Vision Issues: Questions About Prescription Glasses and Eye Health

Q: Vision Issues: Questions About Prescription Glasses and Eye Health

Hello, Ah-Hsiang： 1. It is possible that the prescription is not fully accurate. Near vision is naturally clear. However, sometimes even with a proper prescription, the clarity between the two eyes may still differ. 2. There will be no adverse effects.

Inquiry Consultation

Dear Dr.
Gao,
Last year (2021), I had my glasses lenses delaminate, so I went to an optical shop for a replacement.
Initially, the staff performed a refraction test.
Here are the results: my left eye is approximately -3.00 diopters with astigmatism of either -0.50 or -0.75 diopters (I can't quite remember), and my right eye is approximately -4.00 diopters with astigmatism of -1.00 diopter.
The staff mentioned that the prescription for my left eye should remain the same as my old glasses, but the right eye lens needed to be increased by 0.25 diopters for clearer vision.
While trying on the trial lenses, I felt fine, but after the new lenses were fitted, I noticed a magnification effect when looking at the floor, and wearing them was somewhat uncomfortable.
After two days of trying to adapt, I couldn't, so I asked the optical shop to replace them with the old prescription (keeping the left eye the same and reducing the right eye by 0.25 diopters).
After the change, they felt much more comfortable, and I have been wearing them since.
Recently, I noticed that when I cover my left eye and look far with my right eye, things appear slightly blurry but still somewhat clear.
In contrast, my left eye sees much more clearly, and when using both eyes together, I can see clearly at both distance and near.

I have the following questions for you, Dr.
Gao:
Q1: Is it normal for my right eye to appear slightly blurry when looking far, given that I had the prescription reduced by 0.25 diopters for comfort? (Note: my right eye sees clearly at near).
Or could this indicate that my right eye's myopia has worsened?
Q2: Given that my dominant eye has been tested as my right eye, if the prescription for my dominant right eye is insufficient (reduced by 0.25 diopters), but the prescription for my non-dominant left eye is adequate, could this discrepancy have any adverse effects on my dominant right eye?
Q3: Occasionally, I experience a feeling of pressure and swelling in my right temple, along with twitching of my right eyelid and muscle spasms in the right forehead.
In your opinion, could this be related to the insufficient prescription for my right eye (reduced by 0.25 diopters)?
Thank you, Dr.
Gao.

Axiang, 40~49 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/05/11

Dr. Gao Pilin reply Ophthalmology

Hello, Ah-Hsiang:
1.
It is possible that the prescription is not fully accurate.
Near vision is naturally clear.
However, sometimes even with a proper prescription, the clarity between the two eyes may still differ.

2.
There will be no adverse effects.

3.
It should be unrelated.
Insufficient myopia correction typically does not cause discomfort, while overcorrection is more likely to lead to discomfort.

Reply Date: 2022/05/11

More Info

Hello! Thank you for your detailed questions regarding your vision issues and prescription glasses. It’s understandable to have concerns about your eye health, especially when experiencing discomfort or changes in vision. Let’s address your questions one by one.

Q1: Is it normal for my right eye to appear slightly blurry when looking far away, given that I reduced the prescription by 25 degrees?
Yes, it is quite possible that the reduction in your right eye's prescription is contributing to the slight blurriness you are experiencing when looking at distant objects. When you decrease the prescription strength, particularly for a myopic (nearsighted) eye, it can lead to a situation where that eye is not fully corrected for distance vision. Since you mentioned that your right eye was your dominant eye, having a lower prescription could indeed result in less clarity at distance compared to your left eye, which is adequately corrected. It’s also important to note that if your right eye has experienced any progression in myopia since your last prescription, this could further contribute to the blurriness.
Q2: Will the difference in prescription between my dominant right eye and my non-dominant left eye have any adverse effects?
Having a difference in prescription between your dominant and non-dominant eye can lead to visual discomfort or strain, especially if the dominant eye is undercorrected. This disparity can cause your brain to struggle with processing visual information from both eyes, potentially leading to symptoms such as headaches or eye fatigue. In the long term, if the dominant eye is not adequately corrected, it may lead to further deterioration of vision in that eye, as the brain may rely more heavily on the better-corrected eye. It’s advisable to have regular follow-ups with your optometrist or ophthalmologist to monitor any changes in your vision and adjust your prescription as necessary.

Q3: Could the symptoms of pressure around my right temple, eyelid twitching, and forehead muscle spasms be related to my undercorrected right eye?
Yes, the symptoms you describe—pressure around the temple, eyelid twitching, and muscle spasms—could be related to visual strain caused by an undercorrected prescription in your right eye. When the eyes are not properly aligned in terms of prescription, the brain may exert extra effort to compensate, leading to muscle fatigue around the eyes and forehead. This can manifest as twitching or spasms. Additionally, stress and fatigue can exacerbate these symptoms. It’s important to address these issues with your eye care professional, as they may suggest adjustments to your prescription or recommend strategies to alleviate strain, such as taking regular breaks during prolonged visual tasks.

Additional Considerations:
1. Regular Eye Exams: It’s crucial to have regular eye examinations to monitor your vision and ensure that your prescriptions are up to date. Changes in vision can occur, and timely adjustments can help maintain visual comfort and clarity.

2. Visual Hygiene: Practice good visual hygiene by following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away. This can help reduce eye strain, especially during prolonged periods of reading or screen time.

3. Eye Health Supplements: Consider discussing with your eye care provider the potential benefits of eye health supplements, which may support overall eye health, especially if you are concerned about the progression of myopia.

4. Stress Management: Since stress can contribute to muscle tension and visual strain, incorporating relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga may help alleviate some of the symptoms you are experiencing.

In conclusion, it’s essential to communicate openly with your eye care provider about your symptoms and concerns. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific situation and help ensure that your vision remains as clear and comfortable as possible. Thank you for your questions, and I hope this information helps you feel more at ease regarding your eye health!

Similar Q&A

Understanding Prescription Changes and Eye Health Concerns

Hello, Director Gao! I apologize for the interruption. I recently experienced some issues with my eyes and would like to seek your advice. I have high myopia in my right eye (over -900 degrees) and moderate myopia in my left eye (over -600 degrees), which has been present since s...

Dr. Gao Pilin reply Ophthalmology
Hello: 1. Muscle aging can lead to slower focusing, and increasing the prescription of your lenses may help improve focusing speed. New glasses can provide clearer vision, reduce muscle fatigue, and thereby enhance focusing performance. As you are approaching 40 years old, you ma...

Understanding Vision Issues: Is It Prescription or Eye Condition?

I recently noticed that with my glasses, my right eye sees distant objects more clearly but has difficulty seeing nearby objects, while my left eye is the opposite. Could this be an issue with the prescription, or could there be some underlying eye condition? Thank you!

Dr. Gao Pilin reply Ophthalmology
Hello: Based on the situation you described, there could be several reasons for this phenomenon: 1. Prescription mismatch: Your glasses prescription may not fully match your vision needs. If your right eye sees clearly at a distance but not up close, while the left eye is the opp...

Understanding Eyeglass Prescription Adjustments and Eye Health Concerns

Dear Dr. Gao, Thank you very much for your personal response and guidance in the consultation regarding the prescription glasses in “#182591.” I have greatly benefited from your insights. I would like to ask you the following questions: Q1. Regarding my glasses, where the right...

Dr. Gao Pilin reply Ophthalmology
Hello, Dr. Gao: Q1. Regarding my glasses, where the right lens is undercorrected by 25 diopters and the left lens is fully corrected, Dr. Gao replied, "A difference of 25 diopters is not a problem." Does this mean: (1) In terms of myopia, it is acceptable to have a low...

Understanding Parallax and Prescription Glasses for Eye Health

Hello, Doctor. I would like to inquire about the issue of binocular disparity and glasses prescription. How I discovered the disparity: Around the fifth or sixth grade, my right eye was detected to have slight myopia (prior to this, annual checks showed both eyes at 1.2 or 1.0,...

Dr. Gao Pilin reply Ophthalmology
Hello: 1. It is possible. 2. If possible, you can start with a prescription of +2.50 diopters. It should not cause discomfort. An examination every six months is sufficient. 3. 4. Currently, the disparity should not increase. You can continue to monitor it. If the right eye'...