three months ago (give or take a week or so!) was:

OD: -18.00 -0.50x180

OS: -18.50 -0.50x45

The problem we have is making sure she can see well. It takes about two weeks to get her new lenses and then, three months later she needs another change. Her sight is really not good - it's 6/30 which I don't think is very good because her brother's is 6/6. She was supposed to be referred to the low vision team a while ago but nothing ever happened but when I said this last week our doctor wasn't very happy and we now have an appointment for next week! They are coming to our home to assess her and hopefully give us some tips.

Thank you for your help - any suggestions or explanations are so gratefully received!

Cactus Jack 19 Nov 2012, 01:32

Concerned Mama,

Rx is the abbreviation used for a prescription for both glasses and for the medicines you might need to get at a pharmacy. (I believe they are called chemists in the U.K.) It is often helpful to have the current glasses prescription (Rx) and a previous one with the time interval, if it is available, to help understand what is going on.

I suspect the surgery they are talking about involves re-attaching the retina by using a special laser to tack the retina back into its proper position. They may also be planning on some reinforcement to the membrane at the back of the eye socket to try to keep the eyeball from rupturing it. I am really not familiar with all the techniques or exactly what has and is occurring with your daughters eyes. I will try to do a little research on extreme pediatric myopia and if I find what appears to be a good explanation in plain English, I will let you know. Also, do not be afraid to ask the doctors for a plain English explanation with sketches or pictures, if you don't understand what they are saying. Most of them can speak plain English if they have to, though they may prefer using "professional" language.

By the way, you have one of the best eye hospitals in the world at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. People with severe vision problems travel there from all over the world.

Soundmanpt 18 Nov 2012, 21:22

eye test today

Sorry I for got to answer your other question but Andrew did a good job explaining it. You may want to ask the optician how long you have to decide about getting fitted for contacts if you decide to go in that direction? In other words you may want to first get your glasses and see how much you think you will be wearing them before you decide to go with contacts. Most optical shops allow you anywhere from 60 days to up to 180 days depending what the store policy is. Meaning you would only have to pay the additional cost for a fitting fee for contacts which will include a trial pair to see how they work for you. I would NOT jump right into contacts right away as it would be best to let your eyes get more relaxed first with your new prescription and that way if there has been a slight change your contacts will be more accurate. When you pickup your glasses you can ask about that. By the way the fitting fee should be about the same as what you paid for your eye exam.

It kinda sounds like your not up to the idea of wearing glasses very much? You must realize that wearing contacts doesn't mean you won't still need your glasses. Remember wearing contacts is really the same as wearing glasses full time meaning that when you take off your contacts you will need to wear correction except for close things.

eye test today 18 Nov 2012, 14:51

thanks for explaining that andrew, so that means my eyesight is better than normal then-obv with the lenses not without!, im guessing that the optician i had is in the minority to push their patient to read the really small letters,

Andrew 18 Nov 2012, 14:39

Standard vision is 6/6; 6/4.5 means that you can read at 6 metres the same things that people with 6/6 vision can only read at 4.5 metres (i.e. 1.5 metres closer). However, the -1 and the -2 meant that you got that number of letters wrong on the 6/4.5 line. Presumabaly, you got everything right on the next smallest line, which is why you were pushed to read the smallest letters.

A couple of years ago, my prescrption went down as the man who performed the eye test was satisfied if I could read the 6 / 7.5 line. I was not best pleased, but got the new glasses anyway, as I knew I needed varifocals, and went back a year later, saw someone else, who did correct me to 6/6, and came out with an Rx closer to where it had been two years earlier.

ConcernedMama 18 Nov 2012, 14:30

Hi Cactus Jack,

Thank you so, so much for your reply. It was really helpful.

I'm sorry if I didn't post in the right place!

We live in the UK and were referred to a paediatric ophthalmologist when my daughter left the hospital after being in there for quite a while after she was born. My son had already been wearing glasses but had previously been examined by an optician in a glasses store. He's now seeing the same ophthalmologist as his sister, but his sister's been referred to a specialist. We're waiting to receive an appointment.

Two questions! What does Rx mean? You mentioned that I did not post my son's Rx.

Also, do you know what sort of surgery they could be talking about for my daughter? He said that it would fix her retinas which aren't in very good shape and hopefully stop her nearsightedness from progressing. Her sight is only at 6/30 even with her new lenses and I don't want it to get any worse.

Thank you so much

18 Nov 2012, 14:19

hi soundmanpt, yes I chose some glasses today and will pick them up in about 1 weeks time. i must admit I probaly will end up wearing them more as the optician took me out into the shop floor put those awful looking plastic frames on with al the lenses they put in and asked me to look around the shop with them,things were very crisp! I think the optician realised that I wasnt too thrilled by her suggestion of fulltime wear and she said i could book you in for a contact lens assessment-to which i agreed, howver wondering what is involved in this assessment?

so is the 6/4.5 thing on my aided visual acuity good?

Soundmanpt 18 Nov 2012, 14:03

eye test today

Well since you must have just got your eye exam done today i'm pretty sure you don't have your new glasses yet? If you read posts from others in here you will find there is much debate as to at what prescription it becomes necessary to wear your glasses full time. My personal feeling is that I agree with your doctor. That said no one can make you wear them more or less than you desire. The only thing that you must wear them for to be safe is when your driving. I think after you get your glasses and wear them you may decide that it is far better to be able to see clear and sharp then seeing things as a blur. With your new prescription I would recommend wearing them full time for about a week and then if you feel you don't need them that much you can be selective as to when you wear them.

Did you pick out new glasses and order them?

eye test today 18 Nov 2012, 13:50

hi all i had an eye test today after not going for one for 5 years, i am 25 years old now, i went for an eye test becayse i have noticed for quite some time now at night time i cant see much out of my current glasses and been doing a lot of night time driving. my old prescription is -1.25 in each eye with -.25 astigmatism, i have now been given -2.50 and -1.75 and -.25 astigmastim in the other eye, i was also told if i wear glasses my visual acuity aided is 6/4.5-1 and 6/4.5-2 what does this mean? I remember the optician was pushing me to read really really small letters, i kept saying i could barely see them but she was pushing and pushing, do opticians normally get you to read the really really small letters as i cant ever remember having to focus so hard during an eyeteset before, i felt like saying please just give me a break!! also she said i really shouldnt be just wearing my glasses for driving and tv like i do now but all the time, she seemed pretty horrified that I walk around in a slight blur most of the time, should i be wearing them all the time now?

Cactus Jack 18 Nov 2012, 11:33

Concerned Mama,

It sounds like you are trying to seek the very best medical advice you can for your son and daughter. Unfortunately, we can only offer non-professional opinions and suggestions. Perhaps we can give you some understanding of what appears to be going on, in more understandable layman's terms.

Nearsightedness and Farsightedness are caused by a mismatch between the total plus power of the eye's lens system (4 lenses) and the size or length of the eyeball. Most babies are born somewhat farsighted because their eyeballs must be small because their heads are very small compared to an adult head. If the eyeball is too small (too short) for the power of the lens system, the eye is farsighted. If it is too long or the lens system is too strong (has too much plus power for the length), the eye is nearsighted. Fortunately, most babies have the ability to internally correct the farsightedness by using their "auto-focusing" system, but it usually takes about a month for them to learn how to use it.

As the child grows and the head grows, the eyeball can also grow larger and longer. It is believed, but not proven - though there is strong evidence - that there is a genetically controlled process that regulates the amount of growth based on how much effort it takes for the ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses (the auto-focus part of the eye's lens system) to focus an image clearly on the retina. The rule being that them more effort requited, the more the eyeball needs to grow. When the growth finally gets to the point where distant images require no effort to focus, the growth is supposed to slow and stop. Also, there is supposed to be a mechanism that stops the growth process for both the body and the eyes around age 20. The question is what can go wrong the the eye's growth process and what, in your children's situation, can cause significant nearsightedness.

Lets consider your sons situation first. For him to be nearsighted and need to wear minus lenses for distance vision, either his lens system is too strong (has too much plus) for the length of his eyeballs or his eyeballs have grown too much for the available plus power or a combination of both. There is no known way (at this time) to positively control eyeball growth. Eyeball growth is believed to be caused by a specific hormone produced by the retina, when it detects an out-of-focus image, but so far there is no absolute proof. If the hormone exists, like all hormones in the body, genes play a very BIG role in how they work. There was some work done a few years ago at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore into the causes of extreme hyperopia (farsightedness), where the eyeball fails to grow. There was reportedly some evidence that the LACK of the mysterious hormone may have played a role in the failure of the eyeball to grow, but it was not very conclusive and I have read nothing further about the research.

How could bifocals help slow your sons nearsightedness? If increasing nearsightedness is caused by focusing effort (which in turn causes eyeball growth), bifocals can significantly reduce that effort and hopefully slow the increase. It might help or it might not, but it really cannot hurt to try.

You did not mention his current Rx, but if his nearsightedness is caused by his eyeball growing too much, too fast, it could cause stress on his retinas and make him a good candidate for retinal detachment. Anything that could potentially slow the growth is worth trying.

In your daughters situation, all of the above applies. However, if retinal detachment is very likely, whatever is necessary to prevent or minimize detachment should be done without delay. Retinal detachment is a leading cause of blindness in people with high myopia (nearsightedness).

You did not mention where you live or what specific facilities are available, but it appears that you are trying to do the very best you can for your childrens vision. The important thing is to manage the problems as well as you can for as long as you can. Medical breakthroughs are occurring every day and you want your children to be able to take advantage of them. Vision actually occurs in the brain, the eyes are merely biological cameras. Early brain development needs the best vision input from the eyes that it can get. Sometimes, if the vision input from the eyes is poor, the brain will decide to simply ignore it (amblyopia). The problem is that once the brain decides to ignore the input from the eyes, it appears to be permanent and we have no way to turn it back on, even if the vision problem is corrected.

Please keep us advised and we wish you and your children the very best.

ConcernedMama 18 Nov 2012, 08:33

Hello all,

I have just found your site whilst searching for information to help my two kids. Maybe you could offer some advice?

My son (6) and my daughter (4) both wear glasses for nearsightedness.

My son's case is a relatively simple one - he has worn glasses since he was 3 and his prescription is nowhere near as high as his sister's so I haven't been too worried. However, after having his eyes checked this week, the ophthalmologist suggested him getting bifocals as he said that his sight was quite bad for his age?

My daughter was born prematurely (at 30 weeks) and has always had very bad sight. She has now been diagnosed with progressive degenerative myopia as her sight is getting worse very quickly. She currently sees a pediatric ophthalmologist every three months and needs a new prescription each time. She has now (this week) been referred to a low vision service and her PO wants her to see a specialist in high myopia at a university hospital. I'm very concerned as her PO said that her retinas do not look in good shape and that she may need an operation to try to secure them and stop the progression of her bad sight. I'm not really familiar with medical stuff, sorry.

Do you have any tips on stopping their sight from getting worse? My husband and I both wear glasses for nearsightedness that are quite strong but not that bad. My daughter is supposed to be trying contact lenses but not until we've seen the specialist and my son is going to try bifocals but is there anything else we can do? Please help!

Clare 18 Nov 2012, 04:04

Soundmanpt - guest's prescription looks a bit different to mine now Cactus Jack has transposed it. At -2.75 and -3 I wouldn't drive anywhere without contacts/glasses and even at my first prescription which was only around -1 I was told I should always wear them for driving.

Trent 17 Nov 2012, 20:08

Soundmanpt

Thanks for your posting. I have moved this conversation to the Online Retailers thread.

Soundmanpt 17 Nov 2012, 15:36

Trent

I just did a quick check using your rx and they do go up to -10.00 for sph and everything else was good as well. If your curious i picked glasses that were $19.00 and with the addition of progressive lenses and AR coatig the price came to 45.90 not including the shipping charge that if your in the states is $4.95. Shipping to the UK is about $9.00.

Soundmanpt 17 Nov 2012, 15:29

Trent

The one I heavily favor is Zenni. The glasses are well made the lenses have proven to be very accurate to the prescription and of course the price is very good.

The only question is and I didn't check is what their limit is. One thing to be sure of is where you need to select your lens type be sure to click on the 1.56 index and not the 1.50 lens as I know that only goes to a much lower script.

That site is "zennioptical.com"

Trent 17 Nov 2012, 13:16

I'm currently enjoying a well deserved vacation which has allowed me to get away from the office where I am required to do a lot of close up work. Over the course of the past week I have noticed my vision changing to a point where I was having a difficulty focusing on distant objects. This concerned me so I payed a visit to the eye doctor. My new prescription is now -0.5 D stronger than my last Rx.

R -8.25, -2.50, 003, +2.00

L -8.25, -2.50, 173, +2.00

Normally I get my eyes checked during a work week. The doctor explained to me that when I do this the ciliary muscles are not fully relaxed causing the lens to become more spherical for short range focus. I believe Cactus Jack has alluded to this phenomenon in the past. My hope is that the correction will help me to see better when I'm driving at night.

If anyone can recommend a reliable on-line dealer for quality high index progressives lenses I would appreciate it.

Cactus Jack 16 Nov 2012, 19:18

Guest,

To get a little bit technical, there are several elements to a glasses prescription. The sphere correction is the first number and it is either minus to correct nearsightedness (myopia) or plus to correct farsightedness (hyperopia). The second number is the cylinder correction for astigmatism and it always is accompanied by the axis or direction of the long axis of the cylinder.

There are two ways to write a cylinder correction. Plus cylinder is typically used by MDs and Minus cylinder is typically used by Optometrists and Opticians. It really does not mater from an optical point of view because the results are optically identical. In fact lens makers typically use Minus cylinder because it simplifies grinding the lenses and there is a simple procedure for converting from Plus cylinder to Minus cylinder. The conversion process affects the value of the sphere correction, the sign on the cylinder and the value of the axis by 90 degrees. Often, if you are not familiar with the different appearances of plus cylinder and minus cylinder Rx, you think there has been a BIG change in your prescription when there really has not been much change at all.

For example, you posted: (Typically in a prescription, the Right Eye (OD) is listed first and the Left Eye (OS) is listed second.

Right Eye (OD): -2.50, +1.00 x 85 ADD +3.50

Left Eye (OS): -2.25. +0.75 x 120 ADD +3.50

converted to Minus cylinder, your Rx is:

Right Eye (OD): -1.50, -1.00 x 175 ADD +3.50

Left Eye (OS): -1.50, -0.75 x 30 ADD + 3.50

By tradition, the axis values (in angular degrees) can only be 0 to 179 or 1 to 180 degrees. 0 is horizontal and 90 is vertical with the numbers increasing in a counter clockwise direction looking at the patient. When doing the conversion, the 90 degrees is either added to or subtracted from the original axis to keep the number in the above range.

The ADD for reading only affects the sphere correction within the reading segment. You can calculate the absolute sphere value of the reading segment by algebraically adding the ADD value to the sphere. In your case -1.50 +(+3.50) = +2.00.

At 55 you have probably developed some presbyopia, but your myopia has actually helped you focus close at the expense of your distance vision. Astigmatism affects vision at all distances and particularly affects your ability to read small text at any distance.

Bright light helps you focus at all distances by causing your pupils to contract to limit the amount of light entering your eyes. It has the same effect as closing down the f stop on a fancy camera or looking though a pin hole or the hole on a button. Your pupils expand for low light conditions and the focus help goes away.

I hope this long explanation helps you understand your vision and its correction better. As a prescription goes it is really a low one, but as Clare said, you should not be driving without vision correction and as Soundmanpt said, I think you will really notice a difference with your glasses. It may take a day or two to get used to wearing them and get over the comments from your friends and relatives. The simple answer to their questions is that your vision with them is great and you wish you had gotten them sooner. Expect others to want to try on your glasses. Some may make comments about your vision without them, but there may be a few who, dont wear vision correction and get very quiet. They just made a surprising and unexpected discovery about their vision.

Soundmanpt 16 Nov 2012, 18:16

Clare

I didn't say it but when I responded to "guest" I was thinking the very same thing. Even though "guest" sph is slightly less than yours the cyl easily brings it up about where your at. So how safe do you think you would be without your contacts or glasses to drive? Nothing personal but I think I would get out and walk. lol

Clare 16 Nov 2012, 14:00

guest - I hope you don't drive!

Soundmanpt 16 Nov 2012, 11:24

guest

Yes I really think you will be surprised at the difference your glasses will make. After you get them and wear them for a short time I think you will even wonder how you got by without them for so long.

guest 16 Nov 2012, 09:45

I recently went for an eye test, 1st since I was 16 (55 now) and got the following prescription L -2.25 +0.75 @ 120 R -2.50 +1.00 @ 85 add +3.50 both and I was told that I really needed to wear glasses for distance and close work.

I'd recently noticed that my vision seems to go very poor later in the afternoon when the light starts going, in fact I was really struggling once it started getting dusk/dark, everything goes blurred, it's not so noticeable in the daylight.

I did wear glasses between the age of 10 and 17 but then sort of got out of the habit of wearing them and have never bothered since.

Also I have noticed that I can't read the iphone either at a distance or especially close, it's terrible!

Anyway I'm probably going to get some glasses sorted out soon and see how I get on with them.

Soundmanpt 15 Nov 2012, 18:55

Jim

My suggestion would be for her to return to where she got her eyes examined at and she need to tell the doctor what is going on. Yes, I think there is little doubt she would benefit from bifocals or else she will be doing the switching of glasses thing all the time. It would be so much easier for her to have everything in one pair and be done with it. Her new distance glasses are only making it worse for her now. I'm sure she can still read close up pretty well bare eyed. If her recent glasses for distance was prescribed within the past few months most optical shops will do a re-exam and only charge her the difference between single vision lenses she got and progressives or lined bifocals which ever she decides on. She shouldn't wait too long to return as the time frame varies from store to store. Generally 2 months in most.

Jim 15 Nov 2012, 18:42

My wife is 47yrs old and was just perscribed glasses for the first time with a perscription of L-.75 R-.75 +.75 10. She also recently bought some over the counter +1.25 readers that she seems to be using more and more. She says she can get by reading for a while, but with her distance glasses on she can't seem to see up close at all. Is she a candidate for bifocals? Even though I'm not quite sure in her mind she's ready for that, haha.

Soundmanpt 15 Nov 2012, 09:37

boyfriend

I too think the answer is yes to both your questions. Her vision is not all that bad but the fact that she wears contacts means her eyes are used to full time correction. So the fact that her glasses are in the bathroom next to her contacts means she likely removes her contacts at night and wears her glasses before she goes to bed. The more you get to know each other I think you will get your wish as she will wear her glasses at some point. And then if you like the look it would be in your best interest to complement her on how nice she looks with glasses and that she should wear them more often. If she is into you I think she will wear them more often.

Cactus Jack 15 Nov 2012, 06:15

boyfriend,

Yes! and Yes!

boyfriend 15 Nov 2012, 02:59

I've been dating this girl for around 3 weeks and was at her place for the first time yesterday. I noticed contact lenses and glasses in her bathroom (didn't realize she wore either). The prescription on the contacts was -2.25 and -2.50. Do you think she needs them all the time? Will I eventually see her in glasses? Because the thought of that is very exciting to me! She' s about to turn 21. Thanks

Cactus Jack 20 Oct 2012, 16:20

Abby,

Genetics appears to play a big role in the progression of myopia. Myopia is caused by a mismatch between the length of the eyeball and the total optical power of your eye's lens system. Part of the process of growing from childhood to adulthood involves growth of the eyeball to match the growth of your head. This growth is believed to be controlled by a hormone produced by the retina whose production is stimulated by the effort required to focus images on the retina. The production of the hormone is regulated by genetic factors. If there is too much hormone production, a person tends to be myopic. If there is too little hormone production, a person tends to be hyperopic.

Unfortunately, there is no known way to minimize or encourage production of the eyeball growth hormone nor is it positively certain that a special hormone exists.

To answer your question, you MAY be able to minimize the progression of your myopia by reducing the accommodation workload. The way you do that is by reading and doing other close work with a reduced Rx by using an older Rx for reading and using the computer or by getting a bifocal, trifocal or progressive add. However, there is no guarantee that it will affect the long term outlook.

A couple of things to be aware of: High myopes are prone to retinal detachment and when the time comes to bear a child, often women who are myopic experience a significant increase.

Puffin 20 Oct 2012, 14:36

ahh now don't worry about the odd millimetre of extra thickness. It's attractive. Or not noticeable. btw I'm not 17 anymore, but have seen a few things. Seeing is everything.

Abby 20 Oct 2012, 12:26

Ellie -- I'm also 17.

Ellie 19 Oct 2012, 17:17

Hi Abby, I have a similar prescription to yours. I think I'm at -12 something and -13 something, but I'm due for an appointment in a few months, when I will undoubtedly receive a new (and higher) prescription. I don't think my glasses look too bad. I get mine from zennioptical.com and I buy the 1.67 lenses. I got frames with wide sides, so the thickness isn't obvious unless you're looking at me from a closer distance. How old are you? I'm 17.

Abby 19 Oct 2012, 13:03

About 3 years ago I became aware of my glasses prescription and of other kids' prescriptions -- my siblings, cousins and friends. Three years ago I had -9.25 and -9.50. Now it's -13.50 and -14.00, which means an average increase of about -1.50 a year. My siblings, cousins and friends all increased less than -1.00 a year. None of them has more than -7.00. I read a lot but so do they, so I don't know why my eyes are doing this. I plan to go to college. What are my gkasses going to look like then? Pretty horrific. Can someone please help me?

Revolver 18 Oct 2012, 10:48

Hee hee hee! The only place you'll find a -100 lens is in a story written by Specs4ever.

Sorry, old buddy, just couldn't resist that one, I still respect your writing and enjoy your stories.

GOCer 17 Oct 2012, 21:29

Many other countries omit the decimal in lens powers. In Taiwan most people talk about "1000 degrees" when referring to -10.00

Cactus Jack 17 Oct 2012, 18:41

Leo,

I suspect you omitted some decimal points or commas in posting your Rx. -1.00 and a small amount of cylinder means that you see pretty clearly up to about 1 meter (39.37 inches). Beyond that, things start getting fuzzy. If you like living in a very small world, don't bother. If you want to see well beyond that, wear them to your hearts content. You do not need anyone's permission if the safety of others is not involved.

myopeinhere 17 Oct 2012, 17:53

With -100 just for watching tv really,the lenses would be that thick you wouldn't be able to close the car door to drive so thats one less worry ;-)

Leo 17 Oct 2012, 15:32

Hi guys.. This is my prescription R sph -100 and L sph -100 cyl -25 and axis 45.. Just wanna know do i have to wear glasses every time?

Barbara 17 Oct 2012, 15:19

My left and right both eyes number is -1.25

Cactus jack 11 Oct 2012, 19:35

Lee,

Could I ask you a couple of questions?

1. How old were you when you got your first glasses?

2. Do you know your first Rx?

3. After getting glasses did you read and do close work mostly with or without your glasses?

4. May I ask your occupation?

Thanks

Lee 10 Oct 2012, 16:07

Hi all, I'm 32 and mr ex both eyes, -1.75 add +1.50, I have bifocals and multifocal contacts. I was 31 when I got prescribed an add/readers over contacts.

Revolver 29 Sep 2012, 09:59

First off, that refraction story is such a hoot I can barely see to write this because of the tears of laughter.

Orthokeratology is very real, and in certain cases, can be very effective for both minus sphere and cylinder. The technique involves a series of rigid contact lenses with increasingly steep base curves to be worn at night. This will flatten the cornea temporarily so that in most cases the patient will have clear vision throughout the day with no correction being worn. Can't imagine it would be very comfortable, however.

Newly Blind 29 Sep 2012, 08:08

Hi Edna

I am no expert, and I have doubts about my ECP being an expert either, but he does soething called ortho-K which I think is meant to slow down the progression of short sightedness by wearing some kind of contact lens overnight that prevents the eyeball growing or something?

Perhaps you could google it. I have no more info as my eye issues are of a competely different nature.

Cheers

Newly

russell 28 Sep 2012, 16:01

Found this and giggled all the way through it. I don't know what thread it needs to be posted to, but I'm sure everyone here will want to make sure others read it.

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/showthread.php/31523-How-Optician-Refract

Cactus Jack 26 Sep 2012, 10:53

Edna,

I have been very busy for the last week or so and I apologize for the delay.

I thought Likelenses had provided a good response and I in general agree with him that that is a fairly large, but not unheard of, increase. The question is: What, if anything, can be done about it?

Nearsightedness (Myopia) in children is usually caused by the eyeball growing too fast or more than it needs to as the child grows. This growth is caused by a natural, genetically stimulated and controlled process that is part of the eyes development. Sometimes, the growth process is too fast or too much and myopia results. The amount of excess growth is very small, about 0.6 mm per diopter, so in your daughters case it is only about 3 to 4 mm too much. We are not sure of the exact biological process, but it is believed that the excess growth is caused by excess production of an eye growth hormone that is produced by the retina and that is stimulated by focusing effort.

There are a lot of different opinions about all this, but there is a lot of evidence that the root cause of nearsightedness is in our genes and their activity is triggered by our visual environment.

It appears that your daughters myopia is increasing at a higher than typical rate and it is possible that she has progressive myopia. I would strongly urge you to take her to an opthalmologist who specializes in progressive myopia and get his/her expert evaluation. Unfortunately, there is no known way to directly affect eyeball growth by regulating the growth hormone (scientists are not absolutely sure of its nature). Sometimes, attempts are made to reduce the amount of growth stimulation by reducing the eyes focusing (accommodative) workload, using bifocals or reduced minus power reading glasses. Theoretically, that should help slow the myopia, but proving that it worked, didnt work, or that the rate-of-change of myopia was affected by the reduced accommodative workload, is extremely difficult. You have probably heard the statement that you cannot PROVE a negative. That applies here also, you cant prove what didnt happen.

At this time, your daughters myopia is not particularly unusual or dangerous to her eyesight. However, if it continues to increase into double digits, it could affect her best corrected visual acuity and also make her more susceptible to retinal detachment. Like all progressive medical conditions the sooner action is taken to manage a condition, the better.

We wish you and your daughter the very best and we would appreciate your keeping us

advised of her situation

Likelenses 25 Sep 2012, 22:13

Edna

-7.00,AND -5.50 are already a high prescription for her age.

Usually increases are about -.50 per year until the mid twenties age range.At this rate her glasses will be aprox. -11.5,and -9.5 at age twenty four,and that is assuming no more large increases like she just had.

At what age did she get her first glasses,and what was the prescription ?Also has she had other large increases?

Cactus Jack 21 Sep 2012, 13:00

Edna,

How could I forget you? I think it would be useful to try to help you understand what MAY be going on with your daughter's vision. Unfortunately, this is a situation where a short question deserves a LONG answer. It may take me a day or so to answer.

Edna 21 Sep 2012, 06:49

Cactus Jack did you forget me?

Likelenses 20 Sep 2012, 14:42

Edna

That is a large increase for her age,and within a year.

Has the doctor said anything about this,and have her previous increases been over 1.00?

There is some merit in prescribing bifocals for patients such as your daughter.The idea being that the strong minus lenses that allow her clear distant vision,also cause strain when she is doing close work.This strain contributes to causing even greater increases in the myopia,and the need for stronger glasses.

The use of bifocals has slowed down the progression of high myopia in many patients.You may want to ask your doctor if he feels that she has progressive,or sometimes called galloping myopia,and if he thinks that bifocals would benefit her.

The bifocals would be a help especially with the school year just beginning.

How close does she hold reading material with the new glasses?Many myopes hold their work too close to their eyes out of habit.She should work on not reading closer than twelve inches from her eyes.

Edna 20 Sep 2012, 13:37

14 years old, 1 year ago

Cactus Jack 20 Sep 2012, 11:13

Edna,

The important numbers are the first number in the Rx. That is the sphere correction for her myopia or nearsightedness. It has increased by -1.25 in her Right eye (OD) and -1.50 in her Left eye (OS). The significance of this increase depends on her age and the time since her last Rx before this one. The need for sphere correction is usually caused by a mismatch between the length of her eyeball and her eye's lens system. The length is often caused by the eyeball growing a bit too much and becoming a bit too long by about 0.6 mm per diopter of correction (e.g. 0.6 x -7.00 = 4.2 mm).

The next two numbers are nothing to be very concerned about. The second number is the cylinder correction for astigmatism and the third number is the axis or direction of the cylinder correction. Astigmatism is usually caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of the cornea. It s cause is unknown and it usually changes very slowly. Often small changes in power or axis are caused by mis-judgement during the exam itself. During the exam for astigmatism, the patient is asked to judge relative blurriness or two lenses. It is hard for an experienced eye exam patient to get it exactly right and even harder for an inexperienced patient. Fortunately, small errors in cylinder and axis have a very small effect on visual acuity.

Could you advise her age and time since her last exam?

Edna 20 Sep 2012, 10:47

My daughter wears glasses. She didn't pass the eye screening at her school and I took her to the eye doctor, who gave her a new prescription. I am pretty sure her new glasses are stronger, but can someone tell me how much worse they are? Three of the numbers went up and three went down. Here is the comparison.

OD -4.75 -1.75 75 OS -5.50 -1.50 110 old

OD -6.00 -1.50 80 OS -7.00 -1.00 105 new

Asdoo 17 Sep 2012, 18:20

Clare

I can tell if lenses are plus or minus. If they are very weak, weak, moderate, strong or super strong. I can also tell if they have cylinder.

Melyssa 17 Sep 2012, 13:55

Clare,

I can usually tell plus vs. minus, and that's it.

Clare 17 Sep 2012, 13:35

Not sure where to post this really: how much do we think people who wear glasses, especially I suppose those with stronger prescriptions, are able to judge the strength of others Rx?

Lyn-68 11 Sep 2012, 01:38

Asdoo thanks for all your help will check with optician today what lenses they will be using

Asdoo 10 Sep 2012, 15:40

Aspheric lenses are lenses that are shaped in a way that allows lenses to have flatter curves without having a lot of distortions. This means the lens is thinner and there is a bit less magnification. This is good for your prescription because it will reduce the magnification and thickness in your right lens.

lyn-68 10 Sep 2012, 13:32

Asdoo could I please ask what aspheric lenses are please sorry if this sounds silly.

lyn-68 10 Sep 2012, 13:31

Cheers both picking them up on 19th this month so will post back on how they look and more importantly how I see through them

Although they cost just shy of £200 as was told they were classed as two different lenses but hey if I can see!!

Soundmanpt 10 Sep 2012, 12:51

Lyn-68

All they are trying to do is make your glasses look nicer. If they didn't make the one lens thinner your glasses would have one lens looking pretty thick and one lens looking much thinner. I would agree with what they are suggesting to you.

Asdoo 10 Sep 2012, 10:03

Lyn,

My prescription is very similar to yours. If you want to your lenses to look more balanced you should get aspheric lenses. Aspheric lenses reduce thickness and magnification. You should also ask for them to make the left lens thicker.

Lyn-68 10 Sep 2012, 07:37

New vaifocal wearer

my prescription is as follows

r eye +3.00 sphere, -1.50 cyl, 10.0 axis, near +1.25

l eye +0.75 sphere, -0.75 cyl, 156.0 axis, near +1.25

been told got to pay for two different lenses as need one lense thinninh down is this correct

Cactus Jack 09 Sep 2012, 00:37

First Time Wearer,

Not very strong, but probably enough, particularly with the cylinder, that you will want to wear them full time.

Maybe I can help you understand your Rx better:

The sphere correction actually means that your eyeballs are just a tiny bit too long for the total optical power of your lens system. The -1.25 for your right eye means that everything beyond 80 cm or 31 inches is progressively more fuzzy. The -2.00 for your left eye means that everything beyond 50 cm or about 19 inches is fuzzy. If that was the only factor, your brain would select your right eye for the best image for distance and pretty much ignore the image from your left eye. For reading, you brain would primarily use the image from your left eye and ignore the right. However, your astigmatism is enough to really complicate the issue.

The -1.00 of cylinder in your right eye means that the front surface of your cornea is curved more steeply in one direction than it is in another and the 104 degree axis (not quite vertical) your Rx is -2.25 and in the 14 degree axis (not quite horizontal) it is only -1.25. The -0.75 of cylinder in your left eye means that your Rx in the 10 degree axis is -2.75 and in the 100 degree axis it is -2.00. What all this means is that the astigmatism causes images to be fuzzy at all distances.

Usually, low myopia like your means that you would mean that you could probably read and do other close work quite comfortably without correction, but distant objects and text would be blurry. The astigmatism causes your eyes and brain to have to work extra hard to try to focus at any distance. Unfortunately, there is no way for the eyes to deliver a quality image to the brain at any distant with as much astigmatism as you have without correct.

I suspect it will take you a few days to get used to wearing your glasses. You may find that "round" objects look a little egg shaped and the corners of rooms near the ceiling look a little "funny, but this will all go away in a few days. I think that in a few days, you will find that wearing your glasses significantly increases your comfort and energy. Vision actually occurs in the brain and the brain expends an amazing amount of energy processing blurry images. When you wear your glasses, the high quality images require very little processing and your brain can relax or spend effort on other things.

First Time Wearer 08 Sep 2012, 16:51

Sorry about the double post.

First Time Wearer 08 Sep 2012, 16:50

I just got new glasses. My prescription is:

R sphere -1.25 cylinder -1.00 axis 104

L sphere -2.00 cylinder -0.75 axis 10

Is my prescription strong?

First Time Wearer 08 Sep 2012, 16:50

I just got new glasses. My prescription is:

R sphere -1.25 cylinder -1.00 axis 104

L sphere -2.00 cylinder -0.75 axis 10

Is my prescription strong?

antonio-o 01 Sep 2012, 08:52

Hi holly,

I just remember you said you had this enormous blur when you wear your new glasses and suddenly put them off.

On the one hand that´s normal and occurs to all of us,

on the other hand if this blur is really that giant,

could be these glasses are too strong for your eyes,

so please get them checked at another optician whether they are really the -2,5 and -2 they need and not -3.5 and -3 because they made a mistake or even more.

The stronger they are the more the minify things, too.

If they are really -2,5 and -2 you can get your eyes checked again if they are a little better than that,

but please make sure your glasses are not stronger than -2,5 and -2 what you need

in order not so make your eyes worse than they are.

If they are -2,5 and -2 I guess they are fine for you now.

How was your eve in them ?

best regards, antonio-o

Soundmanpt 31 Aug 2012, 07:57

Asdoo

Remember the question was "when is it recommended to wear glasses full time for astigmatism?" I can't say for sure but it is possible that she was told she should wear her glasses full time and she has just ignored it. But quite often at -.75 or -1.00 in both eyes is when often times headaches will result. Also please remember I am only saying generally, there is no hard and fast rule.

Asdoo 31 Aug 2012, 02:11

I have a friend who's rx is sph +0.50 cyl -0.75 for both eyes. She never wears her glasses.

Soundmanpt 31 Aug 2012, 00:45

Likelenses

I would not disagree with that.

Likelenses 31 Aug 2012, 00:07

Lucas

Several books on optometry that I have read, advise doctors to recommend full time wear, when the cylinder in the better eye is .75 or more.

Soundmanpt 30 Aug 2012, 18:12

Clare

You have been on this site a good while and I know you have seen the discussion on this many times in here. The best way I can answer that is to say it really depends on the person and what they can tolerate. Like your friend she would tell you she thinks -1.25 requires full time wear and maybe for her that is true, then there have been others in here claiming they can still drive with correction and their prescription is -5.00. So I guess the true answer is somewhere between those numbers. Also other things enter the picture. For example if they have any astigmatism correction as that will lower the SPH number. But I think for most -1.75 or -2.00 I would say is at the least on the border of being full time. Again when we are saying full time I am referring to needing them on an everyday basis. Being able to go without correction around the house or not putting your glasses or contacts in when you first get up doesn't count. Don't get me wrong it's good that you can still do that but it's still not the same as say just putting them on to drive or see a sign.

Soundmanpt 30 Aug 2012, 17:58

Lucas

Well this may draw fire from some out there but as a general rule I think when you reach around -1.00 or +1.00 CYL most doctors recommend full time wear. It is a much lower number than a SPH number would allow.

Lucas 30 Aug 2012, 16:00

What about astigmtism level. What is the recommended full time wear level

holly 30 Aug 2012, 15:43

Clare,

At L-2.5, R-2.0 I am wearing a lot more than before. I still don't wear anything around the house and usually contacts during the day.

Clare 30 Aug 2012, 14:13

Soundmanpt - what do you consider to be the threashold for full time wear?

Soundmanpt 30 Aug 2012, 09:56

johnnie

Most every country in order to pass the vision test and be considered safe to drive your vision needs to be 20/40 or better. At -1.50 / -1.25 you will not pass. You can try but i'm sure they will quickly tell you that you need correction, so you better have your glasses with you so you can put them and pass the test. You are borderline with needing them full time, they will make a noticeable difference in how you see.

If you go on-line to "zennioptical.com" your glasses will be around $15.00 - $25.00 including the AR coating and shipping.

Guido 30 Aug 2012, 09:31

That is not a negligible first prescription. If finances are not a problem, I would get some glasses. You can use one of the online services and get them from $70-100. However, I would try the driving exam without just to see if you pass.

johnny 30 Aug 2012, 09:16

I was just perscribed my first pair of glasses at the age of 20. The perscription is -1.50 -0.50 10, -1.25 -0.50 180. I haven't ordered the glasses yet, but I think I'll need them when my time comes up in December to renew my driver's license. Should I order some glasses or is it not worth it. Will I be able to pass the eye exam for the driver's test?

Sappho 30 Aug 2012, 02:11

Nearsighted 18 year old girl.

If you drive, I should certainly borrow your sister's glasses to use when driving and I suspect you will end up wearing them all the time.

Soundmanpt 29 Aug 2012, 18:26

Nearsighted 18 Year Old Girl

It has been more than 15 months since you got your last glasses and exam. Being 18 your still very much in the age group where your eyes are constantly changing, so like Crystal Veil said it is indeed time for you to get your eyes checked. Your sister's glasses may still be slightly stronger than you really need but at 18 it is easy for your eyes to see very well with stronger glasses than needed. Your own glasses are now too weak and are under correcting you so i'm sure your sister's feel better.

It really helps that you and your sister are so close with your astigmatisms as well. If you notice her old glasses her astigmatism was not as close so that is probably why they didn't work nearly as well as her new ones.

I really don't think your doing much if any harm wearing your sister's glasses. They may be just slightly stronger than you need but it seems your eyes has adjusted to them well. But you should probably get and exam so you can get your own. Your sister may decide she wants to wear her other pair at some point.

When you do go and get your eyes examined post your new prescription in here. It likely will be very close to your sister's prescription.

Sorry for making you have to work on getting your prescriptions posted.

Crystal Veil 29 Aug 2012, 17:24

Problem solved - you need an increase. The cylinder axis is almost identical in your and your sister's prescription but the spherical strength of her new glasses is over a diopter more than your own glasses. Time for an appointment!

nearsighted 18 year old girl 29 Aug 2012, 16:46

wow, you made me do a lot of research. i found my prescription and i asked my sister what hers is and she read it to me.

my last prescription was in may 2011. it says

OD -6.75 -1.25 80

OS -7.25 -1.25 110

every time i have an eye test i need stronger glasses.

my sister is 2 1/2 years older than me. she always had stronger glasses than me. she said her old ones are:

R -7.50 -.75 85

L -7.75 -1.00 95

i couldn't see so good through those. her new ones are

R -8.25 -1.00 80

L -8.75 -1.25 105

i feel like my eyes really do much better through those then through my own glasses. i hope its ok to borrow and use them

antonio-o 29 Aug 2012, 16:34

Nicky, ok, so you want the maximum for seeing best far for one eye and the maximum minus prescription still allowing you to see nearby with the other eye ? or even a plus prescription for this eye ?

best regards, antonio-o

Nicki 29 Aug 2012, 16:13

Hi Antonio

Contacts wearers do mono vision when they have need to focus up close over 40. That's not with glasses.

antonio 29 Aug 2012, 16:08

hi Nicky,

why and how do you want to do mono-vision ?

best regards, antonio-o

antonio-o 29 Aug 2012, 16:02

nearsighted 18 year old girl

if your sister´s glasses are considerably stronger than yours

you risk to make your eyes worse than they are now by wearing hers a lot.

It seems more wise to get your eyes checked

and if really your prescription in this test is very similar to your sister´s current one, then you could wear hers,

otherwise you risk making your eyes worse than they are wearing too strong ones.

That´s my personal opinion to your question.

Best regards, antonio-o

if you like you can come to

http://www.lenschat.com/lenschat/

and discuss the theme with us

Nicki 29 Aug 2012, 15:04

Sorry just read that post - i mean I'd like the maximum correction for both, ie strongest correction. Big difference!

Nicki 29 Aug 2012, 15:03

I wondered what success people have had in guiding the optician in the prescription that suits them? I like to be slightly over corrected and am about to go to a new optician. I wear glasses socially and contacts at work and think I need to start doing mono vision, like some of my friends who tell me it's a good option. Can I say that I want the minimal prescription for both? I've heard that standard practice is to under correct. Thanks.

Soundmanpt 29 Aug 2012, 12:38

nearsighted 18 year old girl

Well first off when did you last have your eyes examined? If it has been a year or more it is very likely that you probably need an increase in your glasses. Also it would help to know the prescriptions of both you and your sister. But I assume she wears a little stronger prescription than you do normally? Most people find they can be very comfortable wearing glasses a little over their own prescription, so that could be what is happening in your case. As long as you are able to see perfect with her glasses you are not doing any damage to your eyes, but I still recommend that you should consider getting your checked in the near future. Are you able to wear them all day without any problem or are you just going by having them on a short time?

nearsighted 18 year old girl 29 Aug 2012, 10:49

my older sister and i both wear glasses. we're nearsighted. she just got new ones and she got 2 pairs on a buy 1 get 1 free special. when i looked through them, i could see better through her glasses than through my own. she offered to let me borrow one of hers. is it ok to wear them even if i didnt have an exam? we both wear glasses not contacts. and theyre pretty thick.

Scott 29 Aug 2012, 08:06

Hi cool dude

Your prescription has similar numbers;

The first values (Sphere) are just +0.50 and +0.75,

The second sets of numbers are again close to each other, -1.75 and -1.50' should help at night with distance

The third set of numbers are the axis that define the angle which the cylinder are angled at. Although your two numbers seem quite different, it is quite common. The 24 and 21 degrees away from the 180 (or zero) degrees.

Lucas 29 Aug 2012, 07:43

HEy cool_dude,

your prescription is indeed for farsightedness but mostly for astigmatism. Your farsigthedness is not that important but your astigmatism at -1.50 and -1.75 should make a huge difference. Were you told when to wear them? I suspect full time wear was recomended no?

Cool_Dude 29 Aug 2012, 06:35

Hi,

I just had an eye exam and the prescription is:

Sphere Cylinder Axis

R +0.50 -1.75 166

L +0.75 -1.50 21

As I understand the plus sign is for far sightedness. However, I have no problem seeing near things or reading. My problem is with far things. I get mostly irritated when I drive at night. I've just received my new glasses and things are sharp! However, I feel a slight strain in my left eye. Can anyone elaborate on the prescription? Why are the axes values so different for both eyes? I am a 34 year old male by the way.

Many thanks

Cactus Jack 27 Aug 2012, 09:59

middle-aged,

It is possible that you may need a very small increase in the correction for nearsightedness, but the most likely thing is that you will get used to having some help for reading or focusing close. There are 2 things going on here. The most obvious thing is that presbyopia is becoming a nuisance and it will gradually take away your ability to focus and you will need more plus either in a bifocal or progressive add (or in separate reading glasses). However, when it gets up to around +2.50 it will appear to stop unless you frequently need to focus closer than 16 inches or 40 cm. The thing that will happen much more quickly is that your ciliary muscles will become de-conditioned because the reading help takes away some of their workload. The ciliary muscles, for their size, are the hardest working muscles in the body, but as presbyopia stiffens the crystalline lenses, it just gets to the point where the muscles just are not strong enough to focus any more.

The main thing is to be aware that some changes are going to happen and when you notice that your vision is not as good as it was, you need to schedule an appointment then. Putting it off until some nebulous future date is not necessary and is probably counter productive. Glasses are simply a tool to help you see better and more comfortably, like shoes, when they no longer fit, you need a new pair.

Cactus Jack 27 Aug 2012, 09:37

Sep,

You did not provide much information to be able to comment on your situation.

Your Rx is pretty ordinary for a person who is mildly farsighted (hyperopic) as indicated by the sphere correction of +0.75. A cycloplegic exam is appropriate in this situations to help determine your true Rx. The dilating agent temporarily paralyzes your ciliary muscles and keeps them from trying to internally correct your distance vision.

You also have significant astigmatism as indicated by the -1.50 diopters of cylinder correction in each eye. Unlike the mild hyperopia above, which, unless presbyopia prevents it, your ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses can correct, you cannot correct the astigmatism without some form of help. The possible forms of help are glasses (normally preferred), toric contact lenses (hard to fit and get right), or possibly refractive surgery.

Astigmatism is caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of the cornea, usually where the front surface is curved more steeply in one axis than it is in another. The result is substantially reduced visual acuity for reading text and identifying small objects at all distances.

With that level of astigmatism, you probably need full time correction for maximum comfort and the best visual acuity.

If you could provided a bit more detail about your age, where you live, and your situation, we might be able to offer better suggestions.

middle-aged 27 Aug 2012, 07:37

Thanks to Cactus Jack and others for the explanation. I picked up my glasses over the weekend and was pleasantly surprised with the clearity of my vision in the distance. Driving at night was the greatest difference. It was amazing to clearly see all the lights instead of just big blobs. I did notice the difficulty in reading with them on more so than without, so a friend gave me an old pair of +1.25 reading glasses and wow what a difference. They'll come in handy at work when I'm doing paperwork. Overall it was a great weekend as I feel I was able to take care of 2 different problems that were becoming more and more an issue for me. What should I expect going forward over the next year or so with my eyes?

Sep 26 Aug 2012, 17:17

Hey guys, Id like to know what the following numbers from my prescription mean. I plan on making a medical appeal and its important for me to know if those numbers are actually favoring me or stacked against my decision to appeal.

The prescription is as follows:

Cycloplegic refraction value is +0.75Dsph / -1.50 Dcyl x 90 in the right eye and +0.75Dsph / -1.50Dcyl x 90 in the left eye.

Thank you.

Regards

Sep

Edit: Sorry if it is a re post. The first time didn't go through.

Cactus Jack 25 Aug 2012, 05:28

very progressive,

I did not think you were being disrespectful in any way. I took the fact that you questioned a statement that didn't make sense to you, as a complement. It meant that you were paying attention and analyzing what I said. Critical thinking seems to be a very rare commodity these days. Yes, + cylinder is generally used by opthalmologists and - cylinder is used by optometrists, but it is not an absolute rule anywhere that I know of.

very progressive 24 Aug 2012, 22:32

CJ,

You are awesome and I for one always appreciate your knowledge and willingness to answer all of our questions. Didn't mean any disrespect. Just thought I might have been missing something. The cylinder being written as a + would generally indicate that an opthalmologist wrote the rx and not an optometrist correct?

Cactus jack 24 Aug 2012, 15:56

very progressive,

You know, that is the 2nd time in a week that I misread a prescription. Maybe I am developing dyslexia among other problems in my old age. I'll be 75 at the end of next month. Fortunately, we have some good proof readers that don't hesitate to check my work and catch my dumb mistakes. Please keep up the good work.

You are right, she does appear to have -0.75 myopia in her Right eye. If you do the conversion to - cylinder for the Left eye Rx of -0.75, +0.75 x 15 you get -0.00, -0.75 x 105.

I think glasses will make a big difference for her.

very progressive 24 Aug 2012, 13:45

CJ,

Looks to me like Middle Aged's rx is for myopia and -.75 in both r and l lenses, with a +.50 cylinder?

Does this indicate any hyperopia?

Cactus Jack 24 Aug 2012, 09:37

middle-aged,

I did not fully answer your question about - cylinder in a + lens.

The purpose of any external lens (glasses or contacts) is to neutralize or cancel out a refractive error in your eyes. A + lens neutralizes too much minus and a - lens neutralizes too much plus. Technically, the - cylinder correction in your Rx neutralized the excess plus caused by the steeper curvature in one axis of your cornea.

There is a very confusing element with specifying CYLINDER correction in glasses or contacts for those who don't understand. By tradition, MDs (Opthalmologists) are trained to do refractions using + cylinder lenses and Optometrists and many Opticians are trained to do refractions using - cylinder. The different ways of writing the resulting prescriptions can be very confusing. It is a very simple math procedure to convert from + cylinder to - cylinder and vice versa. The resulting glasses are identical in either case because lens makers convert a + cylinder Rx to a - cylinder Rx and make the glasses.

Cactus Jack 24 Aug 2012, 09:15

middle-aged,

You actually have two different corrections for two different conditions in the same lens.

The first number in the Rx is the SPHERE correction for either hyperopia (in your case) or myopia. It corrects for a small mismatch between the length of your eyeball (it is just a little bit too short in your case) and the total power of your eye's lens system which consists of the cornea, a fluid called the aqueous humor, the crystalline lens (which is the variable focus element of the eye until presbyopia catches up with you), and the vitreous humor. Sphere correction is like a slice from the side of a clear ball of glass or plastic. It is also the shape you think of when you think of in a magnifying glass. A plus lens is thicker in the middle than it is at the edges.

The second number is the CYLINDER correction for astigmatism, which is uneven curvature of the front surface of the cornea. The curve is steeper in one direction (axis) than it is in the other. The result is that the cornea has more plus power in one axis than it does in the other. Think of a cylindrical lens as being a section sliced from the side of a clear glass or plastic can shape.

The third number is the AXIS which is the direction of the long axis (through the center of the can). By convention 0 degrees is horizontal and 90 degrees is vertical (rotating counter-clockwise as you face the patient). The number range for the axis is either 0 to 179 degrees or 1 to 180 degrees depending on where you like to start. Whenever CYLINDER is specified, a AXIS must also be specified.

Typically, Hyperopia affects your ability to see close up, Myopia affects your ability to see distant objects, and Astigmatism affects how clearly you see at all distances. Astigmatism significantly affects the sharpness of letters and numbers.

It may take a few days to get used to your glasses, but please let us know what you think about wearing them. I think you will ultimately think the benefits far outweigh the costs.

middle-aged 24 Aug 2012, 02:16

Thanks for the response. I should be getting my glasses on Saturday. I've never worn any type of correction for my eyes, so I'm looking forward to seeing the difference as driving at night in unfamiliar areas or any type of rain has become increasingly difficult and downright dangerous. One more question: can someone explain -0.75 with the +0.75 in my one eye. I didn't know a perscription could be both minus and plus at the same time? And is this eye significantly worse than the other. I do feel a difference in the eye if I close one eye and try to see.

Cactus Jack 23 Aug 2012, 23:54

middle-aged,

You should notice a significant difference in your night vision with the glasses because the images will be focused sharply on your retinas and that concentrates the photons of light on the tiny cells in your retinas and make them easier to detect. Also, because of the astigmatism in your left eye, you may find full time wear to be very comfortable, but it is your choice.

Also, don't forget to eat carrots and other vegetables that have lots of color. The orange in carrots is beta-carotene which your body converts to Vitamin A (much better for your eyes than Vitamin A supplements). Your retinas need Vitamin A and other nutrients to work properly - particularly at night.

Will you need some help focusing close? Probably, your slight nearsightedness has been of help in focusing close, but with distance correction, you may soon need either bifocals or progressives to help out. It depends on how much close work you do.

I think you will find that yes, your near vision is going, but fortunately, it is easy to get back. After a few weeks of wearing glasses that correct both your distance and near vision, you will be delighted and amazed with the results.

Please don't let vanity get in the way of sharp, comfortable vision at all distances.

middle-aged 23 Aug 2012, 22:14

I'm a 48yr old woman who was having trouble seeing at night. I went for an eye exam recently and was given a prescription of R-0.75 sph L-0.75 +0.75 15. Will this prescription make a difference for me? How often do people with this prescription wear their glasses normally? Also I'm beginning to feel my near vision going. Will I need to wear bifocals? Anyone with a similar experience I would appreciate some insight. Thanks!

Julian 23 Aug 2012, 09:04

question: do you still have cylinder in your glasses prescription? the reason I ask is that it is sometimes possible to correct astigmatism with sphere IN CONTACTS but not in glasses. And if you don't have glasses but only contacts read the horror story referred to on the 'Vision' thread about the women who got an amoeba under one of her contacts while swimming...

Asdoo 23 Aug 2012, 07:02

question,

Have you changed your eye doctor? It is normal for doctors to vary on how much cylinder to prescribe. My first eye doctor didn't prescribe any, my second eye doctor prescribed -0.50 for both eyes and my third eye doctor prescribed -0.75 for one eye and -1.25 for the other.

question 23 Aug 2012, 06:42

I'm 20yrs old and have been wearing glasses since I was 13. My perscription started at -1.00 with -1.00 astigmatism. Prior to my latest eye test yesterday, my perscription was L-1.50 -0.75 R-1.75 -0.75 two years ago. My eye doctor told me yesterday that he no longer saw a reason for me to be in toric contacts, which I had been since the beginning, and he perscribed me L-2.50 R-2.25 contacts. Is it possible for an astigmatism to disappear? Also, I'm concerned about my vision with the new perscription. Will there be a big difference? I felt like my vision was fine with my old perscription.

Likelenses 21 Aug 2012, 01:20

Gwendy

Have you gotten your new flat front glasses yet,and if so,how do you like them.

Juicebox 19 Aug 2012, 17:29

Soundmanpt

Yeah I realise I'm not the only person that needs glasses, especially because my whole family wears them, which is why I think it's so weird that I dont want to wear my glasses around them! I think my sister will be the one to ask where they are as she's like that.

I really do enjoy being able to see so well while wearing them, I didn't realise how much my eyesight had changed since I got my first glasses. Now if I'm walking down the street it annoys me when I can't see things. And yeah I really do notice the blur now!

Soundmanpt 18 Aug 2012, 20:19

Juicebox

Thanks for the update. It just takes time to first off get used to wearing them at at, and then accepting how you look wearing glasses. But your slowly finding that You are far from being the only one out there that needs glasses to correct their vision. Once you get back home i'm sure you will allow yourself to be seen wearing them around your family. The best thing is that they already know you have glasses so no doubt someone is going to be asking where your glasses are at some point.

Something you didn't say is how you like wearing your glasses in regards to being able to see with them? I'm sure they must help a good bit for your distance now. The biggest difference is after you have had your glasses on or your contacts in for a while and take them off or out how blurry things are?

Your doing good, your taking small steps in the right direction.

Juicebox 18 Aug 2012, 12:12

Its me again...just an update! I've gotten better about wearing glasses in front of people, (I may even be coming around to the idea of actually enjoying wearing glasses, but im not fully converted yet - sorry folks, I just need a little time!) especially those from back home who hadn't seen me wear them before as I got them at uni. Still can't bring myself to wear them in front of my family for some reason, they all know I have them though!

I got contacts, but I still only wear them for tennis and sports, which I've been able to do a lot of recently thanks to be British summer finally kicking itself into action :)

Hope you're all well!

Specs4Me 16 Aug 2012, 07:08

Gwendy,

You might also consider wearing an old pair of glasses when studying or doing a lot of reading and even computer work. If you wear your prior year's glasses with a -1.00 less Rx that will releave a bit of eyestrain which can help slow down myopic progression.

minus5wholuvsgwgs 16 Aug 2012, 00:19

Gwendt Please do not worry One of my girlfriends is minus 15 /minus 16.25 her glasses are merely flat fronted and with a smaller frame do not look too thick Her eyesight corrected is excellent .And she has no shortage of male admirers And she never wears contacts

Likelenses 15 Aug 2012, 22:06

Gwendy

Your prescription history certainly shows that you have progressive myopia,sometimes referred to as galloping myopia.

Due to the fact that you will be starting your second year of college,the extensive reading will contribute to continuing increases, of most likely -1.00 or more per year for each school year.

Your lenses will be flat front from now on ,and if you reach -15.00 or so they will be bioconcave.

There are some things that a progressive myope can do to possibly slow down the increases. One would be to take frequent breaks while doing close work,and look into the distance. Also pay attention to reading posture,and distance. You should not read any closer than twelve inches from your eyes,with a book, and not closer than twenty on the computer.Farther is even better,if you can do it.

Soundmanpt 15 Aug 2012, 17:34

Gwendy

Those are the most telling years for myopia to have rather big jumps from year to year. The good news is you should be getting to the age where the changes should be less each year and may even stop at around 25 years old. There are likely many in here that have had about the same increases as you have had.

Gwendy 15 Aug 2012, 17:04

Is it normal for nearsightedness to advance about -1.00 a year, sometimes a little more? I have my last few prescription forms and this is what they show (my age, then rx, right eye first):

14 -4.75 -4.50

15 -6.00 -5.25

16 -7.50 -6.50

17 -8.50 -7.75

18 -9.25 -8.75

19 -10.25 -9.75

Soundmanpt 15 Aug 2012, 17:00

Rex

Your rx is pretty mild, but you will certainly notice the difference once you start to wear them a little. They will make the biggest difference in your distance vision. The more yo wear them and adjust to them the more you notice that things are blurry without them. You have a slight astigmatism as well and that can also mean that your glasses may be helpful if your doing much close work for any length of time.

There are some that would wear that rx full time and many others only for what they need them for.

Certainly one thing you really should get used to wearing them for is driving. Driving without would be considered unsafe with your rx. Don't know what country your in but most countries you would fail the vision test for safe driving.

Rex 15 Aug 2012, 16:48

Told need to get glasses. How often do people find they wear them with prescription -1.25 +0.5 x each eye?

Dan 15 Aug 2012, 12:49

Just had my yearly appointment. No changes in my script...still a mild -1.00 in each eye for contacts. Slight astigmatism too I believe. Haven't used the reading glasses/bifocals much lately. It seems that -1.00 contacts work much better than my -1.25 contacts I used a year or two ago. Although, the -1.25's did give me slightly crisper distance vision. Maybe my eyes have stabilized at this point.

gwgs 13 Aug 2012, 03:46

Gwendy, I am sure your glasses will look wonderful on you, and for all those that you think will look at them and go "omg they're strong (which I don't actually think happens at this level of myopia, or in reality - I've never found with some of the highly myopic girls I've known), there will probably be an equally similar number of people who either won't notice them.

It would be interesting to see a photo of them when you get them - this of course is down to you. If you feel like posting a photo of them, it would be interesting to see what the PBC does to reduce the lens thickness.

Gwendy 13 Aug 2012, 00:47

OMG! No wonder she wouldn't tell me what it meant. I have occasionally noticed someone wearing glasses with lenses that looked totally flat and had gigantic reflections. They look terribly strong. People are going to look at me and think I'm blind. I took a close look at my current glasses and the outsides of them have a definite curvature. I'm going to hate them.

skyler 13 Aug 2012, 00:38

Gwendy,

I feel your pain, when I first started with glasses in Middle School. I was only-1, by high school-3.75. Finally now in my softmore year of college -8.25 for glasses (i wear contacts mostly). My optician said I will reach the double digits if i keep up by the time im 25. Is this true?

Likelenses 13 Aug 2012, 00:03

Gwendy

Cactus Jack is correct.

Your new glasses will have lenses that are perfectly flat on the front surfaces.

Perhaps your glasses were like this at -9.,but if they were not,your eye doctor wants the new ones like this so that you will adjust to them better as your prescription gets higher in the future,when there is no other option.

It is also possible that in the future your lenses will be concave on both the front, and back surfaces.

Cactus Jack 12 Aug 2012, 23:39

Gwendy,

Try Plano Base Curve. Meaning Flat Front lenses. A Plano Base Curve minimizes edge thickness. It is pretty common in lenses above -9.00, but is also used in lenses where thickness is an important factor.

Gwendy 12 Aug 2012, 21:40

Thanks, guys. I actually have one additional question. I hadn't noticed it on my prescription form, but I did at the optical shop today when I ordered my new glasses. My doctor had written PLBC on the remarks line. I noticed it when the optician copied it onto my record. When I asked her what it meant her face became red and she said "oh it's nothing, just your base curve." Her secretiveness made me suspect it was something she didn't want me to know. Can someone decode it for me?

Julian 12 Aug 2012, 16:25

Gwendy: I don't know much about genetics, but I have read that a characteristic can often skip three generations. If this is so, you may have had a very myopic great-great-grandparent whom you can blame for your eyesight.

Soundmanpt 12 Aug 2012, 13:14

Gwendy

Understandable why you would be somewhat fustrated. Your correct in your thinking. If both your parents were near sighted you could almost expect that you would be as well. And of course if one parent was nearsighted and the other had perfect vision it would depend which genes you got as to how your vision would be. But with neither parent being nearsighted why would you expect to be nearsighted? Well there are many other factors to be considered. It could be that it skipped a generation or even what you did when you were younger. For example reading with the lights very dim as some kids often did after it was time for bed. And of course if you started with glasses at a young age you have been going through the ages where it is very common for constant change in your eyesight. Meaning stronger glasses every year. Being in your 2nd year of college I would think your around 19 years old. Aside for all the strain your eyes are going through with much studying your increases soon should start to be less and less. By the time you reach around 25 it may stop changing or at least slow way down.

Gwendy 12 Aug 2012, 12:49

So, nearsightedness is supposed to be genetic. No one else in my family has glasses, but I do and my prescription gets stronger every year. My freshman (college) glasses were -9.50 and -9.00 and I just got my sophomore prescription and it's -10.25 and -9.75. It's getting kind of ridiculous. Why am I so nearsighted when no one else in my family is nearsighted at all? And when it this all going to stop?

Soundmanpt 16 Jul 2012, 15:55

Juicebox

I agree totally with you that unless your really into rock climbing and was doing it quite often probably not worth the cost. You could wear the contacts and buy a cheap pair of wrap-around sunglasses that should help keep the dirt and pebbles from getting in your eyes. Of course contacts should be great for tennis.

I'm sure you will get faster each time you put them in and take them out.

Juicebox 16 Jul 2012, 15:09

Clare,

Thanks so much for your encouragement I got some a few days ago and I'm getting better. Then again, pretty much anything is better than the 30 minutes or so it took me at first! I'll be sure to still wear glasses, probably more so than contacts, but I'm not intending on being a full time wearer as I really don't think my rx warrants it, though i believe some would disagree.

Soundmanpt,

Thanks for the advice but I don't do nearly enough to warrant the cost!

So it's taken me so long to reply, been up and down the country the past few weeks and didn't have Internet for most of that time!

Asdoo 13 Jul 2012, 02:19

Guest

Wearing glasses fulltime will help you get used to them faster, but it's not absolutely necessary.

Guest 12 Jul 2012, 17:53

I am 59 years old and have been finding my mid range vision up to around 20ft a little uncomfortuble for a number of months.

My far distance vision always has and is near perfect. And causes me no problems at all.

Today after an eye exam I collected my first ever glasses with a distance rx I was prescribed the following rx

L. + 0.25. Add 2. R + 0.75. -0.25 x 100. Add 2

I opted for single vision lenses

I have been wearing these since lunchtime but I have noticed that my mid range vision is now much sharper but my far distance is now worse with glasses than before.

I have read on here that plus rx wearers need some time to adjust to clear distance but I don't intend to wear them full time ,only when I need to

My question is that unless I wear full time will I always have this problem

with far distance as a part time wearer.

Can anyone give some advise.

Crystal Veil 12 Jul 2012, 16:07

Soundmanpt,

I tried the goggles a few time when rock climbing but they kind of limit the field of view. Re dirt and dust: much depends on the quality and type of rock. Goggles may be fine on limestone cliffs (e.g. The Dolomites can be quite dusty). Much also depends on one's style of "clean" climbing and of course the difficulty of the pitch. Goggles are perfect for running on a sunny day. In all cases, varifocal glasses are a nuisance in steep terrain and I always bring a pair of single vision glasses along when it gets serious.

Soundmanpt 12 Jul 2012, 15:07

Juicebox

Clare is right, it may seem difficult at first sticking those lenses in your eyes, but I think after you do it a few times it will get easier each time.

I am not a rock climber, but I really think at some point you may want to look into rec-sport goggles. The are made for sports and I would think that rock climbing and looking up and grabbing rocks above you would get a good deal of dust and dirt falling at your face. That would not be very good with contacts or glasses really. Dirt and dust will cause problems for contacts and you won't be a position to clean them. The sport goggles are not attractive but they are very functional. They are made to stay on and be slipping off and the lenses are polycarbonite and won't break. Much safer than regular glasses or contacts. They can be worn for any sport by the way. But contacts would be fine for tennis.

Sorry for throwing so much at you so soon.

Clare 12 Jul 2012, 14:33

Juicebox - it isn't like that really when you know what you're doing although I can see why people think that. It gets easy, although even after 10+ of wearing contacts I still can't put them in without looking (as I once saw someone do in a meeting, fascinating and repellent at the same time!). I have a friend who can apply mascara without looking, I can't do that either, so perhaps its me ...

Once you get used to them though its very easy to just wear them. If you want to feel confident wearing either I think its important that you continue to wear both. Of my close friends who wear contacts, we switched to contacts around -2 so we've never worn glasses day to day so it seems much more unusual for us to do that now.

Juicebox 11 Jul 2012, 13:20

As I said before, not a huge fan of sticking things in my eyes so I doubt I'd overwear them. I mostly do rock climbing and tennis, mostly in the summer. The reason I want contacts is mainly for the reason you mentioned in that I dont want to have any extras problems if I get hot in the face with a ball.

Soundmanpt 10 Jul 2012, 11:01

Juicebox

I confess that most all of men in here, as well as some, enjoy seeing you ladies wearing your glasses and are not big fans of contact lenses. That being said I think what you have found in the short time you have had your new glasses is that you will be needing correction much more than you did before and depending on what sports you are doing most of the time good vision is necessary to perform at your best. Also wearing glasses can be somewhat dangerous depending on the sport you play.

A good number of years ago I managed a women's softball team. One of my best player's at the start of our 4th season had gotten glasses during the off season. She played 2nd base and was very good. In the 3rd game of the season a ball was hit at her and it took a bad bounce and hit her in the face. When I went to check on her she was bleeding on the side of her nose and her eye was red. Her glasses didn't break and they were only slightly bent and I was able to adjust them without any problem. But from that day on she was scared of the ball and never was as good as she used to be. I had to put her in the outfield where she felt safer. So no so long as you don't over wear your contacts and give your eyes a rest from them often. It's not the contacts that are so bad it's the way people abuse their eyes with how much they wear them that is bad. Glasses are not nearly so hard on the eyes.

By the way what sports do you do?

Juicebox 10 Jul 2012, 10:10

Soundmanpt and Cactus Jack,

Thanks for the replies. I'll be sure to pass on the info if my friends really want glasses :) I really appreciate all the help and advice all of you here have given me! Though this may make some of you a little disappointed to know Ive decided to get contacts, but just so I can use them for sports and going out rather than all the time.

Cactus Jack 09 Jul 2012, 21:48

Juicebox,

Often, people who think they have perfect vision, really don't. When they discover what really good vision is like, they are very surprised.

Soundmanpt 09 Jul 2012, 20:24

Juicebox

I am not surprised that your finding that you can see far better wearing your glasses than going without them. Your friends are like many that I am coming across pretty often these days. Not at all unusual for some of your friends to be wanting glasses. If they are that serious they can always go and get their eyes checked, if they want to be prescribed a real prescription they should tell the doctor that they are having trouble seeing at night to drive, most every doctor I know will write a prescription of -.50 with AR coating (anti-reflective)It's only a very weak prescription much like your first one was except without any astigmatism correction. Or they can simply go to that web-site I told you about, "zennioptical.com" and order their glasses that way. They can get planos (lenses without any prescription) or they may want to get a tiny prescription so people will know they are real. Then they would order the same as what the doctor would prescribe for night driving -.50 lenses with AR coating.

Juicebox 09 Jul 2012, 15:28

Soundmanpt,

Sorry been away to Centre Parcs with friends from uni and haven't had Internet for ages. Yes my distance vision is so much clearer than before and I'm coming round to the idea of wearing them a lot more. My friends think they're pretty rad and most of them are complaining about having perfect vision because they want glasses! Haha. I don't drive so no need to worry about that.

Soundmanpt 08 Jul 2012, 11:52

Juicebox

It has been about 2 weeks since you got your new glasses. Are you finding that your wearing them a lot more than your previous glasses? Your distance vision has to be much better when your wearing them. One thing you should be sure to never do again is drive without your glasses as your uncorrected vision is no longer clear enough to be safe.

04 Jul 2012, 14:27

Yeah no name I guess you would since you can't even spell it. haha

no name 04 Jul 2012, 13:08

speak for yourself, not for me. I like the cutsey words.

04 Jul 2012, 12:15

WE would ALL appreciate the cessation of the cutesy words here.

Soundmanpt 04 Jul 2012, 11:51

Hilary

Your glasses history is very normal and the way you used your glasses was the right way as well. You wore them when you needed them to clear up things in the distance. I don't think you needed to wear your glasses more than what you did and it sounds like as your eyes changed and your glasses got a bit stronger over the 4 years you wore your glasses more often until like you say in the past year you went to full time wear. Wearing your glasses full time your eyes did get fully relaxed and probably helped in balancing your eyes out. Because of that now when you take your glasses off you notice the blur much more than when you only wore them when you needed them. but most everyone needs to wear their glasses full time when they get to around -2.00 or more. Your one eye had very little change over the past 2 years and the change in the other eye really isn't that much for being 2 years. I think you will need very little change in your prescription next year as well as in the future.

You were inviting questions so I do have one for you. The way your history went would seem to me to be the way most would want to go. You went from having perfect vision to only needing glasses once in a while to see the board at school or to go to the movies and you slowly wore them more often until 3 years later you went to full time wear. Am I right in thinking this was much better then going from perfect vision to full time wear right away? I would think most 17 year old girls would not be very comfortable with doing that? With that how did you feel about getting glasses even for part time wear? You seem to be fine with wearing glasses as you never mentioned anything about contacts.

04 Jul 2012, 11:00

Yeah I guess we should since you can't even spell it. haha

04 Jul 2012, 10:56

can we cut the cutesy playground click words like "pulssie" for new folks? thanks.

varifocals 04 Jul 2012, 07:45

Hi Hilary.

I am a plussie +3.25 add+2.50 so 5.75 to read which means I cant manage a newspaper without glasses.Distance is blurry but manageable but I have varifocals & wear full time. Headaches started my glasses journey.

Hilary 04 Jul 2012, 06:27

Thanks for your comments so to answer the questions.

Soundmanpt. I first got glasses because I had a bit of trouble seeing the board at school and the screen at the cinema and over the last 4 years I have used my glasses more and more,after the increase this time which is my biggest increase the Optician wants to see me in a years time.I think perhaps I should have worn my glasses more when I first got them.

Varifocals. If I don't wear them for any length of time I start to get a headache and just don't enjoy that 'fish out of water feeling'.What is your prescription?

Dan.I had noticed for a while that my left eye in particular was blurry and I think my first prescription was about 1.25 in both eyes.I guess you are like me and don't enjoy the blur.

Soundmanpt 02 Jul 2012, 12:05

Hilary

For starting with glasses when you were 17 your prescription is not bad at all. I would assume that your first glasses were likely mostly for driving and seeing the boards at school clearly? In a way of a question I am always curious what was it that caused you to get your eyes examined back then? Your vision only really changed a bit in the one eye and not all that much for being 2 years or more. You only have a very slight astigmatism in both eyes now which should allow you to read without your glasses, which is nice if you like to read in bed. Your current rx looks like your eyes have just balanced themselves out. Also being 21 now your vision shouldn't change much over the next few years. When were you told that you need to come back again for your next exam?

varifocals 02 Jul 2012, 10:40

Hilary.

I read your contribution with great interest. I notice your perscription is not too strong but you wear full time which is sensible & saves you getting eye strain.

Do you ever have them off for a short peiod then feel your eyes straining, a fish out of water feeling.

I am a plussie & wear full time preferring eye comfort.

Dan 02 Jul 2012, 08:11

Hilary,

Looks like your left eye had an increase of -1. Did you notice it was blurry? I have a prescription about one diopter less and wear fulltime. I also got glasses when I was 17 and have had them for almost 7 yrs now. Do you remember your first prescription?

Hilary 02 Jul 2012, 04:33

I have just had my eyes tested and have ordered new glasses.My latest prescription is R sph -2.50, cyl -0.25, axis 165. L sph -2.50 cyl, -0.25, axis 5. My previous prescription in 2010 was R sph -2.25, cyl +0.50, axis 75. L sph -1.50 nothing was written in the cyl or axis columns. I have been wearing glasses for 4 years now and have been wearing them all the time now for about 12 months. I am 21 and will answer any questions.

Soundmanpt 01 Jul 2012, 10:48

Flaine

I am not sure if 16 - 17 years old is considered the peak, but probably someone did do a study to find that may be on average the years when bigger increases tend to happen. I think it is safe to say that teen years in general can have spurts much like how someone may seem to go at a certain point. Also sometimes there may not be any spurts but just a slower increase each year for a while. That is also why some peoples vision may stop changing at 19 or 20 and others much later. Same way with being pregnant, a high percentage of women will have a change in their vision during this time, but not everyone. Why? Who knows? It just depends on which part of her body is effected more or less.

Flaine 01 Jul 2012, 10:17

Maybe i have weird eyes, mine certainly didn't get any worse when i was 16-17, so called the peak. How long ago was your last checkup, if u dont mind me asking.

R 01 Jul 2012, 04:20

Hi girl with glasses - yes the numbers going up means you got more myopic or nearsighted. Your prescription is quite strong - ur new one is almost the same as mine which is -8.50 / -8.25 -1.00x96, but it should not cause you big problems in the long term. 16 is a common age for the biggest increases to occur and it is likely you eyes will keep getting worse into your early 20s - I'm 25 and my eyes didn't change in the past 2 years for the first time when I had my eyes tested a few weeks ago. You will probably get 2 or 3 more diopters before your eyes stop changing. I you have more questions you can email me jwguest47@yahoo.com

girl with glasses 30 Jun 2012, 23:25

if the numbers on your prescription get higher, it means your vision got worse, right? but exactly how much worse? my prescription just went up from re -6.75 le -6.25 to re -8.00 le -7.50. btw i'm 16. is that terrible?

Juicebox 30 Jun 2012, 07:44

ehpc,

Its a song by The Strokes, one of my favourite bands, I just so happened to be listening to it at the time haha! Plus it has the line "Everybody sees me/ but it's not that easy"... seemed somewhat on topic!

Juicebox 30 Jun 2012, 07:42

Soundmanpt,

Thanks for the advice, I'll look for some frames on the net later today. I really hope my eyes don't change much more, I kind of like having the option to not wear specs if I don't have to!

ehpc 29 Jun 2012, 18:54

Agirl can't do anything more right than wear hot black rectangular plastic frames with wide sides fitted with minus lenses, JuiceBox :) (Juicebox - what a wonderful nom-de-plume:)) And you have even got admiration from both genders - Carrie and myself. Carrie's posts are always great -she has great taste in girls:) Interesting how a man liking girls and a girl liking girls can find the same women attractive :) Pete

Soundmanpt 29 Jun 2012, 18:19

Juicebox

Like Melyssa said it has taken her a good number of years to amass so many, but you should not try starting a large collection until your eyes have stopped changing. Then of course it would make wearing glasses much more fun to have so many to pick from. Most days Melyssa changes her glasses 3 or 4 times.

I do recommend that you consider getting another pair of glasses as well as a pair of prescription sunglasses as well. As you wear your glasses I think you may find that it will become harder and harder to go without them. And if something were to happen to them, like getting lost or broken, you could be in a bad position. But the good news is you don't have to buy expensive glasses for a backup or for sunglasses. have a look at some of the on-line retailers and you will find you can purchase glasses for much less then you paid for your Prada glasses. My favorite one is zennioptical.com I have ordered many hundreds from there over the years for both friends as well as the non profit vision group I am with. You can get some nice glasses for anywhere around $12.00 to around $25.00. that is for either regular glasses or sunglasses in your prescription.

I am not sure if you drive or not but no matter how else you wear your glasses you really need to wear your glasses when you drive now as your vision is not good enough without.

Melyssa 29 Jun 2012, 14:41

Juicebox,

I have frames that I purchased in 1984, to frames I bought this year. There are four sets that I have two of, in different colors. Of course, besides color, I like variety in my large frames, so I have drop-temples, cat's-eyes, other feminine styles, and some unisex frames. I try to match frame color with dress or blouse/skirt color whenever possible.

Three things in my favor are that the glasses prices have been reasonable, the frames have held up very well (maybe a half dozen or thereabouts have not), and that my prescription has not changed since 1992.

Juicebox 29 Jun 2012, 14:19

ehpc and Carrie,

Glad I'm doing something right then!

Juicebox 29 Jun 2012, 14:17

Melyssa,

42? That's pretty rad! I am a firm believer in the saying 'if it fits, buy it in every colour' and I guess the same could go for glasses :) I'm guessing it has taken quite a while for you to amass such a collection?

Carrie 29 Jun 2012, 14:17

Ehpc

I also like black rectangular frames on girls. not bothered if it's a minus or a plus prescription. Of course I like girls with rimless glasses with a minus prescription more, well one special lady in particular - my gorgeous girlfriend (obviously)! :-)

Juicebox 29 Jun 2012, 14:13

Soundmanpt,

In a word: YES! Haha, they make such a difference! I don't think I'll be comfortable enough with full time wear, but they will definitely be out of the case a lot more than my others.

Melyssa 29 Jun 2012, 13:41

Juicebox,

I was disappointed then about not being able to wear contacts, but the following year I got my first pair of drop-temples frames and I have enjoyed wearing glasses since, to the tune of 42 pairs of big, bold, and beautiful plastic frames.

ehpc 29 Jun 2012, 12:43

Black rectangular plastic frames with minus lenses are the hottest glasses a girl can have, JuiceBox :) Pete

Soundmanpt 29 Jun 2012, 11:13

Juicebox

Glad to hear you got your glasses today. Were you amazed at how much difference they make? Your eyes will adjust to them very quickly. It's a good idea you plan on wearing them right away. You will be pleasantly surprised at all the complements you will get on your glasses and how nice they look etc. In a couple of days you will wonder how you were able to get by without them. That will be due to your eyes becoming more relaxed and not straining to see.

But do continue to update us on how your doing with wearing your glasses with comments and reactions you get from being seen wearing glasses.

Juicebox 29 Jun 2012, 10:38

ehpc,

I went for black, rectangle Prada ones :)

Juicebox 29 Jun 2012, 10:36

Melyssa,

When I went they asked if I wanted to try lenses but I just wasn't ready to try. Maybe next time when I'm used to wearing glasses more. The thing that scares me most about them is having to put something in my eye, I think it would be bad with the soft ones, can't imagine what it would be like to have hard plastic in my eyes! Were you disappointed that you couldn't wear contacts?

ehpc 29 Jun 2012, 09:35

What style frames have you got, JuiceBox? :)

Melyssa 29 Jun 2012, 07:22

Juicebox,

Best of luck with your glasses; I guarantee they will be of great value to you.

One time a lot of many years (okay, decades) ago, I wanted to see if I could wear contact lenses. Well, the eye doctor (and others afterwards) told me that I could only wear hard lenses due to my vast astigmatism, and after about 1.5 seconds of having a test lens in my eye, I decided to continue with glasses. Oy, did that lens hurt!

And as for having others apply mascara on you, the only person who ever did that to me was my mother when she was teaching me how it works. With my -9.00 RX, I look over whatever glasses I'm wearing, being within a few inches of the mirror to apply mascara and other items.

Juicebox 29 Jun 2012, 05:52

Soundmanpt,

Yeah I was a bit surprised as my sister has been going once a year since she got glasses, however she goes to an independent one back home, and I went to a Specsavers at uni. Which kind of answers your second question, I started uni and thats why I got an eye test, because it was the cliche of not being able to read lecture screens etc. My degree is in film as I want to become an editor.

My glasses came to today but I guess the real test will be wearing them in front of people at home as they never really saw me in glasses before, thanks for being so welcoming!

John S 28 Jun 2012, 22:17

Lydia,

I only know of one way to slow/stop the progression, but it is not going to be an easy trip. I can understand why you are worried, and I would be too in your situation. It is a hard call to make. Her myopia could stop tomorrow, or it could just keep progressing for years.

The option with no real side effects is, asking the doctor to prescribe a strong reading add, and set it high in the frame. This will minimize the accommodation muscle action, that COULD be adding to the growth. This could help, it may do absolutely nothing. Basically a strong bifocal. It is certainly the easiest, and is completely safe. If her pair of -3.50 glasses are still usable, you could ask her use those when she is reading. That will have the same effect as a bifocal would. She would have to remember to do it.

You can NOT reduce her rx, unless it is done by surgery. Lasik is usually not an option once the rx reaches -8 to -10. No one would perform the operation until the rx becomes stable.

An IOL implant could be done. If it was me, that would a last ditch effort. You would not do until she is at least in her 20s.

I think your best option is, see a doctor that does specialize in progressive myopia as C.J. said. An option could be to treat her eyes with a drug that paralyzes the eye muscles. I do NOT know what the long term effects of using this drug are. Your daughter's natural focusing ability would no longer work as long as she is using the eye drops. The latter is no big deal, she would just need to wear glasses that had a reading add in the bottom of the lens to manually focus for reading (a bifocal).

Since the eye muscles are paralyzed, the muscles may not be able to force the eye to grow longer. I want to stress again, there may be other side effects beside making her accommodation muscles not work.

You obviously care about her well being. If I was in your shoes, I would check on the possibility of the drug treatment. If you do, please post your findings.

Here are a few articles that address progressive myopia.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120605172038.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080826080805.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2195748

http://eyespecialistclinic.com.sg/othereyeconditionsub.php?id=14

Soundmanpt 28 Jun 2012, 17:41

Juicebox

I am a bit surprised that your doctor said you didn't need to come back in a year. If your vision had been perfect back in 2010 then I can understand allowing 2 or even 3 years before having you come back again. But the fact that you were given a prescription, though rather weak but none the less your vision wasn't perfect, I would have thought they would want you back in a year to see how your vision may have changed. it is very common that when you start wearing glasses for the first time that your vision may still be changing. No doubt you likely needed an increase after the first year.

Just curious, you got your first glasses when you 18, that is about the time you graduate from high school and start working or go to college or both. Did something change in what you were doing that may have effected your vision? Meaning like were you doing much more close work or maybe sitting at a computer all day?

By the way I don't know what they may have told you this time about when you should return, but I suggest that you should get your eyes checked in a year next time.

I can't help you if you have that much fear of touching your eyes with the idea of contacts, but I really think the you get used to wearing your glasses and your eyes adjust to them the more you will feel like you need to wear them. It sounds like you picked out some very nice glasses, Prada is a well known designer of fine eyewear. I would think you will be getting many complements on them.

Also glad you decided to join in and not be a lurker anymore. Welcome!

Juicebox 28 Jun 2012, 14:55

Soundmanpt,

Thanks for your response :) Yeah things were getting harder to make out which is why I went back earlier than the 2 years they suggested. I'm 20 years old by the way, sorry forgot to put that in my original post! I don't know how well I'd get on with contacts because I hate anything going anywhere near my eye...even other people doing my mascara is enough to freak me out, but I'll try anything once. I went with a pair of Prada glasses in the hope that I'd where them more!

Cactus Jack 28 Jun 2012, 14:35

Lydia,

Anything is possible. Myopia is caused by a mismatch between the total power of the eye's lens system and the distance between the back of the crystalline lens and the retina. Most babies are born with hyperopia because their eyeballs are small and must fit in inside the bony structure of the eye socket. The also have incredible accommodation range and once they learn how to use their ciliary muscles to squeeze their super flexible crystalline lenses, they can effortlessly focus at very close distances even though they are actually far sighted.

The laws of optics as codified by Sir Isaac Newton about 300 years ago cares nothing about age, only optical power as it relates to focal distance. For you daughter to be nearsighted, one of two things must be in play. Her lens system (cornea, aqueous humor, crystalline lens, and vitreous humor) must have too much optical power for the length of the eyeball or the eyeball must be too long for the power of the lens system. In most cases, the eyeball is actually too large for the socket and it can only push out through the back membrane or in front. In rare cases, the crystalline lens is growing too fast or even more rarely the cornea has too much power.

Where eyeball length is involved, the amount of excessive length is about 0.6 mm per diopter and -5.50 is nothing to get very excited about right now, but the rate of increase is, about 2 D per year up from 1 D per year.

I believe you are new to this site. You need to understand that I AM NOT and eye care professional (ECP), but background is electronics and computer engineering. My knowledge comes from study of optics and optical physics to help understand and help solve my own vision problems. I am an amateur in the original sense of the word. I urge you to consult a specialist ECP and get a professional 2nd opinion regarding your daughter's prognosis and management of her myopia.

Lydia 28 Jun 2012, 13:49

Cactus Jack,

Thanks for your thoughtful response. My husband and I are both nearsighted, -3 and -4 respectively. It's a little scary for our 8 year old girl to need stronger glasses than either of us. At the start of the exam, with her old glasses, she could only see the top 2 or 3 lines of the chart. The optometrist put the refraction machine in front of her and began to turn the large dial on the side of the machine. I just knew that each time the dial turned, the lens was getting stronger, and it kept on turning. As it turned out (pun intended) I was right. My heart went out to my little girl. The optometrist said she was not overly concerned, that it is normal for children to get more nearsighted every year. My impression was that the big increases usually come during and after puberty. Is it possible that if her eyes change rapidly now, they will slow down later on?

Cactus Jack 28 Jun 2012, 13:20

Lydia,

Just as with clothing sizes, you cannot judge a glasses prescription for your daughter by what other children need. It is apparent that your daughters Rx is increasing more rapidly than is typical.

Generally, increases in myopia are caused by eyeball growth which is ultimately controlled by genetic factors and influenced by environmental factors. While you did not say so explicitly, I got the impression that both you and your husband are myopic which could be a factor in her myopia.

Theories abound regarding environmental factors in myopic progression, but young children spend a lot of time reading and doing other very close work. There is some evidence that unfocused images on the retina and accommodative effort may be a factor in eye growth hormone production which ideally regulates eyeball growth to match optical needs and head size growth.

Occasionally, young children are fitted with bifocals to reduce accommodative effort and hopefully slow down myopic progression. Unfortunately, there is no way to directly measure its effectiveness because other growth factors are active in childhood.

I would urge you to consider having your daughter seen by a pediatric ophthalmologist or a specialist in progressive myopia. Hopefully, they might be able to offer suggestions on ways to reduce the increase. At this rate, she will be in double digits by her teens. Anything that slows down the progression of her myopia is worth considering and even trying for the potential future benefits. Very high myopia carries very high risks to vision.

Lydia 28 Jun 2012, 11:57

My daughter is 8. In kindergarten, the nurse sent a note home that she failed the vision screening and probably needed glasses, so we took her to our optometrist and she got -1.25. In first grade, it was -2.25. At the beginning of second grade it was -3.50. A few days ago she told me "mommy, I can't see" so I made another appointment. Our optometrist prescribed her -5.25 in one eye and -5.50 in the other. This is stronger than her father or me. I asked the doctor if I should be concerned and she said she has seen kids her age with worse vision. We got the prescription filled. She says she can see much better, but her new glasses look much stronger than other kids her age. Is this normal?

Soundmanpt 28 Jun 2012, 11:42

Juicebox

Your vision has changed quite a bit in the past 21 months. Your examine in Sept of 2010 meant that you hardly needed glasses at all. Just enough to sharpen things up a bit. But your recent exam indicates that your uncorrected vision is much less clear and sharp and even signs must be hard to make out? I agree with your doctor and really he / she is being rather nice in saying you need to wear them more often. I think you are very close to needing them full time. However as we all know that is your decision to make.

You didn't state your age? But there is no hard and fast rule about when myopia progression will slow or stop. It is more of a general rule that most will slow/stop in their early to mid 20's. But there are people in here that never even got their first glasses for myopia until they were nearly 30.

Sorry to hear you hate wearing glasses, but you have the option of contacts if you choose. but be assured that if decide to stay with glasses, now glasses are as much of a fashion item as they are necessary to see with. You may be pleasantly surprised at how many complements you will get wearing them. Just be sure to pick out a flattering style that fits your face well.

Juicebox 28 Jun 2012, 10:29

Been a lurker here for a while but only recently got another eyetest. My first one was in September 2010 and was

R -0.5 -0.25 170

L -0.5 -0.25 30

Didn't really wear them that much... my new one is (June 2012)

R -1.75 -0.25 165

L -1.75 -0.25 25

From what I've read here I thought myopic progression was supposed to slow down? Really hate wearing glasses and they said that I should wear them more often :(

Cactus Jack 28 Jun 2012, 05:31

michael,

I would suggest ordering some glasses in your Rx in a frame similar to hers. Order the lenses made with CR-39 or lens material with the lowest index of refraction possible. CR-39 has an index of about 1.50 and also some really excellent optical characteristics.

The circles you described, also called power rings, are actually internal reflections of the edges of the lenses. The edge thickness and an unpolished edge will make them more obvious. The larger the lens, the thicker the edge so that might be a consideration. You might inquire about making the glasses with a thicker lens blank or as safety glasses to get a thicker and physically stronger lens (thicker in the center and subsequently thicker edges if you want. For your purposes here, you may want to avoid an AR coating because it might reduce the appearance of the power rings.

Here is where it gets a little tricky. At your age, you can probably tolerate as much as 2.00 diopters of over correction in sphere. If you decide to do that, only increase the sphere (first number in the Rx) by the amount you choose (same amount in each eye). DO NOT change the cylinder (2nd number) or the axis (3rd number), but copy them exactly. Initially, over correction will require more effort on your part to read or use the computer, but that will usually go away in a few days. A bit of caution here, over correction may cause a more rapid increase in your actual Rx than would normally occur at your age.

For lowest cost I would suggest Zenni Optical, but you might also want to consider Optical 4 Less. They used to have a special makings department and on special order they would make relatively low Rx glasses using very thick blanks. Blank thickness does not directly affect the Rx in a lens, only the difference in the curvature of the front surface and the back surface affect the Rx. You can also request a lens with a 0.00 or plano Base Curve if you want the front surface of the lens to be flat. In the latter instance, an AR coating would reduce the reflections of the flat front surface.

If you have questions about any of this, please ask.

Asdoo 27 Jun 2012, 23:20

I think I talked to you on yahoo answers about this.

michael 27 Jun 2012, 22:28

age 18.

i wear glasses, -2.50.

i want to get glasses that look like hers to remind me of her when we're not together.

Specs4Me 27 Jun 2012, 22:27

Apparently Cactus Jack and I were writting our resposes at the same time. Listen to CJ's advice, he is far more knowledgable than I am and can point you in the right direction.

I agree with his comments about how she might feel if you were to wear glasses of that strength that you don't really need.

Specs4Me 27 Jun 2012, 22:23

Based on your comment that the fronts are plano (flat) her Rx would be at least -9.00 diopters. That is pretty strong, if you were to get a pair with that strength you will not be able to see anything but blur. You could get the appropriate plus contacts to wear under those glasses which would thn allow you to see clearly. If you are interested in wearing Glasses Over Contacts (GOC), go the the "Glasses over contacts" thread and post your interest there and I'm sure you will get the help you need to accomplish this.

Cactus Jack 27 Jun 2012, 22:19

michael,

We can make a guess, but I would like to suggest that you re-think what you are proposing, from her point of view. If you really like her, it is highly unlikely that she will appreciate the "humor" of your wearing glasses with an Rx or an appearance of an Rx approaching hers, unless you really need a strong minus Rx yourself. She would likely interpret your action as making fun of her or worse.

What you have described is a fairly strong prescription and if you do not need a prescription of that strength, it is unlikely that you will find them comfortable to wear and your vision with them would be very poor.

A couple of questions:

1. Your age?

2. Do you wear glasses?

3. Your Rx?

4. If you do not wear glasses, would you like to?

michael 27 Jun 2012, 20:42

there's this girl i really like who wears glasses that are different. i want to order glasses like hers just for fun and to surprise her with. i know i can order them online. i don't know her prescription but i can describe the glasses. they're pretty nerdy plastic frames and the lenses stick out at the front and back. the lenses pinch her cheeks in and make everything look really tiny. i can swear that the lenses are totally flat and not curved like normal glasses. and they have at least a dozen circles around the edges. can someone tell me what her prescription is? it doesn't have to be exact, approximate is good enough.

RL 27 Jun 2012, 10:39

THe thing with the bicincaves is that you have to look through the middle of the lens (Goes for myodiscs too) but I think in that middle "Sweet spot" the image quality is the best of all types of lenses.

GOCer 26 Jun 2012, 12:09

I've wondered the same about the superior image quality of biconcaves. I have various pairs both biconcave and plano fronts from -16 up to -20 in CR39 lenses.

Biconcaves produce more distortion at the edges, it seems. It takes a while to get used to it and it can almost be nauseating. Peripheral vision also suffers due to the distortion at the edges of the lens.

The plano front lenses I've worn in that power range seem to provide better peripheral vision and less distortion, but the quality of the image overall is noticeably poorer. They might be cheaper to produce, because that's all I get nowadays when I order glasses at the discount online sites.

Cactus Jack 25 Jun 2012, 09:26

Julian,

The reply is on the way as you requested. Please advise receipt.

Cactus Jack 24 Jun 2012, 13:43

Julian,

I sent a rather lengthy reply to your Yahoo source mail box on June 19. I can send it again or to another mail address if you wish. Feel free to use the hotmail address.

Cactus Jack 24 Jun 2012, 13:35

Julian,

Yes I did and I though I answered. Let me check and see if I can figure out what happened.

Julian 24 Jun 2012, 11:00

Cactus: I sent you an email last Sunday with a query about a story I'm working on. Did it ever reach you? I addressed it to cactusjack1928@hotmail.com - is that right?

Cactus Jack 23 Jun 2012, 21:04

Bryan,

You are correct, they are stronger. If you are smart, you will not disagree with her or comment on their strength. Keep your mouth shut or you may wish you had.

bryan 23 Jun 2012, 20:49

i just found this site and i dont know if its the rite place but i have a question

my girlfriend just got new glasses. she says her vision improved and theyre weaker but they seem stronger to me

who is rite?

old one

od -6.50 sph

os -6.25 sph -1.25 cyl 80 axis

new one

od -7.75 sph -0.50 cyl 95 axis

os -7.50 sph -1.75 cyl 85 axis

the new rx has higher numbers, does that mean weaker or stronger?

RL 19 Jun 2012, 11:51

Ellie,

The biconcave lenses are available from Optima (The manufacturer I think) they come in a mid-index material with -2, -4, and -6 base curves. I requested them from the optician and there was no problem getting them. I just always had a sharper image with the biconcaves especially with the -2 fronts. The first time I got them was at -11 which was about 10 years ago. I have some plano fronted glasses and theye're ok too. I just like the image in the biconcaves better.

Ellie 19 Jun 2012, 02:37

Hi, I used to go by the pseudonym Chrissi since I always liked the sound of it, but I've decided to just go by a different name now. I hope no one minds. Anyway. RL, I have a similar rx to yours but I've always had either regular or Plano fronted glasses. I don't have the exact rx with me, but it is something like -13 right and -12 left. I had been meaning to schedule an appt to get a new glasses rx, but since I'm getting new contacts soon (which are what I mainly wear), I might hold off on glasses for a few more months. Not sure if I would get biconcave lenses, but out of curiosity, how do you get them? I know that they're generally only available for high prescriptions, but doesthe doctor have to specify on your rx? Do you request them personally when you order? Thanks!

RL 18 Jun 2012, 21:22

Are there any high myopes out there that have had a similar experience with biconcave lenses as mentioned in my previous post?

RL 18 Jun 2012, 15:20

My current prescription is R -11.50 -.50 X 75, L -15.00 -.25 X 75. I have both myodiscs with 28mm bowls and full field high index biconcave glasses. I like the myodiscs for their light weight but I've been using the full field biconcave glasses lately because I really like the image quality with the minus 2 base curves.

RL 16 Jun 2012, 15:32

Regarding base curves. I got my first plano base curves at -9.25, my first biconcaves (-2.00 BC)at -11.00 and my first myodiscs (back to plano BC) at -14.00. Never needed any prism.

hoffide 14 Jun 2012, 23:01

Here are my new prism glasses with 14 prism base out each eye. It was very difficult for my optician to find a producer. Without glasses my left eye turns inward.

http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/hoffide/

Cactus Jack 14 Jun 2012, 19:27

Specs4Me,

A bifocal add cannot DIRECTLY correct or compensate for double vision because they generally do not have any significant prism component. There is usually what appears to be a tiny amount of Induced Prism because the PD of the bifocal segment is a few mm less than the PD of the distance part of the lens. This difference is intended to correct for the fact that your eyes naturally have to converge when you read or focus close. Too much convergence or not enough causes double vision.

The brain has a rather sophisticated eye muscle control system. It is able to control the motion of the eyes left, right, up, down, and obliquely both individually and together to make them track through a broad range of motion and ideally maintain fusion of images from both eyes. The brain also has a focus control system to control the action of the ciliary muscles. The two are tied together so that when your eyes converge to focus close, that action also causes the ciliary muscles to squeeze the crystalline lenses to increase their plus power to focus the close images on the retinas. The connection is two way, the act of trying to focus the crystalline lenses will also cause the eyes to converge.

You may have noticed that the majority of people who have crossed eyes also are hyperopic and often wear plus glasses. So how does all this tie together?

Depending on the strength of the connection between the positioning muscle control system and the focusing system when a person has uncorrected hyperiopia, they can often correct it internally using their ciliary muscles and crystalline lenses. However, that may cause the eyes to converge or over-converge (cross) when trying to focus even distant images. Depending on a number of factors, it may be possible to use plus lenses or a bifocal add to focus the images and keep the focus control system relaxed and avoid convergence. In other situations, where the eyes are crossed for a number of reasons, it may be necessary to use Base Out prism to fuse the images. And in some situations it is necessary to use prism and bifocals to keep images fused throughout the full range of motion.

There are a number of problems with prism correction. One of the problems is that when the eyes are turned inward or outward and corrected with prism, some of the total range of motion is used up. In a person with normal vision, the eyes are generally pointed straight ahead with the optical axes parallel. When they read at a typical 16 inches or 40 cm, their eyes are converged the equivalent of about 7 prism diopters BO in each eye to fuse the two images. If that person is fitted with 10 prism diopters BO in each eye because of muscle imbalance or other reason and they want to read at 16 inches or 40 cm, each eye will have to turn inward approximately 17 prism diopters to fuse the two images (10 + 7). Fortunately, the eyes have quite a bit of lateral range, but depending on an individuals circumstances, they may or may not be able to converge that much or may try to converge more. The result is double vision when trying to read.

There can also be problems with breaking fusion we you look to the side and one eye hits the stop before the other one. Again, double vision.

Fortunately, there is even a solution for that situation where the bifocal segment has a different amount of prism than the distance part.

Prism is a very complex subject and my experience has been that many Eye Care Professional seem to be reluctant to deal with it. I hope I have not confused the situation too much with the above explanation.

Wes 13 Jun 2012, 13:08

Soundmanpt - your solution for crossed eyes sounds interesting but could you explain a little more how this works?

thanks

Wes

13 Jun 2012, 09:53

yeah instead you will have one giant magnified eye and one tiny eye next to each other. um... maybe the "pirate" look (as YOU call it) isn't so bad after all.

Soundmanpt 13 Jun 2012, 08:28

Joyleene

Instead of using the patch idea something else that works just as well and keeps you from looking like a pirate is to order a cheap pair of glasses on line and get your proper rx in the the lazy eye and much stronger rx in your better eye It can be any rx you want to make it but just so it makes it too difficult to see clearly out of that eye. This forces your lazy or weaker eye to have to work so you can see. This gives the same effect as wearing a patch, but without the patch.

Joyleene 13 Jun 2012, 08:12

Well thank you for your replies, I may see about the bifocal lens. I tried this before once though and couldn't handle the line on the bifocal. I will try the exercises as well but am not too keen on the eye patch idea!

Bubba 12 Jun 2012, 15:42

Thank you specs thats good to know. Now i have heard there are exercises for crossed eyes too so shes getting a book on this. Her left eye vision is not too good but shes gotten used to it

Specs4Me 12 Jun 2012, 14:56

Joleene,

Sorry for the miss-spelling of your name.

Specs4Me 12 Jun 2012, 14:55

Wes/Bubba,

As CJ mentioned, using of an eye patch is only effective in children. It is most effective if done before a child begins school because the good eye is patched and the child is dependent on the weaker eye. Therefore, if this person is older than 6 or 7 the possibility of success drops like a rock.

I'm very familiar with this process because I have amblyopia and my good eye was patched as I began 1st grade. Because I could not see properly I could not read the black board, yes I'm old enough that even green boards were not in use, and ran into things because I could not see where they were properly. As a result I soon refused to wear the patch and now I only have usable vision in one eye. The result is that I have very limited depth perseption which can be extremely annoying to say the least.

Specs4Me 12 Jun 2012, 14:46

Jolyene,

Prism is used for more than crossed eyes; however, in most cases that requre prism there is a double vision issue at hand. In my case, my line of sight from both eyes is wider than the optimum (often called wall-eyed) which would cause double vision except for the fact that I also have amblyopia and therefore only use one eye thus eliminating the double vision. If both my eyes worked I would need prism to bring the line of sight together as opposed to your case of bringing your line of sight apart with prism. Eyes can also be offline up and down which is also corrected with prism.

Someone mentioned that it is possible that your problem could be solved with the use of bifocals, this, to the best of my understanding is correct. With the use of bifocals your eyes would not have to go through the normal crossing that occurs as we try to read things at normal reading distances. CJ, correct me if I have misunderstood some of this.

Wes 12 Jun 2012, 13:24

Bubba, maybe she could try an eye patch? Not so stylish I guess but maybe there's a chance it could bring back her vision in one eye?

Bubba 12 Jun 2012, 12:59

Some interesting facts there cactus jack. This lady certainly has crossed eyes but don't know if she can only use one eye. I'll tell her to go see the eye doc.

John S 12 Jun 2012, 07:19

Joyleene,

Sometimes a strong reading add will also help. That is common among kids. The doctor will prescribe an add to keep the eyes from turning in while reading.

Do you know your rx?

Joyleene 12 Jun 2012, 06:54

Dave - signs of needing prism is crossed eyes/double vision. Anyone qualified to prescibe glasses can prescribe prism, it's just some boxes to fill in on the script! I have eyes that cross pretty bad if I'm doing a lot of close work so I'm finding problems even with glasses though. If you're finding yout eyes are crossing if you're reading then you most likely need prism.

Dave 12 Jun 2012, 06:15

A few questions about prism:

can optometrist prescribe or is it ophthamologist?

what symptoms do you have if you need prism?

how is it measured?

I have some discomfort like both eyes are not working together properly but can't put my finger on what it is.

Thanks if anyone knows.

Joyleene 12 Jun 2012, 06:06

321 - well I guess you answered your own question there. Unfortunately, glasses help but don't eliminate the problem with crossed eyes. True I should have gotten surgery at a young age but it didn't happen so now I am 31 and have this issue with seeing double. Not like, completely double, all the time but if I'm doing close work I start to see double after some time and that's why I'm thinking about surgery.

321 12 Jun 2012, 04:20

Sorry, but that sounds almost unbelievable Joyleene. When someone with crossed eyes is prescribed glasses, they are given lenses that compensate for the crossing problem to all but eliminate it. If not, surgery is usually given much early in life.

How old are you now, and how did you get through life this long seeing double everywhere?

Joyleene 12 Jun 2012, 03:43

My eyes cross but the trouble is I can see double even with glasses. I am seriously considering asking for surgery.

Cactus Jack 12 Jun 2012, 01:45

Bubba,

They probably WILL NOT improve. If her eyes are crossed and she does not wear glasses, it is probably because she does not have vision in both eyes. Most people whose eyes are crossed, but do not need glasses have amblyopia from childhood where the brain has decided to ignore one of the images, usually the worst of the two. Amblyopia can often be corrected, if caught and treated before 6 or 7, after that restoration of vision in the "blind" eye is very rare even if it becomes possible to fully correct it optically.

Vision occurs in the brain and the eyes are really nothing more than biological cameras. Once the brain decides that the image from one eye is worthless, it will usually ignore that image forever. There are very rare instances where the brain will decide to turn the corrected "bad" eye back on.

There are even rarer instances where, in the case of severe crossing, will switch between the two eyes depending on which eye is looking in the direction of interest. Those few individuals use the right eye to see to the left and the left eye to see to the right.

Bubba 12 Jun 2012, 01:02

Now my wifes friend has crossed eyes but won't be wearing glasses. So do her eyes gotten worse, stay same or improve?

RL 10 Jun 2012, 15:29

I got my first plano base curve lenses at -9.25.

myofan 10 Jun 2012, 12:10

"Plano Base Curve" means that the lenses need to be flat (plano) on the front. This normally happens when the prescription reaches about -9, but can apparently be made pretty much whenever the specifier requests it. The reason it's done is that the power of the lens depends on the difference between the curvature of the front of the lens (the "base curve") and the back of the lens. Lenses below about -9 generally have a positive curvature (are domed outward, slightly) but to keep the lens from being unnecessarily thick, above -9 the positive curve is no longer used.

They look cool, too.

nearsighted girl 10 Jun 2012, 11:42

Asdoo

I'm sorry, I'm not sure what that means. Is it good, bad or indifferent?

Asdoo 10 Jun 2012, 03:58

Nearsighted girl

I think it means plano basecurve.

minus 5 who luvs gwgs 10 Jun 2012, 01:53

My girl friend is minus 16.25 in her worst eye she really has no problems she wears glasses at all times except during intimacy and when sleeping As far as I can tell in practical terms at either minus 10 or minus 16 you can see very little without correction

nearsighted girl 10 Jun 2012, 01:06

I was so preoccupied with the other numbers that I just noticed that the dr. wrote something in the remarks section: "PLBC". Anyone know what that means?

myopeinhere 09 Jun 2012, 22:59

Nearsighted girl,on the flip side of all the doom mongering a friend of mine who was -10 at 18 has increased to -11 at the age of 42 so its no fourgone conclusion you'll hit high digits

Sappho 09 Jun 2012, 21:17

Nearsighted Girl

There is a way that you could try to slow your myopic progression and that is by not always wearing full correction. Obviously while driving or viewing a presentation you will need your full script but there seems to be a connection between the amount of close work during college years and the rate of progression. I wonder if you have tried wearing old glasses or weaker (sphere) glasses when you are spending some time on the computer etc and have no need to see further than the screen. You might find around -4 less than your current script would be helpful and at least you would feel that you were doing what you could to 'fight against' any increase, rather than accepting the inevitable, and you might feel your eyes are more relaxed during close work.

nearsighted girl 09 Jun 2012, 16:08

Rayray, I don't know anyone with such a high prescription. It sounds terrible. I hope you are wrong.

Rayray 09 Jun 2012, 15:43

I think the fact that your eyes have changed about 1.5 diopters in 10 months means that your rx will get quite a bit stronger before they stop probably -15 is a decent guess. I hope I have been a bit of help at least.

nearsighted girl 09 Jun 2012, 11:16

Hi Rayray,

I have worn glasses since I was 8. My previous exam was in August 2011, 10 months ago. I just graduated from high school and I'm going to college in the fall. Does that sharpen your crystal ball?

Rayray 09 Jun 2012, 02:38

Hi NG - No one - even the eye doctor can tell you with any degree of certainty - sorry about that - I know at your age it can be a bit scary with your rx going up all the time. My best guess is your rx will be about -13 to -15 by the time you are 25 assuming that it slows up around the age of 20 as mine did. Probably worst case scenario would be -20. When did you first get glasses and what was the prescription roughly? And the current change in your rx was that over the past year or 2 years? this would help me work out how fast your eyes are changing now.

nearsighted girl 08 Jun 2012, 17:25

Rayray -- do you have any idea how much worse my glasses are going to be between 18 and 25?

Rayray 08 Jun 2012, 16:39

Hi nearsighted girl - you got more nearsighted but your astigmatism got a little better. I have a similar rx (cureently around -8.5 / -9)to you and at 18 your eyes are still getting worse quite fast - the progression should slow in your 20s but as you have a high myopic prescription it is is likely tha small changes will continue into your late 20s. I am 25 and my eyes are still changing but quite slowly now.

Astra 08 Jun 2012, 12:27

Re: nearsighted girl 08 Jun 2012, 10:50

soundmanpt was incorrect. improved cyl does not mean improved sph.

old is equivalent to :

old:

od -8.75 -2.00 80

os -9.00 -2.00 105

new:

od -10.25 -1.50 85

os -10.75 -1.75 95

nearsighted girl 08 Jun 2012, 10:50

I thought my eyes had gotten worse -- they always do. I was confused by the prescription I got. The sphere numbers looked lower and so did the cylinder numbers. But I guess my new glasses are stronger anyway. It's pretty confusing. Soundman, I wish you were right.

anonymous 08 Jun 2012, 06:28

Or in case my explaination below was to hard and you haven't figured it out, her old prescription, converted to minus cyl, was:

OD -8.75 x -2.00 x80

OS -9.00 x -2.00 x105

Her new one is:

OD - 10.25 x -1.50 x 85

OS - 10.75 x -1.75 x 95

Nearsighted girl, I figure your eyes have gotten worse by -1.50D in your one eye and -1.75D in your other eye. Your astigmatism has lessened by -0.50D in one eye and by -0.25D in the other

anonymous 08 Jun 2012, 06:21

Soundman, you are a little off. Her old prescription with the plus cyl adds up to an equvilent of -9.75D and -10.00D. Her new prescription with the minus cyl adds up to -11.00D and - 11.62D. This is done as the doctors do - adding half of the cyl to the spherical. So technically speaking she has gone up by -1.25D in one eye and -1.62D in the other. This is a stronger prescription, so she has gone up a bit, but this is not unusual for an 18 year old

Soundmanpt 07 Jun 2012, 23:51

nearsighted girl

Well I have good news for you, your eyes got better.

Your old prescription The first numbers you see are your "sph" and that is how you see distance or close up. In your case it's distance, and your right eye has improved by -.50 and your left eye by -.25 not an huge difference but at 18 years old it is more common to see these numbers go the other way. Now the second set of numbers is your "cyl" or better put what your astigmatism is. by looking at how your old prescription was written as "+" it looks like you were examined by an opthamologist and your recent exam was done by an optometrist because it is written as a "-" number. But the bottom line is that again your right eye has improved by -.50 and your left eye by -.25. So again good news. Your vision in your right eye has improved more than in your left eye, but any improvement is good. By the way "cyl" or astigmatism means effects your vision at all distances. The last number is the "axis" and to you it means nothing and is nothing to do with the strength of your glasses. So all in all not a huge difference, but your eyes have improved a little at least.

nearsighted girl 07 Jun 2012, 22:53

i had an exam today and the eye doctor changed my prescription. it looks very different from my old one. can someone tell me if my eyes got better or worse?

old:

od -10.75 +2.00 170

os -11.00 +2.00 15

new:

od -10.25 -1.50 85

os -10.75 -1.75 95

btw i'm 18

Soundmanpt 05 Jun 2012, 12:50

jterap

Also if you are a good customer with the doctor you use they can call her doctor and get the real rx. I don't think they would or could refuse another doctor asking for a customer's rx. I would do that before paying for another exam, but if it has been very long since she got that exam with the doctor that is being unreasonable then maybe it is a good idea for her to get re examined.

I have to say all the years I have been around optics i have never heard of any optical shop purposely only giving a partial rx. I am finding more and more that are refusing to give out the PD. Their claim is that the PD is not a part of the actual eye exam and is a part of measuring for glasses. But what I have advised people is when they are making their appointment for an eye exam they should ask up front if they will provided a copy of their prescription as well as their PD measurement? I have found rather then loose a customer altogether they will usually provide everything needed to order glasses on line.

jterap 05 Jun 2012, 12:03

Thanks for all your advice. They talked her into buying some $500 glasses from them a few months ago and she hates them. I live in the city so next time she comes for a visit, I'll take her to my eye doctor, and next time I go there, I'll go talk to them myself.

Soundmanpt 05 Jun 2012, 10:28

jterap

Maybe it is just my nature, but I would not give up so easy. It may not do any good but I do think she should go back and ask in a nice way for her "complete prescription" and if they still don't provide it then she should let him or her have it. She should not have to go and again pay for an eye exam from somewhere else. Maybe by showing them what Cactus Jack posted as being a correctly written prescription they will fill in the missing blanks.

And of course when it is time for you, or any of your friends as well as your mother to get eye exams go somewhere else.

Cactus Jack 05 Jun 2012, 09:47

I checked the map. Canora, Saskatchewan, Canada is a small town a long way from a city of any size and there is probably only one eye doc for miles (Km) around and the temptation is just too great to not take advantage of that situation. Monopoly, anyone?

I am not sure what the rules are in Canada, but if your mother paid for an eye exam, she is entitled to the complete, accurate Rx she paid for and not some worthless scrap of paper.

It seems to me there are two choices, get the glasses from the local eye doc or wait until she makes a trip to a larger city were there is come competition and she can get a complete Rx.

Another possibility is to get the Rx or the glasses before these and read the Rx from those. Cylinder axis changes very slowly is at all and you might be able to come up with a wearable Rx that you could order for her online. If you can get a slightly older Rx, we may be able to help you some in ordering online.

jterap 04 Jun 2012, 22:03

Thanks for the help. My mom is 54 and she goes to an eye doctor in Canora, Saskatchewan, Canada, but I'm not sure which one.

Cactus jack 04 Jun 2012, 21:24

jterap,

The Rx makes marginal sense, but it is not complete. I suspect that they are trying to prevent her from getting glasses anywhere, but from them. I urge you to suggest that she get another Rx from a more reputable source.

If she wears bifocals, her Rx should look something like:

OD (R) sphere, cylinder, axis, add

OS (L) sphere, cylinder, axis, add

Assuming that she has some astigmatism, The Add will most likely be the same number somewhere between +1.00 and +3.00 depending on her age and visual environment.

A possible explanation would be an Rx like:

OD +1.25 / +1.00 x 0 Add +1.50

OS +1.75 / +1.75 x 0 Add +1.50

but I can't imagine a reputable Eye Care Professional leaving the axis blank instead of writing the actual axis and the lack of an Add is also suspicious. May I ask where you live, your mothers age, and where she got the Rx.

Crystal Veil 04 Jun 2012, 18:30

Dishonest

jterap 04 Jun 2012, 18:27

My mom has bifocals and wants to order new glasses online.

+1.25 / +1.00

+1.75 / +1.75

No sites will accept this prescription because there is no axis. A call to her doctor's office resulted in her being told there was no axis and the prescription was right. Everyone says that you need and axis if there is a cyl. Is this a valid prescription or is her doctor being dishonest?

Rayray 31 May 2012, 04:26

Hi CV - your comment about real life vs pictures is very true - in real life a lot of women -3 or -4 look very interesting but in pictures less so.

Crystal Veil 30 May 2012, 16:57

L: -11.00; c-1.25 v / R: -11.50; c-1.25 v (the prescription of my life partner. Note the -0.50 difference between L and R).

Funny how such preferences change in time. Twenty years back my favourite prescription was around +8.00, the prescription of my lady at the time.

Generally speaking (not about partners but views in the streets) I prefer minus above plus. Really strong minuses have become white ravens since alternatives for glasses became available but I still enjoy seeing ladies in glasses around -6 to -8. Photos don't show the effects of stronger lenses as well as sightings in real life. To me, a good photo of a lady in -12 glasses is about the equivalent of a good sighting of a lady in -7 or -8.

Soundmanpt 30 May 2012, 16:30

Sam

There is no one answer to your question. That is something that is determined by the individual that is wearing glasses when the they feel they need to put them on and leave them on. I know of people that wear glasses full time that are only -.50. There is no magic number. I generally think for most people it is somewhere around -1.25 or -1.50 but that is not a rule and some are better at tolerating blur and others want to be able to see as close to perfect as they can.

Sam 30 May 2012, 16:08

What strength would be considered full time?

Rayray 30 May 2012, 16:02

Ideal for me is in the -6 to -12 range. Any glasses that are required full time add to the attraction for me though.

RL 30 May 2012, 11:11

What about prescriptions where the eyes are different: Like -6 right, -9 left? Do you think that makes things more interesting?

lentifan 28 May 2012, 15:19

As much as possible, either way. I'm not that keen on low plus, but high plus, as in lenticular....... heaven!

JD 28 May 2012, 12:59

Ideal RX on a pretty woman is around -10 to -12. I don't like plus. Just my two cents worth.

RL 28 May 2012, 12:20

Realistically speaking, what do you think is the ideal minus prescription to have for overall looks and appeal to those of us who are interested in such things?

And what about on the plus side?

Soundmanpt 25 May 2012, 18:57

8 Ball

If squinting is what you want, much better to find someone that wears -1.25 or more and doesn't like wearing their glasses full time.

I must admit I kinda enjoy seeing the squinting myself don't we all?

Soundmanpt 25 May 2012, 18:53

8 Ball

If it were just an rx for +.75 glasses I would agree with you, however her astigmatism is certainly at a high enough stage where she should notice enough difference to make her glasses necessary. I really doubt that her vision will change very much in the future by wearing them full time. She should be more than able to remove them and still see quite well, just not perfect, but she can't see perfect now either. Yes she may get used to having them on but I don't think she would be dependent on them if she wasn't wearing them. But the big advantage for her will be that her eyes won't feel tired and sore anymore if she wears them and they should help with headaches.

By the way she may not need to squint to see something now without her glasses. A +.75 rx is not strong at all, that is why you can't find anything less than +1.00's over the counter and in some cases nothing less than +1.25. Like Cactus Jack said if she is on the young side her eyes can easily adjust for reading without them at least for a short time. But the astigmatism is much more likely to cause her problems at all distances.

8 Ball 25 May 2012, 16:11

Honestly Lynn, you should discard those glasses unless you want to become dependent upon them and start needing stronger, thicker lenses.

I've seen people wear glasses with light prescriptions just because they wanted the "look" only to find out later they had increasing difficulty functioning without them.

Besides to some of us, a beautiful woman squinting to see better is quite attractive.

Cactus Jack 24 May 2012, 23:44

Lynn,

Welcome to Eyescene and the interesting world of vision and vision correction.

It is highly unlikely that your vision is deteriorating very fast and may not be deteriorating at all. The key question that Soundmanpt asked is your age, followed closely by your occupation and visual environment.

It is highly likely that you have been a bit farsighted (hyperopia) for a long time as indicated by the sphere correction of +0.75. The interesting thing about being hyperopic is that if you are young enough, you have the built in ability to correct a moderate amount of hyperopia by using your built in auto-focus mechanism. Lots of hyperopes think they have perfect vision when they really don't. The very significant element in your Rx is the astigmatism correction of -1.50 cylinder the axis merely indicates the direction of the long axis of the cylinder and that just tells the lens maker how to orient the cylinder for the sharpest vision and the actual angle is not important unless it is not correct.

As Soundmanpt said, your astigmatism is enough to mess up your vision at all distances and unfortunately, you have no way to correct that except by using external lenses. Glasses offer the most accurate and hassle free correction. There are also contact lenses called Toric lenses that can sometimes correct astigmatism, but they can be expensive and often do not give very good correction. It may take an exam or two to get the cylinder and axis just right because you have to learn how to describe what you are seeing to the examiner, but even if they change some, your actual cylinder and axis probably didn't change very much. Astigmatism is caused by an unevenness in the front surface of the cornea. The actual cause is unknown, but it develops and changes very slowly.

Two things often happen to people who are hyperopic after they start wearing glasses. The most common thing is to need a relatively small increase in the sphere after a few months as their internal auto-focus mechanism relaxes because it no longer has to use some of its accommodation to correct for the hyperopia. The other is an earlier onset of presbyopia than is typical. Neither one is an earth shattering or life changing event, it just happens and you get some new glasses and go on with your life. Not a big deal unless you make it one.

Soundmanpt 24 May 2012, 17:26

Lynn

What has happened to you is often the way someone that thinks they are seeing fine discovers that their vision really isn't as good as they thought.

You did the right thing by getting your eyes checked and getting glasses as well. A couple of things you didn't say is what your age is,were you getting headaches very often and what type of work do you do? If you do a fair amount of close work I would think you will find your glasses very necessary and they should relax your eyes quite a bit. Also you if you were getting headaches wearing your glasses may help with that as well.

Not sure you know what your prescription means so I will try and break it down for you. Both your eyes are the same and need the same amount of correction, the only difference is in the axis number and that is not something you need to worry about. The +.75 in your eyes means that you mainly need correction for close up things. That doesn't mean you can't read something without your glasses but you should be able to read close much longer before your eyes tire out. Also with your glasses it should make the words a little bigger and that also makes it easier to read. The numbers in the middle is what might have been causing headaches if you were getting any. That is your astigmatism correction and those are a little on the high side. I would think when you first got your glasses and was wearing them the room may have been spinning to you? Astigmatism effects all distances so you should be able to see distance much clearer and sharper with your glasses on. So bottom line is that I think the more you get used to wearing them you will likely find that your vision will be much better wearing them full time very quickly. But even wearing them full time your vision will still be pretty good without them, but you may feel more comfortable wearing them.

lazysiow 24 May 2012, 17:24

The astigmatism is quite strong in that prescription so yes it does sound like full time is the way to go. Once your eyes get used to them, you'll probably start to have headaches without wearing them combined with the plus part.

Lynn 24 May 2012, 16:59

Hi everybody, I am a little bit worried about what happened to me 3 weeks ago. At lunchtime in our office cafeteria conversation was about a coworker's new glasses (new frames in fact). The glasses were passed around, and when my turn came I put them on and was quite stunned (though I didn't let it show) to experience a much sharper vision than I ever had.

I never thought I needed glasses before, but grabbed my courage over the weekend and walked into an eyewear store pretending I was looking for new frames, and might need an update of my prescription (which I didn't have at the time) also. The prescription I got reads like:

R: Sph+0.75 Cil.-1.50 Axis 80

L: Sph+0.75 Cil.-1.50 Axis 110

When I got my glasses 2 days later and put them on, it was like the world became razor-sharp. I am worried because I cannot recount whether or not my vision was always that bad without glasses (I never tried on somebody elses glasses before), and I fear that my eyes might get much worse quuickly Now I can still function pretty well without glasses, but when I see the difference that glasses make, shouldnt I wear them full-time? Or will I be obliged to do so shortly because of my eyesight further deteriorating?

varifocals 16 May 2012, 12:10

Ron.

Yes.

ron 16 May 2012, 11:30

I got new glasses around three months ago. The prescription is -2.5 in both eyes with slight astigmatism (-.25, -.50) in each eye. I was amazed at how much better my vision was with the new glasses. But now I feel like my prescription should be a little stronger. I felt this way after a while after my first pair of glasses too. I'm thinking about ordering a second pair and thinking about bumping up the prescription to -3 or maybe even -3.25. Would this be a good idea?

Dave09 11 May 2012, 16:23

I just picked up my first progressives

-4.25 -1.25

-4.00 -1.00

Add 2.225

hoffide 11 May 2012, 08:39

Brian

The left muscle moves 2mm to another position and the right muscle was folded 3 mm. it is very difficult to find the right length, because te eye is not stable at this time.

Brian 11 May 2012, 07:49

Hoffide, So did they overcompensate when they did the 1st eye muscle surgery since you went from needing Base In to Base out?

DWV 11 May 2012, 02:10

Seth:

If you'd like to prevent your myopia increasing, try ordering bifocals (or reading glasses) with an add of +2.50. That's enough power to relax your eyes completely at typical reading distances.

As for my own prescription:

-1.75/-0.50/158

-2.00/-0.25/030

Add +2.25

Very little change, 0.25 less minus and add, so the net reading power stays the same. Thanks to a scanner and laser printer, though, the trifocal lenses I ordered yesterday in vintage SRO frames will actually have +0.5 more near power.

hoffide 10 May 2012, 22:46

Brian

I think about the second eye muscle surgery. W/O glasses my left eye turns inwards, its very difficult to see anything, its all blur and doubble. I have worn prism since ten years: first 2 base in each eye, then 4 BI, 8 BI, 10 BI - then eye muscle surgery - after this 8 base out, 10 BO and now 14 BO, not so fun. The glasses are 15 mm outside.

Jamie32 10 May 2012, 21:37

Hey Seth,

Can't wait to hear more about your experiences with the new bifocals.

gwgs 10 May 2012, 10:32

Hi Seth. That's great, look forward to hearing how you get on with them!

Seth 10 May 2012, 04:56

Hi gwgs, i"m picking up my bifocals later on today. Am taking a friend with me so that I can get her opinion of them

gwgs 10 May 2012, 04:01

Seth, Glad to hear you got your new single vision glasses. When are you picking up your new bifocals?

Your post here, and what has happened since you started wearing your glasses has got to be telling you something - i.e. your dr prescribed you bifocals for a reason (unfortunate though you may think this is), and it seems like your eyes want you to wear them as they're now struggling to see the fine print - much like my PA who is still in denial about her presbyopia, and still has all Microsoft applications open at 150% zoom level!

I'm sure they're not anywhere near as thick as others glasses on here, but if you feel like showing a photo of them it'd be interesting to see which frame you've gone for.

Brian 09 May 2012, 13:28

Hoffide, Wow thats a lot of prism.. have you considered eye muscle surgery. I have 4BI in each eye and thought mine was really high. Can you see much at all w/o your glasses? How long have you worn prism in your glasses and at what rate did it progress? Thanks..

Jamie32 09 May 2012, 12:11

Seth,

Interesting. I wonder what your thinking will be when you put your bifocals on. Sounds like may be more useful than first thought

Seth 09 May 2012, 11:24

Hi all,

Just a quick update, I picked up my new single vision glasses yesterday at first I struggled to get used to wearing them as they seemed like they were too strong but this soon settled down and my distance vision is great. Am struggling with reading through them though as the print seems a bit too small and I struggle to focus on it properly unless I try really hard which makes my eyes hurt. Did end up wearing my old glasses for reading today which seemed to be okay although my eyes still felt tired after reading for most of the day. Other than that though they're good just wish I'd been able to afford to go for the thinner lenses as the lenses seem quite thick.

hoffide 08 May 2012, 22:40

My new prescription:

+1,75 -1,50 121 ADD 3,00 14 prism base out

+1,25 -2,50 168 ADD 3,00 14 prism base out

Reading glasses:

+9,50 -1,50 121 ADD 3,00 14 prism base out

+9,00 -2,50 168 ADD 3,00 14 prism base out

Asdoo 08 May 2012, 14:25

I just got a new prescription I don't remember the axis but I remember this.

R: SPH +1.75 CYL -.75

L: SPH +4.50 CYL -1.25

Lonny 07 May 2012, 01:47

Hi Cactus

I was already afraid of that.

Thank you very much !

Cactus Jack 06 May 2012, 17:38

Lonny,

At 50, about all you can do is GOC. Whatever you do, never, never, never change the cylinder or axis from your actual Rx. Any change will just make your vision at all distances worse.

You used to be able to compensate for the additional minus by using some of your accommodation. You have NO ABILIY to compensate for incorrect cylinder or axis. Without enough accommodation, the only thing left is GOC.

There are several members in our age range that wear high Rx minus GOC quite comfortably, full or nearly full time. Low GOC is fairly easy to do, but the complexity and potential for error goes up with the Rx at an exponential rate. Vertex distance effects increase at the SQUARE of the refracted or glasses Rx to where at -20 it is 0.4 diopters per mm change in vertex distance. It is a big mistake to try to make too big a leap into high Rx GOC. You need to work up to it with a lot of care and planning.

Lonny 06 May 2012, 17:11

Hello,

I used to over-correct my vision to -3.00 in both eyes, so I could wear glasses.

Now I'm almost 50 and my Eyes don't compensate anymore so my current script is:

R: Sfer.+0.25 Cil.-1.25 Axis 95 Add.1.75

L: Sfer.+0.00 Cil.-1.25 Axis 85 Add.1.75

Does anyone know what I could do to raise this script with my eyes being able to still function so I can see ?

Perhaps raise the Cylindre or the axis .

Thanks !

Andrew 06 May 2012, 13:57

Seth,

Your reading "add" will make the bifocal part of your new glasses the same strength as your old glasses in the right eye, and just a little weaker in the left. Thus, when doing prolonged close work, you should be able to use your current (old) glasses very successfully as readers.

Jamie32 06 May 2012, 08:22

Seth,

Sounds like you made a good choice there. I have the same, a pair of singles and then a pair of bifocals for when my eyes need the extra help.

Let us know what you think when you get your bifocals

varifocals 06 May 2012, 07:24

I agree with Julian's comments about problems of wearing varifocals in bed.

Following the advice from some one in lens chat I got a pair of perscription readers too.

A good wise move & have made things so much easier

Julian 06 May 2012, 06:46

That sounds like good sense, Seth. Let us know how you get on.

Seth 06 May 2012, 03:44

Hi all,

Thanks for all the advice. I went back in to the Opticians yesterday and ordered some new glasses. I've decided to go for one pair of standard glasses and a pair of bifocals. I figure I can wear the bifocals if my eyes get tired and the standard glasses when i'm out with friends etc. I should get the standard glasses on Tuesday but apparently the bifocals will take a little longer to make.

Jamie32 04 May 2012, 15:07

Well Seth, certainly seems like getting a ton of advice on the subject. It's up to you whether you get a pair or not. The help might not be as noticeable at first, but would probably be more as time goes on, and you would realize a comfort level difference.

Although, from what people here now, I am not exactly the greatest at giving this advice as I am in a similar situation and wear bifocals only rarely.

Julian 04 May 2012, 11:10

Helpful: I agree entirely with you about progressives, which I've worn for over 20 years without any problems. Just that neither progressives nor bifocals are much good for reading in bed - really only single vision readers will do for that.

Helpful 04 May 2012, 09:30

Just a couple of comments to help those new to glasses and also update Soundmanpt about the situation in UK for buying. Over the last couple of years the main opticians here have realised they have to be more competitive in their prices whereby the customers stays with them. Nearly all Boots Vision Express and Specsavers now do relatively cheap glasses often linked to 2 pairs. The last named even do progressives lenses within the price quoted, This leads me to advice to Seth. I am the opposite to that spoken above in that I took to progressives without difficult although I was warned to be careful. I have never had bifocals. As Seth is new to needing add if he starts with progressives he may take to them easier than someone who has worn bifocals but that is just a thought without professional knowledge. Best of luck Seth.

gwgs 04 May 2012, 09:18

Seth

I've read several articles where researchers have said there has been quite a large increase in the onset of vision problems such as the inset or progression of myopia or hyperopia, as well such as in your case, short sighted people now having to wear bifocals at a lot earlier age than would've been expected 10/20 years ago. They have attributed much of this to the introduction of smartphones, iPads/handheld tablet pcs, and handheld gaming consoles.

You're certainly not alone therefore in this respect, and I have also been pleased to see - as a bifocal fan - the increase of 20 something girls wearing bifocals.

Putting this aside from this, as you've been medical advice to wear bifocals, I would certainly go ahead and do so as you don't want to strain your eyes more and have a bigger than necessary plus increase next year. There are several websites based in the UK that will fit bifocal lenses, including a wide choice of fully rimmed, or semi rimless frames for just £20 so this needn't be an expensive exercise if this is one of your concerns.

If you are concerned about the lined area of the bifocal showing on your lenses, you can get progressive glasses which merge the two together, but I've never heard a good thing about these - I can recall a member of my family getting progressives but as soon as she went to walk up the stairs when she got home, she tripped over and broke her wrist as her glasses were seemingly telling her the steps were in a different place to where she had put her feet!!!

After this expensive, and rather painful mistake, she reverted back to bifocals as these offer a definitive field of vision for both near and far away vision instead of merging the two together and causing problems such as I've mentioned.

Please let us know how you get on, and what your decision is.

Seth 04 May 2012, 04:27

Cactus Jack,

My exam was at 10am so was fairly early in the day. I had been doing a bit of reading prior to going to the test but no more than 30 minutes or so.

I have a few friends who wear glasses for reading, or who should do, although a lot of the time they don't actually wear them. I have tried a pair of them on over my current contacts but they didn't really seem to make any difference to how well I was able to read, although I don't think those glasses were very strong.

Julian,

I wear my contacts while I'm at college or out during the day and then take them out usually around 8pm ish if I'm at home so do have a pair of glasses as well I just don't really like wearing them that much (although wear them more now than I used to).

Cactus Jack 03 May 2012, 23:05

Seth,

I have stayed out of this discussion because you were getting excellent advice. However, I have a couple of questions.

1. What time of day was your exam?

2. Had you been reading or doing very close work before the exam?

I was thinking that you may be experiencing some pseudo myopia. True myopia is caused by a mismatch between the length of your eyeball and the power of your eye's lens system. Pseudo myopia is caused by slow recovery (or in some cases non-recovery) from doing a lot of close focusing for reading, using the computer, or other close work. Some of the symptoms you described indicated that it was taking some time for your distance vision to clear up after a lot of reading.

I don't want to worry you, but you could be experiencing some mild symptoms of early presbyopia. Many people think that presbyopia does not affect vision until around 40, but that is a myth. Presbyopia actually starts in early childhood, but generally does not become noticeable until mid to late 30s depending on your visual environment. Presbyopia is actually caused by the gradual thickening of your crystalline lenses which together with the ciliary muscles are the "auto-focus" elements in your eyes. The rate of thickening is primarily affected by your genetic make-up and at some point, the lenses get thick enough that the ciliary muscles can no longer squeeze your crystalline lenses to increase their plus power so you can focus close. When that happens you need an external plus lens or in the case of a myope, a reduction in the minus distance Rx (essentially the same thing).

While you may not have seen anyone in your school wearing bifocals, have you seen anyone who needs reading glasses to help them read more comfortably? They actually have "bifocals" except the distance Rx is so close to 0.00 that they don't need glasses for that, but need plus glasses for help in focusing close. More and more young people are needing close focusing help these days because of tiny screens with tiny text on cell phones and other devices. The text is small and people tend to try to use them at distances closer that the typical 14 - 16 inches or 35 - 40 cm. The very close focusing does not cause presbyopia, but it reveals it sooner than it would normally occur.

I hope this helps. BTW, you don't have t have contacts to try reading glasses, you can just get some inexpensive reading glasses with a +1.25 or +1.50 Rx at a local store and wear them over your regular glasses when you read. They look funny, so you may want to try that approach at home fires, but optically, it will have the same effect as having a reading segment in your glasses. Also, that is a better solution for the computer because you won't get a crick in your neck trying to look through the + segment.

If you have more questions, please feel free to ask them.

Julian 03 May 2012, 20:08

Seth: I was going to try to talk some sense into you, but I see Jamie32 and Soundmanpt have given you all the right advice. Bear in mind you can't wear contacts every waking hour for months on end without damaging your eyes - with your vision you need a pair of glasses as well - but, as Jamie says, you could always wear over-the counter readers over your contacts (when no one's looking!) I wonder if the prescribed add is enough - it's going to give you a near vision Rx close to what you're wearing now, and getting the beginnings of problems.

No problem getting bifocals or progressives (another possibility, but not cheap!) in the UK. You could do a Google search for 'glasses online' and see what firms there are over here

Soundmanpt 03 May 2012, 16:04

Seth

It used to be that bifocals were something you didn't need until you were closer to 50 years old, but more recently it is not near as unusual to see someone in their teens wearing bifocals anymore. From what you have described and now with a stronger rx it maybe a good idea to listen to your eye doc. I think it would make your eyes less tired and you wouldn't have the focusing issues your having.

Many if not all f the on-line retailers sell to the UK. I have talked with several in the UK that have gotten their glasses from Zenni. The shipping is about $8.00 compared to here in the states at $5.00.

The web site is "zennioptical.com" You can always do a test run since you have your new rx. Pick a pair you like and fill in the blanks. Be sure to add in for AR coating (no glare) which is $4.95 but until May 12th is half price of $2.50.

Jamie32 03 May 2012, 16:03

Hey Seth,

My guess is that with the symptoms you describe, that the bis probably would help you from getting as tired reading long periods of time. But, can totally understand not wanting to do that at your age as well. Might suggest getting regular contacts and then maybe testing with a pair of readers on top to see if that helps at all.

If it helps, then you probably wanna get a pair of bifocals. If not, then i wouldn't bother for now

Seth 03 May 2012, 12:56

Soundmanpt,

I am still studying so do a lot of reading. Haven't really noticed any problems with my close vision as such but do find that after i've been reading for awhile my eyes get tired and start to ache and it seems like it takes awhile for my eyes to re-focus when i go from reading to looking in the distance and vice versa if that makes any sense.

Really don't like the idea of having bifocals though, i'm only 17 and don't know anyone my age with them.

I'm also from the UK so not sure if i could buy them online.

Soundmanpt 03 May 2012, 12:30

Seth

To answer that best I need to know how you use your eyes the most? Meaning are you still in school and doing a much close work? If so you might find the add relaxes your eyes more. Do you feel like your having any problems with close work now, wearing your glasses of course? If you are not having any problems now then I think you would be fine to just continue with single vision glasses and contacts. Remember its your eyes and no one can make you get something if don't feel the need for.

You could certainly go on-line and first order a pair of single vision glasses from Zenni that would only cost you around $15.00 - $25.00 and see how they work and then if you you were curious about progressives or lined bifocals you you could order them there as well for under $50.00.

Seth 03 May 2012, 11:48

Soundmanpt,

It was about a year ago since my last test (just under i think). Do I have to get the add put into my lenses? or can i just go for standard ones (i'm assuming the add is for bifocals) because I really don't want to have to wear bifocals

Soundmanpt 03 May 2012, 11:46

Seth

How long was it from when you were last examined until this recent exam? If it is only about a year I agree that it is a rather big jump but not unheard of.

I think you will find bifocal contacts quite expensive.

Harry 03 May 2012, 10:44

You got more myopic, kiddo. Welcome to the club. Happens to the best of us. I bet you're around 16 or 17. The add is supposed to slow it down, but it won't.

Seth 03 May 2012, 10:20

Hi,

I've just had an eye test and been given a new prescription. When the eye doc was doing the test he kept making noises as if something was wrong. At the end of the test he said that the health of my eyes was good but that my prescription had changed more than would be expected.

My current prescription is:

R -4.25, -0.25, 180

L -4.00, -1.25, 170

And my new prescription is:

R-5.50, -0.25, 180

L - 5.00, -1.25, 170

add +1.25

The eye doc I saw wasn't the one I would normally see and he had only just joined the practice. Is the change in my prescription something I should be worried about and why do I suddenly have an add in it. Also the eye doc said that I would find it easier to wear glasses rather than contacts but i've not had any issues with my contacts at all.

Any advice would be appreciated.

John S 06 Mar 2012, 18:29

After some time I could tolerate -7.0 without any issues, even reading close up, so I just wonder if wearing them constantly is the key to making your eyes adjust. It might also be that this was several years ago, and it will be much harder to do that now.

Melyssa 05 Mar 2012, 14:26

Revolver,

Thank you for the explanation on the cylinders. As for the red/green test, I haven't had that on the exam probably since the 1980s, and I have no clue as to what happened then with it.

I know how Lawrence Welk answered when the eye doctor asked him which was better. He said, "A-one, and a-two! Wunnerful, wunnerful! Tank ya, boys-a!"

Revolver 05 Mar 2012, 12:03

John S:

Let's put it this way, in your late 40's your accommodation is not getting any better, the more it weakens the less tolerant you will be of higher minus. Whether or not a half diopter is enough to cause you accommodative problems won't be known until you wear the lenses, that can be a subjective preference on your part and you've already proven that a full diopter above is too much.

Revolver 05 Mar 2012, 11:58

Melyssa:

While it looks like you are a -9.00 myope, you're not. Your ECP refracts in plus cylinder, so that has to be converted to minus as that's how all lenses are made. So, -9.00 sphere, +3.00 cylinder is actually -6.00 sphere, -3.00 cylinder, and if your glasses are put on a vertometer to determine their power that's how the scrip would read. But having said that, your spherical equivalent is -9.00.

Couldn't venture a guess as to if being ambidextrous is the reason why both eyes are the same correction as there are too many factors to consider. Among these are your own variances in preference during the subjective (which is better, one or two, etc.), which tends to very a lot more when you get to the higher prescriptions. Also, the possibility that as your compound myopic astigmatism developed it did so equally in both eyes, or there was a variance by the doctor on the red/green balance test, und so weiter.

But the +2.50 add most certainly has nothing to do with your ambidexterity, it is very rare for anyone to have a "split" add, although I have experienced it in a few cases, usually due to injury or disease.

John S 05 Mar 2012, 11:39

I have a question because I want to make sure I have the sharpest vision possible with my contact lenses in. I went online to order some new lenses, and have had a prescription of -6.0 for the past year, so this time I increased it to -6.5 and wonder what I can expect. When I was in my early forties, I tried -7.0 and seemed to adjust for awhile but I seemed to have problems after switching to my -6.0 glasses for a few weeks and switching back. Close up things became very blurry with -7.0, so I switched a full diopter down to -6.0.

So now in my later forties, I am trying -6.5 this time around. What's your best guess on what my vision will be like?

Melyssa 05 Mar 2012, 10:35

Last night I found my full prescription numbers, the same in both eyes: -9.00 +3.00 90, add +2.50. I guess my being ambidextrous carried over to my vision.

Carrie 05 Mar 2012, 08:52

Kimmiej Your glasses are slightly stronger than mine (my prescription doesn't have anything in the Cyl section just the Sph section). I wear mine all the time. You'll soon get used to them and wonder how (and why) you managed without them before you got them!

Specs4Me 02 Mar 2012, 15:27

Kimmiej,

You appear to be what is known as a latent hyperope, the doctor telling you to see him again in a few months is because in the case of latent hyperopes they need a little higher prescription after the eye muscles fully relax and adjust to the new correction. Usually the additional strength is not great and often no addtional change is neede for some time after that.

I saw the frames you chose, they look very nice and I'm sure the look great on you. Enjoy wearing them.

Revolver 02 Mar 2012, 08:57

Kimmiej:

And we hope it's clear for you also!

Kimmiej 02 Mar 2012, 07:24

Strenght of my new and first glasses is

R sph +2 cyl -1 ax 115

L sph +2.25 cyl -.25 ax 65

Hope this is clear

Andrew 29 Feb 2012, 13:22

As someone who has worns CLs on and off for over 25 years, and who has slowly developed some astigmatism, I used to find that my vision was sharper with CLs than with glasses. However, as the astigmatism has crept in (-0.75 in both eyes), this is no longer true. On the positive side, I still wear normal contacts, as the vision is good enough not to have to consider toric lenses.

Cactus Jack 29 Feb 2012, 13:05

Hollie,

Typically, there should not be too much difference between your vision with contacts or glasses, only a difference in apparent image size, again caused by Vertex Distance effects. The image with glasses will be smaller on your retina.

Depending on your astigmatism, it is highly likely that your vision will be sharper with glasses because the cylinder and its orientation (axis) can be accurately corrected.

Without a complete glasses or refracted Rx, the differences cannot be explained further. Hopefully, you get the idea enough to explain what is happening to your friend. Nothing strange and nothing to get excited about.

Hollie 29 Feb 2012, 12:29

Thanks Cactus Jack. Very helpful. I have toric lenses and am in the -7 region which I suspect is why the difference. My colleague had commented that her CLs weren't as sharp as new specs, despite being prescribed at the same time, but that her CLs were slightly weaker. I can't tell a huge difference between my glasses and lenses- I think specs are slightly sharper and wear them more than my lenses in any case.

Cactus Jack 29 Feb 2012, 09:31

Hollie,

The difference between a Glasses Rx and CL Rx is mainly caused by Vertex Distance (VD) effects on effective lens power, but it is sometimes caused by the inclusion of a compromise additional sphere correction to partially compensate for not prescribing toric contact lenses.

Vertex Distance is the distance between the front surface of the cornea and the back back surface of a corrective lens. For glasses (or phoropters), it is about 12 mm. For contacts it is Zero (0) mm. The VD effect is a square function. In practice, you square the glasses Rx, divide it by 1000, and multiply it by the VD in mm. The result is a correction factor which you add or subtract from the glasses Rx to get the CL Rx. For minus (-) lenses, you SUBTRACT the correction factor, which REDUCES the CL Rx. For plus (+) lenses, you ADD the correction factor, which INCREASES the CL Rx.

If you do the math, you will find that Glasses Rx below around - or + 4.00 have a CL correction factor so small that the resulting CL Rx is the same or almost the same as the Glasses Rx and as the Glasses Rx increases, the VD effects become very significant.

Astigmatism correction using contacts is another matter entirely. Normally, astigmatism is corrected by a cylinder and axis specified in the Rx. Correcting astigmatism with glasses is relatively simple because the axis of the cylinder is fixed by the frame of the glasses. Toric Contact Lenses are sometimes used for correcting astigmatism, but they have a problem. It is hard to control the rotation of the contact lenses on the cornea when a person blinks. You actually want the contact lenses to move around some to help maintain a film of tears between the CL and the cornea. The tear film provides lubrication and helps transmit oxygen to the cornea from the air (the cornea has no blood supply). However, if the toric CL rotates, it changes the axis of the cylinder correction and wearers vision alternates between clear and blurry between blinks, which is very annoying. An often used compromise solution is to use a sphere only contact with 1/2 the cylinder correction added to the sphere. It does not perfectly correct the astigmatism, but for many people who don't want to wear glasses, it is good enough. If this compromise solution is used, there will be a difference between the Glasses Rx and CL Rx even in low sphere corrections.

Hope this long winded explanation helps.

Hollie 29 Feb 2012, 01:04

Anyone know what rx it is (minus) where the power of contact lenses and glasses starts to differ? I think, although can't remember my exact rx, that mine are about 0.75 different. A colleague commented yesyerday that hers have never been different but suddenly are. I don't know if she hs astigmatism but would guess her rx to be in the -3 or -4 region.

Mr Jules 21 Feb 2012, 18:21

At the moment, I'm have a separate pair of glasses to correct my distance vision. I can just about read with them, too, but only for shorter periods.

When I'm at the computer or reading for longer periods, I'll use my reading glasses.

Micky 21 Feb 2012, 15:44

Mr. Jules,

Why aren't you wearing progressives? Of course, +3 is distorting. Your eyesight is poor enough to need full time all distance correction.

Micky Waldner, OD

Mr Jules 21 Feb 2012, 09:05

Just had an eye test. Distance vision unchanged: right eye +1.75, left eye +1.50. Slight increase in astigmatism: right cyl -0.25, axis 15. Left cyl -0.25, axis 15.

Reading prescription increased to right +3.00, left +3.25. (that is, an add of +1.50 over distance)

Got my existing reading glasses reglazed to new reading strength. Wearing them now. Exceptional clarity for PC work and general close up work. But the lenses feel stronger with some distortion as I move my head. Expect it might take a few days to get used to them.

jonnie 19 Feb 2012, 17:41

Ms DENCH w/Bad Eye Troubles

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dame-judi-denchs-eyesight-battle-689976

Soundmanpt 18 Feb 2012, 20:02

Stingray

Take note that Zenni just started a promotion where if you purchase 2 pairs of glasses you get a 3rd pair free of equal or lesser value. Also i emailed them to ask if they had to be the same prescription and they replied that it can be 3 different rxs. Not a bad deal at all.

Glad to hear you like your sunglasses from Zenni.

Stingray 18 Feb 2012, 17:48

Interesting enough, when I got my prescription from the doctor, I ordered sunglasses from Zenni.

They arrived today and are perfect. The have the same prescription that the ones from Sam's club had and are also progressives. Zenni cost $56 including the frame. Sams Club discount glasses were $250. I am going to shoot for the refund from Sams and get the glasses from Zenni. They also included one of their PD rulers with the nose cut-out for free. Zenni is a quality company.

Soundmanpt 16 Feb 2012, 12:23

Stingray

From what you are describing I think the rx is probably correct but the glasses were made wrong as "Revolver" said they didn't allow enough for your distance vision. But the the best way to not have to fight with Sam's Club would be to first take the glasses and ask the doctor to check the glasses on you.

Revolver 16 Feb 2012, 09:31

Sounds like the seg is too high, which would mean that you're having to look over the top of it for clear vision. Or, if it is placed properly, many of the lower end (price wise) progressives aren't of high quality and can cause problems like that. There are dozens and dozens of progressive seg designs available and in a discount place their "house" brand would be on the lower end. Of course, you may have specified a higher quality lens that shouldn't have that problem. In any event they should be guaranteeing their product and if the 3 days doesn't solve the problem get a refund and go elsewhere. You live in a state where opticians are licensed so one should be able to presume that the measuring and fitting were done correctly.

Cactus Jack 15 Feb 2012, 21:39

Stingray,

I would suggest going back to the doctor who prescribed the glasses and ask him to check them to see how close they are to what he/she prescribed.

Stingray 15 Feb 2012, 19:56

I got my new glasses today from Sam's Club Optical and they are terrible. I told the optician that everything in my peripheral area was blurry or double vision. The prescription was only a +.50 jump over my previous rx. If I tucked my chin down to my chest, then I could see fine out of them. I am not going to walk around that way. Something is wrong, but they will not own up to it. They are progressives which I have worn for well over 20 years with no problems. The optician checked out the glasses and the prescription and said they were fine. I asked for a refund, but they said to wear them for 3 days steady and see if anything improves. I wore them for about 3 hours today and was dizzy and nauseaus and the visual problems persisted. Any opinions?

John S 15 Feb 2012, 08:55

Philip,

Please post your prescription. That will make it easier to answer your questions.

Astra 15 Feb 2012, 03:23

Date: 2012.02.14

Location: Kengdeli optical store, Beichui market, Mohe, China.

Couple tried the auto-refractors.

Not purchased lenses.

My reading:

OD -7.25 -1.50 088

OS -6.00 -1.75 088

Husband reading:

OD -0.25

OS -0.25

Revolver 14 Feb 2012, 10:09

My bad. In last sentence of last post, meant "AL" for lag, not AC which means nothing optically.

Revolver 14 Feb 2012, 09:56

AS Soundmanappt points out, cyl affects both near and distance tasking. As mentioned in my last post, in case of accomodative lag quite often, probably usually, multifocals are prescribed. In your case, placing your cyl rx in the distance portion or even plano if you prefer, and then having the read only portion in the seg would solve the problem. This may be one of the explanations why we're seeing more and more young people in multifocals as AC is being diagnosed and prescribed more than in the past.

Soundmanpt 13 Feb 2012, 13:26

Philip

Well in looking back at your previous post you didn't say how much astigmatism you have or need, but astigmatism effects your vision at all distances, not just close and not just distance. The fact that your glasses must be plus glasses it is very normal for your distance to be a slightly blurry at first but the more you wear them you will soon find that soon everything will become clear with your glasses.

I'm sure Revolver and Cactus Jack will be able to explain even better than I what is happening.

Philip 13 Feb 2012, 13:14

Well I got the glasses made and picked them up Friday. As she fitted them in the store they really made no difference except for blurring the distance which she says is normal, as they are for reading. I read the card on the table with and without the glasses and told her they were about the same. I put them away to drive home cause they aren't for distance anyways. I decided to wear them to read the Sat newspaper and noticed the print was a bit blacker but not really clearer. Again, a bit annoying when I put the paper down and couldn't see the TV clearly so I took them off.

After lunch I picked up a book and the glasses and read till I fell asleep. Woke up and continued reading, not even noticing I was wearing the glasses. I read some more, and when I looked up to see the clock and the blur realized I was wearing them and took them off, and saw the clock perfectly..which was the reason I got the glasses. But when I then looked down at the book, without the glasses, I could barely make out the words...it fuzzed up on me. I think my "voluntary" readers are becoming involuntary. Is is reasonable that I am losing my close accommodation already?

Should I not wear them so much?

Revolver 13 Feb 2012, 09:40

Bilbo:

In most cases, you split the amount of cyl (astigmatism) in half and add that to the sphere. In this case as the cyl is -2.50 half would be -1.25. Add that to the sphere of -3.75, a spherical CL of -5.00 should be enough not only to get her down the aisle but through the reception as well. I would suggest Extreme H20 in the 59% version in a steep base curve (they come in medium or steep)as I've found that brand in a steep curve masks cyl as well or better than any.

But you realize, of course, most of the devotees of optical on this forum would eschew CL's for any reason except GOC and let her be a beautiful GWG bride!

bilbo 13 Feb 2012, 08:42

i have a mate who has a spectacle prescription as follows , right sphere -3.75 cyl -2.50 axis 152. left sphere -3.75 cyl-2.50 axis22 what would be the best fit for a contact lens perscription ?i know it wont be accurate without a consult, but she needs to wear them for one day, ie wedding! just to get down the aisle! thanks in advance.

Revolver 09 Feb 2012, 09:58

Phillip:

There is another plausible explanation for what you are experiencing, other than early onset presbyopia. It is more common than thought, as many people just ignore it and live with it, it's called accomodative lag and does not include any hardening of the crystalline lens or significant loss of function of the ciliary muscles.

Quite simply put, when you move from near point to far point tasking, there is lag time before one takes over from the other. As you describe your symptoms, this seems to be the case. Very weak bifocal/distance prescriptions can be written, i.e -.50 with a +.75 add, which of course gives immediate relief for long term tasking such as spending a long time reading or on a computer.

In previous years it was rarely prescribed because the symptoms are easily overlooked. Now, with the myriad of electronics we use it becomes more aggravating.

No need for complex scientific explanations in this case, it's a matter of good subjection refraction by a doctor.

Cactus Jack 08 Feb 2012, 15:57

Phillip,

Please don't get too concerned, but you are experiencing the beginnings of presbyopia. Presbyopia actually starts in childhood and gradually progresses until it becomes a nuisance and you HAVE to do something about it. That can occur anytime based on your genetic makeup, but typically it gets to be a nuisance around 40.

Let me explain what is actually happening. When you were born, your crystalline lenses had the consistency of a gelatin dessert (Jell-O). It was very flexible and it was very easy for your ciliary muscles to squeeze for close focusing and it relaxed almost instantly. Over the years, your crystalline lenses have become stiffer and a bit harder to squeeze to focus close. Your ciliary muscles are actually the strongest in your body for their size and they are not having any trouble squeezing your crystalline lenses to focus close, but there are no muscles to compel your crystalline to relax or unsqueeze. They must relax for distance vision on their own and it is taking a bit longer than you are used to.

Now the bad news, it happens to almost everyone and it just gradually gets worse from here on out. One solution is reading glasses. Let me explain how that works.

Assuming you have little or no refractive error (Rx=0.00) the amount of plus you need to focus closer than infinity (6 meters or 20 feet for practical purposes) is defined by a simple optical formula divided by Isaac Newton (of Gravity fame) about 300 years ago. The formula is 100 cm/focus distance=lens power or 39.37 inches/focus distance= lens power in diopters. To focus at 40 cm or 16 inches requires a +2.50 lens, PERIOD. That +2.50 can come from your internal crystalline lens or externally from a supplemental lens (glasses). If you wear +1.00 reading glasses, the other +1.50 will have to be supplied by your crystalline lenses, but the total required to focus at 40 cm/16 in. IS +2.50.

The problem with wearing reading glasses or bifocals with an add of any power is that it reduces amount of work the ciliary muscles have to do to add the additional focusing power you need from your crystalline lenses. At this point there are two things at work to cause you to need some more external help. 1. Your ciliary muscles are gradually becoming de-conditioned and 2. Your crystalline lenses are getting stiffer and harder to squeeze because of age.

What can you do about it? Unfortunately, not much. How rapidly your crystalline lenses become to stiff for your ciliary muscles to be able to effectively squeeze is controlled by your genetics. Your visual environment is a big factor in regards to the nuisance factor. Trying looking away from your reading every ten minutes or so, to give your crystalline lenses a chance to relax some.

Hopefully, this long winded explanation has been useful. You did not mention your occupation, but it is not uncommon for university students, who have a very high reading workload to get functional bifocals to make life easier. Functional means that you don't NEED bifocals, but they help you to function more easily. Often they wear single vision glasses (if they need them) when they are not studying.

Philip 08 Feb 2012, 11:46

I am 24 and never needed glasses and do a lot of close work. I have been noticing more blurry distance vision after I stop working, although it clears up a bit. After finding this annoying I finally went for an exam. He says I have very slight astigmatism, and let me see through some lenses for distance that made things a bit clearer. Then he prescribed reading glasses! He told me that when I do a lot of close work to wear the reading glasses and that should help my distance clarity. Does that make sense? Most of the posts about presbyopia say that after you begin wearing readers you become dependent on them...I thought I am too young for that, and can see close ok. What does all this mean? Thanks.

Revolver 08 Feb 2012, 10:03

Soundmanapt's mention of the PD stick with the nose notch is essentially the same design as the one's I use, it's just that there are no sliders. I've also seen them that are clear plastic with open eyeholes and the markings above and below the holes. Bottom line is they're easier than a PD stick as the notch provides an easy centering on the nose.

PD is more critical the higher the rx, as the higher it is the more prism will be induced especially in plus lenses.

Taking one eye at a time, known as monocular PD, is not as critical except for progressives when it becomes very critical. If there's even spacing from the center of the nose to the pupil, mono PD can be determined by measuring from eye to eye (binocular PD)and dividing in half.

One tip: if you're using a mirror make sure you get far enough back so that the total distance including from your face to the mirror and back is more than 2 feet, if you're within normal reading distance you will experience some convergence and the distance PD will be 2-4 mm less than it should be.

Soundmanpt 08 Feb 2012, 00:22

In the for what it is worth area, with each pair of glasses you order from Zenni they include a handy little plastic mm ruler with the notch for your nose and slits where the eyes look thru. Of course the only problem there is that it comes with your glasses order so is just a little too late, but I would bet if you called and asked for one they would gladly mail one to you as it very light weight. I now have well over a hundred of them.

Cactus Jack 07 Feb 2012, 23:57

Stingray,

The way you do it one at a time is close the eye you are not measuring. Look straight into the mirror with the eye you are measuring and measure the distance from the center of your nose to the center of the pupil. Look away and do it again for a total of 3. Add them together and divide by 3. That will be your average for that eye.

Repeat for the other eye.

Add the two results together. Depending on your head size it will be around 64 mm +/- 5 mm unless your head is very narrow or very round.

With some experience you don't have to close the eye you are not measuring, just ignore it.

Also, even if you can't see the little mm marks, you may be able to estimate where the center of your pupil is located in relation to the cm marks.

Please tell us what PD you get.

Stingray 07 Feb 2012, 19:38

I get the idea on how to measure them pupil to pupil, but how do you measure them one at a time? At what point on your nose is the right side of the measurement? I know this is not rocket science, so if I'm off by 1-2mm as you say, no problem. I guess I really can't screw it up by 5mm or more.

Cactus Jack 07 Feb 2012, 19:34

Stingray,

I really don't know how much PD error you could handle. The PD being off causes what is called induced prism. 1-2 mm should be no problem, but you might notice 5 mm (total) too much on the PD, but might not notice 5 mm (total) too little. The reason I suggest measuring three times for each eye individually and then averaging the individual results before you add them together is to minimize measuring error.

Soundmanpt or Revolver may have more experience in this area.

Stingray 07 Feb 2012, 18:40

How critical is the PD measurement? If I am off by 1-2mm, does it matter much? Basically how much could I be off by and still get by without any visual discomfort or distortion?

Cactus Jack 07 Feb 2012, 17:05

Revolver,

Just my luck, late again with an idea that would probably have made me, if not one of the 1%, maybe one of the 2%. If you could provide a source, maybe one of the online retailers could offer them for a small price that could be credited if you bought glasses from them. It might solve several problems.

Thanks for that input.

Revolver 07 Feb 2012, 16:39

CJ:

The thingy with the mm slide has been with us a long time, I have a couple of them I picked up at optical trade shows, a couple of frame vendors gave them away like other booths give away PD sticks. There's a notch in the middle you place on your nose like the bridge on a frame, look in the mirror and slide them until the vertical lines in the clear plastic in the slides is centered. Take them off, and the mono and binocular PD's are there in mm's. I like them as well or better than the digital ones, although I'm still traditional and take PD's with the stick but will often confirm with the sliders.

Crystal Veil 07 Feb 2012, 16:39

Soundmanpt,

the same thing is going on at Pearle shops in Holland. Arguably my best model (Melissa) got a blunt refusal when she needed her PD (she bought her glasses with them). I told her to do some more shopping with Pearle's competitors and I offered her to measure the PD for her if noone would help her. Fortunately one shop helped her out and I ordered her two favorite Zenni glasses. She was delighted, both by the esthetics and by the quality of vision. Happy ending (deep sigh).

Cactus Jack 07 Feb 2012, 12:29

Soundmanpt,

No problem. Just another example of great minds . . . LOL

Stingray's post gave me an idea for a mm rule with a magnifying glass slide or just a marker slide so you could position it at the center of the pupil and then read the actual measurement at your leisure, using what ever tools you need to be able to read it. Unfortunately, I think the market is very small and the return on investment would be less than zero

Soundmanpt 07 Feb 2012, 11:36

Sorry Cactus Jack I was typing when you sent your post. At least we gave the same advice.

Soundmanpt 07 Feb 2012, 11:31

Stingray

What happened to you is happening more and more. I go into many optical stores and have many friends working in them and they have told me about their new policy. You are correct they have found that more and more people have found that buying glasses on line is costing them business. So the sad fact is they can't with hold your prescription from you they can legally not provide you your PD measurement. One big chain, Pearle Vision recently started using this tactic. It came down by way of their home office in a memo. The reason they can with hold your PD is because the PD is used as a function of ordering glasses and not a part of the actual exam process. They won't tell you they wont give you your PD because of so many going on-line but instead claim that they don't want to be held responsible if you get glasses from somewhere else and the there is a problem with them due to the PD. However with the equipment they use that is not likely to happen.

My advice to anyone considering going on-line to order glasses would be to ask before you go if they will provide you with your PD if you go to them for your eye exam? If they say they wont, then simple tell them "thank you, I will try someone else" If they get enough lost sales on exams they will soon be more than happy to provide the PD. Also most doctors are independent of the store they work at so during your exam you can also have the doctor do it for you.

Lastly if your having trouble doing it for yourself have someone else do it for you. It really is easier doing it that way anyway. Generally being off by a millimeter is not going to make any difference to your vision.

Cactus Jack 07 Feb 2012, 11:30

Stingray,

Most Opticians (in the US, people who make and fit glasses, but do not prescribe them) generally are very reluctant to give out the PD because that is the main thing that they get to add to the Rx.

However, I don't think you need to worry too much. Try measuring your PD with your old glasses on and see what you get. With your Rx, it shouldn't be much different than without your glasses. With your Rx, a mm or so is not that critical.

Do you have someone who could measure it for you? The technique is slightly different, but not difficult.

Stingray 07 Feb 2012, 10:19

Thanks for the reassurance Cactus Jack. I ordered my glasses from Sam's Club. I wanted to order sunglasses online and save some money. I called up Sams and requested the PD. Man, that was liking asking them for the secret formula for Coca-Cola. They would not give it to me. What is the big deal? I guess they are afraid of online retailers. I tried doing my own PD measurement, but my ruler is in centimeters and the mm increments are too small for me to see. I may just have to put the squeeze on them by contacting corporate HQ or worse, a damning tweet!

Cactus Jack 05 Feb 2012, 20:52

Stingray,

Not much.

Stingray 05 Feb 2012, 14:16

I just went to the eye doctor after 2 years since my last exam.

New rx: OD +2.25 -2.00

OS +2.00 -.75

Last rx from early 2009 was +1.75 in both eyes and -1.75 and -1.50 cylinder.

I haven't got my new glasses yet. Do you think they will be much stronger and/or thicker?

sam12744 26 Jan 2012, 07:41

Curious,

Optical4less can do prisms with no problem. I have used them many times. Unfortunately, their selection of frames may not appeal and they don't do reglazing.

Sam.

Soundmanpt 25 Jan 2012, 21:55

I've come across a few on-line retailers that offer prism lenses. I should have written them down as I don't recall which ones it was. But it would be good to know so I may see if I can find them again.

That's right I also forgot that Zenni doesn't offer that lens. They have changed a few things recently on their lenses. They now offer a better quality AR coating for $15.00 and

cactus Jack 25 Jan 2012, 20:28

CURIOUS,

I believe I made an error in suggesting Zenni as a possible source for low cost glasses in her Rx. I had forgotten that, to my knowledge, Zenni does not offer glasses with prism correction. However, because her prism Rx is pretty low, they might do it as a special order. It would not hurt to ask if she is interested.

Prism is pretty rare with online retailers, but Eyeglass Factory Outlet in Florida appears to do glasses with prism. They are a bit more expensive than Zenni, but a lot less than High Street retailers.

Soundmanpt,

Do you have any suggestions.

CURIOUS 25 Jan 2012, 19:35

Thank you Cactus Jack and Soundmanpt, I will see if I can turn the discussion over to talk lens types with my friend. Very helpful info!

Soundmanpt 25 Jan 2012, 12:05

Curious

Also something she may want to consider is going to a plastic frame. A wire frame is certain to show thickness more. Also it wound not be a bad idea to find a frame that has somewhat wide temples (arms) as that will block any thickness out. But like Cactus Jack said her rx is not really that strong and she should be able to wear glasses and look very attractive doing so. Also the idea of going to a hi-index lens would help as well. I suggest 1.67 and that should make her glasses very nice.

Cactus Jack 25 Jan 2012, 10:19

Curious,

That is sad that she is embarrassed about wearing her glasses. She really should not be. Her prescription is really not very strong, just complex. The add is a bit high for her age, but not unheard of when there are over convergence tendencies. Also, with all the tiny text devices around these days, bifocals or progressives are not uncommon even in teens. Her double vision without glasses may seem to her to be significant, but 4 prism diopters is only 2.28 angular degrees of turn in which is invisible to others and the 3 prism diopters of vertical prism is even less so.

I really suspect that she is having a concern that is just not necessary. There are a few things she might do to help the situation. The most important is to get some very attractive frames. Other people notice frames much more than they notice the lenses in glasses. She might consider some higher index lens material. CR-39 has the best optical properties, but if lens edge thickness is of concern, a higher index material would reduce the thickness.

She might want to consider progressives for social occasions, but with her Rx, lined bifocals may provide the best vision for a work environment.

If costs are an issue, I would also suggest checking out Zenni Optical or other on line retailer. Zenni seems to do a good job and they offer some really good prices even for high fashion frames. If she wants to try ordering on line, the only thing she needs other than her Rx is her PD (pupillary distance). If she does not have it, she can measure it in a few minutes with a ruler calibrated in mm and a large mirror such as in the bathroom.

For her own comfort, she needs to turn her glasses from a burden into an attractive fashion accessory. Lots of women do.

May I ask where you live?

CURIOUS 24 Jan 2012, 23:24

@Cactus Jack:

My friend told me tonight that she is embarrased about her glasses. We went to a bar after work, and immediately upon arrival she stuck her glasses in her hair. She was without them for all of the 2 hours we were there, and she told me how she hates wearing them as they make her eyes and face looking distorted. I could not lie and say that it is not obvious. The lenses do stick out approx. 4 mm from behind her wire frames, and there are these "rings" from all sides- or what you call it - almost blocking the view through the lenses trying to look at her eyes when she turns her head. I noticed that she avoided trying to watch the TV behind the bar, even though everybody else had their eyes glued to the sports. As the time went on, she was blinking faster and more intense. At a stage I noticed that her eyes was even blood shot, and she seemed so relieved to drag the glasses back down on her nose bag.

CUROUS 24 Jan 2012, 23:01

@Brett: They are line bifocals.

Brett 24 Jan 2012, 20:17

Curious, you didn't mention if her glasses are progressives or line bifocals/trifocals?

Cactus Jack 24 Jan 2012, 13:20

Curious,

It is obvious that her vision is very uncomfortable without her glasses. This is because her brain is trying to use every tool (muscle) it has to try to deliver two good quality, nearly matched images to her visual cortex. It is physically impossible without her glasses. The tears are a side effect of the effort.

Even though all the eye muscles are all very small, the ciliary muscles which focus the eyes are the strongest, hardest working muscles for their size in the body.

Why do you think she took her glasses off? You might mention to her that she is very attractive with her glasses.

One thing to remember is that her vision cannot be corrected with contacts.

gwgs 24 Jan 2012, 12:20

Varifocals - I totally agree, but I said in the narrative, the point was the principle behind keeping an up to date prescription with both types of correction (i.e. glasses and contacts).

Whether you are -3, or -13 the principle is still the same in that you don't want to wake up one morning, have an eye infection and not be able to wear contact lenses and have to stumble around until it clears up.

I'm sorry if it came across in any other way but I was just trying to be helpful by demonstrating a real life situation.

CURIOUS 24 Jan 2012, 11:40

PS. Her age is 24.

CURIOUS 24 Jan 2012, 11:37

Cactus Jack & Revolver,

Thank you both very much for your replies which much appreciated!

She did take her glasses off for like half an hour whilst we were sitting chatting in her couch. Her eyes looked totally unfocused and the one of them were kind of drifting inward. I also noticed that she blinked quite hard and fast when looking towards me. At the end she said something like: "I'm sorry, but I can't be without my glasses any longer", and I noticed that her eyes were tearing up. She didn't mention that the eyes hurt, but do you think they did, or why would they run into water?

Varifocals 24 Jan 2012, 11:03

GWGs

Your advice to Emma is very topical to another lady who has got herself in a fix with glasses V contacts & her eyes with glasses are very poor now.

Is there any way & can have a copy of the advice to forward on to her & save embarrasement.

Thanks.

Revolver 24 Jan 2012, 09:38

CURIOUS: the operative words in CJ's response were "surprisingly well" but that would imply that with a complex scrip like that one and especially the 2.25 add and fairly high cyl she'd have problems at both near and distance and she works very hard to achieve the surprisingly good vision.

I would submit she sees "very uncomfortably". Yes, there is some cancellation of the near and far parts of the scrip, but the add, the cyl, and the complex prism would require constant accommodative efforts leading to a lot of strain at all distances not to mention the convergence problem that necessitated the prism in the first place.

gwgs 24 Jan 2012, 06:25

Emma, I would also advise that you get an updated prescription for your glasses.

As you well know, your prescription for your contacts will naturally be a bit less than for your glasses as the contacts are much closer to your eyes. This being said, a colleague of mine at work wears glasses with an current prescription of -11.25, -10.25 and did the same thing as you (she didn't update her glasses as often as she should).

She only just got the above prescription a couple of months ago, but I recall an incident when she was wearing glasses one day (she wore contact quite regularly) and she was squinting quite heavily to make out details on a presentation we were being shown. I asked her after about this and she said she hadn't updated her glasses prescription as regularly as her contact lenses one due to the high cost involved. I told the exact same thing that Soundman has said here - and she also found out at this presentation, that her prescription just wasn't up to date enough for her to function as she wanted to.

She regularly talked about her bad eyesight, so I had no qualms about discussing it with her and asked her what her current glasses prescription was, and she said it was -9.50, -8.50. She had her eyes re-examined and when she wore a new pair of glasses into work shortly after this incident I asked if she'd been to the opticians, she said yes and that her new prescription was -10.25, -9.50.

I hope this example shows you the importance of keeping an up to date glasses prescription as well as your contacts, as you never know when you might need it! It also can't be good for your eyes straining to see all the time

Mister Roberts 23 Jan 2012, 21:40

Had a chat with a customer of mine who happens to be an optometrist and asked him if his business was good, he said it was. Then I asked what the highest prescription he had seen. I told him my wife was a -14 and he responded that the highest he had seen recently was -12. He asked if my wife wore contacts in which I replied yes, though, I told him that I really liked the look of her glasses when she wore them, like pieces of diamonds. He chuckled and said, " You know I've never thought of them like that before, but I do too". I think this illustrates just how rare very strong Rx's really are.

Cactus Jack 23 Jan 2012, 19:17

Curious,

She probably sees surprisingly well without her glasses for such a complex prescription. The key is that the sphere and cylinder corrections are in the low to moderate range. She likely sees double without her glasses unless she concentrates on and expends effort to keep the images fused. You did not mention her age, but the add may be to help control over convergence when she focuses close.

I suspect that the comfort factor between wearing them and not wearing them is pretty large which would make her want to wear them full time.

One important question would be how long has she been wearing glasses. New glasses can mean glasses with a changed Rx or first glasses. That is a factor on how well she sees with and without the glasses. Remember, vision occurs in the brain, the eyes are merely biological cameras. The brain has amazing image creation power if it knows what something is supposed to look like.

CURIOUS 23 Jan 2012, 16:37

Hi,

I stayed overnight with a very nice GWG this weekend. She just got new glasses, and her RX was left on a table:

L: +0,50 sp -1,50 / 90 deg / prism 3up / prism 4out / add +2,25

R: -1,00 sp -1,00 / 55 deg / prism 4 out / add +2,25

Any qualified guesses about how she sees without her glasses?

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 havenât worn them in front of others yet. Iâm 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.

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??

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.

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.

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 â 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 didnât 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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, Iâm feeling better. I never really had the need for glasses. Iâve been wearing contacts since I was around 12 years old and Iâm now in my 30âs. 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 Iâm 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

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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 90Â°. 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 90Â°. 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).

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.

My local opticians here in London, UK quoted over Â£100 to reglaze with new lenses. But found an online place that did it for Â£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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Cactus Jack 24 Sep 2010, 12:10

sport,

Good information, thank you.

I need to go back and review our discussions.

sport 24 Sep 2010, 12:03

hey cactus if you get this this is my perscription

SPH.-0.50

cyl. -0.50

axis 150

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.

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.

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,

-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?

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

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?

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 friends 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 doesnt 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 Ive 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 boyfs spare pair to watch TV).

And I didnt have a dilated eye exam, no. And I dont 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 its been incredibly liberating. Ive 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 Im sitting here now typing without them on, I feel slightly dizzy/nauseous and my eyes really miss them. Its no problem, as they really suit me and I intend to wear them more often (even for work, eventually), but do you think Im 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

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.

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.

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?

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

Thanks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

-14 17 Mar 2010, 08:08

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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..

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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. Yours 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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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 dioptres is to some extent managable temporarily, depending on what you're trying to see.

Wilson 23 Sep 2009, 08:22

Puffin:

As to my progression, it has been faily even in two rough steps. From age 2 to 12 it was about 1 diopter per year. From 12 to 20 it averaged 2 diopters per year, although one year, when I was about 16, it was 3 diopter.

I discuss my glasses with the optician before they are ordered, but I have had them long enough that he pretty much knows what I want.

Chrissi:

Mostly, you lose peripheral vision with the myos, and have to look through the center of the lens and turn your head more. But you should be accustomed to that if you have -13s.

My younger sisters (twins) are 16, and one is -17 and the other is -21. Both of them wear myos.

Danbert 22 Sep 2009, 17:38

@Dan: Myopic progression may be caused by various factors: (a) genetics, (b) excessive near-work and (c) myopic blur, amongst others.

(c) relates to the fact that the eye may attempt to compensate for blur caused by growing (the brain may not actually "realise" that shrinking, if that were possible, would be preferable).

This is debatable and may be contradicted by other evidence. Regardless, the general/boring advice I see is that wearing your prescribed correction will make no difference to your Rx at all.

Not wearing correction will result in squinting/eyestrain and your ciliary muscles will not have to work very much when focusing up close. These things are probably not permanently detrimental to one's vision, but they're unlikely to help it either.

Chrissi 22 Sep 2009, 16:05

R Ed, my script is about -12.75 and -13.75 for my left and right eyes (respectively). There is some astigmatism. I wonder what rx I will be at when my progression stops!

R Ed 22 Sep 2009, 07:04

Chrissi,

My Rx is

right eye -5.00, +1.25 at 45, +2.75

left eye -6.5, + 1.50 at 170, +2.75

I've had progressive bi focals for many years; they are great. One day perhaps you'll consider them.

Chrissi 21 Sep 2009, 16:22

@R Ed. I have yet to get bifocals actually! Still working with the older glasses thing for lots of close work....What is your rx?

Clare 21 Sep 2009, 12:53

Dan - my first Rx was about the same as your wife's; I was younger though, in my early 20s. 15 years later I mostly wear contacts and my prescription is -3 and -2.75 with a bit of cyl. I can't attribute the progression in my Rx to wearing my glasses too often - I didn't wear contacts full time till I got to around -2.50. And since I did, though it may be coincidence, I've not had much change.

Dan 21 Sep 2009, 12:37

After suffering repeated headaches and noticing she didn't always see things sharply when tired, and a visit to the ophtalmologist, my wife (aged 33) got her first pair of glasses two weeks ago. Her prescription is not strong, with -0.75 in each eye and some cylinder left.

I have been encouraging her to wear her glasses often (I really like her in them), but she only puts them on when driving so far. Although she immediately conceded that she could see much better with glasses, she thinks her eyes will deteriorate if she wears them too often. I think the contrary: put the glasses on, and that way you will not put too much strain on your eyes.

Do you think her prescription can evolve over the next years? And will it matter whether she wears the glasses often or not?

R Ed 21 Sep 2009, 06:52

Chrissi,

If I recall correctly you were asking about bi focals some time ago and discovered reading was easier with older glasses with less minus power. Were you prescribed bi focals as part of your most recent Rx?

Mark 21 Sep 2009, 02:14

Chrissi, if you are interested in trying out myodiscs but dont want to shell out a fortune i have a few ideas that you might like to hear.

Send me an email if you want to talk about this in more detail.

Samheim@hotmail.co.uk

Regards

RL 20 Sep 2009, 16:10

I have gotten myodiscs from optical 4 less and was quite satisfied with them. I've just been trying to find someplace closer to home than Hong Kong. Somplace where one could talk to the optician.

sam12744 20 Sep 2009, 14:45

RL,

I should have mentioned, though, that optical4less are still quite expensive, despite being an online supplier. The quality is good, but the choice of frames may leave something to be desired.

sam12744 20 Sep 2009, 14:43

RL,

Failing getting myodiscs( lenticular) done locally,optical4less are happy to do them online. You can order the size of bowl you want( default is 28mm, which is on the large side for most modern frames), so you need to specify in the "other instructions" what size you want. I use 20mm or 18mm to avoid them being cropped by the frame.They can turn out remarkably thin and light myodisc lenses in scripts from -14 to -40.Obviously, the plano carriers give the thinnest and lightest lenses.

Puffin 20 Sep 2009, 14:41

Wilson and other similar high myopes:

When you get your presumably myodisked glasses, do you give the optician some input about what you want, ie bowl size, plus or plano carrier, etc, or just leave them to it and see what they turn out?

Also, did your myopia go up sharply in the teens - for some congential or near congential myopes, it grows steadily or stays fairly flat.

Chrissi 20 Sep 2009, 13:11

Wilson, wow that is a very high rx! I might actually get around there by the time my progression stops. I am 14 and wearing -13 now.

Can you tell me about how it is to wear myodiscs?

Wilson 19 Sep 2009, 08:24

RL:

I don't think I am going to be much help, all of my family (also significant myopes) use an optician in our town (no chain) and have always used him. He sends out to a lab, my glasses usually take about a month to come in. I've worn myos since I was -18, about 7-8 years now.

My current glasses are 28mm bowl, plastic with + carrier.

SoCal 16 Sep 2009, 21:27

Okay, so I went to the eye doc today and to my surprise, he was going to lower my Rx. I had told him I was getting headaches and he thought that my Rx was a bit too strong for me and that lowering it would fix the problem. He also thought that my eyes were too dry and that the dryness was distorting my vision. He said that my current Rx was too strong for me and that, coupled with the dry eyes was causing the blur. I told him that my eyes actually felt better with contacts on and that there was not any dryness and that it was not the issue. So try and fix things for now (until I return next Tuesday) he lowered the Rx in one eye and increased the Rx in the other eye so that they were the same. Well, now when I am indoors or driving at night, I find myself squinting a bit because I don't feel like I am seeing much better than before I went in. What is up? Is it me or is the Rx off? Should it be stronger

Cactus Jack 16 Sep 2009, 16:06

Eduardo,

It was only a suggestion. It is not unusual for a low hyperope to need less than a +1 increase in their sphere correction after getting and wearing their first glasses for a few months. This is because their ciliary muscles relax after years of compensating for their hyperopia. However, because you are slightly myopic in one eye, it is possible that you have been reading with that eye, your hyperopic eye has not had to compensate, and your Rx is correct.

Many optometrists will do a recheck at no charge after a few months of wearing your first glasses and if you need a small change, many glasses makers will remake your lenses at no charge within a certain time frame.

After everything has had a chance to relax, a once a year exam will be all you need unless you notice a problem.

Eduardo 16 Sep 2009, 15:41

Thanks Cactus, I think that you are trying to tell me that I will need stronger glasses in the near future. More hyperopia?

Aubrac 15 Sep 2009, 12:25

Jack

Saw your earler post. Contacts come in faorly standard diameter and base curve but you must have an optometrist fit them.

If not you can get oxygen starvation to the cornea and loose sight to the lens.

Don't mess around with it

Cactus Jack 15 Sep 2009, 12:07

Eduardo,

I didn't answer your question about distance vision w/o glasses. The reason that doesn't seem as sharp is that your brain has become used to using both eyes together and is not over accommodating to see distance clearly with the hyperopic eye while ignoring the blurry myopic eye.

Cactus Jack 15 Sep 2009, 12:03

Edurado,

Good to hear form you. What you are experiencing is pretty much normal. The pulling or eye crossing are caused by the interconnection between the focus mechanism and the convergence mechanism in your brain. You distance vision may not seem as sharp because the image from your mildly hyperopic eye is like a slightly over corrected myope. The image appears shaper and you brain will always use the sharpest image as the primary source.

In a month or so, you might want to consider a re-check on your Rx after your eyes have had an opportunity to fully relax.

Eduardo 15 Sep 2009, 10:24

HI Cactus jack---wanted to check in with you after several weeks of college. Have been wearing my glasses all the time for about a month and been back at school for two weeks. Interesting, I have found that when I remove my glasses for any length of time, my eyes feel like they are pulling or crossing. Also, distant vision w/o glasses is now not as sharp. Not sure why this is the case as I am only nearsighted in one eye. Close accounting work is now less stressful on the eyes.

RL 15 Sep 2009, 07:56

Wilson, where do you get your myodiscs made? I find they are increasingly hard to come by and although my prescription is only in the mid-teens, myodiscs are the only really thin lenses I can get. Are yours plastic or glass and do they have a plus or plano carrier? How big are the bowls? Thanks in advance for the info.

Wilson 15 Sep 2009, 07:24

I am a 21 yo college senior and very high myope. Introduced to ES a few weeks ago by my room-mate. Worn glasses most of my life. First were about -4 at 18 months.

My script is R: -27.00 -1.75 x045 L: -28.50 -4.25 x050 add +5.00, been stable for a couple of years. Glasses are myodisks and then I have clip-ons with intermediate and add, and another clip-on with just +5 in the lower part for class.

ambly 14 Sep 2009, 04:34

Just had an eyetest two days ago script changed from +2.00_add+2.25 both eyes to R +1.75 L+6.00 add 2.50 this is the largest increace i have ever had.This was just a two year checkup i hadnt noticed anything wrong.Have not ordered any new glasses yet as I am still a bit shocked and maybe a little pleased to have a deasent strength script at last.Does anyone think my new glasses will look a bit odd with only one strong lens? I dont really mind if they do look odd being a long term O-O with a love of the unusual.

JimInCA 12 Sep 2009, 22:30

Hi all. Been viewing this site for a while. As sometimes people ask what someones vision is like based on a presciption number, I wanted to share this tool I found on the web for myopia simulation. It shows the number and an image and what it looks like. I imagine it is probably pretty accurate, but can't say for sure.

http://www.eyeland-design.com/webtools/53828496ca1045c06/53828496bd08d7c0c/index.html

My vision actually went past this as I had -11.5/-12.5 plus about 3 myopia in each eye. I say "had" because I got a surgery to fix recently - I got the Visian ICL in both eyes in May and then a Lasik on the left eye in late June. I am seeing very good now, around 20/20 - way better then my old 20/1000+ range!

JimInCA

Clare 11 Sep 2009, 12:02

Jack - my prescription is similar -3/-2.75. I'd say its worth paying to get a proper examination for contacts, unless you get the right brand for your eyes they can be less comfortable than they need to. Invest in the money, keep your eyes healthy and comfortable. I've had contacts that weren't and it is horrible!

R Ed 11 Sep 2009, 10:55

Jack,

Listen to Julian; he is correct.

I did what you are doing all through high school. It was dumb. Everyone knew I couldn't see; people are observant. No one cares if you wear glasses or not.

My denial ended when I got a great job that was subject to a physical exam including guess what? An eye test. A few days later I had glasses, wore them full time and guess what again? IT WAS NO PROBLEM.

Please let us know what you intend to do.

Julian 11 Sep 2009, 02:10

Jack: honestly, why don't you just let people know, AND SEE, that you have glasses? Everybody around you probably knows that you need them, so why not just put them on and wear them with pride?

Phil 11 Sep 2009, 01:30

I picked up my new specs. Distance rx down by .50 sphere and .25 cylinder to -3.25 in one eye and down by .50 sphere to -3.25 in the other. Reading add up to 2.50 from 2.25.

I certainly can't see long distance as well as before. Bus destinations etc are much more of a blur. And the bottom portion of the lense is much less clear for reading. But computer vision is excellent with the new lenses. I think I'll use them for work and get a pair with single vision lenses at old prescription for distance and another pair (at around -1.25) for reading.

The strange thing is that, if I take off the new specs after only a short period of wear, my eyes feel tired. I did not experience that with my previous rx.

Curt 10 Sep 2009, 06:32

Jack: Contacts must be fitted by an optometrist. They come in different curvatures and diameters, and measurements of your eyes must be done to ensure that the lenses fit properly. Badly fitted contacts would be irritating to wear, and could possibly cause problems with your eyes.

If you really want contacts, spend the money and have them fitted properly. They are the only eyes you have...

Jack 10 Sep 2009, 06:24

Hi,

My prescription -2.75 , I can't see anything without my glasses,nobody around me know that I have glasses (I am 18), and I thought that I need to get some contacts.

There is a store nearby which sell very cheap contacts , and I want to try some, but I don't want to go the optometrist, can I just buy them and put them ? Visitng optometrist will be very expensive so I prefer this way .

I am interested in daily contacts just for school ( because I cant see a thing)

I can videos on YouTube to demonstrat how to put them.

Is that will be a problam.

SimonC 10 Sep 2009, 01:14

Julian - Hi. It is inches. I realised as soon as I had posted it but had not had time to reply. Trying to post while I should have been working.

VFL: Glasses with me, just took them off to see what I could(nt) see. They were straight back on. Dont like going bare eyed.

Julian 10 Sep 2009, 00:32

Simon: do you really mean you have to be 6 mm. from the screen to read it? Even 6 cm. would seem pretty close with your Rx.

VFL 09 Sep 2009, 13:20

Thank you for your reply, Simon. Where were your glasses when you were in the car? Tucked away in your pocket? Don't you get headachey going without?

SimonC 09 Sep 2009, 08:44

Hi.

Without my glasses I am pretty useless. I can read the computer screen without glasses about 6mm away - cant make out the keyboard when sat here without glasses on. And no, cant see any faces looking around the office here. I can make out people sat down but no features of them.

I can manage getting around at home without glasses as I know where everything is so I can get up in the night to say go to toilet without needing to put them on.

Driving is a complete no-no of course. I cant recall the distance you are supposed to be able to read a number plate from but when I was in the car a few days ago and someone asked if I could see a number plate I couldnt read the one right in front of us when in traffic jam.

VFL 09 Sep 2009, 08:37

May I ask, Simon, what your vision is like without your glasses? Can you recognize people from across a room? Are you okay with not putting them on in the middle of the night? How about reading a book or the computer?

If you were out somewhere and broke them, could you drive home?

Galileo 09 Sep 2009, 08:21

Hi James, I have seen -4.25 with plano fronts.

SimonC 09 Sep 2009, 08:04

I am 35. My current prescription is:

L: -5.50 -1.50

R: -5.00 -1.25

James 09 Sep 2009, 07:15

I am sure this has been asked a thousand times but I couldn't find it, so here goes:

what is the MINIMUM minus Rx at which lenses are made flat in front?

I saw a delicious guy yesterday with irresistble flashing-in-the-light flat fronted lenses. Nice cut-in too. But then, from the side, they looked disappointingly thin, attributable mos likely to high index. Either way, I guess he was on the lower end of flat fronted lenses, and I am wondering what his numbers were.

James 09 Sep 2009, 07:14

I am sure this has been asked a thousand times but I couldn't find it, so here goes:

what is the MINIMUM minus Rx at which lenses are made flat in front?

jhon 08 Sep 2009, 13:46

probalby that will be more than 20/200, i think 20/250

Interested 08 Sep 2009, 12:42

Hey

My Korean girlfriend wears glasses. She said that in Korea, visual acuity is measured from 2.0, 1.5, 1.0,0.9,0.8..........0.0...and then into minus figures e.g. -0.1,-0.2 etc.

So good eyesight is at '2.0'. He eyes are 0.0 in both her right and left, so I was wondering whether anyone could give me an idea of what this would be in either standard visual acuity terms or her rough prescription. I'm really interested to know how well she can see. She wears contacts all of the time, so I rarely get to see her in glasses.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

John L 04 Sep 2009, 14:53

Recently had a boost to my near vision prescription to +2 both eyes now 49 was + 1.5 at last test at 47.

Distance

right

-5.00, -0.75cyl, -180

left

-4.75, -0.75cyl, -180

Clare 04 Sep 2009, 11:22

Phil - remember, it's your acuity that counts not your Rx! Did you ask what your acuity is?

ehpc 02 Sep 2009, 12:39

Phil - I am 55 and about five times in the last couple of years I have been assumed to be, or asked if I am, a 'Senior Citizen' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's the white hair (what little there is of it :)) - hair was white by age 45. Pete

Phil 02 Sep 2009, 02:42

I've just had an eye test. My previous rx was -3.75 sphere (in both eyes) and -.25 cylinder in one. My new rx is -3.25 in both eyes (with no sign of astigmatism)! It's the first time my rx has ever gone down. The cheeky optician was so happy: she said it was "age-related"! I am distraught: I was expecting a slight increase!

I ordered Zeiss varifocal lenses. And I managed to get her to edge my reading add up to +2.50.

I am not expecting clear sharp vision with the new glasses but I suppose I might be surprised.

david 01 Sep 2009, 13:34

i want to make an order from zennioptical and i have some questions.

my prescription is -3.25 and -0.5 cyl

1)what will be the difference between lenses index 1.61 and 1.67 ?

2)is there anyone here who didnt receive his glass from zenni?

3)how much time it will take them to ship to israel?

4)you reccomand to buy from zenni or from optical4less?

if you cant answer some of this questions send it to email -hareld10@gmail.com.

Cactus Jack 27 Aug 2009, 14:39

Adam,

It sounds like things are working out about as we discussed previously. Your Rx is low enough that glasses are optional for most situations and they are no big deal to you, your friends and associates should you decide to wear them. The strain you described is normal because your brain now knows what the images are supposed to be like. It is trying to use the tools it has to improve the quality of the images being delivered without your glasses. Unfortunately, the tools (ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses) are simply not capable of solving the problem without external help.

Just out of curiosity, did you find that the football game was more enjoyable with your glasses? About how far were you from the screen? If it was more then two meters, it should have been sharper and any text should have been easier to read.

I hope you have found the advice and encouragement by the members of Eyescene to be helpful and you will continue to post occasionally.

Has anyone asked to try you glasses yet?

Adam 27 Aug 2009, 11:52

Sorry i havent posted for a while, but i have now started wearing my glasses in front of my friends. It was when i went to the pub to watch some football on the tv i could see the screen ok without my glasses, but thought this would be an ideal time to wear them. So i put them on when the match started, there were afew comments but not as much i thought just like "I didnt know you wore glasses?" and comments to that nature. I ended up keeping them on for the rest of the night. Now people have seen me in them i dont feel as self concious about wearing them anymore.

I do find that my eyes are straining when i dont have them on, but im still not wearing them all of the time mainly for driving at night.

Slit 27 Aug 2009, 11:11

Hey GG!

Well, actually it was me posting as Eyescene by mistake.

Yes, what you say seems to have a fact.

I guess forst we have to point nose, and then move eyeball along the vertical line to find the right place to see through.

GG 26 Aug 2009, 20:28

Eyescene,

Its true, I cant just move my eyes side to side to see since it gets distorted like you said. I have learned to point my nose at what I am trying to see. It was hard to find the right part of the lense at first especially when working on the computer but the more I wear them the easier it has become. Maybe because I started wearing the progressives with a low RX it was easier to get used to? I dont know, but either way I wouldnt be without them now.

Melyssa 26 Aug 2009, 12:44

Eyescene,

My husband has worn progressives for 3 years now. And yes, he does "follow his nose" to see properly at all distances. His RX is -8.25 with a +2.25 add. He got used to them pretty much right away.

Eyescene 26 Aug 2009, 10:38

Hey GG!

Yes, you are the engineer who started with bifocals.

Well, seems your eyes have found its full relaxed position.

I have tried bifocals, but never tried progressives. Always thought the area in two sides of the lens look fuzzy.

Does it require to point head at each thing you see? Back in time I heard a tip somewhere that prograssive wearer should direct the nose at what is needed to see (it ifs upclose) so that things are well focused.

How do you handle this?

guest123 25 Aug 2009, 16:52

thanks for the photos jack

GG 24 Aug 2009, 20:20

I dont know if you remember my posts from last fall but I am writing with an update. My full Rx is +2.50, -.5, add +1.00. I was wearing contacts but about 6 mos ago I finally got some really great glasses with my full RX. They are black and copper color with thin progressive lenses!! I now put my glasses on first thing in the morning and wear them all day! I hate to say it but I have become pretty dependent, I don't have the ability to bring near writing or object in focus anymore without my glasses and supprisingly distance objects are even more clear! I still wear my contacts occassionaly but I notice that my vision is definitely not as good and I find that I strain to read since they do not incorporate the astigmatism or reading add of my Rx. My Dr. wanted to see me back in a year wich will be in the next few months and I am curious if I will have any changes in my Rx. I have been reading that it is not unusial to have Rx increases often as your eye muscles relax. I am truly amazing how fast glasses have become a necessity for me. I will keep you posted when I have my next exam. Thanks again to all of those who encouraged me to trade vanity for great vistion. :)

SAS 24 Aug 2009, 11:31

When I said I see better without glasses previously, I meant (when viewing the computer, only)

SAS 24 Aug 2009, 11:30

Hi,

I used to post on this site, but mostly lurking lately. I am 47 yrs old and have a new rx for progressives. It reads :

OD -1.75 + 0.50 x 097 +2.25 add

OS -1.00 + 0.50 x 095 +2.25 add

I'm sure my left eye compensates for my right at distance, and with such a weak rx, why do you think my opthalmologist stated, "the glasses are meant to be worn full time". Do you think it's necessary to avoid eye strain? Also, I feel that I get alot of headaches and don't know if it is because of the new rx, or the fact that I sit at a computer all day, and find that I see better without my glasses. I need my glasses however at work to see anything printed on paper. Any suggestions or answers would be appreciated. Love this sight! So informative.

Guest123 24 Aug 2009, 10:15

I sent you an email

Cactus Jack 24 Aug 2009, 09:59

guest123,

I don't know of any web site with pictures of Base Out lenses and Eyescene has no provisions for posting picutres. If you will contact me privately at cactusjack1928@hotmail.com, I will see what I might be able to send you. I have worn prism glasses for about 20 years.

Guest123 24 Aug 2009, 08:39

I understand what you want and I checked it on optical4less, but I don't have money to "throw away" and I want to put this money on much better lenses,

My optician suggest for 1.74 lenses , what would you suggest?

+ do you have any web so I can see glasses with prisms before I do something?(it's not that I am not gonna order I just don't want to surprise)

Thanks

Cactus Jack 23 Aug 2009, 19:37

guest,

You mentioned that you were very concerned about the thickness of your lenses and unfortunately, Base Out prism will make the outer edges of the lenses thicker by a few mm. However, the major controlling factor in edge thickness is the Sphere Rx, the width of the lenses and the index of refraction of the lens material. Because this is your first prism Rx, you might consider getting the lenses made locally at the lowest possible cost, perhaps even using old frames and CR-39 because of its optical quality, to make sure the Rx solves the double vision problem. Then, you can order more stylish glasses with high index lenses. If you want to order on line, you might try Optical 4 less or Eyeglass Factory Outlet. Both offer prism.

Another possible way to reduce lens thickness is to put part of the sphere correction in contact lenses and the rest of the sphere, the cylinder and the prism in glasses. There is no way to put prism in contacts and the toric contacts are not always satisfactory. In effect, a form of glasses over contacts.

Before spending a lot of money on an exotic solution, I would suggest getting the Rx at the lowest reasonable cost and see how it helps.

Please understand that this is a forum of people interested in vision and optics. We offer nothing but education, advice and suggestions based on knowledge and experience. You are always free to do as you wish.

Also, it would be helpful, if you continue posting, if you could adopt a unique nickname. There are many visitors who post as guest with widely diverse questions and it is difficult to keep them straight.

guest 23 Aug 2009, 16:12

i have been in the oprician and i got new script:

RE SPH -4.75 CYL -1.00 AXIS 110 PRISM 3 BASE OUT

LE SPH -4.5 CYL -1.25 AXIS 80 PRISM 3 BASE OUT

i didnt order the lenses yet , and i need your suggestion... what are you offering?

guest 20 Aug 2009, 23:29

i am going to the optican tommorow

Cactus Jack 20 Aug 2009, 18:28

Guest,

That really is not the way to approach the problem. It is possible that you may need Base In prism. In that case, prism will make the outer edge thinner and the inner edge slightly thicker.

The important thing is to find out the source of the problem. Then, we can help you decide what to do about it. Remember, you do not have to get an Rx filled immediately.

You may need to see a doctor who specialized in such matters.

Guest 20 Aug 2009, 14:24

It is very important to me the thickness of the lenses (I have -4) and the glasses are thick,so I don't want to "put" more thickness on the edges.

So before I do something, do you have images of glasses which have prisms from as I checked between 1d of prisms and 11d of prisms so I can the thickness and consider the lens type according to the thickness.

Thank you

Cactus Jack 20 Aug 2009, 13:20

Adam,

How are you doing with your glasses.

hd,

How are you doing with yours.

Puffin 19 Aug 2009, 15:30

If I were to try assessing my own convergence or double vision problems I'd get hold of some prisms, look through one at a time with increasing prism each time, and see how much is needed to cause a problem.

However, this is quite likely to be awkward and inaccurate if you've never done it before, and will not tell you what the cause is, so perhaps best leave it to the optician.

Cactus Jack 19 Aug 2009, 14:45

guest,

It is possible that you have some muscle imbalance problems and that might be helped by prism. The need for a small amount of prism is very difficult to self diagnose and if you are having the symptoms you describe, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment for an eye exam and relate the symptoms you stated in your post.

Just to help you understand a bit more about prism, prism us used to bend light rays and correct for situations where the 6 muscles that control the motion of each eye (total 12 muscles) do not work together in a coordinated manner. Base Out prism corrects for the eyes trying to converge too much. Base In prism prism corrects for the eyes trying to diverge or not converge enough. Base Up and Base Down prism corrects for situations where one eye points downward while the other points upward.

Prism is specified in Prism Diopters where 1 prism diopter is defined as that amount of prism that will deflect a ray of light 1 cm at a distance of 1 meter. In angular terms, 1 prism diopter deflects a ray of light 0.57 angular degrees.

It is likely that you may need a few diopter of Base Out or Base In prism which would increase or decrease the outer edge thickness of your glasses by about 1 mm per diopter. Up to about 5 diopters of prism would be barely noticeable by others but if you do need some prism correction it would substantially increase your comfort.

Please let us know what you decide to do.

May I ask your age and where you live?

guest 19 Aug 2009, 04:39

hello,

i am 21 , and in the last time i feel that i am not fully control my eyes, sometimes i see think like double vision and i need to focus again, it's happen to me also when i am reading.

and its happen to more when i am tired.

I checked in the internet and i found that prisms can fixed that, so ,is there any way i can make a rough test on my computer to see if i need some?

and someone can give me explantion about prisms ? i also see something about "base out,base up...." what is that mean?

my prescription is -4.00 with -0.75 cyl both eyes

Joseph 15 Aug 2009, 04:50

Many thanks Cactus Jack, for all the information and insight. I had not had my eyes examined in over 30 years---so all of this presbyopia, latent, etc. is new to me. Am going to the optical shop today and purchase a pair of bifocals.

Cactus Jack 14 Aug 2009, 14:46

Joseph,

The effects of astigmatism are difficult to explain without your ever having seen the difference between corrected and uncorrected astigmatism.

Astigmatism is caused by your cornea being curved more steeply in one direction than it is in a direction 90 degrees away. What that means is that it is impossible for you to focus an image accurately on your retina with sphere only correction. The effects of can be noticed when reading small text where the horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines (strokes) of the letters are not equally black, sharp and in focus. It will probably be more noticeable in your left eye than it is in your right eye because the astigmatism is greater. If you move the text closer and farther away, you will probably notice that the relatively clarity of the strokes changes unevenly.

If you have ever seen a Tee shirt with multiple prints of the word "focus" that is similar to what a large amount of astigmatism can cause. Fortunately, you have very mild astigmatism or we would not be having this discussion.

Regarding your distance vision, you may not immediately notice an improvement in your distance vision. It is likely that you have been compensating for your hyperopia that it will take several weeks for your ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses to relax. Until they fully relax, your distance vision may be a bit blurry.

If you review the threads on hyperopia and presbyopia, you will find numerous instances of concerns similar to your. Essentially, you are what is called a latent hyperope and there are many, many people with similar concerns as yours. You are not alone.

Joseph 14 Aug 2009, 13:04

Honestly, I do not understand enough about my astigmatism prescription to even know how it affects my vision. Also, will the distant prescription make a noticeable difference in my vision?

Cactus Jack 14 Aug 2009, 05:39

Joseph,

The +3.25 OTC readers will be OK for close work, but you really need to consider some Rx bifocals. If nothing else they would also correct your astigmatism which can affect reading acuity.

You should be able to get either lined or progressive bifocals on line pretty inexpensively. You can try progressives, but with your Rx, I think you will find lined bifocals more satisfactory. Try both and see which you like best.

Joseph 14 Aug 2009, 05:26

Thanks. Am going out today and purchase +3.25 OTC readers.

Cactus Jack 13 Aug 2009, 18:53

Joseph,

For bifocals, the reading add optically adds to the basic distance Rx so your reading segment is actually OD +3.25 OS +3.00.

Joseph 13 Aug 2009, 18:18

Have worn OTC readers for over 6 years. Am now 49 and my partner had been urging me to have my eyes examined. Finally gave in and went today. Prescription is:

OD +1.00 -0.25 160 add +2.25

OS +0.75 -0.50 5 add +2.25

Interestingly, the + on my OTC glasses was +2.50. For this prescription, it appears the reading lens is not as strong. Also, a little surprised that I had difficulties reading the eye chart at a distance.

Adam 13 Aug 2009, 13:32

Still havent worn my glasses in front of my friends yet, but have been wearing them most of the time when driving. I also wore them whilst shopping in my local city this was by accident really, as i had them on while driving and forgot i had them on when i got out of the car.

So i guess this means i am kind og getting used to them, just need to wait for the moment i forget to take them of in front of my friends!!!

Dan 13 Aug 2009, 08:09

Clare,

My vision without the glasses/contacts is not terrible (I wouldn't expect it to be with a -1.00) but I really like to see things as clearly as possible.

I'll be going back to college in a week or two and I need to be able to see the board obviously. It's easier to just wear the glasses/contacts all the time especially with my new prescription.

The only time I see myself not wearing any correction is in the morning when I wake up or late at night if I'm just watching TV. Actually, right now, I'm not wearing any correction while typing this.

Clare 13 Aug 2009, 01:33

Dan - congratulations on your new Rx. How are you finding your vision without glasses/contacts now? I guess that's a factor in your decision to go full time?

Dan 12 Aug 2009, 15:22

I posted back in June regarding my new prescription:

OD -1.00 -0.50 x 090

OS -0.75 -0.50 x 090

At the time, I decided to get contacts (yes I know, contacts...everyone start the jeering haha) and just now got around to getting my glasses' prescription updated.

Although the contacts are great, there is definitely nothing like getting a new prescription and seeing the thickness of the lens...mine are a fair amount thicker than last time.

Looks like I'll be full time now (whether it be contacts or glasses).

Cactus Jack 11 Aug 2009, 14:57

Adam,

The halo effect is typical of an improperly focused image on your retinas. Lack of focus does two things; it makes the image a bit fuzzy, and it spreads the available photons over a larger area, which reduces their ability to stimulate the light sensitive cells in your retina. The result is a very mild form or night blindness. Most people who need a much stronger Rx than you, try to avoid doing anything after dark without their glasses for that reason.

You are doing fine, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the reaction of your customers and friends. I will bet that it will be a non-event.

Adam 11 Aug 2009, 13:47

Yes the cinema sounds like a good idea, will try and go when ive got some time. As it is dark i went for a drive wearing my glasses, and they do make a difference to my vision make lights less of a halo effect (if that makes any sense). Have kept them on since i got back from my drive t owatch tv, to try and get used to having glasses on my face which does feel strange and i guess takes time to get used to!

Cactus Jack 11 Aug 2009, 12:35

Adam,

The more I think of it, the cinema would be an excellent idea. You can put on your glasses after the lights go down and if the movie is a good one, you may forget that you are wearing them and even walk out with them on.

Cactus Jack 11 Aug 2009, 12:31

Adam,

Most people with a low Rx and some with a remarkably high one are surprised that their vision was not "perfect" before they got glasses. If nothing else, go somewhere where you are not well known and see what the world is really like. I think you will really notice the difference after dark. Perhaps the cinema.

Adam 11 Aug 2009, 11:15

Hello, my glasses arrived today. I have worn them in the house abit and have noticed that my eyes feel relaxed wearing them, and that words on the the television are clearer, i had not noticed them being blurry before.

Im still not sure that i suit glasses and i think i look abit strange wearing them. I havent worn them in public yet as i only got them after i had finished work, now got to build the confidence to wear them out in public.

Cactus Jack 08 Aug 2009, 08:03

Adam,

I think you will notice the biggest difference in low light conditions. In bright light, your irises close down and that is like squinting. Please don't wait too long to wear them in public. All that happens is that wearing glasses will just be "something new". Everyone will want to try them and some will comment that they are not very strong. You may also find that others are pretty quiet and make no comment. Usually, the ones that make no comment, discover that they see better with the glasses.

Your Rx means that your vision starts to blur around 2 meters (6.5 feet). Closer than that, you probably won't notice much difference with your Rx.

Andrew 07 Aug 2009, 11:06

Bel,

I'm no expert, but two things spring to mind. It might be your age, or it could be the way the prescription was written last time out, or a combination of both. CJ will also point out that small amounts of astigmatism are difficult to assess 100% accurately so this could also come into play.

Adam 07 Aug 2009, 08:45

Hello well i choose two pairs from an internet site and they should be delivered in 3 to 4 days!! Still havent told people i need glasses yet, will try and get used to wearing them first before i wear them in front of people.

Will let you know how i get on.

Cactus Jack 06 Aug 2009, 18:55

Eduardo,

Please do.

Eduardo 06 Aug 2009, 17:22

Thanks for your advising, Cactus Jack. If it is okay, I will post after I return to school and let you know how my life and studies go with glasses.

bel 06 Aug 2009, 15:52

Andrew, I hadn't had an eye test in a few years which was mainly why I decided to get one. I do get tired eyes when reading and the occasional headache but I've gotten used to it.

The other interesting thing (well to me, at least) was at my previous test I was very slightly nearsighted and now I am slightly farsighted. Is there a reason behind this?

Cactus jack 06 Aug 2009, 11:15

Eduardo,

At 19 you probably have quite a ways to go. The typical age is around 40, but the need for focusing help can occur at any age. College students with heavy workloads occasionally get bifocals for the classroom to make switching from reading the blackboard to their notes easier. Don't sweat it.

Eduardo 06 Aug 2009, 10:21

Hi, I am 19 and live in Brooklyn, NY. I cannot even imagine wearing bifocals---is it possible that I could need them in a few years? Just getting used to full-time wear of glasses seems to be a big deal to me. Want to be wearing my glasses full-time when I return to school in a few weeks.

Cactus Jack 06 Aug 2009, 09:43

Eduardo,

Yes, you will likely need some form of vision correction from now on. Symptoms that you need an Rx change would be about the same as you previously indicated or mild blurring. Even if no symptoms appear, you should get a yearly exam.

Also, don't be too surprised if you wind up needing some additional help with close work a bit sooner than is typical (bifocals).

May I ask your age and where you live?

Eduardo 06 Aug 2009, 09:17

It does look as if I should get used to the idea of wearing glasses from now on. Stronger glasses in a few months---what would be a signal that I need new glasses? headaches, etc.

Cactus jacl 06 Aug 2009, 05:45

Eduardo,

The numbers after +1.25 indicate that you do have astigmatism in that eye. Astigmatism affects your vision at all distances and there is no way for you to compensate for it except with glasses or a toric contact lens, which may or may not work.

It is very difficult to predict what changes may occur in your Rx because it is difficult to know how you have been compensating for the hyperopia in your right eye. Within limits, unlike myopia, it is possible for you to compensate for hyperopia. people with low hyperopia regularly, without being aware of it, compensate for their hyperopia by using the auto-focus mechanism in their eyes. This constant compensation can cause their ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses to have difficulty relaxing. This condition is called latent hyperopia because the "victim" is usually not aware of the condition until early presbyopia prevents reading comfortably. Depending on the circumstances, when they finally get an exam and vision correction, there is a period of Rx changes over several months, typically increasing plus, as the ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses relax. Only time will tell how you have been compensating for the hyperopia in your right eye.

It is also possible that the -0.50 will increase a little, but probably not too much. You should just be aware that changes are possible and most Eye Care Professionals will gladly re-check your Rx if you have problems. Some will provide new lenses for your glasses at no charge if your Rx changes within one year.

Eduardo 06 Aug 2009, 03:58

Hi Cactus, thank you for your thoughts. I checked my prescription last night and the eye that is -.50 has no other numbers on the line. The line that is +1.25 has additional numbers after the +1.25: +1.00 X 175

Also, I was interested in why you thought I would need a new prescription in a few months and should I be expecting more farsightedness or nearsightedness or both?

Many thanks!

Andrew 06 Aug 2009, 02:50

Well done to the optician for NOT insisting that you get glasses with such a mild prescription. The choice is yours, bel, but I guess one of the factors might be what made you decide to get your eyes tested in the first place. If, for example, your eyes get tired when reading, then the glasses might help with that. If you were to go ahead and get glasses, you should also be able to take advantage of a "complete pair of glasses including frames and lenses for a set price deal".

Good luck with whatever you decide.

bel 06 Aug 2009, 02:13

I went for an eye test about a month ago and was given a prescription of +0.50 -0.25 X 180 for both eyes. The optician mentioned it was a borderline prescription and it was up to me whether I wanted to get glasses.

For such a mild prescription, I don't know whether I want to invest in a pair of glasses which can be quite costly. Also, will I see a difference if I do get these glasses made?

Cactus Jack 05 Aug 2009, 19:50

hd,

That sounds about right for a person who has never worn glasses and almost immediately needed trifocals. Sounds like you are discovering what you have been missing. Best wishes and please try to occasionally post your adventures. I understand Greece is a very beautiful country, enjoy.

Have you had any comments about wearing glasses or the fact that you needed to start with trifocals?

Cactus Jack 05 Aug 2009, 19:38

Mike,

All that would happen is that you wouldn't be able to see very well with either a very high plus Rx or a very high minus Rx.

Myopia is primarily caused by a mismatch between the plus power of your cornea and crystaline lenses combined (about +40 diopters) and the length of your eyeball. It is highly likely that because of genetics and perhaps your visual environment mildly excessive growth has occurred and your eyeball is about 4 mm longer than it should be for the above mentioned plus power. Your minus lenses cause the focus plane to move back to your retina so you can see clearly.

Unfortunately, organs of the body, including the eyes tend to grow rather than shrink and eyeball growth, if it occurs, tends to occur slowly increasing myopia in those so disposed. Age plays a big factor in growth, may I ask your age and occupation?

Mike 05 Aug 2009, 17:19

Hello,

I am -4D and I have question,

If for example I put very high plus glasses (+12D)

Or very high minus (-15D) for a day what is going to happen to my vision? Maybe it will help me improve my acuity? Maybe it can help me lower my -4D's?

Mike

hd 05 Aug 2009, 14:48

jack,

i got the trifocals, they are great, i can see fr close and mid very sharp and focous.

i need a week in order to adapt to the glasses

Cactus Jack 05 Aug 2009, 12:23

Eduardo,

What is happening is not at all surprising. There are a few fields of study where your eyes will let you know if you have a problem and accounting is one of them.

I wish you well and don't be hesitant to seek help if you have vision discomfort. There is no need for it.

Eduardo 05 Aug 2009, 09:36

Will check my prescription for astigmatism. I will be a sophomore and am studying accounting.

Cactus Jack 05 Aug 2009, 08:00

Eduardo,

In your situation, full time wear would be very helpful in training your eyes to work together as a team. Because of the difference between your two eyes, you have years of experience in using your eyes separately and it will take a while for your brain to learn to fully coordinate two good images rather than picking he best image for the situation and using it. Once your brain learns how to use both eyes together, you will have significantly improved depth perception (3D stereo images) and improved overall visual acuity. Also, it is possible that your right eye has become so used to compensating for the +1.25 that it will take a while for your ciliary muscles and crystaline lens to relax and start functioning properly. You should expect to need another exam in 3 to 6 months and the possibility of a prescription change.

If you have astigmatism, it would be indicated by a cylinder and axis component in your Rx. For example, if your Rx was written as:

OD (right eye) +1.25, -0.50 x 87

OS (left eye) -0.50, -0.25 x 80

The first number would be the sphere correction for myopia or hyperopia and the second and third number would be cylinder and axis for astigmatism. If you have no cylinder or axis listed, that means you don't need any astigmatism correction.

I hope this helps. Let us know if you have other questions. May I ask your college level and field of study?

Eduardo 05 Aug 2009, 07:05

Hi,

The eye doctor did suggest full-time wear. I have been working on that but am not there,as of yet. How would I know about astigmatism?

Cactus Jack 05 Aug 2009, 06:13

Eduardo,

It is very common for there to be a difference between the prescription for each eye. Yours just happens to be on different sides of 0.00. The difference is enough to make it hard for your eyes to work together and the fact that one is - and the other is + makes it even harder.

I suspect that you have needed vision correction for several years, but your brain was able to compensate for the difference. The higher study workload in college just made your visual system complain by causing the symptoms you described.

Just for information, the -0.50 in your left eye actually makes close work a little easier, but the +1.25 in your right makes close work significantly harder. And, if there is also some cylinder for astigmatism needed, it just makes things even worse without correction.

Did your Eye Care Professional suggest full time wear?

Eduardo 05 Aug 2009, 04:33

This past school year at college, I noticed that I was rubbing my eyes a lot while studying and having occasional headaches. Decided to have my eyes examined before returning to school. Ended up with a very interesting prescription---one eye has slight myopia and the other is farsighted. -.50 in the left and +1.25 in the right. Would this type of vision problem cause my difficulties with studies? Is plus in one eye and minus in the other common. Never heard or seen it before.

Cactus Jack 04 Aug 2009, 17:22

hd,

How are you and the trifocals getting along?

Cactus Jack 04 Aug 2009, 14:48

Presbyope L,

What you are experiencing is common. It is caused by rapid de conditioning of your ciliary muscles rather than rapid stiffening of your crystaline lenses. Your distance Rx may increase a bit more and then stop and your add will increase to around +2.50 to +3.25 and then stop. I have written extensively about this phenomenon on the hyperopia and presbyopia progression thread.

Presbyope L 04 Aug 2009, 12:02

I just had an exam and have a new prescription.

SPH. CYL. AXIS ADD

OD +1.00 -.75 105 +1.75

OS +1.25 -1.00 85 +1.75

I have been wearing glasses for about 3-4 years now. When my acuity was tested I could only read ( barely) the 20/60 line. On my near vision, without the add, I could only read the second line. I am amazed at how quickly my vision hsa deteoriorated. I told my doctor that I was not always full time and she said that I definitely should be a full time wearer. I also got monovision contacts and wore them three days in a row and was quite impressed with them.Has anyone else suffered such rapid deteorioration?

Cactus Jack 03 Aug 2009, 16:47

Adam,

Usually, assistants in optical stores will tell it like it is. If she said that some frames looked good on you, she was telling the truth because it is simply not good business to sell someone frames that will not complement their appearance.

There are a couple of ways to introduce your associates to the idea that you are going to be wearing glasses. One way, which some consider the best, is just get them and start wearing them with confidence. That will get you and them used to the fact that you now wear glasses. After a day or two, it be of no more consequence than getting a different style of hair cut or a different shirt. After a week or two, you can make a decision on how often you wear them. The other way is to mention that you had an eye exam and you are going to have to get some glasses. The problem with that way, is that they may want to offer their inputs, and frankly you don't need any input but your own. If you decide to get and wear glasses, you do it for your purposes, not theirs and you really don't need their approval. If it causes them a problem, they aren't very good friends anyway.

Let us know what you would like to do and any help you need. I mentioned Zenni Optical, but there are several on line retailers in the UK. Perhaps some of our members in the UK can offer suggestions on a good source of low cost glasses.

The only other thing you will need to order on line is your PD. If it is not listed on the Rx, you can measure it easily with a ruler marked in mm and a bathroom mirror. We'll tell you how

Adam 03 Aug 2009, 14:24

Hello whilst out shopping i went to try on some glasses. The assistant in the store was very helpful and i ended up trying on quite afew frames. She understood that they were my first glasses and i didnt know what i wanted or wasnt very keen on the idea of wearing glasses.

To my surprise i did find afew pairs that i liked and she said looked good on me (but i guess she would have to that). I didnt buy any as i think i might try getting a cheap pair from the internet first to try them out. Although im still not keen on wearing glasses im abit more confident after trying some frames on, but still worried about wearing them in front of people i know when i get them. Any tips on the best way to introduce the fact you need glasses to friends for the first time?

Cactus Jack 03 Aug 2009, 08:03

Guest,

Your astigmatism is enough to cause problems at all distances. But your computer problem is likely an early symptom of presbyopia.

If you want to do a experiment, get some +1.00 or +1.25 reading glasses and try wearing them over your regular glasses while using the computer. They will have the effect of reducing your distance Rx by that amount. You absolutely do not need more minus in your glasses for close work.

If that helps, you may need to consider bifocals, single vision computer glasses, or clip on readers. Because of your astigmatism, using the computer without your glasses is probably not very satisfactory.

May I ask your age and where you live?

Aubrac 03 Aug 2009, 07:36

Katy

Very good point about downside of Lasik. I think very few people know it will exclude them from certain types of jobs.

I think it is due to the very high possibility of 'haloing' at night especially with oncoming vehicle lights. This cannot be tested for and so a blanket exclusion is imposed on Lasik patients.

Guest 03 Aug 2009, 07:12

Wear mild minus distance script, with bit of astimatism about -2.00, -1.25 RE -0.75, -1.25 LE. Have difficulity when using computers, done online test for computer glasses & was coming out about +1.00 for intermediate use.

Would increasing distance script compensate for the short term, or is this sign that astimatism has increased ?

Adam 03 Aug 2009, 05:37

I got my eyes tested at my local opticians, where i had had all my previous eyetests growing up. So they would notice any changes in my eyesight, and dont think they would just be trying to sell me glasses.

I dont think i would be keen on lasik even if my eyesight was worse than it is. Anyway off to go and try on some frames, will let you know how i get on.

Katy 03 Aug 2009, 05:09

Adam - where did you have your eyes tested? I would think about maybe getting a second opinion, as some opticians will 'find' a very low prescription is needed, in order to sell glasses. The optician has written your prescription in a way that makes it appear more than it is - an more common way to write it would be Right 0 sphere, -0.5 cyl and Left -0.5 sphere, -0.25 cyl. Written this way, you are not shortsighted in your right eye and only very slightly in your left, and you have a small amount of astigmatism in both eyes. If you have another test, ask them to write down your visual acuity and then check the police requirements. Also I would be very careful about Lasik as some employers won't take you if you've had it (eg. train drivers), and you could very easily end up with much worse vision than you have.

Adam 03 Aug 2009, 03:58

When i had my eyetest i mentioned i was applying for the police, and she said my vision was good enough to apply. What would my vison be as its not 20/20 with my prescription.

I am going into town later today so i might have a look at some frames as i will need them if i get into the police, hopefully i will start to warm to the idea of wearing glasses if i can find a frame i like and suits me!!

Aubrac 03 Aug 2009, 02:38

Adam

Not so many years ago you could not work for the police unles with 20/20 vision. This was relaxed as was height requirements due to lack of recruits.

I think even with your low scrip you will need to go fulltime if you join the police force. Not uncommon in the UK now to see officers wearing glasses although interesting to see if there are any rules on style, lens type etc.

As a bye-the-bye, many years ago, air hostesses in the US and UK could not wear glasses, and only work as ground staff if they needed them.

Just shows how we have progressed since them, or is it just a higher incidence of people needing some form of eyesight correction?

Cactus Jack 02 Aug 2009, 18:56

Thanks Julian,

Any suggestions or corrections you might have for Adam would be very helpful. To my very deep regret, my total experience in the UK consists of a stop at Heathrow for a few minutes about 35 years ago, on the way to somewhere else. They let us off the plane long enough to stretch our legs and get a cup of Earl Grey.

I don't even remember where I was going.

Julian 02 Aug 2009, 18:27

Cactus Jack & Adam: No, the UK 'member of the Walmart family' is ASDA, not Tesco. Only the biggest branches will have an optical department - but that applies to most supermarket chains.

Cactus jack 02 Aug 2009, 17:53

Adam,

Just a bit more. I suspect that the police department would require vision corrected to 20/20 which would mean that you either get glasses or contacts. If you want the job, the decision may be made for you.

Another option is lasik, but I would thing long and hard before deciding to do that.

If you decide to get some glasses, there will be a few comments for a couple of days, but then they will seem natural to both you and your associates. After that, no one will pay any attention to them.

Cactus jack 02 Aug 2009, 17:45

Adam,

Unless you do a lot of reading, I would not think working in a pub would cause much pseudo myopia so it is possible that your myopia is true myopia.

Here is my suggestion. Go to a large chain optical store that has a lot of men's frames on display. Try some on and get an idea of what you like. Here in the US, I would probably go to a Wal-Mart Vision Center, but in the UK, I believe Wal-Mart is known as Tesco.

Don't feel obligated to do anything but look and try some on. People do it all the time. If a clerk offers to assist, you can tell him/her that you are a little bit shortsighted, but have never worn glasses. Your current job doesn't require vision correction and you don't need glasses to drive. The situation is that you have made an application for a job that might require that you wear glasses and you wanted to get an idea of what kind of frames you might like and the cost. If asked if you have a prescription, say not yet.

The clerk will likely make some suggestions of frames that suit your face. Then, look on line for similar frames. Measure your PD, and order. Most sites are very helpful and the order for single vision glasses is pretty simple.

On line retailers like Zenni have some very low cost glasses and if they work for you fine, if you don't like them it is no great loss.

I would suggest that you avoid High Street opticians unless you are very flush with cash. There is little difference in the quality of the glasses no matter where you get them. High fashion, designer frames are murderously expensive with incredible margins.

Adam 02 Aug 2009, 17:10

I am from England, i am currently working in a pub but am applying for the the police which was part of the reason i got my eyes tested as there is a visual acuity test in the application process.

My concern about wearing glasses is i think based on both what people will think and personal inconvience. I dont want to wear them all of the time but this also means i have to carry them around with me incase a situation arises where i need to wear them.

Yes i do drive, with this prescription will i need to be wearing all the time when driving or just for in lowlight situations?

Cactus Jack 02 Aug 2009, 16:55

Adam,

Typically, myopia tends to develop, if it it going to, much earlier than the 20s, but it can develop in the 20s and even in the 30s.

Your myopia is pretty low (sphere correction) and it is possible that it is what is called pseudo (false) myopia rather than axial (true) myopia. Myopia of either type causes blurry distance vision, but at low levels does not affect close vision. In practical terms -0.50 means that things beyond 2 meters are not sharp and clear. -0.75 means that things beyond 1.3 meters are not sharp and clear. However, in your situation, your brain will select the image that is clearest an use it. Pseudo myopia can be a temporary condition in the ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses that may go away if you can avoid visual stress while doing close work. Axial myopia is caused by a mismatch between the optical power of your cornea and crystaline lenses and the length of your eyeball. Axial myopia doesn't go away and does not generally decrease. Both can increase. Myopia is corrected by glasses, contacts or in some instances, by surgery.

I am more concerned about your astigmatism (cylinder and axis). While it is low, it is enough to cause you some discomfort and fatigue, if you do a lot of reading, by making it impossible to see really clearly at any distance, without correction. Astigmatism is generally caused by uneven curvature in the front surface of the cornea where the curvature in one direction is greater than it is in another. The cause is not known, it usually changes very slowly and the only solution is to wear corrective lenses (glasses, always or contacts, in some cases). Astigmatism can be corrected surgically, but the correction is problematical.

I understand your concern about glasses, you have survived for 24 years without them and you are apprehensive about wearing them. You just joined a club of several thousand people who, to their dismay, discover every year that they may need glasses. A number of them wind up here asking questions exactly like yours.

Before I offer any further suggestions, I would like to ask you a few questions:

1. Where do you live?

2. What is your occupation?

3. If not obvious, does it involve a lot of close work?

4. Is your concern about wearing glasses based on what other may think or personal inconvenience?

5. Do you drive?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Adam 02 Aug 2009, 15:37

Hello getting a cheap pair from the internet sounds like a good idea, as i dont really want to spend alot on a pair if im not ging to to need them that much. I'm just a bit worried about finding a frame that will suit me and i will like as the idea of wearing glasses does not really appeal that much to me.

I have not noticed myself squinting and friends have not said any thing about me squinting either. Im also abit nervous about wearing glasses in public for the first time and peoples reaction to them.

Is there any reason for my eyes to have become shortsighted as i have always passed eyetest with perfect vision, and thought that it was when you are in your teens that myopia developed not in your twenties.

He 02 Aug 2009, 12:51

Jack,

I got the trifocals, it's looking good, give me a fed hours to get use to them.

I will update you

Cactus Jack 02 Aug 2009, 07:58

Danbert,

I don't think there is a time limit. What is going on here appears to be optical physics and it has little to do with presbyopia itself. With IOLs, I have about as much "presbyopia" as you can get and it worked for me.

BTW, after I wrote the post, I tried 6 point and 4 point arial text and had no problem with the 6 point at 16 in(40 cm) and a little with the 4 point.

Danbert 02 Aug 2009, 07:48

Thanks Cactus Jack. Very interesting.

I'm guessing that you're not the only one who recognises this phenomena (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbyopia#Presbyopia_and_the_.27payoff.27_for_the_nearsighted) but it would be interesting to know how long high myopes can in practice get by with single vision lenses.

Cactus Jack 01 Aug 2009, 18:53

Danbert,

The sentence in the last paragraph should read . . . depth of field for high natural . . .

Cactus Jack 01 Aug 2009, 18:49

Danbert,

On 23 July, I promised to conduct a test of focus range (depth of field) while dong GOC.

I received the Proclear +12 contacts from Globallens and I must say that they are more comfortable than my previous +12s. The glasses are single vision

OD -14.75, -0.25 x 90

OS -12.00, -1.50 x 75

In good lighting, I can read 8 point text easily at a distance of 16 inches (40 cm,) which is normal reading distance and vision is quite good at all distances and is maybe a bit better than 20/20 at distance.

The only disadvantage to the high minus glasses is that the location of the optical center is pretty critical and acuity decreases rapidly when looking off axis.

If you recall, I have had cataract surgery on both eyes and have IOLs selected for monovision. Normally I wear a low Rx with trifocals because I have no accommodation. My actual Rx has changed slightly from my Rx when I got the -14. 75 glasses and I think the cylinder is off a little which affects reading more than distance. Also, the GOC Rx was determined by refraction while wearing the +12 contacts. Vertex distance is critical and a mm in either direction affects acuity significantly.

The experiment is very interesting and it tends to confirm the theory that high minus glasses do provide significant improvements in depth of field high natural or GOC myopes than for low and it may have the practical benefit of delaying the effects of presbyopia. It will be interesting to someday conduct the experiment with high plus GOC and compare depths of field.

C..

Cactus Jack 01 Aug 2009, 10:34

Adam,

Your Rx is low enough that wearing them is optional (your decision) for most of your activities, except for driving, particularly in low light conditions. The only thing to do is compare your vision with and without correction and see which you prefer.

If you want make the comparison without spending a lot of money, you might consider ordering some low cost glasses from an on line retailer such as Zenni Optical (we'll help you do it) and see if the difference in your vision is worth spending more money for fashion designer frames - lenses are not the expensive part, unless you get high index, which you don't need with your Rx.

Many people worry about their eyes becoming "dependent" on glasses. Your eyes are merely biological cameras and their job is to provide two images (for 3D vision) to your brain. The brain has the ability to correct small problems in the images, not unlike image processing done by modern computers, and present you with acceptable vision (actually a potentially beneficial form of hallucination). The amount of work you brain has to do depends on the quality of the images from your eyes. The better the images, the less work the brain has to do, which results in less fatigue. Your eyes will probably not become "dependent", but your brain may decide that it likes not having to work as hard.

One reason you may not have noticed that you vision is not as good as it could be, is that you have likely been squinting to see better. Squinting can help, if your Rx is low enough. You may not have noticed that you were squinting, but I'll bet your associates have and been thinking that you should have your vision checked.

Let us know how we can help.

Adam 01 Aug 2009, 07:44

Hello have just been prescribed my first glasses at 24. My prescription is Right -0.50 +0.50 10 and Left -0.75 +0.25 100. I hadnt noticed that i had been having problems with my vision, but went for an annual check up. When should i wear my glasses when i get them? I havent chosen any yet as im not that keen on the idea of needing them and making my eyes depended on them, and also im not sure if i will suit glasses. Any comments would be appreciated.

Julian 01 Aug 2009, 02:15

Presbyope lover: yes, of course, if it's really necessary. I was just suggesting that Myra should try finding out whether it is.

Like Lenses 31 Jul 2009, 14:48

Myra

Also if you have not, wear them full time for a week or more. Best to put them on as soon as you wake up in the morning, and keep them on all all day until you go to bed.

Like Lenses 31 Jul 2009, 14:45

Myra

Try working on the computer for about an hour getting as close to the monitor as you are visually comfortable, while wearing the new glasses, then try reading a book or newspaper for about a half hour with the new glasses. This should help you get used to the new stronger prescription.

Presbyope Lover 31 Jul 2009, 12:06

Julian, Is it not better to get an add and have comfortable reading? It seems like it is delaying the inevitable......But then again, i ve alwyas enjoyed wearing glasses.......always wanted them when in school

Julian 31 Jul 2009, 11:28

Myra: maybe if you persevere with your new glasses you might adjust to the slightly stronger Rx and find you can read with them.

Presbyope Lover 31 Jul 2009, 11:27

Myra, 36 seems a bit early for presbyopia, but you might have a bit of an overcorrection in your lenses. You might want to look into progressive lenses if you do a lot of reading with your glasses on. I found it was easy to adjust to progressives starting earlier. I have a very good friend who is about -4.00 and has worn glasses for as long as I've known him and he had a difficulut time adjusting to progressives. He uses lined bifocals

Danbert 31 Jul 2009, 10:24

Just wondering... but shouldn't an eye examiner not only seek to correct someone's distance vision but also try to ascertain whether the near vision is still adequate?

When I had an exam I was asked to read some fine print as close as possible until it started to blur. I don't know exactly how close I was, but it seemed like roughly 10cm which would be about right for my age.

Myra 31 Jul 2009, 09:07

I am 36. I can read perfectly without any glasses. I could read OK with my old glasses. It is the new ones that blur everything close.

Presbyope Lover 31 Jul 2009, 06:48

Myra It sounds like you might be in the early stages of presbyopia, which is totally normal condition where as we age it is harder to see up close because of weakness in ciliary muscle or hardening of lens. In any event, it is totally normal. It probably means bifocals are in your future. What age are you?

Myra 31 Jul 2009, 06:37

My eyeglasses were 4 years old so I decided to get new ones but couldn't without a new prescription. The old ones were -0.75r and -1.00L. I got a new prescription -1.25R and -1.50L. Tried them on in the shoppe and had them adjusted. I can see everything much crisper, but can't read with them. Is this normal. I am going back to the Dr, but not till next week. Why can't I see close?

hd 30 Jul 2009, 17:21

jack,

i am sorry for the delay, i should get my glasses on sunday, i'll update you

Cactus Jack 30 Jul 2009, 08:31

hd,

We haven't heard from you for a while. Did you get the trifocals? If so, how are you doing with them.

Also, did the optometrist suggest any exercises to strengthen your ciliary muscles?

Melyssa 28 Jul 2009, 09:56

Aubrac,

With the vision-impaired, drunk, cell-phone yakkers, maybe the figure should be 300%. Make it 299% -- my husband and I know what we're doing when we drive. LOL

Aubrac 28 Jul 2009, 03:29

Melyssa

I think with all impairments the figure must be 100%!!!!!

Danbert

Sorry - didn't notice your link

Val

It just shows with plus prescriptions how other factors affect acuity. With half your prescription, my wife as I said, could not read a numberplate at 20m, although she is the same age as you.

Sorry Val, but as a simple myope it still seems difficult to understand how you can see numberplates so well but wear your glasses most of the time. Unless maybe it makes vision more comfortable with less strain and fatigue.

Melyssa 27 Jul 2009, 12:53

"60/70% of drivers in the UK have uncorrected visual impairments but continue to drive." In the U.S., you can add 29% to that. Oh sorry, the quote said "visual" impairment. I was thinking all impairments combined. LOL Well, maybe the drivers here don't want to see what's going on.

Val 27 Jul 2009, 10:37

Aubrac, I am wearing my glasses almost 90% of the time. I don't wear contacts. I don't wear my glasses when I'm playing some sports, or go hiking.

Danbert 27 Jul 2009, 08:35

Aubrac: Just thought I'd point out that I had already posted that same link on the 24th July ;)

Aubrac 27 Jul 2009, 08:30

Danbert

Found a good website with conversion from acuity to diopers.

www.mdsupport.org/library/acuity.html

Danbert 27 Jul 2009, 05:35

Ok, here's a list of various countries and their minimum vision requirements, visual acuity being just one of them.

In terms of visual acuity, 20/40 (or 6/12 or 0.5) seems to be most common, but there are lots of variations.

http://www.icoph.org/standards/drivingapp1.html

Aubrac 27 Jul 2009, 05:18

Val

That's interesting, I think it would be a good idea for everyone to have a proper eye test rather than just reading a number plate.

It is theoretically possible for a registered blind person, e.g. with tunnel vision, to pass the eyesight test and start driving a car. There are many other factors affecting vision such as glaucoma, halos, poor contrast abilities, etc, that would severly restrict visual acuity.

It was mentioned in previous posts that 60/70% of drivers in the UK have uncorrected visual impairments but continue to drive.

May I ask if you wear glasses at any other time apart from driving?

Val 27 Jul 2009, 04:21

Because in my country you have to go to an eye exam before getting your licence to drive. It's not a simple eye test. And if you are a hyperope above +0.5 you will have to wear glasses to drive.

Aubrac 27 Jul 2009, 03:53

Val

Sorry but a little confused, if you can read numberplates at 30 metres why do you need glasses to drive?

Is it because you make a concentrated effort with accommodation to read something specific like a numberplate at distance, but for general driving cannot do this?

Do you always need your glasses for reading or can you still accommodate for this?

Val 27 Jul 2009, 03:36

Aubrac, if one has accomodation enough, +1.50 of sphere correction is not a problem to compensate without glasses. I am at +3 and I can read number plates from 30-40 metres without glasses, and I am 41 years old. I am not saying that I can drive without glasses.

Aubrac 27 Jul 2009, 00:44

Wow, a lot of interesting information. The concensus seems to be about -0.75 which is pretty low really. You may be able to see a bus fairly clearly at 20m but not be able to read its numberplate!!

Astigmatism should also be taken into account as I suppose this alone (without any sphere correction) could result in failing the test.

I am really interested in the plus correction needed. My wife used always to wear her glasses for driving but rarely does so now, and I know she can't see signs, directions etc. Her ciliary muscles have probably become de-conditioned as she wears glasses all day at work, and always uses them now for reading. This is fairly recent as she only used to wear glasses for reading at home for very small print or in poor light. So I am guessing she would not have much accommodation power for distance and would probably fail the test.

With a scrip of R+1.50 -0.50 30, L+1.75 -0.75 130 and limited accommodation power I very much doubt she could read a number plate at 15m let alone 20m. Would this assumption be correct?

Katy 25 Jul 2009, 06:18

I think -0.75 is about right - I had about -0.5 and -0.75 at 17 before I got glasses - my driving teacher picked up that I was struggling to see number plates and told me to get an eye test. I can't remember whether I needed them for the vision part of the driving test, but I always wore them for driving after I passed.

Clare 24 Jul 2009, 07:53

Phil - of course it's inevitable but it must also be inconvenient, so no harm in postponing it as long as possible!

Aubrac - I scraped through my driving test (just, they had to measure the distance and let me have another try, how embarrassing!) at 17, a few years later I was prescribed -1.25 and told to wear them for driving. I'd guess thenthat the barest minimum would be between -0.75 and -1, depending on the person I suppose.

Danbert 24 Jul 2009, 04:09

SC: 20/40 in feet or 6/12 in metres is the legal minimum in most if not all of the world.

Actually I come from a metric converted country as well but oddly enough everyone here still uses feet when referring to acuity. We also say 'mileage' when it comes to how far we travel on one tank of petrol (it does sound better than kilometreage). Regional oddities :)

SC 24 Jul 2009, 03:57

Danbert,

Found a site that claimed the UK test was between the 9 & 12 lines (ie between 20/30 & 20/40). If you take the height of the letters on the 6m Snellen and just multiply up to 20m then 79mm would fall between the 12 & 18 lines. This assumes that I got the correct size of 88mm for the top letter!

So this confirms your view that 20/40 is the target even though we have to state it in a different way in UK

Danbert 24 Jul 2009, 03:15

Sorry for double-posting. SC's post wasn't visible when I composed mine.

SC: True, the degree of blur would be the same assuming no accomodation.

For the low hyperope, however, reasonable accomodation may help achieve good enough visual acuity, whereas for the myope, nothing but minus lenses are going to help.

Danbert 24 Jul 2009, 03:09

Most countries legislate a minimum acuity of 20/40 for driving, so legally it would be closer to 0.75 diopters, not 1.50.

http://www.mdsupport.org/library/acuity.html

The FAQ of this website also describes the rough conversion between acuity and prescription (assuming no complicating factors).

SC 24 Jul 2009, 03:07

Aubrac,

I don't think the maths will help because it's difficult to work out what level of blur makes things unreadable. The maths will help you match to the Snellen chart but not give you an Rx.

You can do practical experiments - as I have just tried. I'm -0.25 so that is like in-built +0.25. If I add +1 readers then I believe I am seeing what a -1.25 person would see. If this is correct then the 'N' on the plate of the Vauxhall Vectra outside becomes very tricky (N or M or W???).

So my conclusion is that the limit is below -1.25. If I put my progressives on (-0.25) and put the readers over the top, then the 'N' is still a challenge but the other letters and numbers are pretty good. So my best guess is that it is somewhere between -0.75 and -1.00. I suspect a lot of people are driving illegally!

I can't try the hyperope approach but I don't see why the image being focused in front or behind would make any differences to the degree of blur so perhaps the same values could be used.

Aubrac 24 Jul 2009, 02:40

Cactus Jack

Many thanks for that, I'll try and have a go but don't know if my maths is up to it!!

I would guess that around -1.50 is around when people must wear glasses for driving, does anybody know what prescriprion thay got when realising they needed glasses to see a numberplate?

Cactus Jack 23 Jul 2009, 15:41

Danbert,

I don;t wear the GOC much because the contacts are uncomfortable and I don't like the pin cushion distortion in the glasses. I have ordered some different contacts and will conduct the experiment again.

I only have the +12 contacts and the glasses to go with them, but if the new ones are comfortable, I will try some other values. I suspect you have to get above -12 glasses for there to be much benefit, but it is an excellent question.

Danbert 23 Jul 2009, 15:10

Cactus Jack: Yes, optical physics is very grand :)

Thanks for bringing up the importance of depth of field - in your case, what was the acceptable focal range where you could see quite clearly? If you could read then, what factors necessitate your use of trifocals now?

Would there have been an "optimal" plus IOL that you would choose, given your time over again?

Very interesting stuff.

Hopefully Retinox appears on the market soon :)

Cactus Jack 23 Jul 2009, 12:16

Aubrac,

There are some specification for the Snellen Chart that specify that the 20/20 (6/6) line on the chart subtend 5 minutes of arc from a distance of 20 feet. Don't have the rest at hand. You can use trig to determine the minutes of arc subtended by the characters on a number plate from 20 meters and then compare that number to the specifications for the lines on a Snellen Chart you should be able to come up with a number.

There are strict specifications for the characters on the Snellen chart and If I remember right, they are the same height and width. I suggest using the height or 79 mm as being the dominant dimension that determine legibility.

Cactus Jack 23 Jul 2009, 12:02

Dan,

+1.00s shouldn't cause too much problem because even with +1 you ciliary muscles have to supply the other +1.50 to read at 16 inches (40 cm) and visual tasks without the +1s should keep the muscles active. The only snag is that you may like the +1s so much that you gradually increase the power and ultimately de-condition the muscles. Hooked!

Cactus Jack 23 Jul 2009, 11:54

Danbert,

Presbyopia is a biological process that changes the flexibility of the protein that makes up the crystaline lens. There probably are things that can affect that process, but I don't know of any particular efforts to find out what they are or how to delay presbyopia. Almost everyone gets it and there are some pretty good tools to inexpensively correct it. I believe I recall a scene from one of the Star Trek movies where McCoy gave Kirk some reading glasses because he was allergic to "Retinox 5" so apparently, there is hope for a solution in the future.

Obviously, conditioning of the ciliary muscles is important, but there are limitations to how much effort the muscles can expend to alter the shape of the crystaline lenses.

There are a few optical tricks that a person could use to "delay" the effects of presbyopia. The easiest one is to take advantage of "depth of field" effects and there are two ways to do that. One is to read using good lighting so the iris will close down and increase the depth of field. The other is to consider high Rx minus glasses using GOC.

I know many are asking if their dream of having a socially acceptable reason to explain sudden strong glasses, has come true. Well, maybe.

As I mentioned previously, I have had cataract surgery wilt IOLs that wound up making me slightly myopic in my right eye (about -1.50) and slightly hyperopic in my left eye (about +0.25) with absolutely no accommodation. I decided to experiment with GOC using +12 contacts and an appropriate glasses Rx (in the -13 to -14 range) using a trial lens set. I was initially concerned that I would need at least bifocals, but had trouble getting them from Zenni and they ultimately supplied two pair of glasses, one for distance and one for reading. It turned out, I didn't need the reading glasses. Because of vertex distance effects, the high minus glasses act like wide angle lenses and the depth of field is incredible. I have a full range of vision with the distance glasses and can read comfortably. If I had reasonable accommodation, I might never have noticed.

Ain't Science (optical physics) Grand?

GOC anyone? Now all we have to do is convince the ECPs that we are on to something. If I had know about the phenomenon, I might have asked for very high plus IOLs.

Vision with trifocals is very near normal as long as you are doing typical visual tasks. The only time lack of accommodation becomes a problem, no matter what kind of lenses, is if you need to focus on something close, but can't tilt your head or look down. This is a frequent problem for mechanics or electricians who need to do close work above their eye level. The solution is glasses with an Add segment at the top of the glasses in addition to segments below eye level. I don't have any glasses with that feature, but there have been rare occasions when I wish I had some. I might have avoided a crick in my neck and a few expletives.

As far as getting used to bifocals or trifocals, it might have taken me 15 minutes.

Aubrac 23 Jul 2009, 08:47

Does anyone know the minimum spherical correction (plus or minus) needed in order to pass the UK driving test eyesight requirements?

The test requires a person to be able to read a numberplate with characters 79mm high and 50mm wide at a distance of 20 metres.

Is there a way this can be calculated?

Dan 23 Jul 2009, 07:59

Cactus,

A related question to Clare's. If you were to not have any vision problems and decided to wear reading glasses (+1 for instance) while doing nearwork would you eventually decondition your ciliary muscles and become dependent on the glasses?

Danbert 23 Jul 2009, 07:21

Cactus Jack: Interesting stuff about presbyopia.

Do you have any suggests for people approaching the age of presybopia to delay the onset as long as possible? Is it as simple as delaying reading adds as long as possible, or are there less inconvenient measures that can be done?

I do wonder (and can only wonder) what the visual experience is for those wearing bi/tri/varifocals. Compared with single vision lenses, is it a reduced visual experience for distance?

Cactus Jack 23 Jul 2009, 06:02

Clare,

I think occasionally not wearing your glasses to read or use the PC is not particularly harmful because your ciliary muscles get plenty of exercise by normal vision activities. They are probably the second or third most used muscles in the body behind the heart and breathing muscles. I also think natural myopic monovision or moderate uncorrected myopia in the -1.5 to -3.5 range is particularly insidious because the eye's focusing mechanism rarely needs to be used and in young people, the brain simply does not develop the skill to use the focus control system properly.

Intentional monovision after a person becomes presbyopic or when selecting IOLs for crystaline lens replacement is not harmful because accommodation is lost anyway.

Ciliary muscle de-conditioning can occur much more rapidly than stiffening of the crystaline lens and is the primary cause of the common rapid increase in the required strength of reading glasses or bifocal add in presbyopia.

This link has a very good explanation of presbyopia's and decreasing accommodation amplitude with age as affected by several factors. http://www.nova.edu/hpd/otm/otm-c/presbyopia.html

Notice how slowly the decrease occurs and compare that with how rapidly the need for reading add occurs. About the only factor that explains the rapid increase is ciliary muscle tone.

Phil 23 Jul 2009, 05:44

It will come whatever Clare; and within the next 5 years! You should view it as an opportunity: you'd look stunning in readers or varifocals I'm sure!

Clare 23 Jul 2009, 01:36

Cactus - on the subject of keeping cilliary muscles toned, do you think it's important to wear a minus prescription for reading? If I'm not wearing my contacts at home I wouldn't generally wear glasses to use the PC or read but although I'm in my late 30s I can still read with them. So should I keep them on to stave off the advance of presbyopia?

Dieter 22 Jul 2009, 19:30

Cactus,

I'm sure the point is moot but it's been a fun discussion. I'm probably wrong for looking at this subject from the other end (i.e. the older side of life). I've used monovision for many years - never even tried bifocals. Several years ago, I had a lensectomy in my dominant eye so now I have a plano eye and a -3.25 eye. Encouraged by my doctor, that's how I deal with most activities. But, I also have two contact prescriptions, two glasses prescriptions, and a multitude of readers for my special needs. I have a story in progress documenting all this that I plan to post on Bobby's site some day.

Cactus Jack 22 Jul 2009, 18:59

Incidentally, the trifocals were great for flying instruments.

Cactus Jsck 22 Jul 2009, 18:56

To put in my two cents, I think the question is moot, we have no input in the matter and it is doubtful, the niece will even hear of our discussion.

That said, I must agree with Specs4ever et al, but from a slightly different perspective. As I mentioned before, it is important that normal accommodation and binocular function be established as soon as possible. My first Rx at 14 was OD -1.50, OS Plano. Fortunately, I was able to develop binocular vision and depth perception to the point where I could pass the physical for a Commercial Pilots License (2nd Class Medical), but the price I paid was bifocals at 20, part time trifocals at 30 (to read D size drawings) and full time trifocals at 37. Later I started having problems with double vision and now were prism correction full time. My last Rx before cataract surgery was about OD -3.75, OS -2.50. I don't know if the delayed correction had anything to do with the early presbyopia and strabismus. No one really does.

The posts by hd on this thread are rather interesting. First Rx at 17 of about -3.25 and almost no ability to accommodate. It remains to be seen if the problem is extreme de-conditioning or some other problem that will require permanent trifocals instead of temporary. Hopefully, he can train his ciliary muscles to work properly.

Dieter 22 Jul 2009, 18:31

specs4ever,

See, that's the thing with vision comfort; it varies considerably from person to person. Some people find monovision unadaptable. Others find it preferable. The niece in this case is not needing nor trying to have monovision. But I think a -1.50 difference is not considerable enough for the doctor to mandate full time wear to promote binocular vision in an 18 year old. I say encourage her to wear glasses when she finds them useful(and obviously when mandated by law such as driving). She will determine what's right on her own.

specs4ever 22 Jul 2009, 16:54

As one who has experienced a big prescription difference(over 2.50D) in eyes for most of my life, I must agree with those who suggest that Clare's niece should wear her glasses. Ii is wonderful to be able to see distance clearly with one eye, and it is great to be able to read well into my middle 60's without glasses. However, I lack binocular vision, and when my eyes get tired mid to late afternoon, even when wearing my glasses I find that I have a tendancy to have double vision.

Puffin 22 Jul 2009, 14:42

I agree that it is somewhat unlikely that this niece will develop normal binocular vision simply by correcting the focussing error fulltime (rather than using prisms). If she was younger it would rather more likely to succeed (hence, the optician will be more justified in suggesting it) due to the generally more adaptable nature of a younger visual system.

As far as I know, the first step in sorting out binocular vision problems in young children is to correct any focussing error (presumably full time)

and see if it sorts itself out, then move on to patching, exercises and all the rest if that fails.

oh, and fulltime wear at -0.75 seems a bit odd to me. I think if you had little or no astigmatism, no vast difference in RX between eyes, no headaches or tiredness and okay binocular vision there's no apparent need to insist on full time wear.

Dieter 22 Jul 2009, 11:20

Clare,

I think that is my point. Based on our experiences both personally and from this forum, vision is incredibly subjective. I work with a lady that wears glasses mostly full time at -1.50. Others don't at -4.00. Some doctors bully, others tell you to use glasses as you wish. From my own experiences, -1.00 in one eye with -2.50 in the other is not a major imbalance. If the lady is comfortable seeing that way, her vision will get no worse or better simply because she refuses to wear glasses full time.

Clare 22 Jul 2009, 10:54

Puffin - I'm sure they do (as in my experience opticians would have us wearing glasses fulltime at -0.75!) but it doesn't seem necessary, do you think? At -1.25 my vision seemed okay to me.

Dieter 22 Jul 2009, 09:07

Puffin,

That's a different subject (and it varies widely between optical professionals as well). I was addressing Clare's statement "The optician told her that she has been using one eye for distance and that she should now wear her glasses most of the time to get her eyes working together" which in my opinion is a load of hooey. With one eye at -1.00, she is seeing at approximately 20/40 and I'm sure is quite happy doing most activities without aid.

Puffin 22 Jul 2009, 08:20

re the niece of Clare's friend, as far as I'm aware, opticians tend to recommend full time wear based on the worst eye (amongst other things) and this is above the -2 threshold that normally triggers the recommendation. Is there any astigmatism? if so then it becomes more likely.

Dieter 22 Jul 2009, 07:01

Clare/Cactus/Aubrac,

Concerning the niece of Clares friend, Im not certain I agree with her doctor. Obviously, the girl needs glasses to wear for driving and seeing in the classroom. She will find them beneficial for all distance purposes if she can get past vanity. But, wearing glasses full time with the expectation that they will correct the imbalance doesnt exactly jive. Is her bad eye going to get better? Not likely. Is her good eye going to get worse? More likely, but most probably both eyes will continue to change for the worse based on her age and the fact that she is going to add stress at university. I expect that she will have a very different visual situation by the time she reaches her mid to late twenties. But for now, a -1.50 difference is actually a very small difference in monovision terms. It will not cause issues with depth perception. If she is comfortable doing activities and does not suffer from headaches or strain, at age 18 she is old enough to wear glasses when she finds them beneficial.

marieb 21 Jul 2009, 14:24

Thanks!

Clare 21 Jul 2009, 09:09

Cactus/Aubrac - I know she's hoping to go to university later this year so it may be that she will come to appreciate the difference at that time.

Aubrac 21 Jul 2009, 08:10

Clare

CJ is quite right, monovision while seemimg to work well for reading and distance is not a good long term solution.

Our eyes are designed to work well as a pair and give us binocular vision. The greatest advantage of this is that the different image from each eye allows the brain to estimate distance. Seeing with only one eye could lead to unfortunate consequences when driving by not realising how far away oncoming traffic is at a junction, or mis-judging the distance from the car in front. Try closing one eye and quickly touching your computer screen - a lot easier with two eyes!

At 18 she might not be too happy but will probably find a good improvement in vision and with less fatigue for extended periods of reading and computer work.

Cactus jack 21 Jul 2009, 04:41

Clare,

Yes, I read the post and I think the opticians advice is on the mark. 1.50 difference is enough for her brain to become have become very used to using one eye for fair distance vision (good intermediate vision) and the other for quite good close vision. She has a form of natural monovision.

Monovision can work well for some older people, with limited accommodation (presbyopia) but at 18, she is effectively already wearing natural bifocals and that is not good for the long term. She needs to develop binocular vision and exercise and condition her ciliary muscles, or she may never develop really normal accommodation functions. That can lead to early symptoms of presbyopia. After she conditions her ciliary muscles, she may find glasses optional for many situations, except for say, driving. Initially, her ciliary muscles are going to rebel, but she need to learn to use her eyes normally soon, or she never will.

Vanity can be a very powerful force in a young woman of 18. My thought is that at 18, university is straight ahead with its extreme visual workload. If wearing glasses is the problem, she needs to be using contacts unless they are not an option.

Clare 20 Jul 2009, 22:24

Cactus - did you read my post below? What would your opinion be? Thanks

Cactus Jack 20 Jul 2009, 15:42

marieb,

I understand what you need now. The +2.00 contacts have the same effect as making you -2.00 more nearsighted and you will be doing a form of very light GOC. The Rx for bifocals would be:

OD -2.25, -3.75, X 180, 2PD up

OS -1.25, -2.25, x 063

+2.00 Add

If you don't want bifocals just leave off the Add and get single vision glasses. The PD would be for distance.

marieb 20 Jul 2009, 14:35

Cactus Jack,

Sorry...I did sound confusing! I have the +2.00 contacts solely for times like reading menus at restaurants, if I am out with someone and don't want to own up to the glasses thing just then! The astigmatism correction isn't there, but it suffices for that time period. But of course, unless I remove them before I leave, it's tough to see much beyond a few feet. I have not been able to find a contact lens that sufficiently corrects that cylinder, so I just get the extra magnification. My vision is certainly not great with just the contacts, but it, as I said, is enough for the time being. I guess I want to be able to get up and get around without having to take them out and put on my glasses-just putting a pair over the contacts instead. So, they would be for distance, and astigmatism, while the contacts allow me to see up close. If this makes no sense then please advise as such! I'm just thinking about how to see things up close, albeit not perfectly, without glasses and then be able to put them on when I leave and see well enough to get home! Right now the contacts work for allowing me to see the menu, but the faces of those around me are not totally clear, and anything beyond is a blur! Then I make a restroom stop, remove them, and pretty much bare eyed. I know what you, and everyone else is thinking, just wear the darned glasses and be done with it. I'm working on it. Just not there yet. thank you again for your help.

Cactus jack 20 Jul 2009, 08:15

Aubrac,

I would think that they would make some difference. I suspect, but don't know for sure, that most auto- refractors approach their estimated Rx from the plus direction. By approaching from the over plus direction, the ciliary muscles tend to be more relaxed and have litle opportunity to accommodate. Of course, without dilation, there isn't much opportunity for the ciliary muscles to relax very much in a typical exam.

Aubrac 20 Jul 2009, 06:09

Question for anyone.

Does administering cyclopegic drops make any difference to the autorefractor results? I do not know exactly how they work but assume that with drops, the ciliary muscles will relax completely, therefore the lens shape will change, and the amount of plus indicated by the autorefractor will be higher.

I was just surfing some websites about autorefractors, and on one it said drops should be given before using it.

Cactus jack 19 Jul 2009, 15:22

marieb,

Your request is a little confusing and your significant cylinder correction complicates things a little.

If I understand correctly, you have some +2.00 sphere only contacts that you use for reading. Do you presently wear your prescription glasses over them while you read?

If you are wearing the +2.00 contacts, what would you want the glasses to do for you? Distance, close-up, or both?

marieb 19 Jul 2009, 13:33

Cactus Jack, Thank you for your answer to my Rx question. If I may ask one more, please; I have some contacts that I wear for reading, they are +2.00 for each eye. I would also like to get glasses for wearing over the contacts, so how would that adjust my recommended prescription? The +2.00 would not be worn with the reading-only glasses, but rather so that I can see close, and put glasses on top of the contacts for everything else. I know this is opposite of what is usually done, which is putting reading glasses over distance contacts, but it is what I would be interested in. Thank you.

Clare 19 Jul 2009, 10:26

One thing we discussed this afternoon was my friend's niece who has just got glasses with quite a high first prescription. Of course my friend doesn't know I know so much about glasses but was telling me about her niece's first glasses which are -1 and -2.50. The optician told her that she has been using one eye for distance and that she should now wear her glasses most of the time to get her eyes working together.

It made sense to me but the girl, who is 18, is not very happy. I guess with -1 she can see not too bad most of the time.

For anyone who's come across a big discrepancy like this, is this a regular recommendation?

Cactus Jack 17 Jul 2009, 07:09

hd,

The last post was from me

17 Jul 2009, 06:33

hd,

I saw this link in a post on the Induced Myopia thread from Nostolgic.

www.i-see.org/gottlieb/presbyopia_chart.pdf

It is a technique developed by an optometrist to help older people delay the onset of presbyopia where they have trouble focusing close. I was thinking that it might be useful for you to help you get your ciliary muscles back to work.

There is an interconnection in the brain between the convergence muscles and the ciliary muscles that helps you focus when you look at something close. Its strength varies significantly depending on the individual. I suspect the your convergence/focus response may also be very weak. It may not work, but it is worth a try.

The explanation is not very clear, let me know if you need help or if it has any effect. The exercisees should be done while wearing your distance glasses, but without the readers. However, you may need to start with your low powered readers until you develop some focusing capability.

Gabi 17 Jul 2009, 00:39

Many thanks for this info, does make sense, my optometrist will see me in 6 months time regarding my left eye, he says other than the increase in power my eyes are healthy.

My concern about what the lenses in my glasses looks like comes from when I look at myself, my left lens does look noticably stronger and I am aware that it may look strange to others?

I have been battling a little to read both with and without my glasses so I am looking forward to my new lenses arriving.

thanks again!

Cactus Jack 16 Jul 2009, 13:51

Gabi,

I am not sure exactly what you meant by your question. Varilux lenses look very much like regular high index lenses except there will be a very noticeable area (to you) where they make the transition from distance to the reading area. It will be much less noticeable to others unless they know what to look for.

it is very rare for an Rx to increase as rapidly as yours has at your age and in only one eye. You might want to consider an appointment with an opthalmologist to find out what is happening. Either your left eye is growing longer or the plus power of your cornea/crystaline lens is increasing. The -4 difference will cause a significant difference in image size on the retina which can cause other problems including double vision. If you have problems you might have to consider wearing a contact lens on one eye to equalize the Rx in the glasses.

Gabi 16 Jul 2009, 10:13

Wow! how interesting, please help, I am 47 years old getting varifocals for 1st time, however interested to know what Cactus Jack might think about the deterioration in my Left eye only over the last 3 years.

My current prescription:

OD-5.50 -0.75 x139 add 2.50

OS-9.50 -1.00 x80 add 2.50

At my eye check in 2005 OD-5.25 -0.75x139 / OS-6.75 -0.75x139

Increase only to left eye in 2007, 2008 and now?

I wear a 1,67 index lens, and noticed the difference in thickness with my current glasses, what will my new glasses look like?

Input appreciated.

kind regards

Cactus jack 16 Jul 2009, 09:47

hd,

I'm glad you got an exam. Your situation is about as I expected and we discussed. The muscles that are very weak are the ciliary muscles that change the plus power of your crystaline lenses. Hopefully, as you begin to use your ciliary muscles, they will become stronger.

You might do some research on how vision and the eye works. It reality, the eyes are nothing but biological cameras and the way they work is very similar to a film or, more closely, a digital camera.

Please let us know when you get your trifocals and how you like them.

hd 16 Jul 2009, 09:37

jack,

today i went to the optometrist, he told me that muscels are very weak and he told that i need to where trifocals for a while, so made a exam and i have new script.

OD sph -3.5 cyl -0.5 165 add +3.00

OS sph -3.75 cyl -0.75 20 add +3.25

he told that the intermediate part will about 0.5 from the power of the reading.

i should get the glasses soon, i will tell you how its feel.

hd 15 Jul 2009, 18:29

jack,

i understand what you are saying,

i am going to the optometrist tomorrow,

i will catch you up with the result.

Cactus Jack 15 Jul 2009, 13:20

hd,

The problems you are having are not surprising. Your glasses have corrected your distance vision to normal, but the autofocus mechanism in your eyes is not working properly and you are having the same problem that older (typically older than 40) people have when they have lost their ability to focus close.

The +3.00s are right for distances of 33 cm or less because your eye can add a little more plus if it is needed but because your ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses are fully relaxed, they can't go any lower in power than they already are.

To focus at a distance of 45 to 50 cm, you need a +2.00 lens and to focus at 50 to 80 cm, you need less than +2.00. For example, a +1.50 lens would focus at 67 cm.

Hopefully, you can train your autofocus mechanism to go back to work, until you can, you may need several different powers of reading glasses to wear over your glasses until you can get some trifocals or train your ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses (the autofocus mechanism) to go back to work.

hd 15 Jul 2009, 09:45

hi jack,

let me explain again, when i put the +3.0 over my glasses i can read stuff very easy (books and newspaper) , and i can read from the screen very clearly from abot 29-30cm .

but if i am looking to something ,lets say 50-80cm away i feel its blurry again , its kind of weird because without the +3.00 i can see things far away very good,and when i put the +3.0 on ,its very easy to read from close but between the reading and the far i see some blurry.

maybe i wrote it wrong last post, i do see cleary to the screen from 28-30cm with the +3.0 but its start to blurry when i move the screen a little bit to the back and then it become about 45-50cm.

i did not understad exacly what you want me to measure,if you can xplain it better it will be good.

thank you again

Cactus Jack 15 Jul 2009, 07:28

hd,

The +3.00 may be too strong for the distance to the computer screen. They focus at 33 cm or 13 inches or a little closer and would probably be about what you are used to for reading.

Measure the distance from your eyes to the screen of the computer and tell me what you get. We can then use the formula 100/distance in cm to determine the + value you need for the computer. I suspect that it is a bit farther away than 33 cm and that would make it blurry with the +3.00. You probably need less than +3.00 for the computer. Try the +1.50s and see how that works.

Welcome to the world of optics. The math is easy, and it almost always works.

hd 15 Jul 2009, 06:08

jack hi,

today i bought +3.00 reading glasses and with them i can read very easy books and newspapers, but when i am trying to read from the computer ther is some blurry and again uncomfortable.

what would you suggest?

Cactus jack 14 Jul 2009, 06:30

HD,

Last post is from me.

14 Jul 2009, 06:29

Hd,

59 is your distance PD. When you order Trifocals or Bifocals, reduce the PD by 3 mm for your near PD. For example PD 59/56 would indicate both.

hd 14 Jul 2009, 05:36

jack,

i know my pd (59).

first i will buy +3.00 reading to check if the script match, if it is i will make order fot trifocals/bifocals.

thank you , and i will update you about what i am going to do.

Cactus Jack 14 Jul 2009, 05:07

Hd,

For Bifocals or Trifocals do not select a frame that it too small vertically. Here are some example Rx. I have indicated an Add of +3.00 but substitute what you need.

Trifocal Rx:

OD Sphere -3.25 Cylinder -0.5 Axis 170 Add +3.00

OS Sphere -3.25 Cylinder -0.5 Axis 15 Add +3.00

Trifocal 7/28 or 8/35 (the numbers mean the height of the intermediate segment and the width of the segment)

Bifocal Rx:

OD Sphere -3.25 Cylinder -0.5 Axis 170 Add +3.00

OS Sphere -3.25 Cylinder -0.5 Axis 15 Add +3.00

FT-28 (or FT-35)

If you want progressives, do not specify FT-28 or FT-35 because that would be meaningless.

You will need your PD. Do you have it or know how to measure it?

Check out several online retailers to see what they will make. Zenni makes low cost glasses, but I don't think they will make trifocals. Optical4less is well known and there are others such as http://www.eyeglassfactoryoutlet.com/ as a possible online vendor to get an idea of how what is available. Also check other vendors to see if they will make what you want. You might also contact Patrick who posted on Glasses for Auction or Sale to see what he can do.

Perhaps other members can offer suggestions.

If you have any questions, please ask.

Hd 14 Jul 2009, 04:07

Thank you catcus jack for your help,

I think in the meantime I will put reading glasses while I am reading, I can buy reading glasses very fast ,I think I will go for +2.75/+3.0 for reading ,and I will update you how it feel.

About trifocal, you have website which I can check this option,if you can give me prescription for trifocal it will be good.

About bi focal / progressive I do have web so if you can give final prescription and I will check it out.

Thank you again,

Phil 14 Jul 2009, 01:55

Guest, I have just bought a trial lense set and one of the things that I have noticed when using it is that the effect of adding or subtracting .25 is insignificant once one gets beyond a very low rx. I'm around -4 and the effect of even .5 either way is hard to assess. I now realise why my recent prescriptions have varied between -3.25 and -4.

guest 13 Jul 2009, 22:27

Cactus Jack,

Can you tell me why - contacts go in increments of 0.5 after about -6?

Just curious why they don't correct to the nearest 0.25 like for the lower powers.

Cactus Jack 13 Jul 2009, 20:22

hd,

You are on the right track with the +1.50 readers over your glasses, but I suspect that they were not strong enough. You are accustomed to reading without your glasses. Effectively, when you do that, it would be like wearing +3.25 reading glasses over your glasses except that there would be no correction for your astigmatism.

I would also suspect that you are used to reading and using the computer at a distance of about 30 cm using the formula Focal Distance=100 cm/3.25.

There are several types of multi-focal glasses.

Bifocals are glasses with two different powers. The top portion or segment of bifocals is for distance and the lower portion or reading segment has additional plus power to provide the focusing power that your ciliary muscles are unable to supply at this time.

Bifocals are available as lined bifocals and progressives. In lined bifocals, the reading segment is a distinct lens of additional plus power. Most lined bifocals these days are what are called Flat Top where there is a straight line across the top of the reading segment. Flat Top bifocals are available as FT-28 and FT-35 where the numbers mean the width of the top of the segment of either 28 or 35 mm.

Progressive bifocals are glasses where there is a gradual transition between the distance segment and the reading segment and there is no obvious line. Progressives are very popular where the wearer does not want the need for bifocals to be obvious, but there are disadvantages. The transition zone is much wider with progressives and take up valuable lens space. Also there can be some distortion in the transition zone particularly if there is a higher add involved (which you need right now).

Trifocals are similar to lined bifocals except there is a third intermediate power segment between the reading segment and the distance segment. Trifocals can be very useful in those situations where a strong reading segment is needed. but the reading segment is too strong for intermediate tasks such as using a computer.

I suspect in your immediate situation that you may find that lined bifocals or trifocals would be more useful than progressives because of the wider field of view.

If you were older, I would definitely suggest trifocals with a +3.00 or +3.25 reading add an an intermediate segment of 1/2 the reading add, but few online retailers offer them. They would probably slow down the conditioning of your ciliary muscles, but I suspect you would find them very comfortable.

I hope the above has been helpful. When you decide what you want to do, please let me know and I can make some specific suggestions and advise how to order.

One thing, I noticed that you were asking about buying existing glasses. Please do not get glasses that were not made for you. You may be able to adapt to a sphere difference, but you cannot adapt to a cylinder difference. You have enough problems right now without creating more.

Cactus jack 13 Jul 2009, 19:33

marieb,

The Rx for single vision reading glasses would be:

OD +1.75, -3.75, X 180, 2PD up

OS +2.75, -2.25, x 063

If you have the PD, it should be stated as something like 60/57. The top number is the PD for distance and the bottom number is the PD for reading. If you don't have the PD, you can measure it with a ruler calibrated in mm and a mirror and get pretty close. Let us know if you need instructions. Some on line retailers include direction on how to measure PD.

marieb 13 Jul 2009, 18:31

I posted a question a while ago but did not have my complete prescription with me at the time in order to provide enough information for an answer! I have a new prescription with an add but would like to order, at an online store, single vision reading glasses. How would I change the current rx to be just for reading?

OD -.25, -3.75, X 180, 2PD up

OS +.75, -2.25, x 063

+2.00 Add

Thank you.

hd 13 Jul 2009, 11:39

there you go-

1)Greece

2)i really dont know, i knew from about 14 that i will need glasses but it never bother me too much, its like i ignore it.

3)if you mean physics formulas , not at all, but if you men that you put - 3.25D and +2.00D you will finally have -1.25 glasses.i do know about cyl and the basics, but not too much.

4)Male.

again, thank you for your help

Cactus Jack 13 Jul 2009, 11:29

hd,

Before I get too deep into all this, I would appreciate answers to some additional questions.

1. Where do you live?

2. How did you avoid glasses until you needed -3.25?

3. Do you have any knowledge of the basic formulas involved in optics?

4. What is your gender?

The above will help me formulate my suggestions and answers to help you understand them better.

hd 13 Jul 2009, 10:56

thank for your help,

I do have +1.50 reading glasses , so i tried to put them and read newspaper, it's still blurry and unfoucosed but more easy to read with the +1.50.

i can efford buying a new eyeglasses,

if i buy new eyeglasses i will buy throw the internet , what should i write then?

the same prescription just with "add +2.0 or +2.5"

last quest- what is the difference between bifocals and multifocals?

and what is progerssive lenses?

what is the difference between those 3 kinds?

what should i order?

if it will help you, i work a lot with the computer, without glasses.

Cactus Jack 13 Jul 2009, 10:13

Carlos, Jr.

I seem to recall that your son had a similar problem to hd's when he started wearing glasses. Didn't he have to wear bifocals for a few months until his ciliary muscles got conditioned? BTW, how is he doing?

Cactus Jack 13 Jul 2009, 10:06

hd,

Welcome. Yes, there is a problem, but the problem is not uncommon in moderate myopes who have avoided wearing corrective lenses for too long. Your ciliary muscles (focusing muscles) are completely de-conditioned from lack of use and you need to train them to work as they should. The solution is fairly simple. You need some temporary reading help either with bifocals or supplemental reading glasses. If you decide to try the supplemental reading glasses, you need to get some reading glasses to wear over your regular glasses when you read. I would suggest starting at the lowest power you can read comfortably with and gradually reduce the power. If you got +3.25 reading glasses, you would not do any conditioning. If you can start lower than that, say +2.00, wear them for a week or two when reading and then try to reduce the power to +1.50 and then after a week or two, try to reduce it to reduce it to +1.00. After a couple of weeks reading with the +1.00, try to read without any supplemental glasses.

If you are successful, then you have re-conditioned your ciliary muscles. It is possible that you still may wind up needing to wear bifocals or progressives, but lets hope not. You should try to avoid reading without your glasses except in an emergency because it allows your ciliary muscles to not get exercised properly and you may wind up having to wear bifocals or trifocals before you would normally need them.

If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

hd 13 Jul 2009, 09:16

my script is

od SPH -3.25 cyl -0.5 axis 170

os SPH -3.25 cyl -0.5 axis 15

acuity before - 6/36 after 6/6

those are my first eyeglasses and i got them a month ago, i am 17.

when i put them it is very hard to read stuff' its so blurry that i prefer reading without them.

is there any problem?

Mr Cockeyed 13 Jul 2009, 08:03

Rachel, you are very nearsighted with fairly strong astigmatism, did you ever consider toric contact lenses?

Rachel 13 Jul 2009, 02:47

If I post my latest rx, could anyone thoruoughly explain it to me please.

RE -11.75 x -1.50 x 115

LE -12.50 x -1.75 x 120

Thanks

Sal 11 Jul 2009, 12:20

Melyssa

Interesting, indeed it is a small world, but I don't know of any Pucci's except for my family and cousins, etc.

Cactus jack 10 Jul 2009, 18:38

Dan,

The 2nd sentence in the 3rd paragraph should read:

. . are at work here and there is . .

Cactus Jack 10 Jul 2009, 18:35

Dan,

The astigmatism correction at 100 degrees, which is just 10 degrees from vertical, might be responsible for about 1 to 2 mm extra thickness to the inside and outside edges of the lenses, but there are more significant factors at work.

Lens edge thickness is related to size of the lens, index of refraction, required center thickness for safety, and the Rx. In your situation, the long axis of the cylinder is almost vertical so that your Rx in the horizontal direction is approximately -3.25 and in the vertical direction it is approximately -2.00. If your frames are rectangular, the width would be a significant factor.

If the edge thickness causes you concern, you might consider higher index lenses and narrower frames. Unfortunately, optical physics are at work had there is not much you can do about it.

May I ask where you live, some countries require a minimum thickness at the thinnest part of the lens so it can withstand being struck by an object without shattering.

dan 10 Jul 2009, 16:40

thank you for your help do think my glasses are so thick beacause the astigmitism is at 100 degrees

Cactus Jack 10 Jul 2009, 16:16

Dan,

Thanks, now I understand your problem. On the surface, you have fairly low sphere correction and a moderate astigmatism correction, but the problem is that when they are combined, you Rx is complex enough that you really need your glasses. T

Sphere correction is usually associated with a mismatch between the length of your eyeball and the total plus power of your cornea and crystaline lenses.

Astigmatism is usually caused by uneven curvature in the front surface of your cornea.

Astigmatism is a real trouble maker because it actually causes they eye to focus at two different distances and there is nothing that can be done about it except wear corrective lenses or have corrective surgery of some sort.

dan 10 Jul 2009, 13:37

od -2.00 cyc -1.25 axix 100 it is the same for both eyes

Cactus Jack 10 Jul 2009, 13:34

dan,

A typical complete Rx would look like

OD (Right Eye) Sphere. -2.00, Cylinder -0.75, Axis 100, Prism and then Add

OS (Left Eye) Sphere -1,25, Cylinder -1.00, Axis 95, Prism, and then Add

If there is no prism or add then those are not listed

It might be abbreviated:

OD -2.00,-0.75 x 100

OS -1.25. -1.00 x 95

The Rx you listed does not have enough information for me to work with. I can't tell if you have any sphere correction or if the -2.00, =1.25 is the cylinder correction..

dan 10 Jul 2009, 11:29

my rx is -2.00 -1.25 astig boyh eyes cant see more than 13 inches clearly thenit is very blurry maybe it is a fairly strong astig correction my glasses are also quite thick 5mm maybe because the axis -s -100 degrees

Cactus Jack 10 Jul 2009, 06:12

dan,

It sounds like you are confused by the difference between sphere correction and cylinder correction. Each has its own purpose. Could you please post your full Rx and your age?

Rachel 10 Jul 2009, 04:27

dan. The astigmatism doesn't help. And if you keep your glasses on all the time with -2.00 you will have got used to the improved vision they give you. It could be you need an increase as well. How long is it since you had your last check-up? i was fulltime with -1.50 and -1.75.

dan 10 Jul 2009, 04:10

i am confused by this site i have -2.00 and -1.25 astigmitism and when i take my glasses off things are very blurry how can this be such a mild rx when people on this site have -7 rx and higher i dont think ican see anything with that rx

Cactus Jack 09 Jul 2009, 11:00

davidson,

Pretty normal. If you wear glasses that are -2.00 and -1.00 and you wear +2.00 readers without your regular glasses, your effective vision is +4.00 in one eye and +3.00 in the other. That would mean that the +4.00 eye would focus clearly at about 25 cm or 10 inches and the +3.00 eye would focus at 33 cm or 13 inches. Beyond those distances things would get progressively blurrier. If things do not get blurrier beyond those distances, you may have some pseudo myopia or may be over corrected.

You should be aware that wearing that much plus for close work will de-condition your ciliary muscles and may cause similar effects as presbyopia.

davidson 09 Jul 2009, 09:37

i'm shorsighted, about -2,00 and -1,00 but I bought myself readers +2,00 and i am wearing them right now (without my other glasses) and it's heaven to look at the computer screen or books, just SO effortless. I am 27, is that normal?

Rachel 09 Jul 2009, 06:02

Carlos, jnr. You can't really because each person is different. But there is a kind of pattern, especially with myopia. The younger you start with glasses, the higher you are likely to get, and the teenage years are pretty crucial ones for rapid increases. But like I say, everyone is different and it can vary.

Carlos, Jr 08 Jul 2009, 23:23

Rachel, how do you compute prescription increases for people? I am just interested in the logic/method.

Rachel 08 Jul 2009, 22:37

newcomer. At 34 your prescription probably will not increase as rapidly as if you were in your teens like me. I suppose if you start wearing your new glasses quite a lot you will appreciate the improvement in vision they give so much you will tend to keep them on. But wearing them a lot will not damage your eyes and will probably stop you straining them, so my advice is try and get used to the idea of needing glasses. In the end you will probably end up with a prescription of around -3.50 or so which will not becessarily make you totally dependent on them.

Cactus Jack 08 Jul 2009, 20:12

newcomer,

Welcome. That is a pretty low Rx and at 34 it is highly unlikely that you will become "dependent" on them or that it will increase much in the future. Depending on your occupation you may find that you like seeing clearly rather than the blurry distance vision that you have "enjoyed" up to now. You can pretty much wear them whenever you want to.

newcomer 08 Jul 2009, 19:11

I'm 34 years old and just got glasses for the first time. It's been a long time coming, I guess, but I've survived this long without them. My perscription is R-1.50 -.50 110 L -1.50 -.25 70. How would that perscription compare with others. How often and for what do people with that perscription wear their glasses. My biggest fear is becoming dependant upon them if that is at all possible. Anyone who can respond with some advice based upon personal experience would be appreciated.

USANJ 07 Jul 2009, 09:49

I don't know if this is the proper place to right this but anyways, I lost one of my contact lenses this morning so I wore my eyeglasses to wrk. My current prescription is -5.50 and -5.75 -.75 x 032. So during my lunch I went to a small Optical store near my job so I could purchase new contact lenses and since I was there I decided to check how much a new pair of eyeglasses cost. They are actually very cheap, the lady tells me that it will cost $70.00 So I asked if that was the low index lenses and she said no, with low index and she said no because with my prescription it would be very thick, so I told her I wanted it to be cr39. I never had cr39 lenses, normally I get 1.57 index. And she made sure I would know that the lenses were going to be very very thick. I was very happy for that, so I can't wait until my new glasses arrive. Any guesses on how thick they will be?

p 07 Jul 2009, 07:10

Cactus, thanks for the reply. My main problem is with frame appearance and fit, its just too hard to tell with a pic and some measurments. I want to go full time but I need to be totally happy with my choice. I'm not looking for high Rx at the moment, only -2.25 or so. I've had no problems with the vision aspect of it. I just need a template that will give me a good starting point, me and photoshop can take it from there. Its worth a try anyways I reckon.

-P

Melyssa 06 Jul 2009, 12:37

Sal,

One of my favorite frames is a designer frame, oversized sky-blue top-temples, from Alberto Pucci. I also knew a Joseph Pucci in junior high school. Small world!

Sal 06 Jul 2009, 04:55

Yes I'm a guy, Salvatore Joseph Pucci, III.

Cactus Jack 05 Jul 2009, 18:36

It would probably be a good idea if you got an Rx in the area where you live. I have Rx in a number of different formats and no matter what format the Rx in in, the optical dispenser always copies the Rx on to the form used in their shop, and retains a copy of the Rx for their records.

Could I ask what glasses Rx you are trying to get. Perhaps the problem is not in the glasses, but in the CL / Glasses combination you have selected for your actual Rx. The tables and formulas appear to get very inaccurate in the higher Rx.

p 05 Jul 2009, 17:50

Does anyone have a rather generic looking Rx that you would be willing to scan and e-mail to me (you can cover personal info with strips of blank paper or whiteout)? I'm sick of ordering glasses online (for GOC) and being dissapointed. I can run the scanned document through Illustrator and have it say whatever I want so I can just walk into a shop and order glasses that I know I'll like.

Thanks!!

Rachel 05 Jul 2009, 03:03

Sal, a guy?? wow.

05 Jul 2009, 02:17

Sal posted his Rx on 17 Jun 2009, 08:20 on this thread.

Rachel 04 Jul 2009, 23:00

Sal. What's your rx now? Trifocals sound pretty amazing. I presume you are a pretty high minus wearer.

Sal 04 Jul 2009, 03:53

I got my new glasses about 3 days ago and am really enjoying the crisp clear vision. Could not get the aspheric lenses this time, got some 1.6 high index,, but they are really much thicker than my previous ones, and a lot less peripheral vision.

I like the trifocals, for the first time I have only one pair of glasses.

We got some good news last week, my fiancee was approved for a cochlear implant. Her hearing has been really bad since she had memingitis as a 13 yo. She gets implanted 7/13 and activated in mid Aug.

Happy 4th all!

And 03 Jul 2009, 15:31

Ash, have you noticed you can now see things/people/detail that you didn't realise you couldn't see !

03 Jul 2009, 11:08

Ash rx is further down the page.

Rachel 03 Jul 2009, 06:05

Ash. What rx are you now?

Ash 02 Jul 2009, 23:29

Well I have worn my glasses quite a bit this week. Twice at work, when we have had to sit through presentations, the cinema and tv a few times (the tv in my room is very small and I was having difficulty with the print and seeing fine details). Mostly positive comments about the glasses. Although my boss at work told me to be careful not to wear them too much (I had only worn them twice at the time, both or distance and not just whilst I was sat at my desk!) or I would end up needing them all the time. I told him that I wasn't planning to wear them all the time but distance vision had become a lot clearer with them so had decided to start wearing them more. I am still getting a few headaches but hopefully they will reduce now I'm wearing glasses more.

Cactus Jack 30 Jun 2009, 06:52

Steve,

There are several parts to a prescription that do completely different things. Asking about overall Rx is like saying I have 3 apples and 2 oranges. If I combine them, how many appnges will I have.

The sphere component usually corrects for a mismatch between the plus power of your cornea and crystaline lens (about +40 combined) and the length of your eyeball. Yours, right now, is about 2 mm too long which is corrected by the -2.00 sphere.

Astigmatism is usually caused by uneven curvature of the front surface of the cornea. Yours has greater curvature in one direction (actually +1.25 more) than it does in the direction 90 degrees away from it. Sort of like an American football, but to a much lesser degree. The -1.25 corrects that.

Your average or overall Rx is about -2.67, but that doesn't mean anything. If you tried wearing glasses with a -2.67 Rx, it would be clearer than without glasses, but would still not be as good as wearing the correct Rx.

Lens thickness is affected by three things. The Rx, the size of the lens, and the index of refraction of the lens material. You probably have CR-39 lenses, which is inexpensive, has a low index (about 1.49), but superior optical properties. If you want thinner lenses, you need to go for higher index lenses that are smaller, but be ready to pay more. There is a direct relationship between the index and the cost of the lens.

May I ask your age and where you live?

If you have more questions I need your complete Rx.

steve 30 Jun 2009, 05:58

they stick out 5mm from my frame ihreard that over -1 astig is called moderate astigmitism what is my overall rx

Cactus Jack 30 Jun 2009, 05:11

steve,

No and No. Define "thick".

steve 30 Jun 2009, 04:20

my rx is now -2.00 with -1.25 astigmitism is that a large amount of astigmitism and is my ovarall rx -3.25 because my glasses are quite thick

Cactus Jack 29 Jun 2009, 08:25

dan,

Your eyes are probably rather good, they just like to focus at about 26 inches or 67 cm. which makes things farther than that, blurry. Then, the astigmatism makes it even blurrier.

Overall, the prescription is pretty low. Glasses will fix that very well.

dan 29 Jun 2009, 05:27

hi i just got 1-50 myopia and -1.25 astigmitsm how bad are my eyes

Ash 25 Jun 2009, 08:16

Cactus jack,

Thanks for all your help. I don't think my eyesight is bad enough to warrant contacts but I will keep in mind to try and wear my glasses more often- I think Im probably straining my eyes at work. We often have to sit through presentations that I feel myself squinting at. Will bite the bullet and wear specs next time : )

Cactus Jack 25 Jun 2009, 04:52

Ash,

Wearing your glasses is ALWAYS your choice. Prevention is much better than a cure, if you think you are going to be in a situation where you might develop a headache, you could prevent it by putting on your glasses a half-hour before.

Before you started wearing glasses, your brain had probably given up on seeing clearly and was no longer even making the effort. One of the reasons you may be getting headaches is that your brain has re-discovered the pleasure and comfort of seeing effortlessly, using two eyes, rather than straining to see clearly with each eye individually. Human beings quickly adapt to labor saving devices and are reluctant to go back to the old ways. You glasses are a labor saving device for your brain, and it is rebelling against having to strain to see.

If you REALLY don't want to wear your glasses, you might discuss contact lenses with your Optician. Even if toric contacts are not an option for you, it may be possible to do an acceptable compromise using sphere only contacts. They are easy to wear for most people.

Ash 25 Jun 2009, 00:45

Cactus jack,

Thanks for the advice. So when should I be wearing them, whenever I get a headache? It mostly happens at work and I would just put up with it if I was off out somewhere. So I may stick with my current glasses as they are only 6 months old.

Cactus Jack 24 Jun 2009, 15:53

Ash,

Vanity is generally ascribed to females, but when it comes to wearing glasses I'm about convinced that the males may have you beat. Maybe it is the Macho image.

You do have a very significant advantage in the frames department. Attractive frames can be a very important fashion accessory. Fortunately, your Rx is not very strong and it does not require very thick lenses. You probably chose you frames thinking that you would not wear the much and never in a social setting. Consider getting some frames that accent your beauty. I think rimless frames (similar to the style Sarah Palin wears) can really make a young woman even more attractive than she already is. Your optician friend should be able to advise. If there are budget issues, consider ordering on line. You have your Rx, all you need is your PD which is easy to measure if you don't have it handy.

You are thinking of glasses as a liability, turn them into an asset.

Ash 24 Jun 2009, 13:43

Cactus jack

I am female- perhaps why the vanity! I actually got an eye test after my fathers friend, who owns an opticians, noticed me squinting slightly at some distant view and gave me an eye test for free! Previously I had noticed that if I shut my left eye, it was quite blurry, but thought it was ok as my vision with both eyes seemed fine.

He told me I was only very slightly short sighted so would just need glasses for driving and distances. There was never any mention about astigmatism although I have read a little about it here, or wearing them for any other activities.

Cactus Jack 24 Jun 2009, 12:28

Ash,

Monovision is usually done intentionally to avoid wearing bifocals. One eye is corrected for distance vision and the other eye is corrected for reading and close work. Mostly it is done using contact lenses and occasionally it is done with implanted replacement lenses during cataract surgey. With monovision you typically see with only one eye at a time. The brain switches between the eyes to use the clearest image for what you are doing, without your being aware of it.

Normally, monovision does not cause headaches, but uncorrected astigmatism does. The problem with astigmatism is that no matter how hard your brain tries to provide you with clear vision, it simply cannot do it without external correction using glasses or contact lenses.

You might possibly be able to wear what are called toric contact lenses, but they don't always work well for low levels of astigmatism. The problem with low cylinder toric contacts is that they are expensive and tend to move on your cornea as you blink. Your astigmatism may not be enough to stabilize them.

To correct astigmatism, the axis of the cylinder corection must be very close to the axis of your astigmatism. If it is not, it actually makes your vision worse.

The best solution is to wear your glasses even though you may not like them. You and your associates will soon get used to them and you will enjoy the comfort. The alternative is to stock up on headache rememdies.

BTW, I had natural monovision similar to yours when I first got glasses at 14. I am 71 now and have had cataract surgery. I intentionally selected the implanted lenses for monovision and I also wound up with a bit more astigmatism than you have. I can function without glasses, but I prefer the comfort of glasses and don't care what others think.

Please don't let vanity keep you from having comfortable effortless vision.

May I ask your gender, Ash is sort of gender neutral.

Ash 24 Jun 2009, 11:37

I am 22. Had the last eye test around 6 months ago which was when I first got glasses. What is monovision, is that what is causing the headaches?

Cactus Jack 24 Jun 2009, 11:31

Ash,

I would suggest that there are two problems. One is the difference in the sphere and the other is your astigmatism.

What is happening is that you are primarily using your left eye for distance and the right eye for reading. That is pretty much what monovision is all about. The problem is your astigmatism. Unfortunately, there is no way to compesate for astigmatism except corrective lenses.

May I ask your age and when you had your last eye exam

Ash 24 Jun 2009, 09:36

Cactus jack- thankyou for the quick reply. My prescription is L eye sph -0.50 cyl -0.75 x 105 and R eye sph -2.00 cyl -0.75 x 60. I have started wearing them a little more now, but I'm not a massive fan of myself in them!

Cactus Jack 24 Jun 2009, 09:22

Ash,

You may have some astigmatism which changes what is typical. What is your prescription.

The fact that you find wearing the glasses more comfortable than not wearing them should tell you something.

Maybe it is time for a new exam and perhaps new glasses and more frequent wear.

Ash 24 Jun 2009, 09:08

Hi. I have what might be a slightly weird question but not sure where else to ask! I have glasses because I'm very slightly shortsighted but never wear them really- I don't have a car and I just move closer if there's something I can't see properly. However recently my eyes were feeling a but strained and I have been getting headaches so I wore my glasses for a couple of hours to a work presentation. As well as being able to see, my eyes felt lots better and the headache disappeared. But I have read here that short sighted people shouldn't get headaches without glasses. I have tried it a few times since when I've had a headache/ strained eyes and it's worked every time. Anyone any idea what might be going on?

Dan 24 Jun 2009, 06:59

Rachel,

Yep, definitely! I doubt I will ever get to that prescription.

Rachel 24 Jun 2009, 03:37

Dan. Wow I bet. You are still really low though compared with me. RE -11.75 x 1.50 x 150 LE -12.50 x -2.00 x 180

Dan 23 Jun 2009, 19:20

Got an eye exam today and got a new prescription.

Old:

OD -.50

OS plano -.50 x 90

New:

OD -1.00 -.50 x 90

OS -.50 -.75 x 90

The optometrist showed me a trial frame with my new prescription versus my old one and the difference is so amazing...I can't wait to get my new prescription!

Chrissi 23 Jun 2009, 17:47

Thanks for the tips Cactus Jack and R Ed.

I do have an appt booked in August, one for my ophthalmologist at a hospital and one who can get me measured for contacts.

My CL rx is 2 years old (but my -11.25 for glasses are only 8 months old).

I will be needing an increase when I go back in August.

R Ed, you're right, I might have issues reading up close when I get my distance rx for contacts updated.

I might get glasses to wear for reading if it comes to that.

Thanks for the help!

R Ed 23 Jun 2009, 14:12

Cactus Jack and Chrissi,

CJ- Please don't be concerned with "butting in"; I certainly respect your very helpful comments to all on Eyescene.

Chrissi,

CJ's estimate of 1.66 add for you is likely correct over your CL's. You might test this by trying on readers at a pharmacy ( or chemists if you live in the UK). You may wish to ask CJ if there are adverse consequences, short and long term, of reading with your distance correction

Cactus Jack 23 Jun 2009, 07:28

Chrissi & R Ed,

Not to butt in, but the -9.50 contacts are pretty close to what is required for a refracted -11.25 distance Rx. If you like wearing the -8.75 glasses for reading, that would be pretty close to the effect of wearing +1.66 reading glasses. You might try wearing some +1.50 or +1.75 readers with the contacts for reading and close work. The differences are caused by vertex distance effects which are related to the glasses Rx squared (^2).

R Ed 23 Jun 2009, 07:00

Chrissi,

You mentioned earlier you only wear glasses around the house. That being the case you already have what you need; -11.25 for distance and -8.75 for reading.

You say you can read "all right" with -9.50 CL's. Do you feel eye strain? Are your eyes fatigued after long periods of reading? Since the experiment with your old weaker glasses suggests you need "add +2.50" which is certainly significant; maybe your current CL's are a comprise; a little weak for distance, a little strong for reading but you can accomodate. How old is you CL Rx? Maybe it needs updating for distance and that would make reading without bi focals more difficult. If I were you I'd visit my eye care professional soon.

Chrissi 22 Jun 2009, 16:36

Thanks R Ed for your advice.

Should I still then, get bifocals, if I can read with my -11.25 glasses, but just not as comfortably as with weaker ones?

Because when I wear my contacts, -9.50, I can read all right.

R Ed 22 Jun 2009, 06:46

Chrissi,

If I understand correctly your best distance Rx is -11.25 and you are most comfortable reading with -8.75 glasses. Bi focals would be a huge help for you. The difference between these two numbers is 2.50. If you had a bi focal prescription it would state "add + 2.50".

I believe there are two ways to deal with this. With CL's one eye would have he distance lens -11.25; the other the reading lens -8.75. I believe this approach is called monovision. I wouldn't take this approach but I know people who do and they accept it.

The second approach is bi focal glasses. Progressive bi focals (with no visible line) are excellent; I've had them for many years.

Which approach do you think you'll take?

Aubrac 22 Jun 2009, 00:41

Had the biennial eyetest yesterday but nothing really exciting.

My contact lens scrip has been the same in both eyes for over ten years,

-5.00 +2.00 add, small change in glasses scrip, now

R -5.25, add +2.00,

L -5.00, -0.75 axis 166, add +1.75

Ther was a little concern that the eyeball pressure was slightly over the limit in the left eye, apparantly in the UK this has recently been reduced so more people are being referred. However, after the third test nearly an hour later, it had gone below the limit.

Must say a very thorough and unhurried test by a nice young lady optometrist.

Chrissi 21 Jun 2009, 16:32

I apologize for any misunderstanding.

Due to budget issues, I haven't been able to get new contacts (which is why they're still in the old rx), but my -11.25 is my real prescription.

Chrissi 21 Jun 2009, 16:29

Oh and don't get me wrong, I love my glasses, but the reason I wear contacts is that it's just easier to get around for me.

I consider them more of an intimate thing, I suppose.

Chrissi 21 Jun 2009, 16:26

Thanks for everybody's input.

My -11.25 is about an 8 month old prescription.

I actually wear -9.50 contacts (which convert to about -10 in glasses). I rarely wear my glasses, only at home.

When I read, I wear my -8.75 glasses.

It is easier for me to read just because it takes the pressure off my eyes. The letters appear to be farther away when I wear my -11.25.

Sal 21 Jun 2009, 12:29

Chrissi:

R Ed's idea is a good one you can also try a pair of +1.5 or +2 OTC readers over your glasses and see if there is less strain. Once you get into college, probably with a still higher prescription, you may find bifocals helpful. My siblings and my fiancee are very happy with them for intense studying.

In fact, when I was an undergraduate I roomed with an architecture student. By the time we were seniors, almost every architecture student had glasses of some type for close work.

Rachel 20 Jun 2009, 01:01

R Ed. No I haven't actually, cos I find reading and close work OK with my single vision lenses and I desperately need the high minus for my distance vision. Maybe one day I will have to give in and get some bifocals, but until then I want to persevere with single vision.

R Ed 19 Jun 2009, 13:49

Chrissi,

My idea, 2 posts earlier, would just give you an indication if you may benefit from bi focals. The authoritative way would be to visit your eye care professional.

Rachael,

Thanks for your support. Have you tried my suggestion? If so, what were your conclusions?

Rachel 19 Jun 2009, 11:03

Chrissi. That's a good idea of R Eds. try it

R Ed 19 Jun 2009, 10:51

Chrissi,

If you feel eye strain when reading small font in dim lighting then you may need bifocals.

You may be able to run a test if you have an old pair of your glasses with a lower Rx. Do you have something in the -9.00 to -10.00 range? Do you feel less eye strain? Do the letters seem larger?

Rachel J 19 Jun 2009, 08:39

Sal. That;s not too big an increase for her thankfully.

Sal 19 Jun 2009, 08:22

RachelJ

My sis' prescription before the change was -16, not -15.

Rachel J 18 Jun 2009, 23:00

Chrissi.

I'm 16 and my current RX for glasses is very similar to yours R.E -11.75 and LE-12.50. At the moment I don't have any problems at all with single vision lenses either for reading or close work, so I reckon you should be O.K. with them for quite some time yet. Are you having problems, or is -11.25 a very recnt rx? Sometimes opticians recommend bifocals at quite an early age in an attempt to slow myopic progression. Someone I chat to who is 22 was prescribed some, but she wasn't very happy with them now she has gone back to single vision lenses again and prefers them. It would be good to hear your experiences.

Chrissi 18 Jun 2009, 17:30

Hi, I'm new to posting but I've been reading threads for about a year now.

I'm 14 and my rx is -11.25 for glasses.

I was wondering about bifocals; when does a myope know when he/she needs them?

Rachel J 18 Jun 2009, 01:55

Sal, Has Jen gone up to -16.50 and -17.00 from -15.00? If so that is quite an increase I would say and she must have been really struggling with her old glasses. Her astigmatism is pretty severe as well isn't it? Is she having high index lenses fitted into her glasses? I don't blame her for not wanting contacts to be honest, because I don't fany them despite my mother banging on about them all the time. I'm sorry to seem more interested in your sister's prescriptions, but I don't know much about hyperopia, except one of my friends at school has it and her current prescription is now R.E. +6.00 and L.E. +6.50. I don't know what the rest of the numbers are, but she seems pretty happy with it now. She kept putting off having her eyes checked for a long time before she got her new glasses, because she didn't like the idea of her eyes looking even bigger through them, but now she's accepted it.

Sal 17 Jun 2009, 08:20

Well, my sister Jen and I had our exams and both got increases, Jen's a little less than in the recent past, mine about what I expected. Jen is not going to get contacts, she just doesn't tolerate them at all.

My new script is R: +10.50 +2.25 x105 13.00BO L: +10.25 +3.50 x095 13.00BO add +3.00 with trifocals.

Jen's new script is R: -16.50 -5.00 x050 L: -17.00 -4.25 x020 add +3.25 with trifocals (this is the first time I ever knew Jen's full prescription).

My fiancee, Susan, also recently had an eye exam and had no change in her script.

Rachel 17 Jun 2009, 07:05

Cactus Jack. I thought you must mean that. Yeah I suppose with such a high rx you will need -3.00 more for glasses than for contacts. It bumps your rx up quite a bit more actaully. Sal's sister Jen is pretty high isn't she?

Cactus Jack 17 Jun 2009, 05:51

Rachel J,

The -15.75 was a typo that is why I corrected it in the next post. The reason I said -18.50 or -18.75 was because of potential errors in the formulas. You have to start with the refracted Rx that the patient has said was the clearest and that is very subjective. The examiner can't tell what you see, only what you tell him you see.

Cactus Jack 17 Jun 2009, 05:47

Andrew and Rachel,

The difference between a glasses Rx and a CL Rx is caused by the vertex distance of the lens. Vertex distance is the distance from the front surface of the cornea and the back surface of the lens.

Except in rare instances, the vertex distance of a phoropter and glasses is pretty close, about 12 mm. That being the case, the Rx as determined by the phropter is pretty close to the Rx of the glasses without any adjustment for the difference. However, CLs have a vertex distance of Zero (0) which means that the CL Rx must be adjusted for the difference.

The formula for the adjustment is pretty simple, but it involves a couple of steps:

Refracted (or Glasses) Rx ^ 2 (squared) and then divided by 1000. This will yield the amount of Rx change per mm of vertex distance. Then multiply the change by the vertex distance. This final number is then added to or subtracted from the refracted Rx to give the CL Rx. If the refracted Rx is minus, you subtract. If the refracted Rx is plus, you add.

Note that you start with the refracted or glasses Rx. If you start from the CL Rx, you have to guess at the glasses Rx and do the calculations until you arrive at the CL Rx. The reason for this is that you are dealing with exponential functions and the square of the refracted Rx will be different than the square of the CL Rx. Also note that at refracted Rx below 5, the difference is so small that no adjustment is necessary and accommodation will usually make up for slight errors.

There are two problems with the calculations. The errors get large at high Rx and it is very hard to measure or estimate vertex distance. There is an instrument for doing this, but it is a bit pricey and few ECPs have them. Usually, there is a small calibrated prism on each side of a phropter that will allow the examiner to read the distance from the front surface of the cornea to the back surface of the first lens in machine.

Rachel 17 Jun 2009, 02:08

Cactus. I should have put -3.50 MORE

Rachel J 17 Jun 2009, 02:06

Cactus Jack. Do you mean -3.50 for glasses, if your contacts are -15.00? What do you mean by -15.75 then? I was only -1.00 with my assumption though.

Andrew 16 Jun 2009, 09:39

Is there a set formula for working this out? I know my glasses Rx is based on a lens to pupil distance of 10mm., and I have been told today I now need a -7.50 contact lens for one eye (other would have risen to -7.25, but they don't make them). Given that, how strong are my next glasses likely to be (am due an eye test in October, and am pretty sure a change will be needed)?

Cactus Jack 16 Jun 2009, 07:46

-18.50 or -18.75

Cactus Jack 16 Jun 2009, 07:45

Raches J,

Glasses would actually be closer to -18.50 or -15.75 if she wears -15 contacts.

Rachel J 16 Jun 2009, 07:26

And. I think Sal means that her sister Jen is getting -15.00 contacts and then her glasses will need to be a higher prescription. Probably about -2.50 more, making her glasses prescription something like -17.50. That's because with contacts being actually on your eyes, they don't need to have as much minus as glasses, that are about an inch away. I know it sounds complicated but it's not really. It makes sense when you think about it.

And 15 Jun 2009, 09:49

Nothing wrong with being 5'3" or wearing glasses ! Do you mean Jen will wear contacts and glasses together ? That sounds complicated.

Rachel 14 Jun 2009, 22:47

Sal.

Are those "hard" contacts your sister is getting (RGP)? -15.00 is really strong for contacts isn't it? Usually contacts are a lower rx than glases aren't they? What rx glasses will she need now with such a high rx for contacts?

It's amazing how quickly your hyperopia is increasing. Are you wearing your double digit glasses all the time then now instead of your normal ones? If so that shows you are in for an increased rx again. I love the big eyes plus lenses make you have. I sometimes wish I was a hyperope. I hope your sister Jen likes the extra clarity she'll experience when he gets her new specs!! I bet you can't wait either!

Sal 14 Jun 2009, 12:40

Rachel:

Thanks for the wishes, my exam is tomorrow. Jen is going for her exam before her learning permit and since I am taking her they are working me in. Jen is getting RGP contacts -15 with the rest of her prescription in glasses.

I don't have a problem with the double digits, I have almost been wearing them now since I am wearing my computer glasses most all of the time, and they are not quite adequate, and they don't really work for computer either. I am like you, can't function without glasses. I even have to put them on to see my bedside clock at night.

Me being a hyperope and the rest of the family myopes, the doctors explain is due to my size. I am the runt of the family, I am only 5'3" while the other guys are over 6' and Jen is 5'11". I was small at birth, was cross eyed and have short small eyeballs (although they look big through my lenses). The doctors say my hyperopia will increase for a while yet as well. There were other problems I had earlier in my life but not vision related, so I won't bor folks here with them.

Rachel 10 Jun 2009, 23:50

Sal.

Good luck with your eye exam. Let me know what rx you get to. Do you want double digits?

Rachel 10 Jun 2009, 23:48

Sal.

It's quite weird that your brother and sister are really myopic and you are the opposite I think. Usually brothers and sisters are the same. Jen must be coping ok with he bifocals by now and also Jim. I suppose of its just a case of doing what the opticians recommends. I have heard it where they recommend bifocals to try and prevent myopia increasing too much, because doing a lot of close work looking through minus lenses can help to do that. (That's why some people who wnat higher rxs do read a lot close up wearing minus lenses.) I'll probably get bifocals pretty soon myself, if my distance vision carries on deteriorating like it is doing at the moment. I wonder if bifocals also help to take some of the pressure of your retinas as well. maybe that's why opticians recommend them to high myopes too.

Sal 10 Jun 2009, 12:22

Rachel:

Yes my sis does have problems with peripheral vision. It is true with high myopes and hyperopes too. I have the same problem and have to look through the very center of the lens, and it will get worse when my prescription increases. The prisms make it even more pronounced, my lenses are thick in the middle and at the edges.

Our eye doctor thinks bifocals are required for myopes over 10 dpt, that's why Jen got them when she was 12, and why Jim got them at 18. Also the doctor says hyperopes over +6 need them so I started again with them when I was 14.

I have an eye exam scheduled at the end of the month and will probably be into double digits myself.

Rachel 10 Jun 2009, 05:56

Sal. Wow, Sal your sister's myopia is real bad for 16. I'm the same age but my latest rx is only RE-11.75 and LE-12.50 with some astigmatism. Poor girl having to get bifocals at 12. So far I have been ok with single vision lenses and don't have any probs reading small print even with my high minus rx. maybe one day I'll need them though, which I have now reluctantly come to terms with. Some people think bifocals look pretty cool, especially if the have a straight line across the middle of the lenses. I reckon they could take a bit of getting used to, especially coming down stairs and things like that. Like you may not be able to see the stairs clearly through the bifocal part especially if it is quite a bit weaker. I suppose its just one of those things you have to adapt to with wearing glasses. Does your sister have difficulty with her peripheral vision at that rx like i do? Mine looks really curvy unless I turn my head and look directly though he centre of my lenses.

Dave 09 Jun 2009, 18:25

Thanks Sal

Maybe a slight increase will help the spelling!

Dave

Sal 09 Jun 2009, 12:51

I am embarrased, can't spel meteorology and I are won.

Sal 09 Jun 2009, 12:50

Dave & Clare

Sory to be slow in posting. I got glasses very young, about 9 months. I was born very cross eyed, followed by 3 surgeries in18 months. First glasses were +3, then +4 with +2 add in kindergarten. About 3-4th grade the bifocal went away and then had about +3.5. In high school I was +5 and back to a minimal bifocal and started with prisms. Since then over about 10 years I have seen a slow but steady increase to where I am now.

I have a pair of glasses about 1dpt stronger for computer and they seem to work well for distance, so I think I need a change soon & trifocals.

As for my family, everyone else is myopic. Mom & Dad -6 and -8 respectively with bifocals. Brother Bill is 23 and an Army officer, was -6 but got lasik, now he has to wear +1.5 for reading. Brother Jim is 19 and in college, he has -11 and just got bifocals. Sister Jen is a 16 yo high school student, wears -17 glasses and got her first bifocals at 12 yo.

My fiancee is 1 year behind me in a graduate program (doctorate in meteriology), she is very myopic at -14, wears trifocals and lost an eye in an accident as a kid.

Yavanna 08 Jun 2009, 07:17

The three pairs of glasses (-1.25, -1.5, -1.75) I ordered after posting here about a month ago finally came in a couple weeks ago, and I've had some time to play with switching around between them.

The first thing I noticed was that without the anti-glare coating my regular glasses have, there were lots of annoying reflections, so I wouldn't be settling for any of these, they'd just be good for backup and checking what prescription I need.

First I wore the -1.75s for awhile, when driving and to a concert. Things do seem a bit clearer with them. But I think that even though I could wear them (if they had anti-glare) comfortably, they're a bit stronger than I really need, since if I totally relax my accommodation it blurs a bit even in the distance. Surprisingly, in comparing the different prescriptions, the biggest difference that was really helpful was between my old glasses (OD -1.25, OS -1.25 +0.25 057), and the prescription I was given last month (-1.25). I hadn't thought that -.25 of astigmatism correcting being swapped for an extra -.25 spherical would make much difference, but it does, even if it's subtle.

Now I'm getting ready to get a new "real" pair of glasses, with all the coatings and stuff that I want, and frames that I'm sure I really like. My insurance covers transitions lenses, which is probably enough on its own for me to want to go with a place that takes it (VSP). The big chain places don't take it, only optometrist's offices do.

If I could get anything I wanted without verification, I'd probably get -1.5, just for a bit of extra sharpness, but I don't know if I can get away with faking my prescription. I've already scanned it, and could easily enough make it look like what I want (as a graphic designer it's part of what I do for a living, after all). But I wonder if they'd be likely to call the place that gave me the prescription to verify? Especially if I have to go the optical shop at an optometrist's office, and not something like Walmart or Lenscrafters. I'm thinking I'll probably just go with my legit prescription of -1.25 to save myself the hassle. That would be more a bit more comfortable for near vision when I'm tired, anyway. But slightly more minus would be nice for driving, especially at night. I might order sunglasses online, since I'm less picky about how they look, and insurance won't cover them anyway, and get them in -1.5, or even -1.75.

Rachel 06 Jun 2009, 23:02

Hi Ricky. I'm glad to hear you like extra minus as much as I do and love the sharpness and clarity it gives you. I suppose my eyes are still at the stage where they can focus at all distances with single vision lenses. Like you say the thought of bifocals seems like a sign of ageing!! I suppose no one who is pretty myopic ever wants give in and admit that they can't see to read with strong glasses. It's like admitting you don't really need all that minus! I don't know if you have chatted to Emily in Lenschat but she is around -14 now and when her optician pescribed her bifocals she didn't really like them or need them so now she has gone back to single vision lenses with an even higher rx. Even so if I get to a situation where I eventually need them I'll definitely give them a whirl. I suppose having the line right across the middle of your lenses does look pretty cool when you're quite young.

Ricky 06 Jun 2009, 05:50

Good day Rachel. I started wearing glasses at age 10. My teacher saw squinting and called my parents. Since all my brothers were wearing glasses, it was expected that Ricky would follow suit. Like you, I enjoyed getting stronger glasses on a regular basis. The sharpness and crispness was (and is) always great. My presccription reached -13 in one eye and -14.50 in the other. At about age 28, a co-worker of mine asked why I was looking over the top of my glasses to read up close. I really had not noticed I was doing that--but thought it must be normal. Then I saw on ths website that some others were taking glasses off for close-up work. When I mentioned this here, I was told that I probably needed bifocals---but my immediate response was that I was too young for the bifocals. After thinking about it, had my eyes examined and the eye doctor told me that I should not have to remove my glasses to read up close. Prescribed bifocals---a +2 add. Felt strange wearing bifocals at age 28, but no one even noticed. About two years later, began to have difficulty with mid-range vision---you guessed it--trifocals. A +1 in the midrange and +2.25 in the add. Trifocals at 31 (my age now). Looking back on it--I think if I had not been pusing for a stronger and stronger minus, I would not now be earing trifocals But, anyway, bifocals/trifocals normally arrive at age 40---mine just came early. So Racchel, I think with your prescription, you will be a premature bifocal babe. Men will love it.

Rachel 06 Jun 2009, 01:50

Puffin. You can see what I've written to minus 5 who luvs girls with glasses. Before my last test I've been having increases of around -1.00 every six months since I was 15, but at Easter this year I really went for it in a big way. Dr. Quinn that usually tests me was away on holiday and I had her new optician Chris. He seemed really sympathetic with me and when we had got to what I knew was another -1.00 I asked him if he could just go a little bit stronger. He notched it up another -0.25 and asked me if that was better, so I said "Please could you just go a bit stronger still," and to my surprise he did!! If it had been Dr. Quinn she would have told me, "No, we have gone strong enough for now Rachel."

Rachel 06 Jun 2009, 01:42

minus 5 who luvs gwgs. (continued) Everything looked really minified and I simply couldn't read the card the receptionist put in front of me but I lied to her and said I could. After that she adjusted the ear-pieces and when my new glasses were back on, she said stand up and walk around in them for a while in here, as they may take a bit of getting used to with having such a big increase. I did as she said and then told her they were fine and when I walked out of the opticians the doorway sides looked kind of curvy!! Once I was outside in the street the pavement looked miles away, so I walked all the way back home trying to get used to it. Luckily by the time I got home my eyes seemed to be adjusting quite well to the extra minus and I manged to help my mum prepare supper without any problems. It felt really weird though, because everything looked so small and my mum kept looking at me a lot. I think she was shocked at how much stronger my lenses were, but all she said was, "Can you see a lot better with your new glasses Rachel" and I simply answered, "Yes they're fine mum." That was over two months ago now and my new glasses are still brilliant. Everything looks so crisp and clear and I don't have any problems reading even quite small print. It's simply great.

Rachel 06 Jun 2009, 01:26

minus 5 who luvs gwgs. Hi, the extra minus you wear sounds great. I'm not sure what my rx was at 7 when I first got glasses but I think it must have been quite a bit over -1 because it made such a difference. I kept telling my mum I needed glasses because I was having problems seeing the blackboard at school but at first she didn't believe me. She thought I only wanted glasses because another girl had got glasses. In the end my teacher suggested she take me for an eye-test and after it I ended up with glasses and I can remember how much better I could see with them. After that I needed stronger lenses each year and by 12 I had reached RE-5.25 and LE-5.75 (That's when I started saving all my prescription forms and trying to fake my tests.) Since I was 15 I've been going for check-ups every six months which has probably helped to push my rx up even higher. The last increase I got was at Easter (-1.50 in each eye.) I think this was about -0.75 more than I needed because I got quite a shock when I went to collect my new glasses and first tried them on.

Puffin 05 Jun 2009, 17:56

Hey Rachel, how much does your prescription go up by each time? And how much do you over-estimate your inability to read things?

btw you've got some way to go before you're forced into myodisks, usually between minus 20-25 or so, depending on high index lenses and small frames.

minus 5 who luvs gwgs 05 Jun 2009, 11:07

Thanks Rachel I started with my right eye at the lowest I believe it was -0.50 my left eye was -1.00 by the time I was 16 I was up to -1.50 and -3.00 with slight astigmatism it progressed to about -3.00 and -4.00 by the time I was about 44 it then jumped to about -3.50 and -5.00 in a few months it now seems stable but to get the sharp vision we both love I now wear -5.00 and -6.00 As regards the higher prescriptions just look at Sandra from Germany a lovely lady with very high minus So what did you start at ?did you realise at 7 you needed glasses or was it a teacher or doctor What had you got to by age 12 By the way on another thread you mentioned swimming you can get prescription swimming goggles which would be better than wearing your glasses

Rachel 05 Jun 2009, 08:18

minus 5 who luvs gwgs. Thanks, it interesting to hear about your progress. Urm,, I really took to minus in a big way at about age 12 or 13. Like you I just love the crispness it gives when you first have an increase. The problem is with me it never seems to last long. I suppose it all to do with my age and stuff. My eyes keep changing and all that. I never know if getting extra minus makes them change quicker, or if they would just change anyway. I suppose its anyones guess! All I know is I like it... more minus I mean. I don't want to get to the myodisc stage though!! ...no way! I hope not anyway if I can possibly manage without. Love to hear back from you.

Rachel 05 Jun 2009, 08:06

Ricky. No, never. I just keep my glasses on for everything. When did you first get glasses and how old are you now? (If you don't mind saying lol)

minus 5 who luvs gwgs 05 Jun 2009, 07:47

Rachel I wore glasses first at 8 years old unlike you although glasses fascinated me I was very shy about wearing them and like a fool tried to do without however from about 12 when I became interested in girls I have always been attracted to gwgs the stronger the better i have been out with two girls who were around minus 15 my first wife was about minus 4 my current wife is a minus 2 with significant astigmatism while my girl friend is minus 6 when I saw her cut in and power rings I could not resist!!! I suppose i like someone who has something in common so hyperopes do not float my boat there is just something about a nice powerful minus lens with the cut in power rings minification and that lovely glint like diamonds they really are like face jewellery Myself I just like the super crisp vision that slightly increased minus gives me thank goodness you are a proud gwg just like my gf who would never consider contacts or laser Please do not worry about any eye problems a relative of my wifes got to 89 and she had myodiscs i think around minus 25 and apart from extreme myopia had no other eye problems

Ricky 05 Jun 2009, 05:32

Interestingly enough Rachel, your prescription is very close to the same strength as mine. Do you ever take your glasses off to read small print up close?

Rachel 04 Jun 2009, 22:36

Ricky. Well thats probably me Ricky. Another Rachel mentioned bifocals, but that definitely wasn't!

Ricky 04 Jun 2009, 22:33

Rachel, your postings are eerily similar to another Rachel. Talking about your mother trying to keep you from wearing glasses all the time; your strong obsession with glasses--all sounds hauntingly familiar. I guess that many Rachels love their glasses.

Rachel 04 Jun 2009, 22:19

minus 5 who luvs gwgs. Well I got my first glasses at 7 for school. I was so surprised how much better I could see I kept them on as much as I could even though my mum kept telling me to take them off. Then my eyes just got worse every year, so I always looked forwards to getting stronger lenses. By 12 I was really into strong glasses and my obsession with them has just gone on from there. I can't help it but I simply love it each time I get another increase now, than I need if I possibly can. What do you like about minus glasses best?

minus5 who luvs gwgs 04 Jun 2009, 07:15

Well I am a guy Rachel who would love to hear of your myopic progression and at what age you first got glasses and how you found out you needed them

Rachel 04 Jun 2009, 03:17

Dave. Are you interested in myopes as well? At the moment I'm wearing glasses with RE-11.75 and LE -12.50 with quite a bit of astigmatism. I'm happy with my rx at the moment but I reckon that in another six months I'll probably be gagging for more. lol.

Dave 03 Jun 2009, 14:06

Hi Sal

Welcome!

Would love to hear more about your glasses "story". Starting wearing, progression, your feelings towards your glasses, funny stories, contacts experiences, etc etc etc.

Best Wishes

Dave

Clare 03 Jun 2009, 12:50

Sal - welcome. I'm sure someone here will be able to answer your questions.

Sal 03 Jun 2009, 08:34

I found this site a few days ago looking for info about prisms which i have had for years due to esotropia. I am a 25 yo grad student. My prescription is R: +9.50 +2.25 x105 12.00BO; L: +8.75 +3.50 x090 12.00BO add +2.50.

Cactus jack 30 May 2009, 14:58

GarethUK,

That is a judgement call that only you can make. I think I might be strongly tempted to order the new Rx from Zenni to see if I liked the Rx enough to spend more money. I don't know what the price would be where you live, but in the US it would be under $10 for the cheap frames plus shipping.

If you like it, then you could have the Rx filled where ever you wanted to.

All you need is the Rx, your PD, and a credit card. Let me know if you want to try it and need help.

GarethUK 30 May 2009, 14:18

Thanks for the response Cactus Jack, given that it's only a small change is it worth getting the prescription made into a new pair of glasses?

I'm 28 and it's been two years since my last test

Cactus jack 30 May 2009, 02:32

GarethUK,

Your old Rx was written with + cylinder and your new one is written with - cylinder. I have converted your old Rx to - cylinder so you can make a more accurate comparison:

Old

R. -4.50, -0.25, 0

L. -4.25, -1.25, 175

New

R: -5.00, -0.25, 5

L: -4.50, -1.50, 175

Some practitioners use phropters or trial lenses with + cylinder and others use - cylinder. The results are the same with either, they just look different. When a lens maker gets a + cylinder Rx, they convert it to - cylinder and make the glasses. Looks like you have a =0.50 sphere increase in your right eye and a -0.25 sphere and -0.25 increase in astigmatism in your left eye, Not very much, really. May I ask your age and how long it has been since your last exam?

GarethUK 30 May 2009, 00:08

Hi,

I went for my eye test yesterday and due to my old optician retiring I went to a different one. My old prescription was:

R: -4.75, +0.25, 90

L: -5.50, +1.25, 85

According to the optician I saw my eyesight has got worse and I they have recommended that I get a new pair of glasses but when I got the prescription it looks like one eye has got a lot better. My new prescription is:

R: -5.00, -0.25, 5

L: -4.50, -1.50, 175

Can anybody please explain as i'm a little confused as to whether my eyesight has actually gotten worse or not

Clare 29 May 2009, 11:39

Last post from me!

29 May 2009, 11:39

father of gwg - Aubrac is right, people 'see' things differently. I also think that, at lower levels of myopia, how much people want/need to wear their glasses depends on how comfortable they feel with how they look in them.

New 28 May 2009, 12:14

Test

father of gwg 28 May 2009, 08:12

Thanks to all for your informative posts. From everything that has been said it seems as if our eyes are an inexact science when it comes to how they change over long periods of time. I now realize that it is impossible to know how bad my daughter's eyes may get over the next 10-15 years. All we can do is make sure we continue to follow-up with our eye doctor every year or so and see what happens. Thanks again to all. I have really enjoyed learning about this subject. I will keep everyone updated on future developments of my daughter or anyone else in the family who may have problems seeing.

Aubrac 28 May 2009, 07:53

Father of gwg

I have posted before to you but would like to add an anecdote that shows every individual situation is different.

Years ago one of my house mates was a lovely bare-eyed girl in her mid-twenties. We got around to talking about glasses one evening and she said she had worn glasses since was 12 and then moved to contacts fulltime as she did a lot of stage work. She remembered being about -2.00 and at an eye test at age 22 was told she no longer needed contacts as she could read all lines on the chart without lenses, she went for a retest six months later and result the same no need for glasses!

One the other hand, I used to have French lessons with a lovely French lady in her late twenties. One day I arrived and she was wearing les lunettes glasses! We got to talking about them and she said had always had glasses for a small amount of astigmatism, and wore them very little for reading when she was tired. However she suddenly realised that she couldnt read road signs or see the titles of books on her shelf, and an eyetest showed a -2.25 scrip plus cylinder. She was now almost FT dependant and that was within only one week of getting them.

Opposite sides of the coin show anything can happen.

Rachel 28 May 2009, 03:16

RL. Thanks for the info on myodiscs. Sometimes I feel pretty daunted at the prospect of needing them eventually but maybe they won't look too bad. Even cool from what you say!

Clare of 27 May 2009, 12:37

father of gwg - my prescription was stable (around -1.25) for the first few years. Then I had a jump to -2 (both eyes, I think), then -2.25 both eyes, after that they seemed to change at different rates before I got to my current prescription a couple of years ago. I always wondered if I didn't quite see as well as I should - when I took my driving test at 17 I had to have a couple of attempts to read the car number plate, very embarrassting!

I started to wear contacts regularly when I got into the -2s, before that I managed just wearing glasses when I needed to. At -2 I never felt my eyesight was bad.

Compared to others my eyesight isn't bad now either. At home I need glasses to watch TV but can roam around the house without. Outside is alot different although I'd go for a walk without, could go shopping assuming I don't want to read signs in the aisles, but would probably ignore a few people along the street! I don't do it often but certainly could if I had to. At my prescription I think the reality is that most people choose not to, which is understandable.

I read bon's post in Acuity and Prescription and their optician recommends wearing glasses fulltime at a much lower prescription.

Clare of 27 May 2009, 12:37

I started to wear contacts regularly when I got into the -2s, before that I managed just wearing glasses when I needed to. At -2 I never felt my eyesight was bad.

I read bon's post in Acuity and Prescription and their optician recommends wearing glasses fulltime at a much lower prescription.

RL 27 May 2009, 07:56

One more thing; I find the field of vision to be great because the myodiscs fit really close to my eyes. The edges don't dig into my face like my full-field glasses. And having them fit closer improves the vision as well. Every so often I'll get a comment or question about them, but like I said; they're exotic.

RL 27 May 2009, 07:53

Rachel,

The best thing about myodiscs is that they are thin and light especially if you can get them in plastic. Mine have 30mm bowls (that's the circle in the center of the lens where the prescription is) with a slightly plus carrier (that's the outer portion of the lens.) The fronts are slightly concave, about a -2 and the edges are thin enough that they don's stick out of the frames at all. My full field glasses by comaparison are 11 mm thick at the outer edge. There is very little edge distortion because there is no thick edge. The only thing is that you have to get used to keeping your eyes looking through the center of the bowl. I don't find this bothersome at all. Mine are in black plastic frames and I think they look pretty cool. The power rings are mimimal and it's hard to detect the unusual lens design unless you know what you're looking for. Since the outer portion of the lens magnifies the edge of your face and your eyes look really small through the bowls, there is quite a contrast. I've decided they're exotic, and I like them a lot. Hope this helps.

Rachel 26 May 2009, 23:36

fatherof gwgw. Clare is probably right. If your daughter can read without her glasses comfortably encourage her to do so. Sometimes doing a lot of close work wearing glasses can make myopia increase more rapidly. It's probably because your eyes get used to focussing on close things through correction and then they need more correction to see at a distance. Look at my post to Catcus Jack on Hyperopic progression to see the physical implications of myopia. You will probably find it helpful. Tell me how your daughter re-acts.

Rachel 26 May 2009, 23:30

RL. Thanks for your latest post. You are right once you get into the habit of looking trhough the centre of you glasses everything is OK. Like when you cross roads, you need to turn your head instead of just glancing sideways. Myodiscs fascinate me actually. Tell me more about them. How much field of vision do you actually get with them and is the distortion as apparent? It looks as though I will probably end up with some by the time I'm in my mid to late teens. They can look pretty cool I reckon if you get the right frames.

father of gwg 26 May 2009, 18:34

Clare,

At what rate did your myopia increase? When your perscription did increase say by .50 or so did it make a noticeable difference in your vision? Did you realize that your eyes weren't very good prior to finally being diagnosed in your twenties, or do you think that's when your eyes started to deteriorate? Also, when you were -2.00 can you describe how you saw things without correction to give me a better understanding of what my daughter sees uncorrected? Lastly, now that you are -3.00 what is your uncorrected vision like?

Clare 26 May 2009, 13:56

father of gwg - I've been in the -2s for quite a few years and am now at -2.75 and -3 with a bit of astigmatism (-0.50). Although I wear contacts lenses 90% of the time it's not impossible for me to go without correction, especially for reading so your daughter may easily be able to accommodate for that despite her astigmatism. I have a friend who has a prescription of -3.75 with -0.75 of astigmatism who is happy to read without glasses but at her prescription she has to hold material quite close to her eyes.

I was in my early 20s when my myopia was discovered, I am now in my late 30s and expect that my prescription has stabilised. I think that it's likely your daughters prescription will increase but it may not be much more than mine, and that's not too debilitating so don't be concerned. Apparently I'm unusual in that I developed myopia relatively late and reached a moderate prescription (so my optician tells me).

It seems to make sense that she doesn't wear them if she doesn't need to for close work but she will decideas it's a very subjective thing.

RL 26 May 2009, 11:41

Rachel,

Yes, there is some distortion at the edges of my lenses, but I've gotten used to looking through the centers, and I currently have two pairs of myodisc glasses in the old Rx that help since the prescription is confined to the center 28mm of the lenses. I thought I would try the new Rx in a full-field lens first, but I will probably get it done in a myodisc as well. It keeps the lens much thinner at the edges. I think the new ones will be over 10mm thick at the edges even in hi-index plastic. We'll see. I'll keep you posted.

Rachel 26 May 2009, 10:05

RL. Sure. My rx make things look smaller when I first get an increase. However it goes it the sharpness and clarity which I really like. Do you get quite a bit of distortion with your peripheral vision now, like I do? It can be a real pain until you get used to it and concentrate on looking through the centre of your lenses all the time.

RL 26 May 2009, 09:26

Rachel and Puffin,

The Doc said long ago said that I have "high resoultion retinas" which allow me to see small things at a distance. It's just the optics of my eyes that are off. Actually I see about the same in both eyes, though things in the left (stronger Rx) eye appear slightly smaller. Not a problem since I've worn glasses since I was ten and have adapted quite well. At one point when I was in college, the difference between my eyes was 5.25 D. That was a little weird, but then my right eye "caught up." Current Rx is R -11.50 +.50 X 106, L -14.00 D/S. So I'm only up by 1D for the new one, not too bad for waiting two years.

Cactus Jack 26 May 2009, 09:04

father of gwg,

It might be useful for your daughter to consider wearing some glasses with a reduced Rx for reading and close work. The lower Rx will reduce her accommodation stress while reading and studying and could slow her myopia. I would suggest 1 diopter lower in the sphere correction. The cylinder and axis should remain the same. The small reduction in sphere Rx will still require her to accommodate some, just not as much.

If she has contacts that correct both her sphere and astigmatism, a pair of +1.00 or +1.25 reading glasses worn over the contacts will accomplish the same thing.

You could order glasses with a lower Rx on line at considerable savings, if you wish and we can help you with the order.

Puffin 26 May 2009, 08:55

RL, 20/15 is really good with that rx. is it better with the -12 eye or no difference?

Rachel 26 May 2009, 08:41

father of gwg. I agree with Aubrac. Wearing glasses for girls is no big deal these days. I for one love looking at all the trendy frames that keep appearing at my opticians. I can never resit going in when i pass and trying some on even when I'm not due for my check up. I reckon she could get to around -6.00 and by then she will be pretty dependent on glasses but the fact that I'm totally dependent never stops me having fun. Like Aubrac says all she needs is her confidence boosting about wearing glasses fulltime and help in choosing some really cool frames. It's no good her missing out on seeing a lot of stuff.

Rachel 26 May 2009, 08:26

father of gwg. I know astigmatism can be a problem when reading, that's why I always wear my glasses for reading as mine is quite bad.

Something that may interest you though about myopic progression is that when my aunt was in the sixth form she decided to try wearing hard contacts, because another girl told her they would stop her myopia increasing as quickly. Her optician was non-committal on the subject but was willing to prescribe her some. In fact they did, because for about six years her rx only increased by about -0.50 every year. Then after she gave birth to her little daughter Sophie she decided to go back to glasses again because of problems with dry eyes. As soon as she did her myopic progression really took off and after 6 months she was desperate for an increase which was -1.25. Six months later she needed another -1.00 but thankfully her eyes have now settled down again to a steady -0.50 more per year. So probably specs4ever is right in saying that constant wear, especially contacts, does make myopia progress more rapidly.

Aubrac 26 May 2009, 08:12

father of gwg

It is pure speculation on anyone's part as to when and at what level a prescription will stabilise. However it is unlikely that myopia will stabilise at age 17.

From the wide experience of the many people on this site, we can only base estimates on what we know, which may be different for any particular situation.

Your daughter's rate of increase does not seem very high and so she is less likely to finish with a scrip of say above -6.00. However, it is quite possible to expect an increase of -0.50 every two years for another ten years or so. This is why people have speculated that her final scrip could be about -4/-5.

Your concern is obvious from your posts, but may I suggest that regrettable though it may seem, wearing glasses/contacts is no big deal - millions of people do so.

I suggest you just take it in your stride, and help her choose some nice frames as an occassional alternative to wearing contacts - buying online will greatly reduce the cost of this.

At -1.75 without correction she will miss out on a lot of detail, texture, etc, find signs difficult to read, and wont pass an eye test for a driving exam. The most important thing is for her not to be worried about this and enjoy good vision with either glasses or contacts.

Rachel 26 May 2009, 08:05

RL. Wow that's really good. I can only ever get down as far as the 20/30 line after I've been prescribed my new rx. And when I get to it my optician tells me I've done really well. Your eyes must be miles better than mine, lol.

RL 26 May 2009, 07:35

Rachael, I'll let you know when they come in. It will be nice to see really clearly again. I was able to read the 20/15 line with the new prescription, much to the surprise of the opthalmologist.

father of gwg 26 May 2009, 07:00

Thanks to all for the informative posts. Is there a chance that my daughter's eyes stabilize now and she never becomes full-time dependent on her glasses and contacts? If so what percentage would you put it that her perscription stays below -2.00? Also, I've spoken to her about not using the glasses for near work, but the doctor told her that the astigmatism affects work at all distances.

Rachel 26 May 2009, 01:19

Father of gwg. I think Aubrac is correct regarding inheriting myopia via the female line. Like his sister's kids needed glasses and not his. Similarly I needed them because my mum's sister younger needed them and now her little girl who is only 5 needs them. Aubrac's sister's progression from the age of 12 has not been as great as mine from the age of 7, resulting in her only having about half the rx I have. Like Aubrac I'm pretty sure your daughter will only reach around -4.00 or perhaps -5.00

Aubrac 26 May 2009, 01:04

Father of GWG

There have been many useful contributions but may I add a couple of points.

You did mention the hereditary angle. I am not a geneticist and do not know how this works, I can only say that my parents and all relations had, as far as I know perfect eyesight, and none of them wore glasses. My Mum was shocked to find at about 12 my sister needed glasses, she has since progressed to about -7 and I am at a well stabilised -5. My ex had perfect eyesight and we have 3 kids all with perfect eyesight, whereas my sister (her husband has perfect eyesight) has four kids with scrips ranging from -2 to -6.

From observation it seems a couple with highish scrips will have a child who will also have a high scrip. From what you said about your daughters new prescription and age, it is quite possible your daughter may eventually go to -4/-5 but maybe not more than that.

Hope this helps rather confuses the issue.

Rachel 25 May 2009, 23:14

Wow RL that sure is some rx!! I bet you can't wait to try your nw glasses on when they arrive at your opticians! I'd love you to post to your first reactions in another week.

Rachel 25 May 2009, 23:10

father of gwg. I think what specs4ever has posted about kids is probably quite true. When I first got glasses at 7 I was so thrilled with how much better I vcould see I fell into the trap of "leaving" them on most of the time even though my mum kept nattering me to take them off. Watching TV was much better, and seeing things clearly when I was out, and as I had no problems reading with my glasses on, I couldn't see the point of keep taking them off and risking forgeting taking them to school. In fact I once did and my teacher had to phone my mum to ask her to bring them for me and you can imagine how embarrassed I felt when she walked into the classroom in the middle of a lesson to hand them to me! So I supposed I've paid the penalty for being a full-time wearer from a very early age. As my mum's younger sister, who is also very myopic, told me recently "Once you start on the slippery slope there is no going back!" However like Specs4ever I am convinced your daughter's rx will get no where near as high as mine is now as she only started with glasses in her mid-teens.

RL 25 May 2009, 13:32

Got a new Rx last week. Up a little to: R -12.00 +.50 X 106, L -15.00 D/S.

Ordered the new glasses in 1.67 High index lenses, black plastic frame. Should have them in a week or so.

Andrew 24 May 2009, 11:32

I realize that contact lens technology has changed a lot in the last few years but I wore my contacts most of the time from the age of 18 until about 25, when I was told I had to stop wearing them for a while to give my eyes a break. For a while after that, I was only allowed to wear them for 5 hours a day. Now (I'm 43), I can wear them most of the day if I need to, but if I'm indoors and not doing sport, or it's not raining really hard, I go for the glasses option.

father of gwg 24 May 2009, 07:54

Specs4ever, thanks for the reply and the detailed explanation. Would anyone else care to comment on this subject. This information is very helpful to me and my family. I don't know if the doctor commented on any of these things as my daughter went by herself for her exam, and I'm sure she didn't ask any questions at all. If anyone else has knowledge on this subject please share it.

specs4ever 24 May 2009, 06:14

Father of GWG, I am again just a layman, but I will try to answer that question as to if your daughters eyes will ever become as bad as Rachel's I would suggest that it is not very likely. In most cases a high prescription has already manifested itself by the age of 17. She has worn contacts without giving her eyes a break for long enough that if she was really succeptible to myopia, her myopia would already have started to climb. Most parents don't know, and most kids don't care at the time, to realize that one of the worst things they can do to their eyes is to wear a low(and yes, even with the increase your daughter's prescription is still very mild)minus prescription full time. The hours spent doing schoolwork and the other nearpoint visual tasks our kids are faced with at a young age tend to mean that kids are more likely to become nearsighted. If they are slightly nearsighted, wearing a correction for their myopia full time means that they are looking through a lens designed for distance vision even while they read.

You will find confirmation of what I just told you if you search the web. But I can almost guarantee you if you were to ask your daughter's eye doctor if her prescription will get worse or not, he, or she, will be unable to answer you, and will give you a statement something like "Well, no one can really tell. We will just have to wait and see what happens." That is because the doctor doesn't know for sure, anymore than I do. However, I am basing my thoughts on years of observation and research.

I would suggest that your daughter should remove her contacts when she return home from school. She should do her homework, or any other close visual tasks without wearing any correction. This is even more important for when she gets to college.

Until her prescription reaches -4D or greater, she should be able to read comfortably at a reasonable distance. After -4D - if she even reaches that, she could consider bifocals for her around home glasses, even though a dioctor would be reluctant to prescribe them.

Rachel, on the other hand, is likely destined for a prescription in the low -20's, and there really isn't much she can do about it.

Sorry I am so long winded, but this is a favorite topic of mine.

father of gwg 24 May 2009, 03:10

Rachel, back in the 7th grade it was very dramatic when my daughter was perscribed glasses. She got both glasses and contacts that first time and wore her glasses some, but when she got comfortable enough with the contacts she turned to them everyday. When she took them out at home she didn't find it "necessary" I guess to wear her glasses. As a matter of fact, I don't remember seeing her wear her glasses since she had gotten into high school 3 years ago. Until this most recent increase she only kept up with the contacts (saving me a pretty penny)which she religiously wore everyday for school and going out. At her exam on Monday the doctor told her that only relying upon contacts on an all day everyday basis could be harmful to her eyes in the long run so she was encouraged to get new glasses as well for the first time since her original visit 5 years ago. Now that she realizes her vision is worsening she has accepted the fact that glasses are going to be necessary some days, actually probably everyday for at least part of the day. She has been wearing her new glasses around the house almost exclusively for the past day or two. I paid good money for a nice black plastic Armani stylish frame, and we all think she looks great in the new specs, including herself. She has noticed the increase and has commented how clear her new vision is. I have shared with her your answers to my questions, and I think she has accepted the fact that her dependence will only become greater with time. The thing she keeps saying is how unfair it is that my wife and I and our freshman and fifth grade son all have very good vision and how the heck did she get stuck wearing glasses. I'm sure she will continue to wear her contacts most of the time, but as a concerned father I hope she accepts the advice of the doctor to give her eyes a rest from her contacts sometimes. She also has expressed some fear that her eyes could keep increasing to a perscription of your magnitude. Is that possible?

Rachel 23 May 2009, 23:20

Can anyone tell me about the rate of increases someone with a plus prescription can expect, if they start wearing glasses at about the age I did? i.e. aged 7.

Rachel 23 May 2009, 23:10

father of gwg. Hi, I got my first glasses when I was 7. I'm not sure what prescription they were now, but I remember they made an enormous difference to my vision when I started wearing them. I reckon they must have been getting on for -2.00. Probably RE-1.50 & LE -1.75 or something like that. My mother didn't like me wearing them as much as I did because she thought hey would make my eyes go worse, but they went worse anyway,so she was obviously wrong. After that I had increases every year until I was 13 and since then I've been getting them every six months. I hope this helps. I think you daughter should stabalize at around age 21 or 22. By the way, does she like wearing glasses or prefer her contacts?

father of gwg 23 May 2009, 11:54

Rachel, thanks for the reply. When did get your first pair of glasses and what was the script? Do others agree that I can expect my daughter's eyes to worsen to about -3 or -4 based upon her age and the increases she has had thus far. At what age can we expect her eyesight to stabilize?

Rachel 23 May 2009, 05:53

father of gwg. An increase of only -0.50 in her teens is pretty good for your daughter. I'm 16 and my last increase was quite a lot more. With a prescription of under -2.00 still, she will not be totally dependent on her glasses or contacts yet. However with such a low prescription and increase of -0.50 will improve her distance vision considerably. She will probably end up eventually at around -3.00 or -4.00 and by then she will definitely need glasses or contacts fulltime. I hope this helps. For comparison my latest prescription is RE-11.75 x -1.50 x 120 and LE-12.50 x -2.00 x 180

father of gwg 23 May 2009, 00:08

Today my seventeen year old daughter got her new glasses and contacts. Her perscription increased in the last year from R-1.25 -0.50 L -1.00 -0.75 to the new script of R-1.75 -0.75 L-1.50 -0.75. Her first perscription back in the 7th grade was R-1.00 -0.50 L-1.00 -0.50 and that seemed to stay pretty steady until this latest increase. Will she notice a big difference in her vision? She recently had made comments about not seeing as well. Is this a normal increase in a year's period for someone this age? Will this move her a lot closer to full-time dependence? When can we expect her vision to stabilize because I just spent a pretty penny on anti-reflective lenses. I've been following this site for a few months, so I know there are many out there who can help answer these questions. Thanks.

Clare 21 May 2009, 09:43

ph - good luck, be audacious. It's hard to go from no glasses to full time even at the best of times, so good luck and let us know how it goes!

ph 20 May 2009, 20:13

No, I wasn't wearing them full time. Mostly in private or out of town... nobody knows about them except for my signifigant other. She is cool with me going full time though, I guess I'll just "go get an exam" and come home with glasses (already been checked though..20/20). We'll see, they shouldd arrive soon!

A. 20 May 2009, 17:55

Hello,

What a nice site!

My prescription is -6 for both eyes. I sometimes wear glasses, but mostly I wear contacts.I'd love to wear glasses all the time,because I like the feeling,but contacts are simply more comfortable.And besides,I hate when strangers ask what my prescription is..it's so sexual and private :P

Clare 20 May 2009, 02:23

ph - so were you wearing the -2.25s full time before they got scratched? And how will you introduce the new ones to friends and family? Good luck!

Rachel 20 May 2009, 01:11

ph. To be honest even at 31 I think you eyes would comfortably accommodate -3.50, especially if you stick strctly to wearing glasses all the time. Who knows then, you could easily end up permanently short- sighted, which is obviously what you really want. I say definitley go for it.

ph 19 May 2009, 18:58

thanks for the words of encouragment. though I'm actually 31... I've been using some -2.25 glasses with and without contacts, I can compensate fine but I prefer using contacts as it creates a need for the glasses and I don't have any trouble reading when tired. I just ordered a pair of -2.5 which will hopefully wind up being my "introductory pair" (the -2.25 pair got scratched). hopefully they won't look too strong -yet strong enough!

Rachel 18 May 2009, 09:12

ph. I am certain that at 21 your eyes will easily accommodate -2.00 without wearing any contacts at all. Just get some glasses made up at that rx and wear them all the time. Once you feel entirely comfortable with them then you can go for more.

Clare 17 May 2009, 22:50

ph - I wouldn't say -2 is too strong, an ex of mine got glasses at 21 and went straight to fulltime wear. I don't remember that they were very strong so they were probably slightly less than that. Some people might not wear glasses fulltime at -2 but many would so go for it!

ph 17 May 2009, 18:56

I've been doing GOC off and on for a couple years but I've never "gone public", However now with my wife's approval I'm ready to go full time.So what would be a good Rx to start doing full time GOC with? I'm thinking about -2.5 (the weakest combo I have), anyone think that's too strong for a "first pair of glasses"? Also I've been working with online eyeglass stores but would love to get a fake Rx so I could actually go in a store and pick out my glasses but unfortunatley my vision is perfect. Anyone got any blank Rx forms or perhaps a simple Rx of around -2 that we could just change the names on??

Thanks!

eyespy 16 May 2009, 04:03

Michael - I presume that you have -3.5 sphere in one eye and -1.75 sphere -0.50 cyl in the other. It means you're moderately shortsighted in one eye and mildly shortsighted in the other. In one eye you also have half a diopter of astigmatism (that's the -0.50) at 90 degrees. The angle (or degrees) of the astigmatism can determine how noticeable it would be. The astigmatism effectively adds another half diopter to your overall prescription.

I'd expect that you notice a big difference in what you can see with each eye. I imagine you've been recommended to wear glasses fulltime. A friend of mine was prescribed -2 and -3.5 and that's what she was told. Hope that helps!

Rachel 16 May 2009, 00:51

Michael.

Yes it is strong for your first glasses. There should be an rx for both your right eye and your left eye. Usually it says R.E. then 3 sets of numbers and then L.E. and three sets of numbers. The first numbers are the amount of dioptres you need, then the astigmatism then the cyl.

Guest 15 May 2009, 13:51

That's a strong prescription for a first timer Michael. Were you told to wear them full time? How do you find your uncorrected vision now?

Michael 15 May 2009, 13:07

I just got glasses for the first time and was was written on -3.5 and then -1.75 -0.50 and 90 anyone help me in explaining it?

Rachel 15 May 2009, 08:54

I just got an increase of -1.75 to RE -11.75 and LE-12.50

Bela 15 May 2009, 08:36

Hi, my prescription is:

OD -0.75,-2.25x065

OS -1.00,-2.25x170

Age:24

Location: South Africa ;-)

Phil 13 May 2009, 04:53

Aubrac,

I think fulltime wear for Maria is on the horizon, if not overdue. If she can't read the Snellen chart without correction, she shouldn't be driving bare-eyed. And the fact that she wears them throughout her time at work (not only to read, but to perform middle-distance tasks) is another indicator.

She looks gorgeous in her new frames. And she likes them herself. She also likes her chap to wear specs. So maybe we'll rather readily convince each other that we are both now fulltime wearers. She's getting me to have a new test and is going to choose me some frames.

Aubrac 13 May 2009, 04:25

Phil

Even different people in their forties with the same plus prescription will have diffwerent use patterns.

In a restaurant the other day a mid-forties couple came in, he was wearing about +2 glasses while she was bare eyed, she took out a pair of at least +3 glasses to look at the menu and then kept them on to look at the view from the window. When the food arrived he took his glasses off and put them in his pocket. When they left, he was bare eyed and she was still wearing her glasses!

You would think +3.50 indicated FT wear but this isn't always the case.

Phil 12 May 2009, 01:40

Her rx only increased slightly. But is it plausible that someone with +3.50 and 0.50 cylinder, in her 40s, can survive without wearing glasses fulltime? How much hyperopia can someone cope with bare-eyed at that stage of likfe?

aubrac 12 May 2009, 01:23

eyespy

I don't profess to be a great expert on astigmatism but believe that at .75 and above, it does start to give real problems, also the angle of correction i.e. from 10 to 180, can seem to make a difference.

I had an ex-girlfriend who had sligh hyperopia but high astigmatism, she said that without her glasses it was a bit like looking in a distorting mirror, which made the proportions and angles of things look different.

Vertical lines would appear at an angle and squares would appear to have different length sides

eyespy 11 May 2009, 13:47

Aubrac

Astigmatism is a weirdly wonderful thing isn't it?

I've got -0.50 of it but on top of my Rx I can't really tell if it makes a difference or not! When I take my glasses off the world's blurry anyway.

Guess that -0.50 only makes a difference if you're bordering on full time wear. Would you agree?

eyespy 11 May 2009, 13:45

Phil

What was her previous Rx?

Phil 11 May 2009, 07:20

Aubrac, After Maria got her rx of +3.5 I questioned whether she is safe driving bare-eyed. She revealed that she can only see with "heavy frowning"! She has just picked up her specs. I plan to flatter her and urge fulltime wear. I hope I am pushing at an open door.

Aubrac 11 May 2009, 07:14

LT Lurker

A very similar story, my wife is 40 and wears R+1.50, -0.50, 30 L+1.75, -0.75, 130. The astigmatism makes reading letters difficult at all distances.

Like yours and Onlooker's wife, she is rather touchy about discussing her vision, and when I last suggested a re-test, it was met with a rather tetchy 'nothings changed and I'll know when it's needed'.

However she does wear her glasses much more these days, and always makes sure she has a pair with her. FT wear will eventually become a need.

Cactus Jack 08 May 2009, 16:14

John11,

-1 astigmatism isn't "bad", but it is enough to be really annoying for reading small print at any distance and it needs to be corrected for comfortable vision. Check out and experiment with the simulators listed on the Hyperopia and Presbyopia Progression Thread. A picture is worth a thousand words.

john11 08 May 2009, 15:46

is a -1 a bad astigtism?

LT Lurker 07 May 2009, 15:09

Hi Onlooker, It appears that your wife is in a similar situation to my wife.+1 with astigmatism, although a very small amount -0.25.

If your wife is over 40 , mines 41 then it is most likely that the +1 sphere will start being a hinderance to daily tasks.

My wife wore her glasses for computer and religiously for reading in the evening.All of a sudden she has dropped the reading useage.As,like yours,she refuses to sensibly discuss her vision,Iam of the belief that she is entering into the final phase of denial.Reading without them means she reads for a maximum of 10-15 minutes where as before she read for 1-2 hours.

This will no doubt become more tiresome as will watching TV.When she first got her specs 2+ years ago she was advised by someone to watch TV whilst doing a near task ie crotchet so as to keep changing focus.This she tried the other night and it seems that doing this is only possible for 10 minutes now. I think she should have an eyetest as she is due but she says she knows when she needs new glasses!

So I guess the bottom line is, that like me you just have to wait.But I think I will happen.+1 is difficult to overcome at 40+.Was your wife cyclopleged? if not she may be a bit more than +1.

Cactus Jack 07 May 2009, 06:48

On Looker,

Also, what is her complete Rx? Just saying she is +1 with some astigmatism doesn't tell me much.

Cactus jack 07 May 2009, 06:45

On Looker,

What is your Rx for distance?

Yavanna 07 May 2009, 06:27

I ordered a few cheap pairs from Zenni Optical, in -1.25, -1.5, and -1.75. Now I just have to wait, hopefully it won't take too long for them to get here. From what I've read it sounds like ordering from them might be a gamble, but I figured it was cheap enough to be worth it. Once I figure out what works best for me, I'll get something nicer.

OnLooker 07 May 2009, 04:32

My wife has just been found to be +1 with astigmatism. Now i'd love to know what it looks like to be +1 especially that she is in denial phase and doesn't want to talk about her vision at all. She keeps saying that she can see fine at a distance and that she needs glasses for closeup to avoid eye strain and ehadache. She says her vision is still OK without glasses. Is this true? A question for hyperopes.

Filthy McNasty 06 May 2009, 21:54

I would have guessed somewhat into the mid-teens. Perhaps it is wishful thinking. She is certainly lovely.

Tim 06 May 2009, 20:48

About -10, methinks, certainly in the right eye.

antonio 06 May 2009, 13:09

How strong might the glasses be, she wears ?

best regards,

antonio

SZ6 06 May 2009, 07:51

Oops, that should have gone in "Seen on the web" - sorry!

SZ6 06 May 2009, 07:50

Cute 20ish brunette with strong minus glasses:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4y9OIOWSu_Y/Segyeeb87TI/AAAAAAAAAI4/bA_nkl-WQfM/s1600-h/IMG_1212.jpg

Yavanna 05 May 2009, 09:30

Cactus Jack,

Actually that had occurred to me, that my accommodation might get better if I started using it. When I first got these glasses, I found them uncomfortable for close work, so I always took them off, and usually left them off during the day at work. It was annoying not having them when getting up and walking around though, and also annoying taking them off every time I sat down to eat or something. So a few months ago I started wearing them more, and now I'm comfortable with them either on or off when I'm at my computer. Reading is still more comfortable without them, but I'm okay with them, too. I figured if I never really had to accommodate, I might end up dealing with presbyopia sooner than I otherwise would, though I'm not sure if it really works that way. I understand that it has to do with the stiffening of the lens, but I'm not sure how much ciliary muscle strength has to do with it. But I suppose the less the lens is flexed, the sooner it might lose its ability to do so.

Cactus jack, 05 May 2009, 08:14

Yavanna,

Your vision without glasses is close to ideal for the working distance of most computers. -1.25 without correction focuses at about 31 inches (80 cm) so you only have to accommodate a little more (+0.25 to +0.50) to focus on the display without your glasses.

At 26, you have plenty of accommodation so you can probably wear a bit of over correction without problem for distance. If you work without your glasses very much, you may not be exercising your ciliary muscles enough and they may be getting slightly de-conditioned because they are almost fully relaxed most of the time.

Cactus Jack 05 May 2009, 07:55

Yavanna,

You need only a ruler marked in mm and a mirror.

Look in the mirror and note the distance from the center of your nose to the center of each pupil individually. While you do this, one eye will be turned slightly inward and the other will be looking straight into the mirror. They will alternate as you check each eye. The distance you want is the one looking straight ahead at the moment.

Do this three times for each eye and average the readings for each eye. Add them together. You should get a number in the 55 to 65 mm range depending on the spacing of your eyes. That is your PD.

Yavanna 05 May 2009, 06:37

Cactus Jack,

I'm 26, and a graphic designer, so I spend a lot of time in front of a computer.

I think if I had something like -1.75, I'd end up taking them off a bit more often for near work than I do now, but I would like the sharpest distance vision I can get, especially for long drives.

I'm not sure what my PD is. What would be the best way to measure that myself?

Cactus jack 04 May 2009, 23:59

Yavanna,

Low levels of astigmatism are extremely hard to determine accurately because to quite a large extent, it depends on your ability to discern relative degrees of blurriness as the examiner tries to bracket the axis of the astigmatism and the amount of cylinder. You could get another exam tomorrow, by a different examiner, and likely not come up with the same exact Rx.

Your plan is a good one. You might be able to discern a small difference between your old glasses and new ones with -1.25 in each eye, but you will likely find -1.50 or -1.75 provides much sharper vision especially at night. I suspect you will settle on the -1.75s, but only you can judge.

One factor that will affect your preference is your accommodation (age related) and occupation. May I ask your age and occupation? Also, do you know your PD or how to measure it?

Yavanna 04 May 2009, 19:31

Hello,

I had an eye exam today, and was a little bit confused/ surprised by the results.

My old prescription, as of a year ago, was:

OD -1.25

OS -1.25 +0.25 057

These glasses were the first that I wore a majority of the time, though sometimes taking them off to read or just for around the house. Before that, I had a -.75 pair that I only wore for things like driving and concerts.

Since I first got my current glasses, I feel like I've gotten a bit nearsighted. My vision without glasses seems somewhat worse, though I know that could just be me not being as used to dealing with a bit of blur as I was before. But my distant vision with glasses doesn't seem quite as crisp either, as I've noticed when driving, especially at night. And when I try putting my sunglasses, which are the same prescription, on top of my regular glasses, things seem a bit crisper, though I know the total of -2.5 is too strong, since I have to accommodate a bit even for distant vision. So I figured I'd end up somewhere between -1.5 and -2, probably either -1.5 or -1.75.

The prescription I was given today was -1.25 in both eyes, no astigmatism in either. So the right eye is the same, and as for the left eye, as far as I understand I'm just swapping a very small amount of astigmatism for an equally small amount of myopia. I wouldn't be likely to tell much difference if any if I got glasses in that prescription, would I? I think either I was slightly over-prescribed last time, or slightly under-prescribed, because I don't *think* it's just my imagination that I'm a bit more nearsighted than before.

I haven't ordered new glasses yet, I didn't see any I *really* liked (I'm pretty picky about what glasses I like on myself), and they were all kind of expensive, along with me not being sure about the new prescription. What I was thinking of doing was getting a couple cheap pairs online, one in the prescription I was given, and one or two that are slightly higher, just to see how I like them. Though if I do end up liking how I see in one of the higher ones, but don't like the frames, I might have some trouble getting what I want locally (and covered by my insurance, which is mostly only accepted by private practices, not Lenscrafters, Walmart, ect.)

Does it sound like I might be better off with something a bit stronger than they gave me, or would the small change in the left eye make for a noticeable improvement? Thanks for any advice.

Cactus Jack 02 May 2009, 20:39

Guest,

It is sometimes difficult to determine the reasons for very low prescriptions. Low plus reading glasses will make extensive reading more comfortable because they reduce the amount of accommodation you have to supply to read and do close work, but there could be other things going on with your vision. It is not unusual for a person who wears low power reading glasses and has plenty of accommodation, to find that very low power minus glasses will make your distance vision sharper and clearer, but if you try to read with them you will likely find that your eyes gets tired more quickly than without the either the reading glasses or no glasses.

It is also possible that if you tried your friends glasses after doing a lot of reading and close work that you had developed a little pseudo myopia which would go away after a few hours of not reading. Of course, a combination of very low minus glasses with a low reading add in progressives or bifocals can be the best of both worlds, particularly in a classroom environment where you are constantly switching from the board to your notes, even for a person of 18. Many university students find that combination very useful.

Ideally, you should consider getting a dilated exam if you want to find out exactly what is going on, particularly if your distance vision is not as sharp and clear as you would like. But at this point, it would be strictly up to you.

guest 02 May 2009, 14:12

Hi,

I am 18 and got prescribed +0.75 and +.5 glasses for reading a few month back, as after working for a full day my eyes would get really tired.

However, yesterday, I tried a friend's glasses, and her prescription was -0.5 in both eyes and this actually improved my distance vision, thing that doesn't happen with my glasses.

Can I have been wrongly prescribed ?

Thanks

Cactus Jack 27 Apr 2009, 07:59

Sam,

A person, like your wife, with low myopia, has in effect, built in reading glasses. Her glasses correct that problem for good distance vision and the add helps with near when she is wearing her glasses because she (and you) have some presbyopia like everyone else your age. In your wife's case she is likely reading with her -2.00 eye when she is not wearing her glasses. Her -1.00 astigmatism fouls things up a little, but apparently not enough to bother her. Ideally, what she should do is order some low cost prescription reading glasses on line. They are really great if you like to read in bed. We can help you/her with an Rx for readers if needed.

Sam 27 Apr 2009, 06:53

My wife is 55. She is nearsighted and has worn glasses since high school. I was always curious to know her prescription and what she can and can't see without them. About a year ago she got bifocals. She now has:

-2.00 -1.00 x 12

-.75 -1.25 x 1.25

add is +1.25

She always puts them on first thing in the morning, and takes them off after she is in bed and puts them on the night stand. What I don't understand is that often reads "bare-eyed". I have readers I have offered her for reading but she doesn't need them or like them. She says that even though she is 55 she can read perfectly without any glasses! I sometimes ask to borrow them, but the -2.00 is too strong for me...but I can see perfectly through the -0.75. She seems to have a fairly weak scrip, but cannot function without them. Can someone tell me how her eyes function?

Clare 24 Apr 2009, 22:30

Thanks Cactus. My complete prescription is -2.75 and -3 -0.50 x 140. I don't generally notice it when reading, more when at the computer or viewing things further away. Is the convergence thing happening too do you think? Many thanks.

Cactus Jack 24 Apr 2009, 18:09

Clare,

Astigmatism usually causes the most discomfort when trying to read small print. It can become a problem both close and distant, but it is most annoying when trying to read up close. A lot depends on your tolerance. I think more than )0.25 uncorrected astigmatism is usually a problem.

I'm sorry, but I don't recall your complete Rx so I can't answer your question about the pulling sensation, but I suspect the astigmatism is playing a significant role. You can compensate in most instances for incorrect minus sphere by changing the distance, but you can do nothing about astigmatism because no distance is the correct distance.

Another factor could be the degree of myopia. If you have myopia above about -3, you may also be converging excessively to read clearly and fuse the two images. The excess convergence could be triggering increased accommodation which has the effect of making you more myopic which makes you bring the text closer, which makes you converge more, which triggers more accommodation, etc.

As the King of Siam said, "Its a puzzlement"

Clare 24 Apr 2009, 14:09

Cactus - is it -0.50 cyl that you believe is the point at which astigmatism becomes noticeable?

I ask because I have that amount in just one eye and I sometimes feel what I'd describe as a pulling sensation bordering on headache after a while not wearing my contacts.

Is that astigmatism or myopia? Thanks

Sean 24 Apr 2009, 13:36

Oops - forgot to ask..does the astigmatism affect near vision as well as far? Should I get the bifocals at this time?

sean 24 Apr 2009, 13:34

Cactus-

Thanks for your help. Are you suggesting that I don't buy over the counter readers because of the small amount of astigmatism?

Cactus Jack 24 Apr 2009, 07:53

Sean,

That is enough cylinder (astigmatism) to cause trouble - especially with close work and small print. I strongly suggest that you stick with either Rx readers or bifocals. That decision is yours. I happen to like sharp comfortable vision at all distances so I would probably opt for bifocals.

I wear trifocals because I need a +3 add and need to see clearly at intermediate distances, I also have a pair of single vision Rx reading glasses for when I want to read for long periods (in bed)

Sean 24 Apr 2009, 07:05

OD cyl is -.50 165

OS cyl is -.25 15

My monitor which I us much of the day is about 22 inches away and I also do a lot of close work. Thanks for your help.

Cactus Jack 23 Apr 2009, 17:43

Sean,

Do you have your complete Rx? The decision on getting bifocals depends on a couple of factors. Does your Rx have any cylinder correction and your occupation. If you need to switch frequently from close work to distance, you may find bifocals very convenient. However, if you read for long periods with only occasionally needing to see distance clearly and have no cylinder in your Rx, O-T-C +1.75 readers may work just fine.

Sean 23 Apr 2009, 15:37

I am having some trouble reading small print, so went to have my eyes checked. The distance part of the exam seemed to go OK but at first I had some trouble reading the close chart, which he stuck on a stick in front of me. He tried a bunch of lenses until I could read almost the whole chart clearly and told me I need glasses for close work. He removed the machine, and the chart went blurry on me! When he put it back I could see clearly! He told me that I will see much clearer and without strain but will soon become dependent on the glasses as my muscles start to relax. Then he removed the close chart and showed me that anything in the distance will be a blur as the glasses only work to 18 inches or so. He said an alternative putting the glasses on and taking them off all day would be for him to give me a distance correction of -0.50 which he wouldn't ordinarily prescribe if that was my only problem. Should I go for the bifocal and learn to wear the glasses full time or just get the +1.75 readers. (I am 47.)

Puffin 13 Apr 2009, 14:50

Cactus Jack, I remember the ST:TNG episode you're talking about. It's "Chain of Command" where Picard is temporarily replaced by Capt. Jellico. But that's another story.

Astra 13 Apr 2009, 13:52

CJ thinks it is a hard part to believe Rose managed to escape... well, I think Rose hated the idea of wearing glasses, as she had mentioned before.

Astra 13 Apr 2009, 13:41

(Mocking Cactus Jim = Rose)

I am not real, I am just making up a story.

Astra 13 Apr 2009, 13:39

Cactus Jim = Rose ?

Cactus Jim 13 Apr 2009, 12:19

"I am not a doctor. I just play one on television."

Ted 13 Apr 2009, 09:15

puffin, first RX was on Feb 26th. This rx was a difference of approx. 11 dioptres. Rose says, she is long sighted in one eye and short sighted in the other. Recent rx shows no sign of this as both rx's are plus with astig and prism (I believe). There are, in my opinion, just too many issues with this story.

Cactus Jack 13 Apr 2009, 09:09

Ted,

I really didn't take offense. Actually, I took it as a complement, but I couldn't resist the temptation to tweak a little. Mostly, I was commenting on some of the common ways the phrase is used. It is one of those phrases where the meaning is in the ear of the beholder. Tone of voice provides the clue about the intended meaning.

I don't know if you are/were a Star Trek NG fan or not, but the phrase brought to mind several scenes where Commander Riker was about to provide a particularly inept substitute Captain with a piece of his mind without being punished for insubordination. In the script, it usually went over the inept ones' head.

Regarding Rose' situation. If her story is true, there is enough difference between her eyes for her to not have true binocular vision. I suspect she has developed skills where her brain switches from one eye to the other depending on the circumstance. I also suspect that at 21 she is beginning to loose some flexibility in her crystaline lenses which would make accomodation in the hyperopic eye more difficult.

Also, with glasses as she descrbed, the difference in image sizes on the retinas will make true fusion very difficult. If she can wear them, I would suggest ultimately that she try a form of GOC by wearing contacts with sphere only correction and glasses with a small amount of sphere and all the cylinder correction. That will provide approximately the same image size and an opportunity to develop true stereo vision.

Puffin 13 Apr 2009, 08:20

re Rose, I'm thinking perhaps the seemingly rapid changes are due to wearing correction more often than before - her visual system could just be adapting itself to its new situation. As far as I'm aware, she came to this site stating she'd not worn glasses regularly before.

Ted 13 Apr 2009, 08:09

CJ, I have read your posts over the years and also you have responded to a question or two of my own. My only knowledge of who you are is through this site. I believe you have a great amount of knowledge in this field. My comment was not to insult in any way, this is my take on the phrase.

with all due respect

with the admiration that is owed With all due respect, I think there are some facts you have not considered.

Usage notes: used to disagree politely with someone

See also: due, respect

I believe we both can agree to disagree to the authenticity of this poster.

Maybe Wurm can check their IP address to see if there are multiple screen names.

Astra 12 Apr 2009, 22:53

CJ, I have never seen anyone with such a huge dioptre difference between both eyes like Rose does. Her story sounds totally ridiculous to me, but I suspect there would be a great deal of change for eyes like hers to accommodate properly.

CJ, I wonder if prolonged reading increases the minus prescription? It seems to me normal eyes are not designed to focus at short distance for prolonged period. I can't see a word at reading distance with my distance glasses, for example. But as far as I know, normal eyes (before presbyopia) have much better auto-focusing ability. Many of my friends of my age does not even need reading glasses, for example. It sounds equally ridiculous for me. There must be a great deal of accommodation between reading (30 cm) and distance (say, 6 m)... So prolonged reading would stretch the eyeball longer and cause more minus prescriptions? I have a friend whose myopia progressed from normal to -3.5 within 2 years, and she used to read too much and too close. (Kind of smelling the books)...

Cactus Jack 12 Apr 2009, 19:22

Ted,

I have always been curious when someone says "with all due respect". Usually, it prefaces a coment where it is obvious that the amount of respect is really zero. In a military context it usually means that you are about to tell your superior officer that you think he is dumber than a box of rocks, but you don't want to be court martialed for for saying it.

As an experiment, I set up the inverse of Roses' Rx in a trial frame (allowing for my own Rx) and I found it was fairly easy to function. Reading was not impossible with the myopic eye and if there was enough accommodation range in the hyperopic eye reasonable distance vision seemed possible. I could not simultate the later condition, because I have no accommodation.

Human beings are amazingly adaptable. One of our members who has to wear very high plus glasses around +30 with a huge amount of prism, can function without his glasses surprisingly well. He can't read without his glasses, but he has developed exceptional hearing, amost like a person who is unsighted and ways of compensating. He is unable to fuse the images and therefore uses each eye individually.

At this point, I believe Rose is telling us the truth. Her responses to having her vision corrected are pretty realistic. Either that or she is a very good fiction writer. The hard part to believe is that she escaped having her vision corrected for this many years. Her vision did not deteriorate overnight.

If that means you have lost what little respect you had for me, so be it. Time will tell who is right.

Ted 12 Apr 2009, 08:28

This Rose story is getting more ridiculous by the day. before too long a guide dog will be used. first prescription on Feb 26 09 supposed to go back in three months, that should be around May 26th 09. But been back March 30th 09. with a big increase I could go on but do not like to feed the trolls any longer.

CJ, with all due respect surely you must have your doubts.

I can not imagine anyone in school at 21 being able to manage with a RX of +5 or so and a couple dioptres of astig functioning.

Clare 11 Apr 2009, 12:00

Beth - I have a friend whose prescription is -1.75 and -2.75 (we only know because she tells us!) and she wears her glasses all the time. She says she has a little bit of astigmatism too. She gets headaches if she doesn't wear her glasses and definately attributes them to not having glasses - we only see her without them if she's forgotten to pack them by mistake so there's no choosing to leave them behind.

My recommendation is just to wear them to see if it helps. From what my friend says a difference in your eyes can be quite uncomfortable.

Rose 10 Apr 2009, 15:10

HI When I went back to the optician the other week he said there had been a change in my prescription but he did not want to change my glasses then and told me to wait anther 2 weeks. As it my be due to the fact I was very tired as I had been studying very hard all week

So yesterday I went back for a full exam

This time he said there was a big change in my vision and decided to change the prescription in all 3 pairs of glasses

MAIN PAIR

Right eye +6.75 -2.75 190

Left eye -6.25 -2.25 10

COMPUTER

Right eye +8.25 -2.75 190

Left eye -4.75 -2.25 10

READING Glasses

Right eye +9.75 -2.75 180

Left eye -3.75 -2.25 10

John asked me if I would like him to pay for thinner lens in my main pair. But after talking to the optician I decided to wait until next time as the optician wants me to come back in 6 months He said I had spent years straining to see things and now my eyes were starting to adjust.

The new lens will be ready for fitting in my glasses tomorrow, so John and I are going to collect them, I am going to leave my main pair and reading glasses first and try and manage wearing my computer glasses out side. It will only take about 2 hours so we will go and have lunch while we wait Then I will leave my computer glasses and go back later for them.

I hope I have made the right choice by keeping to standard lens

Val 09 Apr 2009, 04:53

I've had a slight problem with convergence 15 years ago, when I first got glasses. The problem was gone at that time with physical exercices. About 20 min a day, for a month. The eyedoc taught me what kind of exercises to do at home, so I did.

I am hyperopic, so my problem was that my eyes were turning inward. I think that for myopic people it's the opposite, and, probably, there are different kind of exercises.

Beth 09 Apr 2009, 01:12

Please dont tell me its wrong to look for answers on the internet! I have very odd eyes because one has much stronger nearsightedness than the other. Ive told my eye doctor lots of times that the worst one gives me a lot of eyestrain when Im not wearing my glasses and all he says is that nearsighted people dont get eyestrain. My glasses are -1.25 in one and -2.75 in the other eye. Im wondering if I have something called convergence insufficiency which I read nearsighted people can get. Would that explain why I get eyestrain in just one eye? I dont get the eyestrain when Im wearing my glasses but as one eye is much better I dont see so bad that I need them all the time.

Does anyone have any ideas please?

Rose 30 Mar 2009, 10:42

Thanks

Going for a full eye test pm today

Cactus jack 29 Mar 2009, 16:19

Rose,

To add to what Aubrac said, you may need a bit of additional plus for reading, so be sure and tell your optician what is happening, he may be able to help with that.

Cactus jack 29 Mar 2009, 16:18

Rose,

To add to what Aubrac said, you may need a bit of additional plus for reading, so be sure and tell your optician what is happening, he may be able to help with that.

Aubrac 29 Mar 2009, 16:11

Rose

CJ will probably give you a more technical explanation but I will give you some ideas.

My wife has the same thing, it is called 'accommodative esotropia', what the long words mean is simply that without sufficient plus correction for close work, your eye muscles simply can't cope with the attempt to focus on near objects, and one eye crosses.

When my wife is wearing her strongest glasses this does not happen, but when wearing a lower scrip she is happy with for full time wear, her right eye crosses to the centre when reading.

It means of course, that the brain rejects this image, and only processes the left eye image resulting in monocular vision, the equivalent of only seeing with only one eye.

It seems your eyes are still in a process of adjustment, wearing glasses full time will help you get towards your true prscription, and it will do no harmto wear computer glasses, as long as you are comfortable with them.

However, please tell your eye doc about the crossing next time you see him.

Rose 29 Mar 2009, 15:20

Cactus Jack

John wants to know why my right eye turns in a lot when I am reading?

Should I tell the optician ? What can they do to stop this ?

I have decided not to get trifocals this year as I can see so well with my 3 pairs of glasses and I dont find it a problem changing them to read or use the computer.

Will it do my eyes any harm if I wear my computer glasses around the house as I can see to work on the computer a walk around the house as I seem to be able to see up to about 15feet away now. Last week things at that distance were a blur. ..

Cactus Jack 23 Mar 2009, 19:19

Rose,

I am very glad to hear that you are doing so well with your glasses. I seem to recall that it was only a few weeks ago that you were afraid to go pick up your glasses. I think John is a tremendous help and very supportive. I also think you have an exceptionally caring optician. You are exttemely fortunate in both instances.

Your Rx change for the reading glasses is very small and not at all surprising. They now have the same power as a +2.50 reading segment would have in bifocals. Which is nothing to get excited about. They should be very comfortable for reading at 16 inches or 40 cm.

BTW, it is a pleasure to be of help.

Rose 22 Mar 2009, 11:32

Cactus jack

I have had to buy a bigger handbag .

Just got back from the opticians I now have 3 pairs of glasses . You were right about be needing a pair of computer glasses, I have got them on now WOW what a difference. I have my other distance and reading glasses beside the computer.

The optician was very helpful when I told him the problems I was having, he did a quick check of my reading glasses and decided to change the right lens RX now Right eye +8.25 -3.00 180 ( is that a big change ) He has not charged me for this. He left my distance glasses as they were until I go back for the full check up in 8 weeks time unless I have problems before. He said it would not be a good idea to get trifocals yet ,as he thought I would need at least 2 more changes this year as for bifocals they would be useless as I would still need a 2nd pair I would have to decide

Ether to have reading glasses or computer glasses

Thanks for all your help.

I went to make a coffee and John thought it great laugh when I took my computer glasses off and put my reading glasses on by mistake and walked straight in to him

Cactus jack 22 Mar 2009, 03:25

Rose,

I think it is very likely that your eyes are already changing and adapting to their new visual environment. I agree with your optician that you should wait for the suggested time interval for a new Rx or sooner if you get to where you are having difficulty functioning. Getting computer glasses should not require a new Rx because their Rx will be based on your distance Rx and the usual working distance from your eyes to the computer screen. If you will measure the distance, I can calculate the "add" and apply it to your distance Rx so you will have an idea of the Rx for the computer glasses. I will need your complete Rx (all the numbers).

You might also consider ordering some very inexpensive glasses from zennioptical.com, Zenni is very inexpensive in simple Rx, but they may not make an Rx as complex as yours. All you need is your complete Rx and your PD. If it is not listed on your Rx, I can tell you how to measure it or you can ask John to measure it. (how exciting) for you. I don't know Zenni's prices when shipping to the UK, but their price for single vision glasses is US$8.00 plus shipping if you pick the inexpensive frames. You really don't need anything fancy for the computer if you don't like them, it is no great loss.

Rose 22 Mar 2009, 00:15

Cactus Jack

Thanks that is a big help.

I sent a text to john to ask him what he thought I should do about your suggestions. He felt getting a 3rd pair for computer use would be the cheapest option as I might need new lens when I have a retest also if we went today I would have them straight away (I think he finds it Quaint and sexy me having to change glasses to read ).

It will be 3 weeks on Monday since I first got my GLASSES could my eyes be changing already? Reading my mobile text is not as easy this morning , Distance is still great.

John suggested we ask if they have any retro pink N H S glasses. I dont know what are they like?

Cactus Jack 21 Mar 2009, 19:39

Rose,

Maybe I can help you understand a bit more about how glasses work. Remember what I said a while back about your eyes being simply biological cameras and like all cameras, they have an optical system your biological cameras actually include an autofocus system. Unfortunately, because of the large difference in the refractive power of your eyes, your autofocus system doesn't work very well - not an uncommon situation.

Most people don't realize that they have an autofocus system until they begin to develop presbyopia, then it comes as a great shock or surprise.

The first step in prescribing vision correction is to determine the lens power (your Rx) that neutralizes or cancels out your refractive error for distance. The next step is to find out if your autofocus system can supply the necessary plus addition need to focus at typical reading distance of 16 inches or 40 cm. The laws of optical physics says it requires +2.50 to focus at those distances. If your autofocus system is working well, it can supply the required +2.50 without apparent effort. If it can't supply the needed +2.50, some or all of it must be supplied by external lenses either as separate reading glasses like you have or by having a supplemental lens segment built into your glasses as bifocals. In your case, your reading glasses have -2.00 less sphere power which is the same as your distance glasses with a +2.00 add.

A +2.00 add will focus at approximately 20 inches or 50 cm. To focus closer, your autofocus system apparently can supply a small amount of additional plus. However, your autofocus system has no ability to supply any less plus than that required for clear distance vision with your glasses, so anything beyond 20 inches or 50 cm will be blurry. That includes John in the restaurant or your computer screen if it is more distant than 20 inches or 50 cm.

The solution may be a third pair of glasses with an Rx between your distance glasses and your reading glasses, but if having two pairs of glasses is a nuisance, three would be even worse. Thus, the reason to consider bifocals or trifocals.

If you decide to consider either bifocals or trifocals, I would not give any though to progressive lenses with your Rx. You probably need either Flat top 28 or 35 mm or even "executive" lenses where the segments go all the way across the lens.

While all this sounds complex, your optician should know what to do. If you decide you want to consider trifocals, measure the distance from your eyes to your computer screen so the intermediate segment can be the correct power.

One last thought. It is possible that your autofocus system doesn't function well because you haven't been using it. As you become accustomed to wearing your glasses, you may find that your autofocus system can in fact provide some of the focusing power required for near tasks and your need for reading glasses, bifocals, or trifocals diminishes. That occurs frequently in young people with simple myopia who have been able to read comfortably before they got glasses for distance. When they get glasses, their autofocus system has to go to work and it takes a few months for it to begin functioning properly. Until it does, they often have to wear bifocals.

I hope this help you understand a bit more about vision and vision correction.

Rose 21 Mar 2009, 15:59

I have now been wearing my glasses full time for 2 weeks now they have changed my life so much .

I have to put them on as soon as I wake, I can no longer manage without them

When I went to the restaurant with john I was very shy about taking my glasses off and putting reading glasses on ,but I was great to be able to read the menu but when I looked up Johns face was a blur

He is being a great help to me getting used to HAVING NOW to wear glasses.

Using the computer is a problem as I dont know which pair to wear I keep changing from one pair to they other neither is very clear

Hi Wendy

I think it would be great to have a thread about hearing aids and glasses. How can we get one set up. How old are you .

I think you should go and get a hearing test if you are giving hearing aids it is up to if and when you wear them, you would at least have the choice of wearing them, you could find them such a help that you would wear them some times, without them you have no choice.I should have gone a long time ago to get glasses. But I meet john so that is good.

Cactus Jack

I live in UK

marsh 18 Mar 2009, 14:42

Hi Melyssa,

Whats up we dont hear from you much, Please post some more adventures.

later

Melyssa 18 Mar 2009, 12:55

Charlburt,

At my wedding my husband and I both wore our glasses, as we both wanted to see what was going on. :) Also, everyone knows (or knew) us, so it wouldn't have made sense to stumble around for vanity's sake. Neither one of us can wear contacts.

While I wore my white cat's-eyes with my entourage as I was preparing for the main event, I wore clear, plastic, unisex frames for the ceremony, the reception, and all of the photographs before and during them.

Izzy 18 Mar 2009, 12:14

Kamila -

My glasses are thick and heavy too, especially the left lens. My eye doctor says that my right eye is getting less nearsighted and the left is becoming more farsighted, if that makes sense. At sometime I may be farsighted in both.

Phil 17 Mar 2009, 08:48

Charlburt,

I think that a new pair of rimless specs would look stunning with a wedding dress. Go for it!

JR 17 Mar 2009, 08:44

Charlburt

Ask your future husband his choice.

Your pictures really should look like you as you are. Ether way, it is fun to look back in time.

Charlburt 17 Mar 2009, 07:38

White sounds nice, but I wear simple rimless frames. I could make it down the aisle without my glasses, but I would have a hard time making out faces in the crowd. Maybe that would be better -- I'd be less nervous! Not sure what to do about the photos.

minus5 who luvs gwgs 17 Mar 2009, 00:23

I know one lady who wore white framed glasses to go with her dress she looked HOT

Puffin 16 Mar 2009, 16:31

I'm told wearing a tiara helps. Perhaps because it's something else glinting and shiny on your head.

16 Mar 2009, 15:54

Charlburt: Melyssa is the person to advise you on this subject. Good luck!

Charlburt 16 Mar 2009, 15:47

What do you think of a bride wearing glasses in her wedding? I just don't know what to do. They just don't seem to go with the look.

Kamila 12 Mar 2009, 07:36

Cactus Jack,

My lenses are very thick, and heavy, and they are longing strange in compar with lenses in glasses others glasseswearers.

Kamila 12 Mar 2009, 07:30

Cactus Jack,

I don't know what mean 20 base out but I write it from my script before I got it for my optician. As smal child I had surgery for my strabismus, but it back again about 4 years ago, and I remember my oldest glasses had 15 base out, and on the last eye exam I got more + 0.50 in sphera for each eye. I think so I got much crosseyed when I got used to my current prescription.

Cactus Jack 12 Mar 2009, 07:18

Kamilla,

May I ask if the 20 diopters of Base Out prism is total or is it 20 in each eye? How has your Rx changed in the last 2 to 3 years.

Kamila 12 Mar 2009, 04:52

Hi all,

I'm here a new, but I wearing my glasses since I was small child. I'm longsighted and crosseyed, my current prescription RE +6.50x+2.50x170 and LE +7.00x+2.00x10 and I have 20 base out prism. Last Dezember I got new, my current prescription, but since I have this glasses my close vision is Ok, but My distance vision isn't very good. I want some advice, and how much my prism could increase? I'm 17 yo.

11 Mar 2009, 10:48

I've not actually received my specs yet! I've just gotten use to not seeing a great deal but I've always had people comment about how close I lean into my screen at work and I've even had to buy a beanbag so I can sit right infront of the TV at home, rather than back on the couch!!

I'm kinda looking forward to how my eyesight may change, and the different view I may get of the world! :P

andy 10 Mar 2009, 14:41

hey -0.75'er,

welcome to the club! I've a very similar pescription which I got 2 weeks ago - althought it is not considered strong it makes a significant difference when you put on glasses.

how do you feel about wearing glasses? I was a both shocked and excited when i discoveded i needed them.

I took them on holidays and wore them nearly full time - that got me used to them. it is weird when i look in the mirror and see how different i look.

i'm still a bit shy wearing them, now that i'm back from holidays, but i think i'll wear them out to the pub this friday and let everyone see them and try them on etc.

10 Mar 2009, 10:44

Hello, I just got my first ever glasses prescription of the following:

SPH:

R: -0.75

L: -0.75

CYL:

R: -0.75

L: -0.75

AXIS:

R: 82.5

L: 80

Apparently I'm to go back in 12 months rather than 24 because of (and I quote) "an unusual first time prescription". Does anyone have any idea what the different figures above mean, and what's so unusual about them?!

Cheers!

Cactus Jack 09 Mar 2009, 07:53

Pufffin,

I wear behind the ear hearing aids and the glasses go on first snd then the hearing aids. I don't notice either one unless I need a haircut when the glasses temmple arm traps hairs between it and my ear and causes irritation. I then know it is time for a visit to the barber shop. They still have those places in the US.

David Pet* 09 Mar 2009, 05:01

Puffin,

I wear the glasses arm closest to the head. However saying that, the frames i need to choose have very thin arms (as opposed to thicker plastic frames). Otherwise my ears would stick out too much. BTW my glasses Rx is only -2. I do however wear contacts as well.

Cactus Jack 09 Mar 2009, 02:34

Rose,

I noticed that the Department of Redundancy Department was in action in the 5th paragraph.

One someday is a long enough wait.

Cactus jack 09 Mar 2009, 02:29

Rose,

Typically, a person with what is called latent hyperopia in both eyes who gets say +2 glasses will have trouble with blurry distance vision until their lenses relax and then they will need a small increase to maybe +2.50 or +3.00 where their Rx will stabilize. This is caused by the constant focusing effort they had to make over the years to see clearly at any distance before they got their glasses.

I suspect your situation is different because you have likely been using your left nearsighted eye for most of your reading and close work so your right, very far sighted eye, has likely not even made much of an effort to try to focus close. Sort of an extreme case of what is called monovision where one eye has almost no Rx, which is used for distance and the other eye is somewhat near sighted and is used for close work. Lots of people do monovision on purpose with contact lenses to avoid bifocal glasses, but you need a fairly low natural or corrected Rx to do it.

You may not have much of a change from your lenses relaxing. However, there could be a change for what may seem like a strange reason to you. Eye exams are very subjective because the examiner can only get close to your Rx by using an auto-refractor or looking into your eyes with special instruments. They have to refine your Rx based on what you tell them you see as they try various lenses. They don't know what you actually see. Up to now, you have not had any experience seeing very well. As you become used to seeing things more clearly, you will do a better job, as a patient, of refining and perfecting your Rx in the exam. With your glasses, you are learning what things are really supposed to look like.

In your case, it could change a little in either direction or perhaps not at all. Some of your Rx is based on your personal preferences. Some people like their vision to be as sharp and clear as possible and others like their vision a little softer and fuzzier, which affects their Rx. I hope you discover the joys of sharp, effortless vision so you can take in the magnificent visual wonders of the world around you and that you soon stop worrying about your actual Rx. Glasses are just a tool to help you see better and they need to be the right tool for you as an individual.

Unfortunately, there is no way to study for an eye exam. Someday, I hope to write a book someday on that subject.

Ultimately, I think you should see an opthalmologist who specializes in internal contact lenses. You may not be able to wear regular external contacts, but there are special internal lenses that can be inserted through a very tiny incision in the side of the cornea that can correct most of the difference between your two eyes. The surgery is painless, takes only a few minutes, recovery is very fast, and the results are almost instantaneous. However, it is not inexpensive. You will likely still need glasses, but the Rx will be much lower and more balanced so your eyes can work together more easily. In some ways the procedure is similar to cataract surgery, which I have had, but simpler. Interestingly, the lenses can even be removed and changed if you need to.

May I ask where you live?

Rose 09 Mar 2009, 00:17

Cactus Jack

Do you think I will need stronger or weaker lens in 3 months.

Cactus Jack 08 Mar 2009, 21:35

Rose,

When a person is hyperopic, as you are in your right eye, and have never worn any correction, it is very likely that your ciliary muscles and crystaline lens have been trying to compensate. Now that you have glasses, your ciliary muscles and crystaline lens can relax and it will probably cause your Rx to change a little. A 3 month follow-up will make sure that your Rx is the best possible for you. Don't sweat it.

dada 08 Mar 2009, 16:11

yeah or...

why not chill out and let 'em talk

it's such a serious forum

08 Mar 2009, 15:36

As this is a newgroup about vision I think it would be very inappropriate to have a sub group about hearing aids. Why not start your own newsgroup outside of this site?

Rose 08 Mar 2009, 14:10

Why do you think i have to go back in 3 months for a re- test

Puffin 08 Mar 2009, 12:13

Here's a question for you glasses and hearing aids wearers. Which do you have closest to your head, the earpiece to glasses or the hearing aid? Is it uncomfortable with both stuck behind the ear?

Thor 08 Mar 2009, 09:52

Wendy, I agree with David. Hearing aids are no big deal really. You can get all sorts that go from fitting in your ear completely to sitting behind your ear. They really aren't noticeable at all. I've worn hearing aids for years. Plus if you have long hair, they're not visible at all as opposed to glasses, which sit right in front of your face -- the first thing anyone would notice usually.

Maybe we should have a thread here for hearing aids since this topic comes up every once and a while?

David Pet* 08 Mar 2009, 03:51

Wendy - it's not the same as ES but here is a link that could possibly help with your hearing concerns.

http://hohadvocates.org/wwwboard/index.php?bn=hohadvocates_hohconcerns

I discovered this site as i was in your shoes...now i wear my BTE's with pride for the past 3 years.

Cactus Jack 08 Mar 2009, 03:32

Rose,

First of all, you vision has not become worse by wearing glasses. Vision actually occurs in the brain your eyes are just biological cameras. Without correction, your brain has to work extra hard to try to create the best vision it can based on the images provided by your eyes. What has happened is that your brain is not having to work as hard to make sense of the world and is beginning to relax a little and it is liking it. That happens very fast, just as if you were trying to lift a heavy object and someone gives you some help. You like that immediately because you don't have to work as hard. If you stopped wearing your glasses, your brain would reluctantly go back to work, but it takes longer and it wouldn't like it much. Your brain is just as human as you are.

There may be some comments, but it is likely that they will be positive ones. It has likely been obvious to others, like your friend, that you were having vision problems, but they were too shy to offer help. You really can't hide a vision problem like yours. There will be some surprise that your vision problems are as significant as they are which will cause some questions like why can't you wear contacts, but bear with them, most will be delighted for you that finally got some help.

Decide to overcome your shyness and learn to meet other people. Finally, you seem to have been pleasantly surprised that at the reaction of the young man in the opticians shop. Expect more of that. Remember, in the long run, people care a lot more about what is inside you, your character and personality than they do about your glasses. If you don't make a big deal about your glasses, ultimately, they won't either. It is time that Rose, bloomed.

Good luck with your new friend. Keep us informed, we care.

Oops! Trifocals are similar to bifocals except the have, in addition to the reading segment, an intermediate power lens between the distance and reading lenses to help you focus on things about 20 to 30 inches away, if you need a strong reading lens.

Wendy 08 Mar 2009, 00:40

Rose

I know how you must feel I have a hearing problem and hate the idea of going for a hearing test as I dont want to wear hearing aids

I think it would be worse to wear hearing aids than glasses,also there is no site like this to talk to people about my problem

I have worn strong glasses since I was 5 so they have always been a part of me.

Rose 08 Mar 2009, 00:27

I am a very shy person so I never went out much. I stayed at home to read and study,

I have avoided getting into situations where my vision would be a problem. For years I have not been to the cinema or night clubs. I normally walk to uni with a friend who lives in the next flat, she knows I have a problem seeing and a FEAR of wearing glasses, we both go to the same lectures so she gave me her notes to read and always wrote very large for me. I found that if I closed one eye I could read better and for TV I would close the other eye. I had not realised how much of a blur things were until I got my glasses .

Next week will be very hard for me as I go back to uni and will have to wear my glasses I now find after wearing them full time for a few days I cant see without them. None of my fellow students have seen me wearing glasses so I think I will get a lot of nasty comments

When I take my distant glasses off to put my reading glasses on I feel blind Has my eyesight got worse? When I have my reading glasses on I can only see about 2 feet away

I have been looking at my prescription again as I can now see it .I got my reading bit wrong should have been

Right eye +7.75 -2.75 180 Left eye -3.00 -2.25 3 Not

Right eye +7.75 -2.75 180 Left eye -5.00 -2.25 3

I am going to go shopping today and having lunch with my new friend he told me to bring my reading glasses with me this time.

Izzy. What are trifocals ? Why do you need them ?

Cactus Jack 07 Mar 2009, 16:47

Rose,

I could be wrong, but I suspect they believe that your posts are a made up story and perhaps not true.

It is rather difficult for some of us, who understand optics and vision, to believe that you have managed to function needing that magnitude of vision correction without getting it long before now.

If you have reported your situation accurately, I sincerely hope that with vision correction, your life significantly improves.

If it is true, I believe many of us would appreciate learning how you managed all these years.

Rose 07 Mar 2009, 16:10

I'm sorry, whats that supposed to mean?

Robert 06 Mar 2009, 01:16

Rose

Nice story Rose, look forward to the next instalment, when's the film coming out?

Robert 05 Mar 2009, 12:39

Ted

Agreed - throw the bait out and see who takes it!!!

Fun for someone - sad for others - but who is who?

05 Mar 2009, 11:36

A -2.25 shouldn't make your eyes look small

Ted 05 Mar 2009, 09:44

Hook, Line, and Sinker.

Plus lover 05 Mar 2009, 07:30

Rose,

I lile to see your post... Maybe you agree with us now : girls with glasses are nice...

Even if you need a stronger prescription in a few months, maybe you will ask for only one pair of bifocals and thiner lenses.

Can you tell us what kind of frames you choose ?

I think you will not agree but : maybe some pics of your glasses ?

Thanks for reply and sorry for my poor english...

Julian 05 Mar 2009, 00:36

You see? Men DO make passes at girls who wear glasses!

Rose 04 Mar 2009, 23:37

I cant believe it IM WEARING GLASSES .

The lens are VERY different one is thick on the out side and flat at the front the other is thick on the nose side and VERY bowed at the front they are HEAVY.

BUT I CAN SEE.

.The right lens in my reading glasses is VERY THICK.

BUT I CAN READ

My right eye looks very large and my left eye looks very small

I can see bus numbers and TV text and im going out on a date tonight I have been told to wear my glasses.

Life is strange, I went to pick them up yesterday While I was seating waiting a young man came in to collect his glasses he sat next to me and we started to chat, It was his first pair of glasses as well, He said he was not looking forward to getting glasses, I said I hated the idea of having glasses .He then suggested we went and had a coffee together after we got our glasses ,Then HORRER he said we had both to keep our new glasses on , I did not like the idea but he was so good looking that I reluctantly agreed .He had his fitted first ,then it was my turn, my heart fell through the floor when I saw mine, they were thick and heavy ,I was just about to take them off before he could see me in them, when he told me to turn round as I had seen him in his it was now his turn to see me in mine. I was shocked when he said I looked nice. WOW I could see. He looked very sexy in his glasses .

Tell you more later getting ready to go out

Izzy 03 Mar 2009, 08:04

Phil

Yes I have an add for both eyes, same, +2.50 in each.

Rose

I do like the trifocals, they are absolutely necessary to see a computer monitor or the dashboard in the car.

My eyes do look different, one larger than the other, and the lenses look different as one is a lot thicker in the center. Both are thick on the outer edges as a result of the prisms, but the prisms correct double vision so I have to have them.

Phil 03 Mar 2009, 00:22

May, I've just bought a set of trial lenses and a trial frame. They are the best thing I've acquired for ages: such fun.

May 02 Mar 2009, 14:37

Amanda,

The second test sounds a lot like mine except I had to wear a trial frame with lenses in and look into the machine also. It seemed to go on forever but every change she made to the trial frame lenses and the machine made things visibly clearer. I was afraid I would end up with very strong glasses but luckily still in the mid range but its definitely on the way up. :( I love the sound of the lenses slotting into place in the trial frame though.

rose 02 Mar 2009, 14:00

Phil,

No not yet

Phil 02 Mar 2009, 10:19

Izzy, do you have the add for both eyes?

Rose, did you get them?

Rose 02 Mar 2009, 10:05

Hi Izzy,

Do you like your trifocals?

Do your lens look very different?

Do they make your yes look Different size?

Rose 01 Mar 2009, 16:11

I was going pick up my glasses today but i chickened out.May go tomorrow

Izzy 01 Mar 2009, 12:36

I, too am a student with 1 near and 1 far sighted eye. I've worn glasses for some time and bifocals for 5 years. I recently "graduated" to trifocals when my add increased.

My prescription is:

RE -2.25 -2.75 x10 10.0BO

LE +4.50 -3.00 x50 10.0BO

Add +2.50

I am 20 by the way

Andrew 28 Feb 2009, 11:45

Rose,

I hope you enjoy being able to see clearly again with your new glasses. I think you have made the right decision going for the cheaper lenses at this stage; if the optician wants to see you again in three months, you may well require a change of lens, and you may be better sticking with the ordinary lenses until your eyes settle down.

Rose 28 Feb 2009, 09:38

Had a phone call this morning. Glasses are ready

Amanda 28 Feb 2009, 01:04

Rose and May

I found you comments interesting about your doctor adding lenses at your exam.

I just went through two exams one week apart.

During the first part he used a machine that I looked into and there was a background that was nothing but a blur. The machine kind of clicked, and with each click things began the come into focus. Finally after many clicks the scene was a farm, with a little red tractor. The farm seemed to clear up first, and finally the tractor.

Then later in the exam. a device was placed in front of my eyes,and there was a chart on the wall, that was somewhat in focus, but he kept changing lenses, and asking me to compare one to another.It seemed to go on forever, but each lense made the chart, and different letter rows come in clearer.

When I got my first pair of glasses three years ago, that were only for night driving, I don't remember it to be such an ordeal.

My prescription is pretty strong now, and I need to wear glasses all the time now,so I assume this is what future exams will be like.

May 27 Feb 2009, 15:40

Rose,

I know what you mean re: strong lenses as I remember my last test, the optician kept adding and adding more lenses to the trial frame and I could feel the frame getting heavier on my nose. My prescription is +2.75 and +3.25 and she said to come back in 3 months to see how I settle in to the prescription as I may need more of an increase. I am lucky in that I can wear contacts as I find that the lenses would be too thick looking in glasses, but that is me being vain. Your prescription will make one eye big and the other small so I would save for the high index lenses. Good luck.

Hansel 27 Feb 2009, 15:14

Rose

With the prescription you have you the lenses will be thick.

In time I think you will be keen to save up for the thinner high index lenses, but I would guess that your eyes will need to settle down as yuo get used to your specs. The lens for a long sighted eye because of the different construction really benefits from the thinner material.

The cornea comment relates to the fact that as well as having the long/short sighted eyes, the cornea is knobbly or bumpy. This is referred to as astigmatism.

With a higher astigmatism count this is why the optician has responded that you aren't suitable for lens. However, technology is progressing all the time. There are "toric" lenses which are designed for the astigmatic eye. Although I have a reasonably strong astigmatism count, I have lenses, but they aren't torics, so it is not beyond bounds that you could find that yuo might be able to cope.

However you do have a complicated set of issues, and the suggestion that prisms might be needed could make the idea of lenses dodgy.

My daughter aged 14 was struggling with print and is slightly long sighted. However, a series of exercises designed to help her close focus recommended by the hospital has generally sorted this out. Occasionally I will suggest that she continues to work on these. It was suggested that the alternative would be prisms. Since you have the reading add, and the prism suggestion it might be worth asking about these.

As for the long/shortsighted eye..my wife has that so it's not unusual. Hope that some of the above is of some help!

All best

Hansel

Rose 27 Feb 2009, 14:39

Hi Hansel

I cant remember what my prescription was ,but I know I was told to wear them all the time, that is why I tore it up.

Im getting very worried about having to wear them all the time and having to carry a second pair with me to read with, could I not wear my reading glasses all the time .

The main pair are gold oval frames my reading pair are round pink metal slightly larger ,I was told not to pick plastic frames as they would be to heavy with my lens in thats why I am starting to worry what the lens will look like, I was too shocked at the opticians to think about the lens .

I have had a lot of reading to do today so I have bought a patch to wear it has been a help and have worn it all day ,it was the opticians idea. it has been much better I have no headache, so I am going to wear it all the time until I get my glasses.

I am starting to remember more things that the optician told me now as I am thinking about it all the time.

He said something about my corneas , thats why I cant wear contacts also I might need to have prisms in my next pair I dont know what they are or why I might need them.

Are there many people with one eye long sighted and the other short sighted

Hansel 27 Feb 2009, 12:29

Rose,

While you probably don't remember the details, what was the recommendation of the optician who gave you the prescription you tore up?

Did he recommend full time wear at that stage?

Aubrac 27 Feb 2009, 06:52

Rose

You certainly do have quite a difference of 11 dioptres between your eyes.

Sometimes lenses cannot be worn because either the tear response is low, i.e you have dry eyes and so contacts would become uncomfortable very quickly, or the cornea is quite flat which means lenses would tend to slip, and not stay in place.

You will notice a difference in appearance between your eyes, in that the right plus lens will make your eye appear a little larger, and the left minus lens will make it seem smaller. However, the use of high index lenses will minimise this, although even with normal index lenses, unless you have chosen a frame with large lenses, you may be the only to notice it.

You have a marked degree of astigmatism, the -2.75/-2,25 part of your prescription, that would make reading close up, and reading letters at distance very difficult.

I would think that without glasses, you find it difficult to see at any distance, especially as a student who must spend a lot of time reading.

Your glasses will take a few days to get used to, but I am sure you will be amazed at how good distance vision is , and how much easier it is to read.

The right choice of frames is important with such as prescription and after you have had a retest, I suggest you have a look at on-line retailers, who will be able to make up a pair of bifocals with thinner lenses at a reasonable cost.

It may have come as a bit of a shock, but if you read other peoples posts, you will see that it is not that unusual, and how everyone has come to accept their glasses and enjoy the better vision they give.

We all wish you well and hope to hear how you get on with your new glasses.

marsh 26 Feb 2009, 15:22

Yes, they will be nice and thick in plastic, at least they wont break. Good luck with them, dont worry you couldnt get the good ones, soon your boyfriend will, with that type of prescription you had to have serious visual and attitude adjustment problems, no you wont, you'll be fine and a NEW PERSON - and a better student with a good job -congratulations, marsh

Rose 26 Feb 2009, 14:45

Hi Im a 21 year old student.

About 3 years ago I started having problems with my eyesight ,I went for a test and was told I needed glasses, I hated the idea of wearing glasses so I asked about contact lens I was told that I would not be able to wear them, something to do with my eyes, so I tore the prescription up as soon as I got home.

I think my sight must have been getting worse over the time ,but about 3 months ago I started getting very bad headaches and I could no longer see to read out of my Right eye so I had to keep it closed while reading ,I could not see bus numbers even when the bus had stopped and seeing the TV was a great problem , so I gave in and went for a eye test today.

I got a very big shock, the optician kept putting more and more lens in the trial glasses I was told I was long sighted in my Right eye and short sighted in my left eye. I was then given a hand held chart to read ,then more lens were put in until I could read the 3rd line from the bottom

The optician then told me I would need to have 2 pairs of glasses one to wear all the time the other for reading as he thought I would find it too hard to get used to bifocals to start with as there was a great difference in the prescription for my left end right eye.

He recommended I have high index lens but when he told me the price of the 2 pairs.

I said I could not afford them so he said he could fit standard plastic C 39 lens at nearly half the cost so I have settled on them. As I must return in 3 months for a retest.

MAIN PAIR

Right eye +5.75 -2.75 180

Left eye -5.25 -2.25 3

READING Glasses

Right eye +7.75 -2.75 180 Left eye -5.00 -2.25 3

I have no idea what all the numbers mean.

Will the lens look very different?

Will they be thick?

They will be ready next week

John S 26 Feb 2009, 10:52

I don't think it will be a night and day difference between you having the astigmatism correction. It will make a difference, but it varies among people.

Start at +2.00 from the store. If you need to adjust the reading distance, the smaller the number, the greater the reading distance (weaker). The higher the number, the closer the distance (stronger). Some people have several pairs depending on their vision needs for what distance they will be used for.

New Four Eyes 26 Feb 2009, 10:24

Advice please.

I never wore glasses, but at 47 find myself with short arms. I went for an exam and not surprisingly was told I need help reading. He had me read distance, and I could read the letters which were minimum for driving without correction. He then sharped those letters. So my distance vision isn't perfect but is good enough for driving. He wrote the following for me:

OD -.25 -.50 165 +2.25

OS -.50 -.25 15 +2.25

He suggested bifocals ($150 or so) or multifocals ($275 or so).

I know I need the reading help. Can I just get CVS readers ($10)? Which strength?

Will the distance correction make a difference or am I being oversold?

How bad is the astigmatism and will correction really make a difference? Do I need the astigmatism correction for both near and far?

If I get the glasses made up as he suggested and wear them as he says "till I get comfortable seeing through them" will I miss them if I don't wear them? Will I become dependent on them?

I've never worn glasses before so I just don't know what to expect.

Any advice from those with experience will be appreciated. Thank you

marie b 23 Feb 2009, 14:47

What would the prescription for just reading glasses be from the following? Also, I have +2.oo contacts that I use when going out for dinner or in situations where I don't want to wear glasses but need to see up close for extended periods. what prescription would I need to be able to wear glasses over the +2 contacts? Thanks.

OD -.25

OS +75

add 2.00

(astigmatism about 3.75 on each, but probably not needed for calculations)

Thank you for your assistance. I want to order glasses online for wearing over my contacts, and for reading. I am getting the regular bifocals at my optical place, as there is also a prism and I worry too complicated for not getting them in person. I will probably get the prism in the glasses for over the contacts, but since they're not the everyday glasses, exact isn't a necessity. Or is it? Thank you.

pdtp 18 Feb 2009, 05:41

@ aubrac: thanks for the explanation. you would't know of any online-thickness measurement? maybe someone knows what I'll have to expect...

Aubrac 17 Feb 2009, 09:47

gwgs

Prism in glasses can have a large effect on the thickness at the edge of the lenses.

Even low rx glasses with high prism will be quite thick and so thin lenses are often preferable.

gwgs 17 Feb 2009, 06:19

In my own opinion, I think you are going a bit over the top getting 1.6 index lenses for such a low prescription. I have a set of +3.5's that don't even show any relative thickness beyond the metal rimmed frames and these are in standard 1.5 index lenses.

This will simply be another expense for you - for which I am sure the optician is most grateful for - but they are going to be worn by you so it is obviously your decision.

pdpt 17 Feb 2009, 02:41

Yesterday I went to the optician. My old rx was +1.00 with 7 pdpt in each eye, now I got a new rx:

R: +1.5 -0.5 109 12pdpt b.a.

L: +1.5 -0.5 75 12pdpt b.a.

In my old glasses I had lenses with a 1.5 index, my new ones are gonna have a 1.6 index with thickness reduction (Zeiss lenses). What can I expect? My old glasses were on the edges about 0.9mm thick. Is the 1.6 index gonna do a big difference. After all my prism rx rose also quite a bit. Are my eyes already gonna seem to be cross-eyed behind the lenses? Anyone with similar amount of prisms?

Roy 16 Feb 2009, 12:33

Cactus,

Thanks very much for your advice which is very helpful and bang on target.

Cactus Jack 15 Feb 2009, 20:16

Roy,

Sounds like you have a rather complex Rx to solve a complex problem. To answer your questions:

An auto refractor measures the Rx one eye at a time and it only estimates Sphere and Cylinder. It does not measure prism.

Your varying double vision as you move your eyes to the side is reasonable. I wear more prism than you and I have noticed it.

It is likely that they did not adjust the PD inward enough to compensate for the Base Out Prism. The higher your Rx the more critical the location of the optical center of the lens. Ideally, the optical center should be coincident with your central axis of vision for the sharpest image. Making prism glasses seems to be an almost lost art. Be sure the lens makers and fitters understand and apply Prentece's Rule and that they adjust the PD in the glasses to put the "sweet spot" of the lens in the correct location on your axis of vision. The reason PD for bifocals is listed at two numbers is to adjust the OC inward in the reading segment a few mm to compensate for convergence while reading. When wearing prism, your eyes are converged as if you were reading even for distance so the distance PD needs to be reduced some and the reading PD more.

I am really surprised that you are wearing varifocals with such a complex Rx. I suggest you consider either 28 or 35 mm Flat Top Trifocals to give you a wide field of view. Executive Trifocals give the widest, but many people don't like the appearance unless their occupation demands it.

I suggest staying with your optican if possible, but be sure he/she understands and appreciates the problems you are having with the OC of the lenses. I suspect your glasses are not inexpensive. If they are not right, have them remade, but be sure to complain immediately.

Roy 15 Feb 2009, 07:22

I wonder if Cactus or anyone else can help with some queries about to my prescription. The prescription is:

Right -4.00 sph -1 cyl axis 85 prism 1.5 down, 10 out

Left -6.50 sph -0.5 cyl axis 90 prism 1.5 up, 7 out

Add 2.75

I am 61 and first had prism correction in my late teens after suffering double-vision. It took some time to get the prism correction right because my double-vision is not too bad when looking straight ahead but the two images spread further apart as I look left or right. The problem is that the double vision has been tested by seeing if a spot is above/below and left/right of a line, and adjusting the prism until they line up. This test is done looking straight ahead and I needed the prism increased to more than the test shows, to avoid double vision when looking to the sides. By my early 20s the prism was sorted out and I had no double vision with my glasses on. I have stayed with the same opticians most of the time since then and, when I have an eye test, they check with me that I have no double vision problems and leave the prism unchanged.

My optician is now moving to new premises with new staff and equipment and I am worried that they will want to re-test the prism and get it wrong. I have never had an eye test with an auto refractor. The questions are:-

Does an auto refractor measure the prism correction for double vision?

How common is it to have double vision that varies with the direction you are looking? How can the optician test for this?

I can get 20/30 to 20/20 visual acuity but I have noticed that I get the sharpest vision looking a few degrees away from straight-ahead. Is this due to the prism or is there something wrong with the lens manufacture?

The prism limits my choice of lens materials with the varifocals that I need. I can see distance and near OK, but there are large out-of focus areas at the bottom left and bottom right parts of the lenses and I have to have a separate pair for intermediate (computer) use. Can anyone recommend a good lens to try?

Sorry this is such a long post. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Need Advise 10 Feb 2009, 10:17

i know i have to get used to them, but can cope without, my distance is better, i can notice the difference when watching television, the main difference is when reading it is more comfortable

Cactus Jack 09 Feb 2009, 22:36

Need Advise,

You can fight it all you want to, but it won't change the outcome. You have actually been dependent on glasses for quite some time, but you just didn't acknowledge it. It is called Denial and it is not a river in Egypt. The vision problem isn't going away. The best thing is to learn to deal with it and then forget you even are wearing the glasses. Soon, you will notice when you are NOT wearing them rather than when you ARE wearing them.

Go way back to 2007 and read some of the very well written posts by Macrae on the Hyperopia and Presbyopia Progression Thread about his adventures with new glasses for hyperopia. All are informative and some are downright funny.

Welcome to the club.

eyespy 09 Feb 2009, 20:40

need advice

How are you finding your distance vision with your new glasses?

Need Advise 09 Feb 2009, 15:47

i got my glasses over the weekend, have worn them when i've needed them but not yet fulltime, guess maybe a little scared of being reliant on them but they certainly make a difference, things are of course uch clearer

Need Advise 04 Feb 2009, 16:24

i am male, i haven't been for an eyetest for over 4 years, seem to remember the doc saying i may need glasses when i'm older a few years ago, also i think i was given a prescription then but was very weak and didn't need glasses, i guess when i get glasses i will notice how bad my vision is without

Julian 04 Feb 2009, 11:53

NA: Sorry to keep on pestering you, BUT: you say you went for a test because it was due. Does this mean that you have had your eyes tested regularly during your teens, and if so when was your last test? It would be odd to develop that amount of BOTH hyperopia AND astigmatism in as little as two years.

Finally (I only ask because I want to know) are you male or female?

need advise 04 Feb 2009, 05:08

end of the week picking them up if ready

Sox 03 Feb 2009, 15:58

NA,

When are you getting the glasses?

need advice 03 Feb 2009, 14:34

thanks for the responses, i went for an eyexam as was due one, did have headaches but no idea how bad my vision is, i will keep you updated, is seems much harder to find out about longsight, there is more on myopia for some reason, and can i ask what prescription do most people go fulltime with longisight

Julian 03 Feb 2009, 08:16

need advise:

(by the way should it have been 'need advice'?) I just want to emphasize what Aubrac says and I said earlier without explaining properly: when you get your glasses you need to wear the full time, at least for a while. This is because you have a a lot of astigmatism, hence the big cylinder component in your prescription. This means that, because you have been compensating for your distorted vision, when you first put your glasses on everything is going to look distorted; and if you don't keep them on until you have learned to see things as they really are, you'll never get the benefit of them.

Concerning possible increases of the plus sphere in your Rx, if these occur it won't be your eyes getting worse, but latent hyperopia (long sight) becoming manifest as your eyes learn to relax and stop straining.

Do let us know how you go on.

Aubrac 03 Feb 2009, 02:00

Needadvise

I think you can see from all the posts that it's a good idea when you get your glasses to wear full time for a few weeks and then see how you feel about difference between wearing and not wearing in terms of both comfort and better vision.

As said earlier no one can predict yourn future needs but generally speaking you may need an increase in 12/24 months time after which your prescription could stabilise for many years. However it does also seem that fulltime wear for hyperopia results in a more stale prescription, whereas intermittent wear results in more increases.

Let us know how you get on.

As an aside I remember when aged 14 at school I had a friend who was shotsighted (about -3.00 from memory of what his glasses were like) but who refused to wear them. His brother was two years older and one day arrived at school sporting a pair of possibly +4 glasses which he joked about because they made his eyes look so big, he then went fulltime straightaway.

Puffin 02 Feb 2009, 18:02

need advise, what prompted you to go to the eyedoc in the first place, was it headaches, or not being able to see clearly?

John S 02 Feb 2009, 16:44

Actually, I didn't get glasses till I was 17. I knew I needed them earlier.

My rx was bifocals with an a +2.00 add. That creeped up a little by the time I was 30 to +2.50. For normal reading it is still +2.50. My first distance was +1.00, now +1.00 -50, +1.25 -50. I don't consider that much of a change.

Sox 02 Feb 2009, 15:09

John S,

The same for 40 years? Not even bifocals?

John S 02 Feb 2009, 13:10

need advise: I think once you get used to your new glasses, you will wear them most of the time. The combination of the corrections you need will make a big difference. It might take you a few weeks to get used to them. Make an effort to wear them as much as you can, for that time. Make your decision on how much you would like to wear them after that break-in period.

As far as your prescription changing, most plus RXs will increase a few times in the first few years, them level off. I am the exception, mine has stayed about the same since I was 13, 40 years ago...

need advise 02 Feb 2009, 09:14

she asked me what i thought of getting glasses, i wasn't enthuasiastic but have ordered them, i don't think my vision is too bad, it was a local private optomotrists,thanks for all the replies, i wish she was more honest with me and said i need them, and whether fulltime etc, and how bad will my vision get in your opinions

Julian 02 Feb 2009, 07:10

need advise: I'm surprised your eye doc said it was up to you whether you get glasses. While in a way that's always true (no one can compel you unless of course you can't see to drive) I'd have expected her to stress that glasses will improve your vision and relieve the headaches. I'd say get them (if you haven't already) and wear them; they'll take a bit of getting used to but before long you'll be enjoying the benefit.

Aubrac 02 Feb 2009, 06:21

Need Advise

It is very difficult to crystal ball the future as everyone is different. However, with myopia, especially when doing a lot of close work like reading, does tend to continually worsen until about 30 years. Whereas hyperopia does tend to stabilise earlier and then worsen after 40.

Lasik may be possible but is more difficult with a higher rate of astigmatism. You may still also need glasses, especially for reading in the future.

As these are your first glasses, I am suprised the eye doc said to wait a full two years which is the normal period between tests. Most hyperopes need a prescription change within a year after their first exam and after this it may stabilise, another reason why early lasik may not work so well.

I know it costs, but before you do anything, I'd suggest you have a test with an optometrist and see if the results are the same. May I ask which optical store you went to?

need adivse 02 Feb 2009, 05:10

the eyedoc said it was an unusual first rx, i was due an eyexam and have had headaches. i am in uk and studying. is longsight like myopia where it carries on increasing till mid 20s, is laser/lasik possible? the doc said it was up to me whether to get glasses and said i don't need to go back for 2 years, any reason why she said this

Aubrac 02 Feb 2009, 01:54

Need Advise

Can I ask what prompted you to have an eye test?

From your prescription, I would think you may have had problems reading and possibly headaches. How is your distance vision, and is it good enough for driving.

As Cactus Jack said, it is quite an unusual first prescription and only you can decide what to do. However, would suggest you try full time wear for a few days as it would take this time to get used to your new glasses.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Cactus Jack 01 Feb 2009, 16:34

need advise,

That is a very unusual first Rx. It is amazing that you have been able to function without correction. The eyedoc was right that the astigmatism partially cancelled out the sphere correction but that amount of astigmatism makes it very difficult to see anything clearly at any distance. I think you will find it much more comfortable wearing the glasses than not wearing them, but only you can judge that.

Will your prescription change? It is likely that the sphere will increase a little as your internal focusing muscles relax and grow accustomed to not having to work as hard to keep things in focus. I suggest that you might want to go back for a re-check in a few months and possible adjustment to your Rx.

May I ask where you live and your occupation?

need advise 01 Feb 2009, 13:04

hi. i am new here, and need some advise, i got prescribed glasses last week for first time, didn't realise my vision was so bad, my prescription is

r- sph +3.25 cyl -2.00 axis 5

l- spg +2.25 cyl -2.25 axis 1.50

i have little idea what all this means, eyedoc said to wear when i need them, but this seems quite strong, doc also said the astigmatism balances the far sight out a bit, what does this mean?i am 21 so will my eyes get worse, should i wear always etc

Cactus Jack 23 Jan 2009, 06:50

Sus,

A +2.50 Add or +2.50 in addition to your distance correction is typical for a person your age with limied remaining accommodation. The amount of plus you need for close vision is very much a function of how close you like to read.

+2.50 focuses images at about 16 inches or 40 cm which is typical reading distance. If you like to read closer (such as in bed) or you need to read print smaller than normal news print or book print, you may need a little more than +2.50. It is rare for the need to go higher thatn +3.25 or +3.50 unless there are other vision problems than simple presbyopia.

Sus 23 Jan 2009, 06:35

is +5 about average for reading glasses for someone my age (49) or as my friend said, strong. I know they make my eyes look huge with them on

Thanks for all the replies, it was helpful

Cactus Jack 23 Jan 2009, 04:41

Leo,

That question is almost impossible to answer. There are simply too many variables and unknowns that enter into the matter for plus glasses. The only way to tell is with an eye exam and even that, surprisingly, can have unknowns and variables. If you read the posts on the several threads for hyperopia and presbyopia, you will find that most new plus glasses wearers will have to be re-examined after a few months to adjust their Rx for good distance vision.

Sorry about that.

Leo 22 Jan 2009, 03:55

Hi, not sure if this is the right thread... In the UK, if someone with plus glasses was just under the legal limit to drive with correction, what is their rx likely to be?? Thanks a lot all.

Like Lenses 21 Jan 2009, 12:19

hsparent

Your daughters prescription includes -.75 cyl. for each eye,and that is a contact lens prescription, glasses would most likely be a bit stronger. Cylinder corrections are to correct astigmatism, which means that vision at all distances are not clear without the lenses.

Most doctors recommend full time wear if astigmatism is .75 or more in the better eye.

Since she is wearing contacts, she is getting used to the prescription, and will have very blurred vision without them.

Her uncorrected vision is probably about 20/150.

She probably should have a pair of glasses as a backup, and also to give her eyes a break from the contacts.

At 14 her prescription will certainly increase, perhaps even in the next six months.But farsighted people usually do not increase as much, or as often as nearsighted people do.

Slit 21 Jan 2009, 09:44

Sus,

I believe Cactus J gave a good explanation of the things.

Best wishes for the perfect fitting pair of glasses!

Cactus Jack 21 Jan 2009, 06:53

Sus,

It appears to me that your new Rx is

R +2.50, -0.25 x 70

L +2.50, -0.50 x 64

That is your Distance Rx. It just increased a little from 2003.

For bifocals, a +2.50 add would included

For stand alone reading glasses the Rx would be

R +5.00, =0.25 x 70

L +5.00, -0.50 x 64

Notice that the reading glasses have the same optical power as the reading portion of the bifocals and the cylinder and axis is the same for all glasses.

Don't worry about the missing decimal point in the Rx you were given. In some countries, it is traditional to not include the decimal point. I can assure you that a lens maker anywhere in the world would understand either way of writing the Rx.

Also, don't worry about the apparent decrease in the add. The absolute power of your old reading segment was +4.75 (+1.75 plus +3.00) so you had a slight increase there.

None of this is unusual. Enjoy your new glasses.

Katy 21 Jan 2009, 06:05

Sus - I think the +5.00 (with the cylinder) is your total prescription for near, because it is written as a complete prescription. If it was a reading add, it would just be written as +5.00. So your reading add is +2.50 for both eyes.

Sus 21 Jan 2009, 00:53

had glasses since i was a teenager but now 49 and not had my eyes tested since 2003 when prescription was

R+1.75 L+1.75 with an add of +3 for close work. Have always needed quite strong glasses for close work slit, but not sure how my new rx works

Slit 21 Jan 2009, 00:42

Hi Sus,

well this is a bit unclear whether your near prescription is

a) +2.5 add +2.5 => which gives a net near rx of +5

b) Distance +2.5 add +5 => which gives a total of +7.5, which is pretty strong.

Is this your first glasses?

How old are you now and what are the reasons that drive you to get glasses? (blurriness, headaches etc?)

Sus 20 Jan 2009, 23:41

my Prescription is R+250 -25 x 70

L+250 -50 x64 With a near prescription of R+5.00 -25 x70 L+5.00 -50 x64

Can someone explain all the numbers to me please. And my friend said if i just want to order new reading glasses, they would be the sum of my distance rx and my reading rx added together, is this correct, because that would make my reading glasses very strong, i know i dont see good close but dont think they that bad.

glad of any replies

r 20 Jan 2009, 16:03

hsparent: On glasses in addition to contacts, I would say yes. On how often she should wear the contacts, that would be something to discuss with the doctor.

hsparent 20 Jan 2009, 14:35

My daughter was recently perscribed contacts with the perscription sph+0.75 cyl-0.75. She is a first-time wearer age 14. Should we get her glasses as well. How often should she wear her contacts, school, sports, tv, reading, etc. Should we be worried that her eyes will worsen with age?

Andrew 19 Jan 2009, 10:51

My glasses Rx contains -1.25 and -0.75 of cylinder correction for astigmatism, but I am still able to function perfectly well without toric contacts, although I can now see better with glasses than contacts (it used to be the other way round as the contacts were closer to my eye, and I had little astigmatism).

Hope this is of some help. Toric lenses are also much more expensive!

Aubrac 19 Jan 2009, 05:12

Slightly myopic

Contact lens prescriptions are often about .50 less than glasses because the lens is closer to the eye and so the amount of correction needed is not so great.

If you like lenses, the best solution is bi-focal contacts however the -1.00 cylinder correction for astigmatism cannot be supplied with bi-focals as far as I am aware, and without this there would still be lack of clarity for reading and distance.

You could buy on-line toric lenses with a -1.00 sphere, and your cylinder correction, this should make distance pretty good, and you may still be able read well excdpt for very small print.

At 54 though, your reading add will probably increase and so this will only be a short term measure.

"slightly myopic" 16 Jan 2009, 00:43

Hi all,

I'm slightly myopic, (aged 54) my normal prescription is L-1.75D-1.0Dx110, R-1.75D-1.00Dx55, I wear my glasses probably 90% of the time, mostly for watching TV and driving, they're no good for the computer or reading so I have to get fairly close to see properly.

Just out of interest, I tried a pair of soft contact lens I got off my mate which were only 0.50D I was amazed at how good the correction was even though they were no where near my prescription. OK, the vision wasn't perfect but certainly a much bigger improvement than without.

Can anyone explain why this is? Do you need less correction with contact lens? Is it partly because they are directly on the eye compared to a normal lens? How much difference in strength do they exhibit? Can anyone suggest what strength I would ideally require for proper correction?

I found them very comfortable, I might consider getting some for occasional use. I did notice that with the lens I could see the computer screen very well and read at normal distance too. When I put my glasses on with the lens in I could see perfectly well in the distance although bot quite as well as with glasses only, the combined correction was a bit too strong.

Thanks.

London 14 Jan 2009, 15:33

If Hyperfan's wife gets the +1.50 reading glasses she will probably love the brightness of the print and prefer them to the improved vision she gets from the progressives with the weaker add, but she will likely need an even stronger add within 6 months. Aubrac is right! I am guessing she can actually read ok now without the glasses and they just make it a bit easier. Within a year she will need her glasses for anything but larger blacker print. Others agree? Good luck

Aubrac 14 Jan 2009, 01:18

Hyperfan

I'd suggest just letting her get on with the progressives and try full-time wear.

If she has another pair of glasses to wear and is swapping between them, she might get frustrated and stop wearing them.

May I ask what age she is? If this is her first pair she may well need another +.50 in the next six months and another +.50 within another year.

Guest 13 Jan 2009, 22:58

Congratulations hyperfan. Did she wear glasses before for the distance RX or is this completely new? How much is she currently wearing them?

Hyperfan 13 Jan 2009, 06:36

My wife got her first progressive lenses : R = -0,50 add 1,25 L = -0,50 (-0,25 at 75°) add 1,25.

I told her to have also glasses for reading : do you think her RX will increase if she wears +1,50 reading glasses ?

Thanks.

DWV 13 Jan 2009, 00:01

Barbara:

You should consider getting trifocals or progressive lenses with an add that big. You may find that the reading portion of bifocals is too strong to see the computer screen clearly, while the distance section may give you eyestrain. The problem with progressive lenses is that there will be a fairly narrow corridor of clear vision as the power changes through intermediate to near. Maybe the optician or eye doc can provide a demo lens to show how that will work for you.

Like Lenses 12 Jan 2009, 18:20

Barbara,

Ask your optometrist what your uncorrected vision is. My guess is that it is around 20/80, which would certainly be required for driving, as most countries require at least 20/40 or better.

You will most likely want to wear them full time.

Willy 12 Jan 2009, 12:59

Barbara -- It is a bit uncommon to have a first prescription with an add of over +2. Part of the reason for this is that usually someone with that degree of add will have had even more difficulty reading than you have experienced. In your case, however, your mild myopia to some extent compensates for the need for the reading glasses -- netted out, your near prescription is about +1.5 to +1.75 which is a very common prescription for first reading glasses. When wearing your distance prescription, however, you will find it very difficult, if not impossible, to read without the near add. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Clare 12 Jan 2009, 12:09

Barbara - I don't have an add so can only comment on the minus/cyl elements of your prescription. I'd guess that you are close to the limit on the DVLA (if you're in the UK) restriction on driving which, i think, is 20/40. I'd guess your uncorrected distance vision would be close to that. I'm sure you'll welcome the extra distance correction so enjoy!

Barbara 12 Jan 2009, 11:18

I knew I needed reading glasses and at 44 finally decided to bite the bullet and get an exam. Here is the result:

OD: -.50 -.50 150 +2.25

OS: -.75 +2.25

How does that stand as a first pair? I didn't know that I was nearsighted and am anxiously waiting to get the glasses to see what difference they will make. I read ok now, but with difficulty mostly in low light. Will the -.50 150 make much of a difference? Was really surprised to start with bifocals! Will I expect to need them to drive/can I expect to have a restriction on my license? Thanks.

Guest 09 Jan 2009, 15:58

Otto

I have no knowledge but wonder if the -1.25 eye would compensate but then maybe the difference as you say would make it too complicated.

Melinda let us know!

OttO 09 Jan 2009, 10:21

Melinda: Please remember that its always up to the wearer as to how much or how little to wear their glasses. No rules. Lots of people start out part time and then move to full time wear. My guess is that given the discrepancy in lens strength and the fact that one eye needs -3, it won't take your daughter very long, once she becomes accustomed to the glasses, to decide on full time wear.

antonio 09 Jan 2009, 07:36

it´s not impossible that her bad eye shuts off and stops looking as it´s giving her a worse image.

But whether this really happens, I can´t say.

Probably it would be better to wear them at least part time, and not only for driving,

best regards, antonio

Melinda 09 Jan 2009, 07:02

Does anyone have an idea what the recommendation would be for a prescription of -1.25 for one eye and -3 for the other?

My daughter has just been given this prescription after failing her driving test. Should she just wear it to drive or should she wear it full time given that there seems to be quite a big difference between the two eyes? Is there any risk that not wearing them could mean the worse eye deteriorates or shuts off?

Thanks

Cactus Jack 02 Jan 2009, 03:59

Guest,

There can be several reasons, but unfortunately, there is no way to tell from your description. You could be a little farsighted, or have some astigmatism, or even some early presbyopia and they require different solutions. The very best thing to do is get an eye exam to find out exactly the problem. If you decide not to get an exam (bad idea) you might try some low power (+1.00 or +1.25) over the counter reading glasses to see if they make any difference.

Guest 01 Jan 2009, 22:08

hey,

I am 18 year old, and have been complaining of tired eyes on the computer or while working. Also after working for a few hours on a test for example, or when really tired, ?I have trouble going from near vision to distance vision. It takes my eyes a few seconds to adjust. Any idea as to what it could be?

Cactus Jack 22 Dec 2008, 19:34

andrew20,

If you want to try some Rx computer glasses, we can help you adjust the Rx for that purpose. They could also be ordered online.

If you want to, measure your normal working distance from your eyes to the screen and let us know what it is.

andrew20 22 Dec 2008, 14:06

i had the eye test because i was getting headaches whilst at the computer. optician said probably cause i wasnt taking enough breaks, which i can understand.

like you say getting some cheapos off the internet maybe the answer, see if they make a difference.

im 20 and in the uk, thanks all

Buck 22 Dec 2008, 12:05

Andrew20

Could be you're eyes are working so hard to see the computer all day and are trying to adapt to soooo much close work.

Maybe you need a mild reading correction to take the strain off and therefore, the need to compensate.

Try picking up a pair of the lowest reading strength glasses at the drugstore. Probably +1.00. See if that makes computer work easier and your very mild minus need goes away.

russell 22 Dec 2008, 11:17

Andrew20...you don't say why you decided to get an eye exam, but if the correction prescribed was that mild, I suspect you got the exam because you want glasses. If that is the case, then you should definitely get the prescription made up and wear the glasses. And if you wear them full time, your friends and family will quickly get used to seeing you in glasses (and assume that you are blind without them.) Most people have no idea how to gauge how strong glasses are by just looking at them--and most people will try on a pair of glasses and say something like, "Wow! These are strong!," even if the glasses have no correction in them. I think it is because many people are embarrassed at the thought that they might need glasses. The gist of all this: get your glasses, wear 'em, enjoy em! And Claire is right: a lot of girls and guys like the way a guy looks in glasses.

Clare 22 Dec 2008, 09:39

Andrew 20 - I guess if you'd like glasses then you should get them. You may not notice an enormous amount of difference than without them but if you like the way you could look in glasses - and a lot of girls* like a guy in glasses - then go for it!

* and boys of course!

Cactus Jack 22 Dec 2008, 06:34

Andrew20,

That is a very low Rx. Because of your work, the astigmatism in your left eye could be slightly annoying. The only real way to tell is to get some glasses and see if they make your work easier. I would suggest getting some low cost glasses online from someone like Zenni Optical as a trial. Let us know if you need help ordering with such things as Pupilary Distance (PD).

May I ask your age and where you live.

andrew20 22 Dec 2008, 04:34

Hi, got my first eye test a couple of weeks ago, this is the prescription. He said i didnt need glasses. Reading this thread, there seems to be a a fair few people with similar prescriptions who wear glasses all the time. i am a web designer so wonder if it would make a difference seem as though i am at a computer 10hrs+ a day, thanks

Right:

Sphere -0.25

Left:

Sphere -0.25

Cyl +0.25

Axis 140

ROCKYJJ 09 Dec 2008, 11:41

new glasses rx

od -13.50 x -1.50 x 68

os -12.00 x -1.50 x 86

SoCal 08 Dec 2008, 19:02

Just ordered my new glasses and I can't wait till they come in!

sam 07 Dec 2008, 05:36

i got new glasse -2 -1 astig +2 add and they are 5mm thick they look like coke bottles is that normal they are poly lenses can only see about 13 inches before things get blurry

Eyespy 06 Dec 2008, 07:19

Erik

Your eyes shouldn't get too much worse at your age although full time wear will make your eyes crave correction so you will notice the difference more. Have your friends and family remarked on your new glasses?

Erik 06 Dec 2008, 04:21

Hello

I have my new prescription and i wearing them fulltime since yesterday. I feel the difference.

Will my eyes get worser in the future?

Greetz

Erik

russell 05 Dec 2008, 05:23

Erik...yes! Wear them full time.

Erik 04 Dec 2008, 07:57

Hoi

tomorrow will my optician put a new prescription in my glasses.

My old prescription is -1,25 and -1,75

My new prescription is -1,75 and -2,25

I'm 35 years old. When will my eyes be stable?

And di i have to wear my glasses fulltime? Now i'm wearing my glasses 80-90% of the time.

Greetz

Erik

Julian 28 Nov 2008, 05:52

Derek: given the Rx you quoted on 4 November, it's not surprising your glasses improve your distance vision. On the other hand, given that you're 54, it is surprising that your optometrist didn't check your near and intermediate vision! Apparently you read OK bareyed in spite of a whole dioptre of astigmatism; but you clearly need a lower Rx for the computer. Bi- or trifocals, or of course progressives, are the next step, maybe pretty soon, though as Sam says, pushing your specs down your nose a bit should help to be going on with.

sam12744 28 Nov 2008, 04:23

Derek,

Try sliding them down your nose a little, when using the computer. Assuming they are minus lenses,that should bring the screen into focus.

Derek 28 Nov 2008, 01:54

Havn't had a chance to post on here for a while but I thought I'd just tell you how I got on with the new glasses which I collected a couple of weeks ago...

They certainly make quite a difference, I didn't realise how much I couldn't see before without them. I already seem to be wearing them almost all the time except for reading, they're useless for that. My problem now is that I can't see the PC screen with them on or off, have to get quite close without them and can't see it clearly with them on, what's that all about? Otherwise they make my eyesight fantastically crisp and clear for distance.

Derek.

Hmm 11 Nov 2008, 09:40

Ted 02 Nov 2008, 08:45

Having to stop now so I can make up more of the story.LOL.

Like Lenses 11 Nov 2008, 00:32

Or Jo's new lenses are so strong that the print here is not readable.

Puffin 10 Nov 2008, 14:18

yes, probably too busy saying "ooh look at that!"

Hansel 10 Nov 2008, 12:47

Obviously Jo is having so much fun seeing the world around her that she hasn't got round to enlightening those who offered suggestions and advice.

Phil 07 Nov 2008, 02:04

Have you collected them Jo?

Hansel 06 Nov 2008, 12:58

Haven't been on the site much this week...too much work, :-(.

So, Jo, any news to report, how is your view of the world now?

ehpc 05 Nov 2008, 18:23

A woman with cool ideas about glasses Melyssa:)Big and bold is beautiful:)

Melyssa 05 Nov 2008, 12:43

Pete,

I also got a new pair of black frames, large of course, flat along the top-front and most of the side-front before curving in. A friend of mine bought wide-side frames a few months ago but she will not wear them while driving as they hinder her side vision. And there isn't a frame like that big enough to fit me (read: lenses at least 2 inches in diameter).

ehpc 04 Nov 2008, 13:02

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL :) And nice and big too, I take it? :) And, of course, you do have several pairs of black rectangular plastic frames with wide sides:) ????? Pete

Melyssa 04 Nov 2008, 12:42

ehpc,

Those might be the SECOND worst. Had they been black plastic on top and metal the rest of the way, like 90-year-olds in the U.S. have worn, then they would be "first worst." My latest hot pair is a blue/purple "split-temple" frame.

Aubrac 04 Nov 2008, 10:10

Derek

Your prescription would generally be considered quite strong and I think you'll be amazed at how clear everything will be with glasses.

At 54 though you might find reading with glasses difficult.

Let us know how you get on.

Dieter 04 Nov 2008, 08:29

Your absolutely right, Phil. Neither of them would come close to passing a vision test for driving.

Phil 04 Nov 2008, 05:05

Isn't Jo's quite a hefty rx for a first-time glasses wearer too? I suspect that most myopic people get prescribed correction for the first time at below -2. But I may be wrong. In any event I'm pretty sure that neither Derek nor Jo should be driving without glasses.

Dieter 04 Nov 2008, 04:46

If Derek's + is reversed, his prescription is -2.50 -1.00, -2.50 -1.00. It is then very close to Jo's. A little less sphere, a little more cylinder.

Derek 04 Nov 2008, 04:09

Phill,

Well not knowing much about prescriptions and lens power strengths I didn't realise it was that strong, I just assumed it was fairly weak as I can see most things OK, I just cant see all the detail without screwing my eyes up!

Derek

Phil 04 Nov 2008, 01:07

Gosh Derek. That's a strong first prescription! Can anyone here beat that? I was -2 when I first got glasses and the optician was horrified that I had been driving without correction.

Derek 04 Nov 2008, 00:57

Hi everyone,

I'm new on here, having just read the story of Jo and her eyesight problems I thought I'd report my story!

Due to a recent change of job (which involves driving) and the resulting medical exam I was sent to the opticians for a test. I did have an idea that I was very slightly short sighted but I've always seemed to manage OK so have never bothered to have a test....I'm 54 by the way and have never had an eye test before except back in school days.

Anyway, I came away from the opticians

with a prescription and the advice that I do need glasses as I'm short sighted. Here's the details:

L -3.50 +1.00 x 110, R -3.50 +1.00 x 55

The optician suggested I choose some frames straight away, she said I would probably find such a massive difference that I would probably end up wearing them full time. This was quite a shock to me as I thought I was only very slightly short sighted, usually squinting makes a big improvement for me.

I chose some frames, I'm just waiting for them now, should be ready on Friday. Then I suppose I'll find out what difference they make and wether or not I will wear them. I must admit I'm not convinced I will need them or wear them full time.

I'll let you know how I get on with them,

Cheers,

Derek

Puffin 03 Nov 2008, 17:55

Will,

On the basis that the optician is trying to correct unbalanced vision, the answer is yes, depending to an extent on the personal opinion of the optician involved and perhaps whether your gf is having any problems converging, double vision, etc.

ehpc 03 Nov 2008, 16:31

Melyssa, those are the worst glasses imaginable - the 1950s Church of England clergyman look. But I know you have many HOT HOT HOT pairs now:) Pete

Will 03 Nov 2008, 13:59

Interested in Puffin's comment about the eye dr usually recommending on the worse eye. My gf is -2 and -2.75 would the eye dr recommends she wear it fulltime because of the -2.75?

Melyssa 03 Nov 2008, 13:56

Jo,

The first pair I ever had (when I was 8) looked like these: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2007/09/26/fashion/thursdaystyles/20070927POINTS_index.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx;=1225749023-Zkxr1iAtW2Xua0kmRllmsQ

There wasn't much to choose from all those decades ago.

I was quite reluctant to wear them, especially in school at first, but with a couple of classmates already wearing glasses I was able to handle the situation. Of course, that one day when I forgot to take them off at lunchtime and I saw what was served to us; well, other than getting an up-close view of something I did not want to touch, my glasses (30 pairs now) have always been a huge help to my vision.

So as long as you have friends or close family members who wear glasses, they can help you get over the fear of wearing them in public.

Phil 03 Nov 2008, 08:02

Oh Laura! You should have. A bride or bridesmaid in specs is just perfection for us gwg-loving chaps! I hope you enjoyed the wedding!

Laura 03 Nov 2008, 07:18

Hi,

Mainly wearing the glasses. 90% of the time I would say. Didnt to a wedding on Saturday where I was bridesmaid though.

OnLooker 03 Nov 2008, 06:18

Very nice frames Laura, what RX are you? I just love this type of frames they are so visible and they do enhance personality, beauty... They are also so sexy and hot...for us GWG lovers...

Phil 03 Nov 2008, 03:20

Are you wearing glasses fulltime now Laura?

Laura 03 Nov 2008, 03:16

Jo: I got 2 pairs - links below to them.

http://www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/designer-glasses/th23

http://www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/designer-glasses/th06

I can only say well done for getting your eyes checked and knowing the difference I can see with my prescription I can imagine you will notice a massive improvement.

I thought I wont wear them much, only wear them in private etc but being able to see properly is so important and I just love my glasses now.

Let us know how it all goes.

Phil 03 Nov 2008, 02:03

Sorry Jo: just re-read your post in which you reveal the frames you chose! You must be so excited about picking them up: everything will seem so clear.

Phil 03 Nov 2008, 01:06

Wow Jo. What an eyetest! And what a significant first prescription. Just as I predicted, you'll be a gwg by the end of the week. And a fulltimer soon I bet. What frames did you choose?

Slit 02 Nov 2008, 18:17

Hi GG,

How are you doing?

Is the new bifocals supporting you well with your daily work?

Did you finish your exams?

Here in Sri Lanka, the glasses and frames come at a very low cost compared to Europe and US, so a person who have to wear prescription glasses have the opportunity t try out several fashionable frames due to high affordability!

But sadly the girls here seems to have not got a great fashion sense for glasses. :-(

Puffin 02 Nov 2008, 15:00

This will probably make little difference to whatever the optician recommends to you - they usually go with the worse eye when making recommendations. He would probably recommend fulltime wear but it is up to you if you want to listen to him.

Some people go around for a while in a sort of halfway house with such a prescription, wearing them or not as the situation demands. Often what happens is such people end up preferring the clear view of the world and end up going full time after a bit anyway - something like that, anyway.

Jo 02 Nov 2008, 13:32

Just looking back over the thread I see I made a mistake with the numbers My left eye is - 2.25 -50. Does that mean I won't need to wear them full time as you suggested?

dan 02 Nov 2008, 13:06

Alice,

My girlfriend has -1.25 in both eyes and she wears contacts full time because it's more convenient and she hates not being able to see clearly. Her doctor said she doesn't have to wear them all the time but I guess it's all really a personal preference.

I have -.50 and plano -.50 90 and sometimes I wear them a lot and other days I don't...depends what mood I'm in.

Jo 02 Nov 2008, 10:33

Hi Laura Jersey Girl and Melyssa Just catching up And thanks for your posts too!! I know it's pathetic and random but still don't see how you've done it so easily!! What frames did you guys get? Did they help? Any tricks to get over the not me I don't need glasses. I always though it was other people.. Like Ali or when I was at school a friend called Sonya who had very strong specs.

Jo 02 Nov 2008, 10:17

Thanks Hansel, that's really sweet. I'll try my best!!!

Hansel 02 Nov 2008, 10:13

With the prescription that you have been given, I think you will be full time before you know it, you will wonder why you struggled on.

I think deep down that you have known for a long time that you needed to get glasses.

I was like you, very much the reluctant, but there are so many fantastic frames these days than when I was at university, and these are very much fashion statements as well as in your case an essential to help you as you complete your studies.

It's a strong first prescription and not a million miles away from Clare, who is a FT Lens wearer and indeed FT when she needed to wear her specs when she had an eye infection, so when you get them, don't be surprised when the optician suggests you keep them on. Have a go and walk out of Vision Express with your head high and a clear view as you look through your new specs.

Well done, you have done all the hard work now!

All best

Hansel

Mike 02 Nov 2008, 09:55

If this is really you Jo and not someone posting in your name then you will actually want to wear them with that prescription because you'll see a big difference

Jo 02 Nov 2008, 09:43

He then put lenses in and it got more and more sharp and clear. Then red and green lights until the targets both seemed as sharp. Finally he put it all together with both eyes and it was crystal clear.

He then said I should choose some frames. I deliberately didn't ask him how often I would need to wear them, as I'd had enough with the test and being told to choose frames.

I felt a bit shaky but also thinking of your comments on here and that maybe they could look OK. I chose two different styles a bolder black retro pair and a metal frame small and oval as a second. But I still can't see me wearing them except maybe at home or movies in the dark!!

I asked for a copy of my prescription for you

"Unaided vision L 6/24 R6/24"

R -2.75 -50 L -2.75 -50.

I've told Ali and she says she'll come with me when their ready next week, might prefer to go on my own so I'll be under less pressure to wear them!

Ted 02 Nov 2008, 08:45

Having to stop now so I can make up more of the story.LOL.

02 Nov 2008, 06:24

Don't keep us in suspense too long Jo :)

Jo 02 Nov 2008, 04:03

Ali arranged a test for me!!! She booked it Vision Express away from where I might bump into friends. she knows I'm not convinced yet. So I went there yesterday am a bit she'll shocked coz I'd hoped I could do eye exercise until posting on here!! I was greeted by the receptionist who has similar colouring to me and was wearing glasses and looked good to my surprise... probably part of the sales tactics!!!

She showed me to the waiting area and I was duly summoned through to the exam room by a young fit guy with dark hair. He looked into my eyes with a light and then used a puffing machine, he says to check the pressure in my eyes. He said everything was OK . He then said he'd ask me a few questions while my eyes recovered from the light and the puffs. He asked about the problems I'd had seeing and also asked about my studying leisure computer use reading and driving. I'm feeling nervous meantime and thinking this is getting a bit real when it wasn't even my idea to be here. When we'd done with that he clicked a switch abd a black nox on the wall I'd been wondering about lit up with some letters, the eye chart!! He placed an uncomfortable cold complicated spectacle frame on my nose and ears put on his glasses (trendy dark tortoiseshell) as he asked me to read the chart with a black lens slid into the specs thing covering out one eye. I didn't get very far. I was horrified and when he swapped the eye cover, the other eye was no better... Struggling to see the third line. Sorry I'm getting upset reliving it I'll have to stop...

Puffin 01 Nov 2008, 18:52

Although if you are stubborn you can carry on without until you realise you can't do without them.

Puffin 01 Nov 2008, 18:50

It's around minus 2. If you have significant astigmatism, say 0.75 or more, that will tend to increase the likelihood. If you go in complaining of headaches that will probably indicate fulltime wear being beneficial.

Alice 01 Nov 2008, 15:08

Interesting discussion about full time wear. What's the average prescription for people who go to full time wear?

May 01 Nov 2008, 12:02

Wouldn't it be interesting to have an eye test thread on this site for people to share the different experiences of eye tests around the world !

Melyssa 01 Nov 2008, 07:56

Jo,

Your friend Ali's RX of -1.75 and -1.50 is exactly what my first one was, long, long ago. I only wore my glasses for watching TV, at the movies, or to see the blackboard at school. I did not go fulltime until I was in the -2.50 to -3.00 range. But then, everyone's different; there are no hard and fast rules for this.

Phil 31 Oct 2008, 03:21

Jo, Don't forget to tell us exactly how the test goes. I always find eyetests so exciting! I think you'll come away with a prescription and will be a gwg by the end of next week!

Laura 31 Oct 2008, 01:29

Hi. I can honestly say when I first knew I needed glasses I said I wouldnt wear them or only when nobody was around, but as soon as I put them on and realised just what I couldnt see it was easy to keep wearing them. Of course I had some concerns, I was worried about what people might think and the attention it attracted etc but at the end of the day being able to see is all that is important.

I now wear mine most of the time. It is nice that I can leave them off if I want to for some things.

Good luck and you really will notice the difference once you get them.

Jersey Girl 30 Oct 2008, 15:08

I wear -1.75 in both eyes full time for over one year now. I just love the intense sharpness of vision that I get wearing the glasses. I also occaisionally wear some -2.25 glasses which are my boyfriend's mother's old correction and I see just as well with them. Once you get the glasses you will see the difference.

Jo 30 Oct 2008, 13:36

Thanks Clare and Hansel, sorry I'll need to get a grip, thanks to everyone I'll at least go for an eyetest

Clare 30 Oct 2008, 13:32

Jo - I'm with Hansel, you wouldn't have to wear fulltime. I'm -2.75 & -3 with -0.50 of astigmatism and, though I wear contacts, I can still go without glasses if I need to. It's just that when you've experienced clear vision you sometimes don't want anything less ;)

Hansel 30 Oct 2008, 13:22

Now now! Remember, don't waver. Get that eye test booked!!

There are some who would not be full time with the prescription that Ali has, so she obviously appreciates the clarity her specs give her. I am sure you will be the same....perhaps in time ;-)

Best wishes

Hansel

Jo 30 Oct 2008, 13:11

"you really do need glasses" scary words still don't believe it. Ali's prescription She says R 1.50 L 1.75 whatever that means. Full time wear - try none!!! How did you do it Laura!!

Puffin 29 Oct 2008, 18:14

Jo, don't worry about it too much and just concentrate on the fact that when you get glasses, that means no more struggling to see things. Just a thought, being as you are dependent on a friend, what happens if she's off sick or something? It would be better not to rely on someone else.

And 29 Oct 2008, 17:50

Jo, how did you look in Ali's glasses ? There are so many great frames to choose from and you don't need to wear full-time if you don't want to. How big was the clock, could Ali see it without her specs ?

Hansel 29 Oct 2008, 15:59

Jo, Things seem to be gathering pace.

The regulars I am sure will be interested to hear, if you can find out, what sort of prescription Ali has.

I think you are appreciating that you really do need glasses, still the reluctant, but conscious that you do need to have the eye test. You are on a roll now, so don't waver now.

I think you will be surprised when you do get your glasses just what you have been missing. You already know it's when and not if!

Jo 29 Oct 2008, 14:41

Hi everyone ... Well Ali and I were out shopping for clothes and lippy and went for a coffee. We were chatting about shopping separately and then meeting up again for lunch. We were working out when and Ali said well what time is it now and I panicked cause I realised to my horror I was sitting opposite a blurry round thing that I reckoned was a clock and I had no watch on ... Games up thinks me ..imaginary Eye scene mates on my shoulder!...I said Ali that clocks just a blur to me. She then to my surprise said You must be needing glasses, here have a shot of mine. I put them on thinking I'm not wearing things like these whatever happens. I looked at the clock and could make out the numbers with a struggle. Ali took her specs back turned around and said She could see them easily and Jo you should get an eye test soon and come to think of it I suppose that explains you copying notes in the lectures. Hmm food for thought And a bit of a shock actually

glassesforeveryone 29 Oct 2008, 05:08

There you go Jo. If ever you needed more encouragement to take the plunge then Laura's example should do the trick!

Laura 29 Oct 2008, 04:50

Hi All,

Jsut an update that I have been virtually a full time wearer since getting my glasses. Getting along well with them and enjoying seeing everything.

Will be doing my first driving lesson this weekend.

Thanks for all the nice comments.

Jo 29 Oct 2008, 01:10

Wayay! I guess I'll need to think about all this advice.... Thanks ... Maybe I'll speak to Ali.

Clare 28 Oct 2008, 12:43

Jo - if it's as bad as you describe then you owe it to yourself to do something and, if you want to drive, there's no way you'll get away without a prescription. Good luck, it'll be fine. If you read my post under Psychology of Glasses you'll see that it's even difficult for those of us who've had glasses for years and years to be seen in them if that's not our regular look.

Hansel 28 Oct 2008, 07:56

Jo, I think we have seen this a few times before.

IMO your friend will already know/suspect you need glasses,probably kn ows yuo are a little hesitant about the idea, but when you open up the conversation is more than likely to say "About time"...and then be the first to offer to help you choose your frames".

And 28 Oct 2008, 07:31

Jo, sure your mate won't mind a 'glasses' discussion if she's already wearing specs. Are you squinting lots ? How close to a car do you need to be to read the plate ?

Puffin 27 Oct 2008, 18:14

Jo, sounds like you'll have to take the plunge. Once it's done you'll like the vision and wonder why you didn't want to.

Like Lenses 27 Oct 2008, 17:12

Jo,

If as you said number plates, the screen, and recognizing approaching friends is a problem,you have become quite nearsighted, and will probably have a pretty strong first prescription, for full time wear.

You will be amazed at the clarity when you put on your glasses for the first time.

antonio 27 Oct 2008, 15:44

Jo,

just tell her you would like to know

how you look in glasses once

and borrow AliÂ´s glasses once,

just to know how you see,

good idea ?

best regards, antonio

or do you have a sister wearing glasses or so ?

Jo 27 Oct 2008, 15:11

No I don't think she knows so she might think ...weird!!

antonio 27 Oct 2008, 15:03

Jo,

I was once in the same situation regarding my eyes as you are now,

so I guess I know as you feel,

best regards,

antonio

antonio 27 Oct 2008, 14:59

hi Jo,

aounds to me if some lenses in front of your wonderful eyes would help you not only to drive ???

Does your friend Ali already knows you are in trouble to see far things ?

Could you borrow her glasses once already ?

best regards,

antonio

Jo 27 Oct 2008, 14:19

Hi And. Don't need to do the number plate thing. Gone wayyy beyond that ! Screen's a gonner in last few weeks Luckily power point hand outs and Ali's notes keep me going and she recognises friends approaching!

Kelly 27 Oct 2008, 12:22

Jo, in Canada we have to do a eye test before we are allowed to get our beginners permit. I am -1.25 in each eye and HAVE to wear my glasses to legally drive. I do not know what the minimum is though.

Contacts are not an issue once you figure them out.

Just took time getting to insert them and take them out.

Been ages since I used my contacts though.

Dan 27 Oct 2008, 12:05

Jo - I thought my vision was fine till one night I was driving and my wife, sitting next to me took off her glasses to clean them. She put them back on and said, "oh this is much better...want to try them?" I told her no, because I don't need glasses! She put them on me anyways, while I was driving, and I was shocked at how clear they made street signs. I kept wearing them as I drove. When I took them off at a stoplight most distance went back to what I thought was normal. We then tested each others vision, me asking her what she could or could not see without her glasses. The next day she made me an appointment with her eye dr, and I got prescribed glasses a bit stronger than hers!! That was 3 months ago, and now I am ft! As previous poster says, plates and street numbers are amazing when you can read them.

Phil 27 Oct 2008, 10:50

So many first time gwgs appearing here lately. Ella, Laura and now there will soon be Jo! It's great to hear of young women getting their first glasses. I hope you all keep in touch and tell us of your "journeys".

And 26 Oct 2008, 14:03

Jo, try reading a car number plate, or stand in the supermarket and read the various signs, see how you manage. Do you squint at things ? If your friend is 20/20 with her glasses on it will be easy to compare what you both see.

Jo 26 Oct 2008, 11:27

Thanks Clare looks like the pressures on... May ask Ali to try her glasses and "see" how I get on .. wearing glasses .. me!?

Clare 26 Oct 2008, 07:37

Jo - if you're planning to learn to drive you'll need to prove that you can meet the vision standard. If you can't see the board in lectures you probably wouldn't meet the requirement so you'd need to wear glasses to drive. I think that even when someone has a low prescription like -1 are required to wear them for driving.

Jo 26 Oct 2008, 06:52

Couldn't handle contacts ... That poking in the eye stuff too much for me. I don't drive yet but I'd like to soon.

OD 26 Oct 2008, 04:46

Jo, you can always wear contacts.

And 26 Oct 2008, 03:42

Jo, do you drive ? Go to movies ? What's Ali's prescription, why not try her's and see how you feel ?

Julian 26 Oct 2008, 03:33

Jo: sorry, but I think you're being stupid. You obviously need glasses for distant vision, and you should get a pair and wear them.

Jo 25 Oct 2008, 16:43

Hi .. Scam don't sound too good. Struggled last year seeing screen at lectures and taken to sitting at front and lately reading friends notes. Can't see myself as a glasses wearer even though Ali got glasses last session and acts as if "whatever" "no prblm"!!!

Cactus Jack 25 Oct 2008, 11:04

Jo,

Pretty much a waste of time and money. Check out "The Bates Method" and the "See Clearly Method" on the web for scam information.

Jo 25 Oct 2008, 06:25

My eyes are going blurry. What about eye exercises? Would they help?!

Eli 24 Oct 2008, 13:33

Then I thought of the blur can be caused by a slight increase in my prescription. I removed my glasses, and realised how blind I am without glasses. I thought it should be around .75/1 D increase.

Then I tried a simple test.

I was totally amazed at how those lights get focused when my eyes seeing through... the two overlapping, removed lenses. The image was so sharp that I can see every details of the building again, under dim light conditions. So it seems my prescription have increased to around -3 range. I simply can't believe (at the instance) the increase of my myopia was so huge, as I have accustomed to a stable prescription over the last 4 years. BTW, I only wear my glasses outdoors, usually.

Eli 24 Oct 2008, 13:10

Hi. I had posted here 4 yrs ago about my first rx. Today I realised that my distance acuity have deteriorated so much since I passed my last eye test on June 2008 with 20/20, using the same pair of glasses prescripted 4 years ago. I was relaxing in my bedroom facing the window and noticed the deterioration of my distance acuity--- the once focused light sources (lighting across the a building 10 m away) were found to be "out of focus". I thought it was not significant, and tried lifting my lenses a little bit upward, then I realised the distorted image was just slightly closer to focus.

Phil 24 Oct 2008, 03:51

Laura,

What do you plan to do at the weekend? I find shopping to be one activity where wearing my specs is essential.

What's the nicest comment you've received about how you look in glasses?

Laura 24 Oct 2008, 03:02

Morning,

I wore my glasses until I got home last night. I went to the pub with my 'Mum' and 'Dad' but didnt wear them out. They were not the first thing I put on today but did put them on when I left home and they have been on since.

I know my vision is not that bad. When my mum asked how I was doing with them and we had a brief discussion I was amazed at what my Dad couldnt see with his. He has -7 / -6.25 it turns out. But I have noticed the difference when I wear mine now.

Phil 24 Oct 2008, 02:27

Ella, I think that the fact that one is wearing specs is invariably more significant to the wearer than anyone else!

You have quite a significant rx in one eye (taking account of the astigmatism). Like me you are probably beyond help from squinting.

It is interesting that Laura, who has also just got her first glasses with a lower rx than you, has chosen to go virtually fulltime very quickly. But it's all a matter of personal choice, isn't it?

Do you like wearing glasses or atre you self-conscious? What frames do you have?

Ella 23 Oct 2008, 13:52

Phil,

No, I won't wear them all the time as its mainly for distance things I need them. Wore them in a training session today after realising that squinting at the flipchart wasn't getting me anywhere. Got a comment from the manager running the session, asking me where I'd got the frames rather than anything about the fact I was actually wearing glasses for the first time!

Phil 23 Oct 2008, 10:39

Well done! I'm so impressed that in three days you become a virtually fulltime wearer. Are you used to them now? Do you like how you look in them? I bet you haven't had anything but positive compliments, having chosen such nice frames.

If you keep them on till bedtime and put them on again when you get up you will be a fulltime gwg!

Laura 23 Oct 2008, 09:45

Hi Phil,

Just going home and have worn them all day today!

Phil 23 Oct 2008, 09:43

Katy, you know exactly what I look like!!!

How are you?

Katy 23 Oct 2008, 09:19

Phil - how about a Facebook pic with your glasses on? It's only fair, if you want to see the girls with theirs on.. ;-)

Phil 23 Oct 2008, 05:13

Laura, if you want to contact me on Facebook I'm "Philip Davies" and I have no picture (because I'm too much of a wuss to load one)!

Laura 23 Oct 2008, 04:28

I have made lunch for today but might go out for some fresh air.

I am ok at my computer without but have been wearing them anyway.

Does have astigmatism add to the lens strength or is it just an adjustment to how the lens works? Maybe a stupid question or put wrongly.

Kayleigh who is my friend who said she might get some glasses like mine came over earlier and she has been looking at the specsavers magazine and online at some frames. She said I was lucky that my glasses were weak cos hers are so strong but I dont know what her prescription is cos she didnt know. Someone had asked on here.

Anyway, she said would I go help her choose some when she was ready, she needed her eyetest first though so I will help her.

Phil 23 Oct 2008, 04:21

That would be great Laura. I'd never find you on Facebook where there must be thouands of "Lauras"!!

How are you finding close work with your specs on? I'm myopic so that my glasses don't help with reading etc. But you have a bit of astigmatism too.

I haven't been able to read the MacDonalds menu for years: so I always have a quarter pounder! What's for lunch today?

Laura 23 Oct 2008, 03:53

I might post some when I have got to know everyone. I do use Facebook.

Phil 23 Oct 2008, 03:42

You've been so determined! I'd love to see a pic! Are you on Facebook or something?

Laura 23 Oct 2008, 03:39

Hello Phil.

I think I will just keep wearing them. I have taken them off a couple of times for short periods.

I love being able to see things clearly. I probably sound a bit stupid considering my glasses are pretty weak but there is a big difference to me.

Phil 23 Oct 2008, 02:56

Laura, have you still got your glasses on? I bet the comments are mostly over now. Do you intend to wear them all the time from now on? Comments like "hot" sound pretty good to me!

Sis 23 Oct 2008, 02:30

Just got new glasses.

L: Sph -7, cyl -0,5/15

R: Sph -4,75, cyl -0,25/180

Add 2,25

There is a significant difference between the two lenses - quite cool, I think.

I got som quite stilish frames:

http://www.bjornborg.com/en/Collection/?varshowitem=Revival 5 BB01 51_17-140

My kids think I look like a total nerd - perhaps I am one.

I alternate the glasses with progressive contacts. They took some time to get used to, but now I'm fine.

My prescription for progressive contacts are L: -5,25, R: -4,5. The idea is that I use my right eye for distance and my left for close. They have different strength within each lens, so that when my pupil is small - in bright light and on short distance I use the middle section of the lens. When the pupil is bigger I use the outher section which is suited for distance.

I'm not sure how they messure the right rx, but I think there is some sort of table they use. It's working anyway.

Laura 23 Oct 2008, 02:06

I took the plunge and wore them when my friend picked me up for the gym. She made nice comments too and I told her I was a bit nervous/conscious etc about wearing them and people finding out for the 1st time.

I didnt wear them in the gym or afterwards but she told me to put them on to show her again and she snapped me in them on her phone.

So now she has sent it to most of our friends and said everyone knows now. I had some messages sent saying nice, cool, hot etc so I guess everyone knows.

I wore them at home yesterday evening and now worn them all of today...so far.

So thanks for the nice comments from everyone here.

And - I couldnt read the menu from where I was in the queue, tested by taking glasses off and on. So glad I had them.

My mum was right. It is really nice to be able to see. Although as I mentioned before having read through some of the posts I know my mum and me dont have very strong glasses at all but she said to me - you'll start wearing them all the time once you realise your blind. Mums are always right. lol.

Zorab 22 Oct 2008, 16:03

Clare -- thanks for the reply, sorry to have got the wrong one!

Clare 22 Oct 2008, 13:16

Zorab - not me, I'm far too conservative for drop temples!

Phil 22 Oct 2008, 10:43

Wow Laura, you are nearly there. A fulltime wearer within a day or two of getting your first specs! Very impressive! Still keep putting them in your hair from time to time though: it's such a sexy device that girls use to such advantage! Do you find thay help when you are at work on the computer?

And 22 Oct 2008, 10:35

Laura, before your glasses would you not have been able to see the McDonalds menu ? Did your friend reveal her prescription ?

Laura 22 Oct 2008, 09:52

Thanks.

1st pair Blue, 2nd Brown.

We went to lumch but didnt have long so it was McDonalds. In a queue as usual so my friend asked what I was going to have so I got my glasses out and looked to see what I wanted. She just said something like I didnt know you wore glasses and they looked nice and went on about what she was going to eat.

When we got our food at sat down she asked when I got them and said better for checking guys out outside etc.

So I wore them back to work and did have a few people making a fuss but nothing horrible. A couple of people tried them on.

I spent the afternoon both wearing them and with them sat on top of my head. Just about to go to the gym with a friend so I am keeping them on for now.

I am glad some people have seen me in them now but I feel a bit funny still cos I will have to get past this with other groups of friends etc.

My friend I went to lunch with, Kayleigh, came over to my desk later on and said she has glasses but always has contacts. Known her for about 3 years and never knew that but she said she liked my glasses and tried them on and said she might get a similar design so that was nice.

Thanks for all the nice comments from people on here.

Phil 22 Oct 2008, 05:01

They are both lovely frames. What good taste you have. I bet you look gorgeous in either pair! Do you have them in brown or blue? And which ones did you wear for your lunch? How was reading the menu? And what did your friend say? So many questions! Hehe!

Laura 22 Oct 2008, 04:56

Thanks guys.

I hope the links below work.

I am going for lunch with a friend from here so I will show her them if I am brave enough.

http://www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/designer-glasses/th23

http://www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/designer-glasses/th06

glassesforeveryone 22 Oct 2008, 04:03

Hi Laura,

Good luck with your new glasses. It's a weird thing 'coming out' for the first time. My prescription is similar to yours but, despite resolutions to the contrary, I still don't wear my glasses full-time.

I wear them at work and at home, but I am not comfortable wearing them in front of friends - no idea why!

Maybe it's because getting glasses in adulthood gives you the freedom (while your eyes let you) to choose whether to wear them or not. Whereas people who get glasses when they are younger don't really have the choice.

I bet they look great on you and more importantly you'll see great, especially with astigmatism and working on computers. If you wear your glasses I bet you'll notice the difference at the end of the day. At the moment your eyes must be working overtime and there must be strain and headaches at the end of the day. You'll notice the difference.

Let us know how you get on - good luck!

Phil 22 Oct 2008, 03:50

Wow Laura. You are doing so well! I predict you will soon be a fulltime gwg. Hearing about you getting there is so exciting!

If your colleagues see you I have no doubt you you will get a few (positive) compliments initially. But that will be that. From then on your specs will be yesterday's news. Soon people will not remember you bare-eyed. And you will be able to see!

Have you tried them for computer work? Given the astigmatism they may help. Have you got both pairs with you? What are they like?

Laura 22 Oct 2008, 03:32

Morning,

I wore my glasses once I got to the bus last night and wore them for the 20 minute journey. They seemed to give me a bit of headache so took them off then.

Went to my mums house before going home. My Grandad and dad (mums BF) were there. My mum and Dad thought they looked really nice and suited me (but they would say that anyway). My mum tried them and she said she could see pretty well with them, I asked my dad if he wanted to try to but he said they wouldnt make any difference to him. My mum said I should be wearing them all the time.

When I got home I wore them for the rest of the night. Could actually see the time in the football match on TV!

This morning when i got up my lodger was back. I had left the 2nd pair in the kitchen and she asked if they were mine and said lets see them on you then. She said I looked good in them so at least she has seen me in them.

I wore them to the bus stop, could see which bus was mine today and wore them until was at the office but I have taken them off again. How weak of me!! I am thinking I should put them on while I am here at my desk typing this but feel a bit awkward. I will try to pluck up some courage. I dont think I mind having them on, its that I dont like fuss and attention and I think I will get a load from all my colleagues.

Phil 22 Oct 2008, 01:32

Do you think you will wear them all the time Ella? And how about you Laura?

Zorab 21 Oct 2008, 17:41

a long time back, someone called Clare was trying to obtain some 'drop temples' frames. Clare: are you the same Clare, or was it another? I think I have found some of the frames you were looking for!

Ella 21 Oct 2008, 12:21

I wore them today! Only two friends commented who were sat next to me at the back of the presentation. I could see everything, was really clear and I sat on the back row instead of the front.

Clare 21 Oct 2008, 12:18

Ella, Laura - I think we are all used to our habitual state, so now that you have glasses you both realise what a difference they make, even if the prescription isn't so strong. I don't consider my prescription strong, although it's a bit stronger than yours, but even so it still surprises me sometimes how much I can't see if I take out my contacts at an airport or in the office.

Just appreciate the difference and enjoy the compliments!

Phil 21 Oct 2008, 09:52

Try wearing them on your way home! Even I wear mine if I need to spot a train. How are they for reading? Good luck.

Laura 21 Oct 2008, 08:43

Not sure yet. Just wore them in the opticians and then for 5 minutes in outside my work. I liked that I can see. I am starting some driving lessons next week so lucky I have the glasses now.

I cant imagine all these strong prescriptions I have read about and how people must see without their glasses!

Phil 21 Oct 2008, 07:27

Wow Laura, I told you it would be amazing. Just wait till you are out in the dark! It's like that when you get stronger lenses (as you may do). Do you enjoy wearing them?

Laura 21 Oct 2008, 07:16

OMG, you posted just when I was doing mine Phil.

Laura 21 Oct 2008, 07:15

I got my glasses at lunchtime. Having read through the posts and read what some people's vision is like it seems a bit stupid to say but OMG how blind was I. I can see things again. When I first put them on and looked down the shop it was quite amazing at what I could see. I tried both pairs which both fitted well but when the lady asked if I wanted to wear a pair I said no. A bit weak of me! I put a pair on for about 5 minutes before going back into the office and could see number plates across the road and leaves on the tree etc. I have not put them on since but will when I go home. Maybe I will when I wait for the bus, then I'll know what number is coming and not have to wait till its right in front of me. LOL.

Phil 21 Oct 2008, 07:13

Have you collected them Laura? How can you see?

Aubrac 21 Oct 2008, 06:23

Ella

I remember getting my first glassez at about seventeen. I used to think everyone was staring at me because I was wearing glasses, until I realised that with glasses on, I could actually see clearly what people were looking at.

Once you have worn them for a while in front of friends and colleagues, you will find it completely normal, and have the benefit of seeing everything clearly and without strain.

Phil 21 Oct 2008, 01:20

Laura, let us know how it goes. It will be a great feeling when you first put them on. Everything will be so clear.

Laura 21 Oct 2008, 01:07

Hi Phil,

I think I have known for a little while that my sight was not right. I had mentioned it at my mums house and she let me wear hers and I could see the TV better. That made me investigate eyesight a bit and found this sight and so I think I have become quite interested in them now.

I am goin to collect them today in my lunch break.

Hansel 20 Oct 2008, 14:46

Ella

If anyone does notice, I am sure it will be positive and complimentary.

Good luck anyway!

Ella 20 Oct 2008, 13:57

Hansel

Yes, I've worn them in the house, and the TV is lovely and clear! Am planning to 'debut' them at work tomorrow as there's as a presentation which I know will be difficult to see without them- just going to put them on and forget about them I think.

Phil 20 Oct 2008, 09:32

You sound interested in glasses Laura. Were you pleased to find you needed to wear them yourself?

Laura 20 Oct 2008, 09:27

My mum has had glasses for about 20 years and has always had about the same prescription which was upto last year -1.25 both eyes and -0.50 astimatism both eyes. She said it has changed very slightly. Last year she had to get Varifocal glasses.

My mums boyfriend is in his 30's and has quite thick lenses. I have no idea about the strength but might ask him about them. He usually wears them all the time and contacts occassionally.

Phil 20 Oct 2008, 09:07

They sound nice Laura. Quite a co-incidence to find both you and Ella in the same boat at the same time. If I were advising you both I would say "wear them" because they will make you look great: a girl in glasses will inevitably outshine one without! You both have great prescriptions.

But I'm hardly one to give advice. I'm now up to -4 and still don't wear my glasses fulltime. I'm fine at weekends, and on holiday. But I've never had the confidence to wear them fulltime at work. My saying so again here will no doubt cause an outburst of indignation from some people here who don't understand and just think I'm a wuss! But when glasses are a significant thing in someone's life it is not always easy to behave rationally.

Laura 20 Oct 2008, 08:52

I have 2 pairs (for price of 1 - Bargain) of Tommy Hilfiger from Specsavers. I'll try to find a link to them when I get time.

Phil 20 Oct 2008, 05:33

What frames have you chosen Laura? You've the perfect prescription: enough to make you a fulltime girl with glasses but not such as to make life awkward for you. Good luck. Just have fun wearing glasses and sit back and wait for the compliments!

Laura 20 Oct 2008, 04:13

Hi,

The optician said it was up to me but he would suggest wearing full time right away. I am quite excited to be getting them but a bit 'worried' about it too.

Puffin 20 Oct 2008, 03:41

That seems to be quite a bit of astigmatism, I would think you've been advised to wear them full time.

Laura 20 Oct 2008, 02:41

I am 23 and just got told I need glasses. I am collecting them tomorrow.

Great site. I have been rumaging around.

My prescription is

R -0.75 -1.00

L -0.75 -0.75

Hansel 19 Oct 2008, 13:59

Have you tried wearing them around the house, watching TV etc yet? That will give you the feel of the benefit they provide.

Hansel 19 Oct 2008, 13:56

With the numbers you have provided Ella, given the -2.00 and the additional -0.75, you might find wearing them all the time will really help.

Be brave and go for it.

Ella 19 Oct 2008, 13:47

My prescription is -0.75 in my left eye and -2.00 in the right one, there's also another number (-0.25 and -0.75) after both, which if I remember what the optician said, is to do with the curvature of your eye?

He didn't tell me when to wear them, except he said definitely when driving.

Have still not worn them at work yet!

Cactus Jack 19 Oct 2008, 12:09

dave,

It sounds like your eyes are quite good, but you just have a very mild distance vision problem and perhaps reading problem.

I suspect that the primary reason the lenses are thick at the edges are because of the width of the lens and the thickness at the center of the lens for mechanical and safety reasons.

You could probably get very thin lenses if you went to a smaller lens and were prepared to pay for them and accept the risk of breakage and easy damage.

May I ask your age and occupation.

dave 19 Oct 2008, 09:20

i see good with them my frame is size51 my rx is -2 -1 astig and +2 add axis 90 degrees they are poly but thay are quite thick

Cactus Jack 19 Oct 2008, 08:31

Dave,

How well do you see with your glasses?

How wide are you glasses lenses?

What is your complete Rx?

dave 19 Oct 2008, 04:33

also my semirimless glasses are quite thick around 5mm is this because om my astigmitism and its axix at 90 degrees

dave 19 Oct 2008, 04:18

i have -2 myopia and -1.00 astigmitism how bad are my eyes

Dieter 17 Oct 2008, 08:41

Ella,

A lot of us felt the same at first. It is almost comical to read the posts of mature people who resist wearing reading glasses as they reach their 40s or 50s. At one time it is a new experience for every first time glasses wearer. It is especially difficult to walk into a large room of people you know when you feel as though everyone is looking at you.

Let me suggest a couple of ideas:

Try wearing them someplace where you are a complete stranger and no one will particularly take notice such as browsing through a clothing store. Then continue into the hallways of the mall or streets and hit some more stores.

At work, do something like wear them as you walk into or out of the office. Lay them on your desk so they will be seen and become "conversation starters" one on one. Wear them to a presentation where the group is small. Once one or two people take notice, and you have gotten past a few of the remarks about your glasses, you will become more comfortable with the idea of being seen. You will likely be surprised at the pleasant comments and "double takes".

Cut-in UK 16 Oct 2008, 22:51

Ella, remember, you are the same person with your glasses on. What did the optician recommend about wear ? Wear as directed for visual comfort but also to get people used to your wearing them. They soon become part of you and you MAY even find that they become a fashion accessory. Most young women who wear them today, choose bolder styles, and often receive many compliments.Take the plunge and let us know how you get on and more importantly, how YOU feel about them. You obviously need them.

And 16 Oct 2008, 15:59

Ella, what's your prescription ?

sourgrape 16 Oct 2008, 15:15

It's tough at first, but it is well worth it.

Ella 16 Oct 2008, 15:03

Hey,

Just found this website. I'm 24 and just got my first pair of glasses after about 2 years of thinking I might need them and putting off going to the optician!

Feel incredibly self-conscious and not worn them yet, which seems a bit silly because the reason I went to get an eyetest is that I was struggling to see things far away. I had started sitting near the front at presentations and meetings at work, and now I don't have to, but still do out of habit and too scared to just put my new glasses on!

Anyone else feel like me? It seems that I have spent a lot of money and now am wondering if I should not have bothered because cannot pluck up the courage to wear them.

Phil 13 Oct 2008, 01:06

Clare, Don't choose alone! Remember I'm only just up the road and will happily offer a chap's view!

When I was 39 the first signs of presbyopia were there! But you've probably got a few years yet without needing an add. How are you on the share prices in the FT when wearing your glasses? I found it was the little fractions of a penny that became indecipherable first. Try it in dim light!

-5.00 who luvs gwgs 11 Oct 2008, 23:22

this was exactly why I googled and found eyescene in the first place I was reduced from -5.00 and -4.00 to -4.75 and -3.75 which I found to be too weak so I have ordered them at -6.00 and -5.00 and now have the best sight as far as I am concerned the optician thinks I am overprescribed but she does not see through my eyes If I were you have another test and then order online

Adam 11 Oct 2008, 19:59

-3.25 and -3.50

The last time I had my eyes checked, my optometrist gave me a weaker Rx (-3.25/-3.00 from a -3.50). I can make out the 20/20 line with the -3.25, BUT, I can definitely see better with the -3.50, and even -3.75/-4.00. (I can see the 20/15 line better with the stronger Rx's.)

Should I ask my optometrist to just give me the stronger Rx? I mean, they're my eyes. He seems to think my eyesight will improve by giving me a slightly weaker Rx.

ehpc 10 Oct 2008, 21:06

Clare.....................I have been telling you for ages that blondes wearing minus lenses in black rectangular plastic frames with wide sides are the hottest women in the planet.........................but it's never got through :) Sigh........................Pete

Clare 10 Oct 2008, 13:46

Hiya Phil - I must say I'm a bit over the heavy rimmed styles and I've never been convinced they suit me anyway. I was away with a few friends a couple of weekends ago and the discussion turned to glasses styles. Someone there was a bit of a style guru and, along with recommendations for the others, reckoned that the heavy dark styles suit blondes. I'm not so sure so looking for something different. I'm not sure I've seen the frames you're describing, or maybe I'm not with it tonight - it's been a long week!

No add for me yet I think and anyway I'm still to hit the big 40 so expect to stave it off for a while!

Phil 10 Oct 2008, 01:35

Hi Clare, How are you? Haven't heard from you for ages? The heavy plastic look seems still well in. What do you think of those frames where the sides of the lenses are not embedded in the frames? I quite like them.

Any chance you'll need an add next time? Can you read tiny print with your current rx?

Clare 09 Oct 2008, 11:30

Like Lenses - not I've not been buying new glasses. I'm thinking about it for early next year though. Need to check out what the next look will be.

OD 07 Oct 2008, 09:10

Slit, have you started wearing bifocals yet?

JR 07 Oct 2008, 06:07

Sure

O.D. +1.00-2.50x80 add +2.25

O.S. +0.75-2.50x100 add +2.25

Slit 06 Oct 2008, 23:17

JR:

Hey thats a cool one ;-)

Whats is ur Rx may i ask?

Like Lenses 06 Oct 2008, 23:11

Clare

Have not seen you here. Are you out getting new glasses?

JR 06 Oct 2008, 14:17

I just remembered my personal drinking test is, when I can see the "same" with and without my glasses I have had enough to drink!

Slit 06 Oct 2008, 13:39

Apparently i exceeded character limit previous time.

Here comes the second part to GG:

Hi GG,

re: studies. are you studying for masters? i have been at engineering school for 4 yrs and graduated recently.

Slit 06 Oct 2008, 13:37

Hi GG,

well what i assume about the alcohol effect is that alcohol results in relaxing the muscles (because after few drinks i feel all my body muscles are relaxed and kind of less sensitive... a feeling of being feelingless on skin... the best thing about alcohol for me!).

i guess it relaxes eye muscles also which are held up under tension to make eyes focus. (which is the common case for hyperopes like u and me)

anyways, althogh blurry vision is a head ache at times, it becomes a grace for the times we need a relaxation and turn off all the signals from environment and we can get lost in our own world!

Slit 06 Oct 2008, 13:36

test post.

GG 04 Oct 2008, 10:33

Slit,

I had glasses when I was very young but never wore them. I guess I was farsighted back then but I just started wearing glasses/bifocals at 29. I have too found that after a few drinks trying to focus is much harder.

I have even been told by a few friends that I have a lazy eye after a few drinks. (only close friends can tell you something like that) I shared what they said with my eye doctor but he didnt notice anything. SO who knows maybe it is an effect of alchohol, not a real eye problem.

Not that this is a good idea but I have wondered if people would be given a higher prescription if they had an eye exam after a few drinks....just a thought!

FYI wearing my bifocals now and going to study!

Jersey Girl 04 Oct 2008, 10:14

Just had my annual eye exam this week. The doctor was going to prescribe -1.50 in both eyes. I said I am happy wearing my current prescription of -1.75 in both eyes so he rewrote it at that level. I also wear -2.25 glasses sometimes without difficulty.

Slit 03 Oct 2008, 19:25

Hi GG,

Well, it is good that you are feeling comfortable with the contacts, although they do not correct 100%.

Actually accorsing to your postings i had inferred that u wore glasses only for reading for a long time and u got bifocals at 29? Or was this your first ever glasses at 29?

For me personally, I do not wear glasses too often, but recently when i was after 2 glasses of alcholic cocktail i felt that my eye is relaxing and letting go of the focus on near things! (i.e. i had to put an deleberate effort to focus on my mobile phone.) Did you or anyone else had a similar experience?

GG 01 Oct 2008, 12:28

Slit I chickened out and went with contact lenses. They dont have the astigmatism or bifocal part so I actually see better with my glasses but at least I am wearing the contacts all the time. The eye doctor said that even in the short time since I got glasses my eyes are excepting the prescription and he increased my distance prescription from +2.00 to +2.50. I get headaches sometimes at work though which I attribute to not having the reading add although I still use my glasses if I know I am going to study for a long period of time. I saw my mother last weekend but I just wore my contacts so they still havent seen me in glasses yet. I know my prescription is pretty weak but I definitely feel more comfortable with at least my contacts in.

Now that I am more aware of vision I keep noticing how many other people have less than perfect vision. A co-worker of mine, in his early 30s who is farsighted as well lost the screw out of his frames he left to get them fixed he said, but later admitted that he couldnt finish the day at work without his glasses and he couldnt see the screw well enough to fix it himself. I think he is coming to the reality that needs his glasses, they are no longer just helpful, they are a necessity. It actually made me sort of sad for him. He has talked to me about vision/glasses a lot lately, I think it is just nice to be able to talk to someone who understands.

sourgrapes 27 Sep 2008, 11:51

They were saying that it was common, but as you say there are exceptions

Longtime Reader 27 Sep 2008, 10:45

Clementine, do you have sourcing for your comment citing -2 as "generally accepted" requiring full-time wear or is that just your personal opinion?

I have known many people over the years who go without glasses with prescriptions of -3 or more, sometimes even -5, who either didn't wear glasses or wore them very loosely. There are many stories here on Eyescene noting the same thing.

So I would really like to know what you are citing when you say this.

Cleventine 24 Sep 2008, 14:11

It should have been on the dr's recommendation, but it is commonly accepted that -2.00 or greater compells full-time wear.

Don't you get headaches?

nathan 24 Sep 2008, 11:43

Is that really true? Doesn't someone usually tell you that you should wear them all the time? I thought it was on dr's recommendation.

Puffin 23 Sep 2008, 05:35

Erica, as your son is that young he might have enough accomodation in his ciliary muscles to overcome some or just possibly all of the hyperopia he has, but no amount of accomodation will help with the astigmatism, which will cause distortion at all distances.

I'd put the uncorrected vision somewhere around 20/400 or so, purely an informed guess, although it could be more like 20/800.

KS 23 Sep 2008, 01:35

I've got my new glasses with the prescription:

LE:-8.50

RE:-9.25

Strong prescription

ROD 22 Sep 2008, 21:08

Hello Erica,

I've a prescription similar to the one your son's wear.

OD +8.50 : -5.75 x 175° add +2.00

OS +9.25 : - 4.50 x 0° add +2.00

I've very poor eyesight, I cannot see anything without my glasses. Everything is a blur, at any distance, and even with glasses on my nose I can't achieve a complete correction.

In order to have an idea of what your son sees, you may consult the next link:

http://www.vsdar.de/auge/virtualeye.html

Cactus Jack 22 Sep 2008, 18:42

Erica,

It is hard to describe what another person sees. However, with that Rx, distant objects would appear very blurry and very small, near objects would be even more blurry. It would probably be impossible for him to read without his glassses. The next time you take him to his eye care professional, you might ask them to let you try some lenses that are the opposite of his Rx in a trial frame.

Do you wear glasses or contacts? If so, could you provide your Rx.

Erica 22 Sep 2008, 13:13

My five year old son has an Rx for +8.5 in both eyes with a +2.00 for astigmatism and a 90 axis. I wondered what this might mean his vision is without glasses in terms of 20/20. I know it's pretty bad but noone has ever told me what his vision acuity is without glasses. It's corrected to about 20/30 with them.

Erica

Cleventine 21 Sep 2008, 10:42

Nathan,

It is because you have crossed the line into a "full-time-wear" prescription. That happens about -2.00. And the correction for astigmatism makes full-time wear even more appropriate.

nathan 21 Sep 2008, 08:05

I got a new prescription for glasses about 6 months ago. My old glasses were -1.50 & -1.75 the new one went up a bit to -1.75 & -2.50 -0.50 x 135. I'm wearing these more than the others which is strange as they said it wasn't a big change and I've never thought my vision was bad. It surprised me when I went out to the supermarket yesterday and left my glasses in the car because my eyes felt so tired. Why is that? Is it the extra -0.50 x 135 on my prescription.

Slit 19 Sep 2008, 18:15

Hi GG,

Did you manage to find a good supplier of glasses online?

How is the reaction from family about bifocals?

I guess they would be a little curous in the begining, but later it would become just a nother part of you for them. :-) This is what happened for me when I got braces for the first time. Everyone was asking questions about how it feels, isnt it hard to eat with them one and etc... but after 1 week, they started seeing it as a part of me...

And surprisingly, after it was removed sometime later, it again became a top story for them, asking "what happened to them?" :-) but only for another week!

Cactus Jack 19 Sep 2008, 16:02

mysuperduty,

10 mm might be a little to much adjustment. The amount of adjustment is related to the vertex distance from the cornea to where the axis of vision intercepts the back surface of the lens. If you analyze the geometry and trig involved, it appears to increase from about 0.25 mm per diopter to a little more than 0.3 mm. I think it should be closer to 8 mm reduction in PD, but i don't believe 10 would cause much problem. Just make sure that the lens maker doesn't reduce it again. Please let us know how it works out.

mysuperduty 19 Sep 2008, 06:13

HI! I was trying to figure out how to adjust my PD for prisms. I read the conversion chart that was posted, but I wanted to re assure I was close in my calculations. I am normally a pd of 61, but if I want to start wearing prism of 15 each eye(30 diopt. total) I should make the pd closer , lets say a pd of 51? Is this right? THX for the help!!!

Andrew 18 Sep 2008, 12:02

My children have just had their annual visit to the optician's; no glasses required as yet, but I still had good eyesight at their age, so time will yet tell.

Cactus Jack 16 Sep 2008, 17:29

Carlos Jr.,

There is a lot of circumstantial evidence that there is a genetic component to myopia, but I don't think anyone has identified the gene(s) involved. Several years ago there was some research at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore that identified a hormone produced by the retina that affects eyeball growth that could be involved. Generally, myopia is caused by the eyeball having grown a bit too long to match the plus optical power of the cornea / crystaline lens system which then requires an external minus lens to neutralize the excess plus power.

Carlos, Jr. 16 Sep 2008, 15:48

Hi, I know some of you remember me posting about my son. Carlos III, having to get glasses for nearsightedness and then having adjustment problems which meant using bifocals for a period of time. The good news is that Trey is happily seeing through contacts. This past week, my youngest son Joseph, age 12, brought home a note from his teacher suggesting an eye exam. Apparently he was squinting while looking at the blackboard. We had his eyes examined and he was -1.25 in both eyes. Now both my boys are nearsighted. Is nearsightedness inherited--just wondering since I am nearsighted also.

Shelly 15 Sep 2008, 19:17

Hi GG, Yeah, I've ordered from a couple of sites. Some of the sites like myeyeglasses.net are, like, in Hong Kong or China, so no, they're definately not gonna contact your doctor! They don't even ask for your doctor's name! And yeah if you use CJ's calculation for what your full reading prescription is, just enter that, leave the 'add' part blank, and there you have it--your reading/computer glasses. If you don't want the bifocal part in your regular glasses, just use your regular prescription and again leave the add part blank. It's pretty simple actually. (I know because I've helped my mom do this.)

You think you might not like the frames when you try them on? Well you can find the same exact ones or similar ones at a local optical store to try out. I think rimless ones are a pretty safe bet. And some of these sites are cheap enough that they could be spare pairs if nothing else!

I'm glad your seeing well but you should definately feel comfortable w/others seeing you in them! For me it was a gradual process where people first saw me in them at the library or in class. Obviously now I wear them much much more (maybe 80% of the time) and everyone sees me in them. It sounds like your going kind of straight from no glasses at all to needing them quite a bit and feeling better with them on. By now probably your office-mates are used to seeing you in them. Since you bring up meeting a friend at a restaurant, you could do the same with your family or with other friends. When the menus come, you could take out your glasses from your bag and call attention to them and show them off, then put them on.

But the first step is to get a pair you like! If you don't want to order online then just splurge and get a cute pair anyway. If you don't like bifocals get the no-line kind. I bet they would work for you. But if you feel more comfortable with the lined kind--like my mom for example--just wear them and don't worry about it. Anyway get the glasses you like, now! Just do it!

SoCal 15 Sep 2008, 16:37

Hey guys . . .

I just got the new Rx today . . . L -2.25 R -1.75.

4eyes 14 Sep 2008, 13:57

Opsss... 4 eyes from Brasil

heheheh

14 Sep 2008, 13:56

I've trying to talk to you since ages...

I am so happy you're Ok.

E-mail me, if you please

anderson

GG 11 Sep 2008, 13:42

Shelly - Thanks for all the websites, I found a few pairs that I like but you just never know without trying them on. Have you ever ordered from any of the sites yourself?

And do they call your doctor to verify the RX, I just really like the eye doctor I went to and dont want him to get upset that I went elsewhere. Also, my RX is written for bifocals, will they make regular glasses with just the reading RX? Sorry for so many questions, this is all new to me.

I definitely dont feel comfortable in the bifocals. The vision is great but I have yet to get used to people seeing me in bifocals. Just letting people see me in glasses is hard enough. So, I agree with you Shelly that I really need to find a pair that I feel good in and want people to see me in, especially my family. They dont know yet and I'm not sure how I will bring it up. Any suggestions?

Anyway, I am finding that with most things especially close up, I am becoming more reliant on my glasses. Two nights ago I met a friend out and he knows about my glasses but I didnt have them with me and he started playing a vision test game with me to see what I could see. I found that that I couldnt read some things he could. But in my defense it was very dark in the restaurant and the menu was in italics. He was shocked at my vision and couldnt understand why didnt have my glasses on or even with me. But he said that he has one good eye and one bad eye and if he only looked with his bad eye he could pretty much only see what I could see. He said that is both of his eyes were as bad as the bad one he would have to wear glasses almost all the time. He told me his RX was L +.25 and R +1.75 and he is 32. There are so many more people who need glasses than I ever thought!

Shelly 10 Sep 2008, 20:33

GG, I forgot, coastalcontacts.com and framesdirect.com have cute designer frames. Good luck & look good!

Shelly 10 Sep 2008, 19:50

GG, I first got them in college, but their a little stronger now, and I now I have some astigmatisam too. Before, I used to just wear them for heavy reading and studying/office work, and didn't like them at all for distance...Now I wear them much more but take them off when I know I won't be needing them but keep them with me. Kind of a switch in default I guess.

Yeah, now I need them way more for reading and especially small electronic things like my cellphone. And they make distance definately if subtly more comfortable indoors...like when shopping in those dimly lit boutiques! And I always wear them for night driving. When I first started, they made reading better but it was still OK w/out, just maybe a headache if I did it for too long.

Back to you: I would definately invest in the best glasses you are willing to spend, after all you have to see well AND look good! I read what people said about drugstore readers but they are ugly!

It looks like you need two pairs, maybe three if you get sunglasses. If you want to save $$, try one of the online places like globaleyeglasses.com which have a few designer styles or if you like rimless which are both super-cool and elegant, try myeyeglasses.net. They have sweet deals if you get 2 or 3 pairs.

Curt 10 Sep 2008, 10:34

GG: +3.00 is as strong as many OTC reading glassses get. I have occasionally seen +3.25 or +3.5, but they are not very common.

The bifocals that you have are sometimes called D-segments, since the bifocal looks like a capital "D" on its side. Standard sizes are 28 millimeters across; if you want a bigger reading area, 35 mm bifocals are available.

If you think the reading area is too small, you are likely not going to be happy with progressive lenses; the reading area in them is usually smaller (depending on the model, sometimes much smaller) than with a standard bifocal.

Good luck!

GG 09 Sep 2008, 13:35

Shelly - Its reassuring to hear that you have similar experiences when you remove your glasses. How long have you been wearing them? Yourre right, it is kind of disorienting at first when you remove them. Eventually my eyes do feel fine if I am just hanging out relaxing with friends. And I totally agree that I need them while shopping. Have you ever been caught without them and found that you couldnt read something? What about your vision in poor lighting? Thanks for joining in and please do share what you can/cant see. I would love to compare!

Slit- I my bifocals are flat on the top but rounded on the bottom if that makes any sense. I dont have any problems when I look through the bifocal but it isnt a very big viewing area.

C I went to one drugstore yesterday but the highest strength I could find was +2.50 and the frames were not attractive so Im going to keep looking. Seems that+3.00 isnt that weak or it is a very popular prescription!

Slit 09 Sep 2008, 13:35

Hi Shelly,

Thanks. I can get some idea of how it feels.

Actually i have the ability to relax my eyes and let go of the focusing, so that things up to about 3 feet gets blurry and i can bring back focus to normal level.

Shelly 09 Sep 2008, 13:01

Slit it's kind of blurry close up but not a total blur at all. If I really want to try to focus w/o glasses I can but it's a pain. Medium distance kind of blurry as well. Even at distance smaller things aren't totally easy to see. A lot depends on how tired my eyes are, or if I've been wearing my glasses a long time that day.

But I'm here trying to help out GG. If you want to become farsighted maybe you can try getting your own glasses or contacts!

Slit 09 Sep 2008, 12:12

Hi Shelly,

Thanks for the participation.

Well, it is amazing how some people will remove their plus glasses and get adjusted in few moments.

Last week i was in a tour to brazil. at the airport i went to a souvenir shop where there was a girl who was wearing something about +4 and operating a fax machine.

But soon after that she removed them and put them in to the case.

Afterwards she continued to carry out general tasks such as folding some papers in a neat manner, packing some items and preparing things to go home.

I was personally surprised to see how she managed near vision tasks without the glasses. If i was to wear +4, i bet i would not remove the glasses for a single moment until i go to bed, because i am so much reliant and addicted to clear vision all the time.

Shelly, how do you see the things within your arms reach when you remove glasses?

Is it a total blur?

Are you used to the blurry sphere around you and a distinctly clear boundary which everything becomes clear? (when not wearing glasses)

I really love to experience how a hyperope would see the world, so i am so thankful if you can explain it in words for me to visualise.

Shelly 09 Sep 2008, 11:13

Hi GG, I know what you mean about the dashboard being blurry, and how sometimes you can feel kind of disoriented after taking your glasses off. I'm a couple of years older than you, and my glasses are about as strong as yours but without the bifocal part. (Although, my optom warned me that I would probably be getting them at my next eye exam.) She also says that I don't need to wear them all the time.

I wear mine pretty much the whole day at work, b/c I'm gonna need them anyway, but take them off afterwards when going to the gym or relaxing or socializing. When I'm doing things like that, I don't really notice that my glasses are missing, and pretty soon, voila--I feel fine and my eyes have adjusted. There are times when I really feel I need them, like when shopping. And there are other times when I feel I see better without them, like when being outside in broad daylight. But I guess everyone's eyes are different, so wear yours as you see fit!

If you don't like either your frames or the bifocal part you should definately get new glasses that you want to wear, which you want other people to see (instead of taking them off as soon as you see someone you know). Make a statement with them! Good luck, Shelly

Slit 08 Sep 2008, 15:19

Hi GG,

Well, i can understand the fact about your concerns of how others mights see you.

But i think if we are bold ans confident about our selves, the others will also feel challenged to look at the bifocals in bad way.

It is common that lot of peoples need of glasses surface with the advancement of the technology. I was in a conferece last week where there were about 700 delegates and i must say that at least 40% wore at least contact lenses and another 20% with glasses!

Do you have circular bifocal segment or flat top segment?

Cactus Jack 07 Sep 2008, 13:55

GG,

If you want to get some Rx reading glasses with the same Rx as the reading segment of your bifocals the Rx would be:

OD (R) +3.00, -0.50 x 100

OS (L) +3.00, -0.50 x 105

You will need your PD (Pupilary Distance). If it is not on your Rx you can measure it easily with a mm rule and a mirror. Let me know if you need help.

Because you are doing a lot of studying, I think you will find the Rx reading glasses will help reduce fatigue and make studying more productive and efficient because you are expending less energy to focus.

You need to face the fact that what you are experiencing with the blurry vision after extended reading is normal and expected because you are forcing your ciliary muscles to go back to working harder than they were intended to do to see clearly. Your brain actually controls the ciliary muscles and the focus effort is normally triggered by the convergence required to read. When you look at more distant objects (even an instrument panel), less convergence is required and your brain must re-program itself to focus without convergence and it doesn't particularly like it.

Emily 07 Sep 2008, 12:58

GG: I'm only 22, but I wear bifocals. I can see nearby things clearly through the top, but my optometrist said bifocals could slow down the rate at which my eyes are becoming more nearsighted. I resisted at first, but after getting another big increase I gave in. To my delight, the line is virtually invisible. People notice that my lenses are quite thick, but nobody notices the line.

GG 07 Sep 2008, 12:40

Slit - I'm a female and I know it shouldnt matter but I am concerned about how other people will see me...especially with the bifocals. Although, I ran into a male aquaintance at a cafe on Sat. night while I was studying and he said that the bifocal line was barely noticeable and that he liked my frames. He came clean about needing glasses himself especially in poorly lit places and he admited that he couldnt read the majority of the menu without holding out and trying to catch some additional light. I figured that was just as emarassing as wearing bifocals, so it made me feel good.

C- My full RX is L +2.00 -.50x105 R +2.00 -.5x100 Add +1.00. I havent gotten around to looking at OTC reading glasses but seeing as though I have huge test coming up and I will be studying and doing even more close work than I normally do I think I really have to get some reading glasses. I am finding that It is taking longer to focus after I take off my glasses. I removed my glasses to drive home after studying and the dashboard was blurry the whole way home! I know you said it isnt doing harm wearing them and my eyes are relaxing but in those instances when you relize that you cant see like you should it is scary and I hope I dont become totally dependent. Thanks for your help on a reading glasses RX.

I'll keep you all posted on my glasses wearing expeditions!

Bird 07 Sep 2008, 01:31

My most recent prescription:

OD: -3.25 +2.75 90

OS: -3.00 +1.25 90

My first pair (8 years ago):

OD: -2.50 +2.75 90

OS: -3.00 +2.00 90

And 05 Sep 2008, 10:49

Tom, thanks. I would probably ask her if she were wearing glasses as perhaps the topic of vision might come up eg when she was cleaning/adjusting them etc but as she wears lenses I think it's more difficult.

Cactus Jack 05 Sep 2008, 10:26

GG,

The minus cylinder correction subtracts from the sphere plus, but only in the axis of the cylinder. In most instances the sphere correction is to compensate for the length of the eyeball and the cylinder is to correct for uneven curvature of the cornea. Two completely different things. To help you with an Rx for reading glasses, I need your complete Rx. The axis is important.

Until you get some prescription reading glasses, I would suggest using 1/2 the cylinder power. Because the Rx is written with minus cylinder, you would subtract 1/2 of the cylinder power from the sphere. If you can find them, +2.75 OTC readers would be about right. They will help some. If you only have a choice between +2.50 and +3.00, go with the +3.00.

One thing to be aware of is that your basic distance Rx will likely increase a bit as your crystaline lenses relax and the reading add may increase a bit over the next few years. It is very normal.

Slit 05 Sep 2008, 07:50

Hi GG,

Well according to your RX, you seem to have a small astigmatism factor, if it is poted in the regular format.

THerefore, it will be a little tricky if you go for the OTC glasses. But i dont see any harm of trying it out. If it fits ur vision, it fits you!

Re: Vanity factor, it may be a little uneasy at the begining. But if you go for the right frame and progressives you will be very attractive.

May i ask you are a girl or a boy? [coz girls find it more of a vanity factor than guys, still un knowing how many guys admire girls with glasses.]

GG 05 Sep 2008, 05:48

C - Thanks for all the good information. As you offered, could you help with a reading glasses only RX should I decide to order online. But in the meantime if I buy OTC reading glasses do I buy the +3.00 or only +2.50? In other words is the is the astigmatism subtracted from the total? Also on another note - what would someone who is not farsighted see through my glasses? Are they concidered weak or strong? I will keep you all posted as I try to let go of the vanity and enjoy the great vision! Thanks!

Cactus Jack 04 Sep 2008, 15:08

GG,

I forgot to mention. If you lift your glasses up and look through the bottom segment and the computer screen is nice and clear, +3.00 OTC readers are worth a try, but you really need the astigmatism corrected also for reading a lot of fine print comfortably.

Cactus Jack 04 Sep 2008, 15:04

GG,

If vanity is really the issue, you could probably do OK with some contacts for distance and some OTC readers for the computer and reading. If you can handle the vanity thing, another possibility is that you can get some low cost Rx computer and/or reading glasses online, for when you have to do a lot of close work. One thing you need to consider is that some of your problems are being caused by not getting glasses sooner and delaying correction will only make matters worse.

Will you become dependent on wearing correction for comfortable vision? NO! You already are! And have been for a long time. Up to now, your ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses have been working beyond their design limits to provide the required correction. The problem is, that they have been suffering this abuse for years without complaint and they are tired of it They are fatigued and they are complaining. If you stop overworking them they will recover some, but like everything else, not back to their original capability and flexibility. That is why it takes a while to focus after wearing your glasses.

You didn't say what time of engineering you do, but I suspect that any materials or parts you work with don't take kindly to being overstressed. Fortunately, ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses are not known to have catastrophic failures, but they suffer from age and fatigue.

Let me know if I can help you with an Rx for readers or computer glasses.

BTW, the reason your nearsighted friends don't understand about focusing close is that by being nearsighted, they have natural built in reading glasses. Their ciliary muscles and crystaline lenses are fully relaxed and there is nothing they can do about seeing distant object clearly, except with external correction. However, depending on their age and their Rx, they can focus easily on some really close things. It is very useful for threading needles for farsighted people, like you, or fixing mechanical watches. Talent, not needed very often these days.

GG 04 Sep 2008, 13:12

Thank you for your insight.I live in the US. I measured the distance between my eyes and the monitor and it is about 20". Based on my prescription, how often should I wear my glasses. I dont recall what the doctor said besides that they will be helpul for close work. The more that I wear them will I become more dependent?And should that factor into how much I wear them? As it is I already feel that I "need" them at work but also at night when my friends and I go out my eyes are saying wear them but because of the vanity and the fact that I dont want to need them all the time I havent. I will review the hyperopia posts, most of my glasses wearing friends are nearsighted and dont get why I am having difficulty up close but my new friends here on eye scene do. Thanks!

Cactus Jack 04 Sep 2008, 11:10

GG,

Bifocals are not always a good solution for computer use because you have to tilt your head back too much. Could you measure your normal working distance from your eyes to the computer screen?

The +3.00 OTC might be a solution, but the astigmatism correction would be missing. There is another low cost way.

Your focusing problem when you remove your glasses is also normal. You are what is known as a latent hyperope. Until you got the glasses, your eyes had been under constant stress to provide the necessary plus power to focus even distant images and more stress to read. With the glasses, your focusing muscles are relaxing and rebelling a little when you make them go back to work. Convergence is when your eyes turn inward to maintain fusion when your read. There is connection in your brain between focusing close and convergence, however, by going for years without correction for your hyperopia, that connection (programming if you will) has been weakened and your brain is not used to providing the proper signals to your focusing muscles. With those signals, your eyes would have tried to cross when you focused to see distant objects clearly and tried to cross more when you read.

It is possible that in a few days, your brain will re-program itself and some of the issues will go away, but it is also possible that a little presybopia is creeping in and glasses will be the more comfortable solution.

I suggest that you review some of the posts on the hyperopia threads back a few months to read some of our other members experiences with new glasses for hyperopia. It wasn't going to be to long before you would have been joining the rest of us bi and tri-focal wearers anyway and you need to get over the vanity. There may be a few comments, but they and you will get over it in a few days and by then you will like the comfort, reduced fatigue, and efficiency of a little visual help.

May I also ask where you live?

GG 04 Sep 2008, 08:48

I am an engineer and I was finding that reading the small 11"x17" plans were difficult but also the computer screen would give me headaches. I havent quite figured out how to use the bifocals with the computer yet. I feel like I am constantly moving my head around. Do you think it would be beneficial to just buy +3.00 glasses at the drugstore to use at work? Also, is it normal to find that I cant read anything on the page when I first remove my glasses? Eventually I can read some things as long as the print is reasonable and the lighting is good but it take a few minutes. The doctor also said I have convergence insufficiency, is that what has the caused the bifocals at an earlier age? Thanks for your comments.

Guido 04 Sep 2008, 08:24

Depending on how much you use the bifocal segment you may be well served with the lined lenses. I do a lot of close work professionally and I use lined bifocals for that environment. The close segment is larger, and I do not find myself "hunting" for the reading segment. Evenings and weekends I do just fine with the progressives. I go between the two pairs quite easily.

Cactus Jack 04 Sep 2008, 08:22

GG,

It is not unusual for hyperopes to start having trouble with near focusing a little earlier than myopes. May I ask your occupation?

You can order no line bifocals on line pretty inexpensively.

GG 04 Sep 2008, 07:46

Sorry about the previous post, I was having trouble posting. Anyway, my new RX is +2.00 -.5 L/R, add +1.00. Seems a bit early for bifocals since I am onyl 29 but they do really seem to help. I got lined bifocals because I wasnt sure I would really use/need them but now an wishing I didnt get the one with a line, it makes me very self consious.Thanks for listening :)

GG 04 Sep 2008, 07:21

test

Tom 04 Sep 2008, 01:24

First of all, your friend sees as he/she (BTW, is she a man or a woman?) was -5.25 both eyes, the worse image being cancelled by the brain. With that prescription (I have the same in my bad eyes) it is still possible to walk safely, especially in daytime and if you know the way. Only in the darkness you could have some difficult walking due to a step or something like this, but it is unlikely. Object that you may hit are so large (trees, cars, other people) that you easily recognise them. Most difficult is e.g. to find a small object (e.g. your glasses!) because things are really blurred beyond few metres from you. I cannot at all figure out the face of my colleague across the room, but I clearly see there is a desk, a PC, someone behind it.

But at the end, why don't you ask directly tt your friend or (better) have he/she make a trial? My best dream is to see how an uncorrected medium-high myope woman or gilr behaves without glasses. This is why I love bareeyed experiences so much.

DWV 01 Sep 2008, 19:31

It's not that bad; they could walk around just fine. I've simulated various degrees of nearsightedness using plus trial lenses, and it takes a lot more than -10 before things become hopelessly fuzzy.

Puffin 01 Sep 2008, 14:28

Depends on how close things are and how big & distinctive things are. Obviously small things that can't easily be got closer to will be a problem to see/identify.

01 Sep 2008, 13:17

without glasses or contacts she's blind as a bat

And 01 Sep 2008, 10:07

I'm just curious to know if my friend with a -7.5 and -5.25 prescription would be able to manage around the house etc without correction.

Wurm 30 Aug 2008, 20:30

I accidentally deleted the last few days of posts from this thread while I was in the process of cleaning up another thread. I offer my sincere apologies to those who may have been affected by my mistake.

Cactus Jack 27 Aug 2008, 05:35

Curious parent,

You have literally removed the film from Jonathan's eyes and opened the world to him. He is discovering the world and he likes what he sees. Just think of the wonders that await him.

Don't worry about the thickness of the lenses. Think of them as safety glasses so he can't break them easily. By the way, it can't hurt anything if he wears them in the shower. It will be another learning experience that if his glasses get wet, he can't see as well with them, but a quick wipe with the towel will fix it.

Try to make arangement for him to be seen by a Pediatric Opthalmologist as soon as you can. Also, please share his joy and wonder as he discovers the world.

Curious Parent 27 Aug 2008, 04:43

Thank you all for being so helpful, I just got his glasses yesterday and I was shocked to see how strong they look. But I was even more surprise to see how he seemed so happy to be able to see things... on the way home I noticed that he was watching everything and everybody. He didn't take his glasses off and when it was time for shower I took his glasses off and he wanted back and began to cry.

Cactus Jack, my sons name is Jonathan and we are in newark, new jersey.

Michael R. 26 Aug 2008, 17:56

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll just move my monitor closer to me.

Emily 26 Aug 2008, 15:17

To Curious Parent

http://www.medhelp.org/search/expanded?cat=posts&page;=3&query;=%22high+myopia%22

I think you'll find this site useful. 182 Qs and eye doctors' A's to people with high nearsightedness. Many of the Qs invvolve young children, some even younger than your son.

I started getting nearsighted at 10. My glasses still get stronger every year and now I have -14.50. It's not the end of the world. I feel very comfortable wearing them.

Good luck. I hope things work out well for you and him.

JR 26 Aug 2008, 13:30

Curious Parent

My wife has no memory until she got her glasses when she was seven years old. Her first Rx was -6. now in her sixties and -28.

So many kids are missed until school you are really doing the right thing.

Good luck.

Cactus Jack 26 Aug 2008, 13:14

Michael R.

Yes, the glasses are likely too strong for 30 inches working distance and No, I have no relationship with the restaurant in Florida. I'm in Texas

If your computer is located 30 inches from your eyes, you would at most need +1.00 to +1.25 additional making the sphere at most.

OD +3.00, -1.50 x 102

OS +3.00, -0.75 x 74

The higher Rx will work, but you may find that you need to be a little closer - 22 to 24 inches.

Michael R. 26 Aug 2008, 12:31

Cactus Jack: Thank you for your response. I suck at math and don't exactly understand what you mean. The distance from my eyes to the computer is 30 inches. I'm 61 years old. Are these glasses going to be too strong for me?

There is a restaurant in Jupiter Florida that bears your name. Is it your establishment?

Clare 26 Aug 2008, 11:14

Phil - you won't be surprised to know I don't do Facebook!

Cactus Jack 26 Aug 2008, 07:57

Curious Parent,

The the lenses will be a few mm thick for two reasons. Optically, it is necessary for them to be thick to do their job and they must be physically strong to withstand the abuse inflicted by a 3 year old. A bit like safety glasses in an industrial plant, only probably worse. On the other side, because the lenses are small the edges will not be very thick.

I think you will be amazed at his reaction to the glasses as they open the world beyond about 20 cm (8 inches) to him. He will discover leaves on trees, birds, stars in the sky and other things that he has been unable to see. About 90% of the things you learn as a child depend on good vision. Remember, he has no idea that there is anything wrong with his vision and the wonders that await him.

If you would like to get a idea of what his vision is like without glasses, ask the optician or doctor if you could look through some +5 lenses. I imagine they will be happy to let you. You need to experience what he as been living with and the wonders of the world he has been missing. But remember, you know what things are supposed to look like, but he has no idea.

Again, you are to be congratulated for recognizing that he has a problem and seeking help. There are many children with unrecognized and uncorrected vision problems who should have glasses. Some of them will be forever limited in their development by either inattention by their parents or denial that there is a problem. Fortunately, it is not too late for him to develop his full potential. Please keep us aware of how your son is doing and his reaction to being able to see the world.

Yes, his prescription will likely increase some, but when he gets older and his vision stabilizes, you can get him some higher index (thinner) glasses or contact lenses if he wants them.

May I ask your son's name and where you live?

We wish you and your son the very best.

Julian 26 Aug 2008, 06:43

Curious Parent: if there is one thing more likely than another,it is that your son will need stronger glasses as he grows, and especially in his teens. It is normal for myopia to increase during the years of growth. Take note of Cactus Jack's advice and get him to a paediatric ophthamologist who will be the best person to see that his myopia is managed and corrected properly.

Curious Parent 26 Aug 2008, 05:33

Thank you all for your answers, we will be picking his glasses this afternoon, I'm just wondering if his glasses will be thick... I don't know what to do. DO you guys really think that it will go up higher than what it is?

thank you

Cactus Jack 25 Aug 2008, 15:55

Michael R.,

The computer glasses Rx is likely in error.

You said that your new glasses Rx was:

OD +1.75, -1.50 x 102

OS +1.75, -0.75 x 74

with a reading add of +2.25

That means that the absolute power of the reading segment is +4.00.

You didn't mention your age or your preferred reading distance, but if you customarily read at 40 cm (16 inches) you have to accommodate +0.25 for a total of +2.50

The Rx for the computer glasses should have the same amount of sphere value in each eye and the amount of additional plus depends on your typical working distance. You can calculate the correct amount of additional plus by measuring the distance from your eyes to the screen and dividing it into 100 if you are working in cm or 39.37 if you are working in inches. For example, if you measure 50 cm or about 20 inches. When you do the division, you will get about +2.00. Apparently, you can comfortably supply +0.25 so you need only +1.75 more plus added to your distance sphere to be able to use the computer comfortably. The resulting Rx for the computer glasses would be:

OD +3.50, -1.50 x 102

OS +3.50, -0.75 x 74

The Rx is close, if the assumed distance is correct. The best way is to measure the distance and do the math.

Cactus Jack 25 Aug 2008, 12:32

curious parent,

It is a little unusual for a 3 year old to be this nearsighted, but his prescription is what it is and it is important for his visual development for him to see as well as possible. I would strongly urge you to take him to a Pediatric Opthalmologist, they are very knowledgeable about young children's visual problems. You should not get expensive frames. He will quickly outgrow them and will probably break them before that. CR-39 is an excellent low cost optical material for his glasses, do not waste money on high index lenses. The correct prescription is what is improtant.

Please do not concern yourself with appearances or what others may think about the fact that he needs glasses. If they know anything about vision, they will congratulate you on recognizing his problem and doing something about it.

Vision actually occurs in the brain and the eyes are simply biological cameras. All he has right now is a focusing problem. Proper development of his vision is one of the most important things in his young life because it will affect him throughout his life. Be very thankful that you recognized his vision problem early. He is at an age where brain development is occurring rapidly and good vision is vital. There is a visual condition called amblyopia which can occur in young children where vision does not develop properly in one eye. If that is not corrected by about age 6 to 8, the brain can decide to ignore any images from that eye and effectively turn it off and we do not know how to cause the brain to turn it back on even if the visual problem is corrected.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

Hansel 25 Aug 2008, 12:02

Curious parent,

As a first prescription this is high. I reached that sort of figure when I was about 11.

Full time wear is required, and it is likely that it will go higher in the years to come.

As a spec lovers website you have landed on the right place- there are still too many parents with hang ups about what constitutes a healthy child. For this, what parents usually mean is flawless.

My own daughter developed diabetes when she was three, she has glasses which benefit her close work. She is still the apple of the eye, and although I am sure that all that you wnat for your child is the best, simply because his eyes need corrective lenses does not make him less of a pride and joy.

OK so he needs strong glasses, but ultimately that is all.

sourgrapes 25 Aug 2008, 11:59

My reason for suggesting bifocals for reading is that one theory is that myopia progresses because of constant accommodation (using more focusing power) and convergence (reading close). When you read, you do both of these.

If you really want to learn more about what you can do to prevent his progression, I suggest this book (free, online):

http://www.myopia-manual.de/

It explains various theories of why we think myopia progresses and what you can do to slow it down. You can only do so much, though, since part of this is genetic.

sourgrapes 25 Aug 2008, 11:53

Generally speaking, it's somewhat but not that high. Actually, over -6 is considered high, so this is moderate. However, he will need to wear them all the time.

However, for a three year old, this is very high. Others may know better, but from what I've read, he will probably become much more nearsighted when he gets older. If you want to slow this as much as possible, I suggest he either doesn't use them for close work or get glasses with a plus add (bifocals).

The CR-39 regular cheap plastic lenses will provide the best vision quality and aren't that thick for his prescription.

Disclaimer: I'm not an eye care professional. :)

Curious parent 25 Aug 2008, 11:37

I just found this website and maybe someone here might be able to answer a couple questions. I just took my 3 year old son to the eye doctor since we noticed that he was having a lot of trouble seeing things and seemed to only want to play with what was close to his eyes and at the end I had to order him eyeglasses with the prescription below:

OD -475 -050 X090

OS -500 -125 X010

My questions is is this a high prescription? The doctor said it was very high and I'm just comfused and very upset that my baby's eye might be so bad. I order a cheap pair of glasses for him so they can do it right away but if he really needs glasses I want to order proper glasses. Which material should the lenses be?? any thoughts? Please help.

Michael R. 25 Aug 2008, 11:34

I just got a new prescription:

R +1.75 -1.50 axis 102

L +1.75 -.75 axis 74 with a +2.25 add.

I also got a new prescription for computer glasses.

R +3.50 -1.50 102

L +3.25 -.75 74

What would happen if I wore the computer glasses all the time? Would I come dependent on them? What would I see up close and in the distance if anything? What I don't understand is if the add is +2.25 and the distance is +1.75, why is the middle distance +3.50. Seems kind of high to me. I ordered the glasses recently and haven't got them yet. I'm over 50 years old.

GoldenMan 24 Aug 2008, 09:34

Hi There,

Dear Cactus Jack,

Continue of our discussion moves to Inducing Myopia thread.

Regards,

sourgrapes 24 Aug 2008, 08:40

Do as CJ says, and be as aggressive as possible. :)

Cactus Jack 24 Aug 2008, 08:18

GoldenMan,

You need to wear the glasses every hour you are awake. You need to read and use the computer as much as possible with them if you can tolerate it. Expect headaches and discomfort at first. If you can get Base Out prism in the glasses, it may help you tolerate the increased minus. Try for 10 diopters of Base Out Prism in each eye. If you have any control reduce the PD (pupilary distance) of the glasses by about 5 mm. Caution, all this could cause your eyes to cross some and see double without your glasses. (This may not be a bad thing in your situation). If you get to where the glasses are comfortable, increase the minus a little to keep the pressure on.

Good luck and remember, all these things may not work for you. There are no guarantees. It depends very much on your genetics.

If you can, let me know what you do and the effects.

By the way, this should probably be under the Inducing Myopia thread.

GoldenMan 23 Aug 2008, 23:17

Dear Cactus Jack,

Thank you for your reply.

I am sorry for delay because I was away from PC for about two days.

I am in situation that toleration is not an important thing, I need effects and results. However tolerating a higher level of RX may affect on my life on some parts. But it is worth trying action. If I can not bear it, so I will change it and use a new glasses with new RX.

About another possibility you have mentioned, I would like to say that I have never used such glasses, I have been always in trouble viewing far objects. Any way I guess I can get any glasses with any RX.

Also please guide me what do I do when I got my new glasses with new RX. Is reading books "for 6 hours a day" and "as much as close to book" enough?

Thank you

Cactus Jack 22 Aug 2008, 08:10

GoldenMan,

I suspected something like that.

I know that you would like to do as much as possible, but I really don't think you will be able to tolerate the -4.00 increase initally. I only gave that as an example of how to push your Rx. I suspect about the most you can initally tolerate is -2.00 or -3.00 over.

If they dilate your eyes, to relax your accommodation, it is unlikely that you will have enough time to have much real effect and it will be obvious what you are attempting. Which may or may not have consquences. There is another possibility, have you ever had any problems with double vision? Could you get some glasses with prism correction?

Galileo 22 Aug 2008, 06:26

Like Lenses - I think this has a lot to do with high index materials. Strong prescriptions no longer look so strong with high index. I had a girlfriend who was -8.5 but with small frames and very high index her glasses had virtually no edge thickness even though they had plano fronts.

GoldenMan 21 Aug 2008, 23:24

Thank you dear Cactus Jack,

Your information is great, I will try to get a glasses with that RX. Situation I am in to get in worse eyesight is that in Iran every male person must serve for Government for two years in Army mostly (There are exceptions people). But something made that hard for me is not that I have to lose my two years for government for free and too far away from town and family and bearing insults. It is because I have some genetics problems leads in difficulties in moving and doing stuffs. (sorry, but I did not found English word to describe it) How much I tried to cure it was failed. It is suffering me too much but the reason of it is not known for doctors now. Anyway government doctors that do tests before this mandatory serving do not care about my genetics problems. But having RX more than 10 may lead in getting release from mandatory serving. Unfortunately they (gov docs) use a liquid to decrease real RX while testing by retinoscope. Currently I cannot get many rights without having a card shows I have served the gov. About glasses, I can say I can get it easily, even without "Official" Rx from an Optometrist, but the other problem is that pre-made lens limit to 7 diopters ( I am not sure, but I guess) and getting higher level is a bit expensive. (about $30 for lens only)

You have helped me so much, Cactus Jack.

(I will be away for next two days, but surely check this forum later)

Thank you

like lenses 21 Aug 2008, 20:26

I have noticed lately that a lot of people are wearing minus lenses with front surfaces that are flat, or nearly so. Most of the prescriptions do not look very strong, and they look like new glasses

Is this a new lense style? I always thought the prescription had to be about minus 9 before the front was flat.

Cactus Jack 21 Aug 2008, 14:15

GoldenMan,

I will try to help as much as I can.

You need to increase the sphere in each lens by the same amount. For example, if you wanted to increase by -4.00 (which I think may be too much to tolerate and still be able to read) your Rx would be:

OD -7.50, -0.75 x 172

OS -8.00

You can estimate how much accommodation you have by measuring the closest you can read fine print in cm with your present glasses and then divide that distance into 100 cm. The result is the amount of accommodation you have. For example, if the distance you can read fine print with your glasses is 20 cm, that would mean that you have +5.00 diopters of accommodation. If you increased your Rx by -5.00, you would not be able to read or use the computer without bifocals or trifocals. You might be able to stetch your acommodation range a little by wearing some Base Out prism in your glasses, but that may be hard to get glasses made with prism. And it is possible that by wearing the stronger glasses, that your accommodation will increase some.

Watching TV won't help because you will not be focusing very close. You might be able to push your accommodation by reading as much as you can as close as you can with your glasses. Unfortunately, having much effect in 3 months is going to be a problem. You could simulate increased myopia by wearing plus contact lenses, but even soft contact lenses would be obvious if you were examined by an Eye Care Professional. Essentially what you are doing is training your eyes to be more nearsighted. Hopefully, you can induce a fair amount of pseudomyopia that will show up in a not-dilated exam.

I am not familiar with the problems you face getting glasses or contacts in Iran. Can you get glasses made without an "Official" Rx from an Eye Care Professional? Can your order glasses online?

GoldenMan 21 Aug 2008, 12:07

Thank you for reply, dear Cactus Jack.

So, I will order a glasses with the following RX :

-OD -7.5 -0.75x172

-OS -7.5

How is your idea?

Also I need to know, is watching TV in dark room (very close to TV) maybe effective?

May you please describe how long does it take approximately? Cause I need to get in within next three months!

Please suggest me other possible ways,

Thanks

Cactus Jack 21 Aug 2008, 11:24

GoldenMan,

You MAY be able to induce some additional myopia by constantly wearing as much over correction as you can tolerate and doing as much close work as you can. The limit to how much you can tolerate will be how much additional you can handle and still focus to read and use the computer. Unfortunately, it takes time.

You can over correct by wearing sphere only -1.00, -2.00, or -3.00 contacts under your glasses. Or by getting glasses with increased minus sphere as above. Keep the cylinder the same as in these glasses. You will have to be agressive. Your next exam will take some planning.

GoldenMan 21 Aug 2008, 10:51

Hello People,

I am very glad that I have found this website after searching the web about one month. I have read old posts on this thread and I need your

assistance, I need to get my eyesight worse. My current RX (tested about two months ago) was -3.5, -4.00. But i need to get each eye over

-5.50, please guide me, I have answered below questions.

1. What is your age?

- I am 24, born in June 1984.

2. What is your complete Rx? In the format:

-OD -3.5 -0.75x172

-OS -4.00

3. (country)? - IRAN.

4. Occupation? -computer programmer.

5. last eye exam? -Two months ago.

Please guide me.

Regards,

Aubrac 21 Aug 2008, 03:38

Suzanne

I've worn AcuVue 2 weekly diposables for quite some time. They have a high water content and I find them comfortable to wear.

You adjust to them very quickly and there is no discernable difference or blur between the normal and add section. The add part is around the whole lens, so it does not matter how you put them in. Only thing is, when driving for example if you look up at signs or something, you can look through the add part and have to look straight ahead for best distance vision.

The only problem for you might be the anount of add. I believe all bi-focals only go to +2.50 (I'm at +2.00 so have just a little to go). You might find them ok now but could need readers as well if you go to +3.00 add or more.

Hope this helps.

Suzanne 20 Aug 2008, 14:41

Hi All. I now wear glasses (-3 with +2.5) and have done so for a number of years. Before it was necessary to assist with close up work, I often wore contacts, much to my husbands annoyance. I'm now think of returning to contacts and a friend suggested bi-focal or progresssive contacts. How successful are they and will they avoid the use of readers? Thanks for any info.

Phil 20 Aug 2008, 04:45

Thanks Clare. Is there anywhere we can talk less publicly (and avoid boring everyone else)? Are you on Facebook? You are determined to avoid wearing those specs, aren't you?

Clare 20 Aug 2008, 04:19

Phil - hope it's all going better for you now. I haven't noticed any problem with the extra cyl, which only takes me to -0.50 (hence my question to Cactus earlier today). I switched a while ago to silicone hydrogel lenses because I was having problems tolerating the disposables. I didn't know but the advantage of these, which are aspheric, is that they apparently correct small amounts of astigmatism. I think they're great and they're very comfortable, hence the 14 days stint.

It's not that I dislike the FCUKs at all.

Phil 20 Aug 2008, 02:57

I'm ok though I've had a tough time recently. It would be good to "chat" but my computer here won't let me go on "Eyescene". If you'd like to text that would be great: I'm on 07783062869. Does the extra cylinder make wearing contacts more tricky? Fcuk specs invariably look good: you should wear them more often!

Clare 20 Aug 2008, 02:34

Yes Phil, long time indeed. I've just had the test and no real change, just an extra -0.25 of cyl. So no change to the frames - a pair of FCUK that I got about 18 months ago. As you know I mostly wear them at home - and I've just been very naughty and worn CLs every day for 14 days (it's so difficult when you're out all week and at the weekend too).

How are you?

Phil 20 Aug 2008, 02:14

Hi Clare-long time no chat! Is it about time for your annual eyetest? What frames are you wearing nowadays?

Clare 20 Aug 2008, 00:01

sourgrapes - there are always exceptions! Mine continued between my mid-20s and mid-30s (progressing about -1.50 in total so not huge). My optician couldn't really understand why. I didn't even wear contacts then. I've levelled off now at -2.75 and -3.

Cactus Jack 19 Aug 2008, 18:17

And,

If you find a display rack with readers, try on a pair of +3.50 and then put another +3.50 over them and you will be pretty close. Or two +3.25s if those are the strongest available.

And 19 Aug 2008, 17:17

Curious - I have a friend who wears disposable contacts with prescriptions of -7.5 & -5.25. I know she wears fulltime and carries spare lenses and glasses. Just wondered what her unaided visiob would be like ?

sourgrapes 19 Aug 2008, 14:42

Wurm may want to move this recent conversation to Induced Myopia..

sourgrapes 19 Aug 2008, 14:39

Well, a lot of that stuff has to do with children, and I think most people agree it's easier to make children myopic

sourgrapes 19 Aug 2008, 14:35

http://www.iovs.org/cgi/content/full/43/7/2110 - contact lens wearers progress myopia in their 20s

http://www.coopereyecare.com/myopia.htm (section "is there proof this happens") - has a nice summary - microscopists are more myopic; college students tend to be more myopic after they've graduated; eskimo becoming myopic after mandated education...

But unfortunately, genetics plays a part, too.. I think I must have some genetics on my side, since I did get up to around -6.

And maybe even diet plays a role (from the Myopia Manual, in the section on Blood sugar and Insulin Metabolism):

For example it is explained that in pacific islands where people kept to the original diet of fish, yam and coconut no increase in myopia was observed, in spite of long schooling hours of the children. In contrast, a myopia rate of over 18% was reported for Hong Kong fishermen, who had never attended school . The rate was even higher for those with

schooling.

I guess I'm truly an OO

sourgrapes 19 Aug 2008, 14:06

I guess that study was done on "teens" according to the title. I don't have a copy of the article...

sourgrapes 19 Aug 2008, 13:59

I think it typically levels off once you stop growing (?), but not always. In my teens I went through a few pairs of glasses because my prescription kept changing every 6 months to a year, but later it leveled off and I wore the same pair of glasses for a few years (although, there was some change when I went for the next eye exam after that, but it took a lot longer than it was taking before).

But I know some people keep getting myopic in their 20s, and I've read articles saying that it tends to be more common for college students and such...

I quite liked the conclusion of the article summary I linked a few days ago: "Axial elongation at near fixation, mainly due to an increase in vitreous length, may result from the effect of accommodative convergence rather than accommodation itself. Much use of convergence, not accommodation, may be one of the contributing factors in _adult_ onset and _adult_ progression of myopia." (emphasis mine :))

Anyway, since my myopia was relatively stable, if I do induce myopia, we'll know it was because this worked, not because I was already getting myopic.

sum1wholovesgirlswithglasses 19 Aug 2008, 13:28

sourgrapes

you did absolutley the right choice not to reveal your rx its certainly no secret that eyescene gets loads of visits by opticians ophtamologists...

speaking of inducing myopia in your 20s im sure its possible ive been reading in many forums lately where people have written why they got shortsighted for the first time even though theyve passed the age of 25 or 30 how comes their eyes have developed some myopia an age where it aint suppose to happen its been said that your myopia levels of once you stop growing hmm

sourgrapes 19 Aug 2008, 04:13

one thing nice about CL is that i can order a 6 month supply at a time, and then increase the power for the other order is i choose, as long as my accommodation supports it

sourgrapes 19 Aug 2008, 03:53

one thing i've noticed over the last year is that the amount of bluriness in the distance when my eyes relax is less now than it was in the beginning...

sourgrapes 19 Aug 2008, 03:49

i think there is definitely still some psuedomyopia.

this morning, as with all other mornings, i notice that if i don't consciously focus on far away things -- ie. if i let my eyes purposely relax -- things in the distance do get blurry quickly. if i was given an exam when i woke up, i'm sure that my rx would have been lower.

i'm still going to continue inducing myopia, however, i'll be wearing contact lenses to do it, since i don't want people to notice the increase in strength. actually, i find contact lenses pretty convenient. i'll have some stronger contact lenses, say between -10 or -11 (which equates to stronger glasses because of vertex distance) and keep my -9 "current rx" glasses (which i'm not convinced would be my true rx if lingering over accommodation was taken away).

it will be easier to test if i've induced myopia passed the -9 in the next year, since i'll have to put on the -9 glasses when i wake up, before i put on the stronger contact lenses

specs4ever 19 Aug 2008, 03:12

In a 13 to 18 year old, I am positive that myopia can be induced. Once you are over 18, it becomes a little harder, and could be pseudomyopia. I was amazed to read about the 16 year old girl who went from likely -0.50 up to -2.75D in only 5 weeks, because it has been my experience that if you are inducing, you will not induce the full amount, but will only go up about -1D in 2 or 3 months, and then you have to keep up the pressure by increasing the glasses strength.

sourgrapes 18 Aug 2008, 18:29

Oh yes.. I was hesitant to post in case my optometrist reads ES! Sorry. I want to share, but I'm a paranoid right now.

I'll just say I've induced the full -3. Yes, inducing myopia appears to work, at least in my case. But I have no idea if it's axial myopia or if some of it is pseudomyopia, which it probably is. Sorry to be light on details.

sum1wholovesgirlswithglasses 18 Aug 2008, 15:33

@sourgrapes

how was your day at the optician?

todays eye test must be really exciting^^

sourgrapes 16 Aug 2008, 14:17

i'm going for an eye exam monday, i've been inducing myopia for a year. i'll let you know how it turns out.

benn 16 Aug 2008, 14:00

Too bad we didn't have eye scene 45 years ago. I might have gotten my wish.

When I do GOC I do not use an add and have been doing it for about 4 years but I not noticed any change. Sometimes the print is very small. I read all the time.

sourgrapes 16 Aug 2008, 12:26

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10325546

sourgrapes 16 Aug 2008, 12:14

doesn't having an add defeat the purpose of having extra minus? i've read that some people think myopia is induced not just by extra accommodation, but by "accommodative convergence":

A Turkish study found that accommodative convergence, rather than accommodation, may be a factor in the onset and progression of myopia in adults.[60]

Bayramlar H, Cekic O, Hepsen IF. "Does convergence, not accommodation, cause axial-length elongation at near? A biometric study in teens." Ophthalmic Res. 1999;31(4):304-8. PMID 10325546

so i think that accommodating extra while doing nearwork may help induce myopia more than just accommodating some for far away stuff but then using an add to help you do nearwork

benn 16 Aug 2008, 12:02

yes. Real was right-1.0-2.5 left plano-2.50 and an add of between +1.5 - +2.5.

No my Rx never really changed.

I might not have needed the add when I was young except for the additional -2.5.

sourgrapes 16 Aug 2008, 11:36

since you were 21? did your rx ever increase? what was your real rx?

benn 16 Aug 2008, 11:33

sure, at least -2.5 stronger than I needed. Up to about 4 years ago I was able do it but with age I gave up. Now I do GOC.

I am now 66.

sourgrapes 16 Aug 2008, 10:37

It's hard to believe someone would go from 20/40 to 20/300 in 5 weeks, even if it was teenage myopia and inducing myopia working together. But I suppose it's possible. One strange bit is that, at least here, 20/40 vision is suitable to pass the driver's test. Maybe she was slightly worse than that

sourgrapes 16 Aug 2008, 10:32

benn, can you describe your experience trying to induce myopia

benn 16 Aug 2008, 09:06

If that could happen I would be very near sighted. I have tried for 45 years to induce myopia.

She was just ready to have teenage myopia and progressed quickly.

Like lenses 15 Aug 2008, 22:21

My neighbors 16 year old niece failed the eye test for her drivers licence.

She went for an eye exam, and was told that she was slightly nearsighted. The doctor said that he would slightly under prescribe, and wrote a prescription for -.25 each eye.He told her to wear the glasses full time for at least two weeks prior to taking the drivers test a second time.And after that would only need them for driving.

When she picked up the glasses at the optical store, and first put them on, she thought everything looked smaller, and commented this to the optician. He said that this is normal. She wore them as the doctor had instructed for five weeks before taking the drivers test.

In that five week period, she at first found the glasses a bit hard to get used to, and called the doctor, who said to continue to wear them full time, and she would get used to them. After the second week of wearing, she could not see very well without them.

She passed the drivers test, and then tried to only use the glasses for driving, but could not see well without the glasses.

She called the doctor, and he said for her to come into the office for a check.

He discovered that the optician had made the glasses -2.5, instead of -.25.

When he tested her vision he found that she now required - 2.75 for full time wear.

Her parents thought that the first glasses looked strong, but neither one of them wear glasses,so really didn't know.

They are sueing the opticion, as the doctor said that she is quite nearsighted from wearing the glasses.

When he first prescribed the - .25 glasses her vision was 20/40, and now it is 20/300.

JJwGlaSSeS 12 Aug 2008, 10:08

Hi everyone!!! i`m so glad to find a place with perople enjoy to wear glasses, my rx -3,75 -3,50 120º left, -4,25 -0,75 75º right, i like to share stories about glasses...

Aubrac 12 Aug 2008, 06:27

Marjan

I had new frames for the prescription (which I didn't really like) and so went back to wearing my old glasses and had another test in six months time, which showed guess what, an increase in prescription.

Sight testing is not an exact science as it relies on the day on someone interpreting as best they can, what they see. I'm sure you could go to two eye docs, one after the other, and not get exactly the same prescription especially where astigmatism is involved.

Would suggets you go to another eye doc and get a second opinion, be interested in hearing the result.

Phil 12 Aug 2008, 02:38

Katy, I dare you to get the "drastic" ones. They really would turn heads!

Marjan 11 Aug 2008, 22:37

Katy and Aubrac thanks for your replies. The new prescription would take my new glasses to -2.50 and -2.25 (my old one was -0.50 higher). I really don't feel that my eyes have got better, in fact the opposite for one! I wondered if anyone had ever asked an eye doctor not to give them a new prescription but to keep the old one rather than the new one on file. This seems quite a big drop to me.

Aubrac - what happened with you, did you go back and explain that the old prescription was better?

There are some fantastic new frames around and I'd love to get some.

Katy 11 Aug 2008, 09:49

Dieter, oh my God I would love to be the girl in that story!

Ok, I have been told (twice) - I'll have to get them now :-)

Phil 11 Aug 2008, 08:51

Wow Katy. I agree. You must just get them. Being a bit conservative I'd go for the first pair; but you'd look stunning in the second. The "arms" are amazing. Thinking of how you'd look in them just makes me want to buy them both for you!

Dieter 11 Aug 2008, 08:07

Katy, this is a friendly reminder. You are responsible for your actions. You must return the glasses very soon unless you desire consequences that are permanent. Please follow your heart and chose what you feel is best for you. The decision is yours to make.

It's only money. Buy 'em! (lol)

Katy 11 Aug 2008, 07:37

These are pretty amazing too, a bit drastic for me though! http://www.framesdirect.com/framesfp/Vera_Wang-lclcqb/r.html They all remind me of that new story by Dieter where the girls keep finding glasses with amazing frames :-)

Katy 11 Aug 2008, 07:32

Hi Phil, I haven't decided what to do yet, but I won't be using the latest rx, that's for sure! A great new optician has just opened near me and they have some amazing frames, lots by Vera Wang who I hadn't heard of before, but she does some really unusual ones. I love these, but in the red: http://www.coolframes.com/?fid=10873 They are a bit pricey though!

VFL - any updates? :-)

Aubrac 11 Aug 2008, 02:51

Marjan

It depends on what your prescription is. For a low rx of say -1.50, -0.50 is a big drop but for anything above -3.00 it is minimal.

From personal experience, I was once prescribed a drop and got new lenses but was most disappointed as I couldn't see as well with them, and wnet back to usoing my old glasses.

What is you rx by the way and how long since you had your last eye exam.

Phil 11 Aug 2008, 02:25

Hi Katy, how are you? So what have you done as a result of getting a lower rx? Knowing you I bet it has encouraged you to go for a some stronger lenses! What frames are you wearing nowadays?

Katy 10 Aug 2008, 01:55

If you get the glasses from the place you had your eyes tested, you'll have to use the prescription they gave you. If your old prescription isn't too old (2 years I think), then you can use that one somewhere else. Or, take your old glasses to another optician and ask them to copy the prescription into a new pair. Or easier: order some from the internet and use any prescription you want! :-)

Marjan 09 Aug 2008, 23:49

When your eye dr tells you your prescription has actually improved do you have to get your new glaases with the new one? Apparently mine has improved by -0.50 but I don't want to reduce it because I see fine with the existing pair. I would like some new glasses but not if I have to reduce the prescription. Has anyone else been in this situation? Thanks!

Jeremy 08 Aug 2008, 08:29

Kelly

Hi. I got daily disposable contacts that are great. I have trouble putting them in because they often flip inside out on my finger, but no problem getting it out. Nice thing about daily is that if my eyes are tired or dry and I want them out I can remove and toss. Biggest problem with them is that I have no close vision if I wear the contacts so I really need readers to focus close. Maybe I will try monovision.

Kelly 08 Aug 2008, 07:41

Jeremy, I'm like you, I got glasses at the beginning of the year. When I first got them taking them on and off/ comparing with and without them was a novelty. Driving is so much better as I can read everything signs, heck I can even see what is on sale in the stores. Us women love that. LOL.

I also got contacts that I very rarely wear but by accident I put my glasses on over the top of them a couple weeks ago. For some reason the vision seemed worse than without glasses or contacts. In other words with both I could not make things out, but without glasses or contacts I can still see. Weird I guess.

Did you have any difficulty getting the contacts in or out?

I hated the first few times. Things did get easier though. I got a couple of pointers from people on here.

Jeremy 07 Aug 2008, 16:15

Turns out the Dr was right. Got the glasses. Close is bright and crisp..I think right on. The distance became a bit clearer..not much difference until I wore them to drive last night. I realized that I could see the street signs and store signs etc, but couldn't read them until I was much closer. Maybe I never noticed because I usually know where I am going so don't need to read the signs!

I also got contact lenses for my distance, and learned how to put them in. I experimented today, wearing only one. Having corrected vision in the one eye showed a stark difference in clarity that I never noticed before. Maybe I have been slightly myopic since my teens?

Aubrac 07 Aug 2008, 01:03

Jeremy

As Cactus Jack said, myopis usually (there are always exceptions!)starts in childhood or teens and devops until again usually 35/40 and then stabilises.

We have a friend, a keen theatre goer, who always used opera glasses to watch all stage performances, and would squint at the TV screen. At age 28 she went for an eyetest and came away with a scrip of -1.75, this had obviously developed over a perio of years but she had become used to dealing with not being able to see clearly - she didn't drive by the way.

Your add +2 is only a small increase on your reader scrip ie actually +.50 and + .25 when added to your distance prescription.

If you are wearing glasses for reading, you may as well get bifocals to use for driving as well, especially at night.

Cactus Jack 06 Aug 2008, 17:40

Jeremy,

You likely didn't "become nearsighted" very recently. Some one who is a little nearsighted can think they see OK because they have nothing to compare it to. Being a little nearsighted is like wearing low powered reading glasses all the time. In your case +0.75 and +0.50. When you wore the +1.00 readers it was the same as a person with 20/20 vision wearing +1.75 and +1.50. You can probably get by doing as you have in the past, but I think you will find the bifocals will made it much easier to read signs etc. when you drive. Particularly at night.

Jeremy 06 Aug 2008, 16:15

I am 48, using Walgreens readers for the last 3 years or so and decided to bite the bullet and go for a proper exam for the first time in my life. The readers are +1.00, and seemed to be doing the trick for me..no problems. I came out with a prescription Left -.75 Right -.50 and add +2.00. She said I should get bifocals and wear them all the time, especially for driving at night. Is it unusual to become nearsighted after 40? Does this prescription make sense? I thought I could see OK before I went in, but have to admit the lenses I tried were a bit better.

Cactus Jack 05 Aug 2008, 18:43

Guest,

If prescribed trifocals "computer glasses", I would guess that the reading add would be about +2.00 with the intermediate segment about half that or +1.00. It would be helpful if you could measure the typical viewing distance to the computer screen and his preferred reading distance.

If the examiner is reluctant to prescribe bifocals or trifocals, find another examiner.

guest 05 Aug 2008, 15:26

Hey thanks Cactus for the info.I hope that he would be able to get them.We would get the regular lined ones I guess.His rx is around -7.50 with -.75 for astignatism.Wonder what kind of add power the doctor would start him with?

VFL 05 Aug 2008, 15:13

I am doing it tomorrow!

Before you know it, I am gonna have his glasses in my hands and we're gonna have a talk about them. My lenses are going to be the thing that brings it all about.

You should have seen the look on his face when I had my glasses on the other day. I truly believe be's a "closet" oo.... Life is good...

VFL

Katy 04 Aug 2008, 12:25

VFL - lucky you! There are loads of guys I've known where I would have loved to find out their rx. That reminds me of the day when I first met my boyfriend - we were talking for 5 hours and he didn't seem to even touch his glasses, which I thought was unusual. He didn't take them off in front of me either until he found out I was an OO! Sometimes it is almost like the glasses are part of the person.

Good idea with the contacts, he's more likely to open up if you start off talking about yours. Keep us posted! :-)

VFL 03 Aug 2008, 10:50

Katy, I found this out some months ago because he left the prescription out on top of some health insurance paperwork from the opthalmologist on his desk. I couldn't help but sneak a peak.

He's not mine and never will be but it's fun to enjoy the pleasure of his company and the view through those sweet lenses.

Prescriptions never meant anything to me until I started visiting this site. This man never, ever seems to take his glasses off. He even sort of lifts them up a bit when he rubs his eyes and lets them drop back on his nose. I would love to see him go without for longer than the time it takes to change into sunnies.

He saw me in my glasses for the first time a few weeks ago and he got this look on his face. Sort of a Mona Lisa type grin and cocked his head a bit. Maybe he's a closet oo. I'm considering faking a little contact trouble and slipping one out in front of him, excusing myself and when I come back ask apologize and ask casually if he's ever used contacts.

antonio 03 Aug 2008, 07:19

Philippa,

probably your brain tries to force your worse eye to see an image nearly as sharp as it gets from your better eye. That would result in a lot of squinting for instance for your worse eye and that could cause the ache you feel for instance.

-1,5 is a weak prescription, you might need your glasses only for reading far signs and boards there,

but -2,5 or so is something where an eye starts to last for glasses in many situations I think, I guess you would wear your glasses for shopping, if both your eyes were like your worse one is, wouldnÂ´t you ? Just try by closing the better one, once. So in case your worse eyes is aching anywhere, best is to put your glasses on, but if you didnÂ´t take them with you you could close your weaker eye for a while in order to give it a rest, that could bring a little help, too, I hope. What do you think ?

best regards, antonio

Buck 02 Aug 2008, 17:48

You might have him try some over-the-counter readers over his regular glasses. If he sees much better he can demo to the doc.

Cactus Jack 02 Aug 2008, 16:15

guest,

It is not uncommon for university students to have problems (headaches and eye fatigue) with the tremendous volume of reading and computer use required. It would not be unreasonable to go back to the examiner and tell him that he is having some problems and would like to try trifocals. To reinforce the request, he might say that a friend with a similar Rx got some trifocals it has really helped.

If he gets an Rx for trifocals, choose some frames that have enough vertical room for both the reading and intermediate segments. Do not consider progressives.

guest 02 Aug 2008, 15:44

hey VLF,He keeps his rx in his wallet and I was with him at his last eye exam.He had astignatism added to his rx for the first time too.He has the cr 39 lenses.Just need to figure out how to get him into bifocals.

Katy 02 Aug 2008, 15:31

VFL - he sounds gorgeous. How did you get to find out his rx? :-)

guest 02 Aug 2008, 13:01

I have never posted here before and am wanting to figure out how to get my boyfriend into bifocals or even trifocals if possible.He says he would like to get them.He has a strong rx like around -7.50 and also some minor astig -.075.His near vision isnt bad but with the strong minus rx,he does wish better for studying,computer etc. that he could see near things alittle better for longer periods of time.What could we tell the eye doc to get them?Hes 22 yrs old.Any ideas?

02 Aug 2008, 07:25

Kelly,

could be your eyes need a small increase if you could see better through lenses and glasses than to lenses alone

but probably the increase would be less than the power of your glasses,

for that you shouldnÂ´t wear them both for longer times,

best regards,

antonio

VFL 02 Aug 2008, 06:15

My latest crush has that prescription with -.50 cylinder in each eye to boot.

The power rings are hypnotic even with smallish, squarish frames and probably the lightest, thinnest lenses available.

He has the most beautiful, greenish brown eyes. When he switches over to sunnies he places the case in his lap and bends over, making the switch so quickly it would make your head swim. He doesn't even look up. Except maybe the time I asked him a question about something and he gave me the foggiest myopic look. Love that unfocused gaze. I don't think that boy could tell me from his own mother from more than a foot or two away.

If he only knew what that did to me. But I'm telling you all.

Am I correct in guessing that's about all he sees?

sourgrapes 01 Aug 2008, 09:47

I'd think most people would wear a -5.5 all the time ... it's not a trivial prescription. "high myopia" starts at -6

01 Aug 2008, 09:37

hi everyone id like to know

Is an rx of -5,5 considered to be on the "strong" side?

or is it considered a low wear it sometimes prescription

And 30 Jul 2008, 15:02

Kelly, Phillipa. Neither of you have very strong prescriptions but do either have any contributions for the 'going without glasses' thread, perhaps like how you realised you needed glasses.

Kelly 29 Jul 2008, 14:33

My glasses are minus 1.25 each eye. Last wekend I wore my contacts for the first time in ages. For some strange reason or maybe habit before I left to go out for the evening I grabbed my glasses and put them on without realising I had contacts in. The vision was in my opinion was awful. I did a quick look around before I removed them. How can you go around with minus 2.75 and no glasses? Without glasses on my vision did not seem the same as the vision with both. Is this normal?

eyespy 29 Jul 2008, 14:23

Philippa

-2.75 isn't exactly a strong prescription but it's probably strong enough to cause some distortion compared to your better eye. Not sure why you'd get an aching eye by not wearing your glasses but its obvious that if wearing them helps it go away then that's the solution. Do you have an issue with wearing glasses?

Puffin 29 Jul 2008, 14:05

Phillipa, do you have any astigmatism? that might explain the aches.

Philippa 29 Jul 2008, 11:53

Sorry, guess I didn't explain myself very well. Are these symptoms usual? I'm not so blind I can't see to walk down the road but it surprises me that it's recently become so noticeable if I don't wear my glasses.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

dan 28 Jul 2008, 07:35

Julian,

I guess you're right...I guess it was just mostly an idea, I probably wasn't going to go through with it. Just wanted to see what other people thought. I'm gonna stick with the glasses (I'm sure most people on here will be glad to hear it haha)

Julian 28 Jul 2008, 01:58

Dan: I can't help wondering why you would go to the trouble and expense of getting contacts with such a low prescription. If you don't want to wear your glasses, wouldn't you cope pretty well bareyed on *most* occasions?

dan 27 Jul 2008, 21:51

brownyn,

sorry i didnt see your post from a while ago...what's your prescription?

Guest 27 Jul 2008, 13:23

is eye strain synonymous with myopia? I guess that's her problem

mitch 27 Jul 2008, 12:32

@ phillippa

so what shall we help you with ? that's being myopic ;-)

27 Jul 2008, 12:01

http://www.fresnelprism.com/3MPOP.html

Philippa 27 Jul 2008, 11:49

Hi, I wonder if anyone here can help.

I have a new eye prescription of -1.75 and -2.75. For general things in the

house, even walking down the street I dont see too badly. If I need to see

well like at the cinema or driving I always wear my glasses. Now though its

like my worst eye gets strained without glasses.

I went into town today for some shopping, no glasses, and after a while my

eye felt really tired, I probably need them for shopping as I cant see the

signs but I cant understand why my eye actually hurts (dull ache). With

glasses its fine. My eyes are healthy so no other problems.

Jane 1 26 Jul 2008, 23:06

Were can you get stick on prisms from

dan 26 Jul 2008, 17:09

Thanks JC. I should have mentioned, that prescription listed was my glasses prescription. I know that glasses and contacts don't always have the same prescription. Would my contacts prescription be the same, or would it decrease to a point where it would be too little to actually make into a prescription?

Thanks.

JC 26 Jul 2008, 08:21

Dan -

As as your left eye my doctor told me that the general practice is to not correct astigmatism with soft contacts if the cylinder is below .75D; I just looked at a number of brands of toric lenses and none had a cylinder of .50D. I have the same amount of astigmatism in one eye and was prescribed the spherical equivalent. For you that would be -.25D in the left eye.

Pretty much every brand of lens seems to offer the -.50D your right eye requires and many go all the way down to -.25D.

dan 25 Jul 2008, 20:15

I know most everyone on here loves glasses but I was wondering the following:

I've had glasses for about 2 years and still have a fairly mild prescription and was thinking about getting contacts. But I wasn't sure if you can get contacts filled with such a low prescription and slight astigmatism. Anyone know from experience? Below is my prescription:

OD -.50

OS plano -.50 90

Cactus Jack 23 Jul 2008, 19:46

4eyes,

Check your email

Cactus Jack 23 Jul 2008, 18:42

4eyes.

YM Me.

4eyes 23 Jul 2008, 18:24

Hi.. you guys.

Here is Anderson, still in L.A. sniff.

I am too shy to say I got new prescription glasses, with a little bit increase RX as doctors put it but I can see amazingly well. In fact, they give me the sharpest vision I can remember, but after few days using those new glasses I am starting to get real sick in my stomach. Like nausea, sickness like I am lost as if I can not walk straight. I am having dizzyness with them on. Now, I can not ride a bike because I am too clumsy; its like I have no sense of equilibrium if I do make sense at all. Thats the way I am feeling with those new glasses.

As I do not like them at all, I asked those Doctors at UCLA Children Hospital if I could have back my old glasses. Now, we still dont know what to do, me and my daddy.

Any idea, please? I Need some tip.

Thanks a lot.

Sorry about my English.

Kinnley 18 Jul 2008, 17:37

Thank you for the posts. The weird thing is that she doesn't always squint to see the TV, just seems to be when I happen to look over at her but the way our living room is set up, she wouldn't be able to see me "watching" her. Her last eye exam was almost a year ago so I think she plans on going soon but I doubt she will need that much of an increase. She has been in college for 6 years and her eyes have been the same prescription the entire time.

Andrew 18 Jul 2008, 11:06

The other thing that a number of us have found is that our Rxs have risen more rapidly when we were students as a result of the increased studying, and it may be that is why your room-mate is now struggling.

Aubrac 18 Jul 2008, 03:51

Kinnley

Your friend may need an eye exam. In late teens/early twenties prescriptions can change quickly. She may have been slightly under-scripted with her present lenses and an increase of say -0.75 could then make vision difficult.

She might also have an increased degree of astigmatism. Although a low minus, astigmatism can cause great vision prblems especially with words, numbers, etc.

Why not suggest she has an eye exam?

Kinnley 18 Jul 2008, 01:54

My roommate has a RX of -1.00 for both eyes, no additional problems. She acts like she is completely blind without her glasses. I am 23 years old and have been surfing this website since I was in 5th grade so I know a lot about glasses and how everything works. What bothers me the most is when we are watching TV, she squints so hard that her eyes are practically shut which I know is not necessary. Any idea why she would be doing this?

Cactus Jack 17 Jul 2008, 17:50

Stingray,

It is possible that you are having some problems that prism correction could help.

Small amounts of prism are almost impossible for others to see in low plus lenses unless they know exactly what to look for. Larger amounts of Base Out prism will cause an increase in edge thickness at the outside edges. Base In prism will increase the thickness of the inside edge.

The best thing to do is get an eye exam to determine if some prism would be helpful.

Can you tell if your eyes are trying to turn inward or outward?

Thom 17 Jul 2008, 14:42

My girlfriend wore the fixed sunglasses with prescription lenses for the first time today.

We went to the mall, I drove and she sat on the passenger's side seat. Then she put sunglasses on and took them almost immediately off and then back on again. She repeated that three times after in a short period of time which she asked me if I had put prescription lenses in the frame. I thought I had been caught but I just replies that of course not. I also said that if they feel strange it might be because the lenses are brown in color and gradient with darker top and light bottom.

I guess she was satisfied with my answer since she kept them on all the time we were outdoors which made me happy. But I'm wondering weather she brings up the subject in coming days.

And I'm still thinking weather I should change the prescription to -0,25 on both sides?

4eyes 17 Jul 2008, 13:54

Hi, Stingray

Anybody can tell you that you are wearing prisms as they are somewhat thick and they show very thin lines across your lenses if they are the "stick on" ones as those of me are. Also, they seem to pull your eyes from the center close to your nose, that is if they are positioned externally. That is the cosmetic appearance of prism lenses. Now I am using prisms since I was twelve, I think and they made feel really great and rested? for lack of a better term. Maybe you should ask your doctor about them, because youll become very depended of them, at least that is what I heard about

Also, I am trying new glasses I got from The Department of Ophthalmology, The Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Division, "phew" and I went to E3 2008 L.A Convention Center yesterday and they feel amazing great and good.

Stingray 17 Jul 2008, 12:04

Cactus Jack: I think I am be having difficulty with double vision. I am about your age. When I relax my eyes, the image is doubled. If I strain, then the images converge. I wear glasses with a script of around +1.50 in each eye and a cylinder correction of (R)-1.50 and (L) -1.75. My add is +2.50. Regarding prism lenses, can someone tell you are wearing them? Are they as noticeable as say bifocals or myodisc lenses? In other words, what is the cosmetic appearance of prism lenses? Do you think they could be beneficial to me? Many thanks.

Cactus Jack 16 Jul 2008, 13:44

Anne,

The big difference in the Rx means that the image size on the retina is considerably different for each eye. It is likely that your brain has compensated by only using one image at a time depending on what you are doing. You might consider discussing wearing a contact lens on one eye with your eye car professional to balance your Rx and bring the image sizes closer for better stereo vision. In effect, GOC for one eye. A secondary benefit would be that both eyes would appear about the same size.

And 16 Jul 2008, 07:27

Anne, what is your vision like without glasses, either with both eyes open or one eye closed ?

anne 15 Jul 2008, 23:06

It was suggested that i post my prescription in here for people to see. I have been told its odd because i am shortsighted in one eye and longsighed in the other. My current RX is R-5.25 L+2.75.I am 20 and have worn glasses since i was 13. Before that i could always manage to read the blackboard at school, by closing my right eye and using the left. This worked fine until the teacher caught me doing it and made me tell her why. When i said i cannot see the board with my right eye, she said ok. But she had the school write to my mother and i had to have an eye exam. Which i failed and was told i would have to wear glasses. I found them a big help so took to wearing them without much hassle. Now 6 years later, i cannot do without them, the only down side, is my plus eye looks bigger than the minus one due to the different lenses. And my shortsighted eye is still getting worse each exam i have but the longsighted eye has been stable since i was 15. Hope some people may find this interesting, and will anwer any questions if need be, Thanks

4eyes 15 Jul 2008, 11:53

Dear Cactus Jack here is 4eyes,

I suspect my next glasses will be higher if I can get them made I believe my prism lenses are actually up to 17 degree DP and about 25 DP on Fresnell prisms and Fresnell are the only resources I know that produces such high prims, so if you cant get opticians to provide higher prisms than 15DP thats the only way to go got to go now

Please, pray my eyes keep the same way.

Anderson, playing at UCLA University in LA.

Cactus Jack 15 Jul 2008, 11:09

Demon,

The cylinder and axis correct for a small amount of astigmatism.

Cactus Jack 15 Jul 2008, 11:06

Rapidprism,

The ideal location for the optical center of a lens is coincident with the central axis of vision. That is why PD for distance is measured with each eye looking straight ahead and if bifocals are involved the PD is listed as two numbers because the eyes converge inward when reading and the bifocal segments are moved inward slighly.

If prism correction is involved, the central axis of vision for each eye are not parallel and the optical center (sweet spot) for the lens should coincide with the axis of vision for each eye for the best vision. The importance of accuracy increases as the lens power increases. The formulas are known as Prentice's Rule and they can be complex involving the curvature of the front surface and rear surface of the lens, the index of refraction, and the amout of prism involved.

There are two basic kinds of eyes trying to cross. Esophoria, where the eyes try to turn inward, but you can overcome it with effort. The other is Esotropia where the eyes are crossed and you can't do anything about it. I have esophoria. If I concentrate, I can keep images fused without prism help, but if I relax or close my eyes for a few seconds, my eyes will turn inward and I will see double. To get the images fused again, I have to look at something close and work my way out. If the images get close enough, I can fuse them and they will stay fused until I relax again. When I get very tired, I can't keep them fused and my eyes are crossed. With my glasses, my eyes are slightly crossed, but most people don't notice. Occasionally someone will comment on the edge thickness. My attitude is that it is their problem, I wear the glasses for my benefit, not theirs. My problem occurs if I don't wear them.

4eyes 15 Jul 2008, 10:22

Hi rapidprism,

I think I can say that, I am sure your eyes are already crossing behind the prism lenses also, I believe people already notice that for your dismay. I believe I wear 17 DP as lenses only and 25 DP as Fresnell prism and their job is to avoid me turning my head too much and avoiding having no back pain, Ive been said.

Sorry the rush...

Demon 15 Jul 2008, 09:50

Hey, I posted a few times a while back and then vanished (I did continue to lurk). Anyway, I just got an update on my glasses prescription. Here it is...

O.D. spherical(-4.00) cylindrical(-0.25) axis(090)

O.S. spherical(-3.75) cylindrical(-0.25) axis(075)

Question; I understand sphere but what do the cylinder and axis numbers represent?

lazysiow 15 Jul 2008, 04:54

Don't give her the sphere. Sphere is not the same as cylinder and she will notice. Her astigmatism is just about identical to my older rx, its low enough that it should fit into just about any frame. If its the correct prescription though, she'll notice pretty quickly that things aren't ghosted anymore but with the sphere either things will be crisper or she'll notice that things are blurrier

rapidprism 15 Jul 2008, 04:26

@cactus jack

you write that "the PD MUST be adjusted inward to avoid distortion".

how is this done? is there a special formula to do the required math? i'm just curious..i'm sure my optician knows that. but i'm sure it might come in handy to know the formula and just drop the line...

another question: with 15/15 pdpt are your eyes already crossed behind your glasses? thanks for your answers.

regards

rapidprism

Gino 14 Jul 2008, 15:26

Thom, yes, I think she will notice the new glasses are no planos. Even with a very mild prescription she should experience better vision with her sunglasses on. Let us know!

Thom 14 Jul 2008, 09:18

My girlfriend is a mild myope with a prescription for glasses of 0 cyl -0,50 and 0 cyl -0,75. So actually she suffers from astigmatism. Her vision with both eyes is 20/20 but because of the astigmatism in her both eyes she was prescribed glasses.

She is afraid of becoming dependant on glasses so she almost never wears them. I have insisted her wearing glasses at least when driving at night - which she nowadays does.

Recently she dropped her plano sun glasses on a dirt road and the lenses got scrathed pretty badly. Because the pair was her favorite she wanted them to be fixed. Since I had a coming trip to China I volunteered to fix them.(you can make up your prescription and lenses cost $10 a pair)

I made optician to put -0,25 and -0,50 sphere lenses into the frame. Since the frame design is moderately curved it would have been challenging to put astigmatism lenses in and I thought she might then get some eye strain. I haven't given the sun glasses back to her yet and so far she is unaware about the power.

My question is that should I have put sp -0,25 power to both lenses? Will she recognize that lenses actually have power?

Cactus Jack 14 Jul 2008, 07:05

Quicksilver,

15 BO in each eye, 30 total. I suspect my next glasses will be higher if I can get them made.

Quicksilver 14 Jul 2008, 06:58

Are you meaning 15 BO each eye or 15BO divided by both?

I have had scripts written in the two different ways.

Cactus Jack 13 Jul 2008, 20:53

rapidprism,

Been there, done that, had one surgery, back to wearing prisms again. Right now I'm wearing 15/15 BO but having problems. Fortunately, my basic Rx is low after cataract surgery. The biggest problem I have had is finding opticians (glasses makers in the US) who know how to make and fit high prism glasses. It is a lost art. The PD MUST be adjusted inward to avoid distortion.

May I ask your complete Rx.

If you want to discuss privately, cactusjack1928@hotmail.com

Roy 13 Jul 2008, 06:22

I am 61 years old and have had prisms in my lenses since the age of about 15. I started with a total of 4 base out and it increased to a total of 17 before stabilising at around the age of 25. Noone ever suggested surgery for me. I have no problems with the prisms. I remember one occasion when I changed opticians (probably in my thirties) and the new optician suggested I try without the prisms but it was hopeless and he had to re-make the glasses with the prisms included. The rest of my prescription is:- right eye -4.50 with -1 cylinder and left eye -6.50 with -0.5 cylinder. Add is 3.00. Because of the significant difference in the myopia between the two eyes I am prescribed a higher prism in the right eye than the left to equalise the lens thicknesses (currently prescribed as 10 base out in the right eye and 7 in the left).

I had quite a bit of trouble finding an optician who could do the prescripion with varifocal lenses, but when I did find one the varifocals they produced were perfect. Has anyone else had trouble getting varifocals combined with prisms? Also has anyone managed to buy them online?

rapidprism 13 Jul 2008, 04:22

yeah, that's the way it usually goes...happened to me too. first got prescribed base out prisms (3 in each lens), about four months later i was already prescribed 7 prisms in each lens, 14 in total and last week my optician told me that i would require 31 prisms or think about surgery...still trying to figure out what to do...i don't really like the thought of an eye-surgery...but 31 prisms in glasses make them look very strange (and they are gonna be heavy as hell and thick as coke-bottles...). i think big increases usually happen to people with base out prisms...

rapidprism 13 Jul 2008, 04:22

quicksilver 12 Jul 2008, 21:34

Has anyone had experience with a rapid increase in their prism correction?

Mine just doubled in my last exam!

quicksilver 12 Jul 2008, 21:34

Has anyone had experience with a rapid increase in their prism correction?

Mine just doubled in my last exam!

Jersey Girl 08 Jul 2008, 18:16

Beth,

The same thing happened to me last year. I tried on my boyfriend's mother's glasses which were in the car and WOW, the intensity of vision and clarity was amazing. I went for an eye exam and was prescribrd -1.00 and -.75 like you but found that the vision was similar to no glasses at all. So I borrowed my boy friend's mother's glasses and had her prescription, -1.75 both eyes, put in my glasses. I have been wearing this prescription almost full time since and love the intensity of vision. Like you say the colors are just brighter with excellant contrast. She gave me some of her old glasses which she could not see with as she is in her mid forties which are -2.25 and I see great with them as well. If you like your glasses try your friends -1.25 prescription which you may wind up liking even more.

Kelly 08 Jul 2008, 06:32

Hi Beth, I have the same prescription as your friend. I got them about 6 months ago after noticing difficulty driving at night.After taking off my glasses that I wear almost all day vision is blurry. For this reason I keep them on. I know it is not necassary unless I drive but prefer to wear them anyway.Looking at photos from last year "seeing" myself without glasses looks funny now.Enjoy your new look and clearer sight.

Beth 08 Jul 2008, 05:59

I am -1.00L and-0.75R. It is the colors and brightness that is most amazing!

eyespy 07 Jul 2008, 22:12

Beth

Welcome. That is an entirely normal experience for anyone with glasses that aren't too strong - it all seems blurrier when you take them off but you get used to it again soon. Do you know what your prescription for your new glasses is?

Beth 07 Jul 2008, 21:25

I am new to the world of wearing glasses. My girlfriend failed her driver's test, and needed an eye exam. I have never had one, but never had a problem with my eyes, and have passed my dmv exams, but went with her because she was nervous. As expected she is nearsighted, and was told she needs to wear glasses for driving. Both eyes are -1.25. The trial lenses she had at the exam were so great for her she joked I should try them, and as a joke I did. I was surprised to find they made distance vision sharper for me, so agreed to an exam for myself. After looking through all the lenses and doing the A/B and 1/2 business I was told my near vision is fine, but I too should wear glasses for distance. I got them today. While I thought my vision was really OK without glasses, these do make things (mostly letters/street signs) clearer, but the most striking difference is that I find colors brighter. Is that a normal effect of glasses? It seems to me that whites are actually whiter and blacks much blacker and crisper with the glasses. I also find that if I don't put them on I see OK, but once I do put them on I miss the sharpness. Wore them all day Sunday, and when I took them off Sunday night my distance vision was noticeably blurry. Sound right for a newbie with glasses? I have nothing to compare this to. Thanks.

Jill 07 Jul 2008, 17:55

I found this site around 4 years ago, when I got prisms in my glasses for the 1st time and was happy to see the site still alive and active. I've actually been having fun reading all the posts over the last hour or so. I'm currently 33 years old and have been wearing glasses since I was 14, went to contacts at 18 but since I got prisms in my glasses at 29 have been wearing glasses full time for the last 3 1/2 years or so. I got 1D base in of prims in the Fall of 2004.. Tried switching between glasses and contacts for a few months but couldn't take the strain without the glasses.. I stayed with my first pair I got for a little over a year, I was stupid when I first got them not thinking I was going to need them all the time and my prescription was thick since I was cheap and got regular lenses, my prescription at the time was -475, -450 I think.. Around the holidays of 2005, I went back to the eye doctor, who increased the prism to -2D in each eye, I went up to -500 and -475.. I was smart this time, got thin lenses and the Anti-reflective stuff.. Man what a difference, I couldn't believe how much thinner my glasses looked compared to my previous pair.. I wore those for about 2 years, beat them up pretty good and last fall got my current pair, had another small increase and they bumped the prims up to -2.5 base in, in each eye, these are -5.25 and -5.00, still have the thin lenses and AR on the glasses and have pretty much adapted to glasses all the time over the last 3 1/2 years.. Now without them, everything is a blurry smerred view of double images.. I haven't even tried going back to contacts in 3 years, I just can't deal with not having the prism correction. I thought when I was first prescribed the prism I'd still be able to wear contacts, but within 6 months of wearing them, I couldn't stand my contacts for more than a few minutes.. It was nice catching up on the site.. I'll have to check back here more often and not wait another 4 years to post.

Carroll 07 Jul 2008, 12:57

Hi, I am a 19YO recent HS grad from a school for vision & hearing imparements. I have had low vision & other situations all my life (cerebral palsy) due to complications with prematurity.

My presc. is +11.50 =4.25 x090 add +5.00. My left eye sees only light & dark and is permanently crossed. Right eye is 20/150.

E-mail for off-line questions is carroll.cormierii at live.com

Andrew 04 Jul 2008, 10:44

That makes more sense - thank you.

aviator -oo- 03 Jul 2008, 17:22

Aubrac: thanks for your post. Unfortunately I never saw my friend's glasses, so I don't know what kind of lenses she had in them. I'll just have to contrive a situation where she has to drive me somewhere.

Cactus Jack 03 Jul 2008, 10:57

Andrew,

I was refering more to axis than to cylinder power because it is necessary for the patient to judge relative degrees of blurriness when the examiner is trying to bracket the angle. At low cylinder powers it takes skill and practice because the difference isn't very much over a broader range of angles. At the higher powers it is more obvious and therefore easier to get the axis right.

Cylinder power is easier to get right because it is similar to deciding between powers of sphere correction. It is much esier to judge degrees of clarity than degrees of blurriness.

Also, I suspect a person who requires higher powers of correction has more experience in performing his role in the exam than a person with a very low Rx undergoing his first or second exam.

Andrew 03 Jul 2008, 09:20

A question for you, CJ...

You have mentioned a number of times that it is difficult to refract low cylinder corrections accurately. Why is this more difficult than deciding whether the cylinder should be +/- 3.00, rather than +/- 3.25 or more?

Aubrac 03 Jul 2008, 02:52

Aviator -oo-

Did your friend have different glasses for reading and driving, or did she mean she wore the smae pair for doing both?

In her forties she may well be a latent hyperope who needs plus lenses for close and distance. My wife is nearly 40 and needs +1.75 to read text messages on her phone and read signs in the distance.

It is possible that your friend was always slightly myopic, say -1.00 or has astigmatism, that would blur far and near vision, but did not realise it until she had difficulty reading close up.

It is unusual to develop myopia in your forties although I did know someone who at 29 suddenly needed a -1.50 scrip.

Bronwyn 02 Jul 2008, 11:19

Dan, Go for it! I wear my wonderfully weak glasses more than I need to. It would be fun to chat with you.

eyespy 01 Jul 2008, 06:20

Aviator

They're probably not for myopia but hyperopia and presbyopia. I've read people post on this site who get a first RX for glasses that includes near and distance with a + prescription.

You need to take a look to find out for sure!

aviator -oo- 01 Jul 2008, 00:58

I recently met up with a female friend, age early 40s, who I hadn't seen for a few years. She was straining to read the menu and mentioned that her eyes were getting worse. She explained that she now had glasses for driving and reading, although she did not get either of these out to show us. Is it common for people to develop presbyopia and myopia at around the same time? Someone mentioned that she ought to get bi-focals, but she said she was resisting that.

strange hyperope 30 Jun 2008, 20:52

My prescription:

OD +1.25 -0.50 150

OS +1.75 -1.00 025

I am seeking advice on how to best use vision correction. I'm mildly farsighted with a bit of astigmatism, and almost 40. One eye is blurrier than the other, but working together I see rather well. My accommodation is unusually good for my age and I can read very well without correction. They help a bit more for laptop distance work actually. On the other hand, after doing close work for some time I'm more prone to feeling eye pain or headache. But strangely it is after and not so much during the close work that the sting comes. (This is why I often don't begin to wear the glasses in the first place--because the benefit is subtle.) Also, some mornings I wake up feeling slight eye pain staying through the day, others not. I have experimented with fulltime wear, but distant things, particularly in darker places like parking garages, aren't as clear with the glasses on. In bright light outdoors distant objects are about as clear or sharper without glasses! I was wondering if I should try contact lenses perhaps, because they would stay on and I could derive greater benefit from fulltime correction with less eye pain, but I am reluctant because sometimes my eyes seem to see better without any correction! I am also worried that my vision will deteriorate if I wear them too much. In a way it would be easier if my vision is blurry without glasses and when I wear them, voila, instant gratification!

Cactus Jack 30 Jun 2008, 18:19

MrsS.

There is too much confusion here to make a decision. May I ask what happened to the the official copy. It would not be appropriate to go back to the examiner and complain about the Rx until you had the glasses made. It would not be unreasonable to go back to the examining doctor and request another copy and this time, make a couple of photocopies of the Rx so that you have an official one for your records. The Rx is your property and an important medical record. You really need to get a good copy of the Rx before you try to order online or from anyone.

Even though it will result in additional expense, I would suggest going to another examiner and be sure you get a copy of the Rx.

A good eye exam depends on the skill of the examiner AND the patient. Low cylinder is extremely hard to refract accurately because the patient has to judge equal levels of blurriness rather than how clear something is. I try to concentrate on the letter "O" if it is in the displayed line it seems easier to judge blurriness with it rather than a letter with straignt lines.

MrsS 30 Jun 2008, 14:11

Thank you for your reply Cactus Jack. Something is definitely awry with this, and I feel that before we have his glasses made up that another exam is in order. Or should we just have them made and then if/when he discovers he needs more correction then he can go back to the doctor and have her change his prescription. I would say that maybe we should go with his first prescription but unfortunately he doesn't have an official copy of it; I just have one that I wrote down when we were out looking for glasses one night. I know that I could try to order from an online place but worry that with the confusion such as it is now, this may be a bad idea? Thank you.

dan 28 Jun 2008, 18:56

bronwyn,

really? maybe i'll actually have to wear them more then...i usually dont haha

Bronwyn 28 Jun 2008, 16:16

Dan, That is a GREAT prescription! You know... Girls do make passes at guys with weak glasses!!

dan 27 Jun 2008, 22:02

Thanks Cactus

Cactus Jack 27 Jun 2008, 08:56

Dan,

It is the same Rx. The old Rx is written in + cylinder format and the new one is in - cylinder format.

dan 27 Jun 2008, 07:52

just got back from the eye doctor and can't figure out how much different this prescription is from my other one...

NEW:

OD -.50

OS plano -.50 90

OLD:

OD -.50

OS -.50 +.50 180

To me, my new one almost looks weaker than my old one. Or is it such a small difference that is doesn't really matter? Thanks.

Cactus Jack 26 Jun 2008, 20:14

MrsS,

Converting between + and - cylinder is easy. Algebraically add the cylinder value to the sphere value; change the sign on the cylinder; and add or subtract 90 degrees to/from the axis so the value is between 0 and 197. your husband's mew Distance Rx in - cylinder format is:

OD -0.25, -0.50 x 75

OS -0.5

Either format results in identical glasses because lens makers convert + cylinder format to - cylinder format and make the lenses.

The Rx is very low, but based on what you have said, it is in error and not what your husband needs. If you had had the Rx filled you might go back to the examiner and complain that the glasses do not seem to solve his problems. Most reputable Eye Care Professional will do a re-exam and most glasses makers will re-make the glasses at no charge. If that doesn't satisfy, I would suggest another exam by a different examiner.

MrsS 26 Jun 2008, 14:50

Thank you Cactus Jack for your reply; it appears to me then that the prescription is LESS now than it was before? I still do not understand completely how to read it, as my cylinder is in - so I cannot compare mine to his in that manner. He was not dilated for the exam. I wonder how if he seems to be having more issues now that the prescription is weaker than before. Also, is .25 even much of a correction at all? He bought some reading glasses at the store with a prescription either 1.75 or 2.00 ( I do not know which he ended up getting) and uses them in the woodshop and to read and seems to like that. He cannot see distance with them however. A .25 correction isn't going to satisfy him I don't think. His entire prescription does not seem at all strong, unless I don't know better?

Cactus Jack 26 Jun 2008, 06:35

MrsS,

To assist in comparison, your husband's old Rx written in the format of the new Rx would be:

Near Vision; OD+.75,+.25 x155

OS +1.00

Distant Vision; -.5,+.25 x 155

OS -0.25

The new Rx is:

Near Vision; OD +.25, +.5 x165

OS +.5

Distant Vision OD -.75, +.5, x165

OS -.5

The slight change in the cylinder is of little consequence. Low cylinder is very hard to refract accurately because the patient must make some comparisons that are very difficult unless the patient knows what to look for.

The sphere is of more concern.

Another exam by a different examiner might be useful. Were your husband's eyes dilated for the exam? If not, it might be worthwhile to do that and a retinal exam while dilated might be useful to exclude the possibility of problems in that area.

MrsS 25 Jun 2008, 14:40

My husband, who just turned 44, was starting to have problems, as expected, reading small print. More of a problem, he said, was that he was having problems with road sign, signs at games, and things like that. His prescription from about 11 months ago is as follows, and to me seemed quite minimal; OD -.50, +.25, x155; OS -.25 add 1.25. Being the procrastinator such that he is, he put off getting the glasses but has done nothing but complain since then about not being able to see well. Lately he's been saying that his ability to read AND see in the distance is worse than before, so we talked and he decided to get another exam before getting glasses, certainly expecting a stronger prescription as he definitely feels his eyes are worse than before. The new prescription(s) are as follows;

Near Vision; OD +.25, +.5 x165 and

OS +.5

Distant Vision OD -.75, +.5, x165 and

OS -.5

This seems like lesser prescriptions than before, doesn't it? I cannot read them because my cylinder is alway in a minus form so I don't know how to compare. Can anyone help? Considering the amount of discomfort he has been having these seem like minimal correction. I await your responses, and say thank you.

Ted 24 Jun 2008, 07:20

Latest exam results last week.

Right and left +1.25 with -.25 astig (r+l) with an add of +1.50 also r+l.

Small increase in the add but starting to go up. Was told to expect yearly increases of around .25 in the add.

Dexter 22 Jun 2008, 12:05

I was asked for my history, so here goes.

I was having trouble reading, tried som OTC readers with a little success so I thought I would need some reading glasses, and as I said was surprised when my first glasses were bifocals and I was told to wear them all the time. Here's the history.

01/2007 R +.75 -.75 x 40 L +1.0 -1.0 x50 add +1.0; 07/2007 R +1.25 -1.0 x40 L +2.0 -1.0 x50 add +1.25; 12/2007 R +2.0 -1.0 x40 L +2.5 -1.0 x50 add +1.75 05/2008 R +2.75 -1.0 x40 L +3.0 -1.25 x52 add +2.0.

The dr. says to come back before I start college, he'll probably increase it slightly and to also expect trifocals as the add will be above +2. I could really have them now, I think. Eventually (in about 2 years) he thinks I'll be at about +5 or +6 with a +3 add.

Cactus Jack 22 Jun 2008, 07:32

Demon,

Yes, that is true. But if you do it right, it is a harmless and enjoyable deception.

If you recall, you said you wanted to try wearing bifocals and/or plus glasses and we said OK, we'll show you how.

Because of spousal considerations, it will take some time and careful planning and you might not achieve everything all at once. The bifocal part is easy. The plus part is a bit more difficult. If you really want to explore this, I think you would be more comfortable discussing it in private.

Demon 21 Jun 2008, 17:32

Yes I do have a regular distance RX I mentioned before. My contacts are L -3.00 R -3.25.

Although, as an 'OO' I am interested in plus lenses and bifocals, I am about as distant from needing them as can be. I can see the tiniest of print with or without my myopia correction.

Only when I wear my contacts AND my glasses (doubling my correction) do I even notice the slightest hint of trouble in seeing close up, even then I can overcome it. In other words if I were to somehow get myself into bifocals or plus lenses in a real RX it would be totally superfluous and fraudulous!

Cactus Jack 21 Jun 2008, 04:51

Demon,

All that means is that you need to take a different approach. Where there is a will there is a way.

Do you have glasses or a glasses Rx?

Demon 20 Jun 2008, 21:56

Cactus...,

My wearing of the +2.00's is a very covert op. and only done in places where I know I won't run into people I know on a personal level.

My wife does NOT know about my 'OO'-ness. I think I could go as far as saying I like her in glasses but that's about it.

Cactus Jack 20 Jun 2008, 20:53

Demon,

I read your other posts. All things are possible. What would you like to do first. You are already wearing bifocals or the equvalent with the +2.00 readers.

If you would feel more comfortable contacting me privately, my email is cactusjack1928@hotmail.com

Demon 20 Jun 2008, 18:50

I am a long-time luker and I finally just have to get the ball rolling and post. Unfortunately my prescription is rather dull.

R -3.00

L -3.25

I find hyperopia much more interesting and I often wear +2.00 OTC readers over my contacts. I can tolerate the blur unless I'm driving. But I really wish I needed bifocals. BTW I am a 26 yr. old male living in upstate New York

17 Jun 2008, 13:35

Dexter,

What was your first rx and then what rx's did you have after that? How long was it between getting the increases? Did you eye doc say what he thinks your final rx might be?

Dexter 17 Jun 2008, 12:37

I never thought I had a problem with distance vision, only close vision. When I got the glasses, the Dr told me to wear them all the time, which I did. Now, I need them for distance and close.

Aubrac 10 Jun 2008, 03:03

Dexter

Hi there and hope you enjoy the site. People here are very friendly and can usually help answer any questions you have about vision/glasses.

Like you , my wife is a latent hyperope although withh a weaker presdcription than yours. She could get by for distance at first but now needs glasses for TV and distance.

There is always a debate about how some hyperopes with +3 can see at distance and others with maybe +1.5 can see.

From your post it seems that you did not think you had distance vision problems, can you see clearly at distance with/without glasses? Or did you need to wear glasses fulltime for your distance vision to adjust.

Dexter 08 Jun 2008, 12:39

Hi, I found this site surfing the web, this is my first post.

I just graduated from HS. Just got my first glasses about a year ago because I was getting headaches reading. I thought I needed reading glasses and was surprised when the doctor said I needed bifocals and said I was a latent hyperope. Since then I have had 2 more increases and will need another before starting college in Sept.

My prescription is R +2.75 -1.00 x040, L +3.00 -1.25 x052 add +2.00, I have franklin type lined bifocals.

My GF also just got bifocals, I had never seen her in glasses, only contacts. I just found out her prescription is -12 and she has to wear glasses now, no more contacts or she will harm her eyes from over wear.

antonio 05 May 2008, 13:29

Hi Alex,

I understand you very good.

I started to wear mine full time at your strength. I guess it´s quite normal you feel at about -2,75 glasses are making

not only things far away readable for you

but also help you in everyday situations

anywhere.

I found out, at -2,75 and above many

situtions get more and more difficult

to manage without them on,

is that similar to your experiences ?

I had quite a lot difficulties to recognize people´s faces outside without glasses at that strength, what about you ?

best regards, antonio

Traveller 05 May 2008, 04:19

Alex - the question you are asking is very difficult to answer. To be honest most people who use eyescene really like glasses (possibly a considerable understatement) so will encourage you to wear them all the time.

My prescription is similar to yours and I wear glasses or contacts full time and find it uncomfortable and difficult to function adequately without them (although I can cope with a small amount of effort).

Contrast this with my girlfriend of some years ago who was -4.00 in both eyes and refused to wear glasses in public even though they suited her and she wouldn't even consider contacts. I have no clue how she functioned at work. I know that she didn't recognise me from more than a few feet away. I am 100% certain that her optician's advice was pretty clear about how much she should wear them!

I had another female friend with a precription of only -0.50 in each eye and her glasses rarely left her nose. I have a feeling that she just got used to having them on because she certainly didn't go for the most stylish option.

So there is no right answer only the one that is right for you but putting them back on without even thinking about it after getting out of the shower is probably a sign!

Wally 04 May 2008, 12:28

I'm a long time high hyperope and bifocal wearer, 18 yo, hs senior. My script is +14.00 +4.50 x005 add +4.00. I normally wear a +14 contact lens in my left eye and glasses that are PL +4.50 x005 add +4.00. I have a pair for just reading that are +5.50 +4.50 x005 and another to wear without contacts that are +19.50 +4.50 x005 for reading.

My right eye is blind from glaucoma and I am loosing vision in the left, VA in the left is 20/120 with glasses. To contact me by e-maiil it is walter.ward at live.com

sam12744 03 May 2008, 06:07

Alex,

I think most sensible people with your prescription would wear their glasses full time.I'm certain it would be an offence to drive without them and anyway,why go around in a blur when you don't have to?

I think you have really answered your own question when you talk of wearing them automatically.You certainly aren't going to look out of place wearing glasses at a uni!

Alex 03 May 2008, 02:07

It was just over a year ago when I first got glasses. Id known I needed glasses for a while, but just didnt get around to doing anything about it. However, I though I might fail the eye test part of my driving test, so a couple of days before the test, I went to one of those one-hour opticians and got a pair of glasses. I didnt spend too much time choosing them, thinking Id use them for my test and then probably not wear them much. However, once Id got them, I started wearing them in class when the teacher was using the white board or screen. At first Id only put them on to look at the screen, but after a while once Id put them on in class, I kept them on to the end of the lesson. Eventually, I was putting my glasses on at the start of classes whether or not the teachers were using the board or screen - I found it easier to see my teacher and classmates clearly. Apart from classes I only ever wore my glasses for driving or going to the cinema.

When I started at uni in October, I would only wear my glasses during lectures, but always take them off straight afterwards. However, in recent weeks I seem to have been wearing them more. I didnt decide to wear my glasses more, I think that I was getting more used to them, so I sometimes left them on until I went back to my room. One morning a couple of weeks ago, I had an early lecture and had overslept. I threw on my clothes in a hurry and grabbed my bag, but forgot to pick up my glasses. Not having them made me realise that there were times when I couldnt do without my glasses any more. I had to go back to my room and get them before my next class.

Having realised that I now definitely needed to wear glasses a lot of the time, I went for a sight test. My test was right eye 2.25, -0.75, 5; left eye 2.50, -0.50, 180. This time I chose my frames much more carefully; I got a pair of designer frames, which are semi-rimless with thick plastic sides. The optician didnt say when I should be wearing my glasses. I picked them up on Wednesday. When I put them on, I noticed a big difference from my previous pair. For a start, the lenses were much thicker and everything seemed so much clearer.

Yesterday, I had a couple of lectures in the morning and then spent the afternoon working on various essays. In the evening, I was going out to a party for a mates 21st birthday. Id got showered and changed, and I realised just before I went out that Id put my glasses back on. It was a pretty sub-conscious thing, I think. I think I was recognising that I actually like the good vision that glasses give me because then took my glasses off and everything seemed really out of focus without them, so I ended up wearing them out.

Ive got my glasses on now and I quite like how I look wearing them, is it normal for people with my prescription to wear their glasses all the time. Certainly, they seem to make a big difference to what I can see.

Cactus Jack 01 May 2008, 20:32

Curious,

There can be several reasons for needing prism correction. Hyperopes, such as yourself, can sometimes have problems because you have to work to focus for distance (when your ciliary muscles should be relaxed) and extra hard to focus on a computer screen or read. The result is a strong tendency to over converge. This is caused by a connection in the brain between the focus mechanism (ciliary muscle control) and convergence muscle control that that causes your eyes to try to converge when you focus on something close like a computer or book. This coupling is natural because you have to converge your eyes when you look at something close or your would see double.

Another cause is a real imbalance between the strength of the muscles that turn the eyes inward and the muscles that turn the eyes outward. In the later case, you have to expend energy to keep the eyes from turning inward (crossing) and after a while the outside muscles get tired and the eyes try to turn inward and you can't do much about it.

For hyperopes, plus glasses for distance can sometimes be very helpful and even stronger plus glasses for closer work can help minimize the convergence response. Bifocals or trifocals are not out of the question. Another possibility is to wear plus contacts for distance correction and also get some over the counter reading glasses for help with the computer and for reading. The idea is to try to relax the focus muscles and minimize the convergence response.

If the problem is muscle imbalance, prism glasses, eye muscle surgery (pretty common and not very risky), or vision training might be options.

You might also want to consider seeing a pediatric opthalmoligist. They tend to specialize in treating similar muscle problem in small children and most also treat adults with muscle problems.

While I'm not hyperopic, I have had some muscle problems, one surgery, and still have to wear BO prism. If you want to discuss any of this privately, contact me at cactusjack1928@hotmail.com. Been there, done that.

Curious 01 May 2008, 10:01

Cactus Jack

Thank you very much for the advice and sorry for the late response.

I am 32 years old and I'm based in Warwickshire, England.

I only went to the opticians as I have just recently started to struggle. My concern is that I play a lot of sports and feel that glasses may get in the way. The optician did say that it could just be as a trial and to see how I go. The alternative being that I just ordinary corrective lense, however they would not fix the main problem.

After my actual vision is not bad at all really, just the prism seems to be the problem.

The optician did also say that with this type correction she believes that I will quickly become dependant on the glasses and soon need a stronger prescripton. Do you believe this to be correct? She also requested to see me again in 6 months.

Regards

Curious

dan 30 Apr 2008, 05:55

its seems when you get older im 53 nearsightness is much worse eve with same rx my rx is -2,75 -1.00 astig and my vision is much worse than i was 30 preety blind without them

Willy 29 Apr 2008, 13:12

John OD -- I was wondering if I could ask you a question that I've never been able to get a real good handle on, namely, how does astigmatism interact with latent hyperopia? I wear progressives with +1.5 -1.0 85 L and +1.25 -0.5 100 R (ADD +1.50 both) and am on the order of 20/40 at distance without them. But as recently as four years ago (at 42) I could see 20/20 at distance bare-eyed, though an auto-refractor indicated plus sphere of at least +1 and minus cylinder of at least -0.5 in each eye. Was I reaching 20/20 by accommodation, or could the auto-refractor have been wrong and did the astigmatism develop? What is your experience generally in dealing with latent hyperopes, and when do you find that low hyperopic presbyopes go to full-time wear? Just curious. Thanks for any thoughts.

28 Apr 2008, 20:27

I think it's awesome we have a real OD on these boards. Welcome, John. :)

Cactus Jack 28 Apr 2008, 20:04

John OD,

Thanks. My preference is an Rx from an experienced OD.

John OD 28 Apr 2008, 19:24

The reason that optometrists prescribe in minus cylinder dates back to when we did not have diagnostic or therapeutic privileges. Without cycloplegic agents to relax accommodation, we perfected the art of subjective refraction by "fogging" (i.e., overplussing or underminusing) patients to better control their accommodation. (A patient's vision would only be made worse if he or she were to accommodate when undercorrected.) In such a situation, it is easier to introduce minus cylinder than plus cylinder.

Although Phoroptors and trial lens sets have cylindrical lenses in either minus or plus form, a prescription written in either minus cylinder or plus cylinder form can be transposed to the other and back again. The lens blank specified has the same power, regardless of how it is written. For example, an optometrist may prescribe -1.00 -2.00 x180 and an ophthalmologist (or let's be honest, his or her technician) may prescribe -3.00 +2.00 x90. Both lenses are identical; it's just a matter of choosing which meridian to write first: the least minus (-1.00) in the case of minus cylinder form or the most minus (-3.00) in the case of plus cylinder form.

Cactus Jack 28 Apr 2008, 16:37

curious,

Regretably, contact lenses are not an option for prism correction. Contact lenses have a tendency to move around on the eye. Some lens types called "toric lenses" can be made stable enough to work in some situaltions for astigmatism (the cylinder portion of your Rx) but they are not always satisfactory. For prism to work. the lens must be correctly oriented and the only way to do that is to use glasses. In your case, the prism will be only slightly noticable by a slightyly thicker outside edge and a slightly thinner inside edge.

I think you will find the glasses comfortable and stress relieving and I suspect you will get used to them very quickly and you will want to wear them all the time.

Please let us know how you get on. May I ask your age and where you live?

Curious 28 Apr 2008, 15:05

I went to the opticians for the first time in my adult life today largely due to the fact that I do a lot of close work on the computer at work. I was told by the optician that I had quite a lot of 'prism' ???? 18 to be precise. The optician said she would prescribe me only a prism of 5 in each eye to start (10 in total)and also said that due to the amount of prism correction I would need to where glasses all the time.

I'm not sure I can just go from not wearing glasses 'ever' to a being fulltime wearer.

My whole prescription is -

R +1.00(sph)/-050(cyl)/5 (prism)/ out (base)

L +1.00(sph)/-050(cyl)/5 (prism)/ out (base)

Afterward after I had time to think, I suddenly was curious whether contact lenses would be an option?

Is there any experts amongst that can give me some advice on this...please??

Many many thanks..

Cactus Jack 24 Apr 2008, 17:20

John OD,

I am not an eye care professional and have never pretended to be. I was trying to help Dieter understand a principle of Optical Physics. I certainly can't argue that tradition among eye care professionals is to refer to the optical axis of cylinder from 1 to 180, just as it seems to be tradition for MDs to use + cylinder and ODs to use - cylinder. Perhaps you can explain why. I don't know. I think I understand why lens makers like minus cylinder - because the grinding process removes material rather than adds material, resulting in a more minus lens rather than a more plus lens in the cylinder axis.

0 degrees and 180 degrees are the same when discussing the orientation of a cylinder in a vertically oriented circle. It seems helpful to know that 0 or 180 are both horizontal because it could have just as easily been decided that 0 would be vertical, way back when. As long as everyone knows what the prescriber wants, it doesn't matter.

I think I recall having seen Rx written with a 0 axis, but I may be mistaken.

What was it Shakespere said about Roses?

I live in the US.

P.S. I just looked at a trial lens frame and the horizontal axis was marked 0, but I think it was foreign made. India maybe.

Dieter 24 Apr 2008, 06:10

John OD, my question to CJ was more to confirm that the sphere changes between the writting of the two prescriptions. But, I was a bit confused by an axis 0. So you're suggesting that axis would b 1 to 180 where CJ said 0 to 179?

Anyway thanks to both of you for helping me understand the concept.

Emily 23 Apr 2008, 22:04

John OD:

I have progressive myopia and would like to chat with you privately about it. If you are willing, please write me at nearsightedemily@hotmail.com. Thanks.

John OD 23 Apr 2008, 18:35

Cactus Jack, I'm an optometrist, and I've never heard of axis 0. I use axis 180 instead. Are you European perhaps?

Dieter 21 Apr 2008, 19:52

Cactus, thanks. The ophthalmology process seems odd in that it appears one's sphere is stronger than it really is. I hadn't clued into that until recently.

Cactus jack 18 Apr 2008, 13:47

Dieter,

The last post was from me.

c 18 Apr 2008, 13:43

Dieter,

-3.00, -0.25 x 0

To go from + to - cylinder (and vice versa), algebraically add the cylinder to the sphere, change the sign on the cylinder and add or subtract 90 degrees to the axis so it falls between 0 and 179 degrees. Lens makers convert + cylinder to - and make the glasses, optically there is no difference in the glasses that result from either Rx.

Dieter 18 Apr 2008, 11:43

Cactus Jack, I wanted to clear something up in my understanding of the + or prescriptions written for astigmatism. First, I have read that in the US ophthalmologists are taught to write + and optometrists or taught to write -. From personal experience, this has been true in every case. But my question is about the conversion so I would appreciate it if you would indulge me. What would be the conversion of -3.25 +.25 090? Special thanks in advance.

Puffin 16 Apr 2008, 13:20

Andrea, don't panic, this sort of rapid progression from being just about able to read closeup to being unable to do so is very common among hyperopes such as yourself. It does not mean your eyes are getting worse. It means your eyes are adapting to necessary correction.

Basically, the optician is aiming to get your eyes in a state where, with the right correction, your eyemuscles won't be strained at all.

It often takes a little while and some changes in prescription to get to this state, since the eyemuscles have become used to straining and struggling over the years and won't give up doing so easily, probably not all in one go, so the correction has to go up in stages to allow you to see well at the time of prescription and also nudge your eyemuscles in the right direction.

Again, don't panic. It's a necessary change, but once it settles you'll be glad you did it.

Slit 16 Apr 2008, 11:07

Andrea,

thanks for the update and my comment about the prescription is that it is a minor prescription.

anyways, it is good that your eyes are relaxed and you are comfortable with sight.

did you get in touch with your cousin sister? does she visit this site and make postings? if so what is her nick name?

Andrea 16 Apr 2008, 07:50

It's been a little over a month since I received my new glasses.I now have to wear them fulltime. They have ruined my eyes. There is very little I can read without them.

On Friday I went with my Mom to her annual appointmet.I was going to get a second pair since I wear them almost all the time now. While I waited ,my eyedoctor asked how I was doing with the glasses. I lamented my now worse vision woes. The doc did a a recheck, since I said I was going to get a new pair.

Results... In 6 weeks I already need stronger glasses. Stronger on the top and 1 step stronger on the bottom.

And I might need stronger ones in the future. Again I was told I was farsighted and my eyes have relaxed to accept the glasses. I was asked If I still wanted the kind with the line, I said that I have accepted the line and other than the computer I did not have any trouble. I was given a bigger bifocal to give me more reading room.The bifocal now is a lot more prominent. Now even far away things are clearer with my glasses. Bifocals have now ruined my distant vision as well. By the way my Mom now has bifocals with line,she tried no lines and did not like them.

The fact that I did not want no line glasses,I was also given a prescription for computer glasses If I wanted them.

Here is my new prescription.R+1.25 -.25 075 L+ 1.00 - .50 160 add +2.00

With the new glasses I notice things further away are now blurry. So I might try the computer glasses or (Gasp) Tri-focals for work

Update later

Thanks

Slit 20 Mar 2008, 10:12

Hi Andrea,

Hope you are still around. Did anything special happen so far related to your bifocals?

Are they round segment or flat top?

Is your cousin a person who post on Eyescene?

Kelly 20 Mar 2008, 06:11

Went to another shower for the same girl I talked about a while back.I arrived about 10 minutes beforehand and went to the door only to find the host in robe and glasses. I thought I read the shower was to start at 12 but in fact it was at 2pm. Feeling a bit embarasses I said that I would come back. N, initial only, invited me in to have a coffee if I wanted, and said it would be no problem. I then offered to help with the set up. She appologised for looking this way as not many people see her in glasses any more. She wears almost the same frame as I do and told me that she first got glasses after getting hit in the face with a field hockey stick and going to the hospital for stitches and vision related issues. She showed me her first pair while in grade 9 in the school yearbook. We had so many laughs looking back in time that we were not ready when the doorbell rang and a bunch of guests arrived. N ended up wearing her glasses for the shower and we got called the twins a couple of times. I stayed after to help clean up and she thanked me for that plus letting others see her in glasses. We did swap briefly but her prescription is totally different and nothing but a fuzzy mess. We had so many laughs we might go out for a couple GOW.

Wayne 14 Mar 2008, 19:36

I would say that someone who can adjust to reading glasses and become able to see distance 20/20 through the glasses must have latent hyperopia. Adding plus to the eyes of someone who is truly emmetropic would make the person nearsighted. There is no way for the eye to "adjust" to overcome myopia

Kelly 14 Mar 2008, 15:07

received a call from the eye Dr's office yesterday asking when I would like to come in for a quick check up on the contacts. I've been wearing them for about three weeks or so and am up to 8/10 hours at a time.

Exam this morning went well but decided not to order contacts. Cost being one and I don't mind wearing my glasses.I can order contacts cheaper online which I may do in a while. Always wanted blue eyes! Actually I have grown quite fond of the glasses. Earlier apprehensions were for nothing, even with the bold second pair. I now wear these just as often as the conservative ones. Had to wear the lenses into the office and they checked on inserting and removing with some machine tests, took all of 15 mins. I left wearing the bold glasses and the recepionist commented on them being well chosen. I told her thank you even though I was against them at first. She does not know that though, and we all like compliments don't we?

Curt 11 Mar 2008, 13:29

There is some scientific basis for this. I read a journal article recently about people who only needed reading glasses, but wore them most of the time. Over the course of several months, their eyes adjusted to looking through the + lenses and they could see 20/20 or better while wearing their readers. There may be some latent hyperopia at work here, but in any case, wearing readers constantly may be another way to get to full time wear.

Good neighbor 11 Mar 2008, 12:43

Just got off the phone with my neighbor who was distressed because she went to renew her driver's license,and failed the eye exam. (She has been wearing readers for 10 years or so.) She has never had an exam. When told to read the bottom line, she couldn't see it. She wanted to try the readers but the clerk said they won't help for distance, but she did anyway and could see! She got her license, but with a restriction for glasses so has to drive with her reading glasses. She complained to me previously that they were a hassle to always take off and put on, so she sometimes wore them, like for TV and came to see better with them. I told her to go for bifocals and get used to ft wear! So tomorrow she if off to her first ever eye exam.

Rick 11 Mar 2008, 12:12

Great day. We have a new GWG. My wife get's her glasses today.

LT Lurker 11 Mar 2008, 02:29

Hi Pelegrino,

My wife has a stronger prescription to yours and seems to be wearing her glasses more and more at near.Shes 40 and is really reluctant to look through her lenses at distance as her optician has informed her she would become reliant sooner. She definitely suffers when watching TV and driving but she told the optician the only problems were at near.Most opticians I think base the useage on what vision tasks the patient tells them they find difficult and prescribe accordingly.They don't expect fibs from a 40 y o!

First Timer-

Yes I guess you need to await the outcome.Keep us informed on what you do.

pelegrino 10 Mar 2008, 15:38

@LT Lurker

i pretty quickly went full time, when i was first prescribed glasses...got them about 2 years ago, +1.00 in both eyes, inicially just for reading, but my eye doctor already told me then that i could also wear them full time, which i did a short while after (about 3 months after i got them), because it just felt right and my eyes were never sore when i had them on. although the rx might seem and in fact is quite weak by now i get sore eyes and a headache really quickly when i don't wear my glasses. that's my short story.

matthew 10 Mar 2008, 14:49

aw fuck, had one of my regular eye-pressure tests and the doc said it was far too high so I got to make a laser treatment...

besides that, my eyes are hurting (don't know if that's the eyepressure) and I think that reading close up with my glasses makes my eyes strain more than without - I can see clearly, but if I relax my eyes/muscles having my glasses on it's somewhat blurry - I am shortsighted, -2,25 with 0,5 astigm right and -1,25 with 0,5 left... All the computer work makes my eyes hurt pretty much too, and if i have my glasses on and switch between distance and close, trying to have relaxed eyes, close is difficult.

Bifocals, huh ? With 25?

First time poster 10 Mar 2008, 14:47

LT Lurker

Thanks. I am hoping to avoid so wanted to get a clue as to when that gets difficult. I guess up to -200 I have some choice. I'll have to wait and see. Just wanted to get more experienced views.

LT Lurker 10 Mar 2008, 09:40

Hi First Time,

I would guess you may need an increase if you are around the 20 something age.

If you get it the difference between with and without will be starker and you will nave the choice of crisp easy non squint vision or constantly testing your eyes with a screwed up face trying to convince yourself you don't need glasses.

Lots of people feel the same but end up accepting correction because its much easier.

I am interested in peoples farsighted experiences and when the decision was taken to go full time, was this due to the optician telling you to do so or was it a gradual progression into full time wear?

I 'd love to hear your answers!

Presbyope challenged 10 Mar 2008, 01:59

I echo Julian's statments. The only thing that glasses do is allow us to relax and see without strain. I have similar eyesight Andrea as a latent hyperope with some astigmatism,and now presbyopia. Until I got frist prescription, i thought i saw fine, but had an ability to focus in and out as I chose. Actually, i was constantly straining to keep my vision adequate. I did go for progressive lenses and I am quite satisfied with them.

Slit 09 Mar 2008, 22:57

Hi Andrea, thanks for the reply.

I would also re confirm what Julian mentioned.

Glasses never make eyes bad, (provided that prescription is accurate) and eyes simply start relaxing, instead of straining as it used to do for some 27 years...

Is your bifocals flat top or circular top?

Julian 09 Mar 2008, 19:26

Andrea, you are wrong about one thing: your glasses are not, repeat NOT making your eyes worse. It only feels that way because they are letting your eyes relax and see (what for you is) normally. Sure, at your age you could still focus without them - with an effort, which before long would cause eyestrain. If I were you I'd settle for being happily and comfortably bespectacled, and never mind the comments.

lazysiow 09 Mar 2008, 15:46

Another thing for you Andrea, I had to do the same thing a long time ago, it sometimes takes me than a day for your eyes to "snap" back but I did notice whenever I was straining when I did that and eventually I just gave in. Yes it took a few years lol

First time poster 09 Mar 2008, 10:20

LT Lurker

Hi, I'm -1.50 now but going for a test soon.

lazysiow 09 Mar 2008, 09:41

Also what's Jen's prescription? is it weaker or stronger than yours? if hers is stronger and you adapted to them when you first tried them, then yours has a good chance of catching up soon

lazysiow 09 Mar 2008, 09:17

Your distance add is similar to what I wear full time which is .75 (plus astigmatism) and it's taken me a good many of years to actually become dependent on them for distance as well. My eyes get itchy and watery after a few minutes with them off now whereas before i could put up wit a night out or something like that.

Trifocals are only needed when the bifocal part is too strong for intermediate use i.e computer, in your case it sounds like both parts will get stronger soon, but you probably won't need trifocals. Maybe the next time around you can get progressives if the line comments are starting to get to you :(

Andrea 09 Mar 2008, 06:57

Hello Slit and Carrie,

I have had my new glasses for almost a week now. I am finding out, I really needed glasses. Just this morning I tried to read the Sunday paper without my glasses and I was having a hard time. It was clearly better with my glasses. I never had this problem before bifocals. They are making my eyes worse, however in 1 week I am now having to resort to wearing them for close up viewing. I was handed a card the other day and I had to move it away from my eyes to see it and for the first time and I almost could not read it then. I can even tell a difference in far away things, they are now clearer with the glasses. In 1 week they have made me dependant on them.

When I got them I thought I would wear them just for reading to make things bigger. Now I am having to use bifocals with a line in them at an early age. Jen tells me It might get worse too, she got stronger glasses in a short time. I tried Friday not to wear them all day at work, but I put them on late morning and wore them the rest of the day. When I take them off after wearing them It takes my eyes time to go back to normal.

As for my prescription it is r +.50 l+.50 add + 1.75 Is this a weak prescription? I will try not to wear them all day today around the house to see if I can get my eyes back to where they were before. I have had several comments about bifocals with a line in them at work so the line must be easy to see. I am worried what they will look like if I ever need stronger ones. What's next Trifocals????

Thanks Andrea

LT Lurker 09 Mar 2008, 03:27

First Timer-

From your question you appear to be trying to avoid wearing glasses full time.

If you have lets say -1 of myopia or less, you can, I would say "get by" fairly well without glasses.Once over -1 whilst you will still be able to function you can expect to find limitations.

I remember not being able to see the menu at McDonalds but obviously was not limited too much as I could just order a Big Mac...no problem.

But it does become a pain and I remember not being fulltime properly until I went up to -2 About a 10 year process.

This was 20 years ago and I didn't want to be a 4 eyes or mess with lenses!

If I had -1 vision now for the first time I would probably be full time -its about vanity and I am no longer vain!

Some people continue with no correction way beyond -2 but they don't believe that they look sillier squinting than having a pair of specs.

What is your rx?

For Farsighted + rxs it is, i think,down to how much accommodation you have left once over 40-45 +1 hyperopia could mean full time wear.

Astigmatism has a much lower threshold I would guess at +/-0.75 of astigmatism being a watershed for most people.

Its down to the individual.

First time poster 09 Mar 2008, 00:04

Cactus Jack

Every time I go for an eye test I get an increase. Usually -025. HOw high does it get before it's usual to need all the time?

Thank you

Phil 07 Mar 2008, 04:53

Carrie, I bet you are in the States too! I just never see an attractive young woman in bifocals in the UK. It's such a pity as I think they look great.

Carrie 07 Mar 2008, 03:56

Andrea, I too am young and need bifocals. And like you, I barely have any RX for distance, but can't read without the bifocal. So I just wear them all the time. And I went for the lined bifocals,too. So what if people see the line, and think you're too young for the line? My bifocal RX has increased over the last few years, so I need them for reading, and other close-up work like applying make-up, using my cell phone,etc. Just get used to wearing them, since your bifocal add will probably increase to the point that you absolutely can't read without them

Cactus Jack 06 Mar 2008, 15:01

First time oposter,

It depends on too many factors to state that above this Rx you have to wear glasses full time including personal preferences of the individual.

Do you have a specific Rx or reason for asking the question?

First time poster 06 Mar 2008, 13:37

What strength of prescription means you'd need to wear glasses all the time?

danny 05 Mar 2008, 13:54

Julian,

Thanks for the information. I guess I'll be wearing them more often then. Hopefully my eyestrain will go away. If not, maybe it's time to see what else can be done...either way, I'll get an eye doctor appointment soon and let them know about my different problems. Maybe I'll end up with bi-focals, who knows. Although I seem to young for them.

Julian 05 Mar 2008, 12:29

Danny: the trouble with astigmatism, even a little bit of it, is that there's noting you can do to counteract it...if you're hyperopic you can use your power of accommodation, if you're myopic you can squint, but with astigmatism you can't focus properly - and with a lot of close work the strain is just waiting to happen.

Of course it's possible that by now you have some astigmatism in the other eye as well; a test will show this.

I reckon your best bet is, as you say, to wear your glasses a lot more; if the strain continues and is hampering your work then maybe better not wait till May before getting tested again. As to where you go for a test, I don't know. I'm in the UK and in general would prefer a 'private' or 'family' practice rather than a chain; but there are other people here who can advise you better about the choices over there. Best of luck!

danny 05 Mar 2008, 10:57

Julian,

Forgot to mention that it seems that both eyes are straining equally (aka the one with astigmatism is not any different).

danny 05 Mar 2008, 10:55

Thanks for the suggestions!

I guess I'll try to wear them much more often. I didn't think that such a low astigmatism prescription would cause that much of a difference.

And you're probably right about getting another appointment. It probably won't be until May though due to the fact that I'm in college (or could I go to something like a Wal-Mart here?).

Oh and I should note that my distance vision seems more blurry after doing close up work. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks again.

Julian 04 Mar 2008, 23:56

Danny: Jamie has given you two pieces of advice that can't be improved on.

1. Try wearing your glasses full time; if the eyestrain goes, the problem's solved - is it worse in the eye that has the astigmatism?

2. Having checked that out, have another test Eighteen months is a long time at your age; your myopia could have increased, your astigmatism could have changed.

3. When you go for your test, mention the problems you've been having. You may just possibly need bifocals - using a computer is just about the most stressful task there is for your eyes.

Let us know how it goes.

Slit 04 Mar 2008, 21:09

Andrea,

Congratulations on the new bifocals!

Few questions:

1. Can you please post the prescription?

2. What type of lined bifocals you have, Flat top or round segment?

Jamie31 04 Mar 2008, 17:38

Obviously, I should not try to multitask when typing:)

What I mean is that the astigmatism might be the reason for the eyestrain and wearing the glasses with the correction for astigmatism solves the issue

Jamie31 04 Mar 2008, 17:37

Danny,

If it's been a year and a half, it may be time for a new exam.

However, the reason for the astigmatism might be the eyestrain. Even a small amount can cause discomfort and so without the correction you can have eyestrain.

danny 04 Mar 2008, 17:22

I've been lurking on here for awhile and finally thought I'd post.

A year and a half ago I noticed my distance vision getting a bit blurry so I went to the eye doc and ended up with a slight perscription:

OD -0.50

OS -0.50 +0.50 x180

Could someone explain what the +.50 x180 means? I know its astigmatism but would that type of astigmatism warrant full time use?

I've only been wearing them for distance up until this point.

In addition, lately I've noticed that when I read or use the computer (without glasses) that I get eyestrain. Could this mean I need to wear my glasses for that too? I wouldn't think glasses for nearsightedness would be needed for the computer. Or does this mean that I actually might need bifocals and a different perscription for near vision? (Seems like a lot of people are discussing this lately).

Any answers would be appreciated! Thanks.

PS I'm 18 and a freshmen in college.

lazysiow 04 Mar 2008, 11:28

Congrats on the bifocals Andrea :) Can you share your prescription?

With my experience maybe I should have started with bifocals too. I initially went to the eyedoc almost 10 years ago for astigatism (distance for me) issues, but I was given a reading correction + astigmatism and was told "dont wear them all the time or you will start to need them". I really wanted it for distance and at the time the reading was stronger, though still a bit low.

I eventually went fulltime and got used to seeing at a distance if anything just to benefit from the astigmatism correction. Nowadays the astigmatism keeps going up each exam, the reading remains fairly low and constant but now I really cant stand close up view without my glasses for very long. If I had gotten bifocals from the beginning maybe I still could.

Ultimately though I always hated the idea of bifocals, and preferred just having a one size fits all lens approach

Curt 04 Mar 2008, 11:10

Andrea: As to your questions...

Did I do the wrong thing bu not going with the no-line?

It is a matter of personal preference. There is no right or wrong answer. Lined bifocals have better optics, but have a visible line and only two distinct areas of focus. No-line (progressive) bifocals get stronger as you move your eyes from the top to the bottom, but they have distortion on the edges that people have difficulty adjusting to (some never do).

Should I wear them all time?

Your choice, but you may find that once you see things clearly up close, you are not willing to go without them.

Will they get stronger?

As you get older, yes, but probably not right away.

Can people really see the line?

Depending on the lighting and how closely they look, yes, the line is visible.

At the computer should I use the bifocal or the top part?

It depends how close you sit to the screen. If you sit very close, looking thru the bifocal add would be better. If you sit fairly far away from the screen, you may not need to look thru the add. If you use the bifocal add, consider lowering your screen so that you don't have to tilt your head back too far.

I have both progressives and lined bifocals, and wear them interchangeably. Some days I feel like one pair, some days the other.

Brian-16 04 Mar 2008, 11:00

Andrea - Yes.you did good! I have been wearing flat top-lined trifocals for several years and I am almost 20 years old.You will get used to them and good luck!

Andrea 04 Mar 2008, 07:21

Mom too was surprised too that I wanted bifocals with the line. I told her about trying Jens glasses and how the bottom part made things a lot bigger. She told me she tried the no-line kind when she was in her 40's and could not wear them. I tried mom,s glasses while we walked the mall to kill some time. I couldn't see far away at all but my watch was real clear if I held it up close. She told me once she started wearing reading glasses they got stronger after every exam.

We got back to Lenscrafters to find my glasses ready. A different girl waited on us. As she cleaned the glasses she said "Do you have bifocals" She then twisted the ear things and slid them on. Wow, I now had my own bifocals.

She asked how my distance vision was, I really couldn,t tell much difference, Then gave me a little card to read, I tilted my head to look out of the bottom and it was real clear too.

I left the store wearing my glasses and wore them the rest of the day. I took them off before going into a meeting with my Dad and the marketing people and the first thing he said was"Let me see your new bifocals", So I had to answer questions why I had bifocals at my age. One of my co-workers even said " You can get bifocals with out the line you know" So I guess you can see the line in them. I ended up just leaving them on the rest of the day.

I put them on before leaving my condo this morning and are still wearing them.

So...

Did I do the wrong thing bu not going with the no-line?

Should I wear them all time?

Will they get stronger?

Can people really see the line?

At the computer should I use the bifocal or the top part?

Jen told me not to wear them all the time unless I had to. She can't see up close without her glasses at all anymore. I have already noticed smaal print is better through the bottom part. Any help to my questions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Andrea

Andrea 04 Mar 2008, 06:35

Well it happend yesterday.I met my mom for breakfast before the exam.(She thought they would put drops in my eyes and I couldn.t drive.)She told me at breakfast she was younger than me when she got reading glasses and has worn them since.

I was the first appt. in the morning.I went in and the dr. asked if I was having problems. So I told her of my bifocal experiance. She told me bifocals were not only for older people that lots of her younger patients had them also.

She first asked me to read the chart on the wall. I think I did ok. She twisted and turned the eye machine several times and had me read all the lines again This time I got them all.

Then I had to read very small letters on a card up close and this was harder.

Once more she clicked and twisted, each time I could read more letters. I finally could see them all.

She sat down,made some notes and told me the news. I needed reading glasses.The dr. said normally she would just have prescribed reading glasses for my problem but since I tried the bifocals and liked them, she said I could try them. It seems I have a small distance problem too. Not normally enough for glasses but she said she would add it to the top part of the bifocals if I wanted bifocal glasses.

She suggested noline bifocals, she thought they would look better on younger patients. I asked if I should wear them all the time. She told me it was my decision, but I might find I would become more dependent on them and need a change sooner if I did that.

I went next door to get my new bifocals. I quickly chose a pair of Prada frames with wide sides. The sales person made a comment "You know you have been prescribed bifocals". She thought too I needed the no-line type.

She said you are too young to have a line in your glasses. I stood firm for the lined kind. After some measuring I was told to come back in about an hour.

More later....

Curt 03 Mar 2008, 12:32

Andrea: Bifocals are always an alternative to reading glasses. Some folks really dislike having to take off readers to see distance clearly, so they get bifocals with clear glass in the top section and their reading prescription in the bifocal add. Many folks need some type of correction for distance (whether they know it or not). And some folks wear reading glasses for a while only to find that their eyes relax and can see well at distance even with their reading glasses on.

Some eye docs are reluctant to give young folks bifocals, but if you complain about not being able to see far away with your glasses on and hate taking them off all the time, they will often give you bifocals.

Were the glasses you tried on regular lined bifocals or invisible (progressive ) bifocals?

Good luck!

Kelly 03 Mar 2008, 06:57

Clare and Andrew, putting in the contacts the way you suggested is great. I have them in, in a minute or two now. Still know they are there but will try the other brand next week sometime to compare feel.Wore glasses yesterday to a shower/luncheon, and the comments were nil. Some girls I hav'nt seen since high school were there and even they did not comment. I even wore my second pair that I was apprehensive to buy.

Slit 03 Mar 2008, 01:53

Hi Andrea,

Well, your situation is not uncommon. I also went through the same situation when my father go glasses for the first time and they were +2. I could see pretty well through the bifocals region. Now i got some +1.25 for reading.

I think you should get a dilated comprehensive eye test to discover your real prescription, because of some biological nature of our eyes. (you will find out details when reading through this web site)

If you insist that you prefer to start with bifocals, there is a possibility that they will issue them. Specially in the case where you describe yuor need to read something within closer range than it is usually e.g: sewing, knitting, typing sms while laying on bed etc...

Bifocals are not bad on young people as long as they choose the frames that match the face and complexion. If it is the right match, it becomes a fashion accessory rather than equipment!

Good luck with the eye test and please keep us updated.

PS: dont forget to request a comprehensive eye test including far and near vision.

Aubrac 03 Mar 2008, 00:43

Andrea

It sounds as though you might be what we tend to call a 'latent hyperope'. In other words you may always have been farsighted but used your eye muscles to focus on near and distant objects.

By the way, far or long sighted, contrary to what many people think, does not mean you can see well at distance. It means the image in your your eye is formed behind (or far) of the retina whereas with short sight it is focussed in front of, or short of the retina.

It is difficult to hypothesize as only your eye exam will show the true picture, but anyone can start to wear glasses at any age. I had a friend who at age 28 went for the first time for an eye test and came away with -2.50 glasses, she had obviously needed them for some time but had got used to seeing things in a blur.

Bi focals might be less usual for a first time wearer but by no means unheard of. I hope the exam goes well and let us know how you get on.

Craig B 02 Mar 2008, 20:21

4-Eyes,

Thanks for the comments on bifocals, they must be a necessary part of life for you with a +8 difference between your near and far lenses.

About contacts....in my case they were amazing. I never had trouble using them, they made my vision much more as I would imagine a normal eye can see as there was no shrinkage of what you are looking at. As I have been finding out the only problem is that you have only one correction and if you need bifocals they cannot help unless you wear glasses in addition to them. Sorry you cannot try them out. I assume you have been talked to about having new lenses inserted into your eyes to replace your current natural lenses. That has been suggested as an eventual solution for me, but only after my eyes stop changing so much.

There is a lot of posting about tri-focals here. Has that ever been sugested to you. A plus 8 difference between your lenses must leave an area between your reading lens and your distance lens where you do not get good vision.

You are my hero...what I have to deal with is nothing compared to your vision.

Craig

Andrea 02 Mar 2008, 19:52

My cousin told me about this site.I need some help. I went back east to visit her last week and was surprised to see her wearing glasses for the first time.She told me they were bifocals and she now had to wear them full time.She is a year younger than me and I thought bifocals were only for older people. She told me how at Thanksgiving, she first got reading glasses and then over Christmas received bifocals that were stronger because she was still having problems.Now she must wear all the time because she cannot read without them. After she told me her story my curiosity got the best of me and I tried her glasses.I first tried reading a magazine and it made things bigger and brighter.Looking far away things were kinda blurry, TV was OK but a poster on the wall was a little fuzzy. I could still see it all, just the little print was hard to see. I kept tilting my head back and forth looking through the bifocal and was amazed how much better words looked through the glasses.

The next day we went to the museum and Jen asked if I wanted to wear her other bifocals to try. I waited until we got to the museum to put them on and wore them the rest of the day. At dinner I was still wearing them and now could see the scores on the basketball game on TV and when I lifted them up while looking at the menu the text was hard to read.

I told Jen I have never had an eyetest but these glasses made me question if I might need glasses.

I don't know if I am weird but I just loved those bifocals. I was always tilting my head back and forth to look at things through the bifocals and how much bigger things seemed through them.

Jen thinks I might need glasses too.Both of our moms(sisters) wear glasses she thinks it is in our genes.

I wore the glasses the rest of the day.

So I have an apointment tommorrow at Lenscrafters Will I get bifocals or reading glasses first. Can I just tell the doctor if I need glasses can I have bifocals right away ? Is it possible to go right into bifocals without ever wearing glasses before even though I am only 28.

Thanks for reading and helping.

4eyes 02 Mar 2008, 06:14

Hi... you all.

Craig B

Id real difficulties when I first tried bifocals, but years later I realize I cant leave home without them, such is the differences between my far and close vision, I think. Today, with about +8:00 adding, I find challenge to leave home without those glasses.

My newest RX from UCLA, read;

"Longe (For Distance): OD (Right eye) Esf. + 31:50, Cil. -1,75, Eix. 180º Prism. 47º DP Base Ext (BO)

OE (Left eye) Esf. +31.75, Cil. -2, 00, Eix. 17º and Prism 47º DP Base Externa (BO) Dip 59 m/m

Perto (For Close): OD (Right eye) Esf. + 40:00, Cil. -1, 75, Eix. 180º Prism. 47º DP Base Ext (BO)

OE (Left eye) Esf. +40:50 Cil. -2,00, Eix. 17º and Prism 47º DP Base Externa (BO) DP 59 m/m Executiva

Obs. 17º Base Out fixed and 30º Base Out Fresnell Try On AO (Both Eyes) fitting to the best Pupillar Distance. Please bring glasses for checking." There are many others numbers and Graphics and Maps and Photos but my daddy says those are what matters most for providing the lenses.

Now... may I ask how different are the contact lenses feeling from glasses? The only ones I've been talked about are those they would fit "inside my ocular globe" but that wouldn't fit inside for some reason its beyond my compreention. And how big is this difference? Also I never could wear contacts because of my own eyes cornea issue but I would love try them. The thought of getting rid off from my glasses for couple hours a day, looks like heavens. Do you enjoy the contacts more than your glasses?

I dont think I am a kind of model about using glasses I am too complicate... I really hate them and my own situation. But the thing is, I dont have any other option but have them on or have them on. And since my future looks grim; according to doctors I still have couple years ahead, Id better get used to those glasses than having to use special eyes devices hehe

I have to go to Ibirapuera Park for playing. See ya.

Anderson, from Sao Paulo.

PS... this Handheld Things looks fun to play with.

Cactus Jack 29 Feb 2008, 18:12

Craig B.,

Please contact me at cactusjack1928@hotmail.com

Thanks,

Patrick B 29 Feb 2008, 10:12

Craig:

Glad the bifocals are working out. When I had them I also found them easy to use, although I can't have them anymore with my myodisc lenses. The minification factor you experience with glasses is unavoidable and somewhat frustrating since it's impossible to get 20/20. If your myopia continues to climb for the next couple of years, you will probably be advised to go with myodisc lenses which provide better correction and less distortion, especially with the glass lenses. They're so much thinner and lighter, too.

Also glad you're going to use your glasses more. Make sure you continue to give your eyes a rest from contact lenses as much as possible so that you don't develop any corneal problems. The temptation, as I found when I was young, was to wear them 24/7 and now I primarily wear them when I'm going to be doing things which require the greatest degree of correction, like driving or watching a movie. Having to wear "readers" with your contacts is something you will get used to like most people over 40. You'll probably find yourself buying a couple of pairs which you can leave at your desk or wherever you do close work with contacts.

Keep us posted as to how things are going. You have a great attitude about your eyesight issues.

DWV 28 Feb 2008, 22:18

Cactus Jack:

Yes, I made sure to line up the ruler with the left pupil using my left eye, and with the right pupil using my right eye, so that should have eliminated the parallax error.

Craig B 28 Feb 2008, 21:05

Hi All,

It has been nearly a week that I have had both my new contacts and my new bifocals. Its been interesting to use both over that period of time.

The new contacts are great for general wear, vision is super crisp and sharp and I feel like I see perfectly with them in all cases except for reading. If I use my +1.50 cheapo bifocal readers everything is fine, but what a pain to have to carry them around all the time.

When I wear my new glasses I have adjusted to using the bifocals and they make about 95% of everything I do work fine. The bifocal was not a big deal to get used to and in fact I found myself seeking it out when I went from distant to close vision. Probably should have had them before now.

Problem is that the glasses do not give me the sense of defect free sight that the contacts do. They limit my peripheral vision and I do notice that the shrinkage of what I see makes reading distant signs and stuff really hard.

The new glasses are really thick, about 7/16 inch on the outsides, but I do not notice problems with blurry areas and goofy color things like I had with some super high index lenses I had a while ago which my Grandmnother bought since she thought I looked handicapped with thick lenses!

Bottom line....I think I will probably still use the contacts a majority of the time and use reading glasses for close work. But, I do find the glasses really convenient when I do close work a lot like at school so I may use them more than I have in the last few years. Most of the people I know well know I have a vision problem and have seen me in my glasses so I don't care about the thick lenses...they are just part of who I am. In fact, I made a point of wearing them to school one day this week hoping the basketball coach super jock would see me wearing them and stop bugging me to go out for basketball ( I am really tall for my age) ....which worked....he saw me and made a huge point not to notice my glasses but said nothing about sports!

I am going to keep wearing both the contacts and the glasses for extended periods of time and see how I feel after a while. I have to say that I do feel some relief when I don't wear the contacts full time.

Thanks for everyones comments and help.

4 Eyes, what is your actual new Rx? Glad they help you so much. Any time I feel bad about my vision I think of the complications you deal with and feel very lucky.

Craig B

Cactus Jack 28 Feb 2008, 19:48

Sorry, it is late here. The last post is from me.

DWV 28 Feb 2008, 19:47

DWV,

When you look in the mirror, the eye that you are measuring the distance on is usually looking straight ahead into the mirror and the other eye is reading the ruler. Of course, if you need correction ot see at double the distance from the mirror you may have problems, but even with glasses on you can probably get close. It is better than a guess and it is a check on PDs read by others.

DWV 28 Feb 2008, 17:56

The ruler and mirror method for finding PD is pretty accurate. I measured myself, and the figure was in the middle of the range of PDs that various opticians have measured. (Once I knew the significance of this measurement, I looked for it when they were writing up the order.)

Puffin 28 Feb 2008, 16:59

Smudgeur, I know a family where the father and children all are myopes, and the myopia started off in the right eye each time, followed by the left.

Cactus Jack 28 Feb 2008, 16:12

With a low Rx it is not too critical. I would go along with the 58 mm for distance. If you are ordering reading glasses, I would order 54 for near. If you are ordering bifocals or progressives, the traditional way of writing the PD would be 58/54. If they only ask for one number, they will adjust the near PD.

Let us know how it works out.

Michael 28 Feb 2008, 15:17

Thanks for your input. I am 55 years old. Scrip is -.75/-.75 with 1.25 add, if this helps you. If I use the 58, can I go too far wrong? What kind of margin of error is there on this? Thanks again for the feedback.

Smudgeur 28 Feb 2008, 15:11

Recently ordered some specs online for my wife and her mother. I was interested in the similarity of their prescriptions. They are as follows:

SPH CYL AXIS ADD

Wife (aged 40) R +0.75 -0.50 090 ---

L +0.50 -0.25 090 ---

Mum (mid 60s) R +0.75 -0.50 015 +2.5

L +1.00 -0.50 065 +2.5

Other than the axis of the cylinder correction, their right eyes are the same.

I'm hoping that at her next eye test (18 months) my wife may require a small reading add - certainly indications from the literature are that hyperopes and females both require an earlier reading add.

Ted 28 Feb 2008, 13:06

Cactus, I remember on one prescription i got the PD was two numbers (i do not remember what they were) but using Michaels 29mm. Mine were something like 29/31. I was told that the distance from the centre of the nose was not quite symetrical for me anyway. It could be for Michael that it is and his PD as you suggested is 58mm. On optiboard there is quite thread about opticians charging to get PD taken. Some states do not require the PD to be part of the RX. That seems to be the responsibility of the dispenser.

Cactus Jack 28 Feb 2008, 08:48

Ted,

You are quite correct, I should have made myself more clear. The reason I asked for the age and Rx was to get an idea of how critical the PD is for Michael's Rx and if it was for reading glasses.

You are right that it would be better to have the measurement made by a professional. However, it appeared that whoever did it for him was not giving him straight answers in hopes the glasses from an online source would not be satsfactory. The only reason to need a PD is to order online.

The do it yourself method is not perfect, but it is certainly better than being purposely mislead.

Hopefully, Michael will post again iwth more information.

Ted 28 Feb 2008, 06:53

Cactus, do you not feel the Michael would be better of order the specs with the 58pd, as opposed to trying to do it himself. Are the glasses for near or far? if so, as you know the PD will be different. If anything I feel he should get somone else to do it or go to another optical shop. Just my 2 cents worth.

Cactus Jack 27 Feb 2008, 18:00

Michael,

29 mm would be about right from the center of your nose to the center of each pupil. Your PD would be 58 mm. 29 mm would also be about right if you were 3 months old. You would be better off measuring it yourself to be sure. It is not hard to get a fairly close measurement. All you need is a rule marked in mm and a mirror.

Look in the mirror and measure the distance between the center of your nose and the center of each pupil individually. Add the two numbers together. Depending on your head size and eye spacing, it should be between 50 and 70 mm unless you have a very small head or very large head.

Repeat the measurement 3 times and average the result.

May I ask your age and Rx?

Feel free to check back if you don't feel comfortable with the numbers.

Michael 27 Feb 2008, 16:10

I wanted to buy some glasses on line but they want my PD. I went in to a storefront and asked them for this measurement, and they told me it is 29. At the site on line it said to expect it to be around 60 or so. Can anyone tell me why there is so much confusion? thanks.

Kelly 27 Feb 2008, 15:04

Clare and Andrew, thank you both for the suggestions. Maybe because these are new and I just need time for my eyes to adjust to having something in them. The make up issue is more excessive blinking and watering of the eyes. Once again it will take time I guess. Took the lenses out after four hours around lunch time, and really found a difference without the contacts in so put glasses on very soon after. Will I wear glasses all the time Clare? Not quite sure.While I deffinately need them to drive, (legally I'm told,) I don't feel I have to have them on all the time. I will try and post again tomorrow.

Clare 26 Feb 2008, 11:39

Kelly - I agree with Andrew, a drop of saline into the upturned lens before you insert it is a must as it helps it settle much easier, then you'll hardly know you're wearing it. Make sure too that you put your makeup on after inserting the lenses, otherwise there's a slim chance that you'll get a flake of mascara on/under the lens and that can be quite uncomfortable.

When not wearing your lenses will you wear your glasses fulltime? I remember when I was at the same prescription as you and my optician said I should wear them more than I did (which wasn't very much). I was pretty shocked that he said without glasses my vision was only 60% of what it should be (ie at 20/20).

Andrew 26 Feb 2008, 11:22

Kelly,

I've been wearing contacts for the last 20+ years, and have just switched to wearing daily disposables. Up until last week, I was taking 10 minutes to get them both in, although now I (think I've) discovered the technique, it takes no more than two minutes.

If your lenses feel like sandpaper when you put them in, try putting a couple of drops of saline in them before inserting them. It will not help at all on the make-up front, but it will probably make them rather more comfortable.

Kelly 26 Feb 2008, 07:50

So I went back to the eye doc's yesterday It turns out I did not need an exam as I first thought. I only needed a lens fitting appt. I was given two sets of trial lenses for use. Holy crap!

I thought my eyes were being rubbed with sandpaper. The assistant said it is quite normal and I will get used to it. RIGHT! I can only wear them for four hours this week then six then eight. I go back in a month unless things are a problem. In two weeks I can swithch to the other trial lenses and compare. I was given cases, solution, and a lens wearing schedule.If I want to continue to wear contacts we will discuss prices at that time. Note to self. Contacts and eye make up do not mix! At least not yesterday and today. Took about 20 minutes to put these things in this morning. I am looking forward to switching to glasses at lunch.

Cactus Jack. You had asked about my prescription. I did not get a copy, only the second trial lenses are -1.25 the bonus she told me is that I cannot mix them up.I guess both eyes are the same. Have to go and get some work done.

4eyes 24 Feb 2008, 12:01

Hi, you guys.

I'd just returned from some Soccer games because it was raining hard and my daddy didn't want me to keep playing as he is very concerned about those new glasses I got last Thursday.

It didn't seems was going to rain or I would have take with me my sport goggle glasses, thou this one looks very funny.

Anyway, those new glasses strucks me as amazing as they always do everything looks so different, so cool... and as I tried reading HP book things are so fitted and clear and sharp.

For the first time in months I went to dinner with my daddy and thou people keep staring at both of us I enjoyed the dinner and the walk very much, even in the night, a thing I avoid doing at any cost.

And those extra + adding didn't make any difference as I though they would.

So far... so good.

Anderson.

Eustace 24 Feb 2008, 08:41

Craig B: Happy to hear that your new glasses are working out well. You seem to have adjusted quickly to bifocals. I remember that it took me a week or so to feel comfortable with mine. But when I moved to trifocals, the adjustment was much easier, and I am much happier with trifocals--especially for seeing the computer screen and the automobile dashboard. I agree with Patrick B that in time you eyes will probably adjust to the add (+1.50, was it?) for very small print. If not, perhaps you do need a stronger add. Recently my add was increased from +2.00 to +2.50, and I can now see very small print much better with my reading lense than with my naked eye. However, I have found that a higher add for the near lenses makes the mid-range lense even more useful. You have mentioned that your new lenses are very thick. I would be curious to know just how thick (in either inches or centimeters)--both on the outside and the inside (toward your nose) edges.

Brian-16 23 Feb 2008, 10:54

CraigB-What is your vision with the new spex? 20/20?

Patrick B 23 Feb 2008, 09:22

Craig: Glad your new glasses are working out well for you and that you're getting good vision with them. As I said in an earlier post, where two people have the same prescription, one person might have better corrected acuity than another. It's very individual. Anyway, if you spend enough time wearing your glasses, you might find the add sufficient for even the smallest print. If you wore them 24/7 you would also get used to the minification factor. Switching from contacts (where there isn't one) to glasses, though, will always mean that you will be aware of that phenomenon. I'm curious if the lenses are biconcave with the add or plano.

Let us know how your weekend went.

Craig B 22 Feb 2008, 14:31

I finally was able to pick up my new glasses (-20.50,-21.25, add +1.50.) I took out my contacts to try the new glasses at the Drs. office and was pretty amazed how clear and sharp everything is with them. I am not sure about the bifocals. They make a nice difference for reading regular print but I still have to take my glasses off to see really small stuff. The lenses are really thick, much more than my last glasses as the lenses are larger to allow for the bifocal. It has been so long since I wore my glasses for any extended periods of time that I think I will wear them most of the weekend just to see how I get along with them and how my eyes feel without contacts in them! I sure notice how much miniaturization the glasses cause as opposed to my contacts but maybe that won't seem so apparent after a few days.

The glasses are comfortable to wear and the manufacturer actually paid attention to my asking that the lenses not be beveled off greatly on the edge as I had trouble with that in the past. By the end of the weekend I should have a pretty good feel for how they work for me.

Craig

sourgrapes 22 Feb 2008, 13:14

How much hearing are hearing aids able to restore? Are they only a minor help or do they make a big difference? Does it help as profoundly as glasses helps with myopia?

PeterC 22 Feb 2008, 05:57

Eustace:

My post with the Rx was 30 Dec.

In response to your question, I do have a hearing loss, severe to profound (90 - 105 dB). I have worn hearing aids most of my life. Got a cochlear implant when I was 6, and another 2 years ago. Spent grade & middle school in deaf school, high school, regular school. About 90% of Gallaudet students have hearing loss.

Maybe we ought to take hearing off-line, try peter1290chan at live dot com.

Socks 22 Feb 2008, 00:52

My current Rx is about 1 1/2 years old and is -9.5 and -9.75. I'm overdue for a new one. My current glasses have CR39 lenses, which I like because they're quite thick. Because my nose is a little crooked, the optical centers of my lenses aren't quite the same in the frames, so my right lens, although having a slightly lower Rx, has a thicker outer edge. I'd like the left lens to match in my new glasses. How can I get the thing they use to measure to make them both even?

Also, my current Rx still has a slight base curve. If my new Rx is as high as -11, will they be plano or will they still have a base curve, however small? I'd prefer some curve as opposed to flat front.

Kelly 21 Feb 2008, 11:38

Thank you for your response Cactus Jack and SourGrapes.I checked on the paperwork that came back from the insurance company with my insurance cheque, but the prescription is not on it.

I have called a couple of eyeglass places including the one where I got my glasses from to inquire about contacts. The best deal on the contacts exam is from one of the big box stores, but I have to pay for the contacts up front. I called my eye doc's office and they will give me the exam but the good newes is they will let me try out the contacts before I have to commit to buying them. They do not have any appt's until March but will put me on the cancellation list. I can then ask for my prescription or as you suggest read it off of the box. As a side note I did not realize how many people wear glasses.

PS I live in Canada and in my early 20's.Will let you know what happens later after my doc's visit.

Cactus Jack 21 Feb 2008, 10:05

Kelly,

The reason I asked for your Rx is so I could make suggestions based on your needs.

I suspect that, because the doctor said you could read or use the a computer more comfortably without glasses, you have a low minus Rx, in the -1.00 to -2.00 range. What that means from a practical standpoint is that be being a little myopic (nearsighted), your eyes don't hve to work very much to focus for reading or using a computer. When you have your glasses on, that corrects the myopia to give you good distance vision both day and night, but your eye focus muscles will have to work a bit more than they are used to for close work. They may rebel a ;ittle and cause you some discomfort.

You are right that contacts, by correcting your myopia, would be like wearing your glasses, except that taking them out and putting them in is a bit more complex than taking off or putting on glasses.

Two possible solutions. 1. Get some over the counter reading glasses to wear over your contacts when using the computer or reading. 2. Wear only one contact for monovision where one eye is corrected for distance and the other eye is uncorrected for reading or computer.

The eye doc is obligated to provide you with a prescription, which he did. Next time you get an Rx, make some copies for your records. It is not unreasonable to carry a copy of your Rx with you in case something happens to your glasses or contacts. You should ask the people who made your glasses for your copy of the Rx back. They likely transposed it to their own form. If you get contacts, also ask the dispenser for a copy for your records or simply read the Rx from the box and write it down.

If you are able to get a copy of your Rx, I can make more specific suggestions.

May I ask your age and where you live?

Sourgrapes 21 Feb 2008, 07:54

Let me make sure I understand your question. So you want to try contacts but the eye doc said it would be easier to read without correction, and so now you're wondering if you should? If so, I'd say if you can read with glasses comfortably then you should also not have a problem reading with contact lenses. So go for it

kelly 21 Feb 2008, 07:22

Sorry my post should be directed to Cactus Jack.

Kelly 21 Feb 2008, 07:21

I do not have the prescription as I had to give it to the store where I bought my glasses. I called my eye doc and the receptionist said that they would fax it to the place where I get contacts from. My biggest reason for getting the glasses was driving home after work as it is dark and with snow/rain/headlights and driving was a concern. Since getting the glasses I do prefer the vision but would also like to try contacts.

Cactus Jack 20 Feb 2008, 09:16

Kelly,

What is your complete Rx?

Kelly 20 Feb 2008, 09:10

Just a quick question if someone can answer. I got glasses a couple of weeks ago but would also like contacts.When i got my prescription the eye doc said that it would probably be aesier to read and do computer work without glasses. But if I go and get contacts, different place, they will be in all day or most of the day anyway. Does one not counter the other? Hope this helps.

PS I've read through this site as much as I can but have not seen the answer. I have also asked through Yah** without an answer. If I call my eye doc he will want me to go there and then I will have to pay an additional fee.Thanks.

Brian-16 20 Feb 2008, 05:47

Patrick B- My rx has stayed pretty stable this past year or so and is -14 with no change in the reading portion.I may go for a check up during Easter break.

Patrick B 19 Feb 2008, 08:25

Brian 16 - What's your prescription these days?

Brian-16 19 Feb 2008, 04:43

PeterC- I got trifocals a few years ago for the same reason.The dashboard was blurry and so was the computer screen.Congratulations on taking the plunge!

eustace 18 Feb 2008, 18:46

PeterC:

I have probably missed earlier posts from you. I'm just curious: What is your Rx? And I note that you have been accepted at Gallaudet? Do you also having a hearing impairment? (I have always assumed that most, if not all, Gallaudet students have a hearing problem, but that may not be so any more.)

PeterC 18 Feb 2008, 13:10

About 6 weeks ago, I posted about my first bifocals. I did well with them but had problems with intermediate distances like the dashboard and computer. I went back to the eye doctor in early Feb., he upped my add to +2 (from +1.75) and recommended trifocals. Now, I have no problems at all and like the tris.

In other news, I will graduate high school in June and have been accepted at Gallaudet University.

E mail is peter1290chan at live dot com.

4eyes 17 Feb 2008, 08:46

Hi you all.

With my new glasses Rx above +40:00 Adding and sure thing over +30:00 I am wondering how heavy those new glasses will be. Whiles still summer here, on hot days things goes really bad because my glasses slid over and over and over. And I have straps round my head.

Craig B Id have some difficulties when I first tried bifocals, but then, two years later I realize there were such differences in my far and close vision, I happily embraced them, and I was 13 or 14 by then. Today, with almost +8:00 adding I find real challenge to go out without them.

Cactus Jack, I remember a Chocolate Factory, by Johnny Deep but didnt see it on Theater, but the idea of such carrots I would need just made me laugh. Hehe.

There are few things I dont understand and you all may call me silly, how we consider glasses lenses thick or strong? Is it because of the difficult or the time they take to be made? Also how different is the contact lenses from eye glasses. Ive never been offered the chance for contact lenses because of my own eyes issues. I wish I could have contact lenses, that would be cool. Do you feel cool on contacts? How big is the difference?

Okay, I am sorry of those questions, I was just wondering.

Tchau... tchau.

Craig B 16 Feb 2008, 13:38

Just picked up my new contacts this morning. They are great, everything is super crisp and sharp. Not a big change in the contacts (addl -.50 in each eye as I had just gotten new ones a few months ago) but really looking forward to my new glasses which are supposed to be in this week. I am really interested to try the bifocals.

Craig B

Cactus Jack 15 Feb 2008, 08:18

RL,

I don't think there is a really good explanation for the difference. It just happens. One eye just grew a little longer than the other. In you case about 3 mm. A difference is much more common than someone who has exactly the same Rx in both eyes. That is why each eye is refracted separately and then together.

The eyes are not the only bilateral differences in humans. If you check carefully, you will find one arm longer than the other, and one leg longer than the other. One of my ears is a little higher than the other which means that the temples have to be adjusted slightly or my glasses will be not be straight.

RL 15 Feb 2008, 07:54

Cactus Jack.

Here's another question to which I have never received a proper answer (there may be none.) I am a fairly high myope; -11.50 in my right eye, and -14.75 in my left, with a tiny bit of astigmatism in both. Luckily the difference of 3.25 diopters has never bothered me, but no one has offered any explanation as to why it occurs. In my case, the difference developed in my early twenties, and at one point, I was a -6 in the right and -11 in the left. But later my right eye "caught up." I have heard this difference is more prevalent in high myopes than others, but that's about it. Any thoughts on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Jared 14 Feb 2008, 18:58

PatrickB

I have myodiscs, biconcave, 30mm bowls with a plus carrier. Because of the bowl size the plus carrier doesn't bother me.

Cactus Jack 14 Feb 2008, 17:08

Patrick B.,

I think most Eye Care Professionals spend most of the their time studing vision correction and not much time studying optics and light physics.

Ever notice how most refer to their training rather than their education?

There is a difference. Most are very good in their narrow field, but sometimes the "big picture" eludes them.

Also, they are not necessarily good explainers.

Incidentally, that phenomenon is not limited to the Eye Care field.

Cactus Jack 14 Feb 2008, 17:01

4eyes,

The Oompahs Loompahs were the orange little people in the 1971 movie Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder.

Carrots and some dark green vegetables are a good source of Beta Carotene which the body uses to make Vitamin A, which the eyes need. A little is good, but a lot is not better. You need some Beta Carotene, but too much has been shown to increase the risk of some cancers under certain conditions. If you eat too many carrots or drink too much carrot juice, your skin may take on a yellowish orange cast.

Patrick B 14 Feb 2008, 16:05

Jared: Thanks for the post. What kind of lenses do you have?

Cactus Jack: You explained the nighttime vision decay phenomenon better than most of my eye care professionals. Thanks.

4eyes 14 Feb 2008, 14:39

Hi Jack Cactus, I dont know who this Oompha Loompa of Wonka fame guy is, but for some reason I laughed about your comment very much, just thinking the amount of carrots Id need to eat. Lol

Well, VFL, Id never dated a girl, yet sniff, but I never take mine off, even when its raining and the discussion about my eyes used to freeze me to dead even among my few peers.

I dont take off my glasses for cleaning if I am not at home, but when things are desperately shit when I am playing soccer, where I play as goalkeeper, and there I have special goggles with my rx with a cap tucked deep into my head, lol. But I have to tell you Im trying hard to change that behave, as I find it easier for people to understand the way I see the world.

This year first day at school, I spoke to my class friends about my eyes condition and my glasses and the things I go through during the year because of my funny looking glasses and stuffs like that. I hope that with this talking, things turns easier for me

Also I swim and run with my special goggles. Oh and Ive twice got my glasses stolen, hehe.

Anderson, from SP, Brasil.

PS. Maybe tomorrow I'll get my new glasses.

VFL 14 Feb 2008, 11:22

Thanks, Eye Tri.

Eye Tri 14 Feb 2008, 03:17

VFL

I can only give you my answer to your last question, as I never wear contacts. My sport is triathlon, and glasses work well for me during the bike and run parts. For swimming I use prescription goggles made by Hilco. These are not made to exact prescriptions (no cylindrical correction is available).There are several brands of goggles available for myopes, and I think they are available up to -8.00. So far the Hilco brand are the only ones I've found for us hyperopes. Mine came from my optician. This type goggle with minus lenses are available from most swim equipment catalogs and online. They aren't expensive.

Cactus Jack 13 Feb 2008, 18:53

Patrick B, Craig, Jared & all the othere high Rx members (not just high myopes),

The reason you have trouble seeing in low light conditions without your glasses or contacts is pretty easy to understand. The photoreceptors in your retina called rods, which are insensitive to color, are used in low light conditions for vision. They are very sensitive to light, but not ultra sensitive.

A focused image concentrates the available finite number of light photons sharply on the individual rods, which stimulates them to produce signals for the brain. However, the more out of focus the image is, the more those available photons are spread over a large area, which means that in some cases there are just not enough photons striking an individual rod to cause it to react and produce a signal for the visual cortex.

Even people, with a much lower Rx than you have, experience problems in low light and there isn't much that can help except focus the image. Carrots would probably help a little, but I doubt if it is possible to consume enough to make up for the out of fucus images without looking like an Oompha Loompa of Wonka fame.

VFL 13 Feb 2008, 17:08

I'm not sure this is the right thread to ask this in, but here goes. This is directed to guys who wear contacts most of the time.

When you are dating someone at what point do you "out" yourself as a lens wearer? Is it something you consciously think about or does it just happen? I mean, we all know that they have to come out at bedtime, but before then? How do you initiate that discussion? Is it a big deal to you? Do you ever get a little shy about it?

Also, if you wear glasses full-time, are you at all hesitant to take them off in front of your dates or co-workers, etc. at all? The things do need cleaning once in a while. Do you notice people checking out your bare faced look with interest? Does that bother you?

One last question. If you are a guy who doesn't/can't wear contacts and need to wear your glasses full time, what do you do about sports? Do you have safety goggles with an rx in them for racquetball, tennis, basketball, swimming, whatever? Something that calls for corrected vision. How about diving? What do you do on vacation if you go snorkling? How about just swimming? Is it a pain in the behind or no big deal? Do you sometimes just leave the specs off and muddle through the best you can?

Just wondering.

Jared 13 Feb 2008, 15:28

PatrickB and Craig

I'm -25 and like you guys I too am amazed by -4s and under who are "blind" without their glasses. I work with a -3 who says he can barely function without his. As long as it is light, either indoors or out, I can somewhat navigate and I sure would be able to see a bus heading towards me. But like PatrickB in the dark I'm helpless.

Cactus Jack 13 Feb 2008, 13:11

Bre,

What is your age

Bre 13 Feb 2008, 11:37

A question for you all, as I'm longsighted who would prefer to be less so/reduce it, is it possible to trick optician into giving me a reduced prescription some how? Could I keep saying the red is more vibrant than green when he asks or say that I can't see people across the street lately or something?

Bre 13 Feb 2008, 11:35

My LE is +2.25 and my right eye is +2.75. Hate the look of the bulgy plus lenses in glasses so always wear contacts.

Patrick B 12 Feb 2008, 14:39

Craig: Glad you got your exam behind you and also glad that your prescription didn't increase all that much. Let me know how you see with your new glasses prescription and especially how the bifocal segment works for you. I haven't had bifocals for years, especially since my myodiscs (20mm bowls) can't accommodate them. I'm curious about the dimension of your new lenses since your high prescription would warrant a small frame size to minimize thickness yet have to be large enough to contain the near segment without compromising the lens area devoted to distance viewing. I certainly agree with you about highly-beveled lenses. My last pair of pre-myodisc glasses (1.7) were beveled and the reflections were so annoying to deal with. Those were -23/-24 with -5 of the prescription in the front.

Also, I totally agree with you about the absurdity of the "I'm so blind" comments coming from people with less than -4. Please. Phil's recent comment that he was almost run down by a bus which he couldn't see was ridiculous. I can assure you that if a bus was that near me to do me physical harm, I'd notice it without my glasses. Like you, I could function (barely) during daylight hours if I absolutely had to but nighttime is an impossibility. Even when I shower after a workout at my club, I leave my glasses in a safe place, take my shower, pick up a towel, get a cup of water and whatever else unaided. I can see the other guys although, of course, I can't recognize anyone without getting to within a foot of them.

Post when you get your new specs and good luck.

Craig B 11 Feb 2008, 15:37

4 Eyes,

What is your new Rx going to be? I admire how well you deal with all of your vision complications.

Craig B

Craig B 11 Feb 2008, 15:34

Puffin,

Yea, I had a big deficit in my glasses (they were about 2+yrs old), but lately I have been wearing contacts nearly all the time so just used the glasses around the house in the morning or late evening or when I was going to do a lot of reading at home. I kept my contacts up to date so have had good vision nearly all the time.

I really get a laugh from people who post here about being minus 2 or 3 and being 'really blind' without their glasses. Even as bad as my eyes are I can function in daylight without them enough to get by in an emergency. Night is another thing.....

Craig B

4eyes 11 Feb 2008, 13:45

Sorry about that nameless post. It'was posted by me, the other "4eyes".

11 Feb 2008, 13:43

Hi, Craig B and all of you.

Here is the other "4eyes".

Puffin I think I can answer that one, if you allow me.

Interestingly I never know when I am in need of changing my lenses glasses RX, but my daddy does. Somehow, he says he looks at me when Im having breakfast or dinner or when I am playing video games or messing with my PC, where I spend most of my time, hehehe. He says its the way I fit my glasses on me face or the way I adjust my head or body position when Im playing.

Dyou see? I go to doctors every three months and, on second visiting time, that is, by June or July, doctors decide its time to change RX if the difference is above + 2,00 or if they find Im having vicious head position, or my back; its not good for me, they say. I am considered LV by now, but I am always amazed how clearly and sharp things are when I get my new glasses, always I am, since the first time I got glasses. And, after last year, I'd never left home without my American Expre OOOps, without my glasses.

Sorry about the joke.

Anderson, from Brazil

Puffin 11 Feb 2008, 08:53

Interesting you have a deficit in correction in your old glasses of about -3 and in the "Going without Glasses" we have people saying "I can't believe you could go without a similar correction". Did you notice this suddenly or did it creep up on you? How often do you change you glasses?

Craig B 11 Feb 2008, 07:29

I have just had my new eye exam and have a new Rx for both contacts and glasses. My contact Rx was only increased slightly as I had a fairly recent rx change. They are new rx OD -17.50, OS -18.00. My glasses were another thing as I had not gotten new glasses the past couple of exams, just contacts. New rx is OD -20.50 -.75 X110, OS -21.25, both with add +1.50. (No wonder my vision with old my glasses was so bad...they were -17.50, -17.75)

I get the new contacts in a couple days, but he warned the glasses will take longer due to high rx and bifocal. They will not be super hi index because of my Mom's insurance limitations and not myodisc due to the bifocals. He warned me about edge thickness but I told him I just wanted to get the best vision possible and be able to read easily without changing glasses. I also told him I was concerned that the lab was going to try to bevel off the edges to reduce the thickness as I had a pair a few years ago where they did that in a big way and it drove me nuts. By the way, I now have a pair of cheap bifocal readers which I use when I am wearing my contacts and they make school a whole lot easier...I even found a great looking pair in bifocal sunglasses.

Thanks for all the advice before the exam, it helped me communicate with the doctor and get a lot of questions answered. I am really anxious to get the new contacts and glasses and see how well they each work.

Cactus Jack 11 Feb 2008, 06:07

Galileo,

Some $20 single vision glasses sounds like an excellent idea. That would let you try the change and see if the difference is worth enough in your daily activities to justify getting some bifocals made. I think you will like the change.

Galileo 10 Feb 2008, 23:14

Thank you Cactus Jack, when you re-write it in the same "language" it does not look that different.

I'll wait a while and see how it goes. I'm working in the Far East for a few months, in a country where you can get glasses for a single vision Rx made in 15 minutes for less than $20 US, so I could experiment with the new Rx without spending much.

Cactus Jack 10 Feb 2008, 17:53

Galileo,

I wouldn't call it better or worse, just changed a little.

If your old Rx were written in - cylinder, it would be:

OD Sph. 0.00, cyl. -1.50 axis 0

OS Sph. -0.50, cyl -1.00 axis 20

New Rx

OD Sph -0.25, cyl -1.00 axis 3

OD Sph -0.75, cyl. -0.50 axis 30

The difference is very small and could almost be called fine tuning. At 53, there shouldn't be too much change in anything other than perhaps the add, depending on your needs. If you want slightly sharper distance vision and slightly more comfortable rading vision, you might consider getting the new Rx filled, but it is optional. I would maybe think about getting someing low cost on line, but I would probably wait until I needed more add to do anything that was expensive.

Puffin 10 Feb 2008, 16:25

I've heard of this overcorrecting, it was someone who had gone from no glasses straight to minus 5 with no astigmatism at the age of about 21, and had around 20/200 vision (I think)

I infer from this that the optician thought the eyes might be rather too relaxed and needed to be strained a little to retain lens flexibility.

4eyes 10 Feb 2008, 10:56

Hi, all you guys.

I know Im asking silly questions, but I wonder if have anyone ever heard of over correcting eyes glasses lenses? My daddy says that that is the reason for my newest glasses delaying. I am not sure how much those USA doctors over correct the RX prescription I got last January from English doctors, but I am really concerned because my year school has just began.

Also Im going to get a fixed Prisms lens 17º with additional Fresnell Prisms lenses of 30º as a experience to correct strabismus and I am wondering if is there anyone out there who has the same correction or if is that normal? Or has anybody ever heard that strabismus causes visual impairment sorry for such stupidest questions, but Id never heard such thing.

Thanks for any insite from you... eye blink.

Galileo 10 Feb 2008, 08:06

Not sure where to post this given the discussion currently going on in "going without glasses"

Cactus Jack - can you please interpret this;

I'm 53 and resisting presbyopia. I've had glasses for years but rarely wear them, usually at the movies and when driving. I recently thought that my distance vision was getting a bit worse and as I was due for a test booked an appointment. This was the result;

old prescription: OD Sphere -1.50 cylinder +1.50 axis 90 OS Sphere -1.50 cylinder +1.00 axis 110 reading add +1.50

new prescription: OD Sphere -0.25 cylinder -1.00 axis 3 OS -0.75 cylinder -0.50 axis 30 reading add +1.50

I realise it is written differently, but it does not seem to imply my distance vision is any worse. The optician also said my reading add needed to increase, then left it the same as before?? I don't use reading glasses or have bifocals, I just have the distance Rx and I have not changed my glasses as a result of this new Rx.

Would having the new Rx make much difference? is my distance vision better or worse than before? Visual acuity on the old script was down as 6/5 and on the new script as 6/6, which also seemed a bit weird. Any ideas please?

04 Feb 2008, 19:57

yes it sure is

john112 04 Feb 2008, 17:36

is a -4.75 a strong rx for glasses?

Cactus Jack 21 Jan 2008, 08:21

Ted,

One other thought. Do not try to fudge on the astigmatism part of the exam. A cylinder correction that is not exactly what you require is very uncomfortable and counter productive.

Cactus Jack 21 Jan 2008, 08:18

Ted,

This is a little hard to explain so bear with me. The astigmatism part is very early in the exam with enough sphere correction so that you can see a fairly large line of letters clearly. An auxiliary device with a low power cylinder lens mounted so that it can be flipped 45 degrees either side of the principal axis.You will be asked the which is clearer question, but in this instance the goal is to find the cylinder axis where the image is equally blurry in the two positions of the aux. lens, thus bracketing the true axis of the needed cylinder correction.

This part of the exam depends very much on your ability to judge equal blurriness to accurately bracket the true axis. I try to concentrate on a letter with no straight lines such as an "O" and ask the examiner if I can fine tune the axis when he/she is finished. Most will place your hand on the axis knob and allow you to adjust it, at this point with the aux. lens out of the way, for the sharpest image.

If you have no astigmatism, the examiner may go through this phase of the exam very quickly.

Ted 21 Jan 2008, 06:09

Cactus Jack, at what point in an exan does the optician swithch from distance vision checks to astigmatismn checks. All I get is which one is better one or two? one or Two..... For those who want a stronger prescription this may be useful.Thanks.

Cactus Jack 20 Jan 2008, 08:16

Steve,

I think she probably did you a favor with the +1.50. Assuming your distance vision is pretty close to 20/20, the amount of plus required to focus on objects closer than 20 feet (6m) can be calculated by dividing the distance into 39.37 inches or 100 cm depending on your preferred unit of measure. For example: If you like to read at a distance of 16 in or 40 cm, the laws of optics dictate that +2.50 is required. That +2.50 has to come from somewhere.

Up to now, your ciliary muscles / crystaline lenses have been able to supply the necessary plus, but presbyopia is catching up with you as it does with almost everyone else. because you can no longer supply all the plus needed, the additional amount must be supplied externally, thus the reading glasses.

Unfortunately, from here on out, it will get progressively harder to focus close as your crystaline lenses get stiffer and your ciliary muscles get deconditioned. The solution will be stronger reading glasses up to about +2.50 and maybe a little more depending on your situation and preferred reading distance.

What is happening is just a fact of life. Welcome to middle age. Lots of us have been there, done that, and instead of a T-shirt, got the glasses.

Steve 20 Jan 2008, 07:10

43 years old never wore glasses, but arms were getting a bit short so bit the bullet and went for exam. She prescribed +1.50 for reading, which gave slight headaches, but she told me to wear them for close work for 7-10 days to "get used" to them. She was right, and now close is sharp and comfortable. She said I could have done with +1.25's, but thought I would easily grow in to these and find them good for 6-12 months, and then maybe prefer a bump of .25 or so. This makes me wonder if SHE is causing my eyesight to get worse by over-prescribing! Any ideas out there.

Peter 19 Jan 2008, 15:18

To Jeanette Brunette

Hi am also from Sweden would be cool to talk pleas e-mail me: peter81891(at)hotmail.com

Rachel 92 19 Jan 2008, 13:49

Martyn, thanks for inquiring. Am not the person you thought, though I am a shortsighted UK girl from Windsor.

Jeanette Brunette 19 Jan 2008, 06:26

Hi everyone, sorry I didn't get around to posting the rest of my story untill now, I had exams this week (so glad to get them over with)!

Anyway, After I was prescribed prisms, things were a little easier, but I found that wearing my mom's old +1.00 readers on top of my distance correction made it alot easier to use the computer and read. I had an eye test done at my university last november, and they made me a pair of reading glasses that were a plus one added to my distance Rx.

But it wasn't long before I was putting readers on top of them to see up close (and if I put them on in the mornings now, they are perfect for distance vision) so I finally got a my current pair of progressives made up this summer at the practive where I do my summer job in Sweden. My boss was the one who refracted me and determined that I needed the +2.00 Add. So my reading Rx is now as follows:

OD: +6.25/ -0.75 x 105

OS: +2.75

It felt wonderful at first (it took about a week to get used to the progessives though) but now my eyes become strained after reading and I sometimes get double vision at near (something I have never had a problem with). One of my proffesors said I should get a cycloplegic refraction done (dilated exam) so I'm booked in for an appointment on the 28th. my proff thinks my left eye is over-accommodating, and probably needs a lot more plus. I'll let you know how it goes!

Is it weird for me to want more plus? Not only would it make my eyes look more the same size, but I would also get the lovely contrast between clear and blurry vision when I take my glasses off. (to experience this now, I have to close my left eye since it is only a +0.75 for distance).

I also have really sexy new frames that I spluged on when I worked over the Christmas break in Sweden.(Well, it wasn't really a splurge since I got a 75% employee discount:) They are O&X; New York titanim frames, in a dark cherry red color with plastic sides that taper. I can't wait to put some lenses in them so I can wear them!

I think that once my Rx has stabilized (it's been all over the place since I started wearing glasses again at age 18) I would LOVE to try some GOC. This sight is amazing, I'm so glad I found it!Thanks for reading:)

Jeanette

Curt 17 Jan 2008, 13:48

Stingray: Also don't forget the relationship between lens power and focal length. A stronger add will result in a shorter focal length, and with everything else being equal, you will have to hold the material closer to your eyes than you previously did to see it clearly.

Cactus Jack 17 Jan 2008, 08:53

Stingray,

The amount of reading add is primarily a function of your preferred reading distance and your ability to focus. You can calculate the distance by dividing the + add into either 100 cm. or 39.37 in. depending on your preferred units of measure.

Because of vertex distance effects, the plus in the glasses will enlarge the print some compared to any plus supplied by your crystaline lenses or contacts.

Willy 17 Jan 2008, 08:47

Stingray -- How are progressives with a +2.50 add? I have read that progressives get more difficult to deal with at the higher add powers and are easier to adapt to at lower add powers. Did you first get progressives with a lower add?

Stingray 17 Jan 2008, 08:12

My reading add in my progressives is +2.50. I think I need a step up to perhaps +2.75. If I ask for more than that, like an add of +3.00, will things appear normal up close or will they be greatly magnified? In other words, would that be of benefit for me in seeing tiny print? My distant rx is +1.50 with astigmatism of -1.75 in each eye.

Willy 17 Jan 2008, 07:03

I got +1.5 for reading in early 2004 at age 42 and used these until I went into progressives with about +1 distance (and some cyl) and +1.25 ADD in December 2006 at age 45. By late 2006 the +1.5 were clearly (or "unclearly"!)not enough, but I could still read normal size print in decent light without glasses, albeit with difficulty. Once I adapted to the progressives, however, I could not read a thing without them. I think part of this is due to my eyes no longer having to work to see at distance, which kept their muscle tone up. So part of when you can't read at all without glasses may relate to whether you are an emmetrope with presbyopia or a latent hyperope. If the latter, you'll need a distance prescription at some point, and when you get that, I think the game is up....

presby2 17 Jan 2008, 00:11

Julian, I am 47 and I tried contacts and was unable to read at all without reading glasses. Now, if I do not have my contacts on, I can still do some simple reading....so you are not unusual!

I gave up on the contacts because it made glasses more necessary, although I like the half reading glasses

Julian 16 Jan 2008, 23:49

caratstone: I have a prescription not unlike presby2's, but my reading add is now +2.5. I've had glasses since I was 18, and got bifocals at 40; but for some years after that I could still read bareyed. I think I was 47 when I got a pair of single vision glasses with my distance Rx, and found them almost useless 'cause I could NOT read without the add. So that's one person's experience - I don't know how typical I am.

presby2 16 Jan 2008, 22:26

Carat, Your experience is somewhat typical. Likely, the more that you wear your glasses, the more you will use them, not because your eyes become weaker but because you can notice the difference clearly and it is more comfortable. I got reading glasses a couple of years ago, the Dr. actually said I was latent hyperope(with a bit of astigmatism) as well, ( OD + 1.25 -.75 90axis add + 1.50 OS +1.50 -. 1.00 75 axis add 1.25)so my initial prescription was a bit stronger, although I could still read without anything. NOw, i am comfortable wearing glasses full time.

On the other hand my partner wears ; -3.50 and - 3.75 contactlenses. She recently got +1.00 add reading glasses (45 yo) and is still wearing them rarely, much to my disappointment. Wondering if anyone has thoughts on when she will be more of a fulltime wearer of reading glasses

Martyn 16 Jan 2008, 18:02

Rachal, are you from Devon cornwall way. Did you used to come in here a long time ago, if its you you had very strong plus glasses. If its you how Is Cornwall and Devon hope you were not caught up in those awful rains.

Rachel 92 16 Jan 2008, 17:33

R Ed, good to hear from you. Have had a rough 6 months. Lots of pressure from family to get contacts. Mom is not happy with my glasses fettish.

caratstone 16 Jan 2008, 11:12

New to this site. New presbyope. Went for regular exam, and was prescribed +1.25. Can read ok without them, but after wearing for a while and taking them off CAN'T read the paper!! Many friends can't read at all without theirs. At what prescription do people reach the point where they are REALLY needed?

Billy 16 Jan 2008, 11:09

Just got first +1.5 readers. How long till bifocals? I don't know many 40+ who got readers that didn't soon need for distance too.

R Ed 15 Jan 2008, 08:13

Rachel 92,

I'm doing well, checking ES from time to time.

I've haven't seen a post from you for months. Do you have any new episodes for us? All your prior posts were fascinating

Slit 15 Jan 2008, 06:25

hi jeanette,

keep posting... we dont fall asleep. we are keen about opthalmalogy.

Jeanette Brunette 14 Jan 2008, 17:27

Hi Guys! Thanks for the replies, I'm glad I decided to become a poster:)

I do notice a big difference in my lenses, not only is the right one much thicker, but it makes my right eye look bigger than my left, which doesn't really bother me that much anymore (but I would much rather they looked the same size)!

I'm studying to become an optician (I have a year and a half left) so I get to be around glasses and optical instruments all day (yay!). That's how I was able to find out all of my old glasses' prescriptions.

But anyway, you asked for my story, so here it is... P.S. I hope I don't bore anyone:)

When I was almost 3 my parents noticed that my right eye would occasionly turn in, and that I couldn't really see things that they pointed out to me. They took me to the eye doctor who diagnosed me with a "lazy eye" and prescribed glasses and patching. I got to pick my own frames and got round metal red ones. My first Rx was:

OD: +5.00/ -1.00 x 90

OS: +4.00/ -1.00 x 90

The lenses were very thick, but I didn't object to wearing them at all (my vision must have improved dramatically)

We moved to the states (from Sweden) when I was six years old, and the optomestrist there prescribed bifocals (+1.50 Add) and Vision Therapy to improve the vision in my "lazy" right eye.(I'm not sure why I got bifocals, maybe something to do with convergence problems) Vision therapy was fun, and I had special red and green glasses that I had to wear over my normal ones for reading and watching TV.

When I was 13, I got tired of being called "four eyes" and "nerd" so I decided to get contacts. I had to get hard (RGP) contacts since I needed bifocals, and boy were they terrible! They felt like I always had something painful in my eye, and were very hard to insert and remove. After a couple of months I gave up and went bare eyed instead. (I didn't tell my mom though, and continued to pretend I was wearing contacts. They were expensive, so I felt guilty for not using them).

All was fine and dandy untill I turned eighteen and got my own laptop before going off to college. After sitting at my computer for a while, my eyes would hurt and I would get a headache. Bright lights started to cause pain in my eyes, and I fianlly decided to have my eyes checked again (for the first time in five years! This is because we moved back to Sweden when I was fifteen) I was given the following Rx to wear for close work (and distance if I felt it was comfortable:

OD +0.50 /-0.25 x 60

OS +2.75/ -0.75 X 100

She said she didn't prescribe the full amount for my Right eye because there was such a big differece.

The seamed to help a little for near vision, but distance vision was better without them, and I went back for a recheck two times because of persistant headaches and eye strain before I was referred to an Ophthalmologist who prescribed prisms.

Wow it's getting late! I'll post the rest of my story tomorrow, hope you didn't fall asleep reading this novel:)

Thanks for the welcome,

Jeanette

Rachel 92 14 Jan 2008, 17:24

Hi R Ed, how are you and your eyes. Haven't heard from you in a long time.

cut-in UK 13 Jan 2008, 13:47

Jeanette Brunette, welcome, having graduated from lurker to poster !

A most interesting prescription, with a BIG sphere imbalance. Do you notice it in the lenses of your glasses? Would it play a part, to some extent, for the 'early' need for bifocals? There are some who might have a sound technical view but I can only speculate. It may be the case that your eyes can't make their mind up which one is dominant, and the +0.75 sphere would give good vision at all but the closest point, without any correction.

As to GOC, I am a practising addict myself, and I can only say it would be an experience for you to be a myope. Perhaps you will try it in a while and enjoy, as I do, the fun it generates. There is much sound advice here on eyescene on how to organise the glasses/contacts combination. You only need to post in these threads. Do not, I suggest, let the opportunity pass. It really does give a terrific buzz!

R Ed 12 Jan 2008, 17:41

Of course people here would like to hear your story. We look forward to it

Jeanette Brunette 12 Jan 2008, 11:00

Hi,

Thia is my first post here. I've been lurking for months, but I think it's finally time to declare my glasses obession! Anyway, here is my prescription:

R: +4.25/ -0.75 x 105

L: +0.75

2 Prism diopters base out each eye, and a +2.00 add for near (I wear varifocals/progressives even though I'm only 21)!

My glasses story is a long one, so I will post it later if anyone's interested. I would love to experiment with GOC at some point when I'm not studying at college anymore. (ie have money to do so :) It would be very interesting to experience being myopic.

Over and out,

Jeanette

08 Jan 2008, 22:18

Can he see the clock on the nightstand clearly enough that he doesn't have to reach for the old glassesarooni?

Depends. He would have to get pretty close (probably by picking it up and bringing it closer) and it also depends on the size of the numbers.

How about when he takes his specs off to rub his eyes...can he make out who is walking by the office door and giving him a little wave?

Probably not. I don't think he can make out faces from such a distance. Probably just the general shape/color of what they were wearing.

Can he see the computer screen from a normal distance with them off?

No, I don't think he would be able to read anything on it without moving his eyes a few inches from the screen.

VFL 08 Jan 2008, 16:54

This may not be the right spot to ask, but...if a man has a prescription of

-5.75/-0.50 in both eyes what is his vision like? Can he see the clock on the nightstand clearly enough that he doesn't have to reach for the old glassesarooni? How about when he takes his specs off to rub his eyes...can he make out who is walking by the office door and giving him a little wave? Can he see the computer screen from a normal distance with them off?

Roberto 07 Jan 2008, 12:28

By the way, I am Yuen-Ming's husband. Some of you might remember her.

Roberto 07 Jan 2008, 06:15

Criag - talk to your EYE DOC for advice. He may not say a lot but will tell you what you NEED to know.

Ivan 07 Jan 2008, 06:11

-Brian.

Welcome.

I had the same thing myself-only at 20 years old.It is "a bit of an eye opener" as you might say.

May I ask What frames did you opted for?

Julian 07 Jan 2008, 06:10

Guest: well congratulations, Brian, on getting your vision corrected at last. My immediate reaction was that 'very slightly myopic' was an understatement and I just hope you haven't been driving bareyed all these years! Glad you're enjoying the clear vision now; keep it up!

Guest 07 Jan 2008, 04:51

Hi Folks!

First time I've posted on here although I've been looking for some time now.

Well I finally got around to getting an eye test last November. I knew I was very slightly myopic but for some reason I've lived with it for the last 40 years (I first noticed I couldn't see all that well when I was about 12yrs old !)

I came away with a precription as follows:

Left sph -2.25 cyl -1.00 axis 180

Right sph -2.25 cyl -o.75 axis 20

I got some glasses made up and I must say that the result is fantastic, I can't believe how sharp things look, especially the Teletext on the TV and illuminated road signs & number plates in the dark. I've already found that I've become almost a full time wearer and seem to have become very dependant upon them. I really cant understand why I held back for so long.

Brian

Patrick B 06 Jan 2008, 10:28

Craig B:

Glad to hear that you've got healthy eyes! That's the most important issue facing high myopes in terms of their eye care management. I would, however, encourage you to wear protective eyewear if you play any sort of aggressive sport like squash or handball.

In answer to your questions, I am 52 and can't remember my exact prescription when I was 15/16. It was less than yours (around -14, I think) and fully correctible at that time with both glasses and contacts. Glasses in those pre-high-index days were really thick and mine were no exception. That's why I wore contacts nearly 24/7. A bit of advice re contacts: Give your eyes a break from contacts on a regular basis (perhaps one day a week) so that you don't damage your corneas from overuse. Of course that will require an up-to-date pair of glasses which you don't have at present.

Let us know how your exam goes and best of luck with your learner's permit.

4eyes 06 Jan 2008, 06:58

After being in England for eyes checking late last Year, Ive come out with few main questions to be answered in flat answers. I really need to understand those meannings so I decided that next Week I am only going to allow them to play with me under this condiction. Or I fully understand about those few questions I've or nothing will be done. That is what I told my daddy.

1. He cross fixate because his eyes remains in almost full adduction. He is not able to abduct the eyes even to the midline and (because of monocular amblyopia he has no diplopia, and even if hed it, images would be so far apart hed not be particularly bothered).

2. His actual strabismus measurements over 100DP ET in primary position, reaching far over 120DP on attempting to look laterals side. If we cant correct this unusual strabismus in next future, will he be able to use glasses? How come?

3. How much does Duane and Brown Syndrome and fibrosys helps to impair the kid?Humpf, kid This bizarre condition generally is though to be congenital and caused by an unspecific progressive fibrosys and internal eyes malformation.

I also learned from a friend how to avoid sickness and nausea, so Ill take a Prevent Motion Sickness Band with me during those exams.

I only hope they find my new RX Prescription from England Ok and order the new glasses as soon as possible.

I did my best to express me in English as well as I could.

I am sorry for such rambling.

PS.: To CraigB. It looks like I can't see close clearly even with my glasses on lately, So its funny because I've to put my beloved PSP very far from me, so that I can see better. BTW I'll be 18 this Year.

Thank you all.

Brian-16 05 Jan 2008, 13:50

CraigB -I got bifocals in high school at 16.Have worn trifocals for a while and I am in my third year at college.My distance rx is less than yours and I not tried contacts at all as I do have prism rx.

CraigB 04 Jan 2008, 20:22

Thanks for the help wth my questions. You people have made a lot of things clearer to me. My eye Dr. is not much of a communicator, although he does say that I have 'healthy' eyes despite my high rx, which is encouraging. Patrick, how high was your rx when you were my age (15) and how old are you now?

I just looked at my contact rx and it is -17/-17.50. I guess I will find out when I have my exam later this month where my new rx has landed...for both contacts and glasses.

Appreciate all the advice. I am looking ahead to getting my driver's permit soon and want to have the best possible situation when I take both the eye test and the written exam.

Thanks,

Craig

Patrick B 04 Jan 2008, 15:46

Craig:

Cactus Jack is right about the vertex distance necessitating a lot of extra minus in a glasses prescription for a high myope. I always wore contacts 24/7 and now have to give my eyes a break by wearing glasses at least half of the time. My contact prescription is -22.50/-23 (without my small correction for astigmatism) and my new glasses prescription is -26.50/-27 with the astigmatism correction. Your new glasses prescription will probably be well over -20, and you will probably be advised to go with lenticular (myodisc) lenses. The bowl of my myodiscs are 20mm across set in a negative carrier which I think looks better cosmetically from the front since the negative bowl (which makes my eyes really small) isn't surrounded by a plus carrier that magnifies everything else. Of course the frames are small and the lenses also biconcave. I think the blended myodiscs look quite good and most people don't have a clue as to the strength of my lenses. My last non-myodisc lenses were -23 and extremely thick even though the edges were heavily beveled. Like many high myopes, my accommodation for near was never that great. You will probably also find that you won't be able to get bifocals in myodisc lenses since there isn't enough room in the bowl to accommodate a separate prescription. When I'm wearing my contacts I simply wear over-the-counter readers. When I want to read when I'm wearing my glasses for any length of time, I simply wear an old pair with a weaker prescription.

I fought against getting myodiscs and wish that I had got them much earlier. You will find them easy to get used to and there is less distortion, although you probably never will get a full 20/20 with them (or conventional lenses) because of the minimification factor.

Good luck and let us know how things go.

Emily 04 Jan 2008, 11:47

Craig -- I can relare to your situation because I also need high minus correction.

I used to wear contacts and glasses about equally. I found it a bit confusing to go between both because of the different apparent size of objects. At my last exam, my cylindrical correction (for astigmatism) increased slightly. Since my contacts have spherical correction only, I can actually see better with glasses, so now I wear them almost all the v=time. And the interesting thing is that, wearing them constantly, I've become used to the smaller size of everything and it bothers me much less than when I switched back and forth.

Also, I now have lined bifocals. I had resisted them, but the fact is that they enlarge small print and make close work more comfortable. You might want to try it.

Cactus Jack 04 Jan 2008, 07:16

CraigB,

For high myopes, the contacts Rx will always be lower than the glasses Rx. This difference (and the smaller image with glasses) is caused by the distance between the cornea and the back surface of the glasses called vertex distance. Vertex distance is zero for contacts and about 12 to 13 mm for glasses. The effects of vertex distance are very significant at your Rx, about 0.50 diopter per mm.

If your contacts are -18, your glasses Rx would likely be myodisc in the -22 to -23 range and would have significant minification. Some Eye Care Professionals (ECP) prescribe bifocals, trifocals, prism and/or reading glasses to try to slow progressive myopia.

A possible solution to help with your reading would be to get some reading glasses and wear them over your contacts when you have a lot of reading to do. The over the counter variety would likely be OK.

Be sure and tell your ECP that you are haveing trouble reading with your contacts.

CraigB 03 Jan 2008, 22:14

Cactus Jack,

The glasses I am using are....I think I have the right rx slip...OD -17.50, OS -17.75. I don't have a contact package handy but I think my most recent contacts are around -18.00 if I remember right. I know that my contact rx has always been lower than my glasses rx so I guess I see what you mean about having bifocals, just not at the same time. In fact my distance vision with my current glasses is pretty crummy but they are fine for reading, computer, etc. so a new pair of glasses might have their rx for the bifocal and something stronger for distance.

Thanks,

CraigB

Cactus Jack 03 Jan 2008, 20:52

CraigB,

To continue, Wearing different strengths correction is called monovision and you are right it does affect your depth perception, but not as much as you would think. The brain is very clever in constructing a speudo 3-D image with one well focused eye and one slightly nearsighted one.

I have IOLs because of cataract surgery. One eye is close to 20/20 for distance and the other is about -1.50. I still wear glasses (trifocals) because of some residual astigmatism and other problems most of the time, but I don't absolutely have to have them. I can leagally dirve without them. Monovision is handy when glasses are a nuisance eg. when swimming and it is convenient if I get up in the night. I can read labels on bottles etc. without fiddling with glasses.

You could do monovision, but I suspect you would not like it at your age.

At my age, it can be rather convenient.

Cactus Jack 03 Jan 2008, 20:38

CraigB,

What is youir current contacts Rx and your glasses Rx.

You are already using bifocals, the lenses are just not in the same corrective tool.

CraigB 03 Jan 2008, 20:08

I've been reading a lot of posts on this site about young people wearing bifocals which I had never realized was as a common as it seems to be.

I am 15 and have worn glasses for nearsightedness since I was old enough to remember. Each year, especially recently, my rx increases alot. I wear contacts nearly all the time but recently I am having more trouble being able to read small print when I am wearing my contacts. With my glasses...which are almost 2 years old as the last couple of changes I have just gotten new contacts...I have no trouble reading anything and if I want really close vision I just take them off and I have amazing up close detail vision.

I am having another exam later this month and wonder if my doctor will suggest bifocals for my new glasses. I have heard of people wearing two different strength contacts, one for distance and one for up close, but I would think that would screw up your depth perception big time.

Anybody been through this? I prefer the vision with my contacts as the glasses shrink everything and limit my vision to the sides but would like to be able to read easily.

Astra 02 Jan 2008, 23:26

I do not wear bifocals... but actually I could hardly read properly with my glasses on. I feel much more comfortable going bare-eyed when doing close work, but for distance I must wear glasses otherwise I could not see clearly.

Eye Tri 02 Jan 2008, 11:48

Jennifer,

I was a bit older than you are, but I got my first bifocals at an early age. At the age of 32 I was told that I not only needed glasses, but the optometrist strongly suggested bifocals. I was incredulous, but I said OK. It didn't take long to see I did in fact need these glasses. Not only could I see noticibly better but my overall fatigue level was reduced. Wearing my bifocals to work was a big step, but at the engineering firm where I worked a few people noticed that I started wearing glasses, but no one said anything about the bifocal lenses.

Willy 02 Jan 2008, 11:10

Jennifer -- I hope your experience with the bifocals is going well so far; please let us know how you are getting on. It would be especially interesting to hear from you whether your distance vision is improved with the upper portion of your new glasses; had you been having any difficulties? It seems from your posts that you may have some latent hyperopia (farsightedness); this condition can be hard to pin down very precisely when it first arises because the person still is using their accommodation to see well at distance. This may explain why you could not see well at distance with your first glasses. It is possible, though, that as your eyes become accustomed to the glasses, you may need or be able to use more of your ultimate total prescription at distance. This may reduce or eliminate the need for the bifocal eventually, but the cost would be that you would be dependent on glasses for distance as well as reading. If you still have your +1.5 glasses, you might try wearing those at certain times for mid distance activities such as watching television to see if your vision becomes clearer. Anyway, let us know how you get on.

Basset horn 01 Jan 2008, 14:15

The formatting of the sphere, cylinder, axis, and add didn't line up despite my attempt.

Basset horn 01 Jan 2008, 14:12

In something like 10 years (or is it less?) of visiting Eyescene, I don't ever recall posting my own prescription. Though I have worn glasses for almost 50 years (since my earliest teens) I'm not sure I have ever understood the methodology behind the numbers. (This is despite several Eyescene postings which have undertaken to explain.)

I recall holding off getting glasses until I couldn't read the blackboard even from the front seat in the classroom. Yet my prescription seems very low compared to so many I see on Eyescene. I have worn bifocals (always progressive - my one experience with lined bifocals was very unhappy) since my early 40's (about 15 years). My current prescription is

sphere axis cylinder add

OD -1.25 080 -2.25 2.00

OS -1.25 070 -2.25 2.00

I'm not convinced that this is particularly interesting, but it may be to some.

PeterC 01 Jan 2008, 08:39

Brent:

They are pretty expensive, about $300, eye sceneand no hi-index. The doctor says no with prisms, as the optics aren't good enough.

All of my family are very myopic, and I complete the package with bifocals now, older and younger siblings all have stronger prescriptions than mine and bifocals. My doctor prescribes bifocals at and above -10.

R Ed 31 Dec 2007, 12:55

Jennifer,

If you are concerned about the line you can get no-line bifocals aka progressive bi-focals. I've had them for many years and they are great. Once I had a prescription filled with lined bi focals; since I was used to no line, they were hard to adapt to so I returned to no line.

Good luck

Ivan 31 Dec 2007, 11:00

-Jennifer,

I agree with Benn,regarding people noticing your bi-focal lenses,generally no one will notice.And if they do so what? You need them for good vision.No doubt you have choosen well with your frame style and I'm sure you will find great improvement in your vision too.It's simply a matter of some inner confidence and attitude.If you are happy,sure of yourself and your new appearance people will take that feeling away with them.They will soon adjust to the new you!

By way,if you are unhappy with the way you bifocal lenses are "set" ,do not be afraid to return to your practioner to have them altered. Most will in my experience.

John S 31 Dec 2007, 10:37

Jennifer,

I hope I can answer some of your questions.

You should wear them most of the time, they will let the muscles in your eyes relax. Your new prescription will probably help out quite a bit. It is almost twice of strong as your old rx. That is almost identical to my rx when I got glasses at 17, they made a big difference.

Your distance vision should be pretty good with your bifocals. To get the most benefit, whenever you look at anything close, use the bottom segment of the lens. Don't look around the reading portion, then your headache problem will be back.

The doctor thought lined bifocals would be easier for you to use. Progressive lenses are not as comfortable for prolonged close work, like studying. You might talk him into getting a second pair as progessives, and see how they work.

Since this is first correct rx you've had, he wants to fine tune it once you have wore them for a while.

benn 31 Dec 2007, 10:28

Do not worry they will not notice. We all think everyone sees the line but they don't.

If they are fitted correctly you will not notice either. I have worn them for 45 years, started at age 20.

Jennifer 31 Dec 2007, 07:29

My name is Jennifer, I am a 26. old year law student

When I came home from school agt Thanksgiving. I had my eyes

examined because i was getting headaches at school from all the bookwork

and studying.The prescription is r&l; +1.50.

I have worn the glasses for studying and doing homework

At first they helped, but recently they headaches returned.

On friday I went back to the doctor and he checked my glasses

and told me everything was ok with them.He then checked my eyes

after he put some drops in them. Then he gave the news.

Bi-focals!

After reading here I see that other young people have

them, but i was not ready for glasses with lines in them.I wanted

the other kind ,but he said with all all the schoolwork

and my new presciption, mine would be betterif they had the

line in them. He also wants to see me on Spring break again, Why?

My card says R + .75 -25 125 add 1.75 L +1.0 add + 1.75 ,

FT 35

I get my glasses on Wednesday before I go back to school.

He told when I received my first glasses they were for reading.

Are these to be worn all the time then ? Can people see the line in them?

My first glasses were hard to wear at school because

they made my distance fuzzy. Studying was great at first, but the headaches returned.

I felt like they made my eyes worse .Is that why he gave me bi-focals?

I am dreading Wednesday, My friends will make fun of me if I

have to wear bi-focals all the time.

Jennifer

CT1980 30 Dec 2007, 22:07

I went for an eye exam yesterday and was given a prescription of +1.50 L and R. I am 27 now and had glasses and contacts in high school to see the board, but I stopped needing them. I think that my prescription may have been the same with a - instead of a +. I have been having problems recently see road signs and power points. It takes me a minute or so to focus at distance if I've been doing computer work or reading close up. The Dr said that my eyes were spasaming and also that I should come back in a month or so for another test that she would put drops in my eyes and things would be blurry for several hours.

is this normal? Does it make sense that someone would go from being nearsighted to being farsighted?

Cactus Jack 30 Dec 2007, 19:47

Brent,

I don't think you have seen many Rx.

It seems complex only because it has most of the possible elements: Sphere, Cylinder, Axis, Horizontal Prism and Add. It could also have Vertical Prism and be a Tri-Focal or a Quadri-Focal.

Brent 30 Dec 2007, 17:36

PeterC

That is one of the most complicated prescriptions I've ever seen. I'm sure the lens lab will be challenged by this one. Wondering if you were quoted a price for these I bet these lenses in hi-index are costly.

PeterC 30 Dec 2007, 15:39

New script

The old one was

OD sph -9.00 cyl -0.25 axis 005 prism 6.00 base out

OS sph -8.50 cyl -2.00 axis 010 prism 6.00 base out

new one

OD -10.00 cyl -0.75 axis 005 prism 7.00 base out add +1.75

OS sph -9.75 cyl -2.25 axis 010 prism 7.00 base out add +1.75

first bifocals, age 17

e-mail peter1290chan@live.com

dan d 30 Dec 2007, 12:00

Julian,

I can read with my glasses on so I guess I can/should wear them when I do close up work. And maybe it is time to go back to the eye doctor but I do not notice and blurriness with my glasses on.

Julian 29 Dec 2007, 22:45

Well Dan, can you actually read with your glasses on? With such a low Rx you shouldn't have much problem, but it may take your eyes a little time to learn to focus. By the way, if you've had those specs for a year you may need stronger ones before long.

sourgrapes 29 Dec 2007, 22:31

Maybe only at first, but you should get used to them. You could also have trouble seeing up close if you were presbyopic, which is unlikely if you're 18

dan d 29 Dec 2007, 22:12

Thanks guys. I think I may wear them more. I had heard that mild myopes like myself usually have trouble seeing up close with there glasses on and therefore take them off when doing close-up work. Is this true?

eyespy 29 Dec 2007, 06:29

dan d, I agree with Julian, myopia tends to get worse of its own accord. Chances are as you're still young that it's going to increase anyway so you might as well wear them whenever you feel you want to and if your prescription increases so what? It won't get very strong as you got them late in your teens.

Julian 29 Dec 2007, 00:14

dan d: Yes, your vision will get worse if you wear your glasses all the time. On the other hand, as you have discovered, it has got worse without wearing them, because this is what myopia tends to do. With a prescription of -0.5 at your age, you don't seem to be in danger of coke bottles by the time you're 30; so you can feel free to wear them as much or as little as you want or need to. Enjoy the clear vision!

dan d 28 Dec 2007, 21:44

My perscription is -.50 and I got my glasse a year ago (I'm 18 now). Since I got them, I've only worn them when I absolutely had to but now I've realized that things are much crisper with them on. Would it be okay to wear them all the time with such a low perscription? Would my vision get worse if I did? Thanks.

CraigB 28 Dec 2007, 09:00

4Eyes

I admire your attitude and how you deal with your complicated prescription. I get agravated with my ever increasing myopia but at least it is fairly straightforward and correctable and should slow down in a few years (with luck).

4eyes 27 Dec 2007, 15:45

Hi you guys...

Today at Moorefield Eye Hospital, I played most of the morning without mglasses for scans and MRIs etc. and for the first time in my life I felt it different. It felt really like I was playing the guinea pig. Usually I dont mind staying without mglassses if I am at known environment like home or else, but inside a room full of people and nurses and stuffs really got into my nerves. By the time I left Hospital I could manage to wander around like a zombi, but it was kind of funny because I was already groogy and with a bad headaching. Tomorrow at Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL), Ill be playing the guinea pig again,

One thing that stroke me is that they even leave me with my PSP. But it was tottaly useless I woder if was that intentionally.

But... Im kind of happy to learn that my eyes havent got too bad since last July I think, but less than +2:00.

For Distance: OD (Right eye) Esf. + 29:50, Cil. -1,75, Eix. 180º Pris. 42º DP Base Ext (BO)

OE (Left eye) Esf . +30:75, Cil. -2,00, Eix. 17º 42º DP Base Externa (BO) Dip 59 m/m

For Close: OD (Right eye) Esf. + 37:50, Cil. -1,75, Eix. 180º Pris. 42º DP Base Ext (BO)

OE (Left eye) Esf . +37:75, Cil. -2,00, Eix. 17º 37º DP Base Externa (BO) DP Executive

Obs: Aspherical Lenses, Fixed Prisms 17º with additional Fresnell Prisms lenses of 25º as a Try On as they may cause colors glare I think that is the name. I will have m'eyes checked again, tomorrow.

Wish me good luck.

DWV 20 Dec 2007, 00:09

The reduction in my distance prescription has been very small and gradual. I was maybe 0.5 D more myopic in my early/mid 20's thanks to a lot of time spent with my nose in books. I wouldn't say it has become any easier to go bare-eyed; I can ride my bike fairly safely, but driving is a bad idea.

I first got glasses when I was about 9 or 10 when the teacher discovered that I couldn't read the blackboard. I've worn them ever since, although I often took them off when I was doing a lot of reading. I suspect that might be why I didn't become much more myopic. I began noticing trouble with near vision in my late 30's, and got a bifocal prescription of +1 when I was 39.

Astra 19 Dec 2007, 23:57

Ivan-

I like metal frames.

Guest 19 Dec 2007, 13:50

DWV

With the reduction in your rx do you feel that your distance vision is improving, ie to the extent that it's easier to go bare-eyed?

How much have you worn the distance correction before you got an add?

DWV 19 Dec 2007, 10:27

Dec 18:

OD -2.00 -0.50 @ 166

OS -2.25 -0.50 @ 032

Add 2.50

(age 47)

I've lost between 0.25 and 0.5 D of minus, the add is up by 0.25, and the doc checked off the box on the prescription next to trifocal. I'll get a quote for new lenses in one of my old frames from a mom'n'pop optical store, but I'll probably end up ordering lenses from opticallabdirect.

The OD also wrote up a prescription for computer bifocals, but got it slightly wrong, with an add of 1.25 for the intermediate (correct) but only 2.25 for near.

antonio 18 Dec 2007, 10:18

nice to hear from you Astra,

it´s similar to my history.

I reached -2,75 at 16 and had to go full time then as I couldn´t read the board any more at all and I had big troubles to recognize people as I couldn´t see faces any more.

It went up to -4,5 for me with 19, so I bet you.

Ivan 18 Dec 2007, 06:07

Astra-

Thats a nice medium rx.You should have a good choice of frames with that prescription.

May I ask what eyewear style you favour?

Semi-rimless?

Full frame plastic?

I go between full metal frames or semi-rimless if I want a more "light" look.

Astra 18 Dec 2007, 04:44

My Age: 19

I got my new prescription yesterday:

R: -3.00

L: -2.75

I first got glasses when I was 10, by then my prescription was

R: -1.50

L: -1.50

I did not wear glasses full-time until 16. by then my prescription (Well, I check my eye only when I feel necessary) was

R: -2.50

L: -2.25

I could not see the board at all by then without glasses.

Aubrac 17 Dec 2007, 01:04

Sara L

I think you will notice that things are a lot clearer with an extra 1.00 diopter.

The difference in strength between your eyes is also getting larger, and you may well find it more comfortable to wear them all the time. You will get better depth perception, especially useful when driving, and would need them to drive legally.

Let us know how you get on.

Sue 17 Dec 2007, 00:54

Sally, i was not quite 4 years of age when i was given my first pair of glasses, when the hospital found out i was very short sighted. I am now 25 and still have them, only a lot stronger these days

Sara L 16 Dec 2007, 21:39

Okay I guess that puts it in perspective. How much will I need to wear them, will I notice a big difference from the others?

sourgrapes 16 Dec 2007, 17:34

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myopia#Degree

-6 is high

lentifan 16 Dec 2007, 14:39

Absolutely, Emily!

Your prescription sounds beautiful. She can probably see without her glasses. How can that be strong?

I would say myopia stops being mild at about -6, so I suppose that's when medium starts. I'm not sure when it starts being strong, though. Any thoughts, folks?

Emily 16 Dec 2007, 13:32

Sara L

If you think your prescription is strong, mine is

R -13.25

L -13.75

_2.75 isn't really strong.

Sara L 16 Dec 2007, 13:08

I have a new prescription

R: -2.75

L: -1.50

My last prescription was

R: -1.75

L: -1.00

The optician said -2.75 is quite strong. Does he mean I will have to wear them most of the time? I was too shocked to ask.

Thanks

Sally 30 Oct 2007, 08:46

Hi RL

My eyesight is still good when I get a new prescription, at least looking straight forward in daylight, but I'll be surprised if I don't need stronger glasses next time I am tested - I almost always do. With my new glasses I found that I was having difficulties when I wanted to look left or right when driving, but it was just a matter of adjustment. At night time I don't see so well, and try to get lifts from other people where possible.

What's the youngest that anybody here started wearing glasses?

Emily 28 Oct 2007, 09:22

Nancy -- We ended up at the same place, -12 after graduating from college, but took vastly different paths to get there. I was around -4 in middle school, then zoomed up in high school.

Nancy 27 Oct 2007, 21:38

I was 5 years old and was at a bowling alley when I was informed there were scores projected on the ceiling and I could not see them. I was -9 in middle school and graduated college at -12. I have not worn contacts in years and do not miss them. I enjoy being able to put my glasses in my pocketbook a see either everything or nothing.

RL 25 Oct 2007, 16:47

Sally,

How is your vision with your current prescription? I'm currently at -11.50 in my right eye, and -15.0 in my left. When I first got this perscription, I saw better than 20/20 but things at a distance have gotten fuzzy. Increases in the past have been between 1.5 and 3 diopters, and it looks like I will be approaching a prescription much like yours and wondered how things look with your glasses.

Sally 25 Oct 2007, 16:08

I was less than four when my sister, who was already six, got glasses. I tried them on and found I could see all sorts of things better. My parents both wore glasses and now my sister did, and I felt left out. Apparently I made quite a fuss, so much so that my parents arranged for me to be tested. Unlike my sister, I was told I would have to wear my glasses all the time. I don't know the prescription, but I think it must have been about -3. I'm now 19, and its about -17.50/-18.00.

Patrick B 03 Oct 2007, 14:20

I remember failing the eye exam in school when I was seven and being whisked to the eye doctor where I got my first pair of glasses. Like Charles, I was pretty amazed at how well I could see and think the prescription was -3, a pretty hefty first prescription. Each year brought another diopter or so until I got contacts at 16. By that point I was well over -12 and dealing with pretty thick glasses in those pre-high-index days. I was pretty much 24/7 with contacts until the last couple of years when I was encouraged to begin wearing my glasses again. As I have said earlier, my vision is probably around 20/50 in the daylight and 20/60 when it's dark. I'm going for a new exam fairly soon and think I might hit the -27 mark in my "worse" eye, perhaps -26 in the other.

Friends of mine have a son, now ten, who started with glasses at age three with a -4.50. Whoa! He's now up to -8/-9 from my reckoning, and I suspect that he will easily soar past -20 before he's reached his early twenties. I never wear my glasses around his parents since I don't want to frighten them about their son's likely visual future. Lucky for him he already is benefiting from all of the technological advances in lenses and, in time, in surgical advances.

Sue 03 Oct 2007, 01:12

they are -1.75 less in each lens, not a lot but if reading for a long time make a lot of difference

Plus and Minus 01 Oct 2007, 12:15

Sue,

OK. One last question? Do you know the prescription of the glasses you sometimes use for reading?

Sue 01 Oct 2007, 00:52

it does not really worry me that my lenses are not the same thickness, very few people notice unless i point it out to them. And as for reading, i have a reading pair of glasses that is slightly less then my full rx for my normal glasses, but only really use them if i am reading for a long time or print is very small.

Plus and MInus 30 Sep 2007, 09:58

Sue, you're back!

Beginning below (around Plus and Minus 14 Sep 2007, 16:55) are some posts about Matt and his interest in getting the lenses of his glasses more alike. Cactus Jack helped him and now we are waiting to hear from Matt. He sounded happy.

Would you be interested in getting your glasses lenses more alike? I worry that if you actually wear your full prescription for reading that your reading may not be as smooth, as quick, as comfortable as it might be.

-14 30 Sep 2007, 09:34

I got my first glasses at age 4. My older brother was myopic and I'd been complaining about blurred vision so I tagged along when he had an exam. Ended up with a -2 RX. Was -14 at 24 and it has pretty much remained the same for the last 10 years. I'm -14.75/-14.50 now with -2.00 cyl.

Charles 30 Sep 2007, 09:11

I cannot recall a particular event which led to my first pair of glasses but I remember being taken to The Royal Eye Hospital in London when I was about five or six. I was said to very short sighted for my age but I don't know what my first rx was. I do know how surprised I was at how well I could see with my new glasses. The first rx I recall was about -5.00 when I was nine. By the time I was sixteen I was -14.00. My myopia has increased all my life and now, aged thirty nine I am little over R -30.25/-2.75 L -30.75/3.00. In general, it has increased more slowly since I was thirty but is still increasing in fits and starts.

Sue 30 Sep 2007, 06:38

I was 4.5 when my mother said she noticed that i kept walking into objects. She took me to the hospital and they found out i was short sighted and gave me glasses.My first pair were not far off -3, they said i had needed glasses for some time. I am now 24 and need them a lot stronger, they are R-12.50 L-15.25 with -2 astig in both eyes.

Kate 30 Sep 2007, 04:38

I was five years old and out at night with my dad. I thought I saw a full moon in the sky. My father said "what do you mean?" It was just a crescent moon near the last quarter. He gave me his glasses to look through and the full moon that I saw was actually just a small crescent. That night he realized that I was nearsighted and that was why I always sat on the floor in front of the TV. The next week I got glasses and they must have been at least -3.00 because I wore them full time until I got contacts at age 11. I am now 29 and my most recent glasses are -13.00. I usually wear contacts which are -11.00

RL 29 Sep 2007, 21:42

I realized I needed glasses when I was about 13, but didn't get them until I was maybe 14. My first prescription was about -1. By the time I was 28, it was around -15 where it remains.

Emily 29 Sep 2007, 19:01

Hi.

I got my first glasses just before turning 11. The prescription was around -1. I didn't realize that I needed glasses but I failed a school screening and the nurse sent a note home. I'm turning 22 now and my current prescription is around -12. Hope that answers your questions!

questions for the high myopes 29 Sep 2007, 11:50

These 3 questions are for the high myopes with about -10 or higher prescriptions. How old were you when you first got glasses? Who realized you need them? What is your prescription now?

Cactus Jack 21 Sep 2007, 07:27

Phil,

Depending on the technique, the portion of the exam to determine cylinder correction is extremely subjective because it involves your ability to judge equal bluriness as the examiner tries to "bracket" the actual axis. Accurately determining low cylinder values and axis require good skill and technique by both the patient and examiner.

During that portion of the exam, I try to concentrate on letters without "strokes" or straight lines such as an "O". I also ask the examiner if they will let me "fine tune" the axis at the appropriate point in the exam. Most examiners will guide your hand to the appropriate knob on the phropter and allow you to adjust it for maximum sharpmess. Remember, the examiner cannot see what you are seeing and must depend to some extent on what you are telling him.

Phil 21 Sep 2007, 05:36

I never believe what opticians say about cylinder. Sometimes I get some in my rx; sometimes I don't. It seems almost random. What is it in the eyetest that determines whether one is prescribed cylinder correction? How much can one regard as insignificant?

Aubrac 21 Sep 2007, 05:19

Went for a regular check up yesterday. No change in my -5.00 scrip but cyl had changed from -0.25 to -1.00 in the left eye.

Any idea why this happens? Astigmatism does seem to vary a little from checkup to checkup but are there any reasons for a bigger change?

mattt 17 Sep 2007, 06:05

well, I posted here about 4 times, once here and under actresses some month ago... okay, three similar names are confusing so I'm gonna stick with Matthew from now on!

Julian 17 Sep 2007, 06:03

Confusion again: matt, mattt and Matt T!

mattt, which thread were you posting on before?

mattt 17 Sep 2007, 05:47

I'm -2,25 and -1,50 (plus 0,50 and 0,25) astigmatism. What would happen to my eyes if I bought myself some reading glasses, let's say +1,50 and +2,00 and wear them while reading/compute??

Cactus Jack 16 Sep 2007, 16:47

Matt,

I'm not an Eye Care Professional, but I understand optics.

If you get a +7.75 contact, for your right eye, the glasses Rx would be:

OD -12.00, -1.75 x 85

OS -12.00, -0.75 x 10

However, I believe you can only get a +7.50 or a +8.00. I would suggest a +7.50. At 29, you should be able to accommodate the 0.25 without too much trouble. If you want to get a +8.00 you may have to adjust the OD sphere Rx to -12.25.

GOC is not an exact science. The best way it to get a refraction wearing the + contact in your right eye, but I think the above is very close.

Again, I suggest 1 day disposables because you won't have to worry about lens care. If you know how to handle contacts and get the right diameter and base curve, you should have no problem. Just wash your hands before handling the contacts and throw them away after 1 day. If you get 2 week contacts, observe proper care and handling and don't wear them too long.

Matt 16 Sep 2007, 15:15

Cactus Jack, this is exactly my rx with contacts! are u an optometrist?

because my left lens on my glasses is fake i can use glasses with left contact on... eyes looks a little different but i don't care...

i would have a pair of glasses with the two lenses strong (with the right rx sphere like the left one), can i have this if i wear a plus contact lens in my right eye? of wich power? can this thing damgages my right eye?

Plus and Minus i'm 29.

thank you for answers!

Cactus Jack 16 Sep 2007, 14:30

Matt and Plus and Minus,

If you want to experiment with balancing image size, I believe you have to take a slightly different approach to calculating the Rx of the contact.

Step 1 is to calculate the actual refractive error at the cornea using the refracted Rx obtained by the phropter using its vertex distance if possible (typically it is about 12 mm)The result is

OD -2.50, -1.75 x 85

OS -10.25, -0.75 x 10

Note that vertex distance has almost no effect at low Rx.

Step 2 To get the same sphere Rx in each lens in the glasses, you would need a sphere (only) contact for the left eye of -7.75 however, -7.75 may mot be available so you might have to select a -8.00 and reduce the OS Sphere to -2.25. resulting in a glasss Rx of

OD -2.50, -1.75 x 85

OS -2.25, -0.75 x 10

Remember that this is an experiment and it will take some time for your brain to learn to use images from both eyes. I would suggest that you conduct the experiment at the lowest cost possible by ordering the glasses from someone like Zenni with inexpensive frames and getting some 1 day disposable contacts online so you won't have to worry about contact lens care. Also, you may need to adjust the Rx to get the best results.

It would be best to work with an Eye Care Professional, but it may be hard to find one who is open minded enough to take this approach to solving the problem.

Let me know if I can assist you. Do you have or know how to measure your PD?

Plus and Minus 16 Sep 2007, 09:01

Matt,

Eye scene folks including Cactus Jack have been answering my questions and making suggestions on the Acuity and Prescription II thread. There is also a Glasses Over Contacts ("GOC")thread that might be helpful. The approach I am using hasn't been totally successful yet for me but it seems very reasonable and I wish one of my eye doctors had come up with it 20 years ago(I am in my mid-sixties).

To get the glasses to have the same spherical power - so that you have none of the bad effects of different sphere values - the approach is to put the difference in a single contact lens. In your case it would be a contact that is equivalent to -9.50. According to this calculator ( www.eyedock.com/module-Tools-display-tool-contact_lens.htm ) the contact would be -8.50.

It should be a plain (non-toric) soft contact that you would wear on your left eye. Then your glasses would be

Right -2.50 cyl -1.75 X 85

Left -2.50 cyl -0.75 X 10

For US folks wikipedia says, if I read it correctly, that your acuity in right eye is 20/20 (Italian 10/10), left 20/40 (Italian 5/10)).

I was surprised to find the images don't quite overlap so we are working on that problem. It may take awhile to fix or maybe it won't be fixable. With your huge difference you may have trouble using your eyes together for the first time. The younger you are the better. Are you the Matt below who is 24? I think they have therapy to help people learn to use their eyes together. But I am not an optician or doctor of any kind and really don't know.

Andrew 15 Sep 2007, 10:05

I've had that as well, plus and minus. I know baby shampoo is not supposed to make the eyes sting, but when applied neat to the eyelids it's a different matter. If I recall correctly, I was told to do this as some of my tear ducts were blocked, and were making my dry eyes even drier.

It seemed to work as the next time round I was given a clean bill of health.

tuna 15 Sep 2007, 08:53

Just Wondering - sounds like the doc is not very communicative! He's left you unclear as to whether he is seeing a potential problem or just making sure you haven't had any! You might want to call and ask if he saw any evidence of potential problems (like extra skin cells around the base of your eyelashes)

You will know if you are having problems with this because your eyes (or one eye) will get red and irritated - not good, and could prevent you from using contacts at all. You can take preemptive measures by keeping your eyelids clean - you basically need to wash then when you are in the shower - get some baby shampoo that doesnt have any dyes or scents (get at health food store) and put a tiny drop in your very clean palm, lather it up and wash your eye area. Cant hurt. Its best to be proactive and keep things very clean.

enjoy!

just wondering 15 Sep 2007, 07:15

I don't know if I like the answers or not !

Sounds a bit nasty. I've never had any infections in my eyes. I'll just wait and see what happens then. hopefullt my eyes won't fall out :)

Thanks all for your replies.

Matt 15 Sep 2007, 06:50

Plus and Minus

yes i have a difference of 9.50 D between my eyes!

My dominant eye is obviously the right eye... the acuity whith my contacts on is 10/10 (italian acuity) for the right and only 5/10 for the left...

with glasses i have rx only in my good eye. I use mainly contacts... at home i often use only the left contact to balance my vision.

my eyes have all this difference cause i always had amblyopia. my right eye became a little nearsighted when i was 12 years old when my left eye was already very myopic.

i would like to wear glasses with both rx lenses but optician said me it's impossible when there is a difference so high... max difference allowed for glasses said me is about -4 diopters. whith more difference the brain gives double vision.

Plus and Minus 14 Sep 2007, 17:02

Filthy McNasty

My God! Poor just wondering!

Just wondering, maybe you'll be lucky and it will just be what I had recently which was addressed by being prescribed an occassional baby shampoo wash of the eye lids.

Plus and Minus 14 Sep 2007, 16:55

Sue and Matt,

The sphere difference between my eyes is about 50 percent more than Sue's and a lot less than Matt's. Matt is definitely the champion.

Sue, trying to put together your full prescription from your postings, is this correct?

Right (OD) -12.50 -2.00 X ?

Left (OS) -15.25 -2.00 X ?

(a difference of 2.75)

And what is your best eye? (the eye you do best with when the other is covered, ie, "dominant")

And what is your acuity for each eye when corrected by glasses? In the US the 20/20 line is "normal", 20/15 a bit better, 20/25 a bit worse but still good. If you are in the UK what are the UK numbers? (Sometimes the eye doctor doesn't even tell the patient the acuity. Mine doesn't unless asked.)

Matt,

Your prescription as posted is

Right (OD) - 2.50 -1.75 X 85

Left (OS) -12.00 -0.75 X 10

(A difference of 9.50)

Correct?

What, please, is your dominant eye?

And what is your acuity for each eye?

And do you have any additional info you could share on why, maybe, your eyes are so different?

And do you use contact(s) at the same time you wear glasses? Or do you sometimes use contacts and other times glasses?

Filthy McNasty 14 Sep 2007, 16:50

Also search Google for "Pingueculitis and follicles".

Filthy McNasty 14 Sep 2007, 16:43

I just plagiarized the following:

BLEPHARITIS

ETIOLOGICAL AGENT: Demodex folliculorum (a mite), followed by bacterial infection

with S. aureus or S. epidermidis.

DIAGNOSIS:

The disease is due to an allergic reaction to the mite which resides in the eyelash or the eyebrow. Most often, there is concomitant seborrhea of the eyebrows, scalp, lateral nares, posterior auricular area, and hirsute portions of the chest. There is scaling of the epidermis, usually with bacterial invasion of the hair follicles. Abscesses may form in and around the follicles, destroying the follicles, with the loss of lashes and the formation of ulcers. Hordeola and chalazia may follow. Microscopically, there is lymphocytic infiltration, hyperemia, acanthosis, parakeratosis and desquamation. The clinical appearance of the eyelids is virtually diagnostic. There may be a history of itching and scaling of the lid since early childhood. The patient describes an incessant urge to pull on the lashes in an attempt to remove the scales.

TREATMENT:

An appropriate antibiotic (depending on the secondarily infecting bacteria), a glucosteroid to reduce inflammation and washing of all hairy parts of the body with a shampoo containing selenium sulfide. CAUTION: IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO DETERMINE THAT THE PATIENT DOES NOT HAVE A PROPENSITY FOR HERPETIC INFECTIONS OF THE CORNEA. STEROID THERAPY IS ALWAYS CONTRAINDICATED IN CORNEAL INFECTIONS BY HERPESVIRUS.

Is this what he might have meant?

Plus and Minus 14 Sep 2007, 16:22

just wondering,

Don't know. But each hair has a folicle. Could it mean an eye lash?

just wondering 14 Sep 2007, 08:23

Hi All

Not sure wher to post this but hope someone can help.

I went for my first contact lens aftercare appointment today and the optician asked if I was having any problems with lenses due the folicles in my eyes.

Can anyone tell me what he was talking about. I've not had any problems so far and can not find anything to do with folicles in the eyes on the internet anywhere.

Galileo 14 Sep 2007, 03:09

Hi Julian, there might be something in what you say but I also think poor accommodation is something separate as well.

I know a +5 woman in her 50's who can still read some things without her glasses because she never "gave in" to not being able to see and obviously had very good accommodation when she was younger.

I also dated a -8 myope in her early 30's for a while and she had difficulty accommodating. Without correction she could not see anything closer than 4 inches in front of her, whereas many myopes can hold things very close to their eyes and still see them using their accommodation. After a long day she could not read with her glasses on and was starting to think about the need for bifocals.

Julian 14 Sep 2007, 02:37

Let me run this idea past the panel.

As we all know, a latent hyperope who has spent a lifetime accommodating to see clearly at any distance up to infinity finds it difficult to stop accommodating and may have to be gradually weaned to accepting the correction (s)he really needs. Jacky, BlurryBristol and others have described their experience.

A low myope effectively has 'built-in reading glasses' as Cactus Jack put it recently and doesn't need to accommodate for near vision. On getting correction for distance, (s)he doesn't doesn't instinctively accommodate, never having needed to - or not recently anyway. I have so often seen young myopes with their first specs who whip them off to read or look at anything close. Is this not so much because they CAN see WITHOUT their glasses as because they CAN'T see WITH them?

Curt 12 Sep 2007, 13:53

Phil: By definition, yes. Presbyopia is the age-related inability to focus on near objects caused by stiffening of the crystaline lens or weakening of the ciliary muscles. Accomodative insufficiency (sometimes called convergence insufficiency) does not have a known cause, but manifests itself as the inability to bring both eyes to focus on near objects. They both can be fixed with a bifocal addition to ther prescription, but sometimes may require prisms or other changes to the way that the eyes work together.

Phil 11 Sep 2007, 10:07

Curt, is this something different from presbyopia? What causes a young person to have difficulty in accommodating?

Curt 11 Sep 2007, 10:04

Phil, CJ: Another answer would be accomodative insufficiency. She may be very slightly myopic with some astigmatism. When given her distance correction, she can no longer see clearly up close. She simply does not have the several diopters of accomodation that she should for her age; hence the need for a reading add.

I work at a large US University, and I see folks all the time with low to moderate minus Rxs with a bifocal add. Some of it may be an attempt to stop myopia progression, but in the cases where the distance Rx is -2 or less, I doubt it.

There are some folks out there that, for whatever reason, cannot accomodate as they should be able to for their age.

Phil 11 Sep 2007, 09:41

Thanks Cactus Jack. If Zara is in the UK I suspect that she will have presbyopia because I don't think opticians here regularly try to ward off increasing myopia in low myopes by prescribing a plus rx for close work. But is presbyopia really encountered in people as young as the low-twenty-somethings?

You may recall that I have previously sought an explanation about why an early girlfriend of mine who was about -3 mysteriously acquired some significant plus reading specs (+2?) at the age of only 19. Assuming that the (conservative) opticians in Oxford were not trying to halt the progression of her myopia, is this really explicable only as early presbyopia? Are there any other possible explanations? Why should her crystaline lenses have needed at 19 the help mine need at 52?

Cactus Jack 11 Sep 2007, 08:55

Phil,

It appears to me that Zara is myopic and slighty presbyopic, maybe. There is quite a bit of difference between hyperopia and presbyopia even though it seems that a plus correction is used for both. Usually hyperopia is caused by the eyeball not being too short which means that the focus needs to be moved up to focus both distant opbject and close things on the retina. Presbyopia is usually caused by difficulty increasing the plus poser of the crystaline lens to focus on close things.

Depending on the degree of myopia, the plus add in the bifocal simply reduces the amount of minus and makes it easier for the crystaline lens to focus on close objects. Zara's add may have been because of early presbyopia (which happens) or an attempt to minimize myopic progression.

Phil 11 Sep 2007, 03:21

Can someone explain to me Zara's rx?How can someone who is far too young to be a presbyope need minus lenses for distance and plus lenses for close work? Isn't it impossible to be simultaneously myopic and hyperopic?

Jess 10 Sep 2007, 17:04

I just got my new glasses Rx so here it is. R +3.25 add +1.00

L +3.25 -025 x 015 add +1.00

Slit 03 Sep 2007, 18:32

Hi Zara,

Welcome to Eyescene!

Hope you are doing good with glasses...

What are the type of glasses you ordered? Were they line bifocals or progressives?

What was the reason that lead you to go for the eye test and request glasses?

was there any seperate test for near vision (for which bifocals are prescribed)?

please keep us posted...

thanks!

Sue 02 Sep 2007, 06:53

Sorry i meant to say i also have -2 astig in both eyes as well

Sue 02 Sep 2007, 06:53

Plus and Minus

No my lenses are just normal hi index lensed, they only difference is the lab has done quite a good job of making them look equal thickness. But of course you can see my left lens is a lot stronger by the power rings and reflections from the flat front. I dont notice the difference and not many people do, until the try them on.

mattt 02 Sep 2007, 02:52

the poster below is a different matt than me so i'll call myself mattt with three t from now on.

matt 01 Sep 2007, 15:24

plus and minus

my full rx is right (sph -2.50 cyl - 1.75 axis 85) left (sph -12.00 cyl -0.75 axis 10). i used contacts to see with both eyes (anyway i see mainly with my good eye), on my glasses the optician made me only the right eye cause he said full rx on both lenses cause me double vision

Plus and Minus 01 Sep 2007, 09:10

sue,

Oh, sorry, you did make clear you wear glasses. Are the lenses special in anyway?

matt,

What is your full prescription? Are your lenses special in someway to handle the problems of big difference?

Are you able to read using those glasses with both eyes uncovered?

matt 01 Sep 2007, 07:04

i think i have the biggest difference between left and right... -2,50 right and -12 left!

Plus and Minus 01 Sep 2007, 06:22

sue,

I worry about people who have a big difference if they wear only glasses. Do you wear contacts?

sue 01 Sep 2007, 05:19

Zara. Doubt if anyone will see the difference between your lenses. But you can see with mine, i have a big difference between right and left. It Right -12.50 Left 15.25 Nearly 3 D

Edmund 31 Aug 2007, 15:04

Zara, did you decide on varifocals or single vision lenses? What was the reason for the add?

R Ed 31 Aug 2007, 14:37

There is only 0.75 difference between right and left lens, so an observer would have a very hard time to notice the difference especially if it was a stronger prescription, say -5. Because it is a rather weak Rx an observer, paying close attention, might to able to notice a difference. Is that a concern for you? If so perhaps someone on this site can suggest a solution to overcome it.

Zara 31 Aug 2007, 11:04

I got my first pair of glasses prescribed today. I say first - I did have some when I was a small child but never wore them and then managed.

My Optician prescribed glasses and said I could have varifocal or just try single vision lenses. I am 23.

The details I have are:

R -0.75 -0.50 5 Add +1.25

L -1.50 -1.00 15 Add +1.25

Will there be a noticeable difference between the R and L lenses?

Great site. Lots of reading to do. Glad I found it.

Cactus Jack 26 Aug 2007, 15:26

Matt T,

Welcome to the group. Were your cataracts removed and the IOLs inserted at an early enough age for your vision to develop normally? Do you have reasonably good acuity and depth perception?

Hopefully, you will find this site useful

Matt T 26 Aug 2007, 13:34

I'm a 20 YO college student who had congenital cataracts, removed years ago with IOLs implanted. Worn bifocals most of my life and glasses for high astigmatism and miss-aligned eyes.

My Rx is L -1.00 -4.50 x170 10BO 4BU add +3.25 R +0.75 -5.00 x150 10BO 4BD add +3.25

Ted 21 Aug 2007, 19:44

My first add at age 41 was .75 then 1.00 and last week 1.25 at age 44. My distance is also at 1.25 but I lost the .50 astig in my left eye and kept the .25 in the right eye.Picked up the new progressive glasses last week.

Smudgeur 21 Aug 2007, 16:01

Thanks Willy - why do you think he didn't prescribe then?

Maybe I'll get her to go back in 1 year for another check if she starts to show any more signs.

Willy 21 Aug 2007, 15:37

Smudgeur -- I would say she could be given the +0.75 add (the smallest regular add prescribed) now if she is just starting to actaully show the first signs. In two years, the add could easily be +1 or +1.25.

Smudgeur 21 Aug 2007, 15:05

2 new pairs of glasses ordered in the new prescription - hopefully at least one of them will be ready for tomorrow as we go on holiday the next day and will be away for a couple of weeks.

Looking forward to hearing how she sees through them.

On the question of presbyopia, she confided in me that just in the last month whilst reading in bed she noticed things to be clearer if she moved the book away, so was not surprised when the optician said she was showing the early signs of needing varifocals.

What is the rate of average rate of progression of presbyopia in hyperopic women in their early 40s? Her next eye test is advised for 2 years - is her reading add likely to be +0.75 (which I assume is probably the minimum) by then do you think if it is only just manifest now?

Plus and Minus 18 Aug 2007, 14:53

Smudgeur,

Did your wife get glasses with the new prescription? Are they really better? Thinking that maybe there was a mix up on R and L shere.

.25 is so small if she went back a couple of weeks later there might have been a change back. Sometimes what one has done recently or how one's health has been recently might result in such a difference. Just guessing. Don't know. Might be true for me but not someone else.

Do you go back to the same person to do the refraction as before? A different doctor might perhaps use a different style of determining the numbers. Some don't for example want to waste time going below 20/20. If you reach that line they stop.

Why does an axis change - does anybody know?

I guess it's good for you if there is a change because you get new frames.

Smudgeur 17 Aug 2007, 11:28

If you check back through the archives, you will see that in Feb 2002 my wife was prescribed as follows:

R Sph: +0.50 Cyl: -0.50 Axis: 80

L Sph: +0.75 Cyl: -0.25 Axis: 78

She has been a full-time wearer since then (although she was told at the time she was only borderline, she wears them because she knows I love them!).

She had a further test in March 2004 and was told - "no change".

She went for another test today and I always fear that she'll get an optician who tells her she doesn't really need glasses.

Anyway the results are as follows. Her prescription states "no clinical change necessary" but her new prescription is:

R Sph: +0.75 Cyl: -0.50 Axis: 90

L Sph: +0.50 Cyl: -0.25 Axis: 90

Not a lot of change but the sphere seems to have swapped eyes! She was told she was showing the early signs of presbyopia (she'll be 40 in a few months). She is left eye dominant so I'm hoping that the small drop in sphere in that eye will make it manifest a bit sooner.

Any other thoughts?

Cactus Jack 14 Aug 2007, 07:19

Brooklynboy,

If you want to try some sphere only contacts, you might try OD -4.50 OS -4.50. Same diameter and base curve you usually wear.

Vertex distance only has about 0.11 diopters per mm effect with your glasses Rx, so you might find -4.75 a bit sharper.

Brooklynboy 13 Aug 2007, 20:32

Cactus Jack

My contacts are -4 14.0 and 8.6 or I can use 14.2 8.7 either or fine on my eyes. I really never had problems wearing contact lenses thats y I grew so "addicted" to them.

Cactus Jack 13 Aug 2007, 13:08

Brooklynboy,

Torics are hard to fit. The problems is that unless unless properly fitted, the lens may tend to rotate. If the lens does not remains in the proper position on the cornea the astigmaitsm is corrected only when the lens is at the proper angle and the image will go from clear to blurry to clear as you blink.

One marginal solution would be to use sphere only contacts and increase the Rx to partially correct the cylinder. If you have been wearing sphere only ontacts, you have the diameter and base curve. If you would like, I will calculate an estimated CL Rx in sphere only but there is no guarantee that you will like the result.

Your best solution would be to ask your ECP if he thinks you should be wearing torics and get expertly fitted (it may be necessary to try seveal differnt brands), then you can buy the contacts where you wish. If you have an Rx, Wal-Mart, Sams Club or Costco can be very reasonable.

Also, at 23 it sounds like your Rx is very stable

Brooklynboy 13 Aug 2007, 12:46

Cactus Jack

Im 23 years old. I also want to get contact lenses... I took a look through this website and I see that many people buy contacts at lensway.com so I'll try to get contacts from them maybe I'll buy toric ones for the bad eye and regular ones for the other. I never used toric contacts. I just want to have contacts around in case but I think glasses will be easier to cope with even though I have never worn glasses around people.

Thank you

Cactus Jack 13 Aug 2007, 10:20

Brooklynboy,

That is not really much of a jump. Your glasses Rx is likely -0.25 to -0.50 more than your contact Rx because of the vertes distance of the glasses. The -1.00 cylinder in your left eye complicates the issue for contacts depending on if they are spherical only or are torics.

You shouldn't have any trouble switching to glasses, but there will be a little difference. If you did not wear toric contacts, you may find your vision in your left eye sharper.

May I ask your age?

Brooklynboy 13 Aug 2007, 10:01

Hey u all, Im glad I found this website. I have being wearing -4 cl for about too years and now I went to a doctor for glasses and my new prescription is OD-4.75 n OS-4.25 -1.00x010. being the fact that I used to wear contacts and now I'll try to switch to glasses, is this a big jump??? what would be my actual contact lenses prescription?

thank you all

Anthony 05 Aug 2007, 12:37

Been wearing glasses for a while. Lost my LE in an accident when I was 2. Started RX glasses when I was 9. Increases about 1 - 1.5 per year for the past 8 years. Now at 17 I have -11.0 -2.0 x40 add +1.75. First bifocals!

Cactus Jack 18 Jul 2007, 20:39

Matt,

You can order any Rx you want on line.

Let me know if you want some help.

matt 18 Jul 2007, 16:09

cactus, i am 24

Cactus Jack 18 Jul 2007, 15:29

Matt,

How old are you?

matt 18 Jul 2007, 14:48

i've got -2,00 (with 0,50 astigm) and -1,25 (with 0,25 astigm) and though, maybe due to the astigmatism, things are blurry a bit, especially after sitting long in front of the PC, I wish I had also a little longsightedness. I don't know, somehow I get enthusiastic when I think about a optician telling me I'd also need a some correction for reading... or more minus, -3 would be cool!

curiosgoc 18 Jul 2007, 12:20

SLP

I have the same prescription for contacts and I just couldn't cope without any correction. Its just far too annoying, having to screw up your face to see the tv. I have just started doing goc, I brought +2.25 and +2.00 cls by mistake, when I put them in I can hardly read unless the text is right up to my face.

guest 18 Jul 2007, 07:30

SLP

I'm guessing you can't wear contacts 24/7 so what do you do on the days when you don't wear them?

Clare 17 Jul 2007, 11:56

SLP - like Sourgrapes says, it depends. I have a friend who's, she says, -2.50 who's a CL wearer, she once claimed that 'you get used to contacts then can't do without them'. I think that probably means you get used to seeing well when you're wearing them. Whether that means you can, or can't, go back probably depends on the individual - and how much they *want* to.

And if you went back to glasses, how much do you think you'd be wearing them - 25%, 50% of the time, or more?

I don't see the harm in wearing CLs if you like seeing well. I've worn contacts since I was in the mid -2s simply because I felt more comfortable with them than glasses.

sourgrapes 17 Jul 2007, 11:40

! Wear them as long as you want to. Why not see the best you can all the time? Eyesight is a very subjective and personal thing.

If you don't want to wear correction for some reason, then don't. But don't avoid wearing it just because some choose not to.

SLP 17 Jul 2007, 10:14

Hi,

Reading through these boards, what I am about to say may appear to be unusual. I've worn glasses for about 6 years and contacts for the last 4. My contacts prescription is -2 in one eye and -2.25 in the other. I've worn them pretty much constantly, but after talking to a couple of friends, and seeing posts on here, it would seem this is a very slight prescription which I don't need to wear all the time. So I'm thinking I might switch back to glasses and only wear part-time.

I was interested in whether anyone else has tried this, and if it is difficult after you hae been used to having correction all the time.

Thanks,

Turk82 16 Jul 2007, 09:55

Dave,

I can only assume she sees 20/20. I don't really know.

Dave 13 Jul 2007, 15:36

Turk82,

Glad I could help. I'm curious if your wife has 20/20 with her new lenses? I would think so.

Turk82 11 Jul 2007, 14:49

Thanks for your responses guys.

Dave, I didn't expect her to be given torics. We've both dealt with -.25 astig but never had a different RX between specs and contacts. Now I understand what is being accomplished. And since she went up to -.50, I see how the doc now has the option to split the difference. I've been reading Eyescene for years but never heard about this solution before.

Cactus, she's dealing with presbyopia. I'm just surprised that it would "improve" myopia that much.

Clare, she really didn't have any reaction. She's not an OO and doesn't pay attention to her RX. She is one of those folks that runs around uncorrected with no problem. It has kept her from needing bifocals or progressives. She's done monovision but seldom uses her contacts. This time she will just wear readers over her contacts when needed. She wears her glasses mostly to drive and to watch TV and movies.

Clare 11 Jul 2007, 13:44

Turk82 - how has your wife reacted to her reducing prescription your wife - is she pleased she can wear them less? I suppose she could also be so used to wearing them that being without them would need some getting used to.

I can't imagine what it must be like to wear glasses for years then find out you need them less. Nice I expect.

Cactus Jack 10 Jul 2007, 20:06

Turk82,

Your wife may have had a bit of pseudomyopia in addition to some real myopia and if she is not doing as much reading or close work (or maybe using readers0 it is possible that her crystaline lenses are relaxing and he Rx is decreasing. A little presbyopia is not out of the question.

Dave 10 Jul 2007, 17:27

Turk82,

Think about it this way... for the right eye her myopia correction is -2.00 for one axis and -2.50 at 90 degrees.

In effect he has undercorrected one axis by .25 and overcorrected the other by the same. A good compromise.

Since most torics start at -0.75 he would have had to "adjust" the sphere power to get a similar result.

Better not to mess around with torics if they're not needed. They're a hassle with rotation, fewer choices, more expensive, etc.. I think he made the best choice.

Turk82 10 Jul 2007, 10:27

Cactus,

I personally had not seen that before. I'm surprised it works adequately. What has me baffled even more is that her RX keeps getting weaker. She was up to about -3.00 just a few years ago. With the last two exams, it has been cut considerably but now she is beginning to deal with more astigmatism.

Cactus Jack 10 Jul 2007, 10:11

turk82,

Yes. For small amounts of cylinder it isn't perfect, but works pretty well without the hassle and expense of torics. Notice the add is 1/2 the cylinder.

Turk82 10 Jul 2007, 06:08

My wife just had an exam and received a new prescription. For glasses she has R -2.00 -0.50, L -1.50 -0.50. What puzzles me is that the doc gave her Accuvue soft contacts that are R -2.25, L -1.75. I wouldn't expect her to need toric lenses for the small amount of astigmatism, but why a stronger RX for contacts. Is her doc trying to make up for cylinder by adding sphere?

Cactus Jack 09 Jul 2007, 21:23

R Ed,

Sorry . . . not too critical ..

Its late.

Cactus Jack 09 Jul 2007, 21:21

R Ed,

Puffins answer is as good as I could give. Thin lenses are "in" and Abbe value is no noo critical at low prescriptions because there is not much refraction (ray bending) going on. As prescriptions get higher increased thickness becomes nessary and a choice must be made between thickness, weight, acuity, spherical distortion, cromatic distortion and lens safety. Also, cost can become an important factor.

For general prupose low to moderate Rx, CR-39 is hard to beat in every area except index.

Thin lenses usually cause thin wallets.

Puffin 08 Jul 2007, 16:58

From what I can glean from the net in a few minutes, polycarbonate has a very low Abbe number (34) while CR-39 is 59.3

crown glass is 50-65. Higher numbers are better.

As far as effects on vision I think this would tend to blur the image a little as the various colours would refract slightly differently. For a high myope with poor acuity it would be worth going for something that didn't make the image worse, ie glass or CR-39.

R Ed 08 Jul 2007, 12:54

Cactus Jack,

It appears most of the technical questions are directed to you and they receive excellent responses. I've heard of a measure of the suitability of materials for optical uses called Abbe number. Too low an Abbe number means light of different wave length separates as it is refracted from a lens. A higher Abbe number gives less and acceptable levels of separation. Apparently polycarbonate has a low Abbe number and is a barely satisfactory optical material while CR-39 has an acceptable Abbe number. Of course there are other important criteria refractive index, density, strength, solvent resistance etc.

Could you please comment on Abbe number, what values various lens materials have and what minimum value you would find reasonable?

Russell 17 Jun 2007, 08:10

Thanks, Cactus! Yes,I retired from teaching eight years ago, so I don't do near as much close work as I used to.

Cactus Jack 16 Jun 2007, 17:20

Russell,

If you did a lot of close work, it is possible that you had a bit of psuedo myopia when you were younger. Also, it is not unusual for a person to get a bit more hyperopic (less myopic) as they get older. Notice that the astigmatism has not changed much. Certainly within the range of of refractive uncertainty because of the judgement required on your part as to which lens was the blurriest.

I suspect you may need a little more plus in the future, but probably not much.

Has the nature of your work changed in the last several years so that you are not doing as much close work?

Russell 16 Jun 2007, 15:01

I posted this to the Hyperopia thread, but got no response. Perhaps someone reading this thread could answer my questions?

For twenty seven years, I wore a mild minus prescription with a small correction for astigmatism. Two years ago, I was prescribed R +.25 -1.50 axis 65 add +2.50 L -.50 -1.00 axis 105 add +2.50. A few weeks ago, I had a check up. Now I am at R +1.50 -1.75 axis 79 add +2.50 L +.25 -1.25 axis 104 add +2.50. At age 60, is this just latent hyperopia finally making itself known? And do you think this plus correction will likely increase over time? If so, how quickly?

Tanasbourne 13 Jun 2007, 17:38

Hi again,

I was also wondering if it is likely that once she starts wearing her glasses for reading if she is likely to continue to need to do so? In other words, can you start a habit like that and then just stop? Does such a habit usually lead to a change in Rx. She is 38 and probably too young for being a hyperope. This astigmatism seems to be a pain to her.

Tanasbourne 13 Jun 2007, 17:36

Perhaps someone here could shed some light on my wife's current glasses situation and a look 1-2 years down the road.

She had LASIK done in 1999 to correct a Rx of R-3.75/-1.75x180, L-3.50/-1.25x180. She had gone without glasses until late last year when I noticed that she couldn't see well at night at all. After a fair amount of hounding her, she relented and agreed to have an eye exam. To her dismay it resulted in a weak Rx of R-.25/-.75x125, L-.25/-.50x180. She was counseled by the doctor to wear them as she needed but that they would help her with driving and the computer.

She insisted that she would only wear them for driving at night, and did just that for the first 3 months. She would not use them for school, even though there were blackboards that she acknowledged she was struggling to see. She started to wear them for distance issues at school ocassionally, and then as the school year came to a close, she started wearing them almost daily at school (but only when necessary).

I noticed that she started wearing them for computer work fairly regularly a month ago, and is now wearing them for all PC work. She has also now wearing them for all of her reading that takes more than 5 minutes.

I must say that she looks quite attractive in her frames. She is not a fan of glasses, but seems to understand that she looks good in them. But she is someone that will wear them when she feels it is necessary.

She is due for a follow up exam in October. Any ideas as to what I should expect at this exam or over the next two years? She is now 38. I like her in glasses and the idea that she is going to progress in her Rx in spite of her LASIK procedure in 1999 in strangely alluring.

Also, can wearing such a weak Rx really help her with reading and the computer? She must get some benefit, because she is not the type to wear them unless she needs to.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.

Cactus Jack 04 Jun 2007, 11:11

Matt,

I understand your problem is not uncommon. Your glasses provide correction for distance vision (20 feet and beyond). To fucus closer requires some supplemental plus focusing power. Normally this plus is provided by the ciliary muscles in your eye squeezing the crystaline lens to increase its plus power (sort of a built in autofocus).

The amount of plus required is a function of the distance. A +1 lens focus at 1 meter (39.37 inches) and a +2 lens focuses at 0.5 meter. The formula is lens power = 100 cm divided by the distance in cm or 39.37 inches divided by distance in inches.

When you focus close for an extended period, your ciliary muscles are getting tired and letting you know it. If you provide some extenal plus, you ciliary muscles don't have to work as hard. You can help the situation by looking up occasionally and by trying to blink more often while doing the close work. If your eyes seem dry, you might also consider some artificial tear type eye drops.

Another solution would be to consider bifocals or depending on your requirements, trifocals.

matt 04 Jun 2007, 10:08

thanks cactus jack for your advise... the thing is, it's better with the glasses on but my eyes are still straining a bit after a while...

Cactus Jack 04 Jun 2007, 09:23

Matt,

There is enough difference in the Rx of your eyes to make it more comfortable to read with your glasses on. It is possible, if you are doing a lot of close work, that some plus might make it a bit more comfortable. The low cost way to find out is to get some Over-the-Counter +1.25 or +1.50 readers and wear them over your glasses. Another way, if you can find them, is some "clip-on" readers in the same plus range.

matt 04 Jun 2007, 07:25

Hi everyone, I've got a question... I'm 23 years and myopic, -2,00 plus 0,50 astigm. left, -1,25 plus 0,25 astigm. right... I'm doing a lot of computer work/reading lately and I found out that, though I'm nearsighted, it's way more comfty reading with my glasses on. Plus, my eyes get a bit tired after a while and start hurting a little... it's not that close things are blurry though...

do you think I need a plus prescription?

cheers

matt

Andrew 31 May 2007, 07:14

You've been spotted!

Phil 31 May 2007, 03:56

There's a very nice gwg on my train in the mornings who is proving a bit of an optical mystery (as well as a substantial source of attraction).

Until a week or two ago she wore glasses on most days. She tended to arrive at the station wearing them and kept them on while reading her paper on train. Some days she then took them off, but on others she kept them on as she walked off to work. I had her down as a mild myope with some astigmatism as the lenses didn't look like simple minus.

Then she got a very nice new trendy brown pair with wide sides. Yumyum. I was hoping she'd go fulltime. But quite the opposite. She now uses them only for reading. She never wears them except to look at her paper.

It's hard to estimate her age but I'd have her down as just under 40. The lenses do not look plus but they seem to look "wavy" and a bit distorting. Not a high rx.

Any ideas? Is astigmatism at the root of this?

Incientally she's got long blonde hair and a perfect figure and has started giving me a lovely smile and an occasional wink!

Cactus Jack 30 May 2007, 07:37

Diva,

The new contacts have cylinder correction for astigmatism whereas your -3.50s compromised and combined the sphere and cylinder into sphere only. You were over corrected in one axis but very close to right, 90 degrees from that axis.

Contact lenses with astigmatism correction can be difficult for some people to wear because the lenses have to remain in the correct rotational position on your cornea. If they do not, your vision will get blurry - clear - blurry - clear, ad infinitum.

Diva 30 May 2007, 03:04

Well...

I have just looked at my contacts prescriptions (new)

-2.25, astig -1.25,

-2.5, astig -1.50

Does that sound strange?

How did I go from -3.5ish to that?

I went to 2 optoms and both said I was over corrected with the -3.5 ish (CLs).

I feel like I am seeing better with the new prescription (the second better than the first). But night driving still sucks.

Any suggestions?

Daz 30 May 2007, 01:13

Cactus Jack,

I don't think it's changed dramatically, but things don't seem so clear and sharp as they used to, particularly in the distance. However, it's not a major difference.

EyeSpy 29 May 2007, 22:29

To whoever posted this "how much would you reccomend wearing glasses with a prescription of -1.25. I don't feel that shortsighted but my optician has suggested wearing them all the time"

I don't think it's that unusual. My optician recommended that to me too. His argument was that without them I saw only 60% of what I could see with them.

With that as an argument it's hard to disagree.

Cactus Jack 29 May 2007, 17:03

Daz,

I am very tempted to suggest another exam by a different optician. Could you describe how you think you vision had changed?

Daz 29 May 2007, 15:03

Thanks Cactus Jack, bit confused as to why my optician said that there had been quite a large change in my prescription then, although I had noticed a bit of a change myself so will probably still get new glasses.

Cactus Jack 29 May 2007, 14:20

curiosgoc,

I will be happy to help. You will need contacts in the +3 to +4 range. If you will answer a few questions I can make some suggestions.

1. Where do you live?

2. How old are you.

3. Do you presently have contacts.

4. If so, what is the Rx.

5. I assume the Rx you gave was for glasses, what is the axis of the cylinder.

I suggest using the GOC thread

curiosgoc 29 May 2007, 13:47

I am interested in trying goc and would like some info on what contact lenses i would require for -5 to -7 glasses and also where to buy them. my current prescription is as follows.

RE SPH -2.50 CYL -0.50

LE SPH -2.00 CYL -0.25

Cactus jack 29 May 2007, 11:35

Daz,

The numbers are right except the top line is the left eye and the second line is thr right eye.

Typically, prescriptions are written with the right eye (OD) first and the left eye (OS)second.

Sorry about that.

Hope this helps

Cactus jack 29 May 2007, 11:28

Daz,

Disrgard the last post. I got the left and right reversed. Let me do it again.

Cactus jack 29 May 2007, 11:25

Daz,

Your new Rx transposed to - cylinder notation is:

OD -4.25, -1.25 x 175

OS -4.50, -0.25 x 0

The two versions of your new Rx are optically identical and it appears that there is a very tiny change in the sphere in your left eye. Before deciding to get new glasses, you might ask a different optican to read the Rx in your old glasses and compare them. There could have been a change in the cylinder but the sphere difference is almost a judgement call. Were you noticing any change in your vision with your old glasses?

Daz 29 May 2007, 07:35

Cactus Jack,

Thanks for trying to explain this to me, my new prescription is written out as below, unfortunately I don't have a copy of my old prescription anymore.

L. -5.50, +1.25, 85.0

R. -4.75, +0.25, 90.0

Cactus jack 29 May 2007, 06:41

Daz,

The optician wrote the Rx using + cylinder notation instead of - cylinder notation. If you will provide the complete new Rx as written, I will transpose it to - cylinder notation.

It would also help if you could provide you old complete Rx.

It appears from casual inspection that there may have been only a very small change.

Daz 29 May 2007, 06:32

I've just got back from an opticians appointment for a regular sight-test and was told that my prescription has increased from -4.25 in both eyes to -5.50 in my left, with +1.25 of astigmatism and -4.75 in my right with +0.25 of astigmatism.

Given that my previous prescription was only -4.25 in both eyes I was a bit worried by such a large increase, especially as i wasn't really having any trouble with my prescription. I asked the optician about the change and why it was so great and he said that it was due to the way he wrote up a prescription. What did he mean by this? and should I worry about such a big jump? I'm 26.

Cactus Jack 24 May 2007, 13:38

-1.25 means that everything beyond 80 cm or 2.5 feet is out of focus. How much you wearn them is your choice. Many people with -1.25 enjoy being able to see distant objects clearly.

24 May 2007, 13:01

how much would you reccomend wearing glasses with a prescription of -1.25. I don't feel that shortsighted but my optician has suggested wearing them all the time

Cactus Jack 23 May 2007, 07:04

When you go to a new doctor, they will usually check the Rx in the glasses you are wearing as part of getting your history. If your glasses Rx is higher than what he/she refracts, there may be some questions about where you got them, are they comfortable, etc. If the refracted Rx was higher than the glasses, they would likely assume your myopia had increased and the glasses you were wearing were reasonable.

A better strategy is to change to slightly weaker glasses just before the exam if possible, it minimizes questions

Puffin 23 May 2007, 04:20

I doubt he would if you go to a new optician. If you're young enough to be assumed to see okay close up, then he'll just test your distance vision.

22 May 2007, 23:50

thanks alot Cactus Jack for your quick reply:),may i ask you one more question since you mentioned that an eye doctor probably notice if you had raised your current prescription up to -1D,well if i change my doctor with someone i have never visited before could he/she ever see a difference that im wearing glasses which is -1D higher than my real rx (-5,5)

Cactus Jack 22 May 2007, 11:18

-5,5 to -6,5 depends very much on the circumstances but probably yes unless your actual Rx exceeded -6,5.

Hansel 22 May 2007, 10:47

Anyone got a link to a -1.25 view.

One of my staff came in today with a pair of what she said were -1.25, but to me there seemed to be more rings than I was anticipating.

I began to wonder if I'd got so used to looking at higher powers that I'd forgotten what this sort of lens looked like!!

21 May 2007, 20:44

would an eye doctor recognize if you had bumped up your rx from -5,5 to -6,5?

Cactus Jack 17 May 2007, 19:11

SharonE,

I concur with S4E. As an experiment you might try +1.25 over the counter readers or +1.00 if you can find them.

Then, if you want to you can get the Rx filled or oder online.

specs4ever 17 May 2007, 16:47

You will find it easier to read with glasses Sharon. Bu of course it is up to you.

SharonE 17 May 2007, 16:28

Hiya,

I am 38 just got my eyes tested with an RX of (r)+1.00 -0.25 170 (l) +0.75

The optometrist said I did not really need glasses.

Have experienced headaches although I can see close up.

Not sure what to do!

jimmy 11 May 2007, 20:42

LikeGWG: thanks for the link. I meant though, where did it come from? Are there more photos of her somewhere?

likesgwgs 11 May 2007, 19:56

it's in http://community.webshots.com/user/likesGWGs

I'll upload more later.

jimmy 11 May 2007, 17:52

likesgwgs: Could you post the link of the album you found that photo at or what you were searching for in webshots. She is great, wondered if there were more photos. Thanks

likesgwgs 11 May 2007, 11:25

Thanks Wayne,

Makes sense now.

Wayne_D 10 May 2007, 22:43

likesgwgs

Bifocals are sometimes prescribed for myopia to relieve the tendency for the myopia to progress. It works on the same principle that the Induced Myopia thread is using.

likesgwgs 10 May 2007, 21:51

oops - see post below: http://image57.webshots.com/657/7/85/99/2494785990095250414vNJjhq_fs.jpg

likesgwgs 10 May 2007, 21:51

Here's a link to a fairly young girl with bifocals. Why would someone so young (presumably with a fair bit of accomodation left) need bifocals? Just curious.

Cactus Jack 29 Apr 2007, 09:42

JacobRC,

Thanks, I live in Houston. Again, Welcome.

JacobRC 29 Apr 2007, 05:01

Cactus Jack-

I am Native American, live in Oklahoma and go to the Parkview-Oklahoma School as does my little sister.

I can get e-mail at jacob dot rc at hotmail dot com

Cactus Jack 28 Apr 2007, 13:30

JacobRC,

Hi, and welcome. Most of our participants have relatively minor vision problems. However, we have a few special participants who have some unusual and very significant problems and require very high prescriptions to give them the best possible vision. Plese feel free to join in.

May I as where you live and where you go to school?

JacobRC 28 Apr 2007, 12:00

This is my first post, I am a HS Senior in a school for the blind. I am very myopic, wear bifocals and have Aniridia. My corrected vision is 20/180 in the LE, and light perception in the RE. My siblings are also high myopes and 1 is also Anaridic.

Because of the Anaridia, I have to wear highly tinted lenses all of the time, and also am treated for Glaucoma.

Slit 26 Apr 2007, 10:12

Does the same happen when we try to cheat and show that we are hyperopic?

I can see both near and far crystal clear with lenses up to +1.5, so i felt trying to cheat for a higher rx such as +3.

25 Apr 2007, 18:05

It's almost impossible to 'cheat' one of those machines due to the autofogging techniques that the machine uses. While you straign to make yourself more nearsighted, the autorefractor will fog up so you can't see clearly at the time it is estimating your prescription. Typically the autorefractors add a fog of +2.00diopters, so once it fogs, at least for me, it was very hard to keep on accomodating.

Hollie 22 Apr 2007, 10:24

Claire,

Last time I went to the opticians, the machine overcorrected me by -2 more than what I was currently wearing, major panic ensued when I saw the slip. Luckily, it only went up by -0.75.

Nicky 21 Apr 2007, 22:57

I didn't mean that I was worried I might be overcorrected as the result of the exam, I meant that I wondered if they might determine that my current prescription is stronger than I need as a result of this cyclopegic exam. I presume that the results would be sent back to my optician, if that was the case would he reduce my prescription on the strength of opthalmologist's evidence?

Clare 17 Apr 2007, 11:38

Filthy - I don't trust those machines that *supposedly* read your prescription, I was once told my right eye - currently -3 - was -3.50. That's a few years back when it was probably -2ish. Are they supposed to be accurate? I'm glad they don't just rely on that, I was devastated at the time.

Reason I ask, I know someone who would deliberately defocus when looking into it because they thought it would lead to a stronger prescription (she had something like -.50). If someone was trying to cheat the machine like that, would the cyclopegic exam expose it?

Filthy McNasty 16 Apr 2007, 16:48

Cycloplegic examination has a variety of functions - for one, it allows a proper examination of the retina (to check for eye disease, retinal tearing, etc.). Another is to get a proper refraction. There is little to no chance that a person with myopia would be overcorrected solely as a result of the results of a cycloplegic examination. On the contrary, if there were any danger (and I think there probably isn't), it would be of undercorrection, since your eye may be more relaxed than it would be in its natural state, allowing you to focus further into the distance than you otherwise might be able to. Often hyperopes will feel temporarily overcorrected after trying a presciption obtained through cycloplegic examination, since they can spend a significant amount of their lives in accommodative spasm and it can take some time for them to fully relax even in the presence of a full correction.

Nicky 16 Apr 2007, 13:44

I wonder if anyone can help, I have to go for a cyclopegic(?)exam. From research on the internet I know that's where they relax the eye muscles to get a natural prescription. My worry is this - I wear -2.25 in both eyes. One eye is very bad the other isn't so bad. I wonder if one is overcorrected but I'm quite happy with my prescription. If I have this exam will there be a difference between that and my current prescription?

16 Apr 2007, 13:43

16 Apr 2007, 13:35

12 Apr 2007, 05:33

She is 19 turning 20, her mom wears glasses for myopia but not strong her grand parents as well, and her sister has a -.75 prescription. she doesnt pay much attention on the prescription. I already told her I like her in glasses n she thinks its cool. and she wears when we making out n on.

cut-in UK 11 Apr 2007, 14:13

She is likely to be able to accommodate 0.5 dioptre with no trouble, but it will not necessarily result in inducing myopia. What is the lady's age, and is there a prospect of increased myopia in her family history ? How interested is she in the prospect of permanent overprescription and will she always rely on you to buy her lenses. She WILL notice the difference if she orders the correct lenses and I doubt you can keep this up without without her willing co-operation.

You would be better off getting her to fall in love with the look of a stylish pair of glasses. As the old adage goes, "One volunteer is worth ten pressed men".

11 Apr 2007, 12:57

My girl friend has a -.75 prescription for glasses thata she got a few months ago. she wanted contact lenses so I offered to get her some so I order her -1.25 and she didn't complain. do you guys think I can induce myopia on her?

Wurm 09 Apr 2007, 15:36

Adalle, your friend is probably astigmatic (has uneven curvature of the cornea).

Cactus Jack 09 Apr 2007, 15:31

Gino,

There are several "dynamic" web sites that have pictures and eye charts that provide examples what a person would see with and without correction. Here is a link to one based in Austria that seems very good. http://www.optiker.at/simulator/. The first block is age range (to show effects of presbyopia).

If you read the many discusions on this site, it is evident that vision is extremely subjective and extremely personal. Some people are perfectly happy walking around bare eyed with amazingly high Rx and others with very low Rx wouldn't get out of bed in the morning without their glasses.

What you suggest would be a noble effort, but it might be pretty frustrating to satisfy everyone. Another example of what you suggest is "chill factor", but some people are more sensitive to cold than others and will shiver when others think it is just right. Good luck.

Gino 09 Apr 2007, 14:01

I'va always found it difficult to imagine what -4D or -7D means practically speaking. How bad is your eyesight you are -3D : can you still drive a car safely and/or enjoy a movie without glasses?

Therefore, my idea is to put together with all of you kind of a "Beaufort" scale for diopters. The "Beaufort scale" is an empirical measure for describing wind intensity based mainly on observed sea conditions.

So, for example, -1D means "can still read the blackboard if sitting in the front row", -2D means "having much difficulties to read subtitles on TV",..., -7D means "needing one's glasses to walk around in the house without bumping into things",...

Can you all contribute?

Adalle 09 Apr 2007, 02:16

I am away from home these days and the last time I talked to the phone with my girlfriend she told me she had a surprise for me. After much "begging" she revealed to me that she had visited an eye doctor because she had a lot of headaches lately. The doctor told her she had to be prescribed a pair of glasses which she can wear whenever she has headaches (driving, reading, watching tv, etc). He mentioned to her that she is not nearsighted nor farsighted. These glasses are just for reducing the headaches.

My question is, since they are not prescription glasses what kind of lenses are they? Do these lenses exist? What exactly do they do?

Slit 08 Apr 2007, 21:41

Thanks Tara,

Pls Keep us updated about developments.

Dont forget to come around and check out Eyescene every week.

Take care,

slit

Tara 07 Apr 2007, 05:03

Hello Slit

I'm just about used to my glasses now. It still feels strange putting them on every day but they do help. I can see distances fine without them but when I put them on they do seem to make edges sharper and shadows darker - better contrast than without glasses. I can feel my eyes straining a bit if I don't wear my glasses (even for distances) which I think is a sign that I do need them all the time.

I don't think I need bifocals as I can see clearly at all distances from close up to far away without any problems.

I was chatting with a friend the other day about glasses and I mentioned my prescription might go up to +4 or +5. She said her prescription was around that. She passed her glasses to me to try on. I could see a little way with them on but things got rather blurry in the distance. I looked in a mirror and saw they made my eyes even bigger than my glasses did. My friend said she stared wearing glasses for reading when she was about 11 and her prescription went up a little bit each year. She started wearing glasses all the time when she was 17. She is now 21. It was quite interesting to see what my glasses might look like in a few years time.

Slit 07 Apr 2007, 03:07

Hi Tara & Terrylin,

How is the progress with your bifocals?

Tara,

How are the distance vision improving?

Is it slow step by step, day by day transition or does it happen rapidly?

Guest 06 Apr 2007, 23:57

RRB

I think it depends on a number of things but how myopic are you?

NEW TO ES 06 Apr 2007, 17:32

I JUST WENT FOR AN EXAM AND WAS GIVEN A NEW PRESCRIPTION WHICH IS:

SPHERE CYLINDER AXIS

O.D. +50 -1.00 95

O.S. +50 -1.25 90

WITH AN ADD 0F +2.25

THE PRESCRIPTION FOR MY LEFT EYE INCREASED

BY -.25 WHILE MY RIGHT EYE REMAINED THE SAME. MY ADD FOR READING INCREASED BY +.25 UP FROM MY PRIOR PRESCRIPTION OF +2.00 FOR BOTH EYES. I FEEL THAT I CAN SEE BETTER NOW.

RRB 06 Apr 2007, 10:06

Clare:

Thanks for your information on the acuity of vision of someone in the -1 to -1.25 range. A couple of weeks ago, I let my young friend who is in that range practice in my car for his driver's test. When he got behind the wheel, I asked him about his glasses (which he almost never wears). He replied that he had passed his learner's permit test without his glasses and hoped he would pass the real test without them--because he doesn't want to become so dependent on glasses and is afraid that wearing them will cause his eyesight to worsen. (I suspect that, if the truth were known, it is really a matter of vanity.) Well, he didn't have an accident in my car--and indeed he passed his driver's test without glasses. This just amazes me: I am only slightly more myopic than he, but I don't think I could find my car--let alone drive it--without my glasses! So, I guess it is all a matter of accommodation, at least at than range.

jimmy 28 Mar 2007, 20:57

I posted about a month ago about my G/F's Rx. She is very reluctant to wear her glasses, and never wears them for more than when she's sitting on the computer or sometimes when she reads something. The other day we were at a restaurant and the lighting sucked, but she couldn't see and asked me to read the menu to her. I commented she should wear her glasses more, and she said she didn't think I would like how she looked and that she doesn't like how she looks. I told her no, that I cared more about how she sees and hopefully she'll start wearing them more.

anti_starlet 27 Mar 2007, 10:36

Thanks very much Cactus Jack, I really appreciate it. I'll keep wearing them :)

Cactus Jack 26 Mar 2007, 19:45

anti_starlet,

All that has happened is that your crystaline lenses have relaxed. A normal occurence for low hyperopes (people who have to wear + sphere in their glasses). If you have worn your last Rx for say 6 months or more, your lenses are probably fully relaxed by now and your new Rx will remain stable for a long time. Also, this is a very simple and easy to make Rx so you can probably order glasses online pretty inexpensively.

Let us know if you need help.

Wear them full time and enjoy.

anti_starlet 26 Mar 2007, 15:21

Hi, just wondering if someone can help me. I recently had an eye test and my prescription increased from about +0.25 in both eyes to R: +0.75 -0.25 75 L: +0.50 -0.25 90. My optician said to wear them whenever I need them watching tv and using the computer, but I've always wanted to need to wear glasses so I've been wearing them pretty much fulltime. However, I don't want to increase my Rx too much (I'm a poor student and can't really afford to buy another pair in another 18 months!) so is full time wear okay or unneccessary? Thanks guys

Anti_starlet

Clare 25 Mar 2007, 07:18

RRB - just re-read your post - someone of -1.25 might scrape through the driver's test but I think people can vary, watching a movie would be better with them.

Clare 25 Mar 2007, 07:16

RRB - at the lower levels of myopia, say up to -3, it really is a matter of preference. I've read that it's common for people beyond -2 to wear glasses all or most of the time if that helps. It's by no means always the case, I have a friend of around -2.50 who always wears either contacts or glasses, I'm -2.75 and -3 and do 90% of the time. Another friend is around -3.75 and will go without glasses around the house.

I can just about remember back to being -1.25 and think I thought they were most helpful at night, but I didn't need them that much, perhaps for seeing a presentation but not for general day-to-day activities.

Hope that helps.

RRB 24 Mar 2007, 19:46

One more question: At what Rx would most myopes really not be able to see well enough to function very well in the routines of daily living?

RRB 24 Mar 2007, 19:42

How well can someone who is myopic with a Rx between -1.00 and -1.25 see without his or her glasses? Could he/she see well enough to drive or to see a movie clearly? Or is it all just a matter of accommodation OR what one is used to OR what one's tolerance might be for blurred vision?

Puffin 23 Mar 2007, 18:27

For a high myope (which she certainly is) that's not really an abnormal increase. I imagine that her myopia increases might slow down by the time she hits mid to late twenties although there is no hard and fast rule for this - statistics ignore individual cases, unfortunately.

If you want to have some sort of idea of how she sees the world without correction, try looking through a magnifying glass at something in the distance. A typical magnifying glass would need about minus 2 to minus 4 or thereabouts of correction to allow clear distance vision (this is why people use them close up!)

btw make sure she knows how lucky you are!

Cactus Jack 23 Mar 2007, 17:31

Sorry about the double post

Cactus Jack 23 Mar 2007, 17:31

Mike,

Glad to be of help. Don't lie, but if her glasses turn you on, tell her so, an appropriate moment, of course.

1. Abnormal, but because she has progressive myopia, unfortunately to be expected. Hopefully, it will begin to slow down as she gets older. Is there high myopia in her family?

2. With her old glasses about 20/100. Without glasses or contacts 20/1200 or more. The number is so high as to be almost useless. However, she sees really well at a distance of about 2 to 3 inches (7 or 8 cm)

I have a couple of questions for you, but I would prefer to do it privately. Please contact me at cactusjack1928@hotmail.com

Cactus Jack 23 Mar 2007, 17:30

Mike,

Glad to be of help. Don't lie, but if her glasses turn you on, tell her so, an appropriate moment, of course.

1. Abnormal, but because she has progressive myopia, unfortunately to be expected. Hopefully, it will begin to slow down as she gets older. Is there high myopia in her family?

I have a couple of questions for you, but I would prefer to do it privately. Please contact me at cactusjack1928@hotmail.com

lentifan 23 Mar 2007, 16:23

Mike

You should know that a lot of the readers of this site (the males, anyway) would give their right arms to have a gf with an Rx of -15. I'm sure she looks beautiful in her glasses.

Mike 23 Mar 2007, 11:55

Thank you very much, Cactus Jack and Puffin.

Jack, to answer your question, she just turned 22, and I'm pretty sure her previous exam was around a year ago.

Her glasses look very thick but I'm kind of fascinated with them. I don't know anyone else whose glasses look like that.

I just wish she was a little more willing to talk about them.

I only have a couple more questions:

1. Is her increase normal or abnormal?

2. What would her vision be (20/?) without glasses or with her old glasses?

Thanks a lot.

Mike

nickweymouth 23 Mar 2007, 00:02

cactus jack allthough i do not wear glasses i found your last few posts very intresting and also very informative thank you very much regards Nick

Cactus Jack 22 Mar 2007, 21:21

End of post to Mike,

Cactus Jack 22 Mar 2007, 21:15

Mike (Part 4)

By the way, some interesting research may have discovered the source of a hormone that may be the biological cause of myopis and hyperopis.

If they are on to it, someday, it may be possible to stop progressive myopia or cause hyperopic eyes to grow and become less hyperopic.

Cactus Jack 22 Mar 2007, 21:10

Mike (Part 3)

If you had some plus contacts of the correct power (about +13 if you have 20/20 vision), you could experience what she sees without her glasses and you could also do GOC and be able to see with her glasses. It would be a very educational experience for you and help you understand what she is dealing with.

Cactus Jack 22 Mar 2007, 21:07

Mike (Part 2)

The reason you can't see with her glasses is that her glasses cause teh image to focus behind your retina and your eyes do not have enough plus power of accommodative range to be able to add enouhg plus power to focus teh image on your retina.

Cactus Jack 22 Mar 2007, 21:06

Mike,

I'm going to try splitting the post into even smaller segments. Perhaps, Wurm can help. It acts like I didn't spell Eyescene correctly.

Cactus Jack 22 Mar 2007, 20:56

For sopme reason, the site won't accept the remainder of my post. It is about 130 words long, and I believe I have spelled "Eyescene" correctly,

Any suggestions?

Puffin 22 Mar 2007, 20:39

sorry didn't realise Cactus Jack was about to talk about this...

Puffin 22 Mar 2007, 20:38

yes the numbers getting bigger does mean worse, minus numbers denoting correction for myopia.

assuming you have perfect vision, looking through minus 15 lenses will make you very hyperopic ie the opposite of how your girlfriend sees, you won't be able to focus on anything properly, although it just might get easier in the distance. your eye muscles will have to fight to focus on anything.

dont worry about the thick specs. I never do.

Cactus Jack 22 Mar 2007, 20:38

Test

Cactus Jack 22 Mar 2007, 20:35

Mike,

Your GF has progressive myopia and unfortunatel depending on the index of refraction of the lens material, The lens will probably be about 1 mm thicker. The back surface will have a slightly steeper curvature, or the front surface will be flatter or maybe slightly concave.

She is probably concerned and perhaps embarassed. Which she shouldn't be. There is no way she could have caused or prevented the increase. You need to tell her that you love her for who she is, no matter what. It wouldn't hurt to read some of the stories on Bobby's website about coping with high myopia.

I don't recall if you mentioned her age in previous posts, please tell me her age and how long between the Rx.

Typically, myopia is caused by a mismatch between the length of the eyeball and the focusing power of the cornea and crystaline lens. Myopia usually means that the eyeball is too long and without glasses or contacts, the image focuses in front of the retina. Wearing minus lenses moves the focus back to the retina for clear vision.

(continued on next post)

Mike 22 Mar 2007, 19:23

To Cactus Jack and others:

Last summer I asked about my girlfriend's vision. Cactus was very helpful in explaining it to me.

We're still together, and recently she complainjed about not seeing well and had an eye exam. She got what she said was a "new" prescription but didn't want to talk about it.

The other day we went to pick out new glasses and when the optician asked to see her prescription, I got a glimpse of it.

OD -15.00 -0.50 85 OS -17.00 -0.50 90

Her old prescription was:

OD -13.75 -0.50 80 OS -15.50 -0.25 95

Am I correct in assuming that the numbers got higher because her vision got worse? Her glasses won't be ready for 10-14 days and I wonder what they're gonna look like. The ones she has now look real thick.

One time, she let me look through her olde glasses and I couldn't see squat, just a total blur. Can someone explain this to me?

Thanks, Mike

Hyperfan 20 Mar 2007, 08:18

Thanks Terrillyn. So you jump from +0,5 to +2,50, and from +1,75 to +3,50 in only 8 months ? WHat was your first reaction when the doctor told you about full time wearer ?

Terrilyn 20 Mar 2007, 07:57

Hyperfan

I am 19, soon to be 20. My first prescription was R; +.50 -1.25 005 L; +1.75 -.75 065 add +1.50.

For Tara and Terri 20 Mar 2007, 04:56

Hello,

My girlfriend firt prescription was +1 and +1,25, when she was 17 years old. Now she is 26, and she wears +7,50 and +8,25 with add of +2. She has no line bifocals, and another frame with her full prescription (+9,5 and +10,25). I love her with these glasses.

Tara, I think your prescription is very strong for the first one. That is why I think you will have to change soon and, you will maybe need an add.

Greetings.

Hype 20 Mar 2007, 02:35

Tara, is everything OK now with your

new glasses ?

I think you will be at +6 before 25 yeas with your prescription... Does the optician talk to you about bifocals ? Thanks, Tara.

Hyperfan 20 Mar 2007, 02:33

Terrilyn, can you tell us what was your first prescription ? And how old you are ?

Does people say something about your prescription, your lenses, bifocals ? Thanks.

Terrilyn 19 Mar 2007, 10:08

Tara:

I, too was told I was a latent hyperope last Summer when I first got glasses. Mine are bifocals and change every two-three months. The latest prescription is R;+2.50 -1.25 005 L;+3.50 -.75 165 add +1.75.

The doctor thinks I will be around +6-7 when it levels off. Distances are always a little blurry when my prescription changes.

MinusDude 19 Mar 2007, 09:55

DNBursky,

When I was in my late 30s my vision began to improve. My prescription is about the same as yours in the opposite eyes (with nearly no astigmatism). Over the last 7 years each eye has as improved by .5 - the annoying thing is first one eye improves, then the other about a year later. I don't notice the difference as much with my contacts, but the difference with glasses is very noticeable, especially if I try to watch tv after reading. It's been over a year since my last exam & the left eye is now better so I usually wear my previous pair of glasses where each lens is (now) overcorrected by .25 for more even vision. One of these days I'll go get a new presciption & update my glasses & contacts. This hasn't happened with other members of my family; I'm thinking this may keep me a step ahead of bifocals a little longer.

Phil 19 Mar 2007, 00:03

Hi:

I have been using that prescription which is perfect for me:

OD +0.50 -1.50 x 85

OS +0.50 -1.50 x 95

Yet I have a fairly strong astigmastism, and that is kind of troubling when doing sports like tennis, or ping pong, where things are distorted when I move my head fast.

Would it be possible to have a coorection (to use only for sports) such that things are not distoted when I move my head?

Thanks!

RRB 18 Mar 2007, 20:42

I have known for some time that a young employee of mine was shortsighted. He squints when I point to something across the room, and he must get rather close to his computer. But he almost never wears his glasses. In fact, until recently, I had seen him in glasses only once very briefly. Last week we were working together at a PC. He excused himself and went to his office to get his glasses. I complimented him on his attractive frames and told him that I thought he should wear his glasses more often. He replied that his doctor has advised him not to wear them fulltime because this would make him dependent on them and cause his myopia to worsen. (He says that he does wear them when driving.) I asked to try his glasses on and was surprised that his distance Rx was very close to mine. He then told me that his Rx is -1 in one eye and -1.25 in the other. I wear trifocals with the following Rx: -1.5 and an add of 200 in each eye. Anyway, what amazes me is that, although I know that my Rx is relatively weak, I am totally dependent on my glasses. I almost never take them off, and when I do, I feel very helpless and disoriented. I cannot image not wearing them all the time, and I am amazed that my young employee can function without his. SO, MY QUESTIONS ARE: (1) Shouldn't someone with a RX in the -1 to -1.5 range wear glasses full time? Or is it just all a relative matter of what one gets used to or how much one can accommodate? (2) Does full-time glasses wearing really make one more dependent and/or make one's vision worsen. Actually, as is fairly common, in recent years my distance correction has been reduced at the same time that my near correction has been strengthened. But I am not aware of seeing any more clearly at a distance WITHOUT MY GLASSES than I ever did, even as a child. The bottom line for me is that I want to be able to see just as sharply as possible all the time!

ggl 18 Mar 2007, 17:48

-1.00 in both eyes

Phil 18 Mar 2007, 05:35

An excellent choice Tara. You will be getting complimentary comments simply because you look so attractive wearing them. To most people a girl's looks are enhanced by nice frames. Don't worry about likely future increases in rx. With the thinner lenses that are now available you will be able to keep the appearance of your lenses much as now.

Cactus Jack 18 Mar 2007, 05:34

David (continued),

I prefer refractions by an experienced optometrist because they make their living by doing many refractions every day. Some are better than others

However, if the optometrist offers dilation, I decline. (because of diabetes, I have a retinal exam every 6 months).

I suggest another exam. Please let me know what you decide to do and the outcome.

BTW, I live in Houston.

Cactus Jack 18 Mar 2007, 05:17

DNBursky,

David, thank you for your answers, they help in understanding what is going on. I too would be skeptical of an unexplained decrease in myopia.

It is very unusual for myopia to improve. However, it does happen, but is more common well after prespyopia has set in (50s and 60s).

At 34, it is possible that you have a bit of pseudo myopia if you do a lot of reading and close work where your crystaline lenses have to stay focused close for extended periods. One of the early manifestations of presbyopia is that as the crystaline lenses become less pliable with age, they change focus power slowly. It is possible that the dilation allowed your lenses to relax somewhat and their plus power to be reduced, which would result in a lower minus Rx.

The thing that bothers me most is the reduction in sphere in only one eye. Which makes the think that the Rx just isn't correct.

(continued on next post)

DNBursky 17 Mar 2007, 19:48

Sorry about not deleting Cactus Jack's questions.

David

17 Mar 2007, 19:47

DNBursky,

I understand your confusion. Could you answer a few questions.

1. Were your eyes dilated for the recent exam?

2. How is your vision with the 2004 Rx?

3. Did you have any specific reason for the 2007 visit to an opthalmologist?

4. What is your age?

5. Where do you live?

Cactus

Cactus Jack,

My eyes were dilated during my exam. I am supposed to go every year to my opthamologist due to a birthmark on the back of my eye. It was fine. My vision is with glasses from 2000, and my contacts with last year's prescription don't count for my astigmatism.

I'm 34 as of 3/25 and live in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

I'm very wary about getting new glasses with this whole lowering of my prescription.

Guest 17 Mar 2007, 15:42

Tara

Does the prospect of thicker lenses and worse vision - total dependency on glasses - worry you?

How long now since you have been wearing them?

Tara 17 Mar 2007, 07:15

I'm getting used to wearing glases now. Distances do actually seem crisper when I wear my glasses. The comments I've had from friend and family have been complimentary a lot of them surprised I have to wear them all the time.

My frames are thinnish black plastic (not chunky ones). I was told at the opticians that the frames were a good choice as they were strong so making them suitable for changing the lenses.

Cactus Jack 17 Mar 2007, 05:47

DNBursky,

I understand your confusion. Could you answer a few questions.

1. Were your eyes dilated for the recent exam?

2. How is your vision with the 2004 Rx?

3. Did you have any specific reason for the 2007 visit to an opthalmologist?

4. What is your age?

5. Where do you live?

Cactus

DNBursky 16 Mar 2007, 23:53

What would you suggest I do now then?

David

Jack 16 Mar 2007, 18:04

Unfortunately, that's what happens when a technican does your refraction. Try going to an optometrist the next time.

DNBursky 16 Mar 2007, 15:02

Help!

I went to the eye doctor, opthamologist, a few weeks ago. When I left

I didn't look at the prescription. Now that I see it, I'm concerned.

In June, 2004 I was OD Sphere -3. Cylinder -1.75 Axis 87

OS Sphere -4.5 Cylinder -1, Axis 90

In February, 2007 I was OD Sphere -2.25 Cylinder -1.75 Axis 90

OS Sphere -4.5 Cylinder -.75 and Axis 90

I am curious, does this make sense that my prescription got weaker in

one eye and that my eye got stronger, I am concerned/suspicious? I

discussed this with the woman who supposedly checked my eyes at the

office,not the doctor earlier this morning. She said it's normal. How

can my eye get better in glasses to from a -3 to a -2.75 when in

contacts I wear a -4.5 in that eye. (I assume OD is right eye)?

Also, I was discussing lenses with two optical stores.

In one, he recommended a lense of 1.67 which cost $250, these were

for rimless frames.

In the other, he said polycarbonate is fine, which he didn't give a

width, I assume, of, and said I can get away with the lenses that

cost $159-189 as opposed to the $229-269 for their 1.67's.

With my presciption what do you recommend? Hope someone can help. Are

polycarbs that thin? Is the price for the 1.67 that different?

David

Tom 16 Mar 2007, 06:57

Louise: do you have troubles with your distant vision without glasses? Do you have a license and are you allowed to drive without glasses?

I agree with the think Aubrac reports: why should one start using glasses if his vision is fine? It seems a paradox, but it is what happens to hyperopes people, who needs time to learn how to stop adjustment by muscles so their distant vision deteriorates up to the point they can see clear through positive lenses! Vision is a complex effort of eyes, muscles, brain, etc. I think what is important is the final result more than which player is doing the main contribution to it. Don't you agree?

Aubrac 16 Mar 2007, 01:46

Hooked - I'm from the UK but many years ago bought a house in Aveyron near the Aubracs.

My wife also wore glasses when she was young. I've seen pictures of her from age about 4 to 10 wearing what I would guess to be about a +5 scrip. She had a lazy eye and squint, amblyopia I think is the term but didn't start wearing glasses again until age 35.

She now has accommodative esotropia, and her right eye turns in when doing close work without glasses.

hooked 15 Mar 2007, 03:26

@Aubrac (by the way your from Massif Central?)

My wife has glasses since she was two years old so I think she was used to it from the very beginning.

Yes, I think I'm a lucky man, too.

Aubrac 15 Mar 2007, 01:54

Hooked

Lucky man to have such a nice high plus wife. At +5 even with really good powers of accommodation, it would not be possible to see at distance.

The problem with mild longsight is that people have got used to using their muscles to correct vision at distance. When wearing glasses they still do this and therefore over-correct which results in blur at distance.

If they can manage not to do this and let the lens correct their vision, then distance vision will be fine with glasses. However, many hyperopes (my wif included) think what is the point in making youself wear glasses, unless you have eyestrain/fatigue, when you can see ok without.

hooked 15 Mar 2007, 00:17

My wife has an RX of + 5 and an asti of -0,75.

And she never goes without glasses (seldom in contacts) and I know she doesn't have the same vision without glasses in distance.

Louise 14 Mar 2007, 09:35

I posted about getting my first pair of glasses in 2002, they were +1.50 and +1.25 and I was 16. Now I'm 20 and my prescription is +3 and +2.75. I still only wear my glasses for reading.

I have real trouble now reading small print such as a newspaper or computer print without my glasses. If the light is poor I definitely need my glasses. Obviously at my prescription it is much more comfortable to wear my glasses for all close tasks.

Aubrac 14 Mar 2007, 01:36

Tara

With longsight it is always more difficult to say exactly what the effect will be for different people.

My wife who is in her thirties has a scrip of +1.50R/+1.75L, she wears her glasses at work but only sometimes for driving and has less distance vision problem although I know she cannot read small letters at distance.

Many factors affect how well you will see including how tired you are, how much close work you have been doing, how good the lighting is, and how much contrast there is in colours. For example my wife can read both on paper and screen black on white but blue on white or black on grey gives her problems.

It is up to you to decide what feels best, try going f/t but if distance remains a problem, you may need a bi-focal scrip or use glasses just for computer and reading.

Tom 12 Mar 2007, 06:59

Tara, as farsightedness is not so common between young people as nearsightedness, it would be interesting if you could tell us more about your vision with and without glasses. I have a friend that is +2 and wears glasses just for reading/writing. She also drives regularly without glasses. I don't know if her distant vision is less sharp with her glasses on (as you reports) but she definitely seems not to need them to see distant things well. On the other hand, once in a restaurant she had to put her glasses on to read the menu. However, despite of your higher current prescription (+2.5/+2.75) you only reported some eyestrain in the past. Are there things you could not focus at all before getting glasses? And how is going now? Some hyperopes reported an increasing dependence on glasses both for close and distant things, as more they use glasses. Is this your experience? While distant things are becoming sharper through the lenses, do you also feel they become more blur without correction? If so, and provided that you didn't have troubles in far vision before, why should you need to become accustomed to full time glasses, instead of use them just to read, as presbyopes usually do?

Phil 12 Mar 2007, 06:54

Don't fret Tara. It's great that you've become a fulltime gwg instantly. I bet you've had loads of compliments about how you look. Are you happy wearing glasses? They almost certainly enhance how you look. And you can see so well! What sort of frames did you get?

Random_eye 12 Mar 2007, 06:50

Tare, how is viewing near things with out your glasses, like reading now? I know if has not been long.

Aubrac 12 Mar 2007, 01:43

Jeff

At 46 the lens usually becomes more stiff and so reading ability can often become more difficult although in your wife's case the reading add has suprisingly remained the same but the extra distance strength will of course increase the reading strength.

After my wife had a scrip increase she was less inclined to wear for distance as she said it was clearer without glasses.

With low hyperope scrips it is never as clearcut as myopes who simly have fuzzy distance images chnaged to clear.

Suggest she wears them all the time as it usually takes two or three weeks to stop using accommodation and for the eye muscles to relax.

Good luck!

Tod 11 Mar 2007, 09:32

Tod 11 Mar 2007, 09:31

Hi Tara, I am glad you are getting on well with your glasses. Being a hyperope it will take a while, several weeks for your near focusing ability to relax back to normal. When that happens you will need to wear your glasses full time. Up to now you have been able to see distance and near because your eyes were compensating by focusing for near vision even to see at a distance. This is because your eyes are hyperopic. Meaning your eyeballs are too short or your corneas are too flat or both to see normally.

Yes, you go through a period of the "shock" of realizing you need glasses. And seeing yourself in the mirror wearing them. And others who know you will also be surprised seeing you in glasses. But after a time (it varies from person to person) wearing glasses will be just as normal for you as wearing shoes. So just wear them and be proud of them and enjoy your improved new vision and your new look

BTW what style of frames did you get.

Tod 11 Mar 2007, 09:31

Hi Tara, i am glad you are getting in well with your glasses. Being a hyperope it will take a while, several weeks for your near focusing ability to relax back to normal. When that happens you will need to wear your glasses full time. Up to now you have been able to see distance and near because your eyes were compensating by focusing for near vision even to see at a distance. This is because your eyes are hyperopic. Meaning your eyeballs are too short or your corneas are too flat or both to see normally.

BTW what style of frames did you get.

Tara 11 Mar 2007, 05:52

Random eye

I'm 19 and I live in the UK.

The optician said I had latent something or other (can't remember the word). He explained it meant I am long sighted and probably have been for a while but my eyes have been working extra hard to try and focus which is why my eyes got tired.

I asked how much stronger my prescription will get. The optician said it was difficult to be exact but he estimated I would probably go up to around +4.00 to +5.00 by the time I get to 25. He said he could give me that sort of prescription now but I wouldn't be able to see distances so I will get a gradual increase over a few years so my eyes can adapt.

Distances are a bit better today as I can't really tell the difference when I look at distances with or without my glasses. I still feel a bit shocked ging from not ever having glasses to needing them all the time!

Guest 10 Mar 2007, 22:26

She has a fair amount of astigmatism in one eye to cause discomfort. Plus I would think that +2.25 as an add at 46 is higher than usual. Sum total is that I wouldn't think it will be long before she realises it's more sensible just to put them on and keep them on.

Random_eye 10 Mar 2007, 19:58

Tara congrats one getting you glasses. How old are you?

DWV 10 Mar 2007, 17:22

Jeff:

Full-time, with progressives or trifocals. An add of 2.25 for near implies that she needs help with intermediate distances as well.

Tara 10 Mar 2007, 14:38

Hello I'm new here. I sort of found this site by accident by following links looking for stuff about celebrities wearing glasses. Not sure how I got here but was pleased to see there is stuff about celebs on this site.

The reason I was looking was that I got glasses today. I found I was getting tired when reading or writing. I thought I might need reading glasses so I got my eyes tested. I got a prescription of +2.50 right and 2.75 left. What surprised me was that I was told I should wear glasses all the time and to expect my prescription to increase a bit more over the next few years.

When I put my glasses on for the first time I noticed how clear close things where. I could read things without straining. I was concerned that distances were a bit unclear but I was assured by the optician that my distance sight would soon be better with my glasses than without (I hadn't noticed that there was anything wrong with my distance sight but apparently there is).

I got my glasses this morning and I am still wearing them now. Distances are still unclear but I suppose it has only been a few hours. Near sight is fantastic! The text on my computer screen is crisp and black and I'm not getting tired eyes. It's like the screen was dirty and now is clean.

Jeff 09 Mar 2007, 17:41

My wife is 46.

aubrac 09 Mar 2007, 04:38

Jeff

How old is your wife. If she is 35+ she may well wear her glasses fulltime but if younger, she can more easily use the eye muscles to adjust the lens for distance vision.

My wife is 37, and has had glasses for three years with a present scrip of +1.75 L/+1.50 R with some astigmatism. She is a p/t wearer for work/reading and sometimes for driving. You may find the increase in scrip means she cannot see as well at distance and so might be reluctant to go full time which is the excuse my wife uses for not going f/t.

I think my wife looks fantastic in glasses but as I said will no go f/t (sob, sob). However, I think that with the +2.25 add, the reading scrip is getting high enough to maybe find adjustment from reading to distance more difficult, again much depending on age.

It all depends what your wife is comfortable with and you might suggest she goes f/t for a couple of weeks and see how she finds it.

jimmy 08 Mar 2007, 19:35

sorry that last post was me. It should have been directed to Cut-in-UK.

Cut-In-UK 08 Mar 2007, 19:34

She's 31. Thanks for your replies also.

Jeff 08 Mar 2007, 15:37

My wife's prescription just increased (after four years without an eye exam) to

Right +1.25 -1.00 095 +2.25

Left + 0.75 -0.75 075 +2.25

Her previous was

R +0.50 -0.75 100 +2.25

L +0.25 -0.50 75 +2.25

My question is, will she be more likely to need and wear her glasses full time now? She wore them always for reading, but rarely otherwise with her old prescription. She just had her eyes examined and glasses ordered yesterday, and I am hoping for fulltime wear. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

cut-in UK 07 Mar 2007, 22:30

Jimmy, it looks like a mild hyperope prescription primarily for middle distance, (the computer) with a low astigmatism correction. The final 'plus' is the bifocal segment she would use to read at near distance, for convenience when using the computer and say, referring to a book at the same time.

What age is the lady ?

jimmy 07 Mar 2007, 18:17

I have a question. My girlfriend has glasses that she wears very part-time for mainly using the computer. I noted her prescription the other day and am a bit confused.

She's

OD +1.00, -.75x80 +1.25

OS +1.25, -.75x55 +1.25

Does this mean her glasses are bifocals, and what exactly would her vision be like. Ive always been interested in glasses, and check out the pictures here but know nothing about RX.

Andy 06 Mar 2007, 11:40

Interesting find on the net http://www.optiboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12639

04 Mar 2007, 16:45

pacman - what? fulltime wearing the readers?

pacman 02 Mar 2007, 03:36

- Guest

The eye dr. did not offer any guidance on fulltime or not, he just advised prescription readers.

Interestingly she announced last night that she felt the time had come to consider fulltime wear and I was very pleased to see her wearing them at breakfast. I think she plans to keep them on all day.

Guest 01 Mar 2007, 21:10

-Pacman

Your wife's sphere prescription is so small as to be negligable but the astigmatism in one of her eye's is probably sufficient to cause her discomfort at most distances. That and the add means it would be sensible for her to wear them full time. How would she feel about that and what the the eye dr advise?

pacman 01 Mar 2007, 12:37

my girlfriend has just returned from her eye test with a new prescription. She is now

R sph -0.50 cyl -0.75 add +1.75

L sph -0.50 cyl -1.50 add +1.75

a small increase in sphere and cylinder

She does not wear fulltime so she has not gone for bifocals. The optician suggested that she has some reading glasses made up with her astigmatism prescription, he said these will be better than the +1 OTC readers she sometimes wears. Will she notice a difference? Also should she she be considering fulltime wear?

She is 47 and looks fabulous in glasses

Holden 28 Feb 2007, 20:27

Hi Cut-in,

I am unsure whether the LASIK procedure corrected the astigmatism. She did not go for an eye exam for 7 years after having the procedure, and then, only at my insistence because of her apparent difficulties driving at night.

The exam showed that she couldn't see 3 lines from the 20/20 line on the eyechart when an eye was covered.

I have been quite enthusiastic when she has her glasses on (nice darker plastic frames with some chunky sides). My buddy has also independently remarked how great she looks with them on. Sh wore them when we went out to dinner and on the town last Friday and Saturday. I think the reticence to wear them more comes from her wearing them FT before and every time, her Rx went steadily higher. She wishes to avoid that this time.

cut-in UK 27 Feb 2007, 23:07

Holden, two points, out of interest; 1. didyour wife's LASIK correct her +1.50 astigmatism ? I thought that this was a defect of the curvature of the eyeball. I know little of the benefits, if any, but am unsure whether it can be corrected by LASIK alone.

2. Have you actually said to her just how much you admire the look of her in glasses ? If so, what was her reaction ?

Holden 27 Feb 2007, 17:38

I don't think a LASIK touch up is an option for her, because (a) she would be concerned that the surgery would then over correct her into an early need for reading glasses, and (b) she would not want to 'chance it' again.

At the same time, I think she is plainly annoyed at the idea of wearing glasses again. She is the type that would sooner squint a little bit than wear them. She is starting to have her crow's feet develop a bit more pronounced lately.

She's a beautiful gal - I would just as soon she wear her glasses because she could see optimally and look terrific.

Guest 27 Feb 2007, 14:48

A friend's friend had lasik a few years ago and would now be in her late 30s. I hear that she's back wearing glasses fulltime again, looks like a lasik top up is in order.

Holden 27 Feb 2007, 13:15

The other thing I am curious about is how likely it is that my wife's astigmatism and/or myopia will worsen. She had LASIK 7 years ago to correct an Rx that had -3.75 diopters of nearsightedness in both eyes along with -1.50 of astigmatism for both eyes. She just started wearing glasses again last October (at first to drive at night, but it has evolved to sometimes with schoolwork, going out at night, playing video games).

She is concerned that her Rx will change again, as it had when she was in her early to mid-20's. Now that she is 38, she is hoping it will remain stable (aside from the need for reading glasses that is).

Holden 27 Feb 2007, 13:11

Jennifer - how much astigmatism do you have? I ask because my wife has -.50 and -.75 diopters of astigmatism in her glasses, and -.25 of myopia correction in both eyes. She finds it much easier to read or play video games with her glasses on than off.

Jennifer 27 Feb 2007, 11:15

Jacob, I find reading with my glasses on is much more comfortable than without. You have about the same astig as I do.

Andrew 27 Feb 2007, 10:29

Yes, Jacob, and the more astigmatism you have, the more true that will be.

jacob 27 Feb 2007, 08:41

hey

is it normal for somebody myopic (1,75 and 1,25 with Astigmatism in both eyes) when you're reading a book and it's much more comfortable WHEN you wear your glasses? Can that be the astigmatism, 'cause it's easier to focus on one point when I'm wearing them (same with e.g. hammering nails into my wall)?

Jennifer 26 Feb 2007, 14:25

I'd love to go glasses shopping tonight!

Jennifer 26 Feb 2007, 14:23

Yes, I was in my eye exam. I have some questions about my new prescription. I got an increase in my cyl. I wonder what that means?

Emily 26 Feb 2007, 13:26

It means "diopters spherical," and is sometimes used when there is no cylinder.

Jon-1 26 Feb 2007, 12:55

Jennifer, I've just returned from my eye exam, and I have some news that I know you'll be as excited about as I am! I cannot wait to share it with you!

I tried your cell, so I guess your sitting in your exam right now.

Next time we'll have to get our eyes tested together!

PS. Would you like to go glasses shopping tonight?

Cactus Jack 26 Feb 2007, 12:28

I'll have to plead ...

Cactus Jack 26 Feb 2007, 12:24

Paul,

U'll have to plead ignorance on that one. Perhaps someone else will have an answer.

Paul 25 Feb 2007, 22:27

Cactus Jack

I have also seen the letters DS in conjunction with a prescription. What does it mean?

Cactus Jack 25 Feb 2007, 04:50

Socks,

2 degrees of axis difference at -0.25 and -0.50 cylinder is very small and almost insignificant. Looking at your glasses as another person would see them, the axis of the cylinder would run from about 10 o'clock to 4 o'clock amd would affect the edge thickness by fraction of a mm (thinner) at the 10 and 4 positiom. I doubt that is the source of noticable edge thickness. More likely it is caused by a combination of the sphere Rx, the locatiion of the optical center in the frame, PD, lens index, or if there is any prism.

What is your complete Rx?

Socks 25 Feb 2007, 00:05

Thanks for the answer. Knowing that, here's my real question. My sphere is the same for both eyes, cyl in right is -.25 and left is -.50, axis in right is 150, left 148.

When I look at my lenses, the right lens is thicker than the left on the outer edge, and my left is thicker on the inner edge (closer to my nose) than the right. Since I like edge thickness, could a difference in axis from 150 to 148 account for the difference in outer edge thickness? If I were to doctor my Rx so that both axis numbers are 150, would the left lens have the same outer edge thickness as the right, or should I change both cyl and axis?

Cactus Jack 24 Feb 2007, 15:30

Socks,

The last was from me. Cylinder can affect the appearance of your glasses but it generally has to be significant for anyone but you, an Eye Care Professional or an OO to notice.

What is your new Rx?

24 Feb 2007, 15:26

Socks,

OD is the abreviation for the latin "Oculus Dexter" or Right Eye. OS is for "Oculus Sinister" or Left Eye.

Cylinder is used to correct astigmaitism. The lens is a section of a cylinder and the axis is the angle of the long axis of the cylinder. It can range from 0 degrees to 179 degrees (counter-clockwise facing the patient) where 0 is horizontal and 90 is vertical. A prescription can be written with plus cylinder or minus cylinder depending on the preference of the examiner, but the lens maker will convert the plus cylinder notation to minus cylinder notation and make the glasses. The resulting glasses will be optically the same no matter how the Rx was written.

Socks 24 Feb 2007, 13:38

Please help me fully understand the numbers on my prescription.

There is OD and OS, which is left and which is right?

I understand "sphere", but how will the "cyl" affect how my lenses look, especially if the cyl is -.

What does the "axis" mean and how does it affect how the lenses look?

Thanks.

cathy 20 Feb 2007, 00:49

I got my eyes tested 3 years ago with a script of left= sph -.25 cyl .5 (can't remember axis) and Right Pl cyl -.75. My new script given yesterday reads Left sph +.5 cyl -.5 axis 5 Right= sph +.75 cyl-.5 axis 177.

The new scrip is marked as distance on opticians sheet. However distance is not as clear as it was. Will it take time to adapt to prescription or is it not for distance. Lenses do make text and computer bigger / more clear. However, I have previously had no problems reading etc. and can see things up close very well If I move away from screen and cover right eye it goes blurred but as I move nearer it becomes clear. I dont't really understand what script is for can somebody please suggest?

Puffin 19 Feb 2007, 17:48

Astigmatism tends to distort the eye in one axis only, so if there is enough to be noticable, then the eye will appear squashed or stretched out in one axis only. I've seen a pic of a girl (I have it somewhere) where one eye is normal hyperopic (ie,just bigger), but the other eye is hyperopic with minus astigmatism. This eye appears stretched up and down and a bit squished in from the sides (hard to describe, I wish I could find it)

sum1wholovesgirlswithglasses 19 Feb 2007, 14:32

nope it wouldnt

my girlfriend wears glasses with a prescription of -4.75D and -5.5D and -2D

of astigmatism a close friend we know for quite some time has an RX of -9.5 you definatley can see clearly the difference

more power rings and everything looks much smaller if you watch through her glasses

19 Feb 2007, 14:00

Would a prescription of -4.75 with -3.5 of astigamtism look a similar strengh when looking at the glasses on a person as a pair of -8's?

Cactus Jack 18 Feb 2007, 11:27

SDJ,

No. Astigmatism is usually caused by irregularities in the cornea. Minus sphere overcorrection is accommodated by the cilary muscles squeezing the crystaline lens to increase their plus power to neutralize the excess minus. The same cylinder correction should be used for glasses with excess minus sphere.

SDJ 18 Feb 2007, 10:03

Could someone who has a prescription of around -1 with -0.5 of astigmatism but can see perfectly fine with -6's see ok with a prescription of around -3.5 with -3 of astigmatism? Is it possible to get used to astigmatism like it is possible to get used to more minus sphere?

Julian 18 Feb 2007, 05:18

Caz B: How about something like: "Hey Mum, my eyes are getting worse and I really can't see without my glasses but I don't want to have to wear them full time. Any chance of getting contacts?" Mind you, that would be a lot more convincing if you could overcome the hangup and actually put the things on in front of her - supposing it was only to watch something on TV

Caz B 18 Feb 2007, 03:48

Hey, sorry im new here and i dont really know where to post this. Ive got glasses.. im pretty sure the rx is R -2.75 L -2. Ive only ever really worn them for driving and seeing the board at school etc but im really noticing now that i need them for everything, even to see peoples faces across the room and i want to start wearing contacts. I am very self conscious wearing my glasses around my mum and i cant ever remember wearing them around her (ive got a weird hangup about it- i think because she forced me to wear them when i first got glasses when i was young). I dont think that she is aware that my eyesight is as bad as it is and im very scared to ask her for contacts as she will get angry at me for not wearing my glasses (when really i do wear them whenever she isnt around.) Has anyone been in a similar situation? Im getting sick of never being able to see the tv etc when shes around but i just cant bring myself to wear glasses. Any suggestions as to how to ask for contacts without sounding like an idiot for never wearing glasses?

Cactus Jack 13 Feb 2007, 15:59

SDJ,

Yes.

SDJ 13 Feb 2007, 12:19

Sorry, that should read...

Does the same apply to any red or green light? For example, if you are looking at teletext and the red writing is clearer than the green writing, does that mean that you need more minus? Random question I know, but I am curious.

SDJ 13 Feb 2007, 12:11

Does the same apply to any for of red or green light? For example, if you are looking at teletext and the red writing is clearer than the green writing, does that mean that you need more minus? Random question I know, but I am curious.

Cactus Jack 11 Feb 2007, 15:32

Sue,

If Red is clearer than green, you need more minus.

sue 11 Feb 2007, 08:27

I have been asked a question i should know, what is the significance when you are having an eye exam, when they ask which is clearer red or green, and does it differ for long or short sight. Glad of any info, i really should know this the time i have had my eyes tested over the year .

RL 22 Jan 2007, 15:48

I came across an interesting list the other day. It has every prescription I've had since I started wearing glasses at the age of 12. My astigmatism has always been -.50 R and -.25 L so I won't include that in the figures.

First RX -1.25 R, -2.00 L

2. -2.25 R, -3.00 L

3. -3.25 R, -4.00 L

4. -3.75 R, -5.00 L

5. -4.75 R, -6.00 L

6. -5.25 R, -7.00 L

7. -6.75 R, -9.75 L

8. -7.50 R, -11.25 L

9. -8.50 R, -12.25 L

10. -9.50 R, -13.25 L

11. -11.00 R, -14.75 L

And that's where it has stayed ever since. The most rapid progression was from the -5.25, -7.00 through -8.50, -12.25. That was when I was 17 through 20 years old. The last two diopters took seven more years. I guess it has stopped because I have been pretty much the same at -11.00, -14.75 for the past twenty years. I don't notice the 3.75 diopter difference at all.

Lenni 08 Jan 2007, 13:15

How much would some astigmatism of -.5 make to someone with a prescription of -2.50? I mean by that, how much of a difference will that make over the regular -2.50?

And how much would someone of just a regular -2.50 actually wear them?

Sm 04 Jan 2007, 13:29

I have the same issue with my family. I only wear contacts around them (for the most part). I couldn't stand wearing contacts the whole time around them so I have to wear glasses sometimes but I feel foolish. When I'm not with my family I love wearing glasses.

Bethanne 04 Jan 2007, 09:50

Brian-16:

Well, I had the exam last week and did have a small increast -.50 after all, but the smallest in recent history. Now, I am R: -15.0 -3.5 x170 8BO L: -17.0 -5.25 x005 8BO add +3.25.

I ordeered some new glasses with high index lenses for the first time, so now they won't be quite as thick. The eye doctor told me not to come back until next fall unless I have to.

Duch 02 Jan 2007, 10:27

Thanks for the comments. I am glad I am not alone. I don't know why I have such a problem with letting my family know that I wear glasses - it is silly. No one else in my family wears glasses though.

BillyE 01 Jan 2007, 10:28

Duch, I have a lot of sympathy for you. I have the same sort of difficulties about wearing glasses around my family as you do, and I know Im being really stupid. I think of myself as being a contacts wearer who occasionally wears glasses, but the reality is that over the past couple of years its switched the other way round. When I was a kid I wouldnt wear my glasses, even though my parents nagged at me to wear them and I think its my stubborn refusal back then that makes me uncomfortable about the idea of wearing glasses around my family. When I was 18 I switched to contacts and for a long time I would only wear my glasses at home. Over the past few years a combination of dry eyes and increasing astigmatism means that Ive worn my contacts less and less. I hated it when I first had to wear glasses to work, but once Id done it, it became a lot easier. At first I just wore them when my eyes were very dry or tired, so that my contacts wouldnt sit in the right place, but once I started wearing glasses at work Ive worn them more often, to the extent that I cant actually remember when I last wore contacts to work (probably well over a year ago). At first I continued to wear contacts if I was out in the evenings, but over the last year Ive stopped doing that. Its only if Im around my parents or my siblings that I wear contacts these days. Over Christmas I spent four days around my family, wearing my contacts all the time. I have to say I found it really difficult, my eyes were sore and red and I couldnt get the stupid things to sit in the right place a lot of the time, rendering everything near and far out of focus. It was stupid of me persisting with them, because (apart from anything else) I reckon that there were a fair few times I was driving illegally because my contacts had moved and got stuck in the wring place. Looking back, this obviously would have been a perfect opportunity to slip into the conversation that I couldnt see with my contacts and that I wear glasses now. Ive booked an appointment with the optician tomorrow for a sight test and want to discuss the contacts situation, because at the moment I am shelling out over £25 a month for lenses Im wearing about three or four times a month max.

leelee 30 Dec 2006, 14:29

Duch,

Another idea is to get up from the table or couch and announce"

"Wow, my eyes are so dry I'm taking my contacts out!" and get up and go get your glasses. If anyone says anything about your having glasses, just express astonishment that they didntaleady know you had them.

Cactus Jack 27 Dec 2006, 19:25

Duch,

Undoubtedly, your parents and brother are aware that you were having some vision problems when you were 12. It is not in the least surprising that after 12 more years of schooling you have become more nearsighted. You aren't the first and won't be the last.

I would suggest that you just put on your glasses in the morning and "bite-the-bullet". If there are any comments, just say that it finally caught up with you and your vision was affecting your school work and that most of the time you wear contacts but your eyes need a rest from the contacts and you are wearing your glasses so you can see comfortably.

If there are any more comments you might comment that it seems to be part of the price of getting a PhD. They and you will soon get over it.

Is it possible that your brother is wearing contacts?

Duch 27 Dec 2006, 17:21

I didn't know where to post this.......

about two years ago I moved about 6 hours away from my hometown town. Shortly after I moved, I got glasses. They are not strong about -2 with some astigmatism, but I usually where contacts. I have recently been home over the holidays and my eyes have been so dry I have not been able to wear my contacts. The problem is that no one even knows I have glasses - not even my parents and brother. The thing is, I am not sure how to tell them - so I have been going without. The thing is, it is hard to see without them, especially the tv in the evening when it is dark and I am not really comfortable without them for some activities.

When I was about 12 I failed the school eye exam and was taken to the optometrist but was found to be borderline and told to wait (app. R -.50 and L -.75. I was never tested again throughout my schooling and then went through college. I am know 24 and working on a PhD. My problem is, I don't know how to tell my family. Do you guys have any suggestions or has anyone else experienced a similar situation? Thanks for the help!

Brian-16 27 Dec 2006, 05:51

Bethanne-Sorry I missed your post of Dec.21.Guess I need to have my eyes checked,again! College really puts a demand and strain on your eyes thats for sure.Let us know what your new rx is...Happy New Year...

Clare 27 Dec 2006, 01:13

I don't really know where to post this, but I hope you've all had a very happy Christmas and wish you all a very happy New Year!

Bethanne 21 Dec 2006, 08:01

Brian-16:

Looks like you are trying to catch up with me.

I have an exam scheduled late next week. I don't think I will need an increase, if not it will be a first.

Willy 15 Dec 2006, 10:41

leelee -- Thanks, I will keep you updated. I think the computer is where I will have the most use for SV, as I am on it a good amount each day, and it is just a bit further out than book reading distance, for which the full add is set. So that's why I think 0.5 less than full strength (or +1 more than distance -- my add is 1.5) would be correct. Right now I'm pretty good using the top part of the progressive, but it could be a bit stronger and it would be nicer to have a full frame for the computer. Alternatively, I can use my full frame +1.5 glasses, but these do not have the cyl correction, and I am starting to find I notice its absence. Others have gotten the computer progressive, but I'm still adapting to the everyday ones, and two pairs of progressives may be a bit costly.

I also have a pair of OTC half readers at +2.25 that I bought a couple of years ago to experiment with because they were closer to an autorefractor prescription I had gotten, but they were too strong then. Now they are almost correct and if I needed to go bare-eyed for some reason at distance, I could use them to read. For example, ski season will be starting up (if the weather ever gets cold enough!) and I just can't imagine wearing my glasses skiing, though of course plenty of people do. I think that would be a good time to go bare-eyed and have some OTC readers.

leelee 15 Dec 2006, 07:09

Willy,

Ah, something I know about! My experience suggests that something about +1 over my distance is about right for my SV lenses - my last pair was only about +75 stronger and this was good for computer and after a little adaptation period was almost useable for driving, but could have been a little stronger for close work.

Right now i have SV +1.25 more than my distance (whih also increased) and they were a too strong for computer work at first, but now I've adapted and I can focus out to about 5' when relaxed but sharply up to about 10" which is also great for reading too.

Since I spend most of my time doing close work on the computer, it makes most sense for me to set the distance for that.

What activities are you wanting to improve? Where is most of your close work done? Are you an avid book reader? Do you read in bed? (demands a little more plus) Do you read and watch tv at the same time? (might want a little less, or you might want to get closer to the tv)

Why dont you expriment with otc glasses to see where the best balance is? I bet that SV in the total strength may be too much at this point, but if you back off a bit you will have some good all purpose lenses. Getting something too strong that you will "grow into" might not work if your cyl increases or changes. Once you do this a couple of times, you will collect a nice little pile of frames that you can simply change lenses in! I'll be interested to know what you end up doing.

enjoy!

John 14 Dec 2006, 21:54

newbie -- College is almost definitely a place where glasses "fit in" well, so you shouldn't feel self-conscious wearing them there. But I think it's fine to wear them in high school too, especially if your frames fit you well.

I really would suggest wearing them all the time for a while - say, a couple weeks. Force yourself to do it even though you're self-conscious. You'll get over those feelings, and you'll feel a lot better. Everyone deserves to see clearly if it's possible, and it definitely is possible for you. At -2/-2.75, there is plenty that you're missing when you're without correction.

Finally, if you just can't get past the nerves right now, contacts are a great option. I'm definitely in favor of glasses, but contacts have their place too, and you may find you like them a lot.

newbie 14 Dec 2006, 16:26

Cactus Jack- thanks for your help. Im 19 year old female. i think it is about time that i start wearing glasses full time- I start college next year and im thinking that will be a good time to start.

Willy 14 Dec 2006, 13:54

leelee -- I should get some sv readers as well. I am thinking to get at least one full frame pair at the full strength (+2.75, +2.25 with some cyl). For a second pair, I wonder if I should get a full frame with about 0.5 less for not-as-taxing near activities or perhaps for certain occasions a half frame so that I would have a bigger reading area than the progressive but still be able to see pretty well at distance.

leelee 14 Dec 2006, 13:20

Actually, I think the state I'm in when using my close prescription - which is 1 dioptres stronger than my distance puts me in the same state as an uncorrected -1 myope.

Since I cant imagine going around like this for general activities, I cant begin to imagine whatt its like to be a regularly uncorrected -2 myope, yet it seems almost common from what i read here!

My last pair of sv computer lenses were only about +.5 diopters too strong, which was actually kind of nice for around the house, once I got used to them. (and I now seem to be "getting used" to these newer ones, but blur still starts at 4' first thing in the morning and once I've been doing lots of close work and it creeps closer (to about 2' up from about 1' when i first got them a few weeks ago) until i take a break for a while. But reading is much better than the old ones, so the tradeoff is ok.

Tho, I agree with you Willy, i am very critical about visual perfection.

Willy 14 Dec 2006, 12:50

And just to add, maybe the difference in the type of blur makes a difference. The blur that hyperopes experience is an "under-focus" that can often be accommodated away to a large degree. The effort to do this, though, can make even the focused image a bit "jumpy", I guess is the word I would use. Now that I have a correct plus distance prescription, I notice the effort I put into distance focusing bare-eyed. A myopic blur, however, is over-focused and cannot be accommodated away.

Willy 14 Dec 2006, 12:20

Curt -- I think it's a general thing with us hyperopes who had seemingly "perfect" distance vision when younger that any blur is simply intolerable, or at least very noticeable. My now "old" +1.5 SV glasses only render me about -0.25 and -0.75 myopic at distance but it still seems unacceptably blurred compared to bare-eyed, let alone compared to my actual distance prescription.

Curt 14 Dec 2006, 11:49

lee lee: I understand where you are coming from. I, like you, have some SV reading glasses for those times when my bifocals just aren't right. If I go +0.50 over my usual distance correction, my visual acuity drops to about 20/40-20/60; certainly not legal to drive! At +1.0 over my distance Rx, everything beyond 5-6 feet becomes a fuzzy blur - I can tell that there is a TV on the other side of the room, but the image on it is a total smudge. I'm not sure why it seems different for hyperopes/presbyopes. But folks with "normal" vision (if there is such a thing) seem much more able to cope with minus lenses. For example, I have seen someone look through -1.0 glasses and remark they they are "not too strong", but the same person looking through +1.0 lenses says "these are so strong, I can't see anything". Maybe someone else has an idea about this...

leelee 14 Dec 2006, 07:59

How do you guys with -2 ish rxs able to manage at all without glasses?

I have sv glasses that I wear for close work that essentially render me about -1 with them on and, while I can certainly walk around and do things in this state, I can't read the clock, see the TV clearly, read book titles more than 6' away. I can't tell if someone is smiling, I can't find things I've dropped on the floor, I cant read the scale, see a bird out the window, see the ooutside thermometer.

I've tried wearing them while shopping and its completely useless! If I walk down the street with them, I don't see anything at all clearly, certainly not signs, and it feels pretty uncomfortable.

Is it different for myopes? Or maybe it's something to do with adding plus as opposed to minus? Or maybe my corrected vision is just generally sharper to the point that I really notice all instances of blur? Or is my vision not fully relaxing?

Cactus Jack 14 Dec 2006, 07:16

Newbie,

Except for driving, where probably your driving license is invalid without correction, weariing vision correction is up to you. You indicated that you have trouble with signs etc. without your glasses which is a pretty good clue. The obvious answer is wear them when you want to see. However, you may find seeing clearly and comfortably habit forming.

If you have a vanity problem, consider contacts. If your Rx is a simple -2.75,-2.00 without any or with very low cylinder, contacts would be a cheap and easy solution.

Otherwise, my suggestion is to "bite-the-bullet" and just start wearing them. You will experience the same comments and questions that millions of other first time glasses wearers have (read these posts). They may want to try them. Some will comment on how strong they are. Others may say nothing as they discover that they can see better with your glasses than without (Hmmm, I wonder why). And, a huge number won't even notice at all. After a few days, you can wear them or not wear them as you choose without concern.

Good luck, and welcome to the club.

May I ask your age and gender?

Brian-16 14 Dec 2006, 05:53

Eustace-Yes,I am just fine with the increases in my rx.I am 20 years and I guess it should be time for a slowdown.But who knows.I opted as usual to get high index lenses with ar coating and a slight tint.Last exam the doctor only gave me a partial rx as she knew it would be a shock if I got a full one.Although this is not quite a full one,its fine for me.My brother jumped from 1.50 to 2.0 with his bi-focals during the late summer when he headed back to high school.He has tried on my specs to see what tri's are all about.Give him time he will be clamoring for them if my folks permit.Like me he holds his books and stuff close.I would like to have my specs in CR-39 if they could do it.People would finally realize I have poor vision.When out and about at college they always wonder why I do not see as well as others do at distances.The brother had a jump in rx and is now around -10 and his vision is not as sharp as it was when he was 2 or 3 years younger.But so far its 20/20.He used to be 20/15.Happy Holidays to you and your family...

newbie 13 Dec 2006, 20:52

Hey everyone, im new here. I didnt really know where to post this- sorry if its in the wrong place.

I have just recently got a new prescription. It is R -2.75 and L -2.00. Im confused about when to wear them. Obviously i wear them for driving, although i can get away most of the other times without wearing them(i am really self conscious wearing them). I do however have problems whenever i need to see signs anywhere. Does anyone else have a similar prescription and when do they wear there's?

Eustace 13 Dec 2006, 20:09

Brian -16:

Seasons greetings and a Happy New Year to you, as well! My goodness, your Rx seems to be getting stronger and stronger at a rapid pace. Are you feeling OK with this? I mean do you sort of like (or are you even a bit "turned on" on) by getting stronger and stronger Rx's every six months? Does your opthamologist think you Rx will eventually level off--or stabalize? I would love to know how thick your new lenses are--once you get them. (Do you get high index lenses?) Do you think your brother will soon be a candidate for tri-focals?

Daffy 13 Dec 2006, 16:37

In response to -5.00 who luvs gwgs comments, i was undercorrected once...and they told me that they will because of the resons you mention. But after i got it filled...I "Complained" that i failed the driving eye test and demanded that i get my real prescription and not to under correct me. They had to replace the leneses at their cost. So everytime i go and get an eyetest...i make it clear (excuse the pun) to them that i don't want to be undercorrected. I have never had aproblem since.

Brian-16 13 Dec 2006, 11:46

While back from college I got a new rx.Will be a while till specs arrive.There was a definite increase all the way around.-13.0 in my right eye, and -12.75 left eye.Prisms now 6.0 base out and tri-focals up to +3.25.Astigmatism 2.75 right and 2.00 left.Vision is better but only 20/25.My younger brother has new specs and stronger bi-focals (+2.0).He has become a book worm,too.Seasons Greetings to all and have a great New Year.

Vic 05 Dec 2006, 15:24

Friend of Foreigner her eyesight isn't too bad at all but could still have the eyestrain. I'm essentially in the same boat

Hansel 05 Dec 2006, 13:39

Probably better than the majority of us on here even with correction!

Friend of Foreigner 05 Dec 2006, 12:44

I regularly correspond with a beautiful woman who tells me that she has terrible eyesight. She recently went to the eye doctor and found out her left eye is -0,50

and the right eye is -0,25. She says she can't afford glasses right now but often gets headaches due to her poor eyesight. Can someone translate this to American terms? What is her vision really like?

bens 05 Dec 2006, 07:45

is it possible to fit my rx (sph -12 cyl -1.50 axis 85 / sph -13 cyl -0.75 axis 90)on this frames?

http://www.raybanaviatorsunglasses.com/rayban_sunglasses_optical_rb5014.html

i know with this rx large frames are wrong but I already have this frames (wihout lenses) and i love thick glasses! what is the lowest index optician can made with this?

bens

WannabeThanks jack for your 05 Dec 2006, 05:28

shot, but an optometrist was not sure that it's the same. So i call on you and any other friends here to try and get something out of that prescription:

R:(120+0.5) + 0.5

L: (60+0.5) + 0.5

Thanks again

Si 02 Dec 2006, 14:38

Eyetest yesterday. Was -6.50/-7.00 with astig +1.25/-0.75.

Now -5.00/-5.50 with astig -1.25/-1.50.

Am 32. New glasses to be collected Tuesday.

Clare 01 Dec 2006, 13:04

-5 who luvs gwgs - I have a friend the same. I'd presumed she is just eagle eyed because there have been occasions when she's been able to see something I haven't. Her rx is nearer -4 and I just thought she was better corrected than me.

Opticians don't like to over correct I understand ;)

-5.00 who luvs gwgs 01 Dec 2006, 11:17

Daffys post interested me with the comment "complained " about needing crisper distance vision As I have posted before my own optician and I suspect most correct to th 20:20 line which I think is the 3rd from bottom With slightly stronger minus I can easily see the line below and if a bit more minus I can just about manage the bottom line.If I am going to be corrected surely I should have the best vision possible.My gf can never see distant detail that I can perhaps she needs a bit more minus.An optician friend thinks most myopes crave a bit more minus most opticians seem very reluctant to prescribe perhaps I should complain !

Belinda 30 Nov 2006, 07:31

My optician said I had good accommodation which allowed me to cope without stronger glasses for so long. I am starting to lose the accommodation now.

It was a bit of a shock to get new glasses that were a lot stronger than my old ones but as soon as I put them on I realised how badly I needed them. After they were adjusted to fit properly I wore them for the rest of the day and have worn them all day every day since.

daffy 27 Nov 2006, 16:25

I have reached the 6 Rx mark. It has been the usual steady increase, about -0.25 per year. This time it went up by 0.5 after I complained that my current Rx is just not crisp enough for distance. Dont get me wrongIm not overly joyous about this. I wish it would go the other way as I age. I think that being between 3 and 4 is ideal (for me anyway). So my current Rx is (Sph) 6.25, (Cyl) 0.75 (Pr) 4D IN (Add) +2 for both eyes. Axis is a little different in both eyes but in the 180 realm. They increased my prism by 1D (not happy) as well as the add (not happy either). They said that the distance RX is too strong for my near vision. I have yet to get this RX filled. Just gotta save up some money now. The only positive for me is that the prism is thicker on the inside which offsets the edge thickness and is less noticable.

Cactus Jack 27 Nov 2006, 05:41

Wannabe,

I can not guarantee that this is right but the only thing that makes sense to me is that the cylinder is the numbers in ( ) with the axis first. If the angle is measured as it is in the rest of the world it would transpose as follows:

OD +1.00 -0.50 x 30

OS +1.00 -0.50 x 150

Hopefully another member can check this interpretation and transposition.

Do you by chance have an early Rx written conventionally for comparaison?

Good luck, and please let me know if the results are satisfactory.

Wannabe 27 Nov 2006, 02:59

Hi folks can you possibly convert this prescrirption into a readable one for an Anglo-saxon optometrist:

R:(120+0.5) + 0.5

L: (60+0.5) + 0.5

They want it in Sphere, Axis and Cylinder. It was originally written by a french speaking ophtalmologist.

Thanks for your help and please do not suggest a new eye test because it's not possible for a reason!!

Phil 27 Nov 2006, 01:36

Hi Phil. I've been here for a couple of years with "Phil" as my name. It will plainly be confusing if two of us use the same name. Do you want to change? Or shall I?

Phil 27 Nov 2006, 00:01

Cactus Jack: Thanks for the translation.

I did not became an ophtalmic freak after all! :-P

Cactus Jack 26 Nov 2006, 19:35

Phil,

The Rx from the French Opth. transposes to minus cylinder notation as follows:

OD +0.50 -1.50 x 85

OS +0.50 -1.50 x 95

Not much difference. A litle more sphere in the right eye and a bit more cylinder in both eyes.

Phil 26 Nov 2006, 17:50

Hi:

I am 42.

6 months ago, I got that prescription in France from an ophtalmologist:

May 2006 Sphere Cylinder Axis

OD -1 1.5 175

OS -1 1.5 5

Yesterday I got that prescription in the US from an optometrist:

Nov 2006 Sphere Cylinder Axis

OD 0.75 -2 85

OS 0.5 -1.75 85

I searched the web and understand that they can be transposed and they use a different notation, but even in doing so I cannot seem to be able to reconcile the two. Are they vastly different?

Any in-sight or explanations?

Thanks!

nickweymouth 26 Nov 2006, 01:05

here goes constructive critisisim is welcomed how someone wiht red green colour blindness views ayers rock

http://uk.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/nickspicssc/photos/view/7532?b=13&m;=f&o;=0

nickweymouth 26 Nov 2006, 00:55

diva jp pics were spoty becuase he used a awsomew style callded pointalisim by the way apo;igies to all about all my typos im dyselxik ans also ahve very big fingers us ring size 13 i think uk size z +3

Julian 25 Nov 2006, 23:45

That's it: El Greco!

Tim 25 Nov 2006, 22:42

Julian - I think it may have been El Greco that you are thinking of.

NickW - do post some of your pictures; it would be fascinating.

Slightly off the subject (but only slightly), it has always seemed to me that Gertrude Jekyll's garden designs with their swathes of amorphous colour reflect her extreme myopia, but I cannot recall that any commentator has ever noted this.

diva 25 Nov 2006, 21:45

LOL

you could do a jackson pollock ...

that's very ummm ... spotty.

Julian 25 Nov 2006, 11:43

No Nick, it isn't LS Lowry I'm referring to tho' it may be true of him too ('He painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs...'). The one I meant is a lot longer ago.

nickweymouth 25 Nov 2006, 11:19

cactus julian and hansel you are all corect the apinter you refer to julain was E S lowry and the impresionists are m,y favourite era cActus

as for cecena he was at the tail end of the impresionst movment but the godfarther of cubisim a style i personaly can not stand the most famous cubist being pablo picaso as for blury works look at Jhon Turners later works ie steam speed and water i belive he was almost blind sorry guys but had to lerarn about them all in art school and cactus if your intrested ill post on eof my pictures on here for every one to say how crap i am let me know buddy regards to all Nick wow amazing how much one cna post wen its a subject you know LOL :D

HAnsel 25 Nov 2006, 10:12

Cezanne was another whose later works, whilst some believe to be a development of style, reflect his increasing eye problems.

Julian 25 Nov 2006, 08:31

Cactus: There was a painter (might have been Goya but then there could easily be others) whose figures were elongated and distorted allegedly because of his astigmatism. But I'd have thought he's have to paint them as they were so as to see them with the right amount of distortion. Or am I wrong?

Cactus Jack 25 Nov 2006, 07:55

Nickweymouth,

Have you ever had anyone with normal colour vision comment that the colours in your paintings are not the same as in real life?

Maybe you could capatialize on your situation. I may have this wrong, but didn't Monet become famous for painting blurry pictures which are called "impressionistic" or something like that? If I remember right, it turns out that he had a lot of astigmatism or was very myopic and that is the way things looked to him and he painted what he saw.

Maybe you need a good marketing person to make your work incredibly valuable. Some real estate people are also very good at this.

If you can sell your works for a lot of money, you may not want to get it fixed.

nickweymouth 25 Nov 2006, 07:10

cactus jack thank you for the expalnation as some one who has defective red cones i will be on the lookout for news on g resarch with intrest

( still hasnt stoped me painting in watercolours and acyrlics though one just has to realise they are seeing the subject from a red green colour blind persons point of view :) )

Cactus Jack 24 Nov 2006, 16:54

Nickweymouth,

I'm afraid I don't know very much about difficulty with red/green color perception. To my knowledge not much can be done at this time.

As I understand it, it is mostly caused by a hereditary defect in the cones of the retina. There are three types of cones that provide color sensitivity (red, green, and blue) and as I understand it red/greem color perception problems are caused by problems with the cones that are sensitive to red.

Apparently, the problem occurs in about 10% of the male population and is very rare in females.

Maybe some research into genetics will turn up some solutions. Some recent research at John Hopkins has found a biochemical that causes eyeball growth.

nickweymouth 23 Nov 2006, 02:07

cactus jack thank you i found your explanation very informative being a photographer and a non oo just a humble admirer i feel that one can never have to much knowledge also do you know if anything can be done for red green colour blindness thank you again Nick

Gembob 23 Nov 2006, 01:47

My eyesight seems to get worse at night too, which I mentioned to the optician. He said it was perfectly normal and that I might want to wear my glasses a little more than I normally would at night.

Cactus Jack 21 Nov 2006, 17:48

Adam,

What you are probably experiencing is fairly common and it is easily corrected. It is an example of what is refered to by photographers as "Depth of Field" or range of useful focus problem. You are probably a little near or shortsighted (myopic). In bright light, your pupils contract like stopping down a camera lens. This make distant objects come into reasonable (useful) focus. At night, your pupils open up to let in more light. This reduces the range of useful focus to a very small range exposing your slight myopia.

You could probably use -0.25 or -0.50 glasses for driving at night. A dilated exam which causes your pupils to open up fully and relaxes your ciliary (focusing) muscles would probably be useful in diagnosing the problem and the exact amount of your myopia.

You can see the effects of "Depth of Field" by visiting an upscale camera store and observing how the "Depth of Field" indications change on a lens with an adjustable "f" stop (iris). Also, you can try looking through a pinhole under low light conditions (not while driving). A hole in a fairly large button makes a good "pinhole" substitute.

I'm surprised that your Eye Care Professional did not suggest some low minus Rx driving glasses.

Adam 21 Nov 2006, 15:55

Last time i went too the opticians she did say that if i was having any problems with watching tv or reading the board at uni. I wasnt sure if it being dark could affect my distance vision as to needing glasses to drive especially as im having no other vision problems.

Aislinn 21 Nov 2006, 15:37

Simon - I'm 22, so hopefully my vision will start to stabalize in the next couple of years! Although it's only in recent years that my prescription has gone up so dramatically. It had taken me 6 years to get from -1 to -4 and I've gone up to -5.75/-6 in the last 3... so I'm hoping it slows down a bit now!

I guess it was kind of hard but what can I do? You just gotta get on with things really! I had an eye test shortly after I'd posted here back in '03 and I'd gone up to -4 then so it's not such a big jump I suppose? I dunno!

Simon 21 Nov 2006, 09:13

Aislinn, that is a huge increase. Was it hard for you? How old are you? You have to tell us the details, every bit of it!

Aislinn 21 Nov 2006, 06:30

Forgot to add that my prescription now is L -5.75 R -6.25. Think I was around -3.75 when I was last here, so had a bit of an increase since then! Tend to be wearing my glasses more-so than my contacts lately too - think I'm getting lazy!

Going to add my story to the "when I was at school" thread at some point - got a few of my past prescriptions stored away somewhere!

Gembob 21 Nov 2006, 01:45

Thanks Julian. I'm 19.

Aislinn 20 Nov 2006, 15:26

Wow seems I've not been here in a while, seems my last posts were in 2003!! Didn't think it was that long ago, I'm shocked lol! Hope everyone who's still around from then is well?

Julian 20 Nov 2006, 03:35

Adam: seems strange advice to me. It's certainly possible to be LONG-sighted and manage without glasses, but short-sighted? As you're finding, it doesn't take much myopia to cause problems with driving, especially, as you say, at night. And again, it most commonly increases. If I were you I'd get another test, with another optometrist, explain the problem you're having, and get the prescription made up - for the sake of peace of mind and safety on the road.

And, Gembob, welcome to EyeScene. You don't mention how old you are.

Adam 20 Nov 2006, 00:00

Hiya just got a question Im 21 and last had an eyetest about 6months ago and was told i was a little shortsighted but not enough to need glasses and the chances were that my eyes shouldnt get any worse. Recently ive been doing alot of driving at night and have noticed that roadsigns are abit blurry and seem to have a kind of halo around them. Other than that my eyesight seems fine in daylight. Is it possible that i might need glasses just for nighttime driving? Any advice would be useful. Adam

Gembob 19 Nov 2006, 16:10

Hi, firstly, I'm new here, so hi everybody.

Andrew I totally agree with you about thinking what you can see must be normal. I got glasses about a month ago and can't believe I didn't notice my vision getting blurry. I only went for an eye test because I realised I was squinting at things to see them properly.

Clare 19 Nov 2006, 13:29

Sorry, posted this in the wrong place. I won't re-post but it should *obviously* be in 'When I was at school'.

Clare 19 Nov 2006, 13:27

Jacky

Thanks for telling us your story. It reminds me of something not dissimilar when I was at school - someone (whose name I remember still) got glasses and, poor thing, was similarly embarrassed: the teacher announced that she needed to wear glasses and they looked very nice, didn't they??

Poor thing!!

Maybe I was an 00 then because I remember they were minus.

Another friend of mine got some plus glasses when we were in our early teens. I felt kind of envious although I didn't know why. She wore them for a few years, although not all the time, then seemed to stop. I don't know enoug about plus prescriptions to understand why.

Andrew 19 Nov 2006, 11:25

Surely, the same is true for many of us myopes before we first get glasses - we assume that what we can see is "normal", and that those whose vision is better are somehow lucky. We believe that we do not need glasses, but that those who can see better than us have somehow got better than 20/20 vision.

Hansel 18 Nov 2006, 11:11

Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions, Cynic. I think a number of people may come away from an optician's with the feeling that with the prescription all is now sorted and until the specs break or fall out of fashion take the stance that they are fine. I have a work colleague, an intelligent bloke, who has had the same glasses for at least five years, who I feel sure needs a new script, but he seems content with the vision that he has. I am sure the same could well apply to a 15 year old.

Cynic 18 Nov 2006, 09:34

Sorry, but Belinda = fake. You cant be -4.0 and only notice you need them for shopping - come on give us a bit of credit of intelligence !

18 Nov 2006, 06:01

Belinda, that's huge. Maybe next time you should have your eyes examined more frequently so your increases are more gradual and you see better. Tell us how your new glasses look. Thanks.

Belinda 18 Nov 2006, 04:38

I've had glasses with -2 lenses since I was 15 that I wore occasionally. These last few months I have found myself needing to wear them more including when I'm shopping so I can see the shop sign before I get right up to it! As I am 21 and haven't had an eye test since I was 15 I thought I should get my eyes tested and treat myself to some new glasses even if I didn't need a new prescription.

I went to the opticians yesterday and was rather surprised to get a new prescription of -4.00Left and -4.25Right. I chose some new frames which are slightly rectangular metal ones. The optician said I would probably prefer wearing them all the time.

I am going to collect my new glasses this afternoon. I'm going to wear my existing glasses until I collect the new ones.

sher 12 Nov 2006, 15:24

Thanks Lee Lee and Cut In and everyone else who responded. Just actually got back from the optical store. Ordered progressives (short corridor) in a really cool small rectangular plastic frame,Prada. I will look good hope I see as well. Lee Lee do agree with your advice and plan to get otc readers, maybe even a couple of funky ones for fun, since work is otherwise pretty mundane. I'm gonna try the 1.50 strength first and see what happens. Thinking my rx may have actually increased since exam in February. Mono vision is also a good idea (thanks Cut In) and have used before. My opthalmologist will not rx for me though, insists that I am too much of a perfectionist and won't accept the quality of the near vision they offer. He is a good Dr so I'm gonna trust his advice. Keep you all posted! -Sher

leelee 12 Nov 2006, 09:48

Sher,

It might be that its your left eye that likes to read, so in that case, it would be looking for +1.5 based on your current rx.

Since you have so little astigmatism, you might find that for work the easiest thing might be to go with +1.5 for close work and nothing for mid distance. It will probably be hard to see all the way across the office (especially if you work in cubicle land) but once you get used to it, it will probably be pretty doable.

You could then get progressives for distance - wih smaller frames the reading part won't be great, but perfectly fine for most non-intensive work. (for that you would use the single vision pair anyway)

You can try OTC glasses to see if you like it. You can even try several different strengths. If you get a single vision pair made up to the close part of your RX the vision would be even better, and not cost that much money.

cut-in uk 12 Nov 2006, 02:17

sher, have you thought about 'monovision'? It doesn't suit everyone's circumstances, but it works for me ( 1 near eye, 1 distance eye.)

Your optometrist should quickly be able to set up a test scenario.

Trent 11 Nov 2006, 19:16

That http://www.eyeglasses.com/ looks interesting. Has anyone ordered from this company and what was their buying experience like?

sher 11 Nov 2006, 18:59

Thanks Specs4ever! Still confused about the otc readers. When I use one of the testing charts I still show a need for about a +2.25 or even +2.50. Yet my unerstanding has been that you subtract the distance rx which at strongest is -1.25 from the add to get your single vision rx. +1.00 is way too weak! Are you saying that you don't think the compact progressive lenses or short corridor as they are called are appropriate for me? I really, would love to wear the small plastic frames. Maybe I should just go with single vision for distance and readers? I am on a somewhat tight budget and don't want to spend more than necessary but want to be pleased and comfortable with my choice.Not certain what is warranted.- Sher

specs4ever 11 Nov 2006, 18:36

Hey Sher, while it is true that +1.00 will work with your right eye, it is a little weak for your left eye, so i would suggest +1.50D for over the counter. Also, while the no line bifocals do require a little bit larger area for the lens than single vision does, there is no reason why you can't go for a bit bigger lens size. Use a good optician, and don't go for cheap no lined lenses - use a major brand like varilux

sher 11 Nov 2006, 16:47

Hi,

I'm relatively new as a poster here but have been a lurker for years. I need some advice and hope this is the appropriate thread. My rx is r eye -1.25 x .25 x90 and l eye -75 add 2.25. I have had a near vision problem since late 20's and had vision training, prisms etc. now just prewbyopia and am 45 yrs old. My distance rx and astigmatism have decreased, used to have moderate astigmatism in both eyes? Don't quite unerstand this. I do feel that I need to wear glasses to drive and watch t.v. and as I work in accounting need to wear all day at work. I use computer all day (intermediate vision is quite good) and read alot of small print. I have worn contacts (bifocals and at time needed torics) and mono vision in past with no success. I have progressives and like them alot but hate the frames and would really like newer small rectangular plastic frames but since this will affect the reading segment and that is my biggest vision issue am hesitant to try them. Have considered 2 pairs of glasses but hate taking on and off at work, and not organized to keep track of them. My opthalmologist also for some reason said I shouldn't have contacts and he won't rx them. He said " you need glasses and you need bifocals". Yet I don't really need to wear them continuously. I'd like to hear opinions and wonder if my distance rx really warrants bifocals? Bear in mind I am vain and do have a problem with the line in bifocals as well. Also if I want readers (over the counter) am I to understand the rx will only be +1.00 with my rx? They don't seem strong enough. Thanks to anyone wo will help me out! Love eyescene!- Sheri

Eyeseeit 11 Nov 2006, 15:47

I also vowed NEVER to return to Sears after the last incident with them. I asked for assistance in writing down the serial numbers of several frames. This was with the idea of thinking over which frame was really going to be the best for me to use over a 24-month period. The sales assistant/optician actually threw a notebook AT me and left!

I would agree with this advice: forget Sears Optical! Their customer service is the worst imaginable!! I think that WalMart is much better than Sears, and Target Optical is a step up from Walmart.

11 Nov 2006, 14:53

try them http://www.eyeglasses.com/

Johnnyb555 11 Nov 2006, 10:58

Sears? wow... I vowed never ever to return there. They were crabby, talking to their friends on the phone for 30 minutes while I waited for help, and didn't call me when my glasses arrived. PLEASE... FORGET SEARS...!

DWV 11 Nov 2006, 03:35

Trent:

Try a Sears Optical location. This time last year they were running a good sale: $150 for frame and lenses (polycarbonate in single vision, bi, tri, or progressive)(any frame up to $200 list). They tacked on another $27 for something unspecified, but it still worked out cheaper than Walmart or Costco, and with decent-quality (Italian made) frames.

If you tend to be dissatisfied with the reading area in progressives, bifocals could be a better choice.

Trent 09 Nov 2006, 17:12

Eyeseeit

Thanks for the link! Unfortunately I could not find a target with an optical department located close to my area. Yes Walmart is a possibility I have purchased single vision glasses through them before but neaver glasses with progressive high index. Costco could be another solution though the last time I was there they did not have 1.67 progressives. For my primary glasses I need lenses as thin as possible my back-ups can be more edge thickness. I still think Asia is my best bet. Thanks for your help

Eyeseeit 09 Nov 2006, 16:47

Trent, take a look at this link:

http://sites.target.com/site/en/spot/page.jsp?title=optical&ref;=nav1_footer_optical

Target offers deals on a regular basis. Just keep an eye on their specials. It can save you $$$.

Eyeseeit 09 Nov 2006, 16:44

Trent, I was in Canada in July of 2005. At that time, I was pricing both multifocal contact lenses and new eyeglasses. I visited a Canadian Walmart (near Niagara Falls) which had an optical department.

I wear progressive eyeglasses, and got reasonable quotes from the Canadian opticians in Walmart. If you live near the Canadian border, you could also consider a day-long shopping trip to visit US-based stores such as Target and Walmart. Target offers deals such as 40% off a complete eyeglasses package (to include lenses and frame). You can check on-line to see when Target is offering this deal again.

Trent 09 Nov 2006, 09:31

Eyeseeit

Thanks for your suggestion. I need to have one set of professionally fit contacts before I can order on-line. It is the glasses that concern me. To get my RX in a progressive lens with a 1.67 index looks like it could cost me an arm and a leg especially here in Canada.

Eyeseeit 09 Nov 2006, 09:00

Trent, have you tried ordering contacts from either Walmart or Target Optical (assuming you are here in the USA)?

I did some extensive research before ordering my latest multifocal contact lenses. Walmart was not a lot more per box than the cheapest on-line site. Try them out, and good luck!

Trent 08 Nov 2006, 20:29

New Rx

R -8.50, -3.25, 03 +2.25

L -8.00, -3.00, 167 +2.25

Cylinder has gone up -0.5 in the right eye

Sphere went up -0.25 in both eyes.

I went in to get fitted for contact lenses to wear at the Christmas party.

I complained about not being able to see well close up. The Nikon Fit

progressive lenses he sold me last spring for $500 were not providing enough reading area.

Another problem was trouble distinguisher two "ll" apart in a word. When I

saw the cylinder correction I knew why these characters were blurred.

At the optical store the frames seem cheaper but he really charges you on the lenses.

The optician this time quoted me $700. for Esselor M progressive lenses. His prices are crazy!

He said $180 for the contacts. I need new frames as well how am I supposed to afford this?

I am thinking now of ordering glasses from Asia I don't have a choice.

sam12744 02 Nov 2006, 06:58

Tulip,

You might want to repost on the Induced Myopia thread,but most of us read all the different threads anyway.I lack experience of inducing myopia,so will refrain from offering advice,except to say that your age will be important,as ability to accommodate reduces, as you get older.

Tulip 31 Oct 2006, 22:49

I'm not sure where to post this so hope here is okay. I have a prescription -2.25 and -3. I'd like to increase the -2.25 to -3 too. I wear contacts, if I swap them around is there a chance of increasing the -2.25 eye? I'm going to try it today and am just off to work now.

Puffin 26 Oct 2006, 16:36

That's an interesting thought. I would say it covers both, because the "button" at the bottom of most bottles is thick in the middle like a plus lens. But looking at say a milk bottle from the side, then it looks rather like the effect seen at a minus lens.

Circlebox 26 Oct 2006, 16:28

When one refers to glasses as "coke bottles", does this mean that they are myopic or hyperopic or is the term interchangable?

Brian-16 18 Oct 2006, 06:54

Earle-Congratulations! I have ft-35 tri-focals and am very nearsighted.I am in my second year of college.Recently my room mate got ft35 bi-focals and has had no trouble with them.I am around -12 and my room mate is about -7 or so.

Earle 17 Oct 2006, 06:48

Brian-16:

I got flat top 35 bifocals. Picked them up on Sat and have worn them since without a problem.

Brian-16 14 Oct 2006, 07:43

Earle- What type of bifocal are you going to get?

big ES fan 13 Oct 2006, 18:21

CaliRN,

Several years ago I went to an optometrist that prescribed prescriptions in .37 and .87. I commented to the opticians, that made the glasses, that I thought they only used 1/4 diopters when doing a refraction. They said that a very few eye doctors used the more precise numbers but most wrote prescriptions in 1/4 diopters. So this is not the norm, but not unheard of.

Filthy McNasty 13 Oct 2006, 17:47

Yes, it is odd. Are you sure you are not looking at keratometry readings? Diopters are normally only expressed in increments of 0.25.

CaliRN 13 Oct 2006, 16:47

Hi everyone, quick question...is it odd to see the "Power" part of a CL Rx written as OD -6.87?

Shouldn't that be rounded up or put into an increment like -6.75 or -7.0?

This is for an RGP lens.

Thanks to anyone who can help...:)

Earle 12 Oct 2006, 10:26

I am a college freshman, been wearing glasses for farsightedness for several years. I have had trouble with eye strain and thought it was time for a new prescription.

I went to the doctor last week for an exam and he told me it was not just new prescription, but time for bifocals.

The new prescription is OD +6.50 +4.50 x045 OS +7.00 +3.75 x080 add +1.75. The distance numbers increased +.25 in the right and +.50 in the left and then the add.

Katy 12 Oct 2006, 04:14

Phil - yes, since about 2 years ago!

Phil 12 Oct 2006, 01:08

Oh Katy, is he an "ex"? Sorry to hear that!

Katy 11 Oct 2006, 15:37

Steve / Cactus - my ex was prescribed prisms of 1 and 0.5 - before that he used to squint a lot and get headaches, but he was fine with the prisms. So I think even a small amount can make a difference.

myofan 11 Oct 2006, 11:01

No, it would be

OD -3.00 -0.75 45

OS -2.75 -1.50 135

Oops -- got the axis wrong.....

myofan 11 Oct 2006, 11:00

No, it would be

OD -3.00 -0.75 135

OS -2.75 -1.50 45

Stingray 11 Oct 2006, 10:52

I still am confused about the plus versus the minus cylinder conversion. The rx in question reads:

OD -3.75 +.75 135

OS -4.25 +1.50 45

From your suggestions about conversion, would the new rx be:

OD -4.50 -.75 45

OS -5.75 -1.50 135

This would appear to be a much stronger correction. Am I correct in assuming that? Thanks

Cactus Jack 10 Oct 2006, 07:25

Steve,

2 / 2 BO is so small, I doubt it. More likely it is just fatigue with a little presbyopia thrown in for good measure. You might consider some computer glasses with additional plus sphere correction. If the Rx you indicated in a previous post is for distance also we can figure out the Rx you need and you can order some computer glasses online.

If you will mesure the distance between your normal eye position and the computer screen I can help you with an Rx. Also, you might get some artificial tears and try to blink more often when using the computer.

steve 10 Oct 2006, 07:00

Another question, my job entails a lot of reading, close work and computer work, up to 10 hours a day, at the end of the day my eyes are really tired and a little sore, could that have anything to do with me being prescribed prisms?

09 Oct 2006, 16:34

The conversion between forms is as follows:

To convert plus cyl to minus cyl:

1. Add the cylinder power to the sphere power

2. Change the sign of the cyl from + to -

3. Add 90 degrees to the axis is less than 90 or subtract 90 if the original axis is greater than 90.

To convert minus cyl to plus cyl:

1. add the cylinder power to the sphere

2. Change the sign of the cylinder to from - to +

3. Add 90 to the axis if less than 90 or subtract if greater than 90

For example: -1.25 -2.50 X 55 is the same as -3.75 + 2.50 X 145

Cactus Jack 09 Oct 2006, 16:07

Stingray,

Tradition and training mostly. To some extent it depends on wheather the phoropter used is - cylinder or + cylinder, both are available.

There is a procedure for transposing one to the other. Lens makers use - cylincer because lens generating equipment grinds away material from the blank producing minus cylinder. The end result is optically identical.

Stingray 09 Oct 2006, 13:59

If one has a sphere correction of say -3.50 and a cylinder correction written as +1.50. Is it the same power (stronger or weaker) than an rx written as a -1.50 cylinder correction? I know that an optometrist writes their rx as a minus and an opthamologist as a plus for cylinder. Why is this? Is there a difference power wise?

steve 09 Oct 2006, 07:03

Cactus Jack,

Thanks for all the replies, I'm 36. I never would have guessed I needed prisms.

daffy 08 Oct 2006, 17:22

I dont think that prisms are any more addictive than a normal spherical/cylindrical prescription. So far, the discussion is made out to sound that having a prism in your Rx is an option (I least it comes across that way). If you are prescribed prism, then all chances are you need them. Sure get 2nd opinions, but at the end of the day, if its prescribed, wear them. More than likely, no one will notice, only yourself. If we are prescribed a plus or minus Rx, do we question the addiction qualities? I think the word addiction is too strong for whats happening. If our eyes need the Rx, our brain will surely let us know. Thats that way I see it.

I do think that if you dont need it and you wear a prism Rx, you will get accustomed to them as it was in my case.

Cactus Jack 08 Oct 2006, 09:54

Rio,

It is thought that prism in some instances can be addictive. I doubt that 2 / 2 BO would be likely to be "addictive" unless there are some latent muscle problems that are becomming manifest. There is a contidion called "fatigue" esophoria where the inner muscles are trying to pull inward and the outer muscles are constantly fighting to keep images fused. When the outer muscles get fatigued, the eyes will turn inward.

There is no way to incorporate a prism correction in contacts lenses. Prism requires very accurate positioning and if the contacts were unstable, double vision would occur.

I am not sure what you meant by the last question. If you are asking at what level of prism does "addiction" occur. I'm not sure there is an answer. The positioning system for the eyes appears to be a "servo" system similar to that used by automatic pilots on airplanes or other "positioning" systems. Where the position reference is provided by the images themselves. If a person has normal fusion, the brain will adjust the tension in the eye muscles to fuse the images. If the images quality is impaired or non existant, the ability to control eye position is impaired. There also appear to be other sensory signals that affect the eye positioning system such as vertigo or intoxicants.

Rio 08 Oct 2006, 08:30

Cactus Jack

I'm not the only one who thought that prims were addictive but I know that they do present problems for contactlens wearers. Do you know at what level of prims correction that occurs? Thanks so much

Cactus Jack 08 Oct 2006, 05:08

Steve,

You didn't give your age, but you probably have a little convergence problem that could be related to being a little hyperopic. The 2 BO in each eye is a very small amount of prism. It will allow your eyes to turn inward about 1 degree each amd help reduce your focus / convergence effort. It is unlikely that you will become addicted to them though it could increase a little as everything relaxes. It is unlikely that anyone will even notice such a small amount. It will probably be accomplished by moving the optical center of your lenses inward slightly.

steve 07 Oct 2006, 23:42

I was wondering about prisms, I went to the eyedoctor and came out with a prescription of +.75sph -1.50cyl @ 165 2bo & +.50sph -1.75cyl @ 165 2bo. I received glasses about 5 years ago because I was having problems with the computer at work, it's amazing how much they help, But with this last trip to the eyedoctor I was prescribed prisms. How much of a differnece will they make and is it true I could become addicted to them? Please let me know what I'm in for.

nzoptic 06 Oct 2006, 17:01

The recently enthroned King of Tonga oftens wears a monocle.

LD 06 Oct 2006, 13:54

Furtive - if you're not entirely happy about the prism go to another optician for a second opinion. You right in that there is difference in opinion amongst opticians as to whether low prism rxs should be prescribed. The prism may or may not be helpful to you. But if you manging OK without it and don't want to reliant on it, get a second opinion because once you adjust to wearing prism there's no going back!

Clare 06 Oct 2006, 12:45

Surely plano wouldn't count as an RX, would it?

Monocle ;)

mr peanut 06 Oct 2006, 10:11

i do:

http://tn2.deviantart.com/300W/images3.deviantart.com/i/2004/101/6/b/Mr__Peanut_is_Sexay_For_You.jpg

Andrew 06 Oct 2006, 08:27

Surely "plano" is even lower - you would only get glasses with two plano lenses for cosmetic reasons, but it is perfectly normal not to need a prescription in one eye, but to need a diopter or two in the other. Under such circumstances, you would ideally wear a monocle, but I can well appreciate that this would be even less desirable than glasses for most people.

BTW: Does anyone know anybody who still wears a monocle?

05 Oct 2006, 23:30

+/- 0.25

CircleBox 05 Oct 2006, 21:02

Does anyone know what the lowest possible RX would be?

Cactus Jack 03 Oct 2006, 15:13

Furtive,

If you have an over convergence proplem, I would think a small amount of Base In prism in both eyes might be useful. There is a coupling mechanism in the brain between focus effort and convergence that comes into play.

I think I would consider visiting another ECP.

Furtive 03 Oct 2006, 14:55

Yeah, I know - it didn't make sense to me either. But the idea is supposed to be that it tricks the eyes into thinking that things are at a different distance than they really are, so that the eyes don't try to focus so much/converge as much. I did find other references to this, but also lots of skepticism out there in the world of the eye professionals. Some of them think this works, some don't, and some think there's some amount of placebo effect - which I doubt can work on me if I'm aware of it! Well... we will see.

Cactus Jack 03 Oct 2006, 14:32

Furtive,

I am having trouble interpreting your posted prescription. Unlike Base In or Base Out prism for horizontal deflections, Base Down in both eyes doesn't make sense. A small Base Down such as the 3 prism diopters you indicated makes sense in one eye if there is a small muscle imbalance in the vertical direction. If this is the case, 3 prism diopters would be unnoticable by others but could be very helpful to you.

BTW Base Down in one eye and Base Up in the other would also make sense. 1 prism diopter results in an angular deflection of about 0.5 degrees.

Peter 03 Oct 2006, 13:20

Hi Daniela,

My sister Chrissie also says Hi!

She wore a patch for about 3 years when she was small and before she started school. She says that she remembers being very clumsy and hating it. Did wearing a patch not work with your eye?

It worked a bit for Chrissie, but she also wore a cloudy lens over her better eye for nearly a year when she was about 9. The doctor said that she might have to have an operation, but in the end said that it would not make things much better.

Her eyes tend to cross a bit when she is tired or cross.

Furtive 03 Oct 2006, 11:04

oops, wrong thread. Oh well, anybody who cares: I was continuing my story from the "hyperopia" thread.

Furtive 03 Oct 2006, 10:43

Sorry Julian: the new prescription is +1.75 -.5 x 108, +1.50 (no cylinder this time in this eye), 3pd BD OU. In other words equal base down prism in both lenses. Also this is a little bit weaker prescription than before. In doing some other internet research on this it seems that some optometrists - mainly "behavioral optometrists" - think this prism arrangement helps the eyes converge less. I'm skeptical. In the exam the lenses that he showed me seemed only to cause the image to move upward about 1/2 inch or so on the text card that I was looking at. I'm not sure what to think about any advantage of this.

Charles 27 Sep 2006, 06:38

Hi Daniela, and thanks por reply.

I do not understand why you are at only 70% of your right eye : do you try any magnification with your full prescription glasses for reading ?

And please, tell us what kind of frame you wear ?

Thanks, Daniela.

daniela 26 Sep 2006, 15:09

dear peter,

my rx hasnt changed so much in all the years. but all attempts to make my amblyope eye see were in vain. And because of my strong astigmatism even the sight in my "good" eye remained rather blurry.

So I have difficulties at school to read the blackboard and texts in books if they are printed in small letters.

dani

daniela 26 Sep 2006, 15:04

hi charles,

usually i wear bifocals with a straight horizontal line, but 2 years ago I also got special glasses for close work like reading. I dont read very much, as i have one amblyope eye and another with only 70% vision acuity.

dani

New 26 Sep 2006, 12:55

Wow! I just found this site, its so cool! Most people don't appreciate glasses at all, its great to find a community of people who do.

I have a very weak prescription myself but find other people's glasses fascinating. I was actually quite thrilled when I found out I needed glasses, even if it is just for driving at night really. I loved picking the frames and the excitement of getting them was amazing, I loved that my vision become razor sharp when I put them on for the first time. Anyone else experience such feelings when they first got glasses? I told a friend and she said she'd hated getting her first glasses, I couldn't believe it. Surely the lovely clear vision is something everyone is excited about!!

Peter 25 Sep 2006, 12:50

Daniela,

How do you find it difficult in school with your eyes? My youngest sister who is 14, has a very similar prescription but with added prism as her eyes also turn in. She loves reading and never has her head out of a book. Next month the doctor will give her reading glasses as well.

She started wearing glasses at 18 months old. Since then shae has been getting steadily stronger glasses. Several times the doctor has said that her eyes should soon get better, but they keep getting stronger.

Have your eyes been like hers?

Charles 25 Sep 2006, 00:10

Daniela,

What kind of glasses do you wear with your RX ? And do you have to pairs (one with your full prescription : +9,5 / +11,25) for close work, or bifocals ? Thanks.

4eyes 24 Sep 2006, 14:15

Oi Daniela...

I forget to tell you I will be 17 next month.

4eyes 24 Sep 2006, 14:13

Hi, Daniela...

I fully understand you...

I got indeed an update prescriptions for what they, the UCLA Team, called Little adjustment glasses Prescription, so I am very happy my RX didnt climb that high, but the prisms only. Hehehe.

There are lots of numbers in these papers but my doctors here suggest those numbers for glasses prescription, so here they go:

For Distance: OD (Right eye) Esf. + 25,50, Cil. -1,75, Eix. 180º Pris. 37º DP Base Ext (BO)

OE (Left eye) Esf . +25.75, Cil. -2,00, Eix. 17º 37º DP Base Externa (BO) Dip 59 m/m

For Close: OD (Right eye) Esf. + 32,50, Cil. -1,75, Eix. 180º Pris. 37º DP Base Ext (BO)

OE (Left eye) Esf . +32.75, Cil. -2,00, Eix. 17º 37º DP Base Externa (BO) DP Executive

Obs: Lenses Asfericas, Prismas Fixos 17º mais (Plus) adicional Fresnell Prisms lenses of 20º as a Try On for the next 3 to 6 months.

That is it.

Daniela 23 Sep 2006, 07:00

Hi all,

I am 17 and live in Austria. I am very hyperope with astigmatism:

right eye: +6.50 sph +2.50 cyl

left eye: +8.25 sph. +3.50 cyl

My left eye is amblyope (10%), the right one has 70%. So to see better for reading I use an addition of 3.00 D. I am very sad about my bad eyesight which is a big obstacle at school.

Your's Daniela

RL 21 Sep 2006, 16:28

Picked up new glasses today.

OD -9.50 -.50 X 017

OS -13.25 -.25 X 005

Spectralite mid-index lenses about 11mm thick at the outer edge.

Terrilyn 20 Sep 2006, 04:59

Picked up the glasses yesterday afternoon and wore them from then on. Walking around with the bifocal was different, everything seemed to jump up at me. Distance vision was a little blurry mostly thru the left lens, but I was told to expect that. Reading and studying was fantastic, now I found that they were really necessary.

Will - My frames are plastic, rectangular, with relatively wide flat side bars. The frames are medium blue as are my eyes.

Cactus Jack 18 Sep 2006, 20:26

Mike,

Your GF is quite nearsighted and she has slight, almost negligible astigmatism. With her right eye (OD) she can probably see things very clearly if held no more than about 7 cm (3 inches) from her eye and with her left eye (OS) she needs things about 1 cm (1/2 inch) closer.

Her optical problem is that the length of her eyeballs do not match the focusing power of her cornea and crystaline lens. Actually, her cornea and crystaline lens have too much plus power for the length of her eyeball and her glasses or contacts neutralize the excess plus power. If she wears contact lenses, they will be about OD -11.00 and OS -12.75. The difference is caused by the distance from her eyes to her glasses.

Depending on a number of factors, it is likely that she may become a bit more nearsighted over time. However there is some recent research that has discovered why some peoples eyeballs grow too long. It will probably not be possible to reverse the growth, but it may be possible to stop the increases.

It is possible for a person with 20/20 vision to experience what she sees by wearing + contact lenses.

Hope this helps your understanding.

Mike 18 Sep 2006, 19:44

This is a folo-up on last month's messages. I'm still seing her, and she still hasn't let me look through her glasses (says it would embarass her to death). But she did show me her prescription. The top line (OD) said spherical -13.75 cylindrical -.0.50 axis 80. The second line (OS) said spherical -15.50 cylindrical -0.25 axis 95. Thanks in advance for your help interpreting these numbers.

Rebbull1 18 Sep 2006, 14:23

Hi Terrilyn.

I hope you like your bifocals when you get them.

I have worn them for 2 years it makes life so much better not getting head pains and being able to see close and distance

What sort of frames have you picked

Kind Regards

Will.

rebbull1@yahoo.co.uk

Bethanne 18 Sep 2006, 12:29

Don't be picking on my friend, Terrilyn. I put her up to the posting and she is having a hard time over the bifocals. What she posted is accurate except the -.25 should read +.25. Terrilyn has some other difficulties which she doesn't mention, but don't we all.

17 Sep 2006, 13:55

Fake!!! Like we can't see it.

Terrilyn 17 Sep 2006, 13:22

I'm sorry the previous did not line up, but there is nothing in the prism and base columns on the card I was given

Terrilyn 17 Sep 2006, 13:20

Hi. I am Bethanne's room-mate and she introduced me to ES. I had been having headaches and trouble seeing the board. First I tried some readers from Wallgreens because I used to have some reading glasses that I never wore. I finally went for an exam on Sat., and the doctor said i am a latent hyperope and he wants to see me after 2-3 months. He prescribed glasses to wear all the time and Bifocals!

The card he gave me reads:

SPH CYL AXIS PRISM BASE ADD

OD -0.25 -1.25 5 +1.50

OS +1.75 -0.75 167 +1.50

CONSTANT WEAR

FT 35 Bifocal

I pick up the glasses on Tuesday so we will see how they work

eye guy 16 Sep 2006, 17:15

An optometrist who can't spell that is.

eye guy 16 Sep 2006, 17:14

Shezyb,

ROP affects the peripheral (outer) areas of the retina in which new bloods vessels start growing and laser treatment is used to stop their growth and greatly reduce their risk of causing retinal detachments. Your childs prescription is actually not that large. They are far-sighted with astigmastim in their right eye and have the smallest amount of near-sightedness with a small amount of astigmastim in their left eye. The left eye's Rx is next to nothing. Usually a difference of more than 1.5 units of astigmatism between the eyes is considered a risk factor for amblyopia (lazy eye) so your child is right near the borderline for that (1.25 of difference). I see many babies in the US between the ages of 6months to 1 year, and nearly every baby is far-sighted with varible amounts of astigmastim, except those born premature. Premature babies tend to be more near-sighted in general. I probably wouldn't have prescribed for your child at the initial visit, but would re-check their Rx within 3-4 months, why childrens eyes change fairly quickly and keeping glasses on a 2 year old is next to impossible when they are not able to tell a dramatic difference in their vision with glasses. And yes, I am an optometist.

Shezyb 16 Sep 2006, 05:56

My two year old was born a twin at 28 weeks and developed retinopathy of prematurity. He developed plus disease and had laser surgery. Due to him falling over a lot and having what seemed to be photophobia when we ventured out in the sun. I finally got an appointment for him to be put to sleep so they could look what was going on. When they came back they said he was short sighted which was going to get a lot worse and want to see him in 6 weeks time. He has been given a perscription for reactions lens and it say's right sph -1.25, cyl+ 1.75, axis 100. Left sph -0.75, cyl +50, Axis 80.

The consultant was telling me in a way well thankgod for the laser surgery he had.

I know he has slight astigmatism. Anyone who had any experience with this and can advise me what I'm in for would be greatly apprieciated.

Shezyb

Frank 15 Sep 2006, 07:55

Bethanne,

Sorry to read about your problems. I know from personal experience how worrying they can be. My rx is quite a lot higher than yours - but I imagine I am rather older than you. Try not to worry too much, your eyes will stabilise in due course. Believe me, thick glasses need not hold you back in life - if you don't let them!!

Brian-16 15 Sep 2006, 07:36

Bethanne-My present rx is- right --12.00,-2.50,180..Left -11.75,-1.50 175.

With add: 2.50 trifocals and 6.0 base out prisms in both.I went way past this exam I had earlier in the late spring/summer and did not full rx.I am quite happy with 20/30.My roomate at college is good at distances although he has glasses but with 20/20 both eyes.

Bethanne 15 Sep 2006, 06:24

Hi Brian:

I'm 20/25 in the right and 20/30 in the left. The dr says my vision is not stable yet and to expect an increase by Christmas break.

What is yoour prescription now?

IPML 14 Sep 2006, 13:51

Bethanne

sorry to hear about your eye problems. Your Rx is pretty close to mine (-14.25, -15.75) and my glasses are thick also, but one has to get used to them! Hope your vision stabilizes (mine hasn't yet). Good luck in college!

Brian-16 14 Sep 2006, 13:49

Bethanne-Saw your new rx.What level of vision do you get with the new specs? I am now about 20/30.

Bethanne 14 Sep 2006, 11:33

Well, I am into my third week of college after a pretty hectic summer, mostly at eye doctors.

In June I noticed my vision was blurry again and thought it was time for a new prescription. The optom sent me to a retina specialist. The retina guy first said I had juvenile macular degeneration. A lot of tests proved that was not so but I had several significant tears in my retinas, mostly in the left eye. That was followed by several bouts of laser repairs.

After the repairs my sight was really bad but I had to wait some weeks for the eyes to stabilize.

I got my new glasses in mid-August. The new prescription is R: -14.50 -3.50 x 170 8.00BO L: -16.50 -5.00 x005 8.0BO add +3.00 (trifocals). They are hugely thick.

My friend Billy's central vision is down to 25 degrees so he is almost legally blind, and is struggling with college.

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Cactus Jack 12 Sep 2006, 18:35

Volker,

I believe both Eye Guy and I feel the cause should be investigated by an Opthalmologist (MD). Your vision is precious and I cannot think of any condition where eye pain is something to ignored in hopes it will go away. As a trained Eye Care Professional, Eye Guy is certainly more qualified to make recomendations than I am, but, if it were me, I'd try to find someone who could refer me to a very good opthalmologist, NOW. The peace of mind is worth it.

Volker 12 Sep 2006, 13:26

eye guy

Thank you for your response which I've just picked up. I'm using a major chain of high street optometrists in the UK. I wonder why the optometrist can't be bothered to run any more tests to get me to 20/20. I think it causes me greatest problems when without glasses as I seem to get pain in that worse eye. Also I find that the small difference between them seems to cause unequal vision without glasses. Do you think there is reason for concern? I originally came to this site to ask if it would be normal for someone with my symptoms to wear glasses full time to remove them.

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eye guy 05 Sep 2006, 13:53

Volker, I agree with Cactus Jack, if I had a 37 yo patient who I am unable to correct to 20/20 or 6/6 this concerns me and I would highly recommend finding out why? I personally consider the difference between your eyes to be minimal and do not believe it to be a reason. Too many possibilities to go into without dilating your eyes and getting a good look inside.

Cactus Jack 03 Sep 2006, 13:54

Dave, It would be good if more ECPs would allow the patient to fine tune the angle once he has determined the strength and approximate angle. It is faster, easier, and more accurate, particularly at low cylinders. I usually ask if I can.

Volker, At 37, I would suggest a visit to an Opthalmologist for a dilated exam. Be sure and write down all your symptoms and questions so he can decide how extensive the exam needs to be. If nothing else, it would establish a base line for retinal health, possibley visual fields, and possibly the beginnings of cataracts. Most really serious eye conditions are rare and if caught early, are curable, or if not curable, managable. The peace of mind that an in-depth exam provides is well worth the cost and effort.

Volker 03 Sep 2006, 03:19

Cactus Jack

Thanks for your comments. i think the cyl for me is very small and I've never had it before. Perhaps if he felt he couldn't correct to 20/20 he put that in to compensate,I don't know. In fact, I can't understand why he would avoid giving me more phere if it would improve my acuity.

The main issue is discomfort from that eye without glasses - I've never been told that the lack of correction to 20/20 means I should wear them fulltime so I don't. Other than that, it's pretty fine, sometimes I notice that friends with extra great vision can see more detail than me.

Dave 03 Sep 2006, 00:43

Cactus Jack

In my last exam the cylinder correction for my right eye wasn't quite right. I found rotating my glasses things became clearer. I went back to the optometrist and he ran the test again. At the end of the exam he allowed me to rotate the dial to fine tune the axis myself. They gave me a new right lens which has been perfect.

Cactus Jack 01 Sep 2006, 05:51

Volker,

Thanks. Your right eye could probably be 6/6 since there are no hints of any pathology. You could probably use a bit more sphere and very likely a change in the cylinder correction for astigmatism.

The axis of the cylinder correction is hard to prescribe accurately at low cylinder power because the accuracy of the Rx depends, to some extent, on the knowledge and skill of the patient. Unfortunately, most ECPs don't take the time to help the patient understand his role in the exam.

Determination of the angle of the axis occurs near the beginning of the subjective portion of the exam. Usually, you are shown a line of medium sized letters. Then, using a small supplementary lens that is in front of the main body of the phoropter, the examiner will flip the lens back and forth while asking you to judge the relative clarity of of the line of letters. The small lens has a small amount of cylinder and is mounted so that its pivot is 45 degrees from the main axis of the cylinder. Based on your response, the examiner will adjust the cylinder axis control on the phoropter to arrive at the correct angle for the axis.

Here is the tricky part for the patient. While he/she may ask you which is clearer, what they are seeking is the angle where the image is equally blurry, to bracket the actual angle. The problem for the patient is that it is easy to misjudge if you concentrate on the wrong letters. My own experience had been that I have a tendency to look at letters like F or E which have vertical and horizontal strokes because, as the small lens is flipped, those are the easiest to judge. However, because the objective is to find equally blurry it is easy to misjudge. I find instead, if I concentrate on an O the task becomes easier and I can guide the examiner to the equally blurry position.

I hope this helps. As I have stated, I am not an Eye Care Professional and I would invite any ECPs (such as Eye Guy) to please critique my explanation.

Someday, if I ever get the time, I hope to write a booklet How to Study for an Eye Exam. I think it would be useful.

Volker 31 Aug 2006, 13:52

Cactus Jack

I'm 37. My complete prescription is -2.25 and -2.75 -0.25 x 110

It also says 6/6 and 6/7.5

The optician only said that he thought this was the best option since a stronger prescription sometimes "only makes things smaller not clearer". I should have challenged maybe.

Cactus Jack 31 Aug 2006, 06:03

Volker,

I also should have asked you for you age and complete glasses Rx. I'm having difficulty understanding why you can't be corrected to 20/20 with only -2.25 and -2.75.

Could your ECP have purposely undercorrected you?

Volker 30 Aug 2006, 23:53

Cactus Jack

No other problems thankfully

Cactus Jack 30 Aug 2006, 18:40

Volker,

Do you have problems, other than myopia, that keep you from being fully corrected to 20/20

Volker 30 Aug 2006, 14:56

Left -2.25 and Right -2.75

Right correctible to only 20/30

I get some discomfort with right eye which I guess to be eye strain -is fulltime wear likely to compensate for 20/30 vision?

Dave 30 Aug 2006, 12:46

LOL, the test is the joke but I did get those results.

Clare 30 Aug 2006, 09:58

Ha ha, the last one's a joke right?

On the other I got 20/20 and 20/30. I wouldn't usually believe anything like this, but this might figure as I still haven't had the -3 filled.

Dave 29 Aug 2006, 23:49

I had 20/50 each eye individually and 20/40 with both eyes.

diva 29 Aug 2006, 16:01

and i just tried THIS one

http://library.thinkquest.org/C005949/fun/eyechart.htm

and it said 20/400.

lol.

i'm not silly i can measure :)

diva 29 Aug 2006, 15:30

OMG

i know you shouldn't take online things too seriously, but i tried an online vision test where you calibrate it to your screen (and i have a very nice laptop so it's extremely clear).

But i tried this test

http://www.optometrist.com.au/index.htm

I was scored 20/80 in one eye and slightly better in the other.

What on earth is this in diopters??

I just wanted an idea of how much my vision has changed from in the -3's.

Cactus Jack 29 Aug 2006, 15:15

Mike,

Here is an Austrian site where you can get an idea about what she sees.

http://www.optiker.at/simulator/

The language is German. The first block is tha age range, The second clock is the sphere Rx (enter -13.00 or other value), The third block is cylinder correction (leave blank) and the box in the lower right corner is the "go" button.

"Normal" vision is called 20/20 meaning that a person sees at 20 feet what others with normal vision see at 20 feet. It is hard to even guess what you would list her vision at, perhaps 20/1200. (20/XXX numbers are very subjective and don't really describe the refractive error). Fortunately, she can be corrected to 20/20.

Her problem is probably that her eyeballs have grown too long for the focus power of her cornea and crystaline lens. It is possible that at 21 she may become more myopic. The biggest risk is that she may have problems with retinal detachment where the retina comes loose from the rear of the eyeball. There are ways to fix detatched retinas using lasers and surgery. Hopefully whe will not have those problems and theat she has an opthalmologist to help her talke care of her eyes.

If you really like her, I urge you to learn as much about vision as possible so you can be supportive and understanding of her needs. I also urge you to read some of Specs4ever's stories on Bobby Laurel's site.

I note that you say you have perfect fision, have you ever had an eye exam?

Also, ther are ways, using contact lenses and glasses for you to experience what it is like for her to wear very high minus glasses.

BTW, if you ever get a chance to look through her glasses, do not use expressions like "you must be blind ..." etc.

Andrew 29 Aug 2006, 14:35

0 is "normal", and as for seeing anything, she won't even be able to see the eye chart.

diva 29 Aug 2006, 13:06

thanks clare :)

i've got an appointment booked for the 15th (i'm away for work and stuff over the next two weeks). so i'll ask about them for sure.

i think i'll definitely get glasses for at least some of the time though ...

Mike 29 Aug 2006, 12:13

Cactus and Oscar -- Thanks for your replies. I had never heard of diopters before (I have normal vision). From your replies, it seems that 11.5 and 13.0 diopters are a lot. What would be considered normal? She seems to have perfect vision with her contacts. Is there any danger of her going blind? What would her vision be on an eye chart? Probably something like 20/200. I won't mess with her glasses or contacts.

Clare 29 Aug 2006, 10:29

Diva - yes you really really should. I was getting pretty desperate - contacts drying out by mid-afternoon and desperate to get them out. With with these it's completely different. My optician told me to wear five days a week, I don't know if he thinks I have sensitive eyes, but I can do six with no problem. Let me know how you get on. I should be on commission!!

oscar 29 Aug 2006, 04:54

Mike - your GF sounds great, and given her very strong prescription, you should never do anything to make her feel nervous or anxious about where her glasses or contact are - the fact is she simply cannot see them except extremely close up.

My GF has a similar prescription (not quite so strong - about -11 in each eye) and she is slowly becoming happier talking about her glasses (which are lovely, of course, and again, she only wears them at bedtime). So, be sensitive - as I'm sure you will be - and enjoy having a very myopic girlfriend!

diva 29 Aug 2006, 02:08

clare i haven't even heard of them ... *shall research*

i don't really want glasses and i'd have to wear them fulltime i think. last time i had exam (2 years ago) i was told to wear both but of course i was stupid and just wore my contacts all the time. maybe paying for it now?

diva 29 Aug 2006, 02:05

oh i am soooo silly ... I didn't realise you had to put your name each time ... thought i was actually logged in :)

i am sorry!

diva 29 Aug 2006, 02:04

hmmm

Clare 29 Aug 2006, 01:41

Have you been banned from wearing contacts or just advised to wear them less?

If not banned, you might want to try some of the new silicon hydrogels like Air Optix. I switched last year from regular disposables because I was finding them very uncomfortable. These are brilliant.

ps - on anonymous postings, I don't think we know your name either!!

Hansel 29 Aug 2006, 01:31

"Who's this from?" !

kettle...pot...black comes to mind.

28 Aug 2006, 23:00

28 Aug 2006, 14:37

You gotta be crazy - leave them out. Don't you realise you could be playing big time with the health of your eyes and just for vanity. Don't do it! What is it that you hate glasses SO much!

??????????????

Who's this from?

I dunno I just find contacts more me?

Cactus Jack 28 Aug 2006, 19:34

Mike,

I forgot to say that diopter is the unit of measure of the optical strength of a lens. People who are myopic (nearsighted) wear lenses with minus power and people who are hoperopic (farsighted) wear lenses with plus power

Cactus Jack 28 Aug 2006, 19:30

Mike,

Your GF is very myopic (nearsighted)

those numbers means that her sphere correction in one eye with contacts is -11.5 diopters and the other eye is -13.0 diopters. The others numbers, 14 is the diameter of the lens in mm and the 8.1 and 8.2 is the base curve of the lens to fit the shape of her cornea. Her glasses will be about -2 diopters stronger. Without her glasses or contacts, she can see things clearly that are about 3 inches or 7.5 cm from her eye, everything beyond that is very blurry.

She is very protective of her glasses for a good reason. Never even think about hiding her glasses or contacts as a joke. It would be unforgivable.

Let us know if we can answer any other questions.

Mike 28 Aug 2006, 15:27

I'm in a relationship with a great 21 year girl who wears contacts all day long except when she takes her contacts out at night and comes to bed in glasses. They look very strong but she's very protective of them and won't let me touch them. I have no idea what the prescription is, but the edges are rather thick and bright lights seem to rfeflect off the edges. Also, they seem to sort of take a "bite" out of her cheeks. The other day I did see the boxes that her contacts came in and memorized the numbers. One set says -11.5 14.0 8.2 and the other is -13.0 14.0 8.1. Does anyone know what those numbers mean? Just how bad is her vision anyway?

28 Aug 2006, 14:37

You gotta be crazy - leave them out. Don't you realise you could be playing big time with the health of your eyes and just for vanity. Don't do it! What is it that you hate glasses SO much!

28 Aug 2006, 12:45

Just wearing them for work and trying to take them out when I'm at home.

prescrip was in the -3's two years ago and as someone pointed out it's probably got worse.

i can see clearly close up but anything a couple metres away starts to blur.

Clare 28 Aug 2006, 11:03

I had to do it a couple of years ago. My prescription is -2.75, I wear contacts and none of my colleagues (and some recent friends) had seen me with glasses but I got conjunctivitis and was *instructed* by the eye hospital not to wear them. My eyes were really red and sore so it made sense even to me. I was pretty nervous about it. Guess what? I got some really nice compliments about my glasses and how stylish they looked. I was surprised.

So go for it, I'm sure you can find something that looks good on you. But until you do, what are you doing about the contacts, not wearing them I presume? Good luck!

Brian-16 28 Aug 2006, 10:43

James-Love your rx numbers.I am almost 20 years and have +2.25 trifocals.Entering second year college.My rx is not quite -12.0.

28 Aug 2006, 10:41

Well I have got some very helpful advice round here ...

(Gulp) I am going to get the glasses to wear full time as those who have given me their opinion are right - I can't wear nothing and it's not worth putting up with the pain of ronctacts.

Thanks for the advice people ...

Is there a thread with more frames suggestions in it ... I may have missed it?

Sounds lame but this is a big image change for me ...

James 28 Aug 2006, 06:06

I wear very strong glasses. My nwe prescription is R. -17.00 C -2.25 as 20 en L. -17.50 C.-2.50 as 160 with add. + 2.00. I am 39.

28 Aug 2006, 04:29

only for distance stuff like lectures at uni.

so not really used to wearing them, like i said i'd love the contacts to be comfortable again!!!!!!

EyeSpy 28 Aug 2006, 03:57

Hey don't worry, you'll get used to it again & look great. Did you never wear glasses?

28 Aug 2006, 03:41

i dont really know ... just got into the habit of contacts and never really wanted to wear glasses again? i used to only have to wear them for distance.

i would like Lasik but have heard so many different things - eyes changing again with pregnancy, not being able to wear contacts if they do change ...

guess i should research it properly ...

EyeSpy 28 Aug 2006, 03:15

Wow, can't believe that! What's your concern, worried about people's reactions or something else?

28 Aug 2006, 02:13

maybe :)

yea i haven't worn them in about ten years? (i am 28 now).

i'd rather not though ...

EyeSpy 28 Aug 2006, 01:51

So you mean no-one's seen you with glasses for years? What a great excuse for a new look

Great way to turn a few heads I reckon.

28 Aug 2006, 00:37

no i don't get headaches ... but tend to be catching up on work or whatever.

im not impressed that i've had no problems for years and now i do (with the contacts)!!!

EyeSpy 28 Aug 2006, 00:07

Wow, don't you get a headache or are you in a small room all day!

27 Aug 2006, 23:20

umm it's usually a sunday when im not doing much. it's not very practical though and even though i've tried several different lens solutions etc they are still not comfortable.

EyeSpy 27 Aug 2006, 23:16

Really?? HOw do you get on with that?

27 Aug 2006, 23:06

I'm only wearing my contacts ... I try and leave them out a day a week and 'bumble' around ... which sounds dumb really doesn't it!!

I like rectangular too :)

EyeSpy 27 Aug 2006, 22:45

Diva

What are you currently wearing? The bold look is great isn't it. With your colouring I think you'd look great in some earthy brown frames - perhaps plastic or an a slightly more unusual shape in a metal. I think the rectangular look looks great on most people and still seems to be fashionable. Go out there any try some!

27 Aug 2006, 16:30

try http://www.moeispullingyourleg.com

...although there probably is some night market stall in China where you can get myodiscs for that price, ground while you wait.

anonymous 27 Aug 2006, 14:22

@moe myodiscs for 5$ each? could you give us a hint about the whereabouts.... thank you!

Moe 27 Aug 2006, 12:59

Yes, for $5 each or 3 for $25

Beth 27 Aug 2006, 11:54

Can you get bifocal myodisc lenses

27 Aug 2006, 07:32

Wow ... I do like the bold look ...

I have bumbled around all weekend wearing nothing ... so very much in the market at the moment.

blue eyes, dark hair, pale skin - any suggestions ...? heart shaped ish face too.

EyeSpy 26 Aug 2006, 23:31

Diva

Take a look at this website for some hints on what's hot.

Let us know how you get on!

http://www.2020mag.com/

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ummm contacts -3.25 and 3.5 i think

can't quite remember.

gotta switch to glasses ... which is why i am on this site ... need to find some sexy ones :)

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Dave 20 Aug 2006, 20:55

Thank you for the explanation.

Ignore the trolls, they are everywhere, LOL.

Cactus Jack 20 Aug 2006, 18:52

It appears that I have a clone.

Sometimes, it is useful to think in reference to the eye itself rather than what it take to correct refractive errors.

The real C.

Cactus Jack 20 Aug 2006, 17:18

To put it in terms of your eyeballs, I talk crap

Cactus Jack 19 Aug 2006, 10:11

Dave,

To put it in terms of your eyeballs, I think it more likely that because you nee no spherical correction, that the refractive power of your cornea, crystaline lens, and the the length of your eyeballs is exactly matched.

However, because of your need for cylinder correction, I suspect that the front surface of your cornea is not a perfect section of a sphere, but has a slight bulge along one axis which causes it to have slightly more plus power in that axiz. The minus cylinder neutarlizes the slight plus in your eyeball along that axis. (I may be wrong about it being along the axiz, it could be 90 degrees to the axiz. See my previous post).

BTW, the bulge is very small, I read that 0.4mm change in the shape of the cornea resulta in 1.00 diopter of refractive error.

Hope this is useful.

Cactus Jack 19 Aug 2006, 10:00

tsirt emotpo

As I have stated many times, my background is electronic engineering and my optical knowledge has come from physics and working with Eye Care Professionals (ECPs) to solve my own vision problems.

I assume from your reversed name that you are a trained optometrist and therefore I must defer to your training and knowledge. I would appreciate your evaluation of the following experimental observations and your assistance in correcting my error.

It seems to me that optical prescriptions are not calculated using the formulas associated with optical physics, but are arrived at empirically by trying various lens combinations to neutralize refractive errors associated with the cornea, crystaline lens, and length of the eyeball, and ideally provide precision optical focus of light rays on the retina, as ultimately judged by the patient.

To verify my statement to Hansel, I performed the following experiment:

I have a trial lens set which I assume meets universally accepted standards. I inspected both the minus cylinder lenses and the plus cylinder lenses and found the major axis of the cylinder in both cases was on the index marker which indicates the angle in the trial frame.

Assuming the purpose of the external cylinder lens is to neutralize or cancel the refractive error caused by the cornea not being spherical in cross section in all axes, a minus cylinder lens would cancel a plus or slight bulge in the cornea. To confirm the effects of axis, I took a Convex +8.00 cylinder lens (so I could easily see the major axis of the lens) and a Convex -8.00 cylinder lens to observe the neutralizing effects and placed the one atop the other. When the index lines were coincident indicating that the axis of the two lenses were the same, they neutralized each other. When I turned the lenses so that the index lines were at 90 degrees to each other, the resulting effect was severe distortion.

From this observation, I concluded that correct neutralization occurs only when the axis of the plus cylinder in the cornea and the minus cylinder in the glasses is aligned rather than at 90 degrees to each other.

It is true that two optically identical Rx can be written with either plus or minis cylinder notation, but to make the optics work, the value of the sphere power has to be adjusted and the axis of the cylinder has to be rotated 90 degrees. I also understand that lens makers regularly convert plus cylinder notation to minus cylinder notation for ginding lenses.

Dave 18 Aug 2006, 15:26

Cactus Jack,

I'm plano sphere in both eyes with L -1.75 cyl and R -2.00 cyl.

Does that mean I'm plano on the cyl axis and minus everywhere else?

Thanks...

tsirt emotpo 18 Aug 2006, 14:42

Actually, axis 120 will be +0.50 and axis 030 will be plano. I wish I had her Rx, it's tiny.

Hansel 17 Aug 2006, 12:46

Thanks Cactus Jack, for the information.

Cactus Jack 17 Aug 2006, 12:07

Hansel,

They effectively cancel on the 120 axis but the +0.50 will be in effect everywhere else.

Hansel 17 Aug 2006, 11:54

Daughter was back at the optician's today, having had glasses for seven or so years. Today's test showed her eyes had improved, and the script reads:

L +0.50 -0.50 Axis 120 R Plano

Do the sphere and cylinder effectively cancel each other in her left eye or is it not quite as simple as that?

Charles 11 Aug 2006, 07:06

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I had an eye check in late july so that my new glasses get here before I start college. New script is L:+3.75 +4.00 x065 7.5BO 4.0BD R: +7.00 +5.25 x022 7.5BO 4.0BU add +2.75 (trifocals). So some increase all around, mostly in the LE which is more hyperopic, as expected.

Brian 10 Aug 2006, 20:51

Guest, going back to your question of a few weeks ago, it was definetly a relief when I first got glasses.. being vain and in high school, i was afraid to admit that I needed them, but when I got them the summer before I left for college.. wow..it opened up a whole new world.. I think I barely passed my driving vision test when I was 16, so I went 2 years really not being able to see well..Ten years later.. My new prescription really has me seeing sharp now, the only thing I notice differently from my old glasses is more distortion if I look out the sides of my glasses, I guess that is due to the prescription strength.. Sorry it took me a while to reply.. Thanks

Jer 08 Aug 2006, 02:25

Sorry, I didn't post sooner been busy.

But I did get my glasses a couple of weeks ago. I kinda was reserved about it, as decided not to go full time, but that honestly didn't last. When I took them off I could really tell I should wear them all the time. Because, I really was squinting with out them. So, I've been full time for a week now and I'm getting use to them.

It has made a huge difference in everything, and the thing I forgot is you know that It isn't only tv, computer, the board at college, driving, but just looking in the mirror, I didn't really notice that I couldn't even see my face clearly. I can't see people facial expressions at what not, that has been the biggest difference.

So yah I am wearing them full time.

Dave 07 Aug 2006, 23:20

Karen X,

If you don't mind me asking how old are you (for your Rx still climbing)?

Do you like wearing glasses?

Thx

Random_Eye 07 Aug 2006, 18:15

How old are you Karen?

Karen X 07 Aug 2006, 17:19

I need new glasses! I had a voucher for a free eye test so I used it yesterday (Monday). I'm still getting more short sighted. New prescription is Left -3.00 and Right -3.25. I haven't decided if I'll get the prescription made just yet. I might wait a few months and either get brand new glasses or just new lenses in my existing frames.

07 Aug 2006, 17:03

Cactus Jack 07 Aug 2006, 16:29

P.J.,

I am not sure, but I suspect that VA dist R 6/6, L 6/7.5 means corrected distance Visual Acuity Right Eye sees at 6 meters what the average eye sees at 6 meters and the Left Eye sees at 6 meters sees what the average eye sees at 7.5 meters.

Unaided vision R 6/7.5 L 6/12+ means that without correction she sees Right Eye at 6 meters what average eyes see at 7.5 meters and the Left Eye she sees at 6 meters what the average eye sees at 12 meters +.

Lens size or materials could affect how they look. You might want to find out why there is reduced corrected visual acuity in the left eye. It could be the beginnings of cataract or the beginning of retinal problems. If so, delay will not cause improvment and could result in irreversable vision loss.

P.J. 06 Aug 2006, 17:45

My wife just got new glasses, lovely Fendi ones (602R) with wide sides and rhinestones! Her prescription has increased slightly.

R sph.+0.5 cyl.-0.5 ax.55

L sph.+1.0 cyl.-1.0 ax.105

Wow she looks gorgeous!

At the bottom of the prescription it says VA dist R 6/6, L 6/7.5

Unaided vision R 6/7.5 L 6/12+

What does this mean and why do the lenses seem so strong for a low prescription?

Cactus Jack 01 Aug 2006, 09:04

matt78,

Cylinder and Axis are only related to the shape of the cornea. It is not unusual for there to be a difference between the two eyes.

It is a bit unusual for there to be such a significant difference in the sphere correction which is related to internal optical properties of the eye.

If you do not see well with correction in your left eye, it may have been the result of amblyopia. Amblyopia is caused when vision in one eye doesn't develop properly in early childhood (generally before 6 or 7 years). If there is a difference in image quality, the brain will favor development of vision in the good eye and eventually may completely shut off vision in the poorer eye which, at this time, we know of no way to reverse. If caught in time, the treatment is to patch or fog the vision in the good eye and force the poorer eye to go to work and devlop. That is why an early exam for vision problems is very important.

Even though you are far older than 6 or 7, it is good to do what ever you can to make your eyes work together. Vision actually occurs in the brain. Your eyes are the biological cameras that supply the images to your visual cortex. The better the images and more exercise your visual cortex gets, the better job it can do for you. And, with all the progress in understanding how the brain works, someday it may be possible to cause some further development of acuity in your left eye.

matt78 01 Aug 2006, 07:35

with contact lenses my vision is 10/10 in my good eye and only 5 or 6/10 in the bad eye... without contacts i see only with the good eye and this causes me depth perception problems, especially with night vision...if i only put the lens in bad eye i see with both eyes... but not very well!

the optometrist told me that i could do laser in the left eye to reduce the difference i think...

i'm from italy (as you see in italy visus is measured in /10)... i'm 28 years old and my left eye have never seen well! in the right eye i have nearsightness and astigmatism (that is quite strong) since i was 16.

yeah... putting a lens to make the good eye farsighted is a good idea! what is the rx of that lens to wear glasses with -12 on both eye??

another question... why in the right eye i have axis 85 and in the left axis 10??? isn't strange?

thanks for your comments!

matt

Julian 01 Aug 2006, 00:04

Or of course, another option would be to wear a minus contact in your bad eye to bring it up to the standard of the good one. Depends what you want your glasses to look like.

Cactus Jack 31 Jul 2006, 19:25

matt78,

I understand your desire to see with both eyes. As it stands now, you have the problem of a very significant difference between the Rx of your two eyes. Without correction, you are seeing principally with only your right eye. With contact lenses in both eyes, you have the potential of seeing well with both eyes. How is your vision with your contacts? Do you have good depth perception?

Glasses are another story. The -12 in your glasses is because of the fact that the glasses are located some distance from your eyeball, the distance is called Vertex Distance (VD) and the fact that the corrective lens is located about 14 mm from your cornea means that the mmage is minified (made smaller) by the minus 12 lens.

The difference in image size between what your eyes see would likely cause double vision. However, there is a way for you to have glasses that would let both eyes work as they do with contacts. You could do glasses over a contact (GOC) in your right eye. In effect you would make your right eye as nearsighted as your left and need approximately -12 lenses for both eyes. Interested? We cam tell you how and perhaps ofer some other alternatives.

Two qustions: How old are you? Where do you live?

matt78 31 Jul 2006, 18:25

my contact lenses rx is:

right: sph -1,75 cyl -1,25 axis 85

left: sph -10 cyl -0,75 axis 10

the axis of the left lens has been changed when the optician give me smaller lenses... my glasses have only rx in my right eye (good eye) cause optician told me that with a so big difference i have double vision with glasses... with glasses i need -12 in my left eye! what a strange rx!

i want a pair of glasses with rx on both eyes to see how they look like! :)

specs4ever 28 Jul 2006, 13:55

TLC is a very good place. I have had a number of family members use them. Damn TLC!!!!!!!

JJ 28 Jul 2006, 10:02

Not sure is you live in the US. Check out www.tlcvision.com Tiger Woods had lasik done with them and he was a -11.

28 Jul 2006, 09:17

specs4ever:

Thank you so much for your reply. It seems that you are very knowledgeable in the science of vision. It is so good to have somebody to talk to who understands and is willing to give a good advice. I will do what you suggest. Thank you again.

Michelle

specs4ever 27 Jul 2006, 16:48

Your prescription should be within the range for lasik Michelle, however there could be other problems that your doctor knows, such as your cornea might be too thin, or your optical zone might be too large. There are precise requirements, so I suspect he might have found that you could be one of the ones that might have trouble with your eyesight after the surgery. Lens implants now seem to be the option of choice for peopel with around -10D of myopia or greater. Any form of surgery is dangerous, and could cause problems later in life. I like the suggestion about placing the lenses in a trial frame, and letting you walk around with them first.

27 Jul 2006, 12:16

Guys,

Thank you so much for your advice, I appreciate it. I was thinking to go for a laser surgery to get rid of my problems, but my optometrist told me that there is no laser correction for my kind of prescription. The only solution for me whould be implants. What do you think? Is it true?

Michelle

DWV 27 Jul 2006, 03:51

Ask the eye doc if he can put the various prescriptions into a 3 different trial frames. Then spend a little while in the waiting room trying out each prescription, and see which one looks best.

It'll be harder to be sure if you've got the distance prescription right if it's also combined with a progressive lens. You should also make sure just how much add you really need; the stronger the add, the more distortion there'll be.

specs4ever 26 Jul 2006, 17:28

Difficult one Michelle. Dave is correct in his conversion of the third prescription, and that way you can see all the 3 prescriptions written in minus form for a better understanding. However this indicates a big discrepancy in your astigmatism.So, for sake of discussion, lets do what the doctor's do, and take 50% of the value of the astigmatism, and add it to the sphere power to get a true indication of the real power that you might need. I have, in cases where 50% of the astigmatism is not a number in the quarters, gone to the next higher quarter instead of the lower. This indicates that:

1) OD -8.75 OS -9.25

2) OD -8.75 OS -9.75

3) OD -8.75 OS -9.00

This indicates that your right eye is pretty close, but the left is different in all 3 cases. So, since the astigmatism number is lowest in the first prescription, and since the wrong astigmatism prescription often leads to red eyes, I would tend to try this one

You didn't say which prescription you were presently wearing. I do know that the wrong correction for astigmatism often makes your eyes feel like they are pulling. And, astigmatism is a weird thing, as it can often fluctuate depending on the time of the day.

I DO NOT REALLY KNOW, AS I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL, however I would, if it were me, have the first prescription filled by a competant optician, who will be more than qualified to assist you with your frame choice. You should not have red eyes and headaches from the proper glasses. I have spent a lot of time with a number of visits to optometriests, as well as ophthalmologists to try to get a prescription that I cam wear myself, and all I ever seem to get is different prescriptions.

Dave 26 Jul 2006, 16:37

Hi Michelle

I converted your third Rx to (-) sphere notation to see how it compares to the first two.

It is:

OD -8.0 -1.25 x 85

OD -8.5 -1.00 x 90

Using these instructions:

To convert plus cyl to minus cyl:

1. Add the cylinder power to the sphere power

2. Change the sign of the cyl from + to -

3. Add 90 degrees to the axis is less than 90 or subtract 90 if the original axis is greater than 90.

from http://www.eyecarecontacts.com/optical_lens_prescriptions.html

lazysiow 26 Jul 2006, 15:17

glad I'm not the only one with varying prescriptions depending on optometrists.

but that's what happens when you rely on a subjective exam where essentially its the patient telling you how much "better" they are.

Someone posted a link to some new lenses that had an autorefractor that worked for everything, even astigmatism.

I don't doubt that short of eye diseases, optoms are worried that they'll be replaced by those machines completely and I wouldn't be surprised if they're using inferior machines on purpose ;)

still 26 Jul 2006, 11:16

Michelle,expert members here may contradict me, but I think you should visit an eye specialist(ophthalmologist); maybe there is a physiological explanation for the different prescriptions. More important, though, are the other symptoms - time to get them looked into, just to be safe.

JJ 26 Jul 2006, 10:31

I noticed my vision is difference depending on the time of day, lighting and who is refracting it. Pick the prscription that gives you the best vision and stick with that optometrist.

26 Jul 2006, 08:30

Hi guys:

I have strong progressive glasses. I hate to go to optometrist. Each time I go I have a problem to adjust to my new glasses. Each optometrist gives different measurements. I do not know what they mean, but here it is:

One optometrist:

OD-8.50-0.25x090

OS-9.00-050x080

add +2.00

The other:

OD-8.25-1.00x090

OS-9.25-1.00x090

add 2.00

The third one:

OD-9.25+1.25x175

OS-950+1.00x180

add 2.50

Which one is right? How I suppose to know. The other thing is the frame. Should optometrist say which one is good for me and which one is not, I mean the size again. There is bridge size, the lens size etc. If I am totally profound in this matter who suppose to advice me. The insurance company says that the frame selection is my responsibility. Is there any rule? How should I survive with my strong prescription? I have headaches and my eyes always red.

Any advice, guys? Any help would be appreciated.

Michelle

Cactus Jack 23 Jul 2006, 09:47

4eyes,

I was finally able to sign in at yahoo.

4eyes 23 Jul 2006, 09:01

Hi Cactus Jack... Having trouble with yahoo, and hi you all,

Heres me from Florida, USA since yesterday and going to L.A. to play guinea pig for 2nd time at UCLA University in California, and I hate it so much

Talking about my eyes and when did I got my first glasses with my daddy, because Id have one when I was very little kid, if I well remember, I just found out today that he has a copy of my last glasses (I left Brazil without them ´cause they were not ready yet), prescription to discuss with those docs at UCLA, and I saw that they were a bit different from what they discussed in the Doctors Office. I asked him why so and he told me that doctors overcorrect that a bit reaching +27 upper, bit to +27,25 and +27,5 UP add +32,75 and +32,75. Oddly enough the others info remained the same the -1:75 and -2,50 They argue that with this they minimize my eyes stress and bring my eyes at easy???

I can tell you that after my last eyes surgeries, they look almost as the same as if Id not have them at all.

Can somebody tell me why that is so, I am really a bit nervous as I have no idea how they will looks like. Also Im still pissed that Ive been denied DL once again but I will wait for this trip results to see what to do.

Enough of crying like baby, hehe.

Cactus Jack 22 Jul 2006, 20:54

Guest,

I am assuming that you are one indiviual rather than several different individuals using the name "Guest".

You seem to be extremely curious about what it is like to wear glasses and what would cause a person to wear or not wear glasses, even very low prescriptions.

Could you give us a bit more information about the reasons for your questions? I think it would help some of our members respond in a more helpful way.

Also, it would be helpful to us if you would choose a unique name that would help us identify you as an individual. As you may be aware, there are no requirements for registration to use the site and occasionally we will have posters that choose to hide behind other's names for reasons that are usually obvious. In those instances, most members avoid responding to questions.

Thanks, C.

Guest 22 Jul 2006, 15:13

Brian

A final point - what was it like to start off with a not insubstantial prescription like that - was it a surprise or a relief?

Guest 22 Jul 2006, 15:12

Brian

In my experience (I'm not an eye care professional) alot of people get glasses during the teens. Those prescriptions will likely be weak to start, in the region of -1, which is why I said yours was kind of strong for your age. That could either mean that you had a predisposition to myopia, or that the cycle that can start earlier with some and with a weaker prescription, had caught up with you. My guess is that your prescription has stablilised, or will soon. If not it's likely that you are one of the few people who have myopia that increases for a while after the norm (ie in the 20s).

Brian 22 Jul 2006, 07:49

Guest, I was pretty much full time after getting my first prescription. How do you think starting with a strong first prescription impacts increased strength with future prescriptions? Thanks..

OttO 21 Jul 2006, 07:59

It sounds as if Jer has seen the light.

Julian 21 Jul 2006, 07:18

Jer: I'm guessing that if you haven't got your glasses yet you'll be getting them pretty soon. I'm kind of puzzled that somebody who has 'had trouble seeing for a while now and cheated around it' (your words) now 'can't wait to see all the time' (your words again). Seems as if you've fought off getting glasses for ages and now are mad to get them.

Guest 20 Jul 2006, 21:45

Brian

Thanks for sharing your hisotry with us. The first prescription of -2 -2.25 is quite strong so probably no wonder you've progressed at a reasonable rate. At what point in this did you start to wear full time?

Brian 20 Jul 2006, 19:47

I got new glasses today and one of my larger prescription increases since I started wearing glasses almost 10 years ago. I am now up to -5.25 in my left eye and -4.75 in my right eye. I guess you know your eyes are getting bad when polycarbonate glasses start looking thicker..However I still do not need a prism correction, I have had an issue where my eyes don't work together, but my eye doc has said a prism will only make my eyes weaker and just need more prism correction, he said even though I occasionaly get double vision when transferring between close and far away work or staring at an object for a long time it would not be a good idea to get a prism correction unless I was getting double vision on more of a frequent basis. I thought it would also be fun to share my prescription history from my first pair of glasses at 18 to my current script..

18- first glasses OD -2.00 OS -2.25

19- OD -2.50 OS -2.50

21- OD -3.00 OS -3.00

22- OD -3.25 OS -3.50

24- OD -3.50 OS -4.00

25- OD -4.00 OS -4.50

27(new glasses) OD -4.75 OS -5.25

Also have a slight astigmatism correction in each eye.. I wonder at my current rate if I will ever level off. I'll keep updating from time to time. Thanks.

eustace 20 Jul 2006, 15:39

Young and Myopic:

I would be interesting in knowing how old were you when you first got bifocals and how old were you when you got trifocals? And do you have prism lenses?

Eustace

Brian-16 20 Jul 2006, 06:13

In some cases it might be around 20/600.

Katy 20 Jul 2006, 05:25

If -3.75 is around 20/400, has anyone got any idea what -6 might be?

Guest 18 Jul 2006, 14:42

Clare

Are you -3 both eyes? Full time wearer?

Clare 18 Jul 2006, 13:59

Jer - yes that figures. I didn't get the top line in one eye and the result was a -3. With your astigmatism, that sounds similar.

Guest 18 Jul 2006, 13:51

Oh yes wonderful to see how someone else sees. My -2.50 fantasy claims to be nearly blind without her glasses and she still goes without sometimes. I'd love to know how nearly blind she really is and how nearly blind that is to others the same.

Cactus Jack 18 Jul 2006, 12:00

Concerned Mom!,

Perhaps I can help a little. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell exactly what another person sees. But there might be a way for you to experience something similar which will help you understand better what she sees.

What is her complete glasses Rx?

Do you wear glasses?

If so, what is your Rx.

What is your age?

Where do you live? (so I can use the corret terminology).

Concerned Mom! 18 Jul 2006, 11:49

THis is my first time here. Have some questions and hope someone can help. My daughter has strabismus - dx at 2 and 1/2 years and she is now almost 6. Her prescription is +6.00 in both eyes (I think - it has never changed and I forgot what they originally said.) 1) What does she see? She has a really hard time describing it but told me that without her glasses she see everything really little - plus she squints her right eye a lot. 2) she prefers to wear her glasses low on her nose. Sometime she looks out the top (not through the glasses). Why? 3) Is there anyway a +6.00 prescrip may reverse itself with glasses. They never patched her. 4) SHe is VERY clumbsy. This worries me. Is it possible that her presciption is incorrect or is this just a side effect? (Also, 3D movies terrify her - I think these both may have to do with depth perception. ANY advice would be useful. Thanks.

musiclover 18 Jul 2006, 08:01

Jer- so you are going full-time wear? That's exciting that you will soon be able to see! I'm sure that you will definitely need them all the time, maybe even for reading too. How long have your eyes been seeing so poorly for?

Jer 18 Jul 2006, 03:29

I meant on my computer on my last post...can't wait to see all the time.

Jer 18 Jul 2006, 03:24

Eh I really couldn't see the top line really, I saw it on the way in...but yeah it was BLURY. I have to bring my seat all the way up to my desk to see the text and even then I usually lean in a bit.

Sue 18 Jul 2006, 01:00

20/400 if they were lucky.

Random_Eye 17 Jul 2006, 17:09

if someone was around -3.75 about what line should they see? 10/200 ish?

Clare 17 Jul 2006, 14:04

Jer - which line could you read on the chart? That's a pretty good indication of visual acuity. People will say there's no absolute correlation between -2.50 or whatever and 20/100 etc. As a guide, the top line is supposedly 20/200, the second 20/100. I understand some are different so that's a big generalisation. Apart from that I'd say -2.50 is anywhere from 20/100 to 20/200, apparently it can differ from person to person. Hope that helps!

Charles 17 Jul 2006, 07:47

Julian-

Thank you for the welcome. I should have said I just got trifocals in January. I see pretty well with my glasses, no double vision. My RE only corrects to 20/30, but that's better than it used to be.

I have to go for another exam next week before I start college in Aug. I expect my LE will become a little more hyperopic, that seems to be the way it is going.

George1968 17 Jul 2006, 07:42

Trina,

I can't speak for anyone but myself, but I don't think you were foolish. You found out that your current prescription wasn't working, and got yourself tested. Based on those results, you found out you needed a stronger prescription and needed to wear your glasses all the time. I call that being proactive.

Do you notice the difference? How's the adjustment to being a fulltime GWG? Glad you like your new specs. What has the male reaction been?

Jer 17 Jul 2006, 03:58

Music, Greg

Thanks for the response. -2.5 is strong for a first time? What is that equivilant to on acuity?

I am probably going to go full time, except maybe on close work and such. They should be ready in a week/week and a half.

Phil 17 Jul 2006, 01:40

Wel done Trina. I bet you look a picture!!

Cactus Jack 16 Jul 2006, 13:47

LJ,

Sorry, I should have defined it. In the computer world, GIGO stands for Garbage In, Garbage Out.

The brain is an incredible biological computer with a very sophisticated image processing system, but like all computers, it does best when youi give it good stuff. It is the job of your eyes to give it good sharp images to work with.

LJ 16 Jul 2006, 13:32

Cactus Jack

Thanks, seems like I'm fretting over something for which there is no obvious answer. I'm just curious. But can you tell me what GIGO stands for please!!

musiclover 16 Jul 2006, 07:37

Jer

Congrats on the glasses! I'm sure that at -2.50 in both eyes they will help alot! You really needed them to see I guess. Hope that you consider full- time wear.

Gregory 16 Jul 2006, 05:05

Jer, congratulations. Have you choosen which glasses you will wearing? And when it wil be ready for sitting on your nose?

It's quiete strong for an first prescription!

Will you go direct fulltime?

greetz,

Cactus Jack 16 Jul 2006, 04:50

LJ,

I can't answer your question very well. Your best setreo vision would occur with both eyes corrected to 20/20. Remember GIGO.

It appears that an individual's ability to perceive depth (stereo) appears to be learned and curiously, once learned, the brain can work with limited information to construct a stereo image.

Fir example, depth perception was once belived to be critical for landing an airplane, yet ther are many instances where pilots have lost vision in one eye and can still land very well, thank you.

Vision is very subjective and no one can tell how well or what you see, except you (including your ECP). And, I don't think anyone really knows yet exactly how you do it.

(e.g. How do you explain optical illusions where you see something that just isn't real, and the illusion of depth can be in a two dimensional image?)

I would suspect that uncorrected, your brain would use the -2.25 image as the basis for what you perceive and use as much information as possible of the -2.75 image. Remember, however, that the brain can only do so much (GIGO again).

If you recall, when the Hubble Space Telescope was launched and the serious refractive error was discovered they were able to use some high powered image processing to significantly improve the images. But, the real improvement came when the HST was "fitted with glasses" and we got the see the universe in all its spectacular glory. 'Nuff said!

Julian 16 Jul 2006, 01:35

Jer: so I guess if you've ben reading all the advice on this thread you've gone straight into full time wear. Am I right?

Makes sense anyway.

Jer 16 Jul 2006, 01:11

So yeah I got glasses

my Rx:

R: -2.50, .75, 10

L: -2.50, .25, 80

Trina 15 Jul 2006, 23:28

I would like to thank everyone here who offered me great advice and encouraged me to go for an eye exam. Some of you it seems are having your fun with me like I am an idiot for not wearing glasses all along. I hope everyone is happy I am now a full time GWG (I love that acroynym) Well I picked up my glasses today and I love how they look on me and so far I have recieved a few compliments from friends. Next time I think I will get the more expensive lenses because the lenses are very thick, lol I measured and they are close to 8mm at the thickest part on the sides. I think its great a site like this exists, thanks to you I am proud to be a GWG and I think I look nice wearing my new glasses.

LJ 15 Jul 2006, 23:04

Cactus Jack,

Your comment that the blurry image from your worse left eye generated some noise in the good image is absolutely true.

I have a -.50 difference between my two eyes (-2.25 and -2.75) and, without glasses, experience what you describe. When explaining it before I would say I felt my eyes were seeing different things ie different levels of blur but I think your explanation is better. Ive been told its the perfect rx for reading in later life but now its just irritating.

Heres a question, if I was tested using both eyes rather than individually, given what you said about the better image being selected by the brain, would my stereo vision actually be -2.25 or somewhere between that and -2.75?

musiclover 15 Jul 2006, 22:29

Did you get your eyes tested? What is your prescription? Let us know if you are seeing crisper and better and if you decided to wear full-time.

Peter J 15 Jul 2006, 15:40

Cactus Jack - I like your adivce regarding when to wear glasses i.e. wear them when you need to. It really does puzzle me when people say 'how often should I wear them', I mean, come on, how stupid do you have to be to ask such questions!!? Surely, those people who feel the need to ask do not require the glasses in the first place, because it's as if they are saying that they do not appreicate the clear vision they get with correction. For example, if you are -3.00 and have to ask how often you should wear them, I would have thought it was quite obvious!! If you want to see, wear the bloody things! If not, go without! If the wearer can not appreciate when to wear correction then I suggest that their need for glasses is questionble!

Cactus Jack 15 Jul 2006, 14:40

A little more. To me, galsses and/or contacts are simply tools to help you see better. I understand that are people who can drive nails with their bare hands, but it seems faster and less painful to use a hammer.

Cactus Jack 15 Jul 2006, 14:36

My better right eye was seeing distance and I was reading with my left eye. When I got my glasses, everything was sharp and crisp at all distances. While my first Rx was OD plano, apparently the blurry image from the left eye generated some noise in the good image. the OS -1.50 gave my brain two good images two work with and suddenly, my depth perception was very good also.

Of course there were a few comments from my firends, but I was not the first to get glasses, I have never been particualrly vain, and I liked seeing well.

The fact that I pased my driving test easily, including parallel parking (which had given me a fit prior to having good depth perception) was the clincher. After all, I had paid for the priviledge of seeing well, why not use it.

Young & Myopic 15 Jul 2006, 12:34

24 years old. Worn glasses since I was four. R. -9.25x-2.75 add 3.00 trifocal L.-9.00x-3.00 add 3.00 trifocal

Guest 15 Jul 2006, 10:49

Cactus Jack

Interested in your last post. Given that - in theory I think your better eye was doing the seeing - what made you go fulltime, and so quickly too?

Cactus Jack 15 Jul 2006, 10:47

Kristen,

I didn't answer your last question. -2.00 in one eye and -2.50 in the other is better than -2.50 in each eye because the -2.00 image will be selected as the primary image because it is clearer in most instances, except close work.

Cactus Jack 15 Jul 2006, 10:41

Kristen,

It is noticable. However, vision actually occurs in the brain and the brain is very clever. When given images from each eye where one is clearer than the other, the brain will select the clearest image and use it as the primary source. The brain is also clever enough to sometimes construct a 3 dimensional image using what suplemental data it can from the blurier image. The brain is extremely clever, but in the final analysis it is a biological computer. Like all computers - Garbage In, Garbage Out applies. The better images you give it, the faster and easier it can process them.

I have some personal experience. When I was in my early teens, I had -1.50 in my left eye and 0.00 in my right eye. I was not aware that there was anything wrong until I went for a drivers license and was refused. Turns out I was using my right eye for distance and my left eye for reading and was not aware of the problem. Getting glasses was a quite a revealation with both eye working as a team and I went immediately to full time.

Kristen 15 Jul 2006, 09:53

Cactus Jack

Is a 0.50 difference between the eyes big in terms of being noticeable even at the lower prescriptions like -2?

Say I was -2 and -2.50 would it be very noticeable or worse than just my straight -2.50?

Kristen 15 Jul 2006, 09:49

Peter J

I'm -2.50, sometimes with -0.25 of astigmatism, sometimes not (can't work that out really).

Cactus Jack 15 Jul 2006, 08:12

When to wear your glasses is much more a personal choice than if your Eye Care Professional (ECP) has "given you permission" or "orders". Your ECP is not going to follow you around to make sure you do what he/she says.

Ignoring the extremely powerful influence of vanity, the lower the Rx, the easier it is to not wear them.

Factors that make it hard to not wear your glasses are cylinder over 0.50, difference between the Rx for each eye 0.50 or more, and almost any prism.

Of course the best reason to wear them is a need, such as driving, or that you simply like to see well and have got better things to do than spend time trying to figure out who that blur belongs to or what that blur really says.

15 Jul 2006, 07:03

My sister went to get some new glasses fitted the other day (-1.75 and -2.50) and the optician said 'you wearing contacts?' and when she said no he said 'oh, I guess these are your first pair then?' which seemed to imply that he thought she would be wearing fulltime correction, and the reason she wasn't could only be down to the fact that she had yet to experience the crisp vision which correction would give.

Incidentally, she has gone straight to fulltime!

Peter J 15 Jul 2006, 07:01

One more thing! Kirsten what is your prescription?

Peter J 15 Jul 2006, 07:01

One more thing! Kirsten what is your prescription?

Peter J 15 Jul 2006, 06:59

Kristen - I didn't really start fulltime at -2.00 because my first glasses were -1.00 (ish) and then stright to my current prescription (-3.25 and -3.50), but I think -2.00 is a decent place to start for fulltime as I put my -1.00 glasses over my contacts (giving me about -2.00 vision) and I can see that it would definitely help. At the end of the day, at that prescription, I think you need them more oftne than not so common sense says wear them all the time! I really would not be bothered with constantly taking them on and off. I find it really intersting to hear people saying I wear them for watching telly for example. But I am often walking round the house and don;t intend to watch telly at a particaulr time - it would just be such a hassle to constantly having to remember where I put my specs! I do not like not being able to see people in the street, and I probably use to look really rude when I ignored people!!Also, there are oftne little things that you miss if you do not wear glasses. For example, at -2.0 you could walk down the sreet quite comfortably, but you can't see signs or anything of interest. I have to get really close to anything before I can make out what it is, and that's just plain stupid when you can rectify the problem with either glassess/contacts.

I find it really interesting to read and hear about people's different tolerance levels. There are people here who are -4.00 who 'say' they don't wear fulltime, but go on ultralase (laser eye surgery) and you will find people there who have written about their treatment who had a prescription in the low -1.00s and say they feel so liberated from being free from a lifetime of glasses.

I do see some people with really weak prescriptions and wonder why they wear them all the time, but perhaps that's because they like the way they look. What does really annoy me is when people who have really weak prescriptions say they are 'totally blind without correction'. They are not! But having said that I suppose at any prescription you can be subjectively blind. I would not describe myself as having really bad eyesight, imply because the rest of my family have much higher prescriptions, but people who try my glasses on say I am really blind and I am sure people with 20/20 uncorrected vision would think it's pretty blind to expereince what us -3.00s experience.

You people who don't wear correction fulltime (and probably should) - why not? Is it because of vanity, or a real feeling that it is not necessary?!! I'm really interested to know!

In fact I would be really interested to know who, out of everyone here, wears fulltime with the lowest prescription and who does not with the highest. That would be really interesting to see the range of people's tolerance levels!!

I've blabbed enough now!

Guest 15 Jul 2006, 02:30

jellyfish, traffic cone, what are you talking about?

15 Jul 2006, 01:24

Kristen,

quite right, i believe if you are prescribed correction wear you glasses and enjoy them.

Surely your optician was like; a doctor..

dentist..

jellyfish..

traffic cone.. not like what, arent you always wearing glasses or some sort of correction?

i would hazard a guess that he said it.

Kristen 15 Jul 2006, 00:11

Peter J

I agree with your point about prescriptions over -2. I have what I always considered to be a low prescription but when I made a comment to my optician about not having had my glasses on for something he was like what, arent you always wearing glasses or some sort of correction? That made me think a bit more about it. If the opticians themselves expect people over -2 to wear them then people shouldnt feel they are over-reacting. Lets wear our glasses with pride!!

Incidentally, was -2 the prescription that you started to wear glasses full time?

Peter J 14 Jul 2006, 15:56

I really find it hard to believe that there are people here who do not wear fulltime at -3.50 upwards. I think you guys are definitely in a minority. Most people over -2.00 (and much less) do wear fulltime. I am a student and last year lived with 4 fulltime wearers. At -3.00 one friend use to wear her glasses even to the shower and would never be without correction, ditto the others (although admittingly their RX's were slightly stronger).

I also don't understand why you would want to go bare eyed at that prescription! If you don't like glasses, try contacts. I think people who come onto this great site with around -2.00 prescriptions (I think a prescription which warrants fulltime), may feel as if they were over-reacting wearing them, after reading all the stories here about people with medium myopia.

I take my hat off to you guys who do go around bare eyed. At -3.50 ish I can see that you could get by at the computer etc, but do you guys not find it annoying when, e.g., you look up from the screen and you cannot identify your colleague!? I am no eye specialist but as a -3.25 myself I can't understand it! I could perhaps understand those people who have not got glasses and therefore do not appreciate the clarity that could be acheived, but those with glasses are barking mad!! - Just my humble opinion!!

Guest 14 Jul 2006, 14:38

Trina

Great you've found some frames you really like. How much stronger is your new rx?

Julian 14 Jul 2006, 13:57

Welcome Charles; looking forward to hearing more from you. You certainly have a lot of astigmatism there - how's your vision with your trifocals?

George1968 14 Jul 2006, 13:48

Trina,

No wonder you were squinting! Your prescription is not very strong, but certainly strong enough that fulltime wear is warranted. Once you wear your glasses for a couple hours when you get them, you'll notice the difference, esp. the blurriness when you take them off.

Glad you got a pair that you feel you look good in. Enjoy the new look and comfort of seeing well.

Charles 14 Jul 2006, 12:11

New Here and love the site. I'm 18, worn glasses most of my life - lazy eye, missaligned eyes - high astigmatism and bifocals since age 8. Just got trifocals.

New prescription is LE: +2.75 -4.00 x64 6BO 4BD; RE: +6.50 -5.25 x20 6BO 4BU with a +2.25 add.

Phil 14 Jul 2006, 06:56

Trina, Your rx is so similar to mine. I'm -3.75 in each eye with just -0.5 cylinder in one. I don't wear fulltime, though I almost certainly should. I wear for driving and in shops. But at work, where I draft legislation using a computer, I just sit close to the screen! U r lucky to have a "nice" rx. Your lenses will not look too strong but will give you amazing clarity compared with being bare-eyed. And the frames you've chosen sound really nice. I hope you enjoy wearing them. You'll look great!

Trina 14 Jul 2006, 06:17

Phil,

Sorry I didn't tell everyone my new prescription, in my Right Eye -3.50 -1.00 86 and Left Eye -3.75 -0.50 105. I just ordered a pair of glasses because I finally found a frame that looks great on me which is a black plastic semi-rimless. I pick up my glasses on Saturday because the shop had to order my lenses in which made me feel "oh my god I must be blind as a bat now"

specs4ever 14 Jul 2006, 06:11

I wouldn't use the "your prescription is pretty strong, you should get the thinner lenses" to indicate the strength of your prescription Trina. It seems that for almost any prescription above a -2 they push spending thta extra money at you. With today's smaller eye sized frames, I don't think a prescription is worth the extra until you get over -5D. Of course there are some exceptions, such as getting a pair of rimless frames. but plastic and wire do a pretty good job of hiding the edges. Also you are young enough that your prescription could still increase a little more in later years, so it might be an idea to hold off on the expense until it is necessarry.

Phil 14 Jul 2006, 01:11

Trina, What was your new rx? So are you joining the ranks of the fulltime gwgs? Hope so. Do tell us what frames you choose.

Trina 13 Jul 2006, 23:33

Hi everyone thankyou for all of your repsonses. Today I went for an eye exam and found out I am much more nearsighted than I was two years ago. The eye exam felt like it was never going to end because I went through so many of questions: 1 or 2? The optometrist told me to wear my glasses all the time to get used to constant correction. My new prescription must be strong because every optician I went to tonight told me I should upgrade to a thinner lens material. I am still undecided on new frames but the optometrist gave me a few days supply of contact lenses that I am using to decide if I will wear glasses or contacts more.

Bronwyn 12 Jul 2006, 11:29

musiclover

I luv your weak prescription. Can we chat?

musiclover 12 Jul 2006, 07:07

Jer-

Let us all know what happens when you get your eyes tested. We are all anxious to know. Good luck with it and you will do fine!

Gregory 11 Jul 2006, 03:24

Jer,

succes with your appointment. Let us know what your RX will be. And if you go directly fulltime.

Jer 11 Jul 2006, 02:08

Music,

No I haven't worn glasses. I've had trouble seeing for a while now and cheated around it, but I can't now. Even when squinting all the time. I have my appointment friday.

09 Jul 2006, 05:30

Trina what is your current prescription? It doesn't sound like you are a full time wearer at present?

Cactus Jack 09 Jul 2006, 04:43

Trina,

Possibly. However, you should not assume anything. Because of accommodation, it is possible that your friends glasses are stronger than you need and your eyes compensated for the difference.

The best course of action is to get an exam. After you have the new Rx, you can decide if you want to order glasses as prescribed or order a stronger Rx online. If you need suggestions, please advise.

sofia 09 Jul 2006, 01:00

probably if you can see well with your friend s you will need near prescription to hers.

Trina 08 Jul 2006, 23:29

OttO

My friend and I went to a baseball game today and she noticed as was squinting with my glasses on to see the score. In all fairness to me the numbers were not really big to start with but even with glasses on I couldn't see the score. Towards the end of the game Kim offered me her glasses to try on and she asked if I could see the score now, and I could see it. Kim let me wear her glasses for the rest of the game because she switched to her sunnies. I noticed Kim's glasses had much thicker lenses than mine and she said that her eyes were bad and she the glasses were a -4.50. Is it possible my new glasses will be as strong as the ones Kim had let me wear today?

OttO 08 Jul 2006, 11:14

Trina

Eyes getting worse? Maybe, maybe not.

Two years is probably the average time between eye exams and a new RX for most people.

Trina 08 Jul 2006, 00:06

I have been really concerned about my vision the past few weeks because everyone is pointing out to me that I squint. I have a pair of glasses to see the board and TV but now when I wear those glasses I am still squinting while wearing my glasses. I have had these glasses for two years and they have been fine. Does it sound like my eyes are worse now?

Julian 06 Jul 2006, 01:55

His first Rx? With all that astigmatism? I should think he'd be delighted to go fulltime. Once he gets used to the cylinder correction that is.

John S 05 Jul 2006, 19:30

A friend of mine got his first Rx at 46.

+1.00 -1.75 X 080

+0.75 -2.50 x 120

Add +1.75

I told him, if it was me, I would wear them full time. He should be getting them in a few days.

sam12744 05 Jul 2006, 05:59

Despite having 11 base-out prisms per lens,-3.75 sph and some cyl and axis,my local opticians managed to supply me with prescription sunglasses in Oakley frames.It can be done,but the likes of Specsavers only want to do the cheap option for them.The high cost of the lenses will preclude them making a profit,with their advertised fixed prices.Forget wrap-arounds,though,that really is too difficult!

03 Jul 2006, 05:45

And another one

http://www.eyecontact.co.uk

03 Jul 2006, 05:17

Ellboy 172, try http://www.isyte.com

Sandy 02 Jul 2006, 17:50

Hi Ellboy, depending on how much astigmatism she has, that is probably true. I wanted to get Oakley sunglasses, but since I have a ton of astigmatism, I was told that it would not be possible to get anything it that style of rx sunglasses. My rx is

-3.50 -2.50 x003 -4.00 -2.50 x180. I was still able to get rx sunglasses in a small Ralph Lauren frame, so I was happy. I would have rather gotten the Oakleys. Take care.

ellboy172 02 Jul 2006, 14:07

Hi All!

Major Ask here?

My wifes prescription comes to about -3 including astigmatism and she desperately wants some cool sunglasses. However, vision express tell her that any sunglasse swith even a slight curve arent suitable for her. Is this the case? sureley technology nowadays would allow her to wear trendy and non flat sunglasses. I am desperate to buy her some for her birthday so can anyone answer question and if so can i buy them online???

She's even considering switching to the dreaded contacts so that she can wear any sunglasses!!!!

Musiclover 28 Jun 2006, 16:11

Jer,

Have you ever worn glasses before or are you just recently discovering that your eyes are bad?

Musiclover 28 Jun 2006, 16:10

Jer,

Have you ever worn glasses before or are you just recently discovering that your eyes are bad?

Jer 26 Jun 2006, 03:07

I also tried on my friends glasses that are about -3 and it made a HUGE difference from blur to clear...so I'll post my rx when I find out how bad these eyes are.

Jer 26 Jun 2006, 03:03

I'm going in for an eye exam this week.

Off to college so need the exam, , I haven't had an eye exam in years....so I'm pretty sure I'll need them.

But, I can't see...I squint and scrunch my eyes non-stop. I have to lean into and squint at my screen to see and did an eye test on the comp and couldn't see the 20/200 line. So, I can't wait to be able to see.

Cactus Jack 24 Jun 2006, 17:11

Brian-16,

If convenient, please e-mail me at cactusjack1928@hotmail.com.

Eyeseeit 21 Jun 2006, 11:44

With regards to drugstore reading glasses, you may find this article from an eye doctor's site interesting:

Are The "Cheaters" Cheating You?

Like a thief in the night that lurks without warning, so too was your close vision robbed. You woke up from a restful sleep to find that you couldnt read the morning paper because it was too blurry. You heard from your friend that they have these 'cheaters' at the drugstore and so you went and tried them out and lo and behold you could read again.

Since you are able to read with these ready-made off-the-shelf devices, you might have wondered as to the differences between these and appropriately prescribed and properly manufactured prescription reading glasses.

THE FULL ARTICLE can be see at the following site:

http://www.noblur.com/presb.html

Dr. Maller's site is a really great resource, and it has lots of interesting articles.

Sue 21 Jun 2006, 10:45

First, there's a reason that the drugstore readers cost what they cost. They're manufactured from the lowest-quality frames and lenses. Second, it's extremely rare for anyone to have the identical refraction between the left and right eyes. More often, there is a small amount of astigmatism in one or both eyes, or more spherical power is required in one eye versus the other. Third, drugstore reading glasses are made as one-size-fits-all items. If the distance between your eyes (pupillary distance [PD]) is further from the average (i.e., narrower or broader face), the images you see may be distorted because your pupils will not match up with the optical centers of the lenses (i.e., induced prismatic effect).

In short, buying drugstore reading glasses is similar to buying a suit off the bargain-basement rack without having it tailored to your body. They'll both do the job, but they're far from a perfect fit.

CircleBox 21 Jun 2006, 09:12

So I was wondering if someone could tell me the difference between prescribed reading glasses and those that one would just buy at a drug store or something. If the RX is relatively similar would it be that big of a deal?

George 20 Jun 2006, 16:05

An interesting encounter. My secretary, a 26 years old female, fulltime wearer of -3 glasses went to a vision improvement class. She did some exercises (no idea which) and gradually started wearing them less and less. At first she used a lower perscription glasses to see stuff, but eventually she gave on glasses altogether. She told me she wore them for one or two occasions at the most in the last three months. I have definitely not seen her in glasses since. She has to sit a bit closer to the computer, or closer to the screen when we do presentations, but other than that, you could not guess she needs glasses at all. She does not drive yet. I wonder what wil happen when she starts taking driving lessons. Her optometrist examined her and then claimed that her vision did not really improve, just her tolerance to the blur. Evidently, she can now function all the time without glasses, where in the past she was never seen without...

Maverick 19 Jun 2006, 14:16

I am -2.75 in both eyes and need a +1.5 reading add. I wear bifocal CL's full time (although switch to glasses about one day a week)and they are fine.

mattp 19 Jun 2006, 07:03

Circle Box--

I am wearing my minus contacts (4.75)and reading glasses as I type this. I've used this system for years, and it works beautifully. I have found, however, as my reading glass RX has increased and I can see less and less up close that bifocals (actually trifocals now) are much more convenient than having to constantly find reading glasses to see something when I am wearing my contacts.

Cactus Jack 19 Jun 2006, 06:20

CircleBox,

Contacts and reading glasses are a good solution. Another is to wear a -3.5 contact in you dominant eye and a -1.50 or -2.00 in your other eye. It might take a day or two to get used to "monovision", but it works.

Ultimately, you may find bifocals are very convenient.

CircleBox 19 Jun 2006, 06:10

If a person wears a low minus rx (-3.50) and discovers that they need "reading glasses" is their only choice to correct this problem to get bifocals? Or could they wear their minus contacts and just use reading glasses whenever they need them?

DWV 15 Jun 2006, 10:04

If you google "See Clearly Method" and "fraud" you'll find pages like this:

http://www.casewatch.org/ag/ia/seeclearly/complaint.shtml

SCM has been sued for consumer fraud by the Iowa Attorney General. A temporary injunction has been granted ordering them to stop misleading consumers and make it easier for the many unsatisfied customers to return the kits. A trial related to product claims begins in September.

Cactus Jack 15 Jun 2006, 05:58

Wayne_D and Brandon,

As you may be aware, there are several "methods" offered to reduce myopia or inprove vision most of which are marketed heavyly (which makes them suspect). Here in the US the "See Clerl;y Method" is heavly advertised. I haven't personally reviewed it, but a Google Search found some reviews that were interesting.

The optics of the eye are simple and elegant (in the engineering sense) and I can understand how it might be possible to reduce the plus power of the crystaline lens and reduce pseudo myopia if it is being caused by the lens being unable to easily relax back to its minimum plus power. What I don't understand is how it is possible to have controlled and orderly shrinkage of the lens to reduce its plus power or for the eyeball to ungrow its size and reduce the distance from the crystaline lens to the retina. Either of which would reduce myopia.

The body is designed to grow from a baby to adulthood and then stop, all controlled by genetics and certain hormones, Until the Johns Hopkins study there was a suspicion that there was a hormone that controlled eyeball growth but it hadn't been identified or how it was produed. I suspect that someday, it will be possible to identify those individuals who are genetically disposed or have had the normal process disrupted and intervene biochemically to either encourage eyeball growth for hyperopia or inhibit grwwth for myopia.

In addition to the link to the JH research, here is another link, recenlty posted by nata in the Induced Myopia thread. http://www.oep.org/ICBO2006Howell.pdf

It is a slide presentatuion for eye care professionals and a bit hard to understand (be sure and read all the slides). If you read both links and think about the combined implications for future potential myopes (or wantabe myopes) it may be interesting.

Brandon, I don't think yuur myopia can be reversed, but it may be possible to reduce it a little or at least slow the progress. I look forward to hearing from you.

Wayne_D 14 Jun 2006, 22:46

Brandon, Cactus Jack

In 2004 I was working in a temporary position at a hospital. I met a beautiful young Russian doctor whom I became friends with. She was -5 in both eyes. She told me she had a sister in Russia who had also progressed to -5 and who used the Bates method. Her sister was successful to the point that she brought her vision back to normal. I have no way of verifying this except to say the Dr. seemed to be serious about it. She didn't volunteer what method of therapy her sister had used until I questioned her about it. I asked her why she didn't try it and she said she had resigned herself to glasses, with a comment that her sister had more discipline for the therapy than she did and it took a long period of regular practice to gain success

Cactus Jack 14 Jun 2006, 20:34

Brandon,

Welcom to the group. There are those who claim miracles for the Bates Method, but most of the evidence says it can't do much for severe myopia that already exists. The Bates Method may work some with very early myopia and what is called pseudo myopia. Pseudo myopia is caused by the internal crystaline lens not being fully relaxed for distance vision and the Bates Method encourages the internal lens to relax.

Unfortunately, it is very unlikely that the Bates Method will work in your case because the most likely cause of your myopia is that your eyeball is too long for the plus optical power of of your cornea and internal lens therefore you need a minus lens to move the focus point back to the retina.

There is some recent research at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland that has identified a biochemical produced by the retna that causes the eyeball to grow. The research was investigating the cause of a condition where eyeballs fail to grow properly and the result is extreme farsightedness. An unexpected result was the discovery of the biochemical. Lack of which causes the eyeball not to develop and the caused speculation that excessive quantities may cause the eyeball to grow too much. See tp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/08/050824080218.htm for more information.

Could you provide your age, where you live, and an idea of how rapidly your myopia is increading? Also, can you be corrected to 20/20?

I'm not sure we can help much, but we are happy you joined us and hope you participate.

Brandon 14 Jun 2006, 11:09

Hello, I am new to this thread, if someone could help that would be great. Being born prematurely (2 months to be exact) has left my vision severely nearsighted. Every eye visit to the optometrist since I can remember has prescribed stronger and stronger lenses, until recently where my eyes without glasses can see 20/800, which is about -8.00 dioptres in each eye. I want to know if there is hope that I can do natural eyesight techniques to get my vision back to normal. I recently purchased a book called "The Bates Method for Better eyesight without glasses" by William H. Bates, M.D. Is it possible for a person (born prematurely), who has severe nearsightedness (myopia) to reverse horrible vision and regain near-perfect eyesight without the aid of glasses? Any help would much be appreciated, thank you!

Brian-16 04 Jun 2006, 15:16

Julian-Thanks for asking about things.College here is very intense but I am looking forward to some fun and sun for a change.Hope all is well with you.Lots of strong eyeglass wearers and I presume contacts as well at college.I had a good roomate and he has somewhat of an interest in glasses.But his are like -3 or so.My next exam should be interesting.

Julian 04 Jun 2006, 06:59

Good to hear from you after all this time, Brian. How was college, and how are things with you apart from your eyes?

Brian-16 04 Jun 2006, 05:30

Hello to all: Its been a while since posting.Been busy with college.Went for exam 2 weeks ago and just got my new specs.I waited too long between exams and the doc did not give me all I could take and advised me to come back in 6 months.Went from -11.50 to -12.50 and -11.25 to -12.25 and base out prism to 6 up from 5. Bi-focals went up as did the tri-focals.Although I can see better,its not quite as good as with a full rx.Since its summer time I don't mind squinting.Will get rest of rx later but can easily see 20/30.Minification is really something.

ehpc 31 May 2006, 13:06

Jodie..................Blonde, beautiful and glasses-wearing is to be the elite of womanhood:) What style of frames do you wear? As everyone here knows, I just ADORE blondes with minus lenses wearing these trendy new black rectangular frames with wide sides:) Do tell us about your frames:) Pete

radioman 31 May 2006, 12:37

Danny-Only a guess but in the U.S. it would be 20/30 or the line above that 20/40.Don't know for sure what that translates to in the U.K. or other places where they use 6/6 ...

Danny 31 May 2006, 12:04

Errrr.... No idea! With 1 eye blanked off - I can't read the bottom 2 rows in the eye test chart and I struggle with some of the letters on the line above it.

When both eyes are working together (at the end of the test) I can read all the 3rd bottom line and I can guess some of the letters on the 2nd bottom line. If I get out of the chair and take 3 steps forward (so that i'm about 4 feet from the chart when its in front of me) I can read all the chart.

So you tell me, what 20/? am I???

radioman 30 May 2006, 16:43

Danny-With that rx how close do you come to 20/20 or 6/6 ...

danny 30 May 2006, 11:31

ok - big shock today due to large increase. New RX is Right eye: -19.00 -1.50 090 8baseout +3add

Left eye: -17.50 -1.25 095 8baseout +3,00 add

Cost Frames £125, Lenses £325: I would give optical4less a try but they dont do varifocals that strong. But got a free pair of CR39 distance lenses as well (as a backup) I'll post some photos in about 3 weeks when they are made

27 May 2006, 23:59

Also sounds phoney !!

lazysiow 27 May 2006, 21:28

There ya go! You sound fantastic Jodie :)

Jodie 27 May 2006, 14:32

Thanks Hansel

Just to let you all know I was not driving the car when it crashed. I do not drive. Like I said I am grateful to be alive and appreciate beauty in my life today and am more optimistic in my thinking and just enjoy things now! I got a broken jaw after my accident and was told that I could have had far worse head injuries, I had to have surgery to fix my jaw and have a slight scar near my mouth, but about 3 months on I am beginning to return to normal living! It is lucky that I still have an attractive face that I can put glasses on to so I do not mind wearing them. I and maybe others have had to come to realise that there are far worse things in life to come to terms with than worry about being prescribed glasses. I just put them on in the morning and they stay on til I go to bed at night. Getting new glasses will happen to all of us at some stage in our lives! Just before I got my new glasses I had a guy say to me I had nice looking eyes and I told him that I was going to be getting an eye test and that soon my eyes would probably be behind glasses. He got kind of embarassed and said my eyes will still be nice behind glasses! Which I thought was nice of him. I am " Blonde, Beautiful and Bespectacled (someone who wears glasses) " and love it ...................................

Jodie

Hansel 27 May 2006, 11:02

"I am beautiful with or without glasses!"

I am sure that you will be!

Am interesting comparison with recent posts from Laura. Just goes to show the differing outlooks of people as to the need for correction.

Jodie 27 May 2006, 09:54

I am new here. I just got new glasses -2 and have been wearing them straight away. I actually like them. I am 18 years old and consider myself attractive. I have had loads of compliments! I knew I was having eye problems and booked myself in for a test. I accepted that I need glasses. It was a bit scary but I am now fulltime wearer. I still get looks from boys. Glasses do not affect attractiveness. I am beautiful with or without glasses! If anyone dislikes the way I look in glasses it is their problem. I was a few months back involved in a car crash and am lucky to be alive, so I will not let a couple of bits of glass in front of my eyes stop me from leading my life.

Thanks to everyone. I have been reading all your comments.

Gregory 18 May 2006, 14:36

Does anyone know the presciption of prince William?

Andrew 12 May 2006, 13:29

Smudgeur,

GOING UP WITH TILLY AND BRUSH!

It's something like L+1, -3.50 R+1.50, -4.25 (though I might have got the eyes the wrong way round).

Even if those numbers are not quite right, I still can't see clearly through them at any distance!

LisaP 12 May 2006, 03:38

Hi MM,

I have convergence insufficiency too, but i'm shortsighted, so my symtoms are a little different to yours.

Vision therapy is worth a try, but also ask if wearing prisms would help.

Cactus Jack 11 May 2006, 18:53

MM,

It depends on how much cylinder he has in his glasses. If he has none and if +1.00 is all the Rx he needs, you glasses would probably seem like weak reading glasses. Close things might seem a little clearer and distant things might be a little blurry.

Why don't you ask to try his glasses and offer him yours. To you, his should be like a slightly ovecorrected myope. Ask him how things look through yours.

Can't hurt.

MM 11 May 2006, 17:21

My prescription is L +2.00 -.50 x180, R +2.00 -.50 x170. I was asking about the negative cyl because I was wondering if my friend who wears about +1.00 would be able to see clearly through my glasses should he try them on ( I feel like he wants to ask to try them on). I wear mine all the time and he is a new part time wearer. So maybe he is curious or an OO. But I think what makes close work even harder for me than him is that I have convergence insufficiency which makes the words on the page seem to float and merge together. I was hoping that maybe I just needed a stronger prescription or maybe a bifocal to make the double vision go away but it seems there isn much that can be done for convergence insufficiency besides vision therapy. When I am tired I have even had friends comment that I have a "lazy eye" I can feel it but never thought anyone could see it and I never had a doctor say anything about it. Soooo thats my story... sorry for the rambling :-)

Smudgeur 02 May 2006, 14:13

Andrew

I bet you could see who was top of League 1 if you really squinted hard through them!!!!

Interestingly, my wife is also hyperopic with minus cylinder, so that's something else we have in common!

How strong is your wife's prescription? Mine is pretty weak really (OD+0.50 -050 080 OS +0.75 -0.25 078) but she still wears them all the time as she knows I love them!

Feed the goat....

Andrew 02 May 2006, 14:01

My wife has that sort of Rx, and I can't see anything clearly through her glasses at any distance!

Willy 02 May 2006, 08:25

I would say stronger. Consider it from two directions. If you have your full plus correction and then have a minus cylinder component on top of it, without the minus cylinder, you would have a myopic astimgatism that would cause blur, increasing at distance.

On the other hand, if the prescription were expressed as a lower plus sphere with a plus cylinder at 180 degrees from the minus cylinder, then if you only had the plus sphere, you would have an uncorrected hyperopic astigmatism. While you might be able to accommodate any blur away, the added cylinder would reduce strain, especially at near.

Either way the prescription is expressed, having only the plus sphere component without the cylinder results in either blur or strain, so I think the prescription is stronger.

02 May 2006, 05:33

what is your prescription?

MM 02 May 2006, 05:27

I was wondering wether or not a plus presciption with a minus cyl. is all together seen as "stronger" or "weaker" than the plus prescription on its own. thanks for any replies

Julian 01 May 2006, 23:34

Martin: good to know that you're now happy with your bespectacled self. What about your brother? I'm guessing he is younger; has the family myopia caught up with him yet?

Martin 01 May 2006, 08:54

Julian, you are right. By now I feel totally comfortable wearing my glasses, I guess the only time I really think about them now is if I see somebody Ive not seen for a while and they make a comment about them. Considering that a month ago I didnt want to wear glasses, or like the way I looked wearing them, Ive undergone quite a transformation. I have to admit, that its good to be able to see, and I think I look OK wearing my new glasses.

I think that having to get my old glasses to do my brothers paper round forced me to confront an issue I would have had to address sooner, rather than later, anyway. Now Ive been wearing my glasses all the time, I realise just how much I hadnt been seeing for the past few months.

A lot of people that I know werent that surprised when I started wearing my glasses, although I didnt realise how bad my eyesight had become I think a lot of them did. Most of my mates were pleased Id finally done something about it.

I guess I did feel conscious of my glasses for the first few days, but at the same time it was great being able to see properly. However, as somebody else has pointed out, after a few days most people I knew had seen me in them and the comments had stopped. To be honest, now Im just pleased Ive got it over and done with. I think that I am more confident now because I can see properly, and I certainly wouldnt want to go around without my glasses anymore.

Andrew 21 Apr 2006, 11:55

Mom,

Can you tell us:

1. How old your daughter is.

2. What prescription her glasses are.

3. Anything else the optician told you about her eyes.

This will help those who know to give you a more accurate answer to your concerns.

mom 20 Apr 2006, 17:22

Okay I picked up my daughters glasses and she was fine when she was there she put them back on and her eyes crossed really bad for a moment

I called dr she said it was because she never had glasses before Now I notice she has a broken blood vessel in eye she also complaine when she was looking at computer it was blurry she has bad nearsightedness ???

Julian 20 Apr 2006, 03:56

Martin: now that you're a week into wearing your new glasses, how's it going? With -2.5-1 in each eye, no wonder you couldn't do a paper round bareyed - and of course that dioptre of astigmatism is the reason for wearing them full time rather than most of the time, and the reason they help with reading and close work. By this time I guess you've almost forgotten you're wearing them; what sort of reaction did you get from your friends and at school? If you were always squinting and copying your neighbours' notes, presumably most of your class knew you were short-sighted.

Interesting that you're back at school this week; schools round here go back on Monday. What part of the country are you in?

Cactus Jack 18 Apr 2006, 07:09

Lens,

That is not a really strong Rx, but I suspect you will find them very useful and prefer to wear them full time.

I doubt your Rx will change much from here, but because this is a first glasses and you are 35, you will probably have some change within 6 months to a year.

Do you do very much close work using the computer or reading?

Phil 18 Apr 2006, 03:26

Hi Hollie. I read law at Hertford. It was so long ago but I still remember "schools". I kept waking up early and walking round Oxford at 5am for a week or two afterwards! Good luck! I'm just off to get the new specs. Hope the world will be clearer: I've been having trouble with roadsigns, especially with the right eye. I'm not far short of your rx now. So I guess that we are both well into the realms where fulltime wearing is pretty close to being a necessity. I have resolved to try! What frames have you got nowadays? I stuck with semi-rimless, though they are a bit more daring. Bet the lenses will look thicker: I've had a quite an increase in the right eye, though the left has hardly changed. Will you get a new test soon?

Lens 18 Apr 2006, 00:57

I receive my first glasses today,

my rx is-1,75/-0.50x170 3BO and r is

-1.75/-0.50x20 3B0 with a add of +2.00

Is it a strong rx and must i wear it

full time ? I am 35 now ,would it

increase a lot later?

Lens 18 Apr 2006, 00:48

NEW TO ES 17 Apr 2006, 10:34

I just went for an eye exam and my new prescription is as follows:

O.D. Sphere + 50 Cylinder -1.00 Axis 95

O.S. Sphere + 50 Cylinder -1.25 Axis 90

with and add of + 2.25 for both eyes.

The prescription changed from my previous one, with the add going from +2.00 to a + 2.25. I'm getting the new prescription with progressive/transition lenses. The optician said that it is quite normal for the add to increse.

Emily 17 Apr 2006, 09:28

Anna -- Your eyes got slightly more nearsighted and your new glasses are slightly stronger, but it's still a really weak prescription.

Peter 17 Apr 2006, 09:03

Anna wher are you from?

Anna 17 Apr 2006, 08:51

Hi,

Can anyone help. 2 years ago my eye test said:

Right:

Sph 0.25

Cyl -1.00

Axis 171

Left:

Sph 0.00

Cyl -0.75

Axis 167

and last weeks eye test says:

Right:

Sph -0.25

Cyl -0.5

Axis 25

Left:

Sph -0.25

Cyl -0.75

Axix 180

Does anyone know if that means my eyes are getting better or worse!!!!??

Plusfan 15 Apr 2006, 12:37

That's a good question Brad ! i don't know my own glasses are single vision, so i hope someone else can answer this for us ??

Brad 15 Apr 2006, 10:25

Plusfan

You say that plus glasses don't look strong until they are over the +2.00 mark, with my total RX (distance & reading) on my vari-focals being around + 3.25, how will my lenses look?, will the reading section look far stronger than the rest of the lens, or will they blend into one another

Brad

Matt 15 Apr 2006, 03:08

Martin, I have a lot of sympathy with your situation. When I was about your age I was in a similar situation - a very reluctant glasses wearer and I wouldn't wear them unless I really had to. One evening I was forced to accept the fact that I'd have to start wearing them because I was looking out for my parents' car - they were supposed to be collecting me. I was standing outside a shop and realised that the passing cars were nothing more than a blur. I decided that it was no getting too dangerous to go around bare-eyed. The next day (a Friday) I became a full time wearer. I remember being quite conscious of the glassses for the first couple of days, as I'm sure you will. After a few days my anxieties passed and I began to enjoy the vision. You are over the worst of it now. Learn to love your glasses and the clear vision they give you.

George1968 15 Apr 2006, 02:56

Martin,

What was your previous prescription?

Brad 14 Apr 2006, 14:04

John

My frame size is the same as yours, Please can you let me know how the lens thickness looks, as I dont want to look like Mr Magoo. My optometrist says they will be okay, but I am worried that it was only sales talk

Brad

John S 14 Apr 2006, 06:13

Brad,

My rx is R +.75 -.25, L +1.00 -.25 Add +3.25. They are Varilux Panamic progressives in a rimless frame. I like a large reading area, so I have a larger frame (54). I don't think they look too bad. I'll try to measure the lens thickness if you want to know.

Martin 14 Apr 2006, 05:27

I havent been able to post earlier because Ive been away for a week. I went for my test on Tuesday 4th April, as I suspected my eyes have changed quite a bit. My new prescription is:

Right: -2.50, -1.0, 5

Left 2.50, -1.00, 180

The optician told me that I really should wear my glasses all the time, as this prescription will make close work and study easier, too. I thought that Id end up having to wear glasses most of the time, but to be told it definitely should be all the time was a bit of a surprise. I spent quite a lot of time choosing new frames I eventually settled on a pair of Gucci frames in brown square-ish metal with tortoiseshell sides, which I think work better with my skin and eye colours.

I went to pick up my new glasses yesterday, and I have been wearing them full time since then. After putting them on I realised how bad my eyes have become recently, even though Id been wearing my old glasses a bit things werent nearly as clear as they are with my new glasses, even when Im reading the text seems sharper and clearer. I think that after 24 hours Ive already become dependent on my glasses though, things look really blurry if I take them off. Im quite please with how my glasses look and feel, they are really comfortable. At the moment Im quite conscious of them though, and its taking a while to get used to how I look wearing them. So far only my family have seen me wearing them, tonight Im meeting up with my friends for the first time as a glasses wearer and next week its back to school.

Plusfan 14 Apr 2006, 04:51

Hi Brad,

No i think they wil not look very thick or strong... plus glasses start to look strong in the +2 range, is my experience.

Brad 13 Apr 2006, 14:37

Hi there

Just got eye test today, and my new RX is R +1.00 cyl 0.75 100

L +1.25 cyl 0.50 130 add + 2.50 both eyes. I ordered rimless frames, and I wonder how they will look, as the trial lenses looked far thicker than my current glasses which are also rimless. They wont be ready for another two weeks or so so I will let you know how I get on with them. In the meantime, If anyone here has a similar RX please let me know what they look like and if the lenses look very thick.

Hyperfan 13 Apr 2006, 10:25

Yes I agree wih you. But "Michel" wrote in every topic (sorry for my poor english).

Kokopelli 13 Apr 2006, 09:18

Yes Michel stop whining. I was there when it happened and you deserved it. That's the last I'm saying about it, because ES is not moderated by the same person.

hyperopiahelvetia 13 Apr 2006, 08:38

michel, you wonder why you got kicked out of lenschat? go figure! as annoying as you seem to be i'd bann you anytime from the entire internet! get a grip on yourself and stop whining!

Michel 13 Apr 2006, 02:25

I dont understand why I cant go on lenschat anymore ?? I talked with girls and women with glasses about the link between sex and glasses. Some girls said to me to use private way to have these sort of exchange and I did it. Some girls talked about sex with me and seem enjoyed of that. Why im banished now ??!

Michel

Clare 12 Apr 2006, 14:01

Guest - it's -2.75

Hollie - sometimes its the same for me, I find friends see distant things better but I just figure they're better correctable than me - that's because I once scored corrected to just 6/7.5 on a test.

Guest 12 Apr 2006, 13:15

Clare

What is your prescription?

12 Apr 2006, 13:10

Right SPH -0.75

Left SPH -0.25, CYL -1.00, AXE 165, DP 68

Can anyone explain all these numbers?

Do I really need glasses?

Athanas

Clare 12 Apr 2006, 12:35

Phil - no question Hollie is right.

At my last test I asked my optician how much someone who wore glasses with my rx would wear them, and he said "most of the time".

You're well beyond that now!!

Hollie 12 Apr 2006, 05:50

Hi Phil

Sorry I took so long to reply to your post! Finals revision and all....

I read on another thread you had a new rx! You should definitely go full-time with that one, it's getting pretty strong. I last had an eyetest about 6 months ago I reckon, but depressingly I think my rx has gone up a little bit since then. Sitting at the back of lecture theatres sometimes I can't quite make out the small writing! Mine's at -3.75 -1.25 and -4.50 -1.00. Am definitely full-time now! Haven't worn contacts for a few weeks except socialising, because they were hurting my eyes and I think I needed a rest. I've been able to experience being a full-time glasses wearer and it's actually quite fun sometimes. You should go for it! You'll look much more attractive in a pair of well-chosen specs than squinting all the time.

What did you study at Oxford? I know a few Hertford people, nice college, close to the Turf!

Cactus Jack 11 Apr 2006, 13:10

Ken,

The distance part of the trifocal is whatever is required by the indvidual to correct their refractive error. The closeup or reading segment is whatever plus add they need for reading. Typically it is in the +1.75 to +3.25 range. The intermediate segment is normally one-half the near add, but it can vary depending on the needed focal distance.

Ken 11 Apr 2006, 12:21

What is the average viewing distance for the closeup, medium and distance part of tr-focal lenses?

Plusfan 10 Apr 2006, 09:06

hyperopiahelvetia,

Thanks i'm very happy too... tomorrow i am getting my new glasses.. so i will post here again !

hyperopiahelvetia 10 Apr 2006, 06:32

plusfan, your prescription is really nice. congrats to the increase! I'm waiting and dreaming of such a prescription. right now i'm still on the beginner's level of the scale, both eyes +1.25. nothing is happening. my favorite prescription would be around yours (a bit over +2.00 dpt, max. +2.75 dpt). I'll see what the years will bring, although patience is not a virtue of mine...

greetz

hyperopiahelvetia

Andi 10 Apr 2006, 03:37

Martin,

How was your sighttest?

Plusfan 10 Apr 2006, 00:15

Hi, Yesterday i went to the optician for a new eyetest and my prescription increase a little bit ...YES !!!!!

My old prescription is,

Left +2.00 C=-0.25

Right +1.75

and my new prescription,

Left +2.50 C=-0.25

Right +2.00

so i'm happy ...ok it's still not very strong but the lenses will be thicker i also ordened some semi rimless frames, i think the lenses will be thikcer in that that kind of frames.. do i have right ?

JB 09 Apr 2006, 22:36

Have had new progressives fo a couple of days

R - 3.75 - 1.25 155 add 1.75

L - 3.50 - 1.00 55 add 1.75

been having lots of trouble getting used to them,though having read posts on this subject ,i will persevere and hopefully things will work out in a couple of weeks.

The reading add is great though, print just seems to jump off the page.

Onset of maturity can only get better !!!

George1968 09 Apr 2006, 10:49

SamA,

Still wearing your glasses fulltime? If so, how are you adjusting to them?

Devin 05 Apr 2006, 10:23

Julian, thanks alot for the input there. I really appreciate it, and will also pose the question to Cactus Jack over in one of the other forums.

Thanks again!

Julian 05 Apr 2006, 01:01

Devin: that's really a question for Cactus Jack! Some research suggests that if myopic children wear their glasses for near work, the continual use of accommodation will induce more myopia. Your problem isn't myopia but astigmatism which can cause strain when you look at anything at any distance, and it seems to me there's nothing but benefit in wearing your glasses full time. I have astigmatism with hyperopia (not much of either) and have worn glasses full time for over 30 years with some fluctuation but no significant increase in my distance Rx.

ehpc 04 Apr 2006, 15:20

Clare - you will look STUNNING in the black rectangular plastic frames:) Pete

Clare 04 Apr 2006, 14:17

Phil - not yet!! They were just the regular rimless, maybe they were to dull for comment!!

Devin 04 Apr 2006, 11:56

Julian, thanks for the input. To be honest, I don't have much of a problem wearing the glasses - not like how I was in high school. I still had apprehension for a few years after I graduated and a bit in recent years, but my eyes had been bothering me so much in the past year with the headaches, eye strain, watery eyes and fuzzy vision that I was actually really glad to put on a pair of glasses that I could see so well in.

And yeah, the last optometrist before this one didn't do too good of a job I guess.

I'll say this though, as far as how I've been wearing full-time: I think what I was getting at to, that I didn't mention before was that some people say wearing your glasses all the time like that can worsen your vision. I haven't noticed anything like that myself, other than the fact that taking my glasses off makes me see how fuzzy things were before, but I wanted to know what you and some of the others in here think of that? Is it a myth, or can your prescription increase from that? I was always under the impression that your eyes got worse just because...

Phil 04 Apr 2006, 10:23

Clare, are you wearing the daring new specs?

Clare 04 Apr 2006, 10:10

New Girl - I've always hated people making comments too. But, to my surprise, I've had a couple of occasions in the last fortnight when I've met people who wouldn't usually see me in glasses and none of them said a thing. Wonder why.

Good luck with finding the O2Optics, they're definately worth it!

New Girl 04 Apr 2006, 10:03

SamA - good for you! If I remember you are in your 20's? And your boyfrind sounds like a sweetie! I was SO vain and insecure in my 20's and here I am at near 40 still at times so insecure about my glasses - so you're WAAAY ahead of me honey!

I jsut hate it when people make such a big deal about my wearing them - even if it's a positive comment I still squirm. My stepbrother was up to the city for business the other night and when he saw me in the specs he couldn't believe it and then he insisted on trying them on and made such a flippin big deal about how "blind" I am UGH. Although he did tell me I look like Lisa Loeb :).

New Girl 04 Apr 2006, 09:52

Hey I'm from NYC but travelling to Oxford for a wedding this summer! Never been there - can't wait! I suppose I'll be right at home there with my current GWG status?!(although I'm sure for the wedding I'll want to wear contacts - I'm just not that liberated yet LOL).

Actually on the subject of contacts, thanks Clare for the suggestion of O2O Optics although it seems hard to get them in my prescription - my store only had them up to a -6 or something like that. Does anyone know if they make them higher? Or where I could go to check? I haven't really researched and the girl at the store wasn't all that much help - could have had something to do with the screaming 4 year old by my side :(

Phil 04 Apr 2006, 08:59

Hi Hollie! Down from the dreaming spires? I'm going for a sight test later this week. I so need new specs. And when I get them it will be fulltime. It has to be. I just can't see much at all now without them! Think I'll need a bit more minus which will take me near -4. That just has to be fulltime country! Are you wearing full-time now? Bet the Oxford factor is putting up your rx. Went back to Hertford the weekend before last and had a look round the city. I'd forgotten how many gwgs there are there. Almost everyone! The opticians in Oxford must be millionaires!

Hollie 04 Apr 2006, 08:50

Phil,

You should just go for it! There's no point not being able to see anything when there's so much to look at! Could you wear contacts if you're so against wearing your specs?

Julian 04 Apr 2006, 06:22

Devin: If you're more comfortable wearing them, wear the, and never mind what anyobody else thinks. A bit of astigmatism is as much of a problem as the same degree of myopia or hyperopia, maybe more. Seems as though your previous optometrist didn't do a very good job; as to the others, I don't know.

Phil 04 Apr 2006, 02:46

SamA. And you never will. Well done. I wish I could be as decisive as you and go fulltime. I can see hardly anything without specs but feel shy about wearing them. So daft for a chap of 51 who has needed specs for 30 years!!

Devin 04 Apr 2006, 00:39

Hey everyone, I've been through the boards here several times but this is the first time I've ever posted anything.

Some backstory. I'm 24 years old and I first got glasses in 1995 when I started high school, and the prescription then was OD -0.50 -0.25 x 25 and OS -0.75 -0.25 x 150. I was told that I should wear them at my own discretion, such as in class, watching T.V., driving, etc. when I felt I needed them. Needless to say, I didn't wear them much during my high school years - I was kind've a slave to that old anti-glasses thing, lol.

After I graduated, I noticed my vision getting worse and I was having alot more trouble with eyestrain, headaches and so forth. I finally got another exam in 2001, (I still can't find the darn prescription) and they were noticeably stronger. I wore them alot more over the next few years, definitely while driving and so on.

Last year, I had another exam, and my prescription was OD -0.25 and OS -0.25 -0.50 x 90. He told me I barely needed glasses and that most of my eyestrain and things like that were due simply to my computer work at my job.

So for the better part of the last year, I didn't wear glasses much. But I eventually caught myself noticing how much I was squinting while driving, watching T.V., etc. and I was still getting headaches, eyestrain and what not even after doing close work on the computer.

So I went to the doctor about two weeks ago, and she said that my main problem is that I have a moderate astigmatism that is causing all of those symptoms. She gave me this prescription:

OD pl -0.75 x 105

OS -0.25 - 0.75 x 70

So I have a tiny amount of myopia in my left eye, but both of my eyes have nearly -1.00 of astigmatism. I got my new prescription put into my frames that I bought last year and had hardly worn, and when I put them on I was able to see better than I ever have before. And for the last two weeks, I've worn them full-time. The doctor had told me to wear them as needed, for distance, driving, computer, etc., and I've found that I really enjoy being able to see sharply and not squint or have headaches.

The only thing is, I thought it was really odd that my first prescription 11 years ago had me with more myopia and very little astigmatism, last year's had me with a tiny amount of myopia and not much more astigmatism, and now my correction is almost entirely for astigmatism.

But I can see so well, so could it just be that I was mis-prescribed before? Or has my astigmatism just naturally gotten worse in recent years?

Also, do you guys have any words of wisdom as to how I said I've been wearing full-time? I know my prescription isn't exactly high, and alot of people might not wear as much as I am with this prescription....

Thanks for bearing with my diatribe there, lol, and any help is appreciated!

Poptician 04 Apr 2006, 00:33

Not quite sure where to put this, so it might as well be here.

Had my eyes tested last June and my distance prescription hadn't changed since last time, so I didn't get any new glasses apart from a single vision reading pair. The frame on my distance specs got distorted a few weeks ago when I had a minor accident at home, so I popped along to the optician - you know, the ones where "you should have gone..." to get a new pair. Picked 'em up a week or so ago and didn't wear them at first, then when I did I noticed that reading teletext was a bit of a struggle - it all seemed a bit blurry. But I was feeling tired so I just put it down to that. Later, driving at night gave me awful eyestrain, and I also noticed that I was having truble re-focussing after looking in the distance and then at something closer.

So back I went. Turned out the woman had screwed up my prescription in the instructions to the lab. I had been given 9 degrees axis when I really need 90. I haven't got a clue what axis is all about but believe me, you need to get it right.

JB 03 Apr 2006, 22:47

New should be L- 3.50 etc etc

JB 03 Apr 2006, 22:45

Have been an odd poster in the past ( often thought of as more odd than poster )

Just thought i would post results of latest eye test.

Was R - 4.25 - 100 155

L - 4.00 - .75 50

Had been having a bit of trouble reading with my glasses on and when i took them off

Now R - 3.75 - 1.25 155 add 1.75

L - 2.50 - 1.00 55 add 1.75

Seems that the onset of years, just turned 40 have brought about the " arms too short " syndrome.I was a bit alarmed the add was so big,but at the test my reading was great with the +1.75

Decided to get progressive lenses after having read good reports about them, should get them in a few days

George1968 03 Apr 2006, 17:10

SamA,

So, do you feel comfortable with the decision to wear your glasses all the time?

Julian 03 Apr 2006, 16:10

Martin: thanks for responding; and well done. You are showing good sense and maturity (and while I'm handing out bouquets you express yourself well and lucidly). I see what you mean about Wednesday being stressful. All the best for your test tomorrow; let us know how it goes and what kind of frames you select.

SamA 03 Apr 2006, 12:50

Phil

I said I had decided to because I was having problems seeing. She wears contacts herself, but she said she only started wearing her glasses all the time when she walked past a friend in the street! Luckily haven't gotten to that stage yet..

Martin 03 Apr 2006, 08:46

Thanks for the reply, Julian. Both of my parents wear glasses or contacts, so I guess its not that surprising that I need to wear glasses. My brother and I are always taken for checkups every couple of years and it was at my last test that glasses were given.

I dont particularly like the idea of having to wear my glasses, but I (in some respects) last Wednesday was the hardest part. I had to admit that there were certain things I cant do without glasses any more and I started to wear my glasses more. When I was going to school, I didnt make a conscious decision to keep them on, I just got changed and went out. I guess the fact that I didnt think about taking them off is a sign I was starting to get more used to them. After my friend commented that it was unusual to see me wearing my glasses, I did make a conscious decision to keep wearing them, because I was enjoying being able to see more clearly and I knew that it makes sense to wear them in school. I have worn them quite a bit over the past few days, most of the time at school, but I havent worn them all of the time. However, when I first take my glasses off things look really out of focus now.

I suppose that by doing my brothers paper round Ive been forced to confront a situation that was going to happen sooner rather than later, anyway my eyes are getting worse and that a lot of the time I need to be wearing my glasses. Im not sure what my current prescription is, but my frames were the kind you get free when youre a child. I dont think I spent that much time choosing them as I didnt really think I was going to have to wear them. They are black and rectangular I dont think they go too well with my colouring brown hair and eyes. I am 17. I have booked myself a sight test tomorrow morning, partly because I dont think that even with my glasses my vision is as clear as it should be and partly because since Ive accepted that Ive got to wear my glasses more, I want to get some frames I feel comfortable in. I havent decided how often Im going to wear my new glasses yet, but I think it will be a lot of the time.

Phil 03 Apr 2006, 03:35

SamA. That's great. So what did you say in answer to her? It sounds to me as if you are now a fulltime gwg! Well done!

SamA 03 Apr 2006, 02:31

I wore the glasses to lunch with my boyfriend and his parents, and the only comment I got was 'Oh, I didn't know you wore glasses. Do you need them all the time?' from his mum. His dad didn't even notice! My boyfriend said I looked sweet, but that was it! No trauma at all!

Mustafa Parov Binzoon 02 Apr 2006, 16:25

Serious Mr.Puffin. Help I need. I must have tri-focalling ocular eyewear support in order read Turkish,Russian,and Dutch all at once. Unfortunately I am monastery in Moldova. All glasses magazines destroyed by cannon-shot.

I beg leave to remain,sir,most cordially yours,Mustafa

Puffin 02 Apr 2006, 15:33

Great name there

Mustafa Parov Binzoon 02 Apr 2006, 15:28

Hello from Turkey,Russia, and the Netherlands!

Julian 31 Mar 2006, 03:25

Martin: I was interested to read your post on Wednesday, and I see no one has responded to it, so here goes:

I feel a certain amount of sympathy for you, but not all that much. After all, your experience on Wednesday did no more than make you face a fact that you've been resolutely shutting your eyes to: that you are short-sighted and need glasses to see properly. How did you come to be fitted with glasses two years ago and never (or hardly ever) wear them? You've used your mates' notes to compensate for your bad vision; you've ignored the increasing blur; now you've landed in a situation where the obvious remedy was the only oneand what happened? Although you say you don't like the idea of having to wear glasses, when you actually put them on you were so comfortable in them that you forgot to take them off, and when somebody commented on them you still kept them on, and when you got home you still preferred wearing them to going without. What, I wonder, have you done about them yesterday and today?

Two pieces of advice: with your eyesight it no longer makes any kind of sense (if it ever did) to go out without having your glasses handy; and it makes most sense to carry them on your nose!

If you don't like the way you look in the pair you've got that's easily remedied: two years on you're obviously due for another test, and probably a stronger prescription. Take time and care over choosing frames that look good on you.

How old are you? What's your present Rx? What are the frames like that you dislike so much?

SamA 31 Mar 2006, 00:06

Hi, thanks for the replies

I'm going out for lunch with my boyfriend and his parents so will wear them then and see how I feel!

ChrisB 30 Mar 2006, 14:54

SamA,

when your optician says they are for distance only -he/she means wear them for everything except reading or close work. That's what distance is. He/she might equally have said 'wear them all the time except for reading. If you left them on while reading you would find you could read OK - but might get a headache after an hour or so.

Maybe the only doubt is whether you would wear them to watch TV. I wouldn't - watch TV that is, most of it is rubbish!!!

Just think of yourself as a glasses wearer from now on and consider that about 50% of the males you meet will think you more attractive because of the glasses - of the remaining 50% most will think you no less attractive. Only a tiny percentage will think you less attractive because of the glasses. Don't bother about them, they are probably the sort of person that enjoys sitting at home watching TV.

ChrisB

Phil 29 Mar 2006, 23:57

SamA Your specs sound nice and you seem to be comfortable about idea of wearing them. If I were you I'd go fulltime and enjoy wearing them. Get a second pair if you can afford it and use them as a fashion accessory. Most men will think they enhance your looks!

George1968 29 Mar 2006, 15:35

SamA,

You don't need permission from your optician (or anyone for that matter) about how often you wear your glasses. That's up to you. Your prescription is such that a lot of people wear them all the time, but others choose not to. You don't seem to be strongly against the idea.

That being said, I think you know you've answered your own question. Enjoy wearing your glasses, and be happy that your boy friend and family will agree with your decision to go fulltime.

NNY 29 Mar 2006, 13:10

I'm in my mid 40's.

Sphere +0.25 Cyl -1.75

Sphere 0.00 Cyl -1.25

When I first got glasses in my early 20's the sphere was +0.50, + 0.25 with much less cylinder. In the following years my sphere peaked at +0.75, +0.50 while the cylinder increased.

In the last 4 years the cylinder has stayed the same (except for slight changes in axis) while the sphere dropped to what it is now. The increasing astigmatism makes sense but the change in direction for the sphere seems strange.

When in the exam do they determine the + sphere? Is it when he slides the printed text towards your eyes and asks when it becomes blurry? If he does it with the machine wouldn't you need to be looking at something close-up?

I've also wondered if an eye doc didn't know your prescription and had to do it from scratch would they arrive at the same Rx. If I went to a new eye doc would it make a difference not having my current Rx in their files?

Anyone know about this?

Martin 29 Mar 2006, 09:28

Interesting what you say, Sam, I've just come across this thread having had a not dissimilar experience. I've had glasses a couple of years, but haven't really had to wear them much, or I've tried to avoid wearing them - sitting near the front in class or copying from my mates. For the past few months things have been getting quite blurry without my glasses, such as recognising people across the street, but I've not done anything about it. Today, I filled in for my brother on his paper round and actually couldn't cope - couldn't read street names or house numbers clearly enough. I had to rush back home and get my glasses to complete the delivery. Having made an extra trip back home, I only had time to change quickly for school after my paper round. I didn't actually think about the fact that (very unusually) I had my glasses on, it was only when one on my mates commented on my glasses at school I realised I was still wearing them.

I've worn them for most of the day today, but I took them off when I got home. Things looked quite out of focus without them and they are back on now. I don't like the idea of having to wear glasses (or the way I look, at least in his pair). It's quite upsetting to realise that there are things I can no longer do without glasses.

29 Mar 2006, 09:25

SamA 29 Mar 2006, 09:13

Is rx the same as prescription? I'm guessing it is. Its -1.75 in one eye and -2.25 in the other. Not really sure how strong this is though, its less than yours phil and you say you don't wear them all the time.

I don't mind wearing glasses, they're sort of oval-rectangle and silver with black plastic arms.

Julian 29 Mar 2006, 04:43

OK Sam, in view of what you say I think you definitely would be more comfortable wearing them all the time, though you still might prefer to take them off for close work.

Phil 29 Mar 2006, 04:19

It's up to each individual to decide Sam. I'm -3.5 and I don't wear all the time-though that's cos I'm a bit odd! Many people with only -.5 or -1 wear fulltime. If you find it blurry without glasses wear them. What is your rx by the way? Are you happy in specs? What frames do you have?

SamA 29 Mar 2006, 03:59

Julian thanks for your reply. I got a new prescription a couple of months ago and its since then really that I've noticed when I don't have them on. Is there a certain prescription that you get to when everyone wears them all the time?

Julian 29 Mar 2006, 00:34

SamA: I think you need to make a slight change: instead of leaving your glasses off and putting them on when you think you need them, make a habit of wearing them but take them off for close work. That could actually be what your optician meant. You say you've had them three years and you're getting more problems seeing; what you should maybe be asking your optician is whether it's time for a stronger prescription.

myopeinhere 29 Mar 2006, 00:20

Seems to me you've answered your own question,don't wear them blurry,wear them clear vision,hmm difficult one.

SamA 29 Mar 2006, 00:01

I wear glasses for distance things, like concerts, reading boards and driving. I've worn them for about 3 years. I always put them on whenever I have to look at anything in the distance. But last week I forgot them twice, once at a music concert, where I couldn't see my friends playing in the orchestra waving to me! And the other time was at the cinema so I ended up having to move forwards so the screen wasn't as blurry. I also find that I can't see people properly in the street until they're fairly close to me. So I was wondering whether I should start wearing them all the time. I wasn't sure because my optician has always said they are for distance only. Would it be bad for my eyes to wear them all the time? My boyfriend thinks I should and so do my parents. My mum wears glasses all the time and she says she was never told, she just started one day.

What do people think, should i go back to my optician and ask him if it would be OK to wear them all the time?

MoFo 27 Mar 2006, 15:06

Ahh indeed, I think she looks amazing.

Well day 3, and she's still wearing them. I took a look through them today, and phwoar do they seem strong to me. Still can't grasp the seemingly low prescription!

Well she loves them, and thats all that matters.

Ta muchly for the help :)

Julian 25 Mar 2006, 17:28

...to love the way she looks in glasses.

MoFo 25 Mar 2006, 13:04

Pretend what?

Julian 25 Mar 2006, 09:47

MoFo: it's great that you don't even have to pretend!

Anonymous MoFo 25 Mar 2006, 07:45

Thanks Julian, we picked up her new frames today, straight away I could tell she was much more comfortable and relaxed.

I've not shut up complimenting her, and have now found that I cant stop looking into her big eyes =)

the new lenses certainly cause a fair amount of .. er the opposite of cut - in, and I cant imagine her takign them off now as she hasnt stopped telling me how clear everthing is!

Cheers for the help

New Girl 25 Mar 2006, 05:53

New glasses are Kate Spade olive greenish modified cat eyes with very thin lenses! Sorry, don't understand the love here of those old thick lenses!

Julian 25 Mar 2006, 00:28

Anonymous MoFo: certainly if she wears her glasses full time it will get harder for her to focus without them. That's the trade-off for getting rid of headaches and eyestrain.

Trent 24 Mar 2006, 19:25

I started a new job working in an office, after one week I had to give up wearing contacts. Three weeks without lenses I found my vision had changed significantly. I could not focus near or far. A vision test revealed that my cylinder had increased L-0.50 and R-0.25 and my add went up +0.25 My Rx is now:

-8.00, -2.75, +2.00

I have to believe that the contacts kept my astigmatism in check. Tomorrow I pick up the new lenses. Hope my vision improves.

Anonymous MoFo 24 Mar 2006, 17:01

"Anonymous poster (why not invent a name for yourself): one explanation is that your friend has more hyperopia than her prescription suggests; but because she doesn't wear her glasses it remains latent. Hyperopes can see clearly without by continually using the focusing power which is meant for near objects. Using it all the time causes the strain. Perhaps if she starts wearing her specs her eyes will relax until she is able to tolerate the lenses she really needs. She may not like this, but she will feel a lot better in all sorts of ways. She'll also look better!"

Thanks for this response. The optician was aware that she rarely wears her glasses - so what you say could be true.

She has told me that she will wear the glasses full time, from what you've written, this will make her eyes relax, and in turn would it make it harder for her to focus without the correction in the future?

Thanks again.

Clare 24 Mar 2006, 14:31

Hi New Girl

Mine are O2Optics and they're SO comfortable. Try them!

On the heredity of myopia: neither my mother nor my father is myopic, in fact none of my family bar my cousin, she's a year or so older than me, we're the only myopes in the family and I'd hazard a guess that we're not too different in prescription. Funny though, the guys in the family show no signs. She now has two beautiful, but myopic daughters.

Lauren 24 Mar 2006, 11:28

New Girl, I guess you could be right! Just curious because of my farsightedness and not that im pregnant now, but Im sure that time will come soon enough!

What kind of 'Oh so cute' glasses did you end up choosing??

Russky 24 Mar 2006, 09:40

A cho tut tak mnogo russkih imeun na etom site?

I pochemu text odinakovy?

Myopic Moil 24 Mar 2006, 08:11

This website is Great! I will recommend you to all my friends. I found so much useful things here. Thank you.

This commercial is brought to you by "Blind Moil" brand Bris Soup, the only high proteen sustenance guaranteed to make a man of you. The high proteen wasn't intended, but it's the best I can do under the circumstances.

New Girl 24 Mar 2006, 06:03

Lauren - I would imagine that farsightedness could be affected in pregnancy too. I mean, if the shape of the eyeball changes due to hormonal pregnancy changes, the change coujld go both ways, right?

New GIrl 24 Mar 2006, 06:00

Hey Clare what brand are the silicone hydrogels? In my last post I didn't mean that I would NEVER go back to contacts of course! While the glasses are fun since they are so new, I know I'll still want the relative freedom of contacts back at some point. (although if I keep getting glasses so cute as these, one never knows). But I also will never have lasik! That freaks me out.

To another point, did I read somewhere that the nearsightedness is passed on by the mother only or is it by both the mother and the father to the children? My dad was the only nearsighted one in my family - my sisters are not nearsighted - I was the only gwg in my family. Just curious and wondering what will happen with my kids.

Julian 24 Mar 2006, 00:20

'without correction' I meant to say

Julian 24 Mar 2006, 00:20

Anonymous poster (why not invent a name for yourself): one explanation is that your friend has more hyperopia than her prescription suggests; but because she doesn't wear her glasses it remains latent. Hyperopes can see clearly without by continually using the focusing power which is meant for near objects. Using it all the time causes the strain. Perhaps if she starts wearing her specs her eyes will relax until she is able to tolerate the lenses she really needs. She may not like this, but she will feel a lot better in all sorts of ways. She'll also look better!

If you care about her, make her put her glasses on (if you haven't already seen her wearing them) tell her she is hot in them, and beg her to wear them for you because the sight of her in glasses turns you on!

No idea what 'DJ' means. Anyone else?

Lauren 23 Mar 2006, 22:02

On the topic of pregnancy, does anyone know if farsightedness is affected during pregnancy, or post? Thank You

23 Mar 2006, 15:33

I'm in a relationship with a farsighted girl who has just had her prescription updated.

I knew she had been told to wear glasses all the time, but she never did. You could tell she is always straining, and had trouble reading small text. She also got 2 cysts (sp?) in one of her eyes, and when she had them removed - was told they were caused by too much strain on her eyes.

I was suprised when she got her prescription as it was only +1.50 and +1.25 in her right and left eye respectivly.

For her cyl - it says DJ. Not sure what this means.

She has been told again to wear her glasses all the time - but im not sure if this is normally recomended for what I thought is a fairly weak prescription.

Anyone shed any light on this?

Clare 23 Mar 2006, 13:22

New Girl - people here will naturally *hate* me for talking contacts but here goes. I had the same thing that you've experienced, dryness meaning I just wanted to get the things out, so I switched to silicone hydrogels and the problem is, well, gone!! Maybe happy as you are, but I'd certainly recommend them.

Clare 23 Mar 2006, 13:20

ehpc 23 Mar 2006, 12:45

Hi New Girl........................GWGs are just the best:) You are one of them:) Pete

New Girl 23 Mar 2006, 12:04

Re prescrip increase - thanks Slit - if it DOES decrease after baby then I will just get new lenses put in my new glasses - I love them! It's been a long time since I have worn glasses full time. It's a bit hard to get used to the "different" way you see out of glasses as opposed to contacts but I have to say that I've had so many compliments. AND I can see again! I didn't realize how much I wasn't seeing. I live in NYC - do lots of walking/riding subway and suppose I'd gotten used to NOT seeing certain stuff. I can actually see my kid across the playscape in the park once again - instead of looking for the color of what she's wearing!

And hey guys - what a wild website! I'll never feel the same way about my vision again!

Slit 22 Mar 2006, 01:13

Hi New Girl...

As i have heard, its natural to have the prescription steeply increase during pregnancy due to some hormonal changes.

Probably it may reduce after the child delivary.

I guess there are many experienced people on this issue on this forum.

Lucy 21 Mar 2006, 22:30

I didn't know there were places like this where people actually liked glasses either.

Lucy 21 Mar 2006, 22:29

Guest

I never thought about it like that but I think glasses can be a great accessory.

PJ 21 Mar 2006, 16:24

Have been reading with interest about weak prescriptions. My wife at 42 had

R -0.25, -0.25, 55

L +0.25, -0.5 , 115

as a first prescription a year ago and enjoys wearing her glasses almost fulltime, mostly to please me I think, but says they fine tune everything.can I hope for stronger prescription in the future, or is a reading add all I can expect?

OttO 21 Mar 2006, 13:49

Sarah:

My experience is similar to yours. Last year I went for an exam after 8 yrs. Both add and astigmatism went up, but myopia went down. Add went from 1.50 to 2.25 while sph went L from -4.75 to -3.00, R from -3.50 to -3.00. My opthalmologist says this is not at all unusual. Apparently it's pretty common. Just goes with the normal progression of presbyopia!

Guest 20 Mar 2006, 22:08

Lucy

That's a neat prescription. What was it before and how do you feel about the increase and having to wear them more?

Guest 20 Mar 2006, 22:06

David L

It's likely you will get an increase in your prescription. If it gets to -1.75 or more you'll probably want to wear them full time, either way the eye dr probably won't tell you, you'll have to decide for yourself.

George1968 20 Mar 2006, 19:44

Lucy,

My prescription is almost the same as yours. I only wear them part of the day -- when I am awake. I refused to go fulltime until a couple years ago. Now, I wouldn't think of going out without them on.

David L. 20 Mar 2006, 19:02

Hey, I have a glasses prescription of -1.50L -1.25R, which I use mainly for driving but as of late its been difficult to see alot of things in the distance including people. I'm 22 and havent had an eye test in about 3 1/2 years, how much worse might are my eyes? I have an eye test wednesday will the doctor tell me to wear glasses all the time? thanks.

New Girl 20 Mar 2006, 15:18

This is my first post here; I'm not sure whether this is the proper thread for this question but here goes!

I am pregnant for the 2nd time at age 38. With 1st pregnancy(4 years ago), no real issue with prescription or wearing contacts. This time is so different - my eyes seem so dry and I can't get through the day without taking them out. I've never been an enthusiastic glasses wearer, and actually had not been to the eye doctor for 3 years; I buy contacts online and they never seem to check the up to date-ness of the prescription anyhow. i thought that the prescription could be outdated(bluriness etc) and knew it for sure when I tried wearing my outdated glasses full time(which were even older than the most recent contacts prescription). After my appointment Saturday I was shocked and amazed at the jump in strength;

rt eye was -5.5 3 years ago, now it's -7.75/-1/95

lt eye was -5.75, now its -8/-1.5/95! The dr said this is for glasses only, the contacts will be a bit weaker(but he said only by -.5 or so? He did note that strengths can change with pregnancy but that this did seem unusual and that we'd watch it closely. I had never had a jump like that EVER - most was like .50 in one year when I was in high school.

Sorry to go on but it has me a bit freaked out and I'm wondering what the repercussions could be? Just so you know I thought that nearsightedness steadied out in your 30's?

However I did pick out some cute Kate Spade frames which perked me up a bit. I was amazed at how thin they are, albeit I sure paid more than I've ever paid for glasses!

Lucy 20 Mar 2006, 13:43

Hi George. The answer is alot more than my previous glasses. I was getting problems with my right eye in particular and now I know it was probably undercorrected. So I decided if I'm going to wear them more I'll have more than 1 pair. That's if Zenni Optical deliver of course! You?

Smudgeur 20 Mar 2006, 00:02

Hi Sarah

How old are you? I'm guessing early 40s given the reading difficulties which would be quite normal. The improvement in your distance vision seems a little more unusual however - maybe one of our experts will be able to explain that.

Welcome to our forums - you will find people here both knowledgeable and friendly.

George1968 19 Mar 2006, 15:30

Lucy,

How often do you wear your glasses?

Sarah 19 Mar 2006, 14:31

Hi. First ever post. Have worn glasses for many years and although only a low prescription have always been full time. I did have a -1.75 in both eyes up until Friday when I was told I should get Varifocals as my near vision is getting poor - and I had noticed that. I have a +1.00 in each now for the near work but my distance vision is now -0.75/-1.50. Strange why that has gone down - any ideas?

A great site this is - found following Fridays eyetest.

Lucy 19 Mar 2006, 14:17

I just posted on the online retailers section of this site. There's a link for a great pair of glasses i've ordered. As this thread is called Post Your Prescription I will - -2.75 L -3.25R. This is a new prescription for me.

CircleBox 15 Mar 2006, 21:45

I have ordered many pairs of glasses online but 1 out of 5 look bad on me so I am just going to go and find frames that look good and get a stronger RX than I really need. I wish it were easier and everyone understood people having a glasses fetish!

Bronwyn 15 Mar 2006, 12:13

lazysiow

how r u and your wonderfully weak prescription?

Bronwyn 15 Mar 2006, 11:44

actually, that is a totally awesome prescription u have!

Bronwyn 15 Mar 2006, 11:39

that is an awesome prescription!

Cactus Jack 15 Mar 2006, 09:50

CircleBox,

If you would like to order some glasses online, you really don't need to bother eith a prescription form. Let me know if you need some help with what to put in the various boxes.

Katy 15 Mar 2006, 09:06

No problem - have sent it. I hope it is similar to your US forms.. it might need some adjustments if not :-)

CircleBox 15 Mar 2006, 05:56

Katy- would you mind e-mailing that to me? That would be great! marinekl@uwec.edu

Thank you!!!

Katy 15 Mar 2006, 03:36

'or even use the lenses for'.. glazing the new frames.

Katy 15 Mar 2006, 03:34

CircleBox - I doubt whether a real optician would do that - it wouldn't be worth it for the trouble they could get into. Apart from buying online, there are 2 fairly easy ways to get the lenses you want.. 1 = order a really cheap pair online (should be around £15) and take these to the optician and ask them to make your glasses with the same rx (or even use the lenses for; 2 = scan an old rx into your computer and use Photoshop to get rid of all the writing so you are left with a blank form, then print it out, fill it in and sign it. I have a form like that I can email if you want - I'm assuming the police aren't going to come & arrest me! :-)

R 14 Mar 2006, 23:35

i ahve a prescription of -0.5 -0.25 X 90 astigmatism. I know poeple on thissite have said sucha scrip isnt worth getting but beleieve me it is. recently i wore my glasses to a gig - when i looked over the top and saw how much worse i would be seeing iwthout them I realised how useful they were. My vision seems to begetting worse, yet after to exy exams 6 months apart (the last one three months ago) it hasnt changed). Howevever when i hold my spare pare over my current pair lines in the distance are certainly more defined. Could my prescription ahve changed since december? btw im 20.

lazysiow 14 Mar 2006, 22:58

you can just order them online.

No one ever checks

CircleBox 14 Mar 2006, 21:07

Does anyone know an optician as a friend that would mail me a prescription? Only around -4 because my eyes can only focus on something that strong. If I had an actual prescription from a real optician I could just go and have a complete set of glasses made rather than buying a pair of glasses and sending them off to somewhere for weeks to get lenses put in them. It would save me a lot of hassel. I would pay a small amount for the prescription as well. Let me know if anyone knows an optician that is willing to do this!!!

Wayne_D 13 Mar 2006, 14:31

Cactus Jack,

I'd like you to post the explanation please. Thanks.

Wayne - I've been following this site for several years now but only rarely post.

presbyopia_23 11 Mar 2006, 05:28

bronwyn, I havent seen Beth around. I dont think it matters if people tell her to wear glasses or not, its up to her if she wants to wear them or not. No one can really tell her what to do. If she is that unhappy without glasses, she can quit wearing them. She sees 20/20 without, 20/15 with so either way she sees much better without glasses than I see with glasses!

Cactus Jack 10 Mar 2006, 17:42

hangdogkitty,

It is really unfortunate that more Eye Care Professional ECP) don't try to help obstinate parents understand why their offspring needs glasses. One way would be to let them wear a trial frame for a few minutes with the reverse of the child's Rx.

Admittedly, there are plenty of problems associated with this idea. I think a well written plain language brochure promoting The opportunity to see the world the way your child sees it would probably go a long way toward fostering understanding. Also, it would demonste the ECPs concern for the welfare of the child, if it was described as a Special No Charge Service for concerned parents.

As I picture it, the ECP could offer the brochure to the parent to read while the childs exam was being conduced. If the childs Rx was appropriate and the parent decided to accept the offer, the ECP could do a quick, 1 minute, retinoscopy (explained in the brochure) to find out the parents approximate Rx. With the parents approximate Rx, the ECP could compensate the reverse of the childs Rx in the trial frame for an accurate simulation.

It would be interesting to see what happens if an ECP tried it..

Wayne_D

Curt is right. While the formula is the same for calculating the focal distance for both plus and minus lenses, your question goes the heart of the difference between myopia and hyperopia and why minus lenses are used for myopia and plus lenses are used for hyperopia. Ill be happy to try to post a fairly detailed, plain English explanation, but it will be a little long.

What would you like me to do?

Wayne 10 Mar 2006, 15:49

hangdogkitty,

As you say, there are parents who want to insist that their kids don't need glasses. They insist their kids don't have imperfections. They fear their son becoming a nerd or their daughter unable to attract a man.

When I was young I knew a 16 yo guy whose rx was at least -5 probably a little more. His mother was constantly telling him to take of his glasses as they'd "ruin" his eyes. As soon as she wasn't around, he'd put his glasses on so he could see. I once ran across the family in a cafeteria. He was leaning down and close trying to choose his food. His mother told him to keep his nose out of the food. She wouldn't believe he had to get that close to see it.

Of course there are also many parents who fight with their kids to get them to wear their glasses when they don't want to.

Wayne_D,

The first time I've seen another Wayne on here. I guess I'm not the only one any more ;-)

Curt 10 Mar 2006, 12:32

Wayne: There is no difference. By definition:

Diopters = 1/focal length in meters

1 meter = 39.37 inches

Minus lenses have a negative focal length; plus lenses have a positive one. Pick up a physics text book and look at the ray diagrams for both types of lenses; it will help explain this.

Wayne_D 10 Mar 2006, 11:53

I meant 39.37 not 39.5.

Wayne_D 10 Mar 2006, 11:51

Cactus Jack,

Regarding calculating the focusing distance by dividing the diopters of a minus lens into 39.5 - how do you apply that if it is a plus lens? Thanks

bronwyn 09 Mar 2006, 15:25

presbyopia 23

did u ever hear how beth's eye exam went? I haven't!

task 09 Mar 2006, 15:23

yeah, it was said i could wear them all the time, just not so sure i want too

Cactus Jack 09 Mar 2006, 14:24

task,

Thanks. I suspect that if you decide to get the Rx filled, you will find them comfortable for working with the computer and reading.

Was any thing said about wearing them for distance?

task 09 Mar 2006, 14:01

just started a computer course and have been fairly tired recently and occasionly found it hard to focus for long periods of time

Cactus Jack 09 Mar 2006, 13:49

task,

May I ask your age and what prompted you to have an exam?

task 09 Mar 2006, 12:59

just been prescribed

R/L +0.75 cyl 0.25 axis 90

haven't had it filled yet though, not sure if i will.

Julian 09 Mar 2006, 10:23

Cactus Jack: I'm surprised presbyopia_23 hasn't jumped down your throat for saying, "As a myope, by reading with your glasses, you are using your focusing muscles and keeping your internal lenses flexible." He expounds the contrary wisdom that doing as you suggest induces more myopia. Both arguments seem to make sense, but they can't both apply to everybody. I guess 'you pays your money and you takes your choice' ::)

hangdogkitty 09 Mar 2006, 09:10

this is a coommon problem with mothers. they often seem to give thier kids a hard time about wearing glasses. Most probably if they were not the one to initiate the trip to the eye dr. its very tiresome and causes the opposite effect than whats probably intended: to keep the offspring as attractive and healthy as possible - it just adds self consciousness and self doubt to the existing vision problems.

Also, people who tell other people that they "do not need" their glasses are really irritating. Such comments are never helpful!

myofan 09 Mar 2006, 07:54

Girl Guest,

I'd imagine that with a focus distance of about 3.5 inches, reading anything without glasses would be really difficult. I wonder why your mother doesn't get it -- when you show her how far you can see, it should be pretty obvious that you can't do too much without glasses.

BTW the 1 meter number (dividing 39.37 inches by your prescription in diopters) may not be that accurate because of astigmatism, the amount of light, and your tolerance for blur. How close is your point to 3.5 inches?

Cactus Jack 09 Mar 2006, 07:40

TK,

Yes! Some believe that presbyopia really begins at a very early age, perhaps even at birth. The very young have more than +10 diopters of focusing power that gradually decreases. Typically, reduced focusing power doesn't become a problem until you are in your 30s or 40s, but it can happen at any age.

Genetetics seems to be the biggest factor, but type of refractive error (hyperope or myope), ciliary muscle conditioning and focusing activity (not using your internal lenses for focusing close) play a role.

As a myope, by reading with your glasses, you are using your focusing muscles and keeping your internal lenses flexible. Enjoy while you can, it won't last forever.

Girl Guest 09 Mar 2006, 00:14

The 39 inch divided by your prescription was interesting. At -11 it clearly explains why I cannot use the computer without glasses. I tried to explain this to my mother (no one else is myopic) and she did not understand. I even tried reading the newspaper without glasses. Very frustrated.

presbyopia_23 07 Mar 2006, 14:23

I am almost 24 and I have mild presbyopia. If he needs to be 12 inches away to see clearly, his myopia is now -3.25 and his underpowered glasses let him see clear from 12 inches. I can see from 12 inches close with my -3.25 glasses, but I almost always read without glasses because my natural myopia of -4 lets me see clear from 10 inches.

TK 07 Mar 2006, 13:36

Cactus Jack

Did you really mean presbyopia, at 32?? I don't think I can have that as I can read quite comfortably at 12 inches even with my glasses on. I think you're right though that it's the difference between my 2 eyes being more obvious. My eyes sometimes get fatiged if I don't wear my glasses for distance but the fatige at near is new. The easy answer may be just to keep my glasses on. I'll try it and see how it goes.

Cactus Jack 07 Mar 2006, 08:13

TK,

Not needing glasses for near work depends on several factors including actual Rx, age, astigmatism, and in your situation, difference between the eyes.

If the difference is significant, as in "monovision", where one eye is corrected for distance and the other is corrected for near, the brain can easily select the best image for the situation and ignore the other.

Because your difference is relatively small (but not insignificant at your working distances), when combined with the beginnings of presbyopia, it can become annoying.

If you want to try a simple experiment, get some low power readers or computer glasses in the +1.00 or +1.25 range or, better yet, if you can find them, clip on readers, and wear them over your glasses while using the computer and see if they help.

TK 07 Mar 2006, 07:56

Thanks for your interest Cactus Jack. Im 32 and wearing my glasses now Im sitting 23 inches back from the screen. The 12 inches measurement is where I typically tend to position myself as I dont usually wear my glasses for reading or the computer I feel more comfortable at this distance. The different focusing points is interesting point I have noticed it in the past but not realised what it was. If that is the case, is that common. I read in lots of places that minus prescriptions dont need correction for near work.

Cactus Jack 07 Mar 2006, 07:12

TK,

What is your working distance with your glasses? Also, what is your age?

The formula for calculating focus distance is (in inches) 39.37 divided by the power of the lens in diopters. In this instance, your glasses are neutralizing 2.25 and 2.75 D of excessive plus in your eyes optical system. Up to a point, a nearsighted person has natural reading glasses when not corrected.

Your -2.25 eye focuses at 17.5 inches and your -2.75 eye focuses at 14 inches (without accommodation). I suspect two possibilities:

1. You are noticing the difference in focus points without your glasses.

and/or

2. The convergence required at 12 inches is more than you are accustomed to.

It is possible that presbyopia is is a factor. If you use the computer a lot and if this continues, you may want to consider some computer glasses with the Rx matched to your normal working distance. Let me know if you need assistance calculating the Rx.

TK 07 Mar 2006, 01:12

Without my glasses about 12 inches.

Cactus Jack 07 Mar 2006, 00:25

TK,

What is the distance from your normal eye position to the computer screen.

TK 07 Mar 2006, 00:21

I have -2.25 and -2.75 and don't usually wear my glasses to read. Today my eyes felt a little tired - although I'm not - So I put them on at the computer and the fatigue went away. Is this usual?

presbyopia_23 06 Mar 2006, 02:10

I know what presbyopia is like. I am a -4 in the better eye and take my glasses off to read. I was thinking of bifocals but myopes dont really need them when they see great by taking their glasses off :)

Rick J 05 Mar 2006, 10:48

C. Thank's for the info. I am 43 years old. My change in my Rx is -.50 and -.25. I don't think that is to much of a change in my Rx in 2 years. Think I'll try progressive lenses.

Cactus Jack 05 Mar 2006, 09:26

Rick J,

How much did your Rx increase and what is your age? If you have been wearing CR-39 and don't mind slightly thicker lenses continue with CR-39. Also, because it is possible you will need additional add before very long, consider the cost of high index. Progressives work for some, but it depends on your occupation and how much close work you do. Most opticians will let you try progressives and if you don't like them, will remake them in lined bifocals or refund your money. (Check their policy before ordering)

In the meantime, if you want to delay a little, you can get some over-the-counter +1.25 or +1.50 readers (depending on your current Rx) and wear them over your glasses for close work.

Hope this helps.

Rick J 05 Mar 2006, 07:38

Went for eye exam -4 -3 with +1.50 ad on. WOW can't read with my glasses, can't see without my glasses. Time for some multifocal lens. With that Rx should I get high index lens and a no line bifocal or bifocals in a plastic lens. Better makeup my mind soon.

Cactus Jack 05 Mar 2006, 06:38

Johanna Mueben

Thank you for your post of a very informative and educational record of your Rx from 3 to 22 years. The record documents a change of approximately -6 diopters in 19 years even when wearing plus glasses.

If you wouldn't mind, I have a couple of questons:

1. Prior to the recent use of reading glasses, did you use any assistance for reading such as bifocals, reading, or previous higher plus glasses?

2. Could you speculate if this reduction in hyperopia (increase in myopia) was a result of any effort on your part or your parent's part?

3. Is there any evidence of reduction or increase in the rate of change?

4. What is your occupation?

5. If yuo are a student, what are you studying?

It will be interesting to see what happens from here. I hope you will continue to document your Rx.

Thanks again,

05 Mar 2006, 06:11

Johanna Mueben

Johanna Mueben 05 Mar 2006, 02:53

My new prescription:

-1.00L CYL -0.75 AXE 160

-1.75R CYL -2.50 AXE 160

Past prescription:

Age

3 +5.00L +4.50R

5 +4.50L +3.75R

14 +3.50L CYL -1.50 AXE 60

+2.50R CYL -1.00 AXE 90

17 +2.00L CYL -1.50 AXE 90

+1.75R CYL -1.50 AXE 90

20 +1.25L CYL -1.50 AXE 160

+1.00R CYL -2.00 AXE 160

21 +0.50L CYL -2.50 AXE 160

+0.50R CYL -2.50 AXE 160

22 -1.00L CYL -0.75 AXE 160

-1.75R CYL -1.50 AXE 160

Reading glasses: +1.00L CYL -0.75 AXE 160

+0.50R CYL -1.50 AXE 160

Phil 02 Mar 2006, 00:44

Emma, how did you get on? Did you get the job?

presbyopia_23 01 Mar 2006, 11:02

Katie, its up to you. Dont let other people tell you what you should do or not. They are your eyes. You can wear glasses as much or as little as you want. You might want to wear glasses for driving, watching movies and seeing the board in college. Any other times is entirely up to you. You will find that you can see perfect for reading and using the computer bare eyed, thanks to being nearsighted. How well do you see now in each eye? 20/40? 20/50?

Curt 01 Mar 2006, 05:16

Katie: It isn't necessary to post the same question to multiple threads. Most of us here on Eyescene read all the threads that are current. You'll just end up getting the same answers multiple times from the same people.

Cactus Jack 28 Feb 2006, 19:41

concerned parent,

If your daughter's internal lenses are malformed and distorting the images on her retina, replacement with IOLs may allow normal development of the vison resources of her brain.

I have had IOLs for nearly 4 years because of cataracts and the surgery for me was very quick (about 10 minutes each) using a 3 mm incision and the results have been excellent (better than 20/20 with glasses). Typically, they only do one eye at a time because of the slight risk of infection. Mine were done 2 weeks apart.

I'm sure the procedure would be different for a 3 year old, but I suspect that an experienced pediatric opthalmologist can suggest a highly experienced opthalmic surgeon who can do an excellent job.

If she needs bi or trifocal glasses, so what. From what you have said, she seems exceptionally bright and seeing as well as she can is the important thing, no matter what it takes to do it.

Katie 28 Feb 2006, 16:32

Karen, I'm a pitcher and an outfielder, will I really need my glasses with such a low prescription more than playing softball and driving, seeing the board in class? Would I be able to go bareeyed or should I get rec specs for softball?

Karen X 28 Feb 2006, 15:58

Katie - If you need to see clearly while you play softball you could wear regular glasses and make sure you have a face guard or wear sports glasses (which should be unbreakable). With your prescription you will need glasses for other things too especially driving. Contacts are also an option but can be fiddly and are a nightmare to find if they drop out (and might be permanently damaged if they get dirty where they land)

Katie 28 Feb 2006, 15:36

Hi, I'm a 19 year old freshman in college and I'm on the softball team at Loyola. I just had some dreadful news from the eye doctor, I need glasses, I'm nearsighted, -1.25 R -1.50L, should I get rec specs, contacts, or go bareeyed for

Poptician 28 Feb 2006, 07:30

Emma - I'm not normally one to call for pictures on here (it's none of my business really, and whatever faults I have, personal intrusion isn't one of 'em), but if you could post a picture of yourself in your new glasses, I think that would be great - they sound really cool.

Phil 28 Feb 2006, 02:38

Good luck. Knock 'em dead with the cool new specs.

Emma 27 Feb 2006, 21:06

I am up early today, off to a job interview in London.

I collected my new glasses on Saturday, wow, they do appear a lot stronger, distance is a bit of a blur but getting clearer and the reading is real revelation, the print seems to jump off the page. I hope the distance thing will sort itself out fairly quickly, i will persevere .

The new frames i got are also taking a bit of getting used to, they are Guess plastic frames with the side pieces as deep as the lenses, i really like them and have had some nice comments.

27 Feb 2006, 03:18

from what i have read with lenticonus there is no choice of the matter whether or not to keep the lens in or not. i have also read that the human eye is practically full grown by the age of two. infants who have catarac surgery get it done with great success. it is actually the most succesful of all surgeries done in the u.s.a.(lens replacement)

presbyopia_23 26 Feb 2006, 16:25

dont you think shes too young to have surgury to remove the lens? Shes still growing and her eyes are changing. What if she doesnt want the surgury?

concerned parent 24 Feb 2006, 21:11

just to give some of you follow up to those of you i have talked to before about my daughter. the dr. believes my daughter(with the help of talking online) has posterior lenticonus. which will show as high myopia (-11.50)on a retinoscope even though she is seeing about 20/60 or 20/80(she i 2 we have good days and bad). the only problem is that the dr. believes it is there but can not see it yet. i have been reading that sometimes with posterior it can be hard to see it. once it is seen the lens of her eyes would likely be removed and a new lens replaced. because her myopia is lenticular she probably would see well without glasses for distance but would need them to read due to no accomodation. can anybody on here give any experiences with posterior lenticonus.

Slit 24 Feb 2006, 05:46

Emma,

Not exactly... it is not a spiral you are in.

The reality is that your eyes have been straining desparately all this time, without the much needed help to see clearly. Now they ARE RELAXING!!!

Feel good about that, you have given the treatment that your eyes deserve...trat your eyes well, coz you will not get another pair...so wear your glasses as its prescribed.

Cactus Jack 24 Feb 2006, 05:30

Newglasses,

Hmmmm! Is it possible that she likes you even more, wthh the glasses? Or merely concerned about your comfort and welfare. Either way, she could be a keeper.

newglasses 24 Feb 2006, 01:58

thanks for the answers. i must admit that i have rather gotten used to wearing glasses all the time. i find that i can see better with them than without them, although occasionally i forget them at home. but it doesn,t really matter because reading is still possible and all i get out of it are a bit tired eyes, as i used to have before i got glasses. you were completely right, cactus jack. after the first (very mild reactions) from my friends nobody seems to notice the glasses anymore. it is only my girlfriend who sometimes, when i forget them at home, aks me when we leave the house in the morning were i have my glasses....go figure ;-)

well, so long and thanks again for the competent answers.

best wishes

newglasses

Cactus Jack 23 Feb 2006, 18:25

Adam,

I forgot to ask your age.

Cactus Jack 23 Feb 2006, 18:22

Adam,

Why do you have to tell or explain to anyone that you need glasses? Millions of people do. Your friends will notice, comment, and perhaps ask to try them, for a day or so. From then on, it is no big deal. After a few weeks, they will notice if you are NOT wearing them. If someone asks you why you need glasses, just say "so I can see better".

I suggest that you review some of the posts for the last 3 or 4 months and take note of the early concerns (very similar to yours) and how these concerns quickly evaporate and turn to joy at seeing clearly and effortlessly.

Your Rx from 2 years ago was for a small amount of shortsightedness but mostly cylinder (for astigmatism) which messes up focus at all distances. I suggest you get a new exam, get some glasses if you need them, and quit sweating the small stuff.

Remember, you wear glasses for YOU not for other people and wearing them is YOUR decision.

Bronwyn 23 Feb 2006, 14:34

adam

i luv the idea and your prescription!

Adam 23 Feb 2006, 14:29

Hiya everyone great site. I have always been interested about glasses, but have never needed them. Last time i had an eye exam nearly 2 years ago, i wasnt prescribed any but the optician wrote down L=-0.25 +0.50 86 and R=-0.75 +1.00 97. She said i was too come back if i experienced any problems with driving at night, when watching sports matches or with reading thinks on tv screen. I hadnt untill recently, and now that i think i need glasses im not so sure if i like the idea. Its not the idea of having to wear them but other peoples reaction to them and if they will suit me. Im also worried about how to tell people i need glasses, which i know is very stupid!!! Any advice would be good.

Bronwyn 23 Feb 2006, 10:53

beth

i almost didn't notice your last posting. hahaha! it is torturing me!

Emma 23 Feb 2006, 10:08

Newglasses,

I was booked for an early follow up exam as i had been under prescribed and was told at this last test i would probably need an increase every 6 months to a year till i get to about +4 / 5.

I really enjoy wearing glasses now and realise i was missing so much by not being able to see as well as i thought i could

Cactus Jack 23 Feb 2006, 09:16

Newglasses,

I assume you are wearing your glasses most of the time. Because of all the close work you do, your plus Rx will probably increase more slowly than it would for someone who reads occasionally. The reason for this is you are using your focusing muscles frequently and the lens will take longer to fully relax. This is not a bad thing because it keeps the lens flexible and ciliaary muscles in condition. I would suggest at least 6 months, but no more than a year for another exam unless you notice some bluring at any distance or discomfort after long periods of close work.

Remember your concerns about wearing glsasses? I'll bet no one even notices now and they won't unless you change frame styles drastically.

23 Feb 2006, 08:54

Guido 23 Feb 2006, 04:49

newglasses: You be the judge. With a rather low prescription like yours, it is unlikely that the doctor would have underprescribed to aid your adjustment. Depending on your age, ther may still be some latent hypeopia, especially if you are young. Time will tell you, but, once again, with such a mild script you will not likely need re-examination in less than a year.

newglasses 23 Feb 2006, 02:09

i was prescribed glasses in january, the script is rather low (left and right +1.00 with some astigmatism in both eyes). i just now read about Emma's follow up and was asking myself if this is sort of standard procedure? do you suggest or think that i should too go for a follow up in a few weeks? I'm actually quite content with my glasses and see well with them. furthermore nobody (not my eye doctor nor my optician said anything about a follow up). suggestions or remarks are welcomed.

all the best

newglasses

Phil 23 Feb 2006, 01:33

I don't think you'll end up with a high rx. It's perfectly normal for someone with hyperopia to start off wearing glasses under prescribed and to increase a few times. But your rx is still pretty low and even with another increase or two you will not end up with "thick" lenses. Do you enjoy wearing your specs? I bet you can see so much more clearly! And I bet you attract some extra male attention! Most men love a gwg you know. It's amazing when one comes out of the optician's wearing new lenses for the first time isn't it? What sort of frames have you chosen?

Emma 22 Feb 2006, 23:12

I went for my follow up test yesterday, having now been a full time wearer for 8 weeks.

Optician asked if i was wearing my glaases all the time and seemed pleased when i said i was. My prescription has changed.

was R +1.25 -.75 80

L +1.00 -.50 110

New R +2.00 -1.00 80

L +1.50 -.50 110

This seems to me like a big jump , i am now worried that i my eyes will keep getting worse and am wondering if i had not gone straight to full time wear would the increase be needed, am i now in the spiral of new lenses, get used to them,eye test stronger lenses etc till i end up with a high prescription.

I chose some much nicer frames and they should be ready on Saturday.

Beth 22 Feb 2006, 19:25

Hi Karen X,

That was fun. Thanks for the idea!

Beth 22 Feb 2006, 19:23

Hi Presbyopia 23 and Bronwyn,

I meant to post earlier but.... I had a chance to go have fun. Now, I'll have my fun with you two!

It was about this time last week that I was getting ready for bed before the big day. I remember falling asleep fairly quickly. Midnight and the day in question arrived and I slumbered on. Around 4:30, only twelve hours before my appointment, I had this vivid dream of driving to my appointment and entering what looked like a house of worship. Upon entering, I immediately moved towards the alter where the chair and the doctor awaited my arrival. On one side of the aisle was Bronwyn and the defenders of "wonderfully weak" glasses. On the other side was Presbyopia 23 and optical-free lovers imploring the doctor to imploring the doctor to take my "almost useless" glasses and destroy them. I sat in the chair and the exam started- with glasses, without glasses, with glasses, without glasses, is it better with stronger, the same, weaker, nothing at all? The doctor held my glasses and just as we were all to find out if it was Presbyopia 23 or Bronwyn who was correct- the alarm went off. The morning had arrived. It was so real and I faintly remember the diagnosis in the dream.

Sorry, it is late!

Beth 22 Feb 2006, 14:50

Cactus Jack 22 Feb 2006, 13:49

Thomas,

You only need glasses to see clearly beyond 1.33 m (52 inches) with your right eye and because of the cylinder, things are probably a little fuzzy at all distances with your left eye.

Without glasses, your brain is probably selecting the best image for the conditions. I would think glasses would be useful and comfortable for driving, watching TV, reading, using the computer or whenever you want to use both eyes together. You probably don't need them for other activities.

It is probably up to you.

Bronwyn 22 Feb 2006, 13:20

thomas

very nice!

Thomas 22 Feb 2006, 13:12

Age 44

Right SPH -0.75

Left SPH -0.25 CYL -1.00

AXE 165 DP 68

Do I realy need glasses?

ehpc 21 Feb 2006, 14:11

I rather suspect that you were intended to see them Bronwyn:) Pete :)

Bronwyn 21 Feb 2006, 14:05

lazysiow

i saw your posting on actresses about your weak glasses & the osting below again. wow!

Bronwyn 21 Feb 2006, 08:26

torture is still not fair!

21 Feb 2006, 00:31

Bronwyn, you asked for Beth to tell her story in excruciating detail. You forgot to say for whom it was to be excruciating.

"Be careful what you wish (ask) for, you may get it."

Anticipation is sometimes better than the desert!

Karen X 20 Feb 2006, 22:39

Beth - I think Bronwyn will explode if she doesn't know the result of your eye test soon! Great entertainment for the rest of us - drag it out as long as you like (sorry Bronwyn)!

Bronwyn 20 Feb 2006, 22:16

beth

torture is not fair!

20 Feb 2006, 19:19

I don't know if I can hold my breath much longer.

Beth 20 Feb 2006, 19:02

Hi Bronwyn and Presbyopia 23,

Wednesday night, 2/15: Every detail? I drove home from work around 5:00 and did not deliberately wear my glasses, Presbyopia 23. I changed my clothes and got my clothes ready for Thursday. Do I need to tell you what I planned to wear? I did think about my appointment the next day. I rode my elliptical for 30 minutes while watching television (without glasses!) I mad a few calls, checked my e-mail, posted to Bronwyn, and made dinner (leftovers from a date). I went down the hall to a friend's apartment. I brought my glasses and asked her to take my picture with my glasses on. She has heard all about this saga. Anyways, I have your picture, Bronwyn. We watched television but mostly talked. Other people came over too. I went home a little after 10:00. I got ready for bed. I did wonder what would happen at tomorrow's appointment. Would I still need my glasses or not?

It is time to get ready for bed. I will leave you two to wonder.

Bronwyn 18 Feb 2006, 15:20

beth

please yes, all the details! start from the wednesday night and all of the next day thru your appointment. what thought were going through your mind? did you get that picture taken? did you wear your wonderfully weak glasses all day prior to your appointment? tell everything about your appointment, PLEASE!!!

presbyopia_23 18 Feb 2006, 13:41

thanks for correcting me. If someone was already a latent hyperope, he will become more hyperopic as he gets older. However if someone is plano, he may only end like a +2 to +3. I dont know how much of my myopia is real, id probably say -2.5 diopters. I am a -4 now but some of it is pseudomyopia. This means I could probably be very near plano as I get older. I may find myself needing glasses for reading where I once saw great from near without glasses!

Beth, share the news once you have the time and chance! If your told the choice is yours, are you happy with glasses which get you from 20/20 to 20/15 with glasses?

Julian 18 Feb 2006, 12:05

Presby: The more you post, the more sceptical I get about your dogmatic utterances. Quite obviously Karol has been a latent hyperope, now becoming manifest, and is experiencing the normal difficulty in accepting the full correction of +5 or 6. (This is clearly documented in an ancient copy of Duke-Elder's 'Practice of Refraction' which I have on my shelves. It is not a case of becoming hyperopic but of already being hyperopic and learning to relax and escape from eyestrain.

To be really unkind, I shall be so amused if Beth's ophthalmologist has demonstrated that, good vision or not, her glasses are benefiting her in some way that you have refused to take into account.

Love and kisses, Jules.

(p.s. Karol, beth, sorry to talk about you rather than to you. J)

-- 18 Feb 2006, 09:50

Presbyopia_23, I beg to differ. My aunt never wore glasses until she hit her 40s and now in her 60s she is wearing something around +6 for distance.

Karol is already wearing +3.25 and +4.5 for near in her more hyperopic eye. Why do you think she can only get to +2? Or am I misunderstanding you?

Beth 18 Feb 2006, 07:50

Hi Presbyopia 23 and Bronwyn,

Everything? ALL the details? I am going out so I can't do it right now. I will do it as soon as I get the chance. I am sorry that I didn't get back to both of you sooner but I went out Thursday night and last night.

Karen X 18 Feb 2006, 04:49

Karol - I'm sure you will look fine if you get stronger lenses in the future. A few months ago a friend of mine had to start wearing glasses full time. Her prescription is +4.25 and +4.75 which is a bit stronger than her old glasses she had for reading. She is 26 and looks great in her glasses (they do magnify her eyes a bit). She wasn't surprised when her optician said she should wear her new glasses all the time as she had started to wear her old ones a lot more. She noticed distances were clearer with her glasses so at first wore them for driving then gradually wore them for longer periods. She's worn reading glasses since she was 12.

Cactus Jack 17 Feb 2006, 20:39

CircleBox: CR-39 is relatively low index and therefore would be thicker than any other commonly available material.

CircleBox 17 Feb 2006, 20:25

I want to order glasses online but was wondering if CR 39 or glass lenses would be thicker... I am only ordering a -4 so I can actually see with the glasses but the thicker the better...

presbyopia_23 17 Feb 2006, 20:11

Maybe Beth is enjoying being glasses free! She should never have gotten glasses in the first place though.

Old people sometimes become a little farsighted, but NOT +6. Maybe +2 or so. Since im a -4, ill be a -2 when I get old. Perfect for almost never needing reading glasses and greatly reducing my dependancy on distance glasses

Slit 17 Feb 2006, 19:53

Karol,

Oh you do not have to be shy... You are not the first person in this world to wear glasses.

If you match the right frame and type of glasses to your looks, it will add more value to your looks.

KAROL 17 Feb 2006, 16:47

Slit,

I am nearing the age when everybody needs glasses the big 40. I was getting quite a lot of headaches and a bit of double vision.The optician could not understand how I was coping without glasses.She told me that I would become very dependent on glasses in the future.She actually showed me a pair of +6 lenses.I got a bit shy of what lies ahead.

Bronwyn 16 Feb 2006, 18:50

beth

did you go? pleeeeeeease tell us every detail. I reeeeeeally want to know too. this is torture waiting to hear. where are you?

presbyopia_23 16 Feb 2006, 17:02

I am dying to know how your eye exam went! Tell us everything!

Beth 15 Feb 2006, 15:08

Hi Bronwyn,

P.S. I'm sorry that you and the others can't be spectators at my eye exam tomorrow.

Beth 15 Feb 2006, 15:04

Hi Bronwyn,

I'm going and my appointment is at 4:30. I will try to get a picture with my my glasses for you and I was planning on wearing my glasses tomorrow anyways because I don't want to have a headache when I see the opthalmologist.

Bronwyn 15 Feb 2006, 13:03

presbyopia 23

"I see no reason why he wont say you dont need your "wonderfully" weak glasses. Also get your drivers restriction removed and just stop wearing those almost useless glasses"

are you implying this about my glasses too?

Bronwyn 15 Feb 2006, 13:01

beth

this could be your last full day with your wonderfully weak glasses. are you sure that you want to go tomorrow? what time is your appointment? on lens chat the other night, many were wishing they could watch your eye exam tomorrow. do us two favors:

1. get a picture taken with your glasses on tomorrow before your appointment

2. wear your glasses all day tomorrow until the doctor tells you to take them off. cherish wearing them while you still have them

Slit 14 Feb 2006, 22:12

Hi Karol,

How old are you?

Did you also got glasses due to head aches when reading or just inability to read small print?

Are you having lined bifocals or unlined ones?

There is an interesting discussion on Multifocals thread, perhaps you can join too.

Karol 14 Feb 2006, 16:52

Hi I have been lurking for a while.6 mths ago I got glasses for the first time L+2.75,R+1.00-.25 170. The optician told me to wear these fulltime and return to her in 6 mths.I returned last week for my appointment to get the following L +3.25-.25 180 add +1.25, R+1.25 -.25 010 add +1.25. I opted for varifocals which I find excellent.I have another appointment in 6 mths again.The optician told me that I will need quite a few changes until my eyes settle.Final rx in the +5 to + 6 region

presbyopia_23 14 Feb 2006, 15:15

Why not give her a manifast refraction and give her lenses "is one or is two better" I am supprised why no one thought of that! This is what every optometrist has done to me! Use the phororaptor and use different trial lenses till they zero on my 20/30 BCVA. If that was done for her, she probably will achieve better than 20/60. Hopefully 20/20 or 20/25.

Beth, I see no reason why he wont say you dont need your "wonderfully" weak glasses. Also get your drivers restriction removed and just stop wearing those almost useless glasses

mattp 14 Feb 2006, 07:42

concerned parent--

There is a wonderful site with all kinds of opticians and patients and other eye care people discussing all kinds of lenses and vision problems. It is called optiboard, and it is easily located with a google search. You might look it up and discuss your daughter's RX there.

Beth 14 Feb 2006, 04:03

Hi Bronwyn,

I am planning on keeping my appointment. We will see what happens with my "wonderfully weak" glasses. You'll be happy to hear that I wore them yesterday for a while and also for driving.

Beth 14 Feb 2006, 03:56

Hi Presbyopia 23,

How could I forget my appointment with Bronwyn counting the hours down for my "wonderfully weak" glasses?

All4Eyes 13 Feb 2006, 16:03

Presbyopia:A question about the "squinting is cheating" thing. I thik I may have been squinting when I was refracted, would this mess things up? The dr. used an automatic machine and when I looked in it he said "Eyes wide open and no talking" (I'd said "Cool, there's a little picture in here!").

-- 13 Feb 2006, 15:23

concerned parent - please dont put too much stock in what presbyopia 23 says in your case - he is very biased against glasses and almost always advises people he has never met not to wear glasses. (yet he wears his ownbn glasess ...) He is a young guy who is just starting to research and is probably rightly feeling like he has been overcorrected. But his situation is not yours.

Please please please - follow the instructions of your doctors - they have examined your daughter. You wife might not be able to see out of your daughters glasses bacause the correction for astigmatism is too different from hers. She also probably doesn't have enough accommodation at this point to focus thru them. I cant see much out of my friends glasses even if they have a raher low minus rx (i am mildly hyperopic)

Please realise that eye drs don't prescribe high prescriptions for small kids lightly. Do follow up and find out how they have arrived at the prescription they have given you but also please come to terms with this and allow your daughter the vision correction she needs.

concerned parent 13 Feb 2006, 15:09

to presbyopia 23

my wife talked to the chief ophthamologist of a large university in florida who advised that even though he could not explain why she sees so well he said kids often see better than their perscription suggests. i just dont know if others are this extreme. he still advised us to put on her glasses. we decided to try it out for a day. now i am more confused. when my wife(whose about 20/100) put the glasses on without her contacts she could not see anything. when my daughter put them on i figured she would not see anything. she was able to see but the funny thing is she did not see any better with them on. my first thought is that they are correct because she could see. but why is she not seeing any better?if they were way to strong do you think it should be all blurry? doctors have said to me that she sees well because she is accomodating with her ciliary muscles but then could not explain it with antropine drops which paralyze those muscles. i am wondering that if the glasses are to strong could she accomodate to see with them and that is why she is not seeing any better than her naked eye? the doctor believes that amblyopia has started and thats why she does not see better. i know you said not to try and i value your opinion but i felt i had to just try and now i feel like i am back to square one. its like if she sees about 20/60 with or without what is the purpose. i am just scared that if i dont do the right thing amblyopia could set in if it has not already.

concerned parent 13 Feb 2006, 14:48

Bronwyn 13 Feb 2006, 11:01

beth

you and presbyopia 23 are probably correct about my glasses. I am nervous about the next time that I have to go for fear that I may have the same misfortune that awaits you on Thursday. 3 days more of wearing YOUR wonderfully weak glasses. my advice, don't go and keep your glasses!

fred was very nice but does not have an apprecciation of wonderfully weak glasses for gwgs. too bad!

Guest 12 Feb 2006, 22:46

Thanks. So if my =2.77 is the dominannt eye then is -2.25 and -2.75 worse than -2.50?

presbyopia_23 12 Feb 2006, 10:08

I have a prescription of -6.5 and -6.75.

Ivan, I am curious how this relates to 20/something? I have done much research on this but most of my research is on lower myopes because many eyecharts max out at 20/400 and also because theres much more low myopes than high myopes. I would think youd be 20/600, but just barely if you correct to 20/25 with glasses(20/20 may be too small because of minification) but if you still see 20/20 then your 20/600 will be a little less difficult to see. How far can you count fingers without glasses? I can estimate your 20/something based on that.

presbyopia_23 12 Feb 2006, 09:53

"I haven't tried any of that. I'm so nearsighted I doubt it would make any difference."

It would have helped if you did it years ago. You can still stop your eyes from getting even worse than your -10 or -11 script now. I used to be a -6 or near that in the worse eye now I am a little below -5 and my better eye is only -4!

You do lots of near work with your glasses and contacts so you strain your eyes and they enlongate to make near work easy. However you bump up your pescription so they enlongate again! What you need is progressive glasses, simple as that.

"She does a good job and always gets me back to 20/20"

You mentioned in a different post you cant really see 20/20 anymore because your glasses minify a fair deal and that line is too small. I cant correct to 20/20 either and im less than -5 in both eyes.

concerned parent, whatever you do, dont ruin your daughters eyes with -11 glasses when she is NOT -11 if she sees 20/80!

presbyopia_23 12 Feb 2006, 09:49

Bella, I am concerned about you. Please read this:

http://www.preventmyopia.org/

do NOT get glasses! Work to clear your vision back to normal. You may have pseudomyopia and all you need is use reading glasses when you read and in a few months your distance vision should be clear. I read without glasses, I undercorrect myself with weaker glasses and I do eye exercises and its paid off as my vision has improved!

"Does anyone know which is worse, -2.50 both eyes or -2.25 and -2.75?"

If your -2.25 is the dormant eye then its better. Thats 20/100 vision if you correct to 20/20. Not much myopia.

Beth, dont forget your opthamologist appointment on the 16th! Let us know what he says! And get the restriction on your license removed and ditch those "wonderfully" weak glasses for good!

*countinue in next post*

Cactus Jack 12 Feb 2006, 06:19

Bella: Admittedly, glasses can be a nuisance. On the other hand, blurry vision can be at the least, annoying and at the worst, a severe handicap and even dangerous.

Get over it, get an exam, get some glasses (or contacts) if you need them and wear them when YOU want to. If you need glasses to function efficiently and effortlessly, "dependency" is not an issue.

If attractiveness is your concern, well chosen frames can enhance your natural beauty (like makeup or jewlery), while squinting to see something or asking your friends what something says tends to detract.

Cactus Jack 12 Feb 2006, 05:53

guest: Vision occurs in the brain. Without correction, -2.50 is "worse". If there is a difference between the images produced by the two eyes, the brain will select the sharpest image and use what it can of the other image to fill in.

You may recall when the Hubble Space Telescope was first launched, it was discovered that there had been an error made in grinding the lenses and it was, if I recall correctly, nearsighted. Using sophisticated computer image processing and enhancement the blurry images were made usable until we could send up an astronaut and fit the HST with "glasses". Now, the images are spectacularly sharp and clear with little processing.

The brain has an excellent image processing system with several advantages. It is self programming, relatively cheap, amazingly fast, and manufactured by semi-skilled labor.

BTW, the retina is actually part of the brain and does a lot of preprocessing before sending the images to the visual cortex in the brain via the optic nerve.

Bella 12 Feb 2006, 04:35

Hiya just found this sight. I'm 20 years old and i think i need glasses. Ive never had any problems with my eyesight till a couple of weeks ago. Im having trouble seeing the board at uni if i sit near the back of the room, and seeing writing on the tv. Im abit worried about getting glasses as i don't relly want them, as i dont think i will suit them. I also dont want to be dependent on glasses? Any advice would be helpful.

Love Bella

guest (Ivan) 12 Feb 2006, 03:54

I have a prescription of -6.5 and -6.75.Needless to say my lenses are quite thick on the outer edge even though my frames are not really that big and wide.Do people really notice the edge of the lens? I mean other than someone who is drawn to that as an attraction.I sometimes feel very self conscious about it.

Guest 12 Feb 2006, 02:50

Does anyone know which is worse, -2.50 both eyes or -2.25 and -2.75?

Emily 11 Feb 2006, 20:49

I haven't tried any of that. I'm so nearsighted I doubt it would make any difference. I just let my optometrist examine my eyes and write out my new prescription, and take it to Lenscrafters to get filled. She does a good job and always gets me back to 20/20, although my lenses get a little thicker each time.

concerned parent 11 Feb 2006, 20:31

to prebyopia 23

i have read some of your posts about you trying to improve your vision. have you ever read any of the theories of dr.joseph kennebeck. some of his theories seem strange while others make a whole lot of sense. if you know of him what do you think of his theories?

Beth 11 Feb 2006, 10:54

Hi Bronwyn,

You didn't answer either of my questions! How was your chat with fred? and If we have close to the same prescription, and you insist that I will be told that I don't need my glasses, wouldn't that mean you might not need your glasses either? I noticed that Presbyopia 23 doesn't think that you need your "wonderfully weak glasses".

Bronwyn 10 Feb 2006, 12:45

beth

is that an invitation? I would luv to watch you get your eyes examined! you should get a picture taken of you wearing your wonderfully weak glasses while you still have them.

Julian 10 Feb 2006, 10:19

Wei: I think Presbyopia_23 knows his theory pretty well and has worked out a method that he believes will improve his vision. Whether your advice is good or not, he isn't going to take it. Why not leave him to get on with it and in due course report on progress?

Wei 10 Feb 2006, 09:37

Presbyopia_23. If you have presbyopia you should wear reading glasses! With right strenth plus lens you not have read too close. Wearing no glasses for reading will not help reduce myopia. But will not make worse either.

You should try not wearing outside sometimes to strenghen distance vision. I understand acuity is quite poor but is not so poor you cannot manage sometimes. If I wear glasses -5 too weak I still everything but no detail. So you can take glasses with you for putting on if needed and take when not. Of course you must wear glasses for driving and some other task.

Beth 09 Feb 2006, 17:21

Hi Bronwyn,

I am glad to hear you chatted with fred. How did it go?

I noticed that your prescription is almost the same as my so-called "wonderfully weak glasses". Sincee you insist that I will be told that I don't need my glasses next week at the opthalmologist, would that not mean that you don't need your "wonderfully weak glasses" either. Maybe you should go with me!

Beth 09 Feb 2006, 17:16

Hi Presbyopia 23,

I still have not been able to get to the DMV to get my eyes tested. I have been wearing my glasses a little less than last week. Today, I drove to work without them although I wore them home. I have not been wearing them after I get home at all.

presbyopia_23 09 Feb 2006, 16:18

without glasses I hold reading material 11 inches away. If I use reading glasses I wont see from 11 inches and ill have to move too close. I will use reading glasses when my vision improves alot then with reading glasses ill see from 11 inches. I try to go without glasses but I dont see much without them because im 20/400 so next best thing I do is wear weaker glasses

Wei 09 Feb 2006, 10:49

Presbyopia-23. You should use reading glasses for close work and keep book as far from face as be possible to read. Reading no glasses better than minus lens but reading plus glasses work much better mprovement of myopia.

Will help also if not wearing glasses outside and try focus eye at distant objects. Of course you not see very well but is training eye for distance vision. You acuity at -5 not good but you see enough for walk around outside (but of course not driving or other danger situation!!!). Use you sense to find when you can not wear glasses and train eye to look in distance.

You recall maybe I have friend is -5 but not always wear glasses. He use this method for improve vision. He start see improvements even now. I recommend you try this. One cause of myopia is too much close work. If plus lens reduce strain on eye from close work and eye trained for distance vision improvement can be made.

concerned parent 09 Feb 2006, 08:08

thank you for all of your input i have received in the past couple of days.it felt good having people who i dont even know to be concerned. i will update you if i find out anything else.

presbyopia_23 08 Feb 2006, 18:21

"Presbyopia do you try not wearing glasses when walk outside now? Also, do you try reading glasses for close work: is therory helps reduce of myopia."

I went out with weaker glasses, this time only -3.25 diopters. I need to improve my vision some more to feel comfortable going without glasses. As for close work, I just read without glasses. Once I get to the point where my vision is good enough I can read from a distance, ill use reading glasses to further improve my vision.

"at -11.50 she was still able to see off of the 20/80 line but probably could of went further but my daughter was getting a little cranky"

I guarantee you she is not anywhere near -11. I dont know if you will listen to us, but if you are really concerned, you will NOT force her to wear way overpescribed glasses and ruin her eyes. Her refusal to wear -6 glasses should speak alot for itself!

"Something sounds a little "not quite right" here."

My point exactly. We have been trying to tell the parents this.

"Although there's another possibility, that your child is really very good at interpreting a blurred image - although 20/80 with minus 11 or so is a bit extreme."

Just no. Its absolutely impossible. No amount of interpretation is going to let a -11 blur see 20/80. Accroding to my diopter chart research, this would place her at -2 diopters. -11 diopters would be 20/1400 at best and may in fact be more in the ballpark of 20/2000. Why dont we give her -2 and see how well she sees with it?

Puffin 08 Feb 2006, 14:56

Concerned parent, perhaps a second opinion might be useful. Something sounds a little "not quite right" here.

Although there's another possibility, that your child is really very good at interpreting a blurred image - although 20/80 with minus 11 or so is a bit extreme.

Emily 08 Feb 2006, 12:57

Concerned Parent: I think you might be afraid of what those -11.50 lenses will look like. If so, don't worry. That's close to my prescription and my lenses look really nice. Hers shoud be much thinner than mine because of her small face. Let's hope when your daughter gets them, she can see well through them. Good luck!

concerned parent 08 Feb 2006, 12:19

my daughter went to the same doctor again with roughly the same results from the autorefractor. other doctors in the office also came up with a high reading. at the same time they were impressed that she was doing well with the eye charts. at -11.50 she was still able to see off of the 20/80 line but probably could of went further but my daughter was getting a little cranky because she was tired. the only explanation they could come up with is that the lens of her eye could be distorted enough that it is creating a pinhole affect allowing her to see well. we decided we will try the glasses for a month to see how she does. i still have concerns that because of how well she is seeing the glasses might be to strong.

Wei 08 Feb 2006, 11:59

Presbyopia do you try not wearing glasses when walk outside now? Also, do you try reading glasses for close work: is therory helps reduce of myopia.

presbyopia_23 08 Feb 2006, 10:29

"my vision without glasses may be better,and probably is better,than your vision with glasses but doesn't that mean that you probably need a better prescription? why would this indicate that I don't need my wonderfully weak glasses?"

The best pescription can get me to 20/30 but I can often see some of the 20/25 line if I really try but those letters are tiny! I feel im guessing rather than actually seeing.

It is already appearent you enjoy wearing glasses, is this not true? I have no further arguements. I wish I didnt need glasses and if my vision without glasses wasnt so bad at 20/400 I would be going without glasses. My brother sees 20/50 to 20/60 without glasses so he is very functional without glasses and doesnt wear them except to drive. He told me glasses make little difference in how well he sees(20/25 with, 20/50 without) for me glasses make a huge difference(20/30 with, 20/400 without) I am improving my vision and if my vision improves enough, I too will be going without glasses.

Wayne 08 Feb 2006, 09:49

I've never been happy with the Rx an auto refractor comes up with. It's almost always too strong. I have no desire to be over-corrected. With presbyopia that just creates problems for near vision. It also gives me headaches -- over-correcting with minus lenses in effect makes one somewhat hyperopic while wearing the glasses.

-- 08 Feb 2006, 06:24

to concerned parent

you daughter is 3 now? Can she be manually refracted? From what you say, she knows her letters. I agree with the other poster who suggested a behavioral optometrist. The best solution would probably be a school of optometry that has vision therapy programs ad programs for working with small kids. Get several opinions, but don't just walk away from this. something is obviously wrong here.

Slit 08 Feb 2006, 03:07

I have hear a lot of complaints against Auto Refractor.

A lot of my friends who had Myopia together with Astigmatism faced many difficulties due to this machine.

I hope the optitians would not throw aways the good old manual lens set they use to check eyes.

Trent 07 Feb 2006, 19:56

concerned parent

My understanding regarding the auto refractor is that it is only accurate up to -6.00 diopters. Most optometrists use them to get a ball park figure then put you on the phoropter to zero in the prescription.

concerned parent 07 Feb 2006, 18:24

because the doctor is confused my daughter is going back in to be tested on two machines. i am not sure what one machine is called but the other is an autorefractor. my doctor years ago used it and i found it to be pretty accurate. has anyone heard anything negative about this machine.

concerned parent 07 Feb 2006, 18:17

sorry about the capitals my wife corrected my on my computer etiquette

jesse 07 Feb 2006, 17:14

james

it depends on what you want to do, your age, and exam skill, it is hard to con the optician. an exam to is good to update your rx and see if you need cyl. try to be sure both eyes are equally clear when you are asked to align the images and then go for the sharpest image possible with both eyes together. remember if red is clearer than green you need more minus. after you get a new rx you can order what you want on line.

Bronwyn 07 Feb 2006, 16:24

james

your current prescription sounds nice to me!

james 07 Feb 2006, 16:16

i have a prescription of L-0.75 R-0.5, i can see ok with these, but i can also see around 20/40 with a pair of -5's. i know it would be pushing it rather a lot to try and get a prescription of -5 at the opticians but would it be realistic for me to con my way to maybe some -2 to -2.5's?? what does anyone think on this? or shall i just be honest the next time i go and end up with maybe some -1's which is probably about right now because my prescription is over 18 months old

Bronwyn 07 Feb 2006, 15:43

presbyopia 23

my vision without glasses may be better,and probably is better,than your vision with glasses but doesn't that mean that you probably need a better prescription? why would this indicate that I don't need my wonderfully weak glasses?

presbyopia_23 07 Feb 2006, 08:02

"I already don't need my wonderfully weak glasses????? please explain!"

You see better without glasses than I do with glasses. But its clear you actually like wearing glasses for the looks. I have friends with higher pescriptions than you that dont need glasses to see and since they dont care for glasses they never wear them.

Unconcerned Nonparent 07 Feb 2006, 04:18

Concerned Parent, a little advice. Please don't shout.

Bronwyn 06 Feb 2006, 18:40

presbyopia 23

I already don't need my wonderfully weak glasses????? please explain!

beth

I chatted with fred. ten days left to wear and cherish your wonderfully weak glasses.

Emily 06 Feb 2006, 12:01

I suggest that you go to a different doctor for a 2nd opinion. Doctors know more tha amateurs but they do make mistakes.

presbyopia_23 06 Feb 2006, 11:37

I am not a doctor so whatever I say is my experience only and not medicial advice. I too was tested with a retinoscope and the opthamologist said I was a -6.5 I said this is impossible and an error. He then let me try -6.5 trial lens and it was too strong, things started getting slightly blurry and I couldnt see a thing from near. Using -4.5 lens I saw clear from far and much less blurry from near. It is my experience the retinoscope overcorrects you as much as you can accomodate. Your daughter is young so she could accomodate a great deal, I am much older so my accomodation is much less. If shes seeing 20/60 I guarantee she is around a -2 and nowhere near -10. Her refusal to wear the strong glasses is another sign she is not highly myopic. I would not force glasses on her as this will rapidly induce myopia and make her very nearsighted. Keep her near work to a minimum as well. Do everything to prevent her from rapidly becomming a high myope. You may want to discuss this with a behavioral optometrist who believes in eye exercises.

concerned parent 06 Feb 2006, 11:12

ABOUT A YEAR AGO I POSTED TO THIS SITE BECAUSE MY 2 YEAR OLD HAD A -6.00 PERSCRIPTION. I POSTED THIS SITE BECAUSE I KNEW SHE WAS SEEING ALOT BETTER(I WAS A -5.00). WE WAITED A YEAR AND TRIED TO HAVE HER WEAR HER GLASSES AT WHICH SHE REFUSED.DURING THE YEAR MY DAUGHTER LEARNED THE ALPHABET AND AS WE TESTED HER WITHOUT GLASSES SHE SAW THINGS MY WIFE COULD NOT(MY WIFE IS A -2.00).WE BROUGHT MY DAUGHTER IN LAST WEEK TO ANOTHER OPTAMOLOGIST WHO SAID SHE WAS A -12.00. WE TOLD THE DOCTOR WHAT SHE COULD SEE AND HAD US GIVE HER ANTROPINE FOR 3 DAYS TO TEST HER AGAIN THINKING THAT THE EYE WAS HAVING SPASMS. TODAY MY DAUGHTER WAS TESTED WITH PICTURES AND WAS CONSITENTLY SEEING THE 20/60 LINE WHICH IMPRESSED THE DOCTOR(NO GLASSES).BUT WE HE LOOKED INTO HER EYE WITH A RETINOSCOPE HE SAID SHE WAS A -11.00.HE COULD NOT EXPLAIN HOW SHE IS SEEING SO WELL BUT HIS READING IS SAYING SHE IS NOT.I WOULD APPRERCIATE ANY COMMENTS OR ADVICE.

All4Eyes 05 Feb 2006, 16:08

Puffin:I'm not sure who you were asking if they had astigmatism, but if it was me, no.

Beth:Same here, sometimes it hurts my eyes to go without glasses and sometimes it doesn't. As I said before, I'm puzzled by why they would hurt at all. I suppose one explanation could be that squinting (if you're a low-down dirty cheat like me!) causes tension in the muscles around your eyes and that causes the pain. But also I've noticed something that seems like a sort of "reverse accomodation". There is a thing I can do inside my eye (not squinting on the outside) to see a bit clearer uncorrected, it sort of feels like I'm pushing out with my eyes, if that makes sense. But it also really hurts and I can't hold it that way more than a few seconds. Anybody know what I'm talking about?

presbyopia_23 05 Feb 2006, 13:17

you already dont need glasses but you are wearing them because you love glasses. I respect this and wont tell you to do anything.

Bronwyn 05 Feb 2006, 11:09

presbyopia 23

you say that "Plus glasses are great for low myopes wanting to improve their vision and possibly become emmetropic again. I can only imagine how you would luv to dispose of my wonderfully weak minus glasses and vision-train me with those plus glasses against my will. you are sooooo strong. how could I resist you?

presbyopia_23 03 Feb 2006, 12:25

keep the bifocals and use them. They indeed help. You could and should take your glasses off if you do alot of reading. Your eyes getting worse is a concern, probably too much near work with glasses and the bifocals will slow your induced myopia progression

Draz 03 Feb 2006, 08:03

Hi everyone,

I've just come back from my check-up and have been given a new prescription for Bi-focals, but I don't understand why I've been given it.

I'm 24 years old, and my old rx prescription was -4.00 in my left eye and - 3.75 in my right eye. After my sight test the optician increased my distance prescription to -4.5 in both eyes and gave me an add of +1.25. I picked up my bi-focals this morning and while the add portion does seem to help a little for reading, i can read perfectly well through the distance part of the lenses and I haven't had any problems with my close up vision to make me feel like i need bi-focals. I asked my optician why he prescribed them and he said that he thought they would help but didn't explain why.

Anybody know why i might have been prescribed them?

Cactus Jack 03 Feb 2006, 07:51

Phil: Let me add a few words to my explanation:

In myopia the eyeball is too long (corrected by MINUS lenses to move the focus point back to the retina) and in hyperopia the eyeball is too short (corrected by PLUS lenses to move the focus point forward to the retina).

Presbyopia requires additional PLUS on top of what ever is required to correct the length of the eyeball problem.

Cactus Jack 03 Feb 2006, 07:43

Phil: A person cannot be both myopic and hyperopic at the same time. However, they can be myopic and presbyopic or hyperopic and presbyopic at the same time.

Myopia and Hyperopia are caused by mismatches between the length of the eyeball and the combined PLUS optical power of the cornea and the relaxed PLUS power of the internal crystaline lens. In myopia the eyeball is too long and in hyperopia the eyeball is too short.

The crystaline lens also has some small muscles around it, called ciliary muscles, which can squeeze it and increase its plus power from the relaxed condition. These muscles, controlled by the brain, provide the "auto-focus" mechanism that allows a person to switch from distance to close up and keep things in focus.

If there is a problem with the "autofocus" mechanism caused by the crystaline lens becoming stiff and hard to squeeze (typically caused by age) or for some reason the ciliary muscles can't squeeze hard enough, thay are said to have presbyopia. Presbyopia means "old eyes" but presbyopia is not always caused by age.

Bifocals, trifocals, or progressives always provide additional external plus power that the internal lens cannot provide. They are prescribed mostly for presbyopia but there are many other reasons for prescribing them.

Hope this answered your questions.

Phil 03 Feb 2006, 02:28

Can no-one help me? Ann, how did optician explain your need for both distance and close correction?

presbyopia_23 02 Feb 2006, 16:15

reading glasses or plus lenses is usually for presbyopes. I am a presbyope but instead of reading glasses, I just take my glasses off and read just fine bare-eyed thanks to my myopia. Plus glasses are great for low myopes wanting to improve their vision and possibly become emmetropic again.

Cactus Jack 02 Feb 2006, 09:23

Ann: Two suggestions regarding glasses for reading in bed.

1. Because of your astigmatism, you should get prescription single vision reading glasses made in the Rx indicated by Peter and Val. If you want, these glasses can be ordered from an online retailer. If the PD on your original Rx is shown as two numbers (e.g. 68/64) the second number is the reading PD.

2. A less satisfactory alternative is to get some over-the-counter +2.25 or +2.50 reading glasses that will fit over your existing frames. When wearing them in bed, read through the top part of your glasses and the reading glasses. You may be able to find some clip-on readers.

Slit 02 Feb 2006, 07:31

Ann,

Great to hear you are enjoying bifocals because many youngsters hate them.

What were the comments from the people around you regarding bifocals?

Re: The "Bed Reading glasses", I think you should get opinion of an optician for a EXACT rx,

BUT, still you can get a "Drug store, ready made" reading glasses at a very low cost. According to many professionals on web, its is not harmless at all.

I hope you know how to select the Ready Made glasses, but if you do not know, please let us know. We can help.

Phil 02 Feb 2006, 07:02

Can someone explain Ann's rx to me? Many years ago I had a myopic gf (about -3 or -4) who suddenly got some plus glasses for reading. She was only 19 or 20. I never understood. Surely one can't be both myopic and hyperopic at the same time. Why would a young myope need a plus rx? I think I was nearly like this when I first went to an optician at 18. I was just a little short sighted (about -.5) but after a test that I now can't remember he was thinking of giving me reading specs. In the end he said it was lunchtime and I went home without any specs at all!

Ann 01 Feb 2006, 15:20

Thanks Val and Peter

Peter 01 Feb 2006, 12:22

I think your correct orginal prescription is :

Right -1,75 -1,25 130 ADD +2.25

Left -1,50 -0,75 55 ADD +2.25

And your reading glasses should be:

Right +0,50 -1,25 130

Left +0,75 -0,75 55

hope you understand :-)

Val 01 Feb 2006, 11:12

ANN,welcome to the club of glasses wearers.

The prescription for readers should be:

right: S +0.5 C -1.25 A 130

left: S +0.75 C -0.55 A 75

ANN 01 Feb 2006, 10:51

HI Im 25 and just got my first pair of glasses this week had problems seeing T V and getting head pains when reading.

I was surprised to get bifocals but can see great worn them full time since i got them.

right -175 -125 130 ADD +2.25

Left -150 -055 75 ADD +2.25is this unusal

i want some would be my prescription reading glasses for bed time what should i order

presbyopia_23 01 Feb 2006, 02:40

You are making progress, Beth! I am proud of you! Get that drivers restriction removed. All you have to do is pass 20/40 and the restriction is gone!

Wei 01 Feb 2006, 00:34

Beth, I hope you have solution to your problem when you see optamologist. The post below is from "Fake Wei" so please ignore.

Wei 31 Jan 2006, 19:03

Glad you doctor see Beth. My hurt eyes when I headache after hard drinking.

Beth 31 Jan 2006, 18:57

Hi Presbyopia 23,

I wanted to update you on my progress with the weaning process that you suggested. On Friday, I wore my glasses for most of the day but only for driving after work. On Saturday, I really tried. I didn't wear them at all during the day. I only wore them for driving at night when I went out and for about an hour of shopping. On Sunday, I didn't wear my glasses at all. I even drove in the afternoon without them (not legal!). My eyes hurt at night when I was watching television though. Yesterday, I wore them to drive and for much of the day but not after I got home. Today, I only wore them to drive to and from work and in the grocery store. My eyes hurt right now but I am going to bed. Tomorrow is another day!

Beth 31 Jan 2006, 18:29

Hi Jarred and All4eyes,

We seem to share something in common. I have times without my glasses where I am perfectly fine and times when it really hurts without them.

Beth, 31 Jan 2006, 18:24

Beth 31 Jan 2006, 18:23

Hi Wei,

I am going to the opthalmologist on the 16th.

Beth 31 Jan 2006, 18:22

Wei 31 Jan 2006, 12:23

My eye do not hurt at all with no glasses but I can not see much! I little astegmitsm and no prism however like jarred. Hyperopia cause pain from eyestrain but not myopia I think. Beth you maybe have glasses checked? Could be problem of lens centring making unwanted prism?

Jarred 31 Jan 2006, 10:09

It's interesting that the fact of your eyes hurting has come up. I was thinking the other day whether is was normal for your eyes to hurt without glasses. If Im without mine for any period of time (it doesnt happen often) I will soon get a headache and can feel a bit sick.

My prescription is Left +1.75 -2.25 65 5.50 BO Right +1.75 -2.25 105 5.50 BO.

Jarred

presbyopia_23 31 Jan 2006, 01:51

My eyes dont hurt at all without glasses or with weaker glasses. As for bare eyed I did that for half an hour when I went out. I see well enough to walk about but cant read signs from far. Wei, what can you see bare eyed? Do you ever go without glasses?

Puffin 30 Jan 2006, 17:18

Do you have astigmatism? That's another cause for achy eyes.

All4Eyes 30 Jan 2006, 12:49

On Beth's situation-I've noticed my eyes will hurt without specs,too. I know this happens to hyperopes because they use the accomodation muscles to compensate, but supposedly myopes can't do this, so why do we get the pain?

Wei 30 Jan 2006, 05:49

Presbyopia_23. Do you consider never wearing glasses when walk outside for vision improvement (unless needing good vision for read sign for example?)

presbyopia_23 30 Jan 2006, 01:51

Actually I can see well enough to walk anywhere I want without glasses. I have taken my glasses off when walking outside because I was sweating and the sweat was getting on my glasses and smearing the lens. The bright sun causes a pinhole of sorts and I can see as good as 20/100 in very bright sun. I see individual blades of grass out to about 10-15 feet from me. Theres a few things I can do without glasses but I cant read much in the distance bare eyed, only large letters from near. The more my vision improves the more functional ill be without glasses

Wei 29 Jan 2006, 12:34

Presbyopia_23. You ever try not wear glasses for walking outside? Will this cause difficulty?

presbyopia_23 29 Jan 2006, 00:14

Bronwyn, I will not tell you what to do, its your eyes and your love for glasses. Some people like tattoos, others like piercings, you like glasses. In your case, its mostly for looks rather than functioning. I knew this guy who was like +.75 who wears glasses sometimes, especially when in college reading. It makes him look smarter :) He sees fine without glasses but likes the looks and also likes the compliments ;)

I on the other hand dont exactly like glasses but I hate not seeing well even more than my dislike for wearing glasses. I feel I should have a choice when I want to wear glasses or not instead of being forced to wear them full time!

All4Eyes, you slowed down your myopia by putting off glasses. My brother also put off glasses and as a result he never got worse than about a -1.5 me on the other hand was quite myopic but ive improved to -4.5 in the worse eye now. I would love to be below a -4 :)

Wei, I am less than -5 now and I still dont see well enough to go without glasses except for reading. If I can get down to a -2 or at least below -3 then I may.

QG2 28 Jan 2006, 17:27

Question for anyone who can answer. Why does the axis in a cylinder prescription change? How is this measured?

TIA

28 Jan 2006, 13:56

Presbyopia_23. You say your friends are -2 and dont wear. Is that dont wear glasses at all? I sure hope they don't drive!!!

Wei 28 Jan 2006, 12:10

All4eyes - I know of person wait until -5 until have glasses. And still wear only for driving and TV!

All4Eyes 28 Jan 2006, 12:06

I've gotten the idea that 7 years (2nd to 9th grade) of knowing you need glasses and getting to an rx of -4 is considered an unusualy long time to put off getting glasses. I'd like to see if I do indeed hold the record-everyone, if you please, how long was it from the time you knew you needed glasses till you got them and what was your first rx?

Bronwyn 28 Jan 2006, 11:35

presbyopia 23

what a waste! friends of yours with wonderfully weak prescriptions that won't wear them? your brother sounds great if you can vision train him down a little bit for me.

weaning? I luv it when you talk dirty. it sounded to me as if beth's eyes were begging for her wonderfully weak glasses yesterday.

would you wean me from mine? Oooooo... would you try to rip my wonderfully weak glasses from my face and force your will upon me? I'd put up a fight, you know

Tod 28 Jan 2006, 07:48

Does anyone know Pfc Jessica Lynch's Rx? I know she is pretty nearsighted and wears contacts mostly now that she is no longer in uniform.

28 Jan 2006, 06:28

presbyopia_23 28 Jan 2006, 05:43

Good question! Id probably say at -1.5 or so because I will be seeing well enough that glasses will be optional. To be honest I might wear them on occasion, but only rarely. My brother is -1.25 so he sees fine without glasses. My friends who are -1 dont wear glasses and some even -2 dont! I am not sure if I can improve my vision to a -1.5 but any improvement will go a long way in reducing my glasses dependancy and improving my uncorrected vision so its worth it. Yes theres lasik but its the easy way out, expensive and risky. I can improve my vision naturally and for free with eye exercises!

28 Jan 2006, 02:44

Presbyopia_23 at what prescription do you think you would ditch your glassess?

presbyopia_23 27 Jan 2006, 23:55

Beth, I am proud of your effort to wean yourself of glasses! Bronwyn loves glasses, more power to her. Shes probably a -.5 like you so both of you can see great without glasses. If I wasnt so myopic, I would ditch my glasses right away and not look back. Maybe oneday ill be able to do that. My brother is -1.25 so he only wears glasses to drive.

Beth 27 Jan 2006, 15:42

Hi Bronwyn,

You are "sooooo" bad!

Beth 27 Jan 2006, 15:31

Hi Presbyopia 23,

You would have proud of me yesterday. I only wore my glasses to drive to and from work and at work from about 11:00-1:30 when my eyes really started to hurt. A couple of times my eyes started to hurt last night but I held off and the pain subsided somewhat. Today was a different story. I tried but they just hurt and I have worn my glasses for most of the day and still have them on. I will try not to wear them when we go out tonight. I am trying.

Do I like to wear my glasses? Not really! I don't mind wearing them when I have to though.

Bronwyn 27 Jan 2006, 12:59

presbyopia 23

your reduction in prescription is more than my entire prescription.

presbyopia_23 26 Jan 2006, 23:04

what pescription are you and how well do you see without and with glasses?

I understand most people here LOVE glasses and wear them with pride even if some dont really need them! I love talking about glasses and vision but frankly I wish I was less myopic and am working hard to get there. I improved my vision by undercorrecting myself. I saw how some people induce myopia by overcorrecting themselves so I did the opposite and removed myopia! I also took my glasses off for reading and hold things far enough so its slightly blurry. I noticed how the text would shimmer and slowly come into focus then I hold it another half inch further!

Bronwyn 26 Jan 2006, 18:01

presbyopia 23

why shouldn't beth be pain free during her last three weeks of wearing her wonderfully weak and un-necessary glasses? she'll wear them in to see her doctor but we both know she won't be leaving the office with her glasses.

do I ever go without glasses? I went the first 22 years until I got a doctor to prescribe my own practically planos.

Puffin 26 Jan 2006, 16:59

I'm a different sort of nut, I have perfect vision, good accomodation for my age, and no particular wish to wear glasses of any thickness, just love women with thick glasses.

All4Eyes 26 Jan 2006, 16:54

Presbyopia:But it wasn't a good thing-I had a very hard time in school because of my vision,in fact I almost flunked 5th grade math! Also, now I wish I had worn glasses if they make myopia get worse, because I'm one of these nuts who wants to be as nearsighted as possible, Actualy, it's funny, it seems like here on Eyescene people like you who want their eyes to get better are the strange ones!

Cactus Jack 26 Jan 2006, 15:25

p_23: Thanks for the update, could you refresh us on your age and how long you have been using the vision training. What training method are you using? What was your acuity with your old prescription?

presbyopia_23 26 Jan 2006, 14:15

By the way, I wish to update my pescription. My eyes have improved due to vision training.

Old pescription:

left eye: -5.5 sphere, -.5 cylindar

right eye: -4.5 sphere, -1 cylindar

New pescription a year later(which is now!)

left eye: -4.5 sphere, -.75 cylindar(140 axis) correctable to 20/30

right eye: -3.5 sphere, -1.5 cylindar(55 axis) correctable to 20/40

I improved a diopter in each eye but my astigmastim got a bit worse. I will work and try to improve my astigmastim in addition to further improving my myopia :)

presbyopia_23 26 Jan 2006, 14:07

"Oooooo! luv and wear your glasses while you have them- keep the restriction, please. wear them until the end"

Well shes 20/20 without glasses, 20/15 with -.5 and -.75 pescription. If she loves glasses and enjoys wearing them, more power to her. She should NOT be restricted because shes 20/20 without glasses

"my own weak glasses hurt me when I got them in september but now my eyes also hurt without them."

what pescription are you and how well do you see without glasses? with? Do you ever feel like going without glasses?

"By the time we got to high school his myopia had progressed enough that he gave up the struggle and started wearing glasses full time."

If he was squinting, straining and holding books very close that could have been it. You gotta relax your eyes and hold books just far enough away that its slightly blurry

Wayne 26 Jan 2006, 10:14

I don't think there's any evidence that putting off getting glasses for myopia will slow the progression. Myopia progresses at different rates in different individuals. I have not heard of any study showing that doing without glasses for distance makes any difference.

There does seem to be a theory that myopia progression can be slowed by prescribing bifocals with a weaker minus in the reading portion (or reading without glasses if you don't need to hold the book too close to see it).

There also seems to be some evidence that wearing Rigid Gas Permeable (not soft) contacts can slow myopia progression.

I remember a guy in junior high school who would not put on his glasses except when sitting at a desk in class. His Rx was probably close to -5 at the time. It was interesting to watch him leaning close to open the combination lock on his locker. In gym class we occasionally gathered around a black board and he'd walk up quite close to see it. By the time we got to high school his myopia had progressed enough that he gave up the struggle and started wearing glasses full time. This was back in the 50's. Back then -5 or -6 glasses were quite thick with the edges noticable even in the thicker plastic frames.

Bronwyn 26 Jan 2006, 09:35

presbyopia 23

your advice to beth-"start weaning yourself off glasses. Do you like wearing glasses?" It made me want to get off.

beth

three weeks from today those wonderfully weak and "un-necessary" minus glasses" do come off. Oooooo! luv and wear your glasses while you have them- keep the restriction, please. wear them until the end! my own weak glasses hurt me when I got them in september but now my eyes also hurt without them.

presbyopia_23 26 Jan 2006, 03:25

Get your glasses restriction removed from your driving license asap then start weaning yourself off glasses. Do you like wearing glasses?

Beth 25 Jan 2006, 17:38

Hi Presbyopia,

I tried. It hurts.

Beth 25 Jan 2006, 17:30

SLB,

That should read "I am sorry".

Beth 25 Jan 2006, 17:29

Hi SLB,

I sorry that I did not get back to you sooner. I only just noticed your posting. Thank you! I always do wear my glasses for driving. It is even on my license as a restriction.

Also, it seems that we have made a mutual friend.

presbyopia_23 25 Jan 2006, 17:24

dont feel guilty, your putting off glasses slowed your myopia down alot! You are only a -4 despite being myopic since 2nd grade. I got my first glasses in 6th grade and ended up a -6(or very near -6) at one point now I am below a -5 in both eyes due to natural vision improvement. My brother put off glasses and guess what? He never got much worse than about -1.5!

All4Eyes 25 Jan 2006, 17:06

Uh-oh, I just realized-if squinting is cheating then I cheated my way through school! I'd had trouble seeing the board since 2nd grade,but didn't get glasses till the summer before 9th. I knew I needed them,just didn't want them. Kids can be dumb sometimes.

DealHunter 24 Jan 2006, 18:44

goggles4u.com 5% off any order: BXS4G4

presbyopia_23 24 Jan 2006, 18:34

Beth, you may want to have a word with your optometrist who incorrectly pescribed you glasses for nothing! I would have asked for a second opinion why glasses were given if you were 20/20 back then and they made your eyes hurt(at first) Well they get you from 20/20 to 20/15(as you said?) but the point is 20/20 representates normal vision and makes glasses un-neccessary. I bet if you go without glasses for some time, your eyes will stop hurting without them. I really hope it didnt ruin your eyes :(

Beth 24 Jan 2006, 18:06

Julian,

I am not. Sorry

Julian 24 Jan 2006, 16:07

Beth: you AREN'T the same Beth who was posting on this thread before Christmas, are you?

Lazysiow 24 Jan 2006, 13:24

I'll show you mine if you show me yours :)

Bronwyn 24 Jan 2006, 08:02

slb and beth

See the "What turns you on about glasses" post I wrote to you.

presbyopia_23 23 Jan 2006, 21:34

squinting is always cheating as it makes things clearer without glases. You wouldnt want to drive squinting the whole time when your not seeing well enough to drive!

Beth 23 Jan 2006, 14:19

presbyopia 23,

Before I forget, thank you for all of your help and explanation. You are so sweet!

I am unable to get to the DMV to see if I can pass the test without my glasses. It conveniently closes at 4:00 and I usually don't get out of work until 4:30 at the very earliest like tonight) Usually, I get out after 5:00. I think that I will have to wait until I see the doctor.

It really hurts and feels weird to try and focus without my glasses. I don't like to do it. Why is that? The glasses don't help me see any better (or maybe even as good) but they seem to relax the focus and my eyes don't hurt. When I first got them, it was the other way around- the glasses made my eyes hurt.

slb 23 Jan 2006, 14:18

Beth,

as someone with a very similar prescription and timeframe to you (-0.5 -.25 & -0.5) tested/ got glasses about four months ago I am not sure that I agree with some of the comments you have recieved -

I was told that they were not required for driving, however having seen the difference they make I cant imagine it without, especially at night. Is is not also better to see the best you can, especially when to not spot somthing could cause an accident, rather than scraping past with the minimum allowed by law?

SLB

All4Eyes 23 Jan 2006, 12:15

Presbyopia:Not sure what it would have been without squinting. The 20/200 line was the first line under the Big E at the top, but I couldn't have told you that was an E without squinting,either. Is squinting really cheating? I always thought I played fair!

Bronwyn 23 Jan 2006, 08:34

lazysiow and beth

please read my postings for you over on "What turns you on about glasses".

presbyopia_23 22 Jan 2006, 21:57

By the way, try not wearing glasses(except for driving) till your ophthamologist gets it sorted out. Also go for a driving eye exam to get your driving restriction removed. Once this is all done, you are 100% free of glasses and you should never have been pescribed glasses in the first place because you are 20/20!

presbyopia_23 22 Jan 2006, 21:53

You may need to forgo glasses for a few days then you wont feel any headaches from not wearing them. You are free to look up the fact you need to be 20/40 to drive and you are 20/20 without glasses! Yes I think whoever gave you glasses did it so you can buy them from his store. You see just fine without glasses and frankly theres no reason to be wearing them

Beth 22 Jan 2006, 20:58

presbyopia 23,

Do you think that is what happened here? Does it happen frequently? I will reserve my judgement until I see the opthalomologist on the 16th next month. I do wonder if I already ruined my eyes if this is true. I am so used to having them on for certain activities that when I do not, my eyes hurt and it hurts just above my eye. I even wear them when someone else is driving now.

Lazyi,

I was told that I do not have astigmatism or a correction for it. My prescription is just -.50 and-.-.75.

Lazysiow 22 Jan 2006, 20:45

If I don't mind = If I don't wear mine.

See? Wasn't wearing them just now :)

Lazysiow 22 Jan 2006, 20:44

any astigmatism?

I have a similar prescription +.5 in each eye with -0.50 and -0.25 of astigmatism respectively.

I have roughly 20/20 in my left eye and 30/20 in my right yet if I don't mind I get eyestrain, get sleepy easily etc and pretty much wear them all the time. If I don't I make easy mistakes programming as well.

presbyopia_23 22 Jan 2006, 19:30

Beth

I cant believe your optometrist pescribed you glasses and made you wear them even though you are 20/20 without them! Legal driving requirement is 20/40, you are well above that! Me thinks he just wanted to make a sale on glasses! I know of many cases like that, one guy was +.5 diopters and could see perfect from all distances(he was young too) and the optometrist still said he needs glasses. The parents took him to another optometrist who said dont even bother with glasses. I think you need another opinion. Wearing those glasses will just make your eyes worse than you wont be 20/20 without glasses anymore :( Man I am upset now, I cant believe some optometrists! :( :( :(

All4Eyes, squinting is cheating. Some people do this to pass their driving license or avoid getting glasses. What were you seeing without glasses without squinting? I would venture to say between 20/300 and 20/400 with your -4 and 20/25 BCVA. Youd need a 20/15 BCVA to see 20/200 at -4 without squinting.

All4Eyes 22 Jan 2006, 14:00

Oh, I was squinting when I got the 20/200 without glasses. I guess it really does make a difference, I measured yesterday and I can see clearly uncorrected to about 16 inches if I squint but only about 8 inches if I don't.

All4Eyes 22 Jan 2006, 13:54

Presbyopia:Thanks for the reply. I've heard of the tilting thing-it does work,so I guess it might be time. I usualy wear my glasses to read,too, because I have to hold the book very close without them and it sort of makes me claustraphobic.

Mr.Shy:I have to wear glasses for the computer,too. That or leave noseprints on the screen!

Beth 22 Jan 2006, 09:31

presbyopia 23,

I do wish that we had the chance to chat last night. I am sorry that I missed you. I still do have to legally wear my glasses for driving. I am 27 and started wearing glasses last year. The nurse had my vision without my glasses on at 20/20 left eye, 20/15 minus three right eye, and 20/15 minus 1 with both eyes. I am guessing that vision may have improved. However, until I know for sure, I will continue to use my glasses as directed by the optometrist. I am going to try and sneak in an appointment this week at my physician's office to get my vision screened with and without my glasses as I have to get a health insurance referral anyways.

presbyopia_23 21 Jan 2006, 22:59

I was just thinking how lucky you are to be less than -1 in both eyes and see vitrually perfect without optional, un-neccessary glasses! I am -4.5 and -5 and see no better than 20/400 without em :( I hope my vision keeps improving but I doubt itll end up anywhere near yours. Ill be very happy if it improves to 20/200 without glasses!

presbyopia_23 21 Jan 2006, 22:49

Add me to your buddy list. I look forward chatting to you on AIM next time you are on. How old are you and since when did you start wearing glasses? Has your vision improved? I noticed you said your 20/20 now so this means it did improve. How bad was it before? The lady at the health fair is right when she said you shouldnt wear glasses. You dont need them for anything, not even driving if your now 20/20 without glasses :) congras!

presbyopia_23 21 Jan 2006, 22:25

Where do you want to chat? I am still on. Do you have an instant messenger like AIM? My screename is bioxio33. If I read correctly, you said you were 20/20 so this means you are free of glasses.

Beth 21 Jan 2006, 22:01

presbyopia 23

Pseudomyopia? My prescription is -.50 and -.75, not -1.5. Free from glasses? I wish that I had had the chance to chat with you tonight.

Beth 21 Jan 2006, 21:51

Presbyopia 23,

I was on LC looking to see if you were there.

presbyopia_23 21 Jan 2006, 21:43

see post below for the first half of my reply

"But I never go out with glasses (I am very, very shy).

Oh, and I have -4.5 both ..."

You could try contacts. Better yet be bold and go with glasses, I bet youll get some lookers by ladies who like men with glasses :)

Beth, could your myopia have been pseudo by any chance caused by eyestrain of near work and now that the pseudomyopia went away, your now only -.5 diopters from plano instead of -1.5 or something? How much of a difference do glasses make now vs. no glasses? on what 20/xx scale? If the difference is neglecable, you can ask to get any restrictions removed and congras, your glasses free now!

presbyopia_23 21 Jan 2006, 21:37

"you seem to have very strong views, so exactly when would you wear them for seeing in the distance?"

As a -4.5 I wear them full time for distance and only take them off for reading, showering and sleeping(so does everyone lol)

"But when I have a quick look out of the window, or look up quickly from my 'book' to look at something on the telly then they sure help!"

Of course. Sometimes I leave my glasses on if I read something for a moment but any longer and I remove my glasses. I see better from near without them anyway. Often I tilt my head and peak under them if I look at something like my recipt or the price tag on an item.

"but then most people will because they would constantly be taking their glasses on and off all day - I for sure can't be bothered to do that!"

If you want more induced myopia, do that. It takes half a second to remove my glasses and do my reading then when im done, back on they go. My vision has improved by .75 diopters in the last year :)

"and its the same I guess for -2."

For that amount of myopia, glasses are optional for most things except driving unless your one of those 20/10 guys with a 20/40 UCVA at -2!

Countinued....

Beth 21 Jan 2006, 10:45

Presbyopia 23,

The posting below was for you also.

Beth 21 Jan 2006, 10:43

Andrew,

I have no way of knowing if the distance was correct. The eye chart was taped to a wall and there was a taped line to stand on. The nurse seemed quite capable and professional. I had to fill out a questionaire and quite a few people were screened before me.

The health fair was held in a local mall with typical lighting and skylights. When it was my turn, she checked my eyes with and without my glasses twice as she thought the results were odd. She checked each eye and my vision with both eyes. She checked my prescription under a machine and asked if I could come back in 30-60 minutes to get checked again to allow focusing without my glasses as I had worn them to drive and shop in the mall. She held on to my glasses and I came back about 40 minutes later. She suggested that I see an opthalmologist instead of an optometrist and asked if she could refer me. She didn't think that I should wear my glasses but I have to as my license was restricted by the optometrist. I still wear my glasses for all of the things that I am supposed to. I have an appointment on 16th of February with the opthalmologist that she set me up with.

Beth, 21 Jan 2006, 10:14

Mr.Shy 21 Jan 2006, 02:44

I need glasses for work on PC, I am helpless without them.

But I never go out with glasses (I am very, very shy).

Oh, and I have -4.5 both ...

20 Jan 2006, 16:35

Presbyopia_23

It is very difficult to differntiate between distance and close work. Sure, -2 does not need glasses all the time for all activities, but unless you have your head in a book constantly all day (and in a room which measures 1 metre x 1 metre) then you are always 'looking into the distance'. At -2 I can not see things clearly more than 1 metre from me. Sure, I don't need them when I am on the computer or reading a book, or to walk round the house. But when I have a quick look out of the window, or look up quickly from my 'book' to look at something on the telly then they sure help! You could be really pedantic and say that at -4 or -5 you dont need glasses to read a book, but then most people will because they would constantly be taking their glasses on and off all day - I for sure can't be bothered to do that! Technically, at quite high myopia one could walk don a street, but it wouldn't be much fun and its the same I guess for -2. Possible - but a damn sight lot easier with them!

20 Jan 2006, 12:52

I would NOT need glasses for reading, using the computer and around the house if I was -2, just when I go out and need to see in the distance ....

you seem to have very strong views, so exactly when would you wear them for seeing in the distance?

presbyopia_23 19 Jan 2006, 23:22

countinued again!

"At my last eye exam (5 years ago) I saw 20/25 with glasses. I wonder if I really should have been given a little stronger RX or if that's just as good as my vision gets?"

Might be time for a new eye exam! 5 years is awfully long not to have an exam. Do this simple test, try tilting your glasses, do they make things clearer? If so, may be time for new glasses :) The 20/25 could be perhaps you got undercorrected? If your seeing 20/200 at -4 without squinting or bright light, theres no doubt your correctable to at LEAST 20/20.

"And what about all the -2's out there who only wear glasses for driving and such? At 20/200 you're legally blind and I can't think most people want to go around that way."

Considering -2 is mild or low myopia with acceptable UCVA, such as 20/80 for a person correctable to 20/20, 20/60 for one corrected to 20/60 and 20/40 if your corrected to 20/10! In fact this one person did say hes 20/40 uncorrected and 20/10 with glasses. He sees fine without glasses and super, super good with them! People have no problem going around. I only correct between 20/25 to 20/30 so I see a little shy of 20/100 with a -2 diopter undercorrection but even that is good enough to go around in. I would NOT need glasses for reading, using the computer and around the house if I was -2, just when I go out and need to see in the distance. Your dependancy on glasses is low if your only a -2 and many people DO go without glasses much of the time. I wish I was a -2!!!!!!

-2 is NOT legally(nor functionally blind)

". I like to go without glasses sometimes but sometimes it makes me a bit uneasy, too. Anyone else with mixed-feelings about going bare-eyed?"

Well you can go bare eyed for reading and should. Thats what I do. Being nearsighted, I see much better from near without glasses anyway! You can do some things bare eyed like shower, swim or just go out for a walk during the day. Anything that doesnt require reading or seeing clearly in the distance.

Thats it all for my long reply. Read the other two below

presbyopia_23 19 Jan 2006, 23:22

countinued:

"Something you said led me to believe that the chart was not fixed and, if you had been closer to the chart than you should have been, you would almost certainly have been able to read more than you should without glasses."

If shes seeing 20/20 without glasses, I doubt she wears glasses unless she does it for the looks and enjoyment.

All4Eyes, I share the same interest! Its not so much about glasses as its about talking about vision :)

"I've heard of the rule that it corrosponds as "your script plus zero" i.e. -2's see 20/200, -3's see 20/300, etc"

This rule isnt even close to accurate except if your around a -6. No one whos a -1 sees "only" 20/100 and almost no -2 pescriptions see no better than 20/200. If your only seeing 20/200 at -2 then you definately arent correctable to 20/20. My online friend sees 20/60 and he was told hes a -2. He also has -2 contacts which would be as strong as -2.5 glasses! His -1.5 glasses are a little weak.

"My script is -4 but I see 20/200 without glasses."

This is normal if you correct to 20/15 with glasses or at least can see some of the 20/15 line. I know several people at 20/200 and -4. One website even said -4 corresponds to 20/200.

"So, apparently I see twice as well uncorrected as I should with my Rx."

Nah, maybe a little better than normal. Did you squint any? Was the room properly dimmed and with no sunlight streaming in?

presbyopia_23 19 Jan 2006, 23:20

"To reduced 20/20 to 20/40, you could also use +1."

I tried that on my friends and find that -1 diopters or giving a +1 lens results in half vision. This means instead of 20/15 she was seeing 20/30 thru a +1 lens.

"I have a prescription of -.75 and -.50. I just tested 20/20 and could even see most of the 20/15 line with each eye and both eyes at a health fair today."

If this was done outdoors in broad daylight, the pinhole effect helped. If it was done indoors in low light then you have VERY good vision! What line were you able to see thru the -.5 lens? All of the 20/15? 20/13(or 20/12)?

"That sounds great, but how sure are you that the chart was the correct distance from you?"

Good point. We also dont know if it was done outside in broad daylight or if she squinted or if that was UCVA. However there are a number of people who can see 20/20 with -1 diopter I hear! They of course have a BCVA of 20/10! I see tons of people within -.25 or -.5 diopters still seeing 20/20. In fact its normal to be plus or minus half diopter and no action is needed.

"I am enjoying the clarity of everything and think i will be a fulltime wearer, the odd negative comment has put me off a bit, but i think i would rather get an odd reaction now and again but be able to see clearly ALL of the time."

Nothing wrong with that. Ignore any negetive comments. Its your eyes and you can wear glasses as little or as much as you want. Some people hate glasses and dont mind going in a small blur over wearing glasses, others love glasses and wear them even if they dont need em.

All4Eyes 19 Jan 2006, 17:18

About the matter of how RX relates to vision-My script is -4 but I see 20/200 without glasses. I've heard of the rule that it corrosponds as "your script plus zero" i.e. -2's see 20/200, -3's see 20/300, etc. So, apparently I see twice as well uncorrected as I should with my Rx. At my last eye exam (5 years ago) I saw 20/25 with glasses. I wonder if I really should have been given a little stronger RX or if that's just as good as my vision gets? And what about all the -2's out there who only wear glasses for driving and such? At 20/200 you're legally blind and I can't think most people want to go around that way. I like to go without glasses sometimes but sometimes it makes me a bit uneasy, too. Anyone else with mixed-feelings about going bare-eyed?

ahley 19 Jan 2006, 16:41

Today at the eye doctor they said my vision was:

right eye: -0.50 -3.25x005

left eye: 0.75 OS (I beleive)

I was told that it meant OD 20.FC OS 20.30 but I don't get the FC part... it was described more as 20/3200

I guess I have really bad vision.

All4Eyes 19 Jan 2006, 16:09

I'm a long-time lurker here, just wanted to let ya'll know how much it means to me to know I'm not the only one with this special interest. When I first stumbled into this site, it was almost like coming home for me. A BILLION thanks to Chris for starting this. On topic, I'm 21 and have worn glasses (in fact, this same pair) since I was 14. My RX is OD-4.50 OS-4.00. I don't get to visit here too often, but when I do I thouroughly enjoy it. Keep up the good writing, everyone. Myopes rule! 8)

Andrew 19 Jan 2006, 08:55

Something you said led me to believe that the chart was not fixed and, if you had been closer to the chart than you should have been, you would almost certainly have been able to read more than you should without glasses.

Beth 17 Jan 2006, 13:06

Andrew,

I believe the chart was at the correct distance. Why?

No no wei 16 Jan 2006, 03:21

oh leave him alone he's harmless

no wei 15 Jan 2006, 22:50

Yet another stupid comment from this person.

Wei 15 Jan 2006, 13:58

Yes Emma glasses is very nice you get frame i hope!

Cactus Jack 15 Jan 2006, 09:00

Emma: Ignore the negative comments. You wear glasses for your reasons, to see better, not for theirs. Having worn glasses for 54 years my experience has been that negative comments generally come from really ignorant people. Sometimes, those people have vision problems of their own and don't have the courage to do something about them.

Best wishes,

Emma 15 Jan 2006, 07:00

I have now been a glasses wearer for two whole weeks, i cannot believe i was so worried about getting glaases.

I have found my driving has improved ( according to my instructor ) maybe this is because i can now see the road signs before i get to them.

I am enjoying the clarity of everything and think i will be a fulltime wearer, the odd negative comment has put me off a bit, but i think i would rather get an odd reaction now and again but be able to see clearly ALL of the time.

The next step i think is to get some really nice frames that i will be happy wearing , i may wait till my next eye test late Feb, however i did see these on Ebay, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DIOR-PRESCRIPTION-GLASSES_W0QQitemZ5655639326QQcategoryZ31415QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem very smart i thought but maybe a bit too bold for me

Andrew 15 Jan 2006, 06:28

Beth,

That sounds great, but how sure are you that the chart was the correct distance from you?

Beth 14 Jan 2006, 22:17

Presbyopia 23

I have a prescription of -.75 and -.50. I just tested 20/20 and could even see most of the 20/15 line with each eye and both eyes at a health fair today.

Wei 13 Jan 2006, 12:16

I care of inposters!

Gerard 13 Jan 2006, 00:42

To reduced 20/20 to 20/40, you could also use +1.

presbyopia_23 12 Jan 2006, 19:54

Question for all, how well do you see without glasses and how well with glasses? I want to know how diopters relates to 20/something and am still researching it. I know that -1 generally reduces you to 20/40 from 20/20

Oscar 11 Jan 2006, 14:46

Wei - do we care?

Wei 11 Jan 2006, 12:23

No name - that post from "Wie" not me. Is fake Wei. I apologize for Wie.

-5.00 who luvs gwgs 11 Jan 2006, 11:40

I have been very interested in the comments on the very bottom lines on the eyechart .A few years ago I could easily read the 20;20 line and the one below it admittedly the one below that was not clear When I had an eyetest where my prescription was reduced by -0.25 I found that for distance vision I could just manage the 20;20 line when in fact I thought I needed an increase In other threads mainly induced myopia i explained how I faked a prescription by -0.75 giving me superb vision I can easily read the 20;15 line once again.Remember an optician is acting for you to see 20;20 if stronger lenses give better vision I think you should demand them.My gf worst eye -6.50 cannot see bus numbers as far as I can next time she gets distance glasses I am going to suggest she goes for -0.50 or -0.75 more so she can see that little bit better.Probably only us ES fans realise opticians try to keep rx s as low as possible just so that the 20;20 line can be read

No Name 10 Jan 2006, 16:12

p.s I have also consumed copious amounts of alcohol this evening, in which case I think I am doing quite well considering! (out celebrating the end of my law exams - for which a high degree and comprehensive knowledge of the English language is required!)- honest!

No Name 10 Jan 2006, 16:09

Wei - I take that as a dig at me - please don't tarnish me with the same brush as yourself. I speak and write perfect English I'm just a lazy typist!

Wie 10 Jan 2006, 15:23

think me that Wei talk is spread, yes? soon all talk like as good me.

No Name 10 Jan 2006, 13:47

I wasnt specifically asked to read the bottom line but rather which line i could read. I could read the bottom line with my contact in my right but not with my left, in which case I just thought it was stange not to just at least test another .25 in my left. I appreciate we are talking marginally miniscure degrees of fashion, but what was strang was that i was convinced that i would need a boost in my left eye cos i know i cant see as much out if that one. e.g. when i walk down street and cover my right eye i notice the difference. Thus i was really surprised when i could read most of the chart in the test!

Clare 10 Jan 2006, 13:31

I've never specifically been asked to read the bottom line. Its usually which line can you read which, for some people, will be the bottom line. I'm sure that's not 20/20 though.

guest 10 Jan 2006, 12:45

Wei - I never been test with no ask for bottom line. You maybe talk not so right about this.

Wei 10 Jan 2006, 12:00

No name. I think bottom line not always check. Is over 20/20 so not needed i think.

No Name 10 Jan 2006, 01:53

Thanks for your replies. Surely hoever an optician should at least check to see if you can read the bottom line because you may have very good visual acuity. I have been able to read the bottom line in previous tests so my eyes are obviosuly capable of seeing that print at that distance. Should they not therefore be obliged to check it?

Andrew 09 Jan 2006, 12:55

The ability to read the very bottom line is down to visual acuity. A person with "normal" eyesight would not be able to read it, no matter how strong the lenses you put in front of his/her eye. My optician used to cover that line over, as so few people were able to read it. Equally, if you can be corrected to 20/10, you would not be over impressed if you were only corrected to 20/20, and the only way you can find out whether it is possible is if you have a way of measuring it - hence the line on the chart.

Curt 09 Jan 2006, 08:55

Dear no name: The very bottom line on the chart is often 20/10. The one above that is 20/15, and the third line from the bottom is usually 20/20.

09 Jan 2006, 08:18

What is the bottom line of the Snellen chart? Does this equate to 20/20? At are recent contact lense check I couldn't make out the bottom line in one eye but didn't get a change in prescription. In the other I could make out the third from bottom and was given an extra -0.25 - does this sound about right?

Surely, if the bottom line is thee some people can read it - in which case, should those who can't be given a slightly stronger prescription? Thanks

Cactus Jack 09 Jan 2006, 02:01

QQ: No. The +1.00 Sphere would be cancellwd by the -1.00 x 170 only along the 170 axis (10 degrees from horizontal). The lens would still be +1.00 along the 80 degree axis.

To see the effect in the lenses, hold the glasses away from your eyes and rotate them with the lens in question as the axis of rotation and you will see the effect.

Remember, the Rx is correcting two problems in the eyeball. The + sphere likely corrects for the eyeball being a mm or so too short. The - cylinder corrects for a tiny bulge (about 0.4 mm) in the shape of the cornea.

QQ 08 Jan 2006, 22:36

Cactus Jack

My rx in the one eye is +1.00x-1.00x170,

cancel the+ and - each other and that

mean 0 ?

still 08 Jan 2006, 19:53

I don't care how often Wei posts, and I hope fake Weis will cut out this crap, too.

Puffin 08 Jan 2006, 17:49

Wasn't me. I'm Wei-neutral.

Emma 07 Jan 2006, 00:05

Well, it's ben nearly a week since i got my glasses, seem to have adjusted to them and both distance and near vision is clear,i didn't realise i was missing things without the correction, seeing across the road,peoples faces coming towards me etc.

General reaction to my glasses has been great, though a few have said things like " why are you wearing those ", " surely you dont need glasses"

The main thing is i can read a number plate at the required distance and my confidence in driving seems to have increased.

I am still not sure if i will be full time wearer, i have to go for another eye test at the end of February so i think i will make that decission then, depending if my prescription changes, i will get some nicer frames ifi do go full time.

06 Jan 2006, 13:39

Phil

How old are you? If you're over 30 it would be unusual for your myopia to increase.

Clare 06 Jan 2006, 11:38

Phil - you mean your girlfriend has a prescription like yours and wears them fulltime no issue? Go figure!!

Phil 06 Jan 2006, 03:05

Unnamed person-I don't actually know-she's very vague on numbers-but I'd guess minus 3ish. She's now 42 and has had two small increases in her rx in the last year. She's the yummiest person in the world: I'm really cross that I'm married because I want so much to be with her.

Frances-You are testy this morning! I've said that it isn't vanity: I'm past that sort of thing. Indeed I never worried much about how I look. It's just that specs are such a big thing for me. I'm sure others here understand: I know Katy does.

Frances 06 Jan 2006, 02:54

Get over your vanity Phil, if you need to wear them, wear them, thats all there is to it. Its supposed to be us women who are vain, not men. Bottom line is if you can see better with them on, then you need to wear them.

06 Jan 2006, 02:21

Phil - what's your gf's RX? She got her first glasses at 27 and is wearing full time - that's quite unusual?!

Phil 06 Jan 2006, 01:35

Clare and Hollie - Thanks for the encouragement. I'll report the outcome of the test when I finally get round to it. With me it's more embarrassment than vanity I think, though I can't really fully explain it. Maybe it's just that glasses mean so much to us OOs. My gf just puts her glasses on and doesn't think it's significant. She looks amazing in them by the way! She says that when she first got glasses, at 27, she wouldn't wear them because she thought they made her unattractive. It was only when she had no choice because her rx went up after a year that she started wearing fulltime. Now they just don't worry her. Will I ever be like that? After nearly 30 years of not wearing fulltime when I needed to I somehow doubt it. Wearing glasses will always be a big thing for me!

Clare 05 Jan 2006, 23:03

George1968 - I'm not a shy person in the general sense, just self-conscious about some things. Initiating glasses/contacts conversations is one of them. I will take part in them more readily initiate them.

George1968 05 Jan 2006, 14:41

Clare,

Sorry. Just trying to figure out this quote from an earlier post: "I was too embarrassed to say, but he looked good. Ive seen him since, wearing contacts again, but am too shy to mention it." Wasn't quite sure what you were shy about. Shy doesn't appear to fit the personality you communicate around here.

Clare 05 Jan 2006, 14:32

Wei - we're boring you??? That's the way it goes!!

Clare 05 Jan 2006, 14:31

Goeorge1968 - he last saw me with glasses 18 months ago and knows I wear contacts. We even discussed one day when his were troublesome. I'm no more reluctant to discuss with him than anyone else, and it's nothing to do with the fact that he looked, and looks, good!!

George1968 05 Jan 2006, 13:44

Clare,

What are you too shy to mention to the gentleman at the gym? The fact that you wear glasses as well, or the fact that you find him hot in his?

Wei 05 Jan 2006, 13:22

Anyone else think Phil and Clare just wear glasses and enjoy and not worry!!

Get new kind long wear contacts if you not want to!

Too much fuss i think!!

Clare 05 Jan 2006, 12:47

Phil why? Because I think we have some over-developed sense of vanity that makes us believe other people actually care. Im sure they dont. Having said that, recognising it doesnt make it any easier. Then I think theres that very obvious admission to the world that were less than perfect (of course, it may be the only thing that is !) and the fact that it can be a big step to enter that world. I know I keep on about this, but seeing that friend of mine with specs has been a bit of a revelation to me. Hes so self-aware, I figured he too was too vain and that he always wore contacts. With that, and my mothers nagging, Ive resolved to be a bit less self-conscious. But having said that, the idea of the different contacts is to get a longer wearing time, so well see.

Frames for you? Yes, semi rimless is good. Bold? Well, depends on your colouring, theres no point in making a statement if you just make a spectacle of yourself! Stay away from the basic black rectangles though, everyone else has them. I think something slightly European, Italian maybe, would be a good look.

Cactus Jack 05 Jan 2006, 07:38

CircleBox: You should consider requesting a copy of your Rx from the eye doctor or having a fresh eye exam - and get a copy of your Rx. If there is any cylinder, axis, add or PD (Pupiliary Distance) specified, you can duplicate it exactly when you order glasses.

If you want thicker lenses, request CR-39.

You also might want to consider GOC.

Let us know if we can help.

Hollie 05 Jan 2006, 02:19

Phil

Go for it! Bold glasses are cool too, although these aren't my first full-time pair, I had to work up to them!

Phil 05 Jan 2006, 01:35

Clare, Why do you and I have this shyness-about-specs "thing"? Odd isn't it? How do you explain it? Yes my specs are indeed off, usually to be found in coat pocket for whipping out at Waterloo. One day I'll end up in Portsmouth as I can't see anything on the boards. I can't go on like this. Wearing for most of a week, the dark days and a little bit of increase in my shortsightedness have combined to make going full-time an inevitability. I am going to do it when I get the new specs. I think I'll get one pair a bit understated, semi-rimless again or maybe silvery metal and another a bit bolder for when I'm feeling super-brave. What do you think?

CircleBox 04 Jan 2006, 22:02

From the eye doctor I have a weak plus RX but whenever I order glasses I usually put the sphere at -3.50 because that is what my eyes can handle without things being blurry. I was just wondering what all that meant because I have never seen my RX written out so I wasn't sure. Thanks!

Cactus Jack 04 Jan 2006, 20:26

CircleBox: Cylinder does not affect the thichness of the lens unless it is fairly high. Unless you need it, cylinder can really distort your vision.

Cactus Jack 04 Jan 2006, 20:23

CircleBox: Do not specify any cylinder, axis or add, unless you know what you are doing.

Sphere is for correcting refractive errors in the eye's optical system. The errors are usually caused by a mismatch between the length of the eyeball and the optical power of the cornea and the internal lens.

Cylinder usually corrects for irregularities in the shape of the cornea. The axis indicates the angle from 0 to 180 degrees of the cylinder correction.

Add indicated the amount of additional plus poewr in the reading segment of a bifocal.

Do you have a prescription for glasses or contacts from an eye care professional?

CircleBox 04 Jan 2006, 19:01

I was wondering if someone could help me as far as reading a prescription goes. I was just wondering what SPH, CYL, AXIS and ADD mean when filling out a prescription online. Whenever I order glasses I just put the SPH. If I were to do the CYL as well, would the lenses be thicker? Anything would help!

AA 04 Jan 2006, 12:19

Dear Bethanne, so sorry to hear about your friends sight, I,m sure with support from you and other friends he will learn that life can go on, its just a matter of accepting his vision and learning new skills to still enjoy life. I know as a someone who does not wear glasses its hard for me to understand the trauma your friend is going through, but I think being positive when is the best policy, and i,m sure with all your encouragement he will oon find life goes on as normal. Gosh Bethanne you have very strong glasses, I have your eyes stablilise soon and you don,t have to go through the same worry as your friend. Be thinking of both of you in the coming year. Lets hope we in the chat room let you feel our spititual presence good luck, and hope you have a wonderful new year. AA

Clare 04 Jan 2006, 11:51

Hi Phil

Happy New Year to you too, and a bespectacled one too maybe!! On the subject of the extra minus, he didnt actually offer it to me, he just said it *could* be increased. But that was at a contacts check up so I guess theyd want to do me a proper exam. I will mention it when I go back next week Im trying a new breed on contacts thats supposed to be less drying as my eyes feel unequal sometimes at the moment. I wonder if that means ones wrong.

But how did you feel a fulltime wearer? Im sure you should be anyway. I posted on here last week that I saw a friend on mine in the gym and was amazed he was wearing glasses. He wears contacts too; we even have the same rx. I was too embarrassed to say, but he looked good. Ive seen him since, wearing contacts again, but am too shy to mention it. Howre you getting on now, presumably back at work, and wearing part time again??

Phil 04 Jan 2006, 04:54

Clare, Hi-Happy New Year! I'm surprised you didn't go for the little bit of extra minus! They usually slightly underprescribe so it might have made things a tad crisper. In any case I stay well ahead of you. And I'm sure I'm on for .25 or .5 more when I get round to my test. I'm having a bit of trouble with car numberplates and roadsigns. While I was on holiday I wore fulltime amd I'm now finding going bare-eyed is so hard; things really are a blur on these dull days. So I think I'll just have to be full-time soon. Any suggestions on frames for me? I want to be bolder than my usual semi-rimless: in for a penny in for a pound!

Emma 03 Jan 2006, 22:35

Karen X

I was told i only need them for distance, however i have noticed reading is now so much better, but had not realised it was not up to scratch before. I think i will wait till my eyes have adjusted to the glasses before i decide if i become a full time wearer, i am however enjoying wearing them even though i hated the thought of wearing glasses when i was told i would need an eye test

Wei 03 Jan 2006, 11:31

Last post from Wei TO Emma. Mistake!

Emma 03 Jan 2006, 11:27

Buy new frame if you likng glasses very much. Try make staement for example bright frame, plastic look very nice. Or try large frame for different look.

Karen X 03 Jan 2006, 07:56

Emma - are you planning to continue wearing your glasses all the time once you have got used to them? Had you noticed any difficulty reading before your eye test?

Emma 02 Jan 2006, 22:32

Well here we are into a New Year..

Party i went to was great, i DID wear my new glasses,reactions seemed to be split:

Glaases look great, really suit you

Surely you don't need to wear those

all the time

The doubters really seemed to strengthen my resolve to persevere with the fuzz and blur of these new lumps of plastic, i have now been wearing them contiuously for 3 days and distance is becoming clearer and reading is fantastic, everyting seems to jump off the page at me.

Having been very against getting glasses, other than the fact i am learning to drive, i am really beginning to enjoy them and wish i had bought a slightly nicer pair, i thoght at the time... i am only going to wear these for driving, why spend oodles of money.

Today i am back at work after the break, hope my workmates like the new look Emma, i am getting used to seeing her in the mirror

thumper 31 Dec 2005, 11:38

hello all. i am looking for some lens recommendations. my Rx is

od -4.50 -2.00 x103 add +2.00

os -4.75 11.50 x65 add +2.00

Ian 31 Dec 2005, 08:12

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone

Emma hope all goes well with you and your glasses, hope to hear from you and everyone else in the new year about glasses experiences.

Cactus Jack 31 Dec 2005, 06:43

Emma: Excellent thinking on the "Oh, you got glasses" thing and a great way to start 2006 - seeing better and more comfortably.

Best wishes and Happy New Year to all.

Plusfan 31 Dec 2005, 03:52

Emma .. in a few days your vision will be very clear with glasses and you will never go without them i guess... so give the glasses a try !!

Emma 31 Dec 2005, 03:33

I just got back from collecting my new glasses, feels realy odd wearing them, i was told to wear them all the time for the first few days to adjust to them and near and far sight should be good, bit fuzzy at the moment, does not feel right.

My flatmate says they look great, am off to a New Year party tonight, am trying to pluck up the courage to wear my glasses, lots of friends and relatives so may be able to get " oh, you got glasses " thing over with in one night. Main thing is i can start driving lessons again

Helena 30 Dec 2005, 22:45

Wei

I've sometimes been given a -0.25 prescription for astigmatism, sometimes not, so I don't have anything really.

Jeremy

Your prescription is just -0.25 more in each eye than mine so maybe we have the same problems. I hope you get yours sorted out.

mickey 30 Dec 2005, 11:48

Bethanne,

Your new RX sounds very nice-at least to me it does.Do you have a blog or something where we can see photos of you or your glasses(or both?

Bethanne 30 Dec 2005, 11:02

Well, my suspicions were confirmed, I needed a stronger prescription. Left eye increased .25, right .50 and prism .50 plus .75 increase in add. New prescription is R, -13.00 -2.00 x170 6.50BO L, -14.25 -4.25 x005 6.50BO add +2.50.

My friend Billy's central vision deteriorated below 40 degrees. His bifocal add increased to +3.00 and his overall VA is 20/60. He is now using a hand held magnifier in addition to glasses to read and a little hand held telescope to help see the blackboard.

Wei 30 Dec 2005, 01:36

Helena have you astigmetism? This cause pain but i understand not myopia. I advise wear glasses all time anyway but if no astigimetism see docter for pain may have other casuses.

Jeremy 29 Dec 2005, 23:30

Yah I just found my prescription and I was wrong out bout it..turns out they are -2.5 in the Left and -3 in the Right, so not as bad as I though. So maybe I need a strong prescription not being able to see everything.

Helena,

I went without my glasses for a while and when I go without them after a while my eyes hurt, especially after wearing glasses. Because I have to squint A LOT and strain my eyes hurt, because everything is a blur with out them. So I am begining to wear my glasses full time now. I suspect that you may be squinting and straining your eyes a lot to stay focused. That and to get rid of the constant blur is why I have started to move to wearing my glasses full time. Also I do have a difference in my left and right eyes, so sometimes I get headaches and strain in the eys. So you might have the same problems, I am.

They are your glasses and eyes, but if you are having those problems, I suggest you wear them full time or atleast more often. Because for me as time goes the longer I try to not wear my glasses the worse the pain and headaches get.

Hope that helps.

Helena 29 Dec 2005, 22:28

Has anyone here ever experienced pain behind their eye? I have a prescription of -2.25 L and -2.75 R and its the R eye that is painful, like a dull ache. I dont wear glasses all the time and its when I dont that this happens. Sometimes its so uncomfortable that Ive thought that if its due to the stronger prescription in my R eye I will have to wear them all the time.

Last time I told my optician he increased my prescription by 0.25. All he said was that I dont need to wear them all the time but that a lot of people just do because they find it easier keep them on at this prescription anyway. Can anyone help?

Wei 29 Dec 2005, 10:26

Yes you maybe swap glasses also!

Willy 29 Dec 2005, 09:01

Emma -- From the fact that you are having distance blur and got a net plus prescription, I'll bet you will take to your new glasses very quickly.

Shell 29 Dec 2005, 07:56

Emma - I was also prescribed glasses earlier this month and the prescription seems close to yours. Mine reads

OD +1.75 -.50 x 90

OS +1.75 -.50 x 100

I wear mine most of the time. I am 26 years old.

Cactus Jack 29 Dec 2005, 02:26

Emma: P.S. Your new glasses will help a lot for reading and using the computer also.

Cactus Jack 29 Dec 2005, 02:25

Emma: Welcome. The first numbers in your Rx are for sphere correction which is the basic power of the lens. Sphere corrects for refractive errors caused by the length of your eyeball or not enough plus power in your internal lens.

The second set of numbers in your Rx is for cylinder correction. Cylinder normally corrects for irregularities in the shape of your corneas. The second number is the power of the cylinder and the third number is the axis or angle of the cylinder correction.

Your Rx is a very ordinary one for someone who is a low hyperope (technical term). Congratulations, you are long or farsighted.

If you will review some of the past posts on the Hyperopia and Presbyopia Progression thread, you will find some very good explanations of why things may be blurry at first. It is a very normal condition for newly corrected hyperopes.

Emma 28 Dec 2005, 22:45

Went for my eye test yesterday, the optician siad i should be wearing glasses for driving and suggested that i may find them useful at other times as well. The numbers are R + 1.25 - .75 80 L + 1.00 -.50 110 ?

What exactly do the last 2 sets of numbers mean ? I was also told by the lady that if i wished i could wear them all the time as she thought they would help with near and distance, but was advised that i may find things a bit fuzzy at first.....is this right,why be prescribed glasses that make things a bit blurry at first.

My glasses should be ready on Saturday, maybe my New Years resolution will involve me being a spectacle wearer !

Wei 28 Dec 2005, 13:34

Pat ask optomotrist if able check eye in lower light.

Pat 28 Dec 2005, 12:56

I gave up trying to get a new trifocal prescription a few years ago after not being able to see out of the new right lens from different eye drs. So I just kept my old lenses. Now my lenses are cracked and scratched so I'm forced to go through this again. I think I've isolated the prescription problem. The other day I noticed that I can actually see distant objects much clearer through the middle part of the trifocal than I can through the top part when I'm indoors or outdoors after dusk. But the distant objects are much clearer through the top part when it's light outside. I think the low level of light during the failed exams caused the prescription only to work at dimmer light levels. How do they deal with this during the eye exam? Is there any way I could get a prescription that would allow me to see clearly at medium light levels?

Plusfan 28 Dec 2005, 03:06

Today my girlfriend is getting contacts for the first time she is 19 years old and wore glasses for nearly all of her life her prescription is,

R +6.00 c=-0.75 as 90

L +5.25 c=-1.00 as 80

I'm very curious how the contacts will fit and and if they are comfortable to her eyes.

Jeremy 27 Dec 2005, 23:55

I have 2 year old glasses. If I remember its -3 in the left and -3.75 in the right. Though I have noticed my eyes have gotten a lot worse and I can't see everything very clear when I first got my glasses.

Bethanne 27 Dec 2005, 06:23

I mentioned to my dad that I thought my glasses were weak again so I have a test scheduled for tomorrow morning. My friend Billy is getting his eye test too, mostly his peripheral vision.

pelegrino 27 Dec 2005, 02:24

Slit, I just ordered the "free" glasses from http://www.specsonthenet.com/free.jsp. Since the frames are rather ugly I orderd a pair in case my glasses break. I'll let you (all) know how much they eventually charge me, since they have to send them to Switzerland. So far I paid something like £ 2.40. I reckon they are going to add some shipping charges for outside the uk.

well, i wish you all a good start into the new year 2006! may this wonderful site live forever. cheers and seasonal greetings from switzerland

pelegrino

presbyopia_23 26 Dec 2005, 07:50

If you need glasses for driving, its not the end of the world. You dont have to wear glasses except for driving. This is what my brother does. If you get your eye exam and can see 20/40 you dont even need glasses

billy 25 Dec 2005, 11:50

Welcome Emma. I know how you are feeling as i was perscribed my first pair of glasses a couple of months ago, as i was having difficulty with my distance vision. I was nervous to wear them at first, but eventually i plucked up the courage to wear them in front of other people, and now i wear them most of the time. Had you been having any problems with your vision before your lesson? When was the last time you had an eyetest? Let us know how you get on. Good luck with with the eyetest im sure you will love the clarity of your vision with glasses.

25 Dec 2005, 10:39

Merry high and strong and thick lenses everyone

Clare 25 Dec 2005, 00:17

I'll say that again ...

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Clare 25 Dec 2005, 00:16

Merry Chritmas everyone!

Ian 24 Dec 2005, 10:17

Welcome Emma, I am suppost to wear reading glasses, but lost them and have not got around to getting new ones, I feel my eyes straining, but am managing without them! I may go after Christmas to get new ones. I wish you a lovely Christmas - do not worry about needing glasses, you will be fine. Hope to hear how you get on with your eye exam.

Emma 24 Dec 2005, 06:08

Just started having driving lessons, my instructor asked if i could read a number plate about 40 feet away, i couldn't. He says he cannot continue with lessons till i get an eyetest as it is illegal for me to drive. I have booked a test for just after Christmas and hope i can get things sorted out, i do'nt really want to have to wear glasses but if it means i will be safe and legal on the road then i will have to accept it.

presbyopia_23 24 Dec 2005, 03:18

Thanks, I will order some free glasses and just pay shipping :) I chose -3.75 for each eye. This will slightly undercorrect me but I do not want my eyes getting any worse! I hope they keep improving in fact! several months ago I was told im -5.5 in left and -5 in right but theres no way they can be that bad now!

I was wondering another thing, how well do you guys see without correction? I am curious about diopters to 20/xxx vision.

George1968 23 Dec 2005, 14:51

Well, Clare, maybe you've now stabilized and won't have any changes until bifocals in a few years.

Have a good holiday.

Rod

Clare 23 Dec 2005, 12:10

George1968 - no change!! He said he could make a small increase but didn't think it was worth it, so I'm still -2.75. Hurrah.

George1968 23 Dec 2005, 08:18

So, Clare, what did you find out today at your eye doctor's visit?

Slit 23 Dec 2005, 07:11

Beth, you are lucky, here is the link for some free glasses...

http://www.specsonthenet.com/free.jsp

Andrew 23 Dec 2005, 04:06

Beth,

Your suggestion of getting an over-the-counter pair of reading glasses will not work because of your astigmatism. They will make everything bigger, but will not eliminate the cause of the squinting (your astigmatism).

DWV 22 Dec 2005, 22:04

Beth:

Since you're in Canada, if there's a Walmart Vision Center nearby, they'll make a pair of glasses (or lined bifocals) for a whopping $64 Canadian (with a limited but not hideously ugly selection of frames).

Beth 22 Dec 2005, 19:40

Hi guys! And thanks for all the advice!

Slit - I don't really know why I decided to check my eyes. I know I squint a lot when I read or work on the computer and wondered if it might be an eye thing. Also, I'll really be burning the candle at the computer the next several months. I live in Sweden right now and glasses are much more expensive there, so it just seemed to make sense to check my eyes while home in Canada for Christmas, just in case....

Curt 22 Dec 2005, 11:34

Beth: Your prescription is very similar to my first one many years ago. If you decide to get glasses (I think you should), you will probably find that they will help a lot with reading and computer work, but may make your distance vision a little blurry until your eyes relax and get used to them. But the amount of cylinder in your prescription is not insignificant, and you may find that you see better at all distances with your glasses - that is what happened with me.

Good luck!

Slit 22 Dec 2005, 09:56

Beth,

I think its very good if you can get some good quality real glasses.

Because if you try out some improper glasses and if a feature such as frame height, shape etc make you decide not to wear glasses anymore, thats bad.

Your eyes should compare the difference in seeing near things with and without the corrective lenses in front of them.

By the way, what made you go to an eye test? Is it a blurriness when you read or general discomfort to read?

Smudgeur 22 Dec 2005, 06:08

Hi Beth

This is a similar prescription to my wife's - she is:

R: +0.50 -0.50 080

L: +0.75 -0.25 078

She wears hers all the time - she struggled to see distances clearly for the first couple of weeks but after that her eyes relaxed properly and they're now fine. If I were you I'd get them made up properly, if you want a cheap online place then we've been satisfied with www.goggles4u.com - however you may want to try some frames on in a store first to see what suits you and if poss. to make a note of the size of the frame and bridge so you don't end up with glasses either too small or too big for your face. If you order on line you'll also need to know the exact distance between your pupils (PD) in milimetres - get a friend to help with this or ask your optician. Good luck, and come back and let us know how you get on.

Beth 22 Dec 2005, 05:55

Thanks for the tips! Good ideas! Someone suggested trying dollar store reading glasses but as you say, the cylinder might be most important, at least for computer work where the distance is a little beyond reading.

/Beth

DWV 21 Dec 2005, 21:41

Beth:

That is a fairly low prescription, although the cylinder should give you sharper vision at all distances. It'd be worth getting a pair to see if they help. You could order cheap glasses online someplace, but if you look around locally there's usually someplace that will do cheap no-frills glasses. Unlike shopping online, you could try frames on, and have them properly fitted. Another moneysave is to get used frames from a friend/family/thrift store/Ebay, and have your prescription put into them.

Beth 21 Dec 2005, 21:00

Hi!

Don't know if anyone has any advice for me but I visited the optometrist today for the first time in 20 years (26 years old now and working in front of the computer all day every day). My rx is OD +0.75 -0.75 172 and OS +1.00 -1.00 007. The guy said it was sort of up to me to decide whether to get glasses since I don't get headaches, just squint some. It just seems like an expensive experiment to see if I'd really appreciate the glasses. Any of you been in this kind of situation? Any advice? Thanks!!!

eye prob newbie,

Beth

OttO 21 Dec 2005, 20:14

Diecast

If you suspect you have more than a simple need for glasses, you might want to visit an opthalmologist. The opthalmologist is an MD. Better safe than sorry.

Diecast 21 Dec 2005, 19:36

After reading some postings and web pages about astimatism, i've would like some opinions. When I was 20 I had my eyes checked and I needed 3 "points" of Astig. correction in my left eye and less than 1 in my right. March of this year (i'm 26), I had them checked again (I know, waited too long) and my left eye jumped to 5 "points", and my right to around 2. The optomitrist seemed mildly concerned, but didn't say much to me. On a whim, I did a little research and learned that this jump may be caused by keratoconus. I will mention this when I go back in 3 months for a checkup, what are your thoughts? Last visit he didn't do the "air puff" thing or the "metal touching the eyeball" test, so I'm assuming he wasn't seriously concerned yet, but who knows...

TFR

New here 21 Dec 2005, 11:31

What is the difference between the green and the red please?

Phil 21 Dec 2005, 06:06

Clare, I am going to let you go first so I have something to aim at! If you get past -3.25 in the right eye or -3.5 in the left I will have to raise my game! I've also got -.25 cylinder though sometimes they give me that and sometimes they don't. I have an add of 2 of course but you won't be up for anything like that for a few years yet. You just must tell me what happens. Then I know whether to try to keep telling the optician that the red looks brighter! Unfortunately I'm away from the computer from tonight till 4th Jan. If you like you can text me with the result on Friday: 07871436620. I'd like that. Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Clare 20 Dec 2005, 11:30

Phil - I made my appointment for Friday. How about you??

-5.00 who luvs gwgs 20 Dec 2005, 11:13

My lovely gf has just had to have computer glasses her varifocals were giving her problems Her rx is -6.50 and -5.00 her add was + 1.00 now her computer glasses are -5.00 and -3.50 interestingly they still have some nice myopic rings and some cut in not as sexy as her normal glasses but still rather lovely and of course not as flat fronts ( her regular glasses although not yet plano fronts are heading that way) She is 47 but looks much younger

Phil 19 Dec 2005, 04:40

Sorry Clare. Put your name in box instead of mine! Maybe I should get that test sooner!

Clare 19 Dec 2005, 04:39

Maybe we'll soon have same rx! I'm just .75 and .5 ahead of you. But I need a test too and think a small increase may be in order for me too. Let me know what happens at your test! What frames are you going to get? I usually stick with semi-rimless but might go for something a bit bolder this time. We should follow Hollie's example!

Random_Eye 18 Dec 2005, 19:30

Not sure that you have the worst eye sight on here. When I was your age I had a buddy that was like you. He was around -9 at 15. By the time he hit 21 things had slowed down a lot for him. But he still cant get sugery just yet.. Want him to wait a little longer.

Almost Blind 18 Dec 2005, 16:38

I wish I had you're problems! I think I am like the youngest one posting on here and on top of that, I have the worst eyesight! I wear contacts full time. If I didn't I would run into everything! My prescription is -7.50 in both eyes...I'm almost legally blind at the age of 17 and they keep getting worse every 6 months! We are hoping that they stop soon so that by the time I am about 21 I can get corrective surgery! I'm not holding my breath tho!

Angela 18 Dec 2005, 05:50

I recently got glasses with a prescription of R SPH -1.25 CYL -1.00, L SPH -1.50 CYL -0.50. I didn't think it sounded a very strong prescription but I was quite surprised how small the lenses make things when holding my glasses at arms length. Also the lenses stick out from the frames just near the hinges more than I thought they would.

I currently wear my glasses for distances (tv, driving etc) but sometimes keep them on when I'm tired.

Puffin 18 Dec 2005, 04:39

You could just get closer to have a better look.

George1968 17 Dec 2005, 15:21

Clare,

You know, someday you are going to go out bare-eyed, and the man of your dreams will be across the room, but you will never know because you won't be able to see him.

And, what if he is like you, and can't see you.

A myopic nightmare!

George1968 17 Dec 2005, 15:18

Clare,

In terms of later-onset myopia, it happens, but not in large percentages of people. So, you may not be unusual in terms of your eyesight, but you are not common, either.

Now, whether you are unusual in other ways, I have no idea.

And, how are things with you? Still resisting fulltime wear when you don't have your contacts in?

Clare 17 Dec 2005, 14:51

Actually, I'm not so unusual - a friend's husband got glasses soon after me and at the same sort of age. His rx is less than mine and he's been pretty much a full time wearer from around -1.75 .

Clare 17 Dec 2005, 14:49

;)

George1968 17 Dec 2005, 09:31

Hollie,

Your eyes should stabilize in the next couple years. It's fairly unusual for people to become myopic or more myopic after their mid-20s (though we do have the case of Clare, who's gone from nothing to almost -3 in her 30s).

Do you wear contacts mostly or glasses mostly?

Hollie 17 Dec 2005, 05:45

I'm 21.

George1968 16 Dec 2005, 17:09

Hollie,

And to think it was not too long ago that you were going bare-eyed.

BTW, how old are you? You may still have some time before you stabilize.

Hollie 16 Dec 2005, 16:17

Phil

Its -3.75 -1.25 in my left and -4.50 -1 in my right. Is pretty scary that its getting worse! I thought my eyes would have stabilised by now.

Clare 16 Dec 2005, 10:58

Phil - at -2.75 I'm way behind most people here. I'm due a test later this month, it's my Christmas treat ha ha! I'll be interested to see if it stays the same as I think one of my eyes has changed which seems strange as they've stayed in tandem till now. Still I guess anything can happen.

DJ 16 Dec 2005, 10:14

I just picked up my new pair of reading/computer glasses & am so excited & amazed with the difference a new RX makes. These are the second pair of glasses I've worn in my life. My new RX is R: +1.25, L: +1.25 +50 90. I got the AR coating & it makes a huge difference overall. My previous RX: R: +1.00 L: +1.00 +50 86

Phil 16 Dec 2005, 00:32

Hi all. As some of you know I'm -3.5 and -3.25 and don't wear fulltime. Lately I've started keeping specs on longer. I have varifocals with an add of 2 and am finding that it is becoming so much easier to read with my glasses on. Previously reading was fine bare-eyed but now the print seems clearer and blacker through what is, effectively, about -1.5. Anyone know why this is? Maybe I need an eye test. What's your rx now Hollie? Oxford seems to be having the same effect on your vision that it had on mine 30 years ago! And what's yours Clare? You due for another test soon?

Clare 15 Dec 2005, 22:29

NL - I used to be concerned about that too when I had an rx of -1.50. But as I only wore them then for driving and occasional distance it wasn't really an issue. With your prescription I'm sure no-one would consider that they were either weak or had no prescription!

NL 15 Dec 2005, 13:55

Hollie

I don't know what the prescription would be but sometimes I see people and it seems like the lenses are clear. I think it's better to see that the lenses make things a little smaller. That's all.

Wayne 15 Dec 2005, 11:50

Mangoes -- I have had glaucoma for around 20 years now. It has remained under control with drops. Annual visual field and nerve fiber analysis tests have shown little if any increased damage to my eyes in that time. Glaucoma is usually managable with drops although a change in drops is sometimes necessary every so often when one drop quits working. Pressure checks are necessary at least 2 or 3 times a year to keep on top of this. It is important to use your drops.

The only change I've noticed in my vision is a slight increase in nearsightedness when my pressure is higher -- which disappears when the pressure is brought back down.

Regarding the thickness of your glasses. My glasses Rx is similar to yours. My glasses are not noticably thick with hi-index lenses. You may need to choose a smaller frame if the lenses in your glasses seem thick at that prescription.

Plusfan 15 Dec 2005, 03:54

My prescription is,

Left +2.00 C=-0.25

Right +1.75

I wear my glasses fulltime cause i cant read without them and even at distance everything looks much clearer

Hollie 15 Dec 2005, 01:16

What would you call a very low prescription? And why don't you like to see people wearing one?

Mangoes 14 Dec 2005, 13:23

JJ-Lucky you, at least you can wear contacts. I am so happy for you. I can't. My eyes are extremely dry. I have tried contacts but my eyes itch, burn and becomes red and watery. I had to give up contacts. I have to use natral tears(over the counter drugs)to lubricate my eyes up to four times in a day. Besides that I use eye drops twice daily also to control my IP which goes up at times to 23 and this has been going on for 16 years. I have been going to my Optholmologist every 3 months to monitor my IP. Any latest info on glaucoma.

NL 14 Dec 2005, 11:37

Thanks for the replies. I hate it to see someone with a very low prescription wearing glasses so would not want anyone to think the same of me. The lenses look quite nice so jit wouldn't be a problem for me to wear them, most I wonder what people's reaction will be but I'm sure it will be fine.

JJ001 14 Dec 2005, 11:09

My RX is R -4.00 -1.25 x 70 L -3.75 -1.00 x 88 Luckily, I am able to wear contact lenses. I apply three different eye drops twice/day (morning/night)(lifetime).

MANGOES 14 Dec 2005, 10:56

JJ-Apology accepted. It is not my wish to wear coke bottles. If you know what I mean, because the first thing some people see is my glasses and not the real me.

JJ001 14 Dec 2005, 10:26

Mangoes - I apologize for coming across preachy that was not my intention.

MANGOES 14 Dec 2005, 08:18

JJ- I totally agree that I should be concerned about my glaucoma instead of my RX increasing. I still need to know though. My grandfather is now blind as a result of glaucoma, it is frightening, especially when there is a block out. I panic when the light goes out. I really freak out. I am scared somtimes, just the taught of becoming blind. I think I am living in denial, sometime I tell myself that I don't have glaucoma. Just yesterday I was passing the "Society for the blind" and my co-worker was with me and made the statment "imagine, it is so true, the blind leading the blind and laughed." I said her, "it is no joke, because I am almost in a simular position, I am not laughing." It is so painful to use the eye drops for a life time. Thanks for reminding me.

JJ001 14 Dec 2005, 07:42

NL - Every person I know who has a -2.00 or more RX wears either glasses or contacts fulltime. Why put up with blurry vision when it can be corrected.

Mangoes - What would worry me more then an increasing RX is glaucoma and skipping your eye drops. I know that it is pain to use them I have three different eye drops that I have to apply twice/day but worse would be to lose your vision which will happen with glaucoma if you do not use the eye drops.

MANGOES 14 Dec 2005, 07:39

Julian, what is your RX?

MANGOES 14 Dec 2005, 07:35

Julian, You are free to comment. Any how a person with my RX has real difficulty seeing without glasses. I cannot move about without mine. I'd be bumping into things. My daughter is always embarassing me, by saying how blind I am. She would make expressions around my friends and this makes me uncomfortable. I have no contol over my vision, but I have not been open to discussing it until now. This is my first open discussion. My concern is, I don't want the thikness of my glass to increase. People are giving me "the" look. I now wear Hi index with a RX of -4:50 but the edges are noticably thick. Again, feel free to coment. Maybe you can even answer my questions?

Julian 14 Dec 2005, 06:37

Sorry, that was addressed to NL.

Julian 14 Dec 2005, 06:36

Your first post sounded almost as if you were wanting permission to wear your glasses all the time. If so, feel free. If I had a prescription like yours (which I don't) I'd certainly be a full time wearer (which I am with the Rx I have).

MANGOES 14 Dec 2005, 05:55

I am new to this site, My prescription is: R-4:00 -0.50 x 180

L-4:50 -0.50 x 180

I also have glaucoma that I have been battling with for the past 12 years. Somtimes I use my eye drops and at times I don't. My questing is, will my prescription increase due to failure to use my eye drops. I do hope it won't, because when people look at me, or people with lens that look a little strong, if that is what you call a

-4:50. They are distracted, it is as if they are looking through me. Any of you find that this happens to you?

Will my prescription increase although I am over 30?

Hollie 14 Dec 2005, 02:02

Hi NL

Personally I would wear them full-time. I didn't wear full-time until I as about -3.5, and I wish I'd started sooner.

At your prescription, I presume its pretty difficult to watch TV, go shopping or even when walking down a street, you'll find it hard to see people's faces unless they're quite close (from experience-this can be embarrassing!!).

If you do start wearing them all the time, that doesn't mean you never have to take them off. I wear mine all the time, but if there's an occasion when I don't want to wear them and cn't be bothered with my contacts, I'll just go bare-eyed.

But its your choice at the end of the day- why not try wearing them fulltime for about a week, then see how you feel. If you think you could manage without them, then you can go back to just wearing them for distance. Good luck!

NL 13 Dec 2005, 12:33

At the moment I just wear them for driving and TV. For some things I notice a real difference, particularly when it is not so light.

12 Dec 2005, 09:00

NL - What do you mean by fulltime? How often do you wear them now? Do you wear them outside e.g. shopping or only for driving tv etc?

-5.00 who luvs gwgs 11 Dec 2005, 23:12

The last post was not from me!

-5.00 who luvs gwgs 11 Dec 2005, 15:52

One other thought.... It will improve your sex live from my own experiences. Read the other threads.

-5.00 who luvs gwgs 11 Dec 2005, 15:13

NL if I were you I would definitely go full time why have less than 100% vision if my eyes weakened by even -0.50 I would go for a stronger prescription yes you could go without but you will miss peoples expressions signs etc etc Go for it and be proud of your glasses

NL 11 Dec 2005, 14:16

My new prescription is -2.25 L and -2.50 R

When do people start to wear them all the time, is this too weak?

specs4ever 10 Dec 2005, 15:22

Doesn't sound right to me markinstate. I would suggest another opinion.

marknstate 10 Dec 2005, 11:42

Hi all,

Have a problem and I want to know if anyone else has experienced this. I have had two bouts of corneal ulcers and now must wear glasses. I got my new prescription which is

O.D. +1.00 x -1.00 90

O.S. +1.00 x -1.50 145

Really having trouble in my left eye. I have an astigmatism but my left eye is my good eye and I feel this weird pressure,sensation, in the area of my lacrimal sac. I have been to two optomistrists and they say i just have to get use to the glasses. It has been nearly a month. Went to two optomalogists. One said eyestrain, and that the glasses will seem different compared to contacts. Both said no disesase or injury. Other said that the cornea is "bounding" and it may take 6 months. Just feels like I am pressing on the lacrimal sac of my left eye. Almost like a tugging or pulling sensation. My vision is crystal clear by one dr. said that my left lens may be underpowered and he told me to wait a month. At time that left eye tears. Is taht from strain? No redness whatsoever. just burns, feels itchy, and a sense of pulling. Any advice? Thanks

HELP 09 Dec 2005, 07:44

how would that affect intolerance to ONLY the new lenses? pls explain?

and no more cheese than usual! :)

Julian 08 Dec 2005, 16:55

HELP,

Have you been eating a lot of cheese in recent years. If so, that could account for your intolerance of your new lenses.

HELP 08 Dec 2005, 06:00

they already tried matching the base curve :) i can't wear the drugstore generics given the PD specific need i have.

to make it even more confusing - i bout two different frames and both, i am having problems with.

is it conceivable that somehow the newer materials they are making lenses with these days, could be causing a problem??

DWV 07 Dec 2005, 20:53

Maybe they're fitted differently to your face, like higher or closer? Is the base curve different (I'm not sure why (or if) that is significant, but my last prescription has "Do not change base curve")?

If you wear a pair of drugstore reading glasses in +1.50, how do they compare to the new and old prescription glasses?

HELP 07 Dec 2005, 10:21

they are for reading... +150 in each eye and a PD of 59

(basically my eyes tend to cross a bit when i read and it causes headaches)

07 Dec 2005, 09:27

HELP - What is your complete Rx and age

HELP 07 Dec 2005, 08:44

i have recently had new glasses made - prescription has been the same for 10 years. all of a sudden the NEW GLASSES give me headaches while the old ones do not. my prescription hasn't changed? new glasses have been checked and everything is the same!

is there something in new lense construction that could be causing this?

Emily 28 Nov 2005, 21:03

Jon -- Red makes the doctor give you more minus, green makes her/him give you more plus. I know ... I always see better on the red side the first few choices.

JonB 28 Nov 2005, 10:46

Hi all

I'm going for an eye test on Wednesday and am going to try and get a prescription, is it red or green to add more minus when the lenses are being put in?

Thanks

JonB

lucaspz 25 Nov 2005, 19:48

Please: I need any manual operator and manual service of automatic lens meter Reichert, please send link or file to lucaspacherres@Yahoo.com. Thankz from Peru

Adam 24 Nov 2005, 10:57

Hiya Vic i understand what you are going through. I am having the same trouble with my stronger + prescription.

presbyopia_23 24 Nov 2005, 04:44

If you need plus glasses for distance, you may not have accomodation, Vic. You mentioned things clear up with those + .5 diopter glasses. Many young people easily have some hyperopia that gets accomodated so they see clear till presbyopia comes in.

Vic 23 Nov 2005, 12:55

Peter, think I posted it further down but here it is again

Sphere R +0.50 L +0.50

Cylinder -.50 x 19 -.25 x 160

peter 23 Nov 2005, 11:38

Hi Vic whats your new prescription?

Vic 22 Nov 2005, 19:51

No Barry I havent. My mum wears trifocals though

Barry 22 Nov 2005, 18:06

Vic, have you given thought to being screened for trifocals?

Clare 22 Nov 2005, 13:51

Now Julian there's a thought ... so if one/two of our collective grandparents was/were myopic we probably wouldn't know because then, I suspect, it's highly unlikely that they'd have worn glasses at all. I've seen plenty of photos of my great grandparents and their family and none of them did, I imagine that was common then. You're right about my parents - my father and my aunt (mycousin's mother) are pretty hyperopic full time wearers; my mother apparently had glasses in her twenties then discarded them till her early 40s.

My aunt's keen to discuss things glasses related - last time she tried mine on, which were of course way too strong for her, and thought they were very strong. I'd love to have the family history conversation with her.

Julian 22 Nov 2005, 06:14

Clare: a couple of comments on your recent posts. First (I feel as if I'm teaching my granny to suck eggs) the hyperopia your parents developed in their 40s was presumably latent till the approach of presbyopia made it a nuisance. Secondly the rogue myopia gene which no one else in your family has may well have come from one of your 16 great-great-grandparents - or rather the 8 you and your cousin share. It is a fact of genetics that a characteristic often skips three generations and reappears in the fourth. So, for instance, the Chinaman who divorced his wife when she had a blond baby may not have had as good grounds as he thought, because there is that possible exception to the rule at two Wongs don't make a white.

Slit 21 Nov 2005, 19:48

Vic,

I think it happens because lens in your eye is not fully relaxed or it does not respond fast to the increase in rx from +0.5 to +0.75

If your accomodation is lost, you will not be able to focus on anything without glasses which is not the case here.

It looks like you are online, can you please come to the http://www.lenschat.com/lenschat/index.php

Vic 21 Nov 2005, 19:35

Sorry Slit I'll try again :) Just I have two pairs of glasses ones at +0.75 and ones at +0.50 I can see the distance perfectly in my +0.50 and everything is crystal clear. In my +0.75 it is only clear if I look straight down at the paper or book. I'm just wondering why I cant make the jump to +0.75 I'm only 20 does that mean I have no accomodation or is accomodation something else?

Slit 21 Nov 2005, 19:19

Vic,

Your question regarding "Am I on right track" is not clear.

Please repost your question in a much descriptive manner.

Vic 21 Nov 2005, 18:30

hmm very quiet today

Vic 21 Nov 2005, 11:57

I'm interested in what people have to say about my theory or if im on the right track :P

Clare 21 Nov 2005, 11:17

Vic - I don't know where my cousin and I inherited our rogue myopia gene, no-one else in the family has it. Still it gives those with the time something to speculate on, the symptoms, age at diagnosis, being female, it goes on and on ... The two of us have never discussed it at all :)

Vic 20 Nov 2005, 15:43

Oh and Claire I inherited my mums eyesight my dads myopic

Vic 20 Nov 2005, 15:42

I was just trying now my reading glasses and other ones its so weird that +0.25 makes all the difference do I not have any accomodation? You reckon I would at my age. Maybe im on the wrong track

Clare 20 Nov 2005, 14:32

They say we inherit our eyesight but in my family everyone has a tendency to hyperopia except for my cousin and me. Our parents all seem to have developed hyperopia in their 40s never having had any problems before then, yet my cousin and I have been myopic since our 20s. Where did it come from I wonder and where to next? My guess is she has an rx a bit stronger than mine.

Vic 20 Nov 2005, 13:27

Yep CJ that sounds about right

Cactus Jack 20 Nov 2005, 13:16

Vic - Sounds to me like your internal lens is fully relaxed with the +0.50 and the +0.75 made you a little nearsighted where anything beyond 4 meters (about 13 feet) would have been blurry. Does that agree with your experience?

Vic 20 Nov 2005, 11:59

But I am curious at how I adopted to +.50 so easily and now I barely notice I'm wearing them yet I couldnt make the jump to +.75 for distance

Vic 20 Nov 2005, 11:43

No bifocals yet. I have two pairs of glasses :) I had progressives once but I didnt like them

Slit 20 Nov 2005, 04:20

Hi Vic,

I guessed that your mom also started wearing reading glasses in her 20's because you also needed them in young age. It should be a nice sight to see both mom and daughter wear glasses to read... and its much cool to see mom and daughters borrow each others glasses when their own glasses are not with them.

Is your new glasses bi-focals?

Hi Julian,

Thanks.

Yep, i will wait till it becomes a problem and go for glasses.

Given that i can see near things perfectly through +2, I should be able to see far a way things very clearly through +1. But I shall wait.

My mom is currently Myopic (but doesnt wear glasses becaise of vanity)... Probably thats why she is not having severe presbyopia at 47! Anyway after trying dads glasses she mentioned that she also hope to get glasses next yr!!!

Amazing fact is although I love to see my girlfriend wear glasses, my father doesnt seem to see my mom wear glasses!!! It looks like glasses fetish is not in his genes ;-)

Vic 20 Nov 2005, 01:07

Acutally I have a question :) I got a new prescription a few weeks ago and everytime I put on and off my glasses my eyes would feel a bit sore now they are relaxed everytime I wear them. Does that mean I've adjusted? I know its probably a stupid question to ask but I thought id ask.

Vic 19 Nov 2005, 23:36

Hi Jules nice to see you

Julian 19 Nov 2005, 22:50

Slit: MY guess (and it isn't much more than that) is that you and your sister have a bit of latent hyperopia. You could have your eyes tested if you are worrried about it - or of course if you want glasses! Otherwise just note the fact and do nothing till it becomes a problem, which could take twenty years. In your mother's case, she's surely old enough to benefit from a bit of help with near vision anyway; if she were hyperopic it would have started to bite by now

Vic 19 Nov 2005, 22:34

Got my new glasses today with my new prescription. They are so comfy and feels like im not wearing anything except they make things sharper and less eyestrain. Never had such a good prescription before

Vic 19 Nov 2005, 22:08

My mum started wearing reading glasses when she was in her early 20's. She went fulltime at about 40 I think

Slit 19 Nov 2005, 19:15

Vic,

Try to find moms first ever pair of glasses, whihc may probably have a r/x somewhat less than the current one.

Through that you also may be able to see.

At what age did your mom started wearing reading glasses?

Did she go fulltime straight ahead?

Vic 19 Nov 2005, 11:57

Thanks CJ :) That really cleared it up. Now I know the difference between the power and the astigmatism. And slit ive tried on my mums glasses and its pretty blurry except for the top part (She wears trifocals) I know if I look in distance in my reading glasses its a bit blurry.

Puffin 19 Nov 2005, 06:53

It might just be your eyes relaxing, because +2 isn't that much really. I tried my friend's mother's old glasses, they are something like +4 or +5 with astigmatism in different directions, well, everything was a blur, except close up, and made my eyes feel funny.

BTW I don't need glasses.

Slit 19 Nov 2005, 04:39

After stretching arms for a long time my father accepted the defeat and bought glasses today.

He is 49yrs old, r/x is +2.

But to my surprise all the ppl at home can se pretty well through them.

Me (22 yr old) My sister 17yr old and mom 47 yr old. We all can see very well through +2 lenses.

Other than anything in arms length, I can see mid distanc (abt 3 meters away) clearly. Even far away things are slightly blurry, but i can distinguish.

What is the reason all the ppl can see through +2 lenses? Are all of us having some latent hyperopia?

Vic, what is your experiences about trying someone elses reading glasses and being able to see through them?

Any other young person who had the same experience like me?

Cactus Jack 19 Nov 2005, 04:36

Vic - That is correct.

The Rx of +0.50, if for distance vision, is for a person who is slightly far or longsighted. Typically this means that their eyeballs are about 1/2 mm too short (about 1 mm / diopter) and with the internal lens relaxed, there is not quite enough plus power in the cornea/crystaline lens system and the image is focusing behind the retina. The Sphere correction of +0.50 moves the focus point forward for a sharp image on the retina.

The cylinder correction typically means that the shape of the cornea is not a perfect sphere (astigmatism), and that the curvature is slightly greater along one axis than it is on another. Some would say that the cornea has a "football" shape (oblong sphereoid), but when they say that, they mean a US football rather than "football" as played elsewhere.

Because of the tremendous plus power in the cornea, it doesn't take much deviation from a perfect sphere to create the need for cylinder correction. A difference in the radius of curvature of 0.1 mm between the 0 degree axis and the 90 degree axis would result in a 0.25 D refractive error.

Vic 18 Nov 2005, 21:53

So CJ in that prescription I posted below, the strength of the lenses are +0.50 and the cylinder in the right is slightly more do I have that right? thanks

Cactus Jack 18 Nov 2005, 21:31

Billy - Good for you. You will notice the biggest difference outside where things are more distant and probably notice that you see better at night.

All who wear glasses have been through the anxiety phase and frankly, it doesn't last long - a day or two at most.

Vic 18 Nov 2005, 21:24

Thanks CJ for the answer :) I appreciate it. And its good to hear that you are going well Billy. I know for me my slight prescription makes all the difference. Things are sharper and my eyes can relax. When I take my glasses off I can definitely notice a difference. Dont be ashamed to go public Billy :) You might get some comments but they will pass. I am still awaiting on my new pair of glasses hopefully they will be ready in a couple of days.

billy 18 Nov 2005, 19:04

Hiya Vic. Despite what has been said i decieded to go and get some glasses, as i had nothing to lose. I got a semi rimless rectangular pair. I have been wearing them at alone and have noticed an improvement!! Still haven't been brave enough to wear them in public, which i know i know is stupid!!! I'm sorry for causing such a debate in the post, it did make me wonder if i needed them, but i guess it is personal choice!!!

Cactus Jack 18 Nov 2005, 14:28

Vic - Your question is not stupid, but you may not like this answer - NEITHER!

A refractive error has nothing to do with "strength" of the eye. If anything, one could possibly say that the right eye (OD) is slightly "weaker" because it takes more cylinder to correct the error, but I don't agree.

A refractive error, which is correctable with contacts or glasses, is just that. It does not matter if it takes a plus lens or a minus lens to neutralize the error and bring the image into focus on the retina.

Vic 18 Nov 2005, 12:06

CJ, with the prescription I wrote below, this is going to sound stupid but which is the slightly weaker eye?

Vic 17 Nov 2005, 23:18

Finally a little conversation happening :) Just what I like to see

presbyopia_23 17 Nov 2005, 23:07

I am curious what pescription the rest of you are. How well do you see without glasses? with?

again im about a -5 and 20/500 without glasses, 20/30 with.

Vic 17 Nov 2005, 17:28

oops and thank you CJ :)

Vic 17 Nov 2005, 17:28

No CJ thats what I was wondering. Im just trying to make a bit of conversation around here :( I miss commenting on other peoples situations etc

Cactus Jack 17 Nov 2005, 15:15

Vic - I didn't quite understand your question, I hope this is what you wanted.

The Rx is for very low far or long sightedness with a little astigmatism. If written out for glasses it would be:

OD Sphere +0.50, Cylinder -0.50 Axis 19

OS Sphere +0.50, Cylinder -0.25 Axis 160

If this is not what you had in mind, please let me know.

You are certainly right about the silence.

Vic 17 Nov 2005, 13:04

I know ive asked this before and I cant seem to find where someone answered me! But how does this rx read?

Sphere R +0.50 L +0.50

Cylinder -.50 x 19 -.25 x 160

I wish I still had my old prescription I cant remember what it was. Just wondering how you make it out.

ps this place has gotten very quiet :(

Vic 15 Nov 2005, 13:23

Hey Billy how are things going?

Vic 15 Nov 2005, 00:31

Yes DWV its a very interesting read nevertheless :)

DWV 14 Nov 2005, 22:44

Vic: The Optiboard is for various optical industry types, including opticians and optical lab folks. There's lots to read there.

ant 14 Nov 2005, 12:20

Chris - good to meet another high myope who wears hearing aids. Like you, I had a viral infection when I was 27 and it affected both my sight and hearing. Good to know there is another one like me.

oscar 14 Nov 2005, 11:34

presbyopia_23: all I'm saying is that subjective responses are a very important part of the testing process, and that while general assumptions can be made, they are not *necessarily* hard and fast rules, even if the objective data suggests they should be.

Vic 14 Nov 2005, 11:27

Wow didnt realise it was for optometrists only. Thought it might be a discusson place like this

Ted 14 Nov 2005, 10:08

Vic, do a Google search of optiboard and then it will come into focus. It is a site for the optical industry types. However you can post and get some non medical questions answered. Let us know what you think.

presbyopia_23 13 Nov 2005, 21:12

presbyopia_23, all I can say to answer your question from my own experience (and talking to my eyedoctors), is that testing often gives subjective results that are slightly different so it's not always possible to say that what is right for one person is going to be right for another, even if objective tests appear to be identical.

so your saying the vertex distance rule may not be the same for everyone? sounds strange to me since vertex distance is a fact. Everyone knows that something like contacts that sit on the eye needs less minus than something that sits like 2cm away from the eyes. Every contact ive tried followed the 1.25 time formula. -3 contacts=-3.75 glasses.

Vic 13 Nov 2005, 16:34

What is this optiboard you speak of? Id like to check it out :)

13 Nov 2005, 15:48

Hey Skippy - could you send a direct link from the optiboard about professional's opinions on full time wear? I have scoured the board but can't find anything on it! If you could that would be cool, Thanks!

Chris 13 Nov 2005, 13:17

Hi,Julian and thanks for the welcome. I live in the US, Massachusetts.

Julian 13 Nov 2005, 12:51

Hi Chris, and welcome. No doubt you've read a bit before posting so you'll know what goes on here and will soon be arguing with somebody - or everybody ::) Are you in Europe? North America? Down under?

Chris 13 Nov 2005, 12:39

I'm new to this site. My RX is R.-6.75x-2.00 +3.00 add. L. -6.00 X-2.00 +3.00 add. I started wearing glasses when I was five, bifocals at 16 and trifocals at 25. I'm now 33. When I was 29 I had a viral infection which caused a hearing loss so I also wear hearing aids.

oscar 13 Nov 2005, 09:50

Skippy 13 Nov 2005, 09:04

I am a long time fan of Optiboard, rarely a poster but dipping in an out to hear the chat from the eye care professionals. I like that they deal considerately with newbie wearers with a slight prescription who are maybe slightly embarrassed to wear glasses. Their answers support anyone of -2 who wants to wear fulltime but equally doesnt ridicule those who dont. Whatever you want to do, once you understand the choices, is up to you.

Presbyopia_23 you obviously want to arrest the increase of your myopia and why wouldnt you, and in your position so would I, but do you feel that the optical industry is trying to trick people, or encourage them to wear glasses more so that theyll get more and more nearsighted and make more $$ for them?

I still believe that at the end of the day you can generalise all you like about what people should do, it has to be their choice.

presbyopia_23 12 Nov 2005, 20:17

I wish to post my pescription again with some questions:

I was manually refracted at -5.5(left) with -.5 astigmastim and -5(right) early this year. I believe im a -5(left) and -4.5(right) with -.5 astigmastim in each eye. My nearpoint test reveals 20cm and 22cm respectivately further backing up my belief that I improved a half diopter in each eye in the last 8 months.

Why is there so much controversity reguarding vertex distance for contacts?

Then explain how I am seeing 20/50 with -3.25 contacts but 20/100 with -3.25 glasses. Explain why im seeing very nearly as well with -3.25 contacts as -4.25 glasses. Explain why im seeing with -4 contacts as well as -5 glasses, both giving me my 20/30 BCVA? Tilting my -5 glasses to give it more minus power makes things from near more blurry and eventurally more blurry from far.

I am not saying I know more then those optometrist experts, I actually want to know why every contact I wore and tried was giving me a proportional vertex distance of 1.25 times more than glasses. My -2.25 contacts were giving me -2.75 correction, my -2.75 contacts -3.5 correction(I see clearer with those than -3.25 glasses) -3.25 contacts giving me very nearly the same vision as -4.25 glasses. I wonder why this is the case if some people disagree?

I put glasses over my -3.25 contacts and I found that I only needed another -1 diopter in glasses to give me my 20/30 BCVA. I tried -1.5 diopters and there was no difference(but blurrier from near) If someone wants to claim -3.25 contacts is equal to -3.25 glasses and I need another -1 to see my 20/30 BCVA then he would consider me a -4.25 yet I see 20/40(20/50 in left) with -4.25 glasses and I need -5 glasses to achieve my BCVA(20/30 in left)

Puffin 12 Nov 2005, 17:20

Actually I find squinting quite appealing - especially if you've got the wrong glasses on too. But as to whether it has a long-term effect, I haven't a clue.

Clare 12 Nov 2005, 14:59

Nevertheless, I'm interested in the comment that squinting is a bad eye habit. Why? Apart from appearing unattractive, what harm can it do?

Vic 12 Nov 2005, 13:20

Julian I think I found the feature your talking about :P

Julian 12 Nov 2005, 12:13

Yes, Vic. But whenever anyone posts the thread comes to the top of the pile. I read everything new except maybe on 'Lots of links' and 'XXX links' and I think most of us do the same.

Vic 12 Nov 2005, 12:04

I understand what Puffin is saying. I know some of my posts belong in other threads but the threads seem to be neglected and im not sure if anyone is still reading them. This seems to be one of the most popular ones. But I agree, it will end up a mess

Puffin 12 Nov 2005, 10:29

I think presbyopia_23's comments might be best confined to the "Psychology of Glasses" thread - it is an interesting topic, namely how well a particular person wishes to see the world, and what they are prepared to do about it,

quite apart from what level of correction they might need to get clear vision.

I thought "Post your Prescription" was for people to post up their prescriptions (hence the name) and people remarking on such things - this might seem a bit narrow, then what else do we do? If we can talk about anything anywhere, what's the point of having threads with themes? It would a complete mess - no-one coming to this site would be able to make any sense of our discussions.

Adam 12 Nov 2005, 10:06

Hi, Julian! Hi Derek!

I agree with You!Let's have a rest with playing the Eye Scene "mentor"!!!

Derek 12 Nov 2005, 09:25

agree one hundred percent with julian's comments. Lets have a rest

Julian 12 Nov 2005, 07:33

Presby: you have a valid point, and you have made it, several times and on several different threads. It would be quite a good thing if you now gave it, and us, a rest, especially as it it not the only valid point in the debate. Geoff (the original Geoff) is quite right when he says, in his words, that you are extrapolating from the particular to the general: you're saying that the way things work for you and your family is the way they work for everybody. Geoff is a guy of your own age, give or take a year, who has been living with increasing myopia since he was 15, and reading EyeScene and posting to it on and off throughout that time; so his point of view is informed and based on experience, and I think he's entitled to be heard with respect.

presbyopia_23 12 Nov 2005, 01:19

one more thing, some people are so bothered by glasses they resort to full time contact wear or even undergo lasik surgury. I can handle glasses, they arent so bad but I just want to be less dependant on them. It would be nice to wake up with clear(er) vision and not have to reach for my glasses. It would be nice to see the computer screen without glasses!

presbyopia_23 12 Nov 2005, 01:16

I want to see the best I can, but not at the expense of inducing more myopia. I honestly dont mind a slight 20/40 to 20/50 blur by wearing weaker glasses because my vision is slowly improving and im seeing better and better with those glasses. If I could see 20/50 without glasses, I would rarely wear them. I understand some people dont mind or even like wearing glasses but I consider them a hassle. I find it less of a hassle to see a bit blurry than wear glasses which arent always comfortable on my face and the lenses always get smeared or dusty and this obstructs my vision.

Vic 12 Nov 2005, 00:31

But if you can have sharper vision then why not?

presbyopia_23 12 Nov 2005, 00:09

I still stand by my suggestion he doesnt need glasses. Am I stopping anyone from wearing glasses? No. Its their eyes and they are free to wear glasses or not. I could decide not to wear glasses and no one can make me, although id be pretty blind without em! It depends on the person. Some are VERY picky about their vision and must have perfect 20/20 at all times even if it means the hassles of glasses. Others are happy with a small amount of blur past 1 or 2 meters and function just fine. My brother doesnt mind his 20/60 vision and only wears glasses to drive or read the board in back of class. He does not like glasses, it bothers him more than a mild 20/60 blur. I have tested him "can you read this sign way over there" and he does it fine without squinting! I too wear weak glasses and I get along fine. If I really need to see something, I either move a little closer or tilt my glasses. I dont squint as its a bad vision habit. I have noticed my vision really improving too! I remember reading 20/70 with -4.5 glasses, neither eye could really see 20/50 now im seeing 20/50 without any trouble in either eye with -4.25 glasses and im starting to see 20/40. I give it another month before the 20/40 is readily seen! What he could do is eye exercises and vision improvement to take care of his -.5 diopters. My brother improved by -.5 and is still improving. I improved by like a full diopter!

Vic 11 Nov 2005, 23:46

In other news I got a new pair of glasses today. They are purple and squarish. Should be in by next week

Vic 11 Nov 2005, 13:53

My question is-why should it affect anyone else? its their eyes

Clare 11 Nov 2005, 12:33

Here here Vic & Wei - 'perfect' vision is determined by the individual.

Someone told me that a friend had *decided she needs to wear their glasses all the time because her eyesight had got worse*. She was kind of critical, a bit judgemental. Obviously she's decided it's time.

Vic 11 Nov 2005, 12:20

I agree Wei. I know I can pretty much function perfectly without my glasses but everything is much sharper and clearer and my eyes relax in them. So thats why I wear them

Wei 11 Nov 2005, 10:42

But how perfect vision degree decided?? I ask this before i think. Does perfect vision degree exist or invent certain point? Need for glasses decide by person i think not rx.

11 Nov 2005, 09:54

Presbyopia.

I can't beleive you are really suggesting he doesn't need glasses. Ok, his prescription isnt strong but he obviously went to the opticians for a reason i.e. he can't see as well as he use to! We were born with eyes intending to see 20/20 - if one can see less than that - and the technology i.e. glasses are readily available, then why should we not revert back to nature's intention?

At that prescription he could easily live without glasses but that's not the same as saying he would not benefit with them. Have you ever sat at the back of a lecture theatre and tried to read what's there? At that prescription you would struggle. What's the point in straining the eyes and having to play musical chairs just for the sake of a pair of glasses?!

He doesn't need to wear them all the time (unless he wants to) but he will certainly benefit from wearing them whilst driving (and other raod-users would also benefit!), watching tv, reading far away signs etc!

Cactus Jack 11 Nov 2005, 08:10

I wonder if you can "Induce" Presbyopia. Based on the "Use it or Loose it" theory that seems to apply to many functions in the body, I think that you can. In my own case, I experienced early presbyopia (bifocals at 20, trifocals at 30) which I have attributed to undiscovered (until age 14) natural monovision (OD Plano, OS -1.50)

With the monovision, my brain selected the clearest image for the task and I did not have to expend much effort to focus. As a result, my ciliary muscles did not develop fully and my crystaline lenses did not get flexed very much. When I got glasses at 14, the muscles and lenses had to go to work. If I read much, my eyes complained mightily and the result was getting "functional" +1.00 bifocals and not much later trifocals.

P_23 - I wonder if your ardent advocacy of myopes wearing less minus than required to provide 20/20 distance vision will not also minimize the use of the ciliary muscles and cause them to loose their conditioning. Which, I believe, may ultimately lead to early presbyopia.

Also, I wonder, if your myopia is being caused by your eyeball being too long or your crystaline lens being too fat, your efforts will cause your eyeball to shrink or your lenses to become thinner and thereby eliminate your myopia over time. I know of no mechanism in the body that can selectively reabsorb tissue but you may be on to something.

Please continue your research, though your eforts remind me of he "Bates Method" or the "See Clearly Method" or the phenomenon hypeopes experience when they get their first + Rx. It isn't long until they need more + (less -) as their crystaline lenses relax. The problem is that the lenses never get thinner than fully relaxed.

presbyopia_23 11 Nov 2005, 06:28

you are right, its his personal choice to wear glasses as little or as much as he wants. However the fact remains is his UCVA is very good. He sees without glasses better than I see with glasses. Some of my family and friends with glasses dont see as well as he does without. Sorry but -.5 astigmastim isnt enough to make reading blurry and its in one eye only. I want to get intacs so ill be alot less dependant on glasses. I know ill still be around -2 diopters after intacs but because of my mild presbyopia, this will keep me out of reading glasses. I wont need glasses around the house nor for the computer. id see the alarm clock easily and almost completely clear. Right now im -5 and 20/500 without glasses. I dont have much of a choice but wear them almost full time. He has the choice to wear them as little as he wants. I wish I had his pescription!(or even -2, thats still fine because of mild presbyopia)

There are studies that show excessive accomodation is more prone to inducing myopia. Some people on the BBS overcorrect themselves or read with the book to their nose to force more myopia, force their eyes to get strained and weaker so they can get thicker glasses. If glasses are his thing, more power to him. I got nothing against glasses but I just want to be less dependant on them and not functionally blind without em.

"Original" Geoff 11 Nov 2005, 04:41

Presbyopia_23-

I walk around in a 20/80 to 20/100 blur in the house and 20/40 to 20/50 outside. 20/50 isnt bad really. Some people really dont mind doing that, you included. But some people actually do prefer to maintain 20/20 me included, and thats our choice to make!

He should NOT wear glasses for near or intermediate or he would accomodate and induce more myopia quickly. He probably wont find them necessary for close or intermediate, although the correction for astigmatism may make reading with them a bit easier on his eyes (which is entirely possible with -.5 cylinder), but that will not necessarily induce more myopia. Lots of people wear low rxs all the time and their eyes dont seem to get any worse.

You are of course entirely entitled to your opinions, but you seem to be prone to making observations on a few people (you, your brother and sister) and then applying them as being factual to the population at large. Vision is a totally personal thing, and everyone is different.

Cactus Jack 11 Nov 2005, 03:08

Vix - Yes, cylinder is for astigmatism.

presbyopia_23 10 Nov 2005, 22:35

R=-1.00,+0.50 94 L=-0.50.

He really is -.5 -.5 in his right eye. Thats minus half diopter myopia with minus half diopter astigmastim. Id say 20/30, maybe 20/40 in that eye and most likley 20/25 in the better one without any astigmastim. If he wants to wear glasses, its up to him. He should NOT wear glasses for near or intermediate or he would accomodate and induce more myopia quickly. I would keep glasses wear to a minimum for such minimal pescriptions. In fact I dont even consider less than -.75 diopters as nearsighted since its so clinicially insignificent. plus or minus half is within the normal emmetropia range.

My brother is 20/60 uncorrected and almost never wears glasses. results? his eyes not only didnt get worse but actually improved. Me and my sister wore glasses and our eyes just got worse and worse. They can still get worse on their own but will faster with glasses. Right now im trying to reverse some of the damage by wearing weak glasses and so far I have had about -.5 diopter improvement. I walk around in a 20/80 to 20/100 blur in the house and 20/40 to 20/50 outside. 20/50 isnt bad really. Maybe it is if you can see 20/20 with glasses but my BCVA is 20/30 so 20/50 isnt much of a difference.

Me and my brother both agree glasses just arent neccessary for pescriptions less than -1 to -1.5, his is -1 with -.5 astigmastim in the better eye and he has a 20/25+ BCVA.

Vic 10 Nov 2005, 22:03

Now im going to ask a stupid question but is the cylinder the astigmatism part?

10 Nov 2005, 22:01

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12973&highlight;=curious

"Original" Geoff 10 Nov 2005, 21:59

Presbyopia_23:

While I agree with you that for Billys rx, glasses arent NECESSARY (which is confirmed by he fact that he has been getting along without them so far), I disagree with your statement that wearing them may make your eyes worse. There is no evidence that I have ever heard of to support your claim that wearing glasses can make your eyes WORSE (assuming of course that you are wearing your correct rx). Your eyes may get worse as a matter of course, and if that is going to happen, it will happen the same with or without wearing glasses. My eyes had got to needing nearly -2 correction before I ever started wearing glasses, and I dont for believe an instant that my eyes are any worse now that they would have been if I had waited till I was -3 or -4 before I started wearing them.

As for wearing glasses giving you dependence on them, if you define dependence as a physical requirement in order to function, there is no way that Billys rx could ever give rise to dependence, because if he never wears them, it is unlikely to have a significant negative impact on his quality of life. I on the other hand (with a rx in the -9 range) am extremely dependent on my glasses. But if wearing glasses with his rx gives him a more crisp view of distant details (e.g. text on the tv, as he mentioned in one of his earlier posts) he might decide that he prefers that, and so decides to wear his glasses more (or even all the time). In that case its not dependency on the glasses, its dependency on enjoying enhanced clear vision. That is a choice he should be free to make, but without getting glasses he will be deprived of that opportunity.

Also you characterize him as having a -.5 diopter error - that is only true for his left eye. His right eye has an additional -.5 of astigmatism on top of the -.5. This would certainly decrease his BCVA in that eye to less than 20/25. Furthermore, it is possible (though not necessarily true) that the greater degree of blur in his right eye is creating an inequality between his eyes, so that the left one is doing most of the work, because the image from his right eye is inferior and is being discounted by his brain. Wearing his glasses will allow his eyes to perform equally. Again, with the relatively small difference between his eyes, this may not be occurring, but it also cannot be ruled out. And although his optician may not have said so explicitly, that may be one of the reasons why he/she recommended that Billy gets glasses.

Billy:

Take your time, find frames that you really like, and when you get your glasses, try them in different situations and then you can decide for yourself what things its better wearing them for, and when you can get along fine without them.

Vic 10 Nov 2005, 21:33

Ok I"ll readdress my comment...after awhile I feel my eyes are relaxed and that I dont want to take them off. After I take them off for a little while my eyes are back to their usual so I dont think they are dependent

Vic 10 Nov 2005, 21:16

I wear that strength and I'm not dependant on glasses

presbyopia_23 10 Nov 2005, 20:16

with a -.5 diopter error, glasses just arent neccessary. Youd be seeing only one line less than your BCVA so 20/25 instead of 20/20. Wearing them may just make your eyes worse and give you dependance on glasses. Unless you actually like the idea of glasses dependancy, I would not buy glasses.

Ross22 10 Nov 2005, 15:05

Hey Billy,

That is great. At that prescription you'll definitely notice a difference. My prescription is -0.75 in both eyes and I wear them watching tv, cinema, driving mostly. I can't manage without them in lectures at college.

It is one of those things, you are not sure at first whether or not you want to have them but when you actually get your first pair and start wearing them you realise it is kinda cool- everyone who wears glasses seems to. Do have a look around and pick ones you feel comfortable in and then just wear them for a few hours and you'll be hooked:-)

Wear them whenever you want/need to basically. Some people with our prescription will put them on when a lecture begins and take them off when it ends, others will wear them all the time- it is up to you.

My advise is to wear them full time for a day or two- that way everyone sees them on you and you get over any selfconsciousness very quickly.

Keep us posted...

Billy 10 Nov 2005, 12:17

Hiya everyone. I rang my optician last monday, and they were able to fit me in today. So i went along and said that i had been having some problems with my eyesight, so kind of guessed that i would do soon. My prescription is R=-1.00,+0.50 94 L=-0.50. She recommended i got glasses, which i havent done yet as i want to look around to try and find some that suit me. As i think that i will have to wear them if i want to be able to see everything.I forgot to ask what i should definitly be wearing them for, any one got any help?

DWV 09 Nov 2005, 23:19

Thanks! The place I ordered the glasses from emailed back to confirm the prescription, so I wanted to be sure of specifying the prism part correctly.

oscar 09 Nov 2005, 17:38

One my prescription (which I've got in front of me) it says in the prism box of the Rx:

10 base out

But I've certainly had earlier prescriptions that have the little triangle as described by Cactus Jack.

Cactus Jack 09 Nov 2005, 16:31

DWV - There are several ways to write it:

1. In a box on the Rx form labeled Prism.

2. 3 BO, BI, BU, or BD

3. As above with a little triangle.

Almost any form or symbol will work just so the lens maker understands that it is prism and which direction the base of the prism needs to be. For example 3 BO on an Rx form can only mean prism and no additional symbolism is necessary (also notice there is no + or - associated with prism.

I don't think MDs or OD do anything special like the cylinder Rx.

DWV 09 Nov 2005, 15:43

Cactus Jack:

Just how do doctors usually write (or type) the prism part of the prescription?

3 ^ BO where the ^ would be a triangle if handwritten?

Do optometrists and ophthalmologists do it differently (like they do with cylinder)?

presbyopia_23 09 Nov 2005, 02:00

still reading the manual. extremely informative, I am saving it! I really agree with the pseudomyopia part! Give the patient glasses too strong and he will be a hyperope and develope pseudomyopia which may become real myopia over time.(see induced myopia) which is a bad thing unless for some strange reason you purposely do it. My sister got pescribed contacts too strong and her eyes got worse. I am familar with pseudomyopia which happens when I use full power glasses for anything less than 2 meters. I disagree with their distance vision estimates. Its twice whats in actual. -1 is 20/40, not 20/80!

Many occupations require near work. Those with a couple diopters of myopia have it easy then! More than -3 diopters may be overkill in many cases though. I dont need -5 so I want intacs to get me down to a -2 to -2.5 then my distance vision will be like 20/150 instead of 20/500 but I get to keep my near vision at 20" which is good for most near tasks.

DWV 08 Nov 2005, 23:55

Cactus Jack:

Here's the Reichert manual: http://www.reichertoi.com/files/manuals/1069691334.pdf

IIRC he did the eye-covering stuff too. "Refraction and How to Refract" by James Thorington, published 1900, describes pretty much the same techniques as at eyetec.net

(Interesting book: the name written inside the cover is Emma H. Salisbury O., of Dubuque Iowa. "O" meaning Optometrist? Maybe it's her in this family tree: http://www.geocities.com/salisbury56/guelph03.htm

Emma Hale Salisbury (twin) born 1876, married A.H. Peterson.)

NEW TO ES 08 Nov 2005, 20:33

JUST WENT FOR AN EYE EXAM AND GOT MY NEW GLASSES WITH A PRESCRIPTION OF -1.25 FOR THE LEFT EYE AND A -1.00 FOR THE RIGHT EYE WITH AND ADD OF +2.25 FOR BOTH EYES. VISION IN NICE AND CLEAR WITH THE PROGRESSIVES.

Vic 08 Nov 2005, 16:14

Yep I'll bring it up next time I go to an optician

Cactus Jack 08 Nov 2005, 14:37

Claire - I don't know, it may be age related. I didn't particularly notice it enough to do anything about it unitl I was in my 30s.

There were however, some clues and I had a small amount of prism in my glasses when I was in my teens.

When you have the problem as an adult, they call it Adult Strabismus.

Clare 08 Nov 2005, 14:18

How common is this I wonder? I've sometimes experienced this late at night watching tv. No other time that I've noticed so it's probably not a problem at the moment.

Andrew 08 Nov 2005, 13:40

Vic, I was asked about that the last time I had my eyes tested. Personally, I've never experienced it myself, but it may be worth mentioning next time you visit the optician.

Cactus Jack 08 Nov 2005, 13:39

Vic - The phoropter test is where you the Dr. adds enough vertical and / or horizontal prism so that you see two images. Then, depending on what (s)he is looking for, moves one of the images in the horizontal or vertical direction until they appear to line up for you. By reading the amount of prism required and comparing that with the amount added, (s)he can tell if you have muscle problems.

Seeing double when tired is called fatigue esophoria if your eyes turn inward or exophoria if they turn outward. For esophoria, what is happening is that the medial rectus (inside) muscles are trying to pull your eyes inward and your brain is making the outside muscles hold your eyes straight. The outside muscles get tired after a while and the inside muscles overpower them and your eyes turn inward.

Double vision in the morning is related. When you have your eyes closed, there is no visual stimulus and your brain does not direct your outside muscles to counter the pull of the inside muscles and your eyes cross.

For exophoria, the outside muscles are doing the pulling.

Try closing your eyes for 15 - 20 seconds and then opening them. You may see double for a few moments until your brain fuses the images.

Are our eyes trying to turn inward or outward? If you find the double vision disconceting, you may need some prism in your glasses.

BTW What you described were my first symptoms of fatigue esophoria.

Willy 08 Nov 2005, 12:53

Vic -- I don't know, but that occasionally happens to me, but only if I get really drunk....

Vic 08 Nov 2005, 11:51

Sorry this is probably the wrong board but anyway sometimes I get double vision in the morning or when im tired is that normal?

Vic 08 Nov 2005, 11:50

Is the phoropter test the one where you look at the picture and then can get a reading of your prescription?

Cactus jack 08 Nov 2005, 06:39

DWV - Here is the link to the Ocular Motility tests I spoke of.

http://www.eyetec.net/catalog.htm

Scroll down to Module 5 - Ocular Motility

Could you give me the link to the Reichert Instruction Manual .pdf?

Ccactus Jack 08 Nov 2005, 05:11

DWV - Sounds like the Dr was checking how well your eyes track together. There are a couple of more tests where the Dr asks you to look at an object and then alternatately covers each eye with an occluder and looks for the eye to jerk when the eye is uncovered.

I think these tests are hard to fudge.

I've seen a very clever web site where these tests are demonstrated. I'll try to find it again and provide the link.

When I started having esophoria (double vision) problems, it was very hard to find a Dr who would listen and prescribe prism to help.

My problems showed up when I was tired and did not have good images to keep fused. For example:

1. When driving at night in sparsely populated areas, I would stop at a traffic signal. If I didn't concentrate on the traffic light, my eyes would drift inward (there wasn't much to look at) and I would see two lights. To fuse the images I would have to look at something close (inside the car) and work my way out.

2. If I was tired and closed my eyes for about 15 seconds, I would see double when I opened them and it would take a few seconds for the images to fuse. As the problem got worse, it took longer to fuse and I would have to look at something close and work my way out.

Once I had prism, getting it increased or keeping it was easier. Of course, I had a small advantage (if that is the right word), I really had the problem.

I think the phoropter test is easier to fudge one suggestion is to find a Dr who uses that test.

DWV 08 Nov 2005, 01:10

I think it would have been difficult to fake... the doctor moved a light around and asked me to follow it, and I guess watched my eye movement. Nothing like the Muscle Balance Tests described in the Reichert Phoroptor manual. Do you think those tests would show up something real that flashlight test missed?

Cactus Jack 07 Nov 2005, 15:34

DWV - I suspect that if you are used wearing prism and wear prism to your next exam by a different Dr. and complain you might even get an increase.

The most important thing is to respond properly to the tests and the only way to do that is get used to as much prism as possible. BTW 3 BO is only 1.8 degrees in each eye.

DWV 07 Nov 2005, 15:19

OD: -3.00, +0.75 @ 90

OS: -3.00, +0.50 @ 130

Add: 2.25

age: 45

Previous add was 1.50 (two years ago)

No prism: I mentioned seeing double when I was tired, but the doc didn't find any problems. I'm going to order some specs with 3D BO both eyes anyway, and see if they help. Now... if I wore them to the next eye exam (with a different doctor), what are the chances that (s)he'd hesitate to take that prism away? Anyone done that?

Vic 06 Nov 2005, 16:27

I agree you become self conscious at first and think everyone is looking at you but you get past it. (Well I did)

Ross 22 06 Nov 2005, 15:58

Hey Billy

Definitely recommend trying glasses. I had similiar problem seeing text on tv and the screen in lecutures last year so got my eyes tested and a prescription similiar to yours made all the difference. I was so amazed at first with how sharp everything was.

Yeah it is a bit weird, in a self conscious way, wearing them at first but really once you have them for a day or two you get used to them. And I'm sure everyone will admire them on you.

And they don't make your eyes worse and you don't become reliant on them. I only wear mine for lectures, movies and driving mostly. I can suvive without them, but for sharpness of vision it is great.

Let us know what you do...

Vic 05 Nov 2005, 21:53

I'm still getting used to my new sunglasses. Apparantely they take a little while because they are wrap around ones and something with the prescription I cant remember what they said :P

presbyopia_23 05 Nov 2005, 20:26

Hey vic so your a lady :) I bet you look pretty in your glasses. Its up to you how much you want to wear glasses. If my eyes werent so bad(20/500!) I would be wearing glasses alot less!

As for Billy, I would put off glasses as long as you can unless you like the idea of wearing glasses like some people here. Also wearing glasses may make your eyes worse, some people even wear stronger than they need to induce more myopia faster. Whats your visual accuracy now? I am assuming your 20/40 in the worse eye and 20/25 in the better. This should pose no problem in the least

Vic 05 Nov 2005, 15:49

Billy, wearing glasses wont make your eyes dependent on them.

Billy 05 Nov 2005, 15:35

You are right last time i went i said i wasn't having any problems, as i didnt think i was. I could see all of the chart with both eyes and just my left, but with my right i could see it all except the bottam line. I don't want to get glasses as i don't feel i properly need them yet, and don't want to have to rely on glasses to do everyday tasks.

Vic 05 Nov 2005, 15:12

Billy, my prescription is relatively weak and I still find my glasses help make things sharper and my eyes relax. Its up to you but I'd go for it.

05 Nov 2005, 15:04

Billy. I am really surprised you were not told to get glasses with that precription. Although, relatively weak, I think it is significant enough to warrant glasses - at least if you drive and especially when you sit at the back of a lecture theatre. I'm sure if you look around your lectures people are wearing similar (if not even weaker prescriptions) than what you have described. You should def go back and have another test - even if it comes out with the same prescription I'm sure if you say you are having difficulty seeing then correction will be advised. I should imagine you said at your last appointment that you were fine without correction (hence no glasses prescribed)? Is that correct?

Go back, have another test, free for students generally :), and waer your glasses with pride!

Andrew 05 Nov 2005, 13:58

It's worth getting your eyes tested again Billy. Although I was already a confirmed glasses wearer when I went to uni, my eyes changed more then than they have before or since. It's probably also worth going to the same place as before, as you now know that they won't sell you glasses that you don't need. There are some places who will provide you with glasses just because you have felt it necessary to book an appointment...

Billy 05 Nov 2005, 13:53

Hiya have just come across this site. I dont wear glasses at the moment, but think i might need some. I had an eyetest about year and half ago, and the optician wrote down on her sheet R=-0.75,0.50,86 L=-0.25,0.25,46. Nothing was written on my prescription sheet, but she said to go back if i ever had any problems with my vision. Lately i have noticed text on tv being slightly blurry. Also after i have been reading it take awhile for my distance vision to come clear, this is esp noticable at lectures at uni. The problem is that i don't really go for the idea of wearing glasses or being dependent on them. Any comments would be helpful!!

Andrew 05 Nov 2005, 13:36

I'm definitely male - if that's any help?

I've just got a new prescription:

L. -8.00 -0.50 x 145

R. -8.00

I picked my new glasses up on Monday. Curiously, the lab seems to have added an extra -0.25 to each lens, presumably because of a discrepancy in distance between the trial frame and my eye, and this pair of glasses and my eye. Unsurprisingly, they've taken a bit of getting used to. The sunglasses, however, are the prescription listed above. I'm not aware that they are any further from my eyes...

Vic 05 Nov 2005, 13:19

Yes Vic is a girl :)

Julian 05 Nov 2005, 03:01

Er, I think Vic is a girl.

presbyopia_23 05 Nov 2005, 02:56

"Vic - That is as good a reason as any. The only problem you may have is that if your internal lens is fully relaxed (as little internal plus power as possible) with the +0.50 glasses, the additional +0.25 external plus will make you effectively a little nearsighted - probably 20/25 or 20/30."

Sorry but I disagree. a quarter diopter is not going to give any noticable blur and is the threshold of what many humans can even percieve, hence why they measure only in .25 diopters and not something like .1 diopters. When I got my manual refraction as well as others, its common to end up .25 diopters either way. Say -3.5 oneday, -3.75 the other. If someone can see all of the 20/20 line sharply then he becomes -.25 or wears +.25 glasses he would still see the 20/20 but it would take some effort and lack a little sharpness. at -.5 diopters, it results in a one line loss from whatever BCVA you have. For me, it makes me 20/40 instead of 20/30 by wearing glasses that undercorrect by -.5

If he needs +.5 glasses for distance, he has presbyopia for sure and has little or no accomodation. He probably has bifocals with an add of +2 to give him a total of +2.5 which would put him in perfect focus at 16" near.

Vic 04 Nov 2005, 12:09

Willy, I dont think they do

Willy 04 Nov 2005, 07:57

Vic -- One follow-up. Do the +0.75s that you were trying for distance have the same minus cylinder component as the +0.5s that you are comparing them against? If not, that could cause the blur you noticed.

Cactus Jack 04 Nov 2005, 02:29

Vic - Thanks, that makse sense. You can only relax your internal lens until it is fully relaxed and when you are there, you just can't go any farther. Sometimes, a mild hyperope, like yourself (but a little older), has grown so accustomed to accommodating and unconciouly adding a little plus with their internal lens that they have trouble relaxing it fully. That is why, when they get therir first plus Rx, it is only good for a short time and they soon ned a little more plus as their internal lens finally relaxes. Also why a hyperope will sometimes need bifocals a little sooner than a myope will.

It is entirely possible that you are there and with a +0.50 lens, your internal lens is fully relaxed and with the +0.75 glasses, you are effectively a little nearsighted and can't read a distant blackboard. If you read any of Bobby's or Specs4ever's stories or talk to any of your fellow students who need minus glasses, the most common first symptom that a young myope will have of needing to get minus glasses is that they can read OK, but can't see the blackboard. Having a little too much plus in your glasses or in your intenal lens, for the length of your eyeball, has exactly the same effect and neither can do anything about it except get a little less plus or some minus to cancel out the excess plus. It isn't magic, it is just laws of physics and the behavior of light rearing its ugly or beautiful head - depending on your point of view. Lots of folks on this BBS think the latter.

You didn't mention where you go to school or what you are studying. I would bet a dollar, a pound, or a euro, whatever is appropriate, that there are plenty of your fellow students (who are also a little vain) wearing bifocals (progressives or no-line), monovision contacts, or using reading glssses (all of which accomplish the same purpose as lined bifocals), but you just haven't learned (yet) what to look for.

If you want to have some fun, get some +0.50 glasses with a +1.00 or +1.50 lined bifocal (less may be hard to get)to wear to class. You'll probably get lots of attention, some envious looks, some questions, and some admissions that they really need some reading help, but they don't have the courage to overcome their vanity. You may even get a few more dates.

Vic 04 Nov 2005, 01:39

I wore them for over an hour I couldnt tolerate them anymore...and yep I've been offered bifocals I couldnt bring myself to wear them. I havent seen anyone around university wearing them at all

Slit 04 Nov 2005, 00:44

Vic,

It loks like you did not wear +0.75 long enough to relax your eye muscles.

May be bifocals would assist you in class room, but probably vanity keeps you away.

Are there any other students in your class who wear + prescriptions? so that you can share opinions with them.

Vic 03 Nov 2005, 23:12

Oh and CJ +0.75 was fine when I was looking down at my notes but when I wanted to look at the lecture board which was quite a distance away there was a slight fuzz which got annoying after awhile. At 0.50 everything is crystal clear and sharp. I have no idea why I cant make such a small transition

Vic 03 Nov 2005, 23:11

CJ yep the decimal is in the right place :)

Emily 03 Nov 2005, 22:08

Cactus Jack -- My comment was a joke. My own glasses are in the -10 range. Obviously plus lenses don't help me to see better!

Cactus Jack 03 Nov 2005, 22:02

Vic - Are you sure you've got the decimal point in the right place?

Cactus Jack 03 Nov 2005, 22:00

Emily adn Vic- My normal Rx R -1.25, -0.25 x 90; L +0.25, -1.25 x 75 for distance and +3.00 trifocals. With the glasses I'm an easy 20/20. I frequently wear either +1.00 or + 1.50 clip-ons when I am using the the computer so I can see the display clearly through the distance part or my glasses (prevents a crick in my neck).

Occasionally, I get up an walk around to fetch books or whatever and don't bother to take off the clip-ons. Things beyond 1 meter (40 inches) or 2/3 meter (26 inches) are blurry but not all that bothersome. I guess I'm just surprised at Vic's reaction to a +0.25 increase in his + Rx.

Emily 03 Nov 2005, 21:13

I couldn't walk around is +.75 glasses either.

Cactus Jack 03 Nov 2005, 19:32

Vic - Good for You for trying. Sounds like the experiment was a good learning experience. Can you be more descriptive of what you saw with the +0.75 glasses. If +0.50 is your exact Rx and it is just right to give you good sharp vision at 20 feet (6 meters) and beyond, an increase of +0.25 should have made you slightly nearsighted so that thngs beyond 13 feet (4 meters) would be a little blurry but things less than 13 feet (4 meters) would be in focus.

Based on your post, I think +0.50 is pretty close to what you need. At your age, if you wanted to, you might try inducing a little myopia which would make you less farsighted.

Vic 03 Nov 2005, 16:49

Got my new prescription sunnies today woohoo! and I tried walking around in 0.75 couldnt do it...the jump from 0.50 to 0.75 is too much for my eyes

Vic 01 Nov 2005, 11:48

Hiii Jules :) Good to see you. CJ, I am a student so I do a lot of reading thats when I noticed but sometimes I squint at certain distances and have a bit of blur nothing major...I think I have a bit of astigmatism as well. I will try it tomorrow at university and see how it goes

Julian 01 Nov 2005, 04:41

Vic - my guess, given your age and your prescription, is that after an hour or two you'll find you're seeing as well with the 0.75s as with the 0.50s, maybe even better. I could of course be wrong - tell me if I am!

Cactus Jack 01 Nov 2005, 02:45

Vic - A day should be enough to tell if wearing the +0.75 glasses is a useful option. Please let us know if you notice a little blur with distant objects and your comfort level.

BTW, I'm a little curious. Most young, low hyperopes don't even notice that they could use a little help, much less a little more help when they read (unless they have some astigmatism or muscle problems to agravate the problem).

What is your occupation, what prompted you to get glasses and when?

Vic 31 Oct 2005, 21:22

Might try it for a day go the whole day in my +0.75 without taking them off

Vic 31 Oct 2005, 18:58

Thanks CJ ill give it a go

Cactus Jack 31 Oct 2005, 18:06

Vic - That is as good a reason as any. The only problem you may have is that if your internal lens is fully relaxed (as little internal plus power as possible) with the +0.50 glasses, the additional +0.25 external plus will make you effectively a little nearsighted - probably 20/25 or 20/30.

If you can handle that, live it up. It is doubtful that your Rx will change, but it might.

Please let us know how it works out.

Vic 31 Oct 2005, 17:35

Oh the only reason I wanted to know is because I like my reading frames better

Cactus Jack 31 Oct 2005, 15:34

Vic - One other thing, make sure the print is well lighted.

Cactus Jack 31 Oct 2005, 15:33

Vic - +0.50 for distance means you are a little farsighted. If your internal lens is fully relaxed when you wear the +0.50, wearing the +0.75 would give you the same effect as a person who was a little nearsighted (-0.25) without his glasses. Things beyond about 13 feet (4 meeters) would be a little blurry.

If you would like to do a test, tape a newspaper or something with several sizea of print to a wall that you can get 20 feet (6 meters) away from and wearing the +0.50 glasses, Identify the smallest print you can see clearly. Then put on the +0.75 glasses and note the smallest print you can see clearly.

If it is the same print, you could probably wear the +0.75 glasses for distance. If the smallest print you can see clearly with the +0.75 is larger than you read with the +0.50, the +0.75 glasses are giving you the effect of being a little nearsighted (which makes reading easier).

Wear the +0.75 for a few hours without reading or doing anything (like using the computer) close and check the print again. If the smallest print you can read with the +0.75 glasses is the same as the beginning of the test, your internal lenses are probably fully relaxed and you need the +0.50 for distance. Please tell me the results of your tests.

Why would you like to wear the +0.75 glasses for distance? If you are seeking a certain effect or result, we can probably help you.

Vic 31 Oct 2005, 14:50

Oh hehe sorry :P I'm 20 and my distances is +0.50 and reading +0.75

Cactus Jack 31 Oct 2005, 14:45

Vic - +0.25 is not much diffence. The reason no one answered your question is probably because you didn't provide enough information to formulate an answer.

Accomodation depends on several factors. The improtant ones are your age, your distance prescription and your reading glasses prescription.

Vic 31 Oct 2005, 14:29

Can someone answer my question please :)

Cactus Jack 31 Oct 2005, 10:49

Nic - There are several online retailers discussed in the Online Retailers thread. You may notice that Optical4less (considered to be the best) helps sponsor this BBS. O4l is located in Hong Kong (I think). There are several others with good reputations. Some have representatives in the US but I think the glasses are made in other countries.

Hope this helps.

gregory295 31 Oct 2005, 04:27

Sorry folks,the bc is supposed to be bo Should have looked again while typing.

specs4ever 30 Oct 2005, 23:57

Cactus Jack, I suspect that this optician has specified the front base curve here - 2bc. This is a weird one, as usually they just go with a box to be checked beside a statement that says "use same b.c. as previous lenses"

Nic 30 Oct 2005, 23:42

Can I buy cheap prescription (RX) glasses mal order from the US for delivery to the UK?

Vic 30 Oct 2005, 20:38

I have a question....would it take long to accomodate to my reading glasses if I wanted to wear them fulltime instead of my distance onces? I think there's only +0.25 difference between them

Cactus Jack 30 Oct 2005, 10:30

gregopry295 - Welcome. That is a moderate Rx compared to some. I'm a little confused by the 2bc. I assume it is prism, but prism is usually Base In (BI), Base Out (BO), Base Up (BU) or Base Down (BD). Could you clarify? Also, would you mind telling your age and where you live?

Sandy 30 Oct 2005, 08:37

Melyssa, I remember you. I thought that I had quite a few pairs in my current rx, but you have me beat. I am up to 12 pairs right now and a pair of rx sunglasses. You are right, in the late 90's and early 2000's there were better selection of frames. These days, it's small plastic frames, rimless, drill mount rimless or small titanium frames. I have a few of my old frames from back then, I have not worn them in public in ages. Maybe one day I will. Take care.

gregory295 30 Oct 2005, 08:21

hey all,my first visit to eyescene,very cool site.I wear trifocals and they are awesome.my rx R-2.50 -1.25 110 2bc L -3.25 -1.75 55 2bc add +2.75 not sure if this is a strong rx or what but would like to meet som cool people to chat about it all with.lata

Melyssa 30 Oct 2005, 07:25

Vic,

It's easy for me because I got my glasses at discounts and my prescription hasn't changed in 13 years. And of course, there was more variety in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Melyssa 30 Oct 2005, 07:24

Felicia,

During the time that I was able to buy lots of glasses, I would want certain things at certain times; for example, drop-temples (my favorites), or cat's-eyes (2nd), or maybe I wanted a blue frame or a clear one in a different style, etc. Whenever possible I will match my outfit color to my eyewear color or vice-versa, especially at work.

Vic 29 Oct 2005, 15:33

Wow thats a lot of glasses! I wish I could afford so many pairs :)

Felicia 29 Oct 2005, 15:05

Melyssa

I like your style! I spend a fair amount on clothes and fashion but I'd never have guessed anyone would have such a wardrobe. Although I don't expect to collect as many as you in a lifetime, I'd really like to be able to tailor glasses to an outfit. I really like to see someone who can do that. How do you choose? Is it to go with someting specific or just a style or colour that you like?

Melyssa 29 Oct 2005, 07:33

Felicia,

As a "Glasses Girl" with 30 pairs of plastic frames in my -9.00/-8.25 prescription, some of which are blue (in various shades), red, purple, brown, clear, black, and even white, all I can tell you is -- go for something in your favorite color if you can, but just get frames you'll be happy with. I certainly am happy with mine! Of course, most of my frames are from the period in which glasses were big, bold, and beautiful, unlike today's small and dull. Good luck!

Wei 29 Oct 2005, 04:25

Felecia- yes brown is nice but not exciting. I urge you make a statement for very bright colorful frame - you will not regret!

28 Oct 2005, 15:16

Luke are you a contacts or glasses wearer and what is your rx?

Felicia 28 Oct 2005, 14:43

Luke -

Funny it never occured to me before that people might think that. I consider glasses to be something to give me perfect vision, without them its not that but I'm not blind. Okay so I'd be compromised but I think to view glasses as a disability is crazy. It's making me think about it!

Wei -

thanks for your encouragement. I can't promise I'm going for what you suggest, I'm thinking a borwn plastic frame could look quite cool.

ehpc -

my hair's highlighted actually, what colour would you call that!

Wei 28 Oct 2005, 01:53

Felecia I agree Luke you find nice glasses but I think very bright bold frame is best to make strking look. Need glasses is no disability is very normal of course so pay none attention for such idea. If hair dark i recommend bright red or perhaps purple if hair light have bright blue or green.

Luke 28 Oct 2005, 01:38

Felicia,

I do think there are some people who think of wearing glasses as a "disability", and I suppose in some sense it is...I mean, at your prescription or mine (about the same as yours), our quality of life wouldn't be great without some form of correction. BUT people who aren't understanding about glasses/contacts-wearing are incredibly ignorant...virtually EVERYONE wears glasses at some point in their life, and from my experience 60-80% of professionals are nearsighted. 'Disability' or not, it's certainly VERY normal.

Now, as far as introducing glasses into your everyday life, the most important thing is to find frames you *really* like. Try bringing some friends with you when you go shopping for frames, or even take pictures of a few top choices from the optician's and show them to friends. Pick something that both you and other people like a lot. If you're picky and patient, you'll find something like this.

As for comments, I think you won't get many. You might get a couple, and they might bother you even though you know they shouldn't. But you can just say you were having trouble with your contacts -- this is extremely common. They should understand at that point. Most comments will probably be positive ones, though.

Definitely push yourself to do this. I know it's hard at first, but once you get used to it, it's a good feeling to feel comfortable choosing either glasses or contacts as you prefer.

ehpc 27 Oct 2005, 12:05

What hair colour are you Felicia? I just LOVE black rectangular plastic frames, which are doubly stunning when combined with blonde hair, but great on any woman:) You will look BEAUTIFUL:) Pete

Felicia 27 Oct 2005, 11:59

I will definitely be going shopping for frames but I had no idea that people are so taken aback by someone wearing glasses and even consider them to be a disability. That's weird.

Wei 27 Oct 2005, 09:52

Yes Felecia I agree AA have very bright bold frame for outstanding bold look and you friend may be envy i think.

Felicia---- AA 27 Oct 2005, 01:43

Hi Felicia, just tell your friend your making a necessary statement you need to wear glasses, I wonder if your friend is maybe a little jealous that your more attractive than her, it sounded like she was trying to undermine your confidence. Surely Felicia with nice designer frames high index lenses your glasses can be a fahion statement as well as letting you see clearly, let your friend know your proud to wear your glasses, be bold about wearing them and don,t let silly comments get to you, you have adoring fans in the post room who love the look of a lady in glasses. Take Care AA

Vic 27 Oct 2005, 00:03

It seems to have gotten very quiet around here where are people like Julian and such :)

Vic 26 Oct 2005, 15:04

Definitely get frames you will like otherwise you will be reluctant to wear them

Wei 26 Oct 2005, 14:50

Is no needing for shyness Feleicia! ou be very proud of bright frame and is no point hiding frame if you wanting glasses! If afraid of bold look stay with contact all time. If you wear distint frame you get many attentions and compliments i think.

Puffin 26 Oct 2005, 14:49

I remember quite a fashion some years ago for bright red plastic frames, but the shapes were bigger too.

Felicia 26 Oct 2005, 14:42

-3.25 for one and -3.75 the other.

It's a neat idea but I'm not sure I'm bold enough to go for the red or purple!

26 Oct 2005, 14:36

What's your prescription Felicia?

Wei 26 Oct 2005, 14:11

Feleica I recommend outstanding frame like bright red or purple will look very nice i think. You be proud wear bold frame!

Felicia 26 Oct 2005, 13:23

I've been working/studying away from home for a few years and am more nearsighted than I was when I left. I wear contacts alot but would like to introduce a style of glasses into my general wardrobe. I think I might find it tough though as I'm quite a private person. One of my rediscovered friends made an innocent enough comment and it completely threw me. All she said was something like -- are you using glasses alot nowadays? It just made me realise it wouldn't be so easy, so few people ever knew me with glasses that it's like starting out again.

Vic 26 Oct 2005, 13:20

I understand now Willy thanks for that :)

Willy 26 Oct 2005, 07:51

Vic -- It's kind of the same thing, but the way to think of it is that your distance plus glasses improve your vision at all distances, including far away, and your reading glasses give you extra correction for up close, but would be too strong for seeing far away. Given your age and the relative strength of your two prescriptions, it is possible that if you wear the reading glasses more, you may eventually find you are able to see far away clearly with them as well. If that is the case, then you would only need the one pair going forward.

Vic 25 Oct 2005, 13:51

I just have a question about my prescription. Is the reason I can see in it for distance is because its lighter than my reading glasses? Or are they especially made for distance

Andrew 25 Oct 2005, 12:12

To the person who talked to Vic,

I think it depends on what you can see with your current contacts, and what you can see with the changed prescription. If you can see no more with an extra -0.25, why give it to you - especially if you are paying for the contacts anyway? In addition, once you reach the point where presbyopia starts to set in, not giving you the slight increase might delay the need for reading glasses a bit.

Vic 24 Oct 2005, 14:15

I would think it would be the optometrist you go to. I can definitely notice that there is sharper vision in the new lenses even though it is a very small change. I would say if you go to a more retail one they would give you the new prescription (Just my theory?)

24 Oct 2005, 13:18

Vic

With such a slight change would they give you new glasses for that? I mean, when I last went for a check up I was up -.25 and -.50 and because I said I wasn't purchasing any new glasses she said ok - you can go - without giving me the choice of new lenses! Does anyone know if it policy that a slight increase does not warrant new lenses? I guess every optician differs but nonetheless I think that even a slight increase warrants new lenses - if you're going to wear glasses you might as well get the optimum vision! I have a contact lenses check soon and I guess it will be slightly higher then my current -2.50. Do you think they would give me new contact specifications even if say it only goes up by .25?

Vic 24 Oct 2005, 12:48

A little disappointed I would have probably liked a stronger prescription but hey it still moved up a bit in just over a year. I wear my distance perscription a lot but im a bit slack on the reading glasses

Willy 24 Oct 2005, 10:54

Vic -- I think that's only a slight change from what your prescription was over a year ago, so that might mean it will be pretty stable in the coming years. (Is that good news or would you be disappointed?) Do you still wear your distance glasses most or all of the time and use the stronger ones for reading?

Vic 23 Oct 2005, 20:28

I went for an eyetest today I wanna get prescription sunnies so I thought id check if its changed and it has a bit. Here is my new RX this is how its set out

R L

Sphere: +0.50 +0.50

Cylinder -.50 x 19 -.25 x 160

PD 30.5 30.5

Vic 22 Oct 2005, 14:27

Wow DWV I never knew that

EeyoreTattoo 22 Oct 2005, 07:40

Hi - I'm an Apprentice Optician. Are there any ODs who would be willing to answer some simple questions for me as I go through my career progression course? If so, please email me at eeyoretattoo@aol.com. Thanks!

~Heather!

DWV 22 Oct 2005, 03:36

But someone who is hyperopic enough to need plus glasses to see at DISTANCE isn't going to see diddly-squat up close without even stronger plus lenses.

Most likely there's some cylinder; if it were expressed in minus form, that could result in a net - prescription even if the sphere is plus.

Vic 22 Oct 2005, 01:43

Yep I believe what you said is not exactly right Antonio :)

Slit 21 Oct 2005, 08:57

Antonio,,,,

What you said is not always correct.

If a person is substantially Hyperopic that prson can see far away things more clearly with + glasses.

If you read the past postings carefully you will get the fact.

(you might need a little bit of knowledge about LENS THEORY sometimes, if so, search on the web using Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism etc as key words.)

antonio 21 Oct 2005, 07:11

Cam,

if your glasses are for reading far signs better, then they should be -0,5 not +0,5

They won´t harm your eyes, if you wear them full time

best regards,

antonio

antonio 21 Oct 2005, 07:11

Cam,

if your glasses are for reading far signs better, then they should be -0,5 not +0,5

They won´t harm your eyes, if you wear them full time

best regards,

Slit 21 Oct 2005, 02:27

Vic,

Yes I guess it is so. Because a minus rx or a reduction of plus rx is unlikely to help.

Best thing is to meet the eye doctor and explain the situation.

Vic 19 Oct 2005, 15:04

Sorry Slit I meant to refer to you in that post not put your name as my name :)

Hansel 19 Oct 2005, 14:50

At my last CL check I was asking questions. After the third the optician made a comment about not having time to discuss lens theory. Hmm.

Ultimately I suppose my feeling is that patients' demands are in many cases, limited to:-

"Do I need glasses?"

How much do I need to wear them?

What frames suit me?

Can I really afford High Index lenses?

The optical profession I would argue has felt that Joe Public does not need technical explanation thus if you don't ask, you don't get.

Consequently, no one short/long short sighted really is given the explanations about focus points either in front of or behind the retina as to what is happening with the real issue that of poor focus which the differing lens styles will correct.

I appreciate that an appointment has to have a finite time, but I do get frustrated when getting brushed off simply for wanting answers or as seems to be the case here, where people have obviously not been given full information about their eyes.

Slit 19 Oct 2005, 13:11

So your saying if im having problems reading the TV I would need a higher plus prescription?

Slit 19 Oct 2005, 06:50

Vic,

As i can remember, your Prescription was a + prescreption.

So you are farsighted, how ever, farsighted people also need glasses to see (clearly) the things more than 30cm away!

Vic 18 Oct 2005, 14:15

I'm not sure myself Willy! :P

Willy 18 Oct 2005, 13:26

Vic -- Your comment is just going to get everyone going again on whether you are farsighted or nearsighted! ;)

Vic 18 Oct 2005, 13:12

Yeah not too bad thanks :) I think I might need stronger ones...having problems reading the smaller writing on the TV

Willy 18 Oct 2005, 10:49

Yes, we do, Vic. How are you and your glasses doing?

Vic 17 Oct 2005, 22:13

Hello I'm back if anyone remembers me :)

Julian 10 Oct 2005, 01:01

They certainly ought to have done - in the UK they're required to (so that you can buy your specs where you like).

Cam 09 Oct 2005, 19:57

Can you ask your optometrist for it? They never gave me the prescription

Julian 09 Oct 2005, 01:13

OK; I'd be really interested to know what there is there besides +0.50 - and I'd be prepared to bet a small sum there's a bit of cylinder there as well. When you manage to look at it ...

Cam 08 Oct 2005, 23:26

Julian, I am female and 22. I dont have my prescription with me I just remember seeing +0.50 on the sheet and she prescribed them for distance.

Julian 08 Oct 2005, 02:21

Eyestrain, that's interesting. How old are you? Male or female? Above all, is 0.50 the whole of your Rx or do you have some cylinder as well?

Cam 08 Oct 2005, 00:19

Thanks for that Julian, they were prescribed for seeing into the distance because I was squinting and getting eyestrain.

Julian 08 Oct 2005, 00:10

Hi Cam. If these glasses have been prescribed for you, what you describe is entirely normal. When you are middle-aged you'll be more dependent on them; till then, the main effect is relieving eyestrain. Of course it's possible that as your eyes relax you may be given a stronger Rx, but that isn't really the same thing as your vision worsening.

Cam 07 Oct 2005, 23:36

Hi guys. I have a question actually a couple.

Will wearing +0.50 lenses fulltime make your vision worsen?

I've noticed that if i wear them all day and take them off I dont notice too much of a difference my eyes feel a bit tired but nothing major. Is that normal?

Julian 04 Oct 2005, 19:01

Matt: I know you've told us before, but how old were you when you 'saw the light' and decided to wear your glasses full time/ And what was your Rx?

04 Oct 2005, 17:41

Hi,my name is laureen, i ve got my third pair of glasses last week (getting my my first ones four years ago) because i cant see the board with my old glasses.

Marie 04 Oct 2005, 16:40

I'm pretty well used to my new glasses. I have been wearing them mostly all the time with the exception of reading, I notice I can read better and my eyes feel more relaxed while reading if I take them off. I couldn't imagine not wearing them almost all the time because everything seems so blurry now without them. I guess my eyes have adjusted to having them in front of them all the time now. Its nice because a lot of people have told how nice they look and my boyfriend likes them too so that certainly makes wearing them a little bit easier. Thanks for all the words of encouragment and advice. Its appreciated. Emily, How old are you? How long have you been wearing glasses and what is your prescription? Have a good week everyone.

Matt 02 Oct 2005, 11:45

Andrew's point about lots of 17 year olds getting glasses for driving lessons reminds me of how stupid I was being when I turned 17. I was still in my phase when I wouldn't wear glasses any more than I absolutely had to (which in effect meant I wore them in lessons and that was it) and so I decided not to learn to drive because I knew I'd have to wear my glasses. My mates were all passing their tests, whilst I was walking around in a half-blind haze.

George1968 01 Oct 2005, 12:50

Marie,

How often you wear your glasses will depend on the comfort level you have between wearing glasses and not wearing them. As you've already noticed, when you wear your new glasses and take them off, you notice the difference more. If it's bothersome, you will probably wear your glasses fulltime. If not, you'll probably continue to wear them part-time. After all, it doesn't appear that it was vision problems that drove you to see an optician, but the 4 years in between visits.

I didn't go fulltime until my prescription got over -3.00. It took a while to get used to seeing myself in the mirror (and in pictures) with my glasses on. Now that I have worn them for about 18 months, I don't know how I got on without them. But, my prescription is quite a bit stronger than yours. With -1.75, I would probably just wear them for driving, etc.

Clare -- I think your experience with pink eye last year showed that you needed glasses fulltime for work. I think if you couldn't wear contacts and had a partner who liked you in glasses, you'd be wearing fulltime in a heartbeat.

Eddie 01 Oct 2005, 12:09

Harry , you are a lucky guy your GF is probably a bit insecure and needs reassurance that she is still attractive in glasses and with that pescription her vision is poor

Random_Eye 01 Oct 2005, 06:58

Harry

Someone posted a link a while ago where you could type her RX in and see what she sees. It only went to -10 I belive.

Her eyes are pretty bad, there is probably someone that can explain to you better just how bad.

As far as her being bad news, I think not. Don't judge someone by how they see. Also I know there are a lot of guys here that would find that a turn on and probably think you are very lucky to have a girl with such an high RX.

harry 01 Oct 2005, 06:42

hey, maybe u guyz can answer my question.

ive been dating this great girl, 19 yrs old. she wears contacts and shes like real secretive about her vision. she just got an exam and the numbers of her new bottles are different, and i wonder what it means. on her old bottles, one said power -10.75 and one said power -11.75. her new bottles say -11.50 and -12.75. i guess that means her eyes got worse, huh? how bad are her eyes anyway?

she only wears her glasses to the toilet at night and hides them during the day but they look real thick. is she bad news?

thanx guyz

New poster 01 Oct 2005, 01:01

No I don't wear them all the time yet so this conversation is very interesting for me!

Julian 30 Sep 2005, 22:58

Katy, Marie and all you other low(ish) myopes: Surely whether you wear your glasses full time depends on your priorities. If your main concern is how you see you'll wear them. If you're more concerned how you look and you like glasses you'll still wear them - if not, not.

If I had your Rx I'd definitely wear them full time on both counts, but then I like glasses and I'd probably wear them full time if I had -0.5. The strange thing is that when I got low plus specs it took me ten years to go full time.

Emily 30 Sep 2005, 14:34

Hi Marie. That always happens when you get stronger glasses, when you take them off you feel blinder than before. I think it's because there's a greater contrast between your vision with and without glasses.

I'm currently on my 12th prescription, each one stronger than the one before, and it feels that way each time. When you first put on your new glasses, everything looks so intense, and then when you take them off, you feel totally blind and helpless. At least, your eyes aren't nearly as weak as mine.

Enjoy the good vision with your new glasses!

Katy 30 Sep 2005, 14:11

My optician was Chinese and had an unusual way of putting things - he said 'if you can't see the horizon properly you will not open up your chest, and you will become introverted' :-) But he also said that because I could see much better with glasses, he couldn't see a reason not to wear them. He said that the right frames will always make a woman more beautiful. I wondered whether he was trying to tell me that I have the _wrong_ frames..

Marie 30 Sep 2005, 14:10

I got my new glasses today.. I can definetly tell they are stronger than my older pair.. I've been trying to wear them most of the day to get used to them but I notice when I take them off my vision seems worse than it was before I got the new glasses.. My lenses even stick out a bit past the frames, so I can tell they are stronger than my old pair. I'll maybe try to wear them all the time this weekend and then see how it goes.. It just takes awhile to get used to having them on my face all the time if you know what I mean, but I'm got a lot of compliments on them so far, so I guess that is good.

Clare 30 Sep 2005, 11:57

I've never had the courage to ask when my optician advises full time wear. I can't remember how we got on to the subject but when I got my current -2.75 late last year I do remember him telling me that my prescription was 'quite strong'. I guess that means that if I'd asked if I should wear them all the time, the answer would probably have been yes. Inevitable based on recent comments I suppose ... ;)

30 Sep 2005, 10:06

Katy - what were the reasons your optician said for full time time wear?

Another circa - 2.00 30 Sep 2005, 05:59

What do you mean when you say 'full time wear'. Do you mean first thing you do in the morning is put them on the last thing you do at night is take them off? I would say I am a full time wearer in so far that I wear either contacts or glasses all the time when I am out but if e.g at the weekend im in all day I won't wear them at all - would you classify me as a full time wearer? Would you at say at that presciption you would put them on if you had to go to the toilet in the middle of the night? (i silly example i know but i do know of i girl i shared halls with who put on her much weaker glasses to go for showers etc!)

Katy 30 Sep 2005, 05:51

New poster - I would like to see that too! Do you wear yours all the time at the moment?

Katy 30 Sep 2005, 05:48

Marie - I was given an rx of -1.5 and -1.75 with some cyl the other day, and I asked the optician whether most people would wear that prescription all the time. He said 'yes, definitely', and then explained why I should (even though I do anyway). But other opticians will say something completely different - especially around -1/-2, they all seem to have a different opinion.

New poster 29 Sep 2005, 21:35

Is there a list or something that tells what prescription would wear when or for what?

I'd be interested to know as I'm -1.75 also.

Maverick 29 Sep 2005, 00:11

With myopia I dont see why an optician would recommend 'wearing all the time' whether it was -1.75 or any other.

Its not up to them, its your choice and yours only !

arthur 28 Sep 2005, 22:58

indeed yes-most people find life easier at this point @-2,it makes finding them easy if they are already on your face-wear them proudly and confidently-hope you selected wisely,you may be surprised at the extra attention guys pay!

Marie 28 Sep 2005, 17:18

I'm 25 years old and I got glasses for the 1st time when I was 17 years old that were -0.75 or so in each eye and have worn glasses pretty much part time since then. I got my 2nd pair of glasses when I was 21 that were a bit stronger than my 1st pair they were -1.25 in each eye.. My frames have been getting awfully beat up and I figured its been 4 years since I had a check-up so I went to the Eye Doctor the other day and he said I should start wearing my glasses all the time. My prescription is now -1.75 in each eye, I should get my new glasses next week. I have never really worn glasses all the time, usually just for driving watching tv, movies, etc.. so if I start needing them all the time it will really be a change for me. Is this usually a prescription when people start wearing their glasses all the time? I'll let you know when they come in.. Thanks..

ehpc 28 Sep 2005, 11:16

What style of frames do you and you friend wear Megan? I just LOVE black rectangular plastics:) Pete

Megan 28 Sep 2005, 09:55

I took my friend for an eyetest yesterday. She got a prescription which says -0.75L and -0.75R. She chose some frames similar to mine. Her glasses were ready this afternoon. She is going to wear them all the time even though she only needs them for distances. She is so pleased that she has got glasses now. They really suit her. I tried her glasses on and although I could see through them they made everything slightly fuzzy for me. They make things look a bit smaller when I hold them out in front of me.

I am now noticing that I can see everything much clearer with my new glasses and every day is clearer than the day before and definately is clearer than without glasses. I knew my reading vision was worse but I hadn't realised my distance vision had got so bad.

Andrew 27 Sep 2005, 10:06

Ian,

While the main cause for deteriorating eyesight among 16-17 year olds may be down to the amount of studying they are doing, my experience tells me that the main reason for doing something about it is the prospect of driving lessons. Still, the effect is just as important as the cause...

George 27 Sep 2005, 09:50

Hansel - yes it could well be the case here. I still cannot understand how with the milder forms of hyperopia, say up to +2, some folk can just put their glasses on and everything is clearer while others take maybe weeks or cannot see distance clearly.

I think we'll get the lenses checked just in case they reversed right and left by mistake and also get a second test done.

Ian 27 Sep 2005, 08:52

I am finding now that the schools have gone back after summer there are a lot of 16-17 year old sixth formers in the opticians getting their eyes tested. I have seen a lot of girls go in to the opticians in groups of about four and one by one they go into the opticians office. I have sat outside and watched as each one returns to see whether they start to try on glasses if they were prescribed them. Most of the girls do get glasses and this has been a big turn on for me seeing a girl trying on glasses for the firrst time. Some of them leaving the opticians wearing them. Also I have heard loads of teenagers talking about glasses on the bus, saying they think they need glasses and there is a lot of trying on others glasses and glasses swapping, and girls showing each other their new glasses.

I sometimes wear glasses + 1.75 for reading and find they help lots with reading. I have recently found that my eyes strain to see in the distance properly especially at night and that my glasses seem to make it clearer in distance a bit aswell, I do not know if I need a new prescription or not. Im 29 and have used the same glasses since I was 22. So may be I am due another test. I do kind of want to wear glasses fulltime but have not really built up the courage yet. I am single and am seeking a girlfriend and preferably with glasses, I would like to be wearing glasses fulltime around a girl because then there is not the embarassment of telling her I wear them or introduce them to her.

Megan 26 Sep 2005, 09:33

Most people I know have seen me wear my old glasses for reading. One friend hadn't seen me with glasses before so was quite suprised to see me wearing them. Everyone has been quite complimentary about my glasses. I suppose they never saw me properly with my old glasses as I only wore them for reading.

Another friend asked to try my glasses on. She put them on but she said everything was blurry. She also said that she really wants glasses and wants some frames like mine. She came round to my house yesterday and I let her wear my old glasses which did suit her and she was very pleased when she saw herself in a mirror. She said that she couldn't see far very clearly with them but they didn't give her a headache. I asked if they made reading easier for her and she said although everything was magnified she could read easily without them. She proved this by reading some tiny print without my old glasses that I could barely see without my new glasses. She said she's not sure if she needs glasses but really wants a real pair. I asked her if she had trouble seeing distances like a tv across a room. She said she sometimes gets a sort of headache when watching tv which goes away if she moves closer. I told her that she might need glasses for tv and other distant things. She seemed quite exited by this. I'm taking her for an eye test tomorrow lunchtime.

My passport is only a year or 2 old so I won't change it yet (even though I'm not wearing glasses in the photo). When I do change it I will probably wear my glasses in the photo.

Andrew 26 Sep 2005, 08:40

The only photo for which I remove my glasses is my passport photo. It is easier to take glasses off and look like the picture, than it is for a suspicious passport officer to imagine what I might look like now if I wore a particular pair of glasses some eight years ago. I nearly failed to get out of Belgium once, when I made a comment to the passport man about it!

Slit 25 Sep 2005, 18:28

Megan,

What was the reaction of the other people who have not seen you with glasses?

I have seen that a lot of girls remove their glasses when appearing for a photo... but if you look good in glasses its ok to wear them.

Megan 25 Sep 2005, 14:12

Thankfully everyone was right - my distance vision has got clearer now. I now realise why the optician suggested I should wear glasses full time - everything is clearer than without glasses and a bit clearer than with my old glasses.

I have just about got used to putting my glasses on first thing in the morning. But I am still getting used to seeing myself with glasses when I pass a mirror or a window. I will now have to get used to seeing myself with glasses in photos (I haven't had my photo taken with my glasses yet). I didn't see myself very often wearing my old glasses and I don't think I had my photo taken wearing them.

My friend has been wearing her glasses all the time to make me feel less self-concious about wearing my glasses all the time. She says she doesn't really notice much difference when she looks at distant objects with or without glasses but as her distance vision is't burred she is happy to wear them all the time for now.

big ES fan 25 Sep 2005, 07:47

I should have added that I was'nt referring to the people on eyescene that have very high precriptions when I said you should be able to read the second line. I was referring to mild to moderate precriptions. Would'nt want to offend anyone. Thanks

Hansel 25 Sep 2005, 07:41

George-there have been a mumber of posts commenting on the need for a plus prescription to have time to settle down, particularly for seeing in the distance. ALthough there would appear to have been only a slight increase to the plus could this be happening here?

big ES fan 25 Sep 2005, 07:33

George,

Thanks for the reply. I did'nt get to have the red/green test or the circle test although I asked for them. The response I got was that they did'nt have the slides to put in the projector, all they use is the snellen chart. They did have the red lens for the phoroptor for checking prism. If ones eyes are healthy, there is no reason for us not leaving the doctors office with a prescription that allows us to read the second line perfectly clear. I forgot to mention that they checked the new glassed and they matched the doctors precription. In my case it is the precription that is wrong. I hope your wife gets hers straightened out. It is very uncomfortable to wear glasses with the wrong precription, when both the sphere and cylinder are off.

George 25 Sep 2005, 06:09

big ES fan - the exam was the usual 15/20 minute job although the optomotrist made a lot of checks for astigmatism and went back to the Snellen chart each time after testing the red/green and circle patterns.

Without lenses my wife could read up to the third line on the chart and the fifth line after correction.

We had the new lenses put in yesterday but she said she can see better distance without them and wanted to drive without glasses. I said that seeing clearly only three lines on the chart is not good enough for driving especially in poor light and rain.

In the UK it is difficult to find someone to do a full test, you have to be 'referred' to a hospital by your doctor and then usually only for a medical eye condition.

Andrew 24 Sep 2005, 10:22

My wife can be corrected to 20/20; I am corrected to 20/15. She was also complaining of frequent headaches when she last went, so the optician made sure he spent extra time with her, to rule out any optical causes for them. Whatever was causing the headaches, it was not glasses-related.

big ES fan 24 Sep 2005, 05:35

Andrew,

I had two examinations in a period of three weeks and one was fifteen minutes and the other was no more than twenty minutes. These times were for the refractions not the pre screening for glaucoma and auto refraction. I even ask for more time and even told them I would pay extra for more of their time but they said they did'nt need it. It is amazing to me your wife is still not seeing like she should. They also told me that my eyes were perfectly healthy and there and that I was 20/20 according to the chart. This is why you can't go with the results of the snellen chart when you have a plus with astigmatism.

Andrew 24 Sep 2005, 03:33

My wife's last eye test took over an hour - she is longsighted with quite a bit of astigmatism. She can see better with her new glasses, but still not as well as me with my 2 year-old glasses.

big ES fan 23 Sep 2005, 16:47

George,

I don't think your wife should get her new precription made into glasses, without getting a second opinion. I have recently gone through an ordeal with two different optometrists and I can't see through my glasses. I have a stronger prescription than your wife and I need to find an optometrist that does a full refraction, which I am going to do next week. I think people with plus prescriptions and astigmatism have a harder time getting refracted than ones with minus precriptions. The snellen chart, (I hope I spelled that right), is just not good enough for us. We need every test the eye doctor is capable of doing, and they need to take more time with us than they do with minus. My wife is minus and she never has any problems with her glasses, like I do. I am curious if your wife got a thorough refraction or one of the rush jobs like I got. Thanks

Frances 23 Sep 2005, 10:19

Yes i have slit, and she has found out a lot if information about her eyesight problems, and why she needs to wear glasses. It has been very helpful. She does not need bifocals, but no doubt that will come at an early age for her, the optician said this could happen. But we both hope not, its ok for me in them, but not a young girl. Lots of information available on this site for people who need answers, so thanks to all you nice people on here.

Slit 23 Sep 2005, 05:07

Hi Frances,

Have you introduced your daughter to Eyescene?

Does she also wear bi-focals?

George 22 Sep 2005, 09:41

Well we visited the optometrist this afternoon and my wifes prescription has not changed much.

The old one was

R +1.50 -50 110

L +1.50 -50 30

The new one is

R +1.50 -50 30

L +1.75 -75 180

The +25 is only a small change but the astigmatism correction seems to have reversed, unless the previous guy got the figures around the wrong way - or this quite common?

They said she has a small amount of residual squint but not to use a prism correction at this time.

However, this seems about as good as it gets as she still can't read the bottom eyechart line at all and struggles with the one before.

Phil 22 Sep 2005, 05:19

Frances: you weren't there! Text me on 07871436620 if you want to tell me you are up for a chat.

Phil 22 Sep 2005, 01:14

Frances. Sorry I missed you between 8 and 9: bit early for me! See you at 11?

Cactus Jack 21 Sep 2005, 10:44

George -- I don't have a good answer for that and no personal experience with + Rxes. Dialation and a technique called "fogging" can help but as you can tell by reading of other hyperopes experiences, there is some "art" involved.

In a myope, the image focuses in front of the retina and minus lenses move it back to the retina. A hyperope's eyes focus the image behind the retina and the hyperope can accomodate and move the image up to the retina, using whatever focus power they have, which fakes everyone out. To use the fogging technique, the examiner adds enough plus to definitely move the focus point in front of the retina and then backs off until the hyperope sees clearly. If the examiner suspects that there is some residual accommodation he may prescribe a bit more plus in the Rx than is manifest. If it doesn't work out, he gets to remake the glasses.

Ree 21 Sep 2005, 10:41

Hello Frances,

Went through your posts and noted that you are into bifocals and are in your early forties. Executive bifocals do really give a very good reading area and generally people who wear them seem to be very comfortable, especially those who are more into office work and reading like you are i presume. The only drawback seems to be that the bifocal line appears to be very promiment to some, especially if they are wearing larger frame size. What sort of frames are using for your executive bifocals? and it is very distracting to switch over from lined bifocals to progressives , which many people do not adapt to.

Frances 21 Sep 2005, 08:23

Phil, i normally have a look in between 8am and 9am when kids gone to school. and before i go to work, if thats to early will try again about 11am or 12am

hope i can answer any questions you may have.

Phil 21 Sep 2005, 08:13

Frances, I'd like that very much. Tell me when you can be on tomorrow or any other day. I can usually manage to escape for a while during office hours!

George 21 Sep 2005, 07:48

Cactus Jack - - one thing I don't understand is how they check how much +Rx a hyperope needs for distance vision correction.

If a hyperope needs to wear glasses full time for a few days before seeing clearly at distance, how can they read the distance eyechart with +Rx test lenses

Slit 21 Sep 2005, 07:40

Sorry about blank post...

Hi All,

Well, congratulations on your new glasses Megan.

Do you think that you need the whole plus power to see distance as well?

If you are comfortable with old rx for distances and new rx for near, may be you can switch between the two of them.

Or, you may get bifocals with old rx in upper portion and new rx in reading add?

There are almost NO girls in My Country wear glasses with + prescriptions.

Therefore, this is the only place I can interact with them and get to know how the things work with + glasses.

BTW, What is your country?

Slit 21 Sep 2005, 07:36

21 Sep 2005, 07:29

daffy 21 Sep 2005, 06:09

I did an eye check up yesterday. I appears that my vision has not stabalised yet or gone reverse. I went up from -5 to now -5.75 (plus all the other factors like cylinder, prism and add).

Cactus Jack 21 Sep 2005, 05:57

George -- That explains a lot. As a myope, your focus system is relaxed as much as possible to try to see at a distance. With glasses or contacts that provide correction to 0.00 for distance, your focus system only has to go to work when you need to focus closer than 20ft/6m.

Hyperope's focus system has to work anytime their eyes are open to try to see anything. Depending on the amount of error, they may be able ot do this easily without trying when they are young, but time catches up with them and they no longer can. When it happens, it comes in a rush whereas corrected myopes gradually need more + to read.

Frances 21 Sep 2005, 04:22

Phil, thankyou for your comments. I do have a pair of progressive glasses, but i find my vision is far clearer wearing bifocals, crisp up close and distance.

I wear the executive bifocals, so have a good portion of the lenses for close and distance. Vanity does not really come into it, i just like to see things clear as they should be. I also have a seperate pair with just my reading script, which i use if reading in bed or sitting reading a book for any length of time. I think you are correct in saying Megan's case is very similar to mine, maybe she will not need a reading add as early as i did. I do know nowdays, i cannot even read the largest print, without my glasses, and very small print is getting difficult at times, so expect will get update in near future. Its interesting that my rx is 3.25/3.75 with an add of +2 for reading and my daughters are +5.75/5.50, i can read with hers on, but not see distance, she can see distance with my reading glasses, but not my distance. Find it hard to understand at times. Perhaps we can chat again on eyescene if both on together.

George 21 Sep 2005, 02:14

It is interesting about hyperopes needing time to adjust for distance vision, I am a myope and just put glasses on, hey presto, everything crystal clear.

My wife had a first prescription of +0.75 about two years ago, after six months she couldn't see clearly and a repeat test gave her +1.25 and a year ago went up to +1.50.

She does not wear full time but for driving, at work and sometimes for reading. She says with them she cannot see distance clearly and we should have an exam tomorrow.

Is it the same for all hyperopes that they can't see distance clearly at first?

As a myope I find this difficult to understand but there seem to be more factors like accommodation that affect the vision. I am sure that if she gets new glasses she will expect to see perfectly first go with them.

Phil 21 Sep 2005, 01:30

Megan - your new glasses sound really cool. Have people remarked on you becoming a fulltime gwg? Your case is just so similar to Frances. I think she started wearing her glasses at about your age. Enjoy wearing those lovely frames. Do please let us see exactly what they are like.

Frances - you did not "ramble". What you had to say was really interesting. I haven't often seen people of your age with lined bifocals - guess vanity makes them wear progressives. But I think lined bifocals look great. And if they let you see better ....! What sort of frames do you wear?

Wei 20 Sep 2005, 11:56

Megan is magnication problem of plus lens? I -16 and find problem with minication but I have adjust. You need adjust for time also?

Megan 20 Sep 2005, 10:29

I got my new glasses today.

They certainly make close up things clearer than my old glasses. Distances are a little hazy at the moment. The optician said the same as people have said here that distances will get clear after a short while. I've only had these glasses for a few hours.

I am wearing them all the time like it was suggested I did. Even after wearing my old glasses all day for a couple of days I still felt a bit odd not taking my glasses off when not reading. I can also notice the increase in the strength of the prescription compared to my old glasses. My new glasses magnify things more than my old ones so my eyes look even bigger.

My frames are similar to my old ones. They are black plastic, sort of rectangular. What really pleased me is that they are really comfortable. They sit quite snugly on my nose. If I find a picture of them I will post a link.

Frances 20 Sep 2005, 03:45

hi phil, sorry about yesterday, i lost the connection and could not get it back, had to wait until my husband came home and sorted it out. As to your questions, i first had glasses when i was 18, started working in an office and found my eyes got very tired. was told to wear them as and when i felt i needed them, but after a few months, found it easier to wear all the time, and i could see much clearer. They were fine except a few changes until i was 37, then told i need a reading add. Which i got, again that has changed a few times, i am in my early 40's now and wear bifocals full time. I have progressives as well, but not keen on them for driving. My daughter had hers at 15, and went full time straight away, and had quite a large change after 6 months, but we were told to expect this, once her eyes had settled down, she could cope with the full rx.

Hers are quite strong now, in the upper plus 5 region, but she seems to cope ok.

I wore contacts for some years, but when my daughter was told to wear them, began wearing mine again, give her some support. Now i am quite happy with glasses, and see no need to go back to contacts, Hope that answers your quetions and i have not rambled on too much.

Phil 20 Sep 2005, 03:00

Hi Frances, We spoke yesterday on LensChat but you disappeared! I think you said you got bifocals a few years ago. When did you start wearing glasses in the first place? Did you use them for reading only at first? I'm a myope myself and I find hyperopia very interesting! With myopia you put the glasses on and all is clear in the distance. It's not so clear close up but, at least until presbyopia sets in, you can see to read. With hyperopia it seems that, though the lenses help for close things at once, they initially make the distance blurrier before ending up making it clearer! All very different.

Frances 20 Sep 2005, 01:25

The distance will so get clearer Megan, i was the same when i got mine, but after a few weeks it was great. My daughter had them at 15, and she said the same, it does not take long for your eyes to adjust and you will wonder how you managed without them. I know i could not go without mine now, nor could my daughter. Enjoy them, it will be fine for you

Phil 20 Sep 2005, 01:04

Megan, yes, do let us know. And tell us about the frames you have chosen. I bet reading will be so clear with the new rx. And gradually so will distance. Enjoy being a fulltime gwg. If you like wearing your specs they will make you look so so cool!

Curt 19 Sep 2005, 13:50

Megan: I think you will notice that your near vision will be better with your new glasses. You may notice, however, that your distance vision may be slightly worse (i.e., more blurry) with the increase in + power. You may not notice it, but if you do, don't worry too much about it. Your eyes will relax more with the new lenses, and in a day or two your distance vision will probably be better too.

Good luck and let us know how things work out!

Megan 19 Sep 2005, 12:25

I will be getting my glasses tomorrow.

I first got my eyes tested when I was 15 because I kept getting headaches when I was reading and had trouble seeing small print/writing. I mentioned this to a friend who already wore glasses for reading and she said I had the same symtoms as her before she got glasses. She let me try on her glasses and I found that I could read easier with them. I told my parents and they took me for an eye test where I was given a prescription (+2.25 R and +2.5 L) and a few days later I got glasses. I was pleased with the way they made reading much more comfortable but I was a little shocked at how much they seemed to magnify things!

My friend was pleased to see I got glasses but was surprised when I told her my prescription - it was stronger than hers. She still has the same prescription now (her eyes haven't changed in 3 years). She tells me it is +1.50 in both eyes and she only needs to wear them for reading.

I am still wearing my "old" glasses all the time until I get my new ones. I've just about got used to it. I didn't put them on this morning until my mother saw me and just said "Glasses!". I dug my glasses case out of my bag and put my glasses on.

My new glasses better make more of a difference than my "old" ones do or I will be rather disappointed. I will let you know tomorrow after I've got them.

Cactus Jack 19 Sep 2005, 09:47

John -- Your Rx isn't very clear. It looks like:

L -3.25

R -2.75, -1.00 x ?

No bifocal or prism.

That is a very moderate Rx for shortsightedness and very common. Probably 75% the people who wear glasses have minus prescriptions. There might have been a valid extra charge for bifocals, progressives, priam, or Hi Index.

Ever heard of "bait and switch advertising"? I think you have now.

If you want to order glasses on line, I suggest that you inquire here before ordering. The is a lot of experience - some good, some bad - yours for the asking.

john 19 Sep 2005, 09:02

I recently got a new pair of specs from specsavers, and I was interested in the thin and light offering at 30pounds, but apparently because i had a negative perscription, -3.25DS & -2.75 -1.00 I couldnt get the 30pound version and had to have the 60pound one (which came with the anti glaze stuff as well)

Why is this? Or was the salesmen talking rubish to get more commission ?

Phil 19 Sep 2005, 08:31

Megan, have you got your new glasses? Do tell us how you get on with them when you have. Are you going fulltime straight away? What frames did you choose?

Slit 19 Sep 2005, 06:33

Hi Magen,

Well, what were the first symptoms made you go and get glasses?

Was it just a head ache or was it inability to read small text in dim light?

How comfortable are you with the computer?

Megan 18 Sep 2005, 06:07

Maybe I should have worn my glasses all the time from when I first got them. I was never told I should wear them all the time but then again I was never told I should only wear them for reading. I faintly remember the optician saying something about wearing my glasses whenever I needed to see clearer. I knew at that time I could do with seeing close-up things clearer so I never really wore them apart from when doing a lot of reading or writing at school. I could read the board across the room without taking my glasses off but I never noticed if I could see the boad better with them or not. I almost always took my glasses off at the end of the lesson. The only time I wore my glasses all day was when I was reading a magazine before school one morning when I suddenly realised that my bus was due very soon. So I dashed out of the house still wearing my glasses and got the bus just in time. When I sat down I realised I had left my glasses case at home. I didnt want to put my glasses in my bag because the might have got scratched so I thought the best place to keep my glasses safely was on my face. So I wore my glasses all day that day but they came off and into their case when I got home.

a plusboy 18 Sep 2005, 04:31

Andrew,

Firstly i wud like to say thank you to all that hav contributed on this site. I am new here, I hope to learn and give and show respect.

Andrew,

There are many types of hyperopes. Speaking from experience, my hyperopia has progressed quite nicely starting off as a + .50 no cyl aged 14 and gradually progressing each year 1/2 diopters at a time. Now at age 29 i have reached +3.25 with cyl.There was no rapid increase with me.I hav a few friends who are plus and varied but as this is my first post i will keep it short. thank you

Andrew 17 Sep 2005, 13:14

Megan,

There are normally two reactions when non-glasses wearers try on someone else's glasses. The first is that they are "strong", which means that they cannot see clearly through them. The second is to say very little, which means that they can see clearly through them, and are now wondering whether that means that they, too, should be wearing glasses.

tortoise 17 Sep 2005, 10:00

Megan, I'm not an expert but my impression is that hyperopia doesn't usually start low and progress. It's more often a matter of being concealed by a young person's ability to accomodate so well. The first Rx is a bit weaker and as the eyes learn to relax a stronger Rx is prescribed. You probably won't have to get much increase after this. I'd say your new glasses are medium but not particularly strong. Yes, people with much weaker prescriptions often wear their glasses full time.

Megan 17 Sep 2005, 08:57

Thanks tortoise

My eyes do feel a bit more relaxed when I keep my glasses on - hopefully they'll feel even more relaxed with my new glasses.

I remember when I first got glasses some of my friends tried them on and said they were strong. I suppose I did think they seemed a little bit strong but as I had never worn glasses before I was convinced that they were quite weak as I didn't need them much at first.

Is my current prescription strong for a first one? Would my new prescription be regarded as mild or medium or strong? Is it likely my prescription will get stronger before it stabilises? Do people with weaker prescriptions than mine wear glasses all the time?

tortoise 17 Sep 2005, 05:59

Hi Megan. Your Rx is for plus lenses which means that you are hyperopic. You have been using the focussing muscles of your eyes to see clearly in the distance but that is what has been causing strain and headache. I think you should definitely wear your current glasses as much as possible until you get your new ones. This will help your eyes relax and get them ready for your new Rx. Don't be alarmed if your distance vision is blurry at first with your new glasses. It may take a while for your eyes to fully relax but your headaches will be a thing of the past I think. I hope you enjoy your new glasses! 8-)

Megan 17 Sep 2005, 05:28

I found this site a few weeks ago.

I'm 17 and have had reading glasses for a couple of years. My prescription was +2.25 R and +2.5 L and to start with I only wore them occasionally (and not as often as I should). More recently I found I really couldn't read anything without glasses. But I only wore them for reading. This morning I had an eye test as I was due for one (and because I sometimes get eyeache and headache even when wearing my glasses). My eyes have got worse. They are now +3.5 R and +3.75 L. I was told that I should really wear them all the time now as the eye test revealed I was having difficulty focussing at all distances causing the aches. I thought I might need a new prescription for reading glasses but I didn't think I would get such a big jump and certainly didn't think I would be needing glasses all the time!

I chose some new frames which should be ready Monday or Tuesday.

The optician suggested I wear my current glasses all the time until my new ones are ready. I have kept my glasses on all day and noticed for the first time that I can see distances very slightly clearer with them on. I presume my new glasses will make everything even clearer. I hadn't noticed that my distance vision had got worse. It seems strange to wear glasses all the time. I keep going to take them off when not reading and then remember I am supposed to keep them on.

Phil 15 Sep 2005, 02:43

Hi Hollie! I haven't heard from you for ages. Are you back at Oxford yet? I still manage without full-time wear at -3.5 and -3.25. I rarely wear my glasses at work though I did last week at a conference (in case anyone asked me a question when I was talking and I couldn't see them). It was fantastic, especially for spotting gwgs! After two days I thought I was going to end up fulltime. But I'm back bare-eyed and with my nose on the computer screen. I'd tell your chum to do what she wants, not to take any notice of opticians. There are no "rules", except to wear her specs when driving. She should just do what makes her feel happiest.

around the same -1.50/-2 14 Sep 2005, 09:23

this girl is kidding herself,one can be fine at home w/o but out in a store or elsewhere i couldn't stand the constant struggle just doing ordinary stuff-not to mention looking foolish-with the right look she needs to understand she could be hot-with the right attitude!

Patrick B 14 Sep 2005, 09:07

Wei,

I've only had blended myodiscs for cosmetic reasons and have never had a problem with the transition between the bowl and the carrier. That said, I do think some people (like RL) prefer the non-blended if their eyes, perhaps, have a tendency to stray from the bowls. I saw someone recently who had the nonblended myos and thought they were too visible. HIs frames were too large for the bowl (around 25mm, and the lenses really stood out as super strong and odd which is not what I want. My lenses are clearly strong but aren't as visibly strong as the ones I saw. Oh, you asked about bifocals in 1.9 high-index lenses. I believe that they can be produced without a problem.

RL 14 Sep 2005, 08:57

Wei

I have non-blended myodiscs. For me, they have a much clearer field of vision with no distortion around the edges. I have had blended myos in the past and was bothered by the edge distortion.

Hollie 14 Sep 2005, 06:36

p.s. I think another thing which is putting her off is her family- her parents have perfect eyesight and think its weird she should have to wear specs for anything but driving. Apparently one of her older sisters had to get glasses for reading and her parents wouldn't let her wear them because they said it would make her eyes worse! This girl is 24 now, and has moved out and wears contacts, and having seen her once in glasses, I reckon the prscription is around +3- must have been really annoying to go without that!

Hollie 14 Sep 2005, 06:32

Haven't posted for a long time so hi everyone!

I'm actually asking advice on behalf of a friend. She's been wearing glasses since she was 17 (needed them to pass her driving test :-) ) and her prescription was -1.25 and -0.75. She didn't wear them all the time, just driving and stuff. But now she just got a new pair (she's 19) and her prescription went up- she's now -2.25 and -1.25. The optician she saw told her she should be wearing them all the time, but she doesn't really like wearing them and says she can see fine without them (a bit of a lie I think, she squints quite a bit and has to get close to stuff written on walls to see it).

She's been asking me if she should wear them all the time or if the optician was overreacting telling her to at this prescription. I don't feel I'm qualified to answer since I held out with part-time wear till about -4. She tried my glasses on and thought they were strong, and thinks that since mine are stronger than hers, she doesn't need to wear full-time even though I do...sorry this is confusing even me!

I'd really like if someone with a similar prescription could tell me when they wear their's- I know at around that rx I hardly wore mine but I squinted a lot and always wore them for driving and reading the board in school.

Thanks a lot,

Hollie

Wei 14 Sep 2005, 05:28

Do any one here wear non blend myodisc? I have now non-belnd myodisc and find is little better vision than blend myodisc but blend myodisc look better i think.

BB----Jennifer 14 Sep 2005, 04:55

I popped into eye scene for the first time in many months and saw a lady called Jennifer, is that the same Jennifer who meet and meet and married her husband on eye scene and has a little baby girl, if so, how you doing, miss our little chat when there was a chat room, you were so curtious and genuine, you alaway brought a little cheer to the room, and your pleasant disposition is sadly missed. I hope your still enjoying married life, i,m sure you a wonderful wife and husband, and a lovely caring mum. I hope Jennifer you read this and just say hello, your sadly missed BB

Phil 14 Sep 2005, 01:06

Thanks for answering me Karen! I'm shortsighted too. -3.5 and -3.25 with a +2 add for reading. Still bit shy about fulltime wear but getting there. Wore specs at conference last week in front of all my colleagues. U sound so nice! So envious of those one or two chaps who appeal to you!!

myofan 13 Sep 2005, 12:12

Hi Karen -- back in January you said -2.5 left and -2.75 right. Does that sound right?

Karen X 13 Sep 2005, 09:46

Phil - Yes I am a gwg myself. I'm short-sighted and wear my glasses full-time. I did know my prescription but my mind has gone blank so I'll post it another time. I have probably given my prescription in one of my messages here a few months ago.

I am interested in glasses especially girls in glasses. I am bi-sexual with a preference for girls. There are a few blokes out there that I quite fancy, but it's women that really turn my head. I have a girlfriend and she wears glasses too! (I'd still love her even without glasses - I'm not a shallow person)

Phil 13 Sep 2005, 02:40

Karen X, Are you a gwg yourself? What's your rx? You certainly seem a real OO!!

Karen X 12 Sep 2005, 11:32

Edward - What made your girlfriend get her eyes tested? Was she having difficulty seeing distances for a while before the eye test? What made her decide to wear glasses full-time straight away rather than start off part-time?

Sorry for all the questions - just interested that's all!

Cactus Jack 12 Sep 2005, 05:02

st8ofbliss -- Good Idea. Was there much change? How was the cylinder component managed?

st8ofbliss 11 Sep 2005, 20:48

Thanks for your replys. I actually went in today and got my contact exam done. DH deciced we shouldnt take a chance of the contacts not being right.

skip 11 Sep 2005, 17:33

I should have mentioned I had cataract surgery on my left eye. The implant corrected for distance. Thus without glasses, I see distance very well with my left eye, but nothing clear within 10 feet away. With my right eye I can see close things pretty good but not great and nothing clear beyond 15 inches. With glasses both eyes work together pretty well.

A cataract has been slowly forming in my right eye but surgery is not imminent.

Trust this all makes sense. Thanks for your interest.

Cactus Jack 11 Sep 2005, 16:39

st8ofbliss - With that low Rx, your contact lens Rx would be the same as the glasses Rx.

Are you asking for GOC purposes?

furtado 11 Sep 2005, 14:30

St8of bliss

Pse see my question below to Skip. I'm interested to know how people with a bigger difference than mine accommodate for the difference in their eyesight. How it is for you?

furtado 11 Sep 2005, 14:28

Skip

How is it for you with a -2.75 difference between your eyes if you don't wear correction? Does your stronger eye compensate? I have a -.5 difference and can sometimes feel it.

skip 11 Sep 2005, 12:11

L -.25+100x80

R -3. +.75x045

add +2.75 Trifocal

st8ofbliss 11 Sep 2005, 09:57

od -2.50,-.25,15axis

os -1.75,-.75,180axis

click 11 Sep 2005, 09:28

i have seen that the lenses of my glasses are C27, what type of lens is this? they are thick at the edges despite a low rx

Cactus Jack 11 Sep 2005, 05:17

st8ofbliss -- What is your glasses Rx?

Edward 11 Sep 2005, 04:06

Amy loves wearing her new glasses and I love her in them. She looks great. Just because someone is wearing glasses it does not mean the are a different person. She is still the lovely girl I fell in love with. Now when she takes off her glasses she looks a little strange as I have adjusted to her in glasses.

st8ofbliss 10 Sep 2005, 23:00

Can anyone help me change my eye glasses script to a contact script. I just need to know if there is a mathematical way to do this.

DWV 09 Sep 2005, 20:23

gba:

First thing to do is to get the optician (or your eye doctor) to put your specs on the lensometer and check whether the lab made and installed the lenses properly.

Jullian 09 Sep 2005, 18:25

Andy24 09 Sep 2005, 16:23

Matt05-

Hi, like you I got my first prescription a few months ago and it is almost the same as yours- -0.75 -0.25 90 in both eyes.

I wasn't really expecting to get them cos I didn't know if my eyesight was bad, but reading the chart it became clear that my eyesight wasn't that perfect.

When I did pick up the glasses I was amazed with how sharp everything was with them on- leaves on trees, numbers on buses, signs and especially the board in college.

I was so selfconscious wearing them at first to be honest, but you get used to them after a few hours. I'd say wear them at home for a few hours first and then show them off to your mates.

And also it takes some time to get used to how different (better) you will look in them - let me know how you get on...

Brian-16 09 Sep 2005, 13:25

matt05 - Congratulations on your new rx.The rx is equal in both eyes and just a little astigmatism in your right eye.The specs will most likely help you with night driving.And of course if your eyes tire when watching tv.You should see great with them!

big ES fan 09 Sep 2005, 13:18

gba,

I have had two examinations in the last six weeks by two different optometrists and two different prescriptions installed in the same frames. I still cannot see through them. I am so frustrated with the incompetence of both the optometrists and opticians, that I don't know what to do next. It has taken two weeks to get the lenses in both cases, plus I have to go on a day off from work, so the time that they will replace the lenses for free has expired.

It is no suprise to me that you can't see through your lenses. I think I will phone all of the optometrists in the area and ask them if they are capable of doing a full refraction, which is almost a thing of the past around here. All they want to do is a refraction with black letters projected on a wall which does not work for me with my prescription. I need a full refraction. The world is in color, not black and white.

Cactus Jack 09 Sep 2005, 11:30

gba -- It appears that your old Rx was written in the minus cylinder format and your new Rx is in the plus cylinder format.

I'm not an optician but if I remeber the conversion procedure from - to + format, your old Rx written in the plus format would be R -9.25 +1.00 x 86; L -7.50, +1.50 x 67.

The old and the new are nearly identical except for the cylinder in the left eye. If you were not having much problem with your old glasses, I think somone forgot a diopter in the cyl. Rx for your left eye.

I would ask for a recheck of your new Rx from the writer and if necessary a remake of the glasses.

Hopefully, someone will check my conversion for accuracy. The procedure I used to convert from - cyl to + cyl was add the cylinder to the sphere and reverse the sign on the cylinder. Then add or subtract 90 degrees from the axis (axis must be between 0 and 180 degrees)

Guido 09 Sep 2005, 11:15

Sorry, I am swearing off typing with mittens!

Guido 09 Sep 2005, 11:14

gba:

Interesting that your new script is p;us cylinder convention and your old is minus cylinder script. Comparing odd to new after converting to minus clinder:

Rt. Old -8.25 CYL -1.00 Axis 176

Rt. New -8.50 CYL -0.75 Axis 05

(axis is actually 9 degrees different)

Lt. Old -6.00 CYL -1.50 Axis 157

Lt. New -7.25 CYL -0.50 Axis 160

Left change more significant.

matt05 09 Sep 2005, 10:37

Hi all.

I went for a routine eye test today, and came away with a prescription for the first time.

It is: R -0.75 -0.25 180 and L -0.75.

I was told its not a very strong prescription and I should wear glasses for driving and whenever else I feel the need. I hadnt really noticed that I may need glasses.

Secretly I think i'm quite pleased that I've got glasses as I've always liked them, but Im very apprehensive about wearing them for the first time. I chose a gun-metal semi-rimless frame for one pair and got an oblong black wire frame as a free pair. I shall be picking them up on Monday.

Will let you all know how i get on

Matt

gba 09 Sep 2005, 09:52

Previous prescription was OD Sphere -8.25 CYL -1.00 Axis 176 and OS -6.00 CYL -1.50 Axis 157 New Prescription OD Sphere -9.25 CYL +0.75 Axis x 095 and OS Sphere -7.75 CYL +0.50 Axis x070

Cactus Jack 09 Sep 2005, 09:40

gba -- What was your Rx before and your current Rx.

In the US, MDs use plus cylinder, and ODs use minus cylinder. Either one can yield a correct Rx but the Rx must be internally consistent. The optician making the lenses knows how to work with both.

gba 09 Sep 2005, 08:57

I recently had my eyes examined and my prescription changed on the cylindrical value from a - to a + and i cannont see out of the new glasses.

Wei 08 Sep 2005, 23:58

Jennifer: I write of vision training so girl have good sight again! Is definate possible for her with low rx. Resoration of good vision better than wearing contact I think.

If girl want wear glasses then of course she do this!

Jennifer 08 Sep 2005, 14:34

Wei: Why are you trying to convince Edward that his girlfriend should do vision training to get rid of her glasses. If she tires of wearing glasses, she could always switch to contact lenses.

Wei 08 Sep 2005, 11:39

Edward, I advice you girlfriend try vision training. Success very good for low rx. I -16D so is too severe for much improvement but I attempt stabilaztion of myopia.

I successful she able get weaker glasses and maybe then no glasses if she work hard.

If she not want vision training she lucky able wear nice thin glasses. I must wear myodisc, which lighter than regular lens for me but reduece aciuty. I glad you like new glasses however they sound very nice style.

Edward 08 Sep 2005, 11:14

My girlfriend has decided to wear her glasses all the time. I will get used to her. She still looks nice.

08 Sep 2005, 08:27

click - very thin.

click 08 Sep 2005, 06:12

someone knows how look normal plastic lens with an rx of -1.50 (myopia) -1.75 (astigmatism) in the same eye?

Wei 08 Sep 2005, 00:35

Edward, I pleased you girlfriend pick nice glasses. I see many girl wear dull frame which not look interesting on her. Black rectangle is nice choice. If you lucky she maybe choose more colorful frame in next glasses!

I see nice glasses on girl yesterday. The frame is semi rim green and very unusual. Rx is strong too of about -8.

Karen X 07 Sep 2005, 15:47

Edward - does your girlfriend wear her glasses all the time or just for tv, driving etc?

Hansel 07 Sep 2005, 14:56

Another convert! Welcome on board.

Edward 07 Sep 2005, 14:43

I do not wear glasses myself and have never really been interested particularly in girls with glasses, I've never really thought much about them. My girlfriend Amy has recently been prescribed glasses about -2. She is 19 and looks really nice in them. She is 5'8" with long brown hair, she chose a pair of black rectangular frames. I have started to notice girls in glasses more now. I am hooked! It seems strange seeing a loved one in glasses for the first time I will get used to it, but she is still my beautiful girlfriend no matter what.

Wei 04 Sep 2005, 06:39

I try wearng old glasses that approximataly -5 too weak to see vision my -5 friend sees. Yes, vision is bad i see not bad like -16 of my own eye but still bad so I astound my friend not have get glasses before now. To I -5 appear not very strong to compare to my -16 rx but I see now is not good sight. Do any one other not wear glasses all time for this rx?

Wei 03 Sep 2005, 04:06

The glasses are -5.00 OD, 1.00 and -5.25, 1.25 OS I am told. Yes I believe is difficult seeing with rx this high but he seem to enable many task with no glasses. I think he adjust to blurred vision but if wearing glasses many years he not tolerate so well perhaps? I have notice with no glasses he hold printing very close to face but he seem ok for other task. I not see him watch TV but i guess he see little? I not aware if he have problem with night vision. He now must drive so he get glasses finally but he not like to wear very much.

02 Sep 2005, 16:11

wei. if your friend really has -5 as their first specs, they can't see anything without glasses. i wear -5.75 and i can see about 1.5 feet infront of me without glasses and everything else is a complete blur. i wouldnt dream of going anywhere without wearing glasses. at night time, u may as well be blind if you are outside without your -5's because u cant see a thing. he/she should have worn them fulltime for years if what u say is true. i sincerely doubt someone could ever go that long without getting glasses though. they wouldnt even be able to see their face in the mirror.

Wei 02 Sep 2005, 10:21

i have acquintance who first glasses is -5. I unable to recollect how bad is -5 but is very unclear without I think. Do anyone here have this rx? He say he able to see reasonable vision with no glasses but not drive of course. He now wear glasses for he driving now and for movie but not all time as he say he see well enough for other activitie.

Andrew 02 Sep 2005, 09:49

Karen X,

I suspect your question may have two aspects to it. Young children who are born with poor eyesight might well require a double-digit first prescription, whereas those who develop poor eyesight (or whose need for glasses at a very early age is not spotted) may start with a lower prescription than a young child, but this may well be deemed "strong" for a first prescription. I managed to avoid glasses until I was about -3 (although I had known I needed them for a couple of years before I got them); it is possible to survive needing a higher prescription, but not to live in comfort. TV without -3s is not good viewing, especially if you are trying to watch something like cricket or tennis when the position of the ball is all-important.

Karen X 01 Sep 2005, 20:43

The following question may have been asked before and I apologise if it has.

What is the strongest 1st time glasses prescription (+ or -) anyone knows of?

George 26 Aug 2005, 13:49

Hi , I've just found this site and would like to share my interest with you . I'm 52yo and have been wearing glasses since about 16yo. I started with a prescription of about -1.75, this progressed to -3.00 at about age 30 and peaked at -5.00 when I was 40yo. My actual spectalce prescription is R. -4.75 Cyl 0.25 Axis 33 L. -5.00 Cyl 0.50 Axis 150

I have worn contacts since age 20 and my prescription is -5.00 both eyes. At 47 I had an add of +1.00 and now have an add of +1.50 using Acuavue bi-focal contacts.

Although there is no astigmatism correction with the contacts, I can still see perfectly clearly.

Cactus Jack 13 Aug 2005, 21:00

To Mom (Part 3 continued rom previous post):

The reason why the doctor wants to patch his eyes is that the brain must develop its vision system and learn to see focus and fuse images. (Vision occurs in the brain. The eye is just a camera). If the brain doesn't get good focused images from an eye, it won't learn how to see and if not forced to develop by about 6 years, it will turn off or ignore the images from that eye and he will never develop good vision in that eye. The idea is to patch the good eye and make the other one go to work. He alternates to develop both eyes.

We live in incredible times. It is fortunate that you have access to knowledge, skill, and talent to understand your sons needs and do something about it. YOur sons farsightedness is caused by either teh length of his eyeball (too short) or his natural lens not having enough power or both. There is plenty of evidence that the eyeball can grow longer and natural lenses can grow fatter. It takes time. If he is still undercorrected, (less plus than he needs) the act of supplying that +2.5 diopters may cause the lens to grow fatter or the eyeball to lengthen. I don't think anyone knows for sure but I know sopme very bright people are working on it.

If it doesn't change, there are many tools available to give him normal vision. Glasses, Contact Lenses, internal lenses that are inserted between the cornea and iris, and lenses that replace the natural lens. Today, they are fixed focus and you have to wear trifocals to supply those diopters needed to focus at all ranges. But there is ongoing research for lens implants that can change focus.

If you want to get an idea of what you son sees without glasses, ask someone to let you look through some -9.5 lenses and you try to focus. I'll bet you can't and your eyes will try to cross because you probably no longer have the focusing power he does. That will give you an idea of the challenges he is facing. If he is able to overcome these challenges, it will make him stronger. He needs your help and support, but he doesn't need your sympathy.

Hope this has helped,

Cactus

Cactus Jack 13 Aug 2005, 20:26

To Mom (Part 2, continued from previous post):

In a young person, the lens, which at that age has the consistency of Jello, has a focus range of about 10 diopters, from more than 20 feet to about 4 inches. The focusing process is directed by the brain and occurs almost instantly. As the eyes focus closer, the brain also causes the rectus (inside) eye muscles to contract, which converges the eyes to see the near object. If the eyes didn't converge enough or converge too much you would see double. In fact, your eyes cross all the time when we look up close but we don't notice because thats what they are supposed to do.

Now to your son. He is very farsighted which means his relaxed eyes focus far-far away (probably about Jupiter). The relaxed power of his complete optical system, consisting of the 4 items at the beginning, which should be zero (0), is in fact -9.5 and it takes +9.5 glasses to bring it to zero (0) so he can see normally. If he is still wearing +7, he has to squeeze his internal lens to supply the other +2.5. so he sees normally. I suspect the doctor did this initially so his brain would learn how to squeeze the lens. The brain is designed to sqeeze the lens to focus but it has to discover how.

If he is wearing +9.5 glasses now, his brain has learned how and the glasses bring his vision system to normal. Also, by now you should have an inkling of why his eyes cross when you take off his glasses. His brain is squeezeing the lens hard to try and supply the +9.5 needed to focus and because it is squeezing hard, the rectus muscles contract and converge (cross) his eyes.

I suspect when you turn off the light and he closes his eyes, his brain stops trying to focus and his eye muscles relax.

(Part 3 continiued on next post)

Cactus Jack 13 Aug 2005, 20:01

Mom:

I'm involved with computers and electronics and not an eye care professional but, because of personal experience and study I've learned a lot about vision and and the optical principals that make it work. Maybe I can help you understand some of whats is going on with your son. First a litle background.

Just like a camera, for the retina (amazingly like the chip in a digital camera or film in a regular one) to capture a sharp, usable image to send to the brain, it must be in focus. The things that affect focus are (1) distance from the eye to what it is looking at; (2) the optical power of the cornea (it has some); (3) the optical power of the lens of the eye (it has a lot) and (4) the distance, inside the eye, from the lens to the retina. Of these 4 only 2 things can change quickly they are (1) the distance and (3) the lens. The lens has some muscles that can squeeze the lens, make it fatter, and increase its power.

In a perfect eye (20/20)and the eye is focused for distant objects, the lens is fully relaxed. For our purposes, 20 feet or more. Even in its fully relaxed state the lens has a lot of power. For our discussion lets say +15 diopters. To focus the eye for closer objects the lens muscles squeeze the lens and increase its power. To focus at 1 meter distance (39.37 inches) the lens must increase by +1 diopter to +16. To focus at 1/2 meter (19.68 inches) the lens must increase by +2 diopters and to read at 16 inches it must increase by +2.5 diopters to +17.50.

(continued in next post)

Julian 13 Aug 2005, 17:42

Mom: I see nobody has posted anything in reply to your questions; I wouldn't like you to think nobody is concerned; it's probably just that nobody has the answers to your questions. We don't seem to have any eyecare professionals posting here these days, and really you could do with somebody with expert knowledge (sounds as if you have a pretty good eye doctor though).

Just a few observations. I seem to have heard of young kids becoming less hyperopic as they grow up; +9.5 is a lot of hyperopia, but I can imagine the changes that lead to a lot of children becoming myopic actually improving your son's eyesight in a few years' time (what 's his name by the way?)

If he were myopic instead of hyperopic (short rather than long, near rather than far-sighted) you could expect his eyes to get worse, possibly a lot worse, with time. This doesn't normally happen with hyperopia.

Thank goodness he 'loves his glasses'; at least he co-operates with whatever is done to help. Has he started school of any kind yet? It would be a pity if other kids teased or picked on or bullied him because of his thick specs. I hope you're training him, not maybe to be aggressive, but to stand up for himself.

Look forward to hearing how he goes on.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Mom 11 Aug 2005, 19:37

My son has had glasses since he was 14 months old, he is now almost 4 years old. He is farsighted and does also wear a patch for a few hours a day to strengthed one of his eyes. The doctor has said from the get go, that he was a +9.5 in both eyes, but started him with +7.0, as not to be to drastic for him. The only reason I started looking on the computer tonight, was because when I lay him down at night and we take his glasses off and put them on the nightstand, those few moments just kill me, as his eyes cross and he looks down while rubbing his eyes. Do kids eyes get better as they develop? They say this is hereditary, but we don't know where it came from, it is all new to me. I want to make it better for him. Now, don't get me wrong, he only knows his glasses, he loves his glasses. We will talk sometimes about lasik when he is older and how he might not have to wear his glasses oneday and he freaks. "I need my glasses" he says. He's a cutie pie. Do children usually have larger scripts for farsightedness like that, we see a really good doctor, and he says it really isn't that bad of a script for children.

First time to post:)

Andrew 07 Aug 2005, 13:13

Wei - I used to have the same problem getting onto LensChat, especially when using aol's web browser. Try using Internet explorer or something else instead.

Wei 03 Aug 2005, 14:22

I try lenschat but link did not work for me. I will try agian. Thank you. Please anyone with experince advise please!

Ignotus 03 Aug 2005, 13:02

Wei, if you go to the site Lenschat (there is a link to it on Eyescene), you can exchange with people who have Rx of the same order as yours

Wei 03 Aug 2005, 11:11

My precription is r -16.25 l -16.00. Can others with prescrition like mine advice how thier eyes progressed myopic? Mine worse every year and I condering mysodics but I am yet unsure. I have 1.7 index but still the lens is very thick. I am 25 year old but have glasses since I was 6. I did not mind but do not want thicker lens all the time. Am I too old for more increase in myopic now?

03 Aug 2005, 10:12

Hi Jay23, tell us a little more. Are these your first glasses? What is your precription? I take it you're age 23?

jay23 03 Aug 2005, 06:57

sorry that should have been http://www.spexmaniac.co.uk i'm new to thsi but learning

jay23 03 Aug 2005, 06:56

I bought my prescription glasses on the web at http://spexmaniac.co.uk for 15 Pounds. Quick servcie and first class quality prescription and reading glasses.

Cheers Jay

johnnyb 03 Aug 2005, 06:27

Kath, regarding your question why anyone would want to be able to wear stronger glasses: "the grass is always greener..."

AA __Kath @Irene 03 Aug 2005, 06:16

Hi ladies I love it when you post I almost feel spoilt to see to high plus glasses wearers in here, nice to learn more about varoius eye conditions and how glasses wearers cope, in here it not unusual for plus glasses wearers to almost like the black sheep of the family whch i think is unfair, still at least this non spectacle wearer does adore the look of a lady in plus glasses

It made my day to see both Irene and Kath in here, if a poll was done which glasses do prefer to see a lady wearing, you both would definately get my vote an hundred fold.

Look forward to your next posts Kath and Irene

Blueeyes 03 Aug 2005, 05:22

I have bifocals I have had them about four years now. They make me feel unbalanced though but thats life. Anyone that wares these will know what I mean. Well I went to the Eye doctor about 2 1/2 months ago and the doctor gave me a new script R -1.75 sph -1.75 cyl 150 axis

L -1.50

Ok well right after that I got sick it turns out I have graves disease and Thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) its in both eyes and is progressing pretty fast. My vision is now even more impaired since then and I am a bit angry at that doctor that ran all those eye test and not once noticed that at that time I was in the beginning stages of thyroid-associated orbitopathy Many things have happened in the last couple months I never went and had RX for those glasses its would have been a waste of money if I had. I found a new ophthalmologist not a lot anyone can do until the its out of the hot phase and stops progressing. Then I will have orbital decompression surgery, which will help my eyes relax and go back down again. This doctor isnt optimistic about this increased damage that the disease has had on my vision will ever repair its self. Right now I have no peripherall vision in either eye its like looking through a rolled up piece of paper all the time now. I will make though and as soon as can be retested for my glasses again I will post the results. I hope everyone is doing well.

Take care

Blueeyes

Kath 03 Aug 2005, 04:30

Thanks for you reply Irene. Glad someone knows how i feel. Our eyes sound quite similar. Have yours been stable for some time now. And i see you have a cyl correction, i do not. Interesting to see you got an add for close work, when did you have that. The last eye test i had the optician said i would need one sooner rather than later. I have noticied how very small print is not as clear as it once was. My mother had bifocals in her teens, our RX are nearly the same. I tried he glasses to see what the add was like, but they were progressive, and everything looked all curvy, it was a funny feeling, but she said the take some getting used to. Thanks again irene

Irene 02 Aug 2005, 15:03

Hi Kath,

by the way: I am 17 now and I got my first glasses with 4

Irene

Irene 02 Aug 2005, 14:58

Hi Kath,

I know very well what you are speaking about. I have a similar prescription:

right eye: +7.25 sph. +1.75 cyl.

left eye: +9.25 sph. +3.75 cyl.

addition: +3.50

With hat best correction my vision acuity is 80% right and only 20% left.

I also cant go without glasses as you can imagine

best regards,

Irene

Andrew 29 Jul 2005, 13:15

Elise,

Did you wear your glasses all the time before getting contacts, and do you find yourself wearing glasses more often than you did before you got the contacts?

I'm also very intrigued by what you can see without your glasses, as you are about as longsighted as my wife, but haven't got anywhere near the same amount of astigmatism.

Elise 29 Jul 2005, 10:34

I really can understand Kath, my prescription is only

right +1.25 C-0.25 As166 left +1.00

but my eyes look really big behind the lenses, so i ordered 4 weeks ago contacts and i'm really happy with them, i do only wear glasses now when my eyes getting tired

AA __Kath 29 Jul 2005, 04:34

so pleased you found some help coming in here we all love you as a person, your long distance admirer.

AA __Kath 29 Jul 2005, 04:34

so pleased you found some help coming in here we all love you as a person, your long distance admirer.

Kath 29 Jul 2005, 00:17

Thank you to all the kind people who bothered to reply to my post. Its not that i am shy about my glasses, or dont like them, I would just like to be able to go without them from time to time. A person who wears quite strong glasses is unable to do this. I certainly cannot, because i suffer from accommodative esotropia, and without my glasses, one of my eyes turns in, which is not a very nice thing to happen. I have tried contact lenses with very limited success. But i still find it strange that people would want a stronger perscription than they need, as most of us wearers, would love less or none at all. Again thank you for all the kind remarks, it does help a great deal.

hooked 28 Jul 2005, 23:58

Kath:

Here is another love of ladies with plus glasses. I'm pretty sure I you look good in your glasses. I do not know what's the problem with wearing strong plus glasses as I'm haven't glasses. But eg. I know that my wife (around +5) only has the usual problems like the glasses getting foggy in winter when changing suddenly from cold to warm and similar situations.

Keep faith!

tortoise 28 Jul 2005, 17:33

Bert, your post makes no sense. Kath said her RX is: R + 8.25, L + 6.50. The difference is 1.75D, right?

Bert 28 Jul 2005, 16:55

Kath

do you really mean that your R lens is +50, twice as strong as your left?

for Kath 28 Jul 2005, 12:34

Dear Kath is it possible to post a photo of your glasses, If I gave you my e mail address I would be truely grateful of a photo. Kath you seem a little shy about your glasses, do you find or think people notice your glasses before they notice you, and do you get people stareing at you because of your glasses, that can so off putting and embarassing, still I,m sure Kath your mature enough to ignore those people, on the other hand, there are guys like me who would be delighted to see you in glasses, and accept they are part of your physical attraction, if I lived near you and we were in a club, or were at a dance I definately would make you my first choice over all other ladies.

We guy have different tastes when it comes to being attracted to a lady, mine happens to be ladies who wear plus glasses, of course personality and character also play a part.

So Kath I hope it cheers you to know you have one admirer even though I live far from you, and you will always have my attention if and when you post in here. Have a lovely weekend. and be happy.

AA Kath 27 Jul 2005, 21:39

I agree with you Kath why on earth would anyone want increased Rx,s surely vision is so precious and has to last a life time.

Kath I appreciate your Rx is strong for a plus lens but I don,t think they look as bad as you say, I,m sure you look good in your glasses, I for one would compliment you on your glasses, because I,m a plus glasses lover, although don,t wear glasses myself.

I think you maybe aware of your glasses because of coments when you first started wearing them, Kath surely you have been wearing glasses a long time and should be confident wearing for your vision and as a fashion statement, please don,t put yourself down about your glasses, heres a guy who will admire you from afar. take care.

hillys6 27 Jul 2005, 18:08

thanks jerred

he has strabimus mild, they have been watching his eyes since he was a year old due to the strabimus showing up then, telling me that either it will go away, or get worse or stay the same, i was told orignally that he was mildly farsighted which is normal up to a certain age between 2-3yrs it should subside so every 6mos we go and have his eyes checked to see if anything has change for better or worse if better than, were done no more need to keep checking other than normal eye checks, if it gets worse they said we will put him in glasses, if it stays the same we just wait till he is 3 then at 3 he will need glases to help reduse the strabimus, i did not expect this week to be buying yet another set of glasses for yet anouther child, i should have asked more questions at the time i was just rather floored and having 5 kids with me was sort of in ah urry to get out of there to maintaine what little santiy i had left, while doing some research online is when i came to read that most 2yrold with a only +1-+2 NORMALLY didnt require treatment , did i wonder why he is getting treatment, his peidatirc eye dr speicalizes in strabimus and other muclse disorders of the eye he is very well known and a great dr ia m sure he had his reasons and had i asked i know he would have explained further, but like is aid i didnt ask thema t the time, came across this sight and thought maybe one or more of you would have the answers,

my 3yrold has a +3 in one eye and a +1 in the other so that is a decent amount of differnce in his eyes, he alos has strabimus but unlike my youngest i never have seen an eye turn

so i was floored when finding out he needed glasses, my 9yrold who is austistc had never seem to have vision problems, until 2nd grade his teacher said he needed his eyes check to find out he is farsighted and has strabimus as well, i guess i cant complain only 3 of the 6 needed glasses it could be worse hee hee

thanks so much for the information and help i will be sure to ask more questions when we go back in 3mos for his check up

hilly

Jarred 27 Jul 2005, 01:42

Hi Hillys6

I think you have answered your own query when you mentioned that you have trouble reading for a long time and when your eyes get tired. It my be that you and your children (as it runs in familys like mine) have acomodative esotropia. Like everything it runs from the mild to the extreme but its worth looking into. The small amount of correction prescribed to your child may be all thats needed to get the eyes working together without causing headaches and eyestrain, rather than for correcting any significant refractive error. Its well worth making sure, especially when they are at school or on the computer. That they can see without any eyestrain or headaches as it will just put them off wanting to read or study. It was certainly the case when I was at school. After just an hours lesson I had had enough, a very frustrating experience.

All the Best

Jarred

presbyopia_23 27 Jul 2005, 00:44

There is absolutely no point giving a 2 year old +1 glasses except maybe to prevent him from becomming a myope later in life. Its common for young children to start slightly hyperopic and plus lenses can slow or stop myopia progression I hear.

hillys6 26 Jul 2005, 17:06

i have 6 kids and 3 now have glasses my questions are regaurding my youngest , i dont wear glasses though i should i cant recall what they said was wrong with my eyes as a child but soemthing about them not focusing right together its only an issue when i am tired, or trying to read alot, if i close oneeye i see fine anyhow, my 3 boys have been diganoise with farsightness and strabimus

my 2yrold was just giving a script for +1.00 for his left eye and +0.50 for his right, i was reading and some of the pages on pediatrics say that under +2.00 dont need glasses does , so do any of you wear glasses for such a small error in your visions?

Poptician 26 Jul 2005, 07:09

Actually it sounds good to me, Kath. I'd be beating a path to your door. I'm sorry if you find your plus prescription a bit excesive, but I (and surely others)like that kind of thing. If I had to live with it I might change my mind, though.

kath 26 Jul 2005, 04:48

sorry last post should have been addressed to Tanya. Maybe need my glasses changed.

kath 26 Jul 2005, 04:47

emily. why on earth do you want more plus. you are welcome to some of mine. i am stuck with R+8.25 L+6.50, they make my eyes look very big, and even with high index lenses, the reflection is very bad. I would love not to have to wear such strong glasses.

Smudgeur 25 Jul 2005, 14:30

Ordered some specs online for my mother-in-law tonight. She is 64 and her prescription is:

O.D (Right) +0.75 -0.50 15 ADD +2.50

O.S (Left) +1.00 -0.50 65 ADD +2.50

Her distance prescription is very similar to my wife (aged 37) who is:

O.D (Right) +0.50 -0.50 80

O.S (Left) +0.75 -0.25 78

Interesting! Wonder when my wife will get an add.?

Emily 24 Jul 2005, 11:27

Tanya: Green gives you more plus. But why would anyone want plus? Minus is the way to go, LOL.

Tanya 23 Jul 2005, 15:36

Hi Everyone

Re The colour test:

What is the best way to get a higher plus(+) RX By saying that the red or green is the sharper image

Tanya

Julian 23 Jul 2005, 02:54

prebyopia_23, you are much too dogmatic. You don't take into account the discomfort a small amount of astigmatism or even hyperopia causes some people. Don't judge other people's eyes or use of specs by your own experience.

ed 23 Jul 2005, 01:08

Presbyopia 23 - what is 20/200 then in - diopters?

presbyopia_23 23 Jul 2005, 00:49

This is not the right forum for myopia inducion. Also it is not so simple, your doctor will tell you to read letters and if you cant, he will realize something is up. They dont say red or green, but one or two. He will know when you reached best correction when you choose one sometimes and choose two sometimes. If your lucky you may end up .25 too high but thats it. Why do you want to ruin your eyes? :(

as for those minus half wearing glasses, I guess they want to ruin their eyes or just love wearing glasses as if it was jewerly or something. It really is NOT neccessary to wear glasses if you are 20/40 or better and even if you are a little worse, only wear them part time. I say 20/200 is the cutoff for full time glasses wear(but take them off for reading and eating!)

Emily 22 Jul 2005, 11:35

If you tell the Dr. that the green side is clearer he or she will increase your plus/reduce your minus. If you say that the red side is clearer, he/she will increase your minus/reduce your plus. So if you want your new prescription to have more minus, you have to say that the red side is better. Each time you do that, the Dr. will give you another .25 of minus. In my experience, most optometrists start off with less minus than your old glasses, so you probably have to pick the red a few times just to get the trial lenses up to what you already have. Good luck!

22 Jul 2005, 11:18

I started at -0.50 both eyes but now has progressed to -1.75 both eyes. I want to further increase my minus, so if I attempt to do this in an eye test do I have to say the red or green is clearer? I can't remember whether it is green that applies to minus and red to plus or vice versa.

Thanks

daffy 21 Jul 2005, 21:52

You can't make a statement like that...i know people that got glasses with -0.25 and also another girl that got +0.25. They both wear them full time! I don't understand either, but i guess they want to wear 'real' glasses. I say good on them.

presbyopia_23 21 Jul 2005, 21:21

hey just got a new scrip -.5 sph -.25 astig in each ye

Uh you dont need glasses for that, I dont even consider half diopter being myopic. Your what? 20/30 uncorrected? I must be missing something, NO one wears glasses with that low pescription.

As for me, no I dont have an add, I have two pairs of glasses. I use the weaker glasses for the computer, the stronger glasses for watching TV or going out of the house and no glasses at all to read books

21 Jul 2005, 15:47

presbyopia_23:

do you currently have an add in your current rx?

r 21 Jul 2005, 08:43

hey just got a new scrip -.5 sph -.25 astig in each ye

grat to have good visio

presbyopia_23 21 Jul 2005, 02:41

I was never aware of my mild presbyopia till I got contacts for the first time. I guess I had made it a habit of removing my glasses to read or sit on the floor and read from 3 feet with glasses. When I tried on those -3.5's which *still* slightly undercorrected me for the first time I realized something was not right and at first I thought something was wrong with the contacts. Things from less than about 16" started to become blurry. I was so used to reading from 6-8" razor sharp so this definately was something amiss.

If the contacts were full power it would be even worse, probably would have a hard time reading even held arm length away. For this reason I will not bother getting full power contacts as they will ruin my eyes. In fact im not a fan of contacts period

20 Jul 2005, 14:35

presbyopia_23, did anything in particular induce your presbyopia or was it a natural thing?

presbyopia_23 20 Jul 2005, 02:46

Contacts arent comparable to glasses. Multiply your contact pescription by 1.25 to get glasses. I have worn -4 contacts that are every bit as good as -5 glasses. They are multifocal contacts by the way which help some but its still blurry from near. Also they are quite thick due to being -4 and multifocal. I like the weaker contacts because they are thinner and also still let me see from near.

To the guy who got lasik:

Your pescription should give you 20/100 on snellen chart. That astigmistim fortunately isnt great so there will only be a slight additional blurrying from near and far. If you didnt have astigmistim and could refract to 20/20 with best correction then -1.75 is 20/70 uncorrected. I can see 20/100 if I undercorrect myself so im -1.75 but then my eyes suck to begin with at like -5 with a little astigmistim, both regular and irregular and my BCVA is 20/30(can see a few on the 20/25 line)

What were you before lasik? You may not wanna bother with an enhancement or youll give up alot of your near vision. I am not touching lasik cause ill need reading glasses then :(

Dave 19 Jul 2005, 20:24

A cool description of how lenses work: http://science.howstuffworks.com/lens6.htm

Fritz 19 Jul 2005, 16:12

Dear ?

What was your vision before Lasik? If you have a prescription like that after Lasik surgery I wonder what was the point of the surgery in the first place. -1.75 means that you can easily function without glasses, but many wear their glasses fulltime when a prescription (with your astigmatism) reaches this level. After five weeks, I doubt your distance vision will get any better. My suggestion is that you go back to your doctor and let him explain all of this to you. Lasik surgery can only correct so much myopia; maybe your original prescription and the general state of your eyes precluded a full correction. All of that should have been explained to you well in advance.

19 Jul 2005, 11:21

Sphere Cylinder Axis

O.D. -1.75 +0.75 15

O.S. -1.75 +0.75 30

This is my perscription. What do these numbers mean in relation to 20/20 vision?

I had Lasik surgery 5 weeks ago and this is the correction they gave me yesterday. My close vision is very good do you think my far will get better?

confused girl 19 Jul 2005, 10:12

Hi. To AA, I do get my eyes tested every year, but I get lazy about getting my glasses updated. I usually just update my contacts because I wear them more often. To presbyopia, I have no idea what the 20/something is, but I pretty much have corrected vision. I play sports like tennis and it's not my vision that's holding me back, but my desire to minimize running.

AtropinLover 19 Jul 2005, 07:40

@ Confused girl:

Oihhh,- hey,- you´re really cute and sweet, -nothing to worry about! :-) And thank you for sharing your photos with us, -you should be really lucky!

Bye

AA Confused Girl 19 Jul 2005, 07:25

I confused girl, you have answered your own question it does take time to ajust to new glasses within three weeks you will wonder why you ever worried about wearing your glasses.Can I suggest to you its wise in your case to go no longer than 2 years before having an eye test, al you may be happy to know by the time your in your early 20ties your RX will have settle to a long term RX where there will be little change in your RX. Take care AA

presbyopia_23 18 Jul 2005, 23:43

Those are some nice glasses. Mine have similar thickness as those and im also in the -5 range as ive said before. How well do you see without glasses? with? I am curious about 20/something :)

Slit 18 Jul 2005, 19:51

Confused Girl,

I do not see any reason tha you should become confused.

The frames match exactly to your face, and you look good with them. So what else?

Regarding your contacts, I think there is a mismatch in Rx between glasses and contacts.

But I suggest you to wear glasses more often and you can wear contacts for sports etc.

Mike 18 Jul 2005, 18:48

Confused girl, your glasses arn't all that strong, and look very nice on you as well, so wear them with joy!

confused girl 18 Jul 2005, 18:41

I don't remember my prescription from three years ago. Maybe around L: -5.5 and R: -4.5? I've had about a -.25 increase steadily the past few years. I'm 22 now. Geez, I'm such a dork in those pictures.

18 Jul 2005, 15:11

confused girl what was your old prescription?

Puffin 18 Jul 2005, 14:47

What a lovely young lady. Don't be confused, be happy!

specs4ever 18 Jul 2005, 12:54

Confused girl, you are a very attractive young lady, and your glasses look extremely nice on you.

confused girl 18 Jul 2005, 12:05

Hahaha, you guys are crazy. Here's the link. http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/guitartennisgirl/ I'm kind of goofy, though. I took these pics right when I woke up and when I got out of the shower, so I'm not at my best.

ehpc 18 Jul 2005, 04:27

Nothing of the kind:) Just general good-nature and interest:) Don't be so quick to leap to immature conclusions! Pete

?? 17 Jul 2005, 18:21

Pete, behave. You come across as an impatient pervert :(

ehpc 17 Jul 2005, 17:21

Hey confused girl (actually you should become no-longer-confused girl) post here if you are happy to send to my e-mail address, and I will post my address here tomorrow. Have fun wearing sexy specs:) Pete

ehpc 17 Jul 2005, 17:12

Hey you are a star confused girl:) I don't understand yahoo. I am happy to give you my hotmail address if you want to forward them:)Pete

confused girl 17 Jul 2005, 16:56

Ok I uploaded the pics to this yahoo photo thing. Do I need to put your yahoo name into the friends thing so you can view them?

ehpc 17 Jul 2005, 16:44

Be great to see the pics, confused girl:) Pete

Mike 17 Jul 2005, 16:40

confused girl, i agree, it will probably take time to adjust if (like me) you are used to wearing contacts full time. Like one of the other suggestions is that your contact prescription may need an update as well, try a friends' pair of weaker minus lensed glasses with your contacts and you'll know immediatly if that might be the case. Good luck!

confused girl 17 Jul 2005, 16:33

Thank you for the feedback. I think this adjustment to glasses has to do with the fact that I hadn't gotten an updated pair of glasses for three years. So, things are quite different. I feel like it takes a moment for my eyes to focus at different distances when I'm wearing glasses. I like these glasses, though, so I'm happy.

Andrew 17 Jul 2005, 11:46

Confused girl: Three thoughts spring to mind. The first is that if you are wearing rigid contacts it can take your eyes a while to adjust to glasses (not sure why). The second is that there may be a little astigmatism which you have not mentioned, which is present in your specs, but not in your contacts. The third is that you may just need a new prescription for your contacts as well.

I hope this is of some help.

AA. ---Confused Lady 17 Jul 2005, 07:43

Confused wearing contacts you will have better all round vision over glasses, event hough wearing contacts for long spells can cause discomfort.

You say you have new glasses,you can expect 3 weeks to elapse if you were wearing your glasses fultime to ajust to your new prescription.

Glasses can be heavy depending on your frames and lenses, if you have nice light frames and high index lenses then you will become ajusted to you glasses more quickly as they will be very light.

If you have heavy frames and normal lenses then your glasses will feel heavy and abtrustive on your nose, just have patience and all the confusion between contacts and glasses will disappear.

I would love a photo of your glasses, unfortunately not wise to give e mail address on an open room like this.

Take care be safe AA

Bri 17 Jul 2005, 05:47

Don't be shy "confused girl" :o)

But if you really mean you want to share pics. You can send some to my address which is......

minusted99 @ gmail . com

Just remove the spaces.

Bri,

confused girl 16 Jul 2005, 14:57

Hi, I just got a new pair of glasses after putting off getting a presciption update for 3 years. I wear contacts most of the time, so this didn't really affect me. However, I noticed lately that I had trouble driving at night with my glasses on so I got a new prescription. I went to For Eyes and they suckered me into getting the lens polish and the anti-reflective coating. I got hi-index, but man, these lens are STRONG compared to my last pair. My glasses prescription is L: -6.25 and R: -5.00. Here's why I'm here. When I got home, I took out my contacts and tried them on and everything looks WEIRD. I never got used to the vision I get from wearing glasses because I always wear contacts, but this time, the difference is huge. Will it take a while for me to adjust to these glasses? I would show you pictures of me in them, but I don't want to post them on the net because I'm shy. :(

Ross21 16 Jul 2005, 10:41

Hey, brought the glasses out last night, but the bar was packed and they stayed in my pocket. i felt a bit weird taking them out- i should have just done it but i am shy about this. Think i'll just wait till college on monday and wear them in the lecture- my mates'll be glad that i won't need to be annoying them during lecures with 'what does that say '.

so today i just had a quiet one about the house.. wore my glasses all day comparing everything constantly! the trees now have leaves:-) and you know when there is text on tv-- man it is now so clear for me.

i am still very aware of them though. when i look in the mirror my face looks totally different -- not sure whether it is better or worse.

so that's what i've been up to...

Visitboy 16 Jul 2005, 10:07

Hey Ross. Yes, welcome to the club! My prescription is quite a bit higher, but I started part-time with a lower Rx some years ago and, like you, was happy to have glasses. You've got more astigmatism than me, so you might need to wear your glasses most of the time.

Do wear your specs out tonight, and let us know how it goes. I guess someone will ask to try them on, and then all your mates will want a go! Might be easiest if you put 'em on before you meet up.

All the best!

Ross21 15 Jul 2005, 16:51

Can i join the club?!!

I got my first pair of glasses today. Wasn't really expecting then, just went well just to check, cos sometimes at college the board was unclear.

Man what a difference :-) They are -.75 -.25 90 in both eyes if that means anything to you. They said i'd only need to wear them for night driving but I notice a difference the minute i put them on and am really excited about the thought of having glasses (sad i know)

any of you guys got a similiar prescription-- how often do you wear them? how did your mates react? think i might bring them to the pub later, but i'll be so selfconscious...

laters

poo 14 Jul 2005, 12:54

-4.00 +3.25 80 1.5 1.5 up,in -1.50 +0.25 110 1.5 1.5 down, in

Filthy McNasty 13 Jul 2005, 08:53

ZThis link has been posted ad nauseam. We need a FAQ: www.globallens.com

presbyopia_23 13 Jul 2005, 02:03

anyone know of a website that sells contact lenses without asking for a pescription?

Trent 08 Jul 2005, 17:04

New Rx

OD -8.25, -2.50, 006, +2.00

OS -8.00, -2.25, 167, +2.00

Crisp and clear close-up and distance but my midrange is starting to suffer. Put them in a 50mm plastic frame. Went with regular plastic lenses and bi-focals. I love them!

-- 07 Jul 2005, 15:39

I think its really common to not get your full cyl or plus the first time around. Are you feeling like you dont have enough correction? or is it more like you didn't get your moneys worth (not an irrelevant issue since glasses are so expensive)

alittleplus 07 Jul 2005, 15:21

Thanks Julian. Actually your (distance) Rx is very similar to mine. Basically what happened is that my left eye is actually +1.50 and right eye +0.75, but the doctor correctly thought that I'd have trouble with such a big difference between the eyes so she gave me +1.25 left instead (without telling me).

When I got these I found even this difference too much, so I went back and a partner doctor represcribed--for reading--+1.00 right and +1.25 left. About the astigmatism, what he said was that if he put in the full astigmatism Rx I'd have trouble adjusting between wearing and not wearing glasses because of the angles. So there I am. But as it turns out I have a hard time adjusting taking them on and off anyway! The extra +0.25 in the right eye doesn't seem to bother me even when wearing for distance (which apparently I'm not supposed to do...does 0.25 make that much of a difference?) So... I'm thinking of going to another doctor altogether, just afraid he/she will think I'm weird for wanting to go fulltime.

Julian 07 Jul 2005, 09:22

alittleplus: My Rx is very much like yours (your full Rx I mean):

Right +1.50-1.25x15

Left +1.00-0.50x10

I got my first glasses when I was 18, and when I was 29 or so I went for a test and the guy shouted at me for not wearing them, so I went full time. I was told afterwards he had a 'bee in his bonnet' about full time wear, but I don't regret it. For a long time I could read without them, though I got a headache if I went on too long, even after I went into bifocals at the age of 40 and later progressives. Now presbyopia rules and I can't see anything close up. Squares don't look like trapezoids, or anything like that, and I think your optometrist is talking nonsense, unless your angles are very peculiar, maybe in the fourth dimension ::) and I can't see what problem you would have with your full correction. I can see distant objects fairly well without them, unless I want to look at anything in detail; for instance I need them to get a proper look at a good-looking guy on the other side of the street; without them I may not be sure if he's wearing glasses or not, and that would never do - so I wear them full time

My distance Rx fluctuates from one year to another, but I haven't changed my specs for a few years. I have a test tomorrow, and I think I might get a new pair anyway.

Hope that helps.

Love and kisses, Jules.

alittleplus 06 Jul 2005, 18:13

Thanks Tony for your post. I'm 34. The specs liven things up, especially indoors, but it's very subtle. The left eye in particular (which is weaker) is somewhat "happier" with the lens in front of it. I wonder if there are any mild hyperopes here who wear fulltime and why.

presbyopia_23 06 Jul 2005, 13:37

I know abit about presbyopia, it sucks I have a mild form of presbyopia and im only 23! However everyone knows that being myopic is like having built in reading glasses. If you dont have much astigmistim or arent so nearsighted that youd need to bury your nose in the book to read, just read without glasses like I do. I am -5 and I can feel eyestrain if I try to read even for a minute with glasses and I have to hold it at arms length or it starts to get blurry. I did order weaker -2.5 glasses for my reading needs. This will make me -2.5 diopters myopic and give me a focal point of 16 inches, perfect for reading. Progressives might work too but they are expensive and you dont see well from distance unless you look at the upper part of the glasses. I am not gonna go walking with my eyeballs constantly up. Ill just take my glasses off to read and when im at home, use my -2.5 to read.

As for being 49 and not needing readers, even if you are -1 you may not if you hold stuff at arms length or about 1 meter away from you

Tony 06 Jul 2005, 12:52

Thanks for your responses on transitions lenses, especially Ted because I hadn't thought about the fact that they don't work in the car! That was one of my main motivations for getting them actually. I think I might just go for a pair of prescription sunglasses instead especially as they are a lot cheaper. I already have a pair of rimless frames with (I think) aspheric lenses and I'm very happy with the way they look - they did a good job equalising the edge thickness and the magnification in my right eye isn't too bad at all.

A little plus - I don't think that anyone would think you are weird to ask for the full prescription. Why not go back to your own optometrist and explain that you are comfortable with wearing specs. Say that you'd like to try the full prescription and ask if there is any chance that you can try it in a trial frame for an hour or so. Probably not long enough to get used to it but you'll get an idea. How old are you by the way? I was 31 when I started wearing most of the time. I knew I could manage it when I walked into my hairdresser and the girl who cuts my hair said "I never knew you wore glasses - you suit them. Do you need them all the time?" When I said that I'd been recommended to wear full time she said "that isn't so bad because you look good in them" It was a great boost to my confidence because inevitably when you start you probably wonder what people will think and I'm no oil painting!

leelee 06 Jul 2005, 10:58

You dont really need to go with big frames, just not super small ones - i think the cutoff is around 28 for the height.

I do a lot of computer work, and i prefer using the single vision glasses for that mostly because it frees me from having to lift my head. Tho when I first got them I was doing that anyway! The progressives are great for all purpose seeing - especially driving, movies, the museum, shopping, eating, etc.

Poptician 06 Jul 2005, 03:33

Hi Leelee

I guess that next time round I'll go for progressives. One of the things that put me off this time, apart from getting used to the things, was that I reckon you need a fairly large frame and lens size to get the full benefit - otherwise I'd be faffing about trying to see through the correct part of the lens, and with the current small frame styles that might be a bit tricky. I'm no fashion victim, but even at 49 I don't want to look out of kilter with what everyone else is wearing, so with luck larger frames may make a comeback over the next few years...

You could well be right in thinking my distance rx may well decrease. The latest eye exam showed no change whatsoever in my distance prescription, for the first time ever, and I've heard that it probably decreases with age anyway. I'll report back in 2 years time!

It looks as though I could well be wearing the new specs more and more, for most situations. Normally I read a newspaper on the train and for that the readers are a definite now, but this morning I read a book with largish print. I coped with this OK with the distance glasses, but my eyes did start to ache after a while. At work, again I didn't bother with the new glassses at first, but gave in to them in the end when again I felt eye strain coming on.

alittleplus 05 Jul 2005, 19:09

Hi, a few months ago I got glasses with this Rx:

R: +1

L: +1.25 -0.75 (25)

When I asked about my astigmatism (which he said had gotten worse) the doctor told me that actually my astigmatism was -1.25 in the left eye and -0.50 in the right eye. He said my angles are "weird" and I'd have to wear them all the time if he put the whole astigmatism prescription because square things would look like a trapezoid or something.

I can actually read and function fine without them, just some discomfort on the computer, but lately I've been experimenting wearing them more and like it. It is actually annoying to my eyes sometimes when taking them off. I was thinking of going to another doctor to get the whole prescription and try fulltime wear. What could I say to get him/her to prescribe the whole prescription? I don't want to sound like a freak to an optom. Like I said I can see quite well with no correction.

leelee 05 Jul 2005, 16:44

welcome to the club! only a +1 add at 49 is impressive. (I'm +1.5 @ 47)

I recently got single vision glasses for computer and find myself wearing them almost all the time when I'm inside - beyond 8' is a bit blurry so its probably close to what you have. Since you are myopic you can just lift your glasses to see close in non intensive situation - sadly not an option for us hyperopes. or i'd go with your solution. Its progressives for me otherwise. If you do think you will eventually go for progressives, its probably easier to get used to them with the lower add. Still, they are costly.

Do you think your distance RX will decrease a little wih less close work stress?

Poptician 05 Jul 2005, 06:39

I've finally admitted defeat and got reading glasses.

All to do with age, and in fact I felt quite pleased when my optician said it was fairly miraculous that I'd got to the age of 49 without having needed them before. My latest eye exam showed that my prevous prescription of L -4.75 and R -4.25 was still ok for most purposes, but when I confessed to having bother reading small print, and in fact reading anything at all in less than perfect light, he promptly prescribed a +1 add for both eyes.

He suggested varifocals, but I've heard mixed tales about these and as I can manage without the add most of the time I didn't fancy the trouble of having to learn to adjust. That, I thought, can wait a while. So I just got reading specs with plus add.

I've worn them for all reading since then and only wish I'd got them before. I tried them at work yesterday, as an experiment more than any thing else as I could see the computer and the papers I was reading perfectly OK with the old glasses, but things did seem a bit better with the new ones and in fact I ended up wearing them most of the day, and even went out for a walk at lunchtime wearing them as I'd forgotten they were the readers. Things very distant were not quite as sharp as with my usual glasses, but it was perfectly manageable for most purposes.

Today I didn't bother at work at first, but I found myself struggling a bit with some small print on papers I was reading - nothing too bad, but it was definitely easier with the new glasses and now I've had them on ever since.

Eye Tri 04 Jul 2005, 15:42

Not much luck with Transitions lenses. They are too temperature sensitive for me. On a bright, sunny, 90 degree day they would barely turn light gray. Conversely, on a 30 degree cloudy day they would turn jet black. I went back to Photogray - much better.

Ted 04 Jul 2005, 06:08

Also they do not work in the car due to the built in tinting in windows and windshield.

DWV 03 Jul 2005, 15:53

The transitions lenses aren't bad. The most annoying thing I found was that they glowed under black light, which can be annoying.

Tony 03 Jul 2005, 14:46

Everyone is different but I have L -0.75 and R +1.75 with about half a dioptre of astigmatism in each and I was told fairly emphatically that I should be a full time wearer, which I have been for about 18 months.

At first I thought they made no difference but now when I take them off I really notice the difference. Once your eyes get used to clear sight they don't like the alternative! Incidentally for those who believe that wearing glasses makes your eyes worse, I've just had an eyetest and it came up exactly the same as before.

On a different subject does anyone have any experience of transitions lenses? I'm thinking about getting a pair but am not sure whether to believe the claims that they really are clear in normal light. Any help appreciated.

Phil 30 Jun 2005, 08:37

Philippa, I think you will need to wear fulltime if you are to be ok with distance vision. Others here are more expert than me. But my impression is that if you are shortsighted (with a minus prescription) and have a reading add, you needn't necessarily be fulltime: depends how shortsighted you are. But if you've got plus lenses because you are longsighted, with extra plus for close work, it seems that you take some time settle down to good distance vision. So fulltime wear seems to be the norm in such cases. What have you got against specs? Did you choose nice frames? Bet they suit you. What sort of work do you do? Don't most people you work with of your age or just above have some sort of glasses? Bet no-one will notice! Mind you, maybe I shouldn't be saying that. I'm too shy to wear glasses at work except when absolutely essential. I just don't want you to end up like me!

Philippa 30 Jun 2005, 07:12

The optician did say bifocals not far off. Are bifocals always for full time wear?

thank you!

Philippa 30 Jun 2005, 07:11

The optician did say bifocals not far off. Are bifocals always for full time wear?

thank you!

Phil 30 Jun 2005, 04:36

Philippa,

If they help you to see wear them. I've had glasses since I was 21 but because I was too shy to wear them when first prescribed I've had a bit of a "thing" ever since. Result: I spend much of the time going round half blind. Remember a nice pair of glasses seriously enhances a woman's appearance. Do you find that with the specs things are clearer in the distance as well as close to? If so, that makes the case for starting to enjoy looking good in glasses even stronger. Good luck.

Julian 30 Jun 2005, 02:14

...in any case, at your age, bifocals are just round the corner.

Julian 30 Jun 2005, 02:13

Philippa: my guess is that you ought to get used to wearing your specs. Either you'll become dependent on them or you'll find you can do without them, and whichever of these happens is right. But, given the difference between your eyes, I'd bet on the former.

Philippa 30 Jun 2005, 00:18

I've just got glasses with this prescription:

L: +0.75

R: +2.75 -1.25 Axis 170

These are my first glasses since childhood, when I wore glasses for a lazy eye and longsightedness. I'm 38 and have been particularly having trouble with near vision, but sometimes feeling I'm straining to see generally. With my new glasses, everything looks very clear, but they feel really strong and space looks a bit distorted. When I take them off my eyes seem worse than before.

The optician was not very specific about when to wear them - definitely for reading and the computer, and at other times if comfortable. I'm not sure whether I should just wear them for close things and try to avoid getting too used to them or wear them a lot to adjust to them. I don't in principle mind wearing glasses, though I'm self conscious about being seen in them for the first time, especially as they look quite strong. Thank you for any thoughts!

Ian 29 Jun 2005, 16:50

Jessica

Welcome to this site. 2 months ago I was prescribed glasses with similar prescription to you. I am 29. I always wear my glasses for reading and for the computer. I think I spent too much time on the computer in the first place which caused my eyes to strain. I also prefer the sharp vision I get with them. I hope you enjoy your glasses.

Jessica 29 Jun 2005, 15:21

Hello everyone I have been prescribed glasses for reading today and they also help a bit in the distance. The optician said I should also wear them for activities such as cinema and TV - My prescription is quite weak but I notice a big difference as everything is a lot clearer near and far. I think I have a bit of astigmatism aswell.

Prescription: right eye sphere+0.75

cyl -0.50 axis 180

left eye sphere +1.25

I have already adjusted well to them. I am 19 and have recently noticed that my eyes easily become tired and ache when I read and distant things have not always been clear. I knew I may have got glasses so it was not a shock to me. I actually enjoy wearing them which is good. I got rectangular silver metal frames which really suit my face.

I look forward to participating more on this lovely site. It is good I suppose to know that there are people like me who need glasses and enjoy them.

Jess

Andrew 25 Jun 2005, 13:20

Tabbylill,

A couple of thoughts which have occurred to me: there is quite a difference between your daughter's eyes, and if the worse eye has required a bigger prescription change than the better one, she may be noticing this. The second possibility is to do with the axis for the astigmatism correction; if this changes, you can see clearly, but it can take a few days for the glasses to feel they actually belong to you.

Hope this is of some help.

AA 24 Jun 2005, 06:21

Tabbybill, don,t worry with new glasses its usual for 14 days to elapse before the eyes ajust to a new Rx. I wonder how long it was between her present glasses and her old pair. its recommended to have eyes tested every two years, if its been 3 years or more since your daughter had new glasses and with her Rx increasing till her Rx settles wearing new glasses wil always take time to ajust too.Gosh Tabbybill your daughter has an high Rx for someone so young, does poor sight run in the family. Don,t worry Tabbybill your daughter will be fine and there is no reason to be concerned.

Tabbylill 23 Jun 2005, 11:26

Hi all!

My 9 year old daughter has myopia and amblyopia and has been wearing glasses for 3 years. Her most recent prescription change was just 2 days ago and she just doesn't feel they are right (says things just look different). I took them to be tested and they are right with the RX;just wondering if it is normal for it to take a while for her to adjust. New RX is:

OD spher -650 cylin +325 axis 90

OS spher -125 cylin +050 axis 160

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Tab

Rob 23 Jun 2005, 08:01

Sanderson -

We do have similar Rx's but you have even higher degree of astigmatism than I have. I find that this is the part of my Rx that has got worse over the past 3 years with a small increase in the Cyls. The amount of prism in my Rx makes the lenses much thicker than without any prism. As my prisms are mainly base out, the thickness is on the outside. Crrent Rx is about 1/2 inch thick on the outside, with lots of cut in. The lenses are polished high index and I get them put in by a US company, who are really good. Last time I sent my frame out to them to have the lenses put in. This frame was a meduim sized square gold metal frame, and even with the thick lenses, they are comfortable, which makes a change.

I am due for a test in August as well - see you there !!!!

If you want to chat, I am on abtone28@yahoo.com

Sanderson 22 Jun 2005, 21:23

Hi Rob

My current perscription is:

RE -11.25/-5.25 x 40

LE -11.75/ -6.00 x 90.

I am to be tested again in August and know that there will be an increase (I had been stable for 5 years and have begun to increase rapidly again in the last 2).When I was last tested there was talk of a prism correction which could be needed next time.

What type of lenses and frames do you have? Could you say how much added thickness your prisms give? ow is your corrected vision?

Frames are also limited but the Hong Kong web site could be a possible later solution.

Look forward to hearing from you.

-- 22 Jun 2005, 06:59

it wont be much - shouldnt be hard to get used to, but it should help with the double vision- which is probably more of a ghosting effect. You might find that you can actually see double out of only 1 eye! (now, with your old glasses)

Brian 22 Jun 2005, 06:06

Had my exam yesterday.. Actually a bit surprising, No Prism and No Sphere increase, but I now have an astigmatism correction in each eye.. My new prescription is OD -4.00 x -0.25 x 90 OS -4.50 x -.50 x 30 I should get my new glasses in a few days, should I expect much of a change with the astigmatism correction??

Rob 22 Jun 2005, 02:20

Hi Sanderson-

My Rx is now-

RE -10.25/ -4.75/ x 25 - Prism- 10 base out+ 2 base up

LE -12.50/ -5.00/ x 137 -\Prism 10 base out+ 3 base down

but I am due for another eye test soon. I have problems getting Rx fitted into any decent sort of frame here in UK - so I end up getting the Rx filled in USA.

What's your Rx ?

Sanderson 21 Jun 2005, 15:15

Rob

Just wondering what your rx is as I am in a similar position.

rob 21 Jun 2005, 08:17

Brian - How did the examination go yesterday ? Did you get much of an increase?. I would be interested in to hear how you got on with the question of introducing prisms to your Rx. I have had prisms since I was 5 years old, and mine are up to 10 base out (eyes turn in)but I also have a combination of a base up in one eye and a base down in the other eye - so I am just left in a complete jumble if I take my glasses off. Prisms do make your lenses thicker either on the outside or the inside depending on whether the prism is out or in, and as far as I know they can't put prisms into cl's yet. My lenses are pretty thick with my myopia and high level of astigmatism. I am now limited somewhat in respect of frames that you can put my Rx into.

LUVSGLASSES 21 Jun 2005, 00:26

Ned,

I could tell that things in the distance were definetely not as sharp as they should be. As far as a fair increase...I don't think a -.50 and -.75 increase over 5 years is that much. I was hoping for an increase of at least -1.50 to -2.00 but that sure as heck didn't even come close to happening. Like I mentioned before, I would love to be in the -6.0 to -10.00 range. Being that I'm 27, I don't see that happening...but I'm being optimistic and hoping it will.

ned 20 Jun 2005, 21:42

LUVSGLASSES

Fair increase. Could u tell u needed it from your old spex?

LUVSGLASSES 20 Jun 2005, 17:56

Just had an exam last week and got new glasses! Old glasses were -3.00 in both eyes and new ones are L. -3.75 and R. -3.50! Kinda dissappointed that I didn't have a larger increase...since it was 5 years in between. I'm 27 and hoping to be somewhere in the -6.00 to -9.00 range but my eyes just don't seem to want to get more nearsighted. I primarily wear contacts everyday for because I'm very active at my job but beside the point I wonder if it's the constant contact lense wear that is inhibiting my nearsightedness progression. If it is I will cease contact lense wear immediately if wearing glasses fulltime will make my eyes worse by next exam. Thanks all!

TGB 20 Jun 2005, 12:16

Sylvie - Like you I though I'd try wearing glasses after wearing contacts for many years. I liked the look of my glasses, my boyfriend liked them.......but the reduced peripheral vision etc was enough to put me off full-time wear (I'm about -6 but it still made a difference). Yes, I did adjust after a while but the vision still just didn't compare to my RGP CLs. Plus, I've never had problems wearing CLs so I actually found the glasses more of a pain than the contacts - steaming up, slipping down, splashed with rainwater, getting smeared etc etc,. So, unless you are having real problems with the contacts I'd stick with them...(I just know I'm gonna make myself real popular here :-) but this is just my experience). Still wear the specs now and again for a change though 8-)

mattp 20 Jun 2005, 11:10

Brian--

My RX is close to yours (-4.75), and I got prism correction a couple years ago because my eyes were turning out and I was seeing double when reading. The prism RX is 3D base-in, and it has done a world of good--things are easy to read and no eye strain from forcing my eyes to turn in.

If you need prism, don't worry--it's not noticeable when looking at the lens, and the vision is great. The only negative is that the eyes really drift out and see double when not wearing glasses, but at our RX we wear them all the time anyway. And I can still wear my contacts without the prism; after about half an hour, things settle right down and I do fine wiht the contacts.

Good luck--Matt

Brian-16 20 Jun 2005, 10:47

Brian

I would guess at least another .50 in each eye.Don't know how your drift will go but I found out prisms do a world of good for me.Although I wish I had your rx...

Brian 20 Jun 2005, 10:12

I am going for an eye exam tommorow... Its been a little over a year since my last exam, my current prescription is OS: -4.50 OD: -4.00 (no astigmatism in either eye.. Over the last few years they have been concerned about my eyes drifting out and how it may cause double vision, so hopefully I won't need a prism correction yet. My prescription has really increased since I got glasses for the first time when I was 18, I started out around -2.00 in each eye back then, I'm 26 now.. Any guesses on my new prescription? I'll let you know about the results after the exam..

Puffin 20 Jun 2005, 09:00

I have a young friend who wear glasses occasionally - the prescription is around minus .75 or minus 1 with .25 or .5 of astigmatism. Recently she had another eye test & found out it's gone up, but still not got new glasses yet. I'm wondering when she's going to be told to wear them full time (the astimatism seems to be relatively large). To what extent does highish astigmatism accelerate full-time wear?

And - I wonder whether she'll take any notice? She's 14, if that's important.

tortoise 19 Jun 2005, 20:08

I can't give advice to Sylvie but I want to ask; are "aspheric" lenses better in terms of distortion etc.?

19 Jun 2005, 16:52

Sylvie - don't worry about people like Don. There are weirdo's here that are deprived of something. They think that by getting in first, they get the 'prize'. Most other people here are very helpful.

My two cents - I would go for high index and small frames. You will get use to the lenses, not matter what type - so don't waste your money on trying different types. I was a long time contact lens wearer and moved to full-time glasses. It took a bit of getting used to - the mininimised view of the world (first thing i noticed was how small my feet looked, then coins that didn't look right in size), but after a couple of days, everything seems normal. Side distortion is an issue, but you get used to it and the eye/brain adjusts accordingly.

Let us know how you get on.

Sylvie 19 Jun 2005, 15:07

Ree,Mac.D

Thanks for your suggestions.I will consider them as options.I don't think I'd go for larger frames though-I like really small ones.So I guess I'll have to try different lenses and see if I can get use to them-well enough to wear them fulltime.

Don,

I don't think my boyfriend would like if I'd chat with you.He's standing right next to me.-sorry.

Ree 19 Jun 2005, 09:17

Sylvie,

You are right it is almost impossible to match the quality of vision that you get with contact lenses with that you get with glasses, especially the field of vision and the peripheral distortion.

But you can minimize it a bit by going in for a larger frame size, which gives you a relatively larger viewing area through the lens, and also i would like to know what type of lenses you are using in your glasses.

If you are using the new ultrathin hi index lenses , especially biconcave then the problem of peripheral distortion gets bigger, which can be minimized by using regular lenses,, but then they tend to get thicker with your moderately high Rx. But its worth a try.

One last thing,, since you are using glasses after many years of conatct lens use,, you are bound to take time to adjust to the difference in vision with glasses, so dont worry and continue to wear your glasses and you with time you will not notice the peripheral distortion and will learn to turn your head and not just your eyes. Also it will be interesting to know whether you are still using contact lenses.

Mac.D 19 Jun 2005, 08:43

Sylvie,

To reduce the distortion you have with your glasses I suggest you get high index glass lenses (not plastic). In any case, after a short time of wearing you will become accustomed to the glasses and not notice the distortions.

This worked for me. My rx is -19.00 and -21.50. I'm perfectly happy with my specs. and don't wear contacts any more.

Don 19 Jun 2005, 07:59

Sylvie,I don't a answer to your question. I think your a female? If so I would like to chat with you. I like women that wear glasses,With your Rx. I hope they can answer your question. Good luck! Don

Sylvie 19 Jun 2005, 07:09

Hey everyone,

I have a question to all of you.I've been high myopic all my life but I always had contacts.Even if they are a real pain sometimes.My prescription reached L-8.50 R-9.25 and I'm 29 now.I really would like to start wearing glasses full time but the peripheric distortion(not sure if spelled it right)is just too much to handle especially when driving a car etc...Anybody has an idea how to reduce that?-it's probably not possible,but I thought I give it a shot see how you guys deal with this issue.

Thanks

Brian-16 15 Jun 2005, 13:28

Deckard

It appears to me you have some astigmatism.Did the doctor say wear them for reading or what? A little more correction in your left eye that the right eye.

Deckard 15 Jun 2005, 07:01

Hi,can somebody please explain the following prescription and what it means ?

Right Eye sph +o.25 Cyl +0.25 Axis 150

Left Eye sph +0.50 Cyl +0.50 Axis 165

Cheers

presbyopia_23 15 Jun 2005, 04:32

Puffin, my right eye has more astigmistim so its slightly blurrier but I look with both eyes open and each eye compenstates for each other's stength so I see better with both eyes near and far than with either seperately. If I havent posted my pescription, its -5(right) -5.5(left) but I wear glasses that undercorrect me by -1.5 for both eyes for near work such as computer to reduce strain

gareth 07 Jun 2005, 15:32

im 21. ive had them for about 18 months but i need new ones now, im pretty sure. my vision is still a bit blurred with them on now so i think i'll prob go for a test when i get round to it. i just wear them for tv sometimes and, lectures and driving etc

07 Jun 2005, 11:24

Gareth- How long have you had those glasses and how old are you?

-oo-- 07 Jun 2005, 07:04

i think its the cylidar part of your prescrption

Julian 07 Jun 2005, 02:39

Gareth: I reckon it has to be psychological. How much do you wear your glasses by the way?

gareth 06 Jun 2005, 16:25

why is it that some people cant wear glasses they dont need, at all? i mean my girlfriend has pefect vision and whenever she tries on my specs for more than 10-20 seconds she says they are immediately giving her a headache and says that she cant understand how i can go without them. my perscription is only L -0.5 0.5 R -0.25 -0.5

DWV 05 Jun 2005, 23:45

http://www.pearlevision.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PearleVision/StoreContent/eyecare/yourexam.jsp?langId=-1&catalogId;=10001&storeId;=10001

for an explanation of what happens at an eye exam, complete with a simulated lensometer to play with (the instrument used to measure the power of lenses).

05 Jun 2005, 21:51

I think he means more along the lines of what happens during the eye exam. Someone needs to explain the phorpter, trial frame, refraction etc...

Bespectacled Professor 05 Jun 2005, 12:02

Steve,

Based on your symptoms described, the answer to your question is: a prescription for glasses to use for distances.

steve 05 Jun 2005, 09:07

Hiya i'm new to this site.Recently i've been having trouble seeing the t.v and when driving at night.I have booked myself in for an eye test, and was just wondering what to expect in the eye test.

02 Jun 2005, 22:43

Elise,

I've got an eyetest scheduled for next week as I am having trouble reading at distances.

You have had your eyes tested recently, what did it involve?

Puffin 02 Jun 2005, 16:51

Elise - you are doing the right thing. Good luck. May you meet no idiots who make fun of you.

Karen X 02 Jun 2005, 16:12

Elise - Good to read that you are getting on ok with your glasses. Did the optician say you should wear your glasses all the time from now on or just until you get used to the lenses? I presume you are happy wearing glasses all the time.

What do your glasses look like?

How have your friends and family reacted to your new look?

Elise 02 Jun 2005, 05:54

OK i have my first pair glasses since 3 days,

right +1.25 C-0.25 As166

left +1.00

the first time i put them on i was really surprised how clear and sharp i could see things close to me but at distance a little blur, the optician told me i have to wear them fulltime so the headaches will not come back.

So now 3 days later i think me sight is claer at close and distance and i still not get any headache anymore, so i'm happy with that !

Elise 02 Jun 2005, 05:53

OK i have my first pair glasses since 3 days,

right +1.25 C-0.25 As166

left +1.00

So now 3 days later i think me sight is claer at close and distance and i still not get any headache anymore, so i'm happy with that !

Puffin 01 Jun 2005, 02:24

Does the irregular astigmatism cause any problem close up?

presbyopia_23 01 Jun 2005, 00:25

My pescription is about -4.5 diopters or rather what I think it should be now. I had an eye test a month back for -5.5(left) -5(right) and I have slight irregular astigmistim which glasses cant really do any good. I got topographies over 2 months ago at a lasik clinic which show what I suspected. High order abberivations sometimes is simply called or lumped together as irregular astigmistim. I of course wear my weaker glasses(-4)(-3.5)most of the time and all the time when im indoors in the house and for using the computer. No need to strain my eyes.

Using the near test for natural focal distance I can constantly see perfectly clear at almost 20cm with left eye and just over 21cm with right eye. This gives me about -5.15 with left, -4.65 with right. My best corrected is 20/25 to 20/30 due to irregular astigmistim. With my weaker glasses I can see 20/60 most of the time, 20/50 on good days.

The chart below show what diopter corresponds to how well you can barely see on the snellen. It does not take into account anything else but simple myopia. No astigmistim, no cateracts, no lazy eye, no diseases. Basically take a perfect 20/20 case and add just myopia to it. My results below are a little less due to the low amounts of astigmistim I have, both regular and irregular as well as other higher order abberivations. I dont have a chart for astigmistim since there are many variables depending on the angle of it. It tends to make u see double, you may see 20/40 fine but its doubled. Smaller letters may be ilegable due to doubling. The chart is for uncorrected vision too.

A. -0.7 .... 20/30

B. -0.88 ... 20/35

A. -1.05 ... 20/40

B. -1.32 ... 20/50

A. -1.58 ... 20/60

B. -1.98 ... 20/80

A. -2.37 ... 20/100

B. -2.96 ... 20/150

A. -3.55 ... 20/200

B. -4.44 ... 20/300

A. -5.33 ... 20/400

B. -6.67 ... 20/600

A. -8 ...... 20/800

B. -10 ..... 20/1200

A. -12 ..... 20/1600

B. -15 ..... 20/2400

A. -18 ..... 20/3200

B. -22.5 ... 20/4800

A. -27 ..... 20/6400

B. -33.75 .. 20/9600

A. -40.5 ... 20/12800

B. -50.63 .. 20/19200

A. -60.75 .. 20/25600

For me, what I see uncorrected and using different powers of corrections to leave me more or less myopia.

plano 20/25 to 20/30(best correction)

-.25 20/30

-.5 20/40

-.75 20/40 to 20/50

-1 20/50

-1.25 20/60 to 20/70

-1.5 20/80

-1.75 20/100

-2 20/120

-3 20/200

-4 20/300

-4.5 20/400

-5 20/500(uncorrected since last optometrist test)

I would want to get to -1.25 for me to be free of my dependance of glasses. At -2 I probably wont wear em much, if at all around the house. Right now I am 20/400 but I read and eat without glasses.

Elise 23 May 2005, 05:50

Kal, did you never have a headache during the day ? i'm getting my glasses next week, not that strong like you have,

right +1.25 C-0.25 As166

left +1.00

but i have now nearly everyday a headache and blur view with close up work, so i hope that the glasses will help me off from that ! just like the optician told me, BTW i'm 18 years old and you ?

Speclover 23 May 2005, 05:36

Hi Kal! How old are you? Reading must have been a bit dodgy when you didn't have your specs! Was there an amazing difference for close work? I imagine you had been managing for distance. But do you now find that far off things are much clearer too? Did the optician say that you might need a new prescription quite soon? What sort of frames did you choose? How have friends, family and colleagues reacted to you becoming a full-time wearer without having worn at all before?

Kal 22 May 2005, 16:16

Hi I'am new to eyescene and I have just got glasses.Left eye + 3.50-.50,160.Right eye +1.50,-.25,170.

The optician could not understand as to how i could function without correction.I am now a fulltime wearer.It was a bit strange getting used to them ,but the clarity was brill.

Kokopelli 22 May 2005, 13:15

Ok thanks, I figured it must have been something like that, but I couldn't figure out the math.

Danny 22 May 2005, 08:12

Kokopelli you have been confused because some opticians perfer - cyl and some like + cyl

Your old Rx was

left eye -3.50 -0.50 that equates to -4.00 +0.50

right eye -3.25 -1.50 that equates to -4.75 +1.50

New Rx

left eye -3.25 -0.75 that equates to -4.00 +0.75

right eye -3.00 -2.00 that equates to -5.00 +2.00

You will also need to alter the axis to do this either add or subtract 090 degrees so that the axis is always between 000 and 180.

22 May 2005, 04:42

Elise - let us know when you get your glasses. Tell us what they look like and how you get on with them.

I notice from your prescription that you have a little bit of astigmatism in your right eye. Although you will probably only wear your glasses for close up work you might find that fine detail in the distance might be clearer with your glasses especially for your right eye due to the astigmatism.

You won't harm your eyes if you use your glasses for distances even if this seems blurry at first - this will soon go. This will be very useful if you need to, for example, take down notes from a board or a tv.

Elise 22 May 2005, 01:47

Hi i'm new here, last friday i did have a eyetest because my eyesight is a little blur when things are near to me, reading, computer etc...

my precription is

right +1.25 C-0.25 As166

left +1.00

next week i will get my first glasses, it makes me a little nervous.

Kokopelli 21 May 2005, 00:05

Went and picked up my new glasses yesterday.

At the eyetest they said there was no major change but comparing to old Rx it seems way different.

I think it probably has to do with a different way of writing the cylinder part, but maybe somebody with more knowledge of math can explain

Old Rx: L -3.50 cyl -.50 R -3.25 cyl -1.50

New Rx:L -4 cyl +.75 R -5 cyl+2

Frederik 20 May 2005, 03:54

within 3 weeks on my birthday

eek 19 May 2005, 14:40

Frederik, when do you get your glasses? Let us know how you go and when you decide it's best for you to wear them.

Frederik 19 May 2005, 08:41

Hey,

thanks for the reactions. I will see what i will do.

Greetz

AA 19 May 2005, 05:27

Hi Irene, so sorry to hear surgey ot work for you, also I think its awful people make remarks about your eyes and glasses, i don,t wear glasses myself so i cannot begin to understand the insult to you as a human being this causes.

I like ladies in plus glasses, although I would never wish any longer term problems they have to endure, hence apart from complimenting a lady on the choice of her glasses thats where it ends.

irene maybe with the advance treatment of stem cell for problem vision one day you will be able to discard your glasses and have your impairment corrected and I for one would celebrate you being able to cast aside your glasses for healthier vision.

Although I like plus glasses to me Irene your a human being with feelings, emotions and intergity, and you should be given this respect glasses or no glasses.

Take care Irene. AA xx

Andrew 18 May 2005, 08:49

CB,

The best person to ask is your girlfriend, as she may know what the optician who prescribed them said to her. Also, it might help us to know what she wears them for and how often.

spex fan 17 May 2005, 17:16

Yeun ming is there any chance of having a photo of your glasses they seem very interesting, would appreciate a photo in my album. Look forward in aprreiation to your reply

Julian 17 May 2005, 17:13

I'd say there are two occasions when you should wear your glasses:

1. when you need the better vision they give you;

2. when you want the better vision they give you.

curious boyfriend 17 May 2005, 15:15

My girlfriend got glasses on september they are +1.25 both eyes she is just turned 15. her parents doesn't wear glasses. Do you guys think that her prescription will go up still???

Thank you

Guest 17 May 2005, 14:29

I've worn glasses for 16 years and am -3. Never in all that time have I ever gotten any guidance on when to wear them. Are there really people out there who have to ask? Or is it just the anti-spex brigade to have to be coerced. If you're a glasses hater maybe. Just joking.

17 May 2005, 07:30

...also what dya think the optician means when he writes on precription 'distance only'? Does that mean only wear when watching telly etc - cos so far as I can think, other then reading a book, your distance vision is always in use. Even if sitting in a room on computer - you look around the room, or outside the window!! So generally, do you think this 'distance only' scribble generally means to wear part-time (whatever that means!) or is it just for the complete novice person (unintersted in vision) who generally does not know what the glasses would be used for i.e. reading, driving etc!

Also I never understand thee people who have to ask what their glasses should be used for - surely if they have gone for an eye exam in the first place they must know in which situations they struggle!! I often read on ebay glasses for sale and the person will describe the glasses as reading glasses when in fact they are blatantly minus lenses!! (subject to astig I guess?!) That is not to say I dont empathise will those people who generally, like me, are interested to know the 'usual boundaries' of when and how often to wear their glasses - tho this, I think, is quite different from those who have them and cant tell if they need them for reading or whatever etc....I would then begin to question their need for glasses in the first place!!

17 May 2005, 07:22

Just interested in what people actually classify as 'fulltime' here? I am around -2.00 and would classify myself as fulltime (contacts generally) but I only really where them full time when I go out. I dont put my glasses on first thing in the morning - although that said as I am at uni and that involves (contrary to what many would argue) ..work - then I put them on if I am on computer and then cos my life involves watching telly (in between) Ill probably keep them on most of the day.

So what do u guys mean when you say fultime - do u mean

1) first thing in the morning to last thing at night

2) all the time outside of the house

3) for anything over and above the usual distant activity such as driving, telly and uni lectures?

p.s. sorry about the scary list!! meakes it look so formal!! lol

Bespectacled Professor 17 May 2005, 06:28

Frederik,

Most people under -2.00 wear glasses part-time. Most people in the -2.00 to -3.00 range begin to wear them fulltime. Over -3.00, just about everyone elects to wear glasses fulltime.

That begin said, it's really a personal decision. A number of people with your prescription (and lower) like the clear vision and wear glasses all the time. Some, like Clare, who is -2.75, goes bare-eyed when she's not wearing her glasses. She doesn't feel comfortable in them (I have never seen Clare, but I get the impression that she is probably this stunning woman that eyeglass companies would want to have model their glasses for them). Some people with prescriptions over -3.00 struggle with part-time wear.

So, it's really all about your comfort level.

Frederik 17 May 2005, 03:58

Hey,

i have to wear glasses. my prescription is -1,25 and -1,75. Should i wear them fulltime? Do you know from wich prescription you have to wear fulltime.

Greetz

16 May 2005, 20:26

Hi... AA

Just a add on. Even after my fourth surgery and my newest prescription, my eyes still turn in a lot when I read or play. I always get remarks about my hugely crossed eyes and my glasses that are too thick due the prims.

Thanks again.

16 May 2005, 20:17

Hi...

I know a boy who wears bifocals since his eleven, I am 16 and I've a bottom lenses with + 5,25 difference from top since last january, and only now I getting used to it...

Thanks

AA 15 May 2005, 07:40

Hi Irene, has your eye doc told you if and when your RX will stablise, or will it go on ever increasing for some time yet.

I had a friend who like you his eyes turned in when doing close work over the years if became more pronounced, eventually he had an operation to correct the inturn.

Although, like you he needed to wear bifocals, after the operation he was able to do away with bifocals. I must say his new glasses without the bifocals looked very strong, yet he was able to take them off and see clearly beyond ten meters without his glasses, under ten meters he definately needed his glasses.

When he was young he had gone through all the usual exercises to correct the impairment but none worked.

My friend is now 25, since the operation he has past his driving test, something before the operation he could not do because his eyes were below the standard for driving, gosh what a difference it has made to his confidence being able to drive, although he never suffered any cruel remarks about his glasses he always used to feel self concious about not being able to do the normal things guys do who have good vision. He,s been scuba diving, has learnt to swim, plays sorts now, because he has contact lenes when playing sport, although they do become uncomfortable if he wears them more than 4 hours. I hope in time Irene your impairment can be corrected like my friends, because would not like to think it will get any worse.

Take care have a lovely week. AAx

Irene 15 May 2005, 05:30

Hi AA,

I have bifocals because without that addition my eyes turn in a lot when I look at near things. The glasses have a straight line in the middle.

Irene

Hollie 15 May 2005, 02:37

Hi Clare,

Yes it does make a tiny difference, but only for seeing the lecture boards at university, otherwise I don't notice much difference day to day. I do wear them (or contacts) pretty much completely fulltime, except for sometimes when I'm in my room, I will just take them off and enjoy the blur!

Hope you are well, are you still hanging on with part time wear?

AA 14 May 2005, 17:20

Thanks Irene for your information, bifocals at 17 is unusual, still you seem very adapt at coping with all given situations, and I,m sure although a surprise to me you have bifocals it normal if you have been wearing them so long. Irene do you have the lined bifocals.? Have a lovely weekend. Take care. X

Clare 14 May 2005, 14:17

Hi Hollie

Does it make a huge difference? Guess there's none of that going without your glasses anymore now?

Hollie 14 May 2005, 01:51

Hi everyone

I just got a new prescription, only a minor change from the old one:

R:-4.00 -1.00

and L: -3.75 -1.25

the old one was -0.50 less sphere in both eyes.

Irene 13 May 2005, 13:45

for AA:

I mustn't wait for bifocals. As long as I can remember I have been wearing bifocals with an addition of +3.50 D.

kind regards, Irene

helpplease 13 May 2005, 10:40

i have never had eny eye trouble and i have received two opposite diagnosis for my child. The doctor has given him a prescription r+375 l+350 What does this mean? Are his eyes in horrible shape

13 May 2005, 10:20

Hi Pat. Who is John?

Puffin 13 May 2005, 09:40

Irene, thankyou for that information. It all helps to illuminate a different world for me. Good luck with those glasses.

Pat 13 May 2005, 02:45

Hi John,

Do you wear your glasses now?

I'm -1 in both eyes and wear my glasses fulltime.

AA 12 May 2005, 17:15

Irene, will you RX stablise in time at 17 you have very high plus rx, I suppose in the not to distant future you will need bifocals, will this worry you, or will you just accept it as very better to have reasonable vision than worry about lenses.

I wonder Irene have you considered lasik, or are your eyes not suitable, one way or the other, I think your doing really well, I hope you don,t have any cruel remarks made about your glasses, still there are plenty of nice people around who will accept you need your glasses and are friends with you because of you nice personality. I rene I love your posts, as I,m a guy who does adore ladies wearing high plus glasses, so you have an admirer in me.

Take care. xx

Irene 12 May 2005, 13:42

Hi Puffin,

without correction my vision is very bad, because akkomodation doesnt work in my eyes, and farsightedness and astigmatism are pretty high.

As much as I can remember my last test, I saw 15/100 with my right eye and less than 5/100 with my left eye.

It means that without my glasses I cant do any reading and things far away are very blurry and distorted too. So the glasses are extremely helpful for me.

regards, Irene

AA 11 May 2005, 17:50

hi Irene, I,m so pleased your feeling much happier, as the saying goes a problem shared is a problem halfed, life is too short to be allowing worries to make you unhappy, there is always someone to help and help you overcome your concerns, now you can go out and enjoy yourself as show people and your friends the real happy Irene. Take care. AA ++

Puffin 11 May 2005, 07:32

Irene, what is your vision like uncorrected?

Irene 10 May 2005, 14:24

Hi AA, I really feel much better now! Thanks to you all :-))

Irene ++

Puffin 10 May 2005, 13:47

Basically you have 5 dioptres of myopia uncorrected - you then stick the cylinder in too, but that only really corrects in a small, thin area running across your vision - angle dependent on the lens. You'll get a headache reading close up, and everything far away will be blurry. (don't try this at home, I suppose)

Filthy McNasty 10 May 2005, 08:41

Guest: Less clearly. Everything would appear to be smeared and blurry. You have seen those little wagon wheel vision tests for astigmatism? They are composed of a series of lines radiating out from a single point. A line dwarn at one degree would be perfectly aligned with the axis on which the lens would be 15D, and would appear clear. Any other line would appear to be blurred.

-- 10 May 2005, 06:35

Guest, dont be confused by the 1 degree - it describes how the axis of the cylindar is rotated - not the amount of cylindar power. The power is described by the middle number (the -5)

I'll take a stab at describing this - others can probably improve on this:

the first number (-10) describes the power of the sphere - this is equally the same all around. So for a minus sphere, imagine the uncut lens is like jello (in a flat bottomed bowl in this case) and you've scooped out a shape perfectly round like a basketball - when you look down at the jello, you now see that perfectly round depression - with the depth that matches the power of the sphere part (-10).

Then you address the cylindar - for this you'd take a different scoop - like a tin can - stright on the sides but circular around (for this silly example, imagine that the can is larger around than your lens) hold the can over your bowl of jello and rotate it (I think 0 degrees is a purely horizontal line, so 1 degree would be very slightly tipped up on the right and down on the left) then scoop out enough more to match the power needed (scoop another amount 1/2 as deep as the sphere) - now you will see that along the equator, the scooped out amount is as deep as a -15 lens, but at the top and bottom, its only as deep as a -10 lens.

As to whether someone with -15/no astigmatism sees better or worse that someone with this prescription, i cant say, but i would think that this much astigmatism would interfere a lot more. I also understand that for low prescriptions the degree of cylindar is not critical, and might just be prescribed for the closest major axis: 0, 45, 90, but for a prescription with this very high astigmatism, the axis angle becomes very critical

This is a picture showing a lens with cylindar:

http://www.visionix.com/site/prod/vc/vc-screen3.jpg

Blurby 10 May 2005, 06:29

It's still not the 1 degree that would be important. The 1 degree is just an axis - not a magnitude. It's kind of like the "address" of the lens in the frames. Those glasses would still have -5 cylinder, which is going to make things very weird looking for anyone who doesn't need that prescription or very close to it (whether they are -10 sph or -15 sph.) Basically the glasses are the same strength whether the axis is 1 degree or 42 degrees or 117 degrees or 180 degrees or whatever - because it would be the same lens, just rotated differently in the frame.

Guest 09 May 2005, 22:24

Ok, lets say that the prescription is -10sph, -5cyl x 1. Would a person who needs a simple -15 correction be able to see more or less clearly with these, or will the 1 degree be noticeable?

Filthy McNasty 09 May 2005, 17:58

Guest:

It doesn't matter what axis a cylinder of -5D is on - you would notice it. It is only compararable to a -15D lens on the axis it's aligned with - in this case, 1 degree. At 90 deg. to that, it's just a -10D lens. Meaning, of course, that you wouldn't be able to see anything on any axis clearly unless you need -10, -5 x 1

AA 09 May 2005, 17:07

Hello Irene, how you doing with your new prescription, you seemed a lot happier giving giving out advice, you seemed have regained your confidence, and seemed more at peace with yourself.

Its alwas nice when a high plus rx contributes to the discussion, and your

a welcome visitor on my computer screen.

I adore ladies who wear high plus glasses so you have a real friend in me and a genuine supporter of high plus glasses. Hope youe well and happy and your college and exams are going well.

Take care. AA Admirer.

Irene 09 May 2005, 13:13

Hi guest,

I have a rather strong cylinder in one of my eyes (+7.25 sph. +1.75 cyl right eye, +9.25 sph. +3.75 cyl left eye,

add +3.5 on both eyes).

If you have strong astigmatism its very important to find out the axis very exactly, because little deviations cause big change in vision.

In my case the best available correction gives me 80% vision acuity in my right and 20% in my left eye.

Irene, 17

Danny 09 May 2005, 09:50

Guest - with regards to the axis of 1 degree, I recently had my eyes tested and instead of the optician putting lenses in a trial frame, she put a huge plastic machine in front of my face and she changed the lenses with a computer keypad.

After checking the sphere was correct, she started adjusting the cylinder. I have -3 and -3.5 cylider which most people think is not small. She asked the same questions "which is better A or B?" and you could see the little black blobs rotating. In the past I've always ahd 090 degress in both eyes. this time I assume that she started at 090 and went first to 085, then I guess up to 095.

I kept telling her that the sharpest image was when the lens was rotating.

In the end I finished up with 092 and 093. and now that I'm used to the new glasses they difference of 2 and 3 degrees is amazing!

Incidently, my sphere didn't change atb all, perhaps next time I'll get a reduction

Mark 09 May 2005, 09:14

Guest - your friend will not notice the 1 degree much...but he will definitely notice the -5 cylinder diopters -- this is going to make things pretty blurry in one direction or another.

"Cylinder" powered lenses are shaped like a cylinder cut in half down the center axis - they bend light in one direction <say, up/down> while not bending the light in the orthoganal <left/right> direction. If that doesn't make sense, the bottom line is that the image will seem distorted and will be blurry both near and far, except for a person who needs this correction.

The 1 degree is the "axis" - that is, how much the "cylinder" is rotated <say, clockwise>, because cylinder power only helps if it's lined up right with the shape of the wearer's eyeball.

Furtive 07 May 2005, 16:34

My new glasses came in today and I picked them up and am wearing them now. My observations: for close up they're excellent - my eyes are much happier than they were before even though it was not a huge prescription change. It's kind of weird how tiny and blurry text looks when I take them off!

For far away they seem too strong and things look blurry. I guess I will try to wear them a lot and see whether that changes. If not maybe I'll have to go back to the eye doctor, or maybe I could just use my old glasses to drive, since at the moment I don't think that would be a smart idea with my new ones. I teach a college course and I use a laptop computer connected to a projector, so ideally I need to be able to see the computer screen and the projection screen too and I'm worried that maybe my new glasses will make this problematic. But, the semester is over for this spring so it probably doesn't matter right at the moment.

Getting new glasses is nice. Every time I do this I promise that with this pair I won't let them get scratched and bent by putting them loose in my pocket or in my briefcase and such. I will try.

Guest 07 May 2005, 06:48

A friend asked if a prescription of:

-10sph, -5cyl x 1 is close to a prescription of -15sph, or will he notice the 1 degree much?

leelee 04 May 2005, 11:54

cb: thats because your eyes will naturally turn in when you focus - when you take your glasses off (close things require more convergence, far things demand more divergence)

Bareeyed, your right eye has to focus a lot (esp compared to your left eye) so it probably does want to turn in a little more. it probably actually doesn't turn in more once you focus on something, but now that you have a point of comparison, you can feel the extra pull on your focusing muscles.

Julian 04 May 2005, 07:41

cb: OK, so it looks as if you're already finding some benefit in full time wear. Enjoy the clear vision!

cb 04 May 2005, 06:09

The doctor had said I needed them at a distance because while far far off I am good and can see clearly anything with in about 20 feet up is not as clear as it should be. Now when I take off the glasses it feels like my right eye is turning some.

I thank everyone for their quick knowledgable responses.

guest 03 May 2005, 12:25

I really love my progressives. Never had a problem with them. I think they are much better than standard bifocals- not just that they look better but my vision is better. The line in bifocals is disturbing to me and when you look to the sides you lose you near vision.

Ted 03 May 2005, 09:34

furitive, I have had no problems with the progressives. The dispensing optician took quite a bit of time taking measurements for both distance and near vieweing, as he explained that was the main reason for wearers not adjusting. There is distortion on the lower left and right if you move your eyes only. This is with all progressives and you should move your head and not just your eyes. After a day or two I was not even aware of this anymore. It was mentioned here before to just point your nose to what you want to see.Anyone else have anything to add?

Furtive 03 May 2005, 08:41

That's interesting Ted, was it difficult to get used to them? My eye doctor seemed to think I could survive another year or two without bifocals, because with this current prescription I will apparently still be able to use them at near and far - and also because I explained to him that I can see pretty well in the distance with no glasses (he was skeptical about that when he tested my old glasses to get their prescription, but conceded that I was correct after he tested me.) I was told by this eye doctor and the previous one that I am an "over focuser" - that I'm using the eye muscles to see better than I really should be able to see - and that this ability is going to go away eventually.

We shall see.....

Ted 03 May 2005, 05:59

Furtive, I too was given a bifocal rx +1.25 each eye add .75 each eye and some small astig. I had the rx filled with progressive lenses (Essilor naturals) and not one person has noticed the changes. Eventhough the add is only .75 I notice the change and no more eyestrain. The eye doc did give me the option of rx reading glasses with the astig if I only wanted to wear for near tasks. As you can imagine that was not an option!

Filthy McNasty 02 May 2005, 22:19

NJ: Thanks for the article you sent by email - I accidentally deleted it with Mail Washer. It was a good read and very interesting!

Julian 02 May 2005, 18:01

cb: the other thing I meant to say is that (once you're used to them) you'll see better with them at all distances.

That goes for you too, Furtive!

Julian 02 May 2005, 17:57

cb: Did the doc say *why* you need to wear your glasses full time? The reason I ask is that when I'd been wearing them part time for about ten years I went to a guy in a different town who lectured me about the need for full time wear. I actually started wearint hem full time (an don't regret it) but his dispenser dropped a hint that Dr X said that to all his patients &c.; Perhaps you've got the same kind of eye doc.

Furtive 02 May 2005, 16:54

I got a new prescription today. It is +2.00 -.75 x 105 right, +1.75 -.50 x 30 left. This is a little more than my old glasses in each eye. I've had my current prescription about 3 years (I had one other exam in between, but that time I never had that prescription filled.)

This time, as last time, I was told I should always wear them for close work (which I definately will, because A) I get a splitting headache when I don't wear glasses and B) I used to be able to read small print for awhile if I really tried (though at the risk of above-mentioned headache), but lately I can't do it no matter how hard I try, and that's actually a pretty big part of my job. I was told again that I might be more comfortable wearing them all the time but it's up to me as my distance vision doesn't test too badly without them (except that I should probably wear them to drive, even though I can probably pass the test at the DMV without them.)

This time I was told that bifocals might be coming in a year or two (slightly scary idea which will probably cause me to avoid future exams for a few years.)

I don't have my new glasses yet because the local 1-hour place didn't have the lenses in stock and it might take a week or more. Will report back if there's anything interesting to say when I get them.

Brian-16 02 May 2005, 13:29

cb-

Yes they are prescribed for distance as well.Do you know what your level of vision is? The doc probably wants you to get used to them quickly.

cb 02 May 2005, 11:12

Just got my new rx which is apparently pretty mild. I am +1.75-0.50x078 in right eye and +1.00-0.50x052 in left eye. I always thought that plus lenses were only to be worn when reading, but doc told me it was important I wear them all of the time. Has anyone ever heard of that before with + rx?

Helen 30 Apr 2005, 16:30

Mimi,

My rx is not much more than yours. I am -1.50 in both eyes. I like being able to see clearly, too.

John 30 Apr 2005, 16:00

Hey Brian-16!

Thanx for the welcome :)

Yeah I know I have a weak prescription in comparsion to yours but I still have the issue of having glasses. But I like it!

Had fun today wearing glasses for the first time but I know I'll be super self-conscious when I wear them in public, but I'm sure I'll get over that.

But this clear vision is ... well, clear

Cool to be clear.............7up!!

Mimi 30 Apr 2005, 14:52

Just -1 in both eyes.

Helen 30 Apr 2005, 13:59

Mimi,

As a matter of interest, what is your rx? My specs are for distance, but there are times when I wear them all the time.

Mimi 30 Apr 2005, 11:45

Thanks Specks! I feel better, maybe someday soon I will post a pic of me with my glasses. For now I only have ones on the web with me bare eyed.

Specs4ever 30 Apr 2005, 11:09

Actually Mimi I think that any guys who find a girl who wears glasses attractive(60% of us as per the last survey I read) will look first at the glasses, but will not really care about the prescription. Then they will look at the girl, and if the package is attractive, then I doubt that the guy would really care that the girl had a low prescription. Fake lenses are however a definate turn off. Sure, I would love to find a really pretty girl with a strong prescription, but these girls are hard to find, as any pretty girl wearing a strong prescription usually hides behind contact lenses. So, please do not feel that you are in a competition, and wear your glasses proudly

Brian-16 30 Apr 2005, 07:54

John 22

Congratulations on your new specs and your drivers license.I can not even remember an rx that low.I am -11.50 and -11.25 with astigmatism in both eyes,prisms and tri-focals and I am 18 yrs.I still squint a lot at things.I am in the U.S. on the east coast and you need 20/40 to pass the test..Good luck and welcome to ES.

John22 30 Apr 2005, 06:52

Hi guys!

I just got my first pair of glasses:

-0.75 -0.5 90

in both eyes.

I was just getting them checked for driving licence, and didn't realise i needed them till i had to read the chart. Wow what a difference they make!

I have been wearing the about the house and getting used to them all day since. I like them. thing like text on tv or leaves on trees are so clear.

Not sure how often I should wear them though... what do you guys think?

Mimi 29 Apr 2005, 15:36

Do you guys with higher rx's look down on us (lower rx's) when we wear our glasses out and about. Just wondering, I feel like there is competition and I find myself falling short.

Guido 28 Apr 2005, 04:33

I have lost about a half diopter of myopia since fifty. Last time examined I declined the change in glasses as I thought I could make it another year with old script. Now I am suffering and may need to update sooner. I was about -6.50 with -0.75 stig. Down to -6 and falling.

-5.00 who luvs gwgs 27 Apr 2005, 21:38

My lovely gf has just had another test as I knew she needs a reading addition her new prescription is right -6.50 -0.75 x155 and left-5.00 -1.00 x180 with a reading addition of +1.50 she is 46 and it is interesting that like mine her myopia is still progressing Her last prescription was right -6.00 and left was -4.75 I am now 50 and both of us have seen our myopia progress by -1.00 to -1.50 in both eyes in our 40s my last test showed a decrease of -0.25 but these glasses are not strong enough so its probably a freak test.All the experts seem to say myopia stabilises in your 40s is this really so?

AA 27 Apr 2005, 17:15

I wonder if Irene has gained more confidence about wearing her glasses since she has had so much love and support through all the people who have written in to support her. I was observing the other day how many girls in their late teens and early twenties who wear glasses, its about one in four, and they all looked really lovely in their glasses. Glasses are part and parcel of todays society, and they are accepted, not like in the old days when grans and grand dads were young and they had no choice of lenses or frames.

I did notice in my little observation many of the young glasses wearers were short sighted few were long sighted, although I did see two young ladies with very strong plus glasses, they had chosen modern frames they looked really nice in their glasses.

Its also a known fact wearers of glasses have beautiful eyes, ask any optician, and when and if I date a lady she will definately wear glasses, it adds to their attractiveness in my eyes.

So Irene you amongst many girls of your age who wear glasses, be proud of them,and also accept they are part of your physical attractiveness. AA

The Real Furtive 23 Apr 2005, 19:49

Slit: I am male, in my 30s, my prescription is around +1.75 and I have some astigmatism.

I think most people your age (anyone from mildly myopic to mildly hyperopic) can probably read small print with +1.5 glasses on. But if they can look off into the distance and read street signs and things with those glasses on then they're probably hyperopic.

Furtive 23 Apr 2005, 18:20

Thanks for your reply.

What is youe Rx?

How old are you?

M or F?

Here's about me:

I do not wear glasses (although i guess i will be hyperopic becoz i can read the small letters well with +1.5 lenses on)

21yrs old

Male.

Furtive 23 Apr 2005, 10:55

Floaters don't usually get bigger. They get smaller. They're made of bits of protein and other stuff from the vitreous (the jelly-like stuff) in the eye. Over time they dissolve.

If you're experiencing flashing lights EVER then you should see a doctor. Some flashing light sensations can be caused by migraines, so in and of themselves those flashing lights aren't dangerous. Other flashing lights are symptoms of a detached retina or other diseases of the eye - which can lead to blindness in that eye. But: usually the flashing lights in that case happen fairly soon before this problem, and it isn't an ongoing thing I think....

There are other medical issues - heart disease, diabetes, etc - that can have floaters as a symptom. Obviously these are serious conditions that, left untreated, can lead to all sorts of complications and death. If you have any reason to be concerned about any of these, have any other symptoms, and/or have not had a physical in years then you probably should see a general physician (not an optometrist.)

But as I already said: floaters are usually nothing to be concerned with. Most people get them at some point. There isn't anything you can do about them in most cases. They eventually go away.

Slit 22 Apr 2005, 18:00

Furtive,

Thank you for your kind response.

I wanted to discuss this issue because the doctor did not give me a clear explanation about the floaters.

Will this particles get bigger and bigger and cover my whole visual field?

Has it happened to any one before?

I seldom experience FLASHING light sensation.

What is the worst situation that can occur other than a retinal detatchment?

Slit 22 Apr 2005, 17:57

22 Apr 2005, 12:52

*addicted

22 Apr 2005, 12:51

i apolojise once again for writing when pissed - please excuse my crappy typoing!!!! im ddictred to this site and therefore i will use even when about to go out on very HEAVY night!!!!

22 Apr 2005, 12:50

yeah slit -dopt worry bout floaters i get them and have never thought of them just that they are an added problem to be being myopic!! Its nota big deal i think! well they may be to u but not to me- (please bear in mind i am writing this when totally intoxicated so pleaswe excuse me for tbad typing!)

Furtive 22 Apr 2005, 12:33

Slit: almost everybody experiences floaters at some point. I've had them from time to time - I'm farsighted. What my eye doctor told me is that they are more common in nearsighted people, people who've had lasik surgery, and they're more common as we age. They don't usually indicate any problem, but occasionally they are symptoms of vascular disease, complications of diabetes, or of impending retinal detachment. If you have large floaters, many that appear suddenly, or any that are accompanied by a sensation of flashing lights, you should see a doctor right away.

While treatment for an underlying cause might prevent future floaters, usually there is no specific cause - floaters are a normal phenomenon. There isn't any treatment for the floaters themselves except to wait for them to dissolve on their own.

I'm not a physician, nor are most on this forum - so if you need very specific medical/scientific information you should contact a physician and not rely on internet forums.

Slit 22 Apr 2005, 07:37

Hi I wrote about my problem earlier also, but did not get any satisfactory reply.

The main problem is I have FLOATERS in my eyes.

The doctor says that the FLOATERS are found in the eyes of MYOPIC PEOPLE.

But I am not myopic. (I am 20/20)

"""So why did I get floaters?"""

I am 21 years old. The floaters appeared for the first time when I was 20 years old.

PLease answer my question.

Furtive 20 Apr 2005, 19:38

I know a pair of identical twins in which one wears glasses all the time and the other wears them only to read. Both are in their late 20s. The fulltime twin is in graduate school studying poetry and swears that he "messed up" his vision from a lifetime of constant reading. The other twin works in a warehouse. The fulltime twin's glasses have a much higher amount of astigmatism correction while the other twin's glasses are weaker than mine (small amount of astigmatism and hyperopia.) I don't know whether reading can affect vision - some people say so but even they would probably predict that this would result in myopia instead... In any case it is definately possible for identical twins to have different prescriptions.

20 Apr 2005, 16:10

Anybody know about identical twins and their eyesight? I have an identical twin and am around -2.00 but my sister has perfect eyesight. Any other twins out there who share similar or very different prescriptions with their twin?

Also, i know this an impossible and hypthetical quesion but, (I dont know why) but I am desperate for a higher RX as at the moment I feel like a bit of a fraudster wearing my specs as they are so weak. My older sister and mum are around -4.00 and I started off a few years ago with -0.75 - dya think I have a high chance of increasing much? I am 21!

Puffin 15 Apr 2005, 14:48

Ian, that all makes perfect sense to me.

Ian 15 Apr 2005, 09:00

Here are reasons why I am maybe others like GWG:

1. They highlight a girls face making her stand out.

2. They make her eyes stand out - bigger or smaller

3. She is slightly vulnerable without her glasses and may need your help with certain things.

4. She may be slightly insecure about the way she looks in glasses

and may be easy to attract if you make a compliment.

5. They are like jewellery/ fashion and compliment girls hair and facial features.

6. Then there is the steamy glasses

in the bedroom..........

7. When you see a girl not wearing glasses and then she puts on a pair it is great to see the transformation - making her look better!!

Ree 15 Apr 2005, 04:11

Thanks for the reply Irene.

I was surprised to note that you did not find much of a improvement in your vision with contacts. Maybe it was due to the high astigmatism in your weaker eye, but with the newer and more comfortable lenses coming into the market, i definitely feel it is worth giving them a try, agreed that you will eventually have to wear glasses for reading and close work, but i hope that the overall

quality of ur vision will be much better with contacts,, provided you can wear them comfortably.

Its not that i am discouraging you against glasses and promoting contacts, but i feel that the ultimate goal is to achieve best possible vision with whatever means , especially in cases with high refractive errors like yours.

take care.

Puffin 15 Apr 2005, 02:57

Isn't it great what the internet has done for us - we all probably thought that nobody else liked glasses, if you are an OO like me, and alternatively, if you are a wearer, maybe you thought that nobody out there might like them (perhaps it came as a shock?)

Denise 14 Apr 2005, 23:57

Irene, the only time that i suffer with a headache is if i leave my glasses off for any length of time, and i never do that because without them the eye begins to turn in, and it makes me embarrassed. I had no problems getting used to the large difference between my lenses, but yes you are right, the optician said that this could be a problem for some people. Having them so young, it was maybe easier for my eyes to adapt to the difference.

AA 14 Apr 2005, 16:59

Hi Irene, Looking at your glasses as a negative and making it an issue in your mind stop you being the personality you probably are. I,m sure you have friends who don,t take any interest in your glasses they accept you as a human being, with a personality and enjoy your company. Irene if we are negative about an issue it draws attention to it, then it get blown up in the mind as though it distract from the real person.

Maybe you need a confidence boast to your personality and let it shine as to distract from your glasses. I,m sure your a lovely lady, probably very attractive to others, but you look at yourself negatively. Be bold, strong, and accept your glasses are just a physical attribute that helps you see better. A caring long distance friend AA

Irene 14 Apr 2005, 14:00

Hi Denise,

I was astonished about the really high difference between your left and right eye.

I heard that it is not so easy for many persons to cope with glasses at such big differences. Dont you suffer from headache because of this reason?

asks Irene

Irene 13 Apr 2005, 15:30

Hi Ree,

thanks for your answer. Yes I tried contacts some years ago, but it was no improvement. I got red eyes all the time. Maybe because of my severe astigmatism in the weak eye its not so easy to give the contacts the perfect shape?

For near work i had to wear glasses with my addition, that means: glasses again!

The improvement of the distortion wasnt tremendous with contacts. I saw a little bit sharper with my good eye, but the vision of my lazy eye remained 20%. This eye is too weak to see the difference in distortion I think.

Greetings from Austria

Ree 13 Apr 2005, 07:03

hello Irene. It was interesting to read your posts. Yes i agree that its a bit difficult to be wearing bifocals such a young age and accepting them easily. But you should realize that, actually it dosent make any difference to persons near and dear to you whether you have to wear thick glasses or not. i am sure within minutes of meeting or interacting with you people start looking beyond your glasses and the wonderful person that you really are. And now a days with the high index lenses and fashionable small frames, your glasses can infact be a fashion accessory.

One more thing i would like to ask is that, knowing very well the distortion and vision that high plus glasses give, have you tried contact lenses,, which should definitely give you better vision.

Irene 13 Apr 2005, 06:22

AA, thanks for your nice lines which encourage me to accept my appearance.

Everything you say is right, but on the other hand: can't you imagine that a girl in my age doesnt like very much those thick bifocals.

Yes I see much better with them than without, but my eyesight remains poor altogether.

Kind regards, Irene

AA 12 Apr 2005, 15:55

Irene, Denise is right, your glasses are part of you, Irene did you know after the first 30 seconds of meeting someone new your glasses which are part of your physical appearance are discounted and you as a personality thats taken note off. Irene we can make issues of negative things in our lives which no one else gives a fig about. Be positive about your glasses, and anyone who passes a negative comment about them is selfish and shallow.

Irene what would you rather have a nice pair of glasses that allows you to see better, or walk around blind and not enjoy the good vision glasses gives you

Iknow in here some guys don,t like plus glasses, there some of us who adore the plus glasses look, I don,t wear glasses myself, but have no hang ups about ladies in plus glasses. Take heart Irene when you post here your posting to friends who accept you as a person and your glasses, so cheer up and be proud of your glasses. AA

Denise 12 Apr 2005, 11:02

Brian, Its R+6.50 L+2.75. Not as bad as some on here and at least it has been stable for the past few years

Brian 12 Apr 2005, 09:30

Denise, What is your prescription right now?

Denise 12 Apr 2005, 01:09

Irene, you should not feel sad at your poor eyesight, ok, you have to wear glasses, that is not the end of the world is it. Lots of guys like girls in glasses Irene. I hated mine when i was a teenager, but soon learned to accept that they were necessary for me and there was nothing i could do about it. Get some bold frames and show the world, make a statement saying "Look at my glasses aren't they good"

as to your question about my weak eye, i would say i have nearly as good vision out of the lazy eye as the good eye, thats wearing my correction of course. Not quite as good, but good enough not to really make any difference to anything i do. I am lucky in the fact that only one of my eyes are weak, but it also means that my glasses have one very strong lens and one very weak, that can look odd if you are not careful about frames and type of lenses you have.

twitchy kitty 11 Apr 2005, 20:19

i have black shoulder length hair, hazel eyes, smooth zit free white skin, and i have the whitest teeth

Irene 11 Apr 2005, 15:19

Hi Denise and Valerie,

its really nice to hear from you. In real life I dont speak much about my glasses, because often I am rather sad about my bad eyes.

I am used to wear bifocals since ever because they give me clearer sight. Once I tried multifocals for a few weeks, but I didnt like them. The optician thought that my strong astigmatism causes the worse properties of the multifocal lenses.

Denise can you see well out of your lazy eye?

Greetings from Irene

Valerie 11 Apr 2005, 07:03

Irene

Do you wear bifocals or varifocals?

Denise 11 Apr 2005, 03:32

Forgot to mention Irene, I do not have any astigmatism and do not need any reading add (at the moment)

Denise 11 Apr 2005, 03:30

Read you posts with interest Irene. I was a bit like you. When i was 6 yrs old, my mother noticed my left eye tended to turn in when i was watching tv or reading, or looking at anything for any length of time. The hospital gave me glasses and patched my better eye to make the weak one work more. It never really worked very well, i am now 28 and still have to wear glasses. The left eye does still turn in if i go without them. But my script is only bad in one eye, the right lens is quite weak compared to the other one. I'm quite happy to wear them now, you just have to accept that its one of those things, i feel that the glasses do not make me any less attractive, and some guys really seem to like them. be happy that you can see, thats the way i think

Irene 09 Apr 2005, 04:30

Hi Puffin,

my first glasses were a bit weaker because the doc said my eyes should adapt to the glasses.

In the last years my prescription was nearly the same, only the astigmatism changed a little (my last prescription had 0.50 D more of it)

greetings from

Irene

Puffin 08 Apr 2005, 16:48

Irene, another small question, if I may. Did your Hyperopia progress much, or is your prescription now much the same as it was when a child?

Irene 07 Apr 2005, 14:17

Puffin, I was patched on my better eye when I got my first glasses (I was about 4 then), but because of the high astigmatism it didnt work very well for me. So when I came to school I wasnt able to read from the blackboard with my lazy eye. Then it was decided to let me use my better eye which is also worse than 100%. Because of my bad eyesight I was fitted with a near addition, which is very comfortable for reading in my case. I am always sitting first row at school, and I need not participate at gymnastic lessons because of my missing depth perception.

Greetings from Austria, Irene

Puffin 07 Apr 2005, 01:30

Irene, did you have your eyes patched at any time? To try to correct your amblyopia? Or was it discovered too late to do anything about it?

Val 07 Apr 2005, 00:23

Of course it is the same thing.

20/20, or 6/6 (in Europe), or 100 % it's the same thing.

john 06 Apr 2005, 16:46

is 20/25 the same as 80% visual acuity?

Irene 06 Apr 2005, 15:04

Hi Puffin,

I think thats quite the same, yes.

Irene

Puffin 04 Apr 2005, 16:01

Irene, do you mean 20/25 and 20/100? And, welcome to our little community of glasses lovers and accepters. :)

Irene 04 Apr 2005, 16:00

Irene 04 Apr 2005, 14:43

Hi all. I just found this website - it looks very intersting.

I am severely hyperope from birth:

+7.25 sph. +1.75 cyl right eye

+9.25 sph. +3.75 cyl left eye

add +3.5 on both eyes.

vision acuity with glasses is 80% right and 20% left because of amblyopy.

I am 17 now, got my first glasses at age 4.

Irene

Hansel 04 Apr 2005, 14:30

Now now. Whilst "fake watching" is getting to be popular on this board the genuine newbies are going to be put off returning if they feel that they have to justify their every word. If they are fake they will disappear just as soon as they landed on the board.

You'll be speculating next that Melinda is an anagram for "Damn Lie".

04 Apr 2005, 14:03

'melinda' a fake ?

There is no reckoning about it - a more obvious phoney Ive yet to see !

Brian 04 Apr 2005, 13:17

Melinda, I started wearing glasses when I was 18 at around the same prescription you have now and like you started needing glasses or contacts all the time right after getting my glasses.. My first prescription was -2.25 and -2.00, i'm 26 now and my prescription has doubled over the last 8 years, i'm currently -4.50 and -4.00.. I'm actually due for an eye test in May and will likely have another prescription change then.

04 Apr 2005, 13:05

Melinda

I reckon YOUR A FAKE!

Hansel 04 Apr 2005, 12:07

Thanks for the reply, Melinda.

Keep enjoying yourself, particularly being able to see with clarity just how many of the opposite sex are giving you more than a passing glance!

04 Apr 2005, 11:36

Melinda - You say you are -2 and your sister is around the same. If you don't mind please post exactly what it says on your prescription (and if your sister doesn't mind please post her prescription). Thanks.

Melinda 04 Apr 2005, 11:27

Sorry for posting twice

Melinda 04 Apr 2005, 11:27

Hansel

I was curious about trying my sister glasses on. I knew my sight was getting bad and I wanted to see if I could see through hers. My sister was having problems at school and told my mum, she then had her eyetest. After trying on my sisters glasses I then told my mum aswell that I need a test. I last had an eyetest a year ago and my eyes were fine then, maybe all the studying and reading a lot at college has affected my eyes in some way? My boyfriend has no eye problems- maybe he should go for a test to find out. for sure. I have been having fun with my new glasses and a few friends have tried them on. None of them could see through them!

Melinda 04 Apr 2005, 11:27

Hansel

mimi 04 Apr 2005, 09:41

i went for an eye exam on friday and the doc did this test that i never had before. i was just curious as to what it was for.

while i was sitting in the chair he brought up this other machine that had this red light and white light on it. as he brought it closer he told me to stare at the red light and that the white light was going to be bright and not to blink. it felt like he was scannig my eyes (one at a time) with the brightest flashlight on earth. not only did it weird me out, it was one of the most uncomfortable things i experienced. the white light was so bright. what was he doing?

Hansel 04 Apr 2005, 09:31

Welcome to the merry band.

Some extra question to help complete the picture.

Why did your sister go for her test? Was it mum noticing that she wasn't seeing too well?

Given that you are both around -2.00 did Mum ever suggest that you might need a test?

When indeed was your last test?

Did your sister think you might have needed glasses too and offered hers for you to try or was that just curiosity on your part?

As I say, it all helps the picture-PS. when's your BF going for a test? ;-)

Melinda 04 Apr 2005, 09:07

Hello everyone,

I am officially a new glasses wearer!

I was prescribed -2 glasses. I went to a place that does glasses in one hour, so I had my eyetest and the optician said I needed to wear glasses. I then looked around the shops and returned one hour later to pick my glasses up - they are gold rectangular ones which go well with my long blonde hair. I was amazed at the sharpness of everything and have kept my glasses on all the time since I got them, I like wearing them.

My boyfriend said I look very nice in them! So me and my sister have both got glasses within 1 week of each other. It will take a little time to get used to the new me! But so far people have been very kind.

I think nowadays lots of people wear glasses than they used to so it is no big deal anymore.

I am also getting my haircut tomorrow and getting my nails done,

I am going for a complete makeover to make myself look as beautiful as possible!

A week ago even though I have been having a few problems with my eyesight I never thought I would today be a glasses wearer. The optician said that I should use them for driving, watching tv and cinema etc. I have decided right from the start to wear them full time and be very proud of the new appearance I have.

It will be strange seeing photographs of me in glasses but sooner or later everyone will be so used to me wearing glasses. I do have a boyfriend, but I have noticed that I have got a few nice looks of other boys.

I will keep you all posted on how I get on with my new glasses. I would like to hear from other people about their first glasses experiences - e.g what age they got them, and how they felt about it - I am curious now about other peoples experiences.

Thanks Melinda (A new proud glasses wearer)

Melinda 03 Apr 2005, 03:36

I will let you all know how I get on at the opticians. Yes my sister does wear her glasses all the time since she got them. I think I will too when I get some - Like I said I know I will be prescribed them. I don't think it will be a problem for me to adjust to wearing them because people have got used to my sister in glasses so me with them will be no big deal. In fact a lot of people know I have a test and cant wait til I get glasses aswell!

I am really looking forward to my eyetest tomorrow!

Karen X 02 Apr 2005, 05:04

Melinda - does your sister wear her glasses all the time?

ehpc 01 Apr 2005, 15:17

Tell us how you get on Melinda. I am sure you will be a beautiful GWG!Pete

Melinda 01 Apr 2005, 13:47

Hi, I am 18 and my sister Jodie is 16. She got prescribed glasses last week about -2. I tried on her glasses and found out I could see a lot clearer. I have noticed my eyes feeling tired when looking in to the distance and they strain a bit. My sister has adjusted well to her new glasses. I have booked myself in for an eyetest on monday. I know that I will need glasses! Its kind of nice in a way that me and my sister are both getting glasses at the same time. I have told my boyfriend and he seems quite excited at the idea of me getting glasses. My sisters boyfriend is still getting used to her in glasses but seems to like her in them.

Both me and my sister have always been told we are quite attractive and I know my sister is still very beautiful in her new glasses, and I know I will be aswell. I am actually getting excited about wearing glasses, maybe because my sister just got them and we will be able to share our experiences with glasses together!

Julian 01 Apr 2005, 08:00

Click on the link on the front page and find out.

31 Mar 2005, 10:20

whats lens chat?

Lens Chatter 31 Mar 2005, 09:31

I was just chatting on Lens Chat with Julee. She just had an exam and got a new prescription. She's 19 years old. Her old RX was OD -10.25 OS -11.50. Her new RX is OD -11.50 OS -12.75.

Willy 31 Mar 2005, 08:19

Billie -- It's interesting that at 41 your prescription as I gather did not have any reading add, but was all a "distance" prescription. Often a +2 hyperope would have an add by 41, so your accommodation must still be pretty good. Did the doctor discuss this with you at all? That said, the probability is that you will need an add in the next couple of years.

As to how often to wear your glasses now, if your distance vision is actually better with them than without, I would wear full-time. You can only defer your dependence on them for so long, and why give yourself poorer vision or eyestrain if you don't have to?

Billie 31 Mar 2005, 05:10

If age is relevant, I am 41

Billie 31 Mar 2005, 05:09

I thought I'd post after browsing for a while.

I knew I should get my eyes checked after I realised I struggled with reading " little writing" eg. on the back of shampoo bottles etc.

My optician told me I needed glasses, she said to wear them for a couple of days, full time, so my eyes got used to relaxing, and then whenever I felt the need.

My rx is +2 in both eyes.

I got my glasses and found that my vision around 4 ft in front of me was crystal clear, beyond that was blurry.

However, after wearing the glasses for a few hours, I found that my vision beyond 4ft was now clear.

One week later I have found that I could quite comfortably wear my glasses all the time and have great vision, however, I do not want to become dependant on them so have chosen to wear them only for close work.

How long do you think it will be before I need them all of the time?

loulou 28 Mar 2005, 15:29

Hi, just found this site by randomly searching for sites about vision etc... so just thought I'd post a message to say hi!

My RX is R -5.5, L-5.75 or thereabouts, not got my prescription to hand that the moment and my memory sucks haha ;)I wear contacts a quite a lot, though I don't feel ashamed to wear glasses, but I guess its nice to have the choice of wearing either.

My boyfriend is also nearsighted, but his RX is a fair bit less then mine, at around -2 - looks rather nice in his glasses I must say! ;)

Hope to speak to some of you soon! :)

Lou x

27 Mar 2005, 17:34

probably not

Dave 27 Mar 2005, 15:12

Leslie, are you for real?

Leslie 27 Mar 2005, 00:59

I'll post my RX. I'm 21 years old. I just got glasses last week. My RX is -1.25, -1.5. I've been wearing them full time. I love them.

Ted 26 Mar 2005, 07:03

Kenneth, have a quick read of the following. The advice if from some opticians on how often to wear glasses http://www.optiboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4734

kenneth 26 Mar 2005, 01:20

Just wondering if anyone could tell me when full-time glasses wear is recommended. My prescription is currently -2, cyl. -.75, - 1.75, -1.25. I only wear my glasses for driving and computer use at the moment.

cURIOUS 24 Mar 2005, 23:43

daniel was she at all reluctant to wear them or shy at what people might say? -2 is quite strong for a first prescription especially is she didn't know she needed them so her glasses will get stronger. was she told to wear them all the time or does she feel she just can't see well enough without them? can you see through them?

daniel 24 Mar 2005, 07:52

She wears glasses all the time and looks great in them. Oval metal frames.

daniel 24 Mar 2005, 07:50

Curious, I never thought about girls with glasses much before my girlfriend got them. I did not dislike girls in glasses but didn't really pay much attention to them- now I notice them all the time. I really like my girlfriend in glasses- I love her with or without though- she can not help the fact she needs glasses so I will accept her as she is. I was wondering a lot about glasses and how people discovered they needed them and came across this site.

shyguyfrom nj 23 Mar 2005, 16:38

Hello Henna, It was interesting to hear you saying that you didn't get glasses until you had around -5 prescirption, I have being a nearsighted guy since I was 11, and I didn't get glasses until I actually needed them to get a drivers license, I'm 19 now and my precription is -4.25 both eyes, and I just wear contacts even though I have a pair of glasses, I never wear in fron of people, as you said as the prescription gets higher, it is more difficult to get glasses becaus eo the thickness they will have.

Curious 23 Mar 2005, 14:25

daniel what's your reaction to your girlfirend with glasses and does she wear them all the time or just some times? Some people have some difficulty with their partner starting with glasses I think unless they are an OO of course!

daniel 23 Mar 2005, 10:59

Hello everyone

My girlfriend just started to wear glasses. She was not really aware of any problem, but she recently had severe ear ache which thankfully is better now. She made a visit to the hospital to find out what the problem was - she had a bit of plastic stuck inside,don't know how it got there!! The doctor as a precaution also did an eye test and he found out she was a little bit shortsighted -2 in both eyes. She is 22 and I have not been aware of her having any problems - maybe sooner or later she would have found out she needed glasses anyway. She is adjusting well to wearing them but it came as a bit of a shock to her though to find out she needed them.

Henna 23 Mar 2005, 01:27

Hi someone, I didn't even have any glasses before last year. And I'm so nearsighted it was really getting troublesome, my glasses are -5 and -4.5. I realize very few people resist this long but I was (am? ;) a foolish teenager. At first it was just a matter of pretending that my eyesight was ok, for it was ok then, but it got a little out of hand... You get used to things, I got used to not seeing well.

To tell the truth the whole business was very stressful for me. The more my eyes worsened the more difficult it was to take the first step and get glasses. So I just squinted and got by pretty well. I was 17 when I finally gave up but I went in a blur for about 7 years. The most irking things about going bare-eyed were not being able to see people's expressions and that I had to look so awfully close up at texts if I didn't squint. And boy did I squint. It was embarrassing but then again I read here that some people think it's a turn-on.. They would've been happy to see me! :)

anime fan 21 Mar 2005, 11:09

I'm a little confused, I have had the same script since I was 11, and now all of the sudden, my right eye is getting weaker, .25 every 6 months. At first I thought it was the eye doctor screwing up, but I got my new contacts in today as they redo my glasses, things are a bit clearer, they were .75 off, not a lot I know, but enough for me to notice. So 20 years of stable vision, I wonder if this is normal, lol. My left eye though got better by .25, go fig.

21 Mar 2005, 10:11

Hi Henna

What is your precription? Did you not wear your glasses full time before contacts?

Henna 19 Mar 2005, 09:11

Hi all, glad I found this site.. It's been interesting to read your thoughts about vision. I didn't even know that glasses can be such a big source of excitement for some people! I sure find this topic interesting too. I have struggled for a long time with a really bad eyesight, but I finally got myself contacts about a year ago. Now I couldn't think about going without correction anymore, my life has got so much easier! I just wanted to thank you for this nice discussion you've got going here. Cheers.

Filthy McNasty 17 Mar 2005, 07:03

I've actually seen the ball bearing test done in Canadian optical labs. Tempered glass, while tougher than regular materials, also tends to shatter when struck, so it is important to show that the lenses will withstand some sort of shock.

AA 13 Mar 2005, 20:11

Dear Erin sorry read the rest of your posts, I hope your well soon, of coarse the stress of your dad would bring some ailment to you, obviously you were holding your feelings inside and being brave for your dad. Try and relax Erin, worry never help anyone to recover good health. Love your Rx _ 17 WOW! shame you could,nt post a picture of your glasses. Good health Erin.

AA 13 Mar 2005, 20:05

Dear Erin, almost half inch thick your lenses you must have a high - Rx, some of my friends have an of between - 8 to - 16, higher rx my friends tell me contacts are uncomfortable, I wonder if you have problems with comfort wearing your contacts. I hope your dad returns to good health soon and he can enjoy a nice longholiday to recupriate, Good luck Erin.

Erin 13 Mar 2005, 19:35

Well I just spent the last 24 hours in the hospital, due to chest pains. Long story short, the doctor thinks it was caused by stress, My dad is currently in the hospital from a heart attack, he is very healthy and only 51 years old, I guess that made me worry, I'm 31 and healthy. I'm home now, but being in the hospital overnight I have had to were my glasses for the last 24 hours, it was not so bad but I didn't really have time to think about them, contacts are in now and I know what you mean, i was seeing double for a few minutes. I'll try wearing my glasses all day tomarrow since I took off work it won't be so bad. Oh, I actually measured the edge of my lens and its 10.5 mm thats just less then 7/16", so thats not as bad as I first thought.

tortoise 13 Mar 2005, 17:56

Dropping ball-bearings on your glasses is an American passtime I think. It hasn't caught on here in Canada yet. 8-)

lentifan 13 Mar 2005, 17:24

I take it you can't buy glass lenses in the US, then

Puffin 13 Mar 2005, 17:08

I was idly wondering if anyone actually does this to their glasses... you know, to make sure...

Specs4ever 13 Mar 2005, 13:52

Andrew,the drop ball test is one in which a steel ball is dropped on a lens, the lens is not supposed to shatter. The ball is a specific size and weight, dropped from a specific height. In the US., lenses must meet this criteria.

Clare 13 Mar 2005, 12:57

Pete - good luck. Let us know how it goes when you get your glasses. I often go without fulltime correction at weekends but I usually get caught out with something I can't see. It doesn't bother me much as long as it's not dangerous! Depends on how demanding of clarity you are I guess.

Andrew 13 Mar 2005, 11:49

S4E:

Drop ball test? I've never heard of it. Please tell us more!

Specs4ever 13 Mar 2005, 06:10

Erin, I also forgot to mention something that is probably already well know to you - the smaller the frame the better. Your 5 degrees of prism is not a small amount, and you will find that you can't get away with contacts anymore after your eyes adapt to this, so you will have to wear glasses. Are you old enough that your eyes will probably not change too much anymore?

Specs4ever 13 Mar 2005, 06:07

Erin, 1.5 hi index is really not a very high index. You could loose a bit of thickness with the 1.67 plactic, or you could loose a lot more with a 1.9 hi index glass. However, if you live in the US, the 1.9 is not readily available, as it won't pass the drop ball test. The 1.67 plastic would eliminate the slight biconcave that you mentioned, and give you a bit better vision.(less tunnel vision.) I do like strong prescriptions on ladies, but I also like good looking glasses.

-5.0 who luvsgwgs 13 Mar 2005, 01:46

Erin please do not worry about having to wear thick glasses I and many other people who visit eyescene love girls with high myopia I wish my gf was -17.00 a well chosen frame with modern high index lenses that glint in the sun will look wonderful please wear them and be proud and forget contact lenses

Filthy McNasty 12 Mar 2005, 18:45

NJ: In your experience, is there something about high-plus glasses over high-minus contacts that makes near vision require more accommodation than normal, assuming no overcorretion?

Maria 12 Mar 2005, 13:21

Apples,

You are correct! My eyes do turn inwards.

Niki 12 Mar 2005, 11:57

Karen X,

My previous prescription was - 4.00,

- 1.25 for my right eye and - 3.50, - 0.75 for my left. Obviously my new prescription makes quite a big difference. No more asking my friend for college notes and sitting so close to the computer screen.

I know waiting almost 5 years is crazy but going to the optometrists is like going to the dentists for me. I hate doing eye tests.

Apples 12 Mar 2005, 11:39

Maria,

Am I correct in assuming that with the need for base out prism your eyes tend to drift in towards your nose? Or do I have that backwards?

Karen X 12 Mar 2005, 11:27

Niki - what was your old prescription?

Erin 11 Mar 2005, 20:49

I got the 1.5 high index lenses and they have a very slight inward curve on the front but they are still very thick, I would guess almost a 1/2". Yuck!

Bespectacled Professor 11 Mar 2005, 19:32

Erin,

I'm sure you are exaggerating. With the new lenses they have these days, I'm sure you look just fine. It's probably more the switch to wearing glasses than the glasses themselves.

Erin 11 Mar 2005, 18:56

Pictures? NO WAY! sorry.

GKM 11 Mar 2005, 18:56

trying this message on another thread...

Hi, I recently got an Rx change for glasses I use sometimes for reading and computer.

Before

R +0.75 sph, L +1.00 -0.50 25deg

Now

R +0.75 sph, L +1.25 -0.75 25deg

Though I can see fine with them it is a little weird b/c the left eye now feels overcorrected--or perhaps the right one is undercorrected. I'm trying to figure out what to do...what could I say to my eye doctor? I suspect she adjusted my Rx according to how I responded when trying on lenses. Is it odd for one's eyes to be sensitive to a small change like this?

Erin 11 Mar 2005, 18:53

Mostly because my eyes get dry and itchy and tired. I could do with out the prism but I have to admit that it is much easier with them.

11 Mar 2005, 18:51

Erin,

Any pictures you wanted to post?

tortoise 11 Mar 2005, 18:50

Erin, I'm wondering why you can't wear contacts any more. Is it because of your need for prism or because your eyes are dry, infected or......?

Erin 11 Mar 2005, 18:21

I'm new to glasses again. I have worn contacts for the past 12 years, but recently it has become more difficult to wear them so I figured I'd better get a pair of glasses. My new script is -17.50 -1.50 x 170 5 base in prism. I am a little shocked at this because my contacts are -13.50 and I can see with them just fine. OH MY GOD! you should see these things I have to wear, I am never coming out of the house again!

Thanks for listening.

leelee 11 Mar 2005, 16:17

Ted, You should call the eye dr & ask about the difference in the astigmatism - that doesn't sound quite right. You experience sounds a lot like mine. I went with progressives after trying to do 2 pairs for a while - I just ended up leaving them off for distance, and then when I got to the point where the headaches set in, my add was up to +1.50, and my distance fell from +1.00/+.75 to +.50 and -.25 cyl for both eyes. I think it's probably easier to adapt to progressives if you start out sooner, with the lower add.

Now, just this week (about 15 mos after I got the 1st progressives) I just got another new set of lenses and my distance is now up to +1.50/+1.25, with a little more - cylinder and the same add of +1.50. Reading is finally much better, but I can no longer watch TV while lying down! (you're not supposed to be able to, but my eyes had finally relaxed enough to accept the greater distance RX, but still needed more for close)

In just a few years, (I'm in my mid 40s) I've gone from being able to see everything super-sharply to where nothing is really clear and close is just plain bad! (good thing I already know how to wash my hair, and the conditioner is creamy and the shampoo is clear!) Its a combination of irritating and interesting. At least my glasses "do something" now!

I am a programmer, so I practically live on the computer. I make a lot of use of all regions of my progressives while on the computer. Like you, I couldn't get into the idea of going around with lined glasses - I'm too close to the age of dotage, and I work with so many 20-somethings - not looking for any other qualities to set me apart. Plus, I don't know how I could work on the computer with lined lenses. I do all my work on a wide-screen laptop, and progressives or single vision offer the best solutions for this.

Yow! I hope you have your new specs when you try to read this too-long post! Let us know how things turn out.

Brian-16 11 Mar 2005, 16:17

Andrew

Yes,I do know why.He insisted he be able to read micro-scopic print.He told the doctor (female) he enjoys or is into computer printed circuit boards.But persoanlly I think he lied to the doc about what he could read or not read on the little eye chart with the small paragraphs at 14 inches or even closer.He tends to be sneaky about things !

Hansel 11 Mar 2005, 15:04

Nikki, I have always been self conscious of edge thickness (-8.00 ish)

My optician is great and will suggest frames for me, following that up with a request to the lens manufacturer for an edge thickness detail.

My advice, which goes somewhat some of the regular Eyescene contibutors, for whom thick is beautiful, is to find an optician ready to do this, and then go for the highest index you can afford. I currently have Zeiss 1.8 index in glass and they are very acceptable, particular with the edges chamfered, (or "rolled" as the phrase seems to be in the U.S.), though I did have a Hoya lens in a 1.7 index that, with the frame chosen was less on the edge. At -6.00 ish, I suspect that you'll find something that helps your sensitivities.

Andrew 11 Mar 2005, 13:16

Brian-16,

I am intrigued that your brother's RX went up by -0.25, yet his reading add went up by +0.50. Have you any idea why this is?

Maria 11 Mar 2005, 12:53

Danny.

Sorry to hear about your sister; it must have been tragic for her.

I will certainly not go down the surgical path.

I'm due an eye check shortly, then I will know if there is any change needed.

Danny 11 Mar 2005, 12:44

Maria - I don;t wish to sound a scaremonger but my sister who started wearing prisms at about 16, got to the point of needing 6 base out prism, she was offered an operation to correct her double vision, but in one of her eyes something went wrong (perhaps a useless doctor)

The result was that since the age of 16 1/2 she is blind in one eye.

I'm a complete chicken and I've always accepted my need for prisms - so who cares if my glasses are megathick - as long as i can see clearkly - that's all i care about

Ted 11 Mar 2005, 12:40

The last post was to Matt and not GWG's, sorry about that. To answer some more questions, over 40 well below 50. I also use the computer and read a lot in my job.I would prefer to use one pair of no line bifocals as I guess vanity comes into play.The Dr. gave me the two RX as she said it is up to me to do what I prefer. Hopefully that covers it all.

Ted 11 Mar 2005, 12:35

To LeeLee and GWG's,yes this is my first bifocal RX. I wear my current glasses most of the time, but have been getting eyestrain and headaches, that is why I booked the appointment. The Dr, gave me two prescriptions, the one that I posted and another with just reading and astig,(+2.00 both eyes) on it. The only difference is that the reading RX by itself has .25 more astig on the right eye than the posted RX earlier today. The eye Dr.besides her own practice also works at the optometry department at the local uni.I presume she knows her stuff.any thoughts as to lenses?

Maria 11 Mar 2005, 12:25

Nikki.

I needed prisms because I started to see a double image of everything. It is due (I'm told) to a defect in the muscles controlling the horizontal eye alignment. It began gradually, but has become worse with time; I now wear a 9D prism, base out,on each eye. It seems there is a possibility of surgical correction as I am still young (22)but I don't fancy the idea all that much, and am quite happy with the specs.

Filthy McNasty 11 Mar 2005, 10:56

NJ: In your experience, is there something about high-plus glasses over high-minus contacts that makes near vision require more accommodation than normal, assuming no overcorretion?

leelee 11 Mar 2005, 10:44

Ted: My distance RX (low plus) went down with my first bifocal prescription - I don't know if that is something they do to make it easier to adapt for the first time, or if the prior strain caused a temporary minus shift. I didn't fill the first RX, choosing to use OTC readers (no astig in that RX) and then the next time the distance went down even more and the add went up another 1/2 dioptre, so I figured I should deal with it (plus my distance vision had started to deteriorate)

Do you currently wear your glasses all the time, or just for close work? If you only use them for close, then you can probably get away with just having the close RX made up, but it is nice to not have to switch glasses and to be able to see at all distances.

What kind of work do you do? And (we ask this of everyone) how old are you?

Katy 11 Mar 2005, 09:38

Niki - what was your prescription before?

Pete - good luck finding frames. You are right, you should just see how you go with how much to wear them. Personally, I don't see the point in having clear vision only part of the time, but when it comes to men with glasses I might be slightly biased :-)

mattp 11 Mar 2005, 09:36

Ted--

You ask for suggestions on what you should do. I definitely think you should either get the new RX made up or go for another opinion. The .25 diopter difference between the old and new prescriptions probably isn't enough so as you'd notice, but the .75 add might be significant. Are you having eye strain reading or doing computer work? How old are you? Would this be your first pair of bifocals--and how do you feel about bifocals? What did the doc say about the new RX--why did he give it to you?

Matt

Niki 11 Mar 2005, 09:18

Maria,

Thank you for your support. May I ask, why you need prisms?

Pete 11 Mar 2005, 09:15

Some interesting thoughts there about whether or not my RX will make me a full time wearer. Although my optician did suggest that I should wear them all the time I guess that is no more than a suggestion. Clare if you don't wear yours all the time then I'll just have to see how I go. Katy you are quite right. With the trial frames on I do remember everyting being considerably clearer than I'm used to. It's a bit worrying that I would fail the basic drivers test though. Anyway this weekend I shall go in search of my first pair of glasses as I am getting used to the idea. BFN have a good weekend.

Maria 11 Mar 2005, 08:31

Nikki,

I can understand how you feel at having to suddenly wear thicker lenses. This happened to me two years ago when I had to have strong prisms added to my existing prescription of R -10,00,-2.25 and L -11.50,-1.25. Even in quite a small frame this has made my lenses over half an inch thick at the edges. I was terribly worried that people would notice at once and pass comment, but I needn't have, as hardly anybody seemed to notice. Most of those that did were quite complimentary, so I should go ahead and wear your new specs. and enjoy seeing properly again.

Niki 11 Mar 2005, 07:45

I recently had my prescription increased. I hadn't had my eyes checked in almost 5 years. I am now -5.75, -2 in my left eye and - 5.00, - 1.75 in my right. I can't wear contacts so will be forced to wear these hideous glasses. I feel so embarassed and still wear my old prescription at work as I don't want my colleagues knowing how shortsighted I am. While my boyrfried finds me very sexy, I'm worried about going out in public with my new glasses. Has anyone had the same experience?

Please help!

Ted 11 Mar 2005, 06:06

New add as af yesterday

r +1.25 -.25 x15 add +.75

l +1.25 -.50 x160 add +.75 I currently wear +1.50 both eyes with the astig. bought at o4less. Any suggestions as what to do?

Clare 10 Mar 2005, 23:46

Pete. You definately need to get the glasses made up but whether you choose to wear them full time is up to you. You'd be illegal driving without them though. My rx is -2.75 and I'm unusual here because I choose not to wear them full time. I suspect that once you get comfortable with them, especially if you pick something stylish, you won't mind wearing them more often than not. I've heard the advice here many times that you should wear them when you want to see. That sounds like really good advice to me! Let us know how you go.

-- 10 Mar 2005, 18:27

Of course, Pete did say that he could not read anything below the top 2 lines, so that would include a lot of missed stuff!

Puffin 10 Mar 2005, 17:43

I've seen lots of people wearing what seem amazingly weak prescriptions full-time. I suppose some of it might be modern thin lenses fooling me - after all, that's what they're supposed to do. But minus 2 a strong first prescription? I would hardly agree with that.

Maverick 10 Mar 2005, 14:19

Pete - I find your comment that you have been told to wear them all the time a bit strange. At that RX it is really up to you. Some people would choose to wear them all the time at that sort of level, others just for driving , TV etc. Your wearing pattern is really just down to you and not something that you need to be told to do either way. Just go for whatever you are comfortable with would be my advice.

Katy 10 Mar 2005, 14:00

Pete - if you read back on this thread (and a couple of others - can't remember which ones at the moment!) there are lots of posts about how people have dealt with wearing glasses for the first time, when they have been a bit shy about it. I think the best thing to do is just put them on and try not to think about it too much - you will probably get some nice comments, and apart from that people won't seem to take much notice. You will probably feel a bit self-conscious for a couple of days, but after that you will forget you are wearing them.

How was it after she had finished putting the lenses in? Did everything seem really clear? When you wear them outside I think you will be amazed at all the details you were missing. Let us know what happens! :-)

Brian-16 10 Mar 2005, 11:05

Hi all-

My brother (15) years is 3 years younger than I.He just got his new specs following his recent exam and is on his second bi-focal rx.He got executive bi's (+1.75) and loves the wide area for the keyboard and other things.His vision is 20/15 in both eyes,and the rx only went up .25 in each.New rx is r-9.00 x-.75 x 175,

L-8.75 x -.75 x 170 and add of 1.75.

He does not need prisms as I do.But again like me is a bookworm and hold things close to his face more than most people.His first bi-focals rx apparantly helped slow down is myopia.The first rx for bi's was +1.25.

Now he sees too much!!

Pete 10 Mar 2005, 09:50

Hi Clare, hi Katy, thanks for your response. I wasn't actually experiencing too much difficulty prior to my eye test. I only booked an appointment as a matter of course so I was a little suprised to find out I need glasses. The optician did make a comment that she was suprised I didn't already wear them even before I had attempted to read the eye chart. I believe she got an idea after shining the light in my eyes. Even then I suspected any corrective lenses would only be part time (driving etc.). However when it came to reading the chart I struggled to read past the top two lines and the lenses piled on in the trial frames. I was informed that my RX was on the high side for a first prescription but that if there is no significant change over the next 18 months or so then it should remain around about the same possibly creeping up to around -2.00. I guess myopia crept up on me over the past decade. Now all I need to do is get my prescription filled and start wearing glasses !! Not quite sure how I feel about that especially as I have been told to wear them all the time. Any thoughts on how I can handle this ?

Clare 09 Mar 2005, 14:14

Pete - your -1.50/-1.75 prescription is relatively strong for a first prescription at your age I think. At the same age I got -1.25 as a first prescription which was apparently unusual. Did they tell you if it's likely to be stable from now on? I'm interested because all those years ago I didn't ask (because I didn't know I should). In the past 10 years my prescription has gone up another -1.50 which isn't too bad given some peoples' progress we read here.

What was your reaction to needing glasses, surprised or not?

Katy 09 Mar 2005, 10:10

Pete - yes that is what happens with hyperopic people - it will look clearer on the green until too many plus lenses are added and then the red will be clearer - the person will overcorrected / temporarily myopic. I think -1.75 is fairly strong for a first rx at your age - weren't you having problems with things like subtitles or driving?

Pete 09 Mar 2005, 08:25

Hi all again,

No it's not the first eye exam but the first since I left school. I'm nearing 30 but don't currently wear glasses although I will be very shortly. Is -1.75 pretty standard for a first RX ?

Ginger Cat 08 Mar 2005, 12:21

Hey Harriet- how about an update? Did u decide to where the glasses and go back to contacts fulltime after the advice from the other 'reasonble' optician?Did he say u shud be wearing them full time? When your dad found out your precription did he think u shud be wearing full time? because it sounds as if your dad didnt relaise how strong they were?!

08 Mar 2005, 10:54

Hi Pete

How old are you, and is this the first eye exam you've ever had? Which opticians did you have it done at?

Pete 08 Mar 2005, 09:23

Hi all. A recent eye test has revealed I am -1.75R & -1.50L with a degree of astig correction and need to wear glasses. I am however curious about the 'duochrome' test. As a myopic the red area is clearer until the lenses applied by the optician become too strong. Does it follow then, that someone who is long sighted can see the green clearer until the reverse becomes true ?

Gen 06 Mar 2005, 17:33

Hi there. Mine is L sph -4.25 Cyl -0.50 Axis 180 and R sph -4.50 cyl 0.75 Axis 180. I'm also 19 years old.

I love them and the way they reflect light quite badly and in some light you can just about make out the "coke bottle" effect and cos I'm quite lost without them, but really considering my age could they be considered strong and mabie evan increse my chance of being a high myope or something else later on in life?

I guess as much as I like stronger glasses on people I really shoud think about how would I like it if it happened to me. All I can do really is sit back and try to enjoy the ride.

Katy 06 Mar 2005, 15:09

Ginger cat - it is about R -1.25, -0.5 cyl, L -1.25, -1.25 cyl :-)

Adam 06 Mar 2005, 12:20

Went to the opticians yesterday and got a new prescription of -4.00 in both eyes, my old prescription was L -3.00 and R -2.75. I'm 23.

Ginger cat 06 Mar 2005, 08:55

You're right Harriet - an optician should have an idea about hiw much/little people can see with each precription. Maybe there are some opticians out there who ould shed some light on what u guys actually learn at uni!!? e.g. do you have things that you look through to have an idea what vision is like? because this is the only way an optician can give subjective true advise!! He may have read in his books that people go wiwthout at this prescription ut nontheless until he has experienced this then he is wrong to suggest otherwise!! T the end of the day - ok he is a qualified ' professioanl' but at the end of the day that is all he is - he is there to provide advise but it doesnt mean that is you subjectively feel you need them all the time that u shouldnt!! By what I have read and heard (iam no expert) wearing your glasses do not deteriorate your eyes so u might as well wear them all the time!!? Why go blurry and miss out on detail for the sake of wearing a bit of acceptable plastic in fron of your eyes?!!

Harriet 06 Mar 2005, 04:56

After the thing yesterday, my dad phoned me in the evening to say he'd rung the optician at his home (god its embarrasing when your dad knows loads of people!) and asked him about it. Apparently my dad read him the prescription down the phone, and he said, oh yes, she really should be wearing them, I don't know why she was told not to. My dad told him that he didn't give me a contacts prescription, and he said he'd probably give me a -2.25 with the increase (my old contacts were -2) but to come in when I go home to get some more. Feeling much better now cos I know the optician was talking rubbish. And you're right ginger cat, he was long-sighted because he put on quite thick glasses to look at my eyes close up, but surely he should have a vague idea how short-sighted people see?

Ginger cat 06 Mar 2005, 04:45

My precription doesnt look right!! its actually suppose to be -1.75 -0,25 x 15!!

Ginger Cat 06 Mar 2005, 04:43

Hey Harriet, just to let you know that my prescription is -1.75 x -.25 and -2.00 and I was advised to wear them all the time. Having sid that I started weraing contacts after this precription and when I went to get them fitted by another optician I didnt where my glasses and he said to me you obviosuly dont wear them all the time - and he gave me the impression that I shouldnt be wearing them all the time. However I believe that once you get overe a certain prescription - maybe -1.50 it becoms a real handicap not to have them all the time. Of course I can live without them I can walk down a street without bumping into people but I find I need them more than not and if this is the case then I think we are perfectly justified in full time wear. Little things like not being able to see the number of the bus until it has passed you, not being able to read signs, fire exits e.g. - its actually quite dangerous so ignore that moron optician who patronised you - all I can say is that he obvisuly has no myopia becasue he would not have said that if he has!!!!

p.s. Katy what is your prescription?!!

Harriet - wear with pride - go back to contacts cos once you have had them it will no be verey difficult to go without!!

Bespectacled Professor 05 Mar 2005, 16:21

Harriet,

The combination of your myopia and astigmatism suggests that wearing your glasses all the time would not be a bad idea. In addition, you are still young enough that you may need to get stronger glasses in the future, at which time you will pretty much have to go fulltime.

So, if you have no personal issues about wearing your glasses all the time, then you should do so.

Harriet 05 Mar 2005, 08:36

Quick update on the situation. Went home to pick up some stuff ( live less than an hour from uni) earlier. I didn't have my glasses on in the car, and my dad pointed out a sign, and said look. I couldn't read it, and squinted to try and see. He said, oh you don't have your glasses on Harri. I said no, I'm not supposed to wear them all the time anymore, am I? He then asked me if i could read the numberplate of the car in front (no) and another sign (again no). Then he said seems pretty strange that you're not supposed to wear them, do you know what your prescription is? Obviously hes never looked at it before. I told him, and he said, actually, thats not that weak Harri, stronger than driving glasses. he said he hadn;t realised I had astigmatism either. The he asked if I wanted him to make me an appointment at the local place and see what they said (the optician there knows my dad quite well) and I said yes!! So my whole problem may be solved!

Harriet 05 Mar 2005, 01:57

I don't honestly know Julian. When the optician said I hadto wear them fulltime before, I did without any hesitation so he didn't nag me at all. But this time, he says I'll make my eyes worse by wearing them. He's fairly short-sighted himself, and says wearing glasses when he was younger made his eyes get worse, so maybe he thinks I'm going to do the same thing to my eyes- doubtful though because my prescription had hardly changed since I've worn fulltime.

Julian 04 Mar 2005, 23:38

OK, confused Harriet, I didn't mean to put you down, or if I did I'm sorry. Just thinking, it's a change from the usual story to have parents nagging you *not* to wear your glasses! But what does your father think about the medical professional who told you two years ago you did need to wear them full time?

Confused 04 Mar 2005, 17:51

I don't mean to sound like a child, but their comments do have an effect on me. I am still tied to them, because I depend on them financially and live with them in the holidays. Leelee is right. I don't know why my dad thinks I have to follow the advice of the new optician, I think maybe he has a lot of respect for other medical professionals and trusts their advice. At the moment I think I will stick with the part-time wear but also start wearing them for TV and things like that. That seems to be a compromise which will suit my parents and me better.

And btw, I'm female Julian. I'll post with my actual name from now on, Harriet.

leelee 04 Mar 2005, 17:25

It's weird, but somethings are just really hard to get nagged about by your parents, and glasses wearing is one of them - its personal, almost on the order of bra size (do guys have a correlarry size?!), and touches on issues of mortality and imperfection. These sorts of comments can be very cutting, especially if you still live at home and are dependent on your parents for school or are just getting started. Some parents aren't personally critical like this, but others are.

On the other hand, Confused, when you state your position calmly and stick to it, it will send the message to your parents that you are now in control of your life, and it will be a very good feeling!

Katy 04 Mar 2005, 17:00

Confused - I can't believe he called it 'negligible' - I would like to see him going around for a day uncorrected at your prescription! He might change his mind when he goes to Asda and can't find which aisle the milk is in.. My rx is less than yours and I wear it full time - I like being able to see, all the time, and I wouldn't let anyone tell me otherwise. After all, it is you that will be missing out on all the details, not your parents or your optician.

Julian 04 Mar 2005, 15:34

Come on, Confused, you're an adult (male or female by the way?). You don't need your parents' permission to wear your glassesand you need to cut the umbilical cord sometime. And, honestly, if your dad is a doctor he ought to be able to assess the optician's advice for himself. Any possibility of going back and getting advice from your original optician?

Confused 04 Mar 2005, 12:26

Wow, thats actually a really good idea. Or I could find a way to have to read something from TV, and then squint loads....wouldn't be lying either because I can't read most text on TV. Thanks for the suggestion !

D.N.M 04 Mar 2005, 12:10

re: parents

rent a foreign movie with your parents -- then tell them, most likely truthfully -- that you can't read the subtitles. that should be pretty convincing. they won't be able to say anything, at least for things like television then.

Confused 04 Mar 2005, 09:37

Thinking about it, since I stopped wearing fulltime I have had many more headaches than before- never thought of that as being associated with my eyes but it probably is.

Katy, Thanks for telling me that most people in my situation would wear fulltime, the optician made me think I was wearing a really weak prescription all the time. He called it 'negligible for everyday life'!! and said 'but the law requires you to wear them for driving, and I doubt you'll be able to see all the way to the front of a lecture theatre'.

My eyes feel so much more comfortable with glasses or contacts in front of them. The difficult part is explaining to my parents why I have gone against the opticians advice- my dad is a doctor and thinks it should be taken seriously for the health of my eyes.

Katy 04 Mar 2005, 09:14

Confused - I think your optician is talking rubbish! With that prescription, especially with the astigmatism, I think most people would wear them all the time. The TV must be quite blurry without them on, and it will be worse for you because you have got used to having clear vision. You can't do yourself any harm either way, but it definitely would make more sense to wear them than to go around in a blur :-)

-oo- 04 Mar 2005, 08:31

Confused: Do you get headaches without them. Some people do with that degree of astigmatism.

Confused 04 Mar 2005, 06:45

Also, I just wanted to add that I agree with your comments that you should wear glasses when you want to see- which is most of the time for me!- but surely I shouldn't argue with an optician?

Confused 04 Mar 2005, 06:12

Thanks for your replies. I don't know that much about prescriptions and eyesight, just that a couple of years ago my prescription increased a bit and the optician said I should be wearing them all the time. When I told my mum about the new optician, she said I should stop wearing contacts and to do as he says. I have been wearing them for a bit more than lectures, because I sit a fair distance back from the computer and can't quite read it without my glasses, and also recognising people in the street is quite difficult. That is why I thought I definitely needed them most of the time, but now my parents think I shouldn't wear them for more than he said was necessary, i.e. lectures and to drive a car.

I respect your opinions, but even when I put my glasses on to see the TV my mum says I shouldn't really need them for that, so it would be difficult to start wearing them fulltime again or wear contacts.

Julian 04 Mar 2005, 05:41

Hear, hear! It is simply crazy to struggle when you have a perfectly good pair of specs in your pocket! Different opticians have different bees in their bonnets; but the only sensible rule is to wear your glasses when you want to see better than you can without them - and if that's all the time then wear them all the time.

Trevor 04 Mar 2005, 05:33

I agree with Russell. Wear them all the time if you feel like it

Russell 04 Mar 2005, 05:21

Come on, Confused! Don't worry about what that optician told you. If you feel more comfortable with your vision corrected all the time, then use your contacts or glasses all the time. Just because an optician has an opinion doesn't mean that he can see through your eyes!

Confused 04 Mar 2005, 03:42

I was wondering if anyone could help me. I have worn glasses for about 5 years (I am 20) and when I was 18, was told to wear them all the time. So I got contacts and a back-up pair of glasses. But recently I ran out of contact lenses and couldn't get to my usual optician so I went to another. He recommended an eye test as I hadn't had one for over a year. He tested my eyes and came up with this prescription: left -1.75 -0.75 and right -1.75 -0.75 which was very similar to my old one (-1.50 -0.75 and -1.50 -0.75). Then he looked at me and said, Why do you need contacts? You don't need glasses all the time. I told him my optician had recommended them fulltime. He said that I didn't need them all the time, just for driving and lectures. I ended up buying a new pair of glasses, and no contacts. He wrote 'distance only' on the prescription. So I stopped wearing contacts and switched to glasses only for lectures (since I don't have a car at uni) but it seems quite difficult to manage without sometimes. My friends say I squint a lot, and I feel quite uncomfortable. But I'm, confused, because I respected this guy's professional opinion, but how can it be different from that of my own optician? And does anyone know how much people generally wear glasses with my prescription?

Thanks very much

Andrew 03 Mar 2005, 12:59

Julian,

It could well be the browser; it took me ages to get to the new Lenschat. A simple change of browser, and I got in first time.

-oo- 02 Mar 2005, 06:30

well, glad it worked on netscape. I've got no other ideas.

Julian 01 Mar 2005, 17:49

Oddly enough it worked with Netscape - I'm sure the version of IE I use supports Javascript.

-oo- 01 Mar 2005, 15:09

Julian, It's using JavaScript, so maybe your browser doesn't support that. I can see it on IE 6.

Julian 01 Mar 2005, 14:45

-oo- : Thanks, but my problem is I don't get another screen when I press the 'Weiter' button. Nothing happens at all. (Maybe I should try using Netscape instead of IE.)

Love and kisses, Jules.

Don 01 Mar 2005, 13:21

Jennifer, I think ladies with a -12 Rx are very attractive!! And I don't wear glasses myself. But always love seeing a pretty lady in nice glasses!! So please don't hide them with your hair.Because I'm sure the're a more guys like me that love to see you and your glasses. Don

Glowworm 01 Mar 2005, 08:36

http://www.frame-wizard.de/

It's in German, hope it's useful for you.

website needed 01 Mar 2005, 08:32

Does anybody know a website where you can upload your picture and them try some frames? A while back I saw one website really good and the fun was that you could simulate the prescription also... But I never found it anymore...

-oo- 01 Mar 2005, 06:33

Thanks for putting in the link JJ - my pasting finger was deficient!

Julian, on the screen that comes up after you click the "Weiter" button, you then need to click the "Behandlung simulieren" button.

The default simulation picture is the letter chart, but you can use the drop down menu to pick other types of views.

The radio buttons control the type of correction you are comparing to. "Brille" means eyeglasses.

Julian 28 Feb 2005, 23:41

I've seen that simulator before and got it to work; but now I type in a Rx and click on 'Weiter>>' and nothing happens. What am I doing wrong? Not speaking a word of German doesn't help ::)

Love and kisses, Jules.

JJ 28 Feb 2005, 21:07

Here is the simulator

http://www.vsdar.de/english/virtualeye/index.html

-oo- 28 Feb 2005, 16:10

Terry: this is a great simulator

lentifan 28 Feb 2005, 15:17

Jennifer

I bet your glasses look good on you, too. The trouble is you've been persuaded by the optical industry, keen as any other industry to push up prices and profits, that all lenses must be as invisible and thin as possible, so that they can sell you expensive high-index lenses and add-on coatings.

The sparkle from -12 lenses can set your eyes off a treat. Show them off!

Terry 28 Feb 2005, 14:29

I remember seeing a simulator on the net before where it showed you an image, then you could choose a presecription and it simulated the effects.

I remember one of the pictures was of some traffic at a set of lights, does anyone know where this simulator is?

Jennifer 28 Feb 2005, 14:26

Why do people want stronger rxs? You guys are crazy! I'm -12 and hate that my eyes are so bad. I always wear contacts, and on the rare occasions I wear glasses, let my hair hang over them to try and hide the thickness. Whats the obsession with wanting such thick lenses? You should feel lucky that your rxs are low enough for glasses to look good on you.

Socks 27 Feb 2005, 22:40

I've wanted a new stronger Rx for some time, even though I already wear stronger glasses than prescribed. My real Rx is -3, -3.25 and my glasses were -5.5, -5.75. I have been telling my wife since my last exam in October that I got a new Rx and that I can't see well with my glasses, but I just liked the idea of squinting and asking her to read things for me. I wasn't sure if I could still accommodate a stronger Rx. Well last night we were watching a movie on TV and I asked her to read something for me and we got into a discussion about my glasses. Well this morning while she was in the shower I doctored my Rx form and today went and got new lenses in my current frames. I'm now wearing -7, -7.25. I love them and can see great. The cut in and edge thickness are awesome! I got CR39 lenses for extra thickness. My wife says she likes them too. It has been quite an exciting day.

royboy 26 Feb 2005, 22:32

hey mark --- i too have keratoconus in my right eye. i don't tolerate contact lenses all that well --- but when necessary i wear 'soft-perm' lenses by ciba [they have a soft skirt around a rigid lens] cost can be as much as $120-$150 a lens. i am curious how severe is your keratoconus? do u have severe astigmatism? my right eyeglassses lens is a -6.50 cylinder, max i can tolerate --- it only corrects very slightly i still cant see near or far in my right eye with eyeglasses --- with the 'soft-perm' lens i achieve 20/20. if u want to talk more about your situation drop me a line at royboy246@mac.com

Mark 26 Feb 2005, 13:05

Hello I have just been told I need a Keraticonus RGP lens for my right eye and a normal RGP for my left. The right lens will cost about $200. Any body know of a cheaper place to by these lenses? I want to have a spare pair.

Joe 25 Feb 2005, 15:49

Thumper, I hear it is very nice there. If you fancy a chat sometime, drop me a note at Joe_ES_UK@hotmail.co.uk

thumper 25 Feb 2005, 13:33

hey joe, i'm from across the pond over in new jersey

Joe 25 Feb 2005, 10:44

Hi Thumper, where are you from? I am from UK too and similar age

Jarred 22 Feb 2005, 13:40

Hi All, Ive been a lurker here for a while reading through all the posts. I have worn glasses since I was about ten for reading as I was always having trouble with headaches. Only in the last five years was I diagnosed with acomodative esotropia and prescribed prism and bifocals to control the over convergence. My last test a month ago upped my prescription to R +1.50 -1.75 105 5.50 Base out L +1.50 -1.75 65 5.5 base out with +2.00 for near. This time the optician has talked me into using varifocals as they will apparently work better at mid distances. The only problem is that its taken them nearly a month and counting to make them up! Has anyone else had as much trouble with what I've been told is a complex prescription?

Julian 19 Feb 2005, 00:14

Katie: as Nameless says, your son is quite long sighted, but hyperopia is not progressive as myopia is. Did you take him for a test for any reason, or just as sensible routine? In other words, was he squinting or showing other signs of not being able to see? The reason I ask is that young children have enormous powers of accommodation, and he might not have started to have problems till his teens or later. For the same reason, I have read that at this age he is more likely to get his full prescription right away than to work up to it gradually. (I'm sure somebody will tell me if I'm wrong about this.) The main thing is to reassure you: he isn't going blind.

thumper 18 Feb 2005, 16:58

hey matt, i am 25 andgetting more used to the bifocals every day. I got the 28mm flat top bifocals and am very pleased with them. My intermediate vision is fine(for now). thank you for asking. at first I was a little hesitant about getting the lined bifocals but now I am glad that I did.

Sadie 18 Feb 2005, 12:56

Had my eye test today. A tad more myopia, still no bifocals, thank God.

18 Feb 2005, 11:08

It should have said, any sons "born" to you have a 50% chance of being color-deficient.

18 Feb 2005, 11:06

Katie, your son does have a significant Rx. Do you know if his full Rx was given? Depending on the Dr. sometimes a reduced Rx is initially given, and over time/yrs it is increased. This can give a parent the perception that their child's eyes are worsening each time they return for follow-up visits, but in reality, their child was always more far-sighted than they realized.

Color-deficiency is most likely X-linked, meaning your father was color-deficient and that you are a carrier for this gene on 1 of your X chromosomes. Any sons both to you have a 50% chance of being color-deficient.

Katie 18 Feb 2005, 09:48

my son who is four years old, recently had his first eye exam and come to find out he is red/green color blind and extremely far sighted. His perscription is +4.0 and +4.75. From what I hear, this is a rather strong perscription... does anyone have any insight on this as to wether or not I should be concerned about his vision getting worse or if that really is a strong perscription?

mattp 18 Feb 2005, 06:14

thumper--

Your RX is practically identical to mine! My prism is 2 and my add is 2.50, but it's interesting to imagine someone who sees (or doesn't see) exactly what I do.

How old are you? Do you like the bifocals? What kind of bifocals did you get? How's your intermediate vision? I'm 50 now, but started with a 1.50 add in my early thirties. I very early on went to trifocals because I had great difficulty with intermediate vision--I couldn't see clearly things like computer screens or dashboards through either the upper or lower segments of bifocals.

Keep posting how you get on with the bifocals--Matt

Ree 18 Feb 2005, 01:45

No sandy I am not an Eyecare professional.

What i meant by dialatation is that opticians use drops to dialate the pupils so that they can visualize the fundus, i.e. retinas clearly, and i am sure you must also have undergone this at some point of time. This forms part of a routine ophthalmic examination.

By Ophthalmologist i mean a fully qualified doctor who is specialized to treat eye diseases and not just an optician who is more sort of a technician. You next time make sure that you are examined by a good eye doctor,, i.e. an Ophthalmologist.

I agree with you that presbyopia is an independent condition, but it is generally seen that High myopes require an add for reading sooner, it may be due to minification problems etc, and some ophthalmologists prescribe bifocals even to teenagers in an attempt to slow down the progression of their myopia.

thumper 17 Feb 2005, 12:40

got new prescription this week. went to eye doc with near vision complaints and as I expected,left with a scrip for bifocals. they took some getting used to, but i can read and use the computer with much more ease now. the rest of my prescription has stayed the same for a while. the doctor told me last year that i my near vision was not as good, but i could get by without the add if I wanted. I finally got tired of the eyestrain and headaches and went with it. So glad I did.

od: -4.25, -1.50x 105, -1/2 bi

os: -4.50, -1.00x 77, -1/2 bi

add: + 1.50

ehpc 17 Feb 2005, 06:30

Worth ignoring the 13.59 post:)))))))))))))))))))) Very amusing nonetheless:)

ehpc 17 Feb 2005, 06:29

Just curious Sadie:)))))))))))..............I am greatly into plastic frames (black rectangular with wide side-pieces is best of all:)) and I think glasses can be greatly set of by different hair colour. I am sure you look dazzling:) Pete

Puffin 16 Feb 2005, 16:40

Isn't it interesting, I've seen another person who's into glasses, music and mathmatics - Sadie, and ehpc. What is the connection, I wonder?

16 Feb 2005, 13:59

- I thought it's obvious - Hos wand needs flogging ;)

Sadie 16 Feb 2005, 13:45

ehpc

Paul Erdos was certainly a very interesting (if rather eccentric) guy and is quite revered amongst the mathematical community principally for his contributions to number theory. The biography you mention was written by Paul Hoffman by the way.

My hair is a sort of non descript brunette colour and my specs are plastic oval shaped in a similar colour to my hair. Dazzling, I'm sure you'd agree. Why do you ask by the way?

Sadie 16 Feb 2005, 13:32

Thanks for your thoughts Ree. Are you an optical professional? Could you explain what a dilation is exactly please. I'm pretty sure I've never had it done to me. Also the person who tests my eyes is described as an opthalmic optican, is this the same as an opthalmologist? I'm not sure of the distinction here. Finally, my close vision is still pretty good and I've not yet felt the grim spectre of bifocals tapping me on the shoulder. I always assumed accommodation was good enough to read comfortably until around the age of 45. Surely myopia is independant of presbyopia. Why should I need a reading correction early just because of my high level of short sight?

Ree 15 Feb 2005, 23:58

Sadie,

You are absolutely right about pathological myopia, In fact i must say you are quite knowledgeable when it comes to eye related disorders. From your posts i gather you are around -16 which is quite high myopia but also quite common.

But also like you say you are 36 and your Rx is still going up, then you definitely need a thorough work up on your eyes. One good thing is that you have had very small -.25 to -.5 regular increases and not huge jumps in ur RX. You better see good OPHTHALMOLOGIST and not just an optician. Who will do a detail slit lamp examination after dialating also an retinal examination.

Retinal detachment or glaucoma are pretty serious conditions where the vision deterioration is very sudden and very marked, which is highly unlikely that you have it.

Anyway its better to get investigated and if everything is normal, then just forget about it, there are plenty of things in medicine which are unexplained.

Btw, since you are already 36 and a high myope then i wouldnt be surprised if you were prescribed bifocals soon. How about your close vision, are you comfortable reading with your current prescription or use a weaker prescription for reading?

Julian 15 Feb 2005, 06:29

R: wear them when you feel like it and when you can see better with them and you won't go far wrong.

Love and kisses, Jules.

R 15 Feb 2005, 05:35

hey people i am a new glasses wearer - well a few weeks

my prescription s extremely week

-0.25 sph -0.50 X 83 cyl

-0.25 sph -0.50 X 88 cyl

im not sure how much i really need my glasses or when i should bw wearing them

what do you think

ehpc 15 Feb 2005, 03:02

Incidentally, Sadie, the Erdos biography I read was called 'The Man Who Loved Only Numbers' (although of course he did also love classical music and and despite his nomadic lifestyle was capable of great and enduring friendship, I believe). I can't remember the author's name - it was a book very much written for the non-mathematician general reader such as myself, but it was fascinating for me. Pete

ehpc 15 Feb 2005, 02:57

Hi Sadie

Apols if you didn't like the 'coke-bottle' remark:) Actually I was using your term, although you may have been using it in a post describing your glasses when you were about 12 or 14.Interesting you should be a mathematician-I am a 50-year-old Scottish classical concert pianist and like many musicians have a big interest in mathematics although it is an EXTREMELY long time since I did any:) Last summer I read a new biography of Poul Erdos (whose great love other than mathematics, as you will certainly know, was classical music)It was Erdos of course who took a lot of convincing about the famous 'Monty Hall' problem - now I think of it we may well have discussed that here before.As you will know, Erdos always had to have what he called 'book proofs' and was frustrated that he couldn't immediately see what the 'book proof' to that problem was, although, like all these matters, once you see the answer it appears unchallengeable.

Back to your glasses - what type of frames do you wear? And what hair colour?

Pete

concerned 14 Feb 2005, 18:38

Thank you sadie and -00- for your reply. The doctor advised us that her eyes were aligned and were not turning in or out. In fact that is the reason why we brought her to an opthalmologist because my wife thought she had a lazy eye. The doctor advised she was fine but just had a wide bridge.

concerned 14 Feb 2005, 18:38

-oo- 14 Feb 2005, 17:46

Concerned - there is one case where they sometimes prescribe extra minus for kids, and that is in cases of exo deviations - where the eye tend to turn out. you should ask if there are any convergence problems found.

Sadie 14 Feb 2005, 13:30

Concerned

I'm in no way an expert on opthalmology, I just know a bit about geometry and optics so I can work stuff out like the nonsense in my last post. However if your daughter was able to see detail on the TV (I'm assuming without correction) from 34 feet away, I think I would be able to deduce a couple of things quite accurately. Firstly, you have a very large house (sorry for being so frivolous) and secondly I don't think your daughter requires glasses as strong as -5 or -6. Someone with a prescription that strong would just see a blur at that distance and not be able to see enough detail to recognise characters, even on such a large TV. This is just my opinion, an optical professional may think differently.

ehpc, my glasses aren't "coke bottles", they're very high index and rather thin actually. I'm a mathematician by the way

ehpc 14 Feb 2005, 08:49

You sound like a load of fun Sadie:) Ph.D and coke-bottle minus lenses:) I wonder what your Ph.D. is in? Just curious:).........Pete

concerned 13 Feb 2005, 21:23

To Sadie: I read the post that you wrote for "anonymous" and would like to ask a question since you seem knowledgeable. I wrote in about my 2 year old about a month ago about her vision being a -5.00 and -6.00. I also expressed my concerns about the doctor's accuracy(eyes were dialated and he looked into her eyes with a light and lens to get the perscription.)In a couple of weeks I am getting a second opinion which was suggested form this site. I was just curious on your opinion. My daughter one day(previously written in earlier post)was eating dinner and was telling me the characters(ie.elmo)on my 32 inch television from 34 feet away with the sound off. So I then turned the tv to black and white and put in a couple of tapes and she still was telling me almost all of the things on the television. Does this sound to you like something a person with her vision should be seeing? I would appreciate a reply and i will let you all know how the second opinion turns out.

-oo- 13 Feb 2005, 20:05

New: next time he wants to get busy after you've been with him without your glasses on, just say "not tonight honey, i have a headache ..."

new 13 Feb 2005, 15:51

Hi Julian

He is a bit of an idiot sometimes but I really like him otherwise. I did once say to him how would you feel if I told you not to wear glasses, and he said theres a difference because he really can't see without his whereas I can, because I've managed for a long time without. He took his glasses off and couldn't read some text on the TV, but he gave me a book to read and I could do that without glasses, which he said proved his point. So that put an end to that. I rarely read around him, so theres no need to wear them then. If i get a headache and I'm at home or school, I put my glasses on for a few hours til it goes, but if I'm with him I would rather just wait for it to go away than be asked questions.

Sadie 13 Feb 2005, 12:45

Anonymous person. 20/50 is a very minimal refractive error and does indeed equate to about a -1.00 D correction. On a Snellen chart a person with 20/20 vision can resolve letters just under 9mm high from 20 feet away. A person with 20/50 would need the letters to be 22mm high. For comparison, someone like myself who has something like 20/2000 vision would need the letters to be 887mm high. This is just under 3 feet! Interesting eh? Plus you should be able to get an idea of how sad my life must be that I could be bothered to calculate that.

Sadie 13 Feb 2005, 12:30

Thanks for your responses to my posts guys. I wasn't accusing the optical profession in general of deliberately trying to increase levels of myopia for personal gain, although I would be surprised if there weren't individuals out there who over prescribed occasionally to get people to buy new glasses. I mean if someone has a stable prescription for maybe 20 years, there really is no incentive for them to get new glasses every two years apart from reasons of style. I know I certainly wouldn't be able to tell if I was given glasses 0.25 D too strong for me. Also I think it is probably quite difficult to refract someone down to 0.25 D increments. I'm pretty sure my prescription probably fluctuates by that much from day to day or even according to the time of day.

Wayne_D I can see the thinking behind using bifocals but I'd be surprised if it actually worked. Besides, no one is going to see me in bifocals for at least 15 years and even then I will probably have separate reading glasses.

Ree I'm 36 and I wrote a little about my myopia progression in an earlier post (on the 8th of Feb in fact). By the way, pathological myopia sounds a little worrying. That suggests a disease of the eye rather than a simple malformation of the shape of the eyeball. Of course diseases if left untreated do tend to worsen. What do you undersatnd by the term pathological myopia? is deterioration inevitable in such cases? Do I have reason to be worried?

13 Feb 2005, 10:58

Does anyone have any idea what prescription 20/50 would be(ie. -1.00)?

Julian 13 Feb 2005, 06:39

new: Five or six weeks ago I suggested that your boyfriend is a jerk, and the more I hear of him the more I think I was right. Would he go without his glasses if you said you didn't like them? As to when you do wear yours, I guess you're all right as long as you put them on for any activities that cause the headaches or as soon as a headache starts. I'd have thought you'd be more comfortable wearing them for TV and the computer, and I never ever drove without mine, even before I went full time (my Rx was quite like yours).

Love and kisses, Jules.

Ree 13 Feb 2005, 06:12

Sadie, It was interesting to read your post. It will be helpful to know your age now and also a bit about the progression of your Myopia.

Usually, but not always ophthalmologists do not bump up prescriptions just to make the patient visit them regularly for eye examinations. What you have to keep in mind is that different people have different abilities , and ophthalmologists are also human, Infact if you get ur eyes checked by two different doctors at the same time I am sure there will definitely be a bit of difference between both the Rxs.

You already seem to be a high Myope and if your Rx is still increasing then it can be pathological myopia also.

new 13 Feb 2005, 04:25

My boyfriend said he quite liked them at first, but after me wearing them for about a week fulltime, he said how much longer are you going to be wearing those when you don't need them? So then I started just wearing them for school, but it wasn't just because of him, he does have a point that I wasn't told to wear them all the time. I can see well at all distances with my glasses, but I don't really see the point in wearing them for the TV when its already clear- won't that just make my eyes worse more quickly? I can see why I need to wear them for close work, everything is much clearer and sharper and I get no headaches.

Wayne_D 13 Feb 2005, 00:03

Sadie,

In regard to a couple of your posts: My daughter was prescribed glasses for myopia when she was 6 or 7. The doc gave her bifocals because he felt it would slow the advance of her condition. He also told her not to wear them all the time. This point of view is controversial among eye docs, but there have been a couple of studies that show bifocals in young people slow the advance of myopia in some individuals. On another point you mentioned, I don't know if doctors over prescribe for the reason you mentioned, but I had a friend in high school (many years back) whose father was an eye doc and he said several of his colleagues told their patients to wear their glasses all the time as they knew it often increased their return trips to the exam room.

Puffin 12 Feb 2005, 18:38

"New": might I suggest the problem is not the glasses, but the boyfriend?

Anonymous 12 Feb 2005, 18:06

"new" I'm disappointed that you don't wear your glasses much now. You haven't had them very long. When you first got them your boyfriend liked them, what has made him change his mind? It doesn't matter if he likes them or not, so long as YOU like them. At least you are wearing them sometimes. But you should do as your optician said and wear them for distances too. You say you can see the tv ok without glasses, I think once your eyes have fully adjusted to the lenses you will find the tv is much clearer than it has been before. When you start driving you MUST wear your glasses as it is illeagal to drive with uncorrected vision. You could get a hefty fine if you are stopped by the Police and they discover you should wear glasses for driving but you are not wearing them. I think the fine is £1000.

A friend of mine has a similar prescription to yours and she wears her glasses all the time and has done since she first got them over a year ago. She got some very stylish and rather expensive designer frames. She says although she doesn't really need to wear them all the time she can see everything clearly with them and as she paid so much for them she wants to get her moneys worth by wearing them all the time! A good enough reason I think!

specs4ever 12 Feb 2005, 07:38

MelbaBono,what is the prescription that you have and seem to be able to wear, and what is the current prescription that you have been given and can't seem to tolerate? I know that you posted one presciption below, but I don't know which this one was.

specs4ever 12 Feb 2005, 07:33

Sadie, I rather doubt that any optometreist that is a decent person would ever do anything like boosting a prescription to keep the glasses sales going. Of course, I write about this possibility in the stories I write all the time, but by far the most of them are very professional, and would never consider doing anything like this. I dobelieve that soft contact lens wear has probably incresed your prescription a substantial amount. As well, you are probably one of those people who just seem to need more and more minus.

You are new to this board, but at one time the owner/moderator had a lot of fiction posted here, and I was probably responsible for a lot of the stories. Now that can be found at http://www.sweb.cz/bobbyGOC/. Some of them are pretty good - if I do say so myself. But by the most part they are all about the girl who wears thick glasses, and meets a guy who likes girls wearing thick glasses, and they fall in love. This is a sure fire winner for around here.

Sadie 12 Feb 2005, 01:30

I just dug out my current prescription, which is about 12 months old so I am due for another eye exam. I'm going to try to get an appointment next week and I wonder what the chances are that I will need an increase by maybe 0.25 or 0.50. I think I'll also mention reading glasses and see if my optician thinks they may help slow down my increases. A bit like locking the stable door after the horse has bolted I know but still.

One thing did cross my mind and I'm not tarring all opticians with the same brush here but does anyone think that maybe they add a little to prescriptions each time to keep glasses sales ticking along. I'm getting cynical in my old age, I shouldn't think such things. By the way for anyone who's interested my last prescription was:

right -15.75 -1.25 70

left -13.50 -2.50 50

new 11 Feb 2005, 16:10

Hello everybody

I still do read this board, as you can tell. To be honest, I have stopped wearing glasses most of the time. My boyfriend doesn't like them and I feel slightly self-conscious at school. I do wear them when I have lots of reading to do at home, and occassionaly at school if I get a headache. My mum still tries to get me to wear them for the TV, but I never do because I can see it well enough without my glasses.

I don't think my eyes are that bad, maybe I was just given glasses for a very slight problem, as I seem to be coping OK except for intense study periods, when I wear them to relax my eyes.

MelbaBona 11 Feb 2005, 13:57

Dave, I do know my old prescription, and the frustrating part of this process is that until last week, not a single doctor I've seen has been willing to just rewrite my old presciption for me. Four docs have all insisted on changing my prescription, despite my constant protests.

This current doc finally listened to me, but instead of just writing the old prescription, he told his optician to read my current lenses and copy them. Well, the problem there is that no two people have ever read my glasses the same way, so now I have yet another pair--this is the seventh pair in 11 months--that causes my left eye to ache, just like all the others. When I stopped in to talk to the optician about it, she sneered at me. Now it's back to the ophthalmologist Monday morning to literally BEG him to simply rewrite the old script.

I'm at my whit's end with this. Between eye exam fees and glasses that were not returnable, I've lost $500 in the last year with no useful glasses to show for it.

Thanks for listening.

11 Feb 2005, 11:57

"new" - if you still read this board please let us know how you are getting on with your glasses.

Dave 10 Feb 2005, 22:57

Melba

Do you know your old prescription?

You might ask them to let you wear those geeky trial lenses in the store. Have them gradually adjust the lenses from the old Rx towards the new one. You might find a compromise that gives you better correction than you have now without the pain. Just a thought...

10 Feb 2005, 21:07

Postman

Got you beat,due to keratoconus my last jump was 3 Diopters in 4 mths. My Rx has increased around 6 Diopters in a year.

Postman 10 Feb 2005, 11:15

Yep was advised full time wear, optician asked why I never wore the other glasses - I thought that would have been quite obvious - they didnt do anything!! Havnt got glasses yet but sort of know what they will be like as one of my house mates has a similar precription (when I tried on her glasses a while back and said I could see really clearly through them she said 'don't be silly these are really strong', so I guess she'll look a bit silly now!!

I'm 23 and my original precription was three years ago so, I may be wrong, but I am hoping it won't increase that much. Am I right in thinking that one's increase in RX tends to settle down around early 20s?

Hollie 10 Feb 2005, 09:49

Wow postman, thats definitely a significant jump! Were you advised fulltime wear with these? Have you got the new glasses? Your old ones must be completely useless!

Brian-16 10 Feb 2005, 08:38

Postman-Thats a huge jump.Guess things were somewhat foggy with the old specs.I never jumped that much.The most I jumped was 1.0.With your rate of increase you will be up to my rx !

Postman 10 Feb 2005, 06:08

New prescription yesterday:

Original two years ago R-.50, L-.50

New R -2.50, L, -3.00

Didnt think it would be this much of a jump!! Can anyone beat that for an increase between tests?!!

Felt like a bit of a wally because didnt even take my glasses with me to test - the optician was horrified when I said I drove and sat through uni lectures with no glasses!!

Sadie 09 Feb 2005, 11:36

Peach,

If you have astigmatism, this really means your eye has two different refractive errors which are almost always 90 degrees apart. The cyl value is just the difference between these two refractive errors. In the example you give you have 3.75 dioptres worth of myopia in the vertical plane and 3.00 dioptres of myopia in the horizontal. It isn't always vertical and horizontal but can be clocked round, it's just that the 90 degrees signifies the horizontal axis (ie left to right across your eye).

Peach 09 Feb 2005, 08:20

Sorry that was suppose to be directed at Julian - but anyone feel free to respond!!

Peach 09 Feb 2005, 08:19

MelaBona

Thanks for that! Still a bit confused why some optemologists write it like this and others don't? Someone said to me that a plus or minus sign in fron of cyl is the same but obviosuly not? Is a + cyl quite rare, because when ordering contacts on line there never seems to be this option!!

MelbaBona 09 Feb 2005, 08:09

My goodness, what a nice response from everyone, especially Hubie and specs4ever. Thank you very much.

Hubie, your theory that years of overcorrection may be playing a part in this is a good one; I'll ask my doc about that.

I've never worn contacts, so that can't be an issue here. Unfortunately, I've had two optometrists and one ophthalmologist turn me away in the last year in frustration because no one can pinpoint what the problem is. I'm in Chicago, by the way, so if anyone knows a good doctor here, please let me know! Thanks to all.

Julian 09 Feb 2005, 07:22

Peach: yes to your first question and no to your second. -1.00+1.00x90 is the same thing as Plano-1.00x0. 'Really' doesn't cme into it; they're two ways of saying the same thing.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Hubie 09 Feb 2005, 05:15

MelbaBona:

Several years ago I had difficulty getting a prescription made for eyeglasses. My prescription was however much lower than yours. At the time I wore hard contact lenses and it would take 30 days or longer for my eyes to adjust in order to get a correct eye test. Even after 30 days my exact prescription was hard to measure. Whenever I wore my contacts I seemed to have a constant throbbing feeling in my left eye. The Rx of the eye was supposedly -2.75, -0.75 axis 134. The -3.50 non cylinder contact I was given seemed to cause the throbbing I believe. My other eye was -2.75 and it caused no problem with contacts or glasses. I contend that the cylinder RX component in my left eye complicated my prescription, and resulted in me being given, and then wearing, a stronger CL than I maybe had to. In your case, your -11.75, -1.25, 67 left eye RX could be slightly higher than your eye really needs. Your left eye may have adjusted to years of overcorrection, and now it is hard to adjust back to the precise true Rx the eye really is. Make any sense?

Peach 09 Feb 2005, 04:14

Specs4ever

Does this mean that -3.75 + 0.75 x90 is really -3.00 cyl - 75?

And -1.00, +1.00 x 90 is really sph-50, cyl-50?

specs4ever 08 Feb 2005, 16:18

Melba, what you do is add the 2 minuses together, then stick a + symbol in front of the cylinder, using the same value. Then you change the axis by 90 degrees. So your right eye would become -11.00 x +2.25 x 50 and your left would be -13.00 x +1.25 x 157. No idea why you wouldn't be able to get a proper pair of specs, if the prscription is correct.

specs4ever 08 Feb 2005, 16:14

Well, I had left a couple of things out, but I would have been wrong. I thought that your prescription had probably only increased minimally until you started to wear soft contacts, as the wearing of soft contacts has given many young people rather large jumps in thier prescription. But, this was already happening to you with glasses, so I was incorrect. However, I would suggest that you consider wearing "readers" over your contacts when doing a lot of close work. This might slow the prescription increases down a bit.

MelbaBona 08 Feb 2005, 12:54

Dear all, I've just found your board today and wonder if anyone has advice for me. My nearsighted prescription is R: -8.75 -2.25 140 and L: -11.75 -1.25 67. This is a U.S. optometrist writing of my prescription.

For the last 11 months I've been trying to have new glasses made. I've been through six pairs, all of which caused unexplainable aching in my left eye. Not even an opthalmologist has been able to tell me why, and he's given up trying to make me any more pairs of glasses.

Where can I go? What can I do? My eyes seem to reject anything other than the glasses I've had for the last four years, which I now have constant trouble seeing out of. Has anyone ever had this problem?

And, is there a Web site that will convert an optomist's prescription to an opthalmologist's prescription? They write them differently. Thanks.

Sadie 08 Feb 2005, 08:27

Specs4ever

That's quite perceptive of you, although not spot on. I was actually told to wear my second pair of glasses all the time which I did (pretty much). My third pair likewise. At this time I was having eye checks every 12 months and needing a new prescription each time. However at the age of 12 I suddenly announced that I wasn't going to wear my glasses full time and left them off except for lessons, explaining to people that "I only needed them for reading". Don't know if anyone bought this because my lenses were like coke bottles by then.

Anyway I carried on like this until I was 14 when my mum finally got me contacts. Imagine walking around most of the day needing a -7 or -8 correction. I couldn't recognise anyone and must have ignored so many people in the street it's a wonder I had any friends left. I'm also amazed I managed to pass any exams also. Anyway contacts were great, especially where attracting boys was concerned and I took to them very well. When I got to uni, glasses were getting trendy and I proudly sported my -10's more often than contacts. Now I don't mind glasses per se, aesthetically I mean and I do wear them quite often. However contacts give much better vision at my prescription. When I switch from contacts to glasses it takes about half an hour to get used to the distortions at the periphery of my vision. Anyway, all in all, not a bad guess

-5.0 who luvs gwgs 07 Feb 2005, 22:46

Sadie I wonder whether its simply a matter of percentages I have gone from 0.25 /0.50 at 8years to 3.75 /5.00 at 49 and I was 3.00 and 1.50 at 18 you I note went from 2.00 at 7 to 10.00 at 20 or so and about 15.00 now if you are worried about your eyes have them checked say every 6 months I was prescribed bifocals at 45 I too am in England I have commented to the optician about the increase in my myopia they always blame wear and tear I say Sadie wear your glasses with pride loads of us oo s think powerful glasses rather attractive !!!!!!

D.N.M 07 Feb 2005, 15:00

This is interesting, because a friend of mine (who is in her early forties) had juggled using a pair of distance glasses and a separate pair of reading glasses until she bought a pair of progressives a couple months ago. She had never had bifocals. I know a fair number of people who follow the formula of two pairs, and don't even think about bifocals (though I obviously don't know what their opticians tell them, or didn't like the "line" in bifocals so chose to go w/ two pairs instead)

(I'm from the US btw)

specs4ever 07 Feb 2005, 14:23

Sadie, just for the heck of it I am making some wild guesses and or assumptions. I think that you probably wore your second pair of glasses part time as well, but by your 3rd prescription change, I assume that you likely went to full time wear. I think that your prescription continued to increase, and your glasses got stronger until you got soft contacts between age 14 and age 16. I think that you have mostly worn contacts ever since, with only the occassional trips out into the world wearing glasses. I would love to know if I am fairly close to correct.

Sadie 07 Feb 2005, 13:28

I think you're probably right Andrew. I'm from England and I don't think I have ever known anyone under 45 with bifocals.

Andrew 07 Feb 2005, 13:12

I may be wrong in this, but years of reading the ES boards have led me to the conclusion that American opticians are more likely to prescribe bifocals to younger patients than British ones. The bifocals or not may, Sadie, be down to which side of the Atlantic you live on.

Sadie 06 Feb 2005, 12:31

Sorry I just realised there are 2 Brians here. My last posting was actually to Brian-16. However, the other Brian and -5 who luvs GWG's I will answer your questions; I think I was 7 years old when I first got glasses, I remember needing them to see the blackboard at primary school. I didn't wear them all the time then but took them to school with me and put them on for lessons. I think they were quite weak, probably less than -2D. Brian as regards my work; I am in academia, I did a pHD after my first degree, so again more study, which may have contributed to my increase in myopia.

Sadie

Sadie 06 Feb 2005, 12:18

Brian (and anyone else who's interested)

I used to have my eyes tested at the standard 2 year intervals and my short sightedness just increased at quite a steady rate. At every eye test I was prescribed stronger lenses and I came to expect that that was how it was. I was always told not to worry and that this was normal and my eyes would stop getting worse when I got to 20 or so. At no point was I ever advised to have bifocals which I have always associated with middle age and the decrease in focussing power of the eye's lens which happens naturally. I didn't realise that young people were prescribed bifocals although I can appreciate the thinking behind doing so

Brian-16 06 Feb 2005, 10:22

ADI-I would say based on the rx its 20/200 or worse.Any other comments or guesses?

Val 06 Feb 2005, 09:46

Adi, read the ES FAQ: http://eyescene.net/ES_FAQ.htm

Question no. 10

ADI 06 Feb 2005, 09:22

How can I tell what my eyesight fraction is (20/20 or 20/100) from my perscription numbers?? I need to know for an application. (-2.5 in both eyes) Thanks

Brian-16 06 Feb 2005, 05:38

Sadie- I will be entering college this fall...And my rx is already -11.50 in my weak eye.I am wondering if your doctor ever recommended bi-focals when you were getting over -10d? My eyes have not stablized yet and I am 18 yrs.

Sadie 06 Feb 2005, 00:02

Hi Guys,

I remember getting my eyes checked just after starting university (so I was 18 or 19 at the time) and going into double figures for the first time. When I left uni I was up to about -12, which I suppose is understandable due to studying. The thing is this worsening in my vision has just carried on and my weaker eye is now around -16. This has happened gradually over 15 years and hasn't really had a major impact on my life other than for the fact that my glasses are now noticably very strong whereas they were just about acceptable at -10. The real worry though is that I'm heading for some kind of serious eye problem like detached retinas, glaucoma etc.

-5 who luvs gwgs 05 Feb 2005, 16:50

Sadie interrested in your post my eyes were relatively stable in my 20s but since I was 30 I again have progressed sometimes one eye sometimes the other by .25 or .5 each time I have had a test I am now 49 and have increased by 1.5 in each eye in the past 19 years my girlfriend has progressed similarly she is now 46 Please do not worry I and many other guys love gwgs and I and many others love strong glasses I am sure you look lovely in them Please tell us your prescription and how old were you when you first wore glasses?

Brian 05 Feb 2005, 09:04

Sadie, What is your prescription now? What kind of work do you do because that could also cause your vision to continue to get worse, I'm 26 and my vision has yet to stabilze either, I still have the same increases you talked everytime I go for an eye test, I'm currently -4.50 and -4.00...

Sadie 05 Feb 2005, 02:14

I wonder if any of you knowledgable folks out there could shed any light on something for me. I was always told that my short sight would stabilise by the time I reached my early twenties, which seemed quite logical as my eyes should have stopped growing by then. However since I was 20 my prescription has increased quite regularly by a total of around 5 dioptres (I'm 36 now) and still seems to increase by 0.25 or 0.5 D each time I get an eye test.

All my short sighted friends have had stable prescriptions since their mid twenties. Why am I different? Has anyone out there experienced this? What causes it? It's obviously too late to do anything about it now but I'm just curious.

Thanks

Katy 04 Feb 2005, 08:55

My boyfriend had another eye test today - this one took 2 hours! Apparently they discovered that when they give him stronger prisms (base out) to correct the disparity between the eyes (on the oxo test), it is corrected for a few minutes and then reverts back. They said that he must have been squiffy for years and his eyes are used to everything being slightly out of alignment, so will adjust themselves to keep it like that. They said they hadn't seen that before. But even after 2 hours, they have no idea why he is still getting headaches - they didn't use a cycloplegic. Their only suggestion was for him to try _weaker_ prisms :(

AuroraBlue 01 Feb 2005, 18:43

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!! :-)

-oo- 01 Feb 2005, 15:36

AuroraBlue,

This link has more than you ever wanted to know about hyperopia: http://www.aoa.org/clincare/pdf/CPG-16.pdf

John 01 Feb 2005, 08:01

AuroraBlue - Just to give you a quick idea of what the prescription means:

+1.75 -.50 150

The first number, +1.75, is the "sphere", which is purely for farsightedness (in this case) or nearsightedness (if it were a '-' number). It's the "power" of the lens in "diopters"; a diopter is a "reciprocal-meter" -- or 1/L where L is the focal length of the lens. So, as L gets shorter, the number of diopters get bigger - so a bigger number means more power.

The second number, -0.50, is the "cylinder" power. This is correction for astigmatism, an irregularity in the shape of the eye. Cylinder is also in diopters, but a lens with cylinder is - like it says - in the shape of a cylinder, so it bends the light in one direction but not in the orthoganal (opposite, or 90 degrees off) direction. Most people have a small amount of irregularity in their eyes. -0.25 is pretty much unnoticable, -.50 is barely noticable, and -0.75 isn't real bad either.

The third number, 150, is the "axis" for the cylinder - this just says what the orientation or rotation of the cylinder part is, since the cylinder part has a certain direction that it works in.

Bottom line: this prescription is for a fairly mild amount of farsightedness with a pretty mild amount of astigmatism. Young people can usually accomodate (using the flexible lenses in their eyes) a fair amount of farsightedness and I wouldn't expect your son to be dependent on glasses with this prescription...but there are exceptions to every rule, so it's possible. (Note: I'm not a doctor, just someone interested in this stuff who's observed for quite a while.)

John 01 Feb 2005, 07:51

AuroraBlue - It's hard for me to understand why his uncorrected vision would be 20/40 with that prescription, which is mostly a prescription for farsightedness (a little bit of astigmatism, but probably only enough to make him 20/25 uncorrected). He should be able to accomodate the farsightedness pretty well, I would think. It doesn't seem like it would be a bad idea to talk to a physician about a possible concussion. (I wouldn't have guessed that this would cause him to have blurry vision, but it might be possible.) Anyway, that prescription doesn't seem like one he would have to wear all the time (but if it helps, might as well take advantage of that). Did the eye doctor say that his corrected vision is normal?

Steve 01 Feb 2005, 05:50

Hey, I've been talking to a girl now for agees and I think here glasses are pretty strong although she will not tell me her perscription! If I emailed someone a closup of her glasses on her, could you estimate the prescription from cut-in etc?

AuroraBlue 31 Jan 2005, 23:12

Thank you, I've been very concerned about him because he was kicked off the top off one of those spiral slides at school about 6wks ago and fractured his wrist and split his moler tooth to all the way up in the gum and had to be extracted (the broken part). His eye check up last year with his pediatrician was fine. I just got the a notice last week from his school that his eyes were 20/40 in both and to get a check up and he has to wear glasses and I'm wondering if he may have had minor brain trauma causing this. I've read it's common in playground injuries and car accidents that cause whiplash........Anyway, thanks so much for your help.......

Myhopeinhere 31 Jan 2005, 20:21

NO,not strong at all,

AuroraBlue 31 Jan 2005, 19:15

Hi, my 6yrs old son just had his eyes checked and the doc. says he should wear glasses all the time. Here was his perscription

SPHERICAL CYLINDICAL AXIS

+1.75 -.50 150

+2.25 -.75 17

Do any of you know whether this is very minor or if this is very bad. I do not know ANYTHING about glasses perscriptions. He said my sons eyes may self correct because the eyes change so much at this age but I don't understand what the above information means. Thanks for all your help!!

Karen X 31 Jan 2005, 11:21

"new" - how are you getting on with your glasses? How much are you wearing them now?

Thom 29 Jan 2005, 10:06

Hi, I was browsing Wikipedia and I found an interesting text about eyeglass prescriptions. Here's the hyperlink: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eyeglass_prescription

Greetz

24 Jan 2005, 15:04

Gerald, You are asking in the wrong place! We wanted you to go full time with your first prescription!

But it seems like lots of people wear a prescription like yours full time - it all depends on what makes you comfortable - headaches, burning eyes, etc. For people who need more help for close than far, wearing them all the time at work is just easier, eventually, if your prescription stays close to what you have now, you will probably find it easier to go without for close work. It's all up to you. I think if you have any correction for astigmatism, then you might find yourself preferring to wear them all the time once you start doing that.

Gerald 24 Jan 2005, 14:34

Also another quick question - should I start wearing my glasses most of the time now? I know its just preference but I rarely wear them but have noticed people at work wear all the time and they would appear to barely have above plano correction!!

Gerald 24 Jan 2005, 14:32

How much of an increase does anyone think warrants new lenses? If you go up by .50 for example would it be worth it? Also I started to wear glasses two years ago very weak R-.25 L-.75 two years later gone up to R-1.75 and a bit of astigmatis and L-2.00 what are teh chances that my prescription will increase again? and when is it likely itwill stabalise. My mum and sister both wear about -4.50 but they started weraing glasses a lot younger then me!!

Guest 24 Jan 2005, 13:46

I have a friend similar to Daisy's. Her prescription is -.50 sph, +.50 cyl right and -.50 sph., +1.00 cyl. left. Her vision is great without her glasses (20/20) and she always wants to sit far away from the screen for movies. What is her prescription for?

-oo- 24 Jan 2005, 12:44

No, the + in front of the cyl does counteract the sphere, the -1 +1 eye averages out to be about plano. She probably has difficulty reading, driving (especially at night) and probbly gets headaches.

Daisy 24 Jan 2005, 12:35

Hey just found this site which I must admit I've found very interesting. One question is that I wear glasses/contatcs most of the time (-2.00)but I recently read my friend's RX script which reads -sph 3.75 cyl + .75 and sph -1.00 cyl+ 1.00. She doesnt wear them all the time which makes me feel a bit of a fraud!! However when she doesnt have them on and when I dont have mine on she seems to be able to see alot better them me. For example the other day watching telly she was reading subtitles off the telly wheras I could barely see any sign of writing!! (by the way she doesnt wear contacts!!)Does the + in front of the cyl mean that this counteracts the - for the sph? I think I have read somewhere that it doesnt matter if there is a + or - but in this case she would then be around the -2.00 and -4.00 mark, alot worse then mine and then I just cant understand how she manages without and how she seems to be able to see a resonable amount without correction?!!

Thom 24 Jan 2005, 06:38

A li'l bit more on topic of this thread:

My Rx are +0.50 (left) and +0.25 (right). Recently they told me I need +0.25 at +0.50 (far, both eyes) and +3.00 (near, both eyes), but it was quite contradictory to the results of other tests, so they didn't prescribe it (yet?)...

My dad is nearly blind in his right eye and is wearing glasses because of presbiopia: +1.50 (left).

My sister is myopic and is wearing glasses: -3.00 (left) and -2.75 (right).

My mum, how funny, has perfect eyesight as far as we know. (She hasn't seen an ophtalmologist once in her lifetime.) I've seen eight in only six months so I'm getting a bit jealous :-)

-oo- 23 Jan 2005, 08:51

DC84: I vote for farsighted

DC84 22 Jan 2005, 20:35

A friend was complaining about problems focusing quickly between near and far work (can see both OK, but its just blurry for a bit when changing from taking notes to looking at the board, or vice versa) and said they got a weak rx to help. Would they most likely be nearsighted or farsighted?

NYC O^O 21 Jan 2005, 21:29

Emily,

Good to hear from you. How is college life?

CONCERNED 21 Jan 2005, 21:17

TO -00-:Thanks for the reply and thank you for the link.

-oo- 21 Jan 2005, 21:03

oh, I forgot to share this link with you:

http://www.aapos.org/FindOphthalmologist.htm

-oo- 21 Jan 2005, 21:01

Concerned, I think its pretty understandable that you would feel both concerned and anxious, as this is a high prescription for a little kid, and I think you are well within your rights (indeed, possibly compelled) to seek an additional opinion - eye exams are not that uncomfortable (I find them rather fun) so that is not an issue - even if the results are the same, you will then feel better, and thats whats important (which is what tortise was really trying to say!)

At any rate, don't worry, she will not be blind by 15, just a glasses or contacts wearer - by that time, so will lots of her friends. Eyesight might never be her strongest attribute, but no doubt she will have many, and once you get all your questions answered, you will be able to relax and be glad you caught this problem early. Good luck and let us know how you all get on.

CONCERNED 21 Jan 2005, 20:54

TO TORTOISE: Thanks for taking the time to reply and for sharing the story. I think sometimes because of my profession(police officer) I tend to have an axiety over a loved one becoming a victim.In my daughter's case,who I love more than anything,I hate the idea that she has to be so dependant on something for everyday life.I realize things could be worse.

tortoise 21 Jan 2005, 20:14

Concerned, there is an important difference between concern and anxiety. You are understandably worried because your young daughter has been found to be nearsighted. I think the important thing is that you do not project upon her the idea that there is something "wrong" with her because of this. For the next many years to come she will be just fine with glasses. If she wants contacts later that is OK. If her myopia becomes extreme, lens implants may be appropriate. To ease your fears that she may be "blind by age 15" I would tell you about a dear friend of mine who, at age three, had glasses around -20. She is a happy functioning adult now with a sweet daughter. Life goes on. Psychological damage is far worse than any vision problem. Please give your daughter the practical support she needs but don't let your loving concern slip into anxiety which she might interpret as diminishing her self worth. Best wishes to you and your daughter.

CONCERNED 21 Jan 2005, 19:09

TO LIKEGLASS: Thank you for your reply. I think I will get a second opinion. What has been keeping me from getting a second opinion is that the doctor is suppose to be one of the best in the area. It is not that I dont trust him it is just that everyday she keeps suprising me with things that she sees.

CONCERNED 21 Jan 2005, 19:02

TO BELINDA: Thank you for replying.I am sorry to here about your daughter, but I am glad that she is happy.Due to such a strong prescription is laser surgery ever an option. I (because I am paranoid) looked up articles for surgery and it seems that it is only done at a young age if a lazy eye is involved. I do remember reading that for children with severe eyesight surgery might be approved by the FDA within the next 5 years.I know that a child's prescription will keep changing to about 18 years of age but there is always a possibility of getting the surgery again later on.I appreciate the reply.I owned a computer for about 10 years and never used it until I found out about my daughter.

21 Jan 2005, 17:47

"new" Why not try keeping your glasses on outside school? You might as well if you are wearing them all day at school anyway. Your eyes might still be getting used to looking through the lenses at distances so you probably won't notice any difference with or without glasses for another couple of weeks. The more you wear your glasse the quicker you will get used to them then you can decide whether to carry on with full time wearing or just for reading and driving/tv. You can't make your eyesight any worse than it already is by wearing glasses prescibed for you but you will likely prevent headaches from coming if you wear them for all the situations your optician said you should. Preventing an eyestrain headache is much easier than waiting for it to go away. You should at least wear your glasses for tv and driving not just for reading if you are not happy about full time wearing. Remember your optician is an expert who has studied for several years at university and has worked proffessionally for several years so they really do know what they are talking about. If they have said you should wear your glasses for distances and reading then you should do that.

Belinda 21 Jan 2005, 13:02

To:-

Concerned, please reply.

It is alwasy distressing when a child is visually impaired but one has to try and be as supportive as possible. Our daughter was fitted with glasses at six months old with a prescription of -15 in each eye. She is now one year and has had to be increased to -16 and -18. Despite her handicap she is a happy little girl and we can only hope that her progression will not be too severe.

If you have doubts concerning your daughter's prescription I should seek another opinion.

LikeGlass 21 Jan 2005, 12:13

The two statements do conflict. I would get a second or third opinion. Also, I would seek an underlying cause as this is not standard progression. (did the lenses in her eyes form correctly, shape of eye orb, etc.) If it is a static condition / malformation, there may be no progression at all. Doctors do make mistakes. Keep checking around.

CONCERNED PLEASE REPLY 21 Jan 2005, 12:04

My 2 year old daughter has been diagnosed with a perscription of -6.00 in her left eye and -5.00 in her right which really scares me.My wife and I were never that bad and did not need glasses to sixth grade. My fear is that she will be blind by the age of 15. HAS ANYONE ELSE BEEN SIMILAR AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE THAT CAN PLEASE SHARE. The other question is that i am also concerned that the perscription is wrong.My daughter was telling me the characters on a 32inch television from 34 feet away with no sound or color. SHOULD SHE BE ABLE TO SEE THIS! Iwas a -4.75 (I had prk) in both eyes and I know i could never see that far.

Filthy McNasty 21 Jan 2005, 10:46

Straining: Usually refers to the extra burden on the muscles of accommodation which arises when a farsighted, partially presbyopic or astigmatic eye is forced to produce a clear inmage in difficult lighting conditions or without correction. The problem arises in difficult lighting because the pupillary constriction encountered in bright light acts like a pinhole, partially focusing the image without resort to accommodation, and reducing the effect of refractive error. In low light, this pinhole effect is absent, placing the entire burden of accommodation on the muscles which change the shape of teh crystalline lens. Uncorrected astigmats may find eyestrain arising as the eye vacillates between the two axes of focus, which are 90 degrees to each other.

People with simple myopia generally don't strain their eyes when going uncorrected because their eyes are fully relaxed at distances beyond that at which they can see clarly.

Curious 21 Jan 2005, 10:37

I've seen the word "straining" used often in reference to someone not wearing their glasses is "straining" their eyes but what does "straining" really mean and does it really harm your eyes? If so, how?

Emily 20 Jan 2005, 23:08

Hi Jerry. Myopeman has it pretty accurate. I was -7 a year or two ago (now I'm -9). Even though I can see things that are a couple of inches from my face, they have to be so close that I can only focus on them with one eye at a time. I can see shapes at a moderate distance, but not details. For instance, at 20 feet, I can tell if someone is male or female, tall or short, but I can't see any of their features and wouldn't be able to recognize them. Occasionally, I try old pairs of glasses on. My -7 and -8 ones are too weak; everything is blurry, so obviously my eyes have gotten worse, but I would say that without glasses things don't look any worse now than they did at -7. My current lenses are starting to be blurry, so I suspect that I'll need to move up to -10 before too much longer.

-- 19 Jan 2005, 18:06

I always though the bf was a bit underprescribed - he could never see as far as me - indeed, he often didn't realise we had reached our street till he nearly passed the turn - this went on for several years! But boy could he thread a needle or take out a splinter.

-5 who luvs gwgs 19 Jan 2005, 16:29

I am now 49 and thought it would be interresting to post my prescription over 42 years left eye first. At 8 -0.5 -o.25 at16 -3.0 /-0.5 and-1.5/-0.5 this was when astigmatism was found ,at 25 -3.25/-o.5 and-1.75/-0.5 at31 -3.75/0.75 &-2.75/-0.75 at 36 -3.75/-.75 &-3.0/-0.5 at38 -4.0 /-1.0 &-3.25/-0.5 at 41-4.0/-1.0 &-3.5/-0.5 at 42 I was up to -4.75 /-1.0 &-3.75/-0.75 at44 I went to another -.25 in my left eye at46 my myopia was the same but I went to varifocals of add +1.75 then stayed until I was tested at -4.75/-1.0 and -3.50/-0.50 with reading +2.00 Frankly I think was wrong with this reduced prescription distances are somewhat blurred I have gone back to my stronger glasses and even these seem a little weak at distance I guess I need -5.25 or -5.5 and -4.0 or -4,25 with reading at +2.50 I would rather have thicker glasses and be able to see crystal clear at distances perhaps someone can comment is there a policy of under prescribing? Or was it a rogue test?

Jerry 19 Jan 2005, 15:43

Ahh some brilliant replies, I always read on here about various prescriptions, and this helps me add a little scale to the matter.

Thanks all, any more theories/stories would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

-- 19 Jan 2005, 15:23

i had a boyfriend who wore -7 no cyl, and he could only focus out about 2 inches, and could perceive only blobs of color much beyond that. We talked about it many times, I'd even test him. He even wore his glasses in the ocean! before the hi index lenses came out he had to keep his frames on the small side and his lenses were quite flat in front and about 5/16" (1cm)thick on the outside edge.

Myopeman 19 Jan 2005, 15:14

Here's what i reckon -7 is like, based on GOC and a friend's experience.

At that Rx, you could just read a book at about five inches away, probably too close for comfort, and you might find it easier to shut one eye while you did it. You could recognise people at three feet away, in good light. Walking down the street in sunlight would be OK, but crossing the road would be nerve-racking. Driving obviously impossible. If you visited the supermarket, you would be pretty lost - you'd have tp spend your entire time with yoour nose close to the shelves and finding things would take an age. Also, glasses would have a habit of magically disappearing if you put them down carelessly, and there might be some groping around.

Mal 19 Jan 2005, 14:37

Jerry

The minimum for me was -2.50, that was my prescription when I went to fulltime wear. 6 years later I'm only at -2.75. Others will be more, some signficantly less. Horses ... courses

Jerry 19 Jan 2005, 12:22

If some one were to say they had a prescription of - 7.00 in both eyes, what would that be like? Im curious as to the scale of myopia and was wondering what would be "see-able" with that prescription, and what wouldnt be. Whats the minumum prescription normally for full time wear, and whats the maximum prescription someone could manage with without glasses?

Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

Willy 19 Jan 2005, 07:44

new -- "damage" would be too strong a word, but you will be straining your eyes if you do not wear them for driving, TV, etc., and while it may not be so much strain that it gives you a headache now, it may eventually lead you to need stronger glasses or bifocals at a younger age than you otherwise might. I would recommend full-time wear, or at least anytime you are actively using your eyes for intense focus even at distance. After all, sounds like you are wearing them full-time at school with very good results. Keep giving your eyes a break!

new 19 Jan 2005, 07:25

Hello!

My distance vision is good with glasses now. I wear them all the time at school and I get no headaches anymore! Am very pleased about that! I don't wear them much at home unless I am studying. I have one question though, the optician told me to wear them for TV and driving but I don't know why because I can see the TV really well without them! They definitely make a difference to reading but not far away stuff. My mum says I should be wearing them for TV because he said so, but if I can see then whats the point? Am I damaging my eyes by not wearing them?

Thanks

Jill 17 Jan 2005, 17:05

No, my glasses thickness doesn't bother too much, I didn't get the high index lenses this time because I have to go back and have my prescription evaluated in the spring since this is my first prescription with prisms and the eye doctor said an adjustment might be necessary, so once I get a pair that I'm sure i'm going to have for a while I will get the high index lenses.. As you could imagine, my glasses aren't thin now, but the thickness doesn't bother me too much, its just the feeling of always having something on my face.. Like I said, at work its not a problem, but if I'm running or working out then the glasses can be annoying.

Guest 17 Jan 2005, 06:53

Is it the thickness of the lenses in your glasses that bothers you Jill ?

Do you have hi-index ? To be happier about wearing glasses, could you have a pair with just the prism & wear them over the top of your contacts ?

Jill 16 Jan 2005, 21:22

Hi! I posted here back in October, when I was prescribed prisms for my glasses and just wanted to update everyone on how things are going.. To recap, I'm 29 and my prescription is -4.75 and -4.50 with 1D base in prism in each eye.. I'm basically wearing my glasses 75% of the time, these days, I can still get away wearing contacts for going out and playing sports and stuff.. The main problem I notice with my contacts is a pulling feeling in my eyes, does anyone know what I'm talking about.. It did take awhile to get used to being close to a full time glasses wearer, i've actually had to get more blue outfits to go with my blue frames, but as far as my vision goes it much more comfotable with the glasses than before I got the prism correction.. Too bad contacts can't correct prism, maybe that will be something for my sake they will come out with soon.. But mostly everyone I know, is getting used to seeing me with the glasses, even though I managed to wear contacts on Christmas and at a few family functions.. I have to go back to the eye doctor sometime this spring because they wanted to check me at the 6 month mark or so to see how I was getting a long with the prisms and to see if my prescription need an adjustment.. I'm happy I can still get away with contacts at times, and I hope as I age I will still be able to do this or that they will come out with a prism contact.. The main distraction is just having them on my face, when I'm doing physical activities or having to wear them for special occasions.. Like I said the only main drawback with the contacts now when I'm not using the computer because without the glasses on the computer I struggle with double vision but far away with contacts I don't really see double, is the pulling feeling in my eyes which usually goes away after an hour or so, or if I'm having fun and not thinking about it.

andyt 12 Jan 2005, 11:26

i'm 30

12 Jan 2005, 10:49

andyt

How old are you?

andyt 12 Jan 2005, 10:28

I was given a prescription nearly a year ago; L: Sph 0 Cyl -1.00 Axis 90, R: Sph 0 Cyl -0.50 Axis 90. Could someone tell mw what this means please?! I've never used them until the last few weeks when i found myself sitting closer & closer & squinting at the computer. They don't seem to make much difference though, so I'm thinking maybe another visit to the optician!

11 Jan 2005, 10:48

VC -0.25 Axis 030, VC -1.00 Axis 170

What do you think?

Andrew 10 Jan 2005, 12:10

SNG,

He's probably right, especially if you went for an eye test because you thought you might need glasses. The onset of presbyopia becomes noticeable in different people at different ages. For those who already wear glasses, it means bifocals; for those who do not, it means getting used to what is to become the norm in the years to come. If you get headaches when concentrating on something, that is the time to wear them. They will do your body much more good than a whole load of painkillers.

scared new glasses 10 Jan 2005, 10:10

Like Alan I was concerned with writing on tv as well as computer and reading and was prescibed R +050 L +050-025 130

I am not sure exactly when or how often I should wear this prescription I am a 35 gwg and do not feel comfortable wearing them for more than a few minutes at a time. this seems a very weak prescription compared to others I have seen on this post the optician recommended use when reading and when using the computer any suggestions

? 10 Jan 2005, 06:14

Is there a chance that it did not increase because you did wear them all the time? Maybe because you avoided the strain or something?

anders 09 Jan 2005, 14:53

I wad -2.50 when I was 15 and was told I must wear my glasses all the time. They expected my prescription to increase but 10 years later it's still -2.50 and I still wear glasses all the time. Of someone could have known that it wouldn't change maybe I wouldn't but it's part of my look now and I wouldn't change it. Sometimes I'd like a small increase just for a change.

Karen X 08 Jan 2005, 10:40

new

How are you getting on with your glasses? Are you still sticking to full time for now? How is your distance vision with your glasses now?

Willy 07 Jan 2005, 11:57

new: sounds like things are going well so far. I would keep wearing full-time through Monday when you return to school -- you may find you will be less self-conscious if you are wearing them throughout the day than if you put them on and take them off multiple times, especially the first day at school. After that, decide whether distances (like the board at school) are clearer with the glasses on or off. If they are clearer with them on, I would continue with full-time wear; if not, you might decide to go part-time. Let us know how it goes!

Phil 07 Jan 2005, 05:32

U need a new bf new if you are frightened of how he will react to you in specs. Most sane men would think it being a gwg made you even more special!

new 07 Jan 2005, 03:32

Hi everyone

Went to choose my new frames yesterday. They are rectangular, bronzy colour. The opticians made them in an hour, so I was able to go back and collect them later. It was so weird when they put them on, everything looked big. Whoever said distance would be blurry is right, but not too much. However, close-up is so clear! Its great! The lady in the opticans asked if I wanted to keep them on, and my optician was stood close by, he was very helpful and said I might like to wear them all the time for a bit to get used to the lenses. He didn't say that at my eyetest so its a lucky thing he was standing there. So I went home wearing my glasses. my mum, dad, brother and sister said they looked nice. Then I went round to see my boyfriend ater he had finished college. he asked me why I was wearing my glasses and I told him what the optician had said. He said they suitedme. Then he asked to try them on. He was quite surprised, he thought they were strong and couldn't see anything through them. Then he said, do you have to wear them all the time and I said no i was wearing them so my eyes got used to the lenses. His mum tried them on too, she wears glasses sometimes, and she said mine were a similar prescription to hers, and did I have to wear them all the time? I said no, not when I was used to them, and she said she wore hers when her eyes hurt and at work. She said they really suited me too.

So now i am feeling a bit better about having to wear them, and my boyfriends reaction was not as bad as I'd thought it might be.

Bespectacled Professor 06 Jan 2005, 17:44

Karen X,

That was quite a jump! Good thing you are comfortable wearing them fulltime now because you certainly would be going fulltime from here on in. You are going to notice quite an improvement in your vision.

Karen X 06 Jan 2005, 17:13

I managed to get an eye test this evening. My prescription has gone up, as I predicted, to -2.5left and -2.75right. Slightly higher than I expected though. There wasn't time to choose new frames as it was time for the shop to close. I will go back on Saturday as I'll have more time then. I'll keep my current glasses as spare and might get new lenses put in them another time. It seems the most of the opticians are having January sales so I might be able to get some really nice frames at a really nice price!

Katy 06 Jan 2005, 16:13

Alan, I agree with Eric - because they only do the test at 6m, they can correct you for that and you can still have slight problems at a greater distance, or at night. A different optician may well give you another -0.25 in each eye which might make a difference.

eric 06 Jan 2005, 15:09

that last post was for Alan, obviously :)

eric 06 Jan 2005, 15:08

My advice: go to another opticians and get another test (they needn't be expensive). I had a low Rx like yours and the variety of different prescriptions I was given really surprised me. if you are having problems with distance, then I don't see how a blank lens can possibly be right, because if you have 20/20 or 20/10 in that eye then you would be able to read at a distance even if your other eye was astigmatic. Maybe you need something like -.25: that could make all the difference to distance vision.

littleone 06 Jan 2005, 15:07

Hi... found this site through random searching, and thought I'd have a look around and post a msg!

My prescrption is L -5.25, -1 and R -5.75, -1.25... something like that anyways, not got my prescription infront of me! Not *that* bad (or is it...? lol) but it sure makes trying to find my glasses on morning heaps of fun!

Usually wear contacts if I'm out and about (and can be bothered to put them in!) though there's always the odd day when I can't be bothered and will be happy to wear my glasses!

Anyways just thought I'd say hi and introduce myself! I'm 20, female and from Ireland =)

Julian 06 Jan 2005, 06:59

Alan: your problem is slight astigmatism in one eye rather than long or short sight, so you can get problems - not bad ones - at all distances and my guess is that glasses will help at all distances. If you like the idea of wearing glasses why not treat yourself and wear them whenever you feel the need (or the inclination).

Love and kisses, Jules.

Alan 06 Jan 2005, 06:44

Hiya everyone. I was wondering if anybody could help me. I went to the opticians yesterday, because i had noticed slight blurring when reading road signs at night, and with writing on the television. I was given a slight prescription of R= +0.25,-0.50,86 and the left was blank. I was told that i could benefit from wearing at the computer and reading mainly. I'm a bit confused as i had gone in complaining of having problem with distance, also im not sure if i should get glasses, even though i kind of like the idea of having some.

Hope someone can help, Alan

Julian 06 Jan 2005, 06:40

new: I'm glad you seem to be seeing sense! You're getting excellent advice from several people here (myself included!) and your boy friend is, frankly, talking through a hole in his head (but then what other way of talking is there?) For one thing he thinks long sight and short sight are the same thing; does he think the same about constipation and diarrhoea?. Make him wear your glasses for an hour when you get them and knock that nonsense out of him! For another, as you say, he wears glasses full time as he can't see well without them, but he doesn't want you to wear them at all, let alone full time. Go on, persuade me if you can that he isn't a complete jerk!

Have you read Martin's posts on the 'Vision' thread? (You'l have to scroll to the bottom and click on 'Show all posts' to get the whole story.) He started off a few months ago with a script very like yours; found for the first few days that he couldn't read the board with his glasses on, and now needs them quite a lot of the time to keep the headaches away. Remember, you were told to wear them when you start driving, and for TV, and when your eyes hurt. That could end up being quite a lot of the time.

Best wishes and happy wearing!

Love and kisses, Jules.

new 06 Jan 2005, 04:00

I really don't know what my boyfriends problem is, its a bit strange that he thinks its OK for him to wear glasses all the time but doesn't want me to wear them at all. If my prescription is stronger than his, should I be wearing them all the time like him? I might wear them for a few days and see how that goes. I am quite nervous about getting them because I am worried how people will react to me when I turn up wearing them to school. We go back on monday so I might have my glasses by then. I am coming round to the idea of wearing them if i get no more headaches, because they are such a pain. Last term, I told one of my teachers at school that I had headaches when I read, and she said her daughter had excatly the same thing when she was my age and she had to get glasses to wear all the time. She said i should go and get an eyetest, so at least one person will not be surprised when I turn up in glasses. Thanks for all your help, I'm glad i could ask you all questions about it, as no-one in my family wears glasses so they have no idea about any of it!

Louise 05 Jan 2005, 16:48

new - I got glasses for reading when I was 18. My prescription was a little bit stronger than yours (+1.75 left and +2.00 right). I only wore them part time until I had my eyes checked last year (6 years after my first and only eye test). I had found my distance vision was a bit better with my glasses but my close up vision wasn't very clear any more. My prescription had got stronger (+2.75 left and +3.00 right) so I got new glasses which the optician suggested wearing full time. I found that everything near and far was perfectly clear when I put my new glasses on.

As you are only 15 your prescription will probably change over the next few years and you may end up needing to wear glasses full time eventually. You will not make your eyes worse by wearing glasses. You will help your eyes by allowing them to relax intead of straining to focus. Your eyesight will change even if you don't wear your glasses. I read somewhere that if you need glasses wearing them will prevent you getting premature lines and wrinkles caused by frowning and squinting to see clearly (I don't know if that is true but it does sound possible). Although your prescription isn't very strong it is obviously going to make a big difference going by your description of your eye test. Opticians in the UK don't prescribe glasses to everyone they give a prescription to as you can get your eyes tested in one place and buy your glasses somewhere else if you want. They can't even make you get glasses even if you can't see without them! it's up to the individual if they want their sight corrected.

Zoe 05 Jan 2005, 15:40

new

I agree with Slit. Wear your glasses full time for a few days so your eyes can get used to distance vision with them. I'm a bit short sighted in one eye and a bit long sighted in the other and wear my glasses all the time. It took me a few days to get used to seeing distances through the + lens (my longsighted eye) but now it's perfectly clear. After a few days you will be able to see distances clearly (your close-up vision will be clear straight away). Don't worry about choosing frames that your boyfriend might like - they are your glasses and you should choose the frames that you like best. As for him not liking it if you wore glasses full-time for a few days - what is his problem? He wears glasses full-time so why shouldn't you even for a few days? Actually your + prescription is stronger than his - prescription if you look at the numbers.

Katy 05 Jan 2005, 15:26

new - it is not the same thing - it is the opposite! Your boyfriend has problems seeing far away, and you will have more problems seeing up close. I would think that at the prescription you were given, you will find your glasses to be a big help for reading (books, if not signposts!). They are actually stronger than your boyfriend's. But you should wear them when you want to and not let anyone put you off - I'm sure they will look great, and if your boyfriend really cares about you, he will want you to be able to see well and not have headaches. Take a friend with you if you can when you go to choose the frames, or ask someone in the shop to help. Good luck! :-)

new 05 Jan 2005, 09:56

I'm a bit unsure of wearing them all the time, as I wasn;t told to do that and I don't want to make my eyes worse or make me rely on glasses so i need them all the time. I don't understand why they might make things blurry because if I was told to wear them for driving, wouldn't it be dangerous?

I am 15 and from the UK. And I don't know if any other girls in my class wear glasses just for reading. I go to a girls school and there are 25 girls in my class, about 4 wear glasses all the time, I know one at least who wears contacts, and a few people wear glasses just for school but mostly they need them to read the board. one of my friends does, and she gave me her glasses to try today when I told her i was getting glasses. I couldn't see very well through them. but she told me she is shortsighted and I know I am longsighted because the optician told me.

Now I am worried about picking out the right glasses that my boyfriend will like. He woul definitely not like it if i wore then all the time for a few days. Today he said maybe they just gave me glasses to make money out of me, because I could read this sign quite far away and he said if you can read that, then you don't need glasses to read stuff do you? I told him I was longsighted and not shortsighted but he says its basically the same thing, so now I'm confused!

even newer 05 Jan 2005, 08:38

got a prescription yesterday for sph -0.25 cyl -.050 x 88 (left) sph -0.25 cyl -.050 x 83.

It was kind of left up to me whether i get glasses. there is never anythime when i cant see something that i need to although the optometerist said it would make my eys feel more comfortable.

What do you reckon ?

Slit 05 Jan 2005, 05:36

New,

Well, you will feel that distance objects are a little too blurry once you wear your new glasses. To avoid this, you should wear the new glasses for two or three days continuously, inspite of the blur.

Then your eyes will start relaxing, as at the moment your eyes are straining to see the things up close. Once your eyes are relaxed, you will feel comfortable with the new glasses.

Select the most matching frames, so that it will become a fashion accessory for you. You may find some links that give tips on selecting frames under the topic SEEN ON THE WEB and SELECTING FRAMES:http://eyescene.net/cgi-bin/threadsbypost.cgi

How old are you? What is your country?

Are there any other girls in your school who wear glasses to read (the glasses which makes eyes look bigger)?

new 05 Jan 2005, 03:20

Hi Karen X

I asked my mum for my prescription card. It says +1.25 -0.50 x 115 on the left eye and +1.50 -0.50 x 80 on the right eye. I don't think I need to wear them all the time, because he only said to wear them for reading and driving. I told my boyfriend and he said they aren't as strong as his if I only need them for reading. He didn't seem very happy that I have to wear them but I will be wearing them mostly at school and for studying so he won't be there luckily.

I am going to pick frames in a afew days as we didn't have time when we went for the test and I want to be very careful about the ones that I pick.

David_Llewellyn 04 Jan 2005, 13:21

jenn: there is no absolute standard base, each manufacturer has a chart of recommendations. The power ranges overlap, so that there is generally more than one base curve possible for any given Rx. For -4.00, for example, AO recommends a +3.50 base (their CR-39 lenses come in +1.50, +3.50, etc. steps). Others make theirs in +1.00, +2.00, steps. Polycarb and other materials are different. Also what you're used to makes a big difference, and the presence of add power (bi/tri focal) also can change it as well as cyl esp. if the cyl is strong. That being said, probably anything b/w +2.00 and +4.00 would be appropriate for a -4.00 Rx. In general I think, the higher the base curve used within reason, the better the vision, but people want flatter lenses.

Bespectacled Professor 04 Jan 2005, 10:45

Ksren X,

How old are you? Given that you said that you are at the university, I assume you are early 20s at the oldest. Your eyes probably are getting worse. Fortunately, you had already made the decision to wear glasses fulltime because you would likely go fulltime anyway with the coming prescription change. Your eyes should stabilize soon.

I take it you have no issues (attractiveness, etc.) with wearing glasses? Do you have a boyfriend, and what is his attitude about your glasses?

Karen X 04 Jan 2005, 10:04

Sorry - my last post should read ...when I had my driving test in Summer 2002.... (It's an edited/updated version of a post I did in 2003)

Karen X 04 Jan 2005, 10:00

Bespectacled Professor - I've been around here for a couple of years now.

I wear my glasses all the time as I can't stand any sort of blur. My prescription is -1.50 in both eyes. I only got glasses for the first time in November 2002 with -1.00 in both eyes. By April 2003 year my eyes had got worse and I got my current prescription(new lenses in the same frames). When I first got my glasses I only wore them part-time but went virtually full time within a few weeks as I was wearing them most of the time during the day when I was at college anyway. I also liked the way everything was so crisp and clear with them on. After my prescription increase I felt more comfortable to always wear them.

I think I will be wearing -2.00 or stronger soon as I went from nothing to -1.00 in 6 months and then to -1.50 in another 6 months.(I passed the distance vision check when I had my driving test last summer but needed glasses just a few months later). I should have gone for a check up in November (2 years since first prescription & 1 1/2 years since second prescription). I probably could have done with a stronger prescription in November '03 but I could see ok and thought new lenses every 6 months was a bit extravagent (£45 each lens). But now I really do need new lenses as my distance vision is not so good any more - I've still got my old lenses and when I hold them in front of my glasses I can see better. I will get myself to the optician very soon!

Bespectacled Professor 04 Jan 2005, 08:57

Karen X,

Welcome. What kind of prescription do you have?

Karen X 04 Jan 2005, 08:53

"new" please tell us what your prescription is and what your frames are like when you get them.

I'm no expert but it sounds like you might as well wear glasses all the time if you need them for close up and distance. Do you ever get headaches or have any trouble when looking at distant objects?

new 04 Jan 2005, 06:46

I had my eyetest this morning. Turns out I do need glasses. When I went in the optician asked me to describe the problems I've been having to him, so I told him about headaches when I work and the pain across my forehead. First I read down the eyechart and I could read it all except the last two lines, which he said was good, so I thought my eyesight was fine. But then he gave me this little card with print on to read, and I couldn't read some of the smaller ones. So he put some lenses in front of my eyes and it got bigger and clearer. Then he kept them there and put more lenses in front of my eyes and asked me to look at the eyechart, and he kept twisting one of the lenses a bit, which was on a stick, and he kept doing it until he found somewhere I said it was really clear. I could read every single letter on the eyechart with these lenses. It was really sharp and clear and everything looked really big and bright! Then he told me that I would need glasses. He said I should wear them defnitely for reading and whenever my eyes started to ache. He said I also should wear them for TV and driving when I learnt next year. I am going back in a couple of days to choose some frames.

new 04 Jan 2005, 06:36

Nick 03 Jan 2005, 13:23

CJ and Katy, interesting comments about how little notice people actually take of glasses and how soon after you've started wearing them people assume that you've always worn glasses. I've had that too. I suppose I'd been a full time wearer for about four or five months when a friend Ive known for a few years called round to pick me up for an evening out. He was a bit early and I was still getting ready when he called, so I left my glasses in the bathroom when I went to open the door. When let him in, he said it was the first time hed seen me without my glasses on. Despite the fact that Id only recently gone full time, he thought Id worn them for as long as I had known him. I guess once people get used to seeing you in glasses, the mental image they have of you is one in which you've always worn glasses.

Charles 03 Jan 2005, 05:39

Kerry, what is your prescription ? How old are you ? Please, telme us.

Julian 02 Jan 2005, 06:44

new: all the best for your test on Tuesday; let us know how it goes. Just don't be surprised if you come away with a prescription for plus lenses, maybe with a bit of cylinder. It may be quite a low one, but will help with the headaches. I know, I've been there.

Love and kisses, Jules.

new 02 Jan 2005, 02:53

Thanks for all your replies. The eyetest is on tuesday. I hope I won't need glasses, I don't mind my boyfriend wearing them but I don't think he wants me to wear them. I hope its just the studying giving me a headache but yesterday I was playing a board game and started to get the same kind of headache. I took some painkillers but it didn't really make it go away. My boyfriend said maybe I study with not enough lights because this gives him a headache too.

i'll let you know what happens at the opticians.

Furtive 01 Jan 2005, 21:03

Dave: I don't remember exactly - I think I have a little more farsightedness and a little less astigmatism than you though.

I experience the "tug of war" that you're describing - though in the case of my glasses-less visits to my family I don't have too much trouble if I avoid doing prolonged close-up things.

Dave 01 Jan 2005, 20:09

Furtive, What's your Rx?

Mine is Sph +.25 Cyl -1.75 R

Sph +.25 Cyl -1.25 L

I have much the same difficulties you describe but I also find my eyes play tug-of-war for a few minutes when I take my glasses off so I just leave them on.

Furtive 01 Jan 2005, 17:22

Katy: I've enjoyed your story about wearing glasses around your family.

I have the same issue with self-consciousness about wearing glasses around my family - even though I wear them about 75% of the time at work and 50% of the rest of the time, when I go home for the holidays I don't wear them at all.

I did mention to my family a couple years back that I'd gotten glasses. They asked to see them when I visited a couple times, but I didn't put them on. Lately they have not asked - so I don't know whether they've forgotten entirely, or whether they just think I'm ridiculously self-conscious (probably the latter.)

For me it is not too difficult to go without wearing them because I'm only a little farsighted and have a little astigmatism. It makes my eyes watery and uncomfortable if I use the computer or read without glasses, but other things are just slightly blurry.

jenn 01 Jan 2005, 11:11

i have 2 pairs of similar frames with similar prescriptions. however, when i put them on, the cut-in is a lot more emphasized on one than the other.

the one with the more cut-in seems to also have flatter lenses, and i get a little distortion when looking at distant objects with this pair.

would the base curve make the lens a bit thinner, but increase the cut-in? what would be the standard value for base curves for a -4 prescription?

Brian-16 31 Dec 2004, 17:03

Mark S.-My brothers rx is r-8.75 and l-8.50 with -.75 astigmatism both eyes.

Bifocals are 1.50.He does not have prism correction (yet)..He is 14yrs.

Mark S 31 Dec 2004, 12:36

Brian

What is your bro's full new script?

Brian-16 31 Dec 2004, 08:23

KERRI-I agree.Love those posts in caps so I do not have to strain thru my tri-focals too much.On some reading material for homework I have even used a small magnyfing glass in addition to my bi-focals.

KERRI 31 Dec 2004, 03:37

I JUST LOVE TO READ POSTS THAT ARE WRITTEN IN CAPS!!

Guido 31 Dec 2004, 00:01

-5 who luvs gwgs, I have lost about a half D in nearsightedness correction in the last two years. Eye Doc said that it is not uncommon in mod myopes, as I am, to see the little reduction in spherical correction. I am a few years more experienced than yourself, however.

-5 who luvs gwgs 30 Dec 2004, 23:48

WEARING R-3.75 CYL-0.5 L-5.00 CYL-1.0 + READING +1.75 NOW BEEN PRESCRIBED A DROP OF -.25 -3.5 AND -4.75 BUT FIND THESE ARE TOO WEAK 2 DIFFERENT OPTICIANS SAID I NEEDED WEAKER PRESCRIPTION BUT IFIND THEM NOT AS GOOD AS THE OLD ONES IFEEL I COULD USE PERHAPS -4.50 AND -5.75 ESPECIALLY FOR DRIVING WHAT DO OTHERS THINK ? I CAN EASILY GET THEM MADE WHEN I GO TO ASIA I AM 49

Katy 30 Dec 2004, 16:34

CJ - I know exactly how you feel. Even though I've just been through showing them to my family, I still don't know why I feel so much more embarrassed in front of them. I think it is true that people usually take amazingly little notice of glasses - I have had a few comments like 'oh, you've got different glasses' from people that have never seen me wearing any. If you're interested in them, then its hard to imagine how people can be like that, but I think a lot of them are.

CJ 30 Dec 2004, 14:12

Katy, well done for managing to wear your glasses around your family. Like I said in my last post, for the past few months discomfort and poor vision from contact mean that I've worn glasses all the time at work and around my friends; now lots of them seem to think I've always worn glasses. One of them looked at a picture that was a couple of years old and actually commented that I didn't have my glasses on. (Is this normal for people to take so little notice of glasses that they don't remember that upto October it wearing glasses was unusual for me).

Anyway, for some reason I just can't bring myself to tell my family that these days I wear glasses or appear wearing them. I don't know why, probably something to do with the fact that I hated wearing them as a kid and put loads of pressure on my parents to get me contacts. So, for the past few days when I've been visiting my family, I've put up with the dry eyes and the less clear vision. It's been good to get back home and switch back to glasses.

Willy 30 Dec 2004, 12:29

Meanwhile, as for myself, my exam is set for early February. I expect something on the order of +1 with a +1 add, with more plus and some cyl for my left eye. I've noticed that while things are clearer reading with my glasses (+1.5 OU, no cyl), I actually seem to get more strain on my left eye while wearing them, whereas when not wearing them, I get a bit of a dull headache relating to both eyes (and more blur!) but no specific left eye strain -- hard to explain, but I think it may be because I have a need for a cylinder correction in the left eye. I do think generally I need more for close, but I think that will come more from upping the distance than the add. But who knows....

Andrew 30 Dec 2004, 12:04

New- I'm with Willy on this one, but you can also get lots of headaches if you take lots of painkillers because you get lots of headaches (if that makes any sense at all). Time will tell, but if you can rule vision problems in or out, the next step will become much clearer.

Zoe 30 Dec 2004, 11:41

Just thought I would let everyone know how I'm getting on with my glasses.

I can now see all distances perfectly through the left lens (+0.75). Reading for long periods is easier I've noticed. Yesterday I went without glasses until I watched something on tv in the evening. It took my left eye over half an hour before it focussed enough to be a less noticeable blur and probably another half an hour before it was completely focussed. I now realise why I was advised to wear my glasses full time. It would be very annoying if my left eye was burred every time I put my glasses on to watch the tv etc. My eyes seem to adjust quicker if I put my glasses on when I get up in the mornings. I will stick to full time wearing.

A friend of mine who wears glasses part time for distances said my right glasses lens was a bit weaker than both of hers but she couldn't see very well through my left lens. She said she likes my frames and might get some the same or similar when she has her next eye test in a couple of weeks time.

30 Dec 2004, 11:22

And what is your news Willy? weren't you about due for an exam?

30 Dec 2004, 11:21

And what is your news Willy? weren't you about due for an exam?

Willy 30 Dec 2004, 11:14

new -- I'll guess that you get a prescription for plus glasses and that with the symptoms you are describing you should definitely use them, at least for reading. But let us know what happens...

LikeGlass 30 Dec 2004, 10:47

new,

It is hard to say, but the eye test is a good idea. The human body did not evolve for reading books, so it tends to rebel against these things. You may only require some light "readers" (glasses with a low + rx) to help you with long reads. Two problems can arise due to excessive reading, one is strain on the muscles that constrict to relax the lens for close work, the second is that your eyes are forced into a cross-eyed mode when you read at a close distance. These problems will fade away once your intense studies are over. Still, the check-up is a good idea.

new 30 Dec 2004, 09:06

LikeGlass and brian-16,

Thankyou for your replies. He wears them all the time and not just for driving. But if he doesn't have them on he doesn't seem to have too many problems. I am going for an eyetest because I get lots of headaches. I am doing my GCSEs this year and since I have got more work, I get a pain right across my forehead if I concentrate on a book for a long time, and when I look up it takes a while to focus on things. I told my mum and she thought it would be a good idea for me to get my eyes checked just in case i need glasses. My boyfriend said he doesn't think I will need them because i have good eyesight and no one in my family wears glasses, everyone in his family does and he says it depends on that a lot. He thinks it is probably just worry about my exams. I am not sure, because I don't know if eye problems cause headaches or if it is just trying to take too much information in. Does my problem sound like i might need glasses, or do you think it could be somthing else?

thankyou.

Brian-16 30 Dec 2004, 08:01

New- Your boyfriend is nearsighted and I assume he needs them for driving.It is not a strong rx.Let us know how you make out at the exam.

LikeGlass 30 Dec 2004, 07:37

new,

Different people have different tolerance levels of vision. -1.25 is considered mild, but is annoying enough that many people would opt for glasses or contacts. If you have lived without glasses until now, I would not expect even a script this high. Here are some ballpark numbers:

below -2 Annoying, can go without but should be wearing by -2. -2 to -4 Should be fulltime, but not "blind" without. -4 to -10 Fully correctable, but life is very problematic without. Above -10 life requires correction, there is geometric distortion with glasses, general complications. This all is very variable depending on the person. Many other factors such as astigmatism can complicate the issue, making even lower scripts require full time glasses. I am farsighted myself, at +2, but it is the astigmatism that annoys me the most.

new 30 Dec 2004, 06:47

sorry i forgot this bit on the other post. The reason I am asking is that I am having my eyes tested next week and I wanted to know what the prescription means if I get one.

Thanks again

new 30 Dec 2004, 06:46

my boyfriend wears glasses all the time. he told me his prescription is -0.75 in one eye and -1.25 in the other. is this strong? i don't know anything about prescriptions so I don't know what it means.

Cheers

Katy 29 Dec 2004, 11:12

Clare - yes, the people who said that weren't commenting on the appearance of the lenses, it was people like my gran who probably can't see too well and was just assuming that I was wearing clear glasses to look trendy! Because they can't remember me getting them when I was younger, they assume I have perfect vision. When people did try them on, they were saying things like 'everything looks really weird / blurred' - my mum actually said 'oh my god - how can you see through these?'! My friends were very different though - they used to tease me (nicely!) about not being able to see - so they weren't surprised at all, and have been saying that they look really nice :)

Alm - thanks! :)

Alm 29 Dec 2004, 04:35

Im proud of u Katy... happy it has been a success for u! A big kiss from Italy

Puffin 29 Dec 2004, 04:17

Strange how the comment can be "aren't they weak" rather than "aren't they thick and strong" perhaps there are more OO's about than we know of.

Clare 28 Dec 2004, 23:05

Great news Katy! I think you're very brave. I'm surprised at the "they're clear glass" comment ... didn't you get something like -1.75 in the end? I had that rx once and it didn't look like clear glass at all. Do you think that was a surprised comment rather than one after they'd seen the strength of the lenses?

Katy 28 Dec 2004, 17:18

Paul - I think that is easily enough to make a noticeable difference, especially in low light. I would have thought that you would be close to the limit for driving, too. I think if you get them you will be amazed at how much detail you have been missing. Let us know what happens :)

Katy 28 Dec 2004, 17:12

Alm - you are right - I like wearing them - I like the way they look & I really like everything being clear all the time. So I would be hiding something by not wearing them.

Clare - yes! I think it has been a success - I have kept them on all the time I have been here. I have had loads of comments.. 'they're only clear glass aren't they?', 'what can you see without them on?', 'you didn't used to need glasses', etc - and a lot of them in front of roomfuls of relatives! But in the end they are only comments - it isn't so terrible to be asked. I have just had to forget my oo side while I am here :) It is such a relief that everyone has seen them now. There's no way I would have done it without people on here encouraging me - so thanks! :)

paul 28 Dec 2004, 15:20

thanks for the replies guys..

I have become very conscious of my eyesight now and think I will get specs. things like text on tv is fuzzy - I had just thought it was the same for everyone but ... maybe not!

Is going to be an issue as to when i'll wear them though. Any others out there with a similar prescription - if so when do u wear them??

eric 28 Dec 2004, 13:12

Paul: -.75 is enough to annoy anyone. How can you see people across the street? Or drive at night? Of course you should get specs for temporary wear. Maybe your sight will get worse by a diopter or two - the jury's out on whether wearing your specs full time will accelerate this process.

Myopwolf 27 Dec 2004, 23:27

Hi Paul,

I got a similar prescription, but at the age of 8. Unfortunately my nearsightedness progressed rather hard, and now I wear glasses with -11,5 diopters. In the beginning I hated to wear glasses, some years later I couldn' do anything without them. So I would suggest to wear your glasses to prevent progressing nearsightedness in great steps. Best wishes, Wolfgang

paul 27 Dec 2004, 17:17

hello,

great discussion board!

I just found it cos i'm kinda interested in the subject since I had my last eye test. The optician said i am slightly shortsighted. My prescription is:

-.75, -.25, 90 in both eyes.

He said it is up to me whether or not i get glasses. I am kinda excited by the idea but not sure if i really need them....

Any of you guys have a similar prescription and did you bother getting glasses???

I am 22. does this mean my eyesight won't get any worse?

Any advise and comments appreciated:)

Clare 27 Dec 2004, 12:21

Well Katy, do we declare a success? Well done for being brave and sticking with it - as my mother used to say, it's harder the first time. She implied difficult things were always easier next time, hmmm.

Alm 25 Dec 2004, 03:03

Hi everybody,

first of all i would like to wish an Happy Christmas to everybody. And second for Katy: i think u should not be worried to wear glasses in front of your family for one simple reason, because u really like glasses and even if they will do some comments, u will show them the way as u want to be seen by everyone. I mean if u will have your glasses on u are the same as u are in everyday's life, if u will go with contacts u are hiding something that actually makes u happy and gorgeous.... I hope u will have a nice Christmas and let me go how did it go...

Katy 24 Dec 2004, 16:09

Hollie & CJ, thanks. That happened to me too Hollie, when I first got glasses (I was 16) - my gran looked at them and said 'oh these can't make any difference, what have you got them for?' For some reason that is the worst thing anyone could say - I was so embarrassed to wear them after that.

Well, I didn't chicken out :) But I did cheat a bit by having a glass of wine on the train! :O My mum said she liked them, and I have been out with my friends from school - everyone was trying them on! One friend tried mine and my friend Glayne's and said 'oh Katy you are much blinder than Glayne'! :) Tomorrow I have to face my dad and a load of other relatives but I feel a bit braver now :)

Hollie 24 Dec 2004, 03:58

Katy, I sympathise with you. I don't know why, but I feel very self-conscious in glasses around family. I think what may have contributed is that a few years ago, when i first got glasses with a rx of -0.75 and -0.75 cyl, I was with my family and put then on to watch TV, as we were sitting in a big room and there were captions running across the screen which I coudn't quite see. My aunt asked to try my glasses on, so I let her, and she said 'Why are you wearing these, they're really weak. is it just a fashion statement?' I mumbled something about not being able to see the words on TV properly, and she said 'Of course you can see the words. you're just making your eyes worse by wearing weak glasses.' Soon after this, I had quite a precsription jump and switched to contacts. So I have never had to wear glasses in front of extended family again.

But recently, I have started wearing glasses part-time, and virtually stopped wearing contacts. I know I will definitely have to put my specs on at some point duringthe day (my rx is -3.50 and some cyl) so even watching the TV without would be a no-no. I think I might chicken out and put my contacts in though.... its so much easier than to face questioning!

CJ 24 Dec 2004, 03:44

Good luck, Katy. I know what you are going through. Recently, I've switched from contacts to glasses virtually full time, I always wear glasses to work now and around my friends. But for some reasons, I still cant't bring myself to wear my glasses around my parents and family, so when I go to visit them I wear contacts and put up with dry eyes and less good vision. Stupid really.

ehpc 23 Dec 2004, 15:23

Hi Clare................well if you were not in the slightest bit 'inebriated' that's even better:)..you come over as the nicest and most perfectly mannered and natural well-brought-up English girl imaginable in your posts but I hadn't seen that fun sexy side of you before...............I liked it a lot:)

See you soon. Pete

Katy 23 Dec 2004, 14:54

Andrew, Clare, Phil, Mark - thanks for the support. I really hope I will be brave enough to wear them. Once I get my mum, dad and brother over with, the rest won't be so bad. I have a feeling I could chicken out at the last minute though.. as the train pulls into the station :) I will let you know what happens. Katy x

Andrew 23 Dec 2004, 13:54

Go for the glasses, Katy! You'll have to be seen in them sooner or later, so you might as well get it all over and done with in one go. You won't then hit next Christmas and be faced with the same dilemma!

Clare 23 Dec 2004, 11:08

Katy - I agree, it's unlikely that anyone would spot you're wearing contacts, if they're soft ones of course and I guess yours are. They'd have to be really determined to see them and get pretty close at that. The only other give away is when your eyes feel dry. I get that sometimes and it makes you blink more. Like Phil, I think you should go for it - after all if all your friends know you as a glasses wearer then why not your family too? I know it's hard, I found that out in the summer. You could at least introduce them for some of the time if you think it'll be a big shock for them.

ehpc - hi. Cracking form, I'll accept that, but I don't think I was even mildly inebriated, not even a little bit. I'll be back another time but my connection fizzled out.

scared new glasses 23 Dec 2004, 09:24

new prescription have never worn glasses before

R +050 L +050-025 130

i dont really understand my prescription and are not sure that glasses are necessary but i am trying

This seams looking at other posts a very weak prescription and although some benefits especially computer work look promising i dont think i need to use them at all

ehpc 23 Dec 2004, 08:32

Clare.................you were on cracking form when we chatted a few weeks ago.................just very mildly and attractively pissed I think:))))))))) Hope you are fine. Pete

Mark 23 Dec 2004, 06:51

Katy -- VERY unlikely anyone would spot contact lenses in your eyes. You can at least wear them for part of the time, and often a great way to minimize discussion when appearing in glasses is to be able to say "oh, I just took my contacts out. They were bothering me." Try not to worry too much about it...almost everyone wears glasses at some point (or should).

Phil 23 Dec 2004, 06:49

Do what you always told me Kasty: be brave. Merry Christmas!!

Katy 23 Dec 2004, 05:13

Help! I am going to visit my family for Christmas tomorrow (there are loads of them.. aunts, cousins, grandparents etc etc) and none of them know I have glasses even though I have been wearing them full time for a few months. I really don't think I can face all of them at once. Today I decided to have a practise not wearing them - I went to the supermarket and it was a nightmare - everything was a total blurry mess. I couldn't read any of the signs or see people's faces properly - I was really hoping none of my neighbours were in there because it would be really hard to recognise them from a distance. I don't think it was this blurry before I started wearing them all the time. I have some contact lenses but I can only wear them for about 5 hours and I'm sure someone would spot them. What should I do? :(

Pauli 23 Dec 2004, 02:09

Hi all,

in the age of 15 i got my first glasses

L: -0,5

R: -1,25

i never worn this glasses.

age of 19 i made the driving license.

L: -1,0

R: -1,5

i only worn these glasses for driving a car.

at the age of 23 i had to wear the glasses

full time - L:-1,75 R:-2,25

age of 25 L: -3,0 R: -3,5

now i am 29, and my rx is L:-4,0 R:-4,5

i got this rx in summer 2003. now i think i had to go to the doctor, because i see not very well in the dark.

i am a little bit afraid of my new rx, and my rx in the next 10 years.

22 Dec 2004, 22:49

they use both where i go

Katy 22 Dec 2004, 16:42

Clare, Guest - The hand-held instrument with a light is a retinoscope and it does the same thing as the autorefractor (the machine with the picture) - so I don't think they would usually use both. They would use an opthalmoscope though (another hand-held instrument with a light), just to check the retina. If they only ask you to look straight ahead, it is the retinoscope.

Clare 22 Dec 2004, 11:22

I checked the website Ed directed us to, this is what it said: "Your optician will look at your eyes through a small hand-held instrument that shines a light into your eyes. The light bounces off the back of your eye and by focusing the beam it's possible to get an accurate measurement of your prescription". As it says it gives an accurate measure of your prescription I wonder what the point of the first test where you look at the image - it's usually a mountain road where I go!

Here's another question. To what extent do you try to read the letters? I always wonder whether I should try hard or not. I don't know whether they expect someone to say "I'm not sure but I think it's a ..." or if it's just better to say you haven't a clue. As I posted on the other thread I have to make an appointment for a test soon and I always find it embarrassing to admit when I can't read stuff. Silly eh?

Tony 22 Dec 2004, 06:03

Zoe

You are not alone in being recommended full time wear with what on the face of it looks like a very low prescription. I am L -0.75 and R +1.75 and was told fairly emphatically that I should wear them all the time. It takes a little getting used to but if you are comfortable with your look (as you obviously are) it isn't so bad although my friends and family expressed similar surprise. I must admit though that I wish I was either shortsighted or longsighted in both eyes rather than having one of each. But that's life and I can see it clearly!

Guest 21 Dec 2004, 21:38

I know what Ed means but I don't know what it's called. On the Specsavers website there's something where it says they shine a light into your eye and the light bounced back shows your prescription. Not sure this links going to work, but try this or look on the site under eye test - www.specsavers.co.uk/cgi-bin/strudwick.sh/s?langid=1&pfmt;=1&siteid;=22&pname;=eyetest.html

www.specsavers.co.uk

Katy 21 Dec 2004, 16:31

-oo- I think you are supposed to focus on the picture :-)

Ed - the slit lamp is just to examine the front of your eyes - they can't tell anything about the prescription from it. It is strange that you would get more minus from relaxing your accomodation - I would have thought that would make you appear less shortsighted.

-oo- 21 Dec 2004, 13:59

aren't you supposed to relax your sight when they do the auto refractor?

Ed 21 Dec 2004, 11:10

I'm Ed, 28, live in SW England. Today I booked a sight test. The last I had was over 2 yrs ago. This is my question. Last time I relaxed my focus when I looked into the first machine they test you on. Don't know what it's called. The result from it was a full diopter more than I was wearing. Not sure why I did it really. Even after the rest of the test I still came out with that extra -1D. So when I go back next week I'm worried I might loose it. Has anyone else done that and do you know if it's cheatable? Also with that slit lamp test? If I've faked the first test will that find me out?

I've done a couple of online tests and they put me around the 20/100 or just over which is probably my old prescription (-2.50) although t he one I did tonight put me at 20/200 in one eye. I know they say they're not representative. Any ideas on what I can get away with without looking like a fake? I know about the red/green test too.

Andreas 21 Dec 2004, 10:31

gill,

I think -3 - or -2.75 in my case -

is the time you have nearly no other

chance than putting something in front

of your eyes, if you don't want to be

laughed at and fail in every day life

situations because of poor eye sight.

it's possible your eyes are a little worse than -2 now, what do you think ?

best regards,

Andreas

19 Dec 2004, 17:59

My RX is (R) +2.00 -7.50 25 (L) -2.00 -1.00 80 but my right eye is only correctable to 20/30 and am not able to see out of it w/ both eyes open b/c my left eye takes all the control.. I do notice though the difference.. I can function w/o my glasses because of my weaker RX in my left eye. even wearing my glasses, things in my right eye close up are clearer (b/c of the + lens) than in my left (- lens closer work = blurry) but i am able to focus.

Bart 19 Dec 2004, 13:29

Lia how do you go with that prescription uncorrected. Do you know what the least prescription someone can go with without getting some discomfort? I'd reckon that a -1.50 diopter difference would be pretty uncomfortable.

Lia 19 Dec 2004, 10:28

zoe. From my experience, your eye doc's recommendation is not unusual. I was prescribed -2 and -3.50 last year and on the strength of that was recommended full time wear. My dominant eye is the -2 so I could have managed but on the difference between the two full time wear was recommended. I guess the difference was just to great for the eye to tolerate.

Zoe 19 Dec 2004, 05:03

Hello. I'm fairly new here. On Saturday I got my eyes tested as I had noticed I was having slight headaches when watching tv. I got a prescription of -1.00R +0.75L. The optician said that if I was -1 in both eyes or + 0.75 in both eyes I would only need glasses part time for distances or reading. But as the prescription is very different in each eye he said I should wear glasses full time so my left eye can get used to focussing on distances with the + lens.

I chose some frames that are similar to the new ones that Meg of lastyearsgirl.com has got. I collected the glasses a couple of hours later andhave been wearing them all the time as recommended. My left eye was a bit blurred at first for distances but is getting clearer all the time and reading is very sharp now (I hadn't noticed it before but the difference is noticeable now I have glasses). Distance vision in my right eye is nice and clear now.

I was quite surprised to need glasses all the time (as were my friends and family) but I don't mind as they look great on me and I can see perfectly now!

Lauren 17 Dec 2004, 20:26

hey, I posted here a few months back. Just thought I would update you guys. I am getting my six month check done the beginning of Jan 05. I'm not sure if my glasses need to get any stronger but I'll find out then. All I know is that I am totally blind without the glasses I have now. Maybe from weraing these as much as I have.

Helen 17 Dec 2004, 17:47

Hi Trevor,

Sorry, I've not replied to your post sooner. Busy with Christmas and packing to go away.

In answer to your question, I don't wear my glasses all the time. I was on holiday in Boston last September and I was wearing them quite a bit out there. But, they are mainly for distance, so I was more often taking them off to take photographs. My friend and I went to Fenway Park and I needed them then.

Pat 17 Dec 2004, 04:15

Jim, quite an increase...is it the first time you have been given astigmatism correction? I have had .50 in both eyes prescribed once, then at the next exam it seemed to have gone away..never noticed much difference with it anyway!

Trevor 16 Dec 2004, 04:50

Helen, do you wear your glasses all the time?

jim 15 Dec 2004, 16:01

hi everyone. had an eye test on saturday. my new prescription is R -6.5 0.75 L -4.25 0.5

squinty 14 Dec 2004, 07:05

Helen, To a presbyiopic (latent?) hyperope, your glasses might really feel quite strong! If someone is already using a lot of focusing power to see distance (to say nothing of close) then your glasses simply require that much more focusing - they would send a new presbyope right into blur for close and maybe even middle distance - in reality your lenses are far too WEAK, but thats really just a technicality. To many people, any pair of glasses they can't see well with feel "Too strong" You might feel the same about your friends new glasses, but only if you look into the distance.

Helen 13 Dec 2004, 15:48

My rx is -1.25 in both eyes with very little astigmatism. So, I was surprised when my father who is presbyopic tried on my spectacles and said he thought they were strong.

My friend who could be a candidate for presbyopia was saying on Saturday that she needs to take an eye test. So, I gave her my specs to try on. She said that she could see me all clear and also said that she found them strong.

To me they are not at all strong. They just make everything seem clearer, especially things in the distance.

Like Ollie, I also like to wear them as much to look good.

Ollie 13 Dec 2004, 10:52

Thanks, Katy.

Adam: That's a really strange prescription. Anyone got any ideas on it?

Katy 12 Dec 2004, 14:29

Ollie - that's fine - you can take it anywhere and choose some frames - they won't ask you to have another test unless the prescription is old. If they do - just refuse! :-)

Ollie 12 Dec 2004, 08:57

Hi, I have a prescription of -0.75 both eyes, so by most people's standards fairly weak. However I wear my glasses most of the time, I like the clear vision and I just like wearing glasses. I had a recent eye test at my small local opticians, and my eyes hadn't changed. I'm 19 so fashion is quite important to me, and I thought I'd change my glasses for some newer ones. My local opticians didn't have that great a selection, is it OK to take my prescription to another opticians such as a High Street one which has a vast range of glasses? I know these places tend to operate on a sales basis and am wondering if they'd want me to have one of their eye tests just to make some money, I just want some new frames.

Thanks, Ollie

Adam 12 Dec 2004, 08:55

Hiya i went to the opticians yesterday, because i had been having trouble seeing whilst driving at night and reading small writing on the t.v. I was given a perscription of L=0 and R=+0.25,-0.50,86. I was told that i should wear them for distance and for reading and computer work. I'm abit confused as i hadnt been having any problems with my near vision, only my distance whilst driving at night. Can anybody help.

gill 10 Dec 2004, 07:00

I'm interested in how you can tell that your vision isn't 202/20 anymore. I haven't had a test for about 3 years and the last time I came out with a -2. I probably should go. It's not that I know that I'm not 20/20 anymore just that it feels more blurry now without them. Or is that just the same thing?

jim 10 Dec 2004, 03:41

pat. my right eye has always been worse than my left but the gap between the two has become gradually larger over the years. i cant remember exactly what my first prescription was but it was something like -0.75 in my left and -1.25 in my right when i was 12, but i only needed them to see the board in school. my prescrition was around -3 in my right and -2 in my left by the time i was about 15, so then i was starting to need them a lot more. i'm 20 now and havent had my eyes tested for nearly a year (got an exam tommorow afternoon). i think it will probably have increased by at least a little bit because i dont think my eyes are 20/20 with my glasses at the moment. they are probably closer to 20/40 or 20/50

Pat 10 Dec 2004, 01:51

Jim, how was your progression? Was one eye always significantly worse than the other or did the myopia increase suddenly? I started with -2.25 and -3.00, and one eye kept more or or less steady and the other got very much worse..

Lia 09 Dec 2004, 19:32

Jim & Pat, thanks for your replies. It seems strange that it's possible to have such a difference and effectively not notice it. But i guess that's a positive.

I agree, something was strange about the result of that exam. Has anyone else experienced something like that when they got it wrong to some degree?

leelee 09 Dec 2004, 16:11

old: OD: +.50 -.25 x62 add +1.5 OS: +.50 -.25 x62 add +1.5

new: OD: +1.00 -.50 x90 add +1.5 OS: +1.00 -.50 x90 add +1.5

This is the most symetrical I've ever been! They were actually seeing more plus for distance in the exam, but were afraid to go any higher. I tried to encourage them, because I think I was undercorrected, but I didn't want to end up with blurry distance.

I just picked up my new glasses & I'll post a report under the multifocals thread once I've torture tested tem.

Roy 09 Dec 2004, 07:11

Rob

I have a combination of myopia with a significant prism correction. I find varying attitudes from opticians in the UK about combining prisms with varifocals. Some refuse, some will make the glasses reluctantly, and others are quite happy to combine the prisms and varifocals. I get on really well with the combination. I suggest you take your prescription round a number of opticians to find one who is happy to make up the glasses.

Roy 09 Dec 2004, 07:06

Pat 09 Dec 2004, 06:05

Lia - it really does not disturb me very much. I can do bare eyed around the house, though I tend not to do it very often, and most of the time Im wearing contacts. But I think i see like a -3 person sees, and not use the -6 eye apart from giving me peripheral vision. Im really gald my eyes havent changed for a long time and that I havent got past -6. I find it really strange what happened with your prescription, there must be a mistake in there somewhere...

D-W-V 09 Dec 2004, 01:55

Rob:

I think you'd be best served by an optician who can fit your glasses in person. There's got to be some opticians in big cities like London who specialize in unusual prescriptions, and have access to more versatile optical labs. A very wild guess is that somewhere around Harley Street wouldn't be a bad place to start looking.

jim 08 Dec 2004, 16:01

my prescription is -5.75 in my right and -3.5 in my left and ive never noticed that one eye is worse than the other unless i cover one and then the other. when i do that i can see my right is far worse but otherwise it doesnt seem to make a difference.

Lia 08 Dec 2004, 11:31

Sorry - my post was to Pat

Lia 08 Dec 2004, 11:30

I've not known anyone who has a dissimilarity between two eyes but am interested because at my last exam in December my prescription was determined as -2 and -3.5 which scared me because I thought it was a big difference. In the end I couldn't cope with the -3.5 and the prescription was scaled back to -2.25 for both (big difference eh?). I don't think that's right though either as I can't see as well with the right eye (that was prescribed -3.5)and I guess it may be nearer really to -2.75 or -3. Fortunately my dominant eye though is the left so I benefit from the better vision in that eye. How does the world feel to you with such a difference between the two without correction (I appreciate you won't do that too often with one being -6!!!)? Thanks, Lia

-14 08 Dec 2004, 08:37

Rob

I have progressives (+3 add) with some prism but only 2BO. I got them at Optical 4 Less and am very pleased. My experince with O4L has been excellent. You might want to write Albert at their website and ask if he can help you.

Pat 08 Dec 2004, 08:30

- oo - you semms to have hit the nail on the spot, I have been practically ALL the time in contacts since I was 12 or 13. And it could be the reason why Im never really comfortable wearing glasses, tho I do love them (especially on other people).

-oo- 08 Dec 2004, 06:22

Pat, I think that problems caused by an unequal rx tend to show up early in life, so if you don't have problems now, you are not likely to develop them, althogh I suppose the dissimilarity could be annoying. Do you tend to wear contacts?

For some reason, an unequal hyperopic rx is more problematic than an unequal myopic rx - probably because it is easier to miss, and then the more hyperopic eye fails to develop and gets shut off, so the brain develops fewer nerve pathways for that eye.

hth

Brian-16 08 Dec 2004, 04:54

Rob-Sorry forgot the rx.Its 5.0d base out.

Brian-16 08 Dec 2004, 04:53

Rob-I do not know where the grinding lab is located in New Jersey.But the doctor/optician said they can do almost anything but not prisms and executive bi-focals if the prism rx is high.My tri-focals are ft35mm.

rob 08 Dec 2004, 02:52

Brian -16

Tell me, what prisms do you have in your Rx. I would really like to know how you manage to get glasses with Prisms which are tri-focals. I have base 10 out prisms and have a terrible job to even get bi-focals. My optician always writes on my Rx - "separate reading glasses". I have got to the point where I "white" out his remarks and then I still have a job getting bi-focals dispensed. My reading add is 2.5, and I would really like progressives. Any ideas where you can get a decent modern frame dispensed for progressives with base out prisms. I'm in UK but would certainly order from US or anywhere else if I could. Would be grateful for any help please. Cheers

Pat 08 Dec 2004, 01:57

Im -6 in the right eye and -3 in the left, with 0.50 astg in both eyes. Could the difference lead to any problems? Im 24 and I have been stable since 18 (I think..)

Brian-16 04 Dec 2004, 08:05

Mark S. - Yes my brother got his exam and new glasses.He said he cheated and the doctor did not protest.It went up .75 in one eye and 1.0d in the other.His vision is still sharper than mine.His rx is almost like mine except he does not have prism rx and just bi-focals and not tri-focals.Of course the bi-focals went up .25d.

Mark S 04 Dec 2004, 06:48

Brian-16:

My prisms have crept up over the years, now 11bo.

Did your bro have his exam? If so, what was the result?

D-W-V 04 Dec 2004, 03:15

eric:

Astigmatism screws up vision at all distances, and there's no natural way to compensate for it, so I'm not surprised that you find your glasses useful.

eric 04 Dec 2004, 03:06

My prescription might seem too weak to bother with. But, at 42, I find it helps for reading. Any thoughts?

L: +0.25

R: +0.5/-1 axis 105

You would be amazed how blurry things are with my right eye. Fortunately my left is dominant.

Julian 28 Nov 2004, 16:39

Hi Gaz. I think it's quite common for it not to occur to people that other folks see more clearly than they can. No, -0.75 is a pretty weak prescription - but you've seen for yourself what a difference it makes! It will obviously make sense, and help your class work, to get glasses properly prescribed for you, and you wll wear them as much or as little as you want to. You have obviously got by without them up to now; on the other hand you may like the clear vision so much that you prefer to wear them a lot, or even all the time, as many people do. Bear in mind too that myopia (short sight) is normally progressive. In other words you may well need a stronger prescription in another year, and after a while may be dependent on your glasses. Don't worry about it - this forum is full of people who like wearing glasses, and if you aren't one of them but want to see well there are such things as contact lenses.

Love and kisses, Jules.

0^0

Spexy guys are sexy guys.

curious 28 Nov 2004, 16:14

My brother is 20 and his rs is -4.50 both eyes little astigmatism and my mom is around -3.00 both eyes and my father has astigmatism in both eye around 1.5. even though I enjoy wearing glasses contact lenses are better for me, but I also wear glasses. but it scares me how depended I became for corrections and it is getting worst and worst.

Brian-16 28 Nov 2004, 12:53

curious-My guess is it will creep up to about -5.0,but maybe if you wear glasses more it might creep up fast.I am 18 and my rx is -11.50/-11.25 and asigmatism,prisms and tri-focals.I will no doubt increase for a couple of more years.And I wear glasses only.I stared when I was about 6yrs old with more rx than you started with.How old is your brother? Do you know his rx?

curious 28 Nov 2004, 11:31

I was 11 when I started to wear glasses -1.25 and my last eye exam was on august/2004.

Curious 28 Nov 2004, 11:30

Hello I'm about to turn 14 and I wear glasses since I was 11 on my last eye exam (august/2004) my prescription for contact lenses was -3.25 both eye and a little bit of astigmatism, do you guys think that my prescription will increase more??? what r your guess for my prescription till I reach my 20's??

at home my brother and my parents wear glasses also

gaz 28 Nov 2004, 10:49

Hi,

Just doing a bit of research about eyesight on the web. I am 20 and never really thought anything was bad about my eyesight. Yeah I find it hard to see the screen in uni at times but I just guessed everyone was the same.

Well today I tried on my mates glasses and was stunned about the difference- everything was so clear! He says they are -.75. Is that strong?

Do you think that means I badly need glasses. Will I have to wear them all the time if I get them?

Charles 27 Nov 2004, 02:41

Thans Liz : please tel us.

liz 26 Nov 2004, 10:49

have not been yet, expect will leave itto the new year, but will not be surprised to get an add, thats par for the course for high longsighted people. but will have to wait and see

Charles 26 Nov 2004, 06:32

Hello Liz : what about your test ? What is your new prescription ? With or without an add ?

Thanks...

Clare 20 Nov 2004, 12:11

Hello George 1968! I'm not certain exactly how hers compares, but I'd guess in the -3 range. She certainly wears them more than me. Her children I'd say are *at least* the same as their mum; the eldest, who I've only seen in photos in the last year, appears to have converted to contacts. In all her younger photos (she's 18 now) she wore glasses and absolutely all the time.

George1968 20 Nov 2004, 11:15

Clare,

How does your cousin's prescription compare to yours?

And, what do you define as a "reasonable" prescription?

Brian-16 20 Nov 2004, 09:34

Clare-Yes,the family has all been nearsighted including my grandparents on my mothers side.I have surpassed my mom's rx and my brother has surpassed my mom's as well.Glasses are a way of live with us.

Clare 20 Nov 2004, 07:48

Brian -16 do you have a family history of myopia? I just wondered if you could trace where you inherit it from. In my family of five cousins, just one other and I are myopic, no-one else in the family. My cousin's two children wre diagnosed before they were even 10 and now have reasonable prescriptions. Seems like we too were a kind of genetic blip and its now being passed on!

Brian-16 20 Nov 2004, 07:05

Mark S-Yes my prisms have slowly gotten stronger too.They are 5.0d base out.

Mark S 20 Nov 2004, 06:37

Brian-16:

I don't notice things getting bigger when I put my glasses on, only in focus so that everything is not a big blur.

I too have worn prisms for a long time, almost always stronger, and can't do without them.

Brian-16 17 Nov 2004, 18:39

Eustace - The little brother (no so small now) is 14yrs. He got glasses at age 7. He does have bi-focals.Not sure what his next rx will be,but now its -9.5/-9.00.He does have great vision at a distance-20/15 both eyes,whereas I strain to see 20/20 with my left eye and have a definite 20/25-1 in my right eye.My eyes have always been weak from birth and did not fully develop up to 20/20 even with correction.There is always debate as whether the doctor's should over-correct or under-correct.I have had 2 different doctors since I was six for my eyes.Brother Frankie has had just one doctor / same as my present one.

Eustace 17 Nov 2004, 18:11

Brian 16: You seem to have to have your Rx bumped up pretty often. Has your eye doctor explained why? When I was your age, I don't remember having to have so many "upgrades" so quickly. I am now going through a phase of having my distance Rx being reduced and my close-up Rx being increased. And,of course, my mid-range lenses are halfway between--which I am told is the normal practice. Of course, I am a good bit older than you. When I have a little more time, I would like to share my old and brand-new Rx with you. Do you think your little brother will soon be a candidate for trifocals. I've forgotten how old he is. When did he first start wearing glasses?

Brian-16 17 Nov 2004, 16:09

Leelee-Thanks for the info..When I take my glasses off its just a big blur of light!I fear myt next rx wll really go up as now my doctor said she undercorrected me last time.She told my little brother the same thing at his exam last week.

Liz 17 Nov 2004, 12:29

agree leelee, if not smaller things go out of focus when take my glasses off.

leelee 17 Nov 2004, 12:19

Brian

At first when you get plus glasses, things suddenly seem bigger when you put them on, but once you get used to them, then things seem smaller when you take them off!

Brian-16 17 Nov 2004, 10:00

Liz-I am wondering with your plus rx,do things appear closer and larger?With my rx (-11.75 ) things do appear smaller and causes me to squint quite a bit as I am still a little nearsighted with my glasses.I have ft-35 tri-focals as well.

Charles 17 Nov 2004, 08:04

Thanks Liz...

Anyway, do you wear your glasses for love (I mean with boys or girls) ?

And when they are trying your glasses, what kind of comments ?

Thanks, Liz.

Liz 17 Nov 2004, 07:29

Yes the big eyes are a thing with us plus wearers. Not many boyfriends, I'm bi-sexual, but mostly prefere girlfriends, but they have no problems with my glasses, and often want to try them on.

Charles 17 Nov 2004, 06:28

Thanks Liz,

I am a french man (Paris), so sorry for my poor english. My last girlfriend was wearing glasses like you : +10 and an add of +3. I like very much the big blue eyes beside the lenses. What about your friends ? Your boyfriend ?

Thanks, Liz.

Liz 17 Nov 2004, 06:07

should think they at least that measurement in the centre of my lenses, that is the thickest part. Hope to keep bifocals at bay for a while yet, but will have to see what my optician thinks

Charles 17 Nov 2004, 06:02

Thanks Liz for replay.

Maybe you will need bifocals next month ? Do you think that you Rx will be stronger next month? And, when you say thick... 10mm ? More ?

Thanks Liz.

Liz 17 Nov 2004, 02:14

Charles, wear black plastic frame, find the plastic better for thicker lenses. Do not have any add for reading at the moment, have been told by time am 30 will need bifocals. I do lots of close work, and must admit at the end of the day, my eyes are quite sore and red. So maybe those bifocals will come round a bit quicker than forecast. By the way I am 22 now.

Charles 17 Nov 2004, 00:13

Hello Liz,

Just a question : with such a correction you do not need any add for reading ? And, what kind of frame do you chose ?

Thanks for reply.

Guest 11 Nov 2004, 02:29

Re: High index lenses

Historically, it has always been a compromise between reduced lens thickness and peripheral distortion. However, modern technology has definitely improved the situation.

Aspheric lenses vary the geometry of the base curve (the curvature of the front surface) to lessen the thickness at the edges. Also there is a material called Tryvex (known under various other trade names), while not having the highest index figure, has an advantage in being more optically "pure" than most high index materials. These are two options to consider as you investigate your available choices.

Liz 11 Nov 2004, 01:04

Phil Read your reply to Jan,agree you need to shop around. Don't think I have the best quality ones, still get distortion around the edges. When get my eyes tested next month, will break the bank and buy the best pair I can afford. Its very true that you get what you pay for. With such a high plus as mine, you need all the help you can get.

Liz 11 Nov 2004, 00:56

hallo Jan. Was on the chat line, killing an hour before starting work. But all quiet on there. Looking through latest posts came across yours. I wear high index, My rx is R+12.50 L=9.75. I suffer with severe hypermetropia. Am only 22 years old. Went into high index when my glasses reached plus 7 range. I find them ok, they can cause reflections and distortions, but weighing that against the weight of the lenses in my normal glasses, I'm happy to put up with that. Don't know what sort of thickness your glasses are, but with plastic lenses, mine are awfully thick. Even with high index, they pretty thick and the magnification on my eyes is quite something. If I can be of anymore help, come in the chat line, or leave a message you will be in.

Love Liz

Phil 11 Nov 2004, 00:51

Hi Jan, We spoke yesterday on the chatline. I have had high index lenses in my last three pairs of glasses (since I got progressives). They are much thinner and do look much better. They come in many kinds so be careful. Shops have a chart showing the different thicknesses of all the sorts of lenses at each strength. I don't know whether it might be possible to get a higher index lense for the eye which has the bigger minus to try to even out the appearances of the lenses: it might be worth asking. The early high index lenses did not give great all round vision but the latest sorts are much improved. They are expensive though. Have a test and give them a look: you can't go on "peering"!!

Jan 11 Nov 2004, 00:33

Found the chat line a few nights ago. Was asking people on there about high index lenses. General thoughts were to post on this site. So thats what I am doing, hoping have got the right thread.

I'm 28 years of age and have been wearing glasses since 15 years of age. Current RX is R-4.25 -.50 L-7.50 -1.50. Will be having another eye examination when get time, am biginning to lift my glasses to see better through the edges.

I am thinking of going over to high index lenses and would like to know of any advantages/disadvantages. I know they will be lighter. With my present Rx the power rings in my left lens look quite a lot compared to my weaker lens. Would this still be so with high index. Have thought about going over to high index for some time, but have no had my eyes tested since May 2004, so could well be due for increase. (Someone on the chat line said I may need bifocals)

Any assistance appreciated. Can always meet on the chat line if anyone would like to assist me. Thanks

Katy 10 Nov 2004, 09:51

Does anyone know anything about prisms? About a year ago my bf was getting headaches after reading which always started on the outside edges of his eyes. He had an eye test and was prescribed R 1 and L 0.5 prism dioptres, base out, for reading. That worked for a while then the headaches came back, so he started wearing them all the time, which stopped the headaches completely. In the last couple of months they started again, after reading, exactly the same, so today he had an eye test, expecting to get stronger prisms, but they told him there is no change.

Maybe it is just my OO wishful thinking (!) but this seems a bit strange to me. The optician also said that the headaches could be caused by not having the anti-reflecion coating on the lenses. Has anyone ever heard of this as a cause of headaches? And does anyone know whether people usually need stronger prisms after a year?

Any opinions would be great :) Thanks, Katy

Simon 10 Nov 2004, 03:20

Hi there,

Its difficult to say. I think the simple answer is not a lot. I find at home in my own space I can get around without glasses if I dont really want to focus on anything in too much detail. Yesterday I left work and went without them just to see what it was like and couldnt manage to do anything.

eric 09 Nov 2004, 14:10

Hi Simon, nice Rx! How much can you see w/o specs?

Simon 09 Nov 2004, 09:37

Hi all,

Love this site, found it by accident and its great.

New specs -

L -7.00 -1.50astig

R -6.50 -0.75astig

speclover 04 Nov 2004, 23:28

Hi Clare. How are you? Are you wearing glasses or contacts at the moment. I'm a mig who wears minus 4 glasses virtually full time but can't get on with contacts. Any help? Perhaps we can chat on the new chtroom. Let me know when you are free.

Andrew 04 Nov 2004, 14:39

I'm still here!

Clare 04 Nov 2004, 14:12

Hi Speclover

I'm still here. Been away for a bit. It seems REALLY quiet around here. Where is everyone?

25 Oct 2004, 22:58

Thanks for the advice Julian. Have been wearing my glasses most of the time and can see much clearer. Will probably start to wear them full time. I like the way I look and see with them.

Speclover 25 Oct 2004, 08:13

Where is Clare? We haven't heard from you for a while. Are you wearing glasses or contacts at the moment or just putting up with blur? Had any more interesting comments from anyone you suspect is OO?

visitor 25 Oct 2004, 06:40

will I become longsighted and have to wear glasses fulltime if I persist with blurred vison with ready readers Iam desperate to wear them fulltime and need to have to,what is the difference from readers and longsighted Iam 49 and its to late to introduce minus lenses

Julian 24 Oct 2004, 15:58

Whenever you want to see something clearly, for goodness' sake.

24 Oct 2004, 13:30

Had my eyes examined. My prescription in as follows. OD Cylinder -.50 Axis 20 add 1.25. OS Cylinder -50 Axis 161 add 1.25 How often should I wear my glasses?

Julian 23 Oct 2004, 08:05

Whenever your eyes (especially the worse one) complain of poor vision or discomfort. Full time wear won't hurt if that's what they ask for!

Love and kisses, Jules.

? 23 Oct 2004, 07:07

How often do you think?

Val 22 Oct 2004, 04:43

Sorry, correction: your left eye.

Val 22 Oct 2004, 04:40

?, I think that you have to wear glasses. The astigmatism in your right eye is high enough.

Hansel 20 Oct 2004, 14:23

I guess this to be a first prescription.

Have you had regular checks? When was the last test?

The reason being that not everyone, and I'm guessing here a little, especially those who over time have not had eye problems, unlike some of us on here, don't go for regular checks. If you're in that category, what made you go for a test this time? My suspicion is that with the -1.00D astigmatism in one eye particularly, you were experiencing some difficulties.

This has been borne out by the optician's script.

In short, I guess you felt the need for a test, the optician has provided a prescription, which agrees with your suspicion that some correction was needed, so........yes. We do get round to answering! :-)

? 20 Oct 2004, 12:06

R Vitrum Spher. -0.25, Vitrum Cylindr. -0.25, Axis 030

L Vitrum Spher. -0.25, Vitrum Cylindr. -1.00, Axis 170

Age 42

Do I need to wear glasses?

Somebody to answer please!

Andrew 20 Oct 2004, 10:31

In defence of Emily, I have chatted with her a number of times through LensChat, and I look forward to doing so again when she has the time.

stingray 20 Oct 2004, 09:58

If I remember correctly, Emily made up a ficticious story in diary form last year about a vacation with her family and her faking some prescriptions to increase her myopia. She then projected the story into the future ( i.e. 2004 and 2005) and her myopia and social relationships kept increasing and getting better. She then wrote that since she was entering college, she would not have the time to continue posting here to eyescene. I personally enjoyed reading her diary that she posted and was saddened to hear that she would not be posting future episodes. So I guess her recent posts are just a continuing diary of her exploits . Don't get me wrong, I find her posts very entertaining and enjoyable.

Jess 20 Oct 2004, 07:40

Why would anyone lie about needing glasses? What is the point? I'd love to not need them!

Jess

? 20 Oct 2004, 07:30

R Vitrum Spher. -0.25, Vitrum Cylindr. -0.25, Axis 030

L Vitrum Spher. -0.25, Vitrum Cylindr. -1.00, Axis 170

Age 42

Do I need to wear glasses?

Gordo 19 Oct 2004, 17:45

People take this sight too seriously. Who really cares if people are making stuff up? It isn't as if it is all too hard to tell.

19 Oct 2004, 16:01

all fakes!

19 Oct 2004, 15:44

Emily are you for real? Actually I don't doubt about you, but it reminds me certain fake posts or stories

Arnaud 19 Oct 2004, 10:07

Emily, are you living in NY ? Clumbia Univ ?

Can you tell us in details your"big jump" like you did last year when you reached -6.00 ?

"Then he took his pad and wrote out my new RX and gave it to me. I was excited but a little too scared to look at it, so I put it in my purse. When I got in my car I took it out and it nearly blew me away. Obviously my eyes changed more than I expected, because the RX was R 6.25, L 6.00. (TC, eat your heart out!)I was tingling all the way as I drove home, I was so excited!"

Where you excited to jump from -7.75 to -9.25 (bypassing -8.00!) ?

glfc 19 Oct 2004, 02:24

Emily, good to see you posting again!

How are you liking college, the upper west side, and NYC so far?

It's a good thing to be fully corrected when you start college, the writing on the board in those huge lecture halls are so difficult to read when you sit in the back.

Are you taking classes which require a great deal of reading? I have a class that requires reading one or two philosophical books every week. (Plato's Republic for this week) I wonder how much it's going to affect my eyes this year.

Mike 18 Oct 2004, 18:30

undercorrected, yeh, sure.

Emily 18 Oct 2004, 17:47

Arnaud: To bring you up to date:

-6.25/-6.00 in February 2003 (age 176)

-7.25/-7.25 in November 2003 (17-1/2)

-7.75/-7.75 in March 2004 (18)

-9.25/-9.00 in October 2004 (18-1/2)

Until the last exam, I was always slightly undercorrected, but I changed doctors and my new one gave me my full prescription, which is why there's such a big jump.

Brian-16 18 Oct 2004, 08:11

Arnaud- 20/30 is not bad for driving at least here in the U.S. The low limit

is usually 20/40.

And I know some students in my school who passed with the driving exam with 20/30.

Arnaud 18 Oct 2004, 07:48

Wecome back Emily, we missed you

your last post was 31 Aug 2003:

"Here's an update on how my RX is doing. It's R -6.25 L -6.00 and I've had it for 5 months. I have an eye chart and a small set of trial lenses to check my vision with.

I am seeing 20/30 with my glasses. My eye Dr. would probably increase my RX by -.50 or -.75, but since I'm seeing OK for driving, I am going to hold off on a new exam for a while."

- when did you had that exam?

- how many since last august ?

-what were the increases?

- what did you doctor said ?

- would you reach soon -10 as you expected in january 2003?

Jill 18 Oct 2004, 07:06

I got small blue wire frames, they are a little different being blue but I think they are pretty cute.. I got a smaller frame because they seem to be in style and the optician recommendend a smaller frame with my prescription as well.. I'm getting used to them pretty well now, I've been wearing them doing up close activities because thats when I have the biggest problem seeing double and images rolling together but still wearing my contacts while going out and really am not experiencing any problems.. The taller feeling I felt when I put the glasses on for the first time has gone ago and things are good.

gwgs 18 Oct 2004, 06:14

After reading, and corresponding with you on various posts, it is nice now to know your prescription.

Melyssa 18 Oct 2004, 04:18

My current RX is:

OD -8.25 +2.50 90

OS -9.00 +2.75 85

It's a long way from the -1.75/-1.50 I had for my first pair at age 8, "just" 4 decades ago.

I also have an optional +1.50 add, for which I use half-readers to go with any of my regular glasses when I read in poor light.

ehpc 18 Oct 2004, 03:35

Emily - have you ever thought of wearing non-high index lenses, to get the 'girl wearing thick glasses' look that many men find so sexy? :) Pete

Emily 17 Oct 2004, 20:24

Guest -- Reading close-up, even fine print, isn't a problem at all.

Mike -- You're probably right, for the next few years I expect to keep needing stronger lenses to see distances clearly. My Dr. says I don't need bifocals because myaccommodation is very good.

Jess -- My lenses are high-index, so they're not really thick, about 1/4" at the edges. I don't mind wearing them. I have nice lightweight frames that look good and are comfortable. I've never had contacts.

George1968 17 Oct 2004, 13:30

Bashful,

My posts about moving to fulltime wear are on the Psychology of Glasses site.

How are other people reacting to your wearing glasses?

Guest 17 Oct 2004, 13:15

Emily: is small print (like the ingredients of cereal boxes) considerably harder to read? It'd be interesting to see a photo of just your glasses!

Brian-16 17 Oct 2004, 12:31

MWM- Do things look bigger and closer?Sounds like you may be farsighted.

Andrew 17 Oct 2004, 11:38

Jess,

Changes in eye prescription are very much individual things, so what happens to one person will not necessarily happen to anyone else. Some people get their first glasses quite young in life, but their prescription never rises as high as yours is now. Others can get their first glasses later than you, and end up wearing specs which are much stronger than yours. A number of us have experienced big jumps in Rx when we have been doing a lot of close work, studying etc.

Mike 17 Oct 2004, 11:23

Emily , i can't wait until your next exam, i'm sure it will be higher again, maybe the doctor will prescribe bifocals to slow down the progression

mwm 17 Oct 2004, 11:08

I picked up my first glasses yesterday. I have a prescription of +1.75 each eye. I am wearing the glasses fulltime to try and adjust to them. Things seem a little strange at first. I am 17 years old.

Jess 17 Oct 2004, 10:58

Emily,

Do you think my prescription will increase as much as yours? I don't like how thick my glasses are now, so would hate it if they were much thicker and I became more dependent on them. Do you mind wearing thicker glasses? Do you ever wear contacts?

Jess

Bashful 17 Oct 2004, 10:46

George1968 and others, thanks. You're right, it's great to see! Spurred on by what I read here, in the last week I have been more of what you'd call a 'full time wearer'. Not completely yet but recognising that it's necesary to see well in the distance. I am not too chuffed that it means a lifetime of glasses wearing - and in the short term getting used to that in itself is a surprise. My greatest challenge, as I've decided i DO want to see clearly, is to get over the fact that I may be less fanciable, of course I'm still bashful! But I'll be reading here for inspiration.

George1968, how long is it since y9ou got your prescription increase are you feeling about it? I saw some recommendation that someone read your posts about your wearing fulltime, where can I find them?? Thanks.

Emily 17 Oct 2004, 10:12

Hi Jess. I was just reading how your prescriptions keep increasing. You're following my pattern almost exactly. I'm almost 19 now. When I was 16, my glasses were -4.50 and -5.00. Since then, I've needed new glasses every 6 months. The ones I'm wearing now are -9.00 and -9.25.

Jess 17 Oct 2004, 08:54

Hi Arnaud

To answer your questions:

Yes, I got my first glasses at the age of 13.

Since my mum keeps all of our health information in a folder, I was able to find all my old prescriptions. I got my prescription changed every 6 months. They are:

1st one (age 13) L:-0.50 R:-0.50

2nd one L:-1.25 R: -1.50

3rd: L:-1.50 R:-1.75

4th: (think this was the one where I started wearing my glasses all the time): L:-2.25 R:-2.75

5th: L: -3.00 R:-3.50

6th: L:-3.75 R: -4.25

Current one which I got last week:

L: -4.50 R: -5.25

All of these prescription cards had these numbers in the SPH box. There was another box which said CYL and that was empty on all of them.

I am 5ft 5in tall.

My parents aren't shortsighted at all, but my older brother is, his prescription is -5 on his contact lense box, and my younger sisters prescription card says -2.25 both eyes and something else -0.50 x 70 in another column.

I have worn my glasses full time for about 18 months and have never worn soft contact lenses or any other type of contact lenses as a matter of fact.

Thankyou very very much for taking the time to help me.

Jess

Arnaud 17 Oct 2004, 08:34

Hello Jessica,

To answer you question, I need to know:

- you had your first glasses at 13 ?

- how many times did you change your prescription, 3? (every year) 6? (every 6 months?)

- what was the prescription before this?

- what was your first prescription?

- do you have your prescription story ?

- how tall are you?

- are your parents nearsighted?

- did you wear your glasses full-time?

- do you wear soft contacts?

Brian-16 17 Oct 2004, 05:18

Jess-Welcome to the ES site.I am going to be 18 in about ten days and my rx is still increasing.I am at -11.50 in my right eye,and -11.25 in my left eye.I also have prisms and tri-focals.But I started wearing glasses around the second grade.The left eye corrects to 20/20 but the right eye is 20/25..I would think your rx should level off in a couple of years.Have you had a big jump in your over-all height recently? I have heard some people say the eyeball begins to lengthen a little and causes more nearsightedness.

Jess 17 Oct 2004, 03:32

my prescription is l: -4.50 and r: -5.25, I am 16 years old if that helps.

Tod 16 Oct 2004, 18:51

Jill, I am glad to hear you are satisfied with your new glasses and Rx and that you can still wear contact lenses for special occasions.

What kind of eyeglass frame did you pick out?

Tod 16 Oct 2004, 18:50

Jill, I am glad to hear you are satisfied with your new glasses and Rx and that you can still wear contact lenses for special occasions.

What kind of eyeglass frame did you pick out?

Brian-16 16 Oct 2004, 18:50

Jill-Glad you are getting along okay with your new glasses and prisms.Mine are just the opposite-base out and the edges towards the temples are thicker.

Jill 16 Oct 2004, 18:19

I did get my new glasses today.. They really aren't that bad.. I did feel a little taller and it took me a little while to get used to them, but I've had them on most of the day and they feel alright and my eyes feel pretty comfortable... I even tried to put in my contacts in the middle of the day for a few hours and I could still wear my contacts ok even though I wore my glasses for several hours beforehand, I wasn't seeing double or anything with my contacts, but I'm sure if I was using the computer with my contacts, I'd feel some eye strain.. The lenses don't look that different at all, I can see on the inside of the lenses where the prism correction is, but its not that noticeable at all.. I'll keep you posted, but so far it looks like I'll still be able to wear contacts from time to time as well, which makes me happy..

Sheena 16 Oct 2004, 17:58

Ive been looking in for some time - my specs are my secret passion....:o)

New glasses this week Rx (R)+4.25 (L)+4.00 add +1.75.

Old Rx Dec 2001 (R)+3.75 (L)+3.50 add+1.50.

I was WAY over due for the new Rx...headaches, eyestrain etc...but the thing that did it was a new job - heaps of close work with small type spread sheets...could not function. I turned 45 in May this year. Ive been wearing + specs for 8 years started with +1.25 readers.

My question is - is that a big increase for someone at my age - and - do you think my eyes will get much worse..?

thx

Sheena

Brian-16 16 Oct 2004, 17:29

Jill- Did you get your new glasses today?

16 Oct 2004, 10:28

Hi Jess

What is your prescription?

Jess 16 Oct 2004, 10:04

I came across the site while I was looking for information about myopia.

I have worn glasses for 3 years now and recently got a stronger prescription. I am quite worried because when I got my first glasses they were very weak but now these are a lot stronger and I am worried about how bad my eyes are getting. Even the optician commented that my prescription had gone up a lot. Does anyone know what age your eyes stop developing?

Thanks for any help anyone might be able to give me.

Jessica

Jill 15 Oct 2004, 12:51

I got a message that my glasses are ready so I'm going to pick them up tommorow morning.. Your equation there confused me a bit Daffy, I just know they said I'd notice that my lenses would be a little different than they have been in the past, so I guess I will find out tommorow.. I've been trying to wear my old glasses a bit more this week, just to get used to having glasses on my face in case I do have to wear them all the time... I really wouldn't mind if I have to wear them for work and to see up close to prevent double vision, I just hope it doesn't get to the point where I can't wear contacts while doing outdoor type activities, and going out.. I'll let you know how they look and how I see out of them once I pick them up tommorow.

Brian-16 14 Oct 2004, 16:30

Jill-You should have no trouble getting used to 1d base in prisms.I have 5d base out prisms.I know I can't go back to no-prism glasses as I have tried my younger brothers glasses and I get double vision.He does not have prisms but does have bi-focals.Let us know with a posting how you get along with your new specs....

Chris 14 Oct 2004, 11:33

I think you'll find that once you get used to the prism correction that without it the double vision and headaches will be worse than before, so you'll end up wearing glasses full time.

daffy 13 Oct 2004, 22:27

Jill, They won;t look all that different, only you'r eyes will feel it.

They may decenter the lensesin order to achieve this (which is the most likely method used). What that means is that the optical centre of your lens will be shifted. There is a formula;

Decentration (in cm) = prism/Rx

1D/4.75 = 0.21cm or 2.2mm. So, instead of your normal PD distance, they will increase the PD (effectively) by about 4mm (2mm for each eye) to get the amount of prism. That way they can carge you more, for the same lenses they would have used for normal lenses. It might be a good idea to ask if they decentered the lens to achieve it. Just so that they know that you know.

Hope i haven't confused you

Jill 13 Oct 2004, 21:37

Hi, I came across this site when doing a search for glasses and prism online.. I'm 29 years old(I know almost 30!) and have basically been wearing contacts since I started college 11 years ago.. I first got glasses when I was about 14 or so..

only wore them part-time and started wearing contacts before college when I was told I needed to start wearing my glasses all the time.. So basically for the past 11 years, I have only worn glasses before heading off to bed and first thing in the morning..

Since I was young, I have always had a problem with my eye alignment, I think its called extropia.. I just know my eyes are kind of aligned outward when they should be

straight.. Aside from not being able to see far away and my vision deteriorating over the years I really never had any problems with double vision until about 2 years ago

when I started having focusing problems while reading.. I mentioned it to the eye doctor and he said I don't need bifocals or reading glasses or anything but the reading problems

were probably due to my eye alignment.. He gave me some exercises to do and they really haven't helped much.. And I've noticed recently even some double vision if I quickly look at something in the distance.. I had an exam today and he said I should probably

try prisms in my glasses.. But he also said once I got used to them, I probably wouldn't be able to wear contacts anymore.. He still gave me a contact prescription to try, but told me

not to count of being able to wear them without having double vision problems.. None the less I am getting a prism correction put in my glasses to try out.. The doctor said he's

starting with a small correction, its listed as 1D base in, in each eye on my prescription but he said it might need adjusted in 6 months to a year once my eyes adapt.. My prescription

is -4.75 and -4.50, so my eyes are pretty bad.. I've never been stuck in glasses all the time,

I wore glasses part-time for about 3 years in high school but have had contacts for the last 11 years.. I guess this will really make me old turning 30 only being able to wear glasses..

Anyone have any suggestions.. Too bad they don't make contacts with a prism correction, I asked the doctor about it.. My glasses should be ready in a few days.. I guess the good news is they should help my double vision, I just hope I can still wear contacts.. Hopefully my glasses

will look somewhat normal as well, The eye doctor said I'll notice the lense will look a little

different than my old glasses..

6 eyes 12 Oct 2004, 11:52

matt,

I am 50 years old -- soon to be 51 come December. I have been wearing prsims for 25 years. Began out at 2 Base IN fresnel. The fresnel, however, did not work, nor did two months in orthoptics. Over the summer of 1980, my eyes went from a Re:-2.50; LE: -1.75 to a -4.00 in both eyes. I had four rxs. in four months! Over the years the prsims have increased. The 3.5 Base IN is for my distance pair, and the 4 Base IN is for my reading glasses.Occupational hazard, as I am a trained historian, lawyer and archivist.

Suffice to say,I can't see without my glasses.

mattp 12 Oct 2004, 11:23

6 eyes--

Interesting RX because it is quite similar to mine (except for the difference between the right and left eyes)and EXPENSIVE to have made up. Mine is right: -4.50/-1.25 x 20/ 2D prism, base in. Left: -4.75/-0.50 x 10/

2D, base in. Both eyes add +2.50; trifocal; 3D base in in add section.

How old are you? How long have you had the prism correction? I ask because I am nearing 50 and just got the prism a few months ago. I used to be able to go without my glasses to, say, walk to the bathroom in the morning. Not any longer--my eyes go haywire and eveerything is double when I'm not wearing the prism! How about you?

Matt

6 eyes 12 Oct 2004, 09:05

I saw the optalmologist yesterday. RE: -6.00 +3.75 axis 90, prism 3.5 Base IN; LE: -3.00 +1.25, axis 65, 3.5 Base IN; Add +2.25 in both eyes for reading with 4 Base IN for reading.

daimien 11 Oct 2004, 22:08

I'm 32 and am finding that glasses are more comfortable to the eyes than contacts. I wore contacts exculsively for over 15 years. Now i'm finding that i can tolerate them for less and less time, thus refering to glasses more and more. I do feel that the contacts slowed the progression. I started with glasses at -1.75. It went to -3.75 in 2 years, then to -4.5 in three. I then started to weare contacts because i was self concious about the thickness. Now i'm -5 in contacts for the past 8 years. I am a bit worried whether the rx will change when i eventually cannot wear contacts. Time will tell.

CLwearer 11 Oct 2004, 14:01

As my name suggests I'm not a frequent glasses wearer but I do find glasses attractive. Of course I wear them sometimes, but largely in the privacy of my own home or with friends. At work I'm not known for wearing glasses at all. I don't know if it's normal, but as I get older (39) I find my eyes are less tolerant of lenses and after 12 hours or so they're positively irritated, and though I hate to admit it sometimes I have to fix my focus so as not to loose it. I always thought that when I got closer to middle aged vision I'd revert to glasses but now I think the time might be approaching it seems a frightening prospect. Anyone been through someting similar?

Andreas 11 Oct 2004, 12:07

Hi bashful,

if you feel you can hardly see at all

without them at night,

will be best to wear them at night for you. That's the same for all of us nearsighted people, at night even in glasses we see worse and without really

much worse.

Collegial greetings from another myope,

Andreas

Andreas 11 Oct 2004, 12:03

Hi bashful,

I wish you, that your vision doesn't get worse. From what you said, your eyes got worse about -1 in the last 2 years I think, so less than -0,5 a year

I hope that doesn't go on, because if

you could reach about -3 in next december or next year which would probably force yourself to wear them

-or any contacts- more often.

I mean I wore them full time from -2.75 on as i couldn't stand the blur any more

at that time.

So please always read at good light and

a feet distance from books in order not to worsen them any more. That's all

what you can do about i guess.

Keep us informed please, how you are going by

see you,

Andreas

Anja 10 Oct 2004, 09:06

George1968, I know they say hindsight is a wonderful thing, but I agree with you. My prescription is -2.50 with the teensiest bit of astigmatism. I got these after having had a stable prescription for a while and not wearing them alot. I assumed this'd be the same and I did try it for a bit. Now I find though if I go without them my eyes feel strained and tired at distance, they're okay again when I'm back in the confines of the house where everything is much closer.

So I know what you mean when you say you wish you'd gone full time earlier, there are heaps of reasons to and just a few against. I do like to go sometimes without my glasses too, if nothing else it makes me wonder at what I see with them!

George1968 10 Oct 2004, 04:56

Guest,

I believe my first prescription was -1.00 in both eyes and it was when I was 17. My eyes got somewhat worse in college (around -2.0), then really didn't change for a while (though when I went in for the last change, it had been quite a while between eye appointments).

If I had to live my life again, I would have gone fulltime in college.

Guest 10 Oct 2004, 04:31

George1968-

At what age did you have your first prescription? What was the RX then?

George1968 09 Oct 2004, 15:59

Bashful,

I'm 36. I just started wearing glasses fulltime in the early summer. I had a prescription like yours until the last eye test, when I found out my eyes had worsened to -3.00.

I wasn't too crazy about having to wear my glasses fulltime, but I got used to them quickly, and now wish I had done so much earlier. Moving to fulltime wear -- and getting used to seeing yourself in glasses all the time -- is a little awkward at first, but the fulltime clear vision more than makes up for it.

George1968 09 Oct 2004, 15:58

Bashful,

I'm 36. I just started wearing glasses fulltime in the early summer. I had a prescription like yours until the last eye test, when I found out my eyes had worsened to -3.00.

Eye Tri 09 Oct 2004, 11:23

Raider - I spend lots of time on motorcycles (I have several, and I work on them for a living), and this is one of the reasons I prefer trifocals. I tried a few different types of progressive leses, but none were as good as the trifocal. This is especially true if you work on your bike. Think about all the things you have to do at arms length. For me these tasks were more difficult when I was trying to see what I was doing through a small spot in a progressive column.

Raider 09 Oct 2004, 11:06

Well I did get one optician who suggested a special pair of glasses for computer work that would be bifocal and have the entire upper area for the computer screen. The reason I started to consider trifocals was because I also ride a motorcycle, and wanted lenses where I could see distance as well. There's also apparently a new wider field progressive which another optician recommend for computer work along with a special coating that cuts down on reflections from the screen. I think the sponser of the web site (Optical 4Less) uses that coating and I'd order from them but they don't seem to do trifocals

MNM 09 Oct 2004, 09:39

I got a new prescription the other day, L +1.25 -.25 96, R +1.00, I had been having some headaches and eye fatigue. The doctor said I could use another .50 for near work but that I would not be able to see distances clearly so he could prescribe bifocals . He thought that leaving off the .50 would allow me to wear the glasses for TV, driving etc. on the script he wrote wear as needed. He thought that in the next 2-3 years I should be getting bifocals! so what does this mean...do I wear the glasses all the time now since distances are clear and close work is not as straining? It seems to me they are only needed for close work, however once I put them on it is hard to take them off, it takes a while for my eyes to refocus. By the way I am 25, doesnt that seem young for bifocals?

Bashful 09 Oct 2004, 08:38

Hello George1968. I'm 32, my last test was in December, before that I think it was two years before. My old prescription was -1.50. I didn't wear that much and now it seems much worse. At night I feel like I can hardly see at all. I can read okay though, just have difficulty with the distance. Do you wear glasses or is your prescription something like mine?

Julian 09 Oct 2004, 07:08

Or rather, very quiet ::)

Julian 09 Oct 2004, 07:07

George: I just love that missionary spirit now that you've succumbed yourself. Anyway, you've been very quite for a while; it's nice to know you're still with us.

Love and kisses, Jules.

George1968 09 Oct 2004, 06:56

Bashful,

How old are you? How much did your eyes change over your last two eye doctor visits? When was the last time you had an exam? Do you think your eyes have gotten worse since then?

I ask because it sounds like you are about one prescription change from fulltime wear. In fact, I think you fear you are already there.

Eye Tri 09 Oct 2004, 05:12

Raider - I mostly wear executive trifocals. As I sit here and type this I'm viewing the screen through the 7mm

middle segment and I see almost all of it in focus. Executive trifocals can be harder to get, but to me it's worth the effort. I really like the wide field of view and lack of "image jump" between the segments. The biggest disadvantage is weight.

D-W-V 09 Oct 2004, 01:16

Raider:

Or, get bifocals made with the intermediate (computer) distance in the main part, and the reading prescription in the lower segment. You'll have a nice big area to see the computer screen, and the lenses are cheap (compared to progressives or trifocals). You won't have clear distance vision, but it'll be enough to get around the office.

I'm concerned that the 7 or 8 mm trifocal segments won't be big enough to see the whole computer screen at once; this could get annoying if you spend hours on the computer every day. There are trifocals with 10, 12, (maybe even 14) mm intermediate segments, in various segment styles, but you may have trouble finding an optician who knows where to get them.

Julian 08 Oct 2004, 22:35

Raider: another option is to get a single-vision pair for work at the computer/close work if you don't need distance vision at the same time.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Brian-16 08 Oct 2004, 19:32

Raider-The difference is just the fact that the executive goes all the way across with two ledges so to speak.The ft-35 are just that-35mm wide.

I am sure I could adjust to executive tri-focals,although the cost is more.I do find the tri-focal just perfect for reading the dashboard in the car.Whereas the bi-focals in my case are good up to about 12 inches reading.They are +2.25.I have not ever had the progressives.

Raider 08 Oct 2004, 17:29

So Brian could you tell me a little more about your trifocals. What's the difference between yours and the executive trifocal? What have you found are the advantages? I guess I'm a bit aprehensive about the trifocals, I've used progressives for about 5 years but find now that I'm having real difficulty at the computer, and doing close jobs like working on my models

Bashful 08 Oct 2004, 15:24

Andreas - I do wear my glasses for the obvious things - for driving, tv, theatre et al. I really couldn't get by without. I hope my vision won't get any worse, this is bad enough to cope with without wearing all the time.

Brian-16 08 Oct 2004, 15:18

Raider- Yes,in the U.S. they still make executive tri-focals,and some do make the 8mm part as well as the 7mm.

I know this as I had that option when I got my ft-35 tri-focals...

Raider 08 Oct 2004, 11:31

D-W-V

Thanks for the idea: "Now, something I thought of later: is your current prescription in a progressive lens, in a smaller frame? Maybe the lab cut off too much of the reading portion, so you don't actually have the full 2.50 to use." Now I'm starting to wonder about that. I've been thinking about changing lens styles as the progressives aren't that great for computer work. Do you know if opticians still make executive trifocals? I've read somewhere that when they did it was possible to increase the depth of the intermediate to 8 mm, is that useful for computer work?

laura 08 Oct 2004, 03:24

hello, im 16 and im nearsighted. i got my first glasses at 13, and now i have my third new pair.my prescription is -4.75 R -4.00 L so now i need my glasses fulltime.

Andreas 07 Oct 2004, 11:27

Hi bashful,

ok I see,

I think you should accustom to wear yours at least part time, at least at night, for driving or biking, all

what is visually challenging as you say

I guess, if your eyes get any worse,

perhaps if you do a further check in next december, or if they already did,

- only you can tell that -

than you will probably soon switch to full time or wearing them more.

Or you could try contacts.

Wear them whenever you feel it's better for you, don't take them off and on too often.

If you like, we can meet in the chat,

perhaps even test your eyes there,

I often post as antonio there.

best regards,

Andreas

Guest again 06 Oct 2004, 22:48

Bashful that's not an "insignficant" prescription and it's not high but you;ll certainly get benefit from wearing it more. You must be missing alot when you don't wear it, how much is that? In fact, if you don't I guess it must be pretty inconvenient most of the time! (I say that because of your comment about not liking to put them on/off).

Basfhul 06 Oct 2004, 21:55

Hello Andreas. My prescription is L-2.25 and R -2.50 and I've had it since December last year.

D-W-V 06 Oct 2004, 19:56

Raider:

"if my distance RX has gone down, does that mean my near add goes up? "

Not really, although if the distance correction was reduced, it would seem like your add has gone up. Like, if you had -0.5 too much distance, then that would make your current add 0.5 D too weak.

"With my current distance Rx, would an add of 3.0 change the reading distance signicantly"

If your distance correction is perfect, than with an add of 3 the furthest you could see through the reading area should be 1/3 meters, or 33 cm (13 inches), about 3 inches closer. I suspect that could be too close, unless you have a particular need (poor acuity, occupation or hobby that involves close work...).

Now, something I thought of later: is your current prescription in a progressive lens, in a smaller frame? Maybe the lab cut off too much of the reading portion, so you don't actually have the full 2.50 to use.

Measure your normal reading and computer distances before your appointment; that should help the eye doctor figure out the best add, or maybe suggest a different lens type.

Raider 06 Oct 2004, 09:22

DWV Thanks -- just a couple more question if my distance RX has gone down, does that mean my near add goes up?

With my current distance Rx, would an add of 3.0 change the reading distance signicantly

Brian-16 06 Oct 2004, 06:21

Marie-Thanks for the info.Sometimes I wish I was far-sighted..

DWV 05 Oct 2004, 23:24

In theory an add of 2.50 should be fine for reading at 16" (40 cm) with no accomodation, but maybe your distance prescription has changed (become less myopic?). I've read that eyes also become less sensitve to light with age, so using better lighting could help.

Raider 05 Oct 2004, 21:43

Rx is OD sph -2.75 cyl +2.00 axis 90

OS sph -2.50 cyl +1.50 axis 100

add is + 2.50

I was given this script last October. I'm in my early 60's and in the last few months have experienced problems reading the newspaper and some books that have fine print. Does any one know if it is possible to increase the add power to compensate or am I at the maximum add for my age now?

I see the opthalmologist later this month.

Marie 05 Oct 2004, 19:44

In response to some of the comments...

Brian-16, Yes I am farsighted.. My prescription was listed earlier in the thread.. No the eye doctor did not say for me to wear them all of the time.. Just when I'm doing close activities..

Willy, Its good to hear that my experience is normal.. My distance vision with the glasses still isn't as good as without the glasses but the reading glasses are definetly helping my eyes relax while reading and using the computer..

Katy 04 Oct 2004, 15:40

Matt, it was a very small independent one - I think they have a couple of branches. It was very cheap - £15 for the lenses - I think the cheaper it is the better because they will tend to be less 'professional'. You can usually find this type of dispensing optician in scruffy looking shopping centres - they don't usually have an optometrist on site, which is a good thing. I don't think I would go to Vision Express - they are much more expensive and I think much more likely to question the prescription. But as people on here have said - the easiest thing to do is buy them on line :)

Willy 04 Oct 2004, 11:41

Marie -- Sounds like you have had a very normal experience for someone first wearing mild plus glasses. As to your distance vision, eventually, as your eyes get more used to wearing the glasses for close tasks, your eyes will also learn to "relax" more at distance such that the glasses may give you vision that is as clear or clearer than bare-eyed (especially since you have a slight cyl correction in one eye). But your correction is low enough and you are young enough that your eyes can overcome that relaxation and still give you good distance vision, and you will very likely not need to use the glasses for distance if you choose not to. Anyway, hope you are enjoying the reduction in eyestrain!

French 04 Oct 2004, 11:09

OO stands for 'optics obsessive'... or us all!

Matt 04 Oct 2004, 10:26

Katy- was the discount opticians you went to a chain or independent? Do you reckon it's worth me trying somewhere like Vision Express where they have a one hour service? Might be more expensive but at least I'd have the specs in an hour- I could say that I need them for driving later in the day and that my other glasses broke..

Missed Something? 04 Oct 2004, 10:21

Maybe I have missed something,

what does 'OO' stand for?

Brian-16 04 Oct 2004, 04:46

Marie-Did your eye doctor say you should wear them all the time? Are you far-sighted? Anyway,good luck!

guest2 04 Oct 2004, 04:41

Hi Bashful,

how old is your present prescription ?

When did you get it ?

Is it possible you need a little stronger one now ?

best regards,

Andreas

Sandy 03 Oct 2004, 20:45

Diane, that was a good trick to play on the eye doctor. I wondered what the expression on his face was when he told you that your eyes had changed that much. I bet that you were not able to see well with your old glasses. Did he ask you why you waited so long? Anyway that must have been fun. Take care.

Marie 03 Oct 2004, 20:19

I got my glasses this past week.. At first they took a little while to get used too.. I kind of felt a little taller while wearing them and things at a distance weren't as clear at first.. I've been wearing them primarily while reading and at the computer and they do make my eyes relax a lot more.. I tried leaving them on all day, but my distance vision still isn't as sharp with them and its hard getting used to having them on my face, so I think I'm just going to continue to use them for computer use and while reading.. They do make my eyes a little bigger which is kind of neat.

David K. 03 Oct 2004, 19:26

Diane : are you a female OO? Why did you try this? What kind of glasses do you usually wear with your -7.50 prescription (that's pretty strong!)?

Fred 03 Oct 2004, 16:56

@Diane: That's a funny story indeed, but how did you manage being quite under-corrected?

Hansel 03 Oct 2004, 14:42

(aka Doc)

Thinking back, with some difficulty it has to be said, I think I had only a few dates with non-GWGS. I recall trying to persuade one that she would see the film better if she wore her specs. Up to that point she had told me that she sometimes wore them, but I hadn't actually seen her wearing them.

As a confirmed CL wearer, I think I felt that a GWG would be more understanding at how bad my eyes are.

What I suppose I am saying is that whilst you might feel bashful, a new fella hoping to get to know you better might be thinking exactly the same!

;) 03 Oct 2004, 14:26

Come on Bashful, don't be - you know it's time ...

Andrew 03 Oct 2004, 13:46

Bashful,

If the man you fancy does not fancy you in glasses, then he's not the right one for you.

Jo 03 Oct 2004, 12:59

Phil, I can understand your reservations about your colleagues seeing you in glasses, but I really don't think they'll be that surprised. I'd guess that many of them will know you can't see that clearly and so they'll just accept you've finally done something about it.

Katy 03 Oct 2004, 12:47

Matt, it was one in Cardiff. But I really think the cheap ones are all the same, they just want your money :)

Diane, that sounds like fun! I have thought about going and saying that I have never worn glasses & seeing what they say.. haven't done it yet :)

Matt 03 Oct 2004, 12:22

Katy

You mentioned you took your fake prescription to a discount optical store.

Which discount optical store?? -maybe I'll try that one too

Thanks

-Matt-

Diane 03 Oct 2004, 11:01

Has anyone ever had the nerve to do what I just did the other day? Basically, my scrip is in the -7.50 or so area. I went to a different eye doc and purposely wore one of my older pairs of glasses that had a scrip of a minus -4.50. I told the doctor that I was having trouble seeing. I really enjoyed his surprise when he needed to add an additional 3 diopters to the correction. I of course pretended to show my surprise as well as shock. It was quite a rush!

Bashful 03 Oct 2004, 03:29

Thanks Doc! Yes an attractive front so I'm told so that's why I'm hesitant to wear glasses. I'm single so keen not to put any would be guys off but reading some of the things here I realise that it might help in some cases. I never thought anything other than glasses change the way people look, never that it might be for the better. I really hate putting them on and off all the time, I only wear them when I need to so that's an issue for me. Thanks for listening!

Doc (!) 03 Oct 2004, 01:44

If you've got an attractive front, Bashful, you need to protect it and do all you can not to cause damage. If you do hurt yourself again, come and see Doc!

If that idea doesn't appeal, you could always try wearing your specs more!

03 Oct 2004, 00:18

bahsful if things are blurry and you are falling down its a sign that you do need to wear your glasses. If you listen to people here you will understand that wearing glasses is attractive and so you should not put your health or your comfort ahead of that. You will be as attractive or more with glasses so please wear them.

VisitBoy 02 Oct 2004, 15:27

Wear your glasses whenever you need or want to. No rules here.

guest 02 Oct 2004, 14:06

so when or how much should someone with bashful's prescription wear it?

Bashful 02 Oct 2004, 12:19

Anyone else here like me - I wear -2.25/-2.5- but not all the time. That means there are times when I feel disadvantaged but shy to whip out my glasses and put them on (reminds me of my grandma). Last week I fell down some steps, landed on my front so could've been nasty. Now when I go that way, which is on my way home, I'm really hesistant. Now maybe I'd have fallen down anyway but I think it's probably because my night time vision sucks. I know that sometimes things look blurry too but it's usually okay. Is this usual?

ps = you won't tell from my name but I'm female!

Tod 02 Oct 2004, 04:50

Lauren, you may want to get yourself a hat. Something like a baseball cap or a sunvisor cap. They really are great for glasses wearer. I noticed a group of people on the street yesterday. It wasn't raining but sunny out. All the ones wearing glasses, when facing in the direction of the sun had to hold their hand up to block the sun from getting in thier eyes. So another thing glasses wearers and contact lens wearers need is sunglasses.

Lauren 02 Oct 2004, 00:45

The new thing that annoys me about glasses is rain. Having to take off my glasses while it rains is frustrating to say the least.

Clare 01 Oct 2004, 23:26

Phil - are you serious that your colleagues don't see you wear glasses? Wow - at -3.5 I'd have thought that would have caused you some serious discomfort! And do you ever worry that you might bump into one of them when you were out at the weekend! I mostly wear contacts at work, but when I had a bout of conjunctivis in the summer and couldn't wear them, I really wasn't looking forward to introducing glasses to my colleagues, but I got some really nice compliments. Even someone, weeks later, (and extremely senior, so not the type you'd expect to comment - it's possible he's an 00)sait to me "you really should wear those glasses more often".

I know what you mean saying Katy's brave, you're right, but don't you just sometimes wish you didn't have the demarcation between 'can' wear them out of work but 'can't' in work? What do you do that it doesn't matter if you can't see so well at work?

And by the way I thin -3.5 is a great prescription - the lenses are just nice.

ehpc 01 Oct 2004, 09:28

That's why plastic frames are where it's at, Katy,................they express CONFIDNCE! I adore confident women:)Pete

Katy 01 Oct 2004, 08:35

Semi-rimless are nice, I like the dark plastic ones too, but you have to be braver for those :) I am in lens chat if you want to talk there :)

Phil 01 Oct 2004, 08:31

Thanks Katy. I think I'll give it a go but perhaps I'll get a test and some new frames first. At the moment I have a pair of semi-rimless Hugo Boss. What sort of frames do you think a (-3.5) chap should buy?

Katy 01 Oct 2004, 08:21

Phil, yes of course I think you should - men are at least ten times more attractive with glasses :) I was very shy about them for a long time, but I have found that wearing them has made me more confident in general, because I feel as though I have overcome something. I think you should just put them on and go to work - it is really worth the first day of being self-conscious for all the days of being able to see that will follow :)

Phil 01 Oct 2004, 08:09

Never had contacts. Manage OK for work but tend to wear glasses when out at weekends, for driving etc. What made you decide to wear your glasses full-time? I think I need some courage before wearing my specs in front colleagues who haven't seen me with them before. Did any of that worry you? I think you are more confident than me about wearing glasses because you (bravely) decided to become a full-time wearer without your prescription having changed. Do you think I should do as you did? Do you feel better for being a full-time wearer?

Katy 01 Oct 2004, 08:00

Phil -

How can you not wear them full time if you are -3.5? Have you got contacts? I would have thought that you would be tripping over things :)

Phil 01 Oct 2004, 02:58

Katy, I understand perfectly. I bet you look cool in the new lenses with such lovely frames: I think the extra strength will make you look even more sexy. I was born and bred in Wales though now live in London. Is it being Welsh that gives us this "thing" about specs? I am -3.5 but don't wear full-time. I wish I had the courage you have shown to do that. How has full-time wearing changed things for you?

specs4ever 30 Sep 2004, 17:18

OOps, slight mistake, you are 0.25 stronger in your left eye cylinder, but this is still very minute.

specs4ever 30 Sep 2004, 17:17

Anne, you have not really had much of a change. You are 0.50D weaker in your right eye with the plus, and you are stronger by 0.50D witht he cylinder. Your other eye stayed pretty much the same, with only a decrease of 0.25D in the cly. I have no idea what you would need for contacts. You have enough cylinder there that you likely would need toric contact lenses to get decent vision. These can only be fitted by a professional

Katy 30 Sep 2004, 15:55

stronger :)

Katy 30 Sep 2004, 15:54

Andrew,

Not for ages, I had one a few weeks ago and it hadn't changed in a year. So if it changes now, I suppose I will know it is either because they are sronger, or because I am wearing them all the time.

Andrew 30 Sep 2004, 14:10

Katy,

When are you next due an eye test? I'm wondering what the result of that will be if you keep wearing the new glasses.

ehpc 30 Sep 2004, 09:24

Katy you are a star:))))))))))Rectangular plastics, especially brown or (best of all) black, are MY FAVOURITE:)))))))))))))With minus lenses, of course! TOP-GRADE GWG:) If you see this post and you want to chat for a moment, go to Lens Chat. I live in a remote house on the moors in Scotland. No TV, so lots of time for a WONDERFUL LIFE, which I have:) Pete

Katy 30 Sep 2004, 09:19

Pete -

They are dark brown, sort of rectangular but a bit rounded - if that makes sense :) I really like them, only got them a few weeks ago. I have been buying lots of dark brown clothes to match :)

Wales is gorgeous.. Scotland is lovely too, especially the wild bits up on the moors :)

ehpc 30 Sep 2004, 09:12

Wretched computer...........

ehpc 30 Sep 2004, 09:11

What style of frames do you have Katy? :)Pete

ehpc 30 Sep 2004, 09:11

What style of frames do you have Katy? :)Pete

ehpc 30 Sep 2004, 09:10

Apologies for multiple post................computer glitches...............

ehpc 30 Sep 2004, 09:09

Katy, I am minus 7 - actually I am not at all helpless, but I am sure you could help me out anyway:) Interesting to see you live in Wonderful Wales, I am a Scot but in many ways I like the Wales the most of the four United Kingdom countries. Pete

ehpc 30 Sep 2004, 09:09

ehpc 30 Sep 2004, 09:07

Katy 30 Sep 2004, 09:01

Phil -

I don't think I can see more clearly although everything is a bit more intense. I was a bit worried before that maybe my old ones looked like they didn't do anything, but that's not why I got these - I just like the thought that people can see they are thicker. I suppose those 2 reasons seem really similar, but I think there is a difference :)

Men in glasses.. anything above about -3, so they are a bit helpless without them.. mmm ;)

Anne 30 Sep 2004, 07:45

Just had a eye test

New

Right sphere+5.50 cyl-2.50 axis172 add+3

Left sphere+5.00 cyl-2.75 axis3 add+3

Old

Right sphere+6.00 cyl-2.00 axis 170 add+2.75

Left sphere+5.00 cyl-2.50 axis 3 add+2.75

Can you help explain this and what the change means?

Also if I want contacts for Christmas dance what power should I

I am 32 and have worn bifocals for 7 years

I tried posting this last week.

Phil 30 Sep 2004, 02:58

Katy, Is it that you can see more clearly or think you look better? Or is it that you don't want to be see as a "fraud" but a "real" gwg? What sort of prescription do you like in a man in glasses?

Katy 30 Sep 2004, 02:45

Yes that's right, L-1.5,-1.25, R-1.5,-0.5. I had been wearing the old ones full time for a few weeks & I am doing the same with these. I do like them better - it looks more obvious that they do something :)

Speclover 30 Sep 2004, 00:52

Michelle, Have you had that eyetest yet? Tell us what happens.

Phil 30 Sep 2004, 00:46

Well done Katy. You are one cool gwg. Do you prefer yourself in the new lenses? Will you be wearing them full-time?

specs4ever 29 Sep 2004, 19:41

You missed it guest. What Katy said was that the edge of her lens, including the astigmatic correction was like a -2.75 lens. I take that to mean that she has -1.50 for the sphere, and -1.25 for the cyl, not a -2.75 cyl at all.

eustace 29 Sep 2004, 19:07

I have not been altogether happy with the Rx that I have been getting for the past couple of years form my opthomologist (M.D.). Just little things--like the reading lense of my trifocals not quite as sharp as I would like and the mid-range not quite right for my computer screen. So, for this Monday I have made an appointment with an optometrist, rather than with my regular opthomologist (who is, incidentally, quite good looking and could pass for a college student). I have long had the "theory" that optometrists often give more accurate prescriptons than do opthomologists--perhaps because the latter are so much more concerned with medical aspects of the eye that they are somewhat bored with just fitting glasses and rush through the procedure. Does anyone else share this suspicion? I am told that optometrists are well trained to detect diseases of the eye, including the common ones such as glaucoma and cataracts. Any comments on this will be appreciated.

guest 29 Sep 2004, 14:17

Katy can you tell us what the prescription uyou ordered is - -2.75 inc cy seems quite strong. What's your real rx and the one you're wearing now?

Katy 29 Sep 2004, 10:46

Phil -

Yes picked them up this afternoon. I did panic a bit before going in, thinking 'what if I can't see anything', but things don't look that different. The glasses look thicker though - with the cyl the left lens is -2.75 horizontally - and when I look in the mirror they look stronger :)

Clare 29 Sep 2004, 10:12

Celine - I think you'll soon get used to the idea that you can see much better with your glasses. How soon you get used to the idea of wearing them is up to you. I mostly wear contacts (I'm -2.50) and still go without correction for some of the time when I'm not wearing them. I do notice the difference though but I'm just prepared to put up with it sometimes, you'll still have that choice.

I know what you mean about the wearing them when you don't always need to - I'm just about to walk a dog (not mine), I'm at home today so no contacts and I'm going out without my glasses or contacts. I'll see enough not to bump into anything so that'll be enough. I think that's the sort of thing you mean - I could easily choose the alternative, it's my choice.

Of course, if no-one hears from me again after this post, it's possible that I did fall down a hole after all!

Phil 29 Sep 2004, 10:10

Hi Clare, I was -3.5 and -3.25 but the optician prescribed an extra -0.5 (I don't know why). Now I'm back to what I was before. I have been wearing varifocals for about three years with +1.75. Do you wear glasses? Have you tried stronger lenses than you need?

Clare 29 Sep 2004, 10:07

Hey Phil, what strength were you wearing then? Was it already quite strong?

Phil 29 Sep 2004, 03:22

Katy, Have you got the new lenses yet? I suspect you will be thrilled when you first wear them. I was once prescribed lenses that were too strong by -0.5 (my prescription was reduced again at the next test) and I remember a real thrill when I walked down the street after leaving the opticians. Everything looked smaller and I felt I was really "wearing". Let us know how you get on.

Ted 28 Sep 2004, 13:37

My eye Dr, says "glasses should be worn all the time unless specified otherwise. They are prescribed to allow you to see to your full potential". I have +1.25 each eye with .25 and.50 astig. She said to definately wear them for reading, computer, TV , after that as much as I feel comfortable. Since I get tired eyes easily I wear them all the time.

See and be seen!

Celine 28 Sep 2004, 13:26

Hi everybody and thanks for the posts. I've been thinking alot about what people said here. I don't have an issue with my glasses I think because I think I'm used to what I wear them for now and it's not that much of the time. If that changed it would be sort of different for me. I don't think they make me look less attractive but I am used to wearing them for seeing something specific. That leads me to your question Hansel about what do I mean by visually challenging. What I wouldn't call visually challenging is just walking down the street, but what is would be reading a street sign or a bus number. Right now I wear my glasses to see something specific but the alternative would be to wear them "in case" I want to see something specific! Does that make sense? So I might not feel I need them all the time but I'd effectively be wearing them when I didn't need them so that I could see distant things.

I have taken probably a bit more notice since I started reading the comments here and it's true that there's quite a (nice) difference between with and without but I didn't realise that this was the sort of level that people would wear it alot of the time. I will try wearing them more often although my optician didn't say that I should, just to see how much difference it makes. What I don't want to happen is for my eyes to get used to them too much and I have to say that it's all a bit of a surprise for me since it seemed very easy to go without my last glasses.

Katy 28 Sep 2004, 13:04

Smudgeur -

Thanks - I might try one of those if I do it again :) I wanted to keep the same frames & was a bit worried about posting them!

Smudgeur 28 Sep 2004, 10:48

Katy

If you're in the UK - then why not try one of the mail order places:

http://www.spex4less.com (£20 frames + single vision lenses, £10 extra for bifocals)

http://www.bargainspecs.com (£30 frames + single vision lenses)

http://www.glassesdirect.co.uk/ (£15+vat frames + single vision lenses) This was even featured in the national press: http://www.glassesdirect.co.uk/images/TeleSCAN.jpg

I personally have used:

www.ruok4specs.co.uk (£26 frames + single vision lenses) and the quality was fine. You just fill in whatever figures you like (I ordered bifocals for my wife who hasn't been prescribed them - yet!!!) and they just make them up.

Simple - and the Police haven't called at all!!!!

Phil 28 Sep 2004, 04:48

Katy, where do you work? I would just love to see you collect them and try them on. If you are up for some texting on this, text me on 07774562943. I am NOT an optician!

Katy 28 Sep 2004, 04:34

I bet if I write the prescription then Mrs. Optician woman will read this and I will be in trouble ;) ..it is -1 both eyes with some astigmatism, and I made it -1.5 both eyes and left the cylinder. I just wanted them to be stronger - hard to explain why :)

Phil 28 Sep 2004, 04:21

Katy What a naughty girl! Do you already wear full-time? What is you current prescription? Why do you want a different one?

Katy 28 Sep 2004, 04:17

Matt -

I faked a prescription last week - I am very shocked at myself! I designed a logo for the imaginary opticians, made the form with Photoshop, filled it in and signed it. I took it into a discount opticians and the woman copied it out and said they would be ready this week. I haven't picked them up yet, so maybe when I do, the place will be full of police waiting to arrest me.. I will let you know :)

I didn't put an address for the examining opticians - when I looked back through some old prescriptions they didn't all have one. I thought if she asked, I would say that I had the test while I was away somewhere. I can e-mail you the form if you want - hopefully that would not be illegal :) I think that they just want the custom, they don't really care whether the prescription is correct.

Katy :)

Speclover 28 Sep 2004, 00:48

Michelle. Don't worry. Girls who wear full-time can be exceedingly attractive. And your prescription is low. Slightly stronger lenses will enhance you appeal.

D-W-V 27 Sep 2004, 22:58

Matt: why not just order from someplace that doesn't need a written prescription, like http://www.ruok4specs.com

27 Sep 2004, 21:50

How old are you Michelle? Probally pretty young if your eyes are changing so fast.

specs4ever 27 Sep 2004, 16:31

I took a look at that one Matt. It looks like a good enough form, but if I were you, I would get my hands on a prescription blank from an optician in France, or Belgium. That way there would be far less chance of the store phoning the optician. If you do use that one, pick a city as far away from where you are as possible. The more the phone charges are, the less likely they will phone.

Hansel 27 Sep 2004, 15:22

"Is that right if this is a low prescription? How much would someone with a prescription like mine typically wear it?"

I think you've already answered these Celine when you say that you think that you need to wear them more than at present.

I'd be interested to hear how you define something as not visually challenging. I think I missed my childhood as I stubbornly refused to wear my specs unless absolutely necessary. Even though I love my local soccer team, and still do, even then I would not wear my glasses to watch a match. I know results but couldn't describe how the team scored.

When fell walking the whole thing was a chore as I didn't see the beauty around me.

Things changed when I started wearing CLs when I was fifteen.

Sorry I have had a late meeting tonight and am winding down with a scoop of whisky and at times like these, blame culture and all, I like to criticise my parents for not being more insistent, but I feel as though I missed so much in the world during my childhood/teenage years.

The world is a great place. Don't be like me. See it for all its spendour. Wear your specs and enjoy all around you. It's ALL visually challenging.

Michelle 27 Sep 2004, 14:24

I posted about my first glasses a couple of years but haven't posted for a long time. My first prescription was -0.5 each in eye. Six months later I went for another test and I jumped up to -1.00R and -1.25L. About a year later I was -1.75R and -2.00L and I started to wear full time. After another 6 months already things don't look really clear so time for another test!

Matt 27 Sep 2004, 13:14

Hi all

I am trying to get stronger glasses than I need, and am trying to 'fake' a prescription card that I have made.

I found this on the web

http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/01/38/35/04013835.pdf

and was wondering if a chain opticians such as Vision Express (here in the UK) would accept this as a valid prescription if the date was recent.

I would need to make sure the document was printed at the highest of quality.

Does anybody know if optical stores ever check up on previous tests, i.e could I make up a fake address of my previous eye test and they would never find out?

Thanks

Matt

Julian 27 Sep 2004, 07:12

Celine: I'm known for spotting guys with low minus Rx's (see my jottings) but I also see lots of girls wearing glasses full time with, I'm sure, weaker lenses than yours. There really is nothing freaky or unusual about wearing them full time if you want clear vision. On the other hand I also see people (of both sexes) who leave their specs in the car and wear them only to drive.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Jen 27 Sep 2004, 00:15

Celine

I think you are perfectly justified in wearing this rx pretty much all the time. My rx is a little stronger than yours (-2.75 and -3.50) and I wear fulltime. My previous rx was -1.50 and -2.25, which I also wore fulltime, because I just felt I couldn't really see everything properly without it. Now I hate it when I have to take my glasses off, as everything just seems to be a big blur. Not sure if thats because of the strength of my rx or the fact that I wear fulltime, and its made my eyes relax.

If you feel you need to wear them more, just put them on when you feel theres something you're not seeing. You'll soon get an idea of whether its best just to wear them fulltime. There are so many fulltime wearers walking around who havea lower rx than you, so I would definitely say its not too weak to wear fulltime.

guest 26 Sep 2004, 22:59

Celine, how do you feel about glasses? That's a critical question because if you feel okay about them (attractive) that's one hurdle. I think your question relates more to whether it's usual to, or when you should, wear them. Do you feel you need permission, or is it that somone has told you this is only a weak prescription and so you feel it's not "justified" to wear them much? Write back and explain for us how you're feeling about it please.

26 Sep 2004, 22:13

Celine - m sister has a -2 prescription. She wears hers all the time. I sugest you try and wear them fulltime for about 2 or 3 weeks and then decide whether you'd want clear vision all the time - the way we are meant to see. After that time, i'm sure you'll make the right decision. Let us know how you get on.

a student 26 Sep 2004, 21:46

I got my first pair of glasses (-0.50) in June. I am now a freshman in college, and doing a lot of close work, etc

How much should i expect my prescription to increase, if at all?

thanks

Bart 26 Sep 2004, 15:00

Celine, I think that with your prescription you should wear your glasses. Your is a rx that requires glasses to see properly.

still 26 Sep 2004, 14:23

Celine, mine is similar, but I also have astigmatism. I can manage without glsses, but I wear them full time because I like to see the details of everything. I would miss a lot without the glasses, even though I could walk about without falling or banging into things. Reading signs and stuff like that would be out of the question.

Celine 26 Sep 2004, 14:05

Since June my prescription has been -2 and -2.25 for both eyes. This was an increase from -1.50 which I hardly ever wore. From reading posts here - and this is a fantastic site, I'v learnt so much in the month or so since I found it - it seems that my prescription is really much at all. Mostly I wear my glasses for driving, TV, movies ... you'll guess the rest. Not always, but sometimes I just think I can't quite see things, like I went out today with my boyfriend and he was pointing things out that I weren't clear for me. So I'm really confused, it's not like I think I have to wear them permanently but it seems like it's more than I do currently.

Is that right if this is a low prescription? How much would someone with a prescription like mine typically wear it? I don't want to 'over' wear it and get too used to it, and probably because of that sentiment I'm probably a bit reluctant to wear it when I should. We were on a walk today in a beautiful nature reserve that had directional signs that I couldn't read. Should I really be prepared to wear my glasses for something that, generally, is pretty visually unchallenging (apart from the signs) - is that how it works?

Would really value some comments from people who have a similar prescription.

26 Sep 2004, 12:20

Lauren- Why don't you post your your school picture so we can see how you look in glasses.

Clare 23 Sep 2004, 14:08

I remember when I got my first glasses (-1.25) a friend of mine with a much stronger prescription asked if I thought I'd end up wearing them all the time. I had to admit I really didn't know, at that time I found it difficult to judge whether my vision was bad or not, never mind predict what it would become. After all, at that time I didn't understand what change might occur. But we myopes crave more correction, so I understand!!

Paul 23 Sep 2004, 10:53

Marie - You can probably get a rough idea about whether you'll like the impact of these glasses by going to a grocery store or pharmacy and trying on the weakest reading glasses they sell. Your distance vision won't be perfectly clear with these on, but you'll be able to see things up close; try this and see whether you notice any difference.

Honestly, if you don't notice any problems now (and I'm not surprised that you don't), you probably aren't going to notice a big difference from these glasses. I think if you get them, you should focus on the fashion/image impact of wearing them: glasses can enhance a person's appearance, and people who wear glasses "look more intelligent" in many/most people's eyes.

Eventually, you will really need glasses to read and probably even to see clearly in the distance, but I don't think you do yet.

Smudgeur 23 Sep 2004, 10:06

Hi Marie

An almost identical prescription to my wife. She has been wearing hers full time for 2 years now - mainly out of comfort and convenience than out of necessity. In 10-15 years time however you may find them necessary.

Regards

Smudgeur

Willy 23 Sep 2004, 07:52

Marie -- You'll end up wearing them as much as you want to; that's not very helpful advise in the abstract, but with your mild prescription, you may find the glasses help relieve strain from extended near work. Most people with a prescription such as yours wear glasses only for reading, but some, such as Vic herself, enjoy the comfort enough that they wear them full-time. If you get good-looking glasses and people compliment you on them, you may find it easier to leave them on than take them on and off, especially in a work environment. In any event, let us know how you get on!

Vic 22 Sep 2004, 23:16

Your prescription is nearly the same as mine Marie :)

Marie 22 Sep 2004, 20:52

Hi, I'm 27 years old and never wore glasses before.. The subject of vision came up at work a few weeks back and I mentioned that I never wore glasses and haven't had my eyes checked since high school.. Well some co-workers convinced me, that it might be a good idea to have them checked out.. I was in the mall today and decided to give it and shot and guess what I need glasses!! The eye doctor said its not a very strong prescription and all but said it should really help my eye comfort when doing near work.. My prescription is od: +0.75 -0.25 112 os: +0.75 (nothing else in that column).. My glasses should be ready in a few days.. Do you guys think the glasses will help much? How much do you think I'll end up wearing them? The think is I can see basically everything I've needed to see up close, i've never had to say to someone that is too small to read, so it should be interesting to see the difference glasses makes..

Katy 21 Sep 2004, 05:11

Andrew -

Thanks! I'm not sure but am definitely getting more confident. I have a *huge* thing for men with glasses, so you would think I would be able to see it the other way round.. it is taking a while :)

Andrew 20 Sep 2004, 13:47

If they're paying you compliments, Katy, accept them. I'm sure you look fantastic in your glasses - and I haven't even seen you in the new ones!

Katy 18 Sep 2004, 02:26

Andrew -

Thanks - I'll try that :) Actually so far only one person has asked, and she said 'I can't see through these' :) - but she is presbyopic. I have been surprised by how few people have noticed / commented. An old friend came to stay last weekend, who had never seen me wearing glasses before, and he said 'I like your new glasses, they're much nicer than the old ones'!

Andrew 17 Sep 2004, 12:22

Katy,

The astigmatism correction means that anyone trying your glasses on will have quite a job seeing clearly through them. They may be able to see, but they will also be very aware that the lenses are pulling at their eyes in a way they will find hard to describe. Try asking them to read some small print with them on - that should give them a few problems!

Bespectacled Professor 16 Sep 2004, 11:53

Lauren,

Glad you have adapted so well to your glasses, even to the point of having your school picture taken with them on.

As for not being able to see as well now, for one thing, your eye muscles are now relaxed instead of straining. Second, you have more of a contrast of what is clear vision and how bad your eyes really are. Now you know why they were prescribed for fulltime wear.

Brian-16 16 Sep 2004, 10:47

Jay-Go ahead and take the exam.If you flunk you go back and fill the rx you got from the doctor.Are you in the United States?

Lauren 16 Sep 2004, 09:53

Hey all, I'm still wearing my glasses all the time. They have been fun, but sometimes they get in the way of things. My school did pictures yesterday and I descided it was best to keep them on for it. Now that I have worn them nonstop for a few weeks, I can't see a thing when I take them off. Has anyone else experienced this.

Puffin 14 Sep 2004, 14:42

go into Google and type in "eyechart" or "snellen chart" that should bring up something on screen you can use with instructions.

Jay 14 Sep 2004, 10:10

hello

Spoke to my mum and she says she thinks the rx he wrote down (but didn't give me) had a .25 in it somewhere. is there any way of measuring if i'm 20/40 or not without visiting an eye doctor?

thanks

Puffin 14 Sep 2004, 07:29

Roughly speaking, anywhere from minus 0.5 to minus 2.5 - it depends how good your brain is at deciphering blur. Remember, most of the job of "seeing" is done by your brain.

jonny 14 Sep 2004, 03:14

Wot would 20/40 be as a perscription?

Eyeseeit 13 Sep 2004, 10:35

For Jay:

If you live in the USA, go to this link:

http://www.mdsupport.org/library/drivingregs.html

It will give you the driving regulations that you need (by state).

Julian 13 Sep 2004, 10:01

Hi Jay. It depends where you are. In the UK you have to be able to read a car number plate at 20.5 metres (67 feet). In some American states visual acuity of 20/40 is required; in others it's less demanding than that. Other people may be able to help there.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Jay 13 Sep 2004, 09:44

Hello

I am 17 years old and need to pass the eye exam for my drivers permit. How much do you need to be able to see, because at my last visit to the eye doctor he said I was very slightly nearsighted but didn't give me an rx.

Don't know if I'm nearsighted then I'll need glasses for driving?

Katy 12 Sep 2004, 17:17

I didn't really decide that, I just thought I would try it out. Now a few days later I feel quite attached to them :)

Bespectacled Professor 11 Sep 2004, 09:45

Katy,

Your prescription is not *that* weak. Between the myopia and the astigmatism, your glasses should make a difference in how you see. I doubt anyone would put on your glasses and think that you didn't need to wear them at least sometimes.

The reason I asked was that most people go from part-time to full-time because their prescription had changed. It seems you just one day decided to wear them full-time out of the blue.

Vic 10 Sep 2004, 15:14

I know that feeling katy lucky no one has asked! :)

Katy 10 Sep 2004, 14:06

Bespectacled Professor,

I don't know really - I like the idea of it for some reason.. probably my masochistic side coming out! ;) And I like the way everything looks. The most amazing thing I have seen is the sea - I thought it was flat and grey but it is really shimmery and beautiful. But I know it is a weak prescription and I feel like maybe I don't really need them. I dread someone asking to try them on and saying 'these don't do anything!' What do you think?

Katy :)

Also Skeptical 10 Sep 2004, 11:53

Halibut I think. And leaves me wondering WHY? I mean WHY? Really WHY? WHY WHY WHY? Would just ONE of the people who post this stuff, just ONCE tell the rest of us why they do it?

Sceptical... 10 Sep 2004, 11:42

In a word, yes.

Also "guy" is an interesting choice of board name for some one whose post has the hallmarks of one whose first language would appear not to be English.

Would I be unkind to suggest that the post has an aroma of poisson about it?

myopic guy 10 Sep 2004, 09:29

even thought I usually read this web site a lot I never posted anything, but I just an eye exam yesterday and I found out that now I have -4.25 in each eye, I never wore glasses before. I just bring my self to wear them. the worst of it, this is my first eye exam nobody know that I have such prescription, I got contacts, in which of course makes a big difference, but I still can go out without it but guess what if somebody that I know is in the other side of the street I can not see them,. during all these years somepeople notice my eye exam but I never let any people close to me to knowabout that. I have eye problems since when I was 11, and I managed to finish school without them, I'm 20 years old now, do u guys think that my prescription still going to increase???

Bespectacled Professor 09 Sep 2004, 17:54

Katy,

What has motivated you to start wearing your glasses fulltime?

Katy 09 Sep 2004, 11:33

Mal,

Until a couple of weeks ago I hardly ever wore them but now I am being brave! I have been wearing them all day for the last few days, too see what it is like. The first day I went shopping and I was really convinced that everyone was staring at me! :( But yesterday I wore them to an art group that I volunteer at, and one of the other helpers, Steve, said 'oh you're going for the secretary look are you?'.. which I think was a compliment :)

My prescription is L -1sph -1.25cyl, R -1sph -0.5cyl - I would love to know how many people with a similar prescription wear them full time, if anyone knows?

Katy :)

D-W-V 09 Sep 2004, 01:52

Frank:

you can get a good idea of her PD by examining a pair of her glasses, if they don't have much astigmatism correction. Hold them up with some vertical line in the background (like the side of a window frame or bookcase), and move them from left to right until the line you see through the lens is aligned vertically with the line above and below the lens. Mark the lens on the line. Repeat with the other lens, measure between the marks in millimeters, and you'll have something pretty close to the PD.

Alan:

Although your distance prescription is low, progressive lenses will help with intermediate distances as well as near vision. You wouldn't get that benefit with regular reading glasses. So I don't think you were ripped off there.

The optician probably ripped you off in other ways, by marking up the frames, lenses and optional coatings a zillion percent, but they do that to everyone.

Mal 08 Sep 2004, 23:03

Interesting result Katy. How much do you wear your glasses?

Katy 08 Sep 2004, 15:22

Andrew - thanks for the translation :)

I tried it with -2.25 sph / 0 cyl, and then with -1 sph / -1.25 cyl, and it is definitely clearer with the myopia/astigmatism than just the myopia. You can read about another line.

It must be closer or bigger than a normal eye chart because when I last had an eye test I could only see the top 'A' with that eye, and on this I can read about 4 or 5 lines. But I suppose if it was the same as the official one, hardly anyone would be able to read any of it!

Katy :)

Andrew 08 Sep 2004, 11:41

The left side is what you see without glasses; the right is what you will see after LASIK. I guess that they do not perform LASIK on those whose eyes fall outside the parameters for the first part.

Brillenwerte ändern = change the value of the glasses.

Behandlung simulieren = Show the simulation.

Sphäre = sphere

Achse = axis for the cylinder.

Have even more fun, Katy, and let us know what you think.

Filthy McNasty 08 Sep 2004, 09:20

Well, the right side is corrected with glasses, contacts, whatever you select from the list, isn't it?

Guest 08 Sep 2004, 08:49

The left side is your uncorrected vision the right side is your vision after receiving Lasik or the other surgeries offered.

Filthy McNasty 08 Sep 2004, 08:03

It doesn't work right. If you enter a high cylinder, the uncorrected side is blurry and skewed, while the side corrected with glasses is not only sharp but rectilinear. In high cylinder, the glasses make things look skewed.

Luke 08 Sep 2004, 07:33

Electra translated the instructions on her site:

http://www.geocities.com/electra_the_migfetish_lady/simulator.html

Puffin 07 Sep 2004, 16:09

Have you seen the eyechart they seem to use on that site? It appears to be 50cm square, and looked at from 5m away - and the small letters are at the top! Obviously not everyone uses Snellen, then.

Katy 07 Sep 2004, 15:50

Thanks Andrew! I looked for that for ages. If anyone can speak German maybe they could translate the different buttons? It would be interesting to know what they all do.

Andrew 07 Sep 2004, 12:15

I've found it, Katy! Here's the site:

http://www.vsdar.de/english/virtualeye/index.html

It's in German, and can only cope with a range of -10 to +3, and up to 3 diopters of cyl., but it's quite interesting all the same.

The Joker 07 Sep 2004, 12:09

aka Hansel

I can hardly bring myself to say it ....

BUT, is this "gentleman" a glasses fetishist? Maybe now that he's seen you in specs he has a different view of you, and is engaging in conversation about a topic that affects you both.

Watch out, Hollie, he may be trying to hide an attraction!!!

Clare 07 Sep 2004, 11:57

Hollie, my experience of people noticing or not is different to yours. When I first posted here I related the tale of my colleagues 'finding out' I was a CL wearer. They were shocked and rather too interested I felt. Then, a couple of months ago when an unwelcome bout of conjunctivitis made me take to glasses, lots of people showed an interest. Admittedly, and I'm pleased to say, they were complimentary, it was far from un-noticed by them!

And, on blur tolerance, I think I've got it off to a knack - I accept the blur as long as I don't need to see detail and even sitting across a room with someone slightly out of focus, I still find it mostly okay. But that's because I'm not a recognised glasses-wearer and sometimes I'd rather be blurry if I can't wear contacts, but I'm only -2.50 and that's not too hard.

Andrew 07 Sep 2004, 11:49

Sorry, Katy, but I can't remember where it is either. I posted the suggestion in the hope that someone else would remember where it was!

Hollie 07 Sep 2004, 10:37

Clare,

What you say makes a lot of sense. Thinking about it, I have never seen my boyfriend's dad without glasses, even first thing in the morning. Whereas i am completely happy to walk round with no glasses or lenses providing theres nothing interesting to see! Admitedly since I got this prescription (-3 and -1 cyl) I have been wearing about 80% of the time compared to a fair bit less with my old prescription (-2.25 and -0.75 cyl). I find even reading without this prescription quite challenging, especially if my eyes are tired. But I have quite often gone for an evening out with friends bareyed- they read thingsfor me if i really need them to, as i find contacts irritate my eyes if I'm in a smoky atmosphere.

Maybe i am much more used to the blur than he is, but it seemed to really rile him that I could sit and talk, and clear away the dinner plates, without my specs. He asked me if i could read a sign without them, which although it was fairly big, I couldn't. He said, see, you really should be wearing them Hollie, Jake (thats my boyfriend) wears his all the time, and his eyes are nowhere near as bad as yours. I tried explaining to him I wear contacts mostly all day at work and uni, and glasses when I'm at home usually. I think he might have been really suprised because I have known him for well over a year and he's never seen me in glasses before, and the subject has never come up in conversation that I wear contacts. It suprised me how much of a big deal he made me wearing glasses into, when most people don't even ention it when yu turn up for the first time! Anyone else noticed that?

thanks for reading my ramblings!

Love Hol x

Hollie 07 Sep 2004, 10:20

leelee 07 Sep 2004, 06:50

Greta, that's fine, but you have posted a number of times in such a way that it comes off like you are saying that the person who has just gotten their first multifocal prescription was duped. This kind of extends to the idea that you are suggesting that the poster is ignorant.

It's usually not a happy thing to discover that your close vision is declining. For someone who has previously had really sharp overall vision it's especially distressing. The next step (after suffering with this for some time) is to gather up all your courage to get a vision test. Then you get a prescription, then you do some soul searching to decide if you really need or should get bifocals (!) you might do some web searching to learn about other peoples experiences, you might come to this site. you finally decide that you can no longer tolerate the stress and pain of trying to read, you have probably used SV reading glasses - probably OTC glasses for a while to see if that is good enough. You finally decide that investing in a multifocal will be a better solution to the OTC solution - perhaps because you want frames that look good, or have AR coating, or simple don't make noises when you move around, you might want lighter lenses, perhaps you dislike looking up and seeing blur all the time. You might get headaches from a small amount of astigmatism. So you get the glasses, and you feel like you have something to share here, a place where you are accepted when you get glasses. So you post a question or an observation. You are starting to feel ok about the situation. And then you get a response from someone who tells you that you are stupid enough to have been taken by an unscrupulous optical shop. Now you feel like an idiot, and all the confusion comes back.

I can believe that some optical places are less than above board. Some places do shoddy work, some places hideously overcharge, some places over prescribe, some places treat their employees like crap. I'm sorry that you probably worked at one of these places. It must have been a drag, and good for you for refusing to participate, but dumping that frustration on people who are dealing with something as difficult as declining eyesight is not as helpful as you might think.

Do you wear glasses? If so, please share your prescription, age and experiences. participate! I'm sure you have plenty of constructive information to share from you experiences working in an optical shop.

Greta 07 Sep 2004, 06:16

I think you misunderstood me leelee. If you are satisfied with your glasses, and were happy and willing to pay the extra for a multifocal, power to you. If you feel the benefit, that's what it's all about. Great stuff. And when I replied I didn't realise Alan had some special desires. Sorry. My point is that customers are regularly being sold expensive multifocal lenses, without being offered other choices, and it's only after they'd paid for them that they discover they get no benefit from a very minor distance prescription, and they are angry at being taken for a ride like this. As I said, I was the girl on the desk getting the brunt of the complaint, and eventually I said "forget it".

Clare 06 Sep 2004, 12:53

Katy I think you're right. Although I'm only -2.50 some here would say that that's enought not to go without them at all, which of course I often do. And I think it's precisely because I do that I still can, if you see what I mean. I've heard on here that people have different blur tolerance but I don't know whether that's because they still go without correction some of the time or simply because they have a higher threashold. My mother, for example, can't sleep if she's hungry; I don't have a problem if I'm hungry and tired, sleep wins!!

leelee 06 Sep 2004, 09:43

Alan,

I am just a couple of years younger than you, and I've had glasses off and on for about 15 years, but only regularly wearing them for the past 3.

my precription is: +.5 -.25, +.5 -.25, add +1.5.

I know I am more hyperopic than this, so I imagine my distance will go up soon, not in a hurry for the add to go up! I do wear my glasses all the time, I have found that the +.25 cyl makes a real difference, and when I got them I hadn't noticed that my distance vision had actually declined as well as the close. These help somewhat with the ghosting around letters that I've seen for some time, more when I'm tired. So inspite of what Gretta writes, I really do need these, I've fooled around with OTC readers of various types and they are really not better, or even very helpful with real intense work. I have been wearing OTC readers recently while doing some house painting, but if I don't switch back to my progressives I eventually get a headache. I'm glad I was not greated with a post about how I was getting ripped off when I first got these glasses, because it would simply have added more anxiety and bad feelings on top of everything else.

How long have you had this prescription? Is this the first time you have cylindar in your prescription? Were you using simple readers before?

Julian 06 Sep 2004, 09:00

Well, you know me, Alan, and my motto, 'Spexy guys are sexy guys'.

Love and kisses, Jules.

alan 06 Sep 2004, 06:01

julian

thanks for that I knew you would understand

Julian 06 Sep 2004, 05:03

Alan: If you want to wear glasses full time, what's stopping you? Looking at your Rx another way, you have the smallest prescribable amount of astigmatism in both eyes, plus in one eye and minus in the other; you've spent the money on progressives (and been ripped off according to some punters), so why not just keep them on and enjoy them? Your near vision add is high enough to suggest you might have some latent hyperopia, and wearing your specs full time will help to make that manifest if it is there - and that's what you want. So put them on in the morning, keep them on till bed time, and cock a snook at the cynics who say you've been ripped off! Let us know how it goes.

Love and kisses, Jules.

alan 06 Sep 2004, 00:58

leelee

thanks for your reply,explains it well my prescription Iam a 49 year old male and have had glasses for around 10yrs but never worn them fulltime only at work in the last 4yrs but this is my strongest rx I should like to get some strength in the distance part so heres hoping for the next time as you say it can get that way ,I just love wearing glasses and need to have to , interested that your rx is similar what is it and do you do fulltime i should love to

David_Llewellyn 05 Sep 2004, 19:42

royboy: At least in glasses I believe there is a thing called "crossed cylinders", which can be made most easily by putting the cyl in one direction on one side of the lens, and the other cyl on the other. For contact lenses I do not know. 6.50 D is a very powerful cyl correction. I suspect you may be (unfortunately) better off wearing glasses, but I'm no professional. I'd see a top opthomologist for this one and not rely too much on internet replies!!!!

Vic 05 Sep 2004, 18:49

I agree with the whole memorising thing I have seen before and thats why I know what certain things are but if its a new situation I dont ;p hope I made sense

Katy 05 Sep 2004, 16:35

Andrew,

Thanks - I had a look for that link but couldn't see it - do you know whether it is in this thread?

Hollie,

I think how well you can see without your glasses has a lot to do with practise - if you go around without them some of the time you get quite good at interpreting the blur. A friend was asking me how well I could see the other day, and he pointed to some scissors at the other end of the room and asked what they were. I knew they were scissors straight away, but when I looked again and thought about it, all I could actually see was a fuzzy yellow blob with a long grey blob sticking out. Maybe if your boyfriend's dad never does anything without his glasses, and you do, you will be better at recognising things, and so you can have the same prescription as him but feel that your eyesight is not as bad.

FAO Frank 05 Sep 2004, 14:25

Has your wife an old pair that you could sneak to a friendly local optician to tell you the PD?

I presume that a local optician could tell you this from an old pair!

royboy 05 Sep 2004, 14:11

i posted this question on a differen thread --- but hoping to catch the attention of an eyecare professional: my question is:

i have a minus 6.50 cylinder in my right eye [and only a-.25 sphere] --- only way to obtain clear vision is with a rigid contact lense [which i dont seem to tolerate]. even with this minus 6.50 cyl i am unable to read anything near or far. now i experimented with a trial lense set [using a trial lense frame] --- i kept my -6.50 cyl and rotated it to 180 degrees --- over that i found with a +3.50 cyl at 90 degrees i was able to get quite a bit of clarity and was able to read distance and close [not 20/20 ofcourse]. so my question is: is this translatable into a single lense or is it impossible to have 2 cylinders in a single lense [short of affixing one on top of the other?

would really love to hear from someone who has a professional knowledge about this. thanx roy

Andy 05 Sep 2004, 13:48

Lauren and others, it's been interesting to read posts from peope with a similar prescription to mine who have also just started full time wear. I loved the clear vision from the moment I walked out of the opticians wearing them on Tuesday afternoon, and I can't imaging going around without them anymore. I went out for an end of the summer trip with my mates on Wednesday and they didn't seem that surprised to see me wearing glasses; I guess the fact I often had to get them to read signs for me recently was a bit of a giveaway I needed them. I really like the way look and am getting used to seeing myself in them, certainly I don't feel bad about having to wear them.

Hollie 05 Sep 2004, 10:33

Hey guys

Thanks for the replies. Was not really trying to find out whether my prescription was in some random strong category, but just expressing my suprise at how strong other people think a precsription, whichto me seems fairly weak, is.

I have been told before by my optician that my prescription is strong, but thought this was more of a sales ploy because he was trying to sell me thin lenses!!

Further to his dad thinking my glasses were strong, my boyfriend tried mine on. He is about -1.5 or so, and wears fulltime. he also thought they were quite strong, but I suppose that is relative since my prescription is stronger than his, and I also have astigmatism whereas he doesn't.

I think its really interesting how people perceive their eyesight to be. For instance I have seen people who are -0.75 at most, who claim they can't see a thing without their glasses, whereas myself at -3, I wouldn't say my eyesight was horrendous and can manage for certain things without my glasses or lenses.

Anyone else got an opinion on this?

Hol x

Lisa 05 Sep 2004, 10:21

new rx as of last week L-4.25 -.75 90 3d prism R -4.75 -1.00 140 3d prism.

i should be able to collect new spex in a few days,only small change from last test,mainly increase in prism and up .25 in left eye and .50 right

Frank 04 Sep 2004, 22:57

Hi - i want to order some eyeglasses on line as a surprise for my wife - I know her distance prescription but not the pupil distance - she has a small face - should I just guess, they won't be her regular pair, just for fun.

Lauren 04 Sep 2004, 18:24

It is interesting to read posts from people that have had similar experiences to mine.

On another nore I can truthfully tell you that the boy reaction has been very possitive. I'm starting to really like them, the main propblem I have is getting make-up on around them.

Julian 04 Sep 2004, 14:45

Greg, you took the words out of my mouth. Mandy, if you want to wear them, wear them. You'll see better and you'll feel better.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Greg 04 Sep 2004, 10:50

Mandy that is an Rx most people would wear all the time. "Light" is relative. Do what feels right, they're your eyes.

Maverick 04 Sep 2004, 10:29

Am I wrong in thinking 'headaches' are a symptom associated with long sight only ?

I have been myopic all my life and never once had eyesight related headaches. For the record I only went to full time correction in my mid 30's at aroung -2.75 so the absence of headaches was not because I was wearing correction.

Hansel 04 Sep 2004, 10:22

Save on the aspirin! Wear them when you want.

Mandy 04 Sep 2004, 10:13

hi I just got a new prescription. It is -2.25 and -2.75. The doctor told me that I don't need to wear them all the time. Yesterday I tried to go without them and had a headache straining to see. He said I have ,"a very light prescription" What am I supposed to do? Should I listen and not wear them all the time or is it all in my head that I can't see well. I'm female, 18. thanks.

Johanka 04 Sep 2004, 09:55

To Bespectacled Professor: I don't have a boyfriend. My mother is very supportive, she keeps telling me how I look awesome in the glasses. Other relatives, whom I don't meet that often, don't know I went fulltime yet. ;-)

leelee 04 Sep 2004, 08:38

Alan,

Your prescription means that you have a small amount of hyperopia (farsightedness or longsighted) in one eye, and a little astigmatism. If you were having headaches, this could be one reason. The first number refers to your overall error (myopia or hyperopia), and the 2nd number refers to the amount of astimatism - the amount your cornea diverts from being perfectly round. Both these numbers make up the distance portion of your prescription. The "near +2.25" is the "add" or additional power you need to overcome your inability to focus closer.

Your prescription might mean that you are nearly emmetropic (eyeball & cornea are both perfectly round) or it might mean that you have latent hyperopia which will slowly (or quickly) manifest itself as you lose more focusing ability, or your eyes relax. If you are younger (in your 40s) and latently hyperopic, then your next prescription might have more power for the distance numbers and less add.

I can completely understand that these glasses are useful for you, my prescription isn't all that different than yours, but I am quite uncomfortable and inefficient without it! I'm sure your customers appreciate that you are professional enough to get the tools you need to deliver the best possible work!

OK, now you must share all your other pertinent details (part of the ES initiation!) how old are you? Is this your first prescription? How long have you had it? How is it going?

Bespectacled Professor 04 Sep 2004, 07:07

Johanka,

And, what were the reactions of other people when you went fulltime? Were they what you expected? What about your boyfriend's reaction?

Greta 04 Sep 2004, 05:59

There are various ways round that Alan, and the fact that you wren't offered cheaper alternatives simply proves my point. Basically you were sold the most expensive solution possible for your situation. They must love you. If they work for you, of course it's worth every penny, but not all customers are so thrilled when they find out!

alan 04 Sep 2004, 05:30

but I couldnt see ahaed with readers and as a hairdresser I need to

Brian-16 04 Sep 2004, 05:29

Sorry folks,Greta,I forgot my name on the heading on the post just below!.

Greta 04 Sep 2004, 05:28

Alan- Greta is right.You could have easily gotten a cheap pair of +2.25 readers at the mall for a lot less.Thats all you really need...

It pays to check out this site (ES) for valuable information as it relates to your vision...

Greta 04 Sep 2004, 05:13

To be honest Alan - it means you were ripped off. The distance part of that prescription is so slight......do you get any benefit from it? This is the usual cash cow prescripion given when you would probably manage just fine with the far cheaper single vision lenses for reading. Having worked in a mall "vision center" I know how this is done. I left simply because I refused to be party to it any more.

alan 04 Sep 2004, 04:56

what does my prescription mean

R sph + 0.25 cyl -0.25 axis 180

L plano -0.25 50

near +2.25

I have varifocal lenses

Johanka 04 Sep 2004, 03:42

It's still a bit ambiguous, I'd say. There are times when I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror and I think: Wow, what a wonderful fashion accessory I have! Other times, when the reflection is not so favourable, I feel ugh! :-) Even though the glasses are rimless, I often feel that they are too big and that I should have chosen different ones with yet smaller lenses.

But on the whole I'm no longer concerned about the "Ouch, now everybody can see I'm nearsighted." What bothers me now is that I have to clean the glasses very often and that I can't touch my face as freely as when the glasses are not there.

Bespectacled Professor 03 Sep 2004, 21:19

Johanka,

Now that you are a fulltime glasses wearer, how does it feel? Are you still self-conscious about wearing them, or are you comfortable with them now?

Johanka 03 Sep 2004, 15:58

Mal, I didn't want you or anyone else to feel uncomfortable by my claim that I could easily make do without correction, while you, with prescription similar to mine, can't.

You mustn't forget though, that my vision has deteriorated gradually and that only about a year ago I could really feel that my prescription was certainly stronger than the -1.5 and -2 I had when I was 18. It was probably a psychological thing, but I simply found it more easier to wander around uncorrected than to even imagine myself as a fulltime wearer of glasses. But I don't want to go into what has already been discussed earlier on this site. :-)

Andrew 03 Sep 2004, 15:24

Katy,

You may be able to answer your own question. Somewhere, someone has posted a link to show how much of an eye chart you can see with various prescriptions; you could use it to put in yours, and then something you believe may be comparable, and make the comparison for yourself.

Mal 03 Sep 2004, 15:12

Johanka - at -2.75 my rx is pretty close to yours. I', a long-time wearer of this prescription and although I realise it's not really strong I've had long enough that I feel uncomfortable without it at anytime. So David's point is proven - 'strong' is a relative term that is defined by how prepared you are to go without it. So, -3 may not seem that strong to you because you're still (really?) prepared to go out without it, don't you miss the clear vision? For sure I wouldn't be run over without my glasses but I'd certainly feel uncomfortable. You say you've only recently ventured out wearing them, how on earth were you getting on without them, weren't you struggling to see in the supermarket, at the station, just generally in life??

David_Llewellyn 03 Sep 2004, 15:04

The "strong" vs. "weak" argument would appear to be a pointless semantic one, but of course as always several reasonable definitions are available:

1. Strong is powerful enough that you don't feel comfortable w/o correction. By that definition, -3 would be considered strong by most people.

2. Strong means substantially more than the mean or average correction. By that definition, -3 is not strong since -3 is just about the mean for myopic people. (naturally most people have -1, -2, but the smaller number of people with -10 or so alter the balance so that -3 is mean but median might be only -1.50 (this is a pure guess))

3. Strong might mean visible as a thick lens or noticeable by other people. By such a definition, 20 years ago -7 would have been considered "extremely strong" as only low-index lenses were available and frame styles were larger. By today's standards, -7 can be done in high-index lenses in a small frame and look little different from a lower power.

All such "arguments of category" are pointless. -3 = -3 and doesn't equal any other number. So what difference does it make if it's "strong" or not? It is what it is, nada más.

not blind anymore 03 Sep 2004, 13:03

Brian-16:

My bf wears glasses only for distance. He doesn't wear bifocals. My dr. wants me to go back already in one more week to"do some changes."

Brian-16 03 Sep 2004, 12:05

Not blind anymore-

Congratulations on the new bi-focals.I have flat-top35 trifocals and luv 'em.Does your bf need glasses just for reading or what?

not blind anymore 03 Sep 2004, 10:32

b-specs:

I got the lined kind because the dr. said that the line would be slightly noticeable and it doesn't look bad.

Bespectacled Professor 03 Sep 2004, 09:19

Not blind anymore,

Did you get lined bifocals or progressives?

Niot blind anymore 03 Sep 2004, 07:45

I'm a 22 yr old f. and have known I've needed glasses for a long time. I've had trouble seeing far mostly but now more recently having trouble seeing up close too. My bf gives me his old glasses when I study at home. Last week I had such a headache at school and whenI went to the restroom and looked at myself in the mirror, my eyes were all red. 3 days ago I finally went to the eye doctor and I wasn't suprised I needed glasses. I picked them up this morning and I was amazed right when I first put them on what I could see.My prescriptiong is 0s -1.50 cyl -.75 add +1.00 od -2.75 cyl-1.00 add +1.00.

Katy 03 Sep 2004, 01:56

Thanks Julian :)

Ree 02 Sep 2004, 22:36

Hi mal.

Nice to see your post here. Has your Rx stabilized now or is it still increasing.

mal 02 Sep 2004, 16:31

Hi,

It's been interesting reading Lauren's story because it's kind of similar to mine. I got my first pair of glasses when I was young (about 9) but never wore them. It was a really weak prescription. I basically walked around in a blur until I was 19, realizing my eyes were getting worse but not getting them checked because I dreaded it. When I finally went, the doctor told me I needed them all the time. I was still living at home and my parents made me keep them on, thinking my eyes would get worse if I didn't. I wasn't very happy. Anyway, I like wearing them now (8 yrs later) although it took awhile. I can't imagine going without them (I have a -5.5.-6.0 rx)

Julian 01 Sep 2004, 23:32

Katy: In my opinion a dioptre of astigmatism is as much of an obstacle to good vision as a dioptre of myopia or hyperopia, so the whole value of the cylinder correction should be counted. Now hold on to your hat as you wait for the chorus of disagreement! (that assumes the Rx is written with the cylinder and the sphere the same sign; if they're opposite the spher says it all.)

Love and kisses, Jules.

Katy 01 Sep 2004, 16:07

Hi everyone

This site is great. I found it a couple of days ago, and after reading the posts, have been experimenting with wearing my glasses more - I am really shy about them and until now I have only worn them when I had no choice.

My question is about astigmatism - how much does it affect how well you can see? For example, my left eye is -1 sph, -1.25 cyl. In terms of how much I can see, is that equivalent to someone with roughly -1.50 sph (the sphere plus half the cyl), or more like someone with -2.25 sph (the total of the two)?

Hope that makes sense! Katy

Johanka 01 Sep 2004, 15:49

Well, I only started to venture out regularly with them in April this year, so prior to that, yes, I did. :-)

I consider myself a lucky person that the blurriness didn't bother me that much.

Bespectacled Professor 01 Sep 2004, 15:09

Yes, Johanka, but would you venture out of your apartment without your glasses. I suspect not. Don't you think that means you prescription is pretty strong?

Johanka 01 Sep 2004, 14:27

I have -3 too, and it doesn't seem very strong to me. As long as I can read without glasses, it's still okay. :-) I can move around the flat with no problem. Perhaps it's because different people have different levels of sensitivity to blurred vision?

Hansel 01 Sep 2004, 14:02

-3.00 has been referred to on this board recently as a reasonably strong script, but it's not anything extraordinary.

I get the feeling he has been annoyed that he hadn't realised you wore contact lenses?

How old is he? Watch out for him moving the paper slightly further away from him then get your own back and ask him when his last test was as he could possibly benefit from a reading add! :-)

Hollie 01 Sep 2004, 13:52

hi all

weird thing happened to me over the weekend. Was staying at my boyfriends parents. I usually wear contacts all the time, but they were bothering me a bit on the saturday so I had to take them out and put my glasses on instead. My boyfriends dad (who wears glasses fulltime himself) asked if I had just got them. I said no, I had them for ages but wore contacts. He asked me if they were weak and I said, yes, they're not very strong. he asked me if he could try them on so I handed them to him. He took his own glasses off and put mine on. Wow! he said, these aren't weak, they're as strong as mine! Now this is a man who frequently complains how bad his eyes are, and how he can't see a thing without them. He then went on for ages about how strong they were, and how I was as blind as him. I found that really weird because I've never considered myself to be that shortsighted, my prescription is -3 and -1 cyl, but he said he would class it as being badly shortsighted.

Later on that evening, I was having a conversation with my boyfriend's aunt, and took my glasses off and laid them on the table. After we'd finished talking, I got up and walked around for quite a while, doing various things, without my glasses. My boyfriends dad was amazed that I would walk around and everything without them on, he said, how do you not bump into things? I laughed and said i'm, not that blind!

Is what everyone sees different? I can't understand how this guy wears them every waking moment yet I have no problem taking them off and walking around. if we have approximately the same prescription then surely we should be able to see about the same amount of things?

Hollie x

Rae Lynn 01 Sep 2004, 13:41

Lauren: Braces are really no big deal, they hurt for awhile at first, but they are temporary. Someday they will come off and you'll have nice teeth. I had braces when I was in JR high. Now I"m glad I had them, because my teeth are nice and straight.

Hansel 01 Sep 2004, 12:36

I thought the "train tracks" were an essential fashion accessory these days?

Re: the new wearers at school- were tehre any that you felt were like you, and really needed specs? What about their frames? I would guess the Guccis knock spots off them.

Lauren 01 Sep 2004, 12:18

On a totally different note next week I will be dealt a double wammy. Because I am getting braces too. In a matter of a few weeks my looks are changing so much. sorry that this is not about glasses, but I haven't found any groups like this about braces.

Lauren 01 Sep 2004, 11:56

I just got back from my first day of school. Actually it was my first day in high school too. The reaction to my glasses has been great. A few other kids at school got them too. I am quickly becoming comfortable about wearing them. The only dilema I have now is wether or not to wear them for my school picture. Wearing them in PE has already prooven to be frustrating. I worry that they will come flying off my face and break, then I would have to go blind till they were fixed. I refuse to wear that rubber band thing.

FAO Lauren 01 Sep 2004, 11:15

No boyfriend *sigh*

Bet you soon will have!

Johanka 01 Sep 2004, 08:18

To Puffin: No, unfortunately, I don't have any siblings. I wish I had. :-)

Puffin 01 Sep 2004, 08:07

Hello Johanka

Do you have any brothers or sisters, if so what is their vision like? This may tell you something about what will happen to you.

I'm in a similar position you. My mother is a bit hyperopic, it appeared later on in life about 60 years old. Before that nothing. My late father was about minus 6 or so. I have two brothers, one is around minus 7, I think, the other something like minus 3 or 4. At the moment I happen to have perfect vision but I think that won't last forever - I think I might end up hyperopic, through at the moment, no problems (I'm 36).

Johanka 01 Sep 2004, 03:44

Hello everyone, I've been a lurker in here so far, and I really enjoyed your discussion in this and other threads.

Lauren's question about the progression of myopia inspired me to jump into the discussion and ask a similar one.

I started wearing glasses more or less fulltime a couple of months ago, when it turned out in the eye exam that my Rx is now -3. I don't need them for reading but I usually put them on for computer work. Of course, I am an avid reader and I spend a lot of time with the computer. :-) I'm 24 now and, if I remember it correctly, when I about 18 my Rx was somewhere in the -1.5 or -2 range. I've been slightly nearsighted since the age of 9. My mother is nearsighted as well, her Rx is in the -7 range, while my late father was slightly hyperopic. Is there a chance that my eyes will get any worse and if so, how huge change I may expect? I've heard somewhere that myopia usually tends to stabilize when you reach the twenties.

Again, I have to thank you all, guys, for this great site, it helped me a lot in learning to accept me wearing glasses! ;-)

D-W-V 01 Sep 2004, 03:11

Lauren: if you DON'T want your prescription to get stronger, you could try going without your glasses when you're doing long sessions of reading or other near work. That's what I used to do, and my myopia never got much worse than -3 (and I got my first glasses at the age of 10).

George1968 01 Sep 2004, 02:11

Been traveling over the past few weeks, so am just catching up now.

Lauren, I'm quite a bit older than you, but I just started having to wear glasses fulltime myself a couple of months ago. I really needed to wear them fulltime for years, but my prescription finally got to the point where fulltime wear was a necessity (my prescription is a little stronger than yours).

The biggest thing to get used to was having a mental image of myself in glasses, so that when I saw my reflection, it felt natural. It took a while, but that change in perception finally does come. It'll come for you as well, probably a lot quicker for you, Lauren, than for me. Besides, as you said, it's not like we have much choice. We're fulltime glasses wearers from here on in whether we want to or not.

By the way, have you noticed after wearing your glasses that when you take them off, how much more blurry the world is? Isn't frightening how bad our eyes really were compared to how we should have been seeing?

Wonder how Ros and Clare are doing?

Jo 01 Sep 2004, 00:02

It makes a pleasant change to read about people who are actually enjoying wearing their glasses, rather than the usual, "I know I need to wear glasses, but I can't get used to wearing them". Perhaps, these people should try to relax more about having to wear glasses and enjoy the good vision.

Andy, your glasses sound cool - let us know what your mates think. Lauren, I'm sure in a day or two you'll be used to seeing yourself in glasses.

I'm back to the school where I work on Monday; so it will be interesting to see if any children have started wearing glasses or gone full time, or (more disappointingly) if they've switched to contacts.

Julian 31 Aug 2004, 22:52

OK Lauren, I guess you have to get used to being able to see your reflection ::) As for the weight, you nose will get usd to it. The boyfriend bit I can't help with; I don't have one either ::(

Love and kisses, Jules.

Lauren 31 Aug 2004, 19:46

No boyfriend *sigh*

Now I have to get used to seeing these glasses on when I catch my reflection. Another thing that I am having trouble getting used to is the weight on my nose. Is tha normal?

Bespectacled Professor 31 Aug 2004, 18:05

Lauren,

The question you raise is unanswerable, but given how quickly your eyes worsened in a year, and your present age, you get expect to get at least to -5 and probably to -7, so your future glasses will look a lot stronger than now. The one thing you can be sure of is that you will have to wear your glasses all the time from here on in, so it's good that you like your frames and how you look in them.

Do you have a boyfriend, and what does he think about your glasses.

my new glasses 31 Aug 2004, 17:59

I just got my first pair of glasses. I'm 16 and I love them. My rx is -1.25 and-2.00. I can see everthing now! My friends like them too.

Andy 31 Aug 2004, 14:38

Hi, like Lauren I picked up my new glasses today. To answer Jo's questions I've got dark brown, spiky hair and brown eyes and I'm just about to turn 17, which was one of the reasons I went for a test as I needed to sort out new glasses to start driving lessons. For my main pair I chose some rectungular, rimless D&G; glasses with black sides and bridge. They were quite expensive, but I think they look good on. I got a free second pair, so I chose some gray ones, that were more oval. I got a medium tint on these ones, which I hope will be OK to keep the worst of the sun off, but not too dark that I have to change them every time I go into a shop or something.

I picked up my glasses before I went into work this afternoon. I love the clear vision - it was amazing to be able to see the expressions on people's faces clearly and to look down the lines on the checkout and be able to make things out. Although I've been wearing my old glasses more recently, it's only been for school and at home, not in circumstances like this, I didn't realise how bad my eyes had become. I haven't taken my glasses off since I've got them, judging from the other posts I'll really notice a difference when I do.

Tomorrow I'm off out for the day with my mates, so it will be the first time they've seen me with my glasses. I'm expecting some stick off them. Then on Thirsday it's back to school, so by then most people I know will have seen me wearing them.

Andrew 31 Aug 2004, 13:18

That's an unanswerable question, Lauren!

One thing we might agree on is that it might depend on what you do over the next ten years; the more time you spend studying or doing other close work (including use of the computer), the longer your eyes might continue to worsen. If you leave School in the next 12 months and head for a lifetime of manual labour, the deterioration might stop sooner. If you keep studying until you have a university degree, you eyes might well continue to worsen until you finish that. That was my experience, but I would still far rather have an education and stronger glasses, than have slightly weaker specs and be intellectually frustrated. Contact lenses (especially hard ones) can also slow the progression of myopia.

Lauren 31 Aug 2004, 12:16

Let me try to answer all of the questions.

I have had little problem with adapting to my new glasses. As for liking them, I kind of have no choice with how bad my eyes keep getting. I love the frames, i think that they are the best part. The major difference I notice is being able to read things at a distance, actually being able to see details is nice too.

My question for you guys is at what age and what prescription should I expect my eyes to level off, because at -2.75 the lenses are starting to show quite a bit of strength.

Bespectacled Professor 31 Aug 2004, 11:54

Lauren,

Well, it seems you went from dreading wearing glasses to liking wearing glasses. That's good. One thing you didn't indicate was how you liked your frames.

ARNAUD 31 Aug 2004, 11:06

Lauren

did you had any difficlty to adjust with the astigmatism correction??

what did you friends said in the mall the other day?

What was your first impression when your put your new glasses? Wow they are strong!? Did you had any diificlty to walk the first five minutes?

What did you see better? Leaves on the trees, stars in the sky, billboards?

Is your friend, a lady friend or a boyfriend?

Tell us about the reaction of the boys about your new glasses. You knew "Men make passes at girls with glasses"

ARNAUD 31 Aug 2004, 11:05

Lauren

did you had any difficlty to adjust with the astigmatism correction??

what did you friends said in the mall the other day?

What was your first impression when your put your new glasses? Wow they are strong!? Did you had any diificlty to walk the first five minutes?

What did you see better? Leaves on the trees, stars in the sky, billboards?

Is your friend, a lady friend or a boyfriend?

Tell us about the reaction of the boys about your new glasses. You knew "Men make passes at girls with glasses"

bb 31 Aug 2004, 10:40

Lauren, I think the most important attribute about glasses is you like them, I love to hear people who wear glasses saying they have no hang ups about their glasses, it was very refreshing to read your post, even when you friend mentioned they looked like coke bottle you did not seem offended, it show a maturity towards wearing glasses, and I,m sure you have the same out going personality to match your attitude to your glasses. Lauren maybe you could be generous and tell us you Rx in you next post. Thanks once again for your interesting post.

Lauren 31 Aug 2004, 09:57

I picked up my glasses today. Wow! I can't ever remember things looking so clear. I think that the lenses are a dead giveaway that my glasses are pretty strong. But the person working the counter told me that was because I picked bigger frames. People seem to like them, my friend told me she likes my cokebottles.

question 30 Aug 2004, 12:07

Thanks Bespectacled Prof.

With each day I'm getting used to my glasses now. It's just a little strange when I turn my head fast and hope that passes. It bothers me now that I think I'm really dependent on them. Yesterday I woke up and reached for them right away because everythings more a blur now without them. My question is why did the dr. tell me to take my glasses off when I read? Sometimes I forget and I see fine with them on when I read too.

David_Llewellyn 30 Aug 2004, 11:22

Matt: It is not uncommon for a mild hyperope like you to have a stronger Rx than measured on your first refraction. This is because you haven't been wearing corrective lenses, so your eyes have had to accommodate (focus closer) even to see at infinity. No matter how weak your plus Rx, your eyes will expend some effort to see at infinity and even more to see closer than that. Over years your eyes may have gotten rather used to this accommodation to the point where it's difficult to stop... the problem being that eyestrain tends to develop. The most relaxed situation is no accommodation. So it's possible that you have an Rx let's say of +1.50. But when the doctor measures it, because your eyes don't completely relax, the extra amount is not immediately noticed. Once you have glasses for the lower power prescribed, over a time your eyes will relax some. A second refraction may now reveal the higher Rx.

I have a minus power myself to which none of this applies, so this is not from experience, but my eye doctor told me about it when I mentioned a friend who had eyestrain and who was prescribed a very low plus Rx like yourself. I wondered how a young guy should have trouble accommodating to such a low power (accommodation difficulty increases with age), and this was his explanation.

What this implies, of course, is that if you get glasses made to the given Rx, it may not completely relieve your eye strain as you may really need a higher power (and I don't mean a religious revelation!!!!). You will discover if this is true only by wearing the glasses for a while and then seeing if you A. still have eyestrain; B. a second refraction reveals a seeming change in Rx.

BTW, this effect is frequently mis-interpreted by patients including many on this BBS as meaning "glasses made my eyes worse". Nothing could be farther than the truth. That would be like saying a test which revealed a hidden problem, say cancer, was to blame for the cancer... it's called killing the messenger who brings bad news. Luckily the news is not very bad unlike cancer!

Jo 30 Aug 2004, 09:50

Hi Andy. Glad you are looking forward to getting your glasses. Tell us some more about yourself - how old are you? What kind of glasses did you choose? What color eyes/hair do you have?

Scott 30 Aug 2004, 08:14

To get a prescription that is +0.25 is the weakest prescription it is possible to be give.

You have 1 eye that has astigmatism ( your eye needs slight less magnification at an angle of 180) than you need at right angles to this (090).

Hope this helps

Matt 30 Aug 2004, 06:05

I desperately want glasses, so had an eye-test last week. I had been having a few problems with close vision- blurriness and eye strain after newspaper reading and computer work. Unfortunately I wasn't prescribed glasses, but still have a prescription card that reads

R Sph+0.25 Cyl-0.25 Axis 180

L Sph+0.25 Cyl OS

I gather this means I am very slightly hyperopic, but not bad enough for glasses. Can anyone explain what the other parts mean? I am 17, so do a lot of study at college which can give me quite bad headaches.

On the prescription card the box ticked is 'No clinical change in prescription (you may still want new spectacles)'. This is my first eye test, and it seems strange that that box was ticked over the 'No prescription necessary' box. Does this mean that I could return to the opticians with this card and get glasses made up, even though the optician said I didn't need them?

Thanks

Brian 29 Aug 2004, 20:06

Arnaud, Thats a pretty neat site... You could even upload your own photos.. I really had a good time fooling around with it.. Do you know of any sites that show edge thickness??? Thanks for posting the link..

Andy 29 Aug 2004, 09:23

I went for a check up yesterday. My prescription is now -2.50, -0.25, 10 in my left eye, -2.75, -0.25, 5 in my right eye. I first got glasses 2 years ago when my prescription was -1.00 in one eye and -1.25 in the other. At first I didn't wear them much but recently I've been wearing them a bit more. I've been told to wear my new glasses all the time. I have to say that unlike other people who've posted here, I'm really looking forward to getting them so I can see clearly.

arnaud 29 Aug 2004, 03:38

lauren,

in the"glasses selection"

in reception desk

put : sph -2.75 cyl -.50 axes put what is on your prescription with "°"(if you don't know put 90) and

addit 0.00

in fitting counter choose:

lenses: trifo 160$

collection: try rimless M3074 74$ with those glasses you will see the strenght of your new prescription;

espicially if you glide the glassses down the nose of the model.

arnaud 29 Aug 2004, 03:24

Lauren,

If you want to see how your new glasses will look like go to:

http://www.weldsy.ru/gswebtest/gswebdb4.htm

you can choose a frame and put your prescription ...you will see on the model how the glasses with the prescription ...

By the way what are the ° of your astigmatism??

if it is 90° your glasses will look a little stronger (-3.25)

Lauren 28 Aug 2004, 16:52

Being a new full time glasses wearer hasn't been so bad. The way that they feel on my nose is weird. Mostly it has only been my family that has seen them. Tommarow I am going to the mall with friends, that will probably be when I have to answer a whole lot of questions.

Bespectacled Professor 28 Aug 2004, 15:44

Lauren,

You ask about the lenses in your new glasses. Are you still concerned about their thickness?

I'd say think about your own experience. There are some people who have very strong prescriptions and the thickness of their glasses are very noticeable. There are a few people you meet when you wonder why people are wearing their glasses all the time because the glasses look veyr weak. Your glasses will be somewhere in the middle. If you were to see someone wearing your prescription, you would not notice the thickness of the glasses, but they would be obviously strong enough that there was no question about their wearing them all the time.

You really won't really start noticing the thickness of the lenses until about -5, which you are likely to have by age 18.

Bespectacled Professor 28 Aug 2004, 15:37

Lauren,

What have been the reactions of other people to you wearing glasses? Has it been as bad as you would think? How is it seeing the world more clearly?

In terms of seeing yourself in the mirror, it usually takes a few weeks for your mind to switch its mental image of your not having glasses as being the natural state of things to you as a fulltime wearer.

Lauren 28 Aug 2004, 15:05

Hey, some people showed interest in what it feels like for me wearing glasses all the time. It has been interesting, sometimes I forget I have them on and then I see myself in the mirror. That is the most weird part.

I am interested to get a preview of what the lenses may look like in the glasses I get next week, if anybody has any examples on hand.

Bespectacled Professor 28 Aug 2004, 13:53

To Question,

The prescription you have is one that most people who have it wear their glasses all the time. The reason is, the prescription is fairly strong.

When you take your glasses off now, what is happening is too things. First, you are now noticing the major contrast between what your vision was like to what it should have been. Second, your eyes were working hard to try to see without the glasses. Now, they are relaxing. So, it may seem like your eyes are getting worse, but the reality is that your eyes are actually that bad.

You may have issues with wearing glasses, but the notion that they will make your eyes worse should not be one of them.

question 28 Aug 2004, 13:43

My new glasses rx is -2.00 and -2.75. This is my first pair of glasses. I'm 20 and when my friends try on my glasses they think think they are very strong. Now when I take my glasses off I'm more blind then I was before. I can see very good with my glasses but are they hurting my eyes because now I can't see when I take them off?

Tommy 28 Aug 2004, 13:38

High Myope

Will you comment on your son's Rx? His age and first Rx and how it has progressed? Seems curious that he does not was to share the latest with you. Also, interesting that your Rx has decreased. I found that with mine also and am wondering if I am trying too hard to read the chart when it may not be that clear to me. My current Rx is

-5.75 both eyes with a BF add of 2.75. I find progressives OK but would like to experience trifocals since so many find them to be better. Do you have BF yourself? PS I also have computer glasses, FT35 BF, in a lesser Rx.

Julian 27 Aug 2004, 23:15

What's the rest of your prescription GL? I'm with LeeLee, I think you'll be more comfortable if you do wear them, and see better as well, but I'd like to know what else there is in your Rx - if anything.

Love and kisses, Jules.

LeeLee 27 Aug 2004, 21:13

GR: only if you want to unless you are very young and were told to by the doctor. But don't you get headaches if you don't?

Tammy 27 Aug 2004, 19:55

My boyfriend recently got new lenses to put in his old frames that he's had ever since i met him. We've been together a long time now, but anyway, his new Rx is something like OD -.75 ds and OS -.25 ds +2.50.

GR 27 Aug 2004, 13:32

-1.5 astigmatism in one eye.

Do I need to wear my new glasses all time?

ARNAUD 27 Aug 2004, 10:40

lauren

so you went from -1.5 to -3.25 (if you ad the -0.5 astigmatism) in one year ? That is indeed a "big jump"

Lauren 27 Aug 2004, 10:14

My prescription is the same in both eyes -2.75 with -.5 astigmatism. The doctor said that my prescription is getting strong pretty rapidly. Is it true that my prescription could get to be -7, that seems very strong.

I have been wearing my old glasses. The problem is that the frames of these are ugly, so I can't wait for my new ones to come in next week.

first time glasses 27 Aug 2004, 08:40

Yesterday I got my first pair of glasses. I'm 16 now and had glasses once before when I was 10 but never wore them. I love my glasses now. They are balck plastic rectangle frames. I can see so much better and don't get anymore headaches. I can sit in any seat in the class and see. my rx is -1.00 and-2.25. I wear them all the time. I'm supposed to go back to the eye doctor in a month for another check-up and might get another pair for fun.

Julian 27 Aug 2004, 05:48

I've known people who thought Julian was a girl's name. Come to that I've known women called Julian...but my friend Sandy is glad I'm not one of them He isn't a girl either and I'm glad about that.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Dik Dak 27 Aug 2004, 04:55

1). I thought Christy was a girl's name too.

Joel 27 Aug 2004, 04:30

1) Was that last post FROM Lauren or FOR her?

2) I thought Eli was a guy's name.

Lauren 27 Aug 2004, 03:42

I don't want to scare you, but according to the latest statistics and depending the kind of sudies you are in and the use of computer etc..here is the probability of the evolution of your nearsightness:

also note that according to the latest surveys

women who are today in their 40's stabilized at -3

women in their 30's at -4

women in their 20's at -5 to -6

the youger generation goes for -7

age 14: -1.50

age 15: -2.75 - 050?(astigmatism)

age 16: -4.00 -0.75?

age 17: -5.00 -0.75

age 18: -5.50 0.75

if you go the university(especially law studies)

age 19: -6.00 -0.75

age 22: -7.00 -0.75

arnaud 27 Aug 2004, 03:29

Lauren

What's your exact prescription?

How much astigmatism do you have ?

Did you had astigmatism in your old prescription?

Tell us about your experience as a full time wearer.

Tell us also about the eye test...you got 5 more "cliks".(or more with the astigmatism)..did the doctor told you, it was a lot in one year..? did he give you a full prescription?? or are you slightly undercorrected?

Tell us about your first day with you new prescription.

Ross 26 Aug 2004, 23:59

Bespectacled Professor wrote "after you wear them for 6-8 hours straight, try going without them. You will really notice the difference, and know that you need your glasses to see". I experienced that. I was pretty upset when I was finally told to wear my glasses all the time as before I'd only worn them when I really had to. When I picked up my new glasses it was about lunchtime. I kept them on like I'd been told to - I never realised how bad my eyes had become until this point. That night I was going to my school leaver's dance. Although I didn't like the idea of having to make my debut as a full time wearer on such occasion, when I'd taken my glasses off to shower and change things seemed much more blury without them than they had about 8 hours before. I knew I'd have to wear them. It wasn't that big a deal to wear them, a few comments but because all my friends were at the event it good it over with very quickly. Now I'm glad I was told to wear glasses all the time, because I'm not sure I would have without the optician's advice. Good luck Lauren.

Bespectacled Professor 26 Aug 2004, 15:04

Your frames were a good choice.

Like someone else posted, your glasses will be a topic for a day.

You've been wearing your old glasses for a few hours now. How are you getting on with them? When you take them off tonight, you will start noticing the difference between wearing them and not wearing them. The contrast will be noticeable.

Lauren 26 Aug 2004, 14:39

I'm dirty blonde

After looking around a bit I found this. This is pretty close to what I got.

http://www.davidclulow.com/designereyewear/frames/gucci

To my mom's credit she did allow me to spend a good amount of money for the frames, though she refused on contacts.

Bespectacled Professor 26 Aug 2004, 14:15

Lauren,

You said you ordered some rectangular Gucci frames. Plastic or metal? What's your hair color? I ask because if you have light hair and are wearing dark Gucci rectangular pastic frames, you will definitely be attracting attention to your glasses.

Bespectacled Professor 26 Aug 2004, 14:04

Lauren,

Sorry for the mistake about your old glasses. I took that from your original message that you literally didn't wear them.

When do you pick up your new glasses?

By strong looking, I mean that with weak prescriptions, when you see people turn their heads, there's not that much change between what you see through their glasses and what's there. With your glasses, you'll definitely notice, as things through your glasses will be a lot smaller.

Get used to it because given your age and how quickly your eyes have changed over the last two years, you're likely to progress to around -4 to -5. At that point, they will start to look thick. But, you'll be used to wearing glasses then, so it won't be as upsetting as it may be now.

Lauren 26 Aug 2004, 13:58

What does somewhat strong mean? To say that I never wore my old ones is a bit of an exageration. However my mom is making me wear the old ones until I pick up the new ones. So in a way I am getting use to wearing glasses all the time.

Eli 26 Aug 2004, 13:41

Hansel - no problem! Just mention my name whenever you feel like saying something clever or nice. LOL Though if it's not clever nor is nice - then you owe me! LOL

Bespectacled Professor 26 Aug 2004, 13:28

Lauren,

Your prescription won't be thick (though they will be somewhat strong looking), but you certainly do need to wear your glasses all the time.

Plus, you will know it. I don't know when you are picking them up, but after you wear them for 6-8 hours straight, try going without them. You will really notice the difference, and know that you need your glasses to see.

You must have know your eyes were bad for quite some time. I'm surprised you never wore the glasses you had.

Enjoy a non-blurry world.

Lauren 26 Aug 2004, 12:18

Is that going to be thick?

Lauren 26 Aug 2004, 12:17

My prescription is -2.75 with some astigmatism. I got some rectangular Gucci glasses.

Brian 26 Aug 2004, 11:17

Lauren, Whats your new prescription? What kind of frames did you get?

Lauren 26 Aug 2004, 10:44

I had my appointment today. It was full of bad news. The doctor told me I have to wear my new prescription all of the time. Since it had gotten so much worse, I have to go evry 6 months instead of every year now. I'm only 15, and I have to wear glasses full time and neither of my parents do, strange huh?

Bespectacled Professor 26 Aug 2004, 05:51

Lauren,

If your prescription last year was -1.5 and you believe your eyes have gotten significantly worse, then no doubt you will be wearing glasses fulltime after today. Pick out some stylish frames and enjoy the clear vision.

Let us know how it goes.

BTW, you are concerned about how much worse your eyes will get. That depends in part on how old you are. If you are in your teens, your eyes are likely to get a fair amount worse. If you are in your twenties, your eyes will soon stabilize.

Andrew 25 Aug 2004, 23:28

That's something you will have to wait to find out, but at least if you get them before you go back to School, you probably won't be the only person with new glasses. Besides, most people will have far more to talk about than one person wearing glasses. You will probably be far more self-concious about them than the notice anyone else will take, and at least you will be able to see clearly!

Lauren 25 Aug 2004, 16:33

I am afraid that the doctor will say that I should keep them on. If I'm correct the prescription that I have in my glasses now is the same as Eli's -1.5 and as I said they are much worse now only a year later, which makes me wonder how bad they will get in the next couple of years.

Hansel 25 Aug 2004, 16:19

Do they know that you should wear specs?

It's all relative really. If your friends know that you wear specs a change in the script is simply that, even though you are concerned that your eyes have changed dramatically. Are you more concerned that that opticican will say that you should wear them full time?

Lauren 25 Aug 2004, 16:05

My main problem is how bad my eyes got in only one year. My first pair of glasses I only needed for the board in school, and I didn't use them for that. I have two friends that wear glasses, and both of them see better than I do.

Hansel 25 Aug 2004, 15:30

To correct the first line of my last post which reads,

Lauren, if you read a number of posts such as Eli's you will notice that there are a number such as you who have not appreciated being prescribed specs..

It should have read,

"If you read a number of posts you will notice..."I don't think the remark is relevant to Eli.

Just to be accurate..sorry Eli.

Hansel 25 Aug 2004, 15:18

Lauren, if you read a number of posts such as Eli's you will notice that there are a number such as you who have not appreciated being prescribed specs. If you look at Eli's post below yours she is appreciating the difference her specs have made to her view of the world. The biggets hurdle is your feeling of self consciousness. When you get your new specs, they will be a one day wonder in school. You may even find, such as Ros who posted a couple of weeks back that your friends will even say "about time" as they may already be aware that you really need specs.

Go for it and let us know the outcome. You will see many posters, more long standing than myself, will be very supportive, as well as being interested in the outcome.

My own daughter went for some new specs the other week and plumped for some really striking dark frames. She's being wearing specs for a while now and is 10. We were in the car, she asked if she could ring the optician to see if they were ready. On hearing that they were exclaimed "Yeess!!" In time you'll be the same.

Lauren 25 Aug 2004, 14:57

I don't know how I wound up here but here it goes.

I got my first pair of glasses a year ago, but never wore them. Now I know my eyes have gotten much worse, and I have an appointment tommarow. My mom scheduals them so that I can wear glasses for school. The appointment scares me because my eyes have gotten bad!!!

Eli 25 Aug 2004, 00:02

Julian yes you were right!

I am also puzzled but I wouldn't call it a blur. Without glasses leaves on a tree across the street is just a green mass (it's a broad street anyway so no big deal) but with glasses I see clearly every single detail of those leaves + every crack on that tree. I think this explains a bit how I see with and without glasses. Got nice rimless ones :) And I like them v. much though don't wear them full-time yet.

Julian 24 Aug 2004, 23:56

Welcome back, Eli - told you so! The one thing that puzzles me is that with that Rx (or rather without it) you said things weren't blurred. Is that really so or do you know better now? How much are you wearing your nice new glasses?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Basset horn 24 Aug 2004, 23:52

I'm reluctant to post this, but I want to support "first time glasses wearer" given what Chad N. posted. I think this personal experience is relevant. I have worn glasses since I was 13 (grade 8). By that time, I couldn't see the board from even the front seat in the classroom, and was reduced to borrowing a friend's book and copying his notes every evening. The "crunch" came when he - quite rightly - wanted his notebook for evening study and refused to let me use it any more.

I believe, like first time glasses wearer, that I had needed glasses for some time before getting them. When I was 16, a surgeon performed an operation in which, as I recall, the muscles on either side of the eyeball are shortened or lengthened as necessary in order to correct a "lazy eye". This, as I recall, is instead of using a patch on someone in the mid to late teens: this doctor, I guess, thought that would not work. The foregoing is very "unscientific", but it is my best recollection of my experience some 40 years ago.

Good luck, ftgw, and I hope your "bf" develops a little more patience.

Eli 24 Aug 2004, 21:34

Hi all!I posted here a while ago. My post was about how I tried on my friend's glasses and how amazingly well I could see with them. So I had an eye test a few days ago and now got glasses. My rx is around -1.5

Chad N. 23 Aug 2004, 19:04

first time glasses wearer--

I'm not buying a word of your story.

Tommy 22 Aug 2004, 23:00

Ross, what was the Rx when you went fulltime and how did it progress? Is that your current Rx? Thanks

Brian-16 22 Aug 2004, 06:41

-14 Yes,I love my ft35 tri-focals.Although they are not as strong as yours.I wonder how high the add can go as I see from your post you have +3.

By all means try the ft35's next time.

Not sure if I will reach -14 but its possible.I am -11.50 and -11.25 now.

-14 21 Aug 2004, 20:21

Liam-

I'm 8 years older than you and have worn bifocals now for 2 years. I started with a +2.50 add and now i'm at +3. When I was your age I was prescribed trifocals in an attempt to slow down my rapidly increasing myopia but I never got them. Possibly if I had I wouldn't be -14 now.

As the previous posts have said after awhile you won't even notice the line and believe me most people you meet won't notice it either. Also, very soon, you will wonder how you ever got along without them.

Brian16 and Geoff

after my next exam I might join you guys by getting some FT35s. I do now have some progressives but I kind of miss that line when I wear them . Brian it sounds like you really like them.

Brian-16 21 Aug 2004, 14:52

+++ girl..I guess you can drive okay with your glasses? Although I have 20/20 in my left eye with my specs,I have 20/25 in my right eye.

first time glasses wearer 21 Aug 2004, 13:01

I'm 18 yrs old and just got my first glasses. The eye dr. said I had needed glasses for quite some time. I've had trouble seeing since I think since 7th grade. I cheated fro my drivers test and used my girlfriends glasses to pass it. Yesterday my bf yelled at me and said you can't see that! He couldn't believe I was reading a book so close. My rx is -1.00 , -4.75. The dr. wants to see me in 2 weeks to do what he said some adjusting. I'm supposed to wear a a patch over my good eye at least 6 hours a day for when I study,read,watch t.v. My glasses look odd and I don't like them. I was prescibed one contact for my eye if I coose not to wear my glasses to school or out. It's amazing now what I see.

Geoff 21 Aug 2004, 11:02

Liam, I got my first bifocals when I was 17 (3 years ago) and my rx was just a bit higher than yours is now and I got a +1.50 add. When I first got them it was the same as you, I could read fine using either the top or bottom part but once I started back to school I found the reading part made it way easier on my eyes for studying. And then once I got more used to them I started finding it wasnt as easy reading with the distance part any more, so I suppose in a way Ive gotten dependent on them but I think that just proves that I really did need to get them. I just went for my annual checkup this week and my add got bumped up to +2 this time so I guess that means I need them even worse now. My doc recommended the lined ones for me to start off with too and I really had no trouble at all getting used to them and thats what I still have. The worst thing is you think everybody is going to notice you got them cause to you the line is so obvious but really not that many people even notice you have bifocals. Dont know if they have slowed down my myopia or not cause Ive still had increases since then but maybe it would have been worse without them. Cant really guess why you got prescribed them except the doc must think you need them for some reason, did he say why? I think you should just go ahead and wear them for a while and see how they work out, and if you have problems with them, go back and tell him theyre not working for you. If you want to chat more about it email me at hotmail dot com with the userid part gbtspex.

++++girl 21 Aug 2004, 10:51

I have 20/30 in the R and 20/40 in the L

with my glasses.

Brian-16 21 Aug 2004, 08:39

Stephanie-I guess it depends on the individual.Some posts here have hinted that once you get over -10d you could be a candidate for bi-focals.I saw the difference when I started placing those drug store readers over my glasses and was shocked at how much better I could read.Then of course I got bi-focals.I have always held things (books/newspapers) close to my eyes as a habit,sometimes ten inches..

Brian-16 21 Aug 2004, 08:34

Liam-I have the flat top 35mm tri-focals.I am (hopefully) winding down my staircase myopia.I have -11.50r and -11.25r and base out prisms.My add is +2.25. 90% of the time I do not even notice the line.You do at first but I would recommend making quick movements with your eyes for reading and distance.I noticed when I got prisms a while back I started having a problem with small print and got bi-focals,and now tri-focals.If you work at it you will get used to the lined bi-focal.Don't give up! My whole family has them..

Stephanie 21 Aug 2004, 07:18

I have an rx of -10 in my right eye and -9.50 in my left. But I have not been prescribed bifocals and don't experience eyestrain even though I do loads of close work - practically full time. I'm 24. So even though i'm older than you, Brian, I dont' have bifocals. So I guess it just doesn't depend on the myopia level and age, there must be something else.

Liam 21 Aug 2004, 07:08

Hi Brian thanks for replying, i have the lined type which i really don't like the look of but the doctor recommended them for a start. Have the helped to slow down your myopia? Did you have any difficulties getting used to them?

Brian-16 21 Aug 2004, 07:00

Liam-What kind of bi-focals do you have? Lined or progressives? I have tri-focals and will be 18 in the fall.Had bifocals prior for about a year.The doctor told me she hoped it would help slow down my myopia somewhat.Plus I needed the tri-focal for extra distance.The bi-focals are really needed in my case as my rx is quite higher than yours.I would really recommend you use them and eventually you will get used to them even though right now at your age they are marginal.It tends to reduce your over-all correction by 1.25 for reading which should be more comfortable in the long run.

Liam 21 Aug 2004, 05:24

Hi Specs4ever thanks for replying, I don't tend to do that much close work, with the exception of using the computer (if that counts), as i told my optician. My job doesn't require me to do that much close work and i'm not a big reader in my spare time and as I said in my previous post although the bi-focals do help for close work I can still see just as well with the distance prescription for close up.

Is my close up vision likely to get worse and if i use the bifocal will i find that i can't read without using it? because i really don't want to be dependant on bifocals at 23!!!

Also is my distance vision likely to get much worse?

specs4ever 21 Aug 2004, 04:44

Hi Liam: I would tend to venture a guess that your doctor asked how much reading and close work you were doing while wearing your glasses. With your old prescription, you could still read fairly comfortably without glasses, but with your new prescription you will find that you will be tending to wear your glasses more for close work. So I suspect that your doctor is just trying to prevent any further jumps in your myopia by prescribing the reading prescription(bifocals). However, if you knew the reason, and the doctor had warned you to not do a lot of prolonged close work wearing your new glasses, he/she might have also mentioned that wearing your old glasses for reading would provice the same results. 23 was generally around the age where myopes stop having much of a change, but this is not proving to be the case anymore, with all the computer work, and other near point demands on vision these days

Liam 20 Aug 2004, 16:42

Hi guys

Like a lot of people i've been lurking here for awhile and reading the various threads with interest. I have a query which i'm hoping someone can answer.

I had an eye test this morning and my prescription had changed quite a bit from -3.75 (left eye) & -4.00 (right) to -5.00 (left) & -5.25 (right) I was expecting it to increase although was quite surprised that it had increased so much. What shocked me even more however is the fact I was prescribed bifocals (+1.25 add for both eyes) and i'm not sure why. I have the glasses on and while reading through the add is clear i can still read just as well through the distance lens. Plus I'm only 23 years old and have never had any problems with my close vision. Anyone got any idea as to why these have been prescribed and do i really need to use them? cause i hate them.

Brian-16 20 Aug 2004, 13:30

lens girl-How well do you see with the new glasses.. 20/20 or whatever?

++++lens girl 20 Aug 2004, 12:34

My rx is +18.50 and +20.0. I got my glasses from optical4less and am very pleased with them. They are not lenticular but the highest index. I know they tried there best to make them thin but I know with that rx it's impossible to make them asthetically nice. I have base out prisms of 7 in both also. I can only descrobe the lenses as they are one and a half inches thick and thicker than that at the sides

Hansel 20 Aug 2004, 10:57

OK here goes. I put up my recent prescription on a couple of threads and am grateful to Mei for the endorsement of the Zeiss lens. However I did find a high street retailer in the UK able to undercut the independent optician substantially, apart from the problem that the prescription included a reading add of +0.50, which few lens manufacturers will construct.

The "old" new script reads as follows:

R: -8.25 Cyl -1.25 Axis 167.5 Add +0.50

L: -8.00 Cyl -0.75 Axis 170 Add +0.50

The "new" new script reads :

R -8.25 Cyl -1.25 Axis 167.5 add +1.00

L -7.50 Cyl -1.00 Axis 180 add +1.00

Any comment about the "old" new script v the most recent (a month apart). Part of me feels that the+0.50, which was rewritten at the last minute and changed from +1.00 to 0.50 on the script was a means to ensure that any prescription would have to be be made up by that practice. When I presented the prescription to practice 2, they initially felt that they could not help, as the +0.50 could not be made up. The deal available meant that I felt that a re-test with this practice would be cost effective in the long run if it came up with a reading add that was within the lens specifications, which it did, no surprise really as I have been using a +1.00 as GOC for some time now.

Puffin 18 Aug 2004, 15:15

My RX is real, but not exactly exciting.

(basically, the list of things wrong with me doesn't include eyesight)

mei 18 Aug 2004, 13:14

if blindkid's rx is real, i'm a billioniare

oo 18 Aug 2004, 00:12

And I'm Nasty Mcfilthy

niffup 17 Aug 2004, 03:32

I'm just a backward Puffin

blindkid 17 Aug 2004, 02:01

ok m y perskripshun is -25.00 -35.00x570 add +7.50 wich is funki maybe. is ths a wierd perskripshun or wat??

guest 17 Aug 2004, 01:58

Oh, and now foureyes has learned English--except for how to spell 'weird'. Glad to see...

Foureyes 16 Aug 2004, 16:15

You asked how this my lenses are? Each lens is different because of the strength of the lenses and the prisms complicate things even more. The left lens is 3/4 inch thick on the inner edge, 1/2 inch thick at the bottom and 1/4 inch on the other sides. The right lens is the opposite, 3/4 inch on the inside rdge, 1/2 inch at the top and 1/4 inch on the other two sides of the lens. Pretty Wierd for a 12 year old kid?

Foureyes 16 Aug 2004, 15:30

Craft 16 Aug 2004, 15:10

Foureyes: Thanks for posting your prescription, which is pretty strong. Do you have bifocals or trifocals? How thick (in inches) are your glasses?

Hansel 16 Aug 2004, 12:29

..and has some difficulty with capital letters!

;-)

guest 16 Aug 2004, 12:25

why is it that every 'kid' who writes to this forum about a really bad prescription seems to have a hard time with english?

Hansel 16 Aug 2004, 12:02

I have seen mention made of lenses being "rolled" and "polished".

Is this a feature of lens preparation that is confined to the USA, or is it available in the UK?

If it is what are the effects and the benefits?

M 16 Aug 2004, 04:53

Foureyes 16 Aug 2004, 04:49

I'm 12 years old. I askrd my mon about my prescription. She showed me a copy. It is real wierd.

OS: -15.00 - 2.75 x 50 5 dia base down, 10 dia base in

OD: -16.75 -3.25 x 130 5 dia base up, 10 dia base in

Electra 15 Aug 2004, 07:29

Here's several Mal:

http://www.geocities.com/electra_the_migfetish_lady/howaboutyou.html

Mal 15 Aug 2004, 06:45

Anyone know the address of an online vision test?

Brian-16 14 Aug 2004, 13:32

Mal- Its only a guess,but she may some astigmatism as well.

Mal 14 Aug 2004, 11:39

Do you really reckon so Brian? she has a current rx of -2.25 and is looking for some confirmation that it's still the same, so I guess she'd hope not. If that's what it might be I'm saying nothing to her about it!

Brian-16 14 Aug 2004, 07:01

Mal- If your friend is myopic (nearsighted),I would guess the rx would be around -4.0.

Mal 14 Aug 2004, 00:03

Does anyone know what 20/400 might equate to in prescriptions terms? A friend of mine had to make a trip to the doctor who also tested her eyes. This is what he told her her visual acuity is.

Pat 13 Aug 2004, 14:04

i know why he prescribed them that way phoropter. because he knows my left eye needs more power! my question is why did this happen? why is it the same eye that is worse at both distances?

Phoropter 13 Aug 2004, 14:01

Pat: I guess if they work, keep wearing them. You could ask the doctor why they prescribed how and why they did, I'd be curious to hear their explanation.

Pat 13 Aug 2004, 10:49

thanks for replying phoropter. but what do you suggest instead?

Phoropter 13 Aug 2004, 10:45

There is no reason why your reading glasses have a stronger Rx for the more near-sighted eye. Personally I think it's a mistake, even if you do say you don't see as well if you flip your glasses upside down. By making the correction stronger on your more near-sighted eye you are just changing the distance of near focus closer for that eye only. There is no any logical reason why a Rx would be made to worsen the binocularity of your eyes which is what this would do to most people.

Pat 13 Aug 2004, 09:50

not quite Hansel. many years ago, while i was at school I was prescribed glasses for the nearsighted eye, can't remember exactly but it was around the -1 region and i wore them for driving. but then i realized i didn't need to because my good eye was doing all the work and with both eyes open i could see fine and pass any test. saved myself a lot of money i figured. so every time they ask if i want bifocals i say no. just the reading glasses.

Hansel 13 Aug 2004, 09:15

From what you describe it seems that there is no Rx for your nearsightedness. Is it the case that the nearsightedness is so minimal that the optician doesn't feel that no correction is required other than for the presbyopia?

Pat 13 Aug 2004, 08:22

guys please, i am going to scream! my glasses are NOT bifocals! they are just reading glasses. the higher Rx is on my left eye. ok so far? but it's my left eye that also happens to be nearsighted. don't know how else to explain this.

Phoropter 13 Aug 2004, 07:28

Pat: "the reading Rx for the nearsighted eye is higher than for the good one. i don't get it." If it makes you feel any better, I don't get it either. I'm assuming the eye you are referring too as "the good one" has a smaller distance Rx (or is less near-sighted), and if this is true I have not idea why that eye wouldn't have the stronger near Rx. For example: OD: plano OS: -1.00 w/+100 add OU, the near Rx in spectacle form would be OD: +100 OS: plano.

Phoropter 13 Aug 2004, 07:21

Very Unequal Mam: Did you have cataract surgery on your right eye? If yes, a strong near Rx makes sense because you would have no accommodative function remaining with an intraocular lense. If no, I am unsure why an unequal add was given.

Curt: Your answer isn't completely correct. Someone who is near-sighted (-1) in one eye and plano at distance in the other, requiring a +1 add would be viewing effectively through a plano lens at near in the near-sighted eye and through +1 at near the normal eye. Near-sightedness uncorrected is effectively a near add, ie. A -3 diopter myopia effectively has a built-in +3 reading add when uncorrected.

Pat 13 Aug 2004, 04:24

it's a very good explanation curt, but these aren't bifocals, just the reading Rx. does my question make more sense now?

Curt 12 Aug 2004, 13:27

Pat: I'll try to explain this one. Suppose your nearsighted eye needs a -1.0 lens to give you clear distance vision. For the case of this arguement, lets say your other eye needs no distance correction. Now lets suppose that you need some correction to help you see things close up - let's assume +1.0. For both your eyes to see the same thing, the nearsighted eye would need a +2.0 add (-1.0) + (+2.0) = +1.0, where your other eye would only need the +1.0.

It's not as simple as saying that your eye "wants" something closer or further away - eyes don't think for themselves; your brain does that.

So the short answer is that your nearsighted eye needs a stronger near correction to overcome the minus lens that helps you see better in the distance.

Remember, minus lenses make things smaller, plus lenses make things larger (magnification). So to get the same magnification, you first have to overcome the minifying effects of the minus lens.

I don't know if this helped or not!

Pat 12 Aug 2004, 09:30

maybe i still didn't explain it right. it's my nearsighted eye that has the stronger reading correction. to me this makes no sense. why would the eye that my whole life has wanted things closer, now be the one to make more fuss about close stuff?

Very Unequal Mam 11 Aug 2004, 15:39

I may understand your question...my less nearsighted eye also has a stronger reading correction. My current RX is...

left, -7.00 with a +2.00 add

right, -.75 (there is also a -.25 astig but can't remember the axis) with a +2.50 add.

It may have to do with the right eye doing more work over my lifespan, or maybe the astig?? anyhow, not sure why but the left eye has better accomodation and with no astig, corrects better with contacts, always has...

I don't always wear correction (or at least hadn't before becoming presbyopic) so at home I was bare-eyed a lot and the right eye was doing all the work. I don't have binocular vision so I only use one eye at a time anyway. I tend to use just +1.75 readers (which is for my right eye)when necessary while at home. I also have progressives with my right eye distance RX. If I want the full correction in my left eye, I go with a contact.

Pat 11 Aug 2004, 10:12

sorry thought i'd covered that pretty much.

age 45

1st Rx can't remember about -1 i think

present Rx +1.25, +1.00

using bi focals now

no just reading glasses

Plus crazy 11 Aug 2004, 09:37

Hi PAT, your post is interesting. It will be easy for us to get a good idea of what's going on if you can post the following details, 1. Your age? 2. Your 1st Rx? 3. Your present Rx? 4. Are you using bi focals now?

Guest 11 Aug 2004, 09:35

Hey all,

Got pretty excited today as my girlfiend got her eye test long time after she was complainin she could not see properly. Her new script is OS -4.00 and OD -3.00, up I think from -3.00 and -2.25. Very exciting to see her script go up...when I met she wore them part time and she was something like - 2.25 and -1.50, then bumped to the one she has had until today. She wears contacts most of the time, but i love her in glasses. Little pissed off i wont be able to use hers any more with the new script, too strong for me on the left eye. My eyes are OS -3.00 and OD -6.00

Plus crazy 11 Aug 2004, 09:34

Pat 11 Aug 2004, 05:35

hi guys. i thought i had a bit of a unqiue one but it looks like it's nothing at all for you! so i think i've found the right folk to tell.

got told i need reading glasses, no real surprise. i knew small print was getting a bit tricky. all my life i've been slightly nearsighted in one eye, not enough to trouble me, because the other ones seems to pick up the slack, and although i had a pair of glasses i never bothered wearing them. but it looks like it's that one giving me the bigger problem now. firstly, trying to read by moving the print away from me doesn't work because then it's too far away for my bad eye to read it, and the good one isn't fully picking up the slack there. but here's the other part that i just don't understand. the reading Rx for the nearsighted eye is higher than for the good one. i don't get it. it's right too, there's no mistake because wearing them upside down shows a real difference! why would that be? these are just reading glasses, not multifocals.

Danielle 10 Aug 2004, 09:46

Patrick - My friend says she can see distances perfectly with her glasses and also says she can actually see distances better with glasses.

I forgot to say in a previous post that the optician said to my friend that it was quite likely that she would need a slightly stronger prescription in a couple of years. I think she'll probably go up to something similar to my new prescription. I took the oppotunity to ask the optician if my prescription was likely to increase again and they told me that it might do, but it's difficult to predict.

10 Aug 2004, 07:42

can anybody explain how can plus and minus be together in one prescription?

Dave 08 Aug 2004, 19:21

Chantelle,

Mine is fairly similar to yours. Mine is: +0.25 -1.75 x 162, +0.25 -1.25 x 023. I can certainly relate to that 15 minutes after taking off my glasses. That's the main reason I leave them on most of the day. I find my eyes play tug of war when I take them off and it takes a while for them to accept no correction. I've been like that for a long time now and it's not a big deal. Lenses are thin, glasses are light, I don't mind wearing them most of the time.

Andrew 08 Aug 2004, 12:20

Chantelle:

From your Rx, I can see that you are longsighted in one dimension, and shortsighted in the other. You probably will not need the glasses to see around the house, but will need to wear them to read. My wife has a similar Rx, but with slightly higher numbers; I would estimate that she wears her glasses 85% of the time at home, and all of the time when she goes out. You will find that others who try your glasses on will not say they make no difference, especially if you ask them to try to read while wearing them.

Dax 08 Aug 2004, 11:57

Chantelle:

If you really don't need them for distance yet, why don't you just wear them for reading? Yea, eventually you will probably need them full time anyways in a few years, but there's no problem waiting til that time comes. That said, are they much better for your reading? Less stress and more clarity on the eyes for computer work?

Chantelle 08 Aug 2004, 03:03

Hi all

Decided to get a pair of glasses made up.I used the second prescription which was R+0.50 -1.25 55 L+0.75 -1.00 85.From what I have been able to make out from reading posts on this site that is the weaker prescription.Wanted to get the glasses made in a 1 hour laboratory but nodoby seemed to have stock of that prescription.Is this a rare prescription?Finally got my glasses after waiting a week.I chose a semi rimless pair of glasses and got a seond pair free which I took with a dark brown plastic frame.When trying on the glasses in the optometrist sitting at the deak I could notice the clearer vision.Walking around is different thing.I was told wear the glasses continously till my eyes get use to them although I should not drive with them on yet.They forgot to tell me to stay away from stairs as well.Went out clubbing with them on last night.Who needs alcohol.Anyway been wearing them almost constantly for 24 hours.Things are definately clearer but what is a huge concern to me is my vision when I take them off.It is very blurred and then returns to normal after 15 min.Is this going to get worse.Will have a go at wearing them all day at work on monday and let you know how thing go.

I was told i should order the lenses with anti reflective coating.Was this just salesman talk or is it really worth while considering it cost me almost more than the lenses.I was also hoping for the lenses to look more like a minus lens because there seemed to be more minus in the perscription but this just looks like any other plus lens.Am I misunderstanding something?I am not mad on wearing glasses that look like reading glasses.I have just turned 30.Call it vanity but I want to enjoy my last few years of youth a and good looks.Enough for now.Will let you know how thing go over the next few days.

Guest3 07 Aug 2004, 15:25

bremanna, just wear your glasses, the more you wear them the more your eyes will ajust to them, gosh if I dated you would definately encourage you to wear your glasses, you seem a beautiful lady, and as a guy who adores ladiesin plus glasses I was delighted to read your post, keep with your glasses, you will be much happier soon having ajusted to them. good luck, please post soon again.

Breanna 07 Aug 2004, 13:39

My rx is +7 with +2 bifocal and +12 with +4 bifocal and +10 base out prism. I wear small oval black plastic glasses. I'm 18 tall thin and have blond hair. I wear contacts to school and I'm supposed to wear glasses with my contacts that have prism and the bifocal part in them. They look too ugly and so I only wear my contacts. I have a hard time reading up close and my eye crosses most of the time. It upsets my parents that I don't do what I'm supposed to do but until someone comes up with something that looks better I'd rather suffer through.

Patrick 06 Aug 2004, 17:19

Danielle, An old girlfriend of mine had the same prescription as your friend. She wore her glasses about 50/50.. She'd always wear them while reading, using the computer, in class etc.. But she wouldn't wear them that much while going out unless she had a headache or something.. She said she'd wear them more but she didn't think her distance vision was that great when she had them on. Is your friend able to see good at all distances with her specs?

Danielle 06 Aug 2004, 11:15

My friend had her eyes tested yesterday. She was given a prescription of +1.75 right and +1.25 left which shows why she could see so well with my old +1.50s. She asked if she should wear glasses all the time and the optician said that was up to her, she won't do any harm.

She chose her frames and we collected the finished glasses this morning. Like me she got some prescription sunglasses in identical frames to the glasses. As I predicted she is wearing her glasses full-time.

leelee 05 Aug 2004, 21:32

personally, i think i could do a fine job of cobbling up my own perfect prescription, given the right tools.

i don't know much about optics, but i know what looks best

Jenny 05 Aug 2004, 17:38

Self-diagnosis is a beautifully arrogant thing.

Don 05 Aug 2004, 11:09

Carla---

I think that's just fine for you to wear your sister's glasses. If you see well with them, why not?

Your sisters Rx is probably the one you should be wearing anyway.

There should be nothing wrong with that (reference to Mike's comment).

GuestII 05 Aug 2004, 08:51

Your sister is almost blind without specs, are you too?

Carla 05 Aug 2004, 08:28

My sister doesn't know her rx of the glasses I have of hers. Her rx that she wears now are -9.50 and -10.25. She wears hers all the time. She said she is nearsighted and I know that I am too.

These glasses my be if at least close to my right glasses because I see so good with them so that's why I'm not going to the dr. right away.

Mike 05 Aug 2004, 08:21

Really Carla you should be very careful about wearing your sisters glasses. They are not the exact rx for you. Do you know her rx? if not the ones' you are wearing but the ones she has now? Are the glasses that you wear oof hers think? Are you short or longsighted?

Concerned about your decision to wear your sisters glasses all the time./

Carla 05 Aug 2004, 07:53

hi,

Just chatting about my experience with glasses. I got my first pair when I was 8 and then had about three pairs after that. I wore them off and on mainly kept them in my desk at school and then put them on when I was ealking toward the house. I'm 16 now and starting wearing my glasses that I had when I was 11 but squint terribly in them to see not even well. Sometimes i squint so hard that my eyelid twitches for a long time. It's not real noticeable but I can tell it is twitching.My older sister gave me her old pair yesterday and right away they are the best that I could ever know to see good with. My sis is 20 and she has worn glasses since 5 and is the best to give me hers. I was going to go to the doctor but my mom scratched the appointment because this work and they are very cute frames my friends say. I never take them off only to sleep of course.

I'm very happy now and school will be easier for me this year becuz of my glasses too. Very happy now and not blind anymore.

Danielle 05 Aug 2004, 06:35

My friend is getting her eyes tested later today. She's still wearing my old glasses full-time and says she can see fine at all distances with them. I'm guessing that she'll get a prescription fairly close to the one thats in my old glasses. It is strange seeing someone else wearing your glasses, but they do suit her and if they help her to see better it's fine.

Mark 01 Aug 2004, 04:36

Doug I've had to end of problems with the stupid doctor not getting my cyl correction right. I don't know why they find it so hard. But you are entitled to go back and say hey this isn't right! And get a change of lenses free of charge. Don't put up with it they cost enough.

Doug 01 Aug 2004, 00:33

Brian 16- I don't have any health problems. The only problem with my current rx is that the vision isn't all that sharp, probably due to the undercorrected astigmatism.

Brian-16 31 Jul 2004, 17:23

Doug-Thats a very interesting change in your rx.Are you having any problem with your current rx?It appears to me you have a noticeable change in astigmatism and less spherical (distance) correction.Any health problems?

Danielle 31 Jul 2004, 15:59

I'm now totally used to full-time wear but I'm still getting used to putting my glasses on first thing in the morning! Now that my eyes have relaxed and adjusted to the new prescription I can appreciate that I really do need glasses all the time and not just for reading. My distance vision is far better than it has been for ages. I probably didn't notice because it was a very gradual change. I'm really glad that I got prescription sunglasses as we've had some fantastic weather here in Britain recently and it's great to be able to wear stylish sunglasses and see clearly!

A friend came over last night to watch a DVD. I noticed that when she was looking at the back of the DVD box she sort of stared at it and squinted slightly. I asked if she was ok and she said that it takes a few seconds for things to focus when they are close up. So I passed her my glasses and told her to read with them. She admitted it was much better with glasses and wanted to keep them on but she couldn't see the tv cleary with them on and I couldn't see it cleary without them! So I gave her my old +1.50 glasses and she said everything was much clearer, including the tv. I told her she could keep wearing my old glasses only if she got her eyes tested next week as she obviously needs glasses. She agreed.

I will post again when she's had her eye test. I think she'll go full time wether or not she needs to.

Doug 31 Jul 2004, 13:05

I just got a new prescription yesterday. R: -1.25 -1.50 x178 L: -1.50 -1.75 x177. Kind of odd since my last prescription was -1.75 -0.75 x178 and -1.75 -0.75 x180. I'm 19 years old. Anyone experience a change like this before?

new glasses wearer 31 Jul 2004, 12:36

to: Bespectacled professor,

Thanks for anwering my question. I know these glasses are great. I was just worried that if something happened to my glasses I'd have a hard time without them when before I could get by without glasses. My sister told me don't wear thim all the time or else my eyes will get weaker and more dependent on them. Yesterday, I didn't wear them at all and now I can see better without them again.

Bespectacled Professor 31 Jul 2004, 12:23

New Glasses Wearer,

No, the glasses are not making your eyes worse. They are showing you how bad you eyesight was. The experience you are having is the difference between having the vision you should have (that is, with the glasses) versus the vision you had (without the glasses). Plus, your eyes have relaxed, and are not straining as much to accomodate.

Not everyone with your prescription wears their glasses all the time, but the majority do. You are also 19, and your eyes are probably going to get worse. So, the best advice is to get used to wearing your glasses and enjoy the good vision.

new glasses wearer 31 Jul 2004, 11:56

hi,

I'm 19 F and got my first pair of glasses last week. I've been having trouble seeing probably for over 2 yrs. but always able to adjust my eyes to see. Just this past year I felt like my eyes were always tired to make an effort to see good. My sis and I went to the dr. and I'm the one who needed them. The dr. told me to wear them all the time. After wearing them, I can't see a thing when I take them off. Are these glasses making my eyes worse? I don't know what my prescription means. It is -1.75 od and -2.50 os.

Bespectacled Professor 28 Jul 2004, 09:28

Ros,

So, how did things go last night? And, how are things going today? Still comfortable in your glasses?

Curt 28 Jul 2004, 07:57

Chantelle: Unfortunately, no one can answer your question except yourself. You need to decide if you want to wear glasses, and if it improves your vision significantly.

I would suggest one thing: Take both prescriptions to an eye doctor (either one) and ask them to put that Rx in a trial frame and let you wear them for a couple minutes. Then try the other prescription, again for a couple minutes.

Decide which one you see better with, and have that one made into your glasses.

I think the reason no one has answered your question is that no one CAN - it is up to you.

J 27 Jul 2004, 15:28

I think a girl (I say girl, she's actually about 30) at my work is close to needing her glasses full-time. She is short-sighted and wears her glasses when driving. I reakon her prescription is at least -2.00 as I have tried her glasses on and they make things at least twice as small as my own -1.00s. She gets quite close to or squints at notices on the wall to read them. She probably needs a small increase in her prescription and should go full-time. She is very pretty and her glasses are very flattering but she is a bit self-concious about wearing them even though she has worn glasses part-time for several years probably at least since learning to drive.

Damian 27 Jul 2004, 14:52

When I had my distance vision checked for the first time in three years the other day, I was pleased to learn that my Rx had stayed the same at Rx - 8 in both eyes although the astigmatism had increased in the right eye. Optometrist said that increase in astigmatism could be due to wearing contacts. Is anyone else aware of any link between CL wear causing increased astigmatism? He was not against contact lenses though and said I should consider bifocal Contact Lenses.

I've ordered some multifocal glasses in the rimless frames and will wear those full time rather than contacts....he warned me the bifocal CLs can be a problem for computer users because you are not necessarily seeing through the close-vision corrected portion of the CL when you are looking at a PC monitor. I've worn CLs most of the time in the past so full time glasses will be interesting...

paul 27 Jul 2004, 14:19

My girlfriend has a prescription I think is about -3.50 and she's really cute with it. Because she's always been used to reading without she usually takes them off for reading alot, so she slips them onto her head. I love it then when she slips them down again. she seems kind of vulnerable without her glasses. What I like most is that I'm the one who sees her usually without them. Most other people don't.

Bespectacled Professor 27 Jul 2004, 10:59

Ros,

Your experience was about what would be expected. You say you will become a fulltime wearer very shortly. I think you already are.

You were right to insist that your boyfriend wear his glasses if he insists that you wear yours. His prescription is nearly the same as yours, so he should be wearing them all the time as well.

Most importantly, you both can see.

Ros 27 Jul 2004, 10:39

Ros.

Sorry to keep you all waiting, but after picking up my glasses, had to go back to work until 5pm. Sat in the opticians very apprehensive, waiting for the assistant to bring my glasses out to me. When she put them on me, it was an amazing sensation. Being able to see clearly for the first time in goodness knows how long. My vision is even better than when I tried my boyfriends on. Am a bit upset that they seem quite thick, a lot thicker than my boyfriends, but thats maybe because I have a thinner frame. So I left the shop, the owner of 2 pairs of glasses. The assistant suggested that it would be better if I wore them now and got used to the way things would look from now on. As I left the shop, I still could not get over how things looked. I can see peoples faces across the road, read signs on shops and a thousand other things seem so very clear.

My ten minute walk back to work was a real eye opener (No pun intended) before going back into work I took them off and put them back in my handbag. Neednt have bothered .As soon as I walked in the door, my friends all shouted where are they then, put them on and let us all see them. They were all quite complimentary about them. One of the girls who tried them on, said they were stronger than hers, and she had been wearing glasses for years. I decided to keep them on for the rest of the day at work and see how things went. I was meeting my boyfriend from work, and promised that I would be wearing them, as long as he was wearing his. He said he would be.

Just before 5pm I went along to the washroom to freshen up my make up, and was surprised that after wearing them for so short a time, my eyes seemed terrible without them. Hate to admit it, but think will become a full time wearer in a very short time. The optician did warn me, that it was very likely that I would probably need a stronger prescription in time. Met my boyfriend as planned, and he was over the moon with them, he reckons they look really sexy. Dont know about that, but have agreed to keep them on when we go out tonight as long as he does the same. He wasnt too happy about that, as we are meeting up with friends for a drink. He relented in the end and agreed we would both wear our glasses. He can see ok with mine, even though they are slightly stronger. Sorry to gave gone on for so long, will let you know how things go in a while. Thanks again from a new GWG.

Chantelle 27 Jul 2004, 10:01

Hi all

Was hoping to get some advice with regard to my problem.

I need to know whick prescription would be the one to use.Should I just add up all the numbers in the prescription and whichever one is less use to get glasses made?

If I use this method the second prescription would be the one to use.

Would going with a rimless pair of glasses be a wise choice with this prescription?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Guest 27 Jul 2004, 08:18

ros, get used to it. next yr youll be -4 and the yr after -5 and thats when the thickness sets in & the fun begins

Bespectacled Professor 27 Jul 2004, 07:23

Hannah and Chloe,

If you are still around, maybe you could share your experiences with Ros about progressing from bare-eyed to fulltime glasses wearing. It will probably help Ros' transition.

essie 27 Jul 2004, 07:21

Ros: What is your big problem? If you don't want to wear glasses get some contacts. Folks on this forum really shy away from cls - but they are great. You have crystal clear vision and no glasses to contend with.

Curt 27 Jul 2004, 06:55

Ros: That would seem kinda silly, don't you think? You have gone to the trouble of getting an eye exam, picking out frames that look good on you (two pairs), and then you may not wear them?????

I don't know many people with -3 prescriptions that can get away with not wearing their glasses.

Give them a chance; you will probably find, as many folks here do, that wearing glasses is no big deal, and clear vision is very much worth it!

Bespectacled Professor 27 Jul 2004, 04:06

Ros,

So, what's the verdict? You should have picked up your glasses by now. Are you wearing them?

a friend 27 Jul 2004, 02:23

your glasses are going to be a little thicker than your boyfriend's and you'll see even better through them than through his!

Ros 27 Jul 2004, 00:10

Thanks for all replies and nice comments. Yes did struggle the last few months at school, but helped by always having a seat in the front of the class, and a good friend who sat next to me with perfect eyesight. My eyes seem to have gotten weaker since leaving school, though I'm using them less. Does this make sense. Choose a dark grey/black frame, small oval shaped, and my second pair dark blue frame with similar shape. Was told the smaller frame the less thickness of the lenses would show.When i walk into work this morning, they are all going to shout "Where are your glasses". But will have to wait until after lunch to see them. That if i decide to put them on.

Chad N. 26 Jul 2004, 20:52

The definition of legal blindness cited below is misleading. The best-corrected visual acuity criterion is 20/200. Thus, it makes no sense to say, "She's legally blind without her glasses."

wires lover 26 Jul 2004, 15:37

Ros,what frames did you choose and did you get a second pair free?

Bespectacled Professor 26 Jul 2004, 15:14

This is what I found on a couple of sources on the web. Keep in mind that being able to read only the big E on the eye chart means you have 20/200 vision. Also, at 20/40 (-1.0 diopter) most states require that you wear glasses for driving, and 20/400 is considered legally blind.

It appears that someone who has 20/200 vision would be between -2.00 and -3.00, most likely between -2.5 and -3.0. Most people not named Clare (and maybe Ros and her boyfriend) wear glasses fulltime at that prescription.

20/25 to 20/30 -.0.50

20/40 -1.00

20/300 -3.00

20/400 -4.00

20/600 -5.00

20/800 -6.00

anon 26 Jul 2004, 14:16

I may be wrong but what I tool out of clare's question was what is your rx going to be if you can only read the top letter on the chart. I'd be interested to know that too.

Bespectacled Professor 26 Jul 2004, 13:19

Clare,

RE: question about the top line of the eye chart. The question of how bad your eyesight is depends on your reference point. Compared to a number of prescriptions you see on this site, your prescription isn't that bad. But, as you recently found out, at -2.5, going without glasses is quite a hassle. So, if the point of reference is how well you can get along without glasses ar your prescription, then -2.5 for you, -3.25 for Ros is quite bad, so fulltime wear is recommended.

Bespectacled Professor 26 Jul 2004, 13:12

Ros,

You said you were 18 which means you were in high school not long ago. Didn't you have trouble seeing the board, etc.?

BTW, another reason for fulltime wear is your age. Your eyes haven't stopped changing. It is almost certain your eyes will get worse. Wearing glasses fulltime is an inevitability, so you might as well get used to it now.

Brian-16 26 Jul 2004, 12:43

Julian-I did hang in bed a couple of times till late afternoon,but regretted it later.Could not go to spleep at the regular time at night !

xxxxx

Brian-16 26 Jul 2004, 12:42

Ros-O.K. on the rx ,wow! Now you can both sit in the back of the movies where it is more fun!

Bespectacled Professor 26 Jul 2004, 12:35

Ros,

While I am sure there are some people who are exceptions, almost everyone who has a prescription of your strength wears glasses fulltime. I am sure that's not what you want to hear, but once you get your glasses tomorrow, you will see what a difference they make.

So, consider it a good investment of time in picking out frames that you were happy in because that's how you are going to look from now on. It may be awkward for a couple days, but you'll be comfortable in them by the end of the week (and probably will be kicking yourself for being so vain for so long). After all, the people at work thought it was about time for you to get your eyes checked.

BTW, do you like your boyfriend in glasses?

Julian 26 Jul 2004, 12:35

OK Ros, we shall all watch your future progress with considerable interest. You said you took a long time to choose your frames but not what you actually chose.

No Brian, five in the afternoon! (I knew I should have put '17.00'.) I do get up early but not that early!

Love and kisses, Jules.

Clare 26 Jul 2004, 11:45

Ros - hope you get used to your glasses quickly, I'm sure you'll enjoy the vision and you'll be surprised how you managed without them very soon I'm sure.

I'm surprised that only reading the top letter is that strong a prescription - that's the result I returned when I had to read it at the eye hospital a few weeks ago. They asked me my prescription and told me my vision without my glasses was 'quite bad' but didn't say it was different to the rx I told them. Anyone know if that's always that strong?

Ros 26 Jul 2004, 11:25

Shock, Horror, my eyesight is slightly shorter than my boyfriends. It was really am embarrassment, I could only just about read the top letter.I felt a real fool. She asked why I had gone on struggling for so long, when it could easily have been rectified by wearing glasses. I havn't got my glasses yet, we took so long picking out frames, that by the time i was happy, it was too late to get the perscription completed today. But they will be ready tomorrow morning after 11am. I've been told that I really need to wear them full time but will wait and see how i get on. The card they gave me with the perscription reads R-3.25 L-3.00. She said they are very slightly stronger than my boyfriends. Will post again tomorrow, still in state of shock. Boyfriend thinks its great that i need glasses as well as him. Must admit,as the days pass, he is wearing his more and more.

Brian-16 26 Jul 2004, 10:31

Julian-Goodness,you are up at five in the morning? Thats midnight here in the states.!I am anxious to hear about Ros's rx and specs.I guess you have been following the posts as I have tri-focals now since last Thursday! Love em very much.

Off hand do you know at what level ,if any,they will make myodiscs? This is a question from my brother...

Julian 26 Jul 2004, 09:06

Ros: as I write (five o'clock in the UK) you have had your test, maybe you know your prescription, and you may even have your glasses within the hour. Of course nobody can compel you to wear them full time if you don't want to; but I bet your boy friend has a damn good try, and if you have any sense you will. Look forward to your post later today; tell us about the prescription and the frames!

Love and kisses, Jules.

Brian-16 26 Jul 2004, 08:46

Ros-Good luck on your eye test.Be sure to post all the results.By the way,how is your boy-friend getting along with his specs.How old is he?

26 Jul 2004, 08:08

Ros,

good luck with your new glasses!

(oh, you didn't have the exam yet.)

good luck with your new glasses!

Ros 26 Jul 2004, 07:21

Ok all, have decided to take all the advice that has been given. My boyfriend has insisted that i get my

eyes tested. I half admitted that could see quite well though his glasses. He is meeting me at specsavers at 4pm today for my appointment. Told the girls at work where I'm going, and they all agree that its about time. Maybe i will just need them for part time wear. Do not really want to wear them full time. Am feeling quite apprehensive about going but if its got to be done, so be it. At least i will be able to take driving lessons. When i phoned for an appointment, expected to wait for a week or so. But no such luck, they had a slot at 4pm. My boyfriend said if they have my perscription in stock, I will get my glasses today. Told him, its not certain that i will need them yet. (Think I'm kidding myself) will post tonight and let you know the result.

Lina T. 26 Jul 2004, 07:10

Thank you for your responses. We called the doctor's office this morning to ask why I would be thinking this prescription is different than the others and were told it is because there is now astigmatism in it and it will take a little while to adjust to it. They said it had nothing to do with the flat fronts, which the doctor still recommends for these glasses and future ones. I'm still not sure what the significance of the flatter front is, or why they make me look like my glasses are so much stronger, or why he asked for flat fronts. But the comments here seem to say that the flat fronts are okay and even look more interesting. If this is what the doctor says I will need for future glasses then I will be fine and get used to it. If I think about it, they look stronger if you are looking AT me, or I am looking in the mirror. But I'm on the other side of the glasses so I really will not see their strongness all that much. the new prescription does make things more clear, and almost like letters are darker or more distinct. Each time I get new glasses I realize things are better. At first I didn't want to wear them then when I started to I liked seeing better and then had to wear them all the time anyway. lina

Guido 26 Jul 2004, 04:09

Lina T.

Your prescription is not so strong that you require a plano base (front) curve. I had exactly your experience, new glasses, insignificant change in script, and got the plano front curve. I got many comments on the "stronger" glasses. Even looking in the mirror, I saw the reflection that is peculiar to the flat fronts. Took my old and new glasses back to the opt. shop. The lady compared the old and new lenses and said the lab had used a plano base lens blank. They replaced with the same base as my old ones. I suggest you do likewise if you are unhappy with the initial result. Interestingly, I suffered no less visual acuity with the planos. It was totally a vanity issue.

Don 26 Jul 2004, 02:32

Lisa I agree with you if I was to see to you in your glasses,I would think they are Sexy.Because like you said I'm one of the guys that think strong glasses are very Attractive. Don

Lisa 25 Jul 2004, 23:17

LinaT

My glasses are -9.25 and -9.75 and have flat front like yours.They certainly look different.As long as you can see well it shouldn't bother you.I actually like to wear strong glasses.Love the fact that people know I really need to wear them and guys think they are very sexy.

Wear them proudly,

Good luck!

LinaT 25 Jul 2004, 21:14

I have read other posts about flat-front glasses but do not seem to be able to find the answers to the particular questions I have. We went to pick up my new prescription glasses yesterday and was quite surprised, but not pleasantly so, by how they looked when the optician took them out of the container to give to me. They looked a whole lot stronger than the glasses I had been wearing. And when I put them on and looked in the mirror, they really looked strong. My mom asked the optician why and he replied that my prescription had gone up some and that the new glasses had a plane base curve (what does that mean?)as requested by my doctor, and the fronts of the lenses are flat. I have now been wearing them about a day and I feel like I see differently through them than I did my other glasses. And like I said, they look much stronger to me and to others. My prescription went from right eye -4.0 to -4.75 and left eye -4.25 to -5.0. There is also some new astigmatism but I did not get that number from the optician.

Why did the doctor request a plane base curve? Why do the flat lenses make my glasses look so much stronger? I do not want them to look stronger. Is my new prescription considered a strong one? Why do I feel like I am seeing differently through the lenses, or do I just need to get used the new prescription? I am 16 years of age and have had glasses since age 11. I wear them all the time but when I first got them I wore them just some of the time.

Neil 25 Jul 2004, 10:24

Chantelle I don't know the actual answer to your problem but I know how you feel. I went for a "routine" check and got a similar prescription, never did get it filled and that was ten years ago. Couldn't see the point then, and still don't. What worries me more though quite honestly is how you could get two different prescriptions like that and it just confirms my total lack of faith in opticians. Reading this forum has been a trip.

Chantelle 25 Jul 2004, 10:09

Hi all

I have a problem I was hoping someone could offer advice on.I was offered a eyetest by the company I work for.I am 30 years old and have never had my eyes tested.I thought it was a good idea since i had been suffering from mild eyestrain while using the computer.I was perscribed a perscription of

R +1.25 -1.00 60 L:+1.00 -0.75 98

I was told that i should wear them all the time intially until my eyes got use to them and then whenever I felt like I needed them.While I was looking at frames the assitant suggested that i go for a rimless frame.I said that it was not a good idea as I thought they would not last if they taken on and off.She said that it would not present a problem as with my perscription most people would wear the glasses fulltime.This scared me as I was already not happy about getting glasses.I decided not to get the glasses made and go to another optometrist as I felt my eyes were not as bad as they made out.The second optometrist perscribed R+0.50 -1.25 55 L+0.75 -1.00 85 and said I should wear them for close work,tv and driving especially driving at night.This makes no to me as it has never been a problem driving without glasses.Does this difference in perscription make sense to anybody? Which perscription do I go with and what will it be used for?Which is the weaker perscription?Will the lenses be thin because when I was looking at rimless frame the assistant said I would need to get the stronger thinner lenses? Should I just continue as I have been as this has not been a major problem?

Julian 25 Jul 2004, 04:24

Of course, Ros, it could be that now that he can see well with his glasses he can see that you're squinting at eveything the way he used to...

Just a thought: if you really don't want to wear glasses you could always try contacts. Honestly, going round in a blur is silly and no fun (you don't drive, do you? and what about your boy friend?)

Love and kisses, Jules.

Eli 24 Jul 2004, 23:21

Thanks!

VUM 24 Jul 2004, 11:50

sorry, my previous post should have said -0.75 for distance in right eye!

Very Unequal Mam 24 Jul 2004, 11:49

Eli, yes, I am in that boat...

with my right eye (my better eye, don't use both together)...I am -.075 with a +2.50 add (so bare-eyed that equates to needing +1.75 for reading). I have progressives but also I sometimes am bare-eyed and use readers indoors.

My left eye is around a -7.00 now (with a +2.00 add). Sometimes I wear a contact in that eye so I have my progressives made up as plano for distance in that eye (to give me greater flexibility)

Confused yet?? lol

Chris 24 Jul 2004, 10:07

Yes-see my post further down

Eli 24 Jul 2004, 09:47

Just been wondering - is it possible for a person to need minus glasses for distance and plus glasses for reading?

hayley 24 Jul 2004, 05:35

Hi I am new to this site. I recently have been having trouble focusing on the board in school and in general distance vision. I am 16, I know that I need glasses. It is for sure that I will be going back to school after the summer holidays a glasses wearer! It will probably seem wierd at first but I will get used to it. I am going to go for an eye test next week. I will let you know how I get on.

Chris 24 Jul 2004, 03:46

Do you think the number of questions he's posing suggest that he has an inkling that you could do with an eye test?

Ask him to try his and express surprise at how much clearer things seem to you as well-ice broken instantly.

Ros 24 Jul 2004, 03:22

lazysiow. Don't ask what happens next, it gets worse each time. Now with his good eyesight, he is pointing out things all the time and saying to me, can you read that or this sign. Or can you see the number of this bus coming down the road. Its only a matter of time before I get caught out. I know its silly but I just do not want to have to start wearing glasses. But at the same time, I want to be able to see well. Stupid isn't it. I almost hope my boyfriend would see that I'm half blind and march me along to the opticians.

Cindy 23 Jul 2004, 21:04

leelee,

Thanks!

leelee 23 Jul 2004, 18:25

if it is of any help, my cousin's kid got glasses for astigmatism at around 4 or 5, and also had to wear them all the time. That kid is now in college, and her glasses are not any different from those on any college kid, so don't worry!

Cindy 23 Jul 2004, 16:29

I wanted to report back on how my daughter is coming along with her new glasses. After the first day or two of struggles, she appears to me more comfortable in them. As someone posted, I too thought it would be beneficial if she could just wear them as she needed them so that she didn't become too dependent upon them. I have since spoken at length with her eye doctor and the optician who fitted her glasses for her and learned a lot! Because she has a lot of astigmatism, it affects both her near and distant vision (but she also has some nearsightedness). Her first prescription, the one she is wearing now, is but a small fraction of what her current prescription should be. That is so that she could get used to wearing glasses and get used to the prescription as well. They said that it would have proven very difficult for her to get a full astigmatism prescription initially and be able to wear it right away. And because both her near and distant vision are affected by the astigmatism, she should be wearing them all the time in order to see clearer at all distances. The doctor said that right now she is seeing better than she was before, but not nearly as well as she may be able to once she is fully corrected.

Of course I asked the requisite question of how strong or thick her glasses will be next time. I know that it is irrelevant, especially since she is actually wearing them and seeing better, but I asked anyway. The doctor said, of course, that those things don't matter as long as we get her vision corrected. He added that this prescription is about a third of what the total will be at her next two appointments so we should expect them to be stronger, but to her they will just make things better! And she most definitely must and will want to wear them all waking hours from now on!

From a more personal perspective, she has taken well to me placing them on her in the morning and removing them for a nap or at bed time. She rarely removes them any more, so I think they must really be making a difference to her. I'm getting more used to seeing her in glasses, but I'm not totally there yet. Sometimes I miss that little glasses- free face, but I know that they're making a world of difference in her world and that means more than anything. I will keep you all updated, and enjoy reading the other posts. And thanks for the continued information and support. It is very helpful. Cindy

Lazysiow 23 Jul 2004, 13:03

Ros, very cute story. I cant wait to hear what happens next :)

Julian 23 Jul 2004, 09:05

Funny you should say that: my first ever post on the original EyeScene - what? seve years ago - was about a boy who had been chasing me for over two years and finally caught me the day he turned up in his first glasses: low minus with substantial cylinder, squarish gold frames. 25 years on (give or take) he got to -5.25 and had LASIK last year ::(

Love and kisses, Jules.

23 Jul 2004, 08:34

Yeah but Julian you know what hypocrites men are he'll probably go right off her because it's OK for him to wear them but not her. That's how it goes.

Julian 23 Jul 2004, 08:01

Oh, go on Ros, break the news to him but do it gently. I can just imagine the conversation:

"Darling." "Yes, darling?" "I've got something to tell you." Have you, darling?" "Yes, darling. I've been suspecting for a while but now I'm sure." "Darling! You mean - " "Yes, darling, I'm going to have - "a baby? Then I'm going to be a father!" "No darling, don't be silly, I'm going to have to get glasses; I'm nearly as short sighted as you are." "Oh." "You aren't disappointed are you, darling." "No, of course not, only - oh well, it'll be nice when we're both wearing glasses. I suppose."

Sorry, I shouldn't mock, I'm just in a frivolous mood.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Ros 23 Jul 2004, 02:18

Eli. Know just how you felt when you tried your friends glasses on. Im an 18 year old female, and I think that I have been short sighted for years. My Boyfriend certainly is, thought would never admit it. I just kept quiet, and was quite happy to sit at the front in the cinema. (Little did he know that I could not see from the back either)Anway my boyfriend decided he had enough of walking around in a blur, and we went to get his eyes tested. End result he was perscribed glasses for short sight, RX R-2.75 L-3.00. When we went back in a couple of hours to collect them,he was really amazed at how clear things were. He is not wearing them full time yet, but think he will be soon. I feel a fraud when I know that I am as bad as him. He tells me how lucky I am to have good eyesight. I did not want to try his glasses on, think I may have had a shock. Down side, now at pictures, we sit in the back row, and i struggle to see the film. Last night, during the break, he went to the gents, leaving his glasses on my lap. I couldnt resist having a quick glance through them. Wow, what clarity. It was another world. Considering owning up to him on how bad my eyes are.

Julian 23 Jul 2004, 01:48

No blur or anything? I'm going to stick my neck out and say NOT YET! I predict that if you aren't short sighted you're on the way there, and in a few months, a year at the most, you'll need glasses to see the board and the overheads in class. There! Keep in touch and prove me wrong if you can!

Love and kisses, Jules.

Eli 23 Jul 2004, 01:04

Well the thing is, Julian, that I'm still at college. Yes I liked the feeling but funnily when I took them off I didn't feel any blur or something

Julian 23 Jul 2004, 00:43

Ok, maybe your eyes have changed since college, Eli. You could always have a test and see if you need glasses now. What did you say when you found everything was so clear? "Hey, this is cool!" or "God, these are strong; I can't see a damn thing!" ?

Eli 23 Jul 2004, 00:27

My firend got glasses, something around -2.5 and I tried them on. I was really surprised when everything became so sharp, as never before. I don't understand it because I always passed my test at college without a problem!

Filthy McNasty 22 Jul 2004, 15:40

Sis - 180 deg versus 5 deg is only 5 deg difference (in terms of Rx). Not a huge change really.

Sis 22 Jul 2004, 15:29

They had 50% off on frames at my opical store, so I went there. Had a test - even if I have contacts-test every year, I had'nt had a glasses test for two years.

My new Rx:

L: -6,0 cyl -0,5/20 add 1,75

R: -4,5 cyl -0,5/5 add 1,75

The old one was:

L: -5,50 cyl 0,25/20 add 1,5

R: -4,25 cyl 0,5/180 add 1,5

What is it with the axe - how can it be 180 degrees and then suddenly 5 degrees?

I have a rather broad face, I got the widest frame they had in the store. It is square and sort of dark silver. The frames sort of curves around the face - if you see what I meen. With the rather flat lenses that stands out in the front it looks really cool.

Andrew 22 Jul 2004, 14:23

Chris - I suspect that your situation may have something to do with the strength of your contact lenses. I don't yet have an add for either glasses or contacts, but I suspect I will get one for wearing with contacts before I need one to go with my glasses.

Chris 21 Jul 2004, 22:32

Put this post on the multifocal thread, but it's probably more appropriate here:

Was at the optician today.

The results as follows:

Old:

R: -8.00 Cyl -1.00 Axis 170

L: -7.50 Cyl-0.75 Axis 175

New

R: -8.25 Cyl -1.25 Axis 167.5 Add +0.50

L: -8.00 Cyl -0.75 Axis 170 Add +0.50

Now I understand the -8.0 sphere number and the new reading add, but I've never really been too clued in on the cyl and the axis numbers. If anyone can enlighten it would be appreciated.

The optician suggested that as I wear CLs most of the time, it was up to me whether or not I felt the need to make the change.

Any thoughts?

The only other interesting issue is that when using my CLs, at the last lens check/test the reading add was finalised at +1.00, (GOC) but the optician had been veering towards +1.25 until I said I felt that the +1.25 was unhelpful at computer distance. Why the discrepancy with the specs script?

angie 18 Jul 2004, 21:17

Leelee & M2HP-

Sorry, I must have missed Cindy's original post, or misread...sometimes this board moves so fast I can't keep up! Anyway, I'm not suggesting that Cindy's daughter not wear her glasses often & in proper situations...I know that children must see to learn in a conventional classroom, and must grow accustome to their glasses if they're going to wear them properly as they grow older. I'm just saying that, depending on her situation, it may be good to let her make some of her own decisions...5-year-olds are also learning independence and self-sufficiency, don't forget.

As for whether a 5-year-old can make good decisions about when to wear her glasses...well, they're her eyes, aren't they? I remember being forced to wear my glasses constantly as a child, and having occasional problems with distance blur after close work, eye strain, and headaches. When I got older and decided to just take off my glasses when they made my eyes uncomfortable, those problems disappeared. Sure, children need to be supervised when it comes to taking care of themselves, but they also need to learn what's right for them...it's not a bad idea to get them talking as much as they can about why they dislike their glasses, and listening to their input.

Christy 18 Jul 2004, 14:22

You may well feel Not Happy!

Your eyes are tired because they're having to work hard to see at just about any distance. With 'normal' eyesight - eyes are at their most relaxed when looking into the distance. Your eyes are actually working hard to accommodate to distant views - hence the tiredness - and they work hard to see close up too. Specs will correct that - but as you rightly say - at the cost that you may become a full-time wearer. However - once you finally lose all your accommodation - you'll become a full-time wearer anyway. It's just a matter of time.

Not Happy! 18 Jul 2004, 04:54

Hi guys I need your input. I went to the doc complaining of tired eyes when doing a lot of reading and he precribed me weak reading glasses of +1.00 but then he said it would be a good thing to wear them all the time. I balked but he said try it. I've read some reports here by others who get a smiliar prescription or maybe even a little more and say that after a few days the distance blur goes away. Now wait a minute. Why would you do this to yourself? One minute you've just got some discomfort not any blur anywhere at all, then you're causing a blur, then to overcome that you have to wear glasses all the time? Am I missing something because this sounds like a very strange thing to do to yourself.

guest 17 Jul 2004, 14:38

nat - how's it going with your new rx? Are you wearing fulltime yet, you sounded pretty overcome earlier this week. And how was it with your friends this weekend, did they comment on your new specs - if you were wearing them of course and I bet you were. Dying to hear about it.

New Wearer 16 Jul 2004, 23:18

Landy, I too have recently been prescribed flat front lenses , for the same reasons you were given, and this is my first pair. I will be returning for my three month recheck soon and my vison with glasses now seems as bad as it was before getting my glasses, so I know I'll be getting much stronger ones.I guess all my future lenses will be like these.They do appear stronger than they are,and have me wondering what the next Rx. will look like.I wear them full time, and can't see near or far without them.

Andrew 16 Jul 2004, 14:09

First, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome the new "Andrew" to this site!

Secondly, Landy, you asked about the effects of flat fronts on lenses. My experience is that the flatter the front, the more you need to look through the middle of the lens to see clearly. Not that I cannot see through the outer parts, but I cannot read words as easily if they are at 45 degrees to my eyes. I hope this is of some help.

leelee 16 Jul 2004, 07:54

M2HP, Angie

you are right - my bad reading , Angie, does sound like she is a little nearsighted now.

(I did not get tested for glasses until I was 30, and now I understand why it is harder for me to read than it is for others.)

Mom to High Plus 16 Jul 2004, 06:32

it sounds as if Angie is nearsighted to me. I can understand having children who are mild to moderately nearsighted not wearing glasses for close work. Ithink that's a good idea. But I think there are many children who greatly benefit from wearing all the time at a young age. And "5" is still a young age. I don't have astig. but I do know many people with moderate to severe astig are very uncomfortable if they don't wear constantly...and "5" is a critical age for so much visual learning in school. So, I would be inclined to have a child like Cindy's wear all the time if that's what the doc said, it can always be revisited in a couple of years.

My daughter would be a risk for many many severe visual problems (lazy eye is probably the worst) if she didn't wear constantly, she is a high plus. But her RX is expected to decrease until puberty and there is a chance she will outgrow a need for glasses. If she does fine, if she doesn't we will make revisit decisions re. full-time with the doctor periodically.

leelee 16 Jul 2004, 05:41

but Angie, perhaps your vision would not be so good now, if you had not worn glasses when you were little. And in your case, it sounds like you are farsighted, Cindy's daughter has quite a lot of astigmatism (you can read the older posts if you click the link at the bottom of the page) and is also nearsighted. She really can't see without these, and she will have a really hard time learning to read without this correction.

How is a 5 year old to make good decisions about when to wear glasses. Plus, from what Cindy said, it sounds like her daughter is adapting quite quickly - suggesting that she really needs them.

angie 15 Jul 2004, 21:58

Cindy:

How old is your daughter and what is her prescription? Is it really such that she MUST wear glasses all the time to function? I'm not a big believer in making kids wear glasses full-time. I had to wear them literally my whole childhood, beginning when I was a toddler, to correct strabismus...during middle childhood I got rebellious and took them off quite often, wearing them only to see the board at school and whatnot, and my eyes actually improved during that time! And even nowadays I don't wear them for everything...I only have trouble seeing past a certain distance, and if I wear my glasses for work that involves anything closer than that distance, it strains my eyes. From my experience, I feel like children are better off wearing glasses only when they need them (watching TV, looking at the blackboard, etc.), because they get the benefits of their glasses when they need them, but they don't force their eyes to accomodate to the lenses when they're not necessary.

Just a thought 15 Jul 2004, 20:52

Cindy,

Have you or your partner had your eyes tested? Maybe if you wore glasses (or even plano ones) around her, she ight feel a little more at ease about wearing them. Just a tought

Mom to High Plus 15 Jul 2004, 16:29

Cindy,

I have a sense of how you feel with your daughter and her new glasses. I have a 4 3/4 yo daughter, she has worn glasses since 20 mos. She has accomadative esotropia which means that her eye (her left) turns in because she is very farsighted and that is the compensating mechanism it uses to focus. She wears glasses in the +7 to +8 range (she also has a small amount of astig.).

I would say it took a good three days for her to really wear them all the time when she first got them at 20 mos. It was as you describe, a lot of on/off and we used distraction (as you have) to take her mind off them until she got used to wearing them.

Since that time, our biggest challenge has NOT been her wearing them, it has been her little brother and other little friends sometimes getting a little rough with them as she plays with them...we have made lots of trips to the optical stores for adjustments and replacements but it is getting better. You will probably have an easier time that way.

It does take awhile to get used to seeing the little ones in glasses, but my daughter looks very cute and she has always been complimented, which helps. She is a very girlie girl too and we like to choose different frames and use them as any fashion accessory.

Your daughter is a little older but I bet she adjusts quickly, good luck to you all!

Nat 15 Jul 2004, 13:47

I picked up my new -2.25 presacription on Tuesday and I just love it, everything is soooo clear like it never had been before. People who've seen me wearing them have all said nice things although I was a bit dumbstruck when one person asked if my eyes were really bad now. Not sure what to say about that one. But anyway this weekend I'll no doubt be introducing them to more people and I'm really happy with them. Thanks for your responses to my earlier question.

leelee 14 Jul 2004, 18:54

Cindy - it sounds like things are going so far so good. It is a little odd to wear glasses at first - mostly the sensation of having something on your nose and in front of your eyes, but this goes away pretty quickly, especially if you wear them all the time.

When I first got glasses, I only wore them for close work and it was really hard to get used to them, and after a few years I got out of the habit, but as I got older I really needed them and when I finally got new ones I just started out wearing them all the time and I got used to them pretty quickly. I'm now more comfortable with them on, even tho it still seems weird to me to se a picture of myself in them.

Pretty soon, your daughter will be the one who is the expert about glasses in your family!

Cindy 14 Jul 2004, 15:58

My daughter got her first pair of glasses last night, and it has been an interesting 24 hours. We didn't want to start everything out with bribes but we discussed with her at length why she was getting glasses and why she was to wear them all the time. Then we threw in the fact that we'd go get ice cream after she got them, as long as she was wearing them! I asked the optician if we could build up her wearing time (start with an hour here and there and increase it)but were recommended to get her on a schedule immediately that she put them on first thing when she wakes up and not take them off until she goes to sleep at night. That way, she starts off right from the beginning with the idea that they become a part of her daily routine. So, after they were adjusted by the optician, and after many tears on her part, we left with our little girl and took her for ice cream. We walked to the ice cream place and she kept them on okay, but decided to take them off in the car on the way home. We just kept having her put them back on and said that she wasn't to take them off again until going to bed. I put them on her this morning as soon as she woke up, but most of the day has been spent with us going back and forth with them on, then off, then on. I've been trying to keep her busy doing things that she needs to focus on and hoping she would realize how things were better with her glasses. I also told her that if she wanted to watch her favorite shows that she had to keep her glasses on to do so. That did the trick for a little while!

By this evening she was keeping them on for longer periods but we are far from being successful yet. We did go for a swim and were very careful to place her glasses safely in their case by her towel. I nearly cried when she wrapped herself in her towel and put her glasses back on! Is this the normal pattern or should she be used to it already?

She is trying hard, but she is still so young that I'm not sure she understands everything. Heck, I'm not sure that I understand everything either. She looks precious in her glasses, but I'm not totally used to seeing her in them yet. I had better get used to it, since they're going to be a permanent fixture around here! It is nice, however, to see that when she does keep them on she doesn't turn her head to look at things or squeeze her eyes together like she did before. I keep telling her how great she looks and how wonderful and lucky she is to wear glasses. Is that a good thing to do? Thank you again for your time and suggestions. cindy

Christy 14 Jul 2004, 14:24

Carl - I posted my new Rx back on 9th July - but it's already been chased off the bottom of the page. Here it is again:

New Rx is -2.25 and -1.75 sph and -2.00 and -2.50 cyl with axis of 107 and 80.

Old Rx was -2.00 and -1.50 sph and -2.00 and -2.25 cyl with axis of 100 and 80.

I wear specs all the time - got them when I was 30 and wore them full-time all the way to this day - where I'm now 46. My optician always mentions safety aspects when I demand glass lenses - but is also good enough to agree that for crystal-clear clarity - glass beats all other lens materials every time.

Carl 14 Jul 2004, 14:18

Christy, I too have found how much difference it makes if the axis is slightly off, with glasses for astigmatism.What is your new Rx. and how long have you been wearing glasses, also do you wear them full time. I like glass lenses also.

Christy 14 Jul 2004, 12:48

Got my new specs today following my latest eye test at the end of last week. Went for Flexon frames again but in a different style. I like all-metal frames and I like real glass lenses - so that's what I got. I have to say that the difference with a change of lenses - even though it was only a couple of -0.25s - is very noticeable. At the exam - I really went to town on my axis as I've never been happy with the round 100 degrees in my right eye. It's been changed to 107 degrees now and the clarity is spot on. Before - I had to rotate the lens a few degrees to get true sharpness - but this time I had the optician really refine that part of the test to get it right. Anyway - I'm 100% satisfied!

Julian 14 Jul 2004, 09:45

My Rx at today's date: OD +1.50-1.25x15; OS +1.00-0.50x10. Add +1.75.

This time last year it was; OD+1.50-1.00x10; OS +0.75-0.25x20. Add +2.00.

So it's no significant change. If I do decide to get new specs I'll try Optical4less and bump the add up a bit for the sake of jobs like reading street maps in the car at night...that's for progresives of course.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Julian 14 Jul 2004, 09:19

Rick (by the way you're substituted minuses for pluses again, as you did back in December):

If I were one of your friends, your glasses would be the first thing I noticed when I saw you. I might possibly say something, but more likely I'd be tongue-tied. I'd be observing them carefully but (I'd hope) unobtrusively, trying to guess the prescription and see how the lenses refracted things in the distance, and wishing I hadn't left it too late to comment and ask questions. But then, it would be surprising if all your friends were gay optic obsessives like me. Probably they're just plain unobservant!

Love and kisses, Jules.

PS: if you want a literary description of the way I'd be feeling, read the story called 'Forbidden Fruit' on Electra's MIGfetish website: http://www.geocities.com/electra_the_migfetish_lady/forbiddenfruit.html

Dave 13 Jul 2004, 14:58

Hi again Cindy,

I was 24 when I first got glasses, but at that time my worst eye was under -1 cylinder. I didn't need them much, wore them for driving and reading. In the following 20 years they've crept up very slowly to where they are now. I never consciously made a jump from part to full time, it just happenned over the years.

What do I see like? Things are blurry but not terribly so. I can read street signs when I get close to them. I can read normal sized print but it is a struggle. Same with the computer screen. I find lighting conditions make a huge difference. Things are worse in dim light and my glasses make a huge difference. Not sure why that is.

I agree with the previous posts. The lengthening of the eye as she grows(if that's what happens)will make her a full time wearer. When to wear them will resolve itself. I think by starting before school the social aspect won't be a big deal, unless her minus gets very strong. Even then it may not bother her.

Good luck with everything.

Clare 13 Jul 2004, 14:03

Good luck Cindy - I don't have any useful advice for you like Dave & Leelee, but I hope it goes well.

Cindy 13 Jul 2004, 13:34

dave and Leelee

Thank you for your answers. We will be returning tonight to get her glasses and see how it goes. I am thinking that this is not a terribly strong prescription, judging by some of the others that I've seen here. But, I do wonder if it is strong for a five year old. Though it's just a few hours away until I see for myself, what should I expect her glasses to look like? She selected a cute frame, (she loves to dress nicely and do her hair, she is such a girlie girl!) that had very flexible/bendable ear pieces and is a pink undertoned wire frame. It was one of the frames that the optician presented as being active-child-friendly without looking too industrial. She also recommended special pieces that wrap around her ears to help hold them in place. I'm so nervous about this whole situation. How long until I get used to seeing her in glasses? How long until she gets used to glasses? How hard is it to get used to new prescriptions, since we are expecting that in just three months time? The doctor didn't specify just how much her vision will change over time, and while no one can predict it, are glasses a part of her everyday life now? Dave, you mentioned that with a similar prescription for astigmatism that you don't like having your glasses off. How long did it take for you to get used to wearing them? Did you get them as a child? What is your vision like without them? And LeeLee, thank you for the tips on getting her to wear them. I'll try that first and see what happens. I'm going to look up irregular astigmatism and see what I can find. What makes it so unusual and different from regular astigmatism, if there is such a thing? thank you for letting me be so long winded. Cindy

leelee 13 Jul 2004, 13:04

Cindy: First off, congratualtions for being an observant parent. I'll try to answer your questions as best as I can.

1. Your daughter is myopic (nearsighted). Babies normally start out hyperopic (farsighted) and grow less farsighted as they grow and their eyeballs get larger (and thus longer) You daughters eyeball is already too long to accommodate the power of her natural lens. As a result she will get more myopic as she grows. This is a normal human phenomena, nothing odd about your daughter (except that her lens is too strong, ironically) So no she won't outgrow this.

2. I'm not sure but I think this is called irregular astigmatism. I have much much less astigmatism, and it certianly bothers me, I can't imagine what it would be like trying to learn to read with that much error!

3. In terms of getting her to wear her glasses all the time (which is important because some kids with problems like this develop conditions where one eye does not fully develop. I'm not sure if this is a real risk for her since her eyes are pretty similar) the best route is to be firm and don't make a big deal about it. My 7y.o. nephew gives his mom an unbelievable amount of grief about brushing his teeth, crying, making her chase him around, the whole bit. Yet, when I visit and he starts this, I just roll my eyes and say "dude, just brush your teeth" and he always just gets up and accomplishes the task with no further trouble. (For some reason he thinks I'm cool) But it proves that the fussing has less to do with discomfort than with habit. Also, although this might not be the way she wants to start off her summer vacation, if she gets used to this now, it will be one less thing to cope with when school starts in the fall.

So good luck! It will probably turn out that she finds the glasses to be a real relief.

Dave 13 Jul 2004, 12:22

cindy,

My prescription is very similar. Sphere is +.25 in both eyes. My cylinders are -1.75, -1.25, don't know the axis. The - sphere and slightly higher cylinder in her second eye means her net vision is probably slightly worse than mine.

I wear my glasses all the time. I found when I take them off my eyes pull for a few minutes trying unsuccessfully to focus. You would think it would be under voluntary control but it isn't. By the time they settle down I've put up with a fair bit of discomfort. It is easier to leave them on all the time. The lenses are thin and light (plastic).

cindy 13 Jul 2004, 10:30

My 5 year old daughter was just prescribed glasses today, and we are to return this evening to pick them up. We had noticed that she was turning her head and appeared to be trying hard to position her eyes to focus on things so we took her for an exam, mostly expecting just to hear that she was just doing kid stuff. Instead she was given a prescription for glasses and we were told to return in three months time to reevaluate the situation and retest her for another prescription. We were told that the retest is because this may not be her full corrected prescription but she would need to become accustomed to it before changing it.

She just turned five, is very active, and we were told she was to wear her glasses all the time because it is for astigmatism and her vision is blurred at all distances. Her prescription is :

OD -.50, -1.75, axis 58

OS -.50,-1.50, axis 179

We are not second guessing the doctor, but are concerned of course about a five year old maybe needing glasses all the time.

1-Can anyone better explain to us if this is a prescription that warrants full time wear? We were told that this type of prescription is not outgrown, most likely will need to be strengthened as time goes on, and she must always wear glasses.

2-Also, something was mentioned about the type of astigmatism this is (unfortunately but that point I was so confused that I didn't understand all of it) and that it is unusual because it falls in different axis' so that is why she needs to wear the glasses constantly.

3-In closing, we discussed the need for her to begin to wear eyeglasses all the time beginning tonight and she is none too happy about it. How do we best approach the situation and make her realize that this is what is best?

Comments, suggestions, thoughts, advice, encouragement, all are welcome. Thank you.

JR 13 Jul 2004, 08:36

Sandra:

Yes, your daughter is extremely nearsighted for an 11 year old. Just exactly would the surgery be for? I would assume that it would be for strabismus (crossed eye or turned out eye). But, why does her Dr want to wait 9 years to do the surgery? Most surgeries for strabismus are done when the child is young and often is mainly for cosmetic reasons rather than visual reasons. She is fortunate that her corrected visual acuity is so very good (20/20 for her one eye) with that high degree of myopia. And even though the lenses are quite thick, I would not worry about the thickness, if she can see so well. Out of curiosity, when did she first get glasses and what was the first prescription? I am curious about how much her myopia has progressed.

Oldtimer 12 Jul 2004, 16:20

Sandra, I recommend the 1.7 Hi-index plastic. You'll have to find a lab to surface the lenses for you. I work in the optical industry myself. I have come across -17's in this material, small frame and very neat.

specs4ever 12 Jul 2004, 16:01

I don't know of any other option that will make her lenses any thinner Sandra.

Since she has a prism correction as well, that creates a lot more thickness. Sorry.

Andrew 12 Jul 2004, 15:09

Dawn,

You haven't posted for a few days.

I was wondering how you were adjusting to wearing glasses full time.

From looking at your pictures, I can tell you that you look very nice with glasses.

Hopefully you can post more pictures soon. Good Luck.

Nick 12 Jul 2004, 14:14

Nat, as others have posted, it's up to you how much you wear your glasses, except for driving when obviously you must wear them. However, although you can probably still get by without them you are probably heading towards the stage where many day-to-day activities, for example shopping, will be easier if you wear your glasses. When I got your prescription, I started wearing them for work and things like shopping, but didn't wear full time. However, I soon found the blur quite irritating and went full time.

Sandra 12 Jul 2004, 13:20

This is my first time posting a comment/question here. I was wondering if any of you had heard of a lens that can be made thinner than high index. My 11 yr. old daughter is extremely nearsighted. WE just came back a few days ago from the eye dr. and her rx is -16, -18.25 She has these little oval frames and the lenses are called blended myodisks. Her correction is 20/20 in one eye and 20/50 in the other.

Her lenses are extremely thick and she has a"prism" in one of her lenses which makes them look terribly thick. She cannot have sugery on her eyes until she is around 20 yrs. old. and the dr. fears she amy have to have up to 3 surgeries to fully correct her vision. Any comments on this? thanks.

Vic 11 Jul 2004, 23:24

I'd say wear them for driving at least

Bespectacled Professor 11 Jul 2004, 15:59

Nat,

Except for driving (with that prescription, you must wear them for driving), how often you wear glasses is up to you. At -2.25, a lot of people begin to wear them fulltime because of the difference between how they see with them or without. But, some people can't deal, so it's really according to your comfort level. If your prescription jumps again like this time, and you move to -3.0, you'll no doubt wear them fulltime.

Wurm 11 Jul 2004, 14:19

I really should add this to the FAQ.

Nat, I think the generally accepted 'truth' about how often to wear your glasses is that it varies widely from one person to the next. It depends mostly on your tolerance for blur, whether you get headaches when not wearing your specs, and how you feel about being seen in them. However, many people say something along the lines of "I didn't know what I was missing" when they start to wear them regularly.

Also, if you need them for driving by all means wear them for it.

Nat 11 Jul 2004, 14:00

I got a new prescrition yesterday, it went up from -1.5 to -2.25. I chose some really neat plastic frames in a blck/grey shade that really suit me and I think I can feel good wearing them - assuming I have to wear them more. I pick them up Tuesday. But the only recommendation I got from the eye doctor was to wear them when I feel i need them. Like what sort of help is that? Can anyone give me a clue here?

Rick 11 Jul 2004, 12:07

I'm a 20 year old student - I posted on this website just before Christmas when I first got prescribed glasses because I was having headaches reading. I was prescribed left eye -1.25, 1 up; right eye -1.00, 1/2 down and was told to wear them all the time, which kind of surprised me. These days if I try to do without my glasses for more than about 10 minutes, I get a real headache. Anyway, I went back for an eyetest recently as advised, my prescription is now -2.00, 1 up left eye, -1.75, 1 down in the right eye. The optician said my prescription was likely to get stronger again over the next six months to a year before stabilising - is this normal? I got the new lenses fitted to my current frames because I like them, although it seems now that was a bit stupid, because I don't have a spare pair if anything happens to my glasses.

Being the college holidays, I'm now stopping with my parents. It's the first time I've been home for more than a couple of days since I've been wearing glasses and so I've been bumping into a few mates who haven't see me in a while. A few of them don't appear to have noticed anything different, and another one said I'd changed my frames - I'm sure he's never seen my in glasses nefore.

Brian-16 10 Jul 2004, 18:31

Very nearsighted girl-Definitly if I were you I would go back to the doctor and explain things since you are having trouble.Usually your rx continues to go up but perhaps a little slower in the next few years.I do not really think that your eyes got stronger.I fear at my exam I will go up about 1.5 as I am very nearsighted.

very nearsighted girl 10 Jul 2004, 11:37

very nearsighted guy,

I have to hold by book to see good about 6 inches away from my face. My glasses are not the high index ones but not the plastic ones. I chose the middle thinest choice. But now that I have them they are too thick in my opinion and when I take these back I will ask for the high index kind. That's what the girl suggested the first time but I didn't want to spend the x-tra money but now I do to make them look better. The are dark brown plastic oval frames and the lens stick out way too far on the sides.

very nearsighted guy 10 Jul 2004, 10:39

Very nearsighted girl:

It sounds like your glasses are not at all strong enough. How close do you have to hold a book to read it? and sitting too close to the t.v. will hurt your eyes more. I definitely would go back beacause it seems like a mistake had been made. By what you are describing your rx might of gone up at least by -1.50 and that is not at all uncommon with your age. What do your glasses look like?

very nearsighted girl 10 Jul 2004, 10:15

hello,

I've have worn glasses since I have been 4 yrs. old. I'm 18 now. My rx as of 2 months ago is -12,-13.5. My doctor told me that my eyes have improved and my rx is not as strong as my last pair. I called the office today because I've worn my new pair for about 2 months now and I get headaches almost everyday. I have to hold a book up close to my eyes to see good enough and sit close to the t.v. to see too. In chemistry lab at school I have to walk up to the blackboard to see what the teacher wrote with my notebook to write it down. I think my glasses aren't working good for me. Do you think if I complained about them back to the dr. after 2 months he would think I'm crazy? signed, What should I do?

Landy 10 Jul 2004, 09:52

Thank you for your responses. I will continue to check in here, and am finding this to be a very informative site!

I am not unhappy about her having to wear glasses, rather I am quite pleased she has taken to wearing them. I suppose I was just concerned over her dependence upon them and needing them all of the time as well as the doctor saying we should expect her prescription to increase significantly before it levels off. We were told that she was given the flat lenses because she would be needing them sooner rather than later and that it would be beneficial to her to get used to them now. I did not find out at that time why it is hard to get used to this flat lens, or why it is used over regularly shaped ones.

Her vision with her old glasses was correctable with both eyes to 20/40. With these newer stronger glasses she could read to 20/30 with one eye with glasses when tested separately, but together fluctuated between the 20/30 and 20/40. The doctor kept asking 'is this better?' until she said one lens was not all that different from the other. He said that he was able to get her corrected to close to 20/20 but did not want to change her prescription that much from her first glasses until her next(third) visit. In thinking all that through, I am assuming that means that already her new prescription will be stronger based on what she needs now, and will also include any additional changes she incurs before then. Though it would be just a guesstimation, does anyone know what her current prescription would be if he had allowed for the correction to close to 20/20? Is it usual to step up a prescription like that or should we ask to get her the full prescription if that is possible?

Also, from her first prescription to her second, her sphere number increased -.75 and cylinder number went up -.50 on her right eye and -.75 on her right. That was about six and a half months after her first glasses. Thank you for your suggestions and thoughts. Unless someone can explain if we should stick with the flat lenses we will go back and see if there are other options so her glasses do not appear so strong before they actually are. And thank you for making me realize just how bad her eyes are and how she really needs these glasses. It must be much nicer for her now. (We were not neglectful parents before, as she always did fine on her in-school eye tests. It was not until her annual physical that her new doctor noticed the problems when he looked into her eyes and we got her to an opthalmologist). Landy

Dawn 10 Jul 2004, 08:50

Tod

-1.00 each eye. This is my first pair.

Guido 10 Jul 2004, 07:48

Landy,

Sounds to me as though the optician had some stock lenses with the flat fronts and just used them for your daughter. This happened to me once. Got a new prescription that was about the same as the previous one (-7 range combined sphere and cylinder). The flat front or plano base curve inspired many comments from co-workers about getting stronger glasses. Went back to the eye doc and mentioned this. He held up my new glasses and then looked at my old ones and agreed that the base curve or front surface of the lens was different. He replaced them, I was pleased. Your daughters script is not so high as to require a plano base curve. Talk to the optician again, and see if he offers an alternative. Kids are fragile enough at that age. There should be a simple fix.

Graham 10 Jul 2004, 07:34

Also, at that prescription, I don't blame her not wanting to take them off, I wouldn't. I can't answer you on the flat fronts I'm afraid, mine didn't get like that until around -7 I think, hard to remember now.

JR 10 Jul 2004, 07:33

Landy:

Your daughter's Rx indicates that she is significantly nearsighted and has quite significant astigmatism. Without her glasses, she will not see very well. Taking her glasses off to "relax" her eyes will not help her, but she will just not see very well. Wearing her glasses full time will not increase her myopia. You don't say how old she is, but it sounds that her Dr thinks her myopia will continue to increase for a while at least and could become much greater, which is not uncommon for a young girl with her degree of myopia and astigmatism. Is her corrected vision 20/20? But, don't worry about the increases, she will adapt to wearing her glasses all of the time because without them she will not be able to see very well and every thing will be very blurred. With them she will see quite well. With her degree of astigmatism, contact lenses are difficult to obtain good correction. The astigmatism, however, might not increase too much.

I also didn't want to wear my glasses when I first got them, but I quickly reached a point where I could not see the board at school and could not recognize my friends without my glasses and going to a movie was hopeless unless I wore my glasses.

Graham 10 Jul 2004, 07:31

Myopia that starts young like that is almost guaranteed to become high myopia, and yes it advances quickly to begin with, because the eyes are still growing. It's usually genetic unless there's an illness/injury factor, so you probably have family members who are myopic. I take after my Dad, and started wearing glasses at 11. It doesn't really matter whether she takes them off to relax on not, she's going to become dependant on them anyway, so it's fruitless to try to prevent this, and if she's happy wearing them, that's the best bit of news of all. You may be unhappy that she needs glasses, but she doesn't seem too bothered, and there's nothing you can do so best just go with the flow really.

Landy 10 Jul 2004, 07:14

I was searching for information about my daughter's new glasses and came upon this area. In reading previous comments, I think you may be able to provide me with some answers to my questions. My daughter just got her second pair of glasses- her prescription (from memory) was -2.75, -2.25 left eye and -3.0, -2.5 right eye. I do not recall specifically the axis numbers, and her prescription was increased by .75 in each eye from her first pair. She is 12 years old at present and first got eyeglasses just over seven months ago. My questions relate to some topics of conversation that were raised here.

First, the fronts of these lenses are flat and as such appear much thicker and stronger than her first pair. When I asked about this I was told that her prescription is expected to increase, probably significantly, and that it would be beneficial for her to get used to this style of lens now rather than later. My additional questions are, what is the significance of this type of lense, what makes them harder to get used to? Why and how much might her prescription increase? It was suggested that we not try contacts yet because she is still relatively new to wearing glasses and we should expect changes rather quickly at first. Why is that? After an initial adjustment period of (hating them) just a couple of days, she took to wearing her glasses rather well. I am surprised to find her putting them on when she gets up and not taking them off until bedtime. I have offered her the option to leave them off when she is at home and relaxed and she will not even do that. She did not do that with the first pair. She says that these glasses help her to see clearer than her other glasses. Is she becoming dependent upon her glasses? Should I encourage her to go without them at times to relax her eyes so she is not dependent on them to see better? And again, can someone answer as to why they are flat fronted and therefore seem so obviously stronger? My daughter's sight is my first concern, of course, but these other items are questions that I have but have not shared with her.

JR 10 Jul 2004, 07:13

Danielle:

Good for you. I bet you look great in your glasses and can see much better, close up and far. Even though you can go without them, the clear sharp vision is a big plus that you don't want to be without, as you could miss a lot not wearing your glasses.

Tod 10 Jul 2004, 07:11

Dawn, you are a doll. What is your eyeglass Rx, by the way?

Dawn 10 Jul 2004, 04:14

I'm a 17 year old high school student. I had to begin wearing glasses in Dec. 2003, but just in class or when driving. My mom makes me wear them all the time so I'm trying to get used to keeping them on.

Some photos of me in glasses http://public.fotki.com/dawn3277/dawnwearingglasses/

Christy 10 Jul 2004, 00:04

Julian - no bifocals yet - but I am slowly getting there. I can still read comfortably to within a foot - but in cold weather there's a definite lag in accommodation from near to distant vision.

The optician told me I "corrected well" and "gave good responses" - then went on to say that some of his clients can look through as many as five trial lenses and claim to see no difference!

Julian 09 Jul 2004, 21:45

Still no bifocals then, Christy?

Love and kisses, Jules.

thanks Filthy 09 Jul 2004, 18:50

Filthy McNasty 09 Jul 2004, 15:29

Del Doc - you are being at best unnecessarily bellicose and possibly downright wrong. Nowhere in the post referred to does it say that optometrists aren't allowed to prescribe drugs, but rather that ophthalmologists "can prescribe drugs and do stuff that optometrists aren't allowed to do."

Either you think it's false that ophthalmologists can prescribe drugs, or that it's false that ophthalmologists are allowed to do stuff that optoms aren't. Otherwise, you have no legitimate gripe with the post.

Christy 09 Jul 2004, 14:17

New Rx is -2.25 and -1.75 sph and -2.00 and -2.50 cyl with axis of 107 and 80.

Old Rx was -2.00 and -1.50 sph and -2.00 and -2.25 cyl with axis of 100 and 80.

DelDoc 08 Jul 2004, 17:24

answer--

Although you are correct that optometry and ophthalmology share a contentious history, your statement that optometrists are not allowed to prescribe drugs is completely false in the United States. Legislation varies from state to state, but optometrists in many states prescribe topical and oral medications every day. Please do research before posting next time. Thank you.

Danielle 08 Jul 2004, 16:30

I posted here several days ago - actually it's probably a couple of weeks now! I perservered with wearing my new prescription (+2.5) full time. I have to admit that my distance vision is better with my new glasses than without now that I've got used to seeing distances with them. I don't think I actually need to wear glasses all the time as I can see ok without them (apart from close-up of course) but I will probably stick to wearing them most of the time anyway. I've even managed to "test" my prescription sunglasses a few times!

Julian 08 Jul 2004, 11:07

Really? Mine's next week.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Christy 08 Jul 2004, 08:33

A reminder to myself - eye-test tomorrow!

answer 07 Jul 2004, 21:38

I don't know exactly why optometrists and ophthalmologists use different notations. It's probably got something to do with the rivalry between the two professions; opthalmologists are "real" medical doctors, and can prescribe drugs and do stuff that optometrists aren't allowed to do. Optometrists are said to receive better training in actually prescribing glasses.

Prescriptions can be easily transposed between the two notations, so it's no problem for the lab that makes the lenses: http://www.laramyk.com/learn/transposition_of_prescriptions.html

question 07 Jul 2004, 17:19

I've had glasses for less than a year, but have had three perscription changes already. My first glasses were -.50, +.25 x 170. My second rx was -.75, +.50. Then, I switched from an opthamologist to an optometrist to get contacts, and she told me my rx is -1.25, -.75 x 90. I asked her about the signs changing on the asthigmatism, and she said that optometrists and opthamologists have opposite signs for asthigmatism on their phoropters. Now, I thought this was a little strange, does anyone know if this is true or not? I'm pretty curious about this- how do the opticians know how to grind the lenses if rxs are different for different kinds of drs?

Vic 06 Jul 2004, 23:48

Let us know how you go Jessica and what your exact prescription is well if you want to say ;D

Jessica 06 Jul 2004, 23:04

Hi everyone this is my first posting. I have just woke up, and today I am going to go and get my first glasses. I am a 16 year old girl. I have been having a few problems reading at school, the blackboard got all blurred for about the past few months, I am kind of excited about getting glasses but also nervous. I see a lot of people wearing glasses now so I guess its not such a big deal. I think I am about -3 in both eyes. I will tell you how I get on with my new look.

Vic 06 Jul 2004, 21:03

I agree with Guest I think you should at least get a second opinion

Guest 06 Jul 2004, 05:32

Sally, that sounds no good,

wearing lenses that are too strong could make you more nearsighted than you are already.

Please reallly change the eye doctor

He is no good,

if you can, get new glasses from another doctor with the right prescription.

Never go to this eye doctor again,

he could make you nearly blind with this attitude in future.

It's not fair to scare you for that too.

If you have a good eye doctor you might not get that blind,

with that doctor you probably will,

best regards,

Guest

Sally 06 Jul 2004, 00:27

Regarding my post of JULY 2, I have talked to my doctor and the reason he specified the lenses with the flat front, is described in the technical article at http://www.sola.com/professional/corner/oct-nov96html#top He did say that he expects my Rx. to increase to a high Rx., which has me really concerned. He also said my current Rx. is -.50 stronger than needed, and that I would adapt to it very soon, and that is the reason that when I look into a mirror I cannot see my eyes clearly unless I get very close to it.This seems to be getting better so I must be almost adapted to these lenses.Do others at this site have this happen?

Sam 04 Jul 2004, 22:42

Kelly we are the same age and have the same glasses prescription. Your glasses sound hot we should go on a date.

Brian-16 04 Jul 2004, 12:07

Kelly-Glad to hear you love your glasses and your friends sound very supportive.That sounds like my rx when I got glass about 10 years ago.

ehpc 04 Jul 2004, 10:57

They sound GREAT glasses, Kelly :)Pete

Clare 03 Jul 2004, 14:57

Kelly - glad to hear you love your glasses, enjoy what you see with them. Your post is inspiring for me - I'm a regular contacts wearer with conjuncitivis banned from contacts wear for I don't know how long. I'm reluctantly wearing my glasses; I'd love to love them like you do!

Kelly 03 Jul 2004, 13:20

This is my first time posting. I just got glasses yesterday after about 2 yrs of not seeing well. I didn't want glasses but now that I have them it's a whole new world to see things so clearly. I'm 17. I love my glasses. All my friends want to try them on and were glad I got them. My prescriptions says OD -1.50 and OS -1.75. The doctor told me to wear them all the time. I have to go back in 3 months. He said to do more adjustments? My glasses are so cool. They are black small plastic oval frames with a couple rhinestones on the sides.

New Wearer 03 Jul 2004, 11:03

Sally, The previous post I referred to was under Acuity and Prescription II, on May 27.

New Wearer 02 Jul 2004, 22:51

Sally, I too have recently had glasses with flat front lenses prescribed for me.I posted about mine on May 27. Mine are mostly for astigmatism, but I can't see well near or far without them, so wear them constantly. It's only been a few months since I got them, and I know I'll be getting stronger ones at my next exam which is coming up, as the doctor wants me to return in three months.My vison with them on seems to be what it was before I got this pair. I'm hoping that this doesn't mean my Rx will be twice as strong as it is now.

Nicki 02 Jul 2004, 21:14

Sally, My doctor also prescribed lenses that were flat in the front,for my third prescription which was -3.25 and -3.50. I didn't realize what they would look like, and was shocked when the optician brought them out, and put them on me.When I asked the doctor why they had to be like this he explained that my prescription was going to get very high, and adjusting to this base curve later would be hard, so he wanted to get me into it early.It turned out that he was right.After just five years, my lenses are now -10 and -11.50.I am hoping that yours doesn't progress as mine has.I started wearing glasses at age 16, and my first prescription was only -.75 for each eye.Boy would I love to wear those again.

Sally 02 Jul 2004, 20:13

Bespectacled Professor, and LikeGlass, No I didn't buy my glasses from the doctor.There was no optical shop associated with him.And yes after about two weeks of wearing my glasses, I now can see my eyes more clearly in the mirror.I do wear my glasses all the time, from the time I get out of bed, till I go to bed.My vison is very poor without them, even with my last Rx.The doctor said he wants to see me again in 3 mo., and that I may need new lenses then.He said I may need stronger lenses frequently for awhile. Starting college in the fall, he said that my eyes may change alot then.Has this been so for anybody here, and if so, how strong did your glasses get?

LikeGlass 02 Jul 2004, 19:35

Flat base curves are usually associated with hi index lenses as it is another way of making the lenses thinner. It seems really odd that they would go with that on such a low Rx, as -6 used to be the break point. However...... Hi index lenses cost more, and usually the store filling the Rx suggest Hi index as a way of raising the cost. Did the doc also sell you the specs? Anyway, if you don't like the look, tell them! There's no medical reason I can think of to go with a flat base curve at -2.75.

Bespectacled Professor 02 Jul 2004, 19:12

Sally,

It's likely future lenses will look like that, though it depends on your prescription.

How often do you wear your glasses? Can you see yourself in the mirror OK now?

Sally 02 Jul 2004, 18:57

I just got new glasses a few weeks ago, and noticed something that was with my previous pair.For the first few weeks when I look in a mirror, I cannot see my eyes clearly unless I get a few inches from it.I don't know much about optics, but wonder if the mirror doubles the Rx.Also my new glasses are -2.75 both eyes, and the optometrist specified a flat base curve, which makes them look abit odd. They are almost totally flat on the front, and kind of dished out on the back. He said this would make it easier to adjust to future Rx. changes.Has anyone else been given lenses like this? They look so strong, but are weaker than my friends.Does this mean all my future lenses will look like this?This is my second Rx., the first was about a year ago, and was -1.50 both eyes.I can see so much better with this pair,and can't even use my old ones any longer.

Carol 02 Jul 2004, 12:51

Jw. There was no pressure to buy new glasses, said the ones I had were fine.Friend at work introduced me to this site , whilst at work we were discussing glasses in general, if it was sometimes the case they were perscribed if needed or not. Been wearing glasses since aged 35, full time since aged 37.

JW 02 Jul 2004, 12:10

Carol

Old, and new prescriptions are nearly identical, but they are expressed differently. Did the he encourage you to buy new glasses?

How long have you been wearing glasses, and what brought you to this site?

Plus Crazy 02 Jul 2004, 07:11

Matty,

Thanks for the discription. Hmm... I think wearing glasses for close work such as reading will drive away the headaches and you'll feel much comfortable.

I also strongly recommend the eye test with drops(dialation) as it would give precise results.

Do you have a yahoo e mail address? Get one and join the group "girlswithreadingglasses".

Take Care.

(I'm 20y/o a Sri lankan)

Carol. 01 Jul 2004, 03:41

I'm a 44 year old Female. Just got my new glasses and comparing the perscription the optician gave me and the one that he gave me last time, they seem quite different

Old perscription reads

Right Eye Distance Reading

Sph +1.75 Add 3.00

Cyl +0.50 +0.50

axis 170 170

Left Eye Distance Reading

Sph +2.00 Add 3.00

Cyl +0.25 +0.25

Axis 170 170

New perscription reads

Right Eye Distance Reading

Sph +2.25 Add 2.50

Cyl -0.75 -0.75

Axis 90

Left Eye Distance Reading

Sph +2.50 Add 2.50

Cyl -0.25 -0.25

Axis 90

Can anyone explain the difference. Was not having any problems with my eyes, it was just a routine check up. Have i ended up with stronger glasses or weaker. Hope someone can help.

Vic 30 Jun 2004, 16:43

What sorta tests did they do Matt?

geoff 30 Jun 2004, 12:34

Matt, did the doctor put drops in your eyes when he did your test? If he didnt, maybe you should ask him to do another test with drops cause sometimes when youre longsighted, your eye muscles will compensate, but the drops relax the muscles so he can tell better what rx you should have. If youre still getting headaches, maybe you do need a stronger rx.

Matty_UK 30 Jun 2004, 10:25

Hi all again

I went to the opticians because I recently have been having problems reading things like the newspaper and computer screen. Always results in headaches/eyestrain, sometimes blurriness. I am 17years old, and was told at the end of the test that I was a little longsighted, and this could well get worse within the next year. I have got a headache now whilst typing this post, and am wondering if it's worth getting a second opinion. It's especially annoying as I am a college student, so do a lot of reading etc..

Matt

D-W-V 30 Jun 2004, 02:35

Matty UK: Your prescription is really low, practically negligable. But, if you want to wear glasses, go ahead.

Plus Crazy 30 Jun 2004, 02:12

Hi Matty UK,

Well you might need glasse in one or one and a half years time.

Anyway, dont be worried to wear them full time as there are hundreds of people who like it!

Can you please tell us your age?

and symptoms?

So that we will be able to make more closer predictions.

matty_uk 30 Jun 2004, 01:31

Hi all,

any ideas about my eye test, details that I posted here yesterday?

Thanks

geoff 29 Jun 2004, 17:03

guest, dont you think its possible that maybe the same kinds of things happen to lot of people when they go fulltime cause what Mark said is exactly what happened to me when I finally bit the bullet and stopped resisting wearing my glasses all the time.

guest 29 Jun 2004, 14:10

I don't believe this post - it's too similar to others I've read: the comments people make, that people want to try them, that the poster miraculously discovers what they've been missing. Hurrah, but do you think we're so gullible? Whoever you are you'll have to be more convincing if you want us to believe you.

Mark E 29 Jun 2004, 13:41

I posted last week about being advised to wear my glasses full time and the issues I had with this. Thank for all your advice, as many people suggested it wasn't much of a deal, despite my anxieties. Far fewer people seemed surprised to see me wearing them that I thought they'd be, my best mate's reaction was typical. When he saw me wearing my new glasses at the bus stop, his only comment was along the lines of "At last you've decided to do something about the fact your eyes are getting bad". At lunchtime lots of my mates wanted to try them on, I have to say I was glad to get my glasses back and put them on again.

Although I have noticed a difference at School, it's really been when I'm out and about in situations that I wouldn't have dreamed of wearing glasses before that I've noticed the real difference. I still feel a bit conscious of them in social situations, but it was great at a party on Saturday night to be able to recognise people across the room.

I'm not totally used to wearing them yet, I've not got to the stage where I automatically put my glasses on without thinking about them, but I really notice the blur without them and certainly wouldn't feel comfortable going out without them on anymore. I'm still find it odd to see myself in glasses. As I don't usually put them on until I've finished getting ready in the morning, or until I leave the house, I don't usually see myself with them when I'm looking in the mirror. However, when I was getting ready to go out on Saturday, I did have them on and I have to say that when I feel more confident, I think I'll get to like the way I look in them. The black rectangles look good with my blue eyes and black hair.

Not a great glasses fan yet, but I'm getting used to having to wear them.

High minus lady 29 Jun 2004, 13:29

I think I need a stronger rx. I have been using my older sisters old glasses because I can see better in them. She is now a -14 and -14.5. I don't know what her older glasses rx is. (The pair I am wearing now). She is 21 and I'm 18. My last rx of my own glasses are -10 and -11.25. When I wear her old glasses there is a big difference for the better. I'm wondering if I should go to the eye dr. or jsut wear hers since I see so great out of them?

matty_uk 29 Jun 2004, 05:45

Hi all

I had my first proper eye test today, and unfortunately didn't come away with glasses.

I got given a card, and on it is

R: Sph +0.25 Cyl -0.25 Axis 180

L: Sph +0.25 Cyl DS

Any ideas what this means? How close to needing glasses am I?

Thanks

27 Jun 2004, 10:28

Hi Amy. If you couldn't see about 3 lines (20/20, 25 & 30) your RX would be -.75 or so. Inotherwords, if you had 20/40 or so vision.

Amy 27 Jun 2004, 09:38

How many lines on an eyechart would i have to not be able to read to be -0.75?

thanks for your help

Puffin 27 Jun 2004, 08:27

Yes, one day only too! I think we're in back in the rainy season again now.

Ted 27 Jun 2004, 08:08

Excuse my spelling, that should be Tuesday.

Ted 27 Jun 2004, 08:07

Summer in England is on a tuesday this year!!!

Vic 26 Jun 2004, 18:43

Danielle yep definitely let us know how it goes!

Danielle 26 Jun 2004, 16:51

Sorry, just noticed a little mistake in my message. The first line should read "I picked up my new glasses (and prescription sunglasses) today."

Danielle 26 Jun 2004, 16:47

I picked up my new glasses (prescription sunglasses) today. The optician said, as Willy did, that distances will seem blurred for a few days but will soon be clearer than without glasses. He suggested I should take them off when I drive until distances are clear.

It does seem strange wearing glasses all the time and to me they are noticeably stronger than my old ones. The distance blur isn't too bad, just slightly worse than without glasses at the moment. Near vision, especially text on the computer screen, is much clearer now.

I hadn't been getting headaches, I had just noticed that over the last few months that things weren't very clear when I was reading - rather like the few months before I first got glasses. As I was due for a check-up this month I didn't bother getting my eyes tested any earlier.

I'm 23 by the way and live in England.

I will carry on wearing my new glasses full-time at least until I get used to the distance vision and hopefully I will get the chance to wear my prescription sunglasses soon when the British weather remembers that we are in the middle of Summer!

I will post another message in a few days time, probably.

Willy 25 Jun 2004, 13:49

Danielle -- To follow up, if you are wondering whether your distance vision will be better with the new glasses, it is likely that you will initially perceive it as being a little worse because your eyes will need to relax a little more to see through the stronger plus lenses. Once they learn to do that over a few days, at +2.5, you will likely find that they don't want to strain that much any longer, and your distance vision will likely be worse without them. Either way, let us know!

Willy 25 Jun 2004, 13:37

Danielle -- How old are you? It sounds as though you are young enough that your prescription is entirely for hyperopia and not presbyopia (no reading add, correct?). You also don't mention whether or not you have been having any headaches or eyestrain problems while reading or otherwise. Have you? From your description of taking your +1.5 glasses on and off and being able to see well in either event, it sounds like your eyes are able to relax to use the plus lenses but that you have enough accommodation to do without them as well. Are you able to read without them as well, or do you always use them for reading?

It seems to me that +2.5 is about the range where, if you wear your new glasses for reading only, your eyes will almost have to work harder to see at distance without them than they will have to work to read with them. That might end up causing some strain and blurred vision, so I suspect you may lean toward full-time wear. If that does not thrill you, contacts would probably be an option.

Danielle 25 Jun 2004, 12:49

2 years ago I got glasses for reading. My prescription was +1.50 in both eyes. Today I went for my check-up and got a new prescription of +2.5 in both eyes. I knew my eyes had got worse but I didn't realise by how much! My optician said it's quite possible my prescription will go up again and suggested I tried wearing them for distances as my distance vision is worse than last time (although I hadn't noticed). He said it was entirely up to me if I wanted to wear the new prescription full-time, as some people with a similar prescription to mine do decide to go full-time.

I got the glasses made up and also got some prescription sunglasses as there was a 2 for the price of 1 offer going and I will pick them up tomorrow morning. As I left the opticians I put on my existing glasses to see what full time would be like. I have kept them on all day. My distance vision seems to be about the same with or without these glasses and certainly not any worse. I've never even thought about using my glasses for distance vision as I usually take them off when I've finished reading. It will be interesting to find out how much my distance vision is improved with my new glasses.

I will post another message tomorrow if I remember.

Fritz 25 Jun 2004, 08:56

Marcel,

I agree with leelee that you clearly are the "most evolved" member of your family. Sooner or later another member of the clan will need glasses. I'll light a candle!

I wouldn't be too surprised if I were you if your myopia increased somewhat over the next few years; however, it probably won't increase all that much since there aren't all that many people with prescriptions over -5/-6 in the first place. It's somewhat unusual for somebody who starts to develop myopia in their late teens or early twenties to hit the myopia sweepstakes with prescriptions well above -5/6, although, of course, it can happen and does. Just enjoy your improved vision and the attentions of Nadine. I'm sure your new lenses don't look appreciably different.

leelee 25 Jun 2004, 06:04

Marcel, since your prescription has gone up a little faster than you expected, it is quite likely that you have not done anything to affect your situation by how often you are wearing your glasses. I was wearing my glasses all the time and my prescription went down! You'd probably needed glasses for a while when you got them, but because your family seems to equate not having glasses with being healthy for some reason, no one looked after you in this regard, and when you became old enough to take care of yourself, you did!

You are just probably getting to where you would have if you'd started a little sooner perhaps. Hey, at least you know you are the most evolved person in your family! Sooner or later they will come around.

Taro 25 Jun 2004, 03:17

Dear Marcel

It's too late changing mind and afraid to get more stronger priscrition, it's your decision to depend on them. Because you begun to wear them full time since even prescription was still only -1.75. I think if you took care that you tried to keep low prescription and prevent to get progresive. For example you wear them only for distance becuase -1.75, you can still be able to read close without them right? But you didn't and actually, you depended on them every thing right? In my experience, I could see and didn't need to wear them for close when I was -1.75. so you spoiled so if you don't want to pregresive any more you have to start treating your eye, for example you may look for distance or sky without them and you use two glasses like for distance using new one and close distance using old one or without. If you can't do it. you just accept this situation and enjoying to wear them. I really want to take more about it and share with you. so please e-mail me to goya2714@hotmail.com. Have nice day!

Clare 24 Jun 2004, 14:38

Chloe - at least your optician is being honest with you; your prescription might increase, it might not. With such honesty at least it allows you to prepare - or not. I think that's better than wondering uninformed and unaware any time.

Marcel 24 Jun 2004, 01:21

Hi Friends,

I didn't tell my family about the change and I won't. I'd get silly comments from them for example:

You seem to be really blind now and things like this. They tease me all time when I'm around them. My mother believes my weak eyes have something to do with my lifestyle for example working with the computer and eating to less vitamine. My grandfather said to me that it was the shame to wear glasses when you are you so young.

Silly indeed but what can I do?

I don't want to have a stronger prescription. I became a nearly fulltime wearer when I had -1,75 because I had problems to tolerate the blur but there were situations I could manage it without them. I had the decision. These times are over and I'm not happy about this. I have no problems wearing my glasses but I don't like my situation now and I'm really afraid it'll getting worse and worse. A friend of mine started the same time with me as glasses wearer and now he has -4,5. Hope I won't have this.

My girlfriend Nadine can't understand me because she thinks the strength is no problem if you wear glasses fulltime.

Chloe 23 Jun 2004, 22:44

Bespectacled Professor, I understand what you mean now. The optician did say it was unusual and that it could still go up a bit but it could stabilise now. Anyway he didn't seem too surprised, guess they see all sorts in that job but that's obviously why he said to go back in 6 months.

Vic 23 Jun 2004, 17:44

Hiii Jules :D

Matt 23 Jun 2004, 13:00

Mark E, I don't know if you'll have worn your glasses to school by the time you read this, if so I hope it went OK. If you haven't worn them yet, I wouldn't get too hung up on it. For many people the anticipation is worse than the actual event. You may get a few comments, but I expect most of them will be positive. It's also likely that people won't be that surprised to see you wearing glasses all the time, your mates have already seen you wearing them part time and they'll just recognise that your eyes have got to the stage when you need glasses more.

The first few days can be awkward, but probably not as bad as you think they'll be. As to the strage image, I found that too, but you'll soon get used to it. Once you start wearing glasses all the time you quickly get used to it. In a week or two, you'll forget what all the big deal was about. You don't day how old you are, but as you are still at school, it's likely that your eyes will get a bit worse before they settle down, so even if you decide you can cope without glasses now, before too long you'll have to wear them most/all of the time, so you might as well get it over with.

You said you got new frames, what kind did you pick?

Maybe some of George1968's posts/experiences are relevant to you.

Good luck - I hated it at first when I had to go full time, but within a week I knew I'd done the right thing.

Visitor 22 Jun 2004, 20:10

Mark E.

I think Bespectacled Professor says it well, that your vision is now at a point where wearing your glasses all the time will be very helpful. It is strange at first but you will rapidly get used to it. You only wore them part time before, and you took them off the rest of the time, but now that your prescription is stronger you will begin to notice that things are much clearer with your glasses on yet much blurrier with them off. As a result of that, you will tend to keep them on more and drift into full time wear primarily for the comfort and also because you don't want to deal with the blur any more.

It may seem odd to look in the mirror and see this person with glasses looking back, but soon you will be so used to it that if you look in the mirror bare-eyed you'll find it looks weird not to have glasses on. Your school mates and girlfriend may comment at first but they, too, will get used to seeing you in glasses soon enough. The only thing that I think you need to address right now is the fact that you said you were pushing them back up your nose all night. Is it because you could see better with them up closer or merely that they were sliding down? If it was to help you to see, you may be in need of a stronger prescription now. But if is was just because they kept slipping down, return to where you purchased them and get them tightened. The sooner they are comfortably resting on your face the sooner you will forget they're there and accept them as a really positive addition to your life. Good luck and please let us know how things go.

Bespectacled Professor 22 Jun 2004, 14:17

Mark E,

You have gotten to the point where your optician's advice is correct -- your eyesight has worsened to the point where you need to wear them all the time. Yes, there will be an awkward couple of days where everyone will look and comment about your wearing glasses. But, by the end of the week, the comments will have stopped and you will be so happy seeing so clearly you won't care.

Mark E 22 Jun 2004, 14:11

Im not sure if this is the right place to post this, but here goes. I first got taken for an eye test three years ago when a teacher at school told my parents I was squinting a lot when I was copying from the board. I dont like wearing glasses and Ive only worn them when Ive really had to. Since then my eyesight has got steadily worse. I went for my yearly check up last week and was given a new prescription and Ive been told I should wear my glasses all the time now. (The numbers are 2.25, -0.50, 5 for one eye, -2.50, -0.50, 2 for the other eye- if that means anything to people). When the test was over the optician told my mum that I needed to wear my glasses all the time, so Ill probably have to wear them around her otherwise shell nag me to put my glasses on. However, at least she did let my get some new frames because Im supposed to wear them all the time now.

Anyway, after school today I went to pick up my new glasses. I kept them on like I was told to. Before Ive only ever worn them for reading the board or watching television and I did notice a real difference wearing them out and about this evening. However, I hate everything about having to wear them. Ive been pushing them up my nose all evening, and every time Ive seen my reflection Ive seen this strange image.

Im getting really stressed about the idea of having to wear them all the time. I havent told any of my mates or my girlfriend yet and Im not looking forward to everybody making comments about them. Its bad enough having to wear my glasses without getting grief from my mates.

Half of me thinks Im being stupid for having a problem with wearing my glasses, (it was good being able to see things clearly when I was walking home from town), but half of me has a real issue with having to wear glasses and what people will think of me in them (I was worried somebody I knew might see me in them).

Was the opticians advise to wear them all the time good advise? Is there anybody else here whos been in a similar situation? Im not looking forward to wearing them to school tomorrow.

mattp 22 Jun 2004, 09:35

Marcel--

I think you are shocked because your RX has increased so dramatically in just two years. But, like Fritz says, your lenses are still not strong and myopia usually levels off at about your age--your eyes are probably about as weak as they are going to get.

From my experience, I would guess the -3 is depressing you because at that level the choice of whether to wear glasses or not is being taken from you. At all those times when wearing glasses is inconvenient--sports, first thing in the morning, gardening--it is no longer possible to "get by" without glasses. But you have said you are a full-time wearer anyway, so that shouldn't be an issue!

Good luck with the new prescription---Matt.

Fritz 22 Jun 2004, 06:19

Marcel,

Have you told your parents about this change or not? Don't be too depressed about your prescription increase; after all, it is still fairly low and should stabilize over the next few years. Regardless, your girlfriend thinks you look terrific in glasses and that should count for something!

Taro 22 Jun 2004, 04:35

Dear Marcel

How come you feel shocking? because It seem to that you wanted to get stronger prescription because you have been depending on them too much like when your RX was still row level you do wear full time, it was helping for increse prescription so you made this cause and resolve. right?

so I would like to take with you more and more so please send e-mail to goya2714@hotmail.com

Marcel 22 Jun 2004, 04:10

Hi friends,

I'm shocked:

My new glasses are -3.

With 17 I had -,75, with 18 -1,75 and now with 19 -3 both eyes.

The doctor said it's quiete normal and so did my girlfriend Nadine but I'm rather shocked about this.

When will this stop? I guess nobody knows but although I have no problems being a glasses wearer I'm kind of depressed.

Bespectacled Professor 21 Jun 2004, 15:18

Chloe,

The reason I mentioned about the change in your eyesight is that it is quite a change. You went from -2.0 to -3.0 in 6 months and started at -2.0. Most people's eyes stop changing significantly around college, and then the next big change is in the 40s. So, to be 24 and go from not needing glasses to a prescription for fulltime wear is quite a change! I understood about Hannah because she knew she had needed glasses for a long time, and had put it off. That's why I had asked about you because most people don't start in their 20s with glasses that strong.

Chloe 21 Jun 2004, 14:27

Hi BP, yes you're right my first prescription was six months ago. What did you mean when you wrote in your last post to me "Seems like quite a change in the last year for someone who is 24"? To answer your question, yes I probably had an idea I needed glasses before I went to the optician but I didn't dream within such a short space of time I'd get an even stronger prescription, though the optician thought my original one was a fair strength for a first one. None of my family is shortsighted so the reason why I should be is a mystery. Of course I don't want my prescription to increase but I'm not going to let it bug me.

Alm 21 Jun 2004, 06:46

Hi Hannah,

I think you have read in my mind:

IT'S SO FANTASTIC TO SEE ON A BEACH A BEAUTIFUL GIRLS WEARING A BIKINI AND A NICE PAIR OF GLASSES. Absolutely really sexy.

Apart from this Im happy for you that you have no problems about wearing your glasses, you are always the same girl with or without your glasses on ....

In one of your previous email you said that glasses wouldn't have stopped boys from liking you...in my point of view when a girl wear glasses become even more special than what she was before!

Have a good day Hannah, a big kiss from Italy

ehpc 21 Jun 2004, 06:00

Sunglasses and tinted lenses are a real turn-off though, for me ............the bikini-clad woman must wear clear minus lenses and stylish frames:) Pete

ehpc 21 Jun 2004, 05:58

Hannah - I confirm that there are few scenarios and sights sexier than an attractive woman on a sunny beach wearing glasses and a bikini:) You are RIGHT ON there! Pete

ehpc 21 Jun 2004, 05:57

Hannah - I confirm that there are few scenarios and sights sexier than an attractive woman on a sunny beach wearing glasses and a bikini:) You are RIGHT ON there! Pete

curios 21 Jun 2004, 02:59

Hi all

Is there a general rule with trial lenses that green is one thing e.g minus lenses and red are plus?

Just wondering

thanks

Vic 20 Jun 2004, 21:53

Hey I'm still around just wanted to say hihi :D

Bespectacled Professor 20 Jun 2004, 16:20

Chloe,

Didn't you say you first got glasses 6 months ago? Were your eyes bothering you for a long time before you went to the eye doctor? Seems like quite a change in the last year for someone who is 24. Hannah got a rather strong prescription right out of the box, but she had been putting off glasses for a long time. Had you done the same?

I'm glad you are taking to your glasses OK because it looks like you are ultimately headed to fulltime wear.

guest 20 Jun 2004, 14:41

Chloe I'm betting you'll get an increase in 6 months time but you'll be wearing full time before that anyway so it won't matter a jot. I think your nearly there. It's a bummer you get hooked on wearing them cos you like how you see and yr rx goes up and up and up ...

Chloe 20 Jun 2004, 14:20

Hi BP (may I call you that? I'm pretty lazy with the typing!!), full time? Im not sure, just how often is that? Id say mostly. The difference when I first take them of though is more than Im used to. Makes me put them on again quite quickly though. Readings not a problem, I can read with them on and off and I only take them off if Im doing a lot of reading. Around the house Im fine unless Im watching TV then Im wearing them all evening. But wearing them more is really no big deal to me since Im used to wearing them anyway and I still take them off so its not like theyre on my face all the time and it doesnt feel so different. Even so it is because theyre on more than theyre off right now. Im not so fussed I think Im doing okay. Oh, you asked my age Im 24.

19 Jun 2004, 23:31

It's Hannah and Chloe who've posted, not Pippa

guest 19 Jun 2004, 23:16

Hannah & pippa, its great to hear from you. Are you still discovering yourself as a glasses wearer Hannah or is it no mystery for you now? You said how lots of people said how good they look on you, were they surprised at your sudden need for glasses and full time at that?

Pippa I guess youre probably not a full time wearer yet but maybe youre close to. My advice is dont try to get by without them, get used to them, your eyes will and it is quite likely that when you go back in six months time your prescription will have gone up. If youre 3 now youre guaranteed to need them fulltime if you get an increase. I dont think this is an issue for you from what you say.

Bespectacled Professor 19 Jun 2004, 11:03

Hannah,

Glad you are getting along so well with your glasses and have accepted them wearing them all the time so easily. One thing you haven't mentioned -- how does it feel to see the world so clearly? You went around in a blur for such a long time, it must be quite a difference with your glasses.

Chloe,

It sounds like you are either wearing your glasses all the time or close to it. Do you wear them while reading? Also, if you are a fulltime wearer, why would you take your picture with your glasses off? How old are you, BTW?

Sandy 19 Jun 2004, 07:51

Hi Hannah, it's great that your wear your glasses when you go to the beach. This way, you can see things clearly. Just make sure that you keep the sand off the lenses, it's an easy way to scratch the lenses. I have to agree with you, girls in glasses wearing bikinis are very sexy. I usually wear my prescription sunglasses when I am at the beach. The one thing that I have noticed is that most people take their glasses off when they go to the beach, that's too bad. Maybe we can start a new trend by wearing our glasses at the beach more often. Take care and have fun.

Hannah 19 Jun 2004, 06:52

Hi everyone

I have been getting along well with my glasses a lot of people have said I look better with them on! I feel more confident wearing them now. I know that I am attractive with them on or off. 2 pieces of glass in front of your eyes can not make you unattractive, anyone who thinks so is a fool.

With the weather being nice over the past week I went to the beach and kept my glasses on, somethhing which I was proud off myself for doing. I know that when some of my friends have been to the beach before they have taken theirs off. I managed to persuade one of my friends to keep her glasses on aswell, she felt a little self conscious but soon got used to it. I can imagine on this site their is nothing more sexy to men than a girl in glasses wearing a bikini?

Chloe 18 Jun 2004, 23:49

Hiya -I said I'd drop by just to let you know I'm I'm going with my new stronger prescription. I started out on Tuesday with a very open mind about how much I was going to wear them, the optician suggested I wear them when I left the shop so I did. At work a few people noticed the new frames and complimented me, someone said the lenses looked stronger but I guess that's true! Today is day 4 and I'm taking it as it comes, yes of course I do notice the difference between on and off. Funny thing is that I expected more comments from people about wearing them more, like into the office/going home which I never did when I was -2. That was the bit I dreaded. Anyway if I had my photo taken now it would be without them!

Vic 18 Jun 2004, 15:00

sounds exactly like hyperopia to me and depends where you go to you can probably go as low as +0.25 but I think the average is around +0.50 for lowest i may be wrong :D

18 Jun 2004, 14:59

I'm a student, 18, and have had a lot of trouble with reading lately, newspapers, books, computer screens etc...

My distance vision is 100% perfect, I can see for miles.

Do you think it's hyperopia? If so worth getting checked out? What's the smallest prescription they would do for + lenses?

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HallucinationLiz 18 Jun 2004, 00:33

DelDoc: Bingo! Patients are also the same. I'm sorry if you got offended but surely I meant those optometrists and doctors do nothing all day long, yell at retired people, don't give them medicine they have the right to have by law, tell innocent patients to get out, etc LOL Hope you're not one of those! So no offence ment :)

Tod 17 Jun 2004, 19:46

touche, DelDoc

DelDoc 17 Jun 2004, 18:59

Tod--

Recently, one of my patients came back to the office because he was having difficult adapting to his new glasses. The prescription was filled by the local LensCrafters. It turns out that this Rx was filled incorrectly, his PDs were off by 4 mm, and his seg heights were off by 3 mm in each eye. BIG MISTAKE for him!

DelDoc 17 Jun 2004, 18:55

HallucinationLiz--

As an optometrist, I thank you for your generalization. Perhaps patients are the same around the world, too.

Vic 17 Jun 2004, 14:29

Gee I had to pay GRR

HallucinationLiz 17 Jun 2004, 07:55

Vic, I can just go and ask for +0.5 pair and she'll give them for free so I'll have 2 pairs! Looks like a bargain! LOL

HallucinationLiz 17 Jun 2004, 07:52

Tod, looks like local optometrists are the same all around the world!

Vic 17 Jun 2004, 03:31

This optometrist was reluctant to give them to me too haha i got them in the end though :D

hallucinationLiz 16 Jun 2004, 23:50

Aye, I read that you need +0.50 Actually this other (nice) doc wanted me to try +0.50 but then changed her mind and said if I need them after wearing +0.25 she'll give'em for free!!

Vic 16 Jun 2004, 23:39

Gotcha :D I dont need minus lenses either hehe

HallucinationLiz 16 Jun 2004, 23:37

Vic: Well she dind't say I don't need glasses - she said I don't need minus lenses (like I didn't know that!)

In Russia you can report anything you want but that would make no difference, trust me lol (oh sorry, it might make difference - you might get trouble and as we say here, 'spoilt nerves' LOL)

Tod 16 Jun 2004, 21:51

I usually go to LensCrafters but this time I went to my local optometrist. BIG MISTAKE! They took three weeks to put new lenses into my old frame and then they got the Rx wrong for my left eye. So back they went and now I have to wait another three weeks. Thank God I have a back up pair. One hour vs. six weeks. Next time I will go to LensCrafters for sure.

angie 16 Jun 2004, 15:21

hannah & puffin:

i don't really understand the habit of taking off glasses for photos either...i mainly do it for ID photos when the photographer tells me my lenses are causing a glare, which is rare. and then of course there are the snapshots where i've just gotten out of the water on the beach or something, so naturally they're off then. other than that, i always take pictures with my glasses on, as i think i look better in them. (and, like hannah, i've noticed that quite a few people agree.)

Vic 16 Jun 2004, 13:59

Holy crackers did she really tell you in those words to get out? i'd report her she cant do that! she could have said nicely you dont need glasses or something but GET OUT? lol woah

HallucinationLiz 16 Jun 2004, 10:59

Several days ago I went to an eye doctor in our district, told her i have trouble after 15 mins of reading. She checked my distance vision which is 20/15 and told me to get out! Imagine! Well today I went to a nice doctor and as a result got prescribed +0.25 glasses (I think that's weird because she told me to wear them for distance AND reading!) Anyway I'm happy - after all I got glasses!

guest 15 Jun 2004, 14:21

Hannah. How's it going, you lef t us in no doubt wearing glasses wasn't going to be an issue for you, but tell us how it's gone in the last few days.

and Chloe was nt it today you got your new prescription, how much have you worn it since and are you enjoying what you see?

Willy 15 Jun 2004, 13:51

Mandylynn -- The amount of cylinder in your prescription is more than slight and probably is the cause of the effects you've been experiencing. You say things are not as bad today, and they will probably continue to improve as you get used to the new glasses. Good luck!

Mandylynn 15 Jun 2004, 13:38

I don't know what my old prescription was since I've long since thrown it away, but I can tell you the info on my new prescription.

Okay, here's what the thing says...I'm not sure which eye is which. Bear with me as I'm new to eyewear. LOL

Spherical: -25, -50

Cylinder: -175, -125

Axis: 090, 087

PD: 61/59

I feel like the world is kind of tilted and everything that is far away seems much larger and sharper. (I know that's what it's supposed to do, but the tilting makes me feel sick.)

Yesterday I was very dizzy and nauseous...the doctor said to wear them almost constantly to get used to them. I drove with them on today and it was a little disorienting, but I haven't felt as dizzy today.

The ground still looks kind of tilted, though. Thanks for the responses so far.

Mandylynn

Curt 15 Jun 2004, 10:44

Mandylynn: Sounds to me like it may be the astigmatism part of your correction. Do things look a little too tall or too short? Or a little crooked? If you have never had astigmatism correction in your glasses before, or if it has changed significantly (more than 0.5), then you may just need to wear your glasses a little more to get used to them.

Willy 15 Jun 2004, 08:02

Mandylynn -- If you're having problems while wearing your glasses, then you should return to the opticians to make sure they made the glasses correctly and/or to the optometrist to make the sure the prescription is correct.

If you don't have problems while wearing them but only after taking them off, then you may need to wear them more often or full-time. The key here may be the astigmatism (cylinder)correction, which it sounds like you did not have before. Depending on how much cylinder there is in your prescription (how much is it?), your eyes may have a tougher time switching between wearing and not wearing the glasses. Did the optometrist tell you how often to wear them? Either way, please let us know how you get on.

Mandylynn 15 Jun 2004, 07:34

I was a junior in high school when I got my first pair of glasses and they were a very small prescription to use while reading things on chalkboards and overheads. I didn't want glasses because of the "stigma" assigned to them and then, when I was being fitted for frames, I was told that I needed kid-sized frames for my small face. I was soooo mad!

I went to college and saw that there wasn't a problem with glasses, so I wore them more often, but I had no time to go to my optomitrist.

I recently went back - I just graduated college - and recieved a stronger prescription. It's about -125 right and -150 left with astigmatism in both.

I find myself very dizzy and nauseous after wearing them. Is this normal? I haven't had a new pair in 5 years...

EmmaK 15 Jun 2004, 01:15

I got my first glasses when I was 7. I have no idea of the prescription then but am hoping to find out.

Chloe 14 Jun 2004, 22:51

Mal - I'm not thinking about it - I can't do anything about it anyway! I'm kind of looking forward to getting my glasses today and kind of not. Wearing them more or most of the time will seem a bit odd at first. Butif they make that much difference I guess I won't mind too much.

Bespectacled Professor I'll come back in a while and let you know how it went for me.

Bespectacled Professor 14 Jun 2004, 11:51

Emma K,

How long have you been wearing glasses?

EmmaK 14 Jun 2004, 08:40

Hi,

I have visited this site a couple of times now, only discovered it a few days ago.

Well its very interesting and I hope to post more soon but got lots of reading to do.

My new glasses I got a few days ago are:

R -6.50 with +0.75 astig

L -7.00 with +1.50 astig

hope i have written this correctly. I am 16 and this was a jump from -5.75 each eye a year ago.

Clare 13 Jun 2004, 22:54

Of course, I know that - I was just joking;)

Bespectacled Professor 13 Jun 2004, 21:01

Chloe,

I think you will find your new glasses make quite a difference, so much so that you may decide to wear them fulltime. That was quite a jump in 6 months.

Let us know how things go.

Bespectacled Professor 13 Jun 2004, 20:55

To Clare,

The only reason the ES posters have "told" you to wear your glasses is because we all want the best for you.

Besides, you don't impress me as someone who is going to do as she is "told," but rather comes to her own independent decisions.

Vic 13 Jun 2004, 15:05

Hey Clare they are your eyes no one can tell you how often to wear your glasses! not even the optometrist Listen to everyone around here and wear them as much as you like :D

Clare 13 Jun 2004, 14:15

NMW - so, did the optician really mean I should wear them all the time when she recommended contacts?

Whether she did or whether she didn't, the only time I've ever been 'told' to wear them all the time is here by the contributors to Eyescene *big grin*!

Carol 13 Jun 2004, 13:43

Sorry meant photographs

Carol 13 Jun 2004, 13:43

I also take my glasses of for any phogograps. Main reason because being a fairly high plus wearer, my eyes look quite large behind my lenses, and the reflective glare always seems to spoil the photo.

Ross 13 Jun 2004, 13:32

NMW, I'd had glasses for about five years when I went full time. Most years when I went for an eyetest my glasses got stronger, but the decline was fairly gradual so I never really noticed it. When I was 16 the optician said at the end of the test, you need some stronger lenses, and you really should wear your glasses all the time now. I was quite upset by this, but not really that surprised. When I picked up my new glasses I did start full time wear. That day I went to my school leaver's do and wore them to that, partly because I could tell after a few hours wear that the optician was right and I needed them and partly because I knew that if I didnt go full time straight away Id look for excuses not to. I did feel a bit awkward at first, but most of the comments I got were positive. Loads of photos were taken at the event, so people got used to the way I looked in glasses pretty quickly

Puffin 13 Jun 2004, 11:54

Angie/Hannah

I know one person who wears glasses, who really needs them to see, but invariably takes them off for photos.

And also those who are adverse to having their pictures taken for the same reason - only for passport photos and the like.

It seems like a very odd habit. If one were unfortunate enough to have say big sticky-out ears, they could hardly be removed for photos. You would not be recognizable.

Mal 13 Jun 2004, 06:58

Chloe- my that's a hike from-2 to-2.75 & -3. You'll really notice the difference- I'm -2.75 and no way could I get by with a -2 anymore. I bet after a week you'll notice the same. Does this increase - and the likelihood of another in 6 months - bother you at all?

Janey 13 Jun 2004, 05:01

VUM:

I tried contact lenses when I was at college and wore them on and off for about five or six years but I did not get on very well with them. Mainly I was too lazy to look after them properly, cleaning and the like and they caused me problems.

At one point in my late 20s I didn't wear glasses at all and mainly favoured my left eye, both for reading and also when I went out. But I found problems with this and as I got older found that I couldn't see close up with my left eye anyway. In fact, that was what prompted me to go to see an optician again when I was in my 30s.

I haven't been suggested contacts this time. Maybe I should ask my optician next time I go. Luckily, with my glasses I can see fairly well at the moment. When I take them off I feel quite dizzy, as if neither eye is working very well an they seem to work against each other.

Hannah 13 Jun 2004, 04:49

Bespectacled professor.

I do not drive, I think that if I did I would definetly have got my eyes checked sooner! Like I mentioned a lot of my friends wear glasses, they have said that I look good in them. They can't tease me because they too wear them. I have recently split up with my boyfriend who I was going out with for about 8 months.The split was nothing to do with my eyesight. He had even suggested that I check my eyes as he knew my vision was poor. He did not wear glasses himself. I still see him now and again, he has not seen me in glasses yet but I told him I have them. He seemed quite pleased but not surprised. I have been doing a lot of taking my glasses on and of to compare my eyesight, also tried on my friends glasses. I have noticed a lot of boys looking over when we do this. So I dont think that wearing glasses will stop boys liking me.

Glasses now days dont have the same stigma they used to and lots of boys whether they admit it or not find girls in glasses attractive.

Angie

That sounds like a good idea always carrying around a photo of yourself in glasses. I have a feeling from now on that all my photos will be of me in glasses. I Know some of my friends always take their glasses off for photos, but I think I will always wear mine all the time.

Very Unequal Mam 13 Jun 2004, 04:40

SORRY, groan...that last post was BY ME and TO JANEY!!!!!!

Janey 13 Jun 2004, 04:40

Forgot to ask...with the difference in your eyes, did they ever suggest contacts. I know for me, contacts were usually advised over glasses (because contacts gave me more equal image size between the 2 eyes). Supposedly when the refractive needs of the eye are more than 4??? diopters difference (not sure of the amount) contacts are supposed to be a better choice for image size consistency. When I was younger I mostly wore contacts but sometimes wore glasses just for a change.

Very Unequal Mam 13 Jun 2004, 04:36

Janey, I don't have the same minus/plus issue as you. But I have had experience with both minus and plus (but in the same eye) and the improvements over time.

At my worst (probably early 20s) I was around -8.00 in my left and -2.25 (very slight astig) in my right. Now at 43, I am -7.50 in my left and -0.75 (very slight astig) in my right...but I have a reading addition of +2.50. My accommodation is somewhat weak for my age (of 43). So bare-eyed, to read, I either have to read close up with my left or require about a +1.75 to read (can get buy with a +1.50 usually).

I usually use progressives with plano in left (+2.50 add) and the distance correction of -.75 (with a +2.50 add) in right. But if I don't need the distance correction I am sometimes bare-eyed and using readers.

I got the progressives plano in the left eye (for distance) both because of cosmetics and comfort and also because sometimes I wear a strong distance correction contact in the left eye (which gives me better distance vision in that eye).

Fortunately I found it pretty easy to get used to progressives...it only took days. It might be because I lack binocular vision and thus (in a sense) always have my own brand of peripheral distortion LOL. Also, I found the adjustment went easier if I stop obsessing about where the right area was in the lens (for clear vision) and just let my eye naturally find it :)

I am thinking of trying monovision contacts, so then I would be around -5 left and -0.75 right but I am worried that my intermediate vision needs with those might be hard to meet.

Sorry long post to ya!

Very Unequal Mam 13 Jun 2004, 04:24

also New Wearer...with my myopic correction when I was younger, I don't remember feeling the new glasses were too strong but in my 30s I really noticed the oppostite problem (overcorrection) and that was confirmed on at least 2 different eye exams. I think my eye (right eye mainly which is my stronger eye) did improve over time as opposed to being overcorrected from the beginning of the perscription.

However with my reading addition (which takes me over into the plus side on my right eye)...I did have a bump up by +0.25 after my first 2 months of wearing. In that case, I did feel as you describe, that the glasses (in that case "readers") were a bit strong at first but then became a bit weak. It was fairly noticeable. Fortunately that pattern of needing a quick bump up did not continue.

Janey 13 Jun 2004, 04:23

I too have been both hyperopic and myopic since childhood.

My first prescription when I was about 9 years old was R 1.25, L +1.50. By the age of 11, I moved to R 2.5, L +1.75. But when I reached my late teens, the hyperopic correction began to reduce significantly and my prescription at 19 was R 3.5, L +0.5.

By my late 20s, my prescription was actually R 4.75, L 0.75.

However, since my mid to late 30s things have been moving in the opposite direction again. For the last five years I have been going to see an optician at least once a year and my left correction has climbed dramatically back in the plus range, while my myopia has reduced slightly. I also suffer from presbyopia.

My latest prescription, about 6 months ago, was R 4.5 add 1.5, L +3.5 add 1.25. I am 42 years old.

I wear progressives and although it took about three months to get used to them, I have no problem now. I also have reasonable vision out of both corrected eyes.

But I do find the combination is quite unsightly. When I look in the mirror I am aware that through my glasses the right eye looks small and cut in, while the left eye looks very magnified.

My optician says to expect more change as I get older but cant tell me how much it will be or whether it will stop.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Very Unequal Mam 13 Jun 2004, 04:18

New Wearer: How do you correct for your add?? Bifocals or progressives (I am doing progressives now mostly although sometimes I just use readers-have a weak distance script)

Angie: I had a sense of my problem as a child but really never "let on", sigh. So it was always me just trying to compensate...I ended up playing infield positions in softball, hee hee

New Wearer 12 Jun 2004, 23:55

NMW, For your survey.I wasn't surprised when I was told I needed glasses.The doctor suggested Iwear them full time, as they mostly correct astigmatism. I did begin full time wear a little over a month ago. What does surprise me is how poor my uncorrected vison has become in this short time, and how dependent I now am on these glasses. I am 37 yrs. old, and this first Rx. is OD-.25( -.75@175 ),OS-.25( -.75@165 ), with an add +1.50 . Now when I take them off, everything near, and far is totally blurred.Also in this short time even my distance vison with glasses is not very sharp, after doing close work, which leads me to believe that I'll need stronger glasses in a few months.When I first got them they seemed too strong, but now may be too weak. Have others found this with new glasses?

angie 12 Jun 2004, 23:47

hannah:

it's also a good idea to have at least one form of photo ID with your glasses on...i've been hassled while traveling because i "don't look like the girl in the picture" even though the pic is just me with my glasses off. I can't believe they make that much of a difference, but it's happened more than once.

good luck with adjusting to fulltime wear. :)

unequal:

it's been ages since I've used a viewmaster, so I don't remember how they worked for me, but you're so right about the magic eye books and the softballs! as a kid, I wasn't aware that my vision was different from everyone else's...so magic eye books always drove me crazy because I couldn't figure them out. and I wish I would've known about it back then, so I could've told off all the gym teachers who yelled at me for not being able to catch. lol

Chloe 12 Jun 2004, 23:43

Hi NMW - the gist of it was wear these, youll really notice the difference. It's a jump in six months, I have to go back in six months time to see if theres been any more change. Im used to wearing glasses now but not all the time so Ill see how I go when I get them, right now Im thinking that Ill wear them when I need to. Im interested to read George 1968s comments about peoples reactions, thatll be the part I dont look forward to. I'm 24.

George1968 12 Jun 2004, 21:08

NMW,

Until about a month ago, I wore my glasses only when I absolutely had to -- such as for driving. It wasn't like I didn't need glasses -- my prescription was about -2.5. But vanity trumped common sense.

Then, during my latest eye test, I found my eyes worsened to -.3.0. I have been wearing glasses fulltime since.

I originally hated the thought of wearing glasses fulltime. After all, I had been managing just fine as a part-time wearer. Plus, everyone would make comments, etc.

Well, after a couple weeks, I found that I really like seeing clearly, and the reactions of other people were far less traumatic than I thought. I have also found that I really can't manage without my glasses -- I was only fooling myself. I should have worn my glasses fulltime years ago. I'm glad I finally came to my senses.

Hannah and Chloe,

Welcome to the world of fulltime glasses wearers.

Bespectacled Professor 12 Jun 2004, 20:04

Hannah,

Did you drive all this time without glasses?

How are people reacting to you in your glasses?

Do you have a boyfriend, and, if so, how is he reacting to the new you?

Bespectacled Professor 12 Jun 2004, 20:01

Hannah,

Did you drive all this time without glasses?

How are people reacting to you in your glasses?

Do you have a boyfriend, and, if so, how is he reacting to the new you?

Very Unequal Mam 12 Jun 2004, 17:43

Angie,

My vision is like you describe with the weaker eye being part of the picture in terms of peripheral vision (when I am using the stronger eye). I have tried closing the weak eye and comparing how things look with one eye closed and it is very different, much less of a visual field with the weaker eye closed. So there is useful vision being contributed by the weaker eye even if it is not binocular.

I am horrible at drawing but very good at photography and some other visual arts so some of what you say may very well be true.

We not only miss out on the 3D movies but also the Magic Eye books and View Master type toys :). And I was horrendous at catching fly balls in softball!

Hannah 12 Jun 2004, 17:36

Chloe.

Yes I got my glasses on Friday. I need to wear them full time. I noticed my eyes getting worse over the past year or so, I did not really want to wear glasses but I now have to. I think I will be able to get used to them.

NMW.

I was told it would be best to wear them all the time. I have so far been getting on alright with them. I finally went to get my eyes tested because I was obviously squinting a lot to focus.

It seems really strange when I look at myself in the mirror. I think that I will really get used to my glasses in about a week or so. My younger sister (Anna) who is 20 started wearing glasses when she was 16, her prescription is I think about -4. She said that it is a good idea to take some passport photos of yourself with and without glasses, so that you can adjust more easily to seing yourself in them. Glasses are a part of me now and I have to accept this.

Hannah

NMW 12 Jun 2004, 16:12

Hannah.

Were you told to wear them full time? If so, are you, and how are you getting along? What made you decide to get your eyes tested? I'm thinking that is strong for a first prescription. Did it take time for you to get used to it?

Chloe.

Were you also told to wear full time, but take them off to read? That is also a jump from just 6 months ago. How old are you? Will you wear them all the time now, or were you already?

To anyone.

Wondering, how did you feel when you were told you needed glasses full time? What did the eye specialist say to you? Did you obey and wear them all the time, or did you grow into it? Have you become dependent on them such that you cannot go without them? Were you told to wear them full time from the first prescription, or later as it went stronger? At what age? I will look forward to hearing hopefully a variety of answers to these questions. Thank you

Chloe 12 Jun 2004, 08:51

Hi Hannah, good to hear from you. This is my first post here too. I just got a prescription like yours this week - mine's -2.75 and -3. My first was six months ago and that was both -2. Have you got your glasses yet? I should have mine on Tuesday. I picked some really nice frames and ordered thinner lenses because the optician said i'd probably wear them for most things but didn't need to for close work. Perhaps we can share experiences on how it goes.

Hannah 12 Jun 2004, 06:16

Hi everyone, this is my first visit to eyescene. I am 28 years

old, 5 ft 9 with long brunette hair, I consider myself to be quite attractive. I have just been prescribed glasses, about -3 in both eyes. It was a bit of a shock but I expected it because I noticed my eyes getting bad and visited the opticians. I should really have gone earlier than I did, but just put it of until now. Some of my closest friends wear glasses so it won't be so hard to wear them myself, but because I have started wearing them at a later age than some people, it will take time to get used to seeing them on my face. I do still look attractive in them though. I will keep you posted on how I get on with my new glasses. bye

angie 11 Jun 2004, 17:39

by the way, that post was in response to Very Unequal. :)

angie 11 Jun 2004, 17:38

i also had the muscle surgery, when i was an infant.

yes, exactly...it's so odd with eye dominance. if both eyes are equal, my left (stronger) is always dominant, it's like automatic. i'm wondering, when one eye takes over for you, how do you perceive the sights from the other eye? is it blocked out altogether, does it create double vision, or does it just become like a part of your peripheral vision that's there but not focused on? for me, it creates double vision when i'm tired, otherwise it's like peripheral vision.

i also wonder what it's like to have binocular vision...and also whether my lack of it is why i'm good at drawing and photography, since i don't have to translate 3D into 2D like everyone else. even when my eyes are working together, and one is not taking over, i'm not really seeing through both eyes at once, the way everyone else does.

i guess all we really miss out on is 3D movies. :)

Very Unequal Mam 11 Jun 2004, 15:52

Yes Angie,

I also had strabismus when I was young (not that I remember) but I know I had eye muscle surgery when I was 4. I don't think I have ever had binocular vision (at least not that I can remember) either corrected and uncorrected. I remember getting eyeglasses for myopia when I was 8. Only wore them at school. As a teen I was fairly noncompliant (hated the frames my mother forced on me...why she didn't let me pick out my own, I have no idea). As an adult, I did start wearing full-time but by then I usually wore contacts. With contacts I was fully corrected. With glasses (which I did wear sometimes), most doctors disagreed on how much to correct my left eye as full correction of both (with such a major difference) just didn't seem to be comfortable.

The wierd thing for me is that over the years the weaker eye intially got worse than stabilized...but my right eye (the stronger) improved in my 30s from around -2.25 to its present -.75. No idea why, I do know that I would go to doctors in my early 30s and they would always say the right eye was overcorrected and reduce the script.

So now I can pretty much go without correction in the house (in fact I even need readers for close/intermediate work) as my reading add. is +1.75 bare-eyed or +2.50 corrected.

The other wierd thing is eye dominance. I guess because it has no astigmatism, if I wear a contact (fully correcting) my weaker left eye, it totally takes over, no matter what. So if I have the contact in, I use the left eye...if not I use the right eye.

Strange but just what I'm used to doing. :). I have to confess that I always wondered what it would be like to have binocular vision though!!

Brian-16 10 Jun 2004, 10:24

Vic-I have prism correction for both eyes.They turn in and my rx is 4d base out.The lenses are thicker at the temples (sides).In other words I see double without prism correction.

mattp 10 Jun 2004, 05:32

Vic--

I can only tell you what a prism lens is from personal experience. I am nearly 50 and wear trifocals; distance is about -4; add is about +2.50. Anyway, for the last year or so I've been having trouble reading--my left eye drifts out and I can't pull it back in to focus on the page without tremendous effort. Result--I only read through my right eye.

At last eye exam I got prescribed a 3 diopter base in prism in my left eye. The left lens is now quite a bit thicker on the nose side than the outside and also quite a bit thicker than the right lens. My left eye no longer turns out; in fact I can feel the lens pulling it in, if that makes sense. The downside is I am totally dependent on the glasses now. I've always been a fulltime wearer, but if they are off for even a second, I can't focus on anything and I get dizzy.

My guess is that the prism changes where the image enters myh eye. It took me some time to get used to it.

Matt

Val 10 Jun 2004, 01:16

Vic, here is a short presentation of prismatic lenses. http://www.zeiss.de/4125680F0053A38D/InhaltWWWIntern/9A4B64E9C449FC5F41256C6A0039D0B2

angie 10 Jun 2004, 00:01

Vic and Professor:

i'm a fulltime wearer. part of it is habit (i've been in glasses since i was three), and at this point i'm uncomfortable with the blur even in my strong eye. but also, where someone with a scrip of -1.50 in both eyes could get by on part-time wear, i need them for my weaker eye...both to correct my vision, and also because i have strabismus. if i go without glasses, my stronger eye takes over, and the weaker eye turns outward. plus, i love my frames! lol.

Unequal:

perhaps our uneven scrips have something to do with lack of binocularism (since i have strabismus). i very rarely have binocular vision, and i never have it when uncorrected. since i was very little when i was diagnosed, i've only recently been learning about this condition, and apparently when you use one eye at a time the other "shuts off" and its vision deteriorates because it's not being used. i guess that's what happened to my weaker eye.

i've actually had an interesting experience lately...since my prescription has changed so much in my stronger eye and held steady in the weaker one, with my glasses on my weaker eye was actually clearer...so i was favoring my weaker eye for the first time in my life. it's made it so my eyes work much better together with glasses on...i only hope they don't decompensate once i get the new prescription and my stronger eye is just fine again.

GradStudent29 09 Jun 2004, 18:13

Just got back from yearly eye exam

OD -6.25 -3.25 005

OS -6.75 -4.00 168

Thankfully no change from last time. Good to hear for a grad student working on Ph.d :)

Vic 09 Jun 2004, 15:41

Can someone explain to me what prims look like and what exactly they do? :D

Yuen-Ming 09 Jun 2004, 07:46

Hello Eye Scene friends,

Now, three years after I had laser surgery for my severe myopia (I still need glasses for distance), I started have problems with double vision -- that's right -- you guess it . . . prisms. So I go from -32 to better eyesight to now needing glasses with prism. I'm not complaining -- thank goodness I can see at all, but these new glasses are a bitch to get used to. My hubby Roberto actually likes my new lenses.

How are you all doing?

Very Unequal Mam 09 Jun 2004, 04:41

Vic and Angie,

I am even more unequal...I am around -7.50 in left eye and -0.75 in right (with a +2.50 add to boot). I don't use both eyes together (lack binocular vision) but both eyes are correctible to the 20/20 20/25 range. Right eye only has a little astigmatism (and actually corrrects less well than the weaker left eye). Strange situation but gives me lots of options LOL

Vic 08 Jun 2004, 23:09

That is a pretty big difference in prescription! wow :D

Bespectacled Professor 08 Jun 2004, 16:54

Angie,

How often do you wear your glasses, given that only one eye is bad?

angie 08 Jun 2004, 16:06

well...i finally have something to post to this thread! my scrip is -4.25 in the right (held steady) and -1.50 in the left (way up from last year's -0.75). its also followed by a squiggle that could be an R or a Z or a 2...anybody have a clue what this might be?

Vic 05 Jun 2004, 02:41

Haha yeah guess I could do that ;p good to hear from you Jules havent seen many of the regs posting lately feel like im talking to mahself hehe

Julian 05 Jun 2004, 01:22

Vic, that seems to me like a bit of a non-problem. With a low Rx like yours, why not just take them off for gym?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Vic 04 Jun 2004, 15:59

i'm having a problem at gym where i get sweat under my glasses and they just wanna slide down im not wearing a strap though lol

Johnny 04 Jun 2004, 14:27

When I played football in high school, I wore sports glasses that worked well. Even with a helmet on and hot days the glasses stayed fog free. Rain seemed to be a problem when mud and water was flying into my face and getting my glasses full of it. My eyesight is bad and playing without glasses was not an option. I did have oponents on the other teams look twice when they noticed the glasses behind the face mask and helmet. Some comments were shouted across the scrimage line at me. It only got me to play harder. I never let wearing glasses hold me back.

Fritz 04 Jun 2004, 07:59

Marcel,

I belong to an athletic/social club in San Francisco and many of the club's sportsmen wear sport glasses that can take quite a direct impact and are held in place with a strap. They look just fine and allow for pretty much unfettered play, especially if contacts aren't an option.

You mentioned that you think you might need a new and stronger prescription. Have you been having troubles with your present one? It isn't unusual for prescription increases through one's early twenties, although I'm sure you are somewhat surprised that you have progressed from essentially 20/20 vision several years ago to being glasses dependent today. It isn't unusual, although your family's reaction is. I'll bet you look quite smart in glasses. Keep us posted.

Vic 04 Jun 2004, 01:19

Marcel I can't help you with your lenses problem but all I can say is that to keep your chin up and know that the glasses are helping your eyes and that if your family make fun of that then its wrong well I think anyway :D i know it must be really hard for you and all I can say is peservere and hopefully they will get over it

Marcel 04 Jun 2004, 00:24

Hi Nick, Julian, Fritz, Taro and others

My problem is that I have troubles playing football without correction

Any advice - I have tried several lenses but it didn't work because I'm very allergic and got serious troubles. What can I do?

Julian, my grandfather drives a car and says he has eagle eyes. None of my family wears glasses and my brother made a silly joke and roared with laughter: Perhaps our fathers are different and this is the reason why you are so blind.

I couldn't laugh.

Fritz, my mother wouldn't go to the eye doctor. No way!

Taro, I can read without glasses but I usually wear glasses when I'm reading.

Nick, where are you? I would like to hear from you.

I'm a bit afraid to go to the eye doctor because I guess my myopia has progressed very much . Maybe I'm in the same range like Nick now. I guess I'll have to go in the next weeks.

I tried the glasses of a friend of mine and was amazed how sharp I could see. I was kind of shocked because he has - 3,5 in both eyes. Is this usual that your myopia progess so much within a year from -1,75 to -3,50?

Although I have no problems being a fulltime glasses wearer I was kind of shocked.

Vic 03 Jun 2004, 14:52

Good on ya Jade wear your glasses proudly :)

Jade 03 Jun 2004, 14:26

hi everyone

have been wearing my glasses almost constantly. I take them off for reading and me and my mum decided I didn't have to wear them for parties and things like that. When I went to a party the other day everyone was suprised that I wasn't wearing my glasses! And I had only worn them for a week! But I could definitely see OK at the party and it wasn't really a problem. My mum said if I was responsible with glasses she would see about me getting contact lenses in about a year, which would be great. Even though I like the way my glasses look it would be nice to be able to wear contact lenses.

So everything is going well for me with glasses.

Jade

DelDoc 02 Jun 2004, 14:59

Guest in Ohio--

Uncorrected distance acuity with a correction such as yours would be close to 20/40, but no worse than 20/50.

Electra 02 Jun 2004, 06:52

Guest in Ohio: You can't really convert that to the 20/? scale. Do these tests (without your glasses) to find out your 20/? reading:

http://www.geocities.com/electra_the_migfetish_lady/howaboutyou.html

Guest 01 Jun 2004, 23:50

Guest in Ohio, pbobably close to 20/80, or as high as 20/100.

Guest in Ohio 01 Jun 2004, 18:50

Hey everyone...question...if I have my eyeglasses prescription, how can I convert that into the conventional 20/20, etc scale? I have -.75, -.25 Axis=94. Am I 20/30? 20/50? What? Just wondering. Thanks!

Fritz 01 Jun 2004, 16:49

Marcel,

Sorry to hear that your mother is still being such a pain in the neck over something as minor as a pair of eyeglasses. If you're still dating the same girl you mentioned in earlier posts I recall your saying that she thought you were a hottie with your glasses on. So, as long as your glasses float her boat ... Let us know what happens when you go to the optometrist. Perhaps you should bring your mother along so the eye doctor can replicate your unaided vision with a trial set of glasses for her to wear. I'm sure she would be quite surprised at your visual acuity, especially if your myopia has progressed much over -2.00. Bon chance.

Julian 01 Jun 2004, 06:10

Hi Marcel. As I must have said many times before, I find the attitude of your mother and the rest of your family beyond belief, and unworthy of serious consideration. I'm glad you stick to your guns - keep up the good work! As for your grandfather, if at 69 he can read without glasses I wonder if without knowing it he is as short sighted as you are. Does he drive a car?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Taro 01 Jun 2004, 02:37

I'm sorry not Nick! I want saying to Marcel.

Taro 01 Jun 2004, 02:35

Hi Nick! I always enjoy to read your post and let me say some comment. I have feeling that you were stubborn for glasses, yes your familiy was also stubborn for wearing them because you told us they never accept that you have to wear glasses but you also too depend on glasses, I think you save to wear them and only use wathch distance because -1.75, you can see still close like reading book. but you didn't, you begun to wear them full time since -1.75 so it's your fall even your RX is incressing. Any way, how was felling when you know your new RX?

Marcel 01 Jun 2004, 01:09

Hi Nick, Julian, Fritz and others

My problem is that I have troubles playing football without correction.

Nick how do you do this now with -3,25?

Any advice - I have tried several lenses but it didn't work because I'm very allergic and got serious troubles.

Especially my mother still hates me in glasses.

None of my family wear glasses - my mother and father don't have readers even they are in their forties and I thought it's usual you need them when you are this age. My grandfather who is 69 says he don't need glasses.

So you can imagine that I'm kind of an outcast in this family.

Tod 31 May 2004, 12:32

http://www.alainafflelou.com/uk/vision/home.htm

Vic 30 May 2004, 16:02

Sheila your lucky no astigmatism to correct? :)

magic 30 May 2004, 14:12

You could get two pair and take them apart and switch the lenses to create a "custom" pair. But: you'd have to get the kind that has screws that let you do this - which are more expensive in the first place.

You could get a fairly inexpensive pair made up in your prescription from 39dollareyeglasses or from the site advertised at the top of this page.

Or, go to the drugstore and try on the +1s, the +1.25s, and the +1.5s and pick whichever works best. It's not uncommon to self-prescribe reading glasses - and harmless so long as you're getting an eye exam occasionally to check for other eye-health issues like Glaucoma and diabetes and blood pressure issues.)

Sheila 30 May 2004, 13:24

Just a quickie. My optician says I need reading glasses of R+1.50, L+1.00. To save money, if I buy some ready readers in the chemist, will they do, seeing as my two eyes are different? Should I get the lower, the higher or inbetween power? Thanks!

Vic 29 May 2004, 18:27

I have an astigmatism of +0.25 and they corrected it I think its worth it go get a second opinion

Richard 29 May 2004, 17:20

Hi all;

I just wanted to open a question to the forum - this is about astigmatisms. Is it common for an astigmatism to be detected, yet, for the doctor to say that its so low that its not worth correcting? Has anyone else experienced this? Is this a common practice - even if its in 1 eye like in my case? The doctor indicated that including it in my Rx could cause more problems then it fixes - any idea what he meant....I neglected to ask at the time

Thanks

Electra 29 May 2004, 05:05

Guest, yeah really, the things I do to keep you guys happy!

D-W-V 28 May 2004, 23:29

I'm sitting 60 inches from the screen. Yes, five feet, so I use the distance portion of my bifocals. Why 5 feet? Because the monitor is a 27" TV with the SVideo output from my HTPC.

NeeDGWG 28 May 2004, 22:21

Hi...All,

I have removed all the things from my previous location.

So here is my new location.

http://forums.ngwg.biz

I hope you would enjoy it.

Thanks

NeedGWG

Vic 28 May 2004, 15:53

Dang I missed you Guest you should send me an email when ur there ;p hopefully I'm online hehe

Vic 28 May 2004, 15:07

I'm in chat nowww :P

Vic 28 May 2004, 15:06

Nope I'd LOVE to be an optometrist I have always wanted to be but I am hopeless at anything involved with chemistry physics all that stuff and maths is definitely out. Also wanted tobe a physiotherapist I'm doing Psychology thats enough for me ;p

Guest 28 May 2004, 14:57

Vic, What are you going to do with all this edjamacation?Have you considered Optometry?

Vic 28 May 2004, 14:48

Oh wow now I know what a phropetor is they did use one on me ;p

Guest 28 May 2004, 14:12

YIPEE! Electra will soon be a GWG!

JohnS 28 May 2004, 12:09

Electra,

I have 2 computers. One has a 19" flat screen, the other is a 15" older one. The 19" is on a one those stand up desk with lots of compartments. The 15" is on a desk next to my sofa. I just sit on the sofa, look to the right and it is next to the arm of the sofa.

Of course, the dog has made her home in that spot, so she has to move when ever I am using the small monitor...

John

Electra 28 May 2004, 10:48

Absolutely Ted, you bet your bottom dollar I played with those and others, and yes, it's a quick solution. But I have to ask myself, does a sane person (influenced no doubt by being a glasses fetishist in the first place) use glasses just to be able to continue a bad habit? That's a "hmm" isn't it?

Ted 28 May 2004, 07:39

response to Electra's question. with +1.5 I am about 22"-24" away from the screen and around 18" away from the keyboard. Electra have you tried the +1's you got awhile back and if so what is the vision like, while working on the computer?

DeLurker 28 May 2004, 07:32

I do know what you mean. I had gotten into the habit (for years and years of computer-use) because I also tended to use computer keyboards without pull out shelves. Then even when I got pull out shelves, I didn't really change my "distance from computer" purely out of habit.

I also do a lot of computer graphics work and sometimes would get close for detail work.

With presbyopia, I decided to make a conscious decision to work further away and it is now becoming more of my norm. But its definitely the presbyopia driving the change, I'm sure if it wasn't for that, I would be using the computer at a closer distance irrespective of furniture.

It sounds like you could really use a pull-out shelf?? I think that would make more of a difference (as long as you allowed it to) than changing seating position unless I am missing something.

Electra 28 May 2004, 07:23

Well I've only just noticed the beginnings of presbyopia on myself, and in fact if it wasn't for my 6" reading habit, I'd probably not have noticed it at all. But this all relates to furniture! It's easier at work as I have the keyboard on a pull-out tray, but at home I use a normal table as a desk. It's 30" deep and the monitor is 18" deep. That means the furthest the screen is from the front edge of the table, even with the monitor pushed to the wall, is 12". At my natural comfort distance of 6" from the screen, I'm too close now (yes boys). But even sitting back I'm only 12". Therefore I deduce that my problem is my sitting position!

DeLurker 28 May 2004, 07:00

Forgot to add that with my progressives, I tend to work also at 20-22 inches for the computer. But the great thing about progressives is that the eyes are able to find the sweet spot for whatever distance I end up being at...(hence the flexibility).

DeLurker 28 May 2004, 06:57

I have lurked here on occasion but decided I'd answer Electra's question.

Bare-eyed (which I am at the moment)...I am at 22 inches. That is a decently comfortable distance for me but I do get eyestrain on occasion. I normally wear either progressives (plano on top with a +1.75 add at home).

I tested with both my +1.00 reading glasses and +1.25 ones (which I tended to use for the computer before I got progressives) and I was at 20 inches and 16 inches from monitor with those.

Prior to becoming presbyobic (I am 43 1/2), I tended to use the computer closer out of habit but presbyopia has gradually weaned me from that.

I have to add that I thought the progressives would NOT be good for the computer (bought them mainly because of eye strain at home (I'm a stay-at-home mom) while flipping back and forth with arms length tasks at home). I figured I'd use the single-vision ones more for intensive computer work. But as I've gotten more used to progressives, I have been surprised to find out they work well for me at the computer. They are great for providing flexible vision while using the computer. :)

Eyeseeit 28 May 2004, 06:27

23-26 inches using progressives with a +2.25 add

The distance of 23-26 inches depends on the position of my chair (eg., am I sitting back in the chair or am I balancing on the edge of the chair)

Electra 28 May 2004, 06:12

Ok, already I've got what I wanted! How do you have this set-up? What style desk etc? Do you have the new flat monitors? How do you achieve these great distances?

JohnS 28 May 2004, 06:09

28" with +2.25

mattp 28 May 2004, 06:06

distance to monitor--20 inches

I'm looking through the middle of my trifocals; I cannot read the screen through either the top (distance) or bottom (reading) of my glasses.

Electra 28 May 2004, 05:47

OK, survery time. How far away from your eyes is your monitor. Let's have everyone answer, come on, come on!

Brian-16 28 May 2004, 04:35

STRANGER-You might want to see your doctor and ask about computer glasses.Don't know if this would help, but in my case I am very nearsighted and have bi-focals which I always use when viewing the computer monitor.

NeedGWG 28 May 2004, 03:23

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Vic 28 May 2004, 01:33

Finally a post I can answer yay! I'm learning I'm learning LOL To answer you Stranger:

1) Yes your near sightedness will get worse (I think) but it should taper off soon

2) Wearing glasses will not make it worse and clearer vision is worth it!

Plus if you are using the computer you'd be better off with a + RX for the computer

Ok how did I go guys LOL

Stranger 28 May 2004, 01:23

Hello All!

I've got my first prescription a few years ago, it was -0.5 and Plano. My doctor said I needed to wear glasses part-time. But I wasn't too unhappy about my vision, so I didn't wear them. My current prescription is -0.75 and -0.5. It's a bit worse now, I really have some distance vision problems, but living completely without glasses is still not a huge problem. The main problem actually is that I work with computer ~6 hours a day and my eyes get very tired. So, I have two questions:

1. I'm 19 y.o. now. Is nearsightedness likely to progress in my age?

2. What do you think, should I start wearing glasses now or I'd better leave everything as it is?

Vic 28 May 2004, 00:14

I will ask definitely but I've found things are getting much better with my glasses....my depth perception is perfect now and no headaches and everything is really clear...I think the problem was that I hadn't been wearing my glasses much through the holidays and all of a sudden bam I was wearing them nearly all the time so I guess it was like my eyes taking time to readjust again...but I will see what spans out on Monday

Guest 27 May 2004, 23:58

Vic, While your there , strike up a conversation about your vison/ glasses , and take your glasses with you in case they will give you a free quick check.

Vic 27 May 2004, 23:40

I'm going with my grandma to her eyetest on Monday she's going to a different place so I want to see if they use an autorefractor on her lol just wanted to say ;p

Julian 27 May 2004, 22:36

I think the genetic tendency is what prevails. Like some other people here I was a bookish child and did all the things that (they say) cause myopia. At 18 I complained of headaches when reading and had an eye test; my Rx was (and is) low plus with cylinder.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Yugo 27 May 2004, 20:38

What if a person is bookish as a child but has a genetic tendency toward hyperopia? Couldn't this person then perhaps end up with "normal" vision, partially BECAUSE of the tendency for all that reading/close work to move one more toward myopia?

I was an extremely bookish child, who was told at various points that I was somewhat farsighted - but not enough to need glasses. At about age 20 (height of my bookworm years) I was experiencing some slight blurry vision and was told that I was a little bit nearsighted - but not enough to need glasses. In my mid 30s I was experiencing blurry vision again and this time was told that I was astigmatic and hyperopic and that I was losing my ability to accomodate as strongly as I had been doing - so then I finally got glasses.

I always suspected that all that reading is what kept my vision more or less "normal" when I was younger.

Vic 27 May 2004, 20:24

Yeah wear them as much as you can...clear vision rocks xcept when you get finger prints on ur glasses I do that a lot hehe

27 May 2004, 16:17

Jade,

Please feel comfortable wearing your glasses all the time. If your eyes are going to need stronger prescriptions it's going to happen whether you're wearing them all the time or not. You've already plainly stated that you take them off to read, which is the correct thing to do; studies have shown that if children with high and rapidly progressing myopia get bifocals (thereby decreasing the amount of distance correction for them when they read) their distance prescription does not increase as much as it might have. It's not to say that it was increasing because of wearing glasses all the time, but rather wearing stronger distance glasses for reading. No matter, wearing glasses helps you to see clearly and comfortably NOW. Prescriptions, especially myopic ones, increase naturally with time, and when they do, you enjoy the difference the new glasses make immediately. My personal experience was kinda different than what you're worrying about now. I did not wear my glasses as I was told to, instead struggled and scrunched up my eyes all the time and was told at every visit that my prescription was going up naturally and maybe because my eyes have to work so hard all the time. Yes it is easy to fall into the crisp clear vision you get with glasses, but isn't that the idea in the first place? Wear them all the time, wear them proudly and happily, and look forward to when you can be excited about seeing clearer with new prescriptions. It is such a great feeling.

Jade 27 May 2004, 16:04

Now I am really confused. After people encouraging me to wear my glasses all the time I have and now others are saying I shouldn't as it will make my eyes worse. Who is right? And should I only wear my glasses for distance? Or not at all? My parents are really pleased I have been wearing them all the time and say I should definitely carry on when I told them I might just wear them for distance. They said that wasn't an option because the optician said wear full time and he knows best.

Alan 27 May 2004, 12:05

Electra -- I really don't understand...do people really not respond when you point out that you're not nearsighted despite tons of close work over the decades? OK, here's a response:

Wayne writes "Taking into account genetics in this research means that some people will get worse no matter what, and some will stay stable, and in some it will be encouraged to worsen with corrective lenses. "

He doesn't specifically address your case, but your case does appear to fit within his framework.

You say that your experience, and the fact that IM people appear to struggle for 2-3D of myopia, shows that "nature" plays a stronger role than "nurture" (in general, for everyone). But I don't see that conclusion making sense. First off, from people I've seen, about 80% of people in the US who were bookish as children and adolescents are nearsighted. I can't really tell what the odds are of being nearsighted when not doing a lot of near-work as a child, but I know they are a LOT lower than 80%...somewhere between 2% and, let's say, 25% (hugely overestimated I'd guess, but perhaps somehow conceivable). Does the fact that you are among the 10-20% of the population that really isn't susceptible to nearsightedness indicate that environment/nurture doesn't play a strong role? It really seems like you over-weight your own experience in evaluating this.

As for it being a struggle to induce 2-3 Diopter of myopia...I'm really not sure we have a lot of evidence about this. Say we took an a person with "average" genes as far as becoming myopic goes -- this is someone who, if they're fairly scholastic and go to school through a somewhat challenging college might end up with -2.5 or so of myopia without any attempt to become nearsighted. But instead of "normal" glasses prescription, we give this person -1 glasses at age 5 and increase the prescription at a rate of -1 per year through his 20th birthday (if he can tolerate it; less increase if he can't). How much "real" myopia would he end up with as an adult? I really don't know, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it were -8, -10, even -15.

A different person, with different genes, might find instead that their eyes never adjust to the glasses and they never become nearsighted at all, despite this kind of very aggressive attempt to induce myopia.

Supposing both cases happened (of course, having not actually observed either one), which factor is "stronger" - genetics or environment? I don't know, but it seems like a big leap to trivialize the environment side.

Electra 27 May 2004, 10:27

Guido it becomes a Schroedinger's cat theorem in the end, all about what MIGHT have happened IF.....but how do you know.....

Guido 27 May 2004, 10:11

Amen Phoropter, I first got glasses age 11, refused to wear until age 13, and during that time went from -1.75 to -3.75. Obviously, in the line of thinking presented, I should have progressed to -5.75 if I'd worn the darn glasses. Guess I should be thankful, right?

Electra 27 May 2004, 10:03

Good to see you phoropter.

Those folk who do suffer the quickly increasing myopia seen in teenagers are quite understandably worried about it, and I think when we worry about our health we want to "blame" someone or something. We need a "cause" to pin it on to feel better. It's so easy to blame the poor eye doctor, when simple genetics are a more obvious reason.

Phoropter 27 May 2004, 09:47

Wayne, where is this "research that indicates that wearing glasses for myopia (shortsightedness) encourages distance vision to get worse faster"? As an Optometrist, I've had patients with low myopia who I have not treated with glasses and monitored them. Nearly 100% of them 1 year later are more near-sighted, some signicantly moreso. I think that in reality, most of those young people who start out near-sighted continue to get more near-sighted regardless of whether they are corrected or not.

Electra 27 May 2004, 08:10

Wayne, there's a bit more to it than that, and everytime I talk about my own experience to the "close work causes myopia" folk I don't get a response, so let's try you. I hit 42 soon. I'm a bookgeek and an artist by profession. At work I sit 6" from a computer screen every day, all day, and have done this for about ten years. Prior to that I was always leaning over my drawing table. I learned to read very young, at my grandfather's knee, and was on chapter books in Kindergarten. I have a very bad habit of reading at 6" and have done this for 40 years. Despite that and any effect my fetish for men in glasses should have had psychologically, I've had perfect vision my whole life. The only explanation for this is genetics. Which suggests to me that nature is stronger than nurture. You only have to consider the great efforts that the IM folk go through to achieve maybe 2 or 3 D of myopia to give you an idea how tough it is to do, unless there's a pre-disposition to it, think about it.

gemma 27 May 2004, 05:51

Guido,

my boyfriend is not at all keen for me to wear glasses, he doesn't really like glasses and when I told him I had an rx, he said 'But you're not going to get glasses right, you don't have any trouble seeing?'. So basically, I don't really "need" these glasses?

Thanks for your opinion.

Guido 27 May 2004, 05:42

Gemma:

Only one reason to fill a prescription that mild, that would be to look exceptionally hot to people attracted to the bespectacled.

gemma 27 May 2004, 05:36

Is there any point in getting glasses made up which have an rx of -0.25? Am asking because I was given this rx by an eyedoctor who told me to have it filled, don't really see the point as I have absolutely no problems with vision whatsoever. Only had my eyes checked in the first place because I hadn't had them checked for years. He told me they would help for driving, but I have no problems no and had no difficulty passing the test for my license.

Can somebody give me some advice please, has anyone got (or started) at this rx, and did you get glasses, if you did, do you wear them?

Vic 26 May 2004, 20:58

I wonder if that could work in the opposite effect ie wearing glasses for far sightedness for distance could make you more hyperopic oooo spooky

Wayne_D 26 May 2004, 16:32

Jade,

I just read through your posts. There is research that indicates that wearing glasses for myopia (shortsightedness) encourages distance vision to get worse faster. Taking into account genetics in this research means that some people will get worse no matter what, and some will stay stable, and in some it will be encouraged to worsen with corrective lenses. Reading with distance lenses is even more damaging, as is reading with the print too close, as this may cause the eye to adapt to closer conditions, and be poorer for distance. Humans have natural adaptive mechanisms for their activities and reading and distance vision are included in this. So the worse thing would be to read too close and have your glasses on. Thinking along these lines, it might be possible to delay the decline of distance vision or even improve it by using mild reading glasses when reading, like the ones you can buy in stores. For more info see the posts by Dr. S. and Trial Lens in the Induced Myopia postings. One last comment, when I was in high school a friend of mine's father was an optometrist. He commented that many of his colleagues told their patients to wear their glasses fulltime because they knew it would encourage them to need more prescription changes sooner (which meant they could make more money that way). Maybe this was why the optician was telling you to wear yours all the time.

Jade 26 May 2004, 14:15

thanks for all the support and advice. At the drama group some people didn't even comment on my glasses! I don't know if they didn't notice or just didn't want to say anything. Only one person asked to try them on and she could see quite well with them but I have seen her with glasses before.

Thanks again

Jade

Bespectacled Professor 26 May 2004, 09:28

Jade,

Glad to hear that your transition to wearing glasses fulltime has gone so smoothly. I am sure that your drama group will react just as everyone else has.

Things seem more blurry without your glasses because you get so used to clear vision with them on that the blur is more bothersome. That's normal and expected.

See, wearing them fulltime wasn't that hard, now was it?

Jade 26 May 2004, 08:47

Hello all

I have now worn my glasses for 5 full days, 3 of them at school. They have been fine. No one really comments anymore. Tonight I have to go to my drama group though and no one there has seen me wear glasses so I'm a little bit nervous about that in case people say anything. Hopefully it will be OK though because so far I haven't had any really negative comments.

When I take off my glasses now it seems more blurry than before. But I read some posts on here and I think that is normal? Have not been wearing them for reading as it feels more relaxed with out them to read books and do schoolwork.

Jade

Brian-16 26 May 2004, 08:20

Rick V -Ok on your rx.Well I have one more year of high school before college.

Your rx is about half of mine and you are corrected better than I.Last fall I got my first bi-focal (flat top 35).I go for another exam soon.May get the larger (executive bi-focal).I will no doubt need more correction both near an far.One time a couple of years ago when I went too long between exams,my vision with the glasses had dropped to 20/50..I am still waiting for my eyes to stabilize....

Rick V 26 May 2004, 07:36

To Brian S.

I'm currently

R: -5.25

20/15 corrected. (As of Mar. 2004)

L: -6.25

20/15 corrected.

I should be (Knock on wood) ok ; just a little freaked about the Rx change - I thought by 23 most eyes have stabilized. I'm now 25 (a -0.5 (L) and a -0.25 change(R) in two years) Hopefully, this is the last Rx change - I'm now taking precautions like resting my eyes when reading, focusing on distant objects, and not using my computer as much. Lucky, I'm done university so I don't have to kill my eyes doing math as much.

:-)

To drive my bus (Ambulance) I need:

20/30 best eye (Corrected), 20/50 worst eye (Corrected) - So I have some wiggle room.

Thanks.

Brian-16 26 May 2004, 05:48

Rick V-I would say for the most part you should be able to get 20/30.Do you know what your vision level is now? I am over -10 in both eyes and have 20/20 in my better eye and 20/25 in my weak eye.Check to see if there is a limit on the amount of correction they will allow to drive the bus..Hope that is encouraging for you.....

JohnS 25 May 2004, 22:09

I have seen people post here that have correction from -10 to -15, some are fully correctable, some are not, each situation is different.

The concern you have about your vision getting worse, one thing you could try is, asking your eye doctor for a reading rx (1.00 - 1.50 weaker than your current rx). In SOME cases in can slow the myopia progression. The kicker is, there isn't a good way to find out if it will help you. If nothing else, it will take the strain off your eyes when doing close up work.

A few people have said here, that when the rx reaches about a -10, a reading rx is recommended. I would discuss your concerns with your doctor.

John

Rick V 25 May 2004, 21:53

tortoise and John S.

Thanks for the words of encouragement - and helping me put things in perspective. Even though I've had glasses since 8 or 9, I just hate to be this dependent upon a device in order to function. Also, as a trainee paramedic, I sometimes worry about a patient in fear, or pain, accidentially breaking my glasses - kinda why I always carry a spare - but it scares me sometimes.

Another quick question, to those with the higher Rx -

Can you still be corrected to 20/20 even with a -8, -9, -10 etc Rx? Or, is there a limit, i.e after -7 the best you can get is 20/30? The reason I ask is that I need at least 20/30 corrected to drive my bus.

Thanks.

JJ 25 May 2004, 21:35

RX OD -5.00 +0.75 x 175

OS -5.00 +2.00 x 20

I have been to the eye doc many times in an attempt to get the correct contact lenses. OS is toric lense -3.00 -1.75 x 110 OD was acuvue 2 -4.25 and I could not read the street signs (unless I was very close) I was given an A2 -4.00 which was worse then fitted with a toric -4.00 -0.75 x 90 and now my vision is great in the right eye. Do you think I was being under corrected and maybe should have had a -4.5 or even 4.75 Acuvue2 for the right eye?

JohnS 25 May 2004, 18:46

Rick, I would not say you are a extreme myopic. Maybe if you were a -10 or -12. I think you have to be that high before you have a better chance of detachment.

As far as a rx change, that isn't much of a change. I would think since you are 25, you probably won't see much more than a 2 or 2.5 change before it levels off in your 40's.

John

tortoise 25 May 2004, 18:34

Hi Rick V, I think you should relax about your vision. Your myopia is in no way "extreme". There are contributors here whose myopia is over -20 who have had no detached retina and are not going blind.

I suggest you read back in some of the threads in this forum to get a more realistic idea about your vision. Don't worry, you are ok.

Rick V 25 May 2004, 18:21

Hi everyone.

I was surfing the net, trying to find some more info. on myopia and discovered this board - perhaps you could answer my questions.

1.) Typically, when does myopic progression stop? I'm 25, and my Rx just changed slightly - from about 2 years ago. Now, I'm extremely myopic: (-0.5 change in L, less than -0.25 in R from age 23)

R: -5.25 , L: -6.25

and I'm starting to get worried. Will this progression ever stop, will I go blind?

I'm correctable to 20/15 with contacts.

2.) I'm also scared because all the literature I read says I'm at greater odds for retinal detachment - is this common?

3.) The fact that my Rx keeps changing, does this mean I have pathological myopia - ie degenerative myopia? My doc says my retina's look fine, and he's never mentioned it.

Thanks.

Bespectacled Professor 25 May 2004, 15:50

Jade,

So, how did things go today? Have you adjusted to wearing your glasses fulltime (except for reading)?

Jack 25 May 2004, 12:51

4eyes, I've tried to explain your numbers, check the lowvision page

But I'll admit, it wasn't easy!!

Best Wishes

Jack

4eyes 24 May 2004, 17:21

Hi...

I am almost 16 years old, marked strabismus with nystagmus depending the direction I´m looking, I mean when trying to look the right or to left side, to add to my lousy sight.

My actual presc. reads like this:

OD. Esf +24,50 Cil -1,75 Eixo 180º prisma 14º Bs Ext.

OE. Esf +24,75 Cil -2,00 Eixo 20º prisma 14º Bs Ext. I don´t understand much of those line or numbers, but my Opht says mine´s one of the must interesting case he´d ever seen. But he can´t fix it... So what?

Can anybody explain those numbers to me? Please

Bespectacled Professor 24 May 2004, 17:03

Jade,

You have made a wise decision.

Let us know how things are going. Like A Guest says, there are people on the list who struggle with the decision to go to fulltime wear, and just need some encouragement. I'll bet you will be real happy with wearing your glasses all the time.

Jade 24 May 2004, 14:29

After wearing my glasses for a couple of days, its true, my eyes do feel nice. They seem quite relaxed compared to before. I think that maybe it would be best for me to wear them all the time. definitely at school anyway because theres a lot of distance work there. When I get home I watch TV and work anyway, I need glasses for the TV but I take them off for reading, I read here you're supposed to do that and the book is really clear without glasses anyway. So I would have to wear them all day excpet for 2 hour anyway. So maybe I have accepted a bit more to wear them full time except for the reading.

Thanks for all the advise and opinions it has been very helpful

from Jade

Bespectacled Professor 24 May 2004, 13:01

A Guest,

Isn't it also true that after you got your first prescription at Jade's age, that your eyes got worse over a period of time?

A Guest 24 May 2004, 12:48

Jade,

I've been posting on the Psychology of Glasses thread for a little while, sharing the trials and tribulations of going to full time glasses wear. I was just a little younger than you when I first got glasses, and even though I was told to wear them all the time, I didn't. For years. I'd put them on and take them off a million times a day. I have recently been getting used to wearing them full time and now I wish I had just done it back then. The differences are incredible; no straining or squinting. You probably don't even think that you strain, but you'll notice such a difference with your glasses on (how much more relaxed your eyes are) that you'll come to notice how much you have to work hard when they're off.

As a long time reluctant glasses wearer, I'd say that if you have glasses that you like, and they help to make your life a little more comfortable and relaxed, by all means go full time. If what others have said here is true, that you'll wind up 'needing' them in a year or so, don't hesitate to start full time now. When I look back on it, I wish I had. Other than some red spots on my nose where my glasses rest, and new sore spots on my ears from getting used to having something resting there all the time, I don't think I'd be able to go without them now, nor would I want to.

Bespectacled Professor 24 May 2004, 12:10

Jade,

It won't hurt your eyes either way -- wearing them or not wearing them. Telling people that not wearing their glasses will hurt their eyes is just a way to get them to wear them.

What happens is that your eyeball is a little longer than most people, so the focus is not quite right. That has nothing to do with wearing glasses. The glasses just makes the focus correct. And, squinting won't make your eyes worse -- it may look stupid, and cause wrinkles and headches -- but it won't make your eyes worse.

On the other hand, your prescription is in the range where some people do wear them all the time. As I explained before, this year you can CHOOSE when to wear them. Probably next year, and certainly the year after that, your eyes will have worsened to wear you HAVE to wear them all the time. So, it's not a matter of IF you are going to have to wear glasses fulltime, but WHEN. Given that you have worn them to a family barbeque, and now to school, and everyone has seen you with them on, the hard part is over. Isn't the clear vision worth it?

Jade 24 May 2004, 11:35

I wore my glasses to school today. At first everyone was asking about them, most people liked them and several people asked to try them on.

My form teacher asked me if I had to wear them all the time and i said I was told to but don't know if I am going to yet. Then she said she wore contact lenses all the time and I should wear them all the time because she always has and its better for your eyes.

So now I'm confused- what is better for my eyes (will stop them getting worse)- wearing my glasses all the time or just for distance?

I have taken my glasses off now I'm home from school because I don't want to be relying on them for just sitting at my desk working. It doesn't make much difference for reading anyway.

Jade

Fritz 24 May 2004, 08:15

Marcel,

Nice to hear from you once again. You're already a full-time glasses wearer so an increase shouldn't be all that troublesome nor should your lenses look all that different. Let us know how your exam goes. I seem to recall that your girlfriend's prescription was -3. You should try hers on and see if they're about right for you.

Julian 24 May 2004, 03:38

Marcel: Nick's increase is significant rather than huge - I seem to remember warning you way back that another year might bring another dioptre. Your mother can't be any more stupid about a stronger Rx than she is about your -1.75, so why worry?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Marcel 24 May 2004, 00:46

Nick & others

Nick this is a huge increase. Wasn't you shocked about this? How do you feel now?

Reading your message I'm rather afraid because I'll have a check up soon.

My current rx is -1,75 for both eyes. I have the feeling that my eyes got worse and I need stronger ones. By the way my family is still critizing me especially my mother because I' m a fulltime glasses wearer. I'm so used to them. I couldn't cope without them.

Jo 23 May 2004, 01:43

Andrew's post reminds me of something I saw at School this week. There's a 12 or 13 year old lad, quite short and stocky with blond hair, who I've seen wearing glasses perhaps twice over the past two years. However, in recent weeks he's always been sitting at the front of the class, although most of his friends sit nearer the back. On Tuesday morning he walked into school sporting a brand new pair of glasses. On a couple of occasions during the day I saw him pass them round to his mates who all insisted on trying them on. Possibly won't be too long before one of them turns up with glasses?!

4eyes 22 May 2004, 18:11

Hi...

I am the one with 16 years old, marked strabismus with nystagmus, to add to my lousy sight.

My actual presc. reads like this:

OD. Esf +24,50 Cil -1,75 Eixo 180º prisma 14º Bs Ext

OE. Esf +24,75 Cil -2,00 Eixo 20º prisma 14º Bs Ext.

I don´t understand much of those line or numbers, but my Opht says mine´s one of the must interesting case he´d ever seen. Can someboy explian it to me plainly? Please.

Thank you.

Bespectacled Professor 22 May 2004, 17:57

Jade,

See. Most people had postiive comments about your glasses, and how good you looked in them. Even you like your glasses. And now you see how clear the world is.

Now, wear them tomorrow to get used to the feeling on your face, and then wear them all day at school on Monday. By Monday night, you wlll feel much more comfortable in wearing them fulltime because the toughest time will be over. Then, you can enjoy both your great vision and your fine new look.

Vic 22 May 2004, 17:01

I know the feeling about the gran...my gran will only let me wear my glasses for reading and nothing else because she says my eyes will get dependant on them. That doesn't stop me from wearing them at uni all the time and other various places...because they actually help?

Jade 22 May 2004, 16:48

Have been to family bbq tonight. My mum made me wear my glasses. Everyone commented on them. Most were positive but my gran said there was nothing wrong with my eyes and I shouldn't be wearing them as I will make my eyes worse. My cousin who wears glasses tried them on and she said they were waeker than hers. She has worn glasses for about 10 years and she is 15 years old. My sister also tried them on she said they were about the same as hers maybe a bit stronger but she could see well with them on. A lot of people liked the frames they are dark blue plastic and I really like them as well they suit me. Still feel weird to be wearing them though. i noticed I could see everything really well at the bbq, that was nice but I hadn't really noticed too much before I got them, only the board getting blurry.

Jade

Andrew 22 May 2004, 11:36

The fun is about to begin, Jade. When you wear your glasses, many people will try them and say how strong they are(even though they're not really). One or two will say nothing - or will appear to be saying the same as others through having heard what they have to say; watch out for those people, as they are the ones who can see better with your glasses than they can without!

High Myope 22 May 2004, 08:06

Hello, Jade: I just caught up on your recent spate of posts. I have five children in their teens and 20s, all of whom are nearsighted (or shortsighted, as you prefer). Within one year of getting their first glasses, all five had progressed to stronger prescriptions, and this has kept recurring. It seems the probably script, although you may be the lucky exception. But I wouldn't count on it. Cheer up, though. Glasses can be very fashionable and many guys, myself included, find them very alluring on an attractive woman.

Bespectacled Professor 22 May 2004, 07:52

Jade,

It won't make your eyes worse not to wear them all the time, just as it won't make your eyes worse if you do. Teenagers who are nearsighted see their vision getting worse up to their early 20s when vision beings to stabilize. If you started now with a real weak prescription -- say -0.5 -- then by your early 20s, your prescription may go to -1.5 or -2.0 and you can get by part-time (except to wear them for driving). Your sister may only have to wear them for driving because her prescription is weak.

You started at -1.5. If your eyes worsened at the same rate described above (to -2.5 or

- 3.0), you wouldn't have to be told to wear glasses all the time -- you would NEED to. You might not want to hear this, but that's likely what your future holds -- it is pretty definite you will be a fulltime glasses wearer and soon. Your parents won't let you get contacts until you are 16. Your eyes may need fulltime correction by 15.

You're reluctant to wear your glasses because of how you feel you look, and the feeling that people are looking at your glasses. Those feelings really do pass after a couple of days. The novelty effect for other people gets over with quick.

Jade 22 May 2004, 07:23

Julian.

After what a few people have said the problem is now whether to wear them all the time, get less problems with my parents and since you all think my eyes are going to get worse then get used to wearing them. The other choice is do i wear them just for school and deal with my parents but have to wear them all the time maybe in a few years?

Maybe if i just wore them for school for a few years then when i am 16 get contacts.

Will it make my eyes worse if I don't wear them all the time?

Jade

Julian 22 May 2004, 07:13

Jade: for somebody of your age starting to be short-sighted, it's a pound to a penny your eyes are going to get worse over the next few years of growth.(But there is always that penny chance!) As everybody else has said, it won't hurt to wear your glasses full time, but it won't hurt to leave them off when you don't need to look at anything out of your range.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Jade 22 May 2004, 06:40

Hi Bespectacled proffesor

Thanks for your advise. I might wear the all the time but that seems scary. I got them on thursday night after school but I took them off after I got out of the house and didn't wear them all day because I wasn't sure what to do about it. On Monday I am definitely going to wear them at school. I might wear them all the time except when i go out with my friends would that be OK do you think? My mum might agree to that. She said in two years I can get contacts but not until I am 16. My sister is 19 and she wears glasses but not all the time and my parents haven't told her she has to wear them all the time it doesn't seem fair she only wears them to drive the car.

The optician didn't say anything about my eyes getting worse, do they think they definitely will or will they stay the same so I can just wear glasses for school and stuff?

Jade

Bespectacled Professor 22 May 2004, 06:33

Jade,

The optician was probably just projecting. While -1.5 is not a strong prescription overall, it is fairly strong to start out with. Given you are 14 and started with a signficant jump off the bat, I think it is pretty reasonable to assume you will be needing glasses fulltime by no later than 16 and maybe by this time next year. So, the optician may have just been suggesting you get used to wearing your glasses all the time now because you'll be doing that soon anyway. Your parents are just following the advice of a professional.

So, Jade, here are your realistic choices -- wear your glasses part-time for the next year or two realizing that you are heading for fulltime wear anyway, or start wearing your glasses fulltime now. My advice -- start wearing them fulltime now. That way, all the weirdness about wearing them gets out of the way now, and you get more years of clear vision. Plus, you avoid hassling with your parents over an issue that will be moot soon anyway.

So, enjoy your glasses. Trust me -- in two weeks, it won't be a big deal.

Jade 22 May 2004, 06:24

Thanks for your replies.

I am 14. I thought that I would have to get glasses but I thought it would just be for school and maybe TV because sometimes I sit quite close to it to see properly. I definitely would wear them for school because I can't read the board but don't want to wear them when I go out with my friends for example. But now my parents say that since the optician said i have to wear them all the time I should. They made me wear them as soon as I got them and then to go shopping in. They made everything nice and clear but I felt a bit embarrassed because they felt weird on my face and I thought people were looking at me.

I have a couple of questions. Why would the optician tell me to wear them all the time if i don't need to?

And how do I tell my parents I don't need to?

Thanks from Jade

Bespectacled Professor 22 May 2004, 06:23

Jade,

Your message didn't come through.

Jade 22 May 2004, 06:20

Bespectacled Professor 22 May 2004, 06:17

Jade,

I think that you will find that most people who have prescriptions of less than -1.50 will do just fine with part-time wear. Between -1.50 to -2.50, many glasses wearers start wearing their glasses all the time because the difference in vision with them on versus off is increasingly noticeable. By -2.50, most people have decided to wear their glasses all the time because it becomes harder and harder to do things without them. Some people will continue to resist wearing them, until their prescriptions get into the - 3.0 area when they finally surrender to fulltime wear.

Now, if you are a teenager, chances are your prescription will get stronger over the next few years. So, while you can get away with part-time wear now, in a couple years, your prescription will get strong enough that you will need your glasses all the time. In that case, you might start wearing them all the time now because you're headed that way anyway.

tortoise 22 May 2004, 06:17

Hi Jade, no, -1.5 is not really strong and you definitely don't have to wear them all the time. I think you will find them very helpful at school, for watching TV and movies, and you will need to wear them for driving. You may find that for extended periods of closework such as reading or on the computer you may be more comfortable without them.

I hope you get lots of nice compliments from people about your new glasses and I think you will love seeing more clearly.

Bespectacled Professor 22 May 2004, 06:09

Jade,

How old are you? The reason I ask is because the answer will differ.

To answer your question, -1.5 is not a very strong prescription. You will certainly notice that your glasses make a difference, but you should also be able to get by without them for most activities.

Jade 22 May 2004, 06:06

I just got glasses, they have a prescription of -1.5 is that a lot? I couldn't see the board at school so I thought I might need glasses for it but now the optician told me they are quite strong and I should wear them all the time. I don't really want to but now my parents say I have to I'm really confused. Do people here think I should wear them all the time or just at school?

Thanks from Jade

Fritz 21 May 2004, 08:26

Nick,

You've had quite an increase over the course of a year, although I know many people who have had increases similar to yours. Presumably, part-time wear is no longer an option for you even for sport. Did you go for high-index lenses?

20 May 2004, 14:34

yeah right like we believe you nick

Nick 20 May 2004, 14:17

I posted last week that I was due for a sight test and that I thought my eyes had got worse. I went for a check up on Monday, my old rx was -2.00 right, -2.25 left, this has gone up to 3.25 in both eyes. I got some new frames, similar shape to the previous pair, but this time black CK ones. I picked up my new glasses today. They make a huge difference.

Martin 20 May 2004, 03:18

Emily Nicole, If you have made an appointment to see a consultant about having Lasik treatment for your eyes, why get yourself into a state of panic befor a decision has been made.

Emily, you are causing your own unhappiness by your negative attitude to what may or may not happen about Lasik.

console yourself if all else fails, you have sight with glasses, you have a husband who is by your side, and if loves you and your glasses does anything else matter.

Emily be bold accept you have strong glasses, the are only an aid to see better, not to judge you or your personality.

Good luck Emily, the post room is with you.

EmilyNicole21 19 May 2004, 20:57

Hello,

I am looking into lasik surgery but I'm afraid I won't be able to have it. I'm not sure what my prescription is but it's pretty bad! I get really depressed about it. I feel like everyone is staring at me..... My husband thinks I'm silly for thinking things like that but it's really hard! My glasses are thick and make my eyes look HUGE! I hate it. I'm almost scared to have a consultation because I'm afraid they will turn me away.... I used to wear contact lenses. I really liked them but my allergies got so bad I just stopped wearing them...... I had soft lenses then switched to the RGP's and my vision was much better in them. Do any of you have any advice? It would help so much!

Emily

Phorotper 14 May 2004, 08:40

Guido: Are going to do cataract surgery in both eyes on the same day? If yes, which country do you live in?

Plus Crazy 14 May 2004, 07:45

Hi Vic,

Dont worry, use your glasses as your doctor instructs you and it will definitely controll the weakening of your eyes.

I suggest that you start wearing bifocals with +0.25 in the upper part & +0.75 in the add segment

(I think wearing it will make you feel comfortable and it will avoid or reduce that time which your eyes takes to adjusted).

Please discuss with your eye doc or the optitician.

All the Best with your sight matters! Please update us with info.

Im 20, Living in Sri Lanka(The country just below India on a world map)

Electra 14 May 2004, 05:47

Vic, probably, but not by a lot.

JJ 13 May 2004, 21:51

Ree: I am 49 and had posterior subcapsular cataracts. Before surgery my RX was -8 but my astigmatism was less. I was told my eyes look good but it takes time to heal.

Guido: I have IOL's (Ciba Vision Memory Lenses). I wanted monovision which I had been using with contacts but told "NO" because of my age (considered young for cataract surgery). I did not want to wear reading glasses so elected to stay nearsighted but thought it was going to be in the -2 to -3 range. Be sure and tell your doctor that you want to stay nearsighted or else he may aim for 20/20 vision.

Vic 13 May 2004, 15:38

I have a question......at +0.75 do you think my eyes would get worse? im only 19

Andrew 13 May 2004, 12:03

Sammy,

In one dimension, yes you do. The angle of this will determine where the lenses are at their thickest. If it is 180, they will be thickest at the top and bottom. If it is 90, it will be at the sides. The higher the astigmatism correction, the more difficult it becomes to see things clearly at any distance.

sammy 13 May 2004, 09:56

this is my third rx also do you add the -1.75 astig to my rx would this make it like -5.25

Bespectacled Professor 13 May 2004, 09:27

Sammy,

The number of people wearing glasses who have a prescription of -3.50 and less is probably quite a bit more than those with a stronger prescription. So, compared to people who wear glasses, your prescription is not that strong.

That's a different question than the other one asked about wearing them all the time. If you read posts on this like and related ones, some people wear their glasses all the time with a prescription of around -1.00 while others wear glasses part-time with prescriptions -5.0 and higher. Except for rules about driving, the choice of wearing glasses is completely yours.

I was asking about whether this was a first-time prescription, or just your latest, and what those previous prescriptions were. Your present prescription is a rather strong one to start with.

Electra 13 May 2004, 09:04

Sammy weak/strong is relative. Also, emember averages from school? How you get a different result if you use the mean average, the modal average or the median average? In the big scheme of things -3 is a pretty ordinary Rx, yes, fairly average, especially if you consider that it's weak compared to higher ones, and strong compared to weaker ones. That sounded somewhat redundant, but I hope you get my drift. What I'm picking up from the many, many people I've talked to regarding an Rx around -3 is that you suffer needlessly if you don't wear them, so my advice is not to suffer, but it's your choice.

sammy 13 May 2004, 08:55

i am 21 .i was just wondering is this an average rx or a little worse. my glasses are quite thick but i guess ill get used to them this must be a weak rx as so many people on thi site have much stronger rx

Bespectacled Professor 13 May 2004, 08:27

Sammy,

I don't want to be rude, but do you even have to ask? At that prescription -- YES!!! I can pretty much guarantee that if you wore them all the time this weekend, that by Monday there would be such a difference for you with glasses on and with them off that you'd keep them on all day.

How old are you? Is this your first prescription? What kind of work do you do? Is Sammy a male name or a female name?

sammy 13 May 2004, 08:05

hellow my rx is -3.50 also have -1.75 astig and -3.25 and -1 astig . how would you rate the power of these lenses. things are quite blurry withot them. do you ykink i should wear them full time

Guido 13 May 2004, 03:47

JJ:

At the time of cataract surgery, did you not have IOL implants done. I am facing cataract surgery in the next year or two. The doctor will place IOLs at the same time. My preference will be to retain a nearsighted bias, as I have spent my whole like knowing that if I was close enough to something I could see it. I guess I am wondering if that was what you did, and are now experiencing more myopic shift than you wanted. I am currently in the -7 range. Sorry for the double post, all!

Guido 13 May 2004, 03:45

JJ:

At the time of cataract surgery, did you not have IOL implants cone. I am facing cataract surgery in the next year or two. The doctor will place IOLs at the same time. My preference will be to retain a nearsighted bias, as I have spent my whole like knowing that if I was close enough to something I could see it. I guess I am wondering if that was what you did, and are now experiencing more myopic shift than you wanted.

Ree 13 May 2004, 03:01

Hi JJ

Just read your post and found it to be interesting. Would like to know as to how old are you, was a senile mature cataract in your case. And you have mentioned that you have to wear glasses even now after cataract surgery, Did you have an Rx before also. kindly me know.

One more thing ,, you have mentioned that you had cataract surgery in feb,, almost 3 months back,, i feel your rx must not change now,, unless there is some other cause,

JJ 12 May 2004, 22:01

Just received a new RX

L: -5.00, +2.00 x 20

R: -5.00, +.75 x 125

This is my fourth rx change since I had cataract surgery in Feb and each time my RX is increasing. How long does it usually take after surgery for the rx to stop changing?

JJ 12 May 2004, 21:49

J: Actually they do not cancel each other out. Another way to write your RX is: L: -.25, -.50 x 75 R: plano, -.75 x 75. You have an astigmatism in both eyes and your left eye is slightly myopic.

J 12 May 2004, 17:20

my prescription is

L: -.75, +.50 x 165

R: -.75, +.75 x 165

Now you might say that the +/- cancel eachother out, but if that was true, why would they prescribe .75? Why not -3.00, +3.00 x 165, or -.25, +.25? I'm a little confused, I know a lot about glasses, but I've never been able to figure that one out. If anyone can help me out here, please let me know.

Vic 11 May 2004, 18:58

I'm at +0.75 I know different but with an RX that low you can get away with wearing it basically as much as you feel you need to. Whether part time or full time its up to you

Bespectacled Professor 11 May 2004, 12:46

Jon,

Your prescription gives you lots of choices. It's slight enough that you can wear them when you need to (the board, driving) and can get around just fine the rest of the time. Or, you might like wearing glasses and choose to wear them most, if not all, of the time. I't whatever you feel comfortable in physically and psychological.

Now, if your prescription was -2.75, I'd recommend fulltime wear, but you are probably some years away from that.

jon 11 May 2004, 12:38

hi guys,

i can now join the club! was having bother reading projection screens in college. went to the opticians today and been told i need glasses. he said i am slightly shortsighted. my prescription is -.75

so picked my frames, i love them, but am very shy about wearing them. he said just wear them when i want to see things more clearly.

i am amazed with the difference, i didn't realize how bad my eyes were.

any u guys about -.75? how often should i wear them? should i wear the all day in college or just in lectures?? and should i wear them for watching tv?

Sam 09 May 2004, 05:35

Yes tommy, they were quite thick casue the optician was wary of giving me glas lenses, so I had plastic. Then we I reached -7D I got hi index glass lenses and they became much thinner than my previous prescription and I got that type of lenses up till last year. And last year I changed my glasses cause I needed a new frame and got this new type of lenses whcih were even thinner,but thye were more expensive - around 250 euros.

Tod 08 May 2004, 20:50

PS: her frames were Dolce & Gabbana model 460 with the clear plastic temples...she was sooooo hot in them!

http://www.eyeglasses.com/product/1068140185-1068140185

Tommy 08 May 2004, 20:12

Sam, absoultly, very thin for your Rx. Sam, my "thin" for my Rx of -5.75 measure 4mm. The Optician told me recently that there are thinner lenses but she was more comfortable giving me what I had before and was used to. I agreed and these are OK for me. And for me they look fine, just coming a bit out of the frame. For your Rx the type of lenses I have would be much thicker I would think. A question for you. Your first few pair of glasses you had with your increasing Rx, were they the old type lenses getting thicker each increase and is that what was of concern to you?

08 May 2004, 11:06

hor = hot

abour = about

Tod 08 May 2004, 11:04

Thursday night I was at this crowed bar. Spotted two GWG's. One was really cute: about 5'4" long dirty blond hair, green eyes and the really hor semi rimless glasses with clear plastic temples and was abour -4.00 Rx. The other was less cute but still attractive, A high myope, about -10.00 Rx in a plastic rectangle frame, hi index lenses with an AR coating. She was 5'8" with blond hair pulled and tied back with green/blue eyes. This high myope seemed to get awefully drunk on about two or three beers and was acting like a five year old, being a real asshole, shooting spit balls through straws at people, dancing stupidly to the band music, twice I tried to strike up a conversation with her and it was as if I wasn't even there. Well I soon moved over to the medium myope and she was a much better person, unfortunately she and her girlfriend had to leave early. I hope to see this one again real soon. As for the high myope, may she puke what few brains she has down the toilet. The way she was clowning around I was secretly hoping her glasses would fall off. What a treat that would have been!

Sam 08 May 2004, 09:20

Hi Tommy, about my high index lenses - they're only 2.5mm thick at the thickest end - I think that's quite good for -10.50D, with 0.75 astigmatism, isn't it?

08 May 2004, 08:16

http://www.bettybowers.com/isbushgay.html

Julian 08 May 2004, 00:31

But it is kind of off-topic.

Julian 08 May 2004, 00:30

That 'Is Bush gay?' link is FABULOUS.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Sam 07 May 2004, 23:25

Hi i changed them last year because i needed a new frame. I had the same prescription done in new hi index lenses, i believe they're called lantal 1.9 and they're noticeably thinner than my previous glasses. the lenses cost about 250 euros, but they're worth the money.

D-W-V 07 May 2004, 22:33

DelDoc: good point... well, one (maybe the only) reason for a wannabe to get a real prescription is to find out if they've got any astigmatism, and use that in the forged prescription.

Otherwise, I guess there's no real reason not to create one from scratch. Not to mention that it's probably breaking some law somewhere to alter a prescription that was written by a real doctor.

Tommy 07 May 2004, 20:19

Sam, so things are OK for computer with your curent Rx. That is good news. Interested in your comment about your Rx in the metal frames. My -5.75 progressives extend a bit from the front and more from the back. Thay are hi-index but beyond that do not know about the particulars that you mentioned that you mention. I have a pair of rimless and they are a bit thicker, not wearing them for awhile as my Rx changed to a bit less Rx. Thinking of having the new Rx in the rimless "frames". When was your most recent change?

DelDoc 07 May 2004, 15:10

D-W-V--

Why not create one's own prescription pads with software? Is there a reason to waste one's time with an examination?

D-W-V 07 May 2004, 12:49

Lenscrafters would be another good bet. They usually have pet optometrists nearby, who allegedly are under great pressure to issue prescriptions. Then your challenge will be to escape their clutches with a copy of your prescription, so that you can customize it (scan, edit (Paintshop Pro worked for me), laser print), without having to buy a pair of glasses you don't want from them.

07 May 2004, 07:42

http://www.bettybowers.com/isbushgay.html

Electra 07 May 2004, 05:08

Vic has a point. Wal-Mart is probably your best bet, as they make their money dispensing. But on-line purchasing is straightforward, if you have the money. There are ways round just about everything else.

FAQ electra_the_migfetish_lady@yahoo.com

Sam 07 May 2004, 01:38

Hi Tommy, I tried doing as you suggested but my vision is blurry. So I guess my prescription is fine the way it is. I kind of got used to fact that I need strong glasses to see and since I use contact lenses I still can do sports and other activities without problems. What I hope is that my vision doesn't deteriorate further. Since i'm still studying and use the computer a lot, I guess I'm not helping my eyes a lot. :(

Vic 06 May 2004, 19:43

In response to wants-glasses04 you can basically get glasses even if you dont think you have an eye problem just gotta go to the right optometrist ;p ones that like to dispense glasses

Tommy 06 May 2004, 19:10

Andrew, are you still around. I would like to ask a question.

Tommy 06 May 2004, 15:51

Sam, thanks for all the interesting things you have shared. Computer glasses are a lesser strength Rx for looking at the monitor screen. For your regular Rx probably take about minus 2 away from your current Rx. As long as you can see the screen clearly you do not need this. May happen as you get older, like over 35, when you start to have need for bifocals. So, that's a long way off. If you want to try, take an older pair of you glasses which would have a lower Rx and see if you notice any difference.

Sam 06 May 2004, 09:51

Hi, I'm your age now - 24 and have a comparable prescription : -10.50, -9.50. So it means that yours progressed at a faster rate. I was thinking that i might have been myopic at a younger age - maybe 7? Dont know though cause since im short i always used to sit in the front so i only realsied i wasn't seeing really late.

georgina 06 May 2004, 09:38

Yes Sam, I think it ist unusual to have a first RX that is that high. I was also about 10 when I got my first glasses and they were -1/-2. I am now at -9/-9.5 at age 24.

Sam 06 May 2004, 09:08

Is it very uncommon to have a first RX of -4.75 as I had when I was 10?

Electra 06 May 2004, 06:44

It can mean 3 different things, I think. I know some of my colleagues have glasses that are between their distance and near prescriptions especially for computer work, but I've also seen "Yahoo" computer glasses which as far as I can tell are just planos coated with something special to avoid raster burn. And then there's also these http://www.prio.com/products/lenses1.cfm

Sam 06 May 2004, 01:51

To Tommy again: I don't wear computer glasses, I wear the normal glasses or contacts - otherwise i'll have to stick my nose in teh screen to see.

What are computer glasses for - not to damage eyesight?

Sam 05 May 2004, 22:56

Hi Tommy, yes I guess I was missing out on a lot with glasses and the eye doctor was surprised - he couldn't believe i couldn't see the largest letter during my first eye test.

My vision has been stabilising during the past years - could be because of my age - I'm 24 now. I have high index lenses - they're glass and they're called lantal 1.9 if im not mistaken. They hardly come out of the spectacles frame - whcih is metal - and are the thinnest I've had. They're quite expensive however.

Tommy 05 May 2004, 21:38

PS to Sam, your -4.75 must have been a surprise to the eye Dr. That is quite strong for a first Rx. You were probably missing a lot and did not realize it.

Tommy 05 May 2004, 21:33

Sam, seems as though your increases have slowed a lot. Can't imaginge not wearing full time at -5.75 as that is my Rx for some time and wear full time except for some reading. Also have computer glasses. Do you have those? When did you start full time? Do you have hi-index and small frames to minimize thickness?

Tod 05 May 2004, 20:54

i am looking for a girlfriend who wears glasses. i would prefer her to be about -3.50 give or take one diopter.

Sam 05 May 2004, 18:19

Hi Mattp, Yes of course I've gone to full-time wear. Can hardly see without them. But i wear contact lenses for going out of the home. My eye doc endorses my decision and i find them more comfortable, espeically because of improved periphal vision.

Phoropter 05 May 2004, 13:02

Elly: Is prism correction likely to be where I'm heading? Unlikely, we use the double vision test to see how well the eye muscles work together.

Kat: I'm not sure what to tell you. I am unaware of eye pressure ever causing double vision. If you still have doubling of your vision in your right eye while the other covered, I would tell your doctor these exact symptoms and demand an explanation. Consider having the doctor re-check your Rx. Were you ever dilated?

mattp 05 May 2004, 11:36

Sam--That last message was not so long! You left out two bits of information I'd be interested in hearing about if you don't mind saying more.

1. Have you gone to full time wear? I assume with your RX that you have had to. What RX convinced you there was no choice about wearing lenses?

2. It sounds like you've not liked glasses ever since you got them when you were ten. How do you feel about glasses now that your RX is what it is? Do you still hate glasses? Do you wear contacts? Do you avoid putting them on?

Thanks for any info you want to share--Matt

wants-glasses04 04 May 2004, 11:10

Hi all, I found this site whilst generally searching about glasses, and there are other guys and gals that want/like glasses out there too!

I really want glasses, even a low minus rx would do, but my eyes are OK. I daren't order online incase my parents found out, too risky. In the eye-exam, is there a particular order to the way they put the lenses in the "which one is clearer?" part of the test? Anyone can make out not to see the letters on the wall chart, but I would like to appear convincing by saying the -1 lense they put in is the clearest.

thanks in advance

Sam 04 May 2004, 10:56

I was 10 at the time when I got my glasses and cried my eyes out. Didn't want to wear them. My teacher used to make me wear them cause she knew I was severly short sighted but I dind't want to. One time I remember when I had them on - cause I used to wear them for the board then - I went to sit at the far back and I still coudln't see with them on but I didn't tell anyone. I had -4.75 and only used to wear my glasses for tv and for the board. A year later I went to have another eye check and my prescpription went up to -5.75. Then I was horrified at the sight of my lenses and I still didnt' wear them full time. A year later my prescprtion went up to -6.25 and the eye doc told me to wear them full-time and had a word with my mum but she didnt' tell me what he told her. A year later they went up -7.75 and I hated the fact that my eyesight was getting worse every year. In fact, I didnt go and have them tested for 5 years, when I needed to pass my drivign test and I used to have sleepless nights wondering what it went up to - cause i realised I was having trouble seeing distant objects. In fact it did go up to -9.00. Two years later to -9.50 and -10 and antoher 2 years later -9.50 and -10.50. Wow taht was long!!!!!!!1

Sam 04 May 2004, 09:56

I was 10 years old.

Knew i couldn't see well but didn't realise my eyesight was so bad.

Parents have perfect eyesight so they couldn't comprehend.

Got taken to an optician after I copied a Maths test from the board really badly.

Sarah 04 May 2004, 09:31

Sam, How old were you when you got your first glasses? How bad was your vision when you first got them? (What could you see clearly without them at that point?)

Sam 04 May 2004, 09:28

My first prescription was 14 years ago and it was -4.75 both eyes.

Sam 04 May 2004, 09:16

Hi, my prescription is:

R -10.50;-.75;90 degrees

L -9.50

Elly 03 May 2004, 21:09

The previous post just reminded me of something out of my last exam. I have an Rx of -1.50/-1.75 with a little astigmatism in one eye only. One of the tests done was looking through a lens which produced a double image, once I was able to find the second image a number of lenses were tried, was this testing for prism correction? I have noticed when I look directly at something my eyes do appear a little out of line. Is prism correction likely to be where I'm heading? Double vision is never a problem however when tired it feels like my eyes are working hard to work together.

03 May 2004, 18:12

The double vision is in my right eye only and Not only when covered. The eye dr told me about it I just noticed things were getting blurry. I also had a higher pressure on my right eye. My right eye has always been the stronger eye and I am worried about this new double vision thing. Does it get worse without glasses? I really have a hard time wearing them.

thanks

Kat

Phoropter 03 May 2004, 17:58

Kat: You have double vision with the right eye only? With the glasses on or without them? Monocular diplopia or double vision still present with 1 eye covered is not very common. Your Rx for your right eye is fairly small compared to your left eye, especially the astigmatism correction. I would have expected the double vision to be from your left eye.

Anne: You are correct about the add aiding in close up work. Her glasses are most likely no-line bifocals. How is the add incorporated, with so pretty cool and complicated optical lab equipment. I think Theresa

Anne 02 May 2004, 07:11

Phoropter

Thank you for your explanation.I thought the add might have been for close up, but there is no line at all in her lens so how is the add incorparated?

Thanks

Kat 01 May 2004, 15:07

I have headaches all the time. My eyes were always bad but now have developed double vision in the right eye making life miserable. Went and got new perscription and I am having a real rough go of wearing these things. No depth perception can't see with peripheral vison. Any Help?

-.75 -25 40

+3.00 -1.75 163 1 up bu

Phoropter 29 Apr 2004, 11:44

Anne: Your friend has a low amount of near-sightedness (-0.75) so this portion of her Rx sharpens her distance vision. The bifocal "add" (+1.25) is for a their presbyopic correction and allows them good near vision while wearing glasses.

Anne 29 Apr 2004, 06:04

My friend has just got new glasses and I was wondering if anyone can explain her prescription to me. It is r -0.75 add +1.25 and l -0.75 add +1.25

She is wearing them all the time and when I asked her what they were for she said for both distance and close up, I don't understand.

She is 38.

bareyed 26 Apr 2004, 01:20

Shouldn't be too difficult to figure our your perscription. Just drop into any optics store and ask them to tell you the perscription of your glasses. I have never seen them refuse such a simple request, and I did it a couple of times on glasses which were obviously not mine.

b 26 Apr 2004, 01:18

Sandy 25 Apr 2004, 22:39

Kathy, I would check with my eye doctor the next time that you went in for an exam. It sounds like your prescription might be in the -5 or higher range. Take care.

Kathy 24 Apr 2004, 17:45

Phoropter, I think that is what my eye doc told me. All I know, is that without my glasses, everything is very blurry. Thanks.

Phoropter 24 Apr 2004, 15:15

Kathy: Did your doctor tell you how they came up with the acuity 20/375? Most standard eye charts do not have this acuity, only 20/200 or 20/400.

Christy 24 Apr 2004, 13:22

You know glasses are part of you when you suddenly jump in the bath or shower while wearing them - or try to wash your face while wearing them!It's happened to me - and I know it's happened to at least one of my pals.

leelee 24 Apr 2004, 12:25

Tacberry,

I think you will find the frames in your field of vision less bothersome once you get used to your glasses. This used to drive me crazy, but now sometimes I surprise myself when I touch my glasses having forgotten they were there!

Kathy 24 Apr 2004, 08:27

Hi, I have a question for you. I currently wear glasses and my vision is 20/375 without correction in one eye and 20/325 in my other eye. Would anyone know what my glasses prescription would be? I have never bothered to ask my eye doc that question. Thanks.

Phoropter 23 Apr 2004, 16:30

DelDoc: Do you think they gave Tacberry his full Rx?

Tacberry: DelDoc is right, if you choose contacts, make sure you go to someone that's known for more difficult contact lens fits and will put in the time with you to get it right. I would advise on contacts over LASIK.

tacberry 22 Apr 2004, 05:26

I'm 32 and was given the perscription in February. In highschool I had a military doc. describe my condition as "dual monovision" with no correction available - just some eye exercises and a perpetual lack of depth perception.

It wasn't until last year my wife noticed I was having trouble reading street names etc. while driving. My medical plan covered eyes, so I had them checked for the first time in 14 years. Needless to say, that doc was rather adament that my problems were caused by astigmatisms that should have been diagnosed years before. I was shocked how well I could see after the glasses. But, I cannot get used to the changing field of view when not looking straight out of the glasses.

I participate in sports and shoot competitivly - I really want another option besides glasses.

DelDoc 21 Apr 2004, 14:55

Tacberry--

To correct an earlier post, your prescription is classified as mixed astigmatism, not myopic astigmatism (i.e., one meridian is plus and the other is minus). It looks like a hefty first Rx. How old are you exactly? Furthermore, contacts may not be the "only way to go." With the amount of astigmatism in your correction, the contact lens fitting may be a bit tricky.

Clare 21 Apr 2004, 14:10

Tacberry - my prescription is -2.50 in both eyes with a minimal -0.25 astigmastim. You may have been told you 'should' wear these all the time, but give it a go you may find you just need to wear them for certain distance activities. I do that. I'm interested to know if you were told to wear them all the time, I never was. I think that + astigmatism means yours would be a bit less than mine.

If you can't hack it, then contacts are a good option. I'm a big fan.

bbb 21 Apr 2004, 14:06

Wise choice. Contacts is the only way to go.

laser surgery is a good choice too.

JJ 21 Apr 2004, 05:09

Try contact lenses you will love your field of vision.

tacberry 21 Apr 2004, 03:53

I'm to wear this perscription all the time. They definatly help me see better at distance, but I hate the glasses. They are always in my periferal vision and I rely on my ability to look out of the top/corner of my eyes. Are contact lenses or lasik surgery viable alternatives?

Guest 20 Apr 2004, 22:01

Tacberry - what advice were you given about when to wear this prescription?

D-W-V 20 Apr 2004, 19:36

I guess that would be classed as myopic astigmatism. You should see more clearly at all distances, but the improvement will be greatest for distance vision.

tacberry 20 Apr 2004, 05:47

I'm a first time glasses wearer and don't quite understand my perscription. This is how it reads:

Spectacle Rx Only:

CD +0.50 - 225 x 170

CS +025 - 250 x 005

What does this mean?

Anna 19 Apr 2004, 16:42

Just thought I would post an update of how I was getting on with my +2.00 glasses. I decided to keep trying with full-time wear for the time-being. My distance vision is almost perfect now (actually if I'm tired it is perfect) everything else (close-up and further)is wonderfully clear. I still haven't decided if I'll stay full time but I probably will as this will stop me forgetting to take them with me. I've done this once so far - I went to work (where I do a lot of close-up and reading work) and realised I'd left my glasses at home. I struggled through the day and had a nasty headache by the time I went home. The headache went away when I put my glasses on.

Wurm 14 Apr 2004, 22:43

Welcome Snowy, and good suggestion.

A Low Vision thread is now available:

http://eyescene.net/cgi-bin/read_thread.cgi?103

"Snowy" 14 Apr 2004, 16:24

Hello Everyone

This my first post here although I have lurked for a long time, does anyone here suffer from albinism, or any of the visual problems caused by this condition i.e nystagmus, photophobia etc. Perhaps a thread could be started to include albinos (like myself) and other people who would like to talk about albinism or other conditions causing "legal blindness". It may go some way to explaining that a person who is "legally blind" can actually see,and remove some of the ignorance and stigma that surrounds such conditions.

Best Wishes, Ally "Snowy" Sommerville

Friend 14 Apr 2004, 14:36

Tanya, did you go for lined or progressive bifocals?

Chris 14 Apr 2004, 12:25

Hi, went for a check up today. No great change in my rx - slightly down in the spherical correction, but more prism correction.

Before: right -4.50, -4.00, 10, 1 up, 1 out; left -5.00, -4.00, 2, 1 down, 1 out.

Now: right -4.00, -4.00, 8, 1 up, 2 out; left -4.50, -4.00, 5, 1 down 2 out.

When the optician had finished doing the sphere, cyl correction, she uncovered both eyes before she put the prisms in. Felt really wierd, made me feel quite sick. Definately couldn't do without them anymore. Took the opportunity to get new frames - similar rectanglar shape, slightly thinner frames though and a darker bronze, less shinky. Should look good when they arrive.

Tod 10 Apr 2004, 11:53

Welcome, Tanya. I am sure you are excited and even apprehensive about your new eyewear. The fact that you are getting bifocals is that you were hyperopic all along and were using your near focusing ability to overcome this fact about your eyes without even knowing it. The reason for your headaches is eye strain. As we age our ability for near focusing diminishes and you can no longer overcome your hyperopia. Getting use to bifocals takes some time and at first you are best to wear them full time. After a couple of weeks you may decide to go part time but I am betting you will enjoy the clear vision they will afford you that you will wear them full time. Also its more of a pain to keep taking glasses on and off. This on and off also leads to getting your glasses lost or broken. At the cost of glasses and an exam, this can mean big money. So wear your new glasses and be proud of them and you will be a cool GWG.

Tanya 10 Apr 2004, 11:28

Like Anna who recently posted, I too am about to become a new GWG, farsighted, and am wondering if my Rx is strong or unusual for a first-time wearer. I'm thirty.

R: +1.00 -0.50 80

L: +1.25 -0.75 110

add +1.00 in both eyes.

I was having a lot of headaches and, eventually, utter difficulty reading. The bifocal add was quite a shock. My optometrist wasn't too clear in explaining. Anyway he said to definitely wear them for reading and close work, with other times optional. I'm picking them up in a few days. I ordered a rimless oval shaped pair with progressive lenses.

Any thoughts or explanations from all you experts are welcome.

Taro 10 Apr 2004, 08:27

Sean! Yeah! and If you don't mind please feel free to send me e-mail to goya2714@hotmail.com. Because I also have same problem and experience so I want to talk more and more and I'm sure we can shere it.

sean 21 10 Apr 2004, 08:21

thanks guys for the advise.

yeah i know it is fact but i'll be super self conscious in college at first but yeah it's cool and a little exciting!

Tod 10 Apr 2004, 05:31

Gemma, The only thing I could tell you is to ask your eye doctor what's going on. If yu do not get an answer from him/her that makes sense, then see another eye doc.

Gemma 10 Apr 2004, 04:42

Last time I went for a contact lens check, I was made to read the eye chart with my lenses in. Previously I could read all the lines, but this time I couldn't read the last two (or maybe three). I thought this would mean my prescription would be increased a little, since before I could read all the eyechart so I assumed my eyes had got a little worse. But he wrote 6/6 on corrected vision (I think this is the same as 20/20??). So basically, my question is, do you not have to be able to read all the lines to have 20/20 vision?? Since I got glasses I have always been able to read all the eyechart. How many lines do you have to not be able to read to warrant an increase in prescription? I'm at university and had noticed very small writing on projector screens (which my friends could read) had become blurry, but only ever so slightly. The optician did put another lense in front of my eyes which let me read another line, but he didn't give me this in my prescription.

Wonder if anyone can help me on this one. Thanks.

Taro 10 Apr 2004, 01:15

Sean Ok It's fact your eyes become nearsighted and need to wear glasses so it's conversion of way to thinking. so you have two looks and you can enjoy and switch both of them but both of them is you. not different person. so just accept and enjoy.

CollegeGuy 09 Apr 2004, 19:23

Sean,

Your eyes may get a little worse. But, very doubtful that you'll be having to get glasses much stronger than what you have now so they'll really be no big deal.

Although having them does mean you have one less excuse if you don't do as well in university:)

sean(21/m) 09 Apr 2004, 17:11

spent an hour choosing frames, i think i like them but i look a bit strange in them. wearing them now about the house, trying to get used to them, it is weird - i feel like a different person...I'm crazy!

i wonder if my eyesight will get worse

Brian-16 09 Apr 2004, 16:51

SEAN (21/m) No, -.75 is not quite rock bottom as far as an rx goes,but is indicative of a slight amount of near-sightedness.Did you get cool frames? Go ahead and wear them now or you may never get used to them.They will really help for driving at night..

sean(21/m) 09 Apr 2004, 16:28

hi guys,

i was having bother seeing blackboard/screens in uni. so finally braved it out and went to the optician. he recommended glasses of prescription -.75 for both eyes.

i was actually amazed with how sharp everything is with them on. i like the thoughts of wearing them, but am nervous about about wearing them for the first time in uni on tuesday. any advise? should i just wear them during the lecture and take them off after? is it a strong first prescription?

leelee 08 Apr 2004, 17:15

Anna,

It may take you as much a 3 weeks to totally get used to your new glasses, but it sounds like you a making a good start.

Anna 08 Apr 2004, 16:09

I picked up my glasses yesterday afternoon. They look stronger than I thought they would but not too strong. When I put them on for the first time I was amazed how much clearer the writing on the page in front of me was. Using a computer is much less tiring now. As for distance vision, my middle distance vision does actually seem to be better with my glasses. Shadows seem darker and the credits of tv shows are crisper. My vision for things a bit further away like across the street is blurred at the moment but not as much as yesterday, so I think I'm gradually adjusting to the glasses.

I will keep trying full time wear for a few more days so my eyes can adjust fully then I will decide if I want to continue or just wear them for reading. I'm still getting used to actually having glasses and realising how badly I need them. I've probably needed them for a while and not realised it.

Curt 08 Apr 2004, 06:56

Anna: Just my $0.02...Your distance vision will probably be somewhat blurry when you first get your glasses. +2.0 is fairly strong for a first prescription. As other folks said, try to wear them as much as you can. If you are like most of us that wear + lenses, your eyes will soon relax and your distance vision will get much better the more you wear the lenses. But you may also find that you only need them for near tasks, like reading, computer work, etc. Good luck!

Electra 08 Apr 2004, 06:52

Correcting myself, I should have said 20/20 vision. According to statistics, 20/20 ISN'T normal!

Electra 08 Apr 2004, 06:51

Anna: Consider it this way, and you decide. Those of us with normal vision can read all the lines on the chart. I wouldn't settle for anything less, so why should you miss out?

Willy 08 Apr 2004, 06:34

Anna -- You should do whatever you're most comfortable with, but at +2.0 you should at least consider wearing your glasses full-time; you'll need them for reading and it looks like they also may improve your distance vision. You might try wearing them full-time for 2-3 days and "see" how it goes. Keep us posted...

Vic 07 Apr 2004, 23:52

Anna stronger than me ;p im 19 and I'm only +0.75 might take you a lil while to get used to seeing in the distance with them took me awhile still takes a few mins for my eyes to adjust to seeing far away in them but once they adjust its SOO much better

Anna 07 Apr 2004, 23:14

Had my eyes tested yesterday as I've been getting headaches when reading. My prescription is +2.0 in both eyes. Was told I should wear them for reading and any other times I have trouble seeing clearly. I asked what that meant and was told I might find that distances are clearer with glasses.

I'm 18 and never had glasses before. I'm picking up my glasses later today.

Is my prescription strong for a first one? I've not noticed any problems seeing distances but I could read a couple more lines on the distance sight test chart when the optician put the test lenses in front of my eyes. Is this normal?

JR 06 Apr 2004, 10:22

Daffy:

The action of aspirin is complex. It is a general antiinflamatory agent whose multivariable effects are not fully understoon. It also has other physiological activities, such as reducing fever and it does much more than just let you "think" the pain or fever is not there. A derivative of aspirin, found in willow and birch bark, called salicin, was used by ancient man and various native peoples, such as American Indians and tribes in Africa. They would boil the bark and then give the boiled extract to the individual to reduce pain and fever.

Daffy 05 Apr 2004, 23:10

To add to the discussion...don't some medications only deal with releaving rhe symptoms, rather than fix the cause? Like headache tablets (panadol or asprin), don't they just make the brain 'think' the pain is gone, but it actually just 'masks' the pain. No-one complains about that. Glasses are the same. They don't fix the problem just make the brain think it sees clearly.

Theresa 05 Apr 2004, 07:28

bb,

You're wrong, I'm not remotely angry at having myopia. I've long since accepted that this is my fate and I don't really have a problem with it. Obviously, I'd prefer 20/20 vision but it's not an option for me at the moment. My point is that it shouldn't really be too dificult to discover the contributary factors in the development of myopia but I suspect the will isn't there.

bb 05 Apr 2004, 00:53

Theresa,

I wonder why you feel so angry about being myopic, much has been done to find the causes of myopics, unfortunately its something we are born with, I appreciate it must be difficult to come to terms with being very myopic.

One would not care to venture an opinion if glasses make ones eyes worse or better, in my case my Rx has stayed the same for the last 8 years, maybe i,m one of the lucky ones.

Its very difficult to understand the limitations of very poor sight even if glasses give some correction, I,m sure with medical science and the advancement of science one day we myopics will benefit, and who knows maybe poor sight will be a thing of the past.

alm 03 Apr 2004, 11:12

Clare i think you are a fantastic girl! I really would like to get to know you but probably i will never have the chance!I wish u all the best u can have!

Electra 03 Apr 2004, 07:16

Beethoven: I don't think I was being negative, it was just a comparison really to the concept of glasses being considered a funny way to treat myopia, in years to come when our technology makes them totally unnecessary (I'm glad I live NOW!). You don't think that all that hardware in a human mouth might seem a bit odd to a historian in 200 years time? Obviously if, right now, anyone has a dental "problem" that needs to be fixed and braces are the only solution we currently have, then that's what must be done. Most of the time however it's done for vanity, and there's nothing wrong with that, but consider the African tribes that file their teeth to points. From our western perspective that's barbaric, to them it's a rite of passage almost, and very desirable. I'm just thinking about how orthodontics might look in the future. It might look no different to the African tribesmen.

Theresa 03 Apr 2004, 05:40

Phoropter,

I'm not blaming optometrists per se. There's certainly nothing barbaric about prescribing glasses to myopes. I mean what are you supposed to do let people wander around in a blur? It would be barbaric if say it was widely known among the optical profession that glasses do cause myopia to progress and yet nothing was done about it merely to preserve the profits of he industry. I think more research needs to be done, I mean how difficult can it be to discover the cause, there are enough case studies out there. I suppose myopia is quite low priority in the scheme of things as the majority of sufferers are perfectly content to wear glasses, which after all only have a minimal effect on their quality of life

Beethoven 03 Apr 2004, 03:38

Hi Electra,

I saw you mentioning orthodontic treatment several times in a negative way. Do you consider ortho treatment as something bad ? I feel spoken to as I will get braces within a month, as an adult. Obviously I do not consider this a barbaric treatment, but as a solution for my dental problems. You know, braces are very high tech these days, not the full bands of decades ago.

Greetings, Beethoven ( long time reader of this site, first time poster)

Guest 02 Apr 2004, 23:06

Myhopeinhere, Please explain yourself.

Jonny 02 Apr 2004, 23:04

I have to say my eyes did deteriorate quite rapidly when I started wearing glasses full time. I first got them at 15 because I couldn't see the board in school, only wearing them when I absolutely had to. By the time I was 18 I wore them a lot at school, but nowhere else. My vision was a bit blurry at this stage, but I felt awkward about wearing my glasses so I didn't. Just before I left school, I went for an eyetest. My prescription was -2.50, -0.50 in one eye, -2.25, -1.00 in the other. I was told to wear these all the time, but I didn't. When I went off to university three months later, I started wearing them all the time straightaway. Partly, because I needed them to see clearly enough, but also because I didn't know anybody I didn't feel self conscious about wearing them. Anyway, by January my vision was really blurry even with them. Ended up having three fairly rapid preciption changes. By the end of my second year at uni was -4.50, -1.50; -4.50, -1.75. Was forced into gp contacts to try to slow down the onset - seemed to work because rx stayed fairly stable.

myhopeinhere 02 Apr 2004, 22:38

And I suppose you think 'Dubya' is the greatest thing since sliced bread!

Guest 02 Apr 2004, 21:50

Chris, The "Baby Boomers", of which I am a part of,represent the children of the returning servicemen who proudly served in the defense of your country, and the liberation of Europe.These men, and their wives and girlfriends, who worked in the defense plants,were the greatest generation ever.I am proud of their accomplishments, and proud to be the offspring of those great people.I detect some resentment in your post ,toward America, or Americans.But have no dought about it , my parents and their generation saved your country,from the Nazis.

Phoropter 02 Apr 2004, 21:26

Electra: That brings a smile to my face :)

Chris 02 Apr 2004, 14:08

Sorry but I'm going to have to leave the site. It's just gone 11pm in the UK. I've an early start tomorrow.

I would be interested in the explanation re. Baby boomers, but a boom that lasts 20 years, stretching it a bit, Leebert. To justify its usage as a sociological term I find mind-bogglingly pretentious.

Sorry, it's slang, no more, no less.

Electra 02 Apr 2004, 13:57

Phoropter: If optomestrists are barbarians what will they call orthodontists? Filling a child's mouth with wire and screws has got to be the equivalent of blood-letting with leeches. And then there's adults who do it to themselves willingly. That'll make a few historians scratch their heads in 200 years time. Or.....maybe by then the human race will be so enlightened no-one will bat an eyelid. Wouldn't it be nice to get deep-frozen and come back and find out? Have you noticed how on Star Trek they can travel at warp speed, and beam up on to other planets, but they still need glasses? Fills me with hope actually.

Chris 02 Apr 2004, 13:55

Please explain.....

I am not averse to enlightenment!

Chris 02 Apr 2004, 13:54

Leebert 02 Apr 2004, 13:51

Chris,

Do you even know wha "baby boomers" means? What's so wrong with a sociological term to depict the generation born in the decade or two following WW II?

Chris 02 Apr 2004, 13:47

I am interested, Clare, in this glasses make myopia worse debate but I do find elements unconvincing.

Although Theresa's point about research noting that even some wearing of glasses is enough to spark the process, I do feel, going back to my original post, that the biggest problem with my own situation was that my parents did not pursue my not wearing glasses and that the deterioration was more due to my constant straining to see.

As I began wearing glasses more, and certainly with the move to full time CL wear, deterioration slowed.

My most recent test, following which it was decided to change my current CLs, was a change brought about by the condition of the lenses, but the prescription remained the same.

The only change in the last couple of years has been the beginning of presbyopia, and a reading add of +1.00, but for the most part I do not feel as yet dependent on these. By the way as I trawl the web, I find the "Americanism" (sorry chaps, but it is your expression), of 'baby boomers' quite intolerable.

On a separate point, and perhaps one for Phoropter, my wife, who is strongish + in one eye, and marginally - in the other has, although ten years my junior at just turned 40, been prescribed varifocals. She felt that she was a bit young for these to be prescribed. Any comment?

Clare 02 Apr 2004, 12:55

A hopelessly obvious observation relating to the 'do glasses make myopia worse' debate: whether or not glasses increase the myopia, they are to a degree essential if people want to read the blackboard at school, ride a bike safely, or later in life drive a car.

Chris 02 Apr 2004, 12:03

To respond further to Theresa, yes I adopted a minimalist approach to wearing specs at secondary school. I seem to remember that at 11 the Rx to use the phrase common on the board, was somewhere in the region of -4.50.

Thiu the progression ran as follows:

First prescription at age 6, have a feeling that I managed the top two lines and that was all. Lenses not thick, but no real idea of the powers.

Never wore them.

Age 11 second test -4.5ish

13 -6.50/-5.00

16 move to CLs prescription c.-7ish

33 years on -8.00.

Thus the greatest deterioration was between age 6 and 11, when there was no, and I mean no correction, cos I really did not wear my glasses.

Phoropter 02 Apr 2004, 11:42

Theresa: I guess I get defensive whenever someone insinuates that by prescribing spectacles to myopes (which is my job, something I enjoy, and take seriously) Im the culprit in increasing myopia. Maybe in am, but at least these kids aren't having to squint to see the board in school. I'm sure in the future people will look back at how we are treating myopia and think we are barbarians. Another reason I not convinced by glasses make things worse, children with myopia who remove their glasses for reading and/or those with bifocals continue to become myopic.

Theresa 02 Apr 2004, 11:33

Chris,

You must have worn glasses for a least part of the day with a prescription like yours, at least for looking at the blackboard at school. You just wouldn't have been able to function otherwise. Experiments have been done which show that this effect can take place with very small amounts of corrective lens wear, perhaps as little as an hour or less a day. My guess is that this is what happened in your case and you aren't really an exception. The only exceptional thing is that you were able to tolerate going without glasses with such a high prescription

Chris 02 Apr 2004, 08:01

Wasn't trying to shoot you Theresa.

As I said myopia decreed at age 6. By the time I was 13 I was at -6,50 and -5.00. The great deterioration happened between 6 and 13. Over the next three years things worsened a little further, but since I started wearing CLs there has been not any dramatic change.

The genetic issue intrigues surely in that instance the progressive deterioration would have continued much beyond my mid teens?

I am interested in the debate, and whilst for every rule there is an exception I would appreciate some suggestions about what happened in my case, as perhaps an exception.

02 Apr 2004, 07:24

Is Theresa now 6 feet 9 inch tall ??

Lol

Theresa 02 Apr 2004, 07:18

Hey don't shoot the messenger, I didn't come up with these theories. It's only what I've read over the years, having a vested interested in the subject.

I guessed that pretty much every person under accommodates because as you say, why do more work than we need to. I still think it is quite logical to assume that there is a link between doing this and the onset of myopia. Obviously the the optical professions would prefer to distance themselves from the possibility that prescribing glasses exacerbates myopia. The bottom line is that something causes the eye to grow longer/cornea to grow more curved. I'm guessing that there are several different causes of this, the one I tried to describe earlier being just one of them. There is a lot of circumstantial evidence to suggest that glasses are the cause of myopia in a lot of cases. I think that myopia progressing to 6 diopters and above without the person wearing glasses is very rare indeed and probably has a different underlying genetic cause. Evolutionarly speaking, a gene which caused people to become highly myopic before reaching an age where they are able to reproduce should have long since died out. Of course genetic mutations spring up all the time and so this propensity to high myopia could be a recent thing. The most astonishing thing about myopia though, is just how widespread it is. In some parts of the world it is almost the norm. This suggests that aspects of modern behaviour are the underlying cause, things such as TV, PC's, artifical lighting, diet and of course the ubiquitous wearing of glasses.

By the way I'm not one of those people who's convinced that myopia can be cured by eye exercises. I'm sure that I can no more change the structure of my eyes by exercise than I can increase my height.

Electra 02 Apr 2004, 05:34

I had a funny feeling my question had no conclusive answer, but lots of theories, and it seems so. With exceptions to every theory of course. That's interesting.

Phoropter 01 Apr 2004, 15:22

Theresa: I wish the progression of myopia was that simple. For the record, you've explained only one of several theories I learned during my training (and one I dont believe). In fact, many pediatric eye specialists say the same thing about myopic progression we really dont know. Why I dont accept this theory, a person is born with a propensity to under focus when looking at close objects, true, but this includes just about everybody on Earth. Its called an accommodative lag and is seen in those with hyperopia, myopia, and emmetropia. Most of us consistently under-focus 0.25-0.75 diopters and this is normal. Our eyes tolerate this amount of slop and blurred vision is not perceived. We never do any more work than we absolutely have to, and our eyes are the same way in their accuracy of focusing.

Myopia can only be induced while the eye is growing, NOT quite. Changes in the crystalline lens such as nuclear cataracts induce myopia via an increased index of refraction of the lens proteins. Diabetic changes can cause lens hydration changes resulting in induced myopia, so can a long list of drugs. Increasing the steepness of the cornea causes induced myopia. To name a few.

Chris 01 Apr 2004, 14:24

To respond to Theresa, I am round about -8.00, about -1.00 cyl and axis of about 170 in both eyes.

Prescribed glasses at about age 6, never wore them, reluctantly wearing them as I moved through secondary school. Only became full time wearer when getting CLs when 16, some 33 years ago.

The theory about myopia getting progressively worse with the compensation simply does not hold water in my case.

Please explain.

I have always felt that if my parents had been stronger with me I would not be so self conscious with the lenses that I sport when not wearing my CLs.

High Myope 01 Apr 2004, 12:43

Electra: I am a high myope with high myopic parents, a moderate myopic wife and five myopic children -- three moderate and two high. What are the odds of genetics not having something to do with it?

In my experience, anyone can be slightly myopic, but only people who become myopic at a very young age progress to high myopia. My three children who were first prescribed minus glasses after age 8 are moderate myopes, and stable. The two who received their first minus prescriptions at ages 5 and 6 developed into high myopes. Their eyes had more time to grow before reaching adult stability.

Theresa 01 Apr 2004, 12:33

Electra,

Myopia can only be induced while the eye is growing, i.e. up to when the person is about 20 or so as it is caused by the eye being too long for it's optics. After this the size and shape of the eyeball is pretty much fixed. I believe small amounts can occur due to excessive close work in people who've never shown any signs of myopia before. However there is different mechanism involved in that the problem originates in the crystalline lens and not in the structure of the eye as such.

Myopia originating in childhood is thought to be caused by the following chain of events. Firstly a person is born with a propensity to under focus when looking at close objects. What they are actually doing is looking slightly past the object, say a page of print, so that it is slightly blurred but not blurred enough to be unreadable. The brain is able to detect this blur and decides to correct it by commanding the eye to grow longer/cornea to grow more curved. This is the beginnings of myopia. Left alone it would probably stay at this very low level but in this day and age the person is prescribed glasses. What this effectively does optically speaking is put them right back to the beginning in that they read in a slightly underfocussed way except they now have a diopter or two of myopia corrected by glasses. The eye then elongates some more, stronger glasses are prescribed and the whole process repeats and repeats until the eye is unable to grow anymore when the myope reaches their early twenties. Why some people tend to read in this way is as far as I know a mystery as is how the brain detects the blur and is able to command the eye to grow some more to correct it. If you think about it though, it is amazing that the eye is able to grow from when we are babies to adults and still maintain it's focus. This therefore is evidence that the brain has this control over the development of the eye. It's a miracle that anyone grows to adulthood without some form of refractive error rather than the other way round.

Finally I'm sure that not every case of myopia is caused by this mechanism. My own rather excessive level of myopia I think has other causes. I do however, believe that the majority of cases where a person starts wearing glasses before puberty and ends up in adulthood with a prescription in the moderate to high category are caused this way.

Plus Crazy 01 Apr 2004, 08:21

badfeti,

I'm seriously considering about the yahoo group.

But o'm a little too busy these day.

K.I.T.(Keep in touch)

Electra 01 Apr 2004, 05:22

Lentifan: Ah well, naturally that was my first thought, but I confess that the more I read here, and learn about myopia, the more it confuses me. Everything I read suggests that myopia begins at a young age and then progresses. So could a person in mid-fourties be a "teensy bit" myopic? Am I asking the $50,000 question if I ask why it progresses only a teensy bit in some people and a whole whack in others? Do I see Phoropter and Deldoc throwing their hands in the air and saying "well, if we knew that..........."

Phoropter: Thank you, is there anything that can be done about it? Drops?

JJ 31 Mar 2004, 21:25

Just a guess for DelDoc are you from Delaware?

jack 31 Mar 2004, 19:47

What are all of these "Subjective Autorefractors" that are appearing on eBay? Can anyone give me any details?

Phoropter 31 Mar 2004, 16:16

DelDoc: I suspected from your very first correction of one of my replies. I'm an Midwest OD.

Electra: Tons of things can cause dry eyes (dehydration, poor tear production, eyelid oil glands not working properly to name a few) and is a common cause of mild "red" eyes.

DelDoc 31 Mar 2004, 14:55

Phoropter--

I'm an OD in the mid Atlantic.

lentifan 31 Mar 2004, 14:15

Yes, I thought you'd have checked, Electra, but didn't want to presume.

He couldn't be a teensy bit myopic with the onset of prebyopia making him need a slight plus for near vision?

Electra 31 Mar 2004, 12:44

Lentifan: No, no CLs, yes, I've been that close! Hey, what can I say. As obsessives go, I'm a professional!

lentifan 31 Mar 2004, 12:20

Electra

There isn't any chance, is there, that this anonymous male is myopic and wearing CLs which have not quite enough minus for his distance vision (hence the peering),but just a little too much for his increasingly presbyopic near vision?

Clarin 31 Mar 2004, 11:30

But, Electra dear, you really shoul quit that smoking anyway, especially with those allergies of yours.

Electra 31 Mar 2004, 10:06

I really must learn to read down the thread further when I arrive here, things move pretty fast sometimes!

Thanks for all those of you who answered the red eyes question. I wasn't referring to myself actually, and here's a throwaway factoid for you, talking of allergies, I have chronic allergies that make my eyes dry, itchy, sore etc, but never red. Which just goes to show (I'm not sure what).

The person in question doesn't have allergies, doesn't smoke, and has been checked out for an infection (the doc said "get more sleep", really helpful eh?). They stay red. So, Phoropter, what's the answer to dry eyes then?

Phoropter 31 Mar 2004, 08:49

AstigGuest: What do you mean by worse, poorer uncorrected visual acuity? If so, then yes, those that have oblique axis 45 or 135 usually have slightly worse uncorrected vision than those having With-The-Rule (WTR) astigmatism (axis 180) or Against-The-Rule (ATR) astigmatism (axis 90). Assuming minus cylinder corrections.

Phoropter 31 Mar 2004, 08:41

DelDoc: Are you an OD, MD, or other?

Phoropter 31 Mar 2004, 08:40

Electra: Unless your eyes are really itchy (classic symptom of allergies), I vote for dry eyes causing the redness.

Electra 31 Mar 2004, 06:05

Symptomatica: Many thanks. You know, I read little snippets of this info here all the time, but i'm never quite sure if I'm understanding it right, it'sreally helpful when someone puts it all together for me like that, I'm a fast learner but I do like to make sure I'm getting it RIGHT.

In the case of the anonymous hypothetical person that we're discussing, er hem, he isn't young, no.

This is why I'm asking. Someone did a very strange thing and went and fell in love with a man who doesn't wear glasses. This is unheard of, but this is it folks. This is the one. After all these years. Not anyone you know but, anyway, someone did do a little research before getting too involved. Between watching him hold stuff away to read and figuring that any man in his fourties is going to need glasses before too long, someone took a big chance, because someone isn't getting any younger.

Needless to say, someone watches his every move, and was particularly intrigued to notice that he doesn't JUST seem to have trouble reading, but also seems to peer at things a bit further away. Not squint, PEER. You know what I mean. You can almost see tiny little focussing dials being turned in his head. So someone was wondering just how long has he been doing this. Someone is having great fun.

Electra 31 Mar 2004, 06:03

In the case of the anonymous hypothetical person that we're discussing, er hem, he isn't young, no.

AstigGuest 30 Mar 2004, 20:35

Hello, is astigmatism any worse if the angles stray away from 0 or 180 degrees?

Symptomatica 30 Mar 2004, 16:56

Electra: an autorefractor can detect a hyperopic eye. As someone else explained it is shaped differently than a "normal" eye. Everybody - with eyes of all shapes - becomes presbyopic eventually.

Yes, an eye doctor can tell the difference between the two.

As far as what difference it would make (for your boyfriend for instance): as a hyperopic person ages he'll eventually need some correction at all distances. A younger hyperope will usually notice that even if he only wears glasses for near tasks he can see clearly in the distance with his glasses (especially if he's been wearing them for a prolonged period.)

A presbyopic person can't usually see well in the distance with his reading correction.

A hyperopic person can (and will eventually) also be presbyopic. In this case he will (eventually) need bifocals.

DelDoc 30 Mar 2004, 15:32

Electra,

My vote for the red eyes is chronic allergic conjunctivitis.

Clarin 30 Mar 2004, 15:21

Electra,

Your red eyes are a sign that you probably smoke too much. Try cutting back, or better yet, quitting.

Electra 30 Mar 2004, 15:04

Aha Theresa! So it's a different cause, yes, I had a feeling I was on to that but couldn't quite pin it down, you put it so well, thank you. Now then, can a doctor tell which is which, if say he's presented with a person in their early fourties, who could, for argument's sake, POSSIBLY be my boyfriend........and does it MATTER which it is?

Theresa 30 Mar 2004, 13:42

Electra,

Hyperopia is a defect in the structure of the eye as is myopia. It basically means that the eye is too short or conversely the focussing power of the lens system (the cornea) is too weak. Presbyopia occurs in people of a certain age whether they are myopic, hyperopic or emmetropic and is down to the lens of the eye losing it's elasticity. This is the variable lens inside the eye which can adjust it's power to enable us to see things near and far. Once the elasticity of the lens decreases it can't adjust for near vision as well and hence the need for reading glasses to add a little positive focussing power.

Electra 30 Mar 2004, 13:30

I've got a ton of questions for you low hyperopes, would you rather answer here or at your new group (you just try keeping me away).

I've also got a couple of technical questions, the first one being other than the obvious age thing, what the most significant difference between hyperopia and presbyopia, for example can a doctor tell what he's dealing with? Secondly, are red eyes a clue to anything. I mean eyes that are vaguely bloodshot all the time, can that be a sign of eyestrain?

badfeti 29 Mar 2004, 20:56

Plus crazy, vic, and all plus crazys:

Yes, a yahoo group dedicated to plus wearers would be great. Plus wearers coming to ES could talk and share pics there.

If feasibl we could also come up with a new album at the girlswithplusgalsses yahoo group.

Your comments please...

Badfeti

Vic 29 Mar 2004, 19:04

Well definitely seeing near is better...takes a few minutes to adjust to far but after about 10 minutes they are both just as clear and better dont know if thats everyones experience but works for me ;p

Brian-16 29 Mar 2004, 13:16

Vic-Glad you are getting along just fine with your new glasses.Would you say you see better both near and far with them? I know what you mean about progressives,some folks love them and some hate them.I am perfectly content with my flat top bi-focals and most of the time do not even pay attention to the line.

matt_uk 29 Mar 2004, 09:41

Hi Ed

I went to eye test yesterday, turns out I'm +.75 L and R, almost the same as you. Also had bad headaches when using PC, that's what prompted me to go to opticians. I'm 18,M. Not sure how clear distance will be with glasses, and not sure how ppl will take me wearing them, cos I have always been known for good eyesight (I can see miles)

Vic 29 Mar 2004, 00:19

Judging from my experience with + lenses I would not get progressives ever I feel a slight blur when I put my glasses on but after a few muntes everything is crystal clear and better

Sonny 28 Mar 2004, 16:23

Hello, This would be my 1st glasses other than readers that I have had for a couple years.

Went to Dr. this was the results;

OD Sphere +025 Cylinder -100 Axis 085

OS Sphere +50 Cylinder -125 Axis 083

175 ADD

I went with, Progressive Varilux Panamic, AR, Next Generation Transitions

After 3 weeks I would put them on and things were sharper at distance but after 20-30 minutes my eyes were feeling very strained and distance was harder to focus (seemed like a clearer blur, if that makes sense). I went back to same DR. and got a Re-check

OD Sphere PLO Cylinder -100 Axis 085

OS Sphere PLO Cylinder -100 Axis 076

ADD 175

Dr. asked if I was Diabetic because that would cause this change, I am not.

My question, If I get new glasses with this new script are they no more than reading glasses or will the astigmatism only correction make my distance vision clearer???? Also If they will help distance and I got another pair of Progressive's would the lense's be more like single vision because of the Sphere. I had done a little searching before I went with the Progressives so I kinda new what to expect. I really did not like them, but then the prescription changed a lot. Or would I be better off not getting any glasses other than reading because my RX is so small? Sorry for being so long, Thanks for anyone's help.

Io 28 Mar 2004, 02:13

It would be really interesting to compare our visual experience - ie when we wear glasses - what vision is like without etc. We each have very similar prescriptions it would be interesiting to see how much our vision differs.

Vic 28 Mar 2004, 01:35

Glad to see that I'm not the only + person around here! Was starting to think I was for awhile ;p would be great to start a yahoo group or keep in touch with each other...anyone can feel free to email me on that email address below

Plus Crazy 28 Mar 2004, 01:31

Hi Ed, Vic, Al and Io!

Guys you belong to the rare breed(hyperopes) at ES. Please keep posting about your progression, funny or interesting things which happened to you due your glasses (especially things happened due to not wearing them even though you are supposed to wear them).

This will help us to get an idea of the lifestyles of long sighted folks.

I'm a 20 yr old Male OO (specialised in 'plus glasses'),

I like to hang around with girls with plus/bifocal glasses.

Newertheless I'm interested about technical stuff and case studies too.

Guys and girls, why dont we start a yohoo group?

Al 27 Mar 2004, 23:37

Hi Ed, Vic and Io!

Nice to see so much people with the prescriptions close to mine:

left: +0.75 +0.75 @ 86

right: +0.50

I wear them for reading and computer only. Btw I'm 29/M.

Vic 27 Mar 2004, 20:36

Ed, or anyone if you want to talk more you can email me at vkarategirl_007@yahoo.com

Ed 27 Mar 2004, 16:00

Cool, yeah i wore my glasses quite a bit today, amazed at the difference they made! but yeah as soon as i saw anyone i knew i took them off. the easter break has just started so i wont see anyone but parents really for the next few weeks so i don't need to worry bout people seeing me wearing them. its still really weird seeing myself in glasses, i can't tell if they suit me or not i spent about 2hrs picking the frames tho.

have fun

Vic 27 Mar 2004, 15:15

Oops that Ed post was directed at you Ed but it was from me LOL

Ed 27 Mar 2004, 12:21

I'm 19 and F and I'm still a bit of a closest wearer if someone comes into my room I always take my glasses off...it annoys me that I can't wear them more but parents suck

Tammy 27 Mar 2004, 10:09

Phoropter, OO stands for Optix Obsessive. An OO is someone who is obsessed with glasses.

Phoropter 27 Mar 2004, 09:57

Tortoise: I should have asked soon but what is an OO?

Julian 27 Mar 2004, 08:54

A little bit of astigmatism can cause a lot of grief!

Love and kisses, Jules.

Io 27 Mar 2004, 08:38

Ed: in answer to your questions i'm 24 and F

I must admit i'm still a bit of a closet wearer. I've mostly been working from home for about the last year so i've never really had the need to wear them in public.

Rick 27 Mar 2004, 07:55

Seems there's lots of us with similar prescriptions. Mine is left eye +1.25, 1 up; right eye +1.00, 1/2 down. I got them for similar reasins - headache and eyestrain when doing closework at college. I was also surprised to be told to wear them all the time. I told people by text, so it didn't seem that big a surprise when I turned up wearing them. Have to say that if I don't wear them these days I get really bad headaches.

Ed 27 Mar 2004, 07:37

Io and Vic, how old are u? Are u M/F? Sorry for all the questions im interested.

Io 27 Mar 2004, 02:54

Ed - i never actually told my parents - they found out by mistake one day. I was visiting and left them lying around. They asked a few questions and nothing else was ever said about the matter - i suppose only seeing them twice a year helps though :)

Io 27 Mar 2004, 02:45

Ed and Vic: I have similar prescription to both of you - can't remember the exact details but it is something like:

Left: +1.00 -0.5 @ 10

right: +.75 -0.25 @ 80

wow - it's like a little club!

Caroline 26 Mar 2004, 22:45

Hi Andrew - it's -2.50 (L) and -2.75 (R)

Vic 26 Mar 2004, 17:39

Basically I wear my glasses all the time reading, computer work etc and all the time at university I dont wear them to drive Id wear them more but my parents seem to have a thing about getting dependant on them which is a load of hogwash because you cant. Not sure what the axis part is mine are 20 for right and 145 for left but I have +0.75 for both eyes

Andrew 26 Mar 2004, 16:50

Caroline: I suspect that over and above a certain prescription, the optician just assumes you will end up wearing the glasses full time. I have long passed the point where I need my glasses so that I can hold books, papers, etc. far enough AWAY from my eyes to read them in comfort. I'm up at -7.75, and have never been told to wear my glasses full time. I started doing so at school, when I was taking them off at the end of one lesson, and putting them on before anything had happened in the next one. What is your prescription anyway?

Ed 26 Mar 2004, 16:45

Groovy, yo what does the axis part of the perscription mean? also Vic how often do u wear your glasses?

Vic 26 Mar 2004, 16:39

ED, You have nearly the same RX as me LOL

Ed 26 Mar 2004, 16:11

Hi, long long time lurker, first time posting. Basically i got my first perscription today and its:

R: +0.75 cyl: 0.25 Axis 155

L: +1.00 cyl: 0.25 Axis 5

anyway im a 18 yr old male at university in england and i had to get my eyes tested because i was having trouble with my eyes getting really tired really quickly (after about 1/2 hr of computer work) The trouble is i feel really embarassed about the fact i now need glasses, i have no trouble telling my mates, i still just cant tell my parents. I was just wondering if anyone else has had similar problems? Also the eye doctor told me to start wearing them almost full time, is this normal? Please help?!?!?!?!?!

have fun

Caroline 26 Mar 2004, 13:06

Maverick I had no idea if mine was a strong prescription or not but I can't deny I knew I'd have to get glasses. My boyfriend wears glasses and he encouraged me to sort myself out so I have him to thank for that. They sure make a difference though which is quite a surprise if you've never had them before. That's scary too, I came back from a meeting tonight by train and realised that without my glasses I couldn't even read the monitor just 2 metres away from it. I've sort of got used to my vision without glasses, I mean knowing what I can't/can't see, but the comparison's quite amazing. Is it likely that I'm going to get so used to them that I can't do without them? I didn't get any indication from the optician that I should wear them full time so maybe I should aim not to.

SC 26 Mar 2004, 04:35

Hi Chris. Yep - I can relate to what you say. My optician was very amazed about my "first" prescription too. Since I got my glasses I have worn them (or my contacts) every day full time. Looking back I have no idea why I did not go and get them before - now I love wearing them. Currently my prescription is -7.

Chris 25 Mar 2004, 12:39

Hello SC. My prescription wasn't much less than your when I first got glasses. I don't think I realised how bad my eyes had become because they deteriorated gradually over a year or two and, like you, I managed to develop coping strategies - I copied a lot from my mates in class. I was vaguely aware that I should probably get my eyes checked and occasionally my mates would say something like you really should get glasses. It was only when I found out that stood at the front I couldn't make out the faces on the front row, I knew that I'd have to get some glasses. When I went for my test the optician was surprised I'd managed for so long without. I remember being amazed by the difference when I walked out of the opticians wearing my new glasses. I wore them virtually all the time from day 1. None of my mates were surprised when I turned uo to school finally wearing glasses, although some were surprised I went full time immediately.

Phoropter 25 Mar 2004, 11:50

Tammy: Purely accidental.

Electra 25 Mar 2004, 10:40

Marc: Yes, I can well imagine. How old were you when you first had trouble, and what was your prescription then?

Marc 25 Mar 2004, 10:36

Electra,

My vision is blurred at most distances. I have a hard time reading up close and even mid-range is tough without my glasses. Glasses make my eyes feel more relaxed.

Nick 25 Mar 2004, 10:24

Hi, MJ, that's sort of what it was like with me. Before I got these glasses I had an rx of -1.50 in each eye, which I could get away with only wearing for things like tv and driving.

When I went for my test last summer two things had happened - firstly, I'd just come back from my holidays where I'd been wearing my prescription shades quite a bit (because they were the only shades I had) and (obviously) my eyes had got worse. I knew when I got my new glasses I'd have to wear them for things like shopping and work - try running a fun sports session for youngsters when you can't see their faces properly the other side of the hall. Not a great idea.

Like you I really noticed a blur when I wasn't wearing them, especially if I'd been at work wearing them constantly for 8 or 10 hours. It started to annoy me not being able to see clearly. Even though I could cope without them, I just got fed up with the blur and went full time. I'm sure I could cope around the house and to read without them, but these days I'm quite comfortable about the way I look wearing glasses (and my girlfriend thinks I look better in them), so they go on when I get up and come off when I go to bed. It sounds to me like you would benefit from wearing them much more.

Tammy 25 Mar 2004, 10:01

Phoropter, Did you play on words in your last post on purpose, or is the pun there accidental?

Electra 25 Mar 2004, 09:25

I love it! Clean, blood-free doctoring and no germs!

Phoropter 25 Mar 2004, 09:06

Dentist have the highest suicide rates amoung all health care professionals, obstetricians have the highest malpractice rates of anybody on earth. I'm not fond of surgery/needles/blood so a medical doctor/ophthalmologist/aminal vet was out of the question. I just think everything about the eye is cool. Optometry just seemed like a good fit, and most of my patients are healthy :)

Electra 25 Mar 2004, 07:18

Phoropter: What made you want to become a Doctor of Optometry? Why not a dentist, or an obstetrician?

Phoropter 25 Mar 2004, 07:10

tortoise: Sorry I haven't responded sooner, short vacation.

Highest minus Rx -33.00, while I was a student in California in the low vision clinic, +18 is the highest plus,an aphakic 76 yo male

In your professional life, had you ever come across optical obsession/glasses fetish before you discovered "eyescene"? No, very interesting though.

Would you say that you are OO? I'm an O.D. Doctor of Optometry (It should have been D.O. but the doctors of osteopathology beat us to it)

If someone came to you wanting to be refracted while wearing high plus contacts for GOC purposes would you find it in your heart to co-operate? Initially I would have said no way, however we did this as students years ago for fun, so I would be a hypocrit if I did it for myself and not a patient. SO sure, I'd give it a go.

SC 25 Mar 2004, 04:47

My first proper RX was -3.25 both eyes. I did get prescribed specs at age 11 but then managed to avoid all other attempts until I was 18. Once I started to wear them I wondered how I ever managed to do things. Its strange and cant explain it but for years I managed.

Maverick 24 Mar 2004, 14:51

Caroline: -2.50/-2.75 as has been mentioned is a pretty hefty first prescription. I'm curious ! Has your eyesight got worse over a fairly short time ? I cant believe you have been struggling on (and driving!)for any length of time with that sort of RX. My prescription is very little different from yours and I know that watching TV for instance would be pretty much a waste of time without correction, and driving would be downright dangerous!

What led up to you deciding at this stage, and not sooner, to get your eyes checked out ?

Electra 24 Mar 2004, 06:16

Marc: I am ever so slightly myopic in my right eye and even more slightly hyperopic in my left, and as a result of this I see really, really well, I think my brain picks one image over the other. I can see how it wouldn't work like this at a higher level. Without your glasses do you get double vision?

guest#8 24 Mar 2004, 01:07

HI Phoroptor

I second the questions asked by tortoise. I've been reading your posts for a couple of months now, and you have me very intrigued. I just didn't feel it kosher to ask the questions. Since someone else already did, it would be great to hear what your answers are.

Marc 23 Mar 2004, 21:38

I am myopic in my right eye and hyperopic in my left eye. My glasses are -3.25 and +2.50

MJ 23 Mar 2004, 14:33

Nick, Hi - thanks for your reply. Re-reading my post it seems a bit of a muddle, what I meant was the glasses correct my vision fine, but without them things that I wouldn't expect to be (ie inside the house) are a bit blurry. I never noticed that before. I'm by no means a nearly full time wearer and when I say I wear them for distance, I mean for the obvious things like tv, cinema, driving, shopping or if I'm in a strange town. But not generally if I'm not in a visually demanding environment like walking the dog. I do notice I have some trouble though across the office, along the corridor, road signs, I'm sure you can imagine. I suppose that's probably an indication that it's time to get used to wearing them more. That I'm not surprised about, what does surprise me is that I notice it at a room's length, I never imagined this was a full time wear prescription.

Nick 23 Mar 2004, 13:40

Hi, MJ. I wear a prescription like yours all the time. Before I got them, was finding things like shopping hard. Also, couldn't really see clearly enough at work - work in a leisure centre and running sessions in a large sports hall was getting very difficult. When I got this pair, didn't wear them all the time, but it was getting annoying not being able to see. Sure, I could cope to read without glasses, but as I can see to read with them I don't bother to take them off.

You say you wear them for distance activities, what do you mean by that? I think if you start wearing them most of the time you will notice a real difference.

Mel 23 Mar 2004, 04:16

I have been lurking around here for about a month and have found it to be a great site. I have + 15.00 contactgs that I wear with my -26.00 Myodisc lenses. O found some glasses on Ebay that look like mine.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item;=2994581511&category;=1467

For someine to realy need these glasses to function is scary. I know with just the contacts, I can see about an inch!!!

tortoise 22 Mar 2004, 19:30

Hi Phoropter, I tend to be a skeptical old duffer but you come across as pretty genuine to me so I have a few questions for you if you don't mind.

As an optometrist you probably remember the highest prescriptions you have ever refracted... what were they, + and - ??

In your professional life, had you ever come across optical obsession/glasses fetish before you discovered "eyescene"?

Would you say that you are OO?

If someone came to you wanting to be refracted while wearing high plus contacts for GOC purposes would you find it in your heart to co-operate?

AllBest... t

22 Mar 2004, 19:07

So High Myope, your daughter is getting pretty blind

MJ 22 Mar 2004, 14:25

My optician couldn't decide whether I was -2.25 or -2.75 so she gave the weaker prescription. It's fine for correcting my vision but I notice there's a slight out of focus to things even inside the house. Can this mean I need to wear them not just for distance but for mid-distance too, I have no trouble reading with them on but can't say I need them for close work. I thought this isn't a strong prescription though.

Phoropter 22 Mar 2004, 14:00

OD: -3.00-0.50x060

OS: -2.75-0.75x120

Mal 22 Mar 2004, 12:31

Phoropter - I'm -2.75, what's your's?

Phoropter 22 Mar 2004, 12:08

Caroline, wow, that's a large first Rx. I my opinion, your eyes are not going to get better or worse the more you do or do not wear your glasses. I usually tell my near-sighted patients, wear your glassses when you want to see clearly. I have nearly the same Rx as you, and I wear my glasses sun up until sun down, in other words, all the time. Just an Optometrists opinion.

Caroline 22 Mar 2004, 11:45

I'm 29 yrs old and live in SW England, two months ago I got my first prescription -2.50 and -2.75. I'm wearing it for driving and tv mostly. Is it possible that my vision will get worse if I wear my glasses more, or is it more likely that it'll get worse if I don't? My optician said to wear this prescription for distance activities, but I'm not sure what that means really! Could someone with a similar prescription enlighten me? Many thanks.

Jeni 22 Mar 2004, 04:33

Hi, Jeniffer, 16 - new to Eyescene. Got my newest glasses last week with prescriptions of:

R -6.50 -0.75 90

L -7.00 -1.50 175

Got some ultra thin and light lenses and a normal pair.

High Myope 14 Mar 2004, 18:25

My 14-year-old daughter just got new glasses. I called the optometrist's office to make an appointment and they had just taken a cancellation so we went right over. After the technician did the autorefractor exam, she took me aside and told me the read-out showed that she had become much more myopic. When the doctor began the exam, he told my daughter that as he tried out various lenses, she would probably notice that the chart was looking smaller, and not to worry. She then chose the red side of the chart over the green five or six times consecutively.

Her old RX was OD -8.00 -.25, OS -8.75 -.25. The new RX is R -9.25, L -9.75, no cylinder. Her new lenses have plano base curves. In the previous two exams, she progressed only -.25 each time, so she was probably due for a big change.

guest 13 Mar 2004, 16:39

Ann, you last posted the day before your birthday, and picking up your new bifocals. Just wondering how your doing with them?

13 Mar 2004, 01:10

Vic 09 Mar 2004, 20:29

Finally got my prescription its Right +0.25 Left +0.25 Cylinder -0.25 -0.25 Axis 20 145 Add +0.75 +0.75 any insights into what thats about? hehe

Sandy 08 Mar 2004, 23:56

Don, I have a pair that is a small rimless pair. The lenses are also polycarbonate and the edges are a little thicker because I was told that they had to be grooved on the bottom of the lens to hold the fish wire string in place. Compared to larger frames that I used to wear several years ago, they are much thinner. My prescription is -4.00 -2.50 x003 and -3.50 -2.50 x180. Take care.

don 08 Mar 2004, 18:32

hi my rx is -3.50 1.75 atig and -3.25 -1 astig .is this and average rx and doyou add the stid to my myopia .i have rimless in poly and they are quite thick.thank you

tortoise 08 Mar 2004, 17:46

Reluctant, it annoys me how spectacle merchants work on one's insecurities by suggesting that lenses like yours will appear "thick". If you were to choose enormous frames such as were popular in the '80s (was it?) then ordinary plastic lenses would have thick edges in your Rx but not terribly so. .05 cyl correction is very slight and neither you or anyone else will notice any difference in the appearance of the lenses. Hopefully you will notice a slight improvement in your vision but that will be all. High or low numbers in axis doesn't refer to strength of the cyl. correction but only to the orientation. If you imagine a clock face then, for example, axis 90 would indicate that the cyl was on the horizontal line from 3 to 9. Relax and enjoy your glasses. If you got high index lenses they will be quite thin. Cheers.

Tigger 08 Mar 2004, 16:22

And Electra, our job of Rx spotting got tougher with the invention of high-index lenses, huh?

Electra 08 Mar 2004, 13:23

Reluctant: The thing is, some of us here spend a ridiculous amount of time (you really don't want to know how much) studying people's glasses to try and guess the Rx. We've been doing it for years. You know how some people go birdwatching? Well, just like that. Despite all this study we can rarely agree. I've seen "Rx spotting experts" disagree by 2 or more diopters. And WE, your friendly obsessives, would have serious trouble telling the difference between your old Rx and your new one. An ordinary person would have no hope of telling the difference.

Reluctant GWG 08 Mar 2004, 07:23

Thanks Electra, Lentifan & Joe,

I think you're all right. And thanks for your support. I did feel a bit as if I was the focus of some pretty skillful salesmanship but it's hard to argue when they're the professionals. I was planning to just get the new prescription put in the old frame which would have cost about £40 but I ended up spending nearly £200! Anyway the glasses won't be ready for a week but I'm looking forward to being able to see properly again. It's weird about the astigmatism in the left eye. It just seems to me to be more shortsighted - what's the visual effect of uncorrected astigmatism? Is it the same as myopia? Does a 'cylinder' in the prescription distort what you see and is it noticeable to other people? I was overcoming my glassesphobia and starting to quite like myself in glasses but I thought my glasses looked quite strong enough as they were! Still I don't get any complaints from my boyfriend so I should probably some being paranoid.

Electra 08 Mar 2004, 05:52

Which is why they can put big signs in windows advertising prices, with that leetle word "from" in very small letters....it's no different to buying a car, been there done that. "But you said it was $19,999?" "Ah yes, plus, optional extras like seats, steering wheel, paint etc". OK, not quite the same, but you get the idea.

lentifan 08 Mar 2004, 05:46

Electra and Joe are quite right. The optical industry are working hard at trying to make people neurotic about their lenses looking 'thick'. The whole point of this is to sell them expensive hi-index lenses and/or expensive add-ons for unnecessary anti-reflective coatings etc. To suggest that prescription is too strong for rimless is nonsense.

Electra 08 Mar 2004, 04:33

Reluctant: From everything I've ever read here, I think you were the subject of some very competant salesmanship - the fancy high index lenses are more expensive. Need I say more.

Joe 08 Mar 2004, 04:23

Reluctant GWG

Your prescription would be classed as moderate at worst. It is not considered high by any standards. The actual jump from your old prescription is very small too, 0.50 and 0.25. 0.25 is the smallest increment by which an rx can change. Finally your astigmatism of 0.50 cyl is also very small, so in short I don't think you have anything to worry about. From the description I'm guessing your glasses will be extremely attractive, particularly to us OO types!

Reluctant GWG 08 Mar 2004, 04:12

Hello,

I had an eye check up yesterday & my prescription's gone up. It went from -4.75, -4.25 to -5.25, -4.50. Also the left eye has become a lot more astigmatic. The optician didn't put the whole prescription in this time because she said it would take some getting used to. I don't really understand the astigmatism prescription: is it the cylinder bit or the axis. In the glasses they're making now the I think it's something like axis: 165, cylinder -0.5. Does that make sense? The whole team in the optician's seemed to be very concerned about how thick my new glasses would be. I'm getting high index lenses but they all helped me choose and made me get a small plastic frame to reduce the thickness and hide the sides. They said I shouldn't get rimless glasses as they'd look weird. How thick will my new glasses be do you think? Will my eyes look tiny? Will children cry when they see me?

Guy 07 Mar 2004, 07:47

Jay. I'm -1.75 too, I don't wear them all the time but mostly outdoors. I was at an airport with some friends a week ago and without my glasses, I couldn't see much like where to check in, clocks or departure boards, I felt pretty useless about it really. About the house I'm fine till I want to watch tv or watch the wildlife in the garden. Hope that gives u a better idea for what it's like for us.

Em 07 Mar 2004, 06:08

Hi Jay

-1.75 is not a strong prescription, its similar to mine (-2), but I wear mine most of the time because its at that point where you have to wear them most of the time, and its annoying to keep having to put them on and off all the time.

He'd definitely be able to get around without his glasses, but he probably prefers the crisp vision with them.

Em x

Jay 06 Mar 2004, 14:46

My new boyfriend tells me his prescription is -1.75. Who can tell me what that means in terms of is this a strong prescription. I don't see him without them (much) is that because they're v strong? I like how he looks I just don't know much about wearing glasses and haven't been in a relationship before with someone who obviously needs them because he wears them most times. I'd like to get a better idea of what its like without them for him.

Linette 06 Mar 2004, 06:23

I've been reading the notes here and I wonder if I'm unique. When I was in secondary school I needed glasses for a bit of short-sightedness, and they worked. I know I was shortsighted because I remember what the lenses looked like. But they weren't very strong and I only ever wore them to read the blackboard and after I left school (at 16) I never wore them again. Now I've been prescribed glasses for long-sightedness, chiefly for reading (I'm 39) but I find they help in the distance too. I find this a bit weird, and I can't find anyone else who's gone from one to the other like that.

D-W-V 06 Mar 2004, 00:54

JJ: it depends. The convention for prescriptions is to specify the cylinder axes in the range of zero to 180 degrees. So, if the axis is under 90 degrees, you'd add 90, and if over 90 degrees, you subtract 90 degrees.

Vic 05 Mar 2004, 22:41

I know ive asked this before so people with + lenses can wear them all the time still? I know - can be im just wondering anyone whos done that before

Joe 05 Mar 2004, 10:48

Like lots of shortsighted people, I got glasses when I was at school because I couldnt see the board properly. At first I only wore them to read the board, but after a while I did wear them all the time during lessons. I didnt have a problem with the idea of having to wear glasses when I need them. Soon, Id figured out that I was pretty stupid putting them on in, say, maths taking them off at the end of the lesson to walk a few hundred metres to the next classroom only to put them back on, so once I'd put them on they usually stayed on until at least lunchtime, and often until I went home. For social activities I could mostly do without glasses. If I was doing something I felt I needed glasses for, such as watching a match or a movie, or (occasionally) shopping in a place I didn't know well, I'd usually put them on before I went out, again because this constant on-off business seemed silly.

When I started Uni, I knew my vision wasnt good enough to cope easily in unfamiliar surroundings or recognise people I didnt know that well. So, I started wearing them when I was out of my room. After a while I started going out occasionally without them, but I was started to get pretty depended on them and I really noticed the blur. Also, as the first time Id met all my new mates theyd seen me wearing glasses they expected to see me in glasses, so some didnt recognise me and I got lots of where are your glasses? comments. So, I ended up wearing them all the time when I was out of my room. At first I would still go around bare eye in my room and the block I lived in, but I quickly started up wearing them all of the time.

Chris, your eyes sound like they were pretty bad before you finally got glasses. How did you cope? Presumably those around you must have been pretty dependent on your friends at school. It must have been a relief to them when you got glasses.

JJ 05 Mar 2004, 06:35

Do you subtract 90 degrees from the right eye axis and add 90 degrees to the left eye axis?

guest 05 Mar 2004, 02:59

Ann, You last posted the day before your 43 rd. birthday, and picking up your new bifocals. How's the adjustment to your glasses going?

D-W-V 04 Mar 2004, 23:57

(whoops)

About the transposition: you're correct to subtract 90 degrees.

D-W-V 04 Mar 2004, 23:55

JJ 04 Mar 2004, 23:18

Here is my new RX

L -4.00 +1.75 x 20

R -5.00 +1.50 x 125

to transcribe the cylinder from + to -

it would be as follows??

L -2.25 -1.75 x 110

R -3.50 -1.50 x 214 ????? is there such a number? Would you subtract 90 degrees making the axis 35?

Julian 03 Mar 2004, 17:04

Rick, going by other people's experience I reckon the reason you've become dependent on your glasses so quickly is the prism component in your prescription. It seems that once you're accustomed to that it's very difficult to get along without it. But what the hell, if they help you see well and stop the eyestrain.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Chris 03 Mar 2004, 13:56

Rick, I got glasses when I was 14 or 15. For a while friends had been moaning that I couldn't see properly, then one afternoon I was stood at the front of the class and had to choose the next volunteer. I couldn't make out any of the faces of the people in the class, so I finally had to admit I needed a sight test. The optician said that I'd probably needed glasses for quite a while and that I should wear them all of the time. I don't think any of my friends were surprised when I turned up wearing glasses, the only comments I got were along the lines of "So, you've finally got some glasses". I wore them pretty much full time straight away.

A couple of years later I switched to contacts and wore them for 10 years.

Increasing astigmatism and the need for prism correction because of some double vision meant that last year I had to switch back to glasses. When I first started wearing glasses this time people were much more surprised.

Erick 03 Mar 2004, 12:31

Rick and Ree:

Phoropter is right on about my two sisters, the problem seems to stem from Rubella.

My youngest sister, Jane has very limited vision. She had retinal tumors when she was 2. One eye was removed and the vision in the other was limited due to aggressive treatment. She now uses low vision aids, reads braille, and uses a white cane although she is not quite legally blind.

Phoropter 02 Mar 2004, 22:07

Ree, I don't think Erick's sisters poor vision and hearing are the result of genetics and some time of recessive gene.

Congential Rubella syndrome is a more likely, non-genetic possibility. Infection in early childhood development results in both cataracts and varying degrees of deafness.

As far as cataract surgery goes, when someone is very young, the entire lens is removed and no intraocular lense (IOL) is added. The person is left aphakic, because the eye will continue to grow. Without the natural lens, a high plus Rx is required, as is a bifocal because no accommodation remains.

The only possiblity for them would be an anterior chamber IOL to correct their high hyperopia.

If it really is genetic, than Usher's syndrome is high on the differential, but normally is not accompanied by cataracts.

John 02 Mar 2004, 14:01

I got glasses when I was 13, because I was getting headaches when I was reading. At first, I mainly wore them for reading, but I didn't mind wearing them; if I was getting a headache or my eyes felt tired I'd also wear them as I found they helped.

By the time I was 16 and studying for my exams, I found that after I'd been wearing my glasses constantly for a couple of hours studying or to write exams, it was hard to focus without them and I'd get a headache if I took them off. So, once I'd put my glasses on they often stayed on. At my next check up I said I though I really needed to be wearing them all of the time and the optician agreed.

Jamie 02 Mar 2004, 13:59

Maizi,

How old are you?

The fact that you're having this problem when reading or on computer may mean you need bifocals

Maizi 02 Mar 2004, 12:01

I'm new around here, not posted before but been reading for a while :)

My current prescription is Right -4.5, L-4.25, I wear either glasses or contacts.

I've noticed recently though that if I'm reading or using the computer for a while my eyes start to feel really tired... could I need a stronger prescription?

Maizi xxx

to gettingblinder: 01 Mar 2004, 14:08

If I were you I'd stick with the contacts. Much better to wear and don't have to worry about the "fashion" of it.

Guest 56 01 Mar 2004, 14:06

Rick, Got glasses at 10, wore them next to never until about 14 when I got contacts. My Rx was about -2.25 each eye. Today (19 yrs old) wear contacts all the time and Rx is -4.00 right and -3.75 right

Rick 01 Mar 2004, 12:22

I'm sure this has been posted before, but as a relatively new glasses wearer, I'm interested to know when and why people on here got glasses, how often they wore them, when and why they wore them all the time, what they felt about wearing glasses.

Over the past few months I was getting headaches when I was doing a lot of reading at college. In December I got glasses of right eye +1.00, 1/2 down, left eye +1.25, 1 up. I was told to wear them all the time, even though things would seem pretty strange at first. I did so, after a couple of weeks I tried going without them, just to see how much difference they made. By lunchtime I had such a headache that I had to go home and put my glasses on. It seems strange I've become dependent on them so soon.

fracl 01 Mar 2004, 11:07

gettingblinder,

I'm not an expert at all, but I think that yes you need new glasse and second that you should know that my logic is that if you are already depended on glasses it does not really matter whether you go up by one dioptrie as you will always be using glasses anyway. It's true that if you take thiner lenses you vision will not be as good as with normal lenses. How thick your lenses are will depend on the material they use and even more on the size of the frame, big old-fashioned frames need ticker lenses small frames have thiner ones.

You should change your thought about glasses and you will be happy to get new glasses. Just think about how exciting it will be to go into a shop and see all those new fashion frames that look so good on other people. Go to a modern optician that sells frames that look really goood and stay away form stupid old pilot style glasses, or normal silver squared ones. Go and buy your glasses just as you like buying new cloth and you will see that you will enjoy it.

Further, belive me that with your prescription wich is strong but by far nothing special or extreem, most people do not pay any attention on how strong your lenses are going to be, but they will pay attention on the type of frame you are wearing. If you like your old frame and after the exam you need a new prescription, why not buy new glasses and ask to get cheep standard lenses in your new prescription for your old glasses or use them as prescription sunglasses. That way you can change glasses depending on how you are feeling and you will see it will become a great thing, much better than stupid contacts that might damage your eye surface and dry them out.

I hope you will find all the joy that is needed to like wearing glasses

fracl

Gettingblinder 01 Mar 2004, 08:43

Hi, I'm a new user - I've never been on a site like this before but I have a query: my last prescription was -4.25 and -4.75. That was a year ago and now I think my eyes have got worse again. I wore hard contact lenses (and was NEVER seen in glasses) for about five years and my prescription hardly changed but a year ago I got soft daily disposable lenses and I started wearing glasses more. Now I've noticed that I have to walk right up close to see train times on boards at stations and stuff and when I'm with other people they start talking about writing which is far away while I still can't read it. Do you think the hard contact lenses were stopping my eyes getting worse? I'm 24 now - shouldn't myopia progression be slowing down not speeding up? What do you think my new prescription is. In my current glasses I can see clearly for at least a few feet and then things are a bit out of focus. Should I get new glasses? Will they be really thick? I can't decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

joey 29 Feb 2004, 20:12

I just got a new pair of glasses, the perscription was R -75, -150, 78 L -75, -100, 90. For some reason the eye doctor never adds in the decimal point. So while I was down in Florida on vacation last week. I added in a few decimals and a zero here and there to make up a stronger perscription. The new perscription now reads, R -7.50, -1.50, 78 L -7.50, -1.00, 90. I went into a discount eyeglass outlet and made up a story that I somehow lost my eyeglasses and was in desperate need of a pair. The young girl was startled when she looked at my perscription! She took it in the lab and told me she could have it done by the end of the day but it would have to be standard lens material and they would be thick. Acting disappointed I told her I really needed them and I didn't have much choice and picked out a frame. When I returned later to pick them up I had to pretend I could see clearly with my new coke bottle glasses. What a thrill!

Joey :)

Clare 29 Feb 2004, 09:00

Hello guest - I understand it depends on the strength of the prescription. For me at -2.50 my glasses and my contact lenses are exactly the same, but I think at higher prescriptions (-4 and above possibly, someone will correct me if I'm wrong) then the contacts are lower in power because they're closer to the eyes. I know someone approaching 40 whose glasses prescription is -2.75 and her contacts are -2.25 to accomodate for her age.

Ree 29 Feb 2004, 02:03

Erick

Read your posts and was quite intrigued that all your family members including your parents have some form of vision correction and hearing disability of pretty severe degrees. I find it quite it quite obvious that there is a genetic predisposition, it means that you all are carrying some form of a gene responsible for the hearing loss and poor eyesight. Have you all ever been investigated for that and have had genetic counselling especially your parents.

One more thing , you mentioned that two of your sisters have had cataracts, but post surgery, it is routine practice to put intraocular lenses thus eliminating the need for high + glasses, was there any particular reason that your sisters did not undergo that?

guest 28 Feb 2004, 21:17

Does anybody here know how much a glasses prescription varies from a contact lens prescription? Can you give me examples?

Andrew 28 Feb 2004, 12:43

Welcome, Wendy! Did you know that your glasses are exactly 1 diopter stronger in each eye than the pair I am currentlt wearing? Not a lot of people know that!

Matt G 28 Feb 2004, 10:32

Guest#8, I've recently had to switch from contacts to glasses for most things because of a high astigmatism (4.00) which is getting harder to correct with contacts. If one blink swings the contact off axis it's impossible to see anything. Still wear contacts occasionally for sport, though.

Guido 28 Feb 2004, 10:09

Hello, Wendy. And now, about our twelve step....................

Wendy 28 Feb 2004, 09:28

Hi to everybody, I just want to introduce myself: my name is Wendy, 19 years old and as blind as a bat!!!!

My rx now is L: -8.75 R: -9.00 with some odd astigmatism.

So glasses are my drug............

Phoropter 28 Feb 2004, 06:34

Guest#8:

On more difficult fits I've had good success with Sunsofts. I also like most of the Coopervision products, like Preference and Hydrasoft torics.

Rick 27 Feb 2004, 08:29

Erick;

Hi Erick -

I honestly did not know that glasses could be crafted for such high degrees of myopia - I find this very intesting. May I ask a question;

With > -20 glasses is your/your family members vision correctable to 20/20 ? Or does the thickness of the lense make that impossible ?

Thanks.

Erick 27 Feb 2004, 06:57

Tommy:

The eye doctor has always said that my accommodation was good and I did not need bifocals, even though I am the final person in the family to get them.

All of us have poor eyesight and poor hearing. My dad is deaf and wears -15 glasses. Mom has -26 and a severe hearing loss. You know about my twin and me, and both of us have a moderate severe hearing loss. Older sister, Sally, wears +20 glasses due to cataracts and has a severe loss, she's 22 and just graduated college. Younger brother Matt is 16, has -18 glasses and a moderate hearing loss. Younger sister Jane also had cataracts, +22 glasses and has a cochlear implant.

As far as the bifocals are concerned, the two girls with cataracts have worn them almost all their lives. My twin has had hers for 4 years, and Matt got his when he was 8. My original glasses, when I was 6 were -3.

guest#8 26 Feb 2004, 16:01

Phoroptor

Thankyou for your response. I will be patient with my op Doc.

I'm using sunsoft multiples Div. 2 for now. What do you think of this brand? It seems to be the best out of the others I have tried so far... However, as I stated before still not quite rite.

lentifan 26 Feb 2004, 16:00

Guest#8, why not just wear glasses and save yourself all that trouble?

Phoropter 26 Feb 2004, 12:17

guest#8

What is considered to be high astigmatism? In my opinion, over 3.00 diopters is high, although I've got a few patients with over 6.00 diopters of astigmatism, but these people are in the minority. In the US, most contact lense companies cater to those with -2.25 diopters or less of astigmatism in disposable contacts and consider over -2.75 diopters high. Ultimately, it depends on who you talk to.

Why is it so hard to find the correct contact lense? As you have may have learned, toric soft contacts are weighted to align a specific orientation when on your eye. Most toric contacts have at lease one marking at the 6 o'clock position on the lense to allow the doctor to see how it aligns on you eye. If the contact does not position correctly and rotates, you vision will be decreased (like if you were to rotate your glasses slightly clockwise or counterclockwise in front of an eye). Given this, it may be the contacts you have tried are rotating and therefore the your doctor has had to change the astigmatism axis to compensate for any rotation of the lense on your eye. When this doesn't work, I usually try a different brand of contact lense.

Every CL manufacturer uses a slightly different way to make the contact lense sit in the right orientation on your eye, and it sometimes requires trying multiples brands of lenses to find one which works best for you. I wouldn't be discouraged yet, toric fit are sometimes a lot more tricky than spherical fits

guest#8 26 Feb 2004, 01:51

Phoropter

What is considered to be high astigmatism? Why is it so hard to find the correct contact lense? I've had to change 3 different times and it is still not quite rite...

Rick 25 Feb 2004, 20:05

Hi Tommy and Company - thanks for the encouragement.

My old Rx in 2001 was :

R: -5.00 0 0

L: -5.75 0 0

I know this is not a huge change but I was kinda caught off guard - went to the DMV to get my ambulance license and I was not 20/20 as I use to be.... They said I was 20/40 L, 20/30 R with the old Rx. So got the old vision tweeked as it were.

I just hope this stabalizes. Also, I find that my vision is way clearer with contacts over glasses; less shinking of print - must have to do with how close the glasses are to your eyes.

Thanks.

Phoroptor 25 Feb 2004, 19:57

Rick: I totally agree with Tommy, you will most likely be correctable to 20/20 until you get old enough for cataracts, but by then you will most likely be retired.

Tommy 25 Feb 2004, 19:36

Rick, what was your Rx 2 years ago? What was the progression prior to that? Even with what you have now this is not likely to hamper your vocation.

Rick 25 Feb 2004, 19:26

Hi people;

Just found this site (no pun intended) as I was doing a search to better understand the perdicament I'm in. Just got my eyes checked, first time in about 2 years, and my Rx is now:

R: -5.25 0 0

L: -6.25 0 0

I'm kinda getting a little worried; at 24 almost 25 I was hoping that my Rx would finally stablize - my eyes are otherwise healthy. A question - for people with larger Rx than myself is there a point when you won't see 20/20 when corrected? The reason I ask is that I'm training for a paramedic and I need 20/30 in my best 20/50 in my worst, corrected. I'm afraid if I drop below this at any point in my career I could loose my job. Thus is there anyone out there that has a real high Rx and is still correctable to 20/20; is this common ?

Thanks.

Kairos 25 Feb 2004, 04:18

My first prism-prescription:

r: +0,75 Pr1: 1,00 Bas.1: 0

l: +1,00 Cyl: -0,75, Ach: 160 Pr.1: 1,00 Bas1: 90

What does it mean?

GLCK 24 Feb 2004, 12:25

What is the weakest prescription that opticians (United Kingdom) advise for full time wear.

In United Kingdom we go to an opticians who examines the eyes and also sells the glasses. We do not need to buy from the same optician but reading here in USA you go to an eye doctor, does he not sell glasses? Just getting curiouser and curiouser about glasses

guest 24 Feb 2004, 00:10

Ann, Have a great birthday, dispite the bifocals!

Progressives 23 Feb 2004, 22:43

Ann,

How about you and a friend go out to dinner and put them to use on the menu?

leelee 23 Feb 2004, 20:52

ann,

it's better than the alternative ...

Tommy 23 Feb 2004, 18:29

Erick, read your post with interest and perhaps you will share - why not BF sooner if you thought the need and why only a +2 add now? I notice your sister has a higher plus with a lower minus compared to yours. What was your progression from age 6? Are your lenses hi-index? What type of frames do you have? Also, seems unusual to have trifocals right up front, did the optician suggest progressives?

Thanks, Tommy

ann 23 Feb 2004, 16:56

guest-

I think it's appropriate to pick up my 1st pair of bifocals tomm., it'll be my way of celebrating my 43 birthday-how awful is that?

ann 23 Feb 2004, 16:47

guest-

I actually just received a call on Sat., from the optician informing me that my glasses were ready to be picked up. I plan to do so tomm., I plan to wear them whenever I feel the need. I know that I'll be wearing them for close work, and driving at night,t.v, etc. We'll see how it goes, and I'll keep ya up to speed.

Thanks! Gotta admit, I'm a little nervous, about the whole thing!

guest 23 Feb 2004, 00:17

Ann, You posted on 2-12 regarding your first time prescription of bifocals,and had several questions. I'm wondering how your getting on with your new glasses,and how you decided to wear them.ie, fulltime, mostly for reading.

Abi 22 Feb 2004, 08:33

Erick, you've got a fantastic rx. How about some photos.

Wurm,

Why not photos of evryone here so we can see glasses??

Thanks luvly wurm darling

Erick 22 Feb 2004, 05:52

Hi, I am a college freshman who has been bothered by eyestrain for the entire semester. I have worn glasses for ever increasing myopia and astigmatism since I was 6. I had an exam at Christmas, an increase, and asked (again) for bifocals which I finally got (trifocals actually). My twin sister has worn bifocals for 4 years (when we were both -8) and has not had the increases I have had. Jessica's latest prescription is -11 in one eye and -13 in the other with a +3 add.

The prescription I just got is R: -15.0 -5.0 x80 L: -16.5 -4.5 x80 add +2.0.

I have worn these for several weeks and the eyestrain is gone. Plus the computer screen is much more in focus.

Electra 21 Feb 2004, 11:46

Oh it's all in good fun Eddy, don't worry about me. Do you really think I'd open up like this here if I couldn't take a little teasing? Anyway, I'll get my own back. [very mischievous look]

Eddy 20 Feb 2004, 15:57

Hey Leckster, Eddy pleads force majeure on several fronts. But rest assured, your pics will come. In re the pic of your goodself, if it was me in your shoes I'd have to say the joke has just about got a little overworked. Still, bear up.

Electra 20 Feb 2004, 13:36

I'm a total obsessive, a fetishist. Why that should happen to a person with normal eyesight, your guess is as good as mine. Opposites attract? The GOC website was never meant to be a website. My main website is homage to men in glasses <drool> and as I read virtually everything here, I just thought it would be nice to do a page on GOC, as I'm gradually covering everything else. Then I was offered some help to do a proper GOC website and it isn't too arduous so I'm doing it. But I need more photos, so I asked around and all I got in return was "we'll send them if you'll go get your eyes tested and tell us the result" (because I never had, ever) and I stuck to my side of the bargain (scroll down) but the photos are NOT coming in.

I actually try to keep a lid on my sense of humour here, but it's getting harder........I'm an excitable little person.

Greg 20 Feb 2004, 12:18

Electra--I'm just having a little fun with you! You have a great sense of humor, I can tell. You are so lucky to have good natural vision and of course I agree with you that it would not be good to start fooling around with GOC. I am just curious why you are so interested in this site and glasses. Looking forward to your website when it is ready for prime time.

Electra 20 Feb 2004, 09:36

Well I wouldn't say I wasn't, LOL...but no, I'm just telling you the truth here. I'm sorry!

Greg 19 Feb 2004, 12:03

Electra---I think you're just playing hard to get.

Electra 19 Feb 2004, 06:18

Interesting, yep. Having spoken to as many fetishist women as I can find, men don't seem to mind being the "object" of our desires! So, maybe what we're seeing here is a very basic male/female difference. So long as everyone is happy, I don't think it matters too much.

BB 19 Feb 2004, 05:52

I have asked about twelve people who have an RX ranging from -12 to -24, and another 10 people with an Rx of +7.50 to +14 did wearing high high powered glasses effect them growing up, everyone said yes. I also asked the same group of people would they trust a man or woman who constantly refereed to loving their glasses the answer was no.

I also asked them would they prefer not to wear glasses and they all said no.

I asked if a man said their glasses looked sexy did they believe him, they all said no.

The positive results from this little survey,ladies were happy to day guys wearing glasses, guys were reluctant to admit glasses were part of the attraction which to dating women, ladies did not veiw glasses as something sexual,most guys did.

The moral of this little survey,ladies can be trusted to love guys for who they are, guys seem to have a sexual fetish about glasses, ladies would rather they accepted them for who they are. (interesting I think)

Nancy 19 Feb 2004, 05:26

Sal:

Good for your daughter! I sincerely doubt that the neeed for bifocals will go away. Her astigmatism will not diminish, and here myopia will undoubtedly increase. The bifocal makes it much easier for her to read without eyestrain. In fact, with the strength of the add, trifocals should be considered if she starts to use a computer.

Nancy

Electra 19 Feb 2004, 04:17

LOL, you guys! As I've pointed out somewhere recently, I could no more put contacts in my eyes than eat knives, so it's not going to happen. But I've made other promises.

Greg 18 Feb 2004, 15:37

Electra---I think you should try GOC so you can wear around a -7! Just for the guys here...pretty please, with sugar on top.

MVIII 18 Feb 2004, 14:57

Hey, Smudgeur

With all due respect. My bet is; your wife will be 37 on her next birthday.

Smudgeur 18 Feb 2004, 13:54

Too right Andrew! Cardiff here we come! There's only one team in Essex!

Any more guesses on my wife's new prescription? If it's any help, she doesn't think it needs changing at all. Eye test on 5th March - 2 weeks Friday.

Barb 18 Feb 2004, 12:45

Sal, I thank you for your response. I wondered how unusual this might be because everything I've found and read talked about other issues with children's eyes and not this one that much. She is getting along better with her glasses, and I feel like she is interested in doing more things. She wears them without much resistance now as we're a few days into them and she seems to have adjusted. I wonder what to think about the doctor saying he will increase the strength at her next visit, what they will look like on her and how she will take to them. From what I have gathered, by then she will be quite used to her vision with them on and the added strength will hopefully just make them better. He did not say whether the bifocal is for good or whether she can do without them as she grows up. Since the weather hasn't been such that she is playing outside right now I hope that she will be okay with the glasses when shes back out and playing around. One more thing- she takes a swim class and when I got her ready to go in the pool and took her glasses off of her she wanted to wear them because she could see 'nicer' with them. Does this mean she is depending on them already?

Electra 18 Feb 2004, 11:07

No, I'm not. I can see just fine at any distance actually, and I only went because of a deal with some of the boys here!!

anonymous 18 Feb 2004, 10:06

ELECTRA are you planning to get your prescription made up in to glasses? I have a friend who got a very similar prescription to yours recently. She had it made in to glasses and now wears them most of the time(even though it's a fairly weak prescription). She found it annoying that every time she put her glasses on for distances it took the eye with the plus lens several minutes to focus at a distance, when it took no time at all for the eye with the minus lens to focus near or far. So wearing the glasses all the time keeps the plus eye focussed.

Andrew 18 Feb 2004, 08:48

Smudgeur,

My guess is the Rx will not change by more than 0.25, though the angle for the cylinder might change a little. Then again, after last night, who cares?

oscar 18 Feb 2004, 07:29

Sal it's so good to hear that your daughter is happy with her prescription, which is certainly strong for someone her age, but which obviously does what it needs to do - i.e. lets her see. I had bifocals in my glasses when I was small but didn't need them in my teens (though my glasses became much stronger, as your daughter's presumably will). Of course now that I'm middle-aged, I need different prescriptions for reading and distance again...Such is life! Thanks for such an interesting post.

Sally 18 Feb 2004, 06:23

hi Barb

My 8 year old daughter had a similar rx to your daugter when she first got her glasses, needing huge cylinder and only slight sphere.

She also got her first pair which was only 1/2 as strong as she needed.

After 3 days she was wearing them without reminding her (she said that they made her eyes gooder)!!

Now she is a mature 8 year old, the glasses have got gradully stronger

her last rx was:

Left: -5.50 -6.00 85 reading +2.5

Rigt: -4.25 -4.50 120 reading +2.5

Her doctor has said that as she grows she may no longer need the bifocals, but she actually likes them.

Sal

Electra 18 Feb 2004, 06:07

OK, to keep a promise I actually had my eyes tested yesterday, but don't get excited. I TOLD the doctor about this site and what goes on here and he thought it was a hoot! Don't be surprised if he visits now! He says he's very sorry he can't do anything for me better than this: OD -0.50 OS +0.25, and that's it for now. Sorry guys. And just to disappoint you even further he says I'm not even close to presbyopia. But I went! Ha! Someone owes me some serious zip files!

Tanya 16 Feb 2004, 17:36

Hi Smudgeur

I got my first glasses about a year ago and they are are a similar RX to your wife.Before I was prescribed glasses I wore off the shelf readers for close work and P.C use, I am now due another eye test and I have now went from +1.75 for reading to +3.50,and my distance vision has deteirioted to the point that I now find my distance glasses too weak, my next step will be vari-focals, I think your wife will be the same in years to come, especially as she is younger than me (I'm in my mid-forties). let me Know how she gets on

Tanya

Smudgeur 16 Feb 2004, 14:42

My wife has booked for her eyetest on 5th March.

Her last test was on 18 Feb 2002 when she was prescribed:

OS +0.75 -0.25 078

OD +0.50 -0.50 080

At the time she was told she was borderline for needing glasses, however she had specs made up and now wears them full-time (mainly for my benefit I think!)

She is now 36 years old. Any guesses as to what her new prescription might be?

She says that her current glasses are fine and she doesn't really feel the need for anything stronger.

Let's make this into a competition and see who can come up with the best (educated) guess.

Barb 16 Feb 2004, 14:10

Thank you to those who responded to my message regarding my 4 year old that was just prescribed eyeglasses. I was able to return to the doctor with a bit more information and could ask some sensible questions. We picked up the glasses on Saturday and were surprised (though we didn't voice our concerns to her certainly) at how strong they appeared. And for some reason they make one of her eyes smaller than the other. Cosmetic opinions aside, the optical clerk said that it seemed to be a strong astigmatism correction and she was used to seeing strong glasses with farsightedness with children but not astigmatism. Not sure what to make of that but anyway, there is also a bifocal with a line across the middle. When she first tried to wear them she didn't like having them on her face and took them off repeatedly. We spent time doing things that required her to really look at things in hopes that she would notice that they might appear clearer. I had thought that maybe she could wear the glasses for select situations but after reading the responses here and then seeing the glasses I think that she is in them for good. Imagine my excitement when she awakened this morning and while getting ready for the day asked if she was supposed to put on her glasses. We had a follow up at the doctor today to check the prescription and I asked about a more gradual build up to this strong prescription and he said this is! He said he is working up to the full prescription but that there was no way she could have handled it immediately. I asked what that was going to be, how thick would it be, and he said that I should only be concerned with her wearing her glasses and getting better vision and that I would get used to the rest of it. We are to return to him in six months for another evaluation. He, too, said that she most definitely is to wear her glasses full time because her vision is affected at all distances. He said something like they should go on first thing in the morning and come off last thing at night. I know her eyes are not good, but how bad are they, is this unusual and what is/isn't she able to see? And how do such little ones take to wearing glasses all the time? I mean, she doesn't even like to wear hats!

Alan 16 Feb 2004, 08:30

Ann -- I'm not sure you should expect to need stronger glasses if you wear yours all the time. (That is, I disagree with the posts from 'guest'.) It's possible, but I think it's likely that your vision won't change due to wearing glasses...and it's probably just about as likely that your vision will change even if you don't wear them. Wearing them when they are helpful would probably be the best advice, in my opinion.

Joanna 14 Feb 2004, 23:33

Thanks to Julian for prompting this question.

I got my 1st test in early December and was given glasses with -1.75 / -1.25 and have been wearing full time.

i went back to the optician on Saturday and was increased to - 2.50 / 1.75, should have new glasses in a day or so. I was told by the optician that i should have a check evry 3 months for the 1st year and that i should be around -3.50 to 3.75 but he want to increase in stages. Can anyone tell me if this is the normal way or is it odd ?

He thinks i will have a graduall increase untill i am around 22 / 23 iam 16 now, what can i expect ?

Thanks for the help

guest 14 Feb 2004, 20:04

Ann, Doctors will often use drops to relax the mussles,in order to get a more accurate rx. with a first time rx.At 42 your nearsightedness,should not progress,alot,but wearing your glasses constantly for distance,most likely would, result in the need for stronger lenses in about a year or two.If you only use them for driving, t.v. movies, or after long periods of close work,you will not see much increase of distance correction at your next exam. You will however see increases in your add. This is normal for persons beyond 40.Often afirst time correction reveals astigmatism in only one eye, and after the eyes are accustomed to the glasses, the other eye requires an astigmatic lense.You may have a period of adjustment to these new glasses.Some people get headaches the first few days,wearing an astigmatic correction.Your most noticeable effects will be how sharp your near vison is.Keep us posted.

Ann 14 Feb 2004, 18:30

Guest,

Thanks for your response to my questions. In answer to your questions, no the optometrist didn't use eyedrops that blurred my vision. I am 42 years old. Why do you feel that my vision will get worse, with frequent wear (should I limit wear?), and why may I have an rx for astigmatism in my left eye with next rx? Does astigmatism increase with age, or were you just referring to the reading rx. I do plan to get progressives, my Dr. recommended them. Thanks Again!

Trent 14 Feb 2004, 16:12

New Rx

-9.50, -2.50, +2.00

This is 1-d over my natural Rx and is the most I can accomodate without GOC.

New glasses will be here in about 10 days. The lenses are CR-39 and I had to fight with the store to make them. I can hardly wait to see what they look like!

Cate 14 Feb 2004, 07:58

ANN I have a prescription very similar to yours but without the "add". I also have astigmatism in one eye and not the other. I wear my glasses all the time because I don't feel so tired in the evenings now as my eyes are not straining to focus all day especially the one with the astigmatism. If I didn't have the astigmatism I would probably only wear my glasses part time. I think you will find it best to wear your glasses all the time. I think your eye doctor has assumed you will be wearing them all the time if he/she has put an "add" in your prescription for reading and close work (do you have much difficulty focussing when reading?). I agree with "Guest" about getting progressive lenses. If you don't want the bi-focal line progressive lenses are for you.

GLCK 14 Feb 2004, 06:04

Prescript is sph -1.00, cyl +1.25, axis 40 that is for right eye and left eye is -0.75 sph, +1.00 cyl and axis 120.

Have become quite interested in why glasses are prescribed and what they should be used for etc. I have done a lot of "surfing the 'net'" and now totally confused. Have read somewhere that you add the numbers of the sph and cyl together and that you will give you your prescription i.e. so when you add mine together that would give you a -0.25 (hardly seems worthwhile having)but I have also read somewhere you ignore the + and - signs for cyl so does that make -2.25 and -2.75. When I look through my glasses back to front they are fine and vision is more sharper than without but if I look through them unside down everything is fuzzy. just interested. I tend to wear them now for reading, watching the telly, driving and computer work, so more often and not leave them on full time

Electra 13 Feb 2004, 05:42

And make sure they're bendable. {memories of my niece driving her poor parents crazy}

Julian 13 Feb 2004, 04:52

Barb, an eye doctor ought NOT to be rushed when dealing with a child patient, not to mention a concerned parent. From what I've read it would be unusual to prescribe as much cylinder as that for an adult first time wearer - maybe young children are more adaptable, but an adult would have to work up to the full correction as many latent hyperopes do. With that degree of astigmatism your daughter's vision has to be poor at all distances and she definitely needs to wear her glasses full time, but she may well need time to get used to wearing them. You and she will have to persevere - and when you pick the specs up demand some guidance from the eye doc or the dispenser or somebody!

Love and kisses, Jules.

guest 13 Feb 2004, 04:17

Ann, More info. There's nothing unusual in having astigmatism in one eye only. You were most likely having blured distance vision, after doing close work. the glasses will help if this was the case. your next rx. may include an astigmatic cyl. correction,for the other eye.Did the Dr.use eyedrops that caused bluring during your exam? You may want to consider getting progressive lenses, as, they are alot easier to get used to with a first correction,rather than going to them after being in bifocals.

guest 13 Feb 2004, 03:50

Linda, your rx. is pretty strong, and most likely you have worn glasses quite awhile.At 25 your myopia should have slowed its progression.What were the numbers on your previous rx., and what was the date?

guest 13 Feb 2004, 03:38

Ann, your prescription is to correct mimimal nearsightedness, however your rt. eye is corrected for a bit more astigmatism. Your uncorrected vision is about 20/40and 20/70 in the astigmatic eye.You probably should wear the glasses for driving, and any distance tasks.The bifocal is a bit strong for a first rx.so you'll benefit using them for all near tasks.If you wear them full time,you can expect your distance vision to get worse.What is your age?

Guest 13 Feb 2004, 03:36

Linda, Realistically, does anything get BRTTER with advancing age?

Linda 13 Feb 2004, 02:34

My prescription is.

OD sph -16.25, cyl -3.25,

OS sph -14.75, cyl -2.50,

I can't remember the axis.

I am 25 years old. Will my vision get worse? I hope someone can help.

Linda XOXO

D-W-V 12 Feb 2004, 22:31

Barb:

I'm not an eye doctor, and I've never played one on TV, but I do happen to have a trial lens kit. I took a look through the 3.5 and 5 diopter cylinder lenses: with that much cylinder, it's going to be hard to read anything. So, I vote for full-time wear.

As for the numbers:

OD sph -.50, cyl -5.0, axis 56 add 1.5

OS sph -.25, cyl -3.50, axis 178 add 1.5

The sphere is low, almost negligable. Large amount of myopic astigmatism, (the cylinder numbers). Axis is the angle at which the cylindrical lens is oriented. Finally, the add indicates that these glasses will be bifocals.

Barb 12 Feb 2004, 22:05

I, too, have a "how often should these be worn?" question. I had been closely watching my 4 year old as she started to squint and twist her eyes to focus on things, decided that we needed to get her an eye exam asap and she was given a prescription for glasses, which should be ready for pick up tomorrow. The eye doctor was a bit rushed and did not adequately answer all of our questions, the most important if which was when and for what activities she wear these glasses. He did say she had a very large amount of astigmatism and was unable to correct her eyes to perfect 20/20. Her prescription reads

OD sph -.50, cyl -5.0, axis 56 add 1.5

OS sph -.25, cyl -3.50, axis 178 add 1.5

Can anyone provide any information about when she should wear her glasses, and on just how much she needs them or sees without them? And what exactly do the numbers on the prescription indicate? Thank you, Barbara

ann 12 Feb 2004, 18:32

Just had my 1st rx prescribed. My rx is just -50 sphere both eyes and -.75 cylinder x 180 in my right eye, with an add of 1.75. Can anyone tell me what this means. Can you have astigmatism in only one eye? How often do you think I should wear these glasses?

Thanks

Electra 10 Feb 2004, 03:43

At the very least it is cruel, and could come under the broad heading of emotional abuse. There's far more of that around than the physical stuff we hear about so often, and those who've suffered both physical and emotional abuse tell me the emotional is worse. Worth thinking about.

Julian 09 Feb 2004, 22:23

Child abuse? Not in the usual sense, surely. But if Marcel had developed his myopia when he was 14...

Love and kisses, Jules.

Phoroptor 09 Feb 2004, 19:13

I agree with Electra, maybe even a little more strongly because I consider this a form of child abuse.

Electra 09 Feb 2004, 19:07

I'm sorry to have to say this, as it's quite insulting to people's parents, but I am totally, utterly blown away how ridiculous, immature, and irresponsible these people are who are in this bizarre denial that a family member needs glasses. Would they react the same to any other health condition? I think they are pathetic. I'm rarely shocked, but this is unbelieveable. Apologies again for the strong tone, but at least I held back on actual profanity.

leelee 09 Feb 2004, 11:54

Marcel,

If they want to pay for vision therapy, let them but it probably won't help you see without glasses.

Fritz is onto something. Just go get an over the counter pair of readers in the reciprocal of your prescription (if you are -2, then get +2) and have them try to see with them. Perhaps then they might grow up about all this.

My mother was the same way qhen I first got glasses, but she only mentioned it once, so it never became an issue.

good luck!

Fritz 09 Feb 2004, 08:08

Marcel,

Perhaps you could take your mother and father to the optometrist the next time you need to have a prescription change and have him fit them with a pair of + trial lenses that would replicate what your vision was like. That should shut them up. If your vision has got worse than -2 they will probably be quite surprised at the amount of blur you would have to contend with if you didn't wear glasses. Bon chance!

Marcel 09 Feb 2004, 03:18

Hi Nick & Jo,

Yes, my mother can't accept the fact that I need glasses. In fact my whole family can't accept this because I'm the first wearer in our family. They think I should have vision therapy or something like this because nobody in our family has problems with eye sight.

My grandfather asked me if I was wearing glasses because of having a cool outfit. I tried to explain it that I was shortsighted and couldn't cope without them but he only laughed and said: This is the most silly story I've ever heard. You are only 19. I guess you are only wearing glasses because your girlfriend thinks you look great in them. That's the reason why.

Do you have any advice what I could do.

I really hate this situation.

sher 06 Feb 2004, 20:02

phoropter,

Thanks for all of your help, did get the glasses w/prism. I was seeing an optometrist who rx'd my glasses. Decreased rx from -1.00 both eyes to -.50 both, but incr. my astigmatism rx. slightly, had mild cylinder rx., he increased my bifocal to the +2.00. from +1.50. I went for another opinion to the optometrist who rx'd me with the prism, because he did my vision training years ago. He left my distance at the -.50,and took away mild astigmatism correction, which I've had for years (even previous opthalmologist rx'd. I used to wear toric contacts. Gave me the prism correction. Now my new glasses are good for close work, prism seems to help. But, I have a reflection of t.v above the set when watching in a dark room, (drives me nuts)!!!!And the clarity and intensity of my vision, not like with my old glasses. Is this decreased distance rx or cylinder?? I have such a mild rx, but seem to have such difficulty getting correct correction, and any two drs. to agree. Why is this the case?? And as I did not purchase my glasses from the prscribing optometrist, and am I out the money if I want new lenses?? I'm broke!! I really like the optician and don't want him to eat the cost. Please let me know what you think, I just want my minor problem addressed by someone competant. Any suggestions? Thanks Again!!!

D-W-V 06 Feb 2004, 19:46

Well, "bolder" is a good way to describe the effect of correcting cylinder, so I guess the prescription is doing some good.

Due 06 Feb 2004, 11:56

GLCK--

That seems like a lot of cylinder to dump on a 39-year-old patient for his or her first prescription. Was your exam done by an ophthalmologist? Are you experiencing any dizziness or distorted vision?

GLCK 06 Feb 2004, 04:25

I have just got my first pair of glasses. Aged 39. Don't know the prescription means and what I should wear them for. Find that they make everything bolder especially computer writing and text in books. Prescript is sph -1.00, cyl +1.25, axis 40 that is for right eye and left eye is -0.75 sph, +1.00 cyl and axis 120. What does this mean and what should they be used for. I drive.

badfeti 05 Feb 2004, 22:20

hyperopic fan - u are silent about the pics stuff. What say u. bye

Phoroptor 04 Feb 2004, 15:47

Sher:

I realized I was initially wrong about the prism direction. If you have a convergence problem, and occasionally see double at near, you have an insuffiency in your convergence which is corrected with Base IN prism. Sorry about that, BO prism would make it worse.

Vision therapy has been proven effective in 60-70 year olds with decreased convergence abilities, so I don't see why it would not work for you (although it's fairly time intensive and boring). If you wondering if the prism will work, consider this experiment. Buy a pair of over-the-counter readers that are +1.50 (this is your Add power +2.00 combined with the distance Rx -0.50 power). These glasses have no prism but are your full near Rx. If they do not help in comfort for reading and near activities, get the glasses with prism. I really do not believe prism will have any effect on your distance vision, only your near vision.

04 Feb 2004, 15:36

sher 04 Feb 2004, 14:54

Phoropter-Sorry, I wasn't very clear, about my issue with the prisms. I know that they are primarily used to aid w/ close-up work (reading), etc. I do have a +2.00 add. I am just wondering why my mild myopic rx changed from 1.25 to .50, and my vision is about the same at a distance? Although when the optometrist showed me what my distance vision would be like with the weaker correction it seemed fine. He also stated that the more relaxed (with)prisms, my eyes became the better even my distance vision would be. And my daughter does have better distance than I do, which I found to be odd?? Thanks-Sher P.S. I did have prism correction in my late 20's and it did help. I do have occaisonal diplopia, and trouble staying focused, both at near and far ranges. Vision therapy helped back then, but the problem returns when I have to do alot of close work and computer work, and was told that at my age 43, vision therapy wasn't an option.

phoroptor 04 Feb 2004, 11:36

I'm confused Sher. Do you see better at distance with your daughter's glasses? The reason I ask, is that given your Rx of -0.50 I would expect you to see much better than 20/40-20/50 uncorrected, more like 20/30. Is it possible the -0.50 is a reading Rx with the 2.5 diopters of prism? I would expect your distance Rx to be more like -1.25. If you were given a +0.75 add the resultant reading Rx would then be -0.50 =(-1.25 + 0.75 Add).

Honestly, I'm not sure if the prism will make a lot of difference or not in reducing your eye strain. Most people with convergence problems only have trouble when looking at something up close because this is when convergence is required and is not normally required for distance viewing so I'm unsure how the prism is going to help you distance vision by "relaxing your eyes".

numbnutstubist 04 Feb 2004, 00:44

Right and left are both

+0.75 -2.00

Christy 03 Feb 2004, 23:53

Jo - I'd never take my specs off for a photo. I don't think the photo would show "me" if I didn't have my specs on! I take photos as part of my work - so I sometimes come across full-time glasses wearers who whip off their specs the moment I raise my camera. Everything I do is landscape stuff - so it always seems a bit odd to me that someone would take off their specs when they're little more than a dot in the corner of a landscape pic. I once spent a whole day with someone who only put on her specs if I pointed to something - then they were gone again. It was quite annoying and I couldn't see the point of having specs - being clearly unable to see without them - but not wearing them except in dire emergency

Jo 03 Feb 2004, 14:02

Hi Nick and Marcel, I don't know what rights your mothers think they have to make you feel bad about wearing your glasses. Most people end up having to wear them sooner or later, presumably they are going to get longer arms rather than glasses when they can't accommodate.

I think Nick is right, once people start wearing glasses all the time, others are quick to get used to you wearing them and soon forget that you didn't used to wear them. It's only when people keep putting them on and taking them off that people tend to notice. I always find this a bit ironic, because a large number of people who do this on/off business should be wearing their glasses most/all of the time, but won't because they feel self-conscious wearing glasses. If they'd just leave them on they'd soon get used to them.

Oh, and the other thing that I find really strange is people who wear their glasses all the time but take them off when they are having their photo taken. Anybody here do that?

Nick 03 Feb 2004, 11:53

Hi Marcel, it must be a real pain that your mother can't accept that you need to wear your glasses to see clearly. Would she rather you were knocked down because you can't see an oncoming car? I am fairly sure that my mum thinks I look better without glasses, but she doesn't comment on them these days.

To be honest, I'm not too bothered what she (or most others) think about the fact I wear glasses all the time. My girlfriend thinks I look better wearing them than I do without them, and I'm comfortable with the idea of wearing them all of the time. I would find it difficult to cope without them and I imagine I'd be squinting a lot which would make me look pretty silly.

I think that after a few weeks of full time wear most people, with the possible exception of those closest to you, assume that you've always worn them. I think I've posted before that I recently went to open the door bared eyed when I was getting ready to go out and my mate said he'd never seen me without glasses before; this was desipte the fact I'd only been full time for about four months then.

sher 02 Feb 2004, 19:30

phoropter- Thanks for the info re: the prisms. I do like I stated earlier have a convergence & accomodation problem , and am wondering how you feel about the use of prisms. I have had vision training when I was in my twenties, am now 43, and also have presbyopia and only a very mild -.50 nearsightedness in both eyes. I was rx'd the 2.50 prisms for both eyes, you may be right about the base, not sure what the rx says, it's at the opticians. I do get alot of headaches, in my temples, and back of neck. My optometrists insists this is because of eyestrain, and the prisms will "relax", my eyes. What do you think? Also my distance vision is 20/40-20/50, and rx is -50, my daughter's vision at a distance is better, yet her rx is -1.00. He feels that my distance vision will relax and improve with the prisms as well, does this make sense? Thanks!

Phoroptor 02 Feb 2004, 18:19

Nancy: Esotropia is an inward mis-alignment of the eyes, aka "crossed eyes." Accommodative esotropia results when the focusing ability and the inward turning of the eyes when looking at sometime close up are not in sync. I've had the most success with full distance correction using a cycloplegic drop, and a bifocal if the full distance correction does not reduce the eye turn at near. Cosemtically no-line/progressive bifocals work the best in image conscience kids or contact lenses and using OTC readers for near work. Good luck.

Nancy 02 Feb 2004, 15:03

Has anyone heard of esotropia here? Can it be helped? My daughter had accomodative esotropia. She is 14 yrs. old and it is very noticeable when she reads or is looking at something close.

She is very farsighted but this esotropia just affects one of her eyes.

Any comments or suggestions?

Smudgeur 02 Feb 2004, 10:54

Matt - we're in the UK too. Are you les hyperopic than my wife, she has a prescription of:

OS +0.75 -0.25

OD +0.50 -0.50

She was told she was borderline too, however she had it made up and now wears them full-time (mainly for my benefit I think!)

This prescription is now 2 years old so she's due a re-test soon. I'm desperately worried that the optician may tell her that she should be able to manage without them at her test. What do you think? What's the likeliest progression - she's 36 BTW. Julian - I seem to recall that you had a similar 1st prescription.

matt_uk 02 Feb 2004, 10:37

Hi all,

I really want glasses and am slightly hyperopic, is there any way of increasing this so I can have glasses? They won't prescribe at the moment, I am "borderline"

badfeti 01 Feb 2004, 21:48

Hi hyperopic fan:

Thanks for the response. Hope that with the bifocals her problems will be solved. I really dont know what a +8 or +9 would look like. I have seen people with thick glasses, but have no idea about the precription - especially as it gets stronger.

Greetings and bye

D-W-V 01 Feb 2004, 02:38

I just tried measuring PD on myself. I looked in the mirror, then measured between the sides of the pupils, using a micrometer. (use the sides because they're a more exact target than the centers) It was within 0.5mm of what the eye doctor measured, which ain't bad. YMMV, but I'd say it worked as well as the Dr K kit (which probably isn't available anymore if "Dr. Kent Eyewear is no longer selling eyeglasses online. Online sales operations began in April 1996 and ceased in October 2001.".

Quizgrl2 01 Feb 2004, 01:23

Hi,

Thanks for all the info. I will try it and i ordered the Dr. kent free measuring kit. once again thank you to all who responded.

31 Jan 2004, 20:08

thanks Stan

Guido 31 Jan 2004, 17:34

Well, the "BS" in "BBS" really needs no explanation.

Stan 31 Jan 2004, 17:15

EyeScene Bulletin Board System

In the olden times of like 10 or 15 years ago, before the internet was widely available to individuals, discussion forums such as this were implemented as what were called "bulletin boards" using "bulletin board" software packages with which one would set up a number of modems to which users could dial in and connect to and "post" messages for others to read on the bulletin board system, or BBS.

Jeez I'm old. :-)

31 Jan 2004, 16:58

what does ES BBS stand for

hyperopic fan 31 Jan 2004, 12:59

Badfedi--

My girlfriend has dark blue eyes and she has blond hair. Her eyes are very distorted when she wears her glasses. Her glasses are small plastic frames. Even though she has high index, her lenses are still thick. I always encourage her to wear her glassses instead of her contacts. The dr, told her that her next rx would require her to get a bifocal and to wear glasses over her contacts. She is extremely farsighted as I posted earlier and as she gets older her near vision will only get worse. She could of got the bifoclas this time but refused. She still has a fair amt. of accomodtion according to the dr. Next time probably a +9 with a +2 bifocal may be nessassary. Any thoughts? Thanks for your reply.

Russell 31 Jan 2004, 10:58

Get a friend and a ruler that measures millimeters. You look straight ahead at a distance point. You friend hold up the ruler and measures the distance between your pupils. That should give you an accurate PD. That is exactly the way opticians do it in theoptician's office.

31 Jan 2004, 08:22

dr kent fitting kit. Free!

http://www.drkeyewear.com/compuframe.html

Stan 31 Jan 2004, 02:32

I always use one from a previous prescription.

They say you can hold a ruler up by the mirror and measure it that way, but that seems error prone to me. You need to measure the distance between the centers of your pupils in mm. I believe this is called a monocular PD, as opposed to taking separate measurements from the center of your nose to each pupil. This is done because one's face may not be exactly symmetrical, but generally the monocular PD is close enough.

There used to be a website called Dr. Kent Eyeware that would send you some kind of kit for taking measurements, including PD.

Quizgrl2 31 Jan 2004, 01:07

Hi,

Does anyone know how to measure pupilary distance? I'm trying to buy glasses on line and this is the only thing preventing me from doing it. if anyone knows how to do this i would apreciate the help thanx.

badfeti 31 Jan 2004, 00:14

Dear hyperopic fan, ur post was exciting reading. All u guys keep on talking about higher and higher plus rx but can u please describe the eyes behind them? It would be so helpful.

hyperopic fan, can u please be kind enough to post some pics of ur girlfriend to me? I can be reached at badfeti@yahoo.com

Thanks in advance.

Electra 30 Jan 2004, 13:14

I think it would be more likely that all the voluntary reading done by bookish kids that got them into college in the first place would be closer to the mark.....but it can't be as simple as that because some of us have had our faces in books for decades, through childhood, college, work.....and for the last decade we've also spent half our lives stuck in front of a computer screen......with no effect.

phoropter 30 Jan 2004, 11:15

Sarah:

I agree with Willy. During my college years I thought everybody was near-sighted like me. I initially thought the same as you, however after many agruements with clinical professors using multiple epidemiological studies, I was proven wrong. An interesting question for which their are multiple theories is this, Why are so many college students near-sighted? I have my own theory which I can not support, but it makes you wonder, does all the reading required in college make one near-sighted or do near-sighted people have an advantage because it is natural easier for them to read without glasses?

Who knows?

hyperopic fan 30 Jan 2004, 10:31

My girlfriend wears plus glasses. She wears +9 contacts. Her glasses are +7. She had been complaining recently that she could not see well up close anymore and went back to the dr. She needs bifocals but refused to get them. Instead, the optician is going to make her glasses +9 to match her contact lense rx. She has the high index but her glasses are thick anyway. She says she can still see good with the distance with these glasses and up close. Next time the dr. told her that she will have to use glasses with her contacts and have bifocals in her glasses of +9's because most likely her distance vision will not get any worse but her close vision will. I love the thought of what her next glasses will look like. She is this little petite thing with these thick high index glasses. She looks adoreable! I always incourage her not to wear her contacts. Any thoughts on this rx???????

Willy 30 Jan 2004, 10:03

Sarah -- I recall having read somewhere that if you take the population as a whole, somewhere around 30% would be myopic, and closer to 50% would be hyperopic. But this does not account for the fact that the great majority of hyperopes can deal without correction when younger. So from the standpoint of those 40 and under NEEDING CORRECTION, myopes are far, far more common.

Electra 30 Jan 2004, 06:18

Well. Electra's thought for the day. People like me who have a glasses fetish are considered weird, by the rest of the world. That's rather silly, considering the other fetishes out there, but it's understandable.

However people who live in some sort of denial that a family member needs glasses, they have a serious PROBLEM. They makes us fetishists very normal by comparison. What the heck is it all about?

Sarah 30 Jan 2004, 06:17

Phoropter -- did you say that there are more farsighted people than nearsighted? Could you explain how that can be, since it seems so different from my experience? By how much does the one group outnumber the other?

Marcel 30 Jan 2004, 03:42

Nick:

My family don't accept the fact I need to wear my glasses all the time.

My mother acts so strange. You won't believe it. She can't believe I need my glasses. What about your mother?

phoropter 29 Jan 2004, 15:15

First: Andrew, Any OD (optometrist) who has no distance Rx and is presbyopic could wear OTC readers for near activities. OTC spectacles would also work for ODs who are far-sighted (assuming they have a pupillar distance (PD) of about 60mm) for distance viewing. How many optometrist does it take you screw in a light bulb?

Where did you learn about optics and how did you know how the inverse relationship of a diopter to working distance, ie. -8.00DS -> 12.5 cm?

Second: Sher, From what you wrote, you most likely have base out (not down) prism to correct a convergence problem. In my opinion 2.5 prism diopters is a mild Rx. Will your convergence improve with age, probably not, unless you started a visual training program to improve your ability to move your eyes inward. Usually prism does not improve the clarity of vision as much as it helps improve the comfort of extended near activities like reading, comp., etc.

sher 29 Jan 2004, 13:51

Oh one more thing, my optometrist said that this (prism), will help improve my distance vision as well as reading distance.? Does that make sense?

sher 29 Jan 2004, 13:49

I was recently rx'd prismatic lenses 2.50 base down, I know that means that I have a convergence problem, (always have). Is it unusual to continue with problem into 40's, and will I always need prisms. Also is this considered a mild prismatic correction? Thanks to anyone who can help!

Andrew 29 Jan 2004, 13:31

How many optometrists require no correction at all, or just a pair of over-the counter strength readers?

Electra 29 Jan 2004, 13:09

It would be nice to have a bona fide optometrist posting regularly here, because sometimes the questions get very technical. I bet that hyperope/myope proportion is highly dependant on age, because it makes no sense otherwise.

photoper 29 Jan 2004, 12:39

Great question. I would say overall 85% of optometists are myopic. In my class of 60, there were only 3 hyperopes.

Tammy 29 Jan 2004, 12:29

Phoropter, i like your answer! LOL

leelee 29 Jan 2004, 12:24

how does the number of nearsighted optometrists compare with the number of farsighted optometrists?

phoropter 29 Jan 2004, 11:53

i'm an optometrist pretending not to be

29 Jan 2004, 11:52

No, did not know, how do you??

phoropter 29 Jan 2004, 11:37

Did you know that the number of far-sighted people (hyperopic)greatly out number those whose are nearsighted (myopic).

Sofia 27 Jan 2004, 12:56

tortoise: i ve never imagine the fact that many people would find glasses attractive, i came to the site beeing curious about vision, miopia, etc...

tortoise 26 Jan 2004, 17:12

Hi Sofia, I'm wondering how you feel about the fact that many people find glasses very attractive... did you know about that before you found eyescene?

Julian 26 Jan 2004, 06:30

Oh yes, I know, but I didn't want to make a third post in a minute.

Love and kisses, Jules.

26 Jan 2004, 05:58

ayes!

Julian 26 Jan 2004, 04:28

Maybe I should have said *whether* your ayes are in good order...

Julian 26 Jan 2004, 04:27

Voz: I'd say the answer is to have an eye test. That way you'll get not just an up-to-date Rx but also a check that your eyes are in good order in other respects. And, after all, it's painless.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Voz 26 Jan 2004, 03:35

I wear -4.50 Acuvue's...I havent had an eye test for some years (14 to be exact)and that is how old my last glasses are.

Can anyone estimate what my glasses prescription might be...??

My glasses are so old I am thinking of getting some newby's online at O4L or similar, but dont have any up to date prescription info other than my contacts.. :-(

Voz

25 Jan 2004, 14:29

Nash & Annabel you'll soon be not able to go without them I know I'm there alredy. You think its not a big deal that prescription but its enough to make the difference. Let us know when you get there.

Nash 25 Jan 2004, 14:16

Annabel, good to hear from you. I've worn a -1.25 prescription for about five years but just before Christmas I had a test which showed -2 and -3.50. I knew something wasnt right and posted here for the first time, hoping someone could help. I went back and said I felt the prescription was wrong and now have -2.25 and -2.50. I've always felt my right eye was a bit unbalanced and what worried me most with the -3.50 prescription was that I'd never be able to go without glasses because it would feel dreaful. With my old prescription going without glasses was never a problem, I'm not sure about the new one but at least I don't have a huge imbalance between the eyes. I'm so pleased about that I'm only wearing my glasses for the things Idid before, like driving & tv.

Annabel 25 Jan 2004, 10:31

Hi Nash, I only just spotted your post, so apologies. I don't know your history, maybe you're new to glasses like me. I'm finding it quite a revelation, getting used to feeling I want to see better because I know I can. You asked how I found out, my company runs a medical scheme for staff over 30 and I had a routine check that showed it, deep down I wasn't exactly surprised though but then it still comes as a surprise. How about you?

I'm not keen to need to wear them all the time but I think I'm working that out. Interesting exercise - a spec on the carpet not noticable without my glasses but surely there with them on! Having been shopping and worn them yesterday, I went out today without them, quite a noticeable difference, not impossible but the thing is you start to know what the difference is.

Sofia 23 Jan 2004, 12:17

I found umcomfort with contacts, so i wear only glasses.

Sofia 23 Jan 2004, 12:15

Hello Tortoise, im 19, and my old prescription was -7.5 , -8.00 on 2002 (december), so the my sighgt get worse to -1 diopter per eye.

Nick 23 Jan 2004, 12:10

Hi Marcel, I have probs with being able to see clearly for sport. I had my old glasses updated to my current prescription for a back up and sometimes I wear these, especially if the light it bad. I still tend to play football without, but things aren't clear enough; I really need to do something about this, perhaps get some sports glasses.

At work, I run sports sessions for youngsters. I always wear my glasses for this as I need to see clearly.

How are things for you these days? Have your family accepted the fact you need to wear your glasses all the time now? These days I'm really comfortable with the way I look wearing glasses (perhaps because my current girlfriend things I look better with them that without). I only ever take them off for things like football and then I put them straight on afterwards. I don't think I'd cope without them these days.

Tommy 22 Jan 2004, 19:44

Webber, are you still around? Interested in knowing how you made out with the bifocals? And, how well you could see out of the such small lenses?

Marcel 22 Jan 2004, 19:00

Hi Nick,

Do you wear your glasses when you play football? I have problems with this.

abbie :) 22 Jan 2004, 14:14

I picked uo my contact lenses yesterday and wore them all day today, but the optician said I will have to get some glasses in this prescription too. I really want to make a judgement on what difference they make (or how bad a prescription -2.25 is, is it bad? People saying here that it's a borderline full time prescription make me think it might be.) before I decide. That said I can't imagine I'd be comfortable with glasses much even some of the time so the contacts seem like the best option. In their favour I'd say they're very comfortable and it's easy to forget I'm wearing them and I can see so well. I did ask about whether they make you more dependent on them/glasses and the optician said they just make you more used to seeing well. Isn't that the same thing I suppose. But then that's no different to someone who's wearing their glasses alot really. And she said I could wear them seven days a week as long as it's not 12 hours every day. My next job will be to get some glasses like the optician said, maybe I'll take someone with me this weekend although I don't feel I'm someone who naturally suits glasses. I think some people do. In fact some people (guys & gals) look quite stunning I think.

Nash 22 Jan 2004, 12:02

Hi Annabel - did you see my post on 'vision'? My prescription is the same as yours, it's a new one to me so I'm just getting used to it. Some on the other thread said it's usual to wear this prescription most of the time. How did you discover you needed glasses, your post said you're new to them. See ya!

tortoise 21 Jan 2004, 18:36

Sofia, sorry that I spelled your name wrong!

tortoise 21 Jan 2004, 18:35

Hello Sophia, welcome to Eyescene. Is your new prescription much different from your previous Rx? Do you prefer glasses or contacts? If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

Sofia 21 Jan 2004, 14:53

Hello, im Sofia, new in this site. I had an eyetest this morning and i get new glasses whith -8.5 and -9.00

Annabel 21 Jan 2004, 11:17

Hello LeeLee - I don't think I'm overcorrected -I imagine that'd be

uncomfortable, it isn't, it's great! I'm still getting used to the idea of me & glasses but very much liking what I see ;)

No sunglasses yet, but I'm off to India in a couple of weeks - a friend of mine bought some glasses there last year, she said they were great value.

Anyone else out there with a prescription like mine? How much are you wearing yours? Would love to hear from you.

LeeLee 20 Jan 2004, 17:25

Maybe you can start with just wearing them outside, for driving and such - sort of the opposite of what I've been doing for the past year.

I don't imagine that you'll want to wear them for close work. Do you have sunglasses? If you've never had sunglasses made up by an optical shop then you will be in for a treat if you get them.

Are you thinking that you might be over-corrected?

Annabel 20 Jan 2004, 12:42

LeeLee - the problem with my prescription is that I suspect it gets more difficult to do without them more quickly! I'm already noticing that. All the time I was used to it it was okay I guess, now I know different. Not sure how it'll go yet, whether I'll resist or succumb. Only guidance from the optician was to wear them when I felt I needed to, not very helpful!!

LeeLee 20 Jan 2004, 06:24

Oh Annabelle,

I remeber exactly what you are talking aboout - I went through it myself, and it took me about 10 years to come around, in my case, that was at the point where my glasses actually starting making a visual difference. Before that it was only a diffuse comfort assistance (and not even immediately - mmore like at the end of the day) since I'm hyperopic. But yeah, it's totally weird to change not only how you see but how you look. You'll cettainly work out the best solution for yourself.

Annabel 19 Jan 2004, 22:43

Leelee - maybe that comment sounds stupid but not having been a glasses wearer the whole idea is a bit weird to me! I'm trying to avoid wearing them too much because I don't want to get too used to them, but never having worn them I was amazed at the difference they made. I don't want to get too used to them because I don't want to feel I can't do without them! Do remember this is all a complete surprise to me!! I can read with them and without them and I was told that "later in life" I'll be able to take them off to read anyway. That's something I guess.

confused 19 Jan 2004, 20:40

My optometrist recently rx'd contacts for constant wear. Rx is only -.50 both eyes, (multifocal) add, +1.50 both. I have no correction for mild astigmatism like my rx for glasses, and rx is weaker, glasses r eye -1.75, and l eye -1.50 add +2.00. Wear prn. The same optometrist gave me this rx, less than 2 years ago. I trusted him, but wonder if he just wants to sell me expensive contacts. I do see better with constant wear contacts, as I'm 43, and have problems with accomodation, and a slight convergence problem. Help!! Before I fill rx!!! Could my rx be that much weaker for the contacts (I am getting older), and if so why now should I wear constantly?

lentifan 19 Jan 2004, 17:35

Annabelle

I've not met anybody I can recall who's become myopic at my advanced age. I do wonder, though, about a little-known football manager (name of Ferguson) who started to wear specs a few years ago when he must have been 50+. They look to be a low minus prescription and probably progressives. He always takes them off for the interviews so it'd hard to get a close up view. So, did he have late onset myopia or was he wearing CLs before?

Some posters have commented that ceasing the frequent putting readers on to read and taking them off again is a dead give away that they are wearing progressives. For low myopes, the dead giveaway is having to take your specs OFF to read, or the contortions that some go to to look over or under their specs. The hassle of taking them off to read was what persuaded me. Imagine not being able to read and watch TV at the same time!

lentifan 19 Jan 2004, 17:14

Willy, Curt, LeeLee and Julian: Thanks for your responses. I'm sure your'e all right and I can see from your explanations why hyperopes might have more trouble adapting.

One other benefit of the progressives is that even if you don't get the absolute correct part of the lens for the distance your'e looking at, you will probably get near enough to get FAIRLY good vision (eg Driving, if you want a quick look at the speedometer) whereas I would think the bifocals might be a bit hit and miss.

The opticians would probably prefer us to go for larger size frames and lenses than are currently popular to minimise the restriction of field of vision, but in my experience you quite quickly adapt to unconsciously looking through the correct part of the lens.

LeeLee 19 Jan 2004, 15:02

Julian, (oops, that was me - stupid touch pad)

You were able to adapt instantly to progressives? You didn't have to train yourself to work with the focusing corridor?

Julian, 19 Jan 2004, 15:00

LeeLee 19 Jan 2004, 14:59

Annabelle-

"I'm trying not to get to like them too much because the vision is superb. "

That sounds like my mother who buys bargain brand margerine because "butter is too good"

I know what you mean, but it's not like your glasses will cause you to gain weight! And it must be nice reading without them. I'm a little jealous.

Nick 19 Jan 2004, 13:57

Hello Abbie, I experienced a similar jump in prescription in the summer and the new glasses definately made everytihng easier. I knew from the trouble I was have seeing things that I'd need to wear them at work and for things like shopping. At first I persisted with not wearing them any more than I had to (for example, did not wear them on social occasions), but within a week I was finding the blur pretty intolerable, so I started wearing them all the time.

As somebody else said, as you can't wear contacts part time, you'll get so used to the clear vision, that when you take them out the blur will be really noticable. My best friend started wearing contacts when he was 17, he absolutely hated wearing glasses and wouldn't be seen dead in them, but once he started wearing contacts he ended up having to wear his glasses more than he ever had done before, because he just couldn't tolerate the blur, so when he took his lenses out or couldn't wear them he had to wear his specs.

Annabel 19 Jan 2004, 13:45

Lentifan (and everyone else) - I was interested to read that you said you became myopic at 40. That's quite unusual isn't it? I'm interested because at 39 I've become myopic - I now have a -2.25 prescription, my very first. That was a surprise. I'm trying not to get to like them too much because the vision is superb. It'd be nice to hear from anyone else who's had this 'later' in life than usual! A

The same Julian 19 Jan 2004, 12:25

low PLUS with cylinder of course!

Julian (yes) 19 Jan 2004, 12:24

Willy, and everybody: I wonder if my experience is relevant:

1. I got my first glasses at 18, low pls with cylinder, and regarded them as readers, as that was what I seemed to need. I pretty soon found, however, that I didn't have to take them off to see distances - for example I could read the hymn number in church with them on - and quite often wore them all day in school or college, just taking them off at the end of the day. And when I started driving lessons (at 23 or so) I always put them on to drive.

2. When I was 28 I was living in a different part of the country and went as it happened to a genuine eye doctor (i.e. an 'ophthalmic medical practitioner') rather than an optometrist. He scolded me for not wearing my specs full time: he said they were prescribed for distance and should be worn for distance as well as near vision. I saw his point and went full time - no problems.

3. At 40 the optometrist gave me the spiel that begins 'the time is rapidly approaching...' and we agreed it made sense to start with bifocals before I was entirely dependent on the near add. No problems apart from the weight (I had executive bifocals in glass!). I remember the receptionist who was a friend being suprised that I had walked out of the shop wearing them.

4. At 50 I went into progressives which I've worn ever since. Still no problems.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Willy 19 Jan 2004, 11:05

Continuing along this topic, I would think it would be easier for anyone used to wearing single-vision for distance, plus or minus, to convert to a multifocal than for someone used to wearing reading-only. There are some hyperopes who need to wear plus for distance well before presbyopia sets in -- I would think their experience would not be vastly different from a myope's experience. But correct me if I'm wrong...!

LeeLee 19 Jan 2004, 10:08

I think it must be easier for myopes to adapt to mutifocals, since everyone who protested that my adaptation was overlong was a myope. And afterall, you guys probably represent a much larger market share, so all manufacturers probably attempt to tailor thier products to you.

However, everyone that I know that will admit to wearing multifocals is also myopic, and not one of them is entirly happy.

I might actually be more happy than they are bacause now I have sharp focus for both near and far, where I did not have close without glasses before and I did not have far with adequate close correction before either.

Also, people may have misinterpreted my adaptaion log observations as a list of problems, whereas, since I wanted to know what really to expect, prior to going this route, and was unable to find any detailed truly candid descriptions. So I tried to be very detailed in my observations. ALso the prescription problem that I experienced was a hyperopic issue.

I also have found getting used to new SV plus lenses to be problematic as well.

The other thing to remember is that as a hyperope, I can generally comapre corrected against bare eyed, and did so occasionally, hard as I try not to.

Does this make sense to other hyperopes? It would really be nice to hear from you guys. I'm still new at this, since these are the first glasses I've ever had that actually provided any improvement to my distance vision as well as close (still sort of a novel experience)

hth

Curt 19 Jan 2004, 09:54

lentifan: I have speculated about this for a while. It may come down to the fact that for myopic people who get bifocals, the bifocal add (either as a standard "D" segment or as a progressive) is a spot on the lens where the lens is weaker than the distance segmant (more plus power, hence less minus = same thing).

For folks that wear plus lenses (farsighted/hyperopic), the bifocal add is stronger than the distance portion of the lens (more plus).

For that reason, plus lens wearers who get bifocals for the first time may have more difficulty adjusting to them initially.

Just my $0.02...

Willy 19 Jan 2004, 09:51

Lentifan -- You raise a good question. I would guess, without the benefit of personal experience (though I'm starting down that road), that it would be easier to adjust to multifocals from wearing full-time distance correction, as myopes more tend to do, than from wearing reading glasses, as hyperopes tend to do. One reason is that for hyperopes, if they have never worn glasses for distance before, their eyes have to adjust to it, whereas for myopes, distance correction is essentially instantaneous. When you "add" to that (no pun intended!) the need to get used to a transition from near to far, a hyperope is dealing with a lot of new issues. This is why, now that I need some plus with cyl correction at distance, I'm going to try to get used to that first before deciding whether I need the bifocal add. I also think, from a vanity standpoint, it is less noticeable to add a near correction to distance glasses, which can be "hidden" somewhat with a progressive. If, on the other hand, a hyperope puts off wearing for distance as long as possible, their presbyopia will in most cases have gotten to the point where they are putting on and taking off half-glasses or other readers all day. When you have to start wearing for distance on top of that, it's going to be obvious to anyone who knows you, progressives or not, that you've got multifocals.

lentifan 19 Jan 2004, 08:41

I'm having difficulty understanding the difficulty recent correspondents are and have been having with bi-focals and varifocals. I converted straight to varifocals and never had any problem apart from the narrowing of the field of vision, which I had got used to within about 3 weeks. I now usually forget I'm wearing them. I had been told I would have difficulty going downstairs but didn't. (I do notice now, though, that if I wear my partners single vision specs my legs seem very short). Certainly I found the transfer from single vision to varifocal easier than the original adaptation to glasses when I became myopic at 40.

I suppose the bigger the add, the more the contrast between the distance and near segments, and the more likely you would have acclomatisation problems.

Do plus wearers find it more difficult than minus wearers?

Julian (yes) 19 Jan 2004, 00:53

Julian (no): OK. That's quite a big increase for your age. Also I'd say it's unusual for the add not to be the same in both eyes - anybody else comment on that?

The more you worry abut bifocals the worse you'll find them; years ago Curt posted some tips on wearing them. They're very good sense. Here they are (his, not mine):

Here are a few tips I've picked up from reading the net and wearing bifocals for 10 years or so. If you are getting them soon or have just gotten them, keep these in mind.

1. (And probably most important) Learn to move your eyes and not your head - all your life you have lowered your head to look at something close; if you do that with bifocals, you are still looking through the top and can't see anything.

2. Look straight ahead when walking down stairs, or take your glasses off.

3. When reading a newspaper, fold it into quarters so you are not straining your neck to read the top and bottom of the page.

4. (almost as important as #1) When you first get your bifocals, wear them continuously for the first two weeks that you have them whether you need them for all tasks or not. If you don't, you may never completely adjust to wearing them. I know folks in their 60s (my mom for one) who never did this and can't stand to walk around with their glasses on, even though they need them for just about everything.

I also think people get too hung up on the bifocal image. Unless you are a lenswatcher (like some of us), most folks will not notice a bifocal addition in your glasses. And for us veteran lenswatchers, it is still possible to tell you are wearing bifocals even if they are progressives: the quality of optical lenses is so good today that if you see a curvy image at the bottom of the lenses of someone's glasses, you can be pretty sure that they are invisible bifocals. Remember too that nearly everyone will be wearing them sometime after their 40th birthday, so you shouldn't think of yourself as weird or different. It's much better to be able to see...

Love and kisses, Jules.

Julian (no,not that one ) 18 Jan 2004, 23:25

Julian (yes,me this time)

i just left out the cylinder etc.

Actual is L-3.50 -.75 140 +.50

R -4.25 - .50 40 +1.00

I am 39 ,about the right age i suppose for struggling with reading and needing a bi-focal prescription

Pete, 18 Jan 2004, 21:34

Julian

Bob W. 18 Jan 2004, 13:55

Hello Abbie, again,

I'm not nearsighted myself, but I gather that at -2.25 you're at the point where most would be getting to wear some correction a lot of the time or full time. You would know what your own tolerance of blur would be. It varies widely.

You landed into a hotbed of glasses lovers here who would dearly love to hear you stick with specs rather than contacts, so things are rather biased, myself included. There is no scientific proof, just anecdotal tales of Rx increasing more rapidly with contacts, especially since yours may not have quite stabilized yet (should be pretty close though). So you need to consider something like that if you want any options like going bare eyed from time to time :)). Listen to others though, not just to my bias.

Best regards, Bob W.

Andrew 18 Jan 2004, 13:09

Curious:

It is normal for contacts and glasses to be of different strengths for all but very mild prescriptions, and the difference between the two increases as the Rx gets bigger. Longsighted people (like you) have stronger Contacts and weaker glasses; shortsighted people (like me) have stronger glasses and weaker contacts (-7.75 vs. -6.25). It is all down to the difference in distance between the position of a spectacle lens, and the position of a contact lens.

Julian (yes, me this time!) 18 Jan 2004, 09:37

Julian: That doesn't read like a bifocal prescription; it looks to me as if you've got some cylinder (expressed as + and so reducing the strength of your minus lenses). But I guess you know what you're talking about. How old are you by the way?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Julian (No, not that one ) 18 Jan 2004, 07:13

Had a test yesterday.Jumped from L - 2.75 / R -3.00 to L - 3.50 +.50 / R - 4.25 + 1.00

ordered new frames as well though not so sure bout life with bi-focals.Should have them in a few days

abbie :) 18 Jan 2004, 00:08

Hello Bob W - I don't have anything in the new -2.25 prescription yet. My old prescription was -1.25 and yes I have glasses for that but didn't wear them much.

Bob W. 17 Jan 2004, 15:53

Hi Abbie!

Just to put in my 2 cents worth, in your earlier post you said new prescription. Do you have glasses now? If so, at least you would know what that's like. You might want to ask around to gather info about others' experiences with their Rx after going to contacts. Ask your Optometrist about any concerns as well. Hang around here a bit because there are other women who have experiences of switching to contacts as adults.

Best regards, Bob W.

abbie :) 17 Jan 2004, 10:53

hello guest - I'm 24. I have a bit of an issue about wearing glasses which is why I'm opting for the contacts. But then if they make me get more used to them maybe I should stick with glasses and try not to use them too much ...

Curious about hyperopia 17 Jan 2004, 09:51

Just wondering. I just got a new pair of glasses. I am 43 yrs old. I have worn glasses and contacts forever. My rx is +6.25 and +7.50 with +.25 cyl with 100axis for the L eye only. No bifocals. My contacts are +8.00 and +9.00. Should it be that difference? I have high index glasses. Thanks for your responses.

guest 17 Jan 2004, 08:10

Daffy,

You might want to more seriously consider Vision Therapy. It might help you avoid bifocals for a longer time and will help you feel more relaxed when you are reading especially. Plus, it sounds like you want to get rid of the prisms and I think you cannot have prisms with progressives, which means that you will be limited to lined bifocals. Also, I think they are hesitant to offer vision training to presbyopic people, so the time might be now. If you injured your shoulder, would you refuse physical therapy because you were busy? How old are you?

guest 16 Jan 2004, 23:19

Abbie, how old are you? Obviously all of us here hope you decide to get a great looking pair of glasses and wear them all the time. It would definitely increase your attractiveness.

Daffy 16 Jan 2004, 22:25

I went in today to get my yearly eye exam. I have been wearing glasses fulltime now for just under two years.

For those that don't remember, I used to wear contacts 99% of the time. Then the topic about prism correction was sparked. It got me curious. I ordered my normal Rx (sph: -5 Cyl -0.75 both eyes) with 3D base in prism on each lens (Thats thicker on the inside) just to see what it was. At that time I got an eye infection and had to wear glasses for three weeks. Those were the only glasses I had. I had no choice but to wear them. It was fun for funs sake, but then I got dependant on them (at least I thought so). I started getting headaches when I took them off. I couldn't last more than an hour with contacts after the 3 weeks.

I went in today to get my eyes examined. I wore the glasses as they are still the only ones I have. The eyedoc asked me are they my glasses and how long I've been wearing these. I paniced and told him that initially they wearn't but that I could see clearly with them and have been wearing them since. He then told me that I have got my eyes used to that prescription. He then did further tests and I then found out that my eyes are not working together properly. He told me that either my eye muscles were weak and they adjusted to them, or that I always really needed them and my eyes are in a relaxed state. He then told me that I needed a slightly stonger Rx. So now my RX is Sph: -5.5 Cyl: -1.25 and 4.5D for both eyes. He also suggested that I should be thinking of getting bifocals maybe next year or two. He let me try on my now real Rx in a trial frame for about 10 minutes. He gave me something to read. I could, no worries, but then he just put infront of the trial frames some lenses (don't know what streangth) but it became easier to read. I told him i don't want the bifocals yet (i'm too young). He suggested that maybe I shouldn't get the prism add and go to visual training since this is not what i originally needed. I lead a very busy life I had no time to go to classes. I told him that if the prism get any worse I'll go. And I really do. I hate the fact I don't have that choice in wearing contacts. It was a very silly thing to do and now I have possibly permamnently changed my eyes.

I am going to get the Rx filled and get my new glasses in 2 or 3 days. i'll let you know how I go along. I am in shock as I thought I wouldn't need the prism and I'd get 'unused' to the prism like i did getting used to them. I finally got some money together to buy a new pair.

Daffy 16 Jan 2004, 21:58

Abbie...if you get contacts, you won't have the luxury of being able to just take them off. You will get dependant on the correction fairly quickly if you just wear contacts. It won't be that you see worse, only that your brain will get used to the clarity and won't tolorate the blur. All that said...you will end up getting glasses and having to wear them sooner or later. Glasses or contacts your choice.

abbie :) 16 Jan 2004, 11:45

Hello everyone. I got an eye test today and my new prescription is -2.25. Next week I am going to get some contact lenses which were recommended to me. Can anyone advise i)if this prescription should be worn all the time and ii)if the answer is no and I wear contact lenses alot won't I just get to need them more? I didn't ask these questions today but I could next week. Thanks :)

AMF 13 Jan 2004, 12:40

Had an eye exam today - my new prescription is

L - -4.0

R - -4.25

D-W-V 13 Jan 2004, 00:03

Suzanne: Here's a page that explains how to transpose a prescription from plus cylinder to minus cylinder form: http://www.laramyk.com/learn/transposition_of_prescriptions.html

Suzanne 12 Jan 2004, 19:02

A few weeks ago, I went to LensCrafters and was given the following prescription OD plano x -.50 x 58; OS +.50 X -.75 X 125. My previous prescription from antoher doctor was OD -.50 X +.50 X 58; OS -.50 X +1.00 x 125. The doctor said my prescription hadn't changed at all and yet the numbers are different and so are the+/- signs. Is this the same prescription?

High Myope 11 Jan 2004, 16:19

I had my first exam in two years last week, resulting in a significant reduction of my RX. This follows a pattern of my last few exams, except that in prior exams, I went down .25, but this time, the decrease was much greater. Maybe now I should call myself (No So) High Myope.

Old RX: OD -9.75 -3.25 X 40, OS -12.25 -2.25 X140, add +2.00. New RX: OD -9.00 -3.00 X 42, OS -11.25 -3.25 X 140, add +2.25.

My 22 year old son had his exam with me. I didn't see his RX (he's become private about it), but he told me he went up -1.50 from his old RX. I think he was about -5.50 so that would put him around -7.00.

He helped me pick new frames, because he was sure that left to my own devices I would fall for nerdy ones. I am getting smaloish metal rectangles. He selected tiny plastic ovals. I guess this marks the generational changing of the guard -- until recently, I helped him pick frames.

Jo 10 Jan 2004, 09:24

Rick, are you still out there? How are you getting on with your glasses? Did you go for full time wear? Let us know.

Christy 09 Jan 2004, 08:49

I normally have a peek around Eyescene between trips Julian.

Julian 08 Jan 2004, 18:12

Gosh Christy, it's a long time since we heard from you; how nice.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Christy 08 Jan 2004, 12:01

Hmmm - all this talk of 'fakes' again. I'm reminded of something a prominent author regularly posted whenever anyone questioned his identity online. I found it rather refreshing:

"If you have some involved reason for thinking that I am not me, then please sort it out for yourself and don't bother me with it. I know who I am, and if you have a problem with that, then it stays your problem."

Shakeh 08 Jan 2004, 03:01

dear doctor can you please tell me what does this prescription mean,my doctor recently gave ths prescription,as i was diognosed with Glaucoma, s ohe gave this eyeglasses to help me to read,

OD:2.5sph -1.5cyl axe90

OS:2.00sph -1.25cyl 85 axe

ehpc 29 Dec 2003, 15:40

I am sure that all the Emilys are real. There is no evidence at all to suggest otherwise.I think we have gone over this rather tiresome ground of 'fakes' so many times..............it really is very boring...........ZZZZZZZZZZ........

Don't worry Emily. It is great to hear from you, and from all the other Emilys.

Peter

The original Emily 28 Dec 2003, 21:33

Jay, not Jake.

The original Emily 28 Dec 2003, 21:32

Excuse me Jake? There are a lot of things that I feel like saying to you right now ...but I don't think that you're worth my time.

Jay 28 Dec 2003, 20:07

ehpc,

There is no doubt one of these Emilys----if not both---is a fake.

The original Emily 28 Dec 2003, 13:41

By the way, I'm the Emily who posted the "Dangers of LASIK" essay on the old eyescene ...

The original Emily 28 Dec 2003, 12:48

Hey ehpc,

Well I am in university ...but I've never taken any music classes there ...so I don't think that's me ...that's pretty weird ... ;)

ehpc 28 Dec 2003, 08:05

To the original Emily........I was thinking of you, I think.................you played the violin as part of your University studies,for one thing. At least, I think that is you:) Unless, of course, there are two Emilys who play the violin who have contributed here in the past:)Always possible...............Pete

Tammy 26 Dec 2003, 20:30

This is just the reason we need registered names...that way, we wouldn't have 3 or more people using the same name.

The original Emily 26 Dec 2003, 17:08

LOL ...how many Emilys have there been around here?! =) I use to play the violin, but I don't remember ever telling anyone here about it ...so I know you're not talking about that ...so there must have been another Emily ;)

ehpc 26 Dec 2003, 15:33

Apols for the double-take........let's see if I can manage a single take this time.....................

ehpc 26 Dec 2003, 15:32

To the original Emily................Emily, are you still doing your music:) ? Pete

ehpc 26 Dec 2003, 15:32

To the original Emily................Emily, are you still doing your music:) ? Pete

The original Emily 26 Dec 2003, 09:59

Wow ...it's been quite a while since I've been back here ...about two or three years. Anyway I went to the eye doc a while ago. Only my left eye changed a little bit ...here's my Rx:

OD -15.75 -4.25

OS -13.75 -2.25

Anywayz, I've enjoyed reading everything that I've missed. =)

P.S. specs4ever ...if you could please e-mail me ...my account crashed and I lost your address. =(

hyperpete 23 Dec 2003, 06:39

Julian

Reading with my distance glasses simply doesn't work, since I can't read small print.

Julian 22 Dec 2003, 22:40

Thanks Hyperpete, that's all interesting. Tell me one more thing: how's your near vision with your distance glasses? Clear? Blurred? or does reading with them give you a headache? (I only ask because I want to know!)

Love and kisses, Jules.

hyperpete 22 Dec 2003, 05:52

Julian:

Yes, I don't have any cylinder, and, as far as I know, doctors often tend not to prescribe it as long as simple spherical correction fits subjective visual needs. I had a friend who wore minus lens with a plus cylinder in one eye and simple minus in another, but switched to simple minus in both eyes later.

Now, my answers:

(1) I still use my old readers, so I've bought my distance glasses just to try my new prescription. I've never worn bifocals, but I think I should really try them.

(2) My distance vision with the current reading glasses is quite blurry. Trying to wear them all the time results in nothing but screwed red eyes :-)

(3) It was crossed eyes that my first glasses were prescribed for. I can't recall my vision since the very beginning, but I remember the day with the broken lens and the doubled world (about 5 years old, I guess) ;-)

Julian 22 Dec 2003, 04:56

Hi Hyperpete, and welcome. Interesting post (by the way there's no need to cross-post - almost everybody reads almost every thread!)

I'm not young, and I'm not a lady (except in the sense that I'm a gay guy) but my experience has something in common with yours: I got my first glasses at the age of 18, in my last year at school; low plus but with some cylinder which you don't seem to have. I wasn't the only guy in my class to start wearing plus specs around that time either - I can definitely remember one other, and there were several new myopes. There was also a guy who was a high hyperope: as long as I knew him he wore glasses with pebble lenses; he played rugby bareyed and was pretty lethal, because he was heavily built. I wore my glasses part time (but quite a lot of the time) for about ten years till an eye doctor ordered me to wear them full time - he was rather obsessive about that. I don't think your case is rare or weird at all; but one or two things interest me: (1) you use two pairs of glasses: most people of your age who need a reading add prefer bifocals; (2) that (as you say) your prescription is so 'mild' - what is your distance vision like with your readers? I ask this because latent hyperopes often need an increasing correction as their eyes learn to relax and stop straining. (3) why were you prescribed glasses as a small boy? and can you remember what your vision was like without them in those days?

If you want a description of the experience of a teenage hyperope, look on the 'Julian's jottings' thread. Click on 'View all posts' at the bottom and then scroll down to March where a guy called John tells his story very clearly.

Love and kisses, Jules.

hyperpete 21 Dec 2003, 22:35

Hi all, I'm new here. Let me introduce myself - I'm 25 years old computer specialist from Russia. Here's my story in brief. As a kid (age 2...7) I had to wear my glasses full time. During the pre-school eye test the doctor told me to wear glasses for close work (such as reading/writing/watching TV and so on) only. Then, at age 12, I grew out of my need for glasses at all. Yes, I felt very comfortable because I hadn't to put my glasses on and off and also I didn't differ from my classmaes (very important for children). When I was a college sophomore (18 years old), headaches started to bother me, so I went to an eye doctor, and she prescribed me readers again. It helped for a while, but the last year headached had returned, and finally, a month ago I put on my full time glaases again.

I'm okay to wear them, but I'm quite bored with such comments like "how comes you're a hyperope at such an age" or "I think plus glasses are for elderly people only". So, here's my question: is my case such a rare and weird thing? If anybody has a similar experience, please feel free to email me: sh28041937(at)yahoo.com or post some info here (young hyperopic ladies, if any, are especially welcome :-))).

P.S. By the way, here's what my glasses are (I have two pairs): 1. distance - small silver rectangle frame, OD +1.00 OS +1.25, 2. readers - titanium oval frame, OD +2.25 OS +2.50. I know it's a pretty mild presciption, but I'm still the only farsighted person among my friends or younger collagues.

With best regards,

Pete

[x-posted to Hyperopia and Presbyopia Progression]

Julian 17 Dec 2003, 15:49

Rick: Thanks for your progress report; that all sounds perfectly normal. Before long you'll be reaching for your specs before you get out of bed! How did your mates react? No, don't tell me; they all tried them on and one after the other said, "God, these are strong!"

Your frames sound really cool too. Are you in the UK by the way?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Rick 17 Dec 2003, 12:56

I picked up my glasses today. Things did seem a bit wierd when I put them on though. The optician said that this is normal and that if I keep wearing them I'll soon get used to them; shelso said once I'd got used to them I'd find it a struggle to do without them.

They certainly make close work easier, much less strain to use the computer. Not too sure about distance vision though. Still, I'll keep them all the time for a day or two while I get used to them and see how I feel about wearing them. Off out to meet up with some mates shortly, and it will be the first time they have seen me in them.

I don't mind the idea of having to wear glasses all the time and don't feel particularly self-conscious about them, it just came as a surprise that this was advise. I chose silver-gray, semi-rimless oblong frames. I think they look pretty nice, but I'll wait to see what my mates say.

Chris 15 Dec 2003, 13:37

Hi Rick, your prescription has two parts: one for the long sightedness and prism correction, because your eyes don't work too well together. It's no wonder you've been getting headaches, the combination of the long sight and your eyes straining to focus on a single image. The prism correction will help, but you can become quite dependent on it, which is probably why full time wear has been advised. When I first got prism correction, I'd just wear my glasses with prism at home when I was tired and wear contacts without prism most of the time. However, before long I was getting big headaches and double vision without, so now I wear glasses full time.

How do you feel about wearing glasses? What kind of frames did you choose? At first the prism correction may make things seem a bit strange, but if you do wear them all the time your eyes should feel more relaxed and the headaches stop. Let us know how you get on.

Julian 14 Dec 2003, 06:56

Hi Rick, and welcome. I can understand your not expecting to be advised full-time wear - I started part-time wear at 18 with a low plus Rx with some cylinder - but I think your prism component is the reason. Several people have posted here about their experience on first being prescribed prisms - one of them may come by before long - and they have found they get pretty dependent on them, and are troubled by double vision if they leave them off. You don't have all that much prism, so you may be able to cope bareyed, but I'd expect you'll find full-time wear more comfortable.

As for your family and friends, by all means give them warning. But if you were short-sighted you'd be quite likely to go straight to full-time wear; it's not all that strange.

When do you get your glasses? Let us know how it goes once you start wearing them.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Rick 14 Dec 2003, 06:08

Oops, those numbers should read left eye +1.25, 1 up; right eye +1.00, 1/2 down.

Rick 14 Dec 2003, 06:07

I've been finding it harder to focus on reading and getting headaches recently, so I went to get my eyes checked. I do need glasses, which didn't really surprise me. What did surprise me was that I was told I should wear them all the time, I'd only expected to have to wear them for reading. The presciption was left eye -1.25, 1up; right eye -1.00, 1/2 down. Is it likely I will need to wear them all the time? (I'm 19, if that makes a difference).

If I do end up having to wear them, won't people think it's rather strange that I've gone from having no glasses to all the time. In particular my friends and family at home might find it odd when I return from college for the holidays wearing glasses. Should I tell them first? Maybe a text message. My glasses should be ready next week.

Jason 12 Dec 2003, 06:25

Me2 - My glasses are rather thick in the center with +10.5 and +11.75 and +3 and +4 of cylinder. Aditionally, because of eye turn and amblyopia that was not stopped by surgery I also have 6 diopters of prism in each lens making the outside edges thick as well. Without glasses I only see vague shapes and with glasses my VA is 20/60 right and 20/25 left. I have worn bifocals since I was 5 and now have a +3 add and trifocals. I am 18.

Julie 07 Dec 2003, 16:24

Susanne, I was not teased a great deal, I guess most of the kids in my school were used to my appearance and I must say they were mostly pretty cool about my dependence on glasses. The few instances that I recall being teased were by the nasty kids that occur in every school or neighbourhood.Children can be cruel if not brought up with decent moral values. The worst episode that I remember from childhood was one day when a girl that I knew must have been having a particularly bitchy day and took my glasses and ran off with them, luckily when they were returned there was no damage to them and wow did she get it from the teacher!

me2 06 Dec 2003, 21:21

jason [and CARLI] how blind are you and what do your glasses look like?

tom 05 Dec 2003, 17:37

Me three (hyperopes, that is). I'm a +1.00 (R) +1.50 (L) with -1.25 astigmatism (OU). But I know it's really about +0.50 more than that because I can relax my eyes driving down the road with my glasses on and I can produce some noticeable blur.

CARLI 03 Dec 2003, 16:43

Hi I am new here ,glad to see a few more Hyperopes on this site.I wear +5.25 (l)& +4.50(r).

Jason 03 Dec 2003, 12:17

Laura

I am a hyperope from birth, my first glasses were +7. Bifocals since age 5.

john 03 Dec 2003, 09:11

Tom

thanks for your interest in my condition, however, my collagen is perfect.

Unlike my pancreas, which is why my hearing is failing. Either that, or too long spent in a noisy workplace.

John.

p.s. Are you still Hungarian???????

tom 02 Dec 2003, 19:53

Interesting, it seems like a few of you with highly myopic eyes also have problems with hearing loss. There are several collagen disorders that include high myopia and hearing loss as some of the chief symptoms. Have any of you been diagnosed with a collagen disorder? If you have one, it would be for your own good to get it diagnosed and managed as best as possible.

Laura 02 Dec 2003, 14:33

Hi Jason!

Did u undergo cataract surgery as a child, or are u just so hyperope from birth?

Laura

John 02 Dec 2003, 12:37

Patricia Ann

I am 32 years old, diabetic since 8 and I am in the process of getting first set of hearing aids.

But I have fine eyesight, apart from -12 myopia and no need for bifocals.

Jason 02 Dec 2003, 12:31

Laura

I am a year older than you and have a slightly stronger prescription, +10.5/+11.75 and also have +3 bifocals and have worn them since childhood as well.

Patricia Ann 02 Dec 2003, 12:28

Doc 1

I have had several laser treatments of both eyes for the retinopathy, and it seems to be arrested for now.

Doc 1 02 Dec 2003, 09:09

Hi Patricia Ann

Its true that diabetics do het hearing loss and also face ophthalmological problems which are more common, of these the commonest is diabetic retinopathy. But the one thing pathological myopia is that various treatment modalities can be tried in order to arrest the vision loss. Are you also undergoing some form of therapy.

Susanne 02 Dec 2003, 06:06

Julie - Were you teased about your 'fat' glasses in school, especially middle school?

Patricia Ann 02 Dec 2003, 06:03

Hi Bert and Tom -

In response, we all do have pathological myopia, or so we are told.

According to studies I have seen, around 40% of diabetics have hearing loss. Mine is progressive, and I have just gotten hearing aids, the digital type which can be adjusted for increasing losses. I also have retinopathy which has reduced the corrected va in my right eye to 20/100, and left eye to 20/40.

Patti

ron 02 Dec 2003, 05:46

hi im confused. my rx is -4.50 -3.75 which includes astig . i cant see more than 9 inches from my face . these seem like such strong glasses. am i wrong

Mike 02 Dec 2003, 02:57

Hi Laura! Do you have any homepage or so? I'm just curious to see you and your glasses. I'm sure you look very cute. ;-)

Bert 02 Dec 2003, 02:33

Patti

I know that diabetes can cause vision problems but didn't know that it could affect hearing too. I would be very interested to know more: do you for example wear hearing aids? Just curious.

tom 01 Dec 2003, 20:06

Patti--

Yikes! Those numbers don't look that great. Are the bi/tri focals prescribed to try to slow down the progression? Sounds like you all have a case of pathological myopia.

Patricia Ann 01 Dec 2003, 06:16

Hi: I am Patti, Susanne's roomie. I am very myopic and also am diabetic, which has caused other problems with my vision and hearing.

All of my family is verey myopic too. My new prescription is LE -16.5 -3.0 x50, RE -15.0 -2.0 x20 add +2.25. These are my first bifocals (trifocals actually).

My family is dad -7 with bifocals, mom -13 with trifocals, sister Lynn (age 17) -17 got bifocals at age 12, trifocals now and high index glasses, brother Jack (age 15) -25, wears gas perm CLs and -10 glasses with trifocals, he got his first bifocals at age 6 when his prescription was about -12.

I guess this says something about heredity of myopia.

hyperfan 01 Dec 2003, 01:40

Hi Laura, and thanks again...

Please : what kind of frame for your full correction glasses ?

Do you sometimes forgot to keep them of ?

Anyway, I like to find a lady, wearing strong plus glasses, and enjoying them... As you can read in the strong glasses thread, all the lady who wears strong plus glasses hate them...

Best regards...

Laura 30 Nov 2003, 15:08

Hi Hyperfan, Nancy and Mike!

Yes, I wear bifocals since my childhood - when my amblyopie was detected and treated.

I like my glasses, as without them I am rather helpless - there is really no distance in which I can see clearly without them. Mainly with my lazy eye I cant see anything without.

Hyperfan, you are right, I also have extra glasses for close work, reading etc.. with my full correction.

Kind regards

Laura

Brian-16 30 Nov 2003, 06:19

Nancy-Thought I would say hello and see how you are doing.Had my bi-focals for almost 6 months and love them.My brother (13yrs) has had them for about two months and finally admitted to me he likes them.Don't know if it will slow down my myopia but we will wait and see.I think nearsighted people have an easier time adjusting to them than someone who is very far-sighted.

I really do not see a blur unless I am looking straight down at the floor or ground.And the same for brother Frankie.I suppose after a few more years when I am in the middle of college they will be stronger.

Nancy 30 Nov 2003, 05:41

Laura:

With that prescription, you must have worn bifocals for a fairly long time, right?

Hyperfan 30 Nov 2003, 01:48

Hi Laura, and thanks for replying...

It seems to me that you like your glasses... And like to wear them : I'm right ?

Laura do youy have a pair of glasses especialy for reading, close work with your full correction (I mean +10,25 and +12,50)...

Anyway, Laura I like this look.

Yours...

Mike 29 Nov 2003, 10:50

Laura, Is it easy to get used to bifocals? I wear single vision +4.25 and have some problems sweaping betwen those and my contacts. It's especially hard walking in stairs wearing glasses that are magnifing the world arround.

/Mike 25, Sweden

Laura 28 Nov 2003, 14:31

Hi Hyperfan,

I wear a nice blue metal frame. The glasses I use are bifocals which are divided each into 2 parts with approximately the same area.

Once I tried progressive glasses, but I didnt get used to them, maybe because of my amblyopic eye which needs the best possible support.

To keep it in training a little, I try to patch my good eye and read a newspaper. But I must admit that I need an additional magnifying glass for that purpose :-(

Your's Laura

hyperfan 25 Nov 2003, 22:32

Laura,

Wonderful glasses, and beautiful eyes beside lenses... I like these kind of glasses... Please tell us about the frame...And are they progressive or bifocals ?

Thanks

Laura 25 Nov 2003, 14:59

Hi all,

its the first time that I write here. I am 17 now and very farsighted from birth. I have +7.25 in my right eye, and +9.50 in my left with an addition of +3.00 in both lenses.

I can see 80% right and only 30% in my left (lazy) eye now.

kind regards, Laura

D-W-V 24 Nov 2003, 19:35

Two numbers for PD would either be distance from center to each eye (important if your features aren't symmetric), or far and near PD (most likely if there's just a slash).

Cara 24 Nov 2003, 19:15

Hi,

Why does my PD measurement have a slash (/) between two numbers?

Brian-16 23 Nov 2003, 16:37

Doug-Thanks for the information.You are lucky to have excellent (20/13)vision with your glasses,something I never had.

Doug 23 Nov 2003, 12:19

Brian-I first got glasses when I was 14 because i noticed i could see better out of my right eye than my left. It turned out that my prescription then was really low, something like R: -0.25 L:-0.75 -0.50 180. But since then, both the eyes seemed to have gotten to be about the same prescription. I can see about 20/13 out of each eye with my glasses. I hope my prescription doesn't get too much worse, because at this level, I can still read somewhat at a comfortable distance without the glasses. Take care.

-Doug

Brian-16 23 Nov 2003, 03:54

Doug-I am 17 years old and have -2.5 astigmatism in my right eye at 180,and

-1.25 at 180 in my left eye.I've had glasses since first grade and my rx was a little stronger than yours when I first got glasses.Now the right eye is -10.75 and the left eye is -10.5.I also have base out prisms in both eyes and +1.5 bi-focals for reading I got back in June this year.I can see 20/20 in my left eye and 20/25 in my right eye with my specs.I can't really see anything past about 6 inches or so without my glasses and wear them constantly (including showering).

Doug 23 Nov 2003, 03:39

I'm 18, and I've worn glasses since I was 14. I wear them all the time, because I can't see very clearly in the distance, and the astigmatism is bad enough such that I can read a lot better up close with them too.

Assatourian 23 Nov 2003, 03:08

recently my mothers eye doctor gave a new prescription for reading glasses,just i dont understant what because the number is 2.5sph -1.5cyl

does it meanthat the number is 1 for reading.

gratefully yours Shakeh

VisitBoy 22 Nov 2003, 03:59

Nancy: I'm surprised that you say most college students have bifocals, as I rarely saw any wearing them at my university, here in the UK. Where are you?

Brian-16 22 Nov 2003, 03:11

Julian-With Doug's rx I would not be able to see 6 inches away ! I too am wondering about his age..

Julian 22 Nov 2003, 00:36

Hi Doug, and welcome. I'm guessing that isn't your first prescription; how old are you, and how long have you worn glasses?

P 21 Nov 2003, 23:42

That's a neat prescription Doug. When do you wear it?

Doug 21 Nov 2003, 21:24

OD: -1.50 -1.25 178

OS: -1.50 -1.50 180

Nancy 21 Nov 2003, 05:42

High Myope:

It is too bad that your 16 year old eschews bifocals. At her prescription she should be wearing them for comfort alone if nothing else. When I first got them, I resisted too, but after a few weeks would not be without them. Is it peer pressure?

When she gets to college, she will find that many students have them.

Brian-16 18 Nov 2003, 15:32

Mark-I read this site for a while before I posted and learned quite a lot about vision and eye problems.I too have astigmatism and very,very nearsighted.Welcome to ES !

Mark 18 Nov 2003, 15:00

Brian 16 I have no particular eye problems other than 30 some years of shortsight and astigmatism, but jeez I've learned a lot reading some of these postings.

Kathy 18 Nov 2003, 13:59

Guest---I wear my glasses all the time. My eyes llok the same in my new glasses. I can tell the left one is stronger than the right one. My left eye was always the bad one.

NeuroJoe 18 Nov 2003, 00:02

Filthy, I know what you mean about women at work, and the analogy to lingerie is perfect. I can usually manage to control myself in my current professional setting when I see a cute GWG (the previously descibed situations notwithstanding). However, and I'm sure you understand completely, I absolutely could not get through the day with any adherence to accepted ethics if *all* the women I saw wore glasses, and many needed them very badly. I have had fantasies for years about this, and just for that reason, never seriously considered ophthalmology as a specialty. My OO nature has caused enough ethical transgressions in my life, and I take my professional obligations very seriously. Thus, I have kept the two very separate. I didn't ever do GOC when I practiced medicine, because of the problems that could be caused from the reduced field and acuity.

All this said, if the right person came along, and God I really hope she does *not*, my marriage vows might fall into the existing OO-driven set of moral and ethical lapses. I've been faithful for all of our fifteen years together, but everyone has a limit.

Filthy McNasty 17 Nov 2003, 22:15

NeuroJoe: Having said that, I must admit that it really doesn't matter what occupation you're in; there are always women about in sexy glasses. They are blissfully unaware that to me, it's as if they wore lingerie to work! There is a woman I work with right now who's, I don't know, maybe -4, but she wears these tortoiseshell glasses that match the streaks in her hair and the brown of her leather jacket, and somewho emphasize the delicate cartilage structure of her nose. She adopts a subtly flirtatious attitude, almost as if she's wise to me, although I am careful not to act inappropriately. I love my wife, and that is a big part of the problem. If this woman at work ever showed an interest in me, I might not be able to resist taking the opportunity. It's certainly an enjoyable tension to work with her and to watch her move back and forth, but it is also painful - I walk around with a semi-hard half the day just being around her. Thsi is the life of a horny OO.

Guest 17 Nov 2003, 17:46

Kathy-

The prescription is very different in each eye. Do you have a lazy eye? THe 3.5 is a little more on the high side than the 1.75. Why are you just now getting glasses? Was our vision ever an issue before now? Good for you that you can see great. Did you immediately start to wear them full time, or are you just wearing them when you need to see the board? I, too, have a very unbalanced prescription, but it works! Does one eye look different from the other when you're wearing your glasses?

Kathy 17 Nov 2003, 17:31

Does anyone know if an rx of -1.75 and -3.5 is considered strong for a first pair of glasses? I just got these and see great! People who try them on say that they are strong. One teacher told me that he knew I needed glasses because I was always squinting. I guess I never really noticed that I did it that much for someone to notice me. I knew I needed glasses because I couldn't even see the schoolboard sitting in the first seat closest to the board. I'm only 15. Will I be blind when I'm old? My mom and dad have really bad eyes. Signed, Kinda freakin out-----

NeuroJoe 17 Nov 2003, 11:36

Filthy, well said! I was once asked by a fellow OO why I didn't go into ophthalmology, and I responded in a similar way. In addition, I'm not sure I could have resisted giving a few pretty young ladies a CLE, just to make them beautiful +15 aphakes. Had I gone into ophtho, I surely would be in jail right now! I decided there is no way I could have practiced ethical medicine with such an unhealty bias.

There were even a few times doing medicine where I was my judgement was impaired. Once was in the cancer clinic, when a BCA pt. came in w/ her sisters, one of whom was a very high plus aphakic. I tried so hard not to stare, she was unbelievably cute! At the end, when I went to shake hands with everyone, her other sister had to nudge her arm to tell her to shake hands, because her lentics did not give her good enough peripheral vision to see my extended hand.

The other time was in a family practice clinic, as a med student. I saw a woman walk in with very strong minus semi-myodics, in rather large plastic frames. I was in such a hurry to see her in the exam room that I walked in while she was still getting changed into a gown. It turned out the she had a sinus infection, so I had the opprotunity to hold and move her glasses as I percussed around her eyes. My pulse was off the scale, and I'm sure my hands were shaking as well. After she left, I went through her chart and found some optho notes, which stated her Rx was -25! Further, the doc couldn't even do a funduscopic exam because the o'scope couldn't focus on her retinas. I think o'scopes only adjust to +-15 or so.

Brian-16 17 Nov 2003, 03:25

Mark-Welcome to eyescene.I discovered this site almost a year when I was 16 years old.It has been a great deal of help to me.I was wondering if you are having any vision problems now ?

Filthy McNasty 16 Nov 2003, 19:27

Some of us are more interested in this stuff than you eye doc, as well. Put it this way - whatever you're interested in sticks in your head. I'd be a bloody brilliant eye doc for that reason, but I'd also probably end up on ethical charges for trying to date my female patients.

Mark 16 Nov 2003, 17:17

This is amazing, I've just found this site while trying to find out info about my vision.Some of these posters seem to know more about vision than my eye doc.Where do you people get all this information?

Mary 16 Nov 2003, 13:02

I was wondering if anyone knew about ambylopia here? My little girl has it and has to wear a eye patch all day execpt for when she goes to bed. Her rx is +1.50 and +9.00. She has a bifocal in her left lens. Her left eye wanders towards her nose and even when she is looking far. She is 4 years old.

High Myope 15 Nov 2003, 19:48

Nancy: Sorry for my delay in answering your post. My youngest still wears bifocals. My 16 year old had two pair of glasses in her previous RX, bifocals for normal wear and single vision lenses for sports, but she always wore the latter, never the former. Since she insisted she would never wear bifocals, this time the optometrist relented and omitted the add from her prescription, although warning her that doing so might cause a more rapid progression of her myopia.

Brian-16 15 Nov 2003, 15:36

Mattp-Saw one of your earlier posts on here from September and was wondering how the fresnel prism was working out ?

Brian-16 15 Nov 2003, 05:46

Alan-Perhaps you are right.He has astigmatism similar to mine -2.50 in one eye and 1.50 the other.He has tried my glasses for distance but its too much for him.

Alan 14 Nov 2003, 13:24

Brian -- I don't think it's the size. Your brother's Rx in the -7 to -8 range shouldn't make print so much smaller that it's a problem, unless he's trying to read very very fine print (like the microprinting on currency, a fraction of a millimeter tall)...and this would be a ripe time to take the glasses off and look very closely (unless he has too much astigmatism). I think there has to be another reason for the bifocals -- the degree of accomodation that's comfortable.

Brian-16 14 Nov 2003, 13:13

Andrew-I also have to direct that comment to you that I sent to Jamie by mistake...

Brian-16 14 Nov 2003, 13:12

Jamie-It must be the family thing of being so short-sighted and having to see everything smaller.Both parents had bi-focals at an early as well...

Andrew 14 Nov 2003, 12:54

It must be something about your brother's age, or the family history. My glasses are just a little stronger, but I have never had bifocals (yet), although I know at my age they're less than 10 years away.

Brian-16 13 Nov 2003, 03:19

Jamie-I think because the jump in his rx was sudden,he realized on his own he had to use the bi-focals rather than strain to see small print.My mom warned him about "cheating" since she paid for the specs.I do notice him making the head adjustments as he reads especially in dim light.He will eventually thank me and the doctor for getting bi-focals.He has flat top-35's similar to mine.

D-W-V 12 Nov 2003, 23:21

OD -2.25, -0.75 140, +1.50

OS -2.25, -0.50 041, +1.50

(age: 43)

Jamie 12 Nov 2003, 19:50

Brian,

Has your brother said anything about whether he can read better through the bifocals like you did when you got your bifocals.

And, did you have to say anything to him about trying to cheat the bifocal by reading through the top part of the lens?

All the best

Jamie

Brian-16 12 Nov 2003, 14:45

Nancy-No little brother does not have prism correction.Atleast not yet.I have noticed his right eye (weak-eye) does turn in a bit..He settled in with bi-focals (+1.25) and is not doing any wise-cracking as before.

He,like me,reads a lot.He likes to read the financial pages of any newspaper.Maybe we will get him a subscription to the Wall Street Journal for Christmas!

Nancy 12 Nov 2003, 05:16

High Myope:

When you posted before, your 2 youngest wore bifocals. Do they still?

Brian:

Did your brother get prisms too? What does he think of bifocals?

BB 11 Nov 2003, 16:17

Story London Evening Standard dated 11 11 2003

Clinic now "fitting" lens into the eye.

A contactlens that can be surgically into the eye is to made available to patients at private clinics, it was announced today.

The treatment involves omplanting a thin lens between the natural lens and the iris to permanently correct problems such as severe long and short sightedness.

The 30 minute procedure costing about £995 per eye is to be made available at Optimax,s 11 clinics.

The implantable contact lens(ICL)is available across Europe but until now has only been used at medical research centres in the UK.

One of the first UK patients wa a Mr ------ from Cornwall . He was born with progressive myopia but was misdignosed with a genetic condition.

By 30 he had developed tunnel vision going blind for a few days at a time. On a visit to Porugal Mr ------- visited a clinic and was told it was treatable.

Im August he had the treatment and can now drive and continue his business. His guide dog is now free of his harness

but remains a family pet

How fast technology is moving, great hope for manylike Mr ----------.

True story written from a media article by, Hamishjed@aol.com, would love your comments on this lastest development.

Brian-16 11 Nov 2003, 13:47

Mattp-Well the little brother has to eat crow now ! I roughly had his rx for distance when I was 12,so I am the leader I guess till my early 20's roll around.I gave him some tips on how to use them.Normally he doesn't listen to my helpful hints,but this time he has.

As usual no one noticed at school the first day..But he gave it away when he was tilting his head back a little when reading at his desk.The guys teased him at first but he told them his big brother would come around and explain things promptly.His last exam was 14 months ago and he really waited too long.I think he was afraid of the direction he would heading with glasses.Now the whole family has bi-focals.I will give an up-date on the little darling soon !

mattp 11 Nov 2003, 06:09

Brian-16

That's quite an increase your little brother has had--how long since his last exam? Have you ever hypothesized on which of you will end up with a stronger RX whaen your myopia settles down? What was your RX at his age?

How does your brother feel about bifocals? I know you were excited about getting yours. Since he's been laughing at you, I wonder if he's upset? At 13, peer pressure and appearance can be pretty strong things!

Let us know--Matt

Brian-16 11 Nov 2003, 03:26

In case you are interested,my little brother who recently turned 13,was told by the eye doctor he is being prescribed bi-focals.His rx jumped from -6.5 to 7.25 in his better eye,and from 7.0 to 7.75 in his weaker eye.The doc says he has a muscle problem . He said he has slightly better than 20/20 in both eyes and I can readily attest to that.He has been making fun of me for almost 6 months since I got my bi-focals in June before I even turned 17....

Vodkaboynow 10 Nov 2003, 08:22

Lisa...

My contact details are below, feel free to drop me an email.

Would be great to hear from you.

Tony2 10 Nov 2003, 07:15

Lisa:

Your prescription is near mine. Do you have bifocals?

High Myope 09 Nov 2003, 13:51

No idea, Andrew, but I've had the same thing happen to me. I don't think it's all that rare.

Andrew 09 Nov 2003, 13:23

Yes, Smudgeur, I was there. At least we live to fight another day...

HM, I'm intrigued by the change of angle in the astigmatism correction you daughetrs have just had. I've just been throught the same sort of thing, and had to do through 24 hours of feeling as if I was wearing someone else's glasses. Have you any idea how or why the angle for the astimatism correction changes (assuming the optician has got it right!)? I can see how it can increase at any given angle, but why the rotation? Just curious!

Brian-16 09 Nov 2003, 05:35

High Myope-Do both of your kids have 20/20 vision corrected?

JB 08 Nov 2003, 20:46

i'm also about 45 mins from London on a good day

High Myope 08 Nov 2003, 19:10

My two youngest kids had their semiannual exams last week. My 13 year old daughter had another -.25 increase in each eye, to OD -8.00 -.25 X 90, OS -8.75 -.25 X 90. In the past 12 months, her increase has been only -.50.

My 16 year old needed a bigger change, but mostly to correct astigmatism. She went from OD 11.50 -.50 X 80, OS 12.25 -.25 X 90 to OD 11.75 1.00 X 65, OS 12.75 -.75 X 105.

Puffin 08 Nov 2003, 09:55

Yes, let's get ourselves together some time.

VisitBoy 08 Nov 2003, 05:50

Well, I think we have the makings of a London gathering sometime, you know.

Julian 07 Nov 2003, 23:22

I'm about two hours from London by train (longer yesterday - horrid journey).

Love and kisses, Jules.

Smudgeur 07 Nov 2003, 16:26

Me too - similar distance from London as Andrew.

BTW Andrew - you watching us beat the Marsh Rats on Sunday?

Andrew 07 Nov 2003, 12:56

I'm also in the UK, about 45 mins from London (by train), so you're not alone here.

Pinkspecs 07 Nov 2003, 08:34

Hi Lisa

Im from UK (LONDON)

Would love to hear from you.

pinkspecs@yahoo.com

GwGs 07 Nov 2003, 05:03

Corr, Lisa that is one nice prescription you have there, any chance of a photo of yourself wearing your glasses or a description of yourself?!

Thanks

GwGs.

Puffin 07 Nov 2003, 04:57

Ooohh!

Lisa 07 Nov 2003, 04:15

My RX is:

Left: -18x +1.25

Right: -14.75 +1.00

If you want to know my frames i have 2 pairs, one pair in non hi-index lenses which are large round silver rimmed glasses and the second pair are i don't how to describe them but they are again large frames which are gold rimmed and have gold leaf patterns on each arms and are blended myodiscs.

Anyone from the UK here??

Vodkaboy 07 Nov 2003, 01:42

Hi there

If there are any GOCers or OOs in UK that would like to get in touch, please feel free, my email is vodkaboynow@hotmail.com

please put eyescene in the subject initially so that the email will NOT be filtered as junk.

It would be a great achievement to meet some cool friends on here.

Lee

STEVE 06 Nov 2003, 11:21

RX R - 6.75 X 1.75 1.80

L -7.25 X 1.50 1.65

RJ 04 Nov 2003, 04:14

Hi all.

I used to post in lenschat under the name "Dude"; -14 and a few others will know. I've been "lurking" around the site for quite a few months, but only tried the lenschat yesterday.

I'm 16 and my Rx is:-

R -1.50 X -0.50 080

L -1.00 X -0.50 175

Not too much, but enough so that my distance vision does'nt work w/o glasses. I wear fulltime.

NeuroJoe 03 Nov 2003, 14:52

Hi Julian, great to hear from you as well. I always enjoy your posts.

Well, I'm not sure what exactly causes the hyperopia, but I've been lazy recently, not wearing the contacts as much, and my vision has slipped back towards normal. For a while, I was wearing these new contacts with a larger base curve, meaning they were flatter, and I noticed that when I took them out, I was more farsighted. It got to the point where I was really having a hard time seeing without GOC, so that's when I went to the optometrist. I have ordered a new pair with an even larger base, 9.2 I think, so we'll see what this does.

Actually, I think what the oprometrist said was "you are pretty *significantly* farsighted", not 'seriously', as I said in my last post. However, I do think that higher amounts of hyperopia are relatively uncommon, so +3.75 would be more remarkable than -3.75, for sure.

So, I'm trying to be more diligent with the contacts.

Julian 31 Oct 2003, 03:02

NeuroJoe: congratulations on the 'real' Rx and actually needing glasses! Have I understood you right? Are you saying (1) this hyperopia is induced by the contacts you've been wearing and (2) you have to keep on wearing them at times to maintain it? Presumably you still have the near vision add on top of this.

The other thing that interested me in your post was that your OD considers +3.75 'pretty seriously farsighted' when -3.75 would be bread and butter stuff.

And, as somebody else said, it's nice to hear from you after all this time.

Love and kisses, Jules.

SG 28 Oct 2003, 18:03

Great to read you again, NJ!

8 )

STEVE "glasses fan" 28 Oct 2003, 15:41

Julian, my prescription before had no cylinder correction, all I had was a correction for astigmatism. He said I might need bifocals in a year or so, because my eyes have a hard time switching distances

Julian 28 Oct 2003, 01:59

Steve: that's your 'new' prescription; not your first, surely? Do you know what your previous one was? It's quite a mild Rx, though with that amount of astigmatism I guess you need your glasses full time. And did the doc give you any clue about why you're so near needing bifocals?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Steve "glasses fan" 27 Oct 2003, 11:46

I just received my new prescription it reads... L +75 -2.00 @ 80 R +1.00 -2.25 @ 160, what do you think? How does this compare to other prescriptions? The doctor also said it will probably be bifocals in a year or so. I just turned 33

NeuroJoe 01 Oct 2003, 12:23

Hi everyone, it's been a long time since I posted, but I do lurk much of the time. I really haven't had much to post, until very recently.

As some of you old timers know, I'm way big in to GOC, and am an OO of an extreme magnitude. Unfortunately, other than wearing +16 GOC, I was cursed with a very meager Rx, something like OD: pl sph, -.75cyl,OS +.25sph -.5 cyl, add of 2, due to my are. For the most part, I have always been able to see well in the distance, and only fairly recently *really* needed the add. Of course, I used to say I had trouble reading, just to get an add.

In any case, a month or so ago I got a new pair of contacts, which have a slightly larger BC than what I regularly wear, and have been doing the usual GOC. Over the past few weeks, I've really noticed a deterioration in my uncorrrected vision, expecially after sleeping in the contacts. Finally yesterday, when I really could not see well without my real script plus a pair of +3 readers from the drug store, I called up the local LensCrappers OD, and got an appointment right away.

The assistant, who does most pf the prelim work, checked my vision (an honest 20/100 distance), and checked my Rx on the machine (I can't remember the exact Rx, but my right eye was +3.25) When I saw the OD, a very friendly lady in her late 40's, wearing readers, she asked how old my current glasses were. I said they were 5-6 years old, I lost my latest pair, and was having real trouble seeing, which was true. When she did my refraction, it came out +3.75, -1.25, and +3.75, -1.00. She sat back, looked at the numbers, and said,"you are pretty seriously farsighted!"

This is the first time ever *ever* that an OD has made any comment on the strength of my script! What a thrill! She suggested contacts, and even let me try a trial pair which were close to my new Rx. She also talked about surgery options for "highly farsighted people", CLE w/ IOL. She also was very curious as to my history w/ glasses, and my progression. She was so friendly and concerned, what a thrill.

I had my glasses made right away, and drove home, for the first time having good vision looking through a real Rx with 'naturally' bad eyes!

I find that a few hours a day with the contacts, or sleeping with them, is sufficient to keep me very near the real Rx I'd like to have.

Anyway, I just had to tell this story to you all, as the only group who could possibly understand the thrill of actually *needing* glasses.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Tom 01 Oct 2003, 06:11

Julian

Thankyou so much for taking the time to explain things to me, it's a pity I had to find out on this site exactly what my prescription means, surely I should have had a decent explanation from my eye doc - never mind.

Thanks again

Tom

Nick 30 Sep 2003, 13:11

Hi Lucy, I got a prescription similar to yours in the spring. I knew I'd have to wear my new glasses more often than I'd worn my previous ones and I was anxious about people's reactions. To be honest though, less people commented than I thought. Once people have seen you in glasses they seem to think that you have always worn them. When I got my new glasses, I knew that they would help me at work and when I was out and about, shopping (for example) but at first I didn't wear them much at home or if I was out socialising. However, very quickly I noticed I was missing the good vision when I wasn't wearing them and after about a week I was wearing them all the time. My advice is to put on your new glasses, enjoy the good vision and forget about them.

Julian 30 Sep 2003, 09:04

Tom, your Rx is ONLY for astigmatism...you said you have no problem seeing close, your eye doctor says you focus better in the distance. I say don't worry about it, wear the things any time they help. (Maybe he meant they'll help with both close and distant vision - which I guess they will.)

Love and kisses, Jules.

Tom 30 Sep 2003, 05:39

The eye doc definitely said that I was both near and far sighted, but he said my eyes focus better with distance?

Tom 30 Sep 2003, 05:37

Thanks for the reply Julian, so what you are saying is, that my rx is mainly for astigmatism?

Julian 30 Sep 2003, 02:36

Tom: did your eye doc really say that? Are you sure you haven't misheard? What you have according to your Rx is simple (and slight) astigmatism. There are two ways of writing prescriptions: positive and negative cylinder. In positive cylinder convention your Rx is 0.00+0.50x130; 0.00+0.50x50. In other words you have 0.5D of plus cylinder in front of each eye. Not much - but it could improve your vision at any distance.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Tom 29 Sep 2003, 23:03

I was wondering if anyone can explain my prescription to me, R +.50 -.50 40 L +.50 -.50 140

The eye doctor said I was both near and far sighted with some astigmatism, but how can I be both? I thought I would need a mild - prescription as I have no problem with close up, so why the +?

Thanks

paula 27 Sep 2003, 20:53

write me @ paula00022@aol.com

paula 27 Sep 2003, 20:52

wright me @ paula00022@aol.com

paula 27 Sep 2003, 20:50

I wear -16D glasses I started at age 5 with -8D I don't know why I love glasses so much. I tried contacts last year. I felt so strange everyone kept asking me where my glasses were. I got so sick of it I never wore contacts again. I love men with thick myopic lenses. I say glasses forever

Tod 27 Sep 2003, 20:36

Lucy, in your particular case you might want to consider wearing soft contact lenses. this would give you the correction you need without all the Q & A's from family, friends and coleagues. And if for some reason one day you have to wear your glasses, you can just tell all that your contacts are in the "cleaners".

Lucy 27 Sep 2003, 10:39

I went to the optician this week and my prescription had gone up from 1 to 2.50 which he said was quite a big jump. He was surprised at the increase because he said at 35 my prescription should have stabilised. I havent been for four years and I wonder if that might be the reason. He said he thought I'd benefit from wearing them all the time, because of the size of the increase and the strength of the prescription. He said he thought I'd notice the difference enough to want to. Having had glasses for eight years or so but worn them very little that will be a bit strange for me. Im ready to enjoy the better vision but does anyone have any advice about getting used to wearing glasses all the time and how to introduce them to friends and family? I'm expecting to find something on my face all the time very irritating. And for many people, if I do what he says, it will be a bit of a shock, so Id be really grateful for any suggestions.

Joseph A. 22 Sep 2003, 10:18

Marco:

It's not that they're too complex to be made, it's more a matter of cost. I think the optometrist is OK, but the price was incredible.

---Joe

mattp 22 Sep 2003, 05:41

Marco and Joseph A--

I'm interested in your discussion of prism and bifocals. I'm 48 and wear trifocals--about -3.75 with some right eye astigmatism and +2.50 reading add.

I've been having some difficulty reading, so at my exam last week I assumed the add would be increased. Instead the doc said my left eye was having accomodation and convergence difficulties and he wants to try a prism. He prescribed a 3 D base in fresnel lens which is a piece of plastic with verticl lines stuck on my left lens. I see him again in a month to evbaluate the situation, at which time he will decide what prism RX to give me for new glasses.

The point here is having the prism lens made into a trifocal. He doesn't think I need the prism for distance, only for the add segments. And he commented that such a lens--with prism in the bottom segments and not in the top--cannot be made. That's why he gave me the fresnel lens--to see if I can tolerate the prism for distance. If I can, then my new RX will be for a prism lens; if not, I will need two pairs of glasses--one for reading with the prism, the other for distance with no prism. It sounds like this is the situation Joseph A is in.

Let me know what you guys think.

By the way, the fresnel prism is wonderful. I'm focusing on things beautifully!!

Matt

Marco 21 Sep 2003, 12:40

Joseph A.

There are a few people on here with far more complicated prism RXs than yours and they have bifocals with seemingly no problems. If I were you I'd change eye doctors. It appears your doctor not only prescribes different cylinders for near and far but can't figure out how to get you prism bifocals.

Mike 20 Sep 2003, 19:10

Clare, another thought, your astigmatism may not be present inyour contacts, or corrected accurately as they often not-

Joseph A. 20 Sep 2003, 17:15

Marco:

Yes, that is a little weird. I would like to have bi-focals but the prism complicates the whole thing so I'd probably have two pairs. Unfortunately, I can't afford two pairs so I'll have the glasses made for my distance vision and wear half-length reading glasses over them. That ought to work. By the way, my age is 16.

---Joe

Mal 20 Sep 2003, 11:33

Clare - Alan's right, a bit of fine is probably necessary. In the past I've felt that I needed an increase only to go for an exam and be told not. When I'd really noticed it, surprisingly, was when I wasn't wearing my glasses 0 in the mornings I generally wander about without correction and that's when I felt my vision had deteriorated. I wasn't noticing it with my glasses on. After that, though not immediately, I did get an increase and I haven't noticed it recently. So you may, or may not, need an increase right now but one may be coming. You could always ask if you could have an increase in your prescription, I've never done that though.

Mike 20 Sep 2003, 10:34

Clare, why don't you try wearing your weak glasses over your contacts for a while and see if it works until your next exam?

Marco 20 Sep 2003, 07:28

Joseph A.

Your new prescription is very interesting. It appears the OD wants you in bifocals. It is, however, the first time I have ever seen different cylinder for distance and near. Normally it is just listed as "add". And that brings me to another question. How old are you? The add for one eye is +3 and the other +3.25 and unless you have little or no accomodation that is huge.

Now he may want you to wear different glasses for distance and near but the difference in cylinder is still weird.

Alan 20 Sep 2003, 07:10

Mark -- did you notice any vision problems? I mean, are things blurry?

Clare -- if many people can see better than you, then a change in prescription will probably help you see better. But if you don't notice any problem and can see the things you feel like you need to, then it's not a big deal; you don't "need" a stronger prescription (though you might as well get it, since there will be times you'll be glad for the crispness, I'd think). It sounds like your prescription is only off by a small amount, .25 or .5; just enough to make a difference for reading really small/far-away things, but not enough to really make things blurry.

Julian 19 Sep 2003, 23:51

Mark: no need to get paranoid. Sure, your new lenses will be a bit thicker, but not seriously thick; you'll be more conscious of them than anyone else - the vast majority of people are totally unobservant about other people's glasses anyway. Every day you see people wearing -4s and think nothing of it. If it's your self-image that's bothering you, think of eagle-eyed (with his new specs) Mark who can spot a butterfly at 40 paces. Sure a lot of people's vision has stabilized at a younger age, but you aren't abnormal. Go on - get yor Rx made up and enjoy the good vision!

Love and kisses, Jules.

Mark 19 Sep 2003, 22:42

I am new to this forum but reading it for a while. Concerning when vision stops changing, I am 29 and I have been wearing glasses for about 10 years. I had my previous eye exam almost 2 years ago and have had a prescription of R: -2.50 and R: -2.75. Two days ago I was quite shocked (and still am!) when I got my new prescription. It is R: -3.50 and L: -4.00. Is this change abnormal? I am also a bit paranoid now because the lenses will probably be quite thick (since my insurance will not pay for high index lenses, I will be stuck with regular plastic). I cannot really imagine myself wearing thick lenses and have therefore put off getting the new glasses for now. But I know I will need to get them soon since my vision with the old glasses is not that great any more. I am wondering how thick regular size -4.00 lenses will be.

Clare 19 Sep 2003, 12:35

Mike, i didn't think that was unusu

al, I had a friend who did that but I'm thinking it may be the case. I'm due a test at the end of the year and we'll see. A couple of times recently I've been caught out - last month I was down by the sea with a friend of mine who obviously has razor-sharp (but corrected) vision, she could see a ship a way away on the horizon that I couldn't (I could though with the binoculars!), then today at a big presentation my colleagues could see more than me from the back of the room, and it was a big room, than I could. I've only really noticed it because other people have commented about something they could see, so maybe its not an issue because I haven't generally noticed that my eyesight is worse. Am I getting paranoid folks?

Mike 18 Sep 2003, 22:17

didn't you mention that you tried (at my promting) your old glasses over your contacts and it made it better?

Clare 18 Sep 2003, 13:46

Yes Mike, I am ... more often than glasses in fact.

Mike 18 Sep 2003, 12:25

Clare, were'nt you the lady who also wears contacts?

Clare 17 Sep 2003, 13:04

Hey Mike, just saw your message, what makes you think that I might be due an increase then??

Joseph A. 17 Sep 2003, 10:04

OD -8.00 Sphere, -0.75 Cylindre, Axis 10

OS -9.00 Sphere, -0.75 Cylindre, Axis 20

OD -5.00 Sphere, -0.50 Cylindre, Axis 10

OS -5.75 Sphere, -0.50 Cylindre, Axis 20

OS Prism 2.25 Base In

Tamas 17 Sep 2003, 09:46

As some of you recently talked about people in glasses that also have other disabilities, well I'm with you. I'm -6.00 but usually do GOC and wear -14.00 glasses, and I use a wheelchair for mobility.

Mike 11 Sep 2003, 22:53

Clare, from our discussion the other day, I think you are do for another increase

Clare 11 Sep 2003, 22:08

Neni, I thought that too. I'm 34 and in the last 2 years my prescription has gone up from -1.25 to -2.25 and -2.50.

Sarah 11 Sep 2003, 08:09

Neni - I thought vision changes usually stop in a person's early 20's too. But I think from some things people have written here, changes in the 20's and later do happen to people sometimes. I hope I'm not one of those people. I'm around -13 right now. I don't need a lot more, I don't think.

Neni 11 Sep 2003, 04:53

Hi! This is my fist post here, although I've been lurking for awhile. I first started to notice some blur in my distant vision when I was 20 (I'm 29 now), especially at night. One year later I got my first glasses (-0.50). They were weak, but my vision was considerably crisper with them. But I couldn't wear them in public! I was too... I don't know... embarrased, I guess, or just too vain. I've always has perfect vision, best among all of my friends. They were allways asking me to read the number of the bus, and that sort of things. I could see far and very clear. I did not want them to know that my eyes changed. So I wore my glasses only at home, and it was great fun! I like the way my glasses sit on my nose, and behind my ears. I like to peek over the frames and compare my vision with and without glasses. Somewhere along the way, I noticed I like girls wearing glasses more than the ones without them. My prescription was very stable, untill last year when I noticed I could't see clear even with my glasses. I went to eyedoc, and got new glasses, R -0.75 L -1.00. I knew it was time to start wearing my glasses much more, but I did't have the guts. I bought two very nice pairs, thinking it would be easier to wear the glasses I like very much. It didn't help. It was getting more difficult to cope without glasses. I couldn't see good enough to drive. So I decided to get contacts. A few months ago I was fitted with soft contact, R -1.00 L -1.25 (yes, my eyes are still changing!). They are not as confortable as glasses, but I am able to see fine with them ( I don't wear them full-time, though). I wonder how much more will my eyes keep getting worse? I thought the myopia stops progressin in early 20s?! Well, that's all for me for now. Sorry if I bored you...I'm glad I could share my feelings and thoughts with you. I would't share it with anyone else! Best regards!

All fakes!!!!

Susanne 10 Sep 2003, 05:51

Hyperfan - No pics on the Internet, sorry

Brian-16 10 Sep 2003, 03:04

Supermyopia-I am 16 years old soon to

be 17..

supermyopy 09 Sep 2003, 17:55

Hi Brian, How old are you? I would like to get in Contact with you because I like boys with glasses!

hyperfan 08 Sep 2003, 08:57

Hi Suzanne, Jenny,...

I'am sorry for my poor english, but I just want you to see more. In fact, ten years ago I fall in love with a pretty girl who used to wear strong + glasses (I remember +15, with 3 add). From this time, I like very much these eyes beside lenses... DOnt you have any pics ti send of your eyes before glasses, of your glasses, of you ?

Thanks for reply...

Brian-16 06 Sep 2003, 05:52

Jen-I guess it depends on your perspective of "thick".My brother has high index lenses (12yrs) and his rx is about-6.5d.Mine are thick,close to half and inch and -10.75/-10.25 with prisms which contribute to the thickness more at the edges (temples).My brothers glasses appear thick to some people compared to theirs.

But his are not much more than a quarter of an inch.I think most folks here on this site favor thick lenses.

Using regular CR-39 lenses once you get up around three or more diopters they tend to get thick.I really like the so-called coke-bottle bottom lenses.

Jen 05 Sep 2003, 20:59

How thick does a lens have to be before it's considered "thick?"

Russell 05 Sep 2003, 12:37

Dizzy: the answer is quite simple. Wear your glasses when you use the computer. Throw away the contacts or keep them for rare occasions.

johnnyb555 04 Sep 2003, 21:54

Hi Susanne,

Wow... +30 glasses? I wore a pair of -20 contacts, and had to take them out after half an hour.

Where do I begin... I spilled water all over the kitchen floor because I couldn't tell when the glass was full; tried to watch TV, couldn't make anything out even from a foot away; couldn't find my keys after they dropped... and this is with -20 lenses, not 30.

Dizzy in NY 04 Sep 2003, 18:52

Hello All. My contact lenses prescription is L: -7.5 and R: -8.0.

I received a new computer at work that makes me very dizzy, and this condition leads to severe headaches.

I tried various monitiors, but to no avail. My doctor told me it is due to my astigmatism and proscribed me toric contact lenses, but they do not help, and actually make my condition worse.

WHat should I do? Try rigid contact lenses?

Please note that when wearing my glasses when using the computer, I do not feel dizzy.

Thanks,

Dazed in NY

sam 04 Sep 2003, 17:03

my last rx was -3 with -1 astig and -2.75 with -.75 astig there is a big diffrence with this stronger rx things are much bluurier now in a mall could hardly recognize people unless very close to me i do need them full time now

sam 04 Sep 2003, 14:42

hello just got my new rx today i am now -3.50 with -1.75 astig and -3.25 with -1 astig does that mean i am really -5.25 with astig and -4.25 with astig because that is a prety strong rx things are very blurry withot them and they are quite thick even though they are poly lenses am i that blind

Susanne 04 Sep 2003, 12:28

Nancy:

Yes, I have been diagnosed with Ushers. My dad has it too, also 1 sister, 17 wears -15 lenses and has a moderate hearing loss and 80 deg. central vision. My other sister, 15 wears -14 lenses, mild hearing loss and her peripheral vision deteriorated to 30 degrees in the past 2 years.

Emily 03 Sep 2003, 11:44

Christie -- The Dr. could ask you which is better, the left or the right side of the chart.

Emily 03 Sep 2003, 11:43

James -- I don't think that's accurate. The green and red are side by side so each line is half green and half red.

james 03 Sep 2003, 10:13

red is always the top one - like traffic lights, but they use really bright colours so i can see the diference ok, unlike subtle colours which i have to guess, but i always say 'top' or 'botom' when they ask me.

Christy 03 Sep 2003, 09:36

If someone is red/green colour-blind (the most common form of colour-blindness) how do they cope with that part of the eye-test?

High Myope 03 Sep 2003, 09:07

John:

My understanding is that selecting green indicates to the optometrist that your eyes require more plus; selecting red, that they require more minus.

John 03 Sep 2003, 08:27

When you chose green does that mean a stronger lens is needed for a farsighted person? Or does choosing red mean you need a stronger lens in a farsighted person too? I'm confused. I know choosing red means a stronger lens is needed for a nearsighted person but what about for the farsighted person???

Nancy 03 Sep 2003, 06:01

Susanne:

Since you have RP and hearing loss, have you been diagnosed with Ushers? What about your siblings?

Tony 02 Sep 2003, 07:07

Pinkspecs - Do you have a picture of your girlfriend that you can post, or is it already on one of your sites. If so, where?

Emily 31 Aug 2003, 14:39

Hi Mel. When you have your next exam, complain to the Dr. that your distance vision has gotten worse. Then when he asks you to read the chart, don't read the last couple of lines that you can see. If he gives you a red/green test, tell him red is better the first couple of times that the green is better. Red means you need stronger lenses. Don't squint during the exam and don't push your face into the refraction machine. Instead, move your face back from the machine a little. If you do these things, you should get close to a -3 RX.

Mel 31 Aug 2003, 14:32

Emily - I've always liked what i see with a stronger prescription. Mine is -2.25 but I can never get prescribed more than that. I have a friend who is at least -3 and the definition through her lenses, though not clearer than mine, seems much stronger. Like you say, its darker, more of a contrast perhaps. I like it, but how to get it?

Emily 31 Aug 2003, 12:37

Here's an update on how my RX is doing. It's R -6.25 L -6.00 and I've had it for 5 months. I have an eye chart and a small set of trial lenses to check my vision with.

I am seeing 20/30 with my glasses. With a -.25 lens over my glasses, my vision improves to 20/25. With a -.50 lens, it is 20/20. With a -.75 lenses I can still see 20/20, but the letters are a little blacker. The -1.00 lens is a little too strong. I can't see the 20/15 line even with the -.75, which is otherwise the best.

My eye Dr. would probably increase my RX by -.50 or -.75, but since I'm seeing OK for driving, I am going to hold off on a new exam for a while.

Pinkspecs 30 Aug 2003, 11:52

My girl friend wears two BTE hearing aids.

We both use Sign Language.

She also wears +9 bifocals

Susanne 30 Aug 2003, 07:24

Puffin:

I have never done any sign language, never learned it. When I was younger, I tried some lip reading but never got good at it before my vision deteriorated (it was never better than 20/50 anyway.

Now I'm 20/120R and 20/150L, so do most of my seeing with the right eye which also has a larger visual field. With a +30 lens for my right eye and hhalding things close I can read pretty well.

I folks want to email me I'm at susanneablondi at hotmail dot com.

dazed in NY 29 Aug 2003, 19:06

Thanks for the translantic advice Lentifan, but I am looking for an opinion with respect to contact lenses.

Hello All. My contact lenses prescription is L: -7.5 and R: -8.0.

I received a new computer at work that makes me very dizzy, and this condition leads to severe headaches.

I tried various monitiors, but to no avail. My doctor told me it is due to my astigmatism and proscribed me toric contact lenses, but they do not help, and actually make my condition worse.

WHat should I do? Try rigid contact lenses?

Please note that when wearing my glasses when using the computer, I do not feel dizzy.

lentifan 29 Aug 2003, 16:29

Dazed,

I don't want to sound facetious, but is the answer to your problem not to wear your glasses? You don't say whether you're male or female. If you're female, you'll have the chaps eating out of your hand. I apologise if that's a problem.

Try it and see!

dazed in NY 29 Aug 2003, 15:50

Hello All. My contact lenses prescription is L: -7.5 and R: -8.0.

I received a new computer at work that makes me very dizzy, and this condition leads to severe headaches.

I tried various monitiors, but to no avail. My doctor told me it is due to my astigmatism and proscribed me toric contact lenses, but they do not help, and actually make my condition worse.

WHat should I do? Try rigid contact lenses?

Please note that when wearing my glasses when using the computer, I do not feel dizzy.

Thanks,

Dazed in NY

Stan 29 Aug 2003, 13:49

Lily, you gave us no information on the nature of your son's vision problem. The fact that he cannot be corrected to 20/20 implies something more serious than a simple refractive error. Therefore, sure it's possible, there could be lots of reasons. I hope the doctor is able to help him.

Jenny 29 Aug 2003, 12:33

Buzz

Thank you for the info. It looks like not a plesant thing to have--but if I'm ok'd to have this done and it helps me,this would be great!! Thanks for taking the time to give me this info.

Jen

Lily 29 Aug 2003, 11:02

I am new here. I may be in the wrong area, but let me give this a try. I am a mom to a 11 year old boy whose vision is 20/50 & 20/70 with correction. He is also has other disabilities, and when he tells me things I normally can believe him. He has told me lately that he is having trouble seeing his books in class. He can't always make the words & numbers clear from either the book sitting on his desk or copying from the board. Is this possible? I don't mean to sound stupid, but I am not very smart when it comes to the eyes and am learning as I go. I have called the doctor to get him in for an appointment, but want to also look up any other available resource that is out there. Thank you.

Susanne 29 Aug 2003, 07:44

Aliena: Thanks for your kind words. I know what it is like to have strong lenses all my life. I too, am blind without glasses. What is your prescription and corrected va? Do you use any additional aids?

Tony 29 Aug 2003, 07:38

Aliena:

Thanks for your kind words. Some folks here seem to think that my previous post was fiction. Fact is, we "handicapped" folks are in separate accessable rooms here which are equipped for us with beds at wheelchair height, strobe light & loud audible alarms, etc. It is difficult sometimes to accept that you have become different, but after 2 years I have become more accepting.

DNBursky 28 Aug 2003, 23:14

Jason,

Do you have a photo of yourself, just curious?

Buzz 28 Aug 2003, 18:46

Jenny,

See this link

http://www.stlukeseye.com/eyeq/IOL.asp

There is an excellent description here of intraocular lens, phakic lens, and there is also a 20 second video clip of an actual lens insertion.

Type the complete link into your browser. You can also find this page by typing "intraocular lens" into your Google Search.

Jenny 28 Aug 2003, 16:05

Has anyone heard of an intracular lenses?The doctor at the Kellogg center is going to evaluate me for an clear-lens extraction in my L eye and replacement. Or a Fakic disc? The Dr. here said I was not a candidate for Lasik surgery.

Puffin 28 Aug 2003, 14:43

Susanne, do you have trouble with lipreading and sign language and things like that? I remember seeing some youngish (13? can't remember) girl on TV who had ordinary myopia, about minus 8 or so, tunnel vision (from an unnamed cause) and was deaf too. People had to sit further away for her to lipread/sign, so that the visual field would be big enough to encompass the face. But surely if you've got poor distance VA that's not going to help, is it?

Brian-16 28 Aug 2003, 13:53

Jason-Read your recent posts and like you I have prism correction in both eyes 4.0d base out.My rx is not quite as strong as yours-but I am negative,that is nearsighted and have bi-focals at age 16.

My rx is :

r-10.75 -2.50 180

l-10.25 -1.25 180

add: 1.50

My corrected vision is 20/25 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye.

Just got bi-focals in June and prisms last December.I have minification of objects just as you probably have magnification of things.

Aliena 28 Aug 2003, 07:33

Welcome Jason, and Susanne to EyeScene.

Thanks also to Tony, Jason, and Susanne for your postings, informing us of your visual conditions and handicaps. None of them make life easy or even semi-ordinary. But, it is good that you can face your handicaps and strive to accept them and move forward. Having been born with cataracts and loosing peripherial vision since you were 6, Susanne, seems very hard. But all three of you are to be congratulated on going on to college to obtain a higher education. I think the members of EyeScene would also be interested in hearing about your goals and what you intend to major in college.

I myself was born with congenital progressive myopia and I have had very strong glasses since I was 1 year old. I was and am blind without them, and I am now 22. When I first started to wear glasses, I never wanted to take them off because everything just went blurry. I can remember getting new glasses every year and sometimes twice a year. I just graduated from college with majors in microbiology and biochemistry and have started graduate school.

Good luck to the three of you in your college studies!

Aliena

Susanne 28 Aug 2003, 06:07

Tony asked me to post, I am Susanne, the girl he mentioned with lenticulars and a white stick.

I was born with cataracts and hearing loss, so have worn lenticular bifocals and hearing aids all of my life.

Since I was 6 I have been loosing peripheral vision as a result of Retinitis Pigmentosa. I now have 12degrees of central vision in my left eye and 15 in the right, so am considered legally blind.

Corrected va, while never better than 20/50 is now 20/120.

My prescription is OD +22.50 +2.00 x040 OS +23.00 +3.00 x015 add +3.50.

Jason 28 Aug 2003, 05:58

Aliena - I should have put some spaces in the prescription when I typed it, so that it would be clearer. I'll do it again, it is L:+11.75 +4.0 x45 6BI R: +10.5 +3.0 x60 6BI add +3.0. My eyes do cross at times when I am tired. My va is 20/30L and 20/60R.

Socks 28 Aug 2003, 00:03

I don't even know what my real prescription is. I'm sitting here wearing my glasses that are L-5.75 and R-5.50. I know that is stronger than what I've been prescribed because I forged the prescription to get stronger ones than what I need. I have started wearing them in front of my girlfriend a lot recently. I let them slide down quite low on my nose and leave them there for a long time before I push them up. She knows that I like her to wear her glasses very low and so far she has not commented on the fact that I wear mine that way. I love to wear them as low as I can when I'm talking with her, almost to see if she'll say something. I catch her staring at the cut-in that they make when she's looking at me. I love catching her notice that.

Emily 27 Aug 2003, 20:18

Arnaud -- I currently have 20/30 with my glasses, which is still OK, so I won't get an exam yet. I bought a "flipper" with 4 trial lenses from -.25 to -1.00 which I occasionally try out over my glasses. Currently the -.50 and .75 are about equal, and better than the other two. Since my current RX is R -6.25 L -6.00, my new RX would be R -6.75 or -7.00, L -6.50 or -6.75.

Aliena 27 Aug 2003, 12:51

Jason:

What is your corrected visual accuity (CVA)? After 3 operations, do your eye(s) still cross sometimes? Do you have prisms in your glasses and do you have ambylopia?

Jason 27 Aug 2003, 12:08

I'm Jason, Tony's room mate. I have been very hyperopic all my life and have had 3 esotropia surgeries. My prescription is L:+11.5+4.0x606BI R:+10.5+3.0456BI add+3.0. I first got bifocals when I was 6.

Arnaud 27 Aug 2003, 02:12

Hi Emily, on June 3 you could still see very clear...did you myopia increased since then?

Would you have your eyes tested in September as usual??

What make you think you need now -7?

Did you put a -1 lens in front of your actual glasses?

keep us posted

Morteneson 26 Aug 2003, 20:41

Pink Specs,

She sounds lovely.????

Pinkspecs 26 Aug 2003, 16:49

My girl friend wears +6 with add 3 bifocal and + 9 reading glasses also 2 BTE hearing aids

Luc 26 Aug 2003, 16:31

Long time reader first time posting.

+ 1.25 each eye with astig of .25 in L eye and .50 in r. Don't know the degrees. I wear mine most of the time as I get tired eyes very easy. Hope to take part in more discussions later.

Alice 26 Aug 2003, 15:02

Emily L+.75 and R+1.00 they are very thin and I use them only for reading. I'd like a thicker lens because someone told me they look like fake glass. I don't use them all the time.

Jenny 26 Aug 2003, 14:52

Alice,

My mom said when I was a baby I had one eye that would,"drift to my nose." She said she feels bad now because as I got older,she would tell me to "stop that with my eyes." She said the family doctor and friends said that I would grow out of it. She told me she remembers one day I was looking at a button and my eye looked like it turned and "disappeared." That's when she said she took me to an opthalmologist. I think I was about 3 when I got my first pair of glasses. I had that patch etc.

Emily 26 Aug 2003, 14:23

Hi Alice Im so glad you like thick glasses and wouldnt mind having thicker ones. I feel the same way. Lots of guys here like thick glasses but not too many girls. I love it when I get a stronger prescription. It happens around every 8 months. By the way, whats your RX? How old are you and how thick would you like them to get? My glasses are R -6.25, L -6.00, but my eyes are about -7 at the moment. I think -10 glasses would be very cool.

Alice 26 Aug 2003, 14:02

Jenny were you born with eye problems? Tell us some details that you remember. I think thick lenses are attractive. My lenses are thin but I wouldn't mind if my eyes got worse. Guys like girls in glasses.

Craig 26 Aug 2003, 11:16

Tommy.. My L is 11.50 and R is -10.00. I do have high index but yu can tell they are strong. I don't have bifocals. Most of the time I take my glasses off to read. I see good with these glasses for distance.

Tommy 25 Aug 2003, 20:13

Craig,

Will you share with us a bit more about your glasses? Yes, they would be high power and thick but what do they measure and are they bifocals? If so, what is the plus? Are they hi-index? You don't say about your age or your progression to this Rx.That would be interesting to know also.

Thanks, Tommy

Jenny 25 Aug 2003, 15:27

John--------No I don't. I figure I don't wear these glasses out and about so I opted for the least expensive. My glasses that I wear over my contacts are much thinner and lighter. I have to see what comes next month when I go to the Kellogg center. Thanks for your advice....

John 25 Aug 2003, 15:07

Jenny Do you have high-index? Because your lenses will be much thinner with these. It's plastic too but allows more light for refraction with a thinner lense.

Jenny 25 Aug 2003, 11:07

Well they are kinda hard to measure as you requested. I have a slight amber tint to my lenses. They are plastic. My left lens is almost 1 1/2 "at the thickest part(lower inner center) this one sticks out so far from my frames. It has trifocal. My right lens is a little over 3/4 " at it's thickest part.The shape of the lenses are't even the edges are thin(1/4" onthe top and outer sides only). My left lens looks like a half a ball in the middle of the lens. But it's so thick my my nose. My brother calls them my bubble glasses. He said that he could start a bonfire with them. He's a crazy kid. Is that a good enough description?

Craig 25 Aug 2003, 07:59

Jenny,I think your glasses probably look better than you think in those glasses. I have a -11.50 in my L and a -10.00 in my R. Mine are very thick too. Can you describe your glasses and measure the thickness? I am really blind without them.

Val 24 Aug 2003, 23:06

No, Kris, it's not considered strong.

It's medium (low-medium).

Kris 24 Aug 2003, 14:52

Does anybody know if a RX of +3.00 and +3.25 is considered strong?

Jenny 24 Aug 2003, 14:45

I can only see pretty good to read with my L eye only if what I holding to read about 6 inches from my face. My R eye, I can see really well distance and close with my glasses but when I take them off, I can only make out colors and shapes. Sometimes I try to strain so hard to focus but it doesn't work.

Katie 24 Aug 2003, 14:40

What can you see out of your L eye with your new glasses?

Jenny 24 Aug 2003, 14:28

I guess I am clumsy...I meant I guess that a crossed eye can be part of nystagmus.

Jenny 24 Aug 2003, 14:25

Thanks Allen-- I'm trying to comprehend this. It looks like a having a eye that crosses can be part of stabismus. The doctor said it only affects my L eye when I look real far to the left. I'm not clumsy like it says though in the article. Craig- I do have "very slight" astigmatism in my L eye but not in the R.

Allen 24 Aug 2003, 14:11

Jenny,

Go to http://www.nystagmus.org/ for definition of nystagmus.

Allen

Craig 24 Aug 2003, 13:51

Jenny I don't know what nystagmus is? Hope this helps a bit. Good luck at your next visit.

Craig 24 Aug 2003, 13:48

I looked up that OS means the left eye and OU means both eyes. Stabismus has to do with crossed eyes. Hyperopia is farsighted. Do you have any astigmatism in that left eye?

Jenny 24 Aug 2003, 10:21

Does anyone know what this means? This is from a copy of the referral form that my Dr. gave me.

Pathology-neg.

Hyperopia-type(absolute)Severe. Corneal light reflex deviation

c/ OS Complete unilateral inward convergent stabismus Corrected with added trifocal + Prism(in)10.

Pos. marked nystagmus of OS noted when test of gaze to the L. R eye neg. Neg. nystagmus of OU when testing R gaze.

Etiology most likely long term d/t long term esoptropic to refractory amblyopia.

23 Aug 2003, 23:56

Anon how old are you?

Alice 23 Aug 2003, 13:49

Anon- I'm 54.

Anon 23 Aug 2003, 13:39

ALICE

How old are you?

I got my first glasses last Saturday. I'm a little bit short(near)sighted with a little bit of astigmatism. Left (Sph)-1.00 (Cyl)-0.25, Right (Sph)-0.75 (Cyl)-0.75. I've worn them almost all the time since I got them. I know it's not a strong prescription but it does make everything crisp and clear. I was surprised how small things looked when I held my glasses at arms length. A friend tried them on and she said everything was blurred (she wears glasses for reading). I think it must be the astigmatism correction which makes it blurry for others as I've tried looking through my glasses with them upside down and things look blurrier then than without them at all!

Jenny 23 Aug 2003, 13:37

Craig-

I can see good if I hold a book close. But I can't see far in my Left eye at all with these new glasses. The Dr. said these glasses will help alot with reading not so much for distance. He said my left eye doesn't "accomodate" at all. He said it's either congenital or from unused muscles over time because of the big prescription difference in my two eyes.

Craig 23 Aug 2003, 13:20

Jenny,

Can you see any better with your new prescription in your left eye?

mexicanfan 23 Aug 2003, 12:58

jenny,sorry , but many peopel thinck that strong glasses are atractive.Can you post your picture for us,(sorry i dont speak english)

Alice 23 Aug 2003, 12:45

I can't believe I found this web site. I just got my first pair of reading glasses and i'm so excited. I have a +.75 in my L eye and a + 1.00? in my R eye. Is that considered strong? My doctor said I have 20/20 vision in both my eyes. I've always wanted glasses because I think they are sexy.

Jenny 23 Aug 2003, 12:36

Which is more common, being farsighted or nearsighted?

Jenny 23 Aug 2003, 12:18

Maggie ... No I didn't have a lensectomy. My friends say I am such a pretty girl but I just have bad eyes and that everyone has something that's a problem. Hopefully I'll get that second opinion for surgery when I go to the Kellogg center.

Jenny 23 Aug 2003, 11:54

I thought that being farsighted means you can't see close only. I don't understand that when I take my glasses off, I can't see close or far even if I really try to strain and squint hard.

Craig 23 Aug 2003, 11:08

Jenny I't sounds like you can see much better. At least you can see better with your R eye with a stronger lens. 20/40 in your R eye with correction isn't that bad at all. Don't feel ugly because your lenses are thick. Believe it or not, some peole find that attractive.

Maggie 23 Aug 2003, 10:59

Jenny,

A lensectomy is the surgical removal of the eye's crystalline lens, most often carried out on people with cataracts. The result of doing this on a person with "normal" vision (ie neither near or farsighted) is that they become very farsighted, in the region of +14D in fact.

Maggie

Jenny 23 Aug 2003, 10:43

Nancy-I have a Lenticular eyeglass lens for my L eye is that what you mean? Sorry I'm not real up on about this stuff. I have an appointment referal at the Kellogg eye institute next month to see what can be done.

Jenny 23 Aug 2003, 09:57

Nancy-What's a lensectomy?

Nancy 23 Aug 2003, 06:29

Jenny

Have you had a lensectomy in your left eye?

Jenny 22 Aug 2003, 12:25

John--I'm not really sure. The Dr. said that my L eye wants to focus with the stronger R eye and that's why it's started to turn in. He says,"it's like my eye doesn't want to take any pictures anymore. I think that's what asotropia is. I don't even know if that's the way you spell it. He said that's what the prism is supposed to correct. He said that my L eye turn gets really bad when I read something close with my old prescription. He said it's because I have a big difference in my eyes. With my new glasses, my eye won't turn. He said he is going to look into a contact lens for my left eye that will be,"very strong" so that I will have a thinner L eye eyeglass lens to look better. I guess only my L eye contact will be expensive. He said I should be able to read without the problems I had before. Talk to ya later...

John 22 Aug 2003, 11:55

What is accommodative asotropia?

Jenny 22 Aug 2003, 11:08

The Dr. said that I have accomadative asotropia and that I've had it for a long time.

Jenny 22 Aug 2003, 10:59

I don't know what kind of prism I got. All I know is that the lady who makes sure your glasses fit right said to me that the lab told her,"They broke 2 frames just to try and get the lenses into the frames." I bought a 15x maginifier mirror too so now I can see pretty good to put on my makeup. Bye..

Craig 22 Aug 2003, 10:51

Sorry to hear are'nt a candidate for eye surgery like you wanted. You can always get a second opinion. Make sure you take your contacts out and give your eyes a break. What kind of prism did you get?

Jenny 22 Aug 2003, 10:26

Hi...Well this is my update. I came back from the eye doctor today. I found out I'm not a candidate for the eye surgery. The dr. said that I would most likely still have to wear glasses. Anyway, this visit nearly sucked me dry because of the expense. Insurance only covers $35 for every 2yrs for contacts because they consider it a "cosmetic."

The Dr. said I am legally blind in my L eye but my R eye is 20/40. I still have to wear contacts + glasses. I bought 2 pairs. One pair to wear with contacts and the other just as glasses alone. The Dr. said my corneas are getting damaged from wearing my contacts too long. The glasses alone prescription is definitely not to be worn around people for sure. My prescription is +32 with two bifocals in it and +14 with no bifocal for my R eye. He said I have a stong prism in my L eye to keep it from turning in anymore. I have cute frames but why because my lenses are so ugly. They smoothed the edges but it's the centers that must be at least 2 inches thick. The pair of glasses that goes with my contacts definitely aren't as bad. They look better than my old pair. It was good to go walking at the park today and see the leaves on the trees so clearly it freaked me out.

specs4ever 22 Aug 2003, 06:40

Katie, that was what I call a typing error - should have read your contacts.

sorry, but my proofreader was sleeping.

ant 22 Aug 2003, 06:18

Tony - Hope you have a good year at college, and that you get on well with your room mate. Good hearing and Good seeing. Keep us up-dated.

Katie 22 Aug 2003, 06:14

Specs4ever-What are tour contacts?

Tony 22 Aug 2003, 05:36

Well it is off to college today. Move into my room, meet my roommate, then orientation tomorrow, and church services and a cook-out on Sunday. I don't know anything about my roommate except that he has some sort of disability.

Jenny 21 Aug 2003, 06:28

Thanks for your quick response and advice. I made a eye doctor appt. tomorrow. Maybe I will have something better like not having to wear my glasses at all. That would make me real happy. I've worn glasses ever since I can remember. I'm only 27 so it would be great to either get the eye surgery or just wear contacts eh? I'll have to remember to let you know what they say to me. Thanks again....

Douglas 20 Aug 2003, 16:39

How about people who have a plus lens for one eye and a minus lens for the other? I always wondered how that could be tolerated.

Alan 20 Aug 2003, 14:21

Curt - yeah, and it would be particularly tough if one of the two images (if not both) were nothing but a complete blur.

Curt 20 Aug 2003, 12:52

I have always read that a >4D difference in lens strength (between right & left) will not be tolerated by most people due to differences in image size and that inability of the brain to fuse the two images together into one. I image some folks can or would tolerate it, but most would not...

Maggie 20 Aug 2003, 12:29

A +10 reading add would allow you to see clearly up to 100mm or 4 inches, not an ideal reading distance, one would think.

specs4ever 20 Aug 2003, 11:17

Oh yes, I know what you mean.

Alan 20 Aug 2003, 10:51

Specs4ever - No, they don't make prism in contacts. Nor can a real person see "pretty well" when wearing a pair of R +4 L +10 reading glasses. You know?

specs4ever 20 Aug 2003, 09:46

Allan, they can't do a prism in contacts. For prism you have to wear glasses over tour contacts. Jenny, should you be driving with 20/200 and 20/70 as your corrected vision. If the one eye is only correctable to 20/200 that is legally blind in that eye, and the other eye at 20/70 is far worse than the 20/40 that is generally used for worst case vision for driving.

Alan 20 Aug 2003, 08:37

Craig, I'm sure Jenny's contacts have prism, maybe around 10 Base in, 15 Base up.

Jenny, you should ask your eye doctor to give you +10 in your right eye, and +20 in your left, for your reading glasses, with tri-focals, and some extra prism.

craig 20 Aug 2003, 08:29

Your eyes are pretty weak. Especially your left one. If you can see good with both your glasses and contacts while driving maybe you need a stronger contact prescription. Have you noticed that your vision has changed? To answer your not being able to read for long problem, maybe you need a stronger reading eyeglass prescription. My friend had that eye turning in problem. He had to get a stronger prescription so his eye wouldn't do that anymore. Do you have prisms in your presciption?

Jenny 20 Aug 2003, 08:20

Sarah- I forgot to mention that I wear glasses over my contacts when I read. They are a + 4 for my right eye and a + 10 for my left eye. I know that's gotta be pretty strong because my total ends up to be a +30 in my left eye with a bifocal and a + 12 in my right eye. AS I was reading some of the postings, I didn't see much of this prescription. I only wear both contacts and eyeglasses at the same time when I read but I can see pretty good with them both when I do everyday things like driving.

Jenny 20 Aug 2003, 07:55

Sarah, Are you farsighted or nearsighted? Even though I'm farsighted (not supposed to be able to see close but am supposed to see far), I can't see near or far. Sometimes I don't take out my contacts for months because I'm afraid I won't be able to get them back in. I know that's bad, but I can barely see the contact to put it in. If one falls out, I think oh G-d I hope it won't be my right one. I could care less if it's my left one because I can't see good out of it anyway even with my contacts in.

Jenny 20 Aug 2003, 06:57

I can see the second line on the eye chart with my contacts in (left eye). In my right eye I can see about the 6th line down. The doctor said my vision was 20/200 in my left eye with contacts and 20/70 in my right eye. I think I said that right?

Sarah 20 Aug 2003, 06:44

Jenny,

I think prism is to help with crossed-eyes or double vision. That's what I've heard here anyway. With prism, a pair of glasses bends the images so your eyes work together better.

How much better do you see in your good eye compared to your other one? What sized letters can you read, like 20 feet away?

Jenny 20 Aug 2003, 06:36

What does base-in and base-out prism lens mean?

Jenny 20 Aug 2003, 06:33

Do you think my eyes could get any better? My left eye is + 20 with a bifocal of +4 custom made contact lens and my right eye is + 8 with no bifocal. I used to wear a patch over my right eye to help my left eye get stronger but it never worked. I still cannot see out of my left or right eye very good at all. (near or far). If I lost a contact lens I start to panic. Some people have noticed that my left eye turns in towards my nose. That just started. It's embarassing. I don't know what I could do. I find it hard to read for a long time because I can tell I see with my right eye. I close my left eye to read because it drives me crazy. I was also born with crossed eyes. But I don't have that anymore.

Tony 19 Aug 2003, 07:04

Mattp:

I know I am young for trifocals, also young for bifocals too. I have had the trifocals for about 3 years since I got above a +2 add. All of my siblings have also been prescribed trifocals but only Tom wears them. Both Sarah and Jim use additional aids to see so primarily wear single vision glasses. Jim really hates glasses, so wears a contact lens and plano polycarb lenses to protect his eye, then uses hand held aids for close up. He just finished reconstructive surgery on his face and now has an artificial right eye instead of a patch, which he really hated.

ant:

To answer your other questions, glasses on first, then HAs. I wear my glasses arms inside my HAs, and try to get cable tamples, both for comfort, and to keep heavy glasses from slipping down my nose.

Puffin 18 Aug 2003, 17:52

What does that mean to induce myopia vs. naturally occurring?

Puffin 17 Aug 2003, 05:32

I think I prefer naturally-occuring high myopes to artificially induced ones. But I suppose people just want to try it to see what it's like.

ron 17 Aug 2003, 04:45

hi ijust recieved new glasses with a -3.50 also 1.75 astig and -3.25 with -1.00 astig i was -3.00 with -1.00 satig and -2.75 with -.75 astig are these strong because my new glasses are very thick they are rimless with poly lenses which are supposed to be thinner

tom 15 Aug 2003, 18:47

Brian,

You're welcome. I feel quite sorry for high myopes because of their high risk for eye diseases. However I think those who WANT to become high myopes are idiots because of the unnecessary risks they're putting on themselves. Inducing a small amount is fine, but not over -6D worth.

Brian-16 15 Aug 2003, 10:08

Clint-No,I do have very good hearing in both ears as I do not listen to any music at a high level.And there is nothing to indicate our family has that problem just poor eyesight !!

Clint 15 Aug 2003, 07:45

Brian -16,

Are you thinking you need hearing aids now, or something?

Brian-16 15 Aug 2003, 03:02

Tom-Thanks for all your input.This past June my prism correction went up to 4.0d base out.I first got prisms last December and was 2.0.My right eye does not fully correct (20/25) perhaps due to the fact I have-2.5/180 astigmatism.In fact I had some trobule with one of the letters on the 20/25 line this past June.So my so-called 20/20 vision with both eyes is a little weak...

tom 14 Aug 2003, 18:48

John,

Have you ever been checked out for Stickler Syndrome or any other collagen disorders like it? Go to: http://web.nmsu.edu/~lleeper/pages/Stickler/

Two of the main symptoms of Stickler Syndrome are high myopia and hearing loss and it seems as if you fit both of those profiles. At least get checked out for a collagen disorder to see if you have it and if you do then you can make sure to prevent other complications. Good luck.

john 14 Aug 2003, 13:04

if you've started discussing bte and well as -glasses

in that case

left eye -12.5 -1.25 4 base out

right eye -13.0 -2.00 4 base out

left ear -40dB hearing loss

right ear -60db hl

btw, when i was 18 i was -6ish with no prism and no hearing loss

and im 32 now

gray

tom 14 Aug 2003, 11:18

Brian--

I'm 17 and my prescription is:

OD +1.00 -1.25 x 29

OS +1.50 -1.25 x 162

With the little hyperopia I have it wouldn't be a problem for me except for the fact that I have moderate astigmatism that blurs my vision (especially in my left eye for some reason). The way I figure it I would be an emmetrope if the flat part of my corneas was just as steep as the steepest parts. I think my eyes were trying to become emmetropic and some genetic problem caused it to fail. My astigmatism was going up and down quite a bit a few years ago but has mostly stabalized.

The article http://www.iovs.org/cgi/content/abstract/41/9/2469 explains how an elevated AC/A ratio is a high risk factor for myopia development. This could be why you have the base out prisms. If you want your myopic progression to slow down or stop, perhaps you should try and get stroger prisms for your glasses. And that could be why my eyes are resistant to change--my AC/A ratio could be low. Just a guess.

mattp 14 Aug 2003, 08:46

Tony--

Let us know how the trifocals work out. You are young to get them--I didn't get trifocals until my forties.

I really like the trifocals. The middle segment is useful for most things I do, and i look through that most of the time. Only when I need to see really far (like driving) or really close (like reading a phonebook) do i use the top or bottom. What is your experience?

Thanks--Matt

Tony 14 Aug 2003, 05:13

Brian

To answer your questions, we live in Massachusetts.

Jim will probably never drive, his sight is too poor, and will probably be worse by the time he is 16. He lost one eye in an auto accident 2 years ago (I was driving).

Jim has the best hearing in the family and only got HAs aabout 4 years ago and is the only one of us with in-the-ear aids.

Brian-16 14 Aug 2003, 03:03

Tom-I have a fairly high minus for my age (-10.75/-10.25) and have 4.0d base out prisms.I understand that base in prisms are much harder to get used to.My eyes turn in it seems naturally but my rx is still increasing quite a bit..What is your age and rx? Sorry about the last Brian-16 nothing post..Too early in the morning for me..

Brian-16 14 Aug 2003, 03:00

Puffin 14 Aug 2003, 01:38

It seems to me that slapping a child in the face isn't a good way to induce self-esteem and the guts necessary to fight back. In fact it just sets them up for more slaps in the face later on.

No wonder so many want to dump the glasses as soon as they can.

tom 13 Aug 2003, 19:10

Hi, I've been reading this thread and it appears as if some people with high myopia are prescribed base out prisims in addition to their minus. Is this because the eyes converge too much or don't converge enough? I have a low plus prescription myself and I would like to make myself somewhat nearsighted. Obviously if the base out is designed to slow myopic progression I'd want the opposite kind, base in. Thanks for letting me know.

MacKenna 12 Aug 2003, 21:51

Lori- When these kids took your glasses and broke them, could you see? I have a plus RX but it is slight, so I don't know if people with strong plus RX's can see or not without their glasses.

still 12 Aug 2003, 11:17

Lori, For sure we sympathize with you. Forgive me for saying so, but your father does not sound like he had much sense, treating you that way. Kids are cruel is an understatement - some of us are better at fighting them off than others. You were not to blame for anything, as you know now.

Lori 12 Aug 2003, 09:37

No, I would never, ever, ever wear glasses in public. When I was young, I was teased so bad. Kids in school would take my glasses and step on them. I was only about 7-8 years old. It happened alot. My parents said that I should of stuck up for myself. I had no self esteem. I would be terrified to walk home from school. Kids would torment me on the way home. My father would slap my face many times when he found me not wearing my glasses. I've worn glasses since I've been 2 years old. I've hated that part of my life. My sister always wanted glasses. I am so thankful that she was blessed not to need them. Wearing thick plus eyeglasses as a child should not be wished on anyone. It's nice to talk about it now with people who might understand. I am a critical care nurse and see many people with so many problems. I know what I am talking about isn't the worst thing in the world for sure. I am sensitive to others who I encounter with vision deficits. Thanks for listening.

ant 12 Aug 2003, 09:24

Tony- I bet your black cases look really cool. I was thinking about getting some coloured ones next time. I really like the black ones.

I assume you wanted my glasses Rx and not my HA's Rx(that's a bit lengthy to post here). My glasses are currently Right Eye -8.75/ -4.50cyl x 33 /8 Base Out/3 Base up- Left Eye -11.50/ -4.50cyl x 144 /8 base out/ 4 base down. Lots of power rings. Do you wear the ear pieces of your glasses inside your HA's, and what do you put on first each morning - your glasses or your hearing aids???

Tony 12 Aug 2003, 05:32

ant

We don't get glasses and HAs mixed up, because everything is custom made so there is no mix and match. All of our aids are digital so are adjusted to the individual loss. Plus, the ear molds are custom. We are Italian heritage, so with my very black hair, I have black cases on my HAs.

ant: how old are you and how long have you had HAs? Also what is your prescription?

I know there are others who wear HAs, perhaps we can start a poll if Wurm can give us a suggestion of a string to use for that purpose.

ant 11 Aug 2003, 02:56

CylDoc- sorry previous post was from me.

11 Aug 2003, 02:56

Hi CylDoc-

Question- I have had astigmatism for most of my life, with my right eye now on -4.50 x 35. It seems to get worse every time I have an eye test. What is the maximum that the Cyls go up to before it can't be corrected any further.

ant 11 Aug 2003, 02:45

Hi Tony-

Wow- some family you have there- with all the sight and hearing needs. You must all be "regulars" at the eye docs and the audiologists. Don't your glasses and hearing aids get mixed up sometimes?

I wear glasses - nowhere near your great Rx and I also wear HA's - moderate/- profound hearing loss. Enjoy wearing them both - would certainly like an Rx like yours.There doesn't seem to be many of us around does there ?? Good to hear from you.

Brian-16 10 Aug 2003, 13:04

Tony-Thanks for the update.I am wondering if your brother Jim will be able to drive when he is of age. Do you live in the states? I am in New

Jersey.

Tony 10 Aug 2003, 12:34

My exam was moved by the doctor from Monday to Saturday. As I expected, almost everything went up. New is R, -21.0 -2.0 x20, L, -21.5 -4.0 x60 add +3.25 with trifocals.

As I said, all of my family wears bifocals, and we all have hearing losses.

My folks are both around -14 with an add of around +3 and severe hearing loss, wearing hearing aids since they were quite young.

I am 18, entering college in a couple of weeks and have a moderately severe hearing loss.

Sister Sarah is 17, high school senior with +15 and add of +4. She had multiple radiation treatments due to cancer when she was quite young. They ruined her optic nerves and retinas. Her va is 20/300, and she has a severe hearing loss. She went to blind schools when she was young but is mainstreamed in high school.

Brother Tom is 15, high school sophomore with -14 and +2.5 add and severe hearing loss.

Brother Jim is 14, high school Freshman with -18 and +3 add, his va is 20/50, and he has a moderate hearing loss.

CylDoc 10 Aug 2003, 12:16

Yes to all your questions.

Veritias 08 Aug 2003, 10:50

Hi CylDoc, question: My vision was always perfect until recently. I am 49 and my contact rx is OS -.75 OD +1.75 (Monovision). My first eye exam (2 yrs ago) the eyeglass RX OS 0 -.75x120 +1.75 OD 0 +1.75. I was given a -.50 contact in the left eye but in Jan of this year I was given a -.75 contact(left eye is dominant). I am now finding that my left eye is blurry in the middle of my vision field. I have closed my right eye and just looked with the left eye and it is still blurry. Does this mean my astigmatism has increased? At what point do you recommend toric lenses. Other then my contact lense RX I do not know what my astigmatism was on my last exam.

tortoise 08 Aug 2003, 08:38

Hi Cyldoc, I didn't know there was such a thing as an astigmatologist. Here is a question for you. Along with -3 or so sph. my Rx always has a Cyl. component of up to -1. I am pretty obsessive and hypervigilant about small changes in vision and what I have noticed is that my astigmatism varies according to light conditions. In bright light there is virtually no astig. so I am overcorrected in one axis while in low light the Rx is good. This would suggest that some cyl. problems are not due to the shape of the cornea but is in the lens? or somehow connected to dilation of the pupil. Can you shed any light on this? 8-)

Bobby 08 Aug 2003, 07:39

CylDoc, welcome!

We will have thousands of questions! A friendly expert is exactly we have always needed. Welcome onboard once more, feel free asking questions, too. This commnity is very friendly. :-)

Bobby

CylDoc 08 Aug 2003, 07:33

I am an astigmatologist, and was fascinated to find this site. Let me know if I can answer any questions, particularly about astigmatic conditions.

Aislinn 08 Aug 2003, 05:02

Gonna sound a bit stupid here but made an appointment the other day for my check up and made a point of finding out what my current prescription is. Its R -3.75 L -3.50, not -4 as I'd wrote here, think I must've mis-typed it or for some reason thought it was in the -4 range (I'm not the brightest of people am i?! lol)- so umm, sorry!! :)

Anyways I've an apppointment next week... dont think my vision has got any worse but I'll guess we'll wait and see...

Puffin 05 Aug 2003, 14:43

Don't be so hasty about those contacts.

There is much to look at from the point of view of an OO like me, with contacts there is nothing.

Sarah 05 Aug 2003, 13:58

Lori - When you say your eyes have gotten worse, do you mean that you have gotten more farsighted? How is your vision with contacts? I guess it's different from being nearsighted - what happens that tells you your vision has gotten worse?

Do you ever wear glasses now, I mean "out in public"?

Amyntas77 04 Aug 2003, 11:14

Lori I guess parents and strangers can be pretty cruel,but many others -as you might have noticed in here-can be quite the opposite :-)

lori 03 Aug 2003, 14:37

I have worn glasses since I've been 3yrs. old. OD. +8.00 OS.+ 10.00 Now that I've just started wearing contact lenses Precision UV a few years ago, I know my eyes have gotten worse. Now I'm really handicapped if I loose a lens. I've hated wearing glasses in all my young years. Advice for parents, look into contacts or other means ASAP if your child wears a high prescription because children and other parents can be so cruel in their comments.

Irene 01 Aug 2003, 02:31

Hi all!

My daughter Lena is now 10 years old.

She is rather farsighted:

right eye +4.75 D +0.75 astigmatism

left eye +8.50 D +4.00 astigmatism

For reading she wears an addition of 2.50 D, as she tends to cross her eyes.

Her left eye is amblyopic, after a lot of patching her vision there is 40-50% only. Her extreme farsightedness was only found when she was 6.

I am rather farsighted too, but not as much as my little Lena.

NC 25 Jul 2003, 07:13

Re. the last post, I once experienced something in reverse, or rather a colleague I once worked with did a few years ago. This is a completely true story and her name was Cathy. She was then about 32 years old. I was 20 and this was my summer job in a London council office after my first year at university.

Following an infection, shortly after joining the small team she led, I had to wear glasses for the first time at work, R-5.75 L-5.25, after many years of contact lenses and was feeling very embarassed at having to do so, especially as they felt quite strong.

Out of the blue, maybe to offer me some moral support, she came up to me when I was on my own and, completely unbidden, told me that she also wore contact lenses but her vision was "much, much worse" than mine.

When I asked her in what way, she showed me her own glasses, which had high index lenses, and told me her prescription was about -13 in one eye and -12 in the other (can't remember which eye, sorry). What surprised me was that she said her eyesight had changed quite dramatically in the past eight years or so, in two main ways.

Eight years earlier, shortly after leaving university herself, her prescription had been -8 in one eye and just -4.5 in the other, quite a big difference between both eyes.

This difference had been more or less the same since she was about 11 or 12, when she first got glasses. Back then, they were -4 and -0.5. She started wearing contact lenses while in her late teens.

Then, in just two tests after leaving university, she'd had that amazing jump, with both eyes going up quite a lot, but her "good" eye worsening so very dramatically.

I remember being extremely surprised at this, because while I can imagine a "good" eye compensating for a weak one, when it is getting so much worse I can't imagine how she would have been able to see effectively, even with contact lenses, over so many years. Also, she only had two eye tests in those eight years, which I found odd. She claimed that she only went to see a specialist if she noticed that there were major problems with her eyesight.

In the months that followed and until I left her department, Cathy would often make a point of talking to me about her eyesight when we were alone. I got the feeling that she quite enjoyed doing so - she certainly had a very good memory of her various prescriptions from an early age. She even "modelled" her glasses for me one lunchtime, when we went out for a bite to eat. I must stress that I never asked her do do so: she went to the pub's ladies' room and came out with her glasses on, which I remember as being incredibly strong and the sides of her face and eyes being dramatically shrunk by the effect of the lenses.

She also told me that she was sure she needed to go to see the specialist again because she couldn't see very well with her current glasses and contacts. She even asked if I wanted to go with her. Although I said yes, nothing seemed to come of it, or at least, she didn't mention it again. With hindsight, I am left thinking that if her previous slightly casual behaviour about her eyes were any indication, her new prescription would have been significantly stronger than the last.

I'll never know. Shortly afterwards, I left the council to go back to college and lost touch with Cathy. She was made redundant a couple of years later, or so I was told by a former member of the old team whom I met in the street much later on.

At the time, I was incredibly naive and also had a girlfriend. So, so it never occurred to me that Cathy was showing anything other than a friendly interest in me and how I was feeling. But since then, I have wondered whether in her own way, Cathy was hoping for more than a few friendly conversations, a shared lunchtime drink or two and break-time coffees in the canteen. In any event, while Cathy was attractive, I would probably have been too scared of doing anything that might be misinterpreted and land me in trouble, both at work and with my g'friend.

Yet the memory of what seems such an amazing increase in her own presciption will always be source of wonder to me.

If this were not a completely true story and it hadn't happened to me, I would swear it was made up...

But I haven't, I promise you.

RL 24 Jul 2003, 15:12

Just had the yearly exam and the Rx remains the same at R -12.00 -1.00 X 28, L -16.00 -.75 X 180.

I wonder if anyone knows what causes large diffferences in power between eyes. The 4 diopter difference developed in mt twenties (my left eye was always in need of about 2 diopters more from the start) when my myopia really took off in the left eye going from around -6 right and -8 left to

-7 right -11 left at one jump. The 4 diopter difference has remained unchanged even when my script went as high as -14 R and -18 left in my thirties.

Alana 23 Jul 2003, 12:17

Alan - that would fit with what someone at work said. He said that my eyes had got more used to seeing, if that's true and your eyes can get used to it then it might be possilbe that when they don't they try harder. And I get a headache. I'll try what you suggest and see if it works. Although I'm not sure that by trying to see I was being more effective than not trying like you suggest.

Garvin 23 Jul 2003, 10:32

I made it only 45 minutes. I got a headache and had a hard time reading the newspaper. So much for my experiment!!

Alan 23 Jul 2003, 05:40

Alana,

I think it's pretty likely that the headaches happen because you are struggling to try to see clearly when you don't have your glasses on - the tension causes the headache. If you try to relax when you don't have them on, and just let things "be blurry", you'll probably be able to go without them and not get headaches. That's what I'm thinking anyway; there's nothing about blurry vision in and of itself that causes a headache.

Clare 22 Jul 2003, 22:44

Good luck Garvin, let us know how you get on!

Karen X 22 Jul 2003, 18:47

ALANA

I wear my glasses all the time as I can't stand any sort of blur. I do get headaches if I watch t.v. without them. Headaches was one of the reasons I got my eyes tested in the first place. My prescription is -1.50 in both eyes. I only got glasses for the first time in November last year with -1.00 in both eyes. By April this year my eyes had got worse and I got my current prescription(new lenses in the same frames). When I first got my glasses I only wore them part-time but went virtually full time within a few weeks as I was wearing them most of the time during the day when I was at college anyway. I also liked the way everything was so crisp and clear with them on. After my prescription increase I felt more comfortable to always wear them.

I think I will be wearing -2.00 or stronger within a year as I went from nothing to -1.00 in 6 months and then to -1.50 in another 6 months.(I passed the distance vision check when I had my driving test last summer but needed glasses just a few months later)

Garvin 22 Jul 2003, 13:04

I've decided to see how long I can go without wearing my glasses. My prescription is -3.00-.25 in both eyes. My object to see if my eyes' lenses adjust themselves.

Alana 22 Jul 2003, 11:18

Since may 02 my prescription has been L:-1.50 and R:-1.75 (no astigmatism), it went up a bit and though I didnt wear glasses much before I've worn these more in the last year. It would be good to hear from other people with a similar strength to my glasses about my question - I noticed i sometimes get headaches if I dont wear my glasses for distance things now, like today watching tv and being in the gym and the other day at work, is that usual? I wonder what it means whether my eyes have got lazy now, are they complaining? I really don't mind wearing glasses, in fact they look quite cute, but the headaches are horrible and it'd be awful to think I couldn't go without them because of that. Any comments welcome.

Bowsser 21 Jul 2003, 17:56

Finally got hold of my recent prescription. The format is a little strange, but maybe someone can help me figure it out..

R: +1.00 -0.75 x 95 add 1.50

L: +0.50 add 1.50

I imagine the -0.75 x 95 is my astigmatism?

Bowser..

Shygirl 20 Jul 2003, 10:24

Emily/Aislinn - I wondered but then I didn't know what I was supposed t see from that distance. I'm 32 and I only had a test 6 months ago. At the time I wondered what my friends could see, whether they could see the actors faces which I could only do if I screwed up my eyes. I don't want to go back yet so I'll wait and see.

Martha-Jayne 19 Jul 2003, 07:40

Hi,

My latest prescription is O.D. -8.00, +2.25, 87; O.S. -9.00, +3.00, 85; with +1.50 add. I don't really need bifocals when working on the computer or when reading in adequate light, but I do have some difficulty reading in dimmer light or when trying to read fine print (or agate type, if you will). Therefore, I decided to purchase +1.50 "half style" reading glasses, which I put on in front of or within any of my 3 pairs of regular glasses, depending on their size.

Aislinn 18 Jul 2003, 16:40

Yep - Shygirl - it probably means you need a stronger prescription :)

Emily 18 Jul 2003, 16:01

Shygirl -- I know that feeling well. It means it's time to see the eye Dr. and get stronger glasses!

shygirl 18 Jul 2003, 15:38

I have -2.25. At the theatre in th e week I noticed I had to screw my eyes up some to see people on the stage more clearly. We were in the dress circle. Anyone else have this with greater distance?

tortoise 16 Jul 2003, 13:14

By the way Sarah... you are right, I am sweet! 8-)

tortoise 16 Jul 2003, 11:30

Sarah. Great questions. I'll answer over on the GOC thread.

Sarah 16 Jul 2003, 11:18

Tortoise - That's sweet, that "caregiver" side of you. It's probably not really needed - everyone has medical things that happen to them that are scary at first but ultimately just a nuisance. Of course, I guess I'm saying that now that I'm more confident of my prescription getting under control. After years of my prescription increasing by more than -1 per year, it seems like the changes are slowing down. I have a really strong prescription now, and it will still get stronger, I realize, but it shouldn't get too much different from where it is now. With any luck my corrected vision will continue to be pretty good and everything will be fine. In some ways, I've even started thinking of myself as "not so unusual", even though I don't think I know anyone else with as strong a prescription as mine.

So, I have a question for you. Maybe a couple. You said you have done goc with -12 glasses (I'm pretty sure I know what this means, from other things I've read on this site.) How did you choose that prescription? I also wonder if you could say what draws you to doing goc. I remember being curious what it was like to wear glasses when I was little - though I'm not sure I wanted to know as much as I'm getting to! Do you do goc out of curiosity? It seems from other posts I've read that there is more to it than this. Anyway, I'm just curious.

Nancy 15 Jul 2003, 06:04

My script, has not changed much since cataract removal last year, except for a little prism and an increase in the near add. Now it is R: +10.50 +2.50 x130 4BI L: +10.00 +3.00 x135 add +3.25. The prism is to move some the tunnels together and stop some of the double vision I developed.

Visual acuity is down, however to 20/80 - 20/90. Visual field is down to 34 deg. right and 25 deg. left. Prognosis is legal blindness in both eyes (less than 20 deg.) within a year.

When that happens, we will have 4 people (out of 5) in the family who are legally blind.

If anyone wants to discuss this personally, my e-mail is still nancyvan65 at hotmail dot com. Be sure to include ES in the title so that I know it is not spam.

tortoise 14 Jul 2003, 14:43

Hi Elena; with my natural vision I find I can get around just fine and do most things without correction especially if the light is good. Details and especially signs etc. are too blurry to make out so I certainly shouldn't drive without glasses. Also, it is very hard to recognise people from any distance and this can be quite awkward and embarrassing at times. I like wearing glasses and seldom go for any time without them. If your question refers to -12 glasses that is an entirely different story!

A friend of mine who is 40 went through life with vision similar to mine but refused to get glasses. She never learned to drive because she couldn't pass the vision test and must have been limited in many other ways in her life. Recently she needed to drive so got glasses but hates to let anyone see her wearing them. Quite an extreme example of spectaclephobia I think.

Hi Sarah; I don't know your age but I'm guessing you are quite young... still I don't think there is much danger of your myopia increasing to anything like -20D. Maybe one or, at most, two more diopters would be all you should reasonably expect. Glasses with Rx in that range won't be too bad... well, they can be very attractive in my opinion 8-) ... and contacts will be just as satisfactory as they are now. When you express your feeling of alarm at how strong your glasses have become over time and concern about the future it brings out the "caregiver" in me and the inclination to comfort and protect a woman going through such distress in her life. Just a little insight into one OO soul. All the Best ....T

Sarah 14 Jul 2003, 11:23

Tortoise - What was it like the first time I wore my new glasses? Really, I think the clarity was by far the biggest thing. I didn't really feel like the lenses were much thicker or that they 'seemed stronger' (except that things were clear).

It seems like the difference between -12.5 and -13 isn't that much. They're pretty strong either way. Since I wear contacts, sometimes I wear them all the time for a few days in a row (not overnight, but I might not ever put my glasses on after taking my contacts out - just feel my way from the bathroom to bed). When I do put my glasses on after doing this, I'm astounded how strong they seem. Everything seems so distorted. Small, too, I guess, but I haven't usually thought about that as much. It kind of scares me, since I can sort of remember when I didn't need glasses at all (it's been a long time, but I can kind of remember it).

Elena 13 Jul 2003, 14:31

Tortoise - interested to hear that even with a prescription you still choose thicker glasses. Could you go without glasses with your prescription or is it too strong?

tortoise 11 Jul 2003, 06:09

Sarah; thanks for the excellent answers. My natural Rx is only -3.25 but I have been doing GOC with -12 recently. At first the distortion and minification were quite hard to get used to but now I find, oddly, that the way things are "bent" around the edges doesn't bother me but my brain still won't see things in their proper size. Examples: A couple of AA batteries sitting on a shelf seem to me at first to be triple A, I'm in a grocery store and for a moment I think... Gee what a lot of small cauliflowers. At the checkout I give the girl a quarter thinking it is a nickel and I'm suprised at all the change I get back. :-)

What was it like wearing your new glasses for the first time? Very clear I know but any other first impressions?

Sarah 11 Jul 2003, 04:06

Brian: Thanks for the congratulations. I'm sorry to seem dense but what am I being congratulated on?

Tortoise: I think I like wearing glasses and contacts at different times. I think they're about equally comfortable (and uncomfortable) for me - the glasses hurt my nose after a while but my eyes feel good, and the contacts don't bother my nose at all of course, but sometimes aren't really comfortable in my eyes. Not so bad, though. No, I wouldn't wear glasses all the time, even if I thought they made me look as good or better than when I'm not wearing them...in some ways my vision with contacts is really better and I'd hate not to have that option.

Switching from one to the other is definitely a little disorienting. Things do look smaller with my glasses on, but that's pretty easy to adjust to. What's harder is that the glasses distort things quite a bit, and my eyes sort of get used to this after a while. Then when I switch to contacts, my eyes have to re-adjust to not having that distortion. If I'm walking around, especially outside, after I switch, I find that I get a little dizzy. This goes away after 5 or 10 minutes, though.

I think my vision is equal but different with glasses and contacts. Peripheral vision is much much better with contacts, of course, and things are a little bigger, and there is no distortion. But my contacts are not for astigmatism and I think I have just enough that my vision isn't quite as crisp with contacts - it isn't bad, but just not quite as sharp. With glasses, it's crisp and sharp, but also smaller, distorted, limited field of vision. So neither is perfect, but they are both pretty good. If my astigmatism gets any worse, I'll have to see if I can get contacts to correct for it. My doctor said I might notice a difference, but it might not be worth the trouble and money for torics. She also said that I could try RGP lenses but they're harder to get used to.

My prescription made a huge jump last year, then a smaller jump this year. I'm glad this year was smaller...so, my prescription last year was R -12.5 -1 axix 85 L -12 -.5 axis 110 and that was a jump of about -1 in each eye from the year before. So this year, it changed by about -.5 in each eye...that's less than it's changed over a full year in a long time. I'm hoping this means it's slowing down. I am OK with my prescription and vision where it is, but as fast as it was changing for a long time, I was scared that I was going to end up with -20. But I still might.

tortoise 10 Jul 2003, 10:41

Hi Sarah; I'm wondering what it is like to switch between contacts and glasses with a prescription such as yours. Do things appear noticeably smaller with glasses or does your perception adjust easily? Which gives you better vision? Would you prefer wearing glasses all the time if appearance were not an issue?

Hope you don't mind all the questions. Oh... also... how big was your increase in Rx?

Cheers

Brian 10 Jul 2003, 10:10

Sarah-Congratulations ! My rx is a little less than yours and I get 20/20 in my left eye but 20/25 in my right with my specs.I have not ever worn contacts-Have prisms and bi-focals.Good Luck on your interviews...

Sarah 10 Jul 2003, 08:19

I posted on here a little bit about a year ago. I made it through another year of school, struggling with blurry vision again near the end of it. I made it to the eye doctor again at the end of the school year, finally -- I can't believe how clear everything is again! A while back, I found some really small frames that look decent on me even with really strong lenses, so I've been wearing glasses sometimes instead of contacts.

So, my new prescription is R -13 -1 axis 90 L -12.5 -.75 axis 105. I think I could read the 20/20 line, but it seems like it was harder this time than I remember it being when I was younger.

For my summer job, I interviewed wearing my glasses...I was kind of nervous about it, but I was thinking they might think from the glasses that I was really smart (I'm not actually) and they might think I. I got the job, so I guess it didn't work against me too much. But then I didn't know whether it would be OK to wear contacts to work (I still wear my contacts more than half the time, normally). But I've been switching back and forth and very few people seem to care much one way or the other.

Mark 07 Jul 2003, 23:16

Alan, your explanation of how RGP (or any rigid lens) corrects for astigmatism is accurate. A good friend who also happens to be an optemetrist explained that lens and the tear layer between it and the cornea elimate the effect of the asymetric cornea.

Aislinn 07 Jul 2003, 15:49

Hey

Just found this site... think it's pretty cool, never seen anything like this before!

My prescription is

L -4.50, R -4.75

I wore glasses part time until about October last year but now either where them full-time or wear contact lenses.

I'm 19/f

Aislinn xx

spexfan 07 Jul 2003, 15:13

I know this has been posted before, but can someone give a quick summary of prisms again ie. a BASE OUT prism would result in extra thickness on the outer edges of the lenses, right? Is this the same for +/- prescriptions? Does BASE OUT imply that one is cross-eyed and therefore has difficulty with distance focusing? Is the opposite of all this true for BASE IN?

Brian 07 Jul 2003, 13:23

Boody-The prism exam consists of several objects or pictures that the doc asks you when they are lined up into a single picture.This way he (she) can tell if one or both eyes have a problem.With my 4.0d prisms it corrects for my line of vision which obviously is turning in.And yes once you get prisms there is no going back.I do get the "double vision" right away when I take them off.Of course I have to focus on something rather close.

Alan 07 Jul 2003, 09:31

Julian et al - I believe rigid lenses (RGP's, pretty much, at this point) correct astigmatism very well for a lot of people. I'm not 100% certain about this, but I have a friend who has a pretty significant amount of astigmatism and she asked her eye doctor about how her RGP lenses corrected the astigmatism...the explanation was that the lenses are NOT toric-shaped - they're spherical, but because the lenses are rigid, they correct for a non-spherical-shaped cornea. I guess this implies that the refractive index of the RGP's and the cornea are about the same, so the RGP lenses form a new "front" for the cornea and the astigmatism is sort of "removed" rather than balanced out by the contacts. I would feel more comfortable with this explanation if the doctor had actually told her that the RGP's and the cornea had a nearly-the-same refractive index. This friend of mine switched to toric soft lenses due to problems with the RGP's and has said the vision is not as good.

The bottom line, though, is that I've heard RGP's at least sometimes correct astigmatism very well. If the explanation above is correct, it explains why the turning of the lens is not an issue with RGP's.

Boody 06 Jul 2003, 14:43

Julian,

You're right that contacts don't give much of a correction for my astigmatism. In the 'lazy eye', it's a 4.5, while in the stronger eye it seems to bounce between a 1.25 and a 1.5. I started off years ago trying hard contacts, moved on to gas permeables, then finally torics which were much more comfortable, but not enough so (and not enough correction in the lazy eye) to make it worth while all the time. However, I really only see with the one eye anyway. I can cover or close the right lazy eye and nothing is different except that I lose maybe 30 degrees of my field of vision on the right, as my peripheral on that side is quite limited (if existent at all) to begin with. That's not the case with the stronget left eye. Close or cover it and I'm done, especially uncorrected. Clocks lose their numbers, dates disappear from calendars, letters in a row become a big mush and this type on this computer becomes readable at about three inches away, and even then is still blurry. I guess what all this says is that contacts worked in a limited capacity because my brain seems to use the one eye only, so making it a little better helps a lot, whereas it didn't much matter if I got the full correction on the right eye because I didnt use it. Glasses seem to make my eye want to work, however. This could all be in my mind, but it sure seems that way Byt the way, I appreciate the insight from all of you!

Chris 06 Jul 2003, 11:49

Juliam/Boody: You may remember that I had to switch from contacts to glasses because I needed prism correction. Having got used to the prism correction, I couldn't do without it now, so I couldn't go back to lenses. My astigmatism is about -4.00 in each eye. Toric contacts did correct it reasonably OK most of the time, but things are definately much sharper with my glasses. As you can imagine with this amount of astigmatism once the lens swings on its axis a bit things soon become very blurry.

Julian 06 Jul 2003, 09:57

I'm a bit puzzled that several of you guys with realy high astigmatism (in one eye or both) wear contacts. I didn't think even toric lenses would correct that amount of astigmatism - but perhaps I'm wrong.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Boody 06 Jul 2003, 09:29

High Astig-

Thanks again! Not bad at all.

Boody 06 Jul 2003, 09:25

Hi Brian,

Thank you for your response. I retrospect I think that it happens all the time when working/reading up close, with glasses (which are usually on then) or without. In fact, without my glasses, for near things, within say, an arms length, things double when I look straight at them. My right eye is the lazy one, my left the one I seem to use all them time. So,( as I've done since I was about three years old,) if I'm reading or working up close and I turn my head to the right a bit, as if to cut off the vision from my right eye and just use the left, things are better. Likewise, if I turn to the left, where my lazy eye must dominate, things go from double to a big mess of double, triple. And again, it's more of a near than far problem. And as noted, it happens with or without my glasses. That's why I was wondering if a prism addition would do anything. I mentioned to my eye doc at my visit last week that I felt as if my eyes were crossing when reading but he said that my lazy eye actually turns outward more than in atthat time. I didn't elaborate on the double/triple vision after that, though now I think I must return to him and do so. I guess I was waiting for my new rx to see if that makes a difference. The existing bifocals are about two and a half years old; the new rx is for a 1.75 add for regular everyday wear bifocal glasses and a +2.75 spherical, -4.25 cylindrical right eye, +2.5, -1,25 left eye for the near glasses. My concerns (though I shouldn't have any until I know if I need a prism add!)are that, after reading the posts here, it seems that once you've got a prism add in your glasses you cannot wear contacts, which I do on occasion. Plus, it seems that once you've gotten used to the prism, you really cannot go without your glasses after that. Again, jumping the gun as I dont know if that would help. But I would realy like to take care of this problem, no matter what it takes. What happens differently during the eye exam to test for the prism? If it is needed, is it something that I'd be able to notice immediately during the exam?

High Astig 06 Jul 2003, 08:46

Boody, This is the same RX with non hi-index lenses.

http://www.geocities.com/legendman_79/ebay/Glasses2.jpg

Russell 06 Jul 2003, 08:18

Karli,

Tell us a bit more. How old are you? Are your glasses only for close work, or do you find you need them for distance as well now?

Brian-16 06 Jul 2003, 02:45

Boody-It may have something to do with your current rx for reading since it does not happen without your specs.I have base out prisms (4.0d) since my eyes turn in whether reading or at a distance.How old is your current rx?

Brian

xxx

Boody 05 Jul 2003, 23:03

Ooops. Forgot to ask this one. As noted previously, I'm noticing a lot of eye crossing when I do anything close up. It isn't an issue without glasses, other than the fact that I cannot see, but happens with my current bifocals, and with the store bought magnifiers. I've seen a lot of posts here that refer to the use of prisms; is this an indication for such correction or is that something else entirely? Thanks again.

Boody 05 Jul 2003, 23:00

High Astig,

Thanks for the photo. Not bad at all, as I was expecting a bit more thickness. In fact, they look very similar to my current glasses. I did not, however, opt for high index lenses, and indicated on the photo. I just got regular ones. Shall I figure a bit more thickness there? And can I assume (hope?) that they might balance the two lenses for me, bringing the left up to the thickness of the right? Is that even possible to do with a lesser rx in that eye?

High Astig 05 Jul 2003, 14:53

btw, look at the right lense, the left is a +.75

High Astig 05 Jul 2003, 14:49

Hi Boody, This RX is about +3.00 -5.50 hi index, maybe this will help you.

http://www.geocities.com/legendman_79/ebay/GLASSES7.JPG

Boody 05 Jul 2003, 14:07

I'm wondering what my new rx lenses will look like. Going from a bifocal (three year old rx)

right -.5, -4.5, 178

left -1.0, -1.25, 55 add 1.25

to bifocal;

right +.25, -4.25, 178

left pl,-1.25, 55 add 1.75

and

close up work glasses;

right +2.75, -4,25, 178

left +2.5, -1.25, 55

I was having a lot of problems with the bifocal, progressive lenses, as my eyes seemed to cross whenever I tried to look close up. Had them checked way back when, but they were determined to be accurate. Have always been (Sorry!) one of those part time, only when absolutely necessary wearers, except when working, as I need full time correction then. But since the bifocals caused my eyes to have problems converging, I used (AH!) store bought magnifiers, though they obviously didn't do much for my astigmatism. Was recently told by an opthalmic surgeon friend that I was nuts not to wear glasses full time, not just because of the correction needed but because I needed to protect the 'good eye' that I have. (Finally diagnosed at age 18 with amblyopic- severe anisometropia secondary to extreme astigmatism, though my parents took me to an opthalmologist annually as I failed eye tests from age 3). Anyway, reluctantly heeded his advice for more full time wear (somehow when it was for protection I seemed to find it easier to do than when it was for correction!) and as expected, I love it. Not the full time glasses wear, per se, but the way I see the world with them. (I wore contacts forever, though again, couldn't get the best astigmatic correction). In fact, now everything is such a blur WITHOUT them, though I guess I just adjusted before whereas now I know that things can and should be better. In fact, I spent about three hours doing some close up and computer work last night without my glasses on and came away from it with the most incredible headache and burning eyes, that has lasted most of today. In fact, I find that when I do NOT wear them now I have a lot of discomfort. I still do not favor full time wear, and it will still take some getting used to. Any suggestions for getting used to the new prescriptions, as they seem quite different from what I've had before (reaching that magic age of needing presbyopic correction, though I've had different distance and near glasses since I first got them, and until I switched to bifocals). Did not go with progressives, as the others just never got comfy. Went with what was described as a half moon shaped thing with an invisible line (does that sound right?)and the lenses are going into a small/medium plastic squarish frame. For the work glasses, they are wire rimmed, medium sized and I'm wondering what the lenses will look like, taking into consideration the magnification and the astigmatism. So I'm not too surprised, will they be thicker in comparison to what I'm used to? What will they make my eyes look like through them? Thanks for any insight. Wish I had what it takes to be as comfortable as many of you and just take to wearing glasses all the time. I need them, I appreciate the vision they provide, and now I'm realizing I cannot see a thing (street signs, license plates, things on store shelves, especially anything close up) without them.

Lulu 05 Jul 2003, 13:46

Leon 03 Jul 2003, 23:02

Welcome Andy. Your name may cause some confusion, as there's already another Andy on this board - from Germany. You might want to choose another (nick)name.

Julian 03 Jul 2003, 22:56

Hi Andy, and welcome to what another of the regular royal queens on Eye Scene once called our little soirée. It's actually enough to post your message in one topic as most of us read them all - but I'll be looking out for you and your new specs on Yahoo.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Andy 03 Jul 2003, 21:42

Hi! My name is Andy, I'm 21, gay, and alo a boys&glasses; lover!! This is my very first posting, in honour that I just got back from the optometrist, since I'm having made a pair of backup eyeglasses (since I'm a full time RGP contact lenses wearer) and he gave a copy of my Rx... hell, he had a bad time fitting me up with a proper RX, since I'm in the High league: he gave me -16.00 - 4.50 x 35 for my right eye and - 15.00 - 2.00 for my left eye... I'm having them made in High index, so they'll look as best as possible... I might post some pics of them soon in the Yahoo Clubs... C-ya

Andy

Karli 03 Jul 2003, 18:04

Hi All,

Until two years ago i did not need glasses,but after a co. eye test request I stated to need glasses for close work ( +1.50l +.75r).6 Months later I had an increase to (+2.50l,+1.25 r)after another few months I needed an other increase to (3.50l +2.50r)after another few moths I needed another increase to (+4.50l+3.50r)and last week my last check I now need +5.25l, +4.50r I am stone blind without my glasses and my lenses are like blobs of plastic , I am so dependent now .My eye doc has told me I will need a bit more correction because I should have been wearing glasses a lot sooner

Brian 01 Jul 2003, 13:54

Eye Tri-Well thanks for the info. I guess in a couple of years I'll be there for the tri's.Love my +1.50 bi-focals very,very,very much !

Eye Tri 01 Jul 2003, 03:50

My experience validates what Nancy said. I got along quite well in bifocals until my near vision add got to be +2.00. With bifocal lenses made to that add there were things that were hard to see at about arms length. Not only that, but the jump from the distance to near lens was a bit much. Shortly thereafter I got my first trifocals and have never looked back.

Brian 30 Jun 2003, 13:31

Nancy-Thanks for the information.That is what I have to look forward to most likely in college.....

Tammy 30 Jun 2003, 07:59

Charles, Ok, i will.

Charles 30 Jun 2003, 07:11

Tammy,

Lighten up!!!!!

Nancy 30 Jun 2003, 05:43

Brian & Mattp:

Trifocals seem to come into play when the addd reaches or exceeds +2. Then you probably need some intermediate help (computer screens, dashboards, etc.). The intermediate is 1/2 the close, sometimes also available at 2/3.

I have a session with the eye doc and retina specialist next week. Will advise of the outcome.

Tammy 30 Jun 2003, 03:45

Nameless one, i should say that i am not judging you because you don't use a name, i am just curious why you don't name yourself when you post.

Tammy 30 Jun 2003, 02:17

Just out of curiosity, why don't you use a name? You can choose not to answer this one if you like.

30 Jun 2003, 01:37

OK CU TTFN

Tammy 30 Jun 2003, 00:01

Nameless Poster: Sorry if i took your chat abreviation the wrong way. I just didn't know in what context it was being used.

29 Jun 2003, 16:24

PTT (Perish The Thought)

Tammy 29 Jun 2003, 15:47

Nameless Poster: If you are trying to drive me away from Eyescene it's not going to work.

29 Jun 2003, 13:06

Yes, I know. The other bit is Good Bye Dear One Consider Yourself Kissed.

Tammy 29 Jun 2003, 12:45

To the nameless poster: TTFN is chat slang and means Ta Ta For Now.

29 Jun 2003, 12:29

TTFN? GBDOCYK!

Tammy 29 Jun 2003, 11:07

I got a new pair of glasses from a collector friend of mine. They are my real Rx and the frames themselves are red, plastic with kind of round lenses that are made in the highest index plastic there is, so they are not very thick. The right lens is thicker than the left lens. I really like them and can see very well through them. TTFN

Brian 28 Jun 2003, 19:21

-14..Yes My friend tried on my specs.His rx is just under mine around 9 or so.I guess that is why I was attracted to him a few years ago.He does like the bi-focals.But the prism correction momentarily made his eyes turn in and saw double for a few seconds ...I hope this post gets thru okay as I took the laptop with us to the shore for the weekend.Billy has already told me he wants to get bi-focals but he is not sure how to fake it.He did say he could probably get at least +1.00 in a bi-focal.I told him to complain to his doctor and tell him he would like them before school starts again.I don't know how his parents will take to this.We are going to check out some drug stores to see if he could slip on a pair of weak reading specs over his.Something I did prior to getting the real thing.Later,Brian

-14 28 Jun 2003, 18:03

Brian-

I'm with you! I didn't have any trouble getting used to my bifocals and kind of wished I had gotten them earlier. My add is larger than yours but I don't even notice the line plus I have enough accomodation so mid-range stuff is no problem. I was prescribed trifocals in my early 20s but never got them - didn't thnk it would be too cool for a 20 year old to be wearing them. If I had it might have slowed down my myopia progression but we will never know and i really don't mind as I like my RX.

You mention your best friend Billy. Is his RX as high as yours? He could probably try yours but with your prism might make things difficult.

Brian 27 Jun 2003, 12:44

Mattp-Thanks for your comments.I bet some day I will have tri-focals.At present I do not have anyway of getting the pix of my glasses on-line.I have a good reading distance with the bi-focals which are not taking that much away from my high rx.In fact other than seeing a lot sharper up front-I do not even realize sometimes I am looking thru the bi-focals.

mattp 27 Jun 2003, 10:27

Hi Brian--

I'm glad you're getting along so well with the bifocals you have wanted ever since I've seen your posts on eye scene! As i've said before, until I got trifocals about a year ago, i hated bifocals. The line never bothered me, but I could never see anything more than a few inches from my face through the bottom. The result was real difficulty with stairs and dashboards and washing dishes. I'm glad you're not experiencing that difficulty. I wonder if the difference between you and me is the difference between the distance RX and the bifocal add. My distance is about -3.75, so the initial +1.50 add (now +2.50) is a huge chunk out of my distance need The +1.50 is not so much out of your -10's.

Your new glasses sound awesome. That much minus, plus astigmatism and prism correction, as well as bifocals! Like others, if you can, I'd like to see a picture.

Continued happy bifocal wearing--Matt

Conetta 26 Jun 2003, 20:27

Brian,

Wby on earth did you want bifocals?

Brian 26 Jun 2003, 19:08

-14. Yes blurry is probably a much better way to explain the difference in my old specs.I guess with my high rx and astigmatism,I should be glad to be able to see as well as I can.I wonder what my rx will be when I hit your age...Maybe I am a little strange but I really wanted bi-focals,and I am delighted I got them.I have received many fine comments and good wishes on ES here as well as a few friends including my best friend Billy.He also has a high rx and is nearsighted but has not gone the bi-focal route yet.But give him time and a little persuassion from me and I bet he gets them next September in time for more heavy reading and studying...

-14 26 Jun 2003, 18:42

Brian-

Glad to hear you like your new bifocals. I didn't get mine until last year when I was 29 so you have a head start on me. I really like them and find it hard to switch back to single vision. I just got some new Oakley RX sunglasses and between the dark tint and the full RX I have to slide them down my nose to read.

You mention when you tried your old glasses now they are "foggy" - do you mean things are blurry?

You're very lucky you adapted so quickly to the new RX but a positive attitude, like you have, always helps.

Brian 26 Jun 2003, 13:45

mei-Yes I think they try to push them here in the U.S. as well.But I have not encountered any problems with them.I try not to look down at the floor thru them and have been careful going up and down steps.Hope you have an enjoyable weekend...Brian

Brian 26 Jun 2003, 13:43

Nancy-Thanks for your comments and support.Already I feel like a veteran bi-focal wearer after less than a week.I do not really understand why some folks hate them.I guess many get the progressive or no-line type so as not to give away their age or vision problem.I do not mind at all!The ft-35 are wide enough for my vision and reading as well.The rx jump was to be expected, however it should be interesting to see what it is next time around.....

mei 26 Jun 2003, 13:40

hi brian

i'm pleased you think the bifocals are cool. in england its getting hard to buy normal bifocals they keep saying that they can only buy variofocals - i guess they make more money from them!

im off on holiday for a few weeks if i see a copmputer ill let you know what im doing

bye bye

love mei

Nancy 26 Jun 2003, 11:42

Brian:

Congrats on the bifocals. I first got mine when I was around your age, and loved em. Your choice of FT-35s is a good one. Your script took a big jump but my doc. always recommends bifocals around -10.

Brian-16 25 Jun 2003, 17:36

geoff-Yes already I am quite pleased about seeing those small want ads in the newspaper.I am keeping the old pair as a spare.But they seem foggy to me when I tried them.I guess I am really settling in with the new specs.One thing I remember is when I got the old ones and tried them for the first time with prism it took a while to adjust.I had a little contest with my 12 year old brother and I can see just as well as he can when reading.He does not have bi-focals yet but is around-6.0.However he has the better distance vision, 20/20 plus in both eyes.He sees the car license plates quicker and longer than I do..

Later,Brian..

geoff 25 Jun 2003, 17:25

Brian, glad you are liking the bifocals - wait till you get back to school, you will like them even better for studying!!

But with getting that much more prism, have you gone back and tried your old glasses to see if youre still going to be able to use them for a spare pair.

It seems to be different for everybody, but i had my worst increases when i was like 16-17 and lately its slowed down quite a lot so hopefully you will start to stabelize after a couple of more years also.

Brian 25 Jun 2003, 03:16

geoff-Good to hear from you again.I do love my bi-focals and with the height they are at I do not have to tilt my head back much.I had no trouble getting used to them at all.The rx jump was quite dramatic along with the prism increase.Still my right eye is 20/25 and is not getting any better.The left one is 20/20 according to the doctor.I was able to make that line out but she said she did not want to over-correct at this time.I think with the doubling of the prisms,it will take a while to get used to all the images I see.I am going to do a little less reading this summer and relax...Will probably have a check up in December and by that time I will be 17yrs.I am wondering how my rx will be after a year or two in college..

geoff 24 Jun 2003, 20:05

Brian, welcome to the bifocal world. Ive been wearing them for a couple of years and think theyre great.

Wow that was quite an increase you got, reminds me of a couple of times i had jumps like that when i was around your age. Your prism went up quite a bit too, are you having any trouble getting used to having that much more or did you notice much of a difference?

Julian 23 Jun 2003, 16:14

ROFL

tortoise 23 Jun 2003, 12:05

Yes, Jules, and then there are the optometrist's glasses which are not half fascinating.

Ant 23 Jun 2003, 06:33

Thanx Jules - love and kisses

Julian 23 Jun 2003, 04:04

Ant, I think the difference will be pretty much like the difference between the optimist's glass which is half full and the pessimist's glass which is half empty; in other words none at all. And I think this applies whether it's combined with a plus or minus sphere, or none at all.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Ant 23 Jun 2003, 02:57

I know the subject of plus and minus cyls has been discussed before, and I know about the calculation for changing from one to the other. Can anyone tell me if you have a plus cyl in your Rx, will the lens look differenct than if the Rx was converted to a minus cyl ? If so, in what way will it physically look different? In this case there is a PLUS sph in both eyes. Thanx

Brian-16 22 Jun 2003, 04:43

The last post to Lara should read 20 inches from the monitor..Sorry

Brian-16 22 Jun 2003, 04:19

Lara-Thanks for your interest in my new glasses.I do not have any way of scanning to get them on-line to you.If you use the search word base out prism on google,you can see some glasses that come somewhat close to mine but those pix show wire frames and not plastic frames.I have more rx for distance than those on the site but 4.0d base out.While typing on the computer I have very good range with the bi-focals and can sit back some 20 from my 17 inch monitor and see just greatwith the +1.50 bi-focals...

Lara 22 Jun 2003, 04:08

Hi Brian,

Is there a chance we might get to see a photograph of your glasses? I'm very interested.

Brian-16 21 Jun 2003, 06:05

Sorry-I must have hit enter too quickly.I finally got my bi-focal glasses on Friday.Been busy recently escaping from school for the summer.I have the flat-top 35 bi-focals.I had the optical shop place them at 20mm height so I do not have to tilt my head back too much.I have a square-ish plastic frame.So far I am happy with them.The rx for the bi-focals is +1.50.And the new rx is:Right -10.75 with -2.50 cyl and 180 axis.Left is -10.25 with -1.25 cyl and 180 axis.The base out prisms are 4.0d...Needless to say a big jump overall in rx.My doc thinks the bi-focals help may retard my myopia somewhat.I am really happy I got the bi-focals but my little brother jokes about them.However my best friend Billy really digs them.He says he might try to coax his parents into letting him get them too.Well hope everyone has an enjoyable summer!

Brian-16 21 Jun 2003, 05:55

Micha 15 Jun 2003, 13:33

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback. The RX is OD -7.0/-1.0, OS -7.5/-1.0.

Micha

Leon 15 Jun 2003, 01:29

Micha, I'd say the RX is -5.5

JJ 14 Jun 2003, 08:19

Micha- estimate RX -10

Nancy 14 Jun 2003, 07:34

Minzella:

Saw your post. How old are you, and how long have you worn bifocals. Ever tried trifocals?

Otis 13 Jun 2003, 08:58

Estimated Rx of glasses in 06-13-03 Micha Post: ~~ I say -6.50 each eye.

Micha 13 Jun 2003, 03:08

Bobby,

For an OO your website is an absolute must. Your German, not too bad.

Cheers

Micha

Bobby 13 Jun 2003, 01:46

Danke fur der link nach meine seite. Micha

Thank you for the link to my site. Micha

Micha 13 Jun 2003, 00:11

Would you like to estimate the prescription? Some helpful hints:

Frame size 55-16. Glasses of this power are much thinner nowadays 8-(

http://de.geocities.com/brillenfreund/Michas_Seite.html

Micha

GWG's Rule! 11 Jun 2003, 13:05

Thanks for the contest, Lara. I think it showed a tendency over here to substantially underestimate prescriptions, which I do sometimes, as I did here. I used my own -6 glasses as a reference point, and could obviously tell that yours were stronger than mine, but I was off in guessing how much stronger.

Lara 11 Jun 2003, 12:42

I'm sorry, I don't have another pair of glasses with my current prescription in regular lenses because for years I didn`t have any glasses at all. I only wore contacts. The last glasses I had before I got contacts were -5.5/-6. Those old glasses are about 5mm thick. My current glasses are only 4mm at the outer edges.

Lara 11 Jun 2003, 12:26

Lara: Wow, those lenses are really thin! 1.8 is incredible...

Do you have a pic of (an old pair of)glasses with regular lenses in your prescription as well? (Maybe in an older Rx.)

Lara 11 Jun 2003, 11:20

Thanks to all who took part in guessing my prescription.

http://schizoid.i-networx.de/html/rxcontest.html

My real prescription is

R: -9

L: -9.5

no cylinder, no prisms

The lenses of my glasses are high index (index 1.8).

The closest guess on this board was made by "GWG's Rule!" who estimated at least -6.5 in both eyes. On a german board someone said my glasses might be around -9 with very little cylinder so he was the closest.

Leon 09 Jun 2003, 22:42

Lara: I'd say R -4.5 L -5

Bob W 09 Jun 2003, 20:13

Hi Caterina!

Maybe you could consider something from the presbyopia world, get a +1.25 and/or +2.00 add to your real Rx in full specs. That would give you a real +0.5 or +1.25 and correct the astigmatism, and balance the 2 eyes if 1 is 0.5, the other 0.75 sphere.

I have pretty mild astigmatism that shows as eye strain when I read much. My RX is posted below. I never used them for distance. I've had the same Rx since High School! Now at 54, I've had that Rx with +1.00 and +2.00 full specs made up for PC and reading/close work respectively. I still don't use any for distance. The Optometrist might regard it somewhat eccentric, who knows. See what comments are generated here.

Best Regards, Bob W

Scuffy 08 Jun 2003, 16:22

Est -4.00 to -4.50 range tops.

with some cylinder possibly.

GWG's Rule! 08 Jun 2003, 09:59

At least -6.5 for both eyes.

glfc 08 Jun 2003, 09:45

Lara Rx L:-6.0 R:-5.5

Hi Bob W

Thanks for the warm welcome. Do you visit Guangzhou with your wife often? A bit hot and humid, but a really nice place for sightings, glasses and contacts shopping.

Puffin 07 Jun 2003, 15:54

L: 6.5 R: 6.0 (?)

I'm more sure about the left than right.

Otis 07 Jun 2003, 12:45

Est. Lara Rx -5.25, 0.25, 180 / -4.75, 0.75, 90

Tito 07 Jun 2003, 08:59

Lara, -4.5 / -5.0

lara 07 Jun 2003, 08:56

I'm sorry. The link below does not seem to work so there is another try:

http://schizoid.i-networx.de/html/rxcontest.html

Please guess my prescription!

lara 07 Jun 2003, 08:51

For anyone who would like to guess my prescription I have a few pictures here:

[http://schizoid.i-networx.de/html/rxcontest.html]

07 Jun 2003, 05:51

A friend of mine recently had a check up. She has had glasses for reading for about 4 or 5 years. If I remember correctly her prescription is about +2.00 in her right eye and about 0.50 in her left. At her check up her prescription changed slightly. Her right eye is now slightly less long sighted and her left eye is now slightly more long sighted. She was told that she should wear her glasses whenever she felt she needed to (she could wear them full-time, but doesn't need to as she can see distances pretty much as clear without them as she can with them). The optician predicted that she will probably need glasses full time within the next 10-15 years (she is 30).

Taro 06 Jun 2003, 11:29

Hi I want to make pen pal from America or Europe I want to become friend with person who wear glasses and nearsighted. I also wear them too and my RX is still mild and it's -3 of both. I'm from Japan and 31 years old male. My mail address is goya2714@hotmail.com so I'll tell my regular mail address as responding! I've been looking forward nice and good responding as many as possible.

glfc 05 Jun 2003, 10:11

It¡¯s always amazing how fast a prescription can increase when the time or circumstances are right. My cousin¡¯s prescription increased from -2 to -5 in one eye during the few months of intense preparation for the college entrance examinations here in China.

It¡¯s actually been a while since I last visited eyescene. I am currently really busy preparing for the finals, doing a gigantic amount of schoolwork. (8 hours of school and 3 hours of homework at night during the weekdays, 12+ hours of studying during the weekends, endless piles of exercise books and practice test papers) I wonder how much it would affect my eyes.

Tina 04 Jun 2003, 10:37

2bopt

I am well above +14. Have been all my life due to congenital cataracts.

UK Lad 04 Jun 2003, 05:24

Minzella

How old are you? how long have you been wearing specs?

Minzella 03 Jun 2003, 21:18

r: -17.25

l: -15.50

add +3.00

Emily 03 Jun 2003, 15:18

Hi Arnaud -- Yes, I year ago I was still wearing R -3.75 L -3.25. Last August I went to R -5.00 L -4.50, and this spring I went up some more, to R -6.25 L -6.00. My current RX seems to be holding up very well, I have no trouble seeing distance or close. I guess I'll get another exam when things start getting blurry again.

Caterina 03 Jun 2003, 15:09

I'm sure some will be interested in more about the readers. I've had such good responses to any of my questions, I'll give something back...

Sitting at my computer, with my correct prescription involving all sorts of -.75, the screen at arms length is lovely.

Glasses off, I can still read everything but the letters seem thin and gray, and it's more of a strain.

+1.25 readers, better than bare after a couple seconds adjustment, but I need to get to about 12 inches of the screen to make up for the lack of astigmatism correction, and see easily and clearly.

+2 readers, I can still read at arms lengh but I can't stop from squinting. After a minute I can scoot in to about 12 inches away and see the screen without so much effort.

Putting one pair on top of the other, I can't really read at arms length anymore. I have to come to about 6 inches to eliminate straining blur. I can read before that point, but not happily.

Hope that was of interest.

mike 03 Jun 2003, 14:40

hi catrina very interesting indeed i guess you should feel lucky not needing your glasses all the time like me since my rx is -3 slso -1 astig gives me an actual rx of -3.50 i was - 2.50 last year it is a big difference that one dipoter i wish i was -.75

Caterina 03 Jun 2003, 11:09

This is mostly for Mike.

I'm about -.75 myopic, but in the nearly a year since I got my glasses, I noticed that I didn't see so clearly with them, and I noticed that after I started wearing them for close work. I read that sometimes this happens, and that if it does you should not wear them for close work. But then I still felt strained because of my astigmatism SO I got a couple of pairs of readers. The magnification makes it possible for me to see up close (within 2 feet, no farther) without astigmatism strain.

i didn't know what strength readers I should get so I got a +1.25 and a + 2.00. For the heck of it, I piggy-backed them and at that point, I really couldn't function in any maningful way even in my apartment. That would be mimicking -4.00 vision. I was completely surprised. So much of what I see here is talking about people with -6, -8, and double digits, I thought that a -4 person could cope in their own home.

Also, with just the +2 readers, I can only see clearly about a foot from my face, and can't read with them for a long time. I got them first and then the next day got the +1.25. If I'm at home and reading a lot but want to get up and down and do things between, and not take the readers off and on, I have to wear them, not the +2. The latter gives me nearly -3 vision, and I think I can only function because they're tiny and I look around them easily.

Seeing the difference one diopter makes has done several things for me. First, I can really accept that my need for correction is real. Second, at first I thought it seemed silly to wear readers to keep from needing glasses more, but now that I've seen what a little myopia progression can do, I really think I should continue with that. It's cleared up my vision with my proper prescription.

Also, it makes me want to go to a very experienced, thorough ophthalmologist next time (I'm due for a check-up this year), so that I can get professional, individualized advice about how best to take care of my eyes, as I really value the fact that I can function without glasses and would like to maintain that.

mike 03 Jun 2003, 07:03

thank you andreas it is hard to function without them is this considersd a strong rx at my optical place they said these were strong

Andreas 03 Jun 2003, 06:26

yes, it is, Mike,

people at that prescription normally prefer to wear glasses full time,

because it's so blurry, that it's not easy to function in the blur and

malfunctions are to be expected without glasses.

hope it helps, best regards, Andreas

mike 03 Jun 2003, 06:07

hi just recieve -3.00 and -2.75 with -1 astig when i take my glasses off like in a store or in a mall things are very blurry is that normal

Guest 03 Jun 2003, 01:12

Nice one, got any pics of your interesting specs anywhere?

JR 02 Jun 2003, 20:47

Guest:

U.S.

Social Sciences

UK Lad 02 Jun 2003, 15:48

Oscar/Ant/Pip, what part of UK are you from?

if you want a chat, email me at ukladd@hotmail.com

Guest 02 Jun 2003, 15:47

JR, where do you live??? What are you a Grad Student in? (what field)

02 Jun 2003, 15:45

Lord Mixtur where are you from? I don't recall you saying

02 Jun 2003, 15:24

-14 how old are you and what is your prescription?

2bopt 02 Jun 2003, 10:21

I am doing research on high index lenses and their effect on the eye muscles and would be interested to know does anyone out there wear -14 or + 14 and above?

DB 01 Jun 2003, 15:25

If I want to increase my -rx, should I be wearing a higher -rx or a +rx? What would happen if I started wearing a +rx, would I end up changing my prexcription from a -rx to a +rx?

Anyone know?

Guest 31 May 2003, 07:47

Chrissi

I think that you cannot make any determinations about myopia progression from the anecdotal information here. I have read many histories here and they are varied. I, for instance, first was diagnosed as nearsighted in about 7th grade. I knew a year or two prior to that that I was having problems with distance, but did not want the stigma of being a glasses wearer. I was not very knowledgeable about scripts at that time but I would guess my first script was in the -1 to -1.5 range. Wore them only when I absolutely had to. Myopia progressed gradually to about age 16 when I started driving and needed correction for that. I was in the -2.5 range at that point. I then started wearing hard contacts, had great vision with them and wore the same script from age 16 to about 30. Optometrist friend then convinced me to try soft lenses. Vision not as good as hard, but adequate. Also, I started wearing glasses more because of life style and occupation. First glasses I got after having discontinued the hard lenses were in the -3.5 range. From there I zoomed to -7.0 over a short period of time. In my case, I attribute the stable vision for so long to the corneal modeling that is associated with hard lenses. I have actually backed down in script about .25 with the onset of presbyopia. Point is, I think you have two things at work here. Myopia progression is not very predictable. Secondly, the sample you get here is obviously a sample of individuals who are very aware of vision.

Chrissi 31 May 2003, 03:34

Hi Alan Thanks for your question I hope I can answer it for you.

I am new to this site because I was researching information into short sight, after I read a magazine article about a man who thought his eyesight had worsened after visits to the optician.As a result of reading this article I wanted to find out more as I often wonder what my eyesight would be now if I hadn't gone to the opticians when I was 16.I went to the opticians because I was unable to distinguish certain objects at a distance for example B and 8 looked the same on the blackboard at school.

I have until recently no idea about prescriptions only that my glaases over a number of years have got significantly stronger,I asked my optician for my prescriptions and this shows how my sight changed.

16 R-.50 L-.75

17 R-1.25 L-1.50

18 R-2.25 L-2.75

19 R-3.25 L-3.75

21 R-4.00 L-4.50

23 R-4.50 L-5.00

25 R-5.00 L-5.50 current

I remember noticing that my glaases would not be as good simply becaause I could not see as well so I would go to the opticians.I started wearing full time between 18 and 19 because it was impossible not to and I am now dependant on glasses.I have several pairs and tend to use them as fashionable items I am comfortable wearing glasses.Hope this answers your question any more please ask.

Chrissi

Alan 30 May 2003, 04:49

MJ - I guess that's good news for Lynda. I'm not surprised (by the lack of irritation); the Focus N&D; lenses are amazing...a million times more comfortable than acuvue (especially when waking up). Let us know if she gets some glasses, though. For the sake of her being willing to wear them, encourage her to get a *very* small frame...the lenses can be pretty thin this way.

Chrissi - Has your prescription stopped changing? At what age did it stop? You have a pretty strong prescription for someone who got their first glasses at age 16; I'm curious if you needed them a long time before that and how your prescription increases went - was it really fast in your late teens?

Take care,

Alan

Chrissi 30 May 2003, 04:02

R-5.0 -1.00 180

L-5.5 -1.25 10

Got my first glasses at 16 been a fulltime wearer now for 7 years since 19. Life is much better with glasses.

Arnaud 29 May 2003, 06:16

Emily, a year ago you were still at -3.75 and -3.25.

An increase of -2.5 and -2.75 in 18 months.

Would you have your eyes tested again in september as usual??Do you see as sharp as in march when you had your new( -6.25 -6.0) glasses

Will you keep us posted?

MJ 29 May 2003, 06:10

Lynda had her follow exam with her new contacts. She is doing very well with the Ciba Focus Night and Day lenses. They have been in her eyes for over a week and she has had no irritation. Her vision tested to 20/15 with these lenses, better than with her old accuvue contacts. She is wearing -9.50 in both eyes. The doctor strongly suggested that she have a pair of usable glasses for backup. The pair she used before the exam last week which were her sister's prelasik pair have -9.00 power which is why she could not see well at distances with them. She agreed to look for new glasses with me this weekend! Her new eyeglasses need to be -10.50s. However, she is still going to wear the new contacts for 30 days.

Lore 25 May 2003, 20:11

Alan,

That makes sense. And, you're probably right. I think the somewhat-poor design of the site led me to think it was pretty hastily thrown together by someone trying to profit off of OOs.

Alan 25 May 2003, 19:22

Lore - I could be wrong, but I think you're mistaken in your conclusion about eyeglassfactoryoutlet. They mention somewhere that they have 25,000 frames they can sell, and that they're willing to match another pair of frames if you want. I ordered a pair of glasses there once and I talked to one of their people who recommended something else for me, and I was glad they did - the glasses turned out quite nice. The frames were cheap, so it's not a place for true top-of-the-line frames. Anyway, I think the web site is just poorly done - I'm guessing this place does most of their work locally or through some other channel, and just does the web site as a part-time thing.

On the other hand, maybe it's just an OO. Seems unlikely, but possible

Lore 25 May 2003, 15:17

Wow. Just went to the link Leon posted, for Eyeglasses Factory Outlet, and clearly the owner of that site is an OO and is selling glasses for that purpose, because, honestly, there were maybe three pairs of glasses on the entire site I would wear. Some of them were so completely out of style, there's no way anyone who wasn't a serious OO (or the girlfriend of one) would even consider wearing them, and they definitely weren't glasses that you'd find in a store catering to the average glasses-wearing population. Plus, the site totally tries to sell you on the $35 glasses, which are in CR 39, no edge polishing, no AR coating. Add on those, and the price inches up to the $200 range.

So, the moral: Eyeglasses Factory Direct seems like a great find if you're an OO, but if you aren't and are looking for glasses, I'd probably steer clear of it.

Lore 25 May 2003, 15:11

Leon,

I'm sure you can get glasses made pretty cheaply for a -9.5 prescription, but my point was that anyone who doesn't like wearing glasses anyway and has a prescription in that range is going to want (very) hi-index lenses and an AR coating and probably edge polishing, which is going to jack up the price a lot.

But, for me, it seems to make a lot more sense to have a more expensive pair of back-up glasses that you'll actually be willing to wear than a pair of thick, large-plastic-framed CR-39 spares that will never be brought out of the drawer :)

Jon 25 May 2003, 14:13

Hi new to this sight

R-4.00 -1.00 180

L-3.75 -.75 10

I am 34 and have worn glasses since 19,original prescription was for -.75 and -.50 and needed these for driving.For me its just been a natural progression from wearing just for driving I found that clearer vision was preferable nobody seemed to notice that I was wearing glasses more and more.My prescription increased over about 5 years and I have worn glasses full time now for 12 years.If its a case of clear vision verses blurred vision then clear vision wins every time.

Bob W 22 May 2003, 11:40

Hi Joe!

With those numbers, your correction would be mild, I think, where you could go around without, but much more comfortable with them on. Otherwise, they would be quite strong at -10.0!

This is just what I gather hanging around this place. My own prescription doesn't match, so I don't have direct experience.

Best Regards, Bob W

21 May 2003, 19:29

I guess it is -1.00 , -1.75, 94 and -1.00, -1.50, 78. I don't see any decimal points on the perscription.

Joe

Alan 20 May 2003, 12:26

MJ - Thanks for the narrative. The Focus Night and Day contacts are great news for her, if my experience with them is any indication - they are quite amazing. I wore a pair for 10 days on a camping trip recently and my eyes felt better than normal the entire trip. These contacts are not nearly as uncomfortable when a person wakes up with them on as other soft contacts are.

This doesn't bode well for her getting glasses though, I don't think, unless she has a problem with these for some reason. Did you say she wore acuvue lenses before? I'll be curious to see how she likes the new ones. It's still probably better if she takes them out sometimes, but perhaps not by much.

MJ 20 May 2003, 06:21

Lynda finally did it. Late Saturday night she removed both contacts. She went right to bed. On Sunday when she woke up she had to ask me the time as she could not see the time on the bedside clock. At first she tried to do things bare eyed. She was on top of everything. She could only see things in focus that were 4" from her face. Finally to read the Sunday paper she used her sisters glasses. I told her they looked fabulous on her but she did not like the distortion to her vision or the fact that her eyes looked so small. But she was able to function much better with them on. Her distance vision was still blurred as she could not see TV too clearly, but much better then with nothing on. She covered them with an oversized pair of plain dark sunglasses when we went out.

I took her to her eye doc appt on Monday morning. I was able to go in when she was examined. With her sister's glasses she could only see 20/80. I can see 20/30 without my glasses. She was able to be corrected to 20/25 in glasses not 20/20. We were told that with her strong rx it is hard to correct to 20/20 in glasses but easier in contacts. He than measured her corneas and had her try on a new safer soft contact lens CIBA FOCUS NIGHT&DAY; which he said is approved for Monthly extended wear. Boy was she happy to be able to see again. Her vision tested to 20/20 with the contacts. He felt that her eyes were health enough to try these lenses on a monthly basis.

He showed me a pair of +8.00 trial lenses and said look through these,

this is Lyndas uncorrected vision. It was totally blurry.

She then had to remove the contacts for the exam with eyedrops. 40 min. later he finished the exam. Medically her eyes were healthy but she had some myopic peripheral retina lattice. He wants to check her with the new contacts next week and advised another full exam next year. Until her rx is stable he advised staying with contacts and to have glasses as a backup.No lasik yet. Because the rx is high there is a difference between glasses and contacts powers.

Eyeglass rx: right -10.50-.50 x180

left -10.50

Contacts Ciba Focus Night & Day

Right; 8.6 -9.50

Left: 8.6 -9.50

Bob W 17 May 2003, 21:28

Hi glfc!

My wife is from Guangzhou! She came to the US 7 years ago. I've heard a lot about the place. Welcome to a very International and intersting site.

Best Regards, Bob W

Bob W 17 May 2003, 21:25

To this last one:

-1.00 ? and cyl -1.75? and -1.50? maybe? I hope you have a name as well!

Best Regards, Bob W

17 May 2003, 20:29

my script is OD: Spher. -100,Cyl. -175,Axis 94 and OS Sper. -100,Cly -150, Axis 78

glfc 17 May 2003, 18:50

Emily:It's so cool to have somebody the same age here. I'm sure it would be interesting if we could write directly. My Email: glfc85@hotmail.com

glfc 17 May 2003, 18:48

Hi everybody at eyescene!

This is my debut at this great site after lurking around for quite a while

I'm a 17 year old male currently dwelling in the city of Guangzhou a hundred or two km north of Hong Kong in southern China.

For Glasses Fetishers, the place is quite interesting. First, the myopic rate is extremely high in the region(just ask Eddy). The myopic rate of my class is over 70%. Optical stores are plentiful and most of them are unregulated. That means you can walk into a store, choose a frame of your choice and utter a prescription without a doctor's paper or eye-exam. The standard of living is relatively low, but stuff is pretty abundant, which means you can get a wide selection of frames for a pretty low price. For a mere USD$100, you can haul home a great bunch of great glasses.

Both of my parents are in the -10 range, and I've been myopic since 7. The last prescription of my glasses was from two years ago

OD -4.25 -0.50 120

OS -4.75

I never wear glasses in public, because even though it's so sexy, it's more of a weakness that I don't like to reveal. I wear disposable -4.50 contacts when I'm outside. But I am totally obsessed with the glasses fetish and I have two pairs of glasses that take turns perching on my nose when I'm at home(The other pair is one of my old glasses). I'm also really interested in making my eyes worse, but I'm still thinking about it. If I were seventy, I would try it without hesitation. But i'm just a seventeen year old kid with a future ahead! :)

However, though my contacts are OK, my glasses are definitely a little weak for me, as my myopia is progressing slowly on its own, anyway. Maybe I'll get some new glasses when I really have some free time. Schoolwork is like hell at my school and many other schools here.

Bob W 16 May 2003, 22:28

Finally got my Rx:

OD - sph Pl Cyl + 0.5 X 100 deg, OS - sph -0.25 Cyl + 1.50 X 10 deg. This has been pretty stable for years. I was originally tested by an Ophthalmologist who used drops in my eyes. Now with middle age, I'm between +1.00 and +2.00 add for presbyopia.

Clay 16 May 2003, 08:46

My script is : OS -4.25 OD -4.00

Leon 15 May 2003, 22:59

Lore: Of course it all depends on what a person thinks is cheap, but online retailers like http://www.eyeglassfactoryoutlet.com offer a nice selection of fashion frames, with lenses not too expensive either (even at -9.5).

So it can be done!

Emily 15 May 2003, 16:06

Hi again MJ -- Make sure Lynda gets a glasses RX as well as a contacts RX. I don't wear contacts, but I've learned here that they're usually a little different. And please post her RX's when she gets them!

High Myope 15 May 2003, 09:15

Perhaps she would be more amenable to a nice pair of prescription sunglasses, which would make the lens powers more subtle.

Lore 15 May 2003, 08:56

I think it would be pretty hard to find a pair of "cheap" -9.50 glasses that someone who doesn't like wearing glasses in the first place would start wearing.

But, she probably would be surprised at how good a pair of glasses with hi-index lenses (possibly hi-index glass, if it's available where you are) and a very small frame (especially a very small plastic frame, which would hide a lot of the edge thickness) would look on her. It would be far better, IMHO, to spend the money to invest in a really nice pair of glasses, even if she only wears them once in a while, then to get a cheap pair she won't wear.

Just don't underestimate what a really nice-looking (i.e., small and thin) spare pair of glasses would do for her. I know that I was a full-time contact lens wearer until I got a spare pair of glasses that I really liked. I started occasionally wearing my glasses, and then I started wearing my glasses full-time. But it was all about having a pair of glasses that I liked and liked wearing.

Leon 15 May 2003, 07:35

Well, maybe you could buy a pair of cheap but cool looking glasses from an online retailer and give them to her as a present...

She might just like them!

Be sure get hi index lenses, so that she will not mind the lens thickness...

MJ 15 May 2003, 05:30

Emily, Lynda has not had a pair of her own glasses since she was 18. As she wears soft contacts for a week, she removes one lens for one night and the other lens on another night. If one eye is irritated then she goes with vision in the other eye only.I have offered to buy her glasses but so far she only will wear plain sunglasses. Before she increased her contact powers she did not mind wearing my -.75s when she needed better distance vision. Luckily I have a backup pair. She likes eyeglasses but only in plain lens or mild powers. The only glasses she has that are close to her prescrition are her sisters pre lasik pair which her sister forced her to take for emergeny use.I hope that she will wear them this Sunday which is the day before her sceduled eye exam. She was told to keep her lenses off for 24 hours. I wish she had a better attitude about wearing glasses in her full prescription like you seem to have.

Emily 13 May 2003, 13:58

MJ -- I bet Lynda would look fantastic with cool frames and -9.50 lenses in high index.

MJ 13 May 2003, 13:47

Alan, Lynda is 27 years old and would like Lasik surgery like her older sister had a few years ago. She is due for an eye exam next week and was told to keep her contacts off for a full day before. The only glasses she has are her sisters pre lasik pair which are probably too weak for her. She has not been without one contact on for over 5 years.

Brian-age 16 13 May 2003, 13:43

Brian-I did have some double vision at times before I got prism rx last December (2.0d) in both eyes.Since then I can not do without them and probably have a stronger prism rx next time.Both my eyes turn out and I have base out prisms which have helped so far.

Emily 13 May 2003, 12:39

Hi MJ -- That's exactly how I knew I needed more minus. I used to just try on his glasses and they didn't do anything for me, then one day, for fun, I put them over my own glasses and discovered that everything was incredibly sharp. I actually increased a little over -1.00, from -5.00 to -6.25 in my right eye and -4.50 to -6.00 in my left. Now, when I put his glasses over my own, things look worse than with just my own new RX, it will be awhile till I can see through that combination.

Chris 13 May 2003, 11:47

Hi, Brian. Before I was prescribed prism, I wore contacts so no prism there. I did get a bit of double vision and headaches, mainly when I was reading when I was tired. So, I was given some prism in my glasses correction. At first, I just wore my glasses when I was at home in the evening, which seemed to help. But after a while I was getting headaches and double vision in the days, too. So now I wear glasses with prism the whole time.

Brian 13 May 2003, 10:05

I went for an eye exam this morning and ordered a new pair of glasses.. Not too much of a change in my prescription, the old glasses I had which were a couple years old were od: -3.25 and os -3.50, the glasses I ordered today are od-3.50 and os-4.00.. Its interesting though the contact lenses prescription which i got last year was actually od -3.75 and os -4.00 so my right eye actually improved one click, i'll have to order less of a prescription in my right eye the next time I order contacts.. I should have my new glasses next week.. One other interesting thing happened during the exam, the doctor asked me if I ever experienced double vision and I said no, because I haven't.. He said my right eye slight points out at times and my left eye is dominant.. He said a lot of people that have their eye like that expierence double vision and are prescribed prisms, but he said there is obviously no reason to prescribe them in my case because i'm not experiencing any problems.. What I wonder is for people like Larissa and her friend that had prisms put in their glasses before, did they ever have double vision before getting prism glasses.. I wonder if the prism they got actually caused them to have double vision.. I'll let you know how my glasses turn out..

Alan 12 May 2003, 06:23

MJ - How old is Lynda?

MJ 12 May 2003, 04:54

Emily, You can use your boyfriends -1.00s over your own glasses to see if you need more correction. Before my girlfriend Lynda got stronger contacts she was always borrowing my -.75s to use to help her see at distances. Her new contacts are -9.50s but she will not wear glasses in her own prescription.

Emily 11 May 2003, 12:00

-0.75 and -0.50 when I was 13. You can find all my RX's posted on this thread either late Dec. 02 or early Jan. 03.

M1ke 11 May 2003, 11:57

what was your original perscription?

Emily 11 May 2003, 08:45

M1ke -- I answered you as best I could. For me, 20/70 = an increase of -1.50/-1.25.

M1ke 10 May 2003, 21:00

you didnt answer my question i mean like 20/70 is what is it .25- .50- .75-, and so on........

TC 10 May 2003, 09:04

This post is specifically for Emily, but others may benefit.

She was wanting to be able to test herself to determine when she would need stronger glasses again. Instead of buying a pair of -7's whatever "next step" she anticipated here is an option that will be cheaper and allow her to *always* check her vision no matter the Rx.

Instead of even buying a full trial lens set I would purchase a lens flipper:

http://www.bernell.com/store/images/BC1270.JPG

Those are around $16 new it appears. Most come with measurements like -0.25 on one side and +0.25 on the other, with variations like +/-0.50, +/-0.75, +/-1.00 up to +/-4.00.

But for the testing Emily (and most of you) are going to be doing, you know your Rx is almost never going to decrease, so you don't have need for the plus portion of the flipper. Several companies sell flippers with custom lens powers in them, and that's what I'd recommend.

The question is, at what power would you decide to get a new exam and new glasses? Half a diopter? One Diopter? Emily's last Rx jump was nearly 1.50D! I figure many people with good vision will purchase spex when the error reaches -0.75, it just depends on how much blur you "don't mind" as your vision deteriorates. For example purposes let's use -1.00, when your eyes reach -1.00 D worse than your current spex you would be interested in buying new glasses.

I would purchase an eye chart and a flipper such as this one:

http://www.bernell.com/store/prodinfo.asp?number=BC12702550&variation;=&aitem;=325&mitem;=1260

It would allow you to test each eye seperately, but personally I'd rather purchase a flipper that either had one side with -0.50 and the other with -1.00, or a flipper that had one each of -0.25, -0.50, -0.75, and -1.00.

The day you get your new glasses test with the eye chart and write down your findings, left eye, right eye, and both eyes together. If you get half the letters on a line correct, you write down the line. If you miss two it'd look like 20/20-2, etc.

Basically, a few months down the road you can do it again... when your vision through the -0.50's is the same as the day you got your new glasses you know you're half way to new spex. When you need the -1.00 lenses to read the same line you used to be able to read call up the doc and make an appointment.

I decided to skip any reference to vision therapy or prevention of the progression of myopia in a post like this...

Emily 09 May 2003, 16:21

Hi M1ke -- At my last exam, I could barely see the 20/50 line with my old glasses (the 20/70 line was the smallest one that was clear). My RX increased -1.50 in one eye and -1.25 in the other.

M1ke 09 May 2003, 13:07

when they're talking about 20/70 or better in one eye and 20/80 in the other what perscriptions do those coorelate to like 1.75+ or whatever

High Myope 15 Apr 2003, 10:45

My daughters went for their semi-annual refraction exams, with better than expected results. The 12-year-old had been OD 7.75 .25 X 90, OS 8.50 -.25 X 90 on a +0.50 base curve. Her myopia increased by -.25 in each eye, the smallest increase she has ever had. The optometrist said she could go with her current prescription for six more months.

The 15-year-old went in with OD 11.00 -.25 X 90, OS 11.50 -.25 X 90, with a +1.50 add and plano base curves. She increased, too, but the smallest amount in at least two years, to OD 11.50 -.50 X 80, OS 12.25 -.25 X 95, again with a +1.50 add.

Everybody was happy.

Emily 12 Apr 2003, 22:32

I babysat for Rebecca and Sarah last night. Rebecca was wearing her new glasses, so I mentioned it and she was very happy to talk about them. She thought it was neat that I had just gotten new glasses, too. She noticed that mine looked thicker and told me hers were, too. She said she loves how clear everything is now. Having thicker glasses didnt seem to bother her at all. You could tell that they were much stronger, they had more cut-in and circles. I didnt see Sarah in glasses, because she keeps them in school.

Jack 11 Apr 2003, 11:19

Thanks Emily

I have to put my win down to pure guess!

I'd like to thank my mother, my manager, my coach and my optician, without him I wouldn't be able to see!

(is that a short enough acceptance speech?)

Emily 10 Apr 2003, 12:11

Hi Guest Ive gotten used to my new glasses. When I take them off, all I basically see is the fuzzy shape of large objects. I cant even go to the bathroom at night without them. Also, my old lenses seem so thin and wimpy now, I can hardly see anything through them anymore. They arent even good as spares.

Yesterday, to try to measure how much smaller my new glasses make things look, I held the old and new glasses up at arms length facing a tiled wall. Both frames are the same width. The frames covered 2-1/2 tiles, but looking through the old glasses, I could see 7 tiles across. Looking through the new ones, 9 tiles fit into the same amount of space!

Guest 10 Apr 2003, 00:38

Hi Emily,

do you feel different now,

if you put off your new stronger glasses

for a moment ?

Emily 09 Apr 2003, 17:32

I was reminded today about the contest to guess my new RX. The winner is Jack. She guessed R -6.50 and L -5.75, which was .25 over for one eye and .25 under for the other but averaged out just right. Everyone else including me was over or under. Congratulations Jack!

Emily 09 Apr 2003, 15:23

Michele and Marlene: In case you didnt get my e-mail, I am becoming more nearsighted whether I want to or not, so its better to like how I look. My new lenses are 6 and they have a way attractive appearance. As I keep getting more myopic, my glasses will get thicker and I hope they keep looking cool. Next year, Ill probably be 7 and by the time it stops I suppose I could be -8 or 10.

Its so romantic that the 2 of you want to get more myopic together and I hope you can do it, but I dont know how. People on this site have told me how to get the eye Dr. to prescribe glasses that have more minus than you need. A few people said that if the Dr. gives you the red/green chart, and you say red after the green becomes clearer, the Dr. will keep turning up the dial and give you more minus. Someone else said that if you hold your eyes a little bit back from the refraction machine, you will also get thicker glasses. When I realized how many clicks the Dr. was turning up the dial and how small the chart was getting, I decided not to fool around and I got my real RX. Im very happy with it.

How old are you, Marlene? Are you students and what are your RXs and are they still increasing? If youre less than 6, stronger glasses will definitely look good on you!

Mandy 09 Apr 2003, 12:58

Emily -

No, I am not an eye doctor. Was seriously close to applying to a program (had all the prerequisites done) but then life took me in a different direction. I am a labor and delivery nurse and I am headed back to school to get my nurse midwife and womens health nurse practitioner. Maybe when I get bored with that I will head to optometry school, but that will require a move to a different city, as there are no programs where I am now. :-(

Tom 09 Apr 2003, 11:56

Emily,

In reviewing your case, what more likely happened if he was able to find your prescription without input from you was to obtain that information with a retinoscope. This instrument can very accurately discover the amount of refraction of the eye, even better than getting input from you by asking which image is clearer..A ..or B, etc. Without going into a more detailed discussion, a doctor is able to tell that a person is myopic if the image reflected moves in the opposite direction of the beam of light coming from his instrument. A skilled person is also able to find the amount of refraction that is occurring. The opthalmoscope is an instrument that allows the doctor to get a clear, crisp image of the retina, by eliminating all

other reflection or glare except the beam of light striking the retina.

Sometimes both the retinoscope and the acuity charts are used to determine your Rx. In the cases of very young children or infants, the retinoscope is the only reliable method for the doctor to know how the patient is really seeing. It is important to know also that the normal seeing eye sees what is considered "normal" (not perfect) vision, that is, 20/20, but it does not fit

into a "prescription." It can change slightly throughout any given day, and many doctors fail to tell their patients that.

Curt 09 Apr 2003, 11:09

Emily:

Here is a little demo program that explains it (maybe) a bit better than I did?

http://www.mrcophth.com/eyeclipartchua/retinoscopy.html

Curt 09 Apr 2003, 11:07

Emily: The process you are talking about is called retinoscopy. The light (it is acutally a streak or line of light) is shined into the eye. In farsighed eyes (or with prescriptions with too much +/not enough minus) the light moves one way, and in nearsighted eyes it moves the other. By changing the lenses in front of your eye, the doc can "fine tune" the prescription until no movement of the light is seen, which means he has the prescription just right. This is very useful for extremely young children (who cannot answer questions like "which is better, one or two?") or people who have trouble speaking. The process has been around for many, many years. It is still used occasionally, but if you already have glasses, the doc will probably use the prescription in them as their starting point.

I am not an eye doctor (wanted to be one when I was a kid), but I have read tons of stuff on optometry, vision, optics, etc. I drive my own eye doc nuts telling him what he is doing when he is examining me.

Emily 09 Apr 2003, 10:40

Thanks, Mandy. Look at my post from April 1 that describes what he did. It's the first time I ever had that kind of eye exam instead of the one with the red and green sides of the chart and I wondered how it works. Are you an eye Dr?

Mandy 09 Apr 2003, 10:27

Emily

Was he using an opthalmiscope? (One of those black square things with a handle that they look through into your eye). If he was using that, the opthalmascope allows him to see the back of your retina in perfect focus, but there has to be the correct ammount of prescription between your eye and his eye to work. So if he uses that with the refractor you can get an almost perfect idea of someones accurate rx just by looking to see when the retina is in focus. A flashlight is necessary to shine light on the back of the retina to get any image of it at at all. This is a pretty cool little trick and I had one doctor use it when I was trying to get a pair of contacts once.

Emily 09 Apr 2003, 09:18

Does anyone here know how an eye Dr. can tell your RX by shining a light into your eye and wiggling it up and down and from side to side? My eye Dr. claimed he found my exact RX that way, without any imput from me, and I wonder what he sees when he looks in my eyes that way.

TC 06 Apr 2003, 21:41

I bought new frames today... after [a long amount of time] of debating if I really wanted to "settle" on the pair I liked. I shall mail them off tomorrow for lenses... Final Rx and material yet to be determined ... but alas, it shall be quite low.

Julian 03 Apr 2003, 23:55

johnny 9: Probably not. Unless you have the same visual defect latent in your genes, in which case wearing the correction might bring out the need for it.

johnny 9 03 Apr 2003, 22:59

is there really a way you can get glasses if you dont wear them? i have perfect vision and have put my sisters glasses on for years but my sight is still perfect. if you wear someones glasses for a long time will you develop their perscription?

MICHEL 03 Apr 2003, 21:58

Hi girls, and especially Emily !

i m a french boy (sorry for my bad english !) of 23 years old and i love myopic girls. My girl friend and me are myopic too, but less than you. What a we can do for increase our sight ? Do you really want to be a very myopic girl ? How many diopters do you want ? Please write me to : grand.michel@voila.fr or to my girl friend : marlene.did@voila.fr

We are waiting for your post...

Myopically yours

Michel

Emily 03 Apr 2003, 14:04

I got great feedback on my glasses. Nobody commented on the lenses but everyone complemented me on the frames.

Something else I discovered about my new glasses, when I clean them I can actually feel the RX. These are the first ones Ive had where you could feel that the front and back curvatures are not parallel. That is so cool!

Julie 03 Apr 2003, 00:04

Hyperfan

I was a bit sceptical about the sincerity of someone saying that my appearance is anything but unattractive with my glasses on until I browsed more of this site.I must say I'm a bit puzzled by some of the 'quirks' (don't be insulted all) that I have read about here.I had a close friend once who used to compliment me often about my appearance in glasses.To this day I find it hard to accept his comments even though I am quite attractive bare eyed.I guess it gives me a feeling of encouragement to know that some people can find positives in any situation.Sorry if I've posted these thoughts on the wrong thread so I suppose I should be posting to 'strong glasses' instead.

Amber S 02 Apr 2003, 18:04

Everything sounds great. I'm glad you had such an enjoyable experience! However, maybe it was just the way I was reading it, but from the language, it sounded a little like the optician was poking fun at you too -- as though you were very near the point of being totally helpless without glasses. Is this the case? If someone asked you how badly nearsighted you were -- without using numbers -- would you answer any differently if you had not known your new prescription beforehand?

Brian 02 Apr 2003, 16:55

Emily-Glad you like your new glasses and the big bump in your rx is awesome.I wonder does it make it anymore difficult to see small print?Thats the problem I am having now..

Emily 02 Apr 2003, 15:21

I just got back from Lenscrafters and my new glasses are awesome! My friend Nicole picked me up after school and we went there. Since I cant see without glasses, she helped me pick out frames. The optician took my RX form and looked up my records on the computer. She looked at me and said, did the Dr. tell you anything about your new RX? I said yes, he told me I needed thicker glasses. She said thats an understatement, your glasses are going to be a lot thicker.

I picked semi-rimless frames where the lens is held in place on the bottom by a wire that fits into a groove. The top part is metal covered with tortoise-shell enamel. Theyre still medium size but rounder than my old oval ones, and theyre light. The lenses are high-index. The optician said they would look cool with edge coating but no roll, and they are! We shopped in the mall and went back in an hour to get the glasses. I cannot believe how incredibly clear everything looks, I definitely needed thicker lenses.

Its fascinating to see how the appearance of your lenses changes as your RX goes up. My eyes definitely look smaller and my cheeks seem a little closer to my nose, and the concentric circles appear to be more prominent, but thats hard to measure. The front surfaces are not flat but the reflections are way bigger than on my old glasses. Thats sort of cool, I suppose I didnt know that would happen. I asked the optician about it and she measured the curvature of my old and new lenses with a little mechanical gadget and said the old lenses had a base curve of 3 and the new ones are base curve 1 which is normal for my RX. I mentioned that I sometimes see people with totally flat lenses and she said theyre base 0 and if my eyes get worse, Ill be wearing them soon. Another really interesting thing is the reflections on the inside surface, that no one but me gets to see. Until now, each time my RX got stronger, one reflection stayed small and the other got bigger. My old glasses have really big reflections on the inside. On the new ones, the big reflections are smaller and they move in opposite directions from the small ones. That is so cool! When I got home, my sister teased me about going blind. She doesnt like glasses and I hope she ends up with thicker ones than me! I think my new glasses look so awesome and I cant wait to show up in school with them tomorrow and see what everyone says.

TC 02 Apr 2003, 11:01

Wow Emily, that is so incredible!! So at your exam it because obvious enough to him that not only did you need an Rx increase, but that you wanted the most possible? That's pretty brave of you!

Congratulations!

sick 01 Apr 2003, 21:16

@emily:

you drove home in your car...

don´t think twice:(

Emily 01 Apr 2003, 16:42

I just got back from my eye Dr. appointment. It was awesome! I paid close attention to everything he did. First he had me read the chart with my glasses on. I could barely make out the 20/50 line, which was worse than last week at the school nurse. I asked him how my eyes could have changed so much in a week and he said they didnt, probably the chart in school was too close. Then he shined a bright light into my eyes through my glasses and wiggled it up and down and from side to side. Next, he took several different pairs of lenses from his case and held them over my glasses and asked me if they made the chart clearer, which they did. He said my myopia had progressed.

Then he took my glasses off and put the refraction machine in front of my face and shined the light through it and again wiggled it from side to side and up and down while clicking the dials on the machine. Since he didnt ask me for feedback, I dont know how he knew what lenses to use, but he managed to get the chart very clear, but much smaller. Next he turned off the light and made the chart blurry again and asked me a bunch of times, which is better, A or B, as he kept clicking up the dial until the chart was clear (and small) again. He said my myopia had progressed a lot. He never gave me the red/green test.

Then he swung down a little metal arm with paragraphs on it that he asked me to read, which I could do without any trouble. He said I had a lot of accommodation and didnt need bifocals. He said he knew the lenses in the machine were the right prescription because they were exactly the same as he had come up with by looking into my eyes with the light. But since they were way stronger than the ones I was wearing he wanted to see if I could get by with a smaller increase. He put the machine in front of my eyes again and turned the dial down two clicks in each eye, but I told him that blurred everything up. He said since I seemed to want all that thickness he would give it to me and he hoped I could tolerate it. I was very excited. He asked me again if I was comfortable with the RX in the machine and I said yes. Then he took away the machine and gave me back my glasses and when I put them on everything was a total blur. I cant believe how bad my vision was with them on.

Then he took his pad and wrote out my new RX and gave it to me. I was excited but a little too scared to look at it, so I put it in my purse. When I got in my car I took it out and it nearly blew me away. Obviously my eyes changed more than I expected, because the RX was R 6.25, L 6.00. (TC, eat your heart out!) I was tingling all the way as I drove home, I was so excited!! I am totally satisfied with how things went and I cant wait to get my new glasses. Theres probably enough of a change for the lenses to look different from my old ones. I wanted to go right to Lenscrafters, but I had something else to do, so I wont get my new glasses until tomorrow.

Brian 01 Apr 2003, 13:37

Julian-Funny you should mention this about OPTX 20/20.I found their website here in the states and they are in Florida.Will try to get up the money for the 1.25 segments.They run $20 including shipping.Can not find them locally but someone told me to try a marine or fishermans supply store.Apparantly a lot of fishermen types stick them on their sunglasses.

Hyperfan 01 Apr 2003, 08:54

Julie,

Tanks for reply. I'am sorry for this question : of course, you rather not wear such glasses. Il think I undersand what happens if your glasses are broken... But what I want to say : can you understand a man, who loves these eyes, bigger beside lenses ? About ten years ago, I have a girlfriend, who wears glasses like yours (+13, bifocal with +3 add, and another pair of +16 for reading). I used to say to her how beautiful she was with her glasses. Of course, during shopping or in the restaurant, everybody look at her. but she was really beautifull with these glasses. I never find a so beautiful girlfriend...

Julian 01 Apr 2003, 03:19

Brian (and others):

I had some publicity stuff in the post this morning from a firm called Vision Direct. It began "Dear Contact Lens Wearer" (as if!) but included some material about the Optx 20/20 stick-on bifocal segments you were mentioning. £14.99 (around US$24). The website is http://www.visiondirect.co.uk

Julian 28 Mar 2003, 22:46

Or even less strain ::)

Julian 28 Mar 2003, 22:46

Not really: in that eye you're (very slightly) short sighted on one axis and (equally) long sighted on the axis at right angles to it. It's a small error but enough to give you problems obviously. Your glasses when you get them will help at all distances - better vision in the distance and less starin close up.

Love and kisses, Jules.

steve 28 Mar 2003, 19:09

so does that mean that i effectively mean that i am shortsighted in my left eye is u think of the script like that. i do have trouble seeing distnace, but havent yet got it made ibto glasses. i will do soon though as i struggle to see road signs etc

Julian 28 Mar 2003, 17:40

Seem to have heard this question before. Steve, those are not + lenses; the only plus thing about them is the small spherical figure which is cancelled (more than cancelled in one eye) by the minus cylinder. Rewritten in + cylinder convention, your Rx is -0.25+0.50x45; 0.00 (plano)+0.25x105. Your problem is not short or long sight but astigmatism - mild but enough to be inconvenient. Have you had the prescription made up? Bet it helps.

Love and kisses, Jules.

steve 28 Mar 2003, 17:21

why have i been precribed + lenses for seeing distant objects. the eye doctor said i had perfect near vision, and it is distant objects that i have trouble seeing

my prescription is +0.25 -0.5 135 and +0.25 -0.25 15

did the doctor just copy down the prescription wrong? should i call to find out if they were supposed to be minus lenses?

Julie 28 Mar 2003, 16:41

Tina,

Your the only other person I've heard from that has a similar situation to myself.Have you tried or do you use contacts?I have but gave up when I lost count of the times that I lost a lens between the case and my eye.That became far too expensive to persevere with considering that I could only tolerate them for a couple of hours each day.Made more costly due to having to wear reading glasses as well.Whats your story?

Julie 28 Mar 2003, 16:33

Hyperfan

I can't imagine anyone liking to have to wear glasses such as mine.I've been through all the teasing and nastiness that children can inflict on others more unfortunate than themselves.Apart from this you can't imagine trying to function without them when they were bumped off or taken as a child.Those were frightening experiences for a pre teen child.I'm 26 and have had to wear these specs for ever, at least since I was a 3yo.My glasses have been lined b/f for as long as I can remember.

Tammy 28 Mar 2003, 10:47

TC, I apologize. It was a misunderstanding on my part.

TC 28 Mar 2003, 09:54

Alas, it's only the astigmatism that's written as a minus... of course it can be described as a plus script and mean the same thing as well. For sphere power he still chose zero :-(

I had a thought today, I might choose a GOC that would match a friend of mine's Rx... then she could "borrow" my spex... knowing they'd be for her mostly I'd get some really cool small rimless ones with polished edges :-) Such a dork...

Tammy 28 Mar 2003, 03:33

TC, At least you have a minus script now, even though it is next to nothing. Hopefully for your sake, it will increase with time. You are still young. :-)

Christy 27 Mar 2003, 23:38

TC - commiserations - but if you want your own 'real' glasses - then get that script made up!

TC 27 Mar 2003, 20:55

Oh how depressing! I suppose I shall be relegated to the realm of GOC for the rest of my life... (at least 'till presbyopia kicks in!)

So... I will admit to my miserable non-existant first Rx I received tonight:

OD plano -0.50 X 116

OS plano -0.25 X 046

playing with my own lenses and seeking the know the most plus I could tolerate and still see 20/20 I had come up with this previously:

OD +0.75 -0.50 X 090

OS +0.50 -0.50 X 035

So I don't feel too horribly bad about my guess... of course he wasn't going for max plus, and with such low cyl powers, angle is hard to nail right on, especially since I wasn't using the Jackson Cross Cylinder test on myself.

Hmmm... so what GOC script will I choose next... -5.00 perhaps? hehe

Kate 27 Mar 2003, 15:59

Welcome Jack,

Another farsighted girl.

My glasses are not as strong as yours. Just something like +1.50 and some astigmatism. I have only worn glasses since February.

What type of frames do you have?

Kate.

Emily 27 Mar 2003, 13:26

Ray: This picture isnt me, but her glasses look a lot like mine. Same frames, but her lenses may be slightly stronger, mine have cut-in but hers seem to be just a little more.

http://www.fmi.uni-passau.de/lehrstuehle/hahn/scamp00/schwarz.johanna.jpg

jack 27 Mar 2003, 13:26

1st time here

15 year old femle from england

right +6.75 +3.5 115 3.5 basein 1 base up

left +6.00 +4.5 085 3.o base in

+3 bifocals

Hi Emily

prediction!

-6.5 and -5.75

Ash 27 Mar 2003, 13:26

Hi Emily,

Here's my guess....-5.75/.525, an increase of .75 in each eye.

Andrew 27 Mar 2003, 12:43

It rather depends on you, Emily! Now you know that each extra click is an extra -.25, you can probably pick the winner for your competition in advance. I suspect it'll be an extra -0.75 in each eye, but -1 would not surprise me. How would you feel if the rate of change had increased to -1 in six months? It might be interesting to ask the person who checks your eyes where he/she thinks you will eventually stabilize, and how often he/she thinks you should be getting your eyes tested. Then, your mum will have the experts to argue with as well, when you say you think you need another change in 6 months' time!

Stefan 27 Mar 2003, 07:35

Well, Emily, my guess would be something like R - 5.25, L -5. Keep us posted!

Ray 26 Mar 2003, 18:08

I'll bid a bit higher:

R: -6.00 L: -5.50

I think it would be cool to see some pictures of your current glasses.

Brian 26 Mar 2003, 17:19

Emily-I will try a guess at your next rx. R-5.75 and L-5.25..See if I am close.

Emily 26 Mar 2003, 15:38

I have an eye Dr. appointment for next Tuesday. Wish me well! Anyone want to guess what my new RX will be? I'm currently R -5.00 L -4.50 with 20/40 vision with my glasses.

Fildar 26 Mar 2003, 12:52

I don't know if this is tacky or inappropriate, and I hate to sound like a desperate, drooling idiot, but...

This is KILLING me, hearing you ladies talk about your +13's and +19's, and not being able to see any pictures :)

Tina 26 Mar 2003, 07:31

Julie:

I had a lensectomy as a baby, too. Mine was due to congenital cataracts. My script is in the +19 range with +3.5 bifocals

Emily 24 Mar 2003, 11:55

Previous post was mine, with a typo.

Emkily 24 Mar 2003, 11:54

Don't worry, hurting someone like that would be a big sin and I would never do it.

Guest 24 Mar 2003, 10:07

don't do things like that, never !

Jonny 21 Mar 2003, 05:56

Hi Emily!

Cool adventure, thank you for telling it here. Would be great if you could bump up the prescription of the two girls, maybe you can do it, -5,5 would be a nice prescription for the older one. ...maybe it´s possible. :)

hyperfan 21 Mar 2003, 01:48

Julie,

Nice to see here a lady wearing strong + glasses... So much myopic people.

Please tell us : how old are you ? Do you like to wear your glasses ? Are they bifocals with line ?

(sorry for my poor english. I am a franch man)

Daffy 20 Mar 2003, 19:27

Emily, you should've then let Rebecca try yours on to see if she see's a lot better!

Emily 20 Mar 2003, 15:34

Well this time I'm posting someone else's RX. Theres this Asian family in my neighborhood that I babysit for. Sarah is 6 and doesnt wear glasses. Rebecca is 9 and has pretty weak glasses. Well, last night I spotted 2 eye Dr. RXs on the fridge, under a magnet. Sarahs is R +.50 -.75 axis 5, L PL -.50 axis 180. Rebeccas is 4.50 in both eyes. When they were asleep I tiptoed into their room and borrowed Rebeccas glasses. Her new RX is similar to mine, but her glasses are way weaker than mine, so I know shes getting a big increase, and Sarah is getting her 1st pair!

Julie 20 Mar 2003, 15:08

I've just found this site while browsing. Seems like a lot of like minded people such as myself. I had a parasitic infection called Toxoplasmosis as a baby and had to have my natural lenses removed. This has left me needing 'fat' glasses. My prescription is R +13.00/L +15.00 add 4.25 I see well with these but what a pain in the arse. Has anyone else had this condition leading to such a sight defect?

Alan 18 Mar 2003, 21:23

Brian - I forgot to add: it's no surprise that your brother can see well up close. The bifocals aren't to make things up close appear clearer; the bifocals are (theoretically) to reduce effort or strain on the eye...it's this strain of accomodation that is supposed to make eyes become more nearsighted.

Alan 18 Mar 2003, 21:21

Brian - different eye docs come down completely differently from one another on the value of bifocals for slowing myopia. Some would say that your brother would be a perfect candidate. Others would say it doesn't make a difference. You can ask your own eye doctor (or his), but you're just going to get that person's opinion. I think the fact is that it isn't proven to work consistently, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work at least some of the time. Rigid contacts may have a significant impact at slowing myopic progression...I think this is another unproven idea, though.

12 years old, -6 ... he's likely to end up fairly high, probably double figures. There are many theories about things that are believed (by some) to help slow the progression of myopia: A person's habits as far as how close to printed material they read, what kind of light they read by, whether they frequently look at something in the distance to take a break from reading, bifocals, rigid contacts, etc etc etc. If it's a big concern, it might be worth doing some research and making a decision for yourself. No eye doc has all the answers on this one, from what I can tell.

-14 18 Mar 2003, 17:02

Brian-

I think prescribing bifocals and trifocals to slow myopia is just another unproven theory. i'm sure there are eye docs who swear by it and others who think it a waste of time. I was prescribed trifocals, for that very purpose, in college but never bothered to get them. You can always run it by your doc and see what he thinks.

For you i was thinking more of your comfort in school with the large amount of close work you have now and later in college, than i was in slowing down your increasing RX.

Brian 18 Mar 2003, 16:04

-14..I have heard that before about the bi-focals slowing down myopia during youth.I am wondering if this would be a good idea for my 12 year brother who is now at a -6 and climbing.Although he claims to see very well up close.

Tommy 18 Mar 2003, 13:59

Brian, a bit surprised at your response. It's great to donate old glasses to the Lion's Club and places like that but, a big but, one should always have a spare pair or two around for emergency use, especially with a high Rx like yours or even my -6. When you get your next pair please keep the old pair on hand for emergency use. Also, when you travel always take a spare pair of glasses along. You're the best judge of how well you see without glasses. Don't want this to sound like a lecture but it is important and friendly advice. Tommy

Brian 18 Mar 2003, 13:46

Mattp-No,I do not have plano lenses.Since I have worn glasses for ten years I do not believe another line will bother me much at all.I have tried my moms glasses with flat top 35mm and they seem cool except for the rx which is too strong for my reading,although I could see better if I held up the book real close before it got too blurry..

Brian 18 Mar 2003, 13:42

Tommy-Sorry I do not even have a spare pair of glasses.We always donate them to the Lions club.I am finding it a good idea to get a second pair real soon.

Brian 18 Mar 2003, 13:39

Mandy-Thanks for your information.Each time I go back for an exam and get stronger lenses the harder it has been to see some fine print,and of course the eyestrain comes into play long before the day is out.By the time I am your age I will be up there with plenty of bi-focal rx.

Mandy 18 Mar 2003, 10:00

Brian-

I believe you are in about the same boat that I am. My astigmatism is such that I am nearsighted at one axis and farsighted at the other, but in order to see clearly in the distance I have only one axis corrected (the other is basically plano), and vice versa for near. My rx reads 0.0,-2.5 x90, +.5,-2.5 x75 with +2.0 add.

I am only 26, so my accomodation makes it so I can read with my distance rx, but it is painful and blurry after about 5 minutes. I have tried it all, progressives, lined bifocals... but what I find that works best for me is to just have 2 pairs of glasses, one for distance and one for up close (and I use an older pair with a weaker add (+1.25) for the computer) since I am not reliant on the add (yet). I keep a pair of bifocals around for those times when I like to watch tv and work on homework, needlework etc. It can get expensive though...I suggest checking out Costco if you have one in your neck of the woods. They beat everyone else by AT LEAST 50% in most cases, makes it a bit more affodable.

Good luck, I am sure you will be much happier, takes the strain off, especially since you probably still have college ahead of you...lots of reading...I am in grad school and it is even worse.

-14 18 Mar 2003, 09:59

brian-

If you and the eye doc think you should try bifocals go for it. Ive had mind since last

May and my friend Geoff has had his longer than that and we both love them. Actually, it

was Geoff who convinced me I should try them and Im glad he did. After a couple of

days checking out curbs and stairs I totally forgot I had them and just enjoyed the benefits

of untired eyes when doing a lot of reading or close work. With your ever increasing RX

you would probably need them sooner rather than later so next exam might be the time to

start and who knows maybe theyll slow down your increases.

mattp 18 Mar 2003, 07:13

Brian-

Why are you getting all excited about bifocals? If you need them, fine, but from my experience there are lots of difficulties. Have you thought about what it will be like to have a line across your glasses right where the center of your vision is? And i have always found that many times what i want to see is best seen through the top segment (stairs and tree roots while hiking, potholes while running, etc.). Those things are most naturally viewed throught the bottom segment, and they are all blurry.

For those of us who love glasses, bifocals are really cool. Are your lenses plano? If so, I think the lines look really neat. But just keep in mind bifocals will be for the rest of your life--at 16, do you want that?

Good luck--Matt

Tommy 18 Mar 2003, 03:55

Brian, never heard of them, keep us posted. The bifocal for you might be only a slight difference like between +1.00 - +1.50. Do you have a old pair of glasses that are a lesser Rx, like

-1.00 or -1.50 from your current glasses. Your might try those and see if they make a difference when reading or looking at the computer monitor. Will duplicate what the bifocal will do for you. Tommy

Brian 17 Mar 2003, 13:40

Nancy-Thanks for the tip.I heard of a company called OPTX20/20 that makes them.I will look around and see if I can find them.We have plenty of stores and drug stores.I am really getting all

excited about bi-focals.

Nancy 17 Mar 2003, 05:56

Brian

For a trial, you can buy stick-on bifocal segments. Try a +1 or +1.5 strength and see how they work and if they help. I've seen them in Walgreens, CVS, and Brooks for about $7.00

Brian 15 Mar 2003, 04:52

TOMMY-My next scheduled exam is slated for mid June-after school lets out.By then if I need more correction,and at this point I think I will,I will try to force the issue of bi-focals.By then my mom will have re-cuperated from the last expense and the Christmas bills.Yes,I have always been ahead of my brother as far as the rx is concerned.He has the best vision (corrected) in the family.Interesting thought you mentioned about computer glasses.I guess I will wait till June.I will be getting my learners (driving) permit soon.I understand the vision requirement is 20/40.I will not have any problem with that.

Julian 15 Mar 2003, 03:26

I-ball:

If you wear the glasses that have been prescribed for you the headaches should stop and your eyes should stop hurting. Anything that doesn't have the right correction for your astigmatism (yes, I know it's mild) won't help, even though +1 readers would be cheaper. As for wearing minus lenses, that's just foolishness IMHO. You want to wear glasses; OK, wear your proper Rx

Love and kisses, Jules.

(BTDTGTTS)

Tommy 15 Mar 2003, 00:23

Hi Brian:

Anything new on your getting bifocals? Have you had a exam recently and did your Rx bump up any? Even if you don't get them in your regular glasses you might want to consider for computer glasses in which case both the top and bottom would be about 1 to 2 diopeters less. Good for computer, desk work etc., just don't wear outside the house. Has your Rx exceeded your brother's all along?

mattp 14 Mar 2003, 09:20

I-Ball--

I am nearsighted, so I am not really the one who can answer your questions very well here. There was a discusssion about the relative strengtth of plus prescriptions in the Accuity and Prescription II thread. It was about 4 or 5 days ago I would guess. You might look there to see more about how "serious" your RX is.--Matt

I-Ball 14 Mar 2003, 08:22

Matt P Thanks for writing back.I want to wear glasses. I amwanting to increase my RX. The reason I asked about the readers was to try to tell the difference between them and my glasses save the Astig part. I can see clearly reading and distance, no blur. I was just curious as to the effectivness of my glasses vs readers and what to expect in the future. Is this strong for farsighted Rx or normal? I would like to know where I stand in regards to other farsighted people. Thanks for your reply. Lots of reading for me to do to learn. Thanks again.

mattp 14 Mar 2003, 07:59

Hey I-ball--

Your post is very confusing; it's hard to tell whether you want to wear glasses or not because you say you want bifocals and yet are trying to convince yourself the glasses are really necesssary.

You are 35, and that is just the age when presbyopia can begin, so it is hard to tell from your prescription whether the glasses you got are for reading(presbyopia) or farsightedness. If they are for presbyopia, when you put them on, it should be a lot easier to read, but when you look up from the page, your vision will probably be blurry; you have reading glasses!

Since there is an astigmatism correction and you were getting headaches, my guess is your RX is for farsightedness. My understanding is that a plus prescription for farsightedness is best worn pretty much all the time so the eyes can become used to distance vision through them. Certainly headaches would be helped by wearing them. What did your eye doctor say?

At 35, your desire for bifocals will happen very soon. You will need more plus to read with than you have for general use, and that will be added to the bottom of your lenses.

Keep us posted on how th eglasses work out--Matt

I-ball 13 Mar 2003, 16:38

I have gotten glasses as a result of headaches and eyes hurting. My Rx is left +.75 Cyl. 0.0 ; Right +1.00 Cyl. .50/80. The opt said this was a distance correction Rx.I went on the web searching for validation as to weather I needed full time. Wouldn't it be cheaper to get +1.00 reading glasses? I realize I have slight astig in L/R eyes, will this get worse as I get older? I am 35.male.If I wore a nearsighted persons glasses would it reverse the farsightedness? I am trying to get stronger Rx,maybe bifocals. I am having trouble convincing myself that they are necessary;although I opt for full time wear. Could Iwear moderate Rx for nearsighted person and then progress going for stronger Rx.I am a newby so I need help.Thx. I

Wurm 21 Feb 2003, 20:29

exam report coming in from the Eye Clinic, Physicians and Surgeons, Portland, OR~

Eye exam today...

Distance: r 4.00

Distance: l 4.00 cyl +.50x45

added for reading/computer: r +1.00

added for reading/computer: l +1.00

My doc (John H. Wilkins, M.D.) suggests that the new astigmatism correction will likely clear up my recent early morning headaches, which were probably due to stressful brain compensation of the optic astigmatism. I trust the good doctor is correct.

Andrew 19 Feb 2003, 08:01

If you say "red", the next lens will be a slightly higher minus; if you say "green", it will be slightly lower. If you say "about the same", they will porbably check a couple of times to make sure, but that's about what you will end up with. Like you, I was curious and asked once. If the optician is using trial lenses, they are also different colours according to whether they are plus or minus lenses. The plus ones are red, and the minus ones are black, but to check the colour of the lens in the dark is not always the easiest thing to do!

Alan 15 Feb 2003, 15:52

Guy23 - Regular plastic lenses are the thickest (and least expensive). Unpolished edges probably look a little thicker, though polished edges are more shiny and so they sometimes are more dramatic. I think wire-rim glasses make lenses look the thickest, not rimless -- but people may have varying opinions about that.

I'm not sure about the green/red test. Look for old posts from Emily and OGL for an explanation about that. But when the eye doctor says "which is better, one or two?" (giving you two different lenses to look through) if you pick the stronger one, you can get a stronger prescription. The trick is knowing which lens is stronger...I think an eye doctor will normally start out making the lenses stronger as you go. Then he or she will do the astigmatism part (which looks different from the sphere lenses). And I think they finish by making the sphere part weaker to see if you can see as well with a weaker sphere (so you'll want to choose the first lens at this point, not the second. I may be wrong about how this goes, or different doctors may do it differently.

Julian 15 Feb 2003, 07:59

...or even 6/7.5 but I don't know if they go into that sort of detail.

Brian 15 Feb 2003, 04:58

Julian- Thanks for the info on 6/6.I just remembered there is a exchange student in our high school from the U.K-I believe London and I probably could have asked him and he also wears glasses.The girls all seem to be crazy about him for some reason.I guess my corrected vision in my right eye using metric standards would be 6/8 (20/25).

Guy23 15 Feb 2003, 03:46

Hello there

I'm a 23years old guy and my actual prescription is in both eyes -4.25sph -1.00cyl with axis of 175 and 5. I am realizing that my vision has got worsen and i will have soon an eyetest. I'd really want to wear stronger specs and make them look thicker, so I need some advices.

During the eyetest I think I won't be able to fake cause they do it with special machines. But maybe i can obtain some 0.25 more from the last test, the letters on green/red background. What should i say if i want to act like i am still being undercorrected? Should I say i see better the red or the green background?.

And when i go buying glasses, what kind of lenses should I buy to make them be thicker? plastic ones? with polished edges or not? Do you think that frameless glasses look thicker?

I hope to reach the rx of about -5.00 with the addiction of astigmatism. What do you think will be the maximum thickness of lenses with that prescription?

I hope that someone will answer... I really need help for this

And sorry for my english, it's not my first language.

Jean

Julian 14 Feb 2003, 23:17

In the UK acuity is recorded in metres rather than feet. As you say 6/6 is 20/20. Similarly 6/9 is 20/30 and the numbers work out in the same proportion.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Brian 14 Feb 2003, 19:22

Cat14-I asked Alan that the other day and he did not know for sure.But I would guess 6/6 is like 20/20 here in the states but I do not know what 6/9 is.My rx is r -9.75 -2.5 180 and left is -9.00 -1.25 90.I have 20/20 in my left eye and 20/25 in my right eye which is a little weaker than 20/20.I turned 16 years of age last fall.Hope someone on this thread can answer your question better.I also have high index 1.67 lenses and probably they are 7 or 8 mm thick.I also got a prism rx last December (2.0) base out in both.My eyes have yet to stabilize.I am sure at my next exam I will need stronger correction and there is a possibility of needing bi-focals.

cat 14 Feb 2003, 17:48

hi got my new prescription today

right-8.75-0.75 85

left-8.50-0.50 80

i ordered high index 1.67 lenses how thick will my lenses be?

disance acuity

r-6/9

l-6/6+

what does this mean?

will my sight stabilise now i am 16

thanks

Alan 11 Feb 2003, 23:13

Emily -- Melissa's prescription is close to (but still less than) what you said you liked the best. Based on her new glasses (lenses), do you still think that?

How noticeable are her lenses from the side?

Puffin 11 Feb 2003, 15:33

Emily: Great stuff!

Emily 11 Feb 2003, 15:30

When Melissa showed up in school, I could tell right away that her lenses were different even though they were in the same great frames. The new lenses create huge reflections; I think the front surfaces are flat. And they move her cheeks closer to her nose. I'm beginning to get used to them. It's a pretty noticeable difference.

schwartz26 11 Feb 2003, 09:16

Jules,

Thanks for the info...My son does where them all the time, and is happy with them (which surprises me). I took him in because he was complaing about not being able to see the board at school. Again thanks :)

Diane

Lore 11 Feb 2003, 08:44

High Myope:

It's interesting your optometrist was so conservative in his estimate of your daughter's myopia. If I recall, when I got my first pair of glasses (in second grade, around a -2), my optometrist scared the crap out of my parents with his dire predictions for my future eyesight. I "only" got up to -5.50 or so, which is definitely significant, but not nearly as bad as he thought. So, I'm not sure if all eye doctors are as likely to hold back as yours has been.

High myope 11 Feb 2003, 08:19

Del Doc:

I wonder how you break the news to parents. When my daughter got her first Rx at age 5, something like -1,25, our optometrist said something like, "it's a very mild prescription, nothing to be concerned about." He didn't say, "next year she will need -2 lenses, a year later -3, and by the time she is 15, her prescription will be -11 (which is what she now is) and continuing to increase by leaps and bounds and she won't even be able to see things that are practically in front of her nose." By I knew better, having five children, all of them nearsighted.

DelDoc 09 Feb 2003, 16:48

High Myope--

We optometrists are not all the same, and one should never say never.

High Myope 09 Feb 2003, 07:35

Schwartz 26 (Diane)

I should have added that optometrists never tell you your child is going to be extremely nearsighted, probably so as not to scare you or them. The changes take place gradually. The good news is that even with double digit prescriptions, eyesight can be corrected to 20/20 -- and that is very good news indeed.

High Myope 09 Feb 2003, 07:10

Schwartz 26 (Diane)

I just returned from an international trip and was catching up on posts here. I am not an eyecare professional, but have gained some expertise as the father of five nearsighted children. Your sons prescription is for what I would call starter lenses. Each of my children had a first prescription on that order. But then each year (or sometimes six months) distant things would become blurry and they would need stronger glasses: -2 leads to -3,then -4, etc. My 15-year-old daughter now wears 11, and my 12-year-old daughter is 7. Neither one is too happy with the appearance of their glasses, but most of the time they wear contacts. One of the things I discovered is that the earlier the prescriptions start, the higher the eventual prescription. Both of these girls got their first glasses in kindergarten; my other children, two boys and a girl, started later and their eyes did not get as bad. We get our glasses at Lenscrafters, which I highly recommend. Theyre not the cheapest, but they offer a warranty on frames and lenses, which they have often honored, and they are perfectly happy to do countless free adjustments, which your son, if he is like most active kids, will undoubtedly need.

Julian 09 Feb 2003, 07:09

Schwartz26/Diane:

I think DD and Brian may have given you a 'worst-case scenario' on your son's eyesight...he could increase another -1 in six months, or the increase could be a bit less. You can expect a series of increases, though; as long as he goes on growing his eyeballs will grow longer and he'll get more short-sighted and need stronger glasses. It would be good sense for him to wear his glasses full-time from the start - but whether he does or not, he will need them before long. Is he wearing them full time. or not?

The other question; how did you discover his problem? A school vision test...or did he complain he couldn't see...or a teacher spot him squinting...or you yourself?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Brian 08 Feb 2003, 21:22

Lord Mixtur-Thanks for the info.I have been thinking I may get bi-focals at my next exam perhaps the flat top-35mm.I really can see the small print better when I have tried those reading glasses in the various stores.Plus being in school I am constantly reading as well as at home.

Lord Mixtur 08 Feb 2003, 19:55

I got my bi-focals at age 15. My first pair of glasses was at age 11.

I adapted pretty quickly, and with few difficulties.

Tony 08 Feb 2003, 06:33

Who has got the highest rx on this thread?

Brian 08 Feb 2003, 05:41

Lord Mixtur-At what age did you get bi-focals?I am just one year younger than you (16) and have almost double your distance rx and similar astigmatism.Once in a while when I am in the shopping malls I try on a pair of weak reading glasses over my specs and it does help to read.Those specs I guess are about +1.0 or +1.25.Did you adapt to the bi-focals easily?

Lord Mixtur 07 Feb 2003, 18:44

Mattp, I am 17. My eyesight is very good with the glasses, and I like them (I look good with them on).

For my hobbies (I won't go into details), they are quite cumbersome.

Vidge 07 Feb 2003, 16:47

Also, her new Rx has an astigmatism correction to it.

Vidge 07 Feb 2003, 16:45

Emily and Melissa, the PLBC means (I think) plano base curve. which is used for high Rx's. If you, Melissa go to the eye doctor he can give you a vision cirtification to take to th DMV stating that ,in the doctors professionsl opinion you can see well enough to drive. And you won't have to take an eyetest at the DMV.

Alan 07 Feb 2003, 14:30

Emily -- Can you see clearly through her glasses (if you work at it a bit)?

Do you both wear glasses all the time?

Her glasses do sound great.

Schwartz26 07 Feb 2003, 13:38

Thanks, for the advice...my vision care with my insurance is through Davis Vision, which i heard is good. What i should have done was take him there for his inital exam gotten his first pair through them and if in that two year period (they only cover new frames and lenses every two years but exam yearly)he needed another pair due to losing them or something then i should have gone to WalMart to replace....I did it backwards, but i will wait see how long these last then take him in maybe in six months. Again thanks you were very helpful!

Emily 07 Feb 2003, 13:04

We're both 17. She might just get new lenses in her existing frames because they're spectacular -- dark blue plastic frames with gold trim and fancy hinges. Her lenses make her eyes look kind of small and have some circles around the edge, but they are very cool looking -- and fun to look through.

Alan 07 Feb 2003, 12:58

Emily - Do you know if Melissa is getting new frames, or just new lenses? What are her glasses like now?

Finally, are you two the same age?

Emily 07 Feb 2003, 12:33

As some of you know from Chat Room, my friend Melissa went for her drivers license this week. Bad news for her is, she could not pass her eye test even with squinting. Her mom took her to the eye Dr. yesterday and she got a new RX that she showed me in school this morning, which I copied down: OD 8.50 0.25 axis 95, OS 8.25 0.50 axis 80. Under the remarks section, the eye Dr. wrote what looks like PLBC. Does anyone know what all of this means? It seems much more complicated than her current RX, which just says R 7.25 L -7.25. She will be getting her new glasses this weekend. I wonder what her new glasses are going to look like?

DD 07 Feb 2003, 12:22

schwartz26: (Diane)

From what you said, I thought it probably was one of those fast-glasses companies. They are primarily production places for relatively low quality glasses that in the long-run you pay a substantial price and don't get your monies worth. The optomitrists at those places vary, but again, they are not usually top-quality, and therefore, often don't know and give good and useful advice. If possible, try to find a good ophthalmologist to follow the changes in your son's eyesight and give you and him the best advice and care possible. I hope that you can manage your health insurance to cover the majority of the costs.

Brian 07 Feb 2003, 10:25

Schwartz 26-Glad your son got his eyes examined and fitted with glasses okay.Yes,based on my experience the correction will increase in about 6 months or so.I got glasses at age 6 when I could not see the blackboard in school and now ten years later I am up to -9.75 in my right eye and -9.0 in my left eye.I had four increases in about 24 months in elementary school.I had already surpassed your sons rx at his age.And I expect at my next exam the rx will icnrease substantially as the doctor said she was a little conservative on the distance correction as I got prism correction for the first time in both eyes last December.

mattp 07 Feb 2003, 10:23

Lord Mixtur

Your presciption is very similar to mine when I first got bifocals in my early thirties about 15 years ago. How old are you? Do you like the bifocals? Are you able to see clearly with them?

I ask because my life was miserable for years with bifocals. There were all sorts of things in mid range--dishwashing or cooking, car dashboards, computer screens,for example--that I couldn't see clearly no matter which segment I looked through. Then to talk with people, I always had a stiff neck from looking at people through the bottom half where I could see them.

It wasn't until last year that I got trifocals--what a dream!! I use the middle segment to see most everything and it is comfortably placed when I look straigt ahead.

Today my distance prescription is a bit weaker than years ago (-4.75) and my add is +2.50 for the reading (lowest)segment of the trifocal.

schwartz26 07 Feb 2003, 09:23

I took him to the WalMat vision center...I take it that was a mistake? My health insurance covers eyeglasses every two years but you still pay $120 for everything, so we thought we would go to Walmart where it was cheaper....I didn't know there would be a difference.

Lord Mixtur 06 Feb 2003, 22:50

Right -5.25 +2.5x90

Left -5.75 +1.5x110

Reading addition is +1.75 for both

DD 06 Feb 2003, 19:55

schwartz26:

Just out of curiosity, did you take him to an ophthamologist or to an optomitrist? If it was to an optomitrist, was it one with his/her own private practice or to one of those fast glasses places, like LensCrafters or similar place?

schwartz26 06 Feb 2003, 17:53

Thanks so much, the eye Dr. didn't make it sound to signifigant, he told me he thinks he should probably wear them all the time, so i wasn't sure how bad it was. Again thanks!!!

DD 06 Feb 2003, 17:46

Schwartz26:

For an 8 year old, the prescription is significant. Without his glasses, he will not be able to see clearly. For example, in school or on the play ground. He will most likely need to have stronger glasses as he gets older. I would suspect that within 6 months the prescription will increase a diopter or more, that is the -2.00 will go up to -3.00 and the -1.75 will be 2.75. This is not at all unusual for a child of 8 years that needs the Rx that you give. So, be prepared to get him stronger and stronger glasses for the next several years, probably 10 or more.

schwartz26 06 Feb 2003, 17:34

Hi I was wondering if someone could help me understand my 8 year old sons perscription....It says OD-2.00 OS-1.75 all I got out of it is that he is nearsighted, but how bad are his eyes...Thanks :)

Diane

Brian 06 Feb 2003, 14:45

Doug-Your vision with glasses is super!I wish I could see that well..

Doug 06 Feb 2003, 00:17

Brian - I have never tried inducing more myopia with stronger glasses. Everyone in my family has 20/20 except for me. I can get 20/13 corrected vision in both eyes with my glasses, so I'm happy with my prescription.

Brian 05 Feb 2003, 03:00

Doug-I was wondering if you had ever tried to induce myopia in hopes of getting a stronger rx.But I guess you are happy with your good vision even without glasses.Everyone in my family has strong glasses ranging from a minus 6 in my brothers case (12yrs) and my mom who has a minus 11 and bifocals.I am able to get 20/20 in my left eye but only 20/25 in my right eye that has much more astigmatism...

Doug 04 Feb 2003, 14:54

Brian - I'm 17, so my prescription probably won't get as high as yours. I was 14 when i first got glasses and i think it was something really low like -.25 and -.75 with similar astigmatism

Jamesy Boy 04 Feb 2003, 14:53

Hi all

I am in my mid forties and I started wearing glasses about a year ago when I got my first PC, I soon found out that I couldn't look at the screen for any length of time without getting a headache. I bought a pair of ready made reading glasses,(+1.75) as recommended by the "self test" chart and they helped a lot, but, after wearing them for a while,I found that my eyes were slow to return to "normal". I couldn't focus on anything properly for about 30 minutes after wearing them for around an hour, so I decided late last year to go and have a proper eye test. The result was that I found that I am slightly hyperopic, and have slight astigmatism.

My RX is right eye, +0.75 -0.25 175

left eye, +0.75 -0.50 10

reading addition + 1.00

I find that if I wear my glasses constantly, I dont get headaches or eyestrain any more. I have to wear them all day anyway as I work in a petrochemical plant, where safety glasses have to be worn, people who require an RX like myself have them supplied through the company personnell dept.

Galileo 03 Feb 2003, 13:13

I'm having a clear out and found my Rx from 1996. It is Right -1.5 +1.5x90 Left -1.5 +1.0x110

Its higher than I thought and I only wear my glasses when driving at night. I ought to go and get an update!

Brian 03 Feb 2003, 03:28

Doug-Your rx looks a little like mine when I first got glasses at age 6 except I had much more astigmatism.Now,some 10 years later I have -9.75r, and -9.00 left,with -2.5 cyl right and -1.25 cyl left with prism correction in both.Wonder about you age?

Doug 02 Feb 2003, 16:53

right -1.00 -0.75 178

left -1.25 -1.00 180

Graeme 31 Jan 2003, 08:00

Nadia, it was really the "bright and shiny" thing that did it for me. Once I'd seen how sharp and clear things could be with glasses, it was really maddening the next day not being able to see things clearly, so I made a conscious decision that I would wear my glasses virtually full-time. For a little while I did take them off at times indoors but, as you point out, that's a real hassle. As I was putting them back on to see tv (and cos of the astigmatism it's easier to read with them on) I soon drifted in to full time wear.

Sure I had an issue with wearing glasses. I think to me the issue was how other people would react to me wearing glasses, but because I was away that wasn't really an issue. I did feel very aware of the glasses the first day back at work as a full time wearer, but I knew there was no choice other than to wear them as I couldn't cope with the blur anymore. I think that once people have seen you as a full time wearer the "issue" goes away. But if you feel conscious about wearing glasses (as I did) coming out is quite hard.

Nadia 30 Jan 2003, 14:08

Jim - it was interesting tohear your comments, so what makes you sometimes wear them to the mall?

Graeme - you seem pretty reluctant, how'd you overcome it. I sure have an "issue" with becoming a permanent wearer, although I like what I see when I wear glasses. It all seems bright and shiney somehow!

If I do like the eye doc says and wear them for out door things, and walking out int he street especially in the dark would be it, I guess I'll be always taking them off and putting them on. Now that sounds mad!!

Nadia 30 Jan 2003, 14:04

Barbara 30 Jan 2003, 10:35

A month or so I asked for advice on how to get much stronger lenses than I need, to surprise my boyfriend. I got lots of encouragement and some interesting advice, like squeezing a 1 in front of the 5s on my own prescription form to make 15, but I didnt feel comfortable doing that. I pondered my approach and finally got up the courage to go to the store where I usually buy my glasses and tell the manager, whom I know, that I needed a pair of very strong glasses to use in teaching physics (I am a teacher, but not science), and could I order ones with an extreme prescription, so that students could feel the lens curvature. The manager asked if I had old glasses at home, which I do, and offered to let me trade my pair for anything in the Lions bin. We rummaged through and I picked a pair of positive ones that the manager said were about +6. They are in masculine frames and are biofocals. Not exactly what I had in mind, because my real interest is in negative lenses, which my boyfriend is passionate about, but I took them anyway to keep up the pretense. But the highest negative ones in the bin were only about 5, which is equivalent to my own prescription. I checked back a couple of times during the past month, but nothing doing. Finally, a few days ago I told her I would pay for a pair, not to wear but to use in my class. She was a little reluctant, but finally agreed to do it. However, she would not let me order myodiscs or biconcave lenses, saying they were so ususual that they would draw too much attention in the lab, and possibly cause trouble, nor would she let me order CR39, which some of you suggested as being the thickest type of lens material, for the same reason. The prescription she wrote down was OD 12.75 -.50, axis 180, OS 13.25 -.50, axis 175 in polycarbonate lenses, which she said was plausible and wouldn't be noticed too much in the lab. I wanted fancier frames but she said that for my needs, as she understood them, I should get sturdy inexpensive ones, and not metal, which would not hold up being passed around a classroom. So I ended up ordering fairly attractive feminine plastic frames. They cost $265, mostly because of the lenses. She told me to see only her when the glasses are ready. Well, I just got a call that they are ready and Im going to pick them up this afternoon. Ill let you know how it goes. Thanks for all your support and encouragement, and wish me well!

Pat 29 Jan 2003, 17:54

sph cyl Axis

right -2.00 +0.75 060

left -2.00 +1.25 160

add R.+ 3.00

L+3.00

Graeme 29 Jan 2003, 13:53

Nadia, having read your posts I sympathise with you quite a lot. My RX is a little more than your at -2.00, -0.75 (right); -2.00, -0.50 (left), but lots of what you've said rings true with me, too. I certainly remember the prentending to have missed something rather than having to admit to not being able to see something.

Like you I thought that going full time with glasses was best avoided and did not like the idea of becoming dependent on them and as you identify once you start to wear them more you do become hooked very quickly on the good vision. Certainly I one of the reasons I avoided wearing them was I did not feel good about wearing glasses.

Up until the autumn I was a very reluctant glasses wearer; I would wear them when I had to (driving and the cinema) but always used to take them off straight away. This used to infuriate my friends because when we were out I couldn't see things and if we were meeting up I had trouble recognising them.

In September I went away for a few days with one of my friends. We were waiting for a bus and I reluctantly had to put on my glasses in order to read the stuff on the front of the buses. The guy I was with had quite often made fun of the fact that I was 'blind' and I guess this sort of proved it; he said the glasses looked better than me squinting and that I should keep them on. I ended up wearing them for most of the day.

The next day I made a conscious decision to leave the glasses back at the hotel because I really did not want to become dependent on them to see properly. However, after a day of good vision not being able to see properly became quite infuriating. For the rest of the week I wore the glasses pretty much full time. I think it was probably easier to start wearing them full-time when I was away as I did not have to deal with comments from people who did not know I wore glasses etc.

I expected people to be surprised when I came back wearing glasses full-time; some were, but many of the guys who knew that I was having trouble seeing weren't suprised at all.

Not sure how much this helps you, but if you are having trouble seeing in the mall and are making excuses to avoid having to admit you can't see you probably should try to wear your glasses more. I'm sure they will really help you (they have me, I can't imagine being without them now) and reactions will be fine.

Graeme 29 Jan 2003, 13:51

I expected people to be surprised when I came back wearing glasses full-time; some were, but many of the guys who knew that I was having trouble seeing weren't suprised at all.

mattp 27 Jan 2003, 11:15

mad dog and Larry--

I agree with you about wearing glasses all the time to see as best as I can. My prescription is -4.5 with some astigmatism, and I never take my glasses off, even wearing them right into the shower and shaving.

I have a 2.50 add for presbyopia, and I also enjoy looking through the bottom of my glasses to see what vision would be like for someone who needs a -2.00 (am I right--my -4.50 with a 2.50 add means I see what someone does who needs -2.00?) The point here is that I cannot imagine not wearing glasses even if I needed only -2.00.

mad dog 27 Jan 2003, 10:09

I wear proggressives for -.25 d and a minor amount of astigmatism, add of 1.50 for presbyopia. You really do have to point at what you are looking at to see it properly. I had to get cheap frames because the lenses were high, but I find it very important that I wear them nearly all the time as my vision is crisp with them on. I forgot them once when I left town for a weekend in Cincinnati, I missed a lot of the details. I like to look through the add part and imagine myself a -1.50 trying to get around.Don't see how you people who are -1.50 can do much without yours. I don't care about what anyone thinks, if I can see better with my glasses, I'm going to wear them.

chromophil 27 Jan 2003, 09:54

My father is 48 and never had glasses. He can read small print with no problem even with bad light. I find that strange.

larry 27 Jan 2003, 09:30

yes i do have and add of =2 also wear progressives cant imagine being -5 or greater have a hard time seeing at this rx

chromophil 27 Jan 2003, 08:12

Hi Larry,

Your Rx not very strong. Myopia and astigmatism combined make about 4 diopters. I would say that is a medium prescription. As you did not mention it, i think you don´t have a reading add yet. Do you have any signs of presbyopia? Can you still read with your glasses ?

larry 27 Jan 2003, 07:37

hi i have -3 and -2.75 also have -1 astig i am 47 years old at thi s rx my vision is very blurry dosnt myopia get much worse with age seem harder to deal with cant imagine anyone on this site who thinks theses arent strong glasses

Jim 26 Jan 2003, 13:53

Nadia,

I have the same prescription as you, -1.50. Like you, I only wear them part-time - driving, watching TV, and going to sporting events; lately, though, I have worn them when going to the mall occasionally. I like being able to go without them for most things.

It surprised me also when a couple of opticians were surprised that I don't wear them most of the time. I haven't really thought about wearing them all of the time.

chromophil 26 Jan 2003, 12:33

As the title of the threat says "post your prescription" I do so now:

R -9,0

L -9,5

I wear contacts most of the time, glasses only at home in the morning and evening.

Nadia 26 Jan 2003, 12:30

Just I

I guess the real thing is that I don't quite "feel fine" right now about it. I kinda wish I had the courage to just go out there and wear them but the questions and the comments are kind of scary for me. Yesterday we were out driving and my boyfriend pointed something out to me, I knew I wouldn't see it so I just pretended I missed it, but I'd ve seen it I guess if I'd been wearing my glasses. But it's a big step for me and a scary one, I've always thought that you don't resort to wearing till you absolutely have to. I guess if next year I get another increase it will decide for me. But how did you handle the comments from your friends & family I'm shy about that sort of personal comment.

Just I 26 Jan 2003, 11:57

Nadia,

I guess you're right. Glasses can be a trap. And ther's also the psychological aspect of wearing them. You say: "I don't know if I am prepared..." What do you mean? It is all in your mind, not in your eyes, right? The most difficult aspect of wearing my glasses was going out in public with them. I was concerned with what others thought about them. But it is you eyes, your face, etc. Not theirs. You decide. I guess if you feel fine right now, just wear them when you want or need to feel your eyesight a little relieved.

Nadia 26 Jan 2003, 11:35

Hi Just I and thanks for your response.

I've just -.25 of astigmatism so I guess its not much but I come from a family of nearsighted people - two sisters and a parent all between the -3 to -5 range so in their view I have perfect eyseight, well compared with them that is. That's why I was surprised to be recommended to wear them what probably would be "most" of the time. In my family anything in the -1 range doesn't count for much so I reckon there'd be some surprised faces if I showed up regularly with my glasses more & more.

Sure I could see "more", like detail, but its not critical, the dr's comment was a -1 will benefit from wearing glasses all the time "if they want to see". Well i guess we all want that but when you've grown up thinking that yours is no prescription at all the realization that an eyecare professional is telling you you should take up wearing them more is a surprise. Thanks for your advice and like you I can "see" without them but its sharper of course with them, I'm just not sure that I'm that ready for being a regular wearer, after all its a bit final, you get used to the good vision and you're hooked!!

Just I 25 Jan 2003, 11:04

Nadia,

I have a prescription close to yours, -1.75. However, and I guess this is not an insignificant difference, I have astigmatism. Like you I thought I didn´t really need my glasses that much. However, my doc recomemnded me to wear them "as much as you can". About a year ago, since I was having some bad headaches I started what I would call, not exactly full time wear, but 90% wear. But then I started to need my glasses more and more. I realized my eyesight was worse than I had perceived earlier and couldn´t bear the blur anymore. Now I just wear them all the time. It´s much better, healthier, and it feels great. I enjoy what I see a lot more. Sure I can take them off and I won´t bump into anything. I guess I am just too used to clear vision now so I don´t want to take them off.

Of course it is up to you but I would advise that you give it a try.

I´d like to add that in the beginning you feel quite odd. You notice your glasses on your face all the time, you fear other people´s reaction (which are no at all that bad!) and when looking in the mirror you do not recognise yourself as "taht person who wears glasses". Little by little you will accept them and they will become a part of your identity, or at least your looks.

I hope this was of any help.

Keep in touch.

Nadia 25 Jan 2003, 10:49

Today I had a test bcause my old glasses were lost. My prescription is -1.50, the same as the ones I lost, but the eye dr quite surprised me when he told me that with that level of myopia I should be wearing them just to see clearly in the street. Right now i Just wear them for movies and in the car so I am safe, I thought that this was a real weak prescription so was surprised that he said to wear them for outside activities. Okay I already know it would improve my vision/stop me squinting when I'm in the mall etc but I figure with a weak prescription we just put up with it huh? My view on my nearsightedness for the last few years is that I won't wear them more than I need to till I can't see something so ...I'd really like to hear from anyone on this site who 's prescription is near to mine becauise I'd like to know when they wear theirs. N

Stefan 25 Jan 2003, 07:52

Hi again, Tammy! Naw, contacts - haven't had mine in for ages, way I figure it now they're too much hassle really. Strange to think that I put up with such a lot of hassle for such a long time, but I don't seem to be the only one - nor the only one to kinda give up on them after a while...

Tammy 25 Jan 2003, 07:04

Stefan,

Hi. It has been a long time! Thanks. Do you still wear contact lenses sometimes?

Stefan 25 Jan 2003, 05:05

Hello Tammy - lovely to read you again - your new specs sound very very spectacular, hope you get used to them quickly!

Tammy 25 Jan 2003, 03:49

Trent,

My new glasses are thin, silver, metal ovals with CR39 lenses. The lenses are 3 cm lengthwise and 4 cm across. They are just a line or two under being 1 full cm thick, and stick out from the front of the frame. I basically wear both pairs as i want to. Tammy. 8-)

Trent 24 Jan 2003, 17:00

Hi Tammy,

Good to hear that you are enjoying your new glasses! I was wondering if you could describe what they look like? Tammy when do you wear your new glasses and when do you switch to your old weaker pair.

Thanks Trent

mattp 23 Jan 2003, 07:56

To all us glasses lovers:

I love my glasses (I wear trifocals with a minus prescription). I can see everything clearly at all distances with no eyestrain and I don't need to switch glasses for different activities.

Well, I went skiing yesterday, and wore my contacts for the first time in weeks. You know, contacts also have a place, and I encourage you all to get a pair for specialized circumstances. My contacts' prescription is pretty complicated, and my optometrist spent a lot of time tweaking it so I can see most things without having to put on glasses. My right eye is a toric lens with a distance only and astigmatism correction; my left eye is a concentric bifocal in a bit weaker- than-I-need distance prescription. The contacts work beautifully for outdoor activities--I didn't have the problem of fitting ski goggles over glasses and fogged lenses when I went inside. My distance vision is near perfect. And because there is some near correction, I can read what I need to on the menu; I can see to clip my boots, and other such things without having to scrtamble to find up close glasses like my friends do. They work well!

Of course, back at work today I am wearing the trifocals. The eye strain for long term computer or close work in the contacts is too much. I do have a pair of plus bifocals to wear over the contacts for extended close work, but for me, putting on lenses that I can't see things in the distance through is absurd.

Anyway, go get yourselves some contacts!!

Tammy 22 Jan 2003, 16:16

I got my new glasses yesterday. They are very nice. I can see quite well with them.

lola 22 Jan 2003, 03:21

my lenses are 1.9 aspheric in mild to small frame, do you think the effects would be smaller with other lenses?

Brian 22 Jan 2003, 03:02

-14-Yes I am sure my 12 year old brother does not want bi-focals as he has -6 in his rx and can see small print better than I can.

Brian 22 Jan 2003, 03:00

lola-I have noticed too that some things do look a little curved from time to time and notice that when I go up steps and look down the steps seem to move or look a little crooked.I have -9.75 in my right eye and -9.0 in my left plus lots of astigmatism in both and prisms.I just got used to this effect after years of glasses.

lola 22 Jan 2003, 02:55

I have nottice that i see the objects smaller with my new glasses specially when i have to read so i prefer reading with my old glasses, perhaps because im very accostumed to mi contacts. Other effect i note with the glasses is that the objects appear curved In the external side of the lenses, for example, when i looking at one door, i see the edges of the door curved, or when im looking at my architecture plans, the lines they must be straight, sometimes appears sligthly curved. Do you think i could acostume to ignore this effects in a few time? I have to wait for one or two months to get contacts again and im triying to wear my glasses until.

-14 21 Jan 2003, 18:25

Brian

I agree with Geoff that -7 is not too low to get bifocals. I've seen young guys with very low minus RXs with them. I had a friend in college whose dad was an optometrist and thought all myopes should wear them. He was a -2 and had plano reading segments.

NancyR 21 Jan 2003, 18:00

I am low 30s and have been -11 for a few years. Yes. I notice a difference between LCLs and glasses but guess my brain compensates after years of glasses or CLs. Last year my eye doc told me needing bifocals was far in my future because I was such a high myope already, that bifocal need was pushed out age wise.

Daffy 21 Jan 2003, 14:38

As a full-time glasses wearer, then a full-time contacts wearer, then back to full-time glasses wearer, I have made my own conclusions.

Glasses definatelty do shrink (in minus lenses) the images. I have always remembered seeing my feet and how 'small' they became when putting on the glasses after wearing contacts for a while. I definately had to get used to the minification. Things like a coin on the ground looked smaller (thus different value) with glasses on. It was annoying at first. But as you get used to it, things look 'normal'.

Also, the swaying effect is always there. It is just that the brain gets used to it and 'compensates'. When looking at long straight lines (like a door post) they looked curved. The further you look from the lens centre and the stronger the glasses are, the more 'curve' is apparent. I'll tell you what...it took some time for me to get used to 'flat screen' TV's and monitors after the brain 'learnt' to live in a curvy world.

In a way, I'm 'glad' that I got used to the prism glasses and do feel that I actually need them. They have kept me away from contact lenses for a while now and my eyes feel a lot more healthier. I feel they can breath. With being a full-time contacts wearer my eyes always felf tired and dry. What a relief.

High myope 21 Jan 2003, 12:47

Nancy:

R -9.75 -3.25 X 40 L -12.25 -2.25 X 140, with a +1.75 reading add. I am 53. My distance Rx has been quite constant for nearly 30 years, but the add started six years ago when I lost the accommodation needed for close work. Is your Rx similar and do you agree with what I posted about the size of objects?

Nancy 21 Jan 2003, 12:29

I am one of those people whose Dr. suggests bifocals above -10, although I didn't start until I was about -13, when I think I was about 17yo.

High Myope - what is your Rx and how old are you?

Guest 21 Jan 2003, 12:26

Vertex Distance. Distance from eye's surface from the lens. Contact lenses = 0, eyeglasses = 12-15mm. Myopic people push glasses up to see clearly in the distance. Reduces the vertex distance and gives stronger relative power. To read fine print, they can let the glasses slide and get a weaker relative power.

Tony 21 Jan 2003, 12:14

Thanks for your interesting postings folks.

Question:- If a high myope sees things smaller through glasses why are things not minified through contacts when they both correct the eyes to the same degree of clarity?

Brian 21 Jan 2003, 11:24

-14 and Alan-Of course I have never worn contacts,but my little brother who has about a minuss 6 says things shrink when he puts on my glasses.When I was around 7 or 8 I used to read in bed under the covers with a flashlight.I am sure that did not help my eyes any.

-14 21 Jan 2003, 10:45

High myope

Alan

Occasionally I will wear contacts (RGP)when I'm in a situation when I can't wear glasses (haircut, etc) things are much bigger with contacts - in fact it takes a while to get used to bigger feet, closer stair steps, larger print. The distortion I have when wearing glasses also disappears. I guess if you'd never worn contacts, but only high minus glasses, you'd never know that things can look bigger. then going back to glasses it takes some time to get used to the minification and distortion.

I do agree with High myope that when people try my glasses they say their view swings wildly from side to side when they move their head.

High myope 21 Jan 2003, 10:21

Alan, I've never worn contacts. When when I put my glasses on, they definitely reduce the size of things as compared to my unaided vision. But when I look over the rim of my glasses and move my head from side to side, the image in the glasses seems to stay put but the view over the top swings wildly from side to side, in the opposite direction of my head movement. When someone less myopic looks through my glasses, they report the opposite effect: the view through the glasses swings from side to side, in the same direction as their head movement, while their normal vision stays still. So I think high minus glasses work much better for people who actually need them!

Alan 21 Jan 2003, 09:10

High Myope - I wonder if it doesn't just look normal to you because you're accustomed to it. Did you ever wear contacts and compare how large things looked through the glasses versus through the contacts? I've heard other people say they notice a real difference, and I think I've noticed a real difference too. I think the physics of it (not that I understand optics well enough to vouch for this really) dictates that the image should be smaller through the glasses. Do you think this is possible?

High myope 21 Jan 2003, 08:18

As a highly myopic person, I believe that I can shed some light on the subject of the minification effect of high minus lenses that is under discussion. My distance prescription has been about 14 for many years. When other people look through my glasses, things look tiny to them, but not when I look through them. I believe that the diffusion of light through my myopic eyes makes my unaided vision larger than lifesize (although very blurry). My glasses reduce things to a normal size. In other words, the minification effect counteracts my eyes magnification, so thast looking through my glasses, objects are sized normally. I did not wear bifocals until I was 47 and my eyes lost their ability to accommodate, and as an academic, did plenty of close work.

Alan 21 Jan 2003, 07:34

Brian - I think it's 3% in a 'geometrical' fashion - each diopter more gives you 3% less size than before. That is, -2 gives an image 97% the size of the image from -1; -3 gives an image 97% the size of that, and so on. This is important, or else once you got to -34D, there would be no image at all!!! It also means that the image from -10 isn't quite 30% smaller. I think it's more like 20% -- but it's still substantially smaller.

All that said, I've looked through -10 lenses before, and I didn't think they minified things so much that it was difficult to read. I really think there's something else going on when myopes in this range have difficulty reading with their glasses on. I think maybe they tend to have less accomodation, or maybe there is something about the image from strong glasses that make reading more straining on the eyes. I do know that not everyone with -10 prescriptions wear bifocals (actually, bifocals have been the minority in my experience), but some folks have said their eye doctors recommend bifocals to everyone with -10 or more.

Brian 21 Jan 2003, 03:51

Julian-Thanks,you are right about plus lenses to start a fire-Just shows how ignorant my non-spectacled friends are.They are mostly male and the females seem to be sympathetic about my correction.

Julian 20 Jan 2003, 22:23

Heheh! Your friends might say you could start a fire with your specs - but actually you'd need strong *plus* lenses to do that. (I seem to be in scientific mode on this thread.)

Brian 20 Jan 2003, 03:59

Julian-I am not sure if I read this on ES or somewhere else but is it true you get about 3% size difference in objects with each diopter of lens power?If so,I guess I would be close to 30%.This could account for problems with small print as well.

Brian 20 Jan 2003, 03:55

Geoff-No I have never had the flat fronts.My glasses do show a lot of correction and other classmates say I could start fire with them if the sun hits them directly..Ha! Ha! They are so funny but really they don't know what its like to be a spectacle wearer.But

recently we have had some very bright but cold days and did see some reflection of colors while looking down out the corner of my specs when I was outside.I guess prism do reflect a lot of colors..

Julian 20 Jan 2003, 01:55

I think the main reason for fitting really high myopes with bifocals at an early age is that strong minus lenses (in glasses but not in contacts) make the image of a printed page so small that it is hard to read.

Geoff 19 Jan 2003, 20:43

Brian/Tommy -7 isnt too early for bifocals, I got my first ones a year ago August, I was 18 and my rx was R -5.50 -2.00 L -6.75 -0.50 which would be less that -7 unless you include the astig, and then last October I went up to R -6.50 -1.50 L -7.25 -0.75 and both times had a +1.50 add. Also I haven't have flat front lenses yet, I think that happens more when you get up around -10. Brian, you ever had flat fronts? The other thing is I dont have round frames, theyre pretty much rectangular just kid of rounded at the corners and its no prob for bifocals.

Mattp, I think you got it pretty close, for me, I just found it makes reading and close work way easier on the eyes. I can still read ok without bifocals, it just makes studying less of a strain for me. I pretty much wear my bifocals all the time mostly cause Im just too lazy to switch back to the others!!

Brian, if you want to chat more about it you can email me at gbtspex at hotmail.com.

mattp 19 Jan 2003, 19:32

Tony--

I think I can answer your question from personal experience. About 15 years ago, when I was 32, I got my first bifocals. My distance prescription was about -4,5 and the add was +1, as I recall. At the time I was doing a lot of close work and my eyes were easily tired and things got blurry as I read. I could see to read fine, but the bifocal segment magnified the print so my eyes were more comfortable to read. I only wore the bifocals for reading and used single vision lenses for everything else. In my late thirties I just could not see the print with my single vision glasses; then the bifocals were necessary for presbyopia, and I needed to wear them all the time in order to see up close.

Filthy McNasty 19 Jan 2003, 18:54

Sorry, I just read your post and saw that you may be talking about someone who does not need correction for presbyopia. In that case, your question eludes me. My wife, for example, is 30, with a -10 or so distance correction, and reads without any add.

Filthy McNasty 19 Jan 2003, 18:52

What I'm saying is that whatever your standard distance Rx is, whether it's plano or -33, your near Rx for a presbyopic eye will be a few diopters more plus than that. Let's assume that. in every case, the near add is +3: The guy with -33 would have a near Rx of -30, while a guy with 20/20 uncorrected distance vision would have a +3 for near.

Tony 19 Jan 2003, 16:56

Filthy:- Thanks Filthy. I think I know where you are coming from.

I guess what you are saying is that our vision is not constant at all distances and that we technically have a different rx at various levels?

Filthy McNasty 19 Jan 2003, 16:52

Yes. You might call it a "relative plus", since a person with -10 would have a near segment that was simply a couple of D less minus than the distance script.

Tony 19 Jan 2003, 16:48

Can anyone help explain this to me?

Say you are way under forty and technically do not therefore need glasses for close sight. You have a script of say minus ten. when you wear these glasses it brings you back to normal vision of a person who is zero on the scale.

A norrmal person who is zero would not need plus lenses to read ( unless of course you are talking about people who need a plus add because of age).

Why then would a person with a minus ten prescription need a bifocal add when all the glases do is bring thier vision back to "normal"?

Answers please?

Mattp 19 Jan 2003, 14:35

Hi Brian, again--

Sorry I cut off my last message. I was going to say, in reference to your story about comparing your brother's near vision to yours, that for us myopic folks close vision seems to be somewhat chancy. My experience has been varied--at first, when I was only slightly myopic, the doctor recommended and I found it easier to read with my glasses off. Then as my myopia worsened, I couldn't see to do that, and I just had to put up with not seeing some close things very well. Even with bifocals, I have to take my glasses off to do some real close things (like thread a needle). In short, I think the distance correction we desperately need winds up compromising our near vision to varying degrees depending on the amount of myopia, astigmatism, and so forth we have. Your brother is lucky--he seems to get good both far and near correction!

mattp 19 Jan 2003, 14:15

Brian--

Thanks for the information. I'd

Brian 19 Jan 2003, 12:51

Mattp-When I put my non-prism glasses on I have trouble focusing on reading up close,say 12 or 14 inches away.And also the computer screen is not clear with a lot of text (etc) running together.The doctor said I really needed the base out prisms and perhaps should have told her about my problem during my 2001 regular exam.But then I only thought I needed bi-focals.When I first got the prims just prior to this past Christmas I was amazed how well I could focus on small print like the print on my school I.D. badge or tiny print in the newspaper.Although I still believe I should see better for my age up close as my little brother who has strong minus (6) or so can see print that I can not.He is all of 12 years..

Brian 19 Jan 2003, 12:42

Tommy-Thanks for you story about the guy at the airport.I will try to remember to get round frames when I finally get the bi-focals.This guy has had a lot of time to get used them thats for sure.Minus (7) seems a little early for bifocals but he probably had some kind of eye muscle problem during his early youth.Thanks again for the comment.

Tommy 19 Jan 2003, 12:28

Brian, Your comment about needing bifocals at age 16 1/2 reminded me of a young guy, perhaps in late 20's who sat next to me in S.F. airport waiting area a couple months ago. He had rather high minus, guess about - 7, thin lenses, flat front, wire frames. Then I noticed flat top bifocals. Struck up the glasses conversation saying he seemed young for bifocals and he told me he had them since he was age 10. Trouble seeing things up close so got the bifocals then, but did not elaborate. Thought he was not interested as he got up and went off but later came back to same seat but we did not continue the conversation. On the plane he was a few seats away but was reseated across aisle but at window so never go chance to find out more. Perhaps my guess at - 7 is understated since if flat front might indicate higher strength. I always thought a high minus might mean bifocals sooner. Anyway wanted to share the bifocals at age 10 story. One other thing, the frames were round to better accommodate the bifocal.

mattp 19 Jan 2003, 10:48

justme--

I'm afraid I can't help you with your question about prisms, but I'd like to ask you a question.

Lately when I try to look at something for a period of time (say more than just a glance), my eyes tend to both turn to the outside so I wind up seeing double. Things are still clear. What you say about your eyes having difficulty converging makes me think that is the way I would describe my problem. Is this how you would describe your vision? And is this a sign that prism correction may be necessary?

Brian--

How would you describe the way your eyes work without prisms?

I'm wondering if I should make an appointment with the eye doctor soon as this problem is getting worse.

By the way, my prescription is -4.50 in both eyes with +2.50 for reading and -1.25x20 in the right and -.50x10 in the left for astigmatism.

Thanks for any suggestions anyone has.

Brian 19 Jan 2003, 08:23

justme-I am not sure I can really answer your question,however just before Christmas I got my first prism rx.Its 2.0 base out and the folks here on ES said that is easier to get used to than base in.I have no problems after more than 3 weeks with my prisms.But a note of caution:Usually when you get used to the prisms you can not go back to old glasses without the prism rx as I can readily testify to.Also I am quite nearsighted with lots of astigmatism.

specs4ever 19 Jan 2003, 06:21

I really can't help much here justme. I think Dell Doc is the only one that might know for sure, but OGL would have a pretty good idea if he were still around. I can tell you that base out is the thicker part of the prism lens is to the outer edge. Your eyes will become accustomed to the prism, so I don't know if the trial lenses were really what you needed as base out or not. It would have been a good thing if the first doc had given you a pair of trial glasses as well, and you might have been able to make a better decision. It is my gut feeling though that if you really needed 1 degree base in, the 3 degrees base out would have been a problem, so it does sound to me as if you should go with the second prescription. But, please wait for more responses.

justme 19 Jan 2003, 00:59

About three weeks ago I had my annual eye exam with an eye doc I have been with for about four years now. I also have an occupational eye exam (very brief) every 6 months at work--required. The occupation exam tests for alignment of the eyes (I believe) with a simple test performed by looking into a table top tester and indicating to the examiner where the vertical and horizontal line crosses the numbered longer line. I have noticed over the last several years that the small verti cal line that had always lined up at about the #5 was starting to move to the right with each successive test. I now see the small line cross the horizontal numbered line all the way to the right at the number 10 point. To pass the test I always tell the examiner that I see the small line cross at 5 as that is where I think that is what they want for a good test> So I told my eye doc last year about this other test and the results. She tested me and said that I do have a lack of convergence. So last year she recommended prisms with my other prescription. But I decided to wait on the prisms and just get my other corrections filled without prism. So now at this exam she stressed that prisms should be included with my new prescription and prescribed the following: L- +.50 R- +.50 Add +2.50 --Base-in-- 1 both eyes. So when I went to look for glasses I kept hearing that prism is somewhat unusual or that it may not be necessary etc. So I decided to have another exam with a different eye doc. I did not show the new eye doc the prescription I just said that on my last exam I was told I needed prism correction. So after considerable testing and the trying on of the tester eyeglasses with different prism lenses installed I was given a presciption with this same distance and near correction but with a totally different prism correction. My new correction was now 3.50 base-out in each eye. These lenses felt great on my eyes. When looking in the distance my eyes felt so relaxxed and comfortable and near was good as well. But the prescription is base out and now I am pretty confused as to what to do about updating my glasses with one of these prescriptions. Which one? When I was going through all those tester lenses I had no idea that I was looking through base out lenses until I got the RX.

So I tell you all this because I am hoping someone here can help me figure out if I require base in or out. I mentioned the work exam that I lie on to pass. That exam started this ball rolling when I brought up the subject with my usual eye doc. So that test has me seeing the small vertical line all the way to the right. When I took the second full exam the other day--I did ask if I really needed base out and not base in and was told that when the test glasses were on me the fat part of the prisms were outwarded toward the outer edge and therfore were base out. Is the fat part out base out??? Does seeing the vertical line to the right indicate base out or in??? Did my doc goof up?? I did not wear testers with my doc so I never got to see what how good I could see with them except from the testing chair. At the second doc I walked around for about 15 minutes with the different prism tester lenses. Do I have convergence problems or something just the opposite??? I hope I can get some educated responses from some of you as I want to update my glasses as my prescription changed quite a bit otherwise and I want the clearer vision asap. But I must wait until I can find out which one is accurate.

Also I went into a different vision center and just asked the eye doc ther what base out corrected for and after looking it up in a book he said base out would correct for eyes that bend outward slightly. And that is what my eye doc said my eyes were doing. They are not converging but remaining unnoticably outward. So I am confused-- Please help---soon. THANKS JL

JR 18 Jan 2003, 09:50

Brian,

The bifocals are going well. I ended up needing them because my prescrip is quite high with lots of astigmatism as well (although not as high as yours)and I found some of the small print with my new glasses before getting the bifocals difficult to read and was causing eyestrain. The bifocals similar to you putting reading glasses on top of your glasses have made the small print much easier to read and made reading much easier for me.

BTW, Don't be concerned about needing them at 16 and a half. I'm only 25 and I realize now I probably could have used bifocals for a couple of years now with my prescrip and the reading I have to do as a grad student in college.

Brian 18 Jan 2003, 03:58

JR-Glad your new bi-focals are working out okay for you.I am sure during my next exam I will be getting them.My mom has flat top 35mm bi-focals.When she first got them years ago she could hold a newspaper at arms length and read.But now with stronger ones she has to bring the paper closer.I was wondering how well you do.I have tried those low power reading glasses at the mall and placed them in front of my regular glasses and it really helps.My right rx is -9.75 and left is -9.00 with lots of astigmatism in both and base out prisms in both (2.0d).By the time I get bi-focals I will be a whole 16 and a half years old !

-14 17 Jan 2003, 16:47

happy to hear you finally got bifocals. your eyes will feel like they are on vacation. i've been without mine for 5 days now (getting repaired) and i soooo miss them.

JR 17 Jan 2003, 16:36

Hey again,

I just picked up my new bifocals to help with the eyestrain. And, I have immediately noticed a big difference in how much easier print is to read.

-14, I can definitely already agree with you about how much better they are and how in a couple weeks I'll wonder how I did without them.

specs4ever 16 Jan 2003, 16:12

I think if you were picking the red instead of the green Emily, then you actually were requiring the stronger minus. And, if you are doing a lot of studying, and close work, it is likely that even after 6 months you might require a slightly stronger prescription

. If you go back to your doc, and tell him/her that you have been having trouble seeing the board in school, and if you can manage to move back from the machine a little bit, you might get even a stronger prescription. Of course, if you want, you could use the old photocopier & white out trick to get a clean blank, and write your own prescription for whatever you want

High Myope 16 Jan 2003, 06:42

Tammy:

Good to hear from you. You haven't posted in a couple of weeks. Hope everything is OK.

DelDoc 16 Jan 2003, 05:14

Emily--

That's exactly right.

Tammy 15 Jan 2003, 21:46

Still waiting for new glasses. Beginning to wonder if they'll come at all. Don't mind my inane babblings!

Alan 15 Jan 2003, 21:10

Emily - I think the glasses Natou was wearing that you liked are in the -10 range, give or take 1 or 2. I haven't seen enough strong glasses where I really knew the Rx to be very exact.

I don't think it's very unusual in someone your age to go back to the eye doctor after 6 months, which would be after February I think. But if you don't think you're seeing clearly, there's nothing wrong with going in earlier.

Emily 15 Jan 2003, 16:27

Del Doc: So in other words, each time I said the red side was clearer, the Dr. made the lens stronger and when I said green was better he stopped. Is that right? That's why my RX increased so much, because the red side was better for a long time?

DelDoc 15 Jan 2003, 16:18

Emily et al.--

I've seen others ask why we doctors sometimes split the chart with the red-green filter. I'll do my best to explain the mystery behind the red-green test during the refraction. The duochrome (i.e., two colors) test is sometimes performed to refine the spherical component of the refraction. Its primary use is to guard against overcorrecting (overminusing) myopes.

Optically speaking, the test takes advantage of the different refraction angles (degree of bending) associated with different wavelengths of lights (colors). In other words, different colors of light are bent, or focused, more sharply than others. Green light is bent more sharply than red and forms images further forward in the retina than red light does.

Based on which side of the chart looks clearer, and consequently which wavelength of light is focused closer to the retina, the doctor can determine whether a patient is currently undercorrected or overcorrected. If the red side is clearer, the patient is currently undercorrected (still myopic and needing more minus). If the green side is clearer, the patient is currently overcorrected (essentially focusing through the extra minus sphere and now behaving like a hyperope). If both sides appear equal, the patient is corrected just the right amount (essentially emmetropic with the correction in place).

SZ6 15 Jan 2003, 15:45

Emily, you would have really liked the glasses my blind date (no pun intended) wore. I've got a description on the "Sightings" thread.

Emily 15 Jan 2003, 15:42

How soon do you think I can go back to the eye Dr. and have my eyes reexamined to see if I'm ready for stronger glasses? My last eye exam was on September 3. I usually go once a year.

Emily 15 Jan 2003, 15:40

Yes, Alan, I guess I like the "cut-in" as well as the reduced size of the eyes. I also like the concentric circles that form around the edge. I think they frame the eyes nicely and draw attention to them. They also make the glasses more interesting. My current glasses have some of all these effects, but only a little. I think I would like them to be a bit more accentuated but not so much as to look weird. What RX do you think Natou's lenses are that I said I like?

Alan 15 Jan 2003, 15:10

Emily,

By "Cut-in" I mean the effect where, when you're looking through a person's glasses from the front, the edge of their face appears closer to their nose than it would if they weren't wearing glasses. The stronger the prescription, the more cut-in.

I'm not sure about the red/green thing, but there was a post on here a while back that described it's purpose. It was maybe a couple months ago. I think OGL posted it, and I'm not sure which thread it was on, but you can probably narrow it down to a few likely possibilities and then search for "green" or "OGL" or something. Or email him - his email address is posted on here in several places - crubthrunch@??? or something like that.

The really weird glasses you wrote about are 'myodiscs'. They're glasses for someone very nearsighted, they're even stronger than the really thick ones. Someone could see out of them if they're nearsighted enough to need them, basically. The whole prescription is in the circular part in the middle of the frame. Outside that circle, there is no prescription. This keeps the lenses thinner than they'd have to be if the prescription part went all the way to the frame. I think this picture was taken with some odd light that really highlights the 'bowl' (the inner circular part). Yeah, they look pretty unusual, but if that were the only option you had to see clearly, that's what you'd wear.

Emily 15 Jan 2003, 14:58

Alan: Im not sure what you mean by cut-in.

Liuk, thanks for the link. I like these frames the best, theyre stunning:

http://ad2412.free.fr/natou024.jpg

but the lenses dont look too interesting, they are like the ones I wore a year or two ago before I really needed glasses. I also like these frames a lot:

http://ad2412.free.fr/natou070.jpg

The lenses dont look thick in this view, but in a few of the other pictures of the same frame, shot from a side view, you can see that theyre really thick. I wouldnt like my eyes to get that bad.

I think this one has the lens look that I like the best, but the frames are not too cool:

http://ad2412.free.fr/natou060.jpg

Ill bet theyre probably around 10 because thats the look I seem to gravitate to.

And these are the weirdest-looking glasses Ive ever seen in my life, you can barely see her eyes at all. What are they, and how can anyone possibly see anything out of them?

http://ad2412.free.fr/natou031.jpg

Emily 15 Jan 2003, 14:49

Don't know if this is the right thread, but I couldn't find a better one. I hope someone can explain to me about the test where the eye Dr. makes 1/2 the chart red and the other 1/2 green as you look through the machine. We were chatting about it yesterday on Lens Chat and no one was sure what that test means. Someone thought its a test for astigmatism but I dont think so. I dont think I have any astigmatism. The only numbers on my RX are under the sphere column, which I know is for my nearsightedness. All the other columns are blank. Im also pretty sure it doesnt have anything to do with colorblindness. The last time I had my eyes tested, the Dr. said I must love the color red because I picked the red side 6 or 7 times in a row as he turned the dials on the machine before I the green finally became clearer. I asked him about it but he wouldnt tell me because he didnt want to influence my answers. Somehow I got the idea that its better to pick the green. Anyone know what this test is all about?

Liuk 15 Jan 2003, 09:47

Hi, if you like Natou's pictures, you can visit this link : http://ad2412.free.fr/ps3.html

I am very excited when I see a nice highly nearsighted girl without her glasses, for example when I run on the train.

Regards

Alan 14 Jan 2003, 21:03

So, if I understand you right, you like the cut-in and visible but not overwhelming eye minification of -10 lenses, but you don't want the lenses to be too thick (1/2 inch is too thick). Yeah, in a smallish oval frame, high index lenses in -10 would be 5-7 mm thick...it would probably look pretty good.

I had some -10 glasses once in that kind of frame size/shape, but with regular plastic (so-called CR-39) lenses. They were pretty thick, though not quite as thick as Natou's in the picture you were talking about.

Well, the way your prescription has been changing, it seems like you'll get there.

Emily 14 Jan 2003, 15:28

Alan: I agree with you, the girl is beautiful and those frames don't do her justice. I like the view from the front, but in the side views her lenses are too thick. I suppose with smaller frames that wouldn't happen so much. I like the size of her eyes when you look at her straight on. The -23 lenses aere too strong but I like the frames. I think -10 is about right, appearancewise.

Alan 14 Jan 2003, 14:30

Emily - What do I think the prescription is, or what do I think of the glasses?

Well, I think -10 is probably fairly close to what these glasses are. I was thinking they might be slightly more than that, because there's a lot of cut-in on her face, but not more than -12. By the way, maybe you already know this, but there are other pics of these same glasses:

http://ad2412.free.fr/natou054.jpg through

http://ad2412.free.fr/natou058.jpg

I also think Natou is very beautiful, and would be beautiful wearing almost any kind of glasses.

I think this Rx is great, though I really prefer a frame that's smaller and closer to the shape of the eyes (oval, cateye, or semirectangular). I really like Natou in the -23's (like http://ad2412.free.fr/natou077.jpg). But they definitely are very striking, not very normal looking (still, I think they look elegant, because the shapes and lines are very clean).

This reminds me of my posts in the Sightings thread. Natou is a model, and not a high-myope in real life, of course. But what if she were -- if she wore those -23's. Would guys hit on her? Yeah, they would, I'm sure of it. And not just guys who are really into glasses. I'd sure like to see that, too.

Emily 14 Jan 2003, 13:32

Alan

This is the look I think I would like to have. Someone sent me the link and said her glasses are about -10. What do you think?

http://ad2412.free.fr/natou053.jpg

Alan 13 Jan 2003, 20:02

Emily - if you're reading, do you have the link to the -10 glasses you liked? I'm curious how thick they were (it can vary a lot if they are small vs large and high index or regular plastic).

Thanks,

Alan

lola 13 Jan 2003, 14:30

I had my eyexame this morning. As i knew, i have to change my lenses, but this time i choose a new frame. My prescription jump to -10.5 for my right eye and 8.50 for my left. Astgmatism has not changed. By the way, i need new contacts, but ill get the contacts next month.

Alan 12 Jan 2003, 19:19

Anja - the answer to your question (would wearing contacts all the time make you more nearsighted than you'd otherwise be) is either "no" or "it depends on your age". No one know for sure if it makes a difference, but it definitely doesn't seem to make a difference in people whose prescription isn't already changing. Now, for people whose prescription IS still changing, it's worth asking "who cares?" I mean, a person is nearsighted anyway, they aren't going to go blind if they become more nearsighted, and if they like contacts then the harm in wearing them isn't really great (as long as the contacts are well taken care of).

It's worth saying that I (and other hear) think glasses are great. I do think contacts have their place, but I don't think full time contact lens wear really makes sense in most circumstances. Glasses are plenty fashionable (they even make most people look better, I believe), and they're more convenient than even the extremely-convenient contact lenses of today.

Is -1.25 strong enough for full-time wear? Well, that's up to you. If you feel it is - if you feel you want correction all or most of the time - then go for it. And if you don't, I'm sure people who are more nearsighted than you have been able to get by in most circumstances without correction. (Just not certain times, like driving, etc.)

Anja 12 Jan 2003, 14:00

I just got a first prescription, its -1.25 what i'd like to know is if that is enough to need contact lenses? If I got them would it be okay to wear them all the time or would it make me get more nearsighted sooner? Thanks for your replies.

-14 12 Jan 2003, 10:16

good move!! in a couple of weeks you'll wonder how you ever got along without them.

JR 10 Jan 2003, 12:37

Hey all,

In a previous posting, I noted about some eyestrain I was having with my new glasses.

Anyway, after the advice I received and read here and the continuing eyestrain I was having, I went back to the eyedoc this morning.

The result of which is that I'm getting standard lined bifocals, with a +1.5 add to assist me when I am reading.

Will let you know how they help when they come in.

STEVE 09 Jan 2003, 14:58

Thanks for the info. I can't wait for her to get her new glasses, when she tried them on she was soo sexy. I wear glasses myself, but I've always been attracted to GWG and now I'm married to her. :)

Brian 09 Jan 2003, 13:37

Geoff-The eye doctor said come back just for a check-up or if I have any problems in 60 days.I may tell her that I tried on some weak reading glasses over my specs and it did help.No,csan't really go back to the old specs with no prisms and less distance correction.

Christy 09 Jan 2003, 10:29

Steve - I have astigmatism of -2.00 and -2.25. Like Mandy - I find this makes things blurry at almost any distance - yet I could still get around fine without glasses if I had to. Just as well I like wearing glasses all the time though!

Mandy 09 Jan 2003, 10:07

Steve-

A cylindrical correction of -2 and -2.5 is usually classified as being in the moderate to severe range (with severe being anything -2.5 or over). I myself have almost no spherical correction (+.25) and cynlinder of -2.5 and -2.25. I can see okay near to far but nothing is in focus, not text in a book or the road sign way down the street. One could probably go without glasses full time at this prescription, but I just get a headache and find it is easier to keep them on as it is difficult to watch tv or even read without them.

Steve 09 Jan 2003, 06:46

My wife just got a new prescription, as far as astigmatism how strong are cylinder corrections for -2.00 & -2.50?

Steve 09 Jan 2003, 06:45

Geoff 09 Jan 2003, 06:15

Brian, what you said in one of your posts before about trying on reading glasses over your regular glasses at the mall was almost the same as how I first found out bifocals would work for me except for me it was when my dad first got reading glasses and I tried wearing his over mine it was so cool. So then what I did was I used an old pair of glasses that were like around between -1 and -2 less than my real rx for when I was studying which was sort of the same thing as having reading glasses and it worked real well for me but I guess maybe you cant do that cause I think you said in one of your posts you cant wear your old glasses without the prism any more. How long is it before you go back for your next check up?

mattp 08 Jan 2003, 19:15

Chris--

You must be back at work now after the weekend. Did you wear those new prism glasses?? How did it go with others' reaction? or are you staying with the contacts? Let us know!!

Brian 08 Jan 2003, 17:31

Geoff-Okay on the bi-focals.Right now I am doing a lot of studying and reading and I am sure I will be a candidate for bi-focals and probably the lined type.I can't see well enough to take them off and read.

Geoff 08 Jan 2003, 16:23

Brian, you were asking about my bifocals, theyre lined flat top type and my add is +1.50. I also have a pair of single vision glasses that I use sometimes (if I remember to change) like socially or for sports (which I dont do that much of either!).

I noticed the kind of things that mattp talked about quite a bit when I first got them, but after a while I just got so used to it that I hardly ever even notice. But the main benefit is how my eyes feel way more relaxed when Im studying.

girnur 08 Jan 2003, 16:05

It might be as you say. But for me it´s only the small print that´s hard to read. Not ordinary text. As for me I don´t have any cylindric correction at all. So that cannot be the problem.

Alan 07 Jan 2003, 21:53

Well, the minification comes from both the strength of the lens and the distance the lens is from your eye, and this distance is zero for contacts - so there is basically no minification from contacts, but there *is* minification from glasses. But I'm surprised it's enough to make it more difficult to read. I've had -10 glasses on before, and I didn't think there was so much minification that it was hard to read. I wonder if there isn't something else happening to cause eyestrain, perhaps inexact astigmatism correction or induced prism from looking through the inner part of the lenses or something. Do you think this is possible?

girnur 07 Jan 2003, 17:42

I´ve also experienced the same thing as lola. It´s easier to read with contacts than it is with glasses. I´m about -10, bye the way. I haven´t quite figured it out yet why. It feels like the mimification is more noticealbe with the glasses. Anybody have an idea why?

lola 07 Jan 2003, 14:54

I can read very well with contacts because i have good accomodation but i feel the prints small with my glasses.

Alan 07 Jan 2003, 14:23

Emily - there was supposed to be the word 'people' in the 2nd paragraph, where there appears to be a word missing.

Alan 07 Jan 2003, 14:21

Emily,

I don't want to suggest that your rate of change isn't "normal". Really, I think it is...though I would guess that many people whose prescription changes by -1 or more in a year probably have 2 appointments in a year. I'd expect your eye doctor to suggest it, too. From what I've heard (and there's *nothing* scientific about this), most people seem to have their prescription change by about -0.5 per year, or less. (Each click is usually 0.25, I think.) But I don't think it is really so uncommon to have faster changes for a while, particularly in your age range.

What really *does* surprise me is that you don't seem to notice much difference. I mean, when they went through 5 clicks (an increase of -1.25, I think), did the letters on the eye chart get a lot clearer? How big were the letters you could see before the increase, and how big were the letters you could see afterward? A lot of find the difference pretty amazing -- did you think things were much clearer after you got your new glasses in september? I may have misunderstood you - it wouldn't be all that surprising if you just got used to seeing however well you can see, and if you don't drive or play sports or sit in the back of the classroom, it might be easy to live with vision that isn't as crisp as it could be.

Alan 07 Jan 2003, 14:11

Lola - Did you say that you can read without problems when you are wearing your RGP lenses? But you sometimes have trouble reading with your grasses on? I wanted to make sure I understood you right...this is a little surprising to me, because you could slide your glasses down your nose a bit and make it significantly easier to see things up close. But you couldn't do that with contacts.

Let us know what your new prescription is, when you get it.

lola 07 Jan 2003, 13:11

Brian:i wear my RGP contacts most of the time so im very accostumate to see with them. When i read with my glasses i have sometimes problems with the small prints, specially when i get new glasses. Here in Spain is not usual to wear bifocals on kids or young people (ive never seen that) I have my old glasses with the prescription i had two years ago and i use to read at home with them. Im sure that i ll have more problems when i get my new pair because this month i have an eyexam and i know that i need a little more prescripton.

Emily: Unfortunadly for me, i wear a high prescription. I m afraid by the white circles of my lenses and my eyes (clair blue )looks small when i wear my glasses specially my readindg ones they are not high index, but i dont wear them in public at the time.

Marcel 06 Jan 2003, 17:25

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your supporting mails.

You might think I'm kind of childish. My girl friend often says it because she can't understand my troubles at all. We discussed it many times since I have my new glasses. She always asks me where the problem is to wear glasses fulltime. As I told I'm kind of shocked that I have a prescription of -1,75 after having only -0,75 last year. I'm afraid it might be -2,75 next year.

I think one of the reasons I'm afraid of wearing glasses fulltime now is the decision.

If I start to wear glasses fulltime now I have to wear them for the rest of my life.

So what? my girlfriend says. So many people wear glasses and most of them look so much better and more sexy. That's what she says all the time. You know all members of her family are wearing their glasses fulltime. Nadine was short sighted since she was 5.

Her parents are short sighted and so are her brother and her sister.

When we visited Nadine's parents she asked me to wear my new glasses because I would have been the only one without glasses. They complimented my specs and told me they looked great. When I told them I had -1,75 they only laughed and Nadine's father said that this was very weack and I shouldn't worry at all but I should wear my glasses fulltime now because it would be better for my eyes. And he thinks that I have to wear glasses in the future because was only the beginning of my myopic carreer. He is 43 and has -6, his wife

is 42 and has -5, Nadine's brother is 17 and has already -3,5 and her sister is 20 and has over -4. They told me they can't imagine not to wear their glasses. They asked me how many members of my family were short sighted. When I told them that I was the first they couldn't believe it all.

When we visited my parents nobody had glasses only Nadine. My glasses remained in the pocket like usual. Dear Julian, Nadine had the same thoughts you have. Perhaps some of them are short sighted too and act like me. And she made a test because there was a little robin in the distance and she asked them questions regarding the bird and everybody saw the bird.

Only I had serious troubles to see the robin without my glasses. My father asked Nadine if she needed glasses all the time and she said yes and told him that everbody in her family needed glasses. He said that it was totally different with our family and everybody had eagle eyes. Nadine only laughed and said: I'm totally blind without my glasses. I would need a blind dog or a white stick. She thought it was funny. I don't. Mother said to Nadine: If you have so bad eyes in your young age what will happen in the future? Nadine only replied:

Nobody knows it. But if you wear glasses fulltime you don't have to worry about the fact

whether to wear -3 or -6. No problem at all. Mother only replied: If you have children they might have bad eyes too. Nadine answered: It's no problem to wear glasses. You can believe me. Afterwards they changed the subject.

Nadine laughed about this and said I was a fraidy cat and when my dad and mother told her that every member had eagle eyes it would be the best situation to show them my new glasses and to wear them fulltime to convince them that it's absolutely normal to wear them.

But I couldn't. Nadine is joking all the time and she says that some day when I have to wear glasses fulltime because of another prescription my family might think I became a myope because of my relationship with a myopic girl.

Brian 06 Jan 2003, 16:09

Mattp-As always thanks for your advice.I am not much into sports except as a spectator and more or less a book-worm type studying hard for college.My mom who is about 22 years older than I has bi-focals and seems to be okay with them.The thing is my script keeps getting stronger for my distance and up close reading is becoming more frustrating. I guess I am a glutton for punishment.Soon I will be over -10 in both eyes...

Emily 06 Jan 2003, 15:51

Lola, do you like your lenses? I think they're just about the strength I want. Do they make your eyes look very small and have a bunch of circles around the edge? Are they very thick?

Emily 06 Jan 2003, 15:46

Alan, I got my glasses in September when school started, that's always when I get my eyes tested. I suppose I could complain about not seeing too well, but right now things still look clear. But then again in September I thought they looked clear and I needed 5 more clickstops from the machine, which is about how much my eyes change every year. How many clicks are a "normal" change?

Alan 06 Jan 2003, 15:38

Emily -- yeah, your prescription will probably continue to increase on its own. Your progression has been faster than that of most people, so if that continues -- well, you can do the math for yourself. Are you the college-bound type? If so, that tends to push the eyes toward increases too.

You actually could do two eye-doc visits per year instead of 1...I'm guessing you might actually notice improved vision if you did. If you really want your prescription to increase faster, which you might not (because it looks like it's increasing pretty fast on their own), you can answer the questions a little differently during the eye exam: let them take it a couple extra clicks before you say it doesn't make a difference...then they'll mess with the astigmatism and probably see if they can reduce the power while still giving you clear vision; at this point, just say it's better the first way. It might be tricky to tell what the technician is doing at different points, but you can probably figure it out. You'll be able to see fine if your glasses are a little stronger than you need, and your eyes will adjust to them pretty quickly anyway. (But one more word of warning: be careful with this, because there's no going back once you become more nearsighted.)

So - how 'studious' are you? Do you read a lot? Also, how long has it been since your last visit to the eye doctor? You might do a makeshift eye test and see how clearly you're seeing at this point.

mattp 06 Jan 2003, 14:58

Brian--

I've been interested reading your posts about your new prism glasses. I'm glad they are working out.

I did want to say a couple things about your anticipated bifocals. I'm nearly three times your age, my prescription is half yours, and I got bifocals in my thirties because my near vision was failing with age. Thus, my need for bifocals was quite different than yours will be. Nonetheless, I think there are a couple "disadvantages" of bifocals you should think about:

1. Bifocals reduce the power of the distance correction to make things easier to see up close. That is good for up-close things, but many things not so close (like the floor or sidewalk when you are walking) are also seen through the lower segment. And they are not seen very well!

2. Bifoccals obviously have lines. That line makes things like ping pong balls or basketballs go off at strange angles when they "pass" from one segment to the other. There are some activities like these that really can't be done with bifocals.

Anyway, good luck with your glasses. And get into a college you want!!

Emily 06 Jan 2003, 13:28

Do you guys think my eyes would change faster if I had 2 eye exams a yr instead of 1?

Oscar 06 Jan 2003, 13:24

Emily. Since you're 16 at the moment, the chances of your prescription going up are extremely good! I think you'll get those stronger glasses that you want, and I'm sure you'll look brilliant in them - especially as they are what you want to wear as well. Since I assume you're at school, you'll be doing lots of close reading work etc. anyway. That won't do your chances of some prescription increases any harm either (though in itself it won't make you more myopic). Good luck.

Emily 06 Jan 2003, 13:19

Alan, as I said in a previous posting I would like my eyes to get worse so I can see through stronger glasses but I don't know how. Someone said not to worry about it, if they keep changing for a few more years they'll get really strong. Do you have any suggestions on how I could influence my prescription to go up? I don't want fake glasses, I want 20/20 with them.

Emily 06 Jan 2003, 13:04

I saw the doctor once a year, usually when school started. The 1st time I didn't even know my eyes were going bad but the school referred me. I didn't do anything weird, but each year I needed four or five more clicks on the dr's machine to make things clear. I didn't know my eyes were changing at such an unusual rate, I thought it was a normal change.

Alan 06 Jan 2003, 12:58

Emily -- Yeah, -23's definitely look unusual, no matter how they're done. Glasses around -10 can look a lot different depending on the lens material, frame size, and other things, but it's definitely not too overwhelming.

The prescription changes you reported -- did you really need all these changes, or did you do things to get a stronger prescription than the minimum you needed? Your progression was really fast, which does happen occasionally but is unusual. Did you go to the eye doctor more than once a year during this time?

Emily 06 Jan 2003, 12:37

I just looked at links to girls with -10 and -23 glasses that someone on Lens Chat sent me. The -10 ones are cool, I'd like them. The -23 ones are weird, it's like having one lens inside another, I don't like them. -10 seems just about right in appearance.

Alan 06 Jan 2003, 09:32

Barbara -

You might want to try ordering glasses from http://www.39dollarglasses.com . You won't be able to get the ones you want for $39 (they charge more for high prescriptions), but they'll still be pretty cheap. Also, www.eyeglassfactoryoutlet.com also can do inexpensive glasses (in regular plastic) -- again, they charge more for higher prescriptions, but not too much. Ordering online can help a bit with the anxiety over being 'caught'.

OGL might have some other advice.

It does sound like your boyfriend would love this. (I sure would! In fact, I can't even imagine this happening.) You might also consider doing GOC (glasses over contacts) - if you get some appropriate '+' powered contacts, you'd be able to see with the strong glasses.

Alan 06 Jan 2003, 09:27

High Myope -- Maybe someone can confirm or deny the following: I actually think rolled and beveled edges on glasses make the concentric rings more apparent, particularly when looking at the glasses from the front. If the edges are just straight (perpindicular to the face of the glasses), then from the front no concentric rings are visible. To reduce the effect of "cut-in" (the 'bite' out of her cheek), get smaller frames, and/or get plastic frames. Higher index material helps a lot, too, but it's expensive (more of a factor as long as her vision is changing). Very small frames can work wonders for glasses' appearance, though they hurt their performance.

Also, if you or she feels like there is something that promises to slow her progression (I don't think bifocals really do the job, though), you might want to try it. At -11, her glasses can be made to look pretty normal if carefully done. But at -18 or so -- where she could conceivably end up -- it's a lot tougher.

Can she wear RGP (rigid) lenses? It seems like she likes contacts, and I disagree with the posters that say she shouldn't be wearing contacts alone -- if they work for her, they might be fine. But RGP lenses are fine for a lot of people, and they do seem to slow progression considerably, at least for some people.

High myope 05 Jan 2003, 13:44

Emily: I used to think that strong glasses were lots of fun, too, and I even figured out how to make them stronger than needed. The fun ended when I decided my glasses were getting too strong but it I couldn't reverse the process. -5 is a nice prescription; be happy with it.

Emily 05 Jan 2003, 09:10

I saved all my old prescriptions, so you can see how my eyes have changed since I began getting glasses.

1st pair age 13 R -0.75 L 0.50 couldnt tell any difference on or off

2nd pair age 14 R 2.25 L 2.00 needed them for movies

3rd pair age 15 R 3.75 L 3.25 1st ones I wore all the time

4th pair age 16 R 5.00 L 4.50 like these the best, they look real

Best part of finding this site is now I know I'm not the only one who likes girls in strong glasses. I hope my eyes keep getting worse. It's fun.

Brian 05 Jan 2003, 08:43

lola-Read your rx script and was wondering if you have any problems with small print.I am 16 with -9.75/-2.5/180 right and -9.00/-1.25/90 with base out prisms.Folks on this web have hinted I should be getting bi-focals soon as I do have to squint at small print.

lola 05 Jan 2003, 03:07

Im 24 years old, and im very nearsighted. My last prescription is -9.5 , -1.00 180º in my right eye and -7.75 , -1.00 180º in my left, but i have my next eyexam on this month.

Barbara 04 Jan 2003, 19:13

Thanks for your feedback. I'm going to try to get up the courage to do something. Actually, the idea for this came from my boyfriend. He says he has reveries about girls with very thick lenses. He likes me in my real glasses but would like them more if they were thicker. He's a real nice guy, though. He doesn't expect me to do anything, but I was going to surprise him.

Mattp 04 Jan 2003, 04:59

Chris--

Glad your new glasses finally arrived. Sometimes the waiting is the hardest part of a new thing or a change.

Good luck wearing them. Peoples' responses to such things as glasses are usually positive. You'll do fine.

Johnnyb555 03 Jan 2003, 20:52

Barbara -- I also think the glasses are very attractive, and definitely wouldn't turn the girl down either (if she wore them). They look a bit weaker than my -23's.

Tammy -- really glad you ordered the glasses, can't wait to hear more!!!

Happy new year to all.

lentifan 03 Jan 2003, 17:12

Barbara:

I am surprised you only got one answer to your question. Yes, I think the glasses in the link you posted are very attractive, and the girl wearing them looks nice too.

Alain:

I hadn't realised these were the same glasses. Were they originally made for the girl in the link Barbara posted? If so, what are her new glasses like?

I think these are my favourite glasses on Natou, narrowly beating the brown plastic myodiscs and the gold oval myodiscs. I wish I could see the new (4th) photo shoot pictures screen-size; they are currently too big to appreciate your wonderful pictures properly.

High Myope:

I don't suppose our telling your daughter she looks woderful in her glasses would persuade her, would it?

Brian 03 Jan 2003, 16:17

Geoff-Sorry I forgot to acknowledge your comment about bi-focals on Dec.31.I will probably be in bi-focals before I get to college.By the way what is your bi-focal strenght and what type ?

Brian 03 Jan 2003, 14:35

Chris-Glad you got your new specs.How do you like the prism correction?Yes,at first it was a little weird for me when I first put my specs on with prisms but now I don't even think about it or even know I have the prisms except when I take them off and try to focus.

Chris 03 Jan 2003, 12:17

Hi, my new glasses finally arrived yesterday. When I had them fitted everything seemsed really wierd. I was told to wear them from this morning and that I need to go full time (no more contacts, because I really need the prism correction).

I must admit I'm pretty impressed with the clarity of the vision and the comfort. Within a few minutes of putting them on I'd become used to them. Still unsure about having to go full time - people know how much I hate wearing glasses.

Still, am still off work so I've got the weekend to get really used to them - hopefully will be so used to them by the time I see people I know that I won't feel too self-conscious. Maybe I'll hide the contacts so I'm not tempted to stick them in.

Vidge 02 Jan 2003, 14:31

OGL, I always heard from medical people that when it comes to one's height, girls stop growing at age 16 and boys can but don't always continue growing until 21 years old.

Puffin 02 Jan 2003, 08:10

Yes... The only thing that happens when you stop growing is the Myopia caused by growth stops. All other causes (use, abuse, accidents, whatever) carry on as normal.

The OGL 02 Jan 2003, 06:13

Vidge: I'm curious where you got the ages of 16 & 21 for people to stop growing and myopia to stop increasing. There may be some statistical optical data to indicate myopia slows but that's all it is, statistics.

In reality, I've seen major increases in myopia up until the onset of presbyopia, and in many cases have seen people in their late twenties and even their late thirties become myopic for the first time. My all time classic was a 39 year old lady I fitted with her very first pair of glasses because she had failed the driver's license renewal exam.....-2.25 OU.

Alain 02 Jan 2003, 03:38

Theses glasses in the 4th shoot:

http://ad2412.free.fr/sin13.jpg

http://ad2412.free.fr/sin11.jpg

and in the 3rd shoot:

http://ad2412.free.fr/ps34.html

Alain 02 Jan 2003, 03:32

Hi,

Concerning the pic on my site linked by Barbara, the rx is around -24 with biconcave plastic lenses. This pair of glasses has been used in my last 2 shoots.

Happy New Year

Alain

Tammy 01 Jan 2003, 21:04

Alik, Sorry, i didn't mean to ignore your post. No, i am not afraid of my eyes getting used to a stronger power.

The OGL 01 Jan 2003, 20:34

Specs4ever: what's your guess on the scrip of those silver frames Barbara linked to, since you're the unquestioned expert on high minus......and, because I know for a fact you have some in the -24 range?

Tammy 01 Jan 2003, 18:40

Barbara, The only way that i can see how to do that, is by going to an optical professional and telling them the Rx that you would like to have made into a pair of glasses. There's no possible way to turn -5 into -23, at least not that i can see. I am not an expert on this subject, as this is my first fake Rx. Perhaps one of the other posters can help you more.

Barbara 01 Jan 2003, 17:49

Tammy, how could In turn my -5 RX into -23? I could easily make it into a -15, but anything else would be more complicated.

Tammy 01 Jan 2003, 17:45

I am told that the worst that will happen if you try getting -15.00 glasses at an optical shop is that they'll give you some strange looks for trying to fake an Rx. I would say that i believe Trent is right with -23. I mean she does have alot of concentric rings in her lenses.

Bobby 01 Jan 2003, 17:00

I like the glasses, not the girl.

Barbara 01 Jan 2003, 16:56

Do all of you think she looks attractive in those glasses?

Bobby 01 Jan 2003, 16:42

Barbara, I think Trent may be right ... but do not worry, if you buy -15s and have them made from CR39 plastic lenses, the effect is going to be very similar. BTW do you know the glasses-over-contacts Yahoo group? You are welcome, joi us.

Barbara 01 Jan 2003, 16:32

Trent, where did you get that -23 info from, because if it's correct, I'll end up getting glasses that don't have the desired effect. I want to make myself look like her. Tammy and Bobby -- do you agree with Trent or do you stand by what you wrote?

Barbara 01 Jan 2003, 16:27

To Bobby and Tammy: I just dug out my most recent prescription form which is still valid and it says:

L sph -5.25 cyl -0.50 ax 5,

R sph -5.75 cyl -0.25 ax 170.

There's enough room to squeeze a "1" in front of the 5's. Do you think I could fake out an optical store in that way? Or am I looking for trouble?

Trent 01 Jan 2003, 16:26

Tammy thanks for the info on your new glasses! Yes Trent is still around but doing more lurking than posting. Tammy if I remember correctly that smiling girl has an Rx of -23d.

Bobby 01 Jan 2003, 16:18

Barbara, according to my estimation the girl on the large picture has about -16 or even more, maybe close to -20. the thickness and the distortion looks similarly like that of my -20s I use for GOC.

Tammy 01 Jan 2003, 16:18

Barbara, I would say that her glasses are around the -10.00 to -13.00 range. I simply gave someone in the optical profession a set of numbers that had come to mind, and they didn't think that i could accomodate to that high of a power, so a couple of diopters were knocked off the Rx that i gave them and we both said that new fake Rx was good and then they ordered the new glasses for me.

Barbara 01 Jan 2003, 14:32

Puffin, can you tell me what numbers you think she has in her prescription? I don't know how to judge. I'm nearsighted, but not nearly so bad.

Puffin 01 Jan 2003, 14:30

That DOES sound like fun.

Barbara 01 Jan 2003, 14:19

Tammy, I want to get glasses that look like the girl in the photo link I sent you a little while ago. What kind of numbers do you think she has in her prescription? I don't care if I can't see through them, which I'm sure I can't. My eyes aren't that bad. I want them just for fun.

Barbara 01 Jan 2003, 14:13

Tammy, how do you "make up" a prescription? I want to experiment with stronger glasses than I need, too. How did you get to order them? Tell me about the process.

Tammy 01 Jan 2003, 13:33

Barbara, I did not swipe a doctor's prescription pad. When i said that the Rx was fake, I meant that it's one that's made up. I do not need this Rx, but i wanted it, so it's being made into a real pair of glasses for me.

Jeremy 01 Jan 2003, 13:29

Chris, I'm sure that while you are waiting for your new glasses to arrive it is more comfortable to be wearing your old glasses at home, but I'm not sure that switching back to the contacts when you go out is a good idea. By wearing the prism correction more, it's likely your eyes get used to it more, making things even harder for you when you put your lenses in.

The fact that you are wearing your glasses more suggests that they are really helping your vision. If your new glasses still aren't ready, I'd do what mattp suggests - go full time with the old ones and if people comment say you've just had an exam and you can't wear contacts any more and are wearing your old glasses until the new ones arrive. Good luck - let us know when you take the plunge into full time wear.

Barbara 01 Jan 2003, 12:29

Gee, this was also for Tammy. I keep forgetting to write who I'm talking to.

Barbara 01 Jan 2003, 12:28

At http://www.geocities.com/hmgfr/284.html there is a large pic of a smiling girl with glasses that sound like your description. Is that what they look like?

Vidge 01 Jan 2003, 12:13

At 15 (16 for girls 21 for boys) she is near the age where her growing stops and hopefuly her myopia will stop also.

High myope 01 Jan 2003, 12:07

Vidge/The OGL:

Does this mean that as her vision keeps getting worse, she will have more and more circles around her glasses? At what point does it stop being possible to have greater numbers and intensity of circles?

Barbara 01 Jan 2003, 12:05

In the preceding, I meant to address my Q to Tammy.

Barbara 01 Jan 2003, 12:04

What do you mean by a "fake prescription"? Did you swipe an eye doctor's prescription pad and fill it in yourself?

Vidge 01 Jan 2003, 11:59

Concentric circles are part of minus lens physics and nothing can be done about that. If you go with an AR coating also go with a small frame that doesn't go past her cheeks so as not to get that indentation or "chunk taken out" look. You could also go with a light tint in the lenses say a light pink or blue which she and her friends may find as "cool". The bifocals are important due to her strong correction and will help prevent eyestrain and allow her to hold reading materal at a normal distance from her face.

The OGL 01 Jan 2003, 11:55

High myope: there is no way to totally diminish the concentric circles and the minification in that high of a scrip. The best you could do would be very high index plastic, ask a reputable opticianry, there is a 1.7 index available. I probably sound like I own stock in PPG which has recently released Trivex, but I just got a pair for my wife and they are excellent. But, they are not as high index as the above........yet.

Vidge 01 Jan 2003, 11:48

your eyes will naturally gravitate to the area of the lens where vision is best for the situation. Tt takes most people a few days to get used to the lens but once you do you will always want to wear it. She is only 15 now so driving a car isn't a factor but I think she should be get a trial fitting for this type of lens.

High myope 01 Jan 2003, 11:46

I would conclude by saying this is probably a pointless issue as during the year or so she did wear bifocals, her RX increased by 2D anyway, about the same as before and after. So we've stopped pushing for bifocals. I'm more intrerested in learning how to tone down the concentric circles and the large reflections from the flat front surfaces she now needs to wear. See my previous comment about anti-reflective coatings -- they exaggerate the effect, according to my daughter, that "someone took a bite out of my cheeks" -- so she rejects that, too. She does have polished and rolled edges, but they still have plenty of concentric circles, which she is embarrassed by.

High myope 01 Jan 2003, 11:35

Vidge/Russell: I think it was to make sure she looked through the reading segment, which wouldn't be clearly identified with no-lines.

Vidge 01 Jan 2003, 11:25

Why did the optometrist veto no-line progressives for your daughter? I would talk to another optom. Progressives lenses offer a much more natural way of seeing: up-close; midrange and distance and everything in between. Bifocals are not only somewhat ugly to see they are hard to see out of. Sense they offer only reading ability and long range viewing. The normal human eye can focus throughout this range so why shouldn't a glasses wearer get the same ability. I used to hate wearing bifocals. My neck would get so stiff from all the jerky head movements one has to make in order to see that I felt like taking them off and smashing them. Wearing progressives its almost like not having glasses on. You do lose a little peripheral vision with them but its worth it. So for sports I wear glasses with single vision lenses. Some people can't adapt to them but most do and the only way to find out is to try them. They are guaranteed, so if your daughter can't adapt to them you can exchange them for standard bifocals.

Russell 01 Jan 2003, 11:01

High myope: I'm curious as to why the optom vetoed the progressive lenses for your daughter. I would think they would be highly suitable for her.

High myope 01 Jan 2003, 09:46

Vidge: Thanks for your suggestion. The only no-no on your list is the no-lines, which the optometrist vetoed. Any advice on how to reduce the concentric circles that form around her lenses and definitely increase in number and intensity with each RX increase? There's a huge difference between the -11s she wears now and the -7s she could see through not so long ago.

Vidge 01 Jan 2003, 07:43

High Myope, your 15 year old daughter shouldn't be relying only on CL's for her vision correction. I do understand someone that age and the role vanity plays and wanting to be and look just like other kids her age and not having to be seen in thick glasses. Her having to also use reading glasses while wearing Cl's would present her to her peers as middle age and not as a teenager. They are a reminder of her full power corrective eyeware.

You should have her get glasses with a small oval plastic frame like those by Jones NY : http://www.eyeglasses.com Plastic because it hides thick lenses better than wire frames and plastic frames are very popular today. Also get her progressives No-Line bifocals with (real) hi-index lenses (not Polycarb) They are expensive lenses but I think she will enjoy wearing them while giving her eyes a break from the contacts and the readers.

Vidge 01 Jan 2003, 07:43

High Myope, your 15 year old daughter shouldn't be relying only CL's for her vision correction. I do understand someone that age and the role vanity plays and wanting to be and look just like other kids her age and not having to be seen in thick glasses. Her having to also use reading glasses while wearing Cl's would present her to her peers as middle age and not as a teenager. They are a reminder of her full power corrective eyeware.

Alik 01 Jan 2003, 04:07

Tammy!

Don't you afraid increasing your myope after wearing too strong your new glasses?

Tammy 31 Dec 2002, 17:44

OGL, I will keep you posted!

Trent, Haven't seen any of your postings for a while. WB. I actually wanted a pair of -15 glasses, but decided that i may not be able to accomodate that high of a power. I used to be -13.25, so i know that i can accomodate to that power. Also, i chose the Rx i did because i wanted to be able to wear these new glasses anytime i wanted to and still be able to see through them.

The OGL 31 Dec 2002, 17:22

Yea, Tammy, way to go! Keep me posted!

High Myope: to say poly is the worst lens material is a stretch, it has many good attributes. And not all wearers experience distortion which is usually in the form of chromatic aberration and/or diminished clarity. It is safe as even in non-safety thickness it is virtually shatterproof. Scratch resistance has little to do with it vis a vis CR-39 high index or otherwise because without scratch coat everything except glass is soft and vulnerable to scratching. Having said all that, however, it does have the worst Abbe value of all the synthetics so from a physical optics point of view is the "Weakest Link"....excuse me, happen to be watching the rerun of that show which ironically features contestants who strive to look like Anne.

Trent 31 Dec 2002, 15:58

Hi Tammy

Great news that you are ordering stronger glasses! It appears that your Rx is bumped up 1.75d on the right side and 2.75d on the left, am I correct? Tammy, how did you come up with this Rx and do you think your eyes will accomodate with this jump in additional power? At my age I find I can "stretch" my Rx maybe 1.25d max and still have a wearable pair of glasses. I do like the effect of the additional power and love that "tugging" feeling of the lenses when I put them on.

Way to go Tammy, enjoy your new glasses!

High myope 31 Dec 2002, 15:53

Didn't know that about polycarbonates. Our optometrist recommended them as being thin, light and safe. What do you recommend? I know that nothing can be done about a certain amount of edge thickness or minification of eyes, but can something be done about all those concentric circles or the reflections that flash off the flat front surfaces? We tried antireflective coatings, but they just seemed to emphasize that someone had taken a bit out of my daughter's cheeks, so we haven't continued with them.

AJ 31 Dec 2002, 15:36

High myope:

Ahh yes, vanity, vanity. Yes, bifocals probably won't reduce the increases in myopia of a teenager. With an Rx over -10, they make reading and seeing up-close easier and lower eye strain that can have effects on the eyes.

Polycarbonates are the worst lens material. Many things affect them, like hair spray and they have terrible distortion effects.

Brian 31 Dec 2002, 14:54

Chris-Okay on your prism script.Its a little bit more complicated than my 2.0d base out on both eyes.Hope you get your new specs by weekend and be sure to let us all know how they work out.I do not think I could ever go back to my ole glasses.Tried for a few seconds and got dizzy and quickly reached for the prism specs..

Chris 31 Dec 2002, 14:44

Hi, Brian. In my new RX the prism correction is (right) 1up, 1out; (left) 1 down, 1 out. In my old RX the prism correction was (right) 1/2up; (left) 1 down. I'm still waiting for my new glasses to arrive; but I've worn my old glasses all day today when I've just been hanging out at home and going shopping. I really want to wait for my new glasses to arrive before going full time, but I do need the prism correction to see clearly.

High myope 31 Dec 2002, 13:50

Her lenses are polycarbonate.

Tammy 31 Dec 2002, 13:43

High Myope,

Has your daughter tried getting hi index plastic lenses before? I have them in my current glasses and they are remarkably thinner than regular lenses.

High myope 31 Dec 2002, 13:35

I should add, a few years ago, she did wear bifocals for a year or two and during that time, her minus nonetheless kept increasing at a diopter or two a year, so there's probably not much lost by her refusal.

Geoff 31 Dec 2002, 13:33

Brian,

I got bifocals a year and a half ago and Im totally hooked, I hardly ever wear my single visions at all now. My rx is a bit lower than yours R -6.50 -1.50 L -7.25 -.75 and no prism but I still found they are really good especially for studying and computer stuff, and Im sure you would as well. I guess its mostly just habit that I wear mine all the time! Btw Im 20 and in college.

High myope 31 Dec 2002, 13:16

She refuses bifocals because of their appearance. She usually wears contacts, but they are soft ones that the optometrist says don't arrest progression. She has +1.50 reading specs to wear over her contacts, but never uses them, also for vanity. This is silly, because she also hates the way her glasses look -- thick edges, flat front surfaces with big reflections, a lot of concentric circles, and tiny eyes.

AJ 31 Dec 2002, 13:08

High myope:

Although everyone in your family is myopic, it would seem that your two youngest daughters are high myopes, especially your 15 yo. She could well pass you up in a year or less. Does she have bifocals? Keep us posted.

Tammy 31 Dec 2002, 12:08

Ok folks, let me try to straighten this out. I have ordered glasses with an Rx of OD -14.25 and OS -13.25. This is a fake Rx, but i am really getting these glasses. I have a desire to wear specs that are a bit too strong for me. My new glasses will be in silver, metal frames with oval lenses, and the lenses are going to be CR39. I am sorry if i led you to believe that this was my real Rx. These lenses will be s/v lenses. I am really excited about getting them. I will let you know how i like them after i get them. Tammy.

mattp 31 Dec 2002, 11:49

To all of you considering 35 mm bifocals--

In August I got 35 mm flat top trifocals. I'll heartily endorse them like the rest of you have been doing. The side to side vision is terrific. Because I chose small frames, the top line goes almost to the edge of the frame on each side; the bottom line does go all the way to the edge on each side--that makes for super clear vision no matter what I'm doing (except to install a ceiling light bulb, which I just finished doing!!)

Tammy 31 Dec 2002, 11:13

Nancy,

I have a pair of OTC readers that i picked up in a thrift shop. Other than that though, no i don't.

Nancy 31 Dec 2002, 10:20

Tammy - Do you also have sv reading glasses?

Tammy 31 Dec 2002, 09:04

Nancy, I was just trying the trifocals to see if i liked them, and i did not, so i got rid of them. My new glasses are going to be s/v.

Barbara, I know it's a big increase in Rx, but i think i'll get used to them soon enough.

Brian 31 Dec 2002, 08:17

Nancy- Thanks for you insight on the ft-35 bi-focals.I was at the mall last night and tried on a pair of just reading glasses in front of my own glasses and what a difference ! I think they were the lowest power there around 1 or 1.25. The small print on my school id card almost jumped off the plastic..

Barbara 31 Dec 2002, 07:40

Tammy:

Wow! From what I recall of your previous postings, it looks like you got bumped up about 2D in not too long a time (haven't posted before, but have been reading).

Nancy 31 Dec 2002, 06:56

I'll do this in order from last to first:

Brian - I like 35mm flat top segments, plenty of reading space, they rock!

JR - Bifocals may be an idea, your overall script (sph+cyl) is in the -10 area which my eye doc says is sort of a threshold for bifocals.

Tammy - You had quite an increase didn't you? Still have trifocals?

Tammy 30 Dec 2002, 20:30

I made a mistake in posting the Rx of my new glasses. It should be OD -14.25 -0.50 x 180 and OS -13.25 -1.50 x 110. I can hardly wait to get them!

JR 30 Dec 2002, 20:24

-14,

My prescription only went up .25 diopter in right eye with a .25 diopter increase in astigmatism.

Thanks

High myope 30 Dec 2002, 19:07

RXs of our family:

ME (age 53)

-9.75 -3.25 x 40

-12.25 -2.25 x 140

bifocal add +1.75

year ago: same

WIFE (age 52)

-3.50 -1.00 x 180

-4.50 -2.50 x 5

bifocal add +2

year ago: add was +1.50

DAUGHTER (age 24)

-4.25

-4.50

year ago: -4.00, -4.25

SON (age 21)

-3.50

-5.50

year ago: same

SON (age 17)

-2.25

-2.75

year ago: -1.75, -2.25

DAUGHTER (age 15)

-11.00 -.25 x 90

-11.50 -.25 x 90

add +1.50

Plano Base Curve (i.e., flat front surfaces)

year ago (3 RX changes down)

-7.75 -.25 x 90

-8.50 -.25 x 90

+0.50 base curve

DAUGHTER (age 12)

-7.50

add +1.50

year ago (2 RX changes down)

-5.50

no add

Tammy 30 Dec 2002, 17:34

I am getting new glasses with a Rx of OD -13.25 -0.50 x 180 and OS -14.25 -1.50 x 110. These will be silver metal ovals.

-14 30 Dec 2002, 16:50

JR-

how much of an RX increase did you get? if it was substantial it might be that your eyes have to get used to the stronger RX. i had a -1.75 increase once and it was a couple of weeks before i could read comfortably.

BTW nothing wrong with getting bifocals. as i posted earlier i got mine in may and i love them.

Wurm 30 Dec 2002, 16:43

JR,

I was prescribed bifocals to help with eyestrain symptoms similar to those you describe. I wear them at night when reading or computing, primarily, and I feel that they have helped a lot. I have significantly fewer headaches, which almost always occured at that time of day after spending my workday on the computer.

I suspect I'll probably go to using near correction for all computing and reading within the next couple of years.

I'm a bit older than you (36) but also have a weaker prescrip (approx. -4).

mattp 30 Dec 2002, 15:02

Chris--Wear the glasses. Just tell people you've had an exam and can't wear contacts anymore. Tell them you're wearing old glasses until new ones come in.

About three monts ago, I got new trifocals. My contacts are still fine, but I can see so much better with the trifocals, I gave up on the contacts. People will say something like "new glasses?" or "I like the glasses", but such comments are no big deal and after a day or two they stop. The positive thing is seeing clearly!!!

Good luck.

Brian 30 Dec 2002, 13:55

Chris-I feel for you,but if they come in by weeks end wear them full time-just tell everyone I had to give up contacts.I know-thats easy for me to say being a full time glasses person since I was 6 yrs.Let me know what the new prism script is..Later

Chris 30 Dec 2002, 13:30

Hi, my new glasses haven't arrived yet - I guess that with the holidays things have been a bit delayed. I'm not looking forward to the idea of having to give up lenses and become a full time glasses wearer, but I am beginning to realise that there's not a lot of choice in the matter. Since having my eyes tested 10 days ago, I have worn my old glasses (with less prism correction) all the time when I've been at home, only putting in my lenses to go out. The trouble with this is it is now even harder to focus on one image when I'm wearing my lenses: I've noticed that I quite often shut or cover one eye when I'm trying to focus.

I've been waiting to go full time until my new glasses are ready because I don't want people to get used to seeing me in my old frames for a few days or a week and then to suddenly turn up in a different pair. However, I am beginning to think that I might have to start wearing the old specs full time until the new ones arrive and deal with comments by saying something "I can't see properly with my contact any more. I'm getting some new glasses soon but I've got to wear these until they arrive". Might phone up tomorrow and see when the new glasses will be ready - if it's only going to be a day or two I'll try to hold out with the lenses, if it's going to be a week might have to switch to the old glasses. What do people think?

JR 30 Dec 2002, 12:48

Hey all,

I got some new glasses about a week and a half ago.

New prescrip

Left -6.25 with astig -3.25 axis 005

Right -6.75 with astig -4.00 axis 168.

With this new pair, I have noticed a little bit of eyestrain when I read or am on the computer for a length of time that I did not have previously.

Was wondering whether this means I might need a bifocal to make it less straining for my eyes and how big of a problem this is.

BTW, I am 25, and a grad student who has to do quite a bit of reading.

Brian 30 Dec 2002, 12:30

Peter-I wish I had your vision I am 16 and have minus 9.75 in right eye and minus 9.0 in the left eye and prisms in both.

peter 30 Dec 2002, 12:26

i have +1.75 reading glasses, not prescribed by an optometrist, they're from target, i suppose i have accommodative insufficiency, im 17.

Brian 30 Dec 2002, 12:23

Jeremy-My prism script is 2.0 base out in both eyes.I am wondering what yours is ?

Jeremy 30 Dec 2002, 11:55

I agree, Brian, that you get dependant on prism correction very quickly. After two days of full time wear when I got my latest glasses, I tried going back to contacts for a few hours. The eye strain trying to focus on a single image was really bad. Can't do without the prism correction any more.

Chris, have you got your new glasses with prism correction in now? Have you gone full time yet?

Brian 29 Dec 2002, 11:50

-14 No I do not have a back-up pair of prism specs as this pair was my first.But it might tempt me to get another pair since I will no doubt have to be getting bi-focals from what everyone says in their posts here.Fortunatly I am just an observer when it comes to high school sports and don't play any rough stuff.Yeah closing one eye would be the only way to get by if something does happen to these prism specs..

-14 29 Dec 2002, 10:53

brian-

when i try and read without my glasses i have to close one eye. it's not that i see double it's just that i have to hold stuff so close that my eyes cross and it gives me bad eye strain.

i guess once your eyes get used to the prisms there is no going back. do you have back-up prisms "just in case"?

Christy 29 Dec 2002, 02:38

Elton - with slight astigmatism such as yours - and looking at the axis you've given - my guess is that horizontal lines would look a little bit blurry to you - while vertical lines would look clear. Get a piece of graph paper and check it out for yourself. I doubt that an optician would be in much of a hurry to prescribe glasses - but if you wanted them then there's no harm in asking!

elton 29 Dec 2002, 01:19

what exactly does the astigmatism mean on my previously posted prescription and how will it affect me. Would some opticians advise glasses for this? Will my eyes get any worse as I am now 25.

Brian 28 Dec 2002, 20:58

-14-Yes reading was becoming a problem and somtimes I even closed one eye while reading.Although I do not have that situation now,I can readily see I will be a bi-focal candidate in short order now that I am seeing straight.No way I can use my old glasses without the prisms as I can feel my eyes strain with them.I guess at my age I still have plenty of accomodation.

-14 28 Dec 2002, 15:56

brian-

looks like you got used to your prisms very quickly - that's awesome. before you got them did you see double most of the time? if so reading must have been very hard on your eyes.

Brian 28 Dec 2002, 15:14

-14 , Yeah I am thinking I'll be around minus 14 during my college years with bi-focals.The new 2.0d base out prisms I got Monday sure were great at last nights basketball tournament at our high school.I actually saw 1 (one)basketball not two..Later-Brian

-14 28 Dec 2002, 14:50

hi mei/ brian

mei, yeah you are way past me now. are you like -15 and with your prism and progressives no way catching up to you. LOL

brian- you're only 16 and almost -10 so you will be WAY past me by the time your vision stabilizes. i'm sure bifocals will make close work much easier on your eyes.

Russell 28 Dec 2002, 12:25

The first prescription is a low minus for near-sightedness with a slight correction for astigmatism. The second is a very low correction for astigmatism only. I am assuming--since you said your eyes were near perfect--that the second was prescribed for you, Elton. Since you want to wear glasses and you have a written prescription, I say you should go ahead and have glasses made in that prescription and wear them all the time. Even a very slight correction can make a difference in vision. And even if it doesn't, you will be wearing glasses, which is what you want. And if anyone tries on your glasses and proclaims them "fakes," you can whip out your written prescription and prove that they were recommended by a doctor. As for the first prescription given, even though experts would call it a low minus, many of us here would love to have a prescription that strong.

Elton 28 Dec 2002, 00:42

Hi guys this is my first post. I have wanted to be a specs wearerfor some time but unfortunately my eyes seem too good. Could you help me to unravel what these eyetests results of me and my girlfriend mean. How strong or weak are the prescriptions? What do all of the words mean?

Results 1=

Right eye Sphere -2.00 cyl +0.75 axis 17.5

Left eye Sphere -2.00

Results 2=

R Sphere PL cyl -.05 axis 186

L Sphere PL cyl -0.5 axis 177

Right & Left dist 6/5+ Near NS Unaided R/L 6/5+

mei 27 Dec 2002, 13:49

that's ok Brian - and it's weird finding someone younger than me here - i've been the youngest here (probably) for the last 2 years!

-14 how are you? i've overtaken you now!

Love Mei

Brian/Concerned 27 Dec 2002, 13:24

Hey -14,Thanks.My mom has flat top 35 bifocals and loves them. I can hear her now if I tell her I may need bi-focals.Of course I have not reached your script,yet! Brian

-14 27 Dec 2002, 12:30

hey brian-

i got bifocals (lined) last may and i love them. it sure makes that small print easier to see.

Brian/Concerned 27 Dec 2002, 08:58

Mei-Thanks.I always appreciate your advice.When I go back to the Dr. for a check-up in a few months I will see about bi-focals. Brian

mei 27 Dec 2002, 07:53

hi Brian

If you want my advice - get bifocals or even better progressives first. I got used to bifocals straight away but it took me weeks to finally get used to progressives.

It will make reading much easier.

Love Mei

Brian/Concerned 27 Dec 2002, 02:09

Just like to let everyone know I am doing fine with my 2d base out prisms.Have had them since Monday afternoon,Dec.23.Have not been able to use my old non prism specs at all.I trust everyones opinions on the next big phase and that would be bi-focals since my right script is -9.75 and my left is 9.0d.And yes for about two or three years small print is somewhat of a problem.

Brian/Concered 23 Dec 2002, 15:22

Thanks to AJ and Julian.Yes,Julian there

is something screwy with this computer since it came back from the shop.Maybe

when they put in the new hard drive,etc.

I am already thinking about bi-focals

now as I do squint a lot especially

reading the computer sreen and in the newspaper those tiny classifieds and want ads. The more I wear these new

specs with prisims the more I am

liking them plus I can see straight.

Thanks again everyone..

Brian/Concered

Julian 23 Dec 2002, 14:29

This is entirely off topic, but...

Brian/Concerned: I am puzzled that your posts come in such short lines with so many carriage returns. Is it the software you're using, or what?

Hope you're coping well with your prisms; as other people have said with your Rx bifocals could help a lot - keep us posted.

Love and kisses, Jules.

AJ 23 Dec 2002, 14:13

Brian/Concerned:

I got bifocals when my Rx reached -14 and then when it reached -17, I got trifocals. Like Nancy, my Dr said the same thing that anyone over -10 should have bifocals. The bifocals and trifocals really helped me to see much more easily intermediate and up-close. Strong negative Rxs give significant minification and the bifocals and/or trifocals reduce the minification and reduces the consequent eyestrain that one develops in trying to see small things.

Brian/Concerned 23 Dec 2002, 13:43

Nancy-Thanks,in one of my posts I had

mentioned to Oscar that small print

is somewhat of a problem.I wonder what

type bi-focal you have and the power.

Oh by the way-for Oscar, you and Mei

I have been wearing the new rx with

prisms.This is my first try at prisms

and I am still getting the hang of it.

Frist it was strange as things moved in

and now I don't want to take them on

and off too much till I am used to them.

I guess my doctor wants to take things one step at a time,maybe when I go

back for a check-up as she recommended

I will ask about bi-focals.I have till

Jan.6th to get used to the prisms thats

when I am back in school.I am now in

my fourth hour with the prisms...

Later,Brian/Concerned

Nancy 23 Dec 2002, 11:54

Brian/Concerned:

That's an interesting prescription you have. I don't have any experience with prisms but do have bifocals which I got when I was 17. My doctor indicated that I should have had them when I was -10, and you are fairly well in that range, so maybe you ought to investigate further. It will make it easier, with less strain, to read.

Brian/Concerned 22 Dec 2002, 07:38

Oscar-No contacts for me as I have dry

eyes.Just today I learned one of my

classmates (11th grader) has prisms.

I will probably chat with her some more

when and if I can get her phone number

during the Christmas break.Very interesting comment about U.K. doctors

getting away from prescribing prisms.

Here in the (U.S.east coast) they

still do..We have a Holiday basketball

tournament Friday (26th) at our school

so this will be a good workout for my

new specs and prisms.Should have them

Monday pm at the latest..

Brian/Concerned

Oscar 21 Dec 2002, 11:18

Hi Portia - I answer as a simple consumer - not an expert - but what my eye doctor said this summer was that I would nowadays never have been prescribed the amount of prism that I have in my glasses because it is considered preferable to deal with these problems through orthoptics (eye exercises). That's what I was told...but my reaction was one of astonishment since I spent most of my early years doing just such exercises (putting tigers into cages using coloured slides etc.) and they did no good at all. So from my point of view, I think it's a pointless fad - probably as a result of somebody giving a hypothetical paper at a conference...

Well, there's a kind of answer! Essentially, you've asked the question I did, and I imagine you'll be as unimpressed with the response as I was. In fairness, the doc said that my prisms would be kept exactly the same as they were now because anything else would probably make me fall over, walk into things and so on. So at least I'm not being disadvantaged. But I do wonder about kids with similar problems to mine (my eyes don't point in the same direction, and the muscles in one are completely messed up - apparently).

Hope that makes sense! Best wishes for the holidays - I love your posts.

Portia 21 Dec 2002, 10:08

Oscar, Why might the UK docs be less likely to prescribe prisms now as opposed to in the past?

Oscar 21 Dec 2002, 06:19

Hi Brian/Concerned - you became me for a minute there which had me confused. I've had large amounts of prisms - base out and bases up and down - in my glasses for the last thirty years (i.e. nearly all my life) so yes, I certainly do have experience of them! I'm glad you're feeling more confident - that's very good news. In the UK at least opticians are less likely to prescribe them now than they used to be (I was told at my last exam), so my guess is your need for them is unarguable or I don't think you'd have been given them. Let us know how you get on, and ask any questions you like. The one thing I will say (and the reason for reluctance to prescribe them now) is that once you get used to them, getting unused to them again is going to be very difficult - so I hope you're not planning on getting contacts (where prisms are more or less a no-go area).

oscar 21 Dec 2002, 05:26

Brian/Concerned

Oscar-Thanks,you are building up my

confidence and thats greatly appreciated.

You sound like you have a lot of

eye-type correction experience.

Brian/Concerned

oscar 21 Dec 2002, 05:24

mei 21 Dec 2002, 05:14

mei-Hi its Brian again.Tell me what was

the first visual impression you had

when you first got base outs at age 13.

One night I was with my Mother in the

car and looking far down the road it seemed like something jumped around

or crossed on the hiway as I was gazing

about a quarter of a mile down road.

My rx for prisms is 2.0

How are yours and do you have 20/20 ?

Later,

Brian/ Concerned

mei 21 Dec 2002, 04:35

Brian/Concerned

I'm 17 and i've had base out prisms since i was 13

email me if you need some advice

wheelmei@hotmail.com

Oscar 21 Dec 2002, 03:07

Brian - stop worrying so much. Of course it isn't going to spoil your Christmas vacation! You've been given these glasses by a professional who should (and almost certainly does) know what she's doing. Get the glasses, get used to them quickly (which you will) and enjoy the better vision you will have as a result.

Nancy R 20 Dec 2002, 18:55

Tina-I just saw the recent posts. I am solidly -11 in both eyes and have worn glasses for many years, and am not a Lasik candidate so I will wear glasses or contact lenses all the time and will my whole life. I am new to these posts also but some of the contributors seem to be knowlegeable. Consider at least reading some. Since you left your e-mail, I will e-mail you privately.

Brian/Concerned 20 Dec 2002, 18:51

Oscar-Sorry I did not mention that I

was experiencing some double vision.

The doc (nice lady) had some images

and several other tests with numbers

and asked when when they line up

together.She put some lense (s) in front of my eyes and even with my present glasses on.I saw things better.

The doctor also told me when I got the

new specs it might be wise to wait

until I get home to put them on.I should

wear them 24/7 (almost) to get used to

them.I hope it does not ruin my

Christmas vacation.Will let you know

how it all turns out.Also she mentioned

I might have to eventually get a bi-focal correction since my lenses are

getting stronger as some print on

medicine bottles is very small to me.

Thanks,Brian/Concerned

Oscar 20 Dec 2002, 16:41

Hi Brian. I think I'm right in saying that no eye doctor would ever prescribe prisms unless there was a very good reason to do do. When you went for your latest test, did you tell him/her you were experiencing double vision? How was this tested during the exam? And how did you find looking through the new prescription when you tried it in the exam?

Assuming you've been given prisms for an important reason - to make you eyesight better - and that you were able to get a good result in the exam, my guess is you should get used to them in no time at all.

Brian/Concerned 20 Dec 2002, 15:10

I am 16 and have been wearing glases

since I was in the first grade.My new

rx calls for prism correction in both

eyes.

The new rx is -9.75r -2.5cyl 180axis

-9.00l -1.25cyl 90axis

prism 2.5 base out in

both eyes.

I am wondering how long it will take me

to get used to the prisms.

My previous rx was about .5 less in

each eye.Astigmatism the same as new rx.My vision in my right eye has always been a little less than 20/20,pehaps

20/30.I should be getting the new specs by Christmas and will be off from school

so maybe I can get used to them.

Concerned/ Brian

Tina 20 Dec 2002, 09:50

Well if that is the reception one gets around here -- good bye

NoName 20 Dec 2002, 08:57

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Tina 20 Dec 2002, 08:52

I have been lurking for a while and decided to post. I am an almost 20 yo college student in Mass. I had congenital cataracts removed as an infant and as a result wear glasses with +19.50 +3.25 x80 add +3.25. I have worn bifocals almost all my life, and can not wear contacts or get IOLs. As a result I have thick plus lenticular lenses. I have also worn hearing aids for a moderately severe hearing loss since I was about 2. I can receive e-mail at tinamarieobrien at hotmail.com.

Alan 19 Dec 2002, 10:31

I've seen myodiscs a couple times...not sure how to compare them to other myodiscs, but probably in the -20 area.

Tony 19 Dec 2002, 07:46

What is the highest rx that anybody has actually seen "in the flesh"?

Marvin 17 Dec 2002, 23:24

Ogl, Well, Thanks! Haven't had a chance to chat with you in a while!!!

The OGL 17 Dec 2002, 06:10

Marvin: good to see you back, where have you been?

Marvin 17 Dec 2002, 00:41

Alyssa, did you ever find out what your sisters perscription was, I'm still curious about what "half the vision of a child her age" means!

Julian 15 Dec 2002, 23:25

ron: How bad are your eyes? Bad enough to make things blurry without your glasses - I'm not being smart, it's how you see that is the real test. If I had your eyesigsht I wouldn't go around bareyed. And, ye, the astigmatism is an extra problem over and above your myopia.

Love and kisses, Jules.

ron 15 Dec 2002, 19:20

i just got -3.00 and -2.75 also -1 astig things are quite blurry without how bad are my eyes do you add the -1 astig to my rx

Rand 14 Dec 2002, 13:23

My perscription is very week, but I wear full time since I can't see the board in the lecture halls even when I am sitting right in front. Right eye is -1.25, left is -1.00. However, I think I need to go back to the eye doctor, as I feel like my eyes have gotton much worse since I first got this pair of glasses a few months ago. I really depend on them now, and cannot even read a stop sign when I am standing 10 feet from it without my glasses on.

teah 14 Dec 2002, 10:10

rand - you probably have posted it before, but will you remind us of your prescription please? thanks!

McNally 14 Dec 2002, 04:43

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Alan 13 Dec 2002, 14:56

Rand - Let's answer this in the "Lenses" thread.

Rand 13 Dec 2002, 07:32

For a mild myope, are glass lenses or plastic lenses thicker? I like the looks of thick lenses, and I'm wondering if there is a way for me to get this look with my very mild perscription. What type of lense out there is thickest? Also, I'm curious as to what the advantages and disadvantages are of glass and plastic.

Portia 12 Dec 2002, 19:56

Dear Blurred:

You need to go back to your doctor and tell how well you are NOT seeing!

Stating the obvious yet again, Portia.

Blurred 11 Dec 2002, 07:26

I came upon this sight while looking for info on lenses and general fact finding prior to getting my first pair of glasses; great place. I recently went to optometrist and was given the following prescription; o.s.+.50 o.d.+.75 cyl.+.50 87 deg. I know that this is not a very strong prescription,but;I have worn full time since 11-3-02 and I still feel that I am squinting with them on. My eyes are tired after an hour or two after putting them on in the a.m. At work I read for several hours(computer and paperwork. My wife is a high myope with a -10 for each eye. If I put her glasses on and relax my eyes I am able to see,albeit not perfect.Without glasses (hers or mine) eyes relaxed I am able to see close but distance is blurry. Am I over compensating with my glasses on or am I over relaxing with them off? My question is I do I need a)stronger prescription or b)was misdiagnosed and need a nearsighted script? I am confused and my eyes hurt. I am 35 yrs old.

Blurred 11 Dec 2002, 07:21

I came upon this sight while looking for info on lenses and general fact finding prior to getting my first pair of glasses; great place. I recently went to optometrist and was given the following prescription; o.s.+.50 o.d.+.75 cyl.+.50 87 deg. I know that this is not a very strong prescription,but;I have worn full time since 11-3-02 and I still feel that I am squinting with them on. My eyes are tired after an hour or two after putting them on in the a.m. At work I read for several hours(computer and paperwork. My wife is a high myope with a -10 for each eye. If I put her glasses on and relax my eyes I am able to see,albeit not perfect. I wonder if I need a)stronger prescription or b)was mis diagnosed and need a nearsighted script? I am confused and my eyes hurt. I am 35 yrs old.

specs4ever 09 Dec 2002, 11:58

Soory, but you are the best person to find out just what your sister's v/a is. The rest of us are just guessing.

Alyssa 09 Dec 2002, 11:35

Her eyes are worse than 20/40. I remember reading someplace that 20/40 does not mean half a normal person's vision. 20/40 is actually much much better vision than what half would be. I'm not sure what the numbers are because I haven't talked to my family much about it...we live pretty far apart from each other. So, if anyone would know corresponding visual snellen acuity and perscription values, I am various curious. thanks again

teah 09 Dec 2002, 08:14

i'm very interested in the outcome as well because awhile back there was this post...which would point that your sis needs -.75. i don't know much on the subject, i'm just trying to clarify things. of course there is a standart deviation for the chart, and your sister might end up needing around -1.50, especially if she can accomadate well

this is a copy/paste on the subject that was made a while ago.

DelDoc 11 Nov 2002, 19:32

According to Eggers' chart, a quarter diopter of uncorrected ametropia (myopia or absolute hyperopia) is roughly equal to one line of Snellen visual acuity. That is, 0.25D corresponds to 20/25, 0.50D to 20/30, 0.75D to 20/40, 1.00D to 20/50, 1.25D to 20/70, 1.50D to 20/100, 2.00D to 20/150, and 2.50D to 20/200. Astigmatism somewhat complicates the correlation, but not to the point that guesses cannot be made.

specs4ever 09 Dec 2002, 07:52

Ok, does this mean that her v/a is 20/40 - that would be 1/2. If this is the case she is likely only about -1.50 or so, which is nearsighted all right, but not too bad. When she has her eyes tested, let us know, as this is interesting to everyone(I think)

Alyssa 09 Dec 2002, 07:25

Hi, I have a question for whoever can answer it. My sister is in 4th grade, and the other day my parents got a call saying that she sits in the front row of the class and she still needs to squint to see the board. My parents took her to the eye doctor and he said her vision is half that of a normal person. I am wondering what "half" means in relation to visual aquity on the snelen chart and as far as RX goes. She is apparently very nearsighted, but I would just like some numbers on what "half of normal vision" refers to. Thank you.

ant 06 Dec 2002, 06:40

Del Doc

Thanks very much for the explanation. I do appreciate it. When I ask my eye doc. any questions like that I get a "raised eyebrow" look, as if to say you wouldn't understand if I told you. Perhaps I need to change my doc. You are correct, the vision is better out of the right eye, but if I close my right eye, then I can hardly see anything with my left eye - even with my glasses on !! - it's better with both eyes, but not perfect. Without any glasses everything is worse and double, so I end up with my glasses on for everything - even swimming and showeering. If I want GoC's I presume I would have to have the astigmatism and strabismus correction in the GoC's, is that correct ? If I wanted, say-15's, could I get those with all the extra cyls and prisms I need ? I have enough trouble her (UK) getting frames that will take my Rx as it is. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks for your help

DelDoc 05 Dec 2002, 13:02

ant--

Because the spherical portion of your prescription is greater in the left eye (-4.50) than in the right (-1.50), I'd almost bet that it's the left eye that truly requires the -11. The doctor was correct in his explanation about balancing the prescription. Based on the high astigmatism in the right eye, the high myopia in the left eye, and the prismatic correction in both eyes, neither eye is probably correctable to 20/20 (re: refractive and strabismic amblyopia), although I'd be inclined to say that vision is better out of the right than the left. With the assumption that vision wouldn't be perfect out of the left eye, even with the best pair of glasses, the doctor wanted to spare you the disorienting torture of aneisokonia, a condition in which a high difference in refractive error (anisometropia) causes an excessive difference in image size (magnification or minification). To answer your other question, your eyes are very unusual; I'll refrain from using your terminology by not labeling them normal or abnormal.

By all means, if you don't understand a doctor's explanation about your condition, ask him or her to explain it another way. That goes for everyone. Many of my patients say they understand something when I suspect they don't, so I always ask again, "Are you sure you understand? Do you have any other questions?" I think all doctors should do so.

Alan 05 Dec 2002, 09:58

Ant -- How well can you see out of each eye with these glasses? (Give an example of letters of a certain size at a certain distance, preferably farther away.) I know you weren't sure about the numbers, but I would say that if the numbers you quoted were right, I'd be *very* shocked if you couldn't tell which eye the doctor was talking about.

Curt 05 Dec 2002, 07:35

ant (and OGL): I have heard the differences of >4-5 diopters between lens powers of the two eyes will not be tolerated by the brain due to differences in image size percieved by the brain (i.e,. the image through the stronger - lens will be so much smaller than the other image that the brain cannot fuse them into one image). Caveat: I'm ot a doctor, but I have done a lot of reading on the subject of optics and optometry.

The OGL 05 Dec 2002, 06:21

ant: that one is way beyond me, it's a doc's question, DelDoc can you help?

LikeGlass 04 Dec 2002, 18:27

Kind of neat article I ran into about numbers and lenses-

http://www.nucsys.com/glasses.html

ant 04 Dec 2002, 03:25

The OGL-

Can you help please. My Rx is - Right -1.50, -4.50 x 35 Prism 8 out 3 up / Left - -4.50, -1.50 X 140 Prism 8 out 4 down. This is copied from the Rx form given to me. However, at the eye test, the optician said that one eye was considerably worse than the power he has put in the Rx, and I needed somethng like -11 in one eye- can't remember which one - right or left. However, he said he needed to "balance" the Rx as it was not practical to have a -11 in one eye and a much lesser power in the other. I didn't really understand this - perhaps I have got it wrong - but is this normal and could you explain please.

The OGL 03 Dec 2002, 17:16

DelDoc: The OGL never (well, almost never) disagrees with an OD. I don't have access to that one nor a need to have access, remember than I'm more of a retailer and a reluctant one at that when it comes to CL's. Really, about the only reason I even read CL Spectrum is for my personal use.

DelDoc 03 Dec 2002, 17:00

Before someone else corrects me, please forgive me for adding an unnecessary apostrophe in the possessive prounoun "its."

DelDoc 03 Dec 2002, 16:59

Portia--

Although OGL may disagree, the contact lens Bible for many ODs is a publication called Tyler's Quarterly. As it's title suggests, it's published four times a year, in March, June, September, and December. It contains all the parameters and other miscellaneous information on all existing soft and gas-permeable lenses.

The OGL 03 Dec 2002, 16:50

Am really behind in my postings, along with just about everything else in my life. Yeah, CL Spectrum is my bible but with limitations. I was about to tell you that & the theme of this month's issue when you found it yourself. The problem with that mag is that it isn't very big, you really have to read every month and accumulate the articles you want to retain to get the big picture. Also, it's very optimistic about CL's, after all, that's the seg of the market to which they cater. So, they want to promote the wearing of all types of CL's, as you may imagine other issues are devoted to torics, others to RGP's, others to softies, etc. Once a year they publish a supplement that gives you all the info on every FDA approved lens and the solutions that is an invaluable reference material. It gives a ready comparison between the types of materials by manufacturer, the design and powers available, the whole enchilada. Even the ads are useful if you keep in mind they're a company's promo for any given product, they contain quite a bit of tech info. Overall, a very good sourch subject to these limitations....you should find a lot in that issue of interest.

Portia 02 Dec 2002, 21:12

OGL, this week I nicked one of the many copies of the November 2002 issue of "Contact Lens Spectrum" from the waiting room. Funny, no one else who was waiting wanted to read it. The featured article on the cover is "Multifocal Contact Lenses - The Next Generation". I shall read this with great interest (see other posts about today's CL fitting).

Portia 30 Nov 2002, 19:23

OGL, What is your monthly CL Bible called? There were a few copies of a contact lens trade magazine on the tables of the waiting room last week and I read as much as I could before the dilating drops kicked in. The ads indicated great progress in the bifocal contact lens area, but then agian, they were just ads.

Have you any references on the web to real data using discriminating patients to evaluate bifocal contact lenses? I can handle fairly technical material, as can, I am sure, many others who might find this of interest.

I go to sci.med.vision occasionally but find they are way off topic for me most of the time.

Rand 30 Nov 2002, 12:25

The OGL,

Yeah, I actually did end up figuring out that I needed glasses based on trying on a pair of my sister's old glasses. Prior to trying hers on, I was having difficulty seeing for distance. I am a 20 year old college students, and the boards in the lecture halls were becoming extremely blurry. Since I've been wearing the glasses (-1.00 an -1.25) I've found I really depend on them to the point where I wonder if my perscription has changed only after about 3 months. I'm thinking about going back to the eye doctor over christmas break. I like the glasses, and wouldn't mind needing them full time. Is there any way to make your eyes worse in a short time?

Portia 28 Nov 2002, 00:05

OGL, I am a dinosaur somewhat under age 50 with a 3.0 add.

Why would the usual run of ordinary myopes be interested in posting here?

Matt 27 Nov 2002, 10:40

Hi, Julian. Your right. "Coming out" as a full time wearer was much easier than I though. As I din't get new frames, just realise that I couldn't do without the existing ones, most people in my class said nothing. Of course my mates did notice that I was wearing them all the time and tended to comment positively. I think that really helped as it meant I didn't feel self-consious. It was only a few weeks later at a family gathering that I got lots of comments about the new look, but by then I was so used to the things that I didn't feel to self-conscious.

The OGL 27 Nov 2002, 07:14

Curt: yes, the human body is very adaptable in many ways including vision. As an aside, losing a spex lens is different, because it may or may not have been in the dominant eye and/or the scrip may have been way out of the parameters for adaptation of any kind. The distance lens should always be on the dominant eye. As far as depth perception goes, I've had lots of people tell me they have that problem at distance, from day on I had no such problems. However, as my add has increased, I have depth perception problems at near point; I often have to put on plus specs to replace a nosepad screw because I miss aligning the screwdriver with the screw head be a few MM resulting in the reason why I keep my tetanus shots up to date. But with mono my distance is, and always has been, very clear with excellent depth perception.

BTW, Portia, how the hell old are you? I'm over 60 and can get by with a +2.50 add (+2.75 in a progressive with a shallow frame). I've fitted dinosaurs that haven't gotten to +3.00 yet! ;<)

Curt 27 Nov 2002, 06:57

OGL: You echo a lot of what my eye doc said at my last exam. He said that CLs for presbyopia are always a compromise. Bifocal contacts sacrifice both distance and near vision (neither is perfectly clear), and monovision sacrifices depth perception because one eye is focused for distance and the other for close work. I know that folks can adapt to monovision, but I think it would be somewhat of a nauseating experience. Having lost the lens out of a pair of specs once and trying to continue to wear them, I can just imagine what it must be like to have one eye focused at near and the other at far. Kinda disorienting, I would think. But human beings are quite adaptable, and if you can get used to it, it is certainly a workable solution for some people. I, however, like glasses and will probably continue to wear them (my eyes put out too much protein to wear CLs anyway).

The OGL 27 Nov 2002, 06:37

Portia: I've posted most of this at one time or another re multifocal contacts, but here we go again. They don't work! At one time or another I've tried every different design because I've gotten them free, and there'e just no way a CL can do the job that spex can optically.

There's nearly always an element of monovision present, and if that works, then do the mono and to heck with the multivision CL.

When my monthly CL bible (a very good trade journal) arrives I devour it for both the articles and the ads to see what's new, and no matter how the authors rearrange things, it comes out the same. I was excited when one advanced the theory that you should go "midvision", using a distance lens in one eye and a multifocal CL in the other until I realized that this was just monovision revisited. One author really caused me to doubt his credentials (even though he's an OD and I'm not) by saying when you get a new presbyope that wants CL's start them out blurry and with low expectations, that way when you get them close enough they'll be happy (?????).

Sooner or later, in all of optics, you hit a firewall as to what a lens (CL or spectacle) can and cannot do according to the laws of physical optics and so far this firewall hasn't been surpassed in multifocal CL's. Remember, presbyopia is a function of lack of accomodation, the ciliary muscles losing their near point focusing power, and lens that focuses from the corneal area whether it be CL or spectacle can't do anything about unresponsive muscles.

A couple of weeks ago, TWGO dropped into town unexpected and we had a fun few hours doing our usual male bonding thing. Interestingly enough we didn't talk much optical, except when I hit him up for some top end bifocal CL's for a patient that my supplier doesn't carry. We had a discussion on the effectiveness followed by a good laugh when I told him about this customer's story on adaption to these lenses. She had to close one eye to watch a movie when she first got them, now "things are fine", this is nothing more than adapting to monovision. She thinks it's the bifocal contacts, the truth of the matter is she would've adapted to single vision mono at about a third of the price because she was so motivated against glasses (she'd never worn them until the onset of presbyopia and HATES them)because of vanity.

Trust me, being a mono wearer myself and not particularly liking some of the limitations, if they ever get a multifocal CL that works I'll be the first to wear them and will tout that design to the world!

Julian 27 Nov 2002, 01:43

Jerry, Matt: interesting that when you were resisting full time wear both of you (if I remember correctly) had friends urging you to forget the vanity, keep the damn things on, and see who was waving to you. No great problem about 'coming out' as glasses wearers for either of you then?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Filthy McNasty 26 Nov 2002, 13:43

There are custom designed scleral lenses that do just that. However, they're expensive, need fairly involved casts of the eyeball's surface, and generally are probably more trouble than they're worth. Often they're used with eyeballs that are scarred, malformed, or otherwise oddly-shaped to such an extent that regular lenses aren't feasible.

Mandy 26 Nov 2002, 10:11

Once they come up with the CL that fuses itself to the eyeball and has no rotation or movement at all there will be many happy astigmatic and presbyopic wearers out there. But I wouldn't hold my breath too long...

Alan 26 Nov 2002, 06:41

Portia,

If I remember right, you are pretty sensitive to slight variations in your vision/prescription. (I might be confusing you with someone else.)

I imagine that contacts will always involve somewhat of a compromise, until the lens actually changes shape as you focus near versus far. At that point, it might be easier to change the eye and its lens than to build this kind of contact.

If the contact lens doesn't change shape, then at least part of it will maintain the same refractive power as you focus on something up close.

The only other possibility I can think of would be for the contact to remain still as the eyeball moves, so the converged eyes look through a part of the contact lens with a different refractive power, but I think this is a very difficult idea. The contact would be very big, and it would have to be extremely comfortable and non-abrasive as the eye would constantly be sliding underneath it.

Maybe the inventors have something else up their sleeve, but I expect there will be a compromise for quite a while. I've heard promising stuff about the surgical correction of presbyopia, but I'm not sure how promising it really is.

TOLL FREE 26 Nov 2002, 02:29

1-888-379-9266

jerry 25 Nov 2002, 23:24

Julian:

Don't know exactly why I needed them in kindergarten. I think I had a bit of myopia and there was enough of a mismatch between the eyes that I needed to have glasses. It wasn't the typical childhood strabismus, though. Perhaps my eyes would be better now if I had worn them then and if my parents hadn't given in to my refusal- pretty stupid. Oh well.

Portia 25 Nov 2002, 22:25

Last Post Mine.

25 Nov 2002, 22:25

I have made an appointment at the suggestion of my optometrist for next week to consider again the merits of bifocal contact lenses.

Is this standard marketing everywhere?

As much as I would love it if multifocal contacts worked, reality is that as much as the manufacturers advertise, these lenses are compromises at best. The professor supervising my eye exam appointment today as much as said that anyone who needs a +3.00 add is really on the outside of what can be made to work right now. Two years down the road at least, she said.

Presbyopic Baby-Boomers Rule, sort of.

It is clear from the literature that corporate america is working on this problem, but the rate at which discoveries are being made may mean that it will be of help only if you were born after JFK died.

Somebody please tell me that I am wrong, but I am starting to think that CL's are a waste of time for the presbyopic who are really interested in seeing things accurately. Distance they can do, close up, I imagine they can do but both in the same day is a real problem.

Portia 25 Nov 2002, 22:11

To Ruthanne: Glad you are seeing your doctor during the Thanksgiving Break.

Let us know how it goes and if you have any change in Rx.

Julian 25 Nov 2002, 06:40

Jerry: you say you were supposed to wear glasses when you were in kindergarten; do you know what they were for? Were you myopic even then (you say myopia began to bite later), or were they the plus lenses that are often prescribed for young kids' convergence problems? I realize you may not know the answer to this one. You also say other kids in kindergarten were encouraged by your example to refuse to wear their glasses; were there many spexy kids in your class then? I only ask because I want to know.

Love and kisses, Jules.

The OGL 25 Nov 2002, 06:06

Rand: just out of curiosity, how did you find out you needed glasses? Did you ever try an old pair of your sister's that helped? How old are the two of you?

-10 25 Nov 2002, 05:54

Jey Ping

What is your Rx?

jerry 23 Nov 2002, 18:13

Hey, Matt:

My history goes back a bit further. I was supposed to wear glasses when I was in Kindergarten, but I refused. I actually caused a small riot when the teacher insisted I wear them, I refused, then other kids in the class started taking their's off and refusing, too! I go sent to the Principal's office! Then I didn't need them for awhile, but myopia started getting worse after 6th grade and progressed from there.

I sould have worn full time long before grad shool or college. Finally just got exasperated and started wearing full time- need overcame vanity. Got mostly compliments.

Matt 23 Nov 2002, 04:55

Jerry: your situation sounds a lot like mine. I wore glasses for distance work at school and resolutely refused to wear them full time even though I needed to. Had exactly the same problems recognising friends like you did. Even though I did not like wearing my glasses, I would always have them with me, but only put them on when I had to. At 17 I was a bit younger than you when I finally gave in and opted for full time wear. I made a conscious decision to go full-time one evening when I was having difficulties seeing cars. Decided it was too dangerous to walk around uncorrected. Why did you go full time at grad school? Did you make a conscious decision like I did, or did you just leave them on more and more so that you drifted in to full time wear or did you get new glasses you really liked or were you told to?

What was people's reaction when you became a full time wearer? My mates at school were pretty pleased as I could actually see them. Did get a few comments from friends and family I hadn't seen for a while.

Also, I still wear them to this day. Can't wear contact lenses and far too blind to do without them now (-5.00,-2.25 right; -5.00, -2.00 left). The astigmatism means that I can't even see close up without them. Everything is a total blur.

Nancy R 23 Nov 2002, 00:57

First, I cannot believe I am posting to a site but find some comfort in joining other myopics. My good eye is -11.4 and my bad eye is -11.65. I got my first glasses at age 5 and was one of the few that did not stabilize, prescription wise, by my late teens. (I blew right through that saying by the doc.) Does anyone have any statistics as to waht part of the population is -11 or worse?

jerry 22 Nov 2002, 22:04

Hi:

Been wearing glasses since high school. Was too embarassed to wear them full time through college. Only wore them in class, movies, driving etc. Wandered around in a blur, couldn't recognize people waving to me, etc. Finally, in grad school enough was enough and I started wearing full time. I'm so used to the way I look now with glasses that I think I look funny without them! Tried contacts many times but could not tolerate them due to dry eyes- had to use drops constantly and even then they were always uncomfortable.

My current Rx: OD -4.5 sph/+0.75 cyl/ 178*axis; OS -4.5 sph/+1.25 cyl/164*axis.

Take care everyone!

ozeyes 22 Nov 2002, 19:47

Thanks for the info. She has been a full time glasses wearer for the last 6 years so I was/am concerned to see the contacts re-appear. How do i convience her not to wear them? Any ideas?

ozeyes 22 Nov 2002, 19:46

Thanks for the info. She has been a full time glasses wearer for the last 6 years so I was/am concerned to see the contacts re-appear. How do i convience her not to wear them? Any ideas?

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The OGL 22 Nov 2002, 08:34

I would be extremely surprised to see the cyl portion of her rx in contacts. That would require a toric lens and it's just not worth it for that low of a cyl scrip.

Curt 22 Nov 2002, 06:19

ozeyes: The numbers mean that you wife is moderately nearsighted (the -2.5 part), has a small amount of astigmatism (the -0.25/0.5 X # that is the axis of her astigmatism). The +1.75 add part means that the doctor has prescribed bifocals. Since bifocal contact lenses cannot be tolerated by everyone, the contact lens prescription leaves off the add component. She could always get a pair of over-the-counter readers with +1.75 strength to wear for close work whe she has her contacts in. It is a bit unusual to see a eyeglass and contact lens Rx that are exactly the same, but not totally unheard of.

ozeyes 22 Nov 2002, 03:15

My wife has been prescribed

-250 / -.50 x 95 Add + 1.75

-250 / -.25 x 75 Add + 1.75

What does it mean?

She also got contacts with the same script other than the Add. Is it normal for the scripts to be the same?

DelDoc 19 Nov 2002, 14:36

I posted this exact information under the heading Acuity and Prescription on November 11...

"According to Eggers' chart, a quarter diopter of uncorrected ametropia (myopia or absolute hyperopia) is roughly equal to one line of Snellen visual acuity. That is, 0.25D corresponds to 20/25, 0.50D to 20/30, 0.75D to 20/40, 1.00D to 20/50, 1.25D to 20/70, 1.50D to 20/100, 2.00D to 20/150, and 2.50D to 20/200. Astigmatism somewhat complicates the correlation, but not to the point that guesses cannot be made."

Ruthanne 18 Nov 2002, 08:13

Portia:

I don't really see any better with the glasses, right eye still not 20/20, more like 20/60 or so. I'm going to the eye doctor when I'm home on Thanksgiving break next week.

Rand 17 Nov 2002, 15:11

Hi,

I just got glasses. They are -1.25 and -1.00. I'm curious as to what my vision is without the glasses. I've heard it may be around 20/100. Also, my sister's glasses are -2.50 and -3.00. What is her vision based on the 20/20 scale? How do you figure this stuff out on your own? Thanks.

Rand

Guesto 17 Nov 2002, 09:43

Steph

I was rather concerned to see your post. Would it be right to assume that you thought your right eye would be corrected to 20/20?

Are you not planning to have lasik on your left eye, after your experiences with the right?

I don't want to pry, but were you mis sold your lasik treatment?

Kokopelli 16 Nov 2002, 23:10

hi there, my new Rx is R: -3.25 with -1.5 cyl. L:-3.75 with -.25 cyl.

That was quite an increase in cyl part in my right eye (was -.50) and only an increase of .-25 in the spherical part in my left eye

steph 12 Nov 2002, 12:50

my left eye is -17, and my right eye was-14 i had lasik on the right and it was pointless now it-s -5, my contact lenses are very thick and i wont even go near a pair of glasses with my PX. doesa any one know of any other proceedures? email me at stephb1978@msn.com HELP!

Kat 07 Nov 2002, 14:23

Guy's not wearing them ALL the time now but most of the time for outside of the house when he cant see so far. His parents came over at the weekend. we don't see them so often as they live 120 miles away. we went out and stupid boy left his glasses off so I know he still feels awkward. I don't know if he feels its like some disability or something. He's comfortable wearing them where people don't know him. Maybe like Graeme he'll come to like how he looks in them. I think he's being a bit silly, one day I'll probably get a bit narked and tell him!! Still love him though :)

Graeme 06 Nov 2002, 22:21

Jan, of course now I'm used to the good vision I get with glasses I do wish I'd taken to full time wear sooner. However, until I started wearing my glasses more I really did not appreciate just how much trouble I was having seeing. My mate was always taking the mick about me not wearing my glasses and not being able to see properly, so when I had to put them on to read the number of the busses I guess I gave him more ammunition; so faced with a barrage of his nagging I kept them on while we were out. I did take them off as soon as we got back to the hotel, but this did not strike me as strange, because when I wore glasees part time I always took them off as soon as I had driven home. It was the next day that I really noticed difference. I'd left my glasses back at the hotel and when we were out I really missed not being able to see as clearly as I could the previous day. Not surprisingly then the following day I put my glasses on before we left the hotel and they stayed - I did not even bother to take them off until I went to bed. Now I appreciate the difference, I'm probably quite grateful for the mickey-taking about being too vain to wear them, although I wouldn't admit that to him!

Sure, I did get some comments when I came back wearing glasses full time, but as many people had seen me in them driving, etc, often they said nothing or it was just a throw away comment like "Do you have to wear glasses all the time now?" so I just used to reply that I couldn't see clearly enough without them any more. Now I've been wearing full time for a few weeks I am totally used to them. Occasionally I will come across somebody who hasn't seen me as a wearer before and they will make a comment. This usually surpsies me as I tend to forget I'm wearing them these days.

Jan 06 Nov 2002, 14:44

Graeme, did you get many comments about your new look or did you feel weird at all? Now I feel like i pretty much want/need to see better all the time I might wear my glasses more. I love it when I'm wearing them to be able to slip them down and marvel at the difference they make to what I see - especially at night when I'm pretty blind. You've sure taken to wearing them pretty quickly & I presume you must've stumbled around for a while before your friend got to you. Are you amazed you never did it before now?

Graeme 06 Nov 2002, 12:47

Jan, yes. RX is -2.00, -0.75, in right; -2.00,-0.50 left. After a couple of days wearing them most of the time because I needed to have fairly clear vision in an environment I wasn't familiar with, I got so used to the better vision I couldn't imagine going around bared-eyed any more, which I why I went for new frames when I got back. So, the point I was trying to make in the last post is that altohugh my RX did not change, I have become much more used to seeing well and intolerant of the blur. I guess I must enjoy the better vision the glasses give me because I wear them all the time now (and I must admit that now I'm used to wearing them full time I sort of like the way I look in them).

Portia 05 Nov 2002, 22:25

Ruthanne, with your glasses can you now see well with both eyes?

Jan 05 Nov 2002, 10:54

Graeme, I don't think I quite understand how you''ve written your rx - is that -2 sph and -.75 cyl for both eyes. Or is it one eye -2 the other -.75? And are you still wearing them all the time and enjoying what you see??

The OGL 05 Nov 2002, 10:11

The only one who's made any sensible comments about this whole thread is Julian. And I base that on experience, the number of very low myopes I know that wear them all the time and the number of -2.50's who for vanity or comfort reasons would rather put up with the blur than wear a correction. Here's a couple cases in point, customers of mine from back up north. Both work at the same company I worked for in my real job, Alice had worn them for a couple of years and was -.50 sphere OU. She wore them for driving, movies, etc. or when she forgot to take them off. Had both clear and prescription sun, just plain liked how she could see out of them. Bertha tried on Alice's and could see so well she got an eye exam, and guess what? -.50 sphere OU. Got both clear and rx sun, always wore one or the other, was delighted at the clarity. Both young ladies were around 30, neither had any vanity issues, but both swore by the good effect the corrections had. Their friend Clara, also a customer, was -2.25 sph -1.00 cyl OD -1.75 sph -1.50 cyl OS, had two pair single vision clear and one pair clear progressives +1.75 add and one pair single vision sun as well as toric contacts. She gave up on contacts except for some very rare social occasions because of the cyl, had some big time vanity issues and would only wear glasses when driving or movies or other distance tasking. She was in her mid-forties, and liked the fact she could read and use the computer uncorrected and really didn't care that she had a distance blur uncorrected. Like Julian said, it's up to the individual, not the scrip.

guest2 05 Nov 2002, 09:43

let's say it like that,

at -3 it gets nearly inevitable

for everyone to put some glasses

or contacts in, if he/she wants to

take part in normal life,

like reading blackboards, driving,

reading signs of the road, driving,

recognizing people more than 2 or 3 meters away, watching movies or TV,

All these things you can't do without correction at -3, and squinting does not

help any more, besides perhaps in full daylight.

So most people put glasses on full time at -3, only very few wait until -4 or even a little higher.

Graeme 05 Nov 2002, 09:25

Not too sure what the 'average' is for full time wear - guess it just depends on how well individuals perceive things and how clearly you want to see.

My rx is -2.00, -.75. I though my vision was OK most of the time and wore glasses for distance. I went away with a mate a few weeks back. I was struggling to see numbers on a bus, so had to put on my glasses. Thanks to a bit of gentle nagging from my mate, I left them on while I was in the town, only taking them off when we got back to the hotel. I have to say that I was amazed by the difference they made. Next day went I out without them and really noticed that I wasn't seeing things to clearly. On day three decided I put on the glasses before I left the hotel and wore them for most of the day. Anyway, the upshot was the by the end of the week I was so used to the clarity wearing glasses gave me I wanted to be wearing them virtially full time.

When I got back home went to get my eyes tested as I decided that if I was going to wear them full time, I wanted some new frames. My RX hadn't changed, so in answer to Jan's question, I guess that my brain had just got used to the better vision and I felt that I could not go without them anymore, even though my eyesight had not got worse. The optician was fairly surprised that I hadnot taken to full time wear before.

Julian 05 Nov 2002, 02:16

...any more than he could have said she needed to wear them when she was -1.75. She obviously didn't!

Julian 05 Nov 2002, 02:15

It just shows, doesn't it, that the threshold for full time wear has as much to do with the person who's looking through the lenses as the strength of the lenses themselves? Your -3 friend can't say Guy doesn't *need* to wear his glasses at -1.75 when he obviously perceives that he does.

Kat 04 Nov 2002, 22:31

I posted here last month about my boyfriend's new prescription. A month on he's pretty much adapted to wearing them for everything where people need to see things in the distance. One of my friends said that the prescription going from -1.25 to -1.75 isn't really so big and that if he is already wearing "a low prescription like that" pretty much most of the time then perhaps he really needed something stronger.

Is it unusual to wear a -1.75 prescription a lot of the time? I know Guy wouldn't be wearing them at all if he didn't have to so they must make a real difference. She reckoned that a prescription of -3 was about when people really need them. That's what she is.

jeanette 04 Nov 2002, 14:47

hey...does anyone here have any experience with the snellen charts available online? (not the ones you buy...the ones that you can download or that show up on your screen and you have to measure the proper and distance and stuff) how accurate are they? generally...would your eyes perform better in an optometrist's chart of one of these? does anybody know which is the best one out there...there seem to be quite a slew of them!

thanks for your help!

Clare 03 Nov 2002, 09:29

Hello, I've been away, it's good to be back!

Jan - I think Julian's right, you're probably hooked on seeing well. I got hooked earlier this year with a prescription of -2. I started to wear contacts more and more after an increase six months previously. A couple of months after that I was prescribed -2.25 and -2.50, as a result of the regular correction I don't know. Now of course I can still go without but I really notice it much more than I ever did. Last week on holiday and correction-less I was kind of surprised at the difference I noticed, so there were (many) times I resorted to glasses - I'd probably never really thought I'd need to before. After all, squinting around an airport for a departure gate is neither attractive nor pleasant!

So, like Maverick says, if you can see fine you're probably not getting worse, just liking really seeing more!

Julian 03 Nov 2002, 05:09

Jan - seems to me you could quite easily get 'hooked' on a low Rx once you're accustomed to perfect vision with correction. So if you are seeing well with your contacts/glasses, you haven't any more of an increase of speak of. Your increase over 10 years, didn't you say, is remarkabl small.

And there's nothing odd about wearing contacts full time; they aren't well adapted to part time wear!

Maverick 03 Nov 2002, 01:51

Jan, my prescription when I started wearing CL's was -2.25 and the increase was on that.As after a few months wearing them I realised my vision was not as sharp as it had been when I first got them I just went back and got them checked. Obviously you will be aware if you are still getting nice clear vision and if so this line of thought is all a bit of a red herring !

Of course,how much you wear them is completely a matter of personal choice and what anyone else thinks is irrelevant.Certainly I cant believe your optician would give it a second thought either way.

Jan 02 Nov 2002, 22:02

Maverick, I'd really like to know whether that's happened to me. Without any evidence now though I feel that something similar might have because I've felt much more dependent on them to see properly. And as the -1.25 and -1.50 isn't very strong I can't imagine that all of a sudden I'd get dependent on a mild prescription like that. So if like you I've gained an extra -.50 in three short months, that would take me to -1.75 and -2, is that how I'd feel with a prescription like this? That would be so cool. What was your prescription when you started with the contacts and what was what you call your perceived 'needeing full time' threashold?

I'd really like to know if I've had some sort of increase but don't need to go back to see my optician for a while, is there any way I can find out?

And would an optician be surprised to think I'd been wearing contacts so much with my prescription?

Maverick 02 Nov 2002, 12:10

Jan. After I started wearing CL's full time (like you I had glasses before but not bothered much with them)my RX went up by -0.50 in about 6 months. I recall my optician saying that this was not unusual. Maybe the same has happened with you ?

As it was that extra increase put me over my perceived 'needing full time' threshold and I have worn CL's or glasses ever since.

T.Shea 02 Nov 2002, 09:24

Jan, you sound adorable.

Jan 02 Nov 2002, 08:18

I'm new here and would like to know if anyone's had orheard of an experience like mine. I first got glasses ten years ago whenI was 25, just a mild -1 and I never really thought Ineeded them. But I was fascinated by them although I never wore them alot. When my prescription went up this summer to -1.25 and -1.50 the optician suggested I might like to try contact lenses. I took to them pretty well and have worn them mostly every week day since I got them back in July.

Now just three months later I wonder if wearing the contact lenses has had the effect I wanted it to - I seem to need them more than I ever have before. This week I was in a strange town for a few days and without my lenses I really felt I couldn't see so well as I usually can with them. I'm fascinated by it all - alhtough I liked having glasses I never really thought I needed them and now that I do, wow! I don't really want to wear contacts forever but seems like they've done the trick, now I can wear glasses knowing that I need them to see clearly.

Has anyone heard of such quick progression before?

Ruthanne 01 Nov 2002, 08:16

Brian:

My current prescription is R +9.50 +3.00 x30 L +8.25 +4.00 x125 add +2.00.

The OGL 30 Oct 2002, 17:49

This could go under the Actress thread, but is also appropo here. Monday night on E! there was a bio of Barbara Eden, mainly about her I Dream Of Jeannie thing. But they showed early childhood photos of her wearing high plus glasses, and with her right eye patched, actually an opaque black lens in her eyeglass frames. She was of course, amblyopic and hyperopic but obviously shunned glasses at an early age as she aspired to be a singer on the stage. Later on in the show while being interviewed she told of how she played the role in a TV series (very old, based on the movie How To Marry A Millionaire) that Marilyn Monroe had made famous in the movie. She said "having worn glasses since first grade I just played myself" but the clip they showed had her squinting at something over dinner, saying she was looking for the fortune her cookie while her male dining companion told her it was a fried shrimp. She held it right under her nose while squinting fiercely (and cutely) but hardly the reaction of the hyperope she was and more a myopic move. But if you look at any still photo of her where she's facing the camera, you'll notice her left eye turns in slightly, that would of course be the amblyopic eye as they patched her "good" right eye to force the left one to function. That is quite often why young children wear strong plus lenses.

Brian 30 Oct 2002, 17:25

Ruthanne,

What is your prescription right now?

Puffin 30 Oct 2002, 14:23

Hi Ruthanne

Glad to see you back!

Puffin

Ruthanne 30 Oct 2002, 08:39

I posted once long ago and have been lurking.

I am one of those kids that needed + lenses. I wore strrong + lenses for hyperopia and astigmatism as a kid plus bifocals for accommodative esotropia and a lot of patching. Eventually, the prescription decreased as I got older, and no more bifocals.

Then, in jr. high I became more hyperopic again and continued into high school. Eventually, my right eye sort of shut down from amblyopia, and now can only be corrected to about 20/60 (everything on my right side is screwed up anyway).

Now in college,(second year) it's back to bifocals again. The doctor says my accommodation has pretty much shut down. I think I almost need trifocals to help in seeing the computer screen.

Curt 30 Oct 2002, 07:32

I believe that most of the yound kids you see wearing + lenses are doing so because of problems focusing at near, not because they are truely hyperopic. Their eyes have not learned to work well together and focus on close objects, so the + lenses assist in this matter. They have tons of accomodation, so they can still see well though the lenses for distance. It is easier to make them wear glasses all the time instead of just putting them on for close tasks. Once their eyes learn to work together for close work, the specs are no longer needed. Some of the kids may be truely hyperopic, but may grow out of it as their bodies grow (and their eyeballs do too!) That is the way I have always understood it.

Julian 30 Oct 2002, 07:11

Or even not enjoyed it because of the strain.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Julian 30 Oct 2002, 07:10

Interesting theory Lulu; don't think I've heard it before. But it's certainly true that in the early years in school the kids who wear glasses almost invariably have plus Rx. There is the very occasional young myope, but on the whole that's a later onset.

If as you suggest, Christy, hyperopia is being spotted earlier, that's all to the good. In the past hyperopic/astigmatic kinds have beem able to read using their acommodative power, not enjoed it because of the starin, and been put down as slow learners or poor readers. We've had the odd testimony of that on here. Get them into specs - not because we like it but because it helps them more than they know!

Love and kisses, Jules.

Christy 29 Oct 2002, 23:40

I've always assumed that more kids are wearing plus glasses because opticians are beginning to pick up on their hyperopia. In the old days - kids with hyperopia who could accommodate well were simply left to it.

lulu 29 Oct 2002, 20:31

I think there are more kids needing glasses because they are born prematurely. I believe that makes them more likely to be farsighted.

Honey Bear 29 Oct 2002, 17:33

So kids who wear strong magnifying glasses when they are little, their eyes may sometime be normal? How to they detect weather not someone is hyperopic? I wonder how people get kids that small to keep things like glasses on their face...

Alan 29 Oct 2002, 07:12

Honey Bear,

That (5 out of 30 kids) is a surprisingly large number, I think. Anyway, it's a combination of how eyes typically develop and the frequency with which doctors prescribe corrective lenses.

Myopia is very rare in young children. Typically, it starts sometime after age 6, and at first it is very weak. Then it gets stronger as time goes on, so only adults or older children usually wear glasses that "make their eyes look small".

Hyperopia (farsightedness) is quite common in young children. The development of the eye usually eliminates this as the child grows. I'm not sure whether the kids can see without their "magnifying glasses" (convex, or "+" lenses)...I think they probably can see pretty clearly without them, but going without the glasses may tend to cause crossed eyes or lazy eye (I'm not sure). The kids may also just have an easier time seeing with the glasses. I have a hunch, though, that wearing glasses at that age for hyperopia may interfere with the eyes' development and may tend to lead to the child remaining hyperopic when they might otherwise have developed normal vision. I'm not sure about this, but I wonder. (I've never heard of any studies about it, though.) On the other hand, I've heard of kids wearing "+" glasses when they're young and not having to wear them later.

28 Oct 2002, 23:26

My guess is that the name Girnur is Runrig spelled backwards. Runrig is a cult folk group from Scotland.

girnur 28 Oct 2002, 20:27

C'est la meme chose -- la Suede or la France. J'adore les lunettes. Et vous?

Honey Bear 28 Oct 2002, 18:13

I am confused a bit. Why do so many little kids have glasses now? I just went to the 4 year old program and out of about 30 4-5 had magnifying glasses. How come not many little kids wear thick lenses that make their eyes small. Can the little kids see without their magnifying lenses? Any answers would help.

girnur 28 Oct 2002, 16:09

I believe there are two "girnurs" here now. One swedish and one french. Perhaps the french girnur could explain how he or she came up with the nick girnur in the first place???

girnur 28 Oct 2002, 15:33

I too like the meat - it is spicy. With or without the glasses. Avec ou sans les lunettes.

Viva la France et les lunettes.

girnur 28 Oct 2002, 15:17

Oh. I forgot. I´m 28 years old.

girnur 28 Oct 2002, 15:16

The post on 25th was not from me...

I´m a male from Sweden. (it´s a small country in the icy part of Europe...:)

I always (as long as I can remember anyway) liked GWG´s. I think this is a great place to discuss certain issues about glasses or vision, or in my case, mostly read them.

Klempte 27 Oct 2002, 19:35

Girnur,

I too like the cold meats. Do you eat with your glasses on? or off?

girnur 25 Oct 2002, 15:29

I live Klovnia and I like to eat cold meats.

Klaus 25 Oct 2002, 11:06

girnur

can we get some more details, like age, sex nationality...

Matt 25 Oct 2002, 10:20

Hi Don. I walked around in a kind of blurry haze with a prescription like yours for quite a while when I was at school and too vain to wear my glasses. Then I realised I couldn't distinguish objects such as car - and wasn't safe crossing roads etc, so reluctantly became a full-time wearer. After a week of full time wear could not imagine going back to not wearing glasses. I think with your prescription you will really benefit from full time wear.

Julian 25 Oct 2002, 03:58

don: it honestly is up to you whether you wear them or not. If you like things blurry, leave them off. Otherwise....

Just don't drive without them, that's all.

Love and kisses, Jules.

girnur 24 Oct 2002, 15:04

Well... here I am.

My current Rx is:

Left: -10.25

Right: -10.50 -0.50 10 degrees

I´ve succeeded in forcing my prescription a bit over the past ten years. But that have stopped now. I think I would habe been around -7 if I hadn´t.

I´ve been visiting this site for quite a while now. Every fourth day or so...

It´s nice to have found a place with more people that are interested in the same topic that I am.

So keep on going and thank you for all the knowledge you´ve brought me.

(English is not my first language so I apologize for all future errors that may occur. :) )

don 24 Oct 2002, 14:06

i just got -2.75 -2.25 with .75 atig should i wear these full time and how bad are my eyes things do seem quite blurry

Joe 24 Oct 2002, 11:26

Caterina, it's no wonder your friend had to abandon the contacts with a cleaning regime like that. In my case it isn't due to the hygiene, but don't quite remember what the explanation was - far too scientific! Am off on Saturday to choose frames for the glasses.

The thought of first appearing in glasses still worries me, but after I've done that I'll be over the worst I guess.

Caterina 24 Oct 2002, 07:10

Joe,

The exact same thing happened to one of my friends. I didn't know the details but she had only ever worn contacts and she had to switch suddenly to glasses only, for a six-month minimum. It wasn't particularly shocking or interesting to anyone as we had all known she wore contacts, and I think everyone expects that someone who wears contacts will eventually turn up in glasses for some reason or another. The only reason it stands out in my mind is that for years she had taken out her contacts with her dirty hands and cleaned them with her spit, and I was always telling her she was going to get some kind of a problem. And she'd tell me she always did it and that I was being ridiculous. So it was a particularly embarrassing moment for her to tell me she had to wear glasses for six months :)

I have an issue with turning up in glasses myself, but for me it's because my eyes aren't that bad and I've never had contacts, and most people think I see just fine.

Julian 23 Oct 2002, 14:48

Or another possibility that my friend Sandy favours is a pair of wraparound shades worn over your glasses when necessary. Not too expensive either.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Alan 23 Oct 2002, 12:50

Joe,

One thing I've done that would be another option for you (conceivably) is have a clip-on pair of sunglass lenses. That were designed specifically to go with the glasses I bought. The ones I had looked great, better than any pair of sunglasses that would have been easy to find...but they also cost me a ridiculous amount of money. (These were rimless glasses and clip-ons from Kazuo Kawasaki.) The clip on sunglasses were in separate pieces for the two lenses, though I've seen glasses that have a one-piece clip on that looks nice. Clip ons probably won't look good if they're generic, but if they are specifically designed for the pair of glasses you get, then they can work well, and they're slightly less bulky than carrying a 2nd pair of glasses.

By the way, did the doctor say what is wrong with your eyes, such that your contacts are causing such trouble? Depending on what it is, 6 months may be a longer wait than necessary. (I'm NOT saying you shouldn't take your doctors advice <on the contrary>...rather, I'm saying you might go in for another checkup sooner. But get used to wearing glasses, as it's actually pretty freeing to get over the initial anxiety of it.)

Joe 23 Oct 2002, 12:31

Julian. Hi, do have a back up pair of specs which I very occasionally wear at home (need them to read, watch tv in bed, etc) but I hate them. Have been forced to wear them more at home recently because of the sore eyes. Don't think the gf was too surprised by the news I've got to stop wearing CLs, she'd noticed that I was sometimes wearing glasses at home which was very usual. Off to choose a couple of pairs of glasses on Saturday - one pair with plain lenses for regular use, haven't decided whether to have photochromic or tinted in the second pair. Guess I will ask the professional's advice when I've chosen frames.

The OGL 23 Oct 2002, 09:25

Unlike the eminent Julian, I do not like photochromics in any way shape or form. They are a compromise, designed to do two jobs and therefor do not do a perfect job of either. They are now available in just about any lens material, and are greatly improved. But even the major manufacturer (according to a continuing ed course I took recently sponsored by them) says they are not a substitute for prescripton sunglasses. They will always have a very slight tint indoors and if you have a photo taken will have a very dark tint in the photo. They don't get totally dark behind the wheel of a car because they are UV activated and the windscreen filters out quite a bit of the UV. You're better off with a good pair of rx sunglasses, my choice is a polarized lens, even though it does mean having two pairs around.

Julian 23 Oct 2002, 01:44

Joe: photochromic lenses are just fine in my experience; at one time they were available only in glass, but that was a while ago. I'm kind of surprised that you've worn contacts all that time without having a pair of specs as backup, or to rest your eyes when you get home, or whatever. You must be pretty blind without correction. Happy wearing, anyway!

Love and kisses, Jules.

Joe 22 Oct 2002, 23:36

Found this site because I am looking for some advice. I've worn contacts since I was 18, virtually 24-7 for the last 12 or so years only taking them out to sleep. For the past few weeks my eyes have been quite sore and dry, and now the worst has happened - I've been told not to wear contacts, at least until my next check up in 6 months.

So far I haven't told anybody the news. Guess I'll tell my girlfriend today and let her come with me at the weekend to choose some glasses. Do I tell other people first or just turn up in the glasses? How did you guys deal with the comments you got when you first started wearing glasses?

I'm going to get a couple of pairs I think. One of the things that always strikes me as being a nuisance with glasses is having to swap between shades and clear glasses when chaning enviroments, so was thinking about getting one pair with photochromic lenses. Do these work OK? Are the safe to drive in on sunny days etc.

For info my prescription is -6.00, -1.50, 180; 6.25, -1.25, 180.

Thanks.

Matt 22 Oct 2002, 10:26

Caterina, you say in your message "I feel like I never NEED my glasses" and then go on to say that you could not recognise your friend when she was waving at you. Seems to me that you DO need your glasses! I'm sure that the astigmatism is part of the problem. I've short sighted with a large degree of astigmatism and I know of people who are more shortsighted who will take off their glasses to read etc, but I can't do this as I am not able to focus near or far without glasses.

I think you are right, it is much easier to start wearing glasses when people realise that you are having problems seeing clearly. I'd worn glasses in class for ages but was really shy about going full-time, even when I really needed to. I certainly couldn't recognise faces in the distance and my mates were always nagging for me to put my glasses on. One evening I was out and realised that I couldn't see anything without my glasses. The next day I took to full time wear - wearing them to school and around the place at breaktimes, etc. I got relatively few comments becuase most of my friends really knew I had to wear them and most of the comments I got were pretty positive which made it much easier.

If you feel you can't see properly without your glasses - go for it.

vikki 22 Oct 2002, 07:12

Hi Caterina,

just go for it every one has different tollerance for correction. When I first was prescribed glasses I was +.25 and +.50 with a very mild astig in one eye, I was terrified to wear them but I found that as minor as the correction was it helped ME so as I wore them more and got lots of positive comments I started wearing them full time, I have a stronger prescription now but still mild,with a small add. The thing is it helps me and so many people say I look good, (some even say better) that I don't take them off. I have accumulated about six pairs now and a pair of prescription sun glasses as well, I love matching glasses with outfits etc.

The OGL 22 Oct 2002, 06:48

Alan: but then, the right pair can be inexpensive as well, depends on how savvy a shopper you are. And as far as going bareyed, a lot will depend on whether the eye needing correction is the dominant eye. If it is, then going without correction is much more difficult. You use your dominant eye for distance, or to be more accurate your brain accepts the image from the dominant eye and uses it for distance, that's why monovision works. In my case, my dominant eye is OS so that's the one that has the distance correction while OD has the high plus for reading as it's non-dominant.

Caterina 22 Oct 2002, 06:46

My bf has noticed that I have to sit close to the TV to watch it. Also the other night I had to ask him to read a digital clock. I'm not that near-sighted but for some reason I think my ability to compensate for the astigmatism falls apart when I'm looking at something that glows or radiates light.

Anyway, even though I wish I could just see all this stuff perfectly, I'm glad that people around me are beginning to notice that I really can't. I'm just really nervous about wearing glasses around people, and it would be easier for me if people had already started the process of commenting that they thought I needed them.

Alan 22 Oct 2002, 06:15

justme -

You can get a contact lens for your left eye -- you'd need either a "toric" soft lens or a RGP (rigid gas permeable) lens. Most likely you'd go for the toric.

However, an easier and mostly equivalent option is to go without correction for this function. Your right eye can see fine, right?

And yeah, I do think glasses would be fine. I think if you feel the need to avoid glasses, then you haven't looked long enough to find the right pair of glasses. If you pick the right pair, you'll be pleased with how you look. (The right glasses can be expensive, though.)

justme 22 Oct 2002, 04:02

Not sure if I'm posting this in the right place but I'm hoping that someone can help with my question?

I have just been given a low prescription for my left eye only( right eye is plano/-0.25/130 so don't think will apply)

My left eye is +0.75/-1.25/100

Is it possible to get contact lenses for that prescription? the reason being I am going to a special function with TV and i want to be able to see clearly but NOT with specs( I know, I know most people in here are the other way round!)

Any help would be much appreciated

Thanks

help 22 Oct 2002, 03:57

Christy 21 Oct 2002, 10:09

Caterina - If you think wearing glasses makes it easier for you to see things - then simply wear them whenever you want. If someone else tries them on and passes a comment about them being a weak prescription - simply tell them "Ah - but you must have better accommodation than me" - then blind them with a bit of science about ciliary muscles, etc, etc! It's true that most people with normal vision will be able to see well through low minus lenses - but it doesn't follow that people who need a low prescription can see perfectly well without glasses!

I have a fairly low rx - but my sphere and cyl are both double what yours are. But I might be a bit biased - because I always wanted to wear glasses and as soon as I "failed" the eye-test - I became a 100% confirmed full-time wearer!

Caterina 21 Oct 2002, 08:56

Thanks, Alan.

I feel like I never NEED my glasses, but I see better with them and would rather see clearly. I don't really notice that things are blurry without them. What I do notice is that at times, reading material on my desk or a table will suddenly go completely and hopelessly out of focus. I think that has something to do with the astigmatism, and I sort of exhaust my ability to strain.

Also on Saturday I was with someone and we were meeting a friend. In another post I mentioned she had the weak glasses and said she couldn't see well without them. Well, this friend was walking toward me, and my other friend (who does always wear medium-strength glasses), informed me that she saw her coming. I could see a person but would not have recognized her. Then my friend who was with me said, "She sees us; she's waving." Well, I didn't see she was waving, and I sure hadn't seen her well enough to feel confident waving. Neither one of us was wearing our glasses. So much for my better blur interpreatation, huh? I also know she does not wear contacts.

Alan 21 Oct 2002, 08:29

Caterina -- Do your glasses make a difference to you? I'm sure you feel that for most things you could get by without them, but do you prefer your vision with glasses? If the answer is yes, then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks or says. If they ask whether you really need them, you can just tell them the truth. (I wouldn't tell them you're blind without them, if I were you -- that might draw some weird looks.)

That said, I don't think most people think about it. It's normal for a person with good vision to be able to see well through weak minus lenses, and the cylinder may or may not make a noticable difference to them. I do think a lot of people with your prescription DO wear correction some or all of the time, though there are also people who don't. There's no "right" answer on this; it's up to each person to decide what they want to do and there's nothing abnormal about deciding either way.

Finally, I'll relate an experience I had yesterday. I was talking to a first-year law student who generally wears glasses when I see her. I asked her a question about her frames and then she started talking about her vision. She said she didn't wear glasses at all in college (like the past 4 years). She has a little bit of astigmatism and is slightly nearsighted. (Sound familiar?) One of her eyes is almost normal, she said. But she wears them because "they make her look more studious."

They really do what she's looking for -- she is a very attractive blond woman, who I think could very easily be taken not-so-seriously in the old-boys club of the legal world. Now, she is absurdly intelligent and articulate, so I don't think she needs the glasses, but for first-impression value, she's getting some mileage out of them.

The bottom line is that you don't have to be worried about wearing glasses if you are inclined to. Even wearing planos is perfectly respectable, but you do have a "real" prescription and there's nothing dishonest about telling people that.

Caterina 21 Oct 2002, 07:59

Generally, everything in my scrip is a -.75, sphere and cylinder. One of the spheres is a -.5 but I don't remember which one, L or R (not that it matters to anyone except whoever makes the glasses.) One reason I have felt uncomfortable wearing them is that it IS a very weak prescription. Maybe there is just more talk here of people with several diopters of correction because of who the site naturally attracts, and in the broader world there are actually plenty of people with a prescription similar to mine who would really feel like they needed to wear glasses most of the time.

I guess one of my concerns is that I might wear these to work and someone would ask to try them on, and then say that they didn't make any difference and I didn't really need them, and think I was being a baby or trying to copy a friend who did wear them.

I would like to know, in the opinions of you regulars who understand what these diopters really mean, if someone with great vision tries on my glasses with basically -.75 each of sphere and cylinder, will they be more likely to doubt or to understand my need for correction?

Henry 21 Oct 2002, 05:58

Jamie, Do you manage o.k. close up without bi-focals? Do you have to carry your spair pair of glasses with you at all times? Have you ever lost your glasses whilst out and how did you manage?

Jamie 21 Oct 2002, 05:48

I have hiindex glass, and an old pair of myodiscs as my spare pair.

I started wearing glasses when i was a baby, got bifocals when i was about 8, grew out of bifocals when i was 14.

Now i'm 17 andi usually wear contacts.

They are much better than glasses - you dont get distortion and rainbows appearing through the lenses if you dont look through the exact centre.

And when you walk, the image jumps! its like walking holding a tv camera to look through!

Portia 20 Oct 2002, 20:07

Alan, I think you are right. Any of us can spot strong glasses, but determining exact or approximate prescriptions has become a crapshoot in the era of high index lenses.

We can all make especially astute observations after having been Eyescene devotees for some time, but reality makes it that we cannot determine all observed prescriptions accurately.

The advancing science of optics(lower index lenses) puts most of us in the "guessing category" in ordinary oservational circumstances.

Tommy 20 Oct 2002, 12:52

Jamie, will you share more with us? Are these regular SV, hi-index or are they myodisc? How early did you have a high minus and how did it progress? Are you in a bifocal mode? Thanks.

Jamie 20 Oct 2002, 10:52

Hi great site

Just found it

My Prescription

Right -19 -1.25 85degs

Left -18.5 -1 90degs

Alan 15 Oct 2002, 16:23

Adrian - When you say you're losing the accomodation in your right eye, what do you mean? (What are you experiencing that indicates this?) And are you having problems with your vision at this point? How well do you see with your left eye? How old are you?

Sorry for so many questions. I hope you don't mind. Good luck; I hope this works out OK for you -- I can understand your anxiety.

Alan 15 Oct 2002, 16:20

Wondering -- I'm not sure anyone can be terribly precise. I think a lot of the estimates people make on here are probably off by as much as 50%, often overestimated in the same way as fishing tales. ("The fish was THIS big!") Anyway, different people have their own techniques. It sort of comes from having seen quite a few pairs of glasses for which you know the prescription -- either they're your glasses, or you ask the owner, or you have it measured somehow. Then it's sort of a combination of characteristics. The amount of cut-in, the lens thickness and a guess of what index the lens material is, how much things are minified, the amount of concentric rings, the base curve of the front of the lenses. (This is all for minus prescriptions. I'm not good at all at estimating plus or cylinder prescriptions.)

Adrian 15 Oct 2002, 15:18

I first got glasses 2yrs ago for close work L +3.75, R +2.75. I was shocked as to how strong they were for my first pair of Glasses were and how reliant I was on them.Last year I had a increase to L+4.50 R+3.50 and I have to wear them full time.today I got a recal from the Eye Doc and I am not looking forward to going back ,at last visit he told me I have a Lazy Left eye and he has not given me the full Rx.I am slowly losing the Accomodation in my Righteye . He said he could see my Rx going to between +7/+8 range in the next 2-3 years

wondering 15 Oct 2002, 14:11

how can you guys tell the rx of someone's glasses just by seeing them? i mean, i can tell by the concentric rings whether they are strong or not, but all you seem to be much more precise. how do i go about determining the strength of someone's glasses more accuratly?

Daffy 13 Oct 2002, 21:02

First of all... a silly question...that Rx you posted, is that for contacts or glasses? But definately, your vision will be better with glasses, as you cannot get prism correction in contacts! So by wearing contacts, your eyes are missing out on needed correction that you currently don't have.

Alan 13 Oct 2002, 20:22

Danny,

I am not sure whether the axis for the astigmatism portion of your prescription will make the outside edge of your lenses thicker or not. But either way, I think semi- and rimless glasses are great for stronger prescriptions (rimless especially). Some people disagree, but I can't for the life of me figure out why.

Plastic-frame glasses will actually look "weaker", I think, that remi- or rimless glasses. But some thickness really improves the appearance of rimless glasses, because it defines the edge better and gives a more striking appearance than rimless glasses in a weak prescription.

I'm not sure if your vision will be appreciably better with glasses. How is your vision with contacts?

Danny 13 Oct 2002, 11:26

My Rx is -4.50,-3.25 axis 10, 1/2 base up (right eye); -4.50, -3.00 axis 5, 1 base down (left eye). I currently wear toric soft contacts. Is my vision likely to be appreciably better if I switch to glasses?

I am thinking about getting a pair of half-rim or rimless glasses. Will the lenses look too thick?

leyla 13 Oct 2002, 10:24

hi i m 24 yo girl from turkey and wearing strong plus glasses. r + 6.5 l + 7.5 and a bit astigmatism too +1, 5 in both eyes. i cannot wear contack due to allergy and not hate wearing glasses

my mail ktrtr@yahoo.com feel free to mail me.

Portia 09 Oct 2002, 21:50

Your new Rx sounds very nice. Let us know how it goes and post picture of you in your new specs ASAP.

loulou 09 Oct 2002, 16:04

Well i finally went for my eyetest today and no faking this time but i did get a prescription,tiny by ES standards

but i was still amzaed at the clarity i got during the test which was a brilliant experience. My script is R +0.75/-0.25/130 and L +2.75/-1.50/100

am going to get some glasses sorted later this week, the optician said i should wear them as often as i wanted and was surprised that i hadn't been in before because the vision in my left eye is quite poor although my right has been compensating so i would pass the driving standard. He recommended a further test in 12 months just to check on the left eye.

I'm a 'real' specswearer now and its been a long time coming!!

Kat 08 Oct 2002, 22:00

No Guy isn't yet wearing them all the time although we have made some progress. He's still taking them off alot and obviously not comfortable about keeping them on too much. We flew to Belfast for the weekend and though it was good he kept them on for finding the checkin desk, he immeidately took them off afterwards and couldn't see much detail around him. Also there was no sign of them when we got off the plane leaving me to spot his friend who was coming to meet us. I know he has a real issue with the 'starting to wear glasses' thing amongst his friends, none of whom strangely already wear them. I have done the complimenting him on how he looks and he's pleased about that, but he's very uncomfortable about people (other than me) commenting. Coming out of the house the other day we bumped into a neighbour who looked at Guy and immeidately said "Oh never seen you in glasses before Guy ..." and that's exactly the sort of thing he hates, why do people have to comment?? Our regular wearing routine does now include catching the train, although I'm pretty sure they come off to read the paper and don't go on when he gets off to walk to the office. A week later there's no real pattern to him wearing them and still he relys on me to be the one of us with 20/20 vision. Perhaps it takes a bit of time to get used to them?

Yeti 07 Oct 2002, 04:51

Hi all

This is my first post here and I would like to join all disccusions.I am 25 years old male from Europe.I study at University and do a lot of different more and less interesting things in my life. I am interested in all matters related to vision problems and glasses.

I wear specs myself since I was 12 and I was taken for my first eye test.My first prescription was about -0.5D both eyes.I was impressed how clear I could see when I was given my first glasses.Since then I started to be interested in all that things on scientific way(causes of myopia,methods of vision correction).On the second hadn I always looked at glasses and lenses as a special kind of magic that chnge wearer psychology and world perceiving. My prescription changed slowly and always eyetest was amazing and exciteing experience for me.My current prescription is -3.0R,-3.25L.I wear black squere metal frames with normal lenses.Most of time I use contact lenses.It is more comfortable and allows to live without limits.

I am also crazy about girls with glasses.I thing glasses makes them very sexy, sensual and intellectual look.In my oppinion glasses(wore by nice, preety woman) are deep source of erotic experience.I like watching other peolpe wear theirs gllasses and estimate prescriptions.My favorite kind of specs is metal frames with normal lenses at medium and high prescriptions.I would like to experience different degrees of myopia so GOC is one of my dreams.

At my first post I would like to dhare some interesting sighting I had last time.There is opti shop nera my house.Once I was standing at bus stop and I saw girl trying specs.I came closer and looked inside throught the window.I realized she had quite srong minus specs and she chose specs.She put her specs off, put on the table and put new frames on.Then she moved her face very close to the mirror and next...put her old specs on to new frames and watched herself for a distance.She did it few times and chose nice metal frames.Then the salesman showed her table with profiles od different indexed lenses.When she came out I saw her specs in details.Big plastic oval frames with blueblocked lenses about -10,-12 dioptries.It looked so sexy on her small nose and delicate face...Sometimes I wish I was optican and I helped to choose specs for beautiful girls.Wouldn't it be great :))

Hope to in touch time to time

Clare 05 Oct 2002, 12:51

Last post was mine!

05 Oct 2002, 12:51

Hmm, interesting. I wonder there are lots of people out there like me who regularly wear contacts but would stubbornly resist full time wear, but then I still can to some extent, my current Rx is -2.25 and -2.50. And I wonder if there are people out there who migrate to contacts at a much lower prescription and get hooked on the clarity, what happens to them if they can't wear contacts for some reason - do they suddenly reach for their specs? Sandy, I'm sure you're right that females hold out for longer, so might that mean that there are more female contact lens wearers and more who are happy to be corrected with contact lenses but would suffer inconvenience rather than accept full time wear - whenever that might be.

Puffin 05 Oct 2002, 06:48

I remember this girl at school, she had these pretty strong glasses but didn't wear them all the time. She could only read the blackboard from around 4-5 feet away, either that or sit with the specs on. I imagine her RX somewhere in the minus 4-5 area, pretty strong stuff to go without.

She also rode a bike without specs, which both intrigued me and worried me, because I imagine her chances of passing the vision test to drive were none at all. (Road signs? What are they?)

She went around for about 18 months like this, then I saw her one day at the beginning of the next year, and she was wearing them full-time, with no apparent large increase, was like this for another two years and then went to contacts.

Sandy 04 Oct 2002, 16:11

Caterina, I have to agree with you. I think that it is up to the individual to decide when he or she is ready to wear their specs full time. I know that most females try to wait as long as possible until wearing their glasses full time. At some point, be it watching television, going to a movie, looking at a menu in a fast food restaurant, they will end up pulling their glasses out of their purse and putting them on to be able to see. At most movies that I go to, I usually see about a few people that wait until the lights go out to get their glasses out and put them on to see the film. Then when it's over, the glasses go back into their purse. At least, if their prescription is not bad, they have a choice. Take care.

Caterina 04 Oct 2002, 09:30

Zee,

I don't think somebody can TELL you that you have to wear your glasses full-time. My prescription is weaker than yours, and I don't really like to wear glasses, so I put mine on usually at home when my eyes feel tired, or if I drive (I can pass the vision test but I still want it perfect when I am responsible for lives).

If I came to a point where I would make errors at work, or be very uncomfortable physically, or otherwise felt that going uncorrected at work was interfering with my ability to do a good job, I would wear glasses to work at that point, and it wouldn't matter whether it was due to a change in my Rx or to my job function. And it wouldn't matter how much of a change there was. If I felt like I couldn't enjoy a movie without them, I would wear them then.

I guess in order to decide if you have to wear your glasses full-time, you have to ask yourself if, for you and your circumstances, not wearing them is interfering with your functioning and with your enjoyment of things.

Elle 03 Oct 2002, 14:23

Larry, Im a contact lens wearer with a much lower prescription than yours (-1.75 and -.50 of astigmatism) but I crave the great vision I get with contact lenses. I wear them religiously during the week because, like Matt says, its great to see road signs and faces and the detail of life that youre missing right now. Its probably only about four months since I decided to wear contact lenses, and its no big hassle and the correction is invisible, but if Im ever without them for my weekday routine I really notice it. I believe its really made a difference before I knew others could see things I couldnt and I felt I was waiting to be caught out. Now I'm certain I can see as well as everyone else I just feel so much more confident.

Zee 03 Oct 2002, 14:06

Is there a strength when people are told to wear their glasses all the time? Since today I have, right -1.25/-0.25, x 100 and left -1.5. Will I need to wear them all the time?

Matt 03 Oct 2002, 13:14

Larry, I've been where you are! I was in denial that I needed to wear glasses full time when I was about your prescription, but could not see cars coming so I felt unsafe and had to start wearing them full time. After a couple of days full time wear I felt I could not do without them any more, even though I did not particularly like wearing them. It's so much easier being able to read signs, see things in the supermarket. Give it a go, after a few days of full time wear you'll feel naked bare eyed.

Kat, how is Guy getting on with his glasses? Is he wearing them full time now. I think general questions are best - something like "How are you getting on with your glasses?". Tell him how much you like his glasses - don't feel guilty about it.

larry 03 Oct 2002, 13:00

i can manage without them especially in daylight sometimes i like walking around in a blur i usually go bare eyed most of the day things are blurry but my glasses are thick look better without them but cant wear contacts i guess i am stuck with them

Alan 03 Oct 2002, 12:56

Larry - glasses with -3 in regular plastic ("CR-39") will be fairly thick if the frames are on the larger side.

How do you manage without glasses? My prescription is only slightly stronger than that, and I find it hard to even do desk work without them.

larry 03 Oct 2002, 12:46

hi christy my glasses are quite thick with such a low rx did they make them correctly tried poly last time but they scratch too easily

Christy 03 Oct 2002, 11:48

Larry - a prescription like yours is certainly worth wearing all the time. Sure - you could get around in a blur without being much of a danger to yourself - but you might prefer the clarity that wearing glasses will give you.

larry 03 Oct 2002, 11:06

just got -3 and -2.75 also -1 asig are these strong the optical place said they were but compared to people here they seem so weak do you think i will need them full time

Kat 02 Oct 2002, 14:46

Yes Alan its good he's wearing them but I don't know what you mean, what questions can I ask him that he'll feel comfortable asking? I can't get inside a guy's head like that. I feel a bit guilty that I like him so much with glasses but that I know he doesn't feel so good about it. How do I help him feel better about it? I want him to feel good about his glasses like I do.

Christy 02 Oct 2002, 13:42

I think it's a pity when people are uncomfortable about their glasses. I think they're great fun to wear and wouldn't be seen without them. Last time I went anywhere with someone who kept putting their glasses on and taking them off all the time - it drove me nuts!

Alan 02 Oct 2002, 12:18

Kat

He's not talking about it because the glasses and his need for them makes him uncomfortable. That's what guys do, usually. You'd probably have to bring it out of him to get him to talk about it...but you'd need to do that very carefully or he's likely to get upset. You have to ask him questions that he feels safe answering. It's too bad guys do this (clam up when something causes strong feelings), since it creates distance between you when it could bring you closer.

It's good that he's wearing them more, though. Not that you should suggest it, but I'm surprise he isn't trying contacts.

Alan

Kat 02 Oct 2002, 11:42

So Guy got his new stronger glasses on Monday. I like the effect through the lenses they make everything look a bit smaller, like his others but these are 1.75 and the others were 1.25. . I really want him to wear them because he looks so cute in them. I saw him come home in the car and I watched him get out but I was really disappointed because when he got out I could see hed already taken them off. I sort of hoped that now hed got them hed find out needed to keep them on. He showed them to me when he got in but only because I asked if he got them and theyre nice. I tried them on but they were no good for me. Then yesterday morning we drove to the station and he took them off again getting out of the car. But when we were on the platform he was stuck because there was a problem with the train and he couldnt see the sign so he didn't know how late it was or which train was coming next. That was it I knew he was caught out. I havent said much about him wearing them the same or more because I thought he might get funny. But this morning, result. Obviously his experience of yesterday at the station had an effect because this morning when he got out the car, you guessed, he kept his glasses on. I know he knows he cant see too well without them so even if he only does it gradually I bet hes going to wear them more and more. I know he doesnt really want to wear them more but I find it weird he sort of is but isnt talking to me about any of it. Makes me feel a kind of distance between us.

Puffin 02 Oct 2002, 08:20

It just so happens I am a classical music nut too, as well as an OO.

The OGL 02 Oct 2002, 07:50

Peter: so as to not clutter this read, let's continue over on the "What Turns You On" as it's the closest to what I'm about to mention. You're a classical musician, I'm a semi-classical former music major, Cee 'eM Optics is doing some business with another poster who is also classically trained and who mused in an e-mail to me whether there's a connection between our artistic leanings/training (in the case of the two of you probably talent which isn't so in my case) and our fetish. An opinion, maestro?

ehpc 02 Oct 2002, 04:20

'Sorted'.................yes, I suppose that is a Scottish expression.........it means......well....'sorted', 'got her head together',not indecisive, knows what she wants out of life,knows where she is going and where she wants to go, all that sort of thing. Peter

The OGL 01 Oct 2002, 14:22

Uhhh, Tim & Nordette: thanks. Anything more we can learn about you?

Nordette 01 Oct 2002, 11:51

r: -4.24 -1.25 add +1.25

l: -5.00 -1.50 add +1.25

Tim 30 Sep 2002, 15:21

R: -3.75

L:-3.25

Christy 30 Sep 2002, 14:04

I seem to have got through years and years without a decent glasses chat - then all of a sudden while travelling with two friend recently - (one full-time and one part-time wearer) - specs chat seemed to pop up every couple of days. Made a refreshing change - though I still didn't get as far as declaring my great love of wearing glasses!

The OGL 30 Sep 2002, 12:23

Ahhh, Clare, you disappoint me....you say you wouldn't think of putting on your own specs, you hate talking about eyesight.....oh, dear. What will it take to get the rest of you OO's out of the closet?

Clare 30 Sep 2002, 11:32

The OGL yes, my friend, a new contact lens wearer, I was surprised too. And no Id never known her with glasses. A few of us went out to lunch to a nice old country pub, and predictably it had a specials menu on the wall. Guess I started the discussion because true to form I had to get up to go and read it (and before you ask, no I wouldnt think of getting my specs out to take a look). When I came back she was reading from the menu. Then, when I was seated comfortably, she announced: "you know I had to get contact lenses ..." I hate situations like that and I hate talking about eyesight, so I let someone else continue the conversation. Found out theyre 1.25. She obviously thinks that shes quite shortsighted, perhaps she was told to wear them full time? She was so open about discussing her eyesight Im surprised she didnt go for glasses.

When I was at 1.25 I thought I had a very low prescription and it wouldnt have occurred to me to convert to contact lenses. I wonder, amongst those who choose full time correction at that prescription, whether its more common to wear contact lenses or glasses? Shame you couldnt be there OGL!!

The OGL 30 Sep 2002, 08:30

Rachael: you just signed the guest book over on Likeglass' site, said you'd see us on the bulletin board, hope you meant here. You said your farsighted, and new glasseswearer. How about, for openers, telling us your story about how you came to our side, how and why you enjoy wearing them, etc.? Then, since you don't know it, we'll try to guess your rx!

The OGL 30 Sep 2002, 06:24

Clare: interesting post about your -1.25 friend. You said you never knew her to wear glasses, but she showed up wearing CL's. How did you know she had CL's? A well fit pair of soft lenses are totally unnoticeable except under the rarest of circumstances....did she bring the topic up and if so, why? Of course I love it when people bring up such topics of conversation on their own, what an opening to pursue! And yes, for most people that is a full time want to wear situation, she's probably seeing around 20/100 without them.

Alan 29 Sep 2002, 19:53

Clare -- the difference would be noticable to her for anything farther than 6-8 feet away. Sure, she could go without, but why? And there's that whole blur-tolerance thing -- some people don't mind some blur, other people can't stand it. For me, I'd hate to be outside, especially shopping or doing something with friends with -1.25 uncorrected...but most of the time I wouldn't mind too much. The thing with contacts, though, is that it's a nuisance to take them out and put them in whenever you really want to see clearly. It's easier to just wear them.

Clare 29 Sep 2002, 11:19

A friend of mine turned up to lunch today and was wearing contact lenses. I never knew her to wear glasses. She said that the prescription is -1.25. Seems quite low to go to fulltime wear with contacts, but she seemed to think she needed them. What do you guys think?

Alan 29 Sep 2002, 06:01

Kami - you wrote the Rx kind of oddly, but I think I understand it. About the same in both eyes, right? Anyway, it depends on the size of the frame, but the thickness will be noticeable regardless of the frame size, unless perhaps you get a plastic frame that is fairly heavy but with a small eye size. My girlfriend has a similar prescription, and I think her lenses are 4-5 mm thick with regular plastic lenses. Not terribly thick, but noticeable.

Kami 29 Sep 2002, 02:54

Hello I am a 16yo guy and I want to ask a thing. I have always worn contact lenses but I lost one and I want to switch to glasses. On my rx paper these are my numbers:

Sph: -4.25 sx -4.50 dx

Cyl: -0.50 sx -0.50 dx

Axis 175 sx 3 dx

I just wanted to ask you how thick will my glasses be with cheap lenses (non hi index)? thank you

Wurm 28 Sep 2002, 16:01

Peter, I'm curious to learn what you mean by "sorted" -- does it refer to having sorted oneself out, and largely completed the process of self-discovery?

ehpc 28 Sep 2002, 11:36

Apologies for a couple of spelling (e.g.women instead of woman)and typographical errors in my last post. Peter

ehpc 28 Sep 2002, 11:35

Clare-As the ultimate appreciator of blonde women wearing black plastic framed glasses of blonde women, let me explain and expound. Of course, it all depends what kind of women a man is attracted to in the first place. I invariably go for highly intelligent and professionally successful 'sorted' women, but of course who have a very feminine side too. For me, black plastic- framed glasses for short sight, worn by a blonde woman, promise everything I want in a woman. The serious professional black plastic framed glasses symbolise intelligence,professional success, and confidence (hey!look at me!Aren't these glasses cool!)and the blonde hair symbolises femininity and sensitivity. The whole package!What more could a man need?:)So......black plasticframed glasses and blonde hair.........everything!Brains,confidence,and sex appeal!The whole works! Peter

Portia 27 Sep 2002, 22:09

OGL, the recent unnamed post on which you have commented was mine.

I regret my mistake in not identifying my post.

I drive in New York City sometimes, but driving I95 in Florida makes the Cross Bronx, the Major Deegen, and Third Avenue on a Friday night in August look easy.

Portia 27 Sep 2002, 22:02

Nancy, move to Manhattan when you get out of school. It's a cool place with lots of things that will make your life easier.

No car needed here. Hail a cab anywhere or have your doorman get one for you. I know many adults here who have never learned to drive. It simply is not necessary.

Our buses and subways go everywhere. ALL city buses are equipped for wheelchairs, and special seats are held open for those in need for any reason.

New Yorkers are the most helpful people on the planet...ask directions and nine New Yorkers will tell you fourteen different ways to get there.

EVERYTHING can be delivered to your apartment. From a single banana and a quart of skim milk from the Korean Market to a prescription, great Szechuan food, or dinner for two from a very fine restaurant with a waiter to serve, it will come to your door. I have met women who have lived here for years and have never been inside a supermarket.

People in New York have seen everything, so being a bit out of the ordinary does not attract attention. This is still the place where you could walk down Fifth Avenue at noon in your birthday suit with few heads turning. I think we are way out in front of other places in terms of accomodating the differently-abled.

The job market here is, and always will be, very comptetitive, but we were one of the first cities to mandate changes in our building code that make it easier for those in wheelchairs to navigate both entering and living in newly-constructed apartment and office buildings.

New York might be a place where you can find freedom from such things as driving. Think about it.

We may also have the largest glasses-wearing population in the western hemisphere, so there lots of fun in that area also!

Alan 27 Sep 2002, 09:33

Clare - Your friend's glasses habits are very interesting. It seems like most people who switch between glasses and contacts go the other way around -- glasses at work and contacts for social things. Since glasses are seen as "professional" and "intelligent", they make sense at work (for office-worker types). I'm surprised someone would switch the other way.

Black frames on blonds - I'd say it's the contrast. It really works well in a color-matching sense. But there's something to be said for being bold, as the OGL says.

Nancy 27 Sep 2002, 08:21

In Mass. when my visual field dropped below 130 deg, the dr reported it to the RMV and they restricted me to daytime only (I had already stopped driving at night anyway). When the visual field dropped below 100, they took my license. now I have to get rides from my roommate, my mom, or my brother who just got his license. My brother has the beginnings of RP, but only slight night vision problems now (and hearing loss - he inherited Ushers too).

The OGL 27 Sep 2002, 06:59

Clare: yes, the contrast is compelling, but to me it's the boldness; you're making a statement that says "hey, look at me, I'm wearing glasses and I love them". And, I looooove bold women. To the unnamed poster, the State is Florida, but there's been a pretty big movement in recent years to standardize as many traffic laws as possible in the U.S. so I suspect there are quite a few other states with the same standards. I was involved in an accident case in which the driver had light perception only in the right eye due to glaucoma, and best corrected vision in the left of 20/40 wearing around a -2.50, the license restriction was for corrective lenses and outside rear view mirrors. The scariest part is that even if you fail the test at the DL office, all you have to do is get a doctor to sign off (and you can always find one that will except in the most extreme cases) and you get your restricted license; the elderly lobby is strong. Don't get me off on the drunk drivng laws, that .08 level is ridiculous, even the .10 as well, when we have elderly people blowing through stop signs and driving the wrong way and killing others and themselves and nothing is done because the lawmakers don't have the guts to go against a huge bloc of voters and get these people off the roads.

Clare 26 Sep 2002, 23:05

My new glasses with the *black* frames came in yesterday. I got them made up in the 2.25/-2.50 prescription that I was given 6 months ago. Id held back from getting the extra 0.25. Well, I can see great with them and the style is certainly a change. Quite striking in fact. In fact theyre so modern and stylish that I feel Ill have to plan my wardrobe around them when I wear them! They could look very serious and professional, I think thats what I was saying about plastic in the first place wasnt it? Im at home today so will wear them around the house, I wouldnt usually but it will help me get used to the look.

Im fascinated by a friend of mines glasses-wearing habits: Ive known her for seven years, we worked for the same company for five of them till I left a couple of years ago. Since leaving the company and seeing her socially I discovered that she has quite a fixed routine always contact lenses for the office and generally glasses for the evenings/weekends. Her prescription is stronger than mine, Im not that good at guessing but Id say between 3 and 4. We havent talked about vision yet but we probably will, I imagine that with that prescription she probably wore glasses long before contact lenses and she seems quite comfortable with them. And its because she appears to be quite comfortable wearing glasses that Im surprised that she never wears them to work, she must feel that they make a difference to how she feels she would be seen in a professional environment. Now what is it that's so compelling about black frames on blondes, is the contrast?

26 Sep 2002, 20:07

OGL, which state in the US has such scary vision requirements for drivers?

I think that a driver to whom glasses have been prescribed who drives without them is right up there with the ones who hit the road after drinking alcohol.

It always struck me that the Germans had very strict DWI laws...are they as strict about DWG (driving without glasses?

The OGL 26 Sep 2002, 17:16

Elle: know exactly what you mean about the fuzzy office w/o your correction. Quite often, I do GOC to exactly your real visual acuity as it's perfect for when I need to spend all day long with my presbyopic self planted in front of a computer. I function fuzzily around the office, but as soon as I go outside on go the glasses.

Alan: yeah, it's confusing. I can't completely figure it out and I'm both an optician and a lawyer!

Elle 26 Sep 2002, 15:02

This is a word or 2 of background for Kat.

As Alan says -1.75 is not a strong prescription, so don't go worrying about it. But I have to make one point very clear and that's this, that -1.75 IS strong enough to make a difference. That's my prescription and I mean that its strong enouggh that I want full time distance correction (I wear contact lenses) and to feel uncomfortable without them. I can do without them though its just that I don't much like it. That's probably because since my last increase it seemed a good idea to go with the contact lenses and I've got used to what I see. I had "lense trouble" this week andd lost one so removed the other, what I saw was a preety fuzzy office in which I could make things out but couldn't see my colleagues clearly. I'm used to seeing everything, including the expressions of colleagues way across the office and I like that!

So Kat, point o f this tale is this, you guy may not be legal for driving but can get by if he still chooses not to wear his -1.75s, but chances are that if he gets to make the comparision between can and can't see he'll realise that what he can see with -1.75s is SO much better than what he can't see without them. MAke sure you let us know how he goes.

Elle 26 Sep 2002, 14:50

Christy 26 Sep 2002, 12:28

Alan & OGL

The recent report of a British driver who had to be taken to within 2m (6ft) of a licence plate to be able to read it is pretty frightening. Presumably he's still driving - but hopefully he took the hint and went and got specs.

Alan 26 Sep 2002, 11:54

OGL - that's terribly confusing. I can't even tell what the actual requirement is. Or maybe I'm in disbelief - it seems to say that 20/70 in one eye and 20/120 in the other eye is good enough. OK, but I hope such a person is very careful about when and where they drive!

The OGL 26 Sep 2002, 07:03

Braved the "hurricane" yesterday aft, it was downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it made landfill over by New Orleans and was really a wimp by the time it hit here, so decided it was time to get a driver's license in this state. Took the CL's out 15 minutes or so before the eye test as the distance vision does tend to recover a bit, and although it was a bit blurry passed with no restrictions. My distance rx, by the way, is +.75 -.50 OD and +1.00 OS which young people would barely consider but to a full blown presbyope it does make a difference. Here's a quote from the official state driver's manual re vision restrictions: "To pass, you must meet the following vision standards with or without corrective lenses. *Have 20/40 (or better vision in each eye and both eyes, with or without corrective lenses. *If you have 20/200 (or worse) vision in one eye, you must have 20/40 (or better) vision in the other eye, with or without corrective lenses. Referral to an eye doctor may be required. *If you have 20/70 (or better) vision in either eye separately, or in both eyes together. The worst eye must have a vision screening better than 20/200, with or without corrective lenses. Referral to an eye doctor may be required." Confusing, no?

Alan 26 Sep 2002, 06:43

-1.75 is not a very strong prescription. I am pretty sure no one will notice the difference from the old prescription to the new one.

Christy 25 Sep 2002, 14:54

Kat

When I got my first glasses the optician said they would be useful for watching TV and driving. Well - I don't have a TV and I don't drive! But I do appreciate the really sharp clarity I get from wearing glasses - and I've worn them full-time for the past 14 years. Also - I like wearing glasses and always wanted to wear them anyway - so I guess that makes a big difference!

Kat 25 Sep 2002, 14:13

Matt, Alan, Clare, S.type and anyone else who's interested

I'm getting a sense of what you mean here but I think Guy (that's my guy) doesn't understand like i'm starting to. What's eating him maybe is that he hasn't been told he should wear them all the time but he knows someone who does and it spooks him a bit. I'm now sort of fascinated by whether he will need them or not. Alan you said you were wearing contact lenses around this prescription, S.type you reckon this is about the prescription for full time wear. Is -1.75 a strong prescription and will it look much stronger? He's got frames that are very much like his old ones so people wouldn't really notice, except perhaps that he might wear them more. I'm sure his issue is that people may comment, I can't give him advice on that.

Matt 25 Sep 2002, 11:40

Kat,

It's a very familiar story. I first got glasses when I was quite young, probably about 10. At first it wasn't too bad, I just needed them to read the board at school, so I did not really wear them that often.

By the time I was 15 my prescription was about -3.00 and I really needed to be wearing my glasses all the time, I was pretty blind without them. Kept blanking my mates cos I couldn't see them. However, I was like your boyfriend I was extremely self-conscious about wearing glasses, I would put them on at the start of a lesson, take them off and put them away and the end, walk down the corridor and then put them on in the next lesson. I always took my glasses everywhere but would not wear them unless I really had to. In retrospect this constant on-off business made me more, not less, conscious of my glasses.

My mates were constantly nagging me to wear my glasses more and took the mick that I could not see anything, but it did not make any difference. I walked around in a half-blind haze for three year before I finally realised that I needed to be wearing my glasses all the time. I was waiting outside a shop looking for the car that was supposed to be picking me up, but I really could not make out any of the cars. This scared me as I realised that I was a danger when crossing the road. I decided that I was better off wearing glasses than being dead!

So, from the next day I became a full time wearer. After a few days of full time wear he will not be self-conscious any more, but really the decision to go full time has to come from him. It might be a good idea for him to try to go full time around the house for a long weekend or go away for a few days and wear the full time. By this stage he may well be so used to the good vision that he won't want to go without them.

Alan 24 Sep 2002, 14:05

Kat,

Honestly, I think it's pretty foolish of this guy to take such pains to avoid wearing glasses. One of the more ironic things about vanity is that people often end up doing MORE embarrassing things because of their vanity than if they didn't have the concern in the first place. For example, taking off his glasses when getting out of the car, or not wearing them when there's something to see (like deer in the trees).

Anyway, I am not sure what you can tell him to get him to wear them more often. He probably won't like it if you point out how silly he acts with regard to them. I'm sure there is some way to get him to realize that NO ONE cares if he wears glasses, except you -- and you like them. But if he just won't hear it, he should probably get contacts. He really is missing a lot that he could be seeing, and there's not much vanity problem with contacts.

Good luck,

Alan

Kat 24 Sep 2002, 13:21

Hi again. My guy is 25 and he's always had glasses since I've known him. He got them when he was 21 and wanted to pass his driving test and his prescription was a bit lower than the -1.25 that he has now. He nearly had the new glasses today but they came in with a fault that the optician couldn't fix so they've gone back to the manufacturer.

As to Alan's point about do I know what he can see, we don't really talk about it, I've just picked up that he's a bit nervous about the new ones. He's quite shy about it and will always take them off if he's watching TV and goes out to the kitchen, getting out of the car to get petrol etc. He never leaves them on more than he has to. Of course I notice if he struggles a bit, but he doesn't say, he's a bit embarrassed like at the weekend we were walking in a park and I saw a large deer entangled in a tree. I didn't do it deliberately but I said - see that deer over there? He couldn't, it wasn't more than about 75 feet away, and he changed the subject.

I wonder whether when he eventually gets these new glasses whether he might start to like to be able to see things like deer stuck in trees. Right now I think he thinks that glasses are for specific things like driving or watching TV. Maybe the vision will be so good he'll want to wear them for walks too? I hope so, I think they really suit him. Any chance you think I could encourage him ... I know telling him I think he looks hot in them won't work. I think he's pretty vain about it! and I know he'd be really embarrassed about wearing them if he was just out with his mates - he'd probably rather not see things!! Male vanity huh??

Clare 21 Sep 2002, 23:41

Kat

People here will tell you that whats important is how well your boyfriend wants to see. Right now he wont realise how much clearer his vision will be with the new prescription but hes obviously feeling a bit apprehensive because he senses it will be much better. Just because he sees better with them doesnt mean he has to wear them all the time, thats very much up to him, but as Alan says he may want to. To illustrate that point, Im currently wearing 2 and Ive never worn them all the time. People here know that's because Im self conscious about wearing them. I wear contact lenses more than anything and yesterday I needed to know I could still go out without them, so I went shopping with a friend and, of course, I managed. I could have seen a hellava lot better with my glasses but I got by! So, final point, let your boyfriend be guided by what suits him rather than someone elses experience.

Alan 21 Sep 2002, 05:29

Kat,

How old is he? It's possible more *pre*scription changes will come, and then he'll probably want to go with full-time wear.

When my prescription was around there, I think I wore contacts all the time, but occasionally went without anything at home. I'm surprised he is comfortable not wearing them when he is out and about - his vision is probably pretty blurry. (Has he shown you what he can and can't read without them at a distance?) The decision is really up to him, not the eye doctor, but it would be pretty normal for him to wear them all the time.

S-type 20 Sep 2002, 17:34

Kat, I would say -1.75 to -2.00 is just about the point one should wear for "full time". Maybe not always for around the house necessarly but out of doors and in unfamilure places where distance is important....yes i would wear them full time. Like trying to find something at Home Depot, yes!

Kat 20 Sep 2002, 17:24

If someone goes from a -1,25 to a -1,75 is it necessary to wear the prescription for all distance wear? My boyfriend aged 25 has had an increase in his perscription and has confided in me that he;s a bit worred pretty much because he knows that his colleague at work wears -1,75 all the time except at his desk when he takes them off. I think he look s great in his glasses tho he doesn't always wear them. Should he be expect to need them for everything except near work? He thinks that his new perscription will be ready next week. I wouldn't really mind if he has to wear them all the time but its obviously a worry to him because i think he worries he might be getting to be dependent on them. Is there anyone with a similar perscription that can offer advice or idea of what he can expect to need them for? Grateful, thanks.

jim 13 Sep 2002, 17:36

this is the other jim. the -9 one. i will now be called jim-9 to also try and minimise confusion when i post.

was Jim - now Jimmy 12 Sep 2002, 08:40

I've just realised there is another Jim who posts on this board (the "Jim" who posted in this category last was me). To save any further confusion I will call myself Jimmy instead.

I hope this helps!

Jim 11 Sep 2002, 16:51

MICHELLE

Like you I have a mild minus prescription with a little bit of astigmatism. When I got them, they didn't look very strong and I thought I would only need them for driving and watching t.v., but the optician advised me to wear them as much as possible otherwise it would take ages for me to get used to the correction for astigmatism. I have now been wearing them for well over a year and have reached the conclusion that everything looks a lot better now and will only stay that way if I do wear them all the time. I did actually not wear my glasses for nearly a week once and then had to go through the "getting used to them" period all over again when I wore them again.

I think you should wear your glasses full-time so your eyes are able to get used to the lenses as much as possible by the time you take your driving test. You don't want to fail your driving test because you failed the sight test. With your prescription you will probably fail the sight test if you DON'T wear your glasses.

Good luck for your test. Here's a hint my driving instructor gave me just before I took my test. "If you make a small mistake, such as clipping the kerb when pulling out of a junction, just acknowlege it by saying something like 'Opps, sorry about that!' and as long as you don't keep making mistakes you should pass, as examiners won't 'mark you down' anywhere near as much if you let them know that you are aware of the mistake immediateley after it happens". Here's another hint : RELAX. KEEP CALM and just like when you had exams at school - get a good nights sleep before the exam.

Michelle 11 Sep 2002, 14:44

I haven't taken my driving test yet. It is Monday next week. To be honest I don't wear my glasses that much. I do wear them when driving and my driving instructor said I looked good in them.

WL 09 Sep 2002, 21:33

I am new here and I am making my first post. I had an eye exam today (last was one year ago) and for the first time I was given a prescription with prism included. My new prescription is L +.25 nv add +2.50 Base in 1, R + .50 nv add +2.50 Base in 1. What can I expect with this new prism added. My distance went up from L -.25 add 2.25 R +.25 add 2.25. Seems like quite a difference plus prism. Just looking for advice on what to expect with prism. Oh the prism is near and far I guess. Thanks in advance

me 09 Sep 2002, 17:10

MICHELLE

How are you getting on with your glasses? Are you wearing them full or part time? Which pair do you wear most? Did you get any comments from your friends and family?

Have you taken your driving test yet? If you have - Did you pass? I hope you did.

Tanya (again!) 07 Sep 2002, 16:58

I forgot to say that I wear my glasses full-time now. I only wore them part-time from when I got them until about May this year.

I have put more details in my posting in "Acuity and Prescription II"

Tanya 07 Sep 2002, 16:49

I'm new here.

My prescription is +1.75 in both eyes (since January last year when I got glasses for the first time). It might to go up to +2.00 when I go for my next check-up in December, my optician told me.

Tam 06 Sep 2002, 08:56

hello there

i'd like to show you my lenses cause some of you are quite expert and i hope you can explain something abou them

I lost the exact rx, i just know they are both -12.50 but i don't know information about other numbers and their meaning. However i notice that the 2 lenses are different at the external side. In one of them there is a sort of plane surface, then the curve starts, and in the other one the curve starts just at the side. Do you know what does this mean? thank you.

You can see the lenses here:

http://www.geocities.com/tamas18/lens.html

If u want to see them in bigger size here are the addresses:

http://www.geocities.com/tamas18/left.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/tamas18/right.jpg

Thank you!

Bye

Rolf 02 Sep 2002, 16:13

Michelle, I agree with the nurse.

If you need glasses to drive you need to take your test wearing glasses.

You need to worry about the safety of everybody else.

Puffin 01 Sep 2002, 06:30

Mmmm. Heard that comment somewhere before!

Michelle 30 Aug 2002, 17:31

I went and got my glasses today.

Going back to my test a few days ago I wasn't worried because I didn't think there was anything wrong with my eyes. I went into the back room where I had the test. He did various tests looking at my eyes and then started the vision test. I couldn't read all the letters with my left eye. He tried different lenses until I could read just about read everything. It was the same story with my other eye. Then he got me to read as much as possible with both eyes looking through lenses.

At the end of the test he said I needed glasses as I have already said. A spent a fair while looking choosing the frames. I decided to get two pairs, a rimless pair and a pair of dark black framed glasses almost rectangular in shape but with with rounded edges. I thought they contrasted well with my blonde hair.

I went back to today to collect them. The nurse tried both pairs on me and adjusted them slightly. I had to choose a case. I went for the hard cases, more practical if I drop them I thought.

A female eye doctor was on duty, youngish with long hair wearing glasses herself. I asked her about not wearing glasses for the driving test and she said while it may be possible to pass, she recommended I wore them from a safety point of view to have the best possible vision. What do people think?

I wore the rimless pair home today. The difference was amzing. Everything seems so fresh. I tried my glasses for watching tv. Again I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed my eyes getting worse.

Caterina 30 Aug 2002, 14:04

Hi OGL,

I have had a scrip before. I have no idea what it was but I brought those old glasses in to my last exam and the eye doc said this was slightly worse. I needed them in college. I had no problems wearing them then, but that was before I developed my emotional problem. Then I seemed to see fine and I quit wearing them, and in the interim I devfeloped my emotional problems. Now for whatever reason I am having some visual problems again.

Also it was easier to wear them in college because you had all these contact wearers who would occasionally stay up way too late and hav eto be at an 8 AM class, and there they would be in glasses, so anyone could turn up in glasses and nobody would think anything of it.

The OGL 30 Aug 2002, 06:23

Caterina: I just returned to posting after a long absence, my request is probably back in the archives somewhere but I don't have time to look, how long have you worn glasses? Was the scrip you just posted your first? Anything more you can tell us about your 00 experience?

Caterina 29 Aug 2002, 15:59

Michelle,

It;s been a long time since I posted. Life has been crazy lately. But I wanted to let you know that I also have just a very weak prescription, I think it was -.50 -.75x5 and -.75 -.75x175.

Anyway, I find that I can still see without my glasses, but things do look much better with them. I think because of the astigmatism, sometimes not wearing them makes my eyes more tired and causes my vision to be more blurry. I thought it would have the effect of making me dependent on them, but actually wearing them makes them feel stronger and better able to cope with things when I don't have them on.

Unfortunately I'm really self-conscious and I have a hard time dealing with change. I even feel uncomfortable if people notice a new outfit or comment when I get my hair trimmed. So, I haven't been able to take the step of wearing them to work or in public. I'm actually currently in therapy for social phobia. But I do enjoy wearing my glasses at home and it is one of my personal goals to be able to tolerate going outside in them.

Christy 29 Aug 2002, 10:11

Did ya hear the one about the officer who pulled over a woman for speeding and asked to see her licence?

He said "Madam, it says here you should be wearing glasses."

She says "Well I have contacts."

He says "I don't care who you know... you're still getting a ticket!"

The OGL 29 Aug 2002, 06:35

Michelle: Curt is absolutely right. And, in most U.S. states you will be able to pass the exam uncorrected but most certainly you will be in awe at the whole new world presented when you first put your glasses on.

Curt 29 Aug 2002, 05:39

Michelle: You may want to try to pass your eye test without your new glasses first, and if you can't see well enough, then wear them. If you wear them for the test, your license will be marked as "requiring corrective lenses", and if you are found driving without them, you could face a pretty hefty fine. Your prescription is low enough that you may be able to pass the test without them. Then, if you want to wear them when driving you can, but will not be required by law to do so. I have a couple friends and a cousin who have prescriptions similar to yours and have gone this route. Just a thought...

Spexlover 29 Aug 2002, 04:08

Hi Herve,

tell a little bit how it came that you noticed you needed glasses?

how did your family react?

do you enjoy wearing your new glasses?

The OGL 28 Aug 2002, 14:54

Michelle; it means you are slightly nearsighted and have a small amount of astigmatism in each eye. The glasses will make things wonderfully clear for you (although the floor will slant at first!) so you should wear them whenever you want to. Some people wear that scrip all the time, some part time, some never at all believe it or not. We hope you'll not only wear them all the time, you'll tell us your whole experience about finding out you needed them, the exam, the first time you put them on, etc.

Michelle 28 Aug 2002, 12:37

I have got my driving test in two weeks. I went to the eye doctor to check my vision and he said I needed glasses which I should wear for driving. My prescription is -0.50 -0.50 25 and -0.50 -0.25 175. What do the numbers mean? How often should I wear my glasses?

The OGL 27 Aug 2002, 09:07

Clare: disregard my last post on the other thread, I promised to post that "experience" on the GOC thread and shall do so now, just couldn't remember that I'd mentioned my functional GOC on this one. It's hell to get old.......

The OGL 26 Aug 2002, 09:39

GWGs: absolutely! been gone a few days, and will answer all of my e-mail tonite,there was bunch.

gWgS 26 Aug 2002, 09:32

The OGL - are you still interested in doing what we discussed about over our various emails as I haven't heard from you as I'm still very much up 4 it.

GwGs

The OGL 24 Aug 2002, 10:07

Russell: No.

Mandy: that is unacceptable quality control. Even when you sit for your ABO exam the standards we use are quoted and are to be adhered to. The chain that I worked for used those standards. The reason why those standards are there is because some people just can't tolerate off-axis power. And by the way, it's impossible for and OD to refract or a lab to manufacture less than one degree.

Russell 24 Aug 2002, 06:47

Once a lens is made (and put in the frame) with no astigmatism correction, is it possible to remove it from the frame and put in an astigmatism correction? I don't mean put in a whole new lens, but rather re-grind the existing lens.

Mandy 23 Aug 2002, 14:33

If those lens makers would be a little more careful the first time it sure would save them in the long run - as I think they have remade at least 50% of the pairs of glasses I have ever ordered - especially as my astigmatism got worse over time. And then they look at you like you are crazy - "Well other people don't seem to have a problem with this."

And OGL - I was told by both my OD and Costco the their lab tolerances are 5 degrees.

Christy 23 Aug 2002, 13:26

Mandy - Loqui - The OGL

I have astigmatism of -2.00 and -2.50 and I'm very sensitive to it being even slightly off-axis. I'm sure I can detect it even at a degree or less - but that's probably beyond the scope of an average lens lab to cope with!

The OGL 22 Aug 2002, 17:36

Oh Mandy, one more thing: the tolerances (or at least the ones I've always been bound by) are only 3 degrees of axis in the lower amounts and only 1 degree in the higher amounts.

The OGL 22 Aug 2002, 17:34

Loqui: good to see you're still around, didn't we do some business a few years ago?

Mandy: even a slight change in cyl, either power or axis, makes a huge difference in higher scrips. On the other hand, the best OD I ever met once told me if it's only a .25 of cyl along with the sphere, it doesn't really matter where the axis is. In your case, consider this: if you didn't have any cyl or even a quarter diopter, you would be missing the joy of wearing glasses!

Loqui 22 Aug 2002, 17:03

Mandy, I have -7.00 cylinder in my right eye, and same as yourself, if the axis is just even 1 degree off, I cannot see nothing!! My left eye has about -1.00 now, and with that being my sensetive eye (my right eye is lazy, correctable to 20/30) I usually can tell a huge difference for about 2 or 3 degrees rotation in the lens, weird if you ask me..

Mandy 22 Aug 2002, 12:08

Hi All!

I am somewhat new here, was a lurker several years ago (I vividly remember Geoff going through the trauma of getting his first pair of spex) but now I am back. This is an awsome site, I never knew so many people had the same "secret" obsession with glasses that I did. I just thought I was wierd.

My prescription is OS: 0.00,-2.50 x87 OD: +.25,-2.25 x79 with a +1.50 add. Makes for a pretty messed up view of the world both near and far. They tell me I have what is called a mixed astigmatism where one axis is myopic and the other axis is hyperopic, pretty cool I think.

Does anyone else with high ammounts of astigmatism have the problem of being extremely sensitive to small changes in the axis? Normal tolerances on an axis are +/- 5 degrees when making a pair of spex. For me if it is more than 1-2 degrees off in either way my worlds a blur... the optical places think I am nuts...but it really does make a difference.

Clare 22 Aug 2002, 11:15

The OGL - fascinating. I was pleased that my optician told me that in the future I'd be taking my glasses off to read when everyone else was putting theirs on ... but this is something else! I'd never have thought of inducing myopia to eradicate presbyopia. But being someone used to seeing well, don't you get irritated by your -2.50/-1.25 distance vision? That's some difference, how does it work - I mean does the -1.25 eye compensate for the other one?

The OGL 22 Aug 2002, 09:14

Today I am: OD -2.50, OS -1.25 thanks of course to the wonder of the gelatinous little things called contacts. And there's a reason. At my non-optical job my tasking is mostly mid-range with a little near point thrown in. Being presbyopic it is ever so much nicer to do it this way (so that I don't have to wear glasses at the office) and then when I drive slip on my nice #3 brown prescription polarized in a retro Ronsir

frame to see clearly. GOC is fun, but it is also practical; see my next post on GOC thread.

Nicci: based on your rx, and not knowing the whole story, I would say your rx comes close to aesthenopia.

Nicci 22 Aug 2002, 07:57

I just picked up my new glasses about a half hour ago. The brand of them are London Fog. They are a magenta color I think. If they RX is the same on the contacts box mine is: L +.75 R +.25

When I put them on they hurt my eyes. I got home and was holding them away and everything I held them to was magnified. They seem to help with computer and upclose. I'll be seeing my friend this weekend and she is excited to see them.

So my boyfriends little brother might not have prisms? I would feel dumb asking. I would imagine they are just for correction. Thanx for helping me understand that.

spexlover 21 Aug 2002, 15:43

Hi Herve,

i had troubles to see in the distance.

was kind of blurry - the trafic signs, you know. -1 makes quiete a difference.

what did your family and friends say about your new glasses?

my girlfriend likes my glasses. thinks they look sexy.

my family had no problems when I wore my glasses fulltime, although I'm the first fulltime wearer in our family and they were rather surprised.

have a nice day

Hervé 21 Aug 2002, 09:17

Hi spexlover,

how it come you had to started to wear glasses? Because of your work of you did detected at an other way?

I'm too 28 and i need glasses since my 24 years.

Greetz

Spexfan I 20 Aug 2002, 14:37

hi spexfan,

sorry for this.

my future name will be spexlover. ok?

hi herve,

i'm 28 and have this prescription

for two years and started to wear

glasses two years ago.

Russell 20 Aug 2002, 14:01

Old prescription:

R +.50 -.75 axis 63 add +2.25

L -.50-.50axis101 add +2.25

New prescription:

R +.25 -1.25axis60 add +2.25

L -.50 -1.25axis115 add+2.25

I am amazed at the difference! The added clarity is incredible. A note: I would have looked at this prescription and thought there wasn't a lot of change, but both the doctor and the optician said it was a big change. Any comments?

Christy 20 Aug 2002, 09:49

Nicci - lazy eye isn't the same as a squinting eye - or exophoria - if I've got that right. A lazy eye is basically an eye that is in danger of being "switched-off" by the brain in order to supress the blurry or distorted images it is receiving - leaving the "good" eye to do all the work.

Filthy McNasty 20 Aug 2002, 09:47

A lot of the time kids that are moderately farsighted will be crosseyed wihtout correction. That's because converging causes accomodation by reflex. If you've ever put on high minus glasses, you'll notice that it's easier to fcus through them if you force yourself to go cross-eyed. Of course, then there's the double vision thing to worry about.

Think of farsighted kids as going around with a pair of minus glasses on all the time. That's what they have to overcome.

Hervé 20 Aug 2002, 08:49

Spexfan 1,

how long are you wearing glasses? And when did you started to go fulltime?

greetz

Nicci 20 Aug 2002, 08:16

So basically people with lazy eyes have prisms? My boyfriends little brother has a lazy eye and magnifying glasses, are they prisms? He doesn't wear them often so he must be able to see somewhat.

spexfan 20 Aug 2002, 05:20

Dear spexfan....my name's spexfan too. I've been in this neck of the woods for some time. But I'm not you. Ah, the web. Me thinks this could get confusing.

For the record, my Rx is +1.25 with about 0.5 of cyl.

spexfan 20 Aug 2002, 00:10

Herve,

i have the same prescribtion.

you can wear your glasses fulltime without making your eyes worse.

don' t worry! and it's so wonderful to see everything in the distance, don't you think.

tortoise 19 Aug 2002, 20:22

Hi everyone...I'm a canadian guy, 54,OD-2.75 cyl-1.00@001 OS-3.25 cyl-0.25@160 add +2.00. I've worn glasses since I was 8...loved girls who wear glasses about that long. One thing to know about me is I'm not only new to Eyescene but new to computers and to the web. I was a computer curmudgeon but someone was going to junk this old thing so I got it for free. I expected there must be others who shared my glasses fascination/attraction but I had never spoken to anyone who did. It is wonderful to find such a congenial community of people whose interests so closely mirror my own. If anyone has prior claim to the tortoise monicker please shout. I like it not only because it is a nice kind of frame but also because my computer and I are kind of old and slow but, like the tortoise, we get there eventually.

Filthy McNasty 19 Aug 2002, 15:41

OGL: You rock. Welcome back to the 'Scene.

myoguy 19 Aug 2002, 14:15

Just discovered Eyescene. What a neat place for those of us who wear glasses and and are glad we do. And also love those who wear glasses. My RX is: R.-15.00x-1.50 L. -14.75x-1.50. Add +3.25 trifocals. I'm 28 years old and started wearing glasses when I was 5. My first pair of glasses were bifocals. I got trifocals when I was 15. I have two pairs of glasses I wear. One pair are regular plastic lenses with a plano base and I also have a pair of myodiscs.

Hervé 19 Aug 2002, 07:00

Spexfan, i still wear my glasses most of the time. But i have also sunglassses without prescription and because of the good weather i wear more my sunglasses.

I don't know of i will them fulltime. i will not make my eyes to worse.

Greetings

Portia 18 Aug 2002, 19:55

OGL, delighted you are back!

Portia from New York

Quatzyeux@yahoo.com 18 Aug 2002, 12:44

OGL's post remind me that this new Eyescene is lacking some system to record one's biography.

Julian 18 Aug 2002, 12:38

Welcome back, OGL, we've missed you!

Love and kisses, Jules.

The OGL 18 Aug 2002, 12:06

OK, here goes. Since it's the thread here, mine is OD +.75 -.50 x 89, OS +1.00 sph, with +2.50 add OU.......or whatever I want it to be as I have an almost unlimited range of contacts and about 300 pairs of glasses in varying scrips to wear over them. Years ago, I was an active poster on ES but for a variety of reasons dropped out. Now, I'm in a position to get active with a new computer and some time to use it. It's good to see a lot of the old names, and miss a few old ones (Specsgirl and Minus4, you stll out there?)hello Julian, Filthy, etc. Sent an e-mail to the webmaster a few weeks ago and he said this thread was the place to re-enter. For the newbies, I was originally Glasseslover but since someone else has assumed that moniker will appear as The Original Glasseslover, The OGL for short. I made my living in a different profession but have been a part time optician for 30 years and a full time fetishist forever. I am an American Board Certified Optician, a Fellow in the National Academy of Opticians, and worked for a large chain both full and part time for the last five years. I have a small business dealing in all sorts of eyewear (including vintage)and also contacts (see post on Psychology thread) and will be happy to answer any questions posters may have. If you want to contact me directly my e-mail is:

crubthrunch@hotmail.com.

spexfan 18 Aug 2002, 05:25

Herve,

you have new glasses.

are you going to wear them fulltime now?

Guest 18 Aug 2002, 01:38

Nicci,

Prisms are used to compensate for muscle imbalance between the eyes. Both eyes could have normal vision, but unless the muscles that control the movement and position of the individual eyes are in balance, there will be some measure of split image.

If you have ever had a vision exam, there is a time in the exam where the doctor will intentionally split the images. Usually they will say soething like " tell me when the two numbers are next to each other, or one is above the other". This is done with prisms. The tech term for a muscle imbalance, or coordination problem between the eyes, I believe, is a "phoria".

Christy 17 Aug 2002, 12:21

Prisms are lenses that are notably thicker on one side than on the other. They help to correct divergent or convergent squints by literally bending the light round a corner - so that the person wearing them can easily view a single image instead of double vision.

Nicci 17 Aug 2002, 11:19

What exactly are prisms?

Hervé 17 Aug 2002, 06:40

Hey wnet to optician yesterday and bought ne w glasses. The optician did give also e new prescription. I have only lenzes without frame. My prescription is know RX -1.00 in both eyes and what astigmatism.

I don't need to wear hthem fulltime but i do so like this new glasses taht i did wxear him fulltime on cafe yesterday forthe first time.

Greetings

Christy 16 Aug 2002, 03:58

Some of those prisms quoted below would make great wedges to keep the doors open while it's so hot and humid!

Julian 16 Aug 2002, 02:17

Hey Connor, I honestly don't think anybody's picking on you. It's just that some of the old-timers remember some people who've spun some pretty weird yarns over the years, and your posts (not that they're weird in any way) have kind of reminded them of some that had a few things in common with yours - specially the age they claimed to be - and they've gone a bit over the top. So don't feel got-at and keep in touch. And, while you're at it, what kind of frames *have* you got?

connor 15 Aug 2002, 23:00

im glad you are having so much fun at my expense i didnt come across this site by accident i went purposely looking for something like this and thought i had found it, i just think you should cast your mind bck to when you first got glasses and the big deal it was for you then, i like this site and what it offers i certainly didnt expect to be picked on for contributing, thanx to those who responded its nice to know you are not all the same

? 15 Aug 2002, 10:25

proud of it?

hopefully not

Filthy McNasty 15 Aug 2002, 10:04

Oh, look what i started...

prismenqueen 15 Aug 2002, 08:37

hi prismette,

this must be a joke

i have the strongest prism ever seen in the world

O(h) Y(es) +75.75

+50.50 axis 180 degree

360 prism base in

O(h) N(o) -75.75

-100,00 axis 0 degree

360 prism base out

i.e. i look behind me (180 degrees). but what i see are only poor glasses lovers wanting to catch me

GwGs 15 Aug 2002, 06:40

I'm sure he will still make love to you, if i was that age and had a girlfriend who wanted to wear her glasses in her bed, i would ecstatic.

GwGs

Alan 15 Aug 2002, 06:31

Prismette,

Cute post. Is that a single image or a double image that you see behind you? And do you have to walk around backwards to see clearly? Anyway...

Prismette 14 Aug 2002, 21:03

Hi. I'm 15 and just found this site. I just got glasses and worry about what my boyfriend will think about them. Will he still make love to me when I wear my glasses? The Dr. said I have the strongest Prism correction he has ever seen. It's so nice to wear them and not see double images. My prescription is:

(R) -0.0005 x -0.0666 x 181 50 Base In

(L) +0.0025 x -0.0333 x -90 50 Base In

The prism is so strong, I can actually see behind me!

Filthy McNasty 14 Aug 2002, 17:10

No lashing, just parody. It's not important enough to lash out at.

Daffy 14 Aug 2002, 15:54

Filthy McNasty, While I believe that some posts are fakes, I don't think we should be so critical of the posts and question in detail which ones are and aren't. Once upon a time I was a first time founder of ES and had so much to say.

I'm sure that most of us are aware which ones are, so I don't think we should lash out at them. Just don't respond to them...that's it.

14 Aug 2002, 15:23

-72.00?? Hmmm....interesting!

Filthy McNasty 14 Aug 2002, 15:12

Oh yeah, Gazpacho also wears hearing aids, is in a wheelchair, has a leg brace and headgear to straighten her teeth. but she just found this site by accident.

Filthy McNasty 14 Aug 2002, 15:10

OK, here we go:

My name is Gazpacho. I am 14 a year old girl. I just got glasses for the first time and my pressecription is -72.00, -0.25 x 150 OU, but I don't know what that means. Are my eyes likely to get much worse? I only use them for watching tv but should I wear them full time?

Yep, sure miss those teenager posts.

Christy 14 Aug 2002, 14:59

Connor - I remember it being something of a shock to be able to see the detail in people's faces at what seemed like vast distances after years of things being only slightly fuzzy. My brother also got glasses around the same time, after a few years in slightly-fuzzy-land. His first impression was of horror when he put them on in the street and saw buses way off down the street apparently hurtling towards him in sharp detail!

Ed 14 Aug 2002, 14:37

Connor, great to read your messages. I've really missed all the I-just-got-glasses posts from teenagers that we had in the old days. Calvin, where are you now?

Matt 14 Aug 2002, 14:11

Connor, well done mate! You are certainly over the worst of it now. What you have describes reminds me exactly of how things were when I first started wearing my glasses full time - extremely relieved mates and an amazing ability to see people as they approach rather than as they walk past you. I hope things go OK with the gf, but at least you have told her. By now you'll probably be so used to the good vision you will want to wear them when you see her. Let us know how it goes and when you have become a full time wearer.

Julian 13 Aug 2002, 23:45

WELL DONE, CONNOR! Now she knows she'll be wanting to see how you look in them. Keep us posted!

connor 13 Aug 2002, 21:42

Lazysiow - what is your rx? mine is around -2 and every single thing is in focus, even when i read a book and look up not one thing is blurry, that itself is awesome and my eyes have never felt so relaxed its just a matter of getting used to seeing myself in them but then i dont have to look at myself do i,im nearly through this battle just one more hurdle to go

Lazysiow 13 Aug 2002, 21:30

lol people act weird if I wear glasses cause usually my eyesight seems so much sharper than everyone else's i.e. when someone drops crumbs off the kitchen table I can see where they fell and they can't.

So they are always a bit surprised and its embarassing since mine are a bit 'weak' I feel like I'm a fake

connor 13 Aug 2002, 21:03

LOL,i have been quiet havent i, a coupla reasons, i did show up at school wearing them with good ol mom dropping me off outside do i had not alot of choice but to be wearing them, the day had its good points and not so good, my mates were just relieved and their response was...finally he shows up in specs!...the view was awesome, lol, i could see girls coming from miles away whereas before i didnt really see who they were til just in front of me and i cant even explain what it felt like to be able to read the board myself i never knew it was so clear, the downside was i did overhear one of the girls giggling behind my back making some comment like omg connor wears glasses now and the one who said that i really like and if i didnt have a gf she would be my pick, and speaking of which i still havent worn them in front of her i did mention that i got my eyes tested and have to get glasses, sorry that was the best i could do and that only really happened because she asked what was wrong.it feels good to have some of it out there i now just have to get around to wearing them in front of gf, i wish id gottne contacts

Julian 13 Aug 2002, 11:43

Connor: you're very quiet! If I were in your position I'd have been boasting that I'd worn them in school and/or 'come out' to the girl friend - if I had! This makes me anxious that you're still stumbling round in a blur in spite of all the good advice you've had (and I think Leelee and Marvin have given you really good advice, better than mine). Of course you may well want to get things sorted out with your girl friend before you go fulltime at school Another thing to think about: you really ought to put your specs on and have a good look at her, just to make sure she's as attractive as you thought 8) All the best, kid!

Marvin 12 Aug 2002, 22:43

Even though my eyescene name is marvin, I'm actually female, and I think that the message written below is absolutely right. If you act sad "bummed out" about finding out you need glasses,your girl friend will most likely automatically try to make you feel better, and to tell you how wonderful you look in your new glasses, etc. At least this is what I would do, and most females I know. It must be that motherly nurturing instinct or something! What a FAAAAANNNtastic idea! let us know what happened.

leelee 12 Aug 2002, 22:19

Oh Connor,

You actually have a perfect opportunity here. Girls absolutely LOVE to help their boys through tough times.

I think the best strategy for you is to tell her you are really bummed out about something. And then tell her you've just found out you need to wear glasses. Be bummed out, and let her cheer you up. Tell her you think you look geeky or whatever, let her tell you that you still look great to her. Especially tell her that you can't deal with not being able to see, but you are worried, scared, sad (whatever) about having to wear glasses. Once she comforts you (and she will unless she is one of the very few truly self centered girls you are likely to meet) let her know that you were very scared that she might not like you anymore.

Trust me. Girls dream about stuff like this. And this is the sort of "bad time" that she actually CAN help you through. The best part is that this is no trick - you do feel all these things, and you are sharing a chance for her to be a little closer.

Plus, when a guy shows a bit of vulnerability, it somehow seems to make his strengths all the more apparent.

Go for it.

-l

Clare 11 Aug 2002, 10:33

Connor - just wanted to say that all the apprehension that you're experiencing is quite natural. When I first realised I needed to wear glasses for more than just driving I was really self-concious. I remember being at work events and not being able to see and still wrestling with whether I could summon up the courage to get my glasses out. I think that reaching in your bag to get them out is really *very* difficult because its too easy to just turn it over in your mind and still do nothing! My prescription is -2 and mostly at work I wear contact lenses, but when I've happened to meet a colleague who's not seen me in glasses I still get very self-conscious. I met a neighbour a couple of weeks ago when I was wearing my glasses and I was embarrassed that she commented - heavens, I've had glasses for ten years and I still can't get used to it! But I bet if you're going to wear yours all the time you won't have the same - once people are used to seeing you with them they'll accept it and it'll be done. So just get on with it, it won't be so bad ... :)

11 Aug 2002, 08:43

Do you go to a year round school??? I think you should just say:

"Whatever her name is, I went to the eye doctor and he told me I was going to need glasses. I just wanted to let you know so it wouldn't be a suprise.

Then say you went to a 1 hour place and then you can wear them.

Matt 11 Aug 2002, 01:40

Conor,

Judging from my experiences, I think that you will be OK wearing them at school.

When i was about your age I had glasses that I would wear for reading the board and nothing else, because I was so self-conscious. I could not see much and couldn't recognise my friends until they were really close. My mates kept nagging at me to wear my glasses all the time. So, when I eventually realised that it was not a good idea to be walking around half-blind they were not surprised and very supportive. As your mates have been nagging at you to get glasses I don't think they will be that surprised when you turn up in them. I would wear them to school to get used to them, rather than take them out of your bag mid-way through class.

As for the gf, I think the other posters are right. I would not turn up wearing them. Perhaps you could arrange to watch a video or a movie and say how much you are looking forward to doing so mow you've got some glasses and can see properly. I think I would build up to full time wear with the gf as she get more used to seeing you in them.

Good luck.

connor 11 Aug 2002, 01:12

i have just got in from spending most of the day with gf i dont know what it is with me but i still havent brought the subject up, there was some perfect opportunities while watching videos and i came so close to saying something, i had my glasses with me but couldnt put them on. earlier we were at a shopping mall and she pointed out something written in a store window, i couldnt read it and this was a perfect time to say something, but i went all weak and just pretended i could see it. i know i need a good kick to get going with this, i just want it over with so i can wear them and see better but i cant quite get up the guts to tell her i have glasses, i get so far and almost reach for them and then get cold feet and just go quiet. facing school on monday had got to be so much easier then putting them on in front of her. everything that has been said makes sense and i want to do it, i am seeing her again tomorrow, maybe i can at least tell her im getting them even though i have them. i cant beleive im such a jerk about this i am wearing them now and they still make me feel funny it doesnt look like me and the lens to me look stronger than i would like, sorry to keep going on im trying to work this out

Geoff 10 Aug 2002, 17:36

Talk about history repeating itself...I got glasses 4 years ago when I was 15 and my first rx was almost exactly the same as yours. I was having trouble reading the board and had to copy peoples notes just like you. I got my glasses on a Friday and wore them around the house all weekend to try and get used to them. Then on Monday, I went to school and guess what, they stayed in my bag all day! And that was after wearing them all weekend! I knew how sharp everything was going to be if only I put them on but I just couldnt get up the guts to do it. The only difference with my story is my bro busted me after school cause he asked me in front of my friends why I wasnt wearing them. Talk about embarassing but its ok cause if he hadnt done that, they might still be in my bag now!

So heres the thing, the first day is definitely the worst but theres only ever going to be one day in your whole entire life thats your first day wearing glasses and it doesnt matter if its Monday or Tuesday or next Christmas, its still going to happen just the same. The other thing is after a couple of days, nobody except you will even notice your wearing glasses any more. You will for a couple of weeks more until you get used to them but after that its like what was all the fuss about.

I didnt really have a gf at the time but if it was me, I would do like Julian said and not just turn up wearing them. Keep them in your pocket till you need them or tell her you got them and then show her how much better you can see with them, like find things you cant see or read across the room w/o your glasses and then put them on and show her how much more you can see with them. Maybe even only wear them part time with her for the first few times and then tell her your finding you really need them most of the time. BTW, theres lots of things involving a gf that you dont need glasses for so if shes that negative, just only wear them when you absolutely need to. And like I said above, after a couple of days, she wont even notice them anymore anyway.

That also sounds like a good idea to actually have them on already when you get to school cause if theyre in your bag when you get to school, they might stay there all day again!

So on Monday, just do it. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Geoff

connor 09 Aug 2002, 16:07

thanx for all your advice, my attempt at wearing them at school today failed, they stayed in my bag all day, lol. i have this weekend to get used to wearing them so will arrive at school monday with them on, still havent said anything to gf, i will get there soon.

PennNP02 09 Aug 2002, 15:48

Connor--I agree with Julian and Puffin: if your girlfriend has a problem with you needing glasses,well, then maybe she isn't what you thought. You're young, you'll have a chance to meet plenty of other women who will judge you for you, not your glasses 8-)

As for the contacts thing---maybe your mom would let you get the disposable type. You can get daily, 2-week or monthly disposables that don't require the kind of cleaning and upkeep that traditional daily-wear contacts do. If you want to do some research before talking your mom, http://www.allaboutvision.com is a site with lots of info that you can use to help convince your mom, IF you really want contacts. Good luck to you :)

Laurie

Garmon 09 Aug 2002, 13:59

Connor,

Please let us know how it went today with your glasses at school.

HPB 09 Aug 2002, 09:43

You don't think they will look any different then?

I have not chosen the glasses yes as I was in a rush so when I do I will let you know what they are like and how I find them.

toesrus 09 Aug 2002, 09:32

hi hpb,

these are vertical prisms,

you won´t recognize them in comparison to non-prism lenses.

please tell us when the new glasses are arrived

toesrus

HPB 09 Aug 2002, 09:27

My new RX as of this afternoons eye test is:

SPH CYL AXIS PRISM BASE

R-6.00 -0.45 45.0 1.00 UP

L-6.00 -0.50 135.0

Julian 09 Aug 2002, 02:26

Connor: What do you mean, you're not looking forward to tomorrrow (well, it's today now)? Your first day for ages of crystal-clear vision; no more bothering your neighbour to read the board for you. Of course everybody at school (or wherever) will want to try them on; most of them will say "God, these are strong!" and the one who doesn't has just realized he needs glasses too and is trying to cover his embarrassment. (Apologies to the old stagers who've heard that from me so many times already!)

Another thing to warn you of (another familiar story!) is that quite quickly you will find it harder to distinguish things without them. This is NOT becaue they're making your eyes worse, but because your eyes are enjoying a well-earned rest from straining to see. So menu boards and pool balls will be even more of a problem if you don't keep your specs on.

As for the girl friend, I wonder if the best tactic now is to slip them in your pocket before you meet her and produce them with a flourish, either the first time you need them to see something or as a new feature you're pleased to show off to her, expecting her to be pleased too.

To paraphrase what Puffin and I have both told you, women are like London buses: there'll be another one along in a few minutes. So if she doesn't like you in glasses that's too bad for her.

Enjoy the view through those lenses!

Love and kisses, Jules.

Lazysiow 09 Aug 2002, 02:01

Don't ask me I'm still trying :) I am going all out to transfer to a different uni the semester after next and am saving my full coming out until then. I'm totally chicken :)

Puffin 09 Aug 2002, 01:26

Connor,

Aow dont worry about it. If she likes you then she likes you with glasses, if not then forget her and find someone who does. What's the point of worrying about it? It won't make any difference.

Puffin (a wise old bird!)

connor 08 Aug 2002, 23:42

well i picked my glasses up late this afternoon and have worn them all evening around the house, i saw gf earlier today and even though i knew my glasses were ready i still couldnt bring myself to tell her. iam 16 and still at school, tomorrow will be my first day wearing them, my friends were always telling me to get some glasses, tehy were sick of reading the board for me so i dont think they will be surprised. (gf goes to a different school).its just after 11.30 and my stomach is doing flips, to be honest the lens look stronger than i thought they would and now i dont know how i feel about them, i thought they would look just like plain glass being a weak prescription but they have that minification thing going on and i get a little embarassed when i look at myself in them, how do you get past these feelings when first starting out, i dont think i can wear them in front of her yet.i can see really well and far off into the distance is very sharp, i have read some text of the tv with them and feel a little silly about how much i really needed them.i wasnt allowed contacts, my mother didnt think i would look after them. im not looking forward to tomorrow.

Christy 08 Aug 2002, 11:56

DNBursky

The prescription you quote is for someone who is very slightly nearsighted and a little more astigmatic. Give or take slight increments of 0.25 diopters - the prescription is almost the same for each eye - and even the axis is pretty much the same.

Clare 08 Aug 2002, 11:46

Connor - I just wondered what you've told your friends and family about the arrival of your glasses? I wonder whether their reactions might help you decide how best to raise the subject with your girlfriend. You don't mention how you feel about starting to wear glasses - does it bother you at all?

DNBursky 08 Aug 2002, 10:52

Can someone decypher this prescription for me?

OD Spherical -.5

Cylindrical -1.50

Axis 175

OS Spherical -.75

Cylindrical -1.25

Axis 169

If someone can email me and tell me what the prescription means. Is the person more nearsighted, or astigmatic?

David

DNBursky@aol.com

Julian 08 Aug 2002, 01:35

Yes, and I was forgetting: welcome back, Christy!

Julian 08 Aug 2002, 01:04

Connor: I guess just about everybody here will sympathize and understand your embarrassment about bringing the subject up. Of course you missed a golden opportunity of saying something like, "I can't make out that damn menu, but never mind, I'm getting glasses next week" - but we've nearly all done the same. Now, to be brutal but honest: if your glasses are the end of the relationship it's not worth much anyway. If she is into you she's got to get into - not necessariy glasses but you-in-glasses. From all you say it's clear you need to be wearing them fulltime, and if she cares about YOU and not just how you look bareyed she'll get used to them. Of course there's always the option of contact lenses. How old are you by the way?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Christy 07 Aug 2002, 23:33

I should really have put my new prescription here:

Old: R Sph -1.75 Cyl -2.00 Ax 100. L Sph -1.50 Cyl -2.00 Ax 80.

New: R Sph -2.00 Cyl -2.00 Ax 100. L Sph -1.50 Cyl -2.25 Ax 80.

Lazysiow 07 Aug 2002, 23:15

... eh? come on dont be shy? who are you :) That's all, I haven't completely come out with them yet so only a few know I wear glasses. The few that do though usually think I look like a total dork :P it probably just depends on their tastes

connor 07 Aug 2002, 22:42

ok i saw my girlfriend today and it was awkward i dont know how to bring the subject up, i think she must know my eyes arent that good as when we play pool she has caught me out going for the wrong ball because i have read the number wrong we play a numbers game where one calls a number and the other one tries to sink it, i nearlly said something but chickened out at the last minute. when we went to lunch i did comment that the menu was hard to read which she didnt say anything back. i will be seeing her again tomorrow so will try and mention it then, im just embarassed, so is so pretty i dont want to turn her off. i think the frames i picked are nice but if she isnt into glasses i think that might be the end of us :(

Clare 07 Aug 2002, 14:21

Welcome back Christy ;)

Christy 07 Aug 2002, 13:20

I wish I could turn up wearing glasses for the first time EVERY day - that would be so much fun!

Clare 07 Aug 2002, 13:04

Connor, you *really* have to talk to her first! What would have been nice - and this is me talking as if I were your girlfriend - would be to let her help you choose the frames, now that would have been a real bonding exercise. Nevertheless, I hope you've chosen something to make you look a stunner. Don't just turn up wearing glasses, that would be just weird and if my boyfriend did that I'd feel a bit hurt, like he'd kept something from me that I'd have wanted to be part of. After all, just starting full time glasses wear is quite a big deal and could be quite a shock for her. I'm sure you'll find it is for other people who you don't care about so much. You need to make her feel you're sharing something with her - like telling her before it happens. Hopefully she'll feel for you and be pleased that you'll be able to see better. You say you've not seen so well recently, I'd imagine she must have noticed, so it may not be such a surprise. Let us know how it goes!

... 07 Aug 2002, 11:47

Lazysiow - tell us more about what they said, cute eh!

Lazysiow 07 Aug 2002, 09:38

I think you should tell her, if the next time you're going to see her will be a date in a public place if she genuinely isnt into glasses then she might make a big thing out of it or just make the two of you very uncomfortable with her uneasiness or disinterest.

At least she'll know what to expect, most girls just kept saying "cute! put them on so I can pull your cheeks" with me :)

connor 06 Aug 2002, 20:59

i had my very first eye exam yesterday and i need glasses, my numbers are L-2.00 and R-1.75, i new i wasnt seeing all that clear and my distance vision has been blurry for some time but i didnt know how clear i was supposed to see, the trial lenses were awesome. My glasses should be ready in about a week, i dont know how to introduce them to my girlfriend, she doesnt know i had the exam and i don't think she is into glasses, i have been told to wear them all the time so what do you think, should i a) tell her before i get them that they are coming or b)just show up wearing them. what have some of you others done in the same set up? i'm as nervous as anything because we havent been going out all that long and i think the world of her.

Nicci 06 Aug 2002, 18:31

I am making the apt. around Sept. 1 (obviously not that day) but I think I am just going to wear the contacts and glasses as much as I can together, that way my eyes will be something, I don't want to be a 0. Thanks for all your guyses help.

Greg 03 Aug 2002, 14:40

Nicci - I have a pair of +15 contacts, and noticed that after wearing them for about an hour my vision is a little nearsighted, perhaps long enough for an eye exam. Regardless, you shouldn'd have problems getting anything filled these days.

Greg 03 Aug 2002, 14:37

Marvin 29 Jul 2002, 15:59

Woops, the last post was from me, I meant to post the message to Nicci, but instead I put my name down as Nicci, my apoplogies!!!!

Nicci 29 Jul 2002, 15:58

it might be a good idea to post your story on the "induced myopia" thread, because there may be more people there who can give you some advice about this. perhaps you may have to go through a .0 stage before going into - lenses. I would recommend finding a way to wear the minus lenses for a few hours right before your appointment because your eyes may not have completely adjusted back by the time you see the Dr. This is just a suggestion.

Alan 29 Jul 2002, 14:37

Nicci,

If you can induce a permanent change, it would probably take a while. I mean, most people who are becoming more nearsighted at your age (for whatever "normal" reason) change between -0.25 and -0.75 per *year*. I guess wearing '-' glasses might make it a little faster, but since you're not nearsighted, your eyes probably wouldn't go as fast as someone else's. This is all completely hypothetical though...none of us really knows. Still, I'd guess there wouldn't be much change by september.

You should, of course, be very careful about this. Supposing you *could* make yourself nearsighted, there's no going back once you do it (except with surgery, which is somewhat dangerous and NOT a perfect solution by any means). Be careful what you ask for...you might get it. Being nearsighted is not all bad...but you might prefer just to wear some glasses that are not too strong, without being dependent on them.

Nicci 29 Jul 2002, 09:21

When I was at a wrestling match, my friend went in the guys locker room and stole a pair of glasses. I didn't to leave them on the ground so I picked them up and took them home. Those are the ones I would wear if I wanted to become - but I can't wear them around family or friends because how would I explain, well one friend was there. They look kinda cool on me for guys glasses. I think I would rather be a - than a +. When I do wear glasses everyone comments, it isn't that I don't like attention but I blush really bad. I am usually home alone all day so if I wore the strong - glasses do you think that by Sept. 7th I would need - or be at a 0. I am still not sure what to do. I want a stronger RX but it doesn't seem like I can make my eyes go more +.

Marvin 28 Jul 2002, 23:01

Nikki, when I was 17 I started trying to make myself myopic (nearsighted). I found a pair of near sighted glasses, and I wore them for a while, and started noticing that after I took them off things still seemed a little blurry. I wore them off and on for about a year, and went to an eye doctor when I was 18 and they gave me my first perscription of -.50 or so. Since then I've learned a little more about fudging my perscription, and I've worn stronger glasses than my actual perscription for several years. I have successfully managed to make myself moderately myopic, probably about a -2.5 or so, even though I wear -3.5 glasses. I'm 26 now, and I'm planning on getting some stronger glasses soon, because I think they really help my eyes get worse (silly as it seems to some I know). I also seem to find that wearing -contacts helps speed the process along! Good luck to you!

Alan 28 Jul 2002, 19:22

Nicci,

What did your eye doctor say about your prescription? Did you pressure him/her to give you some prescription, or did you complain of headaches or something like that?

If your prescription did actually go to "0", then that would be "progress" toward myopia and you could probably become more nearsighted. I don't think you're likely to become more farsighted - at least until you're over 30 - regardless of what kind of lenses you wear. But wearing the + lenses probably discourages your eyes from becoming more nearsighted (whether that's what you want or not).

Do people comment on your glasses? I mean, do they ask whether you need them and that sort of thing? What do you say?

Alan

eyeq 28 Jul 2002, 18:22

Nicci,why dont you just keep wearing the plus glasses.a mild plus lens on a woman is very attractive looking as well,im a young male and i also do what your doing but in minus lenses,if you would like to get in touch dont hesitate to write to me reefaction@msn.com and just leave your email address so we can have a chat,love to here from you .eyeq

Nicci 27 Jul 2002, 19:15

When I got my contacts I never wore the +.25 because I wanted stronger lenses for both eyes so I wear a +.75 in each eye everyday unless I am home alone then I wear the glasses. I am not sure how strong the glasses are. If I were to wear a probably -4 or -5 while I was reading would my eyes change? Also I am scared that it is going to progress into changing to myopia and then when I go to get new glasses it isn't going to be anything.

Portia 25 Jul 2002, 22:00

Nicia, all you can count on with your current prescription is that you will become more far-sighted. You might even need bifocals at some point soon.

Alan 25 Jul 2002, 17:10

If you wore mild to moderate minus lenses (glasses or contacts) all the time or close to it, you might become nearsighted after a while. Or if you spent a lot of time reading with your face close to the book - this could do it too. But it's possible, likely even, that neither would have an effect. Still, you're young enough that your eyes may still be changeable.

This is all based on a theory that I (and others) have that says eyes respond to "accomodative stress" (effort to see things close up, or the equivalent from wearing minus lenses) by becoming more nearsighted.

By the way, do you actually *wear* the prescription you mentioned (+.75, +.25)? How much of the time?

Alan

Nicci 25 Jul 2002, 10:48

I am 17, is there a way to make my eyes nearsighted then? Or am I stuck with a low +. I used to be a +.75 and a -.50 but they changed because I wore some stronger - glasses. Weird...

Alan 25 Jul 2002, 09:46

Nicci,

I don't think you will be able to make your eyes much more nearsighted or farsighted, unless you're quite young (like 13), or unless you get some keraform from ISTA Pharmaceuticals. Having a low + prescription suggests that your eyes aren't very predisposed to nearsightedness, and it doesn't seem to be possible to induce farsightedness (expect maybe in young children).

eyeq 24 Jul 2002, 18:43

i think Nicci it would really depend on your age,if your still young your eyes will probably adjust to a slightly stonger RX,i have the same feeling about that,but i wear -lenses and i increase it slightly and mt eyes are starting to adjust

Nicci 24 Jul 2002, 09:26

I have a +.75 and a +.25. I know it isn't big but I want a stronger RX. If I wear my friends glasses which are also + and my contacts will that increase my RX? How long will it take? I usually just wear the glasses because contacts are a pain but if I mix the two RX's with they combine and then my eyes get used to that?

Filthy McNasty 22 Jul 2002, 06:51

I think in North America the practice for PD varies from practitioner, with the general rule being that the simple distance between the center of the pupils (for want of a better description) is fine for low Rx, but as the script climbs monocular PD is much better. It woudn't take much decentration for a person of -/+ 10 to become cross-eyed.

Actually that might be pretty sexy in the right circumstances.

Daffy 21 Jul 2002, 21:40

Here in Australia, at least all the RX's I ever got from manny different eye docs, the PD is written as seperate numbers. It was only here in ES that I discovered that the numbers people put up are the addition of the two numbers. Incidently, my PD is 33 in each eye. So for you lot it would read 66 I guess.

JohnnyB 20 Jul 2002, 10:12

Thank you Specs4ever, much appreciated!!!

specs4ever 20 Jul 2002, 09:29

Monocular P.D. is just the precise measurement of the pupillary didtance of each eye. Many of us, myself included, have a diference in their PD., and when written as say 64mm for a lower prescription, it doesn't matter. But, with high prescriptions, a little bit of off center really messes up the vision, so a pd of 64 could be written as 31/33, or 31.5/32.5. The first number is the right eye, or to be sure you could also write: pd. OS 31.5, OD 32.5. Also sometimes they want the vertex distance in high prescriptions, and it is usually safe if you write vd. 11mm, meaning that the distance from the cornea surface to the lens should be 11 mm for the best corrected vision.

Hope this helps.

JohnnyB 20 Jul 2002, 08:17

Hello all,

I'm familiar with Pupillary Distance, but what is a MONOCULAR PULILLARY DISTANCE measurement (required for high-powered eyeglasses prescriptions). What should a typical number be (if my Pupillary Distance is 61)?

RL 15 Jul 2002, 19:15

Alan,

The polycarbonate glasses came in today. They have a .50 base curve and polished edges, they look pretty good although they are 10mm thick inspite of a very severe bevel. There are really no chromatic aberations to speak of and the vision is great.

Heather 08 Jul 2002, 06:37

Daffy,

I feel I need to put them on when words start running together. Either that or when I am totally seeing double. I honestly should wear them more then just that, but it seems as it is a pain, especially as hot as it is here right now.

Things are much clearer when I wear my full perscription glasses.

Daffy 07 Jul 2002, 21:55

Heather...

How do you know whether you 'need' to put them on? You said that you put the prism part when you feel like you need them.

And when you say that you see better with your real Rx glasses with the prism, what do you mean?

I wear contacts virtually full time at about -5.25 with slight astig. I got glasses with 3In prism. I feel weird wearing them as things don't look right for the first hour. But then after i get used to them, I see real good when I look straight thru them.

michel 04 Jul 2002, 00:58

Hello, I m a french man of 31 years old. I have always loved the girls, or women, with glasses, since the puberty, and especially with thick lenses... I m really crazy about high myopes, they arouse me when then take off her glasses, when they grope around to find their specs, when they squint a lot but cannot see nothing at all... For me, these girls are sexiest ! I m a fetichist and I ll be very pleased to correspond with one or several high myopes. I wear some glasses (+3,50) several hours by day, since few months, and I have almost some results : my eyesight begin to fail. If you have a very poor eyesight and if you understand my fetichism, I m waiting for you on my mail : grand.michel@voila.fr

Lot of kisses and I hope to read you very soon !

Michel

DNBursky 04 Jul 2002, 00:01

Curt and Jeremy, and others:

Do any of you guys have photos of yourselves in glasses? Just the guys. Email me at DNBursky@aol.com

David

Heather 03 Jul 2002, 08:02

Jeremy,

Well, I can see a whole lot better out of my glasses, but due to their thickness I will probably continue to wear my contacts all the time. I do have my pair of glasses that just contains the prism which I can place over the contacts when I am working on stuff or just feel I need it.

Angela 03 Jul 2002, 07:27

Jeremy-

I have always been very self conscious about wearing glasses, when I got them I only wore them in my room. I finally got contacts a few months after not wearing glasses. Then after 2 years I started wearing them when I was driving, even if I had friends with. I would just ask, " Do these look dumb on me?" They would always say no. Last night was my real break through. I had picked out a really cute pair of glasses and decided that I was going to wear them to work. I didn't care but I was really nervous. I work in the kitchen of the nuring home of my town. Someone had to pick me up and when I got in they said, " You wear glasses?" All I had to say was, "Yup." Then when I got to work, I found it hard to look at people in the eye because I didn't want to feel like they were studying me. I walked in and gave a buddy of mine a piece of paper and she said, " Nice glasses." I said, "Thanks." She said, "Do you usually wear contacts." And I said, "Yup." That was the end of getting compliments from my co-workers but I know what everyone heard. When I was passing out trays only one of the residents commented. But that was hard for me so today when I go back to work I am wearing my contacts. That way if something happens, they will be used to seeing me with glasses. I was so proud of myself. I wear a -5.25 and -4.75 and it was so hot that I actually had to take them off for an hour and walking around in a bit of a blur isn't too much fun. So my advice to you, take baby steps.

Jeremy 02 Jul 2002, 10:43

Heather, you seem to be in the same situation as me. I am a confirmed CL wearer, but my prescription is about 4.25 with astigmatism of -3.50 in each eye and in addition I have both vertical and horizontal prisms in my prescription.

I have always worn contacts, but occasionally worn glasses at home, especially when my eyes are tired and I'm trying to read etc.

Now I'm finding it much harder to see clearly with the contacts and think that I should probably become a full time glasses wearer but am reluctant to take the plunge. Is that how it is with you - are you wearing your glasses all the time now? Are things much better?

Heather 02 Jul 2002, 07:19

I got my glasses in with my full perscription and the prism added yesterday. I put them on last night before I went to bed, and man was it a change. It took me a while to get used to them, and I know that I'm still not now, but they are a whole lot better. I notice the distortion of things slightly if I'm not looking straight on, more just words and graphics on the computer. But overall they seems a whole lot better.

RL 01 Jul 2002, 19:06

Alan,

The frame lens size is 50mm wide and about 30mm high. So, we'll see what they do. I'll let you know.

Alan 01 Jul 2002, 17:46

RL,

I'd think they could do your prescription in polycarbonate with plano base as long as the frame is real small. Is it? I'd think they'd try to avoid biconcave if they could.

I'd like to hear what you think, anyway, when you get them. I would imagine there will be a fair amount of chromatic aberration, even if there isn't much distortion. But that might not be so bad...I don't know.

Alan 01 Jul 2002, 17:44

Steph,

It's probably very likely that your prescription will keep getting stronger for a while. It varies from person to person, but it seems like 20-22 is the age when it tends to stop for the most people.

I'm still curious about your new glasses being thicker than the old ones, if the new ones are high index and the old ones weren't. Can you explain it, at this point? Either there was a *big* prescription change (which you'd know, because your vision would be terrible with your old glasses), or the new glasses are actually the same material as your old ones (either both high index or both regular plastic). What do you think?

By the way, how much did your prescription change between your old glasses and your new ones? (Since you don't know your old prescription, maybe you could just say what your vision is like with your old ones -- how blurry are things?)

Glad you're here.

Alan

RL 01 Jul 2002, 17:16

AJ,

This time I even gave the optician a picture of the non-blended myos that I downloaded from eyescene. Also I found an old pair of the non-blended kind and gave them to the lab so they could see what I meant. You would think that opticians and labs would know the difference. Also I am trying some high index polycarbonate lenses which they say they can do in my prescription without any abberations. We'll see. They said they will give me a refund if I don't like them. So, why not? I think the polycarbonate lenses will be bi-concave with about a -4 base curve on the front.

Steph 01 Jul 2002, 16:14

im getting used to the idea thanks everyone for there help and explainations. i suppose it was the shock of seeing such thick lenses. Does anyone think my eyesight will get worse im 16. thanks its nice to find asite where i can talk about thee things with people who seem to care and have good info thanks again every1 Steph

AJ 01 Jul 2002, 13:36

RL:

So, they are still giving you blended myodiscs. Do you tell them that you don't like the distortions that you get at the edges? How long have you had the blended myodisc lenses? I have had only one pair of blended myodiscs and I really didn't like them at all. My Rx is quite a bit higher than yours, but I actually think that the distortions are a bit dangerous as you cannot really see things well, but you still try to see by moving your eyes instead of your head. I had trouble picking things up and even walking around. Do you have any trouble reading with them? Well, I know a lot of questions. I hope that you get a pair of regular myodiscs soon.

RL 01 Jul 2002, 09:44

Got a new prescription last week.

OD -12.00 -1.00 X 28

OS -16.00 -.75 X 180

At least they are nice round numbers.

I am trying to get another pair of non-blended myodiscs but they are hard to come by. Everyone wants to do the blended variety which have more distortion around the edges.

The guy 30 Jun 2002, 10:18

Well, back here for a second while the damn computer is working!!

STEPH,

I have around the same prescription as you, and also small lenses, but they are also 5mm thick in the edges, well 5mm and 5,5mm.

I am not sure that is what you wanted to hear, but I was told it was the thin nest possible for me.

I bet you are beautiful in your glasses anyway! Don't feel too down over it!

Neil

kuddel50@hotmail.com

Alan 30 Jun 2002, 07:28

Steph,

As Lore, Wurm, and Fathom have pointed out, there are several factors involved in how thick lenses will be: the prescription, the index, and how far it is from the lens' center to the frame (combination of the frame size and how far about your pupils are). "Regular" high index lenses will only make your lenses about 1/3 thinner (so they're 2/3 as thick as regular plastic). It's surprising that your new glasses would be thicker than your old ones, if the new ones are small and high index while the old ones weren't. If you haven't figured out the explanation at this point, you should take both pairs of glasses to your optician and ask them to explain. And you should probably ask for the new ones to be remade, since it seems you're not happy with them.

Jeremy,

It doesn't seem like a good idea to be a part time contact lens wearer and wear glasses (part time) that have prism in them. I'd think the prism would tend to make you need it more, and increase the problems you have going without it (ie wearing contacts). So you should probably decide one way or the other.

Getting used to them -- that usually happens naturally if you wear them all the time. Just be patient and give it a few days or a week. As for dealing with other people seeing you, make sure you take enough care picking out glasses that you really like them, and this won't be much of an issue. Don't worry about what anyone says - you don't need to say anything back or give it a second thought. If you make a joke about it, that might help you keep from worrying about it.

Alan

Jeremy 30 Jun 2002, 01:28

My prescription is about -4.25 with astigmatism of -3.50 in each eye. I also have both vertical and horizontal prisims in my specs. The issues are:-

1) I have worn contacts virtually all the time for the last 12 or so years, ever since my vision got bad enough for me to need fully time correction. I only wear my glasses at home. However, I've noticed over the past few months that I've been getting lots more headaches and double vision - does this mean that I should abandon contacts in favour of wearing glasses all the time?

2)If I do make the plunge and become a full time glasses wearer I guess I'll feel pretty self-conscious about it as nobody ever sees me in glases. Any strategies for (a) getting used to the glasses and (b) dealing with the comments that might make me self-conscious.

Lore 29 Jun 2002, 22:39

Steph,

If you're really unhappy with the lenses looking too thick, can you go back and get a new pair of glasses?

My prescription is just a little less than yours, and it's been stable for about five years, so I have four or five pairs of glasses in it. All of them are "thin" lenses, but the materials differ (two are polycarbonate, and the others are high-index), and the thickness on them varies a lot. I have a pair of very small metal oval frames that barely extend beyond the frame even in the back, and a pair of medium-sized rectangular semi-rimless that are pretty thick. I've had three pairs of plastic glasses, all of which have not looked thick at all; in my current frames, the lenses just reach the edge of the frame. So, if you are really concerned about the thickness, you might want to try plastic frames, since with your prescription in polycarbonate or high-index, they shouldn't look thick at all.

Fathom 29 Jun 2002, 21:55

Steph,

It also depends on what kind of high index lenses you got. Sometimes people speak of high index lenses as if they are all the same, but high index plastic lenses can go from polycarbonate, 1.60 high index, 1.66, 1.71, and even (I just found this out) a whooping 1.74!! The higher the index, the thinner the lens.

If we're talking glass, it can go all the way up to 1.8 and 1.9 (which are definitely NOT needed at your prescription - it would be overkill and then some).

Of course with the really high index ones you start to pay huge amounts...but if you're willing to save and pay, they're available. At your prescription your glasses can look paper-thin if you want them to.

Steph 29 Jun 2002, 20:34

At the edges the lenses are at least 5mm thick Im not sure what my old prescription was but the edges do not seem to be half as thick. ive only got asmall oval frame but the lens sticks out on both sides of the metal frame. how thick should the edge be on high index lenses that are this strong ? Thanks for talking to me wurm and Alan

Steph 29 Jun 2002, 20:24

Alan 29 Jun 2002, 19:35

Steph,

Were your old glasses high index? And how much different is the new prescription from the old one? "Thick" is entirely relative -- unless your frames are quite small, a -6 prescription is going to have some thickness, but high index lenses should definitely be noticably thinner than regular plastic lenses of the same size and prescription. Does this make sense?

Wurm 29 Jun 2002, 19:31

Steph,

With your prescription, in high index, your lenses should not be very thick, unless you selected large frames.

Maybe they gave you regular lenses by mistake?

Steph 29 Jun 2002, 19:10

hi just found this site ive just got my new glasses and they are really thick. I thought they would be a lot thinner because I got high index lenses in them. I spent £90 on the lenses which i saved up but they still lookreally thick. Its not as if Icannot wear them as i cant see a thing without them. Im just glad ive finished school. My prescription is L -6.00 -0.5 90 R -6.25 -0.75 75 my new glasses are a lot thicker than my old ones

Filthy McNasty 27 Jun 2002, 13:20

...and, as ever, Jules Rules!

Or is that "Julian rulian"?

Julian 27 Jun 2002, 02:46

Filthy, sweetie: as ever we can rely on you for the still small voice of calm - and as usual you're perfectly right.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Filthy McNasty 26 Jun 2002, 22:31

OK, but I challenge you to find a thread that stays on-topic.

Alan 26 Jun 2002, 13:22

We've definitely been discussing "Acuity and Prescription" topics rather than "Post your Prescription" topics. Let's move the discussion there...

Filthy McNasty 26 Jun 2002, 13:18

Acuity is also governed by the density of rods and cones in the retina. In order to know how much acuity can vary from person to person, you'd have to know how much the density of these varies from person to person. I'd bet a small difference has a big effect on potential acuity.

Alan 26 Jun 2002, 11:48

Tolerance obviously varies from person to person. I knew someone in college who wore really thick glasses -- probably -7 or more -- yet she hardly ever wore them. She only put them on to read things (far and near).

I was talking about acuity -- what lines a person can read on an eye chart. This is really governed by physics and can't vary a lot from person to person. It can vary a little, since retinal condition, pupil size, maybe a couple other things can have an impact. And squinting helps.

But, if a person with a -.75 prescription says they're 'blind without them', this doesn't mean they see any less than another person with the same prescription who never wears their glasses at all and feels fine about it. It just means they can't stand vision that isn't crisp.

Curt 26 Jun 2002, 11:17

Alan: Actually, I DO think is varies person to person. I know folks who wear -0.75 and claim to be "blind without them"; and I also know others that wear -3 and claim that they only need them to drive, watch movies, etc. I definitely think there is a human factor involved.

Alan 26 Jun 2002, 09:06

I think the 20 / (Rx * -100) 'formula' is closer for prescriptions -2 and over than for weaker ones. I think 20/300 is reasonable for a person with -3, but I think at -.5, a person's vision is likely to be better than 20/50.

This all does vary a bit -- not "person to person", really, but how many lines a person can read on a given eye chart depends on the lighting, how much the person squints, how well they have memorized the eye chart, etc. I can imagine someone with -5 reading a line or two if they really squint and the room is really bright -- but in a normal examination room, I don't think they would be able to read any lines.

Alan

Lore 26 Jun 2002, 08:32

Puffin,

I'm not sure if VA is that variable within a given prescription. I'm -5.50, no astigmatism, and I can barely tell there's an eye chart there at all, let alone read almost a third of the way down it. It's very unlikely, I think, that anyone needing -5.00 would have an uncorrected VA of 20/120, or even 20/250. I have several friends with prescriptions close to mine, and every one claims to be blind without their glasses, which I can believe, since I am. VA might vary, but I think that, for example, in people with -5.00, you might see uncorrected VA between 20/400 and 20/600--some variation, but not a huge amount.

The "take away the decimal point from the Rx and stick it under a 20" has always seemed pretty accurate to me, although that's a totally unprofessional opinion.

Alissa 26 Jun 2002, 07:28

Don-that would be blind (joking, of course).

Does it change any for astigmatism. It distorts your viewpoint so that you can't see far away.

Alissa

http://www.texasdigital.com/alissa/cuteinglasses/

Don 26 Jun 2002, 05:34

Puffin,

What do you think my uncorrected VA would be since I wear a -12?

I inquired about it with my doctor some time ago and he estimated it was approximately 20/1,200. Does that sound feasible to you?

Puffin 26 Jun 2002, 00:34

The standard rate of diopters x 100 to give the VA seems a bit high. I have seen cases were it might be as low as x 50. ie minus 5 it might be somewhere between 20/500 and 20/250.

I know someone with around minus 5 of myopia who claims to have read about a third of the way down the standard snellen chart. If this is true, and I think it is, then his VA cannot be worse than 20/120 or thereabouts.

As for the cylinder bit, I think the introduction of a little second-factor

myopia in a single plane has only a small difference, but I have a feeling that as the numbers get bigger, the overall VA goes up in bigger leaps.

Clare 25 Jun 2002, 14:24

Hi Caterina

I read this today on one of those lasik correction sites, you might be interested in the correlation between distance vision and diopters -

0 = 20/20

-0.50 = 20/25

-0.75 = 20/30

-1.00 = 20/40

-1.25 = 20/80

-1.50 = 20/100

-2.00 = 20/200

I too have always wondered exactly how much difference that bit of cyl correction makes, but apparently its a bit difficult to calculate!

Julian 25 Jun 2002, 09:57

Thanks for that link, Christy. I only wish he'd explained where the axes are, but other wise, very informative.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Caterina 25 Jun 2002, 07:48

Thanks, Christy, also for setting my mind at ease concerning that 175. I thought it might have to do with their being 180 degrees in a semi-circle, and also had a thought that maybe they had to add to 180, like supplementary angles in geometry, but now I understand what it means.

I know I have seen posts that answered this question but I cannot find them, nor have I found any satisfactory answer on the internet. Does anybody know how things such as 20/40, 20/60, etc., relate to the "diopters"?

Also I am thinking it must be approximate. Let's say that a -.5 in my right eye means 20/60, so I should see at 20 feet how a "normal" person does at 60. But with the astigmatism factor, wouldn't I actually be a little bit worse than that?

Christy 25 Jun 2002, 06:15

Caterina - your prescription is almost the same for both eyes - and you're right in thinking that you're only slightly nearsighted with a little astigmatism. The numbers 5 and 175 simply measure the "axis" of your astigmatism - and the number 175 is nothing to worry about. You'll probably find that your lenses look almost exactly the same - though if you hold them away from your eyes and look through one lens and then the other - you should notice the image is tilted slightly differently by each lens.

Christy 25 Jun 2002, 06:05

OD = oculus dexter - which is Latin for right eye.

OS = oculus sinister - which is Latin for left eye.

My optician is English and uses R and L on the prescription form to signify right and left.

For more riveting facts - http://world.std.com/~dpbsmith/prescription/prescription.html

Caterina 25 Jun 2002, 05:57

Well I have been to the eye doctor. I don't know what you are meaning by OD and OS, but here is what my prescription looked like:

-.5 -.75 X 5

-.75 -.75 x 175

Can anyone explain the significance of this? I vaguely understand it means I am slightly near-sighted and also have astigmatism. I am a little concerned to see a number as big as 175 in there.

I'm supposed to pick them up today but they may not be ready until 4, in which case I won't have them until tomorrow.

TC 24 Jun 2002, 17:12

Okay, this is post your Rx so since I haven't seen any around lately I figure I'll post someone else's history of Rx's :-) Our patient in this case is a female and has progressed as follows:

OD -3.00 -0.25 x 010 Oldest Rx (1988-90?)

OS -2.75 -0.75 x 173 Age 10-13?

OD -4.25 -0.25 x 015 Exam 9/23/94

OS -4.25 -0.50 x 170 Age 18

OD -4.50 -0.50 x 015 Exam (Sometime Pre '98)

OS -4.50 -0.50 x 170 Age 19-21

OD -4.50 -0.25 x 035 Exam 1/27/98

OS -4.25 -0.75 x 180 Age 22

OD -4.75 Exam 11/24/99

OS -4.50 -0.75 x 175 Age 23

OD -4.75 Exam ??/??/2002

OS -4.50 -0.75 x 180 Age 26

Seems to me that her various docs have wavered around a bit, but overall those numbers don't surprise me too much. Right eye cyl climbing then going away in a bit curious. Her contact Rx has held steady at -4.50 sph since '98.

Hope that satisfies those who love Rx's for a bit :-)

ehpc 24 Jun 2002, 15:08

I get it Clare:))))))))))).............don't worry....I'll push you in the right direction:)Peter

Clare 24 Jun 2002, 14:00

Yeah yeah Peter, I know ... but you know me too!! One day eh?

ehpc 24 Jun 2002, 04:16

Clare-why didn't you wear your glasses at the party anyway?:)Swap them around when it got darker?Think of the pleasure you would have given people...........:) Peter

Clare 23 Jun 2002, 21:47

Peter - you're absolutely right, I'm not self-employed so my financial welfare doesn't depend on my sociability (or dangerous lack of it!). I wasn't bothered whether I could see people's expressions, in fact its only the situations where its embarrassing not to see something which the person you're talking to clearly can that worry me!

ehpc 23 Jun 2002, 15:46

Clare - I am just back from the briny again!(Most days at this time of year)A most interesting point you raise................I am sure that working in the City you are a very 'driven' person too..............however, please correct me if I am wrong, but I imagine that you are not self-employed. Or are you?I may well be wrong.I am 'thinking aloud' here,but musicians frequently socialise with each other,and 'networking' is so vital..............social and business events are really the same, almost,so I think subconsciously one is always on the lookout for the leader of this Orchestra, or the Conductor of another Orchestra.....and certainly in a million years one could not risk 'cutting them dead' as people say.One really could lose vital concert engagements that way. So I need my wits about me.So do you,obviously, (and how!) working in finance,but(and again correct me if I am wrong)the party you were at was probably purely social?You weren't reading the precise expressions on people's faces?Or didn't feel you needed to?Of course, I know (and I still find this extraordinary) that you went without your minus 2s for a whole day at work too.But I don't know............again it is probably quite simply personal tolerance. Actually I was thinking about this in connexion with my seaswimming. Every time I come out, people say "How do you do it?" "Isn't it freezing?" etc etc Not for me it isn't. I can go straight in and underwater, even in the early Spring. So............tolerances do certainly vary a lot.Peter

Stan 23 Jun 2002, 13:46

Sarah, Small, thick and stylish is fine too.

Don 23 Jun 2002, 12:01

Clare

It doesn't make sense to me that you would sacrafice the benefits of seeing who was at the party just because you didn't want anyone to see you wearing specs.

I would rather see what's going on around me than worry about whether I was wearing glasses or not.

Suit yourself.

Clare 23 Jun 2002, 11:54

Peter - good that you're back safely from the briny, a lucky escape!! As to your earlier comments, I too regard myself as a driven personality, very hard on myself if I fail and often critical of myself but that doesn't explain my apparent readiness to accept less than perfect vision! Just back from a drinks party at some folks along the road - I couldn't see clearly across the room or much beyond the person I was talking to in the garden, and I really didn't mind. I had my prescription sunnies till the sun went down but after that I didn't care because - and I guess this is the critical bit - it didn't matter to me. Question: what is it that 'driven' peolple *need* to see? I consider myself pretty driven but I didn't *need* to see everything this afternoon. And that's got nothing to do with the fact that I'd not want to be seen wearing specs at a social engagement like that!

Julian 23 Jun 2002, 07:42

Ahem; sorry, I posted that without checking if there were any posts since Christy's MUCH earlier one.

Julian 23 Jun 2002, 07:39

Now, that does surprise me, Christy. To me that sounds rather a 'Luddite' way of going on, but that's hardly you. Would you like to expound your reasoning?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Christy 23 Jun 2002, 07:03

Alan - I don't do meetings and lectures - got too many interesting things to do to be bothered with all that kind of stuff! I can imagine it might be a problem to look from a map in my hand to something on the horizon - so I propose another solution - three pairs of glasses! I could use one pair for distance - one pair for close-up - and then maybe bifocals for both!

Christy 23 Jun 2002, 06:57

Mon - ah muss hae a read o' the Tully!

ehpc 23 Jun 2002, 06:45

All this talk of going around in a blur has recalled to my mind an incident which occured just last night actually,graphically revealing the problems that one can get into,going around with uncorrcted vision.

As many of you may know, I am an exceptionally keen seaswimmer,even in really cold and rough water. Last night I went off to the beach in a small West of Scotland town for a dip about 9.30 PM.Of course in these Northern latitudes there is very little darkness these few weeks,so it is easy to swim at 10.00 PM or even later.I used to have some cool prescription swimming goggles,but they disappeared in a house fire some years ago.Since that time I had most uncoolly been using an ancient pair of glasses for swimming only,sometimes stuffing them inside the swimming trunks if the sea was a bit rough. Well it was a bit rough off the West of Scotland about one week ago,and the glasses just floated away.There is now a jellyfish in the Irish Sea somewhere enjoying exceptionally good vision, ha ha:)I ordered a really top-class new set of googles a few days ago,,but they won't arrive for about a week. So..............temporarily my seaswimming vision is uncorrected minus 6.

After I had been swimming for about 20 minutes last night, I heard some calls from the beach.Occasionally this happens...............people waving,wanting to take a photograph etc. I waved happily at them and swam on. The calls stopped,and I swam on for a while thinking nothing off it. When I got out, I saw that there were vague shapes still standing there calling me. I just thought they wanted a photograph or a bit of casual conversation or something,so I went over to them. However..................there were four Police Officers,standing there, hands on hips,tide coming in fast,water lapping around their Plod boots!!!!!!!!!!! Actually, I must admit,three Policeman and one absolutely GORGEOUS (non-GWG) PoliceWoman.She kept staring at my chest.Naturally I flattered myself that she couldn't keep her eyes off my bare masculinity,only later realising that she would be looking in puzzlement at the huge scar from the quadruple heart bypass surgery I had a few years ago,which as I have repeatedly said here, is NOT a sob story...............Glasgow Royal Informary gave me a 100% physical recovery,and although I am not a religious person it really is like having a new life,like being reborn.At 47 I feel better than I did when I was 30,indeed better than at any other time in my life. Anyway..............Plod. "Just come this way,sir" "Why didn;t you come when we called you?" etc............I had to explain that I couldn't see them without my glasses,and in any case I was only having a swim,so what was the problem? Apparently some hysterical nutcase had telephoned them thinking I was going to top myself.Can you imagine anything more hysterical?If a chap can't have a swim in peace.............Anyway,they walked me back to my car."And there's another thing,sir". "What's that,Officer?" "You've left your lights on"(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)Of course,they were now completely 'milking' the humour value of it.A huge crowd had gathered in the car park to watch.Loud applause,cheers and so on,and of course the Police had to take all my details. As I was getting dry,I handed them a business card to take my details from. Obviously it said 'Classical concert and Recording Pianist' etc. "Oh,so the swimming helps you with your piano playing,does it sir?" etc etc etc I was rather mystified by the fact they took a photograph of me in my bathers. Either to throw darts at,or for the PoliceWoman's admiration, no doubt:) So..............it is just as well the new goggles arrive this week,although there should be several swims in the meantime. Peter

ehpc 23 Jun 2002, 06:09

Also I meant to say that my corrected visual acuity is very good,apparently,or at least as good as you can reasonably expect with about minus 6 shortsight,if not fighter pilot stuff.So it is the case that with big plastic frames and good corrected vision...........yes,I see pretty well at the moment with my normal minus 6 glasses.I don't normally live in a 'fuzz' and would dislike that intensely. Peter

ehpc 23 Jun 2002, 06:05

Clare.......................yes obviously tolerance is a very subjective thing,related to many other personality factors as well as simply visual tolerance. I am myself an exceptionally 'driven' 'Type A personality', as the psychologists term it,and I simply couldn't cope with the irritation of having less than perfect vision.It would be completely at odds with my aspirational personality.That having been said,of course I put up with squinting a books and so on for far too long. But I think that was simply the childish and foolish' geriatric' thing.......................you know,the first grey hair,getting 'reading glasses',and all that sort of thing. Mind you,not that I should worry about that,as I was very grey by the time I was 30! I suppose it is that you can 'get by' squinting at books, maps,and so on. But being self-employed, I could miss or offend a really valuable concert or indeed personal contact by going around with minus 1 vision.I would hate not being able to recognise people. And I would not be able to see all the beautiful GWGs,such as yourself:)))))))))) Couldn't cope with that:) Peter

Alan 23 Jun 2002, 05:42

Really, Christie? It seems like that could get *really* troublesome at times. I would think there would be a lot of circumstances when one might be looking at a book or sheet of paper in front of them, and then have to look away at something in the distance, etc. Well, I guess this would mostly be at meetings or lectures, so if you don't have to go to this sort of thing, it wouldn't be such a big deal.

Christy 23 Jun 2002, 01:21

Well I'm still nowhere near ready for assistance with reading - but when that time comes I know I'll choose two pairs of specs rather than bifocals.

Julian 22 Jun 2002, 23:08

So, Peter, you actually went for a separate pair of readers rather then bifocals, which would be the obvious answer for most people?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Clare 22 Jun 2002, 23:07

Peter, isn't tolerance such a subjective thing!! Not forgetting expectation, *normal* for you is seeing very clearly. I had a conversation with an optician recently, he said he has customers with a -0.75 prescription who like to wear them all the time. He was surprised I didn't and was actively encouraging me to.

Yes that day was mostly irritating but interesting too for me, the person who's always felt her rx so negligible. I'm sure you really could get used to your -1 vision, it's just you don't expect to have to. Why don't you do what Julian did - go out in them, tell us what happens!

SZ6 22 Jun 2002, 21:34

Sarah,

It depends on what sort of frames look good with the girl's face. Some larger-size styles are actually quite good looking whether the lenses are thick or thin. Basically, the whole look just needs to be aesthetically pleasing.

Wurm 22 Jun 2002, 21:09

> For you guys who like girls with thick

glasses, does it matter to you whether the glasses are especially 'stylish'?

Good question. I think for many of us the most desirable styles are the ones that were in fashion when we were young. So most guys your age who like GWGs are probably into recent, smaller styles.

Just my theory...

Sarah 22 Jun 2002, 19:30

So, it's pretty weird posting for the first time on here...like stepping onto an ice skating rink for the first time. But I really like the site (I've been reading posts for a couple days ... no, not non-stop, of course.) and I think i should post something if I want to be a part of it.

I'm not sure what my prescription is now, and it wouldn't really matter because the one I have is not real close to what i need. My eyes have gotten a lot worse in the last year.

I'm really nearsighted and almost always wear contacts. I think my prescription is about -10. At first, my doctor was sort of surprised at how fast my eyes got worse i didn't get glasses until I was 11, but i think I was in there pretty much every 6 months forever. I just started college this year and i tried do go the whole year without going to the eye doctor. this spring was kind of tough someties, since I really couldn't see very well. But school's a long way from home and for some reason i wanted to wait until I could get to my regular eye doctor. Really, I should have just found one at school.

Everyone here really likes glasses, it seems. For you guys who like girls with thick glasses, does it matter to you whether the glasses are especially 'stylish'? It almost seems like you'd rather have them big, really thick, and ugly -- is that true? ok, you wouldn't call them ugly in that case, would you...

I'll be going to the eye doctor soon, so I'll post a 'real' prescription then.

ehpc 22 Jun 2002, 11:29

I was just looking back at a few old posts concerning the tolerance of imperfect vision here. Well, I am amazed what some people seem to be able to tolerate. Geriatric status well and truly arrived for me yesterday(I am 47) as after putting off for about a year I realised it was absolutely neccessary to get some glasses with a different presecriptiopn for reading.I had been looking forward to getting stuck into a great Trollope novel all day,and when I was able to I could barely see the book. So.................off for an eye test. The optician gave me a special prescription for reading,which is exactly -1 less than my normal prescription,i.e.roughly minus 5 instead of minus 6. Of course when I wear them, it is as if I have have minus 1 eyesight. Everything looks a total blur and fuzz,except for the book which looks absolutely superb. I couldn't believe the difference the new glasses made for reading.They are also extremely tendy and cool.But I couldn't wear them for five seconds for normal use. It is immensely irritating to see such a blur and I am sure I would be unable to recognise people. Clare,you went for a whole day, working without your minus 2s!I find that staggering.Weren't you intensely irritated?It is beyond me how anyone could tolerate that. Quite apart from the immorality of cheating GWG fans such as myself out of the pleasure of seeing you wearing them:)

Peter

Heather 22 Jun 2002, 11:12

Toesrus,

I am really not for sure what my glasses are made out of but that sounds familar. I know the are getting the same type of lenses as before. Mine are so think to begin with that they do everything possible to make them light and also thinner. I'm sure that I will notice a change in thickness with them compaired to the other lenes. However, they are already pretty thick, so really others wont notice it as much. Also as they set right now they distort my eyes and everything, so it wont be a big deal.

toesrus 21 Jun 2002, 10:09

heather,

did you choose high index plastic lenses for your new prism glasses?

i think your optician told you about the thickness of prisms on one side. in your case the outer thickness will be about 3 mm more than with normal glasses. your prescription with ordinary cr 39 would be around 20 mm outer thickness. was this mentioned to you?

i wear a -6 prescription 6,5 prism base in. my lenses have a thickness of about 10 mm at the nosepads. this looks really strange for other people because my eyes are in two directions.

did your optometrist tell you that prisms can grow (i begun in march with 2,5 prisms base in, approximately the end is 10 or more prisms each side)?

best wishes

Toes`R´Us

Heather 21 Jun 2002, 09:50

I am trying not to wear them for as long as I can when I am working on stuff. I normally get by for a short while right now. I also try to not wear them when I am just watching tv or missing around, unless I just can't stand it.

It will be sometime in July, probably around or just after the 4th. To order the perscription lenses last time it took almost 3 weeks to get them in.

Alan 21 Jun 2002, 09:20

Heather,

I noticed that you said you don't wear the glasses with prism all the time but "you really think you should". So, there are plusses and minuses with that -- you'll probably find the vision is more comfortable if you do...but I think prism tends to create a dependence -- the more you have it, the more you need it. Needing it isn't the end of the world...but it is sort of the end of wearing only contacts. You really have to decide for yourself what the answer is, though talking to your eye doctor (or more than one) is a very good idea.

How soon will you get your new glasses (with your full prescription)?

Alan

Heatner 21 Jun 2002, 07:48

Dr. Bob,

They look like regular glasses with a lower prscription in them. The only thing that i have been told by anyone is that it looks like my eyes are open wider with them on.

Heatner 21 Jun 2002, 07:47

Dr. Bob

Puffin 20 Jun 2002, 14:10

The last thing I want to be is normal. It is just TOO boring.

Alan 20 Jun 2002, 12:19

Jack,

From Merriam-Webster online: normal: 2 a : according with, constituting, or not deviating from a norm, rule, or principle b : conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern.

In this case, the regular pattern is obviously the "commonly thought-of glasses wearer". If you want to be really really anal, I'll let this be the wearer of the median sphere (about -2), cylinder (about -0.4), and prism (about 0) prescription.

Alan

Jack 20 Jun 2002, 12:04

Dr. Bob:

What is normal?

Doctor Bob 20 Jun 2002, 11:09

Heather - what do lenses with prisms look like? Do they look "normal" to people on the other side?

Heather 19 Jun 2002, 20:46

Alan,

I may have to check into that or at least see what I can find on my own on it.

I am actually still a student, and work part time in a computer lab on campus.

Alan 19 Jun 2002, 09:53

Heather,

You might want to ask your eye doctor about eye exercises. If you wore glasses all the time normally, it would be fine to just accept the prism, but since you like wearing contacts it would probably be a real benefit to you to not require glasses too. Unlike for myopia or hyperopia, exercises are widely considered effective for your type of horizontal problem, I believe. Doctors will suggest the quickest fix, I guess, which is to add prism to your glasses. But this isn't really great if you want to just wear contacts.

What do you do, by the way?

Alan

Heather 18 Jun 2002, 23:09

Daffy,

It was a little different, and in many ways I think I am still adjusting to them. I can really tell a difference when I have them on and am either reading, and evening at night with road signs, as I will see two of them on several occasions. I will have to see how the regualar glasses with the prism are, and how well I like them. I am guessing that will take me longer to get used to as just wear and seeing through the glasses does normally.

Heather 18 Jun 2002, 23:06

Alan,

As far as eye exercises, I am sure that there are some that I could do. I honestly don't know how long I have had this problem, since this was the first time that I have gone to the eye doctor, (for about 8 years it wasn't too regular) back to back times and not have a major change in perscriptions. I was going when I was yonger ever 6 months and having changes. I've actually noticed this problem with my eyes several times before, when my contacts where new enough to have a good perscription, just with the history of the changes, didn't think anything of it, until I had a friend whos had the prism problem for some time and I was telling them what I was seeing and they said to mention it when I went in the next time. Also part of mine may come from the eyes being so nearsighted that it has caused part of the problem.

I don't have the new glasses that contain the -13.00 lenses and the prism in them. It will be a few weeks as the company even special orders them to get them made. However on the glasses with just the prism that I wear with my contacts I do notice a major difference when doing things. I don't always wear them, but I think I really should. Many times words seem to blur almost together, even though the contacts are fine, its just since I have the horizontal problem, they move over and make it harder to see.

I tolorate my contacts great. I've had contacts since I was about 10, and wear them all the time 15+ hours on several days even in a row.

Daffy 18 Jun 2002, 16:59

Hi Heather, I was just interested to know how you adjusted to your new Rx with prisms. Was it istantaneous? Did it seem weird visually wearing them at first? Just want to know your initial experience. Thanx.

Clare 18 Jun 2002, 14:37

One of the OOs in my office came back from an appointment with a new prescription of -1.25/-1.50 and somewhat proudly told us that the optician told her that she could/should wear them all the time if she feels she needs to .... I guess we'll see when the OO in question picks up her new specs!

Clare 17 Jun 2002, 22:47

Gettingworse I think what really matters is how you feel about yourself in glasses. Youre used to seeing yourself in them now and theyre doubtless part of your image, so thats fortunate! Interesting what you say about feeling vulnerable without them and maybe thats something that goes by degree, with my prescription being less than your worst and with no astigmatism to speak of, its frustrating. But I think the gradual worsening of someone's eyesight and the getting used to correction could be two separate things if I got used to good vision and so chose not to go without correction, even though my eyesight had not got worse its possible I could still be tempted into wearing them all the time simply because I like what I see. A friends sister is an optician, she has a theory about muscles that strain to see then relax when theyre helped by corrective lenses, the longer theyre worn the more relaxed they become and although the eyesight hasnt got worse, the person would think it has because theyve got used to the corrected vision.

Getting worse 17 Jun 2002, 14:26

Clare,

Interesting post about going "bare-eyed". In the past few weeks, since getting my last prescription filled (r -2.75 -1.25, L -1.5 -75, I've noticed that wearing my glasses all the time means my eyes have got repidly used to the stronger prescription. Because the left eye, which was relatively OK and previously covered for the weaker right eye, has adapted to the stronger lens (-75 more), I now feel much more vulnerable without my glasses on. I actively dislike not having them on.

I guess this goes back to some of the points you made some time ago to the effect that once you get used to something, it is much more difficult to do without it than before. When you put that together with a general worsening of your eyesight such that you would need correction anyway, it's easy to see why people start wearing glasses full-time. In your case, though, you are quite lucky in that you can wear contact lenses - and judging from your post, do so quite often. I have had three attempts at contacts in the past 20 years, none of them successful. Me and glasses are a permanent item, I fear.

On a more positive note, I had mentioned that I was due a hearing test soon. Well, it happened. Thankfully the audiogram last week showed that while I have a slight hearing loss, just outside the "normal" 15-25db range (25-35db, with worse results both in very high and very low frequencies), it's not so serious that I need worry hugely about it just now. The high and low frequencies are not as essential to interpret speech as the mid-range ones, I'm told. More tests in a year's time, but for now the prospect of immediate HAs. If I can stave them off for a few more years I'll be happy!

A result of sorts...

Alan 17 Jun 2002, 14:01

Heather,

Can you do some vision therapy or something, so you won't need the prism? I can see the appeal of not wearing glasses, and it's too bad to be forced to wear glasses when your eyes (I guess) tolerate contacts well.

Of the options you have now, do you prefer the glasses + contacts or just the glasses?

Alan

Heather 17 Jun 2002, 09:55

I was having some double vision, and when tested I needed the prism added.

I don't really like wearing the other glasses cause I was so used to not having anything but the contacts, however, they do really help the eyesight so it works.

Yes, they can put some types of prism on the contacts, however, mine is one that they can not, or so I was told.

Alan 17 Jun 2002, 09:52

Heather,

Why did you get prism in your glasses? Were you having problems with double vision or headaches?

Do you like wearing glasses, if they aren't as thick/strong as your full prescription?

It's too bad contacts can't be made with prism correction...actually, I wonder if they could be. I think they could, though it might be a little tricky and would probably only work for weaker prism.

Alan

Heather 17 Jun 2002, 08:25

I'm 23 and just recently added prism to my glasses and a pair of glasses with the prism only in them to wear over my contacts. I don't remember the exact middle measurements (-1.25, -1.75) but these are close. My glasses are:

R -13.00, -1.25? add 3 out prism

L -13.00 -1.75? add 3 out prism

My contacts are

R -12.00

L -12.00

my glasses that I wear over my contacts have a 1.5 prism added to each lens.

Clare 14 Jun 2002, 22:55

I tried a little experiment like Julians yesterday I decided to go the whole day without any correction. It was pretty irritating and a few times I was tempted. In the office I should have been okay, but it drove me mad that I couldnt well enough see a particular colleague across the room, people walking along the corridor were recognisable but out of focus, even colleagues who sit closest to me about 5 away looked liked images just slightly out of register. And I couldn't see my boss, who has a habit of waving to people he wants to see to attract their attention!!

You already know that Im daft enough to kid myself that even with my 2 prescription - I have perfect vision, but I think anyone who got this as a first Rx would wear them all the time right from the start. Coming up through the 1s, like I did, I think makes the gradual deterioration less noticeable. I dont wear glasses in the office but all last week Id worn contact lenses and I wonder if my amazing blur tolerance was reduced.

I used to work with someone who was -1.75/-2.75 and occasionally she would forget her lenses, she could manage and so, of course, could I. But I yesterday I realised why lots of people think its so much easier to just keep 'em on!

Maverick 11 Jun 2002, 14:05

Yes I am experiencing the same problem Clare. It used to work fine - perhaps Andy can help ?

Clare 11 Jun 2002, 12:10

Has anyone else had problems with the simulator? When I touch the numbers it only re-loads the crisp image - seems I can get to the others by scrolling down, but that seems to defeat the purpose!

Julian 11 Jun 2002, 03:47

Yes, Clare, you're right. I could but like yourself and Christy, I wouldn't. Sorry, that's the weakest pair I've got. Interesting though, I just checked out the myopia simulator at http://www.g-w-g.de/gwg_new/ and there seems to be a quantum leap between -2 and -2.5, as far as I'm concerned. I think I'd find -2.5 a serious handicap...am I right in thinking thast's the point where a lot of people do go into full time wear?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Anders 10 Jun 2002, 15:24

Clare--yes, and more often than not they don't know. --A

Clare 10 Jun 2002, 14:39

Has anyone ever felt bold enough to come right out and ask someone what their Rx is?

Christy 08 Jun 2002, 13:59

I like all the clarity I can get - and I like wearing glasses - so I guess I'm lucky that those two things compliment each other!

Clare 08 Jun 2002, 11:32

Hmmm, interesting Julian. I'm sure you'd agree you could certainly get about as an uncorrected -1.75, thing is you're used to everything being crystal clear all the time and that makes it worse for you! Have you got a lesser prescription plus you could try (to give you -1 or -1.25)? It'd be interesting to know at what minus it gets to what you'd consider intolerable.

p.s. 08 Jun 2002, 03:10

Somebody asked about my uncorrected vision. It's adequate for distant objects unless I want to see fine detail; close up, it's crap! I wear my glasses (progressives) full time because I'm always wanting to read things close up, and also because of the fine detail problem: I like to be able to appreciate a good-looking guy on the other side of the street ::)

Love and kisses, Jules.

Julian 08 Jun 2002, 03:05

Right; as somebody suggested I repeated my experiment with another paur of specs. This time I went out in my computer glasses which I've had for ages, and I don't have a record of the lenses; bit I *think* they add +1.75 to my distance Rx. Anyway I could cope much better. Things were blurry of course, but I could read a car number at 12-14 paces, more if I squinted, and I could read (big) shop signs from the other side of a main street. I recognized, and spoke to, somebody across a narrower street, though I couldn't see his features clearly. I don't have much astigmatism, but I wonder whether it was having that corrected or the lower add that made life easier.

Anyway I think my verdict remains that if I were even slightly short-sighted I'd wear glasses full time.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Christy 05 Jun 2002, 14:04

Clare - you were me? Who was I then?

Leon - you can't beat a backup pair of specs!

Leon 05 Jun 2002, 13:50

Hehe, I'm here, Clare.

Not much to contribute here. Let me say that I'm not very good at recognising people without my glasses. That's one reason why I rarely go around without them.

I said it before: when my specs were broken I just couldn't see well enough at the supermarket and I absolutely hated it. I felt really handicapped!

Clare 05 Jun 2002, 13:34

Last one was me, aaah

Christy 05 Jun 2002, 13:24

To recognise someone in the street about 30ft, to see features clearly something like 10ft. Where's Leon? He could contribute to this game.

Christy 04 Jun 2002, 14:16

Clare - you're right - I wouldn't be able to make out a person's face at that distance - but I'd be able to make out the "whole person" - if you see what I mean. I spend a lot of my time outdoors having to recognise things that I see maybe only for a fleeting glimpse - or things that might be a hundred miles away (was doing that yesterday) - and even without specs I was darn good at it! With specs I'm frighteningly good at it - if I say so myself! Sometimes I can make out things that other people (with or without specs) aren't able to distinguish.

Clare 04 Jun 2002, 14:09

Christy, sorry I didn't see you is fine ... unless they call you and you still can't see them! Embarrassing and even worse than being labelled as unfriendly.

Clare 04 Jun 2002, 14:06

Christy, isn't 30 yards about 100 feet? Are you sure you'd recognise someone at that distance - I mean you wouldn't be able to see their features would you? I'm sure I couldn't, although I will check it out tomorrow. I think I'd recognise someone - from their build, walk or similar - at about 50 feet maybe slightly less.

Christy 04 Jun 2002, 14:02

Clare - when you think about it - this is a bit of an odd one. I mean - if you can't see well enough to recognise someone - then you don't know that you've actually walked past them in the street! Mind you - if you do that because you're not wearing glasses - then you can always use that as your defence! I think there are very few in or around the -2 range on this site.

Clare 04 Jun 2002, 13:52

Christy - got it, I hadn't accounted for the fact that you were meaning within polite speaking distance (of course!). You had me a bit mystified there ... are we the only two in this range to comment on Julian's experiment??

Christy 04 Jun 2002, 13:48

Clare - I'm thinking along the lines of walking down the street. With glasses I'd recognise someone maybe a couple of hundred yards away - but of course I wouldn't yell and holler at them over that kind of distance. I'd wait until they were nearer. Without glasses (and I'm sort of guessing here) I'd probably recognise them at thirty to fifty yards - and I'd still wait for them to come a whole lot closer before speaking to them. Having said that - a crowded room in low light would prove much more difficult without specs. Anyway - it's largely academic as I'm always wearing specs!

Clare 04 Jun 2002, 13:35

Christy - on recognising people in the street, how wide or long would that street be?? On Friday preparations were underway to decorate the neighbourhood for the jubilee celebrations. Further along the road a number of neighbours were bustling about with flags and bunting. Without thinking I asked "Who's that in the Union Jack t-shirt?". With surprise and exasperation in her voice, my neighbour replied "it's Lauren ...". Mortified and embarrassed I slunk away.

Christy 04 Jun 2002, 13:19

My myopia kind of crept up on me over a period of years - so slowly that at first I didn't realise it was happening. The trouble was that some of the people I used to hang around with must have been a little bit blurry-eyed themselves - as I never used to feel that I was seeing anything less than them. Eventually - it got to the point where I was aware that people around me were able to see fine detail before me - or at least most of them were!

I'm sure I'd be able to recognise people in the street well enough without specs - but reading signs or car numberplates would be tough enough. The trouble is - I'm just not inclined to take off my specs for any reason. I like wearing them too much!

I once arranged to meet a guy in Budapest - and arrived to find him and his girlfriend rolling around laughing in a train station. Apparently - he'd walked up to someone he assumed was me and made some jaunty comment before realising it wasn't me. Seems he needed specs more than I did - but just wasn't ready to take the final step. He said he'd "fight it for as long as possible" and put off the fateful day. His girlfriend was an absolute dish in high minus specs!

Clare 04 Jun 2002, 10:24

Julian

It all sounds very familiar: at -2-ish, I'm kind of close, close enough anyway. You're right, car number plates, street signs - and I'll add supermarket aisle & train platform signs - are pretty much off limits. But if you can't recognise faces, you'll recognise someone's walk I bet. I don't think it's *that* bad though, it probably just depends what you're used to .. and for those who get used to 100% it's probably not acceptable. But you make me wonder, what's your uncorrected vision like?

Julian 04 Jun 2002, 05:16

Clare and others: when I said I couldn't see a thing I was being shamefully imprecise. I could see where I was going, I could see well enough to cross the road safely. I couldn't read shop signs, car number or street signs at any distance. As it happened I didn't meet anybody that morning, but I wouldn't have been able to make out their features if I had. That was how it was for me. Christy questions whether the effect really is the same, and that's what I really don't know - and pehaps nobody can really tell. As Alan says, my refraction with those readers on is similar to that of a -2.5 myope; BUT whereas that is a natural condition for Christy if he were ever to take his specs off [::)] it isn't for me. So does Christy or somebody with similar eyesight have a better natural ability to cope? Am I making myself remotely clear?

Love and kisses, Jules.

Nixibear 03 Jun 2002, 19:56

But don't you look kind of odd going around wearing two pairs of glasses? Don't people ask you about that?

Curt 03 Jun 2002, 13:52

Christy: The missing element is...you! Everyone's eyes have a certain amount of accomodative power, and everyone is different. When I was younger, I could see ~20/20 with anything from +2 to -2 in front of my eyes. Presbyopia has gotten me though, so I can't see much with minus lenses on anymore. But your vision with two pairs of specs on is not as bad as you think it should be because your eyes can accomodate for some of the excess prescription. It is VERY hard, if not impossible, however, to accomodate for the cylinder (astigmatism ) part of your correction...it just gives you a headache.

Christy 03 Jun 2002, 13:36

All in the interests of pure research Nixibear old boy - why do you ask?

Nixibear 03 Jun 2002, 12:10

Christy,

Why on earth would you wear two pairs of glasses?

Christy 03 Jun 2002, 11:07

Alan - the difference between me wearing glasses and not wearing them is considerable in terms of clarity. However - if I put on two pairs of glasses with my prescription - I'd expect to find it quite difficult to see - especially as that would give me a considerable over-correction for astigmatism. In fact - what actually happens is that there isn't an appreciable difference between me wearing one or two pairs of corrective lenses. How can that be explained? I think there's more to the "effect" of lenses than merely adding or subtracting numbers.

Clare 03 Jun 2002, 10:56

Julian - tell us what it was really like. Till you do we won't know whether it wasn't like you thought it'd be, or whether as an experiment its not realistic!

Alan 03 Jun 2002, 06:56

Christy,

Actually, I think Jules' experiment was a pretty good simulation. Wearing plus-glasses basically gives the same refraction as being myopic. I think the disconnect is that different people have different ways of defining "not able to see anything".

Alan

Christy 03 Jun 2002, 00:26

Julian - I'm not sure that giving yourself an extra plus correction gives the same effect as seeing like a myope. I'm not expert on refraction and lenses - but I have a sneaky suspicion that things aren't quite so simple. If you really couldn't see a thing with an apparent -2.5, then that leaves me puzzled, as it's pretty close to my prescription, but I could get around fine without my specs. I wouldn't have any trouble getting round an unfamiliar area although I'd have to get close up to signs to be able to read them.

Clare 02 Jun 2002, 22:58

Well done, Jules - what a brilliant idea! Was life as a -2.5 myope what you expected? Why not try glasses that give you the effect of -1 and -2 as well and tell us what you *see*.

Tammy 02 Jun 2002, 15:43

Angela,

I am 37 years old.

Angela 02 Jun 2002, 09:34

This is out of place but I didn't know where to put it. I was wondering the age ranges of people that come here.

Julian 02 Jun 2002, 07:41

Yesterday morning I went out wearing a pair of over-the-counter readers, +3.5. I'm +1.25-0.75, +1.00-0.50, so that gave me the equivalent of roughly -2.5 myopia (plus my little bit of astigmatism). I really couldn't see a thing and I came to the conclusion if I had that much myopia I'd definitely be a full time wearer (as I am in real life!) Or is it easier for those of you to whom myopia is anormal state?

I'll try again one day with a weaker pair, say my computer glasses which are distance +1.75. That might give me a better idea.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Lenny 31 May 2002, 18:10

Clare and Leon....When I got glasses for the first time I was told to wear them all the time. My parents insisted on it. In one sense it doesn't matter if the lenses get stronger as you will be looking through one lense or another. On the other hand, it is depressing to know that your eye sight is getting worse and worse each time you have them tested. I thought that it would stop deteriorating in my twenties. However, this has not been the case.

Clare 31 May 2002, 14:28

Lenny & Leon ... and do you mind if your eyesight gets worse because you've worn glasses? Maybe once you decide to wear them full time, whatever your prescription, it doesn't matter if your rx goes up because you're already wearing them all the time.

Lenny - were you -1.75 when you started wearing full time?

Maybe I'm the one in the worst situation - still able to manage without them all the time ... for a few increases, how many I wonder?

Leon 31 May 2002, 14:08

Lenny, it's the eternal question: did your eyes get worse BECAUSE you wore glasses or would they have gotten worse anyway? We'll never know...

Anyway, my wife's been wearing glasses for 22 years (she's 34 now) and her eyes actually got better last time she had an eye test. She has been wearing

glasses full time since she was 12.

Lenny 31 May 2002, 13:08

Leon:

I started wearing quite low prescription glasses (-1.75) and also appreciated what a difference they made. However, I found once I wore glasses full time my eye sight got worse and worse. After seven years of full time glasses wear, I am now OD -3.25 OS -4.00 and I cannot do without them.

Leon 31 May 2002, 12:34

Clare: I never ever go without them. I had to once - my glasses got knocked off while playing football in the street and broke - and I hated it! I went to the supermarket later that day and had trouble reading price tages of even finding the right isle. I didn't like it at all!

I guess I see a lot of people wearing low rx glasses everywhere, so it can't just be me knowing many low rx wearers. As someone who is attracted to girls with glasses I have this radar for glasses. So wherever I go I always notice the people wearing glasses. And wearing them full time really seems a natural thing to do here. I honestly have no idea why.

As for my own decision to wear them full time: it wasnt really a conscious decision. The first time I got glasses literally was an eye opener for me, it made me realise how much I'd missed before! It was only a very mild -1 rx, but they sure did the trick for me. I have worn my specs full time ever since.

Dr Bob 31 May 2002, 12:10

Looking through the gallery attached to the main page, I am especially attracted to the girl in the high myope collection - number 399 - any idea what poer her glasses must be anyone? is she for real or just a model?

Hilary - are your current specs like hers?

Clare 31 May 2002, 12:04

Leon

The point you make about it appearing to be common to wear low rx prescriptions all the time in Holland is interesting. I'm not sure whether that's because you see lots of people wearing low rx or because you have lots of friends with low rx prescriptions. I wonder whether that was influential in you becoming a full time wearer yourself. And now that you've got used to the crisp vision they give you, could you or would you ever go without them?

Tommy 31 May 2002, 12:02

Gary,

You don't mention your current Rx or if your thick lenses are regular or hi index. Also, how did your progression go from the small child until now and is it still progressing? Thanks, Tommy

Gary 31 May 2002, 09:21

Clare:

Since I was quite small I haven't had the option of wearing glasses when I wanted to, as I am very short sighted. I spent my late teens and early twenties in contacts because I thought my social and personal relations were being affected by thick lenses. I am not brave enough to have laser surgery and I have lost patience with contacts so I have to accept glasses which are the least invasive option for someone with bad eye sight.

Leon 31 May 2002, 01:07

Clare, I consider -2.75 a low Rx, but strong enough to be wearing glasses full time.

I wear -2 glasses myself and I too am a full time wearer. I don't care much for looks, but I really like the crisp vision they give me.

It seems like it's much more normal to wear (low Rx) glasses full time here in Holland. Maybe there's a cultural difference I'm not aware of?

Rimshot 31 May 2002, 00:16

Clare,

To each their own.

My ex would not wear her glasses in public. She feared being labled: The Intellectual (which she was). She preferred au naturel . . . young and sexy . . . (thick specs interfered with her hairline) . . . Instead she saved those gems for around the house and studio . . . to my delight!

Clare 31 May 2002, 00:14

Alan, Leon, I agree that when you're comfortable with your eyesight it opens up a host of style opportunities and that's my point about choice. It must be great to have excellent vision *all* the time (avoiding constant taking on/off) and know they look good - in which case they not not only serve a practical purpose but are an accessory too. But maybe it's not possible to take that view unless you're faced with a strong rx that means you have no choice - that's why I'm always fascinated at why people with a low rx like mine go for the full time option.

And wouldn't every female want anything she wore to enhance her looks? I think so! Not only that but I think that despite the multitude of celebs who're now been seen in glasses, there are still negative views about them - some people still see any vision defect as a disability. Maybe that will change, perhaps we should ask a few people in the business how many of their customers (with the exception of thosehere!) are delighted to hear they need glasses?

Leon 30 May 2002, 23:54

Clare, my wife wears -4 glasses. That means she has to wear them full time. She likes wearing them, as she multiple pairs that she can choose from in the morning. Am I wearing purple today? Good, I'll get my plastic purple frames. Am I wearing a 'classy' outfit? I'll take my rimless glasses.

She also has disposable contacts that she can choose to wear whenever she feels like. In reality she hardly ever wears contacts and goes for the glasses almost every day, because she likes the different looks they give her.

My point is: once you're comfortable with your eyesight, it opens a whole new world of fashion possibilities and one thing I know is that my wife sure likes exploring them!

Don 30 May 2002, 20:25

Clare: It seems to me that you draw more attention to yourself by wearing glasses sporadically than you would if you just put glasses on and kept them on.

Don 30 May 2002, 20:24

Clare

Alan 30 May 2002, 19:59

Clare,

You've written some really interesting things. Why does your ideal afford you the *choice* about wearing glasses? And why is it so important that they "enhance" your appearance -- I mean, wouldn't it be good enough if they were neutral for your appearance, neither adding nor subtracting, just different?

For me, I was never entirely comfortable wearing glasses until I "had to" wear them all the time. My contacts were bothering me quite a bit, so I just kept wearing my glasses day after day. I didn't think they looked particularly great, but it didn't really matter. After a couple weeks of wearing them all the time, I sort of forgot about them. It's hard for me to remember exactly what it was like before that -- I had worn them occasionally, I know, but only a day at a time. People never said anything, but I still felt "weird" -- self conscious, I guess -- about wearing them. That always continued until I wore them constantly for a while, at which point I guess I internalized a very real fact: unless someone is planning on trying to date me and as long as I don't smell bad, they really don't care what I look like.

I can't explain the following at all, but for some reason I think women in a professional context look considerably more professional if they wear glasses. In fact, at least for me, I'd say this "effect" is stronger the more attractive the woman is. That seems strange to me, since I can't offer any good justification. I really don't think it's a matter of vulnerability or weakness. I guess the glasses somehow demonstrate a "professional style" that distinguishes itself from a "casual" or "sensual" style...I wish I could find a better way to articulate this. The woman is no less or more attractive with glasses, really, but distinctly more professional-looking.

Although I assume I'm not alone (at all) in feeling this way, I'm sort of exasperated at how many women seem unable to really buy it, even if they want to. My girlfriend, for example, is really concerned about presenting a professional image -- she wears makeup every day at work but never on other days, even though there's really no one at her work that she needs to impress. But something that would be more impactful and MUCH easier -- wearing glasses -- is out of the question for her for some reason. Instead, she wears contacts, every day.

Alan

Clare 30 May 2002, 14:28

GW I exhibit many characteristics at work - frustration, exasperation, delight, hope, but not vulnerability. People think I'm very assertive, usually positive and successful, but I have this thing about being taken seriously (or not). My ideal would be this: to be able to *choose* when to wear glasses and when I do to be confident that they make me look - stylish, attractive, sophisticated, intelligent, feminine .. I could go on. It'd be nice to decide that today I'll wear ... and to finish off the look, my bronze Lindberg frames.

I actually quite like how my lenses look - strong enough to see things are a fair bit smaller and, with small wire titanium frames, they just protrude either side. But none of that makes me feel they enhance my appearance. Of course all of this is entirely cosmetic and completely ignores the ability-to-see better argument.

And how did I get here? I typed something like optician's prescription into a search engine, the rest is recent history ... it's a fascinating site and no-one here struggles with their bespectacled identity like I do.

Getting worse 30 May 2002, 13:30

Clare: you may well be right, who knows? Opticians I've met claim it's not the case and that people's eyesight gets worse of its own accord, but there appears to be plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest otherwise. I mean, how could someone not find their sight getting worse if, for example, they spend endless hours in front of a computer screen?

On the vulnerability thing, it's an interesting contradiction isn't it: on the one hand, we often want people to know there is a more human side to ourselves, on the other we don't want to admit to weaknesses. I confess to being torn both ways, depending on my moods.

Totally separate topic, Clare: this is, as I am discovering daily, a site that caters for many "interests". May I ask how you ended up here? For me, it was a search through various sites to find somewhere where people might know what was happening to my sight - not that I'm any the wiser.

Clare 30 May 2002, 13:15

Curt - I'm delighted that I might escape the 40+ experience for a bit longer than most! My optician tells me that "when all your friends are wearing their reading glasses you'll be taking yours off to read ..." a heartening thought. But if that were the case I think I'd have to go for the bifocal contacts!!

Clare 30 May 2002, 13:15

Curt - I'm delighted that I might escape the 40+ experience for a bit longer than many! My optician tells me that "when all your friends are wearing their reading glasses you'll be taking yours off to read ..." a heartening thought. But if that were the case I think I'd have to go for the bifocal contacts!!

Curt 30 May 2002, 13:04

Clare: Just wait until you get closer to 40 and you open the phone book and there is nothing there but pages full of gray fuzz. At least you can squint and sort of make out distant objects that you are trying to see. Once your arms become too short to hold material far enough away, it becomes a royal pain in the a**. I have even gone as far as laying printed material on the floor and standing above it to read it (not that it works much better). I am only 42 (had bifocals since 27), but I cannot see close up at all anymore. Reading, threading a needle, removing a splinter from my finger, etc. are all impossible now without my glasses.

And the thing is, we ALL have that to look forward to!!!

Clare 30 May 2002, 12:41

Andrew & Getting worse - I suscribe to the idea that there's a vicious circle and it goes like this ... wear them, get used to them, need stronger prescription. It was like that for a friend of mine who started about 5 years ago, in his early 30s, at -0.75 got to -1.25 started wearing them most of the time and is now a full-time wearer at -1.75. It may be he actually likes how he looks, but I think he got *hooked* on them very early.

My views on blurriness vary from interesting, to irritating to damn scary (when I think of how it might get). Sometimes at work I look up and can't focus on someone across the desks and I'm a bit awestruck by it all. I felt a fraud to think of wearing them to make me look more *serious* - weird then that now I can't bring myself to.

And you're right GW, for me it's really hard to admit to anyone "I can't see as well as I used to ... " As you say, it's like revealing a vulnerable part of yourself to everyone.

Doctor Bob 30 May 2002, 11:17

Alas I am approaching middle age and was surprised that I seem to be getting more myopic - down to -4 in my right eye - i assumed I would become long sighted and cancel the short-sightedness out for a while. Is it the strain of too much computer related work? Will I look like Mr Magoo by the time I retire?

Fortunately I am not in the same boat as Hilary - do people with myodiscs wear them for years or progress to stronger remedies quite quickly?

Getting worse 30 May 2002, 09:04

Andrew,

I don't want to put words in Clare's mouth, and deep down I suspect I agree with you in theory (just get them and if you don't want to wear them after you've got them you don't have to).

But I wonder whether Clare's decision not to get the new prescription is partly determined by the fact that, as she sees it, it's a bit of a slippery slope kind of thing.

First you get the eye test. Then the glasses. And then what? Well, you put them on. And what if you don't like the idea of wearing them after all? Well, it's too late matey! You're "hooked"! It's like those old 1930s films about the dangers of having a toke of marijuana. One quick drag and you're laughing uncontrollably, dancing very badly and mainlining heroin.

Claire, what's your take on this? Is it a rubbish theory?

Andrew 30 May 2002, 06:59

Clare,

There must be a reason why the optician gave you the increase, but there is nothing to stop you getting some glasses with that prescription, and you can still choose to wear them or not. If you find they make things clearer, you may wish to stick with them. What no-one can ever say for certain is whether not having the strongest Rx prescribed will cause you to need another increase sooner rather than later, or whether the eyes say "well, I can't see it anyway, so I won't try so hard", and you get the next increase because you did not wear the previous one!

My guess is that something has caused your eyes to change, hence the increase from -1.25 to -2. However, there is no guarantee that the changing stopped when you got your -2s, and maybe that is why he has now said -2.25 and -2.5. You may have stopped there, or you may go back in a few months and be told -2.5 and -2.75. It may not be what you want to hear (read?), but it may be one way to find out what is happening before splashing out on a new pair of glasses.

Christy 30 May 2002, 05:09

I'm not sure there's any easy answers to "image changing" feelings about wearing glasses. I think some people find that glasses enhance their appearance and are a definite bonus in their chosen careers - while others feel that they detract from their appearance and blight their careers. OK - so if you want to be a pilot then thick specs are probably a no-no - but if you're a librarian then specs practically go with the job. I like to believe that I look fine in glasses - and that glasses somehow go with my chosen profession - though no-one has actually told me so much! I suspect that when you're going through the "glasses-on-glasses-off" routine - it's hard to be confident either way about your projected image.

Don 30 May 2002, 04:36

Clare,

I think you should just put your glasses on, wear them, and forget about what anybody thinks.

It's no big deal.

Getting worse 30 May 2002, 03:02

Clare: you make some excellent points.

As long as you don't feel you need them and don't find the additional blurriness a problem, you shouldn't feel forced to do what you don't want to do. You'll mnake the right decision, whatever it is. I can tell you that if my parents were telling me not to be silly, I'd probably do the opposite of what they say.

And, in my experience, there has to be a "positive": for me it was finding a pair of glasses that I actually LIKED wearing and that I felt looked good on me. Not just "fashionable" but something I felt enhanced how I looked.

I confess, I'm still a slave to my own definition of vanity: I haven't got the add part of the prescription filled in my glasses. The thought of either varifocals or a line across the bottom of my lenses is not quite what I want yet. Maybe a couple of years more for that one! Or three, or four...

Vanity is a terrible thing though. In the past couple of years I've discovered slight problems with my hearing. The usual thing: TV and radio turned up too loud, not being able to make out conversations in bars and restaurants, that sort of thing. It may be related to a terrible ear infection and burst ear drum when I was on holiday a few years ago (the Greek doctor poked around in my ear for a long time with a sharp implement to "free the blockage", completely against what I subsequently heard is competent medical treatment). I went to my GP the other day and he carried out some simple tests that suggested mild to very moderate problems. Our company has a private medical scheme so I've been booked to see an ENT consultant in the next week or so.

I have a suspicion that if the more detailed tests confirmn the initial ones, the consultant may prescribe hearing aids. My GP has already suggested as much. I can tell you now: there is no way I would wear those! I'd have to be really hard of hearing before I let people see me with with things stuck in my ears. There would DEFINITELY be no thrill involved in that. In normal conversation I do fine anyway and over the phone, which is a large part of my day at work.

So in many respects I know exactly what you mean in relation to glasses.

Take care

Clare 29 May 2002, 22:45

Getting worse - the longest period I've worn them at work has only ever been a couple of consecutive days so there's not been time for people to get used to the idea. As to what next, I guess the great vision from this new prescription will lure me into wearing them more but not to the point where people expect to see me wearing them as part of my every day wear. Maybe that's stupid, I don't know. All the advice says get out there and wear them but my view has always been only to do that if absolutely necessary. As I don't want that always taking them off/on image, certainly in the office, I still generally wear contacts if good vision is essential, the rest of the time I can get by - recognising of course that it could be better if I was prepared to bite the bullet and wear the damn things! I've been getting some don't-be-so vain/stupid pressure from my family recently and that encouragement mean that my confidence grows a bit.

Getting worse 29 May 2002, 14:31

Clare: I think it's to do with admitting a weakness you have: "I can't see as well as I did."

Response-wise the biggest reaction came from women at work, who treated me as if I had exposed part of myself they wouldn't have expected. The men were almost slightly embarassed, but oddly enough, weren't as hard - at least initially - in terms of how they phrased things in conversations. They too were more gentle. Very briefly, mind. It all disappeared after a day or two. Today, after several years people just know you as "soandsowiththeglasses", rather than someone who has just started wearing glasses, so whatever underlying aspects of your personality are what they see again. I bet they probably couldn't remember me without glasses now.

Could I change back? I doubt it. Purely because not being able to see to the extent I am now at is a disconcerting experience. I'm not very up on opthalmic stuff, and someone wll doubtless correct me on this site, but I recall reading somewhere that you add the myopia part to the astigmatism element of the prescription to get an idea of your overall eyesight.

If so, I'm now -4.25 in my right eye and -2.25 in my left. If my guess is right, my right eye will be due for a slight change at the end of the year. Previously it was compensated for by near-perfect vision in the left. Sadly no longer. For example, if I take my glasses off now, I can't see the computer well enough to read what I'm typing from a distane of about 65 centimetres, for instance. I've just measured the thickness of my plastic lenses and the right one, even ground at the back, is about 6mm thick and the left is about 4mm thick. To be honest, I was surprised at how thick-looking my new prescription was and how, looking straight on in the mirror, my face is minimised by the lens.

The sense of relief at putting on your glasses in those circumstances is quite acute. I could try contact lenses agan if I was totally determined, and I don't rule that out completely. I sometimes don't wear my glasses for an hour or two in the morning, if I'm not due for work. Or I could go for one of those surgical procedures- but they frighten me.

No, I reckon I'm stuck with glasses now. But that's fine. More than that: although I don't have quite the same "fetishistic" thing that some other contributors have on this site, I do get a bit of a thrill at the way my image has changed quite dramatically in the past few years. I now almost enjoy the rush of relief of placing my glasses on my nose and seeing well.

What about you? What's the longest period you've worn your glasses? And if you wore them for any length of time at work, did you not find that people started to see beyond your glasses to the underlying you? Do you foresee yourself not wearing glasses forever or is this a "for now" thing until your next prescription, or the one after, reveals a major jump? Or will you move to contact lenses? I take on board what you say about fashion statements. Until my prescription went up, I also felt a bit fraudulent, which is why I'm slightly relieved that it has happened. Mad, I know....

All the best,

Clare 29 May 2002, 12:05

Alan, sometimes but not as often as I thought I would. I don't think it had the effect I anticipated because i) I got lots of comments about my 'trendy' glasses and 2) I felt so self-conscious that I wasn't my usual assertive self. In my job I have to fight hard to get people to listen to my recommendations, so feeling self-conscious is a definate impediment. I guess I also have a funny thing about being mentally tagged as someone who wears glasses and feel uncomfortable about a permanent change in my image. I'm lucky that I think I have a pretty high tolerance (a friend is "blind without his glasses" at -1.75) so I can get by. As for the contacts, its nice to see well without glasses but I sometimes find them scratchy and the air con doesn't help.

I'd like to use glasses as a fashion accessory like some people do but I think there are still negative stereotypes about glasses-wearers and I'm probably just too vain!

Clare 29 May 2002, 11:48

Getting worse seems you and I had totally different ideas about what image change wearing glasses might bring! I'd never thought about it making people a softer personality, I only thought it might make me seem tougher. What reaction did you get from people that make you feel it was successful.

You're right, it's dramatic to permanently embrace a new look. But what if you wanted a change - could you still go bare-eyed?

Alan 29 May 2002, 07:21

Clare,

So do you ever wear your glasses at work now? And why would you wear them in preference to contacts, if you didn't feel self-conscious -- contacts are not very comfortable for you?

I'm curious whether you've found that you're taken more seriously wearing glasses (at work).

Alan

Getting worse 29 May 2002, 01:40

Clare: I felt self-conscious, in much the same way as you do, for a very long time.

It was mostly finding glasses that I felt complemented how I looked that allowed me to make that transition.

But also, to be honest, I did get a kick out of the way the fact that I now wore glasses made people re-assess their own mental picture of me. In my own line of work I'm seen as a fairly decisive, even tough person to deal with. Glasses involve a "public confession" and make me more approachable.In some ways, it also involved a confession of "weakness" on my part too

It also felt like quite a dramatic change - probably akin to some minor form of plastic surgery. You look different when you wear glasses, full stop.

People do look at you differently when you first start wearing glasses. There's the sense of surprise as well as the mental re-drawing of boundaries and so on.

From my own perspective, there's the additional thrill of putting on my glasses in the morning and seeing the world come into view in a way that I'd never experienced before - and the growing "imbalance" between my sight pre- and post-glasses wearing makes it even more interesting.

The rest of the day, I just forget I'm wearing them, of course....

Let me know how you get on.

Clare 28 May 2002, 15:09

Getting worse - I started out only 6 months ago thinking that maybe wearing glasses would mean I was taken more seriously at work, and ended up with a stronger prescription, which is not what I wanted! My thinking was that I'd be happy to wear a prescription when I 'wanted' to if it created a more serious image. But that's very different from wearing a prescription because you have no choice! I'm not there yet - I have three choices right now: wear glasses, wear contacts or squint, and that's okay for me. I think you're comfortable with your image - I can't see myself ever being at ease like that. It's not that I don't have a stylish pair of glasses, I do, I just feel really self-conscious wearing them. If I could overcome that, I'd wear them in preference to contact lenses for sure.

As you said, I haven't hit that critical -2.25/-2.50 mark yet. I didn't have the latest prescription filled because that would have taken me to -2.25 and -2.50, I just didn't want an increase. I don't know how much better it would have been and I decided to stick with what I have. I have this feeling that to increase it would have encouraged another in the near future, I don't know if that's right or not.

It's great that you found some glasses that you like and which compliment your looks - but if you hadn't found them would you feel quite so happy about having no choice?

My final thought - I'm hoping my prescription will stablilise, but at least you're happy with the way you look in your glasses despite the increases. If you're happy wearing glasses then you're lucky - enjoy!!

Getting worse 28 May 2002, 14:12

Clare: interesting point.

In my case, once I was prescribed the first set of stronger glasses five years ago, I did decide to wear mine full-time.

Not only could I see better, but I found a lovely pair of unframed glasses that really suited me.

If memory serves, you tend to take a different attitude to glasses wear and prefer not to. Am I right?

The thing is, now I not only want to wear my glasses, I actually feel that I have to.

I think my prescription is slightly ahead of yours at the moment, so that would make sense.

My guess is that once most people get somewhere around the -2.25 to -2.5 mark, that's when the glasses go full-time.

From what you are saying, you're still slightly away from that.

Can I ask what the new prescription was and why you didn't have it filled? Was it for financial reasons? And (if the optician was right) have you noticed that your eyesight isn't completely 100% any longer?

In my case, despite the very slight worsening I mentioned earlier it is partly for financial reasons that I haven't been back.

Partly also I don't want the optician to start thinking that I'm obsessed with getting new glasses every other month, and partly there's this slightly old-fashioned thing that I think to myself: "I can see quite well with the glasses I've got, thank you! I don't need any new ones just yet..." (Whether I do or not):))

ignorant but interested 28 May 2002, 13:52

I have no prescription but looking at this site it looks like there are all sorts of prescription variations and i'm interested in the amount of vision defect and proportion of spectacle wear. Two recent examples include:

Getting Worse who has a prescription of -2 in one eye + -1 cylinder and 0.75 in the other;

and Clare who has -2 in both eyes but no cylinder.

It is possible to say which is worse:

-2 in both

or -2 in one eye and a weaker strenth in the other?

Does the imbalance make the -2/-0.75 the worst eyesight?

Clare 28 May 2002, 11:19

Gettingworse, not an identical situation to yours but I'm 33 and have had a stable prescription of -1.25 with miniscule cyl for about 10 years. Needless to say, like you, I didn't wear them much. Then earlier this year I had a routine test and the resulting prescription was -2, a couple of months later I had an eye test for some new contact lenses and the optician was offering to increase my prescription by -0.25 & -0.50. I was mystified that, after a stable rx for such a long time, there was a spurt like that.

I'm still with my -2 prescription but not wearing them all the time - I think that has something to do with the rx getting stronger, although I can't substantiate that at all!

Getting worse 28 May 2002, 10:47

Puffin: no accidents, illnesses or anything of the sort.

In fact, I've been feeling better than for some time.

I have spent a lot more time in front of a computer in the past three years...

I suppose it's not as "bad" (good?) as some of the other contributors here.

Guest: good advice, nonetheless

Any other suggestions?

Guest 28 May 2002, 07:17

Get a complete physical. Certain medical conditions contribute to changes in vision.

Puffin 28 May 2002, 06:30

That is a very interesting situation. Have you been doing more close work recently or something like that? Been ill at all? Had an accident?

Lots of things like that can spark changes in eyesight.

I know of two people who went from nothing to full time wear in next to no time at all.

Although it does prove some of the more outlandish things in my stories, I hope it doesn't get as bad for you as it does for some of the characters there within.

Getting worse 28 May 2002, 01:08

Ala,

Thanks. I might do that.

Actually, although it's just six months since my last appointment, the corrected vision in my right eye in particular is already not quite as perfect as it could be.

It's not terrible, so I might leave it for another few months or so.

Any other suggestions?

Alan 27 May 2002, 21:05

Getting worse,

From what I've heard, most people at your age have stable vision or become more hyperopic while also losing their accomodation (needing bifocals). Becoming more myopic, I think, is relatively rare, but seems to happen occasionally. I wouldn't expect it to worsen continually, but it's hard to say exactly when it will stop -- something a little out of the ordinary has caused the increase in myopia, and I suppose until that changes, the myopia might increase.

Please do keep us updated on how it goes.

Alan

Getting worse 27 May 2002, 16:16

I wonder if anyone has come across this before:

I have been prescribed glasses since I was 10 years old. Initially, I had a very mild myopia in my right eye (don't know the prescription but it would have been barely -1.0 or so) and mild hyperopia in my left eye (similar).

In my late teens, the prescription crept up slightly, perhaps to -1.5 in my right eye, and the hyperopia decreased in the left to almost nothing.

I may have had some astigmaism, but I don't have any record of it.

By and large I could see without my glasses most of the time and never wore them. Vanity, I suppose. I tried contact lenses, but they were too messy and I never took to them.

It stayed that way throughout my 20s and 30s. About 5 years ago (39), I had my eyes tested again. I have since kept note of the prescriptions.

This time the right eye was about

-2.00, with additional astigmatism of about -1, while my left eye had worsened to -0.75, -0.25. I started wearing them full-time, simply because I could see better with them.

Since then I have had them tested twice more:

July 2000:

R -2.50 -1.25

L -1.00 -0.50

December 2001:

R -2.75 -1.50

L -1.50 -0.75

In the space of a few years both my eyes have become quite significantly more myopic. I find it hard to see without my glasses at all.

I had always assumed that by the time one reached one's 30s, certainly by one's 40s, that myopia would not worsen. At the same time, I am starting to find close reading difficult: the optician has prescribed an add-on of +1.00 for both eyes (still a bit too vain for bi-focals, so I just take my glasses off to read, especially at night).

I can understand this: I'm 44. But I wouldn't have expected my myopia to continue getting worse as well. Yet in my case, that's what appears to be happening.

I'm both fascinated and slightly apprehensive about it. To be honest, I actualy like the feeling of not beeing able to see well without my new glasses.

I take them off and find it hard to focus on distant things which even a year or so ago I could have seen reasonably well.

The sense of not being a "fraud" when wearing glasses - they are ordinary plastic and now thicker than the frames in which they sit - is pleasent. People notice the dfference and ask me about it.

Does anyone have any explanation for this? Is it likely to get even worse?

I would welcome any advice as to what I might expect and/or any similar experiences. Judging by what I have read here, it's unusual.

Over to you

Clare 27 May 2002, 14:27

Pip, I guess its an optician's prerogative to encourage more wear amongst more and more people. I had similar encouragement from my own optician recently, something I've not experienced before, maybe its a sales drive to counter lasik! Either way I think its a personal choice whether to see better or put up with it! Right now I'm putting up with it - it would be a huge step for me to go from occasional regular wear to frequent ... I'm getting some friendly peer-pressure to accept the inevitable but resisting!!

Doctor Bob 26 May 2002, 13:56

Portia, are you seriously short-sighted? I wondered what line of work you do - marketing? newsreading? radar monitor in a submarine? How did it feel when you were handed your first pair of bifocals?

Portia 25 May 2002, 21:00

Pip, I have a small Rx and it is the difference between being able to have a vague sense of what is going on and seeing really well.

I don't get perfect vision, even with my glasses, but I like being able to see as well as possible. I can't imagine walking around or driving without the advantage of my specs. (Am I sounding a bit like Christy?)

Pip 25 May 2002, 16:05

I had lunch with a work friend and his friend today. The friend turned out to be an optician. As I guess opticians do, this one wanted to talk about her profession, my colleague doesn't wear glasses so the conversation revolved around me. I felt like I was in a consultation (or on Eyescene) when she started asking my prescription and how much I wore them. -1.5 I said, and just for driving. Reprimanding me she said "you should really try wearing them more, even just walking down the street you'll have better vision, and you don't even need to take them off to read". Now we all know that opticians probably have an agenda to push more wear, but I can imagine that if you were non-the-wiser and a newly-prescibed -1.5 you could be led to believe that you just had to wear them all or most of the time. Such is the influence, and inclination, of our eyecare professionals its scary! Makes me wonder how many people out there wear them most of the time because they were told to rather than because they feel the benefits of improved vision?

Tommy 21 May 2002, 19:16

Rattler, thanks for the update. Your eyesight with the contacts and glasses should be OK for a year or maybe longer if progression has slowed.

Tommy

Rattler 21 May 2002, 15:35

Tommy,

New glasses and contacts work well. I like them both a lot. I'll probably try blue colored contacts next time.

Curt 21 May 2002, 08:36

Teachkids: There is not likely anything that you can do about your vision. You said yourself that the eye doc told you that you were a latent hyperope. Your eyes are not really getting worse; they are actually relaxing and not working so hard to see, especially up close. But to you, it seems like your eyes are getting worse.

I would think that your first jump from +1.25 to +3 was a bigger shock than from +3 to +4. But once you have gotten used to wearing + lenses, I'll bet you can't do without them for much. How is your distance vision without them? Do you also notice that "swimming" effect when you turn your head and things sort of jump into your field of vision. I wear bifocals, but I also have a pair of +3.5 reading glasses for close work, and I definitely notice it when I have them on. Have your students made any comments about your glasses or the stronger prescription???

Portia 20 May 2002, 20:41

Someday, Eyescene will have a spelcheker

Portia 20 May 2002, 20:41

Teachkids, I am also interested in your story. Plus Four is mor meaningful than Minus Four.

Portia 20 May 2002, 20:40

Teachkids, I am also interested in yor story.

Julian 20 May 2002, 18:22

Oh, don't apologize, Dom, it's given some of us a lot of amusement, though oddly enough there has been more aggro in the debates about Elijah's eyesight than most. Curiously enough, I went back through the 'Actors' topic earlier tonight and found a lot of the posts have vanished; not many of Kubla's comments are still there.

Love and kisses, Jules.

dominic 20 May 2002, 16:18

I was the guy who first announced that Elijah Wood was short-sighted, and posted a pic of him in specs. And I'd like to apologise to everyone, for inadvertently starting this ludicrous correspondence.

Elijah Wood 20 May 2002, 13:10

Hey eyescene. I am nearsighted. Here is my prescription:

L: -4.75

R: -5.25

Julian 19 May 2002, 23:59

Hi teachkids, it seems ages since we heard from you. Can't remember: age? sex?

What was your previous Rx and how long had you had it? You do see well with your specs, do you. If so...

Love and kisses, Jules.

teachkids 19 May 2002, 09:09

I just got an increase in rx. It is + 4. My eyes are really getting bad and I don't know why or what to do.

Tommy 17 May 2002, 09:06

Rattler,

Did you get your new contacts and glasses? Are you seeing better?

Tommy

Nancy 10 May 2002, 12:16

Sorry I have not posted in a while. Been involved in finals and finishing school for the year. That's all over now. Staci and I loaded up her van this morning and headed backto Mass. for the summer. It is surprising how much stuff two people can accumulate over a period of time. Staci will be spending the summer at my folks house, so by the time we loaded the van we were afraid there would not be room for the two of us.

Christy and Alan, I owe you some answers. Christy, you have is right on how they do the op and destroy cataracts. Very little incision at all.

Alan, as I mentioned before, no implants. In fact the surgeon won't even consider them with the prior family history. So, on with the ops in a few weeks, looking forward to it.

Tommy 05 May 2002, 16:59

Scott from Colorado,

Are you still around? Have a couple questions, let me know. Thanks,

Tommy

Tommy 05 May 2002, 03:31

Alito, 66, Philadelphia

Tommy

Alito 04 May 2002, 21:04

Tommy,

Don't know if you posted this before but how old are you and where are you from?

Tommy 03 May 2002, 23:19

Dan,

Just read your posts and others about your increase from -2.25 to -3.25. How are you making out? How long between exams for this change and what happened before the -2.25? Did not notice your age in postings but could that be part of the blurred up close with new Rx or do you mean blurred up close without glasses? You probably needed them more than you realized, even at -2.25.

I am R 5.25 and L 6.25 with +2.50 for bifocal, a lot worse than you. So you see all the bifocal does is give you a weaker section for closer things. The stronger upper portion is for distance. This usually happens when you approach age 40 but can happen at much earlier age and sometimes Drs. will suggest bifocals to slow progression, in their opinion. I can comment on progressive lenses if you like.

A jump of -1.00 is a lot to adjust to. That's why more frequent exams, like once a year, are good do changes are more modest.

I remember when I first got glasses, 5th grade, they were quite weak and I did not wear them much. After 2 years all was blurred with them and I got much stronger and wore all the time. I should have had an exam much sooner.

Would like to know if this is helpful.

Tommy 03 May 2002, 19:58

Webber,

How did you make out with the bifocals?

You mentioned myodiscs and Tammy (I think) said they would work but she also mentioned progressives. They would probably be best if done in your high Rx. I have worn them for years and think they are great most of the time. If you get a regular type bifocal you will have a problem with the middle vision shortly, then a trifocal is necessary. I have seen regular bifocals in small lenses and a friend says that works for him. I don't know much about myodiscs except they kick in a a certain high Rx. When did you first get glasses and how did the progression go. You mention that things are stable, that is good. If you get the progressives you might need a reading Rx, SV since I find I take mine off to read, holding close. However my Rx is R -5.25 and L -6.25. By the way, what glasses do you use for the computer?

Don't recall any additional posts from you on this. If I missed them just remind me and I will relook.

Tommy 03 May 2002, 16:06

Rattler,

Thanks for update. Sometimes I think the Drs. are just looking for business and there you were on his doorstep, just a couple months early.

What got you into annual checkups? That's what I have done for many years but a lot of people wait 2 years or even longer.

Rattler 03 May 2002, 15:39

Tommy,

I got thin lenses. I don't put off my eye doctor annual checkups. I was still three months away from my next one when I went in the other day so I thought it was weird that they had me go in. Oh well, didn't really bother me cuz I just put off my scheduled plans for another time. I'll be getting my new contacts and glasses in a week, so I'll keep you all posted.

Tommy 02 May 2002, 18:55

Rattler,

Wanted to make sure you read my posting on word of caution. Also interested in knowing if your present glasses are thick or thin lenses? I had no idea that some people really like thick lenses until I started reading this site. I always wanted thin lenses since I do not wear contacts. Got the thinnist lenses ever recently, went to a new optican and when I told him the previous one got me the thinnist Varilux progressives he told me otherwise so wonder if I had overpaid. Anyway, the new guy got me the best I have had.

Tommy 02 May 2002, 14:21

Alito,

Sorry I did not notice that you did have an Rx for glasses and had posted it before. R -4.75 and L -5.50 each which is -.25 more than the contacts Rx so you are all set with an Rx for back-up glasses. My understanding is that the Rx for glasses is a little stronger than for contacts. I have never worn contacts so not an expert on that subject.

Tommy 02 May 2002, 13:28

Alito, thanks for the contact Rx info. May not be the same for glasses though. Best idea would be to check the Rx for glasses and get a back-up pair for that day when you will need them for one reason or another. An inexpensive pair from one of the chain stores, they are always having sales. Since you have no bifocal and thickness does not matter for back-up cost should be minimal. You will not be sorry. Your old glasses will not do if they are that much less than your new Rx.

Alito 02 May 2002, 13:18

Tommy,

I got glasses when i was 11. I hardly wore them, don't know the rx. I got them fitted with a new rx when I was in junior high school. In eight grade, I got contacts and I have worn those ever since. I have no backup glasses besides the old ones, and the rx is a lot less than the one I have now. I posted my glasses rx a few days ago. My last eye exam was a year ago. The old contacts were R (-4) L (-4.75). The new contacts are R (-4.5) L (-5.25).

Tommy 02 May 2002, 10:59

Rattler, word of caution, don't put off eye exams thinking vision has not changed or trying to avoid stronger glasses. Much easier to adapt to a change of -.25 or -.50 than a more severe change of -1.00 or more after waiting beyond scheduled visits. I know someone who has not gone for a check-up in years, high minus similiar to mine and yours, now probably needs bifocals and still won't go. He tried my progressive bifocals and commented how he could now see his watch. I know bifocals are years away for you so guess I got off the track a little from my main point.

Tommy 01 May 2002, 21:17

Alito,

What is your new Rx and how much did it change? What was the time frame? Do you wear contacts all the time with glasses as backup? Do your glasses have thick or thin lenses?

Rattler is concerned about rapid progression but it may level off due to his age. I don't think my Rx changed much since about age 20. It is now L 5.25 R 6.25 with +2.50 (bifocal). I also have weaker computer bifocals.

Alito 01 May 2002, 19:44

Rattler, I had the same thing happen when i got my new contacts. I had no idea that my vision had changed at all. But now I see so much clearer. I guess you kind of forget what 20/20 really is after a while.

Rattler 01 May 2002, 15:41

I've had had glasses or contacts for 11 years now. I am 18. I should be getting towards the age where it should level off. My previous script was -5.0 in the right and -5.5 in the left with some astigmatism in the right -.5. Before that it was -4.75 and -5.0. Im not sure anything previous to that. I don't take glasses or contacts off for close work. I'm fine with them on or off. I wear contacts most of the time. I am going to start wearing glasses for work tho to give my eyes a little break.

Tommy 01 May 2002, 09:22

Rattler, you mention your eyes getting worse. How long have you had glasses and what was your org. Rx? What has happened since then? How often has your Rx increased and by how much? Mine is now r. -5.50 +200 17, l. -6.50 +175 2, +2.50 (for bifocal). I also have computer glasses with lower strength and bifocal. My Rx has changed little past few years, going up some then down some. Yours may stabilize. How old are you now? Do you take your glasses off for reading? I do sometimes and find it easier even though I have to hold book or paper close. I have progressive bifocals. Do you have thin lenses, better if you don't like thick lenses but they do cost more.

Rattler 30 Apr 2002, 18:21

Went to the eye doctor to pick up a spare pair of glasses, and receptionist said I needed to get an updated eye exam. They got me in an hour later, and there was a -.5 increase in each eye, but my astigmatism is virtually gone.

R: -5.5

L: -6.0 -.25 X170

My eyes just get worse and worse every time I go. I didn't even recognize a change!

Alito 30 Apr 2002, 13:27

Hey guys, I just had an eye test last week. My new glasses rx is R (-4.75 -0.50 x 180) L (-5.50)

jack 24 Apr 2002, 07:13

my rx, +1.75-.50, +1.50+ -.25 i can accomadate minus rx up to -4 and close+ +4 how can i increase + rx PLEASE !!;)

lrkrgrl 17 Apr 2002, 18:22

About people mentioning glasses:

I've been wearing glasses (instead of contacts) full-time for about six years now, and my prescription is about -5.75, and the only comments I've ever gotten in all that time are "I like your frames; where did you get them?" And people don't even say that very often. I just had someone comment on my frames last week, and I realized that no one had made any mention of my glasses at all for over a year before that. Well, aside from my parents, who are far more partial to contacts.

Maybe it's partly the environment I'm in, since I'm a literature grad student and everyone wears either glasses or contacts, pretty much, and I've been living in college towns since I was 18, so, again, almost everyone wears glasses or contacts, but glasses are definitely not something that comes up.

hopper 16 Apr 2002, 22:07

good luck Z3! may be you'll see her in glasses one day??

leelee 16 Apr 2002, 19:07

I would be forced to tease someone with pearl studded cowboy boots ;)

Nikki 16 Apr 2002, 18:25

yeah....but Bob....I think I would notice the pearl studded cowboy boots!!!

Bob 16 Apr 2002, 18:05

Nikki:

I agree with you that people would notice a woman wearing new glasses quicker than they would notice a man. But I think people generally notice what a woman is wearing more than they notice men. A woman can come to work wearing new shoes and everybody will say something. A man could come to work wearing pearl studded cowboy boots and nobody would say a thing. But even with women, I think the comments stop when people get used to seeing a person in glasses. I do a little visual survey sometimes when I'm at the mall or at a restaurant and it seems about one out of three or one out of four women wear glasses most or all of the time. And I'll bet most go months without anyone saying a word about their glasses.

Z3 16 Apr 2002, 13:40

I got talking to a girl at work today. I didn't plan it but it was all because of my glasses or lack of. I was just squinting into the distance to see if one of my colleagues was in a meeting room, i was just killing time, and this girl caught me. Looks like you should get some glasses she said, got some I said and so the conversation started. I can;t imagine how, but we started talking about our glasses. She is a contact lens wearer, near my prescription to at -2, said she didn;t like not being able to see as much without correction and not liking herself much in glasses. i ended up agreeing, telling her my prescription was near to hers and that i was having the same thing. Made me feel much better to realise that people with prescriptions close to me (i know its been said here) do go for fulltime correction. She never intended to wear glasses all the time she said like me, but when she realised she didn#t want compromised vision she switched to contact lenses and so was fulltime. She's really cute. We're having lunch on Friday!

Christy 16 Apr 2002, 11:18

As far as I understand - you can remove cataracts with an ultrasonic needle - making nothing more than a pinprick. But putting lens implants in requires making an incision and closing it afterwards. The old lady living next door to me is in her 80s and had cataracts removed and lenses implanted. For a short while she was going bare-eyed - but she said she felt naked without her specs and now has a pair of low rx.

Alan 16 Apr 2002, 10:50

Nancy,

Is it any more dangerous for them to do implants than to just remove the cataracts? It seems like getting in to do the removal in the first place would constitute most of the danger, but I don't really know too much about this.

I guess if your lenses are removed, RGP contacts should pretty much correct your vision at that point, except for your need for tri-focals.

Nancy 16 Apr 2002, 08:48

Christy,

About the implants, I don't think I will get them. My younger sister had congenital cataracts as an infant. They were removed when she was just a few weeks old, so has worn very thick (+22)lenticulars since. She has unsuccessfully tried contacts also plus glasses over RGP contacts, all unsuccessfully.

A couple of years ago, a doctor suggested implants for her. When they tried the first one, her eye hemorrhaged and they had to remove the eye.

So, I won't have implants. Maybe I'll continue with RGPs as I now have, or just the glasses. We'll see.

Nancy

Nikki 15 Apr 2002, 20:50

ahhhh....yeah they do....or maybe it is just that male/female thing again...but most times that I have seen when a female shows up in glasses it it guaranteed to cause a stir....and an office lot of people will feed off it all morning.....there is no way you could just slip in unnoticed!

Maybe it is just here that happens!

Nikki

Bob 15 Apr 2002, 15:35

I don't think people really notice glasses as much as we think they do. When I started wearing mine all the time, I was self conscious about looking different and noone said a word. Everybody just acted like I had always worn glasses. If you think about it. Many of the people we know on a day to day basis wear glasses fulltime and noone ever says a word about it. It's just part of life. After almost 10 years of wearing glasses constantly I get more comments if for some reason I don't have them on. I was in a play recently and had to go without glasses. Several friends came up and said 'you just didn't look like yourself' or 'I've never seen you before without glasses'.

leelee 15 Apr 2002, 15:28

It seems like, with the exception of the people in Clare's office, people usually wait for someone to make some sort of reference about their glasses befor they make comments. Good icebreakers are:

"I couldn't see it - I didn't have my glasses on"

"Ack! I blew it - I must need new glasses!"

"Sheesh my glasses are so scratched up"

Anybody have any other good openers?

Nikki 15 Apr 2002, 13:03

Christy......Do you like wearing glasses.....you should have said!!!!

Ha..Ha...Ha!!!!

Christy 15 Apr 2002, 12:51

Sure - I love my glasses and I'm never going to ditch them. It would be kinda neat if people would mention them once in a while - but I must look like the sort of person who has absolutely no interest in glasses! Maybe I should wear a label - "Talk to me about glasses!"

Tammy 15 Apr 2002, 09:57

Christy,

We all know how much you Love wearing glasses, and that you could care less what other people think about it.

Nikki 15 Apr 2002, 07:52

Christy,

Yea right!!!

leelee 15 Apr 2002, 06:58

Geeze Christy,

Glasses!? You wear Glasses? When did you start to wear Glasses?!?!?!?!

Damn these are strong! You must be blind!

(howz that?)

leelee 15 Apr 2002, 06:54

It's funny about how people react when they first see you in glasses.

I never wore mine at my last job, but once that place crashed and burned I found my self doing a summer intensive graduate course and I gave in - and started wearing them most of the time.

Now, as I've slowly begun to run into people from the old place - I generally forget that they've never seen me with them until after the initial greeting. I've then consistently not made any reference to them, and neither have they - however, I have noticed that a couple of people that I'm working with again have slowly begun to wear their glasses (something like 25% of the people in the office!), and we've then tended to get into rather lengthy conversations about glasses in general. (the horror of the idea lasik, the pain of contacts, the process of seeing, decriptions of what one can and can't see ...)

I've generally been the catalyst for these conversations - maybe there will be some comment about being tired or bleary eyed, then I'll refer to the fact that I finally had to replace my old scratched up glasses (and how I now wear them) and then we're off.

Obviously they were wondering - but I've enjoyed discovering that by being willing to be the first to talk, I get to sort of "drive".

Christy 15 Apr 2002, 01:56

Nikki - how cruel! I'm devastated! I'm never going to wear glasses again <sob>

Julian 15 Apr 2002, 01:53

Dan:. How about making a joke of your glasses yourself - wearing them with a bit of panache? If you tell everybody how blind you're getting instead of them saying it to you, you'll be taking the lead. Don't be ashamed of them and don't act ashamed of them; wear them with pride.

And remember: Elijah Wood, Cliff Richard and Ethan Embry are all a lot blinder than you are.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Julian 15 Apr 2002, 00:31

Clare, you talk about your grandmther. In her day, or at any rate in her young days, life was slower and substandard eyesight was much less of a hazard than it is today. You could probably get away with driving a car with a bit of myopia as well as bald tyres, punctures mended with chewing gum, lights that didn't work &c.; There was no TV to challenge your vision and if you did go to the cinema you might pull out a pair of specs once it was dark, or you might just live with the blur. I could go on...

Love and kisses, Jules.

Nikki 14 Apr 2002, 23:35

Christy

HA HA....you look funny in glasses!

There you go...will that do!!!!

Nikki

Clare 14 Apr 2002, 23:30

On the subject of when to wear, I think there's a 'generation' thing here: my grandmother never wore glasses, she was nearly 80 when she died. I think in her generation and, to some extent, the one that followed, wearing glasses was less common (except for reading glasses of course). I get the feeling that if, in those days, you happened not to be able to see too good then you just put up with it because there was no option. The fact that today if you want to see better then you can whether your prescrption be large or small is a modern day phenomenon. Perhaps then Z3 you grew up in a family where either no-one wore glasses or it was seen to be defeatist to admit to needing them. But remember, glasses are a fashion statement today and even people who don't need them are wearing them!

Christy 14 Apr 2002, 23:23

I went from no glasses at all to full-time wear as soon as I got my first glasses. Only one person made any comment - a full-time glasses wearer himself - who could barely contain his glee at seeing me in specs. And that was it - no-one else has made a comment - and I honestly sometimes wish that someone would crack a joke or poke a bit of fun - but it never happens.

The guy 14 Apr 2002, 16:51

Dan,

If your friends joke too much about it they are not really friends I would say.

No one has joked about my vision which I am happpy about :) They could easily have done it though lol

Cheer up Dan, you will love your glasses soon :)

Neil

dan 14 Apr 2002, 14:50

clare thank you for your support you made me feel alot better and ill try to get used to them

Clare 14 Apr 2002, 14:48

Dan, you will get used to them. You may even come to like them like lots of people here. I hope you do.

dan 14 Apr 2002, 14:44

i wore them much less maybe 3 hours a day they were the good old days i hope ill get used to them

Clare 14 Apr 2002, 14:41

Dan, you'll get used to it. How much did you wear your old prescription - was it so much less than now?

dan 14 Apr 2002, 14:39

hi clare it took 2 months since things looked blurrier especially night driving now tha i have this rx after 2 weeks i can not do without them things are just too blurry i wish i had your rx so i would not be stuck with them all the time i guess ill get over it

Clare 14 Apr 2002, 14:39

Z3 - I think, and people here will agree, that its a personal thing. A friend and I have similar prescriptions, when we were both -1.25 he wore his alot, much more than me. Now he's at -1.75 and, apart from around the house, he wears them full time. My own prescription is a fraction more than his at -2 and although I wear them more than I used to, I'm nowhere near a full-time wearer. I think its a tolerance thing -he's not prepared to put up with anything less than 100%. He often jokes that my eyesight must be nearly as bad as his - but that's when he's wearing his glasses and I'm not wearing mine so I can't see what he can! If you feel you need them Z3 then you should do it, no-one will tell you that you shouldn't, its your choice to see what you want to.

Christy 14 Apr 2002, 10:05

I don't think there's any minimum requirement for full-time wear. People who want to see as clear as possible all the time will wear their glasses all the time. There are some stubborn folk who are quite happy to be a danger to themselves and others by wandering around - and worse - driving around - in a fuzzy world!

Julian 14 Apr 2002, 09:30

Z3: lots of people with -1.75 wear their glasses full time, lots wear them part time. You see better with them: if you like seeing better, wear them; if you aren't bothered, leave them off. But for my money, seeing well is cool, and squinting all the time is about as uncool as anything can be...even though a good looking guy giving a little squint turns me on ::)

Love and kisses, Jules.

Clare 14 Apr 2002, 09:27

Dan: how long did it take before you noticed how much blurrier things were? I'm assuming it wasn't immediate. I ask because I notice a big difference between with and without correction too - much more than my old prescription, but luckily not so bad I can't do without them! Guess that's inevitable, just wondered how long its been for you and how long it took for them to be indispensable. What do they look like!

Z3 14 Apr 2002, 08:07

At just -1.75 my prescription is a lot smaller than most people here but i'm finding it more difficult to go without them because I when I don;t wear them I know how much better I can see with them. Although i guess lots of people don't wear their glaases all the time and put up with worse vision than me. My last prescrition increase was 7 mths ago and the wear has gone up & up and I often wear them most of the day. I don't know if this is usual for this type of prescription because I don't know anyone with a similar one. Although i think its quite cool to wear glasses i wonder if its low to be heading for fulltime wear? I can't decide whether i should resist wearing them more or just do it.

dan 14 Apr 2002, 07:02

hi clare didnt realize i needed a stronger rx but now that i got them i can see the difference i also have .75 astig with my -3.25 can see much better but they are much thicker hope you are enjoying your new glasses

Christy 14 Apr 2002, 00:56

Nancy - when they do the op for cataracts - will they give you lens implants afterwards? If they do - then you might not even have the +7 or +8.

Clare 13 Apr 2002, 23:21

Dan

Did you have any idea you needed a much stronger prescription? I'm really enjoying the great vision with my new -2 prescription. I didn't realise I needed it though. Was your previous prescription just myopia or the astigmatism before - I have a tiny amount. How much did you wear your old prescription? I bet your new glasses look great!!

dan 13 Apr 2002, 20:58

its also not easy getting used to wearing them full time my friends also joke how blind i am now hope my eyes get better one day wish i was stil -2.25 instead of -3.25

dan 13 Apr 2002, 18:19

hi clare i dont like wearing them either but i really need them now when i take them off everything is so blurry everone notices i wear them all the time but thers nothing i can do hope you get used to your new rx take care

clare 13 Apr 2002, 15:42

Hi Dan

I don't particularly *enjoy* wearing glasses, do you? You say you're getting used to needing them full-time, how's it going? I have a friend who started f/t wear a year or so ago, I noticed that he was wearing them in the supermarket, in my house, but I didn't comment - how are your friends reacting, have they noticed your f/t wear yet?

Nancy 12 Apr 2002, 10:43

Well, as I said before, I had a bunch of exams when I was home for Spring Break, and some with not so good results. Lil Sis also had some exams during her break and I'll brief you on her too.

First mine. New prescription R:-19.0 -4.0 x40 L:-20.0 -3.5 x45 add +3.25 (trifocals). Got regular glasses with poly lenses, and still wear -15 contacts plus glasses over them most of the time.

Had the peripheral vision checked, and it's down under 60 degrees of central vision left. Some tunnel vision is now apparent. I was also diagnosed with developing subcapsular cataracts, which appaarently not unusual with high myopes with retinitis pigmentosa. They will probably be removed this summer or at Christmas time. The good part is that I am such a high myope, my glasses after they're removed should only be in the +7 to +8 range.

Now lil Sis. She still has the +22 lenticulars for her one good eye and can't wear contacts any more. She's legally blind with under 20 degrees of central vision, and is only correctable to 20/140. She is now using a cane and is wondering how she'll walk across the stage at her graduation.

Clare 11 Apr 2002, 21:44

Alan, I'm 32 and have some sort of prescription (started low at -1) for nearly ten years. It didn't do much very quickly, probably only going up to -1.25 in the first couple of years. Then, weirdly, this year did a big jump. I thought at my age that probably wouldn't happen. I guess I can understand how people can get into the habit of wearing them all the time at around -2, I have a -1.75 friend who started wearing full time a year ago and I was surprised that he did - you're right it really does depend on how comfortable people feel about how it makes them look. Some people, after all, treat glasses as a fashion accessory and that being the case it probably doesn't matter then if you're -1 or -3, its a personal statement. I'll probably never see myself as someone who other people consider is a f/t wearer. I get really positive comments when I do wear my glasses, but never feel as confident - although I am alot better than I was:)

leelee 11 Apr 2002, 20:04

hence the large type ...

I wonder if where you live makes a difference? I mean if you live in a tiny apt in NYC and work in a tiny cubicle all day, maybe you would only wear them to and from work.

One Opt. told me that it is small errors that are the most uncomfortable - probably because you can still self correct even if it is almost painful.

DAN 11 Apr 2002, 19:05

ALAN YOU RIGHT ABOUT CLOSE VISION GETTING WORSE AS MY RX WENT TO -3.25 FROM -2.25 ALSO MY DISTANCE VISION GOT WORSE AT THIS RX I CAN SEE MAYBE 11 INCHES CLEARLY THERE IS NO WAY I CAN WEAR THEM PART TIME

Alan 11 Apr 2002, 17:40

Clare,

Well, I think a lot of people get used to wearing glasses (and even more frequently: contacts) and do not get used to having blurry vision (at any distance)...so they wear their glasses all the time even when they really could do a lot of the things they do without them. Somewhere between -2.5 and -4, it actually starts to get hard to read -- that is, one has to get closer to the page than 'normal' to see the page clearly. ('normal' depends on the person and what they're reading, so there's a range.) At that point, avoiding full-time wear is a pretty clear indication that a person is really resistant to full time wear. But between that and down to -1 or -2, I think it's probably easier to just wear them all the time. I figure people who don't generally have some reason they don't want to...either they don't want to feel dependent, or their glasses are uncomfortable, or they don't like how they look in their glasses, or something like that. You would be an example -- I think I recall your saying something about not wanting to need your glasses all the time. If you didn't feel that way, wouldn't it be easier to just wear them all the time, or do you feel like that would be silly? I think the difference in vision is really noticeable down to -1 or -2.

Do I think my vision would have changed more slowing if I hadn't worn glasses or contacts as much? Well, I'll never know, but yes -- I do think so. I would guess that if I'd worn them as little as possible throughout high school and college, then my Rx probably wouldn't have gone past -2. That's just my guess, and anyway, it would have been a big hassle for a benefit that is hard for me to gauge. Sometimes I think I'd rather be -2 than -3ish...other times I think I'd rather be -5 (and that makes me wish I had faked some stronger prescriptions back then). I'm pretty wishy-washy, basically.

How old are you? And how long have you been myopic?

take care,

Alan

dan 11 Apr 2002, 17:16

hi clare mry rx did go up -1 to -3.25 also have .75 astig big difference with this rx i am full time now im getting used to being full time hope you enjoy wearing glasses

Guest 11 Apr 2002, 15:13

Jack

Lens blanks start at 0.25 diopters

Clare 11 Apr 2002, 14:01

Alan - I'm surprised that people make that transition at such a *low* prescription (ie anything from -1.5). I imagined it would have been much higher, perhaps nearer your own prescription now.

So do you really reckon that had you not worn contacts c. -2 that your rx might not have changed so much??

Jack 11 Apr 2002, 13:40

Just out of interest, what is the minimum prescription at which opticians prescribe glasses

Alan 11 Apr 2002, 13:37

I think the majority of people make the transition (PT -> FT) somewhere between -1.5 and -2.5. But there is no real threshhold...anything more than -.5 and the person won't have crisp distance vision, and even if you're -15 it's still more informative than having your eyes closed. It's just a question of what you can put up with.

When my Rx was -2 to -2.5, I wore contacts almost exclusively. Since it's not convenient to take them out, put them in, take them out, etc multiple times per day, I just left them in. If I'd worn glasses most of the time then, I probably would have waited longer before I really became a full time wearer. Who knows, maybe I never would have become a full time wearer, because my Rx may not have kept changing.

Alan

Clare 11 Apr 2002, 13:24

Interested to read Dan and Alan's posts. For those of us who are myopes, at what prescription do we think we pretty much can't do without them. I'm recently -2, but I don't wear them all the time. Alan says he wore them pretty much all the time when he was -2.25 so would that be a threashold? I always have mine with me but I'm still selective about when I wear them - wear them into the office and I'll take them off at my desk but without them all day today and I definately felt disadvantaged.

And Dan, has your prescription just gone up by -1? Mine went up by -.75 a couple of months ago.

I know different people have a different tolerance to blur, but where do we think the boundary between full/part time wear is?

Trent 11 Apr 2002, 10:48

The optometrist bumped my contact lens Rx up to -8.0, -2.25 both eyes. So my eyeglass prescription is now around -8.5, -2.25.

Alan 11 Apr 2002, 06:57

Dan,

The difference between -2.25 and -3.25 was big for me too. I pretty much wore them all the time when I had -2.25, but I could easily do desk work and be comfortable around the house. I can't really do deskwork unless it's just reading now (at -3.5), and although I don't always wear glasses at home, things are pretty blurry and I often stumble over things, etc.

Alan

Christy 11 Apr 2002, 05:50

Dan - My Rx is only around -2 but I wear my glasses all the time. Sure - I do it as much by choice as by need. I like wearing glasses and always wanted to wear glasses - but I also like things to be as clear as possible. I wouldn't be happy without specs - and I wouldn't be happy with things being even slightly fuzzy.

dan 11 Apr 2002, 05:11

just wondering anyone with -3.25 or near do you need them all the time when i was -2.25 didnt need them as much now i really need them

dan 09 Apr 2002, 16:35

thank you tina its a little better in sunlight but thing are very blurry without them im 24 guess im stuck with glasses for now

Tina 08 Apr 2002, 20:58

Hi Dan -

-3.25 isn't too bad. The walls and the trees still let you know where they are ;-).

How old are you? If you're 15 or less, if you want to get rid of the nearsightedness, try playing sports outside and avoiding indoor activities except for what's absolutely necessary. If you want the nearsightedness, it's the other way around i.e. do your homework and get straight A's. 8-)

I'm sure the writing on the blackboard is pretty blurry without the glasses, but you can still see the teacher, right? (fuzzy).

Can you see better in the bright sunlight? I have astigmatism -3 and I can see lots better in sunshine than in artificial light. I don't know if that is the case for pure myopia.

Have fun -

dan 08 Apr 2002, 20:02

i was -2.25 before but my eyes seem much worse now even close vision is more blurry anyone else with -3.25 out there

dan 08 Apr 2002, 19:25

hi i just got -3.25 with .75 atig are these strong things are preety blurry without them just wondering how bad my eyes are

Christy 08 Apr 2002, 02:12

Right Sph -1.75 Cyl -2.00 Ax 100. Left Sph -1.50 Cyl -2.00 Ax 80.

The Kid 08 Apr 2002, 01:04

Christy,

What is your presciption?

Christy 06 Apr 2002, 11:42

Mei - I guess you could have the prize for the most complex prescription. I remember you telling me a while back how long it takes the lab to make your lenses. Makes my lenses look like planos - but hey - I wear them just as much as those who are totally dependent on their specs.

mei 04 Apr 2002, 05:53

i dunno about the difference in add ive only recently got them.

anyway one type of prism is bad enough!

love mei

-14 04 Apr 2002, 05:42

I think alan was saying mei "could" have base up/down prisms along with trifocals to make her RX even more difficult.

Filthy McNasty 03 Apr 2002, 21:09

Where do you get base up/down out of that script?

Alan 03 Apr 2002, 19:53

Well, Mei, you could have trifocals and some base-up/base-down prism...but you probably win the prize anyway. Any reason the add is different for your two eyes? That seems fairly strange to me. How is your corrected vision, by the way?

thanks,

Alan

mei 03 Apr 2002, 15:43

just found my last prescription.... i'll go slowly as its quite compliacted!

left eye

-13.50 -2.00 85degress Reading add +3.00 5d basein prism

right eye

-13.75 -2.75 85degress reading add +3.5 5d basein prism

do i get the prize for the most difficult prescription?

love from mei

JC 02 Apr 2002, 19:01

I'll use this area to introduce myself. Believe it or not, I have been

lurking since shortly after ES switched to the second format from the old

polls format. Of course I read all of the archived polls, so I basically

have the entire Eye Scene history. I don't know why it took me this long

to join in.

My prescription is OD: -2.50 -.50 x 85 OS: -3.00

I switch between glasses and contacts, but I definitely prefer GWG's.

I'll wear contacts for weeks at a time (30 day lenses), and then glasses

exclusively for a month. I just like switching back and forth. I

occasionaly do GOC for a short amount of time just to see what it is like

to have higher prescriptions, but I never go out in public like that. I

forgot to add that I wear contacts a little too strong, -3.50 and -3.25; I

wear them comfortably for weeks now, so the next time I order I'll bump

them up a bit.

I am a student at a University in the USA, and I work at the campus Rec

center, along with a total of about 150 student workers. I sometimes have

to work at 4:15 in the morning, and it is a rare girl that is so dedicated

to wearing contact lenses exclusively that she will put them in every

morning that early before coming to work, so I see a whole bunch of

extremely hot GOC's at work. I'll start telling you guys about some of

them in the sightings sections.

-JC

Clare 02 Apr 2002, 12:39

Alan

Before I went the rx was -2. In doing the fitting for contact lenses she went back to a full sight test and the final prescription she wrote was -0.25 more in each eye. Then we did the fitting for the lenses and she said that, based on my responses, she'd be happy to increase the prescription slightly. I said no because I although I could see a marginal difference I didn't really want two increases in one visit! The astigmatism that I have is so minor it probably doesn't count -0.25 and it appears to move between eyes but not get any worse.

Alan 02 Apr 2002, 06:38

Clare,

So what was the Rx she came up with? And do you have any astigmatism?

Anyway, I think the answer is "sort of" -- there shouldn't be any sort of "permanent" (like, the structure of your eye) variation from day to day, but the prescription an eye doc will come up with can vary from day to day, because eyes can require a little more or a little less correction depending on whether they're tired, tense, etc. And there's a bit of randomness involved too -- maybe when they say "which is better, one or two?" you say "about the same" one day and "two" the next day, even though the situation is the same both days. Some people say they can easily tell the difference made by 0.25 D, but once the prescription is close, I really can't tell myself.

Alan

Clare 01 Apr 2002, 13:21

Did I see here before that someone said that a prescription can fluctuate from day to day? I had a test for some new contact lenses on Thursday and the optician said she'd noticed a change of -0.25. She seemed surprised. Me too since it only went up to -2 in February. I didn't question her - but now I remember what someone here said. Anyone got any wisdom to offer!

curiousinven 01 Apr 2002, 06:41

I need some help, I just want to know about "glasses" invented for people with colorblindess, I guess I heard about that in a tv programm please if someboby have news about. write me in mail mcpacheec@latinmail.com thanks

leelee 29 Mar 2002, 19:42

Hi Loqui,

Here is a link to a set of pages with more info that you probably want!

http://www.hpd.nova.edu/otm/mba/

It seems like prisms are most important for situations like yours where the eyes diverge vertically. I think ...

Check it out!

Loqui 28 Mar 2002, 19:36

Reader:

I've always had some major astig in my right eye, Ever since I was 5 (23 now) I've had high astig.. my first RX was something like +0.75 -5.25, I have the RX laying around somewhere, but don't know the exact #'s.. My left eye at that time also had -2.00 cylinder.

Hypertropia or Hyperphoria?

the doctor didn't tell me if it was hypertropia or phoria, however, he said what it is doing is the eye goes up and slightly to the left.. I'm getting used to the glasses now, even if I don't wear them I don't see double since my right eye doesn't see well at all.. I only see double if I put another pair of glasses on w/o prism.. I'm still kinda 'worried' about wearing them though.. I just don't want my right eye muscle to start having problems.. I forgot to ask my eyedoc about that..

rod 24 Mar 2002, 15:07

Julian 24 Mar 2002, 10:58

OK Neil, we shall 'watch your future progress with considerable interest'.

Love and kisses, Jules.

The guy 23 Mar 2002, 17:08

Only around 10 days left for me till the new appointment by the eye doc :) Is going to be interesting to see if I really need stronger glasses :) Personally I think I do :) So it will probably be around -7 then :)

Neil

Fran 22 Mar 2002, 17:26

My script I think was -2 in both eyes when i first got glasses. It sort of happened overnight it seems. I went through the "I don't need glasses" phase and then could actually see the leaves on the trees and thought, wow. So it might of been a gradual thing that I just didn't notice. I didn't wear them for two years and finally my eyes got knocked up a -1 so i had to start wearing them.

Fran

me 22 Mar 2002, 15:05

Fran

How did you realise you needed glasses?

Did you wear them full-time straight away or did you start part-time?

Has your prescription increased since you first got glasses?

I hope you don't mind all these questions.

Chino 22 Mar 2002, 06:19

Well, I had my last military eye exam this morning and my RX went down again. It was R-4.00 L-3.75, and now it's at R-3.50 L-3.25.

Reader 21 Mar 2002, 05:23

Loqui:

That's quite a bit of astigmatism in your right eye.

Hypertropia or Hyperphoria?

Exotropia or Exophoria?

Constant or Intermittent?

Your age and case history?

I think your best bet would be to read up a little...and then schedule a brief visit with your eye doctor to discuss your concerns. Initially, these links might be helpful:

Strabismus:

http://www.triadpublishing.com/eyecarereports/strabismus-book.htm

About strabismus -- crossed-eyes, squint. All types and treatments.:

http://www.strabismus.org/index.html

Ocular Motility - Richmond Eye Associates:

http://www.richmondeye.com/eyemotil.htm

Glossary:

http://www.drkurtin.net/glossary.htm#E

/s/ Reader

spexfan 21 Mar 2002, 02:33

Perhaps 'Larissa', if she's still around, might be able to answer some of your queries.

Loqui 20 Mar 2002, 20:26

Hello,

I would like to know if Prism lenses can damage your 'eye muscles' and make them 'relax' where you will continue to need more prism as time goes on.. my new eyeglasses include 6 up 2 in right eye only.. heres my casE:

my left eye drifts upwards and slightly to the left, however my doctor prescribed the prism RX in my right eye.. it feels as if its making my eye pull out.. could this be making my eye muscle weaker in my right eye?? the prism is nothing that I *think* I have to have, b/c I don't see double all the time, mainly at night -- however, I do know for a fact that my left eye has that problem drifting upward and over.. anyone have any experience with this?

My current RX is:

(R) +2.75 -6.75 20 PRISM 6 UP 2 IN

(L) -1.75 -0.75 85

Fran 20 Mar 2002, 13:03

Thank you.

I'm 24 and I've worn glasses since I was 16. Must be a common time I guess because it seemed like a lot of my friends had the same luck, lol

Fran

http://www.amateur-model.org/fran/

me 20 Mar 2002, 12:32

Fran.

I think you are very sexy and beautiful and your glasses look really good on you.

How long have you worn glasses? How old are you?

Alissa 20 Mar 2002, 07:21

Nice little incress there.

I know the feeling, I birrowed my friend's, Jenny's, glasses and she tripped over the couch on her way to the couch, lol. At least she made it.

She's like a -7

Alissa

http://www.texasdigital.com/alissa/cuteinglasses/

remi 19 Mar 2002, 17:51

i to know the feeling my girlfriend said i nearly walked into the cupboard while trying to find my specs this morning! Got a new prescription filled at vision express at the Trafford centre and was helped by a stunning long blonde haired assistant who wore gold rimmed small ovals probably about -2. Tis made me take an eternity to decide on frames. L -3.75 -0.50 75 R -3.50 -0.50 85 Also recommended a retest in 6 months due to difference in my last prescription cheers remi

Fran 19 Mar 2002, 08:20

Thanks, yep I had the same this morning. Looked everywhere for my specs and found them on the floor. I must of fell asleep while reading again last night, lol.

Fran

http://www.amateur-model.org/fran

The guy 19 Mar 2002, 02:02

Great pics Fran :) I know what you mean by having fun locating the glasses in the morning ;)

Neil,

Fran 18 Mar 2002, 15:08

My prescription is -2.75 L -3 R

Not nearly blind, but it makes it fun enough to locate my specs in the early morning.

Fran

http://www.amateur-model.org/fran/

Alissa 15 Mar 2002, 08:25

Hell ya. Live life to the fullest. I'm all for it.

Alissa

http://www.texasdigital.com/alissa/cuteinglasses/

SZ6 14 Mar 2002, 19:05

She could always chalk it up to the craziness of youth. At our age (I'm 23) we can't use that excuse a whole lot longer, so we should get all the mileage we can out of it ;p.

Alissa 14 Mar 2002, 18:57

I think it's more the point of the people all over the world seeing her on an adult site. Maybe I see it as more of a thrill than she does.

Alissa

http://www/texasdigital.com/alissa/cuteinglasses/

SZ6 14 Mar 2002, 18:41

I'd be shy about posing nude too, so I understand where she's coming from ;). Maybe she'd be amicable to doing a non-nude set with you.

Alissa 14 Mar 2002, 14:26

No, but I remember that she had a set with glasses on. It was a pair of those yellow sunglasses. Jenny Sparks is just another amateur. I found it, it's at http://www.jennysparks.com/pics/39/ I know her site because I have borrowed a couple of ideas from her site.

My friend Jenny is totally against the porn thing, well at least with her posing. I'll see if I can talk her into appearing on my page, but she's a wee bit too shy for that.

Alissa

http://www.texasdigital.com/alissa/cuteinglasses

SZ6 14 Mar 2002, 13:53

Alissa, is Jenny the Jenny listed on the Friends page of your website? If that's her, you should tell her to do a series with her glasses. She'd look awesome in them.

Alissa 14 Mar 2002, 13:01

My prescription is

Right Eye -1.00 -2.00 90 Left Eye -0.75 -1.75 90

I had a really good friend, Jenny, who I think was -6 in both eyes with a bit of astigmatism. All I know is that she sleep over at my apartment more than once and I remember her waking me up a few times saying, "Have you seen my glasses?"

She could find me, but not much else.

Her entire family was the same way. Her parents were both -3 but their kids, all three of them, were like twice as bad. Weirdness.

http://www.texasdigital.com/alissa/cuteinglasses

Julian 13 Mar 2002, 22:44

Gosh leelee, a sighting in a million, AND they both sound delicious! Puts me in mind of a line in Margery Allingham's detective novel 'More work for the Undertaker' about "the most aggressively legitimate son Mr Campion had ever seen"...she goes on to say something about "a few puffs from the bicycle pump of the years' making the son identical to his father.

Love and kisses, Jules.

leelee 13 Mar 2002, 18:47

I was walking down the street this past weekend, and I found myself waiting to cross the street along with a late 40s guy with is mid teen son.

Dad was crisply (think architect) outfitted in a clean rugby shirt, olive cord pants, suede leather jacket, comfortable brown rockport shoes, nice salt & pepper hair cut. med small wireframes with moderate minus and a fair amount of cylindar.

Son was sporting green spikey hair, black tee, long drab trench coat, black jam pants (the kind that hang down below the pantee line, yet only reach just below the knee and are big) Doc Martin boots with clearly ripping mousey socks. He was wearing med small wireframes with moderate minus and the exact same cylidar as dad. (the curb line across the street spanned from 10:00 to 4:00, give or take.) They made the same gestures as they carried on an animated conversation.

As they waited, they both slouched leaning right, and when the light changed they both started across the street with the same lanquid truck - the same tilt to the head, with the same little wiggle of thier identically cute butts! From what I could see, this kid is going to make someone very happy for a long long time!

Julian 13 Mar 2002, 08:28

Yes...I was talking to a guy the other day and he was showing me some family photographs. I asked him to take his glasses off for comparison and he said the things that run in his family are big noses and bad eyes. His glasses were STRONG plus; I suppose I was about six feet from him and there was a wall two or three feet behind him and everything on it was inverted by his lenses.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Christy 13 Mar 2002, 01:04

Remember those discussions about whether people can inherit eye conditions - such as myopia and hyperopia and all the rest? Well yesterday I spotted four brothers - probably in the age range 7-13 years - and they were all wearing thick plus lenses.

slvia 12 Mar 2002, 15:56

I have youe wife to her eye doctor.Maybe

they made a mistake in her prescription

slvia 12 Mar 2002, 15:56

I have youe wife to her eye doctor.Maybe

they made a mistake in her prescription

The guy 09 Mar 2002, 14:37

Shy Girl,

Hmmmm sounds like something I can't help with, but I am sure one of the others can help you if I get some attention to this post again :)

I haven't heard about it before, sorry.

Neil :)

ShyGirl 08 Mar 2002, 08:22

Hi,

When I was a kid growing up, my parents wore glasses and always carried on like it was some sort of tragedy. Whenever we would be in the store and see a kid with glasses, my mom would always say, "Oh, that's so terrible, to wear glasses at that age." You would think that it was like being paralyzed and doomed to life in one of those sip-and-puff wheelchairs. So when I began, around 11 or so, to notice that I had problems seeing, I just accommodated. I made sure I sat in front, and I had a couple of friends who were always happy to be my "eyes" if I couldn't.

When I got to college, it was a little different story. In a lecture class of 300, it's not so easy to grab a seat in front or get a total stranger to just hand over their class notes. I found an eye doctor and got glasses. I was near-sighted in both eyes and also had astigmatism in both. I never paid close attention to the prescription, but I know the numbers were negative and that they were 1.something, because I got the idea that all prescriptions must be between 1 and 2. I have been reading the posts here like crazy so now of course I realize that's not true at all.

I had asked my eye doctor how much I should wear my glasses. He said definitely when I drove, and definitely not to sleep in as the frames would get bent, and that all other times were up to me. I was still really self-conscious about the idea of wearing my glasses, so I didn't wear them except for classes and going to the movies. I wasn't driving yet. I later passed my test without them, which was a bit scary to think of all these uncorrected people careening around blindly because the DMV said they could see fine.

At this point in my life I live in NYC so I never drive, and I rarely have to do anything requiring me to see distances. I still do wear them at the movies. But, I have noticed something strange about my eyes, or rather other people have. When I attempt to cross ny eyes, the left one doesn't move. I think it's moving, I can't tell they are not both crossed, but I'm told only my right eye moves and the left one stays. I can turn both eyes side to side, together. I also notice that I feel a lot of pulling or strain with OR without the glasses, and that I don't notice an appreciable difference in the world around me with or without the glasses. I know that the doctor had mentioned that my near-sightedness and astigmatism were worse in my left eye. Has anyone ever heard of changes like this? I won't have eyecare coverage until the fall, which is why I haven't just rushed to the eye Dr. immediately.

Shy Girl

06 Mar 2002, 13:14

http://www.smudgereport.com/

Wurm 05 Mar 2002, 18:48

Smudgeur, maybe she should go back to bifocals on the next prescrip (or even just get the optical shop to make some up with a plano distance segment). She was wearing bifocals before, right?

Seems like everyone would be happy with that scenario!

leelee 05 Mar 2002, 18:19

don't worry,

sooner or later.

she'll be back.

Smudgeur 05 Mar 2002, 01:21

My wife has been persevering now for nearly 2 weeks with her glasses - sometimes wearing them all day long.

Last night she announced that she realy could not see much for distance with them and could see perfectly well without them so she was giving up wearing them for anything other than reading.

This is obviously a huge disappointment for me. Any tips on what to say anyone?

I keep telling her that it may take a while for her to get used to them, but she thinks 2 weeks is long enough.

Your disappointedly

Smudgeur

leelee 02 Mar 2002, 10:48

yes. and are boys are boys.

Julian 02 Mar 2002, 09:37

leelee -

I've dug out my file of prescriptions. My last Rx, which I didn't have made up, was

Right +1.25-0.75x15, Left +1.00-0.50x170, add +1.75.

I am actually wearing (from May 2000)

Right +1.25-1.00x10, Left +0.75-0.50x5, add +2.00.

I don't understand the decreasing add, especially as I have trouble reading small street maps in the car at night; my distance Rx has fluctuated but not altered significantly since I was at school.

Thanks for the kind words...don't mind my asking, but you are female, aren't you?

Love and kisses, Jules.

leelee 02 Mar 2002, 08:07

Julian,

What is your prescription? I think I recall that you also have a bit of astigmatism. Can you see clearly without glasses at any distance at this point? If so how close? (ps - I always love your sightings, I too think spexy guys are sexy guys!)

Gweyn 01 Mar 2002, 08:11

Thanks Christy. Like I said, I never really paid any mind to the numbers in my prescription. I was more concerned with the numbers in the price of the lenses, lol.

Gweyn

http://www.gweyn.com/glasses/

Christy 28 Feb 2002, 23:37

Gweyn - if those are all the numbers that make up your prescription - then it means that you're slightly astigmatic only. Sure - give your doc a call and see if there are any other numbers to go with the ones you have. Slight astigmatism would make things look a bit blurry at any distance.

Julian 28 Feb 2002, 23:13

leelee: you describe SO accurately how it was for me till presbyopia set in - now I just can't se things close up at all.

Love and kisses, Jules.

leelee 28 Feb 2002, 21:17

This last time through they did not say that much, but they spent some time to make sure they were good for distance. and the prescription was for distance and close. I also did some research and found that its much easier to get used to plus lenses if you just wear them all the time for a while.

When I first got them about 10 years ago, they were originally only for close work (at that point I had the same prescription but I couldn't see more than a couple of feet away! So they gave me weaker ones (+.50, +.50)

At that point I did vision therapy with the goal being to be able to wear at least this stregnth full time while also gaining better convergence. I didn't really want to have to wear them all the time, and they decided to just leave me as I was. I must say the therapy did work. (It was also fun - since most people who do it are about 4 years old.)

I went along with my nice weak glasses until they got so scratched up that they began to make my vision worse!

Then last year I went back to school, and realised I could not concentrate on what I was reading. So I got a checkup. And some nice new unscratched glasses.

And now it's about a year later - I don't wear them all the time - I just sort of keep wearing them once I am wearing them. I did wear them all the time in class, and now I wear them all the time most of the week. The longest I've gone with them was probably about a month a couple of times, and the longsest I've gone without has been about a weekend (I left them at work)That was a drag. I figure they are on about 80-90% of the time.

I probably notice the most focusing error (that I can't crank out of) first thing in the morning. It's actually kind of novel to be unable to focus when you are farsighted, so I sometimes try to experience it - but then the blur gets lost like a shadow when you realise whats really causing it.

Otherwise, going without - especially for close work is like walking around on tippy toes all day. Possible but tiring.

Gweyn 28 Feb 2002, 20:42

Thanks, just curious on how my glasses works. I've been surfing the site and learned a bit. Love it.

Gweyn

The guy 28 Feb 2002, 17:48

Gweyn,

I would love to help, but I am not sure how they explain all this stuff :o Sorry! I am sure others are prepared to help explaining it though :)

Neil

Gweyn 28 Feb 2002, 17:36

Okay, I'll have to call my eye doctor for this one. He said my prescription was R -.75 L -1.25 and the axis was 90% although I'm looking throught the site and seeing a bunch of other numbers. I'm like fairly lost here on which is which. I don't think I have a prism lens, all i know is I really can't see at a distance and I have a blur to near everything.

I'll give him a call this week and see if I can get the rest of the numbers so I can post here acurately (augh, spelling).

What are Prism lens though?

Gweyn

Pip 28 Feb 2002, 15:02

Leelee - when you got your glasses what advice were you given about how much you should wear them or was it left up to you to decide? I'm fascinated that in a year you've come round to wearing them fulltime - can you still see without them and could you go without them for a whole day?

leelee 27 Feb 2002, 18:03

Smudgeur,

It took quite a while for me to really get comfortable with my low plus glasses. I mean, sometimes they were really comfortable, but for quite a while, long distance was blurry for a few minutes after intensive reading (Like across the street from the back of the coffee shop)

Now after about a year, I find myself wearing them more and more - ironically, mostly for comfort - they vastly reduce the burning and stinging. And strangely enough, they really seem to help a whole lot for driving and TV.

I don't have any cylinder, but my lenses are a little stronger than your wife's. So far I don't seem to have lost any acuity except maybe an inche or two close up. I just sort of like to wear them.

Toes`R´Us 27 Feb 2002, 10:35

lol

i don´t know where there nick "transe27" comes from, sorry. it was in the memory from "ES Nickname" of my IE.

to explain: transe is a transvestit, i don´t like this for me:(

sorry

transe 27 Feb 2002, 10:32

my new rx is(!!!):

right: -5.5/-0.75-174°/prism 2.5 base in

left: -5,75/-0.75-4°/prism 2.5 base in

believe me: no eyedoc or optician ever noticed, that i need prism glasses. and now i´m nearly 32 years old.

all about it i posted in acuity and prescription II

cu Toes`R´Us

Smudgeur 25 Feb 2002, 02:02

++++++Update+++++++

My wife has been diligently wearing her glasses most of the time since she got them 5 days ago - including all day yesterday 8-)

She still says they are good for close work and "middle distance" but that she sees better without them for long distance, hopefully that will change as she gets used to them.

We got into an interesting discussion about her dominant eye the other night. She is more aware that her left eye is her dominant eye when wearing the glasses although she admits that it is still dominant without the glasses (she tested for this by looking at a straight edge with both eyes together and then covering each eye in turn - when she covered her right eye the image stayed static, when she covered her left eye the image moved which indicates she is seeing more with her left eye than her right)

What is more interesting that her prescription indicates that her left eye is now weaker (+0.75 -0.25) than her right (+0.50 -0.50) although the astigmatism is more pronounced in the right eye.

I don't really know what this shows or how this might develop - if any of you have any thoughts I would be glad to share them.

All I know is that I am thoroughly enjoying having a 4-eyed wife at the moment!

Smudgeur

amyntas77 24 Feb 2002, 15:18

Mei i really hope you are really good in mathematics :-)

mei 23 Feb 2002, 11:37

i've just been for my eyetest and i need bofocals.

new prescripton is -15 and -14.5 add +1.5 both eyes, 6d prisms base out

if that isn't toooooo complicated!

luv mei

Specs4Me 22 Feb 2002, 23:13

Hey Puffin, try this one:

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/bobby_laurel

Puffin 22 Feb 2002, 05:39

Bobby, is your website around with the pictures of Deborah with the myodisks on? I can't remember the address!

Puffin

Bobby 22 Feb 2002, 01:19

Highmyope,

congrats! Enjoy them!

highmyope 21 Feb 2002, 11:30

I wear -26 GOC.

highmyope 21 Feb 2002, 08:06

On astigmatism:

A spherical lens is like a basketball cut in half. A spherical lens with asigmatism is like that same lens stretched along a particular axis like Silly Putty.

Does this help?

20 Feb 2002, 18:10

What does someone with a prescription of -.25 see without glasses compared to someone with perfect vision? Just curious

Curt 20 Feb 2002, 09:50

Smudgeur: It took me about a week to 10 days of on-and-off wear for my eyes to get completely used to the lenses. And no, I don't think she will experience any distance blur when she removes her specs. My Rx was quite similar to hers when I first got them (+0.75 in each eye with a bit of astigmatism). The other thing to keep in mind is that hyperopes experience presbyopia earlier in life than the general population, so she may be looking at bifocals before her 40th birthday (I got mine at 27 :-) Of course, if the distance blur doesn't go away, bifocals are also a possibility (without the + in the upper part).

Smudgeur 20 Feb 2002, 07:42

Absolutely!!!!

I'd forgotten you were around Andrew!

Not a bad point at Cheltenham last night. The reserves are 1-0 down at the moment :-(

On an optically related subject, hasn't your wife got a hyperopic prescription with astigmatism? How long did she take to cope with it? Or is my memory dulled by too many bad games at Roots Hall?

Andrew 20 Feb 2002, 07:39

I thought the thing about astigmatism was that it gave you blurred vision at any and every distance. If it is only mild astigmatism, you probably will not notice it, but if it is stronger (can you have strong astigmatism?), you might still struggle to see things clearly with glasses with the right amount of spherical correction.

BTW, Smudgeur, Up the Blues!

Smudgeur 20 Feb 2002, 07:26

How long do you think it will take Curt (in terms of hours wearing time) or is it a gradual thing over a long period of time?

Once she can see well for distance using the glasses will she have blurred distance vision without them - or will the eyes immediately accommodate for this?

Curt 20 Feb 2002, 06:42

Smudgeur: exactly! Her eyes have been accomodating for the small amount of farsightedness that she has, and it will take a bit of time for her eyes to relax and get used to the glasses.

Smudgeur 20 Feb 2002, 06:27

Thanks Curt - I won't push things too hard - although she tells me that she's been wearing them all day today so far. Presumably the more she does this, the more her eyes will accommodate to wearing them even if she's not a true full-time wearer?

I also presume that getting used to plus lenses with astigmatism is a lot trickier than just sticking on a pair of minus lenses due to the accomodation factor - ie the person doesn't realise there's actually a problem with their eyes?

Curt 20 Feb 2002, 06:17

Smudgeur: Yes, a bit of blur at distance is normal the first time you put + lenses on, even weak ones. I would not force the issue with her about wearing them all the time. If it is anything like my first experience getting + lenses, the eyes will gradually adjust to them. Initially she will probably only wear them for close work, but after a while when she looks up, the distance will not be blurry anymore. At that point she can decide if she wants to wear them more or not. It sounds like she has some reluctance to become a full-time wearer, so I wouldn't push it.

Smudgeur 20 Feb 2002, 00:42

Just a progress report. She picked up the glasses yesterday afternoon.

Curt you are correct - they look like mild plus lenses with a little astigmatic distortion.

She reports that they are fine for reading and mid distance work, but her vision seems worse for distance with them on than without them. Is this normal?

I am trying to persuade her that she should persist with them for a while (a couple of weeks) wearing them full-time, but I sense that I'm going to have a battle on my hands as she doesn't see the sense in it if she can already see quite adequately for distance. She also states that she doesn't want to become dependent on them.

We also got talking about her dominant eye - she feels it is her left, even though this has a stronger prescription than her right. She also feels that her vision is much more diminished through the left using glasses than through the right.

Am I right in making her persist in wearing them full-time? I am using arguments like her eyes are working too hard to compensate for the errors and will give her headaches etc. Presumably this is true as they are a plus prescription so there must be some accommodation going on which will become less easy as she gets older.

Any idea how long it will be before the vision is as good (or better) with glasses than without?

I love GWGs and the thought of my wife being a full-time wearer is delicious ;-) to say the least!

Thanks for your advice

Smudgeur

Pip 19 Feb 2002, 15:14

Thanks Alan, very clear explanation. So would you say that -3 is the minimum that it might be absolutely necessary for full-time wear?

Alan 19 Feb 2002, 15:09

Pip,

I definitely do not understand what you were saying in the first part of this post, but I think I might understand what you meant at the end...might someone with a -3 Rx wear glasses full-time, while someone with a +3 Rx do something different? The answer, for most younger people (say, 30 or less) is that there's a pretty big difference. If I have a +3 Rx, I might be able to go without glasses at all, since my eyes can accomodate for the farsightedness (with some stress, maybe a little or maybe a lot -- varies from person to person). If I have a -3 Rx, I can't see anything clearly if it's not close to me, and I probably can't even read things at a normal distance. So it's very different.

But for an older person - say, 55 - the +3 probably requires full time wear even more seriously than the -3. The -3 person can at least see things up close without glasses, whereas everything is blurry to the +3 person...and it's worse the closer things get.

Point being: the comparison between - and + for whether full time wear is "needed" depends heavily on the person's age. But ultimately is depends on the person, too -- everyone with a prescription presumably derives some visual benefit from it (though sometimes the benefit is *only* for things far away), whereas a person can go without glasses at any prescription if they are willing and able to tolerate whatever blurriness that implies. (It's difficult for me to imagine, though, someone with an Rx over + or - 7 who didn't feel a pretty strong pressure to wear their glasses very close to all-the-time.)

Alan

Pip 19 Feb 2002, 14:22

It may not be possible to compare but here goes ...

If someone has a +3 prescription for distance is that the same as a -3 in terms of the correction they need for distance vision? I know it sounds stupid but if you had a -2 prescription and wore them all the time would that be the equivalent of having a +2 and doing the same? I'm kind of assuming that there's a comparison of visual acuity for distance .. does anyone understand what I mean? I'm really interested in when its genereally accepted that it would be necessary to wear glasses full time for + and - prescriptions.

Curt 19 Feb 2002, 10:36

Smudgeur: A couple points...It is almost impossible to discuss astigmatism with someone who does not understand it fundamentally, and second, you can transpose prescriptions all you want, but the fact is that glasses are made with minus cylinders. So the right lens (?) of her glasses is NOT going to look like a plano lens with magnification on the 80-degree axis; it will look like a mild plus lens (which it is) with things stretched out slightly on the axis. And Julian is right - this is a fairly weak prescription. She should have no trouble adjusting to them. There may be a little blur at distance when she first puts them on, but it will disappear almost immediately. Since she has a bit of astigmatism in both eyes, and because the plus is not that strong, these glasses will likely help for both distance and close, but more so for close. Hope this helps...

Julie 19 Feb 2002, 09:02

Once in Spain it rained so heavily that it gushed down the roads by passing the drains.

2 hours later though, bright sunshine and back to the beach!!

:)))

Puffin 19 Feb 2002, 07:16

Yes, I think the rain falls mainly in the mountains. Although my father sang

"the rain in Spain falls mainly down the drain"

Which is probably nearer the truth!

Julian 19 Feb 2002, 06:09

'I think he's got it; at last he's got it:

The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain...'

Shouldn't be too difficult for her, as the powers are low. If there are problems they won't last - but she should wear them full time till she's used to them!

(BTW I believe the rain in Spain falls almost entirely on the mountains <g>)

Love and kisses, Jules.

Smudgeur 19 Feb 2002, 05:50

Sorry, me again! Just followed the link from elsewhere on this site to:

http://www.opticalinstructor.homestead.com/files/FlatTransposition.html

This seems to indicate that my wife's prescription could have been written:

R: Sph: Plano Cyl: +0.50 Axis 170

L: Sph: +0.50 Cyl: +0.25 Axis 168

I think this is what you were driving at Julian?

Presumably this means that she is astigmatic only in her right eye and long-sighted in her left eye with a smaller degree of astigmatism.

How do you think she will adjust to the 2 different powers given that she is used to looking through 2 uncorrected eyes? Will she struggle to drive wearing them?

Hopefully she'll get them made up this afternoon and I'll be able to discuss the effects with her later.

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Smudgeur

Smudgeur 19 Feb 2002, 05:11

Does her right eye prescription mean that for the 80 degree axis she will have a plano lense which increases gradually to a power of +0.50 at 90 degrees either side of it? Or am I way off course here?

Smudgeur

Smudgeur 19 Feb 2002, 05:08

Er, right....thanks (I think!)

In blunt terms, is she long-sighted, short-sighted, just astigmatic or what? Does it make sense that they're for distance as well as reading? Do you think she will have trouble adjusting to them when she's never worn glasses for distance before?

Any other thoughts? Curt?

Cheers

Smudgeur

Julian 19 Feb 2002, 04:16

Smudgeur: On reflection I could add, just in case you haven't worked it out, that a minus cylinder is equivalent to a plus cylinder but 90 degrees round from it; but according to which you use the sphere component will have to be different (sorry, I'm doing it again!)

Julian 19 Feb 2002, 04:13

Julie: No, if you want a sort of total extent of refractive error you can add sphere and cylinder together AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE SAME SIGN (Sorry to shout, but I don't know how to do italics or bold on this board!) If they have opposite signs then the sphere alone would give the maximum error. Some people prefer to halve the cylinder component to give an average of maximum and minimum, or even, in the interests of vanity perhaps, just quote the minimum.

Smudgeur: I'm not sure how to put it any more clearly than I have done - it's a complicated subject. With a bit of luck Curt might be along sometime, and he puts things more clearly than I do.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Julie 19 Feb 2002, 03:44

I thought that for astigmatism you add a minus cylinder and subtract a plus one. Therefore the presctiption is equal to +1 in both eyes

Smudgeur 19 Feb 2002, 03:22

Thanks Jules - I'm still none the wiser though (!) would you care to elaborate further?

Smudgeur

Julian 19 Feb 2002, 02:08

Smudgeur: in the plus cylinder convention that right lens would be written as:

plano +0.50 x 170

which means astigmatism only. It's purely a matter of how the practitioner writes it down.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Smudgeur 19 Feb 2002, 01:12

My wife had an eye test yesterday and was given the following prescription:

R Sph: +0.50 Cyl: -0.50 Axis: 80

L Sph: +0.75 Cyl: -0.25 Axis: 78

I was a bit confused by this, I can see that she has some astigmatism, but doesn't the minus power cancel out the plus power (certainly in the right lens)? Can anyone explain what is happening here?

She was told she was borderline needing glasses and could choose whether or not to wear them. She was also told that the prescription was for distance AND reading, which surprised me.

Her last prescription (2 years ago, same optician) was PLANO with a +1.00 add and she wore them just for reading. Prior to that her only previous prescription was about 8 years ago and was +0.25 in both eyes.

(She is now 34 BTW)

Your theories please.

12 Feb 2002, 21:46

PIA, get some more and please tell us about them!

PIA 12 Feb 2002, 13:58

Yes Clare, I am a style conscious specs wearer and proud to be so! I'm a recent convert to glasses, although my history is relatively short. I started needing some correction for my vision about 6/7 years ago and immediately took up wearing contacts. But the influence of someone else in my life convinced me that glasses were stylish and that's it. I do wear them all the time, partly because I'm using to having good vision (although it took me a while to get used to the fact that glasses don't give the great all round vision that you get with contacts, and the rain's a nightmare) but also I spend alot of my day in the car so I have no option. All in all I like the way I look now in glasses and probably wouldn't go back to contacts - apart from when I want a different look. Two pairs of glasses isn't really enough, just one for work and the other for social I should really get some more!

MetalRimmed 11 Feb 2002, 06:37

Scott:

Your glasses sound interesting.

However, I believe it doesn't make a big difference to be a high myope like you versus being a mid-range miope like me (I'm about -5.5). You need glasses in either case to get around, drive, look at yourself in the mirror. I cannot shave without my glasses on, for instance, and reading gets difficult unless I hold the book quite close to my eyes, sort of the distance you mention.

Maybe what changes is the degree of correction you can get with your glasses, but that doesn't seem to be strictly related to the power of the lens. With my glasses on I can see well, but I often wear contacts when I practise sports or in my free time. Contacts tend to strain my eyes though, especially when the air is smokey, as in some venues.

What shape is your frame? If you wear progressive lenses, I presume they could be quite large, which should make your glasses pretty heavy...

Clare 10 Feb 2002, 11:30

Hi Pia

You're obviously a style-conscious spex wearer with more than one pair to choose from! Do you wear them all the time?

scott 09 Feb 2002, 21:33

colorado

The guy 09 Feb 2002, 17:19

Well said Peter :)

Julian 09 Feb 2002, 13:47

Welcome, Scott. That's some prescription you've got. What part of the world are you in?

scott 09 Feb 2002, 12:12

Hi, I am 17 currently go to "children's" every six months or so my perscription is 8.75 and 9.25 in the other eye, because i can't see very far 4-5 inches max. because of my glasses (hi-index 1.59 (from what I hear they have 1.70's now)) they look thick (on rimless titan art silhouette frames), they have anti reflective coating too.

they are pregressive because my glasses correct so much that I can't read a book with them on but, with them off i have the book right in my face. since the third day of first grade I have had them. my biggest jump was +2 in less than a year. For some reason (by no fault of my own) I can't wear contacts. I can't even see my face in the mirror w/o the glasses. when I am older I might be an optitrician. thanks for your time. Scott

ehpc 08 Feb 2002, 14:13

Ah.....................a blonde woman with rectangular black or tortoiseshell plastic frames.............the best imaginable combimation:))))))))))))

Peter

Pia 08 Feb 2002, 12:18

Hi My name is Pia, I'm 28.

I am shortsighted and my prescription = OD sph-1.75/cyl-1 ax145

OS sph-1.75/cyl-.50 ax20.

I have blonde hair and wear rimless or rectangular tortoiseshell frames.

The guy 07 Feb 2002, 17:13

Well I talked with my optometrist about the problem and he will get me thick lenses as that is what I want.

I have decided for stronger (not my decision) bigger and thicker glasses!! I can't wait to get them!! I can't wait to look in the mirror and see how small my eyes are behind the lenses :) To look at people and know that they will look back at me, and look at my glasses!

I hope the lenses will be around 10 millimeter thick as I am totally hooked on wearing that kind of glasses!!!

I hope I will get them soon :)

Me at kuddel50@hotmail.com

The guy 07 Feb 2002, 13:27

Alan,

Sorry for the typo!!!! I meant 1 centimeter letters. I cant see them 11 feet away as they are all too fuzzy, infact just spots for my eyes. That is with wearing the glasses I have now.

I honestly dont know why I waited this long to get new glasses. I still need to get them, and I am kinda perverted and wouldnt mind 1.5 more on each eye. 8 something sounds good to me.

Also when I get them I am getting a frame a bit bigger than the one I have now and lenses that are a bit thicker. I really love that! :) Oh and I am 30. So sorry if people around here find it weird lol

Teachkids,

I dont drive at the moment ;)

Julian 07 Feb 2002, 12:52

Guest, I'm kind of surprised nobody's commented om your post about the girl who went from no Rx to -3 overnight through a viral infection. This kind of thing is known to happen sometimes with measles - but I'm sure there are some folks here who would queue up to catch that virus ::)

Love and kisses, Jules.

teachkids 07 Feb 2002, 11:32

The guy- Can you drive ? I mean, if your vision is not so good even w/ glasses?

Alan 07 Feb 2002, 10:51

the guy,

How far away can you be to see 1" letters? And are these really crisp, normal font, black-on-white letters, in good lighting, or are they less bold somehow?

20/20 means seeing a letter slightly smaller than 1/2" tall (about 1 cm, I guess) at about 20 feet. It's really small. But the letters in question are black on white, with decent lighting, and a font that's about as easy to read as it could possibly be.

So your vision is somewhere between 20/40 and 20/120, probably, but it's hard to tell where. You probably need somewhere between -0.5 and -1.5 more, I would guess. If it's at the higher end of that range...why have you waited so long to get new glasses? How old are you?

Alan

The guy 06 Feb 2002, 22:32

teachkids,

Without my glasses I can't anything! And with thm on it is not perfect either.

I can't see the letters in this reply box 2½ feet away.

teachkids 06 Feb 2002, 19:36

The guy- what can you see w/ and w/o glasses? Is your vision perfect with them?

The guy 06 Feb 2002, 14:35

I also squint quite a bit now!

How much should you be able to see on a certain distance with 20/20 vision, and does it get worse if when you get glasses?

I can't read 1 inch letters on the wall 11 ft. away.

Does anyone know where that would bring me with my current prescription in the minus 6s? Would it go in the minus 7 or maybe 8?

Clare 06 Feb 2002, 13:44

Hi Alan -

Either way I'm a bit scared of this prescription. Scared its wrong and scared its right - because that'll mean my vision is getting worse. Interesting what you say about noticing the difference in and old prescription - tho' I haven't had a "my God I can't see through these glasses experience", maybe just the occasion like recently, driving through France (and remember its the wrong side of the road for we Brits) on the autoroute and feeling alot less than confident about my ability to see/anticipate the road ahead. But your point about my expectation of good vision is another point - I now *know* when I can't see so well and can visualise what the difference with glasses would be - that's new to me, I don't recall ever being aware of that before. I do know that I find myself doing some fairly unattractive squinting and hoping no-one sees. I can also notice a considerable difference between my corrected and uncorrected distance vision walking along the street, I don't really want to think about it, but you make me wonder if what I *see* then isn't actually what it should be. And damn it, I've got a week of thinking about this before I know if this prescription is right for me:(

Alan 06 Feb 2002, 12:41

Clare,

I think you might have gotten 0.25 or 0.5 that you didn't really need; I think you would have noticed your corrected vision not being sharp otherwise. Then again, you are probably more accustomed to not seeing really clearly than I am, and perhaps not hypersensitive to the difference. If this jump is no larger than necessary, then you should see a very noticable difference if you compare the old prescription with the new. Unnecessary jumps do happen; my Rx once went from -3/-3.25 to -3.5/-3.5 when neither eye really had any problems (I could see 20/20 with either prescription). Eyes also fluctuate a bit from day to day and hour to hour...probably as much as + or - 0.5.

Well, let us know when you get the new glasses. :)

Alan

Clare 06 Feb 2002, 12:25

Andrew

My new increase is -0.75/-0.50.

So it's not *big* but what's the betting on whether I'll notice a difference?

Will it be great, or just okay??? Or is it not as big as I think it probably is!!!

The guy 05 Feb 2002, 16:06

I have -6.75 on my left eye and -6.25 on my right, and they are not strong enough!

Rattler 05 Feb 2002, 15:59

By the way..I am very myopic, and I sport a -5.5 in my left eye and a -5.0 in my right eye. It seems like a distant memory when I could do normal activities without any presciptioned lenses.

Rattler 05 Feb 2002, 15:57

I have always liked girls who wear reading glasses

Guest 05 Feb 2002, 15:26

The biggest jump I ever saw was a friends daughter about 19 years old who had a viral infection and went from 20/20 to -3 overnight. She just got up one morning complaining she could not see anything clearly. The doctor said there was nothing wrong with her other than the virus so it was off to the optician who tested her and prescribed glasses.

Kailey 05 Feb 2002, 14:00

This past weekend I was at a school event at a different school and some kids I know stole a bunch of stuff out of the locker rooms and one stole a pair of glasses. They fell to the ground outside and they were going to leave them there. I picked them up and took them. They are about -4 and they even look nice on me. I feel bad about it but they would have been wrecked since it was dark out.

Nikki 05 Feb 2002, 13:52

Andrew - apologies but I have only just noticed your post....I think you are right in what you say...all that was said to me at the time...or closer to the truth, all that I heard was that because it was a first Rx it would be best to have another check in 6 months to see what my eyes are doing. I should probably have had this done a good year or 2 ago if I was to be honest, but I didn't tell her that...so I am guessing and also hoping that not alot will happen in between.

Nikki

Clare 05 Feb 2002, 11:10

Portia

You speak with great authority, are you a eyecare professional?

Portia 04 Feb 2002, 21:35

Clare,

Your Rx is big enough so that you should not be driving or doing anything mission-critical without them. Wear them as optionally as you please, but please put them on when you are driving or crossing streets in the interest of public health (and your own).

Nikki 04 Feb 2002, 15:47

yeah - it does sound like a really big jump, it will be interesting when you get them what you think then...keep us posted!

Nikki

p.s you might surprise yourself...who would have thought I would have even worn mine at all! Good luck.

Clare 04 Feb 2002, 15:21

Nikki

Hmmm, well I have ordered some glasses to the new prescription and, on the basis that they give stunning vision, I will wear them! But I shan't be going full time - not with glasses or contacts! Secretly I still think the optician might have got it wrong.

Nikki 04 Feb 2002, 14:12

Clare- Wow - thats a huge jump isn't it? Especially if you hadn't noticed it happening but I guess that is how it goes sometimes....so...what is it to be...glasses or contacts? Come on Clare, be brave, go for the glasses and blow everyone off their seats at work...it really is alot of fun!!!

Nikki

Clare 04 Feb 2002, 12:27

What a day!!:( Work going so mad I nearly missed my optician's appointment, now I wish I had. My prescription has gone up from -1.25 to

L: sph-1.75 cyl-0.25

R: sph-2.00

I'm so surprised -I was only expecting it to change by about -0.25, even the optician was surprised. I can't remember that I've had particular trouble with my current prescription but the thing I have noticed is the difference between when I wear them and when I don't - like squinting more often when I don't wear them (that's really good for wrinkles eh?)and being more aware of what I *can't* see (you know what I mean!). I think I've finally adapted to the difference correction can make and notice when its not there - but don't intend to have it all the time. I do hope the optician hasn't got it wrong - don't you think I would have noticed if my current prescription was that adrift?

Anyway will let you all know if I can see anything when I get the new ones!

Andrew 04 Feb 2002, 08:40

Just a thought, but it's something we have not talked about for a while; what's the biggest increase you have ever had in your prescription, and how long did it take between appointments. Mine was -1.25 (twice) in two years, but I'm sure there are bigger ones out in Eye-land

Andrew 04 Feb 2002, 08:37

Nikki,

I've been giving your 6 month check some thought. You arrived at the optician's in need of glasses for the first time, but what he/she does not know is how long it has taken your eyes to reach that stage. If you had got there in the last 6 months, that would be quite a rapid deterioration (and you'd end up at -2 next time round, with another appointment 6 months later); if, however, it has taken a couple of years to go from perfect eyesight to -1, then the next test will probably reveal no more than -.25 increase (if that), and your next test will then be two years later. An increase can only be considered "big" when you see how long it takes to be necessary. For teenagers, -1 in two years might be considered "normal"; even in one year, it would not be a great surprise, but in six months or less, it could give cause for some concern. Until the optician knows the rate at which your eyes are changing, it is better to see you sooner rather than later.

Ela (with new specs) 04 Feb 2002, 04:49

Hi,

I've just came back from optican with new glasses on my nose.Last days I realized I could see clearly with my specs and decided to have eyetest.My prescription incressed about half diopter and now my lenses are: -7,75R,-8,5L (this is my first update since five years)I have new frames, the same shape but smaller.

Always when I got new glasses it seems to me that I can see unbelivebly clear and sharp.After few days, when eyes adjust to new prescription this feeling finish.But in fact I can see the same with my glasses.It is interesting, isn't it?

Everytime when I put my glasses on early in the morning I think to myself that a thousend people all over the world do the same.We open eyes and squint hardly around, then we take those magical pieces of glass, put it behind eyes and come into real world.Sometimes I like wake up with closed eyes, find my specs by hand, put it on and then open eyes to make my first watch of the day clear nad crystal.What would happen if wise Chineese didn't invite glasses many years ago. People who have normal vision don't realize how magical fealing is to pass border beetween fuzzy and real world.You know that I can't remember times when I could see clearly without glasses, Now when I look at all my previous glasses, ranged from the first one childish small with weak lenses, throught my teens one (when my prescription changed in quick rate) up to last one I write in my head story of coming into world of blurr.

Enjoying new vision I wish all the best for all of You.Bye

Alan 03 Feb 2002, 08:32

Portia,

I'm not sure it's the myopes that keep eyescene going, but I guess I can think of two reasons +4 is more exotic than -4. One reason is just that -4 is a lot more common than +4, and part of the appeal of "strong" glasses, I think, is their rarity. Another reason might have to do with optics (physics) -- when you see someone's minus lenses, you just see everything smaller...whereas the plus lenses distort the side of the face in an odd way, turn the background upside down, appear to "cloud over" if you look at them from the side. I'm not sure the physics really says anything about why the same power plus and minus seem so different in their psychological impact. I mean, the minus lenses make the light diverge, so when you look through them, you see a wider field of view than if the lenses were not there; this makes things appear smaller. Plus lenses make light converge, and if the lenses are strong, the light has already passed its convergence point, crossed over, and started going apart again by the time it gets to your eye; this makes the scene on the other side of the lenses appear "backwards" or "upside down", and smaller than normal, as well. But why should this make the plus lenses more striking? Great question.

Alan

Portia 02 Feb 2002, 22:17

Ma Cey, it is delightful to hear from someone who appreciates the charms of plus lenses.

Plus lenses really do have their place in the whole scheme of things, even though it is the myopes amongst us who keep this EYESCENE going.

Being of a mixed-up sort myself, I have to admit that it was the myopic part of things that makes one seek assistance.

Think about it. Those big plus lenses are so inefficient in their use of resources compared to minus lenses. Consider a plus 4 vs. a minus 4. We are talking borderline attractive for the minus lenses and enlarged and bizarre for the plus lenses of the same power!

Cany anyone whose understanding of physics is better than mine explain this disparity?

Ma cey 02 Feb 2002, 15:27

Teachkids, been talking to my boyfriend about your predicament. I think its probably the speed of the deterioration of your eyesight that's causing you the problem. My boyfriend has suffered poor eyesight all his life and so he's built up gradually to his current prescription, and expected some increase. He can remember when he only needed them sometimes as a kid, then when he started to wear them more, and then when they became a permanent fixture in his teens. I've never known him any other way. But it seems you're being catapulted from being a part-time wearer into a full-time one and I guess that psychologically its a shock. Are you male or female?

But there must be lots of people on this great site who can offer you advice on how you transform yourself from part timer to full timer. Tell me, are you getting lots of interfering comments about being a speccy? If not, why worry, people must be accepting you - are you wearing them absolutely all the time?

Personally I love + lenses, I think they make the wearer look caring and sensitive with the slight magnification, and I'm sure you'll find lots of people who agree - what do your specs look like? Get some great ones and they'll complement your style. Sometimes my guy will wander around in the morning to make coffee, I know he can't see too good but he doesn't seem to care, but its not till he puts those specs on that he's the person I know and love because they're part of him and I love them!!

Ma cey 01 Feb 2002, 15:04

Hi Teachkids

Why are you having such a hard time getting used to those glasses? My partner wears +3.5 and I think they look gorgeous, small frames, thin lenses, very attractive.

What is it about wearing them that you dislike so much - have people made comments about them to make you dislike wearing them?

If you don't like it you could surely take them off at home or when you don't need to see so good and then just wear them when you really really have to. Or you could just try contacts? Sometimes when the doc says wear them all the time, it doesn't mean you really have to. You'll decide of course and if you really don't like it you'll choose to go around in a bit of a fuzz sometimes. My partner has been longsighted since teens with a stable prescription increase that's not too alarming, how old are you teachkids?

Curt 01 Feb 2002, 12:27

Dockman: Last I read, they are claiming a 95% success rate for LASIK. I believe they define success rate as 20/20 vision. They always seem careful to stay away from discussing side effects such as starbursts with night vision, dry eyes, fluctuating vision, and hastening the need for reading glasses that is associated with presbyopia. Not with my eyes you don't!!! :-)

Beegins 01 Feb 2002, 12:02

And does the Lasik work even better with 0% financing! LOL

Dockman 01 Feb 2002, 11:57

And yet, the Lasik surgeons are still advertising and suckering in those who want better vision and believe these guys can work miracles because that's what we hear on the advertisements. In Cincinnatti, one place is now offering 0 percent financing for Lasik. It would be interesting to have statistics on how many Lasik patients had excellent vision versus how many suffered aftereffects from Lasik.

specs4ever 01 Feb 2002, 06:54

A friend of ours had a really nice -3.50 or so, and had eye surgery a few years back. She now wears about a =2 all the time, with a further add for reading. And, my wife started with reading glasses that were about +1.25 after her surgery, and she is now up to +2.50. So, why are do many low myopes wasting their money to end up with crappy night vision, and the need for reading glasses. With a minus prescription, you always have your glasses on, and just remove them to read as age progresses. But a person who neads readers is always searching for one of the 10 or so pairs that they have lying around. Fortunately, by buying readers at flea markets, 10 or so pairs are still pretty cheap.

Filthy McNasty 31 Jan 2002, 20:15

It can and does happen. the science isn't exact and individual variances in response to the treatment can be quite substantial.

Kailey 31 Jan 2002, 19:56

I was wondering, say someone had laser surgery because they had strong minus glasses. Could the doc over correct their eyes and then would they wear plus lenses? Someone tried telling me that happened and I am not sure that I believe them. Doesn't seem logical to me!

Clare 31 Jan 2002, 13:04

Nikki

I'm being mysterious - remember they're only just digesting the fact that I have contact lenses! Any more could just be too much too soon!! Eventually ...

Luvsglasses 30 Jan 2002, 15:35

Hi...just went to the eye doc yesterday for new contacts.(yeah yeah yeah...I wear glasses whenever I can). Anyways my old prescription about two and a half years ago was -3.75 and -3.50. I was hoping for a huge increase but I knew my eyes didn't get that bad so I was just hoping for some sort of increase but guess what? After the exam I found out my Rx is the same!!! How and why? Nonetheless I was quite disappointed.

Nikki 30 Jan 2002, 14:19

Clare - I still have not had anyone tell me I look intelligent...I have had sophisticated which is nice but not intelligent!!! Yeah...who would have thought, but once the rollercoaster got going with it, I just rode it out til the end, I too had been on leave and I knew if I didn't show up wearing them that first day back I would still not be wearing them now. All comments were really nice and I even started to relax a little, I wear them round the office alot now and am quite comfortable, it is around friends and family that I still feel self conscious, and yes, at first it is quite hard looking people in the eye, I couldn't quite make eye contact to start with....it didn't help that I kept laughing, which is something I do when I am nervous...but the worst is behind me now and I am glad it is no longer hanging over my shoulder. I really was only the centre of attention for the morning...but like that was full on, and people hanging around your desk just draws more attention over but it still wasn't half the nightmare I had in my head that it would be.

Do you think you might reveal yours anywhere near in the future?

Be brave Clare...it's actually alot of fun. I do wish now that I had got onto it ealier and I am really embarrassed about all my previous posts...what a sook!!!

I have only had them a couple of weeks but already I feel they make up part of who I am...anyway, welcome back and good luck!!!

Nikki

Clare 30 Jan 2002, 14:02

Nikki

Well done, I never thought you'd do it!!

So how does it feel then, after all that procrastination?? I understand what you mean when you say you hardly slept the night before your debut, if you read my post earlier this month you'll understand what I mean! (In fact, I hope you didn't read it because it'll surely have made you feel more apprehensive). I'm back at work today after a break in the Indian Ocean and my guys have (apparently) forgotten all about it!

So Nikki, there you are - one of us at last! Tell us, how do you feel when you look at people through those lenses? I always feel more self-conscious, more difficult to look people in the eye when I'm wearing them, tho' I'm no shrinking violet; on the contrary, most people would say I'm bursting with self confidence (but what would they know?). Maybe you're just enjoying the early days of a new image and it's no big deal, so it must be just me!!

I have a re-test myself next week, not a 6 month but the regular 2 years and I'm already getting nervous - I just feel so vulnerable in there!!! Anyway, enjoy your intellectual new look!

Portia 28 Jan 2002, 22:02

Teachkids,(and others) depending on your age, you may need (and should welcome) bifocals to help you see more effectively. People who are farsighted (hyperopic) frequently are much more comfortable using bifocals at much younger ages than generally would be expected (think well under 40).

Sometimes you even need to suggest this to your eyecare practitioner during your examination as they may not think anything about correcting for near vision in younger people.

For any new Rx, ask that you be examined for near vision WITH your proposed distance Rx. Both of you might be surprised that an add is necessary and desirable.

leelee 25 Jan 2002, 16:57

Hi Teachkids,

Were you wearing your previous glasses all the time before?

Did you start full time as soon as you got these, or did you ramp up more slowly?

Were you able to see the distances sharply at first with these or did it take a little while? Did they find any astigmatism, or just basic farsightedness?

Sorry for badgering you with all the questions, my 1 year anniversary is coming up in a month or so, and I'm wondering what the results will be ...

Julian 25 Jan 2002, 13:50

Problem? Anybody who can see near and far with a pair of glasses hasn't got a problem, surely ::)

Love and kisses, Jules.

teachkids 25 Jan 2002, 10:48

No bifocals. I wear my + lensesAll the time. I am able to see both near and far with them now quite well.Anyone else have this problem?

Alan 25 Jan 2002, 06:57

Teachkids,

You have bifocals?

teachkids 24 Jan 2002, 19:25

One more thing I forgot to add. The doctor did say that I am a latent hyperope. He wants me to come back in 5 to 6 months to test my eyes again, just as a precaution.

teachkids 24 Jan 2002, 19:22

Curt and Leelee,

I wear my + 3 glasses ALL the time now. It is really because I can't see that well without them. I was having a lot of trouble seeing recently and went to the doctor. He tested my eyes again and said that they have gotten alot worse during the nine months. I couldn't read much of the eye chart when he checked my vision. So he kept clicking lenses until I could see it. He also said I must wear them all the time even to drive as my vision has really gotten worse. I don't like it and I'm having a hard time getting used to it, but I have no real other choice.

Curt 23 Jan 2002, 13:51

teachkids: I echo what leelee said. Last I remember you were wearing +1.25 in each eye...in less than a year you are all the way up to +3 ???

I wonder if you were a latent hyperope and didn't know it. Are you wearing them all the time now, or still just for close work?

leelee 22 Jan 2002, 19:30

Teachkids,

Did you just get that prescription? If I recall correctly, you were between +1 & +2 earlier this year, so that's quite a jump!

Are you wearing them all the time? What is the closest you can focus at this point.

It's nice to hear from one of "my people" !

Christy 20 Jan 2002, 15:27

Yes - the basic genetics seems sound - as I remember it. But I still think it's easier to demonstrate with a pencil and paper!

Dave 20 Jan 2002, 12:49

nubbins,

I hadn't read your post while I was composing my own. Your post seems accurate to me (my knowledge of the subject is over twenty years old). Good luck with your studies.

teachkids 20 Jan 2002, 09:44

My rx is now +3 in both eyes. I can't see well without them

nubbins 17 Jan 2002, 18:50

what you said is true... If you thought that i was inferring that women cannot be colorblind... i apologize. It just takes two copies of the gene for the female to be colorblind. A colorblind male has to pass his colorblind gene on to his children (his only X) and the carrier family has a 50% chance of passing on her colorblind X...

Dave 17 Jan 2002, 18:33

Daffy,

Women can also be color blind. I believe when a color blind male and a female carrier are paired, the chances are about 50% for color blind children (regardless of their gender). But... this pairing is not very common.

nubbins 17 Jan 2002, 18:26

Had to throw my two cents in about the science since I am studying to be a scientist 8) In terms of baldness... it is not entirely true what was said before. In genetics you get one allele from your father and one from your mother. The allele for baldness is dominant in males and recessive in females (kind of weird like that). This is why more males are bald... they only need one copy of the "bald" gene (dominant) to become bald... whereas females need two (recessive). As for color blindness... it is X-linked. Males have one X and one Y. Females have two X's. The Y chromosome carries very little information, so men depend on their one X, inherited from their mother. If this X has a gene for colorblindness... they will be colorblind. Females have two X's and so would need two copies of the colorblindess gene to actually be colorblind.

Sorry for being longwinded and hope some of you will find this interesting... sorry if you dont!

Christy 17 Jan 2002, 15:05

Nikki - Welcome to the club - and well done! Six months does sound a bit quick for a second test - but maybe it's just your doc's way of doing things. You never know - one day you might reach -1.50!

Nikki 17 Jan 2002, 14:58

L -1.0 and R-0.75 ...not very exciting is it but I ended up getting some bronze rectangular type frames selected with the help of the optometrist as I had absolutely no idea and my picks just didn't look right. I am quite happy with them but it still gives you a rush when you look back in the mirror and see an image you are not used to!!! She has suggested to have another exam in 6 months time to see if there has been any changes...is this normal, I thought eye exams were like every 2 years? I am on my home with rain having spoiled our touring around and will check back in then. (My sister thinks I am just sending an e-mail!)

ehpc 17 Jan 2002, 14:56

Many male-only genetic conditions are passed on by females.Baldness is one.If a young man wishes to know if he is likely to be bald,he should look at the men in his mother's family.

Peter

Christy 17 Jan 2002, 14:43

Simple genetic inheritance patterns are dead simple to understand when you have a pencil and paper - but I'm not even going to attempt to draw lines on this screen! Sex-linked inherited conditions are also pretty easy to understand - again with a pencil and paper to draw the appropriate diagrams - but I'm blowed if I know how to do it on this screen. There must be an elementary website out there to explain it all!

Daffy 17 Jan 2002, 14:36

Ela,

I have read and seen documentaries on eyesight for years and it is definate that (especially myopia) is inherited. And guess what is the most fascinating bit...the genes for the eyesight is passed on from the FEMALE and NOT at all by the MALE!!! I found this really amazing, and I beleive this to be true. 8 out of 10 times that I see a mother and daughter shopping together, if the mother was a myope and wore glasses, the daughter was wearing glasses for myopia as well. Another interesting fact i observed, out of these more than half of the sibblings had stonger Rx's. Is there a trend here?!?!

However, even though it is hereditary, it does NOT get passed down all the time.

This is all interesting, but i have not found info on colour ('color' for you US people) blindness. It doesn't interest me, so I never checked it out. Apparently, only the MALES inherit this condition, but is passed on by the FEMALE. I don't get it. If this process is correct, then should't it have been 'phased out' so to speak? But i guess it has something to do with being a 'carrier'.

Hope it helps.

Christy 17 Jan 2002, 12:25

Ela - Yes myopia is inheritable - but it's like everything else that's inheritable - sometimes you get it and sometimes you don't.

As for testing babes in arms for glasses - obviously they don't bother getting them to read the chart coz all they do is whoop and gurgle - but they can get pretty close to the right prescription using those instruments they shine in your eyes at a regular test. When they're older - they can go through the regular test and fine-tune their prescription.

Ela 17 Jan 2002, 12:16

Hi,

Alan: I was surprised of unlimited vision field and all things looked more natural with CL's.(there is no any distance beetween lens and eye) Vision acuity is nearly the same as with glasses. If I wear Cl's for a long time I feel my eyes dry and painly. It is something with tears system (I've tried artificial tears drops but with no succes). Maybe you are right saying I should try another Cl's.

Last time I posted URL with kid's first glasses. I courious how they choose proper lenses for neborns and small kids who are not able to have normal eye test(with eye chart)

The other question is: Is miopia inherirable. I wish my kids didn't have problems as I have. What do you thing about it. Any experience ?

Alan 17 Jan 2002, 06:02

Ela,

How did you find that contacts improved your vision? Also, what did you mean when you say that your eyes don't tolerate contacts well -- what kind of problems do you have with them? I figured I would mention that I have tried the SoftLens66 and didn't fine them to be very comfortable. That could just have to do with the lenses fitting poorly, but I have found some other lenses to be much much more comfortable (Bausch and Lomb's "PureVision", and CSI DailyWear from Wesley Jessen). It would probably be worth trying some different ones, unless your problem doesn't have to do with fit and comfort of the lenses.

Alan

Pip 12 Jan 2002, 05:38

Herve - no very few people know that I even have any glasses most probably because they are not strong so I don't need them much. The reason I even have them at all is because I can't see well enough to drive at night without them, so the only people who know I wear them will be those people who have driven with me at night. I don't wear them for anything else but I do like glasses and would be very happy to wear them more often. I had my first pair when I was 28.

My close friends obviously know I sometimes wear glasses. The first time they saw them, some commented on them, others maybe had never driven with me so didn't know they were new. Perhaps because I was only wearing them in the dark they couldn't see if I was embarrassed about talking about them!!

Hervé 12 Jan 2002, 04:29

Pip,

I have this glasses since 1999. Are there close friends who knows yoy wear glasses? And what was their reaction? And at which age you started wearing glasses? Do you know why you needed them? Because to many reaing of ...?

Greetings

Fathom 12 Jan 2002, 04:15

bassethorn: I'm no expert, but I've gathered from experience that the difference in how Rx's are written is geographic. Prescriptions in the U.S. and Canada are generally written with decimals and in a number (many?) of Southeast Asian countries, without. I'm not sure where your neck of the woods is, but the different O.D.s you've visited may have been schooled in different geographic areas, and they write the Rx in whatever convention they're used to.

As to how and WHY the different conventions came about I've no idea -- perhaps someone else could enlighten?

Pip 12 Jan 2002, 03:39

Herve - I have had a -0.75 prescription for 4 years but now I have ordered glasses with a stronger prescription. I don't know if I will wear them full time, maybe I will wear them more. I go to my optician every 2 years, not more because I really don't like going, I think its a scary place!

How long since you started wearing glasses? Your prescription is, like mine, not strong. I don't wear my glasses much at all now. I think you're like me, a bit embarrassed to wear glasses with your friends and family, perhaps if you get stronger glasses you will be brave enough to do that. At the moment I am interested to know how it is possible to introduce them to close friends without embarrassment, that's why I asked you what people have said when they see you in your glasses. Keep us posted how your test goes! P

Herve 12 Jan 2002, 02:54

Pip,

how long was you wearing your glasses with the 0.75 prescription? And when did you feel that you were in need for new glasses? And will you wear them fulltime? How long are you wearing glasses? From which age?

Hervé 12 Jan 2002, 02:52

My prescription is -0,75 and -0,5 but i have an appointment with my eyedoctor next month for a new prescription. I think i need a new presciption.

Pip 12 Jan 2002, 01:23

Herve

I have just ordered some new glasses, they are -1.50. My last were -0.75 What is your prescription?

Christy 12 Jan 2002, 00:31

Sideling - No nothing! When I saw her some years later she'd got reading glasses and when I showed her something she went to get her glasses and said "Isn't it terrible when you have to wear glasses to see something." And that's about as close to a glasses comment as she ever came. Obviously - she doesn't feel the same way about them as I do!

Hervé 12 Jan 2002, 00:27

Pip, good question, i want to know also. But today i wear my glasses fulltime. I must say i see better, but without my glasses i can see also but not so good. What is your prescription Pip?

Sideling 12 Jan 2002, 00:27

Christy,

Surely your mom said SOMETHING?

Pip 11 Jan 2002, 23:25

Who knows what prescription you need for the optician to tell you to wear them all the time?

Christy 11 Jan 2002, 15:01

Pip - You tell 'em - "This is the new me!" - and if they don't like it - then you'll have to get another boyfriend, mum and close friends! My mother never batted an eyelid when I first turned up in specs - and only one friend mentioned them. I just put them on and wore them full-time coz that's what I wanted.

Pip 11 Jan 2002, 14:23

Christy - I'll buy "cos I'm blind without them" for people I don't know (although then we might get into "how long have you worn them/do you wear lenses etc..." I hope not because I know nothing about contact lenses so can't pretend I do).

But most importantly, what do I say to my boyfriend, my mum and my closest friends? I think they're going to be a bit surprised! P

Christy 11 Jan 2002, 12:48

If you want to wear them all the time - then just put them on and wear them all the time. I'm only -2 and that's what I do. If people haven't seen you as a full-time wearer before - then you can wait for them to speak first. If they ask you why you're wearing them - you could either say "coz I'm blind without them" - or a more believable "they make things sharper in the distance" - or the truthful "coz I just LURVE wearing glasses!"

Pip 11 Jan 2002, 12:41

Thanks for your advice I've ordered some glasses online. I went for -1.50 which is an increase of 1D and I'm really excited about them coming although it will probably take awhile.

While I'm waiting I'm wondering what I'll say to people about my new glasses. I really want to wear them all the time. Does anyone have any ideas about what I should say?

Hardly anyone has seen me in glasses before. Shall I pretend I've just discovered I'm really shortsighted? Thanks.

Ela 11 Jan 2002, 12:28

Hi folks,

Really nice and interesting forum.

I am 20 years old University girl and I've been wearing glasses full time for about 10 years. I am shortsighted and my prescription is: -7,25R -8,0L but my

right eye can't be corrected to 20/20 vision (even with glasses I can't read last line of eyechart).I wear black metal rectangular frames with plastic lenses.Last time I discovered contacts for the first time (Bausch&Lomb; 66SoftLens) and I was really surprised how it can improve vision. Unfortunatelly my eyes don't torerate it propertly and I was told not to wear Cl more then few hours a day.

Greetings for all glasses wearers and glasses fans, hope to appear sometimes here : )

Alan 08 Jan 2002, 09:24

HiMinusGrl - You said you wished you had some support. I think it's fair to say you have it here. Generally you'll get answers (maybe informed, maybe not) to any question you ask, and pretty much all of us will assume you are highly attractive.

At the very least, because we are fascinated (at least) by glasses in general, you're held in very high esteem here because you're unique.

Would you mind telling the story of why you don't wear your glasses any more?

Also, how is your corrected vision? And how old are you (approximately) now?

Everyone has piped up with frame style recommendations for glasses...I think if you could find an eyesize small enough and a lens index high enough to make it work, then rimless might look really good in your prescription -- though I have never seen it. People seem to go with plastic frames for higher prescriptions. I'd definitely say that metal would be a last resort, in my book.

Take care,

Alan

specs4ever 08 Jan 2002, 09:16

Ok HiMinus Girl, I looked up my chart. It appears that a contact lens prescription of -13.50 translates to a glasses prescription of around -16.50D. This is really dependant upon the distance from your eye to the lens of the glasses. The closer the glasses are to your eyes, the lower the prescription of the glasses has to be.

Your experiences wearing glasses is no different than those of many other high myopes that I have met, either in person, or throught the internet. For some reason people can be very cruel, although I think in most cases the hurt that you were left with was unintentional.

Your glasses that you describe with very thick edges are very typical of a strong minus prescription. Imagine a soccer ball diameter, then take a flat object of approximetely 2.5", and hold it up against that soccer ball, This would give you the effective edge thickness of about a -2.5D lens. Or better still, draw a 6" circle, and draw a flat line on the on the outside edge of the circle, also about 2.5" long. This gives the effective thickness of a -5D lens. As the circle becomes smaller, like for example a 3" circle, do the 2.5" line again, and you will find that the the distance from the circle at the widest point will give you about 3/4"(all rough figuring, of course) This is about what a standard CR39 platic lens in a -15D prescription would be at the outer edges. With your -16.50, you would need to draw a 2.75" circle to get the standard side thickness. Of course, the edge thickness is totally dependant on the frame width, and your p.d.(distance of the pupil from the center of your nose). These figures give you the greatest possibe thickness for the edges of your lenses. Now, when you start into high index lenses, and small frame sizes, you can reduce the edge thickness of your lenses to probably less than 1/4". And I think this post is probably too long, and is going to bore people, so ask away if you want to know more.

spexalot 08 Jan 2002, 05:44

to HiMinus girl, I think the way a girl looks in general has much more to with appearence than her glasses. Nice hair, clothes, make-up and good figure go a long way. If you don't or can't wear contacts then get a nice stylish frame. High RX can be made to look thinner. Hi-index lenses do a good job. Though real hi-index can be expensive, the standard polycarbonate (hi-index) lens would be good in your Rx and is the most shatter proof. A small oval frame in metal or plastic is a good choise with plastic being better because it covers the sides of the lenses better. a slight tint in rose or blue is a really attractive touch.

specs4ever 08 Jan 2002, 05:28

Himinus Girl: I think that your glasses prescription would translate to more than -15. I will check, and post again later. But even if you are -16 or greater, there are many new types of lenses available on the market that when fitted to a frame with a fairly small eye size, the glasses can be thin, and darned attractive. There are certainly a lot of lenses that would be considered ubnattractive, but my thought on that is that if she needs tham to see they look good to me. Probably the least attractive lens would be a myodisc in a regular CR39 plastic, with a plus rear carrier, and a fairly large eye sized frame.

You will find a lot of help and support here, and most of us figure that you are real until proven otherwise, so ask the questions, and we will try to help.

ehpc 08 Jan 2002, 04:58

Hi HiMinusGirl

I am sure you look stunning in your thick glasses......and I bet lots of people think so too.I am sure there are plenty of positive vibes out there..........but you have to be alert to picking them up!

Peter

amyntas 08 Jan 2002, 01:55

HiMinusGrl,

i definetely support you!Keep posting

HiMinusGrl 07 Jan 2002, 23:46

This site, and others like it, is truly an eye opening experience. Many times I've searched the internet just to see if I could find any high myobes out there. And to find a site where people enjoy discussing etc. Thank you thank you!

I really can't tell for sure what my rx is. It's about -13.5 in CL and I believe I heard -15 or so mumbled by the optomitrist. (After minus 12.0 I've sort of lost interest...whatever, just give me the damn lenses) All I know is that I am always the "worst" case according to every practitioner who has ever seen me. (And this even back when I was a minus 8 or 9 in HS).

I wish I could feel positive about my glasses experience, but unfortunately, this have been a source of much lowered esteem. People somehow feel it is their duty to tell me how ugly my glasses are, they ask why I'm not wearing contacts, (suffered many corneal abraisions avoiding wearing glasses) why are they so thick etc. They complain that they make THEM feel dizzy. Well excuse me! People can be so cruel...and a lot of them made me feel freakish. Has anyone experienced this? Or am I alone?

My glasses (which I no longer wear by the way for reasons that are not purely cosemtic only...long story) were obviously very thick, but also flared out at the sides. (Question: are these necessarily prism lenses? or typical of high minus 8 or more lenses?).

My question is: are there some high minus lenses that you consider really ugly? (I'm sure even an admirer would find mine unattractive). Although I did have a boyfriend (closet GWG fan?) who said I looked good in them and he found them kinda ...sexy?

I'm so inspired by all of you all that wear your glasses proudly. You should!!! You all are amazing. And you COG people. That's really strange to me. But whatever rocks your world. I think it's really cool!!!

I wish I had some kind of support. Sorry to ramble on. It took a lot of courage to post this...thanks for listening. And believe it or not I'm not a fraud. (But should you think I am one, I'd find that funny! very funny!)

Cruiser 07 Jan 2002, 19:40

Pip, I see no problem with an increase of -1 diopter. Although your age may play a negative role with that. I myself worked my way from perfect vision to -5 in each eye in 2 diopter jumps at a time over a period of 7 months. I must admit, the first prescription was the hardest. When I put on those -2's for the first time I could barely walk out of pearlevision. After a couple of weeks I became used to it to see clearly all the time though them. A few months later I jumped to -4 in both eyes. Again it took a few weeks to get used to them. I now currently reside in -5's. I like the 5's I think I will stick with these ones. Got to love the minifacation. At first seeing things up close was hard. But give yourself a couple of weeks and you will be fine.

bassethorn 07 Jan 2002, 16:29

Some people here post some pretty spectacular numbers. (No, I did not intend the - probably hackneyed - pun on "spectacular"!) We are not in that league, as you will see. I still find that numbers don't do a lot for me: I am a very visual person, I guess, so the images give me a lot of pleasure.

However, I and three of my four teenagers wear glasses. The prescriptions seem to me to be pretty low power compared to the numbers posted by others.

Right eye Left eye

My RX

sph - 175 - 200

cyl - 200 - 175

axis 80 74

add 2.00 2.00

I have worn glasses since I was 13 (for almost exactly 40 years.) I have worn progressive lenses for about 12 years - I tried bifocals briefly and found them very hard to manage.

Oldest daughter's RX

sph - 25 - 50

cyl - 75 - 75

axis 90 80

She has worn glasses for about 6 years.

Youngest daughter's RX

sph - 150 - 125

cyl - 125 - 125

axis 90 90

add 2.00 2.00

She has worn glasses for about 3 years. Her Rx doesn't seem to me to be very strong, but she recently broke her glasses and, after an hour or so at school without them, phoned and asked me to bring her home. She said she was having so much trouble seeing anything that she actually felt nauseated.

This girl's best friend apparently wears "strong" glasses (my daughter's word): I have never seen the young girl with glasses on at all, but I keep hoping. If they really are "strong" then I am surprised that she can get along without them.

Son's Rx (the mildest Rx among us)

sph plano - 125

cyl plano - 125

axis 20 167

He leaves his glasses at school and wears them there - only, he says, for reading the chalkboard. He has worn them for about 2 years. The optometrist told him he doesn't need them very urgently, and can go without them if he wants. However he really wanted them at the time of his first Rx.

I'll conclude this long post by writing that, despite having browsed around EyeScene and related sites for 5 years or so now I am still a novice at understanding the way Rxs are written. My oldest daughter's Rx, for instance, gives her sphere and cylinder as 0.xx, but the other two teens have numbers in the 100's without decimal points. I had mine read to me over the phone, so I don't know whether it is written with or without decimals. If - and if so, why - there are varying conventions about how these numbers are written is beyond me.

bassethorn

hypefan 07 Jan 2002, 01:55

Dear Brandi,

Thanks for reply...

Do you tell us, that you always wear contacts for far vision, and reading glasses ? You never wear your +12 glasses ? But why... Your eyes seems to be wonderful beside this thick magnifying lenses... ?

Because, what I mean is that with such glasses, the fragility of the female is an evidence... She is more fragile than an other lady, and maybe, it's exciting for men... (I hope i am clear enough... Sorry for my english).

And please, how strong is your add for close vision ?

Hope your reply.

Julian 07 Jan 2002, 01:10

Does anybody here check VisionWorld these days? There's a punter there called Redeyes (named from the effect of contacts I think) who is in a bit of a tangle about a prescription for extreme astigmatism (which I've done my best to answer) and what options are available for correction, especially as a reading add becomes necessary. Can anyone who knows about this part check out the discussion and shed some light please?

Alan 06 Jan 2002, 18:04

Pip - you could probably increase your prescription by as much as -2, but you'll probably begin to notice that you can't see things quite as close up when you go more than -0.5. With -1 or -2 extra, you could have difficulty reading, but maybe not.

Brandi 06 Jan 2002, 16:22

Hypefan

Thanks for the comments. I wear contacts and glasses. I don't have a problem with that. In my original post, I was just posing the question and welcomed comments. I confirmed that my feelings are similar to other females, but you have see clearly. So the reality is, wear your contacts or wear you glasses, whatever.

Thanks,

Brandi

Christy 06 Jan 2002, 01:28

Pip - you're scaring me with all this talk about prescriptions going down. I'm only -2 so I don't have much leeway myself!

Pip 06 Jan 2002, 00:03

My prescription has gone down :( and I don't want weaker lenses so I'm going to fake a prescription to get some stronger ones. But how much stronger!

I read that an increase of 0.5 is considered enough for a new prescription. So how much should I increase my own by? Should I add .75 which would make it -1.25 or would this be too much for my eyes to tolerate? Could I add as much as 1.00 quite easily? (I'm 32)

I don't want to make myself more and more shortsighted, I just want a pair of glasses with a decent strength!

Julian 05 Jan 2002, 22:55

Don't know about him being a fake; he's a bit of a bore posting the same thing so many times over, but we might break him of that habit. Shocking waste of web space though!

Halim, sorry to talk about you like that - but once would have been enough to post your story.

Don 05 Jan 2002, 21:14

Methinks this guy HalimM is a fake.

The same story--posted simultaneously on at least 7 topics--appears too syrupy, too frothy, to be true.

HalimM 05 Jan 2002, 15:57

Hi all,

this is my first post to ES BBS, I've found it few days and I was surprised how many people is interested in wide range of optic and glasses topics. Let me join this gorgous communitty : )

I'am 25 years old male phD student at University and all my world turns about glasses.

At first, I wear specs myself down to shortsightness.I was told to have vision problems when I was 10 and I couldn't read clearly the blackboard at school in all cases.Parents took me to eye doc and I was prescribed first specs -1.0D.I was so excited and frightned and I resist wearing glasses becouse of other kids reactions.I used to wear it only for lessons. When I grew up I understood matter of myopia and I stopped take care about other oppinions. Step by step I was impressed by those pices of glass that made my world clear and sharp.When I was 15 I became full time wearer with -2,5D, I realized to myself that I like watching other people with glasses.It was great time because I noticed that my younger sister (she was 10) also had vision problems.Once when I came back from school I saw her sitting very close to TV set and watching some movie.I knew what was going on and I gave her my old specs.She could see better. As you can imagine I told about it to my mom and, three days gone and my little sister appear to me wearing beautifull -2.0 glasses.she adjusted it quickly and wore all yhe time from the beginning.We used to talk about our specs and try it each other time to time, but I've never reveald my fascination about vision.Years went and our eyes have worsened sistematicall, we went to eye doc together usually and I put down all the moments. So our story was :

Age(Me,Lena) Me Lena

10,5 -1,00L;-1.00R ------

13,8 -1,75L;-1,50R ------

15,10 -2,50L;-2,25R -2,00L;-2,00R

16,11 -3,50L;-3,25R -2,25L;-2,00R

17,12 -3,75L;-3,25R -3,75L;-3,50R

18,13 -3,75L;-3,25R -4,50L;-4,25R

19,14 -3,75L;-3,50R -5,25L;-5,00R

20,15 -4,00L;-3,50R -6,00L;-5,50R

My myopia stoped then, and this is my current one

16 -6,50L;-6,25R

17 -7,00L;-6,75R

And when I was 22 I left my parents home so I stoped to collect detailed data, but Lena's myopia stopped about her 20 with about -8 lenses.

It was really amazing to grew up and watch how her prescription change.

Second:I am totally crazy about girls with glasses, to be honest I am hundred percent glasses fetishist : )

There is nothing more sexy and attractive then preety, sensual girl with minus lenses.I love watching women touch glasses, put it better on nose if sllip down, clean lenses.Women can do it on very sensual and sexy way.well choosen specs make woman so hot, and eyes covered begind minus lenses are so mysterious.DELICIOUS :)

My favorites are: long black hair, brown eyes, metal frames choosen according to face and normal minus lenses from -3 to -10. I could jump into fire for that girl :)

So, it is a bit long as first post and I don't wont to be boring.

Apologize for all mistakes, but englids id not my first language( but I'am still working to make it more fluent and I hope to express all what I fell soon)

BEST WISHES

hypefan 04 Jan 2002, 07:53

Brandi,

I am not sure to understand exactly what you mean by "vain"... But : the fact is that you cannot see anything without your strong plus glasses (or your contacts and your reading glasses).

When you are wearing your glasses, your eyes are bigger beside the thick lenses, and it is an evidence for everybody that you need glasses... that you are totally dependant of them... A kind of fragility.

And i think that female use to be more fragile than men... So the glasses, accentuate the fragility of women, especially if tey are very strong like yours...

(I'am sory for my poor english...).

Please, Brandi, tell us : do you rather to wear contacts or glasses ? How is the add for reading ? Bifocals or progressive ? And... how old are you to have such questions ?

Thanks for reply, Brandi.

Brandi 03 Jan 2002, 16:07

Thank you all for posting to my vanity thread. Seems like it peeked (pun) some interest. Happy New Year to all!!

Kailey 02 Jan 2002, 18:39

I didn't. I wanted to but I was scared and after the person left I tried them on and looked in the mirror and I looked great so I was upset that I didn't. They are not my glasses though. I wish I had new glasses. Then I just figured it out that I will have new glasses for my senior year in high school. I will get them in the summer and then it will be easier. One close friend has seen me with my glasses- which are big but not too big and her family which I am close with. Hopefully I can get over it. Thanks for posting.

Alan 02 Jan 2002, 16:26

Kailey,

Have you tried "going public" with your glasses yet? My main advice would be to push through the period of discomfort you have at first. I mean, some people might say something, you might turn red, but it doesn't matter -- you'll forget about it soon (as long as you don't make a big deal about it). After a little while, you'll feel normal wearing glasses in front of people, but you'll only get there by going through the period where you're uneasy. Just remember, it will be fine; people usually say nice things or nothing at all. If anyone asks whether you really need them to see or why they haven't seen you wearing them before, the best thing to do (I think) is to be honest.

Alan

Don 31 Dec 2001, 21:52

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF MY EYE SCENE FRIENDS!

May it be one of PEACE, health and prosperity for all of you.

Emily 31 Dec 2001, 20:02

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! 2002!!!

Don 31 Dec 2001, 06:20

Dockman, My wife doesn't have a problem with her image wearing her glasses. I think she feels that what you see is what you get... Even people at the recent company Christmas party remarked that they thought she was very attractive (from those that hadn't met her, some comments like "your wife is really nice," or "not what I expected.")

I guess she's like me in a way. Just puts on her glasses in the morning, as if it's a necessary accessory (which it is, of course) and just go to work or go about your business.

This deal about being self concious about wearing glasses is insane. People are more concerned with a pimple on their own neck more than if you or me wear glasses or not.

We go to Kroger's too, but it's no big deal to just go there, with little production or fanfare.

Thanks for the feedback.

Dockman 31 Dec 2001, 05:52

You are a very lucky guy indeed,Don, to have a wife who will go out in public wearing glasses.My wife is very self-conscious about appearing in public, such as the grocery store, with her glasses on.In spite of my continual reassurances that she looks great, she has this idea in her pretty little head that glasses detract from her appearance. I know she needs some new frames for her second pair of glasses. She already has a pair of light high index, metal framed glasses that look like they would blow off her face if a stong wind gust were to hit her. Somewhere in her past, her mind has been bombarded with the idea that glasses are not beholding to her, perhaps it was her mother that fueled this idea, since my wife began wearing her glasses at eight years of age. She has no idea how good she looks in glasses from where I'm at. It's like she has this image to maintain. Two hours to put on her make-up, even if she is only going to Kroger's. I take about five minutes to get ready to go and if I don't want to shave, then I don't because all I work with is guys on the dock. At least I'm confident that my wife will always wear contacts and glasses until I die. I jokingly told her that she could get Lasik after I die, but not before. I have a lot of fun with her myopia and she knows I'd always be there to help her if she needed it.

Don 31 Dec 2001, 04:53

Minic,

Thanks for your response.

In reference to my previous comment re: my wife, she really doesn't know how much of a big factor her glasses were as an attraction to me.

But I am really glad she HAS NOT resorted back to contacts (which she had at one time) or to the lasik surgery.

When we go to social functions, we are almost undoubtedly the only couple there both wearing substantial minus powers with glasses. Between the two of us, our combined powers are close to -20.

minic 30 Dec 2001, 22:13

all I can tell you Don, you are one lucky guy, I wish I could say the same ....

Don 30 Dec 2001, 21:03

I'm not sure I would have married the woman that I actually did marry, if she wasn't a glasses wearer. Glasses were certainly a contributing factor--among other factors, and that was 14 years ago, and we're still married. Pretty high power, too.

vikketer 30 Dec 2001, 14:22

I have worn glasses since I was 12yo and apart from the first few years have always enjoyed wearing them, I have always admired girls with glasses. My wife of 18 years has always had perfect eyesight until about two years ago had problems due to medication she is on was told she needed glasses, I was overjoyed, but she was devastated, she always considered her eyes her greatest asset, she relctantly went and choe some nice metal frames and started to wear them, she immediatly got many positive comments, but she still hated them. I talked her into getting a second more wayout style whick she liked a little better, but she still hated the idea of being seen in glasses.

She then won a photo shoot and I suggested she borrow some frames from the optical shop and have shots with different frames, this was done. When the photo's came back she really liked them and now wears her glasses all the time matching frames with her outfits, she has just had to start wearing multi focals and she quite likes them, naturally I am delighted and never get tired of looking at her. Her photo's are now on GWG's under Vikki Hart.

My advice is wear your glases with confidence they add to your appearance rather than detract.

Peter

Wurm 30 Dec 2001, 09:52

>women have to be doubly, or more, careful to chose glasses that suit them

because the wrong style is less forgiving to girls than to guys

That's a really interesting insight Pip, maybe not true in every case (and no doubt subject to cultural differences) but I think it holds up in general.

Guys here (I'm in the US) tend to feel a great deal of pressure about their looks from about 12 years old to 17 years old, and then it abates for the most part. I suspect girls and women are subject to longer and more intense scrutiny (both from without and from within).

Daventhalas aka Ray 30 Dec 2001, 09:24

whoops, proofreading alert!! on my last post it should be "is not afraid to be herself" I have a learning disability that in addition to many other things causes me to accidentally skip words and sometimes entire phrases when I am writing and typing. Sorry about that, uncorrected, that message looks real shallow. LOL

Pip 30 Dec 2001, 09:00

This is very deep! Despite my own liking for glasses, I still think that wearing glasses is easier for men. They rarely have the vanity consideration that we women have, and I remember once reading that women find men who wear glasses reassuring. Though the men who post to this site are obviously nuts about GWG, I think that its still easier for men to be seen as 'attractive with glasses' and I think women have to be doubly, or more, careful to chose glasses that suit them because the wrong style is less forgiving to girls than to guys.

Daventhalas aka Ray 30 Dec 2001, 08:51

That is a very good point, Brandi. I personally am very turned off by a woman who doesn't wear their glasses. I know part of it is that I cannot function without my glasses, so I assume that if someone needs glasses and aren't wearing them that they not seeing well enough to function. But the other thing and let me know if anyone else feels way is that I am very attracted to someone who is not afraid to keep their true selves unhidden. I also think women in plus glasses are very attractive but not as attractive as simply a woman who is afraid to be herself.

Brandi 30 Dec 2001, 05:47

I have farsightedness around +12.00 in both eyes with added bifocals. It is really hard to see without my glasses or contacts plus glasses to read with.

So my question is, just how vain we have to be, as girls, before we admit we cannot see? Guys don't seem to have that same problem. Just musing I guess, but it is an interesting dilema for us females. Anyone else feel the same way?

Kailey 29 Dec 2001, 09:40

I know it is odd. But when I went in to get contacts I thought for sure that I would end up having both eyes minus seeing that I could see better in minus glasses than plus. Now after wearing my contacts and my friends glasses I can no longer focus well on things up close. I get headaches ALL the time and it sucks. I want my own glasses. Any suggestions about going public with my glasses?

Dave 28 Dec 2001, 23:35

Kailey,

I don't know if anyone has commented about the right eye being minus for glasses and plus for contacts. Seems odd to me, and it might be worth checking.

Dave 28 Dec 2001, 23:32

Kailey,

Don 28 Dec 2001, 22:12

Dockman,

I am much more attracted to woman with glasses than a woman without glasses. Period.

Kailey 28 Dec 2001, 18:05

I posted quite some time ago. I currently have glasses that are R:-.50 and L:+.75. I got contacts that are L&R;:+.75. I had been wearing my glasses with the - and it was giving me headaches. I get headaches in my eye- like the back of my eye hurts. I was going to get new glasses. My friend left her glasses here. They are about L&R;:+.50, is that like the right amound of RX for the +.75 contacts I have? I also never ever ever wear my glasses in front of anyone. I would like to start trying. I am going to go baby-sit for my teacher and I wanted to wear them there because I look nice but I am afraid that she is going to comment and I just know my face will turn beat red. Does anyone have some advise?

Dockman 28 Dec 2001, 09:35

I suspect there are a lot of guys out there who prefer girls who wear glasses ,just as I do. Normally-sighted girls are fine, but they can never equal a glasses- wearing girl for attractiveness and excitement. There's always a chance that the boyfriend will be there at the right time to help his girl, if she should somehow lose a lens or have to take her glasses off to wipe them. Guys like us would bend over backwards to help a GWG in need. Any boyfriend that would ask his girl to wear contacts, which can really irritate her eyes, just because he does not care to see his babe in glasses isn't worth having. May glasses-wearing babes always rule here.

Bobby 27 Dec 2001, 15:30

Clare,

a sister of a friend of mine wear glasses with plano lenses just to look smarter and more serious. They suit her. I think she does not need to look more seroius because she has a very good job in a large international company producing most of the food in Europe, but if she thinks the glasses help her ... it is OK, isnt it?

Katie,

I can say 99% of what you can read her is true. We are a group of real fans of girls with glasses. I know it is difficult to change one's attitude, but once you manage to change it, you will see that you will be more satisfied in your life. Wear your specs and be happy, soon you will find boys who will appreciate both you and your glasses.

Clare 27 Dec 2001, 13:18

Message for Eyescene regulars!

Just wanted to say thanks to all you guys on Eyescene since I began posting mid-month - its not been long but it seems like an eternity.

Reading other people's posts, and putting down all the thoughts that have come tumbling out of my head, have really helped me get my head together about my 'personality in glasses' and build my confidence. As a mild-myope I came to this site completely avoiding wearing glasses by using contacts if ever I thought I'd be seen wearing glasses but yet harbouring a feeling that if only I wore glasses I might be taken a bit more seriously.

You guys helped me overcome the feeling that anyone who wears glasses but isn't *completely* blind isn't a fraud, and that it's okay to just want to see better - and if a mild prescription does the trick then that's fine!!

I'm not promising that 1 January will see a new bespectacled image for me but I do believe that, thanks to your encouragement, I will introduce them into my life (no more avoiding them with contacts) and already a result!! I've been told that my glasses make me look more intelligent - the desired effect ... but I shan't worry about how un-intelligent I look without them!!

This site is wild and whacky and I really like it, so keep it coming throughout 2002!

vikketer 27 Dec 2001, 12:39

Katie,

my wife was horrified when she needed glasses, when she got them she was quite pleased and uses them as a fashion accessory, she now wears them ALL the time. Check her page out at http://www.gwg.co.uk/index2.htm look for vikki hart. good luck. Peter

Chino 27 Dec 2001, 10:09

p.s. Katie, what's your glasses prescription?

Chino 27 Dec 2001, 10:01

OK, where do I start Katie?...To answer your questions: Yes, there are guys out there that like girls who wear glasses. I know this because I'm one of them.

It's really too bad you hate wearing glasses. Personally, I'd bet you look breathtaking in them.

As far as what choice you have...well, you have plenty. You can chose to take out those awful hard contacts, and give your eyes a rest by wearing your glasses instead. Trust me, you'll be doing guys like me a favor.

As a final note, I'm going to add on to Glowworm's post. As far as the boyfriends and contacts thing goes; yes, you may simply have the wrong frames. Personally, I think you simply have the wrong boyfriends (at least I think so) ;).

Just rock those glasses as the fashion accessory they are Katie. Take on the world, insouciant attitude shining through, and you'll find they're not so bad.

Rock on,

Chino

amyntas77 27 Dec 2001, 09:53

Katie , i think it is time for you to find new boys that like you as you are not as you ''should'' be.Merry christmas

Glowworm 27 Dec 2001, 07:03

First of all ... hi to you all. I've been reading ES without posting myself for a while ... now I feel motivated to add some words here. I don't wear glasses myself, but I like girls with glasses. Gladly in Germany (where I'm from) there are many girls looking really nice with their glasses.

Katie: I think you needn't worry about the posts here being true. I'm sure the people here saying they like wearing glasses - or like seeing someone else with glasses - really like it. If your boyfriends say you should wear your contacts, perhaps you simply have the wrong frames?

Christy 27 Dec 2001, 02:22

I can never understand anyone hating glasses. I love them!

Puffin 27 Dec 2001, 02:14

Katie it's all true!!!!

Don't worry about the specs wearing them will make someone's day!

Puffin

katie 27 Dec 2001, 01:49

hi all

I can only hope all the posts i'm reading are true. I've had to wear glasses since I was 9 yrs.old I hate them!!! I'm now 20 and hate my glasses. I wear hard contacts instead. They're awfull but what choice do I have? Are there really guys that like girls that wear glasses? All my boyfriends always want me to wear my contacts.

hydrop 23 Dec 2001, 23:43

Just been browsing, came across a posting from Michael? in Nov. I have quite a collection of GOC gathered over the last fifteen years and to answer his question, I have +20 contacts which I wear -30.00/+3.00 R : -30.50/+3.00 L quite comfortably. Driving or reading are no problem. Some minimisation of course but nothing that can't be gotten used to.

Don 23 Dec 2001, 22:09

Pip,

My guess is that with a low power as you have (-.75), you should stick with it for awhile, and wear your glasses all the time.

At your age, your eyes can still accomodate, and providing that you can see fine with that power, your eyes will eventually get used to the glasses.

At some point your eyes should adjust to the correction if it is really needed, and you will need the correction in order to see better.

specs4ever 23 Dec 2001, 08:34

Emily, I have a few things that might be of interest to you - maybe not, but??? Anyway, I enjoy conversing/researching myopia, so if you want, my e mail is:roadrunner_122@hotmail.com. I will be away for a while after Xmas, but I will get back to you

Owen 23 Dec 2001, 08:18

Emily....

You're back! Wow....if you still want to chat, email me (same address as before)

Owen.

ps: Merry Xmas all of you.

Emily 23 Dec 2001, 07:59

Specs4ever,

I am definitely still planning to go into the optical field... in fact my fascination for eyes has increased! This year I'm writing an essay about the causes of myopia (the whole genetics vs. environment debate) for my bio class- it'll be hard, but I can't wait to do the research and make my own hypothesis (luckily I have access to a medical library)! Anyway, next year's my first year in university, so I'll see how it goes... :)

specs4ever 22 Dec 2001, 20:48

Emily - it is nice to have you back. Sorry to hear of your probable pending prescription increase. Are you still intending to go into the optical field??

Emily 22 Dec 2001, 14:17

Well, it's been a really long time since

I've posted here (in fact I've never posted on the new Eyescene, but I've been hanging around). Anyway, my newest

Rx (from six months ago) is O.D. -15.75 and O.S. -13... I think I need a new Rx though seeing as I can't see as well as before... but that'll have to wait. :) Nice to be back.

Bobby 20 Dec 2001, 02:39

Alan, youre right, there is a typo :-)

I have just measured them to send correct number, and it is ... 7 mm.

:-)

Alan 19 Dec 2001, 22:03

Bobby,

Did you say -8D, CR39, and they're only 4mm thick? They must be *very* small, or else something is a miss. My girlfriend's prescription is -4, and her lenses are CR39, rather small eye size, and they are certainly over 3mm thick. What do you think?

Alan 19 Dec 2001, 22:01

Pip, you might be able to tolerate a larger prescription...that is, your eyes might be able to see clearly up to -1, -2, maybe -3. I don't know that you could train your eyes to need correction more. Contact lenses vs. glasses? Probably not much difference for this discussion.

Pip 19 Dec 2001, 21:58

Hi all - I'm 32 and as Alan says my shortsightedness might not get any worse, would it make any difference if I got some contact lenses? Would my eyes start to 'enjoy' the images they see with the mild correction (-.5) or wouldn't it make much difference? It's really put me out that last month I had a -.75 prescription and now its not even that - can I train my eyes to need correction?

Bobby 19 Dec 2001, 13:39

I got my new glasses today. they are -8 D both eyes, black wire oval frame. The lenses are CR39 plastic with antirefex coating. The optician brought them saying: "They are quite thick, just as you wanted."

I smiled at her, because she knows I liked thick lenses, we had talked about that last time. They are not thick according to this group. The edges are only about 4 mm. :-)

I like them, I enjoy them!

Alan 19 Dec 2001, 01:50

Pip,

In the 30's and 40's, nearsightedness often decreases and it often stays the same...getting worse is probably less common, but it happens too. It's a lot less predictable in this age range than in children and teenagers.

Christy 19 Dec 2001, 00:28

Pip - I know the feeling about "needing" to wear glasses. When I got my first pair of low Rx specs - I just knew I'd wear them all the time. I'd have a horror of my prescription reversing to the point where I didn't "need" them - but I guess if that happened I'd just keep wearing them anyway!

Pip 18 Dec 2001, 22:20

Alan - I'm 32. My friend's prescription - she's the same age - changed from -1.25 to -1.75, I think it was because she wore them alot.

Troy 18 Dec 2001, 21:45

Just surfing the net and found this awesome site. I am 23 years old and have -6.25 left eye and -6.00 right eye. I will check back later.

visitor 18 Dec 2001, 19:36

Reading some of the posts and answers seems like someone can give me answer to my dilema. Wearing glasses for approx. 20 years starting with low -1.5 and gradually getting to around -3.5 and always enjoying wearing glasses myself as looking at myopic girls, suddenly my first exam after 40 years of age and having little discomfort my prescription went down to -2.25 with +1.5 add. At first I couldn`t believe it so I purchased reading glasses to try on before I got progressive lenses made and they were really great for close work, so I did get my prescription filled and was quite happy with it for approx 1 year, than starting using more and more my reading glasses and all the sudden while searching for different frames and trying on different glasses became really comfortable with +2.75. Now actually I started wearing them all the time because they are really relaxing, I even got stronger pair I sometimes put on while I am really tired and have headache, they seems to help me, but only trouble is I can`t see very well in distance so I can`t use it for driving, so I use my progressive lenses, but after very short time I get real headache and first thing as I stop is to switch for my + lenses, which always feels like sitting in the sofa with can of beer after long hard day. Anyone can explain what is happening? Thanks.

Alan 18 Dec 2001, 15:48

Pip, how old are you? Nearsightedness usually gets worse with time, but not always. The getting-worse is very common in people under 20, less common in people who are older, I'd say.

Clare -- just one comment: although the regulars of eyescene include a lot of expert prescription-guessers, very few people in the world at large will even think of guessing your prescription, and if they wanted to, most of them couldn't do it. It takes some time and thought to figure out how (not that it's particularly hard to make a rough guess), and most people don't have any motivation. My point is just that 49 out of 50 people really won't know, even though a lot of eyescene folks might. And if someone were to put your glasses on, they may be able to see clearly -- that doesn't mean that you don't need them, and it doesn't mean that they *do* need them; the eye is capable of adjusting pretty easily to prescriptions like yours if the person doesn't need glasses, even though they give you significantly clearer vision.

Alan

Pip 18 Dec 2001, 14:51

Interesting site - perhaps someone can answer a question.

I really want to "need" glasses so I was really pleased that my optician prescribed me some glasses (just -0.75) and told me I should wear them for driving so I would meet the legal requirements. I was delighted. I did as I was told, although I didn't wear them for much more than that and for cinema etc.

This month I went back to the optician for a check-up and was horrified to find out that my eyesight had 'improved' - he prescribed only -0.50. I really hoped that, with the glasses, my vision would have got at least a bit worse so I could wear my glasses more!

I thought once you got glasses your eyesight automatically got worse - presumably because they got used to a better image. Maybe I should have worn them more to get my eyes used to some correction. Whatever, I',m really disappointed. Anyone had any similar experiences or got any recommendations? Thanks, Pip - UK

4myeyes 18 Dec 2001, 14:47

Clare, this is my story. Like you, I was quite reluctant to wear glasses in public, thou I really wanted to. A few months ago, after years of wearing my -1.5 glasses in anonymous places I decided to incorporate them into my everyday life. Results: no more headaches (none!), really sharp vision and great looks which adds to my personality and everybody compliments on. Now if I take off my glasses, which I do sometimes, my eyes beg for them to go back on my nose. I wouldn't say I'm dependent but used to the comfort of wearing them. By the way, the first times nobody says anything about them for more than one minute.

So if you would like to wear you glasses, I gess you should.

Daffy 18 Dec 2001, 14:30

Clare, I was about -4.25 in both eyes (Now -5.25 with small astig). It was tough at first. I was vain enough not to get glasses (or my eyes tested) for a few years. I even held off getting a drivers licence! Finally I worked up the courage to get glasses. Like you Clare, was embarased about them. Never wore them, even driving! (must have been about -3 then). Then my brother introduced contacts to me and I got them.

I wore them virtually 24-7. After a while, my eyes could not tolerate them. I got some conjunctiva (spelling??) and could not wear them for at least a month. This called for glasses. That is when I started to do the glasses in shopping malls, etc.

Another helpfull tip in transitioning your friends (or work-mates) to your need for glasses is at home!!! This is what I did. Instead of introducing my 'new me' to loads of people at a time, I invited them over (one at a time) for a coffee or dinner. Of course I wore the glasses then, from the moment you opoen the door. You'll be amazed at how this works. Your home is more private, and your life is also fairly private. No-one is suprised that you are wearing them at home. Then as more and more people know, you can turn up anywhere without anyone really saying anything. Try it and see!!!

Also Clare, I think it's a good thing to start this now. I waited too long. You see, with a prescription like yours, it's easier. From experience, some people will ask to try them on. Sometimes people say "wow, everything is clearer" and turn up a few weeks later wearing glasses themselves. In my case, I was self consious about the strong(er) Rx. People wanted to try them on. There reaction, "...#@*$ your blind...Cant see anything..." Now that was embarasing (for me). So since you have a lower Rx, go for it. You'll be suprised at the reaction.

I know it's hard at first, if your anything like me, I don't like attention to myself at all. I don't like it when in a group of people I become center of attention. And thats how I felt wearing glasses full-time for the first time. Now, I can wear either my contacts or glasses whenever I chose. No-one says anything unless i get new trendy frames. I have started to become more confident and daring with clothing, glasses etc.Now I like that 'bit' of attention (not to much yet).

Hope it helps out Clare. Be brave and start doing it! It will change you. You'll see. And it's heaps better now.

Pip 18 Dec 2001, 14:18

Interesting site - perhaps someone can answer a question.

Christy 18 Dec 2001, 00:16

Clare - yes it was me who was talking about psychological dependence. My prescription is -2 and if I really had to, I could get around OK without my specs. I'd only have difficulty reading signs, and I'd be in no danger of being run over by a truck! But I always wanted glasses and now that I have them, I wear them all the time. I don't feel 'whole' without glasses on my face, without lenses in front of my eyes, or without my view of the world being framed! In short, I feel very comfortable wearing glasses and most uncomfortable without them!

Clare 17 Dec 2001, 21:45

Thanks for comments all.

Daffy - what was your prescription when you stepped out wearing glasses that first time?

ehpc 17 Dec 2001, 15:11

Clare..............it really isn't worth being selfconscious about.On a rather different level, I have three very long and prominent scars which you can't see when I am dressed, but which are extremely noticeable,for example, on the beach. Being a passionately keen seaswimmer, I try and get to the beach whenever I can.The first time I displayed these scars, I have to admit the even I with my masculine ironwill felt a moment of selfconsciousness-not helped,perhaps, by being in Spain,where it seems perfectly normal for people to stand and stare endlessly at other people for no apparent reason.But after about two seconds, it struck me that if people have nothing better to do than that,they must be pretty sad!

Peter

nubbins 17 Dec 2001, 14:42

Clare,

Like you, I have a bit of problem wearing my glasses in public. I am pretty much always in contacts... thought I love glasses. I worked up the nerve to wear them to work one day and only two people commented. One was my boss who said that he didnt recognize me, and did my contact lens rip or something... (like you have to have an excuse to not wear contacts or something) and the other was a woman who I work closely with. A few minutes after I came into work, she looked at me and said "do you always wear glasses?" Im telling you... people are not too perceptive and most dont care whether you have glasses on or not!

Daffy 17 Dec 2001, 14:36

Clare, that's exactly what I did. I "was" a shy guy, wouldn't be seen with glasses on even though I loved having them and wearing them. I guess it was 'fear' of what others would say. But I realized at some time that all the people I know that suddenly turned up with glasses were complemented on. The specs topic did not go on for more than a few minutes from each person. After that, they were completely normal to the new secs wearer, as if he/she was wearing them for years.

Wear them full time and after seeing them more than three times they will ask you why arnt you wearing them if you do not. I guess it's like a girl with a new haircut, only more permanent.

But Clare, that's what I did too. I saw everyone else not being phased by their new glasses. I was wearing them while driving, shops out of my local area, etc, just to get used to wearing them in public. I once bumped (not literrally) into a friend while I had them on. Guess what, they didn't even mention them. As if i always wore them or did not have them on. But I must admit, my heart was pounding a million beats per second. Just do that, and you will eventually bump into people and see that it's not a big deal as we shy people make it out to be. Before you know it, all your friends will know and then you will miss the thrill you once had of being a first time glasses wearer. Believe me, been there!

Clare 17 Dec 2001, 14:26

Christy was it you talked about psychological dependence in another thread - can you elaborate, how did it feel?

Christy 17 Dec 2001, 13:43

Clare - good plan - but I think you'll find that even if you bump into someone you know - often enough they won't even make a comment about your glasses.

marco 17 Dec 2001, 12:55

Fuzzy - you don't seem to have posted recently but i have a question for you. Your prescription when you started waring glasses was like mine but yours is stronger now.

How did you do that? Perhaps you just wore them all the time and your eyes got used to wearing glasses and now they're hooked on them.

Has anyone else found this - will i get worse eyes as i wear my glasses so much with just a little strength.

Clare 17 Dec 2001, 12:11

Alan - I have a plan to overcome my shyness! I'll wear my glasses when I'm anonymous (in the street, store, garage) where I don't know anyone and they won't know I'm not usually a speccy! Figure that'll increase my confidence wearing them and then - when I'm feeling more confident - I'll introduce them at work. Otherwise I'll never look people in the eye coz I'll be too shy. Guess I'm also sensitive that I'm not as shortsighted as most of you guys, so feel a bit of a fake! But if it helps me in the being-taken-seriously stakes, it'll be worth it!

If you guys can all guess and Rx then so will other people I'm sure!

Never really understood why glasses were so much of an attraction, I always thought it would turn guys off. Adios.

Julian 16 Dec 2001, 23:36

Marco, you were asking what got me into full time wear. I was living in a different town and the doctor (he was a medical doctor) who tested my eyes had an obsession about full time wear. I did what he told me and got into the habit. If I do go out without them as sure as eggs there's a guy on the other side of the street and I can't see him properly, maybe can't be sure if he's wearing glasses or not ::( So there's a definite benefit - and (nowadays) forget about reading without them.

Love and kisses, Jules.

Alan 16 Dec 2001, 23:17

Clare,

What you do is up to you, of course, but since you mentioned the male-dominated-industry thing, I thought I'd mention a couple things. First, your coworkers really would not be shocked if you showed up in glasses...it's very common for people to appear wearing glasses for a first time (they'll probably assume you normally wear contacts, whether or not that's true). And since I used to wear contacts all the time and now wear glasses pretty much all the time, there have probably been over 100 people at my work who've seen me in glasses "for the first time", and no one ever said anything or showed any signs of surprise. Second, I do think you're likely to be taken more seriously if you wear glasses at work. That's shallow, but I think it's true. So...unless your glasses are uncomfortable (physically), or you don't like the way you look in them, you should wear them. You'll get over the embarrassment (which is *all* in your own mind) within a few days (no kidding; I've been there).

Alan

marco 16 Dec 2001, 14:22

Nikki I could get by, I don't need them for eveything(!) I guess i kinda like the way they make me look. But they're real useful for distance - i couldn't drive, watch tv, or check out the talent without them. If i wanna see right, i best wear 'em!

marco 16 Dec 2001, 14:22

Nikki 16 Dec 2001, 14:19

marco

What is your eyesight like without glasses, at -1 would you be able to get by without them and only need them for distance?

Nikki

marco 16 Dec 2001, 14:08

So Jules, what made you decide to wear them full time?

Julian 16 Dec 2001, 10:43

Well mine are around +1 with some cylinder, and progressives - but I've been wearing them full time since long before the bifocal stage.

Love and kisses, Jules.

marco 16 Dec 2001, 07:46

Mine are -1. I always wear them. Anyone else do too?

Clare 16 Dec 2001, 05:28

Thanks for the comments. Alan - I work in financial and its very male dominated and I sometimes think we girls don't get taken seriously. Hence my comments. My current plan is that, when I know I'll need to have ace vision, I'll wear my contacts on that day. No-one at work has seen me with glasses so I guess they'd have quite a shock! Me too, it'd be so embarrassing ...!

Alan 15 Dec 2001, 15:01

Clare - by the way, are you in school, or do you work? Whether people would take you more seriously or not probably depends on who your peers are...and what you glasses look like, to some degree.

Alan 15 Dec 2001, 14:57

Clare,

I think a person should wear glasses if they *want* to, and that's about all it should come down to (unless safety is on the line, like when driving). But Christy is right - very few people can tell if glasses are weak enough that you don't "need" them. And with -1.25, your vision is probably blurry enough that they make a real difference; sure, you could get by without them, but you would certainly be justified in wearing them just to see better. In fact, I'd bet close to half the people wearing glasses have a prescription close to yours. (This web site gives the impression that there are more strong prescriptions out there than there really are, because one group that this site tends to draw are people with strong prescriptions.)

I was self conscious about wearing glasses for a long time -- I'm not sure exactly why -- but at some point I just started wearing them a lot and realized after a while that it's totally normal and I didn't have to feel funny wearing them.

Alan

ehpc 15 Dec 2001, 13:37

Clare............I am sure that hardly anybody would notice what prescription you have,and I think you are absolutely right that glasses give women an attractively serious look.For me, that is their appeal.They give an attractively organised, intelligent, 'sorted' air to a woman which I find very attractive.If you are in a mood of indecision,why not wear them all the time for a few weeks, and see if you can determine a difference in people's attitude to you?

Peter

Christy 15 Dec 2001, 12:26

Clare - I'm -2 and I wear my glasses all the time. I don't think the ordinary bod in the street has a clue how to gauge anyone's prescription - so there's no problem wandering around full-time in low-Rx specs. As for being taken seriously - I think people would laugh at me if I showed up anywhere without my specs. No-one's seen me without specs for the past dozen years!

Clare 15 Dec 2001, 10:28

It's really interesting to hear about people who actually like wearing glasses. A friend of mine is, like me, 1.25 and wears his glasses nearly all the time. Do you guys think that's necessary? I feel very self-conscious if I wear my glasses and that you should only wear them if you can't see without them? I've often wondered if I'd be taken more seriously if I did wear my glasses, but then I think people would think it was only for effect because you can probably tell if they're not a strong prescription, can't you? What do you say glasses fans?

Jack 15 Dec 2001, 06:44

I do not wear glasses though my prescription is right -.25 and left plano.

Great site.

specs4ever 08 Dec 2001, 06:31

Josien, for 3 years that is not what I would call a normal change, especially at your age, where myopia usually has had the majority of change at a younger age. But, I believe that you have already mentioned that you have had a lot of increase as a n adult. This does happen, and the one thing I have found with high myopia is that there are no rules, so your prescription could go even higher. I am sure that this is not what you want to hese, and I am not a professional, but as an observer, I can only report on what I have seen. Have you looked into the superlenti lenses yet? I am not sure but they might also be called formlenti in Europe. They have a bit of a weird appearance, but I have found that they look the best, and when worn close to your eyes, do have quite a good field of vision.

Josien 08 Dec 2001, 02:33

Specs4ever,

My last prescription was from 3 years ago. Is such large increase in 3 years normal for my age (33)? Please, everybody with a extreme high prescription like me, mail me!

Specs4ever 07 Dec 2001, 05:59

Josien, that is a pretty large increase in prescription. Looks like about -1.50 in the one eye, and over -3D in the other. This means that your eyes are still changing rapidly - although I don't know when your last prescription was from. So, lens implants at this time are a dangerous idea. If you were stable, and there was a chance that you would not have to have the lens implants changed again, I would be all for it, but every time they have to operate to change the implants there is a risk of problems. You are from Holland, and the absolute best lens for high myopes is made in Holland. This lens is called "superlenti", and is made by Enot Labs.( I'm not sure where they are located - I think Rotterdam)

You really have no option other than myodiscs with your new prescription.

Good luck.

Sherry 06 Dec 2001, 21:00

Chino,

I was so excited about getting a reply about walking around in the blurriness that as soon as I read your post I went for a walk around the neighborhood for about an hour bare-eyed. It was fun, up until the point where I almost fell walking up a curb to the sidewalk down my street.

-Sherry

Alan 06 Dec 2001, 13:10

Josien,

Something occurred to me about the lens implant question: Since your prescription seems to be changing (and quite dramatically), lens implants seem like a relatively bad idea, since you may soon have to wear glasses again anyway (though probably not nearly as strong).

You mentioned you tried contacts, and that you had problems seeing them and inserting them. If that means actually wearing them was not uncomfortable, you really should give them another try; you could eventually get used to putting them in, I'm sure, and your vision would probably be much better than with glasses.

I can't advise you about myodiscs from any personal experience, but they should combine some of the advantages of your hi-index and regular plastic glasses...they should be lighter than your regular plastic glasses, but there should be less distortion than your hi-index glasses. But there would be less peripheral vision. You could also just try to find a smaller frame size that still looks all right on you.

Alan

Josien 06 Dec 2001, 10:18

The optician suggested me today myodiscs. Who gives me advice? Please, high myope woman or man, mail me! (Josienvdg@cs.com)

Chino 06 Dec 2001, 04:54

Josien, I know this is kinda late but....oh well. Like Alan mentioned, I can't help being biased here. It would break my heart if you didn't wear your cool thick glasses anymore, but the decision is up to you stud.

From what I understand of lens implants, the implants that are inserted between the cornea and iris are removable. That is, the procedure is fully reversible...no permanent effects as there is with Laser surgery. Like Alan said, you'd have peripheral vision, and probably better vision period than you could ever have with glasses (with probably almost no minimization).

As I said earlier, I'd hate to lose one of our rare, special high myopes...but whatever you do has got to be for you, and you alone.

Best wishes and good luck!

Chino

p.s. Sherry, you're awesome. Try going bare-eyed and bare-foot (I remember someone getting a kick out of that on the old Eyescene - back when Jenny, Lady Sarah, and Becky used to post.) If I remember correctly, Becky actually locked all her glasses in the office and spent the entire weekend bare-eyed. Her RX was close to yours I think.

Anyways, have fun and enjoy the blur Sherry.

Josien 05 Dec 2001, 23:31

Alan,

I thank you very much for your advice. Today I go to the optician for new glasses (now bifocals with +2.00)

Tammy 05 Dec 2001, 19:47

I always put my glasses on first thing when i wake up, but it wasn't too many days ago, when i woke up and decided that i wasn't going to put my glasses on right away, and so i didn't and i walked around in a blur for about 15 minutes. It was kinda cool.

Sherry 05 Dec 2001, 19:11

I have -4.25 in both eyes. Although it would be nice to have perfect vision, I must admit I like walking around sometime without my glasses to enjoy the fuzzy world.

Alan 05 Dec 2001, 14:37

Josien,

I think we all like glasses too much to give you unbiased advice; I think we would all be sad if you didn't wear thick glasses any more.

There is risk to lens implants...but if it worked out, you might like your vision considerably more -- you'd have peripheral vision for a change.

Do you have much accomodation? I mean, do you wear bifocals? Can you see things up close as clearly as things far away? That would go away with implants, I think. Other than that, you just have to assess the risk and decide whether you want to take it. Definitely make sure your doctor(s) give you straight answers about how many procedures they have done and how many cases have had complications.

Alan

Josien 05 Dec 2001, 14:05

My eye-doctor gives me today, after the eye-test, a new prescription: R -18.00 -1.50 x 45; L -21.50 -1.25 x 125. You are a very extreme myope woman, he says. He suggested again a lens implant. What shall I do? Stronger en thicker glasses or lens implant? Who gives me advice?

Nancy 05 Dec 2001, 08:09

Webber: My rx is in about the same range as yours, and I have bifocal myodisks. I also have high index trifocals that don't look too bad. My preference, now, is to wear -15 RGP contacts with the rest of the script in regular glasses.

I'm surprised you have been able to hold off bifocals for so long. My eye doc almost makes them a standard recommendation above -11.

Julie 02 Dec 2001, 23:46

Slightly meisread there. One eye is minus. But even so it is such a small prescription perhaps it is the best they can do

Julie 02 Dec 2001, 23:43

Kailey,

When you are long sighted your contact lense prescription needs to be slightly higher than that of your glasses. This is because the lense is so close to your eye. On the other hand shortsighted people have the opposite. With such a small prescription there isnt much to play with. I am long sighted and wear contacts, but can see better to read with glasses. Its just something you learn to live with.

Julie

Kailey 02 Dec 2001, 20:08

With my contacts in everything is clear except when I read. It is a little blurry and I have to strain my eyes when I read and I get a pain in my eyes. I want to replace the lens but I know that our insurance will not cover it. I guess I will go in and see how much it will cost. I have a question, if my contacts are both +.75 and my glasses are +.50 and -.50 shouldn't the +.50 be higher than +.75? I always thought that contacts were more. If that is the case then I will have to get both lenses replaced.

Alan 29 Nov 2001, 15:29

Kailey,

I'm not surprised your glasses are uncomfortable; the one eye seems to be pretty far off from your real prescription. I do think it would be a good idea to replace the lenses and wear your contacts less if you can stand it...here's why: most of the people my age (about 25) who used to wear contacts all the time find they are uncomfortable now. (that includes me) I can't say for sure, but I think the reason is that we all wore our contacts so much that it was really hard on our eyes. Of course, you may feel differently about glasses by the time that happens, anyway ... I definitely do, but I still wish I could wear contacts more often and have them be comfortable.

By the way, I have a question: with your contacts in, how close can you get to something and still see it clearly?

Alan

Hearty 27 Nov 2001, 20:20

I hava technical question....sometimes while watching TV, I take my -1.5 glasses off (I have the monovision) and of course the TV is blurred...but if I strain my eye almost as if I were going cross-eyed, the picture comes in clear, only it is very tiny! Squinting doesn't seem to help me, only opening my eye really wide and straining it. Anyway I wondered why the TV image, while clear, gets so small? When I'm tired, I cant always get it to come in clear.

Kailey 27 Nov 2001, 10:09

Yes they did diolate my eyes when I got fitted for contacts. I wear my contacts all day because I really don't like the way I look in glasses and they hurt my eyes. I got headaches doing things up close and looking into the distance. I want to get new glasses but I don't want that to have to come out of my own pocket. I mean I know my eyes have adjusted because everything is slightly blurry in the morning when I go to put my make-up on and I have to put my contacts in right away. I know nothing about glasses but I do know that those were the numbers that I have for contacts and the ones I had for glasses.

Alan 26 Nov 2001, 17:53

Kailey,

That's a really confusing set of numbers to have from one prescription to the next. Did they dilate your eyes when you got the contacts prescription? Did you get headaches when reading or when looking at things in the distance, or both? Do you wear the contacts or glasses all the time? (How do you feel when you don't wear them?)

As for getting a new lens, if the lenses are regular plastic (and I imagine they are), they can potentially be fairly inexpensive to replace. If you can go to a place like BJ's or Costco, I think they replace lenses for about $30. New frames cost more, of course...if you like them a lot, though, I think they can be worth their cost.

take care,

Alan

Kailey 26 Nov 2001, 12:12

I got my glasses in 9th grade when I started having headaches. I had an RX of L=+.75 and R=-.50 and recently I got contacts that are L&R;=+.75. I still have the glasses with the - and with our insurance I can only get glasses or contacts once a year. I still wear my glasses sometimes but it screws up the right eye, should I see how much it would be to get a new lens or wait until like September 2002. I really want new glasses but that would come from my own money and I don't think that it is very necessary.

Fuzzy 24 Nov 2001, 01:33

I started wearing glasses at the age of 18 when I got my drivering licence. My first prescription was R: -1,0 L: -0,75 ; -0,5 70°.

Now I'm 24. My eyes got a bit worse.

R: -1,5 ; 0,25 120° L: -1,5 ; 0,25 65°.

I think my eyesight will be stable now.

Trent 23 Nov 2001, 20:39

Tina, I hate to say this to you but it probably won't happen without + contacts or eye surgery. 8 diopters is a big jump, you might however be able to handle wearing 1.5 or 2 dipters higher than what you are wearing now. Have you tried?

Tina tell me, have your eyes stabilized or is your Rx still increasing?

Thanks, Trent

Tina 22 Nov 2001, 23:01

Now I`ve -6 in each eye. What can I do, to became more myopic? My dream is - 14 ore so. I`m 40 years old.

RL 22 Nov 2001, 10:11

Just curious, who's got the highest real,non-G.O.C. prescription on Eyescene? And, of course, what is it?

RL 21 Nov 2001, 17:11

My prescription is OD -11.25 -.75x028

OS -15.25 -.75x180

I have always had myodiscs but I am trying biconcave CR39 lenses (on order). We'll see how that works out. I have some high index but the chromatic abberations are a bit nasty.

Tammy 19 Nov 2001, 18:29

Alan,

I would like my lenses to be middle of the road in thickness. Hi index are nice, but in order to get hi index lenses in my new glasses, i would have had to pay money up front to my insurance company, and i just didn't take that kind of cash with me when i went to the eye doctor's. I really don't know how much hi index cost or even how much myodiscs cost, since my insurance has always paid for my glasses.

Alan 17 Nov 2001, 22:08

Tammy,

How thick do you want your glasses? Are you in "the thicker the better" camp, or do you really not care much but want a larger eye size? I can really appreciate the desire for a larger eye size; my new glasses are very small and I think they look great but I'm very aware that they are small (it's especially easy to look below the bottom of the lenses). I don't really mind this, but my prescription isn't terribly strong; I think if my prescription were something like yours, I would want my glasses to be bigger so that I would have a larger area of clear peripheral vision (if I could stand the thickness...I'm not sure where I would stand on that really).

I'm guessing almost any optical place you go to is going to push you toward thinner lenses, especially via high-index but also via small frame size. But you should find a place that will respect your wishes once you have voiced your desires clearly. If your place isn't doing that, I do think you should find another one. (And tell your current one why you're leaving them.)

By the way, are the myodiscs cheaper, more expensive, or similar in cost to high-index?

Also by the way, I think high-index rimless specs would look *amazing* in your prescription. Probably insanely expensive, but amazing.

Alan

Michael 17 Nov 2001, 21:51

I enjoy wearing very thick, very strong minus lenses. But alas, my actual Rx is a mere -1.0 OD, -1.5 OS. I do GOC's for a daily requirement of -4.5 OD, -4.0 OS. I like my other two GOC combos giving -14.5 OD, -14.0 OS and -26.5 OD, -26 OS respectively. has anyone gone over -26? I would love to try out something as great as -40.

Tammy 17 Nov 2001, 19:57

Alan,

I'm sorry to say that i will not be getting my new Rx until i pick up my new glasses, whenever that might be. As for getting myodiscs instead of hi index, well, i could have gotten hi index lenses if i had wanted to, but i would have had to pay for them up front. I tried to get larger frames, but the optician wouldn't let me. She thought that my lenses were thick enough as it is, with my current glasses being hi index and said that i didn't want them any thicker. Something tells me that i should switch to a different optical place.

Alan 17 Nov 2001, 16:30

bobcanfly,

Some things I've read on eyedoctors' sites gives the impression that the eyecare community tends to think -1 to -3 is mild, -3 to -6 is moderate, -6 to -9 is high, and greater than -9 is very high myopia.

Here on eyescene, the prescriptions people seem to post would suggest (I think) different boundaries for the categories... maybe less than -5 is mild, -5 to -9 moderate, -9 to -14 high, and greater than -14 very high. But that's completely arbitrary and I just made it up.

Alan

bobcanfly 17 Nov 2001, 13:18

my perscription is left eye -3.75 diopter, right eye -3.5 diopter, with no astigmatism. Is this usually considered mediumly myopic, or low myopic?

Alan 16 Nov 2001, 22:22

Tammy, did you get your new prescription? What is it? By the way, why did you get myodiscs--were you trying to avoid high-index?

Alan

Tammy 16 Nov 2001, 17:43

Webber, I have experienced bifocals with myodiscs, and yes they go together. Another suggestion is that you might want to try progressive bifocals. The thing with progressives, is that your lens diameter may be affected.

webber 16 Nov 2001, 16:58

Hi, interesting discussions here. Maybe someone can give me some advice. I'm a 38 year old guy and very myopic. Left -15.00, right -19.75 with about -3 cylinder, fortunately rather stable, and I actually see pretty well. To keep lens thickness in limits I have very small glasses (2 cm or so lens diam.) with hi index and everything. Limits thickness to about 5mm(left) and 7mm (right). Problem is I'm getting trouble with reading, so: need for bifocals.

But these don't seem to go well with small lenses. Now I have an older and larger pair of spex and I don't really want to be seen anymore in something so thick and ugly (at least 15mm). What would be the solution, myodiscs? Do they go with bifocals, anybody experience with this? All advice welcome!

Alan 16 Nov 2001, 09:39

How much "-" strength you can accomodate beyond your normal prescription depends on your eyes and your age. If you're 20, there's a good chance you can accomodate -2 or -3 fairly easily, and maybe considerably more than that if you take some time to get used to it. If you're 40, it might be hard to accomodate more than -0.5 or -1.

quatzyeux 16 Nov 2001, 08:00

Hervé, could you send your e-adress to quatzyeux@yahoo.com ? I'll write you in a few days (I'll be away next WE).

Hervé 16 Nov 2001, 05:11

Anymous,

I know the feeling. I went toe eye-doctor and he prescribed me glasses of -0.5 RX. From today I have my glasses, but I want stronger glasses. When I wear my friends glasses I can see until -2 and -2,5. What should I do buy glasses of this strenght and wear them fulltime? And after a year would i be needing for ever this glasses? I hope so.

Christy 16 Nov 2001, 00:11

Anonymous poster - I was like you once - had perfect vision - but always wanted to wear glasses. I would never have felt right about 'faking' wearing glasses - so I just went around bare-eyed. In the end I did get slightly myopic and now wear glasses all the time - just like I always wanted to. But yes - you could easily get by wearing -.50 without any problems.

Christy 15 Nov 2001, 23:54

Ah well if the eye test was in a corner on the third floor - then that's the point where I had to make a quick exit so that I could get to the tower on time. Great view from up there - but it sure sways from side to side in the breeze!

minusfivegirl 15 Nov 2001, 23:34

Was at a works outing at Science Centre on Monday and yes the eye test was still there albeit they had moved it into a corner. It was on the third floor. Did you manage the tower?

lazysiow 15 Nov 2001, 21:16

Try -0.50 in each eye or less, it seemes to be agreed on, on this site that most people can accomodate up to that pretty easily.

15 Nov 2001, 20:07

I hope that you people don't think that this is strange. I have perfect vision but have always wanted glasses. Every time I try on a friend's glasses I am told that I look great in them. I agree. I don't want to wear fake ones or the reading glasses that are sold in the drug stores. I don't want to wear the glasses over contacts either. I like the way nearsighted glasses look. What is the strongest nearsighted prescription I can wear without getting dizzy but still being able to function?

Christy 15 Nov 2001, 13:47

Minusfivegirl - how could anyone forget your story? But that was on the old BBS along with lots of other really good stuff. I hope some of it gets posted again! By the way - I couldn't find the eye test thing at the Glasgow Science Museum. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough (or maybe I need an eye test)- or maybe it was because they only gave us a measly 1½ hours in the building and the place was over-run with kids anyway!

minusfivegirl 15 Nov 2001, 12:51

For those of you who remember my story you will agree that late onset myopia does exist

Christy 15 Nov 2001, 07:37

I always passed my school eye tests with flying colours. Of course - most kids would be happy to do that - but or someone like me who always wanted to wear specs - it was a case of relief tinged with disappointment.

After leaving school my eyes went very slowly myopic - so that when I was 30 I finally took the plunge and went for an eye test. I don't know what my first Rx was - all I know is that it's hardly changed since that first test and even now it's only around -2.

Late onset myopia - I'm sure itt exists.

Chino 15 Nov 2001, 06:46

Josien, I'm extremely interested in your last post. I've never heard of late-onset myopia, or that it could get so bad. I always though myopia stopped shortly after puberty.

Have you talked with a regular doctor and asked what could cause your myopia to increase after so long? I'd be interested in finding out how late-onset myopia can develop in the first place.

Josien 15 Nov 2001, 05:57

Leon,

I have indeed 'late onset myopia'. When I was 20 years old my prescription was -10. My eyedoctor told me that 'late onset myopia' can lead to wear -25/-30.

Who have also 'late onset myopia'?

Hyper 13 Nov 2001, 08:51

Hi Jutta,

Please tell us : are your glasses progressives, or bifocal... or maybe one pair for reading and for for far vision ?

Is it very difficult to wear such glasses for the first time ? And what about the way other people look at you now ?

Thanks for your reply...

leelee 12 Nov 2001, 19:25

Hi Jutta,

Did you have glasses before the cataract operaton? What was your prescription then? Do you wear glasses or contacts, and if glasses, how thick are they? Can you see anything without glasses or is it all one big smear?

How is your corrected vision now? Is there a lot of distortion through those lenses?

Sacha 12 Nov 2001, 09:09

Hi Trend.

Thank's for your help about hi-index. I'm wearing these glasses now since 4 day... and distortions are effectively here. My greatest trouble is chromatic abberations... Wow ! it's not easy to see things with some colors added...

Bye

Jutta 11 Nov 2001, 21:25

after cataract now + 14 for far and + 17,5 for near

no name 11 Nov 2001, 21:00

i'm quite blind- -25 in both eyes

Niki 10 Nov 2001, 10:19

I'm -3.25 in both eyes.

Leon 10 Nov 2001, 00:21

Josien, that sounds cool. I like thick lenses as well, I think they look quite sexy. I'm sure I'd turn my head if I were to see you in the street!

How come your eyes have gotten worse over the last few years? Is it what doctors call 'late onset myopia'? I'd be curious to know what your prescription was when you were say 20 years old.

Josien 09 Nov 2001, 15:21

Leon,

I wear a small silver oval frame with high-index glasses (1.9), but I love my large plastic frame with ordinary lenses. You see more with large frames. I like lenses that very protrude out of the frames on both sides. You feel that you wear glasses and everybody can see that you are een vere high myope. My husband loves my tiny eyes through those thick glasses. Josien

Leon 09 Nov 2001, 02:50

Josien: are you still around? I'd like to know why you prefer wearing your glasses with ordinary lenses.

And please, do tell us more about your frames...

Bobby 06 Nov 2001, 16:11

I was to the doctor today with my daughter Anna (9). She got -2.5 R, 2.25 L. My new Rx is -8 D both eyes.

Leon 06 Nov 2001, 06:04

Josien, I forgot to answer your question. I do indeed wear glasses myself, small rectangular metal frames with a prescription of R -2 and L -2 -1.

Josien: what do your frames look like?

Tammy 05 Nov 2001, 20:03

Hi. Well, i had my eye exam. I found out that i need new glasses, but i don't have my new prescription yet. I won't get that until i go to pick up my new glasses. The doctor didn't have time to sign a copy of it for me. I found out that my vision is 20/1200 without glasses. My current glasses correct my vision to 20/40, but the doctor said that they are going to try to get me corrected closer to 20/20. I don't know how they are planning on doing that. My guess would be that they would give me a bit stronger glasses than what my prescription requires. The doctor also wanted to find out exactly how close i would have to hold reading material in order to read it without my glasses. We found out that that's a distance of about 6 inches. He also said that my pressure readings were both in the normal range. The doctor also told me that he wasn't finding much significant change in my vision. My new glasses are going to be small,bronze colored metal, with round lenses. The lenses are going to be standard plastic lenses, made into blended myodiscs, with a standard bifocal segment. I will post my new prescription as soon as i get it.

leelee 05 Nov 2001, 18:36

Hi Puffin,

I experience the same thing, so it sounds like either hyperopia or a convergence problem - both of which I have.

This will probably be an intermittent thing until she gets older (I'll assume a friend of yours can't have very old kids!) It's probably worse when she's tired or overworked (or over played), but I've found that allergies & sinus problems can contribute too.

She probably doesn't want glasses cause she probably "sees" quite well. For me it's more a matter of feeling better than seeing better when I wear mine. Hope this helps. At least for her, if she gets glasses, she can just use them when she wants to.

Steve 05 Nov 2001, 16:40

Josien,

I love women with 'jampotglazen'. Try to wear your glasses with plastic lenses and forget lens implant.

Steve

Puffin 05 Nov 2001, 16:18

I dont know if this is the right place for this, but here goes.

My friend's daughter was complaining that her eyes hurt last night, and strangely enough after looking at something close up she complained some more. I wondered if this is lazy eye, hypermetropia, or just something stuck in her eye?

She didn't seem keen on glasses, by the way!

Puffin

stefan 05 Nov 2001, 15:50

'Jampotglazen'! Lovely language, Dutch!

Trent 05 Nov 2001, 14:48

Hi Sacha

I have a prescription very similar to yours. One thing about going to high index you will realy notice the distortion. I wear high index but my vision is still much better with good old cr-39's.

Sacha 05 Nov 2001, 10:27

Hi ! My new prescription is -7.75 (-2.25) and -7.50 (-2.0) prism 2.0 BU (right) 2.0 BD (left).

I wear regular CR39 and I just order for 1.6 Hi Index lenses...

Leon 05 Nov 2001, 09:47

Josien answered my question in Dutch. Thanks for that. (Josien: if you want to e-mail me, feel free send your mail to drumslurf@hotmail.com).

I will now translate what Josien wrote:

"I'm indeed from the Netherlands. I wear glasses with lenses in the highest index available (1.9). I also have spare glasses with ordinary plastic lenses. These lenses are so thick that it's impossible to 'fold' the glasses! It may sound strange, but I prefer wearing my thick-brick glasses over wearing the hi index glasses.

I've been wearing strong glasses since I was very young, but my eyesight realy deteriorated over the last few years.

I've tried contacts but because of my extreme myopia I couldn't see them when they were on the table and I also had problems putting them in.

My eye doctor suggested a lens implant, but I'm not comfortable with the idea yet. Maybe others who have been in the same situation can give me some advice?"

josien 05 Nov 2001, 07:46

Leon,

Ik kom inderdaad uit Nederland. Ik draag een bril met extra dunne glazen met de hoogste brekingsindex die momenteel verkrijgbaar is, nl. 9. Ik heb ook een reservebril met kunststof glazen in de normale uitvoering. Maar deze glazen zijn zo dik, dat de bril nauwelijks kan worden opgevouwen! Het klinkt misschien vreemd, maar ik draag liever en ook vaker mijn reservebril met 'jampotglazen', dan mijn bril in de gewone uitvoering. Van jongsaf aan draag ik al een bril met een redelijk hoge sterkte, maar de laatste jaren zijn mijn ogen sterk achteruit gegaan. Ik heb ook wel eens lenzen geprobeerd, maar vanwege mijn hoge bijziendheid, zag ik ze nauwelijks liggen en had ook moeite om ze erin te doen. Mijn oogarts raadt mij lensimplantatie aan, maar dat zie ik nog niet zitten. Misschien kunnen lotgenoten mij hierin raad geven?

Draag jij ook een bril, Leon? En zo ja, wat is jouw sterkte?

Josien

Leon 05 Nov 2001, 04:32

Ah, Josien sounds very Dutch! What kind of glasses do you wear, Josien?

josien 05 Nov 2001, 03:56

Diederikde,

You have about the same prescription as me. I have R -16.50 -1.50 x 50 L -18.50 -1.00 x 130 I'n 33.

diederikde 01 Nov 2001, 15:30

I am a very high myope man. My prescription is R -15.75 -1.25 x 25

L -16.75 -1.75 x 160. My glasses are very thick and heavy. Without my glasses i see nothing. I don't like contactlenses, because i can't see them to put in my eyes. I'm 35. Every year my glasses must be -0.75 stronger. Where is the end? Does anyone have also myopia gravior?

Tammy 29 Oct 2001, 12:09

I have an eye exam coming up on November 2,2oo1. I will keep you posted on how that appointment goes, and will also post my new Rx when i get it.

MIREK 28 Oct 2001, 03:14

Hi all

I am lover ES. My present prescription is Right eye - 2. 50 - 0. 50 x 146 and Left eye - 3. 00 - 0. 25 x 20. My dream is GOC.

I seek friends, whiches me in this will help.

My address: gredan @ kki. net. pl

Tammy 24 Oct 2001, 19:28

Wurm, I don't know. Could be! <Grin>

Wurm 24 Oct 2001, 16:40

Maybe we are identical twins separated at birth?

*grin*

Tammy4425 23 Oct 2001, 18:33

Chino and Wurm, your prescriptions are the same, only opposite eyes. I think that that's kinda neat!

-14 23 Oct 2001, 14:32

my RX is R -14.00 L -14.25 no add yet. but one of these days.

Wurm 23 Oct 2001, 13:08

My prescription is -4/-3.75 add +.75

I still haven't had the add filled!

Tammy4425 23 Oct 2001, 09:41

Wow, this is a familiar thread. My prescription is R -12.75 and L -11.50. I have an add of +1.50 in both lenses.

Chino 23 Oct 2001, 08:27

Wow, this is a familiar thread (thank God). My RX is L-4.00, R-3.75.

Rosie 23 Oct 2001, 06:48

Hi - just found this site. My glasses are -5.75 in each eye - so I'm pretty useless without them except close up. I usually wear my glasses but sometimes wear disposable contacts which are -5.25. I find I get slightly better vision with glasses though, and actually I quite like wearing them (designer frames etc...)