Isokonic glasses

[Onnieellen]

Are the lens of isokonic glasses the same grinding procedure as in a slab-off? If not, what is the difference? I have tried the slab-off and they didn't work out......My "second cataract" clouding is progressing......it's become difficult to read the newspaper.....Should I have the yag laser preformed before ordering isokonic glasses  (with post surgery prescription?)  I assume after yag, I'll return to the same prescription....what are your thoughts? Thank you for any opinion you offer....

[JodieJ]

Yes, the glasses can be made in any good lab with a doctor's prescription.  But you'd have to find a doctor who knew how to calculate the right prescription, which might involve some special testing.  This might turn out to be easier said then done, but you can try calling around.  It might be worth a drive down to Ohio State.  Alternatively, you could do online testing through the opticaldiagnostics website.   That's what I did, and it worked out very well for me.

[Onnieellen]

I've read information on the opticaldiagnostic.com site about aseikonic glasses. Before reading, I assumed glasses could be ground from doctor's prescription. Now I question the accuracy of my impression. Did you have special testing completed before ordering lens? If so, where did you go? I live in southern Michigan, so Ohio State isn't out of the question. I"m anxious to find help....can you offer more guidance? I'm -2.25-2.50 in left eye and +1 in right. I hope to make proper selections when ordering lens.....as to choice of material, etc.I want them to look pleasing.I plan have them lightly tinted, because of  light abbrevations.So far, the people I've talked with have no knowledge or experience with iseikonic lens. Getting frustrated.......

[JodieJ]

It's my understanding that iseikonic glasses work by adjusting the lens thickness and base curve in order to equalize the image size in each eye, while retaining the Rx.  In this regard, it's been reported that iseikonic glasses can provide greater visual comfort than contact lens wear.

When I was looking into possible solutions to my own situation, I had several phone conversations with staff at the Aniseikonia Service at the Ohio State University College of Optometry.  They are experts on the subject of iseikonic glasses and might be able to answer your questions.  (I think that "slab-off" relates to a prism effect rather than image size, but I'm not an expert in optics.)

In theory, a yag will not affect your prescription.  However, I think that it's sometimes difficult to get the script exactly right when vision is impaired by PCO.  

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

I am not familiar with isokonic glasses.  Slab-off glasses help when the refraction of the two eyes differ by a significant amount.

I would have the yag before getting the glasses.  Another option to eliminate the refractive difference between the two eyes would be to have a refractive lens exchange in the other eye (an early cataract surgery).