AboutDr. Margaret Placentra Johnston, OD Expertise I can answer almost any question about vision and general eye health care. As a non-surgeon, I may not be able to answer very involved technical questions about surgical procedures or highly specialized medical treatments.
Experience I hold the degree of Doctor of Optometry and was in full-time private practice for twenty-five years. Currently I have reduced my schedule to part-time to allow time to write a book on another topic.
Organizations American Optometric Association, Virginia Optometric Association, Northern Virginia Optometric Society (and others unrelated to this topic)
Education/Credentials O.D. (Doctor of Optometry) Pennsylvania College of Optometry (now called Salus University,) B.S. Pennsylvania College of Optometry, M.A. (Education) Catholic University of America, B.A Catholic University of America.
Question I had an eye exam two years ago that gave me the following prescriptions: Contacts R-3.00 L-3.25 and Glasses R-3.00 L-3.00, -50, 167. I did not have my glasses checked last year, but did have my contacts checked with a new optometrist due to moving...he kept me at the same contacts prescription. I went back for my eye exam this year and have had my contacts prescription changed three times so far. The first time, he changed me to Optix and put me at a -3.00 in both eyes. I had to call back because I could feel the contact in my right eye and it felt as though it was not attaching correctly. When I called back, he put me back in the Acuvue Oasis...but changed me to R-3.00 L-3.50. I had to call back again because it felt as though there was no balance with this prescription. I could see when I looked out of each eye individually, but it didn't feel right when I looked out of both eyes together. They had me come in after this call. However, the eye doctor did not see me. His assistant held different things in front of my left eye and changed me back to R-3.00 L-3.00 in the Acuvue Oasis. I am not sure if this is correct either...I feel like I might be having the same balance issues. Can I call back and just ask for my original prescription back since I was having no problems with it to begin with? Also, through all of these changes...they have said that my glasses prescription of R-3.00 L-3.50 remains the same. I cannot understand how this prescription can remain the same through all three of these changes. Could the astigmatism from two years ago go away? I would greatly appreciate any assistance that you can offer. I feel as though I need better explanations to all of this, but am not getting them because he won't see me...he is making changes through the phone and through an assistant that cannot offer any explanations.
Answer I am sorry you are having this difficulty but can clearly understand how it could happen. Refracting (determining the prescription with all those "better 1 or 2?" questions) is far from an exact science. Nor is contact lens fitting.
With the small amount of astigmatism you had in the original Rx, it could easily show up one time and not another so don't worry about the difference in the glasses Rx. You don't say if you bought glasses in the R -3.00 and L -3.50 Rx but I bet if you did, it would be fine. If not, in view of what you told me, R -3.00 and L -3.25 would make a lot of sense - in the glasses and/or the contact lens Rx. The glasses Rx and contact lens Rx do not have to match - there are many reasons for this but mostly - this is just not an exact science.
I suuport your request to just go back to the R -3.00 and L -3.25 contact lens Rx. It certainly sounds like the best option. I see no reason why you cannot call back and ask for that. Hopefully, since the doctor does not want to see you, they will comply. Certainly, your opinion should be as valid as that of an assistant doing this testing. If not, I would insist on an appointment with the doctor (you should not have to pay for this) and explain your position. A reasonable person would allow you to go back to the old Rx.
