Glasses for Computer Use

[eytonxav]

I wear progressive lens glasses that have a 1.5 adjustment for reading and I basically wear them all the time, although I can get by without glasses more so for distance than up close. I have heard that computer glasses should be 1/2 the power of reading glasses as the distance to the screen is further than when reading a book. For those that wear computer glasses with an Rx factor, how do you like them and do you believe it's worth buying a pair for computer use? Also, what about blue light filtering, good, bad or meaningless?

 

[foxcreek9]

I "computer" glasses. Yes I recommend, no I don't have blue light filtering, nor any other add on the doctor pushes. I will say the first pair, from the eye doctor, was too strong. He cut back the add and they work great now. Of course I have to hold my phone an arms length away to read it with them on

 

[Souschef]

I have a pair of bifocal computer glasses. I told the eye dr. that I want the upper lens focused at 30 inches

 

[OldShooter]

I wear progressive lens glasses that have a 1.5 adjustment for reading and I basically wear them all the time, although I can get by without glasses more so for distance than up close. I have heard that computer glasses should be 1/2 the power of reading glasses as the distance to the screen is further than when reading a book. For those that wear computer glasses with an Rx factor, how do you like them and do you believe it's worth buying a pair for computer use? Also, what about blue light filtering, good, bad or meaningless?

I have both computer glasses and reading glasses. Many pairs. My prescription add is +2 diopters, so I split it for computer, +1 and take the full add +2 for reading.

Whenever I get new numbers I go online and shop the Chinese glasses suppliers. I am not at all fussy about frame cosmetics, so I can always find sales with two single-vision pairs for $25.00 plus shipping. I typically buy four reading glasses so I can have a pair near every chair where I read + one for travel, and I buy two computer glasses pairs. For frames, I buy brown or gold, for reading I buy black. I don't buy any of the add-on coatings.

The way to order single vision is to take the spere correction and add the "add" number that you want. So if your sphere is -3 and your add is +1.5, your single vision sphere number is -1.5 and the other numbers stay the same.

In our state, an optician is not allowed to make glasses without an prescription from a doctor. Nice little gouge for the doctors. So I can't buy locally and pay the US ripoff prices. Not that I would anyway.

 

[Dalmore]

I've been using "computer" glasses for about 4-5 years now. I love them. If I am wearing progressives, I am constantly tilting my head up and down trying to maintain focus on my two monitors. With the computer glasses I don't even think about it. So much more relaxing and clear. I do have the yellow tinted, blue light filtering. I don't know if it is beneficial or not, but it doesn't hurt the experience either. Also, even in retirement, I spend 8 hours or so in front of the computer working on my hobbies.

 

[W2R]

I wear progressive lens glasses that have a 1.5 adjustment for reading and I basically wear them all the time, although I can get by without glasses more so for distance than up close. I have heard that computer glasses should be 1/2 the power of reading glasses as the distance to the screen is further than when reading a book. For those that wear computer glasses with an Rx factor, how do you like them and do you believe it's worth buying a pair for computer use? Also, what about blue light filtering, good, bad or meaningless?

My laptop computer is about the same distance from my eyes as a book would be (about 18"-20"). I don't use a desktop computer.

Since my cataract surgery seven years ago, all I need are reading glasses which I use for "up close" work like computer or reading. I bought four pairs for $25 from Amazon, in each of two strengths. I choose whichever seems the most appealing at the time (usually the stronger ones). I don't bother with the extra expense of blue light filtering; if my eyes get tired, then I just rest them for a while.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

I have a pair of prescription bifocals that I use for reading on my iPad while also watching TV. I also use these while driving at night so I can read the road signs.

I have cheap, non-prescription reading glasses from Walmart that I use when I'm using my desktop computer since that distance is further away than when I use my iPad.

I also have non-bifocal prescription sunglasses that I use for daytime driving and daytime work outside.

Obviously, the magnification differs between the prescription bi-focals and the cheap reading glasses due to focusing on different distances.

I tried progressive lenses for the first purpose above, but just couldn't get used to them. So I took them back and went bi-focal.

 

[brett]

I cannot wear progressives.

One eye is stronger than the other so those cheap readers do not work for me. Have to go with Rx.

I need glasses for reading. They are fine for computer work. But...I have a 27" screen.

 

[pacergal]

The newest progressive eyeglass pair that I have has antiglare and blue light.
I really noticed a difference in less eye fatigue when I changed over.

I have had progressive lenses for years (trifocals prior), and sometimes I still find myself moving my head up and down to find the best vision, but I just can't wear contacts anymore. I have tried just about every kind on the market, and tried again last year.
I loved them in the past, just don't get the best vision anymore with them and my eyes get so itchy.
Contacts always provided the clearest vision for me in the past.

 

[testing321]

I wear progressives and for years have been buying single vision computer glasses from Zenni for about $20. I use the same cylinder and axis from the progressive prescription, but increase the sphere by 1.75 in each lens. This gives me ideal focus out to about 2'. If you sit further away from you computer monitor than that, I would increase by only 1.5. The nice thing about single vision computer glasses is that you don't have to tilt your head back to get the monitor in focus because the prescription is the same across the entire lens.

 

[statsman]

I've been contemplating this same issue for quite some time. I've been using progressives for almost 20 years. They work just fine for most situations. Some exceptions are reading text on my PC monitor and walking down stairs. I tend to lift up the glasses a bit and look under them when walking down stairs. Otherwise, it's quite easy to misstep.

I have a challenge reading anyway because I have one dominant eye and the other that is partially lazy. It makes focusing on text, even in printed form, difficult, especially when the dominant eye starts to tire. I didn't figure this out until after college, and it's likely a reason why I had issues with reading retention in K-12. Even as an adult, I can be reading a book and at some point realize what I just read wasn't making sense. Scanning back up, I determined my eyes skipped a line or even two without catching it.

But back to reading eBooks on a computer monitor. I wonder whether there would be any benefit to having bifocals or "computer progressives" given my focusing issues.

I wear progressives and for years have been buying single vision computer glasses from Zenni for about $20. I use the same cylinder and axis from the progressive prescription, but increase the sphere by 1.75 in each lens. This gives me ideal focus out to about 2'. If you sit further away from you computer monitor than that, I would increase by only 1.5. The nice thing about single vision computer glasses is that you don't have to tilt your head back to get the monitor in focus because the prescription is the same across the entire lens.

Interesting solution. I find myself 20-22" away from my 27" QHD monitor (IPS, 75 Hz refresh).

 

[OldShooter]

... I wonder whether there would be any benefit to having bifocals or "computer progressives" given my focusing issues. ...

An ounce of data trumps a pound of theories. Just buy a couple of single-vision glasses; one with the sphere + 1/2 of your "Add" number and one with the sphere + the "Add." See what you think. The experiment doesn't need to cost more than $50.

 

[eytonxav]

I have both computer glasses and reading glasses. Many pairs. My prescription add is +2 diopters, so I split it for computer, +1 and take the full add +2 for reading.

Whenever I get new numbers I go online and shop the Chinese glasses suppliers. I am not at all fussy about frame cosmetics, so I can always find sales with two single-vision pairs for $25.00 plus shipping. I typically buy four reading glasses so I can have a pair near every chair where I read + one for travel, and I buy two computer glasses pairs. For frames, I buy brown or gold, for reading I buy black. I don't buy any of the add-on coatings.

The way to order single vision is to take the spere correction and add the "add" number that you want. So if your sphere is -3 and your add is +1.5, your single vision sphere number is -1.5 and the other numbers stay the same.

In our state, an optician is not allowed to make glasses without an prescription from a doctor. Nice little gouge for the doctors. So I can't buy locally and pay the US ripoff prices. Not that I would anyway.

Thanks for that formula, I thought is was just a case of halving the Rx's add #.

 

[Dd852]

Sigh. I have progressives and I have computer glasses. They work but - obviously - when I remember to change to the correct pair. Too many times have I simply continued using the progressives at the computer or - much worse - started running or bike riding with the computer glasses only to realize I couldn’t really see. So at least for me, operator error is a major obstacle.

 

[Sunset]

Years ago, at the eye doc , I asked for a prescription of "computer glasses" , I normally only use glasses for distance, so my eyes are pretty good.

I find the computer glasses great, as 1 eye is not as good as the other, so both eyes see sharply with the glasses.

I didn't bother with blue light as I want to see the colors on the screen. Didn't bother with any other coatings either, as these glasses are just used at the computer.

 

[OldShooter]

Thanks for that formula, I thought is was just a case of halving the Rx's add #.

Well ... Here's a little more detailed explanation: The "sphere" is simply the magnification (in diopters) of the base prescription. Positive numbers for farsighted people, negative for nearsighted people like me. For closer work, we need to add magnification, which (gasp!) is what the "add" numbers are. Those will always be positive. The "add" in your doctor's prescription is the magnification you need added for reading distance. So for single vision reading glasses you just add up the "sphere" and the "doctor's add." For middle distance/aka computer I have been using half the doctor's "add" number. My monitors are about 24" away.

But the Chinese glasses are so cheap, it is easy to experiment. Want more added magnification? Order lenses using a bigger "add" number. Less, use a smaller number. No lens police will come to your door.

Don't give the "add" number to the glasses company if you are ordering single vision glasses as it will confuse them. Just give them left and right lens sphere numbers that are your heart's desire.

Shooting competitive pistol I used supplemental lenses on a frame that held the lenses in front of my glasses lens. I wanted to focus on the pistol front sight at arm's length; 0.75 diopter got me there.

I am not an optician, btw. Use at your own risk.

 

[Midpack]

I only wear my progressives when I am out and about or driving. I have 2.0 computer and reading glasses (by my desktop), 1.0 TV watching glasses (by my chair in the family room), 1.5 golf glasses (I couldn't play golf with progressives), etc. - all our just cheaters from CVS. IMO cheaters are much better than progressives when you're focused on one focal length. YMMV

 

[travelover]

Last eye exam, I asked doc for prescription for just computer glasses in addition to my regular glasses. I sent the prescription to Zenni and got them for $6 plus shipping.

 

[easysurfer]

I have an old pair of computer glasses and wouldn't go without.

Also have some progressive glasses. An old one that I wear most of the time (I don't mind a bit blurry), a better one for driving and one that the prescription never was right.

For the never was right one, I use as a spare computer glasses. I leave this one in my laptop bag.

Also, I have an old prescription sunglasses which I wear on really bright days or for when I go home from having pupils dilated.

My progressive glasses are also transitions.

 

[RetiredAt55.5]

I've been contemplating this same issue for quite some time. I've been using progressives for almost 20 years. They work just fine for most situations. Some exceptions are reading text on my PC monitor and walking down stairs. I tend to lift up the glasses a bit and look under them when walking down stairs. Otherwise, it's quite easy to misstep.

I have a challenge reading anyway because I have one dominant eye and the other that is partially lazy. It makes focusing on text, even in printed form, difficult, especially when the dominant eye starts to tire. I didn't figure this out until after college, and it's likely a reason why I had issues with reading retention in K-12. Even as an adult, I can be reading a book and at some point realize what I just read wasn't making sense. Scanning back up, I determined my eyes skipped a line or even two without catching it.

But back to reading eBooks on a computer monitor. I wonder whether there would be any benefit to having bifocals or "computer progressives" given my focusing issues.


Interesting solution. I find myself 20-22" away from my 27" QHD monitor (IPS, 75 Hz refresh).

I have the same lazy eye problem, and I hate progressives. I was never comfortable reading with them - I had to cock my head at one "sweet" spot to read with them.

I was also having problems with them seeing my phone on the dashboard at night (sorta the same distance as a computer screen). I had my eye guy make up a lined bifocal - upper part for distance and the lower part for "arms length" distance. I did pick a frame with a taller lens area and I had him make the lower section a bit taller (for less head cocking). They also have a magnetic polarized sunglass clip-on so I can use them day or night. I LOVE them - never going back to progressives!

Next year (when I get the vision insurance again), I'm thinking of having him make up another pair, but the lower section would be for regular reading versus arms length reading. BTD I guess.

 

[Qs Laptop]

Hope this helps. Says the formula is for bifocals but I can confirm it works for progressive lenses as well.

 

[W2R]

I hate progressives.

+1000

My neck muscles were never coordinated perfectly enough to keep anything in focus for more than few seconds when I had progressives (back in 1992 or so). I thought they were the glasses from He** and sheer torture to wear. Never tried them again after that one pair which cost me a fortune.

 

[6miths]

If I am going to be on my desktop for a long period, writing a long report or a day of Zoom, then I will wear my contacts which work very well.

 

[Qs Laptop]

I wear progressive lens glasses that have a 1.5 adjustment for reading and I basically wear them all the time, although I can get by without glasses more so for distance than up close. I have heard that computer glasses should be 1/2 the power of reading glasses as the distance to the screen is further than when reading a book. For those that wear computer glasses with an Rx factor, how do you like them and do you believe it's worth buying a pair for computer use? Also, what about blue light filtering, good, bad or meaningless?

I also wear progressive lenses with a slight distance correction and a +2.50 ADD value. Like you, I can see distance fairly well, it's up close that's the problem.

I've got computer glasses (which are progressive) and I highly recommend them. Well worth it.

Number one reason is no tilting the head up and down to find the "sweet spot" in order to read the computer monitor clearly.

Number two reason is I don't have to move my head left-to-right to get the edges of the screen in focus. Just move my eyes to that part of the screen and it's in focus. (23" monitor)

Number three reason is since they are progressives I can also use them as reading glasses. This means I can have something I'm reading laying on my lap and I can look up to the computer screen and read that clearly as well. Or I can hold a piece of paper in my hand a foot away from my eyes, read it clearly, then peek over the piece of paper to my monitor about 28" away and read that clearly. No abrupt transition, just smooth focusing.

I don't put any stock in blue filtering. Just adjust the brightness of the monitor down to an acceptable level. Most people have them set on radioactive.

 

[Katsmeow]

Before my cataract surgery, I used computer glasses. They were progressive lenses with the top optimized for computer distance and the bottom optimized for reading. I wanted that so I could read papers on my desk without having to switch glasses.

I measured the distance between my eyes and each of my monitors and took that to the doctor and they used that distance to optimize my prescription. This was very, very helpful and important for me for years. I do spend several hours at the computer each day so I spent most of the day wearing those glasses.

That said -- when I had cataract surgery my main vision outcome that I was shooting for was to not need computer glasses. I didn't mind having to wear reading glasses or even distance glasses but I didn't want computer glasses. I did achieve that with my surgery and so no longer wear glasses on the computer at all.