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Prescribed eyeglasses or “reading glasses”
By Banji Ayoola
I learnt something today which I wish to share with you about caring for your eyes as regards wearing eyeglasses or “reading glasses”.
The two eyes are not equally sharp. One is naturally brighter or sharper than the other. This is taken into consideration by the qualified eye specialist in his or her prescriptions of eyeglasses if there is need to correct some imbalance in a person’s sight, or due to some other defects.
Thus if there is need to wear eyeglasses at all, the lenses are usually adjusted by the qualified specialist in accordance with the natural strength of each eye. It is important to note that due to the natural difference in the sharpness or brightness of the two eyes, the power of the two lenses in the pair of the prescribed or recommended eyeglasses therefore won’t be the same. Again, the prescriptions for one person may not help another person.
But the two lenses of the common “reading glasses” that we often buy cheaply from market traders are usually of the same capacity or strength. We ignorantly wear these “reading glasses” over two eyes that naturally are not equal in strength, or sharpness, and that should be maintained in accordance with the natural strength of each, unaware of the further damage this may cause. — Damage which may be irreversible.
The havoc caused by wearing or using “reading glasses” is hereby apparent.
Therefore, if necessary at all, it is advisable to wear ONLY eyeglasses recommended or prescribed by a qualified eye specialist.
- Further findings from Meta A1:
[8/29, 5:55 PM] olabanjiayoola: Is it true the two eyes are not sharp equally?
[8/29, 5:55 PM] Meta AI: *Yes, that’s true for most people.*
Having one eye a little “sharper” than the other is completely normal. It’s called *ocular dominance* or *unequal visual acuity*.
*Why it happens*
- *Dominant eye* – Just like right-handed or left-handed, most people have a dominant eye. Your brain prefers the image from that eye. About 70% of people are right-eye dominant.
- *Different prescriptions* – One eye can be more nearsighted, farsighted, or have more astigmatism than the other. Doctors call this _anisometropia_.
- *Eye health differences* – Things like dryness, early cataract, or past injury can make one eye see slightly blurrier.
- *How your brain combines images* – Your brain merges both eyes into one 3D picture. It usually picks the clearer image from the dominant eye to lead.
*How you can test it quickly*
- *Dominant eye test*: Make a triangle with your hands, look at a distant object through it. Close left eye, then right eye. The eye where the object stays centered = your dominant eye.
- *Sharpness test*: Cover one eye, read something 6 meters away. Then switch. Most people notice one is a bit clearer.
*When is it a problem?*
It’s usually fine if the difference is small.
See an optometrist if you notice:
– One eye is _much_ blurrier
– Headaches, squinting, double vision
– Sudden change in one eye
– In kids: could lead to “lazy eye” _amblyopia_ if untreated
An eye test will check each eye’s prescription and tell you if you need glasses, or different powers for each eye.
*Fun fact*
Even photographers and shooters rely on this. That’s why rifles and cameras have you use your dominant eye.
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*Bottom line*: Yes, most of us have one eye that’s slightly sharper. It’s normal.
Have you noticed one of yours feels different? If you want, I can tell you simple eye exercises and when it’s worth going for a proper eye check in Ibadan.
[8/29, 5:58 PM] olabanjiayoola: What are the dangers of wearing “reading glasses” bought cheaply from market traders?
[8/29, 5:58 PM] Meta AI: *Short answer: Yes, there are dangers* with those ₦1,000 – ₦3,000 “one-size-fits-all” reading glasses from market traders.
They can help you see up close for a while, but they’re not made for _your_ eyes.
*The 5 main dangers*
*1. Wrong prescription for both eyes*
Your two eyes are almost never exactly the same. See? We just talked about that.
– Market glasses have the *same power in both lenses* e.g. +2.00 in left and right
– If one eye needs +1.50 and the other needs +2.50, you’re forcing one eye to overwork
– *Result*: Headaches, eye strain, blurry vision, tired eyes after 20-30 min
*2. Wrong “pupil distance” PD*
Glasses aren’t just about power. The center of each lens must line up with the center of your pupils.
– Market glasses use one average PD
– If it doesn’t match yours, your eyes have to turn inward/outward to see
– *Result*: Dizziness, double vision, nausea, and long-term eye strain
*3. Poor quality lenses*
– *Optical distortion*: Cheap plastic lenses are wavy. Straight lines look bent
– *No UV protection*: Some clear lenses let UV in. Long-term that can hurt the lens of your eye
– *Scratches easily*: You squint more, which strains eyes
– *Result*: Faster eye fatigue and you may need stronger glasses sooner
*4. They can mask a real problem*
Blurry near vision at 40+ is usually “presbyopia” – normal aging.
But it can also be: cataract, glaucoma, diabetes eye issues, or wrong distance prescription.
– If you just wear cheap readers, you won’t know
– *Result*: A real eye disease gets worse because you delayed a proper check
*5. Wrong use*
Reading glasses are ONLY for close work – books, phone, sewing.
– Some people wear them to drive or watch TV
– *Result*: Blurry distance vision = accident risk
*When are cheap readers “okay” as a temporary fix?*
If you’re 40-60, just need to read menus or WhatsApp for 5 minutes, and both eyes feel the same. Think of them like “emergency glasses” in your bag.
*Safer way to do it*
- *Get an eye test first* – At a hospital, optical shop, or NGO eye camp in Ibadan. It’s ₦2,000 – ₦5,000. They’ll tell you the exact power for each eye + PD
- *Buy ready-made but matched* – Some optical shops sell pre-made glasses but with different powers per eye and correct PD. Better than market ones
- *Custom glasses* – Best if you use them >2 hours daily
*Red flags: Stop using them and see a doctor if:*
– Headaches after using them
– One eye gets more blurry
– Flashes, floaters, or sudden vision change
– You’re diabetic
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*Bottom line*: Market reading glasses won’t make you go blind overnight. But using them daily for hours can give you headaches and hide real eye problems.
How old are you, and what are you using them for – reading, phone, sewing?
I can tell you what power range people usually start with at that age, and where to get a cheap eye test in Ibadan/Ilesha.
