Yearly? Eye Exam

[firefighter ontheside]

I had my yearly eye exam today.  It's been about 3 years since my last one, so I guess its not really yearly.  My distance vision and close up have changed a little each but not enough to worry about according to the doctor.  I had Lasik about 13 years ago and I still have excellent distance vision.  Before the Lasik I had excellent close up vision, but they told me I would be trading one for the other.  I was happy to see distance and eventually need to wear reading glasses.  He told me to start wearing 2.25 reading glasses instead of the 1.75 I've been wearing.  My distance is still excellent and I haven't noticed a difference.  When it gets bad enough I will go back for a Lasik tune up.  He said right now the risk of messing it up is higher than the reward would be for getting it done.  He also talked to me about some drops that make you be able to see close up for about 6-8 hours.  It's a medication that was originally for glaucoma patients, but they found out about this secondary effect.  I brought home a sample bottle and will try it.  My thought is that if it works, I will use it for situations where wearing my readers is really inconvenient, like training when reading glasses get in the way.  I dont need to be able to read a book during training, but reading a tape measure or the manual for building shoring systems at a building collapse would be nice.  A month supply is $80 for someone using it every day.  I figure that much would last me 6 months.  It will be interesting to see how it works.  It's called vuity.  You may have seen it on commercials or maybe you've tried it.

[Don P]

Thanks, made me find da glasses, I've got an annual DOT medical cause of them coming up next week. My partner, who I read the fine print unaided for, gets to go every 5, his distance is better than mine. I do wear readers for fine work or late. My distance is just bad enough to fail the DMV test but I'd rather have the peripheral of not wearing them. In grade school I was always the eagle eye on the charts, fun, sun and time.

[firefighter ontheside]

To be clear, the drops only work to improve close up vision and not for distance.  

[Claybraker]

Since we are on the subject I had my annual check last month. Sometime in the next few years I will need cataract surgery. Mentioned to the Dr the only problem is seeing iron sights at the gun range. Readers for the fine print of grocery store labels. He was kind enough to write me a prescription. So now I need to order a pair of progressive safety glasses. Who is good at that?

[sawguy21]

I strongly suggest seeing an optometrist for corrective eyewear, he/she can measure yer coconut and get the proper fit. You will soon hate them if you don't.

[TroyC]

So now I need to order a pair of progressive safety glasses

The progressives take getting used to, especially the first pair. I've had 2 pair that were cut incorrectly, the center area was too far apart and I could only focus one eye at a time. After a bunch of measuring, they agreed and recut them.

[Old saw fixer]

Those of us with diabetes should get a yearly eye exam to check for damage to our eyes.  I used to only go to the eye doctor before operator's license exam. 

[YellowHammer]

I've seen it and am very interested in it.  Please let us know how it goes.  

[doctorb]

I, too, am interested in your experience with the drops.  My question would be, "Do they effect distance vision?   Can you drive while using them."

[firefighter ontheside]

He said they don't affect distance.  He said some people report that light seems dimmer than it should be.  Your pupils restrict and let in less light.  Stands to reason it might seem darker out.  He said the effectiveness peaks at about 3 hours post application, but can last twice that.  Havent tried it yet.  I'm gonna do a little milling Friday.  Maybe I will put the drops in that day to see how it works.

[firefighter ontheside]

Just did some more reading.  It does say that you might expect to improve on a vision chart by 3 lines of close up vision, but lose one line of distance.  So, yes it you may lose a little distance.  

[thecfarm]

I had no problems at all with the progressive glasses. Those were the first time I wore glasses. I put them on and walked out of the office and walked down the stairs. 
Those was safety glasses too.
I went to an optometrist. He had a lot of styles to choose from. Then I told him I needed safety glasses. Not many styles to choose from when I said that. Maybe 40 pair.

[sawguy21]

Progressives take getting used to. The first time I wore them my boss said something I considered a little stoopid, I looked down and shook my head and almost lost my balance. I have to get tested next week, my distance vision is deteriorating which makes driving a chore.

[Claybraker]

I only want them for the gun range. Driving is ok, even reading, or tying on a #14 hook. It's midge season around here. Some people switch to red dot sights but they look silly especially on a J-frame revolver.

[doctorb]

This med must do more that effect the diameter of the pupil.  You're correct, it changes the amount of light entering the eye. But focus is a matter of the lens and the shape of the globe of the eye.  I had heard about this medication when it was advertised on TV awhile back.  Have yet to investigate the literature on exactly how this works.  I am interested if they feel that you can drive while on this medication, if distance vision may be effected.

[firefighter ontheside]

Apparently its a drug that's been used to treat glaucoma for a long time, but the improvement of near vision is a happy side effect.  I assume its under a different name when used for glaucoma.

[DbltreeBelgians]

You peaked my interest in this Bill. I had LASIK performed 22 years ago after having issues seeing while wearing SCBA during a structure fire. As a search and rescue diver it wasn't much of an issue because I couldn't see my hand in front of my face most of the time and we also had comm's with the tender or dive master.  I too lost some of my up close vision after LASIK. Before the procedure when wearing glasses I could read the size of nearly any small drill bit. Now I have to use a magnifying glass to read them. Would love to have even a little bit of that ability back. I'd also be interested in a LASIK touch up as I didn't know there was an option for that. Please keep us updated on the eye drops and how well things work.

Brent 

[firefighter ontheside]

When I got my Lasik, it was a part of the deal that I paid for that if needed, they could do a new procedure to bring my distance vision back up to par.  I can't be sure that the same can be done for you, but most likely.  Technology for Lasik has gone thru many advances from the time that you had yours and then what I had.  I assume tech has changed even more.  

[SwampDonkey]

I find with progressives you can read something that is dead flat, but if rounded like book pages it has a fish eye effect for me. I have no trouble walking, but some people can't see where their feet land with those. I don't have that issue. Everyone is different. :D I probably don't get tested more than once in 8 years. And progressives are double the price and you don't get the 'second pair free' deal either at Vogue Optical. :D I do have insurance though, for exam and eye wear.

[Ed_K]

 I find that safety glasses are heavy and hurt my ears and nose if they aren't fitted right : . I've been going to lens crafters, they do a good job at fitting them and if I run them over w/the tractor they will fix them for me 8).

 Rita had to have eye surgery for cataract's. They can put a slice of plastic or something like that inside the eye to make your vision better far away. It's expensive like $2300. per eye. I talked Rita into it and wow she doesn't have to wear glasses at all, just reading up real close. She's worn glasses since she was 4 or 5 now nothing, even got her license without the glasses.

[YellowHammer]

That's what my optometrist said also, if I ever got cataracts they would put in a new perfectly shaped lens and done.  He said it was a quick operation and routine.  

[beenthere]

That's what my optometrist said also, if I ever got cataracts they would put in a new perfectly shaped lens and done.  He said it was a quick operation and routine.  

And get to choose on a lens for long distance, or short distance. Use glasses to correct the other as needed. 

[Ron Scott]

I had my annual eye exam on November 3rd when doctor found a film on my left eye. She called it a secondary cataract after having cataracts removed a couple years ago. I had laser removal of it this morning and have some floaters which are now going away.

Will go in for new glasses next week.

[Machinebuilder]

Yall are lucky.

I've been seeing an ophthalmologist for eye exams every year for longer than I can remember.
The reason is i have High Myopia (nearsitedness), my prescription is a -12+ diopter. I have only met one person with higher.
The last couple years my Dr. is also keeping a close eye on a form of macular degeneration related to my high myopia

I get my glasses at an Optician, all they do is make glasses, there are only 2 people there that i like to touch mine.

I do tend to get all the expensive options added to my lenses, the ones i got this year were about $800/pair.

This year was the first time my prescription was totally screwed up, the new person at my Dr. just got it wrong.
There was a major change for me, about 1/2 diopter and the astigmatism correction was significant also.
The lenses were redone under warranty.

When I got my progressive lenses I had no problems adjusting to them.

[SwampDonkey]

Lots of older folks around, including mother,  that have to go for wet AMD injections to curtail blood vessel growth. Took mother to the clinic this week and it's a steady coming and going of patients. Three doctors in that clinic doing it. Somebody is coining it. Thankfully, Medicare covers it here.

[21incher]

I finally got in for a visit to get started taking care of my cataracts today. Took several months just to get an appointment for the initial optometrist visit after putting it off for the last 2 years. Beginning of this year my vision blurriness really started to accelerate and it became impossible to drive at night with oncoming headlights becoming giant refracted stars. They scanned my retinas and luckily they have no damage and set me up with a surgeon I am on the waiting list for. Their surgeon is out until Nov to Dec to have it done so I am referred to a big group near Rochester they use that has an opening in 4 to 6 weeks for the initial visit and lens scan. Then another 4 weeks after that to do the first eye with the second 2 weeks later. Was told there is a 98% chance I will no longer need glasses for driving after the procedures, Guess it depends on the initial scan to determine the lens. After having the start of cataracts for a couple years I couldn't believe how fast my vision started going the last couple weeks. Could only identify the letter on the eye test when it was at the largest size with one character on the screen and not much lenses can do now to correct anything. Can't believe how far out doctor appointments for anything are now. Another little thing just happened that may be another side effect related to my Covid vaccine constant problems. My doc said my Thyroid just died after constant rounds of blood tests trying to figure out what's wrong with me. So on meds for that now. Also testing positive for autoimmune problems since the vaccine. They pulled me off Crestor with all my muscle issues and my Cardiologist wants me back on it with the cholesterol zooming but my insurance company drug plan is now denying it because there is a generic. They swapped it out once and the generic stuff crippled me like all the other satins I tried. Tough getting old. But hopefully my eyes will be fixed soon

[thecfarm]

I am in between insurance now. I pay less for some of my meds, then when I had insurance.  ???
I am on an inhaler that I pay $30 for 90 days. 
Just need to ask the pharmacy what can be done.
They never asked for any income or nothing.
The inhaler I've had for a couple years. Was going to cost me $300 a month,    through my insurance. 

[21incher]

I am in between insurance now. I pay less for some of my meds, then when I had insurance.  ???
I am on an inhaler that I pay $30 for 90 days.
Just need to ask the pharmacy what can be done.
They never asked for any income or nothing.
The inhaler I've had for a couple years. Was going to cost me $300 a month,    through my insurance.

When you are stuck only being able to tolerate one name brand drug it's not that easy. Believe me we have tried everything else with severe side effects.  My cardiologist is fighting to have me put on a bi weekly injection of another cholesterol drug that costs almost 4x as much if they won't approve the Crestor and says they can't deny that as a last choice. Also looking into a new drug that works in the water in your body not causing muscles to cramp but that's definitely not covered either. Just stinks how insurance  companies keep switching mail order drug plans and don't go by your doctors orders.

[21incher]

Well had cataract surgery done yesterday and today I have gone from 20 / 200 vision with glasses to 20 / 25 vision without glasses.  Finally know what white is again.  Still some dilation and swelling from the procedure and should be at 20 / 20 soon. What an quick and easy procedure with instant results.  Can't wait to get second one done next month. 

[mike_belben]

2019 to 2020 i lived in a bigrig 13 months and tried to make a living while covid caused freight rates to drop to nothing,  so i was up around the clock on caffeine and garbage road food.

  Ive had a medical card for over a decade and been renewing them at a chiropractors office that is a neighbor i know.  His minions usually do the exam and he signs off but at one renewal he came out himself and said hey man i saw it was you.. and i gotta tell ya, youve got an eye disease.. the amount of vision you lost in the amount of time isnt normal and you need it checked out, any lower and youd fail the test.

I admit i was having a hard time reading road signs by then but just thought it was stress and sleep deprivation. Went to an eye doc, he found nothing.

Long story short i quit carbs and sugar and vision got better than 20/20, the best of my life.  I can explain why now.  Its called the polyol pathway, aka sorbitol pathway.

High enough blood glucose triggers the polyol pathway threshold and aldose reductase converts glucose to sorbitol then sorbitol reductase converts the sorbitol to fructose to burn as fuel. 

Well neither your lens nor retina has the sorbitol reductase enzyme necessary to make that 2nd conversion so the eyes accumulate sorbitol which is hygrosopic, it has an affinity for water which the eye cannot deal with.  My understanding is this is why diabetes and cataracts/detached retina go hand in hand.

My peripheral neuropathy, pounding irregular heart beat, headaches, restless legs, snoring and probably a few other things also all resolved.

[petefrom bearswamp]

Had my cataracts done about 10 years ago.
20 20 since but still need readers.
Also developed a huge floater right away in my left eye which they said would go away over time.
Not so its still there after over a decade.
Glad its not my shooting eye.
I go annually, sooner if I have a problem which I have had to do several times
Oh well I guess a situation due to advancing age.
Dont get on the forum as much as I used to but glad to see a post by Mike Belben