What’s So Bad About Drugstore Reading Glasses?

I sat in a meeting yesterday and it happened. A good friend whipped a brand new pair of glasses out of her purse and put them on. I had to interrupt our conversation for a minute to admire them.

“Ooh, you got new glasses. Let me see?”

She sunk her head a bit. “Yes, I had to. It’s bad. I can’t see anything.”

I leaned in closer to see what brand they were, and I noticed, there was no brand name on them.

“Please tell me you didn’t buy those at a drugstore?”

Sheepishly, she said, “I did.”

And that’s when I shook my head “no” a few dozen times before letting the meeting continue.

eye exam

I know, the glasses look cute on those displays. I know that throwing on any prescription that is close to yours can make you feel like it’s “helping” your vision when you are dealing with the first signs of presbyopia. But, please go get an eye exam. Here are three compelling reasons why:

1. No Eye Exam

You don’t actually know what prescription you need, so you may be exacerbating the problem. Until you have an optometrist tell you what’s going on with your vision, you can choose a pair of lenses that feel like their helping, yet you may actually be making your problem worse.

They can’t correct astigmatism and they can’t add distance vision correction if you are wrestling it, too. Additionally, what if your recent onset of vision problems is signaling another type of problem–one with your actual eye health? It’s just too big of a gamble not to involve a licensed optometrist when you are having problems seeing.

2. Two Different Prescriptions

Your eyes may be two different prescriptions. The difference between my two eyes is more than two points in prescription language. They aren’t even close. I can legally not drive if I close my right eye. Yet, I could probably go without vision correction if I used my right eye only (not recommended!). Your eyes are likely different too. Only an optometrist can tell you that and then fit you for the perfect combination for your unique vision challenges.

3. Quality

Over the counter eyeglasses aren’t high quality. Though some may claim to be “ophthalmic quality” lenses, you can’t trust a pair of drug or department store readers to be a high quality lens. Additionally, when you go to a trusted optometrist, like one at your local America’s Best retailer, you know your lenses will be made right for you. The prescription will be set in the right place and they will be adjusted on your ears and nose so that you can see well through them, always.
Don’t gamble your vision away for the so-called convenience of an inexpensive pair of department store reading glasses. It just isn’t worth it.

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