I get hundreds of questions from people about their particular eye situation. When the answer would also help others, I address the topic in this column. Other questions require personalized advice. Email me with your question and I'll either answer it in a future column or tell you how to get the personal advice you need.
THIS MONTH'S QUESTION:
Q. You always recommend using weaker glasses when improving vision. What are they and how do I get them?
A. Some people who start improving their vision have a relatively minor problem and can function very well without glasses while they are improving their sight. However, for many others, it's not realistic or practical to take off your glasses completely.
I don't recommend that these people walk around half-blind, waiting for their vision to improve! Instead, I recommend a weaker, or under-corrected, prescription.
Normally, when you go to the eye doctor you get a prescription that is strong enough so you can read the bottom line on the eye chart. An under-corrected prescription is slightly weaker so that, instead of reading the bottom line, you'll only be able to read one or two lines above the bottom. Though weaker, this prescription will still be strong enough to legally and safely drive a car, for example.
But, because this prescription is slightly weaker, it gives room for your own eyes to improve. And as your vision improves, you'll be able to read the bottom line on the chart with these weaker glasses, at which point it will be time for you to get a new, even weaker, prescription.
Following this process, most people find that each time they re-visit the eye doctor, their glasses get weaker, rather than stronger, as their own sight gets sharper and sharper. Imagine that!
You can only get weaker glasses (or contacts) at an eye exam. You can't take your current prescription and cut it down by an arbitrary amount. You and your eye doctor have to see what correction you need to be able to see one or two lines above the bottom. Seeing the bottom line on the chart is 20/20. One or two lines above would be 20/40, which is what I recommend in most cases.
Most doctors should comply with your request for this type of weaker prescription. But if you need help finding one that we recommend in your area, click here.
There's much more to know about the right way to use glasses to help your sight improve - what about astigmatism or reading glasses, what if you're at a computer all day, etc. etc.
That's why I recently gave an in-depth presentation on the subject. Click to listen to the Audio Event.
All the best in sight,
President
Cambridge Institute for Better Vision
marty@bettervision.com
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Martin Sussman is president and founder of the Cambridge Institute for Better Vision.
He is author of the #1 best-selling Program for Better Vision in addition to other specialized systems to improve and care for eyesight
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CLICK HERE to listen to the new Audio Event All About Glasses.
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