Should I get rimless glasses?

Stick w/reading glasses or get a prescription?

• I am 40 years old. Started needing reading glasses about 4 years ago. When I wear reading glasses when non-reading, I see even better than without them. Nothing is wrong with my vision, only REALLY need them when reading, but everything looks better when using reading glasses all the time. Should I get some prescription glasses or just use reading glasses? In other words, are the reading glasses going to damage my eyes in the long run if I use them when not reading, just for everyday use?

• Answer:

  As we get older, the Lens of the eye loses its flexibility and the muscles that control its shape become weaker: the eye auto-focus system for close distance vision is degraded. Objects seen at short distance focus behind the retina, causing blurred vision. This condition is called PRESBYOPIA (Greek for old eyes), and refers to the eye's loss of ability to focus on close objects by changing the Lens shape. Presbyopia is not an eye disease, it is caused by the natural process of aging, and as we all know, it can't be prevented. The first sign of Presbyopia is difficulty reading fine print at normal reading distance, especially in the absence of good reading light, the vision is blurred. That is why presbyopic persons tend to hold reading material at arm's length. Presbyopia may seem to occur suddenly, but it actually progresses gradually from a young age and it begins to be noticeable when one reaches their forties. Unfortunately, it does not stop at the forties, it keeps on progressing. To correct this condition, your optometrist or ophthalmologist can prescribe reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals or contact lenses. Since presbyopia may be more advanced in one eye than the other, the reading glasses may have lenses of different power. Reading Glasses are simple "Plus Lenses", which move the focal point of light from the back of the retina forward directly to the retina. Mild presbyopia is corrected with low power lenses (1.0 or 1.5 diopter). Stronger presbyopia needs higher power lenses, 3.0 or higher. Since presbyopia progresses with time, stronger lenses are required as we age. At 45 we may need 1.5 diopter lenses, but at 60, we will need stronger lenses. If your eye doctor determines that your presbyopia is the same for both eyes and you do not have any other vision problems, he/she may suggest that off the shelf reading glasses may be OK for you. It is highly recommended that you have your eyes checked by an eye doctor. For more details about your vision, check www.i4ulenses.com/read.htm