Prescription This High??????

Question

I know I have always been very nearsighted. My last eye exam at a lenscrafters I was tested to be -13.00. I just got back from a full physical for the U.S. army and I was tested at -14.25 and -16.00 for my right and left eyes, respectively.

To be honest I did not even know the numbers went that high. Can this be right? I have been wearing -13.00 contact lenses for about 2 years now, and have not had any problem. I don't see how my vision could have changed that much without me noticing anything.

Is a -13.00 going to a -14.25 and -16.00 a huge change?

Should I contact my recruiter so I can be re-tested ASAP?

Answer 1

Yes, it's possible to change like that.

You need to get your contact prescription updated so that you can successfully avoid the eye with the greater error slowly being 'ignored' by your brain.

Answer 2

My Rx goes up to -13.50, so you're not alone.

But that's in glasses, so to the next point...

If you were tested with lenses at an average 12mm from the eye, then -13.00 at the cornea (and, normally, the contact lens power) equates to, has the same effect as,

-15.50 at 12mm.

The distance is critical at this power level: 5mm shift either way alters the effective Rx by about a dioptre either way!

Any short-sighted person who has pushed their glasses closer to their face to makle them work better knows this effect, if not precisely the why of it.

So it's quite possible your Rx has changed little if at all.

An Rx with a very carefully assessed vertex distance is required and, to reduce the vertex problem, a over-refraction with your -13.00's in place.  The two results, compared, should inform the decision as to what your actual refraction is. (the second method, of course, having the problem of assuming the -13.00's, are exactly -13.00... Swopping them and retesting could confirm that.)

Answer 3

Yes, maybe u shd re-do a eye test and do lasik if possible.

Answer 4

Nah Z is not correct

Answer 5

Because you said that your -13 Rx was for contacts, your glasses Rx would be more than that. It would be around -15 or so, I think. Did the eye doctor tell you whether your new prescription was for glasses or contacts? If not you should ask him; yes it does make a difference. Glasses are set farther away from your eyes than contacts are, so they are a little stronger.

Even if your new prescription was for contacts, I don't think it's that big of a change. I mean, people are always saying how a -2 is a really strong first prescription, but as you and I know, no it is NOT! You see, I got 2 diopter increases till I sort of stabilized (so far) at a -8ish range.

In my opinion, you can get a redo if you haven't done the things I've suggested, like checking if your Rx is for contacts or glasses.

Don't worry!

You'll be fine.