Then again, there are the lawsuits.  My OD told a patient to take a hike
after he said that he wore a daily disposable for a year.  The OD can
write whatever he wants in the chart, but who is the jury going to
believe when infection sets in?

My son broke his finger.  His doctor said that he wouldn't heal until he
stopped smoking.  He stopped.  I was pretty happy.

A doctor will never insist that a patient comply with a recommendation,
whether wearing glasses, using artificial tears for dry eye, stopping
smoking or taking insulin for diabetes.  All I can do is inform them of
the advantages of the recommendation and the consequences of not
following it.  Occasionally a doctor may refuse to continue treating a
non compliant patient when the non compliance makes further treatment
futile.

Whether for your friend at -2.50 or someone else at -10.00, all I can
do is remind them that they are not legal to drive without glasses and
that they will see things like TV, movies, people's faces better with
glasses.  If she worked at an occupation that has a vision requirement,
I can inform her that her employer will require that she wear glasses
on the job.  I usually also point out that wearing or not wearing
glasses will not cause her vision to get better or worse.

Beyond the legal requirements, it is her choice whether to use the
glasses or not.

Dr Judy

What do you consider to be **full time**
What reasons would make you insist on it for some who is -2.5

Sounds like she's fallen victim to the myth that wearing glasses causes
further myopia.

-2.50 is pretty common. As a professional, I seldom require anyone to
wear -2.50 full time. If they don't create a hazard by driving without
correction, there's little reason to insist on full-time wear.

-MT, OD

Of course I want to help but I also think she's being a bit stupid. A couple
of years ago she said her glasses were -2.50 and she just wears them for
driving. I've tried the subtle approach but she seems to have it in her head
that glasses should be worn as little as possible, even if they'd help. The
reason I asked what the pros do is because I wondered if you has some
suggestions for people when you prescribe on how much/when to wear them. Is
there anyone here who's the same prescription?

The same thing you do with people who smoke or use drugs.  Be supportive
but realize that you can't change them.

Ask your friend if they can see a certain.  When they say they can't,
explain that you can, and glasses might help.

Suggest contacts.  Suggest refractive surgery.

What do you do when you get a patient whose in denial about needing glasses?
My friend obviously can barely see past her nose but won't wear them, it just
seems so stupid and I don't know how to help.