Dear Friends,
Subject: Who is LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE for my distant vision. The OD, or *myself*?
We often THINK an OD should be interested, and PRESCRIBE a plus lens to us - so we could get "out of it" as Todd has done.
This has proven to be impossible. This is why I perform the OBJECTIVE tests on myself - to confirm that my visual acuity always EXCEEDS the 20/40 line (and much better). As long as I do that successfully, the OD needs NO INVOLVEMENT IN MY VISION PRESERVATION WORK. In other words, I "draw a line" and by reading my own Snellen, and wearing a plus, to keep my refractive STATE at zero to +1.0 diopters - I keep my 20/20 vision, and always pass the required DMV test. (I always go to a doctor for honest-to-God, TRUE medical problems, if I have any. I always recommend that we all do that. But when it comes to protecting *MY* distant vision, I have no choice but to do it myself. This does not mean "conflict", it just means "educated responsiblity", and the use of a plus if my Snellen starts to go down towards 20/30.
Here is the reason, stated a long time ago. People simply do not "understand" or "like" the intentional wearing of a plus for prevention, as stated here:
http://myopiafree.i-see.org/prent.txtPeople will ask, "...I do not see WHY I should be wearing a plus - when they are at 20/40 to 20/60.." I agree that it MIGHT seem "un-reasonable", until you read Dr. Prentice's statement. It takes a good mind, and resolve, to keep your vision during the years we spend in school, college and graduate school. What has become available, through one EXCELLENT plus study, is the information, that the person himself must "wise up" about this issue. It is not a "medical issue", it is a matter of self-education, if you profoundly value your distant vision, and have the great resolve to start with the plus, and continue to wear it though the school year.
I have no "fight" with an OD in an office. It is just that he can not "legally" help me, so I must do this "optometry" on myself. I hope you understand.