As the saying goes, "Eyesight deteriorates with age." This is true, as many people experience presbyopia in middle and old age. It is essential to choose a suitable pair of reading glasses when dealing with presbyopia. Wearing reading glasses also requires knowledge; otherwise, wearing unsuitable glasses will not only fail to alleviate presbyopia but also potentially mask certain eye conditions. So, what are some misconceptions when it comes to wearing reading glasses?
Buying a cheap pair without consideration
Many middle-aged and elderly people buy reading glasses randomly on the street because they are looking for a bargain. However, excessively cheap lenses may be made of industrial glass instead of optical lenses, containing impurities and lacking clarity. These lenses cannot block ultraviolet rays, and long-term wear can cause eye fatigue, dizziness, nausea, etc., exacerbating the condition of presbyopia. In addition, cheap glasses bought on the street often have the same prescription in both eyes, which obviously does not suit everyone. Because the degree of presbyopia varies among middle-aged and elderly people, some may have other vision problems such as myopia or astigmatism in addition to presbyopia. Therefore, buying a random pair of reading glasses not only fails to ensure optimal visual effects but also leads to visual fatigue and other phenomena, which is not worth the risk. I would like to remind everyone to choose eyewear from companies that can provide an industrial production license. When selecting lenses and frames, pay attention to whether there is an industrial production license mark on the packaging to ensure eye health.
Using the same pair of reading glasses indefinitely
Many middle-aged and elderly people believe that once they have presbyopia, they can continue using the same pair of reading glasses until they are damaged, but this is a misconception. The condition of presbyopia changes over time. As age increases, the crystalline lens of the eye becomes harder and thicker, and the ability of the ciliary muscle to adjust also decreases, resulting in a decrease in focusing ability. When looking at close objects, the image cannot be fully focused, making objects appear blurry. Even with careful eye protection, the degree of presbyopia will increase with age. In general, for people without myopia or hyperopia, the degree of reading glasses is about 100-150 degrees at the age of 40-45, approximately 200 degrees at around 50 years old, and about 300 degrees at around 60 years old. After 60 years old, there is generally no significant change. Therefore, even if you have previously worn suitable reading glasses, remember to visit the hospital every 3-5 years for an examination and replace them with appropriate glasses.
Using a magnifying glass instead of reading glasses
Some older people with presbyopia do not wear reading glasses but frequently use magnifying glasses to read books and newspapers. This is also an unscientific practice and "indulges" their vision. Prolonged use of a magnifying glass instead of reading glasses can harm the eyes. Although both magnifying glasses and reading glasses are convex lenses that magnify objects, reading glasses are customized based on the specific conditions of each person's eyes, which is significantly different from magnifying glasses. The use of reading glasses by the elderly is not only for clear vision but also to maintain vision and protect the eyes. However, magnifying glasses do not have these effects. Prolonged use of magnifying glasses can cause eye discomfort, fatigue, and even headaches. Therefore, magnifying glasses are only suitable for temporary use in certain situations or special circumstances. Furthermore, a general magnifying glass is equivalent to 1000-2000 degrees of reading glasses. If you "indulge" your vision in this way for a long time, it will be challenging to find the right degree when you eventually need reading glasses.
Sharing one pair of reading glasses among multiple people
Currently, there is still a phenomenon of one family sharing a pair of reading glasses, which is not scientific. Firstly, the degree of presbyopia varies among individuals, and their interpupillary distance and astigmatism may also differ. If using reading glasses with an inappropriate interpupillary distance, it can cause "prism effect" when looking at things, leading to dizziness and eye strain. Therefore, from the perspective of protecting vision, middle-aged and elderly couples are better off each choosing their own pair of reading glasses.
The bigger the lens of reading glasses, the better
Some older people believe that the bigger the lens of reading glasses, the better. However, this is not true. If the lenses of reading glasses are too large, the interpupillary distance will not align with the geometric center of the lenses. Wearing such reading glasses, even if the degree of farsightedness is correct, will cause eye discomfort and even headaches, light sensitivity, and double vision after a while. To determine if the size of the lens is suitable, the upper edge of the frame should not cover the eyebrows. If discomfort is felt after wearing reading glasses, they should be re-fitted. Under no circumstances should one wear glasses that do not fit properly to avoid negative consequences.
Presbyopia is a normal physiological phenomenon
As people reach a certain age, in addition to presbyopia, they often experience dry eyes, cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and many other eye conditions that can affect visual function. After developing presbyopia, one should visit a regular hospital for a detailed examination and develop good eye habits. Avoid prolonged reading, computer use, etc., and frequently focus on distant objects, blink, engage in outdoor activities, and maintain a balanced diet.
