How Prism Glasses Work and When It's Prescribed

Are you experiencing blurred or double vision? Twelve various eye muscles coordinate your eyes’ movements and position your focus on the visual target. If one of the muscles gets somewhat weak, you might experience headaches, double vision, or eye strain. If your eye doctor detects frailty in your eye muscles, they can add a prism to your usual lenses to ease the strain on your eyes.

 

What Are Prism Glasses?

Prism glasses are usually for people experiencing double vision. Prism glasses are glasses made with tailored prism lenses that align images so that a person seeing two separate (or double) pictures of the same object sees a single, clear picture. These glasses can be used on one eye or both eyes, depending on your needs.

How Do They Work?

For you to see clearly, light entering the eye must focus on the retina. The retina is located at the back of your eye. They translate light messages, signaling the brain to produce the images or you see. If one of your eye muscles weakens, the rest of the muscles work to prevent you from seeing double. This can result in headaches and eyestrain, and in serious cases, it can bring about double vision.
 

The prism lenses work by refracting or bending the light coming into the eye to ensure the light focuses on the same spot on each retina. This ensures the brain is receiving the correct signals. The brain can then produce a single image and correct any issues you may have with seeing double.

When Are Prism Glasses Prescribed?

Optometrists prescribe prism glasses when he or she detects eyestrain and double vision in your sight. Those who wear typical glasses do not need prism glasses unless they experience the issues mentioned. Eye doctors also prescribe prism glasses after other medical issues that affect your sight. If you have suffered a stroke or brain injury, these might put you in need of prism glasses. Likewise, athletes who could improve visual acuity while playing sports can wear prescribed prism glasses to boost their performance.
 

Prism glasses also help to correct problems with partial blindness, particularly cases that deal with hemianopia. Hemianopia is an eyesight illness that affects half of the field of sight in either the right, left, or both eyes. Similarly, people with acute spondylitis or orthopedic chin-tucks can also benefit from prism glasses.

Any Side Effects?

It may take a while for you to acclimate to wearing prism glasses. You may experience the following symptoms:

• Eyestrain.

• Double vision.

• Eye misalignment.

• Eye pain.

• Nausea.

If you experience any of these signs, consult your optometrist who gave you the glasses. The most common reasons for such side effects could be an expired prescription or misaligned lenses. Occasionally due to frequent use, prism lenses can tilt, and realigning the lenses can improve the situation.

To learn more about prism glasses, visit Eye Care North at our office in Cave Creek, Arizona. You can also call 480-781-4446 to schedule an appointment today.