Can cheap reading glasses harm your eyes?
Picking up a pair of reading glasses from the drugstore rack is common practice. It’s a quick, effortless solution for buying readers. However, over-the-counter readers may not be precisely what your eyes need. Our eye doctors in Citrus Heights, Gold River, Rocklin, Folsom and Sacramento explain the differences between these readers and prescription reading glasses from our optical stores.
The power of prescription lenses
Drugstore reading glasses are available in various strengths, also known as powers, and both lenses in the frames come in the same power. Typically, you’ll find them in ranges from +0.75 to +4.00. However, if you have astigmatism or any vision condition, these readers won’t address it. Prescription reading glasses from our optical are crafted to satisfy your complete visual requirements.
PD – Pupillary distance
PD is the distance measured from the center of one pupil to the other, and it determines the optical center of each lens. Over-the-counter readers are made with an average PD of 60-63mm, but not everyone’s measurement falls within these parameters. Reading from glasses with an incorrect PD can affect vision quality, leading to headaches, double vision and eyestrain.
Prescription glasses offer more value
Prescription glasses can come with anti-reflective coatings to reduce the amount of light that reflects off your lenses, improving vision and decreasing eyestrain – especially in artificial light. We also provide coatings that prevent dirt, oil and water from adhering to the lenses, so they’re easier to clean.
Nowadays, many people do the bulk of their reading from a computer, tablet or phone. Consequently, our eyes are constantly bombarded with unnatural blue light that can cause eye fatigue, dry eye, disrupted sleep and fuzzy vision. That’s why our prescription reading glasses can be purchased with built-in blue light protection.
Like all things in life, you get what you pay for. OTC reading glasses may be cheaper, but they don’t come with the precision and lens coatings that we provide at our Citrus Heights, Gold River, Rocklin, Folsom and Sacramento eye care centers.
At EYEcenter Optometric, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 916-727-6518 or book an appointment online to see one of our Citrus Heights eye doctors.
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