We returned from Maryland last December with a floater in my right eye and Art's double vision. What the heck is going on?
There's no cure for my floater and I just have to live with it.
Art has had double vision before, but they've been temporary and he'd get back to normal. For the last two and a half months, he's had double vision consistently when looking into the distance. His near vision is fine. He's often been driving with one eye closed.
I finally made an appointment for him with our optometrist who said he really needed to try prisms.
We went to Optical Supplies, Inc. in Halawa who fitted one of his eyeglass lens with a temporary plastic prism. He's supposed to try the prism for a month or two to see if it's the right type.
Art was absolutely amazed. We were worried the prism would affect his near vision, but it doesn't. It only corrects his distance vision so he can just see one stop light instead of two.
You can feel the slats of the prism though you can't easily see it. It's truly magical!
In a month, he'll buy a new pair of glasses with permanent prisms in them. What a relief that there was a cure for his condition.
POSTSCRIPT: Also... much as we love our optometrist, the prism glasses were half the cost at Costco where Art also bought a pair of prism sunglasses for driving, all for what would have been the cost of the one pair that was quoted.
There's no cure for my floater and I just have to live with it.
Art has had double vision before, but they've been temporary and he'd get back to normal. For the last two and a half months, he's had double vision consistently when looking into the distance. His near vision is fine. He's often been driving with one eye closed.
We went to Optical Supplies, Inc. in Halawa who fitted one of his eyeglass lens with a temporary plastic prism. He's supposed to try the prism for a month or two to see if it's the right type.
Art was absolutely amazed. We were worried the prism would affect his near vision, but it doesn't. It only corrects his distance vision so he can just see one stop light instead of two.
In a month, he'll buy a new pair of glasses with permanent prisms in them. What a relief that there was a cure for his condition.
POSTSCRIPT: Also... much as we love our optometrist, the prism glasses were half the cost at Costco where Art also bought a pair of prism sunglasses for driving, all for what would have been the cost of the one pair that was quoted.
isn't it amazing what is out there to help us!!!
ReplyDeleteGood! I never heard of these prism glasses. I'm happy for Art.
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing! Did they say why he had double vision? That would drive me crazy.
ReplyDeleteThe doctor said it can be part of aging eye muscles. And yes, it was really annoying for Art.
DeleteI always learn something new from your blog! I had never heard of prism glasses before but I'm glad to know that they work so well.
ReplyDeleteGlad it helps! Wishing you the best, Art
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about this sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteThat was new to me too! Never have had double vision but know of others who have.
ReplyDeleteI am so very glad he can now drive with both eyes open. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, I have been having the same problem. NOw I can approach my doc with an idea for a solution
ReplyDeleteThat’s terrific because it’s made a huge difference for Art. Double vision was really aggravating for him while driving.
DeleteI can see the lines on the glass..it is glad to know that double vision can be corrected.
ReplyDeleteWhat in the world!!??
ReplyDeleteArt's problem is a new one on me. However, lately, when oncoming traffic is dense and especially at night, I have been closing one eye when I drive. I figured it out by chance. This gives me a surer sense of being in the correct lane. I have an eye exam coming up and I will ask about prisms. But I don't have double vision. Or, or...it just may be an old problem coming back, but I doubt it. When I was seven I could see double AT WILL--whenever I chose. I also could see halos around street lights. I had developed strabismus. I told my mother that "my enemies call me a cross-eyed rat." Eventually I had an operation that fixed the eyes' coordination for the remainder of my life. I can imagine giving up driving in the next few years--or just making short local trips to the supermarket.
ReplyDeleteI end up closing one of my eyes when I'm reading because they feel strained when I keep them both open. So far, our optometrist doesn't think prisms would help my sort of problem.
DeleteYou saw double at will? Wow! Now that I've never heard of. Isn't halos around street lights a symptom of cataracts?
I was seven, too young for cataracts.
DeleteWay back in the day (the 1940s), my grandfather was operated on for cataracts. They hung sandbags from his head so he would be motionless for two weeks. How awful. I guess things have improved since then. For example, our aunt came here from Greece to have her cataracts removed. The doctor sent a limousine to pick her up and bring her back only hours later. Now, that is service!
So glad Art has a solution and even better the price at Costco.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that this problem has been solved for Art. It was surely very irritating! My mother had double vision for a time because of Grave's disease. I think it can be caused by many things.
ReplyDeleteThis is a new one to me. I am so glad there's a simple fix for Art's double vision. And Costco is definitely cheaper with most things, including glasses. :-)
ReplyDeleteCostco usually has everyone else beat
ReplyDeleteHillary Clinton wore prisms for a while, after her fall.
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of these prism glasses.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased it worked out ok for Art.
All the best Jan
Wow! Hadn't heard of prism glasses. My first thought, is if the eye doc is an M.D. vs just the O.D. at Sears kind of person. I'm glad the solution helps, but I'd be concerned if it was or wasn't a long-term thing. I've had some double vision, and just needed by lens correction changed. Yep, halos can be one of the signs that you need cataract surgery, but not the only reason. Sounds like you've both been going to an M.D.; just wondering, to make sure, maybe. You're probably not carrying any Irish blood around your DNAs, so, if you see double double tomorrow, it's cuz you had too much green beer, or green sake. Cheers, Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
DeleteKevin below gave a great explanation of the ophthalmologist vs. optometrist. I do at times double check what the optometrist says with the ophthalmologist. It's been pretty consistent so far. I'm hoping Art's eyes don't get worse.
Good to hear there's a solution to double vision.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a just a bit of horizontal prism. It does not look that bad because they only put in on one side instead of balancing it with both sides. The type of prism they applied is called a Fresnel prism. We usually put it on when the OD or MD is trying to decide on the amount and direction of correction. They are a good option instead of grinding it into the lens to check it out. There are a few drawbacks however. Because they are stick on, they can also come off easily and can be hard to put back without bubbles. Also the image quality isn't the greatest.
ReplyDeleteBut they're cheap at under $20 and can be dispensed usually in less than 10 minutes depending on the skill of the tech. Costco is inexpensive yes, however they are not carrying the best in lens or frame technology. Its just whatever they can get a good contract/deal with. Also MD vs OD is misleading. An MD is a medical doctor who would be specializing in eyecare pathology (read disease) and have the ability to perform surgery. An OD specializes in prescription correction.
Both can write and dispense Rx's. Most of the time MD's don't have nearly the experience in day to day rx's as an OD would as they just briefly touch on it in school. Most of their education usually is in a specialty surgery field. Hope this helps.
-Kevin
Hello Kevin,
DeleteWow! You must be some sort of eye specialist to know so much. My mother goes to an ophthalmologist for her eye surgery and follow-ups. We all go to the optometrist for our vision checks. Our optometrist has been wonderful about keeping track of our vision difficulties. And yes, we were warned that the Fresnel prisms could come off. They told us to just come in and they'd fix it for us at no charge.
As for the Costco glasses, we do know that they don't have the same selection. However, with the rather enormous cost savings, it's hard to pass up. We've been quite happy so far with our Costco glasses. Actually, I've been happy with my Zenni glasses too which are even cheaper.
Also... When Art bought his Costco glasses, the optometrist had balanced the lens to both sides instead of putting the prisms on only one lens.
DeleteThis is new to me too, but good to know!
ReplyDeleteah eye problems, still dealing with mine after almost 3 years...and an eye injection monthly. wish there was an easy solution...
ReplyDeleteHow delightful is that?!
ReplyDeleteI've worn glasses since gr. 5. I cannot manage without them!
I didn't mean to scare you in the Don Q. parking lot this afternoon. I had a senior moment and forgot your names when I saw you. I recognized you right away and was too stunned to say anything more than "hello, I read your blog". I didn't really recognize you at first, it was your mom, then when I saw Art, I saw you in the lead. Mom was fixing her shopping bags and Art was in the back looking after her. You look determined in your direction. Again, sorry, hope you didn't think I was a creeper. The lady in the black truck or better known here as "BB"
ReplyDeleteHello BB! Thank you so much for writing and letting me know that was you. It's so wonderful to finally almost know who BB is. I've always been so happy to see your comments and appreciate you giving me the local perspective. No, we didn't think you were a "creeper" at all. In fact, mom thought it was really cool that a blog reader recognized us. I'm surprised you recognized us since we (me) wasn't dressed to be seen. I wasn't planning to go out, but mom needed something so we decided to drive her over.
ReplyDeleteIt's so amazing that today my nephew was recognized by another blogger, Honolulu Aunty. It really startled him. He thought it was funny. All this in one day. We sure live on a small island.
Thank you for adding fun to our Sunday and thank you for all your wonderful comments.