Over the last couple of years my close-up vision has gotten so bad, I felt like I was wearing reading glasses all the time.
Just another one of the joys of reaching middle age *sigh*.
Reading Glasses: For more than just Reading!
It is amazing just how much reading and close-up work is a part of our daily lives. I always thought reading glasses were for just reading. Not so! I also need them when:
- using my phone, iPad and computer;
- cooking – chopping vegetables, measuring ingredients, reading recipes etc;
- eating dinner (I’m funny that way, I like to actually see what I’m eating);
- shopping – to see price tags, and to get a good look at what I actually want to buy;
- filling out forms;
- at cafes or restaurants – so I can see what’s on the menu;
- relaxing with a jigsaw;
- doing any form of crocheting, sewing or craft;
- applying makeup;
- plucking my eyebrows.
Bit by bit, I felt like I needed glasses all the time! I ended up with multiple pairs: on my desk; my bedside table; in my handbag; in the kitchen; and behind the bathroom mirror, so I would always have a pair on hand.
It was just downright annoying.
Then a friend got reading glasses that she could wear all the time, and raved about them. The top section has no prescription; the middle is for computer use; and the bottom of the lens is suitable for reading.
So off I trotted to the optometrist to get some for myself – an expensive little exercise, especially when I can pick up reading glasses for less than $10 a pair. But I thought that if it made life easier, it would be worth it.
I Don’t Like Wearing Reading Glasses All the Time
Now I don’t know if it’s just me or multifocals in general, but I really don’t like wearing reading glasses all the time. They haven’t solved my problems the way I thought they would.
Personally, I feel the reading lens isn’t strong enough – so I *still* can’t read the fine print – which kind of negates the reason for wearing them in the first place.
I went back to the optometrist but was encouraged to keep trying, as it does take a while to get used to moving your head around to use the different parts of the lens.
But … I’m still not happy with them. I gave it my best shot for about a month.
But as they weren’t doing what they were supposed to, I’ve kinda ditched them. The only time I put them on now is if I’m going out and don’t want to fiddle around in my bag looking for reading glasses every time I want to look at something close-up.
I’m sharing my story so that others won’t spend up big (like I did) on new glasses – only to find they’re not much use.
As for me, I think I might have to head back to the optometrist and see if I can get my lenses adjusted …
Do you need reading glasses? Were you as surprised as I was to find that wearing them to read is just the tip of the iceberg?!
My reading vision is fine but I’m short sighted and very very short sighted so can’t see anything further than a metre or two in front of me.
When I lived in Brissy I never wore my glasses outside. I only ever work contacts in public, but when I moved here I spent most days at my desk so didn’t bother and now I haven’t worn contacts in YEARS.
I’d like to maybe wear them again but my problem’s a bit the opposite to yours. If I’m wearing glasses for distance I can’t read my phone / see the computer screen clearly.
The answer to that so far has been for my optometrist to keep the prescription for one eye slightly weaker than it needs to be so that I can do both!
Your vision sounds very much like the hubster’s – he is now at the point where he has to take his glasses OFF to read or see close up. I like your idea of having different prescriptions in each lens, though unfortunately this wouldn’t work for me as I have a lazy eye, meaning I can’t see very well at all out of one eye 🙁
I am short-sighted and have been for 25 years. My problem is that my lenses don’t allow me to read anymore so I have to take my glasses off for reading, using my phone, plucking my eyebrows, etc, etc. I have put off getting multi-focals for the last two years but I’m wondering if I should try them this time. I don’t like the idea but it’s getting to be a chore taking my glasses off all the time.
Paula, the hubster has the exact same problem (except for the eyebrow plucking, LOL). I can see (ha! sorry about the pun!) that he will need multifocals down the track …
I wear my multifocals at work and I love them. I don’t take them off all day. At home I have proper reading glasses because I read lying on my bed a lot and the multifocals are awkward. If the reading part isn’t strong enough I’d take them back and make them fix them for nothing as they DO cost a darn fortune.
Thanks Pinky, I need a boost of courage to take them back and ask for them to be adjusted again! Though I do understand why you would use reading glasses when reading in bed – they would be much more comfortable.
I wear multifocal and couldn’t do without them. Like you I went through a stage when I just needed readers and it was really frustrating not having them with me when I needed them or looking around for them in anguish only to find they were on the top of my head. I think your advice is sound though … I don’t like wearing glasses all the time, and if you don’t have to then I’d say don’t do it. Just a heads up though – when the time comes – the pair you’re wearing in the last photo really really suit you!
Naww you are too sweet Jo! I’m psyching myself up to go back (again) and get my glasses adjusted.
I’m with Jo, they really suit you! I’m in a different boat in terms of my eyesight – my distance vision ain’t the best! Such a trial, these peepers of ours, especially given how much time we spend gazing at screens these days. Unavoidable, I guess. x
Thanks Tonia x
I wear multifocals for working on my laptop and reading only. But I do take them with me shopping or eating out to read price tags, small print on jars and menus. It is annoying taking them in and out of my handbag, but I am used to it now. It does suck that our vision declines as we get older, but it could be worse!
Hello, I use multifocals a lot now. I can get by without them but life is better with. So I’ve got used to wearing glasses a lot of the time. I have cheap reading glasses by the bed for night time reading though.
To think I used to be desperate to have glasses when I was a kid and teenager… now I could do without them! Such a sign of ageing… but we are wise too, that is the upside.
I know – my Miss 19 is the same and wishes she could wear glasses because they are “cool”!