Drug store eyeglasses may hurt eyes

A peculiar change happens to most people after their 40th birthday. Newspapers, dictionaries and phone books become difficult to read. People find they hold the page further away from their eyes but eventually, their arms are too short for comfortable reading. Most likely this is a condition called presbyopia.

Presbyopia is a common condition where the crystalline lens of the eye loses its flexibility, making it difficult to focus on close objects. It is a normal part of aging and cannot be prevented by medication, foods or exercises. To remedy its effects, should a person make an appointment with an optometrist for a complete vision exam or just pick up a pair of inexpensive reading glasses sold at drug stores?

Drug store readers have a much lower optical quality than prescription lenses, comparable to the quality of a disposable camera versus a high-quality digital camera. Even though drug store reading glasses may magnify the print to make it easier to see, the California Optometric Association states that store-bought readers don't correct vision problems and that their users may often experience eye strain and headaches due to the poor optical quality and the lack of customized centering.

Since most people don't have the same quality of vision in both eyes, the eye strain that these reading glasses may cause is compounded because their lenses are always of equal strength.

The real health issue is the false sense of security provided by these glasses, often leading to failure to have a comprehensive eye exam. People who rely on overthe-counter readers may fail to be checked for serious conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness if not detected early.

The California Optometric Association seeks to raise awareness of the need for comprehensive eye exams for everyone, especially those over 40 and experiencing presbyopia. A doctor will discuss proper offtheshelf readers or explain why prescription lenses will work best.

To find a local doctor, visit www.eyehelp.org.