OT: New Glasses | Arthritis Information

Pip

 

What do you recommend for someone who has always used contacts for distance but now needs reading glasses too?

 

Since I started using the glasses at my desk- now the computer screen is suddenly too close to see, etc. I feel like I have weakened my eyes further! I just do not want to hang glasses around my neck but now when I'm in the grocery store I can't see the labels but I can't keep the glasses on long enough to walk around and shop.

 

However not to far is far to me so if I was to use contacts for close I would probably just about always have to have a pair of glasses on.

 

I guess I just have to face up to the fact that I am old and hang the glasses around my neck Sorry it took so long for me to respond.  I had my remicade last Thursday and had a funny reaction, still not feeling right.  Ugh!

Wanttoberafree, ask your eye care provider to adjust your contacts for monovision, that's the one eye for close, one eye for far.  This works for the majority of people.  The doctor has to be well experienced in this sort of fit though.  My boss who is in his 60's wears this set up and fits it frequently. Your only other option is the glasses around your neck or give up your contacts and get a pair of progressive glasses that will allow you to see everything at every distance!

mom2threeinaz-I hope you search is going well.  I have to say there is something to be said for the private practice.  A lot of smaller, private practice offices will have a more knowledgeable staff and I think you will be surprised at the cost.  No, we can not compete with WalMart but the quality is better.  I am leery of the large, cheap chains like the America's best and such.  I will be checking back tomorrow so if you haven't gotten your glasses yet or have any questions, I will be sure to check!
micheleb hope you are feeling better! Micheleb, I hope you are now feeling better. Thanks for all of your input. I didn't make it to America's Best don't thnk I will. I won't buy from walmart either. No guarentee scares me away. I am probably going to
purchese them from Eyeglass World. I can get a much better price plus guarentee.

Wanttobe~~ Progressives are no line bi-focals. Best thing to get it you need bi-focals imho.

take care everyone
I really don't want to wear glasses. I got a pair of bifocals for a spare in case I get an eye infection and can't wear my lenses but I can't see a crap through them. I know you have to get used to them but I always seem to be looking thru the wrong part for what I want to see LOL!

ok, here's my problem. I wear glasses for reading (bi-focals) I had an eye test done a couple of mo. ago and I need glasses for distance too now in addition to stronger reading glasses.  What do people do while waiting for the new ones to come in??? I can't go without for a week

Also, I have no eye insur. at all and these last glasses  were over 0, ugh. at least this time I only have to pay for lenses

owiemom, if you choose to use your own frame, yes, you will need to go without them.  The amount of time will depend on the lab but the machine that actually cuts the lenses uses your frame for a template.  I will typically take measurements that the lab will need and call in your order and let you keep your glasses a few more days.  When my lab is ready to actually cut your lenses, which is all they need your frame for, I call you and have you drop them off.  This means an extra trip to the office for you but it cuts down that week wait time to a day or two.

Progressive lenses are most commonly referred to as no line bifocals.  This is not technically true as a bi-focal means TWO powers and a progressive lens has many ore powers than that as the power progressively gets stronger as you go down the lens.

This is what gives some people difficulty getting used to them.  The whole, can.''t find the right spot to see is a common complaint.  The first thing is to be sure they lenses were measured and cut properly-this is where the experience comes in.  Than, they need to be adjusted properly, close to your face and tilting in at the bottom or know as pantoscopic tilt.  Some people are also sensitive to the material the lens is mad out of, regular plastic, polycarbonate, trivex, mid-index, high-index and so forth

If all of the above things are correct than the patient needs to be taught how to use the lenses.  You must keep your chin up and look down through the lens with your eyes.  The smaller the thing you are trying to see, the ore to the bottom of the frame you need to look.  If looking at something at arms length, say a computer or the labels on the grocery store shelves, than you need to look just below where your pupil is in your frame.  You must keep your head straight, if you look to the sides of the glasses and try to read something, it will be blurry.  They are not smart enough yet to make the bifocal go all the way across the bottom of the lens.  Think of an hour glass.  Everything from your pupil up in the lens is to be used for distance.  The part that you see the middle distance with, is the skinny part of the hour glass and the needs to be centered vertically (segment height) and horizontally (pupillary distance) just under your pupil.  As you eye travels further down the lens, it progressively gets stronger to allow you to read the smaller stuff.

The is a BIG difference is brands of progressive lenses.  From rock bottom cheap-Walmart with no warranty on up to the newest, laser cut lenses.  A lot of the better lens manufactures won't even sell to the cheaper chains.

There is a lot that goes on in a progressive lens, from the doctors prescription, to the frame selection-yes certain prescriptions work better in certain frames, to the measurements that the optician makes, to the skill of the lab and quality of material used and to the final fitting and instructions.

If you wear contacts the majority of the time and get a pair of progressive lenses for the first time, I always advise my patients to not wear their contacts until they have adapted to the glasses.  It can take anywhere from a day to a couple of weeks.  But, if you wear your contacts all day and just put the new progressive glasses on for 15 minutes before bed, you will never get used to them.  Sorry, but that's just my personal experience.

To give people a general idea on prices, my AVERAGE frame ticket is about 0.  This would include brands like Nine West, Kenneth Cole, Jill Stuart, BeBe, Rayban (not just sunglasses anymore!)  Brands like Kate Spade, Lulu Guinness, Juicy, etc run roughly 0-200.  We do carry frames of all prices but those are my most popular and average price frames.  We sell a "budget" line of frames that we sell 2 pairs for for single vision or one pair with progressive lenses for 9.  I see this same brand of frame at the "chains" and they retail just the frame alone for 0, I have them marked at .  So, when price shopping you need to compare apples to apples.  If you find a frame you like, write down the info that's on the inside of the temples and call another place and see if they carry the same frame or can order it and what their cost is for a good comparison.

Lenses are a bit tougher.  The basic plan jane plastic single vision is , your standard single vision polycarbonate is .  The LensCrafters not 2 miles from my office charges 0 for that same single vision polycarbonate lens, I called and asked them! 

Progressive lenses are a bit tougher.  Certain brands of progressive lenses work better with certain prescription and certain frames.  My favorite, mid price good quality progressive lens is made my Kodak and sell for about 0 in standard plastic.  I have a lower end, cheaper lens thats still pretty decent I sell for 5.00  I also have access and actually sell more than I thought I would of the newest technology in lenses, called Kodak Unique and it runs 0 but that includes a premium, Kodak Clear anti reflective coating.  This is where my experience comes in, its my job to make sure you get the right frame (not one that just looks good but one that works for your prescription) and to determine the best lens for your needs, to be sure the lab fills the order correctly, to be sure they are measured and fitted correctly and that you know how to use them properly.

All progressive lenses have scratch coating as do polycarbonate and high index lenses, if they try to charge you extra they are riping you off.  There is also a HUGE difference in the quality of anti reflective coatings so if you are going to get it, do pay for the premium one.
Micheleb~ ~ Thanks so much for all the helpful info on the frames and lenses. I appreciate all the effort you put in too it. I learned things about the lenses  I wouldn't have known to ask about. I will definately be able to purchase a better pair of glasses thanks to all your help.
Mom2
I think I'll try the monovision lenses. I think he already might be trying that tho- how different are the prescriptions between the two eyes? I wear a 4.0 in one and a 4.50 in the other.Micheleb: I have a question: Glasses are to correct a vision deficiency so why is it that each time I have had my eyes tested the prescription is stronger?

For sure prescription eyeglasses are Expensive! My DH purchased me a pair of Cocoon sunglasses which fit over my eyeglasses. My vision isn't compromised in any way. I love 'em.

* Gentle Hugs To Everyone * - "Have A Happy Day!"
wanttoberafree, I would think that a script of 4.00 and 4.50 would NOT be monovision. Are your lenses - or + before those numbers?  First, the doctor has to determine which of your eyes is dominant.  That will tell them which eye to put your "reading" lens into and which eye to put your "distance" lens into.  The doc will take into account several factors before determining your monovision prescription.  Lets say your regular distance correction is -4.00 and -4.50 and you are 45-55 years old, the AVERAGE change in your script would probably be an additional +1.50 to +2.00 diopters.  Lets assume your right eye dominant as this is the most common, he would leave your right eye prescription the -4.00 and change you left eye script to something around -2.50 to -2.00.

Removing some of the minus power from your current prescription should help you see more clearly up close.   Remember, monovision takes some getting used to.  Your brain needs time to adapt.  And its still a little bit of a trade off.  Lets say he makes this change, you try it for a week and come back and say my reading is GREAT but my distance isn't as good.  You have a choice to make, if the doctor makes your distance more clear, it may make your close less clear!  You should be allowed to wear the lenses for a week or so before deciding how you like them. 

If you have ever seen a bifocal prescription written, lets say using your script, it would look something like this
OD (stands for right eye) -4.00 if you have astigmatism there will be more numbers after that

OS (stands for left eye) -4.50, an example of someone having astigmatism would look like this -4.50 - 1.50 x 165-the second number is the cylinder or the amount of astigmatism you have and the number after the X is the axis or rotation, where the astigmatism is located in  your lens.

A bifocal would have those numbers followed by a + number, such as a +2.00  This is called the add power.  This is the power needed to ADD to your distance power to allow your eyes to focus up close, usually something thats needed as we age and completely normal.

So, take your -4.00 script and ADD a +2.00 to it and you get a -2.00.  Thats probably very confusing and WAY more info they you need!  LOL!  But, thats the gist of how they come up with the monovision!

Watchingwolf-its normal for people's eyes to change.  We need correction when images seen in the back of the eye are not focused in the center.  As we grow, the shape of our eye changes, thus changing the location the images are focused.  Not every ones prescription gets worse, some peoples eyes actually get better as they grow and change! 

Contrary to popular belief, wearing glasses does not make your eyes weaker or cause them to get worse faster.  The only exception to this would be for a young child with muscle problems.

A lot of people also do not understand what astigmatism is.  Astigmatism is basically the shape of your eye.  Your eye ball should be round, like a basketball, people who have astigmatism have more football shaped eyes.  This can not be perceived by just looking at someone!! This elongation of your eye ball causes distortation.  Think of the mirrors at a carnival fun house, the ones that make you look tall and skinny or short and fat?  This is an example of what someone with a lot of astigmatism my see.

When it comes to buying eyeglass lenses, the other key thing to know is the index of the lens, which refers to the thickness of the lens, the higher the number, the thinner the lens.  Also, whats called the ABBE value.  Just for kicks, ask the person helping you with your glasses about the ABBE (pronounce ABBY) value of your lenses  and see how they react!  A knowledgeable optician will be able to explain to you what that is and how it effects your vision.  Glass lenses, which are not used much anymore because they are very HEAVY have the best abbe value, or the lowest abbe number.  A high index lens will also have a lower or better abbe value than a polycarbonate lens.  Polycarbonate lenses have the highest abbe value, thus they have the worse clarity of all lenses on the market!

Lets use the above example of the -4.00 prescription.  This prescription in plastic is going to be thick and heavy.  In polycarbonate the lens will be thinner and lighter than plastic but will have more distortion.  A high index of 1.60 or better yet, 1.66 will be the thinnest and have the best clarity.  Trivex is a newer material and is a good material to get as well.  The only time anyone should ever charge you extra for scratch coating is on regular plastic lenses and you have the option to not buy it.  Honestly, the majority of plastic lenses are "stock" lenses and are already pre-coated.  Sometimes buying the scratch coat though will give you a warranty.  ALWAYS ask what the warranty is on your frame and lenses and if there are any surcharges when taking advantage of a warranty claim. 

The whole key to knowing which lens material is best is to know how often you will be wearing your glasses and what sorts of things will you be doing in them?  Do you wear contacts most of the time and just wear your glasses at night or Sunday afternoon or when you have an eye infection sort of thing?  Than the polycarbonate will probably be just fine.

If you wear your glasses all the time and have a higher script like the -4.00 example, spring for hi index or trivex.  If you do a lot of computer work and/or night driving, definitely get the anti reflective coating and the best one they have, ask for Kodak Clear AR or Crizal Alize or Teflon.  If you do a lot of outdoor activities with your glasses, consider the transition lenses, the ones that change from light to dark when you go out.  They have really improved them and they do get virtually clear indoors.  I wear them and love them.  However, if your optician is honest, they will be upfront and tell you that the transitions will NOT get dark in your car because they need UV light to make them change colors and the windows in cars have UV protection on them!

Ok, thats probably way more than you guys wanted to know!  LOL!  Just like going to the doctors, we need to be informed and its hard to be an informed consumer when it comes to glasses!

If anyone wants to give me your specifics, such as your full prescription, how often you wear your glasses, what activities you do in your glasses, etc, I will be happy to suggest to you what I would think would be the best lens for you!  But, when shopping for glasses, don't go solely on price alone, talk with the optician, throw some of the terms out there like ABBE value and ask them what there premium progressive lens is and ask them to tell you about the transitions and how they work and there warranties, if you feel they are unsure of these things, ask them how much experience they have!


michelab Hope your work day goes quickly and glad I could be of help!  Let me know if I can answer any other questions!!

Well the work day is done and the grocery shopping too whew!

I've worn glasses for distance since I was 10. I am now 41 and am starting to need help with reading also. I just started using multifocal contacts. Thay are great. I can read as well as see distance. My vision is better with the contacts than they are with glasses. My only problem is my eyes get dry often.I hate how much glasses cost. Micheleb: My husband's place of employment requires that he wear polycarbonate (safety lenses). His position requires that he be in front of a computer screen a lot of his working day and he also does a good deal of close-up wiring and his glasses haven't ever interfered with his work. In other words his vision is as clear as his regular glasses.

A few years ago he suggested that I try the polycarbonate lenses and my employment at the time required a good deal of precise measuring to the umpteenth degree. No problems whatsoever. My vision wasn't comprimsed in the least - no blurring, etc.

Before going with the polycarbonate lenses I was "hard on glasses" even with the scratch resistant coating. Why? Because most of the time when I would rub my eyes (a lot due to allergies) I would from time to time touch the lenses and they would scratch. Came to find out the scratch resistant coating is applied only to the outside surface of the lens - not to the inside surface of the lense.

Was also discouraged by the optometrist from going with polycarbonate lenses because I was told my glasses would be heavier. Not so!! Brought them home and weighed them on a digital scale and they actually weighed a wee bit less than my previous lenses - I was able to use the same frames.  Since going with polycarbonate lenses I've never ever had the problem of scratched lenses.

Perhaps I'm the exception to the rule but I love my polycarbonate lenses.  *Gentle Hugs*

Not everyone will actually "see" the difference between the different types of lenses, like the polycarb.  However, some people do, if they work for you great!  And yes, scratch coating is typically only applied to the front surface of the lenses, silly, huh!  Polycarb lenses are definitely lighter than standard plastic but the weight varies between hi index and poly, depending on your script!  We still use poly a lot because it's cheap and its only a handful of people that have a problem with them.

The executive bifocal is an older style lens and it does have limits on what it is available in.  For example, I am not aware of any executive lenses that come in transitions.  The general rule of thumb is that the longer a person has worn a "lined" style of bi-focal, the harder it will be for them to adapt to a no line progressive lens.  I would never even think of suggesting someone switch from an executive lens to a progressive lens, its a problem waiting to happen!!  No offense to you but it just typically never works as you found out and shame on them for trying to talk you into it!

As for dry eyes and contacts, it can be a big issue, especially in older woman, even in their 40's and people with AI diseases typically tend to have drier eyes anyways.  It sounds like you have a good contact as far as seeing goes.  The best contacts for dry eyes are typically the Acuvue Oasys lens, not available in bifocal yet to my knowledge and the Ciba Night and Day, again no bifocal.  Try taking flax seed oil orally, you can get it at any vitamin store and should help with the dryness over time.  If its really serious, ask about getting punctual plugs put in!

The difference between mine and plus in your script just has to do with if you are near sighted or farsighted!  When we age and need the help reading up close, thats called presbyopia!
Along this same line eyes, has anyone else experianced what my eye doctor calls floaters? He said it is material in the viscus (fluid) of the eye.
Has anyone heard of RA effecting the eyes?  Most people have some floaters.  Inside your eye is a jelly like substance called the vitreous.  There are little membrane like fingers that connect the front of the eye to the back of the eye.  Sometimes one of these little "fingers" will come loose and you see the end of it floating around every now and again.  They are for the most part harmless and normal.  Many things can cause them but they usually just "happen."  I am not aware of ra or ai diseases in general to cause more floaters.  Ra and ia diseases can cause lots of other problems such as dryness or inflammation such as uvietis.

The only time to really be concerned about floaters is if you ever get a whole lot of them all at one time, like someone through a handful of dirt in your face or if the floaters are accompanied by flashes of light or curtains or veils in your vision.  These things can be signs of serious problems and should be seen by an ophthalmologist immediately.
WOW.  I didn't have any questions about eye glasses... but I learned alot just reading this thread.. Micheleb, my hubby has very long eyelashes.  Is it possible over a period of time for those lashes to cause scratches on the lenses?  The scratches are actually where the lashes would rub.  I have a bet that that is what is happening.

Thanks!
I have floater that impair my vision from time to time, they block my vision, and I have to look up down left right to get the floater to move out of my direct vision.
I have seen a  ophthalmologist and he says "nothing can be done about them! to my dismay!
the Up down, thing was his advise to get the floater out of my direct sight.
I was just curious if it had anything to do with the RA like a side effect or something?
Your welcome Babs!

GG, I would doubt that lashes rubbing on the lenses would cause them to scratch but than again, it would depend on the lens.  Scratching usually happens when there is "stuff" on the lens, say dirt from cleaning the garage, and you just wipe the lens.  If there is visible "stuff" on the lenses, they must be WASHED first.  Take them to the sink, rinse them well with water, use some dish soap even and a clean, dry, flat cloth the dry them.  Cotton t-shirts, baby diapers, flour sacks you buy at Wal-Mart-those things work well!  Trivex material is the most scratch resistant lens, maybe ask about getting them next time.  Also, the nose pad arms should be able to be pulled away from the frame and they can tilt the frame down towards the bottom (pantoscopic tilt) to help with the eye lashes rubbing.  I have never run into a pair of eyelashes that I couldn't defeat yet!  LOL!!

Slo-hand, its unfortunate that you have such a large, bothersome floater.  And, no there really isn't anything they can do to fix them.  I am not aware the RA causes more floaters.  As I mentioned it can cause dry eye and inflammation but not typically more floaters!
Thank you Micheleb...Guess I lost my bet!  Perhaps he will settle for a hug instead.  I have printed your response to show to him.  Thanks again!  A hug to you too. Thanks Micheleb, I think I read something about floater before I found out I had RA I was reading about Pseudo Gout , and related illnesses. But alas I hate that nothing can be done about them because they are very annoying! Micheleb: About 20 years ago I had a retina detachment, the result of a head injury, and I didn't realize at the time that the "floaters" were an indication of a potential problem. It's when I began seeing this small disk of light, even with my eyes closed, and when my eyes were open it was like there was a curtain blocking my vision that I became truly worried. Also, within a day the disk became larger.

Rather than contact my eye doctor at the time I went to the ER and was immediately turned over to an eye specialist. Result is that I had eye surgery, like immediately if not sooner. Later the eye specialist, whose speciality is retina detachments, told me that he knew the surgery would be successful but he didn't think I would be able to see.
However, the surgery was successful and my vision was restored!

Anyway he said that it is a mistake for people not to have "floaters" checked out by an optomerist because of the potential for serious eye problems. He also explained "floaters" were the result of the sac enclosing the vitreous fluid springing a leak. Even after all these years I haven't ever had another floater. He did good.!

In a previous post I asked why people's eyes become worse even though the prescription is to correct the patient's vision. This was an issue for me before having cataract surgery on both eyes, within two years apart. After the surgeries my vision was corrected although I require correction in the eye that had the retina detachment. Am legally bind in that eye without glasses and is correctable to only 20/50 and the other eye is 20/20. I haven't had any problems since.

Your info is terrific!  Thank You - *Gentle Hugs* To Everyone
Michele B is sure learned a lot more from you. Watchingwolf , thanks for the info. I had Cataract surgery on both eyes in 2003 and these floater came into being in 2007. But again the Doctors say there is nothing wrong with my retinas and it's just the floaters which they can do nothing about.  Watchingwolf is right, anytime you have a change in your vision you should have it looked at!  that's why I added the part about a lot of floaters, flashes of lights and "curtains" in your vision because that automatically makes us think of retinal detachments!  I am glad the surgeon was able to reattach it.  20/50 corrected with a retinal detachment isn't too bad at all! 

Marian-to my knowledge there is no sort of rating of independent doctors.  Know that Lens Crafter's was bought out a while back by a frame company called Luxottica, who also just bought DOC.  Luxottica is one of the largest frame manufactures and now they own several chains and they also made there own vision insurance company called Eyemed.  I admit, I do buy some frames from them as they do offer some good name brands and good quality but they are trying to buy up everything optical!  I would like to eliminate buying from them all together as they are just not independent practice friendly.

My best advice, is ask around! Word of mouth is the best advertising.  Next to that, call a few places and tell them you would like some info and start asking some basic questions.  How long has the doctor practiced?  Are the opticians trained?  Ask to speak to the optician and ask some of the technical stuff I talked about earlier to see if they sound intelligent.  Stop in and look around, ask to have your current glasses adjusted and see how they do.

There are certainly some good people working for the large chains.  I just like people to be educated on all there options and try to raise the awareness that big chain does not always equal better deal!  Costco certainly does have some good prices, I shop there myself and have poked around the optical just for fun!  They usually sell close out frames, which there is nothing wrong with, you can get a really good deal that way.  The only trouble is if you ever break them parts may not be able to be gotten to fix them!

Personally, since I work for the small business and my husband owns his own small business, I try to support small businesses whenever I can!  When it comes to your eyes, its just really about finding someone you trust!  People like my office because its always me!  I get to know them, there family-I bring my dogs to the office and people have come to respect and trust my judgement.  Its funny but at least once or twice a month, I get a call where the wife is making an appt for the husband  and they tell me that the husband has strict orders to follow my advice and to let me pick out the frames.  LOL!
Micheleb, thank you so much for all this information.

 

 The only thing I wish I could have with the executive style bifocal is rimless lenses  but oh well it just cant be done..

 

 I wear the lightest frames I can and  for me, it works.. for sun I have prescription sunglasses .

 

The information you have given us is more than I have gotten in 40 years of wearing glasses..

 

Thanks so much.

 

Yes, unfortunately, the executive style lens cannot be grooved properly for a rimless frame. Keep in mind though that just because a frame is rimless on the bottom, doesn't mean that your glasses will be lighter.  Depending on the prescription, sometimes the  lab will actually have to grind your lenses, THICKER just to be able to have the proper edge thickness in order to groove it for the rimless mounting!  That's not usually a problem if you are a higher minus but if you have a high plus power, we strongly discourage against rimless. 

As I am sure you have been told, the executive lenses are just plain thicker and heavier so starting with a lighter frame to begin with will help. I do so few of the executive lenses, I am not even sure what materials they are available in anymore!!  If you walked into my office, I would definitely call my surfacing lab to get the current availability.  If ever I am in doubt, I call them!  I used to actually cut lenses a zillion years ago so I know a lot about how they are made and such but have been out of that end of it for a while now.

That's another good thing about independent offices, we have more choices.  Most of the "chains" only have access to certain products.  As far as lenses go, if its made, I can get it!  I have my favorites that work for most of the people but when something out of the ordinary comes in, I don't hesitate to make that phone call to get you the best product available.

Boy, I sound like a commercial, don't I??  LOL!!  Sorry!  I just wished you all could come to me for your glasses!!  I think I deserve a raise!!  Just an FYI, I do NOT work on commission like the people in the chains do.

I just got myself a new pair of glasses too!  I am totally in LOVE with the LuLu Guinness Line made by Tura.  They are the cutest and most original frames I have seen in years!!  Mine are a flat metal in the front in a nice matted burgundy color.  They have thick, black temples on the sides and on the temples there are flowers painted on them in purple, red and green and inside one flower on each temple is a clear crystal.  That probably sounds a bit gaudy but they really are adorable and I get more compliments on them!  I have the transitions lenses with the kodak clear anti reflective coating on them as well.  They are heavier than my plastic frames but way cuter!!  Hehe

Ok, off to get my hair cut!  Have a happy day!

Micheleb,

I saw your replies in this thread, because I was researching Abbe numbers, etc.

I recently went to my local optician to get replacements for my (as I now understand) CR39 progressives which I’ve had for some 8 years.

 

Anyway, my new prescription was – 3.00 +50 add 2.00 and I went for lightweight lenses, compared to my old CR39, why not?  I never asked about what's being traded off for the weight....

 

I was so happy when I got them, reading was now a pleasure, and I could comfortably use the Laptop for hours, without needing to wear the “laptop-for-hours” single-vision pair I’d got a couple of years ago.

 

But then, after a week, I went driving in the dark – eek!  In low light everything seems a little blurred, but when driving all the point sources of light have what I think people refer to as having a “starburst” effect, making night driving too dangerous; I have to wear my old glasses for night driving (–3.75 – 0.25 +2.00).

 

So my optician did a re-test, and of course, it was exactly the same, even testing me in low light.  All he could think of was the material, and we got into an interesting discussion about "Abbe number" of the material, Physio Airwear/polycarb, which I understand is low at 30, as opposed to the CR39 at 58.

 

So I’ve been Googling the subject and found your helpful and clear discussions on this forum.  And I keep finding discussion of chromatic aberration, as being the effect of low Abbe number, and this being most noticeable “off to the side”.  But, that’s not actually what I’m getting;  in low light conditions I just have blurred vision, where I’m looking, and the “starburst” effect on point sources of light when driving (you can take it as read that I’ve made sure the windscreen and glasses are clean).

 

My optician is due to call me about what the next step should be, and I’m hoping it will be to replace the polycarb by CR39, but do you think we are on the right track?

May have made error in transcribing the prescriptions:

New glasses are: -3.00  -0.50  90  add +2.0

A 3-yr old prescription is: -3.50  -0.50  105  add +2.00 (old glasses are 8 years old)

 

Not that that makes much difference to the question about whether I am seeing the effect of low Abbe number though.

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