Help me find health and happiness with my eyesight
February 7, 2022 12:13 PM Subscribe
I happen to have pretty bad eyesight, and have since I was a pre-teen. Then I flew past 40 and presto, I need reading glasses. I am thinking about my long term eye health, but also day to day dealing with all these corrective lenses - do you have any suggestions to address either concern?
Like I said, my eyesight is bad - I wear contacts that are like -9.50 in one eye and a little more in the other, plus astigmatism. Every couple years, my prescription increases a bit. On top of that, a few years ago (now I'm mid-40s) I started wearing reading glasses to read books and the computer. I work in front of a computer all day. I go to a regular old optometrist to get my prescription, and I see an ophthalmologist annually for eye health (so far no issues).
So I have two issues I'm trying to address: health and happiness. health: I want to make sure my eyes don't keep deteriorating and avoid retinal detachments, that kind of thing, that overly nearsighted folks get. Happiness: I find it preposterous to wear prescription contacts AND have reading glasses all over the place. Should I get "progressive contacts" or bifocals or something?
I would just like to hear what other people with crappy eyes have done: what sort of things would you do to make sure your eyes are happy and healthy? Are there demonstrable techniques to improve your eyesight? Diets or eye practices that you've felt are useful? Did finding a great doctor and not just a regular old optometrist help you out? Is there a kind of contact or glasses you wear that eliminates the need for I'm looking for any and all strategies, hacks, etc., that you've got that helped you manage your eyes.
Like I said, my eyesight is bad - I wear contacts that are like -9.50 in one eye and a little more in the other, plus astigmatism. Every couple years, my prescription increases a bit. On top of that, a few years ago (now I'm mid-40s) I started wearing reading glasses to read books and the computer. I work in front of a computer all day. I go to a regular old optometrist to get my prescription, and I see an ophthalmologist annually for eye health (so far no issues).
So I have two issues I'm trying to address: health and happiness. health: I want to make sure my eyes don't keep deteriorating and avoid retinal detachments, that kind of thing, that overly nearsighted folks get. Happiness: I find it preposterous to wear prescription contacts AND have reading glasses all over the place. Should I get "progressive contacts" or bifocals or something?
I would just like to hear what other people with crappy eyes have done: what sort of things would you do to make sure your eyes are happy and healthy? Are there demonstrable techniques to improve your eyesight? Diets or eye practices that you've felt are useful? Did finding a great doctor and not just a regular old optometrist help you out? Is there a kind of contact or glasses you wear that eliminates the need for I'm looking for any and all strategies, hacks, etc., that you've got that helped you manage your eyes.
Best answer: Since you are very myopic, you might want to see a retina specialist to get your retinas examined every couple of years. This is a medical appointment and is paid for by your medical insurance; it does not produce a prescription for glasses or contacts. I wear a similar prescription and have been seeing a retina specialist for many years. In your forties as you undergo the vitreous detachment that is common, you're at higher risk for retinal trouble than at other times in your life, and people as myopic as you are always have a much higher risk of retinal detachment than people without myopia. At least read up on the symptoms of retinal detachment, and see an emergency doctor that very day if you ever experience them. But never mind that, your yearly ophthalmologist visits should be adequate.
There are multi focal contact lenses that purport to show both near and far distances clearly. It works for some people. For me it was just like wearing inadequately strong lenses, so the traffic lights were never clear. It was hopeless for me. Your brain is supposed to learn what part of the lens to pay attention to for each distance, and it might work for you. You should try it, because a contact lens is easy to replace if it doesn't work out for you. Your optometrist should give you a sample pair to see if they work for you.
I have tried wearing monovision, wearing a lens with less correction in one eye than the other, so I could read with one eye and see distances clearly with the other. It's another good thing for you to consider trying. I liked this for a while but eventually wanted better binocular vision. I now prefer to wear reading glasses over my contacts, as needed. I keep a different pair in every room, and have a spare pair in the glove box of each of our vehicles.
When I'm seventy I expect to have cataract surgery like everyone else I know who has reached that age. I'll have to decide between getting implanted lenses that give me clear vision close up, while having to wear fairly weak and thin glasses for distance, or whether to have them corrected all the way for seeing distance without glasses, and wear reading glasses for everything else. You really must try the multi focal contact lenses first to find out if they work for you before having multi focal lenses implanted during cataract surgery. I've known more than one person who had horrible results with a multi focal lens implanted during cataract surgery, one who just doesn't see at all well through that eye, and one who had to have difficult surgery to replace the bad lens because she couldn't see well enough with it. Everyone I know who has had single-focus lenses implanted has been happy with their resulting vision, although they still needed glasses for some situations.
posted by metonym at 12:35 PM on February 7, 2022 [5 favorites]
There are multi focal contact lenses that purport to show both near and far distances clearly. It works for some people. For me it was just like wearing inadequately strong lenses, so the traffic lights were never clear. It was hopeless for me. Your brain is supposed to learn what part of the lens to pay attention to for each distance, and it might work for you. You should try it, because a contact lens is easy to replace if it doesn't work out for you. Your optometrist should give you a sample pair to see if they work for you.
I have tried wearing monovision, wearing a lens with less correction in one eye than the other, so I could read with one eye and see distances clearly with the other. It's another good thing for you to consider trying. I liked this for a while but eventually wanted better binocular vision. I now prefer to wear reading glasses over my contacts, as needed. I keep a different pair in every room, and have a spare pair in the glove box of each of our vehicles.
When I'm seventy I expect to have cataract surgery like everyone else I know who has reached that age. I'll have to decide between getting implanted lenses that give me clear vision close up, while having to wear fairly weak and thin glasses for distance, or whether to have them corrected all the way for seeing distance without glasses, and wear reading glasses for everything else. You really must try the multi focal contact lenses first to find out if they work for you before having multi focal lenses implanted during cataract surgery. I've known more than one person who had horrible results with a multi focal lens implanted during cataract surgery, one who just doesn't see at all well through that eye, and one who had to have difficult surgery to replace the bad lens because she couldn't see well enough with it. Everyone I know who has had single-focus lenses implanted has been happy with their resulting vision, although they still needed glasses for some situations.
posted by metonym at 12:35 PM on February 7, 2022 [5 favorites]
Best answer: I just got progressive lenses (glasses, not contacts) a couple of months ago after having to constantly raise my glasses and bring stuff close to my face to read anything small. They take a little getting used to, but they're no big deal. I had thought about getting a separate pair of glasses just for reading, but these are a lot simpler.
posted by jonathanhughes at 12:37 PM on February 7, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by jonathanhughes at 12:37 PM on February 7, 2022 [6 favorites]
There have been a couple of AskMes on similar subjects fairly recently, if you check. I myself am now using progressive contacts. They work well for my needs, and you can to some degree decide which range of vision you prefer to emphasize. I only need readers or a magnifier for the small print on bottles or the like, not for books or my phone, which means that I can basically go about my day without them. However, my distance vision, especially at night, is not that great (30/20 I think). It's all right for my life of pedestrian and public transit, but I don't think I'd want to drive relying on them.
In the end, we're all fighting physics. Probably in fifty years they will have come up with low-cst wholesale eye-part replacements that can be swapped in without troublesome side-effects, but right now we're dealing with the characteristics of a lens that can only be manipulated so far.
posted by praemunire at 1:04 PM on February 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
In the end, we're all fighting physics. Probably in fifty years they will have come up with low-cst wholesale eye-part replacements that can be swapped in without troublesome side-effects, but right now we're dealing with the characteristics of a lens that can only be manipulated so far.
posted by praemunire at 1:04 PM on February 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
I am also very nearsighted - wavering between the -8 and - 9 prescription - and after a few years in your exact position with the reading glasses and the contacts and occasionally two pairs of glasses on top of each other, I finally just gave up on contacts. I got progressive no line glasses and I haven't looked back. It was super easy to adjust, although fair warning: going downstairs is a whole new experience. I thought i would miss the contacts but honestly I don't at all. I get my glasses online so I can afford to get more than one pair and that's also helped. I have a pair that are just for close up / computer screen work, a regular pair, and a pair of prescription sunglasses which I adore.
posted by mygothlaundry at 2:03 PM on February 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by mygothlaundry at 2:03 PM on February 7, 2022 [3 favorites]
Just this morning I found out about the existence of corrective eye drops (vuity.com ). I know nothing about the product, but it was a novel solution I’m now curious about.
posted by Phyllis keeps a tight rein at 2:11 PM on February 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Phyllis keeps a tight rein at 2:11 PM on February 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
For what it's worth: there are a LOT of us wearing contact lenses and reading glasses.
posted by bluedaisy at 2:36 PM on February 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by bluedaisy at 2:36 PM on February 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: A big thing to think about is "working on the computer all day." For that reason, my doctors have recommended against the two contact thing and even progressive lenses. You really need to discuss that with your doctor.
posted by maxg94 at 3:22 PM on February 7, 2022
posted by maxg94 at 3:22 PM on February 7, 2022
I have a similar contact lens prescription and have had yearly checkups with a retina specialist for the past few years.
posted by lovelygirl at 4:30 PM on February 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by lovelygirl at 4:30 PM on February 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Those Vuity corrective eyedrops work by causing the pupil to narrow. Just as with a camera, narrowing the aperture creates a greater depth of field. You can't use them safely if you're driving at night before they wear off (they're supposed to last for six hours), because you can't see well in the dark with narrowed pupils. You can use them with contact lenses, if you wait the required few minutes before putting them in. All in all, a better way to narrow your pupils, without the expense or dangers or side effects, is simply to turn on a bright lamp, which works great for reading finer print. Most of us who use reading glasses have already found that bright light helps.
posted by metonym at 4:42 PM on February 7, 2022
posted by metonym at 4:42 PM on February 7, 2022
Best answer: I am very nearsighted (-15 or more in both eyes), with astigmatism. Monovision did not work for me. Custom, multifocal contact lenses did not work for me.
I have glasses with progressive lenses, which I regularly wear at night before sleep and first thing in the morning (I wear contacts throughout the day). I see well enough with them that I could wear them all day, to drive, to read or use the computer, etc. I have been happy with them. However, given my difficult prescription, it usually takes the lab a few tries before they get the lenses right -- it is very important to have the lenses "line up" properly with your eye. Your optometrist should mark the position of your pupils on the sample lenses of your selected frames and measure the distance between your pupils.
As I said, I wear contacts most of the time. Mine are soft contact lenses that correct only my myopia (my astigmatism is slight enough that this works for me). I wear reading glasses as needed on top of the contacts. This can be annoying, but I've adjusted without too much trouble.
I am very good about seeing both my optometrist and my retina specialist annually. Assuming I develop cataracts, I will definitely be happy to have corrective lenses implanted!
posted by Boogiechild at 4:46 PM on February 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have glasses with progressive lenses, which I regularly wear at night before sleep and first thing in the morning (I wear contacts throughout the day). I see well enough with them that I could wear them all day, to drive, to read or use the computer, etc. I have been happy with them. However, given my difficult prescription, it usually takes the lab a few tries before they get the lenses right -- it is very important to have the lenses "line up" properly with your eye. Your optometrist should mark the position of your pupils on the sample lenses of your selected frames and measure the distance between your pupils.
As I said, I wear contacts most of the time. Mine are soft contact lenses that correct only my myopia (my astigmatism is slight enough that this works for me). I wear reading glasses as needed on top of the contacts. This can be annoying, but I've adjusted without too much trouble.
I am very good about seeing both my optometrist and my retina specialist annually. Assuming I develop cataracts, I will definitely be happy to have corrective lenses implanted!
posted by Boogiechild at 4:46 PM on February 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
One more flavor of the myriad things you can try - I wear a multifocal contact lens in one eye and a mono in the other eye. The multifocal corrects nearsightedness (plus has the multi for presbyopia) and the mono is for farsightedness.
The optometrist was surprised the multifocal in just one eye worked for me so possibly not the usual thing to try.
The degree of presbyopia correction for me is the same in both eyes this way.
posted by Tandem Affinity at 7:36 PM on February 7, 2022
The optometrist was surprised the multifocal in just one eye worked for me so possibly not the usual thing to try.
The degree of presbyopia correction for me is the same in both eyes this way.
posted by Tandem Affinity at 7:36 PM on February 7, 2022
I have been wearing glasses since I was 2, over 60 years. I would suggest an eye exam and then whatever prescription works for you. If you need them progressive lenses for most of the day, but if you do a lot of work at the computer and can afford a second pair, get a single-prescription set of glasses with the focus designed for your distance from your monitor / laptop screen and keep those glasses near your computer. Opinions vary, but I don't like clip-on sunglasses so I bought a pair of sunglasses with the same progressive prescription that I keep in my car.
I don't know about yours, but my health insurance pays for regular eye exams - I suggest them with increasing frequency the older you get, which will help with detecting other problems you mentioned early
posted by TimHare at 7:42 PM on February 7, 2022
I don't know about yours, but my health insurance pays for regular eye exams - I suggest them with increasing frequency the older you get, which will help with detecting other problems you mentioned early
posted by TimHare at 7:42 PM on February 7, 2022
I am mid 40s and after a couple years of contacts+reading glasses, switched to progressive lenses (Acuvue Oasys for Presbyopia) last year. My myopia isn't nearly as bad as yours (-5), and my astigmatism is mild enough that it's fine just not being corrected right now. But these contacts really have worked well for me, eliminating almost all of the awkward "I just can't see that thing in front of my face" moments, including in low light, which was my biggest problem.
(I have found I still need my reading glasses for cross-stitching, but I know lots of people who wear fancy magnifier lenses for crafts.)
posted by hydropsyche at 5:40 AM on February 8, 2022
(I have found I still need my reading glasses for cross-stitching, but I know lots of people who wear fancy magnifier lenses for crafts.)
posted by hydropsyche at 5:40 AM on February 8, 2022
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posted by Medieval Maven at 12:30 PM on February 7, 2022 [1 favorite]