Unsure Of What I Should Do.

[mariemariemarie]

Hi, I recently got my eyes checked, and I used my prescription to order glasses online. When they arrived I saw through the right lens with my right eye clearly, but when looking through the left lens with my left eye, it was blurry.

On my prescription I have values for prism (astigmatism) for my right eye. I had to return the glasses I ordered, and I'm unsure if I should go and get a new prescription from my eye doctor, or if it was just the glasses themselves that were made badly.

Does astigmatism typically occur in both of the eyes?

Should I modify my prescription to have the similar prism values for my left eye too?

My left eye is worse than my right, and I'm not sure what to do. I just want to get the proper eyeglasses. I don't want to waste any money, too.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

[Doreen Fazio, M.D.]

Prism and astigmatism are 2 different things.  A prism is used to align the eyes to relieve symptoms of double vision.  Astigmatism is a refractive error, which is corrected by glasses or contact lenses, to achieve sharp vision.  It is possible that the left lens was not made correctly.  I would see your eye doctor again, have the prescription of your eyes checked once more, and order the glasses through your doctor so that he or she is able to check the lenses once they arrive.  Your doctor likely will remake the glasses if there is an error in the lenses.

[mariemariemarie]

I already returned the glasses, so that is not exactly an option now... But thanks for the advice though.

[KayakerNC]

You could take the glasses to your eye doctor.  They can quickly check if the prescription was followed.  
That will give you a starting point.