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?!