Reading Glasses - Advice Please...

[ToraToraTora]

Ok aqfter struggling to read unless I hold the book 3 feet away I have finally conceded that the old mince pies need some help in that area. I have always had 20/20 vision so this is an entirely new departure for me. I can see fine mostly but close up I can't see detail at all. So do I just go and get some reading glasses off the stand at asda or what?

[ummmm]

Go to an optician. I can see perfect with my glasses on.

[douglas9401]

Home Bargains, Tora, 99p - £1.99, I have them littering the house so I'm never without.

Get your eyes checked too though.

[mikey4444]

Yes !

But choose the power carefully. There should be some guidance as to whether its a 1. 1.25, 1.50, etc. If not, go to a chemist and look there.

All reading glasses are just simple magnifiers.

I use a 1.50 for normal reading and a stronger pair for any close-up work.

And you don't have to pay a fortune !

[bhg481]

You could do that but really you ought to have your eyes checked properly. An optician will give you a prescription and you can choose whether to buy some specs there or Asda. If the test shows that the vision in both eyes is similar an off-the-shelf pair would be OK.

[Togo]

Nothing wrong with the reading glasses that Mikey, amongst others, has recommended TTT. But get you eyes tested properly as well, if you require spectacles for driving you will have proper advice. That is very important. I needed them to drive legally for many years but after double cataract operations can now drive without spectacles but still need reading glasses.

[Patsy33]

Yes.

[mikey4444]

Have an eye by all means go..

But what you probably have is Presbyopia, which effects most people when they get older. It is unrelated to Myopia, which is the reason that most younger people needs glasses.

Try a few cheap pairs....they are so cheap, that you can afford to have a few lying about the house !

[murraymints]

Specsavers...free check up and prescription...can get them for as cheaply as £29 ...wide range of styles and prices...

[bhg481]

If you do find you only need them for reading and opt for cheap ones, make sure you buy several pairs - it seems to be an unwritten rule that you have to sit on hem at least once a month.
On top of that, if you only need them for reading, you can buy one of those chains to hang them round your neck so that everybody knows you are getting old.

[-Talbot-]

As douglas sats gi for the cherp ones, yhey art whay I use anm they've nrver done me ni ant haem.

[ToraToraTora]

ok thanks all, I think I will get a proper eye test done so I know the extent of the problem then take it from there.

[mikey4444]

lol bhg !

[bhg481]

Good decision TTT. There can be problems lurking around with your eyes that you are not aware of, which can lead to future vision problems. Having the pressure in the eyes checked can protect you against glaucoma and the field-of-view test is also important if you drive.

[ToraToraTora]

bhg: " you can buy one of those chains to hang them round your neck so that everybody knows you are getting old. " - PMSL, unfortunately there are other signs too! What about a monocle?

[bhg481]

TTT - a monocle is a spiffing idea, old chap.

[elliemay1]

In N.I, you get a free eye test when you reach 60. Don't know if this applies everywhere.

[ToraToraTora]

Update: just had the eye test at specsavers and I still have 20/20 for normal seeing. Need +1.5 reading glasses.

[ToraToraTora]

the eye test was £21 but when I parked the car the ticket had a free eye test voucher printed on it! So I bought another for £1 and saved £20 - result!

[mikey4444]

TTT....Sorted ...exactly as I thought...you are getting old....officially !

[maggiebee]

Great result TTT. Not bragging or anything but we get free eye tests in Scotland!!