If I get the correct glasses strength for my eyes, will i get 20/20 vision?

Question

I've just had my eyes tested today, and bought some glasses straight away using the prescription. I usually just wear lenses. I am disappointed to find that my vision is not as clear as it is with contact lenses of the same strength -3.50 right eye, -4.0 left eye. Should the prescription for my glasses differ from the prescription for my lenses? I had hoped for crystal clear vision, but cannot read text on the TV 12 feet away very clearly. I've spent 300 pounds on these glasses and can't see as clearly as I'd anticipated - eek!! Is this to be expected?

Answer 1

Several issues.
If you get 20/20 with your contacts you should be able to get at least the same with spectacles.
(there are rare exceptions to that... mainly involving rigid gas permeable contacts)

Not everyone can get 20/20 even with best contacts or spectacles, for a wide range of reasons.

If the contacts are -3.50, -4.50, I'd normally expect the equivalent spectacle Rx to be slightly stronger. (only 0.25, 0.50 at most) Not being right against the eye, they are not so effective (the reverse holds for a +ve Rx)

Another possibility is that if your *contact lenses* are not quite good enough. They can be provoking a reaction in your conrneas, so that when you take your contacts off, the eyes are an uncertain shape, so the glasses Rx will be a poor match, temporarily.
This used to be more common with older lenes with a lower oxygen transmission but still occurs.
If the vison with the glasses is better first thing in the mornings when you wake up, what you may have is a *contact lens* problem.

The next possibility is the setting of the frame, or the lenses in the frame, is off.
Optical centres, angling, bowing, vertex distance...
That's for your supplier to check and adjust.

Optometrist, retired.

Answer 2

In spite of what one answerer said, it is perfectly possible to have 20/20 vision with glasses. Indeed, I used to have even better.
The advantage of contact lenses is that they automatically correct any problems on the surface of the eye, which cause astigmatism.
A skillful optometrist should be able to do the same with glasses, but whether using lenses or glasses, nothing will help if there is an internal problem, on the retina, for example.

Answer 3

I also wear lenses and have a pair of glasses as well-the prescription in my glasses is different to my lenses (but only by 0.25).
When I asked the reason for this the optician said it was because the glasses sit infront of your eyes (rather than on it) the refraction is different.

You should have seperate eye tests for your lenses and glasses, I have 6 monthly checks with my lenses and 2 yearly checks for my glasses.

Give your glasses time though-it may be that you have just got to get used to them. I find my vision is completely different when I wear my glasses/lenses.

Answer 4

You should be able to see 20/20. When I remove my contacts and put on my glasses, my vision is distorted for a period of time. Otherwise, my glasses provide 20/20. If you are not happy with the correction, take them back to your optician and tell them they what happens.

Answer 5

you will never get 20/20 vision with glasses but they will give u 10/10 on your problem. say your weak in short vision they will strenghen your short vision and not help your long vision. thats why they having reading glasses, driving glasses ect...

Answer 6

20/15- It is actually better then 20/20

Answer 7

no matter how great your prescription is you will never see perfect. it is a close approximation