Prescription Change of 0.25 Diopters Triggers Full Existential Crisis

A routine eye examination has precipitated a full existential crisis for patient Helen Myopia, 41, after Dr. Iris Diopter informed her that her prescription had changed by 0.25 diopters in her left eye, a shift Dr. Diopter describes as 'clinically insignificant and entirely normal.' Myopia's reaction, described by Dr. Diopter as 'disproportionate to the finding,' began with a long silence, followed by the question 'so it's getting worse,' followed by tears, followed by a request for 'the worst-case scenario, because I need to prepare.' 'I told her that a quarter-diopter change over two years is well within the range of normal fluctuation,' Dr. Diopter said. 'I told her that the human eye is a dynamic organ. I used the word stable. She heard the word deteriorating.' Myopia has since requested a second opinion, obtained a third opinion (which confirmed the same prescription), and initiated an internet research project that she describes as 'finding out the truth they don't want to tell you,' the 'they' in question being the optometric profession at large. 'Last year I was -3.25,' Myopia said. 'Now I'm -3.50. If this continues, I'll be -3.75 in two years. Then -4.00. Then -4.25. Where does it end? Does it end? Has anyone ever asked that?' Dr. Diopter confirmed that many people have asked that and that myopic progression typically stabilizes in adulthood. 'I drew her a graph showing the likely trajectory,' she said. 'She interpreted the graph as evidence that I was concealing a steeper curve.' Myopia has purchased a book titled 'Your Eyes: The Hidden Crisis' from Amazon, which Dr. Diopter has described as 'not a book I would recommend, or indeed a book that appears to have been written by an optometrist.' Myopia has scheduled her next eye exam in three months rather than the recommended two years. Dr. Diopter has agreed, 'in the interest of her peace of mind, if not clinical necessity.'