Note from the Editor:
This article was kindly written for the SDC by member Alan G.

I have had astigmatism since I was quite young. I felt fortunate because both my younger and older brother had to wear glasses from the age of about 10, while I managed to reach the grand old age of 42 before I realised my eyes weren’t as good as they used to be.

I had presbyopia (loss of accommodating power) and astigmatism and eventually had to wear multifocal glasses. The jury is still out concerning the causes of presbyopia – some say it is the age-related increasing inability of the eye muscles to flex the lens to change the optical length while others insist it is a ‘thickening’ of the lens, making it less flexible.

I used to have ‘clip-on’ or magnetic polaroids when I was outside. As the price of these got steadily higher, I used a trick to save a huge amount of money. The optician would test my eyes periodically, and I would ask for the prescription. I could then order my glasses from China (Zenni Optical was the best site) for around $120, including postage, instead of the $900 quoted for the same glasses from OPSM or Bausch & Lomb. The frames were first class, and the glasses would take as long to reach me as those that I’d previously ordered locally.

I think what convinced me to buy online was when I had to return my glasses four times to a local optician for ‘adjustments’. I could pick my Chinese-framed glasses up at the Post Office, unpack them, bend the nose pieces slightly to make the glasses a perfect fit, then wear them all day! The only reading on the eyeglass prescription that was not normally included was the pupillary distance (PD). It’s easy enough to measure, but there are also ways to get the optician to reveal the exact figure. Incidentally, my $120 price tag from China was typically for transition lenses with a wide reading view and included those magnetic polaroids (two pairs).

It’s best to speak to a specialist about your options. Image Credit: Shutterstock

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[Liz]

Wow, that is cheap.

 

[Caroline257]

Note from the Editor:
This article was kindly written for the SDC by member Alan G.

I have had astigmatism since I was quite young. I felt fortunate because both my younger and older brother had to wear glasses from the age of about 10, while I managed to reach the grand old age of 42 before I realised my eyes weren’t as good as they used to be.

I had presbyopia (loss of accommodating power) and astigmatism and eventually had to wear multifocal glasses. The jury is still out concerning the causes of presbyopia – some say it is the age-related increasing inability of the eye muscles to flex the lens to change the optical length while others insist it is a ‘thickening’ of the lens, making it less flexible.

I used to have ‘clip-on’ or magnetic polaroids when I was outside. As the price of these got steadily higher, I used a trick to save a huge amount of money. The optician would test my eyes periodically, and I would ask for the prescription. I could then order my glasses from China (Zenni Optical was the best site) for around $120, including postage, instead of the $900 quoted for the same glasses from OPSM or Bausch & Lomb. The frames were first class, and the glasses would take as long to reach me as those that I’d previously ordered locally.

I think what convinced me to buy online was when I had to return my glasses four times to a local optician for ‘adjustments’. I could pick my Chinese-framed glasses up at the Post Office, unpack them, bend the nose pieces slightly to make the glasses a perfect fit, then wear them all day! The only reading on the eyeglass prescription that was not normally included was the pupillary distance (PD). It’s easy enough to measure, but there are also ways to get the optician to reveal the exact figure. Incidentally, my $120 price tag from China was typically for transition lenses with a wide reading view and included those magnetic polaroids (two pairs).

View attachment 34791

It’s best to speak to a specialist about your options. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque in diam id erat facilisis consectetur vitae vel urna.

Ut lacus libero, suscipit auctor ipsum sit amet, viverra pretium nisl. Nullam facilisis nec odio nec dapibus. Integer maximus risus et velit porttitor ullamcorper

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[Pat T]

Just a comment to Alan’s procedure ( feels like I was doing it all over again). I too had 1 long 1 short vision ( layman’s terms here). All was brilliant for about 15 years then occasionally I’d see double. Specialist decided that the eye muscles were weakening and trying to hold the focus with the different visions were the issue (what muscles at 75 don’t get a bit slack). He put a second lens on top of the reader one ( piggyback) , which gave me 20/20 vision in both eyes. I now use readers. No other issues.

 

[52-KID]

My experience was a bit different. I also had astigmatism and badly wanted to have surgery once I found out about it, but my eyes weren't suitable. Then a few years ago my optometrist told me I had cataracts forming and that surgery would be a good idea. The specialist discussed having one short vision and one long vision lens which I immediately negated - or multi vision lenses. The multi visions were dearer of course, but I had some money at the time and went for that. Speaking of money, I didn't pay anything near what you did, each eye cost me about $1400 for the actual surgery. Haven't had any problems since. I do wear readers for very fine print or the computer but that's fine - they are so cheap I can have lots of different colours.

I also had a different experience at the hospital. I was just in a waiting room while they were doing the drops beforehand and didn't go into the theatre until it was time for the surgery. I'm a bit strange, but I found it really interesting as I could "see" the old lens being taken out and the new one being put in.

I have had friends who had to go back for further laser treatment, and I am grateful that I'm not one of them. It wasn't anything dramatic, but it was nuisance value. Interestingly they both had the same surgeon as I did, so as with all things, people are different.

 

[Liz]

I had cataract surgery on both eyes, a week apart. Upshot is that the left eye lens is not in properly and because of that I can no longer drive legally. I have been told I will need laser at some stage. I have prisms in my lenses and they are getting stronger and stronger again. I suffer dry eye from the cataract surgery. I don't think it was worth all the hassle I have had since. The problem was that I lost my sight in the left eye driving home and had no other choice but to have the cataract surgery. No win situation either way for me.

 

[52-KID]

So sorry to hear you had such a bad time. I did have a small problem with dry eyes, but just kept using drops and it settled eventually. I can't believe that they wouldn't just fix your dodgy lens to resolve that problem, or do the laser surgery now so that you aren't going through these problems. I'd be having strong words with your surgeon. I hope this all resolves for you before too much longer, these things are no fun.

 

[Liz]

So sorry to hear you had such a bad time. I did have a small problem with dry eyes, but just kept using drops and it settled eventually. I can't believe that they wouldn't just fix your dodgy lens to resolve that problem, or do the laser surgery now so that you aren't going through these problems. I'd be having strong words with your surgeon. I hope this all resolves for you before too much longer, these things are no fun.

This has been going on for 5 or 6 years. So no hope of improvement, I am afraid.

 

[tfours]

I am sorry to hear of your troubles. My first cataract in my left eye age 84 was removed by a National Hospital Optical Department in Brisbane and the second 6 years later, in my right eye, age 90 by another National Hospital Optical Department in Brisbane. The treatment was wonderful on both occasions, and so smooth and quick it was almost impossible to believe that I had been operated on. My eyesight is 20/20 and the difference like between ordinary TV and High Definition. I am now 92, reasonably fit and enjoy driving and a day after the last op drove to Newcastle in NSW. Good Luck.

 

[havingadoggyday]

I am sorry to hear of your troubles. My first cataract in my left eye age 84 was removed by a National Hospital Optical Department in Brisbane and the second 6 years later, in my right eye, age 90 by another National Hospital Optical Department in Brisbane. The treatment was wonderful on both occasions, and so smooth and quick it was almost impossible to believe that I had been operated on. My eyesight is 20/20 and the difference like between ordinary TV and High Definition. I am now 92, reasonably fit and enjoy driving and a day after the last op drove to Newcastle in NSW. Good Luck.

I went from being legally blind in both eyes and wearing glasses since I was 7.I am 63,and a year ago had advanced cataract surgery with premium lenses in the northern beaches in Sydney.I came out with better than 20)20 vision on both eyes, astigmatism corrected,put under for about 30minutes so felt and saw nothing,no pain,and need no glasses whatsoever.My lenses do far, inbetween and up close.If anyone wants the details I can provide them.Cost to me $6000 for both eyes total out of pocket including anaesthetist.Best money I have spent in my life.My life has completely changed.Its like when I was very little.I wake up and can see,read sew, everything.NO MOTE GLASSES.