Table of Contents
- How Do You Know You Need Glasses
- Glasses Prescriptions
- At-Home and Online Tests
- Tests to Gauge Overall Eyesight
- Reading Glasses for Presbyopia
- Tips to See Better
- See Your Doctor Regularly
If your vision has changed recently, you may need glasses to improve your sight.
Getting regular eye exams, especially after you turn 40 years old, means you have consistent monitoring of your vision changes over time and better prescriptions to suit your needs.
If you do not have the time to get an eye exam and are concerned about your vision changes, an online or printable at-home test may help you get an idea of your vision change, but it cannot diagnose your vision with full accuracy.If you are middle aged or older, you could also get over-the-counter reading glasses to improve your vision.
However, the best way to take care of your eyes is to be diagnosed by an eye doctor.
How Do You Know You Need Glasses?
Eyeglasses are one of the oldest methods of correcting vision problems. A frame holds two glass or plastic lenses that modify how light refracts into your eye, so you can see clearly despite a refractive error.
Glasses are among the most common forms of eyewear to correct sight, adding or subtracting power to manage nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), misshapen corneas (astigmatism), or farsightedness associated with age (presbyopia).
Most people develop vision problems as they get older, but for many people, refractive errors begin in childhood. Often, eye diseases like glaucoma and cataracts manifest refractive errors, so you may initially think your eyesight is getting worse due to age.
Because there are several potential causes of changing vision, it is important to go to an optometrist for a full eye exam, diagnosis, and referral to other practitioners if necessary. You may be able to understand some of your vision problems on your own, thanks to the internet, but again, a professional exam is always recommended.
Glasses Prescriptions: How Your Vision Correction Is Measured Over Time
When you visit an optometrist, they will measure each eye strength separately because the human eye changes at different rates.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) monitors optometrists and ophthalmologists through the Eyeglass Rule and the Contact Lens Rule, requiring your eye doctor to give you your lens prescription at the end of the exam for no additional fee, whether or not you ask for a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. You can take your prescription to any provider of glasses or contact lenses, including online services, and you should never be required to fill this prescription at your specific optometrist’s office.
The power of your eye’s visual strength is measured in diopters, reflecting the amount of change in lens shape needed to clearly focus images onto your retina. As your vision changes, diopter measurements will adjust by 0.25 as the standard increment. Your eyes are referred to differently.
- Oculus dexter is the right eye, abbreviated as RE.
- Oculus sinister is the left eye, abbreviated with LE.
These terms come from Latin root words, but you may see them on your prescription to indicate your eyes. You may also see measurements.
- Sphere: This number reflects your nearsightedness or farsightedness. This will appear on your prescription as “S.”
- Cylinder: This number indicates level of astigmatism, which changes the shape of the eye from round to cylindrical. Your prescription reflects this measurement as “C.”
- Axis: This number measures the degree of astigmatism. This word will be written out on your prescription.
The typical format for writing these numbers on your prescription is S x C x Axis.
Since hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism change the cornea and the rest of the eye’s shape in different ways, you will need different lens shapes to refract light. These shapes include:
- This shape is thin at the center and thicker at the edges, which helps to adjust nearsightedness. Prescription diopters have a “-“ sign in front of them.
- The opposite of concave, convex lenses are thickest at the center and thinner at the sides to correct farsightedness — either hyperopia or presbyopia. Prescription diopters have a “+” in front of them
- These lenses typically curve more in one direction than another to correct for astigmatism.
Even if you have “perfect” vision — or 20/20 vision, meaning you can see clearly 20 feet away from you — you should still undergo annual eye exams to maintain your eye health. Eye health can reflect general health, and comprehensive visual exams every year can show if there are changes in your cornea, retina, fluid pressure, and other important parts of your eye.
If you do not have any previously diagnosed eye conditions, you should consider getting eye exams at certain frequencies based on age.
- Babies: The first eye exam should occur at 6 months old, with another at 12 months (1 year).
- Children: Between 3 and 5 years old, the child should go in for an eye exam at least once. Then, the child should have an eye exam at 6 years old or before first grade. Eye exams should be annual after that until age 18.
- 20 to 39 years old: If you have no preexisting eye conditions, including refractive errors, you should get an eye exam at least every 5 years.
- 40 to 54 years old: Once you reach middle age, it is important to have eye exams every 2 to 4 years because several vision changes begin at this point in your life even if you have not had vision problems before.
- 55 to 64 years old: Eye exams are needed every 1 to 3 years to monitor your eye health for serious conditions, including cataracts.
- 65 and older: Getting an eye exam every 1 to 2 years monitors progressing eye changes for older adults.
Your optometrist or ophthalmologist will perform several tests during your routine eye exam to determine if your eyes are changing, how much they are changing, and why.
Many people are choosing to check their eyes online instead of going to an eye doctor. This process can get you started, but optometrists and ophthalmologists have tools at their disposal that allow for more thorough diagnoses.
At-Home and Online Tests Cannot Diagnose Underlying Conditions
There are a few charts that can be used online to get a general idea of your visual problems or changes.
For example, color vision charts can accurately tell you whether you have colorblindness or not; however, these tests do not provide treatment, and they are not a legitimate prescription. You will still need to see a medical professional to understand how colorblindness may be associated with your general health.
While you can use online tests to give you a general idea, you still need to see a professional to get a diagnosis.
Online Tests That Can Help You Gauge Your Overall Eyesight
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) offers help to perform tests at home for children or adults and get the most accurate readings possible. Here are some online tests to consider:
- Snellen eye chart: Sit 10 feet away from a printed or onscreen Snellen Eye Chart, which starts with a large “E,” and record which lines you are able to read without any visual correction. Then, cover one eye and read the lines; cover the other eye and read the lines; and record your results. Your eyes most likely have minor differences.
- Diopter reading test: You may also consider a printable diopter reading test, which you will then hold 14 inches away from your eyes. Attempt the top line, which has the smallest print, without any glasses or contact lenses; continue down the chart until you can find a line that you can read clearly. The number to the right of the line indicates what prescription power you need. If you need less than +3.00, you may be able to find reading glasses over the counter.
- Additional tests: There are other vision tests available through several online companies, including one for astigmatism, but professional eye doctors question the accuracy of these tests. Still, many of the services will offer to send your results to a professional optometrist or ophthalmologist in your area for review after you pay a small fee. If you choose not to pay the fee, but do notice that you have poorer vision than you expected, this indicates that you should see an eye doctor in person.
Again, it’s incredibly important to see an eye doctor in person. Most people develop a refractive error at some point, but sometimes, conditions like glaucoma or cataracts can cause changes in your vision. These conditions must be monitored, or you can go blind.
Reading Glasses for Presbyopia: Over the Counter or Prescription?
If you have presbyopia and have not developed other refractive errors earlier in life, your optometrist may recommend purchasing over-the-counter reading glasses. Typically, your optometrist will recommend reading glasses power based on your age.
- 40 to 44 years old: You will use a power between +0.75 to +1.00 diopters to adjust your presbyopia.
- 45 to 49 years old: Typically, this age group will need +1.00 to +1.50 diopters.
- 50 to 54 years old: As presbyopia continues, this age range will need between +1.50 and +2.00 diopters.
- 55 to 59 years old: For this age group, +2.00 to +2.25 diopter reading glasses are typically recommended.
- 60 years old and older: For older adults, +2.25 to +2.50 diopters can adjust more progressed presbyopia.
Nonprescription reading glasses are sold over the counter with powers up to +3.00. After passing this convex lens number, you will need a prescription for reading glasses. Experts recommend that you pick the reading glasses with the lower power if you have two pairs of OTC glasses that correct your vision in about the same range. Wearing corrective lenses that are too powerful, even a little bit, for your eyes can cause eye strain, headaches, and make your vision worse faster.
You should also consider getting several pairs of reading glasses with different powers to help you perform different tasks, including working on a computer, watching television, and driving.
Over-the-counter reading glasses, or readers, may work for you for a little while, but if you find that OTC glasses improve your vision, you should get a comprehensive eye exam soon. This exam means you can get a prescription for glasses. Your vision will be accurately corrected based on unique biological factors.
Reasons you will need to see an optometrist for a prescription instead of purchasing OTC glasses include:
- Your pupils may not line up with store or online glasses, so you need a custom fit.
- You have an underlying medical condition that changes your refractive error faster than average.
- You have different diopter powers in each eye. OTC reading glasses have the same power in each eye, but most people naturally develop slightly different powers in each eye as their vision changes.
- You have astigmatism, which OTC reading glasses do not correct for.
OTC glasses are made with less precision and tend to be lower-quality glass. These distortions can cause long-term problems with your eyesight.
Top Glasses Retailers & Brands
Today, you have a plethora of options available when it comes to glasses.
Here are some of the top retailers where you can find a variety of brands:
- Warby Parker: This popular eyeglass retailer offers high-quality glasses from a variety of manufacturers.
- GlassesUSA: This company offers both designer and more affordable options in its large online inventory. GlassesUSA features a wide range of frame and lens types.
- Eyeglasses.com: This retailer features a wide array of glasses options, including frames at a variety of price points.
There are hundreds of eyeglass brands. Some of the most popular options include the following:
- Armani
- Kate Spade
- Ted Baker
- Prada
- Coach
- Ray Ban
- DKNY
- Nike
- Oakley
Tips to Help You See Better
While reading glasses may be needed, there are other steps you can take to improve your ability to read.
- Increase the text or font size on your phone, computer, tablets, and electronic reading devices.
- Use high-contrast text on your electronic devices. Check the settings on your phone or tablet to see if this is an option on your device.
- Improve the lighting in your home, office, and work areas.
See Your Doctor Regularly
Overall, it is best to see an optometrist every few years or as soon as you have questions or concerns about your vision quality. It is likely that you have a normal refractive error, but you may have a different condition in your eyes. You may need a different approach than over-the-counter reading glasses to help you.
Establishing a relationship with an optometrist or ophthalmologist means you can have your vision monitored by professionals as you age. This is incredibly important.
References
Eyeglasses for Vision Correction. (December 12, 2015). American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
Prescription Glasses and Contact Lenses. (April 2016). Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Information.
Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses. University of Rochester Medical Center, Health Encyclopedia.
How to Read Your Eyeglass Prescription. (December 7, 2017). WebMD.
20/20 Vision? Why You Still Need an Eye Exam. Aetna Health Insurance.
Recommended Eye Exam Frequency for Pediatric Patients and Adults. American Optometric Association (AOA).
Home Eye Test for Children and Adults. (December 21, 2016). American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
All About the Eye Chart. (February 2021). American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
Find Your Reading Glasses Power. The Fine Print Blog.
The Doctor Will “See” You Now: Online vs. In-Person Vision Tests. (March 15, 2018). CNN.
The information provided on this page should not be used in place of information provided by a doctor or specialist. To learn more, read our Privacy Policy and Editorial Policy pages.
FAQs
The higher the number on your prescription, the more powerful your glasses are. Reading glasses always have a + symbol before their power, and they have a wide range in strength. (Ours go from +0.25 to +2.75 diopters.)
What strength reading glasses do I need by age? ›
45 to 49 years old: Typically, this age group will need +1.00 to +1.50 diopters. 50 to 54 years old: As presbyopia continues, this age range will need between +1.50 and +2.00 diopters. 55 to 59 years old: For this age group, +2.00 to +2.25 diopter reading glasses are typically recommended.
What is the most common reading glasses strength? ›
1.00 reading glasses
This is one of the most commonly-bought reading glasses strengths. It's the prescription to pick if you only have slight problems reading small letters.
Can you get glasses for reading and distance? ›
Progressive lenses have three prescriptions in one pair of glasses. That allows you to do close-up work (like reading a book), middle-distance work (like checking out a website on a computer), or distance viewing (like driving) without needing to change your glasses. They're sometimes called multifocal lenses.
How do I check the power of my glasses at home? ›
Option #1: Use a Printable Diopter Reading Test Card
With the printed sheet 14″ away, attempt to read the top line without reading glasses. Continue down the chart until you find a line you can read clearly without your glasses on – this is the diopter (power/magnification) you need.
Are prescription reading glasses better than over the counter? ›
Prescription glasses will perform better and are tailored to your vision needs. It may not hurt to have a pair of OTC readers available to put on as a backup, but in the end, it's best to get prescription.
What does 2.5 mean in glasses? ›
If your prescription reads -1.00, that means your eyeglasses need 1 diopter of strength to correct nearsightedness. If your prescription reads +2.50, your eyeglasses need 2.5 diopters of strength to correct farsightedness. The higher the number, the more correction your vision needs.
At what age do you need bifocals? ›
Bifocal lenses are used for people who are both nearsighted and farsighted. It is common for people who are over the age of 40 to begin to notice a change in their vision and require the need for bifocals. As we age, our eyes begin to have trouble focusing on objects at different distances away.
What prescription should you get glasses? ›
Starting at what level of prescription should I wear glasses all...
- 20/30 to 20/60: This means you may have a small vision issue, but your vision is almost normal. ...
- 20/70 to 20/160: This suggests that you have a more pressing issue with your vision. ...
- 20/200+: This means you have a significant vision issue.
Do cheap reading glasses damage your eyes? ›
If you don't already need to wear regular eyeglasses, they may even be fine for longer. But cheap readers only magnify the print to help you read it. They are not specific to your individual eye's needs. They probably won't harm your eyesight, but you may experience headaches and eye strain if you use them too much.
“Prescription reading glasses may give you slightly better vision due to higher lens quality and the ability to correct any astigmatism you may have,” he explains. “However, over-the-counter reading glasses are perfectly fine if you are comfortable with the image quality.”
Are 1.75 reading glasses strong? ›
Compared to a -1.25 eyewear prescription, for instance, a -1.75 eyewear prescription is going to be more powerful. A +1.75 add will help you see more clearly when you are looking at close text or images.
Are reading glasses the same as farsighted glasses? ›
Are Reading Glasses for Nearsightedness or Farsightedness? Reading glasses most often help with presbyopia, which is different from nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia).
Are bifocals better than progressives? ›
As compared to bifocal lenses, progressives provide a wider zone of clear vision to make activities like computer use and reading easier for the wearer. Early progressive lens designs had a soft blur during movement.
Is there a difference between reading glasses and computer glasses? ›
In fact, some people use reading glasses as computer glasses. The primary difference comes down to how far away the object is from your eyes. The other difference is that computer glasses often come with a tint or a special coating that helps filter irritating light that comes from computer screens.
How can you tell if your glasses prescription is wrong? ›
5 Signs Your Eyeglasses Need a New Prescription
- Blurred Vision. One of the most obvious signs that your eyeglasses aren't correcting your vision like they should is fuzzy and unclear eyesight. ...
- You're Squinting A Lot. ...
- Your Eyes Feel Tired. ...
- Your Eyes Are Sensitive To Light. ...
- You're Getting Frequent Headaches.
What is considered a strong eye prescription? ›
-3.00 diopters or less is mild. -3.00 to -6.00 diopters is moderate. -6.00 to -9.00 diopters is severe. -9.00 diopters or more is extreme.
What is normal power of eye? ›
20/20 vision is normal vision acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at a distance.
Why is my vision blurry after using reading glasses? ›
Both your eyes and brain need time adjusting to prescription glasses. Some people adjust to this change in a matter of days while others may take weeks to adapt. When it's new glasses causing blurry vision or a new prescription number in old lenses, you have to give yourself time to adjust.
Are readers just magnifiers? ›
The main difference between the two is that readers are a magnifier over your uncorrected vision. In other words they just enlarge the print. They don't sharpen your vision. Many people need some sort of visual correction in order to see clearly.
Distance glasses provide an entirely different function than reading glasses. Distance glasses are used for myopia to correct distance vision which is anything beyond arm's length. Reading glasses are used for hyperopia and presbyopia to correct close vision with 35cm from your face.
Is 2.25 reading glasses strong? ›
Most 40-year-olds can start with low-strength reading glasses (+1.25 or +1.5), increasing to higher-strength readers every few years. By their 60s, most people will need reading glasses with a strength of +2.5 or higher to read comfortably and clearly.
What does 2.0 mean on reading glasses? ›
Typically, objects close to your eyes seem clear, and those that are far away appear blurry. If your prescription reads -2.00, that means you are two diopters nearsighted. If your prescription said +3.50, you are three and a half diopters farsighted.
What does 2.75 mean for glasses? ›
Sph (Sphere)
If you have a minus number, like -2.75, it means you're short-sighted and find it more difficult to focus on distant objects. A plus number indicates long-sightedness, so objects up close appear more blurred or close vision is more tiring on the eyes.
Why do people over 55 often need reading glasses? ›
As you get older, your eyes will naturally start to change. This can happen in a variety of ways, but one of the most common changes is caused by a condition known as “presbyopia”. This is generally what causes people to need reading glasses after the age of 40.
Can you wear bifocals driving? ›
You can absolutely wear bifocals while driving.
Bifocals are glasses that have a corrective prescription for seeing things at a distance at the top of the lens, and a corrective prescription for reading things up close at the bottom.
Should you wear bifocals all the time? ›
Wear your bifocals all the time, at least for a while. To adjust quickly to wearing bifocal glasses or contacts, you'll need to wear them all the time. This includes first thing in the morning, and you can wear bifocal sunglasses if you're outdoors.
Is +0.50 a strong eye prescription? ›
Mild: -0.50 to -3. Moderate: -3.25 to -5.00. High: -5.25 to -10. Extreme: greater than-10.
Should I wear my glasses while on the computer? ›
Working on your computer or laptop for long hours
Wearing eye protection glasses while you are working is ideal to protect your eyes from blue light exposure and to prevent the associated symptoms.
Can eye prescription improve with age? ›
Around age 60, these changes in near vision should stop, and prescription changes should occur less frequently. Presbyopia can't be prevented or cured, but most people should be able to regain clear, comfortable near vision for all of their lifestyle needs.
Most over-the-counter reading glasses start at +1.00 as the lowest reading strength and increase in +0.25 increments. If you currently wear reading glasses and find you have to hold what you're reading further away than normal to read it clearly, you'll need a stronger reading strength.
Why are prescription glasses better than reading glasses? ›
Standard reading glasses are only designed to view objects at close range, which is why bifocals are commonly used to shift between short range and distance vision. Reading glasses are not designed to correct vision problems, and unlike prescription glasses, are not designed for full-time use.
Are expensive reading glasses better than cheap ones? ›
Cheap reading glasses can cause eyestrain — or worse.
But it's easy to choose the wrong power, and the optical quality of cheap reading glasses typically is not as good as a customized pair of glasses for computer use and reading.
What type of lens is best for reading glasses? ›
Plastic lenses, also referred to as acrylic lenses, are the most common lens material for over-the-counter reading glasses, and are known for high visual clarity. Plastic lenses are a much more affordable and lightweight alternative to glass lenses, which are used infrequently because of their weight and fragility.
What is the difference between cheap and expensive reading glasses? ›
What's the Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Reading Glasses? The primary difference is in the quality of the materials. More expensive reading glasses will be made with better, higher quality materials. The lenses may be scratch resistant and fit the frame better.
What is the difference between 1.50 and 1.75 reading glasses? ›
Bottom line: if you use 1.75 now, either 1.5 or 2 will work. 1.5 is less power and your clear focus range will be farther away. Whereas with 2 the range will be a little closer. I bet you won't even notice the difference.
What are the 3 types of glasses lenses? ›
The Different Types of Prescription Lenses
- Single Vision Lenses. Single vision lenses are the most common type of lenses prescribed by optometrists. ...
- Progressive Lenses. If you have trouble seeing at multiple distances, progressive lenses may be best for you. ...
- Bifocal Lenses. ...
- Active Lenses. ...
- High Index Lenses.
How do I know if my prescription is bifocal or progressive? ›
Progressive bifocal lenses provide you with optimum vision and a seamless progression of lens strength. How do I know if I have a bifocal prescription? If you notice that there are numbers in the ADD column of your prescription, you have a bifocal prescription.
Is it better to be nearsighted or farsighted? ›
Farsighted people have better distance vision, while nearsighted people have the opposite (stronger near vision).
What size glasses are best for progressive lenses? ›
The minimum fitting height for progressive lenses is 28-30mm. This will allow proper room in each part of the lens so that you can see your best, whether you're driving or using your computer.
The lined bifocal is usually easier to adapt to, and gives a larger field of view up close than the progressive. In addition, there is a bit of distortion in the lower-periphery of no-line bifocals that is not experienced with the lined bifocal.
Which is better bifocal or multifocal lenses? ›
Bifocals will only provide you with clear vision at two distances. Multifocals can cater for most of the distances that you need to see.
What strength reading glasses do I need by age? ›
45 to 49 years old: Typically, this age group will need +1.00 to +1.50 diopters. 50 to 54 years old: As presbyopia continues, this age range will need between +1.50 and +2.00 diopters. 55 to 59 years old: For this age group, +2.00 to +2.25 diopter reading glasses are typically recommended.
Can you get glasses for reading and distance? ›
Progressive lenses have three prescriptions in one pair of glasses. That allows you to do close-up work (like reading a book), middle-distance work (like checking out a website on a computer), or distance viewing (like driving) without needing to change your glasses. They're sometimes called multifocal lenses.
How can I tell the power of my glasses prescription? ›
How to Read Your Glasses Prescription - YouTube
What does +1.25 mean for glasses? ›
1.00 stands for one diopter. However, the correction can be measured in one-quarter diopters. For example, 1.25 is one and one-quarter diopters. Typically, the further away from zero, the stronger the prescription. For example, 3.50 means that more correction is needed in comparison to a 2.25.
How do you figure out your eye number? ›
To get the right number, you need to do a little math. To find the right reading glasses, add the sphere number to the ADD number. In the above example, for the right eye, this would be -2.00 and +1.75, which equals -0.25. For the left eye, add +1.00 and +1.75 to get +2.75.
What does 1.75 mean for glasses? ›
A -1.75 eyewear prescription essentially signifies that you need some additional power to see some objects that are further away. Specifically, we are talking about things like watching television or objects or people at a distance when you are driving.
What does +0.75 mean in glasses? ›
A plus sign would mean they are farsighted. This second number, -0.75, indicates the person has an astigmatism, which is a distortion in the shape of the cornea that causes blurred vision.
What is considered a strong eye prescription? ›
-3.00 diopters or less is mild. -3.00 to -6.00 diopters is moderate. -6.00 to -9.00 diopters is severe. -9.00 diopters or more is extreme.
The numbers beneath the frames reflect the SIZE MEASUREMENTS in millimeters (mm). THE FIRST NUMBER (ex.54) = the width of the lenses. THE SECOND NUMBER (ex.15) = the distance between the lenses. THE THIRD NUMBER (ex.140) = the length of the temple arm including the portion going behind the ear.
Is +1.00 eye prescription bad? ›
So +1.00 and -1.00 are quite modest; your eyesight isn't too bad, as you only need 1 diopter of correction. On the other hand, +4.50 and -4.50 represent a greater lack of clarity; you'll need a stronger prescription, at 4.5 diopters of correction.
What level of astigmatism require glasses? ›
What Level of Astigmatism Requires Glasses? You'll likely need glasses if your astigmatism has a strength of 1.0 or more. But even if your astigmatism needs less than 1.0 diopters of correction, it doesn't mean you won't need glasses.
What is 2.50 reading glasses? ›
If your prescription reads -1.00, that means your eyeglasses need 1 diopter of strength to correct nearsightedness. If your prescription reads +2.50, your eyeglasses need 2.5 diopters of strength to correct farsightedness. The higher the number, the more correction your vision needs.
How do you know if your eye power has increased or decreased? ›
Five Signs It's Time to Update Your Eye Prescription
- Headaches. Headaches are one of the earliest (and easiest to spot) warning signs it's time to update your eye prescription. ...
- Squinting. Squinting is a natural way to improve clarity and focus blurry objects. ...
- Eye Fatigue. ...
- Blurry Vision. ...
- Year-Old Glasses.
What does 2.75 mean for glasses? ›
Sph (Sphere)
If you have a minus number, like -2.75, it means you're short-sighted and find it more difficult to focus on distant objects. A plus number indicates long-sightedness, so objects up close appear more blurred or close vision is more tiring on the eyes.
Where can I find my eye prescription online? ›
People can use apps, such as GlassesUSA's app, to find out their eyeglass prescription. Alternatively, for a small fee, some websites offer an online eye exam. This may be more suitable for people who do not have a current prescription.
Is +1.75 eye prescription bad? ›
If your number is between +0.25 and +2.00, you have mild farsightedness. If your number is between +2.25 and +5.00, you have moderate farsightedness. If your number is greater than +5.00, you have high farsightedness.
Is there much difference between 1.5 and 1.75 reading glasses? ›
Bottom line: if you use 1.75 now, either 1.5 or 2 will work. 1.5 is less power and your clear focus range will be farther away. Whereas with 2 the range will be a little closer. I bet you won't even notice the difference.
What happens if your glasses are too weak? ›
This leads to a subjective deterioration of your vision. This doesn't cause damage, but it certainly strains your eyes. And it means that your eyes have to work harder. The possible consequences are numerous and include everything from headaches and neck pain, all the way to dizziness or double images.