Re: Drusen

Posted By Marianne on June 07, 1999 at 21:07:18
1. Can wearing glasses that aren't quite right change your vision on eye exam?  I went from 20/20 4 weeks ago to 20/30 today.  
2. Do you recommend anti-reflective coating on lenses?  Can this distort vision?  
I've been having a very hard time with new glasses. The prescription is only slightly changed, so I don't understand. Mid to long distance vision seems fuzzier.  I'm constantly aware of my vision like I have to physically refocus when I look at different distances.  Have been trying to get used to them for 4 weeks.
Was told glasses were fine, maybe it's my eyes.  Eye MD re-examined me today and my vision has changed (in a month?). I have to go back in 2 weeks for re-exam, "and we'll talk some more then." Told me he couldn't make my vision any sharper.
He mentions, oh by the way, you have drusen on your retina. Actually has been noted on my chart for 10 years, but he didn't ever tell me.  Is this standard practice?  Maybe I wouldn't be so flipped out if I had known about the drusen before.  How common is drusen?  I was 30 when he first charted it.
I'm 40 yo, non-smoking female. Good health. Worn glasses since age 10 for nearsightedness. No family hx of macular degeneration.  At my first appt 4 weeks ago, MD mentioned that I'd need bifocals within a couple years.  So far, my close-up vision seems OK with single-vision glasses.  Looking at the computer screen I can see & make out letters, but it just isn't sharp.
I'm glad this forum is here - I'd appreciate any comments you might have, as well as how alarmed I should be by all of this.

[HFHS M.D.-NI]

Posted By HFHS MD - NI on June 07, 1999 at 22:07:30
Small fluctuations in vision and prescription are not uncommon.  For this reason we do not always prescribe new glasses when there is a small change.
Wearing the wrong power glasses especially if the difference is small should not change your eyes.  The vision will be a little blurry with the wrong prescription but it should not effect the eye.
Drusen are one sign of macular degeneration which generally occurs in people much older than you.  There are some types of drusen which can occur earlier but are not usually associated with the major problems of macular degeneration.  It is important to keep followup with your ophthalmologist to make sure there is no change in the retina.
If your vision cannot be corrected to 20/20 there may be something else going on.  I cannot comment on the cause without examining you.
This information is for educational purposes only.  











Follow Ups:


Drusen Marianne 6/07/1999
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Re: Drusen HFHS M.D.-JL 6/07/1999
(1)

Drusen Marianne 6/08/1999
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