failing eyesight, eye tests and specs... it's all new to me.

[MontyVeda]

A couple of years ago i started self-prescribing reading glasses, starting at +1.5 (too strong) and dropping down to +0.75 (about right) before going for a proper eye test, which gave me a prescription of +1.00. After 10-12 months, these began to feel a bit 'weak' so went for another eye test a couple of weeks ago... I now have a prescription of +1.75 and two new pairs of reading specs... but blimey they're weird!

I know they're just for reading, but I have to lean in to my monitor to focus them (about 20") and every time I sit back in my chair the screen goes out of focus (about 30")... which isn't much use as anything between around two-and-a-half foot and six feet away i can't read with or without specs. Is this normal?

I've gone back to the old off-the-shelf readers at +1.5... and whilst not ideal, feel better than the prescribed +1.75. Could my recent eye test have just got it wrong? I've booked another so i guess i'll find out. As mentioned, it's all new to me

 

[Dirk]

I've had prescriptions for low strength reading glasses for the past few years. I continue to use 'off the shelf' ones at strength 2.00 which are pretty close to the prescribed ones. My optician says there's no problem with them, so long as I can see OK.

 

[Levo-Lon]

If there from SS then id take them back and get the right ones..
or see if they are wrong..
my wifes scrip was a toatal cock up..they said you will adjust..then another optition said these are not you scrip..

 

[Profpointy]

Screens are a bit further away than a book, so you'd typically want weaker ones for this purpose. I've gone as far as 1.5 thus far, but a bit strong for a distant big monitor. Think I've lost my old 1s. Another handy hint is double 'em up if doing something really fiddly - though I could just by a +3 set for watchmaking type jobs I suppose.

I buy em of the internet. £2 is the sweet spot, but I must admit my rather pricy half-moons are better made but were £20 which is a bit much.
Half moons are great as you can peer over the top at distant things
The 99p ones were quite poorly made, but optically perfectly OK suprisingly

Had a giggle in work being complemented on my new trendy glasses - "were they expensive?" Me, mischeviously "five ninety five". "ooh, that's quite a lot, but they are quite smart" "Well it was for 3 pairs". "not too bad then". Of course I started sniggering by this point and owned up they were £5.95 for 3 pairs.
The lenses and frame are one-piece clear plastic, and optically remarkably good - but they snap in the middle eventually. Quite please to see Monty Don, the gardening TV presenter wearing an identical pair on telly - no designer brands for him

 

[srw]

Most of the eye test seems to have do with eye health, short-sightedness and astigmatism. The only test for age-related long sight I've ever had is to have the same sort of chart stuck in front of me as you get in Boots.

 

[fossyant]

As someone who is short sighted, I've found close up is getting harder to read. OK upto about 2 feet then goes blurred. Vari focals next

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

As already mentioned, take them back as it sounds like possible the wrong prescription has been fitted. Mrs M has had this happen a few times.

 

[Over The Hill]

The prescription glasses should be giving a better result than the off-the-shelf readers. Sounds like they are messed up.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

It's normal. I need reading specs, screen specs and long range specs so I have varifocal lenses rather than 3 sets to keep under control.

So you need varifocals @MontyVeda - let your eye tester know and you'll get the prescription

 

[NorthernDave]

If you're not happy with the glasses, you're quite within your rights to request that they're checked again. You only get one pair of eyes.

I've had the wrong prescription prescribed on two separate visits to the same branch of Specsavers.
Both times there was to-ing and fro-ing before finally admitting that the prescription was wrong.
On both occasions they reverted back to my previous prescription despite previously saying I needed new specs...

They won't be getting a third opportunity.

 

[Globalti]

Find a proper local optician. If you're lucky enough to live nearby I recommend the very excellent Zunaid at Ideal Eyecare in Brownhills, Blackburn.

 

[fossyant]

I've had to have mine re-done once.....

 

[Drago]

My eyes are about the only part of me that's still working properly as I get older.

 

[annedonnelly]

As @Profpointy said the prescription for reading a book will be different to that for looking at a screen further away. You may need to have a different pair for each situation. My latest prescription is fine for reading & the older one - from about 18 months ago - is now fine for the computer.

It's a real pain having to have different pairs and a nuisance to have to remember to take them with me when I go shopping or to an exhibition where I might want to read something.

But since I had to have glasses from about age 8 and then was given a reprieve at 18 I'm very grateful that I managed without any for so many years.

 

[Profpointy]

As @Profpointy said the prescription for reading a book will be different to that for looking at a screen further away. You may need to have a different pair for each situation. My latest prescription is fine for reading & the older one - from about 18 months ago - is now fine for the computer.

It's a real pain having to have different pairs and a nuisance to have to remember to take them with me when I go shopping or to an exhibition where I might want to read something.

But since I had to have glasses from about age 8 and then was given a reprieve at 18 I'm very grateful that I managed without any for so many years.

I have a pair in each room, and in the car. Admittedly my expensive pair (£20) I've only got two pairs, but the couple of quid ones, spread em round.
Best not to have the same design in different strengths though !