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It started out with a slight blur at close views. No problem, just move things a little further away, that brought everything back into focus. Then I had to move things just a bit further away. And then further away again. Until it got to the point where I cannot move things any further and my arms won't stretch any longer.
So, what should I expect? Can I go right to contacts? What are the pros and cons of Eyeglasses over Contacts. Do I have other options? Lasik? Where do I go from here?
I just took a book to the drug store and tried on glasses until I found a cute pair with which I could read the book.
The lens of your eye normally changes shape so that you can focus on things at different distances. As you get older, the lenses lose their elasticity. So you can still see okay at a distance, but things close up are fuzzy.
Lasik won't help here. That process vaporizes part of the cornea to change the overall shape of the eye. It is typically used to correct near-sightedness. So if you were near-sighted, or if your vision is blurry at all distances, then it would probably help some. But it doesn't help correct far-sightedness due to an inelastic lens.
As Lilliabeth did - I'd suggest just going and buying some off-the-shelf glasses that work.
I've actually had a few others make that suggestion. But, that frightens me. That would be like using 89 Octane when I should be using 92. And, after speaking with the doctor's assistant, the eye exam may uncover other issues that would cause eye troubles. Apparently there are early warning signs of certain diseases with eyesight being one of them. I'm hoping that is not the case. I like to consider myself a fairly healthy male.
john_k, thanks for your response. Dabbling in optometry? Sure sounds like it. ;)
First. It won't hurt. :)
2nd: Get a diagnosis and an expert opinion from the doctor. And yes, it's worth it just for the peace of mind of knowing there's nothing else going on.
But since you ask. I'm nearsighted and have both contacts and glasses. I wear whichever is more convenient for the occassion, i.e. outdoor sports - contacts, indoor reading, tv watching - glasses. As others have said for farsightness, reading glasses are probably all you need if you can see well enough for most activities other than close in work.
Lasik won't help here.
Is this actually the case [google.com]? My optometrist likes to say that the procedure just lasers the prescription onto the eye On the other hand, this is a subject I really know nothing about so...
-b
Glasses - You can get lightweight lenses and very durable frames very easily (in a variety of styles). It will feel strange wearing glasses for a little while but they are so light nowadays that eventually you will forget about them. When I first wore glasses I also remember being very aware of the 'border' that the frame creates, you get used to this too. The advantages are that is the least invasive method of sight correction and most combinations of frames/lenses are good value (over the 2 years you will have them) - also there are coatings that can actively reduce glare for night driving etc. The downsides, especially to start with, are the change in your appearance and the ability to break/scratch glasses (although coatings can really help reduce scratching incidents).
Contacts - Again, these have come a long way in recent years. Some people just can't wear them (you can usually get a free/cheap trial in the UK to find out hw they feel - not sure about the costs in the US). There are many different types of contact lenses (daily disposable, monthly, wear 24/7 etc). You have to take advice from a qualified optometrist on contact lenses as there are dangers involved with having something on your eye (it's illegal for anyone else to sell contact lenses in the UK for this reason). It's a bit strange getting used to putting something in your eye but you will forget about them in no time (which used to be a bad thing if you didn't take them out at night).
Laser Eye Surgery - I don't trust this at the moment as it's not been around long enough. My limited understanding of this is that precise burns are made to correct the shape of your eye. I don't know precisely how long laser surgery has been around but if I was to have it I would need it to be safe for the next 50 years, I'm not convinced there is enough evidence that it is safe over that period of time. I also have a friend that has had numerous operations on her eye for an unrelated issue, sparing you the detail, there are many scary things that are not 100% correctable when they happen (including damage to muscles that control movement/focus).
The comments about reading glasses may be correct, but a trip to the optician is always a good bet. They can diagnose other potential problems with a routine check-up.
In your situation I would try contacts if suggested by the optician (and if it's going to be cheap enough), if you can handle the small hassle then go with those.
If all you need are indeed reading glasses then I would advise getting your eyes tested and having glasses made. Your eyes will probably be deteriorating at different rates. Also you get to choose the exact style you prefer.
I agree with the poster that says go to a professional , I did try just buying reading glasses and they did help loads but when i went to optomotrist found that it was mainly just right eye that had got bad also as part of eyetest they do keep an eye on cateracts etc. i think my local eyetest is about $30.00 and if you only need reading glasses they can be quite cheap if you dont need fancy .
I did try contacts and couldnt get on with them personally , you will need a slighlty more expensive eyetest for contacts but still worth the money
steve
john_k, thanks for your response. Dabbling in optometry? Sure sounds like it. ;)
I had Lasik done about 9 years ago - it was still experimental in the U.S. So I had looked into alot of this at that time. In fact two weeks ago I went to an eye doctor for the first time since that procedure. (mostly to check for cataracts, glaucoma, and other things I might not see from this side of my eyeballs)
The reason Lasik won't help solve the problem (or so eye doctors have told me) is the same reason that people have always used reading glasses and bifocals. They need one prescription for close up, and another prescription (or no prescription) to see what isn't close up.
It sounds like you have Presbyopia, which is the same thing I have - you become farsighted as you get older. I believe the reason Lasik won't work for you is that unlike traditional nearsightedness or farsightedness, the shape of your corneas will continue to change over time. This means new prescriptions every few years. Since Lasik represents a permanent change to your cornea, what would fix the problem now probably won't work in a few years.
I would suggest asking the eye doctor about progressive lenses over bifocals. The difference is that you don't have a distinct line between the magnification you get for reading, and the magnification you get for distance. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I've worn them since day one, and it really makes the glasses experience unnoticeable from your end.
You should especially consider this if your optometrist says you also need some vision correction for distance as well - where you would be wearing glasses for more than just reading.
- Jon
The optician said I needed glasses because I used a PC all day and he wrote me a script. I got the glasses and they lay in my desk drawer for about two years before I decided to try them out. When I did I realised that I did need them. Since then I have just bought off the shelf readers. they are so cheap and this means that I usually have about four pairs ... car ... desk ... living room ... bedroom.
Having said that, I went back to the same (free!) optician at work about seven years ago and explained that I was having problems because my work involved using a PC and also reading and writing. My reading glasses were fine for reading paper text but I had found myself pushing my head ever closer to the PC monitor ;)
He said that he would give me a pair with a wider focus. There are great (I still use them today) and I can see everything quite clearly from 12" to 36".
The only problem is that they are not very trendy. My wife says they make me look like Benny Hill :)
I've never been comfortable with the thought of using contacts. I just don't think I can tolerate my fingertips in my eyes.. maybe there's a phobia associated with that. For prescription eyeglasses I usually get two pair, one slightly shaded for normal use, and one dark shaded for daytime driving. I've had my current set for five years, and they are definitely due for a replacement... bent frames, loose screws and lenses dropping out at inconvenient times.
I simply like that I can put them on or remove them easily as needed. I don't particularly care how they change my appearance. The only problem I have with eyeglasses is the abuse I give them. But the difference with or without them is like the difference between day and night. So yes, have an eye exam, and get the corrective lenses you need.
Are you really anti-glasses? Contacts are a really easy option - they're so soft now (like cling-flim), once you get used to putting them it, you don't feel them. I use them when playing squash. Also, there are some damn funky glasses around that you can get now (expensive, but funky).
An eye test is a case of them having a look at your eyes and testing your site by reading a board and they shove lenses in front of you to see what strength works for you. It's really nothing - and definitely worth doing.
TJ
Msg. 11 (johnrichd) above is spot on. Adjust your eyes from the screen to acheive maximum clarity and read it, twice, even if you have to slip your head back a lil' bit for the second read through. :)
It sounds like you have Presbyopia.
That was it! Just got back from my exam and all went well. My choice of career (the Internet) and sitting behind a monitor for the last 15 years has taken its toll. Actually, it is not that bad. Vision is 20/30 and I only need to wear glasses now at the computer or when reading (which is at the computer too). Now I'll be able to read those darn serial numbers on the back of iPods so I can register the thing. I didn't have a magnifying glass around when I bought my first iPod and ended up using my digital camera to take a picture and then zoom in on the serial number. Heck, it was 4 point type, how do they expect the average person to read that stuff!
I just wanted to say thanks for everyone's feedback, it helped to alleviate any fears that I may have had.
I did learn quite a bit about blink rates, etc. It was definitely an educating experience. I know now to be a little more kind to my eyes as without them, I'm DIW.
P.S. Total of $415.00 USD for the exam, a pair of "Buddy Holly" style glasses (Ray-Ban) with the transition lenses. I have to go back in two weeks to pick them up, I needed a special frame because of brain mass.
In reference to the other stuff recently approved, I'll stick with the glasses for now. I do have a friend who had Lasik and was one of the unlucky few where it made things a little worse. They've since had a correction and things are fine but it was a scary first visit!
Blink Rates
[apple.com...]
I learned something new today concerning the eyes and blink rates. I also learned that we computer users are more prone to eye boogers as some call them.
Not only do we have to look after our backs (from sitting too long), our hands and arms (too much repetition), but we also need to take care of our eyes. For some of us, including myself, we're using reactive in these instances. Being a little more proactive might get you a few more miles. ;)
