I need to make a decision, after struggling with the matter for some time.

After 3 eye surgeries (macular hole in Oct 2006, retinal detachment in Dec
2006 and cataract in July 2007 -- all in my right eye) I experienced
occasional vertical double vision, mainly in the evenings. It was torturous
at times and accompanied with pain, but then improved with the passing of
time and diminished, yet still occurs sometimes, always associated with eye
fatigue.  At present I suffer from it only seldom.  

My limited understanding is that my multiple surgeries have weakened my right
eye muscles to affect the alignment with the left eye when my eyes are tired
after a day-long usage.  I have made efforts to sleep longer hours (I used to
sleep about 5-6 hours, but now I sleep 6-7 hours), which seems to be a major
factor in the diminishing symptoms.  It’s also possible that my brain has
learned how to cope with the double image.  

I have no double vision most of the time, and since my ophthalmologist sees
me during the day hours, he could not detect any problem, but referred me to
a specialist – the only one in town, and one of two in the entire state of
Arizona.  After 3½ months wait I finally got to see the specialist, who
prescribed 3D prism.  I couldn’t get much information from him because he
used me as a subject for a student whom he was training, so I was instructed
to shut up.

About 6 months ago (after the cat surgery) I got 2 new pairs of glasses – one
for “normal” use and the other for computer.  I use the computer glasses most
of the time, and only rarely use the regular pair for driving.  I can now get
the new Rx for no fee, except the small extra for the prism, but this option
is about to expire very soon.  

My optician suggested a trial, using a thin stick-on film with prism for a
while.  I have found that switching from prism back to no-prism is not
comfortable, even after a short time with the prism.  My vision with the
prism is OK, but then removing the glasses is stressful.  My conclusion is
that once I start wearing the prism there is no way back, and I am doomed to
have double vision when I remove my glasses (which now I do regularly –
sometimes for reading, and certainly in the shower etc. – with no problem or
difficulty).  Actually my preseent vision without glasses is sufficient for
functioning comfortably in my familiar home environment.  It’s obvious that I
cannot limit the use of the prism to the evening or to the now-rare occasions
of double vision -- it always or never.

I am running out of time.  Should I obey the new Rx and become a permanent
prism-subject who must experience diplopic symptoms when glasses cannot be
worn, or should I tolerate the rare diplopic episodes (which go away
overnight), knowing that I can always change my decision and get new prism
glasses?  If it was not for the cost of new glasses, I would choose the
latter and opt to prism only when I feel that I cannot function without it
anymore – but will have to pay the full price for 2 pairs of glasses, which
now I can get for no additional cost.  Any advice?