Question for Darris

[harry a saake]

Back in the early 60,s when i first started with B&L, it seems that we used to do a lot of high minus rx,s, and in fact up in Rochester we had the special rx dept, which specialized in rx,s up to 36 diopters. In recent years, i notice that we dont seem to see as many of the high rx,s like we use to. i,m lucky if i see one now much above 15. I can,t help wondering if this is due to better health conditions today or what?

[Shwing]

I don't know about the early (or even late)1960's (wasn't even thought of...) but they are still out there, That most elusive of beasts; the king of the visual pathway; the rarely see, but often heard of; the stuff legends are made of; the killer of newby opticians; yes, the pathologic myope!!! (ominous music)

I think it has to do with the type of shop you are in.

I am now in a more streamlined chain, and don't do the specialty stuff, and I refer elsewhere if the rx is above say, -11D

When I did work for a smaller shop, that did deal with the neat stuff, saw it all the time.

The consumer knows where to go. You wouldn't take your Jag to the Ford dealer; and you wouldn't go to Sears for Versacce (sp?) clothes.

The highest minus I had the pleasure of fitting was a -24D (before vertexing; -26ishD after). Turned out Beautifully, in a 44 Safilo Team 3443 (I think; whatever the small octagon was/is)and the Nikon IV HCCASMOUSEABCDEFG lens.


Back when Lenscrafters was still fresh, we stocked myodiscs and aphakic lenses. Then the company went '90s...

Shwing;-}

P.S. The highest minus I have experienced, was -47D in Winnipeg, 1988; the highest plus was 1978, New Jersey, +118D, in the shade...

[harry a saake]

HELLO Ian, i guess with the 118 D plus you didnt use a featherweight.

[Maria]

Obviously, being so young and lovely, I wouldn't have a clue about the olden days :) That however, will not stop me speculating about something that I know nothing about.
Would it not be because things like cataracts were less treatable in those days, so patients were pretty much stuck with going blind?
Or is it because, assuming you are referring to older patients, they grew up in the Depression? With nothing to do all day, because of having no money, they may have turned to the activity which mothers have always warned will make a young man blind. But as America prospered, people had more money to go to the cinema and things. I believe the activity is still quite popular, although no longer widespread enough to damage the ocular health of a nation.

[Shwing]

Heyya, Harry, nope didn't use featherwait...

Spent most of the time in the ocean. Seven Presidents beach, with the best surf on the East Coast, oh, and the occasional shark.

Remember, it is not the heat, it's the humidity...

Shwing;-}

[Alan W]

MAria
You are a rip and a half. So, let me add to the humor . . . .
I absolutely love to put glasses on little boys. (No I'm not one of those...)Preferrably little boys about 10 who are there with Mom. We have so much fun and Mom loves the rapport. Then comes the final test . . . the glasses are fitted . . . I say . . .
"OK, Billy . . . . look up, look down, shake your head, look to your right, now look to your left . . . cough"

Mom falls on the floor laughing, Billy has that "Duh" look, and everybody goes home happy.

[Darris Chambless]

Hello harry,

Sorry it took me so long to see this post, I've been around less frequently lately.

The higher minus scripts being seen less these days? I'll agree that I certainly don't see as many as I once did, along with slab offs, press on prisms, and ptosis crutches. The only reason I can come up with is speculation only, but I'll give you my take on it.

Health conditions are much better and especially at birth many maladies can be detected or prevented before or just after delivery. As generations have passed the altered genetics do carry over, meaning that as we become more adapted to our environments we will pass those genes on to our children in all forms including accommodative power.

Here's a little side piece for a different affliction. We do tend to see less "shallow genetics" (a nice way of saying "in breeding" ;-) these days as well because of the changes in the times as a whole. People are more apt to brake the cycles because of the opportunities available to them. Hence we see fewer visual anomalies associated with "shallow gene pools" i.e. albinism, strabismus, diplopia, progressive myopia, low vision in general, etc..

Over all changes in medicine and technology have played a very big part in diminishing the problems that were once so prevalent in vision. Again this is speculation on my part but it would seem plausible. Ophthalmic drops given to infants at birth have really reduced the possibilities of problems associated with infection and therefore reduced the risks of long term damage that could cause visual problems.

That's my take anyway. Again I apologize that it took so long for me to respond. I'll try to be more alert in the future.

Take care,

Darris C.

[Judy Canty]

Darris,
I have often speculated about the correlation between vision or visual anomolies and nutrition. Of course, when I asked an MD for whom I worked, his reply was "Who cares?" I may take up the research if, or when, I retire. One kid in college who wants to go to law school and one still in high school, so it may be a while.

[harry a saake]

Hello Darris and Judy, I have had about the same thoughts on this subject Darris as you, but also, do not know for sure if that is the answer, although it certainly seems plausible. I just remember being up in that special rx lab that B&L had in rochester,N.Y.,and seeing these extremely high minus rx glasses being fabricated, up to 30 diopters. Great to see you on the board again. Hope all is well in San Angelo

[chip anderson]

Saw special on the history of women's undergarments today. It stated that in Britain only, women had increased 2 cup sizes while becoming smaller in the rib cage just over the last decade. Think there's a correlation? Seriously guys, As long as it takes to get a slab off or anything a little out of the ordinary out of specialty labs (which seems to be the only game in town now) Probably no one prescribes the extra exotic stuff now as they know it would never be made in the patient's lifetime or at a cost he could afford.

[Alan W]

Judy
Nothing speaks to the issue of nutrition and vision/visual health tha when the system breaks down.
I refer to diabetes.
Diebetics lowering their sugar level through diet or medication experience hyperopia to various degrees.
Normal health doesn't exhibit that, because the system that detects higher sugar levels takes it down so rapidly that we rarely notice it.
This is the classic case. And, of course I'm not refering to "take your vitamins and eat brussel sproats." You'll live longer type issues.
But, what really bugs me is the vast number of professionals who let these things go undetected because "who cares".

That's my opinion.

Thanks,

Alan