No more contacts?

[Kegan2011]

I had been seeing the same optometrist for about twenty five years.  He retired, I needed someone new and recently was seen by a highly recommended ophthalmologist nearby.  Visually, the following applies; I have amblyopia and a moderate amount of astigmatism.  One eye is +.75, -1.25 while the other is   -.25, -4.25 with an add of 2.50 and 2 diopters of prism  base up in the amblyopic eye.  I pretty much need full time correction of some sort, but for many years have worn contacts, albeit without the prism, though I do get better correction with glasses. Due to the prescription differences in my two eyes, glasses tend to be unattractive, making my eyes two different shapes...one is magnified a bit while the other, due to the astigmatism angle, is minified and looks about half it's size vertically!  
Finally, to the point. The new doctor refuses to give me contacts, adamantly stressing that with my eyes it is imperative that I keep glasses on to protect them at all times, that if anything happened to the better eye that i would be rather helpless as the worse eye will not correct to 20/20.  She said that on very rare special occasions it might be okay to forego the glasses, but that since contacts would only correct my distant vision I would still need glasses to see anything near, and vice versa, there is no point in taking a chance.  While I don't want to take any unnecessary risks, I am not at all thrilled with becoming a full time glasses wearer overnight, as I've only ever worn them on occasion and, I am ashamed to admit, only when alone and, yikes, never around my boyfriend!  I used to be able to manage to go bare eyed but that is a mere impossibility any more.  I do not plan to doctor shop until I hear what I want to however, if this seems unreasonable then i will try someone else.  And if this makes sense then I will do what i have to do.   Thank you for your consideration of my question.

[JodieJ]

Nobody wants to wear glasses that distorts their appearance to onlookers.  In my opinion, the cosmetic aspects of your correction are of primary importance.  (Yeah, I guess it's important to protect your eyes, but maybe not at the expense of your self esteem.)  Given your prescription, it doesn't seem possible to correct your vision without glasses (worn at least some of the time.)  But since you aren't contact lens intolerant, why not correct your distance vision with contacts.  Then you could wear progressive glasses (incorporating prism) with plano tops to correct near/intermediate vision.  Your glasses would not make you look "unbalanced," since your contacts would be correcting your astigmatism.   And you could probably function just fine in most social situations without the glasses.  But with the right frames, you could look your best with or without your specs.

I don't think it would be possible to get the same cosmetic results with glasses alone.  But a skilled optician could certainly do better than your current glasses by using aspheric lenses and other tricks of the trade to minimize distortion to onlookers.

[browndds]

Thank you JodieJ for your response.  It appears as though Dr. Hagan may also have responded, but unfortunately there is no text there.  What is it that makes you note that your response may be controversial?  It seems that you are recommending that I still be in glasses much of the time, but that perhaps sometimes I can do contacts alone?  I like that 'sometimes' part, and I do like the idea of a pair of glasses that are more attractive from a cosmetic standpoint, though I trust those with my actual full strength prescription will still be unbalanced.  Is the underlying issue primarily the need to have full time protection on my eyes?  I've only just been told this by the new doctor, but in searching around on the internet I find little information that provides me with any concrete answers!  Thank you for your time!  Kegan

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

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[JodieJ]

I know that the opinion that I'm about to express will be controversial.  In your place, I would get another opinion before ordering new glasses.  I'm thinking that it should be possible for you to wear contacts AND glasses (at the same time), yet be able to go without the glasses some of the time.

The contacts would even out your glasses prescription for the best cosmetic effect.  And don't even think about getting your glasses made at a 1-hour service or cut-rate shop.  Seek the advice of a first-rate optician.  You'll probably want aspheric lenses (at an additional charge).  And be very picky about the frames, even if you have to visit every optical shop in town before deciding.  You'll want stylish frames that make you look as good wearing your glasses as without them, so shape and color are very important.  It would be a good idea to bring someone with you when you shop.

What I'm suggesting is definitely not a budget plan.  In addition to the contacts and glasses (probably with designer frames), you'll probably want a second pair of glasses to wear without contacts.