You’ve probably seen people wearing reading glasses even though they don’t need corrective vision lenses, and you might be wondering why that is. The truth is, reading glasses are intended for a very specific purpose—namely, to help people who have trouble seeing close up.
Here’s a closer look at why you can buy reading glasses over-the-counter without a prescription.
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The Science of Vision
To understand why reading glasses don’t require a prescription, it helps to know a little bit about how vision works. Essentially, your eyes work like cameras, with the cornea and lens focusing light onto the retina.
The retina is responsible for converting that focused light into electrical impulses, which are then sent to the brain and interpreted as the images we see.
As we age, the lenses in our eyes become harder and less flexible. This makes it more difficult for the eye to focus light onto the retina, which leads to blurred vision—especially when trying to see things up close.
Wearing reading glasses helps compensate for the increased lens rigidity, allowing the eye to focus on nearby objects more easily.
Should I Get Prescription Reading Glasses?
Why No Prescription Is Needed
Now that you understand how vision works and why reading glasses can improve close-up vision, you might be wondering why you don’t need a prescription for them.
That’s because OTC reading glasses are essentially glasses with magnifying lenses for those with age-related difficulty focusing up-close, or presbyopia.
They don’t correct other types of vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.
Readers/cheaters are designed to provide general correction for presbyopia, rather than a specific correction for an individual’s vision.
Prescription glasses are tailored to an individual’s specific vision needs and are prescribed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist after a comprehensive eye exam.
In contrast, reading glasses are available in a range of strengths, and people can choose the strength that works best for them based on their own needs and preferences.
Now You Know
Reading glasses are a simple and affordable solution for those who have trouble seeing things up close. Because they function mainly as magnifiers, you don’t need a prescription to buy them.
Ultimately, if you’re having trouble with close-up vision, reading glasses can help make your life easier. Just remember that if you’re struggling with distance vision or other forms of blurred vision, it’s best to visit an eye doctor for a more comprehensive solution.