Inability to read close up without glasses/contacts

[joshuag]

Hi. I have severe myopia (-8D) and if I try to read or look at anything close up without glasses/contacts both eyes are fighting to focus on the object. The focal point with both eyes together is a few inches closer than the clearest point with either eye. It used to be that my right eye would automatically take over and only view what I am looking at, but now it seems both are trying to focus. Is this strabismus because with contacts/glasses on I don't have this issue? I did try focussing on one piece of text for a while in the past until both eyes came together better but it hasn't seemed to work lately.

Also, I have had some trouble with my glasses in that the clearest part of the lenses is not in the centre of my vision, so it has been very blurry but seems to fluctuate. I have to tilt my head backward to see clearly. These are only a year old and the frames aren't bent. My old glasses are fine. Will my eyes get used to this or should I have these bent so that the lenses are centred properly?

Thanks

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Abigailm1986]

I'm asmused when someone with -8 or such describes it as severe myopia.  I'm -15.  THAT is severe myopia, lol.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

If the glasses have never been satisfactor ask for your money back or if the RX needs to be changed ask that it be done free. At our clinic we have a 60 day warranty on all glasses and all changes are made without charge.

JCH MD

[joshuag]

Thanks for your answer. I hope I don't have to get new glasses as they are very costly lenses and are quite new. About a year ago I could get my eyes to focus better if I stared at some text for a while. I also notice I can focus better if my eyes are even closer than the clearest point.

Josh

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

No its not strabismus. Your focal point without glasses or contacts is so close that your eyes can't turn in (converge) properly and one eye starts to focus and the other turns out. If its normal with glasses or contacts no problem.

Have a reliable optician check the OPTICAL CENTERS of both pairs of glasses and be sure that they are both over your pupil. Sounds like the newer pair may not have been ground properly.

JCH MD