“Doc, I got these ‘cheaters’ at the dollar store. I had to do something because I couldn’t see up close anymore.” I hear this phrase, or a variation of it, multiple times a day. Oftentimes, it’s followed up with the question: “Are cheap reading glasses bad for my eyes?” The short answer is it depends. But, of course, an answer like that requires an explanation...
In a small percentage of patients, cheap reading glasses are perfectly fine. They won’t damage your vision, per se. However, there are many factors that affect how well cheap reading glasses will work for you. You need to understand that the quality of a $1 pair of reading glasses won’t be great. The lenses will be basic and easy to scratch. You might need to get to grips with lenses that don’t fit in the frame properly or even the powers being slightly off between the two. There’s also a chance they won’t line up in the frame properly and it’s quite common for the temples to break off or become misaligned on the frame of a cheap pair of readers.While cheap pairs may be functional for some people and can certainly get you by in a pinch, they probably won’t survive the everyday wear and tear that a more expensive pair will. They aren’t necessarily as good for your eyes as a more expensive or prescription pair of readers would be either.
What’s the Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Reading Glasses?
The primary difference is in the quality of the materials. More expensive reading glasses will be made with better, higher quality materials. The lenses may be scratch resistant and fit the frame better. They may be made out of thinner and lighter materials. They’re more likely to have accurate lens powers. The frame may be sturdier, the list goes on...
Are Prescription Reading Glasses Better than Over-The-Counter?
There are some issues that cheap and expensive reading glasses share. That is, if they’re both what we’d call ‘over-the-counter’ pairs. Over-the-counter readers, regardless of whether they're expensive or not, usually aren’t made of the same quality materials as prescription eyewear.Additionally, prescription readers are specifically tailored for your specific eye needs. If your eyes have different prescriptions, prescription readers will correct both eyes accurately. With over-the-counter readers, you don’t have the option of having different prescriptions in both eyes. Prescription readers are made specifically to fit your face and pupillary distance (or PD, the distance between the right and left pupils).Over-the-counter readers are often designed to fit the most common face shapes and PDs. Getting a poorly fit, misaligned pair of over-the-counter readers can lead to uncomfortable frames, strained eyes, and headaches.So, are cheap reading glasses bad for eyes? Again, while it’s not necessarily true that cheap reading glasses are bad for your eyes, it’s safe to say that shelling out a little extra to upgrade to a more expensive (better) or prescription (best) pair is a wise investment. If you’re constantly buying pairs for a buck, you get what you pay for, as the old adage goes. The improvement in the quality, vision, fit and comfort of the glasses themselves are all well worth the extra money. Always try to do what’s best for your eyes!
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FAQs
If you don't already need to wear regular eyeglasses, they may even be fine for longer. But cheap readers only magnify the print to help you read it. They are not specific to your individual eye's needs. They probably won't harm your eyesight, but you may experience headaches and eye strain if you use them too much.
Is there a difference between cheap and expensive reading glasses? ›
The primary difference is in the quality of the materials. More expensive reading glasses will be made with better, higher quality materials. The lenses may be scratch resistant and fit the frame better. They may be made out of thinner and lighter materials.
Is it okay to use dollar store reading glasses? ›
"Reading glasses from a drugstore are in fact perfectly safe,” says ophthalmologist Michelle Andreoli, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, who notes that over-the-counter reading glasses, including low-cost dollar store options, can help you focus up close and will not damage your ...
What are the disadvantages of cheap glasses? ›
Cheap eyeglasses are manufactured with very little quality control. This means that the lenses may not be able to correct your vision problems adequately. Even the smallest mistake in your lenses such as a slightly-off focal point or too-strong magnification can cause problems such as: Eye strain.
Does quality of reading glasses matter? ›
Better quality lenses give you better vision. Premium grade optical lenses will give you the clearest vision if you don't want or need prescription eyewear.
Why is my vision blurry after using reading glasses? ›
Sometimes your glasses may cause blurry vision because they are not clean. Glasses gather oil from fingertips that attract dust and dirt, slowly accumulating and build over a period. This accrued debris can affect the performance of eyeglasses by causing blurry vision that is not as clear as it should be.
What are the disadvantages of using reading glasses? ›
Often times headaches and nausea can result from wearing the wrong prescription of readers or may have optical centers far from your pupil centers. This is why we recommend having an eye doctor specialist do an eye exam.
What is the difference between prescription reading glasses and store bought? ›
Eyeglasses purchased through your eye doctor will be customized to fit the corrective power each individual eye needs. OTC reading glasses also cannot correct vision problems such as near-sightedness or astigmatism. And they don't come in multifocal options for people who need both near and far vision assistance.
Is it OK to use off the shelf reading glasses? ›
Wearing glasses won't make your eyes worse; presbyopia happens because the lenses lose flexibility, not because the muscles in your eyes are getting weaker. Off-the-shelf ready reader glasses probably won't do you any harm either. They can be useful as a spare pair when you're shopping, or for keeping in the car.
Do expensive glasses make a difference? ›
Cheaper lenses will give you the clarity of vision you require, but more expensive ones will give you a more distinctive pair of glasses, with personalized features. Customized features like lens color, anti-reflective coating, scratch-resistant, polarized, photochromic, etc.
Cheap metal frames often contain nickel alloys that can cause skin irritation; others can discolor your skin. Also (and more disturbing), cheap eyeglass frames and cheap sunglasses occasionally are recalled and removed from the market because they contain lead paint or other toxic substances.
Do glasses brands matter? ›
It's already been said that not all high-quality frames are expensive and not all expensive frames are high quality. What really matters most when it comes to frames is your vision and your comfort. If your glasses fit well and correct your eyesight properly, then there is no “right or wrong” amount of money to spend.
Is it safe to wear cheap glasses? ›
Eyestrain from Cheap Reading Glasses
Cheap pairs you buy online may not be the right power and could cause eyestrain after prolonged use. Your eye doctor may recommend a pair based on your needs and the type of activities you'll be performing.
Do reading glasses have side effects? ›
If the glasses have a strength that exceeds your actual visual acuity, they force your eyes to work harder. This can result in increased effort, manifesting in the form of headaches, eye fatigue, and even blurred vision. In the long term, overpowered reading glasses could even have harmful effects on your eyes.
Is it safe to wear reading glasses constantly? ›
Wearing reading glasses all day won't directly damage your vision. But it's important to understand that reading glasses are designed for close-up tasks, and wearing them constantly isn't ideal. Your eyes may become dependent on the magnification, resulting in discomfort when you try to focus on objects at a distance.
What is the difference between reading glasses and regular glasses? ›
Reading glasses are pieces of eyewear specifically designed to help bring closer items into focus. They're for general use and don't require a prescription to help improve a person's vision. This is why they're most commonly used by those who need assistance reading, writing, or performing other close-up activities.
