• Do I need to have my eyes examined before purchasing reading glasses?
• What happens if my glasses are too weak or too strong for me? Will it damage my eyes?
• How do I know if the glasses are too weak or too strong?
• I just had my eyes lasered and have 20/20 vision, but now I can’t read clearly. What gives?

Q: Do I need to have my eyes examined before purchasing reading glasses?

A: Although we highly recommend that you have a yearly eye exam as part of your health checkup, it is not necessary in order to purchase over-the-counter reading glasses. Just follow our guidelines for selecting the proper diopter, or reading strength.

Q: What happens if my glasses are too weak or too strong for me? Will it damage my eyes?

A: Generally speaking, if the glasses are too weak or too strong AND if you’re not holding the reading material in focus, you can experience eyestrain and possibly get a headache. You can also have the correct strength and be holding the reading materials at an improper distance and have the same result. In any case, you will not do any damage to your eyes.

Q: How do I know if the glasses are too weak or too strong?

A: They should focus best from a comfortable reading position. The distance from your eyes to the reading materials varies for each person. If you have to hold the paperback at arms length, the glasses are too weak; close to your eyes, too strong. You should be able to tell. If they’re too strong you should feel some discomfort, like a “pulling” on your eyes, that you don’t feel as much if they’re too weak.

Q: I just had my eyes lasered and have 20/20 vision, but now I can’t read clearly. What gives?

A: More than likely, you’re a candidate for reading glasses. If you’re over 40 you probably have presbyopia, the hardening of the lens of your eye that affects virtually everyone. This has little or nothing to do with your distance vision, good or bad.