Could non-prescription reading glasses harm your health?

December 1, 2010

Some vision experts are warning people about using non-prescription reading eyeglasses to help correct certain vision problems.

The Mayo News cites an article in a recent issue of an Irish consumer magazine in which an optometrist checked the quality and prescription of 14 pairs of over-the-counter reading glasses.

The doctor found that half had serious flaws that could cause problems such as eye strain, blurred vision, headaches or double vision.

"Another danger is that buying ready-readers may mean that the wearer feels that they do not need to have a proper sight test," optometrist Lynda McGivney told the news provider.

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), optometrists often prescribe reading glasses to treat presbyopia, a vision condition in which the crystalline lens of your eye loses its flexibility, which makes it difficult to focus on close objects.

Presbyopia is a natural part of the aging process of the eye and usually becomes noticeable in the early to mid-40s.

Because presbyopia can complicate other common vision conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, an optometrist must determine the specific lenses necessary to help individuals see clearly and comfortably.

According to the AOA, whether or not there is a need for eyeglasses, adults should be examined for signs of eye and vision problems with a comprehensive eye examination at least every two years.