Help with this mess

annonemoose · #1 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 06:39 PM

I just don't know what to do. When I was younger I had great vision. Last year I noticed it was harder and harder to read so I went to the local Lenscrafters and got an eye exam and to my surprise I had an astigmatism in BOTH eyes!

So last year I got glasses.
OD Plano, -100, 90
OS -.75, -.5, 90

I was prescribed computer glasses so I could read the screen and these are what I wear all the time. On the rare occasions I go to the store it's a juggling act of 3 different glasses, distance clear, distance sunglasses and my computer glasses so I can read product labels ugh!

These computer lenses worked PERFECTLY and I was able to work again (software engineer), easily without the horrific head and neck aches, great!

This year I went for an eye exam to see if anything changed and to get contacts lenses. I thought having distance lenses then using a reading glass for the computer screen over them would be so nice, no more juggling act.

So the doctor gives me Oasys torics that seem to work ok for distance. But regular 1 diopter readers won't work for reading the computer screen over them. I can't tell if it's the cheap readers or not. So I can't wear my contacts on the days I work. I work every day so essentially I can't wear my contacts.

So I went back to the eye doctors and explained that I'd like the torics in my computer prescription. So I could actually WORK while I got used to them and until I could get special 1 diopter Gunnars ordered to see if THOSE would work over my contacts.

The doctor was angry and just plain mean. She FINALLY gave in and 'allowed' me to try intermediates but INSISTED I put them on in the office.

I said I really don't want to drive in these. But she said if you wear contacts YOU MUST be able to drive in them! So I finally got them in and my vision was only 20/25 so I was able to drive home in them. But WORSE they won't clear up the computer screen! I compared the contact prescription to my computer vision prescription and it seems WRONG. I asked to take home the package the lenses came in but she said I couldn't have it as I'd just order them off the internet without a script!!

I did take images of the packages (luckily) and the trial contacts she gave me were:

OD .5, -.75, 90
OS 1, -.75, 90

That is supposed to be the contact equivalent of this:
OD 100, -100, 90
OS .25, -.5, 90

Instead of the decent vision I get with my computer glasses my vision is horribly blurry. I'm back in my glasses as I can't use the 'intermediate' lenses to work in and I hesitate to order the $400.00 specialty +1 diopter Gunnars for reading on top of distance lenses if I can't get the lenses to work...... and since I can't spend time wearing the distance lenses cause I have to work and the intermediate she gave me blur the screen I don't know what to do.

I can't stop worked for days and days to see if I can get used to the distance lenses and then add expensive glasses over them.

Most of all I'm am angry about the horribly insulting way this 'Dr.' spoke to me with and am thinking about just going to another doctor. But almost all the Doctor's I've seen are pretty uppity. Worse my insurance covered this $135.00 contact lens exam but if I go to any other doctor I'll have to pay out of pocket and frankly how many doctors will I have to see before I can find someone who will be patient with me to find lenses that work and understand my circumstances.

I am so unhappy I'm about to just give up on wearing contacts. sigh.....
Thanks for any help you can give, I am just beyond frustrated.
-Moosie

yournamehere · #2 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annonemoose

I just don't know what to do. When I was younger I had great vision. Last year I noticed it was harder and harder to read so I went to the local Lenscrafters and got an eye exam and to my surprise I had an astigmatism in BOTH eyes!

So last year I got glasses.
OD Plano, -100, 90
OS -.75, -.5, 90

I was prescribed computer glasses so I could read the screen and these are what I wear all the time. On the rare occasions I go to the store it's a juggling act of 3 different glasses, distance clear, distance sunglasses and my computer glasses so I can read product labels ugh!

These computer lenses worked PERFECTLY and I was able to work again (software engineer), easily without the horrific head and neck aches, great!

This year I went for an eye exam to see if anything changed and to get contacts lenses. I thought having distance lenses then using a reading glass for the computer screen over them would be so nice, no more juggling act.

So the doctor gives me Oasys torics that seem to work ok for distance. But regular 1 diopter readers won't work for reading the computer screen over them. I can't tell if it's the cheap readers or not. So I can't wear my contacts on the days I work. I work every day so essentially I can't wear my contacts.

So I went back to the eye doctors and explained that I'd like the torics in my computer prescription. So I could actually WORK while I got used to them and until I could get special 1 diopter Gunnars ordered to see if THOSE would work over my contacts.

The doctor was angry and just plain mean. She FINALLY gave in and 'allowed' me to try intermediates but INSISTED I put them on in the office.

I said I really don't want to drive in these. But she said if you wear contacts YOU MUST be able to drive in them! So I finally got them in and my vision was only 20/25 so I was able to drive home in them. But WORSE they won't clear up the computer screen! I compared the contact prescription to my computer vision prescription and it seems WRONG. I asked to take home the package the lenses came in but she said I couldn't have it as I'd just order them off the internet without a script!!

I did take images of the packages (luckily) and the trial contacts she gave me were:

OD .5, -.75, 90
OS 1, -.75, 90

That is supposed to be the contact equivalent of this:
OD 100, -100, 90
OS .25, -.5, 90

Instead of the decent vision I get with my computer glasses my vision is horribly blurry. I'm back in my glasses as I can't use the 'intermediate' lenses to work in and I hesitate to order the $400.00 specialty +1 diopter Gunnars for reading on top of distance lenses if I can't get the lenses to work...... and since I can't spend time wearing the distance lenses cause I have to work and the intermediate she gave me blur the screen I don't know what to do.

I can't stop worked for days and days to see if I can get used to the distance lenses and then add expensive glasses over them.

Most of all I'm am angry about the horribly insulting way this 'Dr.' spoke to me with and am thinking about just going to another doctor. But almost all the Doctor's I've seen are pretty uppity. Worse my insurance covered this $135.00 contact lens exam but if I go to any other doctor I'll have to pay out of pocket and frankly how many doctors will I have to see before I can find someone who will be patient with me to find lenses that work and understand my circumstances.

I am so unhappy I'm about to just give up on wearing contacts. sigh.....
Thanks for any help you can give, I am just beyond frustrated.
-Moosie

Hello there, Moosie. Welcome to Lens 101. That's quite an ordeal you're going through. I feel for you. You're not asking for much, you just want to see, right? The doctor's job is to help you do that. Unfortunately it sounds like she doesn't have a lot of patience with her patients.

I can't recommend a certain brand to you because I'm not a doctor and even if I was, I haven't seen your eyes. If it were me, I'd try to find a different doctor. There are all kinds of websites out there that will tell you about doctors in your area, and the better ones have reviews from people who have actually met the doctors. I found a good one called ratemds.com. They seem to have reviews from actual people who give their honest opinions. Maybe you can see if other people said the same thing about your doctor as you did. I hope that helps.

annonemoose · #3 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yournamehere

Hello there, Moosie. ......snip..... I'd try to find a different doctor. .....snip.

Thank you, yes I will definitely find another Optometrist. Unfortunately this years vision benefits went to this jerk so it's either pay out of pocket for another exam/fitting or wait for next year.

I wouldn't mind so much paying out of pocket for another exam but just how many times will I have to pay until I find someone decent? This person seemed fine until she had my money and I've looked over the 'net and haven't found any recommendations out here where I am.

I'm thinking I'm just going to let it pass this year and try again next year. I think she was being mean and didn't give me the correct lenses for intermediate vision. All the vertex calculations give me a different result. Especially with such a low power prescription. I think she was just being rotten and that's why she threw the lens cases in the trash. Not so much because she was afraid I'd buy them off the 'net as she said but because she gave me the wrong lenses so they wouldn't work.

I was sort of hoping someone might be able to confirm my calculations that these lenses weren't the right strength.

Anyway thank you for talking to me. It helps to just blow off steam sometimes.

OV-102 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annonemoose

I did take images of the packages (luckily) and the trial contacts she gave me were:

OD .5, -.75, 90
OS 1, -.75, 90

That is supposed to be the contact equivalent of this:
OD 100, -100, 90
OS .25, -.5, 90

-Moosie

You said you wanted someone to confirm your calculations. Are these the numbers you're talking about? You'd like for someone to take your glasses prescription--which is the second set of numbers--do some conversion calculations, and hopefully come up with something close to the first set of numbers, which is your contact lens prescription, right?

annonemoose · #5 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OV-102

You said you wanted someone to confirm your calculations. Are these the numbers you're talking about? You'd like for someone to take your glasses prescription--which is the second set of numbers--do some conversion calculations, and hopefully come up with something close to the first set of numbers, which is your contact lens prescription, right?

Yes that's it. Because my calculations don't come close to that.... I'm just curious. My eyes were so blurry I'm pretty convinced she was so angry I insisted on intermediate vision contacts she didn't give me the right Rx deliberately just to 'prove' her point that you can't have intermediate vision contacts.
Thank you.

Ragnarox · #6 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annonemoose

Yes that's it. Because my calculations don't come close to that.... I'm just curious. My eyes were so blurry I'm pretty convinced she was so angry I insisted on intermediate vision contacts she didn't give me the right Rx deliberately just to 'prove' her point that you can't have intermediate vision contacts.
Thank you.

Wow, that eye doc sounds like a real winner. I hope you find someone better.

annonemoose · #7 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragnarox

Wow, that eye doc sounds like a real winner. I hope you find someone better.

Thank you, yes, next is the hunt for another optometrist.

Foxyboxer · #8 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annonemoose

Thank you, yes, next is the hunt for another optometrist.

I hope you find a good doctor, moose. Are you going to try that ratemds.com site that yournamehere suggested?

annonemoose · #9 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxyboxer

I hope you find a good doctor, moose. Are you going to try that ratemds.com site that yournamehere suggested?

Yes I did. I called and spoke with the office staff, explained the situation and am considering my next step.
Thanks!

annonemoose · #10 (**permalink**) 07-01-2011, 02:25 PM

I just wanted to say a heartfelt thanks for all the input you guys have been giving me. It can't tell you how much easier it has made this to have someone to talk to about it! I'm looking forward to someone coming up with the numbers but just having all you guys jump in and talk to me and tell me I'm not just being overly sensitive or crazy is wonderful.

THANK YOU!

Raidernation11 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-05-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annonemoose

I just wanted to say a heartfelt thanks for all the input you guys have been giving me. It can't tell you how much easier it has made this to have someone to talk to about it! I'm looking forward to someone coming up with the numbers but just having all you guys jump in and talk to me and tell me I'm not just being overly sensitive or crazy is wonderful.

THANK YOU!

Wow, that's awesome. I'm so glad that Lens 101 has been helpful to you. I agree that it's good to be able to talk about your problems and get some feedback.