went to the optometrist. He said my vision was correctable last time to 20/25 and now he can only correct to 20/60. There was about 20 months in between eye exams. He gave me contacts (daily wear) in -9.5 and -10. He also dilated my eyes and said he could not see any cataracts nor any retinal problems. He refuses to give me a prescription until I see an ophthamologist because I am diabetic. My problem is no money and no insurance. I had to save the money for the exam and would have to borrow the money for a six month supply of contacts. Now he expects me to go to an opthamologist???
He was very frustrated with me for not seeing the big deal between 20/25 and 20/60. My question is, do you think it is a big deal?? I will have to borrow money for the opthamologist....and if any treatment is necessary, I am sure I cannot afford that. My optometrist knows I don't have insurance and have to pay cash. I just don't know what to do.

It's just my opinion, but when your sight is involved, you should beg, borrow or steal to be under the care of an ophth. You are severely myopic which puts you at higher risk of retinal detachment and you're diabetic which adds more risk of retinal problems.
With such a high prescription, contacts work better than glasses, but if necessary, you could wear glasses. I'm not sure if the correction would still be 20/60. Perhaps another poster can tell you that.

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately, we are facing foreclosure, can hardly afford food and, as I said, have no insurance. I am not old enough for medicare, and too sick to get a job with benefits....not to mention that I do office work which would be difficult with my eyesight as it is. Blindness doesn't really frighten me as much as eviction and starvation. So, my assessment of seriousness is kind of askew, if you know what I mean. If I were sitting more securely, yes, I wouldn't want to give up seeing my grandchildren or the sunset or flowers, etc. But I thank you for your concern and viewpoint. I guess I was hoping for an answer that can only come from an opthalmologist before my husband borrows money to go see one. I just don't want to throw money away that we don't have. I fear that the opthalmologist will tell me to go to a retinal specialist and then they will tell me I need surgery......more and more money. Thanks again.

Call the ophth. and tell them your situation. They may work with you. You need to get in. A best corrected acuity of 20/60 in a diabetic means something is wrong.

Contact your County's Health & Human Services Dept. The State of California is definitely uncaring in medical services for those that need it, but there are programs available and you might get a case worker to fast track you into a Medi-Cal program. Now is the time to start the paperwork, even if your told you might not qualify. If you wait until you need emergancy surgery to reattach a retina, you will go blind before the State steps up to bat many months later.