Reading Glasses question

So....a few years ago (maybe 5) I went for an eye test and was told I had a slight defect with one eye, which meant I needed reading glasses.

As I had no issue reading, and no headaches etc. I've never bothered using the glasses I bought - though on small print they did help, very little of my reading is that small - I read mostly books, magazine and online content.

In the last few months I've not read paper media much, and needed to go back to study, but notice the writing is more blurry (I assume you can lose focus if you don't read as much?). So I'm off for an eye test.

Can they re-use my fairly expensive frames again - one pair has never been worn, the other literally worn twice?

Or, not wanting to fork out hundreds like last time, do I go to Vison Express etc. and get a prescription and buy the glasses from one of the well thought of online sellers?

Apologies if this is standard stuff, I've only walked this path once and would like to know more about what most people do.

 

TBH, I’ve always bought off the shelf reading glasses from Sainsburys, as they’re basically just magnifiers. Get a couple, as eventually you’ll sit on them or they’ll fall apart

 

I have a frequent eye test at a High Street opticians, they look into the back of the eye with a special machine, I went to spec savers once and when I tried the specs on it was like looking through double glazing so ever since used my High Street Optician, good service, can be pricy but I am happy to keep using them.

 

I wanted to get some laser stuff done on my eyes because of the reading glasses malarkey and it gets right on my tits and still does because eventually you’ll be doing stuff in your engine bay for instance and you’ll need them off to see the dip stick, then you might need them on or off to check the level, then off again as you look around for a rag then you dip so you need them on to see the little marks again so you end up with a massive blackish Nike tick on the side of your head from getting em on and off so you get the picture. Now the very gorgeous lady at the laser place explained that it comes to us all with age, now that’s when I stopped holding my stomach in So what happens is, that as we gets older, everything gets a bit tougher and narly including your eye lenses, now because of this, our eye muscles that stretch the lense to focus for reading etc, these muscles just can’t quite stretch them lenses to where they did before and that’s why we need a little help. Further along the line in years etc and you’ll need extra help as in more powerful magnification as your lenses get tougher . So on the arms of reading glasses there are marks telling you how magnified they are and so how much help they’ll be for you. They start at 0.5 and increase by 0.5 each time so you get those then 1.0 then 1.5 then 2 etc etc I’m now up to 3.5. If you’re paying for reading glasses then you are probably being taken advantage of by the opticians. Reading glasses are available in the 99P shop and there is no difference at all. Buy half a dozen pairs and plop them about all over, one in the van, one in the car etc etc. They will all vanish from time to time and turn up all together hiding behind the telly or sometimes I swear they have a little party under my drivers seat in my car. I’m guessing that you’ll be about 1.0 to 1.5 by now, oh and light helps toooooo. I’ll show you a light trick one day to help you read, it’s like magic

Ozziedog,,,,,,,, go in, try em on, then read something

 

I think the frames can be reused if they are in good condition, as all that happens when you choose a pair in the opticians is they send the chosen new frames off to be fitted with lenses.

As I have astigmatism, cheap glasses dont work.

At the moment what helps most is a pair of glasses set up for about 1 metre rather than 0.5 metres or less for reading.
Just right for a laptop screen or working on my bus, basically arms length rather than closer..

I use another pair for general use - varifocal. Then prescription sunglasses or clear for distance: sailing and driving.
I dont really use the prescription reading glasses I bought.

I dont want laser treatment as it doesnt last and scarring may make astigmatism worse.

 

It comes to us all with age, I am afraid. Being short sighted, I am the opposite, I now have to take my glasses off to read

 

I’d have to agree with some of these folk... go to an independent high street optician, they’re much better at not just selling you a pair of glasses and a hearing aid for the sake of it!! As with mikeD, mine are set up for somewhere between me and the TV rather than right up close... it helps to encourage my eyes to exercise and not get fatigued (apparently)

I have an expensive pair of mykita frames (not the same as the company with the ocean blue branding!). I have had new lenses put in them after 5 years, but I was warned that this frame style is not good for new lenses... indeed both lens have a little chip in the corners.

I don’t see why a traditional style pair of glasses with screw closure wouldn’t be able to have the lenses replaced

 

Once you know what you need - 10 pack from ebay.

I would not be surprised if I've been through 200 pairs in 10 years.

 

I get cheap reading glasses online, usually buying 2 or 3 pairs at a time.

One day you will forget your glasses are in your pocket when you lift something heavy or lean over something, and you'll hear that little "crunch" of another pair going off to spectacle heaven. Always have plenty of spares!

 

Mrs C had her eyes done about 20 years ago, she's back to needing reading glasses but at least she can still see more that 15ft away

 

I go to pound land and buy 5 or 6 pairs. I dot them all around the house but they all end up in the Khazi for some reason!

 

You should be able to get new lenses for your frames.

I get my glasses from https://www.selectspecs.com/ been using them for years.

 

What he said ^^
It’s not just about magnification.

 

True. I have...
1.0 for driving
2.0 for my PC screen 3-4ft away.
2.5 for reading.
I tried varifocal contacts once (that was weird!) but I can't wear contacts as something that stuck in my eye got left there and contacts irritate it.

As my eyesight gradually declines with age I'm not looking forward to out-running the max magnification of cheap reading glasses. I think the optician will be able to skin me alive again then at 10x the cheap price and maybe I'll have to try harder not to break them, loose them, drop them in the marina, scratch the lenses...

 

This ^

Even though they are a pound a pop I am still in denial as they make you look like Jack Duckworth.

 

You two, may I suggest you get a nice gold chain to keep them around your neck

Then you will always be able to find them...

 

Thank you Everard...

 

Just been to Asda for my check up and new glasses.
Can fault them, 2 pairs for £120 and no pressure selling.
Being shortsighted, talking to the optician, it seems taking glasses off to read, especially if you have varifocals, is the norm.
I want a pair like Dennis Taylor, because laid under the bus and looking up, I can't see a thing.

 

Ooh, look at the muck in ‘ere!