Anyone just wear reading glasses?

[mamamary]

I just had an eye exam and alas my eyes need a little help. Doctor said I need a 1 in reading glasses. I went to the dollar store and bought a pair and everything didn't look right. I felt like I had huge magnifying glasses on. Doctor said try Target or Wal Mart. They had reading glasses for about $20. I tried both places and they too didn't seem right. Luckily I didn't buy them I just tried them on in the store.

Any advice? Do I just have to get used to them? Doctor said I could get a pair made but he thought that would just be a waste of money. What do you guys think?

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I just had an eye exam and alas my eyes need a little help. Doctor said I need a 1 in reading glasses. I went to the dollar store and bought a pair and everything didn't look right. I felt like I had huge magnifying glasses on. Doctor said try Target or Wal Mart. They had reading glasses for about $20. I tried both places and they too didn't seem right. Luckily I didn't buy them I just tried them on in the store.

Any advice? Do I just have to get used to them? Doctor said I could get a pair made but he thought that would just be a waste of money. What do you guys think?

Hmmmm. a 1 diopter is low, maybe you are actually lower than that?

A lot of the reading glass displays in drug stores have a "chart", and you can put on the different diopters and stand a set distence from the printing and it will give you an approximate idea of what you need, as the printing will be clear, or blurred.

If you put on the 1's and they seem blurry, maybe you need to get a second eye exam to check it?

The doctor could have made a small error, or possibly you had a hard time in the exam (is "a" clearer that "b" , ect)

I have been wearing reading glasses for some time now, but then again I look at mulitple computer screenson a daily basis, and am an avid read of books and the daily news. So eyestrain can sometime hit me. (okay, I am a bit older!! hehehe)

And my "prescription" has change over the years. But I did stop wearing regular glasses after eye surgery, so I am happy with only having to wear reading glasses! good luck!

RUM?

 

[Christine]

I am in the same boat as you. I definitely need reading glasses for my novels and the newspaper, but my distance vision and the computer is fine.

I've gone to all the stores and found the weakest pair I could. Some brands have better lenses than others and that has made a difference. I have found my best pair at Wegman's (grocery store). I didn't have any luck with the glasses in Target and Walmart. The lens was curved in such a way that I had too much distortion. It's really hit or miss and you have to keep looking at all the brands. I have found that the smaller the glasses (the lens size) the better they work.

I do think that at my next visit, I am going to get a "prescription" pair. I just think the lens quality is going to make the difference.

 

[clutter]

I told my eye dr that the 1.0, 1.75, etc that was used for readers related to how many armlenghts you needed to see! He laughed, and said that, while not correct, it's probably pretty true!

Anyway, sometimes finding a 1.0 is tough. Many start at 1.50. You should only be using them for close up work. You don't want to try to look through them when you're walking downstairs, for sure! I've actually had really good luck with Costco's 3/18.99 pairs. Once you get used to them, you need them everywhere -- your purse, your office, your bedroom, your kitchen...

 

[Imzadi]

I got Lasik eye surgery two months ago. I went from super nearsighted at -9 to needing only reading glasses at +1.25 that I can get from the dollar store or drugstore.

You have to know how to look through the reading glasses. They are not distance correction lenses. They truly are only for reading or when you are looking at things about 15" in front of you. You shouldn't be looking across the room and expecting to see clearly with them on.

When you are at the eyeglasses rack, try on all the different prescriptions and then look at something to read at the distance you would normally hold it. Try to find the one that works best for you that way. Your eyes will tell you better than going by the numbers.

If you end up needing a prescription pair made to order, take you doctors prescription and order an $8 pair from zennioptical.com. Do a search over on the Budget Board. There are several threads where I and others have had good results in getting a pair from them.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I can't believe I need to start wearing one too. If +1.00 doesn't work out, try +.75 or +1.25. Bring something to read and hold the book like you would normaly hold it (closer than an arms length). I bought mine at Target. I wear +.75 (very mild)

 

[mamamary]

I can't believe I need to start wearing one too. If +1.00 doesn't work out, try +.75 or +1.25. Bring something to read and hold the book like you would normaly hold it (closer than an arms length). I bought mine at Target. I wear +.75 (very mild)

Thanks everyone for your responses.

I didn't think they came lower than a 1. I know nothing about glasses. I will bring a newspaper or book with me. No wonder when I looked around Target I felt dizzy. Yeah - I can't believe I have to wear them either.

 

[Skatermom23]

I started out with +1 a few years ago and am now using +1.5. I do get prescription ones because our insurance pays for most of it. I don't like the store bought lens because most are plastic and I don't see well with those. I want a lightweight polycarb lens. With my copay it winds up being around $25 depending on what type of frame I buy. I like being able to pick out something rather stylish. I don't want to look like an old person!

 

[mamamary]

I started out with +1 a few years ago and am now using +1.5. I do get prescription ones because our insurance pays for most of it. I don't like the store bought lens because most are plastic and I don't see well with those. I want a lightweight polycarb lens. With my copay it winds up being around $25 depending on what type of frame I buy. I like being able to pick out something rather stylish. I don't want to look like an old person!

I do have vision insurance. Maybe I'll find out what I'm covered for.

Reading glasses are pretty ugly huh?

 

[Skatermom23]

Also you might want to find frames that are not rounded on top. If you do have to look up from your reading then it will be easier to look over them and you won't have as much of the granny look going on! Sometimes I wish I had bifocals and just had to wear them all the time.

 

[Skatermom23]

I do have vision insurance. Maybe I'll find out what I'm covered for.

Reading glasses are pretty ugly huh?

Well they can be and the looking over the top of the lens thing isn't pretty! I refused to wear mine the first year (and gave up reading books) because I couldn't stand the granny look. That is when my eye doctor told me to get the flatter tops and it has made the world of difference!

 

[Christine]

No wonder when I looked around Target I felt dizzy. Yeah - I can't believe I have to wear them either.

Oh, yeah. If I try to walk around or look around with these on I get sick to my stomach.

 

[Imzadi]

Wow, I didn't know they came lower than 1 either. My Dr. is trying to wean me off of them, since the Lasik. She want's me to build up & exercise my eye muscles as much as possible. But it was sooo frustrating for me at first, going from very clear vision (with glasses) to no glasses at at, and expecting me to be able to function with blurry close up vision while my eyes healed.

Reading glasses are pretty ugly huh?

The ones in the drugstores are.

You don't need to bring reading material with you. Just pick up any cardboard package in the store and read the print on the back that is the size of normal book reading font size.

 

[Skatermom23]

Oh, yeah. If I try to walk around or look around with these on I get sick to my stomach.

That's a great way to describe it Christine!

 

[disney1990]

I just had an eye exam and alas my eyes need a little help. Doctor said I need a 1 in reading glasses. I went to the dollar store and bought a pair and everything didn't look right. I felt like I had huge magnifying glasses on. Doctor said try Target or Wal Mart. They had reading glasses for about $20. I tried both places and they too didn't seem right. Luckily I didn't buy them I just tried them on in the store.

Any advice? Do I just have to get used to them? Doctor said I could get a pair made but he thought that would just be a waste of money. What do you guys think?

Isn't getting older a drag. I hated it when I was told I needed reading glasses. After 10 years of wearing them, I still hate them.

 

[challer]

Wow, I didn't know they came lower than 1 either. My Dr. is trying to wean me off of them, since the Lasik. She want's me to build up & exercise my eye muscles as much as possible.

Exercises doesn't really work - maybe only for temporary relief. Your probably going to need reading glasses anyway, unless your lasik starts to deteriorate and you get nearsighted again (it happens).

 

[Straitlover]

The best test for me is to read a medicine bottle w/ small print, not the chart on the reading glasses display. I usually get a 1.00 or 1.25. Those are usually the first ones to go, so sometimes, they're hard to find, especailly when Walgreens puts them on sale B1G2 free!

 

[mamamary]

The best test for me is to read a medicine bottle w/ small print, not the chart on the reading glasses display. I usually get a 1.00 or 1.25. Those are usually the first ones to go, so sometimes, they're hard to find, especailly when Walgreens puts them on sale B1G2 free!

You're right. The chart by the display I can read fine but those darn medicine bottles. They sure do make the print smaller and smaller.

 

[Evil Genius]

I have found that it depends sometimes where you position them on your nose. Try putting them down farther so that you can look over them and not so close to your eyes.

 

[JessicaR]

My favorite place to get readers is Peepers. They have some fun, great glasses! Make sure you check out the Animal & Tortoise shell selection. I have ordered from many times over the last few years.

They have an eye chart too.
http://www.peeperspecs.com/About/strength1.asp

http://www.peeperspecs.com/products/Peepers_reading_glasses.asp