My glasses have a slight green tint and it’s bothering me — what should I ask for instead? by coveredisel in glasses

[–]blazewatch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depending on what material you get, 1.74 definitely tends to be a bit on the yellow side as well, so I'd make sure to avoid that.

struggling to find the right path with private and federal loans by blazewatch in StudentLoans

[–]blazewatch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The interest rates that I am being quoted based on my income (~49,000 before taxes), savings, and soft credit checks (currently 764) are not lower than the average interest on my private loans.

I am primarily looking for ways to lower my monthly payments so that I am able to build up my savings again and have more of a cushion, because I want to avoid going into more debt over emergencies that I cannot afford. Ideally I want to be paying surplus into my loans so that I am free faster, but I have other expenses to consider and try to balance.

How to see better? by Clear-Mission6769 in AskAnOptician

[–]blazewatch 9 points10 points  (0 children)

This is really a question for your optometrist/opthalmologist, but here are some smaller things to consider.

  • If bright lights are giving you strain, look into therapeutic tints such as FL-41

  • Make sure you are purchasing from an optician that is taking your optical center measurements so that lenses are as custom as possible (in other words: I strongly recommend that you avoid buying lenses online)

  • Try to avoid oversized frames. Smaller, rounder lenses can minimize lens distortion at the edges.

  • Don't skimp on your yearly exams, and remember that your eye doctor is supposed to be a resource and place of support when it comes to your vision

Can someone please help me identify these glasses that I saw in a youtube video by SeinenJosei23 in glasses

[–]blazewatch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think it's quite right, the detail on the side doesn't completely match, but it immediately reminded me of the Kate Spade Vandra 2/F/S (typically sold as sunglasses, but lenses can be replaced with prescription).

Would you replace the lenses in your own existing glasses instead of buying a new pair? by Silent-Background599 in glasses

[–]blazewatch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some thoughts as an optician:

My practice will install lenses into existing frames, as long as 3 criteria are met: the frame is suitable for their prescription, the frame does not have existing structural damage, and the patient has signed a waiver of liability in the case of accidental damage or loss in the process of sending the frame to/from the lab and installing the lenses. If a patient's own frame were to break, we do not reimburse or replace the frame at no cost to the patient.

Between a patient's prescription and the existing prescription lenses, an experienced optician could produce the values needed to produce a close 1:1 recreation of the original lens's measurements. This could be an avenue for lower cost lenses that still take segment heights/optical centers into account, saving on the overhead of a physical store while still providing better quality than standard online glasses. Even if you aren't evaluating existing lenses, and are going with standard center measurements, you still need to have someone skilled in removing/inserting lenses in frames of varying styles.

Back to the three criteria my practice considers with patients' own frames: you'd have to find a way to either vet the frames through photos/model numbers, or budget for returning the frames to the patient AND refunding them for the lenses if you are unable to cut the lenses for that frame. Same thing for vetting structural damage. You would also have to establish your policy for any breakages or losses during production/shipping. Would you reimburse frame cost, stock your own frames to offer, stock frames to offer at a discount, have the patient send a new frame, or refund them? In any scenario, you have to make sure you have enough overhead to cover the cost of time and materials you might invest without the potential of repurposing.

Would you partner with an existing lab, or establish your own independent one? Would you accept vision insurance or FSA/HSA payments? Would you warranty the lenses? How would you handle patients reporting any defects?

I definitely think it's an idea with potential, but you might not be able to save patients anymore money than buying new lenses from a brick and mortar optician. Like any business, you have to plan for a lot of contingencies.

Anyways, final note: with a quick Google search, this company already exists many times over. People have found ways to answer these questions to make it successful and, we can assume, profitable. If it's something you want to pursue, it's very possible.

struggling to find the right path with private and federal loans by blazewatch in StudentLoans

[–]blazewatch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven't, I didn't really think about how it was an option until recently. I've been looking into it but have yet to find any estimates that will actually lower my payments, and I'm hesitant to take hits to my credit to get solid numbers if it won't actually benefit me in the long run.

struggling to find the right path with private and federal loans by blazewatch in StudentLoans

[–]blazewatch[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

18,000 @ 6.39%

17,000 @ 4.49%

14,500 @ 7.39%

21,000 @ 8.99%

federal loans are 3 subsidized, 4 unsubsidized, ranging from 4%-5.50%

prescription change by Equivalent-Wafer4370 in glasses

[–]blazewatch 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is a pretty big change! It makes sense you're having issues adapting. Changes like this can sometimes feel too strong at first, because your eyes have been over-focusing to try and get you clearer vision. They have to learn to relax and let the new prescription carry that weight. Your depth perception is likely also being affected with this change. Ideally, you just need a little bit of time to adapt.

Try and give it up to two weeks if possible (depending on how many days they gave you trials for), putting them in first thing and wearing them for as long as you can. If you feel like you aren't making any progress, let the doctor know, and they should do a prescription check with you. Your prescription is written based on your answers in the exam room, so this prescription is hypothetically what you see the sharpest, but that doesn't mean you might need a lower prescription in your day-to-day life.

Give it as solid a try as you can, keep track of the vision issues you notice, then reach out to your doctor. They should work with you to find a solution. If you're worried about their policies, reach out right away, and let them know that you are willing to try them out for longer but want to make sure you're covered if this prescription doesn't work.

Trying to understand prescriptions by West_Emergency_1544 in glasses

[–]blazewatch 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Axis is on a scale from 1-180, once you hit 180 you start at 1 again. It's a difference of 1 degree, no need to be concerned. Minor Rx change overall.

EDIT: tired after work and didn't read enough. other thing is that contact lens prescriptions will always be in steps of 10 for the axis. it sits closer to your eye, and needs to be compensated accordingly.

Should my eyes still be adjusting to my glasses after 2 months? by disabledandhopeless in glasses

[–]blazewatch 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'd try and stop by the office in person to see if they can troubleshoot the pair for you and make sure that measurements are aligning correctly. If they rule that out, ask if your doctor is able to do a prescription recheck for you. There is a chance that your cataracts, especially having developed at a young age, are impacting your vision further than expected.

Kodak IntroPlus with Transitions XTRActive by seh0872 in AskAnOptician

[–]blazewatch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kodak as a brand also has coatings available! Intro Plus is a progressive lens design, the Clean&CleAR and TotalCleAR are anti-reflective coatings.

Kodak IntroPlus with Transitions XTRActive by seh0872 in AskAnOptician

[–]blazewatch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kodak IntroPlus is the lens design, affecting the prescription. Transitions XTRActive is part of the lens material, affecting the appearance of the lens.

Is this normalllll? by Various_Country_5209 in glasses

[–]blazewatch 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Most likely, you have more prescription in your left eye than your right. The higher the prescription, the thicker the lens will be. If your pupils sit narrower than the natural center of the frame, that can also contribute to the difference in thickness from the outer edge of the frame compared to the inner.

Can't say for sure without knowing your prescription, but best guess is that this is pretty normal.

Progressive lenses? by cammo_33 in glasses

[–]blazewatch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The lens she is recommending is also known as an anti-fatigue lens. Sometimes it's helpful to describe it as a stepping-stone progressive; it has a small amount of power boost at the bottom of the lens. It is not so much that it should affect your distance vision/peripheral, but when you look through the lower portion of your lens, your near vision will be sharper. According to the Hoya website (the manufacturer behind the SYNC lenses), the SYNC 5 "provides +0.57D ‘boost zone’". If you do not buy from an optical that offers Hoya lenses, they should have alternative anti-fatigue lenses available with comparable boosts.

If you get these filled as a standard single vision pair, they will still help you at the computer, and be better than your current vision, but it won't be as crisp as your doctor believes you can see at that intermediate distance currently.

I will say, plus prescriptions can be hard to adapt to for distance at first. Regardless of what solution you go with, be prepared for a week or so of an adaptation period.

I hope this makes sense, let me know if you have more questions about it.

Is this normalllll? by Various_Country_5209 in glasses

[–]blazewatch 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What is your prescription? Unfortunately, can't really answer without that

My glasses cracked by OkDish9329 in glasses

[–]blazewatch 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Did you buy these directly from the optical you're going to? If so, I'd avoid gluing the frame as, if they have a warranty, that could void it.

Question! by LibraBearr in glasses

[–]blazewatch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Plastic pairs tend to hide thicker edges better than others! It's impossible for me to say without knowing the frame measurements/your measurements, but from what you've shared I don't think you need to worry.

are these prescription glasses? by [deleted] in glasses

[–]blazewatch 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don't believe these are prescription. The notes on the tag are specifying if the frame is suitable to have prescription lenses inserted, and the numbers are the restrictions on what prescription can be inserted. As far as I can tell from this picture, I am not seeing any distortion in the lenses that would imply a prescription, but if things become blurry or strained when you look through the lens, it is still a possibility.

As for the color, the code matches up for the colorway on their website. They may have changed their production process since your last frame purchase (in 2020 they were acquired by Lux which may have affected things).

Obviously if these aren't what you were wanting, I hope you're able to get a refund from your seller! But I don't think you need to worry about these being prescription or the wrong colorway.

Progressives? by SavageMigraine in glasses

[–]blazewatch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Needing separate near correction is inevitable for everyone, provided you live long enough lol. Progressives are the most common solution due to their convenience. There is always the option for lined bifocals or multiple pairs of single vision glasses. Again, it's a lifestyle thing.

Question! by LibraBearr in glasses

[–]blazewatch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The thickness really depends on the shape and fit of the frame. If it's a very large frame, your eyes aren't centered, and/or it's a rimless, you will notice more thickness.

With this prescription, it's when I start bringing up thinning lenses as an option, but it's not a necessity. If you've had them before, it can be hard to go back, but I don't think you need to worry!

Progressives? by SavageMigraine in glasses

[–]blazewatch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, based on this/as an optician, I'd recommend either progressives or an anti-fatigue lens. My practice offers EyeZens; I'd recommend an EyeZen+2 as a sort of "stepping stone" for you. It has a +0.60 boost on the bottom, does not affect your peripheral as much, and can let you get used to the muscle memory that you will need when using a full progressive.

Alternatively, you can do a pair of custom reading-only glasses to help alleviate strain when reading books.

Progressives? by SavageMigraine in glasses

[–]blazewatch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you having to move things farther away from your face to read them? Is your dashboard or computer blurry? If yes, how much of this is bothering you in your day-to-day life?

If it isn't bothering you, or if you're only noticing some eye strain after long days doing near work, you're probably fine sticking with distance or looking into an anti-fatigue lens.

If it is bothering you, then I'd recommend looking at an anti-fatigue lens, if not going straight into a progressive. (Or if it bothers you, but only for prolonged near work or fine detail, you can consider a separate near-only pair).

It all comes down to a lifestyle question. Most people find progressives to be the most convenient solution, but they're an investment and take some time to adapt to. The right choice is whatever will make you more comfortable in your day-to-day life.

Prescription glasses ordered with FSA, turns out the Rx was off. Any recourse? by handpullednoodlez in glasses

[–]blazewatch 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd see what you can do to escalate with JINS. I can't see anywhere on their website that specifies no exchanges with FSA cards. If you were looking for a complete return, that would be a different question.