Readers, cheaters, hobby glasses… the standard over-the-counter reading glasses with -1 magnification, are called by many names. These spectacles aim to enlarge words on pages or screens, making them easier to read.
While these kinds of glasses have been in use for many decades, they continue to be a source of conversation, especially regarding whether or not they can harm your eyes.
Why Do I Suddenly Need Reading Glasses with -1 Magnification?
Many patients ask their eye doctors questions like, “Why am I unable to read labels and other text I could see clearly at one time?” The answer is simple but seldom makes people happy. This is an age-related change in your vision called Presbyopia.
Around age 40, many people begin to experience blurred vision when trying to read at a regular distance. Some of the first signs of presbyopia are often holding reading material far away from their eyes or needing brighter light to read a food label. People tend to notice these changes gradually.
The difficulties occur when the lenses of your eyes start to stiffen and gradually lose their ability to focus on near tasks. The impact tends to increase with age and is the primary reason people start depending on reading glasses. These symptoms do not mean your vision is compromised and although many people are quick to ask, “Does wearing glasses ruin your eyesight?” If you wear the right strength for measured amounts of time, the answer is no. It is important to note that this is a common sign of aging and not a medical crisis.
Is it Safe to Buy -1 Reading Glasses at a Chemist?
There is no quick one-word yes or no answer to this question. In essence, yes, picking up an inexpensive pair of reading glasses with -1 magnification where you buy aspirin or cough medicine is safe. But safe is not necessarily good enough.
How reading glasses with -1 magnification impact you have a lot to do with how you use them. If you put the glasses on for a few minutes to read instructions on a cake mix, you probably will not notice any adverse effects. If you use your readers for several hours, you may experience soreness and headaches because of the extended wear. Likewise, if you purchase the wrong strength of readers, you may experience similar issues as well as blurry vision. Before purchasing any glasses, we recommend you take an eye test with us to get the best results from wearing glasses.
When someone’s vision is blurred after wearing reading glasses, they often ask, “Do glasses worsen your eyesight?” Generally, no. If you wear the right strength of readers for short amounts of time, you are not going to cause your eyesight to deteriorate.
Over-the-Counter Readers vs Prescription Readers
Concern over potential harm from over-the-counter reading glasses has helped spark a debate on whether prescription reading glasses are better than inexpensive ones.
Facts About Prescription Reading Glasses
- Lenses are customised for your needs. Both eyes do not always require the same strength of correction.
- Prescription readers are made to fit your head and face properly and comfortably.
- The frames and lenses of prescription reading glasses are made of high-quality materials which allow an optician to adjust the fit.
- The optical centres of prescription reading glasses are made to match with the optical centres of your eyes which helps fine-tune your vision.
- Many prescription reading glass lenses can combine with lenses that correct other vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Many people who have more than one vision issue appreciate the simplicity of having a single pair of glasses they can wear all day.
- You may pay more for prescription -1 reading glasses, but the glasses will last longer because of the superior quality.
Facts About Over-the-Counter Reading Glasses
- Non-prescription readers are limited in their correction powers. Most lenses come in +1.00, +1.50, +2.00 and +2.50. You may also be able to find readers in +1.25, +1.75 and +2.25.
- Over-the-counter reading glasses cannot correct other vision problems. These glasses are limited to magnifying the words or other close-up work you want to see.
- Non-prescription reading glasses provide the same amount of magnification to both eyes. For those whose eyes have significantly different correction needs, the same lens power for both eyes results in one eye working much harder than the other. These wearers experience headaches and even dizziness or nausea because of the imbalance.
Because every person has unique vision correction needs, over-the-counter reading glasses can work very well for some and be much less helpful for other wearers.
Struggling each day trying to read tiny print is enough to send anyone running to buy a pair of over-the-counter reading glasses. However, even if the readers help, you should not consider this a permanent solution. Contact us at E Eye Place to schedule an eye examination. Our professionals can guide you in choosing prescription or over-the-counter reading glasses and make sure your eyes are healthy.
** Please Note**
The material presented here is for informational use only. It is not individual medical advice and should not take the place of an eye examination and consultation with a licensed Doctor of Optometry.
FAQs
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.
Are store bought reading glasses bad for you? ›
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 it bad for your eyes to wear reading glasses all the time? ›
Wearing reading glasses all the time won't harm your eyes' health, but you may get a headache from wearing them while driving, playing sports, or other activities that involve a wider scope of vision.
Are ready readers better than prescription glasses? ›
In other words, if you have myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, a pair of prescription glasses will correct those vision issues by using specialized lenses that redirect light to the front of your retina. It's impossible for reading glasses to do this since they only provide magnification.
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.
Are dollar store reading glasses bad for your eyes? ›
Over-the-counter readers can hurt your eyes: FALSE
First thing first–using over-the-counter (OTC) reading glasses from a pharmacy or online retailer (versus readers from your optometrist), will not hurt your eyes. OTC reading glasses contain magnifying lenses in different powers that work just as well.
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.
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.
Is it bad to use reading glasses if you don't need them? ›
Wearing a pair of reading glasses to aid in mild blurry vision generally has no effect on eye health. Many people who have “perfect vision” still opt for a pair of glasses to help with presbyopia or even just because they want to make it easier on their eyes when reading up close.
Why do my reading glasses make my eyes hurt? ›
Some eye strain is common when you're figuring out how to get used to wearing glasses. Your eyes are adjusting to the new lenses—and they may feel tired and a bit sore as they work to get used to the new prescription. This should clear up within a week.
Misleadingly called “magnifiers”
According to the FDA, over-the-counter reading glasses are categorized as “magnifying spectacles”, which is unintentionally misleading to many consumers. This is because the primary function of these convex lenses is to improve the focus of near objects.
Should I wear reading glasses to watch TV? ›
Ask your optician's advice if you have prescription lenses – they may recommend wearing your glasses for watching television, especially if you wear your glasses for distance tasks. An antireflection coating may also improve visual comfort and reduce eye strain.
Should I get progressives or reading glasses? ›
Traditional reading glasses are an economical choice for occasional close-up tasks, while progressive lenses offer greater versatility for those who require clear vision at various distances throughout the day.
Can I wear my reading glasses all day? ›
Wearing reading glasses all day won't hurt your eyes, but you want to make sure you're only wearing them for reading, using your phone and other up-close tasks. Donning a pair of reading glasses is an easy way to enhance your vision while reading a book, tablet or phone screen.
How much does a good pair of reading glasses cost? ›
Don't be afraid to change things up. Price: Reading glasses can be quite affordable since they don't need to be custom-made like prescription glasses. However, designer reading glasses will cost more, with prices of $150 and up.
Who makes the highest quality eyeglass lenses? ›
Essilor is the world leader in eyeglass lenses. Essilor created the first and finest progressive lenses (Varilux lenses, Varilux Definity®, Varilux Comfort®, Varilux Physio®, Varilux Ellipse®), the finest lens coating (Crizal), and the finest single vision lenses on the market today (Orma, Thin&Lite, and Airwear).
Are prescription reading glasses better than over the counter? ›
The lenses of OTC reading glasses will likely have some quality issues. When you buy a pair of reading glasses from your eye doctor, they're made of high-quality materials, such as polycarbonate. These prescription lenses are free of defects. That means you'll see your best while wearing them.
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.
Are cheap glasses bad for you? ›
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.
