Eyeglass RX from Ophthalmologist vs Optometrist

[TexasJD]

Can anyone tell me how to translate an eyeglass script from an Ophthalmologist to the form used by an  Optometrist?  I have a pair of glasses that are perfect for working on the computer and reading, but the script was more than a year old so I could not get another pair without a new presrcription.  I went to an Opthalmologist who wrote me a prescription that no way resembles what I had before.  The eyeglass place said it had to be "translated" before they could fill it (which they would do after I placed my order).  I'm wondering if the new RX is all that different from the old one.  My "perfect" one year old glasses RX was:

O.D. +0.25  -1.50  015
O.S. +0.25  -4.25  010  ADD 2.25

My new RX is:

O.D. PL      +1.75  x110
O.S,  -3.00  +3.75  x95  ADD +2.00

Thanks, John
Fort Worth, Texas

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

The new rx is in plus cylinder form.  To change to minus cynder form add cylinder to sphere, change from plus to minus cylinder and add or subtract 90 from axis.  New rx changed to minus cylinder would be

OD +175 -1.75 x 20
OS +0.75 - 3.75 x 05

there is a major difference in the right eye from old rx to new one.

MJK MD

[kidseyedoc]

I would say the exact opposite.  (Full disclosure: I am a pediatric ophthalmologist).  In my experience (11 years in practice after residency and fellowship), the quality of refractions by optometrists (OD's) is no better than those of ophthalmologists (MD's), and sometimes worse.  MD's do much more than just surgery, and can provide the full spectrum of available care, so can recommend the best option, rather than just what is allowed them.  A recent study showed that, of kids in Tennessee who did not need glasses by objective criteria, 35% who went to OD's got glasses anyway, compared to 11.7% who went to general ophthalmologists, and 1.8% who went to pediatric ophthalmologists.  Basically, if you want to be sold glasses, go to an OD.  If you want to hear all the options, go to an MD.

[Gramps672]

It has been my experience to avoid an opthalmologist for lens prescriptions. Their refractions leave much to be desired. Their expertise is in disease and surgery.

[TexasJD]

Thank you, Doctor!  I'll print this off and use for future translations.  


Thanks again!  John