3 opticians 3 different prescriptions - advice please

4 weeks ago I had an eye test giving
R 0 -0.75 10
L 0.25 -0.75 180
+1.50

I am now overseas where I can get glasses for 1/4 price but thought I
would have a double check on my eye test, resulting

R -0.50 -0.50 5
L -0.50 -0.50 180
+2.5

being somewhat concerened at the difference though bearing in mind I
was pretty tired/jet lagged I left it a couple of days and went
elsewhere with the result:

R -0.25 -0.75 10
L -0.75 -1.25 0
+1.75

Are these differences within normal tolerance, are my eyes changing
daily or are the opticians incompentent?

I do find that I get double vision at times, even during the test. Is
that down to my astigmatism and being better able to accommodate it
some days than others?

Many thanks.

Confused

 

The variation is larger than expected. Did you have subjective refraction
(the old 1 or 2 routine) or were these auto refractor readings? Were any of
the refractions done with cycloplegia (eye drops that blur near vision an
make your pupils large)?

A subjective refraction under cycloplegia would be the one to believe.

Dr Judy

 

Is the unsigned left sphere is really a "-" (minus) as opposed to a "+"
plus?

the 2.5 add might be appropriate if you are
1. over age 55
2. have less than 20/20 best corrected acuity
or
3. have an unusually near close working distance.

Now this one is most likely wrong on the left eye, unless the left eye
is way worse than the right without glasses, and about the same with
that Rx in place, in which case it might be the correct one (doubtful).

They are not, and one or more may be less than competent, or you could
have an unusual problem or you could have had a bad day with the jet lag.

If you get double vision with one eye closed or occluded (covered up),
it's the astigmatism (or cataract, or corneal problem, etc. This is the
problem with 2nd guessing these guys.) If it's only with both eyes open,
it's something else entirely (binocularity/alignment problem).

Get one more exam on a day that you are feeling fresh, and before you do
any serious close work. Hopefully, the result will agree pretty closely
with one of the above!

w.stacy, o.d.

 

Which Country did you have this done?

Which Country did you have this done?

In some countries optometrist are not licenced and training is not needed
for practice.

 

All the tests were subjective but none of the tests used eye drops.
I've never come across this. Previous eye tests have been done in the
UK either with large chemist group (Boots), independent optician or
optician chain. The first result is Boots.

 

See - I need new glasses
It should read

R 0 -0.75 10
L -0.25 -0.75 180
+1.50

Afraid so

Only the first test made any mention of acuity, giving
Distance 6/6 and Near N4 for both eyes

Just covering my eyes with my hand as I type this my left eye is
better.

Double vision more with my right eye but that occured in the second
test.

 

Correction - should read
L -0.25 -0.75 180

Boots the Chemist UK.

Indonesia for both other tests.

I'm not sure what the situation is with the two tests I've had done
here.

 

Indonesia is one of the countries which I think does not have good control
over the practice of optometry. If you still want to make your spectacles
there It would be a good idea to use the prescription from boots. Ask the
practitioner to place the Prescription in a trial frame (Distant then near)
and make sure you can read well at near and have good distant vision.

 

Thanks Philip. However I had a further test at a different optician
and really went through things slowly with double checking at each
stage. In the end he agreed with the previous optician who basically
said there was little difference between the tests and my existing
prescription. In other words they were not trying to sell me a new
pair of glasses and I wonder whether Boots were (and they most
certainly shouldn't have been).

Certainly when this (last) Indonesian optician tried me out with the
reading correction recommended by Boots the results were less clear so
I've gone ahead his prescription. One important input from this thread
(w stacy) was the comment not to try each eye separately on the final
prescription as the astigmatism comes into play and the prescription is
based on both eyes working (AIUI).

Also I've now had a couple of proper nights sleep and am getting over
the jet lag. Finally I'm having another pair made specifically to work
on the computer (16 - 18") and hopefully this will reduce my posting
errors and programming errors

Many thanks to all for your help.