I am an Optometrist, Ask me Anything.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Handsome B. Wonderful

Car headlights look like giant balls of light at night, is there anything I can do to deal with this?

You could have a very minor prescription that is not really an issue during the day. It could also be a eye strain issue due to large amounts of computer use. When you sit in front of a computer all day your eyes can get "locked" into a near focus. It is a sign of eyestrain.

You can try and decrease your strain during the day by taking more frequent breaks. The 20/20/20 rule is a good one to follow. Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds to look 20 ft away. Try that and see if the lights look better. If not, book yourself an eye exam.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Dentoman

What is your issue with dentists?

Nothing really. Dentists are useful comparison to eye care.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by fotze

Have the brain tumour removed that is causing that. Serious, google brain tumour and vision problems.

Recent onset Double Vision is the biggest warning sign for this. If you get Double vision go into the Optometrist/Hospital an hour ago.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by YYC in LAX

I've heard stories, perhaps rumours, that some opthamologists refuse to allow others in the practice to perform Lasik on their eyes. Is the risk really that high that some doctors feel only they are capable of performing the surgery?

Sorry missed this one from the first page.

Rumours mostly. There are some Surgeons that think their Shi-te do not stink, but that is the exception to the rule.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Thanks for the info.

In my case, I don't have lenses that are approved for continuous wear, they are two week disposables, but other than a little "goopy-ness" in the morning wearing them 24/7 doesn't bother or irritate my eyes in the least.

Still though, because I'm supposed to take them out at night and don't, I'm afraid I may be doing damage to my eyes that I am unaware of.

Someone I know told me recently that I might be starving my eyes of oxygen, and that as a result my body may be increasing the amount of blood vessels in my eyes......if that goes on long enough it may irreparably impair my vision.

This person wasn't an eye doctor or anything, so I didn't pay it much attention.

Should I stop wearing them 24/7 immediately, and get checked out for approved continuous wear lenses?

Yes. The lenses that are approved for overnight wear allow about 90 to 95% of the oxygen normally present without lenses to reach your eye. In order to get the proper amount of oxygen to your eyes the blood vessels will engorge (ie. red eyes) and start moving onto the cornea. This can create scarring due the white blood cells in the area trying to get rid of the cause of the lack of oxygen (your contacts).

Get fitted for EW lenses or change your wear schedule.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Any thoughts on what it means when your prescription gets better? I went from -4.25 and -4.5 down to -3.75 and -4.25 over the course of a year. Is this a trend, or will they go back up or stay the same?

In our 50's your eyes can get better again. If you are not in your 50's then there a few possibilites.
1) You may have been overcorrected in the past
2) A decrease in your computer/reading habits can help your eyes relax or
3) It just happens sometimes.

[HelloHockeyFans]

This is sort of a related question to another one already asked, but I'm wondering if it makes a difference on the toric lenses... I wear custom Proclear toric lenses due to astigmatism that are supposed to be changed every month, but I typically wear them for about 5-6 months and change them moreso because I feel like I'm "supposed" to, vs. changing them because of any discomfort.

I've been doing this for about 4-5 years and get my eyes checked every 2 years and have been told my eyes are healthy... what are your thoughts on extending the monthlies to half a year..?

EDIT: I also never sleep in my contacts....

[Hevishot]

What do you know about Keratoconus? I was told I have it and was sent to a specialist who has done corneal maps but I have not heard from him since should I find somebody else?

[albertGQ]

How much do optometrists make?

[rd_aaron]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Yes we make money off glasses and contacts. That is a fact. However, we are taught to also do what is best for the patient and only recommend eye wear when it is required. Unfortunately not all practioners follow this practice, but I like to think that most do.

My personal philosophy is that I only prescribe when the patient is having symptoms or to prevent further issues down the road. There is an increased need for eye wear these days however as the increased use of computers has pushed our visual demands through the roof. A small prescription now is an issue, whereas it likely wasnt even a decade ago.

Do you make different amounts of money based on what brand of contacts/glasses you sell? I feel the last time I went to the Optometrist, I was aggressively pushed towards a specific type of contact.

I used to wear a yearly contact (mostly cause I have Toric lenses and there wasn't a lot of disposables readily available for my astigmatism) which I could stretch closer to two years before I felt any discomfort. They were also pretty cheap. My Optometrist suggested these disposables which he considered "the best". My eyes fatigue way quicker in these disposable lenses compared to my last set of lenses, but apparently they allow more oxygen and are better for my eyes. They are quite a bit more money though. Can you comment?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

This is sort of a related question to another one already asked, but I'm wondering if it makes a difference on the toric lenses... I wear custom Proclear toric lenses due to astigmatism that are supposed to be changed every month, but I typically wear them for about 5-6 months and change them moreso because I feel like I'm "supposed" to, vs. changing them because of any discomfort.

I've been doing this for about 4-5 years and get my eyes checked every 2 years and have been told my eyes are healthy... what are your thoughts on extending the monthlies to half a year..?

EDIT: I also never sleep in my contacts....

No difference with Toric Lenses as they are the same material as the spherical versions. Proclears are NOT approved for overnight wear, so at least you are doing that right. You may be one of the lucky ones that can wear lenses like that and have no issues (one or two patients a year like this). You are the exception to the rule though. I have seen some nasty nasty eye infections with people that simply stretch their lenses out a month or two. IMO you are playing with fire.

A poor indication of when to change your contacts is discomfort. When you decrease the oxygen to the eye the nerves do not properly function. So you may have problems and not feel it because of desensitized nerves.

A good test for you would be to try for two months throwing your lenses out when you are supposed to. Then next pair do what you have done in the past. Often you will see a vision/comfort improvement by doing so. It is similar to the first time you watched hockey on an HD tv and then back to a SD tv. You may not notice the difference until you actually do it.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Hevishot

What do you know about Keratoconus? I was told I have it and was sent to a specialist who has done corneal maps but I have not heard from him since should I find somebody else?

Contact your Optometrist and see if they got a letter back. Not hearing anything is usually a good thing.

Keratoconus is a treatable condition these days, but can be a problem if left unchecked. I would seek a second opinion if you are not satisfied with your level of care.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

How much do optometrists make?

Somewhere between $50,000 and $1,000,000.

EDIT: it is a large range, but we make good money on par with other professionals, but less than Medical doctors.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by rd_aaron

Do you make different amounts of money based on what brand of contacts/glasses you sell? I feel the last time I went to the Optometrist, I was aggressively pushed towards a specific type of contact.

I used to wear a yearly contact (mostly cause I have Toric lenses and there wasn't a lot of disposables readily available for my astigmatism) which I could stretch closer to two years before I felt any discomfort. They were also pretty cheap. My Optometrist suggested these disposables which he considered "the best". My eyes fatigue way quicker in these disposable lenses compared to my last set of lenses, but apparently they allow more oxygen and are better for my eyes. They are quite a bit more money though. Can you comment?

Sometimes we do make more money on certain brands of Contacts. Optometrists should be recommending the lenses based on what they think is best for your eyes. If you fear that this is not the case then seek a second opinion.

The more frequent the replacement of the contacts the healthier the eyes are. It is difficult switch from the yearly replacement lenses as they 1) Desensitize the cornea and 2) the are lower in cost. However, going to a higher oxygen, more frequently replaced lens is always going to be healthier, and have less complications associated with it. Another problem is that many of the conventional (yearly) replacement lenses are being discontinued by the various contact lens companies. You would have to switch eventually.

As for the strain, that could be a prescription thing.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally Posted by Hesla

No difference with Toric Lenses as they are the same material as the spherical versions. Proclears are NOT approved for overnight wear, so at least you are doing that right. You may be one of the lucky ones that can wear lenses like that and have no issues (one or two patients a year like this). You are the exception to the rule though. I have seen some nasty nasty eye infections with people that simply stretch their lenses out a month or two. IMO you are playing with fire.

A poor indication of when to change your contacts is discomfort. When you decrease the oxygen to the eye the nerves do not properly function. So you may have problems and not feel it because of desensitized nerves.

A good test for you would be to try for two months throwing your lenses out when you are supposed to. Then next pair do what you have done in the past. Often you will see a vision/comfort improvement by doing so. It is similar to the first time you watched hockey on an HD tv and then back to a SD tv. You may not notice the difference until you actually do it.

Thanks Aaron. Will give it a shot as you've mentioned and see how it goes. Makes total sense about the comfort thing being a poor indication.

[Doodlebug]

Where did you go to school, and how difficult was it to get admitted?

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

Where did you go to school, and how difficult was it to get admitted?

you mean "committed" dont you?

[Doodlebug]

I hate my current contact lense precription (acuvue oasys) so much so that I have just gone back to wearing glasses....can I just order a pair of my prefered previous contacts (BL softlens toric) online using the same power, bc, and diameter numbers of my oasys lenses?

[photon]

Do you have any good, crazy stories?

Is it ever gross?

[Cheese]

If there was a choice between a real hot female Optometrist who wore low cut tops and a geek male optometrist which would you choose?