How bad is -4 in both eyes?

[WiseBearOrMare]

I know I need glasses. But don’t think it’s THAT bad. I can see okay without, just no loads of detail

Really random post. Off the back of a friend who works at Specsavers and gasped when I told her but was walking around without my specs (they were in my car)

I was probably -7 but also +1 for reading before surgery. I was going to need varifocals. I’ve lost a bit of my up close vision to restore my long vision. Worth it though !

@cheesycheesy well no - your prescription corrects your sight to what it should be so no reason why you’d feel dizzy or why it would be like looking in a fishbowl. My lenses are as thin as anyone else’s and they just correct my sight like someone with a -2 prescription for example

I am -3.75 in both eyes. I can get around familiar environments without my glasses but it makes me feel quite ill / queasy and unpleasant. And it’s stressful. And I have to lean towards things with my face scrunched up to see any detail. It only ever happens if I’m wearing my prescription sunglasses and I’ve walked into a dark shop so felt the need to take them off but not had my normal glasses in reach.

I can’t imagine going about without them. Even in the dark I want my glasses - like a PP says, I sometimes put them in to go to the loo at night.

I am -3 and I can’t see much at all without my lenses. I mean I’ll go to the loo and have a shower in the morning, but that’s it.

I'm -12 and don't feel like that in glasses. I prefer contacts and wear them most of the time but that is for practical reasons such as glasses getting in the way, steaming up etc, not really to do with the prescription.

I'm similar to this and it's slightly blurry but I can see ok. But I did grow up remembering what people where wearing instead of their faces. (If out and about)

This suggests your glasses are the wrong prescription. Glasses don't make you dizzy. They improve life immeasurably.
I'm -4 and am just really hoping the OP isn't driving. I don't even go downstairs without my glasses on.

Why do people say things like “I’m -2 and can barely see.”

This is just factually not true. At -6 and reliant on glasses, I can still see the world around me, I just can’t make out details and I might not be able to figure out what some objects are out of context and beyond a certain distance. Facial features are a blur and expressions hard to read at distance, but of course I can see people in front of me and know who they are.

Yes, you can see with a -2 prescription. You just need glasses to sharpen the detail, but you’d cope walking around without your glasses on. I’ve lost mine before for a day and managed around the house and to nip to the shops. Not enjoyable, but doable. At -2 it’s just nonsense to say you can’t see anything.

I'm -10.5 in both eyes. Can't see a thing without glasses or contacts.

I’m -3 and can see the tv and go shopping without my glasses. Obviously I drive wearing them. And I can’t read the bus no etc
. But now I’m over 50’s the glasses have to come off for phone and instructions on packaging and shelf prices. And if I’m cooking or preparing food

I'm -10 in both eyes. Was delighted when I got to double figures as I get about £20 towards a complex lens voucher.

I can see my hand when it's very close in front of me.

And every single freckle and pore in microscopic detail.

-4 must still be quite short sighted.

You get used to this. Also the right fitting glasses make a difference.

I'm -4.5 and I'd be scared to cross the road without my glasses on. I'm amazed that you're able to go about your day with that level of vision.

-7 in both eyes, glasses at 7yo, contact lenses for 45 years.

Maybe its because Im used to it having worn glasses for 55 years but I am -14 and can manage quite well without my contact lens in the house or somewhere like a hotel room. I can certainly go to the bathroom and make a cup of coffee. And pick out clothes and get dressed. I often potter about for a bit in the morning before putting my lenses in. I read my phone just by holding it close.

I’m -7.5 ish with astigmatism and I can’t understand how you can not wear them 🙈. Do you tend to stick to routine movements? I would expect you’ve adapted your life around not wearing them instead of wearing them to suit your lifestyle.

Wow. I'm +3.5 in both eyes and have worn glasses my whole life. You need them.

I'm +13 and cannot function without mg glasses.
We still laugh about me waiting for my son to come down a waterside and not being sure I was watching for the right child.

If they're heavy and uncomfortable try some titanium frames and you're at the point where thinned lenses might make a noticeable difference if you're particularly sensitive.

I'm -3 and I cant even hear what people are saying to me without wearing my glasses 😆I definitely need them going about the house and get grouchy if i put them down and move on because I cant see well enough. I also get a bit dizzy and nauseous. And when I do put them down it's a whole family challenge to locate them because I cant see well enough to find them! I do take them off though to read or use my phone.

I wear prescription goggles. I really don’t like not being able to see in the pool. Necessary for seeing the clock too.

Same prescription here and I don’t feel like that either because my prescription is right for me.

I only wear glasses now though, since my high prescription caused complications with my eyes.

I can read things close up without glasses but wouldn’t be able to get by without them. I certainly wouldn’t be able to go to another room or make coffee without them!

I’m -9ish in both eyes - I can actually manage quite a bit without them if I need to but I wouldn’t want to walk around outdoors or anything.

Often it is the detail of what you can't see (and probably don't realise you are missing) that are important. A lot of communication is non-verbal and when I'm not wearing my glasses, I can't make out facial expressions. I can't 'read' any body language - it's isolating. I can see traffic etc obviously but I can't see the driver's face or any signals, can't read the reg plates. Those details are things that help to keep you safe. Sometimes in hotels I have hurt myself in the shower just through being unable to adjust the thermostat properly, then panicking because it's too hot etc.

@Paperumbrella I looked into prescription goggles but they weren't available with my prescription