Distorted Vision With New Glasses

Hello,

I received new eyeglasses (bifocals) last week and couldn't wear them because, even though my vision was much clearer, objects were distorted by appearing to be taller and narrower than in reality.  I even checked this by viewing a measured square with and without the glasses. My depth perception is affected, and I don't dare drive while wearing the glasses. I returned the glasses, they were checked, and I was told that I had been given my dad's prescription (same name). New glasses were ordered with the supposedly correct prescription. I picked up the new glasses today and have the same problem. I spoke to two different people and was told basically the same thing by both: "That's normal with your astigmatism. Wear the glasses for a week to let your eyes adjust."  I have worn glasses for many years and have never been told I have astigmatism, and I have never had the distortion problem. Is it true that my eyes need to adjust to the new glasses? Or is there a problem with the prescription?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear dhayes1960,

It can sometimes take time to adjust to new glasses and one week is the recommend time.  If however, you feel strongly, it might be wise to have the glasses checked by the doctor who wrote the prescription to make sure that they match your eyes.  In the future, make sure you use a middle initial and birth date in all medical visits so that there is no confusion as to your identity.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[JodieJ]

What is the prescription in your new glasses?  What was it in the old glasses?

[dhayes1960]

The old prescription is several years old and I have no idea what it is. My vision has definitely gotten much worse, and they no longer have any effect at all.
The new prescription is:

Left:  sph -0.50, cyl -225, axis 100, add 1.75
Right: sph PL (?), cyl -225, axis 090, add 1.75

[JodieJ]

I'm not an eye care professional, but I believe that it's true that glasses with an astigmatism correction can take longer to adjust to.  (And is this your first pair of bifocals?)  But, frankly, your story raises some red flags about the optical shop that you used.  In your place, I'd call the doctor who prescribed the glasses and get an appointment to have them checked.  (Are they the right prescription, and are they made correctly?)  If everything checks out, then you'll probably want to give them a trial run.  If you continue to have problems with them, you might consider returning them for a refund and getting a new prescription from a different (and experienced) doctor.

[dhayes1960]

Thanks for the advice. I won't mention the name of the provider, but it's one of the large chains that offer 2 pairs for a low, low price. I've learned my lesson. I've already made an appointment with another optician and will be receiving a refund on the glasses I already have. I'll be paying a bit more, but at least I'll have glasses I can use.