A 39-year-old member asked:
Why is my contact lens and glasses prescription different?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Howard Pomeranzanswered
Ophthalmology 30 years experience
Distance from cornea: Contacts sit directly on the cornea so their magnification power is different than lenses in glasses that are in front of the cornea.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Tim Conradanswered
Ophthalmology 36 years experience
Also: How contact lenses correct astimatism is different from how glasses do it. This requires a different prescription for each.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Alan Mindlinanswered
52 years experience
Numbers game: Fitting cl is an art form as much as science. When the eyeglass refraction is placed in a cl if the number is large enough the strength of the contact may be different to cause good vision. The fit can also change the numbers. These are called "fudge factors'. The numbers are not as important as the ability to see wella nd comfortably.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
CA
A 38-year-old member asked:
My contact lens prescription is significantly different from my glasses prescription. Is this normal?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. David Kiraanswered
Ophthalmology 23 years experience
Yes: It is due to a differing vertex distance or where the corrective lens is placed in relationship to the corneal surface - this is normal.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
What would you suggest I do to convert my glasses prescription to contact lens prescription?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Richard Bensingeranswered
Ophthalmology 54 years experience
Slightly tricky: Mostly straightforward if there is no astigmatism but a little involved if there is astigmatism. I assume you are ordering lenses online and will need that conversion. There is also some experience functions depending upon the type of lens. Check with your ophthalmologist to get this done for you. Optometrists are unlikely to do it as they prefer to sell you lenses.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 26, 2014
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