Can't Focus Closeup with Glasses On

[tchien69]

I have OD: -6.25, -0.50, 070, 1.00 BO, 0, 0 / OS: -6.25, -0.50, 115, 1.00 BO, 0, 0 Sphere, Cylinder, Axis, Horizontal Prism, Dist PD and Near PD, respectively.  My lens are OD: Hi-Index 1.67 and / OS: Hi-Index 1.67.

Within the past 5-7 years or so, I started not being able to read up close or anywhere near close with my glasses on.  I'd have to hold the text at almost arm's length to read.  With some small fonts (i.e. bibles), arm's length isn't an option either because it becomes too far.  Without glasses, I can read typical font close up in range of about 4-5 inches.  My optometrist says that I don't need reading glasses, but rather just some "prism" to help my eyes focus better.  When I showed him that I have to read at about 4 in. without glasses, he suggested I was trying to read "too close".  WTF?!?  Besides that that's the only distance I read *without* glasses on, the minimum I can read *with* glasses is arm's length (about 24 in.) which is well more than the 10-12 in. range of papers on a desk when sitting at a normal height.  When I'm tired, esp. sleep deprived, in arm's length or more becomes fuzzy with glasses.

What's more the same optometrist actually claims my vision improved from last year when it was at OD: -7.00, -0.25, 010, 1.5 delta O (?sp?) / OS: -6.75, -075, 112, 1.5 1.5 delta O (?sp?) with 1.74 / AR.

I noticed that if I pull my glasses about 1 in. away from my eyes *everything* and I mean "everything* (from long distance, to arm's length to 4 in.) clears up.  When I asked my optometrist about this, he didn't have explanation and seemed surprised repeatedly asking me to confirm that it cleared up distance *and* closeup vision.  When I asked a doctor on a competing "web" site, he simply said that pulling my glasses away creates a "telescopic" effect.  Well, I see how that may slightly improve my distance vision, but how does that explain dramatically clearing up my closeup vision at the *same time*?

Regardless, I just want assurance that this or some other prescription will reproduce that glasses - 1 in. - away effect before I plunk down $300 for another pair of glasses.

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

If you are near or over 40 the problem is likely presbyopia and a normal part of aging. It is treated with progressive bifocals. If you are much younger than that then I suggest you get a second opinion from an ophthalmologist.  If you are unhappy with the glasses ask if you can return them for your money back
JC MD

[tchien69]

P.S. FYI, I don't know if this is significant, but I went from a computer job for 12 years to a job where I rarely focused closeup for 4 years back to a computer job 3 years ago.  I "think" my closeup reading problems started after I first left my computer job (7 years ago) which just 5 months after I got my last / current glasses.