Misjudgment of eye prescription and concern about the increase in the degree of myopia?
Hello Doctor,
I am nearly 34 years old this year.
Since childhood, my family strictly limited my reading, writing, and television viewing distances.
During fifth and sixth grade, when I loved reading the most, I did not have myopia.
However, during middle school, the educational environment pressured me to the point where I lost interest in extracurricular reading.
At 15, I entered a vocational school that I did not want to attend, and I only managed to get in after cramming for the entrance exam a month prior.
Consequently, I gave up on my studies.
At 16, I inexplicably developed myopia (I spent most of my classes sleeping or chatting).
By early 17, I had to take a leave of absence from school.
At that time, an eye exam showed approximately -2.50 and -5.00 diopters with astigmatism of -2.50 and -5.00.
I remember that during a follow-up appointment, my myopia had changed to -3.00 and -2.50 with astigmatism of -5.00.
I was prescribed glasses, but I could not get used to them, so I only wore them when going out at night.
About two months later, my vision improved.
During a two-day, one-night health check at 17, my left eye was 0.9 and my right eye was 1.2 (uncorrected vision).
The examination of my eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, pupils, lens, eye muscle movements, and fundus were all normal, with no astigmatism.
The doctor noted that I had myopia since my vision was less than 0.9, approximately -2.50.
By mid-18, I again experienced unexplained vision problems.
At that time, I was not working; my previous job was selling clothes.
I was advised to get contact lenses.
At the optical shop, my prescription was around -3.00, but since they did not have that strength, the staff suggested -4.00, saying it would not matter because contact lenses look very natural.
From then on, I frequently wore contact lenses (I was young and did not understand).
I also started wearing the glasses I had at 16 (only at home).
Over the next three years, my glasses would inexplicably break, and I would have to get my prescription checked each time (I only wore glasses at home, and it was not due to an increase in prescription).
The contact lens prescriptions changed according to the refraction results:
- At 21: R -4.00, L -4.00, astigmatism -2.50
- At 24: R -4.00, L -4.00, astigmatism -2.50
- At 26: R -6.00, L -6.00, astigmatism -2.50
- At 27, I got a new pair of glasses because the previous ones were too bright, but the prescription was too high, so I set them aside and continued wearing the pair from 26: R -6.00, L -6.25, astigmatism -1.00 (I forgot to change the prescription back to -6.00 for contacts due to work).
- At 29, during a simple health check, my uncorrected vision was R 0.6, L 0.63.
- At 32, I frequently wore glasses, which broke again: R -4.00, L -4.25, astigmatism -1.00...
I switched back to -4.00 for contact lenses (2016).
- At 33, I discovered some issues with my eyes.
I have never had an increase in prescription due to worsening myopia.
In June, I visited three eye clinics for examinations:
- Clinic A: Retinal examination showed R -4.00, L -4.00, both 1.0...
but my binocular vision showed increased prescription.
Further examination showed R -4.25, L -4.50 (with contact lenses at -4.00).
- Clinic B: R -4.00, L -4.00, both 1.0, binocular vision 1.2, astigmatism -0.75.
- Clinic C: R -4.00, L -4.25, astigmatism R -0.75, L -1.00.
I returned to Clinic A for a dilated examination: R -4.00, L -4.25, astigmatism both -2.50.
About two weeks later, I went to Clinic B to get a prescription: R -3.25, L -4.00, astigmatism both -2.50.
In November, I took my glasses to Clinic B for another refraction, which showed R -3.25, L -4.00, astigmatism -2.50 (examining both the glasses and my eyes again).
On January 11, 2017, due to discomfort and worsening astigmatism, I went to Clinic D for a refraction: R -4.25, astigmatism -1.25, L -4.50, astigmatism -1.00.
On January 17, I visited Hospital E: R -4.25, astigmatism -1.25, L -4.00, astigmatism -1.25...
but due to abnormal readings, I underwent dilation, and the prescription remained the same.
I would like to ask why my eyes have changed so rapidly in a short period after I started paying attention to my eye issues?! Every clinic says my eyes are normal, and the hospital has scanned my eyes.
I originally did not have astigmatism, especially since my health check report at 17 showed no astigmatism.
My vision has always been good; I could distinguish classmates from 100 meters away (I was on the track team in sixth grade).
I believe that my myopia and astigmatism are due to refraction errors.
I want to know if, aside from these two recent refractions, my vision can be improved? I have always maintained good eye habits and am not a computer worker.
I rarely watch television, using the computer and phone for about 3-4 hours a day, taking breaks for my eyes.
However, why has my astigmatism worsened this past month? Doctors say my eyes are normal, and my family has no myopia; my two younger brothers also have good vision.
I take great care of my eyes! I just did not pay attention to the prescription issues before.
I listened to what the doctors and optometrists said...
Please take the time to answer my questions.
Can my vision be improved? What is causing the recent worsening? Please help!
Xiao Yang, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/01/17
Dr. Cai Wenyuan reply Ophthalmology
Hello, I believe your issue is not serious.
I recommend visiting a medical center for a check-up.
Wishing you peace and good health.
Sincerely, Dr.
Tsai Wen-Yuan, Director of the Ophthalmology Department, Taoyuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Reply Date: 2017/01/17
More Info
Understanding fluctuating vision can be quite complex, especially when it involves a history of myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. Based on your detailed account, it seems that you have experienced a significant evolution in your vision over the years, with various degrees of myopia and astigmatism being diagnosed at different stages of your life.
Fluctuating vision can arise from several factors, including changes in the shape of the eye, the health of the cornea, and the overall condition of the retina. In your case, the history of myopia and astigmatism suggests that your eye shape may be contributing to the instability in your vision. Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved, causing light rays to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. Astigmatism, on the other hand, is caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, leading to distorted or blurred vision.
The fact that you have experienced fluctuations in your vision, particularly with increased astigmatism, could be indicative of changes in the corneal shape or the lens of your eye. It's also important to consider that stress, fatigue, and even environmental factors can exacerbate visual disturbances. For instance, prolonged screen time, even if limited to a few hours, can lead to digital eye strain, which may cause symptoms like blurred vision, dry eyes, and discomfort.
Additionally, your history of wearing glasses and contact lenses, along with the frequent changes in prescription, raises the possibility of overcorrection. Overcorrection can lead to visual discomfort and fluctuating vision, as your eyes may struggle to adapt to the stronger prescription. It’s crucial to ensure that your prescription is accurate and that you are using the correct lenses for your specific needs.
You mentioned that various eye examinations have indicated that your eyes are normal, yet you continue to experience discomfort and changes in your vision. This can be frustrating, but it’s essential to trust the assessments of qualified eye care professionals. If multiple specialists have confirmed that your eyes are healthy, it may be beneficial to explore other factors that could be influencing your vision, such as stress levels, overall health, and even hydration.
To address your concerns about the potential for your vision to improve, it’s important to understand that while some aspects of vision can be managed or improved through corrective lenses, others may not be reversible. Maintaining good eye health through regular check-ups, proper lens prescriptions, and protective measures (like blue light filters for screens) can help manage symptoms.
If you feel that your current prescription is not serving you well, it may be worthwhile to seek a second opinion from a different eye care provider who can conduct a thorough examination and possibly suggest alternative solutions, such as orthokeratology (a non-surgical procedure that uses specially designed contact lenses to temporarily reshape the cornea) or vision therapy.
In conclusion, while fluctuating vision can be a challenging issue, understanding the underlying causes and maintaining open communication with your eye care professionals can lead to better management of your symptoms. Regular eye exams, appropriate lens prescriptions, and lifestyle adjustments can all contribute to improved eye health and comfort. If your symptoms persist or worsen, do not hesitate to seek further evaluation and support.
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