It’s easy to understand why drugstore reading glasses might be appealing: not only are they convenient, but these bulk glasses are cheap and require no appointment. But it’s important to understand that this convenience can come at a cost.
For many patients, grabbing a pair of reading glasses off the rack might feel like a fast and simple fix. But this shortcut could potentially lead to other problems that you might not notice right away.
When you are using drugstore readers, the prescription in both lenses is the same. But the reality is that most people have a bit of a difference between their eyes, which means that they need different lenses for each eye.
Additionally, drugstore reading glasses don’t account for other issues, such as astigmatism. If you have astigmatism, then it doesn’t matter which strength of glasses you choose…you will still get a distorted, imprecise fix.
Ultimately, you might notice minor improvements with up-close vision when you are using drugstore readers. But the clarity and vision never feel quite right.
One of the reasons why you might feel eye strain when using reading glasses from the drugstore is because the optical centers aren’t customized to your pupillary distance, which causes the eyes to work harder to focus. This strain can lead to many side effects, such as headaches, fatigue, and even blurred vision over time.
Keep in mind that the quality of the lens can vary depending on the brand that you choose. Some of the cheaper pairs can even have warping or distortion that contributes to eye strain (when you are actually trying to alleviate strain by wearing reading glasses). Over days, weeks, and months of daily wear, this extra strain can really start to take a toll.
One of the potential problems of buying reading glasses without consulting with your eye doctor is that these lenses treat the symptoms without a closer look at underlying causes. For example, if you have an eye condition such as cataracts or a change in prescription, these issues may go undetected.
A full eye exam is essential for detecting underlying conditions that could be quietly progressing.
If you have questions about your vision, glasses, or anything else related to your eyes, rest assured knowing that our office is always here to help. Contact us at Temecula Creek Optometry to schedule an eye exam and learn more about available services: (951) 302 -1331.