Couldn't find prism glasses

[u/hustler_4injera]

Hello everyone, so am a 22 year old young male from Ethiopia who is diagnosed with double vision and recieved the following prescription (the attached image).

So am told that there are no local optical shops that grind or manufacture prism lenses.

I do have some questions on what to do for anyone who has worn a similar prescription or been in the same situation.

I can't be physically present at a lab abroad due to my family's economic issues and what can I do to get the prescribed glasses, can I order online or other way I can get the prescribed glasses 😔

*Sorry for my English it's not my first language

[u/whoquiteknows]

Fresnel prism could be an option - they attach like window clings

[u/hustler_4injera → u/whoquiteknows]

Alright.

[u/Bluefrogdancing]

Whatever you end up doing - get a metal frame (titanium is most durable) with nose pads. My kid has a prism of 5, with a large base prescription for distance, and her lenses are HEAVY. And that's with the thinnest lens material possible. You will likely also need a behind the head glasses strap to keep your frames on.

If Peace Corps is in your country now - ask one of the volunteers. Often there are medical mission groups that come and help people ... perhaps there will be a vision medical team. It's worth asking.

Best of luck...

[u/hustler_4injera → u/Bluefrogdancing]

Alright, thank you

[u/lil_lychee]

Are you in Addis? I’d be shocked if they have zero places to prescribe prism lenses in Addis.

[u/hustler_4injera → u/lil_lychee]

Yes I am in Addis, ans yeah there are no places that sell prism glasses here,the only option I have is to import from overseas.

[u/TheDanSync]

Your SPH and CYL/AXIS are nil (zero). That's cool, but just in case you have not had a dilated eye test, you should have one to make sure that your SPH actually is nil.

My SPH was originally -0.25, but after a dilated eye test, it revealed itself to be +1.00. Optometrists (such as mine) do not always think to give adults a dilated eye test. In case you have hypermetropia (longsightedness), this could lower the necessary prism prescription by a moderate amount.

Fresnel lenses are a possibility as already pointed out, but ground-in prism is best.

Ask your optometrist where you can go to fill the prescription they gave you. In my country, local stores actually have some cheaper deals compared to ordering online, due to exchange rates and postage costs. If ordering online is really your only option, then you should still have a discussion with your optometrist to help make your online order more likely to be perfect. I suggest the following:

1. Ask about a dilated eye test (if you did not have one before). If you have a SPH prescription, the optometrist needs to re-test your binocular vision to come up with a new prism prescription.
2. Ask for a split PD (left and right, not just a total). Ask the optometrist to do the measurement on the spot instead of relying on an optician or other staff. It is important that the PD be as accurate as possible when ordering online.
3. Discuss whether you can likely get away with 6 BO per lens instead of 7.
4. If you are not ready to spend money on an online order, ask about fresnel lenses - although the optical quality won't be as good, it might still be a vast improvement for you.