21 - Esophoria - Prism

[bbell05]

I recently noticed that my eyes have trouble focusing in class when I look from the board to my paper and back.  I went to an opthamologist and he diagnosed Esophoria.  He prescibed prism glasses (4.00) for each eye.  I have very poor eyesight (-9.00 in the left and -8.00 in the right).  I wear contacts all the time so the doctor said I would just need need to wear the glasses while wearing my contacts.  Will the prisms eventually fix my eyes or will I wear glasses forever?  What does a 4 point prism mean?  Is that severe esophoria or slight esophoria?  The doctor believes that I've probably had this all my life (I am now 21) but I've been to many eye doctors and opthamologist (I also have high pressures that need ot be watched).  Is it possible that it could have been missed all this time?  Could it be something else?

Thanks for the help!

[Sam309]

I have strabisus and was given 14 BO prisms. Now I need more prisms.
Can 28 BO prisms be made in a CR-39 lens?

[ching91]

sorry for interupt,,,,can i know how the base out prism can use to correct the esophoria or esotropia???? thanks for your help

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Yes, Kate, you are right. Thanks for the correction.

JCH MD

[kate753]

Actually, base in prism is not used for esophoria. Base out prism may be prescribed for patients needing compensation. Base in is used for patients with convergence insufficiency (exophores at near).

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

No the prisms will not cure or correct the problem. In fact the more you use them the more dependent you are on them.  8 prism diopters (4 in each eye) is relatively a moderate amount. The prisms are mounted base in to move the image out so that the eye doesn't have to do that work.

I would suggest you see a strabismus Eye MD (called often a pediatric ophthalmologist) to determine if that's really what you need. Find one near you at www.aao.org

Small esophorias and exophorias are so common as to be normal and generally are not discussed with patients (I have a small exophoria).

JCH MD