Dear Prevention friends,

Subject: Standard request for preventive information.

If you wish to "work" on prevention, please read the
following. It is the "standard" advice I can provide. The rest
is (mostly) up to you.

Otis

==========================

Subject: office worker in greece

Dear Angel,

Subject: Who I am -- and why I am interested.

I am an engineer -- with a strong interest in supporting
prevention. But please read my "legal disclaimer" so we both know
where I stand.

I personally wish I had received this "empowering"
information myself. I regret that I did not. You will find very
few ODs who will help you with prevention of this nature -- but
that is just the way it is.

I do suggest that you have a "medical" exam, which is always
included in any optical check.

The issue of the "minus" lens is separate. In glancing at
your "prescription" you do not seem to be "that bad", but if you
continue with a great deal of near work, the eye simply goes
"down" with no "plus protection".

Since you are going to be in complete control -- it is
necessary that you ALWAYS read your own eye chart. You will find
it on my site. Please down-load eye-chart 1 and check in sunlight
(best condition). Always depend on your eye chart. The "world"
requirment for driving a car is generally 20/40 or better. 20/20
is simply not required. Plant to work to that standard.

To further respond:

++++++++++

Dear Otis,

Angel> first of all thank you for giving your time to share your
knowledge on the Internet. I want a little advice on using
plus lenses. I am 28 yrs old, have had some myopia since
about 12 yrs old, but never had to wear glasses.(I had -0.25
in left eye, and -1.25 in the right).

Otis> That is almost a normal spread. You were very wise to not
wear "glasses" -- which is why you are close to passing the
DMV (20/40 line). Please check this yourself.

Angel> All was well until a few months ago when I started my
current job in a bank , using the computer a lot. Then I
found that after a hard day's work, my distance vision gets
blurry, and it's overall worsening. Also in the evenings I
spend a lot of time reading books, which I have always done,
but I'm now worried that I'm spoiling my eyesight.

Otis> Begin checking your eye-chart. That is crucial.

Angel> So I have 3 little questions:

Angel> 1. Should I get different plus lenses for each eye,
because there is a considerable difference between them? I
wil have to order the glasses anyhow, because they dont sell
them over the counter here.

Otis> This is a matter of personal preference. But please check
your eye chart -- before you do ANYTHING ELSE. And report
to me what you see.

Angel> 2. Is it harmful to use the plus lenses for looking in the
distance, like when taking a small break from the computer?
(looking outside the window, or across a large room)?

Otis> To the best of my knowlege there is not problem. In
"bifocal" studies, the chileren have very slight blur at
distance.

Angel> 3. Would it be a good idea to get 2 or 3 differnt pairs,
depending on the task?? One for reading, one for the
computer and one for just wearing indoors, and watching TV
with? I think the doctors here often recommend glasses for
watching TV, to rest the eyes.

Otis> Again, a personal preference. I simply can not tell
anything until you read your eye-chart. After that, I can
give some suggestions.

Angel> Thanks for your time and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

Otis> Vision "clearing" is not easy -- and takes considerable
personal fortitude. The "trade off" is that if you "do it
youself", and see your own results -- you believe what you
see.

Otis> Make up your mind about how important your distant vision is
to you -- because the use of the plus must become a "habit".
Set a goal -- i.e., I will personally pass the 20/40 -- both
eyes open together. That is reasonable under your
circumstance.

Otis> I provide this advice as an engineer -- and my site is
indeed "for free". But it comes down to your choice and
decision, and what you want in your life.

Otis> The next step is up to you! And good luck!

Otis