Why do people ask questions here instead of asking their doctor?

The example you give is a very poor one.

1.5 mm total difference is 0.75 mm per eye...which is of no consequence no matter how you want to calculate it.

1.5 mm each eye is a different story.

If you want to find fault with an answer, choose a subject you actually know something about.

You believe your answer should have been chosen , but it is overly complicated and wrong. Your reasoning doesn't apply to a 1.5 mm difference overall.

Probably for the same reason we field hundreds of phone calls in ER. People want assurance and/or affirmation. They don't want to be perceived as panicky or nuts if they show up at the doctor's office or a hospital for something insignificant. They also want to know that they are right in being alarmed about something or whether they are correct in thinking that something isn't serious. Doctor visits cost a lot of money. Nobody wants to see a doctor unless it's necessary. The only problem is when using a site like this, you never know who is on the other side of the monitor and their level of expertise. My standard answer is to contact their physician or go to the ER depending on the symptoms given. No one really expects a definitive diagnosis, or shouldn't anyway. ------------------ Edit: No person who is really in the medical field can or would give a diagnosis based on what a person types, nor more than they can or would give a diagnosis based on a phone call. There is nothing wrong with stating possibilities but that should always be followed with "see your doctor for a definitive diagnosis" or "go to the emergency room for an evaluation". For example, if someone on here indicated they ate a double meat greasy pizza and was having heartburn afterwards, who are we to know that it's heartburn or a heart attack? When in doubt, seek medical attention.

A lot of people are here to promote their business selling contacts and glasses online. They present themselves are experts, give answers cribbed from Wiki or spout just plain nonsense, and then plug their site. It shouldn't be allowed, and in fact, it's against the TOS for Yahoo Answers.

Patients ask questions because they'd rather get advice for free. It's the nature of the interwebs.

People ask questions here because:

1. They are too cheap or poor to go the doctor.

2. Their doctor told them something they did not understand. They were either afraid to ask for an explanation or didn't understand the explanation or somehow didn't trust the explanation.

3. You can ask questions here at 2:00AM in your pajamas.

4. You can get leads here to investigate from more reliable sources. Sometimes it can be as simple as getting a word to Google or the correct specialist to contact.

A lot of Doctors are commercialized, they want money. Dont ask question if you wouldnt appreciate any help. You could probably give your money to your doctor. And it is still your common sense that will determine the best answer. Do you have a common sense?

Because asking questions here is free. Instead of asking question to a doctor is not free.

That is the best reason.

people want to help others thats y i am on this. people ask questions here because people want honest opinions or problem solving or something like that. dont get all freaked out about its yahoo answers the purpose is for other people to get answers from other people. ever thought of that?

If you already asked your eye doc and he answered you. Where you looking for a different answer or just had to much time on your hands?

So did you come here to ask a question or gloat?