Prescription reading glasses vs off the shelf ones

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hi, wasn't sure where to post this.

I'm 46 and at recent eye test it was confirmed I need reading glasses, including for desk computer/laptop work. I'm also slightly short-sighted, but not enough to need driving/TV glasses, so it's just for near work that I'll need them.

My long-sighted prescription is +1.75, but the optician said my actual reading glasses prescription wouldn't be that exactly, as they'd need to account for my short-sightedness too.

Everyone I know gets their reading glasses from Boots or the local supermarket - so I'm torn between getting a cheap pair of +1.75 magnifying/reading glasses or forking out for the 'proper' prescription ones.

Am I overthinking this..?! :) I haven't worn glasses for years as I had my eyes lasered, so this all feels new again!

I have varifocals that are set for reading distance and also for computer work. I can't use the computer with just my reading prescription. It's the wrong focal distance.

Rather than have two pairs, I opted for one pair with both prescriptions.

I'm not an expert but an optician once told me that as long as they work it's perfectly fine to buy the off-the-shelf reading glasses.

You can buy online prescription glasses for a fraction of the cost - I usually buy 2 pairs.

The glasses arms have the size you need, the big number 135 is the arm length - the small number is the bridge of your nose and the the other is the diameter of the glass.

Find your size in a shop - there’s only 8 ish glasses styles - £15 a pair and they accept your prescription for the details so no worries about input.

I’ve got varifocal contact lenses but the reading prescription part isn’t quite perfect, so I’ve just got a cheap pair of Superdrug reading glasses for spreadsheets and reading in dim light.

I’m 46 and my prescription seems to be changing every time I go to the opticians at the moment so until it settles down I don’t want to spend loads of money having to change lenses in my glasses.

I have varifocals which are great but cost me an absolute fortune. I still have contact lenses too and when wearing my lenses I now need reading glasses over the top. I bought a pair from Boots which have been ok but I actually prefer the £1.99 ones I bought in Home Bargains, they are exactly the same style but there is a spring fitting in the arms so they don't grip the sides of my head so tightly or rub above my ears.
My optician said I could of course get a prescription pair of reading glasses from them but his honest recommendation was to go to a pharmacy or supermarket and buy a cheap pair....as my correction was only about 1.25

I have occupational lenses for work (different distances for reading and the computer) and a pair of the same for being on the laptop at home but most of the time I just use Boots reading glasses off the shelf as I have them in all my handbags, around the house.

You can get cheap prescription glasses. I’ve just bought a spare pair from Specsavers’s for £15. Actually prefer the style to the dearer ones I got from there tho they were from the 2 for £89 range. You don’t have to pay a lot for prescription glasses.

Hello!

I'm a 3rd year student optom.

Id say it depends on your prescription and needs.

If you can see in the distance clearly, you don't have much astigmatism (the number for your 'cyl' prescription isn't more than 2.50 in either + or -), you can definitely go for the cheap ones, they won't affect you much, though if the lenses are made of plastic, they might be prone to scratching.

You might also want to consider what you want to do when you use them - I know that some people might have to switch a lot between looking in the distance and looking at near, like switching between a tv and a book - for that bifocals or varifocals might be better, which you might need to visit the optometrist for (though varifocals cost a bit more).

However, at the age of 46, your near prescription is definitely expected to become stronger over time (until you're about 65) to around +2.00 addition or more.

If in doubt, try the cheap ones first (which might save a bit of dosh if it works fine).However, if you have problems with them like headaches or it doesn't have the range you want (like being able to use the computer and reading your mobile without needing to change glasses), it might be better to see the optometrist to see if the cheap ones are still suitable for your specific needs, and if not, consider getting a pair from them for your specific prescription.

Hope this helps!