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audrianna95 · Mar 22, 2009, 06:55 AM

My aunt can't afford to get new eyeglasses and she can't afford her contact lenses anymore and she really needs glasses she works in the restaurant business and she can't see she's not completely blind or anything but everything is blurry for her like a white shield over her eyes but when she puts glasses or contacts on she's fine. So can anyone help? It would be greatly appreciated thank you!:):):):):):)

sarnian · Mar 22, 2009, 07:07 AM

Hello audrianna

Sorry to hear that. But note that it is dangerous not to have your eyes tested when one is having problems with sight.
As a 'white shield' indicates either some sort of layer on the eyes, or the beginning of catarart, go at least to an optrician for a quick eye inspection, lens advice, and (possibly) cheap glasses.

Nobody can materially help you without the proper lens data being available.

ChihuahuaMomma · Mar 24, 2009, 11:30 PM

Hi there Audrianna,

I have included a bunch of very helpful links and advice in my sticky note. Here is the link to it: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/vision...am-218963.html

I've done this because this question has been asked and answered tons of times, in fact please scroll to the very bottom of the screen to see very similar topics, and see what answers those people got.

If you have further questions, please post here and ask.

ChihuahuaMomma · Mar 24, 2009, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by sarnian

Hello audrianna

Sorry to hear that. But note that it is dangerous not to have your eyes tested when one is having problems with sight.
As a 'white shield' indicates either some sort of layer on the eyes, or the beginning of catarart, go at least to an optrician for a quick eye inspection, lens advice, and (possibly) cheap glasses.

Nobody can materially help you without the proper lens data being available.

Hi Sarnian,

You are right, it's great to have an annual eye exam. However, it's an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist that performs the exam, not the optician.

It's simple to give the advice to the question answered because the OP was not asking for a diagnosis, just a way to help her aunt.

sarnian · Mar 25, 2009, 06:49 AM

Hello ChihuahuaMomma

Here in Europe most opticians are optometrist, or have one employed!

I knew the OP was not asking for a diagnosis, but it is good to provide the warning : although her aunt is not 'completely blind' she needs her eyes to do her work. And you should never run the risk to allow further deterioration of eyesight ! Healthy eyes do normally not have problems with 'a white shield'.
Besides that, older eyes should also be tested for Glaucoma (a silent eyesight killer).

ChihuahuaMomma · Mar 25, 2009, 02:11 PM

Sometimes Optometrists can play the role of Optician in their practice. I'm just letting you know the distinction between the two. An Optician is not a physician, they are just there to sell, fit, and dispense the glasses. Also most deal with insurance billing and payment. And yes, most Optometrist's DO have an Optician employed. I was an Optician for 5 years.

And yes, if a person get an annual eye exam, the doctor considers age and family history, and tests older patients for age related eye diseases. But most doctors test EVERY patient for glaucoma. It's a simple test, and as some Opticians perform pre-testing. They do perform that particular test, it's usually just a puff of air in the eye to test the eye pressure. That information is passed off to the Optometrist/Ophthalmologist for further analysis.

sarnian · Mar 25, 2009, 05:58 PM

The point I wanted to make was that - even if it was not part of the question - regular visits to check your eyes are of major importance. Even if you can not afford lenses or glasses : if you have eye problems : go and see an eye specialist.

Also in the US an optician fills the prescription ordered by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. Here in Europe most opticians are also optometrists, so they take care of all baseline eye examination. The ophthalmologist is the next higher step in cases of serious eye problems.

Once more I like to underline not to neglect eye problems like seeing a white film.
If you have that problem, go to an optometrist. He/she will send you - if needed - to an ophthalmologist.

audrianna95 · Apr 7, 2009, 01:33 PM

My aunt is not old at all she's very young she is legally blind but she has been to an eye doctor before but they just try to sell her contact lenses or glasses which she can't afford

ChihuahuaMomma · Apr 7, 2009, 11:36 PM

Again, please refer to the sources in the link, they are for people of all ages.