I am an Optometrist, Ask me anything (Part 2)

[calumniate]

That's funny as I selected the 'digiforce' option not knowing what it was.. here it is:
https://www.ishn.com/articles/97903-...ens-technology

Not sure if that would help with peripheral

[Knut]

Originally Posted by calumniate

That's funny as I selected the 'digiforce' option not knowing what it was.. here it is:
https://www.ishn.com/articles/97903-...ens-technology

Not sure if that would help with peripheral

This has been in regular Ophthalmic lenses for a decade. It is good for high wrap frames (frames that have a highly curved lens) and high prescriptions.

If Peripheral distortion is a problem we sometimes will reduce the Astigmatism correct by a couple of steps as Astigmatism leads to increased peripheral distortion in glasses.

[photon]

Is there anything between Costco and an optometrist in terms of cost for getting lenses replaced? Need new lenses for single vision and computer glasses progressives and Costco I have to ship the frames away.

My optometrist quoted $880 for both sets of lenses but they do have locations locally that can grind them. But compare that to Costco which is like $200 for both (they charge $30 extra for grinding and I have to send the frames away).

Kinda want something in the middle that can grind them locally.

Knut can your place grind new lenses locally (like while I wait, or over short period)?

[Reggie Dunlop]

DIY lens cleaner: Rubbing alcohol + water + dish soap. Way cheaper.

What your optometrist doesn't want you to know!

[Knut]

Originally Posted by photon

Is there anything between Costco and an optometrist in terms of cost for getting lenses replaced? Need new lenses for single vision and computer glasses progressives and Costco I have to ship the frames away.

My optometrist quoted $880 for both sets of lenses but they do have locations locally that can grind them. But compare that to Costco which is like $200 for both (they charge $30 extra for grinding and I have to send the frames away).

Kinda want something in the middle that can grind them locally.

Knut can your place grind new lenses locally (like while I wait, or over short period)?

There are a couple labs in town that can grind the lenses, but they are not cheap at all. It is quite a bit more expensive and at that point its almost better to do a complete new set of glasses.

I know for us if you get your frames through us our lab can just cut the lenses to the same size as they have the frame trace on file already. So we can replace the lenses in under an hour without having to give up your frames for longer.

In short, I do not think i can help you with what you seek. I would however consider doing new Frames and finding a buy one get one x% off or something like that.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

DIY lens cleaner: Rubbing alcohol + water + dish soap. Way cheaper.

What your optometrist doesn't want you to know!

Lol. We give the stuff away. Margins are a couple bucks on that

Long term use of Rubbing Alcohol can destroy the coatings and discolor and weaken the frame.

Dish Soap works good though.

For better Convenience try the Zeiss glass cleaner wipes. They work quite well.

Peeps are pretty handy too. Portable and great for a quick clean that does not need water.

Can also use a Jewelry ultrasonic cleaner. It works very well to get all the stuff that builds up along the bevel of the frame and in the hinges.

[sketchyt]

What's your opinion on Ortho-K for an 11-year-old? Worth it? Does it work? Does anyone else have an any experience(s)?

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

What's your opinion on Ortho-K for an 11-year-old? Worth it? Does it work? Does anyone else have an any experience(s)?

Youngest does it. Her eye length (or whatever the hell it's called) has stopped increasing.

I also use it.

She is off label since her eyesight was at about -5 or -6 when she started.

[TSXCman]

Regarding laser corrective surgery:

- PRK completed 8+ years ago (-1.5 and -1.0 at that time) in late 20s
- Eyes have deteriorated over time and have reverted back to same as pre-surgery (coincidence)
- Last 3 years have had 70+ hours of screen time per week for work


Should I allow a period of time, like 6-9 month to pass, once my lifestyle changes and screen time is greatly reduced before getting PRK correction again?

[Knut]

My Colleague here does it. I do not have anything for or against it. You will find big time resistance to it from eye specialists though as it does increase the risk of eye infections if things are not handled properly. Personal preference for me to is to go with a more conservative type of therapy for Myopia control. In my opinion Ortho-K's only benefit over the other types is that you are glasses/soft CL free the following day. However, it has more risks associated with it (infection, inconsistent vision and corneal scarring) if done improperly.

When it comes to Myopia Control there are other options as well. Myopia Control glasses and low dose Atropine can be used to also slow the rate of growth of the eye. With all treatments you need to make sure you stick with it until their eyes have stopped growing in order to avoid a rebound of the myopia.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by TSXCman

Regarding laser corrective surgery:

- PRK completed 8+ years ago (-1.5 and -1.0 at that time) in late 20s
- Eyes have deteriorated over time and have reverted back to same as pre-surgery (coincidence)
- Last 3 years have had 70+ hours of screen time per week for work


Should I allow a period of time, like 6-9 month to pass, once my lifestyle changes and screen time is greatly reduced before getting PRK correction again?

It depends on your age really. -1.50/-1.00 is perfect vision for working on the computer screen all day, which is why your eyes changed to that number. If you are in your later 30's into your 40's/50's, and have a prescription like that, it is an advantage on the screen. If that is the case you would hate PRK as you would need glasses all day on the computer (while clearing up the distance vision). PRK will not fix aging unfortunately.

Honestly, If you are working all day without symptoms IMO it is much better to just get a prescription for night driving and some prescription sunglasses for day time vision. Could also use daily contacts.

[lazypucker]

I have a question about progressive lens. This year my optometrist told me that I should consider getting progressive lens because I have an Add +1.25 for both eyes (Yes I am getting old). So I ordered a pair of progressive lens but they are really uncomfortable. Things are blurry BOTH far away and close up.

I know there is probably a getting used to period, but I remember my optometrist told me that I can still hold off on progressives this time around and to monitor the situation on the next eye exam.

What is your opinion? Should I try to get used to progressives or just go back to single vision lens?

Thanks

[Knut]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

I have a question about progressive lens. This year my optometrist told me that I should consider getting progressive lens because I have an Add +1.25 for both eyes (Yes I am getting old). So I ordered a pair of progressive lens but they are really uncomfortable. Things are blurry BOTH far away and close up.

I know there is probably a getting used to period, but I remember my optometrist told me that I can still hold off on progressives this time around and to monitor the situation on the next eye exam.

What is your opinion? Should I try to get used to progressives or just go back to single vision lens?

Thanks

Typically when you get to an add of +1.25 it is time for the progressives. There is a lot of variables in here though.

1) are they from in the Optometrist office, online, with big box store etc.. There is a large difference in quality from place to place.

2) There are many brands and designs of Progressive lenses. Sometimes it takes a redo in order to find the right fit.

3) Sometimes a simple realignment of the lens is enough to get them to work.

I would return to where you got the glasses from and have a recheck with the Optician to see if there was an error in ordering or if there is an adjustment issue. After that if there continues to be an issue you would typically see the Optometrist again for a prescription recheck.

Do not give up easily on progressives. Once you find one that works it can make a big difference in your day to day life. There are also other design options that could work best for you if you are in front of multiple monitors, drive for a living and if you do a lot of work on a tablet/reading. The Progressives can be tailored for you.

Personally, if you are in front multiple monitors all day you should actually be in an office Progressive. For example: https://www.zeiss.ca/vision-care/en/...ce-lenses.html

[CroFlames]

I had cataract surgery on one eye about a year ago. All went well and good recovery.

Today out of nowhere while working at a computer, a very pronounced floaty appeared and sorta bounces across my vision left to right up and down. I've had it now for a few hours and it's not going away.

I'm concerned because I've had the odd floaty come and go sometimes, but this one is just staying in my vision.

I'm out of town at the moment, and I'm just wondering if this is an emergency. I've already made at appointment for Thursday with an optometrist when I'm back home, but I'm wondering if I should seek out an optometrist immediately today. I'm 37.

[You Need a Thneed]

I am seeing an ophthalmologist annually, and my eyes are healthy.

However, I'm 45, and my vision (especially in low light) seems to have gotten noticeably worse in the last couple years. Is this typical? I don't see other people pulling out their phone flashlight to read restaurant menus.

I also used to think I wanted a smaller phone, like an iPhone 13 mini. Now, I want something bigger, so the text can be bigger.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

I am seeing an ophthalmologist annually, and my eyes are healthy.

However, I'm 45, and my vision (especially in low light) seems to have gotten noticeably worse in the last couple years. Is this typical? I don't see other people pulling out their phone flashlight to read restaurant menus.

I also used to think I wanted a smaller phone, like an iPhone 13 mini. Now, I want something bigger, so the text can be bigger.

My close eyesight has gotten worse for sure at that 45-50 range. Still stubborn and not getting the right glasses, but constantly taking them off and phone zooming.

[Circa89]

What's the key to you staying so positive? Glass Half full kinda guy eh?

[photon]

I'm nearsighted so need glasses to see distances and can mostly read without glasses.

For normal progressives I tried them and I gave them a couple of years and I really couldn't adjust well to them. Side to side movement of my head gave the bottom peripheral view a wobbly/wavy motion that triggered my vertigo a bit that I could never adjust to. I also did not like where the transition point was vertically in the lens, I guess I naturally hold my head back a bit when driving maybe but took forever to not see everything blurry and tilt my head forward far enough to see clearly through that part of the lens.

And I got like $800 glasses for the progressives to make sure I was giving myself the maximum chance of getting good quality so I would like them.

So I switched back to single vision and I must say one thing I did like about the progressives is not having to take my glasses on and off to read my phone or look at something while shopping or whatever.

I think my ideal progressive would be 80% regular vision and 20 near without any intermediate since I have computer glasses. Is that a thing? Basically bifocals without the line??

Now my office/computer/whatever progressives, I love them. They're great. Work perfect.

[photon]

Something like this?

https://shamir.com/ca/for-profession...re/shamir-duo/

[Knut]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I had cataract surgery on one eye about a year ago. All went well and good recovery.

Today out of nowhere while working at a computer, a very pronounced floaty appeared and sorta bounces across my vision left to right up and down. I've had it now for a few hours and it's not going away.

I'm concerned because I've had the odd floaty come and go sometimes, but this one is just staying in my vision.

I'm out of town at the moment, and I'm just wondering if this is an emergency. I've already made at appointment for Thursday with an optometrist when I'm back home, but I'm wondering if I should seek out an optometrist immediately today. I'm 37.

This is a tough one as I can only advise you to go to an Optometrist immediately or to an on-Call Ophthalmologist at a hospital. Could be harmless. Could be very serious. My advice is to r/o something serious ASAP.