Am I a Candidate for Prism Glasses?

If you experience double vision, you see two images of one object. If you have the condition, you may benefit from prism eyeglasses. The glasses help correct double vision or diplopia by aligning the two images, thus correcting the problem. 

The prism lenses help the eyes work together correctly through convergence or positional correction. You can talk to your eye doctor to discover if you are a candidate for prism glasses. 

Understanding Double Vision

Double vision or diplopia is a condition that occurs when someone sees two images when there is just one object. It can also cause blurred vision where the images are only slightly separate, resulting in fuzziness. The double vision may be due to eye misalignment. 

Diplopia can result from: 

• Dry eyes
• Lenses misalignment
• Migraine headaches
• Stroke
• Squinting
• Thyroid problems
• Diabetes
• Keratoconus
• Cataracts
• Multiple sclerosis
• A brain tumor
• In children, double vision is usually caused by squinting

How Prism Glasses Work

Regular glasses usually correct two vision conditions: focal distance (nearsightedness and farsightedness) and astigmatism. Prism glasses have a thinner apex and thicker base than regular prescription glasses. The glasses use prism properties to bend the light to a specific path to process information better. 

The lenses cause the brain to combine the two images into one. The lenses trick the eyes to work together better. The prism effect helps relax and steady the eyes, preventing overuse of the eye muscles. Keeping the eyes balanced can help prevent dizziness. 

Candidates for Prism Glasses

People who have binocular double vision are good candidates for prism glasses. This condition occurs when the eye muscles fail to work properly. When this is so, the eyes do not focus on images. 

If you experience double vision, visit the doctor to find out the cause. An accurate diagnosis will help determine if you are a candidate for prism glasses. 

Benefits of Prism Glasses

Prism glasses help with more than correcting double vision. They correct issues associated with the eye muscles. They can help with conditions like myasthenia gravis, Grave’s disease, and crossed eyes. 

People with brain issues like strokes, tumors, head injuries, and migraines can benefit from the glasses. The glasses can help people with nerve problems such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes mellitus.

Side Effects of Prism Glasses

If you decide to get prism glasses, find out everything about the lenses. Some people experience side effects from wearing the lenses. These include headaches, pain during eye movement, misaligned eyes, wandering eyes, double vision, and nausea. 

In most cases, adjusting the lens prescription or glass frames can help prevent or reduce the side effects. Alignment is a vital factor when wearing the prism lenses. If you experience vision problems, talk to your eye doctor. You will find out if you can benefit from prism glasses. 

To learn if you are a candidate for prism glasses, visit Eye Care North at our office in Cave Creek, Arizona. You can call 480-781-4446 today to schedule an appointment.