Do I go back to a different optician?

peter021072

A year ago I had some laser eye surgery for a minor tear in the retina.  Afterwards, I bought a pair of cheap glasses for reading to avoid eye strain in case it might be a factor. 

About a month ago I attended the eye clinic at the hospital for a final check.  They use droplets to widen the iris to examine the eye carefully.  They also used a slit lamp to search for cataracts. I recall they said 'no cataracts', however they advised I see an optician to correct for any potential changes in vision. I also scored 6/6 for distance, and can see easily in the dark.

Two weeks ago I visited my local optician for a prescription, and to my horror they diagnosed the very early stages of cataracts, in both eyes. They also used a slit lamp but with no drops.  I sent away for some glasses on the Internet using their prescription, and they arrived yesterday (one of the recent MSE deals).  Unfortunately, they are worse than the my old cheap ones which I bought without a prescription. I can only use the new ones with my eyes about a 30 cm from what I'm reading with my right eye. 

So there are two issues,  1) the cataracts and 2) the prescription for glasses.

Do I go back to the same optician or a different one for a re-test, and can I send my glasses back for different lenses if the prescription was wrong?


(My prescription reads + 1.75 for both eyes N5 6/6 distance. Old spectacles have a description of R140-56 17 142, the new ones  B070 C151-20-140 whatever that means)

tidus

If you are not happy with your new glasses, go back to the same practice and they should rectify the issue, don't go somewhere else. If you're not convinced about the mention of cataracts, speak to the optician about your concerns. Ultimately if they can't get you happy with your specs, then ask for a refund and go elsewhere.

Just as a general point, most people get cataracts eventually. Certain types of surgery can induce cataracts to develop shortly after. Some Opticians will mention them at a very early stage, others will wait until they are more advanced to mention them.

Also, "eyestrain" has nothing to do with retinal tears!

Floss

Also, it maybe the the glasses are actually right for the eye test, but you are used to your OTC glasses.

Why not ask for a copy of the hospital ophthalmologists report to clarify the query about cataracts?

peter021072

tidus said:

If you are not happy with your new glasses, go back to the same practice and they should rectify the issue, don't go somewhere else. If you're not convinced about the mention of cataracts, speak to the optician about your concerns. Ultimately if they can't get you happy with your specs, then ask for a refund and go elsewhere.

The Glasses were not bought from the optician who tested my eyes, but an on-line supplier, speccy four eyes!  Of course I copied the details of the prescription across.  I was careful, so doubt if there was a mistake. 

Presumably I can send the glasses back regardless of their suitability within a certain timeframe.  I need to get the prescription correct though.

kazwookie

Contact the online supplier and ask if they are the right ones against the prescription, depending on what they say, you can chose what to do

Go back to the opticians and ask for a re check and explain why, also get them to look the glasses over, you check they are the right lens etc against the prescription they issued, even though you bought them else where, , if you explain nicely I am sure they could help with advise. 

Pollycat

I think I would have queried the 'very early stages of cataracts, in both eyes' diagnosis right there at the optician appointment - if you are 100% sure of what the eye clinic said.

kirtondm

The cataract issue is a bit of a red herring. If the VA was 6/6 and patient happy with vision no need for surgery. Personally I wouldn't even call it a cataract as that stage. Yes the lens is not as clear as 20 years ago but to call it a cataract with VA of 6/6 and no problems debatable.

Reading specs are only clear at one distance and it seems this is 30cm?, You could have them reset for 40cm etc but won't have the same magnification. I would personally regard that as a dispensing issue rather than a prescription one. Prehaps if you tell the dispesner where you want the readers focused they can oblige?

tidus

The primary responsibility for the suitability of the glasses is the company who sold them to you, so contact the online supplier first and get their advise. If you end up having to have a second eye examination, you need to know that they will exchange the lenses in the event that you get a different prescription. Unfortunately seperating the sight test and supplier can cause difficulties when there is a problem.

Brie

I suggest you go back to the optician and ask them to check the glasses actually match their prescription.  If they do then advise that you feel the script must be incorrect. 

I've needed to do similar to this a few times in the last 50 years of wearing glasses.  Because I have a complex prescription I can't get cheap off the shelf glasses and am wary of the online sellers' ability to get it right.  I have used Specsavers as well as other chains and small local firms.  Some of the chains have been ridiculous expensive (£800 in non designer frames - I said no and went elsewhere) so I do tend to shop around.

kirtondm

I think if the specs are clear at 30cm it is just a question of putting the distance where you would like. Does not seem difficult. Although strange a +1.75ADD is focusing @30cm. You may of course be having big prescription changes due to the cataract

theoretica

What you haven't said is what the prescription was on the reading glasses you bought.  How did you choose them rather than a different power?