For those that have to wear contacts or glasses...

dani8477 · 10-11-2006, 03:10 PM

Just wanted to ask everyone who has to have vision correction w/ contacts or glasses... how often does your prescription change? Like, does it get worse every year that you go for an eye exam? I started wearing contacts around 12/13 and I'm 22 now.... every year, my prescription has gotten worse. I started out with -1.00 in each eye, now I'm up to -4.25. This past year it jumped up a whole number.. I just don't know if that's normal. And how high do they make contacts anyway? I feel like I may get to a point where they won't make the prescription for it, lol...I know I'm "legally blind." Anyway, let me know your thoughts.

dani8477 · 10-11-2006, 03:11 PM

Also, I wonder if it has anything to do with taking bcp. I saw on the label that they say may cause an inability to wear contact lenses or make cause loss of vision... yikes!!!

KatCarney · 10-11-2006, 03:16 PM

I've worn glasses since the 5th grade, and contacts since high school. While my eyes are worse now than when I was a kid, they have actually gotten better in the last 4 years. (not a LOT better, but slightly.)

My dad (who is in his 70's) has worn glasses for the past 40+ years. About 7 years ago, something happened 'in his brain' (we don't know what), but it corrected his vision. He used to be very nearsighted (like I am), and needed glasses to drive, and 'function'.

One day he was driving and his vision went 'double' - and stayed double vision for over a week, until after tons of tests, doctors gave him some kind of 'eye patch' to wear at certain intervals to 'retrain his brain'. I forget how long it took (maybe a couple of weeks, maybe a month), but since then, he only needs glasses to read. He's not nearsighted anymore.

He didn't have to take any meds, or have any type of invasive (mild or otherwise) procedure.

FeliciaB · 10-11-2006, 03:38 PM

I have been wearing contacts since I was 11 years old, and before that I wore glasses from the time I was 8. I pretty much got the short end of the stick as far as the genes for vision are concerned. My mother's entire family wears glasses and most of my fathers family is "legally blind". I am now 21 and I had my last eye exam a few weeks ago. I have, like you, gotten worse over the years. My optometrist said that your eye gets worse as your body "grows" and that most of the time in you mid-20's your eye will start to level out and your prescription should stay "steady". I have THE most horrible vision of anyone that I know. I wear more then a -6.00 in each eye, as well as a severe astigmatism. I can't wait for my eyes to "level", I want to get laser SO BAD! (you eyes have to be a steady prescription for 3 years or they won't consider you). Hope this helps some!

dani8477 · 10-11-2006, 04:12 PM

Hmm, thanks for the responses!

I didn't know you had the have the same vision for 3 years before you can do laser...that's good to know. Well hopefully in a few more years my eye sight will level out. Does anyone have an idea of how much laser eye surgery costs? And insurance doesn't cover it, does it?

Oomis · 10-11-2006, 04:34 PM

My vision insurance will give me a "discount" on it. I think it can run anywhere from around $500 and eye on up. That is what I have heard advertised in my area.

I have worn glasses since I was 14. I am nearsighted and only had to wear them to see the board at school and to drive. When I was 18 I got contacts. My vision started to get worse there for awhile but then it actually improved some and now it has not changed in the past two years. I guess it just depends on your eyes, genes etc.

Kat that is wild about your dad! I bet that was hard for him with the double vision though.

Emaline · 10-11-2006, 04:43 PM

My optomitrist says that at about 30 years people's eyes don't change very much, except for the differences with age (i.e bifocals).

Also, when I was in Ontario, the health care system allowed for an optomitrist visit every two years, but here on the East Coast I have to go get my eyes checked every year. Go figure.

I'm 28 and my perscription hasn't changed in 6 years.

kmhendri · 10-11-2006, 05:29 PM

I started having to wear glasses around 14, used contacts for awhile as well. I have astigmatism and near sidedness. My perscription has consistently gotten worse every year. Like the other women have said, my Dr. told me that it will even off mid to late 20's. I generally just wear my glasses for driving and reading (probably not by the recommendation of my doc). I too was told that it takes a steady prescription for 3 years before lasers will even "think" about you. That is too scarey for me anyhow. I don't like even getting eye exams. Something about things being super close to my eyes. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I know how frusterating it can be to have to keep changing contacts/glasses. It gets expensive. Good luck with everything

kitty_o · 10-11-2006, 06:09 PM

hi dani

my eyes seem to be getting worse everytime i go (wear contacts too). Doc said that they will start to settle when you are in your mid 20's, so I wouldnt worry too much. If you are concerned, talking to your eyedoc.
lauraxx

ibcnuldu · 10-11-2006, 07:05 PM

I've worn glasses for about 3 years now. I get them checked about once a year and they've slightly gotten worse. Although I hardly need them and lately I haven't been wearing them at all.

FeliciaB · 10-11-2006, 09:53 PM

Depending on what type of insurance you have, you may be eligible for a discount. Most of the time w/ the insurance discounts you have to go to certain laser centers that are approved by the insurance company. I know that thru my insurance the price drops from $1750 (per eye!!!) to $1200. That is still alot of money, but still al big savings when you think about it. Also, majority of laser centers offer financing of some kind. I actually have a "laser fund" LOL I figure I have quite a few years to stash money into it, so that by the time I am actually approved to get it, maybe I will have enough (for at least one eye!! lol)

Cameryn · 10-11-2006, 11:09 PM

I've worn glasses since early childhood (astigmatism exacerbated by a neurological birth defect) but my prescription leveled out in my late twenties. My latest prescription corrected my vision more than previous attempts, though.

OpalNera · 10-11-2006, 11:29 PM

I've worn glasses since I was 11, I just recently got a new ones and they had to strengthen my prescription. I'm 26. No biggy. If you are sick of wearing contacts go get the laser surgery which will take you back to what your eyes were when you were little. I would seriously consider it but my main focus is losing about 100 pounds first

LauraLu · 10-12-2006, 04:52 AM

I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents here.

I've needed glasses since I was 10 and I'm 27 now. I got contacts when I was about 12 or 13 and have worn them ever since. I'm awfully tired of them and have been in for a lasik consultation. After going, i decided I'll wait til I'm 30 before I start thinking about it again.

My prescription regularly got worse every year up until about 3 years ago. I've got horrible horrible vision. I'm currently at -7.00 and -7.50 so I can see NOTHING without my contacts or glasses. Feel safe knowing that you'll at least be able to get that bad

The reason why I wanted to post though was because of something interesting my optometrist did about a year ago. She decided to lower my prescription by .50 on each eye to try and strengthen my vision since I stare at a computer all day.

It's actually worked. My vision has stabelized again (at the lower rx).

Eva37 · 10-12-2006, 02:10 PM

hi

interesting thread.......... i started wearing glasses when i was about 13. My left eye always needs a stronger lens, each optician visit.
eva