Reading glasses are a necessary part of our accessory collection today, with age-related sight changes occurring in each of us and our reading materials getting smaller. Whether you obtain a pair from your local eye optician or buy a set of over-the-counter readers, it is worth knowing the good and bad about reading glasses. In this blog post, we will discuss the main advantages and disadvantages of reading glasses.
Why Are Reading Glasses Important?
Reading glasses are used for things like reading the paper, onto digital devices or doing a hobby, like sewing. Most people need reading glasses in their 40s because of a refractive change to their near vision called presbyopia.
Key Benefits of Using Reading Glasses
The benefits of reading glasses include better vision and more comfort for your eyes. The following are the main benefits:
1. Immediate Vision Improvement
The benefit of wearing reading glasses is the immediate improvement in vision while reading, whether it be a book, a label, or a screen.
2. Affordable and Available
Reading glasses may be bought at any store and are inexpensive; these glasses are a quick remedy for less serious vision problems.
3. Comfortable, Safe & Non-Invasive
Reading glasses are comfortable, and there is no concern about the safety of wearing them. They are non-invasive, and aside from having the occasional injury from breaking them, there is no risk of infection, as there may be with contact lenses or surgery involved.
4. Customisable and Stylish
Opticians can create customised prescription reading glasses to fit your precise needs, such as astigmatism lenses or multifocal lenses, and also offer many stylish frames.
5. Decreased Eyestrain
Using proper reading glasses eliminates headaches and decreases the uncomfortable strain and fatigue after reading for prolonged periods of time.
The Drawbacks of Wearing Reading Glasses
While reading glasses can provide many advantages, there are also some disadvantages that can be a concern before you make your decision.
1. Eye Strain & Headaches
A wrong prescription or poorly fitted reading glasses can cause eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision. Most over-the-counter readers provide little or no consideration of the distance between your eyes.
2. Inconvenience and Dependence
While it may be uncomfortable or just annoying to have to always carry your reading glasses with you. Constantly switching your prescription glasses on and off for reading can be frustrating.
3. Peripheral Vision Distortion
Reading glasses are usually made to read near an object only, and if you are wearing them while walking or driving, then you may distort your peripheral vision to miss something that may lead to an accident.
4. Limited Correction for Complex Vision Issues
Over-the-counter reading glasses do not correct for astigmatism, nor consideration how much difference there is in vision between your eyes. Only prescription glasses from your optician will correct those issues.
5. Initial Discomfort
Some individuals feel dizzy or nauseous when they start wearing reading glasses. The discomfort is often heightened if the prescription is incorrect or due to the adjustments needed with frequent swapping of different pairs.
Over-the-Counter vs. Prescription Reading Glasses
Whether you choose to go for over-the-counter or prescription reading glasses depends largely on your vision needs. The table below can help you make a decision:
|
Feature |
Over-the-Counter Readers |
Prescription Reading Glasses |
|
Cost |
Low |
Higher |
|
Customisation |
Limited |
Fully tailored |
|
Astigmatism Correction |
No |
Yes |
|
Convenience |
High (readily available) |
Requires eye exam |
|
Risk of Eye Strain |
Higher if not matched to needs |
Lower with correct prescription |
|
Style Options |
Wide variety |
Wide variety |
This comparison shows why eye opticians will recommend prescription reading glasses for those with complex vision needs or astigmatism, versus over-the-counter readers for minor needs.
Eye Opticians’ Advice: How to Choose and Use Reading Glasses
Eye Care opticians recommend the following steps to ensure you maximise your benefits from reading glasses and protect your vision:
a) You should always have an eye exam before purchasing reading glasses to make sure your prescription is right and to rule out any health issues.
b) If you have astigmatism or if you have two different strengths in your eyes, you wear prescription reading glasses.
c) You should not wear reading glasses to drive or walk (distance vision).
Ready to See Clearly? Get Your Reading Glasses Sorted Today
You deserve to live your life in fullness and without compromise – don’t let uncertainty or doubt block your enjoyment of your books, your hobbies, or screen time. Choosing your reading glasses is simple and hassle-free with the proper planning and support. Let Robin Hall eye opticians help you and treat you to one of the friendliest and expert-led buying experiences for reading glasses, with all the approved, fashionable, and quality reading glasses you need.
Visit Robin Hall Opticians today to book your eye exam, find the reading glasses that are right for you, and see for yourself what professional care can achieve!
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