Re: Minus lens for 20/40 child?


Dear Me,

Subject: The effect of a -3 diopter lens on the refractive
STATE of the eye.

Re: The natural eye will change its refractive STATE by
about -2 diopters in six months when a -3 diopter lens is worn
16/7.


Me> Logic dictates full time close work using minus lenses would
further
promote nearsightedness.

Otis> Correct from this scientific experiment to confirm the
dynamic behavior of the natural eye.

Otis> The "minus" can be used as an emergency, but only
at distance when you son might need it.

Otis> The idea of avoiding the minus (with in reason)
is the second-opinion. The majority-opinion person
will tell you that a -3 dioper lens has no effect on
the refractive STATE of the natural eye. You
will have to draw your own conclusions. I
prefer the scientific answer to this question.

Otis> If you wish the second-opinion about avoiding
the minus, I would suggest reading Professor David
Guyton's (JHU) remarks on the subject. He personally
avoids wearing the minus as much as possible.

Second-opinion best,

Otis



On Sep 14, 11:26 pm, "Me" <m...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Just a couple of questions. Last winter, my 9 yr old was told to see an eye
doctor after a visual screening test at school. The doc said he was about
20/40 and perscribed minus lens and told him and his mom he should wear them
all the time. He began to develop serious headaches and I noticed that he
was wearing his glasses and playing a handheld video game holding it about 8
inches from his eyes. My first reaction was forcing the eyes to focus that
close with minus lenes was not a good thing and was probably causing
his headache. We tested this and there was a direct correlation between
him wearning the minus lens and focusing at 8" for hours was causing his
headache.

When I questioned the doctor about his recommendation of "full time use" he
made up a couple of reasons I didn't see as valid. He said "so he doesn't
lose them", "he will want to see clearly all the time", and "they make him
look smarter". Based on our discussion, I dismissed him as a total
quack, and told my son he didn't have to wear them at all.

This summer he tried playing baseball once with the glasses and had a
difficult time hitting the ball and catching the ball. He decided he was
better off not wearing them and didn't wear them the entire summer.
His vision has improved to 20/30 slighly over the summer, which I
attribute to him using his eye for more distance, than close up work
durning the warmer months.

Given the facts:

A. the AOA states "nearsightedness may be caused by the stress of
too much close vision work" AND

B. that minus lenses change the focal point of the eye, increasing the
stress of close work

Logic dictates full time close work using minus lenses would further
promote nearsightedness.

Have there been any studies to disprove this logic?

Is it common for a optomologist to reccomend full time use for a
case such as my son?


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Great minds think alike, Otis!
    ... Optometry REACTS people -- with a minus lens. ... But the larger issue is this -- how did the FUNDAMENTAL EYE ... change its refractive STATE from a positive value to a negative ... Otis> NO OD PAYS ANY ATTENTION TO HOW THE KIDS USE THEIR EYES. ...
    (sci.med.vision)
  • Re: Diopters to 20/something conversion. The math and science behind this!
    ... As to what Otis said, since most are myopes, the minus lens is tried ... with an eye with a flat cornea that is very long - but they may not ... quarter diopters to determine which is better. ...
    (sci.med.vision)
  • Re: The Limits of Optometry -- and why.
    ... STARTED before the minus is applied. ... But the larger issue is this -- does the FUNDAMENTAL EYE ... change its refractive STATE from a positive value to a negative ... Otis> NO M.O. OD PAYS ANY ATTENTION TO HOW THE KIDS USE THEIR ...
    (sci.med.vision)
  • Re: Over-minused by -3 diotpers?
    ... OVER MINUS PRESCRIPTIONS by -1 to -3 diopters! ... Imagaine what THAT over-prescription does to the refractive STATE ... of the eye -- over-time! ... pupils that create a false sense of sharper vision. ...
    (sci.med.vision)
  • Re: Here is why I defend Otis. You optometrists have nothing but excuses, I have proof!
    ... an appropriate-strength minus lens and told him to wear it part time ... and say that plus lenses work for everybody. ... have excessive axial eye length. ... the plus lens saved him. ...
    (sci.med.vision)
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