Question about optical prescription

Question

Hi. Last week I had my eyes tested and have a new prescription. I have ordered some new glasses but would also like to buy some of those cheap over the counter reading glasses. I have my prescription in front of me and against "near" is says 125. However when I tried on over the counter readers of this prescription I just couldn't see in them. I also tried all the other ones and couldn't see out of those either. Am I doing something wrong? Should I be testing them by trying to read a piece of writing at a certain distance from my eyes etc. Does anyone know the details of how to get the right pair of readers as at the moment I can't afford to get any from the optician.

Thanks for any help offered,

Hil

Answer 1

That +1.25 in the near portion is added to the sphere numbers above it, in the distance portion of the prescription.

Perhaps if you could write out your whole prescription here, it will be a lot easier to see why none of them seem to work for you....and give you better advice on what to do.

Be sure to put in all the numbers including the - and + signs

I'll check back in awhile.

*****

Ok, I see your problem...you have way too much astigmatism for magnifying readers to ever work for you.

Reading glasses for you would have to be:

R - 0.50 -3.00 X 17

L      0.00 -3.00 X 169

So, there are no over the counter readers that can help you, they have to be custom made...sorry.

That - 3.00 on both eyes is what is giving you the problems...if it wasn't for that astigmatism, you wouldn't need reading glasses at all. You would see very well up close just by taking your glasses off.

You don't require a + power for reading at all.

Answer 2

I work for an eye doctor.  Most of the displays for over the counter reading glasses have a sign that tells you how to pick the best reading glasses for you (based on reading some text while wearing the glasses).  You don't say if you are new to reading glasses or if you have other components to your rx which could also effect clarity.  Over the Counter readers work for a lot of people who have simple rxs.  Keep trying the readers at the display and you'll find something that helps