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About Michael J. Wojciak, O.D.
Expertise
I am an Optometrist with 21 yrs experience. I currently practice primary eye care in Lombard & Schaumburg, Illinois. I specialize in all types of contact lenses. Please forward appropriate questions pertaining to eye exams, glasses or contact lenses only. I will always attempt to be as "specific" as I can on my answers. This is often difficult when the questions do not provide enough information or visual presentation is needed. ***I will reject any question involving self-prescribing of contact lenses or involving contact lens measurements/comparisons (such as changing base curves, measurement comparisons between brands etc). Contact lenses are a medical device and need to be properly fit by your Doctor. Also in respect for patient privacy, I will not answer third party questions, unless a parent or guardian is asking a question about their child.*** I appreciate your confidence.

Experience
Education/Credentials: B.S. Biology/Pre-Professional Studies, University Of Notre Dame, 1982. B.S.V.S. Visual Science, Illinois College Of Optometry, 1984. Doctor Of Optometry, Illinois College Of Optometry, 1986. Therapeutic Certification, Illinois College Of Optometry, 1996.

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Health/Fitness > Medical Specialists > Ophthalmology & Optometry > Using glasses with different prescriptions

Ophthalmology & Optometry - Using glasses with different prescriptions


Expert: Michael J. Wojciak, O.D. - 5/18/2004

Question
Hello,

A few weeks ago, I developed problems reading text on my computer, so got myself  some intermediate (VDU) glasses. I hoped they would alleviate my eyestrain and headaches. They didn't, so today, I went to the shop and got my eyes checked again. The optician did not agree with the previous one re my prescription. She increased the strength in one eye, from -3.50 to -3.75. At the same time, the cylinder reading went down a little from -1.25 to 1.00. The other eye is about the same. Just slight changes for axis.

My question is, is it ok to continue wearing my VDU glasses for computer work, even though my distance glasses will have a slightly different prescription? Will the difference cause problems when I switch from one set to the other?  I want to be sensible but it seems a shame to change relatively new glasses.

The advice re eyestrain was to buy a different computer, with less glare.  The eyes were otherwise fine.

Many thanks for reading this.  

Answer
Hi,
Computer users often need one pair of reading glasses for the computer terminal.  I always have my patients measure the distance to the screen with a tape measure so I can set their glasses for the exact working distance.  So In answer to your first question, yes if the RX is accurate you should have a pair made up for the terminal (with glare block & UV added also).  To go back and forth between several Rx's should not cause a problem if they are all relatively close in strength.  New glasses are a lot more cost effective than a new computer!
Hope this helps and let me know if I can help further.
Mike

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