Do I really need glasses or am I being fobbed

Jon.dc

I just had an eye test and was told I need glasses for general use but not all the time.

I asked do I need them for driving and they said no, I then asked about VDU use (work will pay) and again I was told no.

The results are;

Right = SPH -0.25, CYL -0.75, AXIS 140.0
Left = SPH -0.25, CYL -0.50. AXIS 20.0

So my question is do I really need them or is the optician being a sales generator?

Hopefully someone on here will point me in the right direction.

Many thanks

Derivative

Depends what you expect from your vision.
Most/all people can improve their eyesight (read signs that are further in the distance, resolve fine details closer up, etc) by correction.

The optician would probably interpret "do I need them for driving" as the standard DVLA test, can you read a license plate at 'x' distance (not sure of the exact distance, it's pretty crap, to be honest).

0.25 diopter difference is about as much as my change in prescription the other month. I could live without it, drive, do everything, etc, I just prefer to be able to make out details better.

I like seeing the bus number a second before everyone else at the stop, for one. Makes me look all prepared. :P

You can always go for the cheapest frame possible or something to check if you really need them.

ladylouise62

Since it's not bad enough for driving, I suppose that the question should be "do you feel like you could use help?". My sun glasses prescription is about 2 prescriptions behind as I haven't felt a problem with the amount/ way I use them, although I do keep up to date with the normal glasses (very shortsighted).

firstinflight

Well, -0.25 sphere is a pretty weak prescription and you may not notice much of a difference, although -0.75 cylinder means there is a noticeable astigmatism, which glasses might help with.

Maybe take your prescription to a big tesco where they have an optician's and get a £10 pair of specs to see if they make much of a difference. One thing to bear in mind is that with a cylinder prescription, it will feel quite odd wearing them at first because your brain needs time to adjust to the new image.

PollyFlinders_3

I know when I need glasses because I get eye strain headaches after a short period watching TV or using the VDU. If you aren't having symptoms, and you are legal for driving, then no, you probably don't "need" them. Having said that, you might feel less tired if you do use glasses, even if you don't experience the headaches.

Did your optician show you what the recommended prescription would do for your vision (by referring you back to the letters chart and showing you the difference with or without the recommended prescription)? If not I would go back and ask to be shown.

The other factor no-one has mentioned yet is age. Don't know if this applies to you but once you reach your 40s your eyes find it more difficult to adjust to different distances and glasses do tend to be needed.

Jon.dc

PollyFlinders wrote: »

The other factor no-one has mentioned yet is age. Don't know if this applies to you but once you reach your 40s ......

Nearly there

Sounds like they will help then, as I do feel more tired and strained towards the end of the day.

Maybe I will spot the bargains quicker

Cheers for your replies all :beer:

Jinx

I have a similar test result. I do wear glasses as I get headaches starting above my right eye as my left is weaker - purely down to eye strain. I use a PC a lot and drive about an hour a day.

Its really your choice

Pink.

Hi Jon,

As your thread isn't strictly related to Old Style and has now dropped down the board I've moved it to the Health board to see if you can get some more replies.

Pink

1jim

I dont know about your prescription strength but I started wearing glasses about 10years ago. Until then I would have sworn blind that I had perfect vision (I only went for an eye test because I thought I should as had never had one)..... I still remmber the day I got them I was sat in a coffee shop and looking out the window and driving my wife mad, I was lifting up glasses and comparing with them on....I kept asking if she could see that sign across the road, or read the lettering over there. Everything became much more in focus, strictly speaking I dont need them for driving or vdu use but because everything is so much more focused they go on in the morning and stay on until I go to bed and now I cant live without them.

nedmundo

The best advice I can give you as an Optician is to go back and ask them to show you the difference (if they haven't already). You can then decide whether the improvement is worthwhile.

I have some patients with smaller prescriptions than yours, where it makes the world of difference to them and others with larger prescriptions which don't really affect their vision.

villagelife

If you are having eye strain at the end of the day or after driving or prolonged closework or computer use then it may will be worth getting them. Only though if you will wear them. No point in spending the money if you just leave the glasses in a drawer somewhere.