I am an Optometrist, Ask me Anything.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by PIMking

I have 20/20 (thank god) but my fiance is blind as a bat. Her she goes to tanning beds and says her contacts block out UV rays. Should she still wear those goggle things?

Now this is Cancer waiting to happen.

Acuvue Contacts do block UV light, but they can only block it from entering through the cornea. UV light can actually travel through the Conjunctiva (white part) and cause damage that way.

Get her some goggles. Better yet, tell her to get out of the tanning bed all together.

You should also still wear sunglasses over these.

[FireFly]

I am nearing time for another checkup, but my work has struck some sort of deal with clearlycontacts to get me a free pair of glasses. When you do exams, do you give out the whole prescription for both contacts and glasses? IE: CYL, AXIS, PD etc?

[worth]

Your glasses prescription is different from your contact prescription. If you ask for either one, they should give complete details. My Vision center printed out a complete spec sheet for me and signed it.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by FireFly

I am nearing time for another checkup, but my work has struck some sort of deal with clearlycontacts to get me a free pair of glasses. When you do exams, do you give out the whole prescription for both contacts and glasses? IE: CYL, AXIS, PD etc?

Cyl, axis and sphere are included. PD is usually not included. Legally the prescription is yours, if you pay your exam fee. PD's do not fall under your prescription and require an accurate measurement.

As for contacts, it is hit or miss. Usually if you pay a fitting fee, or re-fit fee, you can have all your contact specs.

[Canehdianman]

If your eye doctor won't give you your PD, then stop going there.

The optometrists are trying to force everyone to buy glasses from them at ridiculous markups instead of online. The only way they have left of doing this is trying to convince you that your PD isn't part of your prescription. Most other jurisdictions make it clear in their optometry regulations that the interpupillary distance is part of your prescription. Alberta does not (yet).

I had an argument with my previous optometrist about this. He refused to give me my pupil diameter, even though it was on my file. I simply demanded a copy of my file from him and told him that I would never be coming back.

As a patient you are entitled to the information on your file, including the pupil diameter.

Optometrists have lost their gravy train. It's unfortunate for them, but fantastic for consumers.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

If your eye doctor won't give you your PD, then stop going there.

The optometrists are trying to force everyone to buy glasses from them at ridiculous markups instead of online. The only way they have left of doing this is trying to convince you that your PD isn't part of your prescription. Most other jurisdictions make it clear in their optometry regulations that the interpupillary distance is part of your prescription. Alberta does not (yet).

I had an argument with my previous optometrist about this. He refused to give me my pupil diameter, even though it was on my file. I simply demanded a copy of my file from him and told him that I would never be coming back.

As a patient you are entitled to the information on your file, including the pupil diameter.

Optometrists have lost their gravy train. It's unfortunate for them, but fantastic for consumers.

A few things.

1) PD measurement is not a part of your routine eye examination. It is conducted by the place where you get your glasses. It is not something that is routinely measured and is also something that you are not entitled to. It is not something essential to your eye examination.

2) PD is no longer the gold standard for eye glass measurements. Electronic measurements of PD, vertex distance (distance between the glasses and the eye ball), frame curvature, face curvature and where a patient wears their glassss vary from person to person. This can only be done in an office setting.

3) I personally will give out the PD a along as the patient spends time with an Optician explaining the difference between lenses and measurements. Others refuse to give it, which IMO is the wrong way to go about it.

4) there is a certain amount of "you get what you pay for". Most people that buy online find a noticeable improvement if they buy from an Optometrist again.

5) Optometry has shifted focus from only glasses/contacts to an increased medical role.

6). The gravy train of the 80's and 90's is certainly over, but the consumer still gets the best bang for their buck from a good Optometry office.

7) Optometrists do not have Rediculous markups. Online you are largely getting overstock or house brand frames. You also get poorer quality lenses and less customer service in regards to warranty and adjustments.

Finally. Contact lens prices have come down in most Optometry offices. Price it out the next time you are in office.

[Hockeyguy15]

I must be getting shafted on contacts then, I think it's been the same price for years now. I don't wear anything special, just acuvue something or others.

[worth]

My optometrist charges $80/box of contacts that I can buy online for $30. Same brand, same everything.

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by Hesla

A few things.

1) PD measurement is not a part of your routine eye examination. It is conducted by the place where you get your glasses. It is not something that is routinely measured and is also something that you are not entitled to. It is not something essential to your eye examination.

2) PD is no longer the gold standard for eye glass measurements. Electronic measurements of PD, vertex distance (distance between the glasses and the eye ball), frame curvature, face curvature and where a patient wears their glassss vary from person to person. This can only be done in an office setting.

3) I personally will give out the PD a along as the patient spends time with an Optician explaining the difference between lenses and measurements. Others refuse to give it, which IMO is the wrong way to go about it.

4) there is a certain amount of "you get what you pay for". Most people that buy online find a noticeable improvement if they buy from an Optometrist again.

5) Optometry has shifted focus from only glasses/contacts to an increased medical role.

6). The gravy train of the 80's and 90's is certainly over, but the consumer still gets the best bang for their buck from a good Optometry office.

7) Optometrists do not have Rediculous markups. Online you are largely getting overstock or house brand frames. You also get poorer quality lenses and less customer service in regards to warranty and adjustments.

Finally. Contact lens prices have come down in most Optometry offices. Price it out the next time you are in office.

I didn't know about the electronic measuring. If it takes some specialized equipment to measure it, then I have no problem with paying for the measurement. However, when my PD hasn't changed in 20 years, I don't see why my optometrist has any right to deny me the knowledge because I'm buying $59 glasses online instead of $559 glasses from him. Even if I was told that it was an extra $20 to measure my PD, I'd be ok with it.

I am glad you are one of the ones who will provide the information. Providing it with an explanation is even better! I have ranted about my previous guy to everyone I know, so hopefully his attitude is hurting him.

I think switching to an increased medical role is really the only option for optometrists.

[Hockeyguy15]

Well they are Gucci...

[fundmark19]

I have a question, it seems that car headlights are starting to bother me more. I have never needed glasses but I don't routinely go for eye exams so that might be why. Instead of just seeing the round headlight I am now seeing the projection of lights much like when you are tired and look at a street lamp.

Is it time for me to get re checked as I may need glasses or are headlights now a days just that much brighter and annoying.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by fotze

Ha. For $559, you are looking at these frames at lenscrafters.

Charles Nelson Reilly was a lot more fashionable than I thought.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

I didn't know about the electronic measuring. If it takes some specialized equipment to measure it, then I have no problem with paying for the measurement. However, when my PD hasn't changed in 20 years, I don't see why my optometrist has any right to deny me the knowledge because I'm buying $59 glasses online instead of $559 glasses from him. Even if I was told that it was an extra $20 to measure my PD, I'd be ok with it.

I am glad you are one of the ones who will provide the information. Providing it with an explanation is even better! I have ranted about my previous guy to everyone I know, so hopefully his attitude is hurting him.

I think switching to an increased medical role is really the only option for optometrists.

Do you really think you are getting the same thing for $59 that you are getting for $559 ?

There is likely a huge quality difference here.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

I have a question, it seems that car headlights are starting to bother me more. I have never needed glasses but I don't routinely go for eye exams so that might be why. Instead of just seeing the round headlight I am now seeing the projection of lights much like when you are tired and look at a street lamp.

Is it time for me to get re checked as I may need glasses or are headlights now a days just that much brighter and annoying.

Likely a bit of Astigmatism. You can have small amounts that do not bother you when you are younger, but that can be an issue as you get into your 30's and 40's.

Cataracts also cause the same thing, but that would be pretty rare. Get an eye exam and most likely you will end up with a small prescription for night driving.

[Street Pharmacist]

I'm uber sensitive to light over the last few years. Can't take pictures outside, and I often wear sunglasses even in the winter. Haven't had my eyes checked since whenever they come to the school, should I be concerned?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I'm uber sensitive to light over the last few years. Can't take pictures outside, and I often wear sunglasses even in the winter. Haven't had my eyes checked since whenever they come to the school, should I be concerned?

Same idea as before. Could be a small prescription amplified due to visual demands or your age. A baseline eye health checkup is likely a good idea anyways.

[something]

Hesla,

What are your thoughts on purchasing contacts online? I found a website (opticontacts.com) that has my chosen dailies on for half the price I would pay on clearlycontacts.ca (I haven't even checked an optometrist office). I am without vision coverage so the price is important to me.

Please let me know if I should think otherwise purchasing my contacts online! Thank you.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by something

Hesla,

What are your thoughts on purchasing contacts online? I found a website (opticontacts.com) that has my chosen dailies on for half the price I would pay on clearlycontacts.ca (I haven't even checked an optometrist office). I am without vision coverage so the price is important to me.

Please let me know if I should think otherwise purchasing my contacts online! Thank you.

A box of contacts is a box of contacts. To be getting them for half the price of clearly contacts they are likely losing money on them to get your business. Which IMO doesn't work over the long term as it is a race to bankruptcy trying to woo the people that want the lowest prices.

Some benefits of getting Contact lenses in store (ie. Optometrist) would be that fact you are able to replace a ripped or lost lens, get extra pairs as need be (ie. holidays) and also make sure you are getting the right contact lenses for your eyes.

Fact of the matter is, prices online can be remarkably low and you just make sure you have regular eye examinations (Every 1-2 years) and make sure you get the Contact lens fit properly.

[malcolmk14]

Hi Aaron,

My girlfriend is wondering if there have been any new advancements in contacts, she's currently wearing the Harmony/Biofinity on the weekends and finds her eyes extremely dry and uncomfortable. In the past she's worn Acuvue Oasis - she does have a slight astigmatism in one lens of -0.75.

Are there any new contacts out there that are more moisturizing/comfortable that you might recommend.

Also - for her mom - she's looking into Laser eye surgery, she's in her mid-40's. She's wondering if there are any clinics/doctors that you might highly recommend for her to go to for a consultation.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Hi Aaron,

My girlfriend is wondering if there have been any new advancements in contacts, she's currently wearing the Harmony/Biofinity on the weekends and finds her eyes extremely dry and uncomfortable. In the past she's worn Acuvue Oasis - she does have a slight astigmatism in one lens of -0.75.

Are there any new contacts out there that are more moisturizing/comfortable that you might recommend.

Also - for her mom - she's looking into Laser eye surgery, she's in her mid-40's. She's wondering if there are any clinics/doctors that you might highly recommend for her to go to for a consultation.

I would recommends a change in solution first. Try Biotrue. Often it is a solution issue, not a lens issue. If not that then dailies are likely the best option. True Ciba Dailies Total One.

As for laser clinic. If you are in the North go to Gimbel if in the South go to Demong. The main thing to remember with Laser in your mid 40's is that you may still need reading glasses after.