AMD & UNSUITABLE PRESCRIPTION

[horseaddict]

Hi everyone, i have dry AMD and have annual eye tests. I have purchased 2 new pairs of glasses over the past 4 years based on the opticians findings. Both pairs have proven to be way too strong.i can still see clearly with the glasses to 2020 prescription..The optician will not officially use that on my notes as she says she has to record the latest test. In effect they seem reluctant to understand that what i can see and what the eye test shows are 2 different results..for me..i think i should have a prescription test based on wearing the 2020 glasses and tweaking what needs to be done.they are varifocals..im finding this a real predicament and dont want to buy yet another pair of glasses that are unsuitable.the opticians is a high street one and you only get the time allocated for the test.i always hace the OCT toi...will any iptician let me wear my 2020 glasses and do the test and prescription that way..help needed please

[Engineer46]

Hi Horseaddict,

If you are having trouble getting the right prescription, it could be cataracts that are the problem, assuming that you have them. Typically we get told by doctors that our cataracts haven't developed far and don't need treatment, but that's often incorrect.

I have had wet AMD under treatment (anti-VEGF injections) for over ten years. My best eye was stable after a year of treatment but I continued to have to change my prescription, often arguing with the optician about what to prescribe for me! Last November at my annual check up the (high street) optician told me that she thought that my difficulties in finding the right prescription were more likely due to cataracts than to the AMD. This was a revelation, as I had never suspected (or been told) that cataracts can change your prescription. Since then I have had cataract surgery in both eyes and the results are nothing short of miraculous! 20/20 vision in my best eye and no longer any problems with night driving.

If you think that you may have cataracts, click on my name at the top of this post and look for my four posts on cataracts, which include a test to see whether you may have them and how bad they are.

Best wishes,

Paul

[horseaddict in reply to Engineer46]

wow...yes i was told years ago i had slight indication of a cataraact but nothing to be done until it develops more..so i get where you come from...did you have to go private to sort it as i believe i wont get it done on nhs as im still seeing quite well to drive and ride horses..but wow..20/20 vision seems amazing. But the dry amd i have is a slow grower..had for 15 years..and if it turns wet its more urgent and eye injections..but thankyou so much for your reply..it does make me think.and 8m hav8ng an eye test next week so that discussion will certainly be on the agenda.thank you so muxh.

[Engineer46 in reply to horseaddict]

How about driving at night? Cataracts tend to give a lot of glare from headlights that can make night driving difficult or even dangerous. To get cataracts treated on the NHS when your eye test results are still at the "able to drive" level you have to stress poor quality of life, such as not being able to drive at night or to read in dim light (you like to do crosswords and it's become almost impossible). Mine were both treated by the NHS on the QOL basis.

Try using my Cataract Test - see my earlier post.

Best wishes,

Paul

[horseaddict in reply to Engineer46]

thank you..i do do crosswords but have to have the main light on..mwill mention this at my test🙂👍

[tallyho in reply to Engineer46]

Hi Paul the advice has changed and now cataracts can be done at any time they are needed regardless of whether they are ‘ripe’ or not. In fact the change of doing them earlier is because they are far easier to remove sooner than later. This is well known in the Ophthalmolgy world.

[GavinM]

As I understand it, in about 1% of cases the modern machine test gets it wrong and if you are one of those people for whom this method simply does not work you with have to be tested in the "old fashioned" way. My friend had lazer surgery based on the modern test and it made his vision worse not better.

[horseaddict in reply to GavinM]

hi gavin..they wouldnt do laser anyway for dry macular.but i have recently had an eye test with glasses on toi.and despite buying 2 new pairs of glasses from 2020 to 2023..the optician now confirms what ive been telling them..that i can see perfectly well with the 2019 prescription and thats what im working to.i asked if they would exchange just the lenses in 2019 glasses as they are scratched and have lost their coating..and guess what..the lenses only in my frames cost more than having new glasses!!!!!..so why are the frames so bloomin expensive then if its the lens that cost the money😓😓...over .£200for the lenses..under £200 for new 🙄🙄