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Need glasses...need help.

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stepcutgirl

stepcutgirl

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Mar 11, 2009
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Hello all. I hope this long weekend has been good to everyone. I need some advice. I''m going to the eye doctor on Wednesday and I believe I will be getting glasses. I have never worn glasses but over the past few months the vision in my right eye has gotten terrible. I''ve noticed I''ve been watching tv and anything else at a slight distance with my right eye shut and when I open it it is so blurry.

My question is what kind of glasses are better? I know there are metal and plastic. I have no clue what else there is or if one type is better than the other or if this is completely stupid question and it''s just personal preference. While I''m sure it is personal preference I''d like to know why you love or hate your glasses. I''d like to make the right choice the first time. Also I''m going to Lens Crafters. Anyone have a good or bad experience there? Thanks for any help you can give me!
 
If you have never worn glasses and your vision is only being affected in one eye, I would make an appointment with a regular doctor as well and try to get a referral to someone who can do an MRI/CT scan. I''m not trying to scare you, but usually eyesight goes gradually and a marked change in just one eye should be checked out by a doctor.

Are you having increased headaches or anything else as well?

As for glasses, get what looks good on your face and don''t pay too much attention to price. If you have to wear them all the time, go for the frames that make you feel fabulous. Just cross your fingers that you don''t have outrageously expensive taste. Haha.

Good luck!
 
You know I hadn''t even thought of that? And I work in radiology where I see patients come in for MRI''s and CT''s for that all the time! I haven''t had any headaches or anything but my eyes are blinking a lot. Like uncontrollably a lot. They aren''t dry or red or irritated. I just can''t stop blinking in rapid succession.

Thanks for bringing to my attention the possible medical component to it. I will talk to my doctor about it.
 
Ditto CSS...

Also ask your optometrist''s opinion as to whether your eyesight has stabilized. Since this came on quickly, it seems possibley that your eyesight might still be changing. In that case, you might want to forego the bells and whistles and get just very basic (read: inexpensive) glasses this time in case you need to update your lenses in the near future.
 
Date: 9/7/2009 11:09:09 PM
Author:stepcutgirl
Hello all. I hope this long weekend has been good to everyone. I need some advice. I''m going to the eye doctor on Wednesday and I believe I will be getting glasses. I have never worn glasses but over the past few months the vision in my right eye has gotten terrible. I''ve noticed I''ve been watching tv and anything else at a slight distance with my right eye shut and when I open it it is so blurry.

My question is what kind of glasses are better? I know there are metal and plastic. I have no clue what else there is or if one type is better than the other or if this is completely stupid question and it''s just personal preference. While I''m sure it is personal preference I''d like to know why you love or hate your glasses. I''d like to make the right choice the first time. Also I''m going to Lens Crafters. Anyone have a good or bad experience there? Thanks for any help you can give me!
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The most important thing is that your eyes are OK and that this change is just a process of getting older.

Plastic frames have been the hot commodity for the past few years. Right now the chicest frames are black plastic with white or colored rims but I can''t wear plastic frames. I guess I don''t have enough of a bridge on my nose. Plastic keeps sliding down on my nose and I constantly have to push them up and adjust them. I always opt for wire frames with clear rubber nose pieces. Once my glasses are on, I literally never have to touch them unless I''m switching from eye glasses to sunglasses. But try them on for yourself. You''re the one that has to be comfortable. Just find something that you won''t have to fidget with. My reading glasses and distance glasses are Versace. They''re very expensive and in my opinion, not the best quality. The frames I wear while at home are Ralph Lauren Polo. My sunglasses are Vera Wang, but they''re plastic and they drive me bonkers. I need new sunglasses to replace these frames
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. Coach has come out with some very nice things. I''d look at their styles.
 
Ditto on having your eye health checked out - and I hope you are going to an optomologist (spelling?) who is a medical Dr specilizing in eye care vs just an optomotrist who has lesser training.

Concerning glasses: The biggest difference is in what they make the lenses out of. A recent example as it relates to myself. low cost polycarbonate lenses cost $34 - but are somewhat foggy (at least not crystal clear) and have to be thick for strong perscriprions due to a lower refraction index. There are several better materials that are clearer and thinner. The lenses in my glasses were about $170 (and were the very top of the line several years ago). Last time I looked there were about 5 different lens materials available - all at different cost.

My employer provides safety glasses (from low cost polycarbonate) and the difference between them and my normal glasses is amazing.

So make some inquiries on what the lenses will be made from - and the advantages of using more expensive lenses.

Most people never even know about the better lenses. I wanted the best glasses money could buy because I''m an international level judge for whitewater slalom canoe and kayak racing - and I need to see the best I can.

The local discount store that my emplyee uses for safety glasses had never sold the higher priced lenses before. The gal taking the order told me that she had read about the lenses on my prescription - but all they focused on was polycarbonate as they were the lowest cost lenses on the market.

Perry
 
I have wire frames and I don''t love them; they are so delicate and I''m always afraid of breaking them. I used to wear plastic frames and I loved the way they fit my face, and felt sturdy.

It''s absolutely a personal opinion, but try on both kinds.
 
SCG, perry brought up a good point about the lenses. I''ve always worn ultra-thins myself, as my prescription is strong and I would look hideous with poly-carb lenses. They''d be much too thick. My lenses cost around $190.- a pair, but it''s worth every dollar because even from a side view, my lenses don''t look thick at all. Mine are also as clear as glass and are scratch resistant.
 
I have lightweight metal frame glasses (when I don't wear my contacts) and like them, but am thinking of trying plastic for a different look. It really is personal preference and what feels comfortable. Make sure that whatever frames you buy can easily be adjusted to fit your face, if they don't already - some of them have arms that can't be adjusted much. I would advise splurging a bit on better lenses (with anti-reflective coating, thinner and lighter if applicable, etc) because that's what can really make a difference to how your glasses look and feel. Although if your prescription isn't stable, you might want to hold off a while on the expensive lenses - though it's pretty straightforward and inexpensive to make new lenses to fit old frames.

Ditto getting your eyes checked out properly. I would see your family doctor as well as the optometrist, and they may advise you to see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). A good optometrist would give you this advice anyway after your eye test if there were any concerns. It may be nothing though, so don't stress yourself out unduly.
 
I have wire frames and while I like the frames themselves I'm not mad about the rubber nose piece thingys. They never seem to stay on straight and I'm constantly pushing my glasses back up. Plus they're a pain to keep clean. After a short while they go green and gunky. I'm constantly ultrasonic-ing mine and bringing them in to the opticians to have them adjusted. And they charge €5 a time for that over here.
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I had plastic frames before and didn't find they slid down any more than the ones with the rubber nose piece thingys. But then every pair of glasses I've ever had (16 years of them at this stage) have had a tendency to slide down my nose. I'd get plastic frames again if I could but with the current trend for square frames, I just can't find any that flatter me. I need oval frames and my only option seems to be to buy metal frames from the 'classic' section.

My one piece of advice is don't bother with the special anti-reflective clear coating thingy! They'll give you a pair of glasses with one lens coated and one not and then get you to look in a mirror. The difference is unbelievable and you'll be very tempted to buy. But if you do buy, go out and get a bulk order of washing up liquid too, because you'll never be done cleaning them...!

If your lenses are likely to be thick (probably unlikely if it's your first pair, but just in case), it is worth getting the lenses thinned. That makes a huge difference to how they look and feel and is well worth the extra money.

BTW did you know you can get your prescription off the optician and then order your frames yourself from online vendors? Just thought I'd put it out there...

Good luck with the appointment, and I hope it turns out there's nothing serious at play, keep us posted
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Delster, have you tried getting different nose pieces? I used to have the same problem with glasses sliding down my nose, until a great optician replaced mine with really rubbery ones (the look the same as the others, tiny and transparent, but feel kind of like car tyre material!) and since then I''ve never had to push them up.
 
Yup, Lilykat, I''ve had them replaced multiple times, tried lots of different ones. The bridge of my nose is super thin and just doesn''t cooperate with glasses very well! Thanks for the suggestion though, I''ll keep persevering
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At this stage pushing my glasses up has become so routine that I still do it even when I''m wearing my contacts - I keep tapping the bridge of my nose where I expect the glasses to be!
 
Good luck with the eye doctor. If you do need glasses, go for what feels and looks best on you. I like plastic frames best, and seem drawn to Prada, unfortunately. Expensive. After I bought the Prada frames, I found a Vogue frame that looked almost identical but was much less expensive, so take some time to shop around. My lenses are ridiculously expensive because i need bifocals and distance in one. Try to find a deal too--some places will give you a free pair of sunglasses and a reduction on the glasses with a coupon, or if you belong to AAA/CAA, things like that.

ETA: you can visit several lenscrafters to see which pair of glasses suit you best, as they don't all carry the same stock. I always go there, because I've found they have the best deals and most "trendy" frames available.
 
I have had serious issues with my eyes.
I recommend getting a check up with an ophthalmologist, not an optometrist.

An ophthalmologist is a real MD and is more qualified to notice problems early than an optometrist and often your insurance will pay for either.
 
I have had serious issues with my eyes.
I recommend getting a check up with an ophthalmologist, not an optometrist.

An ophthalmologist is a real MD and is more qualified, than an optometrist, to notice problems early and often your insurance will pay for either.

Glass is heavier than plastic and does not scratch as easily.
If you have a really thick-lens prescription or select huge Jackie Onassis frames the extra weight of the glass may annoy you.
Otherwise I do prefer glass for the scratch resistance.

My opinion is that those add-ons like scratch-resistant coatings or anti-reflective coatings are WAYYYYYYYYYY overpriced and therefore not worth it to me. YMMV.
 
When I don''t wear my contacts, I have plastic frames for my glasses. I''ve had the metal frames too, but the pieces by the bridge of my nose always bothered me so I prefer plastic. Make sure you get frames you really like, even if it takes a little while to shop around - I spent WAY too much money on frames I didn''t love around 2 years ago because other people told me they looked "great" and "like a model" on me - and when I got them I hated them SO MUCH I ended up never ever wearing them and eventually laying out more money for other frames.

I''ve had good experiences in the past with LensCrafters, but my mom had a bad experience once (however, she has very complicated eyes with astigmatism and bifocals and many other issues so I don''t think you''ll have a problem for just simple glasses).
 
I second the "get the lenses thinned" option. My brother just got a new pair of glasses and accidentaly forgot to check the box for "ultrathin lenses".
When his glasses came in there were big thick cokebottle lenses in his trendy frames - yup they still make them!
I had no idea my brother needed that strong of a perscription (videogame boy that he is).
 
I ditto all those who say go to an opthomologist vs. an optometrist. I am 21 and one of my eyes has almost perfect vision while the other is -2.5. It is not the worst vision ever but that is a huuuge difference between the eyes. My old glasses had one lens that was just plastic! My good eye got a tiny bit worse (-.025) because I didn''t wear my glasses when I was supposed to since I have pretty perfect vision so long as my left eye is open!

The opthomologist should be able to tell you if you just have wierd eyes like me or if something is wrong.
I have plastic frames and much prefer them to my old wire ones. I simply find them much more comfortable.
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I am going to the eye doc on Thursday so I will let you know what happens.
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Hi stepcut,

I have many many pairs of glasses and wear contacts too. My advice is about the weight of the specs. I find if I am annoyed or having a tough long day I really need to come home and change into my lightest pair of specs as the pressure (of my designer/fancy/modern specs) on my nose drives me mad. So get 2 pairs minimum - one for fashion and the other the lightest pair you can find even if you look like harry potter.
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Delster - Specsavers have never charged me for repairs, alterations or pads. Have you tried them - plus can beat a 2 for 1!
 
Well I went to the ophthalmologist today. He said I have a moderate to sever astigmatism in my right eye and that is the cause of the blurriness and poor vision. He said had non of the corrective lenses fixed the problem then there is reason to believe it might be MS or a brain tumor but because the lenses did correct the problem there is next to no chance it is anything other than that. Yay!

So, I picked out a very cute pair of glasses. They are burgundy colored rectangle frames with metal around the eye pieces and plastic on the side. Thanks for the advice!
 
I''m glad your eyes are ok (except for the astigmatism) - I bet your new glasses look awesome !
 
Date: 9/10/2009 3:26:44 PM
Author: stepcutgirl
Well I went to the ophthalmologist today. He said I have a moderate to sever astigmatism in my right eye and that is the cause of the blurriness and poor vision. He said had non of the corrective lenses fixed the problem then there is reason to believe it might be MS or a brain tumor but because the lenses did correct the problem there is next to no chance it is anything other than that. Yay!

So, I picked out a very cute pair of glasses. They are burgundy colored rectangle frames with metal around the eye pieces and plastic on the side. Thanks for the advice!
Click to expand...
Well thats good news! Any chances of pics of your glasses...I''ve been wearing the same frame for a couple of years
now and I''m ready for something new. What are the chances I''ll find magical glasses that turn me into sexy and cute
(with brains)?
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I don''t have a picture with them on. But I found them online.

http://www.selectspecs.com/Glasses/Humphrey''s-Eyewear/582029/ss35.02.html

I got them in the brown color. I swear it is really more of a burgundy color.
 
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