Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

why correct vision to only 20 feet?

Why don't vision professionals write prescriptions for glasses for people with presbyopia to allow them to focus at distances greater than 6 meters (20 feet)?  The difference between focusing at 6 meters and 100 meters is about 0.2 diopters.  My vision is corrected to 6 meters with -4.75 diopters.   Road signs, especially at night, don't come into sharp focus for me until I'm maybe 30 feet from the sign.  I would like lenses with -5.00 diopters but all the professionals say they only test and prescribe for correction to 20 feet.  Why is that?  
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
284078 tn?1282616698
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Ask your doctor to slightly overminus you and state the case you just gave to us.  I don't see why your prescription couldn't be overminused by 0.25 diopter. The only downside is that it might lessen your near vision a little and could possible cause eyestrain.  Your request is not unusual and not unreasonable.  In return  you would probably give up just a slight bit of vison up close though and if you are young you could slightly encourage more myopia in the near future.

MJK MD
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Thank you very much for your response.  I (63 years old) wear trifocal lenses so near vision is not a problem.  With the -4.75 and the trifocal I do have a zone at about 1 meter where none of the lenses bring things in focus but that doesn't seem to bother me like having things in the distance out of focus.  I will take a copy of your response with me next time in the hopes that it will make a discussion about my prescription a little easier.  Thanks again!
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Eye Care Forum

Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Eye whitening, iris color change, and eyeball "bling." Eye expert Dr. John Hagan warns of the dangers from these unnecessary surgeries.
Eye expert John Hagan, MD, FACS, FAAO discusses factors to consider and discuss with your eye care team before embarking on cataract surgery.
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
Protect against the leading cause of blindness in older adults
Got dry eyes? Eye drops aren't the only option! Ophthalmologist John C. Hagan III, MD explains other possible treatments.