Reading glasses

[orca8589]

I've been using reading glasses for the last 7 or 8 years now; started with 1.25, and I'm now at 1.75. I usually get about 6 months of use out of a pair, maybe less, before the frames break. (I think I flex the frames too far putting them on my big ol' fat head.) I have a good pair of safety glasses for the garage that are regular safety lenses with a 1.75 lens molded in. Works great for the garage and other work, but they look a little too industrial-looking for regular use.

I try to stay away from the expensive (IMO) readers, say $20. or more, because they just don't last me that long. However, I can't use the really cheap ones because they give me headaches.

So, who here uses them, and what types or brands do you recommend?

~Chris

 

[M6erfan]

I use reading glasses, haven't found a pair that lasts over 6mos either (lose them or break them). Or ones that will stay on my face while sweating out in the 100 degree garage, damn things keep slipping off...

 

[scissorman]

I've been having to wear readers now for about 5 years and I just go down to the local CVS and buy Foster Grant readers (they cost between $20-35 a pair) but they last me usually over a year. I have prescription readers but now only use those while on my computer at home (way too expensive to replace if I were to break them at work).

 

[Rodbuster56]

I have had good luck with the dollar store, when it comes to reading glasses. The store by me has them with metal frames, that seem to fit and hold up OK.

 

[rharman]

I bought a couple of the 3-packs from Costco. Keep one in the yard tool shed, at the workbench, computer, desk, car....

Having the pair in the car saved me one day when I got to work and realized I had forgotten my prescription reading/computer glasses.

 

[rick carpenter]

I have progressive glasses I can use sometimes while working. However not in plumbing or the like when I need to look at stuff close up through the top of them! I have pair of Elvex bifocal safety glasses for chainsawing, but they are the industrial look you don't want. I use my Clic brand glasses or a cheapo pair from the grocery store when I need full field close up vision.

 

[anndel]

I use 1.25 readers from WalMart. $2.99 for 3 pairs and they last over a year.

 

[Zeke]

I get these because they have a large lens which suffices as a safety glass in most cases. The arms are spring loaded and they are very easy to bend to your preference. They last as long as I can keep the lenses from getting too scratched. In some cases that's a couple of years.

 

[bob from indiana]

I wear bifocals but keep readers for times when I need to look up at close work like under a dashboard.

 

[Roobaix]

Why not go to an eye doctor and get something a little more sturdy, and more importantly to check up on your eyes to make sure everything is okay?

 

[Empty Pockets]

I use 1.25 readers from WalMart. $2.99 for 3 pairs and they last over a year.

^^^ What he said. I have been using readers for a few years, 3 pack from WalMart or the drug store work good for me. Plastic frames tend to break, metal frames tend to get lost.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I get these because they have a large lens which suffices as a safety glass in most cases. The arms are spring loaded and they are very easy to bend to your preference. They last as long as I can keep the lenses from getting too scratched. In some cases that's a couple of years.

Thanks for the link, zeke.... I'll be at the eye doctor in a couple of weeks, if my prescription has changes, I'll likely try a pair of those

 

[Zeke]

You are most welcome. They have worked for me. Thing is you can't find the big lens style at CVS, etc.

 

[theoldwizard1]

About 15 years ago I was told I needed bifocals. Tried them and could never get used them with my computer screen, so I went to distance and closes glasses. I hardly ever use the close glasses because I can read newspapers and computer screens fine without them. When I do have something I can't read, the prescription reader usually do not help. I have a lighted magnifying glass.

 

[MikeF2316]

I started out with $2 ones from the dollar store. That was about a dozen years ago. I found they weren't durable enough, and the lenses were poor. I've graduated to the $25-$30 versions from the drugstore, which seem of much better quality. I always found the really cheap ones needed fine tuning (bending) to sit squarely and symmetrically on my face.

 

[J king]

Quit reading and you won't need them.

 

[bwringer]

I don't need glasses at all, but I keep a few pairs of the strongest available (3.00X or 3.25X) reading glasses around for those times when I need bionic zoom vision to work on eensy weensy itsy bitsy stuff. Never even thought about using reading glasses for tiny things until I got bored waiting at the drug store and started playing around with a pair.

You have to hold stuff pretty close to your face, but daggum are they ever handy. Stereoscopic hands-free super-vision -- just don't move your head too much or try to walk with them on.

CVS has a package of three pairs for $15. Never noticed that the expensive ones are any better, but YMMV.

If you find your vision has changed or you need them more than once in a while for extraordinary circumstances, get thee to an eye doctor, pronto.

 

[ddawg16]

It's called "Long Arm Disease". The older you get, the longer your arms need to be.

It started for me when I was around 42. 13 Years later I'm up to 1.75.

I buy the 3-pak from Costco. I have glasses stashed all over the house and at work.

Vision is fine at a distance. Translation, no issues driving. Still 20/15.

But up close? I need a magnifying glass to go to the bathroom.......(oh, wait, different problem).

 

[Wamsutta]

What if one of your eyes needs a 1.25 and the other eye needs a 1.75 ?

I would think in that case, the drugstore reading glasses aren't going to work.

 

[scissorman]

What if one of your eyes needs a 1.25 and the other eye needs a 1.75 ?

I would think in that case, the drugstore reading glasses aren't going to work.

You close one eye and carry on.

 

[orca8589]

I get these because they have a large lens which suffices as a safety glass in most cases. The arms are spring loaded and they are very easy to bend to your preference. They last as long as I can keep the lenses from getting too scratched. In some cases that's a couple of years.

Thanks for the link. Those might be what I'm looking for. And thanks for the input, guys. It's all helpful. I just bought a three-pack today of 2.0's, and I think I'll be at 2.0 now for the foreseeable future.

Why not go to an eye doctor and get something a little more sturdy, and more importantly to check up on your eyes to make sure everything is okay?

Thanks for the advice. I've been checked once already, and my eyes are fine, just age getting to me. (I just turned 49.) That was three of four years ago, and the eye doc told me to come back in five years and get re-checked, so I'm due this year or next.

What if one of your eyes needs a 1.25 and the other eye needs a 1.75 ?

I would think in that case, the drugstore reading glasses aren't going to work.

My wife is in that situation right now. She just had laser surgery on one eye, and the results are miraculous. The problem now is that the other eye, while considered 'normal', focuses differently. She'll need to get that one checked soon.

~Chris

 

[Zeke]

About 15 years ago I was told I needed bifocals. Tried them and could never get used them with my computer screen, so I went to distance and closes glasses. I hardly ever use the close glasses because I can read newspapers and computer screens fine without them. When I do have something I can't read, the prescription reader usually do not help. I have a lighted magnifying glass.

Your prescription is not correct or you have other vision problems. I use readers almost exclusively but when I sit down and read for any length on time I get out my prescription glasses because they have slightly different grinds for each eye including axis correction. Don't need that in the shop. Just need to see where the hell I'm going.

 

[disston]

I used reading glasses for ten years or more. Then one day I couldn't pass the eye test to renew my driver's license. The examiner let me put my reading glasses on and I was able to pass. Next week I was being fitted for bifocals. My eyes are doing fine now. I have an eye doctor that is pleasant to work with, some of them are really not customer friendly, no idea why, they will want to rush you thru the exam.

I get glasses pretty cheap at Costco but you can order on the Net and save really big. You can also special order motorcycle or welding goggles.

 

[Outlander]

Costco - 3 pairs for $20. I have them all over

 

[Whiskeymike]

Anyone use the online sites for ordering prescription glasses? We've done it for a few years for contacts, but never for glasses. My problem is that I never have my glasses where I'm working and too lazy to go get them. So I was thinking about getting my prescription and then ordering 4-5 pair of the cheaper online frames/lenses to match my prescription. Then I can leave a pair at the different places I need them.

Anyone wear these in a welding helmet with a cheater lens? I'm wondering if they stack okay.

 

[MikeF2316]

I don't need glasses at all, but I keep a few pairs of the strongest available (3.00X or 3.25X) reading glasses around for those times when I need bionic zoom vision to work on eensy weensy itsy bitsy stuff. Never even thought about using reading glasses for tiny things until I got bored waiting at the drug store and started playing around with a pair.

You have to hold stuff pretty close to your face, but daggum are they ever handy. Stereoscopic hands-free super-vision -- just don't move your head too much or try to walk with them on.

CVS has a package of three pairs for $15. Never noticed that the expensive ones are any better, but YMMV.

If you find your vision has changed or you need them more than once in a while for extraordinary circumstances, get thee to an eye doctor, pronto.

I keep spares here, there and everywhere. One thing I've found, for the situation above, you can wear 2 pairs at the same time. It's a little awkward, but sometimes when you're reading a serial number or sumsuch it's too small, or it's on a piece of equipment that's so close to the wall you need to have your nose 2" away.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You close one eye and carry on.

I have done that ... and it works !

The problem is remembering which is the "good" eye !

 

[DC73]

What if one of your eyes needs a 1.25 and the other eye needs a 1.75 ?

I would think in that case, the drugstore reading glasses aren't going to work.

Just buy one pair of each power and swap the lenses. Double the cost but it's still cheap.

Personally, I finally decided to pick up a good pair of eyeglass frames with spring loaded temples that fit my fat head and then had reading lenses put into them.

DC

 

[4x4_G30_Sportvan]

Dollar Tree, $1.

 

[bert1913]

I use reading glasses, haven't found a pair that lasts over 6mos either (lose them or break them). Or ones that will stay on my face while sweating out in the 100 degree garage, damn things keep slipping off...

these work great to keep glasses from slipping:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...oks&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

 

[orca8589]

Well, I went to CVS, bought a three pack 2.0 readers - and lo & behold, they all work. Maybe the quality has improved. I'm still looking into all the links you guys have put up, so thanks for the info.

~Chris

 

[Dozerhand]

I too like the Costco 3 packs. Seems like a bargain for some decent quality glasses. Worlds above the dollar store offerings.