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RGP Contact Lenses
Mihaela wrote:
Hi, I am interested in RGP lenses. Is it true that they provide crisp vision only when you look straight ahead? Is the vision blurred when you look in other directions or after you blink? Thank you.
Dr Langis Michaud's response:
Dear Mihaela
You are right to say that RGP provides a very crisp and sharp vision, especially if your refractive error is high or if you have a significant amount of astigmatism. If RGP lenses are fitted well, you will be able to see clearly everywhere because the lenses follow your eyes. There is a new generation of RGP lenses, called mini-scleral. They are as large as a soft lens, as comfortable as a soft lens but provides this crisp and clear visual acuity given by RGP ones. They do not move on the eye so there is no visual fluctuation. The problem is that not so many practitioners can handle these lenses and the learning curve to fit them is certainly there. If you are living near Waterloo, ask to have an appointment at University School of Optometry clinic. The same for Montreal in Quebec. Outside of that you can ask your optometrist if he or she is able to fit these lenses or if he knows who can do it in your area. As a last resource, email me and I’ll try to find someone reliable in your area.
Good luck
Dr Langis Michaud, OD, MSc, FAAO (Dipl)
Associate Professor – U de M
langis.michaud@umontreal.ca
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Problems With Glasses vs. Contacts
Melanie wrote:
I have a high prescription (OD -8.00, OS - 7.75) and have worn contact lenses on a daily basis for several years. I have tried to go back to glasses several times, but each time I get a new pair of glasses, I find that I cannot see clearly in them as I do with my contact lenses. I understand that you cannot compare contact lenses with glasses, but the blurriness and difference for me is very apparent.
I assumed my glasses were poorly made or my frame choice was wrong. I also want to add that I am of Asian background and have a flat nose bridge and have felt it was hard to accommodate the right frame choice and therefore, the lens position would be affected. I have recently spoken with several optometrists and opticians they have said my glasses and frame choice were fine. I have also had my frames adjusted several times and added nose pads to several pairs of glasses to accommodate the lens position, but nothing has helped. After several prescriptions and several pairs of glasses later, I still am having difficulty seeing clearly in my glasses. I am perplexed as I have a brand new prescription, great contact lenses but glasses that don't provide me with clear vision. I am hesitant to visit another optometrist as I am not covered by a health plan and after buying new contacts and glasses, I am certainly on a budget. Please help!
Thank you so much for your time,
Melanie
Dr Joan Hansen's response:
Melanie,
Your high prescription does result in better clarity with contact lenses. Your glasses make all images smaller and thus they seem harder to see. The farther away from your eyes that the lens is positioned, the smaller the image. So contacts that sit right on your eye surface will give the largest (closest to real size) image. If you were to wear glasses only, you would adapt and it would all seem normal. One other possibility is some re-shaping of your cornea from the contacts, especially if you wear rigid gas permeable Contact lenses. In this case your cornea changes shape when you are wearing your glasses for extended periods of time, and the lens in your glasses may need a change.
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Contact Lens Prescriptions
Monika wrote:
Is my optometrist (located in Ontario) allowed to withhold my contact lens prescription from me? I paid for my eye exam and fitting, but would like the option to buy my glasses/contacts elsewhere. What are the laws?
Dr Carol Doman's response:
Monika,
Here is a link to the explanation for this situation from the Ontario College of Optometrists. http://www.collegeoptom.on.ca/contentmanager/XSL/cooweb20/images/cooweb20/File/ContactLensAdvisory.pdf
It states that there a number of reasons why a contact lens prescription cannot be released to a patient. These include the patient having a problem wearing contact lenses (usually an eye health related problem), if the fitting has not been completed of if there are fees outstanding. In my experience the most common problem is that the fitting fees have been paid and trial contact lenses dispensed, but the patient has not returned for follow up to finalize the contact lens prescription. The optometrist is required to verify that the contact lenses are fitting properly, vision is good and that there are no complications that have arisen from the contact lens wear. Once the optometrist has determined that the contact lenses can be worn safely the prescription should be issued. Sometimes one or more follow up visits may be required.
Dr. Doman
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