Reading glasses strength

[Shipstabber]

My husband has finally accepted that his near vision is going and has been to the optician for a sight test.  The opticians have told him he needs varifocals and have given him the following presription - +0.25 for the middle distance, add +1.50 for the near vision.

 

Now, I'm of the opinion that the +0.25 is not worth bothering about at this point, given the cost of custom made varifocals, and that off-the-peg reading glasses are an acceptable (and much cheaper!) option.  I'm just not sure how to translate the prescription into reading glasses strength. Would it just be the +1.50 or would I need to add the +0.25 to make it +1.75?

 

  

[jno]

For reading glasses just take a book into Boots and try reading through the different strengths of glasses provided; choose the ones of the lowest strength that feel right. (Actually, I think Boots ones can be expensive, you could probably do better.) My own advice would be only use them when necessary, though; overuse makes your eyes lazy and sight can deteriorate quite quickly. I speak from experience, grrr.

[mfewell]

I use reading glasses from a �1 shop in Croydon. I have at least 20 pairs littered all over the house, anywhere I might want to read something. Without glasses I am awful, but 1.25, 1.50, even 2.0 I am fine with. Never had an eye test, merely accepting it goes with getting on a bit. Reading is always improved by using a focused bright light on the page as well. Reading glasses merely magnify I believe so should be harmless.

[happy_face]

I'm + 1.00 on both eyes for reading and -0.75 on both eyes.

I have 2 set of glasses for this but I never wear them. I can see quite fine without them. On rare occasions I will wear my specs when watching telly with subtitles or the cinema but that's about it.

[Shipstabber]

Thanks for your replies. I was going to pick up a pair (of my choice!) for him but I'll just have to leave it to him and hope he doesn't come back with anything too hideous!

[ratbag66]

Does your husband have a distance prescription?  If so the +1.50 needs to be combined with that to give his reading prescription.

You cannot damage your eyes or make them lazy by using reading lenses, although your brain may well become accustomed to seeing clearly and prefer it that way!

Everyone, no matter how good their eyesight, should have an eye test at least every 2-3 years - the eye test can pick up many  health problems and is not just to check whether you can see clearly.

Off-the-peg readers are fine for occasional use, but the lenses aren't centred to the eyes of the patient (as made-to-measure ones will be) and can cause headaches for this reason if worn for longer periods.

[FP]

My optician, who I trust completely, advised against varifocals until you really do need them, and I therefore have stuck with just glasses for reading.  I have off the peg reading glasses all over the house, but use my prescription ones for work.

He advised that wearing varifocals before you really need them would mean your eyes would deteriorate more rapidly.

[kittysaloon]

You stated he needed a+.25 for his middle distance.

this is a little bit out of the norm if his near is a

+1.50 .....So...If his prescription is the same in both eyes then a +1.50 for 16 to approx 30 inches and a

+ 1.75 for 16 inches reading dist. or less.