Reading Glasses for Computer Use? | Blog | Eyebuydirect (2024)

FAQs

Reading Glasses for Computer Use? | Blog | Eyebuydirect? ›

Reading glasses work best for distances less than 18 inches. Since the optimal distance for computer screens is 20 to 26 inches, normal reading glasses may not be the best for regular computer use. Reading glasses for computer use are also known as computer glasses.

Reading glasses are only good for reading words close to your face. You're likely going to sit further away from your computer screen with the average distance being 20 to 26 inches. Reading glasses won't work for this purpose. This is where computer glasses enter the picture…

Unlike readers, bifocals, or regular progressive lenses, computer lenses are specially designed to help you see your computer screen with much less strain and effort. Because of this, they're unique and have some benefits that your other eyewear may not have.

We recommend purchasing computer reading glasses in a power that is half of your standard reading power.

If glasses are worn for distant vision, reading or both, they may not provide the most efficient vision for viewing a computer screen, which is about 20 to 30 inches from the eyes. Tell the doctor about job tasks and measure on-the-job sight distances. Accurate information will help get the best vision improvement.

The other feature that differentiates computer reading glasses from standard reading glasses is that computer readers typically have a blue light filter added to the lens to block out potentially harmful blue light. Blue light won't necessarily appear blue to the naked eye (or even to the bespectacled eye).

How to convert eyeglasses prescription to computer eyeglasses prescription? If you have already got your eyeglasses prescription, you need to split the Add number in half, and combine that split number with the SPH to get a single vision lenses for computer use.

Computer eyeglasses are not meant for long periods of time, like 16 hours a day. Computer glasses users should take them off every couple of hours to let their eyes rest and adjust accordingly. If you wear your computer eyeglasses all day long for 16 hours or more, it can cause eye strain and headaches.

In the long term, overpowered reading glasses could even have harmful effects on your eyes. Your eyes may become accustomed to the stronger correction, leading to a deterioration of your natural visual acuity. This process could increase the need for stronger glasses or contact lenses in the future.

Computer glasses come with specially coated lenses designed to relax your eyes while using a computer. Moreover, these lenses are also designed to help prevent digital eye strain, blurred vision, dry eyes, and other computer vision syndrome symptoms.

Are reading glasses just magnifiers? ›

Misleadingly called “magnifiers”

According to the FDA, over-the-counter reading glasses are categorized as “magnifying spectacles”, which is unintentionally misleading to many consumers. This is because the primary function of these convex lenses is to improve the focus of near objects.

Sometimes you'll find reading glasses higher than 3 diopters in strength. The higher the number in diopters, the higher the strength. So, +1.25 reading glasses would be less strong than +1.50 reading glasses, which would be less strong than +1.75 reading glasses.

Computer Progressive lenses are a type of progressive lens that's specifically designed for computer or laptop use. Rather than containing near, intermediate, and distance correction (like regular progressives), Computer Progressives exclusively provide near and intermediate vision.

Benicci Blue Light Blocking Glasses are durable, comfortable, and effective. We love that they're lightweight, well-fitting, and well-made so they won't cause any added strain while you wear them.

Working on your computer or laptop for long hours

Wearing eye protection glasses while you are working is ideal to protect your eyes from blue light exposure and to prevent the associated symptoms.

TV Glasses

Just as many of us have reading glasses, television glasses can improve vision. Ask your optician's advice if you have prescription lenses – they may recommend wearing your glasses for watching television, especially if you wear your glasses for distance tasks.