Computer glasses?

Discussion in 'Glasses' started by Jim T., May 5, 2005.

  1. Jim T.

    Jim T. Guest

    Have just had my second cataract removed (first was a month ago.) Seem
    to be working just fine, but I'm just ine the first week. I'm now
    waiting about 3 months to get a new prescription. In the meantime the
    doc says to get some "drug store" glasses for reading. I've had some
    for a while and they work fine. Now I need something with a proper
    focal length for computer use.
    Searching the internet, I'm not sure that what I find will do the job.
    Does anyone have a source for cheap glasses for that purpose?
    BTW - I'm seriously considering trifocals later. I've been using them
    successfully for many years,
     
    Jim T., May 5, 2005
    #1
  2. Jim T.

    otisbrown Guest

    Dear Jim,

    I am not certain what you are looking for.

    You can find simple spherical plus
    lenses on the rack. Just put them
    on and read at a comfortable
    distance. They are low cost -- about
    $10, so you can try several for
    comfort.

    If that does not work, a convenient
    source of $19 is on this link.
    Bifocals are more expensive of course.

    http://Zennioptical.com

    Good luch with you catarack operation.

    Best,

    Otis
     
    otisbrown, May 5, 2005
    #2
  3. Jim T.

    LarryDoc Guest

    First, there have to a few assumptions: that you have little or no
    correctable astigmatism and that both eyes require the same distance
    correction (or if your doctor got the IOL power right on, no distance
    correction.)

    That being the case, the next factor is the distance from your eyes to
    the computer monitor. For a 22-26"/55-66cm working distance, a + 1.50
    or +1.75 lens should be about right. A little closer, a little higher
    power, further, a bit less.

    If the criteria in the first paragraph are not met, then you are better
    off having your refractive status/prescription checked and ordering the
    correct spectacles. Measure your working distance and have the doctor
    customize your lenses for you.

    Pre-made inexpensive readers can be purchased at drug and discount
    stores, from local optical stores and some eye doctors. They assume that
    your eyes require the identical powers for correction and that your eyes
    are spaced equally at around 62mm. Errors around all those criteria may
    make a less than adequate cheap fix.

    --LB, O.D.
     
    LarryDoc, May 5, 2005
    #3
  4. Jim T.

    Jim T. Guest

    Sorry, guess I'm not being clear.
    -Reading glasses don't work well for computer work. You need a
    different focal length, or you have to get closer!
    -I'm looking for a temporary solution until I can get a permanent
    prescription.
     
    Jim T., May 5, 2005
    #4
  5. Computer glasses are just weaker "reading" glasses (the weaker you go,
    the farther out the clear point of focus). If +2.00 readers work well at
    17", then +1.00 or +1.25 readers should work well at 24". Having said
    that, if you want a more accurate Rx, have an o.d. refract you and make
    up a custom pair that will be right on. If you had small incision,
    stitchless procedures, they may not even need changing in 2 or 3 mos.
    If you had any stitches, then you probably will have to have them
    changed in a few weeks/mos. I had the former 4 mos ago and my Rx has
    been pretty rock solid unchanged since day 2 post-op.

    w.stacy, o.d.
     
    William Stacy, May 5, 2005
    #5
  6. Jim T.

    Jim T. Guest

    Interesting. Thanks.

     
    Jim T., May 5, 2005
    #6
  7. Jim T.

    A Lieberman Guest

    Dear Jim,

    Please disregard Otis's postings. He is not in the medical profession nor
    in the position to give medical advice.

    Thanks!

    Allen
     
    A Lieberman, May 5, 2005
    #7
  8. What I did, since I knew I was going back to work 3 days after both
    surgeries, is I took a recent pair of bifocals I had, popped both lenses
    out and had plano with a 2.25 add put into them, same style, same seg
    ht. Then I swapped the old right lens for the new right and took these
    with me to the 1st surgery (as it was my left eye to be done first).
    Got up off the table and wore those just fine (could have used some
    slab-off, but I prism adapt pretty quickly) until the following week,
    when I popped the other new (right) lens into the frame just before
    surgery, jumped off the gurney with the new ones, and wore them until I
    could tell I wasn't going to change much more, about 3 more days, and
    made myself a pair of progressives that still work today, 4 mos later.
    Never missed a day of work. Piece of cake. Nobody should put off this
    procedure. First sign of trouble, have it done, and if you're a
    moderate to high hyperope and presbyopic, don't even bother to wait for
    trouble...

    w.stacy, o.d.
     
    William Stacy, May 5, 2005
    #8
  9. I cannot overemphasize my satisfaction with the 99¢ store or a swap meet
    where I bought several in different strenghts at about a dollar each. I am
    using such a pair at my computer now.

    Bill
     
    Repeating Rifle, May 5, 2005
    #9
  10. It is true that it may be difficult to get the correct focal length if you
    do not have occular implants. What I do is to just wear reading glasses over
    my street glasses. You can call me six-eyes. If you require differing
    strengths for the two eyes, just buy two pair of a type using the same
    frame. Cheap enough. Right now I am using a pair marked +1.50. I leave the
    tag on.

    At the swap meet, I attend, I can also get higher power glasses often used
    by older machinists.I have a pair with a number of plastic flippers of
    various power. Those cost more and are probably not necessary.

    six-eyes Bill
     
    Repeating Rifle, May 5, 2005
    #10
  11. Repeating Rifle wrote:

    What I do is to just wear reading glasses over
    Different strokes. Fortunately for my business, most of my patients
    wouldn't be caught dead using such contraptions (I guess northern
    Californians can be a bit uppity). Or maybe we're just not quite so
    resourceful. I especially like the bit about leaving the tag on. You
    know you could probably talk an o.d. or optician out of an old 6 or 10
    piece frame display that you could set up right there in your shop so
    your entire collection could be at your fingertips.

    w.stacy, o.d.
     
    William Stacy, May 5, 2005
    #11
  12. Jim T.

    LarryDoc Guest

    I get a kick out of those people who go out and spend hundreds and
    hundreds of dollars on a new lens for their camera, that they might use
    a few time a year, and then head over to the thrift shop for
    reading/computer glasses that they use for hours every single day.

    --Larry
     
    LarryDoc, May 6, 2005
    #12
  13. It's a good thing most swap meets don't have contact lens hawkers...
     
    William Stacy, May 6, 2005
    #13
  14. Jim T.

    Neil Brooks Guest

    Yeah, but you should see how beautifully my pictures come out.

    I can't, but you should ;-)
     
    Neil Brooks, May 6, 2005
    #14
  15. What about people that spend $200 on a pair of sneakers, but don't think an
    optometrist visit is worth half that?

    Scott
     
    Scott Seidman, May 6, 2005
    #15
  16. I have used bifocals designed for viewing a computer monitor. They were just
    fine. I recently had cataract surgery and I was not going to spend $200
    before my eyes settled. My 99¢ solution is adequate for me. As my cataract
    surgery stablized. I just made a minor change from +1.75 to +1.50 at a cost
    of 99¢ plus sales tax.

    Earlier, I also had trouble getting optometrists or ophthalmologists to
    modify my prescription to what I wanted. They knew better. Usually, single
    vision was suggested. I finally went to an ophthalmologist who did not sell
    glasses. He gave me a prescription just like what I wanted. He only
    suggested that the optician recenter the glasses for the distance to the
    screen. Those glasses worked out very well indeed. Unfortunately for me,
    that ophthalmologist started doing refractive surgery exclusively.

    six-eye Bill
     
    Repeating Rifle, May 6, 2005
    #16
  17. I understand optics. I have never spent extra on a camera lens if you
    exclude an afocal telephoto adapter.

    six-eye Bill
     
    Repeating Rifle, May 6, 2005
    #17
  18. Jim T.

    The Real Bev Guest

    I spend at least 8 hours a day at the computer or reading. When I got my
    contacts I started buying 99-cent readers. While some of the frames have
    needed a whole lot of personalization with a file, the lenses have always been
    first rate. I've also acquired a number of more expensive ($9-$20) readers at
    yard sales and the only difference is nicer frames.
     
    The Real Bev, May 7, 2005
    #18
  19. Jim T.

    The Real Bev Guest

    When I needed a longer lens for my SLR I did a lot of shopping, looking for
    the best price. Same when I bought my cameras. Same with everything else. I
    can think of some good reasons to replace my 4-year-old Nikon CP-800, but "it
    ain't broke yet" trumps them all.
     
    The Real Bev, May 7, 2005
    #19
  20. Jim T.

    Dr. Leukoma Guest

    Companies spend millions developing new products to enhance the quality
    of life for people who can afford it. People usually purchase the best
    they can afford if they can differentiate the quality. Problem is,
    they cannot differentiate quality in this industry because of the
    tendency of retailers to sell lower quality at higher mark-ups. To me,
    nothing short of clear, comfortable vision is satisfactory. I admit
    that I am addicted to it, just like I am to high fidelity music and
    good food. It enhances my life. There is a tremendous service
    component to getting it done right.

    DrG
     
    Dr. Leukoma, May 7, 2005
    #20
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.