(Sometimes) When I change any option (like render distance), it will work as soon as I leave the menu. After leaving the game and joining back after you change the option, it will be as it was before.
An example would be: I'm in a world and I turn off the 3D layer on my head. It turns off like it should. Then I leave the game. When playing minecraft again, my 3D head will still be 3D as it was before.
This does NOT always happen, but it happens enough that it a problem. It has happened to other people too, so it is not a problem with my laptop.
Did you switch versions after changing the options?