Is it possible to work out the prescription of glasses by looking at them?

[AlJalilia]

I use magnifying glasses in my work. Although the glasses are perfect for seeing, they are made of cheap plastic. I would like to buy some proper ones from the optician, but I don't know what the prescription is. Is it possible that the optician could work this out? I think I read somewhere that they do this when old glasses are sent to other countries.

They can use a machine to do so but I doubt and they will sell you glasses with out an update eye test.

Is it not on the frame? Usually the prescription is engraved on the inside of the frame.

Yes, I'm sure an optician will be able to do that.

Is there a reason why you can't just make an appointment for an eye test?

Yes, they can. They often ask for glasses to see your last prescription if it wasn't wit( them.

However, to prescribe they would insist on testing your eyes. That would give you the most up to date prescription. So you need an eye test.

But you can try magnifying lenses on in shops which sell reading glasses, see which fits and order more premium versions online with the same strength you bought.

A prescription would be more personal to you. You eyes might be suited to slightly different prescriptions, for example. They also centre the lens to your exact pupillary distance.

The thing is, I am short sighted but I don't want glasses for that as I already have them. I want magnifying glasses. Other people in my industry just buy reading glasses from the chemist, but I don't know which ones I need. I would have to buy them all and take them all to work with me.

My best mate is an optician (and she’s my optician). She can do this fairly accurately, can tell if you’re long or shortsighted, and she can also tell if you’re astigmatic. She’d also do an eye test to double check.

Other people in my industry just buy reading glasses from the chemist, but I don't know which ones I need. I would have to buy them all and take them all to work with me.

You could just take something with you to look at in the glasses you try on in the shop to see which is best. An intricate piece of jewellery, very small print etc

However, as I said, for an accurate individual prescription you need an eye test.

You can try readers on in most stores which sell them. (Our Poundland have had them in before.)

I found some magnifying glasses online and they gave this guide for which strength to get (below). But it doesn't make sense. Surely if you are further away you need a higher magnification? Or am I missing something?

1.75x = 14" Focal Range
2.00x = 10” Focal Range
2.25x = 8” Focal Range
2.50x = 6 2/3” Focal Range

Thanks for all your replies, by the way.

If you find it difficult to read small print, that is long sighted. And you would move smaller print away from your face to find it easier to read.

If you find things harder to see the further away they are that is short sighted.

You can be both especially as you age. So then you would be a candidate for varifocals or have both reading and distance glasses. Your ideal range for good eyesight is mid distance only.

The higher the positive number the more magnification for reading glasses.

The higher the negative number the stronger the distance glasses prescription.

Distance lenses and magnifying lenses are different shapes. One is convex and one is concave.

Why not measure the size of the things you need to read at work, print equivalent sized info and take that to boots/wherever?

@hihellohihello I don’t find it difficult to read small print. I work with tiny things.

[quote AlJalilia]@hihellohihello I don’t find it difficult to read small print. I work with tiny things.[/quote]
Ah, so in effect you are using the magnifying glasses to get 'superhuman' eyesight?

Well, I suppose if you want to see if store magnifying glasses (readers) can replicate that for you would be to take a sample of the type of thing you need to see with you and see if they work. Also what strength of lens do your colleagues buy? Do any of your colleagues use the same strength work's glasses as you?

Wouldn’t it be easier to get one of those lights with magnifying glass that people use for sowing, etc? Or to go somewhere where they sell magnifying glasses and just try them out in the shop?

An optician won't make up glasses without a prescription (worked in optics for years). If you came in and requested we check your old ones and make up some new, we would say no, not without a signed prescription.

As a previous poster has said, yes, you need a weaker prescription to accommodate for things at a further distance. A stronger prescription is required for close up.

Just go get an eye test, make sure you are using a lens that you actually need. It will make things a lot easier for you. Let them know the distance you work at, and they can do the prescription to that set distance.

Yes, just go for an eye test and tell them what you want. The machine which measures them is called a focimeter.

You say something like you've said here.

"everything's fine with my distance glasses, but I would like a proper pair making up with the same prescription that are in THIS pair."

They will then measure and sort.
Remember to take your glasses with you. You'd be amazed how many times I see someone who has forgotten their current glasses and wants to know if their prescrition has changec!

Why don't you just make an appointment at the optician and explain all your sight requirements including what you do for work? They will do an eye test and prescribe what you need.