Tina wrote:
Hello,

I started wearing glasses for reading/computer work about 12 years ago, but I could go without glasses the rest of the time. I’ve always had a really weak prescription, but with astigmatism. Then a year ago, I started getting headaches and my Dr. explained that I might need to wear my glasses all the time. So I started doing that, but cannot ever go without my glasses without getting headaches/blurred vision.

Then tonight, suddenly, I had blurry vision with my glasses on and better vision with them off. About 20 minutes later, I find I need them for the computer in a lit room, but not in a dark room, and that I need them to read the spines of books about 12 feet away, but not for my television (which I always need).

Is it possible that I only need them for reading again? It may be important to note that I have fibromyalgia and have always expected given that the disease attacks the muscles, that it might be related.

I’ll make an appointment with my optometrist, but any insight would be appreciated.

Thank you!

ANSWER

Dear Tina
You do need to see your optometrist. Rapid fluctuations in vision such as you are describing are not normal and are most commonly associated with systemic health conditions. Your fibromyalgia might certainly be a factor, but the possible existence of other conditions such as diabetes needs to be investigated.
Best of luck
Dr. Smit

Sandra wrote:
How often should retinal imaging be done (annually, bi-annually) and at what age should it start?

ANSWER

Hi Sandra,
Retinal imaging can be done at any age.  Eye diseases are more common as we age, but can occur at anytime.  Generally it is recommended that adults have their eyes examined every 1-2 years.  The frequency depends on your history and risk factors for the possible development of eye disease. Your optometrist can advise you on what would be best for you.
Dr. Doman

Kevin wrote:
I had worn reading glasses for a few years.  Two years ago I got progressive lenses (trifocal?)  glasses I needed to wear all the time.  After about a month I can say I got use to them and couldn’t do without.  They are polycarbonate lenses with Silhouette rimless frames.  Love them.  Now it time for new ones.  I’d like lenses with better optics then polycabonate and will get rimless frames again. Any recommendations for lenses? OD Sph+1.00, Cyl-.50, Ax090   OS +1.25, -.25, 075

ANSWER

Dear Kevin
Polycarbonate glasses should be as efficient as plastic glasses. With a rimless frame you have no other choice than relying on either one of these 2 type of material. In my opinion, look for the latest generation of designs which are more accurate and easy to adapt compared to the older ones. My favourites are Hoya Lenses.  Other manufacturers (Essilor, Nikon or Rodenstock) are also offering state-of-the art glasses but I did not find easier progressive lenses to adapt to than Hoya Lenses.
Ask your optometrist about them and if this is not as expected, consider a 10 day adaptation period at the most and go back to your provider if a problem remains. My best advice would be to get the glasses from the one who did your exam: no one knows better your eyes than your optometrist.

Good luck
Dr. Langis Michaud, Optométriste, MSc, FAAO (Dipl)
Associate Professor – Université de Montréal

John wrote:
Had my eye’s tested three weeks ago, sinse then my eyes are sore, irritated, I am sensitive to light, my vision seems affected? My pupils feel like they are still dialated. Is it possible that the fluid that dialated my pupils could have caused this?

ANSWER

John,

It is not likely that the drops to dilate your pupils are still having an affect.  Having said that, it is possible to have a mild allergic reaction to one of the components of the drops - most often the preservative - but that would usually wear off the next day.  I would suggest that you have your Optometrist check your eyes to see what is happening.  I cannot diagnose it without looking at your eyes through a microscope.

Dr. Joan Hansen, Optometrist for CAO

Aimee wrote:
I have worn glasses since I was 12 and fulltime since I was 31-32.I have always had 1 pair of glasses that I used for everything.2 years ago my optometrist started me on hidden bifocals.I couldnt stand them so this time when I went back in nov I told him I didnt want hidden bifocal and just wanted my normal lenses back.So I got them(or so I thought) and I cant use them on computer at night*(I always could with all my previous glasses)These make my eyes seem blurry .I have transitions glasses for the first time could that affect them?.Also when I read now I have to take them off,cant read with them.Ive never had this problem before ever.I have always had 1 pair that did it all/So I called and told them I couldnt read with them or anything.
They said bring them back and I will pay 130.00 to put hidden bifocals in!!!I dont want hidden bifocals.I have a feeling they really messed up here and I shouldnt have to pay to correct their mistake.Why all of a sudden after all these yr s cant I read with them? Which is exactly why I got them in the first time when I was 12.
TY for any help you can give,Aimee

ANSWER

Aimee,

Since you have not mentioned your current age, I will write this with the assumption you are in your 40s, the time when most everyone needs some help with focusing up close.  I will also assume that the “hidden bifocals” are progressive lenses.

By the time we all reach our 40s it becomes difficult to see print at normal reading distances.  Those who are short sighted (Myopic) can often take their glasses off to read, but this is not very convenient in many situations.  Those who are far sighted (Hyperopic) have no choice but to get reading glasses of some sort.  Help for reading comes in several versions  -  separate reading glasses, old fashioned lined bifocals, or todays Progressive lenses (also called Multifocal lenses).

There is no going back unfortunately, we have not yet found a way to restore focusing ability as you had in your 30s.  So yes, I am afraid that you will need progressive lenses from now on.

Dr. Joan Hansen, Optometrist for CAO

Allison wrote:
Hello,
I am 49 yr old female.  Just had routine eye exame and was advised some improvement in one eye for distance but need more power in both eyes for reading.  The change for reading is from 1.50 to 2.00.  The optometry recommends new lenses (and frames). I have no coverage.  Is a change of +0.50 for reading significant enough in your estimation to spend the money for new glasses lenses?

thank you

ANSWER

Allison,

Yes +0.50 is a significant change for reading, and one I always recommend be updated.  It is very normal at your age for the eyes to change every 1 to 2 years.

Dr. Joan Hansen, Optometrist for CAO

Jeff (in Ontario) wrote:
I was diagnosed with Diabetes 5 months ago. I have noticed my eyes doing weird things. I have been outa work for 17 months and I have no income whatsoever. How much will a trip to the optometrist cost?

ANSWER

Jeff,
In certain provinces people with diabetes are covered under provincial health care for annual eye exams.  Ontario is one of these provinces, so you would not have to pay to have an eye exam.  I would highly recommend that you do have annual eye exams now that you have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Dr. Doman

Timmy wrote:
Hi, i have a question regarding prescriptions for glasses and contacts. I understand you should not be using the degrees prescribed to you for glasses for buying contacts because contact lenses sits on your eyes directly as opposed to the glasses being a few inches away.
So my question is, would my eyes get worst or some sort of negative impact if I do wear contact lenses having the same degrees as my eye glasses?
the degrees for contacts should be slightly stronger or weaker? so if you wear contact lenses that are not exactly the same degree, what are the dangers of doing so? will it be merely less clear or will it make your eye sight worsen?

Thank you for your time

ANSWER

Hello Timmy,
Yes it is true that in most cases the prescription your optometrist gives you for your glasses is different than the one given for your contact  lenses.  Whether the contact lenses are stronger or weaker will depend on the prescription.  Wearing contact lenses that are the incorrect prescription (stronger or weaker) can cause symptoms of blur, headaches, dry, uncomfortable eyes and/or spasm of your focusing system.  Furthermore, if the lenses do not fit correctly, there are many other eye-health related problems that you would be at risk for.
When purchasing contact lenses from your optometrist, he/she will ensure that you have the correct strength and fit needed, and would be happy to give you a copy of that prescription for your records.

Thank you for your question. 
Dr. Donati

Colin wrote:
my eye was exposed to laser radiation. The laser was a 20mW max output at 650 nm. I did not think anything of it at the time. Lately I have been noticing some vision problems. I seem to see faint dots that cause a glossy effect. I saw an optometrist and told him my concern. He preformed his examination and later said he saw no signs of eye diseases. He wrote me a prescription for glasses and sent me on my way. Will my vision get worse or stay the same. Should I see another optometrist or a doctor?

ANSWER

Dear Colin:
I referred your question to Dr. B. R. Chou Associate Professor at the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo. He has done much work in the area of environmental and occupational eye safety and has had some involvement in the problems of laser flashing of drivers and pilots. Here is his response.

“Colin’s information indicates he was most likely exposed to a Class 3B laser. These are continuous output lasers of less than 0.5 W output emitting at a wavelength between 315 nm and 2500 nm. Exposure is potentially hazardous if intrabeam viewing occurs as in Colin’s situation, but the duration of the exposure is the key element. Without knowing how long his eye was exposed to the laser, it’s not possible to determine whether he was at risk of an eye injury. However, the fact that the optometrist detected no changes at the retina suggests that no clinically visible damage occurred. It is possible that there is some sub-clinical effect that gives rise to the visual phenomenon he reports, but our best available detection methods likely won’t be able to find any evidence of damage. I don’t know if his vision will get worse as a result of the laser exposure, but it is most likely that there will be no permanent effect resulting from this incident.”

I hope this is helpful.
Dr. Smit

Derry wrote:
I have been wearing progressives for a year. I am quite used to moving my head around to gets things in focus. When I read or do computer work, both eyes do not focus the same. If I get my right eye to totally focus on a word, then try my left eye, the left will be out of focus.  If I get the left eye in focus first, the right eye will be out of focus. I have had the settings checked more than once, and am told that one eye is always going to be more dominant than the other. My thought is that both sides should be equally clear. Could you let me know your thoughts please?

ANSWER

Dear Derry

You are right to expect that 2 eyes work together and with clear and equal focus on each side. There is nothing to do with the dominance of your eyes. That could be related to a misalignment of your progressive lenses, especially if you see that happening just at near. If one of the eye is not well centred with the progressive lens, you can see outside of the clear vision channel, explaining the difference in your vision.

Another possibility is a binocular vision problem, i.e. your convergence is not as accurate on one side compared with the other one. This could be checked through a regular optometric examination, with a special attention to measure the natural deviation (phoria) at far and at near. Finally, you can be affected by a weaker eye that is called amblyopic. This could lead to a difference in vision and if this is the case that would be true either at far and at near.

Having not all the details of your case, my first recommendation would be to get a second opinion in that matter and to ask another optometrist for a more complete examination of your vision and your ocular health, using proper medication to dilate the pupil and to cyclopledge your eyes. This will help to determine the real “refractive error” of your vision and to see if there is any pathology that could explain the difference between the 2 eyes.

Thanks for your interest.

Dr. Langis Michaud, OD, MSc, FAAO
Associate Professor
Université de Montréal, School of Optometry