I am an Optometrist, Ask me Anything.

[CGYNHL]

A while ago I discovered I suddenly have a very annoying floater in my left eye. It is large enough to be very disturbing. Can anything be done to alleviate this?

[Knut]

^ You should see an Optometrist to rule out a retinal problem, especially if you have had flashing lights associated with it. Some floaters will decrease in size/ float out of the way, but others will stick around for good.

Once again go see an Optometrist about them. If you are in Alberta it will be covered by health Care to get it checked.

[YYC in LAX]

Do I have poor vision if I can't see a golf ball after a long drive of approximately 300 yards? I tend to lose sight of the ball right around that distance when the other people in my group can see it. My dad, for example wears glasses and tends to see the ball better.

I'm 25 years old and have never had my eyes checked. This is the only scenario where I feel I'm not as sharp as others regarding vision.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Buff

I would love to get eye surgery done so I don't have the hassle of dealing with contacts or glasses ever again.

However my Optometrist described the process to me (a couple of different processes, I think). This was bad because I'm a fainter, and I was fighting with all my might to not faint as he was telling laser surgery entails. My wife's friend had it done, and she told me about it, in much less detail, and it still seems like something that I cannot handle... while awake.

Can I be knocked the $^(# out to have this process done? Otherwise I'm fine dealing with contacts and glasses for the rest of my life.

I don't need laser eye surgery (yet), but being awake while they shoot a laser into my eye would prevent me from doing it. That would freak me out. Plus the chances of them screwing it up (even though it's very small)...

[Knut]

Originally Posted by YYC in LAX

Do I have poor vision if I can't see a golf ball after a long drive of approximately 300 yards? I tend to lose sight of the ball right around that distance when the other people in my group can see it. My dad, for example wears glasses and tends to see the ball better.

I'm 25 years old and have never had my eyes checked. This is the only scenario where I feel I'm not as sharp as others regarding vision.

Likely a good idea to get an eye exam just to get a baseline health check anyway.

You probably have a very minor prescription that will be optional to correct.

[Sr. Mints]

Hey Hesla, it's the guy who had a vitrectomy in June

The eye I had done is not as good as it use to be, and I wonder if glasses would help with this.

Everything is a little bigger in the operated eye, which seems to distort things at a distance when I look at things with both eyes. I think double vision describes it, or I can't focus on things farther away than ~15 feet. It makes driving hard, especially reading signs.

Ophthalmologist mentioned it could take four months for everything to settle down, but the four month mark is fast approaching...

Just curious what you think. Thanks.

[Knut]

You could pop into your Optometrist to get it checked. If you mention that your Ophthalmologist recommended you get a check for glasses, then it should be covered under Alberta Health Care.

If there is no prescription that can help it, unfortunately you will just have to give it some more time. Sometimes it is 6 months to a year before your eye/brain can adapt the different images it is receiving. At this time though, you can still get an accurate prescription check done.

[CGYNHL]

Originally Posted by Hesla

^ You should see an Optometrist to rule out a retinal problem, especially if you have had flashing lights associated with it. Some floaters will decrease in size/ float out of the way, but others will stick around for good.

Once again go see an Optometrist about them. If you are in Alberta it will be covered by health Care to get it checked.

Fortunately, I have not experienced flashing lights but I will make an appointment to see an Optometrist. Thanks!

[Jordan!]

I just got contacts for the first time. I don't wear them every day, maybe 3-4 days per week. Should I still replace them every 14 days? or just per 14 days of use?

[Knut]

Two week replacement means two weeks once the package is open. The issue is exposure to bacteria and the atmosphere, not wear and tear.

[Nammer403]

Im looking to get contacts for sports, how much do they cost?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Nammer403

Im looking to get contacts for sports, how much do they cost?

Your best bet would be to get Daily disposable contacts. You would throw them out as soon as your are done with them that day. Cost-wise it is the best for part time use. If you play sports more days than you don't than regular 2 week or monthly lenses will be the best.

If you have not worn them in the best it is a good idea to get a proper fitting done with your Optometrist ($50 to $75). After that you can order what lens was determined to be best for you. For Dailies you are looking at $130 to $200 for 90 Pairs (3 months of every day use, almost two years of weekly use).

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Two week replacement means two weeks once the package is open. The issue is exposure to bacteria and the atmosphere, not wear and tear.

Even if they are in clean solution that is replaced everytime I store them? I wear them every two days on average

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

Even if they are in clean solution that is replaced everytime I store them? I wear them every two days on average

That is what the FDA approved them for, and thus that is the recommendation for wear. Will there be a problem if you wear them for a month ? Unlikely, but the risk increases for sure.

[troutman]

Jeepers, Creepers, where did you get those Peepers?

[THowie]

Will my fantasy football team win?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by THowie

Will my fantasy football team win?

If you have Micheal Vick, NO. He will be injured by week 2.

[Hanni]

How many times a day, on average, does the person you're examining have really bad breath?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Hanni

How many times a day, on average, does the person you're examining have really bad breath?

Smokers are the worse as they usually just sucked one down outside the doors before coming in.

Likely 1 or 2 a day. With new technologies though I do not have to move in as close to the patient as we did in the past.

[Hanni]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Smokers are the worse as they usually just sucked one down outside the doors before coming in.

Likely 1 or 2 a day. With new technologies though I do not have to move in as close to the patient as we did in the past.

Interesting, my optometrist is still right in my face.