I finally updated the much neglected FAQ with this question about normalized reduction. Reposted here:
James asks in the forum:
I was wondering when the best time to reduce the normalized prescription is. I feel like with past reductions I may have done them earlier than necessary, resulting in less enjoyable vision and slower progress.
I think I heard from the blog or forum that when you can see 20/20 consistently for two full weeks it is a good time to reduce. Is this the case? If so, is this 20/20 in outdoor light, 1000 lux, or a more typical 200 lux scenario?
Here’s what I tell James, and a good set of guidelines for you:
What tends to work well is to reduce after you reach the same acuity as with your previous prescription. Ideally you’d wait a while before changing from there (a few weeks at least). So if you set yourself 20/20 in indoor light as your comfortable baseline, you’d change again a few weeks after you hit 20/20 with the new normalized.
The rationale here is that you have your own blur horizon distance preference. Some like 20/50 indoor, some are more comfortable with a 20/30, for example.
Initial reductions are a bit more volatile, since you initially tend to start with an overprescription, and your first normalized just brings you down to 20/20 or 20/30. Eventually, for most, an indoor 20/50 works well (since it translates to an outdoor 20/30 or better). But once you are in a groove of reductions, changing when you hit the target Snellen line works well.
Another caveat is plateaus. IF you find yourself not ready after 4 months on the same prescription, sometimes forcing the next 0.25 bump can help restart stimulus (though that one, check with me first).
Please bear in mind that this is obviously an advanced topic. Ask me whenever you’re not sure, there are always individual considerations to account for. If you’re not in BackTo20/20, get a hold of an invite, it’s almost priceless with unlimited, forever forum access and personal support from me.
Housekeeping Notes: There is current job opening for public relations support. While there are plenty of applicants, it seems only fair to open this up to our darling readers here as well:
If you are a journalist, or just love to write, are into this myopia subject, like to connect with people, and want to help give this subject more visibility, drop me a quick e-mail.
Cheers,
-Jake
