Suzannah lives in Ecuador, and has a hard time getting reduced prescriptions.  

This is where we should look at a story about migraines.  I have had a number of clients over the years who entirely stopped having migraines once they stopped wearing full minus prescriptions while using computer screens or reading.

From this, I borrowed some inspiration for Suzannah’s prescription quandary.  

Take a look at my reply to Suzannah in the forum, which may hopefully help her (and indeed maybe you as well):

quotes-blueI’ve had good luck in some South American countries with this approach (in the absence of being able to buy glasses online):

First I let the optometrist do his/her thing. I’m very cooperative in the process. Then I explain that I get huge migraine headaches from using glasses while reading. I tell them that I had a close-up prescription that totally got rid of that problem, and oh-my-god the optometrist was so, so great in helping me get that. I only use it for close-up, of course.

Realize that they probably can get their license taken away for under prescribing you. You have to know that they are doing you a big personal favor and are taking a bit risk giving you a lower prescription, most likely. Having the right attitude can help a lot, there.

The way to figure out a close-up prescription is to use the test lens kit, and start out by subtracting 1.5 diopters off the prescription the optometrist just figured. Put that in the lens kit and see how you do with reading text. Remember what distance you keep your screen at, and go with the same. You might need a little less (subtract another 0.25 diopters), and see how you do. Start with no astigmatism prescription. Always emphasize how much you appreciate their help, and cite your migraine. Give them something plausible to help you.

Don’t take too long or be difficult about it. Ideally spend some money at the shop so they know that at least you’re being a good customer.  

Now realize that this is just me saying this, about my own personal migraines. 😉 I’m not suggesting you should mislead the optometrist. Just think hard about whether maybe you get migraines from close-up with your full prescription.”

Full thread, here.

It’s really not an easy thing, all of this prescription business.  Lots of gray areas and legalities to consider.

First, I can’t (and wouldn’t) encourage you to be messing with the judgment of any professional, creating prescription for you.  Of course the problem that you might find is that you possibly don’t want the maximum possible prescription, because maybe you don’t think that’s so great for your long term vision health.

Despite my frequent hostilities towards the optometrist, we do have to recognize that they are trained a specific way, and have a legal framework to work within.  We do have to know this, and respect it.  Of course you should be free to treat your body as you see fit, and not be dictated what you can do, by anyone.  Reality though has it otherwise, so you might end up having to look at alternatives to get what you need.

In my case, it’s my migraines.  Yes, you might say, Jake I never knew you had migraines!

And it’s true, it seems I never do.  But that’s probably because of my careful close-up prescription use, and the friendly optometrist who helped me out.  ;-)

As always, I probably don’t emphasize this enough, be aware of the significance of prescriptions.  You want to get the right ones.  Your optometrist has been told that correcting you to infinity is the right way, and knows he/she will get in trouble either way, if not doing so.

This probably should be a big, site-wide disclaimer.

Cheers,

– Jake