Is there any way for very high prescription glasses to look attractive?
Jennifer Smith
Hi everyone. I'm a 17-year-old female. I'm EXTREMELY
nearsighted, -9.5 in my left eye and -9 in my right. I wear contacts
full time. Today I picked up my first pair of glasses in a long time, so
I could have a backup in case something went wrong with my contacts.
When I ordered my glasses, I chose not to get special thinner lenses in
them because they were much more expensive and I saw no real need,
because I'd almost never wear the glasses.
When I went to get my glasses today, I was amazed at how THICK
they were! My glasses are the thickest ones I've ever seen--the lenses
were more than half an inch thick at the edges. The only allowance for
vanity I made with these glasses was getting the edges polished so they
don't seem quite as thick, but the fact remains that my glasses are
incredibly thick and unattractive. I'd never want to wear them in
public. But I realize that I may have to sometimes.
So, I ask everyone, is there any way for a -9 myopic girl to get
some attractive glasses? Also, as I get older, I realize my prescription
will probably get stronger, so I'll need even thicker glasses in the
future. Is there any way out of this dilemma?
Jennifer
ChristyCar
Hi Jennifer.
I am a 32 year old female who also has a very high myopia. My left eye is
about -7.0 and my right eye is -9.5--believe it or not, once your eyes are
this bad there really isn't much difference to me between my - 7.0 and my
-9.5 eye. Anyway, I have worn contact lenses since the age of about 13 or
14--gas permeable lenses and have (knock on wood) NEVER had to wear my
"back up glasses". Like you, the only way that I would ever wear them
would be if I were hospitalized and unable to deal with my contacts!! My
glasses are the high index refraction material (supposedly thinner) and
still are very very thick and unattractive--not only that, when I do put
them on just to see what it is like, it feels like I am in a funhouse--the
edges of everything are rounded and they make me very dizzy!!...It is
always in the back of my mind, what if I lose my contacts, can't wear
them, etc. Do buy an extra pair of your current prescription if you wear
gas perms--also, I have some disposable lenses that I keep with me in my
purse, in my travel bag, etc. They do not give me as sharp vision--but
are certainly good enough to drive in-- I am currently looking into
another brand of disposables which might be even better.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know from an older female that as long as
your contacts are problem free and you have good vision with them, no need
to worry excessively about ever having to wear your glasses, unless you
just want to at night to read, or whatever. ( I don't even use them for
that--I just hold the book up to my nose!).
At least we have vision problems that are correctable, right?!!! The
answer to your question: I don't think there is any way for our glasses
to look attractive. If so, I would also love to hear!!!
Christy
Stefan Stefanov
Jennifer Smith <jen's...@getting.her.address.soon> wrote:
[...] Also, as I get older, I realize my prescription
>will probably get stronger, [...]
>Jennifer
I've noticed this thought recently in other posts. I only wonder if it is
the result of a systematically implanted idea by your OD which has, of
course, materialized thru his/her zealous prescriptive efforts.
Look around in this newsgroup for people who have not only arrested the
progression of myopia but also reversed it to some extent. Check the "It
works, less myopic" thread, for example. One of the ealiest articles I
still have directly accessible is news:31CE47...@world.std.com .
Best,
Stefan Stefanov
Patrick Liu
Jennifer Smith wrote:
>
> Hi everyone. I'm a 17-year-old female. I'm EXTREMELY
> nearsighted, -9.5 in my left eye and -9 in my right. I wear contacts
> full time. Today I picked up my first pair of glasses in a long time, so
> I could have a backup in case something went wrong with my contacts.
> When I ordered my glasses, I chose not to get special thinner lenses in
> them because they were much more expensive and I saw no real need,
> because I'd almost never wear the glasses.
> When I went to get my glasses today, I was amazed at how THICK
> they were! My glasses are the thickest ones I've ever seen--the lenses
> were more than half an inch thick at the edges. The only allowance for
> vanity I made with these glasses was getting the edges polished so they
> don't seem quite as thick, but the fact remains that my glasses are
> incredibly thick and unattractive. I'd never want to wear them in
> public. But I realize that I may have to sometimes.
> So, I ask everyone, is there any way for a -9 myopic girl to get
> will probably get stronger, so I'll need even thicker glasses in the
> future. Is there any way out of this dilemma?
>
> Jennifer
Jennifer,
I am regret you made a wrong decision just saving up your money for chooseing
non-thinner lenses. Don't make this mistake again next time.
If you really mind the amazed thickness of the lenses of your new spectacles,
then the best alternative remedy is to bargain with the optical
shop/optometric clinic to freely exchange for a frame with smaller lens size,
esp. the oval one. I think it is still worth for paying surcharge or buying a
new one and keeping the wrong one for your relatives or your next
prescription dispensing.
Your worry of getting stronger nearsightedness is understandable. Hey, you
are not alone, high myopia is pretty common in Hong Kong (Chinese society).
Most of them would like to have chosen thinner lens with 1.7 refractive index
or even 1.8, and thank god, the fashion trend of frame style have been still
stuck on oval shape in Asia (US??) since early 90's in this decade.
For the topic of control, cure or therapy of nearsightedness (myopia), there
is still no unanimity among our professionals and waiting for further
exploration. If you are interested in it, pls check the following topics:-
Refractive surgery ---- if you accept its success rate and complications for
high myopics
http://math-www.uio.no/faq/vision-faq/part4.html
Research in Bifocal for non-presbyopes
Brian Levy, O.D. 1991
http://www.prio.com/text/Diagonsing_Treating.html
Research in Progressive lenses for non-presbyopes
Marion H. Edwards PhD (1995 as I recall)
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
(result with significant effect, but no materials in website)
Visual Training
Robert-Michael Kaplan O.D., M.Ed. FCOVD.
http://www.sunshine.net/www/0/sn0011/
(quite interesting, and right in the track)
Non-surgrical refractive correction
"Orthokeratology" for mild myopes (Not for you, Jennifer !!)
Good description from Jim H Day, Jr OD
Member National Eye Research Foundation
Check his message under the topic "Re: Orthokeratology - does it work?" in
this newsgroup dated on 28 June 1996
If you any enquiry, pls feel free to post your questions in this newsgroup. I
think all the experts who are specialized in the relevant topics will be
delighted to give you advice.
Patrick Liu, PD
Optometrist
Hong Kong Vision Care Centre
Davis W. Edwards
In article <31D75E...@getting.her.address.soon>, Jennifer Smith
<jen's...@getting.her.address.soon> wrote:
> Hi everyone. I'm a 17-year-old female. I'm EXTREMELY
> nearsighted, -9.5 in my left eye and -9 in my right. I wear contacts
> full time. Today I picked up my first pair of glasses in a long time, so
> I could have a backup in case something went wrong with my contacts.
> When I ordered my glasses, I chose not to get special thinner lenses in
> them because they were much more expensive and I saw no real need,
> because I'd almost never wear the glasses.
> When I went to get my glasses today, I was amazed at how THICK
> they were! My glasses are the thickest ones I've ever seen--the lenses
> were more than half an inch thick at the edges. The only allowance for
> vanity I made with these glasses was getting the edges polished so they
> don't seem quite as thick, but the fact remains that my glasses are
> incredibly thick and unattractive. I'd never want to wear them in
> public. But I realize that I may have to sometimes.
> So, I ask everyone, is there any way for a -9 myopic girl to get
> some attractive glasses? Also, as I get older, I realize my prescription
> will probably get stronger, so I'll need even thicker glasses in the
> future. Is there any way out of this dilemma?
>
> Jennifer
--
Davis W. Edwards
Kip Bryan
The high index lenses are much thinner. You can also get the anti-reflective
coating (more $$$) which makes the lenses seem more invisible to others.
The high index lenses will likely be lighter on your nose, too.
I'm surprised the opticians didn't warn you better about what you'd
be getting. They missed a selling opportunity.
Maybe you can find an optician who can show you lenses of some
power close to yours with and without high index so you can decide
if it's worth the money?
Also, get round lenses if you want minimum edge thickness. The smaller
the diameter, the thinner the edge, too.
Look for "aspheric" lenses. These give good optical performance
while looking thinner and more attractive.
You might also start asking other women you see who wear glasses
for advice. I've yet to find someone who wears glasses who isn't
happy to talk about their vision or their glasses.
The "index" of the lens is the Index of Refraction. It's how slow
light goes in the glass compared to light in a vacuum. The higher
the index, the more light bends when it enters the glass at an
angle. A high index lens can be less curved because of this, and so
thinner at the edge. Ordinary "Crown Glass" has an index of 1.52. You
can get High Index glass as high as 1.80, or plastic at 1.66 (much
lighter). There's no "right" answer as there are several trade-offs
that only you can make.
-- Kip (not a vision professional)
Jennifer Smith
Patrick Liu wrote:
>
> Jennifer Smith wrote:
> >
> > Hi everyone. I'm a 17-year-old female. I'm EXTREMELY
> > nearsighted, -9.5 in my left eye and -9 in my right. I wear contacts
> > full time. Today I picked up my first pair of glasses in a long time, so
> > I could have a backup in case something went wrong with my contacts.
> > When I ordered my glasses, I chose not to get special thinner lenses in
> > them because they were much more expensive and I saw no real need,
> > because I'd almost never wear the glasses.
> > When I went to get my glasses today, I was amazed at how THICK
> > they were! My glasses are the thickest ones I've ever seen--the lenses
> > were more than half an inch thick at the edges. The only allowance for
> > vanity I made with these glasses was getting the edges polished so they
> > don't seem quite as thick, but the fact remains that my glasses are
> > incredibly thick and unattractive. I'd never want to wear them in
> > public. But I realize that I may have to sometimes.
> > So, I ask everyone, is there any way for a -9 myopic girl to get
> > some attractive glasses? Also, as I get older, I realize my prescription
> > will probably get stronger, so I'll need even thicker glasses in the
> > future. Is there any way out of this dilemma?
> >
> > Jennifer
>
>
> I am regret you made a wrong decision just saving up your money for chooseing
> non-thinner lenses. Don't make this mistake again next time.
My parents said that if I chose not to spend $50 or so extra on thinner
lenses, they would give me some money towards my upcoming camping trip,
so I decided to go with regular lenses. I'm sure if I wore glasses
full-time I would definitely get thinner lenses.
> If you really mind the amazed thickness of the lenses of your new spectacles,
> then the best alternative remedy is to bargain with the optical
> shop/optometric clinic to freely exchange for a frame with smaller lens size,
> esp. the oval one. I think it is still worth for paying surcharge or buying a
> new one and keeping the wrong one for your relatives or your next
> prescription dispensing.
I chose some medium-sized, roundish shaped frames. I thought I looked
better with them than with other frames, even the smaller ones.
Jen
Jennifer Smith
ChristyCar wrote:
>
> Hi Jennifer.
>
> I am a 32 year old female who also has a very high myopia. My left eye is
> about -7.0 and my right eye is -9.5--believe it or not, once your eyes are
> this bad there really isn't much difference to me between my - 7.0 and my
> -9.5 eye. Anyway, I have worn contact lenses since the age of about 13 or
> 14--gas permeable lenses and have (knock on wood) NEVER had to wear my
> "back up glasses". Like you, the only way that I would ever wear them
> would be if I were hospitalized and unable to deal with my contacts!!
You've REALLY never had to wear glasses instead of contacts? I've
actually had quite a few times when glasses would have been handy--like
when I get an object under my lens at school, need to go clean it, eye
hurts like hell, etc etc etc. Or just reading at night--I have to almost
cross my eyes to read w/o glasses, just from holding the book two inches
from my face.
My
> glasses are the high index refraction material (supposedly thinner) and
> still are very very thick and unattractive--not only that, when I do put
> them on just to see what it is like, it feels like I am in a funhouse--the
> edges of everything are rounded and they make me very dizzy!!...
Ick...about how thick are your high index lenses as compared to my
1/2-inch-thick regular lenses?
It is
> always in the back of my mind, what if I lose my contacts, can't wear
> them, etc. Do buy an extra pair of your current prescription if you wear
> gas perms--also, I have some disposable lenses that I keep with me in my
> purse, in my travel bag, etc. They do not give me as sharp vision--but
> are certainly good enough to drive in-- I am currently looking into
> another brand of disposables which might be even better.
>
> Anyway, just wanted to let you know from an older female that as long as
> your contacts are problem free and you have good vision with them, no need
> to worry excessively about ever having to wear your glasses, unless you
> just want to at night to read, or whatever. ( I don't even use them for
> that--I just hold the book up to my nose!).
>
> At least we have vision problems that are correctable, right?!!! The
> answer to your question: I don't think there is any way for our glasses
> to look attractive. If so, I would also love to hear!!!
>
> Christy
I tried wearing my glasses when I went downtown yesterday...just walking
around was hard, because everything looked tiny, I had no peripheral
vision, and at the edges of my field of view everything was curved. I
felt very timid and self conscious, not just from the thickness of my
glasses, but also because I had to take my glasses off and clean them, or
straighten them, or fiddle around with them in some way, every so often.
Eventually I gave up and put my contacts in--that drew some curious
glances!
Jen
Swan
I will share with you a wonderful trick I learned to make
those glasses look much better. Go to a good antique store,
flea market or find a collector. Buy a pair of Victorian
frames! Since the lense technology of the Victorian days was
not so advanced as ours today, the lenses had to be much
smaller. You can find exquisite silver, gold, platinum and
steel frames, complete with lenses, for a song! I collect
antuque eyeglasses and have abour a dozen pairs now,
including a lovely pair of steel framed 18th century
spectacles such as Thomas Jefferson might have worn.
Take these antique frames in to a lab and have them fitted
with your prescription. Prepare to be astonished at how LONG
these frames LAST! Since planned obsolescence had not yet
been invented, the Victorians of the last century crafted the
frames to last a lifetime, and they do! Even hard to fit
frames can be done. I had a pair of white gold and platinum
octagonal granny frames (gorgeous!) I had bought from a kid
who had them on her Teddy Bear! I took them to a lab and they
put plastic lenses in them and they are now my "party
glasses".
Not only will your edges be thinner, you will be wearing
frames that nobody else has! AND you will get hordes of
compliments on your unusual fashions! I have one frame that
has gone through three prescription changes (after the
original lenses had been removed!) and they are still in
excellent condition! When was the last time you put a new
pair of lenses in an old frame?
I am going to have my prescription put into the Colonial
glasses, the lens apertures are only an inch across!) and
even WITH -40 dipters, I'll have the thinnest edges around!
Sylvia with the splendid specs
sorry all you sellers of expensive flimsy frames, I've done
an end run around you at last!
Oh, and check out the antique lorgnettes, quizzing glasses,
pince-nez and monocles! Plain old hang-on-the-ears frames are
SO limiting!
Bram Vingerling
In article <31D75E...@getting.her.address.s oon>, From Jennifer
Smith <jen's...@getting.her.address.soon>, the following was written:
> Hi everyone. I'm a 17-year-old female. I'm EXTREMELY
> nearsighted, -9.5 in my left eye and -9 in my right. I wear contacts
> full time. Today I picked up my first pair of glasses in a long time,
> so I could have a backup in case something went wrong with my
> contacts. When I ordered my glasses, I chose not to get special
> thinner lenses in them because they were much more expensive and I saw
> no real need, because I'd almost never wear the glasses.
> When I went to get my glasses today, I was amazed at how THICK
> they were! My glasses are the thickest ones I've ever seen--the
> lenses were more than half an inch thick at the edges. The only
> allowance for vanity I made with these glasses was getting the edges
> polished so they don't seem quite as thick, but the fact remains that
> my glasses are incredibly thick and unattractive. I'd never want to
> wear them in public. But I realize that I may have to sometimes.
> So, I ask everyone, is there any way for a -9 myopic girl to get
> some attractive glasses? Also, as I get older, I realize my
> prescription will probably get stronger, so I'll need even thicker
> glasses in the future. Is there any way out of this dilemma?
>
> Jennifer
You should definitely choose the very highest index lenses (1.9 is the
highest mineral index available, also the heaviest I am afraid).
A less conventional method might be wearing thinner contacts combined
with spectacles with normal strength glasses?
good luck,
Bram
--
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IBV-Ingenieurbuero Vingerling Optical Thin Film Processdevelopment
Postfach 1111, D-35411 Pohlheim, Germany Technical Product Development
10011...@compuserve.com b.ving...@t-online.de Production Engineering
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ibv_engineering OEM-Consulting
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bram Vingerling
In article <31DB57...@world.std.com>, From Kip Bryan
<ki...@world.std.com>, the following was written:
> The "index" of the lens is the Index of Refraction. It's how slow
> light goes in the glass compared to light in a vacuum. The higher
> the index, the more light bends when it enters the glass at an
> angle. A high index lens can be less curved because of this, and so
> thinner at the edge. Ordinary "Crown Glass" has an index of 1.52.
> You can get High Index glass as high as 1.80, or plastic at 1.66 (much
> lighter). There's no "right" answer as there are several trade-offs
> that only you can make.
>
> -- Kip (not a vision professional)
Kip,
the highest available index has Lanthan Glass, 1.89, Abbenr. 30.4
It reflects about 17% so you need an Anti Reflective coating for it.
Jennifer
Not a bad idea...but not quite my style. Thanx anyway :).
> I am going to have my prescription put into the Colonial
> glasses, the lens apertures are only an inch across!) and
> even WITH -40 dipters, I'll have the thinnest edges around!
-40??????????????????????????? Holy guacamole...how did your eyesight get
so BAD??? WIth more conventional frames, wouldn't your lenses be like 2
inches thick?? You poor thing :( *hug*.
> Sylvia with the splendid specs
Jen with the nice-framed specs but BLEAH lenses
JDODA
jennifer,
Start reading and gathering information on LASIK. Screw the glasses.
Mine were -12.00, so much thicker than yours. 4 years post op PRK on
July 4th. No glasses to deal with any longer.
jim
John Joseph Hefti
In article <31E060...@getting.her.address.soon>,
Jennifer <Jen's...@getting.her.address.soon> wrote:
>Swan wrote:
>>
>
>Not a bad idea...but not quite my style. Thanx anyway :).
>
>> I am going to have my prescription put into the Colonial
>> glasses, the lens apertures are only an inch across!) and
>> even WITH -40 dipters, I'll have the thinnest edges around!
>
>-40??????????????????????????? Holy guacamole...how did your eyesight get
>so BAD??? WIth more conventional frames, wouldn't your lenses be like 2
>inches thick?? You poor thing :( *hug*.
More like 2.5". I know from experience, since I've only used conventional
frames for my -44.00D correction, though myodisk lenses help a little.
>
>> Sylvia with the splendid specs
>
>Jen with the nice-framed specs but BLEAH lenses
How "BLEAH" can they be? At least compared to Sylvia's and mine?
John
cason
Sylvania,
That's a GREAT idea! I never thought of hunting down my frames at the
antique stores.
I'm a -14 myope. I had to LOOK and LOOK to find my current frame. It's
BOIC Beaufort Panto (43 x 22). I found it after poring over the thick
Frames catalog for hours!
The BOIC frame is ok. Still want an adult frame with small lens area (aka
ED) with appropriate centering over my pupils. I'm starting my search
again now for such frames. If anyone has suggestions of brand lines to
try, PLEASE reccomend some to me.
Also have to study the lens materials. They do vary. I dont know if a 0.1
difference in refraction index makes much difference in lens thicknesses.
Steve
--
=====================
sca...@utk.edu
http://funnelweb.utcc.utk.edu/~cason
=====================
cason
In article <4rm6o1$m...@news00.btx.dtag.de>,
Bram Vingerling <B.Ving...@t-online.de> wrote:
>
>the highest available index has Lanthan Glass, 1.89, Abbenr. 30.4
>It reflects about 17% so you need an Anti Reflective coating for it.
Is this glass available in the US?
I wonder how the index relates to lens thickness. Does 0.1 make any
difference in the thickness? Ie., 1.9 is better than 1.8.
Thanks Steve
Geertje van der Sterre
cason (ca...@utkux4.utcc.utk.edu) wrote:
: Sylvania,
: The BOIC frame is ok. Still want an adult frame with small lens area (aka
: ED) with appropriate centering over my pupils. I'm starting my search
: again now for such frames. If anyone has suggestions of brand lines to
: try, PLEASE reccomend some to me.
I have LA Eyeworks frames - with a VERY small lens area. They are perfect
for lenses which would be thick in bigger frames. I have these because they
make a 5D prism next to invisible, and much lighter. My reading glasses
are only slightly bigger (from Morel in France) but, with lenses, much
heavier (I prefer real glass over 'plastic' as this is thinner). I get a
lot of comment on the LA Eyeworks frames though - "Are these framed
contact lenses or WHAT?!".
The frames are oval, measured vertically 25 mm, horizontally 35 mm. As you
wear them quite close to the eyes, "tunnel vision" or the edges of the
frame getting in the way, is not too bad a problem, although it takes some
time to adjust, especially when you had big lenses before. I have no address
of the manufacturer - bought them somewhere in a "high fashion" place and
had the lenses made somewhere else.
- Geertje
Raymond A. Chamberlin
Patrick Liu <hkvi...@hkstar.com> wrote:
>
...................
>
>I think it is still worth for paying surcharge or buying a
>new one and keeping the wrong one for your relatives or your next
>prescription dispensing.
I always knew this optometry business was relatively wrong.
Ray
Raymond A. Chamberlin
>cason (ca...@utkux4.utcc.utk.edu) wrote:
>: Sylvania,
I'm curious: Why does one have to chase down small frames in which to
mount high-powered negative lenses that would be very thick at their
peripheries if their prescripted design extended to fill frames for
large lenses? If you can be satisfied with only a small subtended
angle of good vision, why not (probably no more expensively, with
today's computers) start a new style of wearing large frames with
lenses that are made according to functional prescription only within
the area subtended by the chosen small angle, and from thereon out,
are tapered down to a thin dimension at their frames? Would such be
any uglier than many of the spectacle designs observed on the streets
and in ads during the last couple decades? Would they be too fragile?
Ray
Karl Quies
>
> I'm curious:Why does one have to chase down small frames in which to
> mount high-powered negative lenses that would be very thick at their
> peripheries if their prescripted design extended to fill frames for
> large lenses? If you can be satisfied with only a small subtended
> angle of good vision, why not (probably no more expensively, with
> today's computers) start a new style of wearing large frames with
> lenses that are made according to functional prescription only within
> the area subtended by the chosen small angle, and from thereon out,
> are tapered down to a thin dimension at their frames? Would such be
> any uglier than many of the spectacle designs observed on the streets
> and in ads during the last couple decades? Would they be too fragile?
>
> Ray
>
of choice or nececcity for the last 30 years or more.
I believe this type of lens is called a 'myo-disc' correct me if I'm
wrong.
I wear normal horn rimmed frames, The diameter of the active inside
area is 32mm in diameter. (high index type glass)
While you have a bit of tunnel vision this is more then made up by
the reduced thickness of the outside edge.(5mm)
If I were to extend the inside curvature to the edge of the lens I
think my glasses would be 1/2 inch thick on the outside
Biggest problem is to convince the lens-grinding outfit to grind the
outside bevel, most of them just want to do one curvature,
Here is a question that I would like to have Answered.
I have a pair of glasses I.m grown very accustumed to.
My prescription has not changed.
The frame is a black Bauch & Lomb B&L Z87 48[]22
The handles are B&L Z87 5 3/4"
Could anyone let me know if I could get a complete frame or just
the handles.I would like to buy them.Even a good used set is ok
if the original is not available any more.
Or give me some tips of companies in the USA that might have them,
I am unable to get them in Canada.The World has gone goo goo over
wire frames thats all thats mostly offered.
Thanks in advance.
Karl