Timely thread. I’ve been having a similar problem, but haven’t gotten around to posting about it.
My history: Been wearing glasses since I was 7 years old. I’m very nearsighted with a touch of astigmatism. My prescription changes every year or two (for the worse, natch), so I’m well used to the temporary “ten feet tall” phenomenon of new lenses. This recent problem was Not It.
Spring 2009: I order new frames with my then-current prescription. All is hunky-dory.
September 2009: I have my regular eye exam. Dr. M tells me that my prescription has changed slightly, but I’m OK to continue with my current lenses because the change is minimal. I keep the old lenses.
Two weeks ago: I decide to bring an old pair of frames out of retirement, so I take them in and order new lenses with my new prescription as of September 2009.
One week ago: My glasses are ready. I go in to try them on. They are fine except for a small distortion in the right lens. The rest of the lens is fine except for that one tiny “blip.” I report this, and the technicians say they will order a new lens. (They keep my frames and the lenses.)
This past Tuesday: My glasses are ready. I go in to try them on. Left lens is still fine, as it’s the same one from last week. The right lens is WHAT THE BLOODY HELL THIS IS NOT MY PRESCRIPTION!!! I close my right eye: perfect. I close my left eye: The entire field is about half as blurry as if I were not wearing glasses at all, which is pretty damned blurry.
I complain. (Politely.)
The technicians shuffle some papers, then attempt to tell me that this is my new, correct prescription from September, and because I’m currently in my old prescription from the preceding spring, I just need to wear these lenses for a few days to “get used to them.”
I bite my tongue in half and express a politer version of “What the fuck are you talking about?” I’ve been wearing glasses (and “getting used to” new lenses) for nearly 40 years, and this is not something I’m going to “get used to.” This lens is WRONG, and I’m not walking out of here wearing it, much less getting behind the wheel of a car.
They insist.
So do I. The doctor told me my prescription had changed only slightly. This is not “slightly.” If this was my correct prescription last September, then I need to get to the emergency room, because either my eye is about to pop out of my head, or I have a major brain tumor. This lens and my right eye were not made for each other.
They concede that they could order a new right lens in my “old” prescription, the one I’m wearing right now, but their demeanor clearly shows that they think I’m a nutbar. The other option is to get me back into the exam chair.
I accept the offer of a new-old lens, and mention that I will definitely discuss this with Dr. M during my regular exam this fall, because This. Is. Just. Not. Right.
I came home and told the sordid tale to Mr. S and my mother, who was visiting. She mentioned that our old eye doc, Dr. T (who fitted me with my first pair of glasses in 1973, and whom I quit seeing only when he retired about 10 years ago) always said that you shouldn’t have to “get used to” a new pair of lenses. The “ten-feet-tall” thing, I will buy. That’s a slightly odd sensation, but at least everything is clear. “These are someone else’s glasses” – not on your Nelly, no way, nohow.
So now I’m waiting for my new-old lens. Third time the charm, I hope.
It’s not me, right? It’s them, right? Right?