There's a Reason Your New Prescription Glasses "Aren't Working" as Well as They Should Be.

It's really unfortunate how often we hear from patients who are disheartened because the expensive pair of glasses they bought from their last eye doctor "didn't work." The truth is, if your eye doctor only checks your refraction (which is better, 1 or 2), then you shouldn't buy glasses from them.

A comprehensive eye exam is the only way your eye doctor can gather all the the information required to create a pair of glasses that delivers your best possible vision.

Here is a perfect example, direct from a recent patient.

Our patient (for privacy, we'll call him "Jerry") is in their mid 60's their chief complaint was blurry vision and having a harder time driving at night. It was described as a gradual change over the past few years. Jerry was understandably frustrated after investing in new progressive lenses at another clinic but "they never worked" and he couldn't get a refund. After Dra. Fabiola completed her comprehensive examination, she quickly concluded Jerry's vision was blurred due to age-related cataracts, not due to a change in prescription as he was previously told.

Wondering what cataracts are? Well the first image (above) shows what we saw with a slit lamp examination. But the second image (below) shows a diagram of the eye in cross section. Inside the eye we have a natural lens that helps focus light and protect the eye from UV. For everyone living close to the equator, this higher UV exposure makes it common for cataracts to develop at a younger age. Think of them like the eye’s version of a wrinkle… we all get them if we live long enough. Also, like wrinkles, cataracts are a “spectrum” and no treatment is needed when they are in their earlier phases… but eventually they will fog the vision enough to prevent you from seeing. Believe it or not, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Fortunately for all of us, it is very treatable!

A comprehensive eye exam is a great way to know where you fall on this spectrum. Our favorite advice to help prevent cataracts is to use UV protection… i.e. a great pair of sunglasses to help protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.

So what's the take away?

No matter who you choose as your eye doctor (there are a lot of good ones!), before you invest in a new pair of glasses, make sure to invest in a comprehensive eye exam so your glasses actually work.