A 39-year-old member asked:
my optician told me that i'm slightly astigmatic (short sighted version), but what does that really mean?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. David Chandler answered
Ophthalmology 33 years experience
Astigmatism: Nearsighted astigmatism refers to the curvature of the eye (usually the cornea) that leads to the need for glasses. Astigmatism happens when one curvature of the eye is steeper than the other, like the way a football has a steeper and a flatter curvature. In your case, one curvature is nearsighted and the other is a little steeper, thus having the astigmatism. It is refractive error, not a disease.
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A 31-year-old member asked:
Are there any opticians that can make lenses thinner and fit them into the frames without costing a fortune?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Edward Meier answered
Ophthalmology 23 years experience
Yes: Glasses lenses can be made thinner by using what is called a high index material. These vary in price from pretty expensive to only a little bit more than standard plastic. Some new lenses called "free form" lenses are significantly thinner particularly at the edges but are quite a bit more money.
6180 views
A 46-year-old member asked:
What is od, optician, ophthalmologist?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Gurmukh Singh answered
Pathology 49 years experience
Levels of qualificat: An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor specializing in eye care
od is a person who can treat refractive errors and provide some other care depending on state rules
optician helps you with making and fitting your eyeglasses.
5938 views
A 39-year-old member asked:
Can optician write presciptions?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jeffrey Gold answered
Ophthalmology 53 years experience
No: Ophthalmologists are physicians and surgeons for eye disease. Opticians make glasses and in some locales are allowed to fit contact lenses.
5826 views
A 34-year-old member asked:
What is optician going to do?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Foster Carr answered
General Practice 33 years experience
Dispenses eye rx: The optician will dispense your eye prescription contacts or glasses. The optician is thus similar to a pharmacist
that dispenses your medical prescription.
5930 views
A 35-year-old member asked:
My previous optician went out of business long time ago. Where can I go to find my prescription?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Matheson Harris answered
Ophthalmology 16 years experience
Have glasses read: If you have your glasses, you can have them read on a lensometer in any optometrist or ophthalmologist's office.
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Last updated Aug 26, 2013
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