You’ve probably heard of bifocals, multifocals, and even progressive lenses. It seems like optometrists are always creating new forms of vision support and vision therapy these days! But what if your vision problems aren’t caused by a refractive error? For example, what if you’re dealing with double vision? Prism glasses might be able to help.
Prism glasses are a specialty form of glasses that utilize differently-shaped lenses to help provide clear vision and support for those with double vision, crossed eyes, and other binocular vision conditions.
During a comprehensive eye exam, we can help you determine whether prism glasses could be a useful option for your personal vision needs.
Prism Glasses: What Are They?
Traditional eyeglasses usually have a singular purpose in mind—correcting your natural refractive error. They can be an excellent way to treat problems related to how your eye refracts light—but what if the problem isn’t caused by a refractive error? What if your vision problems are caused by the actual movements of your eyes or how well they work together?
This is when prism glasses can be a beneficial option. They’re not like traditional eyeglasses—not entirely, at least. Instead of simply correcting your vision, they’re designed specifically to correct problems related to how your eyes work together and align with each other.
Problems like double vision, crossed eyes, and even amblyopia (lazy eye) can be treated using these prism glasses, making them a helpful potential choice for kids and adults!
How Do Prism Glasses Work?
The benefits prism glasses provide lie in their unique design. The lenses are thicker on one side than the other, creating a prism effect that bends light entering the eye, which can help align the images seen by both of your eyes.
In simple terms, prism lenses can shift the image you see slightly to align with each eye, allowing your eyes to work together more effectively.
Prism lenses can also be customized to your unique needs, giving you a precise form of support for conditions like double vision. So, if you’re experiencing an eye condition that causes you to experience any kind of double vision, you may want to consider prism lenses.
Who Should Use Prism Glasses?
Prism glasses can be amazing for individuals experiencing binocular vision dysfunction, a condition where your eyes struggle to work together to create a 3D image of your surroundings.
Binocular vision issues can often be caused by:
- Double vision, clinically known as diplopia
- Crossed eyes, also known as strabismus
- Lazy eye, or amblyopia
- Convergence insufficiency, where it’s difficult to turn your eyes inward to focus on a singular nearby object
If you’re experiencing symptoms like headaches, squinting, eye strain, or difficulty reading, it could be a sign that your eyes aren’t teaming up as they should. That’s when it’s time to visit our team of optometrists.
The Benefits of Prism Glasses
If you’re experiencing binocular vision dysfunction, you may experience symptoms like:
- Double vision
- Eye strain
- Eye fatigue
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Concentration problems
- Issues with your depth perception
Many of these can be treated with prism glasses and other forms of vision therapy.
Prism glasses can address the underlying issue causing symptoms of binocular vision disorder, and similar to more traditional choices for glasses, they can still provide clear vision.
Comprehensive vision support with prism glasses and vision therapy can bring you relief from certain eye conditions, help you achieve clear sight, and make your daily life more comfortable when you need to rely on your vision.
Tips for Adjusting to New Prism Glasses
Just like any new pair of glasses, there might be an adjustment period when you start wearing prism glasses. To make the transition smoother, consider the following tips:
- Start slowly. Wear your new glasses for a few hours each day, gradually increasing how long you wear them.
- Take breaks. Give your eyes a break every hour or so, especially during the first few days. Breaks give your eyes a chance to rest and recover—and can reduce the likelihood of developing symptoms of eye strain.
- Stay hydrated. Keep your eyes hydrated by drinking plenty of water. If you notice you’re starting to develop eye strain due to the change, we can help you find additional options for achieving comfortable vision.
If you’re experiencing any kind of discomfort or have any concerns, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Aurora Eye Care. We can give you personalized advice for adjusting to your new prism glasses.
How Do You Know Prism Glasses Are Right for You?
Prism glasses aren’t for everyone. They’re a specialized solution for specific vision problems. So, how do you know if they’re right for you? The answer lies in a comprehensive eye exam with us at Aurora Eye Care.We can assess your vision and work closely with you to determine whether prism glasses can help. We’re here to support your eye health and personal wellness. Book an appointment with us today!