Hey there, glasses-wearing buddy! Have you ever tried on a pair of contact lenses only to find out that the prescription was different from your regular glasses? Don’t worry – you’re not alone. In fact, it’s pretty common for your contact lens prescription to differ from your glasses prescription. But why is this the case? Let’s find out!
The Main Reason
The main reason why your contact lens prescription might be different from your glasses prescription is because the two types of eyewear sit differently on your eyes. Glasses sit about 12 millimeters away from your eyes, while contact lenses sit directly on the surface of your eye. This difference in distance can impact your vision in different ways, meaning that the prescription required for the two is different.
Astigmatism
Another reason why your contact lens prescription might be different from your glasses prescription is if you have astigmatism. Astigmatism is a common condition where the cornea (the clear front part of your eye) isn’t perfectly round, which can cause your vision to be distorted. Astigmatism can be corrected with both glasses and contact lenses, but the prescription required might be different due to the way the two types of eyewear sit on your eyes.
The Curve of the Lens
The curve of the lens in contact lenses also plays a role in why your prescription might differ. The curve of the lens in contact lenses is measured in “base curve,” while the curve in glasses is measured in “pupillary distance.” This means that even if the prescription is the same, the curve of the lenses might not match up, leading to differences in vision correction.
Conclusion
So there you have it – the main reasons why your contact lens prescription might differ from your glasses prescription. The good news is that your eye doctor is well-equipped to handle these differences and will make sure you have the correct prescription for both types of eyewear. So go ahead and rock those glasses or contact lenses with confidence, knowing that your vision is in good hands!