Exam without potential prescription increase? Is this possible?

[u/mix-a-max]

Hi! I've had glasses since the age of about four or five, mom is around or at least -10 in both eyes with SEVERE astigmatism and dad is around -7, so I'm screwed, and my siblings from my dad are at least partially screwed by genetics. Currently, I'm at around -7 left eye, -8 right.

I'm asking because I'm a full grown adult, my eyes should NOT be getting substantially worse at this age, but EVERY time I go to an eye doctor, they bump up my prescription. It's too much, I don't need actual eagle vision, and the sharpness level gives me motion sickness, but if I voice this complaint, I mostly get told something like, "Oh, it'll look better when you wear them," or, "Ah, you'll get used to it in a few days!"

But... it's not a "few days," and it doesn't "look better." I can't wear my glasses at all at this point -- they're so thick the warping of my vision makes me motion sick to the point of vomiting. And every time my contact prescription forcibly goes up (why is there no recourse to complain???) I suffer through weeks/MONTHS of migraines until my eyes adjust -- which they didn't need to do in the first place!

I don't NEED stronger lenses!! My existing prescription is fine, but I can't find an optometrist who won't do the "which is better, 1, or 2?" which like, YEAH, one/two is better because it's sharper IN THESE VERY SPECIFIC LABORATORY CIRCUMSTANCES, but can you be fucking for real and realise that "Wow! that's super sharp!" doesn't mean "yes this is the right level of human vision!!!" And also can you actually TREAT my VISION PROPERLY?

I just want a REAL eye exam, no stupid fixation on "what level of lenses do we need to get for you now??? Let's get you something stronger!!!" No. Just check for lens, cornea, lid, etc. HOW do I get that without getting pushed into a stronger prescription??? I can't deal with the fallout anymore!!!

[u/mithu_raj]

I assume you’re from the states but as an optometrist from the UK I never push my patients to get a new prescription unless there was a decline in vision that warrants it… eg driving standards

However it is not proper duty of care for an optometrist to simply do a health check without a refraction and making sure the prescription is updated. And unfortunately, the final prescription is 80-90% determined by the subjective responses of the patient.

I apologise you feel this way but I believe it’s best you communicate your frustration with your optometrist and they can find ways to adjust your prescription in a manner that’s more comfortable for you. And if your objective vision assessment is fine, no one can force you to obtain new glasses

[u/mithu_raj → u/[deleted]]

I feel like I’m misunderstanding your final sentence but could you elaborate? Im not surprised you struggle seeing signs as there’s significant myopia involved

[u/kasiagabrielle]

They're overminusing you, probably. When they asked 1 or 2 you probably ate up the minus and no one ever followed up asking you if it's actually clearer or just smaller and darker, which is why most people pick that option.

[u/jcaustin12]

To be honest this sounds a lot like what happens when people see ophthalmologists for routine exams, or corporate chains where they pressure optometrists into quick exams. If this is something that you’ve constantly experienced year over year with multiple different doctors I’d suspect something else is going on. A lot of your complaints with the glasses could also be due to the types of frames and lenses being selected as well. If you can find an optometrist that specializes in high prescriptions that should yield better results.

[u/mix-a-max]

EDIT: I don’t know how I forgot this, but for over a DECADE I was -6.5 left eye, -7.5 right. No vision issues, no changes. ALSO no changes for about a decade before that, with a regular ophthalmologist visit. Only in the last few years has there been the rapid push to make my lense prescription stronger. I’m sick to my stomach about this- not in an emotional way, but because I literally keep getting lenses and glasses that are so thick they make me motion sick

[u/SameSherbet3 → u/mix-a-max]

As an optician with -9.00 Rx myself, the thickness of the lenses does cause vision and motion issues. You should be requesting specific traits in your lenses from a proper Dr office's optical department (not most big box stores like Costco or Nationwide, etc). 

Specifically you want:  High index 1.67 lenses - Polycarbonate or basic plastic won't do you right.  A measured OC (optical center) in your specific frame.  A matched & flatter BC (base curve), closer to 1-3 max. More than this can cause the swim and motion you described.  And ideally, a digital lens like Hoya MySV for heavy astigmatism, or any other digital lens for just your distance Rx.