What in the world does this mean?!
Question:
What in the world does this mean?
I've worn glasses since i was ten years old, and my vision is continuing to get progressively worse. I've worn contacts since i was thirteen, and my contact box has the number -4.25 on it - which i know has something to do with how poor my vision is. What do those numbers on the box mean in simple terms? Thanks guys!
Answers:
It most certainly does NOT mean that you need LASIK surgery or you'll go blind.
It means you are moderately nearsighted. Prescription lenses come in .25 step increments. The lowest you can have is + or - 0.25, and they go up from there in either direction.
If you compare your vision to mine, yes you have bad eyes. But, to keep things in perspective, if you compare yourself to someone with twice, or three times your prescription, a -4.25 really isn't all that bad to someone who is a -8.00, or a -12.00 So its really all relative.
What's important is that you visit your doctor regularly, every year at the very least if you wear contacts. If the doctor has expressed no real concern over your decreasing vision, then I wouldn't worry. Depending on how old you are (if you're still a teenager) chances are once you hit your 20's, your eyes should start to level off and the changes should start to slow down (for most people). If you're very concerned and unhappy with having to wear glasses and contacts, once your prescription has stabilized, you can make an appointment with an Ophthalmologist to find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK...