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Original poster

Blacker isn't better?

58 replies

Lougle · 09/01/2023 08:05

I had my eyes tested yesterday. Standard 'Is it better with 1, 2, or about the same?' stuff. The optician said that I 'chase the negative' so I always choose the option that is smaller and darker. I was puzzled and said that I thought the darker the black, the clearer it is, so 'better'. He said that some people 'chase the negative' so it's easy for an inexperienced optician to overcorrect their sight.

Why don't they tell you what 'better' means from the outset, and why isn't blacker better?

OP posts:
caroleanboneparte · 09/01/2023 12:35

Oh my goodness this explains every optical appointment I've ever had!

They always increase my prescription even though my glasses feel fine.

Then my actual sight without glasses gets worse. I only started getting glasses in my 20s and on a weak prescription. (I only needed them for driving). Lots of people with my original sight don't bother with glasses at all.

I'm also autistic. I dont understand what the optician means. I probably do chase the negative. I take ages choosing and am never sure if I'm right.

ThirtyThreeTrees · 09/01/2023 13:22

I really struggle with that part of the eye test too as it seems so contradictory to me.

I wish they would change it to a picture of something detailed instead so I could give more accurate responses.

Laiste · 09/01/2023 13:29

I just answer the questions as best i can without bursting into laughter just because their face is soooooo close to mine.

<immature>

DoNotGetADog · 09/01/2023 13:58

CrunchyCarrot · 09/01/2023 12:02

I can't figure out the 'blacker' part either! I look for sharper and clearer, after all I want to read something so that will need both!

I had an odd experience at the optician's a few years back, after having Bell's Palsy. During that time my left eye was very irritated and I had to keep it covered all day with an eye patch (for 2 months!). As a result, my weaker right eye had to do all the work. It didn't like it! Those 2 months were quite miserable. Anyhoo, when I'd recovered I went for an eye test, and the optometrist told me that my eyesight had improved in my right eye! Because of keeping the other one covered. I was amazed, I said is that permanent? Yes, I was told.

Fast forward to my latest eye test last month, a few years later. I recounted the Bell's Palsy tale (by now this was a different optometrist, same practice) and she said, no, your eyes can't improve like that, it only happens in children! So I am wondering why on earth was I told it had improved if it hadn't? It baffles me. My eye tests don't show any improvement, either, I checked back some years. So peculiar.

A “lazy eye” can improve in adults to an extent if they lose the use of the good eye, yes. Although it is mainly thought of as something that occurs in children, and specifically before the age of about 7-8 years.

Children can show a massive improvement. Adults less so, but it does happen. It’s probably just gone back to how it was because it’s not being used again now that your good eye is not patched any more (probably your brain ignores what the bad eye sees as long as your good eye is open).

underneaththeash · 09/01/2023 15:07

Honestly folks, don’t over think it - we check things in so many different ways that it’s unusual to get the prescription wrong. If we think you’re over-minuses we stick a massive plus lens in front of the eye and check it blurs your vision to a certain degree.

@CrunchyCarrot yes, it is possible to improve the vision from a lazy eye in adults by patching. It does however increase the risk of getting ‘intractable diplopia’ basically seeing double permanently.

FurryDandelionSeekingMissile · 09/01/2023 15:12

The main thing that bugs me with eye tests is being asked to look at things I can't see 😂 Admittedly it happens less with optometrists than it does with people like the retinopathy scan people, but they'll take my -11 glasses away from me, plonk me on the machine or lean in with their light, and say "Now look at the top hinge on the door, please".

Door? I know I must've come in through one… it's probably to my right somewhere?

RichardMarxisinnocent · 09/01/2023 18:39

pelargoniums · 09/01/2023 10:07

I just assumed everyone panic guessed at the answers while the giant lenses are shoved in at speed until you reach the “I don’t know, the same?!” wail at which point you win and they take the uncomfortable glasses off you and you can go and have a bun.

This is a perfect description of every eye test I've ever had 😀

Marigold41 · 09/01/2023 19:48

FurryDandelionSeekingMissile · 09/01/2023 15:12

The main thing that bugs me with eye tests is being asked to look at things I can't see 😂 Admittedly it happens less with optometrists than it does with people like the retinopathy scan people, but they'll take my -11 glasses away from me, plonk me on the machine or lean in with their light, and say "Now look at the top hinge on the door, please".

Door? I know I must've come in through one… it's probably to my right somewhere?

I also am about -11... I always find it amusing when hairdressers are shocked at me saying "Let me just put my glasses on..." after they ask me how it looks at the end of a haircut. Yes, I have just sat there blind and let you do whatever to my hair...

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