Big difference in eye prescription
Discussion
My 35 year old son has -1.5 in the left eye and -12.5 in the right eye!
I have read that this can lead to the weaker eye "going to sleep" with loss of vision.
Having been at -9.0 in both eyes I know what a difference poor vision can make to things like some sports but this seems more serious.
Would appreciate understanding what his options are and any risks associated with the options if anyone has any info.
Of course being his dad I helpfully suggested that he try w
king with the other hand...
I have read that this can lead to the weaker eye "going to sleep" with loss of vision.
Having been at -9.0 in both eyes I know what a difference poor vision can make to things like some sports but this seems more serious.
Would appreciate understanding what his options are and any risks associated with the options if anyone has any info.
Of course being his dad I helpfully suggested that he try w
king with the other hand...The visual system is developed by about 7 years old so this influences a lot of how things are dealt with in later life.
Has there always been such a big difference between the two eyes (unfortunately as many people start off long sighted and then progress in teenage years to being short sighted (- prescription) occasionally the eye with the strongest prescription can be the dominant eye.
As on Optometrist how I dealt with your son's prescription would depend on his corrected acuity (how far he can read down the chart). Ideally I would get him in contact lenses as his brain would get equal sized images from both eyes(the stronger lens gives a much smaller image), with glasses if the vision has always been poor in the eye with the stronger prescription a lens to balance the other eye which will give a good cosmetic result and prevent visual confusion maybe preferred.
If the difference between the two eyes is recent and increasing I would want to know the reason why (most likely cataract but possibly keratoconus) and the reason needs to be addressed.
Has there always been such a big difference between the two eyes (unfortunately as many people start off long sighted and then progress in teenage years to being short sighted (- prescription) occasionally the eye with the strongest prescription can be the dominant eye.
As on Optometrist how I dealt with your son's prescription would depend on his corrected acuity (how far he can read down the chart). Ideally I would get him in contact lenses as his brain would get equal sized images from both eyes(the stronger lens gives a much smaller image), with glasses if the vision has always been poor in the eye with the stronger prescription a lens to balance the other eye which will give a good cosmetic result and prevent visual confusion maybe preferred.
If the difference between the two eyes is recent and increasing I would want to know the reason why (most likely cataract but possibly keratoconus) and the reason needs to be addressed.
That's quite a variation. As is usual in this sort of discussion the answer is it depends. Are you absolutely sure you have it correct?
His best optical bet is contact lenses, assuming he has good vision in each eye. He will really struggle with glasses unless he has always had this difference.
Even then practically, glasses present lots of practical issues with mixing lens indicies, coating differences, image size difference, differential prism etc.
If he sees poorly, and always has, in the -12 eye then a balance lens is the obvious answer.
I'd hope anywhere half decent would be able to go through all these issues and offer soutions depending on the situation.
His best optical bet is contact lenses, assuming he has good vision in each eye. He will really struggle with glasses unless he has always had this difference.
Even then practically, glasses present lots of practical issues with mixing lens indicies, coating differences, image size difference, differential prism etc.
If he sees poorly, and always has, in the -12 eye then a balance lens is the obvious answer.
I'd hope anywhere half decent would be able to go through all these issues and offer soutions depending on the situation.
We noticed this problem when he was a teenager and it is slowly worsening like most shortsightedness.
Yes the numbers I quoted are correct.
His optician has recommended contacts to equalise the vision and then spectacles.
I know nothing about this specialism but I wondered if was worth considering one IOL to equalise the vision and then spectacles but his optician steered him away from that suggesting that that he would need a new IOL every 10 or so years.
I did a Google search but couldn't find any info one way or the other.
Is there any good info on this situation out there?
Yes the numbers I quoted are correct.
His optician has recommended contacts to equalise the vision and then spectacles.
I know nothing about this specialism but I wondered if was worth considering one IOL to equalise the vision and then spectacles but his optician steered him away from that suggesting that that he would need a new IOL every 10 or so years.
I did a Google search but couldn't find any info one way or the other.
Is there any good info on this situation out there?
troublesbrewing said:
We noticed this problem when he was a teenager and it is slowly worsening like most shortsightedness.
Yes the numbers I quoted are correct.
His optician has recommended contacts to equalise the vision and then spectacles.
I know nothing about this specialism but I wondered if was worth considering one IOL to equalise the vision and then spectacles but his optician steered him away from that suggesting that that he would need a new IOL every 10 or so years.
I did a Google search but couldn't find any info one way or the other.
Is there any good info on this situation out there?
An IOL may be a possibility apart from the prescription may bring added risks such as retinal detachment. I have children as patients who have IOLs, and generally they don't need replacing. I would say the difference in prescription would entitle him to NHS cataract surgery with a little persuasion but a private consultation would give him more time to discuss the potential risks.Yes the numbers I quoted are correct.
His optician has recommended contacts to equalise the vision and then spectacles.
I know nothing about this specialism but I wondered if was worth considering one IOL to equalise the vision and then spectacles but his optician steered him away from that suggesting that that he would need a new IOL every 10 or so years.
I did a Google search but couldn't find any info one way or the other.
Is there any good info on this situation out there?
Between cataract operations I had one eye at -8.0 and the other at 0.0. A single contact lens worked nicely for me with reading glasses on top, when needed.
Following the second cataract operation, I now don't need glasses except for reading. A revelation after wearing glasses since 7 years old.
I would take HelenT's advise and check there are not any other conditions impacting his vision.
Following the second cataract operation, I now don't need glasses except for reading. A revelation after wearing glasses since 7 years old.
I would take HelenT's advise and check there are not any other conditions impacting his vision.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff