reading glasses over contacts...

[theclub27]

if my prescription is -5.0 -25 x180 -4.75 -75 x03 for glasses and I use a 1 power reading glass for computer, would I just order my prescription minus 1? So it would be -4 & -3.75 with the same astigmatism correction?

[TurtleJoe]

My specs. Nearsighted with astigmatism. Both cataracts done at age 66. Monofocal lens in place kin eyes (both lens set at slightly different focal point). Read/view computer monitor without glasses. Read notes while on computer with 2 power half reading glasses. Progressives worn most of the time for all other activities except shaving.
A large flat screen monitor is a challenge for me due to it's size and possibly for anyone who stares at a large screen for prolonged periods of time. The brightness and font size of work is suspect after cataract surgery when using a monitor/computer. The dazzling effect is present.
Best regards

[flossy93]

My husband tried progressives and didn't care for them (too much distortion).  

Since he works with two 24" computer monitors he also didn't want to have to keep moving his head around to see through the 'intermediate' layer of the lens, which is quite small in a progressive lens.  With the computer glasses set for an intermediate distance he can keep his head steady and look through the entire field of view and see the monitors clearly.

Great question, though.  Lots of people use progressives and for reading (where you're only focusing on a small physical area on a page or screen) they're great.  For big monitors or TVs where you need to see the entire screen at once, they're not as helpful.

[TurtleJoe]

Are progressive lens eyeglasses being investigated?

[flossy93]

Your eye doctor should be able to give you a prescription specifically for computer-distance glasses.  My husband did this recently and really likes having a full field of view with the lenses to look at the large computer monitors he uses at work.

He wears bifocals and found that neither section of the lens gave him the right correction for 'intermediate' distance such as large computer monitors.  His optometrist gave his a computer-distance-specific prescription; he took it to Costco and got inexpensive frames and cheap single-vision lenses.  He loves having these 'computer glasses.'

Wouldn't you need an actual prescription from an eye doctor to have these lenses made anyway?   Even if you order glasses online I think the companies check the prescription with your eye doctor.  Or perhaps this varies by country, or maybe there is a way to get glasses without a written or verbally-verified prescription?  I don't know about this, but if you post your experience it would be helpful to others.  Good luck!

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

Essentially yes.  Most people add +1.50 though rather than 1.  Depends on how far you sit from the screen.

HV

[theclub27]

I meant if I want just computer use glasses.