Reading glasses
 

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Reading glasses

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Seems I need reading glasses.

+1.25 both eyes.

Is there any advantage to picking a frame and getting it glazed by an optician or should I just get something off the shelf?

Back when I was short sighted, pupillary distance mattered. How do they account for that "off the shelf"?


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 12:06 pm
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In a similar situation 15 years ago I got some made up then got a spare set off the shelf.

No difference whatsoever.

I'm on varifocals these days as readers are a pita at 2.5 - glad I saved some money for that!


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 12:12 pm
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I buy cheap ones online and have them all over the house, in the garage, car etc. I forked out for some expensive optician prescribed ones once and they were no better than a £10 pair. I tend to lose/break them too which also mitigates against expensive ones.


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 12:12 pm
thols2, granny_ring, granny_ring and 1 people reacted
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As above. I have pairs of the really cheap ones in just about every room, plus car, garage etc. you can get them for next to nothing in these bargain basement shops. Cases very cheap too.


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 12:13 pm
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Yep, I bought a few pairs from Poundland @ £1.99/each 🤣 Absolutely fine 🧐


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 12:17 pm
tillydog and tillydog reacted
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I have had both. Advantage of opticians is they can set focal length, so I have some for arms length work. Some off the shelf are too close for me but it's about personal preference

IME the optician frames have been far more robust but obviously more expensive 


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 12:34 pm
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I just had few pairs of cheap ones off Amazon, only +1 so hardly felt it was worth opticians.

I was actually bought some +2 ones as a joke 50th a few years back which are too strong for reading but ace for fiddly bits on the bike and other stuff, so I'd recommend getting a stronger pair too for fiddly repairs etc.


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 12:37 pm
sofaman, footflaps, sofaman and 1 people reacted
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I like these but 1.5 seems to be the weakest strength. Really light, nice quality frames with hinged arms, I’ve never broken a pair which is unheard of!


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 12:42 pm
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I've been getting by with £3 pairs from Amazon when my missus bullied me into getting a proper set so Oakley frames and Nikon lenses acquired. The £3 ones are probably better as I can wear them for more activities (my posh set are best for desk work and reading at arms length but not much else). Also, when trying out the frames in the shop I was mainly making sure they looked OK. Didn't realise Oakley made frames that might just slip straight off my head if I looked down...


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 12:43 pm
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I have a mix, loads of Amazon +1s, a few Amazon +2s for fiddly work and some proper varifocals for computer work which also allow me to read a text next to the keyboard.


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 12:44 pm
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Another vote for cheap online - you can put your prescription in, they still ask for PD. You can ask your optometrist to tell you that, or some websites have a measuring thing you can print off and hold up to your face (in a mirror). I've used Select Specs quite a few times, usually for the backup pairs at £6 a go. They have a guide on PD here https://www.selectspecs.com/info/pupillary-distance/


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 12:48 pm
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So long as you are at ease with your advancing years and dodgy eyesight these are brilliant. I have a pair around my neck much of the time. Shut that door!


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 12:54 pm
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^ but you can get nicer versions for more money. Clic I think are one


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 12:55 pm
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I use Selectspecs online.  


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 1:26 pm
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I now use online and pay about £12 a pr. Used to buy £1.99 from B&M etc. But decided it's worth spending a little more on more robust and slightly nicer looking ones.


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 2:14 pm
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Yep, I bought a few pairs from Poundland @ £1.99/each

+1

Pop in Poundland and try a few on OP, they're usually on the end of one of the aisles. They have some nice styles IMO.

As above, I have them scattered around the house, van and various coat pockets for convenience.

Also have prescription specs for working, which stay on my desk.


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 2:19 pm
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Also got mine cheap from pound land

I had some issues with my eyes and had to see an NHS specialist and even she said to not waste your money at an opticians and just go to pound land!

Although I have had to admit my old age by getting varifocul lenses in my main regular glasses for when I dont wear my contact lenses but that wasnt as expensive as I thought it would be (but I am a cheap skate specsavers customer!)


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 2:38 pm
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I’ve got a whole bunch of cheap as you like readers. A pair in the garage, one in the living room, one in the kitchen, a couple at work, one in my bag …

I also have a couple of pairs that I find really comfortable. My best pair is incredibly light and folds very flat. They were expensive, but they’re so light I can keep them in the pocket of my (flannel checked of course) shirt as I only need them for close work.

You’ll wince when you see the price, but as I have them with me all day everyday it doesn’t seem that much to me.
https://www.thinoptics.com/en-gb/collections/reading-glasses-case


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 3:15 pm
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Off the shelf if you don’t have other vision issues to correct. 

I’m also shortsighted and have an astigmatism, so I only use reading glasses for when I’m wearing contact lenses. The rest of the time I use vocals or occupational (computer distance) glasses. <br /><br />

The only non-cheapo reading glasses I have are reading sunglasses with decent UV protection. 


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 3:19 pm
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You are asking about the equivalent of BSO's. Just because they have the right (or approximate) focal length does not make them bicycles. I have varifocals and a pair of fixed computer lenses. Not bike cost, but you could buy a wheel for the price of each lens. And they are the thinnest, least reflective lenses I've ever worn (+5 and +1.75 extra for reading).


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 5:20 pm
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I'm asking if it's worth getting Hope reading glasses or if I'll not notice the difference running Deore reading specs.

Don't often get a consensus on STW but it seems we have here.

At a simple +1.25 each eye, my prescription couldn't be any simpler.

I was asking as I have some old, great condition Oakley OO Square and was wondering if it was worth the cost of lenses for them.


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 5:28 pm
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Several shops for (example tescos and superdrug) have those spinning racks of Foster Grants - these are sized like 'proper' optician frames, so you'll see the 3 measurements on one of the arms.    Arm length, bridge width and eye size. I think some even have a 4th measurement for pupil distance.

The lenses are still not as good as good lenses from your local optician, but they're better than poundland , in my experience.  Nonetheless Foster Grants could be a good shout for you if you have an average-ish head.


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 5:45 pm
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You'll never guess who I bumped into when I bought some cheap specs...

Everyone

Mine are supermarket +1.25 and perfect for <£5. They make all the difference to reading on these darker evenings


 
Posted : 18/12/2023 5:53 pm
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I’ve got a couple of pairs from my optician, but while I can see a difference between them and cheap ones, I tend to always end up using the cheap ones. The ones I use most have thin titanium arms and are very light and comfortable to wear, that I got off eBay. I’m wearing a pair now, I’ve had them on for several hours so far. Since my cataract surgery, my close-up vision is worse (I was short-sighted) but I no longer have to fork out for contacts or prescription glasses.

These are the ones that I have, +2.5, and if I have to do any detailed of fiddly close-up work, I wear two pairs.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404469232221?var=674430527567&hash=item5e2c3eb25d:g:18gAAOSwgNZk8aaf&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAABEJjyituMXkkdQnclLddMxeSaWALIKib7x9LoFsQ3%2F%2BOWFpqz4ztsfL7gZv%2FmoGVLBFnDPayLeRrwDQTHwL%2FNhMIKw0JA08I6WccZVXmj%2Ff3whYBzYE2FAf9htCoc4LTkqjinKEglCwOUNnmrtbaFB2Ip7eyItoNUgqweNmH1VNqL5Xq2CNBp8onpdoAubC7ViElzDT1K1rEkczUAKIN7cAX%2Bkmi5n1BxHG%2BOYWmxlNfMxDLDMgCngMUpB27jWUq7Z3oKQK8M5ZpITKp%2BFMk4WqIp8o1no8Exhbj3L9MU3y2mW3eEGDrheY7wRMzxiQo3OaCAJMs2YmJda5Dod8nBQ%2FYHUx6BRnVwX%2F59MsCX9ef9%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-ig4P6PYw

(sorry, no idea how to shorten the word spaghetti)


 
Posted : 19/12/2023 2:37 am
 rone
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I paid close to £300 at the local opticians as I felt I was doing the right thing (didn't know any better) and the glasses are excellent with decent Nikon lenses. There is a different in quality for sure.

However it is hard to justify this when you pick up some plastic reading glasses and they do the more or less the same.

So I do both - my decent ones for work etc and have plastic ones around the home/bike maintenance area.

I'm very fussy with my eyes and as a cameraman / DOP my shots are more in focus than my colleague with cheap glasses 🤓


 
Posted : 19/12/2023 8:01 am

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