Do I need yet another pair of glasses just for laptop use?

[Walkingtheplank]

I have glasses for reading and glasses for driving.

I used to use the reading glasses for my laptop too.

I have new reading glasses that I'm not getting on with at all. There not great for reading documents - one of lenses just seems smudged but is clearly not dirty. I am very conscious of the frames - whereas I wasnt before (and they're the same frames). And they make the text in my laptop illegible.

Have made an appointment with the optician. They are very nice there and not a rip off but she indicated that I probably need a third pair for the laptop.

Do people really have 3 types of glasses? To be honest I'm not happy to be shelling out again after just doing that a few weeks ago but I cant read from my laptop so will have no choice.

Ask them to check if the lenses are centred properly. I had horrible issues with mine and went to a second optician and they were 4mm out. If you can't read documents with reading glasses then there must be an issue with them rather than using them for laptop.

I don't need reading glasses, but I do have a pair for distance and a pair for computer use.

The laptop screen is an in between distance. Further away than if you were reading a book, but a lot nearer than you'd have for driving.

DH is very short sighted has varifocals plus a pair for work, which is focused slightly further away than reading glasses. I have a strong astigmatism and slightly long sighted in one eye and varifocals with as wide a midrange as feasible do me for laptop and other not quite so close up work. I have reading glasses that I use very occasionally for anything detailed and close up (and plucking my eyebrows!)

So your combination of glasses could vary to what suits you best but it really doesn't need to be 3 pairs unless you don't get on with varifocals or funds are limited.

Why not have a single pair of varifocals to cover all aspects.

I’m a bit suspicious about this idea of separate glasses for working on laptop. I’ve never heard about this and I know quite a few people who have 2 pairs : distance and reading me included. When I was prescribed reading glasses it was explained me that they would be for ‘close’ work : reading, sewing, working on laptop and similar .

I had to get ‘computer’ glasses when i was working as my vari-focals didnt work well when using the screen and i ended up with terrible neck pain. Must have worked as neck pain disappeared.

I got varifocals last year and they don't work well for computer work (two screen set up) and longer time reading.

I got neck issues when holding my head in a fixed position all the time. According to my optician it's not uncommon especially as laptops/computer screens are further away than what you normally need reading glasses for but too near for distance. It also depends on the size of the frame, DH has a larger frame and no issues with the laptop.

I got myself a pair of reading glasses and it works really well.

I've got glasses from Specsavers, private opticians online and in person and Ali-express. There're cheap online ones.

I have reading glasses and distance glasses (mainly for TV) I found that I couldn't see the writing on the laptop well but I bought one of those sloping riser things to put it on and it's so much better. Try moving the laptop around first and see if you can find a better setup for it.

I have three pairs of glasses - one for distance, one for reading and one for laptop.
It was suggested that I should have glasses for the laptop a couple of years ago but managed with reading glasses until my reading prescription became really strong, then used my old glasses for the laptop.
After my last test, I decided to buy the laptop glasses as well as reading ones and manage with my existing distance glasses. It has really helped to cut down my migraines. I would recommend it if you can afford it.

I have three pairs of glasses (or four if you count prescription sunglasses):

• varifocals, which are used for most things
• mid-range glasses, which are used for laptop and playing the piano
• long distance glasses with anti-glare coating which I use for driving and watching the television.

I don't have reading glasses and just take off whatever I happen to be wearing.

I have a severe astigmatism. I get on fine with varifocals for reading and distance but they have never worked for me for laptop use. I vary my laptop position too much for them to really work. Even the office lenses designed for mid distance computer use would give me a headache. I have to use seperate mid distance lenses for laptop use that aren't varifocal. Anything else and I feel like one of those nodding toy dogs moving my head trying to get the right focus.

So I need three pairs of glasses, varifocals for most stuff, mid distance for laptop and distance only ones for driving (that double up as sunglasses). It's damn annoying but only thing that works for me. It's a running joke in my household that I will forget at least one pair when I leave, sometimes I have one pair on top of my head and one pair on my face and still can't find them. 🤓

I have worn varifocals for years. Who wants three pairs of glasses?

I have varifocals

And a normal ( old reading g glasses ) for computer

It gives a wider field of view compared to the varifocals

DH would ideally have standard glasses, reading glasses, computer glasses, television glasses. He can't have varifocals.

And all of above repeated as sunglasses.

However the budget is not limitless so he makes do with a collection of new and old glasses.

For an average person varifocals will be enough.

Op I feel your pain. I have three pairs of glasses (distance, reading & computer). At a pinch I can use the reading glasses with screens at work, but not when I’m on my set up at home. The difference in distance from eye to screen matters a lot for me. You get over it after a while. To those who think varifocals are the go - not with all scripts, especially where there’s a big difference between them.
If you are able you might try moving the screen to about the same distance away that you use when reading - it might help.

If you are using the laptop for work then your employer is obliged to contribute to the required glasses and pay for an eye test. Eyes and eyesight testing - Display screen equipment - HSE

Me too!

Varifocals are great, but didn't work for for computer work. I was tipping my chin up to get the screen in focus => neck pain.

'Computer' glasses have made a world of difference. The only downside is that I can't focus on people when they walk through my office door (but thats not always a bad thing...).

I have occupational lenses for reading / laptop use which mean I don't have to keep switching between them www.specsavers.co.uk/glasses/glasses-lenses/occupational-lenses

I went back to the optician yesterday - saw the dispensing optician which wasnt so helpful.

I'm booked again tomorrow with the other optician who will recheck my prescription.

The one I saw recently seemed to think I might need a third pair. Its just silly (and expensive).

Yesterday I had to make a speech. I had to use my reading glasses which meant I couldn't see the audience (total blur) including those just a few feet away - so I ended up looking up at my script whereas I'd usually look up more.

I have 3 pairs of glasses but only because I can't wear varefocals. Would investigate that option first.

People suggesting one pair of varifocals should cover all bases, that might be ok for you but it won't be ok for everyone, it will depend on your prescription and your lifestyle. I have varifocals and I love them, and they're ok for occasional laptop work or surfing on my tablet in the evening etc. But I work 8 hours a day on a laptop and have a separate pair of glasses for that, I can't manage in my varifocals. Yes it's a pain swapping over especially when I actually go into the office, but at least I can see and concentrate and don't get headaches or neck ache!

I have varifocals and they work for everything, but I did go for the second most expensive lenses to get the best field of vision. I work on dual screens all day, and I am fine, they should be arms length away and the top of the screen should be level with your eyes.

My glasses are fine with a laptop screen, but I rarely work off it as it's awful for my neck and shoulders.

The only thing I have a separate pair for is reading in bed lying on my side, as that just doesn't work with varifocals.

Agree with those that have computer glasses, they are so much better for posture than varifocals, and focussed differently than reading glasses for close up use. It’s also correct that your employer should pay a proportion- although they are a single lens so shouldn’t be expensive. Do get your reading prescription sorted though, it sounds like they are a separate issue to whether you need a third pair.

Your brand new reading glasses weren't made properly and thats their fault and they need to rectify it.

I do need different glasses for laptop to reading but I find my old reading glasses are perfect for this so every time I need new reading glasses the old ones replace the laptop ones. I actually have several different new/old/older/oldest scattered around the house for various jobs now. My weeding glasses are my reading glasses from 5 prescriptions ago (10 years old). My cooking glasses are 4 reading prescriptions ago. The joys of growing old 🙄😂