As a practicing optometrist for twenty years now, one of the most frequent questions I ask myself is "Can I use over-the-counter glasses, or will damage my eyes? The short answer to that question is yes ( according to its order), you can use these pharmacies "reading glasses without damaging your eyes. However, before you go out and buy a pair of these glasses for all drawers and night in your house, you must be aware of a number of things.
First, a basic understanding of why people develop the need for glasses in the first place, might be of interest. As people approach the age of 40, they may begin to notice that their near vision is not what it was until recent years. In fact, once you enter the Quarantine and progress in their early forties, you can expect changes have certainly closer, which requires a spectacle (or contact lenses) on prescription. (If you are nearsighted to begin with, you can simply remove your glasses to almost near to resolve this uncertainty, but this is an issue for another article).
The question remains however, why people need reading glasses around age forty? This is actually the culmination of a process that started almost the day you were born.
Our ability to focus at different distances and to go the distance near and vice versa comes from the crystalline lens. The lens sits behind our students and can change shape to accommodate focus at different distances. As children and even young adults, this lens is very elastic, which allows a tremendous ability to focus in the near.
However, over time, the ability of the lens to change shape decreases. It is a slow, yet fairly constant change. As this process continues from year to year, it finally touches a threshold point at the age of forty years, give or take a few years when your ability to focus on the typical reading distance of approximately 18-20 inches is altered.
As you can see, this process is just another aging process. Look at it this way: they need reading glasses because this process does not mean you are old, it just means you're "old enough". Perhaps research in this way in May to pay a little less depressing.
In addition, everyone experienced these vision changes, regardless of gender, race or nationality. So be assured that the need for a prescription of reading around forty years is not unusual, in fact, is the norm.
As to the over-the-counter (OTC) or drugstore, reading glasses, do not hesitate to use them as needed. Keep in mind, however, that people with a great difference in prescription between the eyes and / or high amounts of astigmatism do not go well with these glasses. You will also need to consult your eye care professional to help you determine what lenses to choose from.
Of course you can also just go into a store and try a difference of some powers to that which seems obvious to your desired viewing distance is found. The latter choice is not recommended if, after you avoid routine checkups with your ophthalmologist. Routine eye examinations can discover a potentially vision threatening conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration (to name a couple).
In addition, quality optical lenses OTC is often absent. But this can damage your eyes. You may experience discomfort and even headaches, but you will not do real damage to your eyes.
So when you reach this "time of your life when you need reading glasses, do not despair. You're not old, just "old enough" and you are certainly not alone. Also, please use the glasses counter, but make sure you continue to have routine exams.
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