Differences between Pre-made Readers and Prescription reading glasses
Did you know that all reading glasses are not created the same? The following is a list of factors to consider when making choices related to your vision and eye health.
1: Prescription ophthalmic glasses versus pre-made Over-the-counter readers
The readers you’ll find in drugstores attempt to correct for presbyopia by offering pre-set magnifications but they are not designed to provide accurate compensation for age-related presbyopia. The onset of presbyopia generally begins around the age of 40. As you age lenses in your eyes become less flexible, making it harder to focus on close objects.
Non-prescription readers from over the counter will NOT help with astigmatism, myopia, glaucoma, etc. If you’re having trouble seeing while driving for example, you’ll want to set up an appointment with an Optometrist to determine what the root cause really is. Drug store readers only offer one type of vision correction; that being for those who have a spherical prescription. If you have astigmatism, which means that your eye is not shaped as a perfect sphere these types of cheaters will not compensate for this. This means you may still be seeing double or straining your eyes, often times without realizing it.
2: Over-The-Counter Readers Have The Same Prescription In Each Lens
Most people do not have the same prescription in both eyes; it is in fact very rare. When prescription glasses are made for you specifically the lenses are customized to correct your prescription exactly. This will mean if you have presbyopia or astigmatism these glasses will correct properly for that. The vision and quality of the optics will far surpass those from over the counter.
3: Prescription Glasses have more options including vision and ocular health related ones
The quality found in prescription glasses will always be higher. The frames will also be more durable and the lenses clearer due to the nature of the ophthalmic lenses and the coating treatment applied. You also have more lens options when having them custom made. You will have a number of different brands, protective coatings and technologies to choose from which will best suit your individual needs as well as your lifestyle. You will also have more fashion choices as well. Over the counter readers do not have anti-glare and anti-reflective coating nor do they have blue light protection from computer and phone screen, putting your eyes at a potential risk.
For Many, Generic Reading Glasses Are Handy
Now having made these three points we want to assure you that if reading glasses from the drugstore are working out for you then that’s okay! They’re handy for people who only need them occasionally and need something in a pinch to be used briefly. However it is important to keep in mind the long-term health of your eyes beyond the convenience of cheaters. Wearing over-the-counter readers may have some unintentional consequences attached to them. If you are using them for a prolonged period of time they can cause eye strain, eye fatigue, and headaches. This is similar to wearing the wrong pair of shoes; you can still function but your feet will hurt, your posture will be compromised and there will be long-term damage.
If you’re not seeing as well as you feel you ought to let us know. We can evaluate your eyes and help you decide what the best options are for you.
