Receive Answers
Our Blog
Ask an optometrist
Prescription Was Cut Back
Amanda wrote:
I recently went to an optometrist for the first time in 5 years and she told me my prescription had changed quite drastically; specifically, my astigmatism had grown much worse in both eyes. I previously had OD CYL -2.50 and OS CYL -1.25, but she measured me at OD CYL -4.50 and OS CYL -2.75. However, when she was writing out my prescription she told me that that was too drastic a change and gave me a prescription for OD CYL -3.50 and OS CYL -2.00 and told me to come back in a year for another prescription update.
Why can't I get the full prescription now? Due to the severity of my nearsightedness (-10.25) and this astigmatism my lenses are quite expensive. I'd rather just by one pair and maybe take a little longer to get used to them than have to buy two pairs of lenses in two years.
Dr Carol Doman's response:
Cutting back the glasses prescription when there is a big change is quite common. The problem with giving the full prescription is that it could be very hard for you to get used to it. It could take longer than a month to adjust and you may have severe headaches. Not something that most people are willing to tolerate. In your case specific reasons that would make it hard to adjust to the new prescription is the amount of time you’ve had your old prescription and the type of prescription that you have. The longer you have had your current prescription the harder it is to adjust to a new prescription. As well astigmatism (cyl) correction is the hardest type of prescription change to get used to. The amount that they are cutting it back by likely won’t affect your vision significantly. I would have done the same thing that your optometrist is suggesting.
Dr. Doman
No comment