Optometrist Questions Optometrist

Is it ok to wear reading glasses all the time?

I am a 40 year old female. I want to know if it is ok to wear reading glasses all the time?

6 Answers

It is always best to ask your eye doctor after a full eye exam to rule out any eye conditions. Many people never have eye exams and wear readers when they have high astigmatism and other eye conditions. Glaucoma and other common eye conditions are never found until it is too late.
Reading glasses for near work would be recommended to enhance vision as needed. Right around age 40 everyone typically will come upon the need for reading glasses. Some individuals may need them sooner and some may need them later or not at all, depending on their overall glasses prescription and needs. This is called Presbyopia - the reduction in near vision due to the natural aging changes with the lens in the eye. If you find yourself wearing your reading glasses all the time, even to see at distance, then this usually means you may require a prescription for distance as well. Kindest, Tiffani B. Jackson, OD
If the glasses are single vision reading glasses, I would only recommend to use them for reading only. If they are bifocals or progressives, then they may be use all the time. It is best to consult with your eye care provider to see what was prescribed for you.
No, if you feel better in reading glasses all the time, you most likely need a distance prescription.
Yes if you do required reading glasses to read near material, then it is recommended that you wear prescription reading glasses that are appropriate for your working distance at near when you are reading a book to give you clear and comfortable vision.
You wear reading glasses only when you are reading. If you have progressives, then you can wear them all the time since they have distance, computer, and reading prescriptions all three in one pair.