Does Laser Eye Surgery Eliminate The Need For Reading Glasses?

What Are Reading Glasses?

Reading glasses are specialised eyewear designed to improve vision for close-up tasks, like reading. They are often needed, as people age, due to a condition called presbyopia which involves the hardening of the lens, ultimately leading to difficulty in seeing nearby objects and reading small print.

Types Of Reading Glasses

Reading glasses possess their own unique features, each designed to support the eyes in a particular manner. The best type to use would usually depend on the lens magnification level and vision correction method. Here are some types of reading glasses

1. Full-frame Reading Glasses: One of the most common types of reading glasses is full frame reading glasses. These glasses sit on the bridge of your nose and take up your vision entirely. They are best for long periods of reading or close-up work.
2. Half-frame reading glasses: These glasses are meant to sit lower on your nose and leave the top part of your vision unobscured by the frame or lens for long-distance viewing. They are useful in tasks requiring both near and far vision.
3. Bifocal reading glasses: Bifocals have two distinct focal points, one for distance vision and one for near vision. They are ideal for readers that require no magnification for long-distance viewings, such as watching the television.
4. Progressive reading glasses: These glasses have a gradual transition between different focal points, allowing for smooth vision at various distances without noticeable lines.
5. Over-the-counter (OTC) reading glasses: These are readily available without a prescription and come in various strengths. While they can be helpful for mild presbyopia, it's important to consult an eye doctor for a proper evaluation.

Signs That You May Need Reading Glasses

Here are some common signs that you might need reading glasses, particularly if you're over 40 and experiencing difficulty with near vision:

1. Blurry vision up close: Difficulty seeing small print or fine details clearly at a close distance, such as when reading books, menus, or text on your phone.
2. Holding reading material farther away: You find yourself needing to hold books, smartphones, or other objects farther from your eyes to focus more clearly.
3. Eye fatigue: Frequent eye discomfort, fatigue, or strain after reading or doing close-up tasks like working on a computer or sewing.
4. Headaches: Persistent headaches, especially after extended periods of reading, writing, or other near-vision activities, may signal the need for reading glasses.
5. Difficulty in low light: Reading in dim lighting becomes more challenging, and you may require brighter lights to see clearly.
6. Needing larger text: You frequently adjust the font size on your phone, tablet, or computer screen to read more comfortably.
7. Squinting: Squinting to make text appear clearer is another sign of presbyopia, which reading glasses can correct.

If you experience any of these signs, it's a good idea to visit an optometrist for an eye exam with a view to finding possible solutions.

Limitations Of Reading Glasses

While reading glasses provide relief for people who have trouble seeing up close, they are not without drawbacks, and in the long term they could affect your overall quality of life. Here are some of the limitations of reading glasses:

1. Eye strain: If you use reading glasses that are too strong or too weak for your eyes, you may experience difficulty seeing clearly. If you use the wrong glasses, you could experience eye strain, headaches, or double vision. You may also have trouble adjusting your focus when you switch between near and far objects.
2. Discomfort: Reading glasses can be annoying or uncomfortable to wear for various reasons. For example, they may slide down your nose, pinch your ears, fog up your lenses, or scratch your face. They may also interfere with your hairstyle, makeup, or jewellery. 
3. General inconvenience:   You may need to have multiple pairs of glasses for different purposes, such as reading, working, or driving. You may also need to constantly put them on and take them off depending on what you are doing. You may lose them, forget them, or break them easily.
4. Dependence: Reading glasses can make you rely on them more and more as you use them frequently. This can make it harder for you to see without them or adjust to other types of lenses. It can also make you feel less confident or capable without your glasses.
5. Temporary fix: Reading glasses only help you see better temporarily by magnifying the images that enter your eyes. They do not treat the root cause of your vision problem, which is usually related to the shape or function of your eye. Reading glasses do not correct other vision problems that may affect your reading ability, such as dry eyes, eye fatigue, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy. You may need to see an eye doctor to diagnose and treat these conditions.
6. Inadequate protection: Reading glasses do not block ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun that can damage your eyes and increase your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. You may need to wear sunglasses over your reading glasses or look for reading glasses that have UV protection built-in.

How Laser Eye Surgery Eliminates The Need For Reading Glasses

In recent years, finding alternatives to reading glasses has become increasingly relevant as populations age and the demand for convenience grows. Advancement in technology and eye care has led to the creation of several innovative solutions that aim to reduce or eliminate the need for traditional eyewear.

One of these solutions is laser eye surgery, a medical procedure used to correct common vision problems myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The need for glasses or contact lenses occurs when there are imperfections on your cornea, preventing the eye from focusing effectively. Laser eye surgery aims to smooth out these irregularities, leaving you with perfect vision.

Beyond clearer eyesight, it creates a renewed sense of confidence and independence. It is an excellent option for individuals with active lifestyles. For instance, you can go jogging or swimming without being scared of your lens changing position or even falling off.

At Optimax, we offer two types of laser eye surgery, LASIK and LASEK. The same lasers are used for each procedure and both produce outstanding results. We also use Wavefront technology, which obtains a unique map of each eye and together with other tests we tailor the treatment accordingly. 

Laser eye surgery is a very quick procedure: you’ll be in the treatment room for about 10-15 minutes, but the laser will only be on your eye for a matter of seconds. Much of the time in the surgery room will be spent preparing you for the procedure and checking the laser settings. The laser will be turned on and applied to your eye for a short period which could range from a few seconds to one minute, depending on your prescription. The procedure is generally safe, with minimal exposure to post-surgery risk.

If you have any inquiries about laser eye surgery at Optimax, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We are more than happy to discuss queries with you over the phone (0800 093 1110) or email (enquiry@optimax.co.uk).