Glasses

Septus

So, I've worn contacts for the last 17 years, and I've pretty much forgotten what it's like to use glasses. I just bought glasses to keep around as a backup or for home use.

From when I was a kid, I don't remember nearly so much distortion from the lenses, although my vision was a lot better. How normal is it for everything in the field of vision to move and warp(around the edges of the glasses)? Is this probably purely a function of the strength of my prescription(-6.00) or could it be affected by the choice of lens type? I was offered high index lenses versus polycarbonate. I chose the latter because they were much cheaper, and I was told there was no other difference except the durability of the lens and the thickness, no one said anything about how things would be viewed, if that is the case.

If it's simply my prescription, will I just get used to it? I don't know how hard that will be if I'm wearing contacts most of the day and then wearing the glasses for a few hours at night.

VisionOfClarity

I can tell you that I personally have never issues with with things moving and warping around the edge of the glasses.

I spring for the really nice, expensive lenses though.

Canada_jezus

if this isn't settled by tomorrow i'll call up my dad and ask him, he's got -12 and -9.

As far me, i get this from time to time, but the light has to be right(wrong) as well

see317

It's caused mostly by the thickness of the lenses. They'll distort light more around the edges where they are thicker. You probably just didn't notice the distortion when you where a kid since you hadn't experienced years of contact lenses.

As for getting used to it, it doesn't seem likely unless you're wearing the glasses for long periods of time, although you'll probably notice it less as time passes.

I generally get glasses with smaller lenses that sit closer to my eyes to minimize the effects since I've got a fairly heavy perscription myself and don't like wearing contacts.

Usagi

As someone with -9.0 in both eyes, my glasses definitely have some 'warping' going simply because of the thickness. Even with the ultra-thin lenses, it's still noticeable.

I switch back and forth between contacts and glasses regularly, and it takes a little while to get used to the glasses if you've had the contacts in all day. My biggest irritation with glasses is the lack of peripheral vision when driving, but it sounds like you'll just be using them around the house.

Short answer is yes, you will notice some differences and distortion when you first put the glasses on but I generally get used to it in about 20-25 minutes.

DJ-99

I didn't wear glasses for 7 years, got a pair this spring when I had an eye infection. My prescription is -13.75 in both eyes. For the first couple days I was walking into walls and things, but after that everything was totally fine. The doctor said it goes away pretty quickly. You'll be fine, although your vision will never be quite as sharp as with contacts.

Grim Outlook

when i first got my glasses i sort of felt like i was looking through a fish eye lens and i thought it was really weird.

after a while i stopped noticing it though. guess it's just an adjustment thing.

Luthz

Septus wrote: »

I was offered high index lenses versus polycarbonate. I chose the latter because they were much cheaper, and I was told there was no other difference except the durability of the lens and the thickness

This is completely correct, Polycarbonate lenses are designed to be more durable, and resistant to the chipping and cracking that regular, and high index plastic often recieves, while in semi and fully rimless frames, while at a slightly lower refractive index of 1.586, rather than the 1.60, 1.67 or 1.737, that is available from high index plastic.

AresProphet

I've worn glasses for 18 years and I'll wear them until I die, so I wouldn't know what seeing without glasses looks like.

With that said I can definitely notice the size and shape of objects warping at the far edges of my lenses. It's a pretty hefty prescription though and I have to really try to notice it so it normally isn't a big deal, but the same thing happens any time i get new lenses and you just get used to it.

You're probably just not used to wearing the lenses and it'll take you a few days to adjust to the way they distort your vision.

SpongeCake

The last pair of specs I got had a hefty boost in prescription of one lens and every time I looked right I had to totally refocus, to the point where I actually had trouble crossing the road. After a few days though, things sorted themselves out and I can see just fine looking right.
It's almost certainly going to get better once you get used to them - though that might take a while if you're wearing contacts most of the time.

1ddqd

I have -3.5 and -3.75 in my eyes and while not bad, I used to have lenses that (I thought) were pretty thick. There was some warping on them near the edges, where things got stretched. I had to really look left or right, but I could see it. Recently, I bought some new Nike frames and concurrently, lenses, to update with my prescription. I had insurance and a coupon, so I got pretty much every treatment I could (ultra-light, auto-shade thingy, anti-glare coating, etc) and I can't see any warp at all. Could just be that you need to tick all the options when you buy the lenses lol.

Sarcastro

Just a tidbit: I hear the brain will adapt very easily to different kinds of distortions applied to the optic nerve, but it takes a few days to accomplish.

I guess the long and short of it is, wear them around for a few weeks and you wont really notice it anymore.

I wear both, glasses for daily and contacts for activities. I just got contacts for the first time about a year ago, and I remember the first time I put them in thinking holy shit I can see everything!

I don't notice the lines around my frames anymore, and when I got them, just after high school, I remember it took a few weeks to adjust.

Septus

Luthz wrote: »

Septus wrote: »

I was offered high index lenses versus polycarbonate. I chose the latter because they were much cheaper, and I was told there was no other difference except the durability of the lens and the thickness

This is completely correct, Polycarbonate lenses are designed to be more durable, and resistant to the chipping and cracking that regular, and high index plastic often recieves, while in semi and fully rimless frames, while at a slightly lower refractive index of 1.586, rather than the 1.60, 1.67 or 1.737, that is available from high index plastic.

I guess I'm just worried that the difference in thickness could have made a noticeable difference in the amount that my vision warps or moves. It's too late I'm sure, but I would have liked for the store to have informed me, or told me that a totally round pair of glasses might have helped.

Lux

-6.25 here, and I can say, yes, that happens to me too. But I got used to it to the point where I don't even notice it. It happens with every new pair, but never when I wear contacts.

NotYou

you'll adjust to it within a week, or at least i did.