What's the difference between computer glasses and reading glasses?!


Question: My optometrist recommended to me that I should get a pair of computer glasses, with +1.25 power. I asked him if I can just get a pair of reading glasses from the drug store with the same power, and he said "no, you should get a pair here at the store".

Then I came home and did some research on Google, and saw that most stores that sell "computer glasses" have only +0.25 power, not the +1.25 that my optometrist prescribed.

I thought any glasses with an ADD (+) power are reading glasses? Should I spend the extra hundreds of dollars to buy a pair computer glasses?


Answers: My optometrist recommended to me that I should get a pair of computer glasses, with +1.25 power. I asked him if I can just get a pair of reading glasses from the drug store with the same power, and he said "no, you should get a pair here at the store".

Then I came home and did some research on Google, and saw that most stores that sell "computer glasses" have only +0.25 power, not the +1.25 that my optometrist prescribed.

I thought any glasses with an ADD (+) power are reading glasses? Should I spend the extra hundreds of dollars to buy a pair computer glasses?

Absolutely not. If you check around, there are glasses in a wide variety of powers at drug stores, Shopko, Target, etc. Some are 1.25.
Often the monitor is farther away from your eyes than you would ordinarily hold a book from your eyes, thus the glasses don't seem to work as well. If you have long arms, or sit back from the monitor, or have a longer extending keyboard tray, you will be farther from the monitor.
Before buying glasses, try sitting closer, or pull the monitor close to the front edge of the computer desk.
Sounds to me like your optometrist has some kind of deal with his store for a commission on glasses sold. Not particularly ethical, but then again, a few years ago doctors were chastened for advertising and for selling nutritional supplements and vitamins out of their offices.
When I go to an optometrist, I always tell them about long arms and lots of computer work, both of which put me farther from the monitor. Most will make a slight adjustment in the power of the glasses.
You do have to remember, that both eyes may not be the same power-wise. Not uncommon for one eye to be weaker, but the stronger eye usually takes over for that and it is sorted out in your brain anyway. So, 1.25 for both eyes may not exactly fit both, but unless they make you uncomfortable, you aren't going to have to spend a lot of money to buy "prescription" glasses over those found in stores for a fraction of the cost.

I only use one pair of glases. The same. What can I say....

It might be he wants you to have limited peripheral vision. When setting at your computer. These type are best used when sitting or standing still. Ask him.





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