From Contacts to Glasses -very concerned.

[LollipopGrl]

Hi,

Several weeks ago I asked a question concerning cloudiness in my right eye and was told that I should see an opthamologist. Unfortunately, insurance is forcing me to wait until 10/26, so until then, I'm stuck in this situation.

In the meantime, I'm still wearing my contacts (-10) and still dealing with cloudy/slightly blurred vision which seems to be starting in on my left eye as well. I saw the doctor that prescribes my lenses, and ordered glasses a few weeks ago and got them back today. I did this because I've been wearing lenses nonstop since 1993 (and yes, I've been known to sleep in them) and wanted my eyes to breathe more. Plus, I wondered if the cloudiness could be from overuse (because the doctor says he doesn't think it's cataracts or glaucoma).

Well, I got my glasses today, was told that they are a -12.50, and I'm miserable. When I put them on, I immediately felt nauseous and dizzy. I took them back to the doctor and he told me that I reacted that way because it's a very high prescription and I haven't worn glasses in many years. He also said that I will need an "adjustment" period to get used to them.

So, I came home, put them on again, and realize that I can't use them for the computer at all, watching tv is sketchy, and reading just makes my head throb. My questions are:

1) Do you think this will ever end so that I can wear my glasses (they were $300 and I really don't want that to be wasted money)? Any tips on adjusting?

2) Could the cloudiness in my eye be a factor as to why I can't wear my glasses comfortably?

3) I took the amsler grid test at home (23 inches away from the computer screen) and I passed, but if my problem with cloudiness isn't cataracts or glaucoma (was given a pressure test), then what could possibly be causing it?

Any and all comments are appreciated.
Many thanks.

[LollipopGrl]

Thank you all for your comments and insight -it's greatly appreciated.

I saw my opthamologist two days ago and she examined my eyes (dilated pupils and all) and she said my retinas were "great" and I had no eye infections or anything of that sort. She did, however, say that as a high myopic I risk RD and she saw some slight thinning, but nothing that I should be worried about.

According to her, my problem seems to be "dry eyes" and she inserted collagen plugs and told me to use artificial tears and rewetting drops with my lenses. She also informed me that my glasses are actually "under" strength (though I knew that. The optometrist told me the higher Rx would have my filed of vision so distorted I wouldn't be able to function, particularly after being without glasses for 16 years). She wants the glasses done to full strength, but I'm having such a hard time with this strength, I'm just not sure if I want to.

My headaches have stopped (with my glasses) somewhat, but reading and computer use is still extremely hard. The words are so tiny I can hardly make them out. But I'm still toughing it out and trying to get used to both. The optometrist suggests contacts for work and glasses for use at home (as much as I can stand it) just to give my eyes a rest and that's what I'm trying to do, but it's *very* hard.

I have a couple of questions for anyone that may have an answer.

I'm looking into artificial tears. Today I bought "Refresh Dry Eye Therapy" drops, which are supposed to be great. But they aren't "preservative free". Are these drops good? I know I shouldn't use them when I'm wearing my contacts, but if I use them without my lenses will they have any negative effect on my eyes when I put my contacts on?

Second, about the glasses. It's my preference to wear glasses when I'm home, but I do need to use  my computer at home (work related etc). Would a pair of reading glasses help? I ask because my optometrist says that I need "less vision" for reading as opposed to my high Rx glasses that I need for everything else. But since I'm so horribly nearsighted, I'm not even sure if this is possible.

And Dr. Kutryb, with the myopic degenration (My doctor didn't mention anything like that thank goodness), what would be the treatment for something that? I guess you can say I really want to be informed of what could happen.

Many thanks to all.

[JodieJ]

I'm also a former high myope (pre-cataract surgery and clear lens exchange).  In my case, anyway, wearing contacts changed the shape of my cornea, making it difficult  to comfortably switch from contacts to glasses.  (This is why ophthalmologists want you to be out of your contacts for some time before they do eye measurements.)  With hard contacts, I was never able to get a glasses script that I could wear comfortably.  When I switched to soft lenses, there was less of a problem, but I still felt my glasses script was slightly off.  I suggest that you persevere with your glasses for a few weeks, and then have the prescription reevaluated.  Most optical shops will remake the lenses at no charge.

[Eye-Kant-C]

I had high myopia like you (-10 contacts) and before my surgery (clear lens extraction) I was told to be out of contacts for a week. I hadn't worn glasses in over 33 years! I had -12.5 lenses in the glasses and talk about sick & dizzy. But I toughed it out and after the first 2 days of wearing the glasses nonstop, no contacts, it got better. It was still miserable, but I didn't feel sick any more. I also have been told for years that I am at high risk for retinal detachment and my mother and sister have already had that. My sister was only about 30 at the time and my mom was about 55. I see my opthalmologist at least once a year to be dilated and checked for signs of RD. I do have a weak spot, but so far, no problem. I think going between contacts & glasses would be a problem -- I tried that 20 years ago and never could function at all, but with the exclusive use of glasses, it could be just a matter of time before you get used to it. Good luck!

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You know your extensive computer work might be a big part of your problems.  Your eyes are constantly accommodating or focusing for the near work which makes you temporarily more nearsighted by the changing shape of the lens.  It takes time for the lens to relax and assume its resting shape - and during that time your eyes may be more blurry than usual.  Also eyes dry out terribly when on computer or a while.  Your risk of retinal detachment is not going to become more than it already is.  I worry some about myopic degeneration, which is when the eyeball becomes so elongated over time that the retina and choroid get a little stretched to use a very nonscientific term.   Hopefully you don't have that - and it can be very easily determined on retinal exam.
Michael Kutryb, MD

[LollipopGrl]

Thank you for such a fast response -I appreciate it.

I'm 36, wear a -10 in contacts (though the doctor I saw has discovered that I actually need a -11 in order to do things like drive and a -10 for computer use/reading), and when I took my glasses back with my complaints, he rechecked my eyes and told me that the prescription was correct.

In fact, he said that my prescription should have been higher, but they went lower because during my testing I was having a hard time seeing with the higher prescription. (Yes, I know. Odd.) But I'm inclined to think they're correct because the glasses feel like they're too strong in some ways even now.

I'm obviously nearsighted, but with my glasses on, everything is exceptionally small to the point of not being able to properly focus without a headache and reading seems to be a "no" altogether. I hope I can become used to them because I do  need to give my eyes a rest from contact use. But again, I haven't touched a pair of glasses 16 years or so...

As for the cloudiness, I basically just noticed it one day (6 weeks ago). It was like a slightly fog in my right eye that went away when I blinked a few times. Unfortunately, that is happening less and less and I feel like it may be developing in my left eye as well along with a very slight blurriness (particularly when focusing). I've never had any problems with my eyes other than needing vision correction, but I do admit to be a "lazy lense user" and haven't nearly taken the care that I should (which was why I decided to get glasses and limit my lense usage). I sleep in my lenses all the time, and keep them longer than I should (though I'm changing my ways).

I do have an appointment to see a "real" eye doctor later on this month, but I can say with fair confidence that my eyes feel just a touch worse than they did when this first started. I can still see well enough to work (I work in computers and put in very long hours) and get around, but at times the fog seems just a bit thicker.

As a sideline question, for people that suffer from myopia, is there any "certain point/prescription" that they should start worrying about things like retinal detachment? As I wait for this scary appointment, everything in the world is popping into my head.

Thank you for your time.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Usually if you don't adjust to the new glasses in a week or so, it might not be the right prescription.  If you take them back to your "eye doctor' he/she needs to take the time to re-measure you and change the prescription if needed.  It's possible that your cornea was warped due to long term contact lens wear and is still molding back into a new shape, thus your prescription may not be stable.  As far as the cloudiness of your vision - I just can't even begin to try to unravel that.  Don't know your age, eye conditions, full symptoms, prescription, etc etc.  Could be so many things.  Sounds like  you're making appt with ophthalmologist - that's a good start.  In the meantime, take the glasses back and ask to be rechecked.
Michael Kutryb, MD