It is not bad to wear reading glasses if you have perfect vision either. At Premier Optical in Waterloo, we’ll never turn anyone away who simply wants to try on reading glasses for a fashion statement or comfort level.
Occasionally, you’ll be aware of some blurriness or discomfort, but it won’t result in injury. As always, we recommend consulting with a qualified Optometrist before altering your eyewear routine.
Here’s the scoop on why and what to look for if you give reading glasses a go.
Understanding 20/20 Vision
Many people believe that 20/20 vision is the definition of perfect sight. We experience this firsthand at Premier Optical when patients come in for comprehensive, full-service eye evaluations.
20/20 is only the tip of the iceberg. Consider it a jumping off place, not the end of the discussion. All it does is tell you how clearly you see in the distance—18 meters, or 20 feet. It provides no information about near vision acuity, depth perception, or glare while reading in low light conditions.
What Defines 20/20 Visual Acuity?
When we refer to 20/20 vision, we’re referring to a measurement of a standard. The second “20” is the smallest letter you can read at that distance, with “20” being the decimal for normal vision.
The second “20” indicates what a person with normal vision would see, so you’re seeing the same level of detail at twice the distance. If you have 20/40 vision, you need to be half as close to read what someone with average vision can.
That’s why our eye exams are about much more than this number. We’re passionate about using the best technology lenses available. We measure how well your eyes work together, how well you focus, and your reading comfort.
20/20 Vision: Is It Truly Perfect?
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. Let’s be clear—you can have 20/20 and still require reading glasses, particularly once you cross over into your 40s.
This is usually because of a condition called presbyopia. It is a common, age-related change that affects your ability to see close-up objects clearly. Even in 20/20, people might experience discomfort or distortion with fine text.
This is where reading glasses come in, and they won’t harm your eyes or worsen your vision. Some people use the 20-20-20 rule to ease strain: look at something six meters away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
So easy and so impactful. At its core, it’s that simple.
Reading Glasses: What Do They Do?
Reading glasses have a simple mission. They’re designed to correct one’s ability to see up close when their eyes begin to lose that ability. This is an unfortunate reality with age, an alteration known as presbyopia.
For most people in Waterloo, this could begin in their early 40s, but it depends. As we age, the lens in our eyes gradually becomes less flexible. This can pose challenges to reading menus, books, or text messages without extending them at a distance.
At Premier Optical, we help you transition comfortably into this normal transition. We have a curated selection of reading glasses that are personalized to fit your needs and sense of style!
Functionality of Reading Glasses Explained
Reading glasses don’t improve your eye’s health, nor do they change the progression of presbyopia. They serve as a reminder and an aid, helping distant words and things come into much clearer view.
For a person who has presbyopia, it means fewer squinty eyes and less effort. Even those with perfect distance vision are covered in those long hours at the work station. These glasses help the eyes to focus while reading.
This does prevent fatigue and headache at the end of a day of creating legal documents or GIANT spreadsheets. At our boutique, we’re seeing more clients ask about blue-light lenses or cutting-edge coatings to reduce glare and boost comfort.
However, if you don’t actually need reading glasses, wearing them all day may lead to slight blur or eye strain. Picking a pair with the correct power makes all the difference! A lens that’s too strong will actually strain the eyes, rather than ease tension.
Who Actually Needs Reading Glasses?
The typical person that walks through the door is over age 40 and realizes that their close-up vision is not as crisp. We experience the demand from younger adults looking for a visual respite when they’re focusing on intricate work.
It’s a myth that reading glasses will weaken your eyes or that you’ll become “dependent” on them. The actual secret is knowing how and when to use them when needed, and above all ensuring getting the proper fit.
Then our knowledgeable team walks clients through an extensive full-service eye exam. We take your lifestyle and everyday comfort into consideration before we ever suggest a product.
Purpose of Reading Glasses
Reading glasses have a simple yet vital purpose in eye health. They are critical for the public to do everything from reading fine print to threading a needle, particularly as Americans grow older. In our Waterloo community, we have a number of clients walk in with reading glasses questions. They ask about when, why and how these glasses are needed, though their distance vision is 20/20. Here’s a closer look at the purpose of reading glasses and who they’re meant to serve.
1. Enhance Near Vision Clarity
Most people would be familiar with the use of reading glasses to improve near vision, particularly for people with presbyopia. This is a widespread visual impairment, which first begins to appear in adults at approximately 40 years of age. As we get older, the lens inside our eye loses its ability to flex.
This natural change in the eye makes it more difficult to see things clearly up close. When our clients complain that reading a book, checking a phone, or threading a needle has become difficult, we provide solutions. With our hand-picked designer frames and cutting-edge technology lenses, we help people regain that crisp, close-up vision for daily tasks.
2. Provide Comfortable Reading Experience
The right pair of reading glasses will make reading the enjoyable experience it should be. Our consumers enjoy them for extended reading sessions! They love these moments, whether it’s at a local café in Uptown Waterloo or getting the emails off their plate at home.
We’re serious about quality. Each pair is custom fitted for your comfort and style, so you won’t be bothered by frames that slip or text that looks blurry.
3. Reduce Eye Strain During Close Tasks
Extended screen time and close work can lead to fatigued eyes and headaches. This happens even to people who have never worn glasses for distance vision! Reading glasses, properly fitted to your prescription, can alleviate this strain.
Our recommendation is the 20-20-20 rule! Make it a habit to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes of reading to help your eyes stay comfortable.
4. Improve Focus and Productivity
We have heard from many clients that their focus and productivity get markedly better with the right reading glasses. Whether you are staring at a spreadsheet or assisting your children with schoolwork, crisp close sight improves efficiency.
Plus, it minimizes errors so you can produce work faster! Our limited-edition eyewear line brings you the perfect mix of performance and style. Improve your focus and productivity, and look and feel great doing it!
Wearing Reading Glasses with Perfect Vision: Good or Bad?
Most folks in Waterloo have asked us at Premier Optical if wearing reading glasses with perfect vision can do harm or help. We understand the temptation! After all, those stylish frames and clear lenses are pretty hard to resist. Who doesn’t want a little bit of that rarefied, curated, high-fashion aura?
So, it’s really a very intelligent question to ask about what is actually happening when you don reading glasses. What if your eyes don’t really need them in the first place? Let’s unpack what we do know, what studies have shown, and what our decades of experience with clients has taught us.
Effects on Natural Eye Focusing Ability
Our eyes deserve a break, moving their focus from up close to far away all day long. This process is referred to as “accommodation.” When reading glasses are on, these muscles are not required to do any of the work. This is specifically true when trying to focus on things up close—even with perfect vision.
If your eyes don’t need assistance, you’ll just feel wrong. Maybe everything is a little out of focus, or you get a mild headache after using the readers. It’s similar to providing your eyes a crutch when they’re not hurt.
With that in mind, any discomfort you experience is definitely very minimal and dissipates as soon as you remove the glasses. Your eyes just return to what they’ve always done. What we see Clients looking for reading glasses more as a fashion accessory or to avoid blue light. They often find that their eyes become uncomfortable or fatigued after some time. This is an expected reaction. In effect, your eyes are getting used to a lens power they never really required.
Potential for Dependency or Altered Accommodation
It’s a common concern that wearing reading glasses when you don’t need them will cause your eyes to become “lazy.” They’re worried about the potential for creating dependency. The good news: This isn’t how the eyes work. Your eyes aren’t going to auto-accommodate because you wore readers for a few hours.
There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that wearing reading glasses will make your near vision worse or increase your prescription with time. You may experience some transient eye strain if you wear the glasses for several hours at a time. This is particularly the case if you’re not reading or performing near-vision tasks at all.
Our advice is to limit use of reading glasses to only reading tasks. Put them on to read the fine print or thread the proverbial needle, then remove them once the task is complete! In this manner, your eyes remain in their natural wheelhouse.
Scientific Evidence on Wearing Glasses Without Refraction Error
Peer-reviewed studies and expert groups in eye health agree: Wearing reading glasses with perfect vision is harmless in the long run. The Canadian Ophthalmological Society advises that wearing over-the-counter reading glasses will not produce lasting effects on your eyesight. Likewise, the College of Opticians of Ontario supports this view.
So what does happen, then, if one wears reading glasses with normal vision? If you’re used to wearing a lens that brings the world into focus, your eyes will likely be a bit angry. You might experience some minor headaches or dizziness.
There’s no scientific evidence that wearing those frames from time to time will make your eyes “forget” how to focus. Go ahead and wear them all the time. The impact is short lived, disappearing as soon as you set the glasses down.
Ergonomic or Psychological Benefits Explored
We’ve found that many people who buy reading glasses do so for an aesthetic purpose, rather than just correcting their vision. Others enjoy the way a frame makes them look. Some report increased productivity. Specifically, some people find that wearing glasses allows them to focus more intently on work or school tasks.
There’s the comfort factor: a sturdy, stylish pair from our exclusive collection can act as a physical shield, making you feel more confident and put-together. Ergonomically speaking, reading glasses aren’t doing you a lot of favors unless you’re presbyopic or have some other near-vision difficulty.
Wearing them with perfect vision won’t help your posture or correct digital eye strain. They’ll only be effective if the lens has a specific coating or blue-light filter. Trust us—psychological benefit of a frame you love is no joke! It’s no replacement for good eye practices.
Long-Term Effects on Eye Health and Comfort
Wearing reading glasses all day won’t do you any real long-term damage if you have perfect vision. It can bring on some persistent pain. You may experience mild headaches, a slight feeling of imbalance, or even be put off by distant vision appearing blurry.
Off-the-shelf reading glasses, which are based on a “one-size-fits-all” strength, may not be appropriate for your eyes, causing additional strain. We’re big proponents of a custom fitting as well as a thorough, long-form full-service eye exam before choosing any type of eyewear.
Our Waterloo customers enjoy personal instruction, ensuring that their eyewear looks great while improving comfort and appearance. Repairs & Adjustments Enjoy free adjustments and repairs so that your frames are always fitting perfectly. Nothing beats a custom lens made specifically for you!
Interaction with Digital Screen Use
Many of our communities are already spending excessive amounts of time in front of screens. Reading glasses with blue-light blocking coatings have been all the rage. They’re not equivalent to prescription lenses made for computer use. If you have good distance vision, you may notice that the world looks blurry through ready-made readers.
Better habits matter more: Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Give your eyes a break—rest them every 20 minutes by looking at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This is important to help reduce eye strain, with or without the use of reading glasses.
To reduce discomfort from screen time, eyeglasses with anti-reflective coatings or blue-light filters should be useful even if prescription correction isn’t required.
Common Misconceptions and Research Findings
We hear myths all the time: “Wearing glasses weakens your eyes,” or “You’ll get hooked on them.” These are common misconceptions and not accurate. Reading glasses don’t “train” your eyes to get used to them.
Research is quite clear, the scientific consensus is that wearing reading glasses with perfect vision will be uncomfortable, but will not hurt your eyes.
Impact of Optical Design and Lens Power
Not all reading glasses are created equal. Most off-the-shelf pairs apply an arbitrary, simple lens power that’s too strong or not strong enough. Some even have astigmatic lenses, which can increase eye strain further, particularly if your eyes are highly correlated.
While our hand-picked collections are carefully monitored for quality, even the best designer frames need to be paired with your unique lifestyle and vision requirements. As always, we can’t stress enough the importance of getting your eyes examined before you purchase.
That’s how you end up with lenses that help your eyes, rather than hurt them. If you’re just looking for the style, we can hook you up with that too! Browse our collection of frames with clear lenses for a trendy look without the headache.
Debunking Common Myths
On the other hand, when it comes to wearing reading glasses despite having perfect vision, a lot of hogwash passes for fact in Waterloo. We’re here to debunk those myths! Here are those straight facts you should know for the health of your eyes—and your life.
Let’s address the top three concerns and figure out what’s fact and what’s fiction.
Will Glasses Weaken Your Eyesight?
We hear this one a lot in our shop: “If I wear reading glasses, won’t my eyes get lazy?” The reality is, the act of putting on reading glasses is not damaging to your eyes or eyesight in any permanent way.
The answer is, not at all – glasses just bend light, allowing you to see more clearly up close. That’s because they don’t strengthen your eye muscles or improve your vision. Even if your eyesight is A-plus, putting on a pair of readers now and again will not ruin your eyesight.
If the intensity is excessive, you may get a light headache or some dizziness. No need to panic, that irritation only lasts until you remove them! Readers purchased from a drug store or supermarket are mass-produced for an average user, which means they are rarely designed for optimal comfort or clarity.
That’s exactly why we never ever recommend anything but a proper fitting—because one-size-fits-all is really one-size-fits-none.
Dependency on Reading Glasses: Fact vs. Fiction
A third worry is getting “addicted” to reading glasses. In fact, reading glasses don’t create a physical dependency. What shifts is your understanding of just how much easier they make tiny print or close work.
For people with presbyopia over the age of 40, reading glasses are the natural solution, providing relief by removing the stress. So, while wearing them all day when you don’t require them can make your eyes more fatigued, it’s not damaging to wear them on a constant basis.
We share the 20-20-20 rule with our clients: after 20 minutes of close work, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Consistent eye exams allow us to detect any vision changes at an early stage and assist you in maintaining your overall eye health.
Risks of Using Incorrect Lenses
When we consider reading glasses, their allure is obvious—convenient, no-fuss, and sometimes fashionable. However, these nonprescription lenses can cause serious harm. This is particularly applicable to those who have not had any previous vision problems, and it’s an important issue to be aware of. At Premier Optical, we value quality and your comfort above all! Here’s the truth about what will occur if you opt for incorrect lenses.
Understanding Ready-Made vs. Prescription Lenses
Ready-made, over-the-counter reading glasses are made to be a one size fits all solution. As convenient as this may seem, the reality is that each person’s eyes are unique. These glasses usually are all one strength in both lenses with a set distance between the centers.
For many Waterloo clients, this results in blurring or doubling of vision, particularly immediately after initially wearing them. If you don’t have perfect vision, your eyes may start to struggle and compensate. The majority of us suffer from minor irritation of our eyes or eye area.
Children, especially, require precise prescriptions. Providing them ready-made glasses only leaves them under-corrected, risking slowing their development or even leading to problems such as amblyopia. Here at Clearly, we’re big believers in getting a comprehensive eye exam before choosing frames or lenses.
Potential Side Effects of Over-the-Counter Options
Over-the-counter lenses can result in immediate physical irritation—eyestrain, headaches, or difficulty focusing after extended use. These problems typically clear up once you take off the shades.
With continued use, your eyes may begin to experience fatigue or dryness on a regular basis. Follow the 20-20-20 rule. This is a simple tip that goes a long way. Get up every 20 minutes and stare at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds!
That said, nothing is better than lenses specifically made for you. Research indicates that the appropriate prescription—particularly for kids—can prevent or delay progressive conditions such as myopia. While using the wrong lenses can do serious harm, it’s unlikely to result in lifelong damage.
We recommend you touch base with a local professional to keep your eyes healthy!
Eye Care Tips for Everyone
Eye care is for more than just people who wear glasses or contacts. Here in Waterloo, our climate and screen-heavy lifestyle means eye health should be a priority for all. Just because you see 20/20 doesn’t necessarily mean your eyes are healthy in all circumstances.
Most of our patients have wonderful distance vision. Yet many of them suffer from eye discomfort, fatigue, or eye strain after long days in the office or while homeschooling their children. Here, we outline the practices that will leave your eyes happy and healthy. These practices are good no matter what your eyesight is, from 20/20 to someone who requires glasses.
Practice the 20-20-20 Rule
We recommend to our clients the 20-20-20 rule because it gets results. When using a computer or doing other up-close work, every 20 minutes take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away. This easy practice gives your eye muscles a rest.
It will prevent that fatigued, burning sensation that you get from excessive screen use! So make it a habit not to forget! Try setting an alarm on your phone or using a reminder app to keep yourself accountable.
Ensure Proper Lighting Conditions
Proper lighting conditions at home and work help prevent digital eye strain. In Waterloo’s grim long winters, natural light becomes a scarce resource. Position your lamp or overhead light to reduce glare and shadows!
If you wear reading glasses, make sure you have good, bright local light to work with them. This can prevent unnecessary squinting and help minimize digital eye strain.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle for Eye Health
Just like the rest of our body, our eyes need regular care. Increasing your intake of leafy greens, drinking plenty of water, and wearing sunglasses with UV protection can all make a difference.
Even if you don’t require glasses, you can still benefit from eye exercises! Visit old-time treatments like the “lazy eye” patch or concentration exercises to protect your sight! We notice the impact on clients who walk, bike, or recreate in Waterloo’s parks and trails.
Schedule Regular Eye Examinations
As we like to remind you, the most effective way to identify issues sooner rather than later is through a scheduled eye exam. Even those who have never needed glasses can find themselves with new problems such as presbyopia or eye strain in middle age.
Our comprehensive eye exams, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, detect issues early on before they develop. Routine appointments give you an opportunity to ask your eye care professional about reading glasses, blue light and more.
You can ask any other questions that pop up while you explore life and work in Waterloo!
Alternatives to Reading Glasses
Even those without vision problems do not rely on reading glasses. That said, the repetition of daily tasks, plus spending many hours on screens, can make our eyes feel fatigued or strained. Here in Waterloo, we host hundreds of people.
Most importantly, they want to know how they can maintain their clear eyesight and avoid going straight to readers. We understand—no one wants to put on glasses unless they absolutely need to. That’s why we get so excited to share real-world alternatives!
These expert-approved alternatives to reading glasses will reduce eye strain and take care of your precious peepers.
Eye Exercises for Vision Support
We hear from more individuals who are taking the initiative to perform simple eye exercises to prevent their eye muscles from weakening. These aren’t magic, but they’re effective, particularly if you find yourself reading or using screens for hours at a time.
The 20-20-20 rule is a favorite in our shop: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This provides your eyes a rest and helps relieve discomfort. Others attempt focusing techniques, such as moving their gaze from close up to far away, so they can train their eyes to adjust more effectively.
It may not completely prevent age-related changes, but it can make you less fatigued at the end of a long day.
Lifestyle Adjustments for Better Vision
Adjusting your daily lifestyle can have a profound effect. Secondly, we encourage our patients to read and work under good lighting conditions. Make sure to take frequent breaks from near work!
Take a break from your phone or tablet for 10-15 minutes to give your eyes a rest. If you’re living with presbyopia, multifocal contact lenses or Refractive Lens Exchange may be right for you.
It’s definitely worth discussing your options with an optician if you find yourself having difficulty reading up close!
Ergonomic Strategies for Reducing Eye Strain
Setup is an important aspect as well. Setting up your workspace to have the proper screen height and distance will reduce the risk of headaches and eye strain.
For example, we frequently recommend wearing specialized lenses, such as blue-light filters, to reduce digital eye strain. Custom-fit readers available from our online shop typically work better than drugstore readers.
They’re particularly wonderful for people who want a flawless, cozy fit!
When to Consult an Eye Doctor
In fact, many people wear reading glasses with 20/20 vision! Understanding when to see an eye care specialist can go a long way. In Waterloo, we have an incredibly diverse population with a variety of lifestyles, needs, and backgrounds. Knowing when to call in the experts will go a long way toward protecting your eyes and maintaining your vision.
Recognizing Signs of Eye Strain or Discomfort
If you’re experiencing headaches when reading, noticing your eyes are more tired or painful than usual or having to hold books further away to read them, it’s time to act. Reach out to us or speak with another eye care professional!
Blurry text or trouble seeing things at close range usually indicates the development of presbyopia. This common condition impacts almost 80% of adults between the ages of 45 and 55 in North America. Even if you’ve always had good vision, keep an eye out for these signs with increasing age.
They can develop if your occupation requires extensive use of computer screens or close vision tasks. If you use drugs such as antihistamines, you need to be more careful. More so, if someone in your family has had glaucoma or macular degeneration, be on high alert.
Importance of Professional Eye Exams
Professionals averted big problems. Regular eye exams help detect changes early and stay on track with your vision. We recommend yearly exams after age 50, exams every 1–3 years for adults 55–64, and every 1–2 years after 65.
If you’re diabetic or have other conditions that put you more at risk for eye issues, it’s prudent to get checked up more often. Before reaching for reading glasses available without prescriptions, an eye exam can ensure that you’re treating the right condition.
How We Can Help: Our Services and Expertise
At Premier Optical, our comprehensive eye exams utilize state-of-the-art technology centered around your individual needs. Along with our ocularist, our team assists with lens selection, repair and direct billing.
We have a curated collection of fashionable eyewear. We simplify care, so you can get speedy repairs, or shop our one-of-a-kind collection with ease.
