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Does Pupil Dilation Before The Eye Exam Result In An Inaccurate Prescription?

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Posted on Mon, 14 Sep 2015
Question: Hi, I am a 64 year old male in good health. I just purchased 3 new pairs of glasses. (everyday, maui XXXXXXX sunglasses and computer glasses.) I am experiencing blurry vision and eyestrain with the 'everyday' and maui XXXXXXX sunglasses. For example, I cannot read street signs when driving. My adaptation period has been 3 months. My prescription from 2002 is OD: Sphere -3.00; Cyl. - 2.00; Axis 107; Add +2.5. OS: Sphere -2.25; Cyl. -3.75; Axis 076; Add +2.5. This 13 year old prescription still gave me acceptable vision.
The optometrist where I bought the new glasses tested my eyes in Feb. of 2015. At the beginning of the examination, he put he put drops in my eyes to dilate my pupils. I then waited 20 minutes. I told him that my vision was extremely blurry from the drops and he said that this will provide a very accurate prescription. The prescription is as follows: OD: Sphere -2.00; Cyl. -3.00; Axis 105; Add 2.25. OS: Sphere -1.50; Cyl. -4.50; Axis 75; Add 2.25. (V.A. 6/6 ?)
The optometrist and optician insist that the prescription is correct. I have never had trouble adapting to progressive lenses and I believe that I have gone through a sufficient adaptation period. Is it possible that the pupil dilation before the eye exam resulted in an inaccurate prescription? Thank you!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
This requires repeat refraction testing with subjective verification.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Welcome to Health care Magic.

I am Dr. DADAPEER K, an Ophthalmologist and I will be answering your question.


I reviewed your history.

The pupillary dilatation before refraction testing is supposed to give accurate results as this abolishes accommodation. Thus most of us prefer to dilate the pupils before doing refraction testing.

But after doing refraction testing with dilatation of the pupil, the subjective verification and subjective acceptance of the refraction reading is equally important.

Since there is difference between your older and the present prescription, I guess your optometrist has not done subjective verification before prescribing the glasses.

Since you are having difficultly with the new glasses, I would suggest to repeat the test with subjective verification before prescribing the glasses.

Hope this answers your question and the information is helpful to you.


Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (16 hours later)
Dr. Dadapeer,

Thank you for answering my question and clarifying the situation.
- I am not sure of the exact meaning of subjective verification and subjective acceptance.

Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Thank you

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.

Subjective verification and subjective acceptance means the glasses which you are comfortable in seeing. This done at the end of the refraction testing so that the problems as you mentioned like blurring of vision, eye strain does not occur.
Subjective acceptance may differ slightly from the refractive power and this modification are usually needed for better comfort while wearing the glasses.

Do consult your optometrist or ophthalmologist and he can perform and prescribe you the best possible glasses depending on the subjective acceptance.


Hope this answers your question.


Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dadapeer K

Ophthalmologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 5709 Questions

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Does Pupil Dilation Before The Eye Exam Result In An Inaccurate Prescription?

Brief Answer: This requires repeat refraction testing with subjective verification. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to Health care Magic. I am Dr. DADAPEER K, an Ophthalmologist and I will be answering your question. I reviewed your history. The pupillary dilatation before refraction testing is supposed to give accurate results as this abolishes accommodation. Thus most of us prefer to dilate the pupils before doing refraction testing. But after doing refraction testing with dilatation of the pupil, the subjective verification and subjective acceptance of the refraction reading is equally important. Since there is difference between your older and the present prescription, I guess your optometrist has not done subjective verification before prescribing the glasses. Since you are having difficultly with the new glasses, I would suggest to repeat the test with subjective verification before prescribing the glasses. Hope this answers your question and the information is helpful to you. Thank you