glasses

[cellio]

I'd been meaning to order new glasses for a while, but did not want to get caught in another dispute between the doctor who wrote the prescription and the optical shop that made them (like last time). So I'd been looking for a place that provides both services so I could surround any mistakes with a someone-else's-problem field. Dani had a good experience at NeoVision in Shadyside, so I went there.

The exam started off with a fascinating gadget (that, alas, I did not get the name of). One eye at a time, they told me to stare into the gadget and not blink. I watched a grapheme (not text) blur into and out of focus before "snapping" into focus -- without any communication from me. That was neat! It got the right eye just fine (which is usually the one that's hard to get a reading on), but did not "snap" to focus on the left (unusual). I reported that fact and they said that's ok; they'll tune things during the exam.

Their optician then did a fairly conventional refraction, except for two things: (1) when I told him I needed more time to focus before being able to answer "is that better?" he listened and slowed down, and (2) instead of the wacky frames into which they fit physical lenses, he had a device where he just twiddled knobs or something, with the result that the transitions were smoother. (I had not previously seen such a gadget.) Within some parameters that I don't know, adjustable glasses are clearly feasible.

The final version he came up with allowed me to read text on the wall chart that I had not been able to read with the glasses I walked in with. So that's a good sign. I told him I was most concerned with the bifocal, for both reading and computer use, and he inserted something to show me what that would look like. (For reading, anyway -- no handy computer, and they are different in feel.) Bifocals are just an add-on; there's no tuning involved. So there's not a lot of flexibility there. If I ever decide to try again with the all-bifocal-all-the-time glasses (exclusively for computer use), we could presumably fine-tune it.

Of course, the danger of all of these things is judging on a few seconds' worth of exposure; the real evaluation requires longer. (That's part of why I want those adjustable glasses!)

Their guy is an opthamologist, so he started to do a glaucoma test. I wasn't expecting that but the insurance covered it, so I let him do it. Unbeknownst to me, that insurance would bite the dust two days later. Let's hear it for lucky timing. (The new corporate overlords do have vision coverage, though it's a bit weaker. More imporantly, though, even though we've been assured that insurance will be back-dated to the beginning of the month and we're not uninsured, we haven't yet been able to actually sign up for insurance. I had a doctor's appointment scheduled for this week that I've had to move already; I hope they fix this before next month's dentist appointment!)

I picked up the glasses today. They are taking some time to adjust to, both distance- and close-vision, but the drive back to the office was perfectly fine (so distance seems promising) and I haven't ripped them off my face to return to the old ones yet. So we're already well ahead of the last time I got new glasses. Focusing on the computer screen is different but possible. Reading paper seems to be fine, though I haven't tried anything challenging yet like smaller newsprint.

So a provisional thumbs-up to NeoVision. I'm hoping that by the end of tomorrow these will feel perfectly normal. Right now, about 12 hours after putting them on, I still feel like I'm wearing someone else's prescription. (I have the impression that most people adjust more quickly than I do.)

Oh, I personally think the new glasses are a little aesthetically-challenged, but appearance is so far down on the list compared to functionality that I don't really care. I asked them to recommend a shape and size for the lenses.

Update Apr 12 morning: Distance vision in the left lens is a bit off; I can't read street signs as clearly as I could with the old glasses. The right lens is spot-on, though, and better than the old one, and bifocals seem to be better overall. I'm going to have them look at that left lens, though.

Comments

[ichur72.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the new glasses, and hope the adjustment period goes well.

[ealdthryth.livejournal.com]

The gadget sounds interesting. I should check around here to see if anyone has one. I have a lazy left eye that is really hard to correct. I explain the vision in it as some of the pixels are missing. It's not blurry; it just isn't always an complete image.

Good luck with the new glasses!

[anniemal.livejournal.com]

I have been through this eye stuff this past year. I also cannot answer the "Is this better, or this?" question quickly. I have located a satisfactory ophthalmologist, though he doesn't slow quite down to my speed. I've striven to achieve their standards of decision-making pace, but failed. We compromise. He's my age, or thereabouts, so I know he's experienced but not yet doddering. Okay. We hope.

Adjusting to the new glasses. Aah. I'm still a bit bewildered at having to tip my head at odd angles to bring things into focus. I suppose my time spent with microscopes hasn't been wasted. Bringing a blossoming plum tree into focus is only a new annoyance in head-tipping. The sideways wobble sucks. But it's better than what I had, and I didn't have to drive 325mi. and pay out of pocket for it, except for the expensive lenses and frames (which bloody well better last 10 yrs.). I can mostly read street signs in time to turn onto them; or at least miss them by only a circlable block.

I've had them since the last snowfall +2wks. And am still learning, but find them mostly okay. I still plop reading glasses over them for computer use or serious reading. But my computer setup is abnormal anyway. I roll over and sit up from bed. I am a half-lotus user. Sometimes full or .75. Unkinking legs can get uncomfortable.

Reading teeny tiny itty-bitty label printing in supermarkets is mostly possible, but I keep auxilliary 1.5's handy should I need to peer. Don't flinch. Look middle-aged if necessary. Snort at those whose eyes have not yet gone presbyopic or downright cattywampus.

And take the glaucoma test if it's free or even just cheap. I'm headed that way and it's good to know it as far ahead of time as possible.

The first necessary aspect of the new frames was my sunglasses. They're called Fitovers. and I forget mine's name. They're kinda flashy for full coverage. peripheral included. Any frames I get have to go with them. I got them five years ago, and love them dearly. True to tech form, I paid a lot on the initiation, but they're only $45 now.

So i picked the least obtrusive frames that worked with the sunglasses that I liked. Always ask anyone present's opinion. Strangers have nothing at stake. They may not be right, but barring any other factors, (like one friend who has impeccable taste, and another who knows you well) it's a tough call. What one looks like in glasses doesn't and does matter sometimes in usually confusing circumstances.

My initial response is "Fuck that Shit." Then I second guess. Aesthetics. Hungh. We're smart enough now that we know aesthetics appeal mostly to the young. The young, however, sometimes matter. Urrgh.

Best of luck, since that what it seems to come down to.

I'm going to cuddle the black and brown and greehht beasties.

[goljerp]

Congrats on the new prescription working, mostly, so far.

I have to admit to being uncomfortable about glaucoma tests, mainly because of an awkward reflex on my part with regards to eye manipulation. In a nutshell, glaucoma tests make me turn green and nearly faint. Haven't actually fainted after one yet, but it's not a great feeling. And it has nothing to do with the doctor - I warn them about it now, but it doesn't help. Or else, wait, did the last doctor have something new that I was OK with? I forget. Oy, my memory, like a sieve it is.

[nsingman.livejournal.com]

I'm a bad boy, and hadn't been for an eye exam in almost a decade. I finally went this past November, and was pretty impressed with some of the new gadgets, including the continuously adjusted focus. I also had my pupils dilated for the first time, and that was an interesting experience - especially when I stepped out into the sun later! They weren't kidding when they said I'd be more sensitive to the light. It took longer than they said it would for the effects to wear off. The glaucoma test was different, too. Until then, I'd always had the puff of air test.

I think I'm getting closer and closer to needing bifocals, but for the time being, my contact lens prescription is the same as it was. For six-point text or smaller, though, it's starting to get fuzzy when I get closer than about five or six inches away. I really needed another reminder that I'm getting older! :-)

[ironangel]

The exam started off with a fascinating gadget

the one with the hot air balloon in the air over green grass? that's pretty cool. it gives them a starting point for your perscription. I think it automatically measures focal length and such. for those of us with bad eyesight, it takes much less time to get to the correct script. it's pretty neat.

[lyev.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to say last night I saw someone who had a pair of otherwise normal glasses, except that the left lens had a small scope sticking out of it. Would be almost directly on the axis of vision of that person's eye. I don't know if it was for distance or close up work. I've seen something similar in artisan's glasses, that have adjustable magnifying lenses of varying powers that can be swung into place. But this was permanantly mounted.

He probably has good corrected vision, but the downside is of course lots of people like myself will look at him and wonder about the optics behind his glasses. I don't know if the scope could be adjusted for focal length or not.

Just thought I'd mention it for you to file away.