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

[ken0042]

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

I know a number of people who used progressives and they all told me to give it time to get used to. Like you, after weeks I was still unable.

I also tried the office lenses that were also discussed. They didn't work for me either.

What I ended up doing was going to lesser strength reading glasses. I am also around +1.25or 1.50- and I ended up buying +0.75 reading glasses from Amazon. They have the computer glare protection as well. Good enough to read my computer screen as well as my phone, but also I can walk around the office fine. (Including stairs, I almost bailed going down stairs with the office lens glasses.)

I keep my regular prescription for when I am doing fine work on a computer; but the +0.75 glasses work great for what I need.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Thanks for the advice, I will ask the optometrist about that treatment.

Honestly, I can't say I have ever cleaned my eyelids, other than just incidentally. I always assumed they looked after themselves.

No kidding. I thought they were just like our legs.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I bet it was so fricken nasty.

I occasionally get piloric cysts taken out of my scalp. It’s a sac filled with protein that hair grows from. They are pretty neat looking but when they drain them they smell awful. Appearance wise they don’t look too gross.

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by Knut

Thinking more on this.

Do you wear wrap around sunglasses while doing these things ?

Do you have a mild Astigmatism ?

I really need to stop forgetting when I post something. It used to happen when wearing sunglass, I thought it might be from that but that was long ago, I stopped wearing sunglasses when I played and it also happens now without sunglasses.

My last optometrist visit was earlier this year I went because I had issues with close objects, like trouble focusing and also on my phone. I do the tests and had no issues at all. I got a prescription for reading just to test of +.75 I believe it was, of course I never got it.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

I have scleral lenses. This is my first set. I have never had my vision properly corrected until now. Added the bifocal for farsightedness and it was transformative. First 20/20 eyetest in my life and can easily read the fine print.

I am now about 7 or 8 months into the lenses. I use Boston simplus, rubs the lenses well upon removal and have started using an enzyme cleaner periodically, as I can no longer see well from right eye, and I am assuming it is some sort of protein buildup on the lens. Or maybe it's my glaucoma, or maybe the beginnings of a cataract, as the fuzz in the middle seems to always be there (unless it's all in my head now!).
I'm 60 years old and am using drops to lower eye pressure. I wear these lenses about 16 hours a day. I do have a follow-up coming with my eye care person but I guess am mostly wondering if there is something else I might try with the lens(es) if it is a buildup prior to that appointment.

My concern would be a central cornea issue from the Scleral Lenses. You should get back in as soon as possible

[photon]

My wife is looking at cataract surgery to improve her vision and address early signs of cataracts. She's looking at Clarity Laser Vision which seems to have good reviews, and she's looking at "light adjustable lenses" which are lenses that can be adjusted after the surgery which seems like a good idea, but had never heard of it before so not sure if that's a reasonable thing or of it's something that's really new (and in which case maybe should avoid if it hasn't been around for long enough to be known to not have any downsides long term).

[Knut]

Originally Posted by photon

My wife is looking at cataract surgery to improve her vision and address early signs of cataracts. She's looking at Clarity Laser Vision which seems to have good reviews, and she's looking at "light adjustable lenses" which are lenses that can be adjusted after the surgery which seems like a good idea, but had never heard of it before so not sure if that's a reasonable thing or of it's something that's really new (and in which case maybe should avoid if it hasn't been around for long enough to be known to not have any downsides long term).

Dr. Al-Ghoul at Clarity is an amazing surgeon. The light adjustable lenses have been drawing rave reviews from people who get them. It is a really neat technology. It is actually rare to get get things bang on during surgery. Often patients are left with small amounts of myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. The light adjustable lenses allow you to fine tune the Rx. Everything about the surgery is the same though. So the procedure is tried and tested. The small dose of UV at the end isn't enough significantly impact the health of the eye.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Knut

Dr. Al-Ghoul at Clarity

Lol... if he doesn't look like this I'm going to be SUPER disappointed...



Awesome thanks I'll give her your feedback!

[Sammymydog1]

56yr old male. Two tears in retina last week & laser surgery on weekend to “repair.”
I understand the causation to be primarily age related. I am curious about the odds of reoccurrences in the same eye, or the other for that matter now that it has happened once. Also curious about the recovery as I was told to do very little for at least a week, while things feel pretty good at this point. And that lasering was way more painful than I had anticipated!

[fotze2]

What would Progressives cost? I am finally not seeing close and after years of lasik my distance is crappy as well.

I'm worried I am like above where I don't like them (or can't get used to them) but now have just spent ~$1000.

Can I get them put in existing frames?

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by fotze2

What would Progressives cost? I am finally not seeing close and after years of lasik my distance is crappy as well.

I'm worried I am like above where I don't like them (or can't get used to them) but now have just spent ~$1000.

Can I get them put in existing frames?

Yes you can usually get progressive lens' put into existing frames. Done that with both daily wear frames and prescription cycling glasses. Definitely saves a lot of money and is great especially if you still like your frames.

[Robbob]

Hey Knut, I seemed to recall you maybe having multiple clinics. Is that still the case? Me and my wife have moved around and used to see Dr. Anderson down in Southcentre lol. Looking for something downtown.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by fotze2

What would Progressives cost? I am finally not seeing close and after years of lasik my distance is crappy as well.

I'm worried I am like above where I don't like them (or can't get used to them) but now have just spent ~$1000.

Can I get them put in existing frames?

They vary from brand to brand. There is also you get what you pay for aspect to them.

One of the things to do is to make sure you customize the fit of the Progressives to what your work environment is like.

If you are a multiple monitors type of guy the Office Lenses will be better for that.

Most places have remake policies varying from 30-90 days. So if you have an issue make sure you get in and give them a chance to swap them out for a different brand or style.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Sammymydog1

56yr old male. Two tears in retina last week & laser surgery on weekend to “repair.”
I understand the causation to be primarily age related. I am curious about the odds of reoccurrences in the same eye, or the other for that matter now that it has happened once. Also curious about the recovery as I was told to do very little for at least a week, while things feel pretty good at this point. And that lasering was way more painful than I had anticipated!

Do very little. It reduces the risk of re-occurrence.

The odds vary from person to person a lot, so it is tough to put a figure on it. Essentially you will likely see the surgeon for 2-3 years after the procedure on a semi-regular basis. They will touch up any trouble spots with the laser along the way.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

Yes you can usually get progressive lens' put into existing frames. Done that with both daily wear frames and prescription cycling glasses. Definitely saves a lot of money and is great especially if you still like your frames.

I have a lot of patients that do this. They really like the lenses we use, but they buy frames overseas, online or at different places. You can only carry so many brands.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Hey Knut, I seemed to recall you maybe having multiple clinics. Is that still the case? Me and my wife have moved around and used to see Dr. Anderson down in Southcentre lol. Looking for something downtown.

I am actually 100% of the time at my own clinic now. It is my first time owning a clinic. I am not right downtown, but on Macleod Trail North of Chinook.. so a short drive.

https://heslaoptometry.com/

[Robbob]

That is close enough. I can make that work.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Went yesterday to the optometrist for an exam because I suspected I needed a new prescription for reading. He noticed a retinal tear in one of my eyes and referred me to an ophthalmologist who got back to me right away and offered me an appointment for this morning.

I am now back home following laser surgery. That was fast! I understand waiting times t see an opthamologist can be up to 24 weeks

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Went yesterday to the optometrist for an exam because I suspected I needed a new prescription for reading. He noticed a retinal tear in one of my eyes and referred me to an ophthalmologist who got back to me right away and offered me an appointment for this morning.

I am now back home following laser surgery. That was fast! I understand waiting times t see an opthamologist can be up to 24 weeks

Huh. So, did they say it was urgent?

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Buff

Huh. So, did they say it was urgent?

No... I think it was more of a case of a schedule opening...