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I've been getting eye ache staring at computer monitors for 10 hours a day. So initially I tried light bars above the monitors, then table lamps (now have 4 table lamps and two light bars). That didn't work so went to the opticians and now have reading glasses (first time).
However, it turns out the distance I have the monitors at was outside the focal range of the glasses, so had to move them much closer - maybe 1/3 nearer. With two monitors I can't actually get the whole 42" area in focus any more, I have to move my head towards each monitor for it to be in focus, esp the far edges. I can actually see better without the reading glasses if I'm honest.
The glasses do work, but over such a limited focal range as to be a bit annoying.
Is this normal, do they takes a while to get used to?
If I look at one monitor and then turn to look at the far edge of the other the distance is probably 50% increase, which seems to exceed the glasses focal range.
Maybe move to Aldworth will help?
APF
You can get "office" glasses that will keep the monitor in focus at the correct distance. I used similar when working for reading drug charts which is done at arms length
what TJ says - they're occupational varifocals and everything within say 2m is in focus so you can use the computer, read your notes etc.
Be careful though as things outside that range are very out of focus and take some getting used to. My mate has some and when he first got them he stood up to go to the office toilet and fell over as he couldn't see beyond his desk.
I am on my second pair of occupational lenses (TBH the best thing I ever did - varifocals dont really work for monitors IMO).
First pair the focal point was a bit close, second pair - I told the optician and he moved it back a bit - much better. So it was worth going with a set of measurements when you have your eyes tested so you can have the lens for your situation.
You can get “office” glasses that will keep the monitor in focus at the correct distance. I used similar when working for reading drug charts which is done at arms length
Interesting! Looks like I have the wrong type of glasses then....
So it was worth going with a set of measurements when you have your eyes tested so you can have the lens for your situation.
Never having had reading glasses I didn't really know they'd have such a limited focal range. I don't actually have any trouble reading so it looks like I just asked for the wrong thing!
Go back to the opticians and tell them.
Yes thinking about it I did tell the optician it was computer monitor use I wanted, so I think I've been given the wrong solution. Will go back.
A very timely thread & one I've been meaning to start myself.
After an eye test a few weeks back I was told I needed some reading glasses for much the same reason as the OP. I feel like my eyes are strained looking at a monitor all day and anything closer than a foot away is definitely getting into blurry territory.
First pair of glasses, so I explained what I wanted them for & assumed the opticians would advise correctly.
But, I seem to be having a similar issue as footflaps. I tried to persevere with the glasses yesterday, but got quite a bad headache & a giddy sensation as the day went on.
No one mentioned to me any different lens options, such as bi-focals or these occupational lenses mentioned above.
My issue seems a bit different in that I can see the monitor OK - the optician specifically checked this as part of the eye test (by looking at his monitor) but it's the weird distortion as I move my head around that I think is causing issues.
I said to my Wife yesterday that I'm gonna try to keep using them for a few more days and if they don't improve I'll get back in touch with the optician.
I've previously had something awry with my distance prescription - was correct as per the tests but the opthalmologist (?) reckoned it was over negative and backed it off a bit which was then fine to use. The original prescription just hurt my eyes to use. The retest and new lenses was all free (Vision Express).
it’s the weird distortion as I move my head around that I think is causing issues.
I got my first ever pair of glasses right before covid struck, primarily for driving. They weren't quite what I was expecting, vision straight ahead was great but moving my head had "weird distortion" as you describe, objects moved around and call me old-fashioned but things not being where you think they are isn't great when you're driving. It was really distracting and a little nauseating.
I asked about it on STW and was told "yeah, that's kinda normal, you'll get used to it." I did not. Then I worked out from experimenting that the problem seemed to be angle - the profile of glasses was pretty flat, if they were more Chipps-style wrap-around then the problem seemed to be massively diminished. So I tried to reshape the frame and... snapped the bridge in half.
Post-lockdown I went back to the opticians. They told me off for my DIY efforts, replaced the broken frame for free, agreed that it wasn't right and reformed the new frame to better fit my face. There is still some distortion now but it's maybe 10% of what it originally was.
So, again, go back to the optician and tell them.
Cougar
Post-lockdown I went back to the opticians. They told me off for my DIY efforts, replaced the broken frame for free, agreed that it wasn’t right and reformed the new frame to better fit my face. There is still some distortion now but it’s maybe 10% of what it originally was.
Great! I assumed it was only the lenses that were adjustable & not the actual shape of the frame. I think I need to arrange an appointment & go back.
I have varifocals with correction for my long distance that I’ve had since birth. For work at my monitor I chose a pair of fixed distance reading glasses. Occupational glasses are varifocal but the top is set for about 1-1.5m rather than distance.
Since I touch type, I just went for the much cheaper fixed 1.5m. I sat at the opticians desk and looked at a monitor with text on it to select the ideal lens strength for each eye. Also because they are fixed focus, I went for some very thin (1.5cm high) frames. I had this design years ago and you soon get used to blurred vision walking down stairs 🤣
So for the first time in 50 years, I now need two pairs of glasses 🤓
occupational lenses (TBH the best thing I ever did – varifocals dont really work for monitors
this very much for me. I am in front of twin monitors for 10 hrs plus most days when working from home, usually with 5 to 6 hrs of Teams calls plus a multitude of data on spreadsheets. I wear varifocals and am short sighted with astigmatism and mid 50's. The varifocals are fine for regular stuff - I am using them right now on the monitors, but once it gets into detailed numbers across 2 screens, plus camera and video the occupational lenses are so much easier.
Yeah go back it’s pretty simple, they should either make them a bit weaker and keep them as simple single vision specs, or charge extra and do the occupational lenses.
Measure the distance you are to the screen before you go, I would ring first to get an appointment with a dispensing optician.
If you haven’t already chosen it, the anti reflective coating is worth it.
Just been back, apparently very common situation - they have two off the shelf solutions, intermediate or office glasses - can't recall which we're trying first - think it's the intermediate. If that doesn't work, they'll try the other. Have to say service was excellent, changing the prescription for free, but then you pay 3x the prices for everything compared to online.
If you haven’t already chosen it, the anti reflective coating is worth it.
Yes, went for that and the anti-scratch, although all my glasses are scratched to buggery even with the coating.
I measured my normal eye to monitor distance (900mm I think it was) then went to Soecsavers and they sorted me out with some bins for about £40 all in. Very happy with them.