I am an Optometrist, Ask me Anything.

[Nancy]

This summer, our daughter had her eyes tested at 2 different optometrists over the course of less than a month, the prescription went from -2.0 to -3.0 (last year it was -1.75). I imagine that's not actually possible in just 3 weeks? Should we get a third exam?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Nancy

This summer, our daughter had her eyes tested at 2 different optometrists over the course of less than a month, the prescription went from -2.0 to -3.0 (last year it was -1.75). I imagine that's not actually possible in just 3 weeks? Should we get a third exam?

A Pretty drastic change yes. I would suggest you get a Cycloplegic (pupils dilated) eye examination at either office. The vision changing that much could be a sign of a focus issue that throws off the accuracy of an exam.

[FlameOhutman]

Hiya, ive had glasses my whole life and i am looking for a discount/deal.

its so high that i cannot use the deal for china to order glasses
im approx -9 -12 per eye, as well as -5 and -3.5 for astigmatism.

what i would like to know is...where can i get a deal on lenses.

glasses on avg cost me $1000 (w/ lenses) and i only get 10 % selection on any typical store.

I paid recently $500 for lenses in my current frams (which i love delim.fr)
cuz yah..high prescription.

worst part is that even @ $550 for lenses, they do this thing where they make my eyes look small n squinty. anything i can do to increase my eyes to normal size?

[White Out 403]

Hey Hes thanks for the thread

I find that when I drive now, my eyes get sore and I get strain/fatigue if I drive no the highway for too long. Is this something I can fix with an eye exam and a pair of driving glasses?

My vision isn't good, but not bad enough to justify glasses

[Knut]

Originally Posted by FlameOhutman

Hiya, ive had glasses my whole life and i am looking for a discount/deal.

its so high that i cannot use the deal for china to order glasses
im approx -9 -12 per eye, as well as -5 and -3.5 for astigmatism.

what i would like to know is...where can i get a deal on lenses.

glasses on avg cost me $1000 (w/ lenses) and i only get 10 % selection on any typical store.

I paid recently $500 for lenses in my current frams (which i love delim.fr)
cuz yah..high prescription.

worst part is that even @ $550 for lenses, they do this thing where they make my eyes look small n squinty. anything i can do to increase my eyes to normal size?

Have you tried Contact lenses? They can cut your costs down by reducing the frequency of having to replace your glasses.

Not sure about Deals on lenses, but with your prescription you are pretty much going to be paying a much higher price. Thinner lenses etc. If you cheap out too much the lenses will be thicker, heavier and likely scratch much easier.

Not much can be done about the magnification effect the glasses have. High + lenses will magnify and high - lenses will minify. Contacts would be the best way to have your eyes look normal sized.

There are now extended range soft contact lenses out that will correct your prescription.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

Hey Hes thanks for the thread

I find that when I drive now, my eyes get sore and I get strain/fatigue if I drive no the highway for too long. Is this something I can fix with an eye exam and a pair of driving glasses?

My vision isn't good, but not bad enough to justify glasses

One thing that happens as we age is that our ability to compensate for small prescriptions decreases. Basically, you may only have a small prescription, but it did not really bother you in the past. Prescription sunglasses for day time driving/clear glasses for night driving would likely be a good option. The issue could also be a computer strain problem. If it is only at the end of the day the strain occurs that is the likely reason... at that point you are looking at something for the computer.

Try the 20/20/20 rule for computer use. Basically every 20 minutes take 20 seconds to look 20 feet away. If the strain goes away then you may be able to hold off on glasses for a bit.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by Hes

One thing that happens as we age is that our ability to compensate for small prescriptions decreases. Basically, you may only have a small prescription, but it did not really bother you in the past. Prescription sunglasses for day time driving/clear glasses for night driving would likely be a good option. The issue could also be a computer strain problem. If it is only at the end of the day the strain occurs that is the likely reason... at that point you are looking at something for the computer.

Try the 20/20/20 rule for computer use. Basically every 20 minutes take 20 seconds to look 20 feet away. If the strain goes away then you may be able to hold off on glasses for a bit.

I dont really get the strain even after a full day of computer use at work

If I drive to Edmonton, by the time I'm at Red Deer my eyes feel so strained and it feels like I'm physically exhausted, though

[Knut]

Yeah. Likely just a minor prescription. Could even be one eye. Exam and glasses your best bet. Probably a part time thing. Or just put up with it. It doesn't wreck your eyes to not have glasses.

[BananaPancakes]

Hey Hes, thanks for the thread!

I've been wearing the same contact lens brand + prescription for about 2 years now and I'm thinking of switching from monthly lenses to daily lenses since I only wear them a 4-5 times a month.

Is this something I should go to the optometrist for? Or can I just order a different brand with the same prescription?

[CroFlames]

If I get laser surgery, does it also fix astigmatism? I have astig in one eye.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by BananaPancakes

Hey Hes, thanks for the thread!

I've been wearing the same contact lens brand + prescription for about 2 years now and I'm thinking of switching from monthly lenses to daily lenses since I only wear them a 4-5 times a month.

Is this something I should go to the optometrist for? Or can I just order a different brand with the same prescription?

It is a good idea to get a proper fit done anytime you change lens types/brands. You can usually request a contact lens refit if you don't Want a full eye exam. There are a lot of options out there for dailies and some may work better for you than others.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

If I get laser surgery, does it also fix astigmatism? I have astig in one eye.

Yes. LASIK can typically correct up to 3 diopters of astigmatism.

[MoneyGuy]

Edit: I had my appointment and my questions have been answered.

Some questions about cataract surgery....

1. I understand it improves distance vision, which I didn't know. Does it eliminate the need for glasses for distance? I rarely use glasses now (just for night driving and TV watching, mostly). Will it correct my vision so glasses are not needed?
2. Am I banned for driving for a time after this surgery?
3. Similar to No. 2, do I need someone to drive me home after the surgery?
4. Is there pain during and after the surgery? How long does the surgery take?
5. I have an appointment scheduled in three weeks. I just assumed this would be for the surgery but it occurs to me that it may just be an initial appointment and the surgery would be scheduled for later?????

Thank you.

[Calgary14]

Where can you donate used glasses/frames in Calgary?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Edit: I had my appointment and my questions have been answered.

Some questions about cataract surgery....

1. I understand it improves distance vision, which I didn't know. Does it eliminate the need for glasses for distance? I rarely use glasses now (just for night driving and TV watching, mostly). Will it correct my vision so glasses are not needed?
2. Am I banned for driving for a time after this surgery?
3. Similar to No. 2, do I need someone to drive me home after the surgery?
4. Is there pain during and after the surgery? How long does the surgery take?
5. I have an appointment scheduled in three weeks. I just assumed this would be for the surgery but it occurs to me that it may just be an initial appointment and the surgery would be scheduled for later?????

Thank you.

Sorry. I was away when his was posted and meant to answer eh when back. Send me a PM if you have any concerns

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Where can you donate used glasses/frames in Calgary?

Any Optometry office will have a donation box to the Lions club. They repair old glasses and verify their prescription. Usually they end up in S. America, the carribean or Africa donated to someone in need.


http://www.givingsight.org/ is an example of a charity that would make use of them

[OMG!WTF!]

This is kind of a strange question I would imagine. But four of us drove home from Kelowna a few days ago and all four of us have sore eyes. So eight sore eyeballs. Like it feels like the strings that attach your eyes to your brain have been strained. It hurts to look side to side. Same for all four of us. What gives? Could a change in location cause this?

[GreenLantern]

I've got 20/20 vision in one eye, 20/25 in the other, just had an eye appointment a few days ago. He did show me a few options for slightly correcting the 20/25 eye that I did notice a bit of a difference. My plan will cover a pair of glasses so I thought hey maybe I will get some, why not if it is free. I forgot to ask him though, if I was to wear glasses for this would it affect my eyesight? Would they set up the glasses so only the 20/25 eye would use a corrective lens?

[calf]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I've got 20/20 vision in one eye, 20/25 in the other, just had an eye appointment a few days ago. He did show me a few options for slightly correcting the 20/25 eye that I did notice a bit of a difference. My plan will cover a pair of glasses so I thought hey maybe I will get some, why not if it is free. I forgot to ask him though, if I was to wear glasses for this would it affect my eyesight? Would they set up the glasses so only the 20/25 eye would use a corrective lens?

Why wouldn't you go with a monacle?

[Weitz]

Probably haven't been to an eye doc for a check up in 15 years or so. My eyesight has not changed over that time.

Should I go for a checkup?