At this point, I think I’ve tried almost everything. I’ve come to the realization that nothing is great. It’s ok, but not great.
I don’t many contacts are made in my prescription. That’s been an issue.
During the pandemic, I realized that wearing glasses was much more comfortable and my vision was much clearer and my eyes are happier.
My optometrist says that it will be nice when I get cataract surgery.
I know this sounds like a broken record but there are huge differences in comfort between brands and even versions within the same brand. At some point you feel like “that patient” and don’t want to make a fuss. Or feel like “this is all there is”. Hopefully your doc is better than that and just keeps handing you alternatives.
My doc basically gave me four brands to go home and try. Some I ruled out immediately. A couple I said “these are okay”–and then it got narrowed down to one brand (Acuvue) but maybe a different version. Tried those out and YEA!
Monovision was suggested (I’m super nearsighted)–but had to promise to give it a week or two before discarding the idea. It was hard to accept the idea that the brain is pliable enough to make the leaps between two eyes difference (and mine was huge) and see things as “normal”. But it was a game changer. I was dizzy for a couple days–and then I didn’t need reading glasses. It was all good.
Just saying there are so many new products that hopefully one will fit all your needs. Don’t feel like you’re “bothering the doctor”. They have free samples of all types of contacts and can order free samples of whatever might fit your need. I just kept some notes to keep track of what worked and didn’t. I didn’t use that much time from my doctor–the time spent was mine–testing the contacts at home over a couple weeks but fortunately she gave me lots of options and it really paid off.
If cataracts are the real problem then you aren’t going to be good until you have surgery. Cataracts are really insidious. You don’t even realize how bad your eyesight is until it is fixed.
First you can’t see quite as well.
Maybe a new eye Rx is in order. Okay. Then you think reading glasses help. Okay. Then the roads at night aren’t as brightly lit (but you can’t hardly tell). Okay. Then the halos around lights show up but not too bad. Okay.
Then at some point you wonder what happened–you can’t see near or far especially in dimmed light. Okay. You take off your glasses (or put them on) to figure out the price on the grocery store label. Okay. Then you decide that driving at night isn’t a great idea. Dusk is fine but be home before dark–and stay on familiar roads.
And then you go (me) to get your driver’s license renewed and have to take an eye test. And fail. Can’t read the little line of letters because–you can’t see the whole line
Man oh man…and then you get cataract surgery and your life is suddenly bright again and filled with color you had forgotten about years ago. And contacts cannot fix that.
@gouf78 you have me pegged! I can relate to so much of what you say about cataracts. My optometrist has said that I’m not near surgery but I have so many of those issues.
I am definitely that patient. I am a huge pain and I suspect they aren’t thrilled when I come in.
Small town problems, there are limited options for optometrists in town. I’ve never been thrilled with them but am reluctant to switch because it would mean driving an hour. This conversation has made me rethink switching. Maybe this is the year.
Last year, I returned my glasses and my husband’s. Made a real pain of ourselves. Because the shop doesn’t have the expertise to make good decisions on those with high index lenses.
I’ve come to feel that there are no good options for contacts. Thanks to those who have been so helpful that I shouldn’t accept what I have now. Because I thought that was the options. Now I know that isn’t true.
We have several doctors in our town but I still ended up driving an hour away for cataract surgery on the recommendation of my optometrist–worth it.
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