Q about Reading Glasses

Scott Free · Sep 16, 2005

I've been told by an optomatrist that the more you use reading glasses, the more you need them. In the Parade suppliment to the Sunday paper, that super IQ woman (I forget her name) said that this isn't true, and that you only "need" them more because you enjoy being able to see better. Anyone know which is true?

Robbie Roberson · Sep 16, 2005

Don't know, but if it's true, then I am in trouble because I use a 1.25 pair for computer (so I can back off a little). Then I use a 1.50 for anything else. And I have been wearing them for at least 5 years..............

Robbie Roberson

Yvsa · Sep 16, 2005

If you need reading glasses then you need them. Using them more won't make you need them more. As we age most of us start losing our reading vision and some even long distance vision, generally because of cataracts, at least in my case anyway.
I had the cataracts removed from my left eye and am due to have them removed from my right one.
Since I had the left one removed I don't need my glasses for TV anymore but I still need them for reading. Everything is much clearer and will be even more clear when the other cataract is removed.

Although OTC reading glasses are just fine it's best that everyone see an opthamologist before buying any except for temporary use until you can get in to see the Dr.
There's lots of things that can affect your eyes and it isn't worth taking a chance on your eyesight.
An opthamologist generally checks for more potential problems than an optometrist.

yam · Sep 16, 2005

Yvsa said:
If you need reading glasses then you need them. Using them more won't make you need them more. As we age most of us start losing our reading vision and some even long distance vision, generally because of cataracts, at least in my case anyway.
I had the cataracts removed from my left eye and am due to have them removed from my right one.
Since I had the left one removed I don't need my glasses for TV anymore but I still need them for reading. Everything is much clearer and will be even more clear when the other cataract is removed.

Although OTC reading glasses are just fine it's best that everyone see an opthamologist before buying any except for temporary use until you can get in to see the Dr.
There's lots of things that can affect your eyes and it isn't worth taking a chance on your eyesight.
An opthamologist generally checks for more potential problems than an optometrist.

Nailed it.

Point44 · Sep 17, 2005

You become long sighted because the muscles in your eye are weaker. That's why mostly old foggies get it. If you need reading glasses to read, then you need them. What other choice do you have?

I think what that woman said was probably true. You need it more because you enjoy seeing more clearly.

Walking Man · Sep 17, 2005

I don't know if you heard this latest scam. There's a "program" that helps you to see better again. I've heard this junk on the radio numerous times now. It also claims that your eyes get weaker the more you use glasses, and it's a downward spiral, almost like a drug addiction. Well, I guess the doctors were wrong about the shape of my lens after all. It must be all in my head.

Ryan8 · Sep 17, 2005

Point44 said:
You become long sighted because the muscles in your eye are weaker. That's why mostly old foggies get it. If you need reading glasses to read, then you need them. What other choice do you have?

I think it's actually because of the lens in the eye becomes less flexable and therefore less able to focus on near objects. It's inevitable. By a certain age virtually everyone suffers from it.

Walking Man said:
I don't know if you heard this latest scam. There's a "program" that helps you to see better again. I've heard this junk on the radio numerous times now. It also claims that your eyes get weaker the more you use glasses, and it's a downward spiral, almost like a drug addiction. Well, I guess the doctors were wrong about the shape of my lens after all. It must be all in my head.

There actually is some debate about whether or not people become "dependent" on vision correction. If you need it you need it though. I've had the same prescription for a number of years now and I'm doing just fine.

The best thing you can do is try not to make your vision worse. When sitting at a computer or reading, take periodic breaks of a few minutes at a time and practice focusing on distant objects. Try to eliminate glare and remember to blink. Many people don't blink as much when staring at a screen or other close objects. Close your eyes for a minute every now and then to keep them hydrated. Also try not to read when you're real tired.

Daniel Dorn · Sep 19, 2005

I believe BFC is the cause of my downward spiraling vision. I've not lost the close-up vision, so reading is not a problem, but I'm slowly losing my long-range vision. I had lazik surgery, and was corrected to better than 20/20 vision, but slowly over the last 3 years, my vision has gotten to where I need glasses again. They say it's from constant up-close work, like computer stuff, and reading, and data review, so I blame it all on this place, as I spend an average of 2-3 hours each day here.

I'm relatively young, so I won't need reading glasses for a bit longer.

D2

Deadhead Archer · Sep 19, 2005

Walking Man said:
I don't know if you heard this latest scam. There's a "program" that helps you to see better again. I've heard this junk on the radio numerous times now. It also claims that your eyes get weaker the more you use glasses, and it's a downward spiral, almost like a drug addiction. Well, I guess the doctors were wrong about the shape of my lens after all. It must be all in my head.

Here is one of the scam programs: http://www.vit2020.com/

They are located in my state; the Attorney General's Office has recently stated that they are investigating them for fraud.

I was looking for a part time job and interviewed with them, found out what they were about and never bothered to return their calls.

Point44 · Sep 19, 2005

Ryan8 said:
I think it's actually because of the lens in the eye becomes less flexable and therefore less able to focus on near objects. It's inevitable. By a certain age virtually everyone suffers from it.

You're probably right...